Anti-inflammatory activities of Trichilia glabra aqueous leaf extract

Trichilia glabra L. aqueous leaf extract exerted a significant antiinflammatory effect 'in vivo' in the zymosan-induced inflammation model. The extract impaired the 'in vitro' activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and complement, components of mouse immune system closely related to the inflammatory response induced by zymosan. In particular, a significant reduction in the phagocytic capability and respiratory burst response of mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes together with an inhibition in the hemolytic activity of mouse complement was observed.     

In vivo and in vitro immunomodulatory activities of Trichilia glabra aqueous leaf extracts

The effects of Trichilia glabra (Meliaceae) aqueous leaf extract on mouse lymphocytes were studied. The in vitro proliferation of T and B lymphocytes was completely impaired. Besides, the extract significantly diminished both antibody and delayed hypersensitivity responses in treated mice. These results suggest that the extract exerts a marked immunomodulatory effect on the murine immune system.     

Immunomodulatory activities of Cedrela tubiflora leaf aqueous extracts

Human peripheral blood monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes treated with leaf aqueous extracts of the Meliaceae tree Cedrela tubiflora showed a diminution in both their phagocytic and respiratory burst activities. Besides, the extract inhibited the proliferation of Concanavalin A stimulated lymphocytes. A decrease in the hemolytic capacity of the human complement was also observed. The significance of the inhibitory effect observed over some components of the human immune system closely related with the inflammatory process is discussed.     

In vitro activities of Cedrela tubiflora aqueous leaf extracts on murine macrophages,polymorphonuclear leukocytes and complement

Cedrela tubiflora aqueous leaf extracts are capable of inhibiting in vitro the activity of some components of the mouse immune system related to inflammatory responses. A significant reduction in the phagocytic capability and respiratory burst response (61.5% and 57.6%, respectively) of murine peritoneal macrophages was observed when these cells were incubated for 24 h with medium containing 1 mg/mL extract. On the other hand, at a concentration of 4 mg/mL, the extract reduced significantly the phagocytic activity of mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes (87.5%) without altering the oxidative metabolism of these cells. Finally, a concentration of 2 mg/mL was required to inhibit the haemolytic activity of both pathways of mouse complement.     

海木的化学成分研究

目的 对产自广西桂林市永福县的海木的化学成分进行研究.方法 海木树皮用95％乙醇回流提取,提取液经减压浓缩得到浸膏,浸膏石油醚部分应用硅胶柱色谱方法分离得到化合物Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ;浸膏三氯甲烷部分应用硅胶柱色谱和sephadex LH-20分离得到化合物V、Ⅵ、Ⅶ、Ⅷ、Ⅸ,浸膏正丁醇部分应用硅胶柱色谱方法分离得到化合物Ⅹ...     

Pharmacological properties of Visnea mocanera L. f. extracts: Screening for analgesic,antipyretic, antiinflammatory and ulcerogenic activities in rodents

Different extracts of Visnea mocanera L. f. (Theaceae) were evaluated for analgesic, antipyretic, antiinflammatory and ulcerogenic properties in mice and rats. The acetone extract from the leaves and the syrup from the fruits exerted central analgesic properties, associated with significant but transient antiinflammatory effects on acute inflammatory processes. The acetone extract also possessed topical antiinflammatory effects. The extracts assayed did not display antipyretic and ulcerogenic activity. Sub-acute toxicological experiments indicated a very low toxicity in mice.     

Preclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Trichilia catigua preparations have been popularly used in Brazil as a tonic for the treatment of fatigue, stress, impotence, and deficiency of memory. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible antidepressant, anxiolytic, motor and cognitive effects of the crude extract (CE) or ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of Trichilia catigua. Analyses of the total phenolics and total tannins content, as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of CE and EAF were also performed.

Materials and methods

CE (200-800 mg/kg) and EAF (100-400 mg/kg) were orally administered to mice and 1 h later the behavioral tests were performed. The free radical scavenging activity was measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method.

Results

Single administration of CE (200-400 mg/kg) or EAF (100-400 mg/kg) did not change the behavior of the animals submitted to the elevated plus maze or their locomotor activity in the open field test. An antidepressant-like effect was detected with EAF (400 mg/kg) after acute administration. Both CE (800 mg/kg) and EAF (200 and 400 mg/kg), improve memory in mice as measured by an increased latency in the step-down inhibitory avoidance test. The EAF presented higher total phenolics and total tannins as compared to CE as well as it exhibited the best antioxidant activity.

Conclusions

The present results showed an in vitro antioxidant activity for EAF and suggested that it may be useful for cognitive improvement. It is possible that both functional and chemical activities are related.     

Antifungal activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts and its active constituent glabridin

Glabridin, an active constituent of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots, was found to be active against both yeast and filamentous fungi. Glabridin also showed resistance modifying activity against drug resistant mutants of Candida albicans at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25–250 µg/mL. Although the compound was reported earlier to be active against Candida albicans, but this is the first report of its activity against drug resistant mutants. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of antiinflammatory plant extracts on ovoimplantation in rats

The effects of five antiinflammatory plant extracts on ovoimplantation was investigated in albino rats. Rats treated with plant extracts from days 4 to 6 (periimplantation) of pregnancy showed either a total absence (20%–40%) or a considerably reduced number of implantations in utero. The observation suggests that the use of antiinflammatory plant extracts during the periimplantation period impairs fertility probably by reducing the vascular permeability which is an obligate accompaniment of normal implantation.     

Mechanisms of olive leaf extract-ameliorated rat arthritis caused by kaolin and carrageenan

Olive leaf extract (OLE) has antioxidant and antiinflammatory actions. However, the role of OLE in mechanical inflammatory arthritis (osteoarthritis, OA) is unclear. This study investigated the effect of OLE on the development of kaolin and carrageenan-induced arthritis, a murine model of OA. Administration of OLE significantly ameliorated paw swelling, the paw Evans blue content and the histopathological scores. In the human monocyte cell line, THP-1, the OLE reduced the LPS-induced TNF-α production and was dose dependent. Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice also revealed that treatment with OLE suppressed ear edema, myeloperoxidase (MPO) production and was dose dependent. These results indicated that OLE is an effective antiarthritis agent through an antiinflammation mechanism. Also OLE may be beneficial for the treatment of OA in humans.     

Anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity of Achyrocline flaccida Wein DC and Gamochaeta simplicicaulis aqueous extracts

The anti-human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) activity of two South American plant extracts was studied in vitro. The concentrations of aqueous extracts of Achyrocline flaccida Wein DC (AF) and Gamochaeta simplicicaulis (GS) that inhibit 50% of viral production were 3 and 5 μg/mL respectively. The concentrations that inhibit cellular growth were 400 and 600 μg/mL. Non-virucidal activity was detected. The results indicate that the potent anti-HIV-1 activities of both AF and GS extracts might occur at an early step of viral replication on infected lymphocytes of primary origin. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Immunomodulatory activities of some Turkish medicinal plants

The extracts of Arctium minus, Ecballium elaterium, Momordica charantia, Plantago major, Urtica dioica and Viscum album used for various disorders in Anatolia were investigated in vitro for their neutrophil chemotactic and intracellular killing activities by Boyden migration chamber and nitrozoblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction tests, respectively. The extracts of Arctium minus, Momordica charantia, Urtica dioica and Viscum album were statistically active in chemotaxis and random migration tests. Also, the extracts of Urtica dioica seeds and leaves are suggested as possibly useful for patients suffering from neutrophil function deficiency. On the other hand, NBT results indicated that the extracts of Arctium minus, Ecballium elaterium and Viscum album have the ability to reduce active radicals suggesting that these extracts are also valuable in the medical treatment of some diseases associated with free radical damage. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bioactivity studies on Cassia alata Linn. leaf extracts

The hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Cussia alata Linn. were tested for their antimutagenic, antifungal, analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic activities. At a dosage of 5 mg/20 g mouse, the hexane extract was analgesic as it reduced the number of squirms induced by acetic acid by 59.5%. Both the hexane and EtOAc extracts exhibited antiinflammatory activity at a dosage of 5 mg/20 g mouse with a 65.5% and 68.2% decrease in carrageenan-induced inflammation, respectively. The chloroform extract was antimutagenic, at a dosage of 2 mg/20 g mouse, with a 65.8% inhibition in the mutagenicity of tetracycline. It was also the most active against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, at a concentration of 50 mg/mL but it had no activity against Candida albicans. The hexane and EtOAc extracts showed some activity against both organisms, with the EtOAc extract being more active against C. albicans. The EtOAc extract was hypoglycaemic. At a dosage of 5 mg/20 g mouse, it decreased the blood sugar level of mice by 58.3%. Pharmacological studies showed that all extracts caused an immediate decrease in motor activity, enophthalmus, hyperemia, micturition and diarrhoea. At a dosage of 150 mg/20 g mouse, the EtOAc extract caused paralysis, screen grip loss and enophthalmus accompanied by drooping and closure of the eyelids.     

草珊瑚光合特性研究

目的:了解草珊瑚光合特性,为草珊瑚科学栽培提供理论依据.方法:采用LI-6400便携式光合仪,对种植在浙江林学院药用植物种质资源圃内采自20个全国主产区草珊瑚种源的植株光合特性进行系统测定与比较.结果:草珊瑚的光饱和点均在800μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)左右,光补偿点在14.70～48.68μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1);各不同种源草珊瑚的净光合速率日变化均呈"双峰"曲线,上下午各有一高峰,在11:00-13:00净光合速率显著降低,出现光合"午休"现象.实验结果表明,影响净光合速率日变化主要因子有胞间二氧化碳浓度(C_i),二氧化碳浓度(CO_2S)和蒸腾速率(T_r),其与净光合速率之间的相关系数均值分别为-0.89(P<0.01),-0.75(P<0.05),0.69(P<0.05).结论:草珊瑚具有良好的耐荫性,通过遮荫和洒水以降低小环境温度,提高湿度,可减少"午休"现象出现的时间,提高光合效率.     

Antioxidant activities of aqueous leaf extracts of Toona sinensis on free radical-induced endothelial cell damage

Ethnopharmacological relavence

In Taiwan, Toona sinensis (Toona sinensis) is well known as a traditional Chinese medicine, while the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of this drug are still a matter of debate.

Materials and methods

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts of Toona sinensis (TS extracts; 50-100 μg/mL) and gallic acid (5 μg/mL), a major component of these extracts, against AAPH-induced oxidative cell damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs).

Results

Exposure of ECs to AAPH (15 mM) decreased cell viability from 100% to 43%. However, ECs were pre-incubated with TS extracts prior to AAPH induction resulted in increased resistance to oxidative stress and cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. An increase in ECs-derived PGI₂ and IL-1β in response to AAPH exposure was positively correlated with cytotoxicity and negatively with TS extracts concentrations. In addition, gallic acid also suppressed PGI₂ and IL-1β production in AAPH-induced ECs. Notably, TS extracts/gallic acid treatment significantly inhibited ROS generation, MDA formation, SOD/catalase activity, and Bax/Bcl-2 dysregulation in AAPH-stimulated ECs. Pretreatment of ECs with TS extracts/gallic acid also suppressed AAPH-induced cell surface expression and secretion of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, which was associated with abridged adhesion of U937 leukocytes to ECs. Moreover, TS extracts/gallic acid treatment significantly inhibited the AAPH-mediated up regulation of PAI-1 and down regulation of t-PA in ECs, which may decrease fibrinolytic activity.

Conclusions

Therefore, Toona sinensis may possess antioxidant properties that protect endothelial cells from oxidative stress. Our results also support the traditional use of Toona sinensis in the treatment of free radical-related diseases and atherosclerosis.     

肿节风的HPLC指纹图谱的研究

目的考察不同产地肿节风的质量。方法收集不同产地肿节风药材20批,采用HPLC法测定药材的指纹图谱,以Agilent Elipse XDB-C18色谱柱,乙腈-0.1%磷酸溶液(含2.5%乙腈)为流动相进行梯度洗脱,检测波长344nm,柱温38℃;采用《中药色谱指纹图谱相似度评价系统A版》,以1#样品为模版,计算各被测样品的HPLC指纹图谱的整体相似度。结果其他19批被测样品的色谱指纹图谱的整体相似度在0.334~0.999。结论本法操作简便,重现性好,可用于不同产地药材的指纹图谱的测定和质量评价。由于不同产地肿节风药材指纹图谱差异较大,有必要对原料药材的产地进行考察。     

土茯苓离体快繁研究

以土茯苓Smilax glabra Roxb根状茎侧芽的生长锥为外植体,以MS、3/2MS、B5和改良H等培养基为基本培养基,附加不同浓度的植物生长调节剂进行离体培养研究.结果表明:外植体在MS 6-BA 1.0 mg/L NAA 0.1 mg/L培养基上芽的萌动速度较快;萌动芽在MS 6-BA 1.0 mg/L NAA 0.1 mg/L 10%CM(椰子汁)培养基上丛生芽诱导和增殖的效果最佳;3/2MS 6-BA 0.05 mg/L 4%蔗糖培养基的壮苗效果较好;H NAA 0.5 mg/L培养基的生根率可达94%以上;以沙和泥炭土各1/2为基质移栽试管苗,成活率达到95%以上.     

九节茶资源调查与开发前景

通过调查,华南部分地区,包括广东、广西及江西等地的九节茶资源非常丰富,极具开发前景.     

A pharmacological study of Araujia sericifera B. extracts in rodents

The present study analyses the pharmacological activity in in vitro and in vivo models of different extracts obtained from Araujia sericifera. The hexane extract of fruits lacked toxicity, but exhibited an analgesic effect in models of chemical and thermal stimulation. Such an extract was the only one which exhibited antiinflammatory actions. The intrinsic effect on arterial blood pressure was biphasic: at low doses it significantly increased blood pressure, whereas at high doses it exerted the opposite effect. On isolated organs it produced a marked decrease in the maximum effect of histamine and acetylcholine. The dichloromethanol extract of fruits decreased arterial pressure and the maximum effect of histamine. The methanol extract of fruits slightly depressed the CNS. An analgesic effect was noted following chemical stimulation; the maximum effect of serotonin was significantly decreased. The dichloromethanol extract of seeds markedly decreased arterial pressure and the maximum effect of acetylcholine and serotonin. The methanol extract of seeds exerted an analgesic effect after chemical stimulation and modified the maximum effect of noradrenaline and serotonin.