Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity of selected osthole derivatives.

From osthole [7-methoxy-8-(3-methyl-but-2-enyl)-chromen-2-one] (I), obtained by selective extraction of Peucedanum ostruthium (L.) W. Koch roots, ostholic acid (II) was synthetized as a result of its oxidation with chromium trioxide.

Anticonvulsant and acute neurotoxic effects of imperatorin, osthole and valproate in the maximal electroshock seizure and chimney tests in mice: a comparative study.

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the anticonvulsant and acute adverse (neurotoxic) effects of imperatorin and osthole (two natural coumarin derivatives) with valproate (a classical antiepileptic drug) in the maximal electroshock seizure and chimney tests in mice. The anticonvulsant and acute adverse effects of imperatorin, osthole and valproate were determined at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after their systemic (i.p.

Osthole suppresses seizures in the mouse maximal electroshock seizure model.

The aim of this study was to determine the anticonvulsant effects of osthole {[7-methoxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one]--a natural coumarin derivative} in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model. The antiseizure effects of osthole were determined at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after its systemic (i.p.

Antiradical activity of hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed extracts from Helichrysi inflorescentia and its phenolic contents.

A methanol extract was obtained from defatted (petroleum ether) inflorescence of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench (perennial herb native to Middle and Southeast Europe). The extract was evaporated under reduced pressure and the dry residue was dissolved in hot water.

Free and chemically bonded phenolic acids in barks of Viburnum opulus L. and Sambucus nigra L.

Liquid column chromatography, planar chromatography (TLC) on modified and unmodified silica layers, reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), as well as ESI-TOF MS and 1H-NMR have been used for separation, purification and identification of phenolic acids in the barks of Sambucus nigra and Viburnum opulus (Caprifoliaceae). By the use of these procedures three cinnamic acid derivatives: caffeic acid, p-coumaric, and ferulic acid, four benzoic acid derivatives: gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, syringic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid, two phenylacetic acid derivatives: 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homogentisic acid, and two depsides: chlorogenic acid and ellagic acid were detected and identified in the bark of Viburnum opulus. Caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid and chlorogenic acid were also detected and identified in the bark of Sambucus nigra.

Binding of an oxindole alkaloid from Uncaria tomentosa to amyloid protein (Abeta1-40).

The primary aim of this work was to determine the interactions of an oxindole alkaloid (mitraphylline) isolated from Uncaria tomentosa with beta-amyloid 1-40 (Abeta1-40 protein) applying the capillary electrophoresis (CE) method. Specifically the Hummel-Dreyer method and Scatchard analysis were performed to study the binding of oxindole alkaloids with Abeta1-40 protein. Prior to these studies extraction of the alkaloid of interest was carried out.

The influence of auxins on the biosynthesis of isoprene derivatives in callus cultures of Vaccinium corymbosum var. bluecrop.

Callus cultures of Vaccinium corymbosum var. bluecrop were optimized for their isoprene derivatives production by supplementing Schenk-Hildebrandt (SH) medium with constant concentration of kinetin (2.32 microM) and two different amounts of selected auxins.

Investigation of the essential oils from three Cephalotaxus species.

Essential oils from leaves of Cephalotaxus fortunei Hook., Cephalotaxus haningtonia K. Koch.

Antiradical and anti-H2O2 properties of polyphenolic compounds from an aqueous peppermint extract.

Polyphenolic compounds such as eriocitrin, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, diosmin, hesperidin, narirutin, isorhoifolin, rosmarinic and caffeic acids were identified in an aqueous extract (Ex) obtained from peppermint leaves (Menthae x piperitae folium). The content of polyphenols in Ex was as follows: eriocitrin 38%, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside 3.5%, hesperidin 2.

Isoprene derivatives from the leaves and callus cultures of Vaccinium corymbosum var. bluecrop.

The phytochemical analysis of Vaccinium corymbosum var bluecrop leaves and callus biomass revealed ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin in both plant materials. Beta-sitosterol was determined only in callus biomass. The structure of isolated compounds was elucidated by TLC co-chromatography with standards and with spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, EI-MS).

[Low-molecular antioxidant compounds of natural origin].

Vitamins C, and E, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds from plants are low-molecular substances which express strong antioxidant and antiradical activity. Free radical processes are very complicated way, and it is impossible to draw conclusions from in vitro analysis of any compound regarding the role it would play under in vivo conditions. In this study, the in vivo and in vitro antioxidant and antiradical activities of some antioxidants contained in vegetable foods as well as the possibility of their prooxidant activity are described.

Polyphenolic compounds from Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC.

Flavonoids and phenolic acids from the aerial parts of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC. were analysed by isocratic TLC, MGD-TLC and HPLC methods.

Antioxidant capacity manipulation in transgenic potato tuber by changes in phenolic compounds content.

The main goal of this study was to generate potato tubers with increased levels of flavonoids and thus modified antioxidant capacities. To accomplish this, the vector carrying multigene construct was prepared and several transgenic plants were generated, all overexpressing key biosynthesis pathway enzymes. The single-gene overexpression or simultaneous expression of genes encoding chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), and dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) resulted in a significant increase of measured phenolic acids and anthocyanins.

Hydrogen peroxide scavenging, antioxidant and anti-radical activity of some phenolic acids.

Some water-soluble phenolic acids were investigated as antioxidants, scavengers of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and scavengers of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH(*)). The strongest antioxidant, scavenging of H(2)O(2) and DPPH(*) radical activity was exhibited by 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic (gallic) acid and 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene (pyrogallol) with three hydroxyl groups bonded to the aromatic ring in an ortho position in relation to each other. Phenolic acids with two hydroxyl groups bonded to aromatic ring in the ortho position, such as 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic (caffeic), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic (protocatechuic) and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic (o-pyrocatechuic) acids, showed strong antioxidant and anti-radical activity; however, it was lower than that of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid or 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene.

Comparative analysis of the composition of the volatile oils of two forms of Achillea crithmifolia W. et. K.--diploid and tetraploid.

The genus Achillea L. includes more than 100 species and is a polyploid complex of di-, tetra-, hexa- and octaploids, individuals.

Comparative analysis of phenolic acids in mistletoe plants from various hosts.

Phenolic acids present in mistletoe plants collected from various hosts were analysed with the use of HPLC. The following numbers of compounds were found in the mistletoe plant material gathered from respective hosts: Sorbus aucuparia- 12 compounds; Acer plantanoides--14 compounds: Malus domestica, Pyrus communis and Populus nigra--13 compounds each; Quercus robur--15 compounds. Altogether 21 phenolic acids were chromatographically identified in the tested material.

Phenolic acids and depsides from some species of the Erodium genera.

Six natural polyphenolic compounds, brevifolin carboxylic acid, brevifolin, ellagic acid, methyl gallate, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid have been isolated from the methanol extract of the whole plant of Erodium cicutarium (L.) L.'Hérit.

Essential oil from herb and rhizome of Peucedanum ostruthium (L. Koch.) ex DC.

Essential oil from herb and rhizome of Peucedanum ostruthium (L.Koch.) ex DC underwent qualitative and quantitative analyses.

Phenolic extracts from meadowsweet and hawthorn flowers have antioxidative properties.

From the flowers of meadowsweet and inflorescence of hawthorn the whole set of phenolic acids and flavonoids was analysed by TLC. Phenolic compounds were determined both as free ones and those liberated by hydrolysis. Moreover, ethyl ether and ethyl acetate extracts obtained from the analysed plants before and after alkaline and enzymatic hydrolyses were evaporated under reduced pressure and residues were analysed for their antioxidative properties.

Flavonoids from some species of the genus Cucumis.

From the leaves of Cucumis sativus the following C-glycosides were isolated and identified: isovitexin 2"-O-glucoside, isovitexin, isoorientin, 4'-X-O-diglucosides of isovitexin and swertiajaponin. In the flowers of the above species chromatographically (HPLC, TLC) the presence of kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside and 3-O-glycosides of kaempferol, quercetin, isoramnetin was revealed. The flavonoids complexes occuring in other species of Cucumis: C.

Antifungal biflavones from Cupressocyparis leylandii.

From the leaves of Cupressocyparis leylandii (Cupressaceae) cupressuflavone, 4-O-methylcupressuflavone, amentoflavone, 7-O-methylamentoflavone, 4-O-methylamentoflavone and hinokiflavone were isolated. 1H- and 13C-NMR data for 4-O-methylcupressuflavone are given for the first time. The biflavones from cultivar varieties of C.

The effect of some flavonoids on non-enzymatic lipid oxidation and enzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid.

Twenty flavonoids isolated from plants or transformed into methyl or acetyl derivatives were tested with regard to their influence on cyclooxygenase from the ram seminal vesicle microsomes and lipoxygenase from soya beans. Moreover, their antioxidant properties were evaluated by estimating the amount of the malonylaldehyde formed from arachidonic acid. Only rhamnetin and myricetin inhibited the soybean lipoxygenase.

Effect of plant extracts on the in vitro interferon synthesis.

The extracts of roots and rhizomes of Angelica and Peucedanum genera, known in popular medicine for their various activities, were investigated in search of non-virus interferon inducers. It has been found that none of the extracts tested, induce interferon in human cell cultures. However, the extract from Peucedanum verticillare augmented the yield of interferon in the in vitro human fibroblast cell culture and human leukocytes suspensions when Sendai or NDV viruses were used as inducers.