bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro Propagation and Chemical and Biological Studies of the Essential Oil of Salvia przewalskii Maxim
Authors: Skała Ewa , Kalemba Danuta , Wajs Anna , Róźalski Marek , Krajewska Urszula , Rózalska Barbara , Wieckowska-Szakiel Marzena , Wysokinska Halina
Published: February 2015

The procedure of Salvia przewalskii shoot multiplication and the ability of regenerated plants to produce essential oil is reported. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves and flowering stems of field-grown plants, and their chemical composition was examined by GC, GC-MS and 1H NMR. The differences in yield as well as qualitative and quantitative composition between the oils isolated from in vitro and in vivo plants were observed. S. przewalskii essential oil was tested for its antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. It was found that cytotoxicity against human leukemia HL-60 cells and antimicrobial activity (especially, against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis strains) of oils isolated from in vitro plants were higher than those for oils from in vivo S. przewalskii plants.
Nitrogen Metabolism and Flower Symmetry of Petunia Corollas Treated with Glyphosate
Authors: Shimada Atsumi , Kimura Yasuo
Published: February 2015

A change of flower shape was observed in petunia corollas treated with 0.5 mm glyphosate. Glyphosate changed the flower symmetry from the actinomorphic type to the zygomorphic type. Corollas treated with glyphosate showed an increased free amino acid content. Free amino acid profiles in petunia corollas revealed that glyphosate had no significant effect on aromatic amino acid levels but increased the level of proline. Soluble protein content in glyphosate-treated corollas did not cause any significant changes. The contents of soluble phenolics, lignin, and IAA in the corollas were not significantly affected by the glyphosate treatment. In contrast, glyphosate reduced the nitrate content and the RNA content of petunia corollas by 45% and 63% of the control, respectively. However, the DNA content in glyphosate-treated corollas was similar to that of the control. Low concentrations of glyphosate did not show any phytotoxic effects on the whole plants and any remarkable changes on aromatic amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis. However, glyphosate reduced the RNA content of petunia corollas and changed the flower symmetry from the actinomorphic type to the zygomorphic type. The results of nonprotein nitrogen metabolism in glyphosate-treated petunia corollas suggested that glyphosate application at low concentration may influence the regulation of flower symmetry through the change of RNA biosynthesis.
Trametes versatillis, a Fungus Highly Producing Eburicoic Acid
Authors: Ma Bing-Ji , Ruan Yuan
Published: February 2015

Eburicoic acid was produced and isolated from the cultured mycelia of the fungus, Trametes versatillis. The weight rate of eburicoic acid in the dry weight of cultured mycelia of Trametes versatillis was about to 1%. Trametes versatillis can be expected as an important bioresource to supply eburicoic acid for its industrial exploitation.
Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from Aerial Parts of Plinia glomerata
Authors: Serafin Claúdia , Nart Viviane , Malheiros Angela , de Souza Márcia Maria , Fischer Luiz , Monache Giuliano Delle , Monache Franco Delle , Filho Valdir Cechinel
Published: February 2015

The present work describes the antinociceptive properties and chemical composition of the aerial parts of Plinia glomerata (Myrtaceae). Both of the extracts evaluated, acetonic and methanolic, showed potent antinociceptive action, when analyzed against acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions in mice, with calculated ID50 (mg/kg, i. p.) values of 24.8 and 3.3, respectively. Through usual chromatographic techniques with an acetonic extract, the following compounds were obtained: 3,4,3′-trimethoxy flavellagic acid (1), 3,4,3′-trimethoxy flavellagic acid 4′-O-glucoside (3) and quercitrin (4), which were identified based on spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 (ID50 = 3.9 mg/kg, i. p., or 10.8 μmol/kg) and 3 (ID50 = 1.3 mg/kg or 2.5 μmol/kg) were notably more active than some well-known analgesic drugs used here for comparison.
Inhibitory Effects of Monoterpenes on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth
Authors: Kordali Saban , Cakir Ahmet , Sutay Sunay
Published: February 2015

Monoterpenes, the chemical constituents of essential oils found in plants, are known biologically active compounds. The present study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of 30 monoterpenes including monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes on seed germination and seedling growth of Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album and Rumex crispus under laboratory conditions. The monoterpenes were applied at contents of 10 and 20 μl for liquid compounds and 10 and 20 μg for solid compounds. The results show that most of the monoterpenes significantly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of the tested plants. Oxygenated monoterpenes including β-citronellol, nerol and terpinen-4-ol completely inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of all tested plants. Their inhibitory effects were also stronger than that of the herbicide 2,4-D. In general, monoterpenes were less effective against seed germination and seedling growth of C. album as compared with R. crispus and A. retroflexus. Phytotoxic effects of monoterpene hydrocarbons were found to be lower than those of oxygenated monoterpenes. The alcohol derivatives of oxygenated monoterpenes were also found to be more phytotoxic as compared with their acetate derivatives. Based on the present results, it can be concluded that the oxygenated monoterpenes can be used as potential bio-herbicides.
Effect of Norflurazon on Resorcinolic Lipid Metabolism in Rye Seedlings
Authors: Magnucka Elzbieta G. , Suzuki Yoshikatsu , Pietr Stanislaw J. , Kozubek Arkadiusz , Zarnowski Robert
Published: February 2015

Norflurazon is a selective pyridazinone herbicide excessively employed in the control of many annual grasses and broad-leaved weeds. This chemical causes plant bleaching due to the inhibition of the carotenoid pigment biogenesis as well as induces irreparable changes to chloroplasts, which are considered the organelles where the biosynthesis of resorcinolic lipids takes place. Resorcinolic lipids, a group of phenolic compounds, constitute not only an essential part of the plant antifungal defense system, but also are an important component of the human cereal diet. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of norflurazon on the biosynthesis of resorcinolic lipids in 5-day-old rye plants (Secale cereale L.) that were grown at three different temperatures under light or dark conditions. At all tested temperatures, norflurazon decreased the fresh biomass of light-grown rye seedlings and increased the weight of plants grown in darkness. Compared with respective controls, this herbicide caused an increase in total content of alkylresorcinols in both green and etiolated plants with the exception of dark-grown norflurazon-treated rye at 29 °C. The general level of saturated homologues was markedly decreased by norflurazon in all etiolated plants and in light-grown seedlings at 15 °C. Independent of thermal and light conditions, in all norflurazon-treated samples two alkylresorcinol derivatives predominated: 1,3-dihydroxy-5-n-heptadecylbenzene and 1,3-dihydroxy-5-n-nonadecylbenzene. Thus, our results suggest that norflurazon affected the metabolism of alkylresorcinols in rye seedlings and its action was dependent on external stimuli.
A New 1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-Phosphate Reductoisomerase Gene Encoding the Committed-Step Enzyme in the MEP Pathway from Rauvolfia verticillata
Authors: Liao Zhihua , Chen Rong , Chen Min , Yang Chunxian , Wang Qiang , Gong Yifu
Published: February 2015

1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) reductoisomerase (DXR; EC 1.1.1.267) catalyzes a committed step of the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway for the biosynthesis of pharmaceutical terpenoid indole alkaloid (TIA) precursors. The full-length cDNA sequence was cloned and characterized from a TIA-producing species, Rauvolfia verticillata, using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. The new cDNA was named as RvDXR and submitted to GenBank® to be assigned with an accession number (DQ779286). The fulllength cDNA of RvDXR was 1804 bp containing a 1425 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 474 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 51.3 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.88. Comparative and bioinformatic analyses revealed that RvDXR showed extensive homology with DXRs from other plant species and contained a conserved transit peptide for plastids, an extended Pro-rich region and a highly conserved NADPHbinding motif in its N-terminal region owned by all plant DXRs. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that DXRs had two groups including a plant and bacterial group; RvDXR belonged to angiosperm DXRs that were obtained from Synechocystis through gene transfer according to the phylogenetic analysis. The structural modeling of RvDXR showed that RvDXR had the typical V-shaped structure of DXR proteins. The tissue expression pattern analysis indicated that RvDXR expressed in all tissues including roots, stems, leaves, fruits and followers but at different levels. The lowest transcription level was observed in followers and the highest transcription was found in fruits of R. verticillata; the transcription level of RvDXR was a little higher in roots and stems than in leaves. The cloning and characterization of RvDXR will be helpful to understand more about the role of DXR involved in R. verticillata TIA biosynthesis at the molecular level and provides a candidate gene for metabolic engineering of the TIAs pathway in R. verticillata.
Inhibition of Cholinesterase by Dialkylcarbamates
Authors: Štĕpánková Šárka , Komers Karel , Komersová Alena , Masopustová Markéta , Čegan Alexander
Published: February 2015

The pI50 index and separation coefficients of chosen 3-N,N-diethylaminophenyl-N′,N′-dialkylcarbamates were determined. Index pI50 (pI50 = negative logarithm of molar concentration of inhibitor inhibiting the enzyme activity by 50%) describes the effectiveness of the inhibitor. The rate of ability of the inhibitor to pass the blood-brain barrier is usually described by the separation coefficient in a system n-octanol/water (Kow). Obtained results were compared with pI50 and Kow of Exelon®, the commercially used drug against the Alzheimer’s disease.
Studies on Betaxanthin Profiles of Vegetables and Fruits from the Chenopodiaceae and Cactaceae
Authors: Kugler Florian , Graneis Stephan , Stintzing Florian C. , Carle Reinhold
Published: February 2015

The present study provides an update on the betaxanthin (bx) compositions of red and yellow beetroots, yellow-coloured Swiss chard petioles, and yellow-orange cactus pear. Applying RP-HPLC coupled with positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry and by comparison with UV-vis and mass spectrometric characteristics as well as retention times of semisynthesized reference compounds, 24 betaxanthins were identified in red and yellow beetroot hypocotyls. Twenty-five and thirteen betaxanthins were present in yellow Swiss chard petioles and the cactus pear cultivar ‘Gialla’, respectively. Ethanolamine-bx and threonine-bx were found to be novel betaxanthins in Chenopodiaceae representatives, which to the best of our knowledge have not been reported as genuine pigments so far. Furthermore, aspartic acidbx (miraxanthin II), lysine-bx, and methionine-bx, hitherto found in other families, were identified in the Chenopodiaceae for the first time. Additionally, tyrosine-bx (portulacaxanthin II) and tryptophan-bx have not been earlier reported to occur in the Cactaceae. These findings provide valuable phytochemical information and may be useful for a better understanding of the functional properties of betaxanthins in plants.
Phenolic Compounds with Antioxidant Activity from Anthemis tinctoria L. (Asteraceae)
Authors: Papaioannou Paraskevi , Lazari Diamanto , Karioti Anastasia , Souleles Christos , Heilmann Jörg , Hadjipavlou-Litina Dimitra , Skalts Helen
Published: February 2015

From the aerial parts of Anthemis tinctoria L. subsp. tinctoria var. pallida DC. (Asteraceae), one new cyclitol glucoside, conduritol F-1-O-(6′-O-E-p-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), has been isolated together with four flavonoids, nicotiflorin (2), isoquercitrin (3), rutin (4) and patulitrin (5). The structures of the isolated compounds were established by means of NMR, MS, and UV spectral analyses. Methanolic extract and pure isolated compounds were examined for their free radical, scavenging activity, using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free stable radical, and for their inhibitory activity toward soybean lipoxygenase, using linoleic acid as substrate. Compounds 1 and 5 showed a strong scavenging effect in the DPPH radical assay. In addition 5 also exhibited high inhibitory activity on soybean lipoxygenase.
Variabilin, a Chemotaxonomic Marker for the Family Irciniidae
Authors: Liu Yonghong , Zhang Si , Jung Jee H. , Xu Tunhai
Published: February 2015

The furanosesterterpene variabilin was isolated from the sponge Sarcotragus. From a chemical point of view, the family Irciniidae has been the source of furanosesterterpenes, and especially variabilin is an important chemotaxonomic marker for the family Irciniidae
In vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activity Evaluation of Phenolic Compounds from Sideritis stricta
Authors: Küpeli Esra , Șahin  , Yeșilada Erdem , Caliș İhsan , Ezer Nurten
Published: February 2015

An acetone extract obtained from aerial parts of S. stricta Boiss. & Heldr. apud Bentham, its fractions and phenolic compounds were investigated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the anti-inflammatory activity and for the antinociceptive activity assessment, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction tests were used, respectively. The acetone extract of the plant and its phenolic fraction exhibited potent inhibitory activity against both bioassay models in mice. From the active phenolic fraction a well-known phenylethanoid glycoside, verbascoside (acteoside) (1), and two flavonoid glycosides, isoscutellarein 7-O-[6‴-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) and isoscutellarein 7-O-[6‴-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-6‴-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), were isolated. During phytochemical studies we also isolated a methoxyflavone, xanthomicrol (4), from the non-polar fraction. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic evidence (UV, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR, MS). Although antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the phenolic components were found not significant in the statistical analysis, compounds 1 to 3 showed a notable activity without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage. Furthermore, a mixture of flavonoid glycosides (2 + 3) exhibited a significant inhibitory effect in both models at a higher dose
Phytochemical and Antinociceptive Properties of Matayba elaeagnoides Radlk. Barks
Authors: Souza Michel Thomaz de , Buzzi Fátima de Campos , Filho Valdir Cechinel , Hess Sarai , Delle Monache Franco , Niero Rivaldo
Published: February 2015

A mixture of triterpenes named lupeol (1), α-amyrin (2), β-amyrin (3), and β-sitosterol (4) has been isolated from the hexane fraction of Matayba elaeagnoides. In addition, scopoletin (5), umbelliferone (6), 3β-O-d-glycopyranosyl-sitosterol (7) and betulin (8) were isolated

from the chloroform fraction. All the structures were identified by spectroscopic techniques in accordance with literature data. The extracts (hydroalcoholic and methanolic) and some fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol) exerted promising antinociceptive effects in mice. In addition, we have tested the pure compound betulin (8). When analyzed against induced pain using the writhing test (3-10 mg kg-1, i.p.), betulin showed a dosedependent

effect with a calculated ID50 value of 7.74 (6.53-9.17) mg kg-1 [17.5 (14.7-20.7)

μmol kg-1] and a maximal inhibition (MI) of 58.3% in relation to the control group. When

evaluated in the formalin test (3-10 mg kg-1, i.p.), this compound inhibited both phases of

pain (neurogenic and inflammatory pain), with calculated ID50 values of 18.3 (17.7-18.9)

and 8.3 (7.7-8.9) mg kg-1 [41.5 (38.4-42.7) and 18.8 (17.6-19.9) μmol kg-1] and maximal

inhibition of 40.8 and 64.39% for the first and second phases, respectively. Using the same

models, this compound was several times more active than two clinically used drugs, namely

aspirin and paracetamol, suggesting that its main active principle is related to the antinociceptive

effect found for the chloroform fraction of M. elaeagnoids barks
Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Secondary Metabolites from in vitro Cultures of Sanicula graveolens
Authors: Cheel José , Schmeda-Hirschmann Guillermo , Jordan Miguel , Theoduloz Cristina , Rodríguez Jaime A. , Gerth André , Wilken Dirk
Published: February 2015

An in vitro propagation system was developed to obtain shoot and root cultures from the Andean spice Sanicula graveolens (Apiaceae). Propagation of shoots, roots and plantlets was achieved by the temporary immersion system. The free radical scavenging effect of the methanol/ water (7 :3 v/v) extracts was determined by the discoloration of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). Total phenolic, flavonoid, chlorogenic acid (CA) and quercetin 3-O-glucoside content in the samples was assessed by spectrophotometry and DAD-HPLC analysis, respectively. On a dry weight basis, the crude extracts showed total phenolic values ranging from 3.57 to 6.93%, with highest content for the root culture sample. Total flavonoid content ranged from 1.23 to 2.23% and was lower for the root culture. Chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid were identified by TLC in all samples. Highest free radical scavenging effect was observed for the root culture which also presented the highest CA content. Two of the shoot culture samples, with similar IC50 values in the DPPH discoloration assay, also presented close quercetin-3-O-glucoside content
Periploca sepium Bunge as a Model Plant for Rubber Biosynthesis Study
Authors: Bamba Takeshi , Sando Tomoki , Miyabashira Asuka , Gyokusen Koichiro , Nakazawa Yoshihisa , Su Yinquan , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Kobayashi Akio
Published: February 2015

Periploca sepium Bunge (Chinese silk vine) is a woody climbing vine belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae. It originally comes from Northwest China. Periploca resembles the Para-rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, regarding a similar body plan to produce a milky exudate containing rubber latex. The Periploca plant was assessed as a rubber-producing plant by rubber structure elucidation and its molecular weight distribution. A rubber fraction purified from the milky exudate was subjected to 1H NMR analysis, and a characteristic signal derived from cis-polyisoprene was observed. In addition, when the molecular weight distribution of rubber components in the exudate was measured (using size-exclusion chromatography), the number-average molecular weight (Mn), weight-average molecular weight (Mw), and polydispersity (Mw/Mn) were estimated to be Mn = 1.3 × 105, Mw = 4.1 × 105, and Mw/Mn = 3.1, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of polyisoprene, with Mn = 4.0 × 104, Mw = 7.6 × 104, and Mw/Mn = 2.5, was also confirmed in plantlets obtained from shoots as a result of tissue culture
Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts of the Lichen Parmelia sulcata and its Salazinic Acid Constituent
Authors: Candan Mehmet , Yılmaz Meral , Tay Turgay , Erdem Murat , Türk Ayşen Özdemir
Published: February 2015

The antimicrobial activity of the acetone, chloroform, diethyl ether, methanol, and petroleum ether extracts of the lichen Parmelia sulcata and its salazinic acid constituent have been screened against twenty eight food-borne bacteria and fungi. All of the extracts with the exception of the petroleum ether extract showed antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Penicillium notatum. Salazinic acid did not show antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, P. vulgaris, Y. enterocolitica, and S. faecalis but showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium as well. The MIC values of the extracts and the acid for the bacteria and fungi have also been determined
Alkaloid Variability in Leucojum aestivum from Wild Populations
Authors: Georgievaa Liliya , Berkov Strahil , Kondakova Violeta , Bastida Jaume , Viladomat Francesc , Atanassov Atanas , Codina Carles
Published: February 2015

Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake) is a plant species used for the extraction of galanthamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Extracts from bulbs collected from 18 Bulgarian populations and from shoot-clumps obtained in vitro from 8 different populations showed variations in their alkaloid composition. Nineteen alkaloids were detected in the studied samples by GC-MS. Typically, the alkaloid fractions of L. aestivum bulbs were dominated by galanthamine type compounds, but lycorine, haemanthamine and homolycorine type alkaloids were also found as dominant compounds in some of the samples. Extracts from the shoot-clumps obtained in vitro were found to contain galanthamine or lycorine as main alkaloids. The galanthamine content ranged from 28 to 2104 μg/g dry weight in the bulbs, and from traces to 454 μg/g dry weight in the shoot-clumps.
Phenolic Compound Profiles and their Corresponding Antioxidant Capacity of Purple Pitaya (Hylocereus sp.) Genotypes
Authors: Esquivel Patricia , Stintzing Florian C. , Carle Reinhold
Published: February 2015

Folin-Ciocalteu and TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) assay together with the spectrophotometric determination of betalains were applied to investigate the correlation between phenolics and their contribution to the antioxidant capacity of five different Costa Rican genotypes of purple pitaya (Hylocereus sp.) and of H. polyrhizus fruits. Maximum antioxidant capacity, total phenolic and betalain contents were observed in the genotype ‘Lisa’. While non-betalainic phenolic compounds contributed only to a minor extent, betalains were responsible for the major antioxidant capacity of purple pitaya juices evaluated. The phenolic pattern of each genotype was also thoroughly investigated using liquid chromatography coupled to positive electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry. In addition to the well known betalains previously reported in Hylocereus fruits, several biosynthetic precursors were detected. Notably, decarboxylated and dehydrogenated betalains were identified as genuine compounds of the juices. Some of these compounds were previously described as artifacts upon heat exposure. Moreover, gallic acid was identified for the first time in pitaya fruits. While the phenolic profiles generally differed between genotypes, phenolic compound composition of ‘Rosa’ resembled that of H. polyrhizus with respect to total contents of betacyanins, betalainic precursors, phyllocactin and cyclo-Dopa malonyl-glucosides.
Evaluation of Cytotoxic Compounds from Calligonum comosum L. Growing in Egypt
Authors: Badria Farid A. , Ameen Madiha , Akl Mohamed R.
Published: February 2015

Calligonum comosum (Polygonaceae), an Egyptian desert plant, was extracted and fractionated using petroleum ether, methylene chloride, and ethyl acetate. The total methanolic extract and other fractions were tested for their anticancer activity using Ehrlich ascites, brine shrimp and antioxidant assays. Ethyl acetate fraction proved to be the most active in all assays. Eight compounds were isolated, purified, and identified from this fraction as (+)- catechin (1), dehydrodicatechin A (2), kaempferol-3-O-rhamnopyranoside (3), quercitrin (quercetin-3-O-rhamnopyranoside) (4), β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside (5), isoquercitrin (quercetin- 3-O-glucopyranoside) (6), kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide (7), and mequilianin (quercetin-3- O-glucuronide) (8). All isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity. Compound 2 showed the best cytotoxic and antioxidant activity.
A Comparative Study on the Genotoxic Effect of Pyrimethamine in Bone Marrow and Spermatogonial Mice Cells
Authors: Çelikler Serap , Aydemir Nilüfer , Bilaloğlu Rahmi
Published: February 2015

Pyrimethamine is an antimalarial agent widely used in clinical therapy. We aimed to compare its mutagenic potential in mammalian spermatogonial and bone marrow cells. For studying chromosomal aberrations mice were treated acutely (single treatment) with 4 dose levels of pyrimethamine (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg). Pyrimethamine was found to produce a significant increase in structural chromosomal aberrations after acute treatment in bone marrow cells of mice (p < 0.001). It also induced chromosome abnormalities in spermatogonial cells (p < 0.05) at the highest dose.
A Structure-Activity Relationship Study on a Natural Germination Inhibitor, 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol (MVP), in Wheat Seeds to Evaluate its Mode of Action
Authors: Darabi Hossein Reza , Mohandessi Shabnam , Balavar Yadollah , Aghapoor Kioumars
Published: February 2015

The first aim of the present study was to evaluate which structural elements of the 2- methoxy-4-vinylphenol (MVP) molecule (1) are responsible for its observed activity as germination inhibitor in wheat seeds. To find its mode of action, a series of compounds with varying functional moieties and substitution patterns were prepared and evaluated for their inhibitory activity. This systematic competitive inhibition study characterized two criteria for the effective increase of the inhibiting ability: (i) ortho substitution to each of the hydroxy and methoxy groups; (ii) alkene moiety on the ring. Understanding how the structure of natural compounds relates to their inhibition function is fundamentally important and may help to facilitate their application as novel inhibitors to restrain preharvest sprouting (PHS) in wheat fields. In this regard, in MVP and its natural analogues 8 and 9 as the most active inhibitors, the ortho substitution of hydroxy and methoxy groups plays a key role in their activity and, as well, the alkene moiety influences the activity significantly.
Genetic Differentiation among Populations of Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallroth (Asteraceae) in the Western Alps
Authors: Michl Thomas , Huck Stefan , Haase Peter , Büdel Burkhard
Published: February 2015

In this study we analyzed the genetic population structure of the hygrophilous tall-herb Cicerbita alpina in the western Alps because this group of mountain plants is underrepresented in the biogeographical literature. AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) fingerprints of 40 samples were analyzed from four populations situated in a transect from the southwestern Alps to the eastern part of the western Alps and one population from the Black Forest outside the Alps. Two genetic groups can be distinguished. The first group (A) comprises the populations from the northern and eastern parts of the western Alps, and the second group (B) comprises the populations from the southwestern Alps and the Black Forest. Group A originates most likely from at least one refugium in the southern piedmont regions of the Alps. This result provides molecular evidence for a humid climate at the southern margin of the Alps during the Würm glaciation. Group B originates presumably from western or northern direction and we discuss two possible scenarios for the colonization of the Alps, i. e. (1) long-distance dispersal from southwestern refugia and (2) colonization from nearby refugia in the western and/or northern Alpine forelands. The study demonstrates that the target species harbours considerable genetic diversity, even on a regional scale, and therefore is a suitable model for phylogeographic research.
Heterologous Expression of SARS-CoV ORF10 and X5 Genes in E. coli and Streptomyces lividans TK24
Authors: Kong Jiang-qiang , Wang Wei , Du Guan-hua , Zhu Ping , Cheng Ke-di
Published: February 2015

In previous studies a variety of novel accessory genes has been identified that were interspersed among the structural genes of the SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus) genome. The predicted unknown proteins (PUPs) encoded by the accessory genes, which are considered to be unique to the SARS-CoV genome, might play important roles in the SARS-CoV infection. Two of these genes, called ORF10 and X5, were synthesized and introduced into E. coli and Streptomyces lividans TK24, respectively. SDS-PAGE and Western blot revealed that the ORF10 and X5 genes have been expressed in the two hosts. This is the first report of heterologous expression of ORF10 and X5 genes in E. coli and S. lividans TK24. This work makes it possible to study the structure and potential functions of proteins encoding by these two genes.
Stereochemistry of Lignans in Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl.
Authors: Saufi Ahmad , von Heimendahl Cosima B. I. , Alfermann A. Wilhelm , Fuss Elisabeth
Published: February 2015

Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl., a member of the Thymelaeaceae, is traditionally used in Indonesia as medicinal plant against cancer. In this context, we isolated the lignans pinoresinol, lariciresinol and matairesinol from different parts of this plant. The enantiomeric composition of these lignans was determined by chiral column analysis. Pinoresinol and lariciresinol were mixtures of both enantiomers with (79 ± 4)% and (55 ± 6)% enantiomeric excess for the (−)-enantiomers, respectively, whereas matairesinol was found as pure (+)-enantiomer.
Antifungal Activity of Coumarins
Authors: Montagner Cristina , de Souza Simone M. , Groposo Cláudia , Delle Monache Franco , Smânia Elza F. A. , Smânia Jr Artur
Published: February 2015

The antifungal activity of 40 coumarins was tested against the fungal strains: Candida albicans (ATCC 14053), Aspergillus fumigatus (ATCC 16913) and Fusarium solani (ATCC 36031), using the broth microdilution method. Osthenol showed the most effective antifungal activity among all the compounds tested, with a MIC value of 125 μg/ml for Fusarium solani and 250 μg/ml for Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. The antifungal potential of this prenylated coumarin can be related to the presence of an alkyl group at C-8 position.
Termiticidal Activity of Diterpenes from the Roots of Euphorbia kansui
Authors: Shi Jianxiao , Izumi Minoru , Baba Naomichi , Nakajima Shuhei
Published: February 2015

Five ingenane compounds, 1−5, kansuinins A and B, isolated from Euphorbia kansui, and their derivatives 7 and 9 were tested for termiticidal activity against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus. At 72 hours after treatment, the ingenane compounds 1 to 5 caused 100% mortality in R. speratus at 50, 25 and 12.5 μg/disk, respectively, except for compound 1, which gave a mortality rate of (93.06 ± 5.56)% at 12.5 μg/disk. At 36, 48 and 60 hours after treatment, compounds 1 to 5 showed more termiticidal activity than kansuinins A and B and their derivatives. The kansuinins showed no or only slight activity against termites in the filter paper bioassay under the conditions tested compared with a solvent control.
Ginsenoside Contents in Panax quinquefolium Organs from Field Cultivation
Authors: Kochan Ewa , Kołodziej Barbara , Gadomska Grażyna , Chmiel Aleksander
Published: February 2015

Quantitative composition of saponins (ginsenosides) in Panax quinquefolium originating from field cultivation in Poland and harvested at the beginning of the growing season, during the blossoming period and at the end of growth was determined. A colourimetric method gave lower values compared to results of HPLC analysis, but the tendency of change in the content of saponins was similar in both instances. Ginsenoside amounts in P. quinquefolium organs changed depending on the specific time during the vegetation season the samples were taken. This study found that the highest content of these metabolites −66 mg/g d. w. − occurred in the roots of the plant at the time of bloom. Two among the six metabolites examined in our study were dominant independently of the vegetation season. These were Rb1 and Re, with values of 25.4−33.8 mg/g d. w. and 16.4−19.7 mg/g d. w., respectively.
Artemisinin Production by Shoot Regeneration of Artemisia annua L. Using Thidiazuron
Authors: Lualon Wanwimon , De-Eknamkul Wanchai , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Shoyama Yukihiro , Putalun Waraporn
Published: February 2015

An efficient in vitro method for multiple shoot bud induction and regeneration has been developed in Artemisia annua L. using leaf and stem explants in various concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators to evaluate the frequency of regeneration. The sources of explants as well as plant growth regulators in the medium were found to influence the multiple shoot induction. The result shows that the stem segment cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l thidiazuron (TDZ) gave a perfect shoot formation (100%) and good shoot multiplication (57 shoots/explant) after 2 weeks of culture. Healthy regenerated shoots were elongated and rooted in MS medium without hormones. The artemisinin content in plants regenerated from stem explants using 0.1 mg/l TDZ was (3.36 ± 0.36) μg/mg dry weight and two-fold higher than that of in vitro grown plants of the same age [(1.73 ± 0.23) μg/mg DW]. This system exhibited a potential for a rapid propagation of shoots from the stem explant and makes it possible to develop a clonal propagation of A. annua.
Photobiological Control of Crop Production and Plant Diseases
Authors: Kotzabasis Kiriakos , Navakoudis Eleni , Vakalounakis Demetrios J.
Published: February 2015

Plants, as well as fungi, use ambient sunlight as information to regulate photomorphogenetic processes. The photobiological control of this information showed that the development of photobiological greenhouse plastic covers simulates a photonic information that leads to a physiological enhancement of plant productivity and fungal disease control, thus minimizing the need for the use of agrochemicals. The main characteristics of these photobiological greenhouse plastic covers are the high transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400 − 700 nm) combined with an increase of the factor ζ =RL(655 −665 nm)/FRL(725 −735 nm), which affects the cellular phytochromic equilibrium Φ = Pfr/(Pfr + Pr) and regulates the photosynthetic activity and therefore the plant productivity. Additionally, increase of the spectral ratios from the transmitted light: BL(420-500 nm)/nearUV(290-370 nm) and BL(420 −500 nm)/ FRL(725 −735 nm), cause mainly the induction of biochemical, physiological and morphological responses, regulated by cryptochromes in plants (e. g. inflorescence and infructescence) and mycochrome in fungi (e. g. inhibition of sporulation). In the present work, comparative studies with randomly selected greenhouse plastics showed that small changes in the abovementioned “photobiological” parameters raise the productivity of tomato plants and inhibit the sporulation of several isolates of the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Thus, a model for the photoregulation of these two phenomena in greenhouses is proposed.
An Improved Method for the Isolation of Total RNA from Avicennia germinans Leaves
Authors: Gonzalez-Mendoza Daniel , Moreno Adriana Quiroz , Zapata-Perez Omar
Published: February 2015

Isolation of high-quality RNA of Avicennia germinans L. tissue is difficult due to high levels of phenols and other substances that interfere when using conventional procedures for the isolation. These substances not only decrease the yield but also the quality of RNA is almost poor. We present here a simple RNA protocol and fast methodology that effectively removes these contaminating substances without affecting the yield. The protocol developed is based on the SDS/phenol method with modifications including β-mercaptoethanol to prevent oxidation of phenolic complexes, and phenol/chloroform extraction is introduced to remove proteins, genomic DNA, and secondary metabolites, and co-precipitated polysaccharides. Both A260/A230 and A260/A280 absorbance ratios of isolated RNA were around 2 and the yield was about 0.3 mg g −1 fresh weight. Good-quality total RNA from leaves of Avicennia germinans could be easily isolated within 2 h by this protocol which avoided the limitation of plant materials and could provide total RNA for all kinds of further molecular studies.
Effect of Cell Culture on 18S rRNA Gene Sequences in the Cultural Course of Taxus chinensis Cells
Authors: Xiang Fu , Yu Long J. , Chen Wu , Liu Zhi
Published: February 2015

Cell culture is an effective technology for taxol production. This paper discusses the effect of Taxus cell cultures on the 18S rRNA gene sequences based on the phylogenetic analysis of cultured T. chinensis cells and related species. The phylogenetic tree is reconstructed using the maximum parsimony method and the relative rate test to test the hypothesis of a molecular clock. The phylogenetic analysis indicates that cell culture changes the phylogenetic position of cultured T. chinensis cells. More than that, the 18S rRNA gene of cultured T. chinensis cells has a faster rate of substitution than that of T. chinensis. With T. media as reference, the divergence time of the cultured T. chinensis cells is 7 Ma (million years) more than that of the T. chinensis cells based on the 18S rRNA gene sequences.
Identification of Parasporin Genes in Vietnamese Isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Yasutake Koichi , Uemori Akiko , Binh Ngo D. , Mizuki Eiichi , Ohba Michio
Published: February 2015

Four genes encoding parasporins, cytotoxins preferentially killing human cancer cells in vitro, were isolated from four Vietnamese strains of Bacillus thuringiensis. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that: (1) three genes fall into the two known classes, ps1Aa and ps1Ab, and (2) another one belongs to ps1Ac, a novel gene class established in this study. Upon proteolytic activation, parasporal protein of the organism with ps1Ac exhibited strong cytocidal activity against human cancer cells, HeLa and Hep G2, but not to non-cancer normal cells, UtSMC and HC.
Isolation and Characterization of a New Arthrospira Strain
Authors: de Morais Michele Greque , Reichert Carolina da Cruz , Dalcanton Francieli , Durante Andrei José , Marins Luís Fernando , Vieira Costa Jorge Alberto
Published: February 2015

A filamentous microorganism, morphologically similar to the cyanobacterium Arthrospira, was isolated from Mangueira Lagoon in Brazil, from which Arthrospira has not previously been isolated. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) comparison with the standard Arthrospira platensis strains LEB 52 and Paracas indicated that the organism isolated was an Arthrospira isolate, which we denominated strain LEB 18. The RAPD analysis showed conserved sequences which indicated that the three strains belonged to the same genus, and were all Arthrospira species, but there were sufficient differences between them suggesting that they were separate strains. The strain LEB 18 was cultivated in undiluted Zarrouk medium and in 60% and 20% (v/v) Zarrouk medium diluted with sterilized Mangueira Lagoon water (MLW) using illuminance rates of 32.5, 45.5 and 58.5 μmol m−2 s−1 according to a complete 32 factorial design with a triplicate central point. The strains LEB 52 and Paracas were cultived in the conditions central point. Our new isolate produced the highest specific growth rate (μmax = 0.22 d−1) in 60% Zarrouk medium diluted with MLW and illuminated with 58.5 μmol m−2 s−1 and the highest protein content (86.0% w/w).
Facile Uptake of Manganese(III) by Apo- Transferrin: Possible Origin of Manganism
Authors: Abe Keita , Chiba Yuji , Nishida Yuzo
Published: February 2015

We have investigated the mechanism of manganese ion uptake by apo-transferrin using a capillary electrophoresis method, and obtained clear evidence that oxidation state +3 and the binuclear unit of a manganese chelate are essential factors for the facile uptake by apotransferrin, similar to that observed for Fe(III) chelates. These results may give valuable information to understand the pathogenesis of manganism and to develop new countermeasures for the neurotoxicity by manganese ions.
Sipeimine-Producing Endophytic Fungus Isolated from
Authors: Yin Hong , Chen Juan-Li
Published: February 2015

Ten strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the bulbs of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Fritillaria ussuriensis. The extract from one of them, Fu7, showed a positive reaction with Dragendorff’s reagent and the same Rf value in thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis as authentic sipeimine. A further TLC scan and high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light-scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) showed that one ingredient of the extract of strain Fu7 had a similar absorption curve in the range 200D700 nm and the same retention time as authentic sipeimine. Thus, the fungus produces the bioactive ingredient sipeimine, as does its host plant, and could be used for the production of sipeimine by fermentation.
Bioactive Cycloartane-Type Triterpene Glycosides from Astragalus elongatus
Authors: Çalış İhsan , Barbič Matej , Jürgenliemk Guido
Published: February 2015

Together with two known cycloartane-type glycosides, askendosides D (3-O-[α-arabinopyranosyl-( 1→2)-β-xylopyranosyl]-6-O-β-xylopyranosyl-cycloastragenol, 2) and G (3-O- [α-arabinopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-xylopyranosyl]-16-O-β-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(R),25- pentahydroxycycloartane, 3), also a new monodesmosidic cycloartane-type glycoside, elongatoside (1), was isolated from the roots of Astragalus elongatus and identified as 3-O- [α-arabinopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-xylopyranosyl]-cycloastragenol. All structures were unambiguously determined by means of spectroscopic and spectrometric methods (1D and 2D NMR, ESI-MS). The isolated compounds were tested for the inhibition of proliferation and ICAM-1 expression in vitro using the human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1). 1 showed weak activity in the ICAM-1 assay.
Improvement of Pseudojujubogenin Glycosides Production from Regenerated Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. and Enhanced Yield by Elicitors
Authors: Kamonwannasit Sirilak , Phrompittayarat Watoo , Ingkaninan Kornkanok , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Putalun Waraporn
Published: February 2015

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. was studied for shoot induction and regeneration on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators. Stem explants cultured on medium containing 0.1 mg/l thidiazuron (TDZ) resulted in the highest number of shoots (117 shoots/explant). Regenerated plants from medium with 0.5 mg/l TDZ contained the highest level of pseudojujubogenin glycosides [(30.62 d 1.29) mg/g dry wt] which was 2-fold higher than that of in vitro grown plants of the same age [(16.96 d 1.49) mg/g dry wt]. Plantlets regenerated from 0.1 mg/l TDZ also showed a high level of pseudojujubogenin glycosides [(27.94 d 1.19) mg/g dry wt]. The effect of elicitor on pseudojujubogenin glycosides accumulation in B. monnieri whole plant cultures was investigated. Chitosan at 150 mg/l and yeast extract at 2 mg/ml increased the pseudojujubogenin glycosides production [(40.83 d 2.24) mg/g dry wt and (40.05 d 2.37) mg/g dry wt, respectively] after 7 days, which was 6-fold higher than in the control cultures.
Examination of Humicola lutea Immobilized in Sol-Gel Matrices: Effective Source of α-Galactosidase
Authors: Spasova Dimitrina , Aleksieva Penka , Nacheva Lilyana , Kabaivanova Lyudmila , Chernev Georgi , Samuneva Biserka
Published: February 2015

α-Galactosidase production by the fungus Humicola lutea 120-5 immobilized in a hybrid sol-gel matrix, consisting of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor and a mixture of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA), was investigated under semicontinuous shake flask cultivation and compared to the enzyme secretion by free cells. The influence of the carrier weight on the α-galactosidase biosynthesis in repeated batch experiments was followed. Best results were obtained with 2 g of the sol-gel particles per culture flask using 144-h runs. The growth behaviour of the immobilized mycelium during both the growth and productive phases was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The presence of abundant mycelial growth of intact hyphae correlated with a 2-fold higher enzyme activity compared to free cells. The obtained biocatalyst retained a high level of enzyme titer exceeding the activity of free cells during four cycles of operation (24 days). This result is confirmed by the micrographs showing the retained viability of the growing vegetative cells due to the protective role of the carrier.
Components and Antioxidant Activity of the Polysaccharide from Streptomyces virginia H03
Authors: He Feng , Yang Ying , Yang Guang , Yu Longjiang
Published: February 2015

A polysaccharide was isolated from the broth of cultured Streptomyces virginia H03 which was treated by ethanol deposition and savage method to remove the protein, and was purified using Sephadex G-150 column chromatography. The components of the polysaccharide were determined by gas chromatography. The purified polysaccharide was made up of mannose, glucose and galactose, in a 2:1:1 proportion. Its average apparent molecular weight was 3.76 · 104 Da which was determined by gel permeation chromatography. In addition, several antioxidant assays were adopted to investigate the antioxidant activity of the polysaccharide in vitro. The results indicated that the purified polysaccharide showed significant antioxidant activity against superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, and lipid peroxidation as with standard antioxidants such as vitamin C. Furthermore, the polysaccharide had a better heat stability than vitamin C, which suggested that the polysaccharide might be a potent useful antioxidant
Antimicrobial and Antiviral Screening of Novel Indole Carboxamide and Propanamide Derivatives
Authors: Ölgen Süreyya , Altanlar Nurten , Karataylı Ersin , Bozdayı Mithat
Published: February 2015

A few series of indole derivatives were screened for antimicrobial, antifungal and anti- HBV activities. The compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans using a disc diffusion method, which measures the diameter of the inhibition zone around a paper disc soaked in a solution of the test compounds. The antimicrobial activity results showed that all compounds are as a active as the standard compound ampicillin against Staphylococcus aureus. It was also found that indole carboxamide derivatives, substituted at 3-position with several benzyl groups, showed better inhibition of Bacillus subtilis than their congeners substituted at 2-position. Activity patterns of the compounds against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were found slightly different by the same method. In this case, there was no correlation between structure and activity of the compounds. The antifungal activity of carboxamide derivatives was found higher compared to that of the propanamide derivatives. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of some indole derivatives were also determined by the tube dilution technique. The MIC values of the compounds were found nearly 20- to 100-fold smaller compared to the standard compounds ciprofloxacin and ampicillin (1.56-3.13 μg/ml and 1.56-12.5 μg/ml, respectively) against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The MIC values of the tested compounds showed that these are better inhibitors for Candida albicans. Indole derivatives were screened by the anti-HBV susceptibility test. No compound showed good inhibition against the HBV virus