Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin
Online ISSN : 1347-5215
Print ISSN : 0918-6158
ISSN-L : 0918-6158
26 巻, 12 号
選択された号の論文の25件中1~25を表示しています
Review
  • Tamao Endo, Tatsushi Toda
    原稿種別: Review
    専門分野: [not specified]
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1641-1647
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    Mammalian cells produce many glycoproteins, i.e., proteins with covalently attached sugar chains. Recent advances in glycobiology have revealed the importance of sugar chains as biosignals for multi-cellular organisms including cell-cell communication, intracellular signaling, protein folding, and targeting of proteins within cells. The O-mannosyl linkage, which used to be considered specific to yeast, has recently been found in mammals. One of the best known O-mannosyl-modified glycoproteins is α-dystroglycan, which is a central component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex isolated from skeletal muscle membranes. We have identified and characterized a glycosyltransferase, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: protein O-mannose β1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (POMGnT1), involved in the biosynthesis of O-mannosyl glycans. We subsequently found that loss of function of the POMGnT1 gene is responsible for muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB). MEB is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy, ocular abnormalities and brain malformation (type II lissencephaly). Moreover, recent data suggest that aberrant protein glycosylation of α-dystroglycan is the primary cause of some forms of congenital muscular dystrophy. Here we review new insights into the glycobiology of muscular dystrophy and neuronal migration disorder.
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Regular Articles
  • Mitsune Yamaguchi, Yukihiro Tsuchiya, Kayoko Hishinuma, Toshiyuki Chik ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1648-1651
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    We have previously reported that acetylleucine chloromethyl ketone (ALCK), an inhibitor of acylpeptidehydrolase, induces the inhibition and degradation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in the U937 cell extract. In the present study, the process of ALCK-induced GAPDH degradation was investigated. A kinetic study revealed that GAPDH was irreversibly inhibited by ALCK. ALCK treatment induced a change in the signal intensity of GAPDH in the near-UV region of the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum, and the fluorescence intensity of GAPDH at 330 nm increased to about 10% when excited at 280 nm, suggesting that a significant conformational change of GAPDH was induced by ALCK. When the U937 cell extract was incubated with ALCK and the products were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), a 23-kDa fragment from GAPDH was detected by Western blotting using anti-GAPDH serum. When ALCK-treated GAPDH was incubated with protease fractions from the U937 cell extract, a 17-kDa fragment was also detected. Sequence analysis showed that the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 23-kDa fragment was GKVKVG and that of 17-kDa fragment was RDGRGAL. Therefore, ALCK-modified GAPDH is deduced to be digested at the peptide bond Trp195–Arg196. The protease activity liberating a 23-kDa fragment from ALCK-treated GAPDH was effective under the basic condition. Results suggested that ALCK binds to GAPDH to modulate the conformation of enzyme, which is susceptible to chymotrypsin-like protease activity.
  • Hiromi Miyake, Akinori Kadoya, Takao Ohyashiki
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1652-1656
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    The effect of lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) on the protein conformation of porcine cerebral cortex Na+–K+-ATPase was examined in term of the intrinsic tryptophanyl fluorescence measurement. Treatment of ATPase with HNE resulted in a decrease in the fluorescence intensity and an increase in the fluorescence anisotropy in a concentration-dependent manner. The difference in the fluorescence intensity and fluorescence anisotropy observed between the control and HNE-modified ATPase completely disappeared after treatment of the protein with guanidine hydrochloride (1 M). These results suggest that HNE-modification of the Na+–K+-ATPase induces alterations in the conformation of the enzyme molecule. This interpretation was further supported by a decrease in fluorescence quenching efficiency with acrylamide and sulfhydryl (SH) content. The decrease in quenching efficiency suggests that the proximity of the quencher molecule to the fluorophores located in the enzyme is suppressed. Modification of the enzyme with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) also resulted in a decrease in quenching efficiency with the loss of SH groups. Furthermore, a good relationship between the SH content and these fluorescence parameters (fluorescence anisotropy and quenching efficiency) were observed. On the other hand, treatment of the Na+–K+-ATPase with other aldehydes such as malondialdehyde (MDA), 1-hexanal and nonanal did not affect either the quenching efficiency or SH content. Based on these results, the possibility of alterations in the physical properties of the Na+–K+-ATPase associated with modification by HNE has been discussed.
Pharmacology
Regular Articles
  • Young-Joon Park, Mamoru Koketsu, Jeong Min Kim, Joo-Hong Yeo, Hideharu ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1657-1660
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    Activated microglia extensively produce nitric oxide (NO) by inducing expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). NO plays a deleterious role in brain inflammation and neuronal death. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 1,3-selenazol-4-one derivatives (Sz-A, B, C, D and E) on NO production and iNOS expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 cells, a murine microglia cell line. Among these compounds, Sz-B and C remarkably inhibited LPS-induced NO production relative to that of Sz-A, D, and E at 5 μM in BV-2 cells. Sz-B and C dose-dependently inhibited NO production at 1, 5, and 10 μM without toxicity to BV-2 cells. Sz-B and C also dose-dependently suppressed iNOS expression at the same concentrations in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. This result suggests that Sz-B and C inhibit iNOS-mediated NO production in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. Structurally, Sz-B and C bear an ethyl or methyl group at the 5 positions of the 4-selenazolone skeletons, which could play an important role in inhibiting iNOS-mediated NO production.
  • Hiroshi Mizuno, Hideyuki Adachi, Junko Kimura, Yoshio Sawa, Motoharu K ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1661-1667
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular effects of a selective phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor ER-118585, 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl)amino]-1-(2-hydroxy-7-azaspiro[3.5]non-7-yl)-6-phthalazinecarbonitrile monohydrochloride. The present results indicated that 1) ER-118585 significantly inhibited the human ether-a-go-go related gene (HERG) tail current at 10 nM and above with an IC50 value of 40.7 nM in human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with HERG cDNA; 2) ER-118585 at 100 and 1000 nM significantly increased the action potential duration (APD) at 50% and 90% repolarization in isolated papillary muscles of guinea pig; and 3) intravenous infusion of ER-118585 at 10 μg/kg/min significantly prolonged the QT interval by 10.5±1.6% from 281±2 ms to 311±6 ms in six anesthetized dogs subjected to atrial pacing. In consideration of both the plasma concentration of ER-118585 (984±78 nM, n=3) and its protein binding fraction (99.0±0.1%, n=5), the free plasma concentration was estimated at 9.8±0.8 nM, which is consistent with the minimum concentration of HERG current inhibition. In conclusion, these evaluation methods demonstrated that ER-118585 could prolong the QT interval via APD prolongation, attributable to the inhibition of the HERG potassium current.
  • Ee-Hwa Kim, Mi-Hyeon Jang, Min-Chul Shin, Mal-Soon Shin, Chang-Ju Kim
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1668-1673
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    Ginseng radix, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER (Araliaceae), is one of the best-known Oriental medicinal herbs with numerous therapeutic applications. To investigate whether Ginseng radix possesses a protective effect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+)-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed on PC12 neuronal cells. Cells treated with MPP+ exhibited various apoptotic features, while cell pretreated with Ginseng radix prior to MPP+ exposure showed a decrease in the occurrence of apoptotic features. These results suggest that Ginseng radix may exert a protective effect against MPP+-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.
  • Samson Amos, Peter Achunike Akah, Lucy Binda, Nkechi Mercy Enwerem, Ab ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1674-1680
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    Pavetta crassipes leaf is routinely used locally in Nigeria for the management of respiratory disorders and hypertension. The hypotensive and other cardiovascular effects of Pavetta crassipes were investigated in cats and rats. The effects of the extract on rat and cat blood pressures, isolated rat atria, rat portal vein, isolated rat aorta and rat vas deferens were studied. Specific receptor antagonists (atropine, mepyramine, phentolamine, propranolol) were used to elucidate the underlying mechanism(s) involved in the cardiovascular changes induced by P. crassipes. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract of Pavetta crassipes lowered the blood pressures of cats and rats in a dose dependent manner. The extract also caused a concentration-dependent decrease in the force of contraction of the isolated rat atria and rat portal vein. The decreases in blood pressure values were attenuated in the presence of a β-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol. The extract also attenuated isoprenaline-induced contraction of the rat atria. However, the extract did not affect contractions evoked by KCl, norepinephrine and 5-HT on the rat aorta. Pavetta crassipes contains biologically active substances that may be useful in the management of hypertension.
  • Makoto Kanda, Kumi Satoh, Kazuo Ichihara
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1681-1684
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    Effects of atorvastatin and pravastatin on glucose tolerance in mildly induced diabetic rats by streptozotocin at 24 mg/kg, i.v. were studied. Non-diabetic and diabetic rats were given orally 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (control), 8 mg/kg atorvastatin or 8 mg/kg pravastatin once a day for 6 weeks. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out 1, 2, 3, and 6 weeks after the administration. The blood glucose and plasma insulin levels measured before OGTT in the diabetic rats were not different from those in the non-diabetic rats. However, the hyperglycemic response to OGTT in the diabetic rats significantly exceeded that in the non-diabetic rats. The plasma insulin increased by OGTT in the diabetic rats appeared to be lower than that in the non-diabetic rats. Statin treatments for 1 week did not modify the OGTT-induced hyperglycemia appreciably, although there were some significant differences. More than 2 weeks after administration, the blood glucose levels at several time points after a glucose intake in the atorvastatin-treated diabetic rats were significantly higher than the respective levels in the control diabetic rats. Neither atorvastatin nor pravastatin modified the OGTT-induced insulin secretion. Statins, especially atorvastatin, may influence the glucose tolerance in mildly induced diabetic rats without alterations of insulin secretion.
  • Michitaka Shichijo, Noriyuki Yamamoto, Hideki Tsujishita, Masahiro Kim ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1685-1690
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    To investigate the effect of flavonoids on the activation of p72syk (Syk) protein tyrosine kinase which plays a pivotal role in the high affinity IgE receptor-mediated degranulation of mast cells, we picked out 10 flavonoids, classified them into 4 series, and examined their effects on the activation of Syk and on the degranulation of human mast cells. Flavones and flavonols showed clear inhibition, whereas flavanones and isoflavones had either weak or no effect on Syk enzymatic activity induced by amino acid peptide corresponding to the activation loop domain and on IgE-dependent degranulation of human cultured mast cells (HCMC). On the basis of calculated logP (ClogP) values as a prediction of compound lipophilicity, some flavonoids were speculated to have low lipophilicity, the reason for poor cell permeability. A significant relationship was observed between the inhibition of Syk activity and HCMC degranulation attributable to flavonoids when the ClogP values of the compounds were taken into account (r2=0.89). These results suggested that the impairment of mast cell degranulation by several flavonoids classified into flavones and flavonols might be mediated via inhibition of the intracellular activation of Syk.
  • Tadashi Nakajima, Takeshi Matsugi, Wakana Goto, Masaaki Kageyama, Nobu ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1691-1695
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    To find new prostanoid FP-receptor agonists possessing potent ocular-hypotensive effects with minimal side effects, we evaluated the agonistic activities of newly synthesized prostaglandin F derivatives for the prostanoid FP-receptor both in vitro and in vivo. The iris constrictions induced by the derivatives and their effects on melanin content were examined using cat isolated iris sphincters and cultured B16 melanoma cells, respectively. The effects of derivative ester forms on miosis and intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated in cats and cynomolgus monkeys, respectively. Of these derivatives, 6 out of 12 compounds were more potent iris constrictors, with EC50 values of 0.6 to 9.4 nM, than a carboxylic acid of latanoprost (EC50=13.6 nM). A carboxylic acid of latanoprost (100 μM) significantly increased the melanin content of cultured B16 melanoma cells, but some 15,15-difluoro derivatives, such as AFP-157 and AFP-172, did not. Topically applied AFP-168, AFP-169 and AFP-175 (isopropyl ester, methyl ester and ethyl ester forms, respectively, of AFP-172) induced miosis in cats more potently than latanoprost. AFP-168 (0.0005%) reduced IOP to the same extent as 0.005% latanoprost (for at least 8 h). These findings indicate that 15,15-difluoroprostaglandin F derivatives, especially AFP-168, have more potent prostanoid FP-receptor agonistic activities than latanoprost. Hence, AFP-168 may be worthy of further evaluation as an ocular-hypotensive agent.
  • Yoshitaka Fukushima, Takeshi Nabe, Nobuaki Mizutani, Katsuhiko Nakata, ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1696-1700
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    It has been reported that antihistamines do not fully modify symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis in clinical settings, suggesting that histamine is not the only contributor to symptom generation in the disease. However, in the majority of experimental allergic conjunctivitis models, antihistamines are very effective in the reduction of symptoms. In the present study, we used our recently developed guinea pig model of allergic conjunctivitis and evaluated whether involvement of histamine in the induction of symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis is altered by multiple antigen challenges. Guinea pigs were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of Japanese cedar pollen extracts adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide gel, and then challenged by dropping a pollen suspension without the adjuvant on each eye once a week until the 15th challenge. The magnitude of the conjunctivitis intensity score (CIS), itch-associated scratching response and albumin leakage were found to increase with repeated challenges. At the 1st—3rd challenges, histamine H1 receptor antagonist, mepyramine (10 mg/kg, p.o.), strongly reduced all these symptoms. However, symptoms at the 5th—15th challenges were not inhibited by mepyramine. On the other hand, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg, i.v.), potently inhibited the increase of CIS and albumin leakage at the 15th challenge. In conclusion, histamine involvement in the induction of conjunctivitis symptoms in our model was diminished by multiple antigen challenges. The allergic conjunctivitis at the chronic stage is partly mediated by nitric oxide (NO) derived from NOSs that may be activated by mediators other than histamine. The histamine-independent allergic conjunctivitis may be useful for analyzing mechanisms underlying chronic conjunctivitis.
  • Daisuke Nakano, Chie Itoh, Fumie Ishii, Hideaki Kawanishi, Masanori Ta ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1701-1705
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between the antihypertensive effect of sesamin, a lignan from sesame oil, and its antioxidative activity in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. After a 5-week treatment period, systolic blood pressure was significantly elevated in normal diet-fed DOCA-salt animals compared with cases in sham-operated animals. Sesamin feeding, tempol (a superoxide dismutase mimetic) treatment or antihypertensive drugs combination (triple therapy; reserpine, hydralazine, hydrochlorothiazide) significantly suppressed the development of DOCA-salt-induced hypertension. Compared with sham-operated rats, the normal diet-fed DOCA-salt rats revealed marked increases in aortic superoxide (O2) production. These increases in O2 production were significantly suppressed by sesamin feeding or tempol treatment, but not by triple therapy. Acetylcholine (Ach)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was markedly decreased in normal diet-fed DOCA-salt rats, compared with cases in sham-operated rats. Sesamin feeding and triple therapy significantly improved the DOCA-salt-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation. However, tempol treatment had no effect on the impaired vasodilator responses induced by DOCA-salt treatment. In DOCA-salt rats with or without sesamin feeding, systolic blood pressure significantly correlated with both aortic O2 production and endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. These findings suggest that sesamin feeding inhibits the enhancement of aortic O2 production in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, and this effect may contribute to the antihypertensive effect of sesamin. Sesamin feeding-induced improvement of endothelial dysfunction seems to result from the above antioxidative and antihypertensive effects.
  • Tomoaki Yamaguchi, Kazuhiko Oishi, Masaatsu Uchida, Hirotoshi Echizen
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacology
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1706-1710
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells stimulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To clarify mechanisms by which ROS promote vascular atherogenesis, effects of fluvastatin, amlodipine, ozagrel (thromboxane synthetase inhibitor), GF109203X (a protein kinase C inhibitor) and Y27632 (a ROCK inhibitor) on the proliferation of guinea-pig basilar artery smooth muscle cells (GBa-SM3) in a 5% FBS culture medium were studied over 3 d in the presence or absence of a free radical scavenger, edaravone. Viability of cells at the end of incubation was measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Results demonstrated that fluvastatin and amlodipine by themselves possess antiproliferative effects on the GBa-SM3 cells at 10—100 μM and 0.1—1 μM, respectively. While edaravone possessed no antiproliferative effect by itself at 100 μM, it significantly (p<0.05) augmented the antiproliferative effects of fluvastatin and amlodipine. In addition, ozagrel, GF109203X and Y27632 possessed no appreciable effects on the cell growth by themselves. However, coincubation of edaravone at 100 μM with these agents elicited significant antiproliferative effects for ozagrel, GF109203X and Y27632 at 10—100 μM, 1—10 μM and 0.1—1 μM, respectively. In conclusion, edaravone may have clinically beneficial interactions with fluvastatin, amlodipine and ozagrel regarding the prevention of vascular atherosclerosis. The interactions between edaravone and the inhibitors of protein kinase C and ROCK were suggestive of possible contributions of ROS-triggered intracellular signals associated with these enzymes to vascular atherogenesis, but further studies are required for confirmation.
Medicinal Chemistry
Regular Articles
  • Veerachamy Alagarsamy, Gopal Murugananthan, Ramachandran Venkateshperu ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Medicinal Chemistry
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1711-1714
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    A series of novel 2-methyl-3-substituted quinazolin-4-(3H)-ones have been synthesized by treating (2-methyl-4-oxo-3H-quinazolin-3-yl)dithiocarbamic acid methyl ester with different amines, the starting material dithiocarbamate was synthesized from anthranilic acid. The compounds synthesized were investigated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. All the test compounds exhibited significant activity, the compounds VA2, VA3 and VA4 shown more potent analgesic activity, and the compounds VA3 and VA4 shown more potent anti-inflammatory activity than the reference compound diclofinac sodium.
  • Akira Kamei, Noriko Takeuchi, Makoto Nagai, Satoshi Mori
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Medicinal Chemistry
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1715-1720
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    This study investigates post-translational modification of proteins of bovine lens with aging (3 year old vs. 6 month old cows). After water-soluble proteins were submitted to gel and ion exchange chromatography, βH-crystallin, a subunit of β-crystallin, and modified materials were isolated. These materials were then submitted to two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-SDS PAGE) to detect and isolate the new spots. Results for lens proteins from 3 year old animals were compared to those from 6 month old animals. All spots were digested in gel with trypsin and the molecular masses of tryptic digests were measured by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). Peptides peaks obtained from mass mapping were identified using the protein database of the MS-Fit program in the Protein prospector program of the University of California, San Francisco. We found that two post translational modifications of βH-crystallin, acetylation and phosphorylation occurred with aging.
Pharmacognosy
Regular Articles
  • Sei-Joon Jeong, Ryuichi Higuchi, Mayumi Ono, Michihiko Kuwano, Youn-Ch ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacognosy
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1721-1724
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    cis-Hinokiresinol (CHR) is a norlignan constituent from Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE (Liliaceae), which shows hyaluronidase inhibitory activity. In the present studies, we have demonstrated that CHR selectively inhibited endothelial cell proliferation compared with cancer cells, and especially basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced endothelial cell proliferation. Furthermore, endothelial cell migration and tube formation, two important steps in the angiogenic process, were also inhibited by CHR. Moreover, CHR reduced the vessel growth induced by VEGF in the mouse corneal neovascularization model. These results suggest that CHR may prove useful for the development of a novel angiogenesis inhibitor.
  • Mehmet Hakki Alma, Ahmet Mavi, Ali Yildirim, Metin Digrak, Toshifumi H ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacognosy
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1725-1729
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    In the present study, essential oil from the leaves of Syrian oreganum [Origanum syriacum L. (Lauraceae)] grown in Turkish state forests of the Dortyol district, Turkey, was obtained by steam distillation. The chemical composition of oil was analysed by GC and GC-MS, and was found to contain 49.02% monoterpenes, 36.60% oxygenated monoterpenes and 12.59% sesquiterpenes. The major components are as follows: γ-terpinene, carvacrol, p-cymene and β-caryophyllene. Subsequently, the reducing power, antioxidant and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities of the essential oil were studied. The reducing power was compared with ascorbic acid, and the other activities were compared with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl phenol (BHT, butylated hydroxytoluene). The results showed that the activities were concentration dependent. The antioxidant activities of the oil were slightly lower than those of ascorbic acid or BHT, so the oil can be considered an effective natural antioxidant. Antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from the leaves of Origanum syriacum was also determined on 16 microorganisms tested using the agar-disc diffusion method, and showed antimicrobial activity against 13 of these.
  • Fumiko Abe, Shinya Nagafuji, Hikaru Okabe, Hiroo Higo, Hiroshige Akaha ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Pharmacognosy
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1730-1733
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    The constituents of the stem bark of Garcinia subelliptica (Guttiferae) were investigated based on its trypanocidal activity against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent for Chagas' disease. As the active components, nine xanthones were isolated including two new ones, 4-hydroxybrasilixanthone B and 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-4,7,8-tri(3-methyl-2-butenyl)xanthone. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Trypanocidal activity against trypomastigotes, an infectious form of T. cruzi, was also estimated as well as cytotoxic activity. Fukugetin, the major component of the bark, showed no activity.
Biopharmacy
Regular Articles
  • Noriyasu Fukuoka, Toyohisa Tsukamoto, Junji Uno, Michio Kimura, Shushi ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Biopharmacy
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1734-1738
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    We conducted a study to clarify the most suitable transforming factor related to the daily zonisamide dose (D) providing a steady-state serum concentration (Ct) and analyzed the influences of the concomitant use of antiepileptic drugs on Ct quantitatively. Data obtained by routine therapeutic drug monitoring from a total of 175 epileptic patients treated with the multiple oral administrations of zonisamide (ZNS) as a powder/tablets, were used for the analysis. Employing the extracellular water volume (VECW) as a transforming factor, led the level/dose (L/D) ratio (:Ct/(D/VECW)) to be independent of the patient's age and sex for the administration of ZNS alone. Ct was revealed to be dependent on only one variable regarding D/VECW and expressed as Ct=0.604×(D/VECW). Phenytoin (PHT) significantly lowered (p<0.01) the L/D ratio to 0.76 of the value for ZNS alone. For a more detailed analysis, we defined the parameter Ri (i=1, 2, …, 6) as an alteration ratio, representing the influence of each antiepileptic drug on the L/D ratio of ZNS alone. A model based on the assumption that each Ri value was independent from one another and multiplicative, was adopted. The analysis clarified that phenobarbital, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and PHT significantly lowered (p<0.05) the L/D ratio of ZNS to 0.849, 0.865, 0.846, and 0.804, respectively. In the case of the addition or discontinuance of concomitant treatment with antiepileptic drugs in the same patient, the estimated L/D ratios were calculated using the value of each Ri and compared with the measured ones. The mean of prediction error was calculated as 22.9%. Our results appear valid and Ri should be available for clinical use.
  • Esti Hendradi, Yasuko Obata, Koichi Isowa, Tsuneji Nagai, Kozo Takayam ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Biopharmacy
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1739-1743
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    The significant inhibitory action of diclofenac formulated in mixed micelles of lecithin with cholate or deoxycholate was observed on the rat hind paw edema induced by carrageenan. In the primary stage, mixed micelle formulation of deoxycholate was more effective compared with that of cholate. However, in the final term, the inhibitory action was similar in both formulations. In a previous study, the flux of diclofenac was greater in the mixed micelle formulation of deoxycholate compared with that of cholate. It was suggested that the permeation rate of diclofenac through skin was proportional to the pharmacological activity. The hind paw edema was quickly inhibited when cyclic monoterpene such as d-limonene or l-menthol was included in the formulations. All the micelle formulations significantly decreased the value of AUC estimated the hind paw thickness–time profile. This suggests that the micelle formulation of cholate in addition to deoxycholate showed significant anti-inflammatory activity to hind paw edema of rats. Incorporation of d-limonene or l-menthol was more effective on the decrease of AUC. A pharmacological study revealed that micelle formulations were able to reduce the skin irritation of chemicals.
  • Yasunori Miyazaki, Kanako Ogihara, Shigeru Yakou, Tsuneji Nagai, Kozo ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Biopharmacy
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1744-1747
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    Mucoadhesive microspheres made of oppositely charged dextran derivatives and cellulose acetate butyrate (Ad-MS) were evaluated for their ability to improve the bioavailability of theophylline (TH) and thiamine disulfide (TDS). A drug suspension (or solution) and non-adhesive microspheres (MS) were used as references. In vitro drug release profiles from MS and Ad-MS were similar for each drug, whereas their gastrointestinal transits differed. The plasma concentration after oral administration of drug suspension (or solution), MS and Ad-MS was investigated in rats. In the case of TH, sustained plasma level profiles were observed after MS or Ad-MS administration, with similar Cmax, Tmax and MRT values. AUC values of the suspension, MS and Ad-MS were statistically equivalence. These indicated that Ad-MS achieved a sustained plasma level profile without a decrease of AUC. In the case of TDS, MRT and AUC of Ad-MS were significantly larger than those of the solution and MS, indicating that the plasma level was sustained and the extent of bioavailability was increased. These results suggested that Ad-MS is a promising device for improvement of bioavailability of drugs those absorption windows are limited to upper part of the gastrointestinal tract.
Notes
  • Junzo Nakamura, Tomomi Horimoto, Ryu Hirayama, Takahiro Mukai, Mikiro ...
    原稿種別: Note
    専門分野: Biopharmacy
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1761-1764
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    The present study was undertaken to elucidate the kidney- and site-selective delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) following kidney surface application in rats. We selected an experimental system utilizing a cylindrical diffusion cell attached to the right kidney surface. After 5-FU was applied to this surface, approximately 60% was absorbed in 180 min. A semi-log plot of the remaining amount of 5-FU in the diffusion cell gave a straight line. The cumulative amount of urinary excretion of 5-FU for up to 180 min from the right ureter was significantly higher than that from the left ureter. On the other hand, the cumulative amount of urinary excretion of 5-FU from the right and left ureters after intravenous administration of the drug was similar. The 5-FU concentration at four sites in the right kidney after intravenous administration was also similar, while the drug was site-selectively delivered in the kidney after its surface application. 5-FU accumulated at the site under the diffusion cell was rapidly eliminated after its removal from the diffusion cell. From these results, we demonstrated that the absorption of 5-FU on the kidney surface in rats is explained mostly by passive diffusion. It was further elucidated that kidney surface application of this drug in rats results in its the kidney- and site-selective delivery.
  • Yuichiro Sato, Masamichi Kuwajima, Hiroyuki Kamiya, Hideyoshi Harashim ...
    原稿種別: Note
    専門分野: Biopharmacy
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1765-1768
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    The mRNA expression of type 2 diabetes-related genes in white blood cells (WBC) was examined before and after onset in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat. The level of the calpain 10 (CAPN10) transcript was significantly decreased compared to control animals in WBC before and after onset. Significant decreases in this gene expression were also found in the major insulin-target tissues as well as WBC before onset. These results suggest that gene expression in WBC could be a useful screening system for predicting the incidence of type 2 diabetes before onset in OLETF rats, and that CAPN10 represents a potential candidate gene for predicting type 2 diabetes in human.
Miscellaneous
Regular Articles
  • Alice Lok Sze Ho, Yu Lin Gou, Dewi Kenneth Rowlands, Yiu Wa Chung, Hsi ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Miscellaneous
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1748-1753
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    This study examined the effects of Bak Foong Pills (BFP) and the new BFP-derived post-menopause formula, Menoease Pills (MBFP), on the distribution of peripheral white blood cells (WBC) between BFP/MBFP-treated and non-treated rats. Eighteen months old female SD rats were used to mimic post-menopausal and old age animal models. The percentage distribution of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes were measured using flow cytometry with and without treatments of BFP or MBFP. Results showed that WBC distribution in old age rats were significantly different from that of adult rats, suggesting that as the animal aged, their WBC distributions were altered. Old age rats were observed to have much lower percentages of lymphocytes, but higher percentages of granulocytes when compared to the adult rats, indicating possible attenuated immunity. Following treatment with BFP or MBFP, WBC populations were found to be redistributed back into the ranges observed in adult animals. Furthermore, MBFP, was found to alter WBC distribution in a dose-dependent manner. When compared to estrogen (E2), a well documented regulator of immune function, results showed that MBFP was able to show significantly greater effects on WBC redistribution compared to E2. However, in ovariectomised (ovx) old age rats, neither MBFP nor E2 treated groups showed any changes in WBC redistribution. These results indicate that MBFP may share similarities to E2. Indeed, the effect of MBFP and E2 seems to require intact ovaries, which are believed to be necessary for the modulation of WBC distributions and immune functions. Overall, our findings suggest that BFP and MBFP may be able to regulate WBC population in old age female rats, and thus, indicate their potential role on improving the attenuated immunity evident in post-menopausal and elderly women.
  • Yoshiaki Amakura, Tomoaki Tsutsumi, Kumiko Sasaki, Takashi Yoshida, Ta ...
    原稿種別: Regular Article
    専門分野: Miscellaneous
    2003 年 26 巻 12 号 p. 1754-1760
    発行日: 2003年
    公開日: 2003/12/01
    ジャーナル フリー
    The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated nuclear transcription factor that mediates responses to environmental contaminants such as dioxins, which have many adverse health effects. We performed a preliminary screening of the inhibitory effects of vegetable constituents on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced activation of AhR using the AhR-based bioassay for dioxins, the Ah-Immunoassay. Ninety vegetable constituents including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenes, etc., were assayed in vitro. Among them, flavones, flavonols, anthraquinones, piperine, coumestrol, brevifolincarboxylic acid, and resveratrol showed marked inhibitory effects on AhR-based bioassay activation by TCDD, and their effects were dose dependent. Curcumin, carnosol, and capsaicin also inhibited the activation of AhR in this assay, although to a lesser degree. These results suggest that several vegetable constituents might play a role in protection against dioxin toxicity.
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