Isolation and antioxidant activity of galloyl flavonol glycosides from the seashore plant, Pemphis acidula

Four kinds of galloyl flavonol glycosides were found in the leaf extract of Pemphis acidula, a plant growing on the subtropical seashore. Their chemical structures were elucidated to be quercetin or kaempferol 6"-O-galloyl-beta-D-glycosides by using spectroscopic and chemical analyses. One of the flavonols, kaempferol-3-O-(6-O-galloyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside), was newly isolated from natural sources and its structure was completely determined in this investigation. The antioxidant-related activities of the galloyl flavonoids were examined by the DPPH antiradical activity, inhibition of methyl linoleate oxidation, and inhibition of oxidative cell death. These results were compared with those of the corresponding non-galloylated flavonol glycosides and their aglycones. The galloyl flavonoids showed more efficient activity than that of the corresponding flavonol glycosides, but not more than that of the corresponding aglycones in the three assays applied.

Enantiodivergent synthesis of either enantiomer of ABCDE-ring analogue of antitumor antibiotic fredericamycin A via intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition approach

[reaction: see text] An intramolecular enantiodivergent synthesis of both enantiomers of the ABCDE-ring analogue 22 of fredericamycin A is reported. Key steps involve an intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 17 and an aromatic Pummerer-type reaction of 19. A lipase-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral diol 2 using 1-ethoxyvinyl 2-furoate 3 led to the pivotal intermediate (R)-4.

Highly purified mutant E112K of cholera toxin elicits protective lung mucosal immunity to diphtheria toxin

We demonstrated that the mutant of cholera toxin (mCT) E112K which was LPS-free supported the induction of protective immunity in mucosal (e.g. lung lavage) and systemic (e.g. serum) compartments when given nasally with vaccine-grade diphtheria toxoid (DT) to mice. Significant DT-specific mucosal IgA antibody (Ab) and serum IgG, IgA and IgM Ab responses were induced when LPS-depleted mCT E112K or native CT (nCT) was co-administered nasally with DT. The analysis of DT-specific Ab-forming cell (AFC) responses supported the Ab titers and significant numbers of DT-specific IgA AFC were present in the lungs, nasal passages and submandibular glands. Furthermore, DT-specific IgG AFC in cervical lymph nodes (CLN) and the spleen were induced in mice administered with DT nasally with either mCT or nCT. The analysis of antigen-specific T cell responses revealed that increased DT-specific CD4+ T cell proliferative and Th2-type cytokine responses were induced in mice nasally-immunized with DT and the LPS-free form of mCT. The neutralization of diphtheria toxin by Abs showed that DT-specific IgG Ab responses in serum and lung lavages of mice immunized with DT and mCT were protective. Furthermore, it was shown that an IgA-enriched fraction of lung lavages possessed diphtheria toxin-specific neutralizing activity. These results are the first demonstration that nasally co-administered mCT E112K can induce DT-specific protective Ab responses in mucosal compartments (e.g. lung lavages and the lungs).

Close correlation between the magnetic moments, lattice distortions, and hybridization in LaMnO3 and La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO3+delta: doping-dependent magnetic circular X-ray dichroism study

The first observation of a magnetic circular x-ray dichroism (MCXD) at the Mn L2,3 core edges in antiferromagnetic LaMnO3 shows canted spin and orbital ( m(orb)) moments arising from lattice distortions. An L2,3-edge MCXD in ferromagnetic metals and insulators, La1-xSr(x)MnO3+delta, reveals that m(orb) of Mn strongly depends on x in the metallic regime but remains unchanged with the metal-to-insulator transition (x approximately 0.16). An O K-edge MCXD, which shows m(orb) of O caused by 2p-3d hybridization, is much larger in the ferromagnetic metal than insulator phases, sharply contrasting with m(orb) of Mn. Our findings indicate a close magnetism-lattice-hybridization coupling.

[A study of the relation between providing healthcare information and behavior changes of people in Japan. Parental behavior changes after receiving information about the sudden infant death syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

Considering the lack of evidence concerning the relationship between providing healthcare information and behavior of people in Japan, we utilized a questionnaire to survey the parents of infants to evaluate behavior change after receiving information about the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

METHODS

A questionnaire about SIDS information was administered in 234 municipalities in Niigata, Gifu, Shizuoka, and Hiroshima Prefectures and in Yokohama City in November and December of 1999 to 14,879 parents who visited for the 18-month health examination of their children. The questionnaire did not ask for the participants' names. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the connection between behavior change and SIDS information sources.

RESULTS

10,900 parents returned the questionnaire to give a 73.3% response rate, 19.0% of these receiving information about SIDS risk factors from hospitals or clinics, 3.7% from public health centers, and 9.2% from their friends. More received information from the mass media such as TV programs, which provided the main source for 71.1% of the parents. The degree of behavior change was evaluated after adjustment for variables concerning a variety of information sources and other appropriate factors such as the age and sex of parents and the number of their children. We found that receiving information from hospitals or clinics significantly influences behavior changes for all kinds of risk factors. Information from public health centers, baby-care groups, and friends influenced behavior changes relevant to the risk factors for feeding methods, sleeping position, and parents' smoking. There was no relation between receiving information from the mass media and behavior change of parents.

CONCLUSIONS

The mass media provide far more information than do medical facilities, public health centers, baby-care groups and personal contacts but the latter played much more effective roles in making parents change their baby care behavior. These results point to an obvious discrepancy between efficiency in providing information and the degree of behavior change elicited. We should thus take the source of information and the target population into consideration when we examine the best way to provide healthcare information for people in the future.

A bis-sesquiterpene and sesquiterpenolides from Inula macrophylla

Macrophyllidimer C, a novel bis-sesquiterpene, in which the two sesquiterpene units are directly connected by a C-C bond, and eight other sesquiterpenolides were obtained from the bark of Inula macrophylla. Seven of these, macrophyllilactones A-G, are new eudesmanolide- and elemanolide-type sesquiterpenes. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and chemical reaction.

The roles of cell adhesion molecules on the formation of peripheral myelin

Several cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IGSF) are expressed differently during the development and myelination of the peripheral nervous system. To examine the relationship between the expression of IGSF molecules and Schwann cell differentiation, we established a useful system for myelin formation in vitro on collagen gel using primary neuron/Schwann cell co-cultures from neonatal dorsal root ganglions (DRG). At 10 days in vitro (DIV), many Schwann cells were found in the areas surrounding aggregates of DRG neurons. After 20 DIV, Schwann cells positioned next to axons and elongated their processes along the axons. Some of them started loosely elaborating a large axon. Under electron microscopy, compact myelin was shown to be formed at 30 DIV. Thus the speed of myelination was much slower in vitro than in vivo. In co-cultures, L1 and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) were detected at the premyelinating stage, L1 was precisely expressed earlier than NCAM. Expression of myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) was transiently up-regulated at the early stage of myelination, and then P0 expression was finally increased as myelination proceeded. The change of expression pattern of these molecules in co-cultures was quite similar to that observed in the development in vivo. When Schwann cell proliferation was blocked by low serum culture condition, L1 and NCAM expressions were up-regulated. In contrast, the presence of cholera toxin in low serum media markedly increased expressions of P0 and MAG, but decreased the levels of both L1 and NCAM. These results suggest that both L1 and NCAM play roles in the contact and/or recognition between axons and Schwann cells at an early stage of myelination. On the other hand, MAG and P0 are important for axon ensheathment and myelin compaction.

Changes in nitric oxide production and cerebral blood flow before development of hyperbaric oxygen-induced seizures in rats

The predictive value of increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) was examined to detect hyperbaric oxygen (HBO(2))-induced electrical discharge in artificially ventilated rats at three PaCO(2) levels under 5 atmospheric pressures. The possible involvement of NO production in the mechanism of the increase in CBF was also assessed by measurement of major NO metabolites (NO(2)(-) plus NO(3)(-)) using a microdialysis technique at the left parietal cortex during HBO(2) exposure. The onset times of electrical discharge, measured in the right frontal region, were significantly prolonged and shortened in the low PaCO(2) group (79+/-21 min) and high PaCO(2) group (27+/-7 min), respectively, compared to that in the normal PaCO(2) group (37+/-5 min). Increase in CBF (200% of the pre-exposure level) was observed in every animal and was sustained until the appearance of electrical discharge. The onset time of increase in CBF was closely related to that of electrical discharge (R(2)=0.987), and the durations of increase in CBF were almost identical (11-14 min in mean) regardless of the PaCO(2) level. The level of NO(2)(-) plus NO(3)(-) was unaffected by the initiation of HBO(2) exposure and simultaneously increased up to 246+/-59% of control level with the onset of increase in CBF. There was a close relationship between changes in CBF and levels of NO(2)(-) plus NO(3)(-) (R(2)=0.544). These results indicate that monitoring of CBF is useful for the prediction of electrical discharge in artificially ventilated rats regardless of their PaCO(2) levels and that the increase in NO production is related to the mechanism of increase in CBF.

The spin temperature of NH3 in Comet C/1999S4 (LINEAR)

A high-dispersion spectrum of Comet C/1999S4 (LINEAR) was obtained in the optical region with the high-dispersion spectrograph on the Subaru telescope when the comet was 0.863 astronomical units from the Sun before its disintegration. We obtained high signal-to-noise ratio emission lines of the cometary NH2 bands from which an ortho-to-para ratio (OPR) of 3.33 +/- 0.07 was derived on the basis of a fluorescence excitation model. Assuming that cometary NH2 mainly originates from ammonia through photodissociation, the derived OPR of NH2 molecules should reflect that of ammonia, which provides information on the environment of molecular formation or condensation and of the thermal history of cometary ices. Assuming that the OPR of ammonia in comets was unchanged in the nucleus, the derived spin temperature of ammonia (28 +/- 2 kelvin) suggests that a formation region of the cometary ammonia ice was between the orbit of Saturn and that of Uranus in the solar nebula.

Autoantibodies against DNA double-strand break repair proteins

Autoantibodies against cellular components are commonly present in sera from patients with systemic rheumatic diseases and may play an important role in pathogenesis. The Ku protein was recognized 20 years ago as a major target of autoantibodies in a subset of Japanese patients with scleroderma-polymyositis overlap syndrome, and anti-Ku antibodies have since been shown to occur in 10-20% of patients with these and other systemic rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. Ku functions physiologically in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks, where it carries out the initial recognition of damaged DNA ends. The three dimensional structure of the Ku-DNA complex has recently been solved, and helps illuminate the relationship between the autoimmune epitopes and other features of the protein. In addition to Ku, three other polypeptides in the same DNA repair pathway have more recently been identified as autoantigens: the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit, DNA ligase IV, and XRCC4. Two hypotheses have been invoked to explain the ability of these proteins to elicit an autoimmune response in susceptible individuals. One is that DNA damage induces formation of nucleoprotein complexes that present novel composite or conformational epitopes. The other is that cleavage of these proteins by caspases or Granzyme B leads to presentation of immunocryptic peptides capable of stimulating autoreactive T lymphocytes. In the case of DNA double-strand break repair proteins, there is evidence that both of these mechanisms may be at work. Because of their role in the maintenance of genome stability, DNA double-strand break repair proteins have been the subject of intense study, and a wealth of new structural, biochemical and functional information makes them excellent models for investigation of the humoral autoimmune response.

Antioxidant mechanism of carnosic acid: structural identification of two oxidation products

To determine the antioxidant mechanism of food phenolics against the oxidation of food components, the reaction of carnosic acid, an antioxidative constituent of the popular herbs sage and rosemary, was investigated in the presence of ethyl linoleate and the radical oxidation initiator 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile). During this process, carnosic acid was oxidized to an o-quinone and a hydroxy p-quinone, the chemical structures of which were confirmed by physical and chemical techniques. From a quantitative time course analysis of the production of these quinones, an antioxidant mechanism of carnosic acid is proposed, consisting of the oxidative coupling reaction with the peroxyl radical at the 12- or 14-position of carnosic acid and subsequent degradation reactions.

Gene therapy utilizing the Cre/loxP system selectively suppresses tumor growth of disseminated carcinoembryonic antigen-producing cancer cells

Recent clinical trials of cancer gene therapy have shown encouraging results for controlling localized tumors. However, to control metastatic or disseminated tumor cells, further modification of vectors is required to enhance specificity and infectivity against targets. We investigated whether utilization of the Cre recombinase(Cre)/loxP system contributes to enhanced antitumor effects together with minimal adverse reactions in specific gene therapy against disseminated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-producing cancer cells in the peritoneal cavity of mice. CEA-producing cancer would be a good therapeutic target because it is found in lung, stomach and colon sites, which account for most cancers. We constructed a pair of recombinant adenoviral vectors (Ads), one of which expresses the Cre gene under the control of the CEA promoter (Ad.CEA-Cre); the other expresses the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene (Ad.lox-TK), or the beta-galactosidase gene (beta-gal) by Cre (Ad.lox-beta-gal). Intraperitoneal coinjection of Ad.CEA-Cre and Ad.lox-beta-gal into mice with peritonitis carcinomatosa by CEA-producing tumor cells showed selective expression of the beta-gal gene in tumor foci. Coinfection of Ad.CEA-Cre and Ad.lox-TK followed by ganciclovir (GCV) administration significantly suppressed the total tumor weight in the peritoneal cavity of the mice to 13% of that of the untreated mice and 22% of that of the mice treated with Ad.CEA-TK/GCV, an Ad that expressed the HSV-TK gene driven by the CEA promoter alone. Moreover, treatment with Ad.CEA-Cre and Ad.lox-TK/GCV completely suppressed tumors in 4 of 10 (40%) mice without significant weight loss, although 2 of 10 mice treated with Ad.CAG-TK/GCV, an adenovirus vector that strongly but nonspecifically expressed the TK gene, died due to severe side effects including diarrhea, weight loss and liver dysfunction. These findings suggest that cell type-specific gene therapy using the Cre/loxP system is effective against disseminated cancer cells without significant side effects.

Sesquiterpenoids from the fruits of Ferula kuhistanica and antibacterial activity of the constituents of F. kuhistanica

Ethyl acetate extracts of the air-dried fruits of Ferula kuhistanica afforded three daucane esters: kuhistanicaol H, I and J, together with nine other known compounds. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Isolated compounds in this paper and previously reported compounds from the roots and stems of F. kuhistanica were tested for antibacterial activity. Some of them were selectively toxic against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA).

Kinetic phenotypic diagnosis of N-acetylation polymorphism in patients based on ratio of urinary metabolites of salicylazosulfapyridine

We found that N-acetylation polymorphism can be evaluated from the disposition kinetics of sulfapyridine (SP) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and their acetylated metabolites generated by N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) after oral administration of salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP). In 126 Japanese subjects, the homozygote of NAT2*4 was the most frequent (40%), followed by heterozygotes of NAT2*4 and mutant genes (28% NAT2*4/*6A, 15% NAT2*4/*7B, and 2% NAT2*4/*5B). Combinations of mutant genes accounted for 16%. When the relationship between the molar ratio of N-acetyl-SP (Ac-SP)/SP or N-acetyl-5-ASA(Ac-5-ASA)/5-ASA in serum and five genotypes of polymorphic NAT2* was examined in patients who received multiple doses of SASP, the molar ratios of Ac-SP/SP, rather than Ac-5-ASA/5-ASA tended to decrease according to the classification of genotype. We calculated the pharmacokinetic parameters in healthy subjects with various genotypes of polymorphic NAT2* after a single p.o. administration of SASP, according to a model of the SP metabolic pathways. The molar ratios of Ac-SP/SP in serum and urine were simulated using these parameters, and the molar ratio of Ac-SP/SP in urine at 4 days after the first administration could be categorized into ranges that were specific to various NAT2* genotypes. Thus, we were able to predict the N-acetylation polymorphic genotypes of patients by measuring the molar ratio of Ac-SP/SP in urine, after administration of SASP.

[Efficacy of continuous hepatic arterial infusion of high-dose 5-FU for liver metastases of gastric cancer]

We studied the efficacy of continuous hepatic arterial infusion of high-dose 5-FU (high-dose CHAI) in two patients with multiple (five or more) bilobar liver metastases of gastric cancer. 5-FU was given continuously via the hepatic artery at 1 g/day for 3 days, followed by one day off therapy and repetition of the initial treatment as one course. Case 1 was a 67-year-old man with Borrmann type 2 gastric cancer who had undergone total gastrectomy. Metachronous multiple liver metastases (maximum diameter: 3.5 cm) were detected at 11 months after surgery. One month later, we started high-dose CHAI and gave two courses with a 4-day interval between them. After that, 5-FU was given twice by hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) at dose of 1.5 g/week. The tumor diameter had decreased by 50% at 3 months after high-dose CHAI. Case 2 was a 64-year-old man with Borrmann type 3 gastric cancer who had synchronous multiple liver metastases (maximum diameter: 9 cm) and liver dysfunction. One month after distal gastrectomy, we started high-dose CHAI and finished one course. After that, liver function returned to normal and 5-FU was given by HAI at dose of 1 g/week on an outpatient basis. The tumor diameter decreased to 1/3 of the initial size at four months after high-dose CHAI. High-dose CHAI using 5-FU may be safe and effective for liver metastases from gastric cancer.

[A case of hepatocellular carcinoma responding to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil]

A 74-year-old man had multiple liver recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after extended left hepatectomy. He was treated by continuous hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy with low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) via an implanted reservoir. A catheter was inserted percutaneously into the hepatic artery using the Seldinger technique. The patient was administered 10 mg of CDDP on day 1 and 500 mg/day of 5-FU for 4 days as one course. Four courses were administered and the PIVKA-II level decreased from 427 to 216 mAU/ml. However, infusion port problems led to interruption of chemotherapy and PIVKA-II increased to 798 mAU/ml. His chemotherapy was changed to 10 mg of CDDP on day 1 and 750 mg/day of 5-FU for 2 days. After five courses were administered, PIVKA-II decreased to 540 mAU/ml. This patient is still alive 15 months after the start of therapy. This case suggests that HAI with low-dose CDDP and 5-FU might be useful for prolonging the survival of HCC patients with a good quality of life.

Keratoameloblastoma with unique histological architecture: an undescribed variation of ameloblastoma

Keratoameloblastoma is an extremely rare variant of ameloblastoma, and a review of the English language literature yields only several documented cases of ketatoameloblastoma. This paper reports a keratoameloblastoma showing unique histological architecture. The patient was a 76-year-old Japanese man with a multilocular radiolucent lesion of the mandible extending from the left canine to the second molar area. Microscopically, the lesion was characterized by multicystic spaces lined by papillary projections of proliferating odontogenic epithelium with extensive surface parakeratinization in a lamellar accumulation of keratin. In addition, "hair-like" extensions of keratin were frequently found. There was no ghost cell type keratinization. Histological features of the odontogenic epithelium were similar to those of conventinal ameloblastoma. An additional prominent feature of the present ameloblastoma was formation of hard tissue in continuation, in part, of the accumulated keratin in the fibrous tissue. These hard tissues showed a woven bone- or cellular cementum-like appearance and were not in contact with odontogenic epithelium. The present case was finally diagnosed as "keratoa meloblastoma," although such a type of keratoameloblastoma has not been documented previously in the spectrum of ameloblastoma.

Isolation and identification of Aeromonas from patients with acute diarrhoea in Kolkata, India

Isolation of diarrhoea causing Aeromonas was carried out in the division of Active Surveillance, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata for a period of 12 months from January 1999 to December 1999. Out of 602 stool samples collected from patients with acute diarrhoea admitted in Infectious Diseases (ID) Hospital, Kolkata, 64 (10.6%) samples were identified positive for Aeromonas as the pathogen. The different isolated and identified species from patients with acute diarrhoea were A. hydrophila (60%), A. caviae (20%), A. veronii (10%), A. schubertii (4%), A. jandaei (3%), and A. trota (3%). Most of the isolated Aeromonas strains showed resistance to commonly employed antibiotics. All the clinical isolates of Aeromonas possessed virulence genes encoding for aerolysin and cytotonic enterotoxin genes. Except A. schubertii and A. jandaei, all the other species possessed the gene for haemolysis.

Comparison of antibiogram, virulence genes, ribotypes and DNA fingerprints of Vibrio cholerae of matching serogroups isolated from hospitalised diarrhoea cases and from the environment during 1997-1998 in Calcutta, India

This study identified 17 matching serogroups of Vibrio cholerae belonging to serogroups other than O1 and O139 isolated from human cases and from the environment during a concurrent clinical and environmental study conducted in Calcutta, a cholera endemic area. Isolates within these matching serogroups were compared by various phenotypic and genotypic traits to determine if the environment was the source of the organisms associated with the disease. Clinical strains of V. cholerae were resistant to a greater number of drugs and exhibited multi-drug resistance compared with their environmental counterparts. Except for the presence of the genes for the El Tor haemolysin and the regulatory element ToxR in most of the strains of V. cholerae examined, non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae strains lacked most of the other known virulence traits associated with toxigenic V. cholerae O1 or O139. Restriction fragment-length polymorphism of virulence-associated genes, ribotypes and DNA fingerprints of strains of matched serogroups showed considerable diversity, although some gene polymorphisms and ribotypes of a few strains of different serogroups were similar. It is concluded that despite sharing the same serogroup, environmental and clinical isolates were genetically heterogeneous and were of different lineages.

Detection of hepatic metastasis from medullary thyroid cancer with Tc-99m-MIBI scintigraphy in a patient with Sipple's syndrome

We report a case of Sipple's syndrome with a hepatic tumor. A 28-year-old male with medullary thyroid cancer and bilateral pheochromocytomas was diagnosed as having Sipple's syndrome. The hepatic tumor was found to be hypervascular by means of a dynamic abdominal CT scan. An I-131-MIBG scan showed no increased accumulation in the tumor. A whole body Tc-99m-MIBI scan had shown, however, increased accumulation in the tumor by 10 minutes after i.v. Tc-99m-MIBI. The hepatic tumor was diagnosed histologically as a metastasis from the medullary thyroid cancer. To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of increased Tc-99m-MIBI accumulation in hepatic metastases from medullary thyroid cancer.

Two starch-branching-enzyme isoforms occur in different fractions of developing seeds of kidney bean

The nature and enzymic properties of starch-branching enzyme (SBE) are two of the dominant factors influencing the fine structure of starch. To understand the role of this enzyme's activity in the formation of starch in kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a study was undertaken to identify the major SBE sequences expressed during seed development and to characterize the enzymic properties of the coded recombinant enzymes. Two SBE cDNA species (designated pvsbe2 and pvsbe1) that displayed significant similarity (more than 70%) to other family A and B SBEs respectively were isolated. Northern blot analysis revealed that pvsbe1 and pvsbe2 were differentially expressed during seed development. pvsbe2 showed maximum steady-state transcript levels at the mid-stage of seed maturation, whereas pvsbe1 reached peak levels at a later stage. Western blot analysis with antisera raised against both recombinant proteins (rPvSBE1 and rPvSBE2) showed that these two SBEs were located in different amyloplast fractions of developing seeds of kidney bean. PvSBE2 was present in the soluble fraction, whereas PvSBE1 was associated with the starch granule fraction. The differences in location suggest that these two SBE isoenzymes have different roles in amylopectin synthesis in kidney bean seeds. rPvSBE1 and rPvSBE2 were purified from Escherichia coli and their kinetic properties were determined. The affinity of rPvSBE2 for amylose (K(m) 1.27 mg/ml) was lower than that of rPvSBE1 (0.46 mg/ml). The activity of rPvSBE2 was stimulated more than 3-fold in the presence of 0.3 M citrate, whereas rPvSBE1 activity was not affected. The implications of the enzymic properties and the distribution of SBEs and amylopectin structure are discussed.

Geranylgeraniol, an intermediate product in mevalonate pathway, induces apoptotic cell death in human hepatoma cells: death receptor-independent activation of caspase-8 with down-regulation of Bcl-xL expression

Geranylgeraniol (GGOH), an intermediate of mevalonate metabolism, is known to induce apoptosis in various lines of cancer cells. The present study was undertaken to clarify the signaling pathways of apoptosis induced by GGOH in human hepatoma cells. HuH-7 human hepatoma cells were incubated in the absence or presence of GGOH. Activation of caspase-8 /-9 /-3 in HuH-7 cells was found after 8 h treatment with GGOH, at which time DNA fragmentation and loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Deltaphim) occurred. HuH-7 cells do not express Bcl-2; however, down-regulation of Bcl-xL expression preceded activation of the caspase cascade in GGOH-treated HuH-7 cells, while Bax expression was not changed by GGOH treatment. Addition of caspase inhibitors restored the decreased cell viability of HuH-7 cells by GGOH, including Deltaphim, to the baseline level, which indicated that caspase triggers mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways in GGOH-treated HuH-7 cells. Similarly, GGOH-mediated apoptosis of HuH-7 cells was clearly prevented by coadministration of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which led to restoration of the level of Bcl-xL expression. Activation of caspase-8 /-9 /-3, as well as Deltaphim, by GGOH treatment was suppressed by addition of UDCA. Our results indicate that activation of the caspase cascade initiating from caspase-8, which could be accelerated by down-regulation of Bcl-xL expression, plays a key role in an apoptotic process induced by GGOH in human hepatoma cells.

Myrsinionosides A-E: megastigmane glycosides from the leaves of Myrsine seguinii Lev

Eight megastigmane glycosides were isolated from the leaves of Myrsine seguinii collected in Okinawa. Three of them were found to be known compounds, i.e., ampelopsisionoside, alangionoside J, and linarionoside A. The structures of the new megastigmane glycosides were elucidated from the spectroscopic data and their absolute stereochemistries were determined in detail using a modified Mosher's method.

Docetaxel alone or orally combined with 5-fluorouracil and its derivatives: effects on mouse mammary tumor cell line MM2 in vitro and in vivo

Although docetaxel (Taxotere; TXT), a taxoid anticancer drug, is clinically and experimentally very effective against breast cancer, its antitumor effect is of very short duration. We addressed whether 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and its derivatives can act synergistically with TXT against mammary tumors, with placing particular stress on their use by oral route. Mouse mammary tumor cell line, MM2, was propagated in culture and as ascites in mice. Carmofur (HCFU) and doxifluridine (5'-DFUR) were used as 5-FU derivatives. In vitro, the cytotoxic effects of antitumor drugs on MM2 cells were examined by MTS assay. In vivo, mice inoculated i.p. with MM2 cells were treated with i.p. injection of TXT and/or oral administration of 5-FU or its derivatives, and observed for curing tumor. In vitro, the synergistic effects were observed in the combination of TXT and 5-FU or HCFU, but not in that of TXT and 5'-DFUR. In vivo, all of these combinations cured tumors far more effectively than TXT alone. The discrepant result of the combination of TXT and 5'-DFUR between in vitro and in vivo was ascribed to up-regulation of pyrimidine phosphorylase in tumor cells in vivo by TXT. Thus, 5-FU, its masked compounds like HCFU and its prodrugs like 5'-DFUR can act synergistically with TXT in the therapy of cancer even when administered by the oral route.

Concomitant infection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in an outbreak of cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139 in Ahmedabad, India

In Ahmedabad, a major city in the state of Gujarat, India, an outbreak of acute secretory diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa El Tor, V. cholerae O139, and multiple serotypes of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) occurred in January 2000. All of the representative V. cholerae O1 and O139 isolates examined harbored the ctxA gene (encoding the A subunit of cholera toxin) and the El Tor variant of the tcpA gene (encoding toxin-coregulated pilus). ETEC isolates of different serotypes were positive for the elt gene, encoding heat-labile enterotoxin. To further understand the molecular characteristics of the pathogens, representative isolates were examined by ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Ribotyping showed that the isolates of V. cholerae O1 Ogawa exhibited a pattern identical to that of the prevailing clone of O1 in areas where cholera is endemic in India, and all of the O139 isolates were identical to the BII clone of V. cholerae O139. PFGE of the representative O1 Ogawa isolates exhibited an identical pattern, comparable to the H pattern of the new clone of O1 reported in Calcutta, India. PFGE analysis of the V. cholerae O139 isolates showed identical patterns, but these differed from the PFGE patterns of O139 isolates reported during 1992 to 1997 in Calcutta. ETEC isolates showed genetic heterogeneity among isolates belonging to the same serotype, although the identical PFGE pattern was also observed among ETEC isolates of different serotypes. Antibiograms of the isolates were unusual, because all of the O139 isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid. Likewise, all of the E. coli isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and nalidixic acid. This is a unique outbreak, and we believe that it is the first in which V. cholerae and ETEC were concomitantly involved.

Molecular comparison of toxigenic clinical & non-toxigenic environmental strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa isolated during an outbreak of cholera in south India

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

While investigating a cholera outbreak in south India, toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 were isolated from patients and from the environment, respectively. This study was performed to compare the genetic relatedness of the patient and environmental strains to determine clonal relationships among these strains and thereby determine the source of the cholera outbreak.

METHODS

The 16 strains of V. cholerae isolated from hospitalized patients and 8 environmental V. cholerae strains isolated from the environment were phenotypically and genotypically characterized using a variety of standard techniques.

RESULTS

Sixteen toxigenic clinical strains and 2 nontoxigenic environmental strains belonged to O1 serogroup, Ogawa serotype and El Tor biotype. The remaining 6 nontoxigenic environmental strains were classified as non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae. The drug resistance pattern of the clinical and environmental strains of V. cholerae showed marked differences with the patient strains being resistant to more number of drugs as compared to the environmental strains. DNA fingerprinting of the strains showed considerable diversity between toxigenic clinical and nontoxigenic environmental O1 Ogawa isolates and between the O1 and non-O1, non-O139 isolates.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

In this outbreak of cholera, the O1 strains of V. cholerae from clinical and environmental sources belonged to two different clones and the environmental strains could perhaps be the future cholera outbreak causing clones.

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa: immunohistochemical comparison with other carcinomas of oral mucosal origin

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a poorly described variant of squamous cell carcinoma, and may be confused with verrucous carcinoma of the head and neck. To add to existing knowledge of this rare tumor, we describe two cases of PSCC arising in the oral mucosa. The lesions were composed of exophytic proliferation of atypical to overtly malignant cells similar to those of conventional squamous cell carcinoma, and invasion into the superficial region of the underlying fibrous tissue was seen in the form of islands and cords of malignant cells. Immunohistochemical assessment of cellular proliferative activity showed a significantly high mean percentage of Ki-67 expression in comparison with verrucous carcinoma, but there was no significant difference of Ki-67 expression among PSCC, conventional squamous cell carcinoma and microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma. These results suggest that the biological behavior of PSCC is analogous to that of SCC.

An unusual staining of the tooth roots: a case report with histological and micro-analytical studies

The discoloration of tooth roots is rare. We report here a 22-year-old Japanese woman with blackish-brown staining of the roots of the upper and lower third molars. Staining was found in the dentin and cementum. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis showed no significant difference in the composing elements between the stained tooth root and control tooth. Fluorescent bands coincided with staining in the dentin of the root and cementum along the incremental lines under confocal laser-scanning microscope.

Genetic alterations in patients with primary aldosteronism

The syndrome of primary aldosteronism is characterized by hypertension with excessive production of aldosterone, potassium loss, and suppression of the renin-angiotensin system. The most common clinical subtypes of primary aldosteronism are aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma (APA) and bilateral adrenal cortical hyperplasia (idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, or IHA). It has been reported that renin suppression and aldosterone levels are lower and hypokalemia milder in patients with IHA than in patients with APA. In the present study, we investigated the genetic analysis of aldosterone synthase gene, CYP11B2 in patients with primary aldosteronism and review the recent studies. The chimeric CYP11B1/CYP11B2 gene, which is a candidate gene for glucocorticoid-remediable hyperaldosteronism, was not found in either the DNA from aldosteronoma or in the genomic DNA from patients with APA or IHA. Mutations in the CYP21 or CYP11B1 gene were not present in patients with APA. No mutations in the coding region of the CYP11B2 gene were found in patients with IHA or APA. The level of CYP11B2 messenger RNA (mRNA) was much higher in the aldosteronoma portion than in nonadenomatous portion. The overexpression of CYP11B2 mRNA seen in the mononuclear leukocytes of patients with IHA suggests that unidentified aldosterone-stimulating factors or abnormalities of the CYP11B2 promoter region may cause the overproduction of aldosterone characteristic of IHA. The variants of the CYP11B2 gene may also contribute to dysregulation of aldosterone synthesis and lead to susceptibility to IHA.

Modification of the multiplex PCR for unambiguous differentiation of the El Tor & classical biotypes of Vibrio cholerae O1

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Biotyping of Vibrio cholerae O1 using multiplex PCR (ctxA-tcpA) exploits the nucleotide sequence differences of the major subunit protein of the toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP) gene (tcpA) to differentiate between the classical and El Tor biotypes. However, the presence of classical biotype specific tcpA amplicon with the El Tor strains often complicates the interpretation. The effect of PCR variables on the amplification of biotype specific tcpA in the multiplex PCR has been investigated.

METHODS

Reference strains of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 belonging to classical and El Tor biotypes were selected to optimize the PCR variables for the unambiguous biotype determination by multiplex PCR.

RESULTS

In the multiplex PCR assay, a reduction in the reaction volume from 100 microliters to 25 microliters and the annealing temperature of 64 degrees C, the El Tor strain produced ctxA amplicon (302 bp) along with tcpA amplicons of 618 bp and 472 bp which are specific for classical and El Tor tcpA respectively. The simplex PCR with biotype specific tcpA primer pairs showed the amplification of either 472 bp or 618 bp tcpA amplicon with El Tor template. With the classical biotype strain, the specific primer pair yielded tcpA amplicon of the expected size. Lowering of PCR annealing temperature from 64 to 60 degrees C resulted in the elimination of the amplification of the nonspecific tcpA amplicon with El Tor strain.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

A comparison of the theoretical melting temperature (Tm) values of the reacting primers, and their alignment to the biotype specific tcpA revealed the basis of unambiguous biotyping of V. cholerae O1 at a PCR annealing temperature of 60 degrees C.

Inhibition of in vitro growth of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 by probiotic Lactobacillus strains due to production of lactic acid

The inhibiting characteristics of lactic acid bacteria on Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 (three strains, clinically isolated) was investigated by using a batch fermentation system. The species such as Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota or L. acidophilus YIT 0070 exert growth inhibitory and bactericidal activities on STEC. The pH value and undissociated lactic acid (U-LA) concentration of the culture medium of STEC cocultured with L. casei or L. acidophilus dramatically lowered or increased, respectively [corrected], when compared with those of the control culture. The cytotoxic properties of U-LA on STEC strain 89020087 analyzed in vitro was divided into two phases, i.e., the bacteriostatic phase (between 3.2 to 62 mM) and the bactericidal phase (over 62 mM). These data suggest that the bactericidal effect of Lactobacillus on STEC depends on its lactic acid production and pH reductive effect.

Characterization of VPI pathogenicity island and CTXphi prophage in environmental strains of Vibrio cholerae

Environmental isolates of Vibrio cholerae of eight randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprint types from Calcutta, India, that were unusual in containing toxin-coregulated pilus or cholera toxin genes but not O1 or O139 antigens of epidemic strains were studied by PCR and sequencing to gain insights into V. cholerae evolution. We found that each isolate contained a variant form of the VPI pathogenicity island. Distinguishing features included (i) four new alleles of tcpF (which encodes secreted virulence protein; its exact function is unknown), 20 to 70% divergent (at the protein level) from each other and canonical tcpF; (ii) a new allele of toxT (virulence regulatory gene), 36% divergent (at the protein level) in its 5' half and nearly identical in its 3' half to canonical toxT; (iii) a new tcpA (pilin) gene; and (iv) four variant forms of a regulatory sequence upstream of toxT. Also found were transpositions of an IS903-related element and function-unknown genes to sites in VPI. Cholera toxin (ctx) genes were found in isolates of two RAPD types, in each case embedded in CTXphi-like prophages. Fragments that are inferred to contain only putative repressor, replication, and integration genes were present in two other RAPD types. New possible prophage repressor and replication genes were also identified. Our results show marked genetic diversity in the virulence-associated gene clusters found in some nonepidemic V. cholerae strains, suggest that some of these genes contribute to fitness in nature, and emphasize the potential importance of interstrain gene exchange in the evolution of this species.

Phlomisflavosides A and B, new flavonol bisglycosides from Phlomis spinidens

From the aerial parts of Phlomis spinidens, two new flavonol bisglycosides, phlomisflavosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated together with the known compounds, astragalin, isoquercitrin, lamiridoside, phlomoside A, shanzhiside methyl ester, 8-O-acetylshanzhiside methyl ester, phlorigidoside C, rodioloside (=salidroside), forsythoside B, citroside A and lariciresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucoside. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on spectral and chemical evidence.

[Plasma levels of soluble fibrin in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation]

Soluble fibrin(SF) is formed in the early-activated state of blood coagulation and quantitative measurement of SF shows high potential as a parameter for the diagnosis of suspected disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the usefulness of a newly developed SF test utilizing SF specific monoclonal antibody(F405). Among hemopoietic and non-hemopoietic tumor patients, 249 patients with suspected DIC were collected. The SF level showed a good correlation with the DIC score and the SF levels in DIC patients were significantly higher than those in s-DIC and pre-DIC patients. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) analysis also showed that the specificity and sensitivity of the SF assay were higher than those of thrombin-antithrombin complex(TAT). In conclusion, these results indicate that the SF assay is a highly precise method for the diagnosis and screening of DIC stages.

Altered expression of several genes in highly metastatic subpopulations of a human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line

Non-small cell lung cancer is associated with approximately 85% mortality due to its high metastatic potential. Therapeutic efforts have failed to produce a significant improvement in prognosis. In this situation, a better understanding of the key factors of metastasis may be useful for designing new molecular targets of therapy. In order to identify these factors, we compared the expression profiles of two subpopulations of an adenocarcinoma cell line with a high metastatic potential, PC9/f9 and PC9/f14, with the parent cell line, PC9, using a cDNA array. The expression of 15 genes was found to be significantly enhanced or reduced in the highly metastatic subpopulations. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha) were upregulated in the highly metastatic subpopulations, while the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), caspase-5, Fas ligand, Prk/FNK, cyclin E, cyclin B1, Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Smad4, macrophage proinflammatory human chemokine-3 alpha (MIP-3 alpha)/LARC, Met and CD44 were downregulated. Data from the literature suggest that the altered expression of MMP-2, PAI-1, IL-1 alpha, CEA, caspase-5, Fas ligand, Prk/FNK and Smad4 promotes the highly metastatic phenotype. The differential expression of these genes was confirmed by Northern blot analysis, standard reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. This analysis in subpopulations of a lung cancer cell line indicated that the highly metastatic potential of lung cancer may be induced not by an alteration in the expression of a single gene, but by the accumulation of alterations in the expression of several genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion disruption, ECM degradation, escape from apoptosis, and resistance to transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)). Strategies for inhibiting metastasis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma should be designed accordingly.

Neural recognition molecule NB-2 of the contactin/F3 subgroup in rat: Specificity in neurite outgrowth-promoting activity and restricted expression in the brain regions

NB-2, a neural cell recognition molecule of the contactin/F3 subgroup, promoted neurite outgrowth of the cerebral cortical neurons but not the hippocampal neurons. NB-2 in rat became apparent after birth at protein level, reaching a maximum at postnatal day 14 in the cerebrum and postnatal day 3 in the cerebellum. NB-2 in the cerebellum declined abruptly thereafter. In situ hybridization demonstrated that NB-2 mRNA was highly expressed in regions implicated in the central auditory pathway, including the cochlear nuclei, superior olive, inferior colliculi, medial geniculate nuclei, and auditory cortex. In addition, a high level of NB-2 expression was observed in the accessory olfactory bulb, thalamic nuclei, facial nucleus, and inferior olive. By immunohistochemistry, intense immunoreactivity against NB-2 was also detected in the auditory pathway. Thus, NB-2 is expressed in highly restricted brain regions, including the auditory system, suggesting that it plays specific roles in the development and/or maturation of the regions.

Radiographic assessment of scapular rotational tilt in chronic shoulder impingement syndrome

This study presents an objective evaluation of both scapular upward and axial rotational tilts in shoulder impingement syndrome, using a scapular spine line defined on antero-posterior (AP) radiographs of the shoulder as the referential line. Twenty-seven patients with unilateral shoulder motion pain, who were diagnosed as having chronic shoulder impingement syndrome, were enrolled in the study. Scapular upward and axial rotational tilts were compared between the affected and contralateral shoulders. AP radiographs were obtained at shoulder abduction angles of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees, and the X-ray films were digitized by computer. The upward and axial rotational tilts of the scapula were then evaluated on the digital images. In shoulder impingement syndrome, both upward and axial external rotations of the scapula were impaired at the painful arc angle of abduction. This tended to be more apparent for the axial rotation of the scapula than for the upward rotation. These reductions in scapular rotations reduce available clearance for the rotator cuff and humeral greater tuberosity as the shoulder is abducted.

Transmembrane topography of plasma membrane constituents in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) hypocotyl cells. I. Transmembrane distribution of phospholipids

The transmembrane distribution of phospholipids (PLs) in the plasma membrane (PM) of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) hypocotyl cells was investigated using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate, porcine pancreas phospholipase A(2), and (31)P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Phosphatidylserine was not located on the cell surface of mung bean protoplasts. However, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid were found to be almost symmetrically distributed across right-side-out PM vesicles obtained by aqueous two-phase partitioning by porcine pancreas phospholipase A(2) assay. (31)P-NMR assay showed that the amount of PLs is about equal in the outer and the inner leaflets of the right-side-out PM vesicles. These results suggest that the topography of PM PLs might not contribute to well-known asymmetrical properties of the outer and inner surfaces of higher plant PMs. It is also indicated that inside-out PM vesicles created by Brij 58-treatment do not retain the native PL topography on dithionate reduction of 7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl-labeled PLs incorporated in the PM vesicles.

Development of "Standards for the Evaluation of Hospital Infection Control Policies and Procedures, the Second Version"

The Japan Society for Quality in Health Care (JSQua) created "Standards for the Evaluation of Hospital Infection Control Policies and Procedures, the First Version" in 1998 and carried out third-party surveys. Through the experience of those surveys, we revised the standards and created a second version in 1999. The surveyors felt that in using the second version of the standards it would be easier to evaluate the quality of hospital care and that these standards would be more widely applied.

Glochiflavanosides A-D: flavanol glucosides from the leaves of Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn) A. Juss

From the leaves of Glochidion zeylanicum collected in Okinawa, four flavanol glucosides, named as glochiflavanosides A-D were isolated along with known flavone C-glucosides, vitexin and isoorientin. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses.

Genetically modified Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e) producing Escherichia coli is a vaccine candidate for porcine edema disease

Porcine edema disease (ED) is an enterotoxaemia in pigs after weaning, caused by Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e) producing Escherichia coli. Recently in Japan, outbreaks of ED are re-emerging in pig production. In this study we constructed a mutant that retained immunogenicity but lost Vero cell cytotoxicity, which produced genetically modified toxin (Stx2e*) by replacing glutamate with glutamine at position 167 and arginine with leucine at position 170 of the A subunit. The stx(2e)* gene was replaced with the stx(2e)gene of the wild type virulent strain by homologous recombination. As the parent wild strain was pathogenic to pigs but the mutant was not, the mutant named as YT106 was given to the pigs to examine its protective immunity against ED. All 20 pigs vaccinated with YT106 survived, but only eight of the 20 non-vaccinated pigs survived after the challenge with a wild strain. Also, the eight pigs that survived had decreased rates of gain relative to those of the controls. Blood IgG and intestinal IgA titres increased 3.3 and 1.6 times more than the control, respectively, showing that YT106 might be a good candidate of a live attenuated vaccine strain to protect against ED.

Acute psychosis during intracranial EEG monitoring: close relationship between psychotic symptoms and discharges in amygdala

PURPOSE

This report examined the underlying mechanism of psychosis associated with epilepsy.

METHODS

An adult patient with epilepsy manifesting acute psychosis during long-term EEG monitoring is presented, together with a literature review on this subject.

RESULTS

A 25-year-old woman with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy developed acute psychosis while she underwent long-term intracranial EEG monitoring. After a clustering of seizures, she manifested psychotic symptoms including hallucination, stupor, and repeated fear. The transition of psychotic symptoms corresponded to the changes in frequency and morphology of seizure discharges restricted to the left amygdala. Improvement of psychosis coincided with disappearance of seizure discharges.

CONCLUSIONS

This case confirmed a close relationship between psychotic symptoms and seizure discharges in the left amygdala. It is suggested that paroxysmal bombardment of the medial temporal lobe structure may be a pathogenetic factor of acute psychosis associated with epilepsy.

Histological and analytical studies of a tooth in a patient with cleidocranial dysostosis

A histopathological and analytical study of a permanent tooth from a patient with cleidocranial dysostosis (CCD) was performed. The patient was a 47-year-old woman, who had 10 erupted permanent teeth and 2 partially erupted and 19 completely impacted teeth, including supernumerary teeth. The erupted right upper premolar was extracted and observed using a light microscope and an electron probe X-ray microanalyzer (EPMA). Findings showed enamel hypoplasia, predominantly irregular globular dentin and Tomes' granular layer, and a complete lack of cellular cementum in the ground section. The incremental von Ebner and counter Owen lines were obscure. Comparative quantitative analysis using the EPMA showed that the quantities of calcium and phosphate were lower in the enamel and dentin than those of the control sample.

Farnesyl hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives from Ferula kuhistanica

Four new farnesyl hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, kuhistanols E-H (1-4), were isolated from the roots of the Uzbekistan medicinal plant Ferula kuhistanica. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on spectroscopic and chemical evidence.

Isolation and antioxidant activity of galloyl flavonol glycosides from the seashore plant, Pemphis acidula

Four kinds of galloyl flavonol glycosides were found in the leaf extract of Pemphis acidula, a plant growing on the subtropical seashore. Their chemical structures were elucidated to be quercetin or kaempferol 6"-O-galloyl-beta-D-glycosides by using spectroscopic and chemical analyses. One of the flavonols, kaempferol-3-O-(6-O-galloyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside), was newly isolated from natural sources and its structure was completely determined in this investigation. The antioxidant-related activities of the galloyl flavonoids were examined by the DPPH antiradical activity, inhibition of methyl linoleate oxidation, and inhibition of oxidative cell death. These results were compared with those of the corresponding non-galloylated flavonol glycosides and their aglycones. The galloyl flavonoids showed more efficient activity than that of the corresponding flavonol glycosides, but not more than that of the corresponding aglycones in the three assays applied.