Speciosa Fruit Research Articles

Ethanolic extract and water-soluble polysaccharide from Chaenomeles speciosa fruit modulate lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Ethnopharmacological relevanceChaenomeles speciosa fruits have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of diseases related to inflammatory reaction. This study aims to identify anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory components of Chaenomeles speciosa fruit and unravel their potential mechanisms. Materials and methodsEthanolic extract and its n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions, as well as water-soluble polysaccharide, were prepared from dry fruits of Chaenomeles speciosa. The mouse macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and used as an inflammatory cell model. Production of nitric oxide in the cells was determined by the Griess assay, and cell viability was tested by the MTT method. Cellular apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Relative quantification of inflammation-related genes was analyzed by real-time PCR. ResultsLPS-induced production of nitric oxide in RAW264.7 cells was significantly inhibited by the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) at 200–800μg/ml, while Chaenomeles speciosa polysaccharide (CPS) promoted nitric oxide production at 250–750μg/ml either alone or in an additive fashion with LPS. Both EAF and CPS did not provoke noticeable cytotoxicity and apoptosis at the above effective concentrations. EAF significantly reduced LPS-induced upshift of iNOS mRNA level but showed no significant effect on the induction of IFN-γ and G-CSF, while CPS reduced the gene induction of TNF-α, IFN-γ and G-CSF by LPS. ConclusionsEAF was able to inhibit nitric oxide production by reducing LPS-induced upshift of iNOS mRNA level. CPS was an activator of nitric oxide production through cytokines such as TNF-α, IFN-γ and G-CSF. These results demonstrate the therapeutic effects of both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Chaenomeles speciosa fruit, a traditional edible medicine used in health maintenance and disease treatment.

Lagerstroemia speciosa fruit extract modulates quorum sensing-controlled virulence factor production and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lythraceae) is a south-east Asian tree more commonly known as 'Jarul'. Research on health benefits suggests that the L. speciosa plant contains phytomolecules that may have antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties. However, antimicrobial activities have not been reported for this plant. The ability of L. speciosa fruit extract (LSFE) to antagonize cell-to-cell communication, expression of virulence genes and factors, and biofilm formation was evaluated in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1. Our results suggested that LSFE caused downregulation of quorum sensing (QS)-related genes (las and rhl) and their respective signalling molecules, N-acylhomoserine lactones, without affecting the growth of P. aeruginosa PAO1. Significant inhibition of virulence factors: LasA protease, LasB elastase, and pyoverdin production, was also recorded. Application of LSFE to P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms increased bacterial susceptibility to tobramycin. These data suggest a possible role for quorum-quenching mechanisms unrelated to static or cidal effects, and also suggest that L. speciosa could serve as a cost-effective source in the development of new QS-based antibacterial drugs.

In vitro propagation ofHancornia speciosa, a tropical fruit tree

Hancornia speciosa fruit is highly desired for the juice and ice cream industry in tropical regions. A rapid reduction in germination ability ofH. speciosa seeds has been a problem for its large-scale cultivation. This paper describes anin vitro technique that may lead to an alternative propagation method forH. speciosa. Shoot apices and nodal segments from aseptically germinated young embryos were cultivatedin vitro on. Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with growth regulators. Shoot multiplication was maintained by sequential subculture of shoot tips and nodal segments. N6-benzyladenine was the most effective cytokinin for the induction of shoot growth. N6-furfurylamino-purine, at various concentrations, yielded multiplication rates sevenfold lower than the highest multiplication rate found with N6-benzyladenine. Increased root initiation rate and root elongation was observed with the presence of γ-(indole-3) butyric acid in the half-strength Murashige and Skoog culture medium, especially at 10μM. N6-benzyladenine strongly inhibited rooting, even in the presence of γ-(indole-3) butyric acid. Thein-vitro-raised rooted plantlets were acclimatized to greenhouse environment through progressive reduction in relative humidity and later transplanted to the field.