Antihypertensive substance in seeds of Areca catechu L

Among various tannins tested, Areca II-5-C, a fraction isolated from seeds of Areca catechu L., showed the most potent angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity in vitro. Its antihypertensive activity was therefore investigated in normotensive and spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) after both oral and intravenous (i.v.) administration. The activity was compared with that of captopril (D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline), a potent ACE inhibitor. Oral administration of Areca II-5-C to SHR produced a lasting, dose-related antihypertensive effect, and the responses obtained with doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg were comparable to those of captopril at doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg. Intravenous administration of Areca II-5-C to SHR produced a rapid and marked reduction in blood pressure at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg. The maximum antihypertensive effect of Areca II-5-C in SHR, at an i.v. dose of 15 mg/kg, was about 5 times as large as that of captopril at the same dose. Although the vasopressor response to norepinephrine and vasodepressor responses to bradykinin and acetylcholine were not appreciably changed by i.v. treatment with Areca II-5-C at a dose of 5 mg/kg, it did produce dose-related inhibition of the pressor responses to angiotensin I and II. It is suggested that Areca II-5-C has favorable properties as a hypotensive drug through its ability to inhibit the pressor responses to both angiotensin I and II.     

Absorption of intestinal free cholesterol is lowered by supplementation of Areca catechu L. extract in rats

Areca extracts exhibiting a strong inhibitory activity against pancreatic cholesterol esterase (pCEase) in vitro were previously found to lower the absorption of dietary cholesteryl ester. Therefore, to determine whether a combined Areca extract also affects the absorption of intestinal free cholesterol, male rats were fed a diet containing free cholesterol (1%, w/w) either with or without an Areca nut extract supplement (0.5%, w/w). The Areca extract supplement significantly lowered the plasma cholesterol concentration by 25% without any change in the plasma triglyceride concentration, when compared to the control group. The supplement also significantly lowered the small intestinal pCEase activity by 39.1% compared to that of the control group. As regards the hepatic and intestinal ACAT activities, only the intestinal enzyme activity was significantly lowered by the supplement, when compared to the control group. The absorbed cholesterol that appeared in the blood after an oral dose of [1,2(n)-3H] free cholesterol was significantly lower in the rats supplemented with the Areca nut extract, compared with the control group. These results suggest that the inhibition of intestinal ACAT and possibly pCEase may facilitate the metabolic efficiency of the Areca nut extract as regards the absorption of intestinal free cholesterol. The structure and chemical properties of the active compound in the water-soluble Areca extract remain to be elucidated.     

不同品种槟榔果实性状及其槟榔碱含量的比较研究

通过性状比较和差异显著性检验,从形态学与生物化学两个水平研究了海南5个常见槟榔栽培种之间果实性状变化及其槟榔碱含量的变化。结果表明:(1)海南槟榔5个品种间果实性状都不同,其中以品种A、B、D的果实品质达到国家药典规定的一级标准,品种C、E达到二级标准;(2)品种E的叶面积、产量(座果数×单果重)最大,通过差异显著性检验,表明植株的产量与叶面积呈正相关;(3)5个品种中以品种B的槟榔碱含量最大(0.4451％),其次为品种E、C、D、A。其中品种A与B、A与E、B与D、B与E之间差异显著;(4)长、短蒂花品种之间槟榔碱含量差异不显著;(5)槟榔碱含量与其果实性状之间无显著相关性;(6)槟榔碱含量与营养成分间无显著相关性。     

Screening of medicinal plant extracts for antioxidant activity

The methanol extracts of nine medicinal plants traditionally used in Chinese medicine were screened for antioxidant activity versus resveratrol, which has been shown to protect cells from oxidative damage [Toxicol. Lett. 102 (1998) 5]. Most of the plant extracts used in this study inhibited the H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells. The extracts of Areca catechu var. dulcissima, Paeonia suffruticosa, Alpinia officinarum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Cinnamomun cassia strongly enhanced viability against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in V79-4 cells. Relatively high levels of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were detected in extracts of Areca catechu var. dulcissima, Paeonia suffruticosa and Cinnamomun cassia (IC(50) < 6.0 microg/ml). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were dose-dependently enhanced in V79-4 cells treated with most of the plant extracts. The extracts of Areca catechu var. dulcissima showed higher antioxidant activity than resveratrol in all experiments. These results suggest that the plant extracts prevent oxidative damage in normal cells probably because of their antioxidant characteristics.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Areca catechu (Arecaceae) using PCR-based isolation of microsatellite arrays

Betel nut (Areca nut, Areca catechu L.) is a conspicuous and important cultivated plant of tropical and subtropical habitats throughout Southeast Asia and Oceania. As a significant cultural and social offering, the migration of betel nut associated with human dispersal is an important issue in ethnobotany and anthropology. In this study, we described the development of nine microsatellite loci from A. catechu. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 15. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.71to 0.94 and from 0 to 0.88, respectively. All microsatellite loci, except for AC30, significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium possibly due to artificially selected cultivation or the existence of excessive null alleles. No linkage disequilibrium was observed from pairwise comparisons of loci, except for AC06 and AC08.     

PGR-1〔3-(2-吡啶基)芮醇〕对槟榔植株酯酶同工酶的影响

本试验采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法,测定与分析槟榔不同器官、不同品种酯酶同工酶酶谱、酶量、酶带活性和分布状况,结果表明:经PGR-1处理后.槟榔酯酶同工酶带数目、着色程度、酶带活性都比对照的显著增多、加深、提高。 通过检测.清楚地看到槟榔酶带总共有17条,分为三大酶区,Ⅰ区带有酶谱6条,Ⅱ区带有酶谱7条.Ⅲ区带有酶谱4条。各酶区出现新酶带比对照的增多11条,带幅从狭变宽,带色由浅变深,带位迁移从慢变快,酶带活性由弱变强,这是与用药浓度有相关联的。     

Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryo-derived callus of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Areca catechu</Emphasis> L. (Arecaceae)

Summary An in vitro culture procedure was established for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from callus cultures of the important palm ‘betel nut’ (Areca catechu L.). Segments of zygotic embryos of Areca catechu L. were cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with dicamba (9.05, 18.1, 27.15, and 36.2 μM). After 7–8 wk in darkness, wounded regions of explants formed callus with yellow, soft, glutinous structures. Proliferation and maintenance of callus was on the same dicamba-containing medium. With regular subculture every 8 wk, the callus showed pale yellow, compact and nodular structures. During subculture, somatic embryos were formed spontaneously from nodular callus tissues within 2–4 mo. The embryos developed into plantlets after 10 wk of culture on basal medium free of plant growth regulators. After subculturing every month for 3 mo., the plantlets were transferred to containers for acclimatization in the greenhouse. The survival rate was 24%.     

Areca nut extract induced oxidative stress and upregulated hypoxia inducing factor leading to autophagy in oral cancer cells

Areca (betel) chewing was tightly linked to oral tumorigenesis in Asians. Areca nut was a recently confirmed group I carcinogen and a popular addictive substance used by Asians. While, the pathogenetic impact of areca on oral epithelial cells was still unclear. This study investigated the association between the induction of autophagy by areca nut extract (ANE) and the molecular regulation underlying this induction in oral cancer cells. Oral cancer cells were treated with ANE to insight the signaling changes underlying phenotypic alterations. The NFκB activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) genesis were induced by ANE and the NF-κB activation could be the basis of the ROS genesis. Furthermore, p38 activation and upregulation of MKP-1 phosphatase occurred following ANE treatment. These effects can be inhibited by ROS blockers. ANE treatment induced autophagy among oral cancer cells, which was characterized by LC3-II accumulation, genesis of autophagosomes and the appearance of EGFP-LC3 puncta. This induction was mediated through the activation of p38, MKP-1 and HIF-1α. Knockdown of ANE-modulated HIF-1α expression reduced autophagy. Blockage of ANE-induced autophagy increased the proportion of oral cancer cells undergoing apoptotic death. This study identified for the first time that ANE modulates a signaling cascade that induces HIF-1α expression in oral cancer cells. The eventual induction of autophagy was beneficial to cell survival from ANE-induced apoptosis.     

我国热带药用植物开发现状(综述)

热带药用植物是一类重要的森林资源。中国热带药用植物以四大南药--砂仁、益智、槟榔、巴戟天为主。我国在部分热带药用植物的标准化、规范化开发已取得进展,但是相对于我国丰富的热带药用植物资源而言,力度还不够。用现代科学手段和方法研究热带植物药,从热带植物天然产物中寻找新的活性成分,是发展创新天然药物的有效途径。与此同时,必须加强GAP规范的推广应用和质量控制。     

HPLC法测定槟榔中的多酚类物质

采用高效液相色谱法对槟榔中的多酚类物质进行分析.用甲醇提取槟榔中的多酚类物质,并依次用石油醚、乙酸乙酯、正丁醇萃取,萃取物经抽真空浓缩,流动相定容,高效液相色谱法测定.分析结果表明:槟榔幼果较槟榔成熟果中所含的多酚种类和数量少,槟榔成熟果中果仁的多酚种类和数量都远较皮中多;槟榔的甲醇提取物乙酸乙酯萃取部分中所含的多酚种...     

Effects of betel chewing on the central and autonomic nervous systems

Betel chewing has been claimed to produce a sense of well-being, euphoria, heightened alertness, sweating, salivation, a hot sensation in the body and increased capacity to work. Betel chewing also leads to habituation, addiction and withdrawal. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. Arecoline, the major alkaloid of Areca nut, has been extensively studied, and several effects of betel chewing are thought to be related to the actions of this parasympathomimetic constituent. However, betel chewing may produce complex reactions and interactions. In the presence of lime, arecoline and guvacoline in Areca nut are hydrolyzed into arecaidine and guvacine, respectively, which are strong inhibitors of GABA uptake. Piper betle flower or leaf contains aromatic phenolic compounds which have been found to stimulate the release of catecholamines in vitro. Thus, betel chewing may affect parasympathetic, GABAnergic and sympathetic functions. Betel chewing produces an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and body temperature. In addition, EEG shows widespread cortical desynchronization indicating a state of arousal. In autonomic function tests, both the sympathetic skin response and RR interval variation are affected. Betel chewing also increases plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine. These results suggest that betel chewing mainly affects the central and autonomic nervous systems. Future studies should investigate both the acute and chronic effects of betel chewing. Such studies may further elucidate the psychoactive mechanisms responsible for the undiminished popularity of betel chewing since antiquity.     

深圳地区椰心叶甲寄主和天敌种类调查

调查结果表明,深圳地区椰心叶甲Brontispalongissima(Gestro)的寄主植物有26属36种,危害比较严重的寄主有椰子(CocosnuciferaL.)、大王椰子(RoystonearegiaO.F.Cook)、假槟榔(Archontophoenixalexandrae(F.V.Mueller))、鱼尾葵(CaryotaochlandraHance)、三药槟榔(ArecatriandraRoxburghexBuchanan)、金山葵(Syagrusromanzoffiana(Chamisso)Glassman)、菲岛鱼尾葵(CaryotacumingiiLoddigesexMartius)、刺葵(PhoenixhanceanaNaudin)、国王椰子(RavenearivularisL.)等。野外观察和采集标本鉴定结果表明,深圳地区椰心叶甲捕食性天敌有11种,主要种类为蚂蚁Formicasp.、毛蠼螋Cheatospaniasp.、中华大螳螂ParattenoderasinensisSaussure;致病微生物有3种,主要是绿僵菌Metarhiziumanisopliaevar.anisopliae。     

Arecoline induces TNF-alpha production and Zonula Occludens-1 redistribution in mouse Sertoli TM4 cells

Background

Arecoline, a major alkaloid in Areca nut has the ability to induce oxidative stress. The effect of Areca nut, arecoline on reducing sperm quality and quantity were documented previously using several animal models. Junction disruption by down-regulation of the junction-adhesive protein via oxidative stress is an important route mediating abnormal spermatogenesis. Therefore, in this present study, we investigated the functional role of arecoline on junctional proteins.

Results

To analyze direct effects of arecoline on testis cells, confluent mouse testicular Sertoli cell line TM4 was exposed to arecoline. Arecoline decreased insoluble zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein expression in TM4 cells, however, arecoline treatment increased TNF-alpha production in both TM4 and monocytic THP1 cells. In addition, ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 reversed arecoline effects on TNF-alpha and ZO-1.

Conclusions

Arecoline increases the production of TNF-alpha and induces protein redistribution of ZO-1. All these results explain the role of arecoline in male reproductive dysfunction, besides its cytotoxic induction.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-014-0093-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Study of unscheduled DNA synthesis following exposure of human cells to arecoline and extracts of betel nut in vitro.

Aqueous, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid and ethanol extracts of betel nut (Areca catechu L.) have been found to induce unscheduled DNA synthesis in Hep 2 cells obtained from human larynx carcinoma, in vitro. Different concentrations of extracts of betel nut induced dose-dependent unscheduled DNA synthesis in Hep 2 cells. Together with the viability of the Hep 2 cells, our results indicate that the aqueous and acetic acid extracts of betel nut induce relatively more unscheduled DNA synthesis than the hydrochloric acid and ethanol extracts and arecoline. The carcinogenic potency of raw and unprocessed betel nut of North-East India used in this study is discussed.     

Antinematodal activity of some tropical rainforest plants against the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Sixty five methanolic extracts of Sumatran rainforest plants representing 63 species of 21 families were assayed in vivo for antinematodal activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus using our cotton ball-fungal mat method. Extracts of 27 plants species from 14 families exhibited antinematodal activity, while 37 species were inactive. Among them, three extracts of Bischofia javanica, Knema hookeriana and Areca catechu exhibited very strong activity at minimum effective dose (MED) of 0.7 mg/cotton ball (mg/bl.). Eight extracts from Allamanda cathartica, Ervatamia corymbosa, Hoya diversifolia, Bischofia javanica, Derris malacensis, Melastoma melabathricum, Ophiorriza konsteleary and Brucea sumatrana also showed strong activity (MED, 5 mg/bl.).     

Comparative aerobiology,allergenicity and biochemistry of three palm pollen grains in Calcutta,India

A Burkard volumetric trap was used at Salt Lake City, Calcutta, to record the occurrence and frequency of three common palm pollen, namely,Areca catechu, Borassus flabellifer andPhoenix sylvestris for two consecutive years (July 1988–June 1990). The meteorological factors responsible for the frequency of relevant airborne pollen grains were analysed. The allergenic potential of these pollen types was investigated by skin-prick tests on adult respiratory allergic patients. These were also chemically analysed in terms of total carbohydrate, lipid and soluble protein. Total soluble protein of the above types was used in 11% SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to study the range of molecular components.     

Some pathological studies of Alternaria tenuis causing leaf spot disease of areca catechu

Summary Pathogenicity ofAlternaria tenuis has been established on the leaves ofAreca catechu. Laboratory evaluation of fungicides showed that phygon, zerlate, tillex, cereson, dithane, spergon and isothane could inhibit the growth of the organism but repeated applications of phygon could control the disease in field. Cross inoculations were made and it was found that it could infect the leaves ofDracaena sp.,Solanum melongena, S. nigrum, S. lycopersicum, Dhatura metal and the fruits ofPyrus communis andM. sylvestris.     

槟榔苗期主要病虫害为害症状及防治方法

槟榔幼苗健壮程度直接影响槟榔植株前期的生长速度、中后期的果品品质及最终的果实产量.本文综述了槟榔幼苗期发生的主要生理性病害(白化、日灼、肥害)、侵染性病害(炭疽病、大茎点霉叶斑病、枯萎病)以及虫害(椰圆蚧、基斑毒蛾、斑腿蝗虫、红蜘蛛、黑刺粉虱)的发生症状、防治方法等.根据槟榔育苗期病虫害的发生规律,探索各种病害、虫害的防治方法,以期为槟榔苗期病虫害防治提供参考.     

The influence of pH on the convertogenic activity of plant phenolics

The genotoxicity of plant phenolics, including pyrogallol, gallic acid, resorcinol and catechin, and a water extract and tannin fraction of betel nut (Areca catechu) was examined at pH levels ranging from 5 to 10. Strain D7 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used since the cells can withstand a wide range of pH levels without any loss of viability. At alkaline pH ranges, the examined phenolics and betel nut extracts induced mitotic conversion, whereas they lacked this capacity at acid pH levels. This phenomenon may be due to the rapid autoxidation of phenolics under alkaline conditions, which leads to the generation of H2O2 and free radicals. The results indicate that plant phenolics may pose a genotoxic hazard during chewing of lime-containing betel quid and tobacco which causes the salivary pH to rise above 8.     

New species and new record of Tetranychus Dufour from Australia, with a key to the major groups in this genus based on females (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)

A new species of spider mite, Tetranychus bunda sp. n., is described and illustrated from Australia. It was found damaging the foliage of Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) DC. (Fabaceae) in Darwin, Northern Territory. In addition, the geographical range of Tetranychus fijiensis Hirst is extended to include Australia. This species was found in the Northern Territory feeding on frangipani ( Plumeria sp., Apocynaceae), betel palm ( Areca catechu L., Arecaceae) and Macarthur feather palm ( Ptychosperma macarthurii [H. Wendl. ex Veitch] (H. Wendl. ex Hook. f., Arecaceae)). Details of the biology of T. bunda sp. n. and T. fijiensis are given. A key to the major groups of Tetranychus Dufour of the world, based on females, is presented and species known to occur in Australia are outlined.