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Influence of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors on oxidative stress-induced lung injury.

OBJECTIVE: Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is the main oxidant of activated neutrophil granulocytes. It is generated by their myeloperoxidase during respiratory burst. This study investigates the effects of HOCl on vascular permeability and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and characterizes the influence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor caffeic acid (CaA) on the observed alterations. DESIGN: Prospective experimental study using isolated perfused rabbit lungs. SETTING: Experimental laboratory in a university teaching hospital. INTERVENTIONS: HOCl was infused into the perfusate containing either no inhibitors, ASA (500 micromol/L), or CaA (1 micromol/L). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: PAP, pulmonary venous pressure, and ventilation pressure as well as lung weight gain were continuously recorded. Capillary filtration coefficient [Kf,c (10(-4) cm3 x sec(-1) x cm H2O(-1) x g(-1)]) was calculated before and 30, 60, and 90 mins after start of HOCl application. Continuous HOCl application (500, 1000, and 2000 nmol/min) resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in Kf,c and PAP with a threshold dose at 500 nmol/min. The onset of these changes was inversely related to the HOCl dose used. Both inhibitors, CaA and ASA, exhibited protective effects on the HOCl-induced alterations in pulmonary microcirculation. ASA predominantly reduced the HOCl-induced pressure response and had a minor but also significant inhibitory effect on edema formation as measured by Kf,c and fluid retention. CaA reduced significantly the rise in Kf,c and subsequent edema formation without effects on pulmonary pressure response. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase are involved in oxidative stress induced acute lung injury, suggesting a link between neutrophil-derived oxidative stress and endothelial eicosanoid metabolism.

Animals↗

Antiplasmodial, antimycobacterial, and cytotoxic principles from Camchaya calcarea.

Chemical exploration of Camchaya calcarea (family Compositae) has led to the isolation of nine known sesquiterpene lactones 1 - 9, together with caffeic acid methyl ester 10. Sesquiterpenes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity, but showed potent antimycobacterial activity. Interestingly, the cytotoxicity of sesquiterpene lactones 1, 2, and 4 towards small-cell lung cancer cell line (NCI-H187) is stronger (two orders of magnitude) than towards the Vero cell line. Caffeic acid methyl ester (10) was cytotoxic against NCI-H187 and BC cell lines, however the ester 10 showed only mild antimycobacterial activity.

Animals↗

Comparison of the effects of 13 phenolic compounds in induction of proliferative lesions of the forestomach and increase in the labelling indices of the glandular stomach and urinary bladder epithelium of Syrian golden hamsters.

Groups of 6-week-old male Syrian golden hamsters were given 13 different phenolic compounds for 20 weeks. Of these compounds, 2(3)-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA), 2-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (TBMP) and p-tert-butylphenol (PTBP) strongly induced hyperplasia and tumorous lesions in the forestomach. Catechol, p-methylphenol (PMYP), p-methoxyphenol (PMOP), caffeic acid, methylhydroquinone (MHQ) and pyrogallol were less active, and resorcinol, hydroquinone, propylparabene and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) were not active. The labelling index in the forestomach epithelium was significantly increased by addition to the diet of BHA, TBMP, catechol, PMOP, PTBP and MHQ. PMOP induced epithelial damage and regenerative hyperplasia of the pyloric region. Catechol, caffeic acid and PMYP induced similar though less marked lesions. The labelling index in the glandular stomach was significantly increased by oral catechol (P less than 0.05) or PMOP (P less than 0.05). No histopathological lesions were observed in the urinary bladder epithelium, but propylparabene (P less than 0.05), catechol, TBHQ and MHQ increased the labeling index. These findings indicate that PTBP and TBMP may be carcinogenic for hamster forestomach after long-term administration, and that both one hydroxy and tert-butyl substituents may be important for induction of hamster forestomach tumors.

Animals↗

Interference of arachidonic acid and its metabolites with TNF-alpha release by ochratoxin A from rat liver.

We investigated the role of arachidonic acid and its metabolites on the ochratoxin A (OTA) provoked release of proinflammatory and apoptotic cytokine TNF-alpha from blood-free perfused rat liver. OTA induced TNF-alpha release dose- and time-dependently yielding 2600 pg TNF-alpha/ml at 2.5 micromol/l after 90 min without significant release of LDH and lactate. Aristolochic acid, 50 micromol/l, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, and 10 micromol/l of exogenous arachidonic acid decreased TNF-alpha below normal level. Indomethacin, 10 micromol/l, a potent inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway, almost doubled TNF-alpha concentrations in the perfusion solution to reach 5500 pg/ml at 90 min. On the other hand, inhibition of lipoxgenase (LPX) by 30 micromol/l nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) pathway by 100 micromol/l of metyrapone decreased TNF-alpha below normal levels as well. Concurrent administration of two blockers (COX inhibitor with LPX inhibitor, or COX inhibitor with CYP-450 inhibitor, or LPX inhibitor with CYP-450 inhibitor) blocked TNF-alpha release below normal levels. In addition, 10 micromol/l caffeic acid phenylethyl ester, a NF-(kappa)B inhibitor, blocked OTA mediated TNF-alpha release. In conclusion, arachidonic acid and its cyclooxygenase metabolites are suppressors of OTA mediated TNF-alpha release from liver, whereas LPX and CYP-450-metabolites have the opposite effect. OTA-induced TNF-alpha release is likely to occur via the NF-(kappa)B transcription factor pathway in perfused rat liver.

Animals↗

Cell proliferation and forestomach carcinogenesis.

To analyze the role of cell proliferation in phenolic compound-induced rat forestomach carcinogenesis, early forestomach histopathological changes as well as oncogene expression and reversibility of early forestomach lesions were examined in F344 male rats. For the analysis of early lesions, five animals each were treated with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), caffeic acid, sesamol, or 4-methoxyphenol in the diet, each at a dose of 2%, and killed for histopathological examination after 12 hr, 1, 3, or 7 days. For oncogene analysis, three animals each were treated with BHA for 15, 30 min, 1, 3, 6, or 24 hr and then sacrificed. In the reversibility study, groups of animals were treated with BHA, caffeic acid, sesamol or 4-methoxyphenol for 24 weeks, and basal diet alone was supplied for a further 24-week period. Animals were killed at 24 and 48 weeks and forestomach epithelium was examined histopathologically. DNA synthesis increased within 12 hr to 3 days after commencement of chemical treatment in all cases. Toxicity and cell proliferation became evident subsequent to increase in DNA synthesis in each case. Elevated expression of c-fos and c-myc oncogenes was demonstrated 15 min after beginning treatment with BHA. In the reversibility study, although most of the proliferative lesions induced by these antioxidants regressed after cessation of chemical treatment, some dysplastic lesions were still observed at week 48. The results indicate that these phenolic compounds act primarily as mitogens in rat forestomach epithelium, with regeneration due to toxicity further enhancing cell proliferation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Teas and tea components as inhibitors of carcinogen formation in model systems and man.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence points to a cancer protective role of green-yellow-orange vegetables and fruits. The involvement of teas as a protective factor in carcinogenesis has not received the attention it seems to merit. To gain relevant information, attempts were made to stimulate in vitro those conditions to which human groups are actually exposed. METHODS: The inhibitory effects of infusions of Chinese, Japanese, and Ceylonese teas were examined by adding them to a nitrosation mixture consisting of 0.8 mg sodium nitrite and 340 mg equivalent of a widely consumed salt-preserved fish (Pak Wik) and estimating the frequency of mutants in TA 1535 strain of Salmonella typhimurium. RESULTS: The tea samples exhibited a strong inhibitory effect at concentrations that are actually ingested by man. A comparable inhibition was obtained by several tea phenolics. A second series of experiments dealt with the formation of nitrosoproline (NPRO) which can be strongly inhibited in vitro by the tea infusions and tea phenolics. The effects of the tea infusions and caffeic acid on the endogeneous formation of NPRO in man were examined by having volunteers ingest 300 mg sodium nitrate and 30 min later 300 mg proline, collecting urine samples over a 24-hr period, and estimating the excreted NPRO. The tested teas, at doses regularly consumed, again exerted a strong inhibitory effect on endogeneous NPRO formation in humans. Comparable inhibitory effects were obtained by ingesting caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, or ferulic acid with the nitrosation mixture. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the simultaneous intake of teas with food products that are being nitrosated within the stomach of human subjects should exert a protective, beneficial effect.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Modification of the Lowry assay to measure proteins and phenols in covalently bound complexes.

It is well established that phenols interfere with many routine protein assays and a number of protocols have been developed to overcome this. One such method is based on the differences in response obtained with the Lowry assay in the presence and absence of copper. This assumes that the phenol response with the Lowry assay is not affected by copper. However ortho-diphenols such as catechol, methylcatechol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and phaselic acid show decreased responses in the presence of copper. Three methods of estimating protein were compared for their accuracy in measuring proteins in the presence of covalently bound ortho-diphenols; the Lowry assay, the modified Lowry assay, and a new method including a calculation to take into account differences in ortho-diphenol response in the presence and absence of copper. The ortho-diphenols were caffeic acid and phaselic acid, which were bound to bovine serum albumin and red clover protein either chemically or enzymatically. For all assays, the new method gave values within 4 to 8% of control values for protein (without bound phenols) as determined by the modified Lowry method. Values for the Lowry and modified Lowry methods varied by 20-50% from control protein values. The new method also gave a good approximation of protein-bound phenol content.

Indicators and Reagents↗

An abietane diterpene and two phenolics from Salvia forskahlei.

From the roots of Salvia forskahlei a new diterpenoid, forskalinone, two new aromatic compounds, the octanol esters of cis- and trans-4-O-methyl-caffeic acid dimers, were isolated together with the known compounds stigmast-3-one, sitosterol and alpha-amyrin. The structures of the new and the known compounds were established by spectral data. The antimicrobial activity of forskalinone and the dimeric cinnamic acid esters was tested against standard bacterial strains and a yeast, namely Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus aureus 6538P, S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 14153, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Klebsiella pneumonia ATC 4352, Pseudomonus aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, beta-haemolytic Streptococcus and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Forskalinone showed moderate resistance against S. epidermidis (670 micrograms ml-1) and slight activity against E. faecalis (168 micrograms ml-1). trans-4-O-Methyl-caffeic acid dimer octanol ester was inactive while the cis isomer showed a slight activity against C. albicans (156 micrograms ml-1).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Effect of pH on the stability of plant phenolic compounds.

It is not uncommon to treat plant-derived foods and feeds with alkali. Such exposure to high pH is being used to recover proteins from cereals and legumes, to induce the formation of fiber-forming meat analogue vegetable protein, for preparing peeled fruits and vegetables, and for destroying microorganisms. In addition to their profound effects on functional and nutritional properties in such foods, such treatments may also cause other side reactions, including the destruction of natural polyphenolic compounds. Because plants contain a large number of structurally different antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antimicrobial polyphenolic compounds, it is of interest to know whether such compounds are stable to heat and to high pH. In this model study, the stability of the following natural polyphenols to pH in the range 3-11 was studied with the aid of ultraviolet spectroscopy: caffeic acid, (-)-catechin, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, (-)-epigallocatechin, rutin, and the nonphenolic compound trans-cinnamic acid. This study demonstrates that caffeic, chlorogenic, and gallic acids are not stable to high pH and that the pH- and time-dependent spectral transformations are not reversible. By contrast, chlorogenic acid is stable to acid pH, to heat, and to storage when added to apple juice. (-)-Catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, ferulic acid, rutin, and trans-cinnamic acid resisted major pH-induced degradation. The results are rationalized in terms of relative resonance stabilization of phenoxide ions and quinone oxidation intermediates. The possible significance of these findings to food chemistry and microbiology is discussed.

Drug Stability↗

Propolis allergy. (III). Sensitization studies with minor constituents.

87% of the propolis product "LB-1", originally reported to be 1,1-dimethyl-allyl caffeic acid ester, was shown by GC/MS analysis to consist of 3 isomeric pentenyl caffeates, 63% of which are 1,1-dimethylallyl caffeate. These pentenyl caffeates proved to be the major sensitizers of propolis and of poplar bud secretion in our previous study. In addition, 3 further minor allergens have now been investigated. Experimental sensitization indicates that phenylethyl caffeate is as strong a sensitizer as the major allergen "LB-1", while benzyl salicylate is a moderate sensitizer. Benzyl cinnamate plays only a subordinate role. At least 3 further esters of caffeic acid or cinnamic acid remain to be studied. Interestingly, relationships between propolis and balsam of Peru were found. 8 compounds are common to both materials. Thus "cross-reactions" or concomitant reactions in propolis-sensitive individuals to balsam of Peru are explainable.

Aged↗

Diosgenin, a plant-derived sapogenin, stimulates Ca2+-activated K+ current in human cortical HCN-1A neuronal cells.

The effects of diosgenin (3beta-hydroxy-5-spirostene), a plant-derived sapogenin, on ion currents in human cortical neurons (HCN-1A) were investigated. In the whole-cell configuration, diosgenin (0. -30 microM) increased the amplitude of K+ outward current (I(K)). Diosgenin-stimulated I(K) was sensitive to inhibition by paxilline (1 microM), but not by apamin (200 nM) or glibenclamide (10 muM). In the cell-attached configuration, diosgenin applied to the bath increased the activity of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK(Ca)) channels without altering single-channel conductance. Diosgenin enhanced BK(Ca)-channel activity with an EC50 value of 25 microM. However, in inside-out patches, diosgenin applied to the intracellular surface had no effect on BK(Ca)-channel activity, while cilostazol or caffeic acid phenethyl ester increased it. As shown with the aid of intracellular Ca2+ measurements, diosgenin elevated intracellular Ca2+ in HCN-1A cells. Western blotting also revealed the presence of the alpha-subunit of BK (Ca) channels in these cells. The sustained stimulation of I(K) arises primarily from the diosgenin-induced Ca2+ influx across the cell membrane. The effect of diosgenin on these channels may affect the functional activity of cortical neurons. Abbreviations. I(K):K+ outward current I(K(Ca)):Ca2+-activated K+ current BK(Ca) channel:Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel CAPE:caffeic acid phenethyl ester [Ca2+] (i):intracellular Ca2+ concentration I/V relationship:current/voltage relationship K (ATP) channel:ATP-sensitive K+ channel K(Ca) channel:Ca2+-activated K+ channel.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Inhibitory effects of phenolic compounds on development of naturally occurring preneoplastic hepatocytic foci in long-term feeding studies using male F344 rats.

Five phenolic compounds, namely caffeic acid, sesamol, hydroquinone, catechol, and 4-methoxyphenol, were fed to groups of 30 male F344 rats at dietary levels of 2, 2, 0.3, 0.8, and 2%, respectively, for 2 years. Retardation of body weight and elevated relative liver weights were noted for all groups. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded liver tissues from rats killed terminally were cut and stained for glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) and tumor growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) immunohistochemically. Numbers and areas of GST-P-positive (GST-P+) foci per unit area of liver section were measured, and the respective treated/control proportional values were calculated to be 58 and 57% for caffeic acid. 58 and 54% for sesamol, 71 and 71% for hydroquinone. 58 and 133% for catechol, and 49 and 39% for 4-methoxyphenol. These data were comparable with results obtained with medium-term liver bioassays (Ito test). However, no intergroup differences were detected with regard to quantitative findings for TGF alpha foci, which were relatively rare. Long-term inhibitory effects of phenolic compounds on liver carcinogenesis, predicted from the Ito test, were thus confirmed in the present feeding studies using quantitative analysis of immunohistochemically demonstrable GST-P+ foci as end point marker lesions.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide formation and corresponding relaxation of porcine coronary arteries induced by plant phenols: essential structural features.

The high intake of polyphenols is thought to contribute to the beneficial cardiovascular effects of plant-centered diets. A putative mechanism underlying the cardioprotective activity is thought to be a plant phenol-induced increase of nitric oxide formation by the constitutive endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Twenty-eight phenols of different classes commonly occurring in plant foods were examined for their capability of enhancing the endothelial nitric oxide release of isolated porcine coronary arteries by direct real-time measurement of the luminal surface nitric oxide concentration with an amperometric microsensor. Additionally, the relaxing activity of the phenols was measured on porcine coronary rings. Quercetin, myricetin, leucocyanidol, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins induced the highest increases in nitric oxide release (delta[NO] > 8.5 nM ); caffeic acid, fisetin, hyperosid, and isoquercitrin were moderately active (5 nM < delta[NO] < 8.5 nM ); the other phenolic compounds caused only marginal increases of the nitric oxide levels (delta[NO] < 5 nM). The nitric oxide-stimulating activity of the phenols was uniformly positively correlated with their vasorelaxing activity. However, endothelium-dependent vasorelaxations were limited to phenols inducing nitric oxide elevations > 5 nM (= Km value of the soluble guanylate cyclase). Analysis of structure-activity relations revealed that a high nitric oxide activity was confined to a flavan-moiety with free hydroxyl-residues at C3, C3', C4', C5, and C7 and a hydroxyl-, oxo-, or phenolic substituent at C4, whereas the caffeic acid scaffolding emerged as the minimally essential motif for the nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation.

Animals↗

Antioxidant and prooxidant effects of phenolics on pancreatic beta-cells in vitro.

A number of natural phenolic compounds display antioxidant and cell protective effects in cell culture models, yet in some studies show prooxidant and cytotoxic effects. Pancreatic beta-cells have been reported to exhibit particular sensitivity to oxidative stress, a factor that may contribute to the impaired beta-cell function characteristic of diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the potential of natural phenolics to protect cultured pancreatic beta-cells (betaTC1 and HIT) from H(2)O(2) oxidative stress. Exposure of cells to H(2)O(2) led to significant proliferation inhibition. Contrary to what one should expect, simultaneous exposure to H(2)O(2) and the phenolics, quercetin (10-100 microM), catechin (50-500 microM), or ascorbic acid (100-1000 microM), led to amplification of proliferation inhibition. At higher concentrations, these compounds inhibited proliferation, even in the absence of added H(2)O(2). This prooxidant effect is attributable to the generation of H(2)O(2) through interaction of the added phenolic compounds with as yet undefined componenets of the culture media. On the other hand, inclusion of metmyoglobin (30 microM) in the culture medium significantly reduced the prooxidant impact of the phenolics. Under these conditions, quercetin and catechin significantly protected the cells against oxidative stress when these components were present during the stress period. Furthermore, significant cell protection was observed upon preincubation of cells with chrysin, quercetin, catechin, or caffeic acid (50 microM, each) prior to application of oxidative stress. It is concluded that provided artifactual prooxidant effects are avoided, preincubation of beta-cells with relatively hydrophobic natural phenolics can confer protection against oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Gastric bleeding and increased gastric vascular permeability induced by platelet activating factor (PAF): effect of drugs that affect arachidonate metabolism.

The injurious effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) on gastric mucosa was studied by measuring bleeding in the acid perfused stomach of anesthetized rats. The effect of PAF on gastric mucosal vascular permeability (GMVP) was assessed by dye-leakage in the saline perfused stomach of anesthetized rats. Intravenous infusion of PAF (100 ng/kg/min for 20 min) apparently caused gastric bleeding under the gastric luminal perfusion with 150 mM HCl solution,, with the peak response at 50-70 min; biopsy indicated the presence of mucosal lesions. GMVP was markedly increased with the peak response at 20-40 min. Pretreatment with CV-3988 (1 or 10 mg/kg, i.v.), a PAF antagonist, dose-dependently blocked the PAF-induced gastric bleeding and increase in GMVP. Pretreatment with hydrocortisone acetate (20 or 40 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced PAF-induced gastric bleeding and increase in GMVP, in contrast to the aggravation by caffeic acid (1 or 5 mg/kg, s.c.). Indomethacin (1 or 5 mg/kg, s.c.) prevented PAF-induced gastric bleeding, and it depressed the increase in GMVP in the case of the lower dose. Prostaglandin E2 (50 or 500 micrograms/kg, s.c.) significantly reduced PAF-induced gastric bleeding, but had little effect on PAF-induced increase in GMVP. 1-Benzylimidazole (10 or 50 mg/kg, s.c.) also inhibited PAF-induced gastric bleeding and depressed the increase in GMVP at the higher dose. These results suggest that increased GMVP plays a significant role in producing the gastric damage by PAF. Changes in the mucosal level of cyclooxygenase products, especially thromboxanes, by drugs modifying the arachidonate metabolism would be closely associated with their prevention or aggravation of gastric damage induced by PAF.

Animals↗

A new Arabidopsis thaliana mutant deficient in the expression of O-methyltransferase impacts lignins and sinapoyl esters.

A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vascular tissues. T-DNA border sequencing showed that the line was mutated in the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 gene (AtOMT1) and therefore deficient in OMT1 activity. Atomt1 is a knockout mutant and the expression profile of the AtOMT1 gene has been determined as well as the consequences of the mutation on lignins, on soluble phenolics, on cell wall digestibility, and on the expression of the genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis. In this mutant and relative to the wild type, lignins lack syringyl (S) units and contain more 5-hydroxyguaiacyl units (5-OH-G), the precursors of S-units. The sinapoyl ester pool is modified with a two-fold reduction of sinapoyl-malate in the leaves and stems of mature plants as well as in seedlings. In addition, LC-MS analysis of the soluble phenolics extracted from the seedlings reveals the occurrence of unusual derivatives assigned to 5-OH-feruloyl malate and to 5-OH-feruloyl glucose. Therefore, AtOMT1 enzymatic activity appears to be involved not only in lignin formation but also in the biosynthesis of sinapate esters. In addition, a deregulation of other monolignol biosynthetic gene expression can be observed in the Atomt1 mutant. A poplar cDNA encoding a caffeic acid OMT (PtOMT1) was successfully used to complement the Atomt1 mutant and restored both the level of S units and of sinapate esters to the control level. However, the over-expression of PtOMT1 in wild-type Arabidopsis did not increase the S-lignin content, suggesting that OMT is not a limiting enzyme for S-unit biosynthesis.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Inhibition in vitro linoleic acid peroxidation and haemolysis by caffeoyltryptophan.

Antioxidant activities of caffeoyltryptophan were investigated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging system, the superoxide anion generation system and the superoxide anion-mediated linoleic acid peroxidation system. At 10 microM, caffeoyltryptophan showed greater scavenging activity on DPPH than dl-alpha-tocopherol or ascorbic acid. DPPH radical scavenging activity of caffeoyltryptophan increased dose-dependently at concentrations ranging from 1 to 50 microM; 1 mol of caffeoyltryptophan reacted with ca 4 mol of radical. Caffeoyltryptophan caused 80% inhibition of superoxide anion generation at 50 microM. The inhibitory activity of caffeoyltryptophan was as strong as that of 5-caffeoylquinic acid. Caffeoyltryptophan inhibited the formation of conjugated diene from linoleic acid. The inhibitory activity increased in the order caffeic acid < 5-caffeoylquinic acid < caffeoyltryptophan < dl-alpha-tocopherol. Effects on the in vitro haemolysis and peroxidation of mouse erythrocytes induced by H2O2 were also examined. Caffeoyltryptophan exhibited strong inhibitory activities; Tryptophan was ineffective in these systems. These data suggest that caffeoyltryptophan may be a natural antioxidant in the human diet and, as such, may intervene in toxicological processes that are mediated by radical mechanisms.

Animals↗

NMR assignments and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of deoxyloganic acid.

7-Deoxyloganic acid (1), citrusin C (2), 3,4-dihydroxyl benzoic acid (3) and (E)-caffeic acid (4) were isolated from the water-soluble fraction of ethanol extracts of Morina nepalensis var. alba Hand.-Mazz. and their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The total assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 1 in solvents CD3OD, D2O and CDCl3 were reported, in addition to the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of its tetraacetate 1a. All compounds were obtained from Morina genus for the first time.

Iridoids↗