Phytochemical and Bioactivity Studies on Constituents of the Leaves of Vitex Quinata

A phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Vitex quinata (Lour.) F.N. Williams (Verbenaceae), guided by a cytotoxicity assay against the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line, led to the isolation of a new δ-truxinate derivative (1) and a new phytonoic acid derivative (2), together with 12 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods as dimethyl 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-δ-truxinate (1) and methyl 10R-methoxy-12-oxo-9(13),16E-phytodienoate (2), respectively. In a cytotoxicity assay, (S)-5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavanone (3) was found to be the sole active principle, with ED₅₀ values of 1.1–6.7 μM, respectively, when tested against a panel of three human cancer cells. Methyl 3,4,5-O-tricaffeoyl quinate (4) showed activity in an enzyme-based ELISA NF-κB p65 assay, with an ED₅₀ value of 10.3 μM.     

驯化复合微生物菌群处理废弃钻井泥浆活性研究

【背景】油田废弃钻井泥浆含油量高,污染物复杂,环境危害严重,现有技术无法满足日益发展的石油开采行业在废弃钻井泥浆处理方面的需求。生物法处理废弃钻井泥浆,工艺简单,成本低,但也存在局限,包括广谱性差、处理周期长、原油降解率低、泥浆性质波动冲击工艺稳定性等。【目的】构建一种高活性和高环境耐受能力的微生物菌群,分析遗传稳定性和综合性能,提高废弃钻井泥浆处理技术水平。【方法】通过定向富集、诱导驯化的方法,提高活性群落对石油烃乳化降解效率,降低共代谢底物反馈抑制和群体感应系统敏感度,分析群落结构和活性成员的种群类别,分析乳化降解石油烃的活性对应关系。【结果】从含油量超过12g/kg、芳烃-胶质沥青含量超过80%、含盐量超过8g/kg的钻井废弃泥浆中富集得到1个活性微生物菌群,主要成员包括假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、根瘤菌属(Rhizobium)、红细菌属(Rhodobacter)和嗜碱还原硫素杆菌(Dethiobacter alkaliphilus),比例分别达27.44%、20.73%、8.54%和7.93%。在超过22代的连续驯化过程中,假单胞菌(Pseudomonas)、类希瓦氏菌(Alishewanella)和盐单胞菌(Halomonas)数量达92.72%,菌群结构和活性趋于稳定。处理钻井废弃泥浆5 d,土壤含油率由处理前的12403 mg/kg降低到处理后的42 mg/kg,综合脱油效率99.67%,石油烃降解率68.9%。分析微生物群落作用前后石油饱和土壤中的石油含量变化,原始含油量261 g/kg,处理后含油量305 mg/kg,脱油率99.88%。【结论】菌群驯化后活性稳定,耐受高盐环境能力强,在钻井废弃泥浆、含油土壤及油泥污染物处理方面具有很强的工业应用潜力。     

Toxicity of Essential Oil from a New Strain of Ocimum gratissimum (Clocimum) against Betelvine Pathogenic Fungi

The leaves of Ocimum gratissimum (Clocimum) exhibited strong volatile fungitoxicity against betelvine (Piper betle L.) pathogens—Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum capsici and Sclerotium rolfsii. Fifteen compounds could be identified from the fungitoxic constituents—the essential oil. The oil at its minimum inhibitory concentrations of 50, 250 and 500 ppm against S. rolfsii, A. alternata and C. capsici, respectively, was fungistatic, although, fungicidal at higher concentrations. Eugenol was found to be the major fungitoxic principle in the oil. The oil was either equally effective or superior to synthetic commercial fungicides and was non-phytotoxic to the host plants. Thus, the oil can be used as a valuable indigenous and biodegradable agent against fungi that cause losses to the betelvine industry.     

Chemical Constituents and Activities of the Essential Oil from Myristica fragrans against Cigarette Beetle Lasioderma serricorne

Essential oil extracted from nutmeg seeds (Myristica fragrans Houtt .) by hydrodistillation was subjected to GC/MS and GC analysis. A total of 27 constituents were identified, of which eugenol (19.9%), methylisoeugenol (16.8%), methyleugenol (16.7%), sabinene (11.8%), and terpinen‐4‐ol (8.5%) were the major components. The essential oil was tested against Lasioderma serricorne for insecticidal and repellent activity, the LD₅₀ value at the end of 24 h exposure period was 19.3 μg/adult. Six active compounds were isolated by bioassay‐guided fractionation. They were identified as eugenol ( 1 ), methyleugenol ( 2 ), methylisoeugenol ( 3 ), elemicin ( 4 ), myristicin ( 5 ), and safrole ( 6 ). Among these isolates, 4 showed the strongest contact toxicity against L. serricorne adults with an LD₅₀ value of 9.8 μg/adult. Repellency of crude oil and active compounds were also determined. Compounds 1, 2, 4 , and 5 were strongly repellent against the cigarette beetle and exhibited the same level of repellency compared with the positive control, DEET. The results indicate that the essential oil of M. fragrans and its active constituents have potential for development as natural insecticides and repellents to control L. serricorne.     

In vivo assessment of antidiabetic and antioxidative activity of natural phytochemical isolated from fruit-pulp of Eugenia jambolana in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objectives: Eugenia jambolana (E. jambolana) is well known for its antidiabetic potential. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidative effect of an active compound (FIIc) isolated from fruit-pulp of E. jambolana in streptozotocin (45?mg/kg body weight)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: FIIc was isolated from the crude aqueous extract of fruit-pulp by ion-exchange column chromatography and high-performance column chromatography. Detailed UV, NMR, and IR spectra suggested that FIIc is α-hydroxy succinamic acid. FIIc was orally administered to diabetic rats at a dose of 10, 15, and 20?mg/kg body weight (mg/kg bwt.) to determine its effective dose. Thereafter, effective dose was administered to 8 weeks to determine its antidiabetic and antioxidative activity by estimation of glycemic index, lipid profile, key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, and oxidative stress parameters.

Results: Administration of 15?mg/kg dose daily for 8 weeks led to significant (P?P?Discussion: The results demonstrate that FIIc possesses significant antidiabetic and antioxidative activity.     

Mathematical theory of biological periodicities II. Effect of active transport

A previous study (Bull. Math. Biophysics,30, 735–749) is generalized to the case of active transport, which acts together in general with ordinary diffusion. The basic results obtained are the same except for an additional important conclusion. In principle it is possible to obtain sustained oscillations even when the secretions of the different glands do not affect the rates of formation or decay of each other at all, but affect the “molecular pumps,” which are responsible for the active transports in various parts of the system. Thus no biochemical interactions need necessarily take place between then-metabolites to make sustained oscillations possible in principle. This is an addition to a previous finding (Bull. Math. Biophysics,30, 751–760) that due to effects of the secreted hormones on target organs, non-linearity of biochemical interactions is not needed for production of sustained oscillations.     

顺北典型油气藏上方土壤甲烷氧化菌菌群特征及其勘探意义

【目的】甲烷氧化细菌(MOB)长期以来一直被用作石油和天然气勘探的重要油气指示菌,其仅能利用甲烷作为唯一碳源。根据甲烷氧化菌菌群特征结合地质剖面可以较好地预测深部油气藏,为石油勘探提供良好的数据支撑。由于传统平板培养法只能针对可培养甲烷氧化菌,方法具有一定局限性。【方法】本文采用分子生物学技术结合地球化学烃类指标研究了顺北典型油气藏上方土壤中甲烷氧化菌的分布。【结果】研究结果显示,油气田上方pmoA基因拷贝数与酸解烃含量具有一定的正相关性,且油气区比背景区高0.5–2个数量级。16SrRNA基因高通量测序和pmoA基因的克隆文库结果显示顺北油藏上方土壤中甲烷氧化菌主要以I型为主,水平剖面中甲烷氧化菌随着离油田距离增加存在I型向II型演变的现象,且Methylomonassp.在背景区与油气区的丰度有较大差异,具有良好的油气指示潜力。【结论】综上所述,长期微渗透过程中甲烷氧化菌(MOB)的菌群特征对预测深层油藏具有一定的指示作用,结合地质剖面和地表烃类可以有效预测有利油藏区域。     

甲烷菌对厌氧真菌不同碳源代谢的影响

【目的】探讨碳源和甲烷菌对厌氧真菌碳代谢的影响。【方法】利用体外批次厌氧发酵法,比较厌氧真菌纯培养(Orpinomyces sp.和Neocallimastix sp.)及其与甲烷菌共培养(F1:Orpinomyces sp.+Methanobrevibacter sp.和N3:Neocallimastix sp.+Methanobrevibacter sp.)发酵不同类型碳水化合物代谢产物的差异。【结果】对厌氧真菌和甲烷菌共培养F1和N3的研究显示,F1发酵木薯粉[(26.44±0.22)mmol/L]的乳酸产量是发酵玉米芯[(1.31±0.04)mmol/L]的20.18倍,是N3发酵木薯粉[(1.59±0.03)mmol/L]的16.63倍,玉米芯[(0.79±0.08)mmol/L]的33.47倍。当F1和N3中的厌氧真菌纯培养时,各组乳酸产量均1.90 mmol/L。对F1进一步研究,结果显示发酵体系中木薯粉添加量在0.8%–2.0%之间时,乳酸产量随木薯粉添加量增加而增加。当含量在1.0%–2.4%之间时,随木薯粉添加量增加,甲烷和乙酸产量逐渐降低。比较F1发酵大米粉、木薯粉、玉米粉、小麦粉和土豆粉的发酵结果,发现乳酸产量与底物中支链淀粉的含量成正相关(R2=0.9554)。当F1发酵葡萄糖和麦芽糖时,乳酸产量5.00 mmol/L。当以麦芽糊精为底物时,乳酸产量高达(28.00±0.95)mmol/L。【结论】本文首次报道碳源和甲烷菌能够增强厌氧真菌的乳酸代谢途径并且这种增强存在种属特异性。     

Humulus lupulus L. cv. Cascade grown in Northern Italy: morphological and phytochemical characterization

Abstract

Several aroma hops (Humulus lupulus L.) were recently introduced in Northern Italy as a small-scale production of excellence. In this preliminary study, the American cultivar Cascade was investigated in a combined morphological and phytochemical survey. Morphological investigation on trichome structure, density and distribution was performed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Essential oil composition, α/β-acid and polyphenol profiles over 3 years were determined by GC-MS and HPLC analyses. Two types of non-glandular (simple and cystolithic) and glandular (peltate and bulbous) trichomes were observed on leaves and female inflorescences. The peltate trichomes resulted as the main sites of terpene production and accumulation. The essential oil profiles showed myrcene, β-caryophyllene, (E)-β-farnesene and humulene epoxide II as the dominant compounds over the three collection times, although with different relative abundances. The presence of two exclusive compounds, γ-muurolene and trans-γ-cadinene, characterized the investigated cv. Cascade, potentially enhancing herbal, woody and spicy aroma traits of this cultivation in Northern Italy. The bitter acid composition showed quantitative values consistent with literature data only for the second and third monitoring year. Qualitative differences in polyphenol content were also recorded, for the presence of quercetin-3-O-malonylglucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, which may characterize this peculiar Italian cultivation.     

In Vitro Trypanocidal and Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oils from Four Species of the Family Annonaceae

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, and the trypanocidal and antibacterial activities of the essential oils from four species of Annonaceae: Bocageopsis multiflora (Mart .) R.E.Fr ., Duguetia quitarensis Benth ., Fusaea longifolia (Aubl. ) Saff ., and Guatteria punctata (Aubl .) R.A.Howard . The chemical composition of the essential oils from the aerial parts yielded 23, 20, 21 and 23 constituents, respectively, which were identified by GC/MS. The trypanocidal activity was evaluated against the amastigote and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by the microdilution method against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The results of trypanocidal activity showed that the essential oils of the four species were active at the tested concentrations, with G. punctata essential oil being the most active, with IC₅₀=0.029 μg/mL, and selectivity index (SI)=32, being 34 times more active than the reference drug benznidazole. All EOs showed strong antibacterial activity (minimum inhibitory concentrations of 4.68–37.5 μg/mL) against strains of S. mutans.     

Essential Oil Composition of Different Plant Parts from Croatian Petasites albus (L.) Gaertn. and Petasites hybridus (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. (Asteraceae)

Essential oil compositions of fresh leaves, flower stems and rhizomes obtained by hydrodistillation from different Croatian populations of Petasites albus (L.) Gaertn. and Petasites hybridus (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. (four of each species) were investigated using gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Altogether, 118 constituents were identified, accounting for 81.19–96.81 % of total oil composition. All essential oils were characterized by oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with distinct compounds recorded for both investigated species. Clear separation between the two species was confirmed by principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. This is the first study that recorded intraspecific variations of essential oil constituents from P. albus and P. hybridus. Obtained results could contribute to the understanding of their medicinal and nutritional value.     

Production of a Thermostable Lipase by Humicola lanuginosa Grown on Sorbitol-Corn Steep Liquor Medium

For thermostable lipase production by Humicola lanuginosa No. 3, a simple optimized medium consisting of (%, w/v): sorbitol, 1.0; corn steep liquor, 1.0; NaCl, 0.5; CaCl₂–2H₂0, 0.01; Silicone Km-70 (antifoamer), 0.2; and whale oil or castor oil as a lipase inducer, 0.3, was used. The yield of the lipase was about 80 — 120U/ml after 25 hr aerobic cultivation at 45°C when the pH was maintained at 7 to 8. The acetone powder preparation of the enzyme was most active at pH 7.0 and 45°C. The enzyme retained 100% activity on incubation for 20 hr at 60°C. The enzyme was able to hydrolyze almost all forms of natural fats tested (14 kinds), coconut oil being the most rapidly hydrolyzed.     

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils from Different Morphological Parts of Pinus cembra L.

The essential oils from needles, twigs, bark, wood, and cones of Pinus cembra were analyzed by GC‐FID, GC/MS, and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. More than 130 compounds were identified. The oils differed in the quantitative composition. The principal components of the oil from twigs with needles were α‐pinene (36.3%), limonene (22.7%) and β‐phellandrene (12.0%). The needle oil was dominated by α‐pinene (48.4%), whereas in the oil from bark and in the oil from twigs without needles there were limonene (36.2% and 33.6%, resp.) and β‐phellandrene (18.8% and 17.1%, resp.). The main constituents of the wood oil as well as cone oil were α‐pinene (35.2% and 39.0%, resp.) and β‐pinene (10.4% and 18.9%, resp.). The wood oil and the cone oil contained large amounts of oxygenated diterpenes in comparison with needle, twig, and bark oils.     

Il sospensore embrionale nelle Cruciferae. I. Morfologia e struttura

Abstract

Embryo suspensor in Cruciferae. I. Morphology and structure. — Embryo suspensors in seven species of Cruciferae (Alyssum argenteum All., Brassica nigra (L.) Koch, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus, Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC., Eruca sativa Miller, Lepidium graminifolium L., Matthiola tricuspidata (L.) R. Br.) were morphologically investigated. These species have significant differences in their seeds, so that probable differences could be found in the structure of their ovules and therefore of their suspensors. Results indicate that it is impossible to generalize on the suspensor morphology and structure even in the same family. In Eruca sativa and Brassica nigra polyploidy and polyteny were found, suggesting a probably important metabolic function of their suspensors. In the other species polyteny was not present; a various degree of polyploidy could probably be assumed, suggesting a less active function of suspensors, maybe absorption and transport of nutritive material from the integuments to the developing embryo. The development of the endosperm is almost the same in all species, so that seems to be improbable a negative correlation with the suspensor and endosperm function in the early embryogenesis.     

Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P.Frahm,a new name for Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn.

Abstract

Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn. differs from var. convoluta not only by characters such as larger size, darker colour and undulate leaf margins, as mentioned in the literature, but, in addition, by a different transverse section of the stem, different basal laminal cells, different papillae on the leaf surface, a different spore ornamentation and different isozyme systems. It should therefore be regarded as a separate species. In this case, the legitimate name would be Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P. Frahm, since Barbula convoluta var. sardoa Schimp. is revealed to be an earlier synonym of var. commutata.     

蝇蛹俑小蜂对寄主及果实的趋性反应

【背景】蝇蛹俑小蜂是实蝇类害虫蛹期重要的寄生蜂之一。有关植物果实和寄主挥发物在蝇蛹俑小蜂寻找寄主过程中的作用尚不明确。【方法】采用"Y"型嗅觉仪测试了寄主和果实(健康果实和虫害诱导果实)对蝇蛹俑小蜂的引诱作用。【结果】虫伤1 d的番石榴和杨桃果实对蝇蛹佣小蜂雌蜂具有显著的引诱作用;寄主蛹——3日龄橘小实蝇蛹和4日龄瓜实蝇蛹对蝇蛹俑小蜂雌蜂也具有显著的引诱作用。蝇蛹俑小蜂雌蜂对雄蜂有显著的吸引作用。橘小实蝇性诱剂甲基丁香酚对蝇蛹俑小蜂的搜索行为则无显著影响。【结论与意义】寄主蛹和幼虫危害1 d的果实能释放对蝇蛹俑小蜂有引诱作用的物质,这可为利用蝇蛹俑小蜂防治实蝇类害虫提供基础信息。     

Control of stored grain pest,Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), using the essential oils isolated from Zingiber officinale (L.) and Mentha pulegium (L.) in laboratory condition

Fumigant activity of essential oil vapours distilled from Zingiber officinale (L.) and Mentha pulegium (L.) was tested against eggs, larvae and adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Fumigant toxicity was assessed at 27?±?1?°C and 60?±?5% RH, in dark condition. The influence of different concentrations of the essential oil vapours on egg hatchability, larval and adult mortality was significant. Data probit analysis showed that lethal concentration of the essential oil to kill 50% of the population (LC₅₀) for egg, larvae and adult was found to be 1.151, 2.336 and 2.183?μl/l air of Z. officinale, followed by 0.072, 0.113 and 0.093?μl/l air essential oil of M. pulegium, respectively. Between these essential oils, Z. officinale is almost more toxic than M. pulegium on all growth stages of C. maculatus. The present study suggests that essential oils from these medicinal plants may be potential grain protectants as botanical alternative fumigants and could be used in the management of various life stages of C. maculatus.     

Influenza dei fattori altitudinale,stagionale e ambientale sulla produzione dei principi attivi in Helleborus odorus subsp. laxus (Host) Merxm. & Pod

Abstract

Influence of altitudinal, seasonal and environmental factors on the production of the active principles in Helleborus odorus subsp. laxus (Host.) Merxm. & Pod. - The influence of some factors (altitude, season, environment) on the production of the active principles of Helleborus odorus subsp. laxus (Host) Merxm. & Pod. is examined. The samples have been taken at different altitudes and from different environments during various phases of the biological-cycle, in an area on the southern border of the Carnia-prealps zone (Friuli-Venezia Giulia). Only the two main active principles present in the hypogeous organs of such entity, hellebrin and saponin (Rf = 0.63), are considered because in previous works it was demonstrated that such secondary metabolites are chemotaxonomic markers for these entities. Quantitative analysis undertaken separately on roots and rhizomes, have shown a connection between variations of hellebrin and saponin (Rf = = 0.63) contents and physical-environmental factors. In particular it has been found that during the activity period of the plant the quantity of the two previously mentioned principles increases according to the altitude. Various anomalous environmental characteristics such as reafforestation, inhabited areas, steep sunny slopes, seemed to increase the production of the two active principles.     

Protective effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) against diethylnitrosamine-induced renal injury in rats

Abstract

Context: The kidney plays a central role in detoxification and excretion of toxic metabolites, and therefore, is susceptible to toxicity by xenobiotics.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) powder and its essential (volatile) oil against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced renal injury in rats.

Materials and methods: Phenolic and flavonoid components were characterised in rosemary powder using HPLC-UV instrument while rosemary essential oil (E.O) was investigated via GC-MS technique. In rat model, rosemary was administrated orally (in diet) for two months. Lipid profile, antioxidant biomarkers, kidney functions and histopathological examinations were assessed.

Results: Hesperidin (4878.88?ppm) and ellagic acid (403.57?ppm) are among the major phenolic and flavonoid constituents in rosemary powder. Camphor (18.36%) and α-pinene (12.74%) represent the main E.O active ingredients. Rats treated with rosemary E.O showed a significant elevation in serum HDL (28.28%) accompanied by a decrease in LDL (115.47%). A significant decrease in serum creatinine and urea was also reported (69.72 and 109.89%, respectively). Moreover, serum glutathione peroxidise (GSH-Px) activity has been significantly increased. Kidney histopathological examinations confirmed the protective effect against DEN-induced abnormalities.

Conclusion: Rosemary (powder/E.O) was able to reduce or even prevent the severity of diethylnitrosamine-induced renal dysfunction.     

Chemical Composition of Hydrodistilled Essential Oil of Artemisia incana (L.) Druce and Antimicrobial Activity against Foodborne Microorganisms

The oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Artemisia incana (L.) Druce from Turkey was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Sixty‐three compounds were characterized, representing 97.2% of the total components detected, and camphor (19.0%), borneol (18.9%), 1,8‐cineole (14.5%), bornyl acetate (7.8%), camphene (4.9%), and α‐thujone (4.8%) were identified as predominant components. The essential oil was also tested for its antimicrobial activity against 44 different foodborne microorganisms, including 26 bacteria, 15 fungi, and 3 yeast species. The essential oil of A. incana exhibited considerable inhibitory effects against all bacteria, fungi, and yeast species tested. However, the oil showed lower inhibitory activity against the tested bacteria than the reference antibiotics.