New diarylheptanoids from the rhizomes of Dioscorea spongiosa and their antiosteoporotic activity

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the water extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea spongiosa led to the isolation and identification of new diarylheptanoids, diospongins A - C, together with three known lignans. Their structures, including absolute stereochemistry, were determined by analyses of NMR data, chemical conversions and CD spectrum. The isolated compounds, except for diospongin A, exerted potent inhibitory activities on bone resorption induced by parathyroid hormone in a bone organ culture system.     

Antiosteoporotic activity of the water extract of Dioscorea spongiosa

After 60 MeOH and water extracts of natural crude drugs were screened for their ability to stimulate osteoblast proliferation, four MeOH extracts (Cynomorium songaricum, Drynaria fortunei, Lycium chinense, Rehmannia glutinosa) and seven water extracts (Cornus officinalis, Dendrobium nobile, Dioscorea spongiosa, Drynaria fortunei, Eucommia ulmoides, Lycium chinensis, Viscum coloratum) showed that potent activities were evaluated for inhibition of osteoclast formation. The results indicated that the water extract of D. spongiosa not only showed the strongest stimulation of osteoblast proliferation but also possessed potent inhibitory activity aganist osteoclast formation, whereas it showed lower cytotoxicity in osteoblast and bone marrow cells. A further in vivo experiment determined the antiosteoporotic activity of this extract, in which it inhibited the decrease in cancellous bone mineral content, cancellous bone mineral density, and cortical bone mineral content of the proximal tibia in ovariectomized rats.     

The in vitro anti-osteoporotic activity of some diarylheptanoids and lignans from the rhizomes of Dioscorea spongiosa

Three diarylheptanoids and three lignans from the 90 % ethanol fraction of the rhizomes of DIOSCOREA SPONGIOSA were isolated and subjected to IN VITRO experiments to investigate their activity on osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Diarylheptanoid 1 and furofuran lignan 6 were found to significantly stimulate the proliferation of primary osteoblasts and 6 also mildly stimulated osteoblast mineralization by mouse calvaria osteoblastic cells. All diarylheptanoids and lignans at a concentration of 200 muM completely inhibited the formation of osteoclast-like cells. These results demonstrate that the isolated diarylheptanoids and lignans in the 90 % ethanol fraction have significant anti-osteoporotic activities.     

In vivo biodistribution of ginkgolide B, a constituent of Ginkgo biloba, visualized by MicroPET

The in vivo dynamic behavior of ginkgolide B (GB), a terpene lactone constituent of the Ginkgo biloba extracts, in the living animal was visualized by positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging using a GB analogue labeled with the positron emitter (18)F. The in vivo imaging studies, combined with ex vivo dissection experiments, reveal that GB exists in 2 forms in the body: the original GB with its lactone rings closed and a second form with one of the rings open. The original GB in plasma is taken up rapidly by various organs including the liver, the intestine and possibly the stomach. Consequently, in plasma, the proportion of the ionized form of GB increases dramatically with time. Thereafter the ratio between the 2 forms appears to shift slowly towards equilibrium. The results suggest that more attention needs to be focused on in vivo dynamics between the 2 forms of GB.     

In vivo hepatoprotective activity of active fraction from ethanolic extract of Eclipta alba leaves

The alcoholic extract of fresh leaves of the plant Eclipta alba (Ea), previously reported for is hepatoprotective activity was fractionated into three parts to chemically identify the most potent bioactive fraction. The hepatoprotective potential of the fraction prepared from extract was studied in vivo in rats and mice against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotective activity was determined on the basis of their effects on parameters like hexobarbitone sleep time, zoxazolamine paralysis time, bromosulphaline clearance, serum transaminases and serum bilirubin. Fraction EaII (10-80 mg/kg, p.o.) containing coumestan wedelolactone and desmethylwedelolactone as major components with apigenin, luteolin, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and protocateuic acid as minor constituents exhibited maximum hepatoprotective activity and is the active fraction for hepatoprotective activity of Eclipta alba leave. The acute toxicity studies have shown that like Ea, Fraction EaII also high safety margin.     

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of Tithonia diversifolia and identification of its main active constituent: tagitinin C

The antimalarial properties of Tithonia diversifolia, an Asteraceae traditionally used to treat malaria, were investigated in vitro against three strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The ether extract from aerial parts of the plant collected in S?o Tomé e Príncipe, demonstrated good antiplasmodial activity (IC 50 on FCA strain: 0.75 microg/ml). A bioassay guided fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of the known sesquiterpene lactone tagitinin C as an active component against Plasmodium (IC 50 on FCA strain: 0.33 microg/ml), but also possessing cytotoxic properties (IC 50 on HTC-116 cells: 0.706 microg/ml).     

Strong antihyperglycemic effects of water-soluble fraction of Brazilian propolis and its bioactive constituent, 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid

To clarify the suppression of postprandial blood glucose rise via alpha-glucosidase (AGH) inhibitory action by natural compounds, propolis was examined in this study. A single oral administration of propolis extract (50% methanol fraction on XAD-2 column chromatography) in Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrated a potent antihyperglycemic effect with the significant AUC(0-120 min) reduction of 38% at a dose of 20 mg/kg compared to that of controls. Among the active compounds isolated from the fraction, 3,4,5-tri-caffeoylquinic acid was found to be a prominent candidate that exerts the effect and shows a strong maltase-specific inhibition with an IC(50) value of 24 microM. In addition, the noncompetitive inhibition power apparently increased with the number of caffeoyl groups bound to quinic acid.     

In vitro and in vivo vasodilatory activity of barnidipine and its enantiomers

Barnidipine, (3'S)-1-benzyl-3-pyrrolidinyl methyl (4S)-2,6-dimethyl-4-(m-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylat e, is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist with asymmetric carbons at the dihydropyridine C-4 and the pyrrolidine C-3' positions. In this study, the vasodilatory activity of barnidipine and its 3 optical isomers were compared in vitro and in vivo to assess the steric effects of these asymmetric carbons. All these enantiomers produced concentration-dependent relaxation on KCI (40 mM)-induced contractions in isolated guinea pig aorta with a potency order of barnidipine>(3'R,4R) approximately/= (3'R,4S)>(3'S,4R). The potency ratio between barnidipine and the (3'S,4R) enantiomer was 118. All enantiomers increased coronary blood flow after intra-arterial administration to anesthetized coronary-perfused dogs. The potency order almost agreed with that obtained in vitro, although the potency ratio between barnidipine and the (3'S,4R) enantiomer was only 15. These 4 enantiomers showed stereoselectivity for time course changes as well. The onset and disappearance of blood flow increase after intracoronary administration of barnidipine were slower than those of other enantiomers. The duration for barnidipine was longer than those for other dihydropyridine calcium antagonists such as nifedipine or nitrendipine. The present study suggests stereoselectivity for the C-4 dihydropyridine and to a lesser degree for the C-3' of pyrrolidine in an ester moiety. The steric effects of these carbons were observed not only in the potency of vasodilatory activity but also in its duration.     

In vivo antibacterial activity of cefodizime, a new cephalosporin antibiotic

The in vivo activity of cefodizime (HR 221) was compared with that of cefotaxime (CTX), cefmenoxime, latamoxef, cefazolin and cefmetazole (CMZ). The protective effects of HR 221 on experimental infections in mice caused by Staphylococcus aureus Smith, Escherichia coli C-11, Proteus vulgaris GN-76 and Serratia marcescens No. 2 were directly related to its in vitro activity against these strains. In contrast, the compound showed the smallest ED50 values, among the 5 antibiotics tested (not including CMZ), for Klebsiella pneumoniae 3K-25 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PI 67 against which it had relatively low in vitro activity, and its ED50 for Citrobacter freundii GN-346 was as small as 1.821 mg/mouse in spite of its MIC of greater than 100 micrograms/ml. HR 221 exerted potent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae Sp-1 inoculated into the mouse lung; the duration of action was prolonged. When tested against the E. coli Ec-89 infection induced in the rat uterus, the activity of HR 221 given to rats once daily was equal to that of CTX or CMZ given at the same dose twice daily.     

新氨基糖苷类抗生素vertimicin的体内抗菌活性研究

目的 评价新氨基糖苷类抗生素vertimicin（VTM）的体内抗菌活性。方法 采用小鼠全身感染模型，观察VTM对临床分离大肠埃希菌（E．coli）、肺炎克雷伯菌（K．pneumoniae）、铜绿假单胞菌（Ps．aeruginosa）和金葡菌（S．aureus）腹腔感染小鼠的体内疗效；采用兔皮肤烫伤感染模型、小鼠泌尿道上行性感染模型观察VTM对临床分离大肠埃希菌局部感染的体内疗效，并与对照药进行比较。结果 VTM皮下或静脉给药对E．coll96-12、K．pneumonlae93-5、Ps．aeruglnosa94-17和S．aureus93-44腹腔感染小鼠具有相似的体内疗效，皮下给药的ED50值分别为0．67、0．29、2．41和0．99mg／kg，静脉给药的ED50值分别为0．46、0．23、0．99和1．52mg／kg，体内疗效与奈替米星相近。兔皮肤烫伤感染模型中，VTM各剂量组兔皮肤组织活菌落数明显低于对照组（P〈0．05或0．01）。小鼠泌尿道上行性感染模型中，VTM各剂量组肾组织活菌落数明显低于对照组，肾剖面盖印细菌阴性率明显高于对照组（P〈0．01），抗菌活性优于庆大霉素。结论 VTM对全身和局部感染动物均显示较好保护作用，体内疗效与奈替米星相近。     

Hepatoprotective activity of scopoletin, a constituent ofSolanum lyratum

Scopoletin (7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin), a coumarin, was isolated from the aerial part ofSolanum lyratum Thunb. by the activity-guided fractionation employing carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated primary cultured rat hepatocytes as a screening system. Its hepatoprotective activity was first evaluated by measuring the release of glutamic pyruvic transaminase and sorbitol dehydrogenase from carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rat hepatocytes into the culture medium. Scopoletin significantly reduced the releases of glutamic pyruvic transaminase and sorbitol dehydrogenase from the carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated primary cultured rat hepatocytes by 53% and 58%, respectively, from the toxicity in a dose-dependent manner over concentration ranges of 1 μM to 50 μM. Further studies revealed that at the concentration of 10 μM, scopoletin significantly preserved glutathione content by 50% and the activity of superoxide dismutase by 36% and also inhibited the production of malondialdehyde to the degree as seen in the control.     

In vivo evaluation of analgesic,anti-inflammatory,and neuropharmacological activities of the chemical constituent from Nepeta clarkei

Archives of Pharmacal Research - The plant species of genus Nepeta are used to treat various human diseases and for ornamental purposes as well. Nepethalate B (1) was isolated as a result of...     

In vitro and in vivo alpha-blocking activity of thymoxamine and its two metabolites

The alpha-adrenoceptor potency of thymoxamine and its two metabolites deacetylthymoxamine and demethyldeacetylthymoxamine were determined on the contraction of rat vas deferens induced by noradrenaline, the blood pressure increase induced by noradrenaline given i.v. to dogs and the contraction of the nictitating membrane induced by electrical stimulation in cats. In vivo the three drugs were administered at 6.35 x 10(-6) mol kg-1 intravenously. Deacetylthymoxamine presented nearly the same alpha-blocking activity as the parent drug. This was ascribed in vivo to the rapid deacetylation of thymoxamine. Demethyldeacetylthymoxamine was less active. In vitro its pA2 was 6.20 +/- 0.09 compared with 6.75 +/- 0.20 for thymoxamine and 6.57 +/- 0.13 for deacetylthymoxamine. In vivo, it was inactive in dog and less active than the other two drugs soon after its administration in the cat. The oral LD 50 values in the mouse for the three drugs were respectively 0.81, 0.71 and 1.14 mmol kg-1 for thymoxamine, deacetylthymoxamine and demethyldeacetylthymoxamine.     

In vivo antigenotoxicity of baccharin, an important constituent of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae)

Baccharin (3-prenyl-4-(dihydrocinnamoyloxy)cinnamic acid) is an important chemical compound isolated from the aerial parts of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae), a native plant of South America, and the most important plant source of Brazilian green propolis. The present study was designed to investigate the ability of baccharin to modulate the genotoxic effects induced by doxorubicin and methyl methanesulphonate in male Swiss mice using the micronucleus and comet assays, respectively. The different doses of baccharin [0.12, 0.24 and 0.48 mg/kg body-weight (b.w.)] were administered simultaneously to doxorubicin (micronucleus test; 15 mg/kg b.w.) and to methyl methanesulphonate (comet assay; 40 mg/kg b.w.). The results showed a significant decrease in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in animals treated with baccharin and doxorubicin compared to animals that received only doxorubicin. This reduction ranged from 39.8% to 50.7% in the micronucleus test. The extent of DNA damage in liver cells was significantly lower in animals treated with different concentrations of baccharin combined with methyl methanesulphonate in comparison with the damage observed for animals treated only with methyl methanesulphonate. These differences resulted in a significant reduction in the extent of DNA damage, which ranged from 47.8% to 60.6%.     

In vitro and in vivo antineoplastic activity of a novel bromopyrrole and its potential mechanism of action

Background and purpose:

Many bromopyrrole compounds have been reported to have in vitro antineoplastic activity. In a previous study, we isolated N-(4, 5-dibromo-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-L-amino isovaleric acid methyl ester (B6) from marine sponges. Here, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo antineoplastic activity of B6 and its potential mechanism.

Experimental approach:

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to determine the in vitro antineoplastic activity of B6. Flow cytometry, western blot analysis and morphological observations were used to investigate its mechanism of action. A mouse xenograft model was used to determine its in vivo activity.

Key results:

B6 inhibited the proliferation of various human cancer cells in vitro, with highest activity on LOVO and HeLa cells. B6 also exhibited significant growth inhibitory effects in vivo in a xenograft mouse model. Acute toxicity analysis suggested that B6 has low toxicity. B6-treated cells arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and had an increased fraction of sub-G1 cells. In addition, the population of Annexin V-positive/propidium iodide-negative cells increased, indicating the induction of early apoptosis. Indeed, B6-treated cells exhibited morphologies typical of cells undergoing apoptosis. Western blotting showed cleaved forms of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in cells exposed to B6. Moreover, B6-promoted Ca²⁺ release and apoptosis was associated with elevated intracellular Ca²⁺concentration.

Conclusions and implications:

B6 has significant antineoplastic activity in vitro as well as in vivo. It inhibits tumour cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. With its low toxicity, B6 represents a promising antineoplastic, primary compound.     

Anti-hepatotoxic activity of icariside II,a constituent ofEpimedium koreanum

Icariside II, a flavonol glycoside, was isolated from the aerial part ofEpimedium koreanum Nakai by the anti-hepatotoxic activity guided fractionation technique employing CCl₄-intoxicated primary cultured rat hepatocytes as an assay system. Its anti-hepatotoxic activity was evaluated by measuring activity of glutamic pyruvic transaminase released from the CCl₄-in-toxicated primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Icariside II significantly reduced the activity of glutamic pyruvic transaminase released from the CCl₄-intoxicated primary cultured rat hepatocytes and resulted in 78% recovery of the toxicity at the concentration of 200 μM. The antihepatotoxic activity of icariside II on the CCl₄-intoxicated primary cultured rat hepatocytes was as potent as that of silybin.     

In vivo reconstitution of ricin-like activity from its A and B chain subunits

The capacity of highly purified preparations of ricin A and B chains to reconstitute ricin toxicity both in vitro and in vivo was studied. When the nontoxic A and B chain subunits were mixed and electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE), reconstituted ricin was observed. The mixtures killed cells of the human Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Daudi in vitro and killed mice after i.v. injection. It was also shown that when mice were injected with one ricin subunit followed by administration of the complementary polypeptide up to 8 hr later, they died with lesions similar to those of ricin-induced death. This observation suggests that A and B chains recombine either in the serum or on the surface of cells. The rate of clearance of A and B chains from the blood of rats indicated that sufficient concentrations of either chain were present in the circulation 8 hr after injection to account for the observed toxicity. The above studies therefore suggest that the subunits of ricin have a very high affinity for each other and are capable of reconstituting biologically active ricin in vitro and in injected mice.     

In vivo antioxidant activity of polysaccharide fraction from Porphyra haitanesis (Rhodephyta) in aging mice.

Sulfated polysaccharide fraction F2 from Porphyra haitanesis (Rhodephyta) showed inhibitory effect on the in vitro lipid peroxidation. In the present study, the age-related changes in the antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in different organs in mice were investigated and the in vivo antioxidant effect of F2 in aging mice was checked. Increased endogenous lipid peroxidation and decreased TAOC were observed in aging mice. Intraperitoneal administration of F2 significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. F2 treatment increased TAOC and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in all the organs tested in aging mice. It is concluded that the sulfated polysaccharide fraction F2 can be used in compensating the decline in TAOC and the activities of antioxidant enzymes and thereby reduces the risks of lipid peroxidation.     

In vivo antibacterial activity of FK482, a new orally active cephalosporin

The therapeutic activities of orally administered FK482 were compared with those of reference antibiotics against systemic and local infections with a variety of bacteria in mice and rabbits. In systemic infections in mice, oral FK482 was almost as effective as oral cefaclor (CCL) and more effective than oral cephalexin (CEX) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis infections. However, FK482 afforded superior protective activity when given subcutaneously against E. coli infection in mice, and this activity was more potent than that of subcutaneously given CCL. In comparison with CCL, the reason that the in vivo activity of orally given FK482 against mouse systemic infections was weaker than had been anticipated from its potent in vitro activity was due to its poor oral absorption in mice. In local infections in rabbits, a species in which FK482 was better absorbed than in mice, FK482 was more effective than CCL, CEX or amoxicillin (AMPC). Against pneumonia induced by S. aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, FK482 was as effective as AMPC and more effective than CCL in reducing the number of viable bacteria in the lungs of infected rabbits. In the oral treatment of experimental ascending pyelonephritis in rabbits, FK482 was superior to CCL and AMPC against methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection, as effective as AMPC and more effective than CCL against Enterococcus faecalis infection, and as effective as cefixime (CFIX) and more effective than CCL and AMPC against E. coli infection in reducing the number of viable bacteria in the kidneys and urine.     

舒他西林甲磺酸盐体内抗菌作用研究

舒他西林对４种细菌（金葡球菌、肺炎链球菌、大肠杆菌和肺炎克雷伯氏杆菌）共８个菌株分别感染小鼠的体内抗菌作用进行了研究，并以氨苄西林作为对照，以评价舒他西林对小鼠败血症的实验治疗疗效。实验结果显示：对金葡球菌、大肠杆菌和肺炎克雷伯氏杆菌，舒他西林的ＥＤ５０分别是氨苄西林ＥＤ５０的１／２～１／３、１／５～１／６和１／２～１／３，舒他西林的体内抗菌作用优于氨苄西林（Ｐ＜０．０１）。对氨苄西林敏感的肺炎链球菌，两药均显示出强大的抗菌活性，舒他西林的ＥＤ５０为氨苄西林的２～３倍，其抗菌活性逊于氨苄西林（Ｐ＜０．０１）。