Screening for phenoloxidases from edible mushrooms.

A screening test for phenoloxidases from edible mushrooms was done on potato dextrose agar plates that contained phenolic chemicals. Many edible mushrooms showed positive reactions on the agar plates. Among them, Auricularia auricula-judae, Clitocybe nebularis, Lentinus edodes, Pholiota aurivella, and Pseudohiatula oshimae produced a considerable amount of phenoloxidases, and these enzymes showed maximum activities in the acidic pH region.     

Screening for new hydroxynitrilases from plants

We established a simple HPLC method to determine the activity and stereochemistry of the chiral mandelonitrile synthesized from benzaldehyde and cyanide, and applied it to screen for hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) activity of plant origin. A total of 163 species of plants among 74 families were examined for (R)- and (S)-HNL activities using the method. We discovered that homogenate of leaves of Baliospermum montanum shows (S)-HNL activity, while leaves and seeds from Passiflora edulis, and seeds from Eriobotrya japonica, Chaenomles sinensis, Sorbus aucuparia, Prunus mume, and Prunus persica show (R)-HNL activity. Partially purified (R)-HNLs from Passiflora edulis and Eriobotrya japonica acted not only on benzaldehyde but also on aliphatic ketone. The enantiomeric excess of (R)-methylpropylketone cyanohydrin synthesized from 2-pentanone using homogenate from leaves of Passiflora edulis was 87.0%, and that of (R)-mandelonitrile synthesized by homogenate from seeds of Eriobotrya japonica was 85.0%.     

Screening of Korean medicinal plants for possible osteoclastogenesis effects in vitro

Bone undergoes continuous remodeling through bone formation and resorption, and maintaining the balance for skeletal rigidity. Bone resorption and loss are generally attributed to osteoclasts. Differentiation of osteoclasts is regulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor NF-kB ligand (RANKL), a member of tumor necrosis factor family. When the balance is disturbed, pathological bone abnormality ensues. Through the screening of traditional Korean medicinal plants, the effective molecules for inhibition and stimulation of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in mouse bone marrow macrophages were identified. Among 222 methanol extracts, of medicinal plants, 10 samples exhibited ability to induce osteoclast differentiation. These include Dryobalanops aromatica, Euphoria longana, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Prunus mume, Prunus nakaii, and Polygonatum odoratum. In contrast, Ailanthus altissima, Curcuma longa, Solanum nigrum, Taraxacum platycarpa, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Daphne genkwa showed inhibitory effects in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation.     

食用菌多糖的抗氧化活性

许多食药用真菌都具有各种生理活性[1],其中多糖是最重要的生物活性成分之一,具有清除自由基、提高抗氧化酶活性和抑制脂质过氧化的活性,从而可起到保护生物膜和延缓衰老的作用,因此食用菌多糖成为保健食品和药品开发的重要来源[2]. 目前有关真菌多糖清除自由基的研究有较多的报道[3-8],一些研究认为其抗氧化活性可能与菌体的多糖含量有密切关系.本刊201 1年第10期刊登了魏磊、范黎等的论文"四种野生食用菌粗多糖的抗氧化活性"[9].     

Cytotoxic activities and anti-tumor-promoting effects of microbial transformation products of prenylated chalcones from Angelica keiskei

Three prenylated chalcones, 4-hydroxyderricin (1), xanthoangelol (2), and xanthoangelol F (3), isolated from Angelica keiskei, were transformed by the fungus Aspergillus saitoi. These chalcones were converted to flavanones (i.e., 4, 8, and 12), and prenyl-chain-hydrated (i.e., 5, 7, 9-11, and 13) and ring-B-hydroxylated (i.e., 6) chalcones. The structures of three new metabolites, 7, 9, and 13, were established as 2″,3″-dihydro-4,3″-dihydroxyderricin, 6″,7″-dihydro-7″-hydroxyxanthoangelol, and 6″,7″-dihydro-7″-hydroxyxanthoangelol F, respectively. Upon evaluation of cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-13, the metabolite 7 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against HL60 cells, and this cell death was revealed to be mostly due to apoptosis. In addition, compounds 1-4, 7-10, 12, and 13 were examined for their inhibitory effects on the induction of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells. All compounds tested showed inhibitory effects against EBV-EA activation with potencies higher than that of β-carotene. Furthermore, the metabolite 13 exhibited inhibitory effect on skin tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis test based on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as initiator, and with TPA as promoter.     

Screening of Korean marine plants for their inhibitory effect on histamine release from RPMCin vitro

Allergy, meaning ‘heightened reactivity’ of a host on being exposed to an antigen, is an immediate reaction which included anaphylaxis following contact with an antigen. An anaphylatic reaction is caused by the release of pharmacological mediators, like histamine, from mast cells. The potential anti-allergic activities of 27 seaweed and 19 salt marsh extracts collected from the coast of Korea were tested against the inhibition of histamine release in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). Among them, three salt marsh plants (Persicaria lapathifolia, Ixeris tamagawaensis, andSalsola komarovir) significantly showed more than 75% of inhibition of the histamine release at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, and also three salt marsh (Messerschmidia sibirica, Rosa rugosa, andPortulaca oleraceae) and three seaweed (Colpomenia bullosa, Derbesia marina, andSargassum thunbergii) extracts exhibited moderately inhibition effects when compared to the control.     

In vitro study of the anti-inflammatory activity of some medicinal and edible plants growing in Russia

The effects of the ethanolic extracts of 105 plants used in Russian traditional medicine, 26 vegetables and fruits and 2 mushrooms on the release of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated differentiated human acute monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells were studied using TNF-α and PGE₂ assays, respectively. We found that 16 plant extracts inhibited TNF-α production and 15 extracts decreased PGE₂ release in the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Guilder rose, tansy, shrubby cinquefoil, wintergreen, and prince’s pine, the last two of which belong to the Pyrolaceae family, notably inhibited the levels of both of the inflammatory mediators.     

Screening for hydroxynitrile lyases in plants

Plant extracts from a variety of plant tissues were screened for hydroxynitrile lyase activity using a screening assay based on the conversion of mandelonitrile to benzaldehyde and HCN. Many plants extracts were discovered that catalysed the cleavage of mandelonitrile but not the synthesis reaction. In further investigations one esterase (fromPseudomonas marginata) with this activity was found.     

Screening of potential cytotoxic activities of some medicinal plants of Saudi Arabia

Phytochemicals from plant extracts belong to an important source of natural products which have demonstrated excellent cytotoxic activities. However, plants of different origins exhibit diverse chemical composition and bioactivities. Therefore, discovery of plants based new anticancer agents from different parts of the world is always challenging. In this study, methanolic extracts of different parts of 11 plants from Saudi Arabia have been tested in vitro for their anticancer potential on human liver cancer cell line (HepG2). Particularly, for this study, plants from Asteraceae, Resedaceae and Polygonaceae families were chosen on the basis of locally available ethnobotanical data and their medicinal properties. Among 12 tested extract samples, three samples obtained from Artemisia monosperma stem, Ochradenus baccatus aerial parts and Pulicaria glutinosa stem have demonstrated interesting cytotoxic activities with a cell viability of 29.3%, 28.4% and 24.2%, respectively. Whereas, four plant extracts including Calendula arvensis aerial parts, Scorzonera musilii whole plant, A. monosperma leaves show moderate anticancer properties bearing a cell viability ranging from 11.9 to 16.7%. The remaining extracts have shown poor cytotoxic activities. Subsequently, GC-MS analysis of methanolic extracts of four most active plants extracts such as C. comosum, O. baccatus, P. glutinosa and A. monosperma detected the presence of 41 phytomolecules. Among which 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionitrile (1), 8,11-octadecadiynoic acid methyl ester (2), 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (3) and 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl) ethenone (4) were found to be the lead compounds of C. comosum, O. baccatus P. glutinosa and A. monosperma, respectively.     

Conservation of some rare and endangered plants from Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysia has approximately 15,000 species of vascular plants. Its flora is distributed between two major geographical regions; Peninsular Malaysia on mainland Asia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Peninsular Malaysia has over 8,300 plant species and Sabah and Sarawak in a recent estimate have about 12,000 species. Total species endemism for Peninsular Malaysia is about 30%; its tree endemism is 26.3%. For Sabah and Sarawak, the endemism level is higher, recently revised figures gave a tree species endemism of 42.1%. Malaysia has recently published its national strategy for plant conservation, which now forms the basis of conservation activities for the country. Since 2004, we have been running a project entitled “Conservation Monitoring of Rare and Threatened Plants of Peninsular Malaysia”, in which conservation status assessment is scored for a number of families. Results of the assessment of 458 taxa included 46.1% in some threat category. Detailed conservation studies are in progress for 33 species of threatened plants. Initial work on these species include spatial distribution studies at regional level based on herbarium records, and at a more local level, population studies to determine demography of populations. Regular phenological observations were also made for many of the species.     

Screening marine algae from China for their antitumor activities

Thirty-nine species of marine algae collected from the coast of China were screened for their antitumor activities, and eight species Leathesia difformes, Polysiphonia urcedata, Scytosiphon lomentarius, Gloiopeliis furcata, Punctaria latifolia, Symphyocladia latiuscula, Rhodomela confervoides and Ulva pertusa showed potent cytotoxic activities. Three, Rhodomela confervoides, Scytosiphon lomentarius and Gloiopeliis furcata, were used for further investigation. More than 30 compounds were isolated and purified, and 14 bromophenols, 1 steroid and 1 carotene were identified by advanced spectroscopic methods including IR, MS, and NMR techniques. Amongst the 16 identified compounds, 7 showed vigorously selective activities against KB, Bel7402 and A549 cancer cells, and 6 bromophenols were new compounds.     

四种野生食用菌粗多糖的抗氧化活性

利用DPPH自由基清除法、羟基自由基(OH.)清除法、铁离子鳌合能力及测定还原能力等方法对鸡油菌Cantharellus cibarius、变绿红菇Russula virescens、蜜环菌Armillaria mellea和棕灰口蘑Tricholoma myomyces等4种食用菌的粗多糖进行了抗氧化活性评价。结果显示,4种真菌粗多糖均不同程度地具有抗氧化活性。在DPPH自由基清除试验中,棕灰口蘑和蜜环菌表现出很强的活性,其EC50值分别为1.35 g/L、1.53 g/L;棕灰口蘑和蜜环菌对羟基自由基的清除能力也要优于其他2种食用菌,其EC50值分别为0.65 g/L、0.78 g/L;棕灰口蘑的铁离子螯合能力明显优于其他3种测试菌,其EC50值为1.69 g/L;在还原力方面同样是棕灰口蘑活性最强,蜜环菌次之,其EC50值为1.05 g/L、1.37 g/L。     

Therapeutic opportunities of edible antiviral plants for COVID-19

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - The pandemic of Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that produces corona virus disease (COVID-19) has challenged the entire mankind...     

Screening and genetic manipulation of plants for decontamination of pollutants from the environments

In this review, we will describe our study on "nitrogen-philic plants", which can grow with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as the sole nitrogen source, by screening of naturally occurring plants for the assimilation of nitrogen dioxide and genetic manipulation of plants for those genes involved in the primary nitrate metabolism. Finally, we will briefly describe "Green walls with nitrogen-dioxide-philic plants" for decontamination of pollution in urban areas.     

Screening of some plants from Northern Argentina for their antimicrobial activity

AIMS: Screening of antimicrobial activity in 25 plant species from Northern Argentina. METHODS AND RESULTS: Inhibition of microbial growth was measured by a microplate assay with an oxidation-reduction indicator (Alamar Blue). Test organisms were: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium. Weak inhibitory activities (MIC=0.5 mg dry matter ml(-1)) were found in methanolic extracts of Rivina humilis, Crateva tapia, Funastrum claucum and Schinopsis balansae. Stronger bacteriostatic power was detected in Vassobia breviflora (MIC=0.25 mg ml(-1) against Staphylococcus aureus, and 0.5 mg ml(-1) against Enterococcus faecium). This activity was purified five-fold by extraction with dichloromethane, and it was found equally effective against susceptible or antibiotic-resistant strains of Staph. aureus. In addition, the purified extract was synergistic with gentamicin, and it was bactericidal at 24 h, with a concentration of 0.25 mg ml(-1). CONCLUSION: There is a significant antimicrobial activity in Vassobia breviflora. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Further studies will be required to disclose the potential importance of these findings.     

Screening of basidiomycetes for antimicrobial activities

As a part of a screening programme developed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of basidiomycetes, 317 isolates representing 204 species collected in Spain were screened against a range of human clinical pathogens and laboratory controls. Extracts from 45% of the isolates, representing 109 species, showed antimicrobial activity. Antibacterial activity was more pronounced than antifungal activity. The proportion of extracts from basidiomycetes showing antimicrobial activity was similar to or above that obtained for representative orders of Ascomycetes, such as Pezizales and Xylariales, but lower than that produced by members of the orders Diaporthales, Eurotiales, Hypocreales, Leotiales and Sordariales. Suprageneric taxa (orders and families) did not show pronounced differences in their antimicrobial activities though such differences were observed at the genus level, suggesting that the ability to produce these bioactive compounds is not homogenously distributed amongst the basidiomycetes. Isolates from some species showed large differences in their ability to produce metabolites with antimicrobial activity, possibly reflecting genetic differences at the infraspecific level.     

Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants in Spain

This paper compiles and evaluates the ethnobotanical data currently available on wild plants traditionally used for human consumption in Spain. Forty-six ethnobotanical and ethnographical sources from Spain were reviewed, together with some original unpublished field data from several Spanish provinces. A total of 419 plant species belonging to 67 families was recorded. A list of species, plant parts used, localization and method of consumption, and harvesting time is presented. Of the seven different food categories considered, green vegetables were the largest group, followed by plants used to prepare beverages, wild fruits, and plants used for seasoning, sweets, preservatives, and other uses. Important species according to the number of reports include: Foeniculum vulgare , Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum , Origanum vulgare , Rubus ulmifolius , Silene vulgaris , Asparagus acutifolius , and Scolymus hispanicus . We studied data on the botanical families to which the plants in the different categories belonged, overlapping between groups and distribution of uses of the different species. Many wild food plants have also been used for medicinal purposes and some are considered to be poisonous. This review highlights the rich traditional knowledge on edible plants that has remained in rural Spain. Until recently, many wild plants were used as dietary supplements. However, most of this knowledge survives only in the memory of the elderly, and will probably disappear in a few decades.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 152 , 27–71.