Diuretic and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of leaves of Cassia occidentalis(Linn.) in rats

Objective: To assess the putative diuretic and antioxidant properties of Cassia occidentalis(C. occidentalis) leaves' aqueous extract. Methods: Adult rats were administered with C. occidentalis leaves aqueous extract acutely(24-h) and subchronically(7 d), at doses 80, 160, 240, 320, and 400 mg/kg(per os). Negative control group received only an equivalent volume of distilled water, while the two positive control groups received the diuretic drugs furosemide(20 mg/kg, i.p.) and hydrochlorothiazide(HCTZ, 20 mg/kg, i.p.). Urinary elimination of electrolytes in response to treatments was evaluated, together with changes in concentrations of creatinine, urea, aldosterone, glucose, and albumin in urine and plasma. Various urinary indicators of kidney function and plasmatic markers of oxidative stress were also assessed. Results: The acute administration of C. occidentalis increased the urinary excretion of 107.58% at the higher dose tested, compared to negative control. The reference drugs furosemide and HCTZ induced increases of 84.27 % and 48.05 %, respectively. Acutely, the extract induced Na+ and Cl- elimination, whereas subchronically an increase in K+ elimination was also observed. The extract also improved the kidney function indexes and oxidative stress markers. These effects were dose-dependent and comparable with positive control observations. Conclusions: Our i ndings strongly suggest that C. occidentalis aqueous extract has diuretic and antioxidant activities, and deserves further studies considering the potential for the treatment of hypertension.

Cellular Antioxidant Activity and Peroxidase Inhibition of Infusions from Different Aerial Parts of <i>Cassia occidentalis</i>

Cassia occidentalis L. is widely used in the world in traditional medicine and especially in some African countries for the treatment of various diseases. The aim of this study was to report the microscopic features, the chromatographic fingerprints and the cellular antioxidant activity and the peroxidase inhibition of infusions from different parts of this plant. Microscopically, leaf can be characterized by cells of the spongy mesophyll and parenchyma numerous cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, paracytic stomata, isolated calcium oxalate cluster crystals, covering and glandular trichomes, scalariform vessels, polyedric starch granules, lignified fibers;flowers by abundant covering and glandular trichomes, spirally thickened vessels and associated parenchyma, abundant pollen grains. Seeds were characterized by pluricellular non-glandular trichomes, epidermis of the testa with underlying oil cells, parenchymatous layers of the testa, thicker-walled cells of the endosperm, pollen grain. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, iridoids, tannins and terpenes. TLC fingerprints of different parts were different and characteristic. They showed the presence of glycosylated flavonoids and phenolic acids as main phytochemicals for flowers, leaves and seedpods. ABTS and DPPH assays showed that infusion extracts have the ability to scavenge free radicals connected with their IC50 values ranging from 21.43 ± 1.25 to 566.24 ± 176.7 mg·mL-1. All extracts showed a weaker capacity to scavenge DPPH radical. Aqueous extracts displayed high cellular antioxidant activity at the concentrations range of 1 - 20 μg·mL-1 using LO-12 on monocytes HL 60. Flower and leave extracts showed more efficient effects on extracellular ROS production. Phenolic compounds could be major contributors to antioxidant activity of infusions of Cassia parts. In MPO (Myeloperoxidase) direct technique, all infusion extracts exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on MPO activity in the range concentrations of 1 to 20 μg·mL-1 with the leaves and flowers the most active. Obtained results support the potential therapeutic interest of all aerial parts of Cassia and could justify their use in traditional medicine and local nutraceutical resources.

Phytochemical Screening and Assays of Phenolic Compounds in Senna occidentalis L. Leaf and Seed Extracts

Phytochemical screening and assay of secondary metabolites, crude extracts with distilled water, aqueous methanol, aqueous acetone and aqueous ethanol of leaves and seeds of Senna occidentalis L. were studied in this work. The aim was to verify the distribution of secondary metabolites according to S. occidentalis organs. Four leaf samples from four different localities (South, East, West and Central Senegal) and a mixed sample of seeds were used. Functional molecules such as polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins were then assessed in the leaves and seeds using various standard methods. The results show that Senna occidentalis L. leaf and seed samples display an identical and homogeneous profile, regardless of locality. They contain secondary metabolites and the polyphenol content of extracts from southern, eastern, western and central leaves is: 0.620 - 0.539 - 0.811 - 0.573 g GAE/100 g DM;flavonoids: 0.064 - 0.074 - 0.130 - 0.101 g CE/100 g DM and tannins: 0.326 - 0.264 - 0.269 - 0.494 g TAE/100 g DM. The efficacy of S. occidentalis L. infusions in therapy is thus justified by the presence of these metabolites, whose biological properties are well known. It is then possible to explore isolation of active principles of Senna occidentalis L. leaves and even seeds for producing medicines.

Biological Control Potential of <i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i>for Coffee Senna (<i>Cassia occidentalis</i>)

A fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was isolated from a greenhouse-grown seedling of coffee senna (Cassia occidentalis) and evaluated as a mycoherbicide for that weed. Host range tests revealed that coffee senna, wild senna (C. marilandica), and sicklepod (C. obtusifolia) were also affected by this pathogen, but 35 other crop and weed species, representing 8 botanical families were not affected. The fungus sporulated prolifically on solid and liquid media with maximum spore germination and growth occurring at 20°C - 30°C. Optimal environmental conditions included at least 12 h of free moisture (dew) at 20°C - 30°C. Spray mixtures containing approximately 1.0 × 105 or more conidia·ml–1 gave maximum control when coffee senna seedlings were sprayed until runoff occurred. Coffee senna seedlings that were in the cotyledon to first-leaf growth stage were most susceptible to this pathogen. Weed control efficacy studies under field conditions demonstrated that control of coffee senna was directly proportional to the inoculum concentration applied. Results of these tests suggest that this fungus has potential as a mycoherbicide to control coffee senna, a serious weed in the southeastern U.S.

Contamination and browning in tissue culture of Platanus occidentalis L.

Twigs of 2-3-year-old Platanus occidentalis L. were used as experimental material to find the causes for the contamination and browning in the initial stages of tissue cultures. To compare the degree of browning of explants picked off from different growing seasons, the experimental material was excised from trees on each of the first ten days in January, March, May and July, 2006. The results indicated that the contamination and browning rates of the material cut off in January （14.2% and 30.6%, respectively） and March were somewhat lower than those in July. The pretreatment of soaking the explants in different anti-oxidants and absorbents at the same time could diminish some side effects. The pretreatment of using 10 g·L^-1 vitamin C reduced the contamination and brown- ing rate effectively. An orthogonal experiment showed that the optimal factor and level arrangement is 0.5 mg·L^-1BA, 2.0 g·L^-1 active carbon and 1.5 g·L^-1 PVP which resulted in a browning rate of only 16.5%. In general, sampling period, physical properties and pretreatment of explants are the main factors responsible for the contamination and browning of material in the initial stages of P. occidentalis tissue cultures.

Effects of GA3 and NAA on Fatty Acid Degradation in Germination and Seedling Growth of Cassia obtusifolia L. Seed

[Objectives]To understand the content changes of fatty acid compositions and seedling growths during seed germinations of Cassia obtusifolia L.[Methods]The fatty acid compositions of germinations and seedling growths of C.obtusifolia seeds treated with different concentrations of gibberellin(GA3)and naphthalene acetic acid(NAA)were analyzed using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer(GC-MS),and the germination rates,root lengths,plant heights and fresh weights of their seedlings were analyzed.[Results]The contents of eicosenoic acid,α-linoleic acid,arachidic acid,eicosadienoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid of C.obtusifolia seeds treated with different concentrations of GA3 and NAA decreased with germination time.There were significant differences between the ratios of germinations of C.obtusifolia seeds treated with different concentrations of GA3 and NAA.GA3 and NAA of different ratio treatments could promote seedling heights and fresh weights of C.obtusifolia,but increases of seedling heights and fresh weights were different.Eicosenoic acid,α-linoleic acid,arachidic acid,eicosadienoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid were remarkably negative correlation with seedling heights and fresh weights.[Conclusions]The fatty acid components of C.obtusifolia seed germination and growth of their seedlings were affected.It indicated that GA3 and NAA treatments can affect fatty acid metabolism,the germination rates,root lengths,plant heights and fresh weights of C.obtusifolia.It is intended to provide a theoretical basis and technological reference for standardized cultivated techniques of C.obtusifolia.

傣药芽拉勐龙(Cassia alata L.)的最佳采收时间探讨

傣药芽拉勐龙(Cassia alata L.)是傣医药史籍中有记载且傣医临床中最常用的药材之一,它在泰国应用同样广泛多见,是已开发应用得较为成熟的药用植物,相关研究也较多。在西双版纳,民间傣医常在夏秋季节采收芽拉勐龙,认为这期间的芽拉勐龙叶才有更好的疗效,但尚未发现相关的理论依据支持这种说法,因此笔者在2008年7月到11月间,采集每个月份的芽拉勐龙叶进行其乙醇提取物的含量测定,以找到它的最佳采集使用期。通过其采收季节中有效成分含量的比较结果显示,有效成分最高的时间是11月份,故在采收芽拉勐龙时,应掌握时机,在11月份采收为佳。

Tissue Culture and Rapid Propagation of Platanus occidentalis L.

[ Objective ] The aim was to carry out study on the tissue culture of Platanus occldentalis L. so as to provide suitable method for propagation and preser- vation of fine strains. [ Method ] Four lines of P. occidentalis were used as test materials to explore the proliferation conditions of them on different mediums. [ Re- suit] The difference on the proliferation culture conditions among four clones, four media as well as the interaction of clones and media is extremely significant. The multiple comparisons result showed that the optimal proliferation medium for SX4, SX12, SJ28 and DY18 are ？,4, A2, A2 and A4. SX4 shows the best proliferation result. [ Conclusion] The result in this study has provided suitable method for propagation and preservation of fine strains and the material basis for further studies an P ,~rvirl.,,n^nli~

HPLC测定决明子中决明子苷A,B含量

目的：建立决明子中降血脂有效成分决明子苷Ａ，Ｂ（以下简称苷Ａ，Ｂ）的ＨＰＬＣ定量测定方法。方法：决明子药材经氯仿脱脂后再由甲醇提取，甲醇提取液经释释后直接进样分析；在μＢｏｎｄａｐａｋＣ１８柱上，以乙腈水四氢呋喃冰醋酸（２０∶７６．５∶３．０∶０．５）为流动相，流速为１ｍｌ·ｍｉｎ－１，检测波长为２７８ｎｍ，测定了样品中苷Ａ、Ｂ含量，并采用光谱法和色谱法对Ａ、Ｂ峰的色谱纯度进行了鉴定。结果：苷Ａ、Ｂ的保留时间分别为１２．１３ｍｉｎ和１３．２７ｍｉｎ，经鉴定苷Ａ、Ｂ峰均为单一物质色谱峰：苷Ａ、Ｂ的标准曲线分别在０．２５～１．２５μｇ（ｒ＝０．９９９９）和０．１２５μｇ～０．６２５μｇ（ｒ＝０．９９９９）之间有较好线性关系，苷Ａ、Ｂ的加样回收率分别为（９６．８３±３．５３）％和（９７．７８±２．１６）％。结论：本法专属性强，可用于决明子中决明子苷Ａ、Ｂ的含量测定。

HPLC衍生化法分析决明子多糖水解产物中单糖组分及其多糖组成特征的研究

分别利用分光光度法和1-苯基-3-甲基-5-吡唑啉酮（PMP）衍生化/HPLC法分析了12批不同批次药材的决明子多糖及其水解产物中的单糖组分,以水解的单糖组分建立了决明子多糖的HPLC指纹图谱,并研究了决明子多糖的组成特征。结果表明,经过纯化的决明子多糖含量在93.41%-98.57%之间,以甘露糖为参照峰建立了12批药材的指纹图谱,相似度在0.963-0.999之间,多糖水解产物中单糖组分的含量在1.617-304.5 mg/g之间,7个共有峰组分含量大小分布均依次为：甘露糖〉木糖〉半乳糖〉葡萄糖〉阿拉伯糖〉葡萄糖醛酸〉氨基半乳糖,显示了决明子多糖的基本组成结构特征,12批药材的决明子多糖中各单糖的平均摩尔比为甘露糖∶木糖∶半乳糖∶葡萄糖∶阿拉伯糖∶葡萄糖醛酸∶氨基半乳糖=43.0∶24.2∶15.4∶5.6∶5.5∶3.4∶2.9。指纹图谱相似度分析和多糖的组成特征分析对市售药材的分析鉴定结果一致,可作为决明子多糖结构分析及其质量控制的依据。

NaCl溶液协同蒸馏法提取香柏精油工艺的研究

以孝感学院内的香柏细枝叶为原料,采用NaCl溶液协同蒸馏法对香柏精油的提取工艺进行研究。结果表明:提取香柏精油的最佳工艺参数为:料液比1∶15,NaCl溶液浓度为4%,浸泡6h,蒸馏时间3h。在此条件下,香柏精油的提取率达到了1.95%。

决明子水提物干预N-硝基-L-精氨酸甲酯诱导高血压模型大鼠血压的变化

背景:高血压现代诊疗理念是通过降压治疗保护靶器官、改善临床症状与最大程度减少临床事件。决明子在动物实验和临床实践中有降压作用,但是其是否有助于改善高血压血管功能障碍、氧化应激和终末器官损害仍有待于进一步研究。目的:评估决明子水提物对N-硝基-L-精氨酸甲酯诱导的高血压大鼠的降压功效。方法:灌胃N-硝基-L-精氨酸甲酯构建高血压大鼠模型,然后给予决明子水提物[500 mg/(kg·d)]治疗,均连续灌胃4周,1次/d。每周测量1次血压、心率。最后一次灌胃给药24 h后,检测血清谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶、尿素、血肌酐、脂质谱以及肝脏和肾脏中丙二醛、一氧化氮、还原型谷胱甘肽水平、血管紧张素转化酶活性。通过免疫组化和实时定量PCR分析大鼠肾脏组织中内皮型一氧化氮合酶、诱导型一氧化氮合酶蛋白及基因表达。结果与结论:与高血压模型组相比,决明子水提物治疗4周有效降低了高血压大鼠的平均动脉压、舒张压、收缩压(P<0.05),并改善肝脏和肾脏标志物、脂质分布和氧化状态。此外,决明子水提物显著降低了高血压大鼠肝脏和肾脏中血管紧张素转化酶活性(P<0.05)。在决明子水提物处理的大鼠肾脏中,内皮型一氧化氮合酶的基因和蛋白表达均显著高于高血压模型组。以上结果表明,决明子水提物显示出相当大的降压潜力,其降压机制包括上调内皮型一氧化氮合酶表达、抗氧化和血管紧张素转化酶抑制作用。

交泰丸含药血清对豚鼠心室肌细胞ICa-L的影响

[目的]观察交泰丸及其拆方含药血清对豚鼠心室肌细胞L-型钙离子通道(ICa-L)的影响。[方法]急性分离心室肌细胞,实验分为空白组、黄连组、肉桂组、黄连加肉桂组和交泰丸组,各组加入含药血清浓度为10%和15%,后放于37℃、5%CO_2的孵育箱中孵育24 h,运用膜片钳技术观察药物对ICa-L电流密度和动力学参数的影响。[结果]各组均不同程度抑制钙离子电流(P<0.05),使ICa-L激活和失活时间常数及失活后恢复时间延长(P<0.05)。其中交泰丸对ICa-L平均电流密度抑制率最高达57.5%,肉桂显著延长ICa-L激活时间常数和失活时间常数,黄连使ICa-L失活后恢复时间常数减小最显著。[结论]交泰丸及各拆方含药血清对钙离子通道有不同程度的抑制作用,交泰丸抑制率最大,抑制钙电流影响心肌细胞有效不应期,这可能是交泰丸在临床及实验中具有抗心律失常作用的机制。

HPLC-UV法测定草决明中五种蒽醌类化合物含量及其指纹图谱的建立

目的:建立一种同时测定草决明中五种蒽醌类化合物含量的HPLC方法及草决明HPLC指纹图谱。方法:采用Hypersil C18色谱柱(4.6mm×250mm,5μm),以乙腈-0.05%甲酸水溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱;流速1.0mL/min,柱温:30℃,检测波长254nm。采用评价软件(2004A)进行数据分析,对来自加纳和中国13个地区,共22种生、炒草决明建立了HPLC指纹图谱,并进行相似度计算。结果:方法的灵敏度、线性、精密度以及准确度均符合方法学验证的要求。分别在生品中检出16个共有峰,在炮制品检出8个共有峰;与对照样品(加纳的生品)相比,中国的两个样本相似系数分别为0.577(南京)和0.565(武汉)。结论:所建立的草决明指纹图谱的方法稳定可靠,适用于草决明质量评价,两个国家的草决明质量有明显差异。

NaCl胁迫对草决明种子萌发的影响

以草决明(Cassia obtusifolia L.)种子为材料,研究NaCl胁迫对其萌发的影响。结果表明:不同浓度的NaCl对草决明种子萌发的抑制程度不同,随着NaCl浓度的增加,发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数均呈下降趋势,而相对盐害率逐渐上升,NaCl浓度越高,对草决明种子萌发的抑制作用越强。

HPLC法测定大黄配伍肉桂后水煎液中大黄酚含量

建立高效液相色谱法测定大黄配伍肉桂后水煎液中大黄酚含量的方法,对不同配伍比例下水煎液中大黄酚含量的变化进行研究.采用热回流法提取样品中的大黄酚,利用HPLC测定提取液中游离态及结合态大黄酚的含量.结果表明,大黄与肉桂配伍后水煎液中大黄酚含量呈现不同程度的下降,并且随配伍比例的变化呈规律性变化,大黄肉桂配伍比例为2∶1时,大黄酚的含量最低.该方法快速、准确、重复性好,可用于大黄配伍肉桂大黄酚含量的测定.

ASE-HPLC法快速测定决明子中大黄酚和橙黄决明素

目的:建立快速溶剂萃取(ASE)及HPLC测定决明子中大黄酚和橙黄决明素的分析方法。方法:利用正交试验对ASE350快速溶剂萃取系统进行提取方法的研究,采用HPLC法同时测定决明子中大黄酚和橙黄决明素的含量。色谱柱为ACE Excel C_(18)-PFP柱(75 mm×2.1 mm,2.5μm),流动相为乙腈-0.1%磷酸溶液梯度洗脱,流速为0.4 ml·min^(-1),检测波长为284 nm,柱温为40℃。结果:采用甲醇为萃取溶剂、萃取温度为120℃、静态萃取时间为5 min以及循环萃取3次的方法最优,可以很好地提取决明子中大黄酚和橙黄决明素,耗时仅为药典提取方法的1/9。大黄酚和橙黄决明素线性范围为0.73~58.57μg·ml^(-1)(r=0.999 7)和1.09~87.29μg·ml^(-1)(r=0.999 6),平均回收率分别为102.7%(RSD=0.8%)和98.2%(RSD=1.5%)。结论:该方法能简便、快速、准确的测定决明子中的大黄酚和橙黄决明素。

近视灵口服液中决明子的TLC鉴别

近视灵口服液由决明子等12味药材组成。试验确定了其主药决明子的薄层层析鉴别方法，对于含决明于复方中药制剂及相关食品的质量控制具有实用价值。

复方中药配伍现代减肥成分的动物实验研究

目的:探讨姜黄、决明子等复方中药提取物配伍左旋肉碱酒石酸盐和白芸豆提取物的减肥作用。方法:选用SD健康雄性大鼠为研究对象,建立肥胖大鼠模型,用姜黄、决明子等复方中药提取物配伍左旋肉碱酒石酸盐和白芸豆提取物进行减肥作用研究。大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型对照组及4个配方试验组,观察各组大鼠的摄食情况、食物利用率、体质量变化及体内脂肪积累情况。结果:各试验组摄食量、总摄食量及摄入总热量与模型对照组比较无差异,试验组1、2、4体质量增长量和总质量增长量均低于模型对照组,试验组1和试验组4食物利用率和总食物利用率均低于模型对照组,试验组1和试验组4大鼠的睾丸及肾周围脂肪质量低于模型对照组,差异有统计学意义(p<0.05)。结论:该实验条件下,试验组1和4具有减肥作用。

Cycloartane triterpenoid and its glucoside isolated from Cassia occidentalis

In the present study, one new cycloartane triterpenoid, named cycloccidentalic acid C(1) and its glucoside, cycloccidentaliside VI(2) were isolated from the whole plant of Cassia occidentalis. Their structures were elucidated by a combinational analyses of 1D and 2D NMR data and HRMS. Compound 2 showed modest anti-HIV-1 activity with EC_(50) value of 1.44 μmol·L^(-1) and TI(Therapeutic Index) value of 15.59.