Bakuchalcone,a dihydrofuranochalcone from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia

A new dihydrofuranochalcone has been identified in seeds of Psoralea corylifolia and its structure confirmed by synthesis.     

Plant regeneration from callus cultures of Psoralea corylifolia Linn

Plantlet regeneration via organogenesis was achieved in callus cultures derived form mature leaves, stems and leaves, petioles and roots of young seedling of Psoralea corylifolia on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2.5–3.0 mg L^-1 BA, 1.0 mg L^-1 NAA and 3% (w/v) sucrose. The rate of shoot bud regeneration was positively correlated with the concentration of hormones in the nutrient media. Shoot buds regenerated more readily from juvenile explants (seedling source) as compared to the mature explants. Addition of adenine sulphate (5 mg L^-1) to the culture medium increased the growth of shoot buds. Optimum responses were obtained in hypocotyl and leaf explants using NAA in combination with BA, the highest rate of shoot bud regeneration being in hypocotyl explants. Rooting was readily achieved on the differentiated shoots on MS basal media without growth regulators. Regenerated plantlets were successfully established in the greenhouse.     

Psc-AFP, an antifungal protein with trypsin inhibitor activity from Psoralea corylifolia seeds

An antifungal protein designated as Psc-AFP, with an apparent molecular mass of 18kDa, was isolated from a traditional Chinese herb, malaytea scurfpea (Psoralea corylifolia L.). The isolation procedure entailed extraction, cation exchange chromatography on CM FF, gel filtration chromatography on Superdex 75 and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography on SOURCE 5RPC column. Automated Edman degradation determined the partial N-terminal sequence of Psc-AFP to be NH2-EWEPVQNGGSSYYMVPRIWA, which displayed homology with plant trypsin inhibitors. The protease inhibitor activity of Psc-AFP was then confirmed by the inhibition on trypsin. Psc-AFP at 10 microM inhibited the mycelial growth of Alternari brassicae, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia cerealis, suggesting that Psc-AFP has a role in the defense against pathogens.     

补骨脂中异戊烯基黄酮类化合物及其药理作用研究进展

综述补骨脂(Psoralea corylifolia)中的异戊烯基黄酮类化合物及其药理作用的研究进展.     

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of Physalis minima Linn

In our present investigation, the crude methanol extract and chloroform fraction of the whole plant of Physalis minima Linn (Solanaceae) was investigated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in NMRI mice and Wistar rats of either sex at 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Various established in-vivo model's were used during the study. Both crude extract and chloroform fraction showed marked anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities as compared to a control at tested doses. The antipyretic potential of the crude extract and chloroform were insignificant in the Brewer's yeast fever model. Therefore, the whole plant of Physalis minima Linn could be considered as a potential candidate for bioactivity-guided isolation of natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.     

Anti-inflammatory,analgesic and antipyretic activities of Physalis minima Linn

In our present investigation, the crude methanol extract and chloroform fraction of the whole plant of Physalis minima Linn (Solanaceae) was investigated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in NMRI mice and Wistar rats of either sex at 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Various established in-vivo model's were used during the study. Both crude extract and chloroform fraction showed marked anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities as compared to a control at tested doses. The antipyretic potential of the crude extract and chloroform were insignificant in the Brewer's yeast fever model. Therefore, the whole plant of Physalis minima Linn could be considered as a potential candidate for bioactivity-guided isolation of natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.     

Potential of seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. for the management of phytopathogenic spp.

Aqueous and solvent extracts of seeds of P. corylifolia were evaluated for antifungal activity by poisoned food technique against eight important phytopathogenic species of Fusarium commonly associated with maize seeds. Antifungal activity was observed in both aqueous and solvent extracts. Petroleum ether extract showed highly significant activity against all the Fusarium species. F. graminearum was highly susceptible, while F. lateritium was least susceptible. The antifungal activity increased with increasing concentration of the extract. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of the aqueous extract for F. graminearum was 15% and for F. equiseti, F. moniliforme, F. semitectum and F. solani it was 40%. Total inhibition was not observed in the case of F. lareritium, F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum. The results of the study are of immense value in the management of seed borne phytopathogenic species of Fusarium known to cause significant yield loss in maize.     

In vitro regeneration of Psoralea corylifolia Linn.: influence of polyamines during in vitro shoot development

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - A reliable and economically feasible in vitro plant regeneration protocol has been standardized for the Psoralea corylifolia Linn. using...     

Psoralidin,a coumestan analogue,as a novel potent estrogen receptor signaling molecule isolated from Psoralea corylifolia

A novel biological activity of psoralidin as an agonist for both estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ agonist has been demonstrated in our study. Psoralidin has been characterized as a full ER agonist, which activates the classical ER-signaling pathway in both ER-positive human breast and endometrial cell lines as well as non-human cultured cells transiently expressing either ERα or ERβ. The estrogenic activity was determined using the relative expression levels of either reporter or the endogenous genes dependent on the agonist-bound ER to the estrogen response element (ERE). Psoralidin at 10 μM was able to induce the maximum reporter gene expression corresponding to that of E₂-treated cells and such activation of the ERE-reporter gene by psoralidin was completely abolished by the cotreatment of a pure ER antagonist, implying that the biological activities of psoralidin are mediated by ER. Psoralidin was also able to induce the endogenous estrogen-responsive gene, pS2, in human breast cancer cells MCF-7. It was observed that activation of the classical ER-signaling pathway by psoralidin is mediated via induction of ER conformation by psoralidin and direct binding of the psoralidin–ER complex to the EREs present in the promoter region of estrogen-responsive genes, as shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay results. Finally, molecular docking of psoralidin to the ligand binding pocket of the ERα showed that psoralidin is able to mimic the binding interactions of E₂, and thus, it could act as an ER agonist in the cellular environment.     

Radical scavenging and radiomodulatory effects of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. substantiated by in vitro assays and EPR spectroscopy

The present study is the first report of the radiomodulatory effects of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. The extract (IBG-RA-26) prepared from P. corylifolia was chemically analysed by HPLC, LC-MS/MS and NMR. The total polyphenolic content of IBG-RA-26 was 0.287 mg/ml of quercetin equivalents. IBG-RA-26 exhibited a dose-dependent increase in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. It exhibited comparable (> 50%) site-specific and non-site-specific hydroxyl radical scavenging activity in higher concentration ranges (500-1000 microg/ml), while at lower concentrations (5-50 microg/ml) it exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher non-site-specific scavenging ability compared to site-specific activity. Nitric oxide scavenging activity of IBG-RA-26 (5-1000 microg/ml) increased in a concentration-dependent manner, while maximum superoxide ion scavenging ability (79%) was observed at 50 microg/ml. The electron donation potential of IBG-RA-26 was found to be higher than that of ascorbic acid at lower concentrations (up to 5 microg/ml). Analysis of the ability of IBG-RA-26 to protect membranes against gamma-radiation, utilizing an artificial membrane system (liposome), revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a function of the concentration of IBG-RA-26. Radiation-induced lysis of human erythrocytes was monitored and efficacy of IBG-RA-26 was tested in the concentration range 25-1000 microg/ml, with significant protective efficacy observed in the range 25-50 microg/ml. IBG-RA-26 rendered significant (p < 0.05) protection against radiation (0.25 kGy)-induced DNA damage. EPR spectroscopy was used to investigate the DPPH radical scavenging capacity of IBG-RA-26. IBG-RA-26 exhibited a good DPPH radical scavenging capacity in a concentration-dependent manner. By direct EPR spectroscopy we have also demonstrated the possible formation of free radical species in a solution of IBG-RA-26. The wide spectrum of radioprotective and antioxidant properties exhibited by IBG-RA-26 indicate that P. corylifolia has potential as a radiomodulatory agent.     

Fate of leucine in the biosynthesis of bakuchiol, a meroterpene from Psoralea corylifolia

Significant incorporations of labelled leucine, valine and isovaleric acid into the meroterpene, bakuchiol (1) isolated from the medicinal plant, Psoralea corylifolia have been observed. Degradation experiments show that labels from these substrates find their way into both phenylpropane derived as well as terpenic part of 1 thereby indicating that none of the known pathways is operative in the case of 1. It is suggested that these substrates are metabolised to CO2 which is then incorporated into 1.     

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitory meroterpene analogues of bakuchiol, a constituent of the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia

Two new meroterpenoids, 12,13-dihydro-12,13-dihydroxybakuchiol (2) and (12'S)-bisbakuchiol C (3), were isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabaceae). The structures of 2 and 3 were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Six meroterpenoids isolated from P. corylifolia and three semi-synthetic analogues were evaluated for HIF-1 and NF-kappaB inhibition, and O-methyl and O-ethylbakuchiols (6 and 7) inhibited HIF-1 and NF-kappaB activation without significantly decreasing the viability of the AGS and HeLa cells, respectively.     

Identification, isolation and some properties of lectin from the seeds of Indian coral tree [Erythrina variegata (Linn.) var. orientalis (Linn.) Merrill]

A D-galactose-binding lectin agglutinating human erythrocytes has been purified from the seeds of the Indian coral tree (Erythrina variegata (Linn.) var. orientalis (Linn.) Merrill] by affinity chromatography on acid-treated Sepharose-6B gel. It has a higher reactivity for O-group erythrocytes. The lectin is a glycoprotein having a leucoagglutinating property.     

Biotic elicitor enhanced production of psoralen in suspension cultures of Psoralea corylifolia L.

Cell cultures of Psoralea corylifolia L. were established from the leaf disk derived callus. The effect of different biotic elicitors prepared from the fungal extract (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum), yeast extract and chitosan with different concentrations was studied. The increased synthesis of psoralen in 16-day old cell cultures under 16 h of light and 8 h of dark period was studied. Elicitation of psoralen in A. niger elicitor treated cells was found 9-fold higher over control cells. Treating the cells with P. notatum, yeast extract and chitosan elicitors lead to four to seven-fold higher psoralen accumulation over control cells. The extract of A. niger at 1.0% v/v increased the significant accumulation of psoralen (9850 μg/g DCW) in the cultured cells. Our study clearly shows that all the elicitors had the potential to increase the accumulation of psoralen but the A. niger elicitor at 1.0% v/v induced maximum accumulation.