No abstract available.
Acacia* ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse* ; Plants*

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Chinese medicine Acacia catechu.

METHODIsolation and purification were carried out on normal phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography etc. Constituents were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analysis.

RESULTTwelve compounds were identified as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid( 1), kaempferol (2), quercetin (3), 3,4',7-trihydroxyl-3', 5-dimethoxyflavone (4), catechin (5), epicatechin (6), afzelechin (7), epiafzelechin (8), mesquitol(9), ophioglonin (10), aromadendrin (11), and phenol (12).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 7, 12 were isolated from A. catechu for the first time, and compounds 4, 9-11 were isolated from the genus Acacia for the first time.

Present experiments were conducted to determine the possibility of artificial culture with various sawdust of P. gilvus. The pH value was 6.0 of oak sawdust, 6.5 of mulberry sawdust, 6.6 of elm sawdust, 6.3 of acacia sawdust and 6.1 of apple tree sawdust. Mycelial density on elm sawdust and acacia sawdust were lower than those of oak sawdust, and apple sawdust. Weight of fresh fruiting body showed that 179 g on oak tree, 227 g on oak sawdust, 21 g on elm tree, 76 g on elm sawdust, 106 g on apple tree, and 170 g on apple sawdust. Among them, the yield of oak substrates was the highest whereas acacia sawdust was the lowest, and it is concluded that the yields of sawdust substrates were higher than log substrates. P. gilvus grown on various sawdusts and logs used in this study have shown similar in anti-tumor activity against P388.
Acacia ; Fruit* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Morus ; Quercus ; Trees ; Ulmus

Rho iso-alpha acids-rich extract (RIAA) from Humulus lupulus (hops) and proanthocyanidins-rich extracts (PAC) from Acacia nilotica exert anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activity in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that a combination of these two extracts would exert enhanced effects in vitro on inflammatory markers and insulin signaling, and on nonfasting glucose and insulin in db/db mice. Over 49 tested combinations, RIAA:PAC at 5:1 (6.25 microg/mL) exhibited the greatest reductions in TNFalpha-stimulated lipolysis and IL-6 release in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, comparable to 5 microg/mL troglitazone. Pretreatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with this combination (5 microg/mL) also led to a 3-fold increase in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake that was comparable to 5 microg/mL pioglitazone or 901 microg/mL aspirin. Finally, db/db mice fed with RIAA:PAC at 5:1 (100 mg/kg) for 7 days resulted in 22% decrease in nonfasting glucose and 19% decrease in insulin that was comparable to 0.5 mg/kg rosiglitazone and better than 100 mg/kg metformin. RIAA:PAC mixture may have the potential to be an alternative when conventional therapy is undesirable or ineffective, and future research exploring its long-term clinical application is warranted.
Acacia ; Adipocytes ; Animals ; Aspirin ; Chromans ; Glucose ; Humulus ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipolysis ; Metformin ; Mice ; Thiazolidinediones

BACKGROUND: Plant extracts have been widely used as important therapeutic drugs for many centuries all over the world. There have been many reports that natural products have various kinds of biological activities such as anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Recently, the screening for the efficacy and safety of natural products has been extensively performed. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to find a beneficial plant extract possessing excellent antioxidative and anti-melanogenic activities. We have found that the leaf of Robinia pseudo-acacia L. has active substances which are involved in those activities. METHODS: To confirm the antioxidative activity of the extract obtained from the leaves of Robinia pseudo-acacia L., scavenging ability of the extract on DPPH free radicals and its inhibitory effects on lipid autoxidation and peroxidation were investigated. In addition, inhibitory effects of the extract on mushroom tyrosinase as well as melanin biosynthesis in cultured B16 melanoma cells were evaluated. RESULTS: The acacia extract showed not only powerful antioxidative activity but also antimelanogenic acitivity as strong as that of arbutin which is a well known inhibitor of melanogenesis. CONCLUSION: These resulis suggest that the extract from the leaves of Robinia pseudo-acacia L. could be used as a 4ghtening and antioxidative agent for the skin.
Acacia ; Agaricales ; Arbutin ; Biological Products ; Free Radicals ; Mass Screening ; Melanins ; Melanoma, Experimental ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Plant Extracts ; Plants ; Robinia* ; Skin

Honey production from approximately 1.6 million colonies owned by about 199,000 Korean beekeepers was almost 23,000 metric tons in 2009. Nosema causes significant losses in honey production and the virus decreases population size. We initiated a survey of honey bee colonies on the blooming period of Acacia to determine the prevalence of Nosema and virus in 2011. Most Korean beekeepers have moved from the south to north of Korea to get Acacia nectar for 2 mon. This provided a valuable opportunity to sample bees originating from diverse areas in one location. Twenty hives owned by 18 beekeepers were sampled in this year. Nosema spore counts ranged from zero to 1,710,000 spores per bee. The average number of nosema spores per bee was 580,000. Approximately 95% of the colonies were infected with Nosema, based on the presence of spores in the flowering period of Acacia. This indicates that Nosema is the predominant species affecting honeybee colonies. Also, the seven most important honeybee viruses were investigated by reverse transcription-PCR. Among them, four different viruses were detected in samples. Black queen cell virus was present in all samples. Chronic bee paralysis virus was detected in 10% of samples. Deformed wing virus was present in only 5% of the samples. Prevalence of Sacbrood virus was 15%. However, Cloudy wing virus, Israel acute paralysis virus and kashmir bee virus were not detected in any of samples.
Acacia ; Bees ; Colony Count, Microbial ; Flowers ; Honey ; Israel ; Korea ; Nosema ; Paralysis ; Plant Nectar ; Population Density ; Prevalence ; Spores ; Urticaria ; Viruses ; Wings, Animal

BACKGROUND: There is a large global variation in sensitization patterns to aeroallergens due to differences in climate, urbanization, and lifestyle. Knowledge of the most common inhalant allergens is important for appropriate prevention and management of allergic rhinitis (AR). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide data on aeroallergen sensitization patterns and associated comorbid diseases of adult Filipinos with AR. METHODS: Medical records of adult Filipinos seen in an Otolaryngology-Allergy Clinic from January 2011 to 2016 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria used was presence of clinically defined AR and positive skin test to at least one aeroallergen in the test panel. Demographics, comorbid conditions, and results of skin prick test were determined. Standard descriptive statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-one adult patients were included in this study. Mean age was 38.8 years, and majority lived in an urban area (71.2%). Most patients exhibited polysensitization (97.4%). All exhibited sensitization to indoor and 86.9% to outdoor allergens. The most common indoor allergens were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (97.4%), Dermatophagoides farinae, (95.8%), cockroach (80.1%), and molds (72.8%). Bermuda (67%), Johnson grass (58.7%), and Acacia (58.2%) were the most common outdoor allergens. Urticaria (18.8%), dermatitis (16.8%), and asthma (11.5%) were the most common associated comorbid disease. Twelve percent of patients had more than one associated comorbid disease. Asthma + urticaria followed by asthma + dermatitis were the most common co-morbid combinations. One patient had three comorbid diseases: asthma + urticaria + rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSION: Compared to earlier studies, aeroallergen sensitization patterns of Filipinos remain unchanged. This study also identifies for the first time, the associated comorbid diseases of AR in this population. Understanding these factors can guide treatment strategies to reduce disease burden.
Acacia ; Adult ; Allergens ; Asthma ; Bermuda ; Climate ; Cockroaches ; Demography ; Dermatitis ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Fungi ; Humans ; Life Style ; Medical Records ; Poaceae ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Urbanization ; Urticaria

The advantages of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) are its friendly route of administration and less frequent occurrence of severe side-effects. The most frequently reported events were irritation of the throat and oral itching. According to the recent data, the number of side effects seems to be dose-dependent. We report on one case of anaphylaxis after the first dose of SLIT with house dust mite drop. A 10-year-old girl suffered from severe allergic rhinitis with perennial symptoms and asthma for which a low dose inhaled corticosteroid was used. Her allergy workup disclosed a positive skin prick test to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, birch, hazel tree, alder, dog, cat, platane, and acacia pollens. We started SLIT (Pangramin SLIT, ALKAbello, Madrid, Spain) with D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae. Fifteen minutes after the first dose taken at home, she experienced local irritation, lip swelling, facial rash, rhinorrhea and cough. Provocation test was performed in the clinic with the same drug (0.00015 microg/drop, 1.6 STU/mL of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, respectively). After twenty minutes, she reported lip swelling, perioral wheals, rash and cough. Wheezing was aggravated, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) dropped by 13% compared to prechallenge PEFR. We stress to have the first dose of SLIT taken in the clinic with an observation period.
Acacia ; Alnus ; Anaphylaxis ; Animals ; Asthma ; Betula ; Cats ; Child ; Cough ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dogs ; Dust ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunotherapy ; Lip ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Pharynx ; Pollen ; Pruritus ; Pyroglyphidae ; Respiratory Sounds ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Skin ; Trees

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hereditary chronic hemolytic anemia with several clinical consequences. Intravascular sickling of red blood cells leads to multi-organ dysfunction. Moreover, several biochemical abnormalities have been associated with SCA. Gum arabic (GA) is an edible dried gummy exudate obtained from Acacia Senegal tree. GA showed antioxidant and cytoprotective activities and demonstrated protection against hepatic, renal, and cardiac toxicities in experimental rats. We hypothesized that regular intake of GA improves renal and liver functions in patients with SCA. METHODS: Forty-seven patients (5–42 yr) carrying hemoglobin SS were recruited. The patients received 30 g/day GA for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected before administering GA and then after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Liver enzymes, total protein, albumin, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, and uric acid were determined in the serum. The study was approved by the Al Neelain University Institutional Review Board and Research Ethics Committee Ministry of Health. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02467257). RESULTS: GA significantly decreased direct bilirubin level [statistical significance (P-value)=0.04]. It also significantly decreased serum alanine transaminase level after 4 weeks, which was sustained till the 8th week. GA, however, had no effect on serum aspartate transaminase level. In terms of renal function, GA decreased serum urea level but the effect was not sustained after the first month. CONCLUSION: GA may alter the disease severity in SCA as demonstrated by its ability to decrease direct bilirubin and urea levels in the serum.
Acacia ; Alanine Transaminase ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anemia, Sickle Cell ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Cardiotoxicity ; Creatinine ; Electrolytes ; Erythrocytes ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Exudates and Transudates ; Gingiva ; Gum Arabic ; Hemoglobin, Sickle ; Humans ; Liver ; Rats ; Senegal ; Trees ; Urea ; Uric Acid

The present study was designed to characterize the polyphenols isolated from Acacia mearnsii bark crude extract (B) and fractions (B1-B7) obtained by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) and evaluate their anti-inflammatory and carbolytic enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) inhibitory activities. Fractions B4, B5, B6, B7 (total phenolics 850.3, 983.0, 843.9, and 572.5 mg·g, respectively; proanthocyanidins 75.7, 90.5, 95.0, and 44.8 mg·g, respectively) showed significant activities against reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production, and expression of pro-inflammatory genes interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. All the extracts suppressed α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, two primary enzymes responsible for carbohydrate digestion. A. mearnsii bark samples possessed significantly stronger inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase enzyme (IC of 0.4-1.4 μg·mL) than the pharmaceutical acarbose (IC 141.8 μg·mL). B6 and B7 (IC 17.6 and 11.7 μg·mL, respectively) exhibited α-amylase inhibitory activity as efficacious as acarbose (IC 15.4 μg·mL). Moreover, B extract, at 25 µg·mL, significantly decreased the non-mitochondrial oxidative burst that is often associated with inflammatory response in human monocytic macrophages.
Acacia ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; drug effects ; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Polyphenols ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Proanthocyanidins ; pharmacology ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; alpha-Amylases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism