bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Aloe vera gel before and after autodegradation, and stabilization of the natural fresh gel
Authors: Yaron Anina 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe polysaccharides present in Aloe vera gel are presumed to play a key role in the clinical activity of the gel. While clinical studies generally confirm the contribution of the gel to a reduction in inflammation and an acceleration of healing, in some cases the expected therapeutic activity is not observed. This variability could perhaps be attributed to differences in the source of the gel, horticultural conditions and/or post‐harvest treatments. Accordingly, polysaccharide content and composition and gel consistency were studied as a function of growth conditions in gels obtained from shrubs of Aloe barbadensis Miller grown in the Negev region of Israel. Autodegradation of the polysaccharides in the freshly produced gel was also characterized, and a method was developed for retarding this process. The polysaccharides were found to consist of glucomannans. Polysaccharides constituted 0.2–0.3% of the fresh gel and 0.8–1.2% of the dry matter content. Irrigation had a greater influence on gel composition than leaf age or season. The fresh gel showed pseudoplastic behaviour, which became Newtonian as a result of post‐production autodegradation. The polysaccharides remaining after degradation were mainly mannans. Addition of a natural polysaccharide extracted from a species of red microalgae produced a soft pseudoplastic gel with synergistic rheological properties. The addition of the algal polysaccharide preserved the physical properties of the natural aloe polysaccharides. Chemical means were used to retard microbial degradation.
Purification of active substances of Aloe arborescens miller and their biological and pharmacological activity
Authors: Saito Hiroko 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe purified Aloctin A from Aloe arborescens Miller and defined its chemical, biological and pharmacological activities. Aloctin A consists of two discrete bands, α and β with a combined S–S bond. Its molecular weight for α is 7500 and the molecular weight for β is 10 500. Aloctin A has many biological and pharmacological activities as follows: 1. Haemagglutinating activity; 2. Cytoagglutinating activity; 3. Mitogenic activity of lymphocytes; 4. Precipitate‐forming reactivity with α2‐macroglobulin; 5. Complement C3 activating activity; 6. Inhibition of heat‐induced haemolysis of rat erythrocytes; 7. Antitumour effect; 8. Antiinflammatory effect; 9. Inhibition of gastric secretion and gastric lesions.
Biochemical properties of carboxypeptidase from Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger
Authors: Ito Shosuke , Teradaira Ryo , Beppu Hidehiko , Obata Masafumi , Fujita Keisuke , Nagatsu Toshiharu 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA carboxypeptidase was partially purified from Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger on a scale suitable for pharmacological studies. The enzyme was most active and stable at pH 5.0. The enzyme had a broad specificity against various synthetic peptides, being capable of splitting C‐terminal proline. Its activity was inhibited almost completely by diisopropylfluorophosphate, strongly by transition metals, such as Fe3+, Hg2+ and Cu2+, and moderately by sulphydryl reagents. These results indicate that Aloe enzyme is a serine carboxypeptidase and appears to contain a sulphydryl group that may be involved in its inactivation.
Mechanism of antiinflammatory and antithermal burn action of CPase from Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger in rats and mice
Authors: Obata Masafumi , Ito Shosuke , Beppu Hidehiko , Fujita Keisuke , Nagatsu Toshiharu 
Published: October 2006

AbstractCarboxypeptidase (CPase) was partially purified from Kidachi aloe (Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger) by an FPLC system, and was administered intravenously to female ICR mice with inflammation. The enzyme preparation exhibited significant analgesic effects and inhibited vascular permeability in the abdominal region. It also revealed an antithermal burn action on the hind paw, when it was administered to female Wistar rats intravenously.
Hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic effects in mice of Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger
Authors: Beppu Hidehiko , Nagamura Yohichi , Fujita Keisuke 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTwo different components were separated from Aloe arborescens var. natalensis Berger (Kidachi aloe in Japanese), which exhibit hypoglycaemic activity in spontaneously diabetic mice and normal mice. One component was separated from the succulent layer of the Aloe leaf (leaf pulp). This component, when administered to mice intraperitoneally or orally, decreased the blood glucose level, and maintained the lower level for about 24 h. On the other hand, administration of the superficial layer of the Aloe leaf (leaf skin) to streptozotocin (pancreatic islets beta‐cells toxin) –‐ induced diabetic mice, significantly depressed hyperglycaemia and examination of the tissue section under the light microscope revealed less denaturation and necrosis of islets beta‐cells. These results indicate that Kidachi aloe relieves the diabetic condition by direct hypoglyceration (blood glucose lowering activity) and activates beta‐cells.
Beneficial effects of Aloe in wound healing
Authors: Heggers John P. , Pelley Ronald P. , Robson Martin C. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe therapeutic effects of Aloe vera have been examined in preventing progressive dermal ischaemia caused by burns, frostbite, electrical injury, distal dying flap and intra‐arterial drug abuse. In vivo analysis of these injuries showed that the mediator of progressive tissue damage was thromboxane A2 (TxA2). Experimentally Aloe was compared to a variety of antithromboxane agents to include U38450, a lodoxamide, a lazaroid and Carrington wound gel. In the burn injury Aloe was comparable to the lodoxamide and lazaroid with an 82% to 85% tissue survival when compared with the control and the Carrington wound gel (p=0.05). Tissue survival in the experimental frostbite injury was 28.2% when compared with the control (p=0.05). Similar results were obtained for the electrical injury, and intra‐arterial drug abuse. Clinically burn patients treated with Aloe healed without tissue loss as did those with frostbite (p=0.001). In the intra‐arterial drug abuse patients Aloe reversed the tissue necrosis. This therapeutic approach was used to prevent progressive tissue loss in each injury by actively inhibiting the localized production of TxA2. Aloe not only acts as a TxA2 inhibitor but maintains a homeostasis within the vascular endothelium as well as the surrounding tissue.
Toxicological assessment of Aralia mandshurica (Araliaceae) root extract after subchronic administration in rats. A biochemical and histological study
Authors: Burgos Rafael , Hancke Juan , Wikman Georg , Cubillos Victor , Caballero Elías , Oyarzo Mauricio , Sánchez Nury 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe toxic subchronic effect of an extract of Aralia mandshurica on rats of both sexes was studied over a period of 90 days (0.2, 1.7, 3.4 g/kg p.o.). The toxic effects of Aralia mandshurica on the following enzymes were evaluated: alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP), total proteins and serum urea. Blood samples were obtained by means of retroorbital puncture with a microcapillary tube on days 15, 30, 45, 75 and 90 of the administration of Aralia mandshurica. The body weight was registered every week, and at the end of the study a necropsy was performed and the liver, lungs, kidneys, heart, spleen, gonads and adrenal glands were weighed. Liver, gonads and kidneys were examined histologically.There was an increase in the levels of AST and SAP enzymes with a dose of 3.4 g/kg in both sexes on day 90 of administration, but no changes were observed in urea and serum protein. A significant decrease of the body weight was recorded in both sexes with a dose of 3.4 g/kg. Moreover, the animals treated with doses of 1.7 and 3.4 g/kg showed a diminution of faecal consistence. An increase of the liver weight was produced with all the doses of Aralia mandshurica, but neither macroscopic nor histological alterations were observed, as in the rest of the organs. Possible liver damage associated with this enzyme is discussed.
Effect of Echinacea, Aconitum, Lachesis and Apis extracts, and their combinations on phagocytosis of human granulocytes
Authors: Erhard Michael , Kellner Josefine , Wild Johanna , Lösch Uli , Hatiboglu Fatma Sefika 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe influence of Echinacea angustifolia, Aconitum napellus, Lachesis muta, and Apis mellifica, the contents of the combination product Influex (Steigerwald, Germany), on the phagocytosis of human granulocytes was investigated. Incorporation of latex microspheres was measured with a flow cytometric method. With regard to the constituents of the prescription, only vitamin C, lipopolysaccharide, and Echinacea angustifolia were able to enhance the phagocytosis rate. Aconitum, Apis and Lachesis, alone were not able to stimulate phagocytosis but showed an enhancement effect when combined with one another or with Echinacea. For example, a combination of Aconitum (10−2) and Lachesis (10−2) was able to stimulate phagocytosis up to 390%.
Effects of stembark and leaf extracts of Bridelia ferruginea on skeletal muscle
Authors: Onoruvwe O. , Olayinka A. O. , Lot T. Y. , Udoh F. V. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe ethanolic extracts of the leaves and stembark of Bridelia ferruginea were separately investigated for their effects on skeletal muscle using the phrenic nerve‐hemidiaphragm muscle preparation from rats. The bark extract inhibited twitch tension induced by direct electrical stimulation (muscle) (MS) but not indirect electrical stimulation (nerve) (NS) of the diaphragm. It inhibited tetanus tension to both nerve (TNS) and muscle stimulation (TMS), had no effect on K+‐induced contracture and reduced the minimal fusion frequency (MFF). The leaf extract had no effect on twitch tension to NS and MS or K+‐induced contracture but increased tetanus tension to TNS or TMS as well as MFF. These findings suggest that the bark extract does not affect influx of extracellular Ca2+ but inhibits the intracellular mobilization of Ca2+. The leaf extract also had no effect on influx of extracellular Ca2+ but most likely facilitated the intracellular mobilization of Ca2+. Thus, the intracellular action of the bark extract is opposite to that of the leaf extract.
The differential cytotoxicity of cardenolides from Thevetia ahouia
Authors: Decosterd Laurent , Gustafson Kirk R. , Cardellina John H. , Cragg Gordon M. , Boyd Michael R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBioassay‐guided fractionation of the cytotoxic organic extracts of the wood of Thevetia ahouia (Apocyanaceae) led to the isolation of three cardenolide glycosides, neriifolin, 3′‐O‐methylevomonoside and 2′‐acetyl‐neriifolin [1–3]. These agents exhibited a distinctive pattern of differential cytotoxicity in the National Cancer Institute's human disease‐oriented 60‐cell line tumour screening panel, which suggests that follow‐up in vivo xenograft evaluations may be warranted. These patterns may be useful in future dereplication studies of extracts potentially containing this class of compound.
The antioxidant activity of Flavonoids Isolated from Corylus colurna
Authors: Benov L. , Georgiev N. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA natural mixture of flavonoids (F4) was isolated from Corylus colurna leaves. In this study the antioxidant and the free radical scavenging activities of this mixture have been investigated. It was found that F4 had a strong antioxidant activity comparable to that of quercetin and myricetin and higher than that of rutin. F4 is a potent superoxide radical scavenger, more efficient than quercetin and myricetin or their mixture. F4 is also a strong inhibitor of ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced peroxidation in the brain and liver. In addition to these advantages F4 had low toxicity and can be readily isolated. All these advantages make it an alternative to the more toxic synthetic antioxidants for the treatment of pathological conditions in which free radicals are involved.
Protective effect of sho‐saiko‐to (Xiao‐Chai‐Hu‐Tang) on primary cultured rat hepatocytes
Authors: Tsuji Mayumi , Yoshida Yasuko , Kodama Kyoko , Okazaki Masako , Oguchi Katsuji 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe protective effects of the crude drug, and the complete and incomplete prescriptions of a traditional Chinese medicine, Sho‐saiko‐to (SST), against CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes were studied. The complete SST prescription showed the most potent protective effect, whilst with the exception of Scutellaria root extract, other components were ineffective. An incomplete prescription lacking Jujube or Ginger exhibited a similar effect to that of the SST in this system. The protective effect of SST against CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity in cultured hepatocytes appears to be based on the integrated effects resulting from pharmacological interactions among these crude drugs in the whole prescription.
Antimicrobial activity of naturally occurring and synthetic phloroglucinols against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Yamaki Masae , Miwa Mikiko , Ishiguro Kyoko , Takagi Shuzo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSeveral phloroglucinols were isolated from Chinese drugs, Di er cao (Hypericum japonicum Thunb.) and Xian he cao (Agromonia pilosa Ledb.). These compounds showed potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Phloroglucinol derivatives were synthesized and their activities compared with naturally occurring and synthetic phloroglucinols against Staphylococcus aureus. The most active derivatives were methylene‐bis diacetyl‐phloroglucinol, n‐butanoylphloroglucinol, sarothralin and uliginosin B.
Selective antiprotozoal activity of some Strychnos alkaloids
Authors: Wright Colin W. , Allen David , Cai Ya , Chen Zhenping , Phillipson J. David , Kirby Geoffrey C. , Warhurst David C. , Tits Monique , Angenot Luc 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe in vitro activities of 20 Strychnos alkaloids have been determined against three species of protozoa and the active compounds were then assessed for in vitro cytotoxic activity using KB cells. 3′,4′‐dihydrosambarensine was the most active against Plasmodium falciparum, and was relatively nontoxic to KB cells (cytotoxic/antiprotozoal ratio, 1474). Usambarensine displayed the most selectivity against Entamoeba histolytica while 3′,4′‐dihydrousambarensine was the most selective compound against Giardia intestinalis although the cytotoxic/antiprotozoal ratios (20.4 and 6.6 respectively) were less favourable than the above.
Comparative effects of the flavonoids luteolin, apiin and rhoifolin on experimental pulmonary hypertension in the dog
Authors: Occhiuto Francesco , Limardi Foca 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe acute effects were compared of selected flavonoids on the pulmonary vascular circuit in two experimental models of pulmonary hypertension, produced by hypoxia and by prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) in anaesthetized dogs. In all dogs, haemodynamic variables (pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge and aortic pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac output) were recorded in the control state, during hypoxia or PGF2α‐induced pulmonary vasoconstriction, and after equimolar doses (5 mM/kg/i.v.) of luteolin, apiin and rhoifolin. The effects observed after flavonoid administration were compared with those of equimolar doses of nifedipine. The results obtained have shown that luteolin and apiin caused a decrease of hypoxic pulmonary vascular resistance to normoxic values and of the pulmonary arterial pressure while cardiac output remained unchanged. Rhoifolin produced no change in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, but decreased cardiac output and aortic pressure. The response of the pulmonary hypertension induced by PGF2α to flavonoids and nifedipine was nearly identical to that of hypoxia‐induced pulmonary hypertension. The mechanism of action of these flavonoids is discussed.
Ca++ channel blocking activity of Artemisia scoparia extract
Authors: Gilani Anwar H. , Janbaz Khalid H. , Lateef Anisa , Zaman Mohtashim 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIntravenous administration of a hydro‐methanolic extract of Artemisia scoparia (3–30 mg/kg) produced hypotensive and bradycardiac effects. These effects remained unaltered in atropine treated animals and the presence of the extract did not modify the vasoconstrictor response of norepinephrine, indicating that cardiovascular effects of the plant extract are not mediated through activation of muscarinic receptors or adrenoceptor blockade. In the in vitro studies, it suppressed the spontaneous movements of rabbit jejunum in a concentration‐dependent (0.1‐1 mg/mL) manner. The plant extract inhibited K+‐induced tonic contraction in a manner similar to that of verapamil. Exposure of tissue to Ca++‐free Kreb's solution abolished the spontaneous movements which were restored on addition of Ca++. In tissue pretreated with plant extract or verapamil, addition of Ca++ (50 μM) failed to restore spontaneous contractions. These data indicate that Artemisia scoparia cntains Ca++ channel blocker‐like constituent(s) which may explain the hypotensive effect observed in vivo and the traditional use of the plant as a spasmolytic.
Catharanthus roseus cell cultures: Growth, alkaloid synthesis and antidiabetic activity
Authors: Benjamin B. D. , Kelkar S. M. , Pote M. S. , Kaklij G. S. , Sipahimalani A. T. , Heble M. R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSuspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus were established from three different cell lines namely, CWS, CWS‐A and CWS‐G on MS medium supplemented with 2,4‐D (0.4 ppm). The three cell lines were cultured in growth and production media. Cell line CWS grown in production medium showed a PCV (packed cell volume) of 70% in 21 days. The cells synthesized 0.10% ajmalicine in the production medium and the cell extract caused a 71% decrease in blood sugar in diabetes induced rats. In growth medium the cells showed a PCV of 97% in 21 days and produced trace amounts of alkaloids. The cell extracts did not show any antidiabetic activity. The CWS‐A cell line showed a PCV of 98% in 21 days and synthesized 0.036% ajmalicine in production medium. The extracts had no hypoglycaemic effect. In growth medium the cells showed a 98% PCV in 21 days and produced trace amounts of alkaloids. The cell extract caused an 86% decrease in blood sugar. The CWS‐G cell line grown in flasks failed to synthesize significant levels of alkaloids both in growth and production media. The cell extracts did not show any antidiabetic activity.
Effect of Toki‐Shakuyaku‐San (TJ‐23) on the activity of choline acetyltransferase in the brain of menopausal rats
Authors: Sakamoto Shuichi , Hagino Nobuyoshi , Toriizuka Kazuo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis study was designed to examine the effect of TJ‐23 on the synthesis of acetylcholine menopausal rats. TJ‐23 (500 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily through drinking water for either 1 or 3 months. Treatment with TJ‐23 for 1 month resulted in an increase in the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the ventral hippocampus, but there was no statistically significant change in the frontoparietal cerebral cortex. Treatment with TJ‐23 for 3 months resulted in a decrease in the ChAT activity in the frontoparietal cortex, but there was no statistically significant change in the hippocampus. Furthermore, treatment with TJ‐23 for 3 months resulted in a decrease in the ChAT activity in the amygdala‐pyriform cortex complex. From these observations, it is inferred that TJ‐23 treatment brings on the synthesis of acetylcholine in the frontoparietal cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and furthermore, treatment with the same regimen brings on different time sequences of acetylcholine synthesis in the frontoparietal cerebral cortex and hippocampus in menopausal rats.
Hepatoprotective effects of propolis extract on paracetamol‐induced liver damage in mice
Authors: González Ricardo , Remirez Diadelys , Rodriguez Sandra , González Addys , Ancheta Odelsa , Merino Nelson , Pascual Carlos 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effects of propolis extract were studied in a model of acute hepatotoxicity induced by a high oral dose (600 mg/kg) of paracetamol in mice. Propolis at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. decreased significantly the activity of alanine aminotransierase in serum, which was increased by paracetamol alone and increased the concentration of reduced glutathione in mouse liver, which is depleted by paracetamol. Propolis extract also reduced liver damage induced by paracetamol in mice, which was observed by optical and electron microscopy. The hepatoprotective effects of propolis were produced when administered 30 min before paracetamol or 2 h after it. It is concluded that propolis exerts some effects which resemble those of N‐acetylcysteine, the well‐known antidote of paracetamol.
Anti‐inflammatory activity of Lannea coromandelica bark extract in rats
Authors: Singh Surjeet , Singh G. B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractOral administration of an ethanolic extract of Lannea coromandelica (ELC) demonstrated a dose related antiinflammatory activity (AIA) in carrageenan and dextran induced oedema and adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. ELC reduced the pleural exudate volume and inhibited leucocyte migration in carrageenan‐induced pleurisy in rats. It lacked analgesic, antipyretic or ulcerogenic effect and failed to exhibit any effect in cotton pellet granuloma. It did not prolong the gestation period, parturition time in pregnant rats or the onset time of diarrhoea in rats induced by castor oil. The ALD50 is greater than 2 g/kg p.o. in mice.
Effects of polysaccharides purified from Salviae miltiorrhizae radix on experimental nephrosis in rats
Authors: Guoji Ye , Kajihara Jun‐Ichi , Kirihara Sei , Kato Kazuo , Abe Hiroko 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA polysaccharide active fraction (AF) obtained from a hot‐water extract of Salviae miltiorrhizae radix was found to reduce urinary protein excretion in rats with aminonucleoside‐induced experimental nephrosis. Its composition was determined as 20% neutral sugars and 80% uronic acids. Oral or intramuscular administration of AF to the rats with aminonucleoside‐induced nephrosis resulted in a significant decrease of urinary protein excretion and an improvement in the levels of serum albumin, cholesterol and lipid peroxide. Further, electron microscopical analysis revealed that the extent and the severity of lesions of the epithelial cells in glomerulus were significantly less in the rats treated with AF.
Hypoglycaemic properties of the aqueous root extract of Morinda lucida (Benth) (Rubiaceae). Studies in the mouse
Authors: Kamanyi A. , Njamen D. , Nkeh B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe aqueous root extract of Morinda lucida (Rubiaceae) Benth, exhibited potent hypoglycaemic effects in both normoglycemic and alloxan‐induced diabetic mice by oral administration. This effect was dose‐dependent and more potent than that observed with chlorpropamide (1‐(p‐chlorobenzene‐sulphanyl)‐3‐propylurea). In the normoglycaemic mice, the extract (140 mg/kg body weight) produced a fall in blood sugar of 32% + 1% while at 280 mg/kg body weight there was a 52% + 2% fall over the same time interval.In alloxan‐induced diabetic mice, the reaction time of the extract was longer with a single dose of the extract producing a significant hypoglycaemic effect 4 h after administration. In diabetic mice, a dose of 140 mg/kg body weight of the plant extract caused a fall in blood sugar of 51% + 1% while a dose of 280 mg/kg produced a fall of 60% + 2%.