Antiobesity properties of two African plants (Afromomum meleguetta and Spilanthes acmella) by pancreatic lipase inhibition.

Ethanol extracts of seeds of Afromomum meleguetta and flower buds of Splilanthes acmella presented pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities in a concentration related manner under in vitro conditions. The two plants were extracted with 70% ethanol by sonication, fractionated on silica gel and tested at concentrations in the range 0.75-2.0 mg/mL. Lipase inhibitory activities of 90% and 40% were observed in A. meleguetta and S. acmella, respectively. The two plants have potentials as candidates for weight reduction and obesity control.

In vivo and in vitro activities of the seed extract of Piper guineense Schum. and Thonn. against skin and gill monogenean parasites of gold fish (Carassius auratus auratus).

Methanol extracts of the seeds of Piper guineense (Piperaceae) were active against gold fish (Carassius auratus auratus L. Pisces Cyprinidae) monogenean parasites. The seed extract of P. guineense was administered at different concentrations (0.5-2.0 mg/L) under in vivo and in vitro conditions. There was a higher efficacy of the effects of the extracts against fish parasites under in vitro situations than under in vivo. Three major compounds (piperanine, N-isobutyl (E,E)-2,4 decadienamide and Deltaalpha,beta-dihydrowasanine) were identified from the seed extract of Piper guineense by LC-MS analysis.

Intra-specific variability of feverfew: correlations between parthenolide, morphological traits and seed origin.

Parthenolide, a biologically active sesquiterpene lactone found in feverfew [Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Schultz Bip., Asteraceae], has been indirectly linked to the anti-migraine action of feverfew preparations. Commercial preparations of feverfew leaves are known to vary widely in parthenolide content. Thirty-one feverfew accessions of diverse origin were examined for morphological traits and parthenolide content. Significant variation in parthenolide content was found among the populations. Mean parthenolide levels ranged from non-detectable to 1.68% +/- 0.97 (per dry weight) based upon HPLC-UV-MS. In general, feverfew plants grown from wild-collected seed from botanical gardens and the USDA accessions had higher mean parthenolide levels (0.72% +/- 0.57) than plants from commercial sources, including the generic material (0.34% +/- 0.23) and cultivars (0.35% +/- 0.40). Feverfew varieties with a light green/yellow leaf color had significantly higher mean parthenolide levels (1.61% +/- 0.61%) than darker-leafed varieties. A significant positive correlation between days to anthesis and parthenolide content was observed. Parthenolide levels did not correlate with floral morphology. This study shows that further selection for improved horticultural attributes and natural product content has potential to improve feverfew for the botanical/medicinal plant industry.

Anthocyanin inheritance and instability in purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.).

The instability of the purple pigments (anthocyanins) in purple basil varieties (Ocimum basilicum L.) limits their use as ornamental plants and as a potential anthocyanin source. Several self-pollinated generations of all purple plants were unsuccessful in stabilizing anthocyanin expression. In this study we investigated the inheritance and stability patterns of leaf traits using the Purple Ruffles variety. The results from the complete diallele crosses indicated anthocyanin expression in vegetative tissue is controlled by two dominant genes and ruffled leaf texture is controlled by a single recessive gene. Genes controlling leaf margin and leaf base structures were tightly linked to leaf texture. Essential oil production and oil constituents in leaves did not change as a result of the reversion in color. Color stability in cuttings was affected by the environment and the location where cuttings were taken. An accumulation of secondary metabolites (apigenin, genistein, and kaempferol) in green-reverted sectors on purple leaves was detected using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis; this suggested a potential block in the anthocyanin pathway. We hypothesize the reversion mutation is occurring in an anthocyanin regulatory gene.

Rules and regulations on the collection in Cameroon of biological materials for biological testing and drug discovery.

Regulations on the exploitation of Cameroon's rich biodiversity have tended to emphasize timber exploitation at the expense of non-timber uses. Materials for scientific research have been marginalized. However, in-service instructions usually provide practical guidelines such as specific charges that researchers must pay for the collection of samples. Even though the current law and text of application are silent on regulations addressing the scientific "prospecting' or exploitation of the forests, it is hoped that a particular text in conformity with the current regulations will provide more specific rules governing the collection, testing and exportation of biological materials for drug testing and discovery.

Relationship of artemisinin content of tissue-cultured, greenhouse-grown, and field-grown plants of Artemisia annua.

Artemisinin content of Artemisia annua L. plants grown under long days in a greenhouse was highly correlated (r = 0.931** and 0.954**, P = 0.01) with the same clones grown under long days in the field. The correlation of artemisinin content of clones grown in long days in tissue culture and in the greenhouse was r = 0.502*. Correlation of artemisinin content of tissue-cultured clones obtained two years apart was r = 0.61**. Broad-sense heritability estimates for artemisinin production based on vegetatively propagated clones derived from a random-mating population and grown in the greenhouse and field varied from 0.91 (greenhouse, individual basis) to 0.98 (combined greenhouse and field, family basis). These results indicate that genetic progress can be expected from intercrossing high artemisinin clones selected in the greenhouse under long days.

Developmental studies of Artemisia annua: flowering and artemisinin production under greenhouse and field conditions.

Cuttings of a clone of A. annua L. (Asteraceae), grown under 16 h photoperiod for 55 days were transferred to six photoperiod treatments in the greenhouse. Under short photoperiods (8, 10, or 12 h), plants flowered after two weeks; plants under long photoperiods (16, 20, or 24 h) remained vegetative until termination of treatment after 10 weeks. When plants grown under long photoperiod treatments were transferred to 8-h photoperiod, flowering occurred 2 weeks later. Flower induction in plants grown under field conditions occurred when the photoperiod was determined to the 13.3 h. Artemisinin levels in all studies were found to be highest at anthesis. Artemisinin content was 4- to 11-fold higher in inflorescences than in leaves.

Thalamic amnesia: Korsakoff syndrome due to left thalamic infarction.

In order to support the concept that a lesion of the thalamus is sufficient to cause a Korsakoff syndrome, we are presenting 5 patients, all of whom developed the syndrome after sustaining a left (dominant) thalamic infarction. Two patients had pure thalamic strokes followed by a permanent Korsakoff syndrome. One of these patients was studied with neuropsychometric testing, as well as with a modern MRI scan. In 2 other patients, clinical and imaging data indicate that infarction was not limited to the thalamus. Another patient had bilateral thalamic infarcts but only a temporary Korsakoff syndrome. Neuropathological data are needed to elucidate the exact anatomical substrate of dominant thalamic Korsakoff syndrome.

Hydrocarbon poisonings.

Many different compounds are classified as petroleum distillates. Most ingestions can be managed by careful observation and respiratory support.

Prostaglandin inhibitors and the development of mung bean seedlings.

The effect of cortisol and prostaglandin inhibitors on the growth and development of germinating mung bean, Vigna radiata L. Wilzek, cv. Jumbo was investigated. Cortisol, indomethacin, and a mixture of cortisol with aspirin, or benoxaprofen significantly increased radicle length and the number of lateral roots as compared with non-treated controls. A mixture of cortisol and indomethacin significantly increased growth of hypocotyls.