€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****DISS ABSTR INT (SCI)***** Adams SM THE ANTINEOPLASTIC EFFECTS OF PRUNUS ARMENIACA AND PEGANUM HARMALA IN MURINE P388 AND L1210 LEUKEMIA MODELS In: Diss Abstr Int (Sci) (1983) 44(4):1052-B 1983 This study was conducted to, one, establish a program to study by in vitro and/or in vivo techniques, the antineoplastic activity of natural plant products and two, to utilize these techniques to study the extracts of two plants, Prunus armeniaca (PA) and Peganum harmala (PH). Three in vitro procedures, (a) The growth inhibition of murine P388 leukemia cells in culture, (b) the assay of cytotoxicity utilizing Cr51 labeled P388 cells and (c) the assay of P388 colony forming units (CFU) in soft agar were employed and compared with in vivo studies conducted in CD2F1 mice implanted with P388 or L1210 leukemia cells. Water soluble extracts of the seeds of PA were prepared, dialyzed against distilled H2O (12,000 MW cutoff) and lyophilyzed. The seeds of PH were extracted into 70% ethanol and then either extracted into chloroform (Phase I) or ultracentrifuged and fractionated (Phase II) into three fractions: (a) crude (b) less than 300,000 MW ('300M') and (c) less than 100,000 MW ('100M'). Experiments measuring the antineoplastic effects of PA by measurement of the growth inhibition of P388 cells in culture showed a maximum of 65% inhibition with a concentration of 500 ug/ml. PA was cytotoxic to Cr51 labeled P388 cells but only slightly so (1 mg/ml giving an estimated cytotoxicity of 18%). There was no indication from these in vitro studies that followup in vivo studies would show any appreciable increases in lifespan (ILS). However, in vivo studies of PA showed markedly increased lifespans [T/C x 100(%) 100% where T = lifespan of treated mice and C = lifespan of untreated controls] of 25.7% (total dose = 300 mg/kg) in P388 inoculated mice and 15.5% in L1210 inoculated mice. When assayed for inhibition of P388 colony forming units (CFU) in soft agar, PH Phase II '300M' showed a marked decrease in CFU with a greater than 98% reduction of CFU at a concentration of 5 ug/ml. This method was more indicative of followup in vivo studies in that it measures both direct cytotoxicity and inhibition of replication. Phase I extracts of PH showed marked increases in lifespan (ILS) of CD2F1 mice bearing p388 tumors (ILS of 36% at a total dose of 300 mg/kg) and L1210 tumors (ILS of 33% at a total dose of 300 mg/kg). Testing of the fractionated Phase II extract of PH gave evidence to show that the active ingredient is less than 300,000 MW and!/reater than 100,000 MW as evidenced by the following data. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE***** Qureshi S Shah AH Tariq M Ageel AM Studies on herbal aphrodisiacs used in Arab system of medicine. In: Am J Chin Med (1989) 17(1-2):57-63 ISSN: 0192-415X Toxicity studies were conducted on Brassica rapa, Prunus amygdalus and Zingiber officinale, used as aphrodisiacs in Arab Medicine. During acute toxicity test observations were made for 24 h where all these plants showed no toxicity. The animals were treated for 3 months in chronic treatment. External morphological changes, visceral toxicity, haematological changes, effects on average body weight, vital organ weight, sperm contents, sperm motility and sperm abnormalities were recorded. The average body weight increase was significant in B. rapa and P. amygdalus treated animals. Haematological studies revealed reduction in WBC level in these groups. These changes were not significant in Z. officinale treated animals. In all three groups the visceral condition was normal and the percent lethality was insignificant as compared to the control. All these plant extracts significantly increased the sperm motility and sperm contents in the epididymides and vas deferens without producing any spermatotoxic effect. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS***** Kuroki GW Poulton JE Isolation and characterization of multiple forms of prunasin hydrolase from black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) seeds. In: Arch Biochem Biophys (1987 May 15) 255(1):19-26 ISSN: 0003-9861 Three forms of prunasin hydrolase (PH I, PH IIa, and PH IIb), which catalyze the hydrolysis of (R)-prunasin to mandelonitrile and D- glucose, have been purified from homogenates of mature black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) seeds. Hydroxyapatite chromatography completely resolved PH I from PH IIa and PH IIb. PH IIa and IIb, which coeluted on hydroxyapatite, were resolved by gel filtration. PH IIa was a dimer with a native molecular weight of 140,000. Both PH I and PH IIb were monomeric with molecular weights of 68,000. The isozymes appeared to be glycoproteins based on their binding to concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B with subsequent elution by alpha-methyl-D- glucoside. When presented several potential glycosidic substrates, these enzymes exhibited a narrow specificity towards (R)-prunasin. Km values for (R)-prunasin for PH I, PH IIa, and PH IIb were 1.73, 2.3, and 1.35 mM, respectively. PH I and PH IIb possessed fivefold greater Vmax/Km values than PH IIa. Ortho- and para-nitrophenyl-beta-D- glucosides were hydrolyzed at the same active site. All forms had a pH optimum of 5.0 in citrate-phosphate buffer. PH I and PH IIb were competitively inhibited by castanospermine with Ki values of 0.19 and 0.09 mM, respectively. PH activity was not stimulated by any metal ion tested and was unaffected by diethyldithiocarbamate, o- phenanthroline, 2,2'-dipyridyl, and EDTA. Registry Numbers: EC 3.2.1.- (prunasin hydrolase) EC 3.2.1.- (Glucosidases) EC 3.2.1.21 (beta-Glucosidase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****BIOLOGICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN***** Matsuda H Nakamura S Kubo M Studies of cuticle drugs from natural sources. II. Inhibitory effects of Prunus plants on melanin biosynthesis. In: Biol Pharm Bull (1994 Oct) 17(10):1417-20 ISSN: 0918-6158 The inhibitory effects of 50% ethanolic extracts from dried leaves of 38 plants collected in the herbal garden of Kinki University were investigated in vitro on melanin biosynthesis which is closely related to hyperpigmentation. Of the 38 extracts, Prunus yedoensis, P. zippeliana, P. amygdalus, P. persica, P. armeniaca, Thea sinensis and Chaenomeles sinensis showed a potent inhibition of tyrosinase, the enzyme which converts 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine (dopa) to dopachrome in the biosynthetic process. Furthermore, the extracts from the leaves of P. yedoensis and P. zippeliana among the Prunus plants used in this experiment inhibited the production of melanin from dopachrome by autoxidation. These inhibitory effects of P. zippeliana on melanin biosynthesis were observed in cultured B-16 mouse melanoma cells. These results suggest that the leaves of P. zippeliana inhibit melanin biosynthesis which is involved in hyperpigmentation and could be used as a whitening agent for the skin. Registry Numbers: EC 1.14.18.1 (Monophenol Monooxygenase) 100-52-7 (benzaldehyde) 3571-34-4 (dopachrome) 64-17-5 (Alcohol, Ethyl) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN***** Ichikawa K Kinoshita T Sankawa U The screening of Chinese crude drugs for Ca2+ antagonist activity: identification of active principles from the aerial part of Pogostemon cablin and the fruits of Prunus mume. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1989 Feb) 37(2):345-8 ISSN: 0009-2363 Hot aqueous extracts of 134 Chinese crude drugs were subjected to screening for inhibitory activity on K+ contracture of guinea pig taenia coli, and significant activity was observed in 17 crude drugs. Chemical investigations of two crude drugs, Kakko and Ubai, which originate from Pogostemon cablin and Prunus mume, respectively, were undertaken, and patchouli alcohol (I) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2- furaldehyde (II) were identified as their active principles, respectively. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHUNG-KUO CHUNG HSI I CHIEH HO TSA CHIH***** Shen D Shen L Wang AL [Effect of xiaoyu pian on new platelet aggregation defect] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1994 Oct) 14(10):589-91 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) The Xiaoyu pian (XYP, mainly consisted of prunus persica, Carthamus tinctorius, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, etc) was used to treat patients with new platelet aggregation defect. Patients were divided into 2 groups, the TCM group (72 cases) treated with XYP and the control group (65 cases) treated with vitamin C and P and/or adrenosem for at least 3 months. The results showed that marked effective rate was 87.5% in TCM group and 35.4% in control group (chi 2 = 39.7, P < 0.01); the recovery rate of platelet was 91.8% in the former and 10.3% in the latter (chi 2 = 71.4, P < 0.01); the recurrence rate of follow-up (6 months after treatment) was 30.8% in the former and 82.1% in the latter (chi 2 = 19.2, P < 0.01). The difference between two groups was very significant. The results suggested that XYP could regulate the hemostatic action and the platelet aggregation function. It is worthwhile to use XYP as an hemostatic clinically. Registry Numbers: 1340-08-5 (P factor) 50-81-7 (Ascorbic Acid) 54-06-8 (Adrenochrome) 69-81-8 (carbazochrome) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Li YQ Yuan W Zhang SL [Clinical and experimental study of xiao er ke cuan ling oral liquid in the treatment of infantile bronchopneumonia] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1992 Dec) 12(12):719-21, 737, 708 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) Xiao Er Ke Chuan Ling Oral Liquid (KCL) is a Chinese herbal preparation consisted of 10 herbs such as Prunus armeniacae, Scutelaria baicalensis, Lonicera japonica etc. 30 children suffering from bronchopneumonia and/or acute bronchitis were treated with KCL (treated group) and another 30 cases were treated with penicillin and aminophylline (control group). Results: cure rate and effective rate in treated group was 26.6%, and 93.3% respectively. While in control group was 30% and 96.6% respectively. No significant differences were seen between them(P > 0.05). The pharmacodynamic experiment showed KCL had potent pharmacological action. The experiment on tracheal fragment of Guinea pig in vitro showed it caused moderately strong smooth muscle relaxation, through inhibition the effect of histamine and acetylcholine. Asthma induction experiment of Guinea pig in vivo showed KCL could significantly prolong the latent period of asthma and alleviate asthmatic symptom. Ammonium water cough induction experiment in mice showed it may apparently prolong cough latent period and reduce times of cough relapse and alleviate cough symptom. KCL had potent antipyretic effect on fever model induced by triple vaccine in rabbits. Bacteriostatic and antiviral experiment in vitro showed the drug had quite strong inhibitory effects for Streptococcus hemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Flexners Dysentery bacillus, Diplococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and it could potently inhibit the respiratory syncytial virus. KCL is an effective drug in treating bronchopneumonia and acute bronchitis. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zhang L Yang LW Yang LJ [Relation between Helicobacter pylori and pathogenesis of chronic atrophic gastritis and the research of its prevention and treatment] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1992 Sep) 12(9):521-3, 515-6 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) The total detectable rate of Helicobacter pylori (HP) of 485 patients suffering from gastric diseases was 59.6%. The HP in gastric mucosa of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) patients was separated from the cell culture in vitro and transferred successively. The mice were perfused with exciccate alum, and the rabbits with aspirin to injure their gastric mucosa, then HP was perfused. Result showed that the change of experimental animals was identical with that of CAG patients by means of bacteriological and pathological examination. It revealed that HP was in agreement with Robert Koch's three principles about pathogenic bacteria. According to the bacterial infectious hypothesis of CAG, 53 Chinese medicinal herbs and prescriptions were investigated with bacteriostatic test. Panax notogenseng and Magnolia officinalis were discovered to be sensitive, Prunus mume and Corydalis yanhusuo were moderate sensitive, and Coptis chinensis and Rheum palmatum highly sensitive to HP. Decoction of Clearing up the Heat and Relieving the Blood Stasis and No.2 recipe of Huowei were used to treat 70 CAG patients with Stomach Heat Syndrome. The effective rate of gastroscopic examination was 85.7%, that of pathological study was 80%. In comparing with the group of Shanjiu Weitai, there was significant difference between the traditional Chinese medicine treated group and Shanjiu Weitai control group, the former being markedly better. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CIBA FOUNDATION SYMPOSIUM***** Poulton JE Localization and catabolism of cyanogenic glycosides. In: Ciba Found Symp (1988) 140:67-91 ISSN: 0300-5208 The catabolism of cyanogenic glycosides is initiated by cleavage of the carbohydrate moiety by one or more beta-glycosidases, which yields the corresponding alpha-hydroxynitrile. Until recently, the mode by which cyanogenic disaccharides are hydrolysed was largely unclear. Investigation of highly purified beta-glycosidases from plants containing cyanogenic disaccharides has now indicated that these compounds may be degraded via two distinct pathways, depending on the plant species. beta-Glycosidases from Davallia trichomanoides and Vicia angustifolia hydrolysed (R)-vicianin and (R)-amygdalin at the aglycone-disaccharide bond producing mandelonitrile and the corresponding disaccharide. Alternatively, hydrolysis of cyanogenic disaccharides in Prunus serotina, almonds, and Linum usitatissimum involves stepwise removal of the sugar residues. The nature of these enzymes and of other beta-glycosidases responsible for hydrolysis of simple cyanogenic monosaccharides is discussed. Hydroxynitriles may decompose either spontaneously or enzymically in the presence of a hydroxynitrile lyase to produce hydrogen cyanide and an aldehyde or ketone. The major kinetic and molecular properties of hydroxynitrile lyases purified from species accumulating aromatic and aliphatic cyanogens are reviewed. Cyanogenesis occurs rapidly only after cyanogenic plant tissues are macerated, allowing glycosides access to their catabolic enzymes. The possible nature of the compartmentation which prevents cyanogenesis under normal physiological conditions is discussed in relation to our knowledge of the tissue and subcellular localizations of cyanogens and catabolic enzymes. Registry Numbers: EC 3.2.1. (Glycoside Hydrolases) EC 4.1.2. (Aldehyde-Lyases) EC 4.1.2.10 (mandelonitrile lyase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****HOPPE-SEYLERS ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PHYSIOLOGISCHE CHEMIE***** Gerstner E Kiel U [A new mandelonitrile lyase from the cherrylaurel (Prunus laurocerasus) (author's transl)] Eine neue Mandelsaurenitril-Lyase (D-Oxynitrilase) aus Prunus laurocerasus (Kirschlorbeer) In: Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem (1975 Dec) 356(12):1853-7 ISSN: 0018-4888 (Published in German) Mandelonitrile lyase has been isolated from the seeds of Prunus laurocerasus and characterized. The enzyme is a glycoprotein and contains FAD as prosthetic group. It has an absorption spectrum of the hydrophobic type. The molecular weight is 60000. The new mandelonitrile lyase catalyses both formation and cleavage of D-(+)- benzaldehyde cyanohydrin. Despite the existence of marked morphologic and biochemical differences between P. laurocerasus and P. amygdalus (var. sativa) (sweet almond) the enzymes isolated from the seeds of the two Prunoideae species are closely related, as judged from their immunological properties. However they exhibit specific differences in the isoelectric points and quantitative distribution of the three isoenzymes. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY***** Turner NJ Hebda RJ Contemporary use of bark for medicine by two Salishan native elders of southeast Vancouver Island, Canada. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1990 Apr) 29(1):59-72 ISSN: 0378-8741 Elders of the Saanich and Cowichan Coast Salish people of southern Vancouver Island treat, or have treated in the recent past, many ailments with bark preparations. Interviews with two elder Salishan women revealed that: respiratory ailments were treated with bark of Abies grandis, Arbutus menziesii, Cornus nuttallii, Prunus emarginata, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Quercus garryana; digestive tract ailments with the bark of Abies grandis, Alnus rubra, Arbutus menziesii, Malus fusca. Oemleria cerasiformis, Populus tremuloides, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Rhamnus purshianus and Rubus spectabilis; gynaecological problems with bark of Abies grandis, Arbutus menziesii, Populus tremuloides, Prunus emarginata, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Sambucus racemosa; and dermatological complaints with the bark of Mahonia spp., Rubus spectabilis, and Symphoricarpos albus. Tree barks have also been used to treat fevers, diabetes, kidney problems, sore eyes, and haemorrhaging, and also as general tonics. Two recipes for general-purpose multi-bark medicines are provided. In most cases, infusions or decoctions of barks are used. The medicines are drunk or applied externally as a wash. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Sakamoto S Kudo H Kawasaki T Kuwa K Kasahara N Sassa S Okamoto R Effects of a Chinese herbal medicine, keishi-bukuryo-gan, on the gonadal system of rats. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1988 Jul-Aug) 23(2-3):151-8 ISSN: 0378-8741 Keishi-bukuryo-gan (TJ-25) is a traditional Chinese herbal remedy containing five components: bark of Cinnamomum cassia, root of Paeonia lactiflora, seed of Prunus persica or P. persiba var. davidiana, carpophores of Poria cocos and root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa. This preparation has been used in the treatment of gynecological disorders such as hypermenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and infertility. In the present study, the effects of TJ-25 on plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2), and on uterine wet weight and thymidine kinase (TK) activity were documented in immature rats. Long-term daily oral administration of TJ-25 (300 mg/kg) for 14 days decreased plasma levels of LH, FSH and E2 by 94%, 67% and 50%, respectively, compared to controls. Uterine wet weight and TK activity were reduced to 65% and 64% that of controls, respectively. Short-term effects of TJ-25 on E2 were also examined. Thirty hours after administration of E2 (1.0 micrograms/kg) alone, uterine wet weight and TK activity were elevated 2.4- and 21-fold, respectively, over controls. However, simultaneous administration of TJ-25 (three consecutive doses, every 12 h) with E2 reduced E2-induced increases in uterine wet weight and TK activity by 29% and 39%, respectively. Treatment with TJ-25 also enhanced LH-RH-induced increases in plasma LH and FSH levels 1.2- and 2.5-fold, respectively, as compared with controls. The results obtained in the present study indicate that TJ-25 may act as a LH-RH antagonist and/or as a weak anti-estrogen. Registry Numbers: EC 2.7.1.21 (Thymidine Kinase) 33515-09-2 (Gonadorelin) 50-28-2 (Estradiol) 9002-67-9 (LH) 9002-68-0 (FSH) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS***** Choi JS Yokozawa T Oura H Antihyperlipidemic effect of flavonoids from Prunus davidiana. In: J Nat Prod (1991 Jan-Feb) 54(1):218-24 ISSN: 0163-3864 Blood lipid levels in rats with hyperlipidemia resulting from high- fat feeding were determined after ip administration of an MeOH extract of Prunus davidiana stems and its flavonoid components, (+)- catechin, prunin (= naringenin 7-O-glucoside), and hesperetin 5-O- glucoside. Administration of the MeOH extract for 3 days produced a significant decrease of blood triglyceride and total cholesterol, and the atherogenic index was also improved. (+)-Catechin was shown to be effective in reducing the elevated level of triglyceride. Prunin and hesperetin 5-O-glucoside did not show such an effect in high-fat-fed hypertriglyceridemic rats, but they did exhibit a significant hypocholesterolemic effect. Registry Numbers: 154-23-4 (Catechin) 529-55-5 (prunin) 69651-80-5 (hesperetin 5-O-glucoside) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLANT PHYSIOLOGY***** Hu H Penn SG Lebrilla CB Brown PH Isolation and characterization of soluble boron complexes in higher plants. The mechanism of phloem mobility of boron. In: Plant Physiol (1997 Feb) 113(2):649-55 ISSN: 0032-0889 Boron (B) polyol complexes have been isolated and characterized from the phloem sap of celery (Apium graveolens L.) and the extrafloral nectar of peach (Prunus persica L.). In celery the direct analysis of untreated phloem sap by matrix-assisted laser desorption-Fourier transform mass spectrometry, with verification by high-performance liquid chromagraphy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealed that B is present in the phloem as the mannitol-B-mannitol complex. Molecular modeling further predicted that this complex is present in the 3,4 3',4' bis-mannitol configuration. In the extrafloral nectar of peach, B was present as a mixture of sorbitol-B- sorbitol, fructose-B-fructose, or sorbitol-B-fructose. To our knowledge, these findings represent the first successful isolation and characterization of soluble B complexes from higher plants and provide a mechanistic explanation for the observed phloem B mobility in these species. Registry Numbers: 69-65-8 (Mannitol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLANTA MEDICA***** Choi JS Yokozawa T Oura H Improvement of hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia in streptozotocin- diabetic rats by a methanolic extract of Prunus davidiana stems and its main component, prunin. In: Planta Med (1991 Jun) 57(3):208-11 ISSN: 0032-0943 Blood glucose and total lipid levels in rats with streptozotocin- induced diabetes were determined after intraperitoneal administration of a methanolic extract of Prunus davidiana Fr. stems and its main component, prunin (= naringenin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside). From the data obtained it was concluded that intraperitoneal administration of the methanolic extract and prunin produced a significant hypoglycemic effect. Total blood lipids were also decreased by these substances. Thus, it is suggested that this methanolic extract contains one or more hypoglycemic principles including the main flavanone glycoside, prunin, which can significantly reduce the levels of blood glucose and total lipids in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Registry Numbers: 529-55-5 (prunin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€