Revised structure of cercidinin A, a novel ellagitannin having (R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl esters at the 3,4-positions of glucopyranose

The structure of cercidinin A, an ellagitannin isolated from the bark of Cercidiphyllum japonicum, was revised to 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-3,4-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-beta-D-glucose by two-dimensional NMR spectral analysis. Cercidinin A represents the first ellagitannin possessing a hexahydroxydiphenoyl group at the 3,4-positions of a modified 4C1-glucopyranose core.

Study on the inhibitory effect of tannins and flavonoids against the 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl radical

Fifty-one tannins and forty-one flavonoids isolated from Oriental medicinal herbs were evaluated for their antioxidant ability with a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-generating system. The results showed that tannins and certain flavonoids are potential free-radical scavengers, and that their activity against the DPPH radical is closely associated with their chemical structure. A comparison of the two classes of compounds showed that tannins have more potential than flavonoids because almost all the tannins demonstrated significant scavenging action within a low concentration range, whereas the activity of flavonoids varied distinctively among the different compounds. An increase of galloyl groups, molecular weight, and ortho-hydroxyl structure enhanced the activity of tannins, whereas the number and position of hydroxyl groups were important features for the scavenging of free radicals by flavonoids. Moreover, it appeared that when the free hydroxyl group was methoxylated or glycosylated, the inhibitory activity was obviously decreased or even abolished.

Magnesium lithospermate B ameliorates cisplatin-induced injury in cultured renal epithelial cells

A study was conducted to clarify whether magnesium lithospermate B ameliorates cisplatin-induced renal injury in terms of lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde leakage from LLC-PK1 cells in culture. Magnesium lithospermate B was shown to suppress the cytotoxicity of cisplatin, the suppressive effect increasing with the dose of magnesium lithospermate B.

Magnesium lithospermate B suppresses the increase of active oxygen in rats after subtotal nephrectomy

Subtotally nephrectomized rats were found to have decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) showed that the amount of hydroxyl radical in the residual kidney tissue was greater than that in normal rat kidney. This indicated both direct and indirect involvement of free radicals in renal failure. In contrast, rats given magnesium lithospermate B (10 mg/kg body weight) orally for 30 days after subtotal nephrectomy showed restoration of SOD and catalase activities to almost normal levels. Hydroxyl radical, which is highly reactive and for which there is no scavenger system in the body, was decreased markedly in kidney homogenates obtained from rats given magnesium lithospermate B and in an experimental system for hydroxyl radical production to which magnesium lithospermate B was directly added. The increased levels of uremic toxins in the blood were also low in rats given magnesium lithospermate B. This indicates that magnesium lithospermate B helps to inhibit the progression of renal failure by scavenging radicals.

Principle of the bark of Phellodendron amurense to suppress the cellular immune response: effect of phellodendrine on cellular and humoral immune responses

Previously we have isolated the quaternary base alkaloids, magnoflorine and phellodendrine, from Phellodendri Cortex (cortex of Phellodendron amurense Rupr., Rutaceae) as the biologically active principles to suppress local graft-versus-host (GvH) reactions in mice. In this paper, we focus on phellodendrine. Phellodendrine suppressed local semisyngeneic GvH reactions and systemic allogeneic GvH reactions in X-ray irradiated recipient mice. Phellodendrine also suppressed the induction phase of sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-induced delayed type hypersensitivity in mice and tuberculin-induced delayed type hypersensitivity in guinea pigs, but did not suppress the effector phase of these reactions. Surprisingly, phellodendrine, unlike prednisolone and cyclophosphamide, did not affect antibody production in mice to SRBC. Phellodendrine was expected to be a valuable new type of immunosuppressor against the cellular immune response.

Effects of a Dan Shen component, magnesium lithospermate B, in nephrectomized rats

Magnesium lithospermate B, a compound newly isolated from Dan Shen, was given orally to rats for 70 days after excision of five-sixths of their kidney volume. As a result, mesangial proliferation, tubulo-interstitial lesions and glomerular sclerotic lesions, which were conspicuous in rats that were not given magnesium lithospermate B after nephrectomy, were inhibited. Furthermore, a decrease in blood urea nitrogen, improvement of hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypercholesteremia, and inhibition of urinary protein excretion were observed. The levels of creatinine, methylguanidine and guanidino-succinic acid, which accumulate in the blood with the progress of renal failure, were decreased significantly in rats given magnesium lithospermate B. These results indicate that magnesium lithospermate B, a component of an Oriental medicine has potential as a new therapeutic agent for inhibiting the progression of renal dysfunction.

Principle of the bark of Phellodendron amurense to suppress the cellular immune response

We previously reported that Wen-Qing-Yin (Unsei-in), a traditional Chinese blended medicine, inhibited the induction phase of various kinds of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and local graft-versus-host (GvH) reactions, but did not affect humoral immune responses or the effector phase of DTH in experimental animals. In another report, we demonstrated that Phellodendri Cortex (bark of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Rutaceae) was a component having the most potent suppressive effect on the cellular immune response among the 8 medical plants composing Unsei-in. In the present study, we isolated OB-1 and OB-5 from Phellodendri Cortex as the biologically active principles to suppress local GvH reactions in mice. OB-1 and OB-5 are quaternary base alkaloids known as magnoflorine and phellodendrine, respectively. They suppressed the local GvH reaction, when given i.p. to the host mice at 5-20 mg/kg for 8 consecutive days from the day of spleen cell transfer to cause the reaction. Both OB-1 and OB-5 suppressed picryl chloride-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (PC-DTH) when given i.p. to mice at 10 and 20 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days from the day of the sensitization, but did not suppress it when given at the time of the challenge. These results suggest that OB-1 and OB-5 suppress the induction phase but not the effector phase of the cellular immune response. They are expected to have a value as a new type of immunosuppressor.

Inhibition of collagen hydroxylation by lithospermic acid magnesium salt, a novel compound isolated from Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix

We have screened several chinese medicinal herbs for the presence of antifibrotic agents. An aqueous extract of Salviae miltorrhizae Radix was found to inhibit collagen secretion by human skin fibroblasts without affecting DNA or noncollagen protein synthesis. We have subsequently purified the material exhibiting the inhibitory activity and identified it as magnesium lithospermate. From its chemical structure this compound was predicted to be an inhibitor of the post-translational modifying enzymes prolyl and lysyl hydroxylases in collagen biosynthesis. Accordingly, it decreased the extent of prolyl and lysyl hydroxylations in collagen by approx. 50%. Added to cell extracts it inhibited both prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase activities, but only lysyl hydroxylase activity when added to intact cells. Oral administration of this compound to mice led to a significant reduction of prolyl hydroxylation in newly-synthesized skin collagen. This naturally-occurring compound thus offers a potential means for treating fibrotic diseases, such as systemic scleroderma and keloid.

Tannins and related compounds. CXXII. New dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric ellagitannins, lambertianins A-D, from Rubus lambertianus Seringe

Chemical examination of the leaves of Rubus lambertianus Seringe (Rosaceae) has led to the isolation of four new ellagitannins, which were characterized on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence to be dimers [lambertianins A (6) and B (7)], a trimer [lambertianin C (8)] and a tetramer [lambertianin D (10)], all having sanguisorbic acid ester group(s) as linking unit(s) between glucopyranose moieties. Furthermore, HPLC analyses of fifteen Rubus species collected in Japan and Taiwan revealed that the trimer (8) and the tetramer (10), together with sanguiin H-6 (1), occur widely in these species.

Inhibitory effects of tannins on NADH dehydrogenases of various organisms

We examined the effects of purified tannins and related compounds (33 species) on NADH-ubiquinone-1 oxidoreductase activity in four kinds of organism (Paracoccus denitrificans, Bacillus subtilis, Photobacterium phosphoreum, and Thermus thermophilus HB-8) and rat liver mitochondria. In addition to pentagalloylglucose, which was reported as a potent inhibitor of NADH dehydrogenases (NDH), sanguiin H-11, oolonghomobisflavan A, and polymerized procyanidin are potent inhibitors for both types of NDH (NDH-1 and NDH-2). We found that some other tannins contained in tea are also inhibitors of NDH from all organisms.

Inhibition of DNA topoisomerases by sanguiin H-6, a cytotoxic dimeric ellagitannin from Sanguisorba officinalis

Many tannins were previously identified as candidate topoisomerase poisons. Here we report further studies on sanguiin H-6, a dimeric ellagitannin isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis as an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerases. Catalytic strand-passing activities of topoisomerases I and II were inhibited in vitro with IC50 values of 1 microM and 0.01 microM, respectively. This inhibition was not associated with stabilization of covalent enzyme-DNA complexes but rather by a mechanism preventing formation of such covalent intermediates, as measured by interference with drug-induced cleavage in vitro. The IC50 values for topoisomerase I-DNA complexes induced by camptothecin and with topoisomerase II-DNA complexes induced by VP-16 were 0.02 microM and 0.16 microM, respectively. Pre-incubation studies followed by drug-dilution revealed that the in vitro inhibitory effects of sanguiin H-6 were irreversible, and for topoisomerase I, the test compound prevented enzyme-DNA interaction as seen by shifts in mobility on agarose gels. By measuring interference with drug-induced protein-linked DNA breaks in isolated HeLa nuclei, inhibition of topoisomerases I and II on a natural chromatin template was demonstrated with IC50 values of 5 microM and > 10 microM, respectively. Sanguiin H-6 inhibited HeLa cell growth with an ED50 of 12 microM and also interfered in a dose-dependent fashion with intracellular topoisomerase activities but with lower potencies than those observed using subcellular assay systems. Based on these studies, sanguiin H-6 could be broadly classified as a type of poison which does not stimulate the formation of cleavable-complexes, with intracellular activity but without any marked selectivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tannins as potent inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II in vitro

Fifty-two out of 60 tannins, including gallo-, ellagi-, condensed, and complex tannins, are inhibitors of human DNA topoisomerase II in vitro. Thirty-six compounds that completely inhibited enzyme activity at a concentration of 500 nM or less, as assessed by ATP-dependent unknotting of P4 phage DNA, were at least 100-fold more potent than the clinically useful antitumor agent etoposide (VP-16). Relative inhibitory activity was primarily related to the number of phenolic hydroxyl groups (galloyl and hexahydroxydiphenoyl moieties) found in the active structures, with more groups generally conferring increased potencies. Unlike VP-16 and some DNA intercalative agents that stabilize the topoisomerase II-DNA cleavage intermediate, none of the active compounds induced protein-linked DNA breaks in cultured cells. Some of the tannins reduced VP-16-induced protein-linked DNA breaks by 20% or more, but one of these compounds, (-)-epicatechin, was not an inhibitor in vitro. Our data suggest that some tannins, such as sangiin H-6, that are potent inhibitors of catalytic double DNA-strand passage in vitro may target intracellular enzyme activity in a similar fashion to known poisons that interfere with formation of the enzyme-DNA covalent intermediate.

Effect of magnesium lithospermate B on the renal and urinary kallikrein activities in rats with adenine-induced renal failure

A study was conducted to examine the effect of magnesium lithospermate B on both the urinary and renal total and active kallikrein and prokallikrein in rats with adenine-induced renal failure. In rats given magnesium lithospermate B at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 12 days, significant increases of urinary total and active kallikrein were associated with significant increases of urine volume and urinary total and active kallikrein were associated with significant increases of urine volume and urinary creatinine excretion. The renal total and active kallikrein levels were also significantly elevated by the treatment with magnesium lithospermate B. On day 24, the urinary excretion of total and active kallikrein and prokallikrein was significantly increased. Concomitantly, a significant increase in renal kallikrein (total, active and pro-) was found in the rats given magnesium lithospermate B. A significant relationship existed between the urinary creatinine and active kallikrein excretion. These results suggest that magnesium lithospermate B may stimulate the synthesis of kallikrein and/or conversion to active kallikrein, thus improving renal function.

Effects of rhubarb tannins on renal function in rats with renal failure

The effects of tannins purified from Rhei Rhizoma on various parameters of renal function were investigated in rats with adenine-induced renal failure. The glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and renal blood flow were significantly increased in rats given (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate at a dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 24 days. Administration of 5 mg of procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate also led to a significant increase in renal functional parameters. However, unlike the former two components, procyanidin C-1 3,3',3''-tri-O-gallate caused aggravation of renal function.

Effect of magnesium lithospermate B in rats with sodium-induced hypertension and renal failure

To evaluate the antihypertensive effect of magnesium lithospermate B isolated from Salviae miltiorrhizae radix, determinations of blood pressure and urinary excretions of sodium, potassium, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and kallikrein, which have been proposed to play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure, were made in rats with sodium-induced hypertension and renal failure. In rats given magnesium lithospermate B, blood pressure was significantly decreased, whereas urinary excretion of electrolytes was significantly increased. Urinary PGE2 excretion following administration of magnesium lithospermate B increased as the dose of the compound was stepped up. The activity of kallikrein in urine was also increased by the treatment. From these results, the blood pressure-lowering action of magnesium lithospermate B may be due in part to enhancement of the kallikrein-prostaglandin system.

Potentiating effect of converting enzyme inhibitor captopril to the renal responses of magnesium lithospermate B in rats with adenine-induced renal failure

The renal responses of magnesium lithospermate B were investigated in the presence or absence of pretreatment with the converting enzyme (kininase II) inhibitor, captopril, in rats with adenine-induced renal failure. Magnesium lithospermate B (10 mg/kg body weight) caused a marked increase in the levels of the renal functional parameters (glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and renal blood flow), accompanied by significant increases in urinary excretions of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), kallikrein, sodium and creatinine. The administration of magnesium lithospermate B in combination with captopril (2 mg/kg body weight, 2 times) caused a further increase in renal functional parameters, urinary sodium and creatinine excretions. However, the kallikrein activity was similar to the control level. There were no significant changes between urinary PGE2 following magnesium lithospermate B alone, or in combination with captopril. In addition, angiotensin converting enzyme activity did not change following the administration of magnesium lithospermate B alone, but was significantly decreased in rats given captopril, both alone and in combination with magnesium lithospermate B. The captopril administration group (captopril alone or in combination with magnesium lithospermate B) showed a significant decrease in blood pressure. From these results, it seems that the combination of magnesium lithospermate B and captopril induces a further increase in renal function by improving the renal circulatory state.

Effects of rhubarb tannins on uremic toxins

The effects of each of several tannins purified from Rhei Rhizoma on serum constituents were investigated in rats with adenine-induced renal failure. Blood levels of urea nitrogen, methylguanidine (MG), and guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA) were significantly decreased in rats given (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate at a dose of 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 24 days. The creatinine (Cr) level was also significantly decreased in rats given 5 and 10 mg of this compound. A significant decrease in urea nitrogen, MG, and GSA was found in rats given 6.25 mg of procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate. However, unlike the former two components the administration of 12.5 mg of procyanidin C-1 3,3',3''-tri-O-gallate produced a considerable or significant increase in bLood levels of urea nitrogen, Cr, MG, and GSA. RG-tannin had a weaker overall effect on serum constituents except for GSA in comparison with the corresponding effect of (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate and 6.25 mg of procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate. Rhatannin tended to increase the serum nitrogen constituents.

Augmentation of renal response by magnesium lithospermate B

Magnesium lithospermate B and adenine were given simultaneously to rats p.o. in order to investigate their renal effects. In rats given magnesium lithospermate B at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day for 12 or 24 days, glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and renal blood flow were increased significantly. A significant increase in renal function parameters was also found in rats given 10 mg of magnesium lithospermate B. Urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 was increased by administration of magnesium lithospermate B, while those of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 were unaffected at a dose of 5 mg or 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 12 or 24 days. The activity of kallikrein in urine increased markedly and significantly in rats given 5 or 10 mg of magnesium lithospermate B for 12 or 24 days. From these results, it seems that magnesium lithospermate B increases renal function by improving the renal circulatory state through activation of kallikrein and promotion of prostaglandin E2 production.

Renal responses to magnesium lithospermate B

Renal responses to magnesium lithospermate B isolated from Salviae miltiorrhizae radix were examined in normal rats. Urinary sodium, potassium, prostaglandin E2 and kallikrein excretion was significantly increased after magnesium lithospermate B administration, whereas excretion of urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 was unchanged. Rats administered with the drug also revealed a slight elevation of plasma renin activity and the levels of angiotensins I and II. Plasma aldosterone was decreased slightly. No significant changes were observed in angiotensin-converting enzyme or blood pressure.

Magnesium lithospermate B improves renal function via the kallikrein-prostaglandin system in rats with renal failure

The effect of magnesium lithospermate B on the renal responses of rats with renal failure was investigated in the presence and absence of pretreatment with the kallikrein inhibitor, aprotinin. Magnesium lithospermate B caused a marked increase in the levels of the renal functional parameters (glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and renal blood flow), accompanied by significant increases in urinary prostaglandin excretion (increases of prostaglandin E2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha excretion by 82% and 36%, respectively). The urinary excretion of kallikrein was also increased following magnesium lithospermate B administration. However, pretreatment with aprotinin abolished the renal function-facilitating action of magnesium lithospermate B concomitantly with a markedly increased urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and kallikrein. These results suggest that the kallikrein-kinin-prostaglandin B.

Depigmentation and inhibition of cell growth of B-16 melanoma cells by compounds isolated from Paeonia suffruticosa callus

The anther segments of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews were cultured for callus formation on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP(each 1 mg/l) in the dark at 25°C for six weeks. Gallic acid, methyl gallate, ethyl gallate and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose were isolated from the ethanol extract of callus, and paeoniflorin was identified. A dose of 5 μg/ml pentagalloyl glucose resulted in depigmentation of B-16 melanoma cells without inhibition of cell propagation.

Prolongation of life span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) ingesting persimmon tannin

The effects of persimmon tannin on pathophysiological changes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were investigated. When the persimmon tannin was chronically ingested by SHRSP, the life span was significantly prolonged, yet the effect on blood pressure was slight. The incidences of brain hemorrhage and infarction were also significantly decreased by this treatment. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in these events, the effects of condensed tannins, including persimmon tannin, on free radicals and lipid peroxidation were examined in vitro. Using electron spin resonance analysis, we found that these tannins have a potent, concentration-dependent scavenging action toward active oxygen free radicals. These tannins strongly inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates, in a concentration-dependent manner. Persimmon tannin inhibited lipid peroxidation similarly to (-)-epigallocatechin. Persimmon tannin was 20 times more effective than alpha-tocopherol in terms of the 50%-inhibitory concentration. The radical scavenging action and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by persimmon tannin may explain, in part, the prolongation of the life span of the SHRSP ingesting persimmon tannin.

Isolation of a renal function-facilitating constituent from the Oriental drug, salviae miltiorrhizae radix

An attempt was made to isolate the active component which exhibits an improving effect on renal function from Salviae Miltiorrhazae Radix (Chinese crude drug). Systematic isolation from aqueous extract of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix was carried out, and Compound 1 was found to be more effective than any of the other constituents in improving renal functional parameters; that is, a marked reduction of glomerular filtration rate following adenine ingestion was improved by administration of this substance. The renal plasma flow and renal blood flow were also increased in renal failure rats. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data, Compound 1 was shown to be identical with magnesium lithospermate B.

Effect of magnesium lithospermate B on urinary excretion of arachidonate metabolites in rats with renal failure

The effect of magnesium lithospermate B isolated from Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix on excretion of urinary arachidonate metabolites was examined in both normal rats and those given adenine. Urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) decreased while urinary thromboxane B2 (TXB2) excretion increased markedly with the progression of renal failure. Rats administered magnesium lithospermate B showed an increase of urinary PGE2 excretion at the 6th and 12th days. Excretion of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha also showed a significant increase on the 6th and 12th days in rats with renal failure induced by the administration of adenine. However, these effects were lower than the corresponding values in normal rats. In addition, urinary PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha excretions showed no appreciable difference in rats that exhibited progressive renal failure with continuation of the adenine administration period, as shown on the 18th and 24th days. There were no significant changes in TXB2 excretion between the control and magnesium lithospermate B-treated groups throughout the experimental period.

Tannins and related compounds. LXXXIV. Isolation and characterization of five new hydrolyzable tannins from the bark of Mallotus japonicus

A chemical examination of the bark of Mallotus japonicus (Thunb.) Mueller-Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) has led to the isolation of five new hydrolyzable tannins (16-20), together with fourteen known tannins (1-14). On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, the structures of compounds 16 and 17 were established as 1,2-di-O-galloyl-3,6-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-beta-D-glucose and 1-O-digalloyl-3,6-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-beta-D-glucose, respectively, while compounds 18 (mallojaponin) and 19 (mallonin) were shown to be 1-O-galloyl-2,4-elaeocarpusinoyl-3,6-(R)-valoneayl-bet a-D-glucose and 1-O-galloyl-2,4-elaeocarpusinoyl-beta-D-glucose. Compound 20 (mallotusinin) was characterized as a novel ellagitannin which possesses a unique 1,1'-(3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxy)dibenzofurandicarboxyl group. On the other hand, examination of the leaves revealed the presence of hydrolyzable tannins (8-10, 12-15) all containing a beta-D-glucopyranose core with 1C4-conformation. Furthermore, the orientation of the valoneayl group in mallotinic acid (13) and mallotusinic acid (14), which had remained unclarified, was determined on the basis of 1H-13C shift correlation spectral analysis and chemical correlations.

Contribution of prostaglandins to the renal responses to magnesium lithospermate B isolated from salviae miltiorrhizae radix

The involvement of prostanoids in the improvement of adenine-induced renal failure in rats by magnesium lithospermate B was studied. After intraperitoneal administration of magnesium lithospermate B to renal failure rats, the levels of glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and renal blood flow were increased. Urinary excretions of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) in renal failure rats were increased by the administration of magnesium lithospermate B, while that of thromboxane B2 had no effect. Pretreatment with indomethacin abolished the improving effect of magnesium lithospermate B on renal function concomitantly with markedly suppressed urinary excretion of prostanoids. These results suggest that the increased formation of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha might contribute to the improvement of adenine-induced renal failure in rats by magnesium lithospermate B.

Identification of viruses infected in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. var purpurea Makino and effect of virus infection on root yield and iridoid glycoside contents

Virus free plants of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. var. purpurea Makino were obtained through meristem tip tissue cultures from plants infected with a mixture of tabocco mosaic virus(TMV), a member of the carlavirus group, and an unknown spherical virus. The re-infection rate of the virus free plants by TMV in the field was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Twenty seven percent of the plants were re-infected during the first year, 31 % by the end of second year, and 63 % by the end of the third year. The yield of root and iridoid glycoside contents gradually decreased each year. These results led to the conclusion that virus infection causes marked decrease of the yield of roots and productivity of secondary metabolites.

Mechanisms of antitumor activity of aqueous extracts from Chinese herbs: their immunopharmacological properties

Previously we reported the antitumor activity of 4 kinds of Chinese herbs: A. capillaris, S. doederleinii, A. macrocephala and S. subprostrata. Evidence has been also presented that A. capillaris shows the activity mainly through a direct tumoricidal action and the others display the activity through the enhancement of tumor-immune response. The present results are as follows: A. capillaris did not affect Meth A tumor-neutralizing activity (Winn's assay) in spleen cells of BALB/c mice bearing the primary tumor. The other herbs enhanced the activity on days 10 and 15 and prevented the decay of the activity on day 20 after the Meth A tumor transplantation. However, none of them enhanced the local graft versus host reaction (GvHR) induced in CBF1 mice by spleen cells of BALB/c mice. A. capillaris hardly affected the humoral antibody formation against sheep red blood cells in mice. On the contrary, the other 3 herbs enhanced the formation. Blast transformation of murine lymphocytes with PHA-P or LPS was suppressed by 10(-5) to 10(-4) g/ml of A. capillaris. A. macrocephala enhanced the response by LPS. It should be noted that A. capillaris showed no immunosuppressive action in spite of having a direct tumoricidal action in vitro. Further investigations will be required on the latter 3 herbs to clarify the relationship between their humoral immunity-stimulating activity and their tumor immunity-enhancing activity.

Immunological mechanisms of antitumor activity of some kinds of Chinese herbs: Meth A-induced delayed type hypersensitivity

In the present paper, we confirmed that a delayed type hypersensitivity response can be elicited against Meth A tumor (Meth A-DTH) in BALB/c mice bearing the primary tumor. This response was augmented by lipopolysaccharide. We examined the effects of 4 kinds of Chinese herbs including A. capillaris, S. doederleinii, A. macrocephala and S. subprostrata on the Meth A-DTH, and the results were compared with that of the herbs on picryl chloride-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (PC-DTH). All of the herbs examined augmented the Meth A-DTH 10 days after the primary tumor transplantation, and S. doederleinii, A. macrocephala and S. subprostrata prevented the decay of the response on the 20th day, but A. capillaris did not. On the other hand, none of the herbs affected the PC-DTH. When both DTH responses were caused simultaneously in the same mouse, Meth A-DTH decayed 20 days after the transplantation but PC-DTH did not. In this case, the effects of these 4 herbs on Meth A-DTH and PC-DTH were essentially the same as those seen in the case of separate experiments. The previous and present results suggest that A. capillaris shows antitumor activity mainly through a direct cytotoxicity, although this herb might have certain components to enhance Meth A-DTH, and the other herbs display the activity through the enhancement of T cell-mediated tumor immunity, particularly tumor specific DTH.

Somatic Embryogenesis and Clonal Multiplication of Panax ginseng

Embryogenesis of PANAX GINSENG was induced from young flower buds via callus during a 3 months culture period. Matured embryos could be germinated on the 1/2 Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with GA (3) (1.4 microM)-BAP (2.2 microM) and 1.5% sucrose. In the medium containing 1.4 microM GA (3) and 11.1 microM BAP, a multiple shoot complex having 8 shoots per segment was formed from a single shoot set. On the other hand, the addition of 11.1 microM BAP and 1.4 microM GA (3) to the medium stimulated the flower bud formation. For root formation of shoots, the MS medium supplemented with 5.4 microM NAA was the most favourable. Subsequently the plantlet was transferred to vermiculite.

Clonal Multiplication of Aconitum carmichaeli by Tip Tissue Culture and Alkaloid Contents of Clonally Propagated Plant

Shoot tips and axillary buds of ACONITUM CARMICHAELI Debx. cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5 ppm BAP at 25 +/- 1 degrees C under continuous light for 6 weeks formed multiple shoots with an average of 7 shoots per culture. Multiple shoot forming ability does not decrease at least for 6 generations. Subsequent culture of these shoots on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 ppm IAA at 20 +/- 1 degrees C under continuous light for 6 weeks resulted in root formation. The plantlets were transplanted successfully in the soil. Alkaloid contents of clonally-propagated plants showed less variation than those of the normally grown plants.

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from the anther of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx

Anthers of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. were used for callus induction. After the addition of 5 ppm 2,4-D and 1 ppm kinetin callus induction occurred over a period of 15 weeks. When calluses were subcultured on a medium containing 1 ppm 2,4-D for 12 weeks embryogenesis occurred. Mature somatic embryos developed normal shoots when transferred to basal medium inoculated with 1 ppm GA and 5 ppm BAP. Rooting occurred after the transfer of shoots to a new medium containing 0.5 ppm IAA and plantlets formed. The transplantation of these was successful and all plants matured during 5 months subsequent cultivation.

Pneumolabyrinth in perilymphatic fistula: report of three cases

In three patients with perilymphatic fistula, exploratory tympanotomy revealed air bubbles emerging through the ruptured round window membrane. Review of the literature disclosed three case reports in which air was demonstrated in the labyrinth in association with perilymphatic fistula. Experimental evidence that air could enter the labyrinth through a defect of the round window membrane was described in two articles. In our patients, the perilymphatic fistula was produced by implosive force. When a perilymphatic fistula was produced by implosive force, or in the case of a pre-existing perilymphatic fistula, we assume, air may enter the scala tympani through the defect of the round window membrane if the middle ear pressure rises beyond a certain limit. Sudden onset of deafness and reversibility of hearing in perilymphatic fistula could be attributable to the presence of air bubble in the scala tympani--pneumolabyrinth--which might disturb propagation of the traveling wave of the basilar membrane.

Specific suppression of antigen-antibody reactions by a dialysate from Dermatophagoides farinae

Mite dialysate prepared from an extract of house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae, suppressed 48-h homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats caused by a non-dialyzable fraction of the mite extract (mite antigen), and the suppression was dose-dependent with a high specificity for the antigen. The mite dialysate itself slightly elicited the PCA. Fraction 3 obtained from the mite dialysate by means of DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column chromatography suppressed PCA in rats and guinea pigs more potently than mite dialysate. Histamine release from sensitized rat peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) induced by the mite antigen was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner when the PEC had been previously incubated with fraction 3. However, incubation of the PEC with fraction 3 caused a significant release of histamine compared to the spontaneous value. Fraction 3 clearly inhibited the passive hemagglutination of the mite antigen-conjugated sheep red blood cells caused by rat hyperimmunized serum. From these results it was considered that certain haptenic substances might be present in the mite dialysate.

Inhibitory effects of condensed tannins on angiotensin converting enzyme

Effects of condensed tannins isolated from Rhei Rhizoma on the activities of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and various proteases were examined in vitro. Among the various condensed tannins tested, procyanidin B-5 3,3'-di-O-gallate and procyanidin C-1 3,3',3"-tri-O-gallate strongly inhibited the activity of ACE. The concentration of procyanidin B-5 3,3'-di-O-gallate required for 50% inhibition of ACE was 1.3 X 10(-6) M. The inhibition of ACE by condensed tannins was reversible and non-competitive, according to dialysis and to Dixon plots. However, over one hundred times the concentration was required to inhibit activities of other proteases such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, carboxypeptidase A and urinary kallikrein. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of condensed tannins on the activities of ACE are specific.

Role of air bubbles in the perilymph as a cause of sudden deafness

In the course of exploratory tympanotomies we have several times come across air bubbles leaking with perilymph. The fact prompted the hypothesis that in some cases of perilymphatic fistulas, air bubbles could enter the perilymphatic space from the fistula of the inner ear membrane and cause acute, reversible, profound sensory hearing loss. The experimental study described here was designed to test this hypothesis on guinea pigs. Experiments showed that sudden elevation of middle ear pressure by artificial means caused air bubbles to appear in the scala tympani even at a pressure level of 400 mm H2O. It also proved that air bubbles entered the perilymphatic space through the ruptured round window membrane without damaging Corti's organ or the membranous structure of the cochlea. Sequential recording of the action potential revealed that air bubbles induced acute, reversible, and profound hearing loss of cochlear origin, probably by disturbing the propagation of traveling waves of the perilymph.

Antihypertensive substance in seeds of Areca catechu L

Among various tannins tested, Areca II-5-C, a fraction isolated from seeds of Areca catechu L., showed the most potent angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity in vitro. Its antihypertensive activity was therefore investigated in normotensive and spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) after both oral and intravenous (i.v.) administration. The activity was compared with that of captopril (D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline), a potent ACE inhibitor. Oral administration of Areca II-5-C to SHR produced a lasting, dose-related antihypertensive effect, and the responses obtained with doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg were comparable to those of captopril at doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg. Intravenous administration of Areca II-5-C to SHR produced a rapid and marked reduction in blood pressure at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg. The maximum antihypertensive effect of Areca II-5-C in SHR, at an i.v. dose of 15 mg/kg, was about 5 times as large as that of captopril at the same dose. Although the vasopressor response to norepinephrine and vasodepressor responses to bradykinin and acetylcholine were not appreciably changed by i.v. treatment with Areca II-5-C at a dose of 5 mg/kg, it did produce dose-related inhibition of the pressor responses to angiotensin I and II. It is suggested that Areca II-5-C has favorable properties as a hypotensive drug through its ability to inhibit the pressor responses to both angiotensin I and II.

Inhibition of IgE antibody formation by n-pentyl alpha-L-sorbopyranoside

Effect of n-pentyl glycosides and alkyl alpha-L-sorbopyranosides on IgE antibody formation in rats and mice were investigated. When n-pentyl alpha-L-sorbopyranoside was given subcutaneously or orally, the IgE antibody formation in rats and mice was suppressed, while no suppression of hemagglutinin formation was observed. The study on timing of administration indicated that n-pentyl alpha-L-sorbopyranoside significantly suppressed the secondary IgE antibody response when administered before the secondary immunization.