- 1. A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of five isoquinoline alkaloids from Chelidonium majus L. in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.
Chelidonium majus L. is one of the most important medicinal plants of the family Papaveraceae. Its pharmacological effects have been primarily attributed to the presence of a number of alkaloids. In the present study, a sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of five isoquinoline alkaloids from Chelidonium majus L. was developed and validated. The analytes (protopine, chelidonine, coptisine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine), together with the internal standard (palmatine), were extracted from acidified rat plasma with ethyl acetate-dichloromethane (4:1, v/v). Chromatographic separation was carried out on a Diamonsil C(18) column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (adjusted to pH 2.3 with formic acid) (30:70, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min. Mass spectrometric detection was performed by selected reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization source operating in positive ionization mode. The assay exhibited good linearity (r ≥ 0.9933) for all the analytes. The lower limits of quantification were 0.197-1.27 ng/ml using only 50 µl of plasma sample. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 11.9%, and the accuracy was between -6.3% and 9.3%. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of the five alkaloids in rats after intragastric administration of Chelidonium majus L. extract....(more)
Zhou Q, et al. J Mass Spectrom 2013 Jan;48(1):111-8.
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- 2. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric exploration of the high-affinity binding of three natural alkaloids with the mRNA G-quadruplex in the BCL2 5'-untranslated region.
RATIONALE:
The BCL2 gene encodes an integral outer mitochondrial membrane protein (25 kDa) which regulates the apoptotic death of cells. There is a 25-nucleotide G-rich sequence in the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the BCL2 mRNA, which can adopt a G-quadruplex structure. Small molecules which could tightly bind to this structure have a potential function in the regulation of the expression of the BCL2 mRNA.
METHODS:
The 25-mer oligonucleotide (5'-G(5)CCGUG(4)UG(3)AGCUG(4)-3') was synthesized by TaKaRa Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (TaKaRa, Dalian) with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification. Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) was used to probe the binding properties of natural small molecules (P) with the mRNA G-quadruplex in the BCL2 5'-UTR (BCL2Q). Collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectrometry and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy were performed to evaluate the stabilization of the mRNA G-quadruplex and its complexes.
RESULTS:
The results from ESI mass spectra showed that three natural alkaloids (nitidine, palmatine, and jatrorrizine) have high binding affinities to the mRNA G-quadruplex with the binding stoichiometry ranging from 1:1 to 3:1. CID mass spectrometry results revealed that the G-quadruplex-ligand complex lost bases first rather than losing the binding molecules. Increases in the T(m) values of the complexes of the G-quadruplex with the natural alkaloids in the CD melting experiments demonstrated that the three small molecules can stabilize the G-quadruplex structure.
CONCLUSIONS:
Three natural small molecules were found to have very high binding affinities to the mRNA G-quadruplex and stabilize this structure. The properties of these alkaloids revealed promising potentials to regulate the expression of the BCL2 protein from the posttranscriptional pathway.
Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd....(more)
Tan W, et al. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2013 Feb 28;27(4):560-4.
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- 3. Mussel inspired polydopamine functionalized poly(ether ether ketone) tube for online solid-phase microextraction-high performance liquid chromatography and its application in analysis of protoberberine alkaloids in rat plasma.
A novel and simple poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) tube-based solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-HPLC method was developed in this work. A mussel inspired polydopamine method was used to functionalize the chemically resistant surface of PEEK tube and a poly(acrylamide-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith was synthesized inside the PEEK tube and chemically bonded with its surface. The stability of the polydopamine layer was investigated and found to be well enduring to most of commonly used organic solvents and strong acidic conditions. The PEEK tube-based monolith was coupled with HPLC system through a six-port valve, and the performance of the online SPME-HPLC system was demonstrated by analyzing three protoberberine alkaloids in aqueous samples, namely jatrorrhizine (Jat), palmatine (Pal) and berberine (Ber). These analytes were well extracted and separated within 10 min, and enrichment factors of about 400 were obtained. The limit of detection of the proposed method was decreased to 0.01 ng/mL by using UV detection. Finally, the online SPME-HPLC method was applied for determining Jat, Pal and Ber in rat plasma samples. Reproducibility was obtained by evaluating the intra- and inter-day precisions with RSDs less than 6.1% and 8.5%, respectively, and recoveries of the analytes in spiked plasma samples ranged from 89.8% to 96.7%. The proposed method was also applied to determine the concentration of Jat, Pal and Ber in rat plasma after oral administration of Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis....(more)
Zhang W, et al. J Chromatogr A 2013 Feb 22;1278:29-36.
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- 4. Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Hepatoprotective Effects of the Ethanol Extract of Mahonia oiwakensis Stem.
The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacological properties of ethanol extracted from Mahonia oiwakensis Hayata stems (MOS(EtOH)). The pharmacological properties included antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. The protoberberine alkaloid content of the MOS(EtOH) was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results revealed that three alkaloids, berberine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine, could be identified. Moreover, the MOS(EtOH) exhibited antioxidative activity using the DPPH assay (IC(50), 0.743 mg/mL). The DPPH radical scavenging activity of MOS(EtOH) was five times higher that that of vitamin C. MOS(EtOH) was also found to inhibit pain induced by acetic acid, formalin, and carrageenan inflammation. Treatment with MOS(EtOH) (100 and 500 mg/kg) or silymarin (200 mg/kg) decreased the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels compared with the CCl(4)-treated group. Histological evaluation showed that MOS(EtOH) reduced the degree of liver injury, including vacuolization, inflammation and necrosis of hepatocytes. The anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effect of MOS(EtOH) were found to be related to the modulation of antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver and decreases in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and nitric oxide (NO) contents. Our findings suggest that MOS(EtOH) has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. These effects support the use of MOS(EtOH) for relieving pain and inflammation in folk medicine....(more)
Chao J, et al. Int J Mol Sci 2013 Jan 30;14(2):2928-45.
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- 5. Quantitative Assessment of Traditional Oriental Herbal Formulation Samhwangsasim-tang Using UPLC Technique.
A specific and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection method has been developed and validated for the quantitative assessment of a traditional Oriental herbal formulation, Samhwangsasim-tang (SST). A Halo reversed-phase amide column (2.7 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm) was used to separate marker compounds; detection was conducted by ultraviolet absorbance at 250 nm. The column temperature was maintained at 45°C. A mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile (A) and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water (B) was found to be suitable for the separation, at a flow rate of 1.8 mL/min with gradient elution. Linearity, specificity, precision and recovery were calculated to validate the method and instrumentation. Under the described conditions, all marker compounds (rhaponticin, berberine, palmatine, baicalin, baicalein and wogonin) were collected within 25 min. All calibration curves of components showed good linearity (correlation coefficient > 0.9996). The limit of detection and limit of quantification ranged from 0.08-3.05 and 0.23-8.12 µg/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) and repeatability values of intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 2.30, 2.99 and 1.82%, respectively. In the recovery test, the accuracy ranged from 97.56-103.30% with RSD values less than 2.63%. The developed method was simple, specific, sensitive, accurate, precise and reproducible for the quantification of the active chemical constituents of SST. The simultaneous analysis of the contents of marker compounds in different SST samples prepared by different extraction procedures and different commercial products was successfully evaluated....(more)
Poudel A, et al. J Chromatogr Sci 2013 Feb 12.
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- 6. A new antibacterial denitroaristolochic acid from the tubers of Stephania succifera.
A new denitroaristolochic acid, demethylaristofolin C (1), together with six known alkaloids, crebanine N-oxide (2), (-)-sukhodianine-β-N-oxide (3), palmatine (4), corydalmine (5), dehydrocorydalmine (6), and corynoxidine (7), was isolated from the tubers of Stephania succifera. The structure of demethylaristofolin C was elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D, and 2D NMR) and HR-ESI-MS analyses. These compounds exhibited antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains in different degrees....(more)
Yang DL, et al. J Asian Nat Prod Res 2013 Feb 18.
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- 7. Anti-protozoal activity of aporphine and protoberberine alkaloids from Annickia kummeriae (Engl. & Diels) Setten & Maas (Annonaceae).
BACKGROUND:
Malaria, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis have an overwhelming impact in the poorest countries in the world due to their prevalence, virulence and drug resistance ability. Currently, there is inadequate armory of drugs for the treatment of malaria, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. This underscores the continuing need for the discovery and development of new anti-protozoal drugs. Consequently, there is an urgent need for research aimed at the discovery and development of new effective and safe anti-plasmodial, anti-trypanosomal and anti-leishmanial drugs.
METHODS:
Bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation was employed for the isolation and purification of antiprotozoal alkaloids.
RESULTS:
The methanol extract from the leaves of Annickia kummeriae from Tanzania exhibited a strong anti-plasmodial activity against the multi-drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain (IC50 0.12 ± 0.01 μg/ml, selectivity index (SI) of 250, moderate activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense STIB 900 strain (IC50 2.50 ± 0.19 μg/ml, SI 12) and mild activity against Leishmania donovani axenic MHOM-ET-67/82 strain (IC50 9.25 ± 0.54 μg/ml, SI 3.2). Bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation led to the isolation of four pure alkaloids, lysicamine (1), trivalvone (2), palmatine (3), jatrorrhizine (4) and two sets of mixtures of jatrorrhizine (4) with columbamine (5) and palmatine (3) with (-)-tetrahydropalmatine (6). The alkaloids showed low cytotoxicity activity (CC50 30 - >90 μg/ml), strong to moderate anti-plasmodial activity (IC50 0.08 ± 0.001 - 2.4 ± 0.642 μg/ml, SI 1.5-1,154), moderate to weak anti-trypanosomal (IC50 2.80 ± 0.001 - 14.3 ± 0.001 μg/ml, SI 2.3-28.1) and anti-leishmanial activity IC50 2.7 ± 0.001 - 20.4 ± 0.003 μg/ml, SI 1.7-15.6).
CONCLUSION:
The strong anti-plasmodial activity makes these alkaloids good lead structures for drug development programs....(more)
Malebo HM, et al. BMC Complement Altern Med 2013 Feb 27;13:48.
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- 8. Improvement of erectile function by Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) in a male rat model of metabolic syndrome.
The seriousness of metabolic syndrome is not due to the disease itself but its promotion of other diseases, such as erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We investigated the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng) extract on erectile function in a rat model of metabolic syndrome. We divided the rats into three groups: control, metabolic syndrome+normal saline (N/S) and metabolic syndrome+KRG. To determine the occurrence of metabolic syndrome in all groups, body weight and various biochemical parameters (e.g., blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol) were measured, and the intra-abdominal glucose tolerance test was performed. To investigate penile erection, the peak intracavernosal pressure (ICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and Masson's trichrome stain were evaluated. Erectile function was also investigated by measuring the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels of the corpus cavernosum. We found that the various biochemical parameters and body weight were similar in the metabolic syndrome+KRG group and the control group, although the values were slightly higher. The peak ICP/MAP ratio of the metabolic syndrome+N/S group was markedly decreased compared to the other groups. The cGMP level of the corpus cavernosum in the metabolic syndrome+N/S group was significantly lower than that of the other groups. As demonstrated in this model of metabolic syndrome with erectile dysfunction, KRG may improve erectile function....(more)
Kim SD, et al. Asian J Androl 2013 May;15(3):395-9.
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- 9. Intramammary infusion of Panax ginseng extract in the bovine mammary gland at cessation of milking modifies components of the insulin-like growth factor system during involution.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single intramammary infusion of Panax ginseng extract (GS) on insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in bovine mammary gland during early involution. Eight mammary quarters from six nonpregnant cows in late lactation were infused with 10mL of ginseng extract solution (3mg/mL), six quarters were treated with 10mL of placebo (vehicle alone) and six quarters were maintained as uninoculated controls. Milking was interrupted after infusion. Concentrations of IGF1 in mammary secretions were higher in GS-treated quarters than in placebo and uninoculated control quarters at 24, 48 and 72h post-treatment (p<0.05). Treatment with GS did not affect mammary secretion of IGF2 (p=0.942). At 7d of post-lactational involution, a decrease of immunostained area and mRNA expression for IGF1 was observed in mammary tissue of GS-treated quarters compared with placebo-treated quarters and uninoculated controls (p<0.05). The IGF2 immunostained area and mRNA expression for this growth factor were not affected by GS treatment (p=0.216 and p=0.785, respectively). An increase in protein levels and mRNA expression in mammary tissue of IGFBP3, IGFBP4 and IGFBP5 was observed in GS-treated quarters compared with placebo-treated quarters and uninoculated controls (p<0.05). These results provide evidence that intramammary inoculation of GS extract at cessation of milking may promote early mammary involution through the inhibition of IGF1 local production and bioavailability....(more)
Dallard BE, et al. Res Vet Sci 2013 Jun;94(3):462-70.
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- 10. Effects of Panax ginseng extract in patients with fibromyalgia: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an extract of Panax ginseng in patients with fibromyalgia. A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was carried out over 12 weeks to compare the effects of P. ginseng (100 mg/d) with amitriptyline (25 mg/d) and placebo in 38 patients with fibromyalgia: 13 in Group I (amitriptyline), 13 in Group II (placebo), and 12 in Group III (P. ginseng). Ratings on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) revealed a reduction in pain in the P. ginseng group (p < .0001), an improvement in fatigue (p < .0001) and an improvement in sleep (p < .001), with respect to baseline characteristics, but there were no differences between the three groups. With respect to anxiety, improvements occurred in the P. ginseng group compared to baseline (p < .0001); however, amitriptyline treatment resulted in significantly greater improvements (p < .05). P. ginseng reduced the number of tender points and improved patients' quality of life (using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire - FIQ); however, there were no differences between groups. The beneficial effects experienced by patients for all parameters suggest a need for further studies to be performed on the tolerability and efficacy of this phytotherapic as a complementary therapy for fibromyalgia....(more)
Braz AS, et al. Rev Bras Psiquiatr 2013 Mar;35(1):21-8.
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- 11. Panax ginseng extract rich in ginsenoside protopanaxatriol offers combinatorial effects in nitric oxide production <i>via</i> multiple signaling pathways.
The root of Panax ginseng <i>C.A. Meyer</i> has been shown to induce nitric oxide (NO) release resulting in a hypotensive effect. However, the main active component contributing to vascular endothelium relaxation remains uncertain. In this study, we hypothesized that multiple components of ginseng extract might have combinatory effects providing greater health benefits than a single ginsenosides. To test this hypothesis, we compared the NO-releasing and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activating potency of wide range of ginseng extracts (crude extract, CE; protopanaxatriol-enriched extract, TE; protopanaxadiol-enriched extract, DE) and individual ginsenosides (Rg1, Re and Rb1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We found that TE had the highest potency in NO production, followed by CE, DE, and Rg1. We also observed that TE-treatment resulted in rapid activation of intracellular signaling pathways, immediate linear rise of NO, and increased eNOS activation. TE-induced activation of eNOS was abolished by pretreatment with wortmannin (inhibitor for PI3K-Akt), compound C (inhibitor for AMP activated protein kinase, AMPK) or L-NAME (inhibitor for NOS), whereas Rg1-induced eNOS phosphorylation was only partially attenuated. Further analysis revealed that TE, but not Rg1, results in AMPK phosphorylation at Thr<sup>172</sup>. These novel finding add evidence that the multiple components of Panax ginseng extract rich in protopanaxatriol offers combinatorial effects in NO production and vascular endothelium relaxation <i>via</i> multiple signaling pathways....(more)
Ahn HY, et al. Springerplus 2013 Mar 9;2(1):96. Print 2013 Dec.
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- 12. Effect of fermented Panax ginseng extract (GINST) on oxidative stress and antioxidant activities in major organs of aged rats.
The intracellular levels of oxidant and antioxidant balances are gradually distorted during the aging process. An age associated elevation of oxidative stress occurring throughout the lifetime is hypothesized to be the major cause of aging. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the putative antioxidant activity of the fermented Panax ginseng extract (GINST) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status of major organs of aged rats compared to young rats. Increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea and creatinine were observed in the serum of aged rats. Increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly lowered activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were observed in the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs of aged rats, when compared with those in young rats. Quantitative analysis of the non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol levels showed significantly lower values in the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs of aged rats. On the other hand, administration of the fermented Panax ginseng extract (GINST) to aged rats resulted in increased activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST as well as elevation in GSH, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol levels. Besides, the level of MDA, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine were reduced on administration of GINST to aged rats. These results suggested that treatment of GINST can improve the antioxidant status during aging, thereby minimizing the oxidative stress and occurrence of age-related disorders associated with free radicals....(more)
Ramesh T, et al. Exp Gerontol 2012 Jan;47(1):77-84.
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- 13. Panax ginseng extract rich in ginsenoside protopanaxatriol attenuates blood pressure elevation in spontaneously hypertensive rats by affecting the Akt-dependent phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.
Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a fundamental regulator of systemic blood pressure. Ginsenosides from Panax ginseng have been investigated in vitro for the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which they stimulate NO release in vascular endothelial cells; however, little research has been done to confirm the physiological relevance of these in vitro studies. To address this research gap, the effects of a P. ginseng extract rich in ginsenosides from protopanaxatriol on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) was examined. Ginseng extract administration stimulated nongenomic Akt-mediated eNOS activation, enhanced NO production, improved vessel wall thickening, and alleviated hypertension in SHRs, confirming the physiological relevance of previous in vitro studies with ginsenosides....(more)
Hong SY, et al. J Agric Food Chem 2012 Mar 28;60(12):3086-91.
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- 14. Amelioration of radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in Swiss albino mice by Panax ginseng extract.
BACKGROUND:
This study was carried out to observe the radioprotective effect of Panax ginseng root extract (PGE) against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in blood and liver of mice. Materials and methods. Adult Swiss albino mice were exposed to 6 Gy gamma radiation in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of PGE to study the quantitative and qualitative alterations in the blood and liver.
RESULTS:
Radiation exposure resulted in a significant decline (P<.001) in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) in peripheral blood. Maximum changes in all the parameters were observed on day 3 after irradiation. In contrast, PGE-pretreated irradiated animals showed a significant increase in erythrocyte, Hct, and Hb values compared with irradiated controls. Furthermore, a significant elevation in lipid peroxidation level over normal was recorded in irradiated control mice, whereas this increase was considerably lesser in PGE pretreated animals. Likewise, pretreatment with PGE caused a significant increase in glutathione levels in serum as well as in liver in comparison to irradiated controls.
CONCLUSION:
From this study, it is clearly evident that PGE provides protection against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in Swiss albino mice.
© The Author(s) 2011...(more)
Verma P, et al. Integr Cancer Ther 2011 Mar;10(1):77-84.
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- 15. Intramammary inoculation of Panax ginseng extract in cows at drying off enhances early mammary involution.
This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a single intramammary infusion of Panax ginseng extract on cell proliferation and death mechanism in bovine mammary gland during early involution. Eight mammary quarters from six non-pregnant cows in late lactation were infused with 10 ml of ginseng solution (3 mg/ml), six quarters were treated with 10 ml of placebo (vehicle alone) and six quarters were maintained as uninoculated controls. Milking was interrupted after infusion. Animals included in the three groups were slaughtered 7 d after inoculation and samples for histological analysis were taken. Morphometric analysis showed a significant increase in percentages of mammary tissue area occupied by stroma in ginseng-treated quarters compared with controls. A significant increase of immunostained area for bax protein and active caspase-3 was observed in ginseng-treated quarters compared with controls, whereas no differences were observed for bcl-2 immunostaining. Expression of bax mRNA was significantly higher in ginseng-treated quarters than in controls. The bax/bcl-2 ratio indicated a significant predominance of bax over bcl-2 mRNA expression in ginseng-treated quarters compared with controls. The rise of epithelial and stromal cell apoptosis in situ by TUNEL was more marked in quarters treated with ginseng than in controls. Ginseng inoculation had no effect on the number of epithelial and stromal proliferating cells labelled with Ki-67 antibody. Ratio of apoptotic to proliferating cells was higher in quarters treated with ginseng compared with controls, indicating a net loss of cells in parenchymal components. Also, the intramammary inoculation of ginseng extract at drying off increased the rate of mammary cell apoptosis without inhibiting cell proliferation. Taken together, these changes are indicative of mammary regression enhancement during early involution....(more)
Dallard BE, et al. J Dairy Res 2011 Feb;78(1):63-71.
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- 16. A quantified ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) extract influences lipid acquisition and increases adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 cells.
A Panax ginseng extract (PGE) with a quantified amount of ginsenosides was utilized to investigate its potential to inhibit proliferation, influence lipid acquisition and adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Seven fingerprint ginsenosides were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography and their respective molecular weights were further confirmed via LC-ESI-MS analysis from four different extraction methods. Extraction using methanol under reflux produced significantly higher amounts of ginsenosides. The methanol extract consisted of Rg1 (47.40 ± 4.28 mg/g, dry weight of extract), Re (61.62 ± 5.10 mg/g), Rf (6.14 ± 0.28 mg/g), Rb1 (21.73 ± 1.29 mg/g), Rc (78.79 ± 4.15 mg/g), Rb2 (56.80 ± 3.79 mg/g), Rd (5.90 ± 0.41 mg/g). MTT analysis showed that PGE had a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte and the LC(50) value was calculated to be 18.2 ± 5 µg/mL. Cell cycle analysis showed minimal changes in all four phases. Differentiating adipocytes treated with ginseng extract had a visible decrease in lipid droplets formation measured by Oil red O staining. Consequently, triglycerides levels in media significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by 39.5% and 46.1% when treated at concentrations of 1 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL compared to untreated control cells. Western blot analysis showed that the adiponectin protein expression was significantly (P < 0.05) increased at 10 µg/mL, but not at 1 µg/mL. A quantified PGE reduced the growth of 3T3-L1 cells, down-regulated lipid accumulation and up-regulated adiponectin expression in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell model....(more)
Yeo CR, et al. Molecules 2011 Jan 10;16(1):477-92.
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- 17. Efficacy and safety of a multiherbal formula with vitamin C and zinc (Immumax) in the management of the common cold.
OBJECTIVE:
To study the potential efficacy and tolerability of a natural multiherbal formula (Immumax) containing Echinacea extract 120 mg, garlic powder 100 mg, Nigella sativa oil 200 mg, and Panax ginseng extract 50 mg plus vitamin C 50 mg and elemental zinc 7.5 mg in the treatment of patients suffering from the common cold.
DESIGN AND SETTING:
The study was conducted in a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled study design in an outpatient setting.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Sixty-two eligible patients with symptoms of the common cold were randomized to either Immumax or placebo treatment groups for the duration of their symptoms or a maximum of 14 days. Resolution rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and resolution profiles were compared between groups using the log-rank test. The mean percentage change in total symptom severity scores at days 4 and 8 from baseline were compared between the two groups by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
RESULTS:
The median (interquartile range) time to resolution of all symptoms was 8 (5-9) days in the placebo group and 4 (3-6) days in the Immumax group. The results of the log-rank test indicate that symptoms resolved significantly faster in the Immumax group than in the placebo group (P < 0.001). The mean percentage reduction in total symptom severity scores from baseline at days 4 and 8 was significantly greater in the Immumax group than in the placebo group by one-way ANOVA (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION:
We can conclude from our study that Immumax is helpful in reducing the duration and severity of common cold symptoms....(more)
Yakoot M, et al. Int J Gen Med 2011 Jan 12;4:45-51.
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- 18. Passion flower extract antagonizes the expression of nicotine locomotor sensitization in rats.
CONTEXT:
Nicotine, a bioactive component of tobacco, is highly addictive. Numerous therapies have been developed or are currently under investigation for smoking cessation, and all have met with limited success and/or side effects, indicating the need for additional therapies.
OBJECTIVE:
This study examines the ability of a commerically-available aqueous extract of Passiflora incarnata Linn. (Passifloraceae) to ameliorate the signs of nicotine sensitization using a rat model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Rats were administered 0.4 mg/kg nicotine or vehicle once a day for four consecutive days. Nicotine adminstration produces sensitization of locomotor activity, a phenomenon implicated in the development of nicotine dependence. On the fifth day, locomotor activity of the subjects was monitored as rats from each treatment group were administered 800 mg/kg of Passiflora incarnata extract (or its vehicle) followed by a challenge dose of 0.4 mg/kg nicotine.
RESULTS:
When given to rats sensitized to nicotine for 4 days, the challenge dose of nicotine increased locomotor activity by more than 2-fold over activity following nicotine challenge in rats treated with vehicle during the sensitization phase. The difference was significant from 15-40 min after nicotine administration. Rats sensitized to nicotine then treated with Passiflora incarnata extract prior to the nicotine challenge exhibited a level of locomotor activity the same as the vehicle-treated controls.
DISCUSSION:
Passiflora incarnata extract did antagonize the expression of nicotine locomotor sensitization.
CONCLUSION:
Passiflora incarnata extract should be examined in future studies to evaluate its potential for treating nicotine addiction in humans....(more)
Breivogel C, et al. Pharm Biol 2012 Oct;50(10):1310-6.
Related Products: Passion Flower Extract
- 19. Multivariate analysis of morphological characteristics of two species of passion flower with ornamental potential and of hybrids between them.
We estimated genetic parameters through multivariate analysis of two species of Passiflora and their hybrids, considered of ornamental potential, based on the morphological characteristics: flower diameter, corona diameter, corona filament size, flower peduncle length, petal length and width, sepal length and width, internode length, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width (mm), and leaf area (cm(2)). Five specimens of Passiflora sublanceolata [ex P. palmeri var. sublanceolata], five of P. foetida var. foetida and 20 F(1) hybrids between the two were evaluated. A randomized block design with four replications was used. The data were submitted to variance analysis and multivariate procedures, principal components analysis and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean grouping. We found significant differences between genotypes for all these morphological parameters. The hybrid plants had the highest variability, making them the most indicated for future improvement programs. The various multivariate techniques gave similar results, allowing separation of the plants into three distinct groups, these being the two paternal species and the hybrids. The hybrids were closer to the male genitors, revealing a paternal effect on the inheritance of vegetative and floral characters. Based on estimates of genetic parameters, the floral characteristics are the most indicated for the selection of plants for ornamental purposes, since these characteristics displayed greatest variability, a variation index of more than one, and high genotypic determination coefficients....(more)
Santos EA, et al. Genet Mol Res 2011 Oct 13;10(4):2457-71.
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- 20. Early effect of NEURAPAS® balance on current source density (CSD) of human EEG.
Psychiatric patients often suffer from stress, anxiety and depression. Various plant extracts are known to fight stress (valerian), anxiety (passion flower) or depression (St. John's wort). NEURAPAS® balance is a mixture of these three extracts and has been designed to cover this complex of psychiatric conditions. The study was initiated to quantitatively assess the effect of this combination on brain electric activity.
METHOD:
Quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) current source density (CSD) recording from 16 healthy male and female human volunteers (average age 49 years) was used in a randomized, placebo-controlled cross over study. Recordings were performed 0. 5, 1. 5, 3 and 4 hours after administration of the preparations under the conditions of 6 min eyes open and 5 min d2 concentration test, mathematical calculation test and memory test, respectively. All variables (electric power within 6 frequency ranges at 17 electrode positions) were fed into a linear discriminant analysis (eyes open condition). In the presence of mental load these variables were used to construct brain maps of frequency changes.
RESULTS:
Under the condition of mental load, centro-parietal spectral power remained statistically significantly lower within alpha1, alpha2 and beta1 frequencies in the presence of verum in comparison to placebo. Discriminant analysis revealed a difference to placebo 3 and 4 hours after intake of 6 tablets of NEURAPAS® balance. Data location within the polydimensional space was projected into the area of the effects of sedative and anti-depressive reference drugs tested earlier under identical conditions. Results appeared closer to the effects of fluoxetine than to St. John's wort.
CONCLUSIONS:
Analysis of the neurophysiological changes following the intake of NEURAPAS® balance revealed a similarity of frequency changes to those of calming and anti-depressive drugs on the EEG without impairment of cognition.
TRIAL REGISTRATION:
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01047605....(more)
Dimpfel W, et al. BMC Psychiatry 2011 Aug 2;11:123.
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- 21. Pollen preference for Psychotria sp. is not learned in the passion flower butterfly, Heliconius erato.
Heliconius butterflies are known to maximize fitness by feeding on pollen from Gurania sp. and Psiguria sp. (Cucurbitales: Curcurbitaceae), and Psychotria sp. (Gentianales: Rubiaceae). This specialization involves specific physical, physiological, and behavioral adaptations including efficient search strategies in the forest to locate pollen host plants, pollen removal, and pollen external digestion. Reducing pollen host plant search time is crucial to out-compete other flower visitors and to reduce exposure to predators. One way in which this can be achieved is by using chemical cues to learn from experienced foragers in roosting aggregations. Similar strategies have been documented in bumblebees, where inexperienced individuals learn floral odors from experienced foragers. Behavioral experiments using plants preferred by Heliconius erato suggest that pollen preference in H. erato is an innate trait and consequently learning of chemical cues at roosting aggregations is unlikely....(more)
Salcedo C. J Insect Sci 2011;11:25.
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- 22. Chrysin suppresses mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation: involvement of calcium, caspase-1 and nuclear factor-κB.
A great number of people are suffering from allergic inflammatory diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and sinusitis. Therefore discovery of drugs for the treatment of these diseases is an important subject in human health. Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a natural flavonoid contained in propolis, blue passion flower, and fruits. Several studies reported that chrysin has beneficial effects including anti-tumor and anti-oxidant activities. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether chrysin modulates the allergic inflammatory reaction and to study its possible mechanisms of action using mast cell-based in vitro and in vivo models. Chrysin inhibited immediate-type systemic hypersensitivity and serum histamine release. Chrysin attenuated immunoglobulin E-mediated local anaphylaxis. These inhibitory effects of chrysin on the systemic and local allergic reaction were more potent than cromolyn, a known anti-allergic drug. Chrysin reduced histamine release from mast cells. The inhibitory effect of chrysin on the histamine release was mediated by the modulation of intracellular calcium. In addition, chrysin decreased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL (interleukin)-1β, IL-4, and IL-6 in mast cells. The inhibitory effect of chrysin on the pro-inflammatory cytokine was nuclear factor-κB and caspase-1 dependent. Our findings provide evidence that chrysin inhibits mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory reactions by blocking histamine release and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and suggest the mechanisms of action. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro anti-allergic inflammatory effect of chrysin suggests a possible therapeutic application of this agent in allergic inflammatory diseases.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved....(more)
Bae Y, et al. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2011 Jul 1;254(1):56-64.
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- 23. Confirmation of cross-fertilization using molecular markers in ornamental passion flower hybrids.
Several interspecific Passiflora hybrids are produced in the northern hemisphere for the ornamental plant market. In Brazil, production of passion flower hybrids is limited to the introgression of genes into the main cultivated species, yellow passion fruit, to be used as rootstocks. Confirmation of hybridization in the initial developmental stage is important for breeding perennial and sub-perennial plants, such as passion flowers, reducing time and costs in plant stock maintenance. In order to obtain F hybrids with ornamental potential, four species of Passiflora (P. alata, P. gardneri, P. gibertii, and P. watsoniana) from the Active Germplasm Bank at UESC were hybridized. Flower buds, in pre-anthesis, of the genitors were previously protected, and the female buds were emasculated. To confirm hybridization, the genomic DNA of the genitor species and the supposed hybrids was extracted and RAPD primers were used to obtain molecular markers and select passion flower interspecific hybrids. Eight primers were used to confirm hybrids derived from P. gardneri with P. alata, P. watsoniana with P. alata, P. watsoniana with P. gardneri, and P. gardneri with P. gibertii; 75, 50, 45, and 46% of the informative bands, respectively, confirmed the hybrid nature of these plants. The RAPD technique was effective in the early identification of hybrids; this will be useful for development of hybrid Passiflora progeny....(more)
Conceição LD, et al. Genet Mol Res 2011 Jan 11;10(1):47-52.
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- 24. Pharmacological studies in an herbal drug combination of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and passion flower (Passiflora incarnata): in vitro and in vivo evidence of synergy between Hypericum and Passiflora in antidepressant pharmacological models.
Extracts of Hypericum, Passiflora and Valeriana are used for the treatment of mild depression and anxiety. We were interested whether a combination of Hypericum and Passiflora exerts comparable effects to Hypericum alone. We used two well-established models for investigating extracts for their anti-depressant activity, namely the effects on synaptic uptake of serotonin and the forced-swimming-test. We show here for the first time, that Passiflora significantly enhances the pharmacological potency of Hypericum in both models. Our data suggest that anti-depressive therapeutic effects of Hypericum are possible with lower doses, when it is combined with Passiflora, than with mono-preparations of Hypericum.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved....(more)
Fiebich BL, et al. Fitoterapia 2011 Apr;82(3):474-80.
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- 25. Anxiolytic effects of fractions obtained from Passiflora incarnata L. in the elevated plus maze in mice.
The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like activity of fractions prepared from a hydroethanol extract of Passiflora incarnata L. using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) in mice. The fractions were prepared as published recently, yielding a butanol, petroleum ether and chloroform fraction. From the tested fractions, the butanol fraction showed significant increases in the number of open arm entries in the EPM in concentrations of 2.1 mg/kg and 4.2 mg/kg corresponding to 150 and 300 mg/kg of the original extract. The highest activity was found for the chloroform fraction in doses of 0.17 mg/kg (10.0 ± 1.9, p < 0.001) and 0.34 mg/kg (6.6 ± 0.86; p < 0.05) which corresponds to a total extract dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Interestingly, the petroleum ether fraction did not show any effects in the elevated plus maze. A sedative or stimulatory effect of each of the fractions could be excluded, since none of the compounds had an influence on the total distance that the animals covered during the observation period. The results suggest that the active principle of passion flower seems to be in the chloroform fraction and to a lower extent in the butanol fraction.
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd....(more)
Sampath C, et al. Phytother Res 2011 Jun;25(6):789-95.
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- 26. A comparative study on the effects of Hypericum Perforatum and passion flower on the menopausal symptoms of women referring to Isfahan city health care centers.
BACKGROUND:
With regard to an increase in the life expectancy for women and the consistency of the menopause age, a significant portion of women's age is passed after the menopause. Menopause is considered as a critical and sensitive period due to the changes and the disorders that are involved in it. Vasomotor symptoms, sleep disorders and psycho-mental changes are among the most prevalent symptoms of this period. Hormone therapy is a common treatment and it involves some problems for most individuals. The purpose of this study was to comparatively examine the effects of two herbal medications, Hypericum Perforatum and Passion Flower, on menopause symptoms.
METHODS:
This study was of a clinical-experimental type which was done in 1388 in Isfahan. The sample included 59 menopausal women who had the conditions for entering into the study. The individuals were selected via simple sampling and were assigned randomly into two groups of Hypericum Perforatum treatment group (30 women) and Passion Flower group (29 women). The required data were filled out through interview, Personal Characteristics Questionnaire, and Cooperman's Index for menopause symptoms in three stages of pre-intervention, the third week of intervention, and the sixth week of intervention. The results were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods and the statistical software of SPSS.
RESULTS:
The findings showed that the average score of menopause symptoms in two treatment groups of Hypericum Perforatum and Passion Flower had a significant decrease throughout the third and the sixth weeks of study (p < 0.05). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups and both herbs equally resulted in a decrease in the menopause symptoms scores (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
With regard to the effects of Hypericum Perforatum and Passion Flower on treating menopause precocious symptoms (vasomotor signs, insomnia, depression, anger, headache, etc.), these two herbs can be used as an alternative treatment for individuals who cannot, whatsoever, use hormone therapy....(more)
Fahami F, et al. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2010 Fall;15(4):202-7.
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- 27. Inhibitory effects of herbal extracts on breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and structure-inhibitory potency relationship of isoflavonoids.
The inhibition of intestinal breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), which restricts the absorption of xenobiotics, may increase the systemic availability of its substrates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of herbal extracts and their constituents on BCRP-mediated transport. The inhibitory effects of 9 herbal extracts and 23 isoflavonoids, including soybean-derived isoflavones, on BCRP-mediated methotrexate (MTX) transport were evaluated using BCRP-expressing membrane vesicles. The structure-inhibitory potency relationship was investigated by multiple factor analysis. Extracts of soybean, Gymnema sylvestre, black cohosh and passion flower and rutin strongly inhibited BCRP-mediated transport of MTX at 1 mg/ml, while inhibition by chlorella, milk thistle and Siberian ginseng extracts was weak. Among the 23 isoflavonoids examined, all of which inhibited BCRP-mediated transport, coumestrol showed the most potent inhibition (IC(50)=63 nM). The inhibitory potencies of 6 isoflavonoid glucosides were 10- to 100-fold lower than those of the corresponding aglycones. The addition of a 5-hydroxyl or 6-methoxyl moiety tended to potentiate the inhibition. The inhibitory potency of daidzein was decreased 100-fold by 7-glucuronidation, but was virtually unaffected by 4'-sulfation. Thus, some herbal and dietary supplements and isoflavonoids may increase the systemic availability of BCRP substrates when concomitantly given orally....(more)
Tamaki H, et al. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2010;25(2):170-9.
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- 28. Modeling adsorption kinetics of trichloroethylene onto biochars derived from soybean stover and peanut shell wastes.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the most hazardous organic pollutants in groundwater. Biochar produced from agricultural waste materials could serve as a novel carbonaceous adsorbent for removing organic contaminants from aqueous media. Biochars derived from pyrolysis of soybean stover at 300 °C and 700 °C (S-300 and S-700, respectively), and peanut shells at 300 °C and 700 °C (P-300 and P-700, respectively) were utilized as carbonaceous adsorbents to study batch aqueous TCE remediation kinetics. Different rate-based and diffusion-based kinetic models were adopted to understand the TCE adsorption mechanism on biochars. With an equilibrium time of 8-10 h, up to 69 % TCE was removed from water. Biochars produced at 700 °C were more effective than those produced at 300 °C. The P-700 and S-700 had lower molar H/C and O/C versus P-300 and S-300 resulting in high aromaticity and low polarity accompanying with high surface area and high adsorption capacity. The pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models were well fitted to the kinetic data, thereby, indicating that chemisorption and pore diffusion were the dominating mechanisms of TCE adsorption onto biochars....(more)
Ahmad M, et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2013 Apr 23.
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- 29. Low-cost adsorbents from bio-waste for the removal of dyes from aqueous solution.
Activated carbons (ACs) were developed from bio-waste materials like rice husk and peanut shell (PS) by various physicochemical activation methods. PS char digested in nitric acid followed by treatment at 673 K resulted in high surface area up to ∼585 m(2)/g. The novelty of the present study is the identification of oxygen functional groups formed on the surface of activated carbons by infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and quantification by using temperature programmed decomposition (TPD). Typical TPD data indicated that each activation method may lead to varying amounts of acidic and basic functional groups on the surface of the adsorbent, which may be a crucial factor in determining the adsorption capacity. It was shown that ACs developed during the present study are good adsorbents, especially for the removal of a model textile dye methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. As MB is a basic dye, H2O2-treated rice husk showed the best adsorption capacity, which is in agreement with the acidic groups present on the surface. Removal of the dye followed Langmuir isotherm model, whereas MB adsorption on ACs followed pseudo-second-order kinetics....(more)
Manoj Kumar Reddy P, et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2013 Jun;20(6):4111-24.
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- 30. Kinetic, equilibrium isotherm and thermodynamic studies of Cr(VI) adsorption onto low-cost adsorbent developed from peanut shell activated with phosphoric acid.
A particular agricultural waste, peanut shell, has been used as precursor for activated carbon production by chemical activation with H3PO4. Unoxidized activated carbon was prepared in nitrogen atmosphere which was then heated in air at a desired temperature to get oxidized activated carbon. The prepared carbons were characterized for surface area, surface morphology, and pore volume and utilized for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. Batch mode experiments were conducted to study the effects of pH, contact time, particle size, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of adsorbate, and temperature on the adsorption of Cr(VI). Cr(VI) adsorption was significantly dependent on solution pH, and the optimum adsorption was observed at pH 2. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were used to analyze the kinetic data obtained at different initial Cr(VI) concentrations. The adsorption kinetic data were described very well by the pseudo-second-order model. Equilibrium isotherm data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models. The results showed that the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model fitted the data better in the temperature range studied. The adsorption capacity which was found to increase with temperature showed the endothermic nature of Cr(VI) adsorption. The thermodynamic parameters, such as Gibb's Free energy change (ΔG°), standard enthalpy change (ΔH°), and standard entropy change (ΔS°) were evaluated....(more)
Alothman ZA, et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2013 May;20(5):3351-65.
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- 31. Screening natural antioxidants in peanut shell using DPPH-HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS methods.
Peanut shell, a byproduct in oil production, is rich in natural antioxidants. Here, a rapid and efficient method using DPPH-HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS was used for the first time to screen antioxidants in peanut shell. The method is based on the hypothesis that upon reaction with 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the peak areas of compounds with potential antioxidant activities in the HPLC chromatogram will be significantly reduced or disappeared, and the identity confirmation could be achieved by HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS technique. With this method, three compounds possessing potential antioxidant activities were found abundantly in the methanolic extract of peanut shell. They were identified as 5,7-dihydroxychromone, eriodictyol, and luteolin. The contents of these compounds were 0.59, 0.92, and 2.36 mg/g, respectively, and luteolin possessed the strongest radical scavenging capacity. DPPH-HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS assay facilitated rapid identification and determination of natural antioxidants in peanut shell, which may be helpful for value-added utilization of peanut processing byproducts.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved....(more)
Qiu J, et al. Food Chem 2012 Dec 15;135(4):2366-71.
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- 32. Effects of pyrolysis temperature on soybean stover- and peanut shell-derived biochar properties and TCE adsorption in water.
Conversion of crop residues into biochars (BCs) via pyrolysis is beneficial to environment compared to their direct combustion in agricultural field. Biochars developed from soybean stover at 300 and 700 °C (S-BC300 and S-BC700, respectively) and peanut shells at 300 and 700 °C (P-BC300 and P-BC700, respectively) were used for the removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) from water. Batch adsorption experiments showed that the TCE adsorption was strongly dependent on the BCs properties. Linear relationships were obtained between sorption parameters (K(M) and S(M)) and molar elemental ratios as well as surface area of the BCs. The high adsorption capacity of BCs produced at 700 °C was attributed to their high aromaticity and low polarity. The efficacy of S-BC700 and P-BC700 for removing TCE from water was comparable to that of activated carbon (AC). Pyrolysis temperature influencing the BC properties was a critical factor to assess the removal efficiency of TCE from water.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved....(more)
Ahmad M, et al. Bioresour Technol 2012 Aug;118:536-44.
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- 33. Characterization of bulking agents and its effects on physical properties of compost.
Objective was to enquire the attributes of regionally obtainable BA (bagass, paper, peanut shell, sawdust) to inscribe the efficacy of BA at (10-40%) for moisture reduction. Sawdust was prominent in moisture reduction capability in 5-7 days. The prime physical changes in BA under various compression forces were as; by increasing compression force, BD rise and FAS decline, whereas PD had not exhibit any discrepancy. Proficient compost production entails meticulous understanding the process dynamics in terms of correlation between moisture reduction; FAS, BD and PD. FAS and moisture were negatively where as BD and moisture positively correlated.
Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved....(more)
Iqbal MK, et al. Bioresour Technol 2010 Mar;101(6):1913-9.
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- 34. Ingestion--associated adverse events necessitating pediatric ICU admissions.
OBJECTIVE:
To review the pattern of food-associated pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions.
METHODS:
A retrospective chart review was conducted to analyse the pattern of food-associated PICU admissions at a teaching hospital between January 2004 and May 2007.
RESULTS:
Ten cases (7 boys and 3 girls, aged 9 month to 11.7 year) were identified. One girl developed progressive generalized urticarial rash and anaphylactic shock following consumption of bird nest drink. A boy presented with the classic triads of acute onset altered mental state, respiratory depression and small pupils following consumption of a bottle of presumed "green tea", which was subsequently found to contain methadone. In the remaining 8 cases, dried mango, peanut, peanut-shell, fishmeat ball, pork chop, bread and bone were the culprits, impacting in the airway or oesophagus. All but one patient had short ICU stay (<or=3 days). Ingestion-associated adverse events can be protean and may necessitate PICU admissions. All age groups can be affected. Solids are usually associated with symptoms from local obstruction or suffocation, while fluids may be associated with systemic manifestations.
CONCLUSION:
Presentations were generally acute, dramatic and unmistaken. The majority of patients made prompt and uneventful recovery and had short PICU stay....(more)
Hon KL, et al. Indian J Pediatr 2009 Mar;76(3):283-6.
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- 35. Bioremediation of trichloroethylene contaminated groundwater using anaerobic process.
Anaerobic remediation of trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated soil and groundwater was studied in laboratory setups. In this process fermentation of polymeric organic materials (POMS) produced volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that were electron donors in reductive dechlorination of TCE. Shredded peanut shell was selected as low cost POM and the experiments were set up in 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks. In the setups, approximately 25 mg of leachate contaminated soil was used as the main source of microorganisms and about 5 g of shredded peanut shell (0.5-2.36 mm) was added to produce VFAs for dechlorination of TCE. In the first set of experiments, fermentation of soil and shredded peanut shell was studied and it was found that VFAs were produced continuously with increasing concentration (5.63 mM as CH3COOH from the first day to 17.17 in the 10th day of the experiment). During the fermentation, concentration of ammonia-nitrogen was 22-50 mg/L, the ratio of VFA to NH3 was 15.29-23.44 and pH was 5.24-6.00. These results show that the system was appropriate for microorganism activities. In the second set of experiments, TCE (approximately 48 mg/L) was added to the fermentation system and remediation of TCE by reductive dechlorination was studied. It was found that 0.04(+/-0.01) mg TCE adsorbed to a gram of soil and peanut shells at the beginning of the experiment and based on mass balance of the system, TCE concentration in water was linearly reduced at the rate of 0.0098 mg/hr.
Copyright (c) IWA Publishing 2008....(more)
Chomsurin C, et al. Water Sci Technol 2008;58(11):2127-32.
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