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Ethanol Extract (ethanol + extract)
Selected AbstractsThree New Cyclolanostane Triterpenoids from the Ethanol Extract of the Stems of Kadsura heteroclita.CHEMINFORM, Issue 4 2007Wei Wang Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source] Stabilization of phytosterols in rapeseed oil by natural antioxidants during heatingEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2009Dominik Kmiecik Abstract Antioxidants are substances that can reduce negative changes in fat. Many antioxidants are very effective during storage, but during heating they lose their properties. It is very important to find antioxidants that will be stable at high temperatures and protect fat throughout the entire frying process. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants on changes in phytosterols of rapeseed oil during heating. Oil with antioxidants was heated at 180,°C for 4,h in a Rancimat® and in an Oxidograph®. Ethanol extract of rosemary, ethanol extract of green tea, and BHT were used in the study. The contents of phytosterols (sitosterol, campesterol, avenasterol, brassicasterol, stigmasterol) and oxyphytosterols (7,- and 7,-hydroxysterol, 5,,6,- and 5,,6,-epoxysterol, 7-ketosterol and triols) were estimated by gas chromatography. In all samples with antioxidants, a lower decrease of phytosterols and a lower increase of total oxyphytosterols were observed in comparison with the control sample (without antioxidant). The antioxidant effect depends on the type of the antioxidant and the heating conditions. The best results were observed in samples with natural antioxidants. BHT was a substance that protected phytosterols as well, but not as effectively as the other antioxidants. [source] Anti-tumour and immuno-stimulating activities of the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces japonica, a new type of Cordyceps spp.PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2003Kuk Hyun Shin Abstract The anti-tumor and immuno-stimulating activities of the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces japonica (PJ), grown on silk-worm larvae and of Cordyceps sinensis (CS), a wild form of Cordyceps Fungi, were investigated. Ethanol extracts of both fungi, when administered for 9 consecutive days, at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p., caused a signi,cant increase in life span and a signi,cant decrease in tumor weights and volumes, in mice inoculated with Sarcoma-180 tumor cells. Both fungal extracts were demonstrated to exhibit phagocytosis enhancing activity as measured by carbon clearance in mice. PJ extracts, when administered i.p. at 50 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days, exhibited a signi,cant enhancement of phagocytosis, its potency as expressed by the regression coef,cient ratio, RCtr/RCc, being 1.64 (the phagocytosis index = 2). This was approximately the same for that of zymosan (RCtr/RCc = 1.55, PI = 2), a typical phagocytosis enhancer, whereas CS extracts exhibited a moderate phagocytosis enhancing activity at the same dose level (RCtr/RCc = 1.30, PI = 1). Both fungal extracts caused a signi,cant increase in an acid phosphatase activity, representing lysosomal enzymes, in macrophages at 20 and 100 µg/ml in vitro, in compliance with in vivo results. These results suggest that the anti-tumor activity of both fungi might be related to an immuno-stimulating function. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Maintenance of narrow diet breadth in the monarch butterfly caterpillar: response to various plant species and chemicalsENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 2-3 2002Danel B. Vickerman Abstract In order to better understand the maintenance of a fairly narrow diet breadth in monarch butterfly larvae, Danaus plexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae), we measured feeding preference and survival on host and non-host plant species, and sensitivity to host and non-host plant chemicals. For the plant species tested, a hierarchy of feeding preferences was observed; only plants from the Asclepiadaceae were more or equally preferred to Asclepias curassavica, the common control. The feeding preferences among plant species within the Asclepiadaceae are similar to published mean cardenolide concentrations. However, since cardenolide data were not collected from individual plants tested, definitive conclusions regarding cardenolide concentrations and plant acceptability cannot be made. Although several non-Asclepiadaceae were eaten in small quantities, all were less preferred to A. curassavica. Additionally, these non-Asclepiadaceae do not support continued feeding, development, and survival of first and fifth-instar larvae. Preference for a host versus a non-host (A. curassavica versus Vinca rosea) increased for A. curassavica reared larvae as compared to diet-reared larvae suggesting plasticity in larval food preferences. Furthermore, host species were significantly preferred over non-host plant species in bioassays using a host plant or sucrose as a common control. Larval responses to pure chemicals were examined in order to determine if host and non-host chemicals stimulate or deter feeding in monarch larvae. We found that larvae were stimulated to feed by some ubiquitous plant chemicals, such as sucrose, inositol, and rutin. In contrast, several non-host plant chemicals deterred feeding: caffeine, apocynin, gossypol, tomatine, atropine, quercitrin, and sinigrin. Additionally the cardenolides digitoxin and ouabain, which are not in milkweed plants, were neutral in their influence on feeding. Another non-milkweed cardenolide, cymarin, significantly deterred feeding. Extracts of A. curassavica leaves were tested in bioassays to determine which components of the leaf stimulate feeding. Both an ethanol extract of whole leaves and a hexane leaf-surface extract are phagostimulatory, suggesting the involvement of both polar and non-polar plant compounds. These data suggest that the host range of D. plexippus larvae is maintained by both feeding stimulatory and deterrent chemicals in host and non-host plants. [source] Stabilization of phytosterols in rapeseed oil by natural antioxidants during heatingEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2009Dominik Kmiecik Abstract Antioxidants are substances that can reduce negative changes in fat. Many antioxidants are very effective during storage, but during heating they lose their properties. It is very important to find antioxidants that will be stable at high temperatures and protect fat throughout the entire frying process. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants on changes in phytosterols of rapeseed oil during heating. Oil with antioxidants was heated at 180,°C for 4,h in a Rancimat® and in an Oxidograph®. Ethanol extract of rosemary, ethanol extract of green tea, and BHT were used in the study. The contents of phytosterols (sitosterol, campesterol, avenasterol, brassicasterol, stigmasterol) and oxyphytosterols (7,- and 7,-hydroxysterol, 5,,6,- and 5,,6,-epoxysterol, 7-ketosterol and triols) were estimated by gas chromatography. In all samples with antioxidants, a lower decrease of phytosterols and a lower increase of total oxyphytosterols were observed in comparison with the control sample (without antioxidant). The antioxidant effect depends on the type of the antioxidant and the heating conditions. The best results were observed in samples with natural antioxidants. BHT was a substance that protected phytosterols as well, but not as effectively as the other antioxidants. [source] Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and volatile components from pandan leavesFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2004Natta Laohakunjit Abstract The ,avour of pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) leaves was extracted by supercritical ,uid with CO2 (SC-CO2) under different conditions of pressure, temperature and contact time to determine the yield of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (ACPY) and various other components; 14 volatile compounds on the gas chromatogram were identi,ed, and the predominant constituents were ACPY and 3-methyl-2(5H)-furanone. The interaction of different conditions signi,cantly in,uenced the yield of ACPY and various volatile compounds. There is a potential for high yield of ACPY by SC-CO2 at 200 bar, 500 °C and 20 min. The SDE,ether extract was found to have a very small amount of ACPY and an undesirable odour, as compared to the dark green ethanol extract, which contains a relatively larger quantity of ACPY and even more 3-methyl-2(5H)-furanone. Although at least 34 new components were uncovered from SC-CO2, SDE, and ethanol extraction, both ACPY and 3-methyl-2(5H)-furanone were the components tentatively obtained by all three methods. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Egyptian Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. brevirostris: chemical compositions of the fruit volatile oil and antioxidant activityFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2002Ahmed H. El-Ghorab Abstract The fruit volatile oil of E. camaldulensis var. brevirostris was isolated by hydrodistillation and thereafter the fruit marc was extracted by ethanol. The volatile oil obtained was subjected to analysis using gas chromatography,mass spectrometry. Thirty-eight volatile components were identified. The main volatile compounds in the fruit volatile oil were: aromadendrene (17.99%), ,-pinene (12.68%), p -cymenene (5.39%), ,-gurjunene (6.65%), cubenol (9.23%), thymol (1.62%) and p -cymen-7-ol (0.73%). The volatile components were classified into four groups: monoterpenes (20.6%), sesquiterpenes (33.8%), light-oxygenated (8.1%) and heavily-oxygenated (37.6%) compounds. The results showed that the concentration of sesquiterpenes and heavily-oxygenated compounds were higher than the other two classes. The main compound in the ethanol extract of fruit of E. camaldulensis was isolated by semi-preparative HPLC and identified as ellagic acid. The antioxidant activities of the fruits volatile oil and the ethanol extract as well as that of the tree bark were evaluated by the thiocyanate method. The ethanol extract of Eucalyptus fruit exhibited considerable activity compared with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and tertiary butylated hydroquinone (TBHQ). The high inhibitory effect of the ethanol extract of fruit upon linoleic acid after 12 days might be related to the higher ellagic acid content. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The inhibitory effect of the components of Cornus officinalis on melanogenesisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008Yasuhiko Nawa Five known compounds were isolated from a Cornus officinalis 50% ethanol extract (C. officinalis extract) and a hot water extract. We investigated the photochemical and pharmacological active compounds of C. officinalis hot water extract and ethanol extract. We understood that C. officinalis is a medicinal plant with potent free-radical-scavenging activity not only against reactive oxygen species (H2O2, superoxiside anion, hydroxyl radical, etc.) in a narrow sense, but also against many other free radicals (peroxynitrate, peroxyradical). It is estimated that the reduction effect with C. officinalis extract can block oxidative reaction on melanogenesis. Loganin and cornuside, the components in C. officinalis, showed a significant free-radical-scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on melanogenesis. We report to prove the inhibitory effect of UVB-induced pigmentation in C. officinalis extract through its radical scavenging activity. [source] In-vitro effect of flavonoids from Solidago canadensis extract on glutathione S-transferaseJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006Pál Apáti Solidago canadensis is typical of a flavonoid-rich herb and the effect of an aqueous ethanol extract on glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity using HepG2 cells was compared with those of the flavonol quercetin and its glycosides quercitrin and rutin, found as major constituents. The composition of the extract was determined by HPLC and rutin was found to be the major flavonoidal component of the extract. Total GST activity was assessed using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as a substrate. The glycosides rutin and quercitrin gave dose-dependent increases in GST activity, with a 50% and 24.5% increase at 250 mm, respectively, while the aglycone quercetin inhibited the enzyme by 30% at 250 mm. The total extract of the herb gave an overall dose-dependent increase, the fractions corresponding to the flavonoids showed activating effects while those containing caffeic acid derivatives were inhibitory. The activity observed corresponds to that reported for similar compounds in-vivo using rats, thus the HepG2 cell line could serve as a more satisfactory method of assessing the effects of extracts and compounds on GST. [source] Evodia rutaecarpa protects against circulation failure and organ dysfunction in endotoxaemic rats through modulating nitric oxide releaseJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 10 2002Wen Fei Chiou Using a rat model of septic shock we studied the effects of Evodia rutaecarpa, a Chinese herbal medicine with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, on haemodynamic parameters, biochemical markers of organ function and nitric oxide (NO) production. Anaesthetized rats challenged with a high dosage of endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide; LPS; 50 mg kg,1, i.v.) for 6 h showed a severe decrease in mean arterial pressure. This was accompanied by delayed bradycardia, vascular hyporeactivity to phenylephrine and increase in plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin and creatinine, as well as NOx (NO,2 plus NO,3). Pretreatment with ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa (25,50 and 100 mg kg,1, i.v.), 1 h before LPS, dose-dependently prevented the circulation failure, vascular hyporeactivity to phenylephrine, prevented liver dysfunction and reduced the NOx over-production in plasma in endotoxaemic rats. A selective inducible NO-synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, aminoguanidine (15 mg kg,1, i.v.), also effectively ameliorated the above pathophysiological phenomenon associated with endotoxaemia so that the normal condition was approached. Endotoxaemia for 6 h resulted in a significant increase in iNOS activity in the liver homogenate, which was attenuated significantly by E. rutaecarpa pretreatment. In summary, E. rutaecarpa, at the dosages used, exerted these beneficial effects probably through inhibition of iNOS activity and subsequent modulation of the release of NO. These significant results may offer E. rutaecarpa as a candidate for the treatment of this model of endotoxaemia. [source] HEMOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF HETEROCAPSA CIRCULARISQUAMA (DINOPHYCEAE) AND ITS POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT IN SHELLFISH TOXICITYJOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Tatsuya Oda Heterocapsa circularisquama Horiguchi is lethal to shellfish, particularly bivalves such as pearl oysters (Pinctada fucata Gould). No detrimental effects of this flagellate on fish have been observed thus far. In this study, we found that H. circularisquama causes mammalian erythrocytes to lyse. Among the erythrocytes tested, rabbit erythrocytes showed the highest susceptibility, whereas erythrocytes from cattle, sheep, and human were relatively insensitive. Heterocapsa triquetra Stein, which is morphologically similar to H. circularisquama but not toxic to bivalves, showed no hemolytic activity toward rabbit erythrocytes. Culture supernatant or ultrasonic-ruptured cells of H. circularisquama showed only weak hemolytic activity. Hemolytic activity was found in the ethanol extract of H. circularisquama cells, suggesting that the hemolytic agents may be more stable in ethanol than in aqueous solution. Both an intact flagellate cell suspension and the ethanol extract caused morphological changes and eventual collapse of unfertilized eggs of Pacific oyster. Furthermore, the ethanol extract was lethal to the microzooplankton rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller, which is highly sensitive to H. circularisquama. Our results suggest that a hemolytic toxin produced by H. circularisquama may be one of the causative agents responsible for the shellfish toxicity. [source] Screening of antioxidant phenolic compounds in Chinese Rhubarb combining fast counter-current chromatography fractionation and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysisJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 11 2010Ruilin Hu Abstract In this paper, an effective method combing fast elution-extrusion counter-current chromatography (CCC) and LC/MS for rapid screening of antioxidative phenolic compounds in Chinese Rhubarb is presented. An integrated three-coil CCC column (40,mL each coil) was used to accomplish the optimization of biphasic liquid system. In a single run (approximately 40,min), the solvent system composed of n -hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:1:1:1, v/v) was selected as optimum CCC liquid system for fast fractionation of the crude ethanol extract. With a 140,mL-capacity CCC instrument, 100,mg Chinese Rhubarb extract was separated under the optimized conditions, producing six fractions in only 100,min. The quantities of each fraction were ,15,mg. In addition, each fraction was subjected to antioxidant activity assay and characterized by LC/MS analysis. Fifty compounds, including phenolic acids, phenolic glucosides and hydroxyanthraquinones, were detected by LC/MS/MS analysis. As a result, gallic acid together with Fr I showed excellent antioxidant activity, which was well consistent with previous studies and exhibited great potential for natural drug discovery program of the present method. [source] Large-scale submerged fermentation of Antrodia cinnamomea for anti-hepatoma activityJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2008Jih-Hung Pan Abstract BACKGROUND: Submerged cultivation of Antrodia cinnamomea was carried out for manufacturing the fermentation product with anti-hepatoma activity. The fermentation process was optimized for different parameters at shake flask level to obtain products with high inhibition potency against Hep G2 hepatoma cells. Scale-up of the fermentation process was then achieved from 250 mL shake flask to 5 L, 500 L and 5-ton fermenters. RESULTS: Glucose and malt extract were found to be the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The initial pH of 5.0 and an operating temperature of 22 °C were the best for a product with lowest IC50 value. A shorter cultivation time was required when the scale of fermentation increased from 5 L to 5 tons. The reducing sugar and solids contents of the broth filtrate were correlated exponentially with the IC50 of the ethanolic extract of mycelium for hepatoma cells, and the level of ergosterol in the mycelium extract follows the same profile as the increase in Hep G2 cells inhibition. CONCLUSION: When Antrodia cinnamomea is cultured in a 5-ton fermenter, 4 weeks are required for the fermentation product to reach the highest anti-hepatoma activity. The solid and reducing sugar contents of the broth filtrate as well as the ergosterol content in the ethanol extract of mycelium can serve as the marker during fermentation for manufacturing product with anti-hepatoma activity. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Inhibitory effect of propolis extract on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and the mutagenicity of 4-nitroquinoline- N -oxideJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2006Hsin-Yi Yang Abstract Propolis originates from a resinous substance collected by honeybees from the buds and leaves of trees and plants, which is then mixed with pollen as well as enzymes secreted by the bees. In the present study, the susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes to the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) as influenced by EEP concentration, incubation temperature, pH, and cell age was investigated. In addition, the antimutagenic action of EEP against 4-nitroquinoline- N -oxide (4-NQO) was also examined. Results revealed that EEP at a dosage of 7.5 µg mL,1 or higher exerted a bactericidal effect on L. monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes was most susceptible to EEP at 37 °C followed by 25 and 4 °C. At acid pH values, cells of the test organism were more sensitive to EEP than at neutral pH, while most resistant at alkaline pH values. Cell age was also found to affect the susceptibility of L. monocytogenes to EEP. Cells in the mid-exponential phase showed the highest susceptibility, followed by cells in the late-exponential phase and stationary phase. EEP caused cell leakage of the test organism. A marked increase in the absorbance at 260 nm, UV-absorbing material in the supernatant of cell suspension, and irregularly shaped materials around the cell surface were noted after cells of L. monocytogenes were exposed to EEP. Furthermore, EEP at a dosage of 7.5,60.0 µg per plate was found to suppress 4-NQO-induced mutation by 17.6,88.8%. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Structural determination of seven new triterpenoids from Kadsura heteroclita by NMR techniquesMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2007Wei Wang Abstract Seven new triterpenoids, namely heteroclitalactones G,M (1,7), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stems of Kadsura heteroclita. Structures of these compounds were characterized by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Wound healing effects of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) leaves: a mechanism involving its PDGF/A2A receptor ligand binding and promotion of wound closurePHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2010Afa Palu Abstract Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae) commonly known as noni, has been used in Polynesia by traditional healers for the treatment of cuts, bruises and wounds. Our objective was to investigate the wound-healing mechanisms of the noni leaf. The investigations of its wound-healing mechanisms were carried out using fresh noni leaf juice (NLJ), noni leaf ethanol extract (NLEE) and its methanol (MFEE) and hexane (HFEE) fractions on the PDGF and A2A receptors in vitro and topically in mice. Fresh noni leaf juice showed significant affinity to PDGF receptors, and displayed 166% binding inhibition of the ligand binding to its receptors, while at the same concentration, it only had 7% inhibition of the ligand binding to the A2A receptors. NLEE, HFEE and MFEE showed significant affinity to A2A receptors, concentration dependently, with IC50 values of 34.1, 42.9 and 86.7,,g/mL, respectively. However, MFEE significantly increased wound closure and reduced the half closure time in mice with a CT50 of 5.4 ± 0.2 days compared with control (p < 0.05). These results suggest that noni leaf significantly accelerated wound healing in mice via its ligand binding to the PDGF and A2A receptors as its probable mechanisms of wound-healing and also support its traditional usage for wound-healing in Polynesia. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Antihyperglycaemic and protective effects of flavonoids on streptozotocin,induced diabetic ratsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue S2 2010Amélia P. Rauter Abstract The antihyperglycaemic effect of eight standard flavonoids, previously identified in the ethanol extract of the claimed antidiabetic plant Genista tenera, was evaluated on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The aglycones apigenin, chrysoeriol and genistein, the monoglucosides apigenin 7- O -glucoside, luteolin 7- O -glucoside and genistein 7- O -glucoside and the diglycosides rutin and luteolin 7,3,-di- O -glucoside were administered i.p. for 7 days (4,mg/kg b.w./day). The protective effect of these compounds over liver and kidneys of STZ,diabetic models was also evaluated by the determination of seric AST, ALT and urea levels. After 7 days of treatment, apigenin, chrysoeriol and genistein significantly lowered the blood glucose levels of diabetic animals; this effect was more pronounced (P < 0.01) in the oral glucose tolerance test. Glucose tolerance was also significantly improved in the rutin (P < 0.01) and in the genistein 7,O,glucoside (P < 0.05) treated groups. In addition, almost all the tested compounds effectively protected the liver and kidneys against STZ-induced damage in rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. on learning behavior and memory enhancement activity in rodentsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010Alok Nahata Abstract In the Ayurvedic system of medicine, the whole herb of ,Shankhpushpi' has been employed clinically for centuries for its memory potentiating, anxiolytic and tranquilizing properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Evolvulus alsinoides (EA), considered as Shankhpushpi on learning and memory in rodents. Nootropic activity using Cook and Weidley's pole climbing apparatus, passive avoidance paradigms and active avoidance tests were used to test learning and memory. The ethanol extract of EA and its ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were evaluated for their memory enhancing properties. Two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) of the ethanol extract and ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were administered in separate groups of animals. Both doses of all the extracts of EA significantly improved learning and memory in rats. Furthermore, these doses significantly reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.). Nootropic activity was compared using piracetam as the standard. EA also exhibited potent memory enhancing effects in the step-down and shuttle-box avoidance paradigms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum L.) ethanol extract on insulin release from pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic ratsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009Maryam Eidi Abstract Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is grown as a spice crop all over the world. The seeds have been used to treat indigestion, diabetes, rheumatism and pain in the joints. In the present study, an ethanol extract of the seeds was investigated for effects on insulin release from the pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Blood samples were drawn from the retro-orbital sinus before and 1.5, 3 and 5 h after administration of the seed extract. Serum glucose levels were determined by the glucose oxidase method. To determine the insulin releasing activity, after extract treatment the animals were anaesthetized by diethyl ether, the pancreas was excised, fixed in 10% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin for sectioning. Pancreatic sections of 5 µm were processed for examination of insulin-releasing activity using an immunocytochemistry kit. The results showed that administration of the ethanol extract (200 and 250 mg/kg, i.p.) exhibited a significant reduction in serum glucose. Administration of streptozotocin decreased the number of beta cells with insulin secretory activity in comparison with intact rats, but treatment with the coriander seed extract (200 mg/kg) increased significantly the activity of the beta cells in comparison with the diabetic control rats. The extract decreased serum glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and increased insulin release from the beta cells of the pancreas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Antitumor activity of chloroform fraction of Scutellaria barbata and its active constituentsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 9 2007Jianqing Yu Abstract Scutellaria barbata (SB) is widely used as an antitumor agent in China, but the antitumor components of SB are still unclear. The antitumor activity of various fractions of an ethanol extract of SB was studied in six human malignant cell lines. Bio-based assays showed that non-polar and low-polar solvent fractions of SB had dose-dependent cytotoxicities on six cancer cell lines. The IC50 values of these fractions on the cancer cell lines tested ranged from 16 to 70 µg/mL after 48 h of treatment. Among them, the chloroform fraction (CE-SB) had the strongest cytotoxicity on cancer cell lines with a lower cytotoxic effect on a normal liver cell line. Bel-7402 cell apoptosis induced by CE-SB was examined using Hoechst 33258 staining, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. CE-SB dose-dependently decreased the S phase content. Treatment with CE-SB caused cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-9. The antitumor activity of CE-SB in vivo was also evaluated. At 60 mg/kg/day, CE-SB significantly inhibited the solid tumor proliferation and increased the life span of ascites tumor bearing mice (p < 0.01). CE-SB was subjected to bioassay-guided isolation of the active compounds by chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Phytol, wogonin, luteolin and hispidulin were obtained as cytotoxic constituents. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Antiviral activity and constituent of Ardisia chinensis benth against coxsackie B3 virusPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2006Miaoxian Su Abstract Ardisia chinensis Benth is a medicinal plant traditionally used in the area of Yao minority in Southern China. The in vitro antiviral activities of extracts and fractions from Ardisia chinensis were tested by the cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay in the present study. As a result, both the aqueous extract and the 95% ethanol extract of Ardisia chinensis showed in vitro antiviral activity against Coxsackie B3 (Cox B3) virus to different extents, and the aqueous extract possessed more potent activity than the ethanol extract. Bioassay-guided fractionation revealed that the antiviral activity of Ardisia chinensis was attributed mainly to its high polar fractions, and finally identified to be a polysaccharide. The Ardisia chinensis polysaccharide (ACP) fractionated from the aqueous extract exhibited a significant antiviral effect against Cox B3 with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 3.9 µg/mL and a selective index (SI) over 256. Preliminary characterization indicated that ACP is a neutral polysaccharide in which d -glucose is the major component. The average molecular weights of ACP were determined to be 40037 Da (Mw), 28297 Da (Mn) and 33758 Da (Mp) by gel permeation chromatography. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Inhibition of early and late phase allergic reactions by Euphorbia hirta L.PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006G. D. Singh Abstract A 95% ethanol extract from whole aerial parts of Euphorbia hirta (EH A001) showed antihistaminic, antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive properties in various animal models. EH A001 inhibited rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation triggered by compound 48/80. It significantly inhibited dextran-induced rat paw edema. EH A001 prevented eosinophil accumulation and eosinophil peroxidase activity and reduced the protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in a ,mild' model of asthma. Moreover, the CD4/CD8 ratio in peripheral blood was suppressed. EH A001 attenuated the release of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and augmented interferon- , (IFN- ,) in ovalbumin-sensitized mouse splenocytes. The results were compared with the effects of known compounds, ketotifen, cetirizine and cyclophosphamide. These findings demonstrated that Euphorbia hirta possessed significant activity to prevent early and late phase allergic reactions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Isolation of the active compound in Mauria heterophylla, a peruvian plant with antibacterial activityPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2006Tatsuya Mori Abstract A fraction from the ethanol extract of the Peruvian medicinal plant Mauria heterophylla (Anacardiaceae) showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli 35992, Staphylococcus aureus 20213 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 15442. Further fractionation led to the isolation and characterization of ethyl gallate as the antibacterial active compound. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The antidiarrhoeal activity of Alchornea cordifolia leaf extractPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2004Gabriel A. Agbor Abstract Diarrhoea is a public health problem in developing countries. It is therefore important and useful to identify plants with antidiarrhoeal activity. Alchornea cordifolia is quoted by many traditional healers as a plant with this activity. The antidiarrhoeal activity of its leaf extract was investigated against castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice, using morphine as the standard reference drug. A signi,cant (p < 0.01) dose related (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg) antidiarrhoeal activity of A. cordifolia leaf ethanol extract was observed with 800 mg/kg extract being the most effective. It delayed mouse intestinal transit accelerated by castor oil, inhibited the production of diarrhoeal faeces and modi,ed the ,uid and electrolyte transport across the colonic mucosa when administered intraluminally. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins and ,avonoids which may account for the increased colonic water and electrolyte reabsorption, a mechanism suggested for the antidiarrhoeal activity of A. cordifolia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Analgesic studies on total alkaloids and alcohol extracts of Eclipta alba (Linn.) Hassk.PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004Mahesh Sawant Abstract A variety of analgesics are used for the treatment of acute and chronic pain in different disease states. A narcotic or a non-narcotic analgesic that does not cause respiratory depression and addiction is needed. In Ayurveda a large number of indigenous drugs have been mentioned possessing analgesic properties (e.g. Guggul, Erand, Rasna, Bhringaraj, Methika, Palandu and Prasikayavani). The present experimental research work was undertaken to determine the analgesic activity of the total ethanol extract of Eclipta alba, and also the isolated alkaloids of Eclipta alba in albino mice by using standard experimental models such as the tail clip method, the tail ,ick method and the acetic acid induced writhing response. The results from this study show that both the ethanol extract as well as the total alkaloids produce good analgesic activity in all the different models of analgesia used. The total alkaloidal fraction was the most ef,cacious in all models tested. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Anti-in,ammatory activity, cytotoxicity and active compounds of Tinospora smilacina Benth.PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004Rachel W. Li Abstract Tinospora smilacina Benth. has been used in Australian indigenous medicine for the treatment of headache, rheumatoid arthritis and other in,ammatory disorders. As part of an investigation into the anti-in,ammatory potential of plants using an ethnopharmacological approach, the present study sought to evaluate the ef,cacy and safety of Tinospora smilacina. An ethanol extract of this plant was evaluated in vitro for anti-in,ammatory activities on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and phospholipase A2 (PA2). The ethanol extract of Tinospora smilacina showed inhibitory activities on COX-1, COX-2, 5-LO and PA2 with the IC50 values of 63.5, 81.2, 92.1 and 30.5 µg/mL respectively. Cytotoxic effect of the extracts of Tinospora smilacina was investigated in vitro using ATP-based luminescence assay and the results showed no cytotoxic effect on cell lines of skin ,broblasts (1BR3), human Caucasian hepatocyte carcinoma (Hep G2) and human Caucasian promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60). This paper also describes the results of fractionations and bioassay guided chemical studies, suggesting that the anti-in,ammatory activity is due to triterpene-fatty acid esters and free fatty acids. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Tetracera loureiriPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2003Veerapol Kukongviriyapan Abstract Tetracera loureiri is one of the most valued herbs in Thai traditional medicine. In this study, we describe its in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. The ethanol extract of T. loureiri possessed potent antioxidant and strong free radical scavenging properties assayed using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), respectively. The cytoprotective effects of T. loureiri were demonstrated in ethanolic extracts of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes against the chemical toxicants paracetamol and tertiary-butylhydroperoxide. The cells pretreated with the extract maintained the GSH/GSSG ratio and suppressed lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner. Pretreating rats with the ethanol extract orally, one hour prior to intraperitoneal injection of toxic doses of paracetamol, signi,cantly prevented elevations of plasma ALT and AST. These results suggest that T. loureiri may be of potential therapeutic value in some liver disorders. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Hypolipidaemic activity of seaweed from Karachi coastPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 5 2002Jehan Ara Abstract During the present study, ethanol extracts of five seaweed species Solieria robusta, Iyengaria stellata, Colpomenia sinuosa, Spatoglossum asperum and Caulerpa racemosa at 10,mg/ 200,g body weight were tested for their hypolipidaemic activity. All the species significantly decreased the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in normal, triton-induced and diet-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. Solieria robusta was found to be the most effective in reducing the lipid profile, particularly in diet-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. A beneficial effect of the ethanol extract of S. asperum was also found on cardiac and liver enzymes in diet-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Analgesic and antiinflammatory properties of Sideritis lotsyi var. MascaensisPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002Margarita Hernández-Pérez Abstract The antiinflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial activities of crude ethanol extracts of Sideritis lotsyi var. mascaensis (Lamiaceae), and chloroform and aqueous fractions were evaluated in mice using paw and ear oedema induced by carrageenan and 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-acetate (TPA), respectively, as inflammation models, the writhing test induced by acetic acid for evaluating analgesic activity and the disk-diffusion method for testing antimicrobial actions. The results obtained demonstrated significant topical antiinflammatory and analgesic activities for the ethanol extract and chloroform fraction, but no relevant antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms tested. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Antiulcerogenic activity of crude ethanol extract and some fractions obtained from aerial parts of Artemisia annua L.PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2001Patrícia Corręa Dias Abstract The resulting enriched sesquiterpene lactone fraction and the crude ethanol extract of Artemisia annua L. aerial parts, showed antiulcerogenic activity when administered orally, on the indomethacin induced ulcer in rats. The sesquiterpene lactone fraction yielded three different polarity fractions on column chromatography as follows: non-polar, medium polarity and polar fraction, When submitted to the same indomethacin-induced ulcer in rats they resulted in different levels of inhibition of the ulcerative lesion index. The participation of nitric oxide was evaluated on an ethanol-induced ulcer model which had a previous administration of L -NAME, a NO-synthase inhibitor. Under these conditions, the medium polarity fraction maintained the antiulcerogenic activity, suggesting that nitric oxide could not be involved in the antiulcerogenic activity. When the animal groups were treated with N-ethylmaleimide, an alkylator of sulphhydryl groups, using the same experimental model, the medium polarity fraction maintained its antiulcerogenic activity, suggesting that the pharmacological mechanism is not related to non-protein sulphydryl compounds. On the ethanol-induced ulcer with previous indomethacin treatment, the medium polarity fraction lost its antiulcerogenic activity indicating that the active compounds of Artemisia annua L. increase the prostaglandin levels in the gastric mucosa. This hypothesis was reinforced by an increase of adherent mucus production by the gastric mucosa, produced by the medium polarity fraction on the hypothermic restraint stress induced ulcer model. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||