bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Covalent structure and some pharmacological features of native and cleaved α‐KTx12−1, a four disulfide‐bridged toxin from Tityus serrulatus venom
Authors: Pimenta A. M. C. , Mansuelle P. , Diniz C. R. , Martin‐Eauclaire M. F.
Published: February 2003

A toxin with four disulfide bridges from Tityus serrulatus venom was able to compete with 125I‐kaliotoxin on rat brain synaptosomal preparations, with an IC50 of 46 nM. The obtained amino acid sequence and molecular mass are identical to the previously described butantoxin. Enzymatic cleavages in the native peptide followed by mass spectrometry peptide mapping analysis were used to determine the disulfide bridge pattern of α‐KTx12−1. Also, after the cleavage of the first six N‐terminal residues, including the unusual disulfide bridge which forms an N‐terminus ring, the potency of the cleaved peptide was found to decrease about 100 fold compared with the native protein. Copyright © 2003 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of a soybean product fujiflavone P40 as an antiosteoporotic agent in rats
Authors: Hidaka Saburo , Okamoto Yoshizo , Miyazaki Koji , Uesugi Takehiko
Published: February 2003

The preventive effects of Fujiflavone P40 (a soybean isoflavone product) against both bone loss and periodontal alteration were evaluated using an ovariectomized rat model. Rats were divided into five groups: sham‐operated (Sham), ovariectomized (OVX), OVX given Fujiflavone P40, OVX given 17β‐oestradiol, and OVX given the vehicle for 17β‐oestradiol, respectively. Fujiflavone P40 contains 46.6% isoflavones which consist of 24.1% daidzin, 16.5% glycitin and 5.9% genistin. Administration of Fujiflavone P40 to OVX rats suppressed the body weight gain until 5 weeks. Fujiflavone P40 also decreased total and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterols and triglyceride level of OVX rats, significantly. After 7 weeks, Fujiflavone P40 did not recover the coarsened fibre of the periodontal ligament. The ovariectomy decreased the uterine weight by 78%. The administration of 17β ‐oestradiol recovered the weight loss by 99%, while Fujiflavone P40 restored it by 33%. The ovariectomy decreased the tibial bone mineral density (BMD) by 22%. The administration of 17β‐oestradiol to OVX rats recovered the tibial BMD decrease by 100%, while Fujiflavone P40 recovered it by 78%. The results suggest that Fujiflavone P40 may be useful as a preventive agent for osteoporosis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐influenza virus activity of crude extract of Ribes nigrum L.
Authors: Knox Yoko M. , Suzutani Tatsuo , Yosida Itsuro , Azuma Masanobu
Published: February 2003

This experiment was designed to detect the antiviral activities of crude fruit extracts of wild Ribes nigrum L. (Kurokarin extract) against influenza virus types A and B. Kurokarin extract was prepared as follows: fruits of Ribes nigrum L. were heated at 50 °C in a heating tank, and then ground under anaerobic conditions. The extracts were centrifuged, and the supernatant fluid was filtered and sterilized by infrared rays. The crude extract was diluted with Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM) and the solution was adjusted to a pH 7.2 with 0.1 N or 1 N NaOH. Proven anti‐influenza virus effects of the extracts were shown. The concentration of extract required to inhibit the plaque formation of both IVA and IVB by 50% (IC50) was 3.2 μg/mL. Both IVA and IVB were directly inactivated up to 99% by 10 μg/mL of the extract at pH 2.8, and 95% to 98% by this dose at pH 7.2. The growth of IVA in cells treated with 10 and 100 μg/mL of the extract for 6 h after infection was completely suppressed. Virus titres in culture fluids of the cells treated with 100 μg/mL of Kurokarin extract for 1 h at 8 to 9 h after infection, were completely suppressed, indicating that the extract inhibited the virus release from the infected cells. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new bioactive steroidal saponin from Sansevieria cylindrica
Authors: da Silva Antunes Alexandra , da Silva Bernadete Pereira , Parente José Paz , Valente Ana Paula
Published: February 2003

A new steroidal saponin was isolated from the leaves of Sansevieria cylindrica. Its structure was established as (3β,12β,15α,25S)‐26‐(β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐hydroxyfurost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 12‐O‐ (6‐deoxy‐α‐L‐mannopyranosyl)‐15‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐α‐L‐mannopyranosyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside. The structural identification was performed using detailed analyses of 1H and 13C NMR spectra including 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques (COSY, HETCOR, HMBC and HMQC) and chemical conversions. The steroidal saponin showed no haemolytic effects in the in vitro assays and demonstrated inhibition of the capillary permeability activity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro antiplasmodial evaluation of medicinal plants from Zimbabwe
Authors: Kraft Carola , Jenett‐Siems Kristina , Siems Karsten , Jakupovic Jasmin , Mavi Steven , Bienzle Ulrich , Eich Eckart
Published: February 2003

In this study the in vitro antiplasmodial activities of extracts from Cussonia spicata (Araliaceae), Artemisia afra, Vernonia colorata, V. natalensis (Asteraceae), Parinari curatellifolia (Chrysobalanaceae), Clutia hirsuta, Flueggea virosa, (Euphorbiaceae), Adenia gummifera (Passifloraceae) and Hymenodictyon floribundum, (Rubiaceae) were evaluated. The lipophilic extracts from the aerial parts of Artemisia afra and Vernonia colorata proved to be the most active against the chloroquine‐sensitive strain PoW and against the chloroquine‐resistant clone Dd2 of Plasmodium falciparum. Bioassay‐guided fractionation of the extract of A. afra yielded seven flavonoids, from which acacetin, genkwanin and 7‐methoxyacacetin showed in vitro activity; the IC50 values ranged from 4.3 μg/mL to 12.6 μg/mL. In addition, several sesquiterpene lactones could be obtained from the most active fractions. Whereas eudesmaafraglaucolide proved to be inactive, the guaianolides 1‐desoxy‐1α‐peroxy‐rupicolin A‐8‐O‐acetate, 1α,4α‐dihydroxybishopsolicepolide and rupicolin A‐8‐O‐acetate revealed in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Evaluation of V. colorata gained four sesquiterpenes 11β,13‐dihydrovernodalin, vernodalol, 11β,13‐dihydrovernolide and 11β,13,17,18‐tetrahydrovernolide, from which the first two constituents exhibited the strongest antiplasmodial activity (IC50 values: 1.1–4.8 μg/mL). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation, characterization and biological activity of betulinic acid and ursolic acid from Vitex negundo L.
Authors: Chandramu C. , Manohar Rao D. , Krupadanam David G. L. , Dashavantha Reddy V.
Published: February 2003

Two pentacyclic triterpenoids, betulinic acid (3β‐hydroxylup‐20‐(29)‐en‐28‐oic acid) (3), and ursolic acid (2β‐hydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid) (4), were isolated for the first time from leaves of Vitex negundo L. along with three other compounds; an aliphatic alcohol n‐hentriacontanol (1), β‐sitosterol (2) and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (5). Their antifeedant activity against the larvae of an agricultural pest, the castor semilooper (Achoea janata), in a no‐choice laboratory assay and their antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, by the paper disc method, were tested. Ursolic acid (4) showed more effective antifeedant activity than the betulinic acid (3). However, both these compounds have shown a very mild antibacterial activity. The other three compounds; n‐hentriacontanol (1), β‐sitosterol (2) and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (5) have shown a little antifeedant activity against the larvae and did not show any antibacterial activity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of intraduodenal application of peppermint oil (WS® 1340) and caraway oil (WS® 1520) on gastroduodenal motility in healthy volunteers
Authors: Micklefield George , Jung Oliver , Greving Irmgard , May Burkard
Published: February 2003

Enteric‐coated preparations containing a fixed peppermint oil/caraway oil combination (e.g. Enteroplant®) are widely used in patients with functional dyspepsia. The effect of a separate intraduodenal application of the active ingredients of Enteroplant® (90 mg peppermint oil (WS® 1340), 50 mg caraway oil (WS® 1520) per capsule) and of a hydrophobic phase galenic auxiliary material contained in the Enteroplant® formulation (dose as contained per capsule) on gastroduodenal motility were studied with stationary manometry in healthy volunteers. The carrier demanded by the experimental setup also served as a control. The results showed that: (1) during phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC) the frequency and duration of contractions showed a significant decrease in the duodenum for WS® 1340; (2) WS® 1520 significantly reduced the contraction amplitudes in the duodenum during phase I and II of the MMC; (3) trends for decreased values were seen for WS® 1340 in the gastric corpus and duodenum and for WS® 1520 in the gastric antrum; (4) in the gastric corpus the duration of contractions was significantly reduced after application of WS® 1340 during phases I and II of the MMC; (5) WS® 1520 significantly reduced the contraction amplitudes and the duration of contractions in the gastric corpus during phase III of the MMC; (6) for the hydrophobic phase a moderate but significant decrease of duration of contractions in the duodenum and of frequency of contractions in the gastric corpus was seen. No adverse events were observed during the study. In conclusion, it could be shown that both WS® 1340 and WS® 1520 contribute to the efficacy of Enteroplant®. They act locally in the stomach and duodenum to produce smooth‐muscle relaxation. The effects of the active ingredients WS® 1340 and WS® 1520 substantially exceed the effects observed with the galenic auxiliary material and the carrier, respectively. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of oral administration ofHypericum perforatum extract (St. John's Wort) on skin erythema and pigmentation induced by UVB, UVA, visible light and solar simulated radiation
Authors: Schempp Christoph M. , Winghofer Barbara , Müller Knut , Schulte‐Mönting Jürgen , Mannel Marcus , Schöpf Erwin , Simon Jan C.
Published: February 2003

Hypericin from St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a photosensitizing agent that may cause a severe photodermatitis when higher amounts of St John's wort are ingested by animals. Although Hypericum extracts are widely used in the treatment of depressive disorders, only a little information on the photosensitizing capacity of St John's wort in humans is available. In the present prospective randomized study we investigated the effect of the Hypericum extract LI 160 on skin sensitivity to ultraviolet B (UVB), ultraviolet A (UVA), visible light (VIS) and solar simulated radiation (SIM). Seventy two volunteers of skin types II and III were included and were divided into six groups, each consisting of 12 volunteers. In the single‐dose study the volunteers (n = 48) received 6 or 12 coated tablets (5400 or 10 800 μg hypericin). In the steady‐state study the volunteers (n = 24) received an initial dose of 6 tablets (5400 μg hypericin), and subsequently 3 × 1 tablets (2700 μg hypericin) per day for 7 days. Phototesting was performed on the volar forearms prior to medication and 6 h after the last administration of Hypericum extract. The erythema‐index and melanin‐index were evaluated photometrically using a mexameter. After both single‐dose and steady‐state administration, no significant influence on the erythema‐index or melanin‐index could be detected, with the exception of a marginal influence on UVB induced pigmentation (p = 0.0471) in the single‐dose study. The results do not provide evidence for a phototoxic potential of the Hypericum extract LI 160 in humans when administered orally in typical clinical doses up to 1800 mg daily. This is in accordance with previous pharmacokinetic studies that found hypericin serum and skin levels after oral ingestion of Hypericum extract always to be lower than the assumed phototoxic hypericin threshold level of 1000 ng/mL. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory effects of Oren‐Gedoku‐To (Huanglian‐Jie‐Du‐Tang) on free radical‐induced lysis of human red blood cells
Authors: Sekiya Nobuyasu , Shibahara Naotoshi , Sakakibara Iwao , Hattori Naoko , Goto Hirozo , Terasawa Katsutoshi
Published: February 2003

Oren‐gedoku‐to (Huanglian‐Jie‐Du‐Tang, OGT) has been used for the treatment of cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, gastritis and liver disease in Japan. The present study was to test our hypothesis that ingestion of Oren‐gedoku‐to extract (TJ‐15) would protect red blood cell (RBC) membrane from free radical‐induced oxidation if antioxidants in OGT could be absorbed and circulated in blood. When incubated with RBC suspension, OGT and its four constituting herbs provided strong protection for RBC membrane to hemolysis induced by 2,2‐azo‐bis (2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), an azo free radical initiator. The inhibitory effect was in a dose‐dependent manner at concentrations of 5 μg/ml to 500 μg/ml. Furthermore, the ingestion of 7.5 g of OGT (daily dose) was associated with a significant decrease in susceptibility of RBC to hemolysis in humans. The direct protection of RBC membrane from free‐radical attack as observed in the present study could provide an important pathophysiological basis for making use of the favorable hemorheological effect of OGT. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Hypericum rumeliacum subsp. apollinis (Boiss. & Heldr.)
Authors: Couladis M. , Chinou I. B. , Tzakou O. , Petrakis P. V.
Published: February 2003

The composition and the antimicrobial activity of the aerial parts of Hypericum rumeliacum are reported. Analysis was carried out by GC/MS. The major constituents were α‐pinene (43.80%), β‐pinene (9.82%), dehydro‐aromadendrene (6.81%) and α‐copaene (5.41%). The essential oil showed a moderate in vitro activity against the six Gram negative and positive bacteria and a stronger one against the three‐tested pathogenic activity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytotoxic Activity of Chalcones Isolated from Lonchocarpus Sericeus (Pocr.) Kunth
Authors: Cunha Geanne M. de Andrade , Fontenele Juvenia Bezerra , Nobre Júnior Hélio V. , de Sousa Francisco C. M. , Silveira Edilberto R. , Nogueira Nádia A. P. , de Moraes Manoel Odorico , Viana Glauce S. B. , Costa‐Lotufo Letícia V.
Published: February 2003

In the present study, it was demonstrated that the hexanic extract obtained from the roots of Lonchocarpus sericeus and one of its major components, derricin, but not lonchocarpin, show cytotoxic activity to fertilized sea urchin eggs. Both inhibited the first cleavage of sea urchin eggs in a dose‐dependent manner with an IC50 of 30.4 (26.2–35.3) μg/mL for the crude extract and 51.2 (42.1–62.3) μg/mL for derricin (n = 6, in both cases). Furthermore, the hexanic extract of L. sericeus, and the isolated compounds, derricin and lonchocarpin showed cytotoxicity against CEM leukaemic cell line (IC50 = 17.6 (13.7–22.6), 13.0 (12.0–14.0) and 10.4 (5.6–19.1) μg/ml (n = 6), respectively). When these substances (6.25 to 125 μg/25 μL) were examined for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, none of them were found to be active. Neither the hexanic extract, nor the isolated compounds derricin and lonchocarpin (0.5 to 250 μg/mL) presented hemolytic activity. These results indicated a possible antimitotic activity of L. sericeus crude extract and their major constituents. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory effects of triterpenes isolated from Hoelen on free radical‐induced lysis of red blood cells
Authors: Sekiya Nobuyasu , Goto Hirozo , Shimada Yutaka , Endo Yuichi , Sakakibara Iwao , Terasawa Katsutoshi
Published: February 2003

Hoelen, sclederma of Poria cocos Wolf, has long been used as a sedative and diuretic in traditional medicine. Formerly, we demonstrated that Hoelen in vitro protects red blood cells from AAPH‐induced hemolysis. In this study, tests were carried out to identify the main ingredient of Hoelen that has the scavenging effect on free‐radicals. Triterpene carboxylic acids isolated from the methanol extract of Hoelen, i.e. pachymic acid, polyporenic acid, 3‐epidehydrotumulosic acid, 3β‐hydroxylanosta‐7,9(11), 24‐trien‐21‐oic acid and 3‐o‐acetyl‐16 α ‐hydroxytrametenolic acid, were found to have inhibitory activities against AAPH‐induced lysis of red blood cells. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The in vivo antifungal activity of the aqueous extract from Nigella sativa seeds
Authors: Khan M. A. U. , Ashfaq M. K. , Zuberi H. S. , Mahmood M. S. , Gilani A. H.
Published: February 2003

The effect of an aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds was studied on candidiasis in mice. An intravenous inoculum of Candida albicans produced colonies of the organism in the liver, spleen and kidneys. Treatment of mice with the plant extract (6.6 mL/kg equivalent to 5 mg of estimated protein, once daily for 3 days) 24 h after the inoculation caused a considerable inhibitory effect on the growth of the organism in all organs studied. A 5‐fold decrease in Candida in kidneys, 8‐fold in liver and 11‐fold in spleen was observed in the groups of animals post‐treated with the plant extract. Histopathological examination of the respective organs confirmed these findings. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds exhibits inhibitory effect against candidiasis and this study validates the traditional use of the plant in fungal infections. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of Spatholobi caulis on tumour cell aggregation and migration
Authors: Kang In‐Cheol , Kim Seung‐Ae , Song Gyu Yong , Baek Nam‐In , Park Young‐Doo , Ryu Shi Yong , Saiki Ikuo , Kim Sung‐Hoon
Published: February 2003

The ethyl acetate (EA) fraction obtained from a methanol extract of Spatholobi caulis (Leguminosae) has been investigated for anti‐metastatic activities in vitro. The EA fraction of Spatholobi caulis inhibited platelet aggregation induced by B16BL6 melanoma cells with an IC50 of 50 μg/mL. The EA fraction significantly inhibited HT1080 cancer cell invasion through a matrigel‐coated filter with an IC50 of 25 μg/mL. Messenger RNA expression of uPA was effectively decreased in HT1080 cells by the EA fraction of Spatholobi caulis with an IC50 of 30 μg/mL, but the expressions of MMP‐2 (matrix metalloproteinase) and TIMPs (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases) were not changed. These findings indicated that the EA fraction suppressed tumour cell invasion by downregulation of uPA (urokinase‐type plasminogen activator). Taken together, these results suggest that the EA fraction of Spatholobi caulis may have anti‐metastatic activities by blocking tumour cell‐induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) and tumour cell invasion. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endothelium‐dependent contraction of rat thoracic aorta induced by gallic acid
Authors: Sanae Fujiko , Miyaichi Yukinori , Hayashi Hisao
Published: February 2003

The vascular effect of a component of hydrolysable tannins, gallic acid, was examined in isolated rat thoracic aorta. Gallic acid exerted a contractile effect on the phenylephrine‐ or prostaglandin F2/α‐precontracted endothelium‐intact arteries. In endothelium‐denuded arteries, the contractile response to­gallic acid was absent. Pretreatment with NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (30 μM) abolished the gallic acid‐induced contraction. Pretreatment with indomethacin (10 μM) or BQ610 (100 nM) had no observed effect. Pretreatment with gallic acid (1–10 μM) significantly attenuated the relaxation induced by acetylcholine, and that with 10 μM gallic acid also reduced the potency of sodium nitroprusside in the relaxation, without a reduction in efficacy, in endothelium‐denuded arteries. These findings indicate that gallic acid induced endothelium‐dependent contraction and strongly inhibited the endothelium‐dependent relaxation rather than the endothelium‐independent relaxation, probably through inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production. Since NO plays an important role in vasodilative regulation and inflammatory disorders, these findings may also indicate that gallic acid interferes with the inflammatory responses. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytotoxic sesquiterpene lactones from Centaurothamnus maximus and Vicoa pentanema
Authors: Muhammad Ilias , Takamatsu Satoshi , Mossa Jaber S. , El‐Feraly Farouk S. , Walker Larry A. , Clark Alice M.
Published: February 2003

The aerial parts of Centaurothamnus maximus yielded three cytotoxic guaianolides, chlorojanerin (1), cynaropicrin (2) and janerin (3). The structure elucidation of 1–3 was based on 1H and 13C NMR data, mainly 2D‐NMR 1H‐1H COSY and 1H‐13C HETCOR experiments. Compounds 1–3 showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines of malignant melanoma (SK‐MEL), epidermoid (KB), ductal (BT‐549) and ovarian (SK‐OV‐3) carcinomas with IC50 values of 2–6 μg/mL. In addition, 12 sesquiterpene lactones (4–15), isolated previously from the aerial parts of Vicoa pentanema, were evaluated for cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. 2α‐ Acetoxy‐3β‐hydroxyalantolactone (10) and 8β‐hydroxyparthenolide (14) were found to be the main cytotoxic agents (IC50 values of 2–6 μg/mL against SK‐MEL, BT‐549 and SK‐OV‐3), while lactones 4, 5, 11 and 15 selectively inhibited the growth of human malignant melonoma (IC50 value of 3.6–7.3 μg/mL). Cell aggregation and cell adhesion assays, using HL‐60 and HeLa cell lines, evaluated the effect of cytotoxic constituents 1–3, 10 and 14 on immune response and inflammation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antifungal, antioxidant and larvicidal activities of compounds isolated from the heartwood of Mansonia gagei
Authors: Tiew P. , Ioset J.‐R. , Kokpol U. , Chavasiri W. , Hostettmann K.
Published: February 2003

Eleven compounds isolated from the heartwood of Mansonia gagei were tested for their antifungal activities against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans, as well as for their larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti and radical scavenging properties in a DPPH assay. Mansonone C (4) was found to be the most interesting compound with antifungal activities against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans as well as for its larvicidal properties against Aedes aegypti. Mansonone E (5) was active against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans. Two coumarin derivatives, mansorin A (1) and mansorin B (2) were also found to be active against Cladosporium cucumerinum, while mansonone N (9) was the only isolated product to show radical scavenging properties. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening of some Greek aromatic plants for antioxidant activity
Authors: Couladis Maria , Tzakou Olga , Verykokidou Evmorfia , Harvala Catherine
Published: February 2003

The role of antioxidants in preventing oxygen radical and hydrogen peroxide induced cytotoxicity and tissue damage in various human diseases is increasingly recognized. In this study the in vitro antioxidant activity of the ethanol extracts obtained from 21 aromatic plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family was investigated. Of the extracts tested, those of Salvia ringens, Salvia pomifera, Stachys spruneri, Origanum dictamnus, Phlomis lanata, Ballota pseudodictamnus, Ballota acetabulosa, Teucrium polium, Calamintha glandulosa and Micromeria graeca exhibited the same activity as α‐tocopherol. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Panax notoginseng (Burk.) effects on fibrinogen and lipid plasma level in rats fed on a high‐fat diet
Authors: Cicero A. F. G. , Vitale G. , Savino G. , Arletti R.
Published: February 2003

Several studies have shown that notoginsenoides improve diastolic function in hypertensive subjects, induce the fibrinolytic system in in vitro models and act as antiproliferative agents on vessel leiomyocytes. Our aim was to evaluate their effect on fibrinogen and lipid plasma levels compared with a well‐known HMGCoA reductase inhibitor. Seventy Wistar male adult rats on a fat‐enriched diet were treated orally with P. notoginseng pulverized root (43 mg/kg/day or 86 mg/kg/day; 20 animals per group), fluvastatin (3 mg/kg/day; 20 animals) or physiological saline (5 mL/kg/day; 10 animals). The ten rats on a normocaloric diet were also treated with 5 mL/kg/day of physiological saline. After a 28‐day treatment, the rats were killed and their blood analysed with standard procedures. Treatment with 43 mg/kg/day of P. notoginseng or 3 mg/kg/day of fluvastatin showed similar activity in decreasing total cholesterol (−23.70%, −19.29%, respectively) and triglycerides (−21.59%, −18.55%). The most evident effect of P. notoginseng was the reduction of fibrinogenaemia in treated rats compared with the control values (−38.10%; p < 0.001), no dose‐relationship being shown in this effect. Moreover, no significant variation in HDL cholesterol and glucose levels was observed nor did relevant behavioural changes occur in association with the root intake. Besides a moderate, non dose‐related decrease in the plasma lipid levels, P. notoginseng appeared to induce a significant reduction in the rat fibrinogenaemia. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Garlic as an antioxidant: the good, the bad and the ugly
Authors: Banerjee S. K. , Mukherjee Pulok K. , Maulik S. K.
Published: February 2003

Garlic has played an important dietary and medicinal role throughout the history of mankind. In some Western countries, the sale of garlic preparations ranks with those of leading prescription drugs. The therapeutic efficacy of garlic encompasses a wide variety of ailments, including cardiovascular, cancer, hepatic and microbial infections to name but a few. However, the elucidation of its mechanism for therapeutic action has proved to be more elusive and a unifying theory, which could account for its reported multifarious activities, is yet to emerge. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) seem to be at the core of many disease processes and it is an attractive and convenient hypothesis that garlic might exert its activities through modulatory effects on ROS. A literature search on garlic and its antioxidant potential churned up a surprisingly large amount of data, some of it good, some bad and some of its definitely ugly.

Various preparations of garlic, mainly aged garlic extract (AGE), have been shown to have promising antioxidant potential. However, the presence of more than one compounds in garlic, with apparently opposite biological effects, has added to the complexity of the subject. Raw garlic homogenate has been reported to exert antioxidant potential but higher doses have been shown to be toxic to the heart, liver and kidney.

So where do we stand today on this issue of garlic? Is garlic always good for health? How safe is it? Is it necessary to isolate the antioxidant compounds for its medicinal use in a more effective way? These issues are addressed in this review. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory effects of Vietnamese medicinal plants on tube‐like formation of human umbilical venous cells
Authors: Nam Nguyen‐Hai , Kim Hwan‐Mook , Bae Ki‐Hwan , Ahn Byung‐Zun
Published: February 2003

Seven of 58 plant materials from Vietnamese medicinal plants showed strong to moderate inhibitory activity on the tube‐like formation induced by human umbilical venous endothelial cells in the in vitro angiogenesis assay. These plant materials include the herb of Ephedra sinica, leaves and stem of Ceiba pentandra, seed of Coix lachryma‐jobi, rhizome of Drynaria fortunei, fruits and stem of Illicium verum and stem of Bombax ceiba. Of these, the methanol extracts of the herb of Ephedra sinica and stem of ­Ceiba pentandra exhibited the strongest activities with inhibition percentages of 89.3% and 87.5% at 30 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Packaging throughout the value chain in the customer perspective marketing mix
Authors: Olsson Annika , Györei Micael
Published: February 2003

Lauterborn has suggested that McCarthy's 4 P marketing mix classification be viewed by suppliers as the customers' four Cs, i.e. customer value, cost to satisfy, convenience and communication (the 4C perspective).1 This paper seeks to illustrate the impacts of the four Cs on packaging value in the area of fast‐moving consumer goods throughout the whole value chain from the packaging producer to the end‐user, the consumer. Findings from two separate studies regarding trade‐offs in package values between different actors in the value chain, created through development of value‐adding package solutions, are presented and elaborated on. The positive effects of brand advertising can be acknowledged, but they cannot compensate for less efficient packaging. The market need will easily be affected and turned into a higher demand chain pull when creating packaging solutions that will attract retail business. Dynamics in values and trade‐offs were identified, even though requirements from the whole value chain were considered. The packaging solutions created gave the majority of stakeholders in the value chain great advantages, but the lack of dynamism in available infrastructure demanded adaptation that diminished value addition for all actors in the value chain. The contribution of this article is to theorize the 4C concept in the process of package design, taking value chain actor needs and value optimisation into consideration. Furthermore, a suggestion of an evaluation model from the 4C perspective on all value chain actors is presented and elaborated on. Copyright­© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of vacuum packaging and sodium acetate on the shelf life of seer fish during iced storage
Authors: Rajesh R. , Ravi Shankar C. N. , Srinivasa Gopal T. K. , Varma P. R. G.
Published: February 2003

This paper gives in detail the changes occurring in vacuum‐packed seer fish (Scomberomorus guttatus) during ice storage. Seer fish steaks were packed in laminated pouches to study the effect of vacuum packaging with and without sodium acetate treatment, in comparison with air‐packed samples. All these samples were stored in ice and were subjected to biochemical, microbiological and sensory evaluation at regular intervals. The shelf life of seer fish steaks packed without vacuum and treatment was 21 days, whereas sodium acetate‐treated steaks without vacuum and untreated vacuum‐packed steaks had a shelf life of 31 days. Steaks with sodium acetate treatment and vacuum packing had a shelf life of 34 days. Based on the results, it is observed that a combination of vacuum packaging and treatment with sodium acetate significantly increases the storage life of seer fish in ice. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Properties of nisin‐incorporated polymer coatings as antimicrobial packaging materials
Authors: Kim Young‐Min , An Duck‐Soon , Park Hyun‐Jin , Park Jong‐Moon , Lee Dong Sun
Published: February 2003

Nisin was incorporated into binder solutions of acrylic polymer and vinyl acetate‐ethylene co‐polymer, and then coated on to paper. Diffusive migration of incorporated nisin and the antimicrobial activity of the polymer coatings were investigated in order to understand the way of controlling nisin migration and the extent of microbial suppression by the coated paper. Vinyl acetate–ethylene co‐polymer exhibited a faster rate and higher degree of migration into aqueous food simulant solutions compared to acrylic polymer, and also exhibited a higher degree of suppression against Micrococcus flavus ATCC 10240 inoculated into the microbial medium. Addition of NaCl, sugar and citric acid to water significantly reduced the rate of diffusion of nisin in the case of acrylic polymer, while only slight change was observed due to the additive for vinyl acetate‐ethylene co‐polymer. The simulant type slightly affected the equilibrated migration level of nisin. When the nisin‐incorporated coatings were in contact with pasteurized milk and orange juice at 10°C, significant suppression of total aerobic bacteria and yeasts was observed without any noticeable difference between the two types of coatings. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of high‐pressure processing on selected polymeric materials and on the migration of a pressure‐transmitting fluid
Authors: Schauwecker A. , Balasubramaniam V. M. , Sadler G. , Pascall M. A. , Adhikari C.
Published: February 2003

This study investigated the migration of 1,2‐propanediol (PG) through selected food packaging films exposed to high‐pressure processing (HPP). Pouches made from these materials were filled with 95% ethanol as a food‐simulating liquid. These packages were then processed using a pilot‐scale high‐pressure food processor at 400, 600 and 827 MPa and 30, 50 and 75°C for 10 min. Controls were processed at similar temperatures and times, but at atmospheric pressure. To investigate any structural changes to these films during HPP, water was used as the food simulant at temperatures of 30, 75, 85, 90 and 95°C and at pressures of 200, 400, 690 and 827 MPa. No detectable PG migration into the polyester/nylon/aluminium (Al) polypropylene (PP) meal‐ready‐to eat (MRE)‐type pouches was observed. PG migration into the nylon/ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)/PE (EVOH) pouches was similar at 30, 50 and 75°C after 10 min under atmospheric pressure. However, PG migration into the EVOH pouches significantly decreased when treated with high pressure at 30, 50 and 75°C. At 75 and 50°C, the PG migration was significantly higher than the amounts detected at 30°C. Visible signs of delamination between the polypropylene (PP) and aluminum (Al) layers were observed in the MRE pouches processed at ≥200 MPa and 90°C for 10 min. This delamination appeared to occur between the PP and Al layers. The differential scanning calorimetric analyses and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were similar for the high‐pressure treated pouches when compared to their respective controls. This indicated that there were no HPP‐induced molecular changes to the treated pouches. Results from this study should be useful to HPP users for predicting PG migration trends and in deciding the selection of appropriate packaging materials for use under similar processing conditions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dropping damage boundary curves for cubic and tangent package cushioning systems
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Wei
Published: February 2003

The fatigue damage of most packaged products is caused by dropping shock in transportation. The concept of the dropping damage boundary curve is therefore very important in the design of a package cushioning system. This paper investigates the dropping shock equations and dropping damage boundary curves for cubic and tangent package cushioning systems. The results obtained in the present paper and the author's previous paper compose the complete description of product dropping damage for linear and typical non‐linear package cushioning systems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Excitation techniques for resonance analysis of packages
Authors: Rouillard Vincent
Published: February 2003

This paper discusses the advantages and drawbacks of various excitation techniques used to detect the vibration transmissibility characteristics of packaging systems, such as resonant frequencies and damping properties. Historical and background information on the commonly used sweep sine excitation technique is presented. In addition, more recent and sophisticated techniques, such as broad‐band random excitation, random burst, pulse and chirp excitation are discussed and their usefulness highlighted. More specifically, the suitability of these excitation techniques in stimulating and detecting the
non‐linear characteristics of packaging systems are considered. Some of the advantages of using low‐level and low‐duration excitation techniques to minimize potential damage to the test prototype are also expounded. Copyright
© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Network effects and competition: an empirical analysis of the home video game industry
Authors: Shankar Venkatesh , Bayus Barry L.
Published: February 2003

Building on the resource‐based view of the firm, we advance the idea that a firm's customer network can be a strategic asset. We suggest that network effects are a function of network size (i.e., installed customer base) and network strength (i.e., the marginal impact of a unit increase in network size on demand). We empirically study these network effects in the 16‐bit home video game industry in which the dominant competitors were Nintendo and Sega. In the spirit of the new empirical IO framework, we estimate a structural econometric model assuming the data are equilibrium outcomes of the best fitting noncooperative game in price and advertising. After controlling for other effects, we find strong evidence that network effects are asymmetric between the competitors in the home video game industry. Specifically, we find that the firm with a smaller customer network (Nintendo) has higher network strength than the firm with the larger customer base (Sega). Thus, our results provide a possible explanation for this situation in which the firm with a smaller customer network (Nintendo) was able to overtake the sales of a firm with a larger network size (Sega). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gaining from vertical partnerships: knowledge transfer, relationship duration, and supplier performance improvement in the U.S. and Japanese automotive industries
Authors: Kotabe Masaaki , Martin Xavier , Domoto Hiroshi
Published: February 2003

We study sources of operational performance improvement in supplier partnerships. We argue that supplier performance will benefit most where time‐bound relational assets have developed between a buyer and supplier and the firms exploit the resulting communication efficiency by transferring productive knowledge. We examine the effects of two forms of knowledge exchange together with the prior duration of the buyer–supplier relationship. We find similar interaction patterns in two survey samples of Japanese and U.S. automotive suppliers. The effect of ordinary technical exchanges on supplier performance improvement does not vary with relationship duration. The effect of higher‐level technology transfer, however, grows more positive as relationship duration increases. Other results show relevant contrasts consistent with heterogeneous sourcing behavior between the two countries. The findings highlight the role of relational assets and show that it is important to distinguish between simple techniques and higher‐level technological capabilities when studying interfirm relationships. This research extends the literatures on knowledge transfer, buyer–supplier partnerships, and the performance dynamics of interfirm and intrafirm relationships in general. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The emergence of sustainable industries: building on natural capital
Authors: Russo Michael V.
Published: February 2003

This paper focuses on the emergence and growth of sustainable industries, specifically analyzing the rise of the wind energy industry in California. Based on a favorable institutional environment and the presence of abundant natural capital, the wind energy industry took root and flourished in California during the last two decades. This paper analyzes this phenomenon by exploring the determinants of where and when wind energy projects would be established. Findings suggest that in locations where natural, social, and economic influences converged, greater wind energy activity followed. The paper advances a simple framework that uses natural capital, site specificity, and institutional environments to predict which sustainable industries will enjoy growth in coming decades. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping moral philosophies: strategic implications for multinational firms
Authors: Robertson Christopher J. , Crittenden William F.
Published: February 2003

Strategic managers appear increasingly under pressure from stakeholder concerns regarding social and ethical issues. Partially in response, the supply of ethical decision‐making models has grown rapidly. Business ethics scholars have broadened their scope to incorporate moral philosophies into their research endeavors. Despite these positive trends, the international focus of business ethics research has been slow to evolve. Yet, diverse moral philosophies, often most apparent across international borders, have important strategic implications for multinational firms. The ethical norms pursued by cross‐cultural alliance partners, distributors, suppliers, customers, financiers, and foreign government agencies can create public relations disasters, foster shareholder unrest, lead to consumer boycotts, and impact organizational outcomes. We seek to rectify the deficiency in international business ethics scholarship with two distinct contributions. First, we develop a new cross‐cultural, macro‐level model of societal ethics. Second, we map moral philosophies onto an established framework for assessing socioeconomic environments. These theoretical tools should assist managers of multinational organizations, international policy‐makers, and researchers to recognize and prepare for the ethical consequences of international strategic decisions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding competitive advantage in the general hospital industry: evaluating strategic competencies
Authors: Douglas Thomas J. , Ryman Joel A.
Published: February 2003

This study examines the drivers of competitive advantage within the hospital industry. Specifically, we examine both the direct and joint effects of market structure, firm‐level competencies, and interorganizational relationships on organizational performance. The results of this approach indicated that managers, through their strategic actions related to the capabilities and relationships they develop and deploy, can establish advantageous competitive positions and influence the negative effects of market structure by developing important strategic competencies. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corporate governance, investment bandwagons and overcapacity: an analysis of the worldwide petrochemical industry, 1975–95
Authors: Henderson James , Cool Karel
Published: February 2003

Previous research has provided conflicting arguments and evidence on which corporate governance system—bank based or market based—is better in preventing managers from investing in value‐destroying projects. This paper attempts to further the debate by comparing the effect of these different corporate governance systems on preventing capacity expansion bandwagon behavior in the worldwide petrochemical industry in the period 1975–95. Our study shows, first, that neither system is particularly effective in curbing overinvestment; however, the market‐based system seems to be less ineffective than the bank‐based system. Second, free cash flow appears to drive greater bandwagon behavior in the market‐based system than in the bank‐based system. Finally, within the bank‐based system, companies that rely on one bank–shareholder are more likely to join the bandwagon than those with more than one. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ASAB: a Chinese screen reader
Authors: Luk R. W. P. , Yeung D. S. , Lu Q. , Leung H. L. , Li S. Y. , Leung F.
Published: February 2003

This paper describes the design and development of a computer interface for blind and visually‐impaired users, who are native speakers of Cantonese (i.e. a Chinese dialect). Apart from enabling the interface to (1) produce Chinese voice output, (2) convert Chinese characters to Braille codes, (3) facilitate Chinese Braille input, and (4) operate in a Microsoft Chinese Windows environment, the significant aspects of this paper include the following: (1) the description of an integrated architecture, which can be used for other languages; (2) a general bilingual Braille input mechanism; (3) a sentence‐based input method that can be used for contracted‐Braille‐to‐text conversion with an error rate of about 6%, operating at about 700 characters/second using a Pentium II 300 MHz PC; (4) a code‐mixed synthesis module for general bilingual and multilingual applications; (5) the potential to directly adopt the system for use with other ideographic languages (like Japanese and Korean), as well as agglutinating languages like Finnish and Turkish, which have no space between words. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Jini‐based software framework for developing distributed cooperative decision support systems
Authors: Gachet Alexandre , Haettenschwiler Pius
Published: February 2003

Many mission‐critical, decision‐making situations happen in dynamic, rapidly changing, and often unpredictable environments. Military, governmental, and medical contexts are examples of such situations, which can be characterized by highly decentralized, up‐to‐date data sets coming from various sources. Unlike other decision‐making tools, decision support systems (DSS) designed for such situations are challenged by the need to access this decentralized data at any time, from anywhere, under tight time constraints.

This paper presents the design of a software framework for developing these kinds of distributed DSSs. The proposed Java‐based framework relies mostly on the Jini technology and its JavaSpaces service. The construction of the framework is presented with UML class diagrams, UML sequence diagrams, and additional explanations. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Lambda Library: unnamed functions in C++
Authors: Järvi Jaakko , Powell Gary , Lumsdaine Andrew
Published: February 2003

The Lambda Library (LL) adds a form of lambda functions to C++, which are common in functional programming languages. The LL is implemented as a template library using standard C++; thus no language extensions or preprocessing is required. The LL consists of a rich set of tools for defining unnamed functions. In particular these unnamed functions work seamlessly with the generic algorithms in the C++ Standard Library. The LL offers significant improvements, in terms of generality and ease of use, compared to the current tools in the C++ Standard Library. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating position of mobile terminals from path loss measurements with survey data
Authors: McGuire M. , Plataniotis K. N. , Venetsanopoulos A. N.
Published: February 2003

Estimating the position of mobile terminals is an important problem for cellular networks. A low cost method of locating the mobile terminal is to use measurements of the radio path loss. The distribution of radio path loss is, unfortunately, a non‐linear function of the mobile terminal location. The non‐linearity results from large obstacles to radio‐wave propagation such as buildings or hills. This paper demonstrates how the conditional density of the location given measured path loss can be approximated as a sum of kernel density functions based on radio propagation data collected from propagation surveys or estimated from computer models. Using these approximate density functions an accurate location estimate of a mobile terminal can be estimated from measured path loss values contaminated by measurement noise. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.