bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of in vitro IL‐2 production enhancing and anticomplementary pectic polysaccharides from kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine ‘Juzen‐Taiho‐To’
Authors: Kiyohara H. , Yamada H. , Takemoto N. , Kawamura H. , Komatsu Y. , Oyama T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA crude polysaccharide fraction (F‐5) from ‘Juzen‐Taiho‐To’ (TJ‐48), a Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine prepared by decocting a prescription of 10 herbs, enhanced the production of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) by mouse spleen cells stimulated with concanavalin‐A (Con‐A). When F‐5 was fractionated by cetavlon precipitation, the neutral polysaccharide fraction (F‐5‐5) enhanced IL‐2 production, and also showed anticomplementary activity. Anion‐exchange chromatography and gel filtration indicated that F‐5‐5 contained at least seven kinds of polysaccharides with anticomplementary activity or IL‐2 production enhancing activity. Among these polysaccharides relatively higher molecular weight polysaccharides (F‐5‐5IIa‐1‐1, IIa‐2‐1, IIb‐1 and IIc‐1) showed only anticomplementary activity, whereas relatively lower molecular weight polysaccharides (F‐5‐5IIb‐3A, IIb‐3C and IIc‐2A) enhanced only IL‐2 production of the spleen cells. These immunomodulating polysaccharides consisted of neutral sugars such as arabinose, galactose and galacturonic acid, and the IL‐2 production enhancing polysaccharides also contained a relatively large proportion of protein. Pronase digestion of F‐5‐5 failed to decrease the enhancement of IL‐2 production, whereas the activity significantly decreased by chemical degradation of the carbohydrate moiety or uronic acid with periodate or lithium. Methylation analysis before and after base‐catalysed β‐elimination suggested that the anticomplementary polysaccharides were grouped into pectic polysaccharides, and that the most potent IL‐2 production enhancing polysaccharide (F‐5‐5IIc‐2A) contained an arabinogalactan moiety in addition to (1→4)‐linked galacturonic acid.
Monitoring physical and chemical properties of freshly harvested field‐grown Aloe vera leaves. A preliminary report
Authors: Wang Yin‐Tung , Strong Kimberly J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe content of total solids was obtained using the homogenate of mesophyll tissue of field‐grown Aloe vera leaves. Filtered gel was used to determine the acidity (pH), content of total reducing sugars and amount of filterable solids. Additional cellulase‐digested and filtered gel was used to determine optical density (for estimating aloin level) and concentrations of calcium and magnesium, as well as for HPLC analysis. There was a considerable variation in leaf size among different production fields. Acidity of the sap was rather consistent, ranging between 4.45 and 4.50. Fibre content, although small, varied by as much as 75%. Profiles of HPLC analyses showed two relatively stable and consistent peaks in nearly all samples that may be used to verify the presence of Aloe extract in an end product, provided these compounds are stable during processing of the Aloe gel.
Immunoreactive lectins in leaf gel from Aloe barbadensis Miller
Authors: Winters Wendell D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractLectins isolated from the gel portion of leaves of Aloe barbadensis Miller by differential centrifugations and gel filtration were found to have strong haemagglutination and mitogenic activities. Haemagglutination titres induced by these lectins were markedly higher than those induced by lectins isolated similarly from Aloe saponaria Haw and Aloe chinesis. The levels of lymphocyte blastogenesis using the Aloe barbadensis Miller lectins were high, but markedly less than those detected using positive control lectins concanavalin A and phytohae‐magglutinin. Results of Western blot transfers followed by immunoblots using specific receptor antisera suggested that the Aloe barbadensis Miller lectins were active at alpha D‐glucose and mannose sites and not at n‐acetyl glucosamine sites. The haemagglutination activities of these Aloe substances were also observed to decrease as a function of time frozen at liquid nitrogen temperatures for up to 9 years.
The learning ability and motility of senescence accelerated mice (SAM‐P/1) treated with Toki‐Shakuyaku‐San
Authors: Kishikawa Masao , Nishimura Mika , Sakae Mihoko , Iseki Masachika 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effects of the Kampo medicine Toki‐Shakuyaku‐San on the motility and learning ability of mice were studied. An assay on mice aged 5 months after 15 weeks of administration revealed no change in spontaneous motility. However, in a study on learning ability employing passive avoidance task, the latent periods of test trial were significantly longer in the Toki‐Shakuyaku‐San administered group than in a control group, indicating that Toki‐Shakuyaku‐San may play some role in the alleviation of learning disturbances in mice.
The hypoglycaemic activity of Swertia japonica extract in streptozotocin induced hyperglycaemic rats
Authors: Basnet Purusotam , Kadota Shigetoshi , Namba Tsuneo , Shimizu Mineo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe hypoglycaemic activity of an aqueous ethanolic extract of Swertia japonica and its ethyl acetate, n‐butanol, water soluble fractions, together with ether soluble and insoluble fractions of ethyl acetate soluble fraction was observed in streptozotocin (STZ) induced hyperglycaemic rats. It was found that an aqueous ethanolic extract was more effective than a mixture of tolbutamide and buformine, and an ethanolic extract of another species of this plant, S. chirayita in lowering the blood glucose level under similar experimental conditions. Furthermore, an ethyl acetate soluble fraction of S. japonica and its ether insoluble fraction showed a potent hypoglycaemic activity.
Vasoconstrictor and cardiotonic actions of Haloxylon recurvum extract
Authors: Gilani Anwar‐Ul Hassan , Shaheen Farhana 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIntravenous administration of an ethanolic extract of Haloxylon recurvum (30–300 μg/kg) caused a rise in arterial blood pressure in normotensive anaesthetized rats. Pretreatment of animals with phentolamine (1 mg/kg) abolished the vasoconstrictor response of the plant extract in a way similar to that of norepinephrine (NE). In an isolated rabbit aorta preparation, both plant extract and NE produced contractile responses which were blocked by phentolamine (0.3 μg/mL). In isolated guinea‐pig atria, the plant extract caused positive inotropic and chronotropic responses similar to that of NE and was blocked by propranolol (0.3 μg/mL). These results suggest that vasoconstrictor and cardiac stimulatory effects of the plant extract are mediated through mechanisms similar to those of NE (stimulation of α‐adrenergic receptors in the blood vessels and cardiac β‐receptors respectively) and hence this plant contains sympathomimetic constituent(s).
Activity of a methanolic extract of Zimbabwean Crinum macowanii against exotic RNA viruses in vitro
Authors: Duri Zvitendo J. , Scovill John P. , Huggins John W. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe in vitro antiviral activity of a freeze‐dried methanolic extract of the bulbs of Zimbabwean Crinum macowanii was determined in Vero cells infected with a number of exotic RNA viruses. At a concentration of 32 μg/mL, the crude methanolic extract reduced by 100% the viral cytopathic effect in Vero cells infected with yellow fever virus, and caused a 70% inhibition of the viral cytopathic effect in cells infected with Japanese encephalitis virus. No evidence of cytotoxicity was observed at this concentration. The freeze‐dried extract inhibited the replication of the above mentioned viruses by 100% at a concentration of 10 μg/mL. No cytotoxicity was seen at this concentration.
In vitro activity and mutagenicity of bisbenzylisoquinolines and quinones against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes
Authors: de Arias A. Rojas , Inchausti A. , Ascurrat M. , Fleitas N. , Rodriguez E. , Fournet A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe accidental transmission of Chagas' disease by donor blood is recognized as a serious problem in the Latin America. This paper describes the screening of natural products as possible new chemoprophylactic additives in blood banks. Ten plant‐derived alkaloids, three terpenes, three quinones and 14 crude plant extracts were tested against bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain in vitro at 4°C at a concentration of 250 μg/mL, using gentian violet as the baseline drug. The bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, cocsuline, daphnandrine, daphnoline, isochondodendrine, gyrocarpine, limacine and pheanthine and the naphthoquinone, plumbagin completely lysed the trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi at a concentration of 250 μg/mL, this activity was verified by the subculture of the treated medium during 4 months. The active alkaloids, pheanthine, daphnoline and limacine were evaluated for mutagenicity by the sister chromatid exchange assay (SCE) in peripheral lymphocytes. Daphnoline and pheanthine elicited no significant increase of the SCE up to 50 μg/mL, while limacine significantly increased the SCE values at a concentration of 25 μg/mL, and 50 μg/mL.
Pharmacological activity of the extracts of two Satureja obovata varieties on isolated smooth muscle preparations
Authors: de Rojas V. R. Sánchez , Ortega T. , Villar A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAqueous extracts of two varieties of Satureja obovata Lag. subsp. obovata: var. valentina and var. obovata, exhibited a dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on the contractions induced by acetylcholine (Ach) (3.4 × 10−8−6.8 × 10−5M) and CaCl2 (2 × 10−4−1.28 − 10−2M) in rat duodenum and by noradrenaline (NA) (10−9−5.12 × 10−7 M) and CaCl2 (2 × 10−4−1.28 × 10−2 M) in rat aorta. The extracts also produced relaxant effects in both tissue preparations precontracted with K+ (75 mM) and in rat aorta precontracted with NA (10−6 M). Vasodilatory effects of the two extracts were attenuated when the endothelium was removed. The inhibitory effects of var. valentina were stronger. These results indicated a smooth muscle relaxant effect that could account for the use of these extracts in traditional medicine.
Short term toxicity of embelin in female rats
Authors: Prakash Anand O. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe toxicity of emblin has been assessed in female cyclic rats. Its administration at a dose of 120 mg/kg body weight did not cause any changes in the weight of liver, kidney and spleen, however, the wet weight of the adrenals showed a remarkable increase. Biochemical constituents such as protein and glycogen did not show any change in these organs except in the adrenal where a significant increase was observed. The activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase was increased in the kidney and adrenal. Administration of embelin for 6 weeks caused severe pathological changes in the liver and kidney which mainly included disintegration, necrotic changes and perinuclear vacuolation. Marked tubular damage was observed in the kidneys. The adrenals showed hypertrophy and the histological features of the spleen remained unchanged.
Effects of the flavone luteolin, isolated from Colchicum richii, on guinea‐pig isolated smooth muscle and heart and on blood pressure and blood flow
Authors: Abdalla S. , Zarga M. Abu , Sabri S. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effects of the flavone luteolin, extracted from Colchicum richii, on guinea‐pig isolated ileum, pulmonary artery, trachea, atrium, perfused heart, and on blood pressure and blood flow of anaesthetized guinea‐pigs were studied. Luteolin (10−5−3 × 10−4 M) caused concentration‐dependent relaxation of the tone of ileum, epinephrine‐precontracted pulmonary artery and only mild relaxation of acetylcholine‐precontracted trachea. These effects were not affected by pretreatment with 1 mM theophylline except in the ileum where theophylline shifted to the left the luteolin concentration‐effect curve. Luteolin (3 × 10−6−3 × 10−4 M) caused an increase in the beating rate and the contractility of the spontaneously beating atrium and of the isolated perfused heart. Theophylline (1 mM) significantly inhibited the effects of luteolin on the atrium and the perfused heart. Luteolin, in doses of 0.3, 1.0, 1.5 and 5 mg/kg body weight had no effect on heart rate of anaesthetized guinea‐pigs but caused depression of systolic and diastolic blood pressure except at the lowest dose used where there was a small increase in both parameters. Also, only the lowest dose (0.3 mg/kg) caused a small increase in blood flow. Larger doses of luteolin caused dose‐related inhibition of blood flow. The effects of luteolin on blood pressure and blood flow were not affected by theophylline pretreatment (5 mg/kg). These observations suggest that the effects of luteolin may be tissue‐specific and in the isolated heart they may be attributed to inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. The data further demonstrate that luteolin has potential cardiovascular effects that merit further investigation.
Depressor effect of magnesium lithospermate B, a component of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Yokozawa Takako , Lee Tae Woong , Chung Hae Young , Oura Hikokichi , Nonaka Gen‐Ichiro , Nishioka Itsuo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effects of magnesium lithospermate B on blood pressure were examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures were decreased after magnesium lithospermate B administration, whereas the urinary levels of kallikrein, prostaglandin E2, sodium and potassium were increased. The mechanisms of the depressor action of magnesium lithospermate B were discussed on the basis of these findings.
Thyroid hormone enhancing activity of the fruits of Juglans regia L. in mice
Authors: Öztürk Y. , Aydin S. , Arslan R. , Baser K. H. C. , Kurtar‐Öztürk N. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn Turkish folk medicine, the fruits and leaves of Juglans regia L. have been widely used as a herbal remedy for the treatment of various endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus, anorexia, thyroid dysfunctions, etc. The effect of fruits of J. regia on the thyroid hormone levels of mice was investigated using two extracts prepared from the fruits by different methods. The acute toxicities of these two extracts in mice were assessed as well. On the basis of our findings obtained, the extracts prepared from the fruits of J. regia enhanced thyroid hormone levels, while they exerted minimal acute toxicity in mice.
Carthami flos extract and its component, stigmasterol, inhibit tumour promotion in mouse skin two‐stage carcinogenesis
Authors: Kasahara Yoshimasa , Kumaki Kunio , Katagiri Susumu , Yasukawa Ken , Yamanouchi Sakae , Takido Michio , Akihisa Toshihiro , Tamura Toshitake 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAn antitumour‐promoting activity in two‐stage carcinogenesis, is found in the methanol extract of the Carthami Flos (Carthamus tinctorius L.; Compositae), which is a traditional Chinese medicine and natural pigment of rouge additivies in certain Asian countries. From these active fractions, δ5‐ and δ7‐sterol fractions were separated. The separation was examined for inhibitory activity against TPA‐induced inflammatory ear oedema in mice. Stigmasterol (71% in the mixture) was the most abundant of 14 sterols identified in the δ5‐sterol fraction. Schottenol (70% in the mixture) constituted the dominant sterol of the δ7‐sterol fraction. Furthermore, stigmasterol markedly inhibited tumour promotion in two‐stage carcinogenesis experiments.
Recent advances in the study of antioxidative effects of Chinese medicinal plants
Authors: Liu Jian , Xiao Pei‐Gen 
Published: October 2006

AbstractResearch on the antioxidative effect of Chinese medicinal plants as a field of modern pharmacology has become more active in China because antioxidative drugs can be used widely to alleviate and/or cure various inflammations, allergic diseases, cancers, organic damage and ageing diseases. In the last decade more attention has been paid to the art of extracting antioxidants from medicinal plants possessing high efficiency and low toxicity since synthetic antioxidants usually show adverse side effects leading to their limited application. A list of 48 species and varieties of Chinese medicinal plants and the antioxidants obtained from them are presented in detail; the status and methodology adopted by Chinese pharmacologists on antioxidative studies are described. Studies on four Chinese traditional drugs, Fructus Schisandrae, Fructus Rosae davuricae, Radix Cynanchi auriculati and Radix Ginseng, are described to show the advances and prospects on the antioxidative effect of Chinese medicinal plants.
Antimicrobial activity of crenatine, an alkaloid synthesized from indole
Authors: Ajayeoba Edith O. , Adeniyi Bolanle A. , Okogun J. I. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSynthesized crenatine, a B‐carboline alkaloid previously isolated from Quassia undulata (Guill & Perr) D. Dietr (Simaroubaceae) is shown to possess antibacterial but no antifungal activity. The activity was tested in vitro against seven Gram‐positive, ten Gram‐negative bacteria and a yeast at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. The compound was found to be more effective against Gram‐positive than Gram‐negative bacteria.
Hepatoprotective effects of propolis extract on carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver injury in rats
Authors: González R. , Corcho I. , Remirez D. , Rodriguez S. , Ancheta O. , Merino N. , González A. , Pascual C. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effects of an ethanolic extract of Cuban red propolis were examined using the model of acute hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) in rats. Propolis extract at doses of 5, 10 and 25 mg/kg i.p. decreased significantly the activity of alanine aminotransferase and the concentration of malondialdehyde in rat serum as well as the concentration of triglycerides in liver which were increased in CCI4‐treated animals. An ethanol extract of red propolis also reduced liver damage induced by CCI4 in rats. This effect was observed by electron microscopy. According to our results it is concluded that ethanolic extract of red propolis exerts hepatoprotective effects in this experimental model which are probably caused by antioxidative properties (e.g. scavenging action against oxygen radicals) of this extract.
Fractionation and characterization of anticomplementary and mitogenic substances from Panax ginseng extract G‐115
Authors: Yamada Haruki , Otsuka Hanako , Kiyohara Hiroaki 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPanax ginseng extract G‐115 had anticomplementary and mitogenic activities. Incubation with artificial gastric juice slightly decreased the anticomplementary activity, whereas incubation with artificial intestinal juice or with artificial gastric juice followed by artificial intestinal juice slightly increased the activity. Incubations with artificial gastric and intestinal juices slightly decreased mitogenic activity similar to that with water. The G‐115 was fractionated in order to characterize the active substances for anticomplementary and mitogenic activities. The most potent anticomplementary activity was observed in the crude polysaccharide fraction, G‐115G, whereas the water‐soluble dialysable fraction, G‐115E showed the most potent mitogenic activity. Although pronase digestion did not change the anticomplementary activity of G‐115G, G‐115G decreased the anticomplementary activity after the treatments with periodate and endo‐polygalacturonase indicating that a carbohydrate moiety containing polygalacturonan may contribute to the activity. G‐115G was further purified by precipitation with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, anion‐exchange chromatography on DEAE‐Sepharose and gel filtration on Sepharose CL‐4B, and major potent anticomplementary polysaccharide, G‐115I1‐IIa‐2‐3 was obtained. G‐115I1‐IIa‐2‐3 was homogeneous, and its molecular weight was estimated to be 3.68 × 105. G‐115I1‐IIa‐2‐3 consisted mainly of arabinose, galactose and glucose in addition to small amounts of galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid and rhamnose.
Evaluation of the acute toxicity, analgesic and CNS activities of different species of Teucrium genus
Authors: Bello R. , Barrachina M. D. , Martínez‐Cuesta M. A. , Esplugues J. , Yúfera E. Primo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMethanol and dichloromethanol extracts of the leaves and stems of four Teucrium species (T. cartaginenses, T. flavum, T. pumillum and T. buxifolium) have been tested for their toxicity, analgesic and central depressor effects. The intraperitoneal administration of the different extracts showed a CNS depressant activity in mice, but they lacked anticonvulsive effects. When tested for analgesic activity none of the extracts increased the threshold of pain thermal stimulus. However, the methanol and dichloromethanol extracts of T. cartaginenses and T. buxifolium species showed a significant analgesic effect in models of pain induced by chemical or mechanical stimulation.
Behavioural effects of Visnea mocanera extract: Psychostimulant and anxiogenic properties
Authors: ández‐Pérez M. Hern , Mateo C. C. Sánchez , Darias V. , Rabanal R. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractNeuropharmacological studies were conducted in mice with different extracts from the leaves and fruits of Visnea mocanera L. f. (Theaceae). The combined data obtained from all biological models suggest that the methanol extract from the leaves and the syrup from the fruits appear to have a psychostimulant action, since these extracts increased locomotor activity (the methanol extract at 250 mg/kg p.o.), reduced pentobarbital‐induced sleeping time (the methanol extract and syrup at 250 mg/kg p.o.) and produced hyperthermia (the syrup at 250 and 500 mg/kg p.o.). The aqueous fraction (250 and 500 mg/kg p.o.) and syrup (500 mg/kg p.o.) from fruits showed an anxiogenic‐like profile in mice when evaluated acutely in the elevated plus‐maze test.
Combined effects of ginseng and radiotherapy on experimental liver cancer
Authors: You Jyh‐Sheng , Hau Dou‐Mong , Chen Kung‐Tung , Huang Hui‐Feng 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPanax ginseng, one of the most widely used plant medicines, was combined with radiotherapy, and studied against intrahepatic sarcoma‐180 tumour cells in mice. Oral administration of ginseng extract, radiation treatment and the combination of both increased the life span of tumour‐bearing mice to 20.4%, 16.9% and 82.1%, respectively. The same treatments were found to be cytotoxic to sarcoma‐180‐induced liver tumour cells. The synthetic rates of DNA, RNA and protein of the tumour cells were all inhibited measurably by the combined treatment. Histopathological studies showed that radiation treatment destroyed both cancer and liver cells and the cells shrank and became necrotic. The ginseng treatment seemed to help the recovery of liver cells and no infiltration of cancer cells was noted.
Microbiological and pharmacological studies on extracts of Cucurbita maxima
Authors: Villasen̄or Irene M. , Bartolome Arlene L. O. , Daclan Lunadel C. , Manatad Armi J. G. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractExtracts from the fruits, leaves and flowers of Cucurbita maxima Duschne were subjected to preliminary microbiological and pharmacological studies. The undiluted ethanol extracts of squash fruits exhibited complete inhibition against B. subtilis and only partial inhibition against E. coli. The extracts of squash flowers and leaves showed either minimal or an absence of antimicrobial activity against both organisms.In the pharmacological screening of the crude extracts of squash fruits and leaves, there was a decrease in motor activity, ataxia, temporary palpebral ptosis, hyperaemia, micturition and abdominal gripping in the test mice. The ethyl acetate extract of squash flowers caused a decrease in respiratory rate, analgesia, paralysis of the hindlegs, persistent skin folds, hyperaemia, diarrhoea, and exophthalamos.