Human khat (Catha edulis) chewers have elevated plasma leptin and nonesterified fatty acids

In this study, the effect of regular khat (Catha edulis Forsk) chewing (200 and 400 g) in humans on plasma leptin, nonesterified fatty acid, triacyglycerol, and total cholesterol levels was investigated. The results presented show that khat chewing increases plasma leptin concentration particularly in individuals who chew 400 g of khat leaves. The significance of increased plasma leptin is in explaining the underlying mechanism of the observed effects associated with khat chewing such as loss of appetite, decreased body weight, and hyperthermia. The decreased body weight was evident from the significantly lower body mass index of the khat leaves chewers group as compared to the non–khat leaves chewers group (control). Moreover, like leptin, the plasma levels of nonesterified fatty acids were significantly higher in those chewing 400 g of khat leaves. On the other hand, the plasma levels of triacylglycerol were significantly lower in the 2 khat-chewers groups (200 and 400 g of khat leaves), whereas plasma cholesterol levels were not affected by the 2 levels of khat leaves used in this study. The significance of these results may suggest that khat leaves may contain a component(s) that has the ability to reduce body weight via decreasing appetite.     

Catha edulis, a plant that has amphetamine effects

The chewing of fresh leaves of the khat bush (Catha edulis) is common in certain countries of East Africa and the Arab peninsula, because this material has a stimulating effect. During the last decade, important progress has been made in understanding the pharmacology of this drug. Its actions are mainly due to the alkaloid cathinone, a substance that can be called a natural amphetamine.     

Evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of Passiflora edulis in an inflammation model

The popular medicine Passiflora edulis has been used as a sedative, tranquilizer, against cutaneous inflammatory diseases and intermittent fever. Most of the pharmacological investigations of Passiflora edulis have been addressed to its Central Nervous System activities, such as anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative actions. Otherwise, there are few reports about the anti-inflammatory activity of the Passiflora species. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous lyophilized extract obtained from leaves of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa Degener (Passifloraceae) in the mouse model of pleurisy induced by carrageenan (Cg), bradykinin, histamine or substance P, observing the effects upon leucocytes migration, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO) concentrations and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) levels. RESULTS: Passiflora edulis (250mg/kg) administered by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) inhibited the leukocyte, neutrophils, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, TNFalpha and IL-1beta levels (P<0.01) in the pleurisy induced by carrageenan. Passiflora edulis (250-500mg/kg, i.p.) also inhibited total and differential leukocytes in the pleurisy induced by bradykinin, histamine or substance P (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Several mechanisms, including the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-1beta), enzyme (myeloperoxidase) and mediators (bradykinin, histamine, substance P, nitric oxide) release and/or action, appear to account for Passiflora edulis's actions.     

不同干燥方法对光慈姑加工性能和品质影响研究

为探索不同干燥方法对光慈姑加工性能和品质的影响,为光慈姑规范化加工方法提供依据,研究了普通晾晒、蒸制、水煮、恒温烘干(40,50,60℃)等8种不同干燥方法对光慈姑外观性状、折干率、硬度、复水率及水分、灰分、浸出物和多糖含量等指标的影响。结果表明,普通晾晒及40℃恒温干燥的光慈姑复水率最佳,但所需时间长、折干率小、硬度大,色泽差,且组织结构发生了明显的变形和皱缩;60℃恒温干燥的光慈姑干燥时间短、含水量低、多糖含量高,但其他各项指标均较差。烫制处理(蒸制和水煮)后的光慈姑虽干燥时间缩短、外观品质较佳,但浸出物及多糖含量降低。50℃恒温干燥光慈姑外观品质与市售光慈姑较接近,硬度最小,折干率最大,复水率较高,浸出物及多糖含量较高,且水分、灰分含量适中。综合考虑,建议选择50℃恒温干燥的方法,与传统方法相比,缩短了干燥时间,还能保证药材质量。     

东海染毒紫贻贝中贝类毒素的分离和鉴定

目的掌握紫贻贝的染毒情况,对其含有的贝类毒素成分进行分离和鉴定。方法样品经丙酮提取,提取物经乙醚-水液分配,乙醚可溶部分再经硅胶柱层析粗分离、反相高效液相色谱半制备细分离,UPLC-MS/MS监测。结果分离得到4个毒素组分,根据质谱数据以及与pectenotoxin-2(PTX-2)的酶水解产物比较,鉴定组分Ⅰ和Ⅱ分别为pectenotoxin-2 seco acid(PTX-2sa)和7-epi-PTX-2 seco acid(7-epi-PTX-2sa),经LC-MS/MS分析与标准品对照鉴定组分Ⅲ和IV分别为大田软海绵酸(OA)和鳍藻毒素-1(DTX-1)。结论从苍南县市售贻贝中同时分离出腹泻性贝类毒素(DSP)和扇贝毒素类(PTXs),其中游离态的OA、DTX-1及总OA含量超过欧盟限量值,为这次腹泻性贝类中毒的主要原因。     

Evaluation Of The Diuretic Activity Of Boerhaavia Verticillata

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the potential diuretic activity of Boerhaavia verticillata . The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of B. verticillata were administered in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p., to normal and adult albino rats, which were monitored over a period of 24 h. Experimental results confirmed that both the ethanol and aqueous extracts have diuretic properties, but the ethanol extract seems to have less diuretic and natriuretic activity than the aqueous extract.     

快速水分测定法测定光慈姑药材水分含量

目的:考察快速水分测定法的影响因素,为其替代烘干法测定光慈姑药材的水分含量提供科学依据。方法:通过研究光慈姑药材的粒度、测定温度及样品质量,得出最优快速水分测定条件,并在最优条件下与烘干法测定结果进行对比。结果:快速水分测定法在最优条件粒度80目以下、温度155℃、样品质量3.0 g,所测光慈姑药材水分与烘干法差异无统计学意义。结论:快速水分测定法操作简便、测定迅速,可替代烘干法测定光慈姑药材的水分含量。     

Khat的滥用及其管理

本文回顾了国际社会近年来就Khat（恰特草）的药理作用及药代动力学、滥用形势和特点、药物依赖性、对Khat的管制等问题开展的研究及发表的文献。文献指出Khat使用主要在非洲和阿拉伯半岛部分国家和地区较为流行,在欧洲等地区也有一定使用人群;Khat使用可造成一系列的躯体和精神健康问题,但其与部分身心危害的因果关系需要进一步的研究加以验证;Khat具有一定的药物依赖潜力,需开展深入研究对其依赖性和成瘾特征加以探讨,为Khat管制决策提供科学依据。