The Transposition of Insertion Sequences in Sigma-Factor- and LysR-Deficient Mutants of Deinococcus geothermalis.

Some insertion sequence (IS) elements were actively transposed using oxidative stress conditions, including gamma irradiation and hydrogen peroxide treatment, in Deinococcus geothermalis, a radiation-resistant bacterium. D. geothermalis wild-type (WT), sigma factor gene-disrupted (∆dgeo_0606), and LysR gene-disrupted (∆dgeo_1692) mutants were examined for IS induction that resulted in non-pigmented colonies after gamma irradiation (5 kGy) exposure. The loss of pigmentation occurred because dgeo_0524, which encodes a phytoene desaturase in the carotenoid pathway, was disrupted by the transposition of IS elements. The types and loci of the IS elements were identified as ISDge2 and ISDge6 in the ∆dgeo_0606 mutant and ISDge5 and ISDge7 in the ∆dgeo_1692 mutant, but were not identified in the WT strain. Furthermore, 80 and 100 mM H2O2 treatments induced different transpositions of IS elements in ∆dgeo_0606 (ISDge5, ISDge6, and ISDge7) and WT (ISDge6). However, no IS transposition was observed in the ∆dgeo_1692 mutant. The complementary strain of the ∆dgeo_0606 mutation showed recovery effects in the viability assay; however, the growth-delayed curve did not return because the neighboring gene dgeo_0607 was overexpressed, probably acting as an anti-sigma factor. The expression levels of certain transposases, recognized as pivotal contributors to IS transposition, did not precisely correlate with active transposition in varying oxidation environments. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that specific IS elements integrated into dgeo_0524 in a target-gene-deficient and oxidation-source-dependent manner.

Complementary Roles of Two DNA Protection Proteins from Deinococcus geothermalis.

The roles of two interrelated DNA protection protein in starved cells (Dps)-putative Dps Dgeo_0257 and Dgeo_0281-as orthologous proteins to DrDps1 for DNA binding, protection, and metal ion sensing were characterised in a Deinococcus geothermalis strain. Dgeo_0257 exhibited high DNA-binding affinity and formed a multimeric structure but lacked the conserved amino acid sequence for ferroxidase activity. In contrast, the Dgeo_0281 (DgDps1) protein was abundant in the early exponential phase, had a lower DNA-binding activity than Dgeo_0257, and was mainly observed in its monomeric or dimeric forms. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that both purified proteins bound nonspecifically to DNA, and their binding ability was affected by certain metal ions. For example, in the presence of ferrous and ferric ions, neither Dgeo_0257 nor Dgeo_0281 could readily bind to DNA. In contrast, both proteins exhibited more stable DNA binding in the presence of zinc and manganese ions. Mutants in which the dps gene was disrupted exhibited higher sensitivity to oxidative stress than the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the expression levels of each gene showed an opposite correlation under H2O2 treatment conditions. Collectively, these findings indicate that the putative Dps Dgeo_0257 and DgDps1 from D. geothermalis are involved in DNA binding and protection in complementary interplay ways compared to known Dps.

Influence of Redox Imbalances on the Transposition of Insertion Sequences in Deinococcus geothermalis.

The transposition of insertion sequence elements was evaluated among different Deinococcus geothermalis lineages, including the wild-type, a cystine importer-disrupted mutant, a complemented strain, and a cystine importer-overexpressed strain. Cellular growth reached early exponential growth at OD600 2.0 and late exponential growth at OD600 4.0. Exposing the cells to hydrogen peroxide (80-100 mM) resulted in the transposition of insertion sequences (ISs) in genes associated with the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. Particularly, ISDge7 (an IS5 family member) and ISDge5 (an IS701 family member) from the cystine importer-disrupted mutant were transposed into phytoene desaturase (dgeo_0524) via replicative transposition. Further, the cystine importer-overexpressed strain Δdgeo_1985R showed transposition of both ISDge2 and ISDge5 elements. In contrast, IS transposition was not detected in the complementary strain. Interestingly, a cystine importer-overexpressing strain exhibited streptomycin resistance, indicating that point mutation occurred in the rpsL (dgeo_1873) gene encoding ribosomal protein S12. qRT-PCR analyses were then conducted to evaluate the expression of oxidative stress response genes, IS elements, and low-molecular-weight thiol compounds such as mycothiol and bacillithiol. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that trigger IS transposition in redox imbalance conditions remain unclear. Here, we report that the active transposition of different IS elements was affected by intracellular redox imbalances caused by cystine importer deficiencies or overexpression.

The Effect of Natural Ocean Sound Exposure and Ocean-Side Relaxation on Chronic Tinnitus Patients: A Pilot Study in Korea.

Sound therapy is a treatment modality for tinnitus patients by increasing the background neuronal activity in the auditory system and inducing relative alleviation of the tinnitus. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of natural ocean sound exposure and ocean-side relaxation in chronic tinnitus patients. We prospectively enrolled all 18 chronic tinnitus patients (≥6 months) from July to November 2018. All patients completed 90 hours of our programs. The improvement in their subjective tinnitus severity, moods, the quality of life, and sleep was serially assessed using several questionnaires at baseline, immediately, and 1 month after the program. Changes in serum stress hormone levels of the patients were also compared between the baseline and immediately after the program. Average total Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire score and factor 2 (hearing difficulty related to tinnitus) score significantly improved over time (P = .024 and P = .002). Patient's serum cortisol and epinephrine level did not show significant decrease, and serum norepinephrine and serotonin level significantly increased immediately after our program (P < .001 and P < .001). Natural ocean sound exposure and ocean-side relaxation for short-term period has a potential efficacy on chronic tinnitus patients.

Mass-production and biomarker-based characterization of high-value Spirulina powder for nutritional supplements.

Mass-produced Spirulina powder was characterized based on biomarkers for quality assessment. Other Spirulina powder products for functional foods and animal feeds were used as controls. In this study, Spirulina platensis was mass-cultured in modified Spirulina medium using a dispersive two-ton scale reactor for 30 days. After processing, the Spirulina powder was evaluated using FE-SEM and XPS. In the extracts, chlorophylls were determined using TLC and Q-TOF. SDS-PAGE and DSC were used to analyze protein biomarkers and to monitor thermal stability. The powder presented a microscale distorted sphere. Zinc, iron and calcium were detected on the powder surface. In the extracts, chlorophylls-a, -b, and -c, allophycocyanin, and phycocyanin-C were detected. Despite the similar morphology of all Spirulina products, the mass-produced Spirulina powder showed prolonged protein stability in biochemical compositions. The results suggest that mass-produced Spirulina powder can be characterized using biomarker-based advanced techniques. This protocol can be extended to other microalgae.

Effect of Peat Intervention on Pain and Gait in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study.

METHODS: Knee osteoarthritis patients with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of 3 or more and Kellgren-Lawrence osteoarthritis grades 1 to 3 were included. Patients with history of intraarticular injection treatment were excluded. Forty-one participants were randomly allocated to the peat intervention group (n = 22) or the hot-pack-only control group (n = 19). Peat and hot pack were applied to both knees of each group of patients. Each intervention session lasted 20 minutes, and eight sessions were completed over five days. VAS, serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and gait parameters were evaluated before and after the whole interventions. RESULTS: VAS in the peat group decreased from 6.000 to 3.409 after intervention (p < 0.001) and also decreased in the control group from 5.737 to 4.421 (p < 0.001). VAS score reduction between two periods was greater in the peat group than that in the control group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the serum COMP level in either intergroup or intragroup analysis. In gait analysis, the gait velocity of the peat group increased from 0.781 m/s to 0.873 m/s after intervention (p=0.002), while it decreased in the control group. The knee varus/valgus range of motion during gaits was reduced from 11.455° to 8.439° after intervention in the peat group (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that peat can be considered as a therapeutic option for pain relief of knee osteoarthritis patients. The reduction in knee joint varus/valgus range of motion and the increase in gait velocity after peat intervention were also identified through this research, which is the first to analyze the effects of peat on gait.

Short Term Intake of Undaria pinnatifida Does Not Affect Bone Biomarkers in Young Korean Women with Low Calcium Intake.

Calcium intake is essential for bone health, but young Korean women have low calcium intakes. Seaweeds have high calcium content, which may affect calcium metabolism. Twenty nine females aged 18-39 years with low calcium intake (< 400 mg/day) participated in a 19-day open-label randomized controlled trial. During the first five days, participants adhered to a controlled-feeding protocol followed by a two-week supplementation period in free-living conditions. The treatment group (n = 14) received an additional 200 mg Ca/day through Undaria pinnatifida and Porphyra in meals during the controlled-feeding period, and as U. pinnatifida noodles during days 6-19. Mineral intake (Ca, P, Mg, Na, and K) was assessed from diet composites and three 24-hour recalls during the controlled-feeding and free-living periods, respectively. Fasting serum levels of calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]D), phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed at baseline, day 6, and day 19. Statistical analyses were performed by Student's t-test and mixed ANOVA. Mean intakes of all minerals during days 1-5 and mean Ca and Mg intakes during days 6-19 were greater in the treatment group compared to the control group. No group effect or group and time interaction was observed in serum biomarkers. Serum 1,25(OH)D increased while PTH and ALP tended to decrease on day 6 but returned to baseline values on day 20. Short-term intake of U. pinnatifida and Porphyra does not affect calcium metabolism in young Korean women with low calcium intakes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0003307.

Mud Therapy Combined with Core Exercise for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Pilot, Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is common in the elderly and an appropriate intervention for LBP management should be investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of mud-heat intervention combined with core exercise as an alternative intervention for relieving pain and improving motor function in individuals with nonspecific chronic LBP. METHODS: Thirty-one individuals with chronic nonspecific LBP were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n = 16) or the control group (n = 15). The intervention group used a mud pack for 30 min and performed a core-exercise program for 50 min twice a day for 4 days (8 sessions). The control group performed the core-exercise program only, at the same time point as the intervention group. Pain intensity was assessed using a 100 mm visual analog scale and a pain pressure threshold (PPT) as the primary outcomes. The secondary outcome measures included functional disability by LBP (Oswestry Disability Index), muscle properties, and static/dynamic balance. RESULTS: There was a significant group difference in pain intensity at rest (p=0.048) and in the PPT at the two sites assessed (2 cm lateral to L3 spinous process, p=0.045; 2 cm lateral to L5 spinous process, p=0.015). No group differences were found in terms of muscle properties. Compared to core exercise only, moor-heat therapy and core exercise showed a significant improvement in static balance (p=0.026) and dynamic balance (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: Mud therapy combined with core exercise is effective in relieving pain and improving motor function in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP. Further research is needed to underpin these preliminary results.

Social media as an emerging tool for reducing prescription opioid misuse risk factors.

Interventions are urgently needed to reduce prescription opioid misuse risk factors, including anxiety and concomitant use of sedatives. However, only a limited number of randomized controlled opioid intervention trials have been conducted. We sought to determine whether an online behavior change/support community, compared to a control Facebook group, could reduce anxiety and opioid misuse among chronic pain patients. 51 high-risk non-cancer chronic pain patients were randomly assigned to either a Harnessing Online Peer Education (HOPE) peer-led online behavior change intervention or a control group (no peer leaders) on Facebook for 12 weeks. Inclusion criteria were: 18 years or older, a UCLA Health System patient, prescribed an opioid for non-cancer chronic pain between 3 and 12 months ago, and a score of ≥9 on the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) and/or concomitant use of benzodiazepines. Participation in the online community was voluntary. Patients completed baseline and follow-up assessments on Generalized Anxiety Disorder screener (GAD-7), COMM, and frequency of social media discussions about pain and opioid use. Compared to control group participants, intervention participants showed a baseline-to-follow-up decrease in anxiety, and more frequently used social media to discuss pain, prescription opioid use, coping strategies, places to seek help, and alternative therapies for pain. Both groups showed a baseline to follow-up decrease in COMM score. Preliminary results support the use an online community interventions as a low-cost tool to decrease risk for prescription opioid misuse and its complications.

Short-term benefits of balneotherapy for patients with chronic pelvic pain: a pilot study in Korea.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether balneotherapy might be effective in patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in the short term. This was an open and prospective pilot study. The balneotherapy programme was performed in a spa resort located in Wando Island, Republic of Korea from August 26 2018 to September 1 2018. It consisted of 10 heated seawater baths (38 °C, 20 minutes) and 10 mud-pack applications (40 °C, 10 minutes) for five days. Sixteen patients were enrolled. Upon analysing responses from a patient questionnaire, we found improvement in parameters such as pain, bladder irrigation symptoms and quality of life after balneotherapy. Inflammatory marker IL-1 and TNF-α was significantly decreased after treatment compared to baseline. There were no adverse events during treatment. Our data suggest that five-day balneotherapy can be beneficial for patients with CPP in the short term.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The majority of articles in the field of balneotherapy discuss the treatment of rheumatic or dermatological disease. However, data on the effectiveness of balneotherapy for chronic pelvic pain are very limited.What the results of this study add? Our study suggests that balneotherapy can be beneficial for patients with CPP in the short-term. The duration of balneotherapy was five days, which is shorter than that of the European studies. Intuitively, it may be doubtful whether short-term therapy has any practical effect. As most people living in Korea have a vacation period of about one week each in summer and winter, the choice of a five-day programme in our study reflects the reality of vacation schedules.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Further studies are necessary to demonstrate the persistence of these benefits on the long term, as well as their existence in appropriate control group and different duration of treatment.

The effects of forest therapy on depression and anxiety in patients with chronic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether forest therapy is effective for treating depression and anxiety in patients with chronic stroke by using several psychological tests. We measured reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) levels and biological antioxidant potentials (BAPs) associated with psychological stress. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either a forest group (staying at a recreational forest site) or to an urban group (staying in an urban hotel); the duration and activities performed by both groups were the same. Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17), Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), d-ROMs and BAPs were evaluated both before and after the treatment programs. RESULTS: In the forest group, BDI, HAM-D17 and STAI scores were significantly lower following treatment, and BAPs were significantly higher than baseline. In the urban group, STAI scores were significantly higher following treatment. Moreover, BDI, HAM-D17 and STAI scores of the forest group were significantly lower, and BAPs were significantly higher following treatment (ANCOVA, p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Forest therapy is beneficial for treating depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic stroke, and may be particularly useful in patients who cannot be treated with standard pharmacological or electroconvulsive therapies.

Relief of Chronic Posterior Neck Pain Depending on the Type of Forest Therapy: Comparison of the Therapeutic Effect of Forest Bathing Alone Versus Forest Bathing With Exercise.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pain-reducing effect of forest bathing alone versus forest bathing in combination with stretching and strengthening exercises in patients with chronic posterior neck pain. METHODS: Sixty-four subjects with posterior neck pain that had lasted more than 3 months were enrolled. They were randomly divided into a forest bathing alone (FBA) group and a forest bathing with exercise (FBE) group; each group included 32 subjects. All subjects from both groups walked every morning in the forest for about 2 hours for 5 days. In the afternoon, the FBE group did a stretching and strengthening exercise for about 4 hours; the FBA group had free time in the woods. Visual analog scale (VAS) on one day, VAS over the previous week, neck disability index (NDI), EuroQol 5D-3L VAS (EQ VAS) and index (EQ index), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), the number of trigger points in the posterior neck region (TRPs), and the range of motion of the cervical spine were evaluated on the first and last day of the program and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The number of TRPs were significantly reduced in the FBE group compared with the FBA group (p=0.013). However, the other scales showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: When patients with chronic posterior neck pain underwent a short-term forest bathing (less than 7 days) program, FBE was more effective in the reduction of the number of TRPs than FBA. However, all other pain measurement scales we evaluated showed no statistically significant difference between the two protocols.

Effects of mindfulness based stress reduction program on depression, anxiety and stress in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program was applied to patients presenting with depression and anxiety after surgery from spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the effects were assessed. METHODS: The subjects were patients admitted for cerebral aneurysm rupture and treated by means of surgery from March to December, 2007. More than 6 months had passed after surgery, without any special lesions showing up on computed tomography (CT), and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) was 5 points. Among patients with anxiety and depression symptoms, 11 patients completed the program. The MBSR program was conducted once a week, 2.5 hours each, for 8 weeks. The evaluation criteria were : 1) the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI): it measures the type and level of depression, 2) the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory : the anxiety state of normal adults without mental disorder, and 3) Heart Rate Variability (HRV) : the influence of the autonomous nervous system on the sinoarterial node varies continuously in response to the change of the internal/external environment. RESULTS: The BDI value was decreased from 18.5 +/- 10.9 to 9.5 +/- 7.1 (p = 0.013) : it was statistically significant, and the depression level of patients was lowered. The state anxiety was decreased from 51.3 +/- 13.9 to 42.3 +/- 15.2; the trait anxiety was reduced from 50.9 +/- 12.3 to 41.3 +/- 12.8, and a borderline significant difference was shown (p = 0.091, p = 0.056). In other words, after the treatment, although it was not statistically significant, a decreased tendency in anxiety was shown. In the HRV measurement, standard deviation normal to normal (SDNN), square root of the square root of the mean sum of squared differences between adjacent normal to normal intervals (RMSSD), and total power (TP) showed significant increase, Physical Stress Index (PSI) showed a significant reduction, and thus an improvement in the homeostatic control mechanism of the autonomic nervous system was ween. CONCLUSION: The MBSR program was applied to the patients showing anxiety and depression reaction after SAH treatment, and a reduction in depression symptoms and physiological reactions were observed. The application of the MBSR program may be considered as a new tool in improving the quality of life for patients after surgery.

Immunotoxicity activity of 2,6,10,15-tetrame-heptadecane from the essential oils of Clerodendron trichotomum Thunb. against Aedes aegypti L.

The leaf parts of Clerodendron trichotomum were extracted and the major essential oils composition and immunotoxicity effects were studied. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) revealed that the essential oils of C. trichotomum (CTEO). The CTEO yield was 0.071%, and GC/MS analysis revealed that its major constituents were Hexanal (3.31%), 5-Me-3-heptanone (1.71%), 2,6,6-trime-cyclohexanone (2.23%), 2,6,10,15-tetrame-heptadecane (24.21%) and Linalool (31.2%). The essential oil had a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L with an LC(50) value of 32.78 ppm and an LC(90) value of 93.72 ppm. 2,6,10,15-tetrame-heptadecane was the most toxic among the two major components (2,6,10,15-tetrame-heptadecane and Linalool), with an LC(50) value near 43.9 ppm. The results could be useful in search for newer, safer, and more effective natural immunotoxicity agents against A. aegypti.

Inhibitory activity of diacylglycerol acyltransferase by glabrol isolated from the roots of licorice.

Acyl-coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT, EC 2.3.1.20) catalyzes triglyceride synthesis in the glycerol phosphate pathway. It has relations with the excess supply and accumulation of triglycerides. Therefore, DGAT inhibitors may act as a potential therapy for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Five flavonoids were isolated from the ethanol extracts of licorice roots, using an in vitro DGAT inhibitory assay. One isoprenyl flavonoid showed most potential inhibition of DGAT on five flavonoids (1-5). On the basis of spectral evidences, the compound was identified as glabrol (5). Compound 5 inhibited rat liver microsomal DGAT activity with an IC50 value of 8.0 microM, but the IC50 value for four flavonoids (1-4) was more than 100 microM. In addition, glabrol showed a noncompetitive type of inhibition against DGAT. These data suggest that potential therapy for the treatment in obesity and type 2 diabetes patients by licorice roots might be related with its DGAT inhibitory effect.

Immunotoxicity activity of the major essential oil of Filipendula glaberrima against Aedes aegypti L.

The aerial parts of Filipendula glaberrima were extracted and the composition and immunotoxicity effects of major essential oils were studied. The analyses conducted by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) revealed the essential oils of F. glaberrima. The F. glaberrima essential oil (FGEO) yield was 0.046%, and GC/MS analysis revealed that its major constituents were ß-farnesol (2.96%), l-α-terpineol (2.43%), benzenemethanol (2.87%), (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (5.23%), and 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methylphenol (1.91%). The essential oil had a significant toxic effect against early fourth stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L with an LC(50) value of 28.43 ppm and an LC(90) value of 76.21 ppm. The results could be useful in search for newer, safer, and more effective natural immunotoxicity agents against A. aegypti.

Inhibition of lung metastasis in mice by oligonol.

Oligonol is a polyphenol formulation enriched with catechin-type oligomers. As an initial approach to assess the chemopreventive potential of Oligonol, the study investigated the effects of Oligonol on the inhibition of lung metastasis induced by B16F-10 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice. Oligonol, which is abundantly found in plants, vegetables and fruits, was found to possess antimetastatic activity against B16F-10 melanoma cells. Continued consumption of Oligonol, even at high doses, for long periods does not seem to cause any toxic symptoms because excess Oligonol is stored in adipose tissue rather than in the liver. However, the mechanism by which Oligonol exerts its antimetastatic activity remains unclear. Further investigations are required to clarify the exact role of Oligonol in such B16F-10 melanoma regulation.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine in a general population in South Korea: results from a national survey in 2006.

The purpose of this survey was to obtain information on the prevalence, costs, and patterns of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a general population in the Republic of Korea. In 2006, we conducted nationwide and population-weighted personal interviews with 6,021 adults ranging from 30 to 69 yr of age; the final sample consisted of 3,000 people with a 49.8% response rate. In addition to their general socio-demographics, the respondents were asked about their use of CAM during the previous 12-month period, costs, sources of information, and reasons for use. The prevalence of use overall was 74.8%, while biologically based CAM therapies were the most likely type of use (65.4%). The median annual out-of-pocket expenditures for CAM therapies was about US$203. The primary reason for using CAM was for disease prevention and health promotion (78.8%). The main source of advice about CAM therapies use was most likely to be from family and friends (66.9%). Our study suggests that CAM use has been and continues to be very popular in South Korea. Conventional western medical doctors and governments should obtain more evidence and become more interested in CAM therapies.

Bioassay-guided isolation of antiplasmodial anacardic acids derivatives from the whole plants of Viola websteri Hemsl.

The petroleum ether extract of Viola websteri Hemsl. (Violaceae) was investigated for its activity against chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay method. The main antiplasmodial principles, 6-(8'Z-pentadecenyl)-salicylic acid (1) and 6-(8'Z, 11'Z, 14'Z-heptadecatrienyl)-salicylic acid (2), have been isolated from V. websteri for the first time. This is the first report on the antiplasmodial activity of the compounds from V. websteri.

Antimalarial activity of a new stilbene glycoside from Parthenocissus tricuspidata in mice.

A novel stilbene glycoside [piceid-(1-->6)-beta-d-glucopyranoside; PBG] from Parthenocissus tricuspidata was tested in vivo against Plasmodium berghei. PBG exhibited significant blood schizontocidal activity in a 4-day early infection, a repository evaluation, and an established infection, with a significant mean survival time comparable to that obtained with the standard drug, chloroquine (5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)).