Compound’s Pre-Screening of <i>Withania somnifera</i>, <i>Bacopa monnieri</i>and <i>Centella asiatica</i>Extracts

Spectral fluorescence signature, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for identification of chemical and bioactive compounds were applied to study the plant extracts of Withania somnifera, Centella asiatica and Bacopa monnieri which are related to the possible treatment of mental diseases as Alzheimer, Parkinson and Depression. These plants are known for different positive phytotherapeutic effects on the human brain without negative post-, adverse or after effects to the treated individuals, and have been recommended in several medical studies. Therefore, we selected these plants for further analysis, based on the inhibition results of in vitro Amyloid Beta fibrillation tests made by previous measurements. With this study a first screening of the complex plant extract mixtures was performed, to get an initial overview about known and unknown ingredients. In all three plants, similar main compounds were identified, however in different quality and quantity. These may provide substantial information on which compound combinations might be mainly responsible for the positive effects and should be further investigated being responsible for reducing the fibrillation process of Amyloid Beta.

Microscopic Observation of Acid Rain Induced <i>Bacopa monnieri</i>L.

Acid rain (AR) has been reported to induce stress in plants affecting its productivity, growth, flowering and physiology. The molecular changes induced in plants due to the effect of acid rain or acid induced orientation or chloroplast streaming remains largely unknown. Therefore, in the current study we report for the first time the static and permanent changes in the cell of the medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri L. due to sulphur-simulated acid rain (S-SiAR). AR induced effects witnessed by the reduction of the size of starch granules and chloroplast, amount of the granules per unit area, dissolving cell walls, breaking the normal fiber, salt-induced strain in the various components of the cell. Effect of starch granule and chloroplast due to S-SiAR was analyzed using light, confocal and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The elements viz. potassium and magnesium present in the chloroplasts reveal acidic pH due to effect of S-SiAR observed by the ionization of Mg and K (to Mg2+ and K+), in which K+ induced by the effects of S-SiAR revealed a net negative Nernst potential of about -87.55 mV. Calcium is mainly present on the cell walls and responsible for binding of starch granules become ionized to Ca2+ on interacting with AR indicated by the altered Nernst potential of +137.04 mV. A net potential difference may cause the above streaming of chloroplast towards the large starch granules. From this study, we report AR-induced physiological changes in medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri L. for the first time.

Bacopa monnieri extracts prevent hydrogen peroxide- induced oxidative damage in a cellular model of neuroblastoma IMR32 cells

Neurodegenerative diseases are the consequences of imbalance between the production of oxidative stress and its nullification by cellular defense mechanisms. Hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2), a precursor of deleterious reactive oxygen species, elicits oxidative stress, resulting in severe brain injuries. Bacopa monnieri is well known for its nerve relaxing and memory enhancing properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of extracts from Bacopa monnieri against H_2O_2 induced oxidative stress using a cellular model, neuroblastoma IMR32 cell line. The protective potential of methanolic, ethanolic, and water extracts of B. monnieri(BM-MEx, BM-EEx, and BM-WEx) was evaluated using MTT assay. Although, all the B. monnieri extracts were found to protect cells against H_2O_2-mediated stress but BM-MEx showed significantly greater protection. UPLC analysis of BM-MEx revealed various polyphenols, including quercetin, catechin, umbelliferone, and caffeic acid predominance. Further, BM-MEx was found to possess considerable greater neuroprotective potential in comparison to the standard polyphenols such as quercetin, catechin, umbelliferone, and caffeic acid. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly elevated after the pretreatment of BM-MEx and quercetin. The expression levels of oxidative stress markers, such as NF200, HSP70, and mortalin, were significantly alleviated after the pretreatment of BM-MEx as shown by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the protective effects of BM-MEx, suggesting that it could be a candidate for the development of neuropathological therapeutics.

Psychophysiological Effects of a Combination of Sideritis and Bacopa Extract (memoLoges®) in 32 Subjects Suffering from Mild Cognitive Impairment. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, 2-Armed Study with Parallel Design

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be regarded as a non-demented transitional stage during the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Early recognition of this stage might increase the chance of prevention by early treatment. Within a pilot study, two plant-derived preparations and mixtures thereof were tested successfully in subjects suffering from MCI. A combination of Sideritis scardica and Bacopa monnieri extract (memoLoges®) was chosen now for a repetitive dosing during 4 weeks. Thirty-two subjects aged 50 to 80 years and suffering from MCI (having a DemTect questionnaire score between 8 and 13) were recruited for intake of 2 capsules of the preparation per day. Quantitative EEG recording during relaxation and concomitant performance of three 5 minutes lasting psychometric tests (d2-concentration test, arithmetic calculation test and memory test) was achieved at the first day and one day after the last repetitive intake. Seventeen channels of EEG and one channel EOG (for artefact rejection) were recorded. After frequency analysis (FFT) current source density was calculated as reported earlier. One, two and three hours after intake of the herbal extract or placebo the whole procedure was repeated. Brain imaging was achieved by conversion of numerical values of spectral EEG power into spectral colors and additive color mixture according to RGB as used in TV settings. Intake of memoLoges® induced a trend of improvement of performance in psychometric testing (all three tests). During relaxation quantitative assessment of EEG data revealed attenuation of delta and theta spectral power in frontal brain as likewise reported in the presence of the Alzheimer drug rivastigmine, bringing the spectrum back to “normality”. During mental work memoLoges® induced statistically significant increases of beta power. Since MCI subjects produce less beta power in comparison to healthy subjects, this increase must likewise be seen as a positive effect pointing to a healthier spectrum.

华南玄参科两个新归化种及假马齿苋补注

描述华南地区玄参科两新归化种黄花过长沙舅Mecardonia procumbens(Mill.)Small和圆叶母草Linder-nia rotundifolia(Linn.)Alston。另补充描述在玄参科假马齿苋中发现退化雄蕊。

抗生素对水生植物小对叶外植体分化的影响

[目的]研究小对叶对常用的抗生素的敏感性。[方法]将培养2周的小对叶无菌苗叶片切成0.5 cm×0.5 cm的小块,在添加不同浓度梯度的卡那霉素、潮霉素、壮观霉素和氯霉素4种抗生素的MS1培养基上进行培养,诱导其分化出芽,研究了4种抗生素对小对叶外植体分化的影响。[结果]一定浓度的抗生素对小对叶离体叶片的分化均具有抑制作用;确定了4种抗生素作为小对叶遗传转化研究的筛选标记的适宜浓度:卡那霉素为15 mg/L,潮霉素为10 mg/L,壮观霉素为60 mg/L,氯霉素为20 mg/L;小对叶对4种抗生素的敏感程度为:潮霉素>卡那霉素>氯霉素>壮观霉素。[结论]在进行遗传转化之前,对待转化材料进行抗生素敏感性测定是建立小对叶遗传转化系统的必然条件。

一测多评法测定假马齿苋中间体中的5种三萜皂苷类成分含量

目的利用一测多评法建立假马齿苋中间体中5种三萜皂苷类成分的高效液相色谱分析方法。方法以BacopasideⅠ为内参物,建立Bacoside A_3、BacopasideⅡ、Bacopasaponin C isomer、Bacopasaponin C的相对校正因子,从而计算各成分含量,并将一测多评结果与外标法实测值用相对误差评价,验证一测多评法的准确性。结果 BacopasideⅠ与Bacoside A_3、BacopasideⅡ、Bacopasaponin C isomer、Bacopasaponin C的相对校正因子分别为0.980、0.747、1.046、0.836,一测多评法计算结果与外标法无显著差异,相对误差小于5%。结论该方法准确可靠,简便可行,可作为假马齿苋中间体多指标成分测定质量控制方法。

小对叶植株再生及遗传转化体系构建

为了利用生物技术方法开发及改良水生植物小对叶,以小对叶(Bacopa monnieri)叶片为外植体,建立其组织培养再生体系及根癌农杆菌介导的遗传转化体系。结果表明:小对叶叶盘最佳愈伤组织诱导培养基是MS+6-BA0.5mg/L+NAA0.02mg/L;最佳分化培养基是MS+6-BA0.5mg/L+NAA0.05mg/L;最佳生根培养基是1/2MS+IBA0.1mg/L。最佳的根癌农杆菌介导的小对叶遗传转化条件是:外植体预培养2天,侵染菌液OD600为0.5,侵染时间7min、共培养4天和延迟筛选4天,可获得最高转化率21.4%。

假马齿苋的化学成分和药理作用研究进展

假马齿苋是玄参科假马齿苋属植物,主要分布于热带和亚热带地区。其主要化学成分为三萜皂苷类化合物。现代药理研究表明假马齿苋对神经系统、消化系统和血液循环系统等均有作用,是一种有开发潜力的药用植物。现对国内外有关假马齿苋的化学成分、药理作用的研究成果进行综述,为全面开发利用假马齿苋提供参考。

正交设计法优选假马齿苋中总皂苷提取工艺

目的研究假马齿苋中总皂苷的提取工艺。方法采用正交试验法,以总皂苷含量为考察指标,优化假马齿苋中总皂苷的提取工艺。结果最佳提取工艺为1∶20倍煎药液得量,回流提取2次,每次3小时。结论该试验工艺稳定,重现性好。

Brahmi研究与开发:一种能改善记忆的药用植物(英文)

OBJECTIVE Brahmi(Bacopa monnieri Wettst.,Schrophulariaceae)has been used in Ayuravedic medicine as a memory enhancer.We aimed at research and development of Brahmi for clinical use as the food supplement for memory improvement.METHODS The standardized extract of Brahmi has been developed.The neuroprotective effect of the extract was tested using in vitro and in vivo assay.A double-blinded randomized control trial of brahmi tablet was conducted in 60 middle-aged elderly volunteers.RESULTS The in vivo studies indicated that the standardized extract had neuroprotective effect at the doses of 40 and 80mg·kg-1.The escape latency time of rats in Morris water maze test was reduced.Moreover,the reduction of neurons and cholinergic neuron densities were mitigated.We also tested its protection effect against the beta-amyloid protein and glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cortical cultured neurons.The result demonstrated that Brahmi extract protected neurons from beta-amyloid-induced cell death,but not glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.The standardized extract of Brahmi is formulated as a film-coated tablet.The effect of Brahmi extract on learning and memory was studied in the middle aged and elderly volunteers.The results showed that Brahmi extract(300and 600mg·d-1)could improve quality of life in the elderly by improving the physical fitness via the increase in efficiency of postural balance.It also improved the psychological fitness by increasing alertness and attention resulted in the improvement of learning and memory.In addition,Brahmi extract could decrease depression-like symptom.The dosage used in this study did not produce toxic and side effects.CONCLUSION The in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that brahmi is a potential medicinal plant for memory enhancer.The clinical study showed that brahmi tablet could improve physical fitness and enhance memory in healthy volunteers.

HPLC同时测定不同产地假马齿苋中的5个三萜皂苷类成分

目的:建立HPLC法同时测定不同产地假马齿苋中5个皂苷(假马齿苋皂苷I、苦艾素A3、假马齿苋皂苷Ⅱ、假马齿苋皂苷C异构体和假马齿苋皂苷C)的含量。方法:假马齿苋以50%乙醇水溶液提取;采用Agela Promsil C_(18)色谱柱(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm),流动相为乙腈-0.2%磷酸水溶液(氢氧化钠溶液调至p H 3.0)(32.5∶67.5),流速为1.0 m L·min^(-1),检测波长为205 nm,柱温为30℃。结果:上述5个皂苷的线性关系良好(r≥0.999 6),平均加样回收率为98.6%~100.4%。不同生长环境的假马齿苋中的5个成分各自含量有所差别,10批样品中假马齿苋皂苷I、苦艾素A3、假马齿苋皂苷Ⅱ、假马齿苋皂苷C异构体和假马齿苋皂苷C的含量范围分别为4.22~5.62、1.61~3.04、2.62~4.94、0.38~4.53和2.14~6.33 mg·g^(-1)。结论:该方法可用于假马齿苋的质量控制。

假马齿苋的化学成分和药理活性研究进展

通过检索假马齿苋Bacopa monnieri的化学成分及其药理活性的相关文献,发现其化学成分类型主要包括三萜及其苷类、黄酮类、苯乙醇苷类、甾醇类等。现代药理学研究证明,假马齿苋对中枢神经、心血管、消化、呼吸、内分泌等系统均有一定的影响,此外还具有抗炎镇痛、抗氧化、降血糖、抗肿瘤、抗微生物以及肝肾保护等药理活性。现对该植物的化学成分以及药理活性进行综述,为其后期深入研究和开发提供科学依据。