Screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibition, lipid peroxidation inhibition and antioxidant activity of medicinal plants from Morocco / Detección de inhibición de acetilcolinesterasa, inhibición de peroxidación de lípidos y actividad antioxidante de plantas medicinales de Marruecos

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), hydrolyzes acetylcholine to choline and acetate, thereby terminating this neurotransmitter effect at cholinergic synapses. Therefore, AChE inhibition is used for counterbalance the cholinergic deficit in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In the present work, in order to find new plant acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, the hydroalcoholic extracts from seventeen medicinal plant species were screened for their acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity, as well as total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoids contents (TFC) and antioxidant activity using ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assay, and their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The results revealed that Rumex acetosa, Taraxacum officinale and Hypericum perforatum extracts possessing the highest TPC and TFC, were the most effective in terms of ORAC antioxidant activity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition, in addition to their ability to inhibit liposomes peroxidation, suggesting that those plant species may provide a substantial source of secondary metabolites, which act as natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and may be beneficial in the treatment of AD.

La acetilcolinesterasa (AChE) hidroliza la acetilcolina se hidroliza en colina y acetato, terminando así este efecto neurotransmisor en las sinapsis colinérgicas. Por lo tanto, la inhibición de la AChE se utiliza para contrarrestar el déficit colinérgico en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). En el presente trabajo, con el fin de encontrar nuevos inhibidores de la acetilcolinesterasa vegetal, se analizaron los extractos hidroalcohólicos de diecisiete especies de plantas medicinales para determinar su actividad inhibidora de la acetilcolinesterasa, así como el contenido total de fenólicos (TPC) y flavonoides (TFC) y la actividad antioxidante utilizando ORAC (Capacidad de absorbancia de radicales de oxígeno) y su capacidad para inhibir la peroxidación de lípidos. Los resultados revelaron que los extractos de Rumexacetosa, Taraxacum officinale e Hypericum perforatum que poseen los más altos TPC y TFC, fueron los más efectivos en términos de actividad antioxidante ORAC e inhibición de acetilcolinesterasa, además de su capacidad para inhibir la peroxidación de los liposomas, sugiriendo que esas especies de plantas puede proporcionar una fuente sustancial de metabolitos secundarios, que actúan como antioxidantes naturales e inhibidores de la acetilcolinesterasa, y puede ser beneficioso en el tratamiento de la EA.

Profile of phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of sorrel in function of organic fertilization and density of plantio / Perfil de fitoquímica e atividade antioxidante de azedinha em função da adubação orgânica e densidade de plantio

The revival of non-conventional edible plants enables important gains in nutritional, social, cultural, economic, and environmental points of view. Among them, sorrel ­ Rumex acetosa L. ­ has been deemed pleasant by consumers due to its acid taste. As we do not have a lot of phytotechnical andnutritional information about this plant, the objective was to assess the influence of different spacing sets and cattle manure dosages on their physical-chemical characteristics and bioactive compounds content with antioxidant action. Randomized blocks with four repetitions was chosen as experimental design, using ascheme of subdivided plots, with five dosages of weather-beaten cattle manure in the plots and two sets of spacing in the subplots. Data was submitted to a variance analysis with two factors (two-way ANOVA). It was not verified any significant effect (P>0.05) in the interaction Dosage x Spacing. Fertilization dosages and spacing sets did not have any effect on color and total soluble solids average contents, humidity, titratable acidity, and phenolic compounds. Increasing dosages of organic fertilizer, up to 75 kg ha-1, reduced the plant's pH; above that amount, pH rose. Presence of anthocyanins and vitamin C was not detected. The total carotenoids average content was not influenced by the manure factor, and the plant presented greater total carotenoids content in the smallest spacing. Antioxidant activity [1.0 mg mL-1], although inferior to the standards that were used (BHT, vitamin C and quercetin), was quite representative. A conclusion was reached that fertilizing with weather-beaten cattle manure had an effect only on pH, and cropping spacing had an influence only on carotenoids content. Other phytochemicals and physical-chemical characteristics were not influenced in sorrel plants with different levels of fertilization and sets of spacing.

O resgate das plantas comestíveis não convencionais possibilita ganhos importantes do ponto de vista nutricional, social, cultural, econômico e ambiental. Dentre estas, a azedinha, Rumex acetosa L. tem agradado o consumidor por seu sabor ácido. Como são poucas as informações fitotécnicas e nutricionais sobre esta planta objetivou-se avaliar a influência de diferentes espaçamentos e doses de esterco bovino em suas características físico-químicas e no teor de compostos bioativos com função antioxidante. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo cinco doses de esterco curtido de gado nas parcelas e dois espaçamentos nas subparcelas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância com dois fatores (two-way ANOVA). Não foi constatado efeito significativo (P>0,05) da interação Dose x Espaçamento. As doses de adubação e espaçamentos não afetaram a cor e os teores médios de sólidos solúveis totais, umidade, acidez titulável e compostos fenólicos. Doses crescentes de adubo orgânico, até 75 kg ha-1, reduziram o pH da planta, acima deste valor o pH elevou-se. Não foi detectada a presença de antocianinas e vitamina C. O teor médio de carotenoides totais não foi influenciado pelo fator esterco e no menor espaçamento a planta apresentou maior teor de carotenoides totais. A atividade antioxidante [1,0 mg mL-1], apesar de inferior aos padrões utilizados (BHT, vitamina C e quercetina), foi bastante representativa. Concluiu-se que a adubação com esterco de gado curtido afetou apenas o pH e que o espaçamento de cultivo exerceu influência apenas teor de carotenoides. Os demais fitoquímicos e características físico-químicas não foram influenciadas em plantas de azedinha com diferentes níveis de adubação e de espaçamento

The improvement of bioactive secondary metabolites accumulation in Rumex gmelini Turcz through co-culture with endophytic fungi

Abstract Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and Ramularia sp. were endophytic fungi isolated from Rumex gmelini Turcz (RGT), all of these three strains could produce some similar bioactive secondary metabolites of their host. However the ability to produce active components degraded significantly after cultured these fungi alone for a long time, and were difficult to recover. In order to obtain more bioactive secondary metabolites, the co-culture of tissue culture seedlings of RGT and its endophytic fungi were established respectively, and RGT seedling was selected as producer. Among these fungi, Aspergillus sp. showed the most significant enhancement on bioactive components accumulation in RGT seedlings. When inoculated Aspergillus sp. spores into media of RGT seedlings that had taken root for 20 d, and made spore concentration in co-culture medium was 1 × 104 mL-1, after co-cultured for 12 d, the yield of chrysophaein, resveratrol, chrysophanol, emodin and physcion were 3.52-, 3.70-, 3.60-, 4.25-, 3.85-fold of the control group. The extreme value of musizin yield was 0.289 mg, which was not detected in the control groups. The results indicated that co-culture with endophytic fungi could significantly enhance bioactive secondary metabolites production of RGT seedlings.

In vivo and in vitro anti-sepsis effects of physcion 8-O-β-glucopyranoside extracted from Rumex japonicus / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to investigate the anti-sepsis effects of physcion 8-O-β-glucopyranoside (POG) isolated from Rumex japonicas and explore its possible pharmacological mechanisms. POG was extracted from R. japonicas by bioactivity-guided isolation with the anti-sepsis agents. Survival analysis in septic mouse induced by LPS and heat-killed Escherichia coli were used to evaluate the protective effect of POG (40 mg·kg, i.p.) on sepsis. Cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS (100 ng·mL) were determined by ELISA. In addition, the proteins expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 were determined by Western blotting assay. Our results demonstrated that POG (40 mg·kg, i.p.) possessed significant protective activity on the endotoxemic mice. The POG treatment (20, 40, and 80 μg·mL) significantly decreased the TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by LPS (P < 0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the TLR4 and TLR2 proteins were also down-regulated by POG at 20 (P < 0.01), 40 (P < 0.01), and 80 μg·mL (P < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that the POG extracted from R. japonicas possessed significant anti-sepsis effect on endotoxemic mice, and can be developed as a novel drug for treating sepsis in the future.

Antitumor and anti-angiogenic potentials of isolated crude saponins and various fractions of Rumexhastatus D. Don

BACKGROUND: Cancer, being the foremost challenge of the modern era and the focus of world-class investigators, gargantuan research is in progress worldwide to explore novel therapeutic for its management. The exploitation of natural sources has been proven to be an excellent approach to treat or minify the excessive angiogenesis and proliferation of cells. Similarly, based the ethnomedicinal uses and literature survey, the current study is designed to explore the anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic potentials of Rumex hastatus. Anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities were carried out using potato-disc model and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay respectively. Moreover, R. hastatus was also assessed for antibacterial activity against Agrobacterium tumefaciens (tumor causing bacterial strain). The positive controls used in anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic and antibacterial activities were vincristine sulphate, dexamethasone and cefotaxime respectively. RESULTS: The crude saponins (Rh.Sp), methanolic extract (Rh.Cr) and other solvent extracts like n-hexane (Rh.Hex), chloroform (Rh.Chf), ethylacetate (Rh.EtAc) and aqueous fraction (Rh.Aq) exhibited notable anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities. In potato tumor assay, the chloroform and saponin fractions were observed to be the most effective showing 86.7 and 93.3 % tumor inhibition at 1000 µg/ml with IC50 values 31.6 and 18.1 µg/ml respectively. Similarly, these two samples i.e., chloroform and saponins also excelled among the entire test samples in anti-angiogenic evaluation exhibiting 81.6 % (IC50 = 17.9 µg/ml) and 78.9 % (IC50 = 64.9 µg/ml) at 1000 µg/ml respectively. In contrast, the antibacterial investigations revealed a negligible potential against A. tumefaciens. CONCLUSION: Based on our results we can claim that R. hastatus possesses both anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic potentials. In all of the solvent fractions, Rh.Chf and Rh.Sp were most effective against tumor and angiogenesis while having negligible activity against A. tumefaciens. It can be concluded that Rh.Chf and Rh.Sp might be potential targets in the isolation of natural product having anti-neoplastic action.

Antioxidant and anticholinesterase investigations of Rumex hastatus D. Don: potential effectiveness in oxidative stress and neurological disorders

BACKGROUND: Rumex species are traditionally used for the treatment of neurological disorders including headache, migraine, depression, paralysis etc. Several species have been scientifically validated for antioxidant and anticholinestrase potentials. This study aims to investigate Rumex hastatus D. Don crude methanolic extract, subsequent fractions, saponins and flavonoids for acetylcholinestrase, butyrylcholinestrase inhibition and diverse antioxidant activities to validate its folkloric uses in neurological disorders. Rumexhastatus crude methanolic extract (Rh. Cr), subsequent fractions; n-hexane (Rh. Hex), chloroform (Rh. Chf), ethyl acetate (Rh. EtAc), aqueous fraction (Rh. Aq), crude saponins (Rh. Sp) and flavonoids (Rh. Fl) were investigated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) at various concentrations (125, 250, 500,1000 µg/mL) using Ellman's spectrophotometric analysis. Antioxidant potentials of Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl were evaluated using DPPH, H2O2 and ABTS free radical scavenging assays at 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000 µg/mL. RESULTS: All the test samples showed concentration dependent cholinesterase inhibition and radicals scavenging activity. The AChE inhibition potential of Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl were most prominent i.e., 81.67 ± 0.88 and 91.62 ± 1.67 at highest concentration with IC50 135 and 20 µg/mL respectively. All the subsequent fractions exhibited moderate to high AChE inhibition i.e., Rh. Cr, Rh. Hex, Rh. Chf, Rh. EtAc and Rh. Aq showed IC50 218, 1420, 75, 115 and 1210 µg/mL respectively. Similarly, against BChE various plant extracts i.e., Rh. Sp, Rh. Fl, Rh. Cr, Rh. Hex, Rh. Chf, Rh. EtAc and Rh. Aq resulted IC50 165,175, 265, 890, 92, 115 and 220 µg/mL respectively. In DPPH free radical scavenging assay, Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl showed comparable results with the positive control i.e., 63.34 ± 0.98 and 76.93 ± 1.13% scavenging at 1 mg/mL concentration (IC50 312 and 104 µg/mL) respectively. The percent ABTS radical scavenging potential exhibited by Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl (1000 µg/mL) were 82.58 ± 0.52 and 88.25 ± 0.67 with IC50 18 and 9 µg/mL respectively. Similarly in H2O2 scavenging assay, the Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl exhibited IC50 175 and 275 µg/mL respectively. CONCLUSION: The strong anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities of Rh. Sp, Rh. Fl and various fractions of R. hastatus support the purported ethnomedicinal uses and recommend R. hastatus as a possible remedy for the treatment of AD and neurodegenerative disorders.

Cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective attributes of methanolic extract of Rumex vesicarius L

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the hepatoprotective potential and invitro cytotoxicity studies of whole plant methanol extract of Rumex vesicarius L. Methanol extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw were assessed for its hepatoprotective potential against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by monitoring activity levels of SGOT (Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), SGPT (Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), TP (Total protein), TB (Total bilirubin) and SOD (Superoxide dismutase), CAT (Catalase), MDA (Malondialdehyde). The cytotoxicity of the same extract on HepG2 cell lines were also assessed using MTT assay method at the concentration of 62.5, 125, 250, 500 µg/ml. RESULTS: Pretreatment of animals with whole plant methanol extracts of Rumex vesicarius L. significantly reduced the liver damage and the symptoms of liver injury by restoration of architecture of liver. The biochemical parameters in serum also improved in treated groups compared to the control and standard (silymarin) groups. Histopathological investigation further corroborated these biochemical observations. The cytotoxicity results indicated that the plant extract which were inhibitory to the proliferation of HepG2 cell line with IC50 value of 563.33 ± 0.8 Mg/ml were not cytotoxic and appears to be safe. CONCLUSIONS: Rumex vesicarius L. whole plant methanol extract exhibit hepatoprotective activity. However the cytotoxicity in HepG2 is inexplicable and warrants further study.

Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of QGC in Cultured Feline Esophageal Epithelial Cells

Quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) is a flavonoid glucoside extracted from Rumex Aquaticus Herba. In the present study, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of QGC were tested in vitro. Epithelial cells obtained from cat esophagus were cultured. When the cells were exposed to acid for 2 h, cell viability was decreased to 36%. Pretreatment with 50 microM QGC for 2 h prevented the reduction in cell viability. QGC also inhibited the productions of intracellular ROS by inflammatory inducers such as acid, lipopolysaccharide, indomethacin and ethanol. QGC significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and also induced the expression of SOD2, while it restored the decrease of catalase expression in cells exposed to acid. QGC inhibited NF-kappaB translocation, cyclooxygenase-2 expression and PGE2 secretion in cells exposed to acid, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of esophagitis. The data suggest that QGC may well be one of the promising substances to attenuate oxidative epithelial cell injury and inflammatory signaling in esophagus inflammation.

Effect of ECQ on Iodoacetamide-Induced Chronic Gastritis in Rats

This study investigated effect of extract containing quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside from Rumex Aquaticus Herba (ECQ) against chronic gastritis in rats. To produce chronic gastritis, the animals received a daily intra-gastric administration of 0.1 ml of 0.15% iodoacetamide (IA) solution for 7 days. Daily exposure of the gastric mucosa to IA induced both gastric lesions and significant reductions of body weight and food and water intake. These reductions recovered with treatment with ECQ for 7 days. ECQ significantly inhibited the elevation of the malondialdehyde levels and myeloperoxidase activity, which were used as indices of lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltration. ECQ recovered the level of glutathione, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and expression of SOD-2. The increased levels of total NO concentration and iNOS expression in the IA-induced chronic gastritis were significantly reduced by treatment with ECQ. These results suggest that the ECQ has a therapeutic effect on chronic gastritis in rats by inhibitory actions on neutrophil infiltration, lipid peroxidation and various steps of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

[Review of antidiabetic plants in Iranian traditional medicine and their efficacy]

High prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications and increasing use of complementary therapies, especially herbal therapies, and the need of developing countries to use their indigenous medical methods, motivated us to introduce some plants used in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of this disease. The topic of "ziabetes" [the synonym of diabetes] in some of Iranian traditional medical texts were studied and herbal therapies of this disease were collected. Some edible plant compounds introduced and scientific names of plants in these compounds were identified. Pubmed and Scopus databases were searched for studies regarding hypoglycemic effects of these medicinal herbs on animal or human subjects. Many medicinal herbs and; minerals in single or compound form have been used in Iranian traditional medicine. Plants such as Punica granatum, Rosa damascene, Plantago psyllium, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Coriandrum sativum, Portulaca oleracea and Rumex patientia are the most popular ones. Recent studies on animal or human subjects have shown the hypoglycemic effects of some of these plants. Reassessment of the effects of some antidiabetic plants used in Iranian traditional medicine, proved their efficacy mainly in animals. However, we need more clinical trials to prove safety and; efficacy of these herbs and compounds

Protective Effect of ECQ on Rat Reflux Esophagitis Model

This study was designed to determine the protective effect of Rumex Aquaticus Herba extracts containing quercetin-3-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (ECQ) on experimental reflux esophagitis. Reflux esophagitis was induced by surgical procedure. The rats were divided into seven groups, namely normal group, control group, ECQ (1, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg) group and omeprazole (30 mg/kg) group. ECQ and omeprazole groups received intraduodenal administration. The Rats were starved for 24 hours before the experiments, but were freely allowed to drink water. ECQ group attenuated the gross esophagitis significantly compared to that treated with omeprazole in a dose-dependent manner. ECQ decreased the volume of gastric juice and increased the gastric pH, which are similar to those of omeprazole group. In addition, ECQ inhibited the acid output effectively in reflux esophagitis. Significantly increased amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the mucosal depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) were observed in the reflux esophagitis. ECQ administration attenuated the decrement of the GSH levels and affected the MDA levels and MPO activity. These results suggest that the ECQ has a protective effect which may be attributed to its multiple effects including anti-secretory, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions on reflux esophagitis in rats.

Inhibitory Effects of ECQ on Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Damage in Rats

We investigated inhibitory effects of extract containing quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (ECQ) extracted from Rumex Aquaticus Herba on indomethacin-induced gastric damage in Rats. Gastritis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (200~220 g) by oral administration of indomethacin at a dose of 40 mg/kg. One hour before administration of indomethacin, animals were orally pretreated with ECQ at doses of 0.3, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg. Six hours after indomethacin administration, the rats were sacrificed and the stomach was excised and opened along the greater curvature, and the surface area of gastric lesion was measured using optical microscope. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by ELISA. Western blot analysis was performed to detect protein expression of SOD-2. Linear hemorrhagic mucosal lesions were observed in the stomach 6 hours after oral administration of indomethacin. Pretreatment with ECQ significantly reduced the severity of the lesions in a dose-dependent manner. It also inhibited the reductions in SOD and CAT activities and SOD expression by the indomethacin-induced gastric damage. In addition, the pretreatment with ECQ significantly suppressed the elevation of the MPO activity and the MDA levels induced by indomethacin. These results suggest that ECQ has the inhibitory effects via antioxidative action against indomethacin-induced gastritis in rats.

Carbohydrase inhibition and anti-cancerous and free radical scavenging properties along with DNA and protein protection ability of methanolic root extracts of Rumex crispus

The study elucidated carbohydrase inhibition, anti-cancerous, free radical scavenging properties and also investigated the DNA and protein protection abilities of methanolic root extract of Rumex crispus (RERC). For this purpose, pulverized roots of Rumex crispus was extracted in methanol (80% and absolute conc.) for 3 hrs for 60degrees C and filtered and evaporated with vacuum rotary evaporator. RERC showed high phenolic content (211 microg/GAE equivalent) and strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging (IC50 = 42.86 (absolute methanol) and 36.91 microg/mL (80% methanolic extract)) and reduced power ability. Furthermore, RERC exhibited significant protective ability in H2O2/Fe3+/ascorbic acid-induced protein or DNA damage and percentage inhibition of the HT-29 cell growth rate following 80% methanolic RERC exposure at 400 microg/mL was observed to be highest (10.2% +/- 1.03). Moreover, methanolic RERC inhibited alpha-glucosidase and amylase effectively and significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusively, RERC could be considered as potent carbohydrase inhibitor, anti-cancerous and anti-oxidant.

The Protective Effect of Quercetin-3-O-beta-D-Glucuronopyranoside on Ethanol-induced Damage in Cultured Feline Esophageal Epithelial Cells

Quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) is a flavonoid glucoside extracted from Rumex Aquaticus Herba. We aimed to explore its protective effect against ethanol-induced cell damage and the mechanism involved in the effect in feline esophageal epithelial cells (EEC). Cell viability was tested and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay was used to detect intracellular H2O2 production. Western blotting analysis was performed to investigate MAPK activation and interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression. Exposure of cells to 10% ethanol time-dependently decreased cell viability. Notably, exposure to ethanol for 30 min decreased cell viability to 43.4%. When cells were incubated with 50 microM QGC for 12 h prior to and during ethanol treatment, cell viability was increased to 65%. QGC also inhibited the H2O2 production and activation of ERK 1/2 induced by ethanol. Pretreatment of cells with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium, also inhibited the ethanol-induced ERK 1/2 activation. Treatment of cells with ethanol for 30 or 60 min in the absence or presence of QGC exhibited no changes in the IL-6 expression or release compared to control. Taken together, the data indicate that the cytoprotective effect of QGC against ethanol-induced cell damage may involve inhibition of ROS generation and downstream activation of the ERK 1/2 in feline EEC.

A new anthraquinone from roots of Rumex japonicus / 中国中药杂志

A new anthraquinone, (1)-hydroxymethyl-3,6-dimethoxyl-2,8-dihydroxylanthraquinone 1, was isolated from the root of Rumex japonicus along with six known compounds 2-7. Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR techniques or comparison with authentic samples.

The Inhibitory Effect of Quercetin-3-O-beta-D-Glucuronopyranoside on Gastritis and Reflux Esophagitis in Rats

It was evaluated the inhibitory action of quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) on reflux esophagitis and gastritis in rats. QGC was isolated from the herba of Rumex Aquaticus. Reflux esophagitis or gastritis was induced surgically or by administering indomethacin, respectively. Oral QGC decreased ulcer index, injury area, gastric volume, and acid output and increased gastric pH as compared with quercetin. Furthermore, QGC significantly decreased gastric lesion sizes induced by exposing the gastric mucosa to indomethacin. Malondialdehyde levels were found to increase significantly after inducing reflux esophagitis, and were reduced by QGC, but not by quercetin or omeprazole. These results show that QGC can inhibit reflux esophagitis and gastritis in rats.

Phytotoxicity of volatile oil from Eucalyptus citriodora against some weedy species.

A study was undertaken to explore the phytotoxicity of volatile essential oil from Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. against some weeds viz. Bidens pilosa, Amaranthus viridis, Rumex nepalensis, and Leucaena leucocephala in order to assess its herbicidal activity. Dose-response studies conducted under laboratory conditions revealed that eucalypt oils (in concentration ranging from 0.0012 to 0.06%) greatly suppress the germination and seedling height of test weeds. At 0.06% eucalypt oil concentration, none of the seed of test weeds germinated. Among the weed species tested, A. viridis was found to be the most sensitive and its germination was completed inhibited even at 0.03%. Not only the germination and seedling growth, even the chlorophyll content and respiratory activity in leaves of emerged seedlings were severely affected. In A. viridis chlorophyll content and respiratory activity were reduced by over 51% and 71%, respectively, even at a very low concentration of 0.06%. These results indicated an adverse effect of eucalypt oils on the photosynthetic and energy metabolism of the test weeds. A strong negative correlation was observed between the observed effect and the concentration of eucalypt oil. Based on the study, it can be concluded that oil from E. citriodora possess strong inhibitory potential against weeds that could be exploited for weed management.

Study on correlation of soil nutrients and content of active constituents in root of Rumex gmelini / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide scientific basis for the selection of agrotype and property fertilization for Rumex gmelini cultivated in compliance with good agricultural practice (GAP).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>HPLC method was applied to determinate the content of seven active constituents (resveratrol, polydatin, chrysophanol 1-glucoside, nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion) of annual R. gmelini. And the correlation between soil nutrients and content of active constituents in the root of R. gmelini were analyzed by stepwise regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Seven regression equation were established. The statistic significance was found in three of them.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The soil with high total K level is not suitable for R. gmelini cultivation. But the higher available N, available P, available K level of soil is suitable.</p>

Actividad antimicrobiana de extractos de franseria artemisioides, rumex palustris, baccharis latifolia, cetrum parqui y piper asperifolium frente a staphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa y enterococcus faecalis / Antimicrobial activity of artemisioides, rumex palustris, baccharis latifolia, cetrum parqui and piper asperifolium against staphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterococcus faecalis

El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad la determinación de actividad antimicrobiana de extractos acuoso, etanólico, etéreo y diclorometánico de las partes aéreas de Rumex palustris (Qentu), la Baccharis latifolia (Chillka), la Franseria artemisioides (como altamisa), el Piper asperifolium (Matico) y Cestrum parqui (Andres Huaylla), frente a Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Enterococcus faecalis. Del trabajo realizado el extracto diclorometánico de Rumex palustris presenta actividad antimicrobiana contra Staphylococcus aureus y Enterococcus faecalis siendo inactivos frente a Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Con una concentración mínima inhibitoria para Staphylococcus aureus de 500 µg/ml y una concentración mínima bactericida de 1000 µg/ml. y se obtuvo una concentración mínima inhibitoria de 125 µg/ml y una concentración mínima bactericida de 250 µg/ml. para Enterococcus faecalis. El extracto etéreo de Franseria artemisioides presento actividad frente a Staphylococcus aureus y se obtuvo una concentración mínima inhibitoria de 500µg/ml. (AU)

Molluscicidal activity of Nerium indicum Mill, Pterocarya stenoptera DC, and Rumex japonicum houtt on Oncomelania hupensis / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the molluscicidal activities of three Chinese plants N. indicum Mill, R stenoptera DC, and R. japonicum Houtt, and to clarify the molluscicidal mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>N-butanol extracts and water extracts of the three plants were obtained. The reactions of EST isozyme, glycogen and total protein of snails to the plant extracts were studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EST electrophoresis showed that EST was an important antidotal enzyme system and reacted strongly to environment. EST changed greatly during the whole exposure period so that it could be viewed as a pathological index of toxicity. Extracts decreased the glycogen content of the snails' soft tissues greatly, and also the protein content.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All extracts show strong molluscicidal activity. The LD50 value of the water extract of N. indicum Mill is as low as 13.2 mg/L. EST can be viewed as a pathological index of toxicity. The energy metabolism abnormity is the key reason for the molluscicidal activities. The biochemical mechanism needs further research.</p>