bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic Diversity of Erwinia amylovora in Bulgaria
Authors: Atanasova Iliana , Moncheva Penka , Kabadjova Petia , Tishkov Sava , Stefanova Katerina , Dimitrov Zhechko , Bogatzevska Nevena
Published: February 2015

Fifty-one strains of Erwinia amylovora isolated from nine host plants in Bulgaria were characterized phenotypically and identified by the API 20E and BIOLOG system. The identification was confirmed by PCR amplification of a specific region of the plasmid pEA29 and the genome ams region. The phenotypic diversity of the strains was studied on the basis of their API 20E and BIOLOG metabolic profiles, as well as of their SDS-PAGE protein profile. Metabolic diversity among the strains was established, but no connection with the origin of the strains was revealed. The Bulgarian strains showed API 20E metabolic profiles not found in previous studies of E. amylovora. The strains formed a homogenous group on the basis of their protein profiles. All the strains were sensitive to the antibiotics streptomycin, tetracycline and oxytetracycline. This study was an initial step towards an investigation of the diversity and evolution in the Bulgarian population of E. amylovora, and it was the first characterization of E. amylovora strains isolated from different host plants in the period 1995-2005 in Bulgaria.
A Semisynthetic 5-n-Alkylresorcinol Derivative and its Effect upon Biomembrane Properties
Authors: Stasiuk Maria , Bartosiewicz Dominika , Gubernator Jerzy , Cieslik-Boczula Katarzyna , Hof Martin , Kozubek Arkadiusz
Published: February 2015

MSAR (1-sulfate-3-myristoyl-5-pentadecylbenzene) is a semisynthetic derivative of 5-npentadecylresorcinol (C15:0). MSAR exhibits hemolytic activity against sheep erythrocytes with a EH50 value of (35 ± 1.7) μm. At low concentrations MSAR also exhibits the ability to protect cells against their hypoosmotic lysis. This protective effect is significant as, at 0.1 μm of MSAR, the extent of osmotically induced cell lysis is reduced by approx. 20%. It was demonstrated that the 9-anthroyloxystearic acid signal was most intensively quenched by MSAR molecules, suggesting a relatively deep location of these molecules within the lipid bilayer. MSAR causes an increase of the fluorescence of the membrane potential sensitive probe. This indicates an alteration of the surface charge and a decrease of the local pH value at the membrane surface. At low bilayer content (1-4 mol%) this compound causes a significant increase of the phospholipid bilayer fluidity (both under and above the main phase transition temperature) of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes. At this low content MSAR slightly decreases the main phase transition temperature (Tc) value. The effects induced in the phospholipid bilayer by higher contents of MSAR molecules (5-10 mol%) make it impossible to determine the Tc value and to evaluate changes of the membrane fluidity by using pyrene-labeled lipid. MSAR also causes a decrease of the activity of membrane-bound enzymes-red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2). MSAR decreases the AChE activity by 40% at 100 μm. The presence of MSAR in the liposomal membrane induces a complete abolishment of the lag time of the PLA2 activity, indicating that these molecules induce the formation of packing defects in the bilayer which may result from imperfect mixing of phospholipids.
Chemodiversity of Exudate Flavonoids in Seven Tribes of Cichorioideae and Asteroideae (Asteraceae)
Authors: Valant-Vetschera Karin M. , Wollenweber Eckhard
Published: February 2015

Members of several genera of Asteraceae, belonging to the tribes Mutisieae, Cardueae, Lactuceae (all subfamily Cichorioideae), and of Astereae, Senecioneae, Helenieae and Heliantheae (all subfamily Asteroideae) have been analyzed for chemodiversity of their exudate flavonoid profiles. The majority of structures found were flavones and flavonols, sometimes with 6- and/or 8-substitution, and with a varying degree of oxidation and methylation. Flavanones were observed in exudates of some genera, and, in some cases, also flavonol- and flavone glycosides were detected. This was mostly the case when exudates were poor both in yield and chemical complexity. Structurally diverse profiles are found particularly within Astereae and Heliantheae. The tribes in the subfamily Cichorioideae exhibited less complex flavonoid profiles. Current results are compared to literature data, and botanical information is included on the studied taxa.
Red Mexican Grapefruit: A Novel Source for Bioactive Limonoids and their Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Mandadi Kranthi K. , Jayaprakasha Guddadarangavvanahally K. , Bhat Narayan G. , Patil Bhimanagouda S.
Published: February 2015

Citrus limonoids have shown to inhibit the growth of cancer in colon, lung, mouth, stomach and breast in animal and cell culture studies. For the first time in the present study, an attempt has been made to isolate antioxidant fractions and five limonoids from red Mexican grapefruit seeds. Defatted seed powder was successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), acetone, methanol (MeOH) and MeOH/water and the extracts were concentrated under vacuum. Radical scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total phenolic content were also measured for comparison with the antioxidant capacity in the phosphomolybdenum method for the above extracts. Acetone and MeOH extracts, respectively, showed the highest (85.7%) and lowest (53.3%) radical scavenging activity, at 500 ppm. The total phenolic contents were found to be highest in the acetone extract (15.94%) followed by the MeOH extract (5.92%), ethyl acetate extract (5.54%) and water extract (5.26%). Antioxidant capacity of the extracts as equivalents to ascorbic acid (μmol/g of the extract) was in the order, EtOAc extract > acetone extract > water extract > methanol extract. Furthermore, the EtOAC and acetone extracts were loaded onto silica gel columns to obtain four limonoid aglycons. MeOH fraction was loaded onto a dowex-50 and sepabeads resin column to obtain a limonoid glucoside. The purity of the isolated five compounds was analyzed by HPLC using a C18 column and UV detection at 210 nm. Finally, the structures of the compounds were identified as obacunone, nomilin, limonin, deacetylnomilin (DAN) and limonin-17-β-d-glucopyranoside (LG) using 1H and 13C NMR studies.
Antiproliferative Activity of Methylated Analogues of E- and Z-Resveratrol
Authors: Cardile Venera , Chillemi Rosa , Lombardo Laura , Sciuto Sebastiano , Spatafora Carmela , Tringali Corrado
Published: February 2015

The stilbenoids E-resveratrol (E-3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene, 1), E-3,5,4′-trimethoxystilbene (2), E-3,4,4′-trimethoxystilbene (3) and E-3,4′-dimethoxy-5-hydroxystilbene (4) were converted by photoisomerization to their corresponding Z-isomers 5D8. Compounds 1D8 were subjected to antiproliferative activity bioassays towards a set of four different human cancer cell lines, namely DU-145 (androgen not responsive human prostate tumor), LNCaP (androgen responsive human prostate tumor), M-14 (human melanoma) and KB (human mouth epidermoid carcinoma). The methylated analogues of 1 are more active than the natural lead in the majority of bioassays. The most active compound was Z-3,5,4′-trimethoxystilbene (6), which showed against DU-145 and LNCaP cells GI50 values close to those of the anticancer drug vinorelbine; 6 resulted more active than its E-isomer 2 towards DU-145, LNCaP and especially KB cell lines. A number of methylated Z-isomers displayed a higher activity than their E-isomers, but E-resveratrol (1) was more active than Z-resveratrol (5) towards all the tested cell lines.
Alkaloids of Crinum x powellii “Album” (Amaryllidaceae) and their Topoisomerase Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Niño Jaime , Hincapié Gina M. , Correa Yaned M. , Mosquera Oscar M.
Published: February 2015

The alkaloids lycorine, 1-O-acetyllycorine and ismine were isolated from the basic dichloromethane- soluble fraction of Crinum x powellii “Album” bulbs. The alkaloid structures were established by physical and spectroscopic analyses, including 1D NMR techniques and GCMS analysis. The three alkaloids are reported for the first time for this hybrid. Additionally, the three alkaloids isolated were tested against a mechanism-based bioassay utilizing genetically engineered mutants of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains RAD+, RAD52Y and RS321 where lycorine was the only alkaloid that displayed moderate topoisomerase I inhibitory activity.
Effects of Salicylic Acid on Mushroom Tyrosinase and B16 Melanoma Cells
Authors: Tamura Sadaaki , Nitoda Teruhiko , Kubo Isao
Published: February 2015

Salicylic acid slightly inhibited the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) catalyzed by mushroom tyrosinase noncompetitively without being oxidized. In contrast, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid did not inhibit this enzymatic oxidation if a longer reaction time was observed, although it suppressed the initial rate of the oxidation to a certain extent. Neither acid showed noticeable effects on cultured murine B16-F10 melanoma cells except weak cytotoxicity.
Biosorption of Binary Mixtures of Copper and Cobalt by Penicillium brevicompactum
Authors: Tsekova Kolishka , Ianis Maria , Dencheva Vera , Ganeva Sonya
Published: February 2015

This work reports on a study of the biosorption of copper and cobalt, both singly and in combination (in equimolar concentrations), by the resting cells of Penicillium brevicompactum. Equilibrium batch sorption studies were carried out at 30 °C and pH 5.0 for a contact time of 1 hour to guarantee that equilibrium was reached. The equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption of binary mixtures of heavy metal solutions on the fungal biomass was found to be of competitive type where the adsorption capacity for any single metal decreased in the presence of the other. The cobalt ions showed a higher affinity for Penicillium brevicompactum than the copper ions.
Multiple Effects of Cadmium on the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Avicennia germinans L. as Probed by OJIP Chlorophyll Fluorescence Measurements
Authors: Gonzalez-Mendoza Daniel , Espadas y Gil Francisco , Santamaría Jorge M. , Zapata-Perez Omar
Published: February 2015

The toxic effects of cadmium on the photosynthetic apparatus of Avicennia germinans were evaluated by means of the chlorophyll fluorescence transient O-J-I-P. The chlorophyll fluorescence transients were recorded in vivo with high time resolution and analyzed according to the OJIP-test that can quantify the performance of photosystem II. Cadmium-treated plants showed a decrease in yield for primary photochemistry, TR0/ABS. The performance index of photosystem II (PSII), PIABS, decreased due to cadmium treatment. This performance index is the combination of the indexes of three independent parameters: (1) total number of active reaction centers per absorption (RC/ABS), (2) yield of primary photochemistry (TR0/ABS), and (3) efficiency with which a trapped exciton can move an electron into the electron transport chain (ET0/TR0). Additionally, the F0/Fv registered the highest sensitivity to the metal, thus indicating that the water-splitting apparatus of the oxidizing side of PSII is the primary site of action of cadmium. In summary, cadmium affects several targets of photosystem II. More specifically the main targets of cadmium, according to the OJIPtest, can be listed as a decrease in the number of active reaction centers and damage to the activity of the water-splitting complex.
Cytotoxic Cholestane and Pregnane Glycosides from Tribulus macropterus
Authors: Abdel-Hameed El-Sayed S. , El-Nahas Hanan A. , El-Wakil Eman A.
Published: February 2015

The methanol extract of the whole parts of Tribulus macropterus Boiss. (family Zygophyllaceae) showed cytotoxic activity against a human tumour cell line (hepatocyte generation 2, HepG2) (IC50 = 2.9 μg/ml). The n-butanolic fraction obtained from successive fractionation of the methanolic extract exhibited activity against HepG2 (IC50 = 2.6 μg/ml). Therefore, this fraction was subjected to separation using different chromatographic techniques. Five compounds, 1-5, were isolated and identified as: (22S,25S)-16β,22,26-trihydroxy-cholest-4- en-3-one-16-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-xylopyranoside (1), (22S,25S)-16β,22,26-trihydroxy- cholest-4-en-3-one-16-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), sucrose (3), d-pinitol (4) and 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregn-16(17)en-20-one-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)- [β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-galactopyranoside (5) on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical data. The three steroidal compounds 1, 2 and 5 were also tested against the same cell line HepG2 and their IC50 values were 2.4, 2.2 and 1.1 μg/ml, respectively.
Assessment of Phytotoxicity of Parthenin
Authors: Batish Daizy R. , Pal Singh Harminder , Kohli Ravinder K. , Kaur Shalinder , Saxena Dinesh B. , Yadav Surender
Published: February 2015

Phytotoxicity of parthenin, a sesquiterpene lactone, was evaluated against four weedy species (Amaranthus viridis, Cassia occidentalis, Echinochloa crus-galli, and Phalaris minor) through a series of experiments conducted under laboratory or greenhouse conditions to assess its herbicidal potential. Under laboratory conditions, parthenin (0.5 - 2 mm) severely reduced seedling growth (root and shoot) and dry weight of test weeds. However, the effect was greater on root growth. Parthenin (1 mm) suppressed the mitotic activity in the onion root tip cells that could possibly be responsible for the reduction in seedling growth. Both pre- and post-emergent application of parthenin caused a significant loss of chlorophyll pigments and affected photosynthesis. Parthenin (≥1 mm) caused an excessive electrolyte leakage in the plant tissues which was light-dependent. The root inhibition was associated with swelling and blackening of the root tip, shriveling and damage to the epidermal tissue and non-formation of root hairs. The study concludes that parthenin possesses weed-suppressing potential (both pre- and post-).
A Chlorophyll-Less Barley Mutant “NYB” Is Insensitive to Water Stress
Authors: Yuan Shu , Liu Wen-Juan , Lei Tao , Luo Ming-Hua , Du Jun-Bo , Wang Jian-Hui , Lin Hong-Hui
Published: February 2015

“NYB” is a chlorophyll-less barley mutant, which grows relatively slow and unhealthily. The effects of water stress on photosystem II (PSII) of NYB and its wild type (WT) were investigated. Unexpected results indicated that the mutant was more resistant to water stress, because: PSII core proteins D1, D2 and LHCII declined more in WT than in NYB under water stress, and the corresponding psbA, psbD and cab mRNAs also decreased more dramatically in WT; CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), efficiency of excitation energy capture by open PSII reaction centres (Fv’/Fm’), quantum yield of PSII electron transport (φPSII) and DCIP photoreduction in NYB were less sensitive to water stress than in WT, although the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN) and the photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) were almost the same in NYB and WT. Effective chlorophyll utilization and improved PSII protein formation in the mutant may be the reason for the enhanced stress resistance. Other possible mechanisms are also discussed.
Influence of Drought on Oxidative Stress and Flavonoid Production in Cell Suspension Culture of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal
Authors: Yang Ying , He Feng , Yu Longjiang , Chen Xuehong , Lei Jing , Ji Jiaxing
Published: February 2015

The effect of water deficit on flavonoid production and physiological parameters characteristic for oxidative stress were studied in a cell suspension culture of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal to investigate its drought tolerance. The result indicated that appropriate water deficit enhanced biomass accumulation of 27.1 g L-1 and flavonoid production of 151.5 mg L-1, which was about 2-fold and 1.5-fold of the control, respectively. But it decreased the water content. Drought stress led to hydrogen peroxide accumulation more than in the control. Moreover, under drought conditions, malondialdehyde content, the activities of catalase and peroxidase increased to a greater extent than the control, and each reached a maximum value of 91.3 μmol g-1 dry weight, 85.6 U and 1951 U g-1 dry weight per min, which was 1.5-, 1.7- and 3.7-fold of the control, respectively. All above showed that appropriate water deficit could activate the antioxidative defense enzymes system to maintain stability in plants subjected to drought stress. On the contrary, the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase of the control increased in company with the biosynthesis of flavonoids, which indicated that phenylalanine ammonia lyase might play an important role in the path of the biosynthesis of flavonoids.
Copper and Cadmium Tolerance, Uptake and Effect on Chloroplast Ultrastructure. Studies on Salix purpurea and Phragmites australis
Authors: Hakmaoui Abdelmalek , Ater Mohammed , Bóka Károly , Barón Matilde
Published: February 2015

We have compared the effect of toxic Cu and Cd concentrations on growth, metal accumulation, and chloroplast ultrastructure of willow (Salix purpurea L.) and reed [Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.]. After a 10-day treatment, both species have tolerated to some extent the lowest concentration of both metals; however, plant growth was strongly reduced at the highest Cu and Cd concentrations. These plants could be described as Cutolerant at the lowest concentration tested, showing a higher tolerance index in reed than in willow; in contrast, willow exhibited higher tolerance against Cd. Both plants appeared to be moderate root accumulators of Cu and Cd. Ultrastructural studies revealed special features that can provide some protection against heavy metals stress, such as ferritin aggregates in the stroma. In addition, Cu and Cd induced distortion of thylakoids, reduction of grana stacks, as well as an increased number and size of plastoglobuli and peripheral vesicles.
Batch and Fed-Batch Production of Betalains by Red Beet (Beta vulgaris) Hairy Roots in a Bubble Column Reactor
Authors: Pavlov Atanas , Georgiev Milen , Bley Thomas
Published: February 2015

Hairy root cultures from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.), which could be used for the commercial production of biologically active betalain pigments, were cultivated in a 3 L bubble column bioreactor in batch mode with various rates of air supply. Both the growth of the roots and betalain volumetric yields were highest (12.7 g accumulated dry biomass/L and 330.5 mg/ L, respectively) with a 10 L/h (0.083 vvm) air supply. The air flow rate also influenced the betacyanins/betaxanthins ratios in the cultures. Growth and betalains production were then examined in two fed-batch regimes (with a 10 L/h air supply), in which nutrient medium was fed just once or on five occasions, designated FBI and FBII, respectively. The root mass accumulation was increased in the FBI feeding regime (to 13.3 g accumulated dry biomass/ L), while in FBII the betalains content was ca. 11% higher (15.1 mg betacyanins/g dry weight and 14.0 mg betaxanthins/g dry weight) than in the most productive batch regime. Data on the time course of the utilization of major components in the medium during both operational modes were also collected. The implications of the information acquired are discussed, and the performance of the hairy roots (in terms of both growth and betalains production) in the bubble column reactor and previously investigated cultivation systems is compared.
Induction of Apoptosis by Alkaloids, Non-Protein Amino Acids, and Cardiac Glycosides in Human Promyelotic HL-60 Cells
Authors: Rosenkranz Vera , Wink Michael
Published: February 2015

The induction of apoptosis by 66 alkaloids of the quinoline, quinolizidine, pyrrolizidine, isoquinoline, indole, terpene, tropane, steroid, purine, and piperidine type, of 9 cardiac glycosides, 11 non-protein amino acids and 10 further secondary metabolites was assayed in HL- 60 cell cultures and measured by quantification of the subdiploid DNA content by flow cytometry, detection of DNA fragmentation by gel electrophoresis, and cell morphology. Several alkaloids of the isoquinoline, quinoline, and indole type were active, whereas quinolizidine, tropane, pyrrolizidine, terpene and piperdine alkaloids were mostly inactive. The proapoptotic alkaloids can be characterized by their property to inhibit protein biosynthesis and their intercalation into DNA at the same time, or by their inhibition of microtubule formation. All cardiac glycosides, which are both membrane detergents and Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitors, are potent apoptosis inducers. Also proapoptotic were a few non-protein amino acids, podophyllotoxin and the flavonoid quercetin.
Antimicrobial Activity of Two Antitumour Agents and Ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibitors, Pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde Thiosemicarbazone and the Acetate Form of its Copper(II) Chelate
Authors: Elo Hannu
Published: February 2015

Some copper chelates have potent antitumour activity, and in some cases also the free ligands have activity in vivo. Yet, little is known about their antimicrobial properties. Copper( II) chelates of the thiosemicarbazones of α-N-heterocyclic carboxaldehydes constitute one important group of such agents, also their ligands having marked antitumour activity. Both the ligands and chelates inhibit ribonucleotide reductase. Some ligands have been or are under clinical trials as antineoplastic agents. I report here a study on the antimicrobial properties of the prototype compounds of this group, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone and its copper(II) chelate. They were tested against nine microbes, including bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus lactis), yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and one mold (Aspergillus niger). Two clinical isolates of Bacillus sp. and one reference strain were also studied. Both the ligand and the chelate had marked activity. The ligand displayed considerable activity against all bacteria except for S. lactis, and its activity against E. coli and P. aeruginosa was that high that practical applications might be considued. It was highly active against A. niger and moderately active against C. albicans. The chelate was highly active against S. epidermidis and S. cerevisiae. Both compounds inhibited the clinical isolates markedly. Since some related ligands have been or are in clinical trials on humans or are entering them, their route to clinical use, also as antimicrobials, might be much more straightforward than that of substances, whose toxicity in humans is wholly unexplored
Anticancer and Antioxidant Tannins from Pimenta dioica Leaves
Authors: Marzouk Mohamed S. A. , Moharram Fatma A. , Mohamed Mona A. , Gamal-Eldeen Amira M. , Aboutabl Elsayed A.
Published: February 2015

Two galloylglucosides, 6-hydroxy-eugenol 4-O-(6′-O-galloyl)-β-D-4C1-glucopyranoside (4) and 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,2-diol-2-O-(2′,6′-di-O-galloyl)-β-D-4C1-glucopyranoside (7), and two C-glycosidic tannins, vascalaginone (10) and grandininol (14), together with fourteen known metabolites, gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), nilocitin (3), 1-O-galloyl-4,6-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-(α/β)-d-glucopyranose (5), 4,6-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-(α/β)-d-glucopyranose (6), 3,4,6-valoneoyl-(α/β)-d-glucopyranose (8), pedunculagin (9), casuariin (11), castalagin (12), vascalagin (13), casuarinin (15), grandinin (16), methyl-flavogallonate (17) and ellagic acid (18), were identified from the leaves of Pimenta dioica (Merr.) L. (Myrtaceae) on the basis of their chemical and physicochemical analysis (UV, HRESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR). It was found that 9 is the most cytotoxic compound against solid tumour cancer cells, the most potent scavenger against the artificial radical DPPH and physiological radicals including ROO•, OH•, and O2
-•, and strongly inhibited the NO generation and induced the proliferation of T-lymphocytes and macrophages. On the other hand, 3 was the strongest NO inhibitor and 16 the highest stimulator for the proliferation of T-lymphocytes, while 10 was the most active inducer of macrophage proliferation

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Ischemia-Responsive Protein (irp94) Gene Expression in Neurons
Authors: Kim Seung-Whan , Chung Sung-Pil , Kim Seung-Ho , Choi Jong-Soon , Kwon Kisang , Kwon O-Yu
Published: February 2015

An increased expression of the ischemia-responsive protein gene (irp94) was detected in a Mongolian gerbil brain after an ischemic injury, particularly in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. In a rat phaeochromocytoma tumour cell line (PC12 cells), actinomycin D blocked the irp94 gene expression but cycloheximide did not. This indicates that irp94 gene expression is transcriptionally controlled. The half-life of irp94 mRNA was estimated to be approx. 5 h using 5,6-dichloro-1-β-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB). In addition, irp94 expression was enhanced by either endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress-inducible drugs or protease inhibitors. This suggests that irp94 gene expression is strongly associated with the unfolded protein response (UPR) in neurons
Iridoid Glucosides with Insecticidal Activity from Galium melanantherum
Authors: Tzakou Olga , Mylonas Philippos , Vagias Constantinos , Petrakis Panos V.
Published: February 2015

The insecticidal activity of the endemic species Galium melanantherum was evaluated against Crematogaster scutellaris ants and Kalotermes flavicollis termites. Iridoid glucosides 1-7 were isolated for the first time as metabolites of the investigated plant, along with the coumarin scopolin. The main components of the extract were found to be the non-acetylated iridoids: geniposidic acid (1), 10-hydroxyloganin (2), deacetyldaphylloside (3), monotropein (4), deacetylasperulosidic acid (5) and scandoside (6), while asperulosidic acid (7) was present only in minute quantities. All isolated metabolites were identified on the basis of their spectral data. Laboratory bioassays revealed significant levels of toxicity for 1-4 against Kalotermes flavicollis termites and Crematogaster scutellaris ants
Structural Studies of Native Paecilomyces sp. Exopolysaccharide
Authors: Lillo Luis , Alarcón Julio , Cabello Gerardo , Águila Sergio
Published: February 2015

A polysaccharide separated from Paecilomyces sp. was determined by gel permeation chromatography to be homogeneous. HPLC showed a monosaccharide containing d-glucose and d-fructose at a ratio of about 2:1. The results obtained from IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR analyses confirmed the proposed structure.
Phytochemical and Molluscicidal Investigations of Fagonia arabica
Authors: El-Wakil Eman A.
Published: February 2015

The aqueous methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Fagonia arabica L. (family Zygophyllaceae) was successively fractionated using certain organic solvents. From the ethyl acetate fraction, two flavonoid glycosides were isolated and identified as kaempferol-7-O-rhamnoside and acacetin-7-O-rhamnoside. Four triterpenoidal glycosides were isolated from the butanolic layer. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of the spectral and chemical data as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-arabinopyranoside oleanolic acid (1), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl quinovic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl- (1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-arabinosyl oleanolic acid (3) and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-( 1→3)-α-L-arabino-pyranosyl quinovic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). The two monodesmosidic saponins 1 and 3 were found to possess strong molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt (LC90 = 13.33 and 16.44 μM), whereas the other two bidesmosidic saponins 2 and 4 as well as the two flavonoid glycosides were inactive up to 50 μM.
Influence of EDTA on Lead Transportation and Accumulation by Sedum alfredii Hance
Authors: Liu Dan , Lia Ting-Qiang , Yanga Xiao-E , Islam Ejazul , Mahmood Qaisar
Published: February 2015

Hydroponics and pot experiments were conducted to study the effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on Pb transportation and accumulation by two contrasting ecotypes of Sedum alfredii Hance. In hydroponics experiments, the accumulating ecotype (AE) showed more ability to tolerate Pb toxicity compared with the non-accumulating ecotype (NAE). When treated with equimolar mixtures of EDTA and Pb, maximum Pb accumulation occurred without any phytotoxicity symptoms. Pot experiments with Pb contents of 400 mg kg-1 showed that 5 mm EDTA is the optimum dose for the phytoextraction of soils contaminated with relatively low Pb levels; in contrast, increasing EDTA addition resulted in increased Pb accumulation in the shoots of AE in soils with high Pb content (1200 mg kg-1). The post-harvest effects of EDTA on available Pb were strong compared with those without addition of EDTA (CK). Within the initial 7 days almost no differences of water-soluble Pb were noted in soils contaminated with both levels of Pb but after 2 weeks, water-soluble Pb started to decrease significantly compared with before. Considering the toxicity and biodegradability of synthetic chelators, it can be concluded that the chelate-assisted technique is more suitable for soils contaminated with low Pb levels and to avoid environment risks; a suitable dose of chelators must be considered before application.
Species Spectrum of Flea Beetles (Phyllotreta spp., Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) Attracted to Allyl Isothiocyanate-Baited Traps
Authors: Tóth Miklós , Csonka Éva , Bakcsa Flórián , Benedek Pál , Szarukán István , Gomboc Stanislav , Toshova Teodora , Subchev Mitko , Ujváry István
Published: February 2015

In field tests in Hungary, Slovenia and Bulgaria, in allyl isothiocyanate-baited traps significantly more beetles of Phyllotreta cruciferae, Ph. vittula, Ph. undulata, Ph. nigripes, Ph. nodicornis, Ph. balcanica, Ph. atra, Ph. procera, Ph. ochripes, Ph. diademata and Psylliodes chrysocephalus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Halticinae) were captured than in unbaited control traps. With the exception of Ph. cruciferae, this is the first report on significant field attraction by allyl isothiocyanate for these species. The species spectrum captured included six important agricultural pests. At all sites a great portion of the catch (ranging from ca 30 to 98%) was Ph. cruciferae, irrespective of the plant culture. The second most abundant species present at most sites was Ph. vittula. The present results are very promising from the point of view of applicability of allyl isothiocyanate in Europe as a bait in cabbage flea beetle traps for detection and monitoring.
Ornicorrugatin, a New Siderophore from Pseudomonas fluorescens AF76
Authors: Matthijs Sandra , Budzikiewicz Herbert , Schäfer Mathias , Wathelet Bernard , Cornelis Pierre
Published: February 2015

From a pyoverdin-negative mutant of Pseudomonas fluorescens AF76 a new lipopeptidic siderophore (ornicorrugatin) could be isolated. It is structurally related to the siderophore of Pseudomonas corrugata differing in the replacement of one Dab unit by Orn.
Activities of 2,4-Dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Gianini Aline S. , Marques Maria Rita , Carvalho Nádia Cristina P. , Honda Neli K.
Published: February 2015

Esters of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic acid (2−8) (methyl, ethyl, butyl, pentyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl and benzyl), olivetol (9), methyl, ethyl, butyl perlatolates (10−12), 2,4- dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic acid (15), and methyl and ethyl esters of (15) were prepared through structural modifications of perlatolic acid (1) with the aim to detect new antifungal and antibacterial substances and also to evaluate the toxicity by the brine shrimp lethality assay against Artemia salina. The antifungal assays were carried out against the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum through the bioautography method, and methyl 2,4-dihydroxy- 6-n-pentylbenzoate (13) showed the highest antifungal activity (2.5 μg). Olivetol (9) and 2,4- dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic acid (15) are also potent inhibitors of the growth of the fungus (5.0 μg). Except for methyl (10), the ethyl (11) and butyl (12) perlatolates were less active than perlatolic acid (1). The activities presented by methyl (2) and ethyl (3) 2-hydroxy-4- methoxy-6-n-pentylbenzoates and methyl (13) and ethyl (14) 2,4-dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzoates suggest that compounds with a free hydroxy group in the aromatic ring (C-4) have a more pronounced effect against C. sphaerospermum. Antibacterial activities were tested by the disc diffusion method using pathogenic strains of S. aureus and E. coli. The compounds were weakly active with inhibition zones between 9−15 mm. The 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-npentylbenzoic esters 2−8 and alkyl perlatolates 10−12 were selective against E. coli. Perlatolic acid (1) and methyl 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-n-pentylbenzoate (2) were the most active with LD50 values of 24.1 μM and 27.2 μM, respectively. The other compounds were not toxic to Artemia salina larvae.
Antinematodal Activities of Ingenane Diterpenes from Euphorbia kansui and their Derivatives against the Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)
Authors: Shi Jianxiao , Li Zhixuan , Nitoda Teruhiko , Izumi Minoru , Kanzaki Hiroshi , Baba Naomichi , Kawazu Kazuyoshi , Nakajima Shuhei
Published: February 2015

Under the bioassay-guided method, two diterpenes, 3-O-(2″,3″-dimethylbutanoyl)-13-Ododecanoylingenol (1) and 3-O-(2″,3″-dimethylbutanoyl)-13-O-decanoylingenol (2) isolated from Euphorbia kansui, showed a pronounced antinematodal activity against the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus at the same minimum effective dose (MED) of 5 μg per cotton ball and still displayed antinematodal activity at a dose of 2.5 μg per cotton ball. Compounds 3 − 6 were obtained, and the structure of the new compound 6 was elucidated based on 1D-and 2D-NMR analyses and physicochemical data. Preliminary structure-biological activity relationships of ingenane-type compounds were deduced.
Free Radical Scavengers, Antioxidants and Aldose Reductase Inhibitors from Camptosorus sibiricus Rupr.
Authors: Li Ning , Li Xian , Zhang Yi , Wang Tao , Xiao Wan
Published: February 2015

Flavonoids and organic acids were recommended in the literature as the main active constituents of Camptosorus sibiricus Rupr. Assay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of 9 flavonoids and 8 phenolic acids. All compounds were tested for DPPH scavenging activity, SOD-like and aldose reductase inhibition. Among them, compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15 showed activities. The most active free radical scavenger and antioxidant was compound 8, while compound 1 exhibited strong inhibiting activity of aldose reductase. The structureactivity relation was dicussed briefly.
Anti-Herpesvirus Activities of Pseudomonas sp. S-17 Rhamnolipid and its Complex with Alginate
Authors: Remichkova Mimi , Galabova Danka , Roeva Ivana , Karpenko Elena , Shulga Alexander , Galabov Angel S.
Published: February 2015

The rhamnolipid biosurfactant PS-17 and its complex with the polysaccharide alginate, both produced by the Pseudomonas sp. S-17 strain, were studied for their antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2. They significantly inhibited the herpesvirus cytopathic effect (CPE) in the Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell line. The investigations were carried out according to the CPE inhibition assay protocol. The suppressive effect of the compounds on HSV replication was dose-dependent and occurred at concentrations lower than the critical micelle concentration of the surfactant. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of rhamnolipid PS-17 was 14.5 μg/ml against HSV-1 and 13 μg/ml against HSV-2. The IC50 values of the complex were 435 μg/ml for HSV-1 and 482 μg/ml for HSV-2. The inhibitory effects of the substances were confirmed by measuring the infectious virus yields with the multicycle virus growth experimental design as well: ∆log CCID50 of 1.84−2.0 against the two types of herpes simplex viruses by rhamnolipid PS-17 (20 μg/ml), and a strong reduction of the HSV-2 virus yield under the effect of the alginate complex at a concentration of 450 μg/ml. The results indicate that rhamnolipid PS-17 and its alginate complex may be considered as promising substances for the development of anti-herpetic compounds.
Characterization of an Aminopeptidase and a Proline Iminopeptidase from Cabbage Leaves
Authors: Marinova Margarita , Dolashki Alexander , Altenberend Florian , Stevanovic Stefan , Voelter Wolfgang , Tchorbanov Bozhidar
Published: February 2015

Aminopeptidase, preferring phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide as substrate, and proline iminopeptidase, highly-specific for proline-p-nitroanilide, were isolated from cabbage leaves (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata). As pH optima, 7.2−7.5 for aminopeptidase activity and 8.0−8.5 for proline iminopeptidase were determined. Both peptidases were strongly inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, heavy metal ions and urea. The molecular weights were determined by gel filtration to be 56 and 204 kDa, respectively. The iminopeptidase was decomposed during SDS electrophoresis to four subunits of 50 kDa. Minor impurities of myrosinase- associated protein (~70 kDa) were found in both preparations. Preliminary data of their amino acid sequences showed similarities to those of aminopeptidases N (family M1) and proline iminopeptidases (family S33).
Essential Oil Composition of Laurus nobilis L. of Different Growth Stages Growing in Iran
Authors: Verdian-rizi Mohammadreza , Hadjiakhoondi Abbas
Published: February 2015

The chemical variations of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) have been studied. Plant material has been harvested at each phenological status (vegetative, before anthesis, full flowering and seed-bearing). The oils were obtained by hydrodistillation of the air-dried samples. Analysis by GC and GC-MS of the essential oils has allowed to identify 39 compounds. The main compounds were 1,8-cineole, trans-sabinene hydrate, α-terpinyl acetate, methyl eugenol, sabinene, eugenol and α-pinene.
Antinociceptive Activity and Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship of Chalcone-Like Compounds
Authors: Corrêa Rogério , Fenner Bruna Proiss , Buzzi Fátima de Campos , Filho Valdir Cechinel , Nunes Ricardo José
Published: February 2015

Chalcones belong to a class of α,β unsaturated aromatic ketones which occur abundantly in nature, especially in plants. They are promising and interesting compounds due to their vast applications in pharmaceuticals, agriculture and industry. Several studies have shown that these compounds exert important biological activities in different experimental models. The present work deals with the antinociceptive activity, evaluated against the writhing test, of three series of chalcone-like compounds obtained by the Claisen-Schmidt condensation, using different aldehydes and substituted acetophenones. The results reveal that the compounds synthesized show a significant antinociceptive effect compared with nonsteroidal drugs such as aspirin, paracetamol and diclofenac. They also show that the electronic demand of the substituents is the dominant factor of the biological activity.
Nematicidal Activities of Acetylene Compounds from Coreopsis lanceolata L.
Authors: Kimura Yasuo , Hiraoka Kensuke , Kawano Tsuyoshi , Fujioka Shozo , Shimada Atsumi
Published: February 2015

1-Phenylhepta-1,3,5-triyne (1), 5-phenyl-2-(1′-propynyl)-thiophene (2), and 2-(3′-acetoxy- 1′-propynyl)-5-phenylthiophene (3) were isolated from Coreopsis lanceolata L., and their structures identified by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 showed effective nematicidal activities against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Caenorhabditis elegans, but had hardly any effect against Pratylenchus penetrans. Compound 3 did not show any effective nematicidal activity.
Fucoxanthin, Tetraprenylated Toluquinone and Toluhydroquinone Metabolites from Sargassum heterophyllum Inhibit the in vitro Growth of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Afolayan Anthonia F. , Bolton John J. , Lategan Carmen A. , Smith Peter J. , Beukes Denzil R.
Published: February 2015

In the course of our search for antimalarial leads from marine algae, four metabolites, sargaquinoic acid, sargahydroquinoic acid, sargaquinal and fucoxanthin, were isolated from the South African alga Sargassum heterophyllum. Fucoxanthin and sargaquinal showed good antiplasmodial activity toward a chloroquine-sensitive strain (D10) of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 1.5 and 2.0 μm, respectively), while sargaquinoic acid and sargahydroquinoic acid were only moderately active (IC50 12.0 and 15.2 μm, respectively).
Molecular Investigations of the Soil, Rhizosphere and Transgenic Glufosinate-Resistant Rape and Maize Plants in Combination with Herbicide (Basta®) Application under Field Conditions
Authors: Ernst Dieter , Rosenbrock-Krestel Hilkea , Kirchhof Gudrun , Bieber Evi , Giunaschwili Nathela , Müller Rüdiger , Fischbeck Gerhard , Wagner Tobias , Sandermann Heinrich , Hartmann Anton
Published: February 2015

A field study was conducted during 1994 to 1998 on the Experimental Farm Roggenstein, near Fürstenfeldbruck, Bavaria, Germany to determine the effect of transgenic glufosinateresistant rape in combination with the herbicide Basta® [glufosinate-ammonium, phosphinothricin, ammonium (2RS)-2-amino-4-(methylphosphinato) butyric acid] application on soil microorganisms and the behaviour of the synthetic transgenic DNA in response to normal agricultural practice. No influence of Basta® on microbial biomass could be detected. The phospholipid fatty acid analysis of soil extracts showed no difference between Basta® application and mechanical weed control, whereas conventional herbicide application revealed a different pattern. Basta® application resulted in a changed population of weeds with a selective effect for Viola arvensis. During senescence, transgenic rape DNA was degraded similar to endogenous control DNA. After ploughing the chopped plant material in the soil, transgenic as well as endogenous control DNA sequences could be detected for up to 4 weeks for rape and up to 7 months for maize, whereas PCR analysis of composted transgenic maize revealed the presence of the transgene over a period of 22 months.
Charge Redistribution in Adenosylribosyl Transferase Caused by Substitution of a Single Amino Acid Residue
Authors: Gianniosis Mary , Berardi Valerio , Bonincontro Adalberto , Dabbs Eric , Risuleo Gianfranco
Published: February 2015

Dielectric measurements in the frequency range 105-108 Hz were performed on wild-type (wt) adenosylribosyl transferase and a mutant enzyme. The analysis of the dielectric relaxation curve allowed the estimation of the hydrodynamic radius and of the electric dipole moment. The first parameter remained unchanged in wt and mutant protein. The dipole moment of the mutant, however, was significantly increased. Implications on the electrostatic interactions between enzyme and substrate are discussed.
The Patterns of Base Sequences in the Nucleic Acids of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes Reflect Features of their Abiotic Past
Authors: Pontes Frederico , Rusu Victor , Neto Benício de Barros , Ferreira Ricardo
Published: February 2015

The base sequences of the nucleic acids corresponding to ten proteins (aconitase, alcohol dehydrogenase, enolase, fumarase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, pyruvate kinase and succinate dehydrogenase) belonging to a total of 154 species, ranging from prokaryotes to vertebrates, were compared with the base sequences of oligoribotides whose growth rates were calculated by a chemical kinetics model. It was shown that oligoribotides grown according to the kinetics model have a fraction of repetitive bases larger than expected from random processes. The base sequences of nucleic acids of prokaryotes and eukaryotes retain, in decreasing proportions, this feature of their abiotic past. Chemically synthesized pentameric stretches with repetitive bases are slightly more abundant than those present in prokaryotes. Genetic drift and natural selection, operating as fundamental laws even for the most primitive living systems, reduced the original, chemically controlled, repetitive base frequency in prokaryotes, which was further reduced for eukaryotes.
Phylogenetic Analyses of Plastid-Originated Proteins Imply Universal Endosymbiosis in Ancestors of Animals and Fungi
Authors: Yuan Shu , Guo Jian-Hua , Du Jun-Bo , Lin Hong-Hui
Published: February 2015

We searched and analyzed cyanobacteria-originated metazoa/fungi proteins (COPs) by phylogenetic analyses. Analysis of them showed that for millions of years universal plastid endosymbiosis and gene transfer occurred in ancestors of metazoa/fungi, and some transferred fragments have been reserved until now even in modern mammals. Most eukaryotes contained plastids in the ancient era, and some of them lost them later. Functions of homologues in cyanobacterial genomes and eukaryotic genomes are in consensus, and most are involved in the organic compound metabolism. With emergence of organelles and subcellular structure in eukaryotic cells, the locations of these proteins diversified. Furthermore, some novel functions were endowed for COPs, especially in vertebrates.
Extraction of Two Active Polysaccharides from the Yeast Cell Wall
Authors: Huang Gang L.
Published: February 2015

Yeast cell wall matrix particles are composed entirely of β-glucan and mannoprotein. Alkali-insoluble (1→3)-β-d-glucan was extracted from the yeast cell wall by an alkaline-acid method. IR spectra analysis showed that the product was chemically pure glucan, that is to say, it contained no other carbohydrates and proteins. So, the alkaline-acid method was ideal for extracting (1→3)-β- d-glucan from the yeast cell wall. We also purified and analyzed mannan oligosaccharides by the dilute alkali- Sevage method from the yeast cell wall.
Inhibition and Uncoupling of Photosynthetic Electron Transport by Diterpene Lactone Amide Derivatives
Authors: Castelo-Branco Pedro A. , dos Santos Flávio J. L. , Rubinger Mayura M. M. , Ferreira-Alves Dalton L. , Piló -Veloso Dorila , King-Díaz Beatriz , Lotina-Hennsen Blas
Published: February 2015

Nine diterpene lactone amide derivatives 1-9 were synthesized from 6-oxovouacapan- 7β,17β-lactone, which was obtained from 6α,7β-dihydroxyvouacapan-17β-oic acid isolated from Pterodon polygalaeflorus Benth., and tested for their activity on photosynthetic electron transport. Amide derivatives 3-5 behaved as electron transport chain inhibitors; they inhibited the photophosphorylation and uncoupled non-cyclic electron transport from water to methylviologen (MV). Furthermore, 4 and 5 enhanced the basal electron rate acting as uncouplers. Compound 6 behaved as an uncoupler; it enhanced the light-activated Mg2+-ATPase and basal electron flow, without affecting the uncoupled non-cyclic electron transport. Compounds 1-2 and 7-9 were less active or inactive. Compounds 3-5 did not affect photosystem I (PSI); they inhibited photosystem II (PSII) from water to 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP). Compound 4 inhibited PSII from water to silicomolybdate (SiMo), but it had no effect on the reaction from diphenylcarbazide (DPC) to DCPIP indicating that its inhibition site was at the water splitting enzyme complex (OEC). Compounds 3 and 5 inhibited PSII from water to DCPIP without any effect from water to SiMo, therefore they inhibited the acceptor site of PSII. Chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics confirmed the behaviour of 3-5