Saponins from the fructus ofKochia scoparia

Two new triterpenoidal saponins,B(1) andC(2) were isolated from the fruccus ofKochia scoparia. On the basis of chemico-spectral evidences, the structures of1 and2 were elucidated as oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-ribopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside and 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-olean-12-en-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, respectively.     

Evaluation of the subchronic toxicity of oral treatment with Chenopodium ambrosioides in mice

Aim of the study

The leaves of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiaceae) have been used by native people to treat many diseases. Recently, we showed that the treatment with small dose (5 mg/kg) of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) from Chenopodium ambrosioides’ leaves has immunestimulatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the subchronic toxicity of the oral treatment with this HE in preclinical assays.

Material and methods

Swiss mice were divided into 4 groups (n = 10/group). They received the HE daily at the doses of 5, 50 and 500 mg/kg by gavage during 15 days. The control group received only water. They were observed each hour for 24 h and each day for 15 days, when the blood was collected. The serum was used to perform the biochemical analysis. The mice were then killed and the vital and lymphoid organs were collected and evaluated.

Results

There was neither death nor alterations in the body weight in the HE-treated groups, but there were alterations in the weight of some organs. There was an increase in the lymph node cells number in the highest two doses. The number of cells in the bone marrow was high in the HE-treated groups, but the number of peritoneal cells was smaller in the HE-treated groups when compared to the control. There was no alteration in the AST, but there was a reduction in the albumin levels in the HE500 group and in the triglycerides and VLDL in the highest doses.

Conclusion

The subchronic treatment with HE induced punctual alterations in the groups treated with the highest doses. However, the HE treatment was not lethal and did not induce toxic alterations using the therapeutic dose, suggesting that it is safe to use this product in the adequate dose.     

A pectin methylesterase as an allergenic marker for the sensitization to Russian thistle (Salsola kali) pollen

BACKGROUND: Chenopodiaceae pollen is considered the main cause of pollen allergy in desert countries and its incidence is world-wide increasing by the desertization of extensive zones. Although the correlation between the sensitization to Chenopodium album and Salsola kali pollens of patients suffering from allergy to Chenopodiaceae pollens is high, a significant number of patients exhibited IgE sensitivity exclusively towards S. kali. OBJECTIVE: To analyse this differential reactivity and to purify, clone and characterize the putative responsible allergen. METHODS: Immunoblotting was used to analyse the IgE binding to pollen extract for S. kali and C. album. The protein was isolated by two chromatographic steps and characterized by Edman degradation, mass spectrometry, finger print analysis and Concanavalin A lectin staining. Specific cDNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned in Escherichia coli and sequenced. Immunologic characterization was performed by immunoblotting, enzyme-linked immunoassay detection and inhibition experiments using sera from 11 patients allergic to S. kali pollen. RESULTS: cDNA codifies for a mature protein of 339 amino acids plus a putative signal peptide of 23 residues and it belongs to the plant pectin methylesterase (PME) family. It is a mildly basic and polymorphic protein and was recognized by the IgE from all the patients allergic to S. kali included in the study, and was called Sal k 1. The protein was not recognized in the C. album pollen extract using the sera of these patients. CONCLUSION: Sal k 1 is a protein from the PME family with a high allergenic relevance. Considering this allergen as responsible for the different sensitization between S. kali and C. album pollen, it may be a useful marker to classify patients allergic to Chenopodiaceae allowing a safer and more specific immunotherapy.     

Profilin (Che a 2) and polcalcin (Che a 3) are relevant allergens of Chenopodium album pollen: isolation, amino acid sequences, and immunologic properties

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the molecular properties of chenopod allergens. Recently, profilin and 2 EF-hand calcium-binding protein (polcalcin) have been shown to play a role in chenopod pollinosis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze these panallergens in chenopod pollen and to evaluate their involvement in the allergy to this biologic source. METHODS: Profilin and polcalcin were purified to homogeneity and characterized by using spectrometric and chemical methods. Immunologic analyses were performed by means of immunoblotting, ELISA, and competitive inhibition assays with olive profilin- and polcalcin-specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies and sera from patients with chenopod allergy. cDNAs encoding these proteins were cloned by means of PCR and sequenced. RESULTS: Purified Che a 2 (profilin) and Che a 3 (polcalcin) exhibited prevalences of 55% and 46%, respectively, in patients (n=104) hypersensitive to chenopod pollen. Both purified allergens individually inhibited the IgE binding to the whole pollen extract and showed strong cross-reactivity with the corresponding olive pollen profilin (Ole e 2) and polcalcin (Ole e 3). Chenopod profilin consists of a 131-amino-acid chain that displays identities of approximately 75% and 82% with pollen and food profilins, respectively. Che a 3 (86 amino acids) displays similarity (65% to 82% identity) with polcalcins from pollens of olive, birch, alder, rapeseed, and timothy. CONCLUSION: Profilin and polcalcin are relevant panallergens in chenopod pollen and good candidates to be involved in IgE cross-reactivity with other pollen sources, thus explaining the highly frequent polysensitization of patients allergic to chenopod.     

Antidiabetic activity of aqueous leaf extract of Atriplex halimus L. (Chenopodiaceae) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective

To investigate the antidiabetic effect of A. halimus leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

The aqueous extract of the plant leaf was tested for its efficacy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The extract was evaluated for its acute and short term general toxicity in male mice and for its antihyperglycemic activity using glucose tolerance test in rats. The aqueous extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and determination of total phenolic contents.

Results

The statistical data indicated the significant increase in the body weight and decrease in the blood glucose and hepatic levels. The total protein level was significantly increased when treated with the extract.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of A. halimus has beneficial effects in reducing the elevated blood glucose level and hepatic levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.     

Chenopodium album seed extract: a potent sperm-immobilizing agent both in vitro and in vivo

PURPOSE: Aqueous decoction of Chenopodium album seeds (CAD) was assessed for its sperm-immobilizing and contraceptive efficacy in laboratory mammals. METHOD: Spermicidal efficacy was evaluated in vitro by a modified Sander-Cramer test. The mode of spermicidal action was assessed by (a) supravital and double fluoroprobe staining of sperm, (b) hypoosmotic swelling tests and (c) transmission electron microscopy. Contraceptive efficacy was evaluated by intrauterine and vaginal application of CAD in rats and rabbits, respectively, followed by their mating and evaluation of pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: The minimum effective concentration of CAD that induced instantaneous immobilization of rat spermatozoa in vitro was 2 mg/mL. The mechanism of CAD action involved disintegration of sperm plasma membrane and dissolution of acrosomal cap causing sperm death. Fertilization of oocytes and establishment of implantation were prevented in the uterine horn that was administered with CAD, while these events occurred unhindered in the untreated contralateral side. In rabbit, intravaginal application of CAD significantly blocked the establishment of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: CAD possesses appreciable spermicidal potential, which may be explored as an effector constituent of vaginal contraceptive.     

Effects of Banana Feeding on Deoxycorticosterone-Induced Hypertension and Salt Consumption in Rats

Abstract

Pulp of ripe banana, supplied daily (50 g/rat/day) together with standard food pellets, prevented an increase in blood pressure induced by the intramuscular injection of deoxycorticosterone enantate (DOC, 25 mg/rat) in rats given access to both water and 2% NaCl solution. The antihypertensive effect of banana was not related to reduced salt intake: on the contrary animals receiving banana during DOC-treatment consumed significantly larger amounts of salt relative to controls. The enhanced salt intake in banana-fed animals was not due to increased renal excretion of sodium. Ritan-serin, a 5-HTjc receptor antagonist, partially inhibited the effect of banana on DOC-induced salt intake, suggesting that the effect may be partially mediated by serotonergic mechanisms. This finding suggests that an increase in central serotonin levels triggered by the high triptophan and carbohydrate content of banana is responsible for the serotonin-mediated component of the natriorexic effect of banana. However, both the effect of banana on salt intake and that on blood pressure cannot be entirely accounted for by its influence on endogenous serotonin levels; additional mechanisms should be evaluated.     

土荆芥化学成分的研究

从土荆芥Chenopodium ambrosioides的全草中分离得到12个化合物,通过波谱解析,化合物结构分别鉴定为山柰酚-7-O-α-L-鼠李糖苷（kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside,1）,山柰酚-3,7-O-α-L-二鼠李糖苷（kaempferol-3,7-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside,2）,万寿菊素（patuletin,3）,槲皮素-7-O-α-L-鼠李糖苷（quercetin-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside,4）,蚱蜢酮（grasshopper ketone,5）,4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one（6）,丁香脂素（syringaresinol,7）,苄基-β-D-葡萄糖苷（benzyl β-D-glucopyranoside,8）,dendranthemoside B（9）,反式阿魏酸酰对羟基苯乙胺（N-trans-feruloyl tyramine,10）,N-3-羟基-4-甲氧基苯乙基反式阿魏酸酰胺（N-trans-feruloyl 4’-O-methyl dopamine,11）,N-p-香豆酰酪胺｛4-hydroxy-N-[2-（4-4-hydroxyphenyl）-ethyl]benzamide,12｝。其中化合物 3,6~8,10,12 为首次从该属中分离得到。化合物2~12 为首次从该植物中分离得到。     

Constituents of the Halophyte Salicornia herbacea

Four compounds were isolated from Salicornia herbacea by repeated column chromatography. Their structures were identified as beta-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), uracil (3), and isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) by spectral analysis and comparison with the published data.