In vitro screening of traditional medicines for anti-hypertensive effect based on inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)

Traditional medicines reported to be used as anti-hypertensives or diuretics from different regions in the world (China, India and South America) have been investigated. The bioassay is based on inhibition of ACE, as measured from the enzymatic cleavage of the chromophore-fluorophore-labelled substrate dansyltriglycine into dansylglycine and diglycine. In total, 31 species have been investigated and the crude extracts from seven species inhibit the enzyme by more than 50%.

Further on the pharmacology of trichopus zeylanicus

Oral administration of Trichopus zeylanicus to mice (0.5 ml of 2% water suspension / mouse) for 7 consecutive days markedly increased the number of thymocytes splenic lymphocytes, total blood leucocytes and peritoneal macrophages without any effect on Haemoglobin content and body weight. This increase in the proliferation of lymphocytes and macrophages could be one of the mechanism of T.zeylanicus induced immunomodulation. Treatment with T. zeylanicus protected mice from tumour cell growth when challenged with 0.5 million of EAC ascetic tumour cells / mouse. Studies on the gastrointestinal function of this drug showed that the drug slightly reduced intestinal motility as judged from charcoal movement.

Anaerobic pathway for conversion of the methyl group of aromatic methyl ethers to acetic acid by Clostridium thermoaceticum

Clostridium thermoaceticum and other anaerobic acetogenic bacteria can utilize the methyl group of aromatic methyl ethers as a carbon and energy source. It has been unclear what pathway is used to metabolize this methyl group. In the work reported here, the pathway was established by identifying and quantitating the substrates, stable intermediates, and products of O-demethylation of syringic acid. By measuring the dependence of the O-demethylation reaction on purified enzymes of the acetyl-CoA pathway, it was established that CO dehydrogenase, the corrinoid/iron-sulfur protein, and methyltransferase all were required for acetyl-CoA formation. By 13C-NMR spectroscopy it was shown that the O-demethylase from C. thermoaceticum converts the methyl group of syringate to methyltetrahydrofolate (CH3-H4folate). When the reaction was conducted in the presence of CO, H2, or titanium(III), or in the absence of any electron donor, the rate of demethylation of syringic acid at pH 7.2 was approximately 15 nmol min-1 mg-1. In the absence of CO, CH3-H4folate accumulated as a stable product. When CO was added, 13CH3-H4folate was converted to [2-13C]acetyl-CoA, [2-13C]acetyl phosphate, and [2-13C]acetate. Therefore, the acetogenic O-demethylase uses H4folate as acceptor of the methyl group of phenyl methyl ethers and catalyzes the formation of CH3-H4folate. The pathway of conversion of CH3-H4folate, CO, and CoA to acetyl-CoA has been studied previously. Methyltransferase catalyzes the reaction of CH3-H4folate with the corrinoid/iron-sulfur protein to form a methylcobalt species. The nickel/iron-sulfur enzyme CO dehydrogenase then catalyzes the final steps in the formation of acetyl-CoA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular structure of the human alcohol dehydrogenase 3 gene

The structure and nucleotide sequence of an ADH3(1) allele, which encodes the ADH gamma 1 subunit, have been determined. The intron positions of the ADH3 gene are identical to those of the other class I and class II ADH genes. The level of nucleotide variation at the ADH3 locus is somewhat higher than those at the ADH1 and ADH2 loci.

Substrate-mediated purification and characterization of a 3-hydroxybenzoic acid-6-hydroxylase from Micrococcus

3-Hydroxybenzoic acid-6-hydroxylase from Micrococcus sp. was purified to homogeneity in a single step using the substrate-mediated interaction of the enzyme with blue-Sepharose. The enzyme was bound to the affinity matrix in the presence of 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and was eluted in its absence. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme is 70,000 with no subunit structure. The flavoenzyme required the exogenous addition of FAD for its complete activity and had a strict preference for NADH over NADPH. The activity of the enzyme was drastically inhibited by Cu2+ and Hg2+ and the inhibition was reversed by thiol reagents.

Adaptogenic activity of seeds of trichopus zeylanicus gaertn, the ginseng of kerala

The alchoholic extract of seeds of Trichopus zeylanicus showed a potent adaptogenic or antistress properties against a variety of stresses in both rats an dmice. The extract increased the swimming performance of normal and adrenalectomized mice. Significantly; prevented a variety of stress and chemical induced ulcerations in rats and also prevented milk-induced leucocytosis in mice. The extract further reduced the gastric secretary clume, PH and acid output in pylorusligated rat stomach. No mortalitiy was observed upto a dose of 3 g/kg per oral in mice. The study indicated that trichopus zeylanicus seeds induce a state of nonspecific increased resistance against a variety of stress induced biological changes in animals.

'AROGYAPPACHA' (TRICHOPUS ZEYLANICUS gaerin), THE 'GINSENG' OF KANI TRIBES OF AGASHYAR HILLS (KERALA) FOR EVER GREEN HEALH AND VITALITY

'Arogyappacha' (Trichopus zeylanicus) found endemic to Agastyar hills of Kerala is used by the local 'kani' tribe as a health food for getting instant stamina, ever green health and vitality. The tonic effect of this plants is comparable to that of the famous health food/drug 'Ginseng'. A critical survey of the Ayurveda classics, suggests that the 'Arogyappacha' may be the divine 'Varahi'described by sushruta. Chemical and Pharmacological evaluation of the plant have been initiated.

Important medicinal plants of jammu and kashmir I. Kesar (saffron)

Kesar has been an important ingredient of the recipes of our ancient physicians in the field of Indian systems of medicine and its cultivation is a monopoly of Jammu and Kashmir. This paper presents in detail the historical review, botanical description, vernacular names, distribution in India and world, cultivation, collection, preservation and storage, adulterants, purity tests, chemical composition, action and uses, folk - lore claims and markets with special reference to its medicinal utility.

Certain concepts of "prameha" (diabetes) in ayurveda (Indian system of medicine) with special reference to the relationship between ancient Indian and modern thoughts

Prameha (Diabetes) which has been a global problem is well described in the ancient Indian classics life the Vedas and the Ayurvedic works which ensued the Vedic period. In the present work, the authors have tried to focus the narrations on pramehas in Vedic literature with special reference to the "Kauchika Soothra" of Atharva Veda. A new hypothesis comparing the actions of pittatejas which is set free by the pitta dharakala with the actions of the hormones like insulin and glucagon is also discussed. The aetiopathogenesis of pramehas as described by the Ayurvedic authors with a glance to the therapeutic measures is also included in the study.