Influence of some traditional medicinal plants of Senegal on prostaglandin biosynthesis

Aqueous extracts of Combretum micranthum G. Don, Euphorbia hirta L., Guiera senegalensis Lam. and Melaleuca leucadendron L. were investigated for their influence on prostaglandin biosynthesis (PG I2, PG E2, PG D2). Only the extract of Euphorbia hirta strongly reduced the release of prostaglandins I2, E2, and D2. Additionally Euphorbia hirta extracts exerted an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation and depressed the formation of carrageenin induced rat paw oedema. The chemical nature of the active principle of Euphorbia hirta could be characterized as (a) compound(s) of medium polarity in the molecular weight range of 1000 to 3000 Da.

Antianginal and cardioprotective effects of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous drug, in coronary artery disease

The effect of bark powder of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous drug, on anginal frequency, blood pressure, body mass index, blood sugar, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol was studied in 15 stable (Group A) and 5 unstable (Group B) angina patients before and 3 months after T. arjuna therapy. Tread mill test (TMT) and echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction was evaluated in some cases. There was 50% reduction in anginal episodes in Group A cases (P < 0.01). TMT performance improved from moderate to mild changes in 5 patients and one with mild changes became negative for ischemia. The time to the onset of angina and appearance of ST-T changes on TMT after T. arjuna was delayed significantly. However, in patients with unstable angina there was an insignificant reduction in anginal frequency. These patients also needed diltiazem, B-blockers and nitroglycerine in addition to T. arjuna. The drug lowered systolic blood pressure and body mass index to a significant level (p < 0.05) and increased HDL-cholesterol only slightly along with marginal improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction in stable angina patients. There were no deleterious effects on liver or kidney functions. Our results suggest that monotherapy with T. arjuna is fairly effective in patients with symptoms of stable angina pectoris. However, it has a limited role in unstable angina.

Antiulcer action of Styrax camporum and Caesalpinia ferrea in rats. '

Stem extracts of Styrax camporum Pohl and Caesalpinia ferrea Martius were administered orally and intraperitoneally to rats and effected a decrease in the acute ulceration number. The volume, pH, and hydrochloric acid concentration of gastric secretions were measured after administration of both extracts, atropine, and cimetidine. After oral administration there was a decrease in the gastric secretion volume without modification of the other gastric secretion parameters studied. There were modifications, however, when the extracts were administered intraperitoneally. Analgesy, influence on sleeping time, and spontaneous motor activity test results indicate a probable absence of central action components in the extracts.

Detection of electrophoretically separated protease inhibitors using X-ray film

Pigeon-pea seed extracts have been analyzed for the protease inhibitors using a new, sensitive and simple method for visualization of electrophoretically separated protease inhibitors. The visualization involves equilibrating the gel successively in the protease assay buffer, protease solution, rinsing the gel in protease assay buffer, and exposing it to an exposed, undeveloped X-ray film. Gelatin on the film in places corresponding to the inhibitor bands remains unhydrolyzed. By this method the pigeon-pea seed extract was found to contain nine trypsin and at least seven chymotrypsin inhibitors but no papain or bromelain inhibitors.

Studies of aloe. IV. Mechanism of cathartic effect. (3)

Charcoal transport, as an indicator of the degree of peristalsis, and water content in the large intestine after the intracaecal administration of barbaloin, were measured simultaneously in the same rat. Charcoal transport was significantly accelerated at both 3.5 and 6.5 h after the administration of barbaloin. At 6.5 h, diarrhea instead of normal faeces was observed. Moreover, at 1 h before the acceleration of charcoal transport, a marked increase in the relative water content of the large intestine was observed. It appears that the increase in water content of the large intestine induced by barbaloin precedes the stimulation of peristalsis, attended by diarrhea. Therefore, it is suggested that the increase in water content is a more important factor than the stimulation of peristalsis in the diarrhea induced by barbaloin.

[Effects of compatibility of radix Ginseng with faeces Trogopterori on toxicity in experimental animals]

The acute toxicity test in mice revealed no toxic effects after oral administration with mixed decoction of Radix Ginseng and Faeces Trogopterori. But a tendency of increasing toxicity was found with intraperitoneal injection. The subacute toxicity test in rats showed no obvious effect on white blood cell count (WBC), differential count (DC), platelet count (Pt), hemoglobin amount (Hb), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), body weight (BW), and so on after oral administration with the above-said mixed decoction.

[Calculation of recommendations regarding protein intake: their application to preschool, school students and adults taking Brazilian foods]

The recommendations for protein consumption depend on the essential amino acid and total nitrogen content of a diet, and food digestibility. International recommendations are based on egg or milk proteins. However, populations eat different food mixtures. Brazilians use rice and beans as their main protein food source. This study presents different Brazilian diets, with variable amount of rice and beans. The results show that for each diet there is a different amount of protein recommended. Pre-school children, for example, must receive from 1.15 to 1.77 g/protein/day, depending on the mixture of their dietary protein intake. Besides the diet protein's quality and quantity, the total food intake and presence of other essential nutrients, such as iron, calcium and vitamin C has also to be considered. The correct protein recommendation with respect to a diet or a mixture of food, should take into consideration: digestibility, total nitrogen, essential amino acids, presence of others nutrients and weight of food consumed.

Rapid detection and differentiation of tobamoviruses infecting L-resistant genotypes of pepper by RT-PCR and restriction analysis

A procedure involving reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed for typing pathotypes of the tobamoviruses infecting the L-resistant genotypes of pepper. The method provides a much simpler alternative to the bioassay tests for the different Capsicum spp. genotypes previously used. Discrimination between the two pathotypes, P1,2 and P1,2,3, which cannot be differentiated by serological means, was achieved by restriction enzyme analysis of the PCR products. The assay also detects and distinguishes both pathotypes in a single mixed-infected plant. The procedure should be useful for the diagnosis and control of the disease and helpful to breeders and biotechnologists when producing and evaluating resistance in pepper plants.

Resistance of green peas to legume viruses

A total of 16 green pea cultivars (Pisum sativum L.) were screened for resistance to bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), and alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). Cvs. Avola, Midget, Wawerplus, Wawerex, Bunny and Banff were found immune to BYMV infection. Cvs. Marx and Pion exhibited a high level (above 95%) of resistance to BYMV, but they were highly susceptible to PEMV and AMV. It is recommended to use BYMV-immune or highly BYMV-resistant cultivars for further breeding. There were no significant differences in AMV levels among the respective pea cultivars.

Hypolipidemic activity of tincture of Crataegus in rats

Tincture of Crataegus (TCR), an alcoholic extract of the berries of Crataegus oxyacantha, when administered to rats fed a hyperlipidemic diet (HLD), could prevent the elevation in plasma lipid levels. A significant decrease in lipid deposits in liver and aorta was also observed. Analysis of the plasma lipoprotein profile showed that TCR produced remarkable reduction in the increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fractions in hyperlipidemic rats. Histological examination showed severe fatty vacuolation and degeneration of liver of HLD fed rats. TCR administration had an ameliorating effect on these changes. Agarose gel electrophoretic pattern of plasma lipoproteins also indicated that the drug brought down the raised levels of the atherogenic beta-lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic rats.

A meta-analysis of the effect of garlic on blood pressure

OBJECTIVE

To undertake a systematic review, including meta-analysis, of published and unpublished randomized controlled trials of garlic preparations to determine the effect of garlic on blood pressure relative to placebo and other antihypertensive agents.

DATA IDENTIFICATION

Studies were identified by a search of Medline and the Alternative Medicine electronic databases, from references listed in primary and review articles, and through direct contact with garlic manufacturers.

STUDY SELECTION

Only randomized controlled trials of garlic preparations that were at least 4 weeks in duration were deemed eligible for inclusion in the review.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted from the published reports by the two authors independently, with disagreements resolved by discussion.

RESULTS

Eight trials were identified (all using the same dried garlic powder preparation (Kwai) with data from 415 subjects included in the analyses. Only three of the trials were specifically conducted in hypertensive subjects, and many had other methodological shortcomings. Of the seven trials that compared the effect of garlic with that of placebo, three showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and four in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The overall pooled mean difference in the absolute change (from baseline to final measurement) of SBP was greater in the subjects who were treated with garlic then in those treated with placebo. For DBP the corresponding reduction in the garlic-treated subjects was slightly smaller.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that this garlic powder preparation may be of some clinical use in subjects with mild hypertension. However, there is still insufficient evidence to recommend it as a routine clinical therapy for the treatment of hypertensive subjects. More-rigorously designed and analysed trials are needed.

Modulation of Kupffer cell activity by Tinospora cordifolia in liver damage

Kupffer cells are major determinants of outcome of liver injury. Their activity was therefore studied in a model of chronic liver disease. The effect of Tinospora cordifolia, an indigenous agent with proven hepatoprotective activity, was evaluated on Kupffer cell function, using carbon clearance test as a parameter. Rats were divided into two major groups. In Gp I which served as normal control t1/2 of carbon was 9.48 +/- 4.14 min. GpII received horse-serum in a dose of 0.5 ml/100 gm b.w. i.p. for a period of 12 weeks and was divided into three sub-groups. In Gp IIA at the end of 12 weeks half-life of carbon was found to be significantly increased to 19.86 +/- 7.95 min (p < 0.01). Indicating suppressed Kupffer cell function in chronic liver damage. In Gp IIB treated with vehicle for 4 more weeks there was significant prolongation of half-life to 38.32 +/- 10.61 min (p < 0.01), indicating perpetuation of damage in absence of damaging agent. Whereas in Gp IIc, treated with Tinospora cordifolia t 1/2 was decreased to 14.24 7.74 min (p < .01), as compared to vehicle control indicating a significant improvement in Kupffer cell function and a trend towards normalization.

Identification of a beta-type adaptin in plant clathrin-coated vesicles

Plant clathrin-coated vesicles (CCV), suitably protected against proteolysis, were isolated from zucchini hypocotyls, and screened for the presence of adaptin-like polypeptides using monoclonal antibodies prepared against alpha, beta(beta') and gamma-adaptins of bovine brain. An immunoreactive polypeptide in plant CCV was only detected in the case of the beta(beta')-adaptin antibody. This polypeptide has a molecular mass of 108 kDa in SDS-PAGE, and gives rise to a major cleavage product of 70 kDa after proteolysis with trypsin. Gel filtration of 0.75 M MgCl2-dissociated coat proteins showed that the plant beta(beta')-type adaptin eluted with other polypeptides in a manner similar to the adaptor complexes of brain CCV. Upon subsequent hydroxyapatite chromatography the immunoreactive polypeptide eluted in fractions corresponding to Golgi (HA-I) rather than plasma membrane (HA-II) brain adaptor complexes. In addition, this polypeptide did not shift to a higher molecular mass when subjected to urea-SDS-PAGE. Confirmation of the presence of a beta-type adaptin in plants was provided by dot and Southern blotting experiments using genomic DNA from zucchini hypocotyls and a beta-adaptin cDNA clone from human fibroblasts.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Polygonum bistorta, Guaiacum officinale and Hamamelis virginiana in rats

The aqueous ethanolic extracts of Polygonum bistorta L. Polygonaceae, Guaiacum officinale L. Zygophyllaceae and Hamamelis virginiana L. Hamamelidaceae were screened for anti-inflammatory activity. Administered (100 and 200 mg kg-1, p.o.) before the induction of carrageenan rat paw oedema, extracts of P. bistorta significantly suppressed both the maximal oedema response and the total oedema response (monitored as area under the time course curve). H. virginiana was inactive and G. officinale was only active at 200 mg kg-1. At 200 mg kg-1 administered before the induction of adjuvant arthritis, P. bistorta significantly inhibited both the acute and chronic phases of the adjuvant-induced rat paw swelling, while G. officinale and H. virginiana were only active against the chronic phase. Further studies on P. bistorta (100-800 mg kg-1) revealed a dose-dependent inhibition of the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema over the dose range 100-400 mg kg-1, the E50 value being approximately 158.5 mg kg-1. The extract (200 mg kg-1), administered after the onset of the inflammatory responses reversed the course of both the carrageenan- and adjuvant-induced rat paw swelling. The results confirm that the extracts of P. bistorta, G. officinale and H. virginiana contain anti-inflammatory substances.

Developmental patterns of free and protein-bound biotin during maturation and germination of seeds of Pisum sativum: characterization of a novel seed-specific biotinylated protein

Mature dry pea seeds contain three major biotinylated proteins. Two of these of subunit molecular mass about 75 kDa and 200 kDa are associated with 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.4) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase activities (EC 6.4.1.2) respectively. The third does not exhibit any of the biotin-dependent carboxylase activities found in higher organisms and represents the major part of the total protein-bound biotin in the seeds. This novel protein has been purified from a whole pea seed extract. Because in SDS/polyacrylamide gels the protein migrates with an apparent molecular mass of about 65 kDa, it is referred to as SBP65, for 65 kDa seed biotinylated protein. The molecular mass of native SBP65 is greater than 400 kDa, suggesting that the native protein assumes a polymeric structure, resulting from the association of six to eight identical subunits. The results of CNBr cleavage experiments suggest that biotin is covalently bound to the protein. The stoichiometry is 1 mol of biotin per 1 mol of 65 kDa polypeptide. The temporal and spatial pattern of expression of SBP65 is described. SBP65 is specifically expressed in the seeds, being absent from leaf, root, stem, pod and flower tissues of pea plants. The level of SBP65 increases dramatically during seed development. The protein is not detectable in very young seeds. Its accumulation pattern parallels that for storage proteins, being maximally expressed in the mature dry seeds. SBP65 disappears at a very high rate during seed germination. The level of free biotin has also been evaluated for various organs of pea plants. In all proliferating tissues examined (young developing seeds, leaf, root, stem, pod and flower tissues), free biotin is in excess of protein-bound biotin. Only in the mature dry seeds is protein-bound biotin (i.e. that bound to SBP65) in excess of free biotin. These temporal expression patterns, and the strict organ specificity for expression of SBP65, are discussed with regard to the possibility that in plants, as in mammals, biotin plays a specialized role in cell growth and differentiation.

Potential of food modification in cancer prevention

This presentation focuses on research that could theoretically be applied to implement the strategy of general population chemoprevention. The concept is based on the premise of enhancing foods with known anticarcinogens through either agricultural methods or food-processing technologies. Two areas of our work are described: (a) garlic cultivated with selenium fertilization and (b) foods high in conjugated linoleic acid. Both selenium and conjugated linoleic acid are powerful chemopreventive agents in the animal tumor model. The rationale of delivering these two specific compounds through the food system will be developed. Preliminary studies will be summarized to show the feasibility of this approach in suppressing carcinogen-induced mammary cancer in rats. Finally, the advantages of using foods to provide anticarcinogens to the general population as part of a chemopreventive strategy will also be discussed.

Pharmacological screening of plants recommended by folk medicine as snake venom antidotes; IV. Protection against jararaca venom by isolated constituents

Fifteen compounds, isolated from plants reputed as snake venom antidotes, belonging to different classes of natural products, were shown to protect mice to a significant degree against the lethal action of the venom of Bothrops jararaca snakes. Administration was by the oral route, one hour prior to envenomation. The substances are nitrogen-free, low-molecular-weight compounds for which some kind of biodynamic activity has previously been reported. The fact that they are mostly trivial, naturally-occurring compounds should explain why plants used as snake-bite antidotes are so widely distributed over the plant kingdom.

Biosynthesis of DB58 lectin in cell suspension cultures of Dolichos biflorus

The stem and leaf lectin of the legume, Dolichos biflorus, was found to be expressed in cell suspension cultures derived from calli from this plant. The lectin is present at levels equivalent to the amount of lectin in the plant and its expression is correlated with the exponential growth phase of the cells. In vitro translation of mRNA isolated from these cultures, followed by immunoprecipitation with antibodies to the lectin, yields a single polypeptide precursor for this lectin. In vivo pulse chase labeling of the DB58 lectin yields a single glycosylated precursor that ultimately gives rise to the mature alpha and beta subunits of this heterodimer. Chemical deglycosylation of the labeled precursors and products shows that the alpha and beta subunits do not differ simply by their extent of glycosylation. Antibodies generated against a synthetic peptide representing the deduced COOH-terminus of the nascent protein react only with the alpha subunit. These data support a mechanism of lectin subunit generation involving differential carboxyl terminal modification of a single polypeptide precursor.

Clastogenicity of red pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) extracts

Extracts from the fruits of Capsicum frutescens L. were tested for their clastogenicity using the mouse-bone-marrow micronucleus (mouse-MN) assay. Results of the mouse-MN, an in vivo method, indicated that the isolate CF-1 is clastogenic at the maximum tolerated dose of 1.22 mg/kg mouse. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon two-sample test showed that the null hypothesis, mu tetracycline = muCF-1, is acceptable at 0.05 and 0.01 degrees of significance. Hence, the clastogenicity of CF-1 is statistically similar to that of tetracycline, a known clastogen, at the 5% and 1% levels of significance.

Molecular cloning, sequence determination and heterologous expression of nucleoside diphosphate kinase from Pisum sativum

Protein sequence data derived from the N-terminal region of a 17 kDa polypeptide associated with the microsomal membrane fraction from Pisum sativum was used to design degenerate oligonucleotides which were used to amplify P. sativum cDNA via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified cDNA was used as a probe to screen a P. sativum cDNA library and a cDNA clone, NDK-P1 was isolated and sequenced. The protein encoded by NDK-P1 had a calculated molecular mass of 16,485 Da and possessed substantial homology with nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDKs) isolated and cloned from other sources. High levels of expression of NDK-P1 protein were achieved in Escherichia coli using a T7-driven expression system. Recombinant NDK-P1 protein was shown to possess NDK activity and had similar biochemical characteristics to NDKs isolated from other sources. The Michaelis constants for a variety of nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) substrates were found to be broadly similar to those reported for other NDKs, with thymidine nucleotides being the substrates of greatest affinity.

From soil to brain: zinc deficiency increases the neurotoxicity of Lathyrus sativus and may affect the susceptibility for the motorneurone disease neurolathyrism

Zinc deficiency and oversupply of iron to the roots of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) induce increases in the content of the neurotoxin beta-L-ODAP (3-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid) in the ripe seeds. The transport of zinc to the shoots is enhanced by the addition of beta-L-ODAP. The neurotoxin of L. sativus is proposed to function as a carrier molecule for zinc ions. Soils, depleted in micronutrients from flooding by monsoon rains (Indian subcontinent) or otherwise poor in available zinc and with high iron content (Ethiopian vertisols), may be responsible for higher incidence of human lathyrism, one of the oldest neurotoxic diseases known to man. A role for brain zinc deficiency in the susceptibility for lathyrism is postulated.

Malonylginsenoside Rb1 potentiates nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth of cultured chick embryonic dorsal root ganglia

Effects of malonylginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1-m) isolated from dried root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) on neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth were compared with those of ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) using organ culture of chick embryonic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and cell culture of DRG neurons. In the organ culture, nerve growth factor (NGF) showed neurite outgrowth promoting effect. GRb1-m (30 microM) significantly potentiated this NGF-induced neurite outgrowth with similar potency to that of GRb1 (30 microM). Low density cell culture of DRG neurons was employed to minimize the contribution of contaminating non-neuronal cells. NGF (10 ng/ml) prolonged duration of neuronal survival. Neither GRb1-m nor GRb1 (1-30 microM) changed the prolongation effect of NGF, nor did NGF show a significant effect on the neurite elongation and re-elongation after axotomy by laser beam irradiation. However, GRb1-m (10 microM) potentiated initial neurite elongation when co-treated with NGF. In the process of re-elongation of neurites, GRb1-m (1, 30 microM) also promoted it in the presence of NGF. These results suggest, first, that GRb1-m potentiates NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of chick embryonic DRGs and DRG neurons, but behaves in a slightly different manner from GRb1, and, second, that the effects of the two saponins may work primarily on neurons causing the potentiation of NGF-induced neurite outgrowth.

Endo-1,4-beta-glucanase in the cell wall of stems of auxin-treated pea seedlings

Endo-1,4-beta-glucanase induced by treatment of pea seedlings with 2,4-D was extracted from a preparation of the walls of epicotyl cells. The beta-glucanase was purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, affinity chromatography on Con A-Sepharose and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The activity of beta-glucanase was retained after removal of SDS and extraction from polyacrylamide gels. The band of a protein (46 kDa), that corresponded to the activity of endo-1,4-beta-glucanase, was injected directly into mice for preparation of antiserum and the protein was also subjected to amino acid sequencing after blotting onto a membrane. Western blot analysis showed that the antiserum obtained bound to a 46-kDa polypeptide and recognized endo-1,4-beta-glucanase. The N-terminal sequence of the 46-kDa polypeptide revealed some homology to abscission endo-1,4-beta-glucanases of bean and avocado fruit.