Tribulosin and beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside, the anthelmintic principles of Tribulus terrestris.

Successive extracts of Tribulus terrestris prepared using petroleum ether, chloroform, 50% methanol and water were tested for anthelmintic activity in-vitro using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The activity could be detected only in 50% methanol extract which on further bioactivity guided fractionation and chromatographic separation yielded a spirostanol type saponin, tribulosin and beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside. Both the compounds exhibited anthelmintic activity with ED50 of 76.25 and 82.50 microg/ml respectively.     

The occurrence of puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) and its metabolic characteristics in Slovakia

Tribulus terrestris L., commonly known as puncture vine is a plant that grows in temperate climates and is native in the South and East Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia). The medicinal attributes of puncture vine influence the furostanol saponins, which have a stimulation effect on natural testosterone levels. In regard to this fact the stimulating effect on the immune, sexual and reproductive system with muscle building, tonic action, vigor, vitality, stamina and physical endurance was proved. The occurrence of puncture vine, in Slovakia, and quantity determination of the specific constituents and heavy metal pollution in this plant material are presented. The quantity of furostanol saponins is various in different plant parts and was modified by growing conditions. The heavy metal content in this plant material was not higher than the maximum permissible concentration of these elements in the food (standard tea) by the Slovakian Food Codex.     

补充蒺藜提取物对男子拳击运动员肩、肘关节爆发力和耐力的影响

目的:研究补充蒺藜提取物对力量训练和耐力训练的男子拳击运动员肩、肘关节的爆发力和耐力的影响。方法:15名青少年男子拳击运动员随机分为训练对照组(n=7)和训练+蒺藜组(n=8,完成所有测试项目的n=6)。两组运动员同时进行3周大强度力量训练,休息4周,再进行3周中强度耐力训练,每周训练6d。训练+蒺藜组运动员每日上午训练前服用1250mg的蒺藜提取物胶囊,而对照组服用安慰剂。训练前、力量训练和耐力训练后,用瑞士CONTREX等速肌力测试仪检测两组运动员肩关节的屈伸肌、收展肌和肘关节的屈伸肌在90°/s和120°/s角速度运动时的相对峰力矩(峰力矩/体重)、相对平均功率(平均功率/体重)、相对总功(总功/体重)、做功疲劳度和屈伸肌(和收展肌)峰力矩比。结果:与训练前比较,力量训练和耐力训练可降低男拳击运动员肩和肘关节屈伸肌的相对总功(90°/s和120°/s),增加肩关节屈肌做功疲劳度(120°/s)(P均<0.05);与对照组比较,补充蒺藜提取物可改善男拳击运动员力量训练所致肩关节屈伸肌相对总功的减少及屈肌做功疲劳度的增加,以及耐力训练所致肘关节屈伸肌相对总功的降低(P均<0.05);其余各检测指标无显著差异。结论:补充蒺藜提取物可改善力量训练所致肩关节、耐力训练所致肘关节的屈伸肌爆发力和耐力的降低;但不影响肩关节收展肌的爆发力和耐力,也不影响肩和肘关节的稳定性。     

Embryogenic callus culture of Tribulus terrestris L. a potential source of harmaline, harmine and diosgenin

In the present study, a simple one medium formulation protocol for callus culture, somatic embryogenesis and in vitro production of β-carboline alkaloids and diosgenin in Tribulus terrestris L. was developed. Extensive callus induction and proliferation was obtained in leaf explant on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5.0 μM 6 benzyl adenine (BA) and 2.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The embryogenic callus was maintained on subculture to fresh parental medium at 4-week intervals over a period of 28 months. The frequency of embryo formation was at a maximum (18.1 ± 0.9 per g of callus) on MS medium containing 5.0 μM BA and 2.5 μM NAA together with 75 mg l⁻¹ casein hydrolysate. Globular embryo developed into torpedo stage embryo under the influence of starvation. The accumulation of β-carboline alkaloids (harmaline and harmine) and steroidal saponin (diosgenin) in non-embryogenic and embryogenic callus culture derived from leaf explant was compared with root, leaf, stem, and fruit of the mother plant. The embryogenic callus accumulated equivalent amounts of harmaline (66.4 ± 0.5 μg/g dry weight), harmine (82.7 ± 0.6 μg/g dry weight), and diosgenin (170.7 ± 1.0 μg/g dry weight) to that of the fruit of T. terrestris. The embryogenic callus culture of this species might offer a potential source for production of important pharmaceuticals.     

The role of membrane phosphoinositides in mediating hormonal effects

The present notions on the pathways of phosphoinositide metabolism in a cell and on the functional significance of the given process are reported. The enzymic systems providing catabolism of phosphoinositides are analyzed. The data indicating the dose interrelation between the stimulation of the phosphatidyl inosite and polyphosphoinositides metabolism by hormones and the Ca2+ transport into a cell are generalized. Universality, biochemical mechanisms and functional significance of the "phosphatidyl inosite" response are discussed. The phosphoinositide metabolism is considered from the standpoint of its significance for other cell processes: synthesis of eicosanoids, provision of Ca2+-dependent processes in the synapse, cell proliferation, activation and the "anchoring" of enzymes on membranes.     

Pneumadin in the rat ventral prostate and its hormonal regulation.

Pneumadin (PNM) is a decapeptide originally isolated from mammalian lungs, and exerts a potent antidiuretic action by stimulating arginine-vasopressin release. We have recently developed a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for rat PNM and detected high concentrations of PNM--not only in the rat lungs, but also in the prostate. Hence, we investigated whether prostate PNM content is regulated by sex hormones. Male adult rats were orchidectomized or sham-operated and given a subcutaneous injection of testosterone or estradiol (40 and 5 mg/kg), respectively. The animals were decapitated one week after surgery, and their ventral prostates were promptly removed and weighed. PNM concentration and localization in the prostate were investigated by RIA and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Orchidectomy resulted in significant decreases in the prostate weight and PNM concentration, and testosterone administration prevented these effects. Estradiol administration to sham-operated rats caused prostate atrophy without changing PNM concentration. ICC localized PNM immunoreactivity (IR) exclusively in the epithelial cells of the ventral prostate. Orchidectomy markedly reduced PNM-IR concentration, while testosterone abolished this effect. Estradiol did not modify PNM-IR concentration in the atrophic prostate of sham-operated rats. We conclude that PNM content of rat prostate is dependent on the presence of adequate levels of circulating testosterone. The possibility that PNM plays a key role in the maintenance of the prostate growth is unlikely since estradiol-induced gland atrophy is not associated with any decrease in PNM concentration. The localization of PNM in the epithelial cells could suggest that this peptide may be involved in the regulation of some testosterone-dependent secretory functions of the rat prostate.     

The role of the primary care clinician in the management of erectile dysfunction

Although many medical problems commonly seen in the primary care clinician's office are associated with ED, the majority of men do not discuss sexual difficulties and activities with their clinician. Patients are, however, appreciative of the clinician's willingness to listen and initiate discussions. Often a new level of patient-doctor relationship is thereby reached, which provides for comanagement of sexual and other disorders. The acronym "ALLOW" defines a 5-step proactive management plan for the primary care clinician to follow in order to improve his or her flexibility and sensitivity of response to the patient's ED; at the same time, "ALLOW" helps the clinician to recognize possible limitations in managing sexual health problems. More overall communication has been related to greater patient satisfaction, which in turn results in patients who are more involved in following through on their care, who have increased confidence in their clinician, and who continue to see one physician for their health care needs.     

The effect of hormonal condition on dose-dependent amphetamine-stimulated behaviors in the male rat

The effects of varying doses (1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg, ip) of D-amphetamine sulfate (AMPH) on eight individual behaviors (Rearing, Grooming, Sniffing, Stationary, Gnawing, Head Bobbing, "Sleeping," and Licking) of Castrate + Oil-treated, Castrate + Testosterone Propionate (TP)-treated, and Intact male rats were examined. For Stationary, Sniffing, and "Sleeping" at 1.25 mg/kg AMPH and Rearing and Sniffing at the 2.5 mg/kg dose a significantly greater duration in the behavioral score was obtained for Castrate + Oil versus Castrate + TP and Intact males. These results indicate the complexity of the AMPH dose-response effects upon measurable behaviors, the alteration in the duration of these effects as a function of the hormonal condition of the male rat, and the importance of examining discrete components of behavior when hormone-amphetamine interactions are examined.     

Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris L.) affects the proliferation,apoptosis, and ghrelin response of ovarian cells

The objective of our study was to examine the direct effects of the medicinal plant Tribulus terrestris L. (puncturevine) on the basic functions of ovarian cells, including their proliferation, apoptosis, and response to the physiological hormonal stimulator ghrelin. In the first series of experiments, porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured with or without puncturevine extracts at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, or 100 μg/ml. In the second series of experiments, these cells were cultured with ghrelin at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, or 100 ng/ml, either alone or in combination with puncturevine (10 μg/ml). The expression levels of the proliferation marker PCNA and the apoptosis marker bax were analyzed via quantitative immunocytochemical methods. Puncturevine was found to stimulate the accumulation of both proliferation and apoptotic markers. Additionally, ghrelin alone could promote the proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cells. The presence of puncturevine reversed ghrelin-stimulated apoptosis and instead induced apoptotic inhibition. However, puncturevine did not modify the proliferation-inducing effect of ghrelin. These observations demonstrated that (1) puncturevine directly promotes cell proliferation and apoptosis, turnover, of ovarian cells; (2) ghrelin is involved in the regulation of ovarian cell apoptosis and proliferation, consistent with existing evidence; (3) puncturevine antagonizes and even reverses the effects of the hormonal regulator, ghrelin, on ovarian cell apoptosis, but not proliferation; and (4) puncturevine affects not only the basic functions of ovarian cells but also their responses to upstream hormonal regulators.     

The role of testosterone in the organization, maintenance and activation of pup-killing behavior in the male rat.

When placed together with a group of newborn pups, an adult male rat will usually kill and devour the pups whereas a female usually will not. The present experiment was designed to further examine the role of testosterone in the development and exhibition of this sexually dimorphic behavior by controlling the presence or absence of testosterone during three age spans: Days 2–30, 31–90, and 91–120. The results indicate that it is meaningful to use the developmental concepts of organization and activation with regard to the hormonal control of pup-killing behavior, but exposure to testosterone between organization and activation (i.e., maintenance) was not necessary.     

Prostatic inhibin peptide: Occurrence,localization and its hormonal modulation in prostates of primates and rodents

Immunocytochemical localization studies revealed the presence of 10·5 kDa inhibin in the prostatic epithelial cells of the human, non-human primates (Macaca radiata,Presbytis entellus, Callithrix jacchus), dog and laboratory rodents (guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice). The capability of the prostate gland to synthesize inhibinin vitro was shown by the incorporation of radiolabeled leucine into inhibin which was immuno-precipitated. Unlike most prostatic proteins, inhibin was found to be androgen-independent since no significant alteration in inhibin concentration in prostate occurred pre/post castration. Physicochemical and immunological characteristics of inhibin as revealed by high performance liquid chromatography and parallel dilution curve in a radioimmunoassay revealed similarities of inhibin in prostates of various species.     

蒺藜内生真菌发酵液抗菌及抗肿瘤活性初步研究

【目的】筛选出具有抗菌和抗肿瘤活性的蒺藜内生真菌。【方法】采用牛津杯法、稻瘟菌模型及肿瘤细胞模型评价蒺藜内生真菌PDB和察氏培养基发酵产物的抗菌活性和肿瘤细胞毒性。【结果】PDB培养基发酵液和察氏培养基发酵液抑菌圈直径大于10 mm的菌株分别占总菌株数的19.05%和23.81%。PDB培养基发酵液和察氏培养基发酵液对稻瘟菌的最小抑制浓度(MIC)低于10%的菌株分别占总菌株数的19.05%和47.61%。对肿瘤细胞抑制率高于50%的PDB发酵产物占PDB发酵产物总数的52.38%, 而对肿瘤细胞抑制率高于50%的察氏发酵产物占察氏发酵产物总数的28.57%。【结论】部分蒺藜内生真菌的发酵产物具有抗菌和抗肿瘤活性。     

Sexual orientation, proceptivity, and receptivity in the male rat as a function of neonatal hormonal manipulation

The influence of neonatal androgen on the potential to exhibit feminine sexual behavior was investigated. Male rats castrated on Day 0 but not those castrated on Day 4 or later showed hop/darting, ear wiggling, and lordotic behavior in response to treatment with estrogen and progesterone in adulthood at a frequency equal to that of females. Neonatal treatment with testosterone propionate (1 mg/rat for 4 days) abolished the capacity to show these behaviors. In subsequent experiments, involving castration of male rats at 0 or 4 hr after cesarean delivery, the effect of the postnatal surge of testicular secretions on the expression of female sexual behavior was investigated. No differences were seen in the frequency of hop/darting, ear wiggling, and receptivity between males castrated immediately or 4 hr after delivery. In a preference test where the experimental male could choose between an estrous female and a sexually active male, the neonatally castrated males preferred the company of a male when treated with estrogen and progesterone. The implantation of testosterone resulted in a preference for an estrous female. It was concluded that testicular secretions in the newborn male influence adult sexual orientation and suppress the ability to show proceptive and receptive behaviors.