bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herbicide-Affected Plant Metabolism Reduces Virus Propagation
Authors: Kazinczi Gabriella , Gáspár László , Nyitrai Péter , Gáborjányi Richard , Sárvári Éva , Takács András , Horváth József
Published: February 2015

It has been previously shown that certain herbicides or plant extracts inhibited the viral infection. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of Obuda pepper virus (ObPV) infection and herbicide or plant extract treatments on the photosynthetic processes of the host plants to get informations about the interactions of these factors. In Capsicum annuum- ObPV host-virus relations the virus infection slightly increased the activity of photosystem II (PSII), as it was supposed from fluorescence induction parameters. Chlorophyll content of leaves was also elevated probably due to virus-induced growth inhibition. The herbicide Stomp (active ingredient: pendimethalin) incorporated into the soil one week before planting (preplant treatment) together with virus infection even strengthened these effects in agreement with previous observations that this herbicide always did not prevent virus infection or reduce virus concentration in hosts. In ObPV-infected Nicotiana tabacum the structural changes showed similar tendency like in ObPV-infected C. annuum, but PSII efficiency did not significantly differ from that of the control. However, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) increased because of the strongly decreasing CO2 fixation activity. Though simultaneous application of a water extract of Cirsium arvense shoot caused a little stronger inhibition of CO2 fixation, little loss in production was obtained due to significant reduction in virus concentration. In Solanum nigrum-ObPV relation the slightly increasing tendency of the values of actual PSII quantum efficiency could be related to the probably elevated ratio of reaction centre components (increased chlorophyll a/b ratio) in the thylakoids. Application of the herbicide Fusilade S (active ingredient: fluazifop-P-butyl) at 4-6 leaf stage as a postemergence treatment practically prevented systemic virus infection and the virus-induced changes of photosynthesis are probably due to inhibiting the virus infection/replication process.
Biological Activity of New N-Oxides of Tertiary Amines
Authors: Kleszczyńska Halina , Bielecki Krzysztof , Sarapuk Janusz , Bonarska-Kujawa Dorota , Pruchnik Hanna , Trela Zenon , Łuczyński Jacek
Published: February 2015

Potential biological properties of newly synthesized single and double alkyl chain N-oxides of tertiary amines (NTA) were studied. Individual compounds in each of the series had alkyl chains of different length. Various experiments were performed to determine a mechanism of the interaction between NTA and model and biological membranes. These were measurements of hemolytic efficiencies of NTA (pig erythrocytes), their influence on the transition temperatures (DPPC liposomes), on potassium leakage from cucumber, its growth and chlorophyll content (Cucumis sativus cv. Krak F1), and on the resting membrane potential in alga cells (Nitellopsis obtusa).

Also, prevention of erythrocyte membrane lipid oxidation induced by UV irradiation was studied. Potential antioxidative properties of NTA were additionally tested in radical chromogen (ABTS●+) experiments in which antioxidative efficiencies of NTA were compared to that of the standard antioxidant Trolox.

It was found that NTA readily interacted with erythrocyte membranes. Their hemolyzing efficiency increased with the alkyl chain length. Slightly more intensive interaction was found for double alkyl chain compounds. Similar results were obtained in DSC experiments, where incorporation of NTA into liposomal membranes shifted the main transition temperatures and caused a broadening of the main transition peaks depending on the alkyl chain length. Double alkyl chain compounds were also found more efficiently influencing the growth of cucumber. Influence of NTA on the resting membrane potential of algae cells was not quite following the alkyl chain length rule found in erythrocyte and liposome experiments. Also potassium leakage and chlorophyll content determined in physiological experiments were not following the increase of lipophilicity of compounds. Most efficiently influencing those parameters were NTA having shorter alkyl chains, and efficiencies of single alkyl chain compounds were evidently stronger.

Both methods used to test the antioxidative properties of NTA showed that they depended on the alkyl chain lengths of compounds within each series, but double alkyl chain ones exhibited markedly greater efficiency.
Spectroscopic Characterization of the Artificial Siderophore Pyridinochelin
Authors: Kumke Michael U. , Dosche Carsten , Flehr Roman , Trowitzsch-Kienast Wolfram , Löhmannsröben Hans-Gerd
Published: February 2015

Siderophores play a very important role in the uptake process of iron by bacteria. Due to the so-called active transport the uptake of siderophores by bacteria is very specific, which makes the use of siderophores as effective shuttles for antibiotics in the treatment of infections and other diseases caused by bacteria highly attractive. In order to further investigate the transport and incorporation of siderophores into the bacteria cells, distinct molecular probes are needed. Especially artificial siderophores, that show a specific intrinsic fluorescence, are highly attractive for such monitoring purposes. A promising candidate of such a fluorescent artificial siderophore is bis-2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl-2,6-dimethylamino-pyridine (pyridinochelin, PY).

The fluorescence properties of PY were investigated in different solvents and in the presence of different metal ions. It was found that PY in its free form shows a complex fluorescence behavior. In methanol a clear dual fluorescence is observed. In aqueous solution intermolecular interactions with water molecules are determining the intrinsic fluorescence. Upon complexation with metal ions (Me3+ = Eu3+, Tb3+, Al3+, Fe3+) the fluorescence characteristics changed. The fluorescence quantum yield of PY decreased upon addition of Me3+ - except for Al3+, which showed no fluorescence quenching. The fluorescence decay of PY loaded with metal ions showed a nicely mono-exponential fluorescence decay, which was in contrast to PY in the absence of metal ions. This drastic change in the fluorescence properties of PY upon metal ion complexation makes PY highly attractive as a fluorescence probe for the investigation of siderophore action and siderophore-mediated transport processes
Sophoraflavanone G from Sophora pachycarpa Enhanced the Antibacterial Activity of Gentamycin against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Fakhimi Ali , Iranshahi Mehrdad , Emami Seyed Ahmad , Amin-Ar-Ramimeh Esam , Zarrini Gholamreza , Shahverdi Ahmad Reza
Published: February 2015

In this study the enhancement effect of Sophora pachycarpa roots’ acetone extract on the antibacterial activity of gentamycin was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus. Disc diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of gentamycin in the absence and presence of plant extract and its various fractions separated by TLC. A clinical isolate of S. aureus was used as test strain. The active component of the plant extract involved in enhancement of gentamycin’s activity had Rƒ = 0.72 on a TLC plate. The spectral data (1H NMR, 13C NMR) of this compound revealed that this compound was 5,7,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-8- lavandulylflavanone (sophoraflavanone G), previously isolated from Sophora exigua. In the presence of 0.03 μg/ mL of sophoraflavanone G the MIC value of gentamycin for S. aureus decreased from 32 to 8 μg/mL (a fourfold decrease). These results signify that the ultra-low concentration of sophoraflavanone G potentiates the antimicrobial action of gentamycin suggesting a possible utilization of this compound in combination therapy against Staphylococcus aureus.
Phomopsidone, a Novel Depsidone from an Endophyte of the Medicinal Plant Eupatorium arnottianum
Authors: Meister Janine , Weber Daniela , Martino Virginia , Sterner Olov , Anke Timm
Published: February 2015

The medicinal plant Eupatorium arnottianum can be found in the Northeast and center of Argentina and the South of Bolivia. From plant material collected in Argentina an endophytic Phomopsis was isolated. The fungus was identified by microscopic features and analysis of its ITS sequence. Cultures yielded, besides mellein and nectriapyrone, a novel depsidone derivative for which we propose the name phomopsidone (1). The structure of 1 was determined from its spectroscopic data.
Narcotic Alkaloids of Four Papaver Species from Iran
Authors: Salehi Peyman , Sonboli Ali , Zavareh Alireza Fakhari , Sefidkon Fatemeh , Cheraghi Bahram , Dayeni Manijeh
Published: February 2015

Four native Papaver species of Iran, i. e. P. glaucum, P. tenuifolium, P. dubium and P. fugax, were collected from their natural habitat and subjected to HPLC analysis for determination of their morphine, codeine and thebaine content. P. dubium and P. glaucum contained all of the three mentioned narcotic alkaloids, while morphine was not found in P. fugax, and P. tenuifolium was free from codeine.
New Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Authors: Mohamed Mosaad S. , Rashad Aymn E. , Adbel-Monem Mostafa , Fatahalla Samar S.
Published: February 2015

The pyrrole derivatives 1a, b and 2a, b were used as precursors for the preparation of N-substituted pyrrole derivatives 3a, b-9a, b and pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines 13-16. Also, all the newly prepared products were tested for anti-inflammatory activity as analogues to fenamates, and some of them revealed moderate anti-inflammatory activity compared to the standard drug indomethacin.
Identification of Minor Sex Pheromone Components of the Poplar Clearwing Moth Paranthrene tabaniformis (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae)
Authors: Mozūraitis Raimondas , Karalius Vidmantas
Published: February 2015

A chemical analysis of the crude sex pheromone gland extracts of virgin calling Paranthrene tabaniformis females, obtained from the European part of Kazakhstan, revealed the presence of five compounds: (3E,13Z)-octadeca-3,13-dien-1-ol (E3,Z13-18:OH), (3Z,13Z)- octadeca-3,13-dien-1-ol (Z3,Z13-18:OH), (2E,13Z)-octadeca-2,13-dien-1-ol (E2,Z13-18:OH), (13Z)-octadec-13-en-1-ol (Z13-18:OH), and octadecan-1-ol (18:OH) at the ratios 64.0 : 32.4 : 1.4 : 0.9 :1.3, which are structurally related to sex pheromone components of clearwing moths. Our previous field tests showed synergistic effects of Z3,Z13-18:OH and E2,Z13-18:OH to attract P. tabaniformis males, when these compounds were tested in binary mixtures with the known sex pheromone E3,Z13-18:OH. The three dienic alcohols should all be considered as sex pheromone components of the P. tabaniformis species, while the role of Z13-18:OH and 18:OH remained unclear.
Cytotoxic Xanthones from Garcinia penangiana Pierre
Authors: Jabit Lip , Khalid Rozida , Abas Faridah , Shaari Khozirah , Hui Lim Siang , Stanslas Johnson , Lajis Nordin H.
Published: February 2015

Two new xanthones, characterized as 4-(1,1-dimethylprop-2-enyl)-1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (1) and penangianaxanthone (2), with three known xanthones, cudratricusxanthone H (3), macluraxanthone C (4) and gerontoxanthone C (5), as well as friedelin and stigmasterol were isolated from the leaves of Garcinia penangiana. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with the literature ones. Significant cytotoxicity against DU-145, MCF-7 and NCI-H460 cancer cell lines was demonstrated by compounds 1D5, with IC50 values ranging from 3.5 to 72.8 μm.
Analysis of Genetic Diversity among Selected Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Genotypes Using RAPD Markers
Authors: Barik Durga P. , Acharya Laxmikanta , Mukherjee Arup K. , Chand Pradeep K.
Published: February 2015

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was applied to assess the genetic variability among five selected genotypes of grasspea. Out of 30 random decamer primers tested for the present investigation 20 showed reproducible DNA amplification. A total of 257 loci were amplified of which 159 were polymorphic including 57 genotype-specific unique bands. Amplicons had molecular weights ranging from 3.0 kb to 0.1 kb. Majority amplicons were shared by most of the genotypes which indicated a very narrow genetic gap between them. The dendrogram constructed on the basis of RAPD data showed two clusters. The local genotype collected from Nayagarh was grouped along with IC-120451 and IC-120453, sharing a common node at an 82% similarity level. The other genotypes, IC-120478 and IC-120487, were located in the second clade having a common node at 84% similarity level. The investigation showed that though all the genotypes of grasspea were of apparently similar morphology there exists polymorphism at the molecular level, which can be exploited in breeding programmes aimed at crop improvement.
Characterization of CIb1 Gene Promoter from Silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Zhao Qiao-Ling , Shen Xing-Jia , Zhu Liang-Jun , Yi Yong-Zhu , Tang Shun-Ming , Zhang Guo-Zheng , Guo Xi-Jie
Published: February 2015

The hemolymph chymotrypsin inhibitor b1 (CIb1) of silkworm, Bombyx mori, plays an important role in innate immunity. In order to study its encoding gene CIb1, five heterogeneous promoter fragments of 844 bp, 682 bp, 516 bp, 312 bp and 82 bp in length were cloned from genomic DNA of the p50 silkworm strain. Characterization of the CIb1 promoter was performed in vitro using the firefly luciferase gene as reporter. The results showed that CIb1 promoter fragments have transcription activities in the B. mori ovary-derived BmN cell line. The 82 bp fragment (-72 to +10 nt) containing the eukaryotic core promoter elements revealed a basic transcription activity. The Bm1 element, upstream the transcription initiation site, showed a positive regulation function to the CIb1 promoter. CIb1 promoter-like fragments from the genomic DNA of the tetra hybrid silkworm Suju\Minghu provided a natural deletion model for the study of the CIb1 promoter. In vitro analysis indicated that the 132 bp fragment from -517 nt to -386 nt upstream of the transcription initiation site strongly suppressed the transcription activity of the CIb1 promoter, suggesting that the 132 bp fragment harbours strong negative cis-acting elements. Infection of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) increased the activity of the CIb1 promoter, having provided another evidence to the function of CIb1 in the innate immunity of silkworm.
Lactoferrin Stimulates Erythrocyte Na+/K+-Adenosine Triphosphatase: Effect of Some Modulators of Membrane Phosphorylation
Authors: Maneva Ana , Angelova-Gateva Pavlina , Taleva Borislava , Maneva-Radicheva Lilia , Manev Vladi
Published: February 2015

We studied the effect of some modulators of signal transduction on the erythrocyte Na+/ K+-ATPase. Go6976 and Go6983 (protein kinase C inhibitors) showed a stimulatory effect and calyculin A (protein phosphatase inhibitor) exerted an inhibitory effect on the Na pump activity. Some of the tested modulators of cell-signaling [protein phosphatase(s), phosphodiesterase, calmodulin and some protein kinases] interfered with the lactoferrin (Lf) stimulatory effect on the sodium pump. Lf itself was able to modulate the effect of some agents upon the pump activity. Moreover, an additive effect of stimulation was found when Lf and some agents were used simultaneously. The summarized results showed that: (i) Lf upregulates the Na+/K+-ATPase in erythrocytes and facilitates the K+ influx into the erythrocytes; (ii) the effect of pump stimulation is mediated by phosphorylation processes. These results suggest a potential opportunity for using Lf alone or together with other agents as a stimulator of the erythrocyte Na+/K+-ATPase.
Histone H1 Interacts Preferentially with DNA Fragments Containing a Cisplatin- Induced 1,2-Intrastrand Cross-Link
Authors: Yaneva Julia N. , Paneva Elena G. , Zacharieva Siyka I. , Zlatanova Jordanka
Published: February 2015

Cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) or cis- DDP], but not its stereoisomer transplatin, is suggested to be among the most powerful anticancer agents. It is believed that its therapeutic activity results from its interaction with DNA forming intra- and interstrand crosslinks. During our earlier investigations, we have observed a prominent preference of the linker histone H1 for binding to cis-platinated DNA (containing several different cross-links along the DNA fragment) compared with unmodified or transplatin-modified DNA. This report presents our recent experimental data obtained by band-shift analysis on the binding of H1 to a cisplatin-modified synthetic 34 bp DNA fragment containing a single target d(GG/CC) for 1,2 cis-intra-platination. Results obtained with another nuclear protein with similar DNA-binding properties, HMGB1, are also presented. The experimental data throw light on the precise preference of histone H1 for binding to different types of cisplatin-created cross-links in DNA.
Cytotoxic α-Pyrones from Xylaria hypoxylon
Authors: Schüffler Anja , Sterner Olov , Anke Heidrun
Published: February 2015

Two new α-pyrone derivatives, xylarone (1) and 8,9-dehydroxylarone (2) possessing cytotoxic activities, were isolated from the culture fluid of submerged cultures of the ascomycete Xylaria hypoxylon, strain A27-94. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.
Antinociceptive Effects of Tetrahydrophthalimides and Related Compounds
Authors: Costa Bianca B. C. , Corrêa Rogério , De Souza Marcia M. , Pretto Juliana B. , Ardenghi Juliana V. , De Campos-Buzzi Fátima , Filho Valdir Cechinel
Published: February 2015

This paper describes the antinociceptive effects of tetrahydrophthalimides and related compounds in mice. Twenty compounds were obtained by the reaction of cis-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride with appropriate amines, dehydration, and addition to the imidic double bond. They were analyzed in the writhing test at 10 mg/kg given intraperitoneally. The most active compound 2-benzyl-5-morpholin-4-yl-hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione (19) was studied on formalin, capsaicin, glutamate and hot plate models. The antinociceptive activity demonstrated by some studied compounds is promising, and some of them were more active than acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol used as reference drugs in writhing tests in mice. Compound 19 was about 5-fold more potent than the reference drugs, being also effective by oral route and against the inflammatory response in the formalin test. The results suggest that compound 19 could be used as a model to obtain new and more potent antinociceptive agents. It exhibits an interesting antinociceptive profile, and does not interact with opioid systems.
UV-B Effect on Constituents of Azolla caroliniana
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed M. , Mostafa Eazaz M.
Published: February 2015

Changes in growth and ultrastructure of Azolla caroliniana in response to elevated UV-B radiation were investigated. Exposure of plants to UV-B radiation for 1, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h exhibited a significant decrease in biomass and relative growth rate. This decrease resulted in an increase in doubling time over the control. Also, Chl a and b contents were significantly decreased especially after 16 h. The reduction was accompanied by a decrease in 5-aminolaevulinic acid content (precursor of chlorophyll). On the other hand, contents of carotenoid and UV-absorbing phenolic compounds (flavonoids and anthocyanins) were increased.
L-Amino Acid Oxidases with Specificity for Basic L-Amino Acids in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Gau Achim E. , Heindl Achim , Nodop Anke , Kahmann Uwe , Pistorius Elfriede K.
Published: February 2015

The two closely related fresh water cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus PCC 6301 and Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 have previously been shown to constitutively express a FAD-containing l-amino acid oxidase with high specificity for basic L-amino acids (L-arginine being the best substrate). In this paper we show that such an enzyme is also present in the fresh water cyanobacterium Synechococcus cedrorum PCC 6908. In addition, an improved evaluation of the nucleotide/amino acid sequence of the l-amino acid oxidase of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 6301 (encoded by the aoxA gene) with respect to the FAD-binding site and a translocation pathway signal sequence will be given. Moreover, the genome sequences of 24 cyanobacteria will be evaluated for the occurrence of an aoxA-similar gene. In the evaluated cyanobacteria 15 genes encoding an l-amino acid oxidase-similar protein will be found.
Isolation and Characterization of a Novel n-Alkane-Degrading Strain, Acinetobacter haemolyticus AR-46
Authors: Bihari Zoltán , Pettkó-Szandtner Aladár , Csanádi Gyula , Balázs Margit , Bartos Péter , Kesserű Péter , Kiss István , Mécs Imre
Published: February 2015

Strain AR-46, isolated and identified as Acinetobacter haemolyticus, evolutionally distant from the known hydrocarbon-degrading Acinetobacter spp., proved to have excellent longchain n-alkane-degrading ability. This is the first detailed report on an n-alkane-utilizing strain belonging to this species. The preferred substrate is n-hexadecane, with an optimal temperature of 37 °C under aerobic conditions. Five complete and two partial open reading frames were sequenced and correlated with the early steps of monoterminal oxidation-initiated n-alkane mineralization. The encoded protein sequences and the arrangement of these genes displayed high similarity to those found in Acinetobacter sp. M-1, but AR-46 seemed to have only one alkane hydroxylase gene, with a completely different induction profile. Unique behaviour was also observed in n-alkane bioavailability. Substrate uptake occurred through the hydrophobic surface of n-alkane droplet-adhered cells possessing long, thick fimbriae, which were presumed to play a major role in n-alkane solubilization. A majority of the cells was in detached form, with thick, but short fimbriae. These free cells were permanently hydrophilic, unlike the cells of other Acinetobacter strains.
Ethanolic Crude Extract and Flavonoids Isolated from Alternanthera maritima: Neutrophil Chemiluminescence Inhibition and Free Radical Scavenging Activity
Authors: Souza Joel G. , Tomei Rafael R. , Kanashiro Alexandre , Kabeya Luciana M. , Azzolini Ana Elisa C. S. , Dias Diones A. , Salvador Marcos J. , Lucisano-Valim Yara M.
Published: February 2015

Extracts from Alternanthera maritima are used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Bioassay-guided fractionation of A. maritima aerial parts yielded an ethanolic crude extract, its butanolic fraction and seven isolated flavonoids (two aglycones, two O-glycosides and three C-glycosides) with antioxidative activity. The ability of these samples to scavenge enzymatically generated free radicals (luminol-horseradish peroxidase-H2O2 reaction) and inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by opsonized zymosan-stimulated human neutrophils (PMNLs) was evaluated by chemiluminescence methods. In both assays, the butanolic fraction was significantly more active than the ethanolic crude extract, the flavonoid aglycones had high inhibitory activities and the Cglycosylated flavonoids had no significant effect even at the highest concentration tested (50 μmol/L). However, the O-glycosylated flavonoids inhibitory effects on chemiluminescence were strongly dependent on the chemical structure and assay type (cellular or cell-free system). Under the conditions tested, active samples were not toxic to human PMNLs.
Chromanones with Leishmanicidal Activity from Calea uniflora
Authors: Mendes do Nascimento Andréa , Costa Fernanda Cristina , Thiemann Otavio Henrique , Rodrigues de Oliveira Dionéia Camilo
Published: February 2015

The dichloromethane extract of Calea uniflora afforded a mixture of two novel chromanones, uniflorol-A (1) and uniflorol-B (2), and one known chromanone, 2,2-dimethyl-6- (1-hydroxyethyl)-chroman-4-one (3). The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. Biological activity of the compounds against Leishmania major promastigotes was evaluated. Mixture of the novel chromanones 1 and 2 showed significant growth inhibition of the parasite in the micrograms per milliliter range.
Identification of Serine Proteases from Leishmania braziliensis
Authors: Guedes Herbert L. M. , Rezende Neto João M. , Fonseca Mayra A. , Salles Cristiane M. C. , Rossi-Bergmann Bartira , De-Simone Giovanni
Published: February 2015

Leishmania (V.) braziliensis is one of the most important ethiologic agents of the two distinct forms of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (cutaneous and mucosal). The drugs of choice used in leishmaniasis therapy are significantly toxic, expensive and are associated with frequent refractory infections. Among the promising new targets for anti-protozoan chemotherapy are the proteases. In this study, serine proteases were partially purified from aqueous, detergent and extracellular extracts of Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes by aprotinin-agarose affinity chromatography. By zymography, the enzymes purified from the aqueous extract showed apparent activity bands of 60 kDa and 45 kDa; of 130 kDa, 83 kDa, 74 kDa and 30 kDa from the detergent extract; and of 62 kDa, 59 kDa, 57 kDa, 49 kDa and 35 kDa from the extracellular extract. All purified proteases exhibited esterase activity against Nα-benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester hydrochloride and Nα-p-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (serine protease substrates) and optimal activity at pH 8. 0. Proteases purified from the aqueous and extracellular extracts were effectively inhibited by benzamidine (trypsin inhibitor) and those from the detergent extract were inhibited by N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (chymotrypsin inhibitor) indicating that all these enzymes are serine proteases. These findings indicate that L. braziliensis serine proteases display some biochemical similarities with L. amazonensis serine proteases, demonstrating a conservation of this enzymatic class in the Leishmania genus. This is the first study to report the purification of a serine protease from Leishmania braziliensis.
Enantioselective Hydrolysis of Bromo- and Methoxy-Substituted 1-Phenylethanol Acetates Using Carrot and Celeriac Enzymatic Systems
Authors: Mączka Wanda K. , Mironowicz Agnieszka
Published: February 2015

Enantioselective hydrolysis of bromo- and methoxy-substituted 1-phenylethanol acetates was conducted using comminuted carrot (Daucus carota L.) and celeriac (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum) roots. Hydrolysis of the acetates led to alcohols, preferentially to R-(+)- enantiomers. Efficiencies of both reactions - hydrolysis of the acetates with an electrondonating methoxy group and oxidation of the resulting alcohols - increased in the following order: ortho < meta < para. The presence of an electron-withdrawing bromine atom in the aromatic ring had the opposite effect. Oxidation of alcohols with both types of substituents in the aromatic ring showed that location of a substituent had stronger impact on the oxidation rate than its electronic properties.
Tin Compounds Interaction with Membranes of Egg Lecithin Liposomes
Authors: Man Dariusz , Podolak Marian
Published: February 2015

This work is a continuation of earlier research concerning the influence of tin compounds on the dynamic properties of liposome membranes produced with lecithin hen egg yolks (EYL). The experiments were carried out at room temperature (about 25 ∞C). Four tin compounds were chosen, including three organic ones, (CH3)4Sn, (C2H5)4Sn and (C3H7)3SnCl, and one inorganic, SnCl2. The investigated compounds were admixed to water dispersions of liposomes. The content of the admixture changed within the range 0 mol-% to 11mol-% in proportion to EYL. Two spin probes were used in the experiment: 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine- 1-oxyl (TEMPO) and 2-ethyl-2-(15-methoxy-15-oxopentadecyl)-4,4-dimethyl-3-oxazolidinyloxyl (16-DOXYL-stearic acid), which penetrated through different areas of the membrane. It was found that tin compounds containing chlorine were the most active in interaction with liposome membranes. In the case of (C3H7)3SnCl, after exceeding 4% admixture content, an additional line appeared in the spectrum of the TEMPO probe which can be a result of formation of domain structures in the membranes of the studied liposomes. Compounds containing chlorine are of ionized form in water solution. The obtained results can thus mean that the activity of admixtures can be seriously influenced by their ionic character. In case of an admixture of non-ionic compounds the compound with a longer hydrocarbon chain displayed a slightly stronger effect on the spectroscopic parameters of the probes.
A Surface-Active Agent from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Influences Staphylococcal Adhesion and Biofilm Development
Authors: Walencka Elzbieta , Wieckowska-Szakiel Marzena , Rozalska Sylwia , Sadowska Beata , Rozalska Barbara
Published: February 2015

Bacterial biofilms which are responsible for a number of diseases are very difficult to control effectively because of their high resistance to antibiotics and the host defence system. The use of natural products decreasing or preventing initial adhesion of bacteria and biofilm formation is one of the alternative therapeutic strategies taken into consideration. We ask the question, whether a crude extract from the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (mannoprotein), which possesses surfactant activity, may be used as inhibitor of Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis biofilm development. By using the “bactericidal spot assay” it was demonstrated that mannoprotein had no direct antibiotic activity against the tested strains. The influence of this extract on initial adhesion, biofilm formation and dispersal of preformed biofilms was studied using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. In this assay, live bacteria with an active electron transport system reduce the tetrazolium salt to a water-soluble purple formazan product, and optical density reading (A550) values are directly dependent on their cell numbers. Yeast-derived surfactant, when adsorbed in the microplate wells or present in the medium, was effective both in decreasing the initial deposition of staphylococci and in reducing the amount of growing biofilm, quantitated after 24 h of co-incubation with the bacteria. It also changed the parameters of biofilm morphology analyzed by PHLIP - the confocal laser scanning microscopy image quantification package. Mannoprotein also accelerated the detachment of mature staphylococcal biofilms, preformed in optimal conditions. It was concluded that mannoprotein anti-biofilm action reflects its influence on cell surface hydrophobicity.
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Profiles of the Senecio cineraria Group (Asteraceae)
Authors: Tundis Rosa , Loizzo Monica R. , Statti Giancarlo A. , Passalacqua Nicodemo G. , Peruzzi Lorenzo , Menichini Francesco
Published: February 2015

Alkaloid profiles of five Senecio species (Asteraceae), including S. ambiguus subsp. ambiguus, S. ambiguus subsp. nebrodensis, S. gibbosus subsp. bicolor, S. gibbosus subsp. gibbosus, and S. gibbosus subsp. cineraria, were studied. Eleven pyrrolizidine alkaloids were identified and their content was evaluated by GLC-MS and GLC analysis. Otosenine and florosenine were found to be the major alkaloids in all studied species. It is interesting that only S. ambiguus subsp. nebrodensis was characterized by a high content of the alkaloids jacobine, jacoline, jaconine, and jacozine
Screening of Antibacterial Activities of Twenty-One Oxygenated Monoterpenes
Authors: Kotan Recep , Kordali Saban , Cakir Ahmet
Published: February 2015

Plant essential oils are widely used as fragrances and flavours in the cosmetic, perfume, drug and food industries. Oxygenated monoterpenes are widespread components of the essential oils, usually occurring in high amount. In this paper, the antibacterial activities of twenty-one oxygenated monoterpenes (borneol, borneol acetate, camphor, carvone, 1,8-cineole, citronellal, β-citronellol, dihydrocarvone, fenchol, fenchone, geraniol acetate, isomenthol, limonene oxide, linalool, linalool acetate, nerol, nerol acetate, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, menthol and menthone) and penicillin (standard antibiotic) were determined using a disc diffusion method (in vitro) against 63 bacterial strains, belonging to 37 different genera and 54 species (plant, food and clinic origins). The results showed that the oxygenated monoterpenes exhibited a variable degree of antibacterial activities. These compounds also inhibited the growth of bacterial strains by producing a weak zone of inhibition from 7 to 11 mm in diameter, depending on the susceptibility of the tested bacteria. Among the tested compounds, nerol, linalool α-terpineol, fenchol and terpinen-4-ol showed antibacterial activity at a broad spectrum. However, their antibacterial activities were lower than those of penicillin. In contrast to these compounds, camphor and 1,8-cineole exhibited no inhibition effects on the growth of all tested bacteria
Antimicrobial Activity of Some Salvia Species Essential Oils from Iran
Authors: Yousefzadi Morteza , Sonboli Ali , Karimi Farah , Ebrahimi Samad Nejad , Asghari Behvar , Zeinali Amineh
Published: February 2015

The aerial parts of Salvia multicaulis, S. sclarea and S. verticillata were collected at full flowering stage. The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by combination of capillary GC and GC-MS. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oils were studied against eight Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumulis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and three fungi (Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger). The results of antibacterial activity tests of the essential oils according to the disc diffusion method and MIC values indicated that all the samples have moderate to high inhibitory activity against the tested bacteria except for P. aeruginosa which was totally resistant. In contrast to antibacterial activity, the oils exhibited no or slight antifungal property, in which only the oil of S. multicaulis showed weak activity against two tested yeasts, C. albicans and S. cerevisiae
Nerolidol, an Antiulcer Constituent from the Essential Oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae)
Authors: Klopell Fernando Canani , Lemos Marivane , Sousa João Paulo Barreto , Comunello Eros , Maistro Edson Luis , Bastos Jairo Kennup , Andrade Sérgio Faloni de
Published: February 2015

In this study, the antiulcerogenic effect of essential oil from Baccharis dracunculifolia was evaluated using the model of acute gastric lesions induced by ethanol. The ulcerative lesion index (ULI) was significantly reduced by oral administration of the essential oil of B. dracunculifolia at doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg which reduced the lesions by 42.79, 45.70 and 61.61%, respectively. The analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oil from B. dracunculifolia by GC showed that this was composed mainly of mono- and sesquiterpenes and the majority compound was nerolidol. Therefore, antiulcerogenic activity of nerolidol (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) was investigated using ethanol-, indomethacin- and stress-induced ulcer models in rat. In the stress-induced ulcer model, a significant reduction of the ULI in animals treated with nerolidol (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg) was observed, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 41.22, 51.31, 56.57 and 53.50% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 100 mg/kg of cimetidine (positive control), respectively. Regarding ethanol- and indomethacin- induced ulcer models, it was observed that the treatment with nerolidol (250 and 500 mg/ kg) significantly reduced the ULI in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). The dose of 50 mg/kg reduced the parameters analyzed but this was not statistically significant. In the ethanol-induced model percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 34.20, 52.63, 87.63 and 50.87% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 30 mg/kg of omeprazol (positive control), respectively. In indomethacin-ulcer the percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 34.69, 40.80, 51.02 and 46.93% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 100 mg/ kg of cimetidine (positive control), respectively. The results of this study show that nerolidol displays antiulcer activity, as it significantly inhibited the formation of ulcers induced in different animal models. However, further pharmacological and toxicological investigations, to delineate the mechanism(s) of action and the toxic effects, are required to allow the use of nerolidol for the treatment of gastric ulcer
Sedative Effect of Monoterpene Alcohols in Mice: A Preliminary Screening
Authors: Sousa Damião Pergentino de , Raphael Ellen , Brocksom Ursula , Brocksom Timothy John
Published: February 2015

Many essential oils and monoterpenes are used therapeutically as relaxing drugs and tranquilizers. In this study, ten structurally related monoterpene alcohols, present in many essential oils, were evaluated in mice to investigate their pharmacological potential in the central nervous system. Isopulegol (1), neoisopulegol (2), (±)-isopinocampheol (3), (-)-myrtenol (4), (-)-cis-myrtanol (5), (+)-p-menth-1-en-9-ol (6) and (±)-neomenthol (8) exhibited a depressant effect in the pentobarbital-induced sleep test, indicating a sedative property. (-)- Menthol (7), (+)-dihydrocarveol (9), and (±)-isoborneol (10) were ineffective in this test. The results show that these psychoactive monoterpenes have the profile of sedative drugs, and this pharmacological effect is influenced by the structural characteristics of the molecules
Mollisianitrile, a New Antibiotic from Mollisia sp. A59-96
Authors: Weber Daniela , Sterner Olov , Anke Timm
Published: February 2015

Mollisianitrile (1), a new antibiotic was isolated from the fermentation broth of Mollisa sp. A59-96 together with the two known isocoumarins 2 and 3. 1 exhibited antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and phytotoxic activities. 1 contains a reactive propiolonitrile moiety which is believed to be responsible for its antibiotic activities. Upon incubation with l-cysteine the biological activity was lost
A New Oviposition Deterrent to the Leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii: Cucurbitane Glucoside from Momordica charantia
Authors: Kashiwagi Takehiro , Mekuria Daniel Bisrat , Dekebo Aman , Sato Keiko , Tebayashi Shin-ichi , Kim Chul-Sa
Published: February 2015

A new cucurbitane glucoside, 23-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-hydroxy-3-O-malonylcucurbita-5,24-dien-19-al, named momordicine V, has been isolated from Momordica charantia leaves, along with the previously reported compounds, momordicines I, II, IV and 3-O-malonylmomordicine

I. The structure of the new compound was established on the basis of spectral

analysis, as well as by its conversion to momordicine II by alkaline catalyzed hydrolysis. Momordicine V deterred significantly the oviposition by L. trifolii on host plant leaves treated at 26.16 μg/cm2 leaf surface
Development of a New Immunosensor for the Detection of Dopamine
Authors: Fouad Dina
Published: February 2015

Graphite immunoelectrodes as immunosensors using indirect immobilization of a hapten were investigated for their applicability to detect dopamine hydrochloride at low levels. Conditions were optimized to achieve the highest sensitivity using the indirect immobilization of dopamine hydrochloride through a polymerized glutaraldehyde network on microtiter plates using ELISA technique. The conditions were later transferred to the graphite rods (ø 0.8 m × 20 mm) and a comparison between the two different sensitivities (IC50 midpoint of test) was carried out. Graphite electrodes showed higher sensitivity towards dopamine than ELISA, since they were able to detect dopamine with a midpoint of test of 0.2 mmol/l while using ELISA they were able to detect dopamine hydrochloride at 2 mmol/l
Antibacterial Activity of Triterpene Acids and Semi-Synthetic Derivatives against Oral Pathogens
Authors: Cunha Luis C. Scalon , Silva Márcio L. Andrade e , Furtado Niege A. J. Cardoso , Vinhólis Adriana H. C. , Martins Carlos H. Gomes , Filho A. da Silva , Cunha Wilson R.
Published: February 2015

Triterpene acids (ursolic, oleanoic, gypsogenic, and sumaresinolic acids) isolated from Miconia species, along with a mixture of ursolic and oleanolic acids and a mixture of maslinic and 2-α-hydroxyursolic acids, as well as ursolic acid derivatives were evaluated against the following microorganisms: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Enterococcus faecalis, which are potentially responsible for the formation of dental caries in humans. The microdilution method was used for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) during the evaluation of the antibacterial activity. All the isolated compounds, mixtures, and semi-synthetic derivatives displayed activity against all the tested bacteria, showing that they are promising antiplaque and anticaries agents. Ursolic and oleanolic acids displayed the most intense antibacterial effect, with MIC values ranging from 30 μg/mL to 80 μg/mL. The MIC values of ursolic acid derivatives, as well as those obtained for the mixture of ursolic and oleanolic acids showed that these compounds do not have higher antibacterial activity when compared with the activity observed with either ursolic acid or oleanolic acid alone. With regard to the structure-activity relationship of triterpene acids and derivatives, it is suggested that both hydroxy and carboxy groups present in the triterpenes are important for their antibacterial activity against oral pathogens.
Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase by Extracts and Constituents from Angelica archangelica and Geranium sylvaticum
Authors: Sigurdsson Steinthor , Gudbjarnason Sigmundur
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study was to explore the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition of several Icelandic medicinal herbs. Ethanolic extracts of Angelica archangelica seeds and the aerial parts of Geranium sylvaticum proved effective, with IC50 values of 2.20 mg/ml and 3.56 mg/ml, respectively. The activity of imperatorin and xanthotoxin from A. archangelica was measured. Xanthotoxin proved much more potent than imperatorin, with an IC50 value of 155 μg/ml (0.72 mM) but that for imperatorin was above 274 μg/ml (1.01 mM). However, furanocoumarins seem to have a minor part in the total activity of this extract. Synergistic interaction was observed between the extracts of A. archangelica and G. sylvaticum. Several medicinal herbs (Achillea millefolium, Filipendula ulmaria, Thymus praecox and Matricaria maritima) did not show AChE inhibitory activity.
Anacardic Acids and Ferric Ion Chelation
Authors: Tsujimoto Kazuo , Hayashia Akio , Ha Tae Joung , Kubo Isao
Published: February 2015

6-Pentadeca(e)nylsalicylic acids isolated from the cashew Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae), commonly known as anacardic acids, inhibited the linoleic acid peroxidation catalyzed by soybean lipoxygenase-1 (EC 1.13.11.12, type 1) competitively without prooxidant effects. Their parent compound, salicylic acid, did not have this inhibitory activity up to 800 μm, indicating that the pentadeca(e)nyl group is an essential element to elicit the activity. The inhibition is attributed to its ability to chelate iron in the enzyme. Thus, anacardic acids chelate iron in the active site of the enzyme and then the hydrophobic tail portion slowly begins to interact with the hydrophobic domain close to the active site. Formation of the anacardic acids-ferric ion complex was detected in the ratio of 2:1 as the base peak in the negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Hence, anacardic acids inhibit both Eox and Ered forms.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Lichen-Forming Fungi Rhizoplaca Zopf from China Based on ITS Data and Morphology
Authors: Zheng Xiao-Ling , Sheng Hong-Mei , An Li-Zhe
Published: February 2015

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of Rhizoplaca melanophthalma, Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca, Rhizoplaca peltata and Rhizoplaca haydenii is presented based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and morphology. Rhizoplaca species were collected at 3400-3900 m in Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang province, China. Rhizoplaca haydenii is reported for the first time in China. Maximum parsimony (MP) analysis of ITS sequences obtained from Tianshan Mountains samples and GenBank reveals that the evolution relationship of Rhizoplaca melanophthalma and Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca is closer to each other than to Rhizoplaca peltata, and Rhizoplaca haydenii showed closer relatedness to Rhizoplaca melanophthalma. When the four species groups from Tianshan Mountains were analyzed alone through the neighbour-joining (NJ) and minimum evolution method, we obtained the same result. The morphology analysis of Rhizoplaca Zopf which reveals the pruinose discs and apothecial discs of species did not show convincing evidences to prove phylogenetic relationship among Rhizoplaca species. In our study, the result further proved that Rhizoplaca should be rejected as a genus separate from Lecanora.
Isoflavonoid Glycosides and Rotenoids from Pongamia pinnata Leaves
Authors: Marzouk Mohamed S. A. , Ibrahim Magda T. , El-Gindi Omima R. , Bakr Marwa S. Abou
Published: February 2015

Chromatographic separation of a 70% aqueous methanol extract (AME) of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre (Leguminosae) leaves has led to the isolation of two new isoflavonoid diglycosides, 4′-O-methyl-genistein 7-O-β-D-rutinoside (2) and 2′,5′-dimethoxy-genistein 7- O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1‴→ 6″)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), and a new rotenoid, 12a-hydroxy-α-toxicarol (5), together with nine known metabolites, vecinin-2 (1), kaempferol 3-O-β-drutinoside (3), rutin (4), vitexin (7), isoquercitrin (8), kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (9), 11,12a-dihydroxy-munduserone (10), kaempferol (11), and quercetin (12). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic analyses.
Extraction of Condensed Tannins from Mexican Plant Sources
Authors: García Ramiro , Aguilera Antonio , Contreras-Esquivel Juan C. , Rodríguez Raúl , Aguilar Cristóbal N.
Published: February 2015

Contents of total polyphenols, condensed tannins and proanthocyanidins, and their stability to various pH values and temperatures were studied in Mexican blueberry, cuautecomate fruit, garambullo fruit, aubergine, coffee pulp and residues of black grapes. Several aqueous extracts, obtained through a one-pass-extraction process, were analyzed using liquid chromatography in order to quantify the condensed tannin (proanthocyanidin) content responsible for their antioxidant activity and colour. All tested samples included high proanthocyanidin contents demonstrating that these Mexican fruits and vegetables are good sources of natural antioxidants, and they all could be considered as excellent functional foods due to their bioactivity measured as the condensed tannin level.