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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Dietary juniper berry oil minimizes hepatic reperfusion injury in the rat.

Juniper berry oil is rich in 5,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid similar to one found in fish oil, yet less prone to peroxidation. Dietary fish oil treatment has been shown to effectively reduce reperfusion injury; therefore, the effects of a diet containing juniper berry oil on hepatic reperfusion injury in a low-flow, reflow reperfusion model were investigated in the rat. Rats were fed semisynthetic diets containing either juniper berry oil, fish oil, or corn oil for 14 to 16 days. Daily food consumption averaged around 20 g/d in both the control and treatment groups; average daily weight gain was around 4 g per 100 g rat weight in all three groups studied, and there were no significant differences in these parameters. Livers were initially perfused at low-flow rates to induce pericentral hypoxia followed by a 40-minute reperfusion period. Peak lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release during reflow averaged 44 U/g/h in the corn oil group and 32 U/g/h in the fish oil group, but was only 21 U/g/h as a result of juniper berry oil treatment. Malondialdehyde (MDA), an end-product of lipid peroxidation, reached a maximum value of 62 nmol/g/h in the corn oil group, but only reached 43 nmol/g/h and 34 nmol/g/h in the fish oil and juniper berry oil groups, respectively. Both juniper berry oil and fish oil treatment improved rates of bile flow from 25 microL/g/h (corn oil) to 36 and 38 microL/g/h, respectively. Importantly, juniper berry oil reduced cell death in pericentral regions of the liver lobule by 75%. Trypan blue distribution time, an indicator of the hepatic microcirculation, was reduced by approximately 25% with fish oil and over 50% by juniper berry oil diets compared with corn oil controls. The rates of entry of fluorescein-dextran, a dye confined to the vascular space, were increased 1.8- and 2.6-fold, and rates of outflow were increased 4.4- and 4.3-fold by fish oil and juniper berry oil, respectively, also reflecting improved microcirculation. Juniper berry oil also blunted increases in intracellular calcium and release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by cultured Kupffer cells stimulated by endotoxin. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that feeding a diet containing juniper berry oil reduces reperfusion injury by inhibiting activation of Kupffer cells, thus reducing vasoactive eicosanoid release and improving the hepatic microcirculation in livers undergoing oxidant stress.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2003

Ingestion of juniper foliage reduces metabolic rates in woodrat (Neotoma) herbivores.

Ingestion of plant secondary compounds by herbivores is predicted to increase resting or basal metabolic rates. We tested this hypothesis with two species of woodrat herbivores, Neotoma stephensi and Neotoma albigula, consuming diets of juniper (Juniperus monosperma), which is rich in plant secondary compounds. In nature, N. stephensi specializes on juniper, whereas N. albigula consumes a variety of plant species including juniper. We measured resting metabolic rates (RMR) of woodrats on control, 25% juniper and a treatment containing the maximum tolerable dose of juniper (50% juniper for N. albigula and 70% juniper for N. stephensi). Ingestion of a juniper diet resulted in decreased RMR in both species of woodrats. We propose several potential mechanisms for metabolic depression of Neotoma on juniper diets. Our novel results underscore the need for more studies utilizing plant-based diets to determine the general effect of plant secondary compounds on metabolic rates of herbivores.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Canopy spectra and remote sensing of Ashe juniper and associated vegetation.

A study was conducted in central Texas to determine the potential of using remote sensing technology to distinguish Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei Buchholz) infestations on rangelands. Plant canopy reflectance measurements showed that Ashe juniper had lower near-infrared reflectance than other associated woody plant species and lower visible reflectance than mixed herbaceous species in spring and summer. Ashe juniper could be distinguished on color-infrared aerial photographs acquired in March, April, June, and August and on QuickBird false color satellite imagery obtained in June, where it had a distinct dark reddish-brown tonal response. Unsupervised classification techniques were used to classify aerial photographic and satellite imagery of study sites. An accuracy assessment performed on a computer classified map of a photographic image showed that Ashe juniper had producer's and user's accuracies of 100% and 92.9%, respectively, whereas an accuracy assessment performed on a classified map of a satellite image of the same site showed that Ashe juniper had producer's and user's accuracies of 94.1% and 88.1%, respectively. Accuracy assessments performed on classified maps of satellite images of two additional study sites showed that Ashe juniper had producer's and user's accuracies that ranged from 87.1% to 96.4%. These results indicate that both color-infrared photography and false color satellite imagery can be used successfully for distinguishing Ashe juniper infestations.

Environmental Monitoring↗

PubMed2001

Juniper oil inhibits the heat shock-induced apoptosis via preventing the caspase-3 activation in human astrocytes CCF-STTG1 cells.

BACKGROUND: Brain astrocytes play a pivotal role in neuronal activities. METHODS: An investigation was undertaken to determine whether juniper oil inhibits heat shock-induced apoptosis of astrocytes. RESULTS: Juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced apoptosis in human astrocyte CCF-STTG1 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced DNA fragmentation and condensation of nuclear chromatin. Juniper oil alone did not affect the apoptosis. Juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced caspase-3 activation and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) fragmentation in the human astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Juniper oil may inhibit the apoptosis of astrocytes by preventing the caspase-3 activation.

Apoptosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Carbon gain and water use in pinyon pine-juniper woodlands of northern New Mexico: field versus phytotron chamber measurements.

We compared phytotron chamber- and field-obtained gas exchange parameters from a semiarid pinyon pine-juniper (Pinus edulis Engelm.-Juniperus monosperma (Engelm.) Sarg.) community in northern New Mexico, an ecosystem where carbon gain could be limited by both water and nitrogen availability. In both species, variations in rates of photosynthesis with xylem pressure potential (Psi) and minimum Psi for positive carbon gain were similar in the field and phytotron chamber studies. Rates of maximum photosynthesis were greater in pinyon pine than in juniper in both the field and phytotron chamber studies. Pinyon pine showed a greater response to increases in Psi than juniper, although juniper was able to continue photosynthetic activity at lower values of Psi than pinyon pine. There were significant differences in instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE) measured in the field and the phytotron chamber, although relative rankings of the species and their responses to Psi were similar. In the field experiments, WUE of N-fertilized plants was marginally greater in pinyon pine than juniper during the wet season, and in both the field and phytotron chamber experiments instantaneous values of WUE were greater in juniper during dry seasons or during drying cycles. However, delta(13)C values suggested that pinyon pine had greater seasonally integrated values of WUE, perhaps because this species ceases stomatal activity during dry seasons. Field data showed significant interactions between N and WUE, as well as between Psi and the degree of response to N, however, there were insufficient data to derive predictive equations because of the limited range of environmental conditions encountered in the field.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Intestinal capacity of P-glycoprotein is higher in the juniper specialist, Neotoma stephensi, than the sympatric generalist, Neotoma albigula.

Permeability-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a membrane-bound, ATP-dependent, transport protein that excludes many cytotoxic compounds including plant metabolites and pollutants from the barrier epithelia of many tissues including the small intestine. We hypothesized that intestinal Pgp capacity would be higher in Neotoma stephensi, a specialist on Juniperus monosperma known to be high in plant toxins, than the sympatric generalist, Neotoma albigula, which consumes juniper in the field, but is unable to tolerate a high juniper diet. We measured Pgp activity as the difference in accumulation of a known Pgp substrate, digoxin, between everted sections of small intestine exposed to ethanol vehicle control and a maximal level of a known competitive inhibitor of Pgp, cyclosporin A. We estimated intestinal capacity by averaging Pgp activity along the intestine and multiplying by total small intestine mass. These first measures of Pgp in wild mammals show a significant difference among species with the juniper specialist, N. stephensi, exhibiting a 2.4 fold higher capacity than the generalist, N. albigula. This result suggests that Pgp may play a role in the ability of N. stephensi to tolerate juniper.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2004

Toxicity studies on western juniper oil (Juniperus occidentalis) and Port-Orford-cedar oil (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) extracts utilizing local lymph node and acute dermal irritation assays.

The essential oil extracts of western juniper oil (Juniperus occidentalis) and Port-Orford-cedar oil (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) were evaluated for possible dermal toxic effects on mice and rabbits. Mice were tested for their response to both extracts utilizing a local lymph node assay. Western juniper oil extract at 0.5% and 5% concentrations did not show a stimulation index (SI) greater than normal (3.0); however, a 50% concentration did show a positive response at 3.3. Port-Orford-cedar oil extract did not show a positive response at concentrations of 0.5%, 5% or 50%. An acute dermal irritation study using rabbits had a primary irritation index (PII) of 3.3 with 100% Port-Orford-cedar oil extract. This was reduced to a PII of 0.625 when diluted 1:1 with olive oil. Undiluted western juniper oil extract had a PII score of 2.7. While a 5.0% solution had a PII score of 0.3, a 0.5% solution of western juniper oil was a non-irritant. It would appear that animals bedded on wood shavings have contact with essential oils at concentrations far less than the 2% maximum by weight obtained by steam distillation extraction. These concentrations did not elicit a hypersensitivity response.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Solid lipid microparticles (SLM) containing juniper oil as anti-acne topical carriers: preliminary studies.

Solid lipid microparticles (SLM) were used as carriers of juniper oil and proposed for the topical treatment of acne vulgare. The formulations were obtained by the o/w emulsification method. Compritol and Precirol were employed as lipidic materials. Emulsions containing 1.5% (w/w) of lipophilic phase (lipid and oil) and two different lipid to oil ratios (1:1 and 2:1) were prepared. Blank particles were also prepared, as a comparison. The SLM were characterized in terms of encapsulation efficiency, size, and morphology. The particle size stability in aqueous dispersions was monitored over one month. Evaporation of volatile compounds of oil from microparticles by weight loss was investigated. The qualitative composition of Juniper oil before and after the encapsulation process was determined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrum (GC/MS) analyses. The antimicrobial activity of the oil encapsulated into the lipid microparticles against P. acnes was studied as contact time assay and compared to the activity of the oil not encapsulated. The emulsification method here described was a good technique for the encapsulation of essential oils. Percentage yields of production and encapsulation efficiencies were higher for Compritol preparations than for these prepared using Precirol. All preparations were characterized by similar particle size distributions (dvs about 3-4 microm) regardless of lipid type and lipid to oil ratios. Microscopy observations showed that the microparticles in aqueous dispersions had almost spherical shape, independently from their composition. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed that when the particles were dried, they had an irregular shape and a rough surface. The SLM dispersions based on Compritol revealed particle size stability over the investigated period of 30 days. In contrast, an increase of the mean dimensions in the preparations containing Precirol was observed. A low loss of volatile oil compounds owing to evaporation from dry particles was found in all preparations. This indicated that the microparticles were able to substantially maintain the oil loaded inside their lipidic structure, reducing its volatility. Some modifications of composition were found in the oil encapsulated in SLM with respect to the juniper oil raw material, but these modifications did not decrease the antibacterial activity of the oil. The SLM here described are promising carriers for the development of anti-acne topical formulations containing Juniper oil.

Dermatologic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of consumption of juniper (Juniperus monosperma) on cost of thermoregulation in the woodrats Neotoma albigula and Neotoma stephensi at different acclimation temperatures.

A study was done to test whether toxic plants that occur naturally in the diet affect thermoregulation in mammalian herbivores. The woodrats Neotoma albigula and Neotoma stephensi both consume juniper (Juniperus monosperma), a plant with high levels of toxic compounds. Body temperature (Tb), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and the minimum cost of thermogenesis (Cmin) were measured for both species on control and juniper diets following warm (25 degrees C) and cold (18 degrees C) acclimation. In N. albigula, diet had no uniform effect on Tb, BMR, or Cmin, but dietxacclimation-temperature interaction effects on Tb and Cmin were highly significant (P<0.005). For thermoregulation at 15 degrees C, juniper consumption increased the metabolic cost for warm-acclimated N. albigula by 50% but decreased the metabolic cost in cold-acclimated N. albigula by 24%. In N. stephensi, diet significantly affected Tb and Cmin (P<0.05), but there were no significant dietxacclimation-temperature interaction effects. For thermoregulation at 15 degrees C, juniper consumption increased the metabolic cost for warm-acclimated N. stephensi by 33% but had no significant effect on metabolic cost in cold-acclimated N. stephensi.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2006

Root turnover and relocation in the soil profile in response to seasonal soil water variation in a natural stand of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma).

Juniper species are noted for long-lived foliage, low and persistent gas exchange activity and drought tolerance. Because leaves and roots of the same species are thought to be similar in structure and life history, we hypothesized that Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little (Utah juniper) fine roots would reflect the persistent aboveground foliage characteristic of this species. We monitored fine roots, less than 1 mm in diameter, by minirhizotron imaging to a depth of 150 cm over two growing seasons from April 2002 to December 2003. We measured fine root numbers, lengths and diameters, and noted the time of birth and death of root segments. We correlated our root data with soil water potential measured by thermocouple psychrometry and ecosystem evapotranspiration measured by ecosystem eddy flux. Median fine root lifespan, determined by the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method, was about one year, much less than foliage lifespan estimates of more than five years. Yet, roots of juniper live much longer than those of other Great Basin species. The median survivorship of shallow and deep roots was 144 and 448 days, respectively. Production of new roots was observed during periods of favorable soil water potential and there was a seasonal progression of increased new roots and root length during the warm season toward lower soil depths with root loss in the upper soil layers. This was also reflected in water extraction which progressed to greater soil depths later in the warm season. Aboveground, rates of ecosystem evapotranspiration decreased with decreasing soil water potentials in a similar manner in both 2002 and 2003, reflecting the relocation of roots to available water at depth. Juniper exhibited a flexible root depth distribution throughout the 20 months of this study, indicating the potential to respond to shifting soil water resources despite long fine root lifespans.

Climate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rapidly eroding piñon-juniper woodlands in New Mexico: response to slash treatment.

The piñon (Pinus edulis Engelm.)-juniper [Juniperus monosperma (Engelm.) Sarg.] woodlands of Bandelier National Monument are experiencing accelerated erosion. Earlier studies suggest that causes of these rapidly eroding woodlands are related to an unprecedented rapid transition of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson) savanna to piñon-juniper woodlands as a result of cumulative historical effects of overgrazing, fire suppression, and severe drought. To study the effectiveness of slash treatment in reducing accelerated erosion, we used sediment check dams to quantify sediment yield from twelve paired microwatersheds (300-1100 m2) within an existing paired water-shed study. Six of the twelve microwatersheds were located in a 41-ha (treatment) watershed with scattered slash treatment, whereas six microwatersheds were located in an adjacent 35-ha untreated (control) watershed. The primary purpose of our research was to quantify the rates of sediment yield between the treated and control microwatersheds. Sediment yield was measured from 15 individual storms during the months of June-September (2000 and 2001). In response to slash treatment, mean seasonal sediment yield for 2000 equaled 2.99 Mg/ha in the control vs. 0.03 Mg/ha in the treatment and 2.07 Mg/ha in the control vs. 0.07 Mg/ha in the treatment in 2001. The practice of slash treatment demonstrates efficacy in reducing erosion in degraded piñon-juniper woodlands by encouraging herbaceous recovery. Our data show that slash treatment increases total ground cover (slash and herbaceous growth) beyond a potential erosion threshold. Restored piñon-juniper woodlands, as the result of slash treatment, provide a forest structure similar to pre-grazing and pre-fire suppression conditions and decrease catastrophic fire hazard.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of growth potential of Crimean juniper (Juniperus excelsa Bieb.) seedlings for the first growing season under Tekir forest nursery conditions in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.

In this study, growth potential of Crimean juniper (Juniperus excelsa Bieb.) seedlings for the first growing season under Tekir Forest Nursery conditions in Kahramanmaras was evaluated. The height growth of Crimean juniper seedlings was relatively close to that of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) seedlings produced in the same nursery, but their root collar diameters were fairly lower than that of Lebanon cedar seedlings. According to coniferous seedling standards of Turkish Standards Institute, the height growth of Crimean juniper seedlings was fairly good, but their root collar diameters were slightly small. In this respect, that 2+0 or 1+1 Crimean juniper seedlings are used in reforestation activities in the region would be more useful than 1+0 seedlings.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

PubMed1992

[Evaluation of allergenicity of the extract of Japanese juniper pollen reacting to sera from asthmatic children--by the methods of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting].

We investigated the allergenicity of pollen extract of Japanese juniper (Juniperus rigida, Cupressaceae family) to sera of 49 asthmatic children by the methods of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting. Three bands stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R were detected on SDS-PAGE. Sera from 27 (55.1%) out of the 49 children showed positive reaction to the pollen extract in ELISA. The same sera from the 27 children were used as the first antibody in immunoblotting, which confirmed the presence of a band of protein with 70 K dalton molecular weight (M.W) common to the all sera. This band was bound with concanavalin A in lectins. We successfully purified the antigenic substance of Japanese juniper pollen from this band by the electroelution method. The major allergen of Japanese juniper pollen is glycoprotein with 70 KM.W. On sandwich-ELISA, there was no reaction of Sugi Basic Protein (SBP) and anti-SBP to Japanese juniper is an allergen that has no cross-reactivity with SBP.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Antimicrobial activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae).

Juniper essential oil (Juniperi aetheroleum) was obtained from the juniper berry, and the GC/MS analysis showed that the main compounds in the oil were alpha-pinene (29.17%) and beta-pinene (17.84%), sabinene (13.55%), limonene (5.52%), and mircene (0.33%). Juniper essential oil was evaluated for the antimicrobial activity against sixteen bacterial species, seven yeast-like fungi, three yeast and four dermatophyte strains. Juniper essential oil showed similar bactericidal activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species, with MIC values between 8 and 70% (V/V), as well as a strong fungicidal activity against yeasts, yeast-like fungi and dermatophytes, with MIC values below 10% (V/V). The strongest fungicidal activity was recorded against Candida spp. (MIC from 0.78 to 2%, V/V) and dermatophytes (from 0.39 to 2%, V/V).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2003

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of juniper berry oil and its selected components.

Juniper berry oil is stated to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities and its monographs are included in some National Pharmacopoeias. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the oil was reported by some authors. In our study we estimated the antibacterial and antifungal activity of three different juniper berry oils and their main components. All the micro-organisms used in this experiment were isolated from patients of Regional Hospital of Gdańsk and some of them showed resistance against commonly used antibiotics. Only one of the oils (labelled A) revealed good antimicrobial properties. None of the single oil components was a stronger antibacterial and antifungal inhibitor than the oil A itself. Our data suggest that the antimicrobial activity of juniper oil A is the result of either the specific composition of the oil A (highest concentration of (-)-alpha-pinene, p-cymene and beta-pinene) or activity of a single non-identified compound. The presence of an adulterant in the oil was excluded.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2004

Improvement of cadmium ion removal by base treatment of juniper fiber.

Juniper is a small-diameter underutilized lignocellulosic material. We evaluated the efficacy of base-treated juniper fiber (BTJF) for cadmium (Cd2+) sorption and the viability of juniper fiber as a sorbent for removing Cd2+ from water. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that carboxylate ion is a major functional group responsible for Cd2+ sorption. The apparent ideal sodium hydroxide concentration for base treatment is approximately 0.5M. A batch sorption isotherm test showed that equilibrium sorption data were better represented by the Langmuir model than the Freundlich model. After base treatment, the maximum Cd2+ sorption loading, Qmax, was greatly improved (9.18-29.54 mg/g), despite a decrease in specific surface area. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted well for the sorption of Cd2+ onto BTJF. Initial metal ion concentration and treatment alkalinity were found to be major parameters influencing the kinetics of the sorption reaction. As a result of its strong ability to bind cadmium and its faster kinetics in low concentration, BTJF could be an inexpensive and efficient sorbent for removing heavy metals from stormwater runoff.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1994

Hypoglycemic activity of juniper "berries".

This work studies the hypoglycemic activity of a decoction from juniper "berries" (Juniperus communis) both in normoglycemic and in streptozotocin-diabetic animals. Juniper decoction decreases glycemic levels in normoglycemic rats at a dose of 250 mg/kg. This effect can be achieved through: a) an increase of peripheral glucose consumption; b) a potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion. The administration of the decoction (125 mg total "berries"/kg) to streptozotocin-diabetic rats for 24 days results in a significant reduction both in blood glucose levels and in the mortality index, as well as the prevention of the loss of body weight. This effect seems to be mediated by the peripheral action of juniper.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Formation of DNA adducts in the skin of psoriasis patients, in human skin in organ culture, and in mouse skin and lung following topical application of coal-tar and juniper tar.

Preparations of coal-tar and juniper tar (cade oil) that are used in the treatment of psoriasis are known to contain numerous potentially carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Evidence of covalent binding to DNA by components of these mixtures was sought in a) human skin biopsy samples from 12 psoriasis patients receiving therapy with these agents, b) human skin explants maintained in organ culture and treated topically with the tars, and c) the skin and lungs of mice treated with repeated doses of the formulations following the regimen used in the clinic. DNA was isolated from the human and mouse tissues and digested enzymically to mononucleotides. 32P-Post-labeling analysis revealed the presence of aromatic DNA adducts in the biopsy samples at levels of up to 0.4 fmol total adducts/microgram DNA. Treatment of human skin in organ culture produced similar levels of adducts, while treatment with dithranol, a non-mutagenic therapeutic agent, resulted in chromatograms indistinguishable from those from untreated controls. In mouse skin, coal-tar ointment and juniper tar gave similar DNA adduct levels, with a similar time-course of removal: maximum levels (0.5 fmol/microgram DNA) at 24 h after the final treatment declined rapidly to 0.05 fmol/microgram at 7 d, thereafter declining slowly over the succeeding 25 d. However, while coal-tar ointment produced only very low levels of adducts in mouse lung (less than 0.03 fmol/microgram DNA), juniper tar produced adducts at a high level (0.7 fmol/microgram DNA) that were persistent in this tissue. These results provide direct evidence for the formation of potentially carcinogenic DNA damage in human and mouse tissue by components of these therapeutic tar preparations.

Administration, Topical↗