GC-MS analysis of the bioactive phytoconstituents of various organic crude extracts from the seed kernels of Manilkara bidentata (balata) collected in Trinidad, W.I.

The present study reports the first phytochemical investigation of the seed kernels of Manilkara bidentata (Balata) harvested in Trinidad, W.I. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol extracts showed a total of 39 components. 2,6,10,14,18-pentamethyl-2,6,10,14,18-eicosapentaene (74.93%), 9-octadecenoic acid, (Z)- 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (79.98%), (Z)-ethyl oleate (92.75%), Z,E-2-methyl-3,13-octadecadien-1-ol (80.51%) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxyaldehyde (50.32%) were the major constituents identified in the n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol extracts, respectively. The extracts showed the presence of several bioactive components and provides reference data for further research of its active constituents.

Reduction of Platelet Aggregation From Ingestion of Oleic and Linoleic Acids Found in Vitis vinifera and Arachis hypogaea Oils.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the consumption of seed oils from Vitis vinifera and Arachis hypogaea in platelet aggregation. The initial hypothesis suggested that subjects who have consumed these seed oils undergo modified platelet aggregation. This study was performed using a pre-post test design, with a control group, and double blind. The effects of the consumption of grape seed and peanut oils were measured for platelet aggregation in clinical and laboratory tests in 30 healthy subjects. In addition to this group, a control group of 4 health subjects received no treatment with oils, just 500 mg oral administration acetylsalicylic acid for 7 days. Platelet aggregation was assessed by the Born turbidimetric method, using 3 different concentrations of adenosine diphosphate as agonists (2, 54; 1, 17; and 0, 58 µM). The study subjects had very similar results; both oils were shown to have a significant reduction in platelet aggregation. Grape seed oil showed a decrease of 8.4 ± 1% in aggregation, compared with peanut oil, which decreased aggregation by 10.4 ± 1%. The control group, taking 500 mg OD aspirin for 7 days, showed a significant decrease in platelet aggregation, similar to that of oil ingestion. Each of the oils was analyzed for fatty acids, to determine which particular acids were presents in greater levels, which could explain the reduction in platelet aggregation. The oil found to be most abundant in grape seeds was linoleic acid (omega-6), and in peanuts, it was oleic acid (omega-9). However, in fact, both acids reduced platelet aggregation. Consumption of plant oils from grape seeds and peanuts had a lowering effect on platelet aggregation, in addition to containing a high content of unsaturated fatty acids. However, omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids were not specifically responsible for the reductions mentioned above.

Oleic acid produced by a marine Vibrio spp. acts as an anti-Vibrio parahaemolyticus agent.

It is known that some strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus are responsible for gastroenteric diseases caused by the ingestion of marine organisms contaminated with these bacterial strains. Organic products that show inhibitory activity on the growth of the pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus were extracted from a Vibrio native in the north of Chile. The inhibitory organic products were isolated by reverse phase chromatography and permeation by Sephadex LH20, and were characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. The results showed that the prevailing active product is oleic acid, which was compared with standards by gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These active products might be useful for controlling the proliferation of pathogenic clones of V. parahaemolyticus.

Effect of oleic, lauric and myristic acids on phenylephrine-induced contractions of isolated rat vas deferens.

D-004, a lipid extract of Roystonea regia fruits that contains oleic, lauric and myristic acids as major components inhibits alpha1-adrenoreceptors-mediated contractile responses in isolated rat vas deferens and prostate trips; no study has demonstrated a similar effect for oleic, lauric or myristic acids individually. Therefore, the effects of D-004 (250 microg/mL), oleic (100 microg/mL), lauric (50 microg/mL) or myristic (25 microg/mL) acids and their combined effects on phenylephrine (PHE: 10(-7)-10(-4) mol/L) induced contractions has been studied. No treatment changed the basal tone of the preparations, but all inhibited PHE-induced contractions. D-004 produced the highest inhibition, followed by lauric acid, which was more effective than myristic and oleic acids against PHE-induced contractions of control group. D-004 and the mixture of the three acids produced similar inhibitions.