Vernicia Fordii Research Articles

An Ultraviolet Spectrophotometric Assay for Measuring Lipase Activity Using Long-Chain Triacyglycerols from Aleurites fordii Seeds

In this study, we designed a specific, continuous, and sensitive UV spectrophotometric lipase assay using natural triacylglycerols (TAGs) from the Aleurites fordii seed oil (tung oil). α-Eleostearic acid (9,11,13-cis, trans,trans-octadecatrienoic acid) is the main fatty acid component (it accounts for up to 70%) of the TAGs from tung oil. The conjugated triene present in α-eleostearic acid constitutes an intrinsic chromophore, which confers strong UV absorption properties on both the free fatty acid and the TAGs from tung oil. The lipase assay is based on the difference between the apparent molar extinction coefficients of the two types of α-eleostearic acid present, that which is esterified into TAGs and that which is released into the reaction medium. This difference is responsible for the variations in the UV absorption spectrum of the reaction medium occurring upon enzymatic TAGs hydrolysis. Using the purified lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosa (TLL) and the detergent sodium taurodeoxycholate (NaTDC, 4 mM), it was established that the most suitable method of measuring lipolysis consisted of monitoring the decrease in the OD at 292 nm, which was linear with time and proportional to the amount of lipase added. In order to be able to estimate the specific activity of TLL, we determined an apparent molar extinction coefficient of α-eleostearic acid (ϵ = 13,900 M−1 cm−1) under the assay conditions. Amounts of pure TLL as small as 1 ng can be easily detected in the presence of 4 mM NaTDC. Interestingly, the NaTDC concentration can be decreased as far as 0.05 mM. In comparison with other well-known methods of lipase assay, the detection limit of this new method is 100-fold lower than with the pH-stat method and similar to that of a fluorescent assay recently developed at our laboratory.

Newly recognized cytotoxic effect of conjugated trienoic fatty acids on cultured human tumor cells

We investigated the cytotoxic effect of conjugated trienoic fatty acids on various human tumor cell lines: DLD-1, colorectal; HepG2, hepatoma; A549, lung; MCF-7, breast; and MKN-7, stomach. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and conjugated linolenic acid were prepared from linoleic acid (18:2, n-6) and α-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3), respectively, by treatment with 6.6% or 21% potassium hydroxide. Spectrophotometric readings at 235 nm for the conjugated diene formation, and at 268 nm for the conjugated triene, were confirmed for the respective conjugated fatty acids. In addition, tung oil (Aleurites fordii) fatty acids consisting principally of a conjugated triene (eleostearic acid, approximately 80% of total fatty acids) were prepared using an alkaline saponification procedure. All tumor cells were incubated for 24 h with 5–100 μM of the conjugated fatty acids, and MTT dye reduction was measured to verify the cell viability. Among the conjugated fatty acids examined, conjugated linolenic acid and tung oil fatty acids exhibited the most intense cytotoxic effects on DLD-1, HepG2, A549, MCF-7 and MKN-7 cells, while CLA was not cytotoxic to the tumor cells. These results demonstrate that conjugated trienoic fatty acids are more cytotoxic to human tumor cells than the conjugated dienoic fatty acid, CLA.

Analysis of the Seed Lipids of Aleurites montana

Abstract The seed lipids of the Chinese tung-oil tree Aleurites montana are composed of 97.2% triglycerides, 2% phospholipids and of 0.8% glycolipids. In the triglycerides 67% of all fatty acids are α-eleostearic acid (configuration C18:3, ∆9 cis, ∆11 trans, ∆13 trans). This acid is bound in the triglycerides in the 1,3 position. Via mercury Il-acetate adducts and subsequent chromatography on silica gel a separation of this fatty acid from the seed fatty acids is possible. By this procedure an a-eleostearic acid-free tung-oil mixture is obtained, which consists by one half of C18:2, 25% of C18:1 and by 25% of the saturated fatty acids C16:0, C18:0 and C14:0.

Gas Exchange Characteristics in Leaves of the Euphorbiacea Aleurites montana as Consequence of Growth under 700 ppm CO2 in Air A Study on Photosynthesis and Photorespiration in the Chinese Tung-Oil Tree

Abstract Three months old plants of the Chinese tung-oil tree Aleurites montana (Euphorbiaceae) were cultivated for 4 months in air containing 700 ppm CO2. These plants, which grow substantially better in the CO2-enriched atmosphere, were analyzed by mass spectrometry for photosynthesis and photorespiration together with control plants grown all the time in normal (350 ppm CO2) air. Thereafter part of the plants was subjected for two weeks to 0.3 ppm SO2 in the atmosphere and again analyzed for photosynthesis and photorespiration. Aleurites montana exhibits a strongly CO2-dependent photosynthesis which partially explains the observed stimulatory effect of 700 ppm CO2 on growth of the plant. In control plants grown in normal air, photorespiration measured simultaneously with photosynthesis via the uptake of l80 2 in the light, is much lower than in C3-plants like tobacco (H e et al., 1995, Z. Naturforsch. 50c, 781-788 ). In Aleurites grown in 700 ppm CO2, however, photorespiration is completely absent in contrast to tobacco when grown under 700 ppm CO2. In tobacco, photorespiration is not inhibited to the extent of the in vitro experiments in which plants grown at 350 ppm CO2 are measured under the increased CO2 content of 700 ppm. Gas exchange measurements carried out by mass spectrometry show that the ratio of O2 evolved to CO2 fixed is about 0.5. Apparently, part of the CO2 fixed is channelled into a metabolic path without concomitant O2-evolution. Although the plant has no succulent appearance (its leaves somehow resemble maple leaves) apparently a Crassulacean type metabolism is performed. When Aleurites plants grown all the time in normal air with 350 ppm, are exposed for two weeks to 0.3 ppm SO2 the treatment completely inhibits this CO2-fixing portion which is tentatively attributed to a Crassulacean type of metabolism. This is demonstrated by a normal C3-type ratio O2 evolved /CO2 fixed of 1. When Aleurites plants, grown for 4 months in a CO2-enriched atmosphere of 700 ppm CO2, are subjected for two weeks to 0.3 ppm SO2, the features of control plants show up again. When these plants are tested under 350 ppm CO2 the Crassulacean type CO2-fixation apparently is not inhibited by SO2. Photorespiration, although low, is present in the same activity as in the controls. Seemingly, an increased level of CO2 in air tends to alleviate the impact of the SO2 at least in the Chinese tung-oil tree.

Influence of CO2 and SO2 on Growth and Structure of Photosystem II of the Chinese Tung-Oil Tree Aleurites montana

Three months old plants of the Chinese tung-oil tree Aleurites montana were cultivated for 4 months in air containing an increased amount of 700 ppm CO2. During the exposure to 700 ppm CO2 the plants exhibited a considerably stronger growth (30-40% ) in comparison to the control plants (grown in normal air). In these CO2-plants during the entire analyzing period the amount of soluble proteins, of soluble sugars and the chlorophyll content were lower than in control plants. The protein content, referred to leaf area, increased during this time in both plant types by approx. 50% but with a different time course. The increase is faster in CO2-plants compared to control plants, and ends up with similar values in both plants after 4 months. No difference is seen between sun and shade leaves. The chlorophyll content in both sun and shade leaves is 20% lower in CO2-plants. Whereas the chlorophyll content in sun leaves stays constant during developm ent, it has increased in shade leaves by 20% at the end of the 4 months period. The content of soluble sugars is lower in CO2-plants compared to control plants. The difference is bigger in sun leaves than in shade leaves. The ribulose 1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase content almost doubles within the experimentation period, but seems to be subject to large variations. CO2-plants contain in general less ribulose 1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase than control plants. The content of coupling factor of photophosphorylation is 20% lower in CO2-plants when compared to control plants and remains during development more constant in CO2-plants. The molecular structure of the photosystem II-complex undergoes under the influence of the increased CO2-content a quantitative modification. The light harvesting complex (LHCP) and the extrinsic peptide with the molecular mass of 33 kDa increase in CO2-plants. Gassing with SO2 (0.3 ppm in air) leads to a strong damage of the plants. The damaging influence is already seen after 6 days and leads to a partial leaf-shedding of the tree. In the visually still intact remaining leaves the chlorophyll content referred to unit leaf area decreases by 63%, that of soluble sugars by 65%, the content of soluble proteins and that of Rubisco decrease by 26% and 36% respectively. The light harvesting complex and the chlorophyll- binding peptides (43 and 47 kDa) increase whereas the extrinsic peptides decrease. It looks as if the simultaneous application of SO2 (0.3 ppm) and increased CO2 (700 ppm) releaves the damaging effect of SO2. Plant growth does not exhibit a difference in comparison to control plants. Soluble proteins and chlorophyll increase by 27% and 33% and the ribulose 1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase content as well as that of soluble sugars increases by 18 respectively 14%. The peptide composition of photosystem II shows a quantitative modification. The LHCP increases and the chlorophyll-binding peptides and the peptides with a molecular mass smaller than 24 kDa are reduced. The quantity of extrinsic peptides appears unchanged. Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and the CF1-complex of Aleurites are immunochemically only partially identical to the corresponding enzymes of Nicotiana tabacum as demonstrated by tandem-cross-immune electrophoresis.

Two Outbreaks of Acute Tung Nut (Aleurites fordii) Poisoning

Aleurites fordii, widely distributed in the Southeastern US, Taiwan, mainland China, Japan and India, is commonly known as Tung Nut, Tung Oil Tree or Chinawood Oil Tree. The seeds are the most toxic part. We report two outbreaks of Aleurites fordii poisoning, occurring on November 27, 1992 and November 29, 1994. Thirty-five elementary school students and 29 senior high school students misidentified Aleurites fordii seeds as chestnuts and ingested variable amounts. We conducted a survey by questionnaire to supplement the hospital record information. Simple descriptive statistics and Chi-square (Fisher's exact) tests were calculated. The three most common symptoms of the patients were vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The more serious clinical presentations occurred in younger victims. Our information suggests that food attenuates intestinal irritation perhaps by delaying absorption of the toxic principle. With symptomatic treatment, all of the symptoms and signs subsided within one to two days. Aleurites fordii can be cultivated and is easily accessible to the community and schools. Public education about the toxicity of Tung Nut seeds in areas of ready availability may reduce the chance of misidentification and subsequent poisoning.

An outbreak of Aleurites fordii poisoning: T. J. Lin, H. J. Liao, W. L. Lin, J. H. Sa, D. Z. Hung and J. F. Deng (Clinical Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.)

An outbreak of Aleurites fordii poisoning: T. J. Lin, H. J. Liao, W. L. Lin, J. H. Sa, D. Z. Hung and J. F. Deng (Clinical Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.)

INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENTS ON GERMINATION OF Aleurites fordii

The tung-oil tree (Aleurites fordii) was planted extensively in the southeastern United States in the 40's and 50's for their high quality oil used in jet engines and paint. Elimination of import tariffs destroyed the US industry. There is a possibility of a resurgence in popularity of this species as an ornamental because of its large leaves, spring flowers, and dense growth. If nurseries begin growing tung-oil trees they must have more information on the most efficient means of seed germination. One hundred percent of the seeds with intact shells germinated in 9 weeks if they received either 24 hr stratification or 24 hr. soak. Eighty-three percent of the untreated intact seeds germinated in the same period. Shell removal sped up germination as evidenced by 27% germination in 5 weeks. However the process left seeds susceptible since only 36% had germinated in 9 weeks.

Mycosphaerella aleuritis . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Mycosphaerella aleuritis . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOST: Aleurites fordii, A. mollucana, A. montana . DISEASE: Angular leaf spot of tung. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa: Central African Republic, Malagasy Republic, Malawi, Zaire (probably also Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Gabon). Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan. Central America & Caribbean: Cuba, Trinidad. North America: USA. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay? ( CMI Distribution Map 278 , ed. 3, 1975). TRANSMISSION: By ascospores and conidia, which are mainly dispersed by rain-splash and wind (45, 1989f).

Tannins and related compounds. XCII. Isolation and characterization of cyanogenic ellagitannins, aleurinins A and B, and a related O-glycosidic ellagitannin, aleurinin C, from Aleurites fordii Hemsley.

A chemical examination of the tannin ingredients in the leaves of the wood oil tree, Aleurites fordii HEMSLEY (Euphorbiaceae), has led to the isolation of three new ellagitannins named aleurinins A (4), B(5) and C(6), together with corilagin (1), geraniin (2) and chebulagic acid (3). on the basis of chemical and spectroscpic evidence, the structures of aleurinins A (4) and B (5) have been established as ellagitannins possessing a novel cyanopropylene alcohol glucoside core, while aleurinin C (6) has been characterized as an ellagitannin based on a hydroxyacetone glucoside core.

Further studies on a chemoattractant derived from Aleurites fordii hemsl. seed

1. 1. Activities stimulatory to PMN Superoxide generation and chemotactic function were present in two separate gel Chromatographie fractions of AFH-S and were designated AFH-S1 (500 kD) and AFH-S2 (38 kD). 2. 2. Characterization studies of these activities revealed physiologic and phamacologic characteristics dissimilar to those of other previously studied chemoattractants such as bacterial peptide FMLP.

Aleuritin, a coumarinolignoid, and a coumarin from Aleurites fordii

A new coumarinolignoid and 5,6,7-trimethoxy coumarin have been isolated from stems of Aleurites fordii and their structures determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.

Feeding value of chemically treated tung kernel meal ( Aleurites fordii Hemsl.) in starter chicks

The deoiled meal of tung ( Aleurites fordii Hemsl.) kernels is usually a waste because of its toxic effects on livestock, while its oil has some industrial uses. The defatted material was tested for the quantitative levels of common antinutritional factors like tannins and saponins which were found to be 1·55 and 0·72% respectively. The material was tested for detoxification by giving double treatment of rectified spirit followed by 0·2 M sodium hydroxide for a duration of 24 h each. The treated material (containing residual tannins 0·15% and saponins 0·26%) was then tested on one-week-old hybrid male chicks by feeding at 5 and 10% levels for a period of six weeks. The depression in the growth rates was significantly low ( P ≤ 0·05) at 10% level of its feeding, while at its 5% level, the growth depression was non-significant. The overall retarded growth syndrome due to this material may be a result of overall affliction of the body metabolism of the experimental chicks, due to the toxic proteins which this material is reported to contain.

Tumour promoters of the irritant diterpene ester type as risk factors of cancer in man

It is widely accepted in experimental and epidemiologic oncology that in real human life multifactorial causation of cancer is the rule and classical unifactorial causation the exception. This current and comprehensive concept of the aetiology of cancer has evolved essentially from in-depth investigations of tumour promoters of the irritant DTE type, found occurring in the Euphorbiales (Euphorbiaceae, Thymelaeaceae) in about the last 20 years. Moreover, the irritant DTEs are most powerful tools in experimental cell and cancer research, as illustrated by current results of investigations of their toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. Quantitative chemical and toxicologic investigations indicate that life-style oesophageal cancer, prevalent on Curasao, is the first case of cocarcinogens of the DTE type (‘Welensalifactors’ from Croton flavens L.) shown to be the principal risk factor in a multifactorial human cancer, in conjunction with initiators of the solitary carcinogenic PAH type. The typical tigliane type DTE Welensalifactor F, was isolated, also from the tung oil tree (Aleuritesfordii). It was shown that DTEs of the tigliane, ingenane and daphnane types activate certain human tumour viruses, e.g. the Epstein-Barr virus. The latter virus is known to be associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prevalent in South China. It is concluded that uncontrolled utilization of Euphorbiaceae-derived materials, e.g. as (ethno-medicinal) drugs, or as technological raw materials, may be responsible for high incidence rates of certain human cancers due to DTE type risk factors of the promoter type. The identification of well defined cocarcinogens of the DTE type as a new, non-classical group of risk factors in terms of ‘per se essentially non-carcinogenic amplifiers’ of carcinogenesis adds a new dimension to the aetiology of cancer in man. Together with the multifactorial concept of carcinogenesis, it may allow a more refined assessment of the cancer risk.

Plant-derived diterpene esters enhance HTLV-I-induced colony formation of lymphocytes in co-culture.

The addition to culture dishes of 10-50 ng/ml of the essential diterpene ester of Sapium sebiferum, 12-O-hexadecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (HPA), increased colony formation of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes co-cultured with gamma-irradiated HTLV-I-producing HUT 102 cells. The cells in the stimulated colonies showed an approximately 3-fold increase in the expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors and a 1.5- to 2.0-fold increase in human T-lymphotropic virus type- I (HTLV-I) p19-positive cells. This biological potency was analogous to that induced by the most potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and stronger than that of 12-O-hexadecanoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate (HHPA) isolated from Aleurites fordii.

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. aleuridis . [Distribution map

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. aleuridis Suelong. Host: Tung-oil trees (Aleurites fordii). Information is given on the geographical distribution in ASIA, China.

Epstein-Barr virus activation in Raji cells with ether extracts of soil from different areas in China

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) inducers were found in soil samples collected from the ground under tung oil trees and other plant species of Euphorbiaceae family growing in southern provinces of China where incidence of an EBV-associated malignancy, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent. In such NPC high risk areas, the positive rate of EBV inducers in soil samples was up to 59.5%. Since many tung oil trees are planted along the roads and rivers of the high risk area, the possible significance of EBV inducers in soil under the trees in the development of malignancy among inhabitants of the area is discussed.

Epstein-Barr virus activation by tung oil, extracts of Aleurites fordii and its diterpene ester 12- O-hexadecanoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate

During the screening of plant oils for their Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-activating potency, we found that tung oil possesses an activity comparable to croton oil. Tung oil from various sources and the extracts from its parental plant Aleurites fordii (Chinese tung oil tree), when used in combination with n-butyrate, were shown to efficiently activate EBV persisting in human lymphoblastoid Raji cells (non-producer). The major diterpene ester in the plant extract, 12- O-hexadecanoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate (HHPA), also exerted a similar activity. In producer P3HR-1 cells, both tung oil and HHPA increased the yield of infectious EBV by approximately five-fold. Since tung oil is used for the manufacture of oil paints, varnishes, waterproof substance, anticorrosives and other products, the implication of using such an agent with EBV-activating potency in our daily life is assessed and discussed.

Piscicidal Constituents and Related Diterpene Esters fromAleurites fordii

Piscicidal constituents, A and B, related diterpene esters, C and D, were isolated from the leaves of Aleurites fordii (Euphorbiaceae). A was identified as 12-O-palmitoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate (1). B, C, and D, new diterpene esters, were shown to be 12-O-palmitoyl-4-deoxy-4β-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate (2), 12-O-palmitoyl-4-deoxy-4α-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate (3), and 12-O-palmitoyl-4-deoxy-16-hydroxylumiphorbol-13-acetate (4), respectively.

Piscicidal constituents and related diterpene esters from Aleurites fordii.

Piscicidal constituents, A and B, related diterpene esters, C and D, were isolated from the leaves of Aleurites fordii (Euphorbiaceae). A was identified as 12-O-palmitoyl-16-hydroxy-phorbol-l3-acetate (1). B, C, and D, new diterpene esters, were shown to be 12-O-pahnitoyl-4-deoxy-4β-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate (2), 12-O-palmitoyl-4-deoxy-4u-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate (3), and 12-O-palmitoyl-4-deoxy-16-hydroxylumiphorbol-13-acetate (4), respectively.