A new norsesquiterpenoid from Arctium lappa leaves / 中国中药杂志

Chemical constituents were isolated and purified from ethyl acetate fraction of Arctium lappa leaves by silica gel, ODS, MCI, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were identified with multiple spectroscopical methods including NMR, MS, IR, UV, and X-ray diffraction combined with literature data. Twenty compounds(1-20) were identified and their structures were determined as arctanol(1), citroside A(2), melitensin 15-O-β-D-glucoside(3), 11β,13-dihydroonopordopicrin(4), 11β,13-dihydrosalonitenolide(5), 8α-hydroxy-β-eudesmol(6), syringin(7), dihydrosyringin(8), 3,4,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-δ-truxinate(9),(+)-pinoresinol(10), phillygenin(11), syringaresinol(12), kaeperferol(13), quercetin(14), luteolin(15), hyperin(16), 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid(17), 1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde(18), benzyl-β-D-glucopyranoside(19), and N-(2'-phenylethyl) isobutyramide(20). Among them, compound 1 is a new norsesquiterpenoid, and compounds 2-5, 7-8, and 18-20 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Otimização de método extrativo para raízes de Arctium lappa L / Extractive method optimization for Arctium lappa l. Roots / Optimización de un método de extracción de raíces de Arctium lappa L

Arctium lappa L. é indicada no Formulário de Fitoterápicos da Farmacopeia Brasileira para o tratamento de distúrbios urinários leves. Estudos já demonstraram o potencial antioxidante, anti-inflamatório e antidiabético deste extrato, onde foram identificados fenóis, lignanas, taninos e flavonoides. O objetivo deste trabalho foi otimizar o método extrativo de raízes de A. lappa. Realizou-se o preparo de extratos por diferentes métodos: Ultrassom, Soxhlet, maceração e turbo extração. A otimização foi realizada por turbo extração seguindo um planejamento fatorial 23, empregando como fatores: teor alcoólico, concentração da matéria prima e tempo de extração. Os extratos foram avaliados quanto ao resíduo seco, teores de fenóis e flavonoides, e atividade antioxidante. Com relação ao resíduo seco, e aos teores de fenóis e flavonoides, os métodos de ultrassom e turbo extração demonstraram melhor poder extrativo. Devido ao menor tempo e custo operacional, a otimização foi realizada por turbo extração, e o extrato otimizado foi obtido utilizando álcool 60%, em proporção matéria prima solvente 1:10 e tempo de extração de 15 minutos. Estas análises poderão nortear futuros testes de transposição de método para escala industrial, diminuindo mão de obra, tempo e custos, visando obter produtos fitoterápicos mais eficientes, com valor acessível à população.

Arctium lappa L. is indicated in the Brazilian Pharmacopeia Herbal Medicines Form for the treatment of mild urinary disorders. Studies have already demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of this extract, where phenols, lignans, tannins and flavonoids were identified. The objective of this work was to optimize the extractive method of A. lappa roots. Extracts were prepared by different methods: Ultrasound, Soxhlet, maceration and vortical extraction. The optimization was performed by vortical extraction following a 23 full factorial design, using as factors: alcohol content, drug concentration and extraction time. The extracts were evaluated for dry residue, phenols and flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activity. Regarding the dry residue, and the phenols and flavonoids contents, the ultrasound and vortical extraction methods showed better extractive power. Due to the lower operating time and cost, the optimization was performed by vortical extraction, and the optimized extract was obtained using 60% alcohol, in a 1:10 drug solvent ratio and extraction time of 15 minutes. These assessments guide the future tests of transposition of the method to an industrial scale, reducing manpower, time and costs, aiming to obtain more efficient phytotherapic products, with affordable value for the population.

Arctium lappa L. está indicado en la Formulacao de Fitoterápicos da Farmacopeia Brasileira para el tratamiento de trastornos urinarios leves. Los estudios han demostrado el potencial antioxidante, antiinflamatorio y antidiabético de este extracto, donde se identificaron fenoles, lignanos, taninos y flavonoides. El objetivo de este trabajo fue optimizar el método extractivo de las raíces de A. lappa. Los extractos se prepararon por diferentes métodos: Ultrasonido, Soxhlet, maceración y turboextracción. La optimización se realizó mediante turboextracción siguiendo una planificación factorial de 23, empleando como factores: tenor alcohólico, concentración de materia prima y tiempo de extracción. Se evaluaron los extractos para determinar el residuo seco, el contenido de fenoles y flavonoides y la actividad antioxidante. En cuanto al contenido de residuo seco, fenoles y flavonoides, los métodos de extracción por ultrasonidos y turbo demostraron un mejor poder de extracción. Debido al menor tiempo y coste operativo, la optimización se realizó mediante turboextracción, y el extracto optimizado se obtuvo utilizando alcohol 60%, en proporción disolvente-materia 1:10 y tiempo de extracción de 15 minutos. Estos análisis podrán orientar futuros ensayos de transposición del método para escala industrial, reduciendo mano de obra, tiempo y costes, con el objetivo de obtener productos fitoterapéuticos más eficientes, con valor accesible para la población.

Effectiveness of different methods for the extraction of principle actives and phytochemicals content in medicinal herbals / Efectividad de diferentes métodos para la extracción de principios activos y contenido de fitoquímicos en hierbas medicinales

In this present study, we investigated the influence of various extraction methods including maceration, sonication, infusion, decoction, and microwave extraction, on the chemical and biological potential of phytochemicals extracted from three medicinal plants (Ageratum conyzoides, Plantago majorand Arctium lappa L). The results were subsequently analyzed by variance analysis. Our results suggested that sonication is the most effective extraction method among the five methods tested herein, for the extraction of phytochemicals that have a high antioxidant potential and high phenolic content. The three plants employed for this study had a high concentration of flavonoids and phenolics which was compatible with the chemosystematics of the species. All the samples possessed a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of less than 6. Interestingly, a maximum reaction time of approximately 20 min was noted for the complexation of AlCl3 with the flavonoids present in the phytochemical extract during analyses of the kinetic parameters. We finally identified that the Ageratum conyzoides extract, prepared by sonication, possessed a significant pharmacological potential against hepatocarcinoma tumour cells, whose result can guide further studies for its therapeutic efficacy.

En el presente estudio, investigamos la influencia de varios métodos de extracción, incluyendo maceración, sonicación, infusión, decocción y extracción por microondas, sobre el potencial químico y biológico de los fitoquímicos extraídos de tres plantas medicinales (Ageratum conyzoides, Plantago majory Arctium lappa L). Los resultados se analizaron posteriormente mediante análisis de varianza. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la sonicación es el método de extracción más eficaz entre los cinco métodos aquí probados, para la extracción de fitoquímicos que tienen un alto potencial antioxidante y un alto contenido fenólico. Las tres plantas empleadas para este estudio tenían una alta concentración de flavonoides y fenólicos que era compatible con la quimiosistemática de las especies. Todas las muestras poseían un factor de protección solar (SPF) menor a 6. Curiosamente, se observó un tiempo máximo de reacción de aproximadamente 20 min para la complejación de AlCl3con los flavonoides presentes en el extracto fitoquímico durante los análisis de los parámetros cinéticos. Finalmente, identificamos que el extracto de Ageratum conyzoides, elaborado por sonicación, posee un importante potencial farmacológico frente a las células tumorales del hepatocarcinoma, cuyo resultado puede orientar nuevos estudios sobre su eficacia terapéutica.

Enzymatic preparation of fructooligosaccharides-rich burdock syrup with enhanced antioxidative properties

Background: Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) is a fructan-rich plant with prebiotic potential. The aim of this study was to develop an efficient enzymatic route to prepare fructooligosaccharides (FOS)-rich and highly antioxidative syrup using burdock root as a raw material. Results: Endo-inulinase significantly improved the yield of FOS 2.4-fold while tannase pretreatment further increased the yield of FOS 2.8-fold. Other enzymes, including endo-polygalacturonase, endo-glucanase and endo-xylanase, were able to increase the yield of total soluble sugar by 11.1% (w/w). By this process, a new enzymatic process for burdock syrup was developed and the yield of burdock syrup increased by 25% (w/w), whereas with FOS, total soluble sugars, total soluble protein and total soluble polyphenols were enhanced to 28.8%, 53.3%, 8.9% and 3.3% (w/w), respectively. Additionally, the scavenging abilities of DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, and total antioxidant capacity of the syrup were increased by 23.7%, 51.8% and 35.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Our results could be applied to the development of efficient extraction of valuable products from agricultural materials using enzyme-mediated methods.

Salinity of Representative Korean Foods High in Sodium from Home Meals, Foodservices, and Restaurants / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the salinity of representative Korean foods high in sodium to generate data for use as a fundamental resource for setting salinity standards in foods. METHODS: A total of 480 foods from 16 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from 10 households, 10 industry foodservice establishments, and 10 Korean restaurants in four regions (Capital area, Chungcheong Province, Gyeongsang Province, and Jeolla Province) and analyzed for salinity. RESULTS: Among the foods, stir-fried anchovies (4.07~4.45%) showed the highest salinity, followed by pickled onion (1.86~2.62%), cabbage kimchi (1.83~2.2%), braised burdock and lotus root (1.79~2.17%), and sliced radish kimchi (1.78~1.89%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of kimchi from home meals (2.2%) was significantly higher than that of foodservice (1.83%) and restaurant (1.93%) kimchi (p < 0.05). Salinity in each group of food was highest in kimchi (1.83~2.04%), followed by braised dishes (1.54~1.78%), steamed dishes (1.0~1.22%), stir-fried dishes (1.02~1.18%), and soup or stew (0.74~1.02%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of soup and stew from restaurants (1.02%) was significantly higher than that of home meal (0.84%) and foodservice (0.74%) soup and stew. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the salinity of representative Korean foods known to be high in sodium by eating place is expected to be useful to establishing guidelines for reduction of salinity.

Salinity of Representative Korean Foods High in Sodium from Home Meals, Foodservices, and Restaurants / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the salinity of representative Korean foods high in sodium to generate data for use as a fundamental resource for setting salinity standards in foods. METHODS: A total of 480 foods from 16 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from 10 households, 10 industry foodservice establishments, and 10 Korean restaurants in four regions (Capital area, Chungcheong Province, Gyeongsang Province, and Jeolla Province) and analyzed for salinity. RESULTS: Among the foods, stir-fried anchovies (4.07~4.45%) showed the highest salinity, followed by pickled onion (1.86~2.62%), cabbage kimchi (1.83~2.2%), braised burdock and lotus root (1.79~2.17%), and sliced radish kimchi (1.78~1.89%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of kimchi from home meals (2.2%) was significantly higher than that of foodservice (1.83%) and restaurant (1.93%) kimchi (p < 0.05). Salinity in each group of food was highest in kimchi (1.83~2.04%), followed by braised dishes (1.54~1.78%), steamed dishes (1.0~1.22%), stir-fried dishes (1.02~1.18%), and soup or stew (0.74~1.02%) (p < 0.001). The salinity of soup and stew from restaurants (1.02%) was significantly higher than that of home meal (0.84%) and foodservice (0.74%) soup and stew. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the salinity of representative Korean foods known to be high in sodium by eating place is expected to be useful to establishing guidelines for reduction of salinity.

Study on high throughput sequencing identification of Fructus Arctii and five counterfeit species mix power / 中国中药杂志

Fructus Arctii is a traditional Chinese medicine. The main counterfeit species are the seeds of Arctium tomentosum, Onopordum acanthium, Silybum marianum, Saussurea costus, Amorpha fruticosa. Traditional identification methods or molecular barcoding techniques can identify Fructus Arctii and its counterfeit species. However, the identification of the mixture of it and its spurious species is rarely reported. In this paper, we sequenced the ITS2 sequences of Fructus Arctii and 5 kinds of spurious species mix powder by high-throughput sequencing to identify the mixed powder species and providing new ideas for the identification of Fructus Arctii mix powder. The total DNA in mixed powder was extracted, and the ITS2 sequences in total DNA was amplified. Paired-end sequencing was performed on the DNA fragment of the community using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The sequence was analyzed by the software FLASH, QIIME and GraPhlAn etc. The results showed that the high quality ITS2 sequences of 39910 mix samples were obtained from the mixed samples, of which the total ITS2 sequence of the samples genus was 34 935. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the samples contained Fructus Arctii, A. tomentosum, O. acanthium, S. marianum, S. costus and A. fruticosa. Using ITS2 sequences as DNA barcodes, high-throughput sequencing technology can be used to detect the Fructus Arctii and its spurious specie in mixed powder, which can provide reference for the quality control, safe use of medicinal materials of Fructus Arctii and the identification of mixed powder of traditional Chinese medicine.

Prebiotic effects of inulin extracted from burdock (Arctium lappa) in broilers / Efeito prebiótico da inulina extraída da bardana (Arctium lappa) em frangos de corte

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prebiotic effect of burdock (Arctium lappa) in commercial poultry. Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance parameters and the protection after challenge with Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Kedougou, with and without Bifidobacterium probiotic. In two trials, the chickens were fed with flour burdock 1% during 42 days. In the other two, the chickens were fed with fructan extracted from burdock (inulin), by gavage, at a concentration of 100 mg/bird, during the first three days of life. The results showed that the broilers treated with burdock flour showed underperformed, with less weight gain from the second week, and the worst results in the fattening stage. The treated birds had diarrhea and impaired intestinal integrity. However, the groups treated with the flour had a lower rate of intestinal colonization by Salmonella Kedougou, after challenge. No statistically significant differences were detected in the performance parameters of broilers receiving the inulin, and the morphometric analysis showed no lesions in the intestinal villi. However, there was no protection in the challenge with Salmonella Enteritidis, regardless of association with probiotic. These results demonstrated that the manner of administration has influence on the prebiotic effect of burdock. The burdock flour was administered for 42 days, which may have influenced intestinal mucosal injury. Instead, the inulin was given only in the first three days, which may have been insufficient for protection against Salmonella. New experiments are needed to determine an able formulation for a protective effect, without negative impact on growth, weight gain and feed conversion of the supplemented animals.(AU)

Este projeto teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito prebiótico da bardana (Arctium lappa) em aves comerciais. Foram realizados quatro experimentos para avaliar os parâmetros zootécnicos e o grau de proteção após o desafio com Salmonella Kedougou e Salmonella Enteritidis, com e sem a adição de probióticos à base de Bifidobacterium. Em dois experimentos, as aves receberam a farinha de bardana 1% na ração, durante 42 dias. Nos outros dois, as aves receberam o frutano extraído da bardana (inulina), por gavagem, na concentração de 100 mg/ave, nos três primeiros dias de vida. Os resultados demonstraram que os frangos tratados com farinha de bardana apresentaram desempenho zootécnico inferior ao controle, com menor ganho de peso a partir da segunda semana e piores resultados na fase de engorda. As aves tratadas apresentaram diarreia e comprometimento da integridade intestinal. Em contrapartida, os grupos tratados com a farinha tiveram menor taxa de colonização intestinal por Salmonella Kedougou, após o desafio. Não foram detectadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas nos parâmetros zootécnicos dos frangos que receberam a inulina, e a análise morfométrica não evidenciou lesões nas vilosidades intestinais. No entanto, não houve proteção no desafio por Salmonella Enteritidis, independentemente da associação com probiótico. Esses resultados demonstraram que o modo de administração tem influência sobre o efeito prebiótico da bardana. A farinha de bardana foi administrada por 42 dias, o que pode ter causado a lesão da mucosa intestinal. Em contrapartida, a inulina foi administrada apenas nos primeiros três primeiros dias, o que pode ter sido insuficiente para proteção contra Salmonella. Novos experimentos são necessários para determinar uma formulação capaz de promover efeito protetor, sem impacto negativo no crescimento, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar dos animais suplementados.(AU)

Safety of 8-weeks oral administration of Arctium lappa L / 한국실험동물학회지

Recently, worldwide dietary reference intakes have been considered an important guideline for public health. Some governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines concerning dietary intake. Although an ingredient may have a history of use as a culinary material, changes in the environment over time suggest that the acceptable maximum intake each of food/culinary material should be regularly evaluated. Arctium lappa L. has been used as a culinary material for many centuries in Korea and Japan and some recent studies have reported related therapeutic effects. However, there are no reports on the safety of repeated oral administration. In this study, we evaluated the safety of a 8-weeks repeated oral intake of A. lappa. We concluded that treatment with <250 mg/kg A. lappa, which was within the safety range, resulted in body weight decrease and blood glucose suppression.

Analysis of sodium content of representative Korean foods high in sodium from home meal, foodservice, and restaurants / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the sodium contents of representative Korean foods high in sodium and develop them as a fundamental resource for setting the standard amount of sodium in foods. METHODS: A total of 480 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from households, foodservice establishments, and restaurants in four regions (Capital region, Chungcheong & Gangwon Province, Gyeongsang province, and Jeolla province) and analyzed their sodium content. RESULTS: The sodium content (per 100 g) of food categorized by food group was highest in kimchi and braised food (p < 0.001), and the sodium content of each food was highest in stir-fried anchovies (1,896.6 mg) followed by braised burdock and lotus roots (820.6 mg) and picked onions (809.3 mg) (p < 0.001). However, the sodium content per portion of food was highest in steamed short ribs (1,429.6 mg) from home meals (p < 0.001), Bibimbap, (1,074.1 mg) and steamed short ribs (838.8 mg) from foodservice (p < 0.001), spicy beef soup (3,273.2 mg), and pollack stew (2,930.2 mg) from restaurants (p < 0.001). The sodium content per 100 g and portion of soups and stews from restaurants was significantly higher than that of home meals and foodservice meals (p < 0.001), and the sodium content per portion of steam dishes and stir-fried dishes from home meals was significantly higher than that of foodservice meals (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that developing and using low-sodium soybean sauces & soybean paste and kimchi is needed in an effort to reduce sodium intake. In addition, determination of the sodium contents of representative Korean foods known to be high in sodium is expected to be useful in establishing guidelines for reduction of sodium content.

Inhibition of advanced glycation end product formation by burdock root extract / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Diabetic complications are a major concern to manage progression of diabetes. Production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) due to high blood glucose is one of the mechanisms leading to diabetic complications. Multiple pharmacologic AGE inhibitory agents are currently under development, but clinical applications are still limited due to safety issues. Thus, it is necessary to identify a safe anti-glycation agent. It is known that burdock roots have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. The objective of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory role of burdock roots on the formation of high glucose-induced glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA). METHODS: In this study, glycation of BSA by glucose, galactose, or fructose at 37℃ for 3 weeks was assessed based on levels of α-dicarbonyl compounds (early-stage glycation products), fructosamine (intermediate products of glycation), and fluorescent AGEs (late-stage glycation products). In order to compare the inhibitory actions of burdock root extract in AGE formation, aminoguanidine (AG), a pharmacological AGE inhibitor, was used as a positive control. RESULTS: BSA glycation by glucose, fructose, and galatose was dose- and time-dependently produced. Burdock root extract at a concentration of 4 mg/mL almost completely inhibited glucose-induced BSA glycation. The results demonstrate that burdock root extract inhibited AGE formation with an IC₅₀ value of 1.534 mg/mL, and inhibitory activity was found to be more effective than the standard anti-glycation agent aminoguanidine. This study identified a novel function of burdock root as a potential anti-glycation agent. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that burdock root could be beneficial for preventing diabetic complications.

Optimization of the processing technology of Fructus Arctii by response surface methodology / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to optimize the processing of Fructus Arctii by response surface methodology (RSM). Based on single factor studies, a three-variable, three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to monitor the effects of independent variables, including processing temperature and time, on the dependent variables. Response surfaces and contour plots of the contents of total lignans, chlorogenic acid, arctiin, and arctigenin were obtained through ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) monitoring and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fructus Arctii should be processed under heating in a pot at 311 °C, medicine at 119 °C for 123s with flipping frequently. The experimental values under the optimized processing technology were consistent with the predicted values. In conclusion, RSM is an effective method to optimize the processing of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Inhibitory effect of arctigenin on lymphocyte activation stimulated with PMA/ionomycin / 药学学报

This study investigated the effect of arctigenin (Arc) on the cell activation, cytokines expression, proliferation, and cell-cycle distribution of mouse T lymphocytes. Mouse lymphocytes were prepared from lymph node and treated with Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)/Ionimycin (Ion) and/or Arc. CD69, CD25, cytokines, proliferation and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. The results showed that, at concentrations of less than 1.00 micromol x L(-1), Arc expressed non-obvious cell damage to cultured lymphocytes, however, it could significantly down-regulate the expression of CD69 and CD25, as well as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 on PMA/Ion stimulated lymphocytes. At the same time, Arc could also inhibit the proliferation of PMA/Ion-activated lymphocytes and exhibited lymphocyte G 0/G1 phase cycle arrest. These results suggest that Arc possesses significant anti-inflammatory effects that may be mediated through the regulation of cell activation, cytokines expression and cell proliferation.

[Optimization of inulin extraction from Burdock tuber by using response surface methodology [RSM]]

Inulin is widely used in functional foods throughout the world for its health-promoting and technological properties. Burdock tuber can be a valuable source of inulin. It is cultivated widely in the northern and western parts of Iran. But scarce studies about its extraction exist. It has been increasingly used in functional foods due to its texture improvement, sugar and fat replacer characteristics and beneficial nutritional attributes, as prebiotic ingredient. Optimize conventional extraction of inulin, by using central composite design [CCD] and response surface methodology [RSM]. In this Research, a series of statistically designed studies such as central composite design and response surface methodology were performed to investigate the effect of each of the independent variables, solvent: solid ratio [5 - 15 v/w], temperature [40 - 90°C] and time [5 - 40 min] on yield of inulin extraction from burdock tubers. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize multiple variables to predict the best performance conditions with a minimum number of experiments. According to determination of inulin content of extraction liquid, firstly total carbohydrate was determined by the phenolsulphuric acid method, then reducing sugar was determined by the dinitrosalicylic acid method and finally the inulin content was measured with the difference between total carbohydrate and reducing sugars. Inulin extraction yield [%] was calculated using the following relationship = [inulin content x volume of extraction liquid/mass of Burdock tuber powder] x100. Based on canonical analysis, the optimal conditions for maximizing inulin extraction yield [12%] were at 66.14°C for 37.6 min and solvent: solid ratios of 14: 98 [v/w]. Using the response surface methodology, the optimum set of the independent variables was obtained graphically in order to obtain the desired levels of inulin extraction

Antifungigrama para comprovar o potencial de ação dos extratos vegetais hidroglicólicos sobre Candida sp. (Berkhout) / Etest to confirm the action potential of plant hydroglycol extracts on Candida sp. (Berkhout)

A candidíase vaginal é uma doença causada, na maioria das vezes, pelo fungo do gênero Candida sp, que habita o trato gastrintestinal e geniturinário da espécie humana e pode tornar-se patogênico sob determinadas condições. A maioria dos indivíduos desenvolve defesas imunológicas que impedem a proliferação e desenvolvimento de candidíase localizada ou disseminada. Embora a causa exata do aumento de espécies não-albicans seja desconhecida, há evidências de que a própria terapia antifúngica possa estar contribuindo para o processo. Linhagens de C. glabrata são mais resistentes aos imidazólicos do que a C. albicans, sendo necessária uma concentração 10 vezes superior de miconazol para eliminar a C. glabrata quando comparada a C. albicans. Foi realizado um antifungigrama testando o potencial de ação de produtos vegetais sobre o fungo Candida sp. Foi observado que, ocorreu inibição do fungo no contato com os extratos hidroglicólicos das plantas Arctium lappa L., Calendula officinalis L., Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville e Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb. A importância deste trabalho reside na possibilidade de desenvolvimento de tratamento complementar, menos agressivo, de menor custo e sem toxidade, o que possibilitaria melhor qualidade de vida para portadoras de candidíase vaginal recorrente ou não.

Vaginal candidiasis is a disease caused, in most cases, by the fungus of the genus Candida sp., which inhabits the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of the human species and can become pathogenic under certain conditions. Most individuals develop immune defenses that prevent the proliferation and the development of localized or disseminated candidiasis. Although the exact cause of the increase in non-albicans species is unknown, there is evidence that antifungal therapy itself may have contributed to it. Strains of C. glabrata are more resistant to imidazole than C. albicans, and a 10-fold higher concentration of miconazole is required to eliminate C. glabrata compared to C. albicans. Etest was performed by testing the action potential of plant products on the fungus Candida sp. Inhibition of the fungus occurred when it was in contact with the hydroglycol extracts of plants Arctium lappa L., Calendula officinalis L., Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville and Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb. The importance of this study lies in the possibility of developing a complementary treatment, less aggressive, of lower cost and without toxicity, which would allow better life quality for women with vaginal candidiases that are recurrent or not.

Study on correlation between ITS sequence of Arctium lappa and quality of Fructus Arctii / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation between ITS sequence of Arctium lappa and Fructus Arctii quality of different origin.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The samples of Fructu arctii materials were collected from 26 different producing areas. Their ITS sequence were determined after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quality were evaluated through the determination of arctiin content by HPLC. Genetic diversity, genotype and correlation were analyzed by ClustalX (1.81), Mage 4.0, SPSS 13.0 statistical software.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>ITS sequence of A. was obtained from 26 samples, and was registered in the GenBank. Corresponding arctiin content of Fructus arctii and 1000-grain weight were determined. A. lappa genotype correlated with Fructus arctii quality by statistical analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The research provided a foundation for revealing the molecular mechanism of Fructus arctii geoherbs.</p>

Identification of traditional medicine "Fructus Arctii" by nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS sequences / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the traditional medicine Fructus Arctii from its adulterants by ITS.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Twenty-six samples of the different Fructus Arctii materials and 10 samples of the adulterants of the fruits of A. tomentosum, Onopordum acantium, Silybum marianum, and Amorpha fruticosa were collected. The total DNA of the samples were extracted, amplified cloned and sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>ITS sequences were obtained from 26 samples respectively, there were Fructus Arctii 641 bp, A. tomentosum 641 bp, Onopordum acantium 639 bp, Silybum marianum 630-631 bp, Amorpha fruticosa 625-626 bp, which were registered in the GenBank. The similarity in ITS sequences between Fructus Arctii and the adulterants was less than 95%. In contrast, the similarity between any pair of Fructus Arctii was greater than 99%. The similarity was 98.29%-99.22% between Fructus Arctii and A. tomentosum. Phylogeny tree reconstruction using UPGMA analysis based on ITS nucleotide sequences can effectively distinguish Fructus Arctii from adulterants.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ITS sequences can be used as a reliable molecular marker for the identification of Fructus Arctii.</p>

Espaçamentos entre plantas e cobertura do solo com cama-de-frango na produção da bardana (Arctium lappa L. ) / Spacing among plants and soil covering with poultry litter in burdock (Arctium lappa L. ) production

O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar o crescimento, o desenvolvimento e a produção da bardana em resposta a cinco espaçamentos entre plantas (40,0; 47,5; 55,0; 62,5 e 70,0 cm) e ao uso (CCF) ou não (SCF) de cobertura de solo com cama-de-frango semidecomposta. Os dez tratamentos foram arranjados como fatorial 5x2, no delineamento experimental blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As plantas foram propagadas inicialmente em berços de isopor e, posteriormente, em canteiros, arranjadas em fileiras duplas, espaçadas de 0,50 m entre fileiras simples e 1,0 m entre fileiras duplas. As avaliações de altura foram feitas a partir de 30 dias até 180 dias quando foi feita a colheita. As médias de altura (172 cm) e área foliar (20.704 cm-2) das plantas e as médias de comprimento (23,6 cm) e diâmetro das raízes (16,2 mm) não foram influenciadas significativamente pelos espaçamentos nem pela cobertura ou não do solo. Os maiores e menores valores para massas fresca (25.676 kg ha-1 e 15.217 kg ha-1) e seca (1.941,02 kg ha-1 e 1.104,61 kg ha-1) de folhas, para o número de raízes (490.750 ha-1 e 272.120 ha-1) e para as massas fresca (5.080,35 kg ha-1 e 3.546,25 kg ha-1) e seca (1.448,91 kg ha-1 e 1.051,31 kg ha-1) de raízes foram encontrados com os espaçamentos de 40,0 cm e de 70,0 cm entre plantas, respectivamente, mostrando decréscimo linear na medida em que aumentaram os espaçamentos. Os teores de nitrogênio (N) e de fósforo (P), respectivamente, nas massas secas de folhas (12,84 g kg-1 e 0,33 g kg-1) e de raízes (4,11 g kg-1 e 0,13 g kg-1) de bardana não foram influenciados significativamente pelos espaçamentos, mas sim pela cobertura ou não do solo com cama-de-frango.

The aim of this work was to study the growth, development and production of burdock in response to five spacing levels among plants (40.0; 47.5; 55.0; 62.5; and 70.0 cm) and to the use (CCF) or not (SCF) of soil covering with semi-decomposed poultry litter. Experimental design was in randomized blocks, with four replicates, in a 5x2 factorial arrangement, with ten treatments. Plants were initially propagated in polystyrene plates; then, they were placed in flower beds and displayed in double rows, with 0.50m spacing between simple rows and 1.0m between double rows. Height was evaluated from 30 to 180 days, when harvest was performed. Mean height (172 cm), leaf area (20,704 cm²), root length (23.6 cm) and diameter (16.2 mm) were not significantly influenced by spacing or soil covering. The highest and lowest values of leaf fresh (25,676 kg ha-1 and 15,217 kg ha-1) and dry matter (1,941.02 kg ha-1 and 1,104.61 kg ha-1), root number (490,750 ha-1and 272,120 ha-1) and fresh (5,080.35 kg ha-1 and 3,546.25 kg ha-1) and dry matter (1,448.91 kg ha-1 and 1,051.31 kg ha-1) were obtained at 40.0 and 70.0cm spacing between plants, respectively, which shows a linear decrease with spacing increase. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) levels, in dry matter of leaves (12.84 g kg-1 and 0.33 g kg-1) and roots (4.11 g kg-1 and 0.13 g kg-1) of burdock, respectively, were not significantly influenced by spacing but by soil covering with poultry litter.

Atividade antifúngica do extrato aquoso de Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. (Asteraceae) sobre espécies orais de Candida / Antifungal activity of the aqueous extract from Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. (Asteraceae) on oral Candida species

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antifúngica do extrato aquoso de folhas de "bardana" [Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.], por meio da determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e Concentração Fungicida Mínima (CFM) sobre diferentes espécies e linhagens do gênero Candida. Foram incluídas no trabalho as espécies de Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. stellatoidea, C. dubliniensis e C. krusei. Utilizaram-se quatro linhagens de C. albicans e três de C.tropicalis, enquanto que para as demais espécies, apenas uma linhagem foi testada. Estas leveduras foram utilizadas no estudo devido à importância e frequência na cavidade bucal. As leveduras foram submetidas a tratamentos com concentrações do extrato aquoso que variaram de 0,09 a 25 mg mL-1. Os resultados indicaram que concentrações inferiores a 12,5 mg mL-1 não são suficientes para apresentar efeito fungistático ou fungicida. A concentração de 12,5 mg mL-1 apresentou efeito fungistático sobre a maioria das linhagens e espécies testadas (C. albicans 04A e ATCC44858; C. tropicalis 23600 e 23651; C. glabrata; C. stellatoideia; C. dubliniensis e C. krusei). Entretanto, efeito fungicida foi observado apenas sobre a espécie C. krusei (CFM=12,5 mg mL-1). Comportamento diferenciado foi observado entre diferentes linhagens de uma espécie (para C. albicans e C. tropicalis). Assim, a ação antifúngica do extrato aquoso de A. minus (Hill) Bernh. provavelmente está associada à variabilidade genética existente entre as diferentes linhagens de uma mesma espécie e das diferentes espécies, sendo que concentrações inferiores a 12,5 mg mL-1 não apresentaram efeito sobre as leveduras testadas. Com base na metodologia empregada e dentro das limitações deste estudo, conclui-se que o extrato aquoso de A. minus revelou efeito antifúngico, principalmente fungistático, contra espécies de Candida orais. Porém, novos estudos são necessários para avaliar o seu real potencial antifúngico dentro do meio bucal.

This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of the aqueous extract from leaves of burdock [Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.] by determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) on different species and strains of Candida genus. The species Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. stellatoidea, C. dubliniensis, and C. Krusei were included in this study. Four C. albicans and three C. tropicalis strains were used, whereas only one strain of each remaining species was tested. Such yeasts were used in this study due to their importance and frequency in the oral cavity. The yeasts were subjected to treatments with aqueous extract concentrations that ranged from 0.09 to 25 mg mL-1. Concentrations lower than 12.5 mg mL-1 were not enough to present fungicidal or fungistatic effect. The concentration of 12.5 mg mL-1 had fungistatic effect on most tested strains and species (C. albicans 04A and ATCC44858; C. tropicalis 23600 and 23651; C. glabrata; C. stellatoideia; C. dubliniensis; and C. krusei). However, fungicidal effect was only observed on the species C. krusei (MFC=12.5 mg mL-1). A distinct performance was observed among different strains from the same species (for C. albicans and C. tropicalis). Thus, the antifungal action of A. minus (Hill) Bernh. aqueous extract is probably associated with the genetic variability present among the different strains of one same species and among different species; besides, concentrations lower than 12,5 mg mL-1 did not have an effect on the tested yeasts. The adopted methodology and considering the limitations of this study led to the conclusion that the aqueous extract of A. minus presented antifungal effect, mainly fungistatic, against oral Candida species. However, new studies are needed to evaluate its real antifungal potential inside the oral environment.

Betametasona e extrato aquoso de Arctium lappa no tratamento da angiostrongilíase / Betamethasone and aqueous extract of Arctium lappa for treating angiostrongyliasis

Angiostrongylus costaricensis é um parasita que causa angiostrongilíase abdominal em humanos, seu tratamento inclui o uso de antiinflamatórios apesar da falta de estudos que justifiquem esta conduta. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar o efeito da betametasona e da Arctium lappa na evolução de lesões intestinais induzidas pelo parasita. Utilizou-se camundongos Swiss, machos, adultos, distribuídos em 4 grupos: infectados tratados com betametasona; com Arctium lappa; não tratados e grupo controle. Os tratamentos iniciaram no 15º dia de infecção e permaneceram por 15 dias. Infiltrado eosinofílico e granuloma foram avaliados (1-leve; 2-moderado; 3-severo). A betametasona permitiu a evolução das lesões para formas mais graves, enquanto o extrato não interferiu na progressão da patologia. As substâncias empregadas não mostraram eficácia na proteção das lesões induzidas pelo Angiostrongylus costaricensis em camundongos. Estes achados desmotivam o uso de betametasona e Arctium lappa em humanos acometidos por angiostrongilíase abdominal.

Angiostrongylus costaricensis is a parasite that causes abdominal angiostrongyliasis in humans. The treatment for it includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, despite the lack of studies to justify this approach. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of betamethasone and Arctium lappa on the evolution of intestinal lesions induced by this parasite. Adult male Swiss mice were used, distributed into four groups: infected and treated with betamethasone; infected and treated with Arctium lappa; infected and not treated; and control group. The treatments were started on the 15th day after infection and continued for 15 days. The presence of eosinophilic infiltration and granuloma was evaluated (1-mild; 2-moderate; 3-severe). Betamethasone allowed the lesions to evolve into more severe forms, while the extract did not interfere with disease progression. The substances applied were ineffective for protection against the lesions induced by Angiostrongylus costaricensis in mice. These findings discourage the use of betamethasone and Arctium lappa for humans affected by abdominal angiostrongyliasis.