Antidiabetic and Anticholinesterase Properties of Extracts and Pure Metabolites of Fruit Stems of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.)

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Five metabolites were isolated by chromatographic methods from the fruit stems of P. vera and their chemical structures were characterized as masticadienonic acid (1), tirucallol (2), masticadienolic acid (3), pistachionic acid (4) and inulobiose (5) via FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR. Pistachionic acid (4), a new shikimic acid derivative, was isolated from the ethanol extract for the first time. The hexane, chloroform, ethanol extracts and pure metabolites exhibited antidiabetic properties by inhibiting α- glycosidase and α-amylase enzymes at different rates. Their inhibitory effects against the α- glycosidase enzyme were also higher than that of the acarbose (IC50=10.30 mg/mL). Masticadienolic acid (3) (IC50=0.03 mg/mL), masticadienonic acid (1) (IC50=0.13 mg/mL) and hexane extract (IC50=0.09 mg/mL) with the lowest IC50 values were found to be most active substances. Nevertheless, the inhibitory effect of acarbose against the α-amylase enzyme was determined to be higher than the inhibition effects of the extracts and pure metabolites. According to the IC50 values, the best inhibitors against the α-amylase were ethanol extract (IC50=5.17 mg/mL), pistachionic acid (4) (IC50=7.35 mg/mL), tirucallol (2) (IC50=7.58 mg/mL) and masticadienolic acid (3) (IC50=8.22 mg/mL), respectively among the applications. In addition, anticholinesterase properties of the extracts and pure metabolites were investigated by testing the inhibitory properties against acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and butrylcholine esterase (BChE) enzymes activities. The results showed that the anticholinesterase properties of all extracts and pure metabolites were weaker than those of the commercial cholinesterase inhibitors, neostigmine and galantamine, and all applications reduced the activity of these enzymes at very high concentrations.

A comparative clinical trial of fluoxetine, mianserin and placebo in depressed outpatients

Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, was compared with mianserin and placebo in a double-blind study. In total, 81 depressed patients were included. Patients were rated weekly on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Montgomery & Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The duration was 6 weeks, and 52 patients completed the study. Significantly more patients on fluoxetine improved than patients on placebo. For mianserin no significant differences were found with either fluoxetine or placebo. Mean HDRS at the end of the study was also statistically significantly lower for fluoxetine, but not for mianserin, than placebo. Subscores of the MADRS showed improved sleep on mianserin at weeks 2 and 3. Suicidal feelings were reduced to a greater degree on fluoxetine than on mianserin and placebo at weeks 6 and 7. Fluoxetine induced weight loss, while patients on mianserin gained weight. Side effects were present in most patients on the two active drugs; those on fluoxetine experienced nausea and vomiting, and those on mianserin drowsiness.

[Evaluation of new media for the isolation of salmonella and shigella]

Two hundred stool specimens were studied by using direct and indirect methods on XLD, HE, EMB and SS culture media. The results were consistent with the previous studies. As the media currently used in Turkey seem inadequate in the bacteriological diagnosis of salmonella and shigella infections, the introduction of the more satisfactory media such as XLD and HE is suggested for routine use.