Cassiae Semen improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through autophagy-related pathway

Objective:Cassiae Semen(CS,Juemingzi in Chinese)has been used for thousands of years in ancient Chinese history for relieving constipation,improving liver function as well as preventing myopia.Here we aimed to elucidate the anti-steatosis effect and underlying mechanism of CS against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods:High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was used to identify the major components of CS water extract.Mice were fed with a high-fat and sugar-water(HFSW)diet to induce hepatic steatosis and then treated with CS.The anti-NAFLD effect was determined by measuring serum biomarkers and histopathology staining.Additionally,the effects of CS on cell viability and lipid metabolism in oleic acid and palmitic acid(OAPA)-treated HepG2 cells were measured.The expression of essential genes and proteins involved in lipid metabolism and autophagy signalings were measured to uncover the underlying mechanism.Results:Five compounds,including aurantio-obtusin,rubrofusarin gentiobioside,cassiaside C,emodin and rhein were simultaneously identified in CS extract.CS not only improved the diet-induced hepatic steatosis in vivo,as indicated by decreased number and size of lipid droplets,hepatic and serum triglycerides(TG)levels,but also markedly attenuated the OAPA-induced lipid accumulation in hepatocytes.These lipid-lowering effects induced by CS were largely dependent on the inhibition of fatty acid synthase(FASN)and the activation of autophagy-related signaling,including AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK),light chain 3-II(LC3-II)/LC3-1 and autophagy-related gene5(ATG5).Conclusion:Our study suggested that CS effectively protected liver steatosis via decreasing FASN-related fatty acid synthesis and activating AMPK-mediated autophagy,which might become a promising therapeutic strategy for relieving NAFLD.

Phytochemical Composition and Insecticidal Property of Native Plants against the Cowpea Weevil Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) for Natural Preservation of Cowpea Seeds

About 80% of cowpea seeds are lost along with 30% of their weight after six months of unprotected storage due to attacks by Callosobruchus maculatus. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of applying bioinsecticides on the biological parameters of C. maculatus to reduce its damage to cowpea stocks. Four treatments including an untreated control and three doses of powdery extracts of C. nigricans, Z. zanthoxyloides and H. suaveolens, were compared in a Fischer block with four completely randomized repetitions. One hundred undamaged cowpea seeds were mixed with doses of each extract in Petri dishes and then fed as food substrates to ten pairs of C. maculatus for eight days. The extracts of H. suaveolens, C. nigricans and Z. zanthoxyloides all contain active ingredients including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and alkaloids, etc. The extract of Z. zanthoxyloides was found to be more active on adults (100.00% mortality) followed by C. nigricans (98.75% mortality) and H. suaveolens (97.50% mortality) at 80 mg/g. Fecundity per female decreased significantly in the treated batches of 13.82 eggs for H. suaveolens at 10.12 eggs for C. nigricans at a dose of 80 mg/g. Germination rate of seeds was statistically raised to 100% at 60 and 80 mg/g by C. nigricans powder and lowered to 83.00% at 20 mg/g by Z. zanthoxyloides extracts. The application of Z. zanthoxyloides extract would be a less expensive alternative for the sustainable management of C. maculatus in cowpea stocks.

Effect of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Cassia fistula L.on typeⅡcollagen-induced arthritis in rats

Objective:To explore the effect of Cassia fistula on collagenⅡ-induced arthritis in rats.Methods:The effect of 250 and 500 mg/kg chloroform and hydroalcoholic extract of Cassia fistula leaf on collagenⅡ-induced arthritis was investigated by evaluating paw volume,arthritis index,spleen index,and biochemical parameters.Histopathological analysis and docking study were also performed.Results:A dose-dependent reduction in paw volume,arthritic index,and spleen index was observed following oral administration of the chloroform and hydroalcoholic extracts.Treatment with Cassia fistula extracts reduced tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,prostaglandin E_(2),aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,total leucocyte count,and erythrocyte sedimentation rate while increasing IL-10 level.In addition,Cassia fistula extracts improved joint architecture,and prevented cartilage and bone destruction.Docking analysis demonstrated that the physcion,1-octacosanol,5,3’,4’-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-7-O-α-Lrhamnopyranosyl-(1,2)-O-β-D-galactopyranoside and scopoletin may be responsible for the anti-arthritic effect of Cassia fistula.Conclusions:Cassia fistula suppresses the progression of collagenⅡ-induced arthritis by lowering the inflammatory factors,decreasing paw volume and arthritic index,and alleviating joint architecture.However,further studies are required to confirm the bioactive molecule responsible for the anti-arthritic potential of Cassia fistula.

几种植物生长调节剂对决明种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

分别采用GA3、6-BA和NAA处理决明(Cassia obtusifolia L.)种子,结果表明:GA3、6-BA、NAA可提高种子发芽率、发芽势和活力指数,还可增加幼苗的根数、全株鲜重和干重,三种植物生长调节剂都能够调节决明幼苗的生长发育,其中100mg/L对决明种子发芽和幼苗生长的作用效果最好。

款冬花和决明子中挥发性成分及抗氧化性质研究

对款冬花和决明子中挥发性成分和抗氧化活性进行研究。采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取得到挥发性成分,利用GC-MS对其成分进行分析。用可见分光光度法测定挥发性成分对1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(DPPH)自由基清除能力、ABTS自由基的清除能力以及FRAP能力。结果表明,款冬花和决明子中的挥发性成分对羟基自由基具有不同的清除能力,且不同中药挥发性成分中高含量的总多酚和总黄酮可能是其抗氧化活性的主要物质来源。中药挥发性成分具有较好的抗氧化效果,能够作为天然抗氧化剂应用于食品和烟草工业。

大黄素等有效成分的分离纯化和谱学表征

随着绿色食品的兴起,人们对天然色素的需求量越来越大,因此,从天然产物中提取具有药用功能的无毒无害的食用色素,是当今食用色素发展的新趋势。决明子为豆科植物决明的干燥成熟种子,含有很多药用有效成分。本文采用有机溶剂萃取法和沉淀法,从决明子中提取出三种主要有效成分粗品,通过柱层析和重结晶技术对有效成分粗品进行了分离和纯化,得到了三种决明子色素(Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ)。利用蒽醌类化合物的显色反应及FTIR,UV-Vis,MS,1H,13CNMR等分析测试手段,对三种化合物进行了表征,确定了它们的分子组成和结构。鉴定出化合物Ⅰ为1,8-二羟基3-甲基6-甲氧基蒽醌(大黄素甲醚);化合物Ⅱ为1,8-二羟基3-甲基蒽醌(大黄酚);化合物Ⅲ为1,6,8-三羟基3-甲基蒽醌(大黄素)。

肉桂、石韦内生真菌的分离纯化及抑菌性研究

采用组织块分离法从肉桂(Cinnamomum cassia Pres1)、石韦(Pyrrosia lingua(Thunb)Farwell)组织中分别分离得到7、24株内生真菌,以大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)、肺炎球菌(diplococcus pneumoniae)、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)为供试菌种。

水杨酸调节决明根系铝诱导的氧化胁迫

水杨酸(Salicylic acid，SA)在调节生物和非生物胁迫，诱导植物氧化胁迫中起着重要的作用，但对铝诱导的氧化胁迫的调节作用尚不清楚。本文研究了SA对决明(Cassiatora L．)根系铝诱导的H2O2和O2ˉ含量变化，包括抗氧化酶活性以及细胞质膜过氧化胁迫变化的影响。介质中20μmol／L铝处理增加质膜透性，导致MDA含量上升及根尖细胞Evans blue染色加重(测定细胞死亡)，而外源供给5μmol／LSA能缓解铝诱导的氧化胁迫。SA处理能明显降低根尖H2O2和O2ˉ的含量，但两者含量与CAT、APX和GR的活性变化没有相关性，而与POD活性增加有关。水杨酸诱导H2O2含量的下降与抑制O2ˉ积累和SOD活性有关。结果表明，SA可能激活一条由H2O2介导的、依赖于POD的抗氧化机制来缓解脂质的过氧化作用。

ICP-MS/ICP-AES法测定决明子中无机元素的含量

采用ICP-AES法测定决明子(Cassia obtusifolia L.)中Na、Mg、P、Ca、Ti、Zn、Mn、Fe、K、Sr、B、Al、Ba,采用ICP-MS法测定Li、Be、Tl、Mo、Pb、Cd、Co、V、Cr、Cu、Ni。结果表明,决明子中富含K、Ca、P、Mg、Al、Fe、Na,而Be、Cd、Tl、Pb等元素含量极微,不足0.02μg/g。在所测定的24种元素中,含量顺序依次为K>Ca>P>Mg>Al>Fe>Na>Zn>Sr>B>Mn>Ba>Cu>Ti>Cr>Ni>Mo>Co>V>Li>Cd>Pb>Tl>Be。

A New Anthranquinone Glycoside from the Seeds of Cassia obtusifolia

A new anthraquinone glycoside, emodin-1-O-β-gentiobioside 1, together with threeknown compounds, chrysophanol-1-O-β-gentiobioside 2, physcion-8-O-β-gentiobioside 3, andchrysophanol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside4 was isolated from the seeds of Cassia obtusifolia. Its structure was elucidated on the basis ofspectroscopic evidence.

Antioxidant, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of methanolic root extract of Cassia singueana in rats following acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride intoxication

Objective: To evaluate in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the methanolic extract of the root of Cassia singueana in rats following acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Methods: Malondialdehyde (MDA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin as indices of liver damage and lipid peroxidation were detected in rats after intraperitoneal administration of extract (5 mg/kg). Results: The liver, kidney and heart showed significant reduction ( P <0.05) in the levels of MDA from (0.18依0.04), (0.23 依0.07) and (0.26依0.10) nmol/mg respectively in the CCl 4 control to (0.15依0.03), (0.17依0.04) and (0.17 依0.07) nmol/mg protein in groups pre-treated with the extract for three days at 5 mg/kg). Similarly, compared to the CCl 4 control, significant reduction ( P<0.05) in serum AST, ALT and bilirubin as well as in level of total cholesterol and MDA with concomitant increase in HDL cholesterol, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels when CCl 4 -intoxicated rats were treated with Cassia singueana root extract for two weeks. Conclusions: These results suggest that methanolic extract of Cassia singueana contain potent antioxidant compounds that can offer significant protection against hepatic and oxidative injuries.

The essential oil components of Cinnamomum cassia: an analysis under different thinning models of plantation Pinus massoniana

Thinning is an important activity employed in forest management. To date, studies have mainly focused on the effects of thinning on the growth of trees during the same thinning period. In this study, plantation Pinus massoniana Lamb. near maturity were thinned at varying intensities and an economically important species, Cinnamomum cassia Presl., was planted beneath the thinned canopy. The aim of the study was to explore the effects of the extent of thinning on the essential oil content and its components of C. cassia in different parts of the plant, as well as the economic feasibility of the P. massoniana-C.cassia management model. Thinning significantly reduced the oil yield in the bark and branches of C. cassia, but hardly impacted the oil yield from C. cassia leaves compared with pure C. cassia forest（CK）. Among the different thinning treatments, both light（T.4） and extensive（T.1）thinning reduced the oil yield of C. cassia bark and new branches. The concentrations of the main aldehydes differed in different parts of the plant and were affected by the extent of thinning. The influence on cinnamaldehyde in the bark was minor, but was much greater in the branches and leaves. Both the oil yield and content of cinnamaldehyde showed that moderate（T.3） thinning was more favorable than other thinning models. These results not only provide a potentially promising model for the transformation of low-yield artificial pure forests of P. massoniana in the future, but also offer a reference for the management of artificial mixed stands.

Authentication of Cassia seeds on the basis of two-wavelength HPLC fingerprinting with the use of chemometrics

High performance liquid chromatographic(HPLC) fingerprints of Cassia seed,a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),were developed by means of the chromatograms at two wavelengths of 238 and 282 nm.Then,the two data sets were combined into one matrix.The application of principal component analysis(PCA) for this data matrix showed that the samples were clustered into four groups in accordance with the plant sources and preparation procedures.Furthermore,partial least squares(PLS),back propagation artificial neural...

Antidiabetic and anti-lipemic effects of Cassia siamea leaves extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective:To investigate the antidiabetic and anti-lipemic effects of Cassia siamea methanolic leaves extract.Methods:The antidiabetic study was performed by measuring blood glucose level with elegance glucometer at weekly intervals i.e.0,7,14 and 21 in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Total cholesterol,triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were determined in normal and streptozotocin induces diabetic rats by autoanalyser.Glibenclamide was used as a reference drug at a dose of 10 mg/kg.Results:After the oral administration of extracts at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for three weeks,blood glucose levels and body weights were significantly improved(P【0.01).Daily oral treatment with the extract also resulted in significantly reduction of serum cholesterol and triglycerides.HDL-cholesterol level was found to be improved to(P【0.01).Conclusions:The Cassia siamea leaf extract is useful in controlling blood glucose level as well as improving lipid metabolism and body weight in rats with induced diabetes.

YISHOU JIANGZHI (DE-BLOOD-LIPID) TABLETS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERLIPEMIA

The Yishoujiangzhi (de-blood-lipid) tablets (composed of Radix Polygori Multiflori, Rhizoma Polygonati, Fructus Lycii, Crataegus Pinnatifida and Cassia Tora) were used in the treatment of 130 cases of hyperlipemia, achieving an effective rate of 87.0% in lowering serum cholesterol and 80.8% in lowering triglyceride.

Extraction, Identification and Antioxidative Properties of the Flavonoid-Rich Fractions from Leaves and Flowers of Cassia <i>angustifolia</i>

Flavonoids identification, total flavonoids content and antioxidant activity of the extracts from the leaves as well as flowers of Cassia angustifolia were determined. Five different extraction techniques were used for the extraction of flavonoids from leaves and flowers. Total flavonoid contents (TFC) in the extracts were determined by UV-visible spectrophotometry. Individual flavonoids were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and electrospray ioniza- tion tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS). It has been examined that aqueous ethanol (70%) fractions of C. angustifolia flowers and leaves are highly rich in flavonoids and microwave extraction is the best method for the extraction of individual flavanoid constituents (1 - 9) as well as total flavonoid contents. It was also found that compound 8 was absent in the leaves and compounds 2 and 5 could not be identified. The extracts of C. angustifolia flowers and leaves show strong antioxidant activity.

Rapid Extraction and Analysis of Essential Oil from Cinnamomum Cassia Presl.

An improved solvent-free microwave extraction（ISFME） was used for the extraction of essential oil from dried Cinnamomum cassia Presl. Two kinds of solid microwave absorption media[carbonyl iron powder（CIP） and graphite powder（GP）] were used. When ISFME was applied, the heating rate was enhanced and the extraction time was obviously shorter than that consumed in conventional solvent-free microwave extraction（CSFME）. Twenty-eight kinds of compounds in the essential oil were identified, and the total content fractions of the compounds obtained by CIP-ISFME, GP-ISFME, CSFME, and hydrodistillation（HD） were 96.65%, 96.06%, 97.22%, and 96.29%, respectively. The compounds in the essential oil obtained from Cinnamomum cassia Presl. by ISFME, CSFME, and HD were compared and the quantity of the essential oil was almost the same. The ISFME has been proved to be a feasible way to extract essential oil from dried samples, and there are several obvious advantages in ISFME over those of HD and CSFME, for example, shorter extraction time（30 min） and lower energy consumption.

Evaluation of aqueous and ethanol extract of bioactive medicinal plant,Cassia didymobotrya(Fresenius)Irwin & Barneby against immature stages of filarial vector,Culex quinquefasciatus Say(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective:To evaluate aqueous and ethanol extract of Cassia didymobotrya leaves against immature stages of Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods:The mortality rate of immature mosquitoes was tested in wide and narrow range concentration of the plant extract based on WHO standard protocol.The wide range concentration tested in the present study was 10 000,1 000,100,10 and1 mg/L and narrow range concentration was 50,100,150,200 and 250 mg/L.Results:2nd instar larvae exposed to 100 mg/L and above concentration of ethanol extract showed 100%mortality.Remaining stages such as 3rd,4th and pupa,100%mortality was observed at 1 000 mg/L and above concentration after 24 h exposure period.In aqueous extract all the stages 100%mortality was recorded at 1000 mg/L and above concentration.In narrow range concentration 2nd instar larvae 100%mortality was observed at 150 mg/L and above concentration of ethanol extract.The remaining stages 100%mortality was recorded at 250 mg/L.In aqueous extract all the tested immature stages 100%mortality was observed at 250 mg/L concentration after 24 h exposure period.The results clearly indicate that the rale of mortality was based dose of the plant extract and stage of the mosquitoes.Conclusions:From this study it is confirmed and concluded that Cassia didymobotrya is having active principle which is responsible for controlling Culex quinquefasciatus.The isolation of biouctive molecules and development of simple formulation technique is important for large scale implementation.

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.

Use of seed gums from Tamarindus indica and Cassia fistula as controlled-release agents

Most seed gums have been widely used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetics, and food products because of their hydrophilic properties. Gums from Tamariudus indica and Cassia fistula seeds were chemically modified by carboxymethylation to improve their functionalities. The objective of the present study was to characterize and evaluate crude and carboxymethylated gums from T. indica and C. fistula seeds to achieve the controlled-release of diclofenac sodium(DS) in matrix tablet form. Both crude and carboxymethylated gums were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Xray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the gums were successfully modified by carboxymethylation and that the modified gums were amorphous in structure and had better flow properties. The carboxymethylated gums from both plant seeds did not exhibit cytotoxicity at concentrations lower than 0.5 mg/ml. All gum samples used as polymeric controlled-release agents were formulated into DS matrix tablets. Hardness and thickness tests were conducted as in-process tests. Drug content estimation and in vitro drug release studies were carried out to evaluate the matrix tablets. Increasing the concentration of gums increased compression time and hardness while it reduced the thickness. Furthermore, the results fitted well with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. Moreover, the DS tablets were found to release the drug by super case II transport(relaxation). In summary, the carboxymethylated gum from T. indica and C. fistula seeds is an excellent, naturally sourced gum with high physicochemical and functional qualities, and can potentially be used in pharmaceutical applications as a disintegrant, diluent, and drug release-controlling agent.