Quercetin protects against stress-induced anxiety- and depression-like behavior and improves memory in male mice

The present study evaluates the protective role of Quercetin (Quer), against immobilization stress- induced anxiety, depression and cognition alteration in mice using behavioral and biochemical parameters. 24 adult Albino mice were distributed into 2 groups vehicle (n=12; 1 ml/kg) and Quer injected (n=12; 20 mg/kg/ml). The animals received their respective treatment for 14 days. On day 15, after the drug administration, animals were sub-divided into 4 groups (n=6); (i) unstressed + vehicle; (ii) stressed + vehicle; (iii) unstressed + Quer; (iv) stressed + Quer. On day 16, 24 h after the immobilization stress behavioral activities (light-dark activity, elevated plus maze, Morris water maze, and forced swim test) monitored and then animals were decapitated 1 h after the drug administration. Brain samples were collected for biochemical (antioxidant enzymes, AChE, ACh, 5-HT and its metabolite) analysis. The present study indicates the Quer reversed the stress-induced anxiety and depression, in addition, memory performance was more enhanced in stressed group. Following the treatment of Quer, stress-induced elevation of lipid peroxidation and suppression of antioxidant enzymes were also reversed. Administration of Quer decreased AChE in unstressed, while levels of acetylcholine were increased in vehicle and Quer treated stressed animals. The metabolism of 5-HT was increased in Quer treated stressed than unstressed animals. In conclusion, the present finding showed that Quer could prevent the impairment of antioxidant enzymes and also regulate the serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmission and produce antianxiety, antidepressant effect and enhance memory following 2 h immobilization stress in mice.

Effects of long-term cadmium exposure on urinary metabolite profiles in mice

Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental pollutant with known toxic effects on the kidney. Urinary metabolomics is a promising approach to study mechanism by which Cd-induced nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of Cd toxicity and to develop specific biomarkers by identifying urinary metabolic changes after a long-term of Cd exposure and with the critical concentration of Cd in the kidney. Urine samples were collected from wild-type 129/Sv mice after 67 weeks of 300 ppm Cd exposure and analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography connected with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (UPLC-QTOF-MS) based metabolomics approach. A total of 40 most differentiated metabolites (9 down-regulated and 31 up-regulated) between the control and Cd-exposed group were identified. The majority of the regulated metabolites are amino acids (glutamine, L-aspartic acid, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and D-proline) indicating that amino acid metabolism pathways are affected by long-term exposure of Cd. However, there are also some nucleotides (guanosine, guanosine monophosphate, cyclic AMP, uridine), amino acid derivatives (homoserine, N-acetyl-L-aspartate, N-acetylglutamine, acetyl-phenylalanine, carboxymethyllysine), and peptides. Results of pathway analysis showed that the arginine and proline metabolism, purine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis were affected compared to the control. This study demonstrates that metabolomics is useful to elucidate the metabolic responses and biological effects induced by Cd-exposure.

Anti-apoptotic potential of several antidiabetic medicinal plants of the eastern James Bay Cree pharmacopeia in cultured kidney cells

Background

Our team has identified 17 Boreal forest species from the traditional pharmacopeia of the Eastern James Bay Cree that presented promising in vitro and in vivo biological activities in the context of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

We now screened the 17 plants extracts for potential anti-apoptotic activity in cultured kidney cells and investigated the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

MDCK (Madin-Darnby Canine Kidney) cell damage was induced by hypertonic medium (700 mOsm/L) in the presence or absence of maximal nontoxic concentrations of each of the 17 plant extracts. After 18 h’ treatment, cells were stained with Annexin V (AnnV) and Propidium iodide (PI) and subjected to flow cytometry to assess the cytoprotective (AnnV⁻/PI⁻) and anti-apoptotic (AnnV⁺/PI⁻) potential of the 17 plant extracts. We then selected a representative subset of species (most cytoprotective, moderately so or neutral) to measure the activity of caspases 3, 8 and 9.

Results

Gaultheria hispidula and Abies balsamea are amongst the most powerful cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic plants and appear to exert their modulatory effect primarily by inhibiting caspase 9 in the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway.

Conclusion

We conclude that several Cree antidiabetic plants exert anti-apoptotic activity that may be relevant in the context of diabetic nephropathy (DN) that affects a significant proportion of Cree diabetics.

Influence of low-protein and low-amino acid diets with different sources of protease on performance, carcasses and nitrogen retention of broiler chickens

A 42-day experiment was conducted with 625 1-day-old male Hubbard chickens to evaluate the performance, carcass traits, nitrogen retention and economics of broiler chickens fed low protein and amino acid diets supplemented with different protease sources. Treatments included positive (PC) and negative (NC) controls (PC at 19.3% protein vs NC at 18.8% protein), with NC containing 7% less digestible amino acids. The other three treatment groups were based on the NC diet supplemented with 0.05% Cibenza® DP100 (CB), 0.02% Ronozyme® (RZ) or 0.02% Winzyme pro plus (WZ). Birds fed the PC, CB and WZ diets achieved the heaviest bodyweight compared with those fed the NC diet at end of the experiment. Total feed intake of birds fed the PC diet was higher (P < 0.05) than that of birds fed the NC diet. Feed conversion ratio was numerically significantly (P = 0.005) improved with all tested groups in comparison with NC throughout the experiment. European production index was similar (P > 0.05) among birds fed the PC, NC, RZ or WZ diets. All carcass parameters studied, including dressing, heart, gizzard, giblets, chest meat, thigh meat and abdominal fat percentages, were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by feeding on the different sources of protease. Broilers fed the PC diet or diets formulated with all protease sources had higher (P < 0.05) nitrogen retention than did birds fed the NC diet. The supplementation of protease to low-protein and low-amino acid diets resulted in higher profit margin in broilers. It is concluded that supplementing exogenous protease to broiler diets containing low protein and amino acids improved the growth performance, feed utilisation, carcass traits, nitrogen retention and net returns of broiler chickens.

Safety evaluation of a new anxiolytic product containing botanicals Souroubea spp. and Platanus spp. in dogs

Separation anxiety and noise aversion are common behavioral problems in dogs. They elicit fear responses such as cowering, seeking out the owner, and attempting to escape. This can result in property damage, injury to the dog, and disruption of the owner-pet bond, possibly leading to pet abandonment or euthanasia. A novel botanical anxiolytic product was evaluated for safety in dogs as the target animal species. Its intended use is for the treatment and prevention of anxiety and noise aversion in dogs. It contains a defined mixture of Souroubea spp. vine and Platanus spp. bark, delivering the active principle, betulinic acid, at a recommended dose of 1 mg/kg body weight (BW). In the current target animal safety study, 16 healthy male beagle dogs were administered either a placebo or the newly formulated botanical tablets at 0.5×, 2.5×, or 5× the recommended dose (1 mg/kg BW) over 28 d. The dogs were monitored for occurrence of any systemic or local adverse events. In the investigation presented here, there were no clinically significant adverse effects following treatment, as determined by clinical observations, physical examinations, BW, hematology, clinical biochemistry, and urinalysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that the concentration of betulinic acid in serum was below 0.020 μg/mL in treated animals. Under the conditions of these studies, the formulated blend of S. sympetala and P. occidentalis, when administered up to 5× the intended dose for 28 consecutive d, showed no adverse effects on the health of dogs.

Cymbopogon citratus and Camellia sinensis extracts selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells and reduce growth of lymphoma xenografts in vivo

Cancer cells are reported to have elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are highly dependent on cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. Numerous nutraceuticals and natural polyphenolic compounds have a wide range of abilities to alter cellular redox states with potential implications in various diseases. Furthermore, therapeutic options for cancers are mostly nonselective treatments including genotoxic or tubulin-targeting compounds. Some of the natural extracts, containing multiple bioactive compounds, could target multiple pathways in cancer cells to selectively induce cell death. Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) and Camellia sinensis (white tea) extracts have been shown to have medicinal properties, however, their activity against lymphoma and leukemia, as well as mechanistic details, have not been fully characterized. Herein, we report potent anti-cancer properties in dose and time-dependent manners of ethanolic lemongrass and hot water white tea extracts in lymphoma and leukemia models. Both extracts were able to effectively induce apoptosis selectively in these human cancer cell types. Interestingly, ethanolic lemongrass extract induces apoptosis primarily by the extrinsic pathway and was found to be dependent on the generation of ROS. Conversely, apoptotic induction by hot water white tea extract was independent of ROS. Furthermore, both of these extracts caused mitochondrial depolarization and decreased rates of oxygen consumption in lymphoma and leukemia cells, leading to cell death. Most importantly, both these extracts were effective in reducing tumor growth in human lymphoma xenograft models when administered orally. Thus, these natural extracts could have potential for being nontoxic alternatives for the treatment of cancer.

Larix laricina bark, a traditional medicine used by the Cree of Eeyou Istchee: Antioxidant constituents and in vitro permeability across Caco-2 cell monolayers

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Larix laricina, a native tree of North America, is a highly respected medicinal plant used for generations by Indigenous Peoples across its range, including the Cree of northern Québec who use the bark to treat symptoms of diabetes. This study investigates the antioxidant capacity and bioavailability of active constituents identified in L. laricina bark extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

(1) Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay was employed to test antioxidant capacity of organic extracts (80% ethanol) from bark of L. laricina as well as fractions, isolated compounds, and media samples collected during permeability assays. (2) Caco-2 cell monolayer cultures were used to determine the permeability of identified antioxidants, which were quantified in basolateral media samples using liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Crude ethanolic extract possessed strong antioxidant potential in vitro (7.1±0.3 Trolox equivalents (TE) μM/mg). Among the 16 L. laricina fractions obtained by chromatographic separation, fraction 10 (F10) showed the highest antioxidant capacity (21.8±1.7µm TE/mg). Among other identified antioxidants, the stilbene rhaponticin (isolated from F10) was the most potent (24.6±1.1µm TE/mg). Caco-2 transport studies revealed that none of the identified compounds were detectable in basolateral samples after 2-h treatment with crude extract. In monolayers treated with F10 (60% rhaponticin), small quantities of rhaponticin were increasingly detected over time in basolateral samples with an apparent permeability coefficient (P_app) of 1.86×10^-8cm/s (0-60min). To model potential effects on blood redox status, we evaluated the antioxidant capacity of collected basolateral samples and observed enhanced activity over time after exposure to both extract and F10 (75μg/mL) relative to control.

CONCLUSIONS

By profiling the antioxidant constituents of L. laricina bark, we identified rhaponticin as the most potent oxygen radical scavenger and observed low permeability in Caco-2 cell monolayers but an increase in basolateral antioxidant capacity.

Phytogeographic and genetic variation in Sorbus, a traditional antidiabetic medicine-adaptation in action in both a plant and a discipline

Mountain ash (Sorbus decora and S. americana) is used by the Cree Nation of the James Bay region of Quebec (Eeyou Istchee) as traditional medicine. Its potential as an antidiabetic medicine is thought to vary across its geographical range, yet little is known about the factors that affect its antioxidant capacity. Here, we examined metabolite gene expression in relation to antioxidant activity, linking phytochemistry and medicinal potential. Samples of leaf and bark from S. decora and S. americana were collected from 20 populations at four different latitudes. Two genes known to produce antidiabetic substances, flavonol synthase and squalene synthase, were analyzed using quantitative real time PCR. Gene expression was significantly higher for flavonol synthase compared to squalene synthase and increased in the most Northern latitude. Corresponding differences observed in the antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts from the bark of Sorbus spp. confirm that plants at higher latitudes increase production of stress-induced secondary metabolites and support Aboriginal perceptions of their higher medicinal potential. Modern genetic techniques such as quantitative real time PCR offer unprecedented resolution to substantiate and scrutinise Aboriginal medicinal plant perception. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights into how environmental stress can trigger an adaptive response resulting in the accumulation of secondary metabolites with human medicinal properties.

Selective Induction of Apoptosis by Azadarichta indica Leaf Extract by Targeting Oxidative Vulnerabilities in Human Cancer Cells

PURPOSE

Natural products have been a great source of medications used in conventional medicines for the treatment of various diseases; more importantly, they have played a significant role in the development of anti-cancer drugs for a number of decades. The benefits to employing whole extracts of natural health products, rather than a single ingredient, for cancer treatment remains unexplored. Our research group has previously demonstrated the potential anti-cancer benefits of several natural health products (NHPs), prompting further studies into other NHPs, such as Neem (Azadarichta indica), a tree native to India and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 4000 years. The objective of this study is to determine the possible anti-cancer potential of aqueous and ethanolic Neem leaf extracts (NLEs) and to identify the specific mode(s) of action.

METHODS

Cells were treated with NLE and cell viability was then assessed using a water-soluble tetrazolium salt. Cell death was confirmed using the fluorescent dye propidium iodide and apoptosis was identified using the Annexin-V binding assay. Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization was visualized using JC-1 staining and the production of whole cell and mitochondrial ROS was measured with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) and Amplex Red, respectively. In vivo efficacy of aqueous NLE was assessed in human tumour xenografts in CD-1 nu/nu immunocompromised mice.

RESULTS

Results indicate that both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Neem leaf were effective in inducing apoptosis in leukemia and colon cancer cells, following destabilization of the mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed in cancer cells treated with NLEs, indicating that oxidative stress may play a role in the mechanism of cell death. Additionally, in vivo results showed that aqueous NLE (delivered orally) was well tolerated and inhibited tumour growth of human xenografts in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest the potential of NLEs as safer and effective alternatives to conventional chemotherapy. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

An HPLC-ELSD Method for the Determination of Triterpenes in Sorbus decora and Sorbus americana Bark Used by the Eeyou Istchee Cree First Nation

Sorbus decora and Sorbus americana are used traditionally as medicine by the Eeyou Istchee Cree First Nation of the James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. Because the ethanol extracts of the bark and the isolated terpenes of these plants have shown promising in vivo antidiabetic effects, an analytical method was developed and validated by RP-HPLC-ELSD for the identification and quantification of eight lupane- and ursane-type terpenes. The extraction method reproducibly recovered the compounds above 70 % and the chromatographic separation of betulin, 23-hydroxy-betulin, 23,28-dihydroxylupan-20(29)-ene-3β-caffeate, betulinic acid, α-amyrin, uvaol, 3β,23,28-trihydroxy-12-ursene, and 23,28-dihydroxyursan-12-ene-3β-caffeate was achieved within 27 min by linear gradient. The method produced highly reproducible quantitative data at interday and intraday levels. The limits of detection were in the ng level on-column with remarkable range and linearity. The target compounds were present at mg levels in the populations, collected from inland (Mistissini and Nemaska) and costal (Waskagnish and Chisasibi) Cree communities of northern Quebec. A triterpene, 23-hydroxybetulin, was the most abundant, while betulinic acid and uvaol were minor constituents. Overall, HPLC-ELSD analyses produced very similar profiles and contents of the eight compounds in the plants collected from four geographic locations. The developed HPLC-ELSD method can be used as a targeted analysis of triterpenes in these medicinal plants.

Clinical and demographic features of burn injuries in karachi: a six-year experience at the burns centre, civil hospital, Karachi

Burn injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with 195,000 deaths annually. This study was conducted to identify the demographics of burn victims and the effect of different variables on the outcome of their injuries. 4016 patients admitted to the Burns Centre, Civil Hospital Karachi from January 2006 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics, burn injury details and their outcome were recorded in a pre-designed questionnaire. Injuries were categorized as: fire, chemical, scald or electrical. To estimate total body surface area (TBSA) burned in adults, the rule of nines was used. For children and infants, the Lund-Browder chart was employed. SPSS v16.0 software was used for analysis. Frequencies and percentages of all variables, and the measure of central tendencies and dispersion for continuous variables were calculated. Cross tabs were used to assess mortality. Mean age was 28.13 years. More than half of the cases (n=2337, 58.2%) were aged between 16-30 years. Labourers, housewives and students were the most commonly affected groups. Burn injuries by flame/fire and electricity were most common. Most cases were accidental, followed by suicide attempts and homicides. Mean percentage of TBSA affected was 35.49%. Mean duration of hospital stay was 16.45 days. 50.6% of the expired cases were females. The mean age of expired patients was 30.07 while for patients who survived it was 27.01 years. The outcome of burn injuries is related to various demographic factors. Female gender, increasing age, burn injuries following suicide attempts and greater surface area involvement predict poor outcome.

A combination of (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin underlies the in vitro adipogenic action of Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum), an antidiabetic medicinal plant of the Eastern James Bay Cree pharmacopeia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) Kron & Judd (Labrador tea) was identified as an antidiabetic plant through an ethnobotanical study carried out with the close collaboration of Cree nations of northern Quebec in Canada.

OBJECTIVES

In a previous study the plant showed glitazone-like activity in a 3T3-L1 adipogenesis bioassay. The current study sought to identify the active compounds responsible for this potential antidiabetic activity using bioassay guided fractionation based upon an in vitro assay that measures the increase of triglycerides content in 3T3-L1 adipocyte.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Isolation and identification of the crude extract's active constituents was carried out. The 80% ethanol extract was fractionated using silica gel column chromatography. Preparative HPLC was then used to isolate the constituents. The identity of the isolated compounds was confirmed by UV and mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Nine chemically distinct fractions were obtained and the adipogenic activity was found in fraction 5 (RGE-5). Quercetins, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin were detected and isolated from this fraction. While (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin stimulated adipogenesis (238±26% and 187±21% relative to vehicle control respectively) at concentrations equivalent to their concentrations in the active fraction RGE-5, none afforded biological activity similar to RGE-5 or the plant's crude extract when used alone. When cells were incubated with a mixture of the two compounds, the adipogenic activity was close to that of the crude extract (280.7±27.8 vs 311± 30%).

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrate that the mixture of (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin is responsible for the adipogenic activity of Labrador tea. This brings further evidence for the antidiabetic potential of R. groenlandicum and provides new opportunities to profile active principles in biological fluids or in traditional preparations.

Antifungal Saponins from the Maya Medicinal Plant Cestrum schlechtendahlii G. Don (Solanaceae)

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extract (80% EtOH) of the leaves of Cestrum schlechtendahlii, a plant used by Q'eqchi' Maya healers for treatment of athlete's foot, resulted in the isolation and identification of two spirostanol saponins (1 and 2). Structure elucidation by MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR spectroscopic methods identified them to be the known saponin (25R)-1β,2α-dihydroxy-5α-spirostan-3-β-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-galactopyranoside (1) and new saponin (25R)-1β,2α-dihydroxy-5α-spirostan-3-β-yl-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (2). While 2 showed little or no antifungal activity at the highest concentration tested, 1 inhibited growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 15-25 μM), Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Fusarium graminearum (MIC of 132-198 μM).

Phytochemical Comparison of the Water and Ethanol Leaf Extracts of the Cree medicinal plant, Sarracenia purpurea L. (Sarraceniaceae)

Purpose: The Cree of Eeyou Istchee in Northern Quebec identified Sarracenia purpurea L. as an important plant for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Traditionally the plant is used as a decoction (boiling water extract) of the leaf, however, in order to study the extract in a laboratory setting, an 80% ethanol extract was used. In this study, the phytochemistry of both extracts of the leaves was compared and quantified. Methods: Two S. purpurea leaf extracts were prepared, one a traditional hot water extract and the other an 80% ethanol extract. Using UPLC-ESI-MS, the extracts were phytochemically compared for 2 triterpenes, betulinic acid and ursolic acid, using one gradient method and for 10 additional substances, including the actives quercetin-3-O-galactoside and morroniside, using a different method. Results: The concentrations of the nine phenolic substances present, as well as an active principle, the iridoid glycoside morroniside, were very similar between the two extracts, with generally slightly higher concentrations of phenolics in the ethanol extract as expected. However, two triterpenes, betulinic acid and ursolic acid, were 107 and 93 times more concentrated, respectively, in the ethanol extract compared to the water extract. Conclusion: The main phytochemical markers and most importantly the antidiabetic active principles, quercetin-3-O-galactoside and morroniside, were present in similar amounts in the two extracts, which predicts similar bioactivity.This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

Regulation of liver cell glucose homeostasis by dehydroabietic acid, abietic acid and squalene isolated from balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) a plant of the Eastern James Bay Cree traditional pharmacopeia

In our previous study, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., a plant used in Cree traditional medicine, had a strong effect on the regulation of glucose homeostasis in liver cells. This study aimed to isolate and identify its active constituents using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach as well as to elucidate their mechanism(s) of action. The effect of the crude extract and its constituents was evaluated on the activity of Glucose-6-Phosphatase (G6Pase) and Glycogen Synthase (GS) and phosphorylation of three kinases, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Akt and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3). Three compounds, abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid and squalene, were isolated from the most active fraction in the bioassays (hexane). The compounds were able to decrease the activity of G6Pase and to stimulate GS. Their effect on G6Pase activity involved both Akt and AMPK phosphorylation with significant correlations between insulin-dependent and -independent pathways and the bioassay. In addition, the compounds were able to stimulate GS through GSK-3 phosphorylation with a significant correlation between the signaling pathway and the bioassay. Dehydroabietic acid stood out for its strongest effect in all the experiments close to that of the crude extract. These compounds may have potential applications in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 and 2D6-mediated metabolism of leisure and medicinal teas

PURPOSE

Thirty-five commercially available Camellia sinensis (black and green) and herbal leisure teas and an assortment of Traditional Chinese medicinal teas were randomly selected and examined for their potential to inhibit the drug metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). The study was then extended to examine CYP2D6*1 and CYP2D6*10.

METHODS

Microtiter fluorometric assays were utilized to examine the potential for the teas to inhibit CYP-mediated metabolism. Aqueous or alcoholic extracts of the dried tea plant material were examined.

METHODS

Most of the black and green leisure teas generally inhibited CYP3A4 more than the Chinese medicinal teas. The medicinal Chinese teas were generally more inhibitory towards CYP3A4 compared to the CYP2D6 isozymes, and the aqueous extracts displayed more potency than the alcoholic extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

Tea whether used for leisure or medicinal purposes has the potential to inhibit CYP3A4-mediated drug metabolism particularly black tea.

Successful percutaneous closure of spiral atrial septal defect

The case report of a 15-year-old patient with an unusual form of atrial septal defect is described. Echocardiography showed separation of the secundum and primum atrial septums due to abnormal posterior and leftward attachment of the primum septum into the roof of the left atrium. The morphology has been variably described as a 'double' atrial septum or 'spiral' atrial septal defect. Despite the technical challenge of this form of atrial septal defect, it was effectively closed by ensuring that all relevant septal structures were incorporated between the discs of the occlusion device. This was associated with a stable position and good medium-term outcome. This contrasts with the experience of others where device embolisation or technical failure has been described.

LEARNING POINTS

The spiral atrial septal defect is characterised by an apparently 'double' atrial septum.Such atrial septal defects (ASDs) have been associated with a high rate of technical failure of transcatheter closure.3D echocardiography assists in understanding the anatomy of the defect.Following deployment of the ASD occlusion device transoesophageal echocardiography is essential to ensure that both septum primum and secundum are between the occluder discs.Catheter closure can be successful if close attention is paid to the morphology of the defect and incorporation of margins within the discs of the septal occluder.

Inhibition of insect glutathione S-transferase (GST) by conifer extracts

Insecticide synergists biochemically inhibit insect metabolic enzyme activity and are used both to increase the effectiveness of insecticides and as a diagnostic tool for resistance mechanisms. Considerable attention has been focused on identifying new synergists from phytochemicals with recognized biological activities, specifically enzyme inhibition. Jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP.), balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), and tamarack larch (Larix laricina (Du Roi) Koch) have been used by native Canadians as traditional medicine, specifically for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties based on enzyme inhibitory activity. To identify the potential allelochemicals with synergistic activity, ethanol crude extracts and methanol/water fractions were separated by Sephadex LH-20 chromatographic column and tested for in vitro glutathione S-transferase (GST) inhibition activity using insecticide-resistant Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) midgut and fat-body homogenate. The fractions showing similar activity were combined and analyzed by ultra pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A lignan, (+)-lariciresinol 9'-p-coumarate, was identified from P. mariana cone extracts, and L. laricina and A. balsamea bark extracts. A flavonoid, taxifolin, was identified from P. mariana and P. banksiana cone extracts and L. laricina bark extracts. Both compounds inhibit GST activity with taxifolin showing greater activity compared to (+)-lariciresinol 9'-p-coumarate and the standard GST inhibitor, diethyl maleate. The results suggested that these compounds can be considered as potential new insecticide synergists.