bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition and Fungitoxic Activity of Essential Oil of Thuja orientalis L. Grown in the North-Western Himalaya
Authors: Guleria Sanjay , Kumar Ashok , Tiku Ashok Kumar
Published: February 2015

The essential oil from fresh leaves of Thuja orientalis L. grown in the north-western Himalaya was isolated by means of hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twentytwo compounds representing 94.0% of the total oil were identified. The leaf oil contained α- pinene (29.2%), Δ-3-carene (20.1%), α-cedrol (9.8%), caryophyllene (7.5%), α-humulene (5.6%), limonene (5.4%), α-terpinolene (3.8%) and α-terpinyl acetate (3.5%) as major constituents. The essential oil showed antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata in a direct bioautography assay. Two main bioactive compounds named as b1 (Rf = 0.54) and b2 (Rf = 0.80) were observed and tested for antifungal activity; they produced an inhibition zone of 5 and 10 mm in diameter, respectively. The components b1 and b2 were further purified by preparative thin layer chromatography and their antifungal efficacy was re-tested. The minimum inhibitory amount (MIA) of b1 and b2 against A. alternata was determined as 30.5 and 4.5 μg, respectively, using a bioautography assay. The bioactive constituent corresponding to b1 was determined as α-cedrol by using GC/MS analysis. The potential of essential oils as a source of natural biocides is discussed
Antifeedant Activity of Some Polygodial Derivatives
Authors: Moreno-Osorio Luis , Cortés Manuel , Armstrong Verónica , Bailén María , González-Coloma Azucena
Published: February 2015

Polygodial (1) and its derivatives acetal 2 (propylene) and 3 (ethylene) were prepared and their antifeedant activity and toxic effects evaluated on several insect species with different feeding ecologies (Spodoptera littoralis, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi) along with that of polygonone (4). We also tested their selective cytotoxic effects on insect-derived (Spodoptera frugiperda ovarian Sf9 cells) and mammalian Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The antifeedant activity of these compounds was consistent with the proposed mode of action for antifeedant drimanes, i. e. adduct formation with amino groups for M. persicae and R. padi (dialdehyde > ketoaldehyde > aldehydeacetal). This was not the case for L. decemlineata, and the cytotoxic effects on insect-derived Sf9 and mammalian CHO cells (aldehydeacetal > dialdehyde > ketoaldehyde).
Antifeedant and Phytotoxic Activity of Hydroxyperezone and RelatedMolecules
Authors: Burguenõ-Tapia Eleuterio , González-Coloma Azucena , Castillo Lucıá , Joseph-Nathan Pedro
Published: February 2015

The insect antifeedant and toxic activity of hydroxyperezone (1), its derivatives 2-9, along with 3-hydroxy- (10) and 6-hydroxythymoquinone (11) were studied against Spodoptera littoralis, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, and Myzus persicae. The antifeedant tests showed that L. decemlineata was the most sensitive insect, followed by M. persicae, while S. littoralis was not deterred by compounds 1-11. Leucohydroxyperezone tetraacetate (3), oxoperezinone (6), dihydroleucoperezinone diacetate (7), 3-hydroxy- (10) and 6-hydroxythymoquinone (11) showed strong activity against L. decemlineata. 1 and 7 exhibited moderate deterrent activity against M. persicae, while 1 and dihydroleucohydroxyperezone tetraacetate (4) acted as postingestive antifeedants to S. littoralis. The phytotoxic activity of compounds 1-11 was also evaluated. Hydroxyperezone (1) strongly inhibited seed germination at 24 h, while the activity of 3-8 and 10 was moderate. The level of radicle growth inhibition obtained with compounds 1-5 and 8-11 was significant (< 50%)
Some New Carbacylamidophosphates as Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase
Authors: Gholivand Khodayar , Alizadehgan Ahlam Madani , Mojahed Fresia , Dehghan Gholamreza , Mohammadirad Azadeh , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: February 2015

The differences in the inhibition activity of organophosphorus agents are a manifestation of different molecular properties of the inhibitors involved in the interaction with the active site of enzyme. We were interested in comparing the inhibition potency of four known synthesized carbacylamidophosphates with the general formula RC(O)NHP(O)Cl2, constituting organophosphorus compounds, where R = CCl3 (1), CHCl2 (2), CH2Cl (3) and CF3 (4), and four new ones with the general formula RC(O)NHP(O)(R′)2, where R′ = morpholine and R = CCl3 (5), CHCl2 (6), CH2Cl (7), CF3 (8), on AChE and BuChE activities. In addition, in vitro activities of all eight compounds on BuChE were determined. Besides, in vivo inhibition potency of compounds 2 and 6, which had the highest inhibition potency among the tested compounds, was studied. The data demonstrated that compound 2 from the compound series 1 to 4 and compound 6 from the compound series 5 to 8 are the most sensitive as AChE and BuChE inhibitors, respectively. Comparing the IC50 values of these compounds, it was clear that the inhibition potency of these compounds for AChE are 2- to 100-fold greater than for BuChE inhibition. Comparison of the kinetics (IC50, Ki, kp, KA and KD) of AChE and BuChE inactivation by these compounds resulted in no significant difference for the measured variables except for compounds 2 and 6, which appeared to be more sensitive to AChE and BuChE by significantly higher kp and Ki values and a lower IC50 value in comparison with the other compounds. The LD50 value of compounds 2 and 6, after oral administration, and the changes of erythrocyte AChE and plasma BuChE activities in albino mice were studied. The in vivo experiments, similar to the in vitro results, showed that compound 2 is a stronger AChE and BuChE inhibitor than the other synthesized carbacylamidophosphates. Furthermore, in this study, the importance of electropositivity of the phosphorus atom, steric hindrance and leaving group specificity were reinforced as important determinants of inhibition activity
Minireview: Role of Salicylic Acid in Plant Abiotic Stress
Authors: Yuan Shu , Lin Hong-Hui
Published: February 2015

Salicylic acid (SA) plays many roles in plant physiology. Besides pathogenesis-related resistance, SA is involved in the response to abiotic stress. However, the effects of SA on plant resistance to abiotic stress were found contradictionary, and the actual role of SA in abiotic stress remains unresolved. Generally, deficiency of SA or a very high level of SA increase the plant susceptibility to abiotic stress. The optimal levels for the highest stress tolerance range from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm for most plants. But the role of SA at a certain level in moderate and severe abiotic stress may be different. This can be attributed to redox regulations in plant cells. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and SA, and propose a subsequent intracellular signal transduction network of SA and ROS under abiotic stress. Anti-stress substances besides antioxidant enzymes induced by SA are also summarized.
Tropane and Pyrrolidine Alkaloids from Convolvulus lanatus Vahl
Authors: El-Shazly Assem , Wink Michael
Published: February 2015

The alkaloid composition of Convolvulus lanatus was investigated by GLC and GLCMS. Altogether, thirteen tropane and pyrrolidine alkaloids were identified on the basis of mass spectral data and/or Kovats retention indices. Twelve of them have been recorded for the first time in this plant and some of these alkaloids were identified for the first time in the genus Convolvulus. Cuscohygrine is the major constituent. Qualitative and quantitative differences of root and aerial parts are discussed.
Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil and Major Constituents of Salvia chloroleuca
Authors: Yousefzadi Morteza , Sonboli Ali , Ebrahimi Samad Nejad , Hashemi Seid Hasan
Published: February 2015

The aerial parts of Salvia chloroleuca were collected at full flowering stage at Shahrestanak (Tehran province of Iran). The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by combination of capillary GC and GC-MS. Thirty-four components were identified, representing 98.5% of the total oil. β-Pinene (10.6%), α-pinene (9.0%), β-caryophyllene (9.0%), 1,8-cineole (9.0%) and carvacrol (7.9%) were the main components. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of S. chloroleuca was studied against seven Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and three fungi (Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger); the disc diffusion method and MIC values indicated that the oil exhibited moderate to high antimicrobial activity.
Free Radical Scavengers from the Mexican Herbal Tea “Poleo” (Hedeoma drummondii)
Authors: Viveros-Valdez Ezequiel , Rivas-Morales Catalina , Carranza-Rosales Pilar , Mendoza Sandra , Schmeda-Hirschmann Guillermo
Published: February 2015

The aerial parts of the Lamiaceae Hedeoma drummondii (Benth.) are used in Mexico to prepare a herbal tea and by North American Amerindians as a spice. The methanolic extract of the aerial parts exhibited a strong antioxidant effect measured by the scavenging of the free diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Assay-guided fractionation of the crude methanolic extract allowed the identification of three major active constituents, chlorogenic, caffeic and rosmarinic acid, as well as sideritoflavone derivatives and simple phenolics. The TEAC, FRAP, total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined. The high content of caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid relates to the antioxidant activity of H. drummondii.
Generation of Recombinant Antibodies against Orchardgrass Acidic nsLTP-Like Proteins
Authors: Rakleova Gorica , Tsacheva Ivanka , Petkova Mima , Pantchev Ivelyn , Tchorbadjieva Magdalena
Published: February 2015

Embryogenic and non-embryogenic suspension cultures of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) secreted into the culture medium a set of proteins, among which low molecular mass (11/12 kDa) proteins were found. However, only the 11/12 kDa proteins from the embryogenic suspension cultures reacted specifically with an antiserum raised against the carrot EP2 non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP). Two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoretic analysis revealed that the extracellular nsLTP-like proteins from the embryogenic lines were acidic proteins, with pI values ranging between 4.3 and 6.4, and the 11/12 kDa proteins of the nonembryogenic lines were basic ones (pI 8-9.3). This is only the second case to report on the accumulation of extracellular acidic nsLTP-like proteins in the culture medium during somatic embryogenesis. A naı¨ve phage display Griffin1. library was used to select single-chain phage antibodies, which specifically bind to acidic nsLTP-like proteins. Nine phage clones were selected after four rounds of biopanning of the target proteins blotted on a nitrocellulose membrane. Three soluble monoclonal single-chain phage antibodies, expressed in the non-suppressor E. coli strain HB2151, were purified by metal affinity chromatography and found to be highly specific for the acidic nsLTP-like proteins from the embryogenic suspension cultures. The application of the selected monoclonal antibodies for localization and elucidation of the role of the acidic nsLTP-like proteins in vivo is discussed.
Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthetase of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Rajendran Narayanan , Rajnarayanan Rajendram V. , Demuth Donald R.
Published: February 2015

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family enzymes are of particular interest for creating universal phylogenetic trees and understanding the gene flow as these enzymes perform the basic and analogous biochemical function of protein synthesis in all extant organisms. Among them, tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (Trp-RS) plays a foremost role in phylogeny owing to the close relationship with tyrosine-tRNA synthetase. In this study, the sequence of the gene Trp-RS was amplified using degenerated adenylation domain primers in the periodontal bacterium Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The sequence of the cloned PCR amplicon confirmed the adenylation domain sequence with glutamic acid residue, which is absent in five other oral bacteria used in this study as well as in a number of other bacteria described in the database. The Trp-RS sequence analysis prevailed the identify elements such as Rossmann- fold sequence and tRNATrp binding domains including acceptor stem and anticodon. A theoretical model of Trp-RS of A. actinomycetemcomitans was generated. Guided docking of the ligand tryptophanyl-5′-AMP revealed a highly identical active site in comparison with the bacterial template. The phylogenetic positioning of Trp-RS among a group of oral bacterial species revealed that A. actinomycetemcomitans is closely related to Haemophilus influenzae, H. ducreyi and Pasteurella multocida.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Some Common Mosses
Authors: Chobot Vladimír , Kubicová Lenka , Nabbout Samar , Jahodář Ludek , Hadacek Franz
Published: February 2015

The antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts of Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum formosum (Polytrichaceae), Pleurozium schreberi (Entodontaceae) and Thuidium tamariscinum (Thuidiaceae) was evaluated by an electrochemical method (cyclic voltammetry) and standard photometric methods: Fe(III) to Fe(II) reducing power, nitric oxide scavenging (NO) assay and simulation of Fenton-type reaction by nonsite-specific (NSSOH) and site-specific (SSOH) hydroxyl radical-mediated 2-deoxy-d-ribose degradation inhibition. The total content of phenols was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. All tested species showed antioxidant effects lower than the positive control, caffeic acid. The extracts of A. undulatum and P. formosum contained the highest content of phenols and were the most effective in Fe(III) to Fe(II) reducing power, cyclic voltammetry and SSOH assay. By contrast, only the extract of Pl. schreberi showed activity in the NSSOH assay. A. undulatum and T. tamariscinum extracts were the most active in the NO assay. The results suggest that the extracts of A. undulatum and P. formosum possess stronger antioxidant activity than those of Pl. scheberi and T. tamariscinum, but they affect the Fenton-type reaction mainly by iron chelation.
Non-Phenolic Antioxidant Compounds from Buddleja asiatica
Authors: El-Sayed Mortada M. , Abdel-Hameed El-Sayed S. , Ahmed Wafaa S. , El-Wakil Eman A.
Published: February 2015

The methanol extract of the leaves of Buddleja asiatica Lour. (Loganiaceae) showed antioxidant activity toward the well known in vitro antioxidant tests such as total antioxidant capacity by the phosphomolybdenum method, free radical scavenging activity by the 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay (DPPH assay) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging methods. Due to the high scavenging activity of the n-butanol successive fraction toward DPPH and H2O2 (SC50 = 11.99 and 18.54 μg/ml, respectively), this extract was subjected to chromatographic separation and isolation. Four non-phenolic compounds were isolated and identified on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical analyses: 1-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl- 2-methoxy-3-(2-hydroxy-triaconta-3,12-dienoate)-glycerol (1), 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl- (1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-ß-d-fucopyranosyl-olean- 11,13(18)-diene-3ß,23,28-triol (2), 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl- (1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-ß-d-fucopyranosyl-olean-11,13(18)-diene-3ß,23,28-triol (3), and 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl- (1→2)]-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl-acid-olean-11,13(18)-diene-3ß,23,28-triol (4). The four compounds were evaluated as antioxidant agents using the three antioxidant bioassay tests.
Fumigant Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil Components from Acorus gramineus against Three Phytopathogenic Fungi
Authors: Lee Yeon-Suk , Kim Junheon , Lee Sang-Gil , Shin Sang-Chul , Park Il-Kwon
Published: February 2015

Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the identification of 26 compounds in Acorus gramineus essential oil. The antifungal activity of the identified compounds was tested singularly by using standard compounds. Allyl isothiocyanate and cis-asarone showed inhibition rates of 100% against P. cactorum at 28 mg/l air. In a test with C. parasitica and F. circinatum, allyl isothiocyante and cis-asarone showed moderate activity at 28 mg/l air.
Cytotoxicity of Nitroaromatic Explosives and their Biodegradation Products in Mice Splenocytes: Implications for their Immunotoxicity
Authors: Miliukiene Valė , Čėnas Narimantas
Published: February 2015

Nitroaromatic explosives like 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-Nmethyl- nitramine (tetryl) comprise an important group of toxic environmental pollutants, whose toxicity is mainly attributed to the flavoenzyme electrontransferase-catalyzed redox cycling of their free radicals (oxidative stress) and DT-diaphorase [NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, NQO1, EC 1. 6.99.2]-catalyzed formation of alkylating nitroso and/or hydroxylamine metabolites. Because of the incomprehensive data on the immunotoxic effects of nitroaromatic explosives, we have studied the structure-cytotoxicity relationships in the action of tetryl, TNT as well as its amino and hydroxylamino metabolites, and related nitroaromatic compounds towards mouse splenocyte cells. The protective effects of desferrioxamine and the antioxidant N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylene diamine against the cytotoxicity of TNT and other nitroaromatics showed that the oxidative stress-type cytotoxicity mechanism takes place. In addition, the cytotoxicity of nitroaromatics is also partly prevented by an inhibitor of NQO1, dicumarol. The cytotoxicity of the amino metabolites of TNT is also partly prevented by α- naphthoflavone and isoniazide, which points to the involvement of cytochromes P-450 in their activation. In general the cytotoxicity of nitroaromatics in splenocytes increases with an increase in their single-electron reduction potential, Eζ . This points to the prevailing mechanism of the oxidative stress-type cytotoxicity. The obtained structure-activity relationship and the studies of other mammalian cell lines showed that the immunotoxic potential of nitroaromatic explosives may decrease in the order tetryl ≥TNT ≥ hydroxylamino metabolites of TNT > amino and diamino metabolites of TNT.
Inhibitory Effect of Some Acetyl Esters and Acetamides on Glycation of the Histone H1
Authors: Stoynev Georgi , Srebreva Ljuba , Gugova Roumyana , Golovinsky Evgeny , Ivanov Ivan
Published: February 2015

Non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation) is a spontaneous set of reactions between reducing sugars and free amino groups in proteins or other biomolecules leading to the formation of fluorescent and coloured compounds known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs cause structural changes of key proteins in humans, and therefore they are related with a number of physiological processes and diseases such as aging, atherosclerosis, cataract, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease. Two main strategies have been employed to prevent the formation of AGEs: a) low carbohydrate diet and b) pharmacological intervention. The latter includes treatment with reactive compounds which might be either sugar competitors (type A), carbonyl traps (type B) or free radical trapping antioxidants (type C). Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) is a good example of sugar competitor capable of inhibiting glycation by acetylating ε-amino groups of lysine residues in proteins. Taking into consideration the inhibiting effect of ASA on glycation we designed to study the antiglycation activity of other acetyl group-containing compounds (acetamides and acetyl esters) using the lysine-rich protein histone H1 as a model. The glycation of the histone H1 was carried out by either fructose or a complex mixture of glycating agents obtained from E. coli and monitored by fluorescent spectroscopy, SDS-PAGE and measurement of the content of reactive carbonyl groups in the target protein. Our results showed that the inhibitory effect of phenyl acetate, acetanilide, 4-acetamidophenylacetic acid and isopropenyl acetate was comparable to that of ASA. Based on the obtained results we conclude that these compounds act as free radical scavengers protecting proteins from the damaging effect of reactive oxygen species produced during the formation of AGEs.
Further Sesquiterpene Lactones from Viguiera robusta and the Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Heliangolide: Inhibition of Human Neutrophil Elastase Release
Authors: Arakawa Nilton S. , Schorr Karin , Ambrósio Sérgio R. , Merfort Irmgard , Da Costa Fernando B.
Published: February 2015

In addition to known heliangolides, a new eudesmanolide was isolated from the leaf rinse extract of Viguiera robusta (Asteraceae). Structural elucidation was based on spectral analysis. It is the first report on eudesmanolides in members of the subgenus Calanticaria of Viguiera. In this work, the main isolated compound, the furanoheliangolide budlein A, besides its previously reported in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities, inhibited human neutrophil elastase release. The inhibition was at the concentration of (16.83± 1.96) μm for formylated bacterial tripeptide (fMLP) stimulation and (11.84±1.62) μm for platelet aggregation factor (PAF) stimulation, being slightly less active than the reference drug parthenolide. The results are important to demonstrate the potential anti-inflammatory activities of sesquiterpene lactones and corroborate the previous studies using other targets.
The Role of Aspterric Acid in Auxin-Regulated Reproductive Growth of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Shimad Atsumi , Yamane Hisakazu , Kimura Yasuo
Published: February 2015

Application of 100 μm aspterric acid (AA), a pollen growth inhibitor, with different concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) results in the recovery of normal pollen development of Arabidopsis thaliana. Treatment with 100 μm AA plus 5 mm IAA significantly induced the normal seed production. Treatment with 100 μm N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), a polar auxin transport inhibitor, did not reduce the pollen growth but inhibited seed production. 100 μm NPA plus 5 mm IAA did not induce any seed production. The endogenous level of IAA in stems and leaves of A. thaliana treated with 100 μm AA was similar to that of the untreated control. In contrast to AA treatment, the IAA level by the treatment with 100 μm NPA was about twice as much as that of the untreated control. These results suggest that AA affects the Arabidopsis reproductive growth without inhibiting IAA biosynthesis and transport.
Changes of Antioxidant Enzyme and Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Activities during Chimonanthus praecox Seed Maturation
Authors: He Xiaojia , Gao Shun
Published: February 2015

Changes in peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities were studied during Chimonanthus praecox seed maturation. According to our findings the protein content increased steadily from 8 to 12 weeks after flowering, and thereafter decreased significantly. Similarly, SOD and POD activities increased gradually up to 12 weeks after flowering and then declined. PAL activity declined gradually during seed maturation. CAT activity, however, showed no changes during seed maturation. By means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), SOD and POD isoenzymes were observed during seed maturation. The staining intensities of SOD and POD isoenzymes correlated well with SOD and POD activities as obtained by an assay in solution. These findings suggest that POD, SOD and PAL may be involved in the growth and development during Chimonanthus praecox seed maturation.
Rapid and High Quality DNA Isolation from Origanum onites for RAPD and ISSR Analysis
Authors: Sözen Emel , Poyraz Ismail
Published: February 2015

Origanum onites is an economically important medicinal plant with high essential oil content. Lack of an appropriate DNA isolation procedure is a limiting factor for any molecular study of this plant. We have used a protocol for genomic DNA isolation based on a hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method described for other plant species. The method involves mortar grinding of leaf tissue, modified CTAB extraction using high salt concentrations and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and successive isoamyl alcohol/chloroform extractions. The yield was approx. 20 μg DNA per 200 mg of initial fresh plant material. The genomic DNA obtained by this method was suitable to be used in restriction digests, inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) reactions. This extraction method should facilitate the molecular analysis of Origanum chemotypes.
Egg White, a Favourable Solvent to Extract the Active Ingredient of Mylabris phalerata
Authors: Ma Bing-Ji , Ruan Yuan
Published: February 2015

To characterize the role of hen eggs used for analyzing the insect Mylabris phalerata a traditional Chinese medicine for curing liver cancer, egg white was separated from the whole egg and added to M. phalerata. The volatile compounds found in egg white when added to M. phalerata and therefore in M. phalerata itself were analyzed by GC. Cantharidin was detected both in egg white added to M. phalerata and M. phalerata itself. Egg white can be used as a favourable solvent for extracting the active ingredient of M. phalerata.
3-O-Acetyl-narcissidine, a Bioactive Alkaloid from Hippeastrum puniceum Lam. (Amaryllidaceae)
Authors: Santana Omar , Reina Matías , Anaya Ana Luisa , Hernández Fidel , Izquierdo M. Elena , González-Coloma Azucena
Published: February 2015

In the context of the study on plant defensive compounds we have isolated the main alkaloid from Hippeastrum puniceum (Amaryllidaceae), 3-O-acetyl-narcissidine (1), and its biological activities tested against two divergent insect species and several plant species. 1 was isolated from the bioactive alkaloidal fraction of H. puniceum. Its chemical structure was established by spectroscopic analysis. The biological activity tests showed that 1 is an antifeedant against the polyphagous insect Spodoptera littoralis but not against the olyphage Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Furthermore, the root growth of Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Rottboellia cochinchinensis, Panicum maximum and Solanum lycopersicum was significantly affected by 1. These results suggest a plant protective role for H. puniceum alkaloids.
Bactericidal and Fungicidal Activities of Calia secundiflora (Ort.) Yakovlev
Authors: Pérez-Laínez Dolores , García-Mateos Rosario , San Miguel-Chávez Ruben , Soto-Hernández Marcos , Rodríguez-Pérez Enrique , Kite Geofrey
Published: February 2015

Calia secundiflora (Ortega) Yakovlev (Fabaceae) is considered a medicinal plant in Mexico but has scarcely been used because of the toxicity of its quinolizidine alkaloids. Several quinolizidine alkaloids have shown bactericidal, nematicidal, and fungicidal activities. The purpose of this study was to identify the alkaloids in the seeds and evaluate the activity of the organic extract on several phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria. An in vitro bioassay was conducted with species of the following phytopathogenic fungi: Alternaria solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Monilia fructicola; and of the following bacteria Pseudomonas sp., Xanthomonas campestris and Erwinia carotovora. Cytisine, lupinine, anagyrine, sparteine, N-methylcytisine, 5,6-dehydrolupanine, and lupanine were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the extract of seeds; the most abundant compound of the extract was cytisine. It was observed that the crude extract of Calia secundiflora was moderately active on bacteria and more potent on phytopathogenic fungi. In contrast cytisine showed the opposite effects.
Mitragyna speciosa: Hairy Root Culture for Triterpenoid Production and High Yield of Mitragynine by Regenerated Plants
Authors: Phongprueksapattana Siriwan , Putalun Waraporn , Keawpradub Niwat , Wungsintaweekul Juraithip
Published: February 2015

Hairy root cultures of Mitragyna speciosa were established by infection of Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC 15834 and maintained in McCown woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with 0.5 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid. The hairy roots were identified for the rooting genes loci of rolA and rolB by polymerase chain reaction. For studying the secondary metabolite production, the n-hexane extract of the hairy roots was prepared and the compounds were isolated by silica gel column chromatography, affording triterpenoids (ursolic acid and oleanolic acid) and phytosterols (β-sitosterol and stigmasterol). The shoots from the hairy root cultures were regenerated and differentiated to the plantlets. For micropropagation, shoot multiplication was successfully induced from the axillary buds of the regenerated plantlets in WPM supplemented with 0.1 mg/l thidiazuron. The mitragynine contents of 5-monthold regenerated plants and in vitro plantlets (germinated from seeds) were determined using the TLC-densitometric method. The regenerated plants contained (14.25 ± 0.25) mg/g dry wt mitragynine, whereas the in vitro plantlets contained (4.45 ± 0.09) mg/g dry wt.
Effects of Salicylic Acid on Alternative Pathway Respiration and Alternative Oxidase Expression in Tobacco Calli
Authors: Lei Tao , Yan Ying-Cai , Xi De-Hui , Feng Hong , Sun Xin , Zhang Fan , Xu Wei-Lin , Liang Hou-Guo , Lin Hong-Hui
Published: February 2015

The alternative pathway (AP) respiration of plants is a cyanide-resistant and non-phosphorylating electron transport pathway in mitochondria. Alternative oxidase (AOX) is the terminal oxidase of the AP and exists in plant mitochondria as two states: the reduced, noncovalently linked state or the oxidized, covalently cross-linked state. In the present study, the effects of 20 μm exogenous salicylic acid (SA) on both AP activity and AOX expression in mitochondria of tobacco (Nicotiana rustica L. cv. yellow flower) calli were investigated. The results showed that SA treatment enhanced the AP activity. During the process of SA treatment, the AP activity increased dramatically and achieved the peak value after 8 h of treatment. Then it declined until 16 h, and maintained a steady level between 16 and 24 h. Changes in both the total AOX protein level and the reduced state were in accordance with the AP activity, but the oxidized state changed differently. The aox1 gene transcript level also showed a similar change as the AP activity and AOX protein level. The induction of AOX expression by low concentrations of SA was inferred through a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-independent pathway. These results indicate that the enhancement of AP activity in response to SA is correlated to the expression of AOX, and the reduced, non-covalently linked state of AOX plays an important role during this process.
Expression of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase and 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase Isoform Genes in Suspension-Cultured Arabidopsis thaliana Cells
Authors: Yin Yuling , Ashihar Hiroshi
Published: February 2015

The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, EC 1.1.1.49) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH, EC 1.1.1.44) were found to increase in suspensioncultured Arabidopsis thaliana cells after 10-day-old stationary phase cells were transferred to fresh Murashige-Skoog medium. The activities of these enzymes peaked early in the exponential growth stage of the culture (day 4) and then decreased gradually. The transcript levels of six isoform genes of G6PDH (AtG6PD1 to AtG6PD6) and three of 6PGDH (At6PGD1 to At6PGD3) were monitored during the culture. Two distinct transcript accumulation patterns were observed. In type A, the level of transcripts increased rapidly one day after the cells were inoculated into the fresh medium, and then remained almost constant until the culture reached its stationary phase (day 7). In type B, the transcripts were accumulated transiently at the first day after cell inoculation, then promptly decreased. We also investigated the effect of phosphate (Pi)-starvation and recovery on the expression of these genes. For this, the early stationary phase cultures (day 7) were transferred to fresh Pi-free culture medium. During 7 days of phosphate starvation, no growth of cultures was observed, and the transcript levels of all G6PDH and 6PGDH isoform genes were reduced, apart from one G6PDH isoform gene, AtG6PD5, which was continuously expressed throughout Pi-starvation. Compared to the reduction of almost all isoform genes of G6PDH in Pi-starved cultures, the reduction of 6PGDH genes was less severe. We discuss the localization and possible role of individual isoform genes of G6PDH and 6PGDH in connection with published databases.
Expression of dbat and dbtnbt Genes Involved in Paclitaxel Biosynthesis during the Growth Cycle of Taxus baccata L. Callus Cultures
Authors: Katkovčinová Zuzana , Lázárová Martina , Bruňáková Katarína , Košuth Ján , Čellárova Eva
Published: February 2015

The time-course of expression of dbat and dbtnbt genes involved in the later steps of paclitaxel biosynthesis and the intracellular taxane accumulation were investigated through a 64-day subculture interval of VI/M1 and VI/M2 Taxus baccata callus cultures. HPLC proved traces of baccatin III and an intracellular content of paclitaxel up to 90 μg/g DW. The steadystate of the respective gene transcripts was measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The expression profile of dbat and dbtnbt genes was slightly different and varied within the subculture. The highest level of dbat expression was detected 24 h after inoculation followed by a decrease in both cultures. In contrast with dbat no substantially high expression of the dbtnbt gene after inoculation was observed. The impact of the conditions during inoculation on gene expression is discussed. Although the increase in transcriptional activity of both genes positively correlated with callus growth, the intracellular accumulation of paclitaxel varied during subculture with the maximum in the stationary (VI/M1) or at the end of the linear (VI/M2) phase. The increase of the steady-state mRNA level of the dbtnbt gene was followed by paclitaxel accumulation with a delay of approx. 28 (VI/M1) and 14 days (VI/M2).
Volatile Components in Dorsal Gland Secretions of the Chacoan Peccary, Catagonus wagneri
Authors: Waterhouse John S. , Langley Bridget , Weldon Paul J.
Published: February 2015

The dorsal gland secretions of captive-reared male and female Chacoan peccaries (Catagonus wagneri) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. C8-C19 carboxylic acids, squalene, cholesterol, cholestanol, and cholest-7-en-3-ol were present in both males and females. Heptylbenzene, C14-C18 methyl esters, and an isomer of springene were observed in males. C15-C19 aldehydes were observed in females. The composition of the dorsal gland secretions of C. wagneri is compared to what has been reported for other peccaries (Tayassu spp.).
Effect of Some Flavonic Compounds and Ascorbic Acid on Lactoferrin Stimulation of Erythrocyte Glycolysis and Na+/K+-ATPase Activity
Authors: Maneva Ana , Taleva Borislava
Published: February 2015

The aim of the present study was to assess if some flavonic compounds (quercetin, piceatannol and apigenin) and ascorbic acid could interfere with the Lf stimulatory effect on the erythrocyte function. Quercetin (1.5 μm) and piceatannol (30 μm) showed an additive effect on Lf stimulation of Na+/K+-ATPase when used together with Lf. The enhancement of Lf stimulation on Na+/K+-ATPase in the presence of flavonoids was probably due to their antioxidative properties and/or to their involvement in the erythrocyte signaling. None of the estimated flavonoids showed an effect on Lf stimulation of the lactate production. Quercetin itself enhanced the ATPase activity but did not affect the lactate formation. Apigenin (1.5 μm) enhanced reliably the lactate generation, but it did not exert any effect on the ATPase activity. High concentration of ascorbic acid (60 mm) did not change the Lf stimulatory effect on Na+/K+-ATPase, but decreased the Lf-specific-binding. A significantly strong inhibitory effect on the Lf-specific binding exerted the electron acceptors NAD+ (2 mm) and FAD (2 mm). These effects concern most likely the competition with Lf for electron(s) which is (are) provided from the erythrocyte intercellular electron transport chain(s).
The Role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the Development of Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity (NDO)
Authors: Frias Bárbara , Santos João , Morgado Marlene , Sousa Mónica Mendes , Gray Susannah M.Y. , McCloskey Karen D. , Allen Shelley , Cruz Francisco , Cruz Célia Duarte
Published: February 2015

Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) is a well known consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI), recognizable after spinal shock, during which the bladder is areflexic. NDO emergence and maintenance depend on profound plastic changes of the spinal neuronal pathways regulating bladder function. It is well known that neurotrophins (NTs) are major regulators of such changes. NGF is the best-studied NT in the bladder and its role in NDO has already been established. Another very abundant neurotrophin is BDNF. Despite being shown that, acting at the spinal cord level, BDNF is a key mediator of bladder dysfunction and pain during cystitis, it is presently unclear if it is also important for NDO. This study aimed to clarify this issue.

Results obtained pinpoint BDNF as an important regulator of NDO appearance and maintenance. Spinal BDNF expression increased in a time-dependent manner together with NDO emergence. In chronic SCI rats, BDNF sequestration improved bladder function, indicating that, at later stages, BDNF contributes NDO maintenance. During spinal shock, BDNF sequestration resulted in early development of bladder hyperactivity, accompanied by increased axonal growth of calcitonin gene-related peptide-labeled fibers in the dorsal horn. Chronic BDNF administration inhibited the emergence of NDO, together with reduction of axonal growth, suggesting that BDNF may have a crucial role in bladder function after SCI via inhibition of neuronal sprouting. These findings highlight the role of BDNF in NDO and may provide a significant contribution to create more efficient therapies to manage SCI patients.
Motivation and Affective Judgments Differentially Recruit Neurons in the Primate Dorsolateral Prefrontal and Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Authors: Amemori Ken-ichi , Amemori Satoko , Graybiel Ann M.
Published: February 2015

The judgment of whether to accept or to reject an offer is determined by positive and negative affect related to the offer, but affect also induces motivational responses. Rewarding and aversive cues influence the firing rates of many neurons in primate prefrontal and cingulate neocortical regions, but it still is unclear whether neurons in these regions are related to affective judgment or to motivation. To address this issue, we recorded simultaneously the neuronal spike activities of single units in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of macaque monkeys as they performed approach–avoidance (Ap–Av) and approach–approach (Ap–Ap) decision-making tasks that can behaviorally dissociate affective judgment and motivation. Notably, neurons having activity correlated with motivational condition could be distinguished from neurons having activity related to affective judgment, especially in the Ap–Av task. Although many neurons in both regions exhibited similar, selective patterns of task-related activity, we found a larger proportion of neurons activated in low motivational conditions in the dlPFC than in the ACC, and the onset of this activity was significantly earlier in the dlPFC than in the ACC. Furthermore, the temporal onsets of affective judgment represented by neuronal activities were significantly slower in the low motivational conditions than in the other conditions. These findings suggest that motivation and affective judgment both recruit dlPFC and ACC neurons but with differential degrees of involvement and timing.
Neural Mechanisms Underlying Contextual Dependency of Subjective Values: Converging Evidence from Monkeys and Humans
Authors: Abitbol Raphaëlle , Lebreton Maël , Hollard Guillaume , Richmond Barry J. , Bouret Sébastien , Pessiglione Mathias
Published: February 2015

A major challenge for decision theory is to account for the instability of expressed preferences across time and context. Such variability could arise from specific properties of the brain system used to assign subjective values. Growing evidence has identified the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) as a key node of the human brain valuation system. Here, we first replicate this observation with an fMRI study in humans showing that subjective values of painting pictures, as expressed in explicit pleasantness ratings, are specifically encoded in the VMPFC. We then establish a bridge with monkey electrophysiology, by comparing single-unit activity evoked by visual cues between the VMPFC and the orbitofrontal cortex. At the neural population level, expected reward magnitude was only encoded in the VMPFC, which also reflected subjective cue values, as expressed in Pavlovian appetitive responses. In addition, we demonstrate in both species that the additive effect of prestimulus activity on evoked activity has a significant impact on subjective values. In monkeys, the factor dominating prestimulus VMPFC activity was trial number, which likely indexed variations in internal dispositions related to fatigue or satiety. In humans, prestimulus VMPFC activity was externally manipulated through changes in the musical context, which induced a systematic bias in subjective values. Thus, the apparent stochasticity of preferences might relate to the VMPFC automatically aggregating the values of contextual features, which would bias subsequent valuation because of temporal autocorrelation in neural activity.
Feedforward and Feedback Motor Control Abnormalities Implicate Cerebellar Dysfunctions in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Mosconi Matthew W. , Mohanty Suman , Greene Rachel K. , Cook Edwin H. , Vaillancourt David E. , Sweeney John A.
Published: February 2015

Sensorimotor abnormalities are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and among the earliest manifestations of the disorder. They have been studied far less than the social-communication and cognitive deficits that define ASD, but a mechanistic understanding of sensorimotor abnormalities in ASD may provide key insights into the neural underpinnings of the disorder. In this human study, we examined rapid, precision grip force contractions to determine whether feedforward mechanisms supporting initial motor output before sensory feedback can be processed are disrupted in ASD. Sustained force contractions also were examined to determine whether reactive adjustments to ongoing motor behavior based on visual feedback are altered. Sustained force was studied across multiple force levels and visual gains to assess motor and visuomotor mechanisms, respectively. Primary force contractions of individuals with ASD showed greater peak rate of force increases and large transient overshoots. Individuals with ASD also showed increased sustained force variability that scaled with force level and was more severe when visual gain was highly amplified or highly degraded. When sustaining a constant force level, their reactive adjustments were more periodic than controls, and they showed increased reliance on slower feedback mechanisms. Feedforward and feedback mechanism alterations each were associated with more severe social-communication impairments in ASD. These findings implicate anterior cerebellar circuits involved in feedforward motor control and posterior cerebellar circuits involved in transforming visual feedback into precise motor adjustments in ASD.
Impaired Neural Response to Negative Prediction Errors in Cocaine Addiction
Authors: Parvaz Muhammad A. , Konova Anna B. , Proudfit Greg H. , Dunning Jonathan P. , Malaker Pias , Moeller Scott J. , Maloney Tom , Alia-Klein Nelly , Goldstein Rita Z.
Published: February 2015

Learning can be guided by unexpected success or failure, signaled via dopaminergic positive reward prediction error (+RPE) and negative reward-prediction error (−RPE) signals, respectively. Despite conflicting empirical evidence, RPE signaling is thought to be impaired in drug addiction. To resolve this outstanding question, we studied as a measure of RPE the feedback negativity (FN) that is sensitive to both reward and the violation of expectation. We examined FN in 25 healthy controls; 25 individuals with cocaine-use disorder (CUD) who tested positive for cocaine on the study day (CUD+), indicating cocaine use within the past 72 h; and in 25 individuals with CUD who tested negative for cocaine (CUD−). EEG was acquired while the participants performed a gambling task predicting whether they would win or lose money on each trial given three known win probabilities (25, 50, or 75%). FN was scored for the period in each trial when the actual outcome (win or loss) was revealed. A significant interaction between prediction, outcome, and group revealed that controls showed increased FN to unpredicted compared with predicted wins (i.e., intact +RPE) and decreased FN to unpredicted compared with predicted losses (i.e., intact −RPE). However, neither CUD subgroup showed FN modulation to loss (i.e., impaired −RPE), and unlike CUD+ individuals, CUD− individuals also did not show FN modulation to win (i.e., impaired +RPE). Thus, using FN, the current study directly documents −RPE deficits in CUD individuals. The mechanisms underlying −RPE signaling impairments in addiction may contribute to the disadvantageous nature of excessive drug use, which can persist despite repeated unfavorable life experiences (e.g., frequent incarcerations).
Disruption of Activity in the Ventral Premotor But Not the Anterior Intraparietal Area Interferes with On-Line Correction to a Haptic Perturbation during Grasping
Authors: Schettino Luis F. , Adamovich Sergei V. , Bagce Hamid , Yarossi Mathew , Tunik Eugene
Published: February 2015

Replanning ongoing movements following perturbations requires the accurate and immediate estimation of the motor response based on sensory input. Previous studies have used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in humans to demonstrate the participation of the anterior intraparietal sulcus (aIPS) and ventral premotor cortex (PMv) in visually mediated state estimation for grasping. Here, we test the role of parietofrontal circuits in processing the corrective responses to haptic perturbations of the finger during prehension. Subjects reached to grasp an object while having to compensate for a novel and unpredictable haptic perturbation of finger extension. TMS-based transient disruptions to the PMv and aIPS were delivered 0, 50, or 100 ms after the perturbation. TMS to the PMv delivered 50 ms after the perturbation (but not 0 or 100 ms, or in unperturbed trials) led to an overestimation of grasp aperture. No effects on grasp aperture were noted for the aIPS. Our results indicate that the PMv (but not aIPS) is involved in the deployment of the compensatory response in the presence of haptic perturbations during prehension. Our data also identify the time window of neural processing in the PMv when reprogramming occurs to be 50–100 ms following the perturbation onset.