Natural products and extracts from plants as natural UV filters for sunscreens:A review

Although solar exposure is necessary for human health,phototoxicology induced by excessive UVB and UVA radiation,which involves sunburns,skin aging and even tu-morigenesis,has been widely researched.Sunscreen is one of the most important ways to protect skin from UV phototoxic damage.As well as inorganic and organic UV filters,some natural products or plant extracts with aromatic rings in their structures,such as flavonoids or polyphenols,can absorb UV to reduce sunburn,acting as a natu-ral UV filter;they also show antioxidant or/and anti-inflammatory activity.This could explain why,although there are no officially approval natural commercial sun-filters,more and more commercial sunscreen products containing plant extracts are avail-able on the market.Here we summarize articles focusing on natural UV filters from plant published in the last 6 years,selecting the most significant data in order to better understand the photoprotective activity of natural products and extracts from plants,including their major constituents and main biological effects,methods for evaluating UV radiation resistance,anti-UV radiation experimental models and anti-UV radiation mechanisms.

Oxidative Stress and Role of Natural Plant Derived Antioxidants in Animal Reproduction

The experimental knowledge on the role of oxidative stress,and beneficial and detrimental effects of plant derived antioxidants in male and female animal reproduction are reviewed in this article.Free radical-induced oxidative stress in animal reproduction causes great loss to livestock industry.Antioxidant therapy has been implicated to be effective in preventing diseases resulted from oxidative stress.Considering the advantages of lower side effects of natural antioxidants than those of synthetic antioxidants,plants or their extracts have been extensively utilized in animals.Although many advances have been gained on application of plant derived antioxidants in alleviating oxidative stress,debatable issues still exist.Because many opposite effects were observed even using plant extracts containing similar bioactive substances in the same animal species.Therefore,plant derived antioxidants,like free radicals,are ＂double-edged swords＂ in animal reproduction,representing that they may exhibit beneficial or detrimental effects in animal reproduction,including spermatogenesis,semen functions,estrous cycles,ovulation,ovary functions,endometrium,embryo development,and pregnancy.Besides dose-dependent manner as an explanation of plant extracts＇ dual function,future studies are needed to investigate the mechanism of double-edged actions of plant derived antioxidants in different animal reproduction systems.

A Method Suitable for Extracting Genomic DNA from Animal and Plant——Modified CTAB Method

[Objective] The study aimed to introduce a rapid and effective method that is suitable for extracting genomic DNA from animal and plant. [ Method ] The genomic DNAs were extracted from tender leaves of 24 peanut cuhivars and from the liver, lung and kidney of white mouse through the specifically modified CTAB method. The DNAs were run on agarose gel, next detected by DNA/Protein analyzer. Finally PCR amplification was conducted to detect the quality of DNAs extracted using the modified CTAB method. [ Result] The clear and orderly bands were observed in gel detection, and the values of OD200/OD200 for DNAs extracted via modified CTAB method were between 1.77 - 1.83. The DNAs performed well in PCR amplification. [ Conclusion] The DNAs extracted by modified CTAB method could satisfy the requirement of PCR amplification.

Natural compounds and extracts from Mexican medicinal plants with anti-leishmaniasis activity: An update

Leishmaniasis is considered as an emerging, uncontrolled disease and is endemic in 98 countries. Annually, about 2 million cases of cutaneous and 500000 cases of visceraltype leishmaniasis are recorded and 60000 persons died from the disease. In Mexico,cutaneous leishmaniasis is known as chiclero's ulcer and is reported in 22 states, it is considered as a health problem. For its treatment, pentavalent antimonial drugs are administered. These drugs cause severe side effects, are costly. Drug-resistant cases have been reported and have been developing for over 70 years. One alternative to the drugs that are currently available is to find active molecules in medicinal plants. Dihydrocorynantheine, corynantheine and corynantheidine are active against Leishmania major,while harmane, pleiocarpin, buchtienin, luteolin and quercetin are active against Leishmania donovani. In Mexico, about 20 medicinal plants have been evaluated against Leishmania mexicana, among which the most active are Tridax procumbens, Lonchocarpus xuul and Pentalinon andrieuxii. From these plants, active compounds with IC_(50)≤30 mg/mL or m M have been isolated, such as 3(S)-16,17-didehydrofalcarinol or Oxylipin, cholestra-4,20,24-trien-3-one or pentalinosterol, 24-methylcholest-4-24(28)-dien-3-one, cholest-4-en-3-one, 6,7-dihydroneridie-none, neridienone, cholest-5,20,24-trien-3β-ol, and isocordoin. Today, only pentalinonsterol has been synthesized and assayed in the visceral leishmaniasis experimental model using BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania donovani. Liposome formulation of this compound administered by intravenous route at 2.5 mg/kg showed a significant reduction of parasite load in mouse liver and spleen.

Morphological Assessment of the Small Intestine of Broilers Fed Dietary Natural Zeolite Including Plant Extract

Many kinds of feed additives （e.g., probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, etc.） can be used in chicken diets to stimulate intestinal morphological maturation and, consequently, intestinal function. The aim of this trial was to investigate the possibility that natural zeolite including plant extract （ZEM） could encourage the hypertrophy of intestinal villi and the absorptive function of epithelial cells in broiler chickens. At 7 days old, 64 male Marshall Chunky broilers were divided into four groups, each with four replicates of four chickens. The birds were fed a basal mash diet supplemented with ZEM at 0% （control）, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% for 42 days. At 49 days old, four chickens from each treatment were killed to obtain intestinal samples. Morphological intestinal assessment was conducted using both a light and a scanning electron microscope. A tendency to increased villus height and cell area could be observed throughout the intestinal segments of the broilers fed ZEM. Particularly, the villus height in the duodenum was significantly increased （P 〈 0.05） in the 0.05% ZEM group when compared with the control group. The area of the villus cells tended to be higher in the ZEM groups in all intestinal regions and showed a significant increase （P 〈 0.05） in the ileal part of the 0.2% ZEM group. Also, the assessment of cells mitosis in the intestinal crypts showed significantly higher numbers （P 〈 0.05） in all levels of ZEM groups in the duodenum and a tendency to increase in value in the jejunum and ileum, as compared with the control group. More protuberated cells and multi-cell clusters were found in the ZEM groups than in the control group, resulting in a rough cellular surface. In conclusion, the present study might suggest that the intestinal villi and epithelial cells on the villus apical surface are hypertrophied in the ZEM groups, and that intestinal villi adapt to enhance their absorption capacity by increasing the absorptive surface area. These results are indicated that ZEM can provide effective nutritive value when used as a feed additive.

Sperm immobilization activity of Allium sativum L. and other plant extracts

<abstract>Aim: To identify possible spermicidal agents through screening a number of edible medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity. Methods: Initial screening was made on the basis of ram cauda epididymal sperm immobilization immediately after addition of extracts. The most potent extract was selected and was evaluated on both ram and human spermatozoa. To unravel its mode of action several sperm functional tests were carried out, namely viability of cells, hypo-osmotic swelling test for membrane integrity and assays of membrane-bound enzyme 5'-nucleotidase and acrosomal marker enzyme acrosin. Results: The crude aqueous extract of the bulb of Allium sativum L. showed the most promising results by instant immobilization of the ram epididymal sperm at 0.25 g/mL and human ejaculated sperm at 0.5 g/mL. Sperm immobilizing effects were irreversible and the factor of the extract responsible for immobilization was thermostable up to 90 癈. On boiling at 100 癈 for 10 minutes, this activity was markedly reduced. Moreover, this extract was able to cause aggregation of ram sperms into small clusters after 30 minutes of incubation at 37 癈. However this property was not found in human spermatozoa. More than 50 % reduction in sperm viability and hypo-osmotic swelling occurred in treated sperm as compared with the controls, indicating the possibility of plasma membrane disintegration which was further supported by the significant reduction in the activity of membrane bound 5'-nucleotidase and acrosomal acrosin. Conclusion: The crude aqueous extract of A. sativum bulb possesses spermicidal activity in vitro.

Inhibitory Effect of Plant Extracts on Conidial Germination of the Phytopathogenic Fungus <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>

In an attempt to reduce the use of synthetic fungicides, extensive investigations into the possible exploitation of plant compounds as natural commercial products were performed. The present paper describes the antifungal activity of botanic extracts on the development of Fusarium oxysporum, f.s.p. lycopersici. The tests in vitro were carried out in a multi-well plate assay. The tested plants were classified based on the optical density reached by germinating conidia 24, 48 and 72 hours after inoculation. Among 500 plant species tested, about 84% did not exert significant inhibition, 7.6% showed low inhibition, 5.2% had an intermediate level of antifungal activity, and only 3% inhibited fungal germination completely. These findings suggest that some botanic extracts tested possess antifungal activities against Fusarium oxysporum and could be used as potential antifungal agents for the control of fungal plant diseases.

Total phenolic content,in vitro antioxidant activity and chemical composition of plant extracts from semiarid Mexican region

Objective:To determine the extraction suitable conditions of total phenolic content(TPC) by heat-reflux system,antioxidant activities and HPLC characterization of the aqueous-ethanolic extracts of Jatropha dioica(J.dioica)(Dragon's blood).Flourensia cernua(F.cernua)(Tar bush).Eucalyptus camaldulensis(E.camaldulensis)(Eucalyptus) and Turnera diffusa(T.diffusa)(Damiana).Methods:TPC was evaluated by the well-known colorimetric assay using FolinCiocalteu reagent.The antioxidant activities were assayed by three methods based on scavenging of DPPH,ABTS and by lipid oxidation inhibition.The chemical composition of the extracts obtained was subject to HPLC analysis.Results:TPC in the plant extracts ranged from 2.3 to14.12 mg gallic acid equivalents/g for J.dioica and E.camaldulensis,respectively.The plant extracts of F.cernua,E.camaldulensis and T.diffusa showed similar strong antioxidant activities on scavenging of DPPH and lipid oxidation inhibition.In contrast,J.dioica extracts had lowest potential antioxidant in three assays used.HPLC assay showed the presence of several phenolic compounds in the extracts used.Conclusions:The results obtained suggest that F.cernua,E.camaldulensis and T.diffusa are potential sources to obtain bioactive phenolic compounds with high antioxidant properties which can be used in the factories as antioxidant agents or for treatments in diseases.

Differential Genotoxicity of the Crude Leaf Extract of a Medicinal Plant, Casearia tomentosa

The genotoxic potentiality of the crude leaf extract of Casearia tomentosa, a medicinal preparation, has been evaluated in Swiss albino mice. The extract significantly induced the division_disruptive chromosomal changes in bone marrow cells as well as in primary spermatocytes; the latter also exhibited marked increase in synaptic disruptions. A significant decrease in sperm count was noted. The incidence of structural damages in chromosomes, however, remained within the range of control level frequency. This herbal preparation, therefore, appears to be primarily spindle_poisoning in its action, but not clastogenic. The probable mechanism of this differential genotoxicity is discussed.

Effects of Black Tea Extract on Transplantable and Solid Tumors in Swiss Albino Mice

The chemopreventive effects of green tea and its polyphenols are well documented in the literature. Epidemiological studies have suggested that green tea consumption might be effective in the prevention of certain human cancers. About 80% of the tea is consumed as black tea. Limited studies have been carried out to assess the usefulness of black tea as anti_carcinogen. The present set of investigations were initiated to study the anti_tumorigenic potential of aqueous black tea extract (ATE) in Swiss albino mice in \%in vivo\% animal bioassay, using 7, 12 dimethyl_benzanthracene (DMBA) as carcinogen. In the experimental group, 2% ATE was given orally as sole source of drinking water, while the control were allowed to drink normal water, \%ad lib.\% The results revealed that drinking of 2% ATE could effectively inhibit the onset of tumorigenesis, cumulative number of tumors and average number of tumors per mouse. In ATE drinking group 44% animals remained tumor free till the termination of experiment, i. e. 26 weeks. In the second set of experiment the preventive efficacy of 2% ATE of different cultivars of black tea, viz orthodox, CTC and dust were tested in Ehrlich Ascites (EA) tumor bearing mice. The preventive effects of ATE were observed in terms of increased life span (ILS). All the cultivars of tea showed more than 25% increase in life span of the animals. Cytotoxic effect of various doses of all three cultivars of black tea was also observed \%in vitro \%on EA cells.

Efficacy of Some Plant Extracts and Biodegradables Wrapping Materials as an Alternative to Fungicides in Increasing Shelf Life Citrus Fruits

Increasingly global there is an interest to develop a new method by replacing fungicides in packaging fresh fruit by using environment-friendly bio-pesti-cides, such as use of botanicals or biological control. Five ethanol extracts (concentrations 500 - 5000 ppm) of Cerbera odollam L. (Pong-pong), Capsicum frutescence L. (Chili), Azadirachta indica L. (Neem), Cymbopogon nardus L. (Lemon grass), Zingiber officinale L. (Ginger), were tested for their anti-fungal activity for citrus green mold, black and brown rot, compared with the control fungicide (Guazatine). Efficacy of the selected plant extract in cooperated with biodegradable materials wrappers (Polylactic acid, Pectin and Newspaper) was determined during storage at room temperature (±25℃) to control fruit-pathogen decay under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to increase shelf life and improve the fruit quality. Crude extracts from pong-pong and chili showed fungal inhibition zone at 3000 ppm (c.100%), and increased shelf life and decreased weigh loss for fruits wrapped and stored at room temperature compared with untreated fruit.

Performance of Natural Antagonists and Commercial Microbiocides towards <i>in Vitro</i>Suppression of Flower Bed Soil-Borne <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>

Fusarium oxysporum is the causal agent for wilt diseases of many major ornamental and horticultural crops. In this study, we plated a local cut flower grower’s soil, with a persistent history of Fusarium wilt of scented stock, Matthiola incana but not the lettuce rotational crop. This yielded culture plates with characteristic pink to carmine red fungi, together with a mixed bacterial population, a percentage of which was visibly antagonistic to the Fusarium. Using molecular analyses via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays, we identified that Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium venenatum were prevalent in the soil. The co-habiting bacterial colonies that exhibited strong antagonistic activity (zone of clearance) towards the soil fungi corresponded to Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Paenibacillus polymyxa species. Our results arising from an in vitro study involving Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion agar assays, coupled with bio-imaging software techniques demonstrated that the three native soil bacteria were effective inhibitors of all Fusarium species tested, while Bacillus subtilis exhibited the highest antagonism towards the Fusarium oxysporum. Bioassay tests of micro-biocides Prestop (Gliocadium catenulatum), Serenade Max (Bacillus subtilis QST713) and commercial seaweed extract, AlgiVyt suppressed in vitro growth of Fusarium oxysporum infecting the scented stock flower to a greater extent, whilst fresh aqueous extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) flowers were ineffective towards soil pathogen suppression. This scoping study offers cut flower growers additional options of tapping into populations of antagonistic bacteria found in soil persistently infected with the opportunistic soil phytopathogen Fusarium oxysporum, affecting cut flower crops, such as M. incana.

Efficacy Evaluation of a Compound Plant Extract Used in Makeup Base

Cytological test and human skin test were used to study the antioxidant,anti-aging and moisturizing effects of a compound plant extract,and to evaluate its safety.The cytological test results showed that the compound extract could significantly scavenge the reactive oxygen species(ROS)generated by H2O2 stimulation and protect cells from oxidative damage.It can significantly inhibit the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1).The results of human skin test showed that the moisture content of cheek stratum corneum,R2 value and Q1 value of skin elasticity were significantly improved after 28 days of continuous use of the Makeup Base product added with the compound plant extract.The Ra value,Rz value and Rt value of skin texture around eyes have been significantly improved,which shows that the product has the effects of improving the moisture content of stratum corneum,improving skin elasticity and diminishing the fine lines around the eyes;the product has good safety.

Tectona grandis (Teak Tree) Young Leaf Extract as a Histological Stain

Stains are applied to impart contrast to the tissue and identify particular features of interest. However, the use of synthetic dyes as staining reagents has been associated with significant human health challenges and pollution of the ecosystem. These developments have necessitated a shift towards using natural dyes that are eco-friendlier and readily available. We investigated the staining reaction patterns of teak tree leaves (Tectona grandis) dye extracts and explored their suitability as a cytoplasmic stain in micromorphological assessments. Dye extracts were prepared using acetone, methanol, and ethanol as solvents from air-dried (under shade) teak tree young leaves. The dye extracts were applied as a counterstain and evaluated against eosin in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) bovine tissue sections at varying concentrations and different staining times. Teak tree leaves (Tectona grandis) dye extracts produced relatively varying staining intensities of reddish-brown cytoplasmic coloration when used on bovine tissue at different concentrations and staining times comparable to eosin and with blue-purple hematoxylin nuclear stain. The present study showed that Tectona grandis leaf dye extracts provide an excellent cytoplasmic staining pattern and can be used as an alternative counterstain in routine H&E staining techniques.

PLA/天然废弃植物源提取物复合材料的制备与性能

针对废弃资源综合利用和通用塑料污染问题,采用超声波辅助提取法提取天然废弃植物源有效成分,并与聚乳酸(PLA)复合,探究石榴皮提取物(PGE)和洋葱皮提取物(OPE)对PLA性能的影响。结果表明:两种提取物的加入并没有改变PLA的晶型,但提高了成核密度,减小了球晶尺寸。复合材料的热稳定性有一定的下降,但由于提取物中羟基与PLA发生了氢键作用使其下降幅度不大,同时弥补了复合材料力学性能减小的趋势。植物源提取物的添加使复合材料中的—OH基团数量增多,水蒸汽透过率也随之增大,适用于地膜及食品果蔬保鲜材料中。两种提取物赋予了复合材料不同色泽,染色成分与PLA间的界面作用使复合材料耐摩擦色牢度得以保持,扩大了其应用范围。两种复合材料具有显著的抑菌作用,其中,PGE含量为9%时,其复合材料的抗菌率可达95%以上,可以作为抗菌材料应用。

天然植物提取物复合脱腥剂对牛胃脱腥效果评价及工艺优化

为提高牛胃综合利用,该研究旨在开发一种纯天然绿色、对产品品质影响较小的复合脱腥方法。以新鲜牛胃为原料,采用迷迭香提取物、海藻糖及食盐对其进行脱腥处理,以感官腥味值作为评价指标,在单因素试验基础上运用响应面优化脱腥条件,通过顶空固相微萃取-气相色谱-质谱联用(headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,HS-SPEM-GC-MS)技术对牛胃脱腥前、后挥发性风味物质进行分析和鉴定。结果表明,牛胃最佳脱腥条件为迷迭香提取物0.17 g/100 mL,海藻糖2.25 g/100 mL,食盐0.64 g/100 mL,在此条件下脱腥效果显著。经HS-SPEM-GC-MS分析得出瘤胃的腥味活性物质可能是己醛、正辛醛、壬醛、1-辛烯-3-醇;网胃的腥味活性物质可能是己醛、正辛醛、壬醛;瓣胃的腥味活性物质可能是己醛、正辛醛、壬醛、4-甲基苯酚;皱胃的腥味活性物质可能是己醛、正辛醛、壬醛、反-2-辛烯醛、1-辛烯-3-醇、己酸、油酸。脱腥后4个胃室中醛类物质的种类和含量显著下降,酯、醇、酸类等物质均有不同程度的降低。因此,天然植物提取物复合脱腥剂在解决牛胃腥味和改善牛胃加工产品风味方面具有良好的应用前景。

天然低共熔溶剂在植物提取物中的应用研究进展

植物提取物是畜禽饲料添加剂的重要组成部分,在畜禽养殖中起到抗氧化、抗炎、抗应激和提高生产性能的作用。目前植物提取物的制备多采用常规的有机溶剂(乙醇、氯仿和乙酸乙酯)提取,有机溶剂的易燃、易挥发和毒性会对提取人员造成伤害,提取后的废液会造成环境的污染。天然低共熔溶剂(natural deep eutectic solvents, NADESs)是一种以初级代谢产物等天然成分为原料的新型绿色提取溶剂,具有制备简单、低毒或无毒、价廉易得、可生物降解、可回收利用等优点,是未来替代传统有机提取溶剂的新型溶剂,已广泛应用到化工、食品、中药提取等技术领域。文章综述了天然低共熔溶剂在植物提取物中的最新应用进展,旨在为天然低共熔溶剂的推广和应用提供指导。

植物染料结构、提取方法及表征手段研究

染整加工是赋予纺织品高附加值的关键环节,正朝着绿色、环保、可持续的方向发展。天然植物染料因具有环境友好、可生物降解、可将染色织物功能化等特点,备受行业关注。文章从纺织品染色用天然植物染料的分类及化学结构分析出发,以研究成果案例为中心,重点叙述植物染料的提取方法、优势和特点,并围绕实际染色过程需要,对天然植物染料的表征手段进行综合阐述,为天然植物染料的应用和开发提供借鉴和参考。

食品中天然防腐剂的研究进展

随着生活水平的提高,人们对食品安全与食品保鲜的要求日益提高。化学防腐剂虽能延长食品保质期,但长期使用可能给人们带来健康风险,如致癌性、过敏反应等。因此,寻找安全、有效的天然防腐剂已成为研究热点。天然防腐剂来源于植物、动物和微生物,具备良好的抗菌和抗氧化性能,应用前景广阔。然而,其在实际应用中仍面临稳定性差、成本高等挑战。本文综述了天然防腐剂的研究进展,旨在为天然防腐剂的进一步开发和应用提供参考。

罗平万峰山市级自然保护区动植物资源及其保护价值

罗平万峰山市级自然保护区地处地貌发育典型的喀斯特地区,是我国滇东喀斯特山地森林的重要组成部分,也是滇东地区重要的物种基因库。本文介绍了保护区内现有野生动植物资源的现状,从典型性、稀有性、脆弱性、多样性、感染力、面积适宜性、潜在价值、科研价值等方面对保护区的保护价值进行了综合评价分析,认为保护区形成了具有代表性的喀斯特山地森林生态系统,区内的森林生态系统对保护喀斯特地区极其脆弱的生态环境和生物多样性具有十分重要的意义。