Methylated flavones of the hairy root culture Scutellaria baicalensis.

Perennial plants in northern Dauria (Zabaikalsky region) grow in low temperatures in winter and in a dry hot summer. The prairies of northern Dauria are rich in a variety of medicinal herbs, including S. baicalensis, which has roots that are in demand for traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to two monomethylated flavones (wogonin and oroxylin A), determining the pharmacological significance of the root, there is also a minority of their polymethylated congeners. Little is known about their role in the plant or their connection with the conditions of growth and cultivation of their hairy root culture (HRC). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether and to what extent the biosynthesis of the latter is retained in the hairy root culture established from wild plants of Dauria. The composition of the main methylated flavones of HRC was established using LC-MS and a previously unknown pentamethylated flavone was found in the roots. This study showed a more significant accumulation of polymethylated flavones in the root of the wild plant than in HRC.

[Hepatoprotective properties of isoflavonoids from roots of Maackia amurensis on experimental carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage].

Hepatoprotective properties of ethanol extract from the roots of Maackia amurensis Ruper et Maxim have been studied on the model of toxic hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride damage. It is established that the extract contains daidzein, 7-O-gentobiosides of isoflavonoids genistein, formononetin, pseudobabtige-nin, and 5-O-methylgenistein, and 3-O-gentobiosides of pterocarpans (6aR, 11aR)-maakiain and (6aR, 11aR)-medicarpin. The administration of extract facilitates the restoration of antioxidant protection enzymes activity and reduced glutathione level, decreases the formation of toxic peroxidation products, produces normalizing impact on liver phospholipid pattern, and improves the erythrocyte tolerance to hemolytic agents. The action of isoflavonoids from Maackia amurensis in restoration of metabolic pathways of the liver and removal of toxic stress was more effective as compared to that of the reference hepatoprotector legalon.

Antithrombogenic and antiplatelet activities of extract from Maackia amyrensis wood.

Antithrombogenic and antiplatelet effects of a new drug, containing isoflavonoids (extract from the wood of Maackia amyrensis, a Far Eastern plant), were studied. A course (200 mg/kg intragastrically during 14 days) of Maackia amyrensis extract prevented intravascular clotting, initiated by application of 10% iron chloride solution on the vessel. The drug increased antiaggregant activity of the vascular wall and potentiated endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in ovariectomied rats. The reference drug ethinylestradiol (25 mug/kg intragastrically during 14 days) potentiated the antiaggregant effect of the endothelium, but was inferior to Maackia amyrensis extract in the capacity to induce endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in ovariectomied rats.

[Effects of Maackia amurensis extract on the lipid spectrum and lipid peroxidation in erythrocyte membranes of ovariectomized rats].

Ovariectomy in rats induces the activation of lipid peroxidation processes, reduces total lipid content, and decreases the accumulation of lysophospholipids in erythrocyte membranes. The administration of Maackia amurensis extract (200 mg/kg, p.o., during 14 days) reduces the level of lipid peroxidation, prevents a decrease in the total lipid content, normalizes the proportion of lipids and proteins, and eliminates the accumulation of lysophospholipids in erythrocyte membranes in ovariectomized rats.

New prenylated isoflavanones and other constituents of Lespedeza bicolor.

Two prenylated isoflavanones (1) and (2) were isolated from the stem bark of Lespedeza bicolor along with the known compounds ethyl caffeate, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, betulinic acid, betulin, beta-sitosterol and from the stem heartwood daidzein and isoliquiritigenin.

[Antioxidant activity of the hepatoprotector maxar in experimental diabetes]. / Antioksidantnoe deistvie gepatoprotektora maksara pri éksperimental'nom diabete.

Maxar, a hepatoprotector of plant origin containing polyphenols, exhibits an antioxidant effect in animals with alloxane-induced diabetes. The administration of maxar reduces the intensity of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and normalizes the level of LPO products (diene conjugates, malonic dialdehyde, Schiff bases) in liver. The drug produces regulation of the protective antioxidant system primarily by increasing the level of endogenous antioxidants via activation of the glutathione-dependent enzymatic mechanisms and detoxication of lipid hydroperoxide radicals.

Effect of Maksar on antioxidant system in rats with type IIa alimentary hyperlipoproteinemia.

The development of type IIa alimentary hyperlipoproteinemia in rats was accompanied by changes in activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes, exhaustion of the reserves of antioxidant vitamins in the liver and blood, and intensification of lipid peroxidation. The hepatoprotective preparation Maksar obtained from far-eastern plants Maachia amurensis and containing natural biological antioxidants normalized blood lipid composition, corrected liver lipidosis, and improved the antioxidant defense system.

Isoflavonoid production by callus cultures of Maackia amurensis.

Callus cultures were established from the different parts of Maackia amurensis plants and analyzed for isoflavonoids. The isoflavones daidzein, retuzin, genistein and formononetin and the pterocarpans maakiain and medicarpin were found to be produced by these cultures. The content of isoflavones and pterocarpans was essentially the same in cultures derived from leaf petioles, inflorescences and apical meristems of the plant. The maximal yield of isoflavones and pterocarpans in calluses was 20.8 mg/g cell dry wt., approximately four times higher than the content of the heartwood of M. amurensis plants. Unlike wild-growing plants, none of the cell cultures had the ability to accumulate stilbenes.

[Antimicrobial activity of polyhydroxynaphthoquinones from sea urchins]. / Antimikrobnaia aktivnost' poligidroksinaftokhinonov iz morskikh ezei.

Antimicrobial activity of polyhydroxynaphthoquinones from sea urchins was studied. 6-Ethyl-2,3,5,7,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (equinochrome A) containing the beta-ethyl functional group was found to be the most active substance. Methylation of beta-hydroxyls markedly increased the inhibitory effect of the derivatives as compared to that of the initial quinones.