Water-alcohol Extracts Research Articles

Inotropic effects of extracts of Psidium guajava L. (guava) leaves on the guinea pig atrium.

Many pharmacological effects have been ascribed to extracts of Psidium guajava L. (guava) leaves. However, in spite of its widespread use in Brazilian folk medicine and a reasonable number of scientific reports about it, we could not find any study dealing with its action on the mammalian myocardium. In the present study, by measuring isometric force, we observed that the crude extract of P. guajava (water-alcohol extract obtained by macerating dry leaves) depresses the guinea pig atrial contractility in a concentration-dependent fashion (N = 8 hearts, 15 trials). The compound with cardiac activity was concentrated by extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus using 17 M glacial acetic acid after removing the less polar fractions (hexane, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and methanol), suggesting that this compound is a highly polar substance. In the isolated guinea pig left atrium the acetic acid fraction (10-800 mg/l) of P. guajava 1) reversibly decreased myocardial force in a concentration-dependent fashion (EC50 = 0.07g/l, N = 5 hearts, 9 trials, P<0.05), 2) increased the atrial relaxation time measured at 20% of the force amplitude up to 35% (91 +/- 15 to 123 +/- 30 ms, N = 3 hearts, 6 trials, P<0.05), 3) abolished the positive staircase effect (Bowditch phenomenon) in a concentration-dependent fashion suggesting a decrease of the cellular inward calcium current (N = 4 hearts, 8 trials, P<0.05), and 4) its inotropic effect was abolished by cholinergic receptor blockade with 1.5 mM atropine sulfate, indicating a cholinergic involvement in the mechanism of action of the extract (N = 7 hearts, 15 trials, P<0.05). The acetic acid extract was 20 times more potent than crude extract (EC50 = 1.4 g/l). The results showed that extracts from P. guajava leaves depress myocardial inotropism.

Effect of acute treatment with a water-alcohol extract of Erythrina mulungu on anxiety-related responses in rats.

We investigated the effect of acute oral treatment with a water-alcohol extract of the inflorescence of Erythrina mulungu (EM, Leguminosae-Papilionaceae) (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on rats submitted to different anxiety models: the elevated T-maze (for inhibitory avoidance and escape measurements), the light/dark transition, and the cat odor test. These models were selected for their presumed capacity to demonstrate specific subtypes of anxiety disorders as recognized in clinical practice. Treatment with 200 mg/kg EM impaired avoidance latencies (avoidance 1 - 200 mg/kg EM: 18 +/- 7 s, control group: 40 +/- 9 s; avoidance 2 - 200 mg/kg EM: 15 +/- 4 s, control group: 110.33 +/- 38 s) in a way similar to the reference drug diazepam (avoidance 1: 3 +/- 0.79 s; avoidance 2: 3 +/- 0.76 s), without altering escape. Additionally, the same treatments increased the number of transitions (200 mg/kg EM: 6.33 +/- 0.90, diazepam: 10 +/- 1.54, control group: 2.78 +/- 0.60) between the two compartments and the time spent in the lighted compartment in the light/dark transition model (200 mg/kg EM: 39 +/- 7 s; diazepam: 61 +/- 9 s; control group: 14 +/- 4 s). The dose of 400 mg/kg EM also increased this last measurement (38 +/- 8 s). These results were not due to motor alterations since no significant effects were detected in the number of crossings or rearings in the arena. Furthermore, neither EM nor diazepam altered the behavioral responses of rats to a cloth impregnated with cat odor. These observations suggest that EM exerts anxiolytic-like effects on a specific subset of defensive behaviors, particularly those that have been shown to be sensitive to low doses of benzodiazepines.

The variability of (Z)‐ and (E)‐2‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy‐4‐methoxycinnamic acids and apigenin glucosides in diploid and tetraploid Chamomilla recutita

Abstract(Z)‐ and (E)‐2‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy‐4‐methoxycinnamic acids (GM‐CA) belong to the main compounds of water‐alcoholic extracts of Chamomilla recutita. The quantities of GMCA and apigenin in anthodia (flower heads) of diploid and tetraploid C. recutita cultivars were studied. The ploidy of a plant does not significantly influence the percentage of GMCA, in contrast to the total GMCA content in anthodia of diploid and tetraploid cultivars. Progenies of selected tetraploid plants with significantly high (9.95 mg/g) and low (5.47 mg/g) contents of GMCA were also evaluated. The higher and lower values of GMCA were conserved in the progeny generation, with significant differences in GMCA content found between the two groups of progenies.

Polyphenols from Bulgarian medicinal plants with anti-infectious activity.

Three Bulgarian medicinal plants--Geranium macrorrhizum L. and G. sanguineum L. (Geraniaceae), and Epilobium hirsutum L. (Onagraceae) were analyzed phytochemically. Different polyphenols like flavonoids and tannis have been found to be principal constituents of the plants. A series of water or alcohol extracts was obtained, and their anti-infectious activity was tested. A significant inhibitory effect of water-alcohol extract and of four fractions from the polyphenolic mixture of E. hirsutum on the reproduction of influenza viruses in vitro, in ovo, and in vivo was established. Four extracts from G. macrorrhizum and three extracts from G. sanguineum were studied for in vitro inhibition of the growth of some Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), and fungus (Candida albicans). Some geranium extracts caused a strong increase of the survival rate in an infection with K. pneumoniae in mice. Augmentation of the nonspecific host resistance in relation to the influence of the extracts on the classical complement activation pathway was also studied.

Ion-transporting properties and ATPase activity of [formula omitted] large subunit incorporated into bilayer lipid membranes

A purified ( Na + + K +)- ATPase large subunit obtained from microsomes by water-alcohol extraction was incorporated into a bilayer lipid membrane. The protein formed in the membrane conductance channels which were sensitive to ouabain and selective for monovalent cations. ATP activated these channels in the presence of sodium and potassium ions. When sodium ions were eliminated ATP did not change the conductance of the modified membrane whereas p- nitrophenyl phosphate increased it. The ( Na + + K +)- ATPase large subunit incorporated into bilayer lipid membrane possessed an ATPase activity. The presence of a potential on the membrane was a necessary condition for the enzyme incorporated into a bilayer lipid membrane to show high ATPase activity. Increasing the potential above 100 mV resulted in the closing of conductance channels.

In vivo and in vitro studies on the mechanism of cardiovascular effects of Wu-Chu-Yu (Evodiae fructus).

The effects of the Chinese herb Wu-Chu-Yu (Evodiae fructus) on the cardiovascular function were assessed in anesthetized cats, conscious rats, and isolated preparations of rat aortic strip and auricle. In anesthetized cats, intravenous administration of alcohol-water crude extracts of Wu-Chu-Yu (0.03-0.24 g/kg) produced a dose-dependent hypertension and an increased contractile force of nictitating membrane which lasted for more than 5 min in higher doses. Phentolamine, but not tetraethylammonium antagonized hypertension and the increased contractile force of nictitating membrane induced by Wu-Chu-Yu. In conscious rats, hypertension was also observed by intraperitoneal administration of Wu-Chu-Yu (6 g/kg). Bilateral nephrectomy, administration of phentolamine or propranolol, all significantly decreased the hypertensive effect of Wu-Chu-Yu. Pretreatment with reserpine 24 hours in advance did not change the pressor effect of the crude extract. In aortic strip preparations, Wu-Chu-Yu caused the increase of contractile force, and the dose-response curve was parallel shift to the right in the presence of phentolamine. In auricle preparations, Wu-Chu-Yu produced positive inotropic and positive chronotropic effects, and the presence of propranolol changed the slope of Wu-Chu-Yu's dose-inotropic effect curve and reversed the chronotropic effect from positive to negative. Both in vivo and in vitro results suggested that alpha and beta adrenoceptors were directly involved in the cardiovascular effects of Wu-Chu-Yu.

Mezerein: antileukemic principle isolated from Daphne mezereum L.

An alcohol-water extract of Daphne mezereum L., a plant widely used in folk medicine for treating cancers, showed antileukemic activity against the P-388 lymphocytic leukemia in mice. Systematic fractionation of the extract has led to isolation and characterization of mezerein as the principal antileukemic component.

Pharmacological studies of Panax Ginseng root: pharmacological properties of a crude saponin fraction.

Abstract It is said in Chinese medicine that Ginseng root has an anti-fatigue, anti-hypothermia, antidiabetic and sedative activities. It has been also utilized to develop physiological strength and to increases spontaneous movement of digestive system. Several papers concerning Ginseng root have been reported in the pharmacological fields, stating that some fractions of Ginseng root have central nervous system stimulant and analeptic activities (1), or stimulate a motility of digestive system (2). Petkov (3, 4) reported that water-alcohol extracts of Ginseng root produced smooth muscle contraction and had stimulant effects on central nervous system with the pole climbing test. Shibata et al. (5) have studied the chemical structure of Ginseng saponins and their sapogenins. In this paper, pharmaclogical properties of a crude saponin fraction (GNo. 3) of Ginseng root are discussed and effects of GNo. 3 on central nervous system and digestive system were investigated.

Pharmacological Studies of Panax Ginseng Root : Pharmacological Properties of A Crude Saponin Fraction

It is said in Chinese medicine that Ginseng root has an anti-fatigue, anti-hypothermia, antidiabetic and sedative activities. It has been also utilized to develop physiological strength and to increases spontaneous movement of digestive system.Several papers concerning Ginseng root have been reported in the pharmacological fields, stating that some fractions of Ginseng root have central nervous system stimulant and analeptic activities (1), or stimulate a motility of digestive system (2). Petkov (3, 4) reported that water-alcohol extracts of Ginseng root produced smooth muscle contraction and had stimulant effects on central nervous system with the pole climbing test. Shibata et al. (5) have studied the chemical structure of Ginseng saponins and their sapogenins.In this paper, pharmaclogical properties of a crude saponin fraction (GNo. 3) of Ginseng root are discussed and effects of GNo. 3 on central nervous system and digestive system were investigated.

The Effect of Cotyledon Excision on the Growth of Pea Seedlings

Pea plants grown under controlled conditions for 28 days were sampled nine times during this growth period. On each sampling day 80 plants were harvested. Cotyledons were excised from 40 plants and the root-shoot axis allowed to continue growth. The other 40 plants were divided into roots, shoots, and cotyledons; the dry weights of alcohol-water extracts and residues from these organs were determined. Shoot lengths, numbers of nodes, buds, flowers, and fruits of 28-day-old plants, whose cotyledons were excised at different times, were determined. These data indicate that cotyledon excision after the 13th day has no apparent effect on seedling growth, whereas excision before the 13th day reduces growth. Glucose-U-C14 supplied to attached cotyledons of 6- and 16-day-old seedlings resulted in no major difference in the distribution pattern of recovered label throughout the plant even though 16-day-old cotyledons were depleted of their normal endogenous food reserve.

Accumulation of scopoletin glucoside in boron-deficient tobacco leaves

Isopropyl alcohol-water extracts of tobacco leaves yielded a blue-fluorescent compound that was identified as the glucoside of scopoletin (6-met hoxy-7-hydroxycoumarin). Leaves of boron-deficient plants produced a twenty-fold increase of this material over leaves of normal plants. The possible role of boron in lignin biosynthesis is pointed out on the basis that certain phenolic compounds that may serve as lignin precursors accumulate in boron-deficient plants.

The occurrence of nicotinic acid mononucleotide in yeast

A nucleotide was isolated from water-alcohol extracts of yeast by charcoal adsorption-elution and anion-exchange chromatography. The compound was identified as nicotinic acid mononucleotide.

Determination of Quercetin-like Substances in Several Mid-Western Plants

Rutin is a comparatively new drug of widespread interest; yet rutin was first discovered in garden rue in 1842 and later by Schunk in 1860 who obtained the material from the fresh leaves of buckwheat0'9). In 1936 Szent-Gyorgi and his co-workers' were working on the extracts of Hungarian red peppers and bitter lemon peel. They observed in the extracts the presence of a substance other than ascorbic acid which appeared to possess anti-hemorrhagic properties. The substance was named Vitamin P (Vitamin of permeability) because it appeared to exert a specific regulating influence on the permeability of the vessels. J. F. Couch and his co-workers(2) were searching for possible uses for tobacco by-products and were able to obtain rutin from a high-grade tobacco. As a result of J. F. Couch's suggestion in 1941 that rutin might reduce capillary fragility, clinical tests were made by J. Q. Griffith, Jr. . These tests established the value of rutin for this purpose, thus attributing Vitamin P-like properties to rutin. Several methods of isolating rutin from plants and plant products have been reported in the literature. These methods may be divided into two general types: (a) hot water extraction and (b) alcohol extraction using various alcohols and concentrations of various alcohols(2 4 5) Investigators have used various methods for identification of rutin. A few of the methods are as follows: