1,721,072 research outputs found
Vegetable and mammalian milk as a source of benzodiazepine-like molecules
No full textOne of the challenging questions till facing benzodiazepine (BDZ) researchers is the identification of endogenous BDZ ligands in the brain, which could modulate -aminobutyric acid (GABAA) neurotrasmission. Several substances with benzodiazepine-like activity were found in food. In particular their amount was particularly high in milk. Different type of milk of animal or vegetal origin were analysed by HPLC analysis. The serum obtained by acid precipitation of milk was chromatographed at 0.8 ml/min on a LiChrospher 100 RP-18 column (250x4.0 mm; 5 m) equilibrated with 80% water/0.1% TFA and 20% acetonitrile. The sample was analysed using a water/0.1% TFA and acetonitrile gradient at 0.5% from 20 to 58% acetonitrile. 75 fraction were collected, lyophilised and tested for their ability to inhibit [3H]RO 15-1788 specific binding to central BDZ binding site or [3H]PK 11195 specific binding to peripheral BDZ binding site (PBR). The results are reported in figure. Thermic treatments, like UHT, or the biological procedures do not change the BDZ-like molecules concentration. Since the PBR is involved in cell proliferation the fractions active on PBR were tested on the ability to modulate cell proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (T1). The chronic treatment with the active fraction showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of T1 cell proliferation indicating a potential use of milk as functional food
Determinazione dei contenuti di cannabinoidi in Cannabis Sativa L. mediante cromatografia liquida abbinata alla spettrometria di massa
No full textSono state approntate procedure di analisi cromatografica abbinata alla spetttrometria di massa per la determinazione quantitativa del contenuto di cannabinoidi in campioni di Cannabis. I risultati ottenuti si sono rivelati utili al fine di verificare le possibili relazioni tra il contenuto di Cannabonoidi (acidi e neutri) e la pianta in esame (cultivar, grado di maturazione, sesso)
Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) new insight in cell proliferation and cell differentiation review
No full textThe peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), is an 18 kDa protein of the mammalian mitochondrial membrane and is a highly conserved protein among the mammalian. PBR is involved in numerous biological functions, including steroid biosynthesis, mitochondrial oxidative phosporylation and cell proliferation. The presence of PBR at the nuclear subcellular level has been demonstrated in aggressive breast cancer cell line and human glioma cells, where it seems to be involved in cell proliferation. In our previous studies we investigated the presence of nuclear PBR in different hepatic tumour cell lines with regard to binding to [3H] PK 11195 and protein analysis. The results obtained by saturation binding experiments and Scatchard analysis of nuclear PBR density in parallel with the results on the growth curves of the cell lines tested, indicate that the nuclear PBR density correlates inversely with cell doubling time. Moreover, the cell line with high nuclear PBR proliferates in response to PBR ligands, whereas that with low nuclear PBR does not. All these findings support the idea that PBR could play a pivotal role in cell proliferation and this receptor protein could be potentially important either in early diagnosis or chemopreventive strategies against degenerative disease
Evidence that natural benzodiazepine-like compounds increase during spontaneous labour
No full textNatural benzodiazepine-like compounds (NBDZ) are present in the blood of normal people free of commercial benzodiazepine medication. In this work, we evaluated the Levels of NBDZ in maternal/foetal serum during delivery after spontaneous tabour (VD) or caesarean section (CS). For both the VD (n=11) and the CS (n=11) groups (VD+CS=22), three blood samples were collected at three different times: the first was collected three days before tabour, the second immediately after delivery or at fetal abdominal extraction and the third one was obtained at second day post-partum. NBDZ were measured by radioreceptor binding assay after HPLC extraction and purification white cortisol was measured through radioimmunoassay. In the VD group, a significant increase of NBDZ levels occurred at tabour in comparison with the levels found in pre- and post-partum periods. By the contrary, no differences in NBDZ Levels were found in the CS group at the three different times. The levels of cortisol in the VD group were found to be higher at tabour than that determined at pre- and post-partum. Again no significant changes were found in the CS group. These findings suggest for the first time that tabour is associated with a marked increase of NBDZ which could be envisaged as a stress-retated event
ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF NEWLY SYNTHESIZED 2,6-BIS-(1,1-DIMETHYLETHYL)PHENOL DERIVATIVES
No full textThe article deals with the synthesis and discovery of new antiinflammatory compounds provided with antioxidant activity and no ulcerogenic activit
Analysis of cannabinoids in fiber hemp plant varieties (Cannabis sativa L.) by high-performance liquid chromatography
No full textAn analytical procedure was developed for the detection of neutral and acidic cannabinoids in herbal cannabis without the need of any preliminary derivatization. The method was used to assay cannabinoid content of over one hundred fiber hemp samples grown in different Italian localities and harvested at different maturation level degrees during the summer. No interferences were observed due to the vegetal matrix. The influence of genetic factors and environmental conditions on cannabinoid content is discussed; the results may be of interest to enhance potential of fiber hemp in compliance with law enforcement purposes
High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantification of anthranilic and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in rat brain dialysate
No full textAnthranilic acid (ANA) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HANA) have attracted considerable attention as two of the L-tryptophan kynurenine pathway metabolites in the central nervous system. In this study, a highly sensitive and accurate method for the quantification of ANA and 3-HANA has been developed using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorimetric detection. The HPLC assay was carried out using a C-18 column (5 mum, 250 x 4.6 mm W.). The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of 25 mM sodium/acetic acid buffer (pH 5.5) and methanol (90:10 v/v). Fluorimetric detection at lambda(ex) = 316 nm and lambda(em) = 420 nm was used. The assay was applied to the measurement of ANA and 3-HANA acid in rat brain dialysate following administration Of L-tryptophan or L-kynurenine. 3-HANA and ANA levels were progressively increased during 90 min following administration Of L-tryptophan, then decreased progressively to basal levels. 3-HANA levels were significantly higher than ANA levels after L-kynurenine administration. These findings suggest that the assay developed should provide an improved means for investigation of neurobiology of kynurenine pathway. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
Influence of Eurycoma longifolia on the copulatory activity of sexually sluggish and impotent male rats
No full textAIM OF THE STUDY: The root of Eurycoma longifolia Jack, native to South East Asia, has long been used as a male aphrodisiac remedy to treat sexual disorders. In the study we evaluated the influence of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on sexual behavior (including both motivation and copulatory performance) of sexually sluggish and impotent male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The root powder of the plant was orally administered to adult Sprague-Dawley male rats, classified as sexually sluggish or impotent taking in account their behavior in pre-experimental tests. Groups of 8 animals each were submitted to three different types of treatment: (1) acute at 3 dose levels (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg); (2) subacute (daily for 6 days) at the dose of 500 mg/kg and (3) subchronic (daily for 12 days) at the same dose (500 mg/kg). Mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies and post-ejaculatory interval were recorded during the mating test in order to evaluate sexual performance. In addition the partner preference test was used to assess sexual motivation. Testosterone serum levels were measured in subacutely treated rats and compared with the values of controls receiving vehicle. RESULTS: Concerning the copulatory activity of sexually sluggish rats, both acute (dosed at 500 and 1000 mg/kg) and subacute treatments with the root powder significantly reduced ejaculation latencies, increasing also the percentage of mounting and ejaculating animals; in addition the subacute administration reduced post-ejaculatory interval. In impotent rats both subacute and subchronic treatments increased the percentage of mounting and ejaculating rats. The motivational behavior of sluggish rats during the partner preference test was not affected by the treatments. Testosterone serum levels were increased in rats subacutely treated in comparison with controls. CONCLUSION: Eurycoma longifolia root improved sexual performance but not motivation in sluggish rats after acute or subacute administration. The effect could be mainly ascribed to increased testosterone levels
Benzodiazepine-like compounds and GABA in flower heads of Matricaria Chamomilla
No full textExtracted and purified benzodiazepine like compounds from dried flwer heads of Matricaria chamomilla was investigated through radioligand binding assay on rat cerebellar membrane. Moreover intracerbroventrivular injection of purified active fraction produced a significant decrease of locomotor activity in rats.The presence of benzodiazepine-like substances in dried flower heads of Matricaria chamomilla was investigated. After extraction and HPLC purification we tested several fractions for their ability to displace in vitro [3H]Flunitrazepam bound to its receptors in rat cerebellar membranes, [3H]Muscimol linked to GABA receptors in rat cortical membrane preparations and [3H]RO 5-4864 specifically bound to the so-called 'peripheral' benzodiazepine binding sites present in membrane preparations from rat adrenal glands. Few of these fractions displaced both central and peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites and GABA receptors, too. As regards this last activity, by further HPLC analysis we identified GABA as the main agent responsible for the displacing effect. Some of the extracted fractions, not containing GABA, were intracerebronventricularly injected in rats and produced a statistically significant reduction of the locomotor activity. Ongoing experiment by mass spectrometric technique will help in the identification of the benzodiazepine-like compounds present in the extract of Matricaria chamomilla responsible for its sedative effect
Attività sedativa dei flavonoidi contenuti in piante medicinali: Proprietà farmacologiche a confronto
No full textNella presente ricerca abbiamo evidenziato che flavponoidi come la crisina e l'apigenina contenuti in particolare nella camomilla e nella passiflora rispettivamente, sono dotati di proprietà sedative. Infatti quando vengono somminstrate a ratti per via intraperitoneale, a partire da una dose minima attiva di 25 mg/Kg sono in grado di ridurre, in modo dose-dipendente, l'attività locomotoria degli animali sottoposti al test dell'open field
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