Quantitative assessment of content of phenolic acids in the medicinal herb showy tick trefoil

The qualitative and quantitative contents of phenolic acids in the herb showy tick trefoil (Desmodium canadense (L.) D. C., Fabaceae) collected at different growth phases at the Department of Medicinal Herbs, Kaunas Botanical Garden, Vitautas the Great University, were studied. HPLC analysis identified five phenolic acids: chlorogenic, vanillic, 4-hydroxycinnamic, ferulic, and caffeic acids). The largest quantities of phenolic acids in the herb accumulated in the budding and flowering phases. These were dominated by vanillic acid (0.240 mg/g), caffeic acid (0.178 mg/g), and chlorogenic acid (0.120 mg/g), and the quantities of these acids gradually decreased during plant growth.     

Quantitative estimation of flavonoids in the vegetative and reproductive organs of showy tick trefoil (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Desmodium canadense</Emphasis>)

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids in the vegetative and reproductive organs of showy tick trefoil [Desmodium canadense (L) DC., Fabaceae] herbs (stems, leaves, buds, inflorescences, legumes, and seeds) collected at various stages of vegetation at the Department of Medicinal Herbs of the Kaunas Botanical Garden (Vytautas Magnus University) was performed using HPLC techniques. A total of 15 flavonoids of aglycon and glycoside nature including apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glycoside, luteolin, rutin, vicenin-2, vitexin, isovitexin, vitexin rhamnoside, orientin, homoorientin, quercitrin, quercetin, hyperoside, astragalin, and kaempferol were identified. Among the vegetative organs, the maximum amount of flvaonoids was found in leaves, where the total content of flavonoids was 23,952.2 mg/g in the budding phase and reached a maximum of 25,472.71 mg/g (2.55%) at the ripening phase (1.88 times greater than in herbs at the beginning of flowering). In stems, the maximum amount of flavonoids (2,318.0 mg/g) was accumulated in the budding phase while the minimum (1,910.77 mg/g) was found at the beginning of seed ripening phase. the maximum amount of flavonoids in the reproductive organs was found in inflorescences, where the total content of flavonoids was 8,164.1 mg/g at the budding phase, reached a maximum of 15,226.39 mg/g in the full flowering phase, and then gradually decreased. Legumes at the beginning of ripening contained 8,892.3 mg/g flavonoids while seeds in the fully ripened phase contained only 4,270.1 mg/g (0.43%) flavonoids. Among the individual flavonoids, orientin and homoorientin predominated in all cases. Thus, not only the inflorescences of showy tick trefoil but also leaves can be used as medicinal raw material. The optimum time for collecting leaves for the raw material is from the budding phase until the beginning of fruit ripening.     

Quantitative HPLC estimation of flavonoids in showy tick trefoil herbs

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of flavonoids in showy tick trefoil [Desmodium canadense (L.) DC., Fabaceae] herbs collected in various vegetative phases at the Department of Medicinal Herbs of the Kaunas Botanical Garden (Vytautas Magnus University) was performed using HPLC techniques. A total of 15 flavonoids were identified as aglycons and glycosides including apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glycoside, luteolin, rutin, vicenin-2, vitexin, isovitexin, vitexin rhamnoside, orientin, homoorientin, quercitrin, quercetin, hyperoside, astragalin, and kaempferol. The maximum amount of identified flavonoids (13573.83 μg/g) was observed at the budding stage. Among these flavonoids, orientin and homoorientin (6236.24 μg/g), vicenin-2 (2040.25 μg/g), vitexin (1717.12 μg/g), isovitexin (1767.82 μg/g), and rutin (925.72 μg/g) predominated.     

Quantitative hplc estimation of flavonoids in showy tick trefoil (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Desmodium canadense</Emphasis>) herbs

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of flavonoids in showy tick trefoil (Desmodium canadense L., Fabaceae) herbs during various vegetative phases were performed using HPLC techniques at the Department of Medicinal Herbs of the Kaunas Botanical Garden (Vytautas Magnus University). A total of 15 flavonoids of aglycone and glycoside nature was determined including apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glycoside, luteolin, rutin, 2-vicenin, vitexin, isovitexin, vitexin rhamnoside, orientin, homoorientin, quercitrin, quercetin, hyperoside, astragalin, and kaempferol. The maximum amount of identified flavonoids was observed during the flowering phase and was 2.45% in the second vegetative year and 1.28% in the sixth vegetative year, i.e., it decreased constantly during the plant perennial vegetation process. Of these, orientin and homoorientin varied from 45.9 to 38.9% of the total flavonoids; 2-vicenin, from 16.3 to 12.8; vitexin, from 12.7 to 8.6; isovitexin, from 13.0 to 7.7; rutin, from 11.6 to 6.9. The optimum collection time of showy tick trefoil herbs as plant raw material was the flowering and budding phases of herbs regrowing after mowing. The recommended optimal exploitation time of a plantation is up to six years.     

刺五加营养器官中总皂苷积累动态研究

目的：测定不同株龄及不同生育期的刺五加根和根茎的总皂苷含量以科学定刺五加最佳采收期。方法：采用超声提取-分光光度法测定刺五加根茎中总皂苷含量,利用统计学软件进行统计分析。结果：刺五加根茎中总皂苷含量在不同株龄及不同生育期均呈规律性变化。结论：综合分析各种因素,确定10月下旬为刺五加最佳采收时期。     

高效液相色谱法测定尿塞通片中王不留行黄酮苷的含量

目的:采用高效液相色谱法测定尿塞通片中王不留行黄酮苷的含量.方法:色谱柱:Agilent Zorbax SB-C色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm);柱温:30℃;流动相:甲醇为A,0.3%磷酸溶液为B,梯度洗脱;流速:1.0 ml/min,检测波长:280 nm.结果:王不留行黄酮苷在11.5~92.0μg/ml浓度范围内线性关系良好(r=0.9999),平均回收率为99.28%,R S D为1.7%(n=6).结论:本方法操作简便,精密度好,结果准确可靠,可用于尿塞通片中王不留行黄酮苷的含量测定.     

Angiogenesis and microvasculature in the female reproductive organs: physiological and pathological implications

The female reproductive organs such as ovary, uterus, and placenta are some of the few adult tissues that exhibit regular intervals of rapid growth, and are highly vascularized and have high rates of blood flow. Angiogenesis is a process of vascular growth that is mainly limited to the reproductive system in healthy adult animals. The development of new blood vessels in the ovary and uterus is essential to guarantee the necessary supply of nutrients and hormones. The genetic and molecular mechanisms that control the development of capillary blood vessels in the reproductive organs are beginning to be elucidated. Reproductive organs contain and produce angiogenic factors which may act alone or in concert to regulate the process of vasculature. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and fibroblast growth factor (FGFs) are key factors for vascular system in the reproductive organs. Recent numerous studies reported several roles of VEGFs and FGFs on ovarian and uterine functions. In this review, we focus on the involvement of VEGFs and FGFs as angiogenic factors on reproductive organs and vascular therapy for diseases of reproductive organs using anti-angiogenic agents.     

Some effects of cimetidine on the reproductive organs of rats

The development of genital organs of rats chronically treated with cimetidine showed that the drug may present anti-androgenic activity. This treatment did not alter the sensitivity of vas deferens to noradrenaline, but increased their sensitivity to BaCl2. In the male reproductive system, cimetidine must have peripheral actions apart from the central ones observed after chronic treatment.     

枳壳总黄酮提取工艺与含量测定研究

目的:研究枳壳总黄酮提取工艺与含量测定方法.方法:采用正交实验,筛选枳壳总黄酮最佳提取工艺条件,用紫外分光光度法测定总黄酮的含量.结果:枳壳总黄酮的最佳提取条件为:在温度70℃,pH3.0条件下,加15倍的Ca(OH),饱和溶液,浸提2 h/次,提取3次,以柚皮苷为对照测定总黄酮含量,柚皮苷线性范围为2.592～41.472μg/mL,r=0.999 9.结论:所建方法快速、简便,可用于枳壳药材质量控制.     

Enzymatic changes in the male reproductive organs by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Like most psychoactive agents, cannabis and its active component delta-9-tetrahydrocan-nabinol (Δ⁹-THC) have been reported to affect the neuroendocrine axis in animals. The effect of Δ⁹-THC on some of the functionally important enzymes of the male reproductive organs are reported. The study indicates that Δ⁹-THC reduces the activities of the enzymes, β-glucuronidase, α-glucosidase acid phosphatase and fructose-6-phosphatase in a dose related manner in the testis, prostate as well as in the epididymis. It may be concluded that Δ-THC may interfere with the normal functioning of the male reproductive organs.     

Chlorpyrifos induced toxicity in reproductive organs of female Wistar rats

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphate (OP) insecticide extensively used in agricultural and domestic settings. Healthy adult female albino rats were divided into three groups of six rats in each. Two groups were dosed orally with CPF in vegetable oil (0.1 and 2.5 mg/kg/day) and third group was given vegetable oil for 8 weeks. Non-significant changes were observed for body weight and feed intake. A disruption in estrous cyclicity was observed with a prolonged metestrous. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility and lipid peroxidation levels increased significantly. Mammary gland whole mounts revealed a significant (P < 0.05–0.0001) increase in the ductal thickness, number of branches, alveolar and terminal end bud number and terminal end bud diameter. A significant increase in ovarian surface epithelium height, follicular diameter and follicular atresia was observed in treated rats (P < 0.05–0.0001). A similar significant increase in the uterine surface epithelium height, endometrial gland epithelium height and myometrium thickness in higher dose group was recorded (P < 0.05–0.0001). Luminal epithelium height and endometrial gland diameter was increased significantly in both the treated groups (P < 0.05–0.0001). The results indicate that sub-chronic exposure of CPF causes oxidative stress and negative effects on the reproductive organs of female rats, which may be a pointer towards beginning of cancer incidence.     

金银花中总黄酮微波辅助提取工艺优化及其含量动态变化

目的优选金银花中总黄酮的微波辅助提取工艺条件及对不同花期总黄酮的含量进行测定。方法以总黄酮含量为考察指标,在单因素试验基础上,采用L9（3^4）正交试验法,对料液比、微波功率、提取温度、提取时间等条件进行优化,筛选出其最佳提取工艺参数;在此工艺条件下对不同花期金银花中总黄酮含量进行研究。结果微波辅助提取的最佳工艺条件为：料液比为1：10、微波功率为500W、提取温度为50℃、提取时间为20min;采收时间对金银花中总黄酮的含量影响较大。总黄酮在银花期含量最高,米蕾期中含量最低。结论该提取工艺方法简单合理、稳定可行,不同花期金银花中总黄酮的含量差异较大,为适时采收金银花和开发利用提供依据。     

Effects of valproic acid on fertility and reproductive organs in male rats

Crj:CD(SD)IGS rats were orally administered valproic acid at doses of 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg/day for 4, 7 or 10 weeks. At each dose, one group of male rats was euthanized after 4-week dosage (4-week dose group) and the other two were mated with untreated females after 4 (7-week dose group) or 7 (10-week dose group) weeks of treatment with valproic acid and their fertility was evaluated. Females were euthanized on day 14-17 of gestation, and numbers of corpora lutea, implantations and live and dead fetuses were recorded. After 4, 7 or 10 weeks of treatment, males were euthanized, genital organs were weighed, the number of sperm in the cauda epididymis was counted, sperm motion analyzed, and histopathological examination of testes performed. The male rats of the 1000 mg/kg dose group died or were moribund 3 or 4 days after the start of treatment. No effects on fertility of male rats were observed up to the 500 mg/kg 10-week dose group. Treatment for 4 weeks at 500 mg/kg/day decreased epididymis weight. After 7 weeks at 500 mg/kg/day, the weights of epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate were decreased, and the number of sperm heads per cauda epididymis and percentage of motile sperm were reduced. In the 500 mg/kg 10-week dose group, the weight of testis was decreased. On histopathological examination of the testis, degeneration of seminiferous tubules and loss or exfoliation of spermatids were observed, and the ratio of retention of step 19 spermatids in stage IX-XI was increased in the 500 mg/kg 4-, 7- and 10-week dose groups. These results suggest that analysis of sperm motion and histopathological evaluation of testes are sensitive methods for assessing toxicity of valproic acid on male reproductive organs.     

高含量玫瑰花总黄酮的制备与质量评价

目的通过对玫瑰花的提取、分离和纯化,获得高含量玫瑰花总黄酮并进行质量评价。方法采用70%乙醇加热提取浓缩、大孔树脂富集,聚酰胺树脂纯化,通过聚酰胺薄层色谱法、紫外分光光度法、HPLC法对玫瑰花总黄酮质量进行综合评价。结果制备获得高含量玫瑰花总黄酮,其UV含量91.5%,TLC鉴定槲皮素、木犀草素为特征成分,金丝桃苷、槲皮苷可能为特征成分,通过HPLC测定槲皮素为65.9 mg·g~(-1)、木犀草素为69.9 mg·g~(-1)、金丝桃苷为147.6 mg·g~(-1)、槲皮苷为127.4 mg·g~(-1)。结论该纯化与检测方法简单、可靠,可为高含量玫瑰花黄酮在保健品或药品进行深度开发提供制备方法和质量评价参考。     

Effects of megadoses of pyridoxine on spermatogenesis and male reproductive organs in rats

Although it has been indicated that many neurotoxicants also cause reproductive toxicity, the reproductive toxicity of megadoses of pyridoxine, which is a neurotoxicant, has not been studied. In this paper, we studied the effects of megadoses of pyridoxine on male reproductive organs. Pyridoxine hydrochloride, 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg, daily, was intraperitoneally injected into Wistar male rats 5 days a week for 2 or 6 weeks, and its effects on the male reproductive organs were investigated. After 2 weeks of administration, absolute weights of the testis in the 500 and 1000 mg/kg epididymis in all the exposed groups and prostate gland in the 1000 mg/kg group decreased, and mature spermatid counts in the testis decreased in the 1000 mg/kg group. After 6 weeks administration, the absolute and relative weights of the testis, epididymis, prostate gland and seminal vesicle decreased in the 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg groups, and mature spermatid counts in the testis and sperm counts in the epididymis decreased in these groups. Among the marker enzymes of the testicular cells, LDH-X activity decreased, and -glucuronidase activity, cytochrome P-450 content and cytochrome b5 content increased in the 1000 mg/kg group. Plasma testosterone concentration did not significantly alter in all the exposed groups. From these results, it was concluded that megadoses of pyridoxine affected the spermatogenesis and decreased reproductive organ weights in the rat.     

Sulfation in male reproductive organs. Bull and boar testis phenol sulfotransferases

Phenol sulfotransferases (PST) from bull and boar testis were partially purified and characterized. A single form of PST adsorbed on DEAE-cellulose was found in the bull testis, whereas from boar testis two different peaks of PST activity were separated. The bull testis PST and both boar testis enzymes were active with p-nitrophenol and adrenalin. They all showed higher affinity to pNP than to adrenalin and were inhibited by these substrates at higher concentrations. Their optimal pH was at 8.5. Bull testis PST and boar PST II which were adsorbed on DEAE-cellulose were thermostable, whereas boar PST I was thermolabile. Those three PST forms differed in sensitivity to 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DCNP), N-ethyl maleimide (NEM), iodoacetamide (IAA) and phenylglyoxal (PG). Bull and boar PST II were more rapidly inactivated in the presence of DCNP than boar PST I. In the presence of NEM, the--SH groups reagent, the bull phenol sulfotransferase and boar PST I lost their activity, whereas the activity of boar PST increased. Also iodoacetamide, another--SH group modificator, raised boar PST II activity and decreased boar PST I activity. DTT, which protects thiol groups, had an opposite effect on the enzymes studied than NEM. Phenylglyoxal, a reagent specific for arginine residues inhibited bull testis PST and both boar phenol sulfotransferases. Substrate protection experiments were also performed to determine the localization of reactive groups in bull and boar testis phenol sulfotransferases.