In vitro antiplasmodial activity of Brazilian Cerrado plants used as traditional remedies

Twenty-seven species of native Brazilian Cerrado plants commonly used by traditional healers to treat malaria and other diseases were collected and 204 hexanic and ethanolic extracts were obtained by maceration. The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts was tested in vitro against a chloroquine resistant strain (FcB1) of Plasmodium falciparum, and cytotoxicity against the cell lines L-6 of rats and MRC-5 of human was evaluated. Thirty-two extracts showed significant inhibition rates of Plasmodium falciparum growth and of these six showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines. The strongest antiplasmodial activity was found for the hexanic extracts of Xylopia aromatica root wood (IC(50)=4.7 microg/ml), Xylopia emarginata root bark (IC(50)=4.9 microg/ml), Casearia sylvestris var. lingua leaves, stem wood and stem bark, and root wood and root bark (IC(50) values from 0.9 to 2.3 microg/ml), and Cupania vernalis leaves (IC(50)=0.9 microg/ml); and for the ethanolic extract of Aspidosperma macrocarpon root bark (IC(50)=4.9 microg/ml). However, the best selectivity towards Plasmodium falciparum was observed for the hexanic root bark extract of Matayba guianensis (IC(50) on Plasmodium falciparum=6.1 microg/ml, SI=16.4 for MRC-5) and the ethanolic root bark extract of Aspidosperma macrocarpon (IC(50) on Plasmodium falciparum=4.9 micro/ml, SI=16.2 for MRC-5).     

The antiplasmodial activity of isolates from Ajuga remota

Ajuga remota is the most frequently used medicinal herb for malaria treatment in Kenya. Its two known isolates ajugarin-1 (1) and ergosterol-5,8-endoperoxide (3) and a new isolate 8-O-acetylharpagide (2) were evaluated for their in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Ajugarin-1 was moderately active, with an IC(50) of 23.0 +/- 3.0 microM, as compared to chloroquine (IC(50) = 0.041 +/- 0.003 microM) against the chloroquine-sensitive (FCA 20/GHA) strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Ergosterol-5,8-endoperoxide was about 3x as potent (IC(50) = 8.2 +/- 1.1 microM), while 8-O-acetylharpagide, whose structure was established by spectroscopic evidence, was inactive. Both ajugarin-1 and ergosterol-5,8-endoperoxide did not exhibit cytotoxicity against A431 (skin carcinoma) cell line, but 8-O-acetylharpagide was significantly cytotoxic. This iridoid glucoside, which has been formerly isolated from Ajuga decumbens, was identified in A. remota for the first time.     

Cytotoxicity and in vitro susceptibility of Entamoeba histolytica to Morinda morindoides leaf extracts and its isolated constituents

An aqueous decotion (dried extract), an 80% MeOH extract from Morinda morindoides leaves, and 10 flavonoids and 4 iridoids isolated from the 80% MeOH extract were evaluated in vitro for their potential antiamoebic activity and their cytotoxic effect against MT-4 cells. Results indicated that the aqueous decoction and the 80% MeOH extract exhibited an interesting antiamoebic activity with IC(50) values of 3.1 +/- 1.7 and 1.7 +/- 0.6 microg/ml, respectively. Apigenin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside exhibited a moderate antiamoebic activity with IC(50) values of 22.3 +/- 3.2 and 37.4 +/- 2.7 microg/ml, respectively. Kaempferol (IC(50) = 10.3 +/- 2.3 microg/ml), apigenin (IC(50) = 12.7 +/- 4.3 microg/ml), and luteolin (IC(50) = 17.8 +/- 4.3 microg/ml) showed a more pronounced activity than their corresponding glycosides. All tested iridoids displayed a very good activity with IC(50) values less than 10 microg/ml. The most active iridoids were epoxygaertneroside (IC(50) = 1.3 +/- 0.4 microg/ml) and methoxygaertneroside (IC(50) = 2.3. +/- 0.7), followed by gaertneroside and gaertneric acid with IC(50) values of 4.3 +/- 1.8 and 7.1 +/- 1.4 microg/ml, respectively. Except quercetin and quercetin-7,4'-dimethylether which have shown a cytotoxic effect with IC(50) ranging from 14 to 22 microg/ml. No correlation could be deduced between the observed antiamoebic and cytotoxic activity of these tested samples. A structure-activity relationship for isolated compounds is discussed. These findings support the medicinal report for the traditional use of Morinda morindoides leaves for the treatment of amoebiasis.     

In vivo Antimalarial Activity of α‐Mangostin and the New Xanthone δ‐Mangostin

Based on the previously reported in vitro antiplasmodial activity of several xanthones from Garcinia mangostana, two xanthones, α‐mangostin and a new compound, δ‐mangostin, were isolated from mangosteen husk, and the in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxic effects were determined. α‐Mangostin was more active against the resistant Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine‐resistant (FCR3) strain (IC₅₀ = 0.2 ± 0.01 μM) than δ‐mangostin (IC₅₀ = 121.2 ± 1.0 μM). Furthermore, the therapeutic response according to the administration route was evaluated in a Plasmodium berghei malarial murine model. The greatest therapeutic response was obtained with intraperitoneal administration; these xanthones reduced parasitemia by approximately 80% with a daily dose of 100 mg/kg administered twice a day for 7 days of treatment. Neither compound was effective by oral administration. Noticeable toxicological effects were not observed. In addition to the antimalarial effect of these xanthones isolated from G. mangostana husk, the availability of larger amounts of husk raw material to purify the bioactive xanthones is advantageous, permitting additional preclinical assays or chemical transformations to enhance the biological activity of these substances. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Furfuran lignans and a flavone from Artemisia gorgonum Webb and their in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum

The chemical composition of the aerial parts of the Cape Verdean endemic shrub Artemisia gorgonum Webb (Asteraceae) was careful investigated, which led to the isolation and identification of six known furfuran lignans: eudesmin (1), magnolin (2), epimagnolin A (3), aschantin (4), kobusin (5), sesamin (6) and a flavone: artemetin (7). Compounds 1-7 were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxicity in a screening panel consisting of various mammalian tumor cell lines, for their antimalarial activity against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (FcB1 strain) and for their cytotoxicity against murine normal cells (CFU-GM). While no promising cytotoxicity against human tumor cells were noticed, marginal potency and selectivity was found for compounds 1-5 against murine colon 38. Besides, compounds 2-7 showed mild antiplasmodial activities, 6 and 7 being the most active compounds (IC(50) 3.37 and 3.50 μg/ml respectively) without noticeable toxicity on mammalian normal cells. This is the first report of antiplasmodial activity for furfuran lignans and the first isolation of 1-7 from Artemisia gorgonum.     

In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of cryptolepine,a plant-derived indoloquinoline

Cryptolepine is an indoloquinoline, high yields of which may be extracted from the roots of the West African shrub Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. The use of this plant as a traditional treatment for malaria is widespread in Ghana and is reported to be clinically effective. We have tested cryptolepine for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against the multidrug resistant (K1) strain of Plasmodium falciparum and found it to be highly active with an IC₅₀ value of 0.031±0.0085 (SE) μg/mL, equivalent to 0.134±0.037 μM (n = 3). In a 4-day suppression test there was, however, no significant reduction in parasitaemia in P. berghei-infected mice treated subcutaneously with cryptolepine (7–113 mg/kg/d×4), when compared with untreated controls. Like 9-aminoacridine, this compound appears to intercalate with DNA and this may explain the high degree of antimalarial activity demonstrated in vitro.     

淫羊藿苷干预大鼠椎间盘源性腰痛的实验研究

目的:探讨淫羊藿苷(icariin,ICA)干预大鼠椎间盘源性腰痛的效果及可能的作用机制。方法:将45只8周龄SPF级雄性SD大鼠随机分为5组,假手术组、生理盐水组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组、ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组各10只,塞来昔布组5只。生理盐水组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组、ICA 100 mg·kg^-1及塞来昔布组大鼠通过L_4~5和L_5~6椎间盘穿刺建立大鼠腰痛模型;假手术组仅显露椎间盘,不进行穿刺。自造模后第7天开始进行药物干预,至造模后第21天结束。ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组和ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组以ICA溶液进行灌胃(ICA溶于去离子水中),每天剂量分别为50 mg·kg^-1和100 mg·kg^-1;塞来昔布组以塞来昔布胶囊进行灌胃(塞来昔布胶囊粉剂溶于去离子水中),每天100 mg·kg^-1;生理盐水组以生理盐水灌胃,每天100 mg·kg^-1;假手术组常规饲养,不进行干预。从各组随机选取5只大鼠,分别于造模前、造模后第7天、第14天、第21天、第28天、第35天进行足底机械性疼痛阈值检测。造模后第35天,足底疼痛阈值测定结束后处死假手术组、生理盐水组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组和ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组的5只大鼠,以qRT-PCR法测定椎间盘组织中P物质(substance P,SP)mRNA和降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene related peptide,CGRP)mRNA的含量。造模后第21天时,处死假手术组、生理盐水组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组和ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组其余的5只大鼠,以ELISA法测定大鼠椎间盘组织中细胞因子诱导的中性粒细胞趋化剂-1(cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1,CINC-1)含量。结果:①足底机械性疼痛阈值。时间因素和分组因素存在交互效应(F=17.971,P=0.001)。5组大鼠的足底机械性疼痛阈值总体比较,差异有统计学意义,即存在分组效应(F=146.660,P=0.000)。造模前后不同时点间足底机械性疼痛阈值的差异有统计学意义,即存在时间效应(F=118.057,P=0.000)。假手术组足底机械性疼痛阈值随时间未见明显变化,一直处于较高水平[(14.60±0.89)g,(14.79±0.47)g,(15.00±0.00)g,(15.00±0.00)g,(15.00±0.00)g,(15.00±0.00)g,F=0.836,P=0.537]。生理盐水组足底机械性疼痛阈值造模后明显降低,后期一直维持在较低水平[(14.67±0.74)g,(3.44±2.22)g,(3.19±1.37)g,(2.84±0.96)g,(3.92±1.36)g,(3.02±0.98)g,F=58.882,P=0.000]。ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组、ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组和塞来昔布组造模前后的足底机械性疼痛阈值变化趋势基本一致,造模后均先降低,药物干预开始后逐渐回升,药物干预结束后又逐渐降低[(15.00±0.00)g,(2.78±0.81)g,(4.64±1.67)g,(5.59±1.25)g,(8.52±1.63)g,(6.11±1.49)g,F=56.088,P=0.000;(14.66±0.76)g,(2.53±1.37)g,(10.65±2.69)g,(9.67±2.41)g,(10.67±2.04)g,(8.59±2.95)g,F=16.684,P=0.000;(15.00±0.00)g,(2.28±1.03)g,(12.09±1.28)g,(12.37±1.34)g,(6.71±2.89)g,(5.18±1.88)g,F=44.668,P=0.000]。造模后第7天时,ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组、ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组和塞来昔布组的足底机械性疼痛阈值两两比较,组间差异均无统计学意义。造模后第14天时,ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组和塞来昔布组的足底机械性疼痛阈值均高于ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组(P=0.001;P=0.000);ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组和塞来昔布组的足底机械性疼痛阈值比较,差异无统计学意义。造模后第21天时,ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组和塞来昔布组的足底机械性疼痛阈值均高于ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组(P=0.009;P=0.000);ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组和塞来昔布组的足底机械性疼痛阈值比较,差异无统计学意义。造模后第28天时,ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组的足底机械性疼痛阈值高于塞来昔布组(P=0.049);ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组与ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组、塞来昔布组比较,组间差异均无统计学意义。造模后第35天时,ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组、ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组和塞来昔布组的足底机械性疼痛阈值两两比较,组间差异均无统计学意义。②椎间盘组织CINC-1含量。造模后第21天,假手术组、生理盐水组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组及ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组大鼠椎间盘组织中CINC-1含量比较,差异有统计学意义[(534.2±142.6)pg·mL^-1,(28 376.0±976.7)pg·mL^-1,(21 866.0±1 536.0)pg·mL^-1,(9 956.0±1 010.0)pg·mL^-1,F=423.000,P=0.000]。生理盐水组的CINC-1含量高于假手术组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组和ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组(P=0.000;P=0.003;P=0.000);ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组的CINC-1含量高于ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组(P=0.000)。③椎间盘组织SP mRNA和CGRP mRNA含量。造模后第35天,假手术组、生理盐水组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组及ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组大鼠椎间盘组织中SP mRNA和CGRP mRNA含量比较,组间差异均有统计学意义(1.04±0.49,183.50±118.60,55.50±10.26,19.53±8.05,F=9.499,P=0.000;0.74±0.21,6.29±2.06,1.55±0.69,1.19±0.37,F=27.180,P=0.000)。生理盐水组的SP mRNA含量高于假手术组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组和ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组(P=0.008;P=0.042;P=0.015);ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组的SP m RNA含量高于ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组(P=0.000)。生理盐水组的CGRP m RNA含量高于假手术组、ICA 50 mg·kg^-1组和ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组(P=0. 000;P=0. 001;P=0. 000);ICA 50mg·kg^-1组和ICA 100 mg·kg^-1组的CGRP m RNA含量比较,差异无统计学意义。结论:ICA可有效缓解大鼠椎间盘源性腰痛,其镇痛效果与剂量有关,与同剂量的塞来昔布相比其镇痛效果持续时间更长,降低大鼠椎间盘组织中CINC-1的水平可能是其镇痛的作用机制之一。     

Antimalarial compounds from Kniphofia foliosa roots

During the course of screening Ethiopian medicinal plants for their antimalarial properties, it was found that the dichloromethane extract of the roots of Kniphofia foliosa Hochst. (Asphodelaceae), which have long been used in the traditional medicine of Ethiopia for the treatment of abdominal cramps and wound healing, displayed strong in vitro antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum with an ED50 value of 3.8 microg/mL and weak cytotoxic activity against KB cells with an ED50 value of 35.2 microg/mL. Five compounds were isolated from the roots and evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial activity. Among the compounds tested, 10-(chrysophanol-7'-yl)-10-(xi)-hydroxychrysopanol-9-anthrone and chryslandicin, showed a high inhibition of the growth of the malaria parasite, P. falciparum with ED50 values of 0.260 and 0.537 microg/mL, respectively, while the naphthalene derivative, 2-acetyl-1-hydroxy-8-methoxy-3-methylnaphthalene, exhibited a less significant antimalarial activity with an ED50 value of 15.4 microg/mL. To compare the effect on the parasite with toxicity to mammalian cells, the cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds against the KB cell line were evaluated and 10-(chrysophanol-7'-yl)-10-(xi)-hydroxychrysopanol-9-anthrone and chryslandicin displayed very low toxicity with ED50 values of 104 and 90 microg/mL, respectively. This is the first report of the inhibition of the growth of P. falciparum by anthraquinone-anthrone dimers and establishes them as a new class of potential antimalarial compounds with very little host cell toxicity.     

In vitro antileishmanial and antimalarial activities of tetrahydrofuran lignans isolated from Nectandra megapotamica (Lauraceae)

Seven tetrahydrofuran lignans, isolated from Nectandra megapotamica (Lauraceae), were evaluated for their in vitro antileishmanial and antimalarial activities. Among the evaluated compounds, machilin-G (1a) and veraguensin (2a) showed the highest antileishmanial activities, displaying for both compounds an IC(50) value of 18 microg/mL and an IC(90) value of 36 microg/mL, while galgravin (1b), nectandrin-A (1c), nectandrin-B (1d), calopeptin (2b) and ganshisandrine (3) were inactive against Leishmania donovani. In the antimalarial assay against Plasmodium falciparum, it was observed that calopeptin (2b) displayed moderate activity, with IC(50) values of 3800 ng/mL (D6 clone) and 3900 ng/mL (W2 clone), while the lignans 1a-1d, 2a and 3 were inactive. In order to compare the effect on the parasites with toxicity to mammalian cells, the cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds were evaluated against the Vero cells, showing that all evaluated tetrahydrofuran lignans exhibited no cytotoxicity at the maximum dose tested.     

Antiprotozoal activities of Centipeda minima

In vitro activity against Giardia intestinalis was used for bioassay-guided fractionation of crude extracts from C. minima. The sesquiterpene lactone, brevilin A was isolated and found to have antigiardial activity (IC₅₀ = 16.1 μM) and was similarly active in vitro against Entamoeba histolytica (IC₅₀ between 4.5 and 9 μM) and against Plasmodium falciparum (IC₅₀ = 9.42 μM). Three flavonoids, quercetin, quercetin 3-methyl ether and kaempferol 7-glucosylrhamnoside were also isolated.     

Isoneocryptolepine, a synthetic indoloquinoline alkaloid, as an antiplasmodial lead compound

The antiprotozoal activities of three naturally occurring isomeric indoloquinoline alkaloids, i.e., cryptolepine (1), neocryptolepine (2), and isocryptolepine (3), and two dimeric indoloquinoline alkaloids, cryptoquindoline (6) and biscryptolepine (7), originally obtained from the plant Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, were compared with those of a new synthetic indoloquinoline isomer, isoneocryptolepine (4), and a quaternary derivative, N-methyl-isocryptolepinium iodide (5). The latter compounds showed a high antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain K1 (IC50 of 0.23 +/- 0.04 and 0.017 +/- 0.004 microM, respectively), while the cytotoxicity (L6 cells) was 4.32 +/- 0.04 and 12.7 +/- 2.0 microM, respectively. Isoneocryptolepine (4) was found to act as an inhibitor of beta-hematin formation and as a DNA-intercalating agent.     

In vivo and in vitro antimalarial activity of 4-nerolidylcatechol

4‐Nerolidylcatechol (4‐NC) isolated from Piper peltatum L. (Piperaceae) was evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (cultures of both standard CQR (K1) and CQS (3D7) strains and two Amazonian field isolates) and for in vivo antimalarial activity using the Plasmodium berghei‐murine model. 4‐NC exhibits significant in vitro and moderate in vivo antiplasmodial activity. 4‐NC administered orally and subcutaneously at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg/day suppressed the growth of P. berghei by up to 63% after four daily treatments (days 1–4). Also, 4‐NC exhibited important in vitro antiplasmodial activity against both standard and field P. falciparum strains in which 50% inhibition of parasite growth (IC₅₀) was produced at concentrations of 0.05–2.11 μg/mL and depended upon the parasite strain. Interestingly, healthy (non‐infected) mice that received 4‐NC orally presented (denatured) blood plasma which exhibited significant in vitro activity against P. falciparum. This is evidence that mouse metabolism allows 4‐NC or active metabolites to enter the blood. Further chemical and pharmacological studies are necessary to confirm the potential of 4‐NC as a new antimalarial prototype. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anti-plasmodial activity and toxicity of extracts of plants used in traditional malaria therapy in Meru and Kilifi Districts of Kenya

The methanol and aqueous extracts of 10 plant species (Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Carissa edulis, Fagaropsis angolensis, Harrissonia abyssinica, Myrica salicifolia, Neoboutonia macrocalyx, Strychnos heningsii, Withania somnifera and Zanthoxylum usambarensis) used to treat malaria in Meru and Kilifi Districts, Kenya, were tested for brine shrimp lethality and in vitro anti-plasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (NF54 and ENT30). Of the plants tested, 40% of the methanol extracts were toxic to the brine shrimp (LD(50)<100micro/ml), while 50% showed in vitro anti-plasmodial activity (IC(50)<100microg/ml). The methanol extract of the stem bark of N. macrocalyx had the highest toxicity to brine shrimp nauplii (LD(50) 21.04+/-1.8microg/ml). Methanol extracts of the rest of the plants exhibited mild or no brine shrimp toxicity (LD(50)>50microg/ml). The aqueous extracts of N. macrocalyx had mild brine shrimp toxicity (LD(50) 41.69+/-0.9microg/ml), while the rest were lower (LD(50)>100microg/ml). The methanol extracts of F. angolensis and Zanthoxylum usambarense had IC(50) values <6microg/ml while the aqueous ones had values between 6 and 15microg/ml, against both chloroquine-sensitive and resistant P. falciparum strains. The results support the use of traditional herbs for anti-malarial therapy and demonstrate their potential as sources of drugs.     

Ethnopharmacology guided screening of traditional Indian herbs for selective inhibition of Plasmodium specific lactate dehydrogenase

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Medicinal plants traditionally used to treat malaria can provide quality leads towards identifying novel anti-malarial drugs. Here we combined this approach with target based drug discovery and explored Plasmodium specific lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibitory activity of 8 Indian plants which are ethnically used to treat malaria.

Methods

LDH from Indian Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax strains, were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, followed by purification of recombinant enzymes (rPfLDH and rPvLDH respectively). Extracts of 8 plants in different organic and aqueous solvents, were screened for their inhibitory activity on rPfLDH, rPvLDH and mammalian LDHs. Phyllanthus amarus aqueous extract was further tested for in vitro parasiticidal activity.

Results

Aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn. and chloroform extract of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. exhibited profound and exclusive inhibitory effect on Plasmodium falciparum LDH (IC₅₀=11.2 μg/ml±0.4) and Plasmodium vivax LDH (IC₅₀=6.0 μg/ml±0.6) respectively. Moreover, Phyllanthus amarus aqueous extract also demonstrated antiplasmodial activity in vitro, on Chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC₅₀=7.1 μg/ml±0.5 and 6.9 μg/ml±0.7 respectively).

Conclusion

Target specific screening of traditional herbs used in malaria treatment has proffered Phyllanthus amarus and Murraya koenigii extracts as hits which can optimistically provide novel antimalarial drugs.     

雷公藤多甙对急性前葡萄膜炎患者血清IL-2及TNF-α水平的影响

目的：探讨雷公藤多甙（TWP）对急性前葡萄膜炎（AAU）患者血清白细胞介素－2（IL－2）及肿瘤坏死因子（TNF－α）水平含量的影响。方法：将患者随机分为两组，观察组50例，以TWP治疗为主；对照组50例，以乙双吗啉治疗为主，对两组患者治疗前后进行血清IL－2及TNF－α水平含量检测，并与50例健康者对照。结果：观察组治疗前IL－2及TNF－α水平含量分别为（1．31±0．27）μg/L及（1．20±0．65）μg/L，治疗后为（1．19±0．27）μg/L及（0．96±0．54）μg/L，与治疗前比较差异均有显著性（t=2.22及2．00，P＜0．05）；对照组治疗前分别为（1．31±0．26）μg/L及（1．22±0．66）μg/L，治疗后为（1．20±0．27）μg/L及（0．98±0．51）μg/L，与治疗前比较差异均有显著性（t=2.08及2．03，P＜0．05）。观察组及对照组IL－2、TNF－α治疗前均明显高于健康组（P均＜0．05），而治疗后均接近健康组（P均＞0．05）。结论：（1）AAU患者存在IL－2及TNF－α异常改变；（2）TWP对AAU患者IL－2及TNF－α有明显抑制作用；（3）TWP治疗AAU临床疗效可靠。     

In vitro antiplasmodial evaluation of medicinal plants from Zimbabwe

In this study the in vitro antiplasmodial activities of extracts from Cussonia spicata (Araliaceae), Artemisia afra, Vernonia colorata, V. natalensis (Asteraceae), Parinari curatellifolia (Chrysobalanaceae), Clutia hirsuta, Flueggea virosa, (Euphorbiaceae), Adenia gummifera (Passifloraceae) and Hymenodictyon floribundum, (Rubiaceae) were evaluated. The lipophilic extracts from the aerial parts of Artemisia afra and Vernonia colorata proved to be the most active against the chloroquine-sensitive strain PoW and against the chloroquine-resistant clone Dd2 of Plasmodium falciparum. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract of A. afra yielded seven flavonoids, from which acacetin, genkwanin and 7-methoxyacacetin showed in vitro activity; the IC(50) values ranged from 4.3 microgram/mL to 12.6 microgram/mL. In addition, several sesquiterpene lactones could be obtained from the most active fractions. Whereas eudesmaafraglaucolide proved to be inactive, the guaianolides 1-desoxy-1alpha-peroxy-rupicolin A-8-O-acetate, 1alpha,4alpha-dihydroxybishopsolicepolide and rupicolin A-8-O-acetate revealed in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Evaluation of V. colorata gained four sesquiterpenes 11beta,13-dihydrovernodalin, vernodalol, 11beta,13-dihydrovernolide and 11beta,13,17,18-tetrahydrovernolide, from which the first two constituents exhibited the strongest antiplasmodial activity (IC(50) values: 1.1-4.8 microgram/mL).     

Pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpene lactones with high activities against the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Four sesquiterpene lactones of the pseudo-guaianolide type (helenalin, dihydrohelenalin and their acetates), have shown activities against asexual blood forms of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Their IC(50) values were situated in the range of 0.23 to 7.41 micro M. The activity found for helenalin was high, even compared to the activity found for artemisinin.     

甘草次酸在大鼠体内药动学的RP-HPLC研究

目的：建立大鼠血浆中甘草次酸浓度的高效液相测定方法，探讨甘草次酸在大鼠体内的药动学过程。方法：大鼠按1.0 mg·kg^-1尾静脉注射甘草次酸后0.08，0.17，0.25，0.33，0.5，0.75，1，2，3，4，6 h眼底采血，乙腈沉淀血浆，HPLC测定血浆中甘草次酸浓度，以DAS软件拟合药动学参数。结果：甘草次酸血药浓度在50～2 000 ng·mL^-1线性良好，r=0.999 7，测得低中高浓度回收率分别为(105.2 ±2.23)%，(102.5±2.95)%，(98.4±2.32)%，日内、日间低中高浓度RSD均小于4%。甘草次酸在大鼠体内药-时曲线符合二室开放模型，主要药动学参数为：t_1/2α=(0.153±0.023) h，t_1/2β=(2.365±0.866) h，C_max =(2.074±0.100) mg·L^-1，CL=(0.715±0.082) L·h^-1·kg^-1，V_d =(2.427±0.872) L·kg^-1，AUC_{0～6 h} =(1.302±0.151) mg·h^-1·L^-1。结论：建立的RP-HPLC适用于体内甘草次酸的含量测定及药代动力学研究，甘草次酸在体内的分布迅速、广泛。     

The in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. and Momordica foetida Schumch. Et Thonn

Two plants Cardiospermum halicacabum L. and Momordica foetida Schumch. Et Thonn traditionally used to treat symptoms of malaria in parts of East and Central Africa were screened for in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity. Using the nitro tetrazolium blue-based parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay as used by [Makler, M.T., Ries, J.M., Williams, J.A., Bancroft, J.E., Piper, R.C., Gibbins, B.L., Hinrichs, D.J., 1993. Parasite lactate dehydrogenase as an assay for Plasmodium falciparum drug sensitivity. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 48, 739-741], water extracts from the two plants were found to have weak in vitro antiplasmodial activity with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) greater than 28.00 microg/ml. In vivo studies of water extracts from the two plants showed that Momordica foetida given orally in the dose range 10, 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg twice daily prolonged survival of Plasmodium berghei (Anka) infected mice from 7.0+/-1.8 to 17.9+/-1.8 days. The water extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum L was toxic to mice, none surviving beyond day 4 of oral administration, with no evidence of protection against Plasmodium berghei malaria. The study emphasizes the discrepancy that might be found between in vitro and in vivo testing of plant-derived antimalarial extracts and the need to consider in vitro antiplasmodial data with this in mind. Further studies on Momordica foetida as a source of an antimalarial remedy are indicated on the basis of these results.     

Studies on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of Curatella americana L

Curatella americana L. (Dilleneaceae) popularly known as 'cajueiro-bravo' and 'sambaiba' is used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation and ulcer. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic tests were conducted with the hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) of the bark of the plant. The HAE inhibited mouse ear oedema induced by o-tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) and by capsaicin. While the ID50 values obtained for the HAE against these two irritants were 40.8 +/- 1.7 and 30 +/- 1.2 mg/kg i.p. (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 6), respectively, the corresponding value for carrageenan induced paw oedema (3 h) was 21.8 +/- 2.1 mg/kg, i.p., n = 6. In the established adjuvant-induced arthritis model, the HAE significantly inhibited the oedema in daily doses of 50 mg/kg, i.p. (n = 10). The HAE also inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing (ID50 23.2 +/- 0.8 mg/kg, i.p., n = 6) and the formalin-induced late phase paw licking response (ID50 11.9 +/- 1.2 mg/kg, i.p., n = 10) in the mice. However, the HAE was inactive in the formalin-induced initial paw licking response in mice or heat induced tail flick response in rats. The HAE has shown both anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic activities when administrated in the mouse by the intraperitoneal route in doses which are at least 12 times lower than its LD50 dose of 647 mg/kg, i.p.