Natriuretic and diuretic effects of Tropaeolum majus (Tropaeolaceae) in rats

Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae), popularly known as “chaguinha”, is well recognized in Brazilian traditional medicine as diuretic agent, although no scientific data have been published to support this effect.     

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。     

Antigenotoxic and antioxidant effects of the Mongolian medicinal plant Leptopyrum fumarioides (L): An in vitro study

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Leptopyrum fumarioides has been used in the traditional medicine of Mongolia for the treatment of various diseases, including drug intoxications. However, since there is only sparse information about its chemistry, active components, and pharmacological and toxicological effects, the major aim of the present study employing mouse lymphoma cells was to evaluate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic/antioxidative effects of extracts and components isolated from this plant.

Material and methods

A crude methanol extract was separated into three different sub-extracts: dichloromethane, n-butanol, and water. The major constituent of the n-butanol extract, i.e., the flavone luteolin-7-O-glucoside and a mixture of the most abundant compounds in the dichloromethane sub-extract were then isolated. DNA damage was evaluated using the comet assay; the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay.

Results

The crude methanol extract, the dichloromethane sub-extract and the mixture of compounds isolated from the latter fraction, increased the level of DNA damage after three hours of exposure. In contrast, no increase in DNA damage was observed in the cells that had been exposed to the n-butanol and water sub-extracts, or to the pure flavone. When non-DNA damaging concentrations of extracts and compounds were tested together with the DNA damaging agent catechol, all sub-extracts were found to reduce the catechol-induced DNA damage (the flavone was then found to be the most effective protective agent). The n-butanol sub-extract and the flavone were also found to have the most prominent antioxidative effects.

Conclusion

Based on the results from the present study, components in Leptopyrum fumarioides were found to protect the DNA damage induced by catechol, probably by acting as potent antioxidants.     

数种蜥蜴亚目药用动物DNA条形码分类探讨

该研究选取数种蜥蜴亚目药用动物为研究对象,应用DNA条形码通用引物扩增测序,并与GenBank收录的共3科7属12种59个体的同源序列(564 bp)进行比对分析,采用邻接法、最大简约法和贝叶斯推断法分别构建分子系统发育树.结果表明,该片段的G+C平均量为46.5％,低于A+T平均量(53.5％).基于Kimura双参数模型计算,所有个体的种内遗传距离平均值为1.7％,种间遗传距离平均值为35.5％,种间平均遗传距离是种内的21倍.无疣壁虎、疣尾蜥虎和大壁虎的种内平均遗传距离均大于2％,进一步分析表明这些种的地理群体间的遗传分化可能均已达到亚种甚至种的水平,当然还需要结合形态、更多分子标记等分析才能定论.基于COI基因片段序列构建的系统发育树表明,DNA条形码在科、属和种水平的分类鉴定与传统方法所得结果一致.因此,DNA条形码用于蜥蜴亚目药用动物物种间的鉴定是可行的,特别是对于非专业人员鉴定相关类群药材真伪具有一定应用价值.     

火麻仁品种与药用部位本草考证

目的:通过对火麻仁的本草考证,明确火麻仁药材品种及入药部位,为临床用药提供文献依据。方法:考证历代本草著作,结合现代研究资料进行分析。结果:火麻仁的基原植物古今一致,均为桑科大麻属植物大麻Cannabis sativa。而入药部位,早期文献中对本品的药用部位并未作严格区分,麻賁(雌花序或未成熟的果实)、麻子(果实)、麻子仁(种仁)三者相互混用;自陶弘景开始,逐渐认识到其果皮的毒性,其后历代本草、方书大都特别指出大麻入药须去除果皮,使用种仁。现代药学文献对火麻仁药用部位的记载,或果实,或种仁,较混乱。结论:火麻仁品种古今一致;种仁比果实更安全,其药用部位应为种仁。     

紫堇属藏药的化学与药理学研究进展

我国有紫堇属植物约298种,其中特有10组219种,广泛用于藏医藏药。紫堇属藏药主要用于感冒发烧、肝炎、水肿、胃炎、胆囊炎、高血压等多种疾病。其化学成分主要为异喹啉生物碱。现代药理学研究表明紫堇属植物对心血管系统、中枢神经系统、抗菌、镇痛、抗炎、保肝、抗氧化等,皆有明显的作用。该文对我国紫堇属藏药的种属、分布、化学成分、药理活性等进行系统综述,并对其相关研究现状和前景进行了展望,以期为紫堇属藏药的深入研究和开发利用提供参考。     

Identification of Escherichia coli enterotoxin inhibitors from traditional medicinal herbs by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Glycyrrhiza uralensis has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea, in several ancient cultures. Glycyrrhizin is the principal component of liquorice and lots of pharmacological effects have been demonstrated.

Aim of the study

Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), the virulence factor of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, induces diarrhea by initially binding to the G_M1 on the surfaces of intestinal epithelial cells and consequently leading to the massive loss of fluid and ions from cells. Therefore, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of traditional medicinal herbs (TMH) on the B subunit of LT (LTB) and G_M1 interaction.

Materials and methods

The inhibitory effects of TMH on LTB-G_M1 interaction were evaluated by G_M1-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The likely active phytochemicals of these TMH were then predicted by in silico model (docking) and analyzed by in vitro (G_M1-ELISA) and in vivo (patent mouse gut assay) models.

Results

We found that various TMH, which have been ethnomedically used for the treatment of diarrhea, inhibited the LTB-G_M1 interaction. Docking data showed that triterpenoids were the most active phytochemicals and the oleanane-type triterpenoids presented better LTB-binding abilities than other types of triterpenoids. Moreover, by in vitro and in vivo models, we demonstrated that glycyrrhizin was the most effective oleanane-type triterpenoid that significantly suppressed both the LTB-binding ability (IC₅₀ = 3.26 ± 0.17 mM) and the LT-induced fluid accumulation in mice.

Conclusions

We found an LT inhibitor, glycyrrhizin, from TMH by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses.     

金鸡菊属药用植物研究进展

金鸡菊属植物约有100种,主要分布于美洲、非洲南部及夏威夷群岛等地,其中我国常见的该属植物有7种。金鸡菊属植物两色金鸡菊Coreopsis tinctoria为我国维吾尔族民间草药雪菊的基原植物,《中华本草》名曰蛇目菊,具有清热解毒、化湿止痢之功效。金鸡菊属植物的化学成分主要为黄酮类、苯丙素类、倍半萜类、聚炔类及甾醇类,具有抗炎等多种活性。该文综述了金鸡菊属植物的化学成分和药理作用,并对其开发前景进行了展望,以期为该属植物的深入研究和开发利用提供参考。     

百蕊草药材内在品质研究

目的:研究百蕊草药材内在品质.方法:以总黄酮、山柰酚、甘露醇、多糖等多种活性成分为评价指标,系统研究不同居群、不同生长期、不同储存时间百蕊草药材内在品质.结果:百蕊草药材总黄酮质量分数3.38%,山柰酚0.984 7 mg·g-1,甘露醇6.12%,多糖14.08%,水溶性浸出物30.28%.不同居群百蕊草主要化学成分相似,但含量存在差异或显著差异;除多糖外,不同生长期百蕊草各化学成分含量呈下降趋势;随储存时间的延长,百蕊草药材总黄酮、山柰酚、甘露醇、多糖及浸出物等成分含量呈下降趋势.结论:在制定百蕊草质量标准时,应以总黄酮、山柰酚、甘露醇、多糖和浸出物等含量为主要成分指标.     

Unraveling the medicinal potential of South African Aloe species

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Aloe species (family: Xanthorrhoeaceae) are widely used in ethnomedicine for treating various ailments. Approximately 125 Aloe taxa are documented as indigenous to South Africa. This review was aimed at critically evaluating the available data on the ethnomedicinal uses, pharmacological activities, safety and conservation status of the documented South African Aloe species.

Materials and methods

A detailed search using major electronic search engines (such as Google Scholar, Scopus and Scirus) and ethnobotanical literature was undertaken. Search terms used included ‘medicinal properties of Aloe species’, ‘biological activity of South African Aloe species’ and ‘safety and toxicological evaluation of aloes’.

Results

Although Aloe species are widely used as laxatives and for treating wound and skin-related ailments, only about 20% of South African Aloe species have been clearly documented for their medicinal uses. The pharmacological potential including the antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antiplasmodial and anthelmintic activities of some of the species has been established, providing a rationale for their use in traditional medicine. Successful micropropagation protocols have been developed as a conservation strategy, but only for a few species.

Conclusions

The highlighted medicinal activities of some Aloe species indicate their therapeutic potential. Nonetheless, further research especially on the understudied species is required to properly document their ethnomedicinal uses and fully explore their pharmacological value.     

药用真菌猪苓菌核渗出液理化性质的研究

探讨不同发育阶段人工培养的猪苓菌核渗出液的理化性质。对药用真菌猪苓进行培养,系统地观察不同发育阶段的猪苓菌核及其渗出液的形态特征;对不同发育阶段猪苓菌核渗出液的pH进行测定;采用硫酸-苯酚法测定猪苓菌核渗出液的多糖含量;并利用BCA蛋白含量测定方法测定猪苓菌核渗出液的蛋白含量,利用紫外吸收法测定猪苓菌核渗出液中过氧化氢酶（CAT）的含量。在猪苓菌核发育过程中,菌核渗出液pH出现先升高后降低的趋势;渗出液的多糖含量逐渐下降;渗出液的蛋白含量及CAT含量出现逐渐升高的趋势,说明猪苓菌核渗出液形成过程中伴随着高水平的氧化应激反应。添加维生素C以后,部分地消除了活性氧,因此CAT活力下降。猪苓菌核渗出液的pH在猪苓菌核形成过程中一直维持酸性状态,间接反应出酸性环境有利于猪苓菌核的形成;菌核渗出液具有逐渐产生且最终被菌核重新吸收的特征。     

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of selected Luo and Kuria medicinal plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Drug resistance in malaria is a recurring subject that threatens public health globally. There is an urgent need to seek new antimalarial agents. This study seeking new antimalarials from medicinal plants is guided by ethnobotany.

Materials and methods

Medicinal plants of the Luo and Kuria ethnic groups of Kenya with high usage reports were screened in vitro for their antiplasmodial activity using the SYBR Green I fluorescence assay (MSF assay).

Results

The IC50's for drugs and total plant extracts ranged from 0.01217 to 10.679 mg/ml. Extracts were more active on chloroquine sensitive than resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. Tylosema fassoglense, Ageratum conyzoides and Ocimum kilimandscharicum exhibited promising results. Plectranthus barbatus did not show activity.

Conclusion

Ethnobotanical knowledge was sufficiently reliable for identifying plant extracts with antiplasmodial activity.     

白头翁属药用植物的HPLC指纹特征与化学分类研究

目的:建立白头翁属5种药用植物皂苷类成分的HPLC指纹特征图谱,为这5种药用植物的鉴定及亲缘关系评价提供依据.方法:采用HPLC测定白头翁属药用植物的指纹图谱,依据获得的色谱数据对各样品进行分析与鉴定.结果:建立了白头翁属5种药用植物中皂苷类成分的HPLC指纹图谱,这5种药用植物均显示了其共性和各自的指纹特征;确立10个色谱峰为共有峰.运用系统聚类将14份样品聚成4类:第Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅳ类分别为朝鲜白头翁,蒙古白头翁和白头翁;第Ⅲ类由兴安白头翁、细叶白头翁组成.朝鲜白头翁与兴安白头翁,蒙古白头翁与细叶白头翁之间的化学亲缘关系较远.结论:聚类结果与传统分类结果有较好的一致性.HPLC化学图谱可用于白头翁属植物的分类和鉴别研究,并为白头翁属植物指纹图谱研究和质量控制提供重要参考.     

珍稀濒危药用植物桃儿七的资源调查

对西藏、青海、甘肃、四川、云南等省区的桃儿七资源进行调查.结果表明,桃儿七主要分布于我国中部从陕西太白山区由北向南沿横断山脉两侧的中高山及青藏高原地带,适生生境以海拔1 500～4 500 m的沟谷湿润林下到高原面上较为干旱的矮小灌丛植被为主,单纯的高山草甸分布密度相对较小;光照、水分、土壤、温度、海拔等从不同的角度对桃儿七的分布和生长、资源蕴藏量都有着明显的影响.采取文献调查、走访调查、样方调查及市场调查等方法.作为藏药"小叶莲"(果实)和鬼臼毒素提取原料的地下部分的市场需求增长迅速,采挖地下部分的"鬼臼"是导致近年桃儿七资源急剧减少的主要原因.建议一方面应加强对"鬼臼"的合理限量采挖管理,同时应开展桃儿七资源利用价值的评价,并加快发展桃儿七的栽培生产.     

药用峨眉野连遗传多样性的RAPD分析

目的:对峨眉野连进行遗传多样性研究.方法:通过RAPD技术对10个野牛峨眉野连居群共110个个体进行遗传多样性分析.结果:用14个随机引物共扩增出132条清晰条带,其中98条具多态性,平均多态性位点比率为74.24%,Nei's基因多样性指数H=0.286 3,Shannon's多样性指数I=0.362 4,遗传分化指数G_(st)=0.230 5,遗传距离和遗传一致度分别为0.193 1～0.524 5,0.501 6～0.884 3.结论:峨眉野连种水平上具有较高的遗传多样性,遗传变异主要存在于居群内部,遗传多样性与地理关系表现出明显的相关性,RAPD可以作为研究遗传多样性及遗传分化的有效标记.     

传统中药交让木Daphniphyllum macropodum 生物碱成分的分离鉴别

目的:对采自中国广西的传统中药交让木Daphniphyllum macropodum的生物碱成分进行研究,从中寻找有生物活性的次生代谢产物.方法:用硅胶柱色谱和凝胶柱色谱对交让木D.macropodum氯仿提取物进行分离纯化;根据其理化性质,结合现代波谱技术(MS,NMR等)并与文献报道的数据相比较,对得到的化合物进行结构鉴定.结果:分离得到了4个具有不同骨架的虎皮南生物碱,其结构分别鉴定为:longistylumphylline A(1),deoxycalyciphylline B(2),daphnicyclidin B(3),daphnicyclidin H(4).结论:4个化合物均系首次从该种植物中分离得到;daphnicyclidin H(4)的发现,进一步证明了它与之前报导的macropodumines A ～C在生源上的密切联系.     

苦参根中异常结构的发育及药用部位调查

目的:阐明苦参中"环状年轮"的结构特征及异常构造的产生,进一步讨论苦参的药用部位问题。方法:对苦参的根系及药材进行实地调查,并对其根系进行形态观察和发育解剖学研究。结果:北方部分地区生长的苦参存在横走根状茎(文中统称为"根状茎"),其与根在外观和显微特征方面都存在差异;根中的异常结构是由于次生木质部中产生了大量薄壁细胞,其中一些薄壁细胞恢复分生能力转化为异常形成层所产生;苦参横切面中的"环状年轮"与生长轮无关,从外向内依次是由韧皮纤维束呈断续的环、形成层环,以及次生木质部中的薄壁细胞环带组成。结论:苦参的入药部位为根;建议苦参饮片中"环状年轮"的描述改为"环状结构"。     

The Canadian medicinal plant Heracleum maximum contains antimycobacterial diynes and furanocoumarins

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Heracleum maximum is amongst the most commonly used plants by the indigenous peoples of North America. The First Nations of the eastern Canada use infusions of Heracleum maximum roots for the treatment of respiratory ailments including tuberculosis. Previous investigations of extracts derived from the roots of Heracleum maximum have shown it to possess antimycobacterial activity. Aim of the study: To isolate and identify antimycobacterial constituents from the roots of Heracleum maximum.

Materials and methods

A methanolic extract of Heracleum maximum roots was subjected to bioassay guided fractionation using the microplate resazurin assay (MRA) to assess inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Ra. The antimycobacterial constituents were identified by NMR, MS and polarimetry.

Results

The polyacetylene (3R,8S)-falcarindiol and the furanocoumarins bergapten, isobergapten, angelicin, sphondin, pimpinellin, isopimpinellin and 6-isopentenyloxyisobergapten were isolated from the Heracleum maximum root extract. (3R,8S)-Falcarindiol and 6-isopentenyloxyisobergapten exhibited MICs of 24 μM and 167 μM and IC₅₀s of 6 μM and 27 μM against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra respectively. The remaining furanocoumarins bergapten, isobergapten, angelicin, sphondin, pimpinellin, and isopimpinellin were less active, with MICs of 925, 1850, 2149, 1859, 812 and 1625 μM and IC₅₀s of 125, 344, 350, 351, 389 and 406 μM.

Conclusions

(3R,8S)-Falcarindiol, bergapten, isobergapten, angelicin, sphondin, pimpinellin, isopimpinellin and 6-isopentenyloxyisobergapten were identified as the principal constituents responsible for the antimycobacterial activity of the roots of Heracleum maximum. This work supports the ethnopharmacological use of Heracleum maximum by Canadian First Nations and Native American communities as a treatment for infectious diseases, specifically tuberculosis.     

夏枯草本草及其入药部位变化的考证

目的:通过对夏枯草历代本草著作考证,研究夏枯草名称、产地、主治功效、入药部位及采收加工方法,为临床用药及合理开发利用该植物资源提供本草学依据.方法:考证历代主流本草著作,并结合实地考察进行综合分析.结果:历史上夏枯草分布区主要集中于我国四川省境内、淮河流域及长江中下游地区;夏枯草主治功效古今基本一致;但古今药用部位及采收加工记载存在差异.结论:通过对本草文献考证与分析,夏枯草人药部位变化大致经历带穗全草[明朝后期(约16世纪或以前)至清末民初(约19世纪初)]、以果穗及带穗全草入药[民国中期(约19世纪30年代)至1963年)]、单用半枯或成熟果穗(1963年至今)3个阶段;夏枯草传统加工方法根据临床疗效不同分为晒干和阴干两种,而现代加工方法仅采用晒干.