€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ARCHIVES OF MEDICAL RESEARCH***** Roman Ramos R Alarcon-Aguilar F Lara-Lemus A Flores-Saenz JL Hypoglycemic effect of plants used in Mexico as antidiabetics. In: Arch Med Res (1992 Spring) 23(1):59-64 ISSN: 0188-0128 The objective of this work is to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of 12 "antidiabetic" plants used in Mexico. The studies were performed using 27 healthy rabbits with the gastric administration of water, tolbutamide or decoction of the "antidiabetic" plant before the induction of temporary hyperglycemia by subcutaneous injection of 50% dextrose solution (4 ml/kg of weight) at the beginning of the experiment and after 60 min. Blood glucose was determined every 60 min for a period of 5 h. Tolbutamide and eight of the studied plants decreased significantly the hyperglycemia as compared with control test (water) (p < 0.05). The strongest effect was yielded by Guaiacum coulteri, followed by Marrubium vulgare, Crataegus pubescens, Cynodon dactylon, Calea zacatechichi, Buddleia americana, Bauhinia divaricata and Coix lachryma. The decrease of hyperglycemia caused by Physalis phyladelphyca, Pavonia schiedeana and Eucaliptus globulus was not significant (p > 0.05). Urtica dioica increased glycemia slightly. Registry Numbers: 64-77-7 (Tolbutamide) 7732-18-5 (Water) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ARZNEIMITTEL-FORSCHUNG***** Popping S Rose H Ionescu I Fischer Y Kammermeier H Effect of a hawthorn extract on contraction and energy turnover of isolated rat cardiomyocytes. In: Arzneimittelforschung (1995 Nov) 45(11):1157-61 ISSN: 0004-4172 The hawthorn extract LI 132 (crataegus), prepared from leaves and flowers, and standardised to 2.2% flavonoids, was investigated with respect to its effect on (1) the contraction, (2) the energy-turnover and (3) the apparent refractory period (t(ref)) of isolated cardiac myocytes from adult rats. (1) The contractile behaviour of attached myocytes was analyzed by an image processing system. (2) The energy turnover was calculated from the decrease in oxygen content in the myocyte suspension, brought about by cellular respiration. It was differentiated between energy turnover related to cell shortening and that required for ionic transport processes by application of the contraction-inhibiting agent 2,3-butanedione monoxime. (3) The apparent refractory period (t(ref)) was evaluated by pacing the myocytes with increasing stimulation rates and determining the frequency at which failure of single contractions occurred. For these purposes, the myocytes were incubated in a stimulation chamber, which is part of a computer-assisted system allowing to simultaneously evaluate the mechanics and energetics of electrically induced contraction. Within a range of 30-180 microg/ml, the hawthorn extract exhibited a positive inotropic effect on the contraction amplitude accompanied by a moderate increase of energy turnover both for mechanical and ionic processes. In comparison with other positive inotropic interventions, such as application of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline, or of the cardiac glycoside ouabain (g- strophantin), or elevation of the extracellular Ca++-concentration, the effects of the hawthorn extract were significantly more economical with respect to the energetics of the myocytes. Furthermore the extract prolonged the apparent refractory period in the presence and the absence of isoprenaline, which be indicative for an antiarrhythmic potential. Registry Numbers: 630-60-4 (Ouabain) 7440-70-2 (Calcium) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Bahorun T Gressier B Trotin F Brunet C Dine T Luyckx M Vasseur J Cazin M Cazin JC Pinkas M Oxygen species scavenging activity of phenolic extracts from hawthorn fresh plant organs and pharmaceutical preparations. In: Arzneimittelforschung (1996 Nov) 46(11):1086-9 ISSN: 0004-4172 Different extracts of fresh vegetative and reproductive organs from Crataegus monogyna harvested during a whole season and from some pharmaceutical hawthorn preparations exhibit in vitro antioxidant activities using three different models of oxygen reactive species generation (superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid). All the tested samples show low IC50 values, the most efficient being fresh young leaves, fresh floral buds and pharmaceutical dried flowers. The activities seem to be especially bound to the total phenolic proanthocyanidin and flavonoid contents. Registry Numbers: 11062-77-4 (Superoxides) 18206-61-6 (proanthocyanidin) 7722-84-1 (Hydrogen Peroxide) 7790-92-3 (Hypochlorous Acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ciplea AG Richter KD The protective effect of Allium sativum and crataegus on isoprenaline- induced tissue necroses in rats. In: Arzneimittelforschung (1988 Nov) 38(11):1583-92 ISSN: 0004-4172 Possible protective effects of Allium sativum and Crataegus--alone and in combination--on isoprenaline (isoproterenol)-induced heart, liver and pancreas damage were studied using rats as test animals. Pretreatment with Allium sativum alone, or in combination with Crataegus, resulted in protective effects on isoprenaline-induced damage of heart, liver, and pancreas. These effects proved to be dose- dependent. The following parameters were used to evaluate the protective effect: Clinical signs, qualitative histological and histoenzymatical findings, as well as quantitative microphotometric determination of enzymatic activities of succinate dehydrogenase, NADH-NBT reductase, acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in cardiac, hepatic and pancreatic tissues. The underlying mechanisms are discussed. The results suggest that Allium sativum, resp. Allium sativum plus Crataegus exert a pronounced protective effect. Registry Numbers: EC 1.1.1.49 (Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase) EC 1.3.99.1 (Succinate Dehydrogenase) EC 1.6.- (NADH Tetrazolium Reductase) EC 3.1.3.2 (Acid Phosphatase) 7683-59-2 (Isoproterenol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Joseph G Zhao Y Klaus W [Pharmacologic action profile of crataegus extract in comparison to epinephrine, amirinone, milrinone and digoxin in the isolated perfused guinea pig heart] Pharmakologisches Wirkprofil von Crataegus-Extrakt im Vergleich zu Epinephrin, Amrinon, Milrinon und Digoxin am isoliert perfundierten Meerschweinchenherzen. In: Arzneimittelforschung (1995 Dec) 45(12):1261-5 ISSN: 0004-4172 (Published in German) Using isolated perfused guinea pig hearts experiments were performed to investigate the influence of crataegus extract LI 132 (Faros 300, CRA) in comparison to other inotropic drugs--epinephrine (adrenaline, ADR), amrinone (AM), milrinone (MIL) and digoxin (DIG)--on different functional parameters, with special emphasis on the effective refractory period of the myocardium. The simultaneous registration of appropriate parameters allowed to relate the effect on the refractory period to the inotropic, chronotropic, dromotropic and coronary actions of these compounds at each concentration level. All substances--with the exception of CRA--shortened the effective refractory period concentration-dependently besides their known other functional effects (max.: 1 x 10(-5) mol/l ADR by 38%, 7 x 10(-7) mol/l DIG by 26%, 1 x 10(-4) mol/l MIL by 13% and 5 x 10(-4) mol/l AM by 1.6%). Related to the positive inotropy the shortening was most effective under MIL (1.32 ms/mN), followed by AM (0.65 ms/mN), DIG (0.40 ms/mN) and ADR (0.28 ms/mN). On the contrary, CRA produced a prolongation of the effective refractory period by maximally 10% resp. by 2.54 ms/mN. Thus, the pharmacologic profile of CRA differs from that of other inotropic compounds mainly in this parameter (with potentially reduced arrhythmogenic risk). Registry Numbers: 20830-75-5 (Digoxin) 51-43-4 (Epinephrine) 60719-84-8 (Amrinone) 78415-72-2 (milrinone) 8057-51-0 (crataegus extract) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Schussler M Holzl J Fricke U Myocardial effects of flavonoids from Crataegus species. In: Arzneimittelforschung (1995 Aug) 45(8):842-5 ISSN: 0004-4172 The influence of the main flavonoids from Crataegus species (hawthorn, Rosaceae) on coronary flow, heart rate and left ventricular pressure as well as on the velocity of contraction and relaxation was investigated in Langendorff perfused isolated guinea pig hearts at a constant pressure of 70 cmH2O. Drug action was evaluated in a concentration range of 10(-7) to 5 x 10(-4) mol/l. An increase of coronary flow caused by the O-glycosides luteolin-7- glucoside (186%), hyperoside (66%) and rutin (66%) as well as an increase of the relaxation velocity (positive lusitropism) by luteolin-7-glucoside (104%), hyperoside (62%) and rutin (73%) were the major effects observed at a maximum concentration of 0.5 mmol/l. Furthermore, slight positive inotropic effects and a rise in heart rate were seen. Similar but less intensive actions were found with the C-glycosides vitexin, vitexin-rhamnoside and monoacetyl-vitexin- rhamnoside. Possible beta-adrenergic activities of the flavonoids could be excluded by the addition of propranolol in fixed concentrations of 10(-8) to 10(-5) mol/l. Moreover, pretreatment of the animals with reserpine (7 mg/kg) did not influence myocardial activity of hyperoside (10(-4) mol/l). As previous experiments showed an inhibition of the 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase, the results suggest an inhibition of this enzyme as the possible underlying mechanism of cardiac action of flavonoids from Crataegus species. Registry Numbers: EC 3.1.4.17 (3',5'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase) 50-55-5 (Reserpine) 525-66-6 (Propranolol) 58-55-9 (Theophylline) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Al Makdessi S Sweidan H Mullner S Jacob R Myocardial protection by pretreatment with Crataegus oxyacantha: an assessment by means of the release of lactate dehydrogenase by the ischemic and reperfused Langendorff heart. In: Arzneimittelforschung (1996 Jan) 46(1):25-7 ISSN: 0004-4172 The effect of the pretreatment with the powder of crataegus oxyacantha on the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during ischemia and reperfusion was studied in an isolated rat heart model. Male Wistar rats were divided into control and crataegus group (for which the standard diet was mixed with a 2% crataegus powder standardized to 2.2% flavonoids). The investigations started 3 months after commencing the treatment. The hearts were isolated and a retrograde perfusion was performed at constant pressure according to the technique of Langendorff. The experimental protocol comprised 10 min equilibration, according to the technique of Langendorff. The experimental protocol comprised 10 min equilibration, according to the technique of Langendorff. The experimental protocol comprised 10 min equilibration, 110 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and 30 min reperfusion. The coronary effluent was sampled for the LDH determination after 5, 30, 90, 120 and 150 min. The LDH activity, which was initially very low in both groups (control, 16.5 +/- 4.3; crataegus, 26.0 +/- 8.8 mU/min) increased slightly during the ischemia, and very strongly as soon as the heart was reperfused. However, the increase in the crataegus group was significantly lower (1777.3 +/- 451.9 vs control 3795.3 +/- 511.9 mU/min, p = 0.01). At the end of the reperfusion period, LDH activity decreased markedly but did not reach the ischemic values. The attenuation of the LDH release by crataegus pretreatment suggests a preservation of the cell membrane and a protection from myocardial damage. Registry Numbers: EC 1.1.1.27 (Lactate Dehydrogenase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Nasa Y Hashizume H Hoque AN Abiko Y Protective effect of crataegus extract on the cardiac mechanical dysfunction in isolated perfused working rat heart. In: Arzneimittelforschung (1993 Sep) 43(9):945-9 ISSN: 0004-4172 The effect of the water-soluble fraction of Crataegus (Crataegus extract) on the cardiac mechanical and metabolic function was studied in the isolated, perfused working rat heart during ischemia and reperfusion. Ischemia (15 min) was produced by removing afterload pressure, and reperfusion (20 min) was produced by returning it to the original pressure. In the control (no drug) heart, ischemia decreased mechanical function to the lowest level, which did not recover even after the end of reperfusion. Crataegus extract (0.01 or 0.05%) was applied to the heart from 5 min before ischemia through the first 10 min after reperfusion. With the high concentration of Crataegus extract (0.05%) the mechanical function recovered during reperfusion incompletely without increasing coronary flow, but the low concentration of Crataegus extract (0.01%) did not. In the heart treated with the high concentration of Crataegus extract, the reperfusion-induced recovery of the energy metabolism was accelerated, and the level of lactate during ischemia was lower than that in the control heart, although the myocardial levels of free fatty acids during ischemia and reperfusion were not greatly affected. These results demonstrate that Crataegus extract (0.05%) has a cardioprotective effect on the ischemic-reperfused heart, and that the cardioprotective effect is not accompanied by an increase in coronary flow. Registry Numbers: 67-07-2 (Phosphocreatine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ATHEROSCLEROSIS***** Rajendran S Deepalakshmi PD Parasakthy K Devaraj H Devaraj SN Effect of tincture of Crataegus on the LDL-receptor activity of hepatic plasma membrane of rats fed an atherogenic diet. In: Atherosclerosis (1996 Jun) 123(1-2):235-41 ISSN: 0021-9150 Tincture of Crataegus, (TCR), is a hypocholesterolemic and antiatherosclerotic drug made from berries of hawthorn, Crataegus oxyacantha. Its main constituents are flavonoids, triterpene saponins and a few cardioactive amines. TCR, when administered simultaneously to rats fed an atherogenic diet, significantly increased the binding of 125I-LDL to the liver plasma membranes, in vitro. Scatchard analysis of the specific binding data revealed that under the influence of TCR treatment the liver membranes bound to a greater number of 125I-LDL molecules indicating an enhancement in the LDL- receptor activity. TCR was also shown to increase bile acid excretion and to depress hepatic cholesterol synthesis in atherogenic diet fed rats. With these observations in view, the hypocholesterolemic action of TCR appears to be due to an upregulation of hepatic LDL-receptors resulting in greater influx of plasma cholesterol into the liver. TCR also prevents the accumulation of cholesterol in the liver by enhancing cholesterol degradation to bile acids and by simultaneously suppressing cholesterol biosynthesis. The various constituents of TCR may act synergistically to bring about the observed effects. Registry Numbers: 57-88-5 (Cholesterol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****FARMACO***** Ficarra P Ficarra R de Pasquale A Monforte MT Calabro ML High-performance liquid chromatography of flavonoids in Crataegus oxyacantha L. IV. Reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography in flower, leaf and bud extractives of Crataegus oxyacantha L. In: Farmaco (1990 Feb) 45(2):247-55 ISSN: 0014-827X RP-HPLC has been used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of some flavonoids in flowers, leaves and bud extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha L. Peak identification was obtained by comparison with retention times of pure standard substances and by UV analysis. Luteolin, luteolin-3', 7-diglucoside, apigenin, apigenin-7-O- glucoside and rutin have been identified and determined. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ficarra P Ficarra R Villari A De Pasquale A Monforte MT Calabro ML High-performance liquid chromatography and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of flavonoids in Crataegus oxyacantha L. III--Analysis of 2-phenyl-chroman derivatives and caffeic acid. In: Farmaco (1990 Feb) 45(2):237-45 ISSN: 0014-827X High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and diffuse infrared reflectance spectroscopic techniques for qualitative and quantitative analysis of naturally occurring phenolic compounds in Crataegus oxyacantha L. have been applied. (+)-Catechin, (-)-epicatechin and a phenolic acid, the caffeic acid, were investigated in various extractives of Crataegus oxyacantha L. The reversed-phase chromatographic separation was achieved by a combination of isocratic and gradient elution. Registry Numbers: 154-23-4 (Catechin) 331-39-5 (caffeic acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****FORTSCHRITTE DER MEDIZIN***** Blesken R [Crataegus in cardiology] Crataegus in der Kardiologie. In: Fortschr Med (1992 May 30) 110(15):290-2 ISSN: 0015-8178 (Published in German) The fact that the effectiveness of numerous phyto-preparations, so- called, has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of traditional medicine has led to increasing interest in phytotherapy. This also applies to Crataegus (whitethorn), the effects of which have been demonstrated in numerous pharmacological studies. These effects, produced mainly by the flavonoids, indicate a simultaneous cardiotropic and vasodilatory action, as confirmed clinically in controlled double-blind studies. This means that Crataegus can be employed for cardiological indications for which digitalis is not (yet) indicated. Prior to use, however, a Crataegus preparation must meet certain preconditions with respect to dosage, pharmaceutical quality of the preparation, and an accurate definition of the later. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Weikl A Assmus KD Neukum-Schmidt A Schmitz J Zapfe G Noh HS Siegrist J [Crataegus Special Extract WS 1442. Assessment of objective effectiveness in patients with heart failure (NYHA II)] Crataegus-Spezialextrakt WS 1442. Objektiver Wirksamkeitsnachweis bei Patienten mit Herzinsuffizienz (NYHA II). In: Fortschr Med (1996 Aug 30) 114(24):291-6 ISSN: 0015-8178 (Published in German) METHOD: In a multicenter, placebo-controlled double-blind study, the efficacy of the Crataegus-Specialextrakt WS 1442 in patients with NYHA stage II cardiac insufficiency was investigated. A total of 136 patients with this diagnosis were admitted to the study and, following a 2-week run-in phase, treated with Crataegus- Specialextract or placebo over a period of 8 weeks. The primary target parameter was the change in the difference of the pressure, heart rate product (systolic blood pressure x heart rate/100) (PHRP 50 W load vs. rest) measured at the beginning and end of treatment. RESULTS: On the basis of this variable, a clear improvement in the performance of the heart was shown in the group receiving the test substance, while the condition of the placebo group progressively worsened. The therapeutic difference between the groups was statistically significant. The positive result for the objective efficacy parameter was confirmed by a statistically obvious superiority of Crataegus in the patient's own assessment of improvement in the main symptoms (reduced performance, shortness of breath, ankle edema etc.). In addition, active treatment led, in comparison with placebo, to a considerably better quality of life for the patient, in particular with respect to mental well-being. The tolerability of the active substance proved to be very good-as shown by comprehensive laboratory investigations and the recording of undesirable events. CONCLUSION: All in all, the results of the present clinical investigation confirm those of previous studies showing that Crataegus-Specialextrakt WS 1442 is an effective and low- risk phytotherapeutic form of treatment in patients with NYHA II cardiac insufficiency. Registry Numbers: 8057-51-0 (crataegus extract) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Weihmayr T Ernst E [Therapeutic effectiveness of Crataegus] Die therapeutische Wirksamkeit von Crataegus. In: Fortschr Med (1996 Jan 20) 114(1-2):27-9 ISSN: 0015-8178 (Published in German) Hawthorn (crataegus) has been used since antiquity for medicinal purposes. More recent research suggests it to be useful in congestive heart failure. Rigorous clinical trials show benefit concerning objective signs and subjective symptoms of congestive heart failure stage NYHA-II. No adverse drug reactions have been reported. It is therefore concluded that crataegus is an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for this indication. Registry Numbers: 62571-86-2 (Captopril) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Leuchtgens H [Crataegus Special Extract WS 1442 in NYHA II heart failure. A placebo controlled randomized double-blind study] Crataegus-Spezialextrakt WS 1442 bei Herzinsuffizienz NYHA II. Eine plazebokontrollierte randomisierte Doppelblindstudie. In: Fortschr Med (1993 Jul 20) 111(20-21):352-4 ISSN: 0015-8178 (Published in German) In 30 patients with stage NYHA II cardiac insufficiency, a placebo- controlled randomized double-blind study was carried out to determine the efficacy of the Crataegus special extract WS 1442. Treatment duration was 8 weeks, and the substance was administered at a dose of 1 capsule taken twice a day. The main target parameters were alteration in the pressure-x-rate product (PRP) under standardised loading on a bicycle ergometer, and a score of subjective improvement of complaints elicited by a questionnaire. Secondary parameters were exercise tolerance and the change in heart rate and arterial blood pressure. The active substance group showed a statistically significant advantage over placebo in terms of changes in PRP (at a load of 50 W) and the score, but also in the secondary parameter heart rate. In both groups, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was mildly reduced. No adverse reactions occurred. Registry Numbers: 8057-51-0 (crataegus extract) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY***** Schussler M Holzl J Rump AF Fricke U Functional and antiischaemic effects of Monoacetyl-vitexinrhamnoside in different in vitro models. In: Gen Pharmacol (1995 Nov) 26(7):1565-70 ISSN: 0306-3623 1. Functional and antiischaemic effects of monoacetyl- vitexinrhamnoside (AVR), a flavonoid with phosphodiesterase (PDE)- inhibitory properties contained in Crataegus species (Hawthorn, Rosaceae) were studied in several in-vitro models. 2. In rabbit isolated femoral artery rings, AVR concentration-dependently reduced developed tension. Vasodilation by AVR was reduced after inhibiting EDRF formation by L-NG-nitro arginine. 3. In spontaneously-beating Langendorff-guinea pig hearts, AVR concentration-dependently enhanced heart-rate, contractility, lusitropy and coronary flow. 4. In isolated electrically-driven Langendorff-rabbit hearts, acute regional ischemia (MI) was induced by coronary artery occlusion and quantified from epicardial NADH-fluorescence photography. AVR (5 x 10(-5) mol/l) induced a slight numerical increase of left ventricular pressure and coronary flow (p > 0.05). MI was reduced (p < 0.05). 5. Monoacetyl-vitexinrhamnoside is an inodilator whose vasodilatory action may be mediated in part by EDRF in addition to PDE-inhibition. Monoacetyl-vitexinrhamnoside does possess marked antiischemic properties even in isolated hearts, suggesting an improvement of myocardial perfusion. Registry Numbers: 32426-34-9 (vitexin rhamnoside) 33507-63-0 (Substance P) 551-11-1 (Dinoprost) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****INDIAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS***** Shanthi S Parasakthy K Deepalakshmi PD Devaraj SN Hypolipidemic activity of tincture of Crataegus in rats. In: Indian J Biochem Biophys (1994 Apr) 31(2):143-6 ISSN: 0301-1208 Tincture of Crataegus (TCR), an alcoholic extract of the berries of Crataegus oxyacantha, when administered to rats fed a hyperlipidemic diet (HLD), could prevent the elevation in plasma lipid levels. A significant decrease in lipid deposits in liver and aorta was also observed. Analysis of the plasma lipoprotein profile showed that TCR produced remarkable reduction in the increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fractions in hyperlipidemic rats. Histological examination showed severe fatty vacuolation and degeneration of liver of HLD fed rats. TCR administration had an ameliorating effect on these changes. Agarose gel electrophoretic pattern of plasma lipoproteins also indicated that the drug brought down the raised levels of the atherogenic beta-lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic rats. Registry Numbers: 57-88-5 (Cholesterol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY***** la Cour B Molgaard P Yi Z Traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of hyperlipidaemia. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1995 May) 46(2):125-9 ISSN: 0378-8741 In the search of new products for treatment of hyperlipidaemia with a low frequency of side effects a decoction of Crataegus cuneata, Nelumbo nucifera and Gynostemma pentaphylla has been tested. A reduction of triglyceride and cholesterol was seen. Registry Numbers: 57-88-5 (Cholesterol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL DE PHARMACIE DE BELGIQUE***** Fehri B Aiache JM Boukef K Memmi A Hizaoui B [Valeriana officinalis and Crataegus oxyacantha: toxicity from repeated administration and pharmacologic investigations] Valeriana officinalis et Crataegus oxyacantha: toxicite par administrations reiterees et investigations pharmacologiques. In: J Pharm Belg (1991 May-Jun) 46(3):165-76 ISSN: 0047-2166 (Published in French) The aim of this work is to study the toxicity of Valeriana officinalis and Crataegus oxyacantha after reiterated administrations. The study has been carried on the rat which received 300 and 600 mg/kg/24 h of the drugs for 30 days. During the period of the treatment, animals weight and blood pressure have been measured. On the end of the treatment the animals have been sacrificed. The principal organs have been weighed and in blood samples collected hematological and biochemical parameters have been determined. This work is concerned by pharmacological properties which are related to the two plants. The influence of the drugs on the behaviour, the pain, the intestinal peristalsis and strychnine convulsions are reported. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PHARMAZIE***** Rakotoarison DA Gressier B Trotin F Brunet C Dine T Luyckx M Vasseur J Cazin M Cazin JC Pinkas M Antioxidant activities of polyphenolic extracts from flowers, in vitro callus and cell suspension cultures of Crataegus monogyna. In: Pharmazie (1997 Jan) 52(1):60-4 ISSN: 0031-7144 Numerous plants synthesize among their secondary metabolites phenolic compounds which possess antioxidant effects. The aim of the present work was to assay the antioxidant activities of phenolics from Crataegus monogyna Jacq. flowers and in vitro tissue culture (calli and cell suspensions) extracts. In the case of tissue culture extracts, the phenolic production is studied at three different stages of one subculture period (initial growth period, increasing and maximal phenolic synthesis phases). Attention was paid to the main categories: flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, and to the principal individual components. Total phenolic amounts decrease in the order: fresh flowers > cell suspension cultures > callus cultures. The antioxidant activities of these different extracts against H2O2 and HOCl, have been determined in vitro. All the extracts are efficient and the scavenging capacity is clearly related to the total phenol content. The scavenging effects of the cell suspension extracts are similar to those of the flowers. Among individual compounds, the flavanol-type derivatives, specially the proanthocyanidin B2, are more efficient. Thus, in vitro plant tissues could be an interesting source of bioactive molecules. Registry Numbers: 18206-61-6 (proanthocyanidin) 7722-84-1 (Hydrogen Peroxide) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLANTA MEDICA***** Bahorun T Trotin F Pommery J Vasseur J Pinkas M Antioxidant activities of Crataegus monogyna extracts. In: Planta Med (1994 Aug) 60(4):323-8 ISSN: 0032-0943 Interesting antioxidant activities of extracts from different vegetative and reproductive organs of Crataegus monogyna harvested at different stages of growth have been determined by the malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid (MDA) test on hepatic microsomal preparations and compared to the contents in total phenolics, proanthocyanidins, catechins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. The best correlations were established with total phenols while activities in leaves seem to be influenced by flavonoids and in flowers and fruits by proanthocyanidins and catechins. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Shahat AA Hammouda F Ismail SI Azzam SA De Bruyne T Lasure A Van Poel B Pieters L Vlietinck AJ Anti-complementary activity of Crataegus sinaica. In: Planta Med (1996 Feb) 62(1):10-3 ISSN: 0032-0943 The 80% and 70% acetone extracts from fruits and leaves of Crataegus sinaica Boiss (Rosaceae) and the ethyl acetate-, butanol-, and water- fractions obtained from these initial extracts as well as the isolated compounds, quercetin (1) (1), hyperoside (quercetin 3-O- galactoside) (2) (2), rutin (quercetin 3-O-rutinoside) (3) (2), vitexin (4) (1), rhamnosylvitexin (5) (3), monoacetylrhamnosylvitexin (6) (3), epicatechin (7) (4), procyanidin B-5 (8) (4), proanthocyanidin A-2 (9) (5), procyanidin B-2 (10) (4), and procyanidin C-1 (11) (4), were tested for their influence on the classical (CP) and alternative (AP) pathways of complement-mediated hemolysis. All extracts and fractions showed a strong anti- complementary effect in a dose-dependent way which was more pronounced on the CP than on the AP. The results indicated that the pure proanthocyanidins were active on the CP. Procyanidin C-1 and proanthocyanidin A-2 were the most active on the CP and also showed activity on AP, whereas the flavonoids isolated were generally less active. However, rutin, showed a strong activity, quercetin and rhamnosylvitexin a moderate activity on the CP. This is the first report on the chemical constituents and complement-modulating activity of C. sinaica and on the occurrence of proanthocyanidin A-2 (9) in hawthorn. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PROSTAGLANDINS LEUKOTRIENES AND ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS***** Vibes J Lasserre B Gleye J Declume C Inhibition of thromboxane A2 biosynthesis in vitro by the main components of Crataegus oxyacantha (Hawthorn) flower heads. In: Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids (1994 Apr) 50(4):173-5 ISSN: 0952-3278 A hydro-alcoholic extract from Crataegus o. (Co) flower heads inhibited thromboxane A2 (TXA2) biosynthesis in vitro. This present study aims to find out which are the active principles. The main components, as revealed by chromatography, were tested. We also took into consideration catechin and epicatechin: although they do not appear as such with chromatography because of their polymerisation or- and condensed structure, these two proanthocyanidins seem to play a major role in the mentioned activity of the plant. Registry Numbers: 117-39-5 (Quercetin) 154-23-4 (Catechin) 482-36-0 (hyperoside) 521-33-5 (vitexin) 57576-52-0 (Thromboxane A2) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****YAO HSUEH HSUEH PAO [ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA]***** Gao GY Feng YX [Comparison of morphological and microscopical diagnostic characters of Hawthorn fruits (Crataegus species)] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1995) 30(10):781-8 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) This paper deals with studies on morphological and microscopical diagnostic characters of Chinese Hawthorn fruits. Their similarities and differences in morphological and microscopical characters among eight species of Crataegus (C. pinnatifida Bge., C. pinnatifida var. major NE Br., C. cuneata sieb. & Zuce., C. scabrifolia (Franch.) Rehd., C. hupehensis Sarg., C. kansuensis Wils, C. maximowiczii Schneid. and C. sanguinea Pall.) fruits are compared and illustrated with diagrams. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ZEITSCHRIFT FUR NATURFORSCHUNG. SECTION C. JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCES***** Saenz MT Ahumada MC Garcia MD Extracts from Viscum and Crataegus are cytotoxic against larynx cancer cells. In: Z Naturforsch [C] (1997 Jan-Feb) 52(1-2):42-4 ISSN: 0341-0382 The effects of hexanoic extracts of Viscum cruciatum Sieber parasitic on Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (I), Crataegus monogyna Jacq. parasitized with Viscum cruciatum Sieber (II), and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. non- parasitized (III), and of a triterpenes enriched fractions isolated from I, II and III (CFI, CFII, CFIII respectively), on the growth of HEp-2 cells have been evaluated. All the samples demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against cultured HEp-2 cells, and all of them showed a stronger in vitro activity than 6-mercaptopurine solution used as a positive control. With the hexanoic extracts I, II and III almost similar activity was obtained, but the hexanoic extract I showed comparably better results. Almost complete inhibition was observed with triterpenes-enriched fractions CFI, CFII and CFIII, at the dose 6 micrograms/ml, after 72 h of treatment. The most intense response was obtained with the triterpenes-enriched fraction CFIII (from Crataegus monogyna non-parasitized), where the inhibition was 93%, but the fraction CFI and CFII showed similar inhibition (92% and 83%). €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€