Phytochemical study on the EtOAc fraction from the MeOH extract of the leaves of Cedrela sinensis led to the isolation of five known phenolic compounds (1-5), whose structures were identified as (+)-catechin (1), kaempferol-3-0-α- L-rhamnopyranoside (2), quercetin (3), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), respectively, by comparing their spectral (uv, JR, IH and 13C-NMR, and ESI-MS) and physicochemical data with those reported in the literature. Among the isolated compounds (1-5), compounds 1 and 3-5 exhibited significant DPPH radical scavenging effects with IC50 values ranging from 21.3±1.4 to 38.1±3.2 μM as well as superoxide anion radical scavenging effects with IC50 values ranging from 9.4±0.7 to 21.2±3.6 μM. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 3-5 also exhibited considerable inhibitory effects on LDL peroxidation induced by either CU2+ or AAPH with IC50 values ranging from 1.4±0.4 to 11.9±1.4 μM. These results indicated that flavonoids are the major constituents of C. sinensis and considered to be antioxidant principles of this plant.
Three stigmastane-type sterols and one ergostane-type sterol were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the aerial parts of Artemisia princeps Pampanini (Sajuarissuk). From the results of physico-chemical data including NMR, MS and IR, the chemical structures of the compounds were determined as stigmasta-5,22-dien-3,β-ol (stigmasterol, 1),stigmast-5-en-3β-ol(β-sitosterol,2), 5β,8β-epidioxy-5β,8β-ergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol(ergosterol peroxide, 3), and β-sitosterol 3-O-βD-glucopyranoside(daucosterol,4).
The effect of plant growth regulators was investigated on in vitro shoot proliferation from axillary bud explants of Hypericum erectum. To determine the optimal cytokinin for proliferation of axillay buds, we carried out screening four cytokinins (BA, kinetin, 2iP, TDZ). When nodal segments were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 4.5 μM TDZ (thidiazuron), a number of shoots were induced. Our results indicated that the addition of TDZ to culture medium resulted in the induction of significantly more axillary buds than in the addition of other cytokinins. The optimal concentration of TDZ for proliferation of axillary buds was 10 μM. 92% of shoots spontaneously rooted without any plant growth regulator (PGR) and formed whole plantlets within one month. More than 95% of these regenerants survived and they did not show any detectable variation in morphology or growth characteristics compared to their donor plants.
The effects of extracts from various Oriental medicinal herbs on mast-cell-mediated allergic reactions were investigated in this study. Out of these extracts, the medicinal herb Atractylodis rhizoma alba exhibited the most potent activity in the cells, with IC50 values of 20.5 μg/ml, by DNP-BSA and 33.04 μg/ml, by compound 48/80. Similar to the in vitro activity, Atractylodis rhizoma alba inhibited compound-48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis by 31.3% at 300 mg/kg in mice. It also suppressed the secretion of TNF-α, a major pro-inflammatory cytokine in the cells. These results may suggest that Atractylodis rhizoma alba shows anti-allergic activity in compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic mice through the inhibition of mast cells.
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the determination of lignans, eleutherosides B and E, in Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruits and their fermented wine. The lignans were quantified by a reversed-phase system using a gradient of H2O and acetonitrile as a mobile phase within 20 min. The analysis was successfully carried out within 20 min. The contents of eleutherosides Band E as main active principles of Acanthopanax species were measured in A. sessiliflorus fruits (1.15 and 8.49 μg/mg, respectively), their fermented wine (0.45 and 1.33 μg/mg, respectively) and wine residues (no detection).
Optimum culture conditions for high frequency plant regeneration from leaf explants of Kalanchoe daigremontiana Hamet &Perrier were established. Shoot regeneration was achieved from leaf explant cultures using MS medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and thidiazuron (TDZ) or benzyladenine (BA). Percent regeneration was influenced by plant growth regulators and source of explants. MS medium supplemented with TDZ (1.0 mg/l) and IAA (0.4 mg/l) was the most effective, providing shoot regeneration for 76.7 % of ex vitro leaf explants associated with a high number of shoots per explant (9.5 mean shoots per explant), whereas 100% shoot regeneration associated with 12.4 shoots per explant occurred from in vitro leaf explants on the same medium. Clusters of shoots were multiplied and elongated on MS medium containing several concentrations of BA. MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l BA was proved as the most effective shoot elongation medium. Elongated shoots (2-3 cm) were rooted at 100% on half-strength MS medium. Rooted plantlets were then transferred to potting soil. Regenerated plants were established in the soil with 90% success.
Three known triterpenoids were isolated from MeOH extract of C. apiifolia (Ranunculaceae). Their structures were identified as oleanolic acid (1), ursolic acid (2), hederagenic acid (3) by comparison of their physicochemical and spectral data with the literature values. Among them, 2 was isolated for the first time from this plant. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against L1210, HL-60, SK-OV-3 tumor cell lines. All compounds 1-3 were shown good activities with IC50 values ranging from 7.7 to 25.6 μg/ml. This result suggests that triterpenoids 1-3 are main cytotoxic principles of this plant.
Seed of Codonopsis lanceolata exhibits low germination due to impermeable seed coat. Prolonged seed dormancy can be overcome by the application of gibberellins, as it promotes growth of the embryo and weakens the structures surrounding of embryo. The effects of photoperiod, sugar and gibberellin concentration were investigated at constant temperature for 12 days and 22 days in vitro and invivo conditions respectively. The rate of germination of seeds of Codonopsis lanceolata in wet filter paper in both complete dark and light treatments was significantly lower than that of seed treated with GA3. It clearly indicates that there is significant coat imposed dormancy in the seed of Codonopsis lanceolata. The rate of germination in vivo condition was lower than that of the in vitro condition supplemented with GA3 Thus, the physical dormancy due to impermeable seed coat and low level of endogenous gibberellins in the seed was the cause of poor germination rate in Codonopsis lanceolata.
This study purposed to look for its uses by analyzing useful substances in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabin us L.) leaves based on the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in the leaves, DPPH radical scavenging activity of leaf extract, SOD activity, etc. by different growth stage and variety. According to the results of experiment, the total polyphenol content was highest in Everglade-41 (27.9 mg/g dw.), the total flavonoid content was highest in Tainung-2 (42.3 mg/g dw.), and SOD activity was highest in Dowling (96.1 %). However, DPPH radical scavenging activity was similar among the three varieties.
The content of four phonolic acids 1-4, and two flavonol aglycones 14 and 15 from Orostachysjaponicus A. Berger grown under night-break and day-length controlled experiments was estimated and compared with those in wild plants. The amount of the phenolic acids 1-4 and the flavonol aglycones 14 and 15 increased with increasing light irradiation under both the night-break and day-length control conditions. It was disclosed that the cultivation conditions such as the night-break and the day-length control were not adversely affect the production of phenolic acids and flavonols in Orostachys japonicus A. Berger extracts.