bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Random laser action in 3‐D ZnO nanostructures
Authors: Miao L. , Tanemura S. , Yang H. Y. , Lau S. P. , Xu G. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractRoom‐temperature ultraviolet random lasing with low threshold pumping power was successfully achieved by ZnO 3‐D random‐wall nanostructure fabricated on ZnO/SiO2/Si substrate through a thermal chemical reaction and vapor transportation deposition method in a simple horizontal tube furnace from the mixed ZnO and graphite powders. The nanorods grown along c‐axis on the substrate are coalesced to form the 3‐D nano‐wall with 80∼100 nm in wall thickness and irregular height ranging of 95‐250 nm. Mueller matrix spectroscopic ellipsometry reveals that evaluated refractive indices n (E) of ZnO nanowalls are well interpreted by taking account of the ratio between ZnO and void achieved by effective medium theory analysis and isotropic depolarization feature of the designated nanowalls. Random lasing action observed in the wide wavelength range between 375 and 395 nm is realized by coherent amplification of the closed‐loop scattered light inside 3‐D random‐wall nanostructure. It is demonstrated that both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes show the same threshold and pumping power dependent trend, while the intensity of TM lasing is weaker than that of TE due to the different scattering strength originated from the features of the inside of nano wall. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
LPG assisted high‐power fiber amplifier with Er3+ doped cladding
Authors: Nemova Galina , Kashyap Raman 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA new theoretical scheme of high power Er3+doped fiber amplifier is presented. In contract to traditional schemes for high power fiber amplifiers, where the amplification process takes place in an Er3+doped core, in our scheme the amplification takes place in Er3+doped cladding. This amplifier is based on specially designed bend resistant fiber, which can support a single cladding mode over the length of the fiber used in the amplifier. The use of a cladding mode in the amplification increase dramatically the effective mode area and as a consequence increases the thresholds of nonlinear effects such as stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering, since they are proportional to the effective mode area. In the proposed scheme, a weak signal enters to the amplifier in a core mode of a single mode fiber and is converted to a single pre‐determined cladding mode with high (∼100%) efficiency by a long period grating imprinted in the core. A specially designed output fiber of the amplifier provides an almost single mode high quality output. Predicted output powers are in the multi kW regime. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In vitro anti‐Helicobacter pylori activity of usnic acid
Authors: Safak Birol , Ciftci Ihsan Hakki , Ozdemir Mehmet , Kiyildi Nilay , Cetinkaya Zafer , Aktepe Orhan Cem , Altindis Mustafa 
Published: April 2009

AbstractEradication of Helicobacter pylori is an important objective in overcoming gastric diseases. Many regimens are currently available but none of them could achieve 100% success in eradication. Medicinal lichen is used in the treatment of gastric ulcer in local folk medicine in Anatolia (Turkey). The present study was performed to assess the in vitro effects of usnic acid from Usnea dasypoga against clinical isolates and standard H. pylori strains and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). A total of 38 strains was assayed for anti‐H. pylori activity. The agar dilution method was used for the determination of usnic acid and clarithromycin resistance.Six (16.2%) clinical isolates were resistant to usnic acid and five (13.5%) were resistant to clarithromycin. Dual susceptibility to usnic acid and clarithromycin rate was detected as very high (97.3%). Usnic acid has a strong and dose‐dependent activity against H. pylori strains. The synergism between usnic acid and clarithromycin may be effective in the treatment of H. pylori infection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Naphthoquinones and bioactive compounds from tobacco as modulators of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity
Authors: Venkatakrishnan Priya , Gairola C. Gary , Castagnoli Neal , Miller R. Timothy 
Published: April 2009

AbstractStudies were conducted with extracts of several varieties of tobacco in search of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitors which may be of value in the treatment of stroke. Current therapies do not directly exploit modulation of nNOS activity due to poor selectivity of the currently available nNOS inhibitors. The properties of a potentially novel nNOS inhibitor(s) derived from tobacco extracts, and the concentration‐dependent, modulatory effects of the tobacco‐derived naphthoquinone compound, 2,3,6‐trimethyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (TMN), on nNOS activity were investigated, using 2‐methyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (menadione) as a control. Up to 31 µM, both TMN and menadione stimulated nNOS‐catalysedl‐citrulline production. However, at higher concentrations of TMN (62.5–500 µM), the stimulation was lost in a concentration‐dependent manner. With TMN, the loss of stimulation did not decrease beyond the control activity. With menadione (62.5–500 µM), the loss of stimulation surpassed that of the control (78 ± 0.01% of control activity), indicating a true inhibition of nNOS activity. This study suggests that potential nNOS inhibitors are present in tobacco, most of which remain to be identified. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The inhibitory effect ofHypericum perforatumextract on morphine withdrawal syndrome in rat and comparison with clonidine
Authors: Feily Amir , Abbasi Naser 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe effects ofHypericum perforatum(St John's wort) on morphine withdrawal syndrome and comparison with clonidine have been investigated in morphine‐dependent rats. Adult male Wistar rats were subjects. The frequencies of withdrawal behavioral signs (rearing, teeth chattering and jumping) induced by naloxone challenge were demonstrated in morphine dependent rats receivingHypericum perforatumextract (HPE), saline or clonidine. The withdrawal behavioral manifestations in rats were inhibited significantly by chronic co‐administration ofHypericum perforatumextract or clonidine with morphine. This study showed that clonidine was more effective than HPE at a dose of 0.4 mL/200 g and there was no significant statistical difference between the mean frequency of withdrawal signs of HPE at a dose of 0.8 mL/200 g compared with clonidine (0.2 mg/kg i.p.) but at a dose of 1.2 mL/200 g of HPE was significantly stronger than clonidine in attenuation of the morphine withdrawal syndrome.The findings suggest that HPE is capable of reducing the symptoms of opiate withdrawal and its effectiveness may be equivalent to clonidine in reducing the opiate withdrawal syndrome and may have human therapeutic potential. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of berberine on the pharmacokinetics of substrates of CYP3A and P‐gp
Authors: Qiu W. , Jiang X. H. , Liu C. X. , Ju Y. , Jin J. X. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThein vivoeffects of berberine (BBR), the widely used bioactive herbal ingredient from many traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine (CBZ, a substrate of CYP3A) and its metabolite carbamazepine 10,11‐epoxide (ECBZ), digoxin (DIG, a substrate of P‐gp) and cyclosporine A (CsA, a dual substrate of CYP3A and P‐gp) were evaluated in rats. After a 2‐week pretreatment with BBR, the pharmacokinetic parameters of i.g. administered CBZ and ECBZ were not significantly altered. The pharmacokinetics of i.v. administered DIG was not modified by single and 2‐week pretreatments with BBR, but a dose‐dependent increase inAUCandCmaxwas observed in the i.g. administered DIG parameters in rats. TheAUCs of DIG with BBR (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg) were 133%, 170% (single) and 123%, 169% (2‐week) of control, respectively. TheAUCandCmaxof i.g. administered CsA with a 2‐week pretreatment with BBR increased by 62% and 43% (BBR 30 mg/kg,p< 0.05), 96% and 60% (BBR 100 mg/kg,p< 0.01), compared with the control. In conclusion, berberine produced a dose‐dependent increased bioavailability of digoxin and cyclosporine A by inhibition of intestinal P‐gp. No significant changes in CYP3A activity by berberine were observed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Hypericum perforatum oil extracts for an antiinflammatory and gastroprotective activity in rats
Authors: Zdunić G. , Gođevac D. , Milenković M. , Vučićević D. , Šavikin K. , Menković N. , Petrović S. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractOil extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (Oleum Hyperici) were prepared in three different ways according to the prescriptions from traditional medicine. Variability of constituents and biological activity were evaluated in the obtained oil extracts. The carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema test has been used for screening the antiinflammatory activity, while the indomethacin‐induced rat gastric mucosa damage test was used for evaluation of gastroprotective activity. All examined oil extracts possessed antiinflammatory and gastroprotective activity. Among them, the oil extract prepared by maceration with 96% ethanol, followed by extraction with sunflower oil by heating on a water bath (extract 2), in a dose of 1.25 mL/kg p.o., exhibited the highest antiinflammatory effect (95.24 ± 11.66%) and gastroprotective activity (gastric damage score of 0.21 ± 0.12). The same oil extract had the highest content of quercetin and I3,II8‐biapigenin (129 ± 9 µg/mL and 52 ± 4 µg/mL, respectively). Quercetin and I3,II8‐biapigenin exhibited antiinflammatory activity similar to those of indomethacin as well as significant gastroprotective activity. The results provide evidence for the usage of Oleum Hyperici as an antiinflammatory and gastroprotective agent, which has been based previously only on ethnopharmacological claims. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kaempferol and quercetin, essential ingredients in Ginkgo biloba extract, inhibit interleukin‐1β‐induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Kwon Soon Ho , Nam Ji In , Kim Si Hong , Kim Jeong Hong , Yoon Joo‐Heon , Kim Kyung‐Su 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAccording to our previous study, Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) suppresses IL‐1β‐induced MUC5AC gene expression in NCI‐H292 cells via the ERK and p38 MAPK pathways. This study sought to identify which ingredients of GBE suppress IL‐1β‐induced MUC5AC gene expression in NCI‐H292 cells and to examine which MAPKs are related to MUC5AC gene suppression for each ingredient. After the cells were pretreated with each ingredient and treated with IL‐1β (10 ng/mL), MUC5AC mRNA expression was determined by RT‐PCR and real‐time PCR. The results showed that kaempferol (KP) and quercetin (QC) suppressed MUC5AC mRNA expression in a dose‐dependent manner, both with significant inhibition starting from 40 µm (equal concentration to about a twelfth or thirteenth dose of GBE). MAPK proteins were determined by western blot analysis after pretreatment with KP, QC and GBE. All three suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 kinases. In conclusion, the data suggested that KP and QC, essential ingredients in GBE, may overcome the dose problem of GBE and play a valuable role, clinically, in controlling mucin hypersecretion in airway inflammation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An antibacterial and antifungal phenylpropanoid from Carum montanum (Coss. et Dur.) Benth. et Hook.
Authors: Laouer Hocine , Meriem El Kolli , Prado Soizic , Baldovini Nicolas 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe volatile constituents of the aerial parts of Carum montanum (Coss. et Dur.) Benth. et Hook. were analysed by GC‐FID and GC‐MS, and the main component was isolated and identified as nothoapiole. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of this compound and of the total oil were investigated against Gram‐negative (P. aeruginosa, E. coli), Gram‐positive (E. faecalis, S. aureus, S. epidermitis, S. saprophyticus, S. simulans, S. lugdunensis) bacteria and on one strain of fungus (C. tropicalis). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation of hypoglycemic phytoconstituent from Swietenia macrophylla seeds
Authors: Maiti Anup , Dewanjee Saikat , Sahu Ranabir 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe present study was undertaken to isolate a novel antidiabetic molecule from Swietenia macrophylla seeds. The hydroalcohol extract of Swietenia macrophylla seeds was subjected for bioassay guided isolation employing glucose utilization assay by the isolated rat hemi‐diaphragm method in vitro. One tetranortriterpenoid, swietenine, isolated from the chloroform fraction exhibited significant (p < 0.01) activity and the effect was comparable to that of human insulin (p < 0.01). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the ameliorative potential ofPunica granatumin dextran sulfate sodium induced ulcerative colitis in mice
Authors: Singh Kavinder , Jaggi Amteshwar Singh , Singh Nirmal 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative potential ofPunica granatumin dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced ulcerative colitis. DSS (2%) was administered orally in drinking water for 7 days to induce ulcerative colitis. The extent and severity of ulceration was analysed macroscopically, histopathologically and using a disease activity index. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a specific marker of inflammation; histamine, a marker of mast cell degranulation; superoxide anion generation and, lipid peroxides were analysed. Administration of DSS resulted in a significant development of ulceration in the colon along with a rise in histamine, MPO activity and oxidative stress. Treatment withPunica granatumextract and its ellagic acid rich fraction (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg p.o.) significantly attenuated DSS‐induced colonic inflammation along with attenuation of histamine, MPO and oxidative stress. The antiulcerative effect ofPunica granatumextract and its ellagic acid rich fraction were comparable to sulphasalazine (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and sodium cromoglycate (40 mg/kg i.p). It is concluded thatPunica granatumhas a potential for ameliorating DSS‐induced colitis and its ellagic acid rich fraction may be responsible for this effect. Further, the antiulcerative effects may be attributed to mast cell stabilizing, antiinflammatory and antioxidant actions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ligularia fischeri leaf extract suppresses proinflammatory mediators in SW982 human synovial cells
Authors: Choi Eun‐Mi , Suh Kwang‐Sik 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSynovial hyperplasia is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is regarded as a major destructive element of articular bone and cartilage. This pathological process is accompanied by the production of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in synoviocytes. The present study was conducted to analyse the effects of Ligularia fischeri extract (LF) on inflammatory functions in the SW982 human synovial cell system. When cells were exposed to LF, LF had a significant inhibitory effect on the production of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and MMP‐3 by SW982 cells (p < 0.05). The mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) represent an attractive target for RA because they can regulate MMP and cytokine expression. The effects of LF on the activation of MAPKs and transcription factors were also examined in SW982 cells by ELISA assay. IL‐1β‐induced JNK and p38 activation was inhibited by LF, and LF significantly reduced the DNA‐binding activity of transcription factors NF‐κB and AP‐1. Taken together, these results suggest that LF modulates the inflammatory process involved in arthritis by suppressing the expression of various genes by inhibiting NF‐κB and/or AP‐1 activities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid‐soluble components of honeybee‐collected pollen exert antiallergic effect by inhibiting IgE‐mediated mast cell activationin vivo
Authors: Ishikawa Yasuko , Tokura Tomoko , Ushio Hiroko , Niyonsaba François , Yamamoto Yuji , Tadokoro Tadahiro , Ogawa Hideoki , Okumura Ko 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIt was shown previously that bee‐collected pollen (bee pollen, BP), inhibitedin vitromurine mast cell activation. This study further analysed the antiallergic effect of BPin vivoby measuring cutaneous mast cell activation using a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction. Daily oral administration of BP to mice, dose‐dependently reduced the cutaneous mast cell activation elicited by IgE and specific antigens. Administration of BP also reduced the plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation. The inhibitory effect of BP was mostly in a lipid‐ but not in water‐soluble fraction. The HPLC analysis of isoflavones in BP revealed that genistein was a major isoflavone. However, administration of genistein alone at the concentration found in BP, did not show an inhibitory effect as observed in whole BP, suggesting that component(s) other than genistein would be responsible for the inhibitory effect of BP. These results first reveal that lipid‐soluble components of BP exert an antiallergic action by inhibiting the FcåRI‐mediated cutaneous mast cell activation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ESP‐102, a combined extract of Angelica gigas, Saururus chinensis and Schizandra chinensis, protects against glutamate‐induced toxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells
Authors: Ma Choong Je , Kim Seung Hyun , Lee Ki Yong , Oh Taehwan , Kim Sun Yeou , Sung Sang Hyun , Kim Young Choong 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIt was reported previously that ESP‐102, a combined extract of Angelica gigas, Saururus chinensis and Schizandra chinensis, significantly improved scopolamine‐induced memory impairment in mice and protected primary cultured rat cortical cells against glutamate‐induced toxicity. To corroborate this effect, the action patterns of ESP‐102 were elucidated using the same in vitro system. ESP‐102 decreased the cellular calcium concentration increased by glutamate, and inhibited the subsequent overproduction of cellular nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species to the level of control cells. It also preserved cellular activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase reduced in the glutamate‐injured neuronal cells. While a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed in glutamate treated cells, the mitochondrial membrane potential was maintained by ESP‐102. These results support that the actual mechanism of neuroprotective activity of ESP‐102 against glutamate‐induced oxidative stress might be its antioxidative activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Schisandrin B stereoisomers protect against hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced apoptosis and associated changes in the Ca2+‐induced mitochondrial permeability transition and mitochondrial membrane potential in AML12 hepatocytes
Authors: Chiu Po Yee , Luk Ka Fai , Leung Hoi Yan , Ng Ka Ming , Ko Kam Ming 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe effects of the schisandrin B stereoisomers, (±)γ‐schisandrin [(±)γ‐Sch] and (−)schisandrin B [(−)Sch B], on hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced apoptosis were investigated in AML12 hepatocytes. Changes in cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, Ca2+‐induced mitochondrial permeability transitions (MPTs) and mitochondrial membrane potentials (Δψm values) were also examined in (±)γ‐Sch‐ and (−)Sch B‐treated cells, without or with hypoxia/reoxygenation challenge. The (±)γ‐Sch/(−)Sch B pretreatments (2.5–5.0 µm) protected against hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced apoptosis in AML12 cells in a concentration‐dependent manner, with the (−)Sch B effect being more potent. Drug antiapoptotic effects were further evidenced by suppression of hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced mitochondrial cytochrome c release and subsequent cleavage of caspase 3 and poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerase by (−)Sch B pretreatment. Whereas hypoxia/reoxygenation challenge increased the extent of Ca2+‐induced MPT pore opening, and Δψm, in AML12 hepatocytes, cytoprotection afforded by (±)γ‐Sch/(−)Sch B pretreatment against hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced apoptosis was associated with a decreased sensitivity to Ca2+‐induced MPT and an increased Δψm in both unchallenged and challenged cells, compared with the drug‐free control. The results indicate that (±)γ‐Sch/(−)Sch B pretreatment protected against hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced apoptosis in AML12 hepatocytes and that the cytoprotection afforded by (±)γ‐Sch/(−)Sch B may at least in part be mediated by a decrease in sensitivity to Ca2+‐induced MPT, which may in turn result from enhancement of cellular GSH levels by drug pretreatments. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of aqueous extracts of black and green teas in arsenic‐induced toxicity in rabbits
Authors: Raihan S. Zahir , Chowdhury A. K. Azad , Rabbani Golam H. , Marni Farzana , Ali M. Shawkat , Nahar Lutfun , Sarker Satyajit D. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractArsenic causes oxidative stress in the body. Its administration (3 mg/kg/day) for 14 days in rabbits resulted in a significant reduction of whole blood glutathione (GSH), and elevation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the index of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels. These are the markers of oxidative stress. Both black tea (BT) and green tea (GT) (Camellia sinensis), when administered to the arsenic‐treated rabbits for 14 days, caused a significant elevation of the depleted GSH level to 53.12% and 57.47%, respectively. On the contrary, in the placebo group the level was 26.59%. The BT and GT reduced the elevated TBARS level to 43.27% and 62.28%, respectively, whereas the corresponding level in the placebo groups was 21.24%. The NOx levels were also reduced to 63.62%, 67.67% and 58.94% in BT, GT and the placebo groups, respectively. When arsenic and black tea were given concurrently to another group the results were even more pronounced. The polyphenol components of black and green tea were 27.69% and 29.71% of the dry weight of the total extracts, respectively. These results indicated that arsenic‐induced toxicities in rabbits were significantly reversed by the black and green tea polyphenols. The greater activity of green tea than that of black tea correlates with the slightly higher content of polyphenols in green tea. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sutherlandia frutescens limits the development of insulin resistance by decreasing plasma free fatty acid levels
Authors: MacKenzie Janine , Koekemoer Trevor , van de Venter Maryna , Dealtry Gill , Roux Saartjie 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIntake of high caloric food induces raised plasma free fatty acids, culminating in insulin resistance (IR) and Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2). The present study has shown for the first time that Sutherlandia frutescens reduces plasma free fatty acid levels in rats fed a high fat diet, thereby preventing the development of insulin resistance. A commercially available S. frutescens extract was administered to rats to examine its effects on the progression of high fat diet induced IR. In comparison to rats fed high fat diet only (positive control for IR), levels of plasma free fatty acids (FFA) were significantly reduced after one week (p < 0.025). Twelve weeks of treatment with S. frutescens reduced the level of plasma free fatty acids below that of rats fed a normal diet (negative control) (p < 0.025). QUICKI and HOMA‐IR index confirmed that S. frutescens treated rats did not develop IR when fed a high fat diet for twelve weeks. In addition to preventing IR and reducing plasma FFA, chronic medication over twelve weeks decreased total cholesterol levels and the LDL/HDL ratio. We propose that S. frutescens is an effective medicinal remedy to prevent elevated plasma free fatty acids and IR, and therefore DMT2. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.