NMR-based metabonomic approach on the toxicological effects of a Cimicifuga triterpenoid.

Cimicifugae Rhizoma, a well-known botanical dietary supplement, has been the subject of intense interest due to its potential application for alleviating menopausal symptom. Although there are clinic data that the Cimicifuga extract should have hepatotoxicity, no evidence on the main chemical components has been reported. Cimicidol-3-O-ß -d-xyloside (CX) is one of the main triterpenoids of the rhizome. This work studies the toxicological effects of CX after oral administration (50 mg kg(-1) per day) over a 7-day period in female SD rats using metabonomic analyses of (1) H NMR spectra of urine, serum and liver tissue extracts. Histopathological studies of liver and analyses of blood biochemical parameter, such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine revealed that CX had no negative impacts on liver and kidney. However, the metabolic signature of (1) H NMR-based urinalysis of daily samples displayed an increment in the levels of taurine, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), betaine and acetate. Elevated serum levels of creatinine, glucose, alanine, TMAO and betaine and lower levels of lactate were observed. Metabolic profiling on aqueous soluble extracts of liver showed simultaneously increases in succinate, glycogen, choline, glycerophosphorylcholine, TMAO and betaine levels and reduction in valine, glucose and lactate levels. Nevertheless, no changes in any metabonomic level were found in lipid-soluble extracts of liver. These findings indicate that CX has a slight toxicity in liver and kidney via disturbance of the metabolisms of energy and amino acids. The present study provides a reasonable explanation for the clinical hepatotoxicity of Cimicifuga extract.

[Mode of action of plantaricin L-1, an antilisteria bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus plantarum].

Plantaricin L-1, an anti-Listeria bacteriocin, was produced by Lactobacillus plantarum and successfully purified by SP-Sepharose FF cation exchange chromatography. The mechanism on energized cells of Listeria monocytogenes was studied with purified plantaricin L-1. After adding plantaricin L-1 to Listeria monocytogenes at 64 AU/mL, leakage of intercellular K+ ions, inorganic phosphate, lactic dehydrogenase, UV-absorbing materials and the intracellular ATP was observed, and the action resulted in the dissipation of the membrane potential (delta psi) and pH gradient (delta psi), two components of the proton motive force (PMF). All the data suggested that the primary site of action of plantaricin L-1 was the cytoplasmic membrane of sensitive cells. By forming the nonselective pores which leak ions and small organic compounds plantaricin L-1 induced the cells death, this action was similar to membrane corruption caused by peptide effect. Penetrability increased due to the enlarged pore and dysfuction of membrane transporters, which ensured efficient killing of target bacteria.