Extracts of Coleus forskohlii relieves cough and asthma symptoms via modulating inflammation and the extracellular matrix

Asthma is characterized by airway inflammatory infiltration, which leads to airway remodeling and airway hyperreactivity. Coleus forskohlii (CFK) has been used to treat asthma, however, the mechanism involved is not clear. To explore the antiasthma mechanism of extracts of Coleus forskohlii (ECFK), guinea pigs were administered with a spray of phosphoric acid histamine, and rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) were used to evaluate pathological changes in lung tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine cytokine levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were used to assess the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), phosphorylation of p65 (p-p65), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). After ECFK treatment, the asthma incubation period of guinea pigs was significantly prolonged. The H&E results showed that the number of eosinophils in the 12.8 g/kg ECFK group was significantly lower when compared with the control group. Moreover, ELISA results demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-17 in serum and BALF were significantly decreased, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-10 were increased after ECFK treatment. In addition, ECFK treatment resulted in downregulation of ICAM-1, p-p65, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in lung tissue after being sensitized by OVA. In conclusion, our findings indicated that ECFK significantly alleviated OVA-induced inflammatory infiltration and airway remodeling in asthma. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the clinical use of ECFK.     

黄鞘蕊花中的艾里莫芬烷型倍半萜(英文)

从黄鞘蕊花 (ColeusxanthanthusC .Y .WuetY .C .Huang)的乙酸乙酯部分首次分离得到 3个艾里莫芬烷型倍半萜类化合物 ( 1～ 3) ,其结构由NMR波谱技术及单晶X衍射分析确定。其中 ,化合物 1为新化合物 ,命名为 8,9_断裂_艾里莫芬_1 ( 1 0 ) ,7( 1 1 )_二烯_8,1 2_内酯_9_酸。首次对化合物 2 ( 2 ,9_二氧代优瑞坡森 )和 3( 9_氧代宽眼菊素 )的1H NMR和13C NMR谱进行了全归属。     

Influence of the carbon source on growth and rosmarinic acid production in suspension cultures of Coleus blumei

Suspension cultures of Coleus blumei were characterized with respect to growth and rosmarinic acid formation in media with different sugars and various sugar concentrations. Sucrose is the sugar with the highest stimulating effect on growth and rosmarinic acid accumulation, followed by glucose and fructose. The sugar alcohol mannitol cannot be metabolized by the plant cells. Sucrose is cleaved into glucose and fructose by the Coleus cells. Sucrose concentrations from 1 to 5% have an increasing positive effect on growth and rosmarinic acid synthesis in the cell cultures with a maximum rosmarinic acid content of 12% of the dry weight in medium with 5% sucrose; in medium with 6% sucrose rosmarinic acid accumulation obviously did not reach its highest level in the culture period of 14 days. A very high yield of rosmarinic acid (2 mg ml^-1 suspension) could also be achieved by maintaining a sucrose concentration of 2% during the whole culture period. The start of rosmarinic acid synthesis by the cell cultures seems to be regulated by the growth limitation when a nutrient, e.g. phosphate is depleted from the medium. The rate of rosmarinic acid accumulation is related to the amount of carbon left in the medium when growth ceases.Abbreviations RA rosmarinic acid     

Phloem differentiation in Coleus pith explants

A simple tissue culture protocol was used to examine phloem differentiation. Sieve tube elements differentiated from Coleus blumei Benth. pith parenchyma when pith blocks were explanted on to an agar medium containing sucrose and indole acetic acid. Growth regulator concentration had surprisingly little influence on the production of phloem cells. Increasing the availability of sucrose, however, resulted in an enhancement of phloem differentiation. Evidently phloem and xylem differentiation began at the same time in this system, and the concentration of sucrose determined the relative production of phloem cells.     

Potential application of urea-derived herbicides as cytokinins in plant tissue culture

Various urea-derived herbicides and different cytokinin analogues were used to determine their effects on callusing response and shoot regenerating capacity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq.). The herbicides monuron and diuron evoked profuse callusing response from Coleus leaf segments and alfalfa petiole explants on Murashige and Skoog medium. Shoot regeneration by monuron (2.0 mg/l) showed a maximum of 3 multiple shoots both in alfalfa and Coleus with a frequency of 92% and 75%, respectively. Whereas diuron (0.5 mg/l) showed a high frequency of shoot regeneration (89%) with a mean number of 5 shoots in alfalfa, inC. forskohlii, the frequency of regeneration was 90% with a mean number of 6 shoots. Diuron with two chloride groups in the phenyl ring showed significantly higher cytokinin-like activity than single chloride substitution monuron. This study demonstrates the potential use of monuron and diuron as cytokinins in plant tissue culture.     

佛司可林类成分的光谱特征（三）

二萜佛司可林E、F、G、H,已从毛喉鞘蕊花分离得到。本文根据一维和二维的核磁共振谱详细描述了它们的光谱特征,改正了原先错误的指定。     

Biocontrol of root-rot disease of Coleus forskohlii and Coleus amboinicus by using plant extracts as antifungal agents

Different plant extracts were screened for their potential antifungal activity against Fusarium chlamydosporum causing root rot of Coleus amboinicus and Coleus forskohlii; the aqueous and 50% ethanol extract of Annona squamosa, Azadircta indica, Eucalyptus Spp., Ocimum sanctum, Lawsonia inermis, Allium schoenoprasum, Cinnamomum verum Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum, Calendula officinalis species were found to be effective. Both aqueous and 50% ethanol extract of the aforementioned plants showed a significant inhibition.     

EDDS处理对硒胁迫下彩叶草根系FTIR-ATR、SEM-EDXS特征及生理特性的影响

为了解乙二胺二琥珀酸(EDDS)诱导植物耐受硒(Se)胁迫的生理机制,以彩叶草(Coleus blumei)为材料,采用营养液培养的方法、借助傅里叶变换-衰减全反射红外光谱(FTIR-ATR)和扫描电子显微镜-X-射线能量色散谱(SEM-EDXS)分析方法及生理指标的变化,研究1.0 mg/L Se胁迫条件下添加0、0.5、1.0、1.5、2.5、5.0 mmol/L EDDS对彩叶草根系化学成分变化的影响。利用FTIR-ATR图谱分析发现,随着EDDS处理浓度的提高,彩叶草根系透射峰所对应峰形基本不变,而参与Se吸附的基团如羟基、酰胺基和指纹区等的透射峰发生了不同程度的位移。FTIR-ATR的特征峰与彩叶草根系响应Se胁迫的各生理指标变化趋势基本一致,且FTIR-ATR比传统的生理指标测定更敏感、便捷。SEM-EDXS扫描还发现随着EDDS处理浓度的升高,根系中K、Mg、Fe、Si等元素的含量升高,而营养元素Ca含量降低。该研究结果可为深入了解EDDS处理下彩叶草对Se胁迫的响应机理提供科学依据。     

The root endophyte fungus Piriformospora indica leads to early flowering,higher biomass and altered secondary metabolites of the medicinal plant,Coleus forskohlii

This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of plant probiotic fungus Piriformospora indica on the medicinal plant C. forskohlii. Interaction of the C. forskohlii with the root endophyte P. indica under field conditions, results in an overall increase in aerial biomass, chlorophyll contents and phosphorus acquisition. The fungus also promoted inflorescence development, consequently the amount of p-cymene in the inflorescence increased. Growth of the root thickness was reduced in P. indica treated plants as they became fibrous, but developed more lateral roots. Because of the smaller root biomass, the content of forskolin was decreased. The symbiotic interaction of C. forskohlii with P. indica under field conditions promoted biomass production of the aerial parts of the plant including flower development. The plant aerial parts are important source of metabolites for medicinal application. Therefore we suggest that the use of the root endophyte fungus P. indica in sustainable agriculture will enhance the medicinally important chemical production.