bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective effect of Astragali radix extract on interleukin 1β‐induced inﬂammation in human amnion
Authors: Shon Yun‐Hee , Nam Kyung‐Soo 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Astragali radix extract on interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α production and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) release from IL‐1β‐stimulated human amnion. Primary monolayer cultures of amnion cells were established from women undergoing elective caesarean section before the onset of labour. Production of both IL‐6 and TNF‐α was stimulated in a concentration‐dependent manner by proinﬂammatory cytokine IL‐1β (0.01–10 ng/mL). Astragalus extract inhibited IL‐6 production by approximately 75% from cells under IL‐1β‐stimulated conditions. Treatment of amnion cells with IL‐1β (0.01–10 ng/mL) resulted in a signiﬁcant increase in PGE2 release. Incubation of the cells with the extract for 24 h signiﬁcantly inhibited IL‐1β‐induced PGE2 production. A concentration‐dependent increase in LTC4 production by amnion cells occurred in response to IL‐1β. Astragalus extract blocked the effect of IL‐1β in LTC4 production in human amnion. These results indicate that Astragali radix has a broad antiinﬂammatory effect in human amnion and may be considered a promising agent to protect preterm labour. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacological interactions between ticlopidine hydrochloride and Kangen‐Karyu – Chinese traditional herbal medicine
Authors: Makino Toshiaki , Wakushima Hannosuke , Okamoto Takuya , Okukubo Yasuhiro , Deguchi Yoshiharu , Kano Yoshihiro 
Published: October 2003

AbstractKangen‐Karyu (KGK), containing peony root, cnidium rhizome, safﬂower, cyperus rhizome, saussurea root and Salvia miltiorrhiza root, is a Chinese traditional medicine formula to invigorate the ‘blood’ and dispel ‘blood stasis’, arising from poor blood circulation. The present study evaluated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological interactions between KGK and ticlopidine hydrochloride. Ticlopidine was administered orally or intravenously to KGK‐treated rats, and its plasma concentrations were measured. KGK did not signiﬁcantly affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of ticlopidine in rats treated with both oral and intravenous administration. Ticlopidine alone signiﬁcantly prolonged the mouse tail‐bleeding time and adenosine 5′‐diphosphate‐induced ex vivo platelet aggregation, which was slightly augmented by KGK. It is suggested that the combined therapy of ticlopidine and KGK may augment the antithrombotic effects, and that the dosage of ticlopidine should be reduced to prevent thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a severe adverse effect of ticlopidine. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant activity of extracts from Alpinia katsumadai seed
Authors: Lee Si Eun , Shin Hyun‐Tak , Hwang Hyun Jin , Kim Jeong Hee 
Published: October 2003

AbstractAlpinia katsumadai (Zingiberaceae) has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions such as emesis and gastric disorders. However, very little is known about the cellular actions by which this plant mediates its therapeutic effects. Various aspects of antioxidant activity were evaluated in a total extract derived from Alpinia katsumadai seed in this study. Relatively high levels of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were detected in the total extract (IC50 1.6 µg/mL). Other known compounds such as (−)‐epigallocatechine‐3‐gallate (EGCG) and resveratrol showed IC50 values of <0.8 and 4.8 µg/mL, respectively. The total extract also enhanced the viability of Chinese hamster lung ﬁbroblast (V79‐4) cells and inhibited H2O2‐induced apoptosis. The total extract of Alpinia katsumadai also dose‐dependently enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in V79‐4 cells, and these effects were comparable to other antioxidant compounds such as EGCG and resveratrol. Taken together, our ﬁndings show that Alpinia katsumadai contains signiﬁcant antioxidant activity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Virucidal activity of essential oils from aromatic plants of San Luis, Argentina
Authors: García C. C. , Talarico L. , Almeida N. , Colombres S. , Duschatzky C. , Damonte E. B. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractEssential oils obtained from eight aromatic plants of San Luis Province, Argentina, were screened for virucidal activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1), Junin virus (JUNV) and dengue virus type 2 (DEN‐2). The most potent inhibition was observed with the essential oil of Lippia junelliana and Lippia turbinata against JUNV with virucidal concentration 50% (VC50) values in the range 14–20 ppm, whereas Aloysia gratissima, Heterotheca latifolia and Tessaria absinthioides inhibited JUNV in the range 52–90 ppm. The virucidal activity was time‐ and temperature‐dependent. The essential oils of A. gratissima, Artemisia douglasiana, Eupatorium patens and T. absinthioides inactivated HSV‐1 at 65–125 ppm. However, only A. douglasiana and E. patens had any discernible effect on DEN‐2 infectivity with VC50 values of 60 and 150 ppm, respectively. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analgesic properties of some ethiopian medicinal plants in different models of nociception in mice
Authors: Makonnen Eyasu , Debella Asfaw , Abebe Dawit , Teka Frehiwot 
Published: October 2003

AbstractMany people use analgesic plants to relieve pain and inﬂammation though most of them have not yet been proved to possess such properties. The objective of the present study was to screen the aqueous and ethanol extracts of four Ethiopian traditionally used medicinal plants for analgesic properties. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of the plant materials were screened for their analgesic properties in mice using tail‐ﬂick, hot‐plate and tail‐pinch tests at three dose levels. Normal saline and standard analgesics were employed as negative and positive controls, respectively. The plants subject for the present screening were Ocimum suave, Ocimum lamiifolium, Lippia adoensis, and Ajuga remota. All extracts were observed to possess analgesic properties with varying potencies in tail‐ﬂick and hot‐plate tests. Analgesic activity, however was not observed with tail‐pinch test. The analgesic potencies also varied with concentrations and time after administration. From the present ﬁndings, it can be concluded that the extracts of all the plant materials have got analgesic properties with fast onset of action whose mechanisms need to be investigated further. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro immunopotentiating properties and tumour cell toxicity induced by Lophophora williamsii (peyote) cactus methanolic extract
Authors: Franco‐Molina M. , Gomez‐Flores R. , Tamez‐Guerra P. , Tamez‐Guerra R. , Castillo‐Leon L. , Rodríguez‐Padilla C. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractLophophora williamsii, also known as peyote, is found primarily in dry regions from Central Mexico, including the Mexican States of Nayarit, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Nuevo León, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Tamaulipas, to Texas particularly in regions along Rio Grande. Peyote extracts have been associated with stimulating the central nervous system and regulating blood pressure, sleep, hunger and thirst. However, there is no evidence of any effect of peyote on the immune system or against tumour cell growth. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro effects of peyote methanolic extracts on some parameters of mouse and human leukocyte immunocompetence and tumour cell growth. Peyote extract (0.18–18 µg/mL) activated nitric oxide production by murine macrophages, and stimulated up to 2.4‐fold proliferation of murine thymic lymphocytes. In addition, peyote extract induced up to 1.85‐, 2.29‐ and 1.89‐fold increases in mRNA signal of IL‐1, IL‐6 and IL‐8 by human leukocytes. Also examined were the effects of peyote extracts on murine lymphoma L5178Y‐R and ﬁbroblastoma L929, and human myeloid U937 and mammary gland MCF7 tumour cell growth using 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Peyote extracts were toxic for MCF7, L5178Y‐R, U937 and L929 (18 mg/mL peyote extract caused 1.3%, 8%, 45% and 60% viability respectively) cell lines. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protection by hot water extract of Panax notoginseng on chronic ethanol‐induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: Lin Chih‐Fu , Wong Kar‐Lok , Wu Rick Sai‐Chuen , Huang Tian‐Chyuan , Liu Chi‐Feng 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of a hot water extract of Panax notoginseng (PNG) against chronic ethanol‐induced hepatotoxicity. Fifty mice were divided into ﬁve equal groups with 10 in each group. Group 1 (control) received saline, whereas group 2 received ethanol (70%, 0.1 mL, p.o.) once daily for 4 weeks, which induced hepatotoxicity, manifested biochemically by a signiﬁcant elevation of serum enzyme activities, such as SGOT and SGPT. Hepatotoxicity was further evidenced by a signiﬁcant increase in the hepatic lipid peroxidation measured. Groups 3–5 were administered a hot water extract of PNG at doses of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg 2 weeks after initiating oral administration of ethanol, for a further 2 weeks. PNG ameliorated the rise in serum sGOT and sGPT induced by chronic ethanol administration. The mice were killed after PNG administration. In a separate study, PNG inhibited the lipid peroxidation in the mouse liver homogenate induced by ethanol in a dose‐dependent manner. The ﬁndings indicate that PNG is an efﬁcient cytoprotective agent against chronic ethanol‐induced hepatotoxicity, possibly through inhibition of the production of oxygen‐free radicals that cause lipid peroxidation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fenugreek affects the activity of β‐glucuronidase and mucinase in the colon
Authors: Devasena T. , Menon Venugopal P. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe effect of fenugreek seeds on the activities of β‐glucuronidase and mucinase during 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH)‐induced colon carcinogenesis in rats was studied. Rats were given a weekly subcutaneous injection of DMH at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, for 15 weeks. Fenugreek seed powder was weighed depending upon the weight of individual rats and incorporated in the powdered pellet diet at a dose of 2 g/kg body weight. After an experimental period of 30 weeks the activity of β‐glucuronidase signiﬁcantly increased in the colon, intestine, liver and colon contents in DMH administered rats when compared to an untreated control group. Increase in β‐glucuronidase may increase the hydrolysis of carcinogen‐glucuronide conjugate, liberating carcinogen and/or co‐carcinogen within the colonic lumen. Inclusion of fenugreek seed powder in the diet signiﬁcantly decreased the activity of β‐glucuronidase in all the tissues studied. This may prevent the free carcinogens from acting on colonocytes. Mucinase helps in hydrolysing the protective mucin. Mucinase activity was increased in the colon content and fecal content of animals given DMH when compared to control, while the activity was signiﬁcantly reduced in animals given DMH + fenugreek when compared to animals given DMH only. Our study shows that supplementation of fenugreek seeds in the diet inhibits colon carcinogenesis, by modulating the activities of β‐glucuronidase and mucinase. The beneﬁcial effect may be attributed to the presence of ﬁbre, ﬂavonoids and/or saponins. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiasthmatic property of polyherbal preparation E‐721 B
Authors: Shah Gaurang B. , Parmar N. S. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractE‐721B and its aqueous extract were studied for its antiasthmatic effect in various experimental models using rats and guineapigs. E‐721B produced signiﬁcant and dose‐dependent inhibition of peritoneal mast‐cell degranulation induced by compound 48/80 and egg‐albumin in sensitised rats. The inhibition was comparable to that with disodium cromoglycate, ketotifen, and prednisolone. E‐721B administered 2 h before the experiment and once daily for seven days signiﬁcantly increased the preconvulsion time of acetylcholine and histamine aerosol‐induced bronchospasm. It also signiﬁcantly reduced mortality in guineapigs produced by egg albumin‐induced anaphylactic shock and also reduced bronchoalveolar ﬂuid eosinophil count in the same animals. E‐721B signiﬁcantly inhibited the acetylcholine and histamine‐induced contraction of different isolated smooth muscle preparations from rats and guineapigs. Contrary to these ﬁndings E‐721B produced dose‐dependent contraction of the rat anococcygeus muscle which was blocked by prazosin. Thus our observations establish the antiasthmatic potential of this herbal formulation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oral hypoglycaemic activity of Ipomoea aquatica in streptozotocin‐induced, diabetic wistar rats and Type II diabetics
Authors: Malalavidhane T. S. , Wickramasinghe S. M. D. N. , Perera M. S. A. , Jansz E. R. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractIpomoea aquatica Forsk is a common green leafy vegetable consumed in many parts of the world. The present study was designed to investigate the oral hypoglycaemic activity of Ipomea aquatica in streptozotocin induced diabetic Wistar rats, and Type II diabetic patients. Experimental diabetes was induced with streptozotocin in Wistar rats. The rats were then divided into test and control groups. In addition to the standard feed given to both groups the test was fed with the shredded leaves of Ipomoea aquatica (3.4 g/kg) for one week. Type II diabetic patients were subjected to a glucose challenge before and after a single dose of blended I. aquatica. Patients acted as their own controls. The results revealed that consumption of the shredded, fresh, edible portion of I. aquatica for one week, effectively reduced the fasting blood sugar level of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats (p = 0.01). When subjected to a glucose challenge, the Type II diabetic subjects showed a signiﬁcant reduction (p = 0.001) in the serum glucose concentration 2 h after the glucose load. However, it was not signiﬁcantly reduced at 1 h (p < 0.09) post glucose load. There was a 29.4% decrease in the serum glucose concentration of the diabetic patients when treated with the plant extract. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plants used in cosmetics
Authors: Aburjai Talal , Natsheh Feda M. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThis review describes the use of some natural products in cosmetic preparations, due to their low mammalian toxicity, with a brief description of the major use, plant parts used, the actives responsible for effect and the beneﬁts of such products. Their use in skin care; such as dryness, eczema, acne, free‐radical scavenging, antiinﬂammatory, antiaging and skin protection effects are explained, and also the use in hair care as hair growth stimulants, hair colorants, and for hair and scalp complaints such as dandruff. Essential oils when incorporated into ﬁnished products impart many beneﬁts such as a pleasant aroma in perfumery, shine or conditioning effects in hair care products, emolliency and improving the elasticity of the skin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening South Indian medicinal plants for antifungal activity against cutaneous pathogens
Authors: Vonshak A. , Barazani O. , Sathiyamoorthy P. , Shalev R. , Vardy D. , Golan‐Goldhirsh A. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractIn this study, twenty‐eight South Indian medicinal plants were screened for their anti‐fungal activity against six species of fungi (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. soudanense, Candida albicans, Torulopsis glabrata, and C. krusei). Three plant species extracts, Celastrus paniculatus, Eriodendron anfractuosum and Ficus glomerata showed inhibitory activity. An aqueous extract of galls of Terminalia chebula showed inhibitory effects on three dermatophytes (Trichophyton spp.) and three yeasts (Candida spp.). Seeds extract of T. chebula inhibited only the growth of T. glabrata. An aqueous extract of T. chebula showed inhibitory effects higher than those measured in ethanol extracts. It is therefore suggested that tannins are plausible candidates for the anti‐dermatophytic effects of T. chebula. Chebulinic acid, a known tannin of T. chebula was tested and found not inhibitory, thus a search for the active compound is needed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing theory beyond molecular structure: Electron density distributions of complex molecules
Authors: Schiøtt B. , Overgaard J. , Larsen F. K. , Iversen B. B. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe electron density distribution (EDD) of a molecular system can be determined experimentally from elaborate X‐ray diffraction measurements or calculated with quantum mechanical methods: This provides a unique opportunity for mutual validation of the experimental and theoretical methods—a validation that goes far beyond comparison of molecular structures. Two examples of complex molecular systems of biologic relevance are presented. The first is the cocrystallized complex of betaine, imidazole, and picric acid, 1, which is a 75‐atom molecular complex serving as a model for the active site in the serine proteases class of enzymes, the so‐called catalytic triad. For 1 the experimental charge density was determined by combined modeling of single crystal synchrotron X‐ray and neutron diffraction data measured at 28(1) K, and it is compared with ab initio theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level of theory. Overall, the agreement is good, but in one strong NHO hydrogen bond clear differences are observed. The second example concerns the EDD of the mixed valence trinuclear oxo‐centered iron carboxylate, [Fe3O(OOCC(CH3)3)6(NC5H5)3], 2. This molecule contains 133 atoms (542 electrons) including three open‐shell iron atoms, and the experimental investigation is based on synchrotron X‐ray diffraction data. Calculations in the experimental geometry at the commonly used UB3LYP/LanL2DZ level of theory are not able to reproduce a number of experimentally observed electron density features. In particular, thesp3‐like distribution on the central oxygen atom and the electron deformations on the iron centers are at variance with experiment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Optimal robust disturbance attenuation for continuous time‐varying systems
Authors: Djouadi Seddik M. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractIn this paper we consider the Optimal robust disturbance attenuation problem (ORDAP) for continuous time‐varying systems subject to time‐varying unstructured uncertainty. We show that for causal (possibly time‐varying) continuous systems, ORDAP is equivalent to finding the smallest fixed point of a ‘two‐disc’ type optimization problem under time‐varying feedback control laws. Duality is applied in the context of nest algebra of causal stable systems, to prove existence of optimal continuous time‐varying controllers. We also show that for time‐invariant nominal plants, time‐varying control laws offer no improvement over time‐invariant feedback control laws. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LMI based stability analysis and robust controller design for discrete linear repetitive processes
Authors: Galkowski K. , Lam J. , Rogers E. , Xu S. , Sulikowski B. , Paszke W. , Owens D.H. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractDiscrete linear repetitive processes are a distinct class of 2D linear systems with applications in areas ranging from long‐wall coal cutting through to iterative learning control schemes. The main feature which makes them distinct from other classes of 2D linear systems is that information propagation in one of the two independent directions only occurs over a finite duration. This, in turn, means that a distinct systems theory must be developed for them. In this paper, the major new development is that an LMI based re‐formulation of the stability conditions can used to enable the design of a family of control laws which have a well defined physical basis. It is also noted that this setting can be used to investigate robustness aspects. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor AATF is a novel coactivator of nuclear hormone receptors
Authors: Leister Peter , Burgdorf Sven , Scheidtmann Karl Heinz 
Published: October 2003

AbstractApoptosis antagonizing transcription factor AATF was identified as interaction partner of Dlk/ZIP kinase and shown to exhibit transactivation activity in Gal4‐based reporter gene expression assays. The human ortholog Che‐1 was independently isolated as interacting protein of RNA polymerase II suggesting that AATF might be a transcriptional adapter or mediator which serves to link transcriptional activators to the general transcription machinery. Consistent with this assumption, AATF contains several interaction motifs including a leucine zipper and three putative binding motifs for nuclear hormone receptors. In this study, we investigated a possible functional relationship of AATF to nuclear receptors. Indeed, AATF enhanced transactivation by several steroid hormone receptors including androgen, estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors in a hormone‐dependent manner. This enhancing effect was further increased by p300 but not by a mutant of p300 lacking acetyl transferase activity. AATF bound directly to the receptors in vitro. Co‐activation was impaired with AATF mutants bearing mutations in the LXXLL NR binding motifs. Our data suggest that AATF is a novel coactivator of nuclear hormone receptors.
Effects of estrogen on cell cycle progression and associated metabolic pathways in normal and tumorigenic breast cells
Authors: Hass Ralf , Sohn Christof 
Published: October 2003

AbstractEstrogens are widely used in hormone replacement therapies but their actions particularly in combination with other hormones are poorly understood. Incubation of human MCF‐7 breast cancer cells with high doses of 17β‐estradiol demonstrated changes in morphology such as detachment of the adherent population and an accumulation in G2/M phase of the cell cycle within 24 h. Continuous treatment of MCF‐7 cells with up to 10 μM 17β‐estradiol every 24 h was also associated with the appearance of about 20% cell death in subG1 phase. Interestingly, MCF‐7 cells in G2/M phase following continuous incubation with 10 nM to 1 μM 17β‐estradiol returned to control cell cycle distributions with no significant cell death in subG1 after 96 h, respectively. These findings suggested an estrogen concentration‐dependent sensitivity of MCF‐7 cells. In contrast, incubation of normal human breast epithelial cells (HMEC‐1) with similar amounts of 17β‐estradiol did not result in any significant change in morphology and G2/M phase distribution, respectively, and continuous exposure of HMEC‐1 with up to 10 μM 17β‐estradiol demonstrated less than 5% of apoptotic subG1 populations. Investigations of short term signals revealed a significantly increased 20S proteasomal proteolytic activity which was dependent on poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase in estrogen‐stimulated MCF‐7 tumor cells within 60 min. In contrast, there was little if any detectable change in this proteolytic activity in HMEC‐1 following estrogen treatment. Moreover, while expression levels of manganese superoxide dismutase and the matrix metalloproteinase MMP‐9 remained unchanged in MCF‐7 cells and HMEC‐1 during estrogen treatment, respectively, the amount of MMP‐1 and MMP‐7 significantly increased in the MCF‐7 tumor cells within 60 min after estrogen exposure. In contrast, MMP‐7 protein expression was progressively reduced in HMEC‐1 in an estrogen concentration‐dependent manner within 60 min. Taken together, these findings suggest different estrogen‐mediated signaling mechanisms in normal human breast epithelial cells when compared to their tumorigenic counterparts. Consequently, the distinct threshold effects of estrogen in vitro allow a certain signaling selectivity and may thus question the significance of an overall standard dose used in hormone replacement therapy.