Phloroglucinol diglycosides accompanying hydrolyzable tannins from Kunzea ambigua

Six phloroglucinol diglucosides—kunzeaphlogins A-F (1-6) and a hydrolyzable tannin, kunzeatannin A (7)—were isolated along with 10 known polyphenols from the leaf extract of Kunzea ambigua. Structural elucidation of these compounds was based on spectroscopic analyses and chemical properties.     

Effect on the epigallocatechin gallate/epigallocatechin ratio in a green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) extract of different extraction temperatures and its effect on IgA production in mice

We found that the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)/epigallocatechin (EGC) ratio in a green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) extract was affected by the extraction temperature. The EGCG/EGC ratio in the 4 °C extract was around 1:3-4, whereas in the 100 °C extract, it was around 1:0.7. Oral administration of the mixture with a high EGC ratio (1:2-3 = EGCG/EGC) resulted in greater IgA production by murine Peyer's patch cells.     

N-Acylation of N-Desulfated Heparin

We found that the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)/epigallocatechin (EGC) ratio in a green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) extract was affected by the extraction temperature. The EGCG/EGC ratio in the 4 °C extract was around 1:3-4, whereas in the 100 °C extract, it was around 1:0.7. Oral administration of the mixture with a high EGC ratio (1:2-3 = EGCG/EGC) resulted in greater IgA production by murine Peyer’s patch cells.     

In vitro and in vivo studies on the bioactivity of a ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract towards adult schistosomes and their egg production

The bioactivity of an ethyl acetate extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) towards Schistosoma mansoni adult pairs, both cultured in vitro and in vivo in laboratory mice, was investigated by monitoring worm mortality and fecundity. In vitro, a concentration of 200 mg l(-1) of extract killed almost all worms within 24 h. Male worms seemed more susceptible than female under these conditions. Cumulative egg output of surviving worm pairs in vitro was considerably reduced when exposed to the extract. For example, after 4 days of exposure to 50 mg l(-1), cumulative egg output was only 0.38 eggs per worm pair compared with 36.35 for untreated worms. In vivo efficacy of the extract was tested by oral and subcutaneous delivery of 150 mg kg(-1) followed by assessment of worm survival and fecundity. Neither delivery route produced any significant reduction in worm numbers compared with untreated controls. Worm fecundity was assessed in vivo by cumulative egg counts per liver at 55 days post infection with mice treated subcutaneously. Such infections showed egg levels in the liver of about 2000 eggs per worm pair in 55 days, in both treated and control mice, with no significant difference between the two groups. To ensure that density-dependent effects did not confound this analysis, a separate experiment demonstrated no such influence on egg output per worm pair, at intensities between 1 and 23 worms per mouse.     

The enantiomeric error frequency of aspartate aminotransferase

The enantiomeric error frequency of aspartate aminotransferase (mitochondrial isoenzyme from chicken) was assessed by adding the enzyme in high concentration (0.89 mM) to a mixture of L-glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate (12 and 1.2 mM, respectively, at pH 7.5 and 25 degrees C). The substrates continuously undergo the transamination cycle under these conditions. Thereby, L-glutamate is progressively racemized, a 1:1 ratio of two enantiomers being reached within 240 h. The enantiomeric error frequency, i.e. the ratio of the rate of D-glutamate production and the rate of the transamination reaction with glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate as substrates, is 1.5 x 10(-7). D-Glutamate is also converted to a 1:1 racemic mixture. The racemizing activity of a mixture of free pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate is about two orders of magnitude lower than that of aspartate aminotransferase. The error frequency of the enzyme in the case of the C4 substrate pair aspartate and oxalacetate is 3.4 x 10(-8), i.e. 4 times lower than that with the C5 substrate pair.     

Preparation of reminiscent aroma mixture of Japanese soy sauce

To prepare an aroma mixture of Japanese soy sauce by fewest components, the aroma concentrate of good sensory attributes was prepared by polyethylene membrane extraction, which could extract only the volatiles with diethyl ether. GC-MS-Olfactometry was done with the aroma concentrate, and 28 odor-active compounds were detected. Application of aroma extract dilution analysis to the separated fraction revealed high flavor dilution factors with respect to acetic acid, 4-hydroxy-2(or5)-ethyl-5(or2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (HEMF), 3-methyl-1-butanol (isoamyl alcohol), and 3-(methylsulfanyl)propanal (methional). A model aroma mixture containing above four odorants showed a good similarity with the aroma of the soy sauce itself. Consequently, the reminiscent aroma mixture of soy sauce was prepared in water. The ratio of acetic acid, HEMF, isoamyl alcohol, and methional was 2500:300:100:1.     

FTIR spectroscopic and HPLC chromatographic studies of carbon tetrachloride induced acute hepatitis in rats: damage in liver phospholipid membrane

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rat hepatitis was studied by observing an FTIR spectrum of the liver microsomal or homogenate extract compared with those of model compounds. The microsomal extract from the liver of healthy control rats showed almost the same spectrum as a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine (2:1 by weight). Intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 decreased the absorption intensity due to th --C--H in the--C==H at 3012 cm(-1) in the microsomal extract, and it developed a new 1,2-diacylglycerol band at 1070 cm(-1) in the homogenate extract. An HPLC study was added to assign the 1070 cm(-1) band to 1,2-diacylglycerol. These findings were interpreted from the peroxidation of the microsomal membrane and the regenerative proliferation of the damaged cell.     

The metabolism of cholesterol in the presence of liver mitochondria from normal and thyroxine-treated rats

1. [26-(14)C]- and [4-(14)C]-Cholesterol were incubated with liver mitochondria from normal and thyroxine-treated rats, and the radioactivity was measured in the carbon dioxide evolved during the incubation, in a butanol extract of the incubation mixture and in a volatile fraction containing substances of low molecular weight derived from the side chain of cholesterol. The butanol extract was separated by paper chromatography into three radioactive fractions, one of which contained the steroids more polar than cholesterol. 2. The butanol extract from incubations with [4-(14)C]cholesterol contained a radioactive substance moving with the same R(F) as cholic acid on thin-layer chromatography. 3. After incubation with [26-(14)C]-cholesterol, 60-80% of the radioactivity extracted by steam-distillation of the incubation mixture at acid pH was recovered as [(14)C]propionic acid. 4. In the presence of [26-(14)C]cholesterol, mitochondria from thyroxine-treated rats produced more radioactivity in carbon dioxide and in the volatile fraction, and less radioactivity in the fraction containing the polar steroids, than did mitochondria from normal rats. In the presence of [4-(14)C]cholesterol, mitochondria from thyroxine-treated rats produced the same amount of radioactivity in the polar steroids as did normal mitochondria. 5. Thyroxine treatment had no effect on the capacity of the mitochondria to oxidize propionate to carbon dioxide. 6. These results are best explained by supposing that thyroxine stimulates a rate-limiting reaction leading to the cleavage of the side chain of cholesterol, but has little or no influence on the hydroxylations of the ring system or on the oxidation of the C(3) fragment removed from the side chain.     

Effects of combination of Caiapo with other plant-derived substance on anti-diabetic efficacy in KK-Ay mice

B. Ludvik et al., have recently shown the effect of Caiapo (Ipomoea batatas L.) on reducing fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance in type-2 diabetic patients. It, however, was required 2-4 weeks after the single administration of Caiapo. The present study aimed to determine if the combination therapy of Caiapo with a mulberry leaf powder, which inhibits alpha-glucosidase, or with a loquat leaf extract, which shows an insulin-like effect, could make it possible to enhance the antidiabetic activities of Caiapo, and to shorten the time necessary for the inhibition of increasing blood glucose levels. A mixture of the pulverized tuber of Caiapo (357 mg/kg) and the mulberry leaf powder (143 mg/kg), or a mixture of the pulverized skin of Caiapo (194 mg/kg) and the powdered loquat leaf extract (6 mg/kg) was orally administered to 6 weeks-old male KK-Ay mice for 28 days and the glucose loading test was conducted every 7 days. In the glucose loading test after one week feeding, a reduction in blood glucose concentration after 60 minutes of the administration of glucose was observed in both mixture groups against the control group (p < 0.05) in the case of Caiapo only, similar delayed effects were seen in 2-3 weeks after feeding.     

废橡胶颗粒浸提液物质释放及其浸种对草坪植物生长的影响

纯胶粒浸提液、胶粒与壤土混合的浸提液中重金属含量分析表明,纯胶粒浸提液中Zn含量最高,其次为Pb,而Cd与Cu最少;与纯胶粒浸提液相比,胶粒与壤土混合的浸提液中Zn含量显著降低.紫外吸收光谱图显示,胶粒粒径越小,浸提液中有机物越复杂.用4种不同粒径胶粒的浸提液对2种草坪植物种子浸种处理后进行培养,研究了草坪植物的生长效应.结果表明,胶粒浸提液浸种对2种草坪植物的种子萌发率影响不大,但对株高产生不同的影响.对黑麦草而言,以2～4 mm胶粒浸提液浸种的株高为最高,1～2和4～6 mm胶粒浸提液浸种株高与之差异较大,分别降低1.52和1.32 cm,但均与对照无显著差异.对于高羊茅,以粒径1～2 mm胶粒浸提液浸种的株高为最低,比对照降低了18.76%,其它处理间无明显差异.浸提液浸种对黑麦草地下生物量有明显的抑制作用,但对根长生长有促进作用.胶粒浸提液浸种对2种草坪植物的地上生物量无明显影响.从胶粒浸提液的物质释放及其浸种对草坪植物生长的影响来看,废胶粒可用于运动场草坪的基质组配.     

Natural oviposition-deterring chemicals in female cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

Observation of the oviposition behavior of cotton bollworm demonstrated the existence of substances that can act as oviposition deterrents. The scales, abdomens and tarsi of the moths, the most likely carrier, were extracted for the substances. An acetone extract exhibiting an oviposition deterrent effect was analyzed using gas chromatography and combined gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Three components, 4-methyl-4-hydroxyl-pentanone-2, hexadecanoic acid and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid, were identified, being present in the ratio 1:2:2. Experiments with synthetic mixtures indicated that a mixture of equal amounts of the two organic acids exhibited similar repellent and deterrent activity to a synthetic mixture of all three components. It is concluded that the natural oviposition-deterring pheromone is a mixture of hexadecanoic acid and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid.     

In vitro repair of UV-or X-irradiated bacteriophage T4 DNA by extract from blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans

The cell-free extract from blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans contains enzymatic activities which repair in vitro transforming DNA of bacteriophage T4 damaged by UV light or X-rays. The repair effect of the extract was observed with double-stranded irradiated DNA but not with denatured irradiated DNA. The level of restoration of the transforming activity depends on the protein concentration in the reaction mixture and on the dose of irradiation. A fraction of DNA lesions induced by X-rays is repaired by a NAD-dependent polynucleotide ligase present in the extract. The repair of UV-induced lesions is the most efficient in the presence of magnesium ions, NAD, ATP and the four deoxynucleoside triphosphates. The results indicate that the repair of UV-irradiated DNA is performed with the participation of DNA polymerase and polynucleotide ligase which function in the cell-free extract of the algae on the background of a low deoxyribonuclease activity.Abbreviations UV ultraviolet - TA transforming activity - PN-ligase polynucleotide ligase - NAD nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - dNTP deoxynucleoside triphosphates - dATP, dGTP, dTTP triphosphates of deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxythymidine and deoxycytidine, respectively     

Dimeric anthocyanins from strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) consisting of pelargonidin 3-glucoside covalently linked to four flavan-3-ols

Flavanol-anthocyanin complexes were isolated by successive use of Amberlite XAD-7 chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 gel filtration and preparative HPLC from acidified, methanolic extract of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa Dutch.). These purple minor pigments were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and electrospray mass spectrometry to be catechin(4alpha --> 8)pelargonidin 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (1), epicatechin(4alpha --> 8)pelargonidin 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (2), afzelechin(4alpha --> 8)pelargonidin 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (3) and epiafzelechin(4alpha --> 8)pelargonidin 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (4). The stereochemistry at the 3- and 4-positions of the flavan-3-ol units was based on assumption of R-configuration at C-2. Each of the four pigments occurred in the NMR solvent as a pair of rotamers. Proved by cross-peaks in the 1H-1H NOESY NMR spectra of 1, 2 and 4, the two conformations within each rotameric pair were in equilibrium with each other. Even though 1 and 2 are based on a different aglycone, their structures may be similar to tentatively identified pigments, which have been assumed to contribute to the colour of red wines.     

Halothane anaesthesia of normal and dystrophic hamsters.

Induction, carried out in a small clear-plastic box with 3-5% (v/v) halothane in 30:70 (v/v) oxygen: nitrous oxide, was quiet and rapid. Recovery was almost instantaneous. 2% halothane in the oxygen-nitrous oxide mixture was sufficient for maintenance anaesthesia. The anaesthetic mixture was given by face mask in an open circuit specially designed to function at low gas-flow rates. The halothane content of the muscle and blood after 25 min anaesthesia was estimated by gas chromatography of n-heptane extracts. The mean level (+/- s.e.m.) in blood was 22-8 +/- 2-7 mg/100 ml (n=4), and in dystrophic muscle 226 +/- 36-8 mg/100 g wet weight of tissue (n=4): there was a positive correlation (r=0-94) between them (p less than 0-02).     

Environmental and management factors controlling the potentially invasive native species Violet Kunzea (Kunzea parvifolia)

Violet Kunzea (Kunzea parvifolia), a native shrub of eastern Australia, is reputed to form dense thickets in areas that have undergone significant landscape modification, and has been listed as an invasive native species for which clearing is permitted under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW). We quantified factors controlling its abundance in 81 sites within the Braidwood region of NSW, on the basis of 36 strata reflecting soil landscape, topographic position, aspect and canopy cover. Within each study site 34 variables describing environmental, disturbance, management and vegetation attributes were measured using a transect sampling technique and landowner surveys. An analysis of these data indicated that, in the sites we surveyed, Violet Kunzea is a common shrub present at relatively high mean levels of cover (44%), with no preferred topographic position or aspect. There were no significant associations between management activities such as slashing or grazing, and the cover of Violet Kunzea. Multiple regression modelling indicated that overstorey cover was the key variable explaining variation in the cover of Violet Kunzea, with an increase in cover of the shrub as overstorey cover declined. We conclude that a reduction in overstorey cover results in an increase in Violet Kunzea abundance as competition is removed, and the subsequent suppression of overstorey regeneration sets up a feedback loop facilitating the further expansion of Violet Kunzea and the contraction of overstorey cover. Approaches to the management of this species will therefore require long‐term commitments to conserve and restore overstorey cover.     

Dormancy break of celery (Apium graveolens L.) seeds by plant derived smoke extract

Seed dormancy of a highly-dormant cultivar of celery (Apium graveolens L.) was broken by combinations of plant-derived smoke extract or N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and gibberellins A_4/7 (GA_4/7) in the dark at temperatures between 18 and 26°C. A less dormant cultivar which responded to GA_4/7 alone showed no additional response to smoke extract or BA. Neither smoke extract nor BA affected either cultivar in the dark in the absence of GA_4/7. The partial dormancy-breaking effect of short exposures to red-light was also enhanced by smoke extracts in this highly-dormant cultivar. The results suggest that smoke extracts act in a similar way to cytokinins, by enhancing gibberellin activity in the celery seed system.Abbreviations BA N⁶-benzyladenine - GA_4/7 A₄ and A₇ gibberellin mixture     

Potent limonoid insect antifeedant from Melia azedarach

Systematic fractionation of a fruit extract from Argentine Melia azedarach L., which was monitored by an insect antifeedant bioassay, led to the isolation of meliartenin, a limonoid antifeedant, which existed as a mixture of two interchangeable isomers. At 4 microg/cm2 and 1 microg/cm2, the isomeric mixture was as active as azadirachtin in strongly inhibiting the larval feeding of Epilachna paenulata Germ. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and the polyphagous pest, Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), respectively.     

Inhibition of Site I mitochondrial electron transport by an extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii: a potential mechanism for the plant's molluscicidal and schistosome larvicidal activity

A dichloromethane extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii (Leguminosae) which contains a mixture of isoflavonoids (predominantely robustic acid, alpinumisoflavone and dimethylalpinumisoflavone) is known to have larvicidal activity towards the miracidia and cercariae of schistosomes and to possess significant molluscicidal activity. The present investigation has assayed the effects of this extract on the electron transport systems of isolated rat liver mitochondria. The extract was found to inhibit mitochondrial electron transport at Site I (NADH dehydrogenase) at concentrations of 30-159 mg x l(-1). Although the extract is not as potent an inhibitor at Site I as rotenone, a known inhibitor of NADH dehydrogenase, such observations could explain the molluscicidal and schistosomicidal activity of dichloromethane extracts of the seeds of M. thonningii.     

(1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene from the male sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) induces neurophysiological responses and attracts both males and females

Lutzomyia longipalpis adult males form leks on or near hosts and release (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene from their tergal glands to lure females to the same site for mating and feeding. Here we have examined whether the male-produced attractant could also serve as a male aggregation stimulus. High resolution chiral capillary gas chromatography analysis of male tergal gland extracts, synthetic (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene, and a synthetic mixture of all isomers of 3-methyl-alpha-himachalene, was coupled to electrophysiological recordings from ascoid sensillum receptor cells in antennae of male and female sandflies. Receptor cells of both sexes responded only to the main component of the male tergal gland extract that eluted at the same retention time as (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene. Furthermore, of the eight 3-methyl-alpha-himachalene isomers in the synthetic mixture only the fraction containing (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene, co-eluting with an isomer of (1S*,3S*,7S*)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene, elicited an electrophysiological response from male and female ascoid sensillum receptor cells. Both males and females flew upwind in a wind tunnel towards a filter paper disk treated with either 4-6 male equivalents of the tergal gland extract, pure (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene or the synthetic mixture of eight isomers. This indicates that (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene derived from L. longipalpis males may have a dual function in causing male aggregation as well as serving as a sex pheromone for females.