Trichosanthes Research Articles

Convergence study on the through inhibition of differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells of ethanol extract from Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. Root

Convergence study on the through inhibition of differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells of ethanol extract from Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. Root

SPECIFICATION OF ELEMENT OF MINERAL NUTRITION ELEMENTS IN LEAVES OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L. AND TRICHOSANTHES CUCUMERINA L. AT INTRODUCTION IN UDMURTIA

The article examines accumulation of macro- and microelements in the leaves of Momordica charantia L. and Trichosanthes cucumerina L. grown using grafting method. It contains data on the content of key mineral nutrients in the leaves of examined crops. It marks high calcium content in the leaves, attaining 6.51-10.73%, which is peculiar to the plants of Cucurbitacee L. family. It was determined that grafting of Momordica charantia L. and Trichosanthes cucumerina L. results in changes in accumulation of mineral nutrients in plant leaves, nature and trend of which depended on the type of stock.

Ethnopharmacology in the work of the British botanist Arthur Francis George Kerr (1877 - 1942).

Reports on traditional use of medicinal plants may be used as starting points for phytochemical and pharmacological research. As has recently been shown, publications, letters, diaries and reports of exploring botanists are a valuable source of historical ethnopharmacological information. In this study, the heritage of the British botanist Arthur Francis George Kerr (1877-1942), mainly working in Thailand, was screened for information about traditionally used medicinal plants. Information given was compared to state-of-the-art scientific knowledge about these species. Many historical uses could be confirmed, some did not, while a number of species reported to be traditionally used have not been sufficiently investigated so far. These, strongly suggested for further research, include Kurrimia robusta, Alpinia siamensis, Amomum krervanh (A. testaceum), Trichosanthes integrifolia (= Gymnopetalum scabrum), Croton cumingii (= C. cascarilloides), Lobelia radicans (= L. chinensis), Willughbeia sp., Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Pluchea indica, Heliotropum indicum, as well as some fungi and woods.

Two new species and one new species record of Trichosanthes (Cucurbitaceae) from Vietnam

Two new species endemic to Vietnam are described: Trichosanthes conferta and Trichosanthes epibracteata. Trichosanthes laceribractea is a new record for Vietnam.

Separation and screening of components with fibrinolytic enzyme activity from twelve Chinese herbal medicines

Objective To separate and screen components with fibrinolytic enzyme activity from twelve Chinese herbal medicines. Methods The components were extracted with water and precipitated with salt, and they were tested by fibrinolytic protein plates method. The active components with fibrinolytic activity were separated and screened which were compared with urokinase. Results Eleven of the twelve extracts showed fibrinolytic activity, while Trichosanthes kirilowii got the biggest fibrinolytic zone after 36 hours, followed by Alisma plantago-aquatica and Leonurus japonicus, and the Radix Astagali got the smallest one. According to the concentration of the protein, the area of the fibrinolytic zone and the specific activity of the components, the extract from Angelica sinensis exhibited the best specific activity at level of 48.46U/mg. Conclusion The extracts from Chinese herbal medicines except Semen Persicae exhibit fibrinolytic enzyme activity which can dissolve the fibrin in different degrees. Key words: Chinese herbal medicine; Fibrinolytic enzyme; Separation; Specific activity

Lipid lowering effect of hot water extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. and antihyperglycemic activity of its fractions on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn (Family: Cucurbitaceae) is a climber grown in Asian countries including Sri Lanka, India, the Malay Penisula, and The Philippines. It is known as dummella in Sinhalese, wild snake gourd in English, kattuppeyppudal in Tamil, and janglichichonda in Hindi. A previous study has shown that hot water extract (HWE) of T. cucumerina can exert significant antihyperglycemic activity in rats. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of the HWE of T. cucumerina aerial parts on lipid profile of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic rats. In addition, an attempt has been made to identify the active antidiabetic fraction/s of T. cucumerina HWE using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Type 1 diabetic rats. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and triglycerides levels, and a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in high density lipoprotein level in the HWE-treated Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic rats compared to their ...

Evolution and loss of long-fringed petals

Background: The Cucurbitaceae genus Trichosanthes comprises 90–100 species that occur from India to Japan and southeast to Australia and Fiji. Most species have large white or pale yellow petals with conspicuously fringed margins, the fringes sometimes several cm long. Pollination is usually by hawkmoths. Previous molecular data for a small number of species suggested that a monophyletic Trichosanthes might include the Asian genera Gymnopetalum (four species, lacking long petal fringes) and Hodgsonia (two species with petals fringed). Here we test these groups’ relationships using a species sampling of c. 60% and 4759 nucleotides of nuclear and plastid DNA. To infer the time and direction of the geographic expansion of the Trichosanthes clade we employ molecular clock dating and statistical biogeographic reconstruction, and we also address the gain or loss of petal fringes. Results: Trichosanthes is monophyletic as long as it includes Gymnopetalum, which itself is polyphyletic. The closest relative of Trichosanthes appears to be the sponge gourds, Luffa, while Hodgsonia is more distantly related. Of six morphology-based sections in Trichosanthes with more than one species, three are supported by the molecular results; two new sections appear warranted. Molecular dating and biogeographic analyses suggest an Oligocene origin of Trichosanthes in Eurasia or East Asia, followed by diversification and spread throughout the Malesian biogeographic region and into the Australian continent. Conclusions: Long-fringed corollas evolved independently in Hodgsonia and Trichosanthes, followed by two losses in the latter coincident with shifts to other pollinators but not with long-distance ispersal events. Together with the Caribbean Linnaeosicyos, the Madagascan Ampelosicyos and the tropical African Telfairia, these cucurbit lineages represent an ideal system for more detailed studies of the evolution and function of petal fringes in plant-pollinator mutualisms.

Immunosuppressive effects of Cucurbitacin B on human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

This study investigates the immunomodulating effects of cucurbitacin B, a Thai herbal plant; isolated from Trichosanthes cucumerima L., on PHA-stimulated human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs). Stimulated PBMCs were cultured in the presence or absence of cucurbitacin B and then markers of cell activation were measured. The results showed that 0.5 and 0.25 µg/ml of cucurbitacin B significantly inhibited the expression of CD69+CD3+, and CD25+CD3+ whereas no significant inhibition from 0.05 µg/ml of cucurbitacin B was detected. The secretion of TNF-a from stimulated PBMC was significantly inhibited by cucurbitacin B. After 24 h of incubation, the total Cytotoxic Lymphocyte (CTL) activity was significantly reduced by 0.5 µg/ml of cucurbitacin B when compared to the control group (9.83 ± 0.95 and 40.63 ± 2.93, P = 0.0033) or compared with Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation (9.83 ± 0.95 and 70.09 ± 3.35, P < 0.0001). A similar pattern of CTL activity was found after 48 and 72 h of incubation. In conclusion, cucurbitacin B inhibited PBMC activation by PHA. This study provides evidences that cucurbitacin B could be used as immunosuppressive agent. Key words: Cucurbitacin B, Phytohemagglutinin stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell, cytotoxic lymphocyte function, CD69.

Antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of the aqueous extracts of some Indian medicinal plants

Antioxidants protect the body against oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. Plants contain rich amount of polyphenols which are very potent natural antioxidants. The present study was designed to evaluate the relative contribution of different polyphenols such as total phenolics, flavonoids and flavonol contents and their antioxidants activities. For this purpose the total phenolics, flavonoids and flavonol contents of some medicinal plants were determined in the aqueous extracts of leaves of Trichosenthes dioica, fruits ofMoringa olifera and Ficus bengalensis as well as seeds of Emblica officinalis. Total antioxidant activity of these extracts was monitored by Free Radical Absorbing Power (FRAP) assay. In this paper, those parts of the plants are used for the analysis of aforesaid parameters which are normally overlooked. The total phenolic content of T. dioica leaves was about two times more than that obtained from the fruits and seeds of M. olifera and E. officinalis, respectively.However, the aerial roots of F. bengalensis registered presence of least phenolic content. The aqueous preparation from E. officinalis exhibited total flavonoid content twice as high as that of the other three plants. The extract from seeds ofE. officinalis was found to contain highest antioxidant activity as compared to the preparations from other plants. The high antioxidant activity and flavonoids contents in E. officinalis seeds indicated that it could be exploited as an ingredient in developing a potential antioxidant supplement. Key words: Antioxidant, flavonoids, flavonols, phenolics, FRAP assay, Ficus bengalensis, Trichosanthes dioica, Emblica officinalis, Moringa oleifera.

Screening of glycemic attributes of Trichosanthes dioica leaves in vivo

Screening of glycemic attributes of Trichosanthes dioica leaves in vivo

Effects of a-NAA and UV-B Radiation on the Growth and Transpiration of Trichosanthes kirilowii Seedling

研究了温室条件下紫外线-B(UV-B)辐射(0.029 J*m-2*s-1)和外施α-萘乙酸(α-NAA)(2 mg*L-1)相互作用对栝楼(Trichosanthes kirilowii)幼苗生长及蒸腾速率的影响.本实验设一个对照(T0)和3个处理:外施α-NAA(T1),增加UV-B辐射(T2),增加UV-B辐射并外施α-NAA(T3).实验结果:增强UV-B辐射明显降低栝楼的株高及叶面积,根、茎、叶重均较对照低,因而总生物量也较对照低,干物质积累量减少.UV-B辐射增强,对栝楼植株含水量几乎无影响,但却明显增加叶气孔阻力,降低蒸腾速率.与对照(T0)相比,外施α-NAA(T1)明显增加株高及叶面积,根、茎、叶重均增加,因而单株总生物量较对照增加,但干物质积累量增幅不大,植株水分含量较对照略高;叶气孔阻力呈降低趋势,蒸腾速率呈增大趋势.在有UV-B辐射下外施α-NAA(T3),与T2相比,植株高度、叶重及叶面积降低趋势明显减轻,但根、茎生物量,单株总生物量及干物质积累量并无明显增加;叶气孔阻力降低,蒸腾速率增大.分析认为,栝楼幼苗根系发达,根冠比接近1,而UV-B辐射下补充α-NAA对根、茎影响小,同时本试验处理时间短(5周),表现为对生物量增加及干物质积累量的影响效果不明显,但株高、叶面积明显增加,且在一定程度上减小了叶的气孔阻力,增大了蒸腾速率.结果表明:UV-B辐射能对栝楼的根、茎、叶生物量及干物质积累量产生影响,同时也能引起栝楼叶气孔阻力增加及蒸腾速率降低,但若同时外施α-NAA,则这种影响有减轻的趋势.该结果暗示,α-NAA能增强栝楼幼苗对UV-B辐射的耐受能力,可能是弥补了UV-B辐射引起的IAA含量的降低,减少了内源ABA的积累,减轻叶片气孔阻力,增大蒸腾速率,促进了植株生长.

VALIDATION OF TRICHOSANTHES KINABALUENSIS RUGAYAH (CUCURBITACEAE)

In the revision of the cucurbitaceous genus Trichosanthes in Malesia by Rugayah & W.J.J.O. de Wilde (Reinwardtia 11(4): 262. 1999), the type of the proposed new species T. kinabaluensis Rugayah was erroneously indicated as consisting of two collections, viz. Chew, Corner & Stainton 2830 and De Wilde & Duyfjes SAN 139472. This latter appeared to be contrary to art. 37.3 of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Tokyo Code, 1994), rendering the new species invalid. This species is validated below by indicating a single type. I am grateful to Dr. Dan H. Nicolson (US Washington), who kindly made me aware of the mistake.

Conspectus of Trichosanthes (Cucurbitaceae) in Malesia

Trichosanthes (Cucurbitaceae) in Malesia comprises 5 sections with 39 species, here alphabetically arranged. Key to the sections, keys the species within the sections and eight regional keys are presented Twenty-five taxa are newly proposed: 1 section, 14 species, 1 sub species, 2 varieties and 7 forms.

The important role of a hydrophilic area in bioactivities of trichosanthin

Trichosanthin (TCS), isolated from the root tuber of Trichosanthes Kirilowii, is atype-Ⅰ eukaryotic ribosome inactivating protein. It has the capacities of inducing mid-termabortion and inhibiting HIV replication. The primary structure, gene sequence andthree-dimensional structure of this protein have already been studied.

Cloning and Sequencing of Trichosanthin Gene and Its Expression in Escherichia coli and Tobacco Plant

A Trichosanthin gene was cloned from Trichosanthes kirilowii genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nucleotide sequence data indicated that we obtained the coding region of the mature Trichosanthin peptide as well as its signal peptide at the N-terminus. Comparisons of our sequence with the previously reported nucleotide sequences of this gene showed 99.25% homology, yet there were notable differences between the previously reported amino acid sequence and our deduced result. This gene was subcloned into a highlevel expression plasmid (pJLA502) of E. coli under the control of a P_RP_L promoter, and we observed the gene product after temperature induction. The gene was further cloned into plant intermediate vector pE3 under the control of a CaMV 35S promoter, and transferred into a tobacco genome using the agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer system. Western blotting analysis of the protein extracted from Escherichia coli and transgenic tobacco plants proved that the Trichosanthin gene has been expressed in both organisms.

Total synthesis of Trichosanthes trypsin inhibitor and its analogue.

Trichosanthes trypsin inhibitor (TTI) is a peptide consisting of 27 amino acid residues with three pairs of disulfide bonds. This paper reports the total synthesis and disulfide bond refolding of this inhibitor and its analogue. After purification, the amino acid sequence and stoichiometrical inhibitory activity against trypsin of the synthetic inhibitor were compatible with those of the natural inhibitor. The analogue of this inhibitor in which residue Met in position 6 was replaced by Ala was also synthesized. The antitrypsin activity of this synthetic analogue was also approximate to that of the natural inhibitor.