Medical Library

Antimycobacterial polyacetylenes from Levisticum officinale.

No conflicts of interest concerning financial matters or personal relationships exist between the authors and those who might bias this work. The present work is in part included the PhD thesis of A. Schinkovitz (University of Graz) but has not been published elsewhere previously.The dichloromethane extract of the roots of Levisticum officinale L. (Apiaceae) exhibited significant antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium aurum in a microtiter plate dilution assay and was further analysed following a bioassay-guided fractionation strategy. 3(R)-Falcarinol (3(R)-(-)-1,9-heptadecadien-4,6-diin-3-ol] and 3(R)-8(S)-falcarindiol [3(R)-8(S)-(+)-1,9-heptadecadien-4,6-diin-3,8-diol] could be identified as the active components in this extract. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3(R)-falcarinol against M. fortuitum and M. aurum was 16.4 microm while that of 3(R)-8(S)-falcarindiol was 30.7 microm against M. fortuitum and 61.4 microm against M. aurum, respectively. Previously, 3(R),8(R)-dehydrofalcarindiol was isolated from Artemisia monosperma and surprisingly this polyacetylene exhibited no antimycobacterial activity at 128 microg/mL. This indicates that the terminal methyl group is vital for retention of antimycobacterial activity. Reference antibiotics ethambutol and isoniazid exhibited an activity of 115.5 microm and 14.6 microm against M. fortuitum, and 3.4 microm and 29.2 microm against M. aurum, respectively. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Schinkovitz A, Stavri M, Gibbons S, Bucar F.

Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacognosy, Karl‐Franzens‐University, Graz, Austria.

In vitro inhibition of Helicobacter pylori growth and adherence to gastric mucosal cells by Pycnogenol((R)).

The emergence of antibiotic resistant H. pylori strains has necessitated the identification of alternative additive therapies for the treatment of this infection. The study tested whether a specific pine bark extract (Pycnogenol((R))) is effective in inhibiting the growth and adherence of H. pylori in vitro.Inhibition of H. pylori growth by Pycnogenol((R)) was tested in liquid medium as well as in an in vitro model by using sessile bacteria attached to AGS cells. Adherence was determined by co-incubation of gastric cells with Pycnogenol((R)) and H. pylori in vitro.Pycnogenol((R)) inhibited H. pylori growth in suspension with an MIC(50) of 12.5 microg/mL. Growth of H. pylori in infected cells was reduced to 10% of the control value by 125 microg/mL Pycnogenol((R)). Adherence of H. pylori to gastric cells was reduced by 70% after 3 h incubation with 125 microg/mL Pycnogenol((R)).The results show a significant, yet limited inhibition of growth and adherence of H. pylori to gastric cells by Pycnogenol((R)). In vivo studies have to demonstrate the clinical relevance of these findings. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Rohdewald P, Beil W.

Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms‐Universität Münster, D‐48161 Münster, Germany.

A novel function of bamboo extract in relieving lipotoxicity.

Lipotoxicity is closely related to the etiology and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the protective effect of an extract from bamboo Phyllostachys edulis against palmitic acid (PA)-induced lipoapoptosis. The lipo-detoxification function of the bamboo extract (BEX) was evaluated using cell culture models. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and cell apoptosis was monitored by Annexin V staining. Cellular uptake of fluorescent free fatty acid (FFA) analog was measured by flow cytometry. Protein levels of total protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) were measured by western blotting. The results show that co-incubating BEX with mouse myoblast C2C12 cells had no effect on the cellular uptake of FFA, but dramatically decreased PA-induced cell apoptosis and protected cell viability. A similar antilipotoxicity effect of BEX was observed in other mammalian cells. BEX significantly decreased the protein levels of both Akt and p-Akt in C2C12 cells under normal cell culture conditions but not under lipotoxic conditions, indicating the regulatory effect of BEX on cell signaling pathways and its response to a high FFA environment. This study demonstrated a novel function of bamboo extract in preventing lipotoxicity in mammalian cells, implicating a promising phytotherapeutic approach for lipo-detoxification. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Panee J, Liu W, Lin Y, Gilman C, Berry MJ.

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 651 Ilalo Street BSB 222, Honolulu HI 96813, USA.

Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants of the Cerrado, Brazil.

In order to determine the potential of Cerrado plants as sources of antimicrobial activity, the phytochemical screening of ethanol extracts from Virola surinamensis, Qualea grandiflora, Alchornea castaneifolia, Hancornia speciosa and Curatella americana traditionally used in folk medicine are reported. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Costa ES, Hiruma-Lima CA, Lima EO, Sucupira GC, Bertolin AO, Lolis SF, Andrade FD, Vilegas W, Souza-Brito AR.

Instituto de Biologia e Saúde Pública, Campus de Porto Nacional, Fundação Universidade do Tocantins, Porto Nacional, Tocantins, Brazil.

Impact of a proprietary concentrate of Sambucus nigra L. on urinary pH.

A proprietary concentrate from Sambucus nigra L. - in its diluted preparation as part of a hypocaloric diet available in Switzerland - had no impact on urinary pH, urinary hydrogen ion concentrations or 24 h excretion and thus did not influence the solubility of stone-inducing ions. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Walz B, Chrubasik S.

Zentrum für Labormedizin, Kantonsspital Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland.

Cancer chemoprotective effects of Curcuma xanthorrhiza.

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) is a medicinal plant widely spread in South East Asia. In particular, it is commonly used not only for food and medicinal purposes in Indonesia, but also for the topical treatment of acne and skin inflammations as Thai traditional medicine. It was found that the methanol extract of C. xanthorrhiza inhibited significantly 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced bacterial mutagenesis of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 in the presence of S9, and the mutagenesis induced by H(2)O(2) and tert-butylhydroperoxide in S. typhimurium TA102, respectively. In addition, 12-O-tetradecanolyphorbol-13-acetate(TPA)-induced mouse ear edema was markedly inhibited by pretreatment with C. xanthorrhiza extract. C. xanthorrhiza extract dose-dependently reduced ODC expression in mouse skin with TPA-induced acute inflammation. Furthermore, repeated treatment with 0.1% C. xanthorrhiza extract reduced the average number of tumors per mouse and the percentage of tumor-bearing mice in a multistage mouse skin carcinogenesis induced by DMBA and TPA. These results demonstrate that the methanol extract of C. xanthorrhiza possesses cancer chemopreventive potential. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Park JH, Park KK, Kim MJ, Hwang JK, Park SK, Chung WY.

Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, 120‐752, Korea.

Plant extracts from central Asia showing antiinflammatory activities in gene expression assays.

Plant natural products remain a good resource for the discovery of novel pharmaceuticals. A mouse macrophage-based quantitative, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) system was optimized to screen plant extracts for antiinflammatory activities using three well known genetic markers of inflammation. Plants used for extraction were taxonomically identified and vouchered species from two Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, collected through the International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (ICBG) program. The mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin 1beta and inducible nitric oxide synthase genes in RAW macrophages was determined quantitatively in response to treatment with plant extracts applied at 100 microg/mL. The screening of 1000 extracts from 449 plant species belonging to 68 plant families resulted in 75 extracts (7.5%) showing strong (75% or higher inhibition) activity against at least one target gene. Many extracts showed qualitative and quantitative differences in the levels of activities against each target gene. Extracts identified from this screen were able to reduce inflammatory symptoms in vivo, thereby validating the screening approach. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dey M, Ripoll C, Pouleva R, Dorn R, Aranovich I, Zaurov D, Kurmukov A, Eliseyeva M, Belolipov I, Akimaliev A, Sodombekov I, Akimaliev D, Lila MA, Raskin I.

Rutgers University, Biotech Center, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.

An observational study and quantification of the actives in a supplement with Sambucus nigra and Asparagus officinalis used for weight reduction.

The aim of the study was to obtain information on the content of co-active compounds of a food supplement recommended as a weight reduction diet and on its short-term effectiveness and safety as a starter for lifestyle change. Eighty participants completed the protocol. The Sambucus nigra L. berry juice enriched with flower extract and tablets containing berry powder and flower extract provided a total of 1 mg anthocyanins, 370 mg flavonol glycosides and 150 mg hydroxycinnamates per day; the Asparagus officinalis L. powder tablets provided 19 mg saponins per day. After the diet, the mean weight, blood pressure, physical and emotional well-being and the quality of life had significantly improved (ITT analysis). The effectiveness and tolerability of the regimen were rated as very good or good by most of the completers. It remains to be established if any particular compounds contribute to the efficacy of the diet. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chrubasik C, Maier T, Dawid C, Torda T, Schieber A, Hofmann T, Chrubasik S.

Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.

Transport of aspalathin, a Rooibos tea flavonoid, across the skin and intestinal epithelium.

Since Rooibos tea contains high levels of flavonoid antioxidants with potential health benefits when taken orally or applied topically, the quantity of the antioxidants crossing the physiological barriers is of scientific, clinical and commercial importance. This study investigated the in vitro transport of aspalathin, a unique flavonoid constituent of Rooibos tea, across intestinal epithelial cells and the human skin. The transport studies were conducted for both pure aspalathin solutions and extracts from unfermented (or green) Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) aerial plant material across human abdominal skin in vertical Franz diffusion cells and Caco-2 cell monolayers in Transwell 6-well plates. The results obtained from the percutaneous permeation studies demonstrated that only 0.01% of the initial aspalathin dose from both the test solution and extract permeated through the skin, which was in accordance with the prediction from its log P value of -0.347. A portion of 0.07% of the initial aspalathin dose penetrated the different layers of the skin for the green Rooibos extract solution and 0.08% for the pure aspalathin solution. The transport of aspalathin across Caco-2 cell monolayers was concentration dependent and reached almost 100% (P(app) = 20.93 x 10(-6) cm/s) of the initial dose in the highest concentration tested for the extract, while it was only 79.03% (P(app) = 15.34 x 10(-6) cm/s) of the initial dose for the highest concentration of the aspalathin solution. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Huang M, du Plessis J, du Preez J, Hamman J, Viljoen A.

University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 York Road, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.

Hypericum perforatum and substance dependence: a review.

Substance abuse and dependence is a serious problem throughout the world. The development of several types of dependence remedies has medical, social and economical significance. In particular, alcohol and tobacco are the most commonly abused substances worldwide. An extract of Hypericum perforatum L. (HPE) displayed a clear antidepressant action and it has been used for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Recent reports imply that HPE may be effective in the treatment of substance abuse. Studies have focused on alcohol and nicotine dependence. In this review, the effects of HPE on substance dependence and its possible benefit have been discussed in the light of current literature. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Uzbay TI.

Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Ankara, Turkey.