Showing papers in "Natural product sciences in 2001"

Pharmacological Studies of Various Extracts and the Major Constituent, Lupeol, obtained from Hexane Extract of Teclea nobilis in Rodents

Abstract: The pharmacological activities of the acetonitrile (MeCN), hexane extracts and isolated pure terpenoidal compound Lupeol from the leaves of Teclea nobilis, Delile (TN), on inflammation induced by carrageenan an implantation of cotton pellets in rats; the nociceptive response using writhing and tail flick tests and the antipyretic activity in yeast-induced fever were examined in mice. Oral administration of TN extracts at doses of 150 and 300 mg/ks and lupeol 5 and 10 mg/kg showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extracts of TN and lupeol significantly decreased the number of contractions and stretchings induced by acetic acid and heat-induced pain in mice. The antipyretic effect of extracts and lupeol was also found to be significant. The behavioral observation of animals showed that the hexane extract and lupeol caused CNS depressant activity and did not produce any toxic or lethal effects in animals at various dose levels. The results suggest that the Teclea nobilis extracts and lupeol possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities.

Anti-diabetic Constituent from the Node of Lotus Rhizome (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn)

Abstract: To investigate anti-diabetic component from the node of lotus rhizome (Nelumbo nucifera; Nymphaeaceae), activity guided isolation was conducted. One amino acid was isolated from active fraction of the aqueous methanolic extract. The structure of this compound was identified as tryptophan (1) by the analysis of spectroscopic evidences and comparisons with the data of authentic samples. Tryptophan reduced the blood glucose level significantly in glucose-fed hyperglycemic mice compared with glucose-treated group and exhibited 44.3% of activity compared with tolbutamide,.

Evaluation of Inhibitory Potentials of Chinese Medicinal Plants on Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) Receptor Binding

Abstract: Methanol extracts of eighty Chinese medicinal plants were investigated for platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding inhibitory activity using rabbit platelet. Extracts of Cratoxylon ligustrinum, Kalimeris indica, Euonymus japonica, Ophiopogon japonicus, Gleditsia sinensis, Clausena lansium, Agave sisalana were found to exhibit significant inhibitory effects. Chloroform partition of the Methanol extract of Kalimeris indica was further fractionated by column chromatography to afford one strong active subfraction with 93.6% inhibition at a concentration of .

The Effect of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Fruit on Gastric Lesion and Ulcer in Rats

Abstract: The effects of the dried fruit powder of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten (OF-f) were investigated on gastric lesion and ulcer models in rats. It showed significant inhibition in HCl ethanol and HCl aspirin induced gastric lesion at a dose of 600 mg/kg, p.o. OF-f also showed significant inhibition in indomethacin induced gastric lesion at the doses of 200 and 600 mg/kg, p.o. However, it did not affect aspirin and Shay ulcer in rats. It also did not affect the gastric juice secretion, acid output and pH. These data suggest that OF-f possesses pronounced inhibitory action on gastric lesion of rats.

Antioxidant Activity of Roasted Defatted Perilla Seed

Abstract: 【The antioxidant activity of roasted defatted perilla (Perilla frutescens) seed was determined by measuring its radical scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, inhibitory activity on total reactive oxygen species generation in kidney homogenates using 2',7'-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate, and scavenging effect on authentic peroxynitrites. The methanolic extract of roasted defatted perilla seed showed strong scavenging activity in both DPPH and peroxynitrite radicals, and thus fractionated with several solvents. The antioxidant activity potential of the individual fraction was in the order of ethyl acetate>n-butanol>dichloromethane>water>n-hexane fraction. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction exhibiting strong antioxidant activity was further purified by repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Luteolin was isolated as one of the active principles from the ethyl acetate fraction, together with the inactive chrysoeriol and apigenin.】

Aromatic Acid and Flavonoids from the leaves of Zanthoxylum piperitum

Abstract: Five flavonoids and one aromatic acid were isolated from the leaves of Zanthoxylum piperitum. The structures of compounds were elucidated as quercetin, afzelin, quercitrin, hyperoside, hesperidin and protocatechuic acid on the basis of spectral evidence.

(+)-Catechin, an Antioxidant Principle from the Leaves of Pinus densiflora that Acts on 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl Radical

Abstract: The antioxidant activity of Pinus densiflora was determined by measuring the radical scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The methanol extract of P. densiflora showed strong antioxidant activity, and thus fractionated with several solvents. The antioxidant activity potential of the individual fraction was in the order of ethyl acetate>n-butanol>water>dichloromethane> n-hexane fraction. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction exhibiting strong antioxidant activity was further purified by repeated silica gel column chromatography. Antioxidant (+)-catechin was isolated as one of the active principles from the ethyl acetate fraction, together with the inactive components, dihydrokaempferol and 1-O-benzoylglucose. The radical scavenging effect of (+)-catechin on DPPH radical exceeded to that of L-ascorbic acid which is a well known antioxidant.

Pharmacognostic Evaluation of the Root of Berberis aristata DC.

Abstract: Berberis aristata (family Berberidaceae), known as `Daruharidra` in Ayurvedic system of medicine, is an important medicinal plant used extensively for treating a variety of ailments in various systems of indigenous medicine. Being an important medicinal plant it is being adulterated and in the absence of any pharmacognostic information it is very difficult to check the adulteration. The present study was therefore, carried out to provide the requisite pharmacognostic details. Morphological, anatomical and phytochemical aspects of B. aristata were carried out. Diagnostic features of B. aristata root were identified and characterized from the above investigations and presented in the present communication. Some of the diagnostic features of the root drug noted from the anatomical study are patches of pericyclic fibre, pitted sclerieds, berberine containing cells and heterocyclic medullary rays. HPTLC analysis showed three distinct bands of which berberine was identified as the major constituents. The R_f value of other bands was also calculated.

Broad Spectrum Antibacterial Activity of Allium cepa , Allium roseum , Trigonella foenum graecum and Curcuma domestica

Abstract: In many parts of the world Allium cepa, Album roseum, Trigonella foenum graecum and Curcuma domestica are extensively used as food and are popular in herbal medicine. The four were screened against 26 pathogens and all exhibited broad-spectrum anti-bacterial activity. The aqueous as well as fractionated methanol extract of Allium cepa and A. roseum demonstrated broader level of activity against most of the organisms. On the other hand the unfractionated methanol extracts as well as the fractions of both Trigonella foenum graecum and Curcuma domestica showed broad spectrum of activity. Fractionation was found to improve their level of activity. In both cases the ethyl acetate fractions exhibited higher level of activity. All the materials tested were inactive against any of the four moulds. Album cepa, Allium roseum, Trigonella foenum graecum and Curcuma domestica are proposed as non toxic, safe, broad spectrum antibacterial agents.

Efficacy of the Rhinacanthus nasutus Nees Leaf Extract on Dermatophytes with Special Reference to Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis

Abstract: The effect of Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf extract on the growth of dermatophytes had been investigated. In vitro the extract exhibited high activity against various species of dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, T. rubrum, Microsporum canis and M. gypseum). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the extract revealed that all the dermatophytes tested had MIC values of 13.6 mg/ml. The extract exhibited fungistatic activity at lower concentrations and fungicidal activity at higher concentrations . The results suggested that the extract acted on the cell wall of the dermatophytes which subsequently leading to the formation of cytopathological and membrane structural degeneration and finally leading to cell lysis and death.

Heptatriacontanol and Phenolic Compounds from Halochris hispida

Abstract: The phytochemical investigation of Halocharis hispida revealed the presence of 1-heptatriacontanol, , , kaempferol, vitexin and isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside in addition to vanillic, ferulic, isoferulic, syringic and caffeic acids. The different isolated compounds were identified by different physical, chemical, chromatographic and/or spectral methods.

Minor Constituents from the Roots of Sophora flavescens

Abstract: Lupenone, hexadecyl ferulate, (-)-sophocarpine and three isoflavonoids such as genistein, 3'-methoxydaidzein and calycosin were isolated from the roots of Sophora flavescens.

Studies on the Lipid Classes of Nicotiana tabacum L. Seed Oil

Abstract: The lipid classes constituents; hydrocarbons, wax esters, sterol esters, triacylglycerols, free fatty acids, 1,3-diacylglycerols, 1,2-diacylglycerols, free sterols, 2-monoacylglycerols, 1-monoacylglycerols, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylinositols of Nicotiana tabacum L. seeds oil were investigated by thin layer and gas chromatography. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were the major components in all lipid classes studied.

Isolation of Soya-cerebroside I from the Roots of Trichosanthes kirilowii

Abstract: In addition to known cucurbitacins, a glucosphingosine type cerebroside and amino acids were isolated from the roots of Trichosanthes kirilowii. The structure of cerebroside was determined as soya-cerebroside I by means of spectroscopic methods. Fifteen amino acids were identified as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, histidine, citrulline, threonine, alanine, proline, tyrosine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and tryptophan, among which the major components such as citrulline, phenylalanine, leucine/isoleucine and valine were isolated.

Broad Spectrum Anti-bacterial Activity of the Leaves, Stem and Root Barks of Myristica subabulata

Abstract: A number of Myristica species are used in herbal medicine for a variety of ailments The methanol extracts of the leaves and the stem and root barks of Myristica subabulata were fractionated into petrol, dichloromethane and finally ethyl acetate These were then screened against a total of 31 micro-organisms comprising of 13 G +ve, 12 G ve, one protozoa and 5 moulds A broad-spectrum anti-bacterial activity was observed As compared to fractionated the un-fractionated extracts exhibited much better level of activity

Gastroprotective Activity of the Unripe Fruit Extract of Juglans mandshurica in Rats

Abstract: The unripe fruit extract of Juglans mandshurica showed significant inhibition on aspirin and indomethacin induced gastric lesion at an oral dose of 1000 mg/kg. The extract did not show inhibition of aspirin induced ulcer and Shay ulcer at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The results indicate that the extract had a gastroprotective activity.

Production of Volatile Oil Components by Cell Culture of Agastache rugosa O. Kuntze

Abstract: To develop systems for economic production of useful essential oil compounds, callus was induced from the seedlings of Agastache rugosa and cultured on MS medium. The volatile oil fraction was extracted from the callus and investigated by mean of GC-MS. The composition of the oil was compared with that of the mother plant. As a result, sixty five compounds including ferruginol were identified in the essential oil fraction. The main component of the oil from the leaves of Agastache rugosa was methyl chavichol (53.6%). Methyl jasmonate and jasmonic acid were added to the culturing cell suspension, separately and the composition of induced oil were compared. The oils from cultured cells treated with jasmonates showed considerably different patterns. Especially, the peak of estragole was found in callus oil after treatment with methyl jasmonate as though the amount was limited to 0.58%. In general, the TIC pattern of GC-MS of the callus oil became more similar to the oil from the leaves after elicitation.

Anticancer Compound of Paulownia tomentosa

Abstract: A cytotoxic compound was purified from the flowers (46 g) of Paulownia tomentosa by normal column chromatography. As a result of the structure analysis by spectroscopic methods, the compound was identified as isoatriplicolide tiglate, which shows in vitro cytotoxicity.

Hepatoprotective Activity of Chungpesagan-tang is Related to the Inhibition of ${\beta}-Glucuronidase$

Abstract: and hepatoprotective effects of Chungpesagan-tang, which has been used for liver diseases and stroke, on hepatotoxicity of rats was investigated. Chungpesagan-tang potently inhibited . Serum AST, ALT and LDH levels of the group orally treated with Chungpesagan-tang (100 mg/kg) were lowered to 47, 28 and 58% of the group, respectively. Among the ingredients of Chungpesagan-tang, Puerariae Radix, Scutellariae Radix and Rhei Rhizoma potently inhibited the and protected liver injury. The hepatoprotective activity of Puerariae Radix was affected by ingredients of Chungpesagan-tang: Scutellariae Radix had the synergistic activity, but Angelicae Tenussimae Radix exhibited the antagonistic activity. These results suggest that the inhibitor of herbal medicines may protect liver injury and puerarin should be a natural prodrug for the hepatoprotective effect.

Flavonoids from the Leaves of Glycine max Showing Anti-lipid Peroxidative Effect

Abstract: Anti-lipid peroxidative activity and phytochemical study on the leaves of Glycine max Meer. were investigated. The methanol extract of the leaves of G. max reduced the level of lipid peroxides induced by bromobenzene in vitro. From the leaves of this plant, apigenin, genistein , kaempferol , and kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside were isolated and characterized by spectral data.

Radiosensitizing and Topoisomerase I Inhibitory Effects of Aloe vera, Formitella fraxinea, and Ulmus davidiana Extracts

Abstract: Ulmus davidiana, Formitella fraxinea, and Aloe vera extracts were detected to have inhibitory effects against topoisomerase I at treatment of Ulmus davidiana and Aloe vera extracts were found to show inhibitory effect similar to camptothecin, Formitella fraxinea extract was found to have weak activity We also found the potential use of those extracts as a radiation sensitizer Radiosensitizing effect at combination treatment was increased more than 2 times at single treatment of radiation, Ulmus davidiana or Formitella fraxinea extracts Ulmus davidiana and Formitella fraxinea extracts were found to have significant radiosensitizing effect on test tumor cell line But, Aloe vera extract was not detected to have activity as a radiosensitizer Ulmus davidiana and Formitella fraxinea extracts are potent radiosensitizers on tumor cell lines and should be considered for further study of active compounds

Tiliacosine and Tiliasine, two New Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids from Tiliacora racemosa

Abstract: Two new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tiliacosine (1) and tiliasine (2) were isolated from the leaves of Tiliacora racemosa Colebr.. The structures of these alkaloids were established on the basis of spectral evidence and by the correlation of their spectral data with those of the congeners N-methyltiliamosine (3), tiliamosine (4) and tiliacorine (5).

Potential induction of quinone reductase activity of natural products in cultured murine Hepa1c1c7 cells

Abstract: NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (QR), known as DT-diaphorase, is a kind of detoxifying phase II metabolic enzyme catalyzing hydroquinone formation by two electron reduction pathway from quinone type compounds, and thus facilitating excretion of quinoids from human body. With the usefulness of QR induction activity assay system for the modulation of toxicants, in the course of searching for cancer chemopreventive agents from natural products, the methanolic extracts of approximately two hundreds of oriental medicines were primarily evaluated using the induction potential of quinone reductase (QR) activity in cultured murine Hepa1c1c7 cells. As a result, several extracts including Hordeum vulgare, Momordica cochinchinensis, Strychnos ignatii, Houttuynia cordata, and Polygala japonica were found to significantly induce QR activity. In addition, the methylene chloride fraction of H. vulgare, one major dietary food source, showed potent induction of QR activity . Further study for isolation of active principles from these lead extracts is warranted for the discovery of novel cancer chemopreventive agents.

Antioxidative Activity of the Extracts from the Leaves and Fruits of Acer ginnala

Abstract: The antioxidative effect of the extracts from the leaves and fruits of Acer ginnala against free radicals was studied by two different methods using DPPH radical-generating system, and hydroxyl radical-generating system which induces DNA strand breaking. Compared with well known antioxidative plants, green tea, Scutellaria baicalensis, the Acer ginnala extracts showed excellent radical-scavenging activity in DPPH radical-generating system and inhibited effectively hydroxyl radical induced-DNA strand breaking in a concentration-dependent manner in system whereas the green tea extract stimulated the strand breaking at a low concentration. These results suggest that he extracts from the leaves and fruits of Acer ginnula could be good antioxidative agents.