bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemoprotective effect of plant phenolics against anthracycline‐induced toxicity on rat cardiomyocytes. Part III. Apigenin, baicalelin, kaempherol, luteolin and quercetin
Authors: Psotová Jitka , Chlopčíková Šárka , Miketová Petra , Hrbáč Jan , Šimánek Vilím 
Published: August 2004

AbstractFlavonoids are found universally in plants and act as free radical scavenging and chelating agents with antiinﬂammatory, antiischemic, vasodilating and chemoprotective properties. In this study, the antilipoperoxidative and cytoprotective effects of apigenin, baicalein, kaempferol, luteolin and quercetin against doxorubicin‐induced oxidative stress were investigated in isolated rat heart cardiac myocytes, mitochondria and microsomes. After preincubation of cardiomyocytes with the test compounds for 1 h the cardiomyocytes were treated with the toxic agent, doxorubicin (100 µM for 8 h). Cardiomyocyte protection was assessed by extracellular LDH and cellular ADP and ATP production. Cytoprotection was concentration dependent for baicalein > luteolin ≅ apigenin > quercetin > kaempferol. All test compounds had signiﬁcantly better protective effects than dexrazoxan, an agent currently used for adjuvant therapy during anthracycline antibiotic therapy. In microsomes/mitochondria the IC50 values of lipid peroxidation inhibition for quercetin, baicalein, kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin were 3.1 ± 0.2/8.2 ± 0.6, 3.3 ± 0.3/9.6 ± 0.5, 3.9 ± 0.3/10.1 ± 0.8, 22.9 ± 1.7/18.2 ± 0.7, and 338.8 ± 23.1/73.1 ± 6.4 mM, respectively. The antilipoperoxidative activity of apigenin differed from its cytoprotective effects, but correlated with the free radical scavenging of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical and half peak oxidation potential (Ep/2). Apigenin was the least effective of the ﬂavonoids studied in all models except the cardiomyocyte model where its cardiomyocyte cytoprotective effect was comparable to other compounds. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Allium schoenoprasum L., as a natural antioxidant
Authors: Štajner D. , Čanadanović‐Brunet J. , Pavlović A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe present study investigated the antioxidative properties of the bulb, leaf and stalk of Allium schoenoprasum L. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase), quantities of malonyldialdehyde, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and reduced glutathione and also the content of total ﬂavonoids, chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids, vitamin C and soluble proteins were determined. The results indicate that extracts from all plant organs exhibited antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the leaves. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A yang‐promoting Chinese herbal suppository preparation enhances the antioxidant status of red cells in male human subjects
Authors: Mak D. H. F. , Chiu P. Y. , Poon M. K. T. , Ng T. T. L. , Chung Y. K. , Lam B. Y. H. , Du Y. , Ko K. M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIn the 16‐week pilot study, the effect of a Yang‐promoting Chinese herbal suppository preparation (VI‐28) on the red cell antioxidant status was examined in 31 healthy male subjects aged 41–66 years old. VI‐28 treatment for 12 weeks (one suppository (0.3 g) daily for week 1–4; one every 2 days for week 5–8; one every 3 days for week 9–12) produced a time/dose‐dependent alteration in red cell antioxidant status. The VI‐28‐induced change is characterized by a slight depletion in cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) level and a decrease in susceptibility to peroxide‐induced lipid peroxidation as well as increases in catalase (CAT) and Cu‐Zn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. While a reversal trend of change was observed in cellular GSH level, the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation as well as the CAT activity after the cessation of treatment for 4 weeks, the SOD activity exhibited a protracted increase. The results indicate that VI‐28 treatment enhances red cell antioxidant status in male subjects. The beneﬁcial effect of VI‐28 treatment on red cells may reﬂect a corresponding change in antioxidant status of peripheral tissues. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pycnogenol® accelerates wound healing and reduces scar formation
Authors: Blazsó G. , Gábor M. , Schönlau F. , Rohdewald P. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractPycnogenol® was applied topically to experimental wounds inﬂicted on healthy rats by means of a branding iron. The wound‐healing time was taken as the number of days required for 50% of the scabs to separate spontaneously from the animals. Application of a gel formulation containing 1% Pycnogenol® signiﬁcantly shortened the wound healing time, by 1.6 days compared with the group treated with gel only (15.4 days). The application of 2% Pycnogenol® decreased the healing time by almost 3 days, while 5% Pycnogenol® further accelerated the wound‐healing process.In parallel, Pycnogenol® gels reduced the diameter of the scars remaining following complete scab loss in a concentration‐dependent manner. In conclusion, Pycnogenol® is a potent active ingredient for the treatment of minor injuries. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (LI 1370) supplementation and discontinuation on activities of daily living and mood in free living older volunteers
Authors: Trick Leanne , Boyle Julia , Hindmarch Ian 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe aim of the study was to investigate the effects of continuing treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) 120 mg/day on the activities of daily living (ADLs) and mood in healthy older volunteers who had immediately previously participated in a survey of the effects of a 4 month treatment with the drug.Following a prior postal survey investigating the effects of 4 months supplementation with GBE on ADLs and various aspects of mood and sleep, 1570 volunteers continued onto a 6 month follow‐up postal survey. Subjects selected their own treatment option for the follow‐up survey, which effectively created four groups: a continuation group who received GBE in the initial 4 month study and during the 6 month follow‐up (GBE‐GBE), a discontinuation group who received GBE in the initial study but not during the follow‐up (GBE‐NT), a new treatment group who did not receive GBE in the initial 4 month study but who did receive GBE during the 6 month follow‐up (NT‐GBE), and a no treatment group who received no treatment in either survey (NT‐NT). At the end of the 6 month follow‐up period each subject completed a line analogue rating scale (LARS) and a self‐rating activities of daily living scale (SR‐ADL).There were signiﬁcant differences in the mean overall LARS and SR‐ADL scores between the four treatment combination groups at the end of the follow‐up period. A factor analysis of the LARS revealed two factors, ‘mood’ and ‘alertness’. When scores from each of the treatment groups were examined over the whole 10 month period it was evident that the ratings of overall competence in the SR‐ADL and both factors of the LARS were diminished on cessation of treatment with GBE, and improved when GBE treatment was initiated. The magnitude of the improvements on all scales was related to the overall duration of GBE supplementation.Signiﬁcant differences between the groups of subjects treated with GBE for different periods of time (4–10 months) suggests that the extract has a demonstrable effect in improving mood and the self‐assessed performance of the tasks of everyday living. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of plant‐derived compounds on larvae of a blowﬂy species that causes secondary myiases: laboratory studies
Authors: Green Paul W. C. , Simmonds Monique S. J. , Blaney Wally M. , Khambay Bhupinder P. S. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractNo‐choice and binary‐choice bioassays were used to test the effect of a range of plant‐derived insecticides on the behaviour of larvae of the black blowﬂy Phormia regina (Meigen). Azadirachtin (100 and 10 ppm), pyrethrum extract (10 ppm) and the naphthoquinone BTG 505 (1000 ppm) acted as deterrents for P. regina larvae. The mortality of larvae was reduced in instances where they moved away from a treated diet. Larvae given a choice were heavier, when compared with larvae reared exclusively on diets containing either azadirachtin (100 or 10 ppm) or the naphthoquinones, BTG 504 (1000 ppm) or BTG 505 (1000 ppm). The deterrent effect of azadirachtin, pyrethrum and the naphthoquinone BTG 505 together with their larvicidal activity, could be utilized in prophylaxis against myiasis infections due to larvae of Phormia regina. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antifungal constituents of Melicope borbonica
Authors: Simonsen Henrik Toft , Adsersen Anne , Bremner Paul , Heinrich Michael , Wagner Smitt Ulla , Jaroszewski Jerzy W. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractFractionation of extracts of the leaves of Melicope borbonica (syn. Euodia borbonica var. borbonica), a medicinal plant from the Réunion Island that is traditionally used for wound healing and other ailments, afforded an acetophenone (xanthoxylin) and two coumarins, scoparone and limettin, as the major constituents. All three compounds exhibited moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Penicillium expansum, in accordance with the traditional use of the plant. Moreover, 2,4,6‐trimethoxyacetophenone (methylxanthoxylin), three other coumarins [7‐(3‐methyl‐2‐butenyloxy)‐6‐methoxycoumarin, cedrelopsin and psoralen], two sesquiterpenes (α‐curcumene and 3,6‐epidioxy‐1,10‐bisaboladiene), eugenol, methyleugenol and a lignan (sesamin) were isolated. None of the isolated constituents exhibited antiinﬂammatory activity in vitro. No alkaloids were detected. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protection of swiss albino mice against whole‐body gamma irradiation by Mentha piperita (Linn.)
Authors: Samarth R. M. , Goyal P. K. , Kumar Ashok 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe radioprotective effects of Mentha oil (Mentha piperita Linn.) against radiation induced haematological alterations in peripheral blood and the survival of Swiss albino mice were studied. Mentha oil 40 µL/animal/day for 3 consecutive days when fed orally prior to whole‐body gamma irradiation (8 Gy) showed protection of the animals in terms of the survival percentage and haematological parameters in mice. Fifty per cent of the animals died within 20 days and 100% mortality was observed up to 30 days post‐irradiation in the control irradiated group. Whereas only 17% of the mice died within 30 days in the experimental group (Mentha oil pretreated irradiated). The total RBC count decreased maximally at 24 h (3.45 ± 0.20 × 1012/L, p < 0.001), similar observations were obtained for the WBC count, haemoglobin content and haematocrit percentage in the irradiated control animals. However, in irradiated animals pretreated with Mentha oil, although the initial values of haematological components were lower they later showed a remarkable recovery reaching normal at 30 days post‐irradiation compared with the irradiated control animals. In general, the recovery of the blood cell number in irradiated animals depends on the survival of stem cells and their derivatives. The results from the present study suggest that the oil of Mentha piperita (Linn.) has a radioprotective role in stimulating/protecting the haematopoietic system. Hence, enhanced survival and an increase in the haematological constituents of peripheral blood of mice against lethal gamma radiation was observed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical evidence for the usefulness of Chinese medicine in the treatment of SARS
Authors: Chen Zheng , Nakamura Tsuyoshi 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis study estimated case fatality rates in Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing using the number of new admissions, deaths and discharges by cure. To determine the relationships between the hazard for death and that for cure, a cure–death hazard plot was developed. The daily ratios of the two hazards determine the ultimate case fatality rate. The case fatality rate was approximately 18% for Hong Kong and Singapore, while the rate for Beijing exceeded 52% until 5 May, was 16% for 5–19 May, and 4%–1% after 20 May. These results show a signiﬁcant difference in the case fatality rate between Beijing and other areas, which seems to have been due to the difference in treatment methods. That is, it suggests that combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine is useful in the treatment of SARS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiviral activity of Undaria pinnatiﬁda against herpes simplex virus
Authors: Thompson Kenneth D. , Dragar Charles 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe major component of an aqueous extract of the seaweed Undaria pinnatiﬁda has been identiﬁed previously as a galactofucan (GFS), a sulfated polysaccharide. The galactofucan was partially puriﬁed and the material tested in this study is 75% pure galactofucan sulfate. GFS was evaluated for antiviral activity against 32 clinical strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV): 14 strains of HSV‐1 and 18 strains of HSV‐2. Twelve strains (four HSV‐1 and eight HSV‐2) were resistant to acyclovir (ACV‐R) and 20 strains (10 HSV‐1 and 10 HSV‐2) were susceptible to ACV (ACV‐S). The median IC50 of GFS for the 14 strains of HSV‐1 was 32 µg/mL. The median IC50 of GFS for the 18 strains of HSV‐2 was 0.5 µg/mL. GFS is signiﬁcantly more active against clinical strains of HSV‐2 than HSV‐1, p < 0.001. The mode of action of the GFS was shown to be the inhibition of viral binding and entry into the host cell. The cytotoxicity of GFS was >4.0 mg/mL in the neutral red dye uptake assay indicating that GFS is non‐toxic in this assay. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclooxygenase inhibitory flavonoids from the stem bark of Semecarpus anacardium Linn.
Authors: Selvam C. , Jachak Sanjay M. , Bhutani K. K. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe ethyl acetate extract of stem bark of Semecarpus anacardium showing in vivo anti‐inﬂammatory activity in carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay was investigated in order to identify its active compounds. Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of S.anacardium afforded 3,4,2′,4′‐tetrahydroxychalcone (butein) and 7,3′,4′‐trihydroxyﬂavone. Evaluation of COX‐1 inhibitory activity of 3,4,2′,4′‐tetrahydroxychalcone and 7,3′,4′‐trihydroxyﬂavone provided the IC50 values of 28.4 and 36.7 µM respectively. Further investigation of these compounds for COX‐2 inhibitory activity revealed moderate potency towards this enzyme. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of ginkgolides on β‐amyloid‐suppressed acetylocholine release from rat hippocampal slices
Authors: Lee Tze‐fun , Chen Chieh‐fu , Wang Lawrence C. H. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAs Ginkgo has been shown to improve age‐related memory deﬁcits and β‐amyloid‐related peptides have been suggested to play a signiﬁcant role in memory degeneration in Alzheimer's disease, the present study was carried out to examine the effect of two major ginkgolides, A and B, on β‐amyloid peptide‐modulated acetylcholine (ACh) release from hippocampal brain slices. Addition of β‐amyloid fragment25–35 (0.01–1 µM) in the superfusion medium suppressed the K+‐evoked [3H]‐ACh release from the rat hippocampal slices in a concentration‐related manner; a 40% reduction in ACh outﬂow was observed with the highest amyloid concentration used (1 µM). Inclusion of ginkgolide B (GKB, 0.01–10 µM) caused a concentration‐related reversion of the inhibitory effect elicited by the effective concentration of β‐amyloid (1 µM). The reversal of the β‐amyloid‐inhibited ACh release by GKB (1 µM) was not blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 µM) indicating a direct interaction of GKB on the cholinergic nerve terminals. In contrast, addition of the same concentration range of ginkgolide A (GKA, 0.01–10 µM) had no effect on β‐amyloid‐inhibited ACh release. These results suggest that GKB may elicit its anti‐amnesic effect by minimizing the inhibitory effect of β‐amyloid peptides on cholinergic transmission. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The evaluation of nitric oxide scavenging activity of certain herbal formulations in vitro: a preliminary study
Authors: Jagetia Ganesh Chandra , Rao Shaival Kamalaksh , Baliga Manjeshwar Shrinath , S. Babu Kiran 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activities of traditional polyherbal drugs like abana, chyavanaprasha, geriforte, septilin, mentat and triphala were examined using sodium nitroprusside as a NO donor in vitro. All the drugs tested demonstrated direct scavenging of NO and were superior to Gingko biloba, which was used as a positive control. The extracts of various polyherbal drugs exhibited dose‐dependent NO scavenging activities and the potency was in the following order: abana > chyavanaprasha > triphala > geriforte > septilin > mentat > Gingko biloba. The present results suggest that the traditional Indian polyherbal crude drugs may be potent and novel therapeutic agents for scavenging of NO, and thereby inhibit the pathological conditions caused by excessive generation of NO and its oxidation product, peroxynitrite. These ﬁndings may also help to explain, at least in part, the pharmacological activities like rejuvenating, adaptogenic, anti‐infection, anti‐inﬂammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective activities of these traditional, clinically used non toxic drugs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Retama raetam subsp. Gussonei
Authors: Conforti F. , Statti G. , Tundis R. , Loizzo M. R. , Bonesi M. , Menichini F. , Houghton P. J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the methanol extracts of Retama raetam subsp. gussonei leaves and seeds. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was assessed by means of two different tests: (1) bleaching of the stable 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical; and (2) lipid peroxidation of liposomes which were prepared from bovine brain extract. In both tests used leaves extract showed a signiﬁcant antioxidant effect. The extract of leaves also demonstrated a good cytotoxic activity against COR‐L23 (large cell carcinoma) cell line. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychopharmacological assessment of Pfafﬁa glomerata roots (extract BNT‐08) in rodents
Authors: Marques Luís Carlos , Galvão Suzana Maria Pereira , Espínola Eduardo , Dias Rosângela Fernandes , Mattei Rita , Oliveira Maria Gabriela Menezes , de Araújo Carlini Elisaldo Luiz 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA pharmacological assessment of the standardized extract (BNT‐08) of Pfafﬁa glomerata roots was performed in young mice submitted to acute treatment with several doses (i.p.), in young and old mice submitted to chronic oral treatment for 150 days or with water (control groups) and in old mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg of extract. Acute tests involved an initial screening, spontaneous movements, rota‐rod, barbiturate sleeping time and passive avoidance were carried out. The chronic test involved mortality assessment, body weight and learning and memory in a T‐maze left/right discrimination test and in the passive avoidance model. Of the acute tests only the sleeping time test showed relevant differences between the groups. With the chronic treatment, a relevant decrease of the number of sessions necessary for learning in the group of old mice treated with the extract was evident. A partial reversal of the memory deﬁcit induced by age in the old mice treated with the extract was found in the passive avoidance test. The results suggest that the standardized extract from Pfafﬁa glomerata roots promoted an increase in both learning and memory of old mice treated in the chronic test. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro leishmanicidal activity of some scarce natural products
Authors: Takahashi Marii , Fuchino Hiroyuki , Sekita Setsuko , Satake Motoyoshi 
Published: August 2004

AbstractLeishmanicidal activity of 46 natural products including several fern and Betula constituents was examined. Several pterosin and atisene compounds from ferns had high activity. Among the triterpenoids the carboxyl group was found to be important for activity. In the diarylheptanoids, the linear‐type and the diphenylether‐type showed signiﬁcant activity, and it was found that the carbonyl group at C‐11 is necessary for the activity of biphenyl‐types. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biochemical changes elicited by isosaline leaf and stem‐bark extracts of Harungana madagascariensis in the rat
Authors: Olagunju J. A. , Ogunfeibo A. B. , Ogunbosi A. O. , Taiwo O. A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIsosaline leaf and stem‐bark extracts of Harungana madagascariensis (L) administered intraperitoneally into healthy albino rats of the Sprague‐Dawley strain at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight resulted in a significant elevation of liver, kidney and serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Serum urea, total proteins, total triglyceride, cholesterol, pyruvate and lactate were also significantly elevated in the treated rats. While the stem‐bark extract significantly increased the blood glucose level, the leaf extract significantly lowered it. However, both extracts significantly reduced supernatant protein concentrations of the liver and kidney. The significant increase in aminotransferase activities and the concomitant reduction in protein concentrations of the liver and kidney suggests increased catabolism of proteins in these organs, while the catabolites produced are probably channelled to other metabolic pathways resulting in the observed hyperpyruvicaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and lactic acidaemia in the treated animals. The increased serum cholesterol also suggests a probable degenerative change that these extracts may have on membranes. The results obtained clearly indicate that these extracts alter metabolic activities in both the liver and kidney of treated rats and hence, should be employed in herbal preparations with caution. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a system for measurement of permeability of aroma compounds through multilayer polymer films by coupling dynamic vapour sorption with purge‐and‐trap/fast gas chromatography
Authors: Zhou Qiaoxuan , Guthrie Brian , Cadwallader Keith R. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA system for measurement of permeability of aroma compounds through laminated polymer films was constructed by combining dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) with purge‐and‐trap/fast gas chromatography (P&T–fGC). Data validation was achieved by measuring the permeability of limonene across an HDPE film (film C) and comparing the permeation data with the literature values. The general applicability of this system, as well as its potential for simultaneous measurement of permeability of multiple aroma compounds, was demonstrated by measuring the permeability of limonene and ethyl butyrate as single permeants or as co‐permeants under different environmental conditions (at 25°C, 30°C or 35°C and 0% or 75% RH) through three different multilayer polymer films (film A, HDPE/EVOH/HDPE/HDPE; film B, HDPE/nylon/HDPE/HDPE; film C, HDPE/HDPE). The results showed that the aroma barrier performance of plastic films was determined by the polymer composition and was affected by various factors, such as temperature and the presence of other co‐permeants. Simplicity, speed and accuracy were some of the attractive features of this system, which indicates its potential as a useful tool that could be applied in the food industry for screening or selection of appropriate packaging materials for specific applications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.