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Medicinal Value (medicinal + value)
Selected AbstractsEffects of Whey Permeate-Based Medium on the Proximate Composition of Lentinus edodes in the Submerged CultureJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2006Xiaojun Jeffrey Wu ABSTRACT:, Biomass production, crude water-soluble polysaccharide (WSP), ash content, mineral profile, and crude protein content were determined for Lentinus edodes mycelia grown on whey permeate (WP)-based medium with lactose content of 4.5% or defined synthetic medium, and harvested after 5, 10, 15, or 20 d of fermentation at 25 °C. Harvesting time and the type of media interact to alter the chemical content of mycelia. Mycelia grown in WP had greater (P < 0.05) WSP and ash than mycelia grown in the synthetic media. A maximum production of WSP was obtained on the 10th day (4.1 × 102± 71 mg WSP/g dried mycelia) from mycelia grown on the WP-based media. Mycelia grown on WP harvested on the 20th day had the highest value in ash content (18 ± 3%). Potassium was found to be the main constituent in the ash of mushroom mycelia, which was followed by phosphorus, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. A steady increase of ash content was only noted in mycelia grown on WP. The calcium content of WP-grown mycelia was at least 10 times higher compared to mycelia grown in the control media regardless the harvesting time. Data in this research suggested that WP was more favorable than the synthetic media in the production of WSP, which is traditionally known for their medicinal value in L. edodes. [source] Carbon-14 radiosynthesis of combretastatin A-1 (CA1) and its corresponding phosphate prodrug (CA1P)JOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 14 2009Rodney T. Brown Abstract The natural product combretastatin A-1 (CA1) is isolated from the African bush willow tree, a member of the Combretaceae family. CA1 has important medicinal value, due in part to its ability to inhibit tubulin assembly. The prodrug combretastatin A-1 diphosphate (CA1P; OXi4503) is currently in human Phase I clinical trials as a vascular disrupting agent. This paper describes the carbon-14 radiosynthesis of [4,- 14C]CA1 and the corresponding phosphate prodrug salt [4,- 14C]CA1P in high specific activity (55,mCi/mmol). The carbon-14 label was introduced by methylation of the C-4, protected phenolic moiety of the CA1 precursor following removal of the tert -butyldimethylsilyl protecting group in the presence of [14C]methyl iodide. This was accomplished in excellent yield without significant Z to E isomerization. The [14C]-precursor ((Z)-1-[3,,[4,- 14C],5,-trimethoxyphenyl]-2-[2,,3,-di-[(isopropyl)oxy]-4,-methoxyphenyl] ethene) was subjected to a de- isopropylation reaction with TiCl4. The tetrabenzyl phosphate derivative of the resulting diol was prepared using fresh dibenzyl phosphite. Debenzylation with trimethylsilylbromide, followed by hydrolysis of the trimethylsilyl ester and adjustment of the pH with dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid yielded [4,- 14C]CA1P with an overall radiochemical yield of 8.4%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna against Helicobacter pylori 26695 lipopolysaccharide-induced gastric ulcer in ratsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2008Rethinam Sundaresan Devi Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide (HP-LPS) is a potent virulence factor in the causation of gastric ulcer and gastritis. H. pylori -induced gastric pathology is prevalent throughout the world. Herbal medicines are attracting attention because of their traditional values, popularity and belief, as well as for their advantages such as less toxicity, affordability and medicinal value. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-ulcer effect of a methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna (TA) against HP-LPS-induced gastric damage in rats. Ulcers were induced with HP-LPS (50 ,g per animal) administered orally daily for 3 days. The efficacy of TA on gastric secretory parameters such as volume of gastric juice, pH, free and total acidity, pepsin concentration, and the cytoprotective parameters such as protein-bound carbohydrate complexes in gastric juice and gastric mucosa was assessed. The protective effect of TA was also confirmed by histopathological examination of gastric mucosa. HP-LPS-induced alterations in gastric secretory parameters were altered favourably in rats treated with TA, suggesting that TA has an anti-secretory role. Furthermore, HP-LPS-induced impairments in gastric defence factors were also prevented by treatment with TA. These results suggest that the severe cellular damage and pathological changes caused by HP-LPS are mitigated by TA; these effects are comparable with those of sucralfate. The anti-ulcer effect of TA may reflect its ability to combat factors that damage the gastric mucosa, and to protect the mucosal defensive factors. [source] Moringa oleifera: a food plant with multiple medicinal usesPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007Farooq Anwar Abstract Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a highly valued plant, distributed in many countries of the tropics and subtropics. It has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Different parts of this plant contain a profile of important minerals, and are a good source of protein, vitamins, , -carotene, amino acids and various phenolics. The Moringa plant provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, , -sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol. In addition to its compelling water purifying powers and high nutritional value, M. oleifera is very important for its medicinal value. Various parts of this plant such as the leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine, particularly in South Asia. This review focuses on the detailed phytochemical composition, medicinal uses, along with pharmacological properties of different parts of this multipurpose tree. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Molecular diversity of toxic components from the scorpion Heterometrus petersii venom revealed by proteomic and transcriptome analysisPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 13 2010Yibao Ma Abstract Scorpion venoms contain a vast untapped reservoir of natural products, which have the potential for medicinal value in drug discovery. In this study, toxin components from the scorpion Heterometrus petersii venom were evaluated by transcriptome and proteome analysis. Ten known families of venom peptides and proteins were identified, which include: two families of potassium channel toxins, four families of antimicrobial and cytolytic peptides, and one family from each of the calcium channel toxins, La1-like peptides, phospholipase A2, and the serine proteases. In addition, we also identified 12 atypical families, which include the acid phosphatases, diuretic peptides, and ten orphan families. From the data presented here, the extreme diversity and convergence of toxic components in scorpion venom was uncovered. Our work demonstrates the power of combining transcriptomic and proteomic approaches in the study of animal venoms. [source] Biochemical composition of the wild and cultured seahorses, Hippocampus kuda Bleeker and Hippocampus trimaculatus LeachAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2009Qiang Lin Abstract The biochemical composition of wild and cultured seahorses Hippocampus kuda Bleeker and Hippocampus trimaculatus Leach was analysed in this study. The crude protein contents (% dry weight) of wild seahorses were high: 72.7±2.5% in H. kuda and 78.5±4.2% in H. trimaculatus. The crude lipid contents (% dry weight) of wild and cultured seahorses (1.1±0.1 vs. 1.4±0.2 for H. kuda and 1.2±0.1 vs. 1.2±0.2 for H. trimaculatus) were low and did not differ significantly (F3, 12=1.461, P=0.12). The essential amino acids and flavour-enhancing amino acids in wild seahorses were higher than those in cultured seahorses, although the essential amino acid index in wild and cultured H. kuda and H. trimaculatus were generally low. The total amino acid content decreased with growth in cultured H. trimaculatus (F3, 12=14.927, P<0.05). The poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents in wild and cultured H. kuda and H. trimaculatus were 21.69%, 37.72%, 21.39% and 33.89% respectively. The fatty acid content in seahorses first decreased and then increased with growth both in wild and in cultured H. trimaculatus. The PUFA/saturated fatty acid ratio was 1.31 in cultured H. kuda and 0.87 in cultured H. trimaculatus. The trace metal concentrations in the wild seahorses were relatively low. The results presented in this study provide biochemical information necessary for understanding the medicinal value of H. kuda and H. trimaculatus and for elucidating the potential dietary requirements for their culture. [source] The extent of marketability and consumer preferences for traditional leafy vegetables , a case study at selected markets in GhanaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 3 2009Wilhemina Quaye Abstract This paper reports on a survey conducted at two major marketing centres in Ghana; Tamale in the dry savannah zone and Kumasi in the forest zone. One hundred traders were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and focus groups discussions held on traders' perceptions and consumer preferences, relative importance and indigenous nutritional knowledge of traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs). The survey established that, with the exception of Xanthosoma mafafa (cocoyam leaves), inter-market distribution of TLVs is limited because of their perishable nature, narrow utilization base and lack of storage techniques. Socio-culturally related factors limiting the distribution of TLVs include regional diversity and ethnic differences in the dietary patterns of the Ghanaian populace, inadequate knowledge about the methods of preparations as well as nutritional and medicinal values of TLVs. The most preferred TLVs as reflected in the consumers' buying behaviour and traders' perceptions are Xanthosoma mafafa (cocoyam leaves), Corchorus spp.(Ayoyo), Amaranthus spp (Alefu) and Hibicus sabdariffa (Bra). The order of preference in the forest zone is Xanthosoma mafafa (cocoyam leaves) > Corchorus spp.(Ayoyo) > Amaranthus spp (Alefu) > Hibicus sabdariffa (Bra), while the reverse order pertains in the savannah zone. [source] |