New benzophenone and quercetin galloyl glycosides from Psidium guajava L.

New benzophenone and flavonol galloyl glycosides were isolated from an 80% MeOH extract of Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) together with five known quercetin glycosides. The structures of the novel glycosides were elucidated to be 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzophenone 4-O-(6″-O-galloyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1, guavinoside A), 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzophenone 4-O-(6″-O-galloyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (2, guavinoside B), and quercetin 3-O-(5″-O-galloyl)-α-l-arabinofuranoside (3, guavinoside C) by NMR, MS, UV, and IR spectroscopies. Isolated phenolic glycosides showed significant inhibitory activities against histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, and nitric oxide production from a murine macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7

Bird-spiders (Arachnida, Mygalomorphae) as perceived by the inhabitants of the village of Pedra Branca, Bahia State, Brazil

This paper deals with the conceptions, knowledge and attitudes of the inhabitants of the county of Pedra Branca, Bahia State, on mygalomorph spiders locally known as 'caranguejeiras' (bird-spiders). It is launched here a new filed within ethnozoology: ethnoarachnology, which is defined as the transdisciplinary study of the relationships between human beings and bird-spiders. Data were collected from February to June 2005 by means of open-ended interviews carried out with 30 individuals, which ages ranged from 13 to 86 years old. It was recorded some traditional knowledge regarding the following items: taxonomy, biology, habitat, ecology, seasonality, and behavior. Results show that bird-spiders are classified as "insects". The most commented aspect of the interaction between bird-spiders and inhabitants of Pedra Branca is related to their dangerousness, since they said these spiders are very venomous and can cause health problems. In general, the traditional zoological knowledge of Pedra Branca's inhabitants concerning these spiders is coherent with the academic knowledge

Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761, on the cellular immune response in a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation model in the rat

We evaluated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on the cellular immune response of rats with immunosuppression induced by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Groups of five rats were subjected to chronic stress by the application of daily electric shocks (ES) over 7 days. This stress produced a significant decrement in the delayed-type hypersensitivity response (DTH) to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), and a decrease in the proliferation index of splenocytes. Treatment with oral doses of the phytopharmaceutical EGb 761 (100 mg/kg per day over 7 days) restored both the DTH response to DNFB and the proliferation index. EGb 761 has stress-alleviating properties through its moderation of corticosterone levels. It also possesses antioxidant activity that may contribute to its effects on the immune response. Our observations indicate that the phytopharmaceutical EGb 761 possesses immunostimulatory properties. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Effect of laser shock processing on fatigue crack growth of duplex stainless steel

We evaluated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on the cellular immune response of rats with immunosuppression induced by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Groups of five rats were subjected to chronic stress by the application of daily electric shocks (ES) over 7 days. This stress produced a significant decrement in the delayed-type hypersensitivity response (DTH) to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), and a decrease in the proliferation index of splenocytes. Treatment with oral doses of the phytopharmaceutical EGb 761 (100 mg/kg per day over 7 days) restored both the DTH response to DNFB and the proliferation index. EGb 761 has stress-alleviating properties through its moderation of corticosterone levels. It also possesses antioxidant activity that may contribute to its effects on the immune response. Our observations indicate that the phytopharmaceutical EGb 761 possesses immunostimulatory properties. " 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.",,,,,,"10.1016/S1567-5769(02)00215-1",,,"http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12104/40944","http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0037238528&partnerID=40&md5=1177700b6177af9a482f2d224e592423",,,,,,"1",,"International Immunopharmacology",,"7

Immunomodulatory activity of Chilean Cyttaria species in mice with L5178Y lymphoma

Schmeda-Hirschmann, G. Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Talca, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile.The immunomodulatory effect of hydrosoluble extracts of four Chilean Cyttaria species (Discomycetes, Fungi) was assessed in mice with L5178Y lymphoma. Oral administration of 100 mg extract per day for 7 days enhanced the percentual phagocytosis and phagocytosis index in animals receiving Cyttaria berteroi, Cyttaria darwinii, Cyttaria espinosae and Cyttaria harioti extracts. Differences in the digestion index were observed in mice treated with C. darwinii and C. berteroi. In the delayed-type hypersensitivity model, only C. harioti was able to modify the immune response. The results suggest that intake of Cyttaria can improve the immune system of consumers