BACKGROUND

The Philippines has a wide variety of plant species with potential to produce allergenic pollen grains. Most of the study subjects which are residents in Manila tested positive to Fabaceae and Amaranthaceae. Weeds, especially the Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae families, are relevant triggers of allergy as they are highly adaptive and can grow despite adverse weather conditions. However, only a few allergens have been identified among these families and listed in the International Union of Immunological Societies allergen nomenclature database. Currently, local pollen grains are being processed at the Medical Research Laboratory of our institution to produce crude pollen extracts for use in specific diagnostic skin tests and in subcutaneous immunotherapy of patients with respiratory allergies all over the country. However, these extracts have not been characterized and data of cross-reactivity is limited.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the IgE binding activity of allergen extracts from Philippine weeds and trees, and determine their cross-reactive components.

METHODS

Pollen extracts from Amaranthus spinosus (pigweed), Mimosa pudica (makahiya), Tridax procumbens (wild daisy), Albizia saman (acacia), Leucaena leucocephala (ipil-ipil), Mangifera indica (mango), and Cocos nucifera (coconut) were extracted and analyzed for crossreactivity using ELISA and Western blot. 

RESULTS

Cross-reaction was observed between ipil-ipil and coconut, and between makahiya and wild daisy. IgE bound to protein components at ~20, 18, and 15 kDa of the weeds, while for the trees, IgE bound to protein components at ~35 and ~15 kDa which may be responsible for the cross-inhibitions observed.

CONCLUSION

Data may contribute to the development of immunotherapeutic strategies and diagnostic applications for respiratory allergies, comprising the production of standardized panel of allergens thus eliminating unwanted side effects and providing patients with safer diagnosis and therapy.

Plants ; Pollen ; Allergens ; Amaranthus ; Arecaceae

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for the determination of 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavan in Daemrnonorops draco by HPLC.

METHODDikma Diamonsil C15 column(4. 6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) was used. The mobile phase consisted of (60:40). The temperature of column was 30 degrees C. The flow rate was 1:0 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was at 210 nm.

RESULTThe calibration curve was in good linearity with in the range from 0.01 to 0.10 microg (r = 0.9999). The average recovery was 100.1% (n=6).

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, rapid, as well as precise and reliable, and can be used for the determination of 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavan in D. draco.

Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flavanones ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis

In order to establish a method for the determination of the sterols of the oil in the freeze-dried acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and to evaluate its antioxidant activities, a saponification/extraction procedure and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis method were developed and validated for the analysis of phytosterols in PEE (Petroleum ether extract). Separation was achieved on a Purosper STAR LP C18 column with a binary, gradient solvent system of acetonitrile and isopropanol. Evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) was used to quantify β-sitosterol and the total sterols. Peak identification was verified by retention times and spikes with external standards. Standard curves were constructed (r = 0.999 2) to allow for sample quantification. Recovery of the saponification and extraction was demonstrated via analysis of spiked samples. The highest content of total sterols is β-sitosterol. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated using the total oxyradical scavenging capacity assay (TOSC assay). The result showed that the PEE exhibited significant antioxidant properties, sample concentration and the antioxidant capacity had a certain relevance.
Antioxidants ; analysis ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Phytosterols ; analysis ; Sitosterols ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo develop an alternative method for assessment of gene delivery systems in vivo.

METHODSMouse primary spleen lymphocytes were genetically modified in vitro by a retroviral vector harboring a Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) expression cassette. After implantation of these cells into recipient mice, the expression of Gluc was detected in whole blood or plasma collected.

RESULTSAs little as 10 muL whole blood drawn from the recipient mice could guarantee prompt reading of Gluc activity with a luminometer. And the reading was found in good correlation with the number of genetically modified spleen lymphocytes implanted to the mice.

CONCLUSIONSGluc may be useful as an in vivo reporter for gene therapy researches, and Gluc blood assay could provide an alternative method for assessment of gene delivery systems in vivo.

Animals ; Arecaceae ; enzymology ; Cell Line ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Reporter ; Humans ; Luciferases ; genetics ; Mice

Background: Rattan is a member of the Arecaceae family grown in the tropical or subtropical climates. These plants are used as raw materials for furniture-making. In some cases, its shoots are also used as food and may possess bioactive potentials. In this study, rattan root methanolic extracts were screened for phytochemicals and evaluated for antioxidant activities. Methodology: Six (6) methanolic extracts of selected rattan shoots were subjected to in vitro antioxidant assays, which include DPPH, FRAP, metal chelation, superoxide, and nitric oxide. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were also employed. Results: Shoots of Calamus sp. 02 (Bangaw-Bangaw; 85.59±0.430%), C. usitatus (Talola; 82.45±2.215%), and C. spinifolius (Kurakling; 75.54±1.599%) showed the most effective DPP radical inhibition at 66.67μg/mL. Concentration-dependent reducing power (>30% scavenging at 6.64μg/mL) with no-to-low metal chelating activity was also observed in these plant food. C. sp 02 and C. usitatus demonstrated an effective scavenging activity against superoxide anions at 227.3μg/mL. Nitric oxide scavenging activity was observed in all shoots with C. merrilli (Palasan) exhibiting highest at 78.13μg/mL. Qualitative phytochemical analyses showed that rattan shoots all contained reducing sugars, phenolics, terpenoids, and quinone compounds. Quantitative phytochemical analyses revealed that C. sp. 02 (66.024±4.183mg GAE/g) and C. merrilli (1.767±0.056mg QE/g) contained the highest amounts of phenolic and flavonoids, respectively. These phytochemicals present may explain their behavior as antioxidants. Conclusion The study revealed that different rattan shoots showed different capacities to scavenge particular oxidants. Of these, C. sp. 02, C. spinifolius, and C. merrilli may be considered promising sources of natural antioxidants.
Phytochemicals ; Antioxidants ; Calamus

OBJECTIVETo determine the metal contents of date palm (Pheonix dactylifera) samples in dry season from Denizli-Turkey for investigation of heavy metal-polluted traffic.

METHODThe levels of iron, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, and manganese ions in the leaves of thirty five date palm (Pheonix dactylifera) samples collected from various levels of traffic in the streets of Denizli-Turkey were determined by graphite furnace or flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The wet, dry, and microwave digestion procedures for the date palm (Pheonix dactylifera) leaves were compared. The accuracy of the digestion procedures was checked using a standard reference material (IAEA-336 Lichen, SRM).

RESULTSMicrowave digestion procedure for the leaves was preferred because it was more proper with respect to both time and recovery than dry and wet digestion. The levels of the heavy metal ions investigated were the highest on the samples from high traffic level. Also correlations between metal levels and traffic volume for all the metals were investigated.

CONCLUSIONIn the light of our findings, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) leaves are suitable as a biomonitor for atmospheric heavy metal-polluted traffic. Significant correlations can be obtained between traffic levels and heavy metal concentrations.

Air Pollutants ; analysis ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Seasons ; Spectrum Analysis ; Turkey ; Vehicle Emissions ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Eriophyton wallichii.

METHODCompounds were separated and purified by column chromatographic methods, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

RESULTEight phenylpropanoids were isolated and identified as martynoside (1), leucosceptoside A (2), citrusin B (3), (+)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-4, 9-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), liriodendrin (5), velutinoside 11[ (6), jionoside B, (7), stachysoside D (8), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe eight compounds were firstly isolated from E. wallichii.

Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Phenylpropionates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Chronic prostatitis has various symptoms and many problems in management. Recently a lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa Repens, Permixon has been reported to reveal potential antiandrogenic and anti inflammatory activities on prostate. Then we used Permixon on chronic prostatitis and following results were obtained. Permixon is administered orally in dose of 160mg., b.i.d. for 60 days in 31 cases of chronic prostatitis in 1st group, Permixon 160mg, with Cipro-floxacin 500mg, b.i.d. in 35 cases in 2nd group and Placebo 2 tablets, b.i.d. in 30 cases in 3rd group. In 1st group 36 cases(77.4%) were improved, 29 cases(82.8%) in 2nd group and 7 cases (23.3 %) of 3rd group were improved. Permixon is an effective drug in chronic prostatitis and there was no changes in laboratory findings and negligible side effects were noticed
Prostate ; Prostatitis* ; Serenoa* ; Tablets

AIMTo study the mechanism of dracorhodin perchlorate-induced Hela cell apoptosis.

METHODSCell viability was measured by MTT method. Morphological changes were observed by phase contrast microscopy and Hoechst 33258 staining. DNA fragmentation was assayed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Protein expression was detected by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSDracorhodin perchlorate induced Hela cell apoptosis. The apoptosis was partially reversed by caspase-1, -3, -8, -9 and caspase family inhibitors. Treatment of Hela cells with dracorhodin perchlorate for 12 h increased the protein expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-XL; procaspase-3, -8, ICAD and PARP were cleaved to smaller molecules.

CONCLUSIONDracorhodin perchlorate induced Hela cell death via alteration of Bax/Bcl-XL ratio and activation of caspases.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Benzopyrans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Caspase Inhibitors ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo prepare sustained-release microsphere containing extract of Sanguis Draconis and to measure its dissolution in vitro.

METHODSustained-release microsphere was prepared with polylactic acid (PLA) as carriers using the oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion solvent evaporation method. The powder particle's characteristics of sustainded-release microsphere were evaluated comprehensively, and its dissolution characteristics in vitro were studied.

RESULTThe microsphere was round and its surface was smooth, drug-loading rate was 21.97% and the entrapment rate was 55.76%, the accumulative release percentage was 76. 71% in 16 hours.

CONCLUSIONThe sustained release effect of Sanguis Draconis microspheres was formed with potentially wide applications.

Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Resins, Plant ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods