Prunella vulgaris L. extract improves cellular immunity in MDR-TB challenged rats

Objective: To study the effect of the extract of Prunella vulgaris L. on multiple drugs resistant bacillus tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Methods: Experimental animal model in rats was induced by MDR-TB. Normal group, model group and Prunella vulgaris L. group were set up. The contents of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 were examined by ELISA. Their genome mRNAs were extracted, the target genes were amplified by PCR. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of them. Results: The content of IFN-γ of the extract of Prunella vulgaris L. group was 1.98±0.67 pg/ml, IL-4 was 6.47±1.46 pg/ml, IL-10 was 12.13±3.43 pg/ml and IL-12 was 3.02±0.86 pg/ml. Compared with the model group, Prunella vulgaris L. group was notable difference in serum IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-10 (P<0.05). The mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-12 increased and IL-10 decreased obviously, the differences were quite significant (P<0.05), but IL-4 had no obvious change. Conclusion: The extract of Prunella vulgaris L. can enhance the cellar immunological function in rats from up-regulation of the level of genetic transcription, accordingly provide the theory basis of healing of tuberculosis with it.

普通菜豆(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)AOX基因家族鉴定与表达分析

交替氧化酶(Alternative oxidase,AOX)是一种末端氧化酶,在维持植物正常生长代谢速率和代谢平衡以及抵御逆境胁迫中发挥了一定作用。AOX家族成员已经在很多植物物种中被鉴定,但是在普通菜豆(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)中却未见报道。研究对普通菜豆中AOX家族成员进行了鉴定和分析,并进一步解析了AOX基因家族成员的功能及调控机制。结果表明,基于普通菜豆参考基因组中共挖掘得到了4个AOX家族成员,通过进化关系、保守基序(Motifs)、基因结构分析,将各成员划分成4个亚族。此外,顺式作用元件、共线性与盐胁迫下的表达量分析结果表明,AOX成员可能在植物的非生物胁迫响应中发挥了作用。为后续深入研究普通菜豆中AOX成员的功能奠定了理论基础。

Effects of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. on glycemia and pancreas in rat model of streptozotozin diabetes

Background The effects of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. （TAP） on diabetes and its mechanism are uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TAP on antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and pancreas-protective in streptozotozin （STZ）-diabetic rats. Methods The diabetic model was produced by injection of 60 mg/kg STZ. Blood was drawn from the tail vein of rats after 72 hours. Rats with blood glucose 〉16.7 mmol/L were considered diabetic. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups： （1） Diabetes rat （STZ）, （2） Diabetic rats treated with 50 mg/kg of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L （STZ＋TAP50）, （3） Diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg TAP （STZ＋TAP100）, and （4） Diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg TAP （STZ＋TAP200）. Normal rats （n=10） acted as the control group （NC）. TAP was administered by the intragastric route once each day for six weeks. Body weight and the concentration of blood glucose （BG） were measured after three and six weeks. Fructosamine （FMN）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, and nitric oxide （NO）, and the activities of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in serum were determined after six weeks using commercially available kits following the manufacturer＇s instructions. Pathologic changes in pancreatic β-cells were also investigated by microscopic examination after hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The level of SOD mRNA in pancreatic β-cells was measured by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Results The levels of BG, FMN, NO, and MDA and the activities of NOS in serum in the four diabetes groups were significantly increased compared with the control group （P 〈0.01）. The activity of SOD in serum and the body weight was significantly decreased compared with the control group （P 〈0.01）. After administration of TAP to diabetic rats for six weeks, the body weight and the levels of BG, FMN, MDA, NO and the activity of NOS in serum decreased significantly compared with the STZ group in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of SOD in serum and body weight increased significantly compared with the STZ group in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in SOD mRNA expression in pancreatic β cells. However, these changes were reversed by TAP. Histopathological examination also showed the protective effect of TAP on pancreatic β cells. Conclusions Triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. has an anti-diabetic effect, by controlling blood glucose and antioxidants, and has a protective effect on the pancreas.

夏枯草(Prunella vulgaris)组织培养和快速繁殖

以夏枯草的叶片、茎节、顶芽为外植体在含不同浓度的6-BA和NAA的MS培养基中培养,比较其增值率和分化率。发现以茎节为外植体,诱导不定芽的最佳培养基为MS+3.0mg/L6-BA+0.1mg/L NAA,分化率为100%,增殖倍数为6.8。以顶芽为外植体,不定芽的最佳培养基为MS+3.0mg/L6-BA+0.05mg/LNAA或MS+3.0mg/L6-BA+0.1mg/LNAA,分化率分别为88.2%和84.6%,增殖倍数分别为5.8和6.2。最佳生根培养基为1/4MS+NAA0.5mg/L,生根率为100%。将生根的组培苗经过驯化移栽后,成活率为93%。表明,叶片难以分化;茎节的分化率效果最好;顶芽的分化能力介于二者之间。

襄阳夏枯草(Prunella vulgaris)群落基本特征

报道了湖北省襄阳市一野生夏枯草种群。种群面积为8～10 m2,植株数为30～40株,为小种群。频度为100%,盖度为10%,密度约4株/m2。果穗平均数为5.6个/株。过度耕作和采摘是导致夏枯草中药材资源减少的重要原因。

Orally administered extract from Prunella vulgaris attenuates spontaneous colitis in mdr1a^(-/-) mice

AIM: To investigate the ability of a Prunella vulgaris(P. vulgaris) ethanolic extract to attenuate spontaneous typhlocolitis in mdr1a-/- mice. METHODS: Vehicle(5% ethanol) or P. vulgaris ethanolic extract(2.4 mg/d) were administered daily by oral gavage to mdr1a-/- or wild type FVBWT mice from 6 wk of age up to 20 wk of age. Clinical signs of disease were noted by monitoring weight loss. Mice experiencingweight loss in excess of 15% were removed from the study. At the time mice were removed from the study, blood and colon tissue were collected for analyses that included histological evaluation of lesions, inflammatory cytokine levels, and myeloperoxidase activity. RESULTS: Administration of P. vulgaris extracts to mdr1a-/- mice delayed onset of colitis and reduced severity of mucosal inflammation when compared to vehicle-treated mdr1a-/- mice. Oral administration of the P. vulgaris extract resulted in reduced(P < 0.05) serum levels of IL-10(4.6 ± 2 vs 19.4 ± 4), CXCL9(1319.0 ± 277 vs 3901.0 ± 858), and TNFα(9.9 ± 3 vs 14.8 ± 1) as well as reduced gene expression by more than two-fold for Ccl2, Ccl20, Cxcl1, Cxcl9, IL-1 α, Mmp10, VCAM-1, ICAM, IL-2, and TNFα in the colonic mucosa of mdr1a-/- mice compared to vehicle-treated mdr1a-/-mice. Histologically, several microscopic parameters were reduced(P < 0.05) in P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a-/-mice, as was myeloperoxidase activity in the colon(2.49 ± 0.16 vs 3.36 ± 0.06, P < 0.05). The numbers of CD4+ T cells(2031.9 ± 412.1 vs 5054.5 ± 809.5) and germinal center B cells(2749.6 ± 473.7 vs 4934.0 ± 645.9) observed in the cecal tonsils of P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a-/- were significantly reduced(P < 0.05) from vehicle-treated mdr1a-/- mice. Vehicle-treated mdr1a-/- mice were found to produce serum antibodies to antigens derived from members of the intestinal microbiota, indicative of severe colitis and a loss of adaptive tolerance to the members of the microbiota. These serum antibodies were greatly reduced or absent in P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a-/- mice. CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory activity of P. vulgaris ethanolic extract effectively attenuated the severity of intestinal inflammation in mdr1a-/- mice.

Mechanism of Prunella vulgaris in treating Graves' disease based on network pharmacology

Objective:To use the network pharmacology method to screen the effective components and targets of Prunella vulgaris to treat Graves disease,and to explore the relationship between its components and targets and diseases.Methods:Collect and screen active components and targets of Prunella vulgaris through TCMSP;use GeneCards and DisGeNET databases to screen disease-related genes of Graves disease,construct a"drug-component-disease-target"network and screen The core target of Prunella vulgaris to treat Graves disease.Then further protein interaction network analysis(PPI),GO biological function annotation,KEGG pathway analysis and molecular docking verification.Results:The ten active components of Prunella vulgaris can control 57 Graves'disease targets such as PPARG,PIK3CG,CASP9,AKT1,TNF,ICAM1,BCL2,BAX,etc.,affecting the inflammatory response,negative regulation of apoptosis and other related organisms.Academic process and TNF signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and cancer-related pathways and other related signaling pathways,thus playing a role in the treatment of Graves disease.Conclusion:This study initially verified the target and mode of action of Prunella vulgaris for Graves disease,which can lay the foundation for further revealing its clinical mechanism of action.

Review of the Studies on the Anti-Tumoral Effect of <i>Prunella vulgaris</i>

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a herb which grows widely around the world. It is used in traditional medicine in different continents worldwide. This article reviewed the research studies in the last three decades about the use of this herb in the treatment of cancer. Specifically, this study concentrates on the scientific in-vitro methods used, as the in-vitro methods were the most preferred methods used in the past. Cell viability/apoptosis, migration, anti-oxidative activities, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were the features which most of the research focused. The aim of this article was to summarize on what molecular mechanisms, which these previous research found responsible for the anti-tumoral effect of PV. The assays to investigate the aforementioned items were organized and displayed, including the proteomic methods which study the underlying molecular mechanisms. By categorizing and organizing these methods, the directions and emphases taken by the research efforts were revealed.

The Characterization of Steam Distillation as an Extraction Method to Extract Volatile Compounds from <i>Prunella vulgaris</i>and the Investigation of Their Anti-Tumorous Effect

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a perennial plant which is widely grown around the world. It has been widely used as a medicinal treatment for generations. Previous studies showed extracts from this plant had a wide range of therapeutic efficacy, including anti-tumorous effect. However, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) extracted from it were rarely explored. This paper reports on the characterization of a steam distillation process to extract VOCs in PV and also the anti-tumorous effects of the PV distillate using the tetrazolium-based Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) as the test agent, when the VOCs were used to treat oral squamous cancer cells, SSC154. It was found that most abundant VOCs came out steadily and continuously for as long as the duration of the steam extraction could extend. However, some compounds such as benzaldehyde did show depletion as the distillation process progressed, while some compounds such as caryophyllene oxide was only sparsely found at the beginning of distillation. The PV distillate was mildly effective in its cytotoxicity to cancer cells SCC154, in a dosage dependent manner.

超富集植物叶用红菾菜(Beta vulgaris var.cicla L.)及其对Cd的富集特征

超富集植物是重金属污染土壤植物提取修复的基础,超富集植物的筛选一直都是污染土壤植物修复研究的热点及前沿。采用盆栽实验对7种农作物积累Cd的特征进行研究,结果表明,叶用红菾菜对Cd具有较高的富集系数和转移系数。在此基础上,采用盆栽浓度梯度试验对叶用红菾菜对Cd的富集潜力及富集特征进行了系统研究。结果表明,在Cd污染水平为20mg·kg^(-1)条件下,叶用红菾菜地上部Cd含量超过了100mg·kg^(-1)这一国际公认的Cd超积累植物应达到的临界含量标准;且其对Cd的富集系数和转移系数均大于1;同时,与对照相比,植物的生长未受到抑制,这表明叶用红菾菜是一种Cd超积累植物,为Cd污染土壤的植物修复提供了一种新的种质资源。

低温诱导甜菜(Beta vulgaris L.)Ty7Br600基因的Northern blotting和Southern blotting分析

以低温诱导甜菜幼苗为试验材料,以未进行低温诱导的甜菜幼苗为对照,采用α-32P-ATP放射标记按随机引物标记法标记本实验室克隆的Ty7Br600基因,进行Northern杂交。Northern杂交试验结果显示,在低温诱导培养的甜菜幼苗的RNA群体中,出现较强的杂交条带,而在未诱导培养的甜菜幼苗的RNA群体中,则几乎没有阳性杂交条带出现。因此,Ty7Br600这一序列有可能是二年生甜菜幼苗经低温诱导处理之后被诱导表达的与抽薹相关的新基因序列。Southern杂交结果发现,在每一组酶切中至少有2~3条条带,表明Ty7Br600确为甜菜基因组片段,也同时表明该基因在甜菜基因组中以2个拷贝或低拷贝形式存在。

L-肉碱对普通小球藻Chlorella vulgaris种群增长和生化组成的影响

分别以0,5,50 mg/L的L-肉碱(L-carnitine)处理淡水普通小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris),以SE为培养液,培养7 d,探究L-肉碱对淡水普通小球藻种群增长、总脂和可溶性蛋白质含量的影响。结果表明:不同质量浓度的L-肉碱在不同培养时期对普通小球藻种群增长影响显著(P<0.05);高浓度L-肉碱显著降低总脂含量(P<0.05),并使可溶性蛋白质含量显著升高(P<0.05)。结果提示,在培养液中添加外源L-肉碱可能通过直接作用于普通小球藻,或促进培养液中微小生物分泌活性物质间接影响普通小球藻的种群增长及总脂和可溶性蛋白质的含量。

紫冠豆角(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)种子中α-淀粉酶抑制剂的提取及其性质研究

本研究采用盐溶的方法从紫冠豆角(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)种子中提取α-淀粉酶抑制剂(α-AI),将提取的α-AI用不同温度和pH处理,并评价其稳定性。在此基础上,以提取物对猪胰腺α-淀粉酶的抑制活性(IC_(50))为指标,分析了豆粉的细度(A)、料液比(B)、盐溶时间(C)三个因素对α-AI提取效果的影响,利用响应面分析法优化提取条件,通过对老豆角种子的深加工,实现提高其附加值的目的。结果表明:该α-AI为耐热性蛋白,在pH4~10的范围性质稳定,影响α-AI的IC_(50)因素按主次顺序排列为:豆粉的细度>料液比>盐溶时间,确定提取α-AI最佳工艺条件为:豆粉过60目筛(粒径<0.3 mm),料液质量体积比为1∶12(g/mL)、盐溶时间7.75 h。紫冠豆角种子α-AI的IC_(50)最优值为27.036±0.235μg/mL。

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of different organic crude extracts from the local medicinal plant of Thymus vulgaris L

Objective:To isolate and analyze the chemical composition in different crude extracts of from the leaves of locally grown of Thymus vulgaris L(T.vulgaris)by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).Methods:The shade dried leaves powder was extracted with methanol by using Soxhlet extractor.Methanol crude extracts of T.vulgaris and the derived fractions of hexane,chloroform,ethyl acetate and butanol were obtained.Results:Qualitative analyses of various organic crude extracts of T.vulgaris by using GC-MS showed that there were different types of high and low molecular weight compounds.Most of the isolated and identified compounds by GC-MS in the crude extracts are basically biologically important.Further,the T.vulgaris leaf possessed certain characteristics that can be ascribed to cultivation on a domestic plantation.The crude extracts were prepared from the powder leaves of T.vulgaris for respective compounds can be chosen on the basis of above GC-MS analysis.Conclusions:All the major compounds were identified and characterized by spectroscopic method in different organic crude extracts of T.vulgaris are biologically active molecules.Thus the identification of a good number of compounds in various crude extracts of T.vulgaris might have some ecological role.

Hypoglycaemic effect of Berberis vulgaris L.in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective:To achieve a primary pharmacological screening contained in the aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris(B.vulgaris) and to examine the hypoglycaemic effect and biochemical parameters of aqueous and saponins extract on groups of rats rendered diabetic by injection of streptozotocin.Methods:The phytochemicol tests to detect the presence of different compounds were based on the visual observation of color change or formation of precipitate after the addition of specific reagents.Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal(i.p.) injection of streptozotocin(STZ) at a dose of 65 mg/kg bw.The fasting blood glucose levels were estimated by glucose oxidase-peroxidase reactive strips(Dextrostix,Bayer Diagnostics).Blood samples were taken by cutting the tip of the tail.Serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides were estimated by enzymatic DHBS colorimetric method.Results:Administration of 62.5 and 2S.0 mg/kg of saponins and aqueous extract respectively in normal rats group shows a significant hypoglycemic activity(32.33%and 40.17%respectively) during the first week.However,diabetic group treated with saponin extract produced a maximum fall of 73.1%and 76.03%at day 1 and day 21 compared to the diabetics control.Also,blood glucose levels of the diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract showed decrease of 78.79%on the first day and the effect remains roughly constant during 3 week. Both extracts also declined significantly biochemical parameters(20.77%-49.00%).The control in the loss of body weight was observed in treated diabetic rats as compared to diabetic controls. Conclusions:These results demonstrated significant antidiabetic effects and showed that serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels were decreased,significantly,consequently this plant might be of value in diabetes treatment.

Study of total phenol,flavonoids contents and phytochemical screening of various leaves crude extracts of locally grown Thymus vulgaris

Objective:To prepare various crude extracts using different polarities of solvent and to quantitatively evaluate their total phenol,flavonoids contents and phytochemical screening of Thymus vulgaris collected from Al Jabal Al Akhdar,Nizwa.Sultanate of Oman.Methods:The leave sample was extracted with methanol and evaporated.Then it was defatted with water and extracted with different polarities organic solvents with increasing polarities.The prepare hexane,chloroform,ethyl acetate,hutanol and methanol crude extracts were used for their evaluation of total phenol,flavonoids contents and phytochemical screening study.The established conventional metliods were used for quantitative determination of total phenol,flavonoids contents and phytochemical screening.Results:Phytochemical screening for various crude extracts were tested and shown positive result for flavonoids,saponins and steroids compounds.The result for total phenol content was the highest in hutanol and the lowest in methanol crude extract whereas the total flavonoids contents was the highest in methanol and the lowest hexane crude extract.Conclusions:The crude extracts from locally grown Thymus vulgaris showed high concentration of flavonoids and it could be used as antibiotics for different curable and uncurable diseases.

Leaf area development, dry weight accumulation and solar energy conversion efficiencies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. under different soil moisture levels near Nairobi, Kenya

Leaf area development, dry weight accumulation and solar energy conversion efficiencies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv GLP\|2 under two soil moisture levels in two contrasting seasons near Nairobi, Kenya were investigated. The experiment confirms that dry weights and yields of Phaseolus vulgaris are limited by a drought induced decrease in leaf area, leading to less radiation interception as a source for assimilation. However, photosynthetic efficiency in Phaseolus vulgaris also appears to decrease and to contribute to these effects. Finally, an even larger decreases of economic efficiency as obtained in the second season, where stress lasted much later into the season, reveals that such a drought also limits considerably the partitioning and translocation of assimilates to the seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris. The efficiencies obtained are in line with the better literature data for other crops.

Essential oil of <i>Thymus vulgaris</i>L. and <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i>L.: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties and antibacterial activities against foodborne pathogens

The essential oil composition of Thymus vulgaris L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. endemic to France were determined by GC and GC-MS. Oils were assessed for their cytotoxic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. 31 and 37 different compounds were identified representing 99.64% and 99.38% of the thyme and rosemary oils respectively, where oxygenated monoterpenes constituted the main chemical class. Thymol (41.33%) and 1.8-cineole (24.10%) were identified as the main constituents of T. vulgaris L. and R. officinalis L., respectively. Essential oils (EOs) of selected plant species were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against the human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A549). Cytotoxicity was measured using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphynyltetra-zolium bromide] colorimetric assay. Dose-dependent studies revealed IC50 of 8.50 ± 0.01 μg/mL and 10.50 ± 0.01 μg/mL after 72 h on the A549 cells for R. officinalis L. and T. vulgaris L., respectively. Antioxidant activity was determined using a quantitative DPPH (1,1-diphenyl- 2-picryl hydrazyl) assay. Thymus and rosemary EOs exhibited effective radical scavenging capacity with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 437 ± 5.46 μg/mL and 189 ± 2.38 μg/mL respectively and therefore acts as a natural antioxidant agent. The antimicrobial activity of these species has also been studied against several foodborne pathogens and food isolated Salmonella spp. including S. enteritidis of significant importance. According to the results, T. vulgaris L. showed higher bactericidal effect than those from R. officinalis L. These results suggest that the essential oil from T. vulgaris L. and R. officinalis L. have potential to be used as a natural cytotoxic, antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in food processing.

Effect of Macronutrients, Cytokinins and Auxins, on <i>in Vitro</i>Organogenesis of <i>Thymus vulgaris</i>L.

The present study reports an efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of Thymus vulgaris L., an aromatic and medicinal plant in Morocco. Initially, we performed in vitro multiplication of Thymus vulgaris explants existing in the laboratory and obtained from micropropagation by shoot tip culture. Afterwards, we have evaluated the effect of six macronutrients. After that, seven cytokinins (Kin, BAP, 2iP, DPU, Adenine, Zeatine and TDZ) in three different concentrations (0.46, 0.93, 2.32 μM) have been evaluated to optimize cultures multiplication and elongation. Moreover, the effect of three auxins (IAA, IBA and NAA) at 0.57 μM, combined to 4 cytokinins (Kin, BAP, DPU and Ad.) at 0.46 μM, on shoot rooting has been studied. Thereby, MS medium has been proved the most favorable for plantlets growing. Also, we found that the addition of certain cytokinins, specifically 0.46 Kin, 0.46 and 0.93 BAP, 0.46 2iP, 0.46 DPU, 0.46 Ad. and 0.46 Zeat., ensures better multiplication and growth of vitroplants. In addition, multiplication and rooting of cultures were well optimized after addition 0.46 Kin + 0.57 IAA or NAA, 0.46 DPU + 0.57 IBA and 0.46 Ad. + 0.57 IBA combinations to the culture medium. Lastly, plantlets with roots were successfully acclimatized to ex-vitro conditions and these latter served as a source to establish in vitro culture again.

Effects of Different Ridge Culture Ways on Stem Diameter,Plant Height,the Number of Leaves and Yield of Phaseolus vulgaris L. under Dry Farming Conditions

The variety "Aifeng" was used as experimental material,and the stem diameter,plant height,the number of leaves and yield of P. vulgaris under three ways of ridge culture (bedding,high ridge and M ridge) were observed and detected to study the effects of different ridge cultures on the growth and yield. The results showed that the stem diameter,plant height,the number of leaves and yield under M ridge culture were higher than that of bedding and high ridge.