Fibroblast growth stimulation by extracts and compounds of Onosma argentatum roots.

The roots of Onosma argentatum are used traditionally in Turkey for wound healing and burns. The n-hexane-dichloromethane extract of the roots, and four shikonin derivatives (deoxyshikonin, acetyl shikonin, 3-hydroxy-isovaleryl shikonin and 5,8-O-dimethyl acetyl shikonin) isolated from the n-hexane-dichloromethane extract were investigated for their ability to stimulate the growth of human amnion fibroblasts. A range of concentrations was studied and the extract found to stimulate the growth of human amnion fibroblasts in vitro at 0.1 microg/mL whilst 5,8-O-dimethyl acetyl shikonin had the same effect at 0.05-5 microg/mL, although cytotoxicity was observed at 50 microg/mL for all samples. The extract and all the other isolated compounds showed cytotoxicity at 10 microg/mL with the extract and 3-hydroxy-isovaleryl shikonin showing cytotoxicity at 5 microg/mL. It is suggested that any wound healing effect of the roots of Onosma argentatum might be partly due to an additive effect of the shikonin derivatives present.

Anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic effects of the aqueous extract of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.

An aqeuous extract of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm., from which a tea is prepared and consumed as treatment for various diseases in northeastern Turkey, was tested for its anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic effects in rats. The carrageenan-induced paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma and indomethacin-induced gastric damage models were used to determine these effects. The extract exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory and strong antiulcerogenic activities.

Antiulcerogenic effect of Hippophae rhamnoides L.

The antiulcerogenic effect of a hexane extract (HRe-1) from Hippophae rhamnoides (Eleagnaceae) was tested on indomethacin- and stress-induced ulcer models. As a result HRe-1 was found to be active in preventing gastric injury.

Effect of the aqueous extract of Rumex patientia on xylol and hyaluronidase induced capillary permeability compared to indomethacin.

In this study, the effect of an aqueous extract of Rumex patientia L. (Polygonaceae) (D-1) on capillary permeability which was induced by xylol and hyaluronidase was investigated. Experiments were conducted on rabbits according to Monakova and Matusis methods. The effects of D-1 were compared to those of indomethacin, which was used as a control throughout the experiment. Both D-1 (100 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) were administered orally. As a result, D-1 inhibited capillary permeability, which was induced by xylol and hyaluronidase, and it was found that it was as effective as indomethacin.

Antiinflammatory effect of the aqueous extract from Rumex patientia L. roots.

Pharmacological studies were conducted with the aqueous extract of roots of Rumex patientia L. (Polygonaceae) on experimental animals. For evaluating the antiinflammatory activity, carrageenan, histamine, dextrane, serotonine formaldehyde-induced oedema tests, cotton-pellet granuloma, and Kabak tests in rats were used. The extract was found to possess antiinflammatory activity. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the extract up to a dose of 3 mg/kg orally was nontoxic.

The effects of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha on rhythmic contractions of sphincter of Oddi.

1. Spontaneous rhythmic activity observed in some of the guinea-pig sphincter of Oddi preparations was completely abolished by PGE2 (10(-8) M) but not altered by PGF2 alpha (10(-6) M). 2. Indomethacin (10(-5) M), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, elicited long-lasting rhythmic contractions in 50% of the preparations tested, which did not show any spontaneous activity. PGE2 (10(-8) M) completely inhibited, however PGF2 alpha (10(-8)-10(-6) M) did not change the rhythmic contractions induced by indomethacin. 3. Both initial phasic contraction and the frequency and amplitude of peristaltic waves induced by ACh (10(-3) M) were increased by indomethacin (10(-5) M), decreased by PGE2 (10(-7) M) and not altered by PGF2 alpha (10(-7) M).

Effect of nitrovasodilators on the rhythmic contractions of guinea-pig isolated sphincter of Oddi.

The effects of amyl nitrite (CAS 8017-89-8) isosorbide dinitrate (CAS 87-33-2) and sodium nitroprusside (CAS 14402-89-2), on the acetylcholine-induced tachyrhythmia (greater than 9 waves/min) were investigated in the isolated guinea-pig sphincter of Oddi. Acetylcholine (10(-3) mol/l) produced an initial rapid rise in tension, the peak being followed by a gradual decrease associated with the initiation of the peristaltic waves. Nitrovasodilators significantly decreased the initial response to acetylcholine. Methylene blue (5 x 10(-5) mol/l), a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, increased the tonic response to acetylcholine and reversed the inhibition caused by nitrovasodilators. The frequency and amplitude of peristaltic waves were decreased by nitrovasodilators. Methylene blue significantly increased both the frequency and amplitude of peristaltic waves, however, it did not reverse the inhibition caused by nitrovasodilators tested. Results suggest that nitrates decrease the acetylcholine-induced contraction and peristaltism of isolated guinea-pig sphincter of Oddi and NO released by acetylcholine may partially suppress its own tonic contractile response.

The action of amyl nitrite and isosorbide dinitrate on the contractility of sphincter of Oddi of guinea-pigs.

1. This study was designed to investigate whether relaxation of isolated guinea-pig sphincter of Oddi preparation by nitrates is mediated by guanylate cyclase activation indirectly by nitric oxide (NO), as in vascular tissues. 2. Sodium nitroprusside, isosorbide dinitrate and amyl nitrite induced dose-dependent relaxations of Oddi's sphincter precontracted by potassium chloride (150 mM). Methylene blue (5 x 10(-5) M), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, did not significantly inhibit the relaxations caused by nitrovasodilators. 3. Unlike potassium chloride, acetylcholine (10(-7) - 10(-3) M) induced unsustained contractions which were significantly increased by methylene blue. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 4 x 10(-4) M), an inhibitor of NO biosynthesis, also increased the contractile response to acetylcholine. 4. These results suggest that another mechanism rather than inhibition of guanylate cyclase is involved in the nitrovasodilators-induced relaxations and that acetylcholine releases a relaxing factor, possibly NO, that may modulate its own contraction in this preparation.