Biomedical subjects

D Grancai

Publications and source records attributed to D Grancai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Flavonoids--main constituents of the leaves of Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim].

The paper deals with the isolation and identification of constituents of the leaves of Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. (Rosaceae). Three flavonoid glycosides of flavonol type were isolated from the methanolic extract: kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside (isoquercitrin) and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (quercitrin). Isolates were identified by physical-chemical data, by comparison with authentic samples and literature data. The above-mentioned compounds were isolated from Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. for the first time.

Flavonoids↗

PubMed2005

[Ouabain: from an arrow poison to a new steroidal hormone].

For more than 200 years, cardiotonic glycosides have been used for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Ouabain is a well-known arrow poison obtained from different Acokanthera or Strophanthus species. Much information has now accumulated that this plant toxin and its congeners are mammalian steroid hormones involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. There is an interesting fact that 50% patients with essential hypertension have elevated levels of endogenous ouabain. A better knowledge of the interactions of these compounds with the hormones of salt and water metabolism might help to improve the diagnosis and therapy of hypertension.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

A new flavonoid: tinctosid from Anthemis tinctoria L.

Patuletin 7-O-beta-D-(6"-caffeoylglucoside) was isolated from the methanolic extract of the flowers of Anthemis tinctoria L. (Asteraceae). The isolated compound was identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with authentic samples after enzymatic hydrolysis. A new flavonoid glycoside, tinctosid, from Anthemis tinctoria L. was isolated from a plant source for the first time.

Anthemis↗

PubMed2003

[Anticomplement activity of saponins from Cynara cardunculus L].

Triterpene saponins of ursane and oleane type isolated from the involucral bracts of Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae) were investigated in in vitro assays for their activity on the complement system. The anticomplementary activity of bidesmosidic saponins on the classical pathway activation of the complement was higher than the activity of monodesmosidic saponins, but esterification of the carboxylic group of glucuronic acid in the sugar residue resulted in a significant decrease in anticomplementary activity.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Cytotoxic effects of plant extracts from the families Fabaceae, Oleaceae, Philadelphaceae, Rosaceae and Staphyleaceae.

A human transformed line of HeLa cells was treated with extracts prepared from Gymnocladus dioicus, Holodiscus discolor, Stephanandra tanakae, Ligustrum delavayanum, Ligustrum vulgare and Staphylea pinnata. The study evaluating the influence of the active extracts on HeLa cell division also reveals their acute, delayed and combined effect. A 35% degradation of HeLa cells was found after 72 h treatment with 62.5 microg/mL of the extract isolated from Stephanandra tanakae. A 100% lysis of HeLa cells was observed after 72 h treatment with a 125 microg/mL concentration of the extract prepared from Gymnocladus dioicus. The extracts from Ligustrum devayanum and Ligustrum vulgare were specifically effective only with HeLa cells. On the other hand, the extract prepared from Gymnocladus dioicus was effective on the bacteria and on the HeLa cells.

Cell Division↗

PubMed2001

[Nonpolar components of the leaves of Philadelphus coronarius L].

The paper deals with the isolation of constituents from light petrol and chloroform extracts of the leaves of Philadelphus coronarius L., Saxifragaceae. From the light petrol extract uvaol and 3 beta,28-dihydroxyoleanane-11(12),13(18)-diene were isolated, while coumarins (umbelliferone, scopolin), stigmasteryl-3 beta-D-glucoside and the alcane type carbohydrate-C29H60 were isolated from the chloroform extract. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with standards and the literature data.

Coumarins↗

PubMed2001

[Monodesmosidic saponins in Cynara cardunculus L].

From an ethanolic extract of the flower buds of Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae), two monodesmosidic saponins, cynarasaponin B and a new cynarasaponin K, were isolated. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with standards and the literature data.

Asteraceae↗

PubMed2001

[Constituents of the leaves of Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim].

The paper deals with the isolation of constituents from light petrol and methanol extracts of the leaves of Holodiscus discolor (PURSH) MAXIM., Rosaceae. beta-sitosterol and taraxasterol were isolated from the light petrol extract, luteolin-7-O-glucoside was isolated from the methanol extract. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with authentic samples.

Flavonoids↗

PubMed2001

[Constituents of the leaves of Ligustrum delavayanum Hariot].

From the chloroform part of Ligustrum delavayanum Hariot, leaves five constituents were isolated: tyrosol, esculetine, kempferol-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetine-3-O-glucoside, and quercetine. Further six constituents (probably malvidine, two secoiridoid glycosides, caffeic acid monosaccharide ester, quercetine monoglycoside (no hyperoside), and quercetine diglycoside (no rutinoside)) were isolated from the methanolic part of above mentioned drug.

Flavonoids↗

PubMed2001

[Comparison of the quality of Melissa officinalis L. cultivar Citra with Mellissas of European origin].

Within two vegetation periods, melissas from 17 European regions and the inland cultivar Citra were examined. Melissas differed in height, foliage, and essential oil content. In the cultivating conditions under study, two collections were possible in one year. In both experimental years at the stage just before blooming, or at the onset of blooming, plants 60-80 cm in height prevailed in the set. The share of leaves in the tops was 35-70%. In the second repeated harvest, plants with newly formed sprouts reached a height of 15-35 cm and had the best foliage (60-95%). The essential oil content in the leaves at the stage just prior to blooming, or at the onset of blooming, ranged from 0.06 to 0.16% (V/m), and the maximal essential oil content was in the plants from the second harvest (0.09-0.45%). The cultivar Citra was characterized by medium height (75-80 cm), stable values of foliage (1st harvest 55-60%, 2nd harvest 70-80%), and essential oil content (1st harvest 0.13%, 2nd harvest 0.23-0.27%).

Czech Republic↗

PubMed2000

Phenolic acids inhibit chloroplast mutagenesis in Euglena gracilis.

The mutagenicity (bleaching activity) of ofloxacin (43 microM) and acridine orange (AO) (13.5 microM) in Euglena gracilis is inhibited by plant phenolics. Caffeic acid (CA), p-coumaric acid (PCA), ferulic acid (FA) and gentisic acid (GA) (25, 50, 100 and 250 microM) exhibited a significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effect against ofloxacin-induced mutagenicity, which was very effectively eliminated by the highest concentration of all four of those phenolic acids. The mutagenicity of AO was also significantly reduced in the presence of CA, PCA and FA (25, 50, 100 and 250 microM). However, GA exhibited no significant activity, even at the concentration of 250 microM. Based on the UV spectrophotometric measurements, we suggest that the antimutagenic effect of CA, PCA, FA and GA resulted from the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by ofloxacin. On the other hand, the reduction of AO-induced mutagenicity correlates with the binding capabilities of CA, PCA and FA, with the exception of GA.

Acridine Orange↗

PubMed2000

Determination of apigenin in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone, AP) belongs to a less-toxic and non-mutagenic flavone subclass of flavonoids, the biotransformation and metabolism of which have been little studied until now. Therefore, this study is focussed on the determination of AP in free form. AP was administered to rats via the i.p. route (25 mg kg(-1)) and then the blood was collected at 10, 15, 30 and 45 min after injection. Methanol was used for rat plasma deproteinization. The HPLC assay (mobile phase, 2% formic acid-acetonitrile-methanol, 40:35:25, v/v; flow-rate, 1 ml min(-1); UV detection at 349 nm) for AP determination was validated and used for the quantification of AP in rat plasma. The unknown concentration was calculated from the equation obtained by the least-squares regression analysis (y = 0.521x + 1.130, r2 = 0.998). The highest concentration of AP in plasma was found to be 30 min after injection. The concentration profile of AP obtained here may contribute to until known results about AP metabolism. They could be applied to other studies of AP or related flavonoids because of favourable effects on human health.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Antibacterial activity of plant extracts from the families Fabaceae, Oleaceae, Philadelphaceae, Rosaceae and Staphyleaceae.

The selected plant extracts exhibited antibacterial activity. The strongest effect was manifested by extracts prepared from Gymnocladus dioicus, Amelanchier ovalis, Exochorda racemosa, Holodiscus discolor, Philadelphus microphyllus, Philadelphus coronarius and Pelargonium tabulare. The percentage inhibition of bacterial growth was 0-41.8%. In addition it was found that extracts isolated from Amelanchier ovalis, Exochorda racemosa and Pelargonium tabulare were specifically effective only against the bacterial strains tested.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2000

[Occurrence and use of anthracenones].

The present paper aims to inform the pharmaceutical public about anthracenons and their natural producers. The first available mention dates from 1888 and the present authors also describe their synthesis and use in clinical practice.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Apigenin-7-methylglucuronide from Cynara cardunculus L].

From an ethanolic extract of the flower buds of Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae), apigenin-7-methylglucuronide and chlorogenic acid were isolated. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means, by comparison with authentic samples and literature data.

Apigenin↗

PubMed2000

[Detection of secretion of beta-galactosidase by plant cells].

A simple, sensitive and reproducible method of detection of extracellular beta-galactosidase was worked out. beta-Galactosidase secreted by the callus culture, or the roots of sprouting plants, hydrolyzes the substrate (6-bromo-2-naphthyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside) to produce beta-D-galactose and 6-bromo-2-naphthol, which after simultaneous azocoupling with hexazotized p-rosaniline, or basic fuchsine, produce a reddish brown compound, nearly insoluble in water (a diazonium salt). The colouring under the callus culture and around it, as well as the colouring of the roots of the sprouting plants, is a manifestation of the activity of extracellular beta-galactosidase by the objects under study. The intensity of the colouring is a measure of their enzymatic activity. The share of intracellularly localized enzyme represents the majority and the share of extracellular beta-galactosidase the minority.

Plant Roots↗

PubMed2000

[Curcumin as a potential antioxidant].

Curcuma vera is one of the medicinal plants of traditional Chinese medicine. The plant is the natural source of one of natural antioxidative agents--curcumin. The present paper summarizes information about the properties of curcumin and presents the characteristics of Curcuma vera, its producer.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed1999

Changes in immunomodulatory activity of human mononuclear cells after cultivation with leaf decoctions from the genus Ligustrum L.

Leaf decoctions from Ligustrum vulgare (LV) and Ligustrum delavayanum (LD) were studied for candidacidal activity, phagocytic activity studied on human mononuclear cells (MO) and complement activated by the classical pathway. Candidacidal activity was studied on Candida albicans SC 1539 incubated with MO. The decoction of LD increased the candidacidal activity of MO, whereas LV did not show any effect. The phagocytic activity of MO was decreased by the decoction of LV, whereas LD did not change the activity. The phagocytic index of MO incubated with LD decoction was increased, but use of the LV decoction did not show significant changes. Decoctions from LD and LV significantly decreased the haemolytic activity of complement activated by the classical pathway (conc. 0.78 mg/mL).

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗