Tiaogan daozhuo formula attenuates atherosclerosis via activating AMPK -PPARγ-LXRα pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tiaogan Daozhuo Formula (TGDZF) is a common formulation against atherosclerosis, however, there is limited understanding of its therapeutic mechanism. AIM OF THIS STUDY: To examine the effectiveness of TGDZF in the treatment of atherosclerosis and to explore its mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In ApoE-/- mice, atherosclerosis was induced by a high-fat diet for 12 weeks and treated with TGDZF at different doses. The efficacy of TGDZF in alleviating atherosclerosis was evaluated by small animal ultrasound and histological methods. Lipid levels were measured by biochemical methods. The capacity of cholesterol efflux was tested with a cholesterol efflux assay in peritoneal macrophage, and the expression of AMPKα1, PPARγ, LXRα, and ABCA1 was examined at mRNA and protein levels. Meanwhile, RAW264.7-derived macrophages were induced into foam cells by ox-LDL, and different doses of TGDZF-conducting serum were administered. Similarly, we examined differences in intracellular lipid accumulation, cholesterol efflux rate, and AMPKα1, PPARγ, LXRα, and ABCA1 levels following drug intervention. Finally, changes in the downstream molecules were evaluated following the inhibition of AMPK by compound C or PPARγ silencing by small interfering RNA. RESULTS: TGDZF administration reduced aortic plaque area and lipid accumulation in aortic plaque and hepatocytes, and improved the serum lipid profiles of ApoE-/- mice. Further study revealed that its efficacy was accompanied by an increase in cholesterol efflux rate and the expression of PPARγ, LXRα, and ABCA1 mRNA and protein, as well as the promotion of AMPKα1 phosphorylation. Moreover, similar results were caused by the intervention of TGDZF-containing serum in vitro experiments. Inhibition of AMPK and PPARγ partially blocked the regulatory effect of TGDZF, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TGDZF alleviated atherosclerosis and promoted cholesterol efflux from macrophages by activating the AMPK-PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 pathway.

Sodium New Houttuyfonate Inhibits Cancer-Promoting Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Progression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies showed that the common anaerobe Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is closely associated with a higher risk for carcinogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance of CRC. However, there is no specific antimicrobial therapy for CRC treatment. Herbal medicine has a long history of treating diseases with remarkable effects and is attracting extensive attention. In this study, we tested six common phytochemicals for their antimicrobial activities against Fn and whether anti-Fn phytochemicals can modulate CRC development associated with Fn. Among these antimicrobials, we found that SNH showed the highest antimicrobial activity and little cytotoxicity toward cancer cells and normal cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SNH may target membrane-associated FadA, leading to FadA oligomerization, membrane fragmentation and permeabilization. More importantly, SNH blocked the tumor-promoting activity of Fn and Fn-associated cancer-driven inflammation, thus improving the intestinal barrier damaged by Fn. SNH reduced Fn load in the CRC-cells-derived mice xenografts with Fn inoculation and significantly inhibited CRC progression. Our data suggest that SNH could be used for an antimicrobial therapy that inhibits Fn and cancer-driven inflammation of CRC. Our results provide an important foundation for future gut microbiota-targeted clinical treatment of CRC.

Effectiveness of Combined Thrombolysis and Mild Hypothermia Therapy in Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of thrombolytic therapy combined with mild hypothermia in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), based on a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database of Controlled Trials were systematically screened for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of thrombolytic therapy combined with mild hypothermia in treating ACI from inception to January 2021. Participation and outcomes among intervention enrollees are as follows: P, participants (patients in ACI); I, interventions (thrombolysis in combination with mild hypothermia therapy); C, controls (thrombolysis merely); O, outcomes (main outcomes are the change of NIHSS, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, inflammatory factor interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and adverse reaction). Following data extraction and quality assessment, a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 26 RCTs involving 2071 patients were included. Compared to thrombolysis alone, thrombolytic therapy combined with mild hypothermia leads to better therapeutic efficacy [RR = 1.23, 95% CI (1.16, 1.31)], NIHSS [MD = -2.02, 95% CI (-2.55, -1.49)], glutathione peroxidase [MD = 8.71, 95% CI (5.55, 11.87)], superoxide dismutase [MD = 16.52, 95% CI (12.31, 19.74)], malondialdehyde [MD = -1.86, 95% CI (-1.98, -1.75)], interleukin-1ß [MD = -3.48, 95% CI (-4.88, -2.08)], tumor necrosis factor-α [MD = -0.46, 95% CI (-3.39, 2.48)], and adverse reaction [RR = 0.87, 95% CI (0.63, 1.20)]. Conclusions: Thrombolytic therapy combined with mild hypothermia demonstrates a beneficial role in reducing brain nerve function impairment and inflammatory reactions in ACI subjects analysed in this meta-analysis.

Two birds with one stone: YQSSF regulates both proliferation and apoptosis of bone marrow cells to relieve chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Yiqi Shengsui formula (YQSSF) is a commonly used formula to treat chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression, but little is known about its therapeutic mechanisms. AIM OF THIS STUDY: This study aims to examine the effect of YQSSF in treating myelosuppression and explore its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A myelosuppression BALB/c mouse model was established by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX). The efficacy of YQSSF in alleviating chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression was evaluated by blood cell count, immune organ (thymus, spleen, liver) index, bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) count and histopathological analysis of bone marrow and spleen. Then, ultra-performance liquid chromatograph quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was performed to analyze the ingredients of YQSSF extract. Key effects and potential mechanism of YQSSF extract in alleviating myelosuppression were predicted by network pharmacology method. Finally, cell cycle and TUNEL staining of bone marrow cells was detected to verify the key effects, and RT-qPCR or Western blotting were performed to measure the gene and protein expressions of the effect targets respectively to confirm the predicted mechanism of YQSSF for myelosuppression. RESULTS: YQSSF up-regulated the number of peripheral blood leukocytes and BMNC, reduced spleen index and liver index, improved the pathological morphology of bone marrow and spleen. A total of 40 ingredients were isolated from YQSSF extract using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS analysis. Network pharmacology revealed that YQSSF regulated both proliferation and apoptosis to alleviate myelosuppression. Finally, YQSSF decreased G0/G1 ratio, increased the proportion of bone marrow cells in S phase and proliferation index (PI), and reduced apoptotic cells in femur bone marrow. RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that YQSSF up-regulated the expression levels of CDK4, CDK6, CyclinB1, c-Myc and Bcl-2, as well as down-regulated the expression levels of Cyt-c, Fas, Caspase-8/3 and p53. CONCLUSIONS: YQSSF promotes the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of bone marrow cells to relieve chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

Dielectric barrier discharge plasma: A green method to change structure of potato starch and improve physicochemical properties of potato starch films.

The effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment on the physicochemical properties of potato starch and its films were studied. The results showed that the plasma species caused etching lead to small cracks and pores in potato starch particles and that oxidation, de-polymerization, and crosslinking were the main mechanisms underlying the effects of DBD plasma treatment. As the treatment time extended, starch hydrolysis, turbidity, syneresis, and gelatinization temperatures increased first and then decreased, whereas the solubility, swelling power, and water absorption significantly increased (P < 0.05). There was a decrease in the retrogradation tendency of the starch gels. The surfaces of the DBD plasma-modified potato starch-based films were relatively flat. After a 9-min treatment, the films exhibited the lowest water vapor permeability and highest tensile strength. In conclusion, the use of DBD plasma is a simple and green method to enhance the properties of potato starch and its film.

Evaluating the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Selected Active Compounds in Houttuynia cordata Thunb. in Pulmonary Fibrosis via Network Pharmacology Analysis.

Pulmonary fibrosis, a common outcome of pulmonary interstitial disease of various different etiologies, is one of the most important causes of respiratory failure. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (family: Saururaceae) (H. cordata), as has been reported, is a Chinese herbal medicine commonly used to treat upper respiratory tract infection and bronchitis. Our previous study has proven that sodium houttuyfonate (an additional compound from sodium bisulfite and houttuynin) had beneficial effects in the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) induced by bleomycin (BLM) in mice. In the present study, network pharmacology was used to investigate the efficiency and potential mechanisms of H. cordata in PF treatment. Upon manual collection from the literature and databases such as TCMSP and TCM-ID, 10 known representative ingredients of H. cordata species were screened. Then, the prediction of the potential active ingredients, action targets, and signaling pathways were conducted through the Gene Ontology (GO), protein-protein interaction (PPI),and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The results of network pharmacology prediction suggested that H. cordata may act through multiple signaling pathways to alleviate PF, including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathways, and interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathways. Molecular docking experiments showed that the chemical constituents of H. cordata had good affinity with TNF, MAPK1, and AKT1, and using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced A549 cells, a model was established to verify the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects and related mechanisms of H. cordata-relevant constituents. Finally, these evidences collectively suggest H. cordata may alleviate PF progression via PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and TNF signaling pathways and provide novel insights to verify the mechanism of H. cordata in the treatment of PF.

Changes in chilled beef packaged in starch film containing sea buckthorn pomace extract and quality changes in the film during super-chilled storage.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of super-chilled storage (-1.3 °C) combined with starch film packaging containing different contents of sea buckthorn pomace extract (SSF, 0, 1, 2, and 3%, w/w) on the quality of chilled beef. The release kinetics, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the film were also measured to investigate its suitability for super-chilled storage. The results of the meat quality assessment showed that the L*, a*, and sensory evaluation values of the SSF-3% samples were significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the pH, b*, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and total viable count (TCA) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the SSF-0%. The release of SBP from the SSF film was controlled by diffusion. Furthermore, SSF-3% was found to have a compact microstructure and good mechanical properties at the end of the super-chilled storage. The results demonstrated that SSF is an effective packaging material for beef at super-chilling temperatures.

New insights into antityrosinase capacity and polyphenols of asparagus during hydrothermal treatments.

An understanding of the antityrosinase capacity and polyphenols changes during hydrothermal treatments was crucial for application of asparagus. Therefore, asparagus extract was treated at a range of 80-160 °C for 30-150 min in a high temperature reactor. The results suggested that tyrosinase inhibition rate of untreated asparagus extract was recorded as 3.26% but significantly increased to 51.22% and 50.80% after heating for 90 min at 140 °C (lnR0 of 7.21) and 160 °C (lnR0 of 8.57), respectively. The generation and degradation of polyphenols followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The coumaric acid content was increased from 35.03 µg/mL to 307.66 µg/mL at lnR0 of 8.16. The degradation of rutin in asparagus extract was far less compared to that of coumaric acid. Compounds formed were determined by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS yielding main fragments at m/z 451 and 601. In conclusion, hydrothermal treatment was a feasible method for increasing the antityrosinase capacity of asparagus.

Effect of a sea buckthorn pomace extract-esterified potato starch film on the quality and spoilage bacteria of beef jerky sold in supermarket.

A new food packaging material was developed for beef jerky. The material consists of an esterified potato starch film with 3 different concentrations (2%, 4%, and 6%, w/w) of sea buckthorn pomace extract. The packaged beef jerky was kept in supermarket. The sea buckthorn pomace extract-esterified potato starch film (SPF) packaging significantly reduces the water loss, L*, a*, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) of beef jerky during storage (p < 0.05), demonstrating a protective effect to reduce the deterioration of the quality. However, a high content of sea buckthorn pomace extract in film (6%) also affects the smell of beef jerky. Moreover, SPF effectively inhibits the growth of common spoilage bacteria in beef jerky. These results demonstrated that SPF reduces the deterioration rate of the beef jerky and the decreases the spoilage by bacteria, which both gives SPE a high potential as a new packaging material.

A novel process for asparagus polyphenols utilization by ultrasound assisted adsorption and desorption using resins.

The ultrasound assisted purification of asparagus polyphenols by adsorption and desorption on the macroporous resins was investigated. The ultrasound within the selected intensities (12-120 W) and temperatures (25-35 °C) increased the adsorption and desorption capacities of asparagus polyphenols on D101 resins. Higher ultrasound intensity (120 W) and lower temperature (25 °C) benefited the adsorption process and the adsorption capacity of total polyphenols after ultrasound was 3.95 mg/g, which was 2 times than that obtained after shaking at 120 rpm. Meanwhile, ultrasound can significantly shorten the equilibrium time and the adsorption process of asparagus polyphenols could be well described by Pseudo-second order model and Freundlich model. Stereoscopic microscope was first used to investigate the microstructure characterization of resins, indicating that ultrasound mainly enhanced the surface roughness of resins. Interestingly, rutin possessed the highest adsorption capacities and ferulic acid had the highest the desorption capacities among the studied individual polyphenols. The obtained results evidenced on a progressive insight of application of ultrasound assisted resins for purification of asparagus polyphenols.

Dual Chalcogen-Chalcogen Bonding Catalysis.

The noncovalent S···O bonding interaction is an evolutionary force that has been smartly exploited by nature to modulate the conformational preferences of proteins. The employment of this type of weak noncovalent force to drive chemical reactions is promising yet remains largely elusive. Herein, we describe a dual chalcogen-chalcogen bonding catalysis strategy that the distinct chalcogen atoms simultaneously interact with two chalcogen-based electron donors to give rise to the catalytic activity, thus facilitating chemical reactions. Conventional approaches to the Rauhut-Currier-type reactions require the use of strongly nucleophilic Lewis bases as essential promoters. The implementation of this dual chalcogen-chalcogen bonding catalysis strategy allows the simultaneous Se···O bonding interaction between chalcogen-bonding donors and an enone and an alcohol, enabling the realization of the Rauhut-Currier-type reactions in a distinct way. The further implementation of a consecutive dual Se···O bonding catalysis approach enables the achievement of an initial Rauhut-Currier-type reaction to give an enone product which further undergoes an alcohol-addition induced cyclization reaction. This work demonstrates that the nearly linear chalcogen-bonding interaction can differentiate similar alkyl groups to give rise to regioselectivity. Moreover, the new strategy shows its advantage as it not only enables less reactive substrates working efficiently but tolerates inaccessible substrates using conventional methods.

Effect of Drying Methods on the Microstructure, Bioactivity Substances, and Antityrosinase Activity of Asparagus Stems.

The impacts of vacuum drying (VD), far-infrared drying (FIRD), hot air drying (HAD), and freeze drying (FD), as representative food drying methods, on structural characterization, bioactive substances, and antityrosinase activity of Asparagus have been assessed. The microstructure characterization by scanning electron microscopy indicated that VD treatment led to serious breaking of the vascular bundle and epithelial cells and provided higher free polyphenol (FP) and bound polyphenol (BP) contents. Besides, the smaller individual molecule (weight and hydroxy and phenolic rings) polyphenols bound to cellulose to a lesser extent than larger molecules, i.e., rutin and quercetin. In contrast, FD extracts possessed lower polyphenol contents but higher saponin and chlorophyll contents. The antityrosinase activity inhibition rates of FD and VD extracts were higher than those of FIRD and HAD for both mono- and diphenolase. The FP extract of VD, which possessed more polyphenolic compounds, had greater antityrosinase activity than BP.

chTLR4 pathway activation by Astragalus polysaccharide in bursa of Fabricius.

BACKGROUND: The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway involves in the pathogen recognition and defense against infection in mammals. Considering that avian and mammalian TLR are differentially mediated, the action of a natural product on avian TLR4 pathway was unclear. High, medium and low doses of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), were treated the chicken at 7-days-old age by gavage. The sIgA level in the intestinal fluid, the expression of chTLR4 mRNA/protein in bursa of Fabricius as well as the expression of downstream molecules of chTLR4 (chMyD88, chTRIF, chNF-κB, chIRF3, chIFN-ß and chTNF-α) were measured on alternate days. RESULTS: The content of sIgA and the chTLR4 mRNA expression/protein level were increased in non-dose-dependent manner after APS supplement. Also, the expressions of a subset of MyD88-independent pathway genes were more than MyD88-independent, in particular with low doses of APS supplement for 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: These suggest that administration of APS activates chTLR4 pathway in bursa of Fabricius in MyD88-independent pathway. Meanwhile, low dose of APS shows better performance regarding the activation of chTLR4 and regulation of MyD88-independent pathway.

Precision combination therapy for triple negative breast cancer via biomimetic polydopamine polymer core-shell nanostructures.

Photothermal-based combination therapy using functional nanomaterials shows great promise in eradication of aggressive tumors and improvement of drug sensitivity. The therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of drug combinations depend on the precise control of timely tumor-localized drug release. Here a polymer-dopamine nanocomposite is designed for combination therapy, thermo-responsive drug release and prevention of uncontrolled drug leakage. The thermo-sensitive co-polymer poly (2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate)-co-2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate-b-poly (D, l-lactide-co-glycolide) is constructed into core-shell structured nanoparticles for co-encapsulation of two cytotoxic drugs and absorption of small interfering RNAs against survivin. The drug-loaded nanoparticles are surface-coated with polydopamine which confers the nanoformulation with photothermal activity and protects drugs from burst release. Under tumor-localized laser irradiation, polydopamine generates sufficient heat, resulting in nanoparticle collapse and instant drug release within the tumor. The combination strategy of photothermal, chemo-, and gene therapy leads to triple-negative breast cancer regression, with a decrease in the chemotherapeutic drug dosage to about 1/20 of conventional dose. This study establishes a powerful nanoplatform for precisely controlled combination therapy, with dramatic improvement of therapeutic efficacy and negligible side effects.

Medicinal herbs Fructus corni and Semen cuscutae suppress allograft rejection via distinct immune mechanisms.

Achieving long-term allograft survival without continuous global immunosuppression is highly desirable because constant immunosuppression causes severe side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been utilized to treat numerous diseases for centuries. To seek novel immunosuppressive agents, we investigated several Chinese herbal formulas that have been shown to be effective in treating autoimmune diseases. C57BL/6 mice were transplanted with a skin graft from Balb/C donors and treated orally with the TCM. IL-12-expressing dendritic cells and CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs were quantified by flow cytometer while intragraft IL-12 gene expression was measured by real-time PCR. Here we identified a unique TCM, San Si formula, which contains three herbs: Fructus corni (FC), Fructus ligustri lucidi (FLL) and Semen cuscutae (SC). We found that either SC or FC, but not FLL, significantly prolonged skin allograft survival while SC plus FC or San Si formula further delayed allograft rejection compared to SC or FC alone. SC and FC, which did not contain cyclosporine and rapamycin, reduced graft-infiltrating T cells and suppressed their proliferation. Importantly, it was SC, but not FC, that induced CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs in recipients. Tregs induced by SC were also more potent in suppression. In contrast, FC repressed both intracellular IL-12 expression by intragraft DCs and IFNγ expression by graft-infiltrating T cells. Moreover, FC inhibited intragraft IL-12 gene expression. Depleting Tregs and providing exogenous IL-12 completely reversed allograft survival induced by SC plus FC. Thus, SC and FC synergistically suppress allograft rejection via distinct mechanisms.

Emodin via colonic irrigation modulates gut microbiota and reduces uremic toxins in rats with chronic kidney disease.

Gut microbiota plays a dual role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is closely linked to production of uremic toxins. Strategies of reducing uremic toxins by targeting gut microbiota are emerging. It is known that Chinese medicine rhubarb enema can reduce uremic toxins and improve renal function. However, it remains unknown which ingredient or mechanism mediates its effect. Here we utilized a rat CKD model of 5/6 nephrectomy to evaluate the effect of emodin, a main ingredient of rhubarb, on gut microbiota and uremic toxins in CKD. Emodin was administered via colonic irrigation at 5ml (1mg/day) for four weeks. We found that emodin via colonic irrigation (ECI) altered levels of two important uremic toxins, urea and indoxyl sulfate (IS), and changed gut microbiota in rats with CKD. ECI remarkably reduced urea and IS and improved renal function. Pyrosequencing and Real-Time qPCR analyses revealed that ECI resumed the microbial balance from an abnormal status in CKD. We also demonstrated that ten genera were positively correlated with Urea while four genera exhibited the negative correlation. Moreover, three genera were positively correlated with IS. Therefore, emodin altered the gut microbiota structure. It reduced the number of harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium spp. that is positively correlated with both urea and IS, but augmented the number of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus spp. that is negatively correlated with urea. Thus, changes in gut microbiota induced by emodin via colonic irrigation are closely associated with reduction in uremic toxins and mitigation of renal injury.

Solalyratins A and B, new anti-inflammatory metabolites from Solanum lyratum.

A new coumestan (solalyratin A, 1) and a novel cyclic eight-membered α,ß-unsaturated ketone (solalyratin B, 3), together with three known compounds, puerariafuran (2), coumestrol (4) and 9-hydroxy-2',2'-dimethylpyrano[5',6':2,3]-coumestan (5), were isolated from the whole plant of Solanum lyratum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. In vitro, compounds 1-5 showed anti-inflammatory activities, with IC(50) values in the range 6.3-9.1 µM.

Two new cytotoxic ent-clerodane diterpenoids from Scutellaria barbata.

Two new ent-clerodane diterpenoids have been isolated from Scutellaria barbata, and their structures were established by detailed spectroscopic analyses as (13R)-6α,7ß-dihydroxy-8ß,13-epoxy-11ß-nicotinyloxy-ent-clerodan-3-en-15,16-olide (scutelinquanine D, 1) and (11E)-6α-acetoxy-7ß,8ß-dihydroxy-ent-clerodan-3,11,13-trien-15,16-olide (6-acetoxybarbatin C, 2). In vitro, the isolated two new compounds showed significant cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines (HONE-1 nasopharyngeal, KB oral epidermoid carcinoma, and HT29 colorectal carcinoma cells), and gave IC(50) values in the range of 2.5-6.6 µM.

New anti-inflammatory 4-hydroxyisoflavans from Solanum lyratum.

Three new 4-hydroxyisoflavans, named lyratin A (1), lyratin B (2) and lyratin C (3), along with a known compound, 4,7,2'trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavan (4), were isolated from the whole plant of Solanum lyratum. Their structures were established by means of detailed physical data analyses. In vitro, four compounds showed anti-inflammatory activities with inhibitory ratios of release of beta-glucuronidase from polymorphonuclear leukocytes of rats in the range of 30.3-38.6% at 10 microM.

Isolation and identification of the antibacterial active compound from petroleum ether extract of neem oil.

From a petroleum ether extract of neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) the new tetrahydrofuranyl diester 1 was isolated as an anti-bacterial constituent. 1 showed significant activities against three standard bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella enteritidis CMCC (B) 50041.