In-vitro scolicidal activity of Mallotus philippinensis (Lam.) Muell Arg. fruit glandular hair extract against hydatid cyst Echinococcus granulosus

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate new scolicidal agent from natural resources to cope with the side effects associated with synthetic drugs in Echinococcosis.@*METHODS@#The scolicidal potential of methanolic fruit powder extract (10 and 20 mg/mL) of Mallotus philippinensis (M. philippinensis) was investigated. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed by trypan blue exclusion method, where mortality was observed at concentration of 10 and 20 mg/mL in 60 min treatment against Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus), under in-vitro conditions with reference to the known standard drug Praziquantel®.@*RESULTS@#At concentration 10 and 20 mg/mL, the mortality rate was observed 97% and 99% respectively for 60 min treatment; while up to 93% mortality was observed with 20 mg/mL for only 10 min treatment. The concentration above 20 mg/mL for above 2 h showed 100% mortality, irrespective of further incubation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#As compared with the standard anti-parasitic drug Praziquantel our extract has significant scolicidal activity with almost no associated side effects.

Comparison of anti-atherosclerotic effects of two different extracts from leaves of Mallotus furetianus

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the anti-atherosclerotic effects of two different extracts from the leaves of Mallotus furetianus by using rat model of atherosclerosis.@*METHODS@#The air-dried powdered Mallotus furetianus leaves were extracted with ethanol and then evaporated. The ethanol extract was experienced Diaion HP-20 CC with a gradient of MeOH and H2O (50:50, 100:0, v/v) and two fractions, Mallotus furetianus A (Mf A) and Mallotus furetianus B (Mf B) were obtained. Rats were divided into control, atherosclerosis and vitamin E, Mf A and Mf B treated groups. Atherosclerotic model was established by administering a loading dose of vitamin D3 and feeding standard diet enriched with 2% cholesterol, 0.5% porcine cholate, 0.2% methimazole, 5% sugar, 10% pork fat. Vitamin E (0.20 g/kg), Mf A (0.053 g/kg), Mf B (0.057 g/kg) (with the potential) were administered to interfere with the development of atherosclerosis. After 9 weeks, rats were sacrificed and the blood lipid as well as composition of bile was examined. In addition, the thoracic aorta was harvested to evaluate histological changes and the intima-media thickness ratio.@*RESULTS@#Atherosclerosis model was successfully established, administration of vitamin E, Mf A and Mf B increased excretion of total bilirubin in bile, decreased triglyeride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level, enhanced ratio of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and LDL-C in blood, improved histological changes and diminished intima-media thickness ratio of thoracic aorta in atherosclerotic rats. As for the difference in anti-atherosclerotic effects betweenMf A and Mf B, Mf A may be more powerful in declining TG level and Mf B may be more effective in decreasing TC level.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The two different extracts, Mf A and Mf B can prevent the development of atherosclerosis, In detail, Mf A is more effective in regulating TG level and Mf B is more powerful in modulating TC level in atherosclerotic rats.

Rottlerin enhances IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression through sustained p38 MAPK activation in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important enzyme in inflammation. In this study, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanism of the synergistic effect of rottlerin on interleukin1beta (IL-1beta)-induced COX-2 expression in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Treatment with rottlerin enhanced IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels. Combined treatment with rottlerin and IL-1beta significantly induced COX-2 expression, at least in part, through the enhancement of COX-2 mRNA stability. In addition, rottlerin and IL-1beta treatment drove sustained activation of p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is involved in induced COX-2 expression. Also, a pharmacological inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB 203580) and transient transfection with inactive p38 MAPK inhibited rottlerin and IL-1beta-induced COX-2 upregulation. However, suppression of protein kinase C delta (PKC delta) expression by siRNA or overexpression of dominant-negative PKC delta (DN-PKC-delta) did not abrogate the rottlerin plus IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression. Furthermore, rottlerin also enhanced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced COX-2 expression. Taken together, our results suggest that rottlerin causes IL-1beta-induced COX-2 upregulation through sustained p38 MAPK activation in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.

Pharmacognostical studies of the Unani drug Kamala [Mallotous philippinensis MuelL-Arg

In the present paper an attempt has been made to find out, botanical, physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics of the powdery covering of ripe fruits obtained from Kamala [Mallotus philippinensis Muell.-Arg.]. The important parameters are studied macro-microscopically characters, pH values, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water insoluble ash, sulphated ash, qualitative ash, analysis for inorganic constituents, qualitative analysis of different extractives for organic chemical constituents, successive extractive values, thin layer chromatography of different extracts and their analysis has also been performed. Detailed Phytochemical studies have been further confirmed that the main organic compound in the powder studied is [Rottlerin]. The compound has been found in dark brown rhombic crystal m.p. 203-05°C It is an important medicinal tree, which is used traditionally for the treatment of ringworm, scabies, herpes and other parasitic skin diseases. Kamala powder alone is applied over syphilitic ulcers

Studies on chemical constituents from stem bark of Trewia nudiflora / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from the stem bark of Trewia nudiflora.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical constituents were isolated by silica gel and sephadex LH - 20 column chromatography, and the structures were elucidated by means of spectral analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ten compounds were obtained from EtOAc fraction of EtOH extract and identified as stigmast-4-en-6beta-ol-3-one (1), stigmast-4-en-6alpha-ol-3-one (2), 7beta-hydroxysitosterol (3), 7alpha-hydroxysitosterol (4), schleicheol 2 (5), taraxerone (6), abbeokutone (7), beta-hydroxypropiovanillone (8), o-vanillyl alcohol (9), glycerol monopalmitate (10).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1-5 and 7-9 were isolated from this plant for the first time.</p>

Studies on chemical constituent and quantitative determination of Mallotus apelta / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents and establish a quantitative method of Mallotus apelta.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Compound was isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and Pre-HPLC chromatography. Its structure was identified by physicochemical properties and spectral evidences. The content of M. apelta was determined by HPLC. Chromatographic conditions included Inertsil ODS-3 C18 column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) and the mobile phase consisting of a mixture of methanol-water (24:76). The detection wavelength was set at 335 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>One compound was isolated from n-butanol extract of the M. apelta and its structure was identified as vicenin II. The calibration cure was linear in the range of 0.053-10.60 microg (r = 0.9999), the average recovery was 99. 32%, RSD 1.82% (n = 6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The compound was isolated from this plant for the first time. The method to determine the content of vicenin II by HPLC was established for the first time. This method is simple, accurate and reliable.</p>

Antifungal property and phytochemical screening of the crude extracts of Funtumia elastica and Mallotus oppositifolius / Propiedades antifúngicas y pesquizaje fitoquímico de los extractos crudos de funtumia elastica y mallotus oppositifolius

The antifungal properties of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Funtumia elastica and Mallotus oppositifolius were carried out using the disc diffusion agar assay. The crude extracts exhibited definite significant antifungal activity on most of the fungi. The zone of inhibition varied for the fungi, which were: Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Microsporium audouinii, Penicillium sp, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichoderma sp and Trichosporon cutaneum with respect to the type of plant extract. The aqueous extracts of Mallotus oppositifolius had the highest zone of inhibition of 24.75 +/- 0.86 mm on Penicillium sp. The fulcin antibiotic had zone of inhibition of 11.94 +/- 0.43 mm on Microsporium audouinii, being its highest inhibition on any of the fungi tested. Preliminary phytochemical studies of F elastica and M oppositifolius extracts revealed that they contain anthocyanins, butacyanin, flavonoids, steroids and tannins. Phytobutanin was absent in the extracts. Heavy metal analysis of plant materials showed absence of cadmium, zinc, lead, chromium and nickel, while the presence of copper iron and manganese was less than 0.95.

Las propiedades antifúngicas de los extractos acuosos y etanólicos de Funtumia elastica y Mallotus oppositifolius fueron probadas mediante ensayo de difusión con discos en agar. Los extractos crudos mostraron poseer una actividad antifúngica definitivamente significativa sobre la mayoría de los hongos. La zona de inhibición varió en correspondencia con los hongos, a saber, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Microsporium audouinii, Penicillium sp, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichoderma sp y Trichosporon cutaneum, con respecto al tipo de extracto de planta. Los extractos acuosos de Mallotus oppositifolius presentaron la zona de inhibición más alta, a saber, 24.75 ± 0.86 mm, al aplicarse sobre Penicillium sp. El antibiótico fulcin presentó una zona de inhibición de 11.94 ± 0.43 mm al aplicarse sobre Microsporium audouinii, resultando ser ésta la inhibición más alta en relación con todos los hongos sometidos a prueba. Los estudios fitoquímicos de los extractos de F elastica y M oppositifolius revelaron contenidos de antocianinas, butacianinas, flavonoides, esteroides, y taninas. La fitobutanina estuvo ausente en todos los extractos. El análisis de metales pesados en las muestras de plantas mostró ausencia de cadmio, zinc, plomo, cromo y níquel, en tanto que la presencia de cobre, hierro y manganeso estuvo por debajo de 0.95%.

Studies on chemical constituents in leaves of Mallotus furetianus I / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical compounds in leaves of Mallotus furetianus.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical components were isolated by solvent extraction and chromatography. The structures were identified on the basis of physico-chemical constant and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight compounds were isolated and identified as 3-Hydroxy-4, 5 (R)-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone (I), gallic acid (II), (6S, 9R)-roseoside (III), (Z)-3-Hexenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (IV), 3, 4, 8, 9, 10-Pentahydroxy-dibenzo [b, d] pyran-6-one (V), friedelinol (VI), beta- sitosterol (VII), friedelin (VIII).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds I - VIII were obtained for the first time from this plant.</p>

Clinico-immunologic evaluation of allergy to Himalayan tree pollen in atopic subjects in India--a new record.

Exposure to local pollen allergens has a direct bearing on the prevalence of allergic symptoms among the inhabiting atopic population. The populations in the Himalayas and around it are exposed to a variety of pollen grains from trees growing in the region, but the pollen-population interaction has not been clinically investigated. Himalayan tree pollen from five different taxa, i.e. Alnus nitida (AN), Betula utilis (BU), Cedrus deodara (CD), Mallotus phillipensis (MP) and Quercus incana (QI) were evaluated for their allergenicity in the Indian population by in vivo (skin prick test) and in vitro (ELISA) clinico-immunological methods. The presence of specific IgE against these tree pollen in the sera of skin test positive patients was taken as evidence for sensitization to these pollen. The average skin positivity in atopic populations recorded at different allergy centers in India varied from 2.2% against AN, to 4.7% against MP pollen. Significantly raised specific IgE against these pollen were observed in the sera of hypersensitive patients. The sensitization pattern to Himalayan tree pollen in these atopic populations varied. It was concluded that skin prick test positivity and raised IgE antibodies specific to AN, BU, CD, MP and QI established Himalayan tree pollen as important sensitizers in the atopic populations of India. A high incidence of skin sensitivity was observed to pollen antigens of Cedrus deodara, Mallotus phillipensis and Quercus incana in patients of Chandigarh residing in the hills and foothills of the Himalayas while Alnus nitida, Betula utilis and Cedrus deodara were important sensitizers in Delhi patients. The skin sensitization pattern against these pollen was in accordance with the level of exposure to these pollen of the subjects residing in that part of the country.