Anticancer activity of arborinine from Glycosmis parva leaf extract in human cervical cancer cells.

Glycosmis parva is a small shrub found in Thailand. Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from its leaves has been shown to exert anticancer effects in vitro; however, the compound responsible for this activity has not been isolated and characterized. In this study, we demonstrate that arborinine, a major acridone alkaloid in the EtOAc fraction, decreased proliferation and was strongly cytotoxic to HeLa cervical cancer cells without significantly affecting normal cells. The compound also inhibited tumor spheroid growth much more potently than chemotherapeutic drugs bleomycin, gemcitabine, and cisplatin. In addition, unlike cisplatin, arborinine activated caspase-dependent apoptosis without inducing DNA damage response. We further show that arborinine strongly suppressed cancer cell migration by downregulating expression of key regulators of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Taken together, our data provide important insights into the molecular mechanism of arborinine's anticancer activity, supporting its potential use for treating cervical cancer.

Ethyl acetate extract from Glycosmis parva leaf induces apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest by decreasing expression of COX-2 and altering BCL-2 family gene expression in human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells.

CONTEXT: Glycosmis parva Craib (Rutaceae) is reported to have cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities by decreasing COX-2 expression. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of G. parva on human colorectal cancer cells expressing COX-2, HT-29 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HT-29 cells were treated with ethyl acetate extract from the leaves of G. parva (GPE 6.25-100 µg/ml) for 24-72 h. Cell viability was evaluated by the resuzurin reduction assay. An apoptotic study was performed using annexinV/FITC-PI staining. The cell-cycle pattern was investigated by PI staining. The expression of BCL-2 family genes was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and expression of cyclins and COX-2 were done by RT-PCR. RESULTS: GPE at 6.25-100 µg/ml reduced HT-29 cell viability with IC50 values of 69.49, 55.89, and 48.94 µg/ml at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. HT-29 apoptosis was induced by 18.23% at 100 µg/ml. Cells in S phase decreased by 5.22% and 13.28% at 50 and 100 µg/ml, respectively, causing G0/G1 (10.6% at 50 µg/ml) and G2/M (15.67% at 100 µg/ml) accumulation. GPE at 50 µg/ml downregulated cyclin A (11.46%), cyclin E (17.98%), BCL-2 (0.32-fold), and COX-2 (29.06%) expression with an increased BAK expression (1.79-fold). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: GPE reduced HT-29 cell viability, inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and arrested the cell cycle. Underlying mechanisms may involve decreases in COX-2, cyclin A, and cyclin E expression in addition to changes in BCL-2 family gene expression. Fundamental knowledge of GPE anticancer effects found in this study could lead to future use of this compound for colorectal cancer treatment.

The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activity.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effects of lavender oil on the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and mood responses in humans after inhalation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty healthy volunteers participated in the experiments. The present study assessed autonomic parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature to determine the arousal level of the autonomic nervous system. In addition, subjects were asked to estimate their mood responses such as feeling pleasant or unpleasant, uncomfortable, sensuality, relaxation, or refreshing in order to assess subjective behavioral arousal. Finally, electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 31 electrodes on the scalp according to the international 10 to 20 system, and EEG power spectra were calculated by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Data was analyzed by comparing the effects of lavender oil on physiological and mood states with sweet almond oil. These assessments were measured before and after using paired t-test statistical procedure. RESULTS: The results revealed that lavender oil caused significant decreases of blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature, which indicated a decrease of autonomic arousal. In terms of mood responses, the subjects in the lavender oil group categorized themselves as more active, fresher relaxed than subjects just inhaling base oil. Compared with base oil, lavender oil increased the power of theta (4-8 Hz) and alpha (8-13 Hz) brain activities. The topographic map showed obviously more scattering power in alpha range waves particularly in bilateral temporal and central area. CONCLUSION: The findings provided evidence the relaxing effect of inhaling lavender oil.

Standardization of Leonurus sibiricus L. aerial part and capillary electrophoresis quantitative analysis of its leonurine content.

The quality parameters of Leonurus sibiricus L. aerial part crude drugs were evaluated. Fifteen crude drugs were collected from various locations throughout Thailand. The transverse section of the stem of L. sibiricus showed quadrangular character highlighted the ribs with angular collenchyma. The epidermis was uniseriate with abundant glandular trichomes distribution. Prismatic calcium oxalate prisms were found in the stem medullary parenchyma.The histological character of crude drug powder showed bordered pitted vessel, fragment of fiber, glandular trichome, prism crystal, spiral vessel, starch granule, and stomata. The loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and moisture contents should be not more than 8.18, 15.28, 4.04, and 8.91 g/100 g dry weight, whereas ethanol and water-soluble extractive values should be not less than 7.67, and 17.21 g/100 g of dry weight, respectively. Leonurine in the crude drugs were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with photodiode array detector. The ethanolic extraction performed by Soxhlet apparatus yielded 18.86 ± 4.09 g/100 g dry weight. The electropherogram detected at 277 nm showed the migration time of leonurine at 6.2 min. The developed CE was found to be valid for leonurine quantification in L. sibiricus ethanolic extract. The contents of leonurine in 15 crude drugs ranged from 0.79 to 4.23 mg/g with the average of 2.38 ± 1.10 mg/g dry weight. This study established the pharmacognostic specification of L. sibiricus crude drug in Thailand with special reference to a bioactive compound, leonurine. CE was beneficial technique for the analysis of leonurine in L. sibiricus aerial parts.

In vitro cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antityrosinase activities of Clitoria macrophylla root.

Clitoria macrophylla Wall. (Leguminosae), locally known as Non-tai-yak or An-chan-pa, commonly distributed in tropical nations and Southeast Asia. Regarding traditional Thai medical system, C. macrophylla roots carry out a potential in dermatology. Its roots are also used as insecticide in agriculture and animal farming. Moreover, clitoriacetal is the major component that can be detected in C. macrophylla root. This research aimed to assess the efficacy of C. macrophylla root extract and clitoriacetal for its anticancer and antityrosinase activities as well as to assess in vitro safety potential for its cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. C. macrophylla root and clitoriacetal were tested by brine shrimp lethality, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, comet assay, and antityrosinase activity. C. macrophylla root, clitoriacetal, and rotenone demonstrated the toxicity against brine shrimp nauplii with LC50 of 332.15, 136.54, and 0.15 µg/mL, respectively. C. macrophylla root and clitoriacetal showed cytotoxic potential against breast ductal carcinoma (BT-474), liver hepatoblastoma (Hep-G2), and colon adenocarcinoma (SW-620). At 100 µg/mL, the percent DNA damage of C. macrophylla root and clitoriacetal was 37.84% and 36.01%, respectively. C. macrophylla root and clitoriacetal were able to inhibit the tyrosinase enzyme with IC50 of 12.27 and 7.30 mg/mL, respectively, which less effective than glutathione (positive control). The present study revealed the in vitro biological activities of C. macrophylla root and its clitoriacetal constituent which proposed the scientific evidences in efficacy and safety evaluation including in vitro cytotoxicity, DNA damage as well as antityrosinase activities.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Phyllanthus species in Thailand and the application of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for Phyllanthus amarus identification.

The genus Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, and its members are widely used as medicinal plants in many countries. We analyzed the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA of 56 plant samples covering 23 Phyllanthus species collected from various habitats in Thailand. Based on the sequence alignment, we constructed phylogenetic trees of all Phyllanthus species distributed in Thailand. Furthermore, a simple protocol to discriminate three important medicinal Phyllanthus species, P. amarus, P. debilis, and P. urinaria, was developed using a Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method and successfully applied to the crude drug samples obtained in Thai markets.

Gamma-lactone carbazoles from Clausena anisata.

The study of chemical constituents of the stems of Clausena anisata collected in Thailand led to the isolation and identification of eight known and two new carbazole alkaloids named furanoclausamines A (1) and B (2). Clausamine E (3) was found to exhibit cytotoxicity against the human leukemia cell line HL-60.

Isolation of acridone alkaloids and N-[(4-monoterpenyloxy)phenylethyl]-substituted sulfur-containing propanamide derivatives from Glycosmis parva and their anti-herpes simplex virus activity.

Six acridone alkaloids including a new glycosparvarine (1), three limonoids, and four N-[(4-monoterpenyloxy)phenylethyl]-substituted sulfur-containing propanamide derivatives including two new species, (+)-S-deoxydihydroglyparvin (10) and (+)-S-deoxytetrahydroglyparvin (11), were isolated from the branches and the leaves of Glycosmis parva CRAIB collected in the east of Thailand. Antiviral activity evaluation of isolates against herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 disclosed that two acridone alkaloids, glycosparvarine (1) and glycofolinine (4), showed moderate inhibitory activities with 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 348 microM and 151 microM, respectively; as well, (+)-S-deoxydihydroglyparvin (10) exhibited anti-HSV activity at the lower concentration.

Quantitative analysis of oxyresveratrol content in Artocarpus lakoocha and 'Puag-Haad'.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) densitometric method for the determination of oxyresveratrol content in Artocarpuslakoocha heartwood and in the traditional drug 'Puag-Haad'. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample solution of A. lakoocha heartwood was prepared by Soxhlet extraction of the plant material in ethanol, whereas the Puag-Haad solution was obtained by dissolving the drug in methanol. Analysis of each sample solution was performed on a Silica gel 60 F(254) TLC plate (20 x 10 cm) with methylene chloride/methanol (85:15) as the mobile phase. After development, the TLC plate was examined with a TLC scanner in the absorbance mode at 254 nm. The newly developed analytical method was validated using an authentic sample of oxyresveratrol previously isolated from A. lakoocha heartwood, and was used to analyze the oxyresveratrol content in samples of A. lakoocha heartwood and the traditional drug Puag-Haad. RESULTS: A sensitive and reliable TLC densitometric method was successfully developed. The method was validated in terms of accuracy (99.11-102.60%) and precision (1.66-4.23% coefficient of variation). The limits of detection and quantitation were 15.6 and 52 ng/spot, respectively. The amounts of oxyresveratrol in 3 samples of A. lakoocha heartwood collected from its natural habitat were 49.0-182.3 mg/g, whereas those in 11 commercial samples were in the range of 23.4-69.6 mg/g. The oxyresveratrol contents in 2 samples of traditional drug Puag-Haad were 780.1 and 837.5 mg/g. CONCLUSION: The TLC densitometric method developed in this study is a simple, convenient, sensitive and reliable procedure. It was an effective analytical tool for the evaluation of oxyresveratrol content in both A. lakoocha heartwood and the traditional drug Puag-Haad.

Quality evaluation with reference to clitoriacetal and in vitro antioxidant activities of Clitoria macrophylla root.

Clitoria macrophylla Wall. (syn. Clitoria hanceana Hemsl.), is commonly known in Thai as Nontai-yak, An-chan-pa, or Ueang-chan-pa, which belongs to Leguminosae family. According to traditional Thai medicine, the root has been used for the treatment of skin diseased as well as for pest control in horticulture and animal husbandry. The aim of this study is to investigate for the pharmacognostic specification, the clitoriacetal content, and in vitro antioxidant capacities of C. macrophylla roots from 12 different sources throughout Thailand. Clitoriacetal content was quantitatively analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) - densitometry with winCATS software and TLC image analysis with ImageJ software. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, ß-carotene bleaching assay, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents. The pharmacognostic specification of C. macrophylla roots in Thailand was established. The loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water contents should be not more than 6.40%, 12.29%, 8.89%, and 8.16% of dry weight, whereas ethanol and water-soluble extractive values should be not less than 4.95% and 14.72% of dry weight, respectively. Furthermore, the clitoriacetal content of C. macrophylla roots determined by TLC-densitometry and TLC image analysis was found to be 2.20 ± 1.31 and 2.22 ± 1.16 g/100 g of dry roots, respectively. The clitoriacetal contents of both methods were not significantly different using paired t-test. Moreover, the ethanolic extract of C. macrophylla roots showed its antioxidant potential compared to the standard butylated hydroxyl toluene and quercetin.

Quality evaluation of Kaempferia parviflora rhizome with reference to 5,7-dimethoxyflavone.

Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker is a medicinal plant found in the upper Northeastern regions of Thailand, which belongs to Zingiberaceae family. The present study aims to investigate the standardization parameters, to analyze chemical constituents of volatile oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and to determine the content of 5,7-dimethoxyflavone in K. parviflora rhizomes by thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-densitometry compared to TLC image analysis. K. parviflora rhizomes from 15 different sources throughout Thailand were investigated for morphological and pharmacognostic parameters. 5,7-Dimethoxyflavone contents were determined by TLC-densitometry with winCATS software and TLC image analysis with ImageJ software. The mobile phase for TLC development consisted of toluene: chloroform: Acetone: formic acid (5: 4: 1: 0.2). For the Results, the pharmacognostic parameters of K. parviflora rhizome were demonstrated. The loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water content, volatile oil content, ethanol, and water-soluble extractive values were found to be 8.979 ± 0.041, 5.127 ± 0.060, 2.174 ± 0.092, 9.291 ± 0.458, 0.028 ± 0.003, 5.138 ± 0.092, and 8.254 ± 0.191 g/100 g of dry weight, respectively. K. parviflora volatile oil showed the major components of α-copaene, dauca-5, 8-diene, camphene, ß-pinene, borneol, and linalool. The 5,7-dimethoxyflavone content of K. parviflora rhizomes determined by TLC-densitometry and TLC image analysis were found to be 2.15 ± 0.64 and 1.96 ± 0.51 g/100 g of dry rhizomes, respectively. The 5,7-dimethoxyflavone contents of both methods were not significantly different (P > 0.05) using paired t-test.

Antidiabetic and anticancer activities of Mangifera indica cv. Okrong leaves.

Diabetes and cancer are a major global public health problem. Plant-derived agents with undesirable side-effects were required. This study aimed to evaluate antidiabetic and anticancer activities of the ethanolic leaf extract of Mangifera indica cv. Okrong and its active phytochemical compound, mangiferin. Antidiabetic activities against yeast α-glucosidase and rat intestinal α-glucosidase were determined using 1 mM of p-nitro phenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside as substrate. Inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic α-amylase was performed using 1 mM of 2-chloro-4 nitrophenol-α-D-maltotroside-3 as substrate. Nitrophenol product was spectrophotometrically measured at 405 nm. Anticancer activity was evaluated against five human cancer cell lines compared to two human normal cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Mango leaf extract and mangiferin exhibited dose-dependent inhibition against yeast α-glucosidase with the IC50 of 0.0503 and 0.5813 mg/ml, respectively, against rat α-glucosidase with the IC50 of 1.4528 and 0.4333 mg/ml, respectively, compared to acarbose with the IC50 of 11.9285 and 0.4493 mg/ml, respectively. For anticancer activity, mango leaf extract, at ≥200 µg/ml showed cytotoxic potential against all tested cancer cell lines. In conclusion, mango leaf possessed antidiabetic and anticancer potential in vitro.

Pharmacognostic Specification, Chlorogenic Acid Content, and In vitro Antioxidant Activities of Lonicera japonica Flowering Bud.

BACKGROUND: Lonicera japonica Thunb. or Japanese Honeysuckle has been widely used in traditional medicine for antipyretic. OBJECTIVE: To establish the pharmacognostic specification of L. japonica flowering bud in Thailand and to determine its chlorogenic acid content and in vitro antioxidant activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dried L. japonica flowering bud from 15 various herbal drugstores throughout Thailand were investigated for pharmacognostic specification. Their chlorogenic acid contents were quantitatively analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) densitometry with winCATS software. The mobile phase for TLC development consisted of ethyl acetate: formic acid: acetic acid: water (10:1.1:1.1:2.6). Antioxidant activities were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, and ß-carotene bleaching assays. RESULTS: Qualified L. japonica flowering bud in Thailand was presented that the contents of loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water should not be >10.11%, 6.59%, 1.14%, and 10.82% by weight, respectively. The ethanol and water soluble extractive values should not be < 16.46% and 28.88% by weight, respectively. Chlorogenic acid content in L. japonica flowering bud was found to be 2.24 ± 0.50 g/100 g of crude drug. L. japonica flowering bud showed DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging activities as well as reducing power property. CONCLUSION: This pharmacognostic specification with special reference to the chlorogenic acid content can be used for quality control of L. japonica flowering bud in Thailand. The potential antioxidant of this crude drug was demonstrated in vitro. SUMMARY: Pharmacognostic specification of Lonicera japonica flowering bud in Thailand has been establishedThe chlorogenic acid content has been quantified by thin layer chromatography-densitometryThe ethanolic extract of L. japonica flowering bud showed antioxidation potential, especially on reducing power property. Abbreviations Used: TLC: Thin layer chromatography, DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, FRAP: Ferric ion Reducing Antioxidant Power, WHO: World Health Organization, ICH: International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use; LOD: Limit of detection; LOQ: Limit of quantitation; BHT: Butylated hydroxytoluene; FeSO4: Iron(II) sulfate; DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide; TPTZ: 2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine.

Pharmacognostic Specifications and Lawsone Content of Lawsonia inermis Leaves.

BACKGROUND: Lawsonia inermis L. has been used as a traditional or folk medicine for the treatment of a wide range of skin infectious diseases. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacognostic specifications and lawsone contents of L. inermis leaves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pharmacognostic specifications of L. inermis leaves from 12 sources were evaluated according to the WHO guideline of quality control method for medicinal plant materials. The lawsone contents were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) coupled with densitometry and image analysis. RESULTS: Microscopic evaluation of L. inermis powders showed the fragment of mesophyll, fragment of parenchyma, epidermis layer with stomata, and the rosette crystal of calcium oxalate. Physicochemical parameters revealed that total ash, acid-insoluble ash, loss on drying, and water content should be not <6.98, 1.12, 8.08, and 9.86% of dried weight, respectively, whereas ethanol and water extractive values should be not < 19.67 and 23.06% of dried weight, respectively. The content of lawsone in L. inermis leaves by TLC-densitometry was found to be 0.76 ± 0.05 g/100 g of dried crude drug, whereas the lawsone content evaluation by TLC image analysis was found to be 0.87 ± 0.11 g/100 g of dried crude drug. The validation of the methods revealed that both TLC-densitometry and TLC image analysis showed a good sensitivity and accuracy for lawsone quantitation in L. inermis. CONCLUSION: The pharmacognostic specifications could be used as the standardization data of L. inermis leaves, and the development of TLC method could be applied to determine lawsone content in this plant material. SUMMARY: The pharmacognostic specification of Lawsonia inermis leaves could be used as the standardization data of L. inermis leaves in Thailand.Both TLC-densitometry and TLC image analysis showed a good sensitivity and accuracy for lawsone quantitation. Abbreviations Used: LOD: Limit of detection; LOQ: Limit of quantitation; RSD: Relative standard deviation; TLC: Thin layer chromatography; UV: Ultraviolet; Rf value: Relative to front value.

Leptocarpus disjunctus prolongs sleeping time and increases nonrapid eye movement sleep with additional anxiolytic capacity.

Leptocarpus disjunctus Mast. (Restionaceae) is an edible plant which has indigenous warnings regarding its side effects which can manifest as dizziness. This study investigated hypnotic and anxiolytic properties using several animal models. Anxiolytic activities were evaluated using locomotor determination by elevated plus-maze test, open-field test, and rotarod performance test. Hypnotic activities were performed using pentobarbital sodium-induced sleeping time test. Sleep architecture and quality were obtained from sleep-wake analysis and nonrapid eye movement (NREM) delta activity using electroencephalography. An ethanolic extract of L. disjunctus indicated effective potencies for hypnotic test, locomotor activities, and sleep-wake analysis. Ethanolic extract showed a dose relationship with sleeping time for pentobarbital-induced sleeping time test (P < 0.01) and also an antagonistic effect on shortening in sleep time induced by flumazenil. The consort significantly decreased locomotor activities among animals undergoing elevated plus-maze test, open-field test, and rotarod performance test, whereas sleep-wake analysis showed that sleeping time and NREM sleep increased. Ethanolic extract of L. disjunctus was shown to be anxiolytic, with the possibly of benzodiazepine-like hypnotic activity.

Chlorogenic acid content, essential oil compositions, and in vitro antioxidant activities of Chromolaena odorata leaves.

Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King and H. Rob. is a Thai medicinal plant used for the treatment of wounds, rashes, diabetes, and insect repellent. The leaves of C. odorata were collected from 10 different sources throughout Thailand. The chemical constituents of essential oils were hydro-distilled from the leaves and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Chlorogenic acid contents were determined by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) - densitometry with winCATS software and TLC image analysis with ImageJ software. The TLC plate was developed in the mobile phase that consisted of ethyl acetate:water:formic acid (17:3:2). Antioxidant activities were examined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ß-carotene bleaching assays. C. odorata essential oil has shown the major components of pregeijerene, dauca-5, 8-diene, (E)-caryophyllene, ß-pinene, and α-pinene. The chlorogenic acid content of C. odorata leaves was determined by TLC-densitometry and TLC image analysis. Results have shown that TLC-densitometry and TLC image analysis method were not statistically significantly different. DPPH radical scavenging and ß-carotene bleaching assays of ethanolic extract of C. odorata leaves showed its antioxidant potential.

Characterization of Mangifera indica cultivars in Thailand based on macroscopic, microscopic, and genetic characters.

Thai mango cultivars are classified into six groups plus one miscellaneous group according to germplasm database for mango. Characterization is important for conservation and the development of Thai mango cultivars. This study investigated macroscopic, microscopic leaf characteristics, and genetic relationship among 17 cultivars selected from six groups of mango in Thailand. Selected mango samples were obtained from three different locations in Thailand (n = 57). They were observed for their leaf and fruit macroscopic characteristics. Leaf measurement for the stomatal number, veinlet termination number, and palisade ratio was evaluated under a microscope attached with digital camera. DNA fingerprint was performed using CTAB extraction of DNA and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) amplification. Forty-five primers were screened; then, seven primers that amplified the reproducible band patterns were selected to amplified and generate dendrogram by Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Average. These selected 17 Thai mango cultivars had individually macroscopic characteristics based on fruits and leaves. For microscopic characteristics, the stomatal number, veinlet termination number, and palisade ratio were slightly differentiable. For genetic identification, 78 bands of 190-2660 bps were amplified, of which 82.05% were polymorphic. The genetic relationship among these cultivars was demonstrated and categorized into two main clusters. It was shown that ISSR markers could be useful for Thai mango cultivar identification.

Chemical constituents of Murraya siamensis: three coumarins and their anti-tumor promoting effect.

Isolation and structure elucidation of three coumarins, murrayacoumarins A, B, and C, together with eight known coumarins, from the leaves of Murraya siamensis Craib collected in Thailand are described. Results of a primary screening of inhibitory effects of seven of these compounds on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation in Raji cells are also presented.

Pharmacognostic evaluation with reference to catechin content and antioxidant activities of pale catechu in Thailand.

Pale catechu, a well-known crude drug, has been widely used for anti-diarrhea. Due to its medicinal usage, this study was performed to evaluate the pharmacognostic and antioxidant properties as well as catechins contents of pale catechu in Thailand. Twenty samples of pale catechu collected from traditional drug stores throughout Thailand were investigated. Antioxidant activities, total phenolic, nontannin phenolic, and total tannin contents were evaluated. (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin were quantitatively analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed that most of pale catechu samples were adulterated according to high ash values. Qualified pale catechu in Thailand were demonstrated for their average contents of total ash, acid insoluble ash, loss on drying, and moisture as 5.20 ± 0.19, 1.61 ± 0.17, 13.14 ± 0.10, and 13.20 ± 1.07 g/100 g of dry weight, respectively. The ethanol and water soluble extractive matters were 91.66 ± 5.16 and 44.59 ± 3.18 g/100 g of dry weight respectively. (+)-catechin in theses samples was 478.87 ± 2.77 µg/mg of crude drug, whereas (-)-epicatechin was found to be trace (

Quantification of chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid contents in selected Thai medicinal plants using RP-HPLC-DAD

The chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid contents in 100 selected plants were determined using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector. The optimum condition was 0.2% phosphoric acid in water (solvent A) and methanol (solvent B) as the mobile phase, which was set at 45% B for 20 minutes at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. The column temperature was maintained at 30 ºC and the detection wavelength was 325 nm. Among 100 selected plants, 39.64% contained all 3 compounds, 40.54% contained 2 compounds, 14.41% contained only 1 compound, and 5.41% could not detect any of the 3 compounds. The highest contents of chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid were found in Lonicera japonica flowering buds, Melissa officinalis leaves, and Coffea canephora seeds at the concentration of 9.900 ± 0.004, 19.908 ± 0.171, and 1.233 ± 0.003 g/100 g of dried plant, respectively.