Officinalis

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Officinalis

  • c. officinali
  • magnolia officinali
  • melissa officinali
  • rosmarinus officinali
  • sepia officinali
  • valeriana officinali

  • Terms modified by Officinalis

  • officinali extract
  • officinali l.

  • Selected Abstracts


    Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics

    CONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 4 2002
    Evy Paulsen
    The Compositae (Asteraceae) family of plants is currently an important cause of allergic plant contact dermatitis in Europe. The family comprises some of the oldest and most valued medicinal plants, and the increasing popularity of herbal medicine and cosmetics may theoretically result in a growing number of Compositae sensitizations from these sources. According to the literature at least 15 species, including among others arnica (Arnica montana), German and Roman chamomile (Chamomilla recutita and Chamaemelum nobile), marigold (Calendula officinalis), Echinacea and elecampane (Inula helenium), have been suspected of sensitization or elicitation of Compositae dermatitis. Epidemiological data are available for 2 species only, arnica and German chamomile, the rest of the evidence being anecdotal. Based on this, sensitization seems to occur relatively frequently with a few species such as arnica and elecampane, and occurs rarely with the majority, especially the widely used German chamomile. Sesquiterpene lactones are the most important allergens, but there are a few cases of sensitization from a coumarin, a sesquiterpene alcohol and a thiophene. The risk of elicitation of dermatitis by using Compositae-containing products in Compositae-sensitive individuals is by-and-large unknown. [source]


    Runoff and soil loss under individual plants of a semi-arid Mediterranean shrubland: influence of plant morphology and rainfall intensity

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 5 2006
    E. Bochet
    Abstract The influence of plant morphology and rainfall intensity on soil loss and runoff was determined at the plant scale for three representative species of a semi-arid patchy shrubland vegetation of east Spain, representing contrasting canopy structures and plant phenologies (Rosmarinus officinalis, Anthyllis cytisoides and Stipa tenacissima). Twenty-seven microplots of less than 1 m2, each containing one single plant, were built to quantify runoff volume and sediment yield under the canopies of the three species. Runoff and rates of soil loss measured in these plots under natural rainfall conditions were compared with control microplots built in the bare inter-plant areas. Precipitation was automatic-ally recorded and rainfall intensity calculated over a two-year period. Results indicated that individual plants played a relevant role in interrill erosion control at the microscale. Compared with a bare soil surface, rates of soil loss and runoff reduction varied strongly depending on the species. Cumulative soil loss was reduced by 94·3, 88·0 and 30·2 per cent, and cumulative runoff volume was reduced by 66·4, 50·8 and 18·4 per cent under the Rosmarinus, Stipa and Anthyllis canopies, respectively, compared with a bare surface. Anthyllis was significantly less efficient than the two other species in reducing runoff volume under its canopy. Differences between species could only be identified above a rainfall intensity threshold of 20 mm h,1. The different plant morphologies and plant compon-ents explained the different erosive responses of the three species. Canopy cover played a major role in runoff and soil loss reduction. The presence of a second layer of protection at the soil surface (litter cover) was fundamental for erosion control during intense rainfall. Rainfall intensity and soil water status prior to rainfall strongly influenced runoff and soil loss rates. The possible use of these species in restoration programmes of degraded areas is discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Preferential occurrence of diazotrophic endophytes, Azoarcus spp., in wild rice species and land races of Oryza sativa in comparison with modern races

    ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000
    Margret Engelhard
    Several diazotrophic species of Azoarcus spp. occur as endophytes in the pioneer plant Kallar grass. The purpose of this study was to screen Asian wild rice and cultivated Oryza sativa varieties for natural association with these endophytes. Populations of culturable diazotrophs in surface-sterilized roots were characterized by 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and Azoarcus species were identified by genomic fingerprints. A. indigens and Azoarcus sp. group C were detected only rarely, whereas Azoarcus sp. group D occurred frequently in samples of flooded plants: in 75% of wild rice, 80% of land races of O. sativa from Nepal and 33% of modern cultivars from Nepal and Italy. The putatively endophytic populations of diazotrophs differed with the rice genotype. The diversity of cultured diazotrophs was significantly lower in wild rice species than in modern cultivars. In Oryza officinalis (from Nepal) and O. minuta (from the Philippines), Azoarcus sp. group D were the predominant diazotrophic putative endophytes in roots. In contrast, their number was significantly lower in modern cultivars of O. sativa, whereas numbers and diversity of other diazotrophs, such as Azospirillum spp., Klebsiella sp., Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Burkholderia sp. and Azorhizobium caulinodans, were increased. In land races of O. sativa, the diazotrophic diversity was equally high; however, Azoarcus sp. was found in high apparent numbers. Similar differences in populations were also observed in a culture-independent approach comparing a wild rice (O. officinalis) and a modern-type O. sativa plant: in clone libraries of root-associated nitrogenase (nifH,) gene fragments, the diazotrophic diversity was lower in the wild rice species. New lineages of nifH genes were detected, e.g. one deeply branching cluster within the anf (iron) nitrogenases. Our studies demonstrate that the natural host range of Azoarcus spp. extends to rice, wild rice species and old varieties being preferred over modern cultivars. [source]


    Modulation of spontaneous and evoked EPSCs and IPSCs in optic lobe neurons of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis by the neuropeptide FMRF-amide

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2003
    Abdesslam Chrachri
    Abstract The effects of the neuropeptide FMRFa on spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs), as well as on evoked EPSCs and IPSCs, in two types of neurons within the central optic lobe of cuttlefish were examined using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. FMRFa (1,10 µm) did not affect cell membrane resting potentials, but reversibly reduced both the frequency and amplitude of sEPSCs in neurons within the medulla region of the optic lobe while increasing the frequency and amplitude of their sIPSCs. For centrifugal neurons in the inner granule cell layer of the optic lobe, FMRFa (1,10 µm) decreased both the frequency and amplitude of sEPSCs. In the presence of tetrodotoxin (0.5 µm), neither the interevent interval, nor amplitude distributions of the miniature EPSCs or the miniature IPSCs, were affected by FMRFa, implying a presynaptic action of FMRFa on the optic lobe neurons. Bath application of the neuropeptide also abolished or reduced in amplitude the evoked EPSCs and increased the amplitude of evoked IPSCs in optic lobe neurons, showing that FMRFa induced similar effects on evoked as on spontaneous postsynaptic currents. These results demonstrate the complex range of modulatory effects FMRFa can have within central nervous system circuits. [source]


    Repellent studies with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and human olfactory tests on 19 essential oils from Corsica, France

    FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009
    J. Drapeau
    Abstract In order to reduce the risk of getting infected with any epidemic disease transmitted by mosquitoes, repellent products are often used to protect populations at risk. The repellent potential of 19 essential oils from the island of Corsica, France, was evaluated in a bio-assay with the mosquito Aedes aegypti, in order to assess the ,space repellent' properties of these oils. Lavendula stoechas, Helichrysum italicum (leaves) and Laurus nobilis oils showed a capability of reducing the attractivity of a human finger for yellow fever mosquitoes in a Y-tube olfactometer. In addition to the behavioural studies on mosquitoes, two tests on the olfactory perception of these 19 oils were performed, involving 25 female and 25 male human volunteers. The aspects studied were the ,hedonic dimension' of these oils and their acceptance as a final fragrance for a repellent formulation. The experiments yielded promising results concerning both aspects for three oils, from Calamintha nepeta, Laurus nobilis and Rosmarinus officinalis, with minor differences between male and female participants. Laurus nobilis oil was the only oil tested fulfilling both properties: a spatial repellent effect on Aedes aegypti and acceptance by the volunteers for its integration in a repellent product. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that Calamintha nepeta oil has a slower evaporation rate in comparison to the Laurus nobilis and Rosmarinus officinalis oils. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Salvia officinalis (sage) improves cognitive performance in the healthy elderly

    FOCUS ON ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH, Issue 3 2008
    A Scholey
    [source]


    No effect of Piper methysticum (kava) and Valeriana officinalis (valerian) for relief of anxiety and insomnia

    FOCUS ON ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH, Issue 1 2006
    Article first published online: 14 JUN 2010
    [source]


    The inhibitory effect of the components of Cornus officinalis on melanogenesis

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008
    Yasuhiko 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]


    The comparison of in vivo antigenotoxic and antioxidative capacity of two propylene glycol extracts of Calendula officinalis (marigold) and vitamin E in young growing pigs

    JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 6 2009
    T. Franki
    Summary The objective of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of Calendula officinalis propylene glycol extracts against oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation induced by high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake in young growing pigs. Forty young growing pigs were assigned to five treatment groups: control; oil (linseed oil supplementation); C. officinalis 1 and 2 groups (linseed oil plus 3 ml/day of C. officinalis propylene glycol extracts); and vitamin E group (linseed oil plus 100 mg/kg of vitamin E). Lymphocyte DNA fragmentation and 24-h urinary 8-hydroxy-2,-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion were measured to determine DNA damage. Lipid peroxidation was studied by analysing plasma and urine malondialdehyde (MDA), and urine isoprostane concentrations (iPF2,-VI), total antioxidant status of plasma and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) assays. C. officinalis 1 (extract from petals) effectively protected DNA from oxidative damage. It indicated a numerical trend towards the reduction of plasma MDA and urinary iPF2,-VI excretion. Its effect was comparable with that of vitamin E. C. officinalis 2 (extract from flower tops) showed less antioxidant potential than the extract from petals. We can conclude that the amount of C. officinalis extracts proposed for internal use by traditional medicine protects the organism against DNA damage induced by high PUFA intake. [source]


    The host plant range of the pea aphid subspecies Acyrthosiphon pisum ssp. destructor (Johnson) (Hom., Aphididae)

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6 2002
    R. I. K. McVean
    The plant species used were: Lotus uliginosus, Medicago sativa, Melilotus officinalis, Ononis repens, Sarothamnus scoparius, Trifolium hybridum, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca and Vicia faba. Vicia faba and Trifolium hybridum were the plants on which aphids reached the greatest size, took the least time to reach maturity, and experienced the lowest mortality. The time taken for the aphids to develop to maturity was negatively correlated with adult size, whereas survival to maturity was positively correlated with adult size. The host preference of the aphids was also assessed. The plant species selected as hosts by alatae were those on which their offspring performed best. [source]


    Differentiation of Candida dubliniensis from Candida albicans on rosemary extract agar and oregano extract agar

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2008
    Érico Silva de Loreto
    Abstract Candida dubliniensis is a recently described pathogenic species which shares many phenotypic features with Candida albicans and therefore, may be misidentified in microbiological laboratories. Because molecular methods can be onerous and unfeasible in routine mycological laboratories with restricted budgets such as those in developing countries, phenotypic techniques have been encouraged in the development of differential media for the presumptive identification of these species. We examined the colony morphology and chlamydospore production of 30 C. dubliniensis isolates and 100 C. albicans isolates on two new proposed media: rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract agar (REA) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) extract agar (OEA). These substrates are traditionally used as spices and medicinal herbs. In both of these media, all C. dubliniensis isolates (100%) showed rough colonies with peripheral hyphal fringes and abundant chlamydospores after 24 to 48,hr of incubation at 25°C. In contrast, under the same conditions, all isolates of C. albicans (100%) showed smooth colonies without hyphal fringes or chlamydospores. In conclusion, REA and OEA offer a simple, rapid, and inexpensive screening media for the differentiation of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:172,177, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Phytotherapeutics: an evaluation of the potential of 1000 plants

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2010
    G. Cravotto MD
    Summary Objective:, The aim of this review is to evaluate and summarize the available scientific information on the commonest plant extracts marketed in Western countries. In view of the intense, ongoing search for new plant extracts with powerful anti-inflammatory activity, we paid particular attention to this topic. The aim is to provide broad coverage of as many potentially useful plants as possible and then to focus on those with the greatest therapeutic potential. Methods:, Our bibliographic sources were the SciFinder databases: CAPLUS, MEDLINE, REGISTRY, CASREACT, CHEMLIST, CHEMCATS (update to October 2007). In order to assess the value of clinical trials, we focused a specific search on clinical investigations concerning nine plants with the most trial data, viz., Althaea officinalis, Calendula officinalis, Centella asiatica, Echinacea purpurea, Passiflora incarnata, Punica granatum, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Vaccinium myrtillus, Valeriana officinalis. This was carried out in several databases (update to June 2008): ISI Web of KnowledgeSM (ISI WoK), SciFinder (CAPLUS, MEDLINE, REGISTRY, CASREACT, CHEMLIST, CHEMCATS) and PubMed (indexed for MEDLINE). Results:, Our survey covers roughly a 1000 plants, although clinical trials have been published only for 156 plants supporting specific pharmacological activities and therapeutic applications. However, for about half of the plants, in vitro and in vivo studies provide some support for therapeutic use. For one-fifth of the plants included in our search, only phytochemical studies were found. Their properties and indications were often attributed to the presence of certain compounds, but no evidence concerning the activities of the whole extracts was presented. We found that for about 12% of the plants, currently available on the Western market, no substantial studies on their properties had been published, while there was strong evidence that 1 in 200 were toxic or allergenic, so that their use ought to be discouraged or forbidden. Nine plants had considerable evidence of therapeutic effect, viz., A. officinalis, Calendula officinalis, Centella asiatica, E. purpurea, Passiflora incarnata, Punica granatum, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Vaccinium myrtillus, Valeriana officinalis. Conclusion:, The present review provides a baseline on the level of evidence available on many herbal preparations and should be of help to those intending to research further on these topics. [source]


    Morph-ratio variation, population size and female reproductive success in distylous Pulmonaria officinalis (Boraginaceae)

    JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
    R. BRYS
    Abstract Theory predicts that morph ratios in heterostylous populations are governed by negative frequency-dependent selection typically resulting in equal morph ratios at equilibrium. Previous work on the distylous perennial herb Pulmonaria officinalis, however, showed asymmetric mating between floral morphs and a weak self-incompatibility system, with the long-styled morph (L-morph) producing significantly higher seed set following intramorph crosses and even selfing than the short-styled morph (S-morph), two aspects thought to affect female fecundity and morph-ratio variation. Here, we evaluated morph ratios and population size of all known P. officinalis populations in the northern part of Belgium. Morph ratios deviated significantly from 1 : 1 (range 0.09,1 L-morph frequency, mean = 0.58). Relative fecundity of the S-morph (i.e. mean seed set of the S-morph/mean seed set of the L-morph) was on average 0.73, was positively related to the frequency of the L-morph, and reached 1 (similar levels of female fecundity) at an average L-morph frequency of 0.66 in the population. As some small populations had the S-morph in majority, our results suggest that local morph ratios are influenced both by the relative fecundity of L- and S-morph individuals and by stochastic processes in small populations. [source]


    INFLUENCE OF SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE AND METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF ROSEMARY ON OXIDATION AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF WHEAT GERM OIL

    JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 6 2009
    OZLEM YESIL-CELIKTAS
    ABSTRACT Both supercritical CO2 and methanolic extracts from the leaves of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) harvested from three different locations of Turkey at four different times of the year were added at a concentration of 100 mg/kg to wheat germ oil. Wheat germ oil samples were stored in an incubator for 10 days at 50C in order to promote oxidation and for the efficacy of the extracts for stabilization purposes to be examined. Degree of oxidation was determined by peroxide and p -anisidine values, which were performed every 2 days. Extracts from Mersin and Canakkale regions performed better results. Additionally, June and September harvests had lower peroxide values. According to the descriptive sensory analysis, both locations and extraction methods were found to effect flavor. Some flavor attributes, such as wheatlike/starchy, fishy and rubbery/metallic changed during storage regardless of locations and extraction methods. Supercritical CO2 extracts performed better results in terms of both oxidation and sensory properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS From the perspective of the food industry, wheat germ oil stabilized with a natural antioxidant such as rosemary can be marketed as a functional product that can create a niche. Rosemary extracts containing higher amounts of rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid should be preferred in order to provide a better shelf life of an edible oil such as wheat germ oil. [source]


    EFFECTS OF PRETREATMENT WITH ROSEMARY (ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS L.) IN THE PREVENTION OF LIPID OXIDATION IN SALTED TILAPIA FILLETS

    JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 5 2008
    M. DA SILVA AFONSO
    ABSTRACT To delay lipid oxidation during meat processing, synthetic antioxidants have been used in the food industry, but the consumers' concern over their toxicity increased interest in research with natural antioxidants. The aim of this work was to analyze the water activity (Aw), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), moisture and trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen (TCASN) in brined tilapia fillets treated or pretreated with natural rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis) and stored for 240 days at ,18C. Higher Aw (0.900 ± 0.010) and moisture (70.13 ± 0.20) values were observed in the pretreated fillets. The TBARS values in the treatment (3.31 ± 0.79) and pretreatment (3.39 ± 0.53) were half the value of the control treatment (6.14 ± 1.21) at 240 days. Statistical differences were observed in TCASN values in 180 (0.112 ± 0.020) and 240 (0.132 ± 0.017) days, with the pretreatment showing a more protective effect in protein oxidation. In this study, rosemary proved to be protective during the frozen storage, especially when its extract was used as pretreatment, before the salting process. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Fish consumption is highly elastic, because the annual average consumption of seafood per person in Brazil is only 6.8 kg. The federal government has set a goal to increase it to 12 kg by 2007. Salting is an older food preservation process still used today, and is extremely important because, despite advances in food technology, increased monitoring and improved knowledge, it is emphasized as an easy, cheap and effective process that does not require refrigeration. Tilapia is a highly prolific fish, with a production volume that is increasingly higher each year in Brazil. Therefore, it calls for interesting research to allow an increased shelf life for this species. [source]


    Pharmacological profile of essential oils derived from Lavandula angustifolia and Melissa officinalis with anti-agitation properties: focus on ligand-gated channels

    JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 11 2008
    Liping Huang
    Both Melissa officinalis (Mo) and Lavandula angustifolia (La) essential oils have putative anti-agitation properties in humans, indicating common components with a depressant action in the central nervous system. A dual radioligand binding and electrophysiological study, focusing on a range of ligand-gated ion channels, was performed with a chemically validated essential oil derived from La, which has shown clinical benefit in treating agitation. La inhibited [35S] TBPS binding to the rat forebrain gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor channel (apparent IC50 = 0.040 ± 0.001 mg mL,1), but had no effect on N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A 50:50 mixture of Mo and La essential oils inhibited [3H] flunitrazepam binding, whereas the individual oils had no significant effect. Electrophysiological analyses with rat cortical primary cultures demonstrated that La reversibly inhibited GABA-induced currents in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01,1 mg mL,1), whereas no inhibition of NMDA- or AMPA-induced currents was noted. La elicited a significant dose-dependent reduction in both inhibitory and excitatory transmission, with a net depressant effect on neurotransmission (in contrast to the classic GABAA antagonist picrotoxin which evoked profound epileptiform burst firing in these cells). These properties are similar to those recently reported for Mo. The anti-agitation effects in patients and the depressant effects of La we report in neural membranes in-vitro are unlikely to reflect a sedative interaction with any of the ionotropic receptors examined here. These data suggest that components common to the two oils are worthy of focus to identify the actives underlying the neuronal depressant and anti-agitation activities reported. [source]


    Pharmacological profile of an essential oil derived from Melissa officinalis with anti-agitation properties: focus on ligand-gated channels

    JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008
    Sawsan Abuhamdah
    A dual radioligand binding and electrophysiological study, focusing on a range of ligand-gated ion channels, was performed with a chemically-validated essential oil derived from Melissa officinalis (MO), which has shown clinical benefit in treating agitation. MO inhibited binding of [35S] t -butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) to the rat forebrain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor channel (apparent IC50 0.040±0.001 mg mL,1), but had no effect on N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropianate (AMPA) or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Electrophysiological analyses with primary cultures of rat cortical neurons demonstrated that MO reversibly inhibited GABA-induced currents in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01,1 mg mL,1), whereas no inhibition of NMDA- or AMPA-induced currents was noted. Interestingly, MO elicited a significant dose-dependent reduction in both inhibitory and excitatory transmission, with a net depressant effect on neurotransmission (in contrast to the classical GABAA antagonist picrotoxinin which evoked profound epileptiform burst firing in these cells). The anti-agitation effects in patients and the depressant effects of MO in in-vitro we report in neural membranes are unlikely to reflect a sedative interaction with any of the ionotropic receptors examined here. [source]


    The Anxiolytic Effect of Two Oriental Herbal Drugs in Japan Attributed to Honokiol from Magnolia Bark

    JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 11 2000
    HISASHI KURIBARA
    An improved elevated plus-maze test in mice revealed that seven daily treatments with two differnt traditional Chinese medicines, known as Kampo medicines in Japan, Hange-koboku-to (composed of extracts of 5 plants) and Saiboku-to (composed of extracts of 10 plants), produced an anxiolytic effect, and the effect was mainly due to the presence of honokiol derived from magnolia. This study was carried out to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of honokiol, Hange-koboku-to and Saiboku-to, which were prescribed with two different magnolia samples: Kara-koboku (Magnoliae officinalis) (KA) or Wa-koboku (Magnoliae obovata) (WA). The doses of test samples were adjusted to ensure a constant dose of honokiol at 0.2 mg kg,1. Although the doses of magnolol (an isomer of honokiol), as well as those of undetermined chemicals, varied among samples, the seven daily treatments with 9 out of 10 test samples produced an anxiolytic effect almost equivalent to that produced by 0.2 mg kg,1 honokiol. The only exception was the sample containing the lowest amount of honokiol. Magnolia-free preparations of Hange-koboku-to or Saiboku-to did not have any anxiolytic effect. These results confirm that honokiol derived from magnolia is the causal chemical of the anxiolytic effect of Hange-koboku-to and Saiboku-to. [source]


    BIODIVERSITY OF CORALLINE ALGAE IN THE NORTHEASTERN ATLANTIC INCLUDING CORALLINA CAESPITOSA SP.

    JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
    NOV. (CORALLINOIDEAE, RHODOPHYTA)
    The Corallinoideae (Corallinaceae) is represented in the northeastern Atlantic by Corallina officinalis L.; Corallina elongata J. Ellis et Sol.; Haliptilon squamatum (L.) H. W. Johans., L. M. Irvine et A. M. Webster; and Jania rubens (L.) J. V. Lamour. The delimitation of these geniculate coralline red algae is based primarily on morphological characters. Molecular analysis based on cox1 and 18S rRNA gene phylogenies supported the division of the Corallinoideae into the tribes Janieae and Corallineae. Within the Janieae, a sequence difference of 46,48 bp (8.6%,8.9%) between specimens of H. squamatum and J. rubens in the cox1 phylogeny leads us to conclude that they are congeneric. J. rubens var. rubens and J. rubens var. corniculata (L.) Yendo clustered together in both phylogenies, suggesting that for those genes, there was no genetic basis for the morphological variation. Within the Corallineae, it appears that in some regions, the name C. elongata has been misapplied. C. officinalis samples formed two clusters that differed by 45,54 bp (8.4%,10.0%), indicating species-level divergence, and morphological differences were sufficient to define two species. One of these clusters was consistent with the morphology of the type specimen of C. officinalis (LINN 1293.9). The other species cluster is therefore described here as Corallina caespitosa sp. nov. This study has demonstrated that there is a clear need for a revision of the genus Corallina to determine the extent of "pseudocryptic" diversity in this group of red algae. [source]


    Isolation of inulin-type oligosaccharides from Chinese traditional medicine: Morinda officinalis How and their characterization using ESI-MS/MS

    JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 1 2010
    Zhenmin Yang
    Abstract Inulin-type oligosaccharides with different DP were prepared by size-exclusion chromatography and purity of each oligosaccharide was determined by HPLC equipped with cyclodextrin-bond column. The purities of obtained inulin-type oligosaccharides with different DP were more than 98% by one-step process. The DP and molecular weight were obtained through ESI-MS in negative mode. The characterization of the inulin-type oligosaccharides with different DP was studied by MS/MS spectra obtained by collision-induced dissociation of molecular ions ([M,H],). When the DP was lower, the fragment ions were formed through cross-ring cleavages of two bonds within the sugar ring and glycosidic cleavages. However, with the increase of DP, the ions resulting from glycosidic cleavages between two sugar residues were predominant. [source]


    Rapid analysis of constituents of Radix Cyathulae using hydrophilic interaction-reverse phase LC-MS

    JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 22 2009
    Mei-Ting Ren
    Abstract A hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) and reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) coupled with electrospray TOF MS method was developed for the analysis and characterization of constituents in the radix of Cyathula officinalis Kuan. Separation parameters of HILIC such as buffer pH, mobile phase strength, and organic modifier were evaluated. Fructose, glucose, and sucrose were identified by HILIC-ESI/TOF MS. Reverse-phase liquid chromatography-ESI/TOF MS were applied for quick and sensitive identification of major saponins in Cyathula officinalis. In-source collision-induced dissociation has been performed to elucidate the fragmentation pathways of oleanane-, hederagenin-, and gypsogmin-type saponins. Twelve saponins were characterized in this plant for the first time, and four of them were presumed to be new compounds. In addition, one phytoecdysteroid (cyasterone) and one coumarin (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) were detected at the same time. The present method was capable of rapid characterizing and providing structure information of constituents from herbal drugs. [source]


    Enantiomeric purity of (+/,)-methyl jasmonate in fresh leaf samples and commercial fragrances

    JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 13 2007
    Maria L. Ruiz del Castillo
    Abstract The enantiomeric purity of (+/,)-methyl jasmonate in fresh leaf material of Jasminum from different species and Rosmarinus officinalis was examined by solid-phase microextraction-GC-MS (SPME-GC-MS). For comparison with these natural products, commercial jasmine and rosemary fragrances were also studied. The extraction conditions were selected as a result of testing different values of temperature (40, 50, and 60°C) and time (2, 15, 30, and 40 min). The results obtained in this work revealed a range of enantiomeric excesses for (+/,)-methyl jasmonate varying from 13 to 95% depending on the Jasminum specie considered. In contrast, (,)-methyl jasmonate always occurred as a pure enantiomer in all R. officinalis samples studied. This implies those Jasminum species in which the enantiomeric purity of (,)-methyl jasmonate is high enough and any R. officinalis sample might be used as natural sources of pure (,)-methyl jasmonate. Concerning the commercial fragrances, those of jasmine showed enantiomeric composition of (,)-methyl jasmonate ranging from 1 to 15% whereas those of rosemary exhibited practically the pure (,)-methyl jasmonate. This fact suggests the addition and nonaddition of the racemic mixture of methyl jasmonate to the commercial jasmine and rosemary samples, respectively. [source]


    Comparison of various extraction techniques for isolation and determination of isoflavonoids in plants

    JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 1 2007
    Bajer
    Abstract In the present paper, the following extraction techniques have been used for extracting isoflavonoids from the species Matricaria recutita, Rosmarinus officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, and Agrimonia eupatoria L.: supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pressurized fluid extraction, matrix solid phase dispersion, ultrasonic extraction in an ultrasonic bath (USE) and by means of an ultrasonic homogeniser (HOM), extraction by means of Soxhlet apparatus (SOX), and solid phase extraction. Experimental optimization of all techniques has been carried out using a soybean flour. Subsequent analyses of the extracts were carried out by liquid chromatography with UV detection. The maximum yields of daidzein and genistein were obtained by extraction with the SOX, USE, and HOM techniques. The maximum yields of apigenin and biochanin A from herb samples were obtained by SFE. [source]


    Determination of tribromophenol and pentachlorophenol and its metabolite pentachloroanisole in Asparagus officinalis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

    JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 9-10 2003
    Claudia Mardones
    Abstract A GC-MS method was developed and optimized for simultaneous determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP), and pentachloroanisole (PCA) residues in the edible part of Asparagus officinalis. For this purpose, two procedures were evaluated: the direct separation of PCP, TBP, and PCA and the separation of acetyl-PCP, acetyl-TBP, and non-acetylated PCA. Better sensitivity and quantitative results, especially for PCP, were obtained after acetylation. The residues of PCP and TBP were extracted as phenolates and acetylated in a carbonate solution. Acetylated compounds were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with hexane, while PCA was directly leached with this solvent. The proposed method allows the rapid quantification of traces of PCP, TBP, and PCA in a concentration ranging between 1.0 and 8.0 ng mL,1 in solution (corresponding to 0.3 and 8.0 ,g kg,1 in asparagus). In this concentration range, typical recoveries for PCA, TBP, and PCP from asparagus samples were 59%, 86%, and 97% respectively (RSDs 3,7%). [source]


    Morphogenetic significance of the conchal furrow in nautiloids: evidence from early embryonic shell development of Jurassic Nautilida

    LETHAIA, Issue 3 2003
    RéGIS CHIRAT
    As reported by many workers over the past two centuries, the inner part of the shell of various straight and coiled Palaeozoic to tertiary nautiloid taxa bears a continuous mid-ventral furrow that extends into the phragmocone and the body chamber nearly to the aperture. Study of the early embryonic shell development of Jurassic Nautilida shows that the most apical part of this so-called conchal furrow originates from the inner part of the initial, calcified shell apex, in line with the inner ventral termination of the central linear depression of the cicatrix, the initial site of shell deposition. The conchal furrow corresponds to a morphological feature arising as a developmental by-product. Rare specimens of scattered ammonoid species (and possibly of bactritoids) display a similar feature, whereas their protoconch lacks a cicatrix. However, the protoconch of recent cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, often displays a longitudinal fold of the primary shell epithelium. A longitudinal groove or a pair of grooves appears connected with this cicatrix-like structure. Although the mid-ventral ridge in ammonoids must probably be viewed as an incidental ,fabricational noise', whether or not it originates from a so far undocumented optional ridge on the protoconch or from some other structure related to shell development remains an open question. [source]


    Saponaria officinalis karyology and karyotype by means of image analyzer and atomic force microscopy

    MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 10 2008
    S. Di Bucchianico
    Abstract The aim of this work was to offer a contribution to the characterization of taxonomic entity of Saponaria officinalis (2n = 28; an herbaceous perennial species; saporin, a type 1 Ribosome Inactivating Protein, is present in leaves and seeds) by a cytogenetic and karyomorphological approach. We investigated the karyotype's morphometry correlated with Stebbin's symmetric index; the same information has been used for computing the indices resemblance between chromosomes (REC), symmetric indices (SYI), and total form (TF%) which allow the comparison between species and evaluation of karyological evolution. Fluorescence intensities of the stained nuclei were measured by a flow cytometer and, for the first time, values for nuclear DNA content were estimated by comparing nuclei fluorescence intensities of the test population with those of appropriate internal DNA standards. Our study is also aimed to introduce chromosomal volumes, which were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), as novel karyomorphological parameter which could allow for chromosome discrimination especially when tiny ones are present. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Differences in X-ray absorption due to cadmium treatment in Saponaria officinalis leaves

    MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 1 2004
    Lucia Reale
    Abstract A method for detecting cadmium uptake in leaves of Saponaria officinalis doped with a solution of cadmium acetate is described. The technique based on the exposure of dried leaves to X-rays of a wavelength close to that of the metal K-edge could be useful for phytoremediation studies as it could reveal the bioaccumulation in plants due to the treatment either in vivo or in vitro with heavy metals. X-ray microradiography measurements are in agreement with those from peroxidase enzyme assay utilized to follow the oxidative damage induced by heavy metals. At present, as we will see in this report, microradiography has still poorer sensitivity in comparison with enzyme assay, but it has the advantage of being faster, not destructive, and usable even at very high doping levels, where the enzyme assay technique results are fully saturated. Further analysis of the optical density values could lead to a quantitative measurement of the heavy metal in the sample. Thus, the technology developed in this article could be useful for tracing the intake in phytoremediation studies. Microsc. Res. Tech. 64:21,29, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Microsatellite markers for the invasive plant species white sweetclover (Melilotus alba) and yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis)

    MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 6 2007
    L. M. WINTON
    Abstract We describe specific primers that amplify nine microsatellite DNA loci from Melilotus alba and Melilotus officinalis, both invasive plant species (Fabaceae) throughout North America. Allelic diversity was slightly lower for M. alba than for M. officinalis, as was expected heterozygosity. For both species, heterozygote deficit was observed at several loci. Genotypic diversity was very high for both species; the 29 plant samples of each species all had different multilocus genotypes. These markers will be used to determine the origins of the sweetclover invasion in Alaska and to compare patterns of diversity between subarctic and lower latitude populations. [source]


    Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Pterocarpus officinalis Jacq.

    MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 2 2006
    FÉLIX MULLER
    Abstract The leguminous Pterocarpus officinalis Jacq. is one of the dominant freshwater wetland tree species in the Caribbean basin. Anthromorphic factors threaten to reduce its population. In order to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of this species, we developed eight pairs of primers for nuclear microsatellites. One hundred ninety-one individuals were analysed within nine Caribbean and continental populations. These loci were polymorphic in all the populations, with four to 20 alleles per locus. Significant Hardy,Weinberg deviation was detected and was interpreted as a result of Wahlund effect. These loci constitute a powerful tool to investigate the genetic patterns within populations of the swamp species P. officinalis. [source]


    Transition of nuclear proteins and chromatin structure in spermiogenesis of Sepia officinalis,

    MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2007
    F. MartÍnez-Soler
    Abstract During spermiogenesis of Sepia officinalis histones are directly substituted by a molecule of precursor protamine, which is later transformed into the protamine through a deletion of the amino terminal end. In the present work, it is shown that the pattern of spermiogenic chromatin condensation consists of a phase of "patterning" and a phase of "condensation." In the phase of patterning, three structural remodelings are produced in the chromatin structure: [somatic-like chromatin,,,18 nm granules,,,25 nm fibers,,,44 nm fibers]. The first remodeling of the chromatin into granules of 18 nm takes place without the entrance of specific proteins in the spermiogenic nuclei. The second remodeling [granules of 18 nm,,,fibers of 25 nm] is due to the entrance of the precursor protamine and its interaction with the DNA,histone complex. The third remodeling [fibers of 25 nm,,,fibers of 44 nm] occurs simultaneously with the disappearance of histones from the chromatin. In the phase of condensation, the fibers of 44 nm coalesce among themselves to form progressively larger aggregates of chromatin. In this phase there are no substantial variations in the nuclear proteins, so that the condensation of the chromatin must respond to posttranscriptional changes of the precursor protamine (dephosphorylation, deletion of the amino-terminal end). Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]