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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antileishmanial activity of a tetralone isolated from Ampelocera edentula, a Bolivian plant used as a treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The stem bark of Ampelocera edentula Kuhlm. (Ulmaceae) is used by the Chimanes Indians from Bolivia for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan Leishmania braziliensis. A chloroform extract of the stem barks was found to be active against extracellular forms of Leishmania ssp. and Trypanosoma cruzi at 50 micrograms/ml. Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract allowed us to isolate one active compound. Its structure was elucidated by spectral and chemical studies as 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone. BALB/c mice infected with L. amazonensis (PH8) or L. venezuelensis were treated one day after the parasitic infection with 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone (25 mg/kg/day) or with reference drug, Glucantime (56 mg Sbv/kg/day) for 14 days. Lesion development was the criteria used to evaluate the disease severity. 4-Hydroxy-1-tetralone was slightly less effective than the reference drug against L. amazonensis or L. venezuelensis. Single treatment near the site of infection, 14 days after infection with L. amazonensis, with 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone (50 mg/kg) was more effective than Glucantime (112 mg/kg). This study is, to our knowledge, the first to show the activity of a tetralone for the experimental treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Animals↗

Some pharmacological effects of an ethanolic extract of Trema guineensis on the central nervous system in rodents.

The present study investigates some neuropharmacological effects of an ethanolic extract of the leaves of Trema guineensis (Ulmaceae), a medicinal plant of central Africa. Intraperitoneal administration of the extract induced hypothermia. In addition, the extract significantly shortened the latency to sleep and prolonged the duration of sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital in mice. Moreover, T. guineensis significantly delayed the onset of clonic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole in mice. In contrast, T. guineensis did not affect convulsions induced by maximal electroshock and picrotoxin in mice nor status epilepticus produced by pilocarpine and kainic acid in rats.

Africa, Central↗

Effects of shading and removal of plant parts on growth of Trema micrantha seedlings.

Effects of artificial shading and removal of plant parts on growth of Trema micrantha (L.) Blume (Ulmaceae) seedlings were studied. Seedlings were grown in pots in a greenhouse in 45, 30, 10.6, 4.8 and 1.8% of full sunlight. Shading for 60 days had no effect on survival, but it influenced all growth parameters measured. Total biomass decreased with decreasing irradiance, reflecting reductions in dry mass of leaves, stems and roots. In response to shading, allocation of biomass to leaves increased, while allocation of biomass to roots decreased. Specific leaf area, leaf area ratio and leaf mass ratio increased with decreasing irradiance. Decreases in relative growth rate were caused by reductions in net assimilation rate rather than leaf area ratio. Photosynthetic efficiency, as determined by the Fv/Fm ratio (Fv = variable fluorescence, Fm = maximal fluorescence), was unaffected by the shading treatments. Partial removal of leaves, stem or roots did not affect seedling survival. Seedlings responded to removal of plant parts by compensatory growth. Topophysis was observed when the apex was removed: the lateral buds developed only as new plagiotropic lateral shoots; consequently, the decapitated plant ceased height growth and was unable to compete with its neighbors for light.

Chlorophyll↗

Allergenic pollens and pollinosis in Italy: recent advances.

The authors have mapped the occurrence of allergenic pollens throughout Italy and defined their most common clinical symptoms. To obtain an accurate aerobiological and clinical picture of such a geographically complex country as Italy, a detailed investigation was carried out involving 80 data-gathering stations and 40 clinical centers nationwide. Three main pollination periods can be distinguished: winter-pre-spring (January to March) for Betulaceae, Corylaceae, Cupressaceae, Salicaceae and Ulmaceae: spring-summer (April to June) for Gramineae, Urticaceae, Oleaceae, Plantago, Fagaceae, Pinaceae and Polygonaceae, and summer-autumn (August to September) for Urticaceae, Compositae and Chenopodiaceae. Examination of 49,660 patients affected by pollinosis (conjunctivitis, rhinitis, asthma, with positive skin tests or IgE-specific serum determination: RAST, ELISA) throughout Italy revealed sensitivity to Gramineae in 64.6%, to Parietaria in 36.7% to Olea in 15.8%, to Compositae in 13.2%, to Betulaceae-Corylaceae in 7% and to Fagaceae-Cupressaceae-Plantago in 4%-10%; marked regional variations were observed. The patients suffered from rhino-conjunctivitis (55.7%), rhino-conjunctivitis plus asthma (31.6%) and asthma (12.7%). In monosensitised individuals, Parietaria was seen to be the main cause of the asthmatic syndrome (though our preliminary data also implicate Olea) followed by Gramineae.

Air Pollution↗

Competition by Bradyrhizobium Strains for Nodulation of the Nonlegume Parasponia andersonii.

Bradyrhizobium strains isolated from the nonlegume Parasponia spp. formed a group of strains that were highly competitive for nodulation of P. andersonii when paired with strains isolated from legumes. Strains from legumes, including those of similar effectiveness to NGR231 and CP283, were not able to form nodules as single occupants on P. andersonii in the presence of Parasponia strains. However, NGR86, an isolate from Macroptilium lathyroides, jointly occupied one-third of the nodules formed with each of the three strains isolated from Parasponia spp. Time taken for nodules to appear may have influenced the outcome of competition, since CP283 and all isolates from legumes were slow to nodulate P. andersonii. Among the Parasponia strains, competitiveness for nodulation of P. andersonii was not associated with effectiveness of nitrogen fixation. The highly effective strain CP299 was a poor competitor when paired with the least effective strain NGR231. CP283 was the least competitive of the Parasponia strains but was still able to dominate nodules when paired with legume isolates. Dual occupancy was high, up to 67% when the inoculum contained CP299 and CP273. Both the Muc and Muc types of CP283 form a symbiosis of similar effectiveness and were similarly competitive at high inoculation densities, but the Muc form was more competitive at low inoculum densities. Both forms frequently occupied the same nodule. Bradyrhizobium strains isolated from Parasponia spp. may have specific genetic information that favor their ability to competitively and effectively infect plants in the genus Parasponia (Ulmaceae) outside the Leguminosae.

Journal Article↗

Effects of Ulmus davidiana planch on mineralization, bone morphogenetic protein-2, alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, and collagenase-1 in bone cells.

Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae) (UD) long has been known to have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on damaged tissue, inflammation, and bone among other functions. The herbal medicine also is being used in Oriental medicine to treat osteoporosis. In a preliminary study, treatment of osteoclasts containing long bone cells with the water extract of UD bark prevented the intracellular maturation of cathepsin K (cat K), and thus, it was considered that UD is a pro-drug of a potent bone-resorption inhibitor. To further clarify the role of UD in ossification, we investigated the effects of UD on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cell lines in vitro. In this study, we assessed the effects of UD on osteoblastic differentiation in nontransformed osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) and rat bone marrow cells. UD enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. This stimulatory effect of the UD was observed at relatively low doses (significant at 5-50 microg/ml and maximal at 50 microg/ml). Northern blot analysis showed that UD (100 microg/ml) increases in bone morphogenic protein-2 as well as ALP mRNA concentrations in MC3T3-E1 cells. UD slightly increased in type I collagen mRNA abundance throughout the culture period, whereas it markedly inhibited the gene expression of collagenase-1 between days 15 and 20 of culture. These results indicate that UD has anabolic effects on bone through the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it could be used for the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Pollen record and paleoenvironment of a 4210 years B.P.old sediment in the Bay of Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Pollen analysis of a sediment sample obtained at 222 cm from the top of a drilling core collected in the Bay of Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro, was used as a tool to obtain more knowledge about pre-historical human living and environment. 14C datation revealed the age of 4210 years B.P. Most frequent pollen grains came from plants like Alchornea (Euphorbiaceae), Celtis (Ulmaceae), Lecythidaceae, Meliaceae, Ochnaceae and spores from forest Pteridophyta. Palynology and environmental studies revealed that agricultural activities could not be detected. The dense tropical rain forest was the dominant vegetation occurring in this region.

Brazil↗

A phylogenetic analysis of Rhamnaceae using rbcL and trnL-F plastid DNA sequences.

Previous tribal classifications of Rhamnaceae have been based on fruit characters, resulting in the delimitation of large and otherwise heterogeneous groups. We evaluated the most recent classification with DNA sequences of two regions of the plastid genome, rbcL and trnL-F, from 42 genera of Rhamnaceae and representatives of the related families Elaeagnaceae, Barbeyaceae, Dirachmaceae, Urticaceae, Ulmaceae, Moraceae, and Rosaceae. The trnL-F trees have higher consistency and retention indices than the rbcL trees, and patterns of change in rbcL and trnL-F are compared. The closest relatives of Rhamnaceae are Dirachmaceae and Barbeyaceae, followed by the urticalean families. The plastid trees support the monophyly of the family and provide the basis for a new tribal classification. Three strongly supported clades are identified, but morphological characters could not be found to underpin a formal taxonomic description of these three clades as subfamilies. We therefore only recognize groups that are also defined by morphological characters. The biogeography of Rhamnaceae is discussed with reference to the molecular trees.

Journal Article↗

Glucose lowering efficacy of the aqueous stem bark extract of Trema orientalis (Linn) Blume in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats.

The glucose-lowering efficacy of the aqueous stem bark extract of Trema orientalis (Ulmaceae) was evaluated both in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In normoglycemic rats, the single oral administration of the aqueous extract of T. orientalis failed to reduce blood glucose levels while in STZ-diabetic rats, the plant extract (38-300 mg/kg) exhibited significant hypoglycaemic activity with a maximum effect of 29.67%, 5 hours after administration of the 75 mg/kg dose when compared with the diabetic untreated group. Glibenclamide was not able to lower blood glucose in STZ-diabetic rats, while it significantly lowered the blood sugar in normoglycemic rats. The hypoglycaemic property of T. orientalis was also assessed by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in STZ-diabetic rats. The aqueous extract of T. orientalis and the reference drug, glibenclamide, (10 mg/kg) produced significant blood glucose lowering effects in the diabetic rats when compared to the diabetic controls. One week after repeated administration of T. orientalis extract, blood glucose levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) and still remained low after 2 weeks (p < 0.01). The results indicated that T. orientalis stem bark extract significantly reduces blood glucose in STZ-induced diabetic rats by a mechanism different from that of sulfonylurea agents. The present investigation provides pharmacological evidence that the use of this plant extract in traditional medicine for cardiovascular disease can be of benefit particulary in diabetic patients.

Animals↗

[Host plants of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) in the northeast of Argentina].

New host plants and localities are recorded for 84 species of Cerambycidae of Chaco Province (Chaquenian Dominion) and Paranaense Province (Amazonian Dominion) in northeastern Argentina and Brazil. Host plants belong to Anacardiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Apocynaceae, Bignoniaceae, Bombacaceae, Cactaceae, Caesalpinaceae, Capparidaceae, Casuarinaceae, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, Moraceae, Nyctaginaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rutaceae, Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae and Ulmaceae. First records for Argentina and host plants: Compsocerus barbicornis Serville 1834, Desmiphora lenkoi (Lane 1959), Neocompsa serrana (Martins 1962) and Trachysomus dromedarius (Voet 1778). First host plants records of rare or uncommon Argentine species of Cerambycidae are Methia tubuliventris Gounelle 1913, Paraleptidea femorata Gounelle 1913 and Oncideres pepotinga Martins 1981.

Animals↗

Antioxidative effects of 7-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cadalene extracted from Zelkova serrata on 4-(methylinitros amino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced oxidative stress in A/J mice.

Effects of 7-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cadalene (cadalene) extracted from Zelkova serrata on 4-(methylinitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced oxidative stress were examined using A/J mice. NNK (65 microg/ml water) was orally administered to 20 mice for 7 weeks, followed by free feeding of a commercial diet, not containing cadalene, for 2 weeks. The control group was maintained without NNK and cadalene administration, and treatment groups with NNK and cadalene (6.25, 25, 100 mg/kg feed) feeding for 25 weeks. The glutathione concentration of cadalene-treated (65 microg/ml water) group was significantly higher than that of the group treated only with NNK (p < 0.05). The results of our study strongly indicate that cadalene exerts antioxidative effect on NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice.

Administration, Oral↗

Antitumor and antiinflammatory constituents from Celtis sinensis.

Eight compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract of the twigs of Celtis sinensis through repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their chemical structures were elucidated as two triterpenoids, germanicol and epifriedelanol, two amide compounds, trans-N-caffeoyltyramine and cis-N-coumaroyltyramine, two lignan glycoside, pinoresinol glycoside and pinoresinol rutinoside, and two steroids by spectroscopic analysis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Inhibitory effect of trans-N-p-coumaroyl tryamine from the twigs of Celtis chinensis on the acetylcholinesterase.

The methanolic extract of the twigs of Celtis chinensis was found to show inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that plays a role in the metabolic hydrolysis of ACh. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract resulted in the isolation of N-p-coumaroyl tyramine, as an inhibitor on AChE. This compound inhibited AChE activity in a dose-dependent manner, and the IC50 value of trans-N-p-coumaroyl tyramine was 34.5 microg/mL (122 microM).

Acetylcholine↗

Contrasting patterns of hydraulic redistribution in three desert phreatophytes.

We measured sap flow in taproots, lateral roots and stems within a single individual in each of three co-occurring tree species in a Chihuahuan desert arroyo to assess the seasonality and magnitude of hydraulic redistribution. Nocturnal reverse flow (hydraulic redistribution) was detected in shallow lateral roots of Fraxinus velutina and Juglans major during periods when surface soils were dry. Reverse flow in the Fraxinus lateral root ranged from near zero to 120 g h(-1), and was inversely correlated with nighttime vapor pressure deficit (D), suggesting that nighttime transpiration may have inhibited hydraulic redistribution. Reverse flow in the Juglans lateral root ranged from near zero to 18 g h(-1). There was no relationship between reverse flow and nighttime D in the Juglans lateral root, despite a weak positive relationship between nighttime D and rates of basipetal flow (flow towards the stem) in the taproot. Reverse flow in Fraxinus and Juglans ceased when surface soils were wetted by monsoon rains and flooding. We found no reverse flow or seasonal variation in root sap flow in Celtis reticulata. However, basipetal sap flow in Celtis roots continued throughout most of the evening, even during periods when D was near zero, and commenced in the morning more than two hours after the onset of sap flow in the main stem. Patterns of nocturnal root sap flow in Celtis may have been facilitated by the diurnal withdrawal from, and refilling of above ground storage compartments (i.e. above ground diurnal storage capacity), which may have prevented hydraulic redistribution. Species differences in nocturnal root function may have significant impacts on ecosystem hydrological fluxes, and should be considered when scaling fluxes to catchment, landscape, and regional levels.

Biological Transport↗

Trajectories associated to regional and extra-regional pollen transport in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, Mar del Plata (Argentina).

Long range transport of airborne pollen has been seldom studied in South America. Backward trajectories of Celtis and Nothofagus pollen grains trapped over a meteorological station outside Mar del Plata City were calculated in one-hour steps using the regional hybrid model developed by the NOAA (HYSPLIT 4.5) and the data of the NCEP filed in the NOAA server. Results showed that the observed trajectories agree with the location of vegetation sources of the collected tree species. In the case of Celtis, the transport was associated to anticyclones located east of the city, generating winds with a N-NE component, which produce pollen cloud advection from the Celtis forests located some tens of kilometers to the N and NE of the city. The sources of Nothofagus pollen correspond to a narrow strip on the Andes slopes between 39 degrees and 55 degrees S, at least 1100 km to the SW of Mar del Plata. The transport was associated to eastward displacement of the troughs corresponding to the Westerlies circulation and the presence of an anticyclone system that brings back Nothofagus pollen towards Mar del Plata area.

Argentina↗

Stem diameter changes before bud opening in Zelkova serrata saplings.

It is well known that stems of woody plants shrink and swell diurnally. These fluctuations of stem diameter are induced mainly by the changes of water contents in plants, which are caused by the combination of leaf transpiration and root absorption of water. This implies that dormant-like deciduous broadleaved trees in a leafless state should show no or less changes in stem diameter. However, some physiological activities in woody plants are also known to precede their winter bud opening. Whether and how diameter changes occur in deciduous tree stems during winter was investigated using Zelkova serrata saplings in a leafless state. Measurements of stem diameter changes were done for more than 4 months continuously. The saplings showed distinct diameter changes with periodicities from diurnal to a few weeks, and these changes were initiated 2 months before winter bud opening. These results indicate that some physiological and/or developmental activities occur in the stem of deciduous trees before winter bud opening, and do not correspond to changes in water relations as a result of leaf transpiration. These internal activities cause fluctuations in stem diameter prior to winter bud opening in deciduous trees.

Plant Leaves↗

Inhibitory effects of 7-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cadalene on 4-(methylinitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice.

The present study was undertaken to estimate the effect of 7-hydroxy-3-methoxycadalene (cadalene) extracted from Zelkova serrata on 4-(methylinitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice. Twenty mice received orally NNK at a dose of 65 microg/ml water for 7 weeks following by free feeding of a commercial diet not containing cadalene for 2 weeks. Control group was maintained without NNK and cadalene administration and/or treatment groups with NNK and cadalene (6.25, 25, 100 mg/kg feed) feeding for 25 weeks. Lung tumors were induced by NNK at incidence ranging from 10 to 45%. Cadalene treatment (100 mg/kg feed) group significantly reduced the incidence of adenomas from 45 to 10% (P < 0.05), and other cadalene treatment group decreased cancer incidences in a concentration dependent manner. The results of our study strongly indicate that cadalene is capable of inhibiting development of NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice.

Administration, Oral↗

Cytotoxic triterpenes from the twigs of Celtis philippinensis.

Two triterpene esters, 3beta-trans-sinapoyloxylup-20(29)-en-28-ol (1) and 3beta-trans-feruloyloxy-16 beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene (2), were isolated as cytotoxic constituents from the chloroform-soluble extract of the twigs of Celtis philippinensis, along with five known triterpenes, 3beta-O-(E)-feruloylbetulin (3), 3beta-O-(E)-coumaroylbetulin (4), betulin (5), 20-epibryonolic acid (6), and ursolic acid (7). The structures of 1 and 2 were assigned from their 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. All isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗