蝉翼藤根茎中的1个新半萜苷

目的 研究蝉翼藤Securidaca inappendiculata根茎中的化学成分。方法 采用大孔树脂、硅胶柱色谱、中压液相、凝胶色谱以及高效制备液相色谱等手段对蝉翼藤根茎95%乙醇提取物中甲醇部位进行分离纯化，根据所得化合物的理化性质和波谱数据鉴定其结构。结果 从蝉翼藤根茎中分离得到5个化合物，分别鉴定为2-methylene-butanoic acid 4-O-[（β-D-glucopyranosyl）oxy]-intramol-1，6''-ester（1）、3-甲氧基-4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基-苯甲酸甲酯（2）、苏式-4，7，9，9''-四羟基-3，3''-二甲氧基-8，4''-氧新木脂烷-4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（3）、eucomegastigside A（4）、毛果槭倍半新木脂醇-4"-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（5）。结论 化合物1为1个新的半萜苷，命名为蝉翼藤萜酸苷D。化合物2~4为首次从远志科植物中分离得到。     

五叶山小橘化学成分的研究

目的 研究五叶山小橘Glycosmis pentaphylla茎的化学成分。方法 采用正、反相硅胶柱色谱及半制备高效液相色谱等方法进行分离纯化,根据理化性质及波谱数据鉴定化合物的结构。结果 从五叶山小橘茎95%乙醇提取物的正丁醇部位分离得到9个化合物,分别鉴定为2-羟基苯甲酸甲酯-2-O-β-D-呋喃芹菜糖基-（1→2）-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（1）、肌苷（2）、4-甲氧基-8-（O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖）-2（1H）-喹啉酮（3）、threo-guaiacyl-glycerol-8-O-4'-sinapyl ether 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside（4）、牡荆素（5）、乙基-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（6）、异丙基-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（7）、苏式-愈创木基甘油（8）和赤式-愈创木基甘油（9）。结论 化合物1为新化合物,命名为五叶山小橘甲素。化合物2～4、6～9为首次从山小橘属植物中分离得到。     

大血藤中1个新的木脂素类化合物

大血藤来源于木通科植物大血藤Sargentodoxa cuneata的干燥藤茎。该研究通过HPD-100 大孔树脂、反复硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20 和制备液相等方法,从采自安徽黄山的大血藤藤茎中分离出20个化合物;根据化合物的理化性质和波谱数据,分别鉴定为(7R,8S)-3,3'-5-三甲氧基-4,9-二羟基-4',7-环氧-5',8-木脂素-7'-烯-9'-酸 4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(1),1-O-香草酸-6-O-香草酰基吡喃葡萄糖苷(2),对羟基苯乙醇-6-O-香豆酰吡喃葡萄糖苷(3),枸橼苦素B(4),桂皮苷(5),(-)-异落叶松脂素4'-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(6),(-)-异落叶松脂素4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(7),1-O-香草酸-6-(3",5"-二甲氧基-没食子酰)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(8),对羟基苯乙醇-6-O-(E)-咖啡酰吡喃葡萄糖苷(9),(-)-丁香树脂醇4'-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(10),(-)-丁香树脂醇双葡萄糖苷(11),野菰苷(12),木通苯乙醇苷B(13),4-羟基-3-甲氧基苯乙酮-4-O-α-L-鼠李糖-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(14),4-羟基-3-甲氧基苯乙酮-4-O-β-D-芹糖-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(15),(-)-表儿茶素(16),毛柳苷(17),3,4-二羟基苯乙醇吡喃葡萄糖苷(18),绿原酸(19),原儿茶酸(20),其中化合物1为新化合物,化合物2~7首次从该植物中分离得到。     

藏药甘扎嘎日化学成分研究(Ⅰ)

为了阐明藏药甘扎嘎日药效物质基础,利用各种色谱技术对甘扎嘎日（秀丽莓）Rubus amabilis 干燥茎进行化学成分研究,从中分离得到11个化合物,并通过理化性质与波谱分别鉴定为1,8-二羟基-3,7-二甲氧基 NFDE8 酮（1）,1-羟基-3,7,8-三甲氧基 NFDE8 酮（2）,1,8-二羟基-3,5-二甲氧基 NFDE8 酮（3）,山柰酚-3-O-（6"-反式-对-肉桂酰基）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（4）,槲皮素（5）,山柰酚（6）,金丝桃苷（7）,木犀草素-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（8）,芹菜素-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（9）,异牡荆素-7-O-葡萄糖苷（10）,原花青素 B₄（11）。化合物 1~6,10~11 首次从甘扎嘎日中分离得到,其中化合物 1~3 首次从悬钩子属中分离得到。     

掌叶梁王茶茎皮的化学成分研究

利用各种现代色谱方法从掌叶梁王茶Nothopanax delavayi茎皮70%乙醇提取物中分离得到11个化合物,通过波谱技术和理化性质鉴定它们的结构为三对节酸3-O-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖-28-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖酯苷（1）,三对节酸3-O-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖-28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-（1→4）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-（1→6）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖酯苷（2）,三对节酸（3）,三对节酸3-O-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖苷（4）,三对节酸3-O-β-（2’,4’-O-二乙酰基）-D-吡喃木糖-28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-（1→4）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-（1→6）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖酯苷（5）,三对节酸3-O-α-（4’-O-乙酰基）-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖-28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-（1→4）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-（1→6）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖酯苷（6）,三对节酸3-O-α-（2’-O-乙酰基）-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖-28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-（1→4）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-（1→6）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖酯苷（7）,三对节酸3-O-β-D-吡喃木糖-28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-（1→4）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-（1→6）-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖酯苷（8）,原儿茶酸（9）,咖啡酸乙酯（10）,咖啡酸酐（11）。其中化合物3~4,9~11为首次从梁王茶属植物中分离得到,化合物5~8为首次从该植物中分离得到。     

朝鲜白头翁抗炎有效部位化学成分研究

目的 筛选朝鲜白头翁Pulsatilla cernua的抗炎有效部位并研究其化学成分。方法 将朝鲜白头翁干燥根以70%乙醇回流提取,提取物经大孔吸附树脂柱色谱洗脱,依次得到水及30%、50%、95%乙醇洗脱组分,通过二甲苯致小鼠耳廓肿胀实验以确定其抗炎有效部位;采用各种柱色谱分离纯化抗炎有效部位中的化合物,根据理化特征并结合波谱学数据分析鉴定化合物的结构。结果 朝鲜白头翁根经大孔吸附树脂柱色谱,50%乙醇洗脱组分具有较强的抗炎活性,对其进行系统的化学成分研究,共分离得到12个化合物,分别鉴定为 (+)-8-羟基松脂素-8-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（1）、3, 4:3′, 4′-bis (methylenedioxy)- 9′-hydroxyl-lignane-9-methyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside（2）、prinsepiol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside（3）、(+)-环合橄榄树脂素-6-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖苷（4）、6-O-(E)-feruloyl-β-glucopyranoside（5）、6-O-(E)-feruloyl-α-glucopyranoside（6）、齐墩果酸-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→2)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→3)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖（7）、常春藤苷基-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→2)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖- (1→3)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→3)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖（8）和常春藤苷基-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→2)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→3)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖（9）、齐墩果酸-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→2)-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖苷（10）、刺囊酸-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→2)-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖苷（11）和羽扇豆醇（12）。结论 朝鲜白头翁50%乙醇洗脱组分为其抗炎有效部位,该部位中得到的化合物2～4、6、8和9为首次从白头翁属植物中分离得到。     

白木香叶的化学成分研究(二)

为综合利用白木香叶的丰富资源,阐明其物质基础,课题组再次对其化学成分进行了研究,采用多种色谱技术对其化学成分进行分离纯化,从白木香叶95%,70%乙醇提取物的氯仿和正丁醇萃取部位共分离得到12个化合物.经多种波谱方法鉴定其结构,分别为鸢尾酚酮2-(O-α-L)-吡喃鼠李糖苷(3),4'-羟基-5-甲氧基黄酮-7-O-葡萄糖(6-1)木糖苷(2),7,3',5'-三甲氧基黄酮苷(3),5-甲氧基芹菜素7-(O-β-D)-葡萄糖苷(4),2-苯乙基1-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(5),红景天苷(6),苯甲醇1-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(7),2,6-二甲氧基-4-羟基苯酚-1-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(8),vanilloloside(9),(+)-丁香脂素(10),β-维生素E(11),豆甾-5-烯-3β,7α-二醇(12),化合物 2,3,5~9,11和12 为首次从该属植物中分离得到.另外,对氯仿萃取部位的9个流分进行了4种人体肿瘤细胞毒活性筛选,均未显示明显活性.     

乌蕨乙酸乙酯部位化学成分

目的：研究乌蕨乙酸乙酯部位的化学成分。方法：利用硅胶柱色谱及 Sephadex LH-20 柱色谱对乌蕨乙酸乙酯部位进行分离、纯化。通过理化性质和波谱数据对化合物进行结构解析。结果：从乌蕨的乙酸乙酯部位分离、纯化得到13个化合物,分别鉴定为：β-谷甾醇（1）,4-羟基-2,6-二氧甲基-苯甲酸（2）,胡萝卜苷（3）,芹菜素（4）,芹菜素-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（5）,4-羟基-3-甲氧基苯甲酸（6）,丁香酸（7）,原儿茶醛（8）,2,5-二羟基苯甲酸（9）,原儿茶酸（10）,秦皮素（10）,6-氯-芹菜素7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（12）,牡荆素（13）。结论：化合物6,12为首次从该属中分离得到。     

鬼针草化学成分研究

对鬼针草Bidens bipinnata中的化学成分进行研究,筛选具有抗肝纤维化活性单体。采用大孔树脂、硅胶、MCI树脂、Sephadex LH-20等方法进行分离纯化,得到15个化合物,并运用波谱技术测试,鉴定其结构为槲皮素（1）,槲皮素-3-O-α-L-鼠李糖苷（2）,紫云英苷（3）,山柰酚-3-O-α-L-鼠李糖苷（4）,5,3’-二羟基-3,6,4’-三甲氧基-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷黄酮（5）,7,8,3’,4’-四羟基二氢黄酮（6）,（R/S）-异奥卡宁-7-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷（7）,（R/S）-异奥卡宁-3’-甲氧基-7-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷（8）,6,7,3’,4’-四羟基橙酮（9）,海生菊苷（10）,6,7-二羟基香豆素（11）,3-咖啡酸酰基-2-甲基-D-赤藓糖酸-1,4内酯（12）,（7S,8R）苯并二氢呋喃新木脂素-4-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷（13）,丁香酚-O-β-D-呋喃芹糖-（1"-6’）-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（14）,（+）丁香脂素-4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（15）。其中化合物8,13~15为首次从本属植物中分离得到。在初步的活性筛选中化合物 1,6有较强体外抑制肝星状细胞增殖的能力;化合物1,2,6,7有较强体外抑制腹腔巨噬细胞分泌炎症因子的能力。     

鬼针草化学成分研究

目的 研究鬼针草Bidens bipinnata的化学成分。方法 应用硅胶、Sephadex LH-20、制备液相等多种色谱技术进行分离纯化,并通过多种波谱分析方法鉴定化合物。结果 从鬼针草95%乙醇提取物中分离得到18个化合物,分别鉴定为槲皮素-5-O-β-D吡喃葡萄糖苷（1）、奥卡宁-4′-O-β-D-(2″, 4″, 6″-三乙酰基)-吡喃葡萄糖苷（2）、奥卡宁-4′-O-β-D-(3″,4″-二乙酰基-6″-反式-对-香豆酰基)-吡喃葡萄糖苷（3）、木犀草素-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（4）、山柰酚-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（5）、山柰酚-3-O-β-D-芸香糖苷（6）、槲皮素-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（7）、槲皮素-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷（8）、金丝桃苷（9）、芦丁（10）、柚皮素（11）、芹菜素（12）、槲皮素（13）、5, 7-二羟基色原酮-7-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷（14）、咖啡酸（15）、没食子酸（16）、β-谷甾醇（17）、胡萝卜苷（18）。结论 化合物1和11为首次从鬼针草属植物中分离得到,化合物3～7、14、15、18为首次从鬼针草中分离得到。     

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.     

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock

Ethnopharmacological relevance

An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine.

Aim of study

Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Materials and methods

Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice.

Results

Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID₅₀ (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 μg/cm² (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183 μg/cm² (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID₅₀ of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 μg/cm².

Conclusions

Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.     

α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of selected Philippine plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Antidesma bunius Spreng. (Phyllantaceae), Averrhoa bilimbi L. (Oxalidaceae), Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. (Oxalidaceae), Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob. (Rhizophoraceae), Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. (Cyperaceae), and Rhizophora mucronata Lam. (Rhizophoraceae) are used as remedies to control diabetes. In the present study, these plants were screened for their potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Materials and methods

The 80% aqueous ethanolic extracts were screened for their α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity using yeast alpha glucosidase enzyme.

Results

Except for A. bilimbi with IC₅₀ at 519.86±3.07, all manifested a significant enzyme inhibitory activity. R. mucronata manifested the highest activity with IC₅₀ at 0.08±1.82 μg mL⁻¹, followed by C. tagal with IC₅₀ at 0.85±1.46 μg mL⁻¹ and B. sensitivum with IC₅₀ at 2.24±1.58 μg mL⁻¹.

Conclusion

This is the first report on the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the six Philippine plants; thus, partly defining the mechanism on why these medicinal plants possess antidiabetic properties.     

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。     

European medicinal polypores – A modern view on traditional uses

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In particular five polypore species, i.e. Laetiporus sulphureus, Fomes fomentarius, Fomitopsis pinicola, Piptoporus betulinus, and Laricifomes officinalis, have been widely used in central European folk medicines for the treatment of various diseases, e.g. dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhoids, bladder disorders, pyretic diseases, treatment of coughs, cancer, and rheumatism. Prehistoric artefacts going back to over 5000 years underline the long tradition of using polypores for various applications ranging from food or tinder material to medicinal–spiritual uses as witnessed by two polypore species found among items of Ötzi, the Iceman. The present paper reviews the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activity of the five mentioned polypores.

Materials and methods

All available information on the selected polypore taxa used in traditional folk medicine was collected through evaluation of literature in libraries and searches in online databases using SciFinder and Web of Knowledge.

Results

Mycochemical studies report the presence of many primary (e.g. polysaccharides) and secondary metabolites (e.g. triterpenes). Crude extracts and isolated compounds show a wide spectrum of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities.

Conclusions

The investigated polypores possess a longstanding ethnomycological tradition in Europe. Here, we compile biological results which highlight their therapeutic value. Moreover, this work provides a solid base for further investigations on a molecular level, both compound- and target-wise.     

金银花类药用植物IspE和IspH基因克隆和生物信息学分析

目的:克隆金银花类药用植物4-二磷酸胞苷-2-C-甲基赤藓糖激酶(4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase,IspE)和4-羟基-3-甲基-2-邻苯基二磷酸还原酶(4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase,IspH)基因,并对其基因序列、蛋白特性和转录活性进行分析、比较.方法:从忍冬Lonicera japonica转录组测序结果中分析获得了IspE,IspH基因.分别以忍冬、红白忍冬L.japonica var.chinensis、红腺忍冬L.hypoglauca和水忍冬L.dasystyla新鲜花蕾为材料,利用RT-PCR技术克隆获得了4种金银花类药用植物IspE和IspH基因的全长cDNA.运用生物信息学分析软件,预测编码蛋白的结构和功能,并通过RT-PCR检测IspE和IspH在忍冬、红白忍冬、红腺忍冬、水忍冬花蕾中的转录情况.结果:金银花类药用植物IspE基因含有1个完整的开放阅读框,长度为1 221 bp,编码406个氨基酸;IspH含有一个完整的开放阅读框,长度为1 380 bp,编码459个氨基酸.IspE和IspH均为非分泌蛋白,均定位于叶绿体中.RT-PCR分析结果表明在忍冬、红腺忍冬和水忍冬的花蕾中IspE,IspH基因的转录水平没有显著差异,但红白忍冬花蕾中IspE,IspH基因的转录水平均显著高于忍冬.结论:克隆获得忍冬、红白忍冬、红腺忍冬和水忍冬中IspE,IspH基因,并证实了其在不同金银花类药用植物中的表达,为进一步研究IspE,IspH基因对萜类化合物生物合成和花香气以及颜色的影响奠定了基础.     

Experimental study on anti-inflammatory activity of a TCM recipe consisting of the supercritical fluid CO2 extract of Chrysanthemum indicum, Patchouli Oil and Zedoary Turmeric Oil in vivo

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Chrysanthemum indicum (Compositae) Linné, Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth and Curcuma wenyujin (Zingiberaceae) Y. H. Chen et C. Ling are three of the extensively used herbal remedies among traditional Chinese medicines for the purpose of anti-inflammation. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recipe named CPZ consisting extracts of the above three herbs, has shown noteworthy anti-influenza activity, which is closely related to its anti-inflammatory feature.

Aim of this study

To investigated the anti-inflammtory activity of CPZ in vivo for a further exploration of the recipe's anti-inflammatory properties.

Materials and methods

The anti-inflammatory property of CPZ on acute inflammation was evaluated by inflammatory models of dimethylbenzene (DMB)-induced ear vasodilatation and acetic acid-induced capillary permeability enhancement in mice, as well as the carrageenan-induced paw edema rat model, in which inflammation-related cytokine including prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO) in the edematous paw tissue were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, effect of CPZ on chronic inflammation was observed through granuloma formation in rats subjected to cotton pellet implantation.

Results

CPZ (340, 170, and 85 mg/kg for mice, p.o.) not only decreased the DMB-induced ear vasodilatation but also attenuated capillary permeability under acetic acid challenge in mice. And the significant inhibition on carrageenan-induced paw edema was observed. Further more, the ELISA results showed that CPZ (170, 85, and 42.5 mg/kg for rats, p.o.) could up-regulate the level of IL-1β in the edema paw tissue of rats significantly while down-regulate that of PGE₂, but no apparent effect on TNF-α or NO was observed in the test. Besides, CPZ had a certain degree of restraining effect on the cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats and the highest dose of 170 mg/kg even showed a significant suppression on it.

Conclusion

The above results indicated that CPZ possessed a potent anti-inflammatory activity, which is indicated to be closely associated with its regulation on IL-1β and PGE₂ thereby mediating the inflammatory response acting at an appropriate level.     

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.     

Comparative “in vitro” evaluation of the antiresorptive activity residing in four Ayurvedic medicinal plants. Hemidesmus indicus emerges for its potential in the treatment of bone loss diseases

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Four Indian plants, traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine: Asparagus racemosus Willd., Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Hemidesmus indicus R. Br., and Rubia cordifolia L. were selected on the basis of their ethnobotanical use and of scientific evidence that suggests a potential efficacy in the treatment of bone-loss diseases. The antiresorptive properties of the four plants have been investigated. The aim was to provide adequate evidence for the exploitation of natural compounds as alternative therapeutics for the treatment of diseases caused by increased osteoclast activity.

Materials and methods

Decoctions were prepared from dried plant material according to the traditional procedure and standardization by HPLC was performed using marker compounds for each species. Total polyphenols, flavonoids and radical scavenging activity of the decoctions were also determined. The bioactivity of the plant decoctions was evaluated in subsequent phases. (1) A cytotoxicity screening was performed on the mouse monocytic RAW 264.7 cell line to define the concentrations that could be utilized in the following step. (2) The antiresorptive properties of plant decoctions were compared with that of a “gold standard” drug (alendronate) by measuring osteoclastogenesis inhibition and osteoclast apoptosis. (3) The toxic effect on bone forming cells was excluded by evaluating the impact on the proliferation of osteogenic precursors (mesenchymal stem cells, MSC).

Results

All the decoctions inhibited osteoclastogenesis similarly to alendronate at the highest doses, but Hemidesmus indicus and Rubia cordifolia were also effective at lower concentrations. Apoptosis increased significantly when cells were exposed to the highest concentration of Emblica officinalis, Hemidesmus indicus, and Rubia cordifolia. All concentrations of Emblica officinalis tested inhibited the proliferation of osteogenic precursors, while only the highest doses of Asparagus racemosus and Rubia cordifolia were toxic. On the contrary, Hemidesmus indicus did not affect osteogenic precursor growth at any concentration tested.

Conclusion

Among the medicinal plants included in the study, Hemidesmus indicus showed the greatest antiosteoclastic activity without toxic effect on osteogenic precursors. Therefore, Hemidesmus indicus exhibits the properties of an antiresorptive drug and represents the ideal candidate for further clinical investigations.     

Evaluation of the wound healing effect of some Jordanian traditional medicinal plants formulated in Pluronic F127 using mice (Mus musculus)

The wound healing effect of the aqueous extracts of Inula viscosa, Ajuga chia, Rubia taenifolia and Parieteria diffusa, and the oil of Laurus nobilis, dispersed in water, were examined. The 10% (w/w) Pluronic F127 (PF127) was added to the applied preparations, in order to modify the aqueous extracts viscosity, and to stabilize the oil dispersion. A full thickness wound was made in the dorsal area of the mice. The wounds were treated with the different preparations with 12h intervals for four times in two successive days. For 16 days, the wounds were visually observed, photographically documented and the wound area was measured. After day 16, the animals were sacrificed and the histology of the wound area was examined. The best wound healing activity was observed with the extract of Inula viscosa, followed by Parieteria diffusa, Laurus nobilis, Ajuga chia and the least active extract was that of Rubia taenifolia.