• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.215-220
• /
• 2012

The stem of Lindera obtusiloba (Lauraceae), has been widely used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of abdominal pain, bruise and hepatocirrhosis. In the present study, antinociceptive and sedative properties of the methanol extract of L. obtusiloba (MLO) were evaluated. MLO demonstrated strong and dose-dependent antinociceptive activities on various experimental pain models including thermal nociception and chemical nociception, compared to tramadol and indomethacin, reference drugs. In combination test using naloxone, the diminished analgesic activity of MLO was observed, indicating the relation with opioid receptor. Moreover, MLO also decreases pentobarbital-induced sleep latency and increases sleeping time suggesting its hypnotic and sedative action. The present results indicate that MLO could be used as valuable antinociceptive and sedative agent for the treatment of various diseases.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.221-224
• /
• 2011

A $CH_3Cl$ extract from the flower of Lonicera japonica (Lauraceae) significantly protected primary cultures of rat cortical cells injured by the excitotoxic amino acid, L-glutamate. Loganin (1), secoxyloganin (2), caffeic acid (3) rutin (4), hyperoside (5), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (6), lonicerin (7), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (8), luteolin-7-O-b-D-glucopyranoside (9), quercetin (10) and luteolin (11) were isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation from the $CH_3Cl$ fraction and further separated using chromatographic techniques. Caffeic acid, lonicerin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin and luteolin had significant neuroprotective activities against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells at concentrations ranging from $0.1{\mu}M$ to $10.0\;{\mu}M$.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.91-95
• /
• 2010

Meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (MDGA) is a medicinal herbal product isolated from the bark of Machilus thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. (Lauraceae). It exhibits a neuroprotective effect and also exerts cytotoxicity to certain cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated whether or not MDGA inhibits inflammatory reaction through the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) generation. The results showed that MDGA (5~$25 {\mu}M$) inhibited 100 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced NO generation in macrophage Raw 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. We also measured the cytotoxic effects of MDGA on Raw 264.7 cells and found no evidence of cytotoxicity. The inhibition of NO generation by MDGA was consistent with the inhibitory effect on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In addition, MDGA inhibited the LPS-induced gene expression of $interleukin-1{\beta}$ $(IL-1{\beta})$ as well as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ $(TNF-{\alpha})$. The present results may provide that MDGA has anti-inflammatory properties through inhibition of the toll-like receptors (TLRs) pathway, and suggest that MDGA can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.173-183
• /
• 2022

Through the collection of herbarium specimens in Bhutan over the years, new plant species are discovered nearly annually. Thus, this paper reports two new genera and 19 new records of flowering plant species from Bhutan. The new genera include Eurycorymbus of the family Sapindaceae and Homalium of the family Salicaceae. The new records of plant species are Eranthemum erythrochilum (Acanthaceae), Hemidesmus indicus (Apocynaceae), Ilex umbellulata (Aquifoliaceae), Canarium strictum (Burseraceae), Ehretia acuminate (Boraginaceae), Vaccinium sikkimense (Ericaceae), Nothapodytes foetida (Icacinaceae), Machilus edulis (Lauraceae), Grewia asiatica (Malvaceae), Hibiscus fragrans (Malvaceae), Cipadessa baccifera (Meliaceae), Baccaurea javanica (Phyllanthaceae), Canthiumera glabra (Rubiaceae), Homalium napaulense (Salicaceae), Eurycorymbus cavaleriei (Sapindaceae), Acmella radicans (Asteraceae), Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae), Cleome rutidosperma (Cleomaceae), and Cuphea carthagenensis (Lythraceae). Morphological determinations of the genera and species were carried out at the National Herbarium (THIM) of the National Biodiversity Centre of Bhutan. Brief descriptions of the species, phenology, and photo plates are provided in this annotated checklist.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.170-180
• /
• 2023

Discoveries and new records of plants specifically provide a basis for empirical data to enable in-depth studies of the ecology, distribution, conservation, applications, and threats to such plants. However, many unexplored regions of Bhutan exist in which several plants have yet to be described and documented. Several species reported elsewhere in the Himalayan region with similar climatic conditions are likely to occur in Bhutan as well, indicating a need to corroborate their presence. To explore this, an opportunistic survey was employed, and we provide nine new records of plant species for Bhutan. Of the nine species, three belonged to the Lauraceae family, with the rest from the Aristolochiaceae, Asparagaceae, Lamiaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Sapindaceae, and Urticaceae families. This paper adds nine additional species of plants to the flora of Bhutan. We also report here ethnobotanical applications of these species, providing insight into how communities interact with environmental resources and have the potential to integrate traditional knowledge into scientific understanding, ultimately to reinforce sustainable biocultural conservation at the local level.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.325-332
• /
• 2020

Methyl linderone (ML), a cyclo-pentenedione, was isolated from the fruit of Lindera erythrocarpa Makino (family Lauraceae). This plant has well-known anti-inflammatory effects; however, the anti-cancer effects of ML have not yet been reported. Thus, in the present study we investigated the effects of ML on the metastasis of human breast cancer cells. We used 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated MCF-7 cells as the cell model to study the effects of ML on invasion and migration. ML was found to reduce the invasion and migration rate of TPA-stimulated MCF-7 cells. Moreover, it inhibited two metastasis-related factors, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), at the mRNA and protein expression levels, in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. The mechanism by which ML exerted these effects was through the inhibition of translocation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), mediated via phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Taken together, our findings indicated that ML attenuated the TPA-stimulated invasion and migration of MCF-7 cells by suppressing the phosphorylation of ERK and its downstream factors, AP-1 and STAT3. Therefore, ML is a potential agent for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.15 no.1_2 s.25
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 1979

With a view to searching after a new antihypertensive or hypotensive agents in the botanical crude plants, authors intended to reevaluate several natural products caltivated in Korea. This experiment was undertaken to compare pharmacogical actions of Machilus thunbergii Siebold et Zuccarini with those of Magnolia obovata Thunberg in anesthetized rats and in normal mice. Machilus thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc., a tree belonging to the Lauraceae family, is caltivated at Ull-ung Do, and their cortecies have been used as folk medicine mingled with those of Magnolia obovata Thunberg. These two cortecies have teen also applied in chinese medicine, it was advocated that these cortecies exerted good therapeutic effects on gastritis, convulsive abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and urinary tract disorders. Therefore, we intended to determine the pharmacological action of two palnt of different family each other, especially their effects on blood pressure and heart rate, and also their mechanism of action were observed. We studied their action with extracts of hexane(MTHE), ether(MTEE), methanol(MTME) and water(MTWE) from Machilus thunhergii Sieb. et Zucc., and also fractionations of methanol(MOME), chloroform(MOCE) and water(MOWE) from Mapolia obovata Thunberg. The results of this experiment were as follows; 1) MTME, when intravenously administered to rats, elicited the significant hypotensive responses dependent on the administered dosage. 2) MOWE was also exhibited the hypotensive effect dependent on the treated dose. 3) Depressor effect of MTME was blocked by pretreatment with hexamethonium. 4) The hypotensive response of MOWE was blocked by pretreatment with hexamethonium or hrdralazine. 5) HTME and MOWE were also observed the anticonvulsive effect and sedative effect. These results suggested that MTME may induce the hypotensive response via central sympathetic effect, but the site of action in brain are not clarified, and the hypotensive effect of MOWE may be due to dual mechanism of central sympathetic action and direct vasodilation of blood vessel.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.11.1-11.6
• /
• 2014

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum) is a tropical evergreen tree of Lauraceae family. It is one of the oldest culinary spices known and used traditionally in many cultures for centuries. In addition to its culinary uses, cinnamon also possesses as a folk remedy of many health disease condition including analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, haemostatic, insecticidal, and parasiticide and memory enhancing property. This study was aimed to assess the acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of standardized methanol extract of the C. zeylanicum. Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis were done to identify the presence of eugenol as chemical component and support the neuroprotective activity in the extract. Anticholinesterase inhibitory activity of crude methanol extract of C. zeylanicum leaves and cinnamon oil were evaluated by 96-well microtiter plate assay and thin layer chromatography bioassay detection methods. This study revealed that cinnamon oil ($IC_{50}:45.88{\pm}1.94{\mu}g/ml$) has better anticholinesterase activity than methanol extract ($IC_{50}:77.78{\pm}0.03{\mu}g/ml$). In HPLC analysis, retention time of eugenol in cinnamon oil was found to be 15.81 min which was comparable with the retention time (15.99 min) of the reference standard, eugenol. Seven chemical compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis, in which eugenol as an important phytoconstituents. Thus the phytochemicals from C. zeylanicum methanol leaves extract could be developed as potential source of anticholinesterase activity, with particular benefit in the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.95-98
• /
• 1998

Methanol extracts of 54 plant species in 32 families were tested for their antignawing activities against mice by wire-dipping method. The activity varied with plant species. Potent antignawing activity was observed in extracts from roots of Aucklandia lappa (Compositae), barks of Cinnamomum cassia (Lauraceae), fruits of Illicium verum (Magnoliaeceae), fruits of Piper nigrum (Piperaceae), rhizomes of Rheum officinale (Polygonaceae), and leaves of Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae). As naturally occurring rodent repellents, these plant-derived materials could be useful as a preventive agent against various kinds of damage caused by rodents.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.118-125
• /
• 2011

Free radical scavenging and antioxidants have attracted attention as a way to prevent the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study was carried out to investigate the effects of n-hexane fraction from Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) leaves (HFL) on dopamine (DA)-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Compared with apomorphine (APO, $IC_{50}=18.1\;{\mu}M$) as a positive control, the HFL $IC_{50}$ value for DA-induced apoptosis was $3.0\;{\mu}g/ml$, and two major compounds from HFL, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone, were $7.3\;{\mu}M$ and $3.6\;{\mu}M$, respectively. HFL and these major compounds significantly inhibited ROS generation in DA-induced SH-SY5Y cells. A rodent 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of PD was employed to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of HFL in vivo. 6-OHDA was injected into the substantia nigra of young adult rats and an immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to quantitate the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons. HFL significantly inhibited 6-OHDA-induced TH-positive cell loss in the substantia nigra and also reduced DA induced $\alpha$-synuclein (SYN) formation in SH-SY5Y cells. These results indicate that HFL may have neuroprotective effects against DA-induced in vitro and in vivo models of PD.