Study on transformation rules of terrestrosin D in course of Tribuli Fructus stir-frying based on simulated processing technology / 中国中药杂志

The contents of terrestrosin D and hecogenin from Tribuli Fructus were determined before and after stir-frying. The results showed that the content of terrestrosin D was decreased significantly,and the content of hecogenin was increased significantly after such processing. In order to verify the inference that terrestrosin D was converted to hecogenin by stir-frying,the quantitative variation rules of terrestrosin D and hecogenin were studied by simulated processing technology,and the simulated processing product of terrestrosin D was qualitatively characterized by ultra performance liquid chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry( UPLC-TOF/MS) to clarify its transformation process during stir-frying. The results showed that the content of terrestrosin D was decreased significantly at first and then a platform stage appeared with the prolongation of processing time at a certain temperature. Raising the stir-frying temperature could further decrease the content of terrestrosin D and delay the time that the platform stage appeared. When the processing was simulated at higher temperatures( 220 ℃ and 240 ℃),the content of hecogenin was increased gradually with the increase of processing temperature and the prolongation of processing time. In the process of stir-frying,the deglycosylation reaction of terrestrosin D to hecogenin was not completed in one step. The deglycosylation reaction occurred first at the end of the sugar chain,and then other glycosyl units in the sugar chain were sequentially removed from the outside to the inside to finally form the hecogenin. This study provides a basis for further revealing the detoxification mechanism of stir-fried Tribuli Fructus.

In vitro cytotoxic activity of five commercial samples of Tribulus terrestris Linn in Espírito Santo (Brazil)

ABSTRACT The objective was to investigate the total saponin and protodioscin concentrations and the cytotoxicity in vitro, of five samples of the plant Tribulus terrestris, commercially available in the metropolitan region of Vitória - Espirito Santo, Brazil, and to compare them with the aqueous extract of the plant. The chromatographic profile and quantification of protodioscin in commercial samples and plant extract were evaluated by LC-MS/MS. The percentage of total saponins were determined by the colorimetric method. Extracts and protodioscin cytotoxicity were analyzed by the MTT assay in three cell lineages: fibroblasts (L929), ovarian cancer (Ovcar3) and murine hepatoma (Hepa1c1c7). All extracts displayed high levels of total saponins (207.2 to 780.3 mg g-1 of dry extract). The chromatographic profile revealed a wide diversity of compounds, and the saponin protodioscin was detected in only two extracts. One extract displayed high cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 157.0, 38.2 and 7.4 µg mL-1 for the Ovcar3, Hepa1c1c7 and L929 cell lines, respectively. The other extracts displayed cytotoxic effects only at concentrations equal to or greater than 125.0 µg mL-1. Surprisingly, the most cytotoxic extract displayed the highest protodioscin concentration. Therefore, it is suggested that these products be marketed with caution, and followed-up by a certified healthcare professional.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulation by Larrea nitida on MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Immature Rat Uterus

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for hERalpha and hERbeta with IC50 values of 1.20x10(-7) g/ml and 1.00x10(-7) g/ml, respectively. LNE induced 17beta-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on hER alpha and beta than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for hERbeta than hERalpha, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.

Chemical constituents contained in Tetraena mongolica / 中国中药杂志

To study chemical constituents contained in Tetraena mongolica. Chemical constituents were separated and purified by using such methods as silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40C and HPLC preparative chromatography. Their structures were identified by organic spectral method. One new compound was separated from T. mongolica and identified olean-11-oxo-12-en-28-ol-3beta-yl-caffeate.

Immunosuppressive triterpenes from Tetraena mongolica / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the immunosuppressive constituents from Tetraena mongolica.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Chemical constituents were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography( silica gel, Toyopearl HW40C and preparative HPLC). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. The MTT assay was applied to evaluate the isolated compounds on the inhibition effect of lymphocyte transformation.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six triterpenes were isolated and their structures were identified as follows: 3beta-hydroxy-11alpha, 12alpha:13beta,28-diepoxyoleanane(1), 3beta-(3, 4-dihydroxycinnamoyl)-erythrodi-ol(2), olean-28-al-3beta-yl-caffeate(3), erythrodiol (4), 12-oleanaen-3beta-caffeate(5), 3-O-(E) -coumaroylerythrodiol(6). Compound 24 exhibited the inhibition effects on lymphocyte transformation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1-6 were isolated from this plant for the first time, and compound 1 was a new nature product. Compound 2-4 showed significant immunosuppressive activity.</p>

Role of Tribulus terrestris (Linn.) (Zygophyllacea) against mercuric chloride induced nephrotoxicity in mice, Mus musculus (Linn.).

The present study investigates the influence of methanolic fraction (MF) of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract on the kidney tissues of mercury intoxicated mice, Mus musculus. At median-lethal dose of mercuric chloride (12.9 mg/kg body weight), the whole kidney tissue showed an increased level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and simultaneously a decreased level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH). These parameters reached to near normal after administration of fruit extracts of T. terrestris for 7 days. The results suggested that the oral administration of methanolic fraction of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract at dose 6 mg/kg body weight provided protection against the mercuric chloride induced toxicity in the mice.

Diversidad de levaduras en canopias y suelos asociados con Bulnesia retama y Larrea divaricata / Yeast diversity in Bulnesia retama and Larrea divaricata canopies and associated soils.

Los ambientes áridos están dominados por vegetación arbustiva, con acumulación de nutrientes bajo la canopia de los arbustos y con suelos relativamente infértiles en los interparches. Los distintos componentes de los vegetales constituyen uno de los hábitat más comunes para las levaduras. Existen numerosos antecedentes acerca de investigaciones sobre levaduras cuyo hábitat lo constituyen árboles y arbustos, sin embargo no existen referencias sobre levaduras asociadas a las Zigofiláceas, una familia de matorrales preponderantes en la Provincia de Monte argentino. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la biodiversidad de levaduras en suelos y canopias asociados con Bulnesia retama y Larrea divaricata, en los Médanos Grandes de Caucete, San Juan, Argentina. Sobre un total de 87 aislamientos de levaduras identificados, se observó una mayor diversidad taxonómica en las asociadas tanto al suelo como a la parte aérea de B. retama, respecto de L. divaricata. A partir de la canopia de B. retama y su suelo asociado se aislaron 9 y 10 especies de levaduras respectivamente, mientras que de la parte aérea y suelo de L. divaricata 4 y 3. Los géneros identificados fueron: Candida, Debaryomyces, Dekkera, Saccharomyces, Torulaspora, Sporidiobolus y Pichia. En total se encontraron 14 especies en todos los microambientes.

Bush like vegetation dominates arid environments, and there is nutrients accumulation under shrub canopies and relatively unfertile soils between vegetal patches areas. Plants are one of the most common habitats for yeasts. There are many reports about yeasts inhabiting different plant components. Nevertheless, there are no reports about yeasts associated with Zigophyllaceae, an important shrub family of the Argentinean Province of Monte. The objective of this work was to analyzed yeast biodiversity of Bulnesia retama and Larrea divaricata canopies and associated soils, at Médanos Grandes of Caucete, San Juan, Argentina. Eighty seven (87) isolated yeasts were identified. From B. retama canopy and associated soil was observed a larger taxonomical diversity respect to L. divaricata. Nine (9) and ten (10) species were isolated from canopy and associated soil of B. retama, respectively. From L. divaricata canopy were 4 species and 3 species from its associated soil isolated. Identified genera were: Candida, Debaryomyces, Dekkera, Saccharomyces, Torulaspora, Sporidiobolus and Pichia. Fourteen (14) species were found at all microenvironments.