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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Opuntia humifusa Raf.

Opuntia humifusa Raf. (O. humifusa Raf.) is a member of the Cactaceae family. To determine the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of this herb, various solvent fractions (methanol, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water) prepared from the leaves of cacti were tested using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl radical) and xanthine oxidase assays, and nitric oxide (NO)-producing macrophage cells. We found that O. humifusa Raf. displayed potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, all solvent fractions, except for the water layer, showed potent scavenging effects. The scavenging effect of the ethyl acetate fraction was higher than that of the other fractions, with IC50 values of 3.6 and 48.2 microg mL(-1). According to activity-guided fractionation, one of the active radical scavenging principles in the ethyl acetate fraction was found to be quercetin. In contrast, only two fractions (chloroform and ethyl acetate) significantly suppressed nitric oxide production from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions significantly blocked the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from the RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Moreover, ethyl acetate fractions significantly blocked the expression of IL-1beta from the RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Therefore, the results suggested that O. humifusa Raf. may modulate radical-induced toxicity via both direct scavenging activity and the inhibition of reactive species generation, and the modulation of the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Finally, O. humifusa Raf. may be useful as a functional food or drug against reactive species-mediated disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2004

Triatoma ryckmani (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the epiphyte Tillandsia xerographica (Bromeliaceae) in the semiarid region of Guatemala.

For the first time, the reduviid bug Triatoma ryckmani Zeledón and Ponce (Hemiptera; Reduviidae) was recorded to inhabit the epiphyte Tillandsia xerographica Rohweder (Bromeliaceae) in the semiarid region of Guatemala. These bromeliads grow mainly in drought-resistant trees with rough bark such as Pereskia lychnidiflora (Cactaceae). In our study site, we investigated 30 T. xerographica, and 53 specimens of T. ryckmani were found. Most T. ryckmani (68.5%) were unfed. Ants (Formicidae) were the predominant (92.2%) insect taxon in T. xerographica. Other insects such as Blattidae (3.0%), Reduviidae (T. ryckmani: 2.5%), Blaberidae (2.2%), Gryllidae (0.1%), and Acrididae (0.1%) were recorded in the bromeliads. T. xerographica is illegally commercialized without previous inspection. This may cause accidental introduction of T. ryckmani to houses and to other countries.

Animals↗
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↗
PubMed2003

[A new alkaloid from Opuntia vulgaris].

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of the stems of Opuntia vulgaris Mill(Cactaceae). METHODS: The compounds of Opuntia vulgaris were isolated by chromatography of Amberlite Dowex 50 and silica gel, and identified by means of UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR. RESULTS: Three compounds were isolated and identified as: opuntin B(I), 4-hydroxyproline(II) and tyrosine(III). CONCLUSION: Compound I is a new alkaloid.

Hydroxyproline↗
PubMed1988

Interaction of temperature and other environmental variables influencing plant distribution.

Statistical analyses of the relationships between the patterns of distribution of plants with C4 photosynthesis and Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) have revealed a variety of correlations with environmental variables. The worldwide abundance of C4 grasses, relative to C3 grasses, is highly positively correlated with growing season temperature. However, microscale analyses have revealed that C4 grasses are more abundant than C3 grasses in habitats with high levels of solar irradiance and low moisture availability. There are numerous exceptions to these generalizations. C4 dicots generally are more abundant in habitats characterized by high rates of evaporation. Species possessing CAM occur in habitats having low levels of soil moisture store. In the Cactaceae such habitats also have very high potential rates of evaporation and the CAM pathway is the primary mechanism of the uptake of atmospheric CO2. In contrast many species of the Crassulaceae grow in habitats with lower potential rates of evaporation and the CAM pathway is less important or not used at all in the uptake of atmospheric CO2.

Environment↗
PubMed1997

[Host plants of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from northwest and central Argentina].

Seventy four species of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) were reared from forty eight host plants found into Yungas, Chaco and Prepuna phytogeografical provinces. The host plants belong Anacardiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Bignoniaceae, Cactaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Juglandaceae, Leguminosae sensu lato (Caesalpinaceae, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae), Loranthaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, Solanaceae, Ulmaceae and Vitaceae. Some species of Cerambycidae and their host plants show similar distribution patterns: from northeastern Brazil through Paraguay and reach the Argentina at both sides of the Chaco Provine: at the east, along the river systems through Buenos Aires, and the at the west into forests of the Yungas Province or into North Sierra Chaco, a probably relictual community. Others species are restricted to the South America area of Prosopis, that comprise the Chaco, Monte and Espinal biogeographical provinces, and live in host plants of chaquenian lineage mainly Leguminosae sensu lato and Ulmaceae.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[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↗
PubMed2006

Restraining Erwinia virulence by expression of N-acyl homoserine lactonase gene pro3A-aiiA in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp leesis.

To widen the biological control function of a genetically modified Bacillus thuringiensis subsp leesis strain BMB-005, an acyl homoserine lactonase (AHL lactonase) gene aiiA transcribed by the promoter of insecticidal crystal protein coding gene cry3A, was transformed into strain BMB-005. The amount of AHL lactonase protein produced by transformant BMB821A was 2.4-fold more than that produced by BMB-005. AHL-degradation assay showed that transformant BMB821A could degrade more AHLs molecules than the original strain BMB-005. The result of Erwinia carotovora pathogenicity test showed that the parental strain BMB-005 had no restraint of Erwinia infection, but the transformants exhibited strong restraint of E. carotovora infection on potato slices and cactus stems. Insecticidal bioassay against lepidopteran Spodoptera exigua showed that both strain BMB-005 and transformant BMB821A were toxic to S. exigua. The toxicity of transformant BMB821A (LC(50) was 3.8) was a little attenuated comparing with the toxicity of the original strain BMB-005 (LC(50) was 2.9). The B. thuringiensis strain BMB-005 has high toxicity against Helicoverpa armigera, Plutella xylostella, and S. exigua. This work provided new strategy for developing genetically engineered multi-functional B. thuringiensis strain that possesses insecticidal activity together with restraint of bacterial pathogenicity.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenase after 2-propanol exposure in different geographic races of Drosophila mojavensis: lack of evidence for selection at the Adh-2 locus.

High frequencies of the fast allele of alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (Adh-2F) are found in populations of Drosophila mojavensis that inhabit the Baja California peninsula (race BII) whereas the slow allele (Adh-2S) predominates at most other localities within the species' geographic range. Race BII flies utilize necrotic tissue of pitaya agria cactus (Stenocereus gummosus) which contains high levels of 2-propanol, whereas flies from most other localities utilize different cactus hosts in which 2-propanol levels are low. To test if 2-propanol acts as a selective force on Adh-2 genotype, or whether some other yet undetermined genetic factor is responsible, mature males of D. mojavensis lines derived from the Grand Canyon (race A) and Santa Catalina Island (race C), each with individuals homozygous for Adh-2F and Adh-2S, were exposed to 2-propanol for 24 h and ADH-2 specific activity was then determined on each genotype. Flies from five other localities homozygous for either the fast or slow allele also were examined. Results for all reported races of D. mojavensis were obtained. 2-propanol exposure inhibited ADH-2 specific activity in both genotypes from all localities, but inhibition was significantly less in two populations of race BII flies homozygous for Adh-2F. When F/F and S/S genotypes in flies from the same locality were compared, both genotypes showed high 2-propanol inhibition that was not statistically different, indicating that the F/F genotype alone does not provide a benefit against the inhibitory effects of 2-propanol. ADH-1 activity in female ovaries was inhibited less by 2-propanol than ADH-2. These results do not support the hypothesis that 2-propanol acts as a selective factor favoring the Adh-2F allele.

2-Propanol↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Carbohydrate analysis of floral nectar using medium infrared.

An instrumental method based on a chemometric model of the medium region of the infrared (MIR) was developed to analyse total sugar content and the proportions of glucose, fructose and sucrose. In order to construct the model, a set of 127 standard aqueous solutions of different sugars in the concentration range 0-20% (w/v) were prepared and analysed in the interval 4900-700 cm(-1). The MIR was transformed by normalisation, correction of baseline using the second derivative, and suppression of the signals of water and carbon dioxide. The region between 1150 and 950 cm(-1) showed the highest correlation between signal and concentration. The correlation coefficient for total sugar content was 0.956, whilst those for glucose, fructose and sucrose were 0.982, 0.972 and 0.992, respectively. The method was validated using a set of 28 samples of nectar which had been assayed by chromatographic and refractometric methods. The method shows potential utility for the prediction of nectar sugar components.

Cactaceae↗
PubMed2005

Wound healing properties of Hylocereus undatus on diabetic rats.

Aqueous extracts of leaves, rind, fruit pulp and flowers of Hylocereus undatus were studied for their wound healing properties. Wound healing effects were studied on incision (skin breaking strength), excision (percent wound contraction) and the nature of wound granulation tissues, which were removed on day 7 and the collagen, hexosamine, total proteins and DNA contents were determined, in addition to the rates of wound contraction and the period of epithelialization. In streptozotocin diabetic rats, where healing is delayed, topical applications of H. undatus produced increases in hydroxyproline, tensile strength, total proteins, DNA collagen content and better epithelization thereby facilitating healing. H. undatus had no hypoglycemic activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

On the allometry of biomass partitioning and light harvesting for plants with leafless stems.

Prior explicit allometric models are extended to predict the scaling relationship between the ability of plants with leafless stems to harvest sunlight H and total standing plant biomass M(T) (which equals the sum of standing stem and root biomass, M(S) and M(R)). Provided that H scales in a directly proportional manner (isometrically) with respect to either stem surface area (i.e.H proportional, variant SA(S) ) or total stem biomass (i.e. H proportional, variant M(S)), the allometric model presented here predicts that SA(S) proportional, variant M(T)(3/4) or M(S) proportional, variant M(T)(3/4), respectively. These alternative predictions are tested empirically using data for standing stem and root biomass gathered for the large columnar cactus species Pachycereus pringlei. Statistical comparisons between observed and predicted scaling relationships indicate that SA(S) proportional, variant M(T)(3/4), whereas M(S) proportional, variant M(T)(3/4) is mathematically inconsistent with the observation that stem biomass scales nearly isometrically with respect to root biomass. The contention that the H of leafless stems scales isometrically with respect to stem surface area is thus reasonable both theoretically and empirically.

Biomass↗
PubMed2002

Increased acidification in the rhizosphere of cactus seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense.

Acidification of the rhizosphere of cactus seedlings (giant cardon, Pachycereus pringlei) after inoculation with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd, in the presence or absence of ammonium and nitrate, was studied to understand how to increase growth of cardon seedlings in poor desert soils. While ammonium enhanced rhizosphere and liquid culture acidification, inoculation with the bacteria enhanced it further. On the other hand, nitrate increased pH of the rhizosphere, but combined with the bacterial inoculation, increase in pH was significantly smaller. Bacterial inoculation with ammonium enhanced plant growth.

Azospirillum brasilense↗
PubMed2006

Decay of cacti and carbon cycling.

Cacti contain large quantities of Ca-oxalate biominerals, with C derived from atmospheric CO(2). Their death releases these biominerals into the environment, which subsequently transform to calcite via a monohydrocalcite intermediate. Here, the fate of Ca-oxalates released by plants in arid environments is investigated. This novel and widespread form of biomineralization has unexpected consequences on C cycling and calcite accumulation in areas with large numbers of cacti. The magnitude of this mineralization is revealed by studying the large columnar cactus Carnegiea gigantea (Engelm.) Britton and Rose in southwestern Arizona (locally called the saguaro). A large C. gigantea contains on the order of 1 x 10(5) g of the Ca-oxalate weddellite-CaC(2)O(4) x 2H(2)O. In areas with high C. gigantea density, there is an estimated 40 g C(atm) m(-2) sequestered in Ca-oxalates. Following the death of the plant, the weddellite transforms to calcite on the order to 10-20 years. In areas with high saguaro density, there is an estimated release of up to 2.4 g calcite m(-2) year(-1) onto the desert soil. Similar transformation mechanisms occur with the Ca-oxalates that are abundant in the majority of cacti. Thus, the total atmospheric C returned to the soil of areas with a high number density of cacti is large, suggesting that there may be a significant long-term accumulation of atmospheric C in these soils derived from Ca-oxalate biominerals. These findings demonstrate that plant decay in arid environments may have locally significant impacts on the Ca and inorganic C cycles.

Arizona↗