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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

New cyclopropyl-triterpenoids from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa.

Four new cyclopropyl-triterpenes, 27-nor-3beta-hydroxy-25-oxocycloartane (1), (22E)-25,26,27-trinor-3beta-hydroxycycloart-22-en-24-al (2), 3beta-acetoxy-15alpha-hydroxy-13,27-cyclours-11-ene (3), 3beta-acetoxy-12alpha-formyloxy-13,27-cycloursan-11alpha-ol (4), together with (23E)-27-nor-3beta-hydroxycycloart-23-en-25-one (5) were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Compounds 3 and 4 are rare 13,27-cycloursane-type triterpenes. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMedDate not supplied

First evidence for the presence of weddellite crystallites in Opuntia ficus indica parenchyma.

Calcium oxalate crystallites occur very often in the plants tissues and their role is still poorly known. We report here the experimental protocol leading to the isolation of two forms of calcium oxalate crystallites differing in their hydration level in the parenchymal tissues of Opuntia ficus indica (Miller). Whereas the whewellite crystallites are habitual in all Opuntia species, the weddellite form has never been isolated from these species before, which is probably due to their small size (about 1 microm). We have identified these forms using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.

Calcium Oxalate↗
PubMed2000

A chloroform extract obtained from a decoction of Ficus carica leaves improves the cholesterolaemic status of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The antidiabetic effects of Ficus carica leaf extracts have been reported previously. From the aqueous decoction of fig leaves, after treatment with HCI, centrifuging, treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and extraction with chloroform (CHCl3), the administration of the organic phase rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes led to a decline in the levels of total cholesterol and an decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (with respect to the control group), together with a reduction of the hyperglycaemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Isolation and characterization of a reserve protein from the seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae).

We describe here the isolation and characterization of a major albumin from the seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae). This protein has a molecular mass of 6.5 kDa and was isolated by a combination of gel filtration chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC. The amino acid composition of this protein was determined and it was shown to have similarities with the amino acid composition of several proteins from the 2S albumin storage protein family. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of this protein is Asp-Pro-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Gln-Arg.

Albumins↗
PubMed2002

Development and optimization of methods for using sex pheromone for monitoring the mealybug Planococcus ficus (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) in California vineyards.

The sex pheromone of the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus Signoret has been identified as a single component, lavandulyl senecioate. Racemic lavandulyl senecioate was as attractive to male mealybugs as the insect-produced (S)-enantiomer, indicating that the unnatural enantiomer is not inhibitory. Lavandulol, which also was found in extracts from virgin females, antagonized attraction of males at higher doses. Rubber septum lures loaded with 10- to 1,000-microg doses of the pheromone were equally attractive, and lures loaded with 100 microg of racemic pheromone remained attractive for at least 12 wk under field conditions. Delta traps were more effective than double-sided sticky cards and minimized captures of nontarget insects. Pheromone-baited traps had an effective range of at least 50 m. Comparison of visual sampling methods and sampling of males with pheromone-baited traps revealed that trap catches were significantly correlated with the results from visual sampling methods, and with economic damage.

Alkenes↗
PubMed2006

Pheromone-based mating disruption of Planococcus ficus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in California vineyards.

Experiments were conducted to test a mating disruption program for the mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in California vineyards. The sprayable, microencapsulated formulation of the racemic sex pheromone lavandulyl senecioate was applied with an air-blast sprayer, using three and four applications in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Mating disruption was combined with an application of buprofezin (2004) in June. Compared with a no-pheromone control, there were significantly lower season-long trap catches of adult males, season-long mealybug densities (2003 only), and crop damage in mating disruption plots. The amount of mealybug reduction and mechanisms that resulted in lower crop damage in mating disruption plots is discussed. In samples taken during the growing season (April to September), mealybug density was only 12.0 +/- 15.6 and 31.1 +/- 11.6% lower in the mating disruption plots than in control plots in 2003 and 2004, respectively. In the mating disruption treatment, mealybug egg production was significantly lower (2003 only), as were the proportion of ovisacs and crawlers produced. There was no treatment impact on percentage of parasitism. Mealybug density influenced treatment impact. In 2004, vines were categorized as having low, medium, or high mealybug densities during a preapplication survey. After treatment application, mealybug density was reduced by 86.3 +/- 6.3% on vines in the low mealybug density category, but it was unchanged on vines in the high density category. Another factor that reduced treatment impact was the relatively short effective lifetime of the sprayable formulation.

Alkenes↗
PubMed2006

Reversing gastric mucosal alterations during ethanol-induced chronic gastritis in rats by oral administration of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage.

AIM: To study the effect of mucilage obtained from cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) on the healing of ethanol-induced gastritis in rats. METHODS: Chronic gastric mucosa injury was treated with mucilage (5 mg/kg per day) after it was induced by ethanol. Lipid composition, activity of 5'-nucleotidase (a membrane-associated ectoenzyme) and cytosolic activities of lactate and alcohol dehydrogenases in the plasma membrane of gastric mucosa were determined. Histological studies of gastric samples from the experimental groups were included. RESULTS: Ethanol elicited the histological profile of gastritis characterized by loss of the surface epithelium and infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) decreased and cholesterol content increased in plasma membranes of the gastric mucosa. In addition, cytosolic activity increased while the activity of alcohol dehydrogenases decreased. The administration of mucilage promptly corrected these enzymatic changes. In fact, mucilage readily accelerated restoration of the ethanol-induced histological alterations and the disturbances in plasma membranes of gastric mucosa, showing a univocal anti-inflammatory effect. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase correlated with the changes in lipid composition and the fluidity of gastric mucosal plasma membranes. CONCLUSION: The beneficial action of mucilage seems correlated with stabilization of plasma membranes of damaged gastric mucosa. Molecular interactions between mucilage monosaccharides and membrane phospholipids, mainly PC and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), may be the relevant features responsible for changing activities of membrane-attached proteins during the healing process after chronic gastric mucosal damage.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed2001

Self-pollination and its costs in a monoecious fig (Ficus aurea, Moraceae) in a highly seasonal subtropical environment.

The unusual floral phenology of most monoecious figs, related to their highly specialized pollination mutualism with agaonid wasps, combines pronounced dichogamy at the level of inflorescences and individuals with population-level asynchrony in flowering. This floral phenology ensures that outcrossing strongly predominates. Fig populations may thus be expected to possess deleterious recessive alleles that lead to inbreeding depression when selfing does occur. However, whether monoecious figs are self-compatible and whether selfing results in inbreeding depression have never been investigated. Using wasps as "pollination tools" and exploiting infrequent overlap in male and female phases on the same tree, we conducted controlled selfed and outcrossed pollination experiments in Ficus aurea. Our results show that this species is totally self-compatible. No negative effects of selfing could be demonstrated on syconium retention, number of vacant ovaries, seed set, or seed germination. However, wasp production had a tendency to be higher after self-pollination. While it is possible that inbreeding depression is expressed at later developmental stages, its absence at the early stages we examined is nonetheless surprising for a plant expected to be highly outcrossed. It is likely that selection pressures other than avoidance of inbreeding are responsible for the evolution and maintenance of the unusual floral phenology of figs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla on gastrointestinal activity.

Methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla was tested on isolated rabbit jejunum, rat duodenum and gastrointestinal motility in mice. The extract showed a biphasic effect on isolated smooth muscle. Lower concentration of extract caused contraction, while higher concentrations produced relaxation. The contractile phase was attenuated by atropine, while relaxant phase attenuated histamine induced contraction of guinea pig ileum. The extract also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of gastrointestinal motility. Acute toxicity test in mice established LD50 value (i.p.) of the extract to be 2000 mg/kg. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract gave positive test for flavonoids, tannins and saponins.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Antidiabetic effect of a glycoside of pelargonidin isolated from the bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn.

The antidiabetic effect of a dimethoxy derivative of perlargonidin 3-O-alpha-L rhamnoside (250 mg/kg, single dose study and 100 mg/kg/day long term study) isolated from the bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn. has been compared with that of glibenclamide (2 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg/day respectively) in moderately diabetic rats. The single dose glycoside treatment decreased fasting blood glucose by 19% and improved glucose tolerance by 29%. The corresponding effects of glibenclamide were 25% and 66% respectively over the control values. On one-month treatment the fasting blood glucose levels went down almost to half of the pretreatment levels in both the groups and their glucose tolerance improved by 41% in glibenclamide group and by 15% in glycoside treated group. Urine sugar decreased to traces in both the groups and they appeared healthy. In vitro studies showed that insulin secretion by beta-cells was more in presence of the pelargonidin derivative than in presence of a leucocyanidin derivative, reported to be a good anti-diabetic agent.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Phytopharmacological evaluation of Ficus glomerata, Roxb. fruit for hypoglycaemic activity in normal and diabetic rabbits.

The investigation was designed to study effects of powdered Ficus glomerata fruits on blood glucose levels in groups of normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits. In normal groups, administration of 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/kg body weight of F. glomerata pulv lowered the blood glucose levels significantly. The methanolic extract of the drug also produced significant hypoglycaemia but the aqueous extract could not produce this effect. In alloxan diabetic rabbits the treatment with 2, 3 and 4 g/kg body weight of the plant drug produced a significant fall in blood glucose levels. The methanolic extract of the pulv also produced a significant decrease in the diabetics hut the aqueous extract could produce a slight fall in glucose levels in these rabbits. Acetohexamide in 500 mg/kg dose produced a significant decrease in blood glucose levels of the normal rabbits only. Therefore, it is conceivable that the indigenous plant contains more than one type of hypoglycaemic principles which seem to act by producing an organotropic effect on the B-cells resulting in an increased secretion of insulin. In addition, it is also possible that the drug acts by providing certain necessary elements to the beta cells, especially in the alloxan-diabetic rabbits. Furthermore, it may be assumed that the indigenous plant pulv would also help the diabetics by providing certain essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, manganese, copper and others.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hypoglycemic activity of Eugenia jambolana and Ficus bengalensis: mechanism of action.

The extract of jaman pulp from fruit of Eugenia jambolana showed hypoplycemic activity. This report is the first evidence of such activity in relation to pulp. The effect of pulp was seen in 30 min, while the seeds of the same fruit required 24 hr. The extracts of bark of Ficus bengalensis caused reduction in blood sugar level. These results were confirmed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals. The oral administration of the extract resulted in enhancement in serum insulin levels in normoglycemic and diabetic rats. The incubation of isolated islets of Langerhans from normal as well as from diabetic animals with each of these plant extracts stimulated insulin secretion. These extracts inhibited insulinase activity from liver and kidney.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of a dehydrated extract of nopal (Opuntia ficus indica Mill.) on blood glucose].

To assess if a dehydrated extract of nopal stems retains the effect on glycemia of the entire nopal stems two experiments were performed. A. Six patients with type II diabetes mellitus in fasting condition received 30 capsules containing 10.1 +/- 0.3 g of the extract, and serum glucose levels were measured hourly from 0 to 180 minutes. B. Six healthy volunteers received 30 capsules with the extract followed by 74 g of dextrose orally. Serum glucose measurements were made in a similar fashion. In each experiment a control test with empty capsules was performed. Nopal extract did not reduce fasting glycemia in diabetic subjects. Nevertheless, the extract diminished the increase of serum glucose which followed a dextrose load. Peak serum glucose was 20.3 +/- 18.2 mg/dl (X +/- SD) lower in the test with nopal than in the control one (P less than 0.025). Dehydrated extract of nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) did not show acute hypoglycemic effect, although could attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Determination of the coumarinic constituents of Ficus carica leaves by HPLC].

The coumarinic compounds of fig leaves (Ficus carica) here examined closely. The furocoumarins psoralen, bergapten and the coumarins umbelliferone, 4',5'-dihydropsoralen and marmesin are present. These substances were determined in a "coumarinic extract" by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The seasonal variations of the above mentioned compounds were also studied in a series of samples of leaves picked from the same plant, at regular fortnightly intervals during the period 1/VI-2/XI/1979. From the data obtained it is noticeable that the total coumarinic content is maximun--0.5% as compared with the dry weight--in the extract of leaves picked on the first August, while it is lowest in the extract of leaves picked on the 15th June. The quantity of psoralen is always greater than that of bergapten, umbelliferone, 4',5'-dihydropsoralen and of marmesin. The ratio psoralen: bergapten is not constant, but fluctuates extensively with the seasonal variations from 2.8 to 7.7.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chemical constituents of Ficus bengalensis (part II).

Three ketones: 20-tetratriacontene-2-one (1), 6-heptatriacontene-10-one (7), pentatriacontan-5-one (13), and two other compounds, beta-sitosterol-alpha-D-glucose and meso-inositol have been isolated from the stem bark of Ficus bengalensis and their tentative structures are given.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1994

Hypoglycemic effects of leucodelphinidin derivative isolated from Ficus bengalensis (Linn).

A Leucodelphinidin derivative isolated from the bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn demonstrated hypoglycemic action at a dosage of 250 mg/kg given both in normal and alloxan diabetic rats. It's action is closely similar to that of an effective dose of glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) tested under the same conditions. However, after a glucose load the plant product is only just significantly active but not as effective as the sulphonylurea. The efficacy of the plant product as a hydroglycemic agent adds to its other therapeutic effects, as it belongs to the class of flavonoids.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of leucopelargonin derivative from Ficus bengalensis Linn. on diabetic dogs.

Dimethoxy ether of Leucopelargonidin-3-0-alpha-L rhamnoside isolated from the bark of the Indian Banyan tree Ficus bengalensis Linn. was tested for antidiabetic effect. At a medium effective dose (100 mg/kg) on oral administration, the compound showed significant hypoglycemic and serum insulin raising action in normal as also moderately diabetic dogs (induced by alloxan) during a period of two hours. The mechanism of action of the glycoside compound seems to be similar to that of drugs which stimulate insulin secretion. On acute and chronic administration in single doses of 0.2-1.8 g/kg to different groups of mice and daily administration of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg to rats for a period of one month respectively did not show any toxic effect and the compound was not lethal even at the high dose of 1.8 g/kg in experimental animals.

Alloxan↗