Cortex Extract Research Articles

The Role of the Endocannabinoids in Suppression of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal Axis Activity by Doxepin.

The mechanism(s) by which antidepressants regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis remain elusive. The endocannabinoid system (eCBs) which exhibits antidepressant potential, appears to regulate the HPA axis activity. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of the eCBs in the action of doxepin including its effect on the HPA axis. Male Wistar rats received acute and four-week intraperitoneal injections of doxepin (3, 5, and 10 mg/kg) or its vehicle (0.9% saline). One hr after the last injection, animals were exposed to a 5 min swim stress session. In other cohorts of animals, the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (0.25, 0.5, and 1mg/kg) was injected 30 min before the administration of doxepin. Plasma corticosterone concentration was measured by enzyme-immunoassay at 45 min following stressing. 1, 5, and 12 hr after the last injection of doxepin, the contents of endocacannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol) within the lipid extracts of the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus were determined using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Chronic treatment with doxepin (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the secretion of corticosterone due to 5 min exposure to swim stress. Acute administration of doxepin evoked no effect. Pre-application of AM251 (1 mg/kg) abolished the ability of doxepin to reduce corticosterone secretion. Chronic administration of doxepin (10 mg/kg) led to a significant elevation of the endocannabinoids in the examined brain regions. It appears that doxepin exerts its effects, at least in part, through activation of the eCBs and the CB1 cannabinoid receptors play a major role in this regard.

Uji Penghambatan Tirosinase dan Stabilitas Fisik Sediaan Krim Pemutih yang Mengandung Ekstrak Kulit Batang Nangka (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

The cortex of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) contains some flavonoids which have activity as tyrosinase inhibitors. This compound can inhibit the oxidation of l-tyrosine and levodopa in the mechanism of melanogenesis. The extract of jackfruit cortex formulated into creams differentiated by the extract concentration of 1,5% and 2,0%. Physical stability test was conducted with storing the creams at three different temperatures, 7 p 2d, 27 p 2o, and 40p2oC respectively. Centrifugal tests and cycling test was also performed on both cream. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity measurement was done by in vitro studies with measuring dopachrome. The result showed that both of formulations which stored at 40p2oC and centrifugated at 3800 rpm for 5 hours were not stable. The result of tyrosinase inhibiton activity measurement of creams containing extract of 1,5% and 2,0 % were 10,64% and 11,34%, respectively. Tyrosinase inhibition activity of creams decreased after two month stored. Tyrosinase inhibition activity of cream containing 1,5%extract decreased into 6,93%, and cream containing 2,0%extract decreased into 7,74%. The decreasing of tyrosinase inhibition activity is caused by the small amount of antioxidant is not enough to prevent oxidation of active ingredient.

Aktivitas Antioksidan Minyak Atsiri dan Ekstrak Etanol Kulit Batang Sintok (Cinnamomum sintoc Bl.) terhadap 1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil (DPPH)

Sintoc (Cinnamomum sintoc Bl.) is a plant which is used as medicine. This plant has been known to have an analgesic antiinflamatory activity, therefore it is predicted to have an antioxidant activity. An investigation on antioxidant activity of sintoc essential oils and ethanolic extract of its cortex using ascorbic acid as standard has been carried out. Essential oils and ethanol extract of sintoc cortex was tested using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-pikril-hidrazil) by measuring absorbance using visible spectrophotometer at 518 nm. The methods of this research were distillation of essential oils and extraction of sintoc cortex, determination of the essential oil and extract concentrations required for 50% inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC 50 ) with ascorbic acid as the possitive control. The variation concentration of essential oils are 15, 5, 1, 0.1, 0.5 ppm and 25, 20, 17, 15, 10 ppm for ethanolic extracts. The results showed that the essential oil showed antioxidant activity with IC 50 value was 16.29 ppm (5 times lower than ascorbic acid) and then ethanolic extract showed IC 50 value 38.89 ppm (11 times lower than ascorbic acid, IC 50 of ascorbic acid was 3.35 ppm).

Hypoxic-preconditioning induces neuroprotection against hypoxia–ischemia in newborn piglet brain

Preconditioning-induced ischemic tolerance has been documented in the newborn brain, however, the signaling mechanisms of this preconditioning require further elucidation. The aims of this study were to develop a hypoxic-preconditioning (PC) model of ischemic tolerance in the newborn piglet, which emulates important clinical similarities to human situation of birth asphyxia, and to characterize some of the molecular mechanisms shown to be implicated in PC-induced neuroprotection in rodent models. One day old piglets were subjected to PC (8% O 2/92% N 2) for 3 h and 24 h later were exposed to hypoxia–ischemia (HI) produced by a combination of hypoxia (5% FiO 2) for a period of 30 min and ischemia induced by a period of hypotension (10 min of reduced mean arterial blood pressure; ≤ 70% of baseline). Neuropathologic analysis and unbiased stereology, conducted at 24 h, 3 and 7 days of recovery following HI, indicated a substantial reduction in the severity of brain damage in PC piglets compared to non-PC piglets ( P < 0.05). PC significantly increased the mRNA expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and its target gene, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 0 h, 6 h, 24 h, 3 and 7 days of recovery. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that PC resulted in HIF-1α protein stabilization and accumulation in nuclear extracts of cerebral cortex of newborn piglet brain compared to normoxic controls. Protein levels of VEGF increased in a time-dependent manner in both cortex and hippocampus following PC. Double-immunolabeling indicated that VEGF is mainly expressed in neurons, endothelial cells and astroglia. Our study demonstrates for the first time the protective efficacy of PC against hypoxic–ischemic injury in newborn piglet model, which recapitulates many pathophysiological features of asphyxiated human neonates. Furthermore, as has been shown in rodent models of preconditioning, our results suggest that PC-induced protection in neonatal piglets may involve upregulation of VEGF.

Inhibitory activity of Phellodendri cortex extracts on differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of beberine-rich fraction of Phellodendri cortex extract (PC) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. PC effectively prevented TG accumulation in differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to controls, PC at a concentration of 75 μg/mL significantly decreased lipid droplets by 79.5%. Beberine exhibited similar inhibitory effect to that of PC extract, suggesting that fractionated PC extract contained mostly berberine. The expression levels of PAARγ and C/EBPα were significantly reduced by PC treatment. This result consequently led to suppression of expression of LPL, FABP4, CD36, and SCD2, which are target genes of PPARγ and C/EBPα. PC also inhibited protein levels of PPARγ, FABP4, and GLUT4. Accordingly, these results suggest that PC inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells through PPARγ and CEBPα-related pathways at both transcript and protein levels.

Oxidative stress and reduced glutamine synthetase activity in the absence of inflammation in the cortex of mice with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Pathological changes occur in areas of CNS tissue remote from inflammatory lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). To determine if oxidative stress is a significant contributor to this non-inflammatory pathology, cortex tissues from mice with clinical signs of EAE were examined for evidence of inflammation and oxidative stress. Histology and gene expression analysis showed little evidence of immune/inflammatory cell invasion but reductions in natural antioxidant levels and increased protein oxidation that paralleled disease severity. Two-dimensional oxyblots and mass-spectrometry-based protein fingerprinting identified glutamine synthetase (GS) as a particular target of oxidation. Oxidation of GS was associated with reductions in enzyme activity and increased glutamate/glutamine levels. The possibility that this may cause neurodegeneration through glutamate excitotoxicity is supported by evidence of increasing cortical Ca(2+) levels in cortex extracts from animals with greater disease severity. These findings indicate that oxidative stress occurs in brain areas that are not actively undergoing inflammation in EAE and that this can lead to a neurodegenerative process due to the susceptibility of GS to oxidative inactivation.

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and expression in rat central nervous system after sleep deprivation

Proteases are essential either for the release of neuropeptides from active or inactive proteins or for their inactivation. Neuropeptides have a fundamental role in sleep-wake cycle regulation and their actions are also likely to be regulated by proteolytic processing. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer substrates, specific protease inhibitors and real-time PCR we demonstrate changes in angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) expression and proteolytic activity in the central nervous system in an animal model of paradoxical sleep deprivation during 96 h (PSD). Male rats were distributed into five groups (PSD, 24 h, 48 h and 96 h of sleep recovery after PSD and control). ACE activity and mRNA levels were measured in hypothalamus, hippocampus, brainstem, cerebral cortex and striatum tissue extracts. In the hypothalamus, the significant decrease in activity and mRNA levels, after PSD, was only totally reversed after 96 h of sleep recovery. In the brainstem and hippocampus, although significant, changes in mRNA do not parallel changes in ACE specific activity. Changes in ACE activity could affect angiotensin II generation, angiotensin 1-7, bradykinin and opioid peptides metabolism. ACE expression and activity modifications are likely related to some of the physiological changes (cardiovascular, stress, cognition, metabolism function, water and energy balance) observed during and after sleep deprivation.

Aktivitas Antioksidan Minyak Atsiri dan Ekstrak Etanol Kulit Batang Sintok (Cinnamomum sintoc Bl.) terhadap 1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil (DPPH)

Sintoc (Cinnamomum sintoc Bl.) is a plant which is used as medicine. This plant has been known to have an analgesic antiinflamatory activity, therefore it is predicted to have an antioxidant activity. An investigation on antioxidant activity of sintoc essential oils and ethanolic extract of its cortex using ascorbic acid as standard has been carried out. Essential oils and ethanol extract of sintoc cortex was tested using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-pikril-hidrazil) by measuring absorbance using visible spectrophotometer at 518 nm. The methods of this research were distillation of essential oils and extraction of sintoc cortex, determination of the essential oil and extract concentrations required for 50% inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC50) with ascorbic acid as the possitive control. The variation concentration of essential oils are 15, 5, 1, 0.1, 0.5 ppm and 25, 20, 17, 15, 10 ppm for ethanolic extracts. The results showed that the essential oil showed antioxidant activity with IC50 value was 16.29 ppm (5 times lower than ascorbic acid) and then ethanolic extract showed IC50 value 38.89 ppm (11 times lower than ascorbic acid, IC50 of ascorbic acid was 3.35 ppm).

Dynamic Coding of Events within the Inferior Frontal Gyrus in a Probabilistic Selective Attention Task

Besides the fact that RTs in cognitive tasks are affected by the specific demands of a trial, the context in which this trial occurs codetermines the speed of the response. For instance, invalid spatial cues generally prolong RTs to targets in the location-cueing paradigm, whereas the magnitude of these RT costs additionally varies as a function of the preceding trial types so that RTs for invalid trials may be increased when preceded by valid rather than invalid trials. In the present fMRI study, we investigated trial sequence effects in a combined oddball and location-cueing paradigm. In particular, we tested whether RTs and neural activity to infrequent invalid or deviant targets varied as a function of the number of preceding valid standard trials. As expected, RTs in invalid and deviant trials were significantly slower when more valid standard trials had been presented beforehand. This behavioral effect was reflected in the neural activity of the right inferior/middle frontal gyrus where the amplitude of the hemodynamic response in invalid and deviant trials was positively related to the number of preceding valid standard trials. In contrast, decreased activity (i.e., a negative parametric modulation effect) was observed when more valid standard trials were successively presented. Further positive parametric effects for the number of preceding valid standard trials were observed in the left caudate nucleus and lingual gyrus. The data suggest that inferior frontal cortex extracts both event regularities and irregularities in event streams.

Anatomical Distribution of Lipids in Human Brain Cortex by Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Molecular mass images of tissues will be biased if differences in the physicochemical properties of the microenvironment affect the intensity of the spectra. To address this issue, we have performed-by means of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry-imaging on slices and lipidomic analysis in extracts of frontal cortex, both from the same postmortem tissue samples of human brain. An external calibration was used to achieve a mass accuracy of 10 ppm (1σ) in the spectra of the extracts, although the final assignment was based on a comparison with previously reported species. The spectra recorded directly from tissue slices (imaging) show excellent s/n ratios, almost comparable to those obtained from the extracts. In addition, they retain the information about the anatomical distribution of the molecular species present in autopsied frozen tissue. Further comparison between the spectra from lipid extracts devoid of proteins and those recorded directly from the tissue unambiguously show that the differences in lipid composition between gray and white matter observed in the mass images are not an artifact due to microenvironmental influences of each anatomical area on the signal intensity, but real variations in the lipid composition.

Antioxidative effects of cinnamomi cortex: A potential role of iNOS and COX-II

Background:Cinnamomi cortex has wide varieties of pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory action, anti-platelet aggregation, and improving blood circulation. In this study, we tested to determine whether the Cinnamomi cortex extract has antioxidant activities.Materials and Methods:Antioxidative actions were explored by measuring free radical scavenging activity, NO levels, and reducing power. The mechanism of antioxidative action of Cinnamomi cortex was determined by measuring iNOS and COX-II expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated Raw cells.Results:Seventy percent methanolic extract of Cinnamomi cortex exerted significant 1,1-diphenyl--2--picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and NO scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner. More strikingly, the Cinnamomi cortex extract exerted dramatic reducing power activity (13-fold over control). Production of iNOS induced by LPS was significantly inhibited by the Cinnamomi cortex extract, suggesting that it inhibits NO production by suppressing iNOS expression. Additionally, COX-2 induced by LPS was dramatically inhibited by the Cinnamomi cortex extract.Conclusion:These results suggest that 70% methanolic extract of Cinnamomi cortex exerts significant antioxidant activity via inhibiting iNOS and COX-II induction.

Genotoxicity-suppressing Effect of Aqueous Extract of Connarus ruber Cortex

The anti-genotoxicity eSect of aqueous extracts of Connarus ruber cortex was studied in cultured human cells and mice. Connarus extract decreased bi-nuclei cells with micronuclei (MNBNC) signiˆcantly in NER-proˆcient WTK1 cells that were exposed to MNU, MMC, or UVC and in NER-deˆcient XPL3KA cells (that is, in XP-C) that were exposed to MNU or MMC, but not UVC. The genotoxicitysuppressing eSect was further studied by the comet assay. Connarus extract decreased DNA migration signiˆcantly in WTK1 cells that were exposed to MNU or UVC and in XPL3KA cells that were exposed to MNU but not UVC. In WTK1 cells, in contrast, DNA migration increased with the extract in the presence of DNA repair inhibitors (araC and HU), suggesting that the anti-genotoxic potential is due to an enhanced incision step of global genome repair (GGR) subpathways in NER. Chemical analysis revealed that the extract contains epicatechine, one of the anti-mutagenic components contained in green tea. Connarus extract fractions that decreased UVC-induced DNA migration were those not to contain epicatechine and they were diSerent from those that decreased MNU-induced DNA migration, suggesting that some anti-mutagenic components other than epicatechine might be contained in Connarus extract and that a number of anti-genotoxic components with diSerent modes of anti-genotoxicity are contained in Connarus extract. The anti-clastogenic eSect of Connarus extracts was examined in mice using a micronucleus assay. When mice received ≦2000 mg/kg Connarus extract by oral gavage at the same time as intraperitoneal injection of MMC, a decrease in the frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes was observed. This decrease was not due to a delay in the maturation of micronucleated reticulocytes.

Calcium-sensing Receptor Decreases Cell Surface Expression of the Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channel Kir4.1

The Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaR) regulates salt and water transport in the kidney as demonstrated by the association of gain of function CaR mutations with a Bartter syndrome-like, salt-wasting phenotype, but the precise mechanism for this effect is not fully established. We found previously that the CaR interacts with and inactivates an inwardly rectifying K(+) channel, Kir4.1, which is expressed in the distal nephron that contributes to the basolateral K(+) conductance, and in which loss of function mutations are associated with a complex phenotype that includes renal salt wasting. We now find that CaR inactivates Kir4.1 by reducing its cell surface expression. Mutant CaRs reduced Kir4.1 cell surface expression and current density in HEK-293 cells in proportion to their signaling activity. Mutant, activated Gα(q) reduced cell surface expression and current density of Kir4.1, and these effects were blocked by RGS4, a protein that blocks signaling via Gα(i) and Gα(q). Other α subunits had insignificant effects. Knockdown of caveolin-1 blocked the effect of Gα(q) on Kir4.1, whereas knockdown of the clathrin heavy chain had no effect. CaR had no comparable effect on the renal outer medullary K(+) channel, an apical membrane distal nephron K(+) channel that is internalized by clathrin-coated vesicles. Co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that the CaR and Kir4.1 physically associate with caveolin-1 in HEK cells and in kidney extracts. Thus, the CaR decreases cell surface expression of Kir4.1 channels via a mechanism that involves Gα(q) and caveolin. These results provide a novel molecular basis for the inhibition of renal NaCl transport by the CaR.

Altered 13C Glucose Metabolism in the Cortico—Striato—Thalamo—Cortical Loop in the MK-801 Rat Model of Schizophrenia

Using a modified MK-801 (dizocilpine) N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor hypofunction model for schizophrenia, we analyzed glycolysis, as well as glutamatergic, GABAergic, and monoaminergic neurotransmitter synthesis and degradation. Rats received an injection of MK-801 daily for 6 days and on day 6, they also received an injection of [1-(13)C]glucose. Extracts of frontal cortex (FCX), parietal and temporal cortex (PTCX), thalamus, striatum, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and hippocampus were analyzed using (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A pronounced reduction in glycolysis was found only in PTCX, in which (13)C labeling of glucose, lactate, and alanine was decreased. (13)C enrichment in lactate, however, was reduced in all areas investigated. The largest reductions in glutamate labeling were detected in FCX and PTCX, whereas in hippocampus, striatum, and Nac, (13)C labeling of glutamate was only slightly but significantly reduced. The thalamus was the only region with unaffected glutamate labeling. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) labeling was reduced in all areas, but most significantly in FCX. Glutamine and aspartate labeling was unchanged. Mitochondrial metabolites were also affected. Fumarate labeling was reduced in FCX and thalamus, whereas malate labeling was reduced in FCX, PTCX, striatum, and NAc. Dopamine turnover was decreased in FCX and thalamus, whereas that of serotonin was unchanged in all regions. In conclusion, neurotransmitter metabolism in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loop is severely impaired in the MK-801 (dizocilpine) NMDA receptor hypofunction animal model for schizophrenia.

Effect of Mixed Extract of Panax Notoginseng, Rehmanniae Radix and Acanthopanacis Cortex (AIF) on Experimentally Induced Osteoarthritis

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a mixed extract of three herbs, Panax Notoginseng, Rehmanniae Radix and Acanthopanacis cortex (AIF), for the treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Twelve healthy male horses were included in this study. Horses were assigned to one of two groups: the AIF group (n

Ent-kaurane derivatives from the root cortex of yacon and other three Smallanthus species (Heliantheae, Asteraceae)

The metabolites produced by the secretory canals of the root cortex from four Smallanthus species belonging to the yacon group were identified as ent-kaurane-type diterpenes. The dichloromethane root cortex extracts of the four species were treated with diazomethane and analyzed comparatively by GC–MS using a simple and rapid procedure which is very sensitive and reproducible permitting detection of minor components. In all cases, ent-16-kauren-19-oic acid (kaurenoic acid) methyl ester was the main component, differences being observed only in the minor components. The minor components identified were grandiflorenic acid methyl ester, ent-16-kauren-19-al, 16α,17-epoxy-15α-angeloyloxy-kauran-19-oic acid methyl ester and several O-acyl derivatives at C-15 or C-18 of kaurenoic acid. One of the minor components, 18-isobutyroyloxy- ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid is a new kaurenoic acid derivative. Grandiflorenic acid and 15-α-angeloyloxy-16,17-α-epoxy- ent-16-kauren-19-oic acid were present only in Smallanthus sonchifolius and Smallanthus siegesbeckius which showed very similar GC traces. The different GC profile of RC diterpenes from Smallanthus connatus and Smallanthus macroscyphus supports the view that they are different taxa. Some chemotaxonomic aspects of the genus Smallanthus and the subtribe Milleriinae are briefly discussed.

Adenosine A 1 receptors are modified by acute treatment with methylphenidate in adult mice

In recent years misuse of methylphenidate (MPH) has been reported. The main pharmacological target of methylphenidate is the dopaminergic system. Adenosine is a neuromodulator that influences the dopaminergic neurotransmission, but studies on MPH and adenosine are still lacking. In this study, adult mice were acutely treated with MPH (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and to model misuse, they received an acute overdosage (50 mg/kg, i.p). The involvement of adenosine A 1 receptors in anxiety-related behavior and locomotor and exploratory activity was examined. The administration of methylphenidate (5 and 50 mg/kg) 30 min before the exposure to open field arena did not modify locomotor activity. The anxiolytic-like behavior was observed with both doses of MPH as revealed by the increase on the number of entries and the time spent in the open arms in the elevated plus-maze. Pre treatment with selective adenosine A 1 receptor antagonist (DPCPX 1 mg/kg, i.p.) did not prevent anxiolytic effect caused by MPH 50 mg/kg. Immunoblotting of frontal cortex and hippocampal extracts revealed that MPH 50 mg/kg increased 88% adenosine A 1 receptor density in the frontal cortex. Extracts from hippocampus did not reveal any differences in the adenosine A 1 receptor density. Our findings ruled out the participation of adenosine A 1 receptors on the MPH-triggered anxiolytic effects. However, the density of adenosine A 1 receptors increased in a brain area strictly involved in the MPH-mediated effects. Thus, the adenosinergic system may play a role in the methylphenidate actions in the central nervous system.

Knockout of GAD65 has Major Impact on Synaptic GABA Synthesized from Astrocyte-Derived Glutamine

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis from glutamate is catalyzed by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) of which two isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67, have been identified. The GAD65 has repeatedly been shown to be important during intensified synaptic activity. To specifically elucidate the significance of GAD65 for maintenance of the highly compartmentalized intracellular and intercellular GABA homeostasis, GAD65 knockout and corresponding wild-type mice were injected with [1-(13)C]glucose and the astrocyte-specific substrate [1,2-(13)C]acetate. Synthesis of GABA from glutamine in the GABAergic synapses was further investigated in GAD65 knockout and wild-type mice using [1,2-(13)C]acetate and in some cases γ-vinylGABA (GVG, Vigabatrin), an inhibitor of GABA degradation. A detailed metabolic mapping was obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis of tissue extracts of cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The GABA content in both brain regions was reduced by ∼20%. Moreover, it was revealed that GAD65 is crucial for maintenance of biosynthesis of synaptic GABA particularly by direct synthesis from astrocytic glutamine via glutamate. The GAD67 was found to be important for synthesis of GABA from glutamine both via direct synthesis and via a pathway involving mitochondrial metabolism. Furthermore, a severe neuronal hypometabolism, involving glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, was observed in cerebral cortex of GAD65 knockout mice.

Antioxidant Activity of Moutan Cortex Extracts by Multiple-Stage Extraction

Moutan cortex, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various diseases, is the root bark of Peaonia suffruticosa Andrews (Paeoniaceae). In this study, the crude polysaccharides (CPS), paeonol and the crude total glycosides (CTG) of moutan cortex were extracted by the multiple-stage extraction. CPS was extracted by water, paeonol was distilled by steam distillation method, and CTG was extracted with ethanol after above two stages. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity assays. Among the three extracts, CTG exhibited the strongest SOD-like activity (510 U/mg) and DPPH radical-scavenging activity (EC50, 14.4 μg/ml), CPS had a weak SOD-like activity and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Paeonol, however, was inactive. The different biological activities among the three extracts may be attributed to differences in their chemical composition, partially supported by polysaccharides, and polyphenolic contents.

후박나무껍질을 이용한 견직물의 염색성

This study investigates the methods of the natural dyeing of silk fabrics with Machilus thunbergii cortex extract. After the dyeing of silk with a Machilus thunbergii cortex extract, the dyeability of the Machilus thunbergii cortex extract was evaluated with the dyeing time, concentration, temperature, the numbers of repeated dyeing, the pH of the dyebath, the changes of the K/S value, and surface colors by the methods of mordanting and color fastness. The effective dyeing conditions with silk fabrics were at a concentration of 120g/L, the dyeing temperature at <TEX>$80^{\circ}C$</TEX>, and the dyeing time for one hour ten minutes. The effective number of repeated dyeing was three times. The dyeing operation was carried out in a neutral dyebath of pH 7. The K/S value was higher in most of the pre-mordants (except the Sn mordant) and a high K/S value was shown in the copper pre-mordant. The colors of the silk fabrics with Machilus thunbergii cortex were of various brown shades. The color difference was distinct when using the Fe-mordant and the colorfastness of all the dyed samples was low; however, the dry cleaning fastness was excellent at the 4-5 grade.