黄芩斑枯病病原菌生物学特性及室内药剂筛选

目的 明确黄芩斑枯病病原菌多主棒孢Corynespora cassiicola的生物学特性,筛选高效安全的杀菌剂,科学防治黄芩斑枯病。方法 通过菌落生长速率法评价碳源、氮源、温度、培养基、pH、光照对多主棒孢菌落生长的影响,以及5种杀菌剂对病原菌的室内毒力。结果 多主棒孢最适生长条件为胡萝卜培养基外源添加可溶性淀粉和蔗糖作为碳源、蛋白胨作为氮源、pH为6、温度为30 ℃。菌丝致死条件为51 ℃处理10 min,孢子致死条件为54 ℃处理10 min。98%多菌灵对多主棒孢的毒力最强,半数效应浓度（EC₅₀）为0.07 mg·L^–1;其次是98%咯菌腈、98%咪鲜胺和98%吡唑醚菌酯,EC₅₀分别为0.10、0.18、3.06 mg·L^–1;98%嘧菌酯对多主棒孢的毒力最弱,EC₅₀为632.39 mg·L^–1。结论 黄芩斑枯病病原菌适生范围较广,在多种碳源、氮源、培养基及pH条件下均可生长,在中性偏弱酸、较高温条件下生长速度较快。多菌灵和咯菌腈对多主棒孢表现出较强的抑制作用,可考虑将其用于黄芩斑枯病的田间防治。     

白头翁汤正丁醇提取物对热带念珠菌毒力因子的影响

目的:探讨白头翁汤正丁醇提取物butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng decoction,BAEB对热带念珠菌(Candida tropicalis)毒力因子细胞表面疏水性、菌丝及生物膜形成的影响。 方法:采用微量稀释法测定BAEB对热带念珠菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC);XTT还原法测定BAEB对热带念珠菌生物膜抑制作用(SMIC₈₀),Time-Kill法检测BAEB对热带念珠菌活菌数的动态影响;水-烃两相法测定BAEB对热带念珠菌细胞表面疏水性(cell surface hydrophobicity,CSH)的影响;荧光显微镜观察BAEB对热带念珠菌菌丝形态的影响;扫描电镜观察BAEB对热带念珠菌生物膜形态的影响;激光共聚焦显微镜检测BAEB对热带念珠菌生物膜荧光信号强度的影响;实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测菌丝及生物膜相关基因UME6,NRG1,ALST3的表达量变化。 结果:BAEB对9株热带念珠菌的MIC在64~128 mg·L^-1,对热带念珠菌生物膜的SMIC₈₀为256~512 mg·L^-1,FLZ对热带念珠菌的MIC在1~1 024 mg·L^-1,SMIC₈₀为1 024 mg·L^-1或以上,Time-Kill曲线显示256,512 mg·L^-1BAEB具有明显的杀菌作用,CSH实验显示128,256,512 mg·L^-1BAEB均能够降低其表面疏水性,SEM观察到512 mg·L^-1BAEB能够有效抑制热带念珠菌在硅胶导尿管上生物膜完整度,CLSM显示256,512 mg·L^-1BAEB可以明显降低生物膜荧光信号强度,qRT-PCR检测显示在256,512 mg·L^-1BAEB作用下,ALST3,UME6基因表达量显著下调,NRG1无明显变化。 结论:BAEB可以抑制热带念珠菌细胞表面疏水性、菌丝及生物膜形成等毒力因子。     

人参灰霉菌和人参黑斑菌对人参总皂苷的化学趋向性响应研究

采用平板法和孢子悬滴萌发法分别测定了人参灰霉菌和人参黑斑菌在3种趋化参数(浓度、温度和pH)下对人参总皂苷的化学趋向性响应。结果表明,人参灰霉菌在20 ℃和pH 6的培养条件下,对20 mg·L^-1的人参总皂苷表现出较强的化学趋向性,趋化移动指数(CMI)为1.293 0,趋化生长速率(CGR)为0.476 0,孢子萌发率(SGR)为53%,菌丝干重(DWM)为0.452 6 g·L^-1;而人参黑斑菌则在25 ℃和pH 6的培养条件下,对2 mg·L^-1的人参总皂苷表现出较强的化学趋向性,趋化移动指数(CMI)为1.235 4,趋化生长速率(CGR)为0.537 0,孢子萌发率(SGR)为67%,菌丝干重(DWM)为0.494 8 g·L^-1。显示人参灰霉菌和人参黑斑菌分别对低(2 mg·L^-1)、中(20 mg·L^-1)浓度的人参总皂苷具有正向的化学趋向性响应,而且受此趋化影响下的孢子萌发率、菌丝生长速率及菌丝生长量都得到了显著提高,但随皂苷浓度的升高而降低。     

龙胆泻肝汤不同提取部位对白念珠菌生物膜的抑制作用研究

目的： 观察龙胆泻肝汤提取物体外对白念珠菌生物膜形成影响,探讨其可能的作用机制。方法：采用XTT法和微量稀释法筛选龙胆泻肝汤各提取部位的抗菌活性并检测各提取物对白念珠菌生物膜的抑制作用。采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测其黏附相关基因ALS1和菌丝形成基因SUN41的表达量。结果：龙胆泻肝汤用石油醚、水、正丁醇、甲醇及乙酸乙酯提取部位对白念珠菌浮游菌的MIC分别为>1 000,>1 000,>1 000,125,125 mg·L^-1;对白念珠菌生物膜的SMIC₅₀分别为>1 000,>1 000,>1 000,500,500 mg·L^-1;SMIC₈₀分别为>1 000,>1 000,>1 000,>1 000,1 000 mg·L^-1;1 000 mg·L^-1的乙酸乙酯提取物能明显抑制黏附相关基因ALS1和菌丝形成基因SUN41的表达。结论：龙胆泻肝汤抗白念珠菌生物膜的活性部位为乙酸乙酯提取部位。     

中药复方PC-SPES Ⅱ抑制人前列腺癌细胞LNCaP增殖及其对AR, PSA表达的影响

基于雄激素受体(AR)信号通路探讨中药复方PC-SPES Ⅱ抑制人前列腺癌细胞LNCaP增殖的作用。采用MTT法检测PC-SPES Ⅱ对LNCaP细胞增殖的影响,显示PC-SPES Ⅱ质量浓度为180~1 440 mg·L^-1时能显著抑制LNCaP细胞增殖,PC-SPES Ⅱ作用24,48 h的IC₅₀分别为311.48,199.01 mg·L^-1;流式细胞仪检测细胞周期分布的变化发现240 mg·L^-1 PC-SPES Ⅱ能阻滞细胞于G₂/M期,在G₀/G₁峰前出现明显的凋亡峰,随作用时间的增加而升高;同时采用Hoechst 33258染色观察凋亡细胞形态和Annexin V-FITC/PI双染流式细胞仪检测凋亡细胞比例,PC-SPESⅡ质量浓度为480 mg·L^-1时凋亡细胞比率增加,作用效果均呈一定剂量依赖性;通过ELISA法检测LNCaP细胞分泌PSA的水平,以25 mg·L^-1 Bic作为阳性对照药,发现480 mg·L^-1PC-SPES Ⅱ能显著降低细胞分泌PSA;采用qRT-PCR和Western blot方法检测AR,PSA mRNA和蛋白表达的变化,结果显示以人工合成雄激素25 μg·L^-1R1881诱导LNCaP细胞后,240~480 mg·L^-1 PC-SPES Ⅱ能显著下调AR,PSA mRNA和蛋白表达,抑制AR由细胞质转移入细胞核。以上结果表明,PC-SPES Ⅱ对LNCaP细胞体外增殖有抑制作用,阻滞细胞周期于G2/M期并诱导细胞凋亡,其机制可能与下调AR,PSA的表达,抑制AR核转位有关。     

TDZ和NAA对老鸦瓣不定芽诱导和丛生芽增殖的影响

以老鸦瓣鳞茎芯芽和子茎（芽茎顶端膨大形成的子鳞茎）为外植体,探索噻苯隆（TDZ）和α-萘乙酸（NAA）诱导老鸦瓣外植体直接成芽的方法,建立老鸦瓣器官途径丛生芽组培体系。研究结果表明,芯芽和子茎在MS+ TDZ 2.0 mg·L^-1+NAA 2.0 mg·L^-1和MS+TDZ 2.0 mg·L^-1+NAA 4.0 mg·L^-1培养基中可直接诱导不定芽,芽诱导率分别为72.92%,79.22%;利用子茎不定芽在MS+TDZ 0.2 mg·L^-1+ NAA 0.2 mg·L^-1培养基中可进行丛生芽增殖,增殖系数2.23,形成的芽体健壮,叶色嫩绿;增殖后的丛生芽在含有IBA 1.0 mg·L^-1的MS培养基中即可生根,生根率52.6%,平均3~5条根。利用老鸦瓣芯芽和子茎,筛选出了老鸦瓣芯芽和子茎直接诱导不定芽及丛生芽增殖和生根的最适培养基,建立了器官途径丛生芽组培体系。     

SPSS正交设计在福建金线莲组织培养中的应用

目的：研究植物激素对福建金线莲茎尖与茎段生长及分化的影响。方法：选用福建金线莲的茎尖与茎段为材料,采用SPSS正交设计研究6-苄基腺嘌呤(6-BA)、萘乙酸(NAA)对茎尖的叶片数、茎节数、侧枝数、株高,茎段的侧枝数、茎节数等的影响,并用SPSS进行数据处理。结果与结论：首次报道了NAA对福建金线莲的促生长作用在低浓度(<1 mg·L^-1)和高浓度(>1 mg·L^-1)时各不相同。MS+NAA 0.5 mg·L^-1+6-BA 1 mg·L^-1最适宜福建金线莲茎尖的生长;MS+NAA 1 mg·L^-1+6-BA 2 mg·L^-1最适宜茎尖与茎段芽分化及侧枝形成。NAA与6-BA的不同浓度水平组合,对福建金线莲茎尖与茎段生长及分化的影响不同,两激素间存在着较强的交互效应。     

金线莲与内生真菌共生培养体系的建立

目的 :建立金线莲与内生真菌共生培养体系 ,为研究内生真菌促进金线莲生长机理及金线莲栽培新方法奠定基础。方法 :在金线莲组培苗基础上 ,将金线莲苗与真菌共培养 ,定期观察记录金线莲苗与真菌的生长状态 ,根据菌 苗共生特点筛选适合金线莲与内生真菌共生的培养条件。结果 :建立了金线莲与内生真菌的共生培养体系。最适共生培养基为 (mg·L^-1) :NH₄NO₃825 ,KNO₃950 ,MgSO₄185 ,肌醇 10 0 ,其它有机成分为MS培养基有机成分量的 2 /3 ,蔗糖 15 g·L^-1,其它成分同MS培养基 ,琼脂 9g·L^-1,pH 5 .8。培养条件为培养温度 2 4～ 2 5℃ ,光照 15 0lx ,光照时间 11h。结论 :在此共生培养体系中金线莲苗与所筛选出的优良菌种可形成内生菌根 ,并可长期共生 ,且真菌有促进金线莲生长发育作用。     

新疆阿魏树脂不同分离部位对结肠癌细胞HCT116的抑制作用

目的: 分析新疆阿魏树脂不同分离部位对结肠癌细胞HCT116抑制作用的活性,并确定其有效活性部位。 方法: 通过磺酰罗丹明B比色法（SRB）与流式细胞术以细胞密度1×10⁵个mL,药物质量浓度250,125,62.5,31.25,15.6 mg·L^-1（流式细胞术药物浓度为62.5 mg·L^-1）,检测新疆阿魏树脂不同分离部位（石油醚部位、乙酸乙酯部位,甲醇部位）对结肠癌细胞 HCT116药物作用24 h后的增殖抑制与凋亡作用,以IC₅₀和总凋亡率作为指标衡量其各分离部位抑制肿瘤的活性效能。 结果: 石油醚部位:对结肠癌细胞HCT116增殖抑制IC₅₀ 68.7 mg·L^-1,总凋亡率为（43.4±1.1）%;乙酸乙酯部位:IC₅₀43.7 mg·L^-1, 总凋亡率为（56.2±0.9）%;甲醇部位:IC₅₀59.6 mg·L^-1,总凋亡率为（46.7±3.1）%。 结论: 新疆阿魏树脂乙醇提取物的乙酸乙酯萃取部位对结肠癌细胞HCT116细胞毒性作用较强并能促进其大量凋亡,初步确定为新疆阿魏树脂抗肿瘤活性部位。     

蛇葡萄素对大鼠肝星状细胞增殖及胶原蛋白、细胞因子生成的影响

目的：研究蛇葡萄素对大鼠肝星状细胞（HSC-T6）的增殖及胶原蛋白、细胞因子生成的影响。方法：对HSC-T6增殖的影响：用含10%胎牛血清的高糖DMEM培养液制备成HSC-T6细胞3×10⁴个/mL细胞悬液100 μL/孔接种于96孔培养板。设细胞对照组、秋水仙碱1.0 mg·L^-1组和100.0,75.0,50.0,25.0,12.5 mg·L^-15个不同质量浓度蛇葡萄素组,置37 ℃ 5%CO₂培养48 h。采用MTT法检测蛇葡萄素对大鼠肝细胞HSC-T6增殖的影响。对HSC-T6生成Ⅰ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ型胶原蛋白及细胞因子（TGF-β₁,PDGF）含量的影响：取终质量浓度分别为50.0,25.0,12.5 mg·L^-1蛇葡萄素,3×10⁴个/mL细胞悬液100 μL/孔细胞液接种于96孔培养板。阳性组秋水仙碱的质量浓度为1.0 mg·L^-1。置37 ℃ 5%CO₂培养48 h。ELISA法检测HSC-T6细胞生成的胶原蛋白（Ⅰ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ）、转化生长因子（TGF-β₁）及血小板衍生因子（PDGF）含量。结果：蛇葡萄素100.0,75.0 mg·L^-1对HSC-T6细胞的增殖有明显抑制作用,其无毒浓度为50.0 mg·L^-1。50 mg·L^-1的蛇葡萄素可使HSC-T6细胞生成的Ⅰ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ型胶原蛋白,TGF-β₁,PDGF含量明显低于细胞对照组（P<0.05）,25 mg·L^-1的蛇葡萄素也可使HSC-T6细胞生成的Ⅲ型胶原蛋白含量明显低于细胞对照组（P<0.05）。结论：蛇葡萄素能抑制HSC-T6增殖并可使HSC-T6生成的Ⅰ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ型胶原蛋白,TGF-β₁,PDGF含量降低。     

Antiplasmodial activity of extracts from seven medicinal plants used in malaria treatment in Cameroon

Aim of the study

In a search for new plant-derived biologically active compounds against malaria parasites, we have carried out an ethnopharmacological study to evaluate the susceptibility of cultured Plasmodium falciparum to extracts and fractions from seven Cameroonian medicinal plants used in malaria treatment. We have also explored the inhibition of the Plasmodium falciparum cysteine protease Falcipain-2.

Materials and methods

Plant materials were extracted by maceration in organic solvents, and subsequently partitioned or fractionated to afford test fractions. The susceptibility of erythrocytes and the W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum to plant extracts was evaluated in culture. In addition, the ability of annonaceous extracts to inhibit recombinant cysteine protease Falcipain-2 was also assessed.

Results and discussion

The extracts showed no toxicity against erythrocytes. The majority of plant extracts were highly active against Plasmodium falciparumin vitro, with IC₅₀ values lower than 5 μg/ml. Annonaceous extracts (acetogenin-rich fractions and interface precipitates) exhibited the highest potency. Some of these extracts exhibited modest inhibition of Falcipain-2.

Conclusion

These results support continued investigation of components of traditional medicines as potential new antimalarial agents.     

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock

Ethnopharmacological relevance

An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine.

Aim of study

Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Materials and methods

Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice.

Results

Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID₅₀ (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 μg/cm² (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183 μg/cm² (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID₅₀ of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 μg/cm².

Conclusions

Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.     

列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属植物传统药物学调查

通过野外资源调查、整理各大标本馆标本原始记录和查阅文献记载等方法,系统整理、总结、归纳了列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属民族药用植物种类、功效及民间使用情况,结果表明列当属6种药用植物在4个少数民族间作为7种民族药应用,草苁蓉属2种药用植物在8个少数民族间作为10种民族药应用,肉苁蓉属2种药用植物在3个少数民族间作为3种民族药应用,且同种药用植物常作不同民族药;发现3属植物的传统疗效主要集中在补肾壮阳、止血和止痛3个方面,并且该传统疗效与现代药理研究结果基本吻合。因此深入研究植物种类丰富的列当属植物资源对缓解肉苁蓉植物资源匮乏局面和扩大药源具有积极意义。     

金银花类药用植物IspE和IspH基因克隆和生物信息学分析

目的:克隆金银花类药用植物4-二磷酸胞苷-2-C-甲基赤藓糖激酶(4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase,IspE)和4-羟基-3-甲基-2-邻苯基二磷酸还原酶(4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase,IspH)基因,并对其基因序列、蛋白特性和转录活性进行分析、比较.方法:从忍冬Lonicera japonica转录组测序结果中分析获得了IspE,IspH基因.分别以忍冬、红白忍冬L.japonica var.chinensis、红腺忍冬L.hypoglauca和水忍冬L.dasystyla新鲜花蕾为材料,利用RT-PCR技术克隆获得了4种金银花类药用植物IspE和IspH基因的全长cDNA.运用生物信息学分析软件,预测编码蛋白的结构和功能,并通过RT-PCR检测IspE和IspH在忍冬、红白忍冬、红腺忍冬、水忍冬花蕾中的转录情况.结果:金银花类药用植物IspE基因含有1个完整的开放阅读框,长度为1 221 bp,编码406个氨基酸;IspH含有一个完整的开放阅读框,长度为1 380 bp,编码459个氨基酸.IspE和IspH均为非分泌蛋白,均定位于叶绿体中.RT-PCR分析结果表明在忍冬、红腺忍冬和水忍冬的花蕾中IspE,IspH基因的转录水平没有显著差异,但红白忍冬花蕾中IspE,IspH基因的转录水平均显著高于忍冬.结论:克隆获得忍冬、红白忍冬、红腺忍冬和水忍冬中IspE,IspH基因,并证实了其在不同金银花类药用植物中的表达,为进一步研究IspE,IspH基因对萜类化合物生物合成和花香气以及颜色的影响奠定了基础.     

Comparative “in vitro” evaluation of the antiresorptive activity residing in four Ayurvedic medicinal plants. Hemidesmus indicus emerges for its potential in the treatment of bone loss diseases

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Four Indian plants, traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine: Asparagus racemosus Willd., Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Hemidesmus indicus R. Br., and Rubia cordifolia L. were selected on the basis of their ethnobotanical use and of scientific evidence that suggests a potential efficacy in the treatment of bone-loss diseases. The antiresorptive properties of the four plants have been investigated. The aim was to provide adequate evidence for the exploitation of natural compounds as alternative therapeutics for the treatment of diseases caused by increased osteoclast activity.

Materials and methods

Decoctions were prepared from dried plant material according to the traditional procedure and standardization by HPLC was performed using marker compounds for each species. Total polyphenols, flavonoids and radical scavenging activity of the decoctions were also determined. The bioactivity of the plant decoctions was evaluated in subsequent phases. (1) A cytotoxicity screening was performed on the mouse monocytic RAW 264.7 cell line to define the concentrations that could be utilized in the following step. (2) The antiresorptive properties of plant decoctions were compared with that of a “gold standard” drug (alendronate) by measuring osteoclastogenesis inhibition and osteoclast apoptosis. (3) The toxic effect on bone forming cells was excluded by evaluating the impact on the proliferation of osteogenic precursors (mesenchymal stem cells, MSC).

Results

All the decoctions inhibited osteoclastogenesis similarly to alendronate at the highest doses, but Hemidesmus indicus and Rubia cordifolia were also effective at lower concentrations. Apoptosis increased significantly when cells were exposed to the highest concentration of Emblica officinalis, Hemidesmus indicus, and Rubia cordifolia. All concentrations of Emblica officinalis tested inhibited the proliferation of osteogenic precursors, while only the highest doses of Asparagus racemosus and Rubia cordifolia were toxic. On the contrary, Hemidesmus indicus did not affect osteogenic precursor growth at any concentration tested.

Conclusion

Among the medicinal plants included in the study, Hemidesmus indicus showed the greatest antiosteoclastic activity without toxic effect on osteogenic precursors. Therefore, Hemidesmus indicus exhibits the properties of an antiresorptive drug and represents the ideal candidate for further clinical investigations.     

Experimental study on anti-inflammatory activity of a TCM recipe consisting of the supercritical fluid CO2 extract of Chrysanthemum indicum, Patchouli Oil and Zedoary Turmeric Oil in vivo

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Chrysanthemum indicum (Compositae) Linné, Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth and Curcuma wenyujin (Zingiberaceae) Y. H. Chen et C. Ling are three of the extensively used herbal remedies among traditional Chinese medicines for the purpose of anti-inflammation. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recipe named CPZ consisting extracts of the above three herbs, has shown noteworthy anti-influenza activity, which is closely related to its anti-inflammatory feature.

Aim of this study

To investigated the anti-inflammtory activity of CPZ in vivo for a further exploration of the recipe's anti-inflammatory properties.

Materials and methods

The anti-inflammatory property of CPZ on acute inflammation was evaluated by inflammatory models of dimethylbenzene (DMB)-induced ear vasodilatation and acetic acid-induced capillary permeability enhancement in mice, as well as the carrageenan-induced paw edema rat model, in which inflammation-related cytokine including prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO) in the edematous paw tissue were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, effect of CPZ on chronic inflammation was observed through granuloma formation in rats subjected to cotton pellet implantation.

Results

CPZ (340, 170, and 85 mg/kg for mice, p.o.) not only decreased the DMB-induced ear vasodilatation but also attenuated capillary permeability under acetic acid challenge in mice. And the significant inhibition on carrageenan-induced paw edema was observed. Further more, the ELISA results showed that CPZ (170, 85, and 42.5 mg/kg for rats, p.o.) could up-regulate the level of IL-1β in the edema paw tissue of rats significantly while down-regulate that of PGE₂, but no apparent effect on TNF-α or NO was observed in the test. Besides, CPZ had a certain degree of restraining effect on the cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats and the highest dose of 170 mg/kg even showed a significant suppression on it.

Conclusion

The above results indicated that CPZ possessed a potent anti-inflammatory activity, which is indicated to be closely associated with its regulation on IL-1β and PGE₂ thereby mediating the inflammatory response acting at an appropriate level.     

Effect of feeding Mucuna pruriens on helminth parasite infestation in lambs

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume anecdotally reputed to have anthelmintic properties. This study was conducted to examine the validity of such claims.

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to determine if ingestion of Mucuna seeds reduces helminth parasite infestation in lambs.

Materials and methods

Thirty-six Dorper × Katahdin ram lambs were assigned to three treatments, a cottonseed meal based control diet, a diet in which Mucuna replaced cottonseed meal and the control diet with levamisole (7.5 mg/kg body weight) administration. All diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The 12 lambs in each treatment were assigned randomly to 4 pens, each containing 3 lambs. Lambs were trickle infected three times per week by gavage with infectious Haemonchus contortus larvae (2000 larvae/lamb) for 3 weeks.

Results

Levamisole treatment decreased fecal egg counts by 87% and abomasal worm counts by 83%. Mucuna intake did not statistically affect fecal egg counts or abomasal worm counts, though numerical (P > 0.10) reductions of 7.4% and 18.1%, respectively were evident. Anemia indicators, feed intake, and lamb growth were unaffected by treatment.

Conclusions

Levamisole reduced the Haemonchus parasite burden in lambs significantly but feeding Mucuna reduced the burden by levels unlikely to eliminate the clinical effects of parasitism.     

α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of selected Philippine plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Antidesma bunius Spreng. (Phyllantaceae), Averrhoa bilimbi L. (Oxalidaceae), Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. (Oxalidaceae), Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob. (Rhizophoraceae), Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. (Cyperaceae), and Rhizophora mucronata Lam. (Rhizophoraceae) are used as remedies to control diabetes. In the present study, these plants were screened for their potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Materials and methods

The 80% aqueous ethanolic extracts were screened for their α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity using yeast alpha glucosidase enzyme.

Results

Except for A. bilimbi with IC₅₀ at 519.86±3.07, all manifested a significant enzyme inhibitory activity. R. mucronata manifested the highest activity with IC₅₀ at 0.08±1.82 μg mL⁻¹, followed by C. tagal with IC₅₀ at 0.85±1.46 μg mL⁻¹ and B. sensitivum with IC₅₀ at 2.24±1.58 μg mL⁻¹.

Conclusion

This is the first report on the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the six Philippine plants; thus, partly defining the mechanism on why these medicinal plants possess antidiabetic properties.     

真菌的中药干预研究近5年进展

近年来真菌感染率逐年上升,传统抗真菌药物易产生耐药性,而中药在防治真菌感染方面具有一定的优势。本文就近5年来中药对白念珠菌、皮肤癣菌、曲霉菌、马拉色菌、串珠镰孢菌、申克孢子丝菌、新生隐球菌及真菌生物膜的干预研究进展进行综述。     

European medicinal polypores – A modern view on traditional uses

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In particular five polypore species, i.e. Laetiporus sulphureus, Fomes fomentarius, Fomitopsis pinicola, Piptoporus betulinus, and Laricifomes officinalis, have been widely used in central European folk medicines for the treatment of various diseases, e.g. dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhoids, bladder disorders, pyretic diseases, treatment of coughs, cancer, and rheumatism. Prehistoric artefacts going back to over 5000 years underline the long tradition of using polypores for various applications ranging from food or tinder material to medicinal–spiritual uses as witnessed by two polypore species found among items of Ötzi, the Iceman. The present paper reviews the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activity of the five mentioned polypores.

Materials and methods

All available information on the selected polypore taxa used in traditional folk medicine was collected through evaluation of literature in libraries and searches in online databases using SciFinder and Web of Knowledge.

Results

Mycochemical studies report the presence of many primary (e.g. polysaccharides) and secondary metabolites (e.g. triterpenes). Crude extracts and isolated compounds show a wide spectrum of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities.

Conclusions

The investigated polypores possess a longstanding ethnomycological tradition in Europe. Here, we compile biological results which highlight their therapeutic value. Moreover, this work provides a solid base for further investigations on a molecular level, both compound- and target-wise.