云南灯盏花乙素在大鼠体外震波中的作用研究

目的:分析灯盏花乙素(SCU)在大鼠体外震波(CSWT)中的作用机制。方法:随机将35只大鼠分为A(梗死对照组)、B(CSWT组)、C(FAK抑制+CSWT组)、D(IBTX+CSWT组)、E(SCU高剂量+CSWT组)、F(SCU中剂量+CSWT组)、G(SCU低剂量+CSWT组)7组,各5只,给予对应药物及体外震波处理后,取心脏组织,采用Real time-PCR法检测各组血管内皮生长因子A(VEGF-A)、整合素β1(ITGB1)、单核细胞趋化因子1(MCP-1)、内皮一氧化氮合成酶(e NOS)基因表达情况,采用蛋白印迹法(Western Blot)检测各组VEGF、MCP-1、e NOS、CD29蛋白的表达。结果:1与A组比较,各组VEGF-A、ITGB1均上升,B、E组MCP-1下降,C、D、G组MCP-1下降,B、F、G组e NOS基因表达降低,C、D、E组基因表达上升(P0.05);与B组对比,C、E、F、G组VEGF-A基因表达均上升,C、D组ITGB1基因表达降低,E、F、G组ITGB1基因表达上升,C、D、E、G组MCP-1降低,E组上升,C、E组e NOS上升,D、F、G组下降(P0.05);2与A组比较,B、C组VEGF蛋白表达上升,D、E、F、G组下降;各组MCP-1蛋白表达均上升;除E组e NOS表达降低外,其余各组均上升,C、D、E、F、G组CD29蛋白表达降低(P0.05)。与B比较,C组VEGF上升,D、E、F、G组均降低(P0.05),C、F组MCP-1蛋白表达上升,其余各组均下降(P0.05),除E、G组外,各组e NOS蛋白表达均上升(P0.05),各组CD29蛋白表达均下降(P0.05)。结论:SCU联合CSWT可改善心梗大鼠心肌缺氧、缺血状态,促进新生血管形成,有较好的抗氧化应激作用。     

雷公藤内酯醇对AA大鼠脊髓和背根神经节中iNOS,SP表达的影响

目的:观察不同剂量雷公藤内酯醇(triptolide,TP)对佐剂性关节炎(adjuvant arthritis,AA)大鼠的镇痛效应,及相应节段脊髓背角和背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)中诱导型一氧化氮合酶(inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS)、P物质(substance P,SP)表达的影响,探讨TP对类风湿性关节炎(RA)镇痛作用的可能机制。方法:选用SD大鼠50只,随机分成正常组(A组)、模型组(B组)、TP低(C组)、中(D组)、高(E组)剂量治疗组。除A组外,每组大鼠右后足跖皮内注入0.1 mL弗氏完全佐剂造模。造模后14 d,C,D,E组大鼠采取不同剂量(C组0.1 mg·kg-1,D组0.2 mg·kg-1,E组0.4 mg·kg-1)TP腹腔注射给药,每天1次,连续给药9 d之后检测50%机械痛阈(mechanical withdraw threshold,MWT),用免疫组织化学方法检测腰5(L5)脊髓背角和DRG节段中iNOS,SP的表达变化情况。结果:B组大鼠50%MWT显著低于A组(P<0.01),经过TP治疗后,C,D,E组热痛阈显著高于B组(P<0.01),TP可显著提高AA大鼠MWT,呈一定的量效关系;免疫组化结果表明,B组iNOS,SP阳性表达水平显著升高(P<0.01),而C,D,E组大鼠L5节段脊髓背角和DRG中iNOS,SP阳性表达水平显著低于B组(P<0.01),呈一定的量效关系。结论:TP对AA具有良好镇痛作用;TP可抑制AA大鼠脊髓背角和DRG中iNOS,SP的表达,这可能是TP产生镇痛作用机制之一。     

椎管注射氟柠檬酸对针刺保护高湿热应激大鼠胃黏膜作用的影响

目的:观察预先椎管注射氟柠檬酸(FCA)对针刺“足三里”穴保护受高湿热刺激大鼠胃黏膜损伤作用的影响,以探讨脊髓内胶质细胞是否参与此针刺作用。方法:将36只雄性SD大鼠随机分为6组。空白对照组(A)不做任何刺激;湿热应激组(B)大鼠放入仿真模拟气候舱内[干球温度(40.0±0.5)℃,相对湿度(60±5)%],60 min后取出;针刺+湿热应激组(C)大鼠放入仿真模拟气候舱内做应激处理的同时开始电针双侧“足三里”穴;FCA+湿热应激组(D)先向大鼠椎管注射FCA 1μL,60 min后做应激处理;FCA+针刺+湿热应激组(E)向大鼠椎管注射FCA 1μL后,再做电针和应激处理;椎管注射生理盐水(NS)+针刺+湿热应激组(F)向大鼠椎管注射NS 10μL后,再做电针和应激处理。采用免疫组织化学方法观察脊髓腰膨大段胶质原纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)和小胶质细胞特异性标记物OX42的表达,并记录各组动物的胃黏膜损伤指数。结果:大鼠在高湿热刺激60 min后胃黏膜出现点、线状出血灶,并有溃疡形成。B组胃黏膜损伤指数为33.7±2.8,而C组胃黏膜损伤指数明显下降为20.4±1.6(P<0.01),同时腰膨大后角浅层中GFAP和OX42的表达有明显增加(P<0.01)。E组胃黏膜损伤指数为24.1±2.7,腰膨大GFAP和OX42的表达有明显下调,与C组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。F组与C组之间比较无明显差异。结论:电针“足三里”穴对高湿热应激大鼠胃黏膜损伤具有保护作用,脊髓腰膨大中的胶质细胞可能参与了此保护作用。     

活血消异方对子宫内膜异位症盆腔粘连大鼠TGF-β/Smads信号通路相关因子的影响

目的观察活血消异方对子宫内膜异位症(endometriosis,EMs)盆腔粘连大鼠TGF-β/Smads信号通路相关因子的影响。方法将造模大鼠自体子宫内膜移植于肠系膜上建立EMs盆腔粘连大鼠模型,随机分为模型组(简称C组),术后第1天中药给药组(简称D1组),术后第3天中药给药组(简称D2组),术后第5天中药给药组(简称D3组),术后第1天西药给药组(简称E1组),术后第3天西药给药组(简称E2组),术后第5天西药给药组(简称E3组)。中药组予活血消异方灌胃,西药组予促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRH-a)肌肉注射。连续给药28天后,开腹进行盆腔粘连评分,再分别取造模大鼠粘连腹膜组织、空白组(简称A组)和假手术组(简称B组)正常腹膜组织,采用免疫组化、反转录酶-聚合酶链锁反应(RT-PCR)检测腹膜组织中TGF-β1、TGF-β3、Smad3、Smad7蛋白和mRNA表达。结果与B组比较,C组盆腔粘连评分显著升高(P0.05),与C组比较,D1、D2、D3、E1、E2、E3组盆腔粘连评分均显著降低(P0.05);D1、D2组盆腔粘连评分显著低于D3组(P0.05);E1组显著低于E2、E3组(P0.05);C组大鼠TGF-β1、TGFβ3、Smad3、Smad7 mRNA及蛋白表达量显著高于B组(P0.05);D1、D2、D3、E1、E2、E3组TGF-β1、Smad3 mRNA和蛋白表达均显著低于C组(P0.05),TGF-β3mRNA和蛋白表达均高于C组(P0.05),Smad7 mRNA和蛋白表达均与C组相当(P0.05);D1、D2、D3组间TGF-β1、TGF-β3mRNA和蛋白表达量差异有统计学意义(P0.05),E1、E2、E3组间TGF-β3mRNA和蛋白表达量差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 EMs可导致大鼠严重、广泛的盆腔粘连;活血消异方能过调控TGF-β/Smads信号传导通路相关因子的表达,改善EMs盆腔粘连程度,且中药干预越早,改善盆腔粘连程度疗效越显著。     

电针不同穴位对大鼠分娩镇痛效应及其神经递质作用的影响

目的探讨电针不同穴位对大鼠分娩镇痛效应及其神经递质的作用机制。方法 120例模型孕鼠随机分为空白组(A组),电针三阴交穴组(B组),电针合谷穴组(C组),电针合谷加三阴交组(D组),电针血海穴组(E组),药物组(F组),每组20只。采用热水甩尾测痛法观察大鼠痛阈值;Real-time PCR及Western blot检测大鼠中枢神经递质5羟色胺(5-HT)及5羟色胺2A受体(5-HT2A)、去甲肾上腺素转运蛋白(NET)及去甲肾上腺素α2-A受体(α2-AR)、多巴胺(DA)及多巴胺D2受体(Drd2)、前强啡肽原(Pdyn)及阿片受体(Oprk1)的mRNA与蛋白表达。结果 (1)大鼠痛阈值比较,干预前各组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05);干预后,与A组比较,B、C、D、E、F组痛阈明显升高(P0.01)。(2)与A组比较,B、C、D、E、F组中枢神经中大脑灰质5-HT、5-HT2A及NET、α2-AR mRNA及蛋白表达均明显升高(P0.01);DA、Drd2均明显降低(P0.01);Pdyn、Oprk1差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。而脊髓中5-HT、5-HT2A及Pdyn、Oprk1明显升高(P0.01);NET、α2-AR明显降低(P0.01);DA、Drd2差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论不同穴位产生不同针效作用,以B组较好,E组相对较差。穴位间出现的这种差异,可能与穴位所在的经络腧穴功效及其所处的神经解剖学位置有关。     

克癃胶囊对大鼠前列腺增生及组织Ki-67、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子和血管内皮生长因子mRNA表达的影响

 目的 探讨克癃胶囊对肾虚血瘀证大鼠前列腺增生的影响及其对前列腺增生相关蛋白、相关细胞因子的影响。方法 建立前列腺增生肾虚血瘀证大鼠模型,观察空白对照组(A组),模型组(B组),非那雄胺组(C组),低、中、高剂量克癃给药组(D、E、F组)大鼠前列腺和前列腺相关因子的变化。结果 ①C~F组大鼠前列腺湿重、前列腺指数均显著低于B组(P<0.05)。②与B组比较,C、E、F组前列腺组织中Ki-67的积分光密度明显降低（P<0.01）,D组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。③与B组比较,C、D、E、F组前列腺组织中碱性成纤维细胞生长因子的积分光密度明显降低（P<0.01）;但D、E、F组前列腺组织中碱性成纤维细胞生长因子的积分光密度均高于C组(P<0.05)。④与B组比较,C、D、E、F组前列腺组织中血管内皮生长因子mRNA的表达降低(P<0.05);但D、E、F组前列腺组织中血管内皮生长因子mRNA的表达均较C组为高(P<0.05)。结论 克癃胶囊可显著抑制大鼠前列腺增生,且呈剂量依赖性。可能与抑制前列腺增生相关蛋白及相关细胞因子的增高及表达密切相关,从而起到抑制前列腺增生的作用。     

宣肺化痰活血法对哮喘大鼠气道重塑及TGF-β_1/Smad信号通路的影响

目的:观察宣肺化痰活血法对哮喘大鼠气道重塑和TGF-β1/Smad信号通路的影响。方法:将72只SPF级SD大鼠随机分为A组(空白组)、B组(模型组)、C组(中药高剂量组)、D组(中药中剂量组)、E组(中药低剂量组)、F组(地塞米松组),每组12只。以卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏和激发建立哮喘气道重塑大鼠模型,A组不造模。除B组外,C、D、E组每次激发前半小时分别给予高、中、低剂量宣肺活血化痰中药灌胃,F组给予地塞米松灌胃,连续8周。大鼠肺组织HE染色评定肺组织病理形态学改变,免疫组化法检测肺组织TGF-β1、Smad3、Smad7蛋白表达,荧光定量PCR检测TGF-β1、Smad3、Smad7mRNA相对表达。结果:与B组相比,C、D组TGF-β1、Smad3的蛋白和mRNA的表达都明显减少(P<0.05),C、D组Smad7的蛋白和mRNA的表达明显增加(P<0.05)。结论:宣肺化痰活血法可改善哮喘大鼠气道重塑,其机制可能与通过调节TGF-β1/Smad信号通路有关。     

电针对脊髓损伤大鼠Nogo-A、NgR mRNA及蛋白表达影响的实验研究

目的探讨电针治疗对大鼠脊髓损伤后Nogo-A、NgR mRNA及蛋白表达的影响。方法 72只SD雄性大鼠随机分成假手术组(A,n=8)和造模组(n=64),造模组大鼠采用改良Allen’s重物打击法制作脊髓损伤大鼠模型,造模成功后存活56只大鼠,随机分为模型组(B,n=14)、电针组(C,n=14)、药物组(D,n=14)、电针+药物组(E,n=14),并分别于治疗后第14d提取损伤处脊髓组织,采用实时荧光定量PCR、原位杂交、Western blot方法分别检测Nogo-A、NgR mRNA及蛋白的表达,采用BBB方法评估大鼠后肢活动功能。结果脊髓损伤后,电针治疗可以显著降低脊髓组织中Nogo-A、NgR mRNA及蛋白的表达,与模型组和药物组比较均具显著性差异(P0.01);与电针+药物组之间比较无明显差异(P0.05)。结论电针治疗对大鼠脊髓损伤后Nogo-A和NgR的表达具有明显的抑制作用,这可能是电针治疗脊髓损伤的关键机制之一。     

Influence of XiaoZhong ZhiTong Mixture on Rats with Acute Spinal Cord Injury

目的:观察消肿止痛合剂对大鼠急性脊髓损伤的保护作用.方法:采用胥少汀脊髓半横切法制作大鼠T8～T9脊髓损伤模型,根据性别、体质量将60只大鼠随机分为6 组,空白组(A),消肿止痛合剂低、中、高剂量组(B、C、D),甲基强的松龙组(E),模型组(F),每组10 只,B、C、D 组予消肿止痛合剂,每日用药量分别按成人等效剂量的5、10、20 倍,每日用药3 次,术后第8 天开始改为每日2 次,剂量不变;E 组于术后开始肌注甲基强的松龙(0.03.g/kg);A组和F 组分别给予等量生理盐水.给药14 天后,用放免法检测血清IL-6、NOS 含量;免疫组化法测定Caspase-3的表达;观察各组大鼠HE染色脊髓损伤组织的病理变化.结果:HE染色提示脊髓损伤组织改善情况D 组优于C 组,且与E 组相似;损伤脊髓组织中IL-6、NOS 含量F 组显著增高,D、C 组与E 组相比有显著性差异(P＜0.01);Caspase-3的表达在F组中升高,C组与E组、D组相比Caspase-3表达有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论:消肿止痛合剂能降低IL-6、NOS 在损伤脊髓组织中的含量,可抑制caspase-3 在急性脊髓损伤后的表达.     

泻火补肾汤对脑出血神经干细胞移植后大鼠脑内VCAM-1、TGF-β1基因表达的影响

目的研究泻火补肾汤(XHBSD)对神经干细胞(NSCs)移植入脑出血大鼠脑室下区后血管细胞间黏附分子(VCAM-1)和转化生长因子(TGF-β1)基因表达的影响,探讨泻火补肾汤能否诱导免疫耐受。方法SD大鼠随机分为六A(正常组)5只,B(假手术组)、C(模型组)、D(模型治疗组)、E(移植组)、F(移植治疗组)各25只。用RT-PCR方法观察各组术后第2、4、7、14、28日TGF-β1 mRNA及VCAM-1 mRNA的表达。结果B、C、D、E、F五组VCAM-1 mRNA和TGF-βl mRNA分别在第2、4日表达达高峰(P<0.05)。VCAM-1 mRNA在各时间点E组表达最强(P<0.05),而TGF-1 mRNAF组表达最强(P<0.01)。同时间点除第28日外,F组比E组、D组比C组TGF-β1 mRNA表达增强(P<0.05),而VCAM-1 mRNA表达减弱(P<0.05)。结论泻火补肾汤可通过促进TGF-β1 mRNA的表达,降低VCAM-1 mRNA的表达,有助于诱导免疫耐受。     

中国石斛属植物文献计量研究

石斛是珍稀濒危中药材,目前正处于快速发展阶段。为全面了解我国石斛属植物研究的历史和发展现状,作者以1954～2010年"中国知网中国学术期刊网络出版总库"收录的石斛研究文献为依据,采用文献计量学的原理和方法,对我国石斛属植物研究文献从文献年代分布、期刊分布与被引频率、主题分布、研究对象分布、作者与研究机构分布等方面进行了统计与分析。结果表明,我国石斛研究明显分为起步(2个)、停滞、平稳发展、快速上升5个阶段;期刊分布存在离散性与集中性并存的现象,已形成核心期刊研究群,并以《中国中药杂志》、《中草药》和《陕西中医》为代表;研究主题广泛涉及临床与药理、组织培养与种苗繁育、成分分析等多个领域,已经形成比较稳定的研究机构和团队,但研究对象差异显著,以铁皮石斛、金钗石斛和霍山石斛最为集中。我国石斛属植物的研究已取得显著成果,但种植产业发展缓慢,供需矛盾突出,预计种苗繁育与人工种植、产品开发、化学与药理等方面是未来的研究热点,其文献报道仍将进一步上升。     

Antiplasmodial activity of extracts from seven medicinal plants used in malaria treatment in Cameroon

Aim of the study

In a search for new plant-derived biologically active compounds against malaria parasites, we have carried out an ethnopharmacological study to evaluate the susceptibility of cultured Plasmodium falciparum to extracts and fractions from seven Cameroonian medicinal plants used in malaria treatment. We have also explored the inhibition of the Plasmodium falciparum cysteine protease Falcipain-2.

Materials and methods

Plant materials were extracted by maceration in organic solvents, and subsequently partitioned or fractionated to afford test fractions. The susceptibility of erythrocytes and the W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum to plant extracts was evaluated in culture. In addition, the ability of annonaceous extracts to inhibit recombinant cysteine protease Falcipain-2 was also assessed.

Results and discussion

The extracts showed no toxicity against erythrocytes. The majority of plant extracts were highly active against Plasmodium falciparumin vitro, with IC₅₀ values lower than 5 μg/ml. Annonaceous extracts (acetogenin-rich fractions and interface precipitates) exhibited the highest potency. Some of these extracts exhibited modest inhibition of Falcipain-2.

Conclusion

These results support continued investigation of components of traditional medicines as potential new antimalarial agents.     

Ethnobotanical study of plants used in treating hypertension in Edo State of Nigeria

A study was undertaken in 12 local government areas (LGAs) of Edo State located in central southern Nigeria, representing 66.6% coverage, in order to obtain an inventory of the major medicinal plants used in folk medicine to treat arterial hypertension. One hundred and eighty nine respondents who were mainly traditional medical practitioners and were knowledgeable in the medicinal plants for treating hypertension were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. The inventory of medicinal plants is summarized in a synoptic table, which contains the scientific, vernacular and common names of the plants/frequency of citation, the part of the plant and method of preparation of recipes. The study indicated 70 plants belonging to 67 genera in 43 families are commonly prescribed. Of these plants, 39 species are cultivated, 29 species grow in the wild, while only 2 both grow wild and also cultivated. Ninety three herbal antihypertensive recipes are recognized and are mainly prepared as decoctions, infusions, powders and juice. The leaf (43%) represented the dominant morphological part often included in recipes. Plants frequently included in antihypertensive recipes were Allium species, Persea americana, Acalypha godseffiana, Zingiber officinale, Sida acuta, Hunteria umbellata, Rauwolfia vomitoria, Viscum album and Aframomum melegueta.     

Investigation of plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts

Aim of the study

To investigate the activities of the 217 plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts.

Materials and methods

Plant extracts were prepared by the method of maceration using solvents of different polarities. The growth inhibition of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain (FcB1) was determined by measuring the radioactivity of the tritiated hypoxanthine incorporated. Activity against Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and Trypanosoma cruzi was measured by the MTT colorimetric assay. The antifungal tests were carried out by using the CLSI method. The active extracts were tested also by cytotoxicity assay using NIH-3T3 cells of mammalian fibroblasts.

Results

Two hundred and seventeen extracts of plants were tested against Plasmodium falciparum. The eleven active extracts, belonging to eight plant species were evaluated against L. (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, yeasts and in NIH-3T3 cells. The results found in these biological models are consistent with the ethnopharmacological data of these plants. The ethyl acetate extract of Diospyros hispida root showed IC₅₀ values of 1 μg/mL against Plasmodium falciparum. This extract demonstrated no toxicity against mammalian cells, resulting in a significant selectivity index (SI) of 435.8. The dichloromethane extract of Calophyllum brasiliense root wood was active against Cryptococcus gattii LMGO 01 with MIC of 1.95 μg/mL; and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Candida krusei LMGO 174, both with MIC of 7.81 μg/mL. The same extract was also active against Plasmodium falciparum and L. (L.) chagasi with IC₅₀ of 6.7 and 27.6 μg/mL respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of Spiranthera odoratissima leaves was active against Cryptococcus gattii LMGO 01 with MIC of 31.25 μg/mL, and against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ of 9.2 μg/mL and Trypanosoma cruzi with IC₅₀ of 56.3 μg/mL.

Conclusion

The active extracts for protozoans and human pathogenic yeasts are considered promising to continue the search for the identification and development of leading compounds.     

Effect of feeding Mucuna pruriens on helminth parasite infestation in lambs

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume anecdotally reputed to have anthelmintic properties. This study was conducted to examine the validity of such claims.

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to determine if ingestion of Mucuna seeds reduces helminth parasite infestation in lambs.

Materials and methods

Thirty-six Dorper × Katahdin ram lambs were assigned to three treatments, a cottonseed meal based control diet, a diet in which Mucuna replaced cottonseed meal and the control diet with levamisole (7.5 mg/kg body weight) administration. All diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The 12 lambs in each treatment were assigned randomly to 4 pens, each containing 3 lambs. Lambs were trickle infected three times per week by gavage with infectious Haemonchus contortus larvae (2000 larvae/lamb) for 3 weeks.

Results

Levamisole treatment decreased fecal egg counts by 87% and abomasal worm counts by 83%. Mucuna intake did not statistically affect fecal egg counts or abomasal worm counts, though numerical (P > 0.10) reductions of 7.4% and 18.1%, respectively were evident. Anemia indicators, feed intake, and lamb growth were unaffected by treatment.

Conclusions

Levamisole reduced the Haemonchus parasite burden in lambs significantly but feeding Mucuna reduced the burden by levels unlikely to eliminate the clinical effects of parasitism.     

Antifungal activity of Brazilian medicinal plants involved in popular treatment of mycoses

A survey of medicinal plants used to treat common mycoses was done in the Curituba district, Sergipe State, Brazil. One hundred inhabitants were interviewed by health agents and traditional healers. Four different plants were the most cited (more than 50% of the citations): Ziziphus joazeiro, Caesalpinia pyramidalis, Bumelia sartorum and Hymenea courbaril. The aqueous extracts obtained following traditional methods and using different parts of these plants, were submitted to drop agar diffusion tests for primary antimicrobial screening. Only the water infusion extract of Ziziphus joazeiro and Caesalpinea pyramidalis presented a significant antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Candida guilliermondii, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Fonsecaea pedrosoi, when compared to the antifungal agent amphotericin B. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bioactive extracts was evaluated by the microdilution method. Best activity with a MIC of 6.5 microg/ml for both extracts was observed against Trichophyton rubrum and Candida guilliermondii. Ziziphus joazeiro and Caesalpinea pyramidalis extracts presented also low acute toxicity in murine models. The present study validates the folk use of these plant extracts and indicates that they can be effective potential candidates for the development of new strategies to treat fungal infections.     

Antimalarial activity of some plants traditionally used in treatment of malaria in Kwale district of Kenya

Methanolic and water extracts of five medicinal plant species used for treatment of malaria in traditional/cultural health systems of Kwale people in Kenya were tested for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei, respectively and for their cytotoxic effects. The most active extracts (IC(50)<10 microg/ml) screened against chloroquine (CQ) sensitive (D6) and resistant (W2) P. falciparum clones, were the water and methanol extracts of Maytenus undata (Thunb.) Blakelock (Celasteraceae), methanol extracts of Flueggea virosa (Willd.) Voigt (Euphorbiaceae), Maytenus putterlickioides (Loes.) Excell and Mendoca (Celastraceae), and Warburgia stuhlmannii Engl. (Canellaceae). These extracts showed various cytotoxic levels on Vero E6 cells with the water extract of M. undata exhibiting least cytotoxicity. At least one of the extracts of the plant species exhibited a high chemo suppression of parasitaemia >70% in a murine model of P. berghei infected mice. These results indicate that there is potential for isolation of a lead compound from the extracts of the five plants. W. stuhlmannii and M. putterlickioides have not been reported before for antiplasmodial activity.     

《中国药典》中哈蟆油的基原问题诹议

目的:根据历史文献、近代国内外学者及作者的研究,诹议《中国药典》中哈蟆油的基原问题。方法:综合分析文献资料报道,从史书记载、形态学、染色体组型、银带及同工酶电泳、基因水平等方面,探讨哈蟆油的原动物基原。结果与结论:名贵药材哈蟆油的原动物基原应为东北林蛙Rana dybowskii,其分类阶元为我国蛙类的一有效物种,建议《中国药典》应将哈蟆油的原动物确定为东北林蛙,以避免哈蟆油原动物名称混乱问题。     

真菌的中药干预研究近5年进展

近年来真菌感染率逐年上升,传统抗真菌药物易产生耐药性,而中药在防治真菌感染方面具有一定的优势。本文就近5年来中药对白念珠菌、皮肤癣菌、曲霉菌、马拉色菌、串珠镰孢菌、申克孢子丝菌、新生隐球菌及真菌生物膜的干预研究进展进行综述。     

Evaluation of selected tropical seaweeds for in vitro anti-trichomonal activity

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Human parasitic infections are a serious problem in tropical and sub-tropical developing countries. Trichomoniasis, responsible for the annual infection of 180 million people, is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Traditionally seaweeds have been used in folk medicine by coastal people in Asia and the Caribbean to treat parasitic infections and are a valuable source of novel anti-trichomonals.

Aim of the study

In our search for therapeutical alternatives to anti-protozoal chemotherapy, we collected a selection of 25 tropical seaweeds (12 Rhodophyta, 5 Phaeophyta and 8 Chlorophyta) from the coast of Yucatan (Mexico) in order to undertake ethnopharmacological and chemotaxonomic investigations.

Materials and methods

Organic algal extracts were tested for their anti-trichomonal properties on the growth inhibition of Trichomonas vaginalis. The cytotoxicity of seaweed extracts on mammal cell lines was also assessed.

Results

The results indicated that 44% of the seaweeds studied had high to moderate anti-trichomonal activity. Lobophora variegata and Udotea conglutinata showed the maximal anti-trichomonal activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.39 and 1.66 μg/ml, respectively, with good selectivity.

Conclusions

Lobophora variegata and Udotea conglutinata demonstrated promising anti-trichomonal potential and have been selected for further bio-guided fractionation and isolation of active anti-trichomonal compounds.