Arresting progressive atherosclerosis by immunization with an anti-glycosaminoglycan monoclonal antibody in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Atherogenesis is associated with the early retention of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the arterial intima by interaction with glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-side chains of proteoglycans. Retained LDL undergo reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidation. Oxidized LDL trigger oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation, contributing to atherosclerosis development.

Photoprotecting action and phytochemical analysis of a multiple radical scavenger lipophilic fraction obtained from the leaf of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum.

The apolar fraction F1 of Thalassia testudinum was chemically characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which led to the identification of 43 metabolites, all of them reported for the first time in the genus Thalassia. More than 80% of the F1 composition was constituted by aromatic metabolites including the major components 1,1-bis(p-tolyl)ethane (6.0%), 4,4'-diisopropylbiphenyl (4.

Polar alkaloids from the Caribbean marine sponge Niphates digitalis.

A method involving flash chromatography, semi-preparative phenylhexyl RP HPLC-DAD-ELSD combined with analytic polar-RP HPLC-DAD, was applied to separate and purify six highly nitrogenated bases and a bicyclic amidine alkaloid, the major components of the marine sponge Niphates digitalis. Their structures were identified as 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.

Antiprotozoal steroidal saponins from the marine sponge Pandaros acanthifolium.

The chemical composition of the Caribbean sponge Pandaros acanthifolium was reinvestigated and led to the isolation of 12 new steroidal glycosides, namely, pandarosides E-J (1-6) and their methyl esters (7-12). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional NMR and HRESIMS data. Like the previously isolated pandarosides A-D (13-16), the new compounds 1-12 share an unusual oxidized D-ring and a cis C/D ring junction.

Repair of UVB-damaged skin by the antioxidant sulphated flavone glycoside thalassiolin B isolated from the marine plant Thalassia testudinum Banks ex König.

Daily topical application of the aqueous ethanolic extract of the marine sea grass, Thalassia testudinum, on mice skin exposed to UVB radiation resulted in a dose-dependent recovery of the skin macroscopic alterations over a 6-day period. Maximal effect (90%) occurred at a dose of 240 microg/cm(2), with no additional effects at higher doses. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the plant extract resulted in the isolation of thalassiolin B (1).