Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of alcoholic extract of Tribulus alatus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: a comparative study with T. terrestris (Caltrop)

The extracts of both T. alatus and T. terrestris significantly decrease fasting glucose level in diabetic rats. After 4 and 6 hr, T. alatus extract showed significant reduction in glucose level as compared to T. terrestris. After 3 weeks of treatment with T. alatus extract, glucose level was significantly decreased to the normal level. Both the extracts also caused a significant decrease in the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. The percent of reduction in rats treated with T. alatus extract was significantly higher than that of the rats treated with T. terrestris. The results indicate that alcoholic extract of T. alatus possesses hypoglycemic activity in type-1 model of diabetes.     

Alkaloids and other constituents from Tribulus terrestris

Three new compounds, terrestribisamide, 25R-spirost-4-en-3,12-dione and tribulusterine, together with 10 known compounds, N-p-coumaroyltyramine, terrestriamide, hecogenin, aurantiamide acetate, xanthosine, fatty acid ester, ferulic acid, vanillin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and β-sitosterol, were isolated and characterized from dried fruits of Tribulus terrestris. Structures of these compounds were determined by spectral analysis.     

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.     

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.     

蒺藜内生真菌抗氧化活性菌株的筛选

为研究21株蒺藜内生真菌的抗氧化活性及筛选出一株抗氧化活性较好的菌株,本实验首先以总抗氧化能力为指标评价PDB培养基和察氏培养基发酵条件下所有菌株的抗氧化活性,选出总抗氧化能力都较强的前9株菌株测定其对DPPH·自由基、羟自由基和超氧阴离子自由基的清除作用,发现JL13、JL14和JL17菌株发酵产物的清除效果最为明显,因此对三株菌株发酵产物乙酸乙酯萃取部位清除自由基的活性进一步评价,结果显示:JL13菌株发酵产物清除DPPH·自由基、羟自由基和超氧阴离子自由基的能力都是最强的,ECs0依次为149.67、439.91和514.77μg/mL.该结果表明,蒺藜内生真菌具有较好的抗氧化潜力,具有一定的开发利用价值,尤其是JL13菌株,可以作为进一步实验研究的对象.     

Cytotaxonomical study ofSaxifraga seriesCeratophyllae s.l. (Saxifragaceae)

Chromosome numbers, mainly gametic, are given for 28 populations belonging to 13 species in ser.Ceratophyllae as circumscribed byWebb & Gornall. From a cytological point of view, we report or confirm the occurrence of aneuploidy in at least 8 of the 19 species recognized. This phenomenon, together with the technical difficulties inherent to the genus, is responsible for a number of incorrect or imprecise previous reports which are here questioned. Aneuploidy and the karyological instability behind it apparently reflect very active extant processes which might play an important role in the evolution of the group. Cytological and morphological data allow the recognition of four groups; one of them is likely to constitute a monophylectic group (ser.Ceratophyllae sensu stricto) but, the monophyly of the seriesCeratophyllae sensu lato is questioned.     

蒺藜化学成分及其药理作用研究进展

蒺藜全草中含有皂甙、生物碱、黄酮、多糖、基氨酸等化学成分,其活性成分对动物及人体的心脑血管系统、中枢神经系统、性功能及肌肉体系等有一定程度的作用,为此就其化学成分及其相应药理研究进展作一综述。     

EDTA reduces heavy metal impacts on Tribulus terrestris photosynthesis and antioxidants

The effects of EDTA application to heavy metal-polluted soil on phytoextraction of heavy metals, leaf anatomy, gas exchange parameters, enzyme activities of C₄ carbon cycle, antioxidant defense, and active compounds of Tribulus terrestris L. were evaluated. The addition of EDTA to the soil polluted with Cd and Pb markedly increased dry weight and Pb, Zn, and Cd contents in shoots. Plants responded to the action of EDTA by an increased stomatal conductance, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, water use efficiency, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. The activities of C₄ carbon cycle enzymes simultaneously increased, thus concentrating CO₂ for enhanced CO₂ assimilation and providing NADPH for the antioxidant system. Antioxidants, such as ascorbate, reduced glutathione, and flavonoids, increased more in the shoots of T. terrestris after the addition of EDTA. The activities of guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, and the enzymes of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle enhanced significantly in the presence of EDTA. Increased activities of antioxidant enzymes suggest that they have some additive functions in the mechanism of metal tolerance. EDTA application lowered the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and the content of total phenols, MDA, hydrogen peroxide, dehydroascorbate, and lipid-soluble antioxidant capacity expressed as α-tocopherol. Increased levels of total radical-scavenging activity are in correspondence with the activity of water-soluble antioxidant compounds in T. terrestris tissues. The content of furostanol saponins protodioscin, prototribestin, and rutin increased as a result of EDTA addition. The results obtained allowed us to assume that applied EDTA reduced a negative heavy metal impact on puncture vine photosynthesis and antioxidant potential.     

Distribution of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris from different geographical regions

The steroidal saponins of Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) are considered to be the factor responsible for biological activity of products derived from this plant. The activity depends on the concentration and the composition of active saponins, which in turn is influenced by the geographical origin of plant material. Samples of T. terrestris collected in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Macedonia, Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Vietnam and India were analyzed by LC-ESI/MS/MS for the presence and the concentration of protodioscin (1), prototribestin (2), pseudoprotodioscin (3), dioscin (4), tribestin (5) and tribulosin (6). The flavonoid rutin (7) was also included in the comparison. The results revealed distinct differences in the content of these compounds depending on region of sample collection, plant part studied and stage of plant development. The samples from Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Macedonia, Georgia and Iran exhibited similar chemical profile and only some quantitative difference in the content of 1-7 with protodioscin (1) and prototribestin (2) as main components. The Vietnamese and Indian samples exhibit totally different chemical profile. They lack 2 and 5, while tribulosin (6) is present in high amounts. Compounds different from 1 to 7 are dominating in these 3 samples. The presented results suggested the existence of one chemotype common to the East South European and West Asian regions. Most probably, the Vietnamese and Indian samples belong to other chemotypes which are still to be studied and characterized. No clear correlation between the burrs morphology and the chemical composition of the samples has been found.     

Histopathological changes in Poecilia latipinna male gonad due to Tribulus terrestris administration

Tribulus terrestris is a traditionally known non-toxic aphrodisiac herb for maleness. It was experimented recently to understand the effect and mechanism on mono sex production in Poecilia latipinna. It would help to develop a new eco-friendly way to masculinize P. latipinna, since males have higher commercial value than females. The different concentration (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mg/L) of T. terrestris extract and a control were tested for their effect on sex transformation/reversal in P. latipinna by immersing the newly born young ones in the respective concentrations for 2 mo. The obtained results indicate that a dose dependant masculinization is obtained due to T. terrestris administration, which improved the male proportion. Histological results revealed that the testes of fish treated with T. terrestris extract contained all stages of spermatogenesis, clearly demonstrating that the administration of T. terrestris extract to P. latipinna stimulated spermatogenesis. Thus, it is discernible that 0-d-old hatchlings of P. latipinna exposed to T. terrestris extract orient/reverse their sex more towards maleness besides yielding better growth and spermatogenesis which is a mandate for fancy fish industry.     

蒺藜皂苷对糖基化终产物形成及其诱导的内皮细胞功能障碍影响研究

本文探讨蒺藜皂苷(STT)对糖基化终产物(AGEs)形成及AGEs诱导的内皮细胞功能障碍的影响。以荧光法检测AGEs体外形成,MTT法检测细胞存活率,试剂盒方法检测细胞及培养上清液中的一氧化氮(NO)水平、诱导型NO合酶(iNOS)活力和超氧阴离子水平(O2-.)。结果显示STT促进AGEs形成,并加剧AGEs诱导的内皮细胞生长抑制,提高细胞NO分泌,增加iNOS活力和O2-.水平。与海可、替告皂苷元作用进行比较,发现STT的细胞损伤作用可能是海可皂苷元引起的。提示STT未能抑制体外AGEs形成,对AGEs引起的内皮细胞功能障碍无明显保护作用,反而可能通过增强iNOS酶活加剧细胞损伤。     

Protective effect of Tribulus terrestris linn on liver and kidney in cadmium intoxicated rats

Administration of cadmium (Cd) significantly increased the peroxidation markers such as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls along with significant decrease in antioxidant markers such as super oxide dismutase and reduced glutathione in liver and kidney tissues. Cadmium also caused a significant alteration in hepatic and renal functional markers in serum viz. total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Prominent pathological changes observed in liver were severe vascular and sinusoidal congestion with diffuse degenerative changes and mononuclear infiltration into peripheral areas, while the kidney showed vascular and glomerular congestion, cloudy swelling of tubular epithelium. Coadministration of ethonolic extract of T. terrestris or vitamin E along with Cd significantly reversed the Cd induced changes along with significant reduction in Cd load.     

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.     

蒺藜皂苷对大鼠动脉粥样硬化形成的影响

观察从全草中所提蒺藜总皂苷(tribu saponin from Tribulus terrestris,STT)对大鼠动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,AS)形成的影响,从而探讨其对AS的治疗作用.应用高脂饲料饮食配合注射维生素D3建立SD大鼠AS模型,并设立正常组、模型组、辛伐他汀组和蒺藜皂苷低、中、高三个剂量组.实验8周后处死大鼠,测量各组大鼠体重、肝脏重量;检测血清丙二醛(MDA)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)及血脂生化指标和肝脏总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)水平;苏木素伊红(HE)染色观察主动脉组织、肝组织形态学变化.结果显示,与模型组相比,蒺藜皂苷三个剂量组能够降低大鼠肝脏TC水平(P<0.01～P<0.05),而低、中剂量的蒺藜皂苷可以显著降低肝脏TG水平(P<0.01～P<0.05);低、高剂量的蒺藜皂苷能够提高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C,P<0.01);三个蒺藜皂苷剂量均能降低血清 MDA水平(P< 0.01),并且高剂量的蒺藜皂苷能够降低血清T-AOC(P<0.05);同时观察到蒺藜皂苷不同程度的改善了主动脉及肝组织病理损伤.提示蒺藜皂苷具有一定的抗动脉硬化形成的作用.     

硬软蒺藜rDNA-ITS基因序列的测定和比较

用CTAB法提取总DNA,合成位于18 S rDNA和26S rDNA上的两条各20bp的引物,通过PCR扩增ITS的全序列,对PCR产物直接测序,分别获得了硬蒺藜(Tribulus terrestris L.)和软蒺藜(Atriples centralasiatica Iljin)的核糖体RNA基因-rDNA内转录间隔区(ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer,rDNA-ITS)的序列643 bp和607bp,其碱基总差异率为36.16%,其中,ITS1的碱基差异率为55.81%;5.8 S的碱基差异率为6.59%;ITS2的碱基差异率为56.77%.这种差异,以及基因序列本身,为硬软蒺藜的区别和种质资源鉴定提供了分子依据.     

The flavonoids of theFagonia bruguieri complex (Zygophyllaceae)

Seven flavonol glycosides were identified from the main taxa of theF. bruguieri complex. Of these, kaempferol 3-rhamno-galactoside, Quercetin 3-rhamnogalactoside and Quercetin 3-galactoside are new records for the genusFagonia L. and theZygophyllaceae s. str. The distribution of these flavonoid glycosides is discussed with respect to the morphology, chemosystematics, and possible phylogeny of the complex and the genus.Dedicated to Hofrat Univ.-Prof. DrKarl Heinz Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Cytotaxonomical study in Brazilian species of Solanum, Lycianthes and Vassobia (Solanaceae)

Solanum comprises about 1,400 species of shrubs, trees and vines. This group is cytogenetically interesting because it possesses karyotypes apparently conserved in chromosome number and shape, but with diversity in the repetitive DNA. The objective of this study is to characterize 16 species of Solanum and two species of closely related genera (Lycianthes australe and Vassobia breviflora) using cytogenetic parameters. All the species presented 2n = 24, confirming previous chromosome counting. Additionally, nonreticulated nuclei, proximal condensation in prophase-metaphase and little variation in the karyotype symmetry were observed. Solanum corymbiflorum exhibited chromosomes approximately three times bigger in relation to the other species. GC-rich heterochromatin was preferentially located at terminal regions and AT-rich blocks always appear in the centromeric regions. The 45S rDNA sites were coincident with C/CMA₃ ⁺ regions (satellites) and found in just one pair, except in S. corymbiflorum which presented two pairs. FISH with 5S rDNA showed signals in the paracentromeric region of one chromosome pair, except in S. trachytrichium and S. gemellum which showed two hybridization signals. The results point out to different ways of karyotype differentiation in Solanum and closely related genera and bring important issues on the value of the cytogenetical information for taxonomic studies.     

Ultrastructure and Secretion of the Secretory Cells of Two Species ofFagoniaL. (Zygophyllaceae)

The ultrastructure and secretion of the secretory cells of theglandular trichomes ofFagonia mollisandF. glutinosawere studied.The most important finding of this study is that two speciesof the same genus produce the lipophilic component of the secretorymaterial in completely different ways and at different siteswithin the cell. In the early stages of development of secretorycells ofF. mollis,numerous mitochondria, containing myelin-likestructures, occur in the basal part of the cell. Above them,highly-elongate elements, which are suspected to develop frommitochondria with myelin-like structures, are present. Thesehave been termed ‘modified mitochondria’. It issuggested that the myelin-like structures are precursors ofthe lipophilic material ofF. mollis.InF. glutinosa,the lipophilicmaterial appears first in the plastids as plastoglobuli. Polysaccharidesappear to be produced by dictyosomes in both species. Secretionof the secretory substance to the outside of the protoplastappears to be granulocrine.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Fagonia mollis,Fagonia glutinosa,glandular trichomes, secretory cell, mitochondria, modified mitochondria, plastids, dictyosomes, lipophilic material, myelin-like structures, polysaccharides     

Morphological and anatomical studies inTribulus terrestris

Seedling morphology and vascular course inTribulus terrestris were studied. This species has no erect stem, but four buds appear immediately above the cotyledonary node and grow into prostrate shoots. They were determined to be the main axis of the seedling and the axillary branches of the earliest three foliage leaves, which arise very close to each other. All the leaves, including cotyledons, are vascularized with four bundles among which two are related to a single median gap. When two leaves are attached to one node, lateral traces to the opposed leaves are derived by bifurcation of a single bundle at either side of the stem. In the shoot with a series of alternate leaves, the median pair of traces to every other leaf are found on the same orthostichy. In the branch of which the first node bears no flower but an anisophyllous pair of leaves, the smaller leaf at the node was proven to be the first prophyll because its median traces are superposed by those to the leaf at the next node.