Decursin and decursinol angelate selectively inhibit NADH-fumarate reductase of Ascaris suum.

NADH-fumarate reductase (NFRD) is a key enzyme in many anaerobic helminths. Decursin and decursinol angelate have been isolated from the roots of ANGELICA GIGAS Nakai (Apiaceae) as NFRD inhibitors. They inhibited ASCARIS SUUM NFRD with IC (50) values of 1.

Matrix degradation inhibitory effect of Schisandra fructus on human articular cartilage and chondrocytes.

The purpose of this study is to assess the protective effects exerted by Schisandra fructus (SF) on hyaluronidase (HAase) and the recombinant human interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induced matrix degradation in human articular cartilage and chondrocytes. The effect of SF on the matrix gene expression of immortalized chondrocyte cell line C-28/I2 treated with HAase was investigated using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, the effects of SFEA on HAase and IL-1beta induced matrix degradation in human articular cartilage were assessed using a staining method, and the quantity of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) degraded was calculated from the cultured media.

Identification and screening for antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species isolated from healthy infant faeces.

The antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile of 109 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from 32 healthy Korean infants was measured. The ability to show similar activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus was also looked for. Twelve of the 109 LAB showed activity against C.

Ursolic acid of Origanum majorana L. reduces Abeta-induced oxidative injury.

Amyloid beta protein (Abeta) increases free radical production and lipid peroxidation in PC12 nerve cells, leading to apoptosis and cell death. The effect of ursolic acid from Origanum majorana L. on Abeta-induced neurotoxicity was investigated using PC12 cells.