Complete mitochondrial genome sequences of (Chinese cabbage and mizuna), and intraspecific differentiation of cytoplasm in and .

The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome was determined for two cultivars of . After determining the sequence of a Chinese cabbage variety, 'Oushou hakusai', the sequence of a mizuna variety, 'Chusei shiroguki sensuji kyomizuna', was mapped against the sequence of Chinese cabbage. The precise sequences where the two varieties demonstrated variation were ascertained by direct sequencing.

Chemopreventive effect of S-allylcysteine and its relationship to the detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase.

Sulfur-containing substances derived from garlic and onion have been shown to prevent experimental carcinogenesis. One of the hypotheses explaining the mechanisms of the chemopreventive activity of these substances is that they activate detoxification systems such as glutathione S-transferase (GST). In this study the effects of S-allylcysteine (SAC), a water-soluble organosulfur compound derived from garlic, on GST activities in the liver, small intestine and colon were investigated.

Pharmacokinetics of the garlic compound S-allylcysteine.

The pharmacokinetic behavior of S-allylcysteine (SAC), one of the biologically active transformation products from garlic, was investigated after oral administration to rats, mice, and dogs. SAC was rapidly and easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and distributed mainly in plasma, liver, and kidney. The bioavailability was 98.

Absorption, biliary excretion, and metabolism of a new cholelitholytic agent, ursodeoxycholyl N-carboxymethylglycine and its esters in rats.

Intestinal absorption, biliary excretion and metabolism of a calcium gallstone dissolving agent, [11,12-3H]ursodeoxycholyl-N-carboxymethylglycine (UDC-CMG) and its monoethyl, diethyl and dipivaloyloxyethyl esters (UDC-CMG-Et, UDC-CMG-Et2 and UDC-CMG-PV2) were studied in bile duct cannulated rats. Biliary recovery of [3H]-labeled UDC-CMG, UDC-CMG-Et and UDC-CMG-Et2 after intraduodenal administration were 65%, 80%, 98%, respectively. Radio-thin layer chromatography analysis of the bile revealed that UDC-CMG didn't undergo any biotransformation during administration and excretion.

Reticuloendothelial system-activating polysaccharides from rhizomes of Panax japonicus. I. Tochibanan-A and -B.

From rhizomes of Panax japonicus (Araliaceae), two polysaccharides named tochibanan-A and -B, which show reticuloendothelial-potentiating activity in the carbon clearance test in mice, were isolated. The structure of tochibanan-A (molecular mass: 23,000) was elucidated as a linear beta-1,4-D-galactan. Tochibanan-B (molecular mass: 40,000) consists of D-galactose (87.