Abstract  Compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) has been applied to monitor bioremediation of groundwater contaminants and provide insight into mechanisms of transformation of chlorinated ethanes. To date there is little information on its applicability for chlorinated methanes. Moreover, published enrichment factors (ε) observed during the biotic and abiotic degradation of chlorinated alkanes, such as carbon tetrachloride (CT); 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA); and 1,1-dichloroethane (1,1-DCA), range from -26.5‰ to -1.8‰ and illustrate a system where similar C-Cl bonds are cleaved but significantly different isotope enrichment factors are observed. In the current study, biotic degradation of chloroform (CF) to dichloromethane (DCM) was carried out by the Dehalobacter containing culture DHB-CF/MEL also shown to degrade 1,1,1-TCA and 1,1-DCA. The carbon isotope enrichment factor (ε) measured during biodegradation of CF was -27.5‰ ± 0.9‰, consistent with the theoretical maximum kinetic isotope effect for C-Cl bond cleavage. Unlike 1,1,1-TCA and 1,1-DCA, reductive dechlorination of CF by the Dehalobacter-containing culture shows no evidence of suppression of the intrinsic maximum kinetic isotope effect. Such a large fractionation effect, comparable to those published for cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) suggests CSIA has significant potential to identify and monitor biodegradation of CF, as well as important implications for recent efforts to fingerprint natural versus anthropogenic sources of CF in soils and groundwater.

Abstract  Performance of two new air sampling bags [the transparent bag (TP bag) and the semi-transparent bag (ST bag)] was examined as possible surrogates for the traditional PVF bag (the Ref bag). Solvent vapor mixture of butyl acetate, chloroform, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol and toluene at administrative control levels were introduced to each bag (n=5 for each of the three types), and the decay in the concentrations (by %) was followed by use of a gas auto-sampler - FID-GC system. A trend of time-dependent decay was noted for all types including the Ref bag. When the performance was compared, the TP bag was equal to or even better than the Ref bag. In contrast, the performance of the ST bag was comparable to that of the other two types of bags with regard to toluene and chloroform when the storage time was short, but poorer than others for the other three solvents throughout the test period. The TP bag may be a bag of choice when the storage time is extended (e.g., up to 48 h) although this bag is physically less robust and requires careful handling. The ST bag may be used when analysis will be completed within 24 h.

Abstract  We assessed the effect of DNA extraction and sample preservation methods on the DNA yield and quality obtained from earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosa Savigny) gut samples and on the results obtained by bacterial and fungal automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) of DNA extracts. Methods based on a hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide dithiotreitol (CTAB-DTT) extraction buffer yielded more favourable results than those based on a sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) buffer. For both of these buffers, incorporation of a bead-beating during the lysis step increased the ARISA-derived bacterial ribotype numbers and diversity estimates, as determined for gut wall samples (P<0.01). Although spectrophotometric analysis indicated that DNA extracted by the CTAB-DTT and SDS-based methods were of comparable quality (P> or =0.05), the former method yielded >1.5 times more DNA from both gut contents and gut walls of earthworms than the latter method (both incorporating the bead beating step) (P<0.01). ARISA analysis detected more reproducible ribotypes and more microbial diversity in DNA extracted by the CTAB-DTT- as compared to the SDS-based method (P<0.01). Significant difference between bacterial communities of gut contents and gut walls were detected within DNA extracted by the CTAB-DTT (but not by the SDS-based) method (Global R=0.76, P<0.001, analysis of similarity). Using the CTAB-DTT-based method, we showed that earthworm preservation in ethanol yielded higher quality DNA from gut contents than preservation in either chloroform or liquid N, as determined by spectrophotometry, PCR inhibition analysis and bacterial and fungal ARISA (P<0.05). Bacterial or fungal communities in the gut contents of fresh and ethanol-preserved earthworms were more similar and were significantly different from those of earthworms preserved in chloroform or liquid N (Global R=0.79 and 0.83 for bacteria and fungi, respectively; P<0.001, analysis of similarity). We propose that ethanol preservation and the CTAB-DTT-based DNA extraction method described herein are also suitable for the analysis of gut-associated microbiota in other soil and sediment feeding invertebrates.

Abstract  Besides trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), chloral hydrate (CH) is the next most prevalent disinfection by-product (DBP) in drinking water, formed as a result of the reaction between chlorine and natural organic matter (NOM). Chloral hydrate (trichloroacetaldehyde) should be limited in drinking water because of its adverse health effect. The controversies concerning the appearance of CH in disinfected water found in literature are discussed in the present paper. According to some authors the CH yield during chlorination of water depends only on TOC. However, there are other data available that do not confirm this relationship. Another fact requiring clarification is the dependence of CH formation on pH. In the present study, CH formation is analysed in different types of water disinfected with different doses of chlorine. Formation of CH is correlated with the dose of Cl(2) and the contact time. The formation of chloral hydrate takes place as long as chlorine is available in the water. Total organic carbon (TOC) is not considered the main factor influencing the production of chloral hydrate in water treated with Cl(2) as the production depends also on the nature of NOM. Higher levels of CH are observed at alkaline conditions (pH>7). A significant correlation (R(2)>0.9) between the concentrations of chloral hydrate and chloroform has been observed. The preozonation increases significantly the chloral hydrate formation potential in the water treated. Biofiltration process does not remove all of CH precursors and its efficiency depends strongly on the contact time. Chloral hydrate was analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector with the detection limit 0.1 microg L(-1).

Abstract  The decay of solvated electron e(s)(-) is observed by nanosecond and picosecond pulsed radiolysis, in diluted and highly concentrated solutions of dichloromethane, CH(2)Cl(2), trichloromethane, CHCl(3), tribromomethane, CHBr(3), acetone, CH(3)COCH(3), and nitromethane, CH(3)NO(2), prepared in ethylene glycol. First, second-order rate constants for the reactions between e(-)(s) and the organic scavengers have been determined. The ratio between the highest rate constant that was found for CH(3)NO(2) and the lowest one that was found for acetone is 3. This difference in reactivity cannot be explained by the change of viscosity or the size of the molecules. Then, from the analysis of decay kinetics obtained using ultrafast pulse-probe method, the distance dependent first-order rate constant of electron transfer for each scavenger has been determined. The amplitude of the transient effect observed on the picosecond time scale differs strongly between these solvated electron scavengers. For an identical scavenger concentration, the transient effect lasts ≈650 ps for CH(3)NO(2) compared to ~200 ps for acetone. For acetone, the distance dependent first-order rate constant of electron transfer is decreasing very rapidly with increasing distance, whereas for nitromethane and tribromomethane the rate constant is decreasing gradually with the distance and its value remains non-negligible even at ~10 Å. This rate constant is controlled mostly by the free energy of the reaction. For nitromethane and tribromomethane, the driving force is great, and the reaction can occur even at long distance, whereas for acetone the driving force is small and the reaction occurs almost at the contact distance. For nitromethane and acetone, the one-electron reduction reaction needs less internal reorganization energy than for alkyl halide compounds for which the reaction occurs in concert with bond breaking and geometric adjustment.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: The discovery of local anesthesia revolutionized urologic surgery. We investigate the evolution of intraurethral anesthesia in urologic surgery beginning in 1884.

METHODS: A review of the literature was performed, reviewing the history of local anesthesia for urologic surgery, with a specific emphasis on intraurethral anesthesia. Using the University of Rochester libraries catalog "Voyager," a search was performed reviewing the primary literature published on intraurethral anesthesia beginning from 1884 through 2009. We also reviewed published literature in Ovid Med and PubMed for articles relevant to the topic of intraurethral anesthesia. The search terms were intraurethral, cocaine, lidocaine, and anesthesia.

RESULTS: In the 1840s, it was demonstrated that ether, nitrous oxide, and chloroform could prevent the pain of surgery, resulting in a dramatic increase in surgery. At Massachusetts General Hospital between 1845 and 1847, surgeries increased 2.5-fold. Four decades later, it was demonstrated that cocaine allowed for adequate analgesia without the side effects of general anesthesia, resulting in a dramatic increase in urologic surgery. Cocaine was gradually replaced as an intraurethral anesthetic as safer local anesthetics, such as lidocaine, became introduced. Modern studies show conflicting results over the efficacy and ideal administration of intraurethral anesthetics.

CONCLUSIONS: Local anesthesia was rapidly accepted by urologists around the world and used in a wide variety of urologic surgeries, contributing to the acceptance of anesthesia and a revolution of the practice of surgery. To this day, intraurethral anesthesia continues to be a widely used and effective technique in urology, although the ideal method of use is largely left up to individual preference.

Abstract  Background: The large-leafed perennial plant Piper auritum known as Hoja Santa, is used for its leaves that because of their spicy aromatic scent and flavor have an important presence in Mexican cuisine, and in many regions, this plant is known for its therapeutic properties. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we investigated the effect of hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts from Piper auritum on cell culture system and the effect in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats treated by 28 days on the physiological, metabolic parameters and oxidative stress. Results: The hexane extract of P. auritum (HS) treatment significantly reduced the intake of both food, water and body weight loss as well as levels of blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglycerides and increase HDL-cholesterol. After 4- week administration of HS antioxidant enzyme as SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx in pancreas were determined. These enzyme increased significantly compared with those of the diabetic rats control and normal animals. For all estimated, the results of HS treated groups leading to a restoration of the defense mechanism. The treatment also improves pancreatic TBARS-reactive substance level and serum NO and iNOS. To determine the insulin releasing activity, after extract treatment the serum and pancreatic sections were processed for examination of insulin-releasing activity using an immunocytochemistry kit. The results showed that administration of the hexane extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) exhibited a significant increase in serum and pancreas tissue insulin. Administration of streptozotocin decreased the insulin secretory activity in comparison with intact rats, but treatment with the HS extract increased significantly the activity of the beta cells in comparison with the diabetic control rats. The extract decreased serum glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and increased insulin release from the beta cells of the pancreas. In cultured RIN-5F cells, we examined whether hexane extract of P. auritum would protect the pancreas-derived beta-cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, HS could protect pancreatic beta-cells from advanced glycation end products-induced oxidative stress. Conclusion: From these results, HS is suggested to show anti-diabetic effect by stimulating insulin-dependent and by protecting pancreatic beta-cells from advanced glycation end products-induced oxidative stress.

Abstract  Hydnophytum formicarum Jack., a medicinal plant possesses diverse bioactivities. Herein, inorganic and organic constituents including antioxidant property of its tuber extracts are reported. Analysis of the extracts by ICP-AES, twenty-two elements (Be, Al, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ba, P, Li, Sr, Rb, Hg, Tl, In, Pb, Cd, As, Cs, Na, K and Mg) were found. Among these are common essential elements e.g., Mn, Fe, Zn and Cr with important roles in life. Repeated chromatographic isolations of methanol extract afforded sodium and potassium chlorides. Bioactive beta-sitosterol was found in hexane and chloroform extracts. Significantly, radical scavenging activity of the extract derived from different growing areas exhibited comparable activity with IC50 range 8.40-8.79 mu g mL(-1). The findings provide data to support the use of H. formicarum Jack, as a traditional medicine.

Abstract  Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and n-hexane (HEE), chloroform (CHE), ethyl acetate (EAE), and methanol (MEE) extracts, respectively, from the root of Saurauia lantsangensis Hu were investigated. The GC-MS analysis revealed 39 compounds representing 96.41% of the oil containing T-muurolol (13.85%), acetophenone (7.46%), alpha-cadinol (6.26%), methyl palmitate (5.36%), n-hexadecanoic acid (4.31%), torreyol (3.69%), and isospathulenol (3.48%) as major components. Antioxidant activities determined by three various testing systems, i. e. DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, and reducing power assay, increased in the order: HEE < CHE < oil < MEE < EAE. CHE, EAE, MEE and oil exhibited a promising antimicrobial effect determined as the diameter of zones of inhibition (13.3-16.2, 16.5-20.4, 13.5-16.6, and 16.5-22.7 mm), respectively, along with their respective MIC values (500-1000, 125-500, 250-500, and 250-500 mu g/ml) against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli), Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), and a yeast (Hansenula anomala).

Abstract  Phytochemical studies on the CHCl3 extract of the fruit pulp of Murraya koenigii afforded three new dimeric carbazole alkaloids, bisgerayafolines A-C (1-3). Bisgerayafolines A-C (1-3) are structurally unique dimeric carbazole alkaloids comprising geranyl moieties incorporated in their structures. Compounds 1-3 exhibited various levels of antioxidant, anti-α-glucosidase, DNA binding, and cytotoxic activities and protein interactions.

Abstract  A novel drinking water biofilm pretreatment process with reed addition was established for enhancement of simultaneously organics and nitrogen removal. Results showed that nitrate removal efficiency was positively related with the influent C/N ratio, reaching to 87.8±2.8% at the C/N ratio of 4.7. However, the predicted trichloromethane (THM) levels based on total organic carbon (TOC) and UV254 were high with the increase of influent C/N ratio. Combined with the pollutants removal performance and microbial community variation, an appropriate C/N ratio via reed addition was determined at 2.2 for the continuous biofilm reactor. With adjustment of hydraulic retention time (HRT), the highest of nitrate removal efficiency (74.2±1.4%) and organics utilization efficiency (0.63 mg NO3--N mg(-1)TOC) were achieved at an optimum HRT of 18 h, with both low effluent NO3--N (0.88±0.03 mg l(-1)) and TOC (2.86±0.67 mg l(-1)).

Abstract  Flavonoid-rich Praxelis clematidea (Griseb.) R.M.King & H.Robinson (Asteraceae) is a native plant of South America. This study evaluates the gastroprotective activity and possible mechanisms for both the chloroform (CHCl(3)P) and ethyl acetate phases (AcOEtP) obtained from aerial parts of the plant. The activity was investigated using acute models of gastric ulcer. Gastric secretion biochemical parameters were determined after pylorus ligature. The participation of cytoprotective factors such as mucus, nitric oxide (NO), sulfhydryl (SH) groups, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), reduction of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde level), and polymorphonuclear infiltration (myeloperoxidase activity), was also investigated. CHCl(3)P (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) and AcOEtP (62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg) showed significant gastroprotective activity, reducing the ulcerative index by 75, 83, 88 % and 66, 66, 81 % for ethanol; 67, 67, 56 % and 56, 53, 58 % for a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); and 74, 58, 59 % and 64, 65, 61 % for stress-induced gastric ulcer, respectively. CHCl(3)P (125 mg/kg) and AcOEtP (62.5 mg/kg) significantly reduced the ulcerative area by 78 and 83 %, respectively, for the ischemia-reperfusion model. They also did not alter the biochemical parameters of gastric secretion, the GSH level or the activities of SOD, GPx or GR. They increased the quantity of gastric mucus, not dependent on NO, yet dependent on SH groups, and maintained PGE(2) levels. The P. clematidea phases demonstrated gastroprotective activity related to cytoprotective factors.

Abstract  A method for quality screening is suggested to detect volatile impurities in inorganic coagulants that are used for drinking water treatment. Static headspace gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (HS-GCMS) is sensitive and selective to detect volatiles in low concentrations. This study has discovered that volatile organic impurities are detectable in ferric and aluminium-based coagulants which are used for drinking water treatment. For ferric chloride, 2-propanol was detected at a level of 17-24 microg ml(-1), acetone at 0.7-1.7 microg ml(-1), 1,1,1-trichloroacetone at 0.02-0.04 microg ml(-1), trichloromethane at 0.01-0.02 microg ml(-1) and toluene at 0.01-0.12 microg ml(-1). For ferric chloride sulfate, acetone was detected at a level of 0.12 microg ml(-1), 1,1,1-trichloroacetone at 0.06-0.08 microg ml(-1), trichloromethane at 0.13-0.23 microg ml(-1), bromodichloromethane at 0.04-0.06 microg ml(-1) and dibromochloromethane at 0.04-0.05 microg ml(-1). For aluminium hydroxide chloride, only trichloromethane was detectable, but below the method detection limits (MDL). Although the concentrations of these impurities in commercial coagulants are low, this observation is important and should have impact on water industries for them to pay attention to the chemicals they are using for drinking water production.

Abstract  Sonochemistry is a technique that offers promise for pollutant degradation, but earlier studies on various chlorinated substrates do not give a definitive view of the effectiveness of this methodology. We now report a thorough study of ultrasonic operational variables upon perchloroethylene (PCE) degradation in water (variables include ultrasonic frequency, power and system geometry as well as substrate concentration) and we attempt to close the mass balance where feasible. We obtained fractional conversions of >97% showing very effective loss of pollutant starting material, and give mechanistic proposals for the reaction pathway based on cavitational phenomena inducing pyrolytic and free radical processes. We note major products of Cl(-) and CO(2)/CO, and also trichloroethylene (TCE) and dichloroethylene (DCE) at ppm concentrations as reported earlier. The formation at very low (ppb) concentration of small halocompounds (CHCl(3), CCl(4)) and also of higher-mass species, such as pentachloropropene, hexachloroethane, is noteworthy. But of particular importance in our work is the discovery of significant quantities of chloroacetate derivatives at ppm concentrations. Although these compounds have been described as by-products with other techniques such as radiolysis or photochemistry, this is the first time that these products have been identified in the sonochemical treatment of PCE; this allows a much more effective account of the mass balance and may explain earlier inconsistencies. This reaction system is now better identified, but a corollary is that, because these haloacetates are themselves species of some toxicity, the use of ultrasound here may not sufficiently diminish wastewater toxicity. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  The infrared spectra of molecular complexes containing chloroform (CHCl(3)) and Lewis bases (N(2), CO, H(2)O, and CH(3)CN) have been observed in an Ar matrix, and vibrational peaks for the 1:1 complexes have been assigned. The C-H stretching band of chloroform in the complexes showed a seamless transition from a blue shift (for N(2) and CO) to a red shift (H(2)O and CH(3)CN), in accord with the proton affinity of the base molecules. Density functional calculations predicted that the C-H··(σ-type lone pair) isomer is the most stable, which is consistent with the observed vibrational peak shift upon complex formation. The underlying mechanisms of the C-H hydrogen bond were explored using the topological properties of the electronic charge density and natural orbital analyses.

Abstract  Ascorbic acid (AA) mediated electron transfer may induce reductive dechlorination of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). This study investigated the role of AA in conjunction with the presence of iron minerals over a wide pH range for the reduction of CCl(4) in aqueous systems. The results indicate that CCl(4) was reduced by AA at a pH of 13 (>pKa(2, AA) of 11.79) and chloroform (CHCl3) was a transformation byproduct of CCl(4). When CCl(4) levels were reduced to near complete disappearance, the decrease of CHCl(3) was then observed. The degradation rate of CCl(4) and also the formation rate of CHCl(3) increased with increased AA concentrations. Analysis of reaction kinetics between CCl(4) and AA revealed an overall second-order reaction with a rate constant of 0.253 ± 0.018 M(-1) s(-1). Furthermore, the reduction rate of CCl(4) by AA at pH of 13 could be enhanced with the presence of iron minerals (Fe(3)O(4), Fe(2)O(3), FeOOH, and FeS2). In the absence or presence of iron minerals, the fraction of CCl(4) transformed to CHCl(3) was less than 1, indicating simultaneous one- and two-electron transfer processes. The end-products of AA at a pH of 13 included threonic acid and oxalic acid. This study highlights the potential of an alkaline AA solution for remediating chlorinated solvents.

Abstract  A series of new coumarin derivatives 4 containing a chalcone moiety were synthesized by condensation of 3-acetyl-4-hydroxycoumarin 1 with aryl or heteroaryl aldehydes 2 in the presence of piperidine in chloroform. The interaction of 3-formyl-4-chloro-coumarin 3 with nitrogen compound nucleophiles are described and lead to the corresponding substituted chromen[4,3-c] pyrazol-4-ones 5. The structures of the obtained compounds were established on the basis of IR|1D|2D NMR, while crystal structure of 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy coumarin 1 was determined using X-ray diffraction and further were evaluated for possible antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The coumarinic chalcone 4d has been found to be the most active (IC(50) = 2.07 mu M) in this study.

Abstract  AIM: To evaluate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory potential of the aqueous extracts and its aqueous, n-butanol, ethyl-acetate, and chloroform fractions of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. leaves.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this present study, all the test samples were evaluated on in-vivo inflammatory model such as carrageenan and histamine-induced acute-inflammation and cotton pellet induced granuloma formation in albino male rats. Test samples were also employed in in-vitro assays like DPPH free radical scavenging activity and COX inhibition assay.

RESULTS: The test samples at the dose of 200mg/kg/p.o. were found to cause significant inhibition of carrageenan and histamine-induced inflammation and cotton pallet-induced granuloma formation on acute and chronic inflammation in rats. The test samples, except n-butanol fraction, exhibited inhibitory effect for both COX-1 and COX-2, in in-vitro assay but their percentage of inhibition values differs from each other. The test samples (aqueous extracts, aqueous, n-butanol, ethyl-acetate, and chloroform fractions) at 100 μg concentration exhibits 54.37%, 33.88%, 62.85%, 56.28%, and 57.48% DPPH radical-scavenging effect respectively in in-vitro antioxidant study.

CONCLUSION: These observations established the anti-inflammatory effect of C. colebrookianum leaves in acute and chronic stages of inflammation by free radical scavenging and inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2.

Abstract  The project was aimed to develop floating microcapsules (FMs) using combination of a hydrophobic (ethyl cellulose, EC) and hydrophilic polymer (hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, HPMC), and to evaluate them. An easy and novel phase separation method was adopted to prepare FMs. Chloroform and paraffin oil were employed as solvent and non-solvent respectively. Five kinetic models were applied to assess and describe the mechanism and pattern of tramadol hydrochloride (TmH) release from FMs and they were subjected to FTIR and XRD to evaluate TmH-HPMC-EC interaction. As EC concentration was increased the retardation in drug release, improvement in flow characteristics and decrease in floating time were observed. Kinetics of drug release was followed by Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. It was concluded that the floating microcapsules of TmH can be produced using phase separation method and they have no drug-polymer interaction. The accelerated stability studies also ensured the physicochemical integrity of FMs.

Abstract  BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is an important clinical problem. This article investigated the role of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the regulation of cardiac function and in the pathogenesis of cardiac I/R injury in isolated rat heart.

METHODS: Rat hearts isolated on a Langendorff apparatus were divided into control, I/R, I/R+SO2, and I/R+hydroxamate groups. Hydroxamate is an inhibitor of SO2 synthetase. I/R treatment was ischemia for 2 hr in hypothermic solution (4 degrees C), then reperfusion/rewarming (37 degrees C) for 60 min. Cardiac function was monitored by MacLab analog to a digital converter. Determination of sulfite content involved reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Myoglobin content of coronary perfusate was determined at 410 nm. Myocardial malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined by thiobarbituric acid method, and conjugated diene (CD) was extracted by chloroform. 5,50-Dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid was used to determine glutathione (GSH).

RESULTS: The results showed that I/R treatment obviously increased myocardial sulfite content, and sulfite content of myocardium was negatively correlated with the recovery rate of left-ventricle developed pressure and positively correlated with the leakage of myoglobin. In postreperfusion, myocardial function recovery was decreased by SO2. During reperfusion, myocardium-released enzymes, MDA and CD level were increased but myocardial GSH content was depressed with the treatment of SO2 donor. Incubation of myocardial tissue with SO2 significantly increased MDA and CD generation.

CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous SO2 might be involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial I/R injury, and its mechanism might be associated with an increase in lipid peroxide level and a decrease in GSH generation.

Abstract  A method for preparative purification of corosolic acid and nigranoic acid from Schisandra chinensis (SC) was established using a combination of macroporous absorption resin column separation and high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The crude extracts obtained from SC using 70% ethanol were separated on a macroporous resin column and then eluted with a graded ethanol series. The 70% ethanol fraction was used as the sample for separation of the two triterpenoids by HSCCC. The two-phase solvent system used for HSCCC separation was chloroform-n-butanol-methanol-water (10:0.5:7:4, v/v/v/v). The upper phase was used as the stationary phase of HSCCC. Corosolic acid (16.4 mg) of 96.3% purity and nigranoic acid (9.5 mg) of 98.9% purity were obtained in a one-step HSCCC separation from 100 mg of the sample. The structures of corosolic acid and nigranoic acid were identified by (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and (13)C-NMR.

Abstract  Methanolic extract of Boerhavia procumbens Bank ex Roxb. was partitioned with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol sequentially after dissolving in distilled water. Phytochemical screening showed presence of phenolics, flavonoides and cardiac glycosides in large amount in chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol soluble fraction. The antioxidant activity of all these fractions and the remaining aqueous fraction was evaluated by four methods such as: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, total antioxidant activity and ferric thiocyanate assay. Total phenolics were also determined. Some fractions showed noteworthy antioxidant activity. The results of the antioxidant activity revealed that the ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed the highest value of percent inhibition of DPPH (82.54 +/- 0.62) at the concentration of 125 mu g/ml. The IC50 of this fraction was 37.11 +/- 0.23 mu g/ml, compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which have IC50 of 12.1 +/- 0.92 mu g/mL. It also showed the highest FRAP value (251.08 +/- 1.46 mu g of trolox equivalents) as well as the highest value of lipid peroxidation inhibition (57.21 +/- 52%), the highest total antioxidant activity (0.549 +/- 0.08) and also the highest total phenolic contents (77.1 +/- 0.6) as compared to the studied fractions. Phytochemical screening showed high percentage of phenolics, flavonoides and cardiac glycosides in this fraction.

Abstract  The effect of inhaled chloroform on embryonal and fetal development was evaluated in CF-1 mice. Bred mice were exposed to 0 or 100 ppm of chloroform for 7 hr/day from Days 1 through 7, 6 through 15, or 8 through 15 of gestation. Exposure to chloroform from Days 1 through 7 or 6 through 15 significantly impaired the ability of the female rats to maintain pregnancy but was not significantly teratogenic. In comparison, a significant increase in the incidence of cleft palate was observed among the offspring of mice inhaling chloroform from Days 8 through 15 of gestation, but no effect on the ability of the female rats to maintain pregnancy was discerned. Other signs of toxicity observed among the litters of mice exposed to chloroform included: decreased ossification of bones (all experimental groups), decreased incidence of resorptions (Days 1 through 7), and reduced fetal body measurements (Days 1 through 7 and 8 through 15).

Abstract  A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) fingerprints method was developed for the analysis of the chloroform extracts of Taxus wallichiana. The extracts were separated on an Eurospher 100 C18 column (250 mm x 4 mm, 5 microm) with the gradient elution of methanol and water at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 232 nm, and the column temperature was 30 degrees C. Under the same conditions, 10 batches of the chloroform extracts of Taxus wallichiana from different habitats were analyzed with the reference substance of 10-deacetyl baccatin III (10-DAB III). The 11 peaks were selected as the characteristic peaks, and the method of principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to analyze the fingerprints of the chloroform extracts of Taxus wallichiana. The results showed that there was an interrelated relationship between habitat and quality of Taxus wallichiana. The method has good repeatability and stability, and can be utilized as an approach for the quality control of Taxus wallichiana.

Abstract  CONTEXT: The failure of modern anthelmintics to control nematode parasites of sheep and goats is a reality on many farms in the tropical/subtropical regions of the world. This necessitates chemotherapeutic control alternatives and plant secondary metabolite with activity is one of those potential solutions.

OBJECTIVE: This study was design to evaluate the efficacy of solvent: solvent fractions of Cassia alata Gelenggang Besar (Leguminosae) leaf acetone extract against Heamonchus contortus Rudolphi (Trichostrongylidae). Materials and methods: C. alata leaf was extracted with 70% acetone and fractions were obtained by solvent: solvent group separation procedures. The acetone extract and the fractions were tested by egg hatch assay (EHA) and larval development and viability assay to assess relative bioactivity against H. contortus eggs and larvae.

RESULTS: The extracts inhibited egg hatchability and killed infective larvae of H. contortus in a concentration-dependent manner. The best-fit LC(50) values were 0.562, 0.243, 0.490, 0.314, and 0.119 mg/mL for the acetone extract, chloroform, hexane, butanol and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively, when tested against nematode eggs. The best-fit LC(50) values were 0.191, 0.505, 1.444, 0.306, and 0.040 mg/mL for acetone extract, chloroform, hexane, butanol and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively, when tested against larvae. The 35% water in methanol fraction was the most active against the larvae and eggs of H. contortus demonstrating the lowest LC(50) values

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the leaf extracts of C. alata have anthelmintic activity; therefore it could find application in the control of helminths in livestock.