Search

Copyright of International Journal of Cosmetic Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a widely researched industrial crop with a variety of applications in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, cosmetic, textile, and materials industries. Although many of these applications are related to its chemical composition, the chemical diversity of the hemp metabolome has not been explored in detail and new metabolites with unknown properties are likely to be discovered. In the current study, we explored the chemical diversity of the hemp seed metabolome through an untargeted metabolomic study of 52 germplasm accessions to 1) identify new metabolites and 2) link the presence of biologically important molecules to specific accessions on which to focus on in future studies. Multivariate analysis of mass spectral data demonstrated large variability of the polar chemistry profile between accessions. Five main groups were annotated based on their similar metabolic fingerprints. The investigation also led to the discovery of a new compound and four structural analogues, belonging to a previously unknown chemical class in hemp seeds: cinnamic acid glycosyl sulphates. Although variability in the fatty acid profiles was not as marked as the polar components, some accessions had a higher yield of fatty acids, and variation in the ratio of linoleic acid to a-linolenic acid was also observed, with some varieties closer to 3:1 (reported as optimal for human nutrition). We found that that cinnamic acid amides and lignanamides, the main chemical classes of bioactive metabolites in hemp seed, were more concentrated in the Spanish accession Kongo Hanf (CAN58) and the French accession CAN37, while the Italian cultivar Eletta Campana (CAN48) demonstrated the greatest yield of fatty acids. Our results indicate that the high variability of bioactive and novel metabolites across the studied hemp seed accessions may influence claims associated with their commercialization and inform breeding programs in cultivar development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resinous wood produced by the Aquilaria and Gyrinops species—agarwood—is both rare and highly valuable. It is used in products from perfumes to medicines and has an estimated global market value of $32 billion. As a result, the adulteration and illegal purchasing of agarwood is widespread and of specific concern to enforcement agencies globally. Therefore, it is of interest to have a fast, reliable, and user-friendly method to confirm the authenticity of a sample of agarwood. We investigated the use of near infrared (NIR) data to develop a method that rapidly distinguished between authentic and non-authentic agarwood samples, based upon a soft independent model of class analogy (SIMCA), using software specific to the application of infrared data to material authentication. The model showed a clear distinction between the authentic and non-authentic samples. However, the small values involved led to poor automatic validation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Damage to hair by UV is relevant to most people, and for many, it is a major source of hair damage. Prevention of UV damage is of high interest to cosmetic companies. Objectives: Describe UV damage mechanisms and link these mechanisms to measurable changes in hair protein composition and color changes resulting from breakdown of yellow‐colored kynurenines. Test the power of botanical antioxidants, specifically Camellia sinensis (tea) extracts to prevent this protein damage and color change. Link specific phytochemistry of extract samples to hair performance. Methods: Camellia sinensis (tea) extracts were analyzed by LC‐MS to identify the key composition chemistries. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Antioxidant Capacity) was used to measure ability of the extract to react with a peroxyl radical via a hydrogen abstraction mechanism. Hair protein structural damage was measured by quantification of a biomarker peptide that is specific to UV‐induced damage and hair color changes were measured with a spectrophotometer. Results: Levels of key phytochemistry in the extracts, specifically the catechins, correlated with prevention of UV‐induced protein damage and prevention of color changes due to kynurenine breakdown. Extracts with higher phytochemistry levels also had higher ORAC scores indicating that they were more effective antioxidants. Conclusions: Camellia sinensis (tea) extracts can be used as effective protective treatments for hair protection but this efficacy is linked to extract concentrations of key chemistries (catechins). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape seeds are a rich source of flavan-3-ol monomers, oligomers, and polymers. The diverse profile of compounds includes mainly B-type procyanidins (especially C4→C8 linked molecules) and the key monomers, catechin, and epicatechin that are positively implicated in the 'French Paradox'. Today grape seed nutraceuticals have become a multi-million-dollar industry. This has created incentives to elucidate the variations in chemistry across cultivars, to identify signs of adulteration, and to understand the intrinsic and extrinsic factors controlling the expression of metabolites in the seeds' metabolome. This review provides a critical overview of the existing literature on grape seed chemistry. Although the biosynthetic pathways for polymeric procyanidins in seeds have not yet been explained, abiotic factors have been shown to modulate associated genes. Research of extrinsic factors has demonstrated that the control of procyanidin expression is strongly influenced, in order of importance, by genotype (species first, then variety) and environment, as claimed anecdotally. Unfortunately, research outcomes on the effects of abiotic factors have low certainty, because effects can be specific to genotype or variety, and there is limited control over physical metrics in the field. Thus, to gain a fuller understanding of the effects of abiotic factors and biosynthetic pathways, and realise potential for optimisation, a more fundamental research approach is needed. Nevertheless, the current synthesis offers insight into the selection of species or varieties according to the profile of polyphenols, as well as for optimisation of horticultural practices, with a view to produce products that contain the compounds that support health claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of antibiotics more than 80 years ago has led to considerable improvements in human and animal health. Although antibiotic resistance in environmental bacteria is ancient, resistance in human pathogens is thought to be a modern phenomenon that is driven by the clinical use of antibiotics1. Here we show that particular lineages of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus—a notorious human pathogen—appeared in European hedgehogs in the pre-antibiotic era. Subsequently, these lineages spread within the local hedgehog populations and between hedgehogs and secondary hosts, including livestock and humans. We also demonstrate that the hedgehog dermatophyte Trichophyton erinacei produces two β-lactam antibiotics that provide a natural selective environment in which methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates have an advantage over susceptible isolates. Together, these results suggest that methicillin resistance emerged in the pre-antibiotic era as a co-evolutionary adaptation of S. aureus to the colonization of dermatophyte-infected hedgehogs. The evolution of clinically relevant antibiotic-resistance genes in wild animals and the connectivity of natural, agricultural and human ecosystems demonstrate that the use of a One Health approach is critical for our understanding and management of antibiotic resistance, which is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development.Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus appeared in European hedgehogs in the pre-antibiotic era as a co-evolutionary adaptation to antibiotic-producing dermatophytes and have spread within the local hedgehog populations and between hedgehogs and secondary hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific studies of Aloe vera have tentatively explained therapeutic claims from a mechanistic perspective. Furthermore, in vitro outcomes demonstrate that the breakage of acemannan chains into smaller fragments enhances biological effects. These fragments can intravenously boost vaccine efficacy or entrain the immune system to attack cancer cells by mannose receptor agonism of macrophage or dendritic cells. With oral consumption, epithelialisation also occurs at injured sites in the small intestine or colon. The main advantage of dietary acemannan is the attenuation of the digestive process, increasing satiety, and slowing the release of sugars from starches. In the colon, acemannan is digested by microbes into short‐chain fatty acids that are absorbed and augment the sensation of satiety and confer a host of other health benefits. In topical applications, an acemannan/chitosan combination accelerates the closure of wounds by promoting granular tissue formation, which creates a barrier between macrophages or neutrophils and the wound dressing. This causes M2 polarisation, reversal of inflammation, and acceleration of the re‐epithelialisation process. This review summarises and explains the current pharmacodynamic paradigm in the context of acemannan in topical, oral, and intravenous applications. However, due to contradictory results in the literature, further research is required to provide scientific evidence to confirm or nullify these claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage to hair by UV radiation is relevant to most people, and for many, it is a major source of hair damage. The chemistry is complex, and studying all of the detailed reactions is extremely challenging. The objective of this work was to create a model system that allows for the study of one key mechanism involved in UV damage: the oxidation of tyrosine. A colloidal system to study the reactivity and chemistry of tyrosine was tracked by monitoring tyrosine decomposition and dityrosine formation by fluorescence spectroscopy. Experiments showed both the important role of oxygen in the decomposition of tyrosine and how the addition of redox metals such as iron can accelerate this decomposition. Finally, an antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene, was demonstrated to reduce this oxidation through the interception of reactive oxygen species. These findings suggested two possible strategies for reducing UV-induced radical damage to hair: removal of redox metals and addition of a radical scavenger to react with reactive oxygen species formed. The second strategy was confirmed by testing selected extracts from tea (Camellia sinensis), which is well known to have antioxidant properties. An oxygen radical antioxidant capacity assay was used as a screening tool to identify which tea extracts have the highest antioxidant efficacy, and these extracts were shown to reduce UV-induced protein damage in hair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covering: up to 2019 The large and medicinally important tropical plant genus Plectranthus (Lamiaceae) was recently split into three separate genera on the basis of molecular and morphological evidence; Plectranthus sensu stricto, Coleus and Equilabium. We found striking differences between the diterpenoids which strongly support this taxonomic split. Coleus is characterised by abietanes oxygenated at C-14 such as royleanones, spirocoleons and acylhydroquinones, which could be useful chemotaxonomic markers to distinguish this genus from Plectranthus s.s. In contrast, the abietanes in Plectranthus s.s. lack C-14 oxygenation, but are often acylated with unusual acids. Equilabium species do not seem to produce diterpenoids. The structures of the nearly 240 abietanes so far reported from Coleus and Plectranthus and their distribution are presented. The aim of this Highlight is to provide an overview of the differences in diterpenoid diversity between these newly defined genera, which are relevant to predict which previously understudied species could hold untapped potential for their medicinal and other economic uses, and to underpin future research on how these plants have evolved to synthesise distinct abietane types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tricin, one of the flavones present in edible Poaceae species, was shown to interfere with intestinal inflammatory-related carcinogenesis and suppress metastasis in colon cancer mice models. Those botanical foods and medicinal herbs which contain high content of tricin may be considered as health supplements for colon health. Hence, the present study aimed to identify and quantify the content of tricin in various medicinal herbs, edible botanicals and some agricultural by-products by LC-MS. A list of "top 10 tricin-rich botanicals/medicinal herbs" was built. From the results, the top three high tricin content botanicals are the dried culms of Triticum aestivum (wheat straw), dried culms of Oryza sativa (rice straw) and mature fruits of Imperata cylindrica. Furthermore, a simple, straightforward isolation method has been developed to isolate tricin from wheat straw which achieved 50% isolation rate (percentage yield of 0.05% w/w) with purity of not less than 98%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the side effects of oral antiaging retinoids is increased hair shedding. Retinoids promote the expression of TGF‐β2 from fibroblasts, which stimulate collagen expression but silences keratinocytes. Since keratinocytes normally influence differentiation of dermal papilla cells at the base of the hair follicle, retinoids feasibly inhibit hair growth via the increased expression of TGF‐β2, which inhibits Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Fortunately, the plant kingdom provides an array of alternatives as dual‐acting nutricosmetics and topicals that work independently of TGF‐β2 to confer dermal antiaging and hair health effects. These alternatives include "plant hormones" such as cytokinins and phytoestrogens. Many cytokinins are agonists of the G‐coupled adenosine receptors. Partial agonism of adenosine receptors promotes collagen synthesis independently of TGF‐β2 signaling. Adenosine expression is potentially also the mechanism of minoxidil in promotion of scalp hair growth. Because of crosstalk between adenosine and cannabinoid receptors it makes sense to try combinations of specific CB2 agonists and cytokinins (or phytoestrogens). However, dual‐acting cosmetics including peptides with high numbers of positively charged amino acids, such as lysine or arginine, offer real potential as they can be processed from multiple botanical candidates, including almond, fenugreek, pea sprouts, soy, and seaweeds. The current review summarizes much of what is known about retinoid alternatives in the plant kingdom and identifies potentially fruitful new areas of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 calls for "strong global partnerships and cooperation" to support the other SDGs. The collections‐based science community offers many examples of conservation of plant and fungal biodiversity, sharing, repatriation and aggregation of data, access to new technologies, supply of plant and fungal material, strengthening capacity of practitioners, and benefit sharing with the providers of biodiversity and genetic resources. Collaboration framed by workable multilateral treaties will increase our understanding of plant and fungal diversity, help halt biodiversity loss, and accelerate our sustainable use of plants and fungi and the exploration of their useful traits. Summary: Collections‐based institutes are at the forefront of generating knowledge and understanding of plant and fungal biodiversity. Through the analysis of occurrence data, the use of modern technologies to better understand the evolutionary relationships between species and documentation of their useful properties, the work of collections‐based institutes provides good models for conservation; addressing species loss and improving sustainable use of plants and fungi. Nevertheless, the pressure on the planet's plant and fungal diversity is relentless. We argue that a massive increase in the accessibility of preserved and living collections of plants and fungi is required. An increased scale of responsible exploration to both conserve and unlock the useful properties of plants and fungi is needed to deliver solutions to the many global challenges facing humanity and the planet. This article explores the role of collaborations between collections‐based institutes and their partners in preventing biodiversity loss and delivering sustainable development. Drawing on examples from herbaria, agricultural and wild species genebanks, mycological collections, an international NGO, and the botanic garden community, we demonstrate how collaboration improves efficiency and impact. Collaborations can be peer to peer, institutional, governmental, national, or international, they may involve work with local communities and are frequently a combination of these. We suggest the five key benefits to collaboration and show that with trust, understanding, and mutual respect, powerful and sustainable partnerships develop. Such trust and respect are hard won, but once established, sustain a high level of commitment, enable development of shared long‐term visions of success, and attract diverse funding streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social Impact Statement: Patents can be used as a measure of innovation and to illustrate the commercial potential of plant and fungal biodiversity. The proportion of plant species named in patents represents only 6.2% of plant species, whereas the proportion of fungi is likely less than 0.4%. Fungi clearly justify further research. Innovation on a species usually drives more innovation on that species. We suggest that we should ensure that commercialization frameworks encourage studies on a greater diversity of plants and fungi. This could not only increase the range of biodiversity‐based products and associated income but also incentivize their conservation and encourage more fundamental research. Summary: In this review, patents are used as a measure of innovation, and data show that a low proportion of plant and fungal biodiversity is mentioned in patents. The proportion of plant species named in patents represents only 6.2% of plant species, whereas the proportion of fungi is most likely less than 0.4%. The number of species within a plant family mentioned in patents varies greatly. The following families having the greatest numbers: Asteraceae with 1,445 species (4.5% of species), Fabaceae with 1,299 species (5.8%), Poaceae with 1,008 species (8.5%), and Rosaceae with 718 species (12.7%). Case studies from Brazil, Ethiopia, and South Africa explore some of the controversies associated with patenting, especially when patents have not taken prior art into account. In contrast, a case study on plants and fungi used in traditional Chinese medicine illustrates their economic value and their potential to support new innovations. Innovative ways to use plant and fungal biodiversity has the potential to generate wealth, reduce poverty, improve human well‐being and in theory incentivize biodiversity conservation. International and national policies and laws that aim to facilitate equitable benefit‐sharing associated with access to and use of genetic diversity need to be reviewed to help facilitate innovation, as well as ensure that the rights of communities to use these resources are recognized and supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For all but a very few highly specialized insect feeders, Canna generalis L. (Cannaceae) is unacceptable as a food plant and is a highly potent feeding deterrent for the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta Johan. (Lepidoptera). The present study describes the isolation of an active deterrent compound, rosmarinic acid (RA) from the ethanol extract of canna leaves. A two‐choice bioassay shows that RA is a feeding deterrent in the concentration range 0.3–3 mm. Bilateral ablation of the oral chemoreceptors eliminates this deterrence. The results reported in the behavioural literature show that only the epipharyngeal sensilla and the medial (but not the lateral) styloconica contribute to this deterrence elicited by canna foliage or extract, and the data obtained in the present study show the same results using RA. Electrophysiological recordings from the medial styloconica show that RA primarily stimulates the 'deterrent neurone' in a concentration‐dependent manner with a threshold of approximately 0.03 mm and a peak frequency of 69 spikes s–1 at 0.1 mm RA. An extract of canna leaves elicits similar responses. Adding RA to canna extract does not elicit another class of spikes, indicating that both stimuli activate the same neurone. We discuss the significance of the results with respect to furthering our knowledge about the sensory basis of food selection, and specifically about the range of compounds that stimulate deterrent chemosensitive neurones of lepidopteran larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Asarum are used in traditional Chinese medicine and, similar to members of the genus Aristolochia, they contain aristolochic acid analogs (AAAs). These compounds are known for their nephrotoxic and carcinogenic effects. So far, the phytochemistry and nephrotoxicity of species of Asarum is not well studied. A high-resolution LC-MS-based metabolomic approach was used to study the phytochemical variation in medicinally used Asarumspecies. The cytotoxicity of the samples was assessed using human kidney (HK-2) cells. The majority of samples contained potentially nephrotoxic AAAs, including 9-methoxy aristolactam (AL) IV, AL I, and AL IV. These compounds were present in methanol as well as water extracts. AAAs were detected in all parts of the plant. The majority of the extracts were not cytotoxic to HK-2 cells at the doses tested. However, other mechanisms relating to aristolochic acid nephropathy and cancer development, such as DNA adduct formation may occur. The results of this study provide a model for assessing lesser-known plant species for toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aloe vera supports a substantial global trade yet its wild origins, and explanations for its popularity over 500 related Aloe species in one of the world's largest succulent groups, have remained uncertain. We developed an explicit phylogenetic framework to explore links between the rich traditions of medicinal use and leaf succulence in aloes. Results: The phylogenetic hypothesis clarifies the origins of Aloe vera to the Arabian Peninsula at the northernmost limits of the range for aloes. The genus Aloe originated in southern Africa ~16 million years ago and underwent two major radiations driven by different speciation processes, giving rise to the extraordinary diversity known today. Large, succulent leaves typical of medicinal aloes arose during the most recent diversification ~10 million years ago and are strongly correlated to the phylogeny and to the likelihood of a species being used for medicine. A significant, albeit weak, phylogenetic signal is evident in the medicinal uses of aloes, suggesting that the properties for which they are valued do not occur randomly across the branches of the phylogenetic tree. Conclusions: Phylogenetic investigation of plant use and leaf succulence among aloes has yielded new explanations for the extraordinary market dominance of Aloe vera. The industry preference for Aloe vera appears to be due to its proximity to important historic trade routes, and early introduction to trade and cultivation. Well-developed succulent leaf mesophyll tissue, an adaptive feature that likely contributed to the ecological success of the genus Aloe, is the main predictor for medicinal use among Aloe species, whereas evolutionary loss of succulence tends to be associated with losses of medicinal use. Phylogenetic analyses of plant use offer potential to understand patterns in the value of global plant diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covering: 1960 to 2013 Aristolochic acids are known for causing aristolochic acid nephropathy, a renal fibrosis often associated with urothelial carcinoma. Aristolochic acid I and II are considered to be the cause of these nephrotoxic and carcinogenic effects. However a variety of aristolochic acid analogues, including aristolactams and 4,5-dioxoaporphines have been reported. Their implications in aristolochic acid nephropathy have possibly been overlooked. In this report, in vivo and in vitro toxicity and mutagenicity of these three classes of compounds are discussed. Furthermore, the review gives an update of aristolochic acids, aristolactams and 4,5-dioxoaporphines reported between 2003 and 2013 and their biological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of American cochineal species (Dactylopius genus) can provide important information for the study of historical works of art, entomology, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foods. In this study, validated species of Dactylopius, including the domesticated cochineal D. coccus, were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and submitted to multivariate data analysis, in order to discriminate the species and hence construct a reference library for a wide range of applications. Principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) models successfully provided accurate species classifications. This library was then applied to the identification of 72 historical insect specimens of unidentified species, mostly dating from the 19th century, and belonging to the Economic Botany Collection, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. With this approach it was possible to identify anomalies in how insects were labelled historically, as several of them were revealed not to be cochineal. Nevertheless, more than 85% of the collection was determined to be species of Dactylopius and the majority of the specimens were identified as D. coccus. These results have shown that HPLC-DAD, in combination with suitable chemometric methods, is a powerful approach for discriminating related cochineal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit from A. hippocastanum L. are used commercially for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The isomeric mixture of pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins (β-aescin) exert anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, research has focused on β-aescin, yet the diversity, accumulation, and bioactivity of organ-specific secondary metabolites represent missed pharmacological opportunities. To this end, we applied an untargeted metabolomics approach by liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to the chemical profiles of flowers, immature fruits, and pedicels from 40 specimens across 18 species of Aesculus. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS-DA), and molecular networking revealed stronger chemical differences between plant organs, than between species. Flowers are rich in glycosylated flavonoids, pedicels in organic acids and flavonoid aglycones, and immature fruits in monomeric flavan-3-ols and procyanidins. Although a high diversity of flavonoids and procyanidins was observed, the relative amounts differed by plant organ. Fruit extracts demonstrated the strongest antifungal (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and antioxidant activity, likely from the procyanidins. Overall, secondary metabolite profiles are organ-specific, and fruits accumulate antifungal and antioxidant compounds. Due to the chemical similarity between species, similar effects may be achieved between species. This creates incentives for further exploration of the entire genus, in bioprospecting for potential therapeutic leads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelargonium graveolens (Geraniaceae) was characterized with respect to its chemical composition, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activities. This is the first investigation focusing on the comparison of both essential oil and polar extracts from this species. The chemical composition of the essential oil of the aerial parts of P. graveolens was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The main constituents of the oil were found to be β-citronellol (21.9%), citronellyl formate (13.2%), geraniol (11.1%), 10-epi-γ-eudesmol (7.9%), geranyl formate (6.2%) and (l)-linalool (5.6%). Nine flavonoids were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-MS in leaf and flower extracts. Kaempferol 3- O-rhamnoside-glucoside, isorhamnetin aglycone, quercetin 3- O-glucoside, kaempferol 3,7-di- O-glucoside, quercetin 3- O-pentose and kaempferol 3- O-glucoside, quercetin 3- O-rhamnoside-glucoside, quercetin 3- O-pentoside-glucoside, myrisetin 3- O-glucoside-rhamnoside flavonoids were detected in methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. The total flavonoids ranged between 29.9 and 78.2 mg QE/g in flower water and methanol extracts, respectively, and 22.5 and 71.2 mg QE/g dry weight in leaf water and methanol extracts, respectively. The highest antioxidant activities using two methods of free radical scavenging capacities were obtained with the essential oil (9.16 mM of Trolox and 2.68 µg/ml). All P. graveolens essential oil and polar extracts were active against at least one bacterium. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been 20 years since the first description of a rapidly progressive renal disease that is associated with the consumption of Chinese herbs containing aristolochic acid (AA) and is now termed aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Recent data have shown that AA is also the primary causative agent in Balkan endemic nephropathy and associated urothelial cancer. Aristolochic acid nephropathy is associated with a high long-term risk for renal failure and urothelial cancer, and the potential worldwide population exposure is enormous. This evidence-based review of the diagnostic approach to and management of AAN draws on the authors' experience with the largest and longest-studied combined cohort of patients with this condition. It is hoped that a better understanding of the importance of this underrecognized and severe condition will improve epidemiologic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies to reduce the global burden of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been 20 years since the first description of a rapidly progres-sive renal disease that is associated with the consumption of Chi-nese herbs containing aristolochic acid (AA) and is now termed aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Recent data have shown that AA is also the primary causative agent in Balkan endemic nephrop-athy and associated urothelial cancer. Aristolochic acid nephropathy is associated with a high long-term risk for renal failure and urothe-lial cancer, and the potential worldwide population exposure is enormous. This evidence-based review of the diagnostic approach to and management of AAN draws on the authors' experience with the largest and longest-studied combined cohort of patients with this condition. It is hoped that a better understanding of the im-portance of this underrecognized and severe condition will improve epidemiologic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies to reduce the global burden of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an integral part of mainstream medicine in China. Due to its worldwide use, potential impact on healthcare and opportunities for new drug development, TCM is also of great international interest. Recently, a new era for modernisation of TCM was launched with the successful completion of the Good Practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in the Post-genomic Era (GP-TCM) project, the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) coordination action on TCM research. This 3.5-year project that involved inputs from over 200 scientists resulted in the production of 20 editorials and in-depth reviews on different aspects of TCM that were published in a special issue of Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2012; volume 140, issue 3). In this narrative review, we aim to summarise the findings of the FP7 GP-TCM project and highlight the relevance of TCM to modern medicine within a historical and international context. Advances in TCM research since the 1950s can be characterised into three phases: Phase I (1950s-1970s) was fundamental for developing TCM higher education, research and hospital networks in China; Phase II (1980s-2000s) was critical for developing legal, economic and scientific foundations and international networks for TCM; and Phase III (2011 onwards) is concentrating on consolidating the scientific basis and clinical practice of TCM through interdisciplinary, interregional and intersectoral collaborations. Taking into account the quality and safety requirements newly imposed by a globalised market, we especially highlight the scientific evidence behind TCM, update the most important milestones and pitfalls, and propose integrity, integration and innovation as key principles for further modernisation of TCM. These principles will serve as foundations for further research and development of TCM, and for its future integration into tomorrow's medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observational studies on foliage avoidance by the polyphagous thrips species Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) and Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) identified six non-host species ( Allagopappus dichotomus (Asteraceae), Gardenia posoquerioides (Rubiaceae), Plectranthus aff. barbatus, Plectranthus strigosus, Plectranthus zuluensis (Lamiaceae), and Sclerochiton harveyanus (Acanthaceae) among plants growing within a major glasshouse botanical collection. The effects of sequentially obtained acetone and aqueous methanol leaf extracts on mortality in first instar Frankliniella occidentalis were assessed. The acetone leaf extract of Sclerochiton harveyanus, which had the highest activity against the thrips, yielded four new iridoids, sclerochitonosides A-C, and sclerochitonoside B 4′-methyl ether. Mortality of F. occidentalis was increased on exposure to all four iridoids, and the most active iridoid was sclerochitonoside A (8-epiloganic acid 4′-hydroxyphenylethyl ester). Choice experiments demonstrated that this compound did not significantly deter H. haemorrhoidalis from treated leaf surfaces. The significance of iridoids in the defense mechanism of plants against thrips is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. We recently developed high-throughput assays of inflammation-independent anti-fibrotic activities based on TGF-β1-induced total collagen accumulation and nodule formation in normal rat kidney fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Leaf surface morphology was analysed in 32 species representing the maculate species complex (the poorly resolved section Pictae) in the genus Aloe (Xanthorrhoeaceae). Few comparative morphological data are available for the complex. Leaf surface and stomatal characters observed by scanning electron microscopy show taxonomically significant interspecific variation. Most species are characterized by irregularly outlined, four- to six-sided epidermal cells, the periclinal walls of which are flat and embellished with micropapillae and the anticlinal walls of which are indicated by channels on the leaf surface. The outer stomatal pore is typically sunken or plane and surrounded by four lobes on the leaf surface that may overarch the epistomatal chamber. The guard cells have distinct outer and inner stomatal ledges. Two geographical groups, comprising southern and east African species, are distinguishable by their leaf surface morphology. These characters are diagnostic in A. ellenbeckii, A. prinslooi and A. suffulta and support changes in the delimitation of A. greatheadii, A. macrocarpa and A. swynnertonii. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 418–428. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae) comprises 548 accepted species, of which at least one-third are documented as having some utilitarian value. The group is of conservation concern due to habitat loss and being extensively collected from the wild for horticulture and natural products. Cultural value is increasingly important in the effective conservation of biodiversity. The present study evaluated the biocultural value of the known uses of Aloe, excluding the domesticated and commercially cultivated A. vera. Over 1,400 use records representing 173 species were collated from the literature and through personal observation; this paper presents a synopsis of uses in each of 11 use categories. Medicinal uses of Aloe were described by 74% of the use records, followed by social and environmental uses (both 5%). Species yielding natural products, notably A. ferox and A. perryi, were most frequently cited in the literature. Consensus ratios indicate that the most valued uses of Aloe are in medicine and pest control against arthropods and other invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial activity of the sequential n-hexane, acetone and 50% aqueous methanol extracts of leaves, stem bark and roots of four species of medicinal plants, Cassia sieberiana DC. (Leguminosae), Haematostaphis barteri Hook. f. (Anacardiaceae), Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) O. Kuntze (Rubiaceae) and Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Schweinf.) Harms (Meliaceae), from Ghana were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas syringae and Cladosporium herbarum using TLC direct-autobiographic methods . Extracts from leaves, stem bark and roots of the four species gave a positive result against at least one test organism. Twelve of the 36 extracts were active against B. subtilis, four extracts were active against P. syringae and six were active against C. herbarum. Preliminary chemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, stilbenes and alkaloids. This is the first report of a stilbene from the Anacardiaceae. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nomenclature of plants in pharmacology can be presented by pharmaceutical names or scientific names in the form of Linnaean binomials. In this paper, positive and negative aspects of both systems are discussed in the context of the scientific nomenclatural framework and the systems' practical applicability. The Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) runs the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring and is responsible for the WHO Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) database that currently contains 3.6 million records. In order for the UMC to monitor pharmacovigilance through ADRs to herbal medicine products the following nomenclatural criteria are important: (i) the name should indicate only one species of plant; (ii) the source for this name must be authoritative; (iii) the name should indicate which part of the plant is used. Based on these criteria, the UMC investigated four options: (i) adopt main names used in recognised (inter-) national pharmacopoeias or authoritative publications; (ii) adopt option 1, but cite the publication for all names in abbreviated form; (iii) three-part pharmaceutical names consisting of Latinised part name plus Latinised genus name, plus Latinised specific epithet; (iv) scientific binomial names, optionally with author and plant part used. The UMC has chosen the latter option and will at its adoption utilise the scientific botanical nomenclature as defined by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. This decision satisfies all criteria set by the UMC and renders the necessity of creating a new system or upgrading an old inconsistent system obsolete. The UMC has also issued an extensive synonymy checklist of vernacular, pharmaceutical and scientific names for the herbals in the WHO ADR database. We strongly recommend the adoption of scientific names to denote plant ingredients in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlights the morphological differences between two groups of plants; those that are recorded as hosts of the thrips Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché) and those that remain free from infestation. Scanning electron microscope techniques were used to describe the morphology of the leaf surface of 19 species in order to help identify which morphological features could play a role in the selection of plant species by thrips from among a diverse botanical collection. H. haemorrhoidalis had a preference for species with leaves that were coriaceous, with one or both surfaces being smooth. Plants evading these thrips commonly possessed glandular trichomes. Thus morphology may have a role in deterring thrips from the leaf surface, as well as influencing the behaviour of predators that control thrips. Further detailed studies into the chemistry of leaves of hosts and nonhost species may help to further our understanding of selection mechanisms. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 109–130. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nomenclature of plants in pharmacology can be presented by pharmaceutical names or scientific names in the form of Linnaean binomials. In this paper, positive and negative aspects of both systems are discussed in the context of the scientific nomenclatural framework and the systems' practical applicability. The Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) runs the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring and is responsible for the WHO Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) database that currently contains 3.6 million records. In order for the UMC to monitor pharmacovigilance through ADRs to herbal medicine products the following nomenclatural criteria are important: (i) the name should indicate only one species of plant; (ii) the source for this name must be authoritative; (iii) the name should indicate which part of the plant is used. Based on these criteria, the UMC investigated four options: (i) adopt main names used in recognised (inter-) national pharmacopoeias or authoritative publications; (ii) adopt option 1, but cite the publication for all names in abbreviated form; (iii) three-part pharmaceutical names consisting of Latinised part name plus Latinised genus name, plus Latinised specific epithet; (iv) scientific binomial names, optionally with author and plant part used. The UMC has chosen the latter option and will at its adoption utilise the scientific botanical nomenclature as defined by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. This decision satisfies all criteria set by the UMC and renders the necessity of creating a new system or upgrading an old inconsistent system obsolete. The UMC has also issued an extensive synonymy checklist of vernacular, pharmaceutical and scientific names for the herbals in the WHO ADR database. We strongly recommend the adoption of scientific names to denote plant ingredients in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No-choice and binary-choice bioassays were used to test the effect of a range of plant-derived insecticides on the behaviour of larvae of the black blowfly Phormia regina (Meigen). Azadirachtin (100 and 10 ppm), pyrethrum extract (10 ppm) and the naphthoquinone BTG 505 (1000 ppm) acted as deterrents for P. regina larvae. The mortality of larvae was reduced in instances where they moved away from a treated diet. Larvae given a choice were heavier, when compared with larvae reared exclusively on diets containing either azadirachtin (100 or 10 ppm) or the naphthoquinones, BTG 504 (1000 ppm) or BTG 505 (1000 ppm). The deterrent effect of azadirachtin, pyrethrum and the naphthoquinone BTG 505 together with their larvicidal activity, could be utilized in prophylaxis against myiasis infections due to larvae of Phormia regina. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibacterial activity of extracts from species of plants used in the Chinese medicine, Zi Hua Di Ding ( Viola yedoensis, V. prionantha, Corydalis bungeana and Gueldenstaedtia verna), was tested against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas syringae using a bioautographic assay. The petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of all four species of plants showed activity against both species of bacteria, whereas the methanol and aqueous methanol extracts were inactive. Three fractions from the petroleum ether extracts of V. yedoensis, V. prionantha and C. bungeana showed activity against B. subtilis at 6.25 µg/mL. Preliminary analysis of these active fractions indicates that they contain long chain carboxylic acids. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-oxidation of the neem limonoids nimbin and salannin with UV fight in the presence of oxygen gives two isomeric lactone products per limonoid, nimbinolide and isonimbinolide, and salanninolide and isosalanninofide, respectively. When compared in insect tests with the important limonoids of neem seeds, azadirachtin, nimbin and salannin, isonimbinolide and isosalanninolide show activity greater than that of nimbin or salannin and in some respects show activity approaching that of azadirachtin. The photo-oxidation products were tested for antifeedant activity and toxicity against larvae of three species of Lepidoptera, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd), Spodoptera frugiperda (FE Smith) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and nymphs of the locusts Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) and Locusta migratoria (L). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A short duration (24 h) leaf-disc bioassay was used to determine the effects of teflubenzuron residues on the predation levels of two predators, Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese) and Orius laevigatus (Fieber), foraging on nymphs of two species of thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) and Heliothrips haernorrhoidalis (Bouché), on a range of different species of plant. Teflubenzuron did cause thrips mortality during the 24-h bioassay; it was more active against H haernorrhoidalis than F occidentalis. Teflubenzuron did not cause significant mortality to either species of predator, although on some plants the effectiveness of both predators was reduced in the presence of teflubenzuron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]