• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2014

Rutaecarpine is one of the major alkaloids present in the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa. In this study, rutaecarpine was evaluated, both in vitro and in vivo, for its hepatoprotective properties against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis. The results showed that rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced cytotoxicity, reduced the expression of the fibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$), and induced the expression of bcl-2. To evaluate its in vivo effects, animal models with TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis were utilized. Levels of liver tissue injury-associated enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were monitored. $TGF-{\beta}1$ and the ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) were measured as markers of the protective effects on hepatic fibrosis. The AST and ALT levels in blood were greatly enhanced by TAA and completely blunted by rutaecarpine. Rutaecarpine led to the down-regulation of $TGF-{\beta}$ and Bax mRNA expression, as well as the up-regulation of Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ mRNA levels. In conclusion, rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis and apoptosis by inducing the expression of Bcl-2 while blocking $TGF-{\beta}1$ in our TAA-intoxicated model.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2003

Stem bark of Cinchona sp. (Rubiaceae) is one of the well known drugs for its therapeutic values in traditional as well as modern medicine. Even though a lot of work has been carried out on quinoline alkaloids of Cinchona, its phenolic constituents received very little attention. In the present study, we evaluated antioxidant properties of C. officinalis stem bark methanolic extract and water extract containing phenolic compounds (total phenolics 21.37, 5.18% w/w respectively in the two extracts) in different in vitro and ex vivo models viz., antiradical activity by DPPH reduction, superoxide radical scavenging activity in riboflavin/light/NBT system, nitric oxide radical scavenging activity in sodium nitroprusside/Greiss reagent system and inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by iron-ADP-ascorbate in liver homogenate and haemolysis of erythrocytes induced by phenylhydrazine in erythrocyte membrane stabilization study. Both the extracts exhibited very good antioxidant activity in all the models tested. The phenolic compounds including tannins present in the stem bark seem to offer protection from the oxidative damage.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.693-698
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• 2017

The quality control of natural products is principal key to guarantee the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Clinical Practices (GCP) for the functional food, pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals in the industry. In this study, we examined the quantitative analysis of berberine as marker substance of Coptidis Rhizoma by high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The HPLC method was validated and met all the requirements for the quality control analysis recommended by FDA and ICH. The berberine was separated on a Xterra $C_{18}$ column ($5{\mu}m$, $4.6{\times}250mm$) using mobile phase consisting of distilled water and acetonitrile with $KH_2PO_4$ (3.4 g) and $Na_2SO_4$ (1.7 g). Calibration curve of berberine has been estimated (y = 42293.47x-41589 with the correlation coefficient 0.9999). The amount of berberine was calculated as 4.25%. And berberastine, palmatine, columbamine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, berberine and coptisine in the Coptidis Rhizoma were identified by high performance liquid chromatography - electrospray ionization-mass spectrometer (HPLC-ESI-MS) method.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.52-54
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• 2006

Datura stramonium is a wild growing plant, consumption of which can result in severe toxicity. It contains a variety alkaloids include atropine, hyoscamine, and scopolamine that can all cause anticholonergic poisoning. It has been use of herb medicine in Korea. Side effects from ingesting Datura stramonium include dry mouth, blurred vision, photophobia, and may be followed by hyperthermia, confusion, agitation, hallucination, and aggressive behavior. In severe toxicity, it can cause seizure, coma, life-threatening arrhythmia, and death. We experienced one patient who developed stupor mentality caused by Datura stramonium. Severe presentation, especially mental change of Datura stramonium should draw attention. Poisoning associated with Datura stramonium can be prevented through educational public health program.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.344-348
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• 1995

Preliminary screening test of modulators for multidrug resistance with 400 medicinal plants was carried out by using human multidrug resistance cell line, KB-V1. Among active medicinal plants, the unripe fruits of Evodia officinalis showed a potent modulating activity of MDR. From MeOH extract of this plant, we isolated two indole alkaloids, rutaecarpine (1) and evodiamine (2), by repeated silicagel column chromatography. Rutaecarpine increased the cytotoxicities of vinblastine and taxol against multidrug resistance cells, but evodiamine showed no modulating activity in spite of its potent cytotoxic activities.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.3-13
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• 1976

The hitherto existing gap in the field of chromatographic methods has been filled by the direct coupling of a suitable oven (TAS-oven) with TLC. The sample to be examined is heated either isothermally or linearly within the temperature gradient of $50{\sim}450^{\circ}C$. The volatile and/or thermolytically evolved substances are fractionated on the TLC-layer and subsequently chromatographed under standard conditions. Transport mechanisms from the sample to the TLC-layer, applications of the TAS-procedure and further developments are discussed. Thermofractography, developed from the TAS-procedure, is demonstrated on different groups of natural substances such as alkaloids, amino acids, nucleic acids. nucleosides, nucleotides, triglycerides and other lipids, pyrone glycosides and aglycon. Experimental work and results on the thermolysis of macromolecular natural and synthetic substances, natural polyphenols, tanning agents and leather and the possibilities of differentiating various lignins, carbohydrate and synthetic polymers are reported. Further, it is shown that classical reactions in the microgram range, e.g. zinc dust distillation, sulphur-and selenium dehydrogenation and catalytic dehydrogenation, can be coupled directly with TLC. Also described is a method which allows to investigate the gaseous compounds evolved during thermofractography in the range of up to $450^{\circ}C$. Thermal procedures coupled with TLC open up the following new possibilities for chemical microanalysis: fractionated separation of distillable and sublimable components, fractionated thermolysis and carrying out of thermal reactions in the ultra micro range.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.276-280
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• 2008

Oryza sativa cv. Heugjinjubyeo, an anthocyanin-pigmented rice variety, is well known to contain high levels of bioactive phytochemicals, anthocyanin, quinolone alkaloids and phenolic acids. Here, we studied the inhibitory effect of Oryza sativa cv. Heugjinjubyeo bran on the absorption of dietary fat in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley male rats. For these experiments, experimental animals were divided into four groups: normal, diabetic-control and two experimental groups that were fed 1.0 g or 2.0 g/kg body weight/day of Oryza sativa cv. Heugjinjubyeo bran supplement for 14 days. As a result, liver glycogen levels increased significantly by 65% and 32% in groups receiving 1.0 g and 2.0 g/kg body weight/day, respectively, compared to diabetic-control. Liver cholesterol levels were significantly lower by 8.3% and 14.5% in the groups fed 1.0 g and 2.0 g of anthocyanin- pigmented rice extracts, respectively.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.6
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• 2020

Since times immemorial, people have been dependant on plants for the various nutritional and pharamacological properties. Folk and traditional medicine recognizes thousands of plant species having miraculous benefits. Fig (Ficus carica Linn.) has been part of folk-lore since centuries. Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) is a huge deciduous tree, with more than 800 species. Different parts of Ficus carica like bark, root, leaves, fruit and latex have their own valuable importance and are frequently used for the treatment of various illnesses. Fruit of Ficus carica is commonly called as fig (anjeer) has various medicinal properties used in Unani, Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional system of medicines. Fig fruit is mostly used in gastro intestinal and respiratory disorders. In Unani medicine, fig is used as a diuretic, mild laxative and expectorant. Phytochemical studies on the leaves and fruits of the plant have shown that they are rich in Phenolics, Flavonoids, Vitamin C, Alkaloids, Saponins, Coumarins, tannins, organic acids, and volatile compounds due to which it is having great antioxidant property. Most interesting therapeutic effects include hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antimicrobial and hypolipidemic activities.

• Mycobiology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.206-209
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• 2005

Narceine methyl ester and narceine are potent alkaloids which were isolated from Corydalis longipes were found effective in vitro at very low concentration, i.e., $100{\sim}500\;ppm$ against spore germination of some test plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani, A. tagetica, Cercospora abelmoschi, Curvularia maculans, Erysiphe cichoracearum, E. pisi, Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium oryzae, H. penniseti, Ustilago cynodontis). Among the test, phytopathogens the spores of F. udum, C. maculans and H. penniseti were highly sensitive at 200 ppm. However, spores of E. pisi, A. solani and A. tagetica were less sensitive at low concentration followed by other test fungi. Most of the fungi showed zero or nearly zero percent spore germination at 400 and 500 ppm.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.175-178
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• 2004

Rutaecarpine is one of quinazolinocarboline alkaloids found in Evodia rutaecarpa, a Rutaceous plant and it has shown various biological effects including antiinflammation. However, the effect of rutaecarpine on nervous system was not reported yet. In this study we investigated the general pharmacology of rutaecalpine on the central nervous system. Rutaecapine (4O and 400 mg/kg) did not change chemoshock induced by pentylenetetrazole. However, oral administration of rutaecarpine altered motor coordination examined by rotarod test, pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome in mice at the doses of 40 and 400 mg/kg. Rutaecarpine also induced hypothermia in mice at both doses. The results suggest that rutaecapine possesses neuromodulating activities on central nervous system in addition to the various biological effects on the Periphery.