Devil's Club Research Articles

Salmon‐supported bears, seed dispersal, and extensive resource subsidies to granivores

AbstractIn salmon‐rich environments, which once spanned much of the Northern Hemisphere, bears occur at exceptionally high densities. Salmon, by growing bear populations, have the potential to exert wide‐ranging effects on ecosystem processes. Salmon‐supported bears provide seed dispersal services to plants, and bear scats containing thousands of seeds may then be efficient nutritional resources for granivorous small mammals that also function as secondary seed dispersers while hoarding seeds for winter. We taxonomically identified and enumerated seeds in individual bear scats to characterize patterns of bear frugivory. We then combined estimates of seed abundance and digestible energy content to quantify the energy available to granivorous small mammals, and we quantified the proportion of the mouse population that could be supported by locally abundant bear populations in lowland salmon systems. We additionally monitored seed‐filled bear scats with remote cameras to quantify small mammal visitation rates, and live‐trapped small mammals seasonally to determine whether rodents visited bear scats proportional to their densities or whether some species preferentially selected for bear scats, and to assess whether seasonal variation in scat visitation was driven by density or selection. Bears were an important initial dispersal agent for 12 species of fruit, particularly devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), which occurred in 80% (5839 seeds/scat) and 50% (10,719 seeds/scat) of scats, respectively. Seeds in bear scats were intensively utilized and dispersed by small mammals, primarily scatter‐hoarding northwestern deer mice (Peromyscus keeni; 8.5 visits per day/4295 total visits) and larder‐hoarding northern red‐backed voles (Myodes rutilus; 2.2 visits per day/1099 total visits), with visitation rates proportional to the seasonal density of each species. Small mammals likely incurred significant nutritional benefits from seeds deposited in bear scats (kcal/scat, mean = 114, n = 71). In coastal Alaska riparian areas, bears are potentially capable of indirectly subsidizing the energy needs of 45–65% of local deer mouse populations. Thus, this work helps elucidate the role that salmon, by supporting abundant bears, plays in ecological communities via influencing seed dispersal and resource subsidies to the small mammals that compose the base of the food web.

The primacy of bears as seed dispersers in salmon‐bearing ecosystems

AbstractSalmon–bear ecosystems that historically existed throughout most of the northern temperate and boreal regions of planet earth now persist only in the North Pacific. Extensive research on salmon–bear interactions has focused on the role that bears (Ursus arctos and U. americanus) play in provisioning terrestrial systems with marine‐derived nutrients, but little attention has been paid to how the much higher bear population densities in salmon‐bearing ecosystems then affect ecological communities. Salmon‐supported brown bears secondarily consume large quantities of fruit and may thus serve as important seed dispersers, but the relative seed dispersal services provided by bears and birds are unknown. We sought to (1) quantify the number of seeds dispersed by bears relative to birds, and (2) by brown bears relative to black bears, and to (3) assess whether the two sympatric bears temporally partition berry resources as a result of competitively dominant brown bears switching to feed on salmon, thus opening niche space for black bears. We used a combination of motion‐triggered camera traps and environmental DNA (eDNA) from residual saliva to quantify the roles of birds, black bears, and brown bears as seed dispersers of devil's club (Oplopanax horridus), the dominant understory shrub at our field site in northern southeast Alaska. Brown bears were the numerically dominant seed dispersers, particularly before salmon became widely available, after which black bears became common seed dispersers, likely due to alleviation of interference competition. Birds accounted for only a small fraction of seed dispersal. This is the first demonstration of a temperate plant being primarily dispersed by mammalian gut passage. Our results suggest that bears are uniquely important seed dispersers, which may influence plant community composition in salmon‐bearing ecosystems.

Twenty years of ecosystem response after clearcutting and slashburning in conifer forests of central British Columbia, Canada.

Forests are being clearcut over extensive areas of western North America, but plant community response to harvesting and slashburning under varying climatic conditions in central British Columbia, Canada is still largely unknown. Evaluation of resilience is hampered by the short history of logging, lack of long-term experiments and methodological limitations. To test the effect of clearcut logging, prescribed burning and reforestation on forest resilience, we recorded vascular plant cover repeatedly after treatment between 1981 and 2008 in 16 permanent research installations in three biogeoclimatic zones: Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir, Interior Cedar-Hemlock and Sub-Boreal Spruce. We created a plant-trait dataset for the 181 recorded species to define plant functional types representing groups of plants that behave in similar ways and/or produce similar ecological outcomes. These plant functional types, along with taxonomic analysis of diagnostic and indicator species, were then used to evaluate plant community response to disturbance. Twenty years post-treatment, species diversity increased in all zones and plant abundance was greatest in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock. Cover of understory plant functional types associated with mature conifer forests increased in all zones, constituting a significant proportion (> 40%) of the vegetation community by year 20. Response patterns varied by zone and with time. Understory species diagnostic of mature forests were present in all zones by year 20, but we identified indicator species sensitive to slashburning or requiring more time for recovery, including white-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron albiflorum) and devil's club (Oplopanax horridus). Overall, loss of compositional or functional diversity following harvest and site remediation was not detected, suggesting that montane and subalpine forests in British Columbia are resilient to this treatment. However, because these forests can be slow to recover from disturbance, the post-disturbance assessment window of this study may not have been long enough to detect diminishment of ecosystem resilience.

Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) leaves.

This study aimed to investigate the anti-oxidative properties of the ethanolic extracts of the devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) leaves, stems, and roots. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf extract was analyzed. The leaf extract had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents and anti-oxidative activity (radical scavenging, reducing power, and inhibition of lipid oxidation) than the root and stem extracts. The leaf extract also had anti-inflammatory effects. It significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO; 71.0% at 50 μg/mL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (87.6% at 100 μg/mL), and interleukin (IL)-6 (36.2% at 100 μg/mL) production in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was decreased by the leaf extract (IC50=24.4 μg/mL). The ultra performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (UPLC-DAD) analysis showed that the leaf extract contained gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, and maltol. These findings suggest that the leaf extract could be utilized as a functional food material because of its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.

Inhibition of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation by Devil's Club Oplopanax horridus and Its Polyacetylene Bioactive Compound

Devil's club Oplopanax horridus (DC) is a close relative of ginseng; its inner root and stem bark extract showed antiproliferation activity on human leukemia, ovarian, breast and colon cancer cells. We study here the effects of DC 70% ethanol extract alone, or in combination with cisplatin, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel on pancreatic endocrine HP62 and pancreatic ductal carcinoma PANC-1 and BxPC-3 cells. Antiproliferation activity assay, cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry, apoptosis-related markers by antibody array, and RT-PCR assay were used for this study. DC extract inhibited proliferation of HP62 with IC50 (50% inhibition concentration) at 0.037±0.002% (v/v), PANC-1 at 0.0058 ± 0.0004% and BxPC-3 at 0.021 ± 0.003%. DC at 0.0033% combined with 1 nM of paclitaxel showed inhibition synergy on PANC-1 cells with a combination index of 0.44. Apoptosis focused antibody array profile indicated upregulation of cytochrome C, claspin, cIAP-2 and HTRA2/Omi apoptosis-related markers in DC-treated HP62 and PANC-1. Our data suggest that DC acts through targeting the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in the pancreatic cancer cells. The high antiproliferation potency of DC on PANC-1 is potentially useful as an adjunct therapy for treating pancreatic cancer, which is known for developing resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics.

Human ovarian cancer multicellular spheroids: a model for testing antiproliferation activity of Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) and anticancer agents.

This study was conducted to employ an ovarian cancer Ovcar 10 three-dimensional model to assess the antiproliferation activity of the medicinal plant Devil's club, Oplopanax horridus, and its active compound, alone and in combination, with chemotherapeutic agents compared to Ovcar 10 two-dimensional cells grown as monolayer cells. Ovcar 10 three-dimensional spheroids were prepared with a rotary cell culture system. Cell counting kit-8 assessed the antiproliferation activity. Apoptosis-related gene expression in three-dimensional spheroids and two- dimensional cells was analyzed with an apoptosis antibody array. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle. Ovcar 10 cells formed compact three-dimensional spheroids after 5 days of culture in a rotary culture system. Ovcar 10 three-dimensional spheroids were significantly more resistant to killing by Devil's club extract, its active compound alone, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel, but not cisplatin compared to two-dimensional cells, with IC50 levels closer to that observed in vivo. Devil's club extract and its active compound alone significantly enhanced the antiproliferation activity of cisplatin and gemcitabine at some concentrations, but did not affect the activity of paclitaxel. A number of apoptosis-related genes were differentially expressed in three-dimensional spheroids, two-dimensional cells, and cells treated with Devil's club extract compared to untreated controls. In three-dimensional spheroids, the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase was slightly increased and the S phase was slightly decreased compared to two-dimensional cells. Ovcar 10 cells in three-dimensional spheroids altered the expression of multiple apoptosis-related genes, which may have contributed to the increased resistance of the cells to some drugs.

Anticancer activities of polyynes from the root bark of Oplopanax horridus and their acetylated derivatives.

Six polyynes OH-1~6, some of which are occur naturally in acetylated form, had been isolated and identified from the root bark of Oplopanax horridus (Devil’s Club), a natural dietary supplement and medicinal plant in North America. During the evaluation of the polyynes’ potential anticancer activities, sixteen more acetylated derivatives OHR-1~16 have synthesized and their anti-proliferation activity on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, A549, HepG2 and LO2 cells assayed to elucidate their structure-activity relationships. The results showed that OH-1 ((3S, 8S)-falcarindiol) had the most potent anticancer activity, with IC50 values of 15.3, 23.5, 7.7 and 4.7 μM on MCF-7, A549, HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. For the primary structure-activity relationship, the anticancer activities of polyynes become weaker if their hydroxyl groups are acetylated, the terminal double bonds transformed into single bonds or they contain one more methylene group in the main skeleton chain.

In the NEWS: A ROUNDUP OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM OUR COMMUNITY

In <i>the</i> NEWS: A ROUNDUP OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM OUR COMMUNITY

Extracts of Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) exert therapeutic efficacy in experimental models of acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a group of hematological malignancies defined by expanded clonal populations of immature progenitors (blasts) of myeloid phenotype in blood and bone marrow. Given a typical poor prognostic outlook, there is great need for novel agents with anti-AML activity. Devil’s club (Oplopanax horridus) is one of the most significant medicinal plants used among the indigenous people of Southeast Alaska and the coastal Pacific Northwest, with different linguistic groups utilizing various parts of the plant to treat many different conditions including cancer. Studies identifying medically relevant components in Devil’s club are limited. For this research study, samples were extracted in 70% ethanol before in vitro analysis, to assess effects on AML cell line viability as well as to study regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation and cysteine oxidation. The root extract displayed better in vitro anti-AML efficacy in addition to a noted anti-tyrosine kinase activity independent of an antioxidant effect. In vivo therapeutic studies using an immunocompetent murine model of AML further demonstrated that Devil’s club root extract improved the murine survival while decreasing immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and improving CD8+ T-cell functionality. This study defines for the first time an anti-AML efficacy for extracts of Devil’s club.

Antiproliferation activity of Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) and anticancer agents on human pancreatic cancer multicellular spheroids

Devil's club (DC, Oplopanax horridus) is an important medicinal herb of the Pacific Northwest which has significant antiproliferation activity against a variety of human tumor cell lines in vitro. This study compared the antiproliferation activity of DC extract alone, and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents gemcitabine (GEM), cisplatin (CDDP), and paclitaxel (PTX) on human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 3D spheroids and 2D monolayer cells. 3D tumor spheroids were prepared with a rotary cell culture system. PANC-1 3D spheroids were significantly more resistant to killing by DC extract, GEM and PTX compared to 2D cells, with IC50 levels closer to that observed in vivo. DC extract significantly enhanced the antiproliferation activity of CDDP and GEM at some concentrations. The bioactive compound identified as a polyacetylene showed strong antiproliferation activity against PANC-1 2D cells and 3D spheroids with IC50 at 0.73±0.04 and 3.15±0.16μM, respectively. 3D spheroids and 2D cells differentially expressed a number of apoptosis related genes. Cell cycle analysis showed that the proportion of cells in S phase was increased and in G2/M phase reduced in 3D spheroids compared to 2D cells. DC extract can potentially be used to enhance the activity of chemotherapeutic agents against pancreatic cancer cells. Use of 3D spheroid model for screening of natural products can potentially increase the efficiency in discovering in vivo bioactive compounds.

Review: Northern Ontario medicinal plants

Hassan, H. M., Jiang, Z.-H., Syed, T. A. and Qin, W. 2012. Review: Northern Ontario medicinal plants. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 815–828. The majority of scholarly investigations conducted in the 20th century have provided the incentive for establishing plants as sources of diverse phytochemicals. With infectious and cancerous diseases causing millions of mortalities worldwide, and the advent of resistant strains, the discovery of new antimicrobial and anticancer agents is crucial. Hence, included in this review is a novel list of 48 northern Ontario medicinal plants that may be sources of antifungal, antibacterial and/or anticancer phytochemicals. A total of two ferns and allied plants, two sedges and grasses, six trees, four shrubs, one vine and 33 herbs were identified. These plants were accumulated through interviews with native Elders and a survey of ethnobotanical literature on northern Canadian species of medicinal plants. We also present a critical review of their potential constituents, medicinal properties, and analysis of four promising plants (skullcaps, devil's club, St. John's wort and evergreens). Skullcaps and St. John's wort are model plants with documented anticancer, antibacterial and antifungal bioactivities. However, a considerable gap in ethnopharmacological data was found for species of skullcaps (Scutellaria galericulata, S. parvula and S. lateriflora) and St. John's wort (Hypericum mutilum, H. majus, H. canadense) growing in northern Ontario. These findings provide promising incentives in the ethnopharmacological community for medicinal research in this region.

Chemical and pharmacological studies of Oplopanax horridus, a North American botanical.

Oplopanax horridus (OH), or Devil's club, is an ethnobotanical used by the indigenous people native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. There are three species in the genus Oplopanax, and OH is the only species that is distributed in North America. Compared with the extensive research on OH's "cousin," American ginseng, there is comparatively little reported about the chemical makeup and pharmacological effects of OH. Nevertheless, there has been some research over the past few years that shows promise for the future usage perspectives of OH. To date, 17 compounds were isolated and elucidated, including polyynes, glycosides, lignans, and polyenes, with most of the attention being paid to the polyynes. Gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine the contents of volatile compounds and polyynes in the essential oil and extracts of OH. For the pharmacological studies, antibacterial and antidiabetes effects of polyynes were reported. Our recent study has focused more on the anticancer effects of OH and the involved mechanisms of action. In this review, we will summarize the research status in the botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of OH.

One Scrap of Earth

One Scrap of Earth Ernestine Hayes (bio) After releasing the first people from their shells, Raven brought to them many gifts. Some of these gifts are daylight, fresh water, dancing, and islands. Many stories describe how these and other things were done. Some stories belong to clans and their ownership must always be recognized, but the story shared here is well known and commonly told. One scrap of earth. No larger than can be made into a cabin comfortable enough for one resolute woman of minor needs and few desires. A modest border to allow sunlight and satisfy curious bears. A few windows to allow in the day and upon which the morning's rain can be measured. The rich wet smell of cedar, like a mother's tender arms. Her kiss on my hair. The touch of her young hand on my worn cheek. A warm smoky fire. The clatter of the poker against a crumbling log. Outside, a raven's cry. Do you see the water at the top of the creek at the top of the mountain that holds our town in the palm of its hand and seeks the shoreline that our own front doors face? Be like that water. Be yielding like water. Go along the easiest way always, always willing to go around something. Offer no resistance. Go the easy way. That's the best way to get where you're going. Remember that all things begin and end in water just as rivers flow into and begin in the sea. When forces oppose, victory will be kind to the one who crafts herself like water, to the one whose power allows her to yield. [End Page 126] Take Raven. When he wanted the Box of Daylight, he didn't invade a village. He didn't storm a house. He found the easy way. He used water. He made himself small so he could get close to daylight with the least effort. This is what Raven did to achieve his goal. More than ravens cry upon this scrap of tender earth. History cries. Our grandfathers cry. Raven's beloved aunties cry for him. Wolves cry for their namesakes. The bear takes pity when he hears us cry for his protection. The ground is covered with tears. More than tears cover the ground on this scrap of sodden earth. More than ice. More than glaciers. More than light and dark and shadow. Hemlock and spruce hold hands and gaze at the rainwashed moon. Blueberry bushes call hello to their salmonberry cousins. Wood ferns cluster, devil's club soothes. Mosses ruffle and creep. Do you hear the movements and calls of life on the fragrant air and in the ready sea and at every place around us? Those calls and tears and cries all signify time. Constantly they remind us that we cannot rush the bloom. Often they tell us we must find a good place to wait. When making a move will not gain an advantage and your position is already secure, do not move. Place yourself in a defensible position. When it is your choice to hesitate—to wait for a while—do so at an advantageous spot, after all certain progress has been made. When you defend your position, be like one who has held on and pulled herself up to a steep place on a high cliff with the Chilkat Mountain at her back, one who has kicked her rope off the ledge and has resolved to engage the battle. From that firm position, make your careful calculations. From that unyielding position, study the circumstances out of which you will assemble victory. From that resolute position, become acquainted with the disposition of your adversary. Take Raven. After he had made himself into a pine needle and caused a young woman to swallow him, he stayed in her belly where he could hear and understand all that was taking place around him. From that vantage, he listened and waited for the right moment to make his move. From that position, he studied his circumstances [End Page 127] and began to recognize his grandfather's weakness. This is what Raven did to achieve his...

One Scrap of Earth

One Scrap of Earth Ernestine Hayes (bio) After releasing the first people from their shells, Raven brought to them many gifts. Some of these gifts are daylight, fresh water, dancing, and islands. Many stories describe how these and other things were done. Some stories belong to clans and their ownership must always be recognized, but the story shared here is well known and commonly told. One scrap of earth. No larger than can be made into a cabin comfortable enough for one resolute woman of minor needs and few desires. A modest border to allow sunlight and satisfy curious bears. A few windows to allow in the day and upon which the morning's rain can be measured. The rich wet smell of cedar, like a mother's tender arms. Her kiss on my hair. The touch of her young hand on my worn cheek. A warm smoky fire. The clatter of the poker against a crumbling log. Outside, a raven's cry. Do you see the water at the top of the creek at the top of the mountain that holds our town in the palm of its hand and seeks the shoreline that our own front doors face? Be like that water. Be yielding like water. Go along the easiest way always, always willing to go around something. Offer no resistance. Go the easy way. That's the best way to get where you're going. Remember that all things begin and end in water just as rivers flow into and begin in the sea. When forces oppose, victory will be kind to the one who crafts herself like water, to the one whose power allows her to yield. [End Page 126] Take Raven. When he wanted the Box of Daylight, he didn't invade a village. He didn't storm a house. He found the easy way. He used water. He made himself small so he could get close to daylight with the least effort. This is what Raven did to achieve his goal. More than ravens cry upon this scrap of tender earth. History cries. Our grandfathers cry. Raven's beloved aunties cry for him. Wolves cry for their namesakes. The bear takes pity when he hears us cry for his protection. The ground is covered with tears. More than tears cover the ground on this scrap of sodden earth. More than ice. More than glaciers. More than light and dark and shadow. Hemlock and spruce hold hands and gaze at the rainwashed moon. Blueberry bushes call hello to their salmonberry cousins. Wood ferns cluster, devil's club soothes. Mosses ruffle and creep. Do you hear the movements and calls of life on the fragrant air and in the ready sea and at every place around us? Those calls and tears and cries all signify time. Constantly they remind us that we cannot rush the bloom. Often they tell us we must find a good place to wait. When making a move will not gain an advantage and your position is already secure, do not move. Place yourself in a defensible position. When it is your choice to hesitate—to wait for a while—do so at an advantageous spot, after all certain progress has been made. When you defend your position, be like one who has held on and pulled herself up to a steep place on a high cliff with the Chilkat Mountain at her back, one who has kicked her rope off the ledge and has resolved to engage the battle. From that firm position, make your careful calculations. From that unyielding position, study the circumstances out of which you will assemble victory. From that resolute position, become acquainted with the disposition of your adversary. Take Raven. After he had made himself into a pine needle and caused a young woman to swallow him, he stayed in her belly where he could hear and understand all that was taking place around him. From that vantage, he listened and waited for the right moment to make his move. From that position, he studied his circumstances [End Page 127] and began to recognize his grandfather's weakness. This is what Raven did to achieve his...

Abstract B69: Potential cancer chemopreventive compounds from Oplopanax horridus, a native North American plant

Abstract Distributed throughout the west of North America, the plant Oplopanax horridus, or devil's club, belongs to the genus Oplopanax, which consists of three species (O. elatus, O. japonicus and O. horridus). Although many studies on the other two species have been performed, phytochemical and pharmacological investigations on O. horridus have been limited, especially cancer chemopreventive studies. After comparing differences of antiproliferative potentials among different plant parts of O. horridus, the root bark was selected to perform further phytochemical isolation to prepare active anticancer fractionations and compounds. The hydrophobic fractions showed potent antiproliferative effects on human HCT-116 and SW-480 colorectal cancer cells. Subsequent isolation of the hydrophobic fractions gave six polyynes and one polyene; in which two novel compounds, Oplopantriol A and Oplopantriol B, were obtained and their absolute structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques and chemical methods. The content of these seven compounds in the O. horridus root bark was determined using an on-line SPE-HPLC method. Pharmacological studies showed that two polyynes, including a novel compound (Oplopantriol A), possessed strong cancer cell inhibitory activities (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The IC50 of these two polyynes were observed at 1-5 µM on the colorectal cancer cells. Treatment with active fraction and compounds noticeably induced apoptosis, and distinctly induced the G2/M phase arrest of the cell cycle in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The trend of increasing cyclin A and cyclin B1 were similar to the increase of G2/M phase cells in all treated groups. These results suggested that active O. horridus fraction and selected polyynes had potential antiproliferative activities on human colorectal cancer cells. The observed cancer chemopreventive effects could be related to the induction of apoptosis and regulation of cell cycle transition. (This work was supported in part by the NIH/NCCAM grants AT003255, AT004418 and AT005362). Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B69.

Hydrophobic constituents and their potential anticancer activities from Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus Miq.)

Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus) is one of the most important spiritual and medicinal plants to many indigenous peoples of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. It is widely used for external and internal infections as well as arthritis, respiratory ailments, digestive tract ailments, broken bones, fever, headaches, and cancer. To investigate hydrophobic constituents and their potential anticancer activity from Devil's Club, Oplopanax horridus. The root bark extract of Oplopanax horridus was isolated by chromatographic techniques. Structures of isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods and comparison with published data. The anti-proliferation of isolated hydrophobic constituents in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, human colon cancer SW-480 and HCT-116 cells were tested. The potential mechanism of anti-proliferation was also investigated using cell cycle and apoptosis assays. Six compounds were isolated and structurally identified as 9,17-octadecadiene-12,14-diyne-1,11,16-triol, 1-acetate (1), oplopandiol acetate (2), falcarindiol (3), oplopandiol (4), trans-nerolidol (5) and t-cadinol (6). These compounds showed potential anticancer activities on human breast cancer and colon cancer cells, of which compound 3 possesses the strongest activity. Further cell cycle and apoptosis tests by flow cytometry showed the polyacetylenes 1-4 induced HCT-116 cell arresting in G2/M phase and inhibited proliferation by the induction of apoptosis at both earlier and later stages. These results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of Oplopanax horridus, as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of cancer.

New Lupane-type Triterpenoid Saponins from Leaves of Oplopanax horridus (Devil's Club)

Two new lupane type saponins, along with one known saponin were isolated from leaves of Oplopanax horridus (Devil's Club). The structures of the two new compounds were elucidated as 3alpha-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene-23, 28-dioic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) and 24-nor-3-oxo-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid-28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1''' --> 4")-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1" --> 6')-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. The known compound was identified as 3alpha-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene-23, 28-dioic acid (1) by comparison of its spectral data with those reported. Compound 1 was isolated for the first time from the title plant.

Inhibition of human ovarian cancer cell lines by Devil's club Oplopanax horridus

Aim of the study To search for more effective treatment of ovarian cancer, we investigated the in vitro anti-proliferation activities of Devil's club (OH) root bark extracts, an important medicinal plant of North America, on cisplatin sensitive and resistant human ovarian cancer cell lines. Materials and methods High performance liquid chromatography was used to provide the chemical profiling of the OH extracts. The anti-proliferation activities of OH extracts alone or in combination with cisplatin or paclitaxel were determined on four human ovarian cell lines by crystal violet assay. Flow cytometry and light microscopy were employed for cell cycle analysis, and also to detect apoptosis. Results Our data showed that water, 70% ethanol, 100% ethanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of OH inhibited the proliferation of human ovarian cancer cell lines A2780, A2780CP70, OVCAR3, and OVCAR10 in vitro. The respective 50% inhibition (IC 50) was estimated at 1/256, 1/74, 1/69, 1/53; 1/4156, 1/1847, 1/1029, 1/4530; 1/25,753, 1/3310, 1/3462, 1/5049; and 1/29,916, 1/2912 1/3828, and 1/4232 dilutions. Some combinations of non-cytotoxic dilutions (<IC 50) of 70% ethanol OH extract with cisplatin and paclitaxel enhanced its anti-proliferation IC 50 on A2780 and A2780CP70 cells. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that the effect of OH extract on cell cycle was dependent on the concentration tested, blocking cells in the S and G2/M phases. At low concentrations it induced cell death by apoptosis, while at high concentrations, it kills cells by necrosis. Conclusions Our data showed that OH extracts exhibited significant anti-proliferation effect against both cisplatin sensitive and resistant human ovarian cell lines. Further research might result in discovery of agent(s) that can potentially be useful as an adjunct therapy for ovarian cancer cells. It is one of the few North American medicinal herbs that have been tested for anti-ovarian cancer activities.

High performance liquid chromatographic analysis and anticancer potential of Oplopanax horridus: Comparison of stem and berry extracts

Oplopanax horridus or devil's club is a herbal medicine distributed in North America. The constituents and pharmacological activities of O. horridus (OPH) are largely unknown. In this study, we assayed OPH stem and berry extracts using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The anticancer potentials of extracts on different human cancer cell lines (SW-480, HCT-116, HT-29, MCF-7 and NSCLC) were determined by MTS method. The effect of stem extract on cancer cell cycle, expression of cyclin A, and apoptosis were assayed using flow cytometry. HPLC data showed that the composition of OPH stem extract is more complicated than the berry extract. The wavelength of maximum absorption of the major constituent in stem and berry is 196.0 nm and 201.9 nm, respectively. Compared to the berry extract, the stem extract showed significant potent antiproliferative effect on all the studied cell lines. The stem extract at 0.1 mg/ml arrested cancer cells in S- and G2/M-phases, and significantly induced expression of cyclin A. After treatment with 0.1 mg/ml of stem extract for 72 h, apoptotic cells were increased to 45.2%, while control was 9.6%. The cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis may play a critical role in cancer chemoprevention by Oplopanax horridus stem extract.

Corneal Perforation and Delayed Anterior Chamber Collapse From a Devil's Club Thorn

To report the corneal perforation and delayed collapse of the anterior chamber caused by the thorn from a devil's club plant. An 8-year-old Alaska Native girl was struck in the eye with the stalk and leaves of a devil's club plant. Although 3 thorns from the plant were found to be lodged superficially in the corneal stroma, 1 was deeply embedded to the level of Descemet's membrane. The thorn was surrounded by a stromal infiltrate. Four days after the injury, the patient suffered a sudden collapse of the anterior chamber after the deeply embedded thorn became dislodged. The corneal wound was sutured, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Our experience suggests that devil's club corneal injuries should be examined daily after the initial injury. The anterior chamber may suddenly collapse after a deeply embedded thorn becomes dislodged.