€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ARCHIV FUR EXPERIMENTELLE VETERINARMEDIZIN***** Shabana MM Mirhom YW Genenah AA Aboutabl EA Amer HA Study into wild Egyptian plants of potential medicinal activity. Ninth communication: hypoglycaemic activity of some selected plants in normal fasting and alloxanised rats. In: Arch Exp Veterinarmed (1990) 44(3):389-94 ISSN: 0003-9055 31 desert plants belonging to 17 families were collected from different Egyptian localities. 21 plants extracts were orally given to normal rats, and 15 were tested on fasted and to alloxanised rats. The results were compared with a standard oral hypoglycaemic drug (Daonil, Hoechst) used as a positive control. The following findings were obtained: 8 plants exhibited persistent hypoglycaemic effects, Lycium shawii, Salvia (S.) aegyptiaca, Pergularia tomentosa, Convolvulus (C.) althaeoides, Haloxylon salicornicum, Ephedra alata, Scrophularia deserti, and Crotalaria aegyptiaca. Transient hypoglycaemic effects appeared only 1 hour after administration in response to 4 plants, Silena succulenta, Lygos raetam, C. lanatus, and Pulicaria incisa. In the cases of Ochradenus baccatus and Zygophyllum album, slow hypoglycaemic activity was produced and appeared 3 hours after administration. 5 plants showed hypoglycaemic effects viz, Thymus capitatus, Launaea nudicaulis, Conyza dioscorides, Nitraria retusa, and Limonium tubiflorum. Among the 15 plant extracts tested on alloxanised diabetic rats only 4 showed hypoglycaemic effects more potent than those of the administered dose of Daonil. These were Matthiola livida, S. aegyptiaca, Astragalus species, and Arthrocnemum glaucum. The hypoglycaemic effect of S. aegyptiaca in fasting rats has been confirmed also in alloxanised diabetic animals. This emphasises the importance of conducting both experiments in order to obtain a reliable conclusion. *****ARCHIV DER PHARMAZIE***** Hansel R Huang JT [Lycium chinense, III: isolation of scopoletin and vanillic acid (author's transl)] Lycium chinense, III Isolierung von Scopoletin und Fanillinsaure In: Arch Pharm (Weinheim) (1977 Jan) 310(1):38-40 (Published in German) [No Abstract Available] €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN***** Yahara S Shigeyama C Ura T Wakamatsu K Yasuhara T Nohara T Cyclic peptides, acyclic diterpene glycosides and other compounds from Lycium chinense Mill. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1993 Apr) 41(4):703-9 ISSN: 0009-2363 The chemical structures of four cyclic peptides, lyciumins A-D (1-4), three acyclic diterpene glycosides, lyciumosides I-III (5-7) and other three compounds, a tryptophan derivative glycoside (8), a monoterpene glycoside (9) and a steroidal glycoside (10) isolated from Lycium chinense, have been elucidated by a combination of chemical, 1H- and 13C-NMR, and mass spectrometric studies. Lyciumins are interesting because of their monocyclic octapeptides containing a novel C-N linkage between tryprophan N1 and glycine C alpha. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ***CHUNG HSI I CHIEH HO TSA CHIH CHINESE JOURNAL OF MODERN DEVELOPMENTS** Lu CX Cheng BQ [Radiosensitizing effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide for Lewis lung cancer] In: Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1991 Oct) 11(10):611-2, 582 ISSN: 0254-9034 (Published in Chinese) The radiosensitizing effects of the Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) were observed by the model transplanted Lewis lung cancer on C57 BL mice. When LBP alone was administered, it was not obvious that LBP inhibited the growth of Lewis lung cancer. The significant radiosensitizing effects were obtained by combination of LBP and radiation. The mean numerical value of the dose modifying factors (DMF) was 2.05. The results also showed certain radiation enhancement effects of LBP to acute hypoxic cells of Lewis lung cancer. LBP presented few toxicity to the mice. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Fu JX [Measurement of MEFV in 66 cases of asthma in the convalescent stage and after treatment with Chinese herbs] In: Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1989 Nov) 9(11):658-9, 644 ISSN: 0254-9034 (Published in Chinese) This paper reported the measurement of maximal expiratory flow-volume curve (MEFV) for 66 cases of asthmatics in the convalescent stage. Among which the data of FEV, PEF, V75, V50, V25 in 35 cases (53.03% of the total) gave different abnormal as compared with healthy persons. It showed that in the convalescent stage, most of the asthmatics still possessed obstruction of airways and chiefly of small airways. 35 cases of asthmatics in the convalescent stage was given the Chinese herbal decoction of chiefly invigorating Kidney (Viscum coloratum 15g, Psoralea corylifolia 15g, Eucommia ulmoides 15g, Lycium chinense 9g, Tussilago farfara 15g, Artemisia capillaris 9g, and Pogostemon cablin 9g as daily dosage) for treatment of 10 weeks and measuring MEFV curves to observe their changes before and after treatment. The results showed that different parameters of MEFV was improved in some extent which suggested that the airway obstruction of asthmatics in the convalescent stage was reversible. In discussion, the authors indicated that the prompt treatment for asthmatics in the convalescent stage was conductive early to prevent emphysema and confirmed that the treatment with Chinese herbs of chiefly invigorating Kidney deserved to be propagated. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHUNG-HUA CHUNG LIU TSA CHIH [CHINESE JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY]***** Cao GW Yang WG Du P [Observation of the effects of LAK/IL-2 therapy combining with Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in the treatment of 75 cancer patients] In: Chunghua Chung Liu Tsa Chih (1994 Nov) 16(6):428-31 ISSN: 0253-3766 (Published in Chinese) Seventy nine advanced cancer patients in a clinical trial were treated with LAK/IL-2 combining with Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides (LBP). Initial results of the treatment from 75 evaluable patients indicated that objective regression of cancer was achieved in patients with malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, lung cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, malignant hydrothorax. The response rate of patients treated with LAK/IL-2 plus LBP was 40.9% while that of patients treated with LAK/IL-2 was 16.1% (P < 0.05). The mean remission in patients treated with LAK/IL-2 plus LBP also lasted significantly longer. LAK/IL-2 plus LBP treatment led to more marked increase in NK and LAK cell activity than LAK/IL-2 without LBP. The results indicate that LBP can be used as an adjuvant in the biotherapy of cancer. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ **CHUNG-HUA KOU CHIANG I HSUEH TSA CHIH CHINESE JOURNAL OF STOMATOLOGY** Liu B [Effects of Lycium barbarum L and Drynaria fortunei J Smith on in vitro attachment and growth of human gingival fibroblasts on root surfaces] In: Chung Hua Kou Chiang Hsueh Tsa Chih (1992 May) 27(3):159-61, 190 ISSN: 1002-0098 (Published in Chinese) In this study, the effects of Lycium barbarum L and Drynarna fortunei J Smith on in vitro attachment and growth of human gingival fibroblasts to root surfaces were investigated. The results revealed that the above herbs at dose of 1.25 mg/ml could improve attachment and growth of fibroblast, on the planed diseased root surfaces to a certain extent. When exposed to Lycium brabrum L cells on the diseased root surfaces increased markedly in number, with more even distribution, better spread, and more exuberant growth. Drynaria fortunei J Smith was not as potent as Lycium brabarum L. The results suggest that the two drugs may improve the formation of new attachment of periodontal tissue. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ **CHUNG-KUO CHUNG YAO TSA CHIH CHINA JOURNAL OF CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA* Ren B Ma Y Shen Y Gao B [Protective action of Lycium barbarum L. (LbL) and betaine on lipid peroxidation of erythrocyte membrane induced by H2O2] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1995 May) 20(5):303-4, inside cover ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) H2O2 was used to induce lipid peroxidation of RBC membrane in rats to observe the protective action of different ingredients of LbL and betaine on the membrane. The result shows these ingredients cna inhibit the lipid peroxidation of RBC membrane in the following order of antioxidizing power: Fructus Lycii.LbL.dry(FL/LbL.dry) > Polysaccharide FL/LbL > Residue FL/LbL > betaine. Registry Numbers: 107-43-7 (Betaine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zhang X [Experimental research on the role of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide in anti-peroxidation] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1993 Feb) 18(2):110-2, 128 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) In this work, the changes in electrical parameters of cell membrane of Xenopus Oocytes were determined using routine microelectrode electrophysiological technique after incubation of the cells in frog Ringer solution containing free radical producing system for 6 hours. It was observed that the resting membrane potential was raised, and the membrane resistance and time constant were decreased. The effects of free radical on the cells can be prevented and reversed by incubation with superoxide dismutase or Lycium barbarum polysaccharide. Registry Numbers: EC 1.15.1.1 (Superoxide Dismutase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****I CHUAN HSUEH PAO. ACTA GENETICA SINICA***** Wang LH Jiang ZS Chen ZF [Inhibitory effects of Chinese medicines on SOS responses in E. coli and their mechanism] In: I Chuan Hsueh Pao (1991) 18(1):90-6 ISSN: 0379-4172 (Published in Chinese) Sixty kinds of commonly used Chinese medicines have been examined for their ability to depress the release of Lambda phage from lysogenic strain in the inductest. 11 Chinese medicines showed an inhibitory effects. Among them, Codonopsis radix, Polygonatum radix and fractus Lycium were strong depressors. They also showed an inhibitory effect on SOS response in SOS chromotest with a dose-effect response. These medicines were also found to decrease the frequency of gene conversion in S. cerevisiae in the presence of hydroxyurea. The effective compound (s) of Polygonatum radix partially purified from the extract with Sephadex G-25 chromatography was a reductive carbohydrate with molecular weight less than 3,000. The compound was shown to exert an inhibitory effect on SOS response occurred at 42 degrees C in E. coli GW1060 (recA441), but has no effect on SOS network gene expression in E. coli GW 1107 (lexA51), suggesting that Polygonatum radix may contain an inhibitor of RecA protease. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY***** Dafni A Yaniv Z Solanaceae as medicinal plants in Israel. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1994 Aug) 44(1):11-8 ISSN: 0378-8741 In a recent survey, 106 local healers in Israel were interviewed concerning the use of Solanaceae as medicinal plants. The main findings reveal that: (a) only four species (Lycium europeaum, Solanum nigrum, Hyoscyamus aureus, Hyoscyamus albus) are extensively used today; (b) the use of some traditional plants has been almost abandoned (Datura spp., Mandragora autumnalis, Withania somnifera); (c) today all the plants are applied externally, they are rarely used as narcotics; (d) most use of these plants is local, only in a few cases is a uniform use found throughout the whole country, and in all ethnic groups; (e) the extensive distribution of modern, safe narcotics, sedatives and anaesthetics has reduced the use of the Solanaceae for these purposes. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€