Aim： To find an in vitro system for the measurement of the androgenic effects of different extracts of Hibiscus macranthus （Malvaceae） and Basella alba （Basellaceae）. Methods： The production of testosterone from...Aim： To find an in vitro system for the measurement of the androgenic effects of different extracts of Hibiscus macranthus （Malvaceae） and Basella alba （Basellaceae）. Methods： The production of testosterone from testes slices incubated in two media, either Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% Bovine serum albumin （BSA） or Dubecco＇s Modified Eagle＇s medium-F12 Ham nutrient mixture （DME/Ham F12）, under a mixture of 5% CO2 in 95% air was determined either in the presence or absence of cofactors and Hibiscus macranthus plus Basella alba （HMBA） extracts. Results： The testosterone production was increased in testes slices incubated in DME/Ham F12 medium in response to the cofactors （49%） and aqueous extracts （34%-60% according to dilutions）. Under the same atmospheric conditions, there was no positive response of the testes slices to either cofactor or HMBA extract stimulation in Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% BSA, In further investigations related to the effect of HMBA, the DME/ Ham F12 medium was used. The results obtained from the in vitro test showed that the activity was present mainly in methylene chloride and methanol, since these extracts induced an increase in testosterone production by testes slices. Conclusion： The testes slice system is suitable to be used for further in vitro investigations of the isolation of androgenic bioactive components of plants. （Asian J Androl 2006 Jan; 8： 111-114）展开更多
Acinetobacter baumannii is among the common nosocomial infections microorganisms in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major significant concerns in developing nations due to e...Acinetobacter baumannii is among the common nosocomial infections microorganisms in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major significant concerns in developing nations due to either over-use or inadequate use of antimicrobial agents. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the potential antimicrobial activity of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba against nosocomial diseases caused by Acinetobacter baumannii. Nepeta cataria and Basella alba leaves were collected from Oldonyo Sabuk National Park and Botanical garden JKUAT respectively. The leaves were dried under shade at room temperature for thirty days. After methanolic and aqueous plant extraction, the percentage yield was determined, and the extracts were subjected to toxicity testing using brine shrimp eggs and preliminary phytochemical screening. The results recorded from this study demonstrated that 70% methanolic extract of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba had greater antimicrobial effect against Acinetobacter baumannii than aqueous extracts. Nepeta cataria extracts showed greater antimicrobial effect than Basella alba extracts. The methanolic plant extracts had MIC values 60 mg/ml when tested against Acinetobacter baumannii. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of various phytochemical constituents from the methanolic and aqueous extraction of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba. The methanolic plant extracts revealed more phytochemicals as compared to aqueous extracts. More phytochemicals were detected from Nepeta cataria than Basella alba plant extracts.展开更多
A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of lime and phosphorus on the growth and nutrient uptake by Indian spinach (Basella alba L.) on an acidic soil. The experimental soil was amended with four leve...A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of lime and phosphorus on the growth and nutrient uptake by Indian spinach (Basella alba L.) on an acidic soil. The experimental soil was amended with four levels of lime (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 kg CaCO3 ha-1) and phosphorus (P) (0, 50, 100, and150 kgP ha-1) and their combinations. The results showed that lime and P applied separately or in combination had significant (P < 0.001) effects on growth parameters (height and number of leaves), fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and N, K and Ca uptake by Indian spinach. Combined application of lime and P gave a better result than the separate application of lime and P. Application of 2000 kg·ha-1 lime plus 150 kg P ha-1 had higher uptake of N, K and Ca and better morphological characters that eventually resulted in greater yield compared with other treatments. The results revealed that lime and phosphorus could be used in combination to improve growth performance and nutrient uptake when plants grown in an acidic soil.展开更多
Aim： To determine the androgenic effects of Basella alba and Hibiscus macranthus extracts in the rat and the bull, and to develop a novel in vitro test system using Leydig cells from bull testes. Methods： The effect...Aim： To determine the androgenic effects of Basella alba and Hibiscus macranthus extracts in the rat and the bull, and to develop a novel in vitro test system using Leydig cells from bull testes. Methods： The effect of methanol extracts from both plants on testosterone production in isolated Leydig cells from the rat and the bull was analyzed using ^125I-radioimmunoassay （^125I-RIA）. Rat Leydig cells were obtained by common methods, whereas a novel technique was used to purify Leydig cells from bull testes. Results： Bull testes from the slaughter house were a cheap source of pure Leydig cells. In culture, these cells produced testosterone for 5-6 days, which can be stimulated by human chorionic gonadotrophin （hCG）. Basella alba extracts significantly enhanced testosterone production in bull and rat Leydig cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Hibiscus macranthus showed no androgenic effect but was shown to inhibit testosterone production at higher concentrations. Conclusion： Leydig cells purified from bull testes can be used as an alternative tool in experimental animal research. Certain fractions of Basella alba extract demonstrated androgenic potential whereas Hibiscus macranthus extracts did not.展开更多
To isolate and identify the cultivable leaf endophytic fungi of Basella alba L.and B.rubra L.,healthy and fresh leaves were chosen and collected from Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research college bo...To isolate and identify the cultivable leaf endophytic fungi of Basella alba L.and B.rubra L.,healthy and fresh leaves were chosen and collected from Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research college botanical garden.Authenticated materials were made into small bits,surface sterilized by applying the standard protocol and cultured on a potato dextrose agar plate supplemented with appropriate antibiotics,incubated for 7 to10 days at 28˚C.Seed borne fungal endophytes were also identified by keeping scarified seeds on sterilized agarose.A phylogenetic tree was constructed for the fungi of both the plants.A total of 26 and 19 endophytic cultivable fungi were isolated from B.alba and B.rubra respectively.Majority of the endophytes belongs to the genus Alternaria and several genera in class Dothideomycetes.Our preliminary observation indicated that the vertically transmitted endophytic fungi are the dominant endophytes of the selected plants.We conclude that Alternaria is predominant in both the plants.The mechanism of transition of the microbe from being non-pathogenic in its host to being pathogenic in other plants needs to be studied and elucidated.展开更多
Objective:Stress is becoming an unavoidable threat in recent times,there has been increasing interest by researchers in the use of naturally occurring biologically active compounds with medicinal value to cure body ai...Objective:Stress is becoming an unavoidable threat in recent times,there has been increasing interest by researchers in the use of naturally occurring biologically active compounds with medicinal value to cure body ailments.The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of methanol extract of Basella alba leaves on stress in Wistar rats(Rattus norvegicus).Methods:A total of 35 male rats were used in this study.They were grouped into seven groups of five rats each.Group 1(normal control)was received 10 m L/kg normal saline.Group 2 contained restraint stress rats only.Group 3 contained forced swim stress rats only.Group 4 and 5 were treated with 60 mg/kg of B.alba extract(BAE)thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively.Group 6 and 7 were treated with 120 mg/kg of BAE thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively.Stress procedures were carried out at the end of first and third weeks.Results:In the stressed rats,there were significant increases(P<0.05)in fasting blood glucose and white blood cell count while there were significant decreases in superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione concentration when compared to group 1.There were significant decreases(P<0.05)in blood glucose and white blood cell count and significant increases in superoxide dismutase and glutathione concentrations in BAE treated rats when compared to group 2 and 3.Some of the significant differences were either dose or duration dependent.Conclusion:In conclusion,results from this research suggest that BAE alleviates hyperglycaemia,chronic activation of immune system and generation of free radicals due to stress in Wistar rats.展开更多
文摘Aim： To find an in vitro system for the measurement of the androgenic effects of different extracts of Hibiscus macranthus （Malvaceae） and Basella alba （Basellaceae）. Methods： The production of testosterone from testes slices incubated in two media, either Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% Bovine serum albumin （BSA） or Dubecco＇s Modified Eagle＇s medium-F12 Ham nutrient mixture （DME/Ham F12）, under a mixture of 5% CO2 in 95% air was determined either in the presence or absence of cofactors and Hibiscus macranthus plus Basella alba （HMBA） extracts. Results： The testosterone production was increased in testes slices incubated in DME/Ham F12 medium in response to the cofactors （49%） and aqueous extracts （34%-60% according to dilutions）. Under the same atmospheric conditions, there was no positive response of the testes slices to either cofactor or HMBA extract stimulation in Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% BSA, In further investigations related to the effect of HMBA, the DME/ Ham F12 medium was used. The results obtained from the in vitro test showed that the activity was present mainly in methylene chloride and methanol, since these extracts induced an increase in testosterone production by testes slices. Conclusion： The testes slice system is suitable to be used for further in vitro investigations of the isolation of androgenic bioactive components of plants. （Asian J Androl 2006 Jan; 8： 111-114）
文摘Acinetobacter baumannii is among the common nosocomial infections microorganisms in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major significant concerns in developing nations due to either over-use or inadequate use of antimicrobial agents. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the potential antimicrobial activity of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba against nosocomial diseases caused by Acinetobacter baumannii. Nepeta cataria and Basella alba leaves were collected from Oldonyo Sabuk National Park and Botanical garden JKUAT respectively. The leaves were dried under shade at room temperature for thirty days. After methanolic and aqueous plant extraction, the percentage yield was determined, and the extracts were subjected to toxicity testing using brine shrimp eggs and preliminary phytochemical screening. The results recorded from this study demonstrated that 70% methanolic extract of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba had greater antimicrobial effect against Acinetobacter baumannii than aqueous extracts. Nepeta cataria extracts showed greater antimicrobial effect than Basella alba extracts. The methanolic plant extracts had MIC values 60 mg/ml when tested against Acinetobacter baumannii. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of various phytochemical constituents from the methanolic and aqueous extraction of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba. The methanolic plant extracts revealed more phytochemicals as compared to aqueous extracts. More phytochemicals were detected from Nepeta cataria than Basella alba plant extracts.
文摘A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of lime and phosphorus on the growth and nutrient uptake by Indian spinach (Basella alba L.) on an acidic soil. The experimental soil was amended with four levels of lime (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 kg CaCO3 ha-1) and phosphorus (P) (0, 50, 100, and150 kgP ha-1) and their combinations. The results showed that lime and P applied separately or in combination had significant (P < 0.001) effects on growth parameters (height and number of leaves), fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and N, K and Ca uptake by Indian spinach. Combined application of lime and P gave a better result than the separate application of lime and P. Application of 2000 kg·ha-1 lime plus 150 kg P ha-1 had higher uptake of N, K and Ca and better morphological characters that eventually resulted in greater yield compared with other treatments. The results revealed that lime and phosphorus could be used in combination to improve growth performance and nutrient uptake when plants grown in an acidic soil.
文摘Aim： To determine the androgenic effects of Basella alba and Hibiscus macranthus extracts in the rat and the bull, and to develop a novel in vitro test system using Leydig cells from bull testes. Methods： The effect of methanol extracts from both plants on testosterone production in isolated Leydig cells from the rat and the bull was analyzed using ^125I-radioimmunoassay （^125I-RIA）. Rat Leydig cells were obtained by common methods, whereas a novel technique was used to purify Leydig cells from bull testes. Results： Bull testes from the slaughter house were a cheap source of pure Leydig cells. In culture, these cells produced testosterone for 5-6 days, which can be stimulated by human chorionic gonadotrophin （hCG）. Basella alba extracts significantly enhanced testosterone production in bull and rat Leydig cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Hibiscus macranthus showed no androgenic effect but was shown to inhibit testosterone production at higher concentrations. Conclusion： Leydig cells purified from bull testes can be used as an alternative tool in experimental animal research. Certain fractions of Basella alba extract demonstrated androgenic potential whereas Hibiscus macranthus extracts did not.
基金supported by Indian National Science Academy Fellowship(INSA),New Delhi,India.
文摘To isolate and identify the cultivable leaf endophytic fungi of Basella alba L.and B.rubra L.,healthy and fresh leaves were chosen and collected from Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research college botanical garden.Authenticated materials were made into small bits,surface sterilized by applying the standard protocol and cultured on a potato dextrose agar plate supplemented with appropriate antibiotics,incubated for 7 to10 days at 28˚C.Seed borne fungal endophytes were also identified by keeping scarified seeds on sterilized agarose.A phylogenetic tree was constructed for the fungi of both the plants.A total of 26 and 19 endophytic cultivable fungi were isolated from B.alba and B.rubra respectively.Majority of the endophytes belongs to the genus Alternaria and several genera in class Dothideomycetes.Our preliminary observation indicated that the vertically transmitted endophytic fungi are the dominant endophytes of the selected plants.We conclude that Alternaria is predominant in both the plants.The mechanism of transition of the microbe from being non-pathogenic in its host to being pathogenic in other plants needs to be studied and elucidated.
文摘Objective:Stress is becoming an unavoidable threat in recent times,there has been increasing interest by researchers in the use of naturally occurring biologically active compounds with medicinal value to cure body ailments.The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of methanol extract of Basella alba leaves on stress in Wistar rats(Rattus norvegicus).Methods:A total of 35 male rats were used in this study.They were grouped into seven groups of five rats each.Group 1(normal control)was received 10 m L/kg normal saline.Group 2 contained restraint stress rats only.Group 3 contained forced swim stress rats only.Group 4 and 5 were treated with 60 mg/kg of B.alba extract(BAE)thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively.Group 6 and 7 were treated with 120 mg/kg of BAE thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively.Stress procedures were carried out at the end of first and third weeks.Results:In the stressed rats,there were significant increases(P<0.05)in fasting blood glucose and white blood cell count while there were significant decreases in superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione concentration when compared to group 1.There were significant decreases(P<0.05)in blood glucose and white blood cell count and significant increases in superoxide dismutase and glutathione concentrations in BAE treated rats when compared to group 2 and 3.Some of the significant differences were either dose or duration dependent.Conclusion:In conclusion,results from this research suggest that BAE alleviates hyperglycaemia,chronic activation of immune system and generation of free radicals due to stress in Wistar rats.
