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PubMed2003

Purification and characterization of an antifungal chitinase in jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang) achenes.

A method was developed to purify a 30-kDa protein from jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang) pericarp, including preparation of jelly curd from achenes, extraction of proteins from the curd, and isolation of the 30-kDa protein by anion-exchanger and gel filtration. Chitinase activity was detected in the purified 30-kDa protein by activity staining in both non-denaturing gel electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE. Isoelectrofocusing showed that the isoelectric point of the 30-kDa protein was lower than pH 3.5. The K(m), k(cat), optimal pH and temperature of this putative chitinase were determined to be 0.076 mM, 0.089 s(-1), pH 4, and 60 degrees C, respectively. The purified 30-kDa protein was thermostable (retaining activity up to 65 degrees C for several hours) and could be stored at 4 degrees C for a year without apparent loss of chitinase activity. Antifungal activity of this putative chitinase was measured in terms of inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides spore germination.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Seed dormancy and germination of Ficus lundellii and tropical forest restoration.

We investigated seed dormancy and germination in Ficus lundellii Standl. (Moraceae), a native species of Mexico's Los Tuxtlas tropical rain forest. In an 8-h photoperiod at an alternating diurnal (16/8 h) temperature of 20/30 degrees C, germination was essentially complete (96%) within 28 days, whereas in darkness, all seeds remained dormant. Neither potassium nitrate (0.05-0.2%) applied continuously nor gibberellic acid applied either continuously (10-200 ppm) or as a 24 hour pretreatment (2000 ppm) induced germination in the dark. Germination in the light was not reduced by a 24-h hydrochloric acid (0.1-1%) pretreatment, but it was reduced both by a 24-h pretreatment with either H(2)O(2) (0.1-5 M) or 5% HCl, or by more than 5 days of storage at 40 degrees C (4.5% seed water content). In a study with a 2-dimensional temperature gradient plate, seeds germinated fully and rapidly in the light at a constant temperature of 30 degrees C, and fully but less rapidly in the light at alternating temperatures with low amplitudes (< 12 degrees C) about the optimal constant temperature. The base, optimal and ceiling temperatures for rate of germination were estimated as 13.8, 30.1 and 41.1 degrees C, respectively. In all temperature regimes, light was essential for the germination of F. lundellii seeds.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMed2005

Pectinesterase inhibitor from jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) achene induces apoptosis of human leukemic U937 cells.

The antitumor activity of pectinesterase inhibitor (PEI), a group of cationic polypeptides, from jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) achene was first examined as a treatment for leukemia in this study. PEI displayed strong growth inhibition against human leukemic U937 cells via induction of apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At a level of 50 microg/mL, PEI inhibited 90% of cell growth, and the concentration of PEI required to induce 50% of cell viability (LC50) was about 180 microg/mL. Meanwhile, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase was observed when cells were incubated with 100 microg PEI/mL for 24 h. PEI displayed a dose-dependent influence on mitochondria transmembrane potential (MTP, delta psi m) of cells when detected by a flow cytometry. MTP of more than 50% cells was reduced when cells were incubated with PEI at levels higher than 50 microg PEI/mL for 24 h. In addition, PEI upregulated caspase-3 activity. Taken together, PEI potently inhibited the proliferation of human leukemic U937 cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in association with MTP reduction and caspase-3 activation, respectively, and showed therapy potential for U937 cells.

Annexin A5↗
PubMed2005

Characterization and antifungal activity of gazyumaru (Ficus microcarpa) latex chitinases: both the chitin-binding and the antifungal activities of class I chitinase are reinforced with increasing ionic strength.

Three chitinases, designated gazyumaru latex chitinase (GLx Chi)-A, -B, and -C, were purified from the latex of gazyumaru (Ficus microcarpa). GLx Chi-A,-B, and -C are an acidic class III (33 kDa, pI 4.0), a basic class I (32 kDa, pI 9.3), and a basic class II chitinase (27 kDa, pI > 10) respectively. GLx Chi-A did not exhibit any antifungal activity. At low ionic strength, GLx Chi-C exhibited strong antifungal activity, to a similar extent as GLx Chi-B. The antifungal activity of GLx Chi-C became weaker with increasing ionic strength, whereas that of GLx Chi-B became slightly stronger. GLx Chi-B and -C bound to the fungal cell-walls at low ionic strength, and then GLx Chi-C was dissociated from them by an escalation of ionic strength, but this was not the case for GLx Chi-B. The chitin-binding activity of GLx Chi-B was enhanced by increasing ionic strength. These results suggest that the chitin-binding domain of basic class I chitinase binds to the chitin in fungal cell walls by hydrophobic interaction and assists the antifungal action of the chitinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Antidiuretic activity of aqueous bark extract of Sri Lankan Ficus racemosa in rats.

The decoction (D) of the bark of Ficus racemosa Linn (Family: Moraceae) is claimed as an antidiuretic by some Sri Lankan traditional practitioners. However, the validity of this claim has not been scientifically proven or refuted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiuretic potential of D of the bark of F. racemosa (made as specified in traditional use) in rats using three doses (250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg) following oral administration. The reference drug used was ADH. The results demonstrated both the low- and high-doses of D and ADH significantly impaired the total urine output. The D-induced antidiuresis had a rapid onset (within 1 h), peaked at 3 h and lasted throughout the study period (5 h). However, antidiuretic potential of D was about 50% lower than that of ADH. The D was well tolerated even with subchronic administration. The D caused a reduction in urinary Na+ level and Na+/K+ ratio, and an increase in urinary osmolarity indicating multiple mechanisms of action. The results provide scientific support for its claimed antidiuretic action and deserve intensive scrutiny.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Fruiting phenology and consumption by birds in Ficus calyptroceras (Miq.) Miq. (Moraceae).

Figs are a remarkable food resource to frugivores, mainly in periods of general fruit scarcity. Ficus calyptroceras Miq. (Moraceae) is the only fig species in a type of dry forest in western Brazil. In this study I examined the fruiting pattern as well as fig consumption by birds in F. calyptroceras. Although rainfall was highly seasonal, fruiting was aseasonal, since the monthly proportion of fruiting trees ranged from 4% to 14% (N = 50 trees). I recorded 22 bird species feeding on figs. In the wet season 20 bird species ate figs, while in the dry season 13 did. Parrots were the most important consumers. This group removed 72% and 40% of the figs consumed in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. No bird species increases fig consumption from dry to wet season. However, a group of bird species assumed as seed dispersers largely increases fig consumption from wet to dry season, suggesting the importance of this resource in the period of fruit scarcity. The results of this study points out the remarkable role that F. calyptroceras plays to frugivorous birds, in such a dry forest, since its fruits were widely consumed and were available all year round.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Alpha-amylase inhibitors from Ficus sp. seeds and their activities towards coleoptera insect pests.

Alpha-amylase Inhibitors were isolated from Ficus sp. (Gameleira) seeds by acetone fractionation and Sephadex G-50. Two inhibitors (alpha-PPAI and alpha-ZSAI) were tested against alpha-amylases from coleopteran larvae. alpha-PPAI was active to alpha-amylases of Callosobruchus maculatus (52%) and Zabrotes subfasciatus (53%). alpha-ZSAI was strongly active to Z. subfasciatus (100%) of and Mimosestes mimosae (98%). The alpha-ZSAI is a glycoprotein of approximately 50 kDa with an IC50 value of 0.074 microg microl(-1).

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[The prevalence of skin and mucosal symptoms in gardeners handling Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) and Hedera helix (ivy). A cross-sectional study].

INTRODUCTION: Allergic and toxic initiative symptoms from skin, eyes and respiratory tract are well known among gardeners This study reports the prevalence of these symptoms among gardeners working with Ficus Benjamina (Fb) and Hedera helix (Hh). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire concerning allergic/toxic-irritative symptoms from skin, eyes and respiratory tract were forwarded to 57 gardeners. A total of 49 questionnaires were returned and matched on sex and age with a control group. A number of 46 women and 52 men participated, with a mean age of 39 (SD 9.7). Differences in frequencies of symptoms were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with a security level of 95% after conditioned logistic regression; other results were calculated from Mantel-Haenzel test. RESULTS: There were more complaints among gardeners compared to the control group f as to symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis (OR 4.6 [0.98-21.2]), rhino conjunctivitis (OR 6.4 [2.1-20.2]) and skin symptoms (OR 4.3 [1.5-12.5]). The symptoms were especially profound among the caretakers of Fb and Hh and to a lesser degree among gardeners working in greenhouses growing Fb and Hh. The symptoms of the gardeners were to a higher degree independent of the season (OR 3.1 [1.1-9]), related to working environment (OR 16.1 [3.3-78.9]) and indoor work (OR 24 [4.8-118.7]). DISCUSSION: This study seems to demonstrate high frequencies of apparently allergic and/or toxic irritative symptoms among gardeners and should be followed by a study including clinical examinations. With knowledge of the allergenic and toxic irritative properties of Fb and Hh it seems problematic that these plants are found in such high numbers in public and private places. Allergic testing including these plants should be performed to a higher degree than is actually the case.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Structure and biodiversity of insect community on syconia fruits of Ficus racemosa in tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, China].

Ficus racemosa is a keystone plant in tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. The structure, dynamic and biodiversity of insect community on its syconia fruits were investigated in different plots located in Menglun nature reserve, ravine rainforest in the botanical garden, and secondary forest by Luosuo River. The results showed that the total number of collected insects were 184 264, belonging to 5 order, 19 families, 36 genera, and 51 species. Hymenoptera was the most dominant group, accounted for 37.3% of the total collected species. The pollinator of Ceratosolen fusciceps had huge individual quantities among Hymenoptera, and its successful pollination influenced the stability and development of F. racemosa population. In addition, the proportion of Lepidopter inspects was 31.4%, and the other 31.3% species belonged to Coleoptera, Homopter and Diptera. Through calculating diversity index, evenness index and richness of three plots, it showed that these three indexes were the highest in Menglun nature reserve, secondary in ravine rainforest, and low species diversity and richness in secondary forest by Luosuo River. The experimental results reported here showed that the insect species decreased, the individual number of common species increased, and special species reduced.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Antimutagenic activity of plant extracts from Armoracia rusticana, Ficus carica and Zea mays and peroxidase in eukaryotic cells].

Antimutagene activity and high efficiency of antimutagene action of plant extracts from horseradish roots (Armoracia rusticana), fig brunches (Ficus carica) and mays seedlings (Zea mays) and their ability to decrease the frequency of spontaneous and induced by gamma-rays chromosome aberrations in meristematic cells of Vicia faba and marrow cells of mice have been shown. Comparative assessment of genoprotective properties of peroxidase and the studied extracts has revealed higher efficiency of antimutagene action of peroxidase.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Study on tissue culture of Ficus hirta].

The tissue culture of Ficus hirta Vahl. was studied. The nodes were used as explants and 1/2MS media with different plant growth regulators were tested. The result showed that the adventitious bud differentiation medium was 1/2MS + BA1.0 mg/L + NAA1.0 mg/L and 1/2MS + BA1.5 mg/L + NAA0.5 mg/L, the media for multiplication was 1/2MS +6 - BA0.5 mg/L, and the medium for rooting was 1/2MS + IBA1 mg/L. The cause of nigrescence in the tissue culture and its preventive methods were also discussed in this paper.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed2005

Nutraceutical effects of garlic oil, its nonpolar fraction and a Ficus flavonoid as compared to vitamin E in CCl4 induced liver damage in rats.

Carbon tetrachloride feeding (3.2g/kg/72hr) for one month increased significantly the serum and tissue lipid profile and deranged the enzyme levels viz; alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, glutathionze reductase, HMGCoA reductase, catalase, gluc.6.PDH and malic enzyme in rats. Simultaneously the lipid peroxidation level in liver was also raised. On administration of garlic oil and its major nonpolar fraction (NPFGO) and a flavonoid isolated from the bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn, viz; leucopelargonin derivative respectively to different groups(100mg/kg/day) the deleterious effects of CCl4 were significantly ameliorated. The liver damage by CCl4 was satisfactorily prevented by these samples as effectively as Vit. E (50 mg/kg/day). The results prove that important nutraceuticals (phytonutrients) like bioflavonoids and theols i.e. allylic sulphide rich fractions give protection from toxins like CCl4. The order of beneficial effects of the drugs are Leucopelargonin > NPFGO > Garlic oil and their effects are comparable to that of vitamin E used at a minimal dose.

Allyl Compounds↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Antimutagenic activity of Armoracia rusticana, Zea mays and Ficus carica plant extracts and their mixture].

Antimutagenic action of plant extracts of Armoracia rusticana, Ficus carica, Zea mays and their mixture on environmental xenobiotics has been investigated. The plant extracts and their mixture decreased the level of mutations induced by N-metil-N'-nitro-N-nitrozoguanidin (MNNG) in Vicia faba cells, chlorophyll mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana and NaF induced mutability in rat marrow cells. The studied plant extracts and their mixture demonstrate the ability to decrease the genotoxicity of environmental mutagens.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Chemical constituents from roots of Ficus hirta].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Ficus hirta. METHOD: Compounds were isolated by chromatographic techniques on silica gel and HP-20 resin columns. Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods. RESULT: Ten compounds were identified as beta-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), psoralene (3), 3beta-hydroxy-stigmast-5-en-7-one (4), 5-hydroxy-4', 6, 7, 8-tetramethoxy flavone (5), 4', 5, 6, 7, 8-pentamethoxy flavone (6), 4', 5, 7-trihydroxy-flavone (7), 3beta-acetoxy-beta-amyrin (8), 3beta-acetoxy-alpha-amyrin (9) and hesperidin (10). CONCLUSION: The compounds 4, 5, 6 were obtained from this genus for the first time, and all the compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Ficus↗
PubMed2006

Ficus cunia agglutinin for recognition of bacteria.

Interaction of bacteria with lectin using anti-lectin antibody by ELISA is an established method. In the present study, we have devised a simple ELISA using a biotinylated lectin and antibiotin-HRP. Ficus cunia agglutinin (FCA), which has shown the specificity towards alpha/beta anomers of GlcNAc and other-NAc containing sugars like LacNAc and GlcNAcbeta(1-4/6)GlcNAc, was used as a model lectin for the study of interaction with immobilized microorganisms on ELISA plate. The bacterial cells of E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus showed binding with FCA and the degree of binding was dependent on the bacterial surface antigen. This method is considered a simple technique to study the lectin-bacteria interaction.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed2004

Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on symptoms of the alcohol hangover.

BACKGROUND: The severity of the alcohol hangover may be related to inflammation induced by impurities in the alcohol beverage and byproducts of alcohol metabolism. An extract of the Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) plant diminishes the inflammatory response to stressful stimuli. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 64 healthy, young adult volunteers were randomly assigned to receive OFI (1600 IU) and identical placebo, given 5 hours before alcohol consumption. During 4 hours, subjects consumed up to 1.75 g of alcohol per kilogram of body weight. Hangover severity (9 symptoms) and overall well-being were assessed on a scale (0-6), and blood and urine samples were obtained the following morning. Two weeks later, the study protocol was repeated with OFI and placebo reversed. RESULTS: Fifty-five subjects completed both the OFI and placebo arms of the study. Three of the 9 symptoms-nausea, dry mouth, and anorexia-were significantly reduced by OFI (all P<.05). Overall, the symptom index was reduced by 2.7 points on average (95% confidence interval, -0.2 to 5.5; P =.07), and the risk of a severe hangover (>/=18 points) was reduced by half (odds ratio, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.88; P =.02). C-reactive protein levels were strongly associated with hangover severity; the mean symptom index was 4.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.2-7.1; P =.007) higher in subjects with morning C-reactive protein levels greater than 1.0 mg/L. In addition, C-reactive protein levels were 40% higher after subjects consumed placebo compared with OFI. CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms of the alcohol hangover are largely due to the activation of inflammation. An extract of the OFI plant has a moderate effect on reducing hangover symptoms, apparently by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Hepatoprotective activity of Ficus racemosa leaf extract on liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride in rats.

An extract of the leaves of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing chronic liver damage by subcutaneous injection of 50% v/v carbon tetrachloride in liquid paraffin at a dose of 3 mL/kg on alternate days for a period of 4 weeks. The biochemical parameters SGOT, SGPT, serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were estimated to assess the liver function. The activity of extract was also comparable to a standard liver tonic (Neutrosec).

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2000

Studies on antibacterial activity of Ficus racemosa Linn. leaf extract.

Extracts of Ficus racemosa Linn. leaves were tested for antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Basillus pumilis ATCC 14884, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25619 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29737. The effects produced by the extracts were significant and were compared with chloramphenicol. The petroleum ether extract was the most effective against the tested organisms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗