Delayed luminescence to monitor programmed cell death induced by berberine on thyroid cancer cells.

Correlation between apoptosis and UVA-induced ultraweak photon emission delayed luminescence (DL) from tumor thyroid cell lines was investigated. In particular, the effects of berberine, an alkaloid that has been reported to have anticancer activities, on two cancer cell lines were studied. The FTC-133 and 8305C cell lines, as representative of follicular and anaplastic thyroid human cancer, respectively, were chosen.

Antioxidant properties of Berberis aetnensis C. Presl (Berberidaceae) roots extract and protective effects on astroglial cell cultures.

Berberis aetnensis C. Presl (Berberidaceae) is a bushy-spiny shrub common on Mount Etna (Sicily). We demonstrated that the alkaloid extract of roots of B.

Antibacterial, antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. et Link leaves' fractions.

The aim of this study was to examine the bioactivity of the methanol fraction (MF) and n-hexane fraction (HF) of Thymus capitatus leaves in relation to their constituents analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effects of T. capitatus on the growth of pathogenic bacteria associated with respiratory diseases (13 gram-positive and 4 gram-negative) were determined using a microdilution method.

Antioxidant activity of extracts of Momordica foetida Schumach. et Thonn.

Momordica foetida Schumach. et Thonn. (Cucurbitaceae) is a perennial climbing herb with tendrils, found in swampy areas in Central Uganda.

Biochemical modifications in Pinus pinaster Ait. as a result of environmental pollution.

Exposure to chemical pollution can cause significant damage to plants by imposing conditions of oxidative stress. Plants combat oxidative stress by inducing antioxidant metabolites, enzymatic scavengers of activated oxygen and heat shock proteins. The accumulation of these proteins, in particular heat shock protein 70 and heme oxygenase, is correlated with the acquisition of thermal and chemical adaptations and protection against oxidative stress.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Betula aetnensis Rafin. (Betulaceae) leaves extract.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects, the radical scavenging activity (by DPPH and ABTS tests) and the antioxidant capacity (by β-carotene bleaching test) of Betula aetnensis leaves extract. The antimicrobial activity was tested against 14 Gram-positive clinical strains, 2 ATCC Gram-positive strains, 10 Gram-negative clinical strains and 4 Gram-negative ATCC strains. Streptococcus pyogenes Ery-S and Ery-R1 were the most sensitive.

Oxidative profile in patients with colon cancer: effects of Ruta chalepensis L.

Aim: To verify the involvement of free radicals in tumor progression and to investigate the effects of an ethanolic extract of Ruta Chalepensis L. and of rutin in blood of patients with colon cancer.

Materials And Methods: Leaves of Ruta Chalepensis L.

Effect of berberine and Berberis aetnensis C. Presl. alkaloid extract on glutamate-evoked tissue transglutaminase up-regulation in astroglial cell cultures.

Berberis aetnensis C. Presl. is a bushy-spiny shrub common on Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy), containing various alkaloids with several pharmacological properties.

Antibacterial activity of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus root extracts.

Aim Of The Study: Roots of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus (Schiffner) Merxm.

Activity of Berberis aetnensis root extracts on Candida strains.

The antifungal activity of methanolic extract and alkaloidal fraction of Berberis aetnensis against Candida species was investigated. The crude extract was active against Candida species, this activity being higher than that of the alkaloidal fraction and berberine.

Antibacterial activity of propolis and its active principles alone and in combination with macrolides, beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones against microorganisms responsible for respiratory infections.

Propolis is produced by bees and is reported to have several pharmaceutical properties. Its antibacterial activity against strains causing upper respiratory tract infections is particularly important: propolis might be used as a therapeutic agent to prevent the bacterial infections that sometimes overlap viral infections. In this study the in vitro activity of both an alcoholic solution and a hydroglyceric extract of propolis, as well as its active principles, was tested against bacteria responsible for respiratory infections (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pyogenes).

Protection against murine endotoxemia by treatment with Ruta chalepensis L., a plant with anti-inflammatory properties.

The anti-inflammatory effect of the extract of Ruta Chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) on the course of lethal endotoxemia in BALB/c mice was studied. When administered by gavage as 1 g/kg per day starting 14 or 7 days prior to injection of 0.

Berberis aetnensis C. Presl. extracts: antimicrobial properties and interaction with ciprofloxacin.

Previous research showed that berberine-containing Berberis species synthesise the substances 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin-D (5'-MHC-D) and pheophorbide a, which have no antimicrobial activity but inhibit the expression of multidrug resistant efflux pumps (MDRs) in Staphylococcus aureus and potentiate the action of berberine. The MDR pumps extrude synthetic and natural antimicrobials from bacterial cells. We searched for these compounds in Berberis aetnensis C.

Antibacterial activity of medicinal plant extracts against periodontopathic bacteria.

This study was performed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Althaea officinalis L. roots, Arnica montana L. flowers, Calendula officinalis L.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Pistacia lentiscus L. extracts: preliminary report.

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of Pistacia lentiscus L. extracts was determined. Pistacia lentiscus L.

Antiulcer activity of Vernonia kotschyana sch. bip.

Vernonia root is a herbal remedy used in Mali folk medicine for treatment of gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcer. The clinical trial conducted in Mali on a small number of patients gave encouraging results. In our studies, the aqueous extract of Vernonia, administered before or after an ulcerogenous agent, reduces the number and severity of ethanol-induced ulcers.

Antiulcer activity of Pteleopsis suberosa.

The bark Pteleopsis suberosa is commonly used in Mali for the treatment of gastric ulcers. The present study evaluated the antiulcerogenic property of chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts and of decoction of P. suberosa bark against ulcer lesions induced by ethanol and indomethacin in rats.

Effect of cadmium on germination, growth and active principle contents of Matricaria recutita L.

The effects on Matricaria recutita L. of an increase of cadmium concentration in soil and in atmosphere were investigated. Data on germination, survival, growth and dry weight were collected and methilenic extracts of the drugs were analyzed.

Effect of cadmium on germination, growth and active principle contents of Achillea millefolium L.

The effects on germination, growth and active principle contents of Achillea millefolium L. of an increase of cadmium concentration in soil and in atmosphere were investigated. Soil pollution reduced germination and growth.

A drug used in traditional medicine: Harpagophytum procumbens DC. III. Effects on hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias by reperfusion.

In Langendorff preparations of rat heart, hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias (HVA) have been induced by an ischaemic perfusion (coronary flux 0.5 ml/min; pressure 8 mmHg) and following reperfusion at basal conditions (coronary flux 8 ml/min; pressure 50 mmHg). Crude methanolic extracts of Harpagophytum procumbens secondary roots and harpagoside showed a significant, dose-dependent, protective action toward HVA induced by reperfusion.