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Showing papers in "Natural product sciences in 1999"


Journal Article
TL;DR: Ethanolic extracts of different parts of local traditional vegetables (ulam) were screened for in vitro antitumor promoting activity using the inhibition test of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and sodium-n-butyrate.
Abstract: Ethanolic extracts of different parts of 10 local traditional vegetables (ulam) (Amaranthus gangeticus, Jussiaea linifolia, Eugenia polyantha, Trapa incisa, Trichosanthes anquina, Mangifera indica, Pachyrrhirus erosus, Barringtonia mcarostachya, Carica papaya, and Coleus tuberosus) were screened for in vitro antitumor promoting activity using the inhibition test of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and sodium-n-butyrate. All the extracts were found to have strong inhibition activity toward EBV-activation, except for leaf extract of T. anquina. The extracts were non-cytotoxic to the Raji cells except for the extracts of A. gangeticus (leaves), B. macrostachya (leaves), E. polyantha (young leaves), and J. linifolia (leaves) where the viability of the cells were decreased significantly.

13 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the inhibitory effects of the above components on peroxynitrite produced stimulated by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) to produce superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide at the same time.
Abstract: Peroxynitrite is a cytotoxic intermediate produced by the reaction between the superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide Flavonoids (afzelin, quercitrin and quercetin 3-O-sambubioside), and chlorogenic acid and its methyl ester obtained from leaves of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) have recently been shown to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and to inhibit lipid peroxidation in mouse liver homogenate The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effects of the above components on peroxynitrite produced stimulated by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) to produce superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide at the same time In addition, the present study tests whether or not the components directly scavenge peroxynitrite itself The results showed that the components with the aromatic ortho-dihydroxyl groups (catechol) were more potent inhibitors of peroxynitrite formation by SIN-1 In particular, the methyl ester form of chlorogenic acid showed the most potent inhibition At concentration, the order of minimizing peroxynitrite formation were : methyl chlorogenic acid > quercitrin > quercetin 3-O-sambubioside > chlorogenic acid > afzelin Authentic peroxynitrite was directly scavenged by the components in a manner similar to peroxynitrite formation by SIN-1 In particular, when compared with penicillamine as a positive control, methyl chlorogenate was as effective in inhibiting peroxynitrite formation and approximately 2 times more effective in scavenging an authentic peroxynitrite These results demonstrate therefore, that components extracted from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica effectively scavenged peroxynitrite

9 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, a bioassay-guided fractionation of anti-emetic constituents of Alpiraia katsumadai Hayata was performed and nine compounds including one novel compound, (3R,5S)-trans-3,5-dihydroxy-1,7-diphenyl-1-heptene (9) were isolated from it.
Abstract: Bioassay-guided fractionation of anti-emetic constituents of Alpiraia katsumadai Hayata was performed Nine compounds including one novel compound, (3R,5S)-trans-3,5-dihydroxy-1,7-diphenyl-1-heptene (9) were isolated from it Among these compounds, four diarylheptanoids, one sesquiterpenoid and one flavonoid showed anti-emetic activity on copper sulfate induced-emesis in young chicks

8 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract of Cichorium intybus linne (Compositae) root was investigated against carrageenin induced edema in rat hind paw.
Abstract: Several biological activities of extracts from roots of Cichorium intybus Linne (Compositae) were studied in this paper. The antiinflammatory activity of the methanol extract of this root was investigated against carrageenin induced edema in rat‘s hind paw. Significant inhibitory effects were observed at the dose of 1,000 mg/kg and were compared with aspirin as a control. The hepatoprotective activities of the methanol extract, ethylacetate and butanol fraction were studied on mice whose livers are damaged by . The serum transaminase activities (ALT, AST) were reduced at the dose of 1,000 mg/kg of the methanol extract, 500 mg/kg of ethylacetate and butanol fraction, respectively. The bile juice secretion was also increased significantly from each fraction. The antidiabetic activity was examined on strepto-zotocin-induced diabetic rats with methanol extract. Methanol extract gave a significant reduction of blood glucose levels in 1 week and 3 weeks.

8 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Investigation on seed extracts of I. quamoclit revealed the presence of several phytochemical components viz., n-triacontanol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, , taraxerone,Taraxerol, erythrodiol, cucurbitacin-G.
Abstract: Twelve species of Ipomoea were investigated for allelopathic behavior. Seed extracts of I. quamoclit, I. nil and I. pes-tigridis showed significant allelopathy over germination of other seeds. Investigation on seed extracts of I. quamoclit, revealed the presence of several phytochemical components viz., n-triacontanol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, , taraxerone, taraxerol, erythrodiol, cucurbitacin-G. Seed fat of twelve species were also analyzed.

7 citations


Journal Article
Abstract: Supercritical carbon dioxide was used as a solvent in the extraction of freeze-dried Pandanus odorus leaves Analysis of the extract with GC-MS showed that Pandanus odorus leaves contain nutritional constituents such as (Vitamin E) and squalene The contents of and squalene extracted from freeze-dried ground Pandanus odorus leaves at pressures ranging from 80 to and temperatures between 40 to were and respectively The highest yield was obtained at and Other major components identified were hexadecanoic acid, 9,12,15-octadecatrien-1-ol, campesterol, stigmasterol and

7 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: The methanol extract of the roots of Plumeria acutifolia showed the strongest cytotoxic activity and most of Zingiberaceae species gave negative results for antimicrobial activity and showed low cytotoxicity activity.
Abstract: A total of 43 extracts from 21 species of Malaysian flowering plants were screened for antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Antimicrobial activity was tested against fungi, including yeast and candida, as well as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and cytotoxicity was assayed using the CEM-SS and HT-29 cell lines. The methanol extracts of the roots and stems of Plumeria acutifolia showed the highest antimicrobial activity, i.e. against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida lipolytica, and mostly moderate activity against the other microbes such as Aspergillus ochraceous and Saccharomyces lipolytica. Phyllanthus emblica also showed moderate activity especially that of the methanol extracts. The methanol extract of the roots of Plumeria acutifolia showed the strongest cytotoxic activity . Most of Zingiberaceae species gave negative results for antimicrobial activity and showed low cytotoxic activity.

7 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In inhibitory effects of Angelica koreana, Magnolia fargesii,Magnolia officinalis, Pterocarpus santalinus, Rhapontica uniflora and Saussurea lappa markedly showed in one or two solvent fractions suggesting that the principles may be concentrated by subfractionation as the main compounds.
Abstract: Eleven out of 118 herbal medicines which are frequently used in Korean traditional prescriptions for inflammatory diseases exhibited more than 50% of inhibition on production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by their total ethanol extracts with 0.1 mg/ml as a final concentration. The active 11 total extracts were prepared from Angelica koreana, Coptis japonica, Cynanchum paniculatum, Magnolia frgesii, Magnolia officinalis, Panax ginseng, Patrinia scabiosaefolia, Pterocarpus santalius, Rhapontica uniflora, Saussurea lappa. Of them, Coptis japonica, Magnolia fargesii and Saussurea lappa also significantly inhibited production in vivo. These total extracts were sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. Among the solvent-fractionated extracts with 0.05 mg/ml as a final concentration, inhibitory effects of Angelica koreana, Magnolia fargesii, Magnolia officinalis, Pterocarpus santalinus, Rhapontica uniflora and Saussurea lappa markedly showed in one or two solvent fractions suggesting that the principles may be concentrated by subfractionation as the main compounds.

7 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: The chloroform extract of Pulicaria gnaphalodes yielded flavonoids, sesquiterpenoid, sterol, benzoic acid derivative, fatty acids and fatty acids that were elucidated with the aid of NMR spectroscopy.
Abstract: The chloroform extract of Pulicaria gnaphalodes yielded flavonoids (1-2), sesquiterpenoid (3), sterol (4), benzoic acid derivative (5) and fatty acids (6-7). Their structures were elucidated with the aid of NMR spectroscopy. The described compounds have not been reported so far from this source.

6 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Both ethanol and water extracts of unossified velvet antler were found to exhibit a significant immuno-stimulating activity as measured by carbon clearance test in mice, and a remarkable anti-fatigue effect in weight-loaded forced swimming performance in mice.
Abstract: Both ethanol and water extracts of unossified velvet antler were found to exhibit a significant immuno-stimulating activity as measured by carbon clearance test in mice, a remarkable anti-fatigue effect in weight-loaded forced swimming performance in mice, a significant anti-stress effect on immobilization in rats. The antler extracts also showed a weak but significant anti-thrombotic activity. These findings are indicative of adaptogenic properties of antlers and their normalizing effects during stressful condition.

6 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: From the leaves of Vaccinium koreanum, isoquercitrin, quercetin, avicularin, 2'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin and arbutin were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectral data.
Abstract: From the leaves of Vaccinium koreanum, isoquercitrin, quercetin, avicularin, 2'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin and arbutin were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectral data.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The ethanolic extracts of two shallow water sponge species collected from the Aegean Sea afforded thirteen terpenoids in total, two of which were determined to be new.
Abstract: The ethanolic extracts of two shallow water sponge species collected from the Aegean Sea afforded thirteen terpenoids in total, two of which were determined to be new. The structure elucidation of the terpenoids was carried out by spectroscopic techniques and comparison with related authentic compounds. The terpenoids have also been assayed for antibacterial activity. This is the first report about the metabolites isolated from the marine sponges of the Aegean Sea in Turkey.

Journal Article
TL;DR: A new natural product tetraacetate along with known compounds such as stigmast-5-en-3-yl-cetate and tetracaracetate have been isolated from the stems of Cuscuta reflexa as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A new natural product tetraacetate (1) along with known compounds (2), stigmast-5-en-3-yl-cetate (3) and (4) have been isolated from the stems of Cuscuta reflexa Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence

Journal Article
TL;DR: In an XTT-based in vitro anti-HIV assay, dehydroaltenusin effectively inhibited the cytopathic effects of HIV infection at a concentration of .
Abstract: Dehydroaltenusin (1) was isolated from the chloroform extract of the culture filtrate of a Streptomyces sp. and its structure was determined from spectral data as well as by comparison with published values. In an XTT-based in vitro anti-HIV assay, dehydroaltenusin effectively inhibited the cytopathic effects of HIV infection at a concentration of .

Journal Article
TL;DR: Seed lipids and proteins of Crotalaria juncea L were analyzed for fatty acids and amino acids respectively and the defatted seed cake contained all the essential amino acids except methionine and six non-essential amino acids.
Abstract: Seed lipids and proteins of Crotalaria juncea L were analyzed for fatty acids and amino acids respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis of the oil gave palmitic acid (16.01%), stearic acid (7.29%), oleic acid (14.41%), linoleic acid (54.44%) and linolenic acid (7.86%). The defatted seed cake contained all the essential amino acids except methionine and six non-essential amino acids.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack were studied in maintaining mating behavior of sexually experienced castrated male rats and showed that all the experimental male rats exhibited mating behavior before castration and testosterone significantly increased the penis weights.
Abstract: The effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack were studied in maintaining mating behavior of sexually experienced castrated male rats after dosing them with 500 mg/kg daily of E. longifolia Jack for 10 days prior to test and later continued for two weeks where the rats were then castrated. The similar dosage was then continued for 12 weeks post-castration. However, of testosterone was administered subcutaneously on the day of castration and lasted for 6 weeks post-castration but later raised to until 12 week post-castration. Tests were conducted weekly from 2-6 weeks and 8-12 weeks post-castration. Results showed that all the experimental male rats exhibited mating behavior before castration. Further results also indicated that E. longifolia Jack successfully maintained mating behavior but less than precastration level from 2-6 weeks and later increased from 8-12 weeks post-castration. Similarly, of testosterone was effective in maintaining mating behavior from 2-6 weeks post-castration. However, of testosterone managed to return the male rats to the precastration level with all male rats exhibited mating behavior from 8-12 weeks post-castration. Further results also indicated that testosterone significantly increased the penis weights (p

Journal Article
TL;DR: The chloroform fraction of the aqueous extract of the fresh leaves of Vitex negundo by bioactivity guided isolation yielded a pure compound, rotundial (1) which has shown potent mosquito repellent activity as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The chloroform fraction of the aqueous extract of the fresh leaves of Vitex negundo by bioactivity guided isolation yielded a pure compound, rotundial (1) which has shown potent mosquito repellent activity. Using spectral data (UV, IR, NMR and MS) its structure has been elucidated.

Journal Article
TL;DR: 13 plant extracts were found to be active and especially, Juncus effusus, Selaginella tamariscina, Pueraria thunbergiana and Sedum albroseum showed strong inhibitory activity in this process.
Abstract: Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in carcinogenesis and other several human diseases, antioxidants present in consumable Emits, vegetables, and beverages have received considerable attention as cancer chemopreventive agents. Thus, in order to identify antioxidants in plant extracts, potential activity was assessed by determining with inhibition of a xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay system. Approximately 170 plant extracts of Korean herbal medicines were primarily evaluated for the potential of antioxidant activity. As a result, 13 plant extracts were found to be active (IC_(50) $lt; 100 ㎍/㎖). Especially, Juncus effusus, Selaginella tamariscina, Pueraria thunbergiana and Sedum albroseum showed strong inhibitory activity in this process. Further studies for the identification of active principles from these active lead plant extracts might be warranted.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Results indicated that the protoberberine alkaloids from Coptis japonica had an inhibitory effect on MAO activity.
Abstract: The effects of bioactive fractions containing protoberberine alkaloids from Coptis japonica on monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity were investigated. The MAO was obtained from the mitochondrial fraction of mouse brain. The butanol fraction from Coptis japonica was fractionated into separate bioactive fraction (Fr I-IV) by silica gel column chromatography. MAO activity was strongly inhibited by Fr III and IV, which mainly contain protoberberine alkaloids such as berberine, palmatine and coptisine. These results indicated that the protoberberine alkaloids from Coptis japonica had an inhibitory effect on MAO activity.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Two sesquiterpenes, 3'-chloro-2'-hydroxy-3-epi-arguticininin (1) and argutenol (2) belonging to eudesmane and gorgonane classes respectively, have been isolated from Pluchea arguta as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Two new sesquiterpenes, 3'-chloro-2'-hydroxy-3-epi-arguticinin (1) and argutenol (2) belonging to eudesmane and gorgonane classes respectively, have been isolated from Pluchea arguta. Their structures were elucidated with the help of sophisticated spectroscopic techniques including nOe difference and NOESY experiments.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The present paper deals with the detailed pharmacognosy of the floral parts including morphological, anatomical, phytochemical and fluorescence characters of Alcea rosea L., Malvaceae.
Abstract: The flowers of Alcea rosea L., Malvaceae, sold in the Indian market under the trade name 'Gulkhairo', are well known for their expectorant, cooling and diuretic properties and used in many indigenous cough mixtures in India. The present paper deals with the detailed pharmacognosy of the floral parts including morphological, anatomical, phytochemical and fluorescence characters. Some of the diagnostic features of the drug are : pedicel characterized by multicellular appendages, stellate hairs, rosette crystals of Ca-oxalate, starch sheath and large sized mucilage canals; sepals having distinctive multicellular appendages arranged in a semilunar fashion present adaxially at their base; monadelphous stamens, pollen grains pentaporate provided with dimorphic spines; placentation axile, ovules campylotropous; dark green fluorescence of the powder with nitrocellulose in amyl acetate and yellow fluorescence of trichomes under Fluorescence microscope.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Chrysanthemum sibiricum has the strongest inhibitory effect against iNOS activity and has similar effect to curcumin, which is believed to be an anti-tumor promoter, anti-inflammatory agent as an iN OS inhibitor.
Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). It is believed that NO is an important mediator in numerous physiological and inflammatory responses. Particularly, a large amount of NO released from the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is mostly associated with inflammatory processes. Overproduction of NO in these processes including sepsis and autoimmune diseases can have deleterious consequences and pathophysiologic relevance. Therefore, for the discovery of new inhibitory agents against iNOS activity, we have evaluated about 100 kinds of natural products after partition into three layers (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous) from 100% methanol extracts to study inhibitory effects on iNOS activity induced by lipopalysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells culture system. As a positive control, curcumin, which is known as an anti-tumor promotor, anti-inflammatory agent as an iNOS inhibitor, was used and showed the dose-dependent inhibitory effect (IC_(50), 2.5 ㎍/㎖). Among tested fractions, the n-hexane fraction of Cimicifuga heracleifolia (IC_(50): 9.65 ㎍/㎖), Forsythiae fructus (IC_(50): 6.36 ㎍/㎖), Saposhnikovia divaricata (IC_(50): 5.92 ㎍/㎖), and the ethyl acetate fraction of Chrysanthemum sibiricum (IC_(50): 2.56 ㎍/㎖), Gastrodia edata (IC_(50): 3.46 ㎍/㎖), and the aqueous fraction of Dianthus chinensis (IC_(50): 6.73 ㎍/㎖), Euonymus alatus (IC_(50): 6.78 ㎍/㎖), Mechania urticifodoria (IC_(50): 8.01 ㎍/㎖) showed strong inhibitory activity against LPSstimulated iNOS. Especially, the ethyl acetate fraction of Chrysanthemum sibiricum (IC_(50): 2.56 ㎍/㎖), which exhibited the strongest inhibition against iNOS, was fractionated with silica-gel column chromatography. These subfracdons exhibited dose-dependent inhibition against iNOS activity in the range of 2.59-5.6 ㎍/㎖ except for fraction No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 16. Our study shows that Chrysanthemum sibiricum has the strongest inhibitory effect against iNOS activity and has similar effect to curcumin. Therefore, further studies for the identification of active principles from Chrysanthemum sibiricum and investigation for the mechanism of the inhibition of iNOS by active principles will be performed.

Journal Article
TL;DR: It is concluded that ambrein induced nonselective dose dependent antagonism of the effects of some agonists and antagonists require contribution of some neuromediators.
Abstract: The pharmacological actions of ambrein were investigated alone or in combination as a pretreatment with agonists (adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, histamine, nicotine), antagonists (atropine, atenolol) and calcium channel blocker (verapamil) in vivo in anaesthetized SWR rats using blood pressure, heart rate and myocardial contractility as parameters. Ambrein in the dose range of 50-200 mg/kg to the normotensive anaesthetized rats demonstrated negative chronotropic effect and increased the myocardial contractility significantly. At the mid dose (100 mg/kg) this increase in contractile force was 36% and 44% above the normal at 30 min and 60 min intervals post-treatment, respectively. Both of the lower and high doses (50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) had similar effects. Furthermore, this contractile response was dose related. Also, this compound produced a considerable increase in myocardial contractility when used as a pretreatment with some agonists and antagonists. The results on blood pressure did not show a considerable change when ambrein was used alone. However, ambrein pretreatment at the dose of 100 mg/kg did not block the effects of adrenaline, noradrenaline, isoprenaline and acetylcholine on heart rate and blood pressure. On the other hand, this pretreatment attenuated the sympathoadrenal effects of nicotine significantly. Chronotropic and blood pressure changes produced by histamine were also inhibited by ambrein pretreatment. This pretreatment significantly reversed the effects of atenolol but failed to demonstrate any change in the negative chronotropic, inotropic and hypotensive responses induced by verapamil. It is concluded that ambrein induced nonselective dose dependent antagonism of the effects of some agonists and antagonists require contribution of some neuromediators. However, the positive isotropic effects of ambrein possibly involve the enhancement of slow Ca channels and/or activation of receptors in the heart. At this moment it is difficult to explain the exact mode of action of ambrein and the studies dealing with Ca channel blocker and adrenergic blocker followed by ambrein may help to define the factors which contribute to its positive inotropic effects.

Journal Article
TL;DR: By bioassay guided fractionation followed by chromatographic separation of the MeOH extract from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. (Rutaceae), a new cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor was isolated and identified as an alkaloid.
Abstract: By bioassay guided fractionation followed by chromatographic separation of the MeOH extract from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. (Rutaceae), a new cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor was isolated and identified as an alkaloid, rutaecarpine. Other alkaloids such as evodiamine and dehydroevodiamine together with limonoids were also isolated and characterized.

Journal Article
TL;DR: It was found that white seeds are more toxic as compared to the red and brown seeds, while the 'Kanji' processed seeds are less toxic than the milk processed one.
Abstract: 'Gunja' is attributable to the plant Abrus precatorius L. (Leguminosae). Three forms with red, brown and another with white seeds are known to occur in this species and are employed for different therapeutic uses viz. as purgative, emetic, aphrodisiac, tonic and also as an abortifacient. According to some Ayurvedic literature the seeds are poisonous and should be given to the patients after proper processing ('Shodhan'). A comparative study of various phytochemical parameters, namely, percentage of successive extractives, total proteins, tannins, total ash and acid insoluble ash of these three forms of the processed (with cow's milk and Kanji) and unprocessed seeds was done. TLC and densitometric scanning of successive extractives was also carried out to serve as markers for processed and unprocessed seeds. The percentage of proteins, tannins, alcohol and water soluble extractives decreased in the processed material. Besides, their acute toxicity, CNS activity were also studied in albino mice and it was found that white seeds are more toxic as compared to the red and brown. The toxic effect was reduced with the processing. Further, the 'Kanji' processed seeds are less toxic than the milk processed one.

Journal Article
TL;DR: A new ergosteryl myristate (1) and ergosterol (2) have been isolated from the organic extract of the mycelium of unidentified marine algicolous fungus, isolate MF001.
Abstract: A new ergosteryl myristate (1) and ergosterol (2) have been isolated from the organic extract of the mycelium of unidentified marine algicolous fungus, isolate MF001. The structure of a new compound was assigned on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical synthesis.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Tliacora racemosa Colebr.
Abstract: Tliacora racemosa Colebr. belonging to the family Menispermaceae is the biggest storehouse of diphenyl bisbenzylisoquinoline (DBBI) alkaloids. Exhaustive chemical processing of the root of T. racemosa by the application of modern separation techniques yielded a DBBI alkaloid which was identified as tiliacorine using sophisticated spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, ¹H-NMR, Mass). Tiliacorine potentiated the sleeping time induced by standard hypnotics viz. chlorpromazine (CPZ), pentobarbitone (PB) and diazepam (DZ) in a dose dependent manner. Tiliacorine potentiated the analgesic action of standard analgesic agents viz., morphine and meperidine. It was also found to possess anti-convulsive activity in the strychnine induced convulsion model.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In conclusion, the use of a 5α-reductase inhibitor, finasteride, in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer is being evaluated in a clinical trial and have been used successfully for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and active fractions are under the process of further sequential fractionation to find the effective pure compounds against 5 α- reductase 2 activity.
Abstract: The enzyme steroid 5α-reductase is responsible for the conversion of testosterone into the most potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In man, this steroid acts on a variety of androgenresponsive target tissues to mediate such diverse endocrine processes as male sexual differentiation in the fetus and prostatic growth in men. Androgen levels in the prostate may influence carcinogenesis in this organ. The use of a 5α-reductase inhibitor, finasteride, in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer is being evaluated in a clinical trial and have been used successfully for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therefore, for the discovery of 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitors, we have evaluated the inhibitory effects of solvent fractionated extracts of natural products on 5α-reductase type 2 activity. We have tested approximately 80 kinds of natural products after partition into n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous layers from 100% methanol extracts of plants. The ethyl acetate fractions of Perilla sikokiana (seed, IC_(50) : 6.2 ug/㎖), Sophora flavescens (root, IC_(50) : 8.9 ug/㎖), and Angelica tenuissima (root, IC_(50): 11.7 ug/㎖) revealed inhibitory effects on 5α-reductase 2 activity in LNCaP cells. The effective ethyl acetate fractions of Perilla sikokiana, Sophora Jlavescens, Hydnocarpus anthelmintica, and Angelica tenuissima were subfractionated by column chromatography and tested. The subfractions F4 (IC_(50) : 1.1 ug/㎖), F5 (IC_(50) : 2.0 ug/㎖), and F6 (IC_(50) : 5.8 ug/㎖) of the ethyl acetate fraction of Perilla sikokiana and the subfraction F8 (IC_(50) : 5.3 ug/㎖) of the ethyl acetate fraction of Sophora, flavescens displayed greater inhibition of 5α-reductase type 2 than did finasteride in LNCaP cells. These active fractions are under the process of further sequential fractionation to find the effective pure compounds against 5α-reductase 2 activity.

Journal Article
TL;DR: This study was devised to observe the antitumor activity of mugwort against ICR mice inoculated with sarcoma-180 cells and found that after the injection of the active fraction, the spleen index and ratio (%) were increased significantly.
Abstract: This study was devised to observe the antitumor activity of mugwort (Artemisia princeps Pampan.) against ICR mice inoculated with sarcoma-180 cells. The antitumor compounds were partially purified from petroleum ether extract of mugwort by silicic acid column chromatography. The active fraction used in in vivo test was obtained under the elution with acetone in silicic acid column chromatography. When the acetone fraction was intraperitoneally injected to the mice which had been subcutaneously inoculated on the left groin with sarcoma-180, the growth rate of tumor (sarcoma-180 mass) was inhibited by 30%. In case the acetone fraction was injected to the mice which had been inoculated intraperitoneally with sarcoma-180, the average life span was prolonged by 20%. After the injection of the active fraction, the spleen index and ratio (%) were increased significantly (p

Journal Article
TL;DR: Results indicated that the bacterial metabolites probably acted through non-specific defence mechanism against invading organisms and the chance of reinfection was reduced.
Abstract: A mixture of several bacterial metabolites was used to study its effect on major immunocytes, in vivo and in vitro. This mixture of bacterial metabolites increased number of macrophages and neutrophils and their phagocytic activity in experimental animals for a transient period. BSA induced antibody production was found to be higher in the drug treated group. These results indicated that the bacterial metabolites probably acted through non-specific defence mechanism against invading organisms and the chance of reinfection was reduced.