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Central nervous system activity of the methanol extract of Ficus platyphylla stem bark.

The central nervous system (CNS) activity of the methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla stem bark was studied on locomotor activity, pentobarbital sleeping time, exploratory behaviour, amphetamine-induced hyperactivity, apomorphine-induced stereotypy, active-avoidance and performance on tread mills (rota-rod), using mice and rats. The results revealed that the extract significantly reduced the locomotor and exploratory activities in mice, prolonged pentobarbital sleeping time in rats, attenuated amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and apomorphine-induced stereotypy in mice, dose-dependently. The extract significantly suppressed the active-avoidance response in rats, with no significant effect on motor co-ordination as determined by the performance on rota-rod. The results suggest that the extract may possess sedative principles with potential neuroleptic properties.

Animals↗

Purification and glycosylation analysis of an acidic pectin methylesterase in jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang) achenes.

An acidic pectin methylesterase (PME) is responsible for the gelation of water extract from jelly fig (Ficus awkeotasang) achenes. A new, fast and efficient, method has been developed to purify this acidic PME. The method includes preparing jelly curd by traditional hand washing, extracting proteins from the curd, and separating PME by anion-exchanger. The purified PME exists as a monomer of 38 kDa determined by gel filtration, and exerts enzymatic activity over a broad pH range, particularly in acidic environments where most known PME enzymes from various species are inactivated. Chemical staining and enzymatic cleavage suggest that the jelly fig PME is an N-linked glycoprotein. Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis reveals that the polysaccharide of this glycoprotein putatively consists of 22 hexoses including 16 mannose, 4 N-acetylglucosamine, and 2 galactose residues.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Characterization of pectinesterase inhibitor in jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) achenes.

Pectinesterase inhibitor (PEI) extract prepared from intact jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) achenes was separated by membrane (MWCO 3 and 10 kDa) and fractionated by a Sepharose G-50 gel permeation chromatography. Results from Sepharose G-50 gel permeation chromatography and concanavalin A Sepharose chromatography revealed PEI as polypeptides with molecular weights ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 kDa. Incubation of a PE (1 unit/mL)-PEI (2 mg/mL) mixture for 1 min decreased the PE activity by approximately 50%. On the basis of the results of Lineweaver-Burk double-reciprocal plots, Michaelis constant (K(m)) and V(max) values for jelly fig achenes PE (pH 6.0, 30 degrees C) were 0.78 mM -OCH3 and 1.09 microequiv of -COOH/min, respectively. In addition, PEI competitively inhibited both citrus and jelly fig achenes PEs.

Amino Acids↗

Pectinesterase inhibitor from jelly-fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) achenes reduces methanol content in carambola wine.

Crude pectinesterase (PE) inhibitor (PEI) extracted from jelly-fig achenes (JFA) (Ficus awakeosang Makino) was added to carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) puree to determine the change in methanol production during fermentation. Addition of pectin or microbial pectic enzyme to puree increased dose-dependently the methanol content in fermented products. Decreasing ratio (from 1:0 to 1:19, v:v) of pectic enzyme to diluted crude PEI solution in the puree-enzyme mixture decreased the PE activity remarkably. Except for transmittance (%T), addition of crude PEI to puree did not affect apparently the physical and chemical properties of wine; however, it reduced methanol content in the control from 256 to 58 ppm. The degree of esterification (DE) of pectin in starting puree was approximately 70%. It decreased to approximately 27% in the control group and reduced slightly to approximately 67% in fermented puree with crude PEI added after 14 days of fermentation. This reveals that crude PEI solution was potent in inhibiting intrinsic carambola PE activity and appeared to be a potential alternative for methanol reduction in wines.

Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases↗

Novel triterpenoids from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa.

Three novel triterpenoids, 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxy-11(12-->13)abeooleanan-12-al (1), 3beta-hydroxy-20-oxo-29(20-->19)abeolupane (2), and 29,30-dinor-3beta-acetoxy-18,19-dioxo-18,19-secolupane (3), and the known 4, 5a, and 5b were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR and X-ray diffraction experiments. Compound 1, derived from the oleanane skeleton, has an unusual five-membered C ring. Compounds 2 and 3, derived from the lupane skeleton, have unique skeletons that may arise from the same biogenetic pathway.

Ficus↗

Five new phenolics from the roots of Ficus beecheyana.

From the ethanolic extract of the roots of Ficus beecheyana, threo-2,3-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-ethoxypropan-1-ol (1), erythro-2,3-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-ethoxypropan-1-ol (2), trans-4,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxacyclohexane (3), threo-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-ethoxypropane-1,2-diol (4), 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (5), and 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (6) were isolated. The structures of the new compounds 1-5 were elucidated by the analysis of their spectroscopic data.

Ficus↗

Furocoumarin glycosides from the leaves of Ficus ruficaulis Merr. var. antaoensis.

From the methanolic extract of the leaves of Ficus ruficaulis Merr. var. antaoensis, 5-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-6-hydroxyangelicin (1), 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxyangelicin (2), 5,6-O-beta-D-diglucopyranosylangelicin (3), 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxypsoralen (4), 5-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-8-hydroxypsoralen (5), 3,4,5-trihydroxydehydro-alpha-ionol-9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), rutin (7), and isoquercitrin (8) were isolated. The structures of compounds 1-4 were elucidated by the analysis of their spectroscopic data. Their in vitro antiproliferation activities were also evaluated.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids from the stems of Ficus septica.

In addition to six known phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids, eight new alkaloids, namely, ficuseptines B-D (1-3), 10R,13aR-tylophorine N-oxide (4), 10R,13aR-tylocrebrine N-oxide (5), 10S,13aR-tylocrebrine N-oxide (6), 10S,13aR-isotylocrebrine N-oxide (7), and 10S,13aS-isotylocrebrine N-oxide (8), were isolated from a methanol extract of the stems of Ficus septica. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic data interpretation. Cytotoxicity of some of these alkaloids was assessed in vitro using the HONE-1 and NUGC cell lines.

Alkaloids↗

Volatiles from Ficus hispida and their attractiveness to fig wasps.

Volatile compositions of receptive (ready to be pollinated), postpollinated, and postparasitized figs. and leaves of Ficus hispida were analyzed. Differences among them were examined, and the specificity of fig wasp attractiveness was investigated. Linalool was the major constituent of steam-distilled oil of either male or female receptive figs, while dibutyl phthalate was the major compound of the oils of postparasitized and postpollinated figs. In petroleum ether extracts, palmitic oil, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid were the main constituents of male and female receptive figs, while hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester was the major compound of postparasitized and postpollinated figs. In dichloromethane extracts, linalool was the major constituent of male and female receptive figs, 1-hydroxylinalool was the major component of male postparasitized figs, and 1-hydroxylinalool and benzyl alcohol were the major constituents of female postpollinated figs. Bioassays with sticky traps showed that Ceratosolen solmsimarchal was attracted to dichloromethane extracts of male and female receptive figs and to petroleum ether extracts of female receptive figs, but was not attracted to dichloromethane and petroleum ether extracts of male postparasitized and female postpollinated figs. Figs were attractive to pollinating wasps only at the receptive stage. The volatile constituents of receptive figs were different from those of postpollinated or postparasitized figs. From a receptive to a postpollinated state, figs changed in their volatile composition. Some compounds disappeared or decreased in amount. These include linalool, linalool oxide, alpha-terpeneol, and 2,6-dimethyl-1,7-octadiene-3,6-diol, which may act as the attractants of the wasps. Others increased in amount, or several additional chemicals appeared. These include dibutyl phthalate, 1-hydroxylinalool, and benzyl alcohol, which may be repellents of the wasps. That dichloromethane extracts of male and female receptive figs showed similar activities in attracting fig wasps indicates that receptive figs of both sexes are similarly attractive to fig wasps, which is further supported by their similar volatile composition. Leaf extract was not attractive to the wasps.

Animals↗

Genetic relatedness among dioecious Ficus carica L. cultivars by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis, and evaluation of agronomic and morphological characters.

A collection of 64 fig (Ficus carica L.) accessions was characterized through the use of RAPD markers, and results were evaluated in conjunction with morphological and agronomical characters, in order to determine the genetic relatedness of genotypes with diverse geographic origin. The results indicate that fig cultivars have a rather narrow genetic base. Nevertheless, RAPD markers could detect enough polymorphism to differentiate even closely related genotypes (i.e., clones of the same cultivar) and a unique fingerprint for each of the genotypes studied was obtained. No wasteful duplications were found in the collection. Cluster analysis allowed the identification of groups in accordance with geographic origin, phenotypic data and pedigree. Taking into account the limited information concerning fig cultivar development, the results of this study, which provide information on the genetic relationships of genetically distinct material, dramatically increase the fundamental and practical value of the collection and represent an invaluable tool for fig germplasm management.

Ficus↗

Constituents of the leaves and twigs of Ficus hispida.

A new norisoprenoid, ficustriol (1), and the known phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid O-methyltylophorinidine (2), were isolated from a CHCl3 extract of the leaves and twigs of Ficus hispida. O-Methyltylophorinidine showed potent cytotoxic activity when tested against a small panel of human cancer cells, while ficustriol was inactive. The structure and stereochemistry of 1 were determined using chemical and spectral methods.

Ficus↗

Antimalarial agents from plants. III. Trichothecenes from Ficus fistulosa and Rhaphidophora decursiva.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an extract prepared from the dried leaves and stem barks of Ficus fistulosa Reinw. ex Blume (Moraceae) led to the isolation of verrucarin L acetate (1), together with 3alpha-hydroxyisohop-22(29)-en-24-oic acid, 3beta-gluco-sitosterol, 3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisocarbostyril, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol, alpha-methyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol, indole-3-carboxaldehyde, palmanine, and aurantiamide acetate. Roridin E (2) was identified in a subfraction from the dried leaves and stems of Rhaphidophora decursiva Schott (Araceae). Verrucarin L acetate and roridin E were characterized as macrocyclic trichothecene sesquiterpenoids and found to inhibit the growth of Plasmodium falciparum with IC 50 values below 1 ng/ml.

Animals↗

A new anti-inflammatory glucoside from Ficus racemosa L.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of Ficus racemosa resulted in the identification of a new compound (rel)-4,6-dihydroxy-5-[3-methyl-(E)-propenoic acid-3-yl]-7-beta-glucopyranosyl-[2alpha,3beta-dihydrobenzofuran]-(3,2: b)-[4alpha,5beta-dihydroxy-6alpha-hydroxymethyltetrahydropyran] (racemosic acid). Racemosic acid showed potent inhibitory activity against COX-1 and 5-LOX in vitro with IC50 values of 90 and 18 microM, respectively. Racemosic acid also demonstrated a strong antioxidant activity to scavenge ABTS free radical cations with an IC50 value of 19 microM. In addition, cytotoxic effects of the extracts of F. racemosa were investigated in vitro using the ATP-based luminescence assay and results showed no cytotoxicity on the cell lines skin fibroblasts (1BR3), human Caucasian hepatocyte carcinoma (Hep G2) and human Caucasian promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60). Bergenin was also isolated from the same active fraction.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Cytotoxic flavonoids and new chromenes from Ficus formosana f. formosana.

Two new chromenes, ficuformodiol A and ficuformodiol B, and nine known compounds including one chromene, spatheliachromen, six flavonoids, obovatin, carpachromene ( 5), apigenin ( 6), norartocarpetin ( 7), steppogenin, 6-prenylpinocembrin, one benzopyran, chromenylacrylic acid, and one isocoumarin, ( R)-(-)-mellein, were obtained from the cytotoxic chloroform-soluble fraction of the stems of Ficus formosana f. formosana (Moraceae). Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 5, 6 and 7 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against HepG2, PLC/PRF/5 and Raji cancer cell lines in vitro.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Evaluation of anti-pyretic potential of Ficus racemosa bark.

A study was carried out to evaluate the anti-pyretic effect of a methanol extract of stem bark of Ficus racemosa Linn. (MEFR) on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats. A yeast suspension (10 ml/kg body wt.) increased rectal temperature 19 h after subcutaneous injection. The MEFR, at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt. p.o., showed significant dose-dependent reduction in normal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature. The effect extended up to 5 h after drug administration. The anti-pyretic effect of MEFR was comparable to that of paracetamol (150 mg/kg body wt., p.o.), a standard anti-pyretic agent.

Acetaminophen↗

A new chromone from Ficus lyrata.

A new chromone, named 5,6-dihydroxy-2-methylchromone (FL-2), along with seven known flavonoids, 5-hydroxy-7,3,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (FL-3), 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone (FL-4), 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL-5), 4-methoxychalcone (FL-6), 7,4'-dimethoxyapigenin (FL-7), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-2',3',6'-trimethoxyisoflavone (FL-8 a rare flavonoid), acacetin-7-O-glucoside (FL-9) and acacetin-7-O-neohesperidoside (FL-10), and beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside (FL-1) have been isolated from the leaves of Ficus lyrata. Their structures have been established on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence (IR, UV, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectra).

Chromones↗

Water-soluble constituents from aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa.

Three new water-soluble constituents [ficuscarpanoside B (1), (7E,9Z)-dihydrophaseic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) and ficuscarpanic acid (6)] and the natural product 2,2'-dihydroxyl ether (7) have been isolated, together with three known compounds [(7S,8R)-syringoylglycerol (2), (7S,8R)-syringoylglycerol-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) and icariside D2 (5)] from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Identification of their structures was achieved by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, including 1H-1H COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC methods and FAB mass spectral data.

Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic↗

Isolation of stress-related genes of rubber particles and latex in fig tree (Ficus carica) and their expressions by abiotic stress or plant hormone treatments.

Two rubber particle protein genes and one latex gene in fig tree (Ficus carica) have been isolated and their expression following various abiotic stress treatments have been investigated. The two major proteins that are tightly associated with the catalytically active rubber particles have been sequenced to be peroxidase (POX) and trypsin inhibitor (TRI). A cDNA encoding a basic class I chitinase (CHI) has also been isolated from the fig tree latex. Wounding treatment strongly induced the expression of the three stress-related genes. Among the abiotic stresses investigated, drought treatment greatly induced the expression of POX, whereas the expression of CHI and TRI decreased after the same treatment. Cold treatment reduced slightly the transcript levels of the thee genes, and NaCl reduced marginally the expression of CHI. The expression of POX, CHI, and TRI was induced by jasmonic acid and abscisic acid, by jasmonic acid, and by salicylic acid, respectively. Different expression of the stress-related genes following various abiotic stress or plant hormone treatments suggests that a crosstalk exists between the signal transduction pathways elicited by abiotic stresses and hormones in plants. Our present results showing the expression of stress-related proteins on the surface of rubber particles and latex in F. carica also imply the possible role of rubber particles and latex in defense in rubber-producing plant species.

Base Sequence↗