bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic Identifi cation of New Ellagitannins and a Trigalloylglucosylkaempferol from an Extract of Euphorbia cotinifolia L. with Antitumour and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Marzouk Mohamed S. , Moharram Fatma A. , Gamal-Eldeen Amira , Damlakhy Iman M.
Published: January 2015

5

From an extract of leaves and small branches of Euphorbia cotinifolia L., 17 polyphenols were isolated including two new ellagitannins and a trigalloyl-glucosylkaempferol. Based on extensive spectral data (UV, ESI-MS, 1H NMR, DEPT and 1D/2D NMR) and chemical studies, their structures were characterized as 1-O-galloyl-3,6-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-DB1,4- glucopyranose (), 1-O-galloyl-3,6-valoneoyl-D-B1,4-glucopyranose (6), and kaempferol 3-O-(2”,3”,6”-tri-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (13). Biological evaluation indicated that the 80% aqueous methanol extract (AME), chloroform extract (CE), and some pure compounds have potent scavenging activity in the DPPH assay with SC50 values lower than that of ascorbic acid, especially 5, 7 - 9, and a mixture of hyperin 6”-gallate (11) and isoquercitrin 6”-gallate (12). Moreover, using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay, 6 and 8 exhibited the highest inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep-G2), while AME, CE, 5, 7, 9, and the mixture of 11 and 12 were found to be moderate growth inhibitors according to their IC50 values. In addition, AME, 5, and 8 exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against colon carcinoma cells (HCT-116); however, CE and the other examined compounds displayed moderate to low antitumour activity against HCT-116 cells
Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Geum iranicum and its Main Compounds
Authors: Shahani Somayeh , Monsef-Esfahani Hamid R. , Saeidnia Soodabeh , Saniee Parastoo , Siavoshi Farideh , Foroumadi Alireza , Samadi Nasrin , Gohari Ahmad R.
Published: January 2015

Geum iranicum Khatamsaz, belonging to the Rosaceae family, is an endemic plant of Iran. The methanol extract of the roots of this plant showed signifi cant activity against one of the clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori which was resistant to metronidazole. The aim of this study was the isolation and evaluation of the major compounds of G. iranicum effective against H. pylori. The compounds were isolated using various chromatographic methods and identifi ed by spectroscopic data (1H and 13C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, EI-MS). An antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed employing the disk diffusion method against clinical isolates of H. pylori and a micro dilution method against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; additionally the inhibition zone diameters (IZD) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values were recorded. Nine compounds were isolated: two triterpenoids, uvaol and niga-ichigoside F1, three sterols, β-sitosterol, β-sitosteryl acetate, and β-sitosteryl linoleate, one phenyl propanoid, eugenol, one phenolic glycoside, gein, one fl avanol, (+)-catechin, and sucrose. The aqueous fraction, obtained by partitioning the MeOH extract with water and chloroform, was the most effective fraction of the extract against all clinical isolates of H. pylori. Further investigation of the isolated compounds showed that eugenol was effective against H. pylori but gein, diglycosidic eugenol, did not exhibit any activity against H. pylori. The subfraction D4 was the effective fraction which contained tannins. It appeared that tannins were probably the active compounds responsible for the anti-H. pylori activity of G. iranicum. The aqueous fraction showed a moderate inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The MIC values indicated that Gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Bacillus subtilis are more susceptible than Gram-neagative bacteria including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Improvement of Amorpha-4,11-diene Production by a Yeast-Conform Variant of Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin
Authors: Shen Junhao , Zheng Haina , Zhi Xiaohui , Shi Yanwei , Huang Yong , Wang Wei , Chen Yongqin , Kong Jianqiang , Zhu Ping
Published: January 2015

Amorpha-4,11-diene is the precursor of the antimalarial compound artemisinin. The effect of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) and its yeast-conform variant (VHbm) on amorpha-4,11- diene production in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. First, the VHb gene was mutated to the yeast-conform variant VHbm based on step-by-step extension of a short region of the gene through a series of polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The artificial VHbm gene contained codons preferred by the yeast translation machinery. Two yeast expression vectors containing VHb or VHbm gene were constructed and introduced into the amorpha-4,11-diene-producing strain S. cerevisiae WK1 to form WK1[VHb] and WK1[VHbm], respectively. Western blot and CO-difference spectrum absorbance assay showed that VHb and VHbm were successfully expressed. In shake fl asks, VHbm expression conferred higher cell growth than VHb expression. GC-MS results indicated the amorpha- 4,11-diene production in WK1[VHbm] and WK1[VHb] was 3- and 2-fold higher than that in WK1, respectively. This suggests that VHb might improve the amorpha-4,11-diene production in engineered S. cerevisiae
Carbocisteine Reduces the Cytotoxicity of Oxaliplatin
Authors: Zhai Qing , Bianc Xiao-Lan , Lu Sheng-Rong , Zhu Bin , Yu Bo
Published: January 2015

Hepatic injury induced by oxaliplatin has been reported. Even though agents are available that reduce oxaliplatin-induced hepatocyte toxicity, their mode of action has remained obscure. In the present study, hepatic L02 cells were incubated with different combinations of oxaliplatin and carbocisteine. Significantly increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were found in L02 cells treated with oxaliplatin. Using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) as an indicator of cell viability and fl ow cytometry, we found that carbocisteine could reverse oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis of L02 cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that oxaliplatin could induce apoptosis of L02 cells by reducing the Bcl-2/Bim ratio, stimulating the cytochrome c release, and activating caspase-3. All of these effects could be suppressed by carbocisteine. We further found that carbocisteine did not affect the anticancer effect of oxaliplatin against HT-29 cells. This is the first report opening prospects for the clinical use of carbocisteine in the pretreatment against liver injury accompanying the chemotherapy regimen with oxaliplatin
The Inhibitory Activity of Typified Propolis against. Enterococcus Species
Authors: Moncla Bernard J. , Guevara Peter W. , Wallace James A. , Marcucci Maria C. , Nor Jacques E. , Bretz Walter A.
Published: January 2015

Propolis, a natural bee product widely used for its antimicrobial activity, was tested against isolates of Enterococcus from humans, pig-tailed macaques, isolates of refractory endodontic treatment cases, and isolates from Lactobacillus-containing food supplements. Typification of the propolis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by which prenylated compounds, cinnamic acid derivatives, and fl avonoids were detected as the main constituents. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using the agar dilution method. All human and animal Enterococcus isolates demonstrated MIC values of 1600 μg/mL. Enterococcal species of human and animal origin were inhibited by propolis. Particularly, human isolates of E. faecium and E. faecalis of refractory endodontic treatment cases were susceptible to propolis of Brazilian origin
Isolation of New Cytotoxic Metabolites from Cleome droserifolia Growing in Egypt
Authors: Ezzat Shahira M. , Motaal Amira Abdel
Published: January 2015

The sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the aqueous (AqEx) and ethanolic (AlEx) extracts, respectively, of the aerial parts of Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Del. against two human cancer cell lines, breast (MCF7) and colon (HCT116) adenocarcinoma. AqEx exhibited higher cytotoxic activity, thus its four subfractions, namely n-hexane (HxFr), chloroform (ClFr), ethyl acetate (EtFr), and n-butanol (BuFr) fractions, were also tested. Purifi cation of the more active ClFr and EtFr yielded nine compounds. Six terpenoids, guai-7(11),8-diene (C1), 1-hydroxy-guai-3,10(14)-diene (C2), 18-hydroxydollabela- 8(17)-ene (C3), (24E)-stigmasta-5,8-dien-3β-ol (C4), teucladiol [1α,5β-guai-10(14)- ene-4β,6β-diol] (C5), and buchariol (4,10-epoxy-6α-hydroxyguaiane) (C6), were isolated from ClFr and three fl avonol glycosides, isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (F1), quercetin- 3`-methoxy-3-O-(4``-acetylrhamnoside)-7-O-α-rhamnoside (F2), and kaempferol-4`-methoxy- 3,7-O-dirhamnoside (F3), were isolated from EtFr. Compounds C3 and F2 are new in nature. The isolated compounds were identifi ed using various spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, 1H NMR,13C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, and COSY). Compounds C1, C3, F2, and F3 showed significant cytotoxic activities against the two tested cell lines comparable to those of the anticancer drug doxorubicin®. The new compound C3 was the most active as it had the lowest IC50 values, (1.9 ± 0.08) and (1.6 ± 0.09) μg/ml corresponding to 6.5 and 5.4 μM, against MCF7 and HCT116 cells, respectively
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil and Extracts of Saurauia lantsangensis Hu Root
Authors: Zhu Liang , Zhu Si-ming , Tian Ying-juan
Published: January 2015

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and n-hexane (HEE), chloroform (CHE), ethyl acetate (EAE), and methanol (MEE) extracts, respectively, from the root of Saurauia lantsangensis Hu were investigated. The GC-MS analysis revealed 39 compounds representing 96.41% of the oil containing T-muurolol (13.85%), acetophenone (7.46%), α-cadinol (6.26%), methyl palmitate (5.36%), n-hexadecanoic acid (4.31%), torreyol (3.69%), and isospathulenol (3.48%) as major components. Antioxidant activities determined by three various testing systems, i. e. DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, and reducing power assay, increased in the order: HEE < CHE < oil < MEE < EAE. CHE, EAE, MEE and oil exhibited a promising antimicrobial effect determined as the diameter of zones of inhibition (13.3 - 16.2, 16.5 - 20.4, 13.5 - 16.6, and 16.5 - 22.7 mm), respectively, along with their respective MIC values (500 - 1000, 125 - 500, 250 - 500, and 250 - 500 μg/ml) against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli), Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), and a yeast (Hansenula anomala).
Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from the Egyptian Red Sea Seagrass Thalassodendron ciliatum
Authors: Hamdy Abdel-Hamid A. , Mettwally Walaa S. A. , Fotouh Mohamed Abou El , Rodriguez Benjamin , El-Dewany Ahmed I. , El-Toumy Sayed A. A. , Hussein Ahmed A.
Published: January 2015

Five flavonoids (rutin, asebotin, 3-hydroxyasebotin, quercetin-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, and a racemic mixture of catechin) and caffeic acid were isolated and identified for the first time from seagrass, Thalassodendron ciliatum, collected from the Hurghada region in Egypt. The crude extract and the isolated pure compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HCT-116, HEPG, MCF-7, and HeLa human cancer cell lines, for their antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex and hepatitis A viruses, and for their antioxidant activity
Evaluation of the Potential Cardioprotective Activity of Some Saudi Plants against Doxorubicin Toxicity
Authors: Ashour Osama M. , Abdel-Naim Ashraf B. , Abdallah Hossam M. , Nagy Ayman A. , Mohamadin Ahmed M. , Abdel-Sattar Essam A.
Published: January 2015

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic widely used as a chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of several tumours. However, its cardiac toxicity limits its use at maximum therapeutic doses. Most studies implicated increased oxidative stress as the major determinant of DOX cardiotoxicity. The local Saudi flora is very rich in a variety of plants of quite known folkloric or traditional medicinal uses. Tribulus macropterus Boiss., Olea europaea L. subsp. africana (Mill.) P. S. Green, Tamarix aphylla (L.) H. Karst., Cynomorium coccineum L., Cordia myxa L., Calligonum comosum L’ Hér, and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal are Saudi plants known to have antioxidant activities. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential protective effects of methanolic extracts of these seven Saudi plants against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Two plants showed promising cardioprotective potential in the order Calligonum comosum > Cordia myxa. The two plant extracts showed potent in vitro radical scavenging and antioxidant properties. They significantly protected against DOX-induced alterations in cardiac oxidative stress markers (GSH and MDA) and cardiac serum markers (CK-MB and LDH activities). Additionally, histopathological examination indicated a protection against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, C. comosum and C. myxa exerted protective activity against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, which is, at least partly, due to their antioxidant effect
Repellent and Insecticide Activity of Pelargonium x hortorum against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.)
Authors: Farag Mohamed , Ahmed Mohamed H. M. , Yousef Heba , El-badawey Samy S. , El-Ghany Melegi A. Abd , Abdel-Rahman Adel A.-H.
Published: January 2015

Insecticide and repellent activity of an acetone extract and oil from fresh leaves of Pelargonium x hortorum (cv. Orangesonne) were evaluated against the 2nd and 4th instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The oil showed medium toxicity against the 2nd instar and low toxicity against the 4th instar larvae, while the extract showed high significant toxicity at all concentrations tested against the two instars. On the other hand, both oil and extract exhibited highly significant repellency against the two tested instars. Volatile constituents of the oil were also identified by GC-MS analysis.
Enzymatic Degradation of Congo Red by Turnip (Brassica rapa) Peroxidase
Authors: Ahmedi Afaf , Abouseoud Mahmoud , Couvert Annabelle , Amrane Abdeltif
Published: January 2015

The enzyme peroxidase is known for its capacity to remove phenolic compounds and aromatic amines from aqueous solutions and also to decolourize textile effluents. This study aims at evaluating the potential of a turnip (Brassica rapa) peroxidase (TP) preparation in the discolouration of textile azo dyes and effluents. An azo dye, Congo Red (CR), was used as a model pollutant for treatment by the enzyme. The effects of various operating conditions like pH value, temperature, initial dye and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, contact time, and enzyme concentration were evaluated. The optimal conditions for maximal colour removal were at pH 2.0, 40 °C, 50 mM hydrogen peroxide, 50 mg/l CR dye, and TP activity of 0.45 U/ml within 10 min of incubation time. Analysis of the by-products from the enzymatic treatment by UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy showed no residual compounds in the aqueous phase and a precipitate of polymeric nature.
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and Liquid Chromatography-Ultraviolet/Visible Photodiode Array Analysis of Selected Colchicum Species
Authors: Gharaibeh Ahmad A. , Al-Serini Ala’a , Qasaymeh Rana M. , Ma’aya’h Amani S. , Tawaha Khaled , El-Elimat Tamam , Alali Feras Q.
Published: January 2015

An in-house strategy to dereplicate colchicinoid alkaloids was recently developed by our team. It aimed at quickly identifying Colchicum constituents using LC-MS (liquid chromatography- mass spectroscopy) and LC-UV/Vis PDA (liquid chromatography-ultraviolet/ visible photodiode array) techniques. In this project, our goal was to validate the developed method through analysing the alkaloid-rich fractions of three Colchicum species that had been previously studied phytochemically using the traditional bioactivity-guided fractionation methodology. The analysed species were Colchicum tauri Siehe ex Stefanoff, Colchicum stevenii Kunth, and Colchicum tunicatum Feinbr., all belonging to the family Colchicaceae. In addition to identifying the compounds previously isolated and characterized by the traditional methodology, the new strategy succeeded in tentatively identifying a set of known compounds, but new to the species
Orofacial Analgesic-Like Activity of Carvacrol in Rodents
Authors: Guimarães Adriana G. , Silva Francilene V. , Xavier Maria A. , Santos Márcio R. V. , Oliveira Rita C. M. , Oliveira Makson G. B. , Oliveira Aldeídia P. , De Souza Clisiane C. , Quintans-Júnior Lucindo J.
Published: January 2015

Carvacrol (CARV) is a phenolic monoterpene present in the essential oil of several aromatic spices. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of CARV on formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced orofacial nociception in mice. Male mice were pretreated with CARV [25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight (BW), intraperitoneal (i.p.)], morphine (5 mg/kg BW, i.p.), or vehicle (distilled water + one drop of 0.3% cremophor in distilled water), before formalin (20 μl, 2%), capsaicin (20 μl, 2.5 μg), or glutamate (40 μl, 25 μM) was injected into the right upper lip. Our results revealed that i.p. pretreatment with CARV was effective in reducing the nociceptive face-rubbing behaviour in both phases of the formalin test and also produced a signifi cant antinociceptive effect at all doses in the capsaicin and glutamate tests. Further, we showed that the action of CARV on the central nervous system (CNS) did not affect these results, since this compound did not exert a significant CNS-depressant effect, as shown by the pentobarbital-induced hypnosis. Our results suggest that CARV might represent an important tool for the treatment of orofacial pain
Study of the Proteolytic Activity of the Tropical Legume Crotalaria spectabilis
Authors: Pacheco Juliana da Silva , da Silva-Lopez Raquel Elisa
Published: January 2015

The characterization of legume proteases contributes to the understanding of the physiology of plants and their interaction with the environment. Thirteen extracts from various parts of Crotalaria spectabilis were made using different extraction systems. The highest protein content was found in seeds, and the most pronounced proteolytic activity was observed in leaf extracts, with an optimal pH value in the alkaline range. Proteases in extracts from roots, stems, and fl owers were active in various pH ranges. Proteases in all extracts were maximally active between 30 °C and 60 °C and were thermostable (24 h, 60 °C). Hemoglobin, bovine serum albumin, casein, and gelatin were hydrolyzed by C. spectabilis extracts in different ways. The highest serine protease activity was found in leaves. Seeds contained high levels of serine proteases and low levels of cysteine proteases. Flowers, roots, and stems contained different levels of serine, aspartic, and metalloproteases, respectively. The proteolytic activities in extracts were modulated by cations and oxidants to various degrees. C. spectabilis proteases are differentially expressed in distinctive organs, and their stability against heat and oxidants makes this plant an important source of stable proteases
New Furanocoumarins and Other Chemical Constituents from Ficus carica Root Heartwood
Authors: Jaina Renuka , Jain Satish C. , Bhagchandani Teena , Yadav Namita
Published: January 2015

Two new furanocoumarins, 5-(1”,1”-dimethylallyl)-8-methyl psoralen (1) and 2-O-acetyl oxypeucedanin hydrate-3”-methyl ether (2), were isolated from the root heartwood of Ficus carica Linn. together with three known furanocoumarins, two triterpenoids, two long-chain compounds, and a steroid. Their structures and relative confi gurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR) and by comparison of their NMR spectral data with those of related compounds
A New Flavonoid C-Glycoside from Solanum elaeagnifolium with Hepatoprotective and Curative Activities against Paracetamol- Induced Liver Injury in Mice
Authors: Hawas Usama W. , Soliman Ghadir M. , El-Kassem Lamia T. Abou , Farrag Abdel Razik H. , Mahmoud Khaled , León Francisco
Published: January 2015

A new flavonoid C-glycoside, kaempferol 8-C-β-galactoside, along with twelve known glycosidic flavonoids was isolated from the aqueous methanolic extract of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (Solanaceae), by conventional chromatographic methods; their structure elucidation was achieved using UV, ESI-MS, and NMR spectral analyses. Groups of six mice were administered S. elaeagnifolium extracts at 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg body weight (BW) prior to or post administration of a single dose of paracetamol (500 mg/kg BW). The extract showed signifi cant hepatoprotective and curative effects against histopathological and histochemical damage induced by paracetamol in liver. The extract also ameliorated the elevation in glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. These findings were accompanied by a nearly normal architecture of the liver in the treated groups, compared to the paracetamol control group. As a positive control, silymarin was used, an established hepatoprotective drug against paracetamol-induced liver injury. This study provides the first validation of the hepatoprotective activity of S. elaeagnifolium
Biosurfactant Production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa BN10 Cells Entrapped in Cryogels
Authors: Christova Nelly , Petrov Petar , Kabaivanova Lyudmila
Published: January 2015

Production of a rhamnolipid biosurfactant by cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain BN10 immobilized into poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) cryogels was investigated under semicontinuous shake fl ask conditions and compared to biosurfactant secretion by free cells. The biosurfactant synthesis was followed over 9 cycles of operation of the immobilized system, each cycle comprising 7 days at ambient temperature and neutral pH. Type and quantity of the carrier were optimized for the rhamnolipid production. The highest rhamnolipid yield of 4.6 g l-1 was obtained in the 6th cycle for the immobilized system with 3 g PEO compared to 4.2 g l-1 obtained for the free cells, thus immobilization provided physiological stability of the cells. Scanning electron microscopy revealed preservation of the cell shape and regular distribution of the cells under the matrix surface. The polymer matrices possessed chemical and biological stability and very good physico-mechanical characteristics which are a prerequisite for a high life span of these materials for the production of rhamnolipids
Cloning, Expression, and Purification of a Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase from Jatropha curcas
Authors: Ou-yang Chao , Gao Shun , Cai Feng , Chung Tsair-Wang , Wang Sheng-hua , Chen Fang
Published: January 2015

We report cDNA cloning, expression, purification, and characterization of a novel Cu/ Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) from Jatropha curcas leaves. The full-length cDNA of this SOD contained a 496-bp open-reading frame (ORF) encoding 162 amino acid residues. The recombinant plasmid containing the SOD coding sequence was introduced into Escherichia coli, and the SOD was expressed as a fusion protein. The recombinant SOD was purified from a high-density fed-batch culture using a combination of immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and Sephadex G25 desalting chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis indicated that the recombinant SOD was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of approximately 16.4 kDa. Isoelectric focusing showed that this SOD was a basic protein with pI values of 7.04, 7.33, 8.62, and 8.77. The activity of the SOD was stable at 70 °C for 10 min, and in a broad pH range from 4 to 9. The presence of urea (up to 8 M), guanidinium chloride (up to 6 M), and 2-mercaptoethanol (up to 8 mM) had little effect on the activity. The activity decreased gradually with increasing concentrations of imidazole, hydrogen peroxide, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Atomic absorption spectrometry showed the presence of 0.239 copper and 0.258 zinc atoms, respectively, in the SOD polypeptide
More Insight into the Chemical Composition of Greek Propolis; Differences and Similarities with Turkish Propolis
Authors: Çelemli Ömür G. , Hatjina Fani , Charistos Leonidas , Schiesser Aygün , Özkırım Aslı
Published: January 2015

We aimed to determine the differences and similarities between Greek and Turkish propolis with respect to their chemical composition given that the two countries have many similarities in fl oral biodiversity. We observed that: a) Greek propolis is different from the European-type propolis, having a high terpene content; therefore we can definitely characterize it as a Mediterranean type; b) the Turkish propolis collected along the coast line of the Aegean Sea is similiar to the examined Greek propolis; c) the remaining Turkish samples, originating from the European part of Turkey, were found to be similiar to the Europeantype propolis, having a high fl avonoid content. Finally, especially two compounds, β-elemene and totarol, were found in Greek samples in quite high amounts that are thought to have important biological properties.
Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities of the Aqueous Extract from the Rhizome of Phragmites australis
Authors: Chen Song , Ju Minli , Luo Yin , Chen Zhongjian , Zhao Changpo , Zhou Yang , Fu Jie
Published: January 2015

The rhizome of Phragmites australis has long been used for the treatment of hepatitis in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of an aqueous extract from the rhizome of P. australis (AE-PA) were evaluated. The acute toxicity test in mice showed that AE-PA was nontoxic since a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) did not cause toxic symptoms or mortality. The prolongation of hexobarbitalinduced sleeping time by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration to mice was significantly reduced after pretreatment with AE-PA at 500 mg/kg b.w., proving the protective effect of the extract on microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme. The oral administration of AE-PA to rats for 5 days before CCl4 intoxication caused a significant decrease in the CCl4- induced elevation of hepatic enzymes activities in serum, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactic acid dehydrogenase. This suggested that AE-PA had good hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced liver injury, which was confirmed by pathomorphological examination of the liver. Through evaluation of hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities, respectively, it was demonstrated that AE-PA had good antioxidant activity, which possibly contributed to its hepatoprotective activity. More research is needed to study the bio-active compounds in P. australis and to identify the potential hepatoprotective and antioxidant agents.
Novel Benzoxazoles: Synthesis and Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antitubercular Activity against Antibiotic-Resistant and -Sensitive Microbes
Authors: Arisoy Mustafa , Temiz-Arpaci Ozlem , Kaynak-Onurdag Fatma , Ozgen Selda
Published: January 2015

A new series of 5-(p-substituted benzamido/phenylacetamido)-2-(p-tert-butylphenyl)benzoxazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antimycobacterial activities against antibiotic-resistant and -sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as against Candida albicans and Candida krusei. The compounds possessed broad-spectrum activity against all of the tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts, their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging between 16 - 128 μg/ml. One compound exhibited significant antibacterial activity (16 μg/ml) against an antibioticresistant Enterococcus faecalis isolate, having twice the potency of the compared standard drugs vancomycin and gentamycin sulfate. The compounds also showed moderate antitubercular activity with MIC values between 8 - 128 μg/ml against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its clinical isolate.
New Bioactive Metabolites from a Crown Gall Induced on an Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. Tree
Authors: Salama Maha M. , Ezzat Shahira M. , El Dine Riham Salah , El-Sayed Aly M. , Sleem Amany A.
Published: January 2015

Applying a bioactivity-guided isolation strategy for the ethanolic extract of crown gall tumours induced on an Eucalyptus tereticornis tree, two new compounds in addition to a known one were isolated. The new compounds were identified as an amino acid derivative named 1-ethyl-6-(1´-methyl-1´-phenylethyl) piperidin-2-one (1) and a lanostane tetracyclic triterpene named 3β-hydroxy-24-methyllanosta-8,17(20),24(28)-trien-22-oic acid (2), together with stigmasterol-3-O-glucoside (3). The three compounds exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against two human cell lines, breast (MCF7) and colon (HCT116), with IC50 values of 1.01, 1.54, and 2.15 μg/ml, respectively, against MCF7 and 3.49, 3.83, and 3.39 μg/ ml, respectively, against HCT116. Furthermore, in rats elevated levels of blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDLc) were significantly reduced, while the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDLc) was significantly increased by administration of the ethanolic extract as well as of 3. These results support a correlation between the reduction of blood cholesterol levels and improvement of colorectal cancer.
Molecular Characterization and Oxidative Stress Response of a Cytochrome P450 Gene (CYP4G11) from Apis cerana cerana
Authors: Shi Weina , Sun Jing , Xu Baohua , Li Han
Published: January 2015

Cytochrome P450 proteins, widely distributed multifunctional enzymes, are mainly involved in biosynthetic and degradative pathways of endogenous compounds and the detoxification of xenobiotics in insects. Moreover, these enzymes exhibit peroxidase-like activity, therefore they may be involved in protecting organisms against the toxicity of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we cloned a CYP4G11 gene - AccCYP4G11 - from the Chinese honey-bee (Apis cerana cerana). The open reading frame of the cDNA was 1656 bp long and encoded a 551 amino acids polypeptide, which shared high sequence identity with homologous cytochrome P450 proteins. In the genomic DNA sequence, a 5'-flanking region consisting of 1168 bp was obtained, and some putative transcription factor binding sites were predicted. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) revealed that the level of AccCYP4G11 was higher in the epidermis than in other tissues, and Acc- CYP4G11 was expressed in all stages with the highest level in two-week-old adult worker honey-bees. More over, the expression patterns under oxidative stress indicated that Acc- CYP4G11 transcription was significantly influenced by external factors, such as temperature challenges, ultraviolet (UV) light, and insecticide treatment. AccCYP4G11 was regulated differentially in response to oxidative stress and may be involved in protecting honey-bees from oxidative injury.
Gastroprotective Effect of an Ethanolic Extract from Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez (Bromeliaceae) in Rats and Mice
Authors: Machado Flávia Danniele F. , Silva Francilene V. , Fernandes Hélio B. , Freitas Flávia Franceli B. P. , Arcanjo Daniel D. R. , Lima Julianeli T. , Almeida Jackson Roberto G. S. , Oliveira Francisco A. , Oliveira Rita C. M.
Published: January 2015

This study investigates the gastroprotective effect of a crude ethanolic extract of Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez (Bromeliaceae), designated Nv-EtOH, in experimental models of gastric ulcer. In the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model, Nv-EtOH showed gastroprotection at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) (57.0% and 79.7%, respectively). Nv-EtOH also significantly reduced the formation of gastric lesions induced by ethanol/HCl (31.6% and 63.5%), ibuprofen (70.0% and 74.3%), or ischemia/reperfusion in rats (65.0% and 87.0%) at 200 and 400 mg/kg BW when compared with the vehicle group. In the antioxidant activity assessment, Nv-EtOH (400 mg/kg BW) increased the catalase activity and sulfhydryl groups (SH) levels, respectively. Moreover, gastroprotection against ethanol damage was decreased after ibuprofen pretreatment. Nv-EtOH (400 mg/kg BW) promoted a significant increase in the content of gastric wall mucus. The Nv-EtOH effect was significantly reduced in mice pretreated with NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) or glibenclamide, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and KATP channel activation, respectively, suggesting the involvement of these mechanisms in the Nv-EtOH-induced gastroprotective effect. Nv-EtOH decreased the total acidity, but did not modify other gastric juice parameters. Nv-EtOH was also effective in promoting the healing process in chronic gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid in rats.
Cytotoxic Activity and Apoptosis Induction by Gaillardin
Authors: Moghadam Maryam Hamzeloo , Naghibi Farzaneh , Atoofi Azadeh , Rezaie Mitra Asgharian , Irani Mahboobeh , Mosaddegh Mahmoud
Published: January 2015

Cytotoxic activity of gaillardin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Inula oculus-christi L. (Asteraceae), was assessed in the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7, human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG-2, human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line A-549, and human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29, resulting in IC50 values of 6.37, 6.20, 4.76, and 1.81 μg/mL, respectively, in the microculture tetrazolium-formazan MTT assay. In vitro apoptosis-inducing properties of gaillardin were also evaluated in MCF-7 cells with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nickend labeling (TUNEL) assay. The results suggest gaillardin as a candidate for further studies in cancer therapy
Postnatal Development of Spinal Cord and Liver Antioxidant Status in the Young of Retinol-Overdosed Female Rats
Authors: Patlevič Peter , Vašková Janka , Vaško Ladislav , Kluchová Darina
Published: January 2015

The metabolic form of vitamin A, retinol, has a pivotal role in the nervous system development and neuronal differentiation, both during embryogenesis through maternal-fetal support and in the early postnatal life. Retinoic acid was administered orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight to pregnant female rats through days 8 - 10 of gestation. Spinal cord sections were processed for histochemical visualization one day after birth and on day 21, when weaning is expected. NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d)-positive neurons were found in the dorsal horn, around the central canal, and at the intermediolateral cell column on postnatal days 1 and 21 in both control and experimental groups. There were no NADPHd- positive structures in the ventral horn. The results suggest that prenatal administration of high doses of retinoic acid is not associated with postnatal morphological changes in NADPH-d-positive neurons in the rat spinal cord.

Levels of antioxidants and related enzymes in retinoid storage organs were measured to estimate possible side effects. The activities of enzymes detoxifying superoxide radicals and peroxides were supressed after birth. A decrease in the level of reduced glutathione was observed on postnatal day 21, indicating an unbalanced redox environment.
Screening of Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxic Effects of Two Cladonia Species
Authors: Açıkgöz Birkan , Karaltı İskender , Ersöz Melike , Coşkun Zeynep M. , Çobanoğlu Gülşah , Sesal Cenk
Published: January 2015

The present study explores the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic effects in culture assays of two fruticose soil lichens, Cladonia rangiformis Hoffm. and Cladonia convoluta (Lamkey) Cout., to contribute to possible pharmacological uses of lichens. In vitro antimicrobial activities of methanol and chloroform extracts against two Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), two Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus), and the yeast Candida albicans were examined using the paper disc method and through determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The data showed the presence of antibiotic substances in the chloroform and the methanol extracts of the lichen species. The chloroform extracts exhibited more signifi cant antimicrobial activity than the methanol extracts. However, a higher antifungal activity was noted in the methanol extract of C. rangiformis. The maximum antimicrobial activity was recorded for the chloroform extract of C. convoluta against E. coli. The cytotoxic effects of the lichen extracts on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were evaluated by the trypan blue assay yielding IC50 values of ca. 173 and 167 μg/ml for the extracts from C. rangiformis and C. convoluta, respectively.
Nematicidal Activity of the Essential Oil of Rhododendron anthopogonoides Aerial Parts and its Constituent Compounds against Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Bai Peng Hua , Bai Chun Qi , Liu Qi Zhi , Du Shu Shan , Liu Zhi Long
Published: January 2015

Hydrodistilled essential oil from Rhododendron anthopogonoides Maxim. (Ericaceae) aerial parts was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 42 compounds, accounting for 95.48% of the total oil, were identified. The main constituents of the essential oil were benzyl acetone (34.41%), nerolidol (10.19%), 1,4-cineole (8.41%), β-caryophyllene (5.63%), γ-elemene (5.10%), and spathulenol (3.06%). Four constituents were isolated from the essential oil based on fractionation. The essential oil of R. anthopogonoides possessed nematicidal activity against the root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) with an LC50 value of 130.11 μg/ml. The main compound of the essential oil, benzyl acetone, exhibited nematicidal activity against M. incognita with an LC50 value of 74.17 μg/ ml while 1,4-cineole, nerolidol, and β-caryophyllene were not nematicidal at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. The essential oil of R. anthopogonoides and benzyl acetone show potential for their development as possible natural nematicides for the control of the root knot nematode
Chemical Constituents and Cytotoxic Effect of the Main Compounds of Lythrum salicaria L.
Authors: Manayi Azadeh , Saeidnia Soodabeh , Ostad Seyed Nasser , Hadjiakhoondi Abbas , Ardekani Mohammad Reza Shams , Vazirian Mahdi , Akhtar Yasmin , Khanavi Mahnaz
Published: January 2015

Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae), a herbaceous plant growing widely in Iran, has been well known for many centuries for its astringent and styptic properties. A phytochemical investigation of this plant, based on spectroscopic analysis, identifi ed fourteen compounds: 5-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one (1), umbelliferone-6-carboxylic acid (2), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-β-D-(2"-acetyl)-glucopyranoside (3), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-β- D-glucopyranoside (4), daucosterol (5), phytol (6), dodecanoic acid (7), oleanolic acid (8), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid (9), corosolic acid (10), β-sitosterol (11), peucedanin (12), buntansin (13), and erythrodiol (14). All compounds, except for 8 and 11, have been isolated from L. salicaria for the fi rst time. Cytotoxic activities of the compounds were examined against three cancerous cell lines, colon carcinoma (HT-29), leukemia (K-562), and breast ductal carcinoma (T47D), and Swiss mouse embryo fi broblast (NIH-3T3) cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and methotrexate as positive control. Compounds 5, 10, 11, and 14 were the most active against the HT-29 cell line with IC50 values of 192.7, 36.8, 38.2, and 12.8 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds 14, 11, 5, and 10 were 6.4, 2.8, 2.6, and 1.4 times, respectively, more selective than methotrexate. Compound 5 was the most active against the K-562 cell line (IC50 = 50.2 μg/mL), with a selectivity exceeding that of methotrexate 13.3 times. The results of the cytotoxic assay confi rmed that growth and proliferation of the cancer cell lines are predominantly infl uenced by triterpene derivatives and sterols of this plant
Development and Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Standardization of the Bioactive Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) R. Br. Growing in Egypt
Authors: El-Askary Hesham I. , El-Olemy Mahmoud M. , Salama Maha M. , Amer Mahetab H.
Published: January 2015

Bio-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae) growing in Egypt was carried out to evaluate its antihyperglycemic acti vity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and its hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanolic extract showed the highest antihyperglycemic [(133.6 ± 4.2) mg/mL, relative to metformin with (92.3 ± 2.7) mg/mL] and hepatoprotective [(37.9 ± 1.4) U/L, relative to silymarin with (29.7 ± 0.8) U/L] activities. Four compounds were isolated from this fraction, and identifi ed by spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with reported data: caffeic acid and isoquercitrin for the fi rst time from this plant, in addition to quercetin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1''' →2")-β-D-galactopyranoside (major compound) and chlorogenic acid. A validated reversed phase-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the standardization of the bio active ethyl acetate fraction. The calibration curve showed good linearity (r2 > 0.999) within tested ranges. The relative standard deviation of the method was less than 3% for intra- (0.4 - 2.0%) and inter-day (1.9 - 2.8%) assays. Mean recovery of the method was within the range of 98.5 - 102.5%. The minimum detectable concentration of the analyte (LOD) was found to be 0.04 μg/mL. This developed HPLC method was shown to be simple, rapid, precise, reproducible, robust, specifi c, and accurate for quality assessment of the bioactive fraction
Limitation of Mitragynine Biosynthesis in Mitragyna speciosa (Roxb.) Korth. through Tryptamine Availability
Authors: Charoonratana Tossaton , Wungsintaweekul Juraithip , Pathompak Pathamaporn , Georgiev Milen I. , Choi Young Hae , Verpoorte Robert
Published: January 2015

Metabolite profi les of Mitragyna speciosa were determined by means of 1H NMR-based and HPLC-based analyses. The results indicated that high contents of secologanin, caffeic acid, gallic acid, epigallocatechin, and mitragynine were accumulated in leaves. In M. speciosa, feedings of tryptamine, tryptophan, phenylalanine or tyrosine signifi cantly increased the mitragynine contents. Feedings of tryptamine and loganin also enhanced the mitragynine accumulation, but feeding of loganin only did not affect the mitragynine level. The mRNA levels of anthranilate synthase alpha subunit (ASA), tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), and strictosidine synthase (STR) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in control plants and those exposed to methyl jasmonate (MJ; 10 μM). All genes responded to MJ after a 24-h treatment. The mitragynine contents were also enhanced and corresponded to the transcript levels. From the present results we conclude that a high content of secologanin together with a undetectable level of tryptamine in M. speciosa feature the limitation of mitragynine biosynthesis. Additionally, expression of all the genes limits production of an essential precursor for mitragynine production
A Novel Paradigm for Nonassociative Long-Term Memory inDrosophila: Predator-Induced Changes in Oviposition Behavior
Authors: Kacsoh Balint Z , Bozler Julianna , Hodge Sassan , Ramaswami Mani , Bosco Giovanni
Published: January 2015

Learning processes in Drosophila have been studied through the use of Pavlovian associative memory tests, and these paradigms have been extremely useful in identifying both genetic factors and neuroanatomical structures that are essential to memory formation. Whether these same genes and brain compartments also contribute to memory formed from nonassociative experiences is not well understood. Exposures to environmental stressors such as predators are known to induce innate behavioral responses and can lead to new memory formation that allows a predator response to persist for days after the predator threat has been removed. Here, we utilize a unique form of nonassociative behavior in Drosophila where female flies detect the presence of endoparasitoid predatory wasps and alter their oviposition behavior to lay eggs in food containing high levels of alcohol. The predator-induced change in fly oviposition preference is maintained for days after wasps are removed, and this persistence in behavior requires a minimum continuous exposure time of 14 hr. Maintenance of this behavior is dependent on multiple long-term memory genes, including orb2, dunce, rutabaga, amnesiac, and Fmr1. Maintenance of the behavior also requires intact synaptic transmission of the mushroom body. Surprisingly, synaptic output from the mushroom body (MB) or the functions of any of these learning and memory genes are not required for the change in behavior when female flies are in constant contact with wasps. This suggests that perception of this predator that leads to an acute change in oviposition behavior is not dependent on the MB or dependent on learning and memory gene functions. Because wasp-induced oviposition behavior can last for days and its maintenance requires a functional MB and the wild-type products of several known learning and memory genes, we suggest that this constitutes a paradigm for a bona fide form of nonassociative long-term memory that is not dependent on associated experiences.
Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae, Melanophryniscus dorsalis: distribution extension in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Quintela Fernando Marques , Medvedowisky Igor Gonçalves , Neves Luís Fernando , Loebmann Daniel , Figueiredo Mario Roberto Chim
Published: January 2015

None
Reptilia, Iguania, Liolaeminae, Liolaemus, Puna, Prepuna, and mountain ranges, Northwestern Argentina
Authors: Gómez Juan Manuel Díaz
Published: January 2015

None
Rediscovery of Siphonops annulatus (Mikan, 1820) (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) in the state of Pará, Brazil, with an updated geographic distribution map, and notes on size and variation
Authors: Maciel Adriano Oliveira , Costa Henrique Caldeira , Drummond Leandro De Oliveira , Gomes Jerriane Oliveira , D’Angiolella Annelise
Published: January 2015

Siphonops annulatus has a wide distribution in South America. Here we provide a new geographic distribution map for this species and two new records from the state of Pará, Brazil, from where it has not been reported since 1876. A specimen collected in the municipality of Senador José Porfírio is the largest specimen of S. annulatus ever recorded.
Primates, Pitheciidae, Callicebus barbarabrownae Hershkovitz, 1990: new localities for the critically endangered titi monkey in the São Francisco basin, state of Sergipe, Brazil [with erratum]
Authors: Marques Eduardo La Noce , Beltrão-Mendes Raone , Ferrari Stephen Francis
Published: January 2015

Barbara Brown’s titi monkey, Callicebus barbarabrownae Hershkovitz, 1990, appears to be endemic to the Caatinga of northern Bahia and western Sergipe, although few data are available for the northernmost portion of its range. The present study presents seven new occurrence records of the species, in the São Francisco basin of northern Sergipe, extending its range in the state over a distance of more than 50 km from west to east. This represents an important extension of the known range and total number of populations of this critically endangered primate species.
New records and geographic distribution of Corythomantis greeningi Boulenger, 1896 (Amphibia: Hylidae)
Authors: Godinho Leandro Braga , Moura Mario Ribeiro , Feio Renato Neves
Published: January 2015

We provide new records of Corythomantis greeningi from southeastern Brazil, extending its southernmost distribution. The new records of C. greeningi are from an area of the Cerrado biome, in the State of Minas Gerais.