Pesquisar este blog

sexta-feira, 14 de fevereiro de 2014

Planta Medica Issue 2/3 is now available

Newsletter




Dear Colleague,

This Newsletter highlights a joint Planta Medica issue combining issues 2 and 3.

I would like to focus on a review, a pharmacological study, and a natural product chemistry paper.

In their review Wölfe et al. cover the topical applications of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). This herb is one of the most prominent and best investigated medicinal plants of the last decades, mainly because of its antidepressant activity. From the beginning, however, traditional use was also characterized by external applications, mainly in the form of oils and tinctures, e.g. as a treatment for burns.



Journal Image

recommend








In Mexico, the combination of medicinal herbs and pharmaceutical drugs is a common practice; unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence for the pharmacological interactions between natural products and drugs. Déciga-Campos et al. have combined ursolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from various plant species used for their analgesic properties, with diclofenac (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and tramadol (an agonist opioid drug), in order to evaluate their antinociceptive synergistic interactions.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer associated with the lowest 5-year survival rates known for cancers. Pancreatic cancers are hypovascular in nature resulting in an inadequate supply of nutrition and oxygen to aggressively proliferating cells. However, pancreatic cancer cells show an extraordinary tolerance to starvation enabling them to survive in hypovascular (austerity) conditions. Development of drugs aimed at countering this tolerance to nutrient starvation is a novel antiausterity approach in anticancer drug discovery. Mai Thanh Thi Nguyen et al. have screened a series of medicinal plants for antiausterity activity, using the PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell line. Some geranyl dihydrochalcones from Artocarpus altilis were identified as potent antitumoural candidates.

It is my pleasure to offer you free access to these publications!

Sincerely yours,

Luc Pieters
Luc Pieters
Planta Medica, Editor-in-Chief







Topical Application of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) (FREE ACCESS)
Ute Wölfle, Günter Seelinger, Christoph M. Schempp




St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been intensively investigated for its antidepressive activity, but dermatological applications also have a long tradition. Topical St. John's wort preparations such as oils or tinctures are used for the treatment of minor wounds and burns, sunburns, abrasions, bruises, contusions, ulcers, myalgia, and many others. Pharmacological research supports the use in these fields. Of the constituents, naphthodianthrones (e.g., hypericin) and phloroglucinols (e.g., hyperforin) have interesting pharmacological profiles, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities.



In addition, hyperforin stimulates growth and differentiation of keratinocytes, and hypericin is a photosensitizer which can be used for selective treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer. However, clinical research in this field is still scarce. Recently, sporadic trials have been conducted in wound healing, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and herpes simplex infections, partly with purified single constituents and modern dermatological formulations. St. John's wort also has a potential for use in medical skin care. Composition and stability of pharmaceutical formulations vary greatly depending on origin of the plant material, production method, lipophilicity of solvents, and storage conditions, and this must be regarded with respect to practical as well as scientific purposes. Read more






Isobolographic Analysis of the Antinociceptive Interaction between Ursolic Acid and Diclofenac or Tramadol in Mice (FREE ACCESS)
Myrna Déciga-Campos, Alejandra Cortés, Francisco Pellicer, Irene Díaz-Reval, María Eva González-Trujano




It is considered that natural products used in folk medicine can potentiate the effect of drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological interaction between ursolic acid, a triterpene isolated from herbal medicines to treat pain, and the analgesics diclofenac or tramadol. Individual dose-response curves of the antinociceptive effect of these compounds were built to calculate the ED50, as well as the pharmacological interaction, by using isobolographic analysis. All treatments decreased significantly and in a dose-dependent manner the writhing behavior with ED50 values of 103.50 ± 19.66, 20.54 ± 6.05, and 9.60 ± 1.69mg/kg, for ursolic acid, diclofenac, and tramadol, respectively.






An isobolographic analysis allowed the characterization of the pharmacological interaction produced by a fixed ratio combination of 1:1 and 1:3 of equi-effective doses of these compounds. Theoretical antinociceptive ED50 values of ursolic acid–diclofenac were 62.12 ± 10.28 and 41.43 ± 6.69 mg/kg, respectively, not statistically different from those obtained experimentally (44.52 ± 5.25 and 44.89 ± 49.05 mg/kg, respectively), reporting an additive interaction. Theoretical antinociceptive ED50 values of ursolic acid-tramadol (56.56 ± 9.87 and 33.08 ± 5.07 mg/kg, respectively) were significantly lower than those observed experimentally (138.36 ± 49.05 and 67.34 ± 18.98 mg/kg, respectively) reporting antagonism in this interaction. Antinociceptive response obtained from isobolograms in the writhing test was corroborated by using formalin test in mice. Adverse effects such as gastric damage in the ursolic acid-diclofenac combination did not increase in an additive form similarly as with antinociception. Conversely, sedative response was significantly increased in the ursolic acid-tramadol combination. As observed in the formalin test, the antagonism on the antinociceptive response between ursolic acid and tramadol (1:1) was not reverted in the presence of the opioid antagonist naltrexone (1mg/kg, i. p.). These results provide evidence for a differential pharmacological interaction, in which ursolic acid does not interfere with the antinociceptive effect of diclofenac but antagonizes that obtained with tramadol in an independent opioid mechanism. Therefore, medicinal plants containing abundant presence of ursolic acid may also modify efficacy in the alternative combinations for pain therapy. Read more






Geranyl Dihydrochalcones from Artocarpus altilis and Their Antiausteric Activity (FREE ACCESS)
Mai Thanh Thi Nguyen, Nhan Trung Nguyen, Khang Duy Huu Nguyen, Hien Thu Thi Dau, Hai Xuan Nguyen, Phu Hoang Dang, Tam Minh Le, Trong Huu Nguyen Phan, Anh Hai Tran, Bac Duy Nguyen, Jun-ya Ueda, Suresh Awale




Human pancreatic cancer cell lines have remarkable tolerance to nutrition starvation, which enables them to survive under a tumor microenvironment. The search for agents that preferentially inhibit the survival of cancer cells under low nutrient conditions is a novel antiausterity strategy in anticancer drug discovery.



In this study, the methanolic extract of the leaves of Artocarpus altilis showed 100% preferential cytotoxicity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells under nutrient-deprived conditions at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. Further investigation of this extract led to the isolation of eight new geranylated dihydrochalcones named sakenins A-H together with four known compounds. Among them, sakenins F and H were identified as potent preferentially cytotoxic candidates with PC50 values of 8.0 μM and 11.1 μM, respectively. Read more







Table of Contents: Issues 2 and 3, February 2014

Reviews

Topical Application of St. John
ʼs Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Ute Wölfle, Günter Seelinger, Christoph M. Schempp
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Biological and Pharmacological Activity

Original Papers
The Ethanol Extract of Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Attenuates Diabetic Nephropathy by Inhibiting p-38 MAPK Activity in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Thing-Fong Tzeng, Shorong-Shii Liou, Chia Ju Chang, I-Min Liu
Abstract | HTML | PDF

The Effect of 2,3,4′,5-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-D-Glucoside on Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Remodeling in Rats and Its Possible Mechanism
Xiao Le Xu, Qiu Yan Zhu, Cheng Zhao, Fei Wang, Zhong Yin Zhou, Ya E Hu, Wei Zhang
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Isobolographic Analysis of the Antinociceptive Interaction between Ursolic Acid and Diclofenac or Tramadol in Mice
Myrna Déciga-Campos, Alejandra Cortés, Francisco Pellicer, Irene Díaz-Reval, María Eva González-Trujano
Abstract | HTML | PDF

The Total Phenolic Fraction of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Inhibits Inflammation and Reduces Insulin Resistance in Adipocytes via Regulation of AMP-Kinase Activity
Wenjun Zhao, Meng Wang, Lu Shao, Min Liao, Kang Liu, Fang Huang, Baolin Liu
Abstract | HTML | PDF

The Inhibitory Effect of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract and Its Active Compound, Baicalin, on the Translocation of the Androgen Receptor with Implications for Preventing Androgenetic Alopecia
Ah-Reum Kim, Su-Na Kim, In-Keun Jung, Hyun-Hee Kim, Young-Ho Park, Won-Seok Park
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Ferulic Acid Enhances the Chemical and Biological Properties of Astragali Radix: A Stimulator for Danggui Buxue Tang, An Ancient Chinese Herbal Decoction
Ken Y. Z. Zheng, Zhen X. Zhang, Crystal Y. Q. Du, Wendy L. Zhang, Cathy W. C. Bi, Roy C. Y. Choi, Tina T. X. Dong, Karl W. K. Tsim
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Acaricidal Activities against House Dust Mites of Spearmint Oil and Its Constituents
Ji-Yeon Yang, Min-Gi Kim, Sung-Eun Lee, Hoi-Seon Lee
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus Replication In Vitro by Xanthohumol, A Natural Product Present in Hops
Sai Lou, Yi-Min Zheng, Shan-Lu Liu, Jianming Qiu, Qunying Han, Na Li, Qianqian Zhu, Pingping Zhang, Cuiling Yang, Zhengwen Liu
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Kaempferol Derivatives as Antiviral Drugs against the 3a Channel Protein of Coronavirus
Silvia Schwarz, Daniel Sauter, Kai Wang, Ronghua Zhang, Bing Sun, Anastasia Karioti, Anna Rita Bilia, Thomas Efferth, Wolfgang Schwarz
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Letters
In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Trypanocidal Activity of Dietary Isothiocyanates
Dietmar Steverding, Sarah Michaels, Kevin D. Read
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Pharmacokinetic Investigations

Original Papers
Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Astragaloside IV with Atractylenolide I and Prim-O-Glucosylcimifugin in Male Sprague Dawley Rats
Jue Song, Shi-rui Zheng, Yong Jin, Jun Li
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Natural Product Chemistry

Original Papers
Geranyl Dihydrochalcones from Artocarpus altilis and Their Antiausteric Activity
Mai Thanh Thi Nguyen, Nhan Trung Nguyen, Khang Duy Huu Nguyen, Hien Thu Thi Dau, Hai Xuan Nguyen, Phu Hoang Dang, Tam Minh Le, Trong Huu Nguyen Phan, Anh Hai Tran, Bac Duy Nguyen, Jun-ya Ueda, Suresh Awale
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Xanthones from Swertia mussotii and Their α-Glycosidase Inhibitory Activities
Cui-Ting Luo, Huan-huan Zheng, Shuang-Shuang Mao, Mao-xun Yang, Cheng Luo, Heru Chen
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Sphaeralcic Acid and Tomentin, Anti-inflammatory Compounds Produced in Cell Suspension Cultures of Sphaeralcea angustifolia
Juanita Pérez-Hernández, Manasés González-Cortazar, Silvia Marquina, Maribel Herrera-Ruiz, Mariana Meckes-Fischer, Jaime Tortoriello, Francisco Cruz-Sosa, María del Pilar Nicasio-Torres
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Hepatoprotective Triterpenoids and Saponins of Schefflera kwangsiensis
Yan Wang, Chun-Lei Zhang, Yan-Fei Liu, Dong Liang, Huan Luo, Zhi-You Hao, Ruo-Yun Chen, De-Quan Yu
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Cinchona Alkaloids from Cinchona succirubra and Cinchona ledgeriana
Gui-Guang Cheng, Xiang-Hai Cai, Bao-Hong Zhang, Yan Li, Ji Gu, Mei-Fen Bao, Ya-Ping Liu, Xiao-Dong Luo
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Letters
Diterpene Alkaloids from the Roots of Aconitum moldavicum and Assessment of Nav
1.2 Sodium Channel Activity of Aconitum Alkaloids
Botond Borcsa, László Fodor, Dezsõ Csupor, Peter Forgo, Attila Molnár V., Judit Hohmann
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Analytical Studies

Original Papers
Simultaneous Determination of Five Minor Coumarins and Flavonoids in Glycyrrhiza uralensis by Solid-Phase Extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Xue Qiao, Chun-Fang Liu, Shuai Ji, Xiong-Hao Lin, De-An Guo, Min Ye
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Fast Quantification of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in Dietary Health Products Utilizing Reversed-Phase High-performance Liquid Chromatography: Teaching an Old Method New Tricks
Jing-Ru Liou, Li-Yeh Chuang, Yuan-Han Yang, Tung-Ying Wu, Mohamed El-Shazly, Shyh-Jong Wu, Tusty-Jiuan Hsieh, Yang-Chang Wu, Jiumn-Yih Wu, Fang-Rong Chang
Abstract | HTML | PDF

Click here to see the full table of contents for this issue.

About this Journal
Editor in Chief: Luc Pieters, Belgium
Planta Medica is one of the leading international journals in the field of medicinal plants and natural products with original research papers, letters, rapid communications, reviews, minireviews and perspectives from researchers worldwide.

Authors, please submit your manuscripts electronically to: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/plamed.

For further information about Planta Medica, please visit www.thieme.de/plantamedica

Thieme logo
© Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. 2008-2014, All Rights Reserved
333 7th Ave., New York, NY
Americas
customerservice@thieme.com
f:1-212-947-1112
p:1-212-760-0888
Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
customerservice@thieme.de
f: +49-711-8931-410
Impressum

This email was sent to cechinel@univali.br. If you are no longer interested you can unsubscribe instantly.