Active constituents of Urtica fissa in inhibition of benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中国中药杂志

The present study investigated the material basis of Urtica fissa for the inhibition of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). The active fractions were screened, and the extracts of dichloromethane and ethyl acetate exhibited significantly inhibitory activities against 5α-reductase in vitro and BPH in model rats. The chemical constituents in the active fractions were systematically investigated, and 28 compounds were obtained, which were identified as lobechine methyl ester(1), dibutyl-O-phthalate(2), 1-monolinolein(3), epipinoresinol(4), 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentanyl-2(5H)-furanone(5), E-7,9-diene-11-methenyl palmitic acid(6), evofolin B(7), ficusal(8), threo-2,3-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-ethoxypropan-1-ol(9), α-viniferin(10),(9R,7E)-9-hydroxy-5,7-mengatigmadien-4-one-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(11), indole-3-carboxaldehyde(12), p-hydroxy ethyl cinnamate(13), benzyl alcohol-O-β-D-glucoside(14), L-methionine(15), 4-methoxyaniline(16), 6-aminopurine(17), 8'-acetyl oilvil(18), 4-methoxyl-8'-acetyl oilvil(19), vanillic acid(20), β-hydroxypropiovanillone(21), 7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin(22), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(23), pinoresinol(24), erythro-1,2-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanediol(25), urticol(26), urticol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(27), and lobechine(28). Compounds 1-17 were isolated from U. fissa for the first time. Meanwhile, compound 1 was a new natural product. Compounds 10, 11, 19, 21, and 27 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on 5α-reductase.

Morphometric and hormonal study of the effect of utrica diocia extract on mammary glands in rats / Estudio morfométrico y hormonal del efecto de extracto de utrica diocia en glándulas mamarias en ratas

Urtica diocia is a multipurpose herb in traditional medicine. Its hydroalcoholic extract (20, 50 and 100 mg/kg) administered interaperitoneally to Wistar female rats for 21 consequent days resulted in significant increase in the number of alveoli of mammary glands in doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg. Changes in serum prolactin and alveolar diameter were not significant in comparison with control group. Also, there was an increase in serum prolactin and alveolar diameter in doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg. Utrica diocia extract has positive effects on mammary glands.

Urtica diocia es una hierba de usos múltiples en la medicina tradicional. Su extracto hidroalcohólico (20, 50 y 100 mg/kg) administrado por vía intraperitoneal en ratas hembras Wistar de 21 días resultaron en un aumento significativo en el número de alvéolos de las glándulas mamarias en dosis de 20 y 50 mg/kg. Los cambios en la prolactina sérica y el diámetro alveolar no fueron significativos en comparación con el grupo control. Además, hubo un aumento en la prolactina sérica y en el diámetro alveolar en dosis de 20 y 50 mg/kg. El extracto de Urtica diocia tiene efectos positivos sobre las glándulas mamarias.

Pesticidal and pest repellency activities of a plant derived triterpenoid 2α, 3ß, 21ß, 23, 28-penta hydroxyl 12-oleanene against Tribolium castaneum

BACKGROUND: Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) is a major pest of stored grain-based products, and cause severe damage to cereal grains throughout the world. The present investigation was aimed to determine the pesticidal and pest repellent activities of 2α,3ß,21ß,23,28-penta hydroxyl 12-oleanene against T. castaneum. The compound 2α,3ß,21ß,23,28-penta hydroxyl 12-oleanene is a triterpenoid which was isolated from the roots of Laportea crenulata Gaud. Surface film technique was used for pesticidal screening, whereas, pest repellency property of the triterpenoid was determined by filter paper disc method. RESULTS: At 24 hours of exposure duration, significant mortality records (80% and 86%) were observed at doses 0.88 and 1.77 mg/cm². No significant change in mortality records was observed when duration of exposure was increased up to 48 hours. The triterpenoid showed significant repellency activity at doses 0.47 and 0.94 mg/cm². CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the triterpenoid 2α,3ß,21ß,23,28-penta hydroxyl 12-oleanene possess both pesticidal and pest repellency activities against T. castaneum and can be used in controlling the pest of grain-based products.

Polyphenolic and biological activities of leaves extracts of Argemone subfusiformis (Papaveraceae) and Urtica urens (Urticaceae)

Nowadays there is a resurgence of interest in wild plants for their possible medicinal value in diets, since some epidemiological studies have demonstrated their effectiveness against important diseases. Generally, foods of plant origin contain many bioactive compounds, proteins, energy, vitamins and specific minerals; in addition, the popular wild plant species provide fibre, essential fatty acids and enhance the taste and colour in diets. We studied the nutritional and medicinal potential of leaves of A. subfusiformis and U. urens, collected in Alice, South Africa in November 2006. To asses this we analyzed the phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaves in acetone, methanol and water extracts, using standard analytical methods. The proximate analysis showed that the leaves of both plant species contained appreciable percentages of moisture; ashes; carbohydrates; crude proteins, lipids and fibres. Elemental analysis of macro and microelements showed higher values for U. urens that contained in decreasing order: iron>manganese>zinc>copper>calcium>potassium>nitrogen>magnesium> phosphorus>sodium, for A. subfusiformis resulted in iron>zinc>manganese>coppe r>calcium>potassium>nitrogen>magnesium>phosphorus>sodium. Besides, the chemical composition showed higher concentration of alkaloids, saponins and phytates in A. subfusiformis. The extracts also caused 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2-azinobis-3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities which were comparable to those of ascorbic acid. The extracts of both plants contained appreciable levels of polyphenols and also caused varied inhibition of some bacterial strains used in this study. When the nutrient and chemical constituents of these plants were compared with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values, the results revealed that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals and low levels of toxicants. Since the plants also exhibited some level of antibacterial activities, their use for medicinal purposes is to some extent being justified. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (4): 1517-1531. Epub 2010 December 01.

En la actualidad se ha dado un resurgimiento del interés en las plantas silvestres por su posible valor en la dieta, como consecuencia de algunos estudios epidemiológicos que han demostrado efectividad contra importantes enfermedades. En general, los alimentos de origen vegetal contienen muchos compuestos bioactivos, proteínas, energía, vitaminas y minerales específicos; además, las especies silvestres populares proporcionan fibras, ácidos grasos esenciales y aditivos para mejorar el sabor y color de los alimentos. Estudiamos el potencial nutricional y medicinal de las hojas de A. subfusiformis y U. urens, recolectados en Alice, Sudáfrica, en noviembre de 2006. Analizamos los compuestos químicos y antioxidantes de estas plantas, la actividad antibacteriana de las hojas en extractos acuosos, con acetona y metanol, utilizando los métodos estándares de análisis. Encontramos que las hojas de ambas especies contienen apreciables porcentajes de humedad, cenizas, carbohidratos, proteínas, lípidos y fibras. El análisis de los macro y microelementos mostró valores altos para U. urens en el siguiente orden decreciente: >hierro>manganeso>zinc>cobre>calcio>potasio>nitrógeno>magnesio>fósforo>sodio y para A. subfusiformis fue: hierro>zinc>manganeso>cobre>calcio> potasio>nitrógeno>magnesio>fósforo>sodio. Además, la composición química mostró una alta concentración de alcaloides, saponinas y fitatos en A. subfusiformis. Estos extractos 1, 1 - difenil-2-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) y 2, 2-azinobis-3 ácido etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfúrico (ABTS) también causaron actividad en el barrido de radicales comparables con los del ácido ascórbico. Los extractos de ambas especies contienen niveles apreciables de polifenoles y también causaron una variada inhibición de algunas cepas bacterianas utilizadas en el estudio. Cuando los nutrientes y compuestos químicos de estas plantas se compararon con los valores dietéticos recomendados (RDA), los resultados revelaron que las hojas contenían una apreciable cantidad de nutrientes, minerales, compuestos químicos y bajos niveles de sustancias tóxicas. Dado que las plantas también mostraron un cierto nivel de actividad antibacteriana, su utilización para fines medicinales en cierta medida está justificada.