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Flower Extract (flower + extract)
Selected AbstractsBrassica oleracea pollen, a new source of occupational allergensALLERGY, Issue 4 2006H. K. Hermanides Background:, Vegetable pollen is a rare source of occupational allergens. Occupational allergy has only been described in the case of paprika pollen and tomato pollen. We describe a new source of occupational pollen allergy. Aim:, To study the incidence and the impact of broccoli and cauliflower pollen allergy in employees involved in classical plant breeding. Methods:, Fifty-four employees of five companies working with cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis) and broccoli (B. oleracea italica/cymosa) pollen were eligible for complete evaluation. Allergy to cauliflower and broccoli pollen was evaluated by questionnaire and determination of sensitization by radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin-prick tests (SPT). SPT and RAST were performed with a panel of commercial and homemade extracts from cauliflower and broccoli pollen. Results:, Work-related symptoms such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma and urticaria caused by B. oleracea pollen were reported by 44% of the participants (24/54), of whom all but one had positive SPT for cauliflower- and/or broccoli-pollen/flower extracts and 58% (14/24) had positive RAST results. Symptoms had developed within the first 2 years in 33% of the patients. Six patients had to stop or change work. Conclusions:,Brassica oleracea pollen is a new source of occupational allergen with strong allergenic potential leading to symptoms in almost half of the exposed employees. [source] Bacterial synthesis of poly(hydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate) using carbohydrate-rich mahua (Madhuca sp.) flowersJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007P.K. Anil Kumar Abstract Aims:, The objective of the present work was to utilize an unrefined natural substrate namely mahua (Madhuca sp.) flowers, as a carbon source for the production of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymer by Bacillus sp-256. Methods and Results:, In the present work, three bacterial strains were tested for PHA production on mahua flower extract (to impart 20 g l,1 sugar) amongst which, Bacillus sp-256 produced higher concentration of PHA in its biomass (51%) compared with Rhizobium meliloti (31%) or Sphingomonas sp (22%). Biosynthesis of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) , P(HB-co-HV) , of 90 : 10 mol% by Bacillus sp-256 was observed by gas chromatographic analysis of the polymer. Major component of the flower is sugars (57% on dry weight basis) and additionally it also contains proteins, vitamins, organic acids and essential oils. The bacterium utilized malic acid present in the substrate as a co-carbon source for the copolymer production. The flowers could be used in the form of aqueous extract or as whole flowers. PHA content of biomass (%) and yield (g l,1) in a 3·0-l stirred tank fermentor after 30 h of fermentation under constant pH (7) and dissolved oxygen content (40%) were 54% and 2·7 g l,1, respectively. Corresponding yields for control fermentation with sucrose as carbon source were 52% and 2·5 g l,1. The polymer was characterized by proton NMR. Conclusions:, Utilization of mahua flowers, a natural substrate for bacterial fermentation aimed at PHA production, had additional advantage, as the sugars and organic acids present in the flowers were metabolized by Bacillus sp-256 to synthesize P(HB-co-HV) copolymer. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Literature reports on utilization of suitable cheaper natural substrate for PHA copolymer production is scanty. Mahua flowers used in the present experiment is a cheaper carbon substrate compared with several commercial substrates and it is rich in main carbon as well as co-carbon sources that can be utilized by bacteria for PHA copolymer production. [source] Carthamus tinctorius flower extract prevents H2O2 -induced dysfunction and oxidative damage in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cellsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2010Eun Mi Choi Abstract The flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Compositae) have been widely used for enhancing blood circulation and postmenopausal disorder in women. In the present study, the potential protective effects of C. tinctorius flower extract (CFE) against reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced osteoblast dysfunction were investigated using osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The osteoblast function was assessed by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen content, calcium deposition, and RANKL production, and the oxidative status was assessed by measuring intracellular lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. A significant reduction in the alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen, and calcium deposition and an increase in the production of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) were observed after 0.3,mM H2O2 addition. The H2O2 -induced alterations were prevented by pre-incubating the osteoblasts with 2,10,,g/ml CFE for 48,h. When the oxidative stress was induced by H2O2, the increased production of protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde was also reduced at the same CFE concentration. These results demonstrate that C. tinctorius flower can act as a biological antioxidant in a cell culture experimental model and protect osteoblasts from oxidative stress-induced toxicity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Antiproliferative effects of different plant parts of Panax notoginseng on SW480 human colorectal cancer cellsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009Chong-Zhi Wang Abstract The chemical constituents and antiproliferative effects on SW480 human colorectal cancer cells of different plant parts of P. notoginseng were evaluated. The contents of saponins in extracts from root, rhizome, flower and berry of P. notoginseng were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. The contents and proportions of saponins were different among the four plant parts. Using the cell counting method, the antiproliferative effects were evaluated and the results indicated all four extracts, at 0.05,1.0 mg/mL, showed concentration-related antiproliferative effects on the cancer cells. The flower extract had stronger effects compared with the other three extracts; at 1.0 mg/mL, it inhibited the cell growth by 93.1% (p < 0.01). The antiproliferative effects of major saponins in notoginseng, notoginsenoside R1, ginsenosides Rb1, Rb3 and Rg1, were also evaluated, and the observed effects of major constituents support the pharmacological activities of extracts. The effects of notoginseng extracts on cell cycle and apoptosis of SW480 cells were determined using flow cytometry. Notoginseng extract can arrest the cells in S and G2/M phases. Remarkably apoptosis induction activities of notoginseng extracts were observed with the flower extract possessing the most potent effect, supporting the antiproliferative effect. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An in vitro evaluation of various Rosa damascena flower extracts as a natural antisolar agentINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 6 2003H. Tabrizi Synopsis The aim of this work was to evaluate ultraviolet (UV) absorption ability of various extracts of Rosa damascena flowers as an antisolar agent. Extracts were prepared using the following solvent mixtures: water:ethanol (50 : 50), ethyl acetate:ethanol (80 : 20) and ether. The hydroalcoholic and ethyl acetate:ethanol extracts were prepared by maceration, and ether extract was prepared by soxhletion. Preliminary studies on the extracts prepared confirmed the presence of flavonoids as the major components of all extracts. Next, the UV absorption spectra (in the range of 200,400 nm) of all extracts were obtained. Results show that all three extracts can effectively absorb UV radiation in the range of 200,400 nm. However, the range giving maximum absorption for the hydroalcoholic, ethyl acetate:ethanol and ether extracts were 200,320, 250,360 and 230,370 nm, respectively. In the next stage, extracts prepared were incorporated into an oil in water cream base (prepared based on preliminary studies), at two concentrations of 5 and 8%. The sun protection factor (SPF) of these creams were determined. Based on the findings, the hydroalcoholic extract seems to give the highest SPF among the three extracts evaluated, when incorporated to the cream base. On the other hand, by performing a few physicochemical tests on the prepared creams, cream containing 5% ether extract showed the most desirable appearance and stability among the creams investigated. The UV absorption ability of these extracts is suggested to be because of the presence of flavonoid compounds within the extracts. However, it should be noted that in order to obtain an effective suncare product with high SPF values, these extracts could be used along with other synthetic antisolar agents. Résumé Le but de ce travail était d'évaluer la capacité d'absorption des Ultraviolets (UV) de différents extraits de fleurs de Rosa damascena en tant qu'agents de protection solaire. Les extraits ont été préparés par utilization des mélanges de solvants suivants: Eau:ethanol (50 : 50), Acetate d'éthyle:ethanol (80 : 20) et l'Ether. Les extraits hydro-alcoolique et d'acétate d'ethyle:ethanol ont été réalisés par macération tandis que l'extrait d'éther était obtenu par l'utilization d'un soxhlet. Les études préliminaires des extraits ainsi préparés confirmaient la présence de flavonoïdes en tant que constituants majeurs de tous les extraits. Les spectres d'absorption UV (échelle 200,400 nm) furent ensuite obtenus. Les résultats montrent que tous les extarits peuvent absorber fortement les radiations UV dans l'échelle de 200 à 400 nm. Cependant, les domaines donnant le maximum d'absorption pour les extraits hydroalcoolique, acétate d'éthyle:ethanol et ether étaient respectivement de 200,320, 250,360 et 230,370 nm. Dans une étape ultérieure, les extraits ont été incorporés dans une base type crème huile dans l'eau (préparée selon des études préliminaires) aux deux concentrations de 5 et 8%. Les facteurs de protection solaire (SPF) de ces crèmes étaient ensuite déterminés. Les résultats ont montré que l'extrait hydroalcoolique semblait, parmi les trois, conduire au plus fort SPF, quand incorporé dans une base type crème. De plus, en conduisant quelques tests physioco chimiques sur les crèmes préparées, la crème contenant 5% de l'extrait par éther, comparé aux autres crèmes, offrait l'aspect le plus désirable et le plus stable. Il est suggéré que la capacité d'absorption UV de ces extraits est due à la présence des composés de type flavonoïdes en leur sein. On doit noter, cependant, qu'afin d'obtenir un produit solaire efficace à haut SPF, ces extraits pourraient être adjoints à d'autres filtres solaires synthétiques. [source] Effects of the herbal formulation ColiMil® on upper gastrointestinal transit in mice in vivoPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2007Raffaele Capasso Abstract Clinical evidence suggests that the herbal formulation ColiMil® (which contains Matricaria recutita flowers extract, Foeniculum vulgare fruit extract and Melissa officinalis aerial parts extract) is effective in the treatment of breastfed colic in infants. Therefore the effect of this phytotherapeutic formulation and its herbal constituents on upper gastrointestinal transit was investigated in mice in vivo. Oral administration of the herbal formulation (0.4,0.8 mL/mice) dose-dependently delayed upper gastrointestinal transit. Among the herbal components, Matricaria recutita extract (0.89 and 1.78 mg/mouse) and Melissa officinalis extract (6.46 and 12.92 mg/mouse), but not Foeniculum vulgare (8.21 and 16.42 mg/mouse), reduced motility significantly. These results suggest that ColiMil® reduces upper gastrointestinal motility in mice, with a major contribution by Matricaria recutita and Melissa officinalis. These experimental data may be important to better understand the observation that the herbal formulation ColiMil® improves colic in breastfed infants. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||