[Antimicrobic and hemolytic activity of low-molecular metabolits of brown seaweed Laminaria cichorioides Miyabe].

Antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of ethanol extract of brown seaweed Laminaria cichorioides Miyabe, its lipophilic fractions, various classes of substances of lipophilic fraction, such as chlorophylls, fucoxanthin, monogalactosyldiacylglycerols, digalactosyldiacylglycerols, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols, and fatty acids were investigated. The antimicrobial activity was studied by means of yeast cells Safale S-04 and Candida albicans CMM 455, fungi Aspergillus niger CMM 4634 and Fusarium oxysporum CMM 4639, bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 21027 (gram-positive) and Escherichia coli ATCC 15034 (gram-negative) which demonstrated selective sensitivity to the studied substances. Hemolytic activity was investigated at concentrations of substances in the range of 0.2-2000 microg/ml at different pH of erythrocyte suspension. All investigated substances caused hemolysis. The dependence of hemolytic activity of substances on pH of media was determined.

[Effect of synthetic cyclopentane beta,beta'-triketones on amino acid metabolism in roots of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) seedlings].

Germination of buckwheat seeds in solutions of synthetic mono- and tricyclic cyclopentane-containing beta,beta'-triketones of various concentrations was accompanied by inhibition of seedling root growth and changes in the contents of glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, proline, glutamine, and alanine. The monocyclic triketone also affected the amount of isoleucine. It is likely that the increase in proline content is a nonspecific response significant for enhancing stress tolerance in seedlings.

[Biological activity of metabolites of the herb Kalanchoe diagremontania (Hamet de la Bbathie) Jacobs et Perr].

In this study we investigated the hemolytic, antimicrobial, and phytoregulatory activity of various classes of lipids (triacylglycerols, free fatty acids (FFA), the glyceroglycolipids monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG)), sterols, all of them were obtained from the medical herb Kalanchoe diagremontiana, and also pigments, phenolic compounds (FC), polysaccharides, and ethanol extract (EE) of the herbal. It was established that EE, FC, FFA, and sterols display pH-dependent membranothropic activity. FFA showed antimicrobial activity and stimulated growth of buckwheat stalk sprouts. K. diagremontiana glyceroglycolopids did not display expressed biological activity. Caroteniods displayed pH-independent membranothopic action and antibacterial activity. Chlorophylls displayed antimicrobial action, but did not influence erythrocytes and buckwheat sprouts. Polysaccharides acted against the microorganisms Safale S-04, Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysperum and buckwheat sprouts.

[Influence of cyclopentane beta,beta'-triketones on the ultrastructure of root cap meristematic cells of Cucumis sativus L. seedlings].

The influence of cyclopentane beta,beta'-triketones on the ultrastructure of root cap meristematic cells of Cucumis sativus L. under inhibition of root growth by these compounds was studied. It was shown that treatment of the seedlings by these substances at the concentration of 100 microg/ml caused, on the one hand, stimulation of protein-synthesizing apparatus (increase in the nucleolus size and in the number of mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes) and, on the other hand, stimulation of lytic processes. The fact that the used compounds, causing inhibition of the seedling growth, do not suppress but stimulate protein-synthesizing activity of the cells, according to existing concept, testifies to the compound-mediated induction of the cell resistance to unfavourable factors. Consequently, these compounds, in contrast with growth inhibitors suppressing cell metabolism completely, possess properties peculiar to retardants, growth inhibitors valuable for crop production.

[Ultrastructure of root cup meristematic cells of Cucumis sativus L. seedlings under inhibition of root growth by synthetic cyclopentene beta,beta'-triketone]. / Ul'trastruktura meristematicheskikh kletok kornevogo chekhlika prorostkov Cucumis sativus L. pri ingibirovanii rosta kornia sinteticheskim tsiklopentenovym beta,beta'-triketonom.

A study was made of the ultrastructure of root cap meristematic cells in the seedlings of Cucumis sativus L., whose growth was inhibited by the action of 2-acetyl-4-metylcyclopent-4-en-1,3-dione (AMCD). It is shown that the treatment of seeds by this substance at a concentration of 100 microg/ml leads to the main root inhibition by 73% and, as compared to the control, causes the highest changes in mitochondria that do not reach normal dimensions and undergo degeneration. AMCD caused significant changes in the cell walls that in test samples unusually became electron-dense. Deposits of osmiophylic substance, presumably consisting of terpenoid-like compounds, were often found in the cytoplasm of treated cells as well as in the extracellular space. In many cells, plasmalemma and amiloplast membranes underwent destructive changes. We discuss a possible relation between inhibitory effect of AMCD on the root growth, and its influence on the ultrastructure in investigated cells.

The hemolytic activity of epoxydammarane triterpenoids.

The hemolytic activity of the epoxydammarane triterpenoids isolated from the Far-East species of the genus Betula and their semi-synthetic derivatives was investigated. Comparative studies of epoxydammarane triterpenoid activities at pH 5.5 and 5.0 and at 37 and 42 degrees C showed that 3-oxo, 3,11-dioxo, 3- and 11-acetoxy, as well as 3,11-diacetoxy derivatives had hemolytic potencies lower than the corresponding polyols; triterpenoids with a 3alpha-OH group were stronger than their analogues with a 3beta-OH group; epoxydammaranetriols were somewhat more potent than epoxydammaranediols. Triterpenoids esterified with malonic acid at C-3 possessed the strongest hemolytic activity among the tested compounds.

[Effect of extractive substances and total glycoside fraction from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer on root growth of Cucumis sativus L. seedlings]. / Vliianie ékstraktivnykh veshchestv i summarnoi glikozidnoi fraktsii Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer na rost kornia prorostkov Cucumis sativus L.

We studied the effect of extractive substances (ES) and total glycoside fraction (TGF) from Panax ginseng on plant cell growth. The seeds of cucumber Cucumis sativus L., KIT variety, were used for the biological assay. The tested substances inhibited the primary root growth in Cucumis sativus seedlings. Actively growing seedlings were most sensitive to this effect.

[Cytotoxic activity of dammarane triterpenoids from birch leaves]. / Tsitotoksicheskoe deistvie dammaranovykh triterpenoidov, vydelennykh iz list'ev berez.

Cytotoxic activity of dammarane triterpenoids isolated from beach leaves was studied. These substances differ from the native ginseng genin (20(S)-protopanaxadiol) by the number, location, or configuration of OH-groups. Using fertilized egg cells of sea urchin Stronglyocentrotus intermedius we demonstrate that the orientation of C-3 OH-group has no effect on cytotoxic activity of triterpenoids as well as a higher activity of a triterpenoid with 3 alpha,12 beta-OH as compared to a C-3 ketone but lower activity as compared to a triterpenoid with 3 alpha,17 alpha-OH. Depending on the number of OH-groups the cytotoxic activity of triterpenoids decreases in the row: tetraol > pentaol > triol. Dammar-24-ene-3 alpha 2 beta,17 alpha,20(S)-tetraol (compound IV) is cytotoxic for the Ehrlich ascite carcinoma cells and this effect is additive to cytotoxic activity of anthracycline antibiotic carminomycin in vitro. Compound IV changes the permeability and microviscosity of the tumor cell membranes.

[A comparative study of the hemolytic activity of triterpene polyols of the dammarane series]. / Sravnitel'noe izuchenie gemoliticheskoi aktivnosti triterpenovykh poliolov dammaranovogo riada.

We studied membranotropic effect of dammarane-type triterpenes (isolated from birch leaves) with a variable side chain structure, as well as the number and configuration of OH groups as a function of temperature and pH. Polyols with an acyclic side chain and four OH groups proved to have a higher hemolytic activity as compared to polyols with three or five hydroxyl groups. The triterpenes, with tetrahydrofurane cycle as the side chain, exert a hemolytic effect at a more acidic pH (5.0) and higher temperature (45 degrees C), as compared to the polyols with acyclic side chain. Irrespective of the side chain structure, the compounds with a 24(S) configuration lysed the erythrocytes at lower rate, as compared to the compounds with a 24(R) configuration.

The effect of pH on biological activity of plant cytotoxin cauloside C.

The effect of plant carboxyl-containing glycoside cauloside C upon eucaryotic cells has been studied. The glycoside interacts with cells as a pH-dependent cytotoxin and increases K+ leakage and Ca2+ uptake with strong action in acidic media Cell viability after glycoside action at acidic pH may be recovered by the shift of medium pH from 5.6 to 7.4. Directed transport of low molecular weight effectors such as cAMP and Ca2+ to human embryo fibroblasts under the action of cauloside C has been demonstrated. Calcium uptake is accompanied by about a twofold stimulation of fibroblast proliferation in serum-free medium. The manifestation of the effect depends on the strictly determined time of the 'open' state of the membrane permeability (2 min) and upon concentration of glycoside in the medium (1 ng/ml) Cauloside C-stimulated Ca-transport is not blocked by Ca-channel blockers such as verapamil, diltiasem, and nitrendipine (all at a concentration of 1 x 10(-6) M) but these blockers inhibit cauloside C-stimulated proliferation of fibroblasts. We conclude that stimulation of fibroblast proliferation is caused by activation of membrane associated Ca-channels at the expense of calcium, incorporated into cells with cauloside C. The use of cauloside C as a new biochemical tool for cell permeabilisation is suggested.

[The mechanism of the interaction of the pH-dependent cytostatic cauloside C with the membranes of tumor cells and liposomes]. / Mekhanizm vzaimodeistviia pH-zavisimogo tsitostatika kaulozida C s memranami opukholevykh kletok i liposom.

The effect of the medium pH on accumulation of [3H]-cauloside C by tumor cells, its intracellular localization, and interaction of the glicoside with membranes of tumor cells and liposomes has been studied. The shift towards weakly acids pH leads to the increase in the amount of cauloside C accumulated by tumor cells and changes the pattern of interaction of cauloside C with the membranes.

[The contraceptive activity of triterpene glycosides--the total sum of holotoxins A1 and B1 and holothurin A in an experiment]. / Kontratseptivnaia aktivnost' triterpenovykh glikozidov--summy golotoksina A1 i B1 i goloturina A v éksperimente.

The sum of triterpene glycosides of the Far Eastern holothurian Stichopus japonicus Selenka (holotoxins A1 and B1) possesses the contraceptive activity. Glycoside holoturin A of the tropical holothurian Holoturia atra lacks these properties. The action of the sum of holotoxins is based on the estrogenic activity which was demonstrated both in the uterotropic and vaginotropic tests. The drug under study suppresses ovulation and stimulates the contractile activity of the uterus.

[Effect of glycosides of betulafolientriol and its 3-epimer on the growth of tumor cells in vitro]. / Vliianie glikozidov betulafolientriolai ego 3-épimera na rost opukholevykh kletok in vitro.

The effect of triterpene glycosides synthesized on the basis of betulafolientriol, ginsenoside Rb1 from gingseng, betulafolientriol and its 3-epimer on the growth of the Ehrlich tumor cell cultures was studied. It was shown that, in relation to the quantitative composition and sites of carbohydrate residue linkage to aglycone as well as configuration of the alpha- or beta-hydroxyl group at C-3, the activity of the triterpenoids of the dammaranic series changed within wide ranges. 3- and 12-0-beta-D-glycosides of 3-epibetulafolientriol proved to be the most active.

[Effect of holotoxin A1 on microviscosity of model and biological membranes]. / Vliianie golotoksina A1 na mikroviazkost' model'nykh i biologicheskikh membran.

Behavior of hydrophobic probes of 5-doxylstearol acid and pyrene in phosphatidylcholine liposomes modified by sterols isolated from Far East holothurian tissues was studied. The introduction of delta 7-sterol xylosides and delta 5-sterol sulfates into liposomes was shown to result in an increase of the membranes microviscosity. When the liposome suspension was added with holotoxin A1 a supplementary increase of microviscosity was observed, which was obviously a consequence of glycosides +non built into the membranes.

[Holotoxin content in the tissues of the holothurian Stichopus japonicus at different seasons of the year and their effect on oocyte maturation]. / Soderzhanie golotoksinov v tkaniakh goloturii Stichopus japonicus v raznye sezony goda i ikh vliianie na sozrevanie ootsitov.

Seasonal variations and distribution of holotoxins in tissues of the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus have been studied. It was shown that holotoxin content in the ovaries is higher than that in other organs during the breeding season. In the course of a year, the amount of glycosides in other holothurian organs changed a little. It has been found out that high concentrations of glycosides inhibit oocyte maturation in the holothurian Stichopus japonicus.

[Triterpene glycosides and the structural-functional properties of membranes]. / Triterpenovye glikozidy i strukturno-funktsional'nye svoistva membran.

Triterpene glycosides have been found in many plant species and some marine animals. Many of these compounds are physiologically active and possess a broad range of medico-biological action. The physiological activity of triterpene glycosides is based on their ability to interact with the components of biological systems, primarily with sterols comprising the structure of biomembranes. The interaction of glycosides with sterols causes disturbance of selective permeability in plasmic membranes. Triterpene glycosides affect the liposome ionic permeability and flat bilayer lipid membranes. The rate of glycoside effect depends on quantitative and qualitative sterol level in the membrane. These compounds are used by organisms in the struggle for life and in maintaining the biological equilibrium in the antagonistic interactions of biological systems and ensure plant immunity against fungal diseases. Triterpene glycosides as substances of exogenous origin exhibit physiological activity towards warm-blooded animals. They affect the metabolism, the functional state of the organs and the organism as a whole.

[Role of sterols in the membranotropic activity of triterpene glycosides]. / Rol' sterinov v membranotropnoi aktivnosti triterpenovykh glikozidov.

Interaction of stichoposide A, a triterpene glycoside and trepang sterols in solution was studied. With the use of liposomes the binding of the glycoside and its effect on the ion permeability of the lipid membranes of different sterol composition were also studied. It was shown that the membrane activity of the glycoside was defined by the level of its affinity to the sterol receptor. It decreased in the following order: cholesterol, total fraction of delta 5-sterols, total fraction of delta 7-sterols, delta 7-sterol xylosides and delta 5-sterol sulfates. Possible involvement of glycosylated and sulfated forms of sterols in development of resistance in the cell membranes and tissues of trepangs to their own glycosides is discussed.

[Effect of triterpene glycosides on the stability of bilayer lipid membranes, containing different sterols]. / Vliianie triterpenovykh glikozidov na stabil'nost' bisloinykh lipidnykh membran, soderzhashchikh razlichnye steriny.

Low concentrations of triterpene glycosides: holothurin A, stichoposide A and cauloside C sharply change the stability of bilayer lipid-sterine membranes. The glycosides activity decreases in the line: holothurin A, stichoposide A, cauloside C. The effective doses of glycosides are to a great extent determined by structural peculiarities of sterines which compose the films. A correlation was observed between the effect of triterpene glycosides on the stability of model bilayer membranes and their physiological activity. The model lipid-sterine membranes can be used in the primary screening of triterpene glycosides to estimate their physiological activity.

[Characteristics of membrane activity of triterpene glycosides]. / Osobennosti membrannoi aktivnosti nekotorykh triterpenovykh glikozidov.

The membrane activity of 6 triterpenic glycosides was studied with respect to ionic permeability of the liposomes and flat bilayer lipid membranes. It was shown that the rate of the glycoside effect depended on both the sterol level in the membrane and the sterol type (cholesterol, ergosterol). The activity of cauloside C, a plant glycoside markedly depended on pH of the medium. The carbohydrate chain played an important role in the membrane activity of the glycosides. Correlation in the effect of triterpenic glycosides on the model lipid and cell membranes was noted.