Structural elucidation of novel pro-inflammatory polysaccharides from Daphne mezereum L.

Daphne mezereum L., an important medicinal plant in Scandinavian folk medicine, was used to treat ailments such as diarrhea, swelling and stomach pain. A range of natural compounds have been isolated, but little attention has been given to the polysaccharides in this plant.

Phytochemical characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of a water extract of Gentiana purpurea roots.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Gentiana purpurea was one of the most important medicinal plants in Norway during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the roots were used against different types of gastrointestinal and airway diseases.

Aim Of The Study: To explore the content of bioactive compounds in a water extract from the roots, a preparation commonly used in traditional medicine in Norway, to assess the anti-inflammatory potential, and furthermore to quantify the major bitter compounds in both roots and leaves.

Materials And Methods: G.

The discovery of novel immunomodulatory medicinal plants by combination of historical text reviews and immunological screening assays.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: With the advent of immunotherapies against cancers, autoimmune diseases and infections, there is a steady demand for novel medicines. New sources for discovery of potentially novel immunomodulatory compounds are therefore needed. Nature contains a large and diverse reservoir of novel compounds that can be exploited for their potential as new drugs, and exploring the pharmaceutical potential of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine is highly relevant.

Immune cell profiles associated with measured exposure to phthalates in the Norwegian EuroMix biomonitoring study - A mass cytometry approach in toxicology.

Background: Phthalate exposure has been associated with immune-related diseases such as asthma and allergies, but there is limited knowledge on mechanisms, effect biomarkers and thus biological support of causality.

Objectives: To investigate associations between exposure to the phthalates DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) and DiNP (diisononyl phthalate) and functional immune cell profiles.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 32 healthy adult Norwegian participants in the EuroMix biomonitoring study were selected based on high or low (n = 16) levels of urine metabolites of DEHP and DiNP.