Ensayo de citotoxicidad de extractos de Pleurotusostreatus en diferentes líneas celulares para aplicaciones inmunonutricionales

Introducción: Los bioderivados propuestos como candidatos a ingredientes alimentarios suelen requerir ciertas evaluaciones para las aplicaciones inmunonutricionales Los hongos comestibles-medicinales son un surtidor de compuestos con estas potencialidades. Entre ellos, las setas Pleurotus ostreatus contienen metabolitos bioactivos, con importantes usos en la industria alimenticia y en la práctica terapéutica de la industria médico-farmacéutica. Los ensayos de citotoxicidad in vitro constituyen métodos valiosos para evaluarproductos de origen natural, como los extractos fúngicos. Objetivo: Evaluar la citotoxicidad de dos extractos obtenidos de la seta Pleurotus ostreatus en diferentes líneas celulares. Método: Se obtuvieron extractos hidrosolubles a partir del micelio y de los cuerpos fructíferos de Pleurotus ostreatus en laboratorios del Centro de Estudios de Biotecnología Industrial de la Universidad de Oriente. Se evaluó la citotoxicidad de los bioproductos por el ensayo de reducción del colorante resazurina sobre tres líneas celulares en el Laboratorio de Microbiología, Parasitología e Higiene (LMPH) de la Universidad de Amberes, Bélgica. Se utilizaron células no adherentes THP-1 (pre-monocitos de leucemia humana), células adherentes Caco-2 (epitelio de adenocarcinoma de colon humano) y células adherentes RAW 264.7 (macrófagos murinos). Resultados: Los extractos de Pleurotus ostreatus no resultaron citotóxicos para ninguna de las líneas celulares estudiadas humanas o murina, ya que no ocasionaron daños sobre la viabilidad de las célulasepiteliales del sistema gastrointestinal, nisobrelas células del sistema inmune empleadas. Conclusiones: Este resultado demuestra que ambos bioderivados fúngicos pueden ser aplicados con seguridad en estudios inmunonutricionales.

Introduction: Bioderivatives proposed as candidates for food ingredients usually require certain evaluations for immunonutritional applications. Edible-medicinal mushrooms are a source of compounds with these potentials. Among them, Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms contain bioactive metabolites, with important uses in the food industry and in the therapeutic practice of the medical-pharmaceutical industry. In vitro cytotoxicity assays are valuable methods to evaluate products of natural origin, such as fungal extracts. Objective: To evaluate the cytotoxicity of two extracts obtained from the Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom in different cell lines. Method: Water-soluble extracts were obtained from the mycelium and fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus in laboratories of the Center for Industrial Biotechnology Studies of the Universidad de Oriente. The cytotoxicity of the bioproducts was evaluated by the resazurin dye reduction assay on three cell lines at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH) of the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Non-adherent THP-1 cells (human leukemia pre-monocytes), Caco-2 adherent cells (human colon adenocarcinoma epithelium) and RAW 264.7 adherent cells (murine macrophages) were used. Results: Pleurotus ostreatus extracts were not cytotoxic for any of the human or murine cell lines studied, since they did not cause damage to the viability of the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal system, nor to the immune system cells used. Conclusions: This result demonstrates that both fungal bioderivatives can be safely applied in immunonutritional studies.

Introdução: Bioderivados propostos como candidatos a ingredientes alimentícios geralmente requerem determinadas avaliações para aplicações imunonutricionais. Pleurotus ostreatus contêm metabólitos bioativos, com importantes utilizações na indústria alimentícia e na prática terapêutica da indústria médico-farmacêutica. Ensaios de citotoxicidade in vitro são métodos valiosos para avaliar produtos de origem natural, como extratos de fungos. Objetivo: Avaliar a citotoxicidade de dois extratos obtidos do cogumelo Pleurotus ostreatus em diferentes linhagens celulares. Método: Extratos hidrossolúveis foram obtidos do micélio e dos corpos frutíferos de Pleurotus ostreatus nos laboratórios do Centro de Estudos de Biotecnologia Industrial da Universidade de Oriente. A citotoxicidade dos bioprodutos foi avaliada pelo ensaio de redução do corante resazurina em três linhagens celulares no Laboratório de Microbiologia, Parasitologia e Higiene (LMPH) da Universidade de Antuérpia, Bélgica. Foram utilizadas células THP-1 não aderentes (pré-monócitos de leucemia humana), células aderentes Caco-2 (epitélio de adenocarcinoma do cólon humano) e células aderentes RAW 264.7 (macrófagos murinos). Resultados: Os extratos de Pleurotus ostreatus não foram citotóxicos para nenhuma das linhagens celulares humanas ou murinas estudadas, pois não causaram danos à viabilidade das células epiteliais do sistema gastrointestinal, nem às células do sistema imunológico utilizadas. Conclusões: Este resultado demonstra que ambos os bioderivados fúngicos podem ser aplicados com segurança em estudos imunonutricionais.

Effect of the aqueous extracts of ganoderma leucocontextum on cognitive function of aging rats / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the effects of the aqueous extracts of ganoderma leucocontextum (GLAE) on cognitive decline of aging rats and possible regulation mechanism. Methods Fifty rats were divided into five groups, control group, model group, GLAE low-dose group, GLAE middle-dose group and GLAE high-dose group. Aging SD rat models were made by D-galactose, and then treated continuously with different doses (0, 50, 100, 200 mg/ kg) of GLAE. The novel object recognition and step down test were performed to detect the changes of rats cognitive function. The brain tissue was stained with toluidine blue, Giemsa and HE staining and observed. The cerebral cell DNA damage was detected by comet assay. Expressions of protein kinase A (PKA) / cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway related factors in brain were respectively detected by ELISA, Western blotting and Real-time PCR. Results Compared with the model group, administration of GLAE could obviously alleviate rats cognitive decline and pathological change. The levels of cell DNA damage reduced markedly (P<0. 05). The contents of cAMP, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), and also expression levels of mRNA and protein of PKA, BDNF, NGF, CREB in the brain increased significantly in each medicated group (P<0. 01, P< 0. 05). Conclusion GLAE can improve cognitive function, and its mechanism may be related to activation of brain PKA/ CREB signaling pathway, increase in neurotrophic factor content and inhibition of cell DNA damage.

Spirulina platensis aqueous extracts ameliorate colonic mucosal damage and modulate gut microbiota disorder in mice with ulcerative colitis by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that has become a major gastroenterologic problem during recent decades. Numerous complicating factors are involved in UC development such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and microbiota disorder. These factors exacerbate damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier. Spirulina platensis is a commercial alga with various biological activity that is widely used as a functional ingredient in food and beverage products. However, there have been few studies on the treatment of UC using S. platensis aqueous extracts (SP), and the underlying mechanism of action of SP against UC has not yet been elucidated. Herein, we aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of SP on microbiota disorders in UC mice and clarify the underlying mechanisms by which SP alleviates damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used to establish a normal human colonic epithelial cell (NCM460) injury model and UC animal model. The mitochondrial membrane potential assay 3-‍‍(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,‍5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and staining with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) and Hoechst 33258 were carried out to determine the effects of SP on the NCM460 cell injury model. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blot, and 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing were used to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of SP on UC in C57BL/6 mice. In vitro studies showed that SP alleviated DSS-induced NCM460 cell injury. SP also significantly reduced the excessive generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevented mitochondrial membrane potential reduction after DSS challenge. In vivo studies indicated that SP administration could alleviate the severity of DSS-induced colonic mucosal damage compared with the control group. Inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress was associated with increases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the expression of tight junction proteins (TJs) post-SP treatment. SP improved gut microbiota disorder mainly by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and the expression of TJs in the colon. Our findings demonstrate that the protective effect of SP against UC is based on its inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine overproduction, inhibition of DSS-induced ROS production, and enhanced expression of antioxidant enzymes and TJs in the colonic mucosal barrier.

Evaluation of selected plant extracts for in vitro anti-marine leech (Zeylanicobdella arugamensis) activity

@#The aqueous extracts of thirty-four (34) tropical plants were tested in vitro for potential anti-marine leech (Zeylanicobdella arugamensis) activity. The anti-leech activity was determined by exposing 8 adult leeches (Z. arugamensis) (9.3 ± 1.5 mm, aged 15 days) to 20 μl of plant extract (0.5 g/ml) for 5 min in a 24-well plate. After 5 min of exposure, the leeches were rinsed and transferred into seawater, to enable them to revive from the effect of the extract. Leech movements were observed from time to time and the numbers of paralyzed or dead leeches were recorded at 5, 20, 30 and 240 min. The efficacy of the plant extract in killing the adult Z. arugamensis during the 5 min exposure is reflected on the anti-leech property of the extract. The anti-leech property of positive plant extracts was also determined at different exposure time (1, 3, 5 min) and dilutions (1/2 (0.25 g/ml), 1/5 (0.1 g/ml) and 1/10 (0.05 g/ml). The extracts of 4 plants (Melastoma malabathricum, Piper betle, Tetracera indica and Etlingera coccinea) demonstrated anti-leech activity. The effects of M. malabathricum, P. betle and E. coccinea extracts on the leeches were very rapid causing death as early as a few seconds upon exposure. However, all four positive plant extracts were found not effective in killing the leeches at 1/10 dilution (0.05 g/ml). A Scanning Electron Microscopy examination on leeches exposed to the positive plant extracts exhibited effects such as protruding proboscis and shrunken or swollen bodies.

Validation of an HPLC-DAD method for the determination of plant phenolics

Abstract A selective, sensitive and precise reversed phase HPLC-DAD method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of six phenolic acids in the aqueous extract and their hydrolyzed forms prepared from Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav., Solanaceae, Ampelocissus acapulcensis (Kunth) Planch., Vitaceae, or Brosimum alicastrum Sw., Moraceae. The new method showed good linearity (r > 0.999) in a relatively wide concentration range (0.5-100 mg/l). The limits of detection and quantification for the compounds were in the range of 0.097-0.467 mg/l and 0.097-0.496 mg/l, respectively. The recoveries of compounds were calculated in three different concentrations in the range of 88.07-109.17% and matrix effect was less than 5% for all phenolic acids. Finally, our developed HPLC method is simple, reliable and successfully applied to identify and quantify the phenolic acids in complex aqueous extracts from medicinal species, that can be useful for the analysis of infusions that people consume in folk medicine.

A qualitative and semi-quantitative study of Salvia miltiorrhiza aqueous extracts / 中草药

Objective: To qualitative research the composition of Salvia miltiorrhiza aqueous extracts by using Q-TOF-MS and to establish a semi-quantitative analysis method of some active components in S. miltiorrhiza aqueous extracts based on Q-Trap-MS. Methods: The chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) column with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min, and the column temperature was 30 ℃. In Q-TOF-MS, electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in negative ion mode. The capillary voltage was set at 2.5 kV. The nebulization gas was set to 800 L/h at 400 ℃, and the source temperature was 100 ℃. In Q-Trap-MS, electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in negative ion mode. The ionspray voltage was set to -4 500 V at 450 ℃. The pressure of source gas 1 (GS1, N2) and source gas 2 (GS2, N2) were both 45 psi, and the pressure of curtain gas (N2) was 20 psi. Semi-quantification analysis was performed with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Results: A total of 26 components of S. miltiorrhiza aqueous extracts were identified, of which 15 components were common phenolic acids. The two reference substances had good linearity ranges (r ≥ 0.997 6), and the values of precision, repeatability, stability and recovery met the demand of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The content of 11 unknown compositions was determined. Conclusion: The composition identification of S. miltiorrhiza aqueous extracts was realized with a high effective and rapid method, and a new idea for the content determination of unknown components was provided.

Evaluation of Toxicity of Strychnos henningsii (Gilg) (Loganiaceae) Leaves and Root Aqueous Extracts in Mice

Aim: Strychnos henningsii (Gilg) (Loganiaceae) has been used for treatment of various health conditions such as gastrointestinal complications, rheumatism and snake bites. However, the safety of extracts from S. henningsii has not been evaluated. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the in vivo toxicity of S. henningsii leaves and root extracts with the view of determining if their use poses health risk. Methodology: Acute and sub-acute toxicity was conducted in accordance with OECD guidelines. Swiss white mice were randomly selected and divided into 24 groups (n = 6) for acute (single administration) and sub-acute toxicity (28 days administration) studies. The mice were fasted overnight and graded doses of the aqueous extracts were orally administered to the tested groups at a dosage ranging from 75 to 2500 mg/kg. The control groups were orally administered with plain water. Clinical signs, mortality, fasting glucose levels, alanine transaminases, blood urea nitrogen and haemoglobin were evaluated. At the end of study, organs were harvested and processed for histopathology. Results: In all the groups, there were no mortalities. The clinical signs which were noted in mice administered with extracts ranging from 750 mg/kg and above included: dullness, raised skin fur, staggering, reduction in locomotion and in food consumption, and mucoid stool. There were no significant (P>0.05) changes in body weight and the levels of fasting glucose, haemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen and alanine transaminases in the studied mice. Histopathology evaluation of organs of mice from sub-acute toxicity study administered dosages from 750 mg/kg showed mucoid enteritis and exfoliation. The loss of hepatolobular arrangement, periportal infiltration with inflammatory exudate in the liver and congestion of renal blood vessels was observed at a dosage of 2,500 mg/kg of root extract. Conclusion: The study showed no mortality up to dose of 2,500 mg/kg. In addition sub-acute administration of dosages up to 750 mg/kg had no effect on the biochemical and hematological parameters. However, at histopathology dosages above 750 mg/kg bwt showed intestinal, hepatic and renal pathological alterations. The study recommends that the plant extracts may be safe at dosages below 750 mg/kg bwt.

Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity and Hypoglycemic Potential of Kenyan Aloe lateritia and Aloe secundiflora Extracts in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Swiss Albino Mice

The aim of the study was to investigate the phytochemical constitution, antioxidant activity, hypoglycemic potential and safety of Aloe lateritia and Aloe secundiflora. Phytochemical screening was determined using standard procedures and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was determined spectro-photometrically. Hypoglycemic studies involved daily administration of 200 mg/kg of metformin and 300 mg/kg of methanol and aqueous leaves extracts of A. lateritia and A. secundiflora to alloxan-induced diabetic mice for 21 days. The safety of the extracts was experimented using OECD protocol on Acute Oral Toxicity-Acute Toxic Class Method Test no. 423. The results showed the presence of hypoglycemic phytochemicals: - phenols, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, steroids and carbohydrates in both plants. Analysis by GC-MS determined the presence of phytochemicals in A. lateritia and A. secundiflora already established in other Aloe species. Aloe secundiflora extracts were decided to have higher free radical scavenging activity than A. lateritia extracts. Both A. lateritia and A. secundiflora aqueous and methanol extracts showed significant decreases in FBG levels when compared to the diabetic control group while there was no significant difference between A. secundiflora extracts and metformin-treated group at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). Aloe secundiflora methanol extracts achieved the highest percentage glycemic change among the extracts. All the extracts were not toxic at the tested levels. The hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities established in A. lateritia and A. secundiflora can be linked to the phytochemicals present.

Evaluation of antimicrobial, hypotensive and diuretic effect of Eugenia uniflora extracts / Avaliação do efeito antimicrobiano, hipotensivo e diurético de extratos de Eugenia uniflora

The genus Eugenia sp. (Myrtaceae) comprises plants with reported antioxidant and antidiarrheal capability among other therapeutic potentials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oil; diuretic and hypotensive activities of aqueous extracts from leaves of Eugenia uniflora. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated . The diuretic and hypotensive activities were evaluated in normotensive Wistar rats by measuring blood pressure and urine flow after received four different concentrations of aqueous extracts (10%, 15%, 20% and 25%). Essential oil inhibited the growth of Candida parapsilosis and Candida albicans with MIC values lower than 14.41 mg/mL, equal to 57.75 mg/mL for Candida krusei. Among antibacterial effect, essential oil inhibited growth with a MIC equals to 153.93 mg/mL for all strains tested, except for Escherichia coli (MIC equals to 307.96 mg/mL. Aqueous extracts showed powerful reductions of the arterial pressure (34% and 31% lower than the control), after administration of 10% and 25% of aqueous extract, respectively. However, the animals that received the aqueous extract at the 15% and 20% concentrations presented a discrete hypotensive effect (20% and 21% lower than control group, respectively) concomitantly to powerful diuretic effect (280% and 91% higher than control group, respectively). These data confirmed the potential biological effect of this species, and represents an important step toward a depth study on the therapeutic properties of this species

O gênero Eugenia sp. (Myrtaceae) compreende plantas com capacidade antimicrobiana e antioxidante entre outros potenciais terapêuticos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de óleo essencial; atividade diurética e hipotensora de extrato aquoso de folhas de Eugenia uniflora. A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada pela determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (MIC) e concentração mínima bactericida (MBC) de cepas bacterianas e concentração fungicida mínima (MFC) para fungos. A atividade diurética e hipotensora foi avaliada em ratos Wistar normotensos pela mensuração da pressão sanguínea e fluxo urinário após administração de quatro diferentes concentrações de extrato aquoso (10%, 15%, 20% e 25%). Óleo essencial inibiu o crescimento de Candida parapsilosis e Candida albicans com valores de MIC menores que 14,41 mg/mL, igual a 57,75 mg/mL para Candida krusei. A respeito do efeito antimicrobiano, o óleo essencial inibiu o crescimento de todas as cepas testadas, com MIC igual a 153,93 mg/mL, exceto para Escherichia coli (MIC igual a 307.96 mg/mL). O extrato aquoso mostrou redução importante da pressão arterial (34% e 31% quando comparado ao controle), após administração de 10% e 25% do extrato aquoso, respectivamente. Contudo, os animais que receberam o extrato aquoso na concentração de 15% e 20% apresentaram discreto efeito hipotensor (20% e 21% menor que o grupo controle, respectivamente) concomitantemente ao importante efeito diurético (280% e 91% maior quando comparado ao grupo controle, respectivamente). Esses achados confirmam o potencial efeito biológico dessa espécie, e representa um importante embasamento para estudos relacionados as propriedades terapêuticas da Eugenia uniflora

Evaluation of the toxicity and hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extracts of Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic degenerative diseases, and it is estimated to increase worldwide to around 415 million and to impact 642 million in 2040. Research shows that some plants are sources of bioactive compounds against diabetes. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the oral toxicity and the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl. Diabetes was induced in Swiss mice with streptozotocin and the mice were treated with an aqueous extract of C. quercifolius leaves for a period of 30 days. Phytochemical analysis showed that the extract was rich in flavonoids, catechins and triterpenoid, which did not show any mortality and behavioral alterations in mice treated with 200, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight of the extract for 14 days. Histopathological analysis of organs (kidney, pancreas, liver) from mice treated with the 2000 mg/kg extract revealed no architectural change. In the present study, we found a 29% reduction in glucose levels in animals receiving 200 mg/kg body weight. These results are very promising because they showed that C. quercifolius had a hypoglycemic effect and did not present oral toxicity, thus being a new source of compounds for the control of diabetes.

Electrochemical Sensor for Assessment of Antioxidant Activities of Ferulic Acid and Extract in Angelica Sinensis Based on DNA/Nafion-Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) Functionalized Graphene / 分析化学

A sumple electrochemucal sensor was constututed based on the glassy carbon electrode ( GCE ) surface modufued wuth nafuon-poly ( duallyldumethylammonuum chlorude ) functuonaluzed graphene sheets ( NA-PDDA-G) composute fulm and herrung sperm double-stranded DNA for durect detectuon of DNA damage un vutro and evaluatuon of the antuoxudant propertues of feruluc acud ( FA) and the aqueous extracts un Angeluca Sunensus (EAS). Scannung electron mucroscopy (SEM) was used to characteruze the morphologues of the fabrucated sensor, whule cycluc voltammetry ( CV ) and electrochemucal umpedance spectroscopy ( EIS ) were used to characteruze the electrochemucal performances of the modufued electrode. Ru ( NH3 ) 3+6 was used as an electroactuve unducator to monutor DNA damage unduced by hydroxyl raducal (?OH ) wuth square wave voltammetry ( SWV ) . The fabrucated sensor showed the greatest degree of DNA oxudatuon damage occurred under the condutuons of 30-mun uncubatuon un Fenton reagent contaunung 1. 0 mmol/L FeSO4 and 5. 0 mmol/L H2O2 at pH 7. 0. The antuoxudant actuvuty of extract un Angeluca Sunensus (EAS) was stronger than that of FA, whule they were all weaker than that of ascorbuc acud ( AA) . The proposed sensor not only exhubuted excellent stabuluty and reproducubuluty, but would be a sumple and novel method for assessment of antuoxudant propertues of meducunal herb components.

Antimicrobial Effect Induced by Fresh Ginger Root Extracts in Broilers.

Poultry is challenged by microbial infection owing to the restrictions in the use of synthetic antibiotic growth promoters. This study investigated the use of ginger, Zingiber officinale Roscoe (family Zingiberaceae) for the control of infections in poultry. Aqueous extracts of fresh ginger was administered to the birds by dispersing in water. A completely randomized experimental design using 100 day old broiler chicks distributed to two treatments having five replicate per treatment. The ginger extract was given to a set of 50 day old birds (ginger treatment 2) and was not added in a second set, which served as the control. The population of microbes (Lactobacillus, Salmonella, E. coli and coliforms) in the crop, ileum and caecum of the birds were determined 7 days before and 7 days after the administration of the fresh ginger extract. Before the administration of ginger, Salmonella population was highest at the crop 1.852 Log cfu/g and decreased afterwards being 1.744 Log cfu/g at the ileum and 1.710 Log cfu/g at the caecum. E. coli was 1.789, 1.821 and 1.727 Log cfu/g at the crop, ileum and caecum respectively. E. coli accounted for over 90% of the coliform population, hence they exhibited the same pattern was observed. Lactobacillus was highest at the crop (1.933 Log cfu/g) and declined through the ileum (1.842 Log cfu/g) to the caecum (1.705 Log cfu/g). The administration of aqueous extract of ginger resulted in a significant decline of all microbial species analyzed over the control (P<0.05). Hence, it is recommended that the use of ginger for the control of infection is plausible but its use must be modified to prevent killing of beneficial microbes in the broiler GIT. The proximate composition of the fresh ginger rhizome used in the study was also presented.

Anti-inflammatory and Wound-healing Activity of Aqueous Extracts from Acorus Calamus L / 中国药师

Objective:To explore the wound-healing effect and the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extracts from the fresh roots and rhizomes of A. calamus. Methods: The image analysis techniques and the histological analysis were used to determine the wound-healing effect in the excised wound test, and the real-time RT-PCR techniques was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activi-ty in the lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264. 7 cells test. Results:The aqueous extracts were given 3 times a day since the model was established. The skin wound area was reduced significantly in the aqueous extracts group when compared with that in the control group since the 3rd day, the wound area in the aqueous extracts group was only 15% of that in the control group on the 13th day, and the wound-healing rate was enhanced significantly by the extracts. Moreover, the mRNA expressions of the inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the inflammatory RAW 264. 7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide were inhibited effectively by the ex-tracts in a dose-dependant manner. Conclusion:The results indicate that the aqueous extracts from the fresh roots and rhizomes of A. calamus have significant wound-healing activity in animal excised wound model and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Effects and Phytochemical Analysis of Lantana camara linn Leaf and Berry Extracts.

In order to assess the antibacterial activities of methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts (MLE and ALE) as well as that of methanolic berry extract (MBE) of Lantana camara Linn, we screened each for antibacterial effects against 14 bacterial isolates using agar-well diffusion method at concentration of 25mg/ml with streptomycin as control antibacterial. Data obtained were analyzed with ANOVA and t-test using SPSS 15.0 for Windows. The MLE is comparable to streptomycin in antibacterial activity as they both showed antibacterial activity against 13 (92.86%) bacterial isolates with inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 12mm-20mm. The ALE and MBE however, showed inhibitory activities against 3 (21.43%, IZD 10mm- 11mm) and 7 (42.86%, IZD 11mm-17mm) bacterial isolates respectively. Flavonoids, saponin and alkaloids were present in the three extracts while phlobatannin, cardiac glycoside and steroid were absent. Terpenoids and tannin were only present in the MBE and MLE respectively. Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc were observed in the leaf and berry of Lantana camara. Iron, copper and manganese were present in trace amount with lead (Pb) totally absent. Though the three extracts showed antibacterial effects against the isolates, the MLE was the most effective. The phytochemical analysis revealed that Lantana camara has compounds with antibacterial activities and can possibly be used as alternative therapy to infections caused by the sensitive study bacteria.

Curing effects evaluation of rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae on yeast prion[PSI+] / 中国人兽共患病学报

Investigation of the effects of rhizome atractylodis macrocephalae on yeast prion [PSI+ ]was conducted in this study .Liquid culture containing rhizome atractylodis macrocephalae aqueous extracts was applied to evaluate its therapeutic effects preliminarily .Then yeast replica plating together with Semi Denaturing Detergent Agarose Gel Electrophoresis com-bined with western blot were used to further confirm the results .It's showed that the cure rate of aqueous extracts of rhizome atractylodis macrocephalae on yease prion [PSI+ ]could reach 6% .

Evaluation of Anxiolytic Activity of Flower Extracts of Tagetes Erecta Linn (Asteraceae) in Rats.

Tagetus erecta (Asteraceae) is a plant with diverse medicinal properties hence the present work was selected to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of flowers of T. erecta. Dried flower powder of T. erecta was extracted by maceration process to get alcoholic (AEFTE) and aqueous (AQEFTE) extract. Preliminary phytochemical investigations were carried out to identify various constituents present in AEFTE and AQEFTE. The LD50 studies of AEFTE and AQEFTE were conducted in mice till the highest permitted dose level of 2000 mg/Kg following Up and Down method of OECD Guidelines. From the LD50 2 doses of extract as 1/20th (low) and 1/5th (high) were selected. The anxiolytic activity of AEFTE and AQEFTE was evaluated in laboratory animal models like Elevated plus maze and Light-dark exploration models in rats. Preliminary phytochemical tests revealed that both AEFTE and AQEFTE contained glycosides, phenols, steroids, flavonoids. The LD50 studies revealed that both AEFTE and AQETE did not produced any abnormal behaviour or mortality even at the highest permissible dose of 2000 mg/Kg in mice. The Diazepam (2 mg/kg), AQEFTE and AEFTE (100, 400 mg/kg) were tested on Elevated plus maze and Light dark chamber models. After treated with AFETE and AQEFTE shows significant reduction in anxiety activity with the extracts at low and high doses.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity After in vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion of Infusions of Mentha Species.

Aims: To study the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Mentha infusions before and after the gastrointestinal digestion and to correlate this activity with the chemical compounds present in these infusions. Place and Duration of Study: Fresh Mentha x piperita, M. spicata, M. pulegium were bought in a local supermarket. These plants were composed of leaves, stems and flowers for the identification, which was carried out in Plant Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon. The chemical identification of the infusions and the enzymatic tests were carried out in the Center of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Faculty of Science University of Lisbon from September 2010 till June 2011. Methodology: The compounds present in the infusions were identified by LC-MS. The enzyme activity assay was carried out using a spectrophotometric method. The digestive simulation was accomplished using enzymatic juices prepared in the laboratory and Caco-2 cells lines simulating the intestine barrier. Results: All the Mentha infusions contained rosmarinic acid. M. spicata infusion contained also eriocitrin and eriodictyol. The IC50 values for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of the infusions, before digestion, stayed between 0.72 and 1.9 mg/mL. These activities are statistically different at p<.05. These activities can be explained by the presence of the phenolic compounds mentioned. Rosmarinic acid has an IC50 equal to 0.439 mg/mL (1.22 mM), eriocitrin and eriodictyol have IC50 equal to 0.439 mg/mL (0.29 mM) and 0.256 mg/mL (0.89 mM) respectively. The presence of these two flavonoids, eriocitrin and eriodictyol, can account for the higher activity detected for M. spicata. The gastric juice or the pancreatic juices used to simulate the gastrointestinal digestion did not originate any difference in the chemical composition of the infusions (analysed by HPLCDAD). This was also corroborated by the enzymatic tests. The Caco-2 cells did not originate any modification in the enzymatic activity of the infusions. The analysis of the cell homogenate revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid and the phenolic compounds, although in minor amount. Conclusion: Mentha infusions have the capacity to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, due to the presence of rosmarinic acid, eriocitrin and eriodictyol The composition of the Mentha herbal teas was not modified by the gastro-intestinal juices, or by the intestinal cell line.

Antimicrobial activity of different aqueous lemon extracts.

Over three-quarter of the world’s population is using herbal medicines with an increasing trend globally. Plant medicines may be beneficial but are not completely harmless. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different types and part of lemon against different microbial isolates. The antimicrobial effects of aqueous extracts of peel and juice from fresh and dried citrus and sweet lemon against 6 Gram-positive and 8 Gram-negative bacterial and one yeast isolates, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Proteus spp., Moraxella catarrhalis, Acinetobacter spp. and Candida albicans, all of them were studied. The water extracts of all the materials screened showed various inhibitory effects. The juice of Citrus limon has antimicrobial activities more than other types of extracts. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae and Candida albicans showed the highest resistance to these extracts. Lemon species might have antimicrobial activity against different Gram-positive, Gram-negative and yeast pathogens and could be used for prevention of various diseases caused by these organisms.

Antibacterial Activity of Medicinal Aqueous Plant Extracts against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious health problem in many regions of the world, and the development of resistance to antibiotics by this microbe created the need for new drugs to replace those which have lost effectiveness. This study assesses the medicinal anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis properties of natural products obtained from plants collected from Eastern Libya. In this study aqueous extracts of nine different plants were assayed for their Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibitory activity using the BACTEC MGIT960 susceptibility test method. The aqueous extracts of Ceratonia siliqua L, Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench and Thymus algeriensis did not show any activity against M.tuberculosis in different concentrations. The aqueous extract of Marrubium vulgare L. from Syria showed high activity against M. tuberculosis. Marrubium alysson L., Marrubium vulgare L., Pistacia lentiscus L, Quercus coccifera L, Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm. & Link, showed varying degrees of activity against M. tuberculosis. The results of this study show that aqueous extracts from six different medicinal plants have different effects against M. tuberculosis in vitro.

Assessment of allelopathic properties of Aloe ferox Mill. on turnip, beetroot and carrot

Turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa L.), beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L.) are common vegetables in South Africa. The allelopathic potential of aqueous leaf and root extracts of Aloe ferox Mill.- a highly valued medicinal plant- was evaluated against seed germination and seedling growth of the three vegetables in Petri dish experiments. The extracts were tested at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg/mL. Leaf extract concentrations above 4 mg/mL inhibited the germination of all the crops, while the root extract had no significant effect on germination irrespective of concentration. Interestingly, the lowest concentration of leaf extract stimulated root length elongation of beetroot by 31.71%. Other concentrations significantly inhibited both root and shoot growth of the vegetable crops except the turnip shoot. The most sensitive crop was carrot, with percentage inhibition ranging from 29.15 to 100% for root and shoot lengths. Lower percentage inhibition was observed for the root extract than the leaf extract against shoot growth of beetroot and carrot. The results from this study suggested the presence of allelochemicals mostly in the leaves of A. ferox that could inhibit the growth of the turnip, beetroot and carrot.