EAACI position paper: Comparing insect hypersensitivity induced by bite, sting, inhalation or ingestion in human beings and animals.

Adverse reactions to insects occur in both human and veterinary patients. Systematic comparison may lead to improved recommendations for prevention and treatment in all species. In this position paper, we summarize the current knowledge on insect allergy induced via stings, bites, inhalation or ingestion, and compare reactions in companion animals to those in people. With few exceptions, the situation in human insect allergy is better documented than in animals. We focus on a review of recent literature and give overviews of the epidemiology and clinical signs. We discuss allergen sources and allergenic molecules to the extent described, and aspects of diagnosis, prophylaxis, management and therapy.

Monoamine oxidases inhibitors from Colvillea racemosa: Isolation, biological evaluation, and computational study.

Bioassay-guided fractionation and chemical investigation of Colvillea racemosa stems led to identification of two new α, ß-dihydroxydihydrochalcones, colveol A (1) and colveol B (2) along with fifteen known compounds. The structures were elucidated via interpretation of spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of the dihydrochalcones 1 and 2 were assigned by a combination of chemical modification and electronic circular dichroism data. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibition activity toward recombinant human monoamine oxidases (rhMAO-A and -B). Compound 1 demonstrated preferential inhibition against hMAO-A isoenzyme (IC50 0.62µM, SIA/B 0.02) while S-naringenin (13) and isoliquiritigein (15) demonstrated preferential hMAO-B inhibition (IC50 0.27 and 0.51µM, SIA/B 31.77 and 44.69, respectively). Fisetin (11) showed inhibition against hMAO-A with IC50 value of 4.62µM and no inhibitory activity toward hMAO-B up to 100µM. Molecular docking studies for the most active compounds were conducted to demonstrate the putative binding modes. It suggested that 1 interacts with Gln215, Ala111, Phe352, and Phe208 amino acid residues which have a role in the orientation and stabilization of the inhibitor binding to hMAO-A, while S-naringenin (13) occupies both entrance and substrate cavities and interacts with Tyr326, a critical residue in inhibitor recognition in hMAO-B.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of a hepatoprotective and antioxidant extract of pea by-product.

The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the hydroalcoholic extract (PE) of pea (Pisum sativum L.) by-product were evaluated, using CCl4-induced oxidative stress and hepatic damage in rats. These activities were assessed via measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein and albumin, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), protein thiols (PSH), nitrite/nitrate levels, glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, as well as, histopathological evaluation. PE revealed significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities mostly found in n-butanol fraction. Chromatographic fractionation of this active fraction led to the isolation of five flavonoid glycosides namely, quercetin-3-O-sophorotrioside (1), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (2), quercetin-3-O-(6″″-O-E sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside (3), quercetin-3-O-(6″″-O-E feruloyl)-sophorotrioside (4) and quercetin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5). The isolated compounds were quantified in PE, using a validated HPLC method and the nutritional composition of pea by-product was also investigated. Our results suggest that pea by-product contained biologically active constituents which can be utilised to obtain high value added products for nutraceutical use.

Efficacy of Ficus spp. on renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia.

The ethanol and hexane extracts of Ficus microcarpa, Ficus religiosa and Ficus mysorensis leaves were evaluated against renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia. Phytochemical screening of the investigated plants was undertaken. For the in vivo study, all rats were orally given cholesterol (30 mg kg⁻¹ body weight, BW) and leaves extract (500 mg kg⁻¹ BW) five times per week for 9 weeks. Hypercholesterolaemic rats showed significant increases in urea nitrogen and creatinine while serum protein and albumin levels, nitric oxide (NO), Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and phospholipids in kidney tissue were all decreased. Treatment with leaves extract improved kidney function indices (urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum protein and albumin), kidney disorder biochemical parameters (NO, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and phospholipids), haematological profile (haemoglobin, RBCs and WBCs) and kidney histopathology. In conclusion, Ficus spp. succeeded in improving renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia, with the most potent effects seen while using Ficus microcarpa hexane extract.

Phytochemical and in vitro screening of some Ficus and Morus spp. for hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities and in vivo assessment of Ficus mysorensis (Roth).

Phytochemical screening of air-dried leaves and fruit juice of certain Ficus and Morus spp. have been studied. In an in vitro study, the ethanol and hexane extracts of the investigated plants were evaluated against hyperlipidaemia by estimating the rate limiting enzyme of cholesterol biothenysis; ß-hydroxy-ß-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by reduction of DPPH(-) free radical. Extra phytochemical screening of Ficus extracts was undertaken, which recorded potent hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities. The more pronounced extract, Ficus mysorensis (hexane extract), was evaluated in vivo by estimation of the lipid profile and certain antioxidant parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats. The hexane fraction was chromatographed and six isolated compounds were identified. Furthermore, its saponifiable fraction was identified by a MS/MS technique. In conclusion, F. mysorensis recorded hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects. Detailed studies of the isolated compounds must be undertaken for an evaluation against hypercholesterolemia and free radical elevation.

Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities of Ficus microcarpa (L.) in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Saponifiable and unsaponifiable fractions of Ficus microcarpa leaves hexane extract have been phytochemically studied and evaluated for its hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects in hypercholesterolemic rats. The effect of the extract on the lipid profile was assessed by measuring the levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, phospho and total lipids. Lipid peroxides, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were measured as antioxidants. The work was extended to evaluate liver function indices as well as the histopathological picture of the liver after treatment. Treatment with leaves extract (500 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) 5 times/week for 9 weeks at the same time of cholesterol administration (30 mg/0.3 mL 0.7% tween/animal) recorded an improvement of lipid profile, antioxidants, liver function enzymes and the liver histopathological picture. The lipoidal matters of the unsaponifiable fraction of the hexane extract by GC/MS led to the identification of 22 compounds, while saponifiable fraction by (MS/MS) technique led to identification of 13 unsaturated and saturated fatty acid methyl ester derivatives. It can be concluded that the hexane extract of F. microcarpa L has been proved to have hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects in hypercholesterolemic rats through its role in counteracting LDL oxidation, enhancement of HDL synthesis and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.