January 2009

Anti-inflammatory activity of brown alga Dictyota dichotoma in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) are involved in various pathophysiological processes such as inflammation. In a search for inhibitors of COX-2 and iNOS, we found that extracts of Dictyota dichotoma inhibit Nitric oxide (NO) and PGE2 generation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, as well as levels of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein.D. dichotoma were...

Author(s): Weon-Jong Yoon, Young Min Ham, Kil-Nam Kim, Soo-Yeung Park, Nam Ho Lee, Chang-Gu Hyun and Wook Jae Lee

January 2009

Correlation between chemical composition and antifungal properties of essential oils of Callistemon rigidus and Callistemon citrinus of Cameroon against Phaeoramularia angolensis

Leaf essential oils of Callistemon rigidus and Callistemon citrinus obtained by steam-distillation were assigned for their antifungal activity against Phaeoramularia angolensis. The oils of C. rigidus and C. citrinus were dominated by the presence of 1,8-cineole (79.1% and 73.8% respectively). Fractions 6 and 5 isolated from C. rigidus and C....

Author(s): Pierre M. D. Jazet, Léopold N. Tatsadjieu, Bernadin D. Ndongson, Jean Kuate , Paul H Amvam Zolloand Chantal Menut

January 2009

Optimization of DNA isolation for RAPD-PCR analysis of selected (Echinaceae purpurea L. Moench) medicinal plants of conservation concern from Turkey

Genetic analysis of plants relies on high yields of pure DNA samples. Here we present the optimization of DNA isolation protocols and PCR conditions for RAPD analysis of selected medicinal plants of conservation concern from Turkey, containing high levels of polysaccharides, polyphenols and secondary metabolites. These methods involve a modified CTAB extraction employing polyvinyl pyrrolidone while grinding, successive...

Author(s): Hasibe Cingilli Vural and Aslı Dağeri

January 2009

Antimicrobial activity of some plant extracts having hepatoprotective effects

The antimicrobial activity of hot water and ethanolic extracts of six plant extracts, utilized in Pakistan for the cure of liver damage, were studied. The extracts ofAcacia arabica, Nymphaea lotus, Sphareranthus hirtus, Emblica officinalis, Cinchorium intybus and Cardus marianum were tested in vitro against seven bacterial species and two fungal species by well-diffusion method and...

Author(s): Ammara Hassan, Salma Rahman, Farah Deeba and Shahid Mahmud

January 2009

Phenolics from Spirulina maxima: Over-production and in vitro protective effect of its phenolics on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity

This study illustrates the process of enhancing phenolics synthesis in Spirulinamaxima grown in Zarrouk’s medium supplemented with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and/or phenylalanine (L-PA); attaining highest production were obtained in medium containing 3.77 gL-1 NaNO3 and 100 mgL-1 L-PA. HPLC profile showed the pre-sence of phenolic acids and flavonoids predominantly with gallate, chlorogenate,...

Author(s): Hanaa H. Abd El-Baky, Farouk K. El Baz and Gamal S. El-Baroty

January 2009

Improved in vitro plant regeneration and micro propagation of Rehmannia glutinosa L.

The establishment of an efficient protocol for plant regeneration and micropropagation from leaf cultures of Rehmannia glutinosa L. is reported. The regenerated shoots obtained from leaf cultures on solid MS medium containing different concentrations of TDZ. The highest number of shoots per explant (2.1) and shoot growth (1.2 cm) was obtained on MS medium containing 1 mg/L TDZ. The addition...

Author(s): Sang Un Park, Yong Kyoung Kim and Sook Young Lee

January 2009

Genes involved in the anti-cancer effect of a potent new compound boehmeriasin A on breast cancer cell

Boehmeriasin A is a new compound showing good anticancer effect on breast cancer cell: MDA-MB-231 in vitro. The anti-cancer effect of it was revealed by gene chip and suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Totally, there are 328 genes of differential expression obtained from gene chip analysis. Two subtractive libraries were constructed and 163 EST cDNA clones were screened out. RT-PCR, virtual Northern, Northern...

Author(s): Haiyan Wei, Jufang Yan, Jianyu Liu, Dixiang Luo, Jian Zhang and Xiaoping Gao

January 2009

Preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial investigations of the stem bark and leaves of Psidum guajava L.

Extracts (ethanol, methanol and aqueous) of the leaves and stem barks of Psidum guajava L were studied for their phytochemical constituents. Results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids (all the extracts), saponins (ethanol and methanol), cardenolides with steroided rings, and cardenolides with deoxy sugar (all the extracts). Thin layer chromatographic separation of ethanol and...

Author(s): I. Elekwa, S. C. Okereke and B. O. Ekpo