Anti-herpes simplex virus activity of extracts from the culinary herbs Ocimum sanctum L., Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum americanum L.

This study demonstrates anti-herpes simplex virus activity of dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Ocimum sanctum L., Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum americanum L. Green monkey kidney cellswere protected from HSV-2 infection by the dichloromethane extract of O. americanum L. and the methanol extract of O. sanctum, with therapeutic indexes (TI) of 1.865 and 1.644, respectively, when the cells were treated before viral infection. Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection was inhibited during viral adsorption when the cells were treated with methanol extracts of O. americanum L., O. sanctum L. and O. basilicum L. with TI of 2.345, 2.473 and 1.563, respectively, whereas dichloromethane extracts ofO. americanum L. and O. basilicum L. resulted in TI of 2.623 and 1.835, respectively. The methanol extract of O. americanum L. and the dichloromethane extract of O. basilicum L. inhibited HSV-1F with TI of 1.63 and 2.215, respectively, after viral adsorption. The inhibitory effects of extracts on HSV-2G, after viral adsorption, were quite high, for the dichloromethane extract of O. sanctum L. and the methanol extract of O. sanctum L. with TI of 10.003 and 29.395, respectively. The inhibitory effect of the O. americanum L. extract on HSV-1F and HSV-2 yield, after viral replication, was highest 30 h after treatment. The reduction of viral titers by 8.0 and 10.8 folds was observed when cells were treated with dichloromethane and methanol extracts of O. americanum L. Moreover, time-dependent virucidal effects of the extract on viral particles were demonstrated, since direct inhibition of both HSV-1F and HSV-2G was shown by a reduction in the amount of plaques by 100%, after treatment with the dichloromethane and methanol extracts of O. americanum L. Therefore, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of O. sanctum L., O. basilicum L. and O. americanum L. showed anti-HSV activities at varioussteps of the viral multiplication cycle.Key words: Medicinal plant, herpes simplex virus, Ocimum sanctum L., Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum americanum L

Urban coral reefs: Degradation and resilience of hard coral assemblages in coastal cities of East and Southeast Asia

© 2018 The Author(s) Given predicted increases in urbanization in tropical and subtropical regions, understanding the processes shaping urban coral reefs may be essential for anticipating future conservation challenges. We used a case study approach to identify unifying patterns of urban coral reefs and clarify the effects of urbanization on hard coral assemblages. Data were compiled from 11 cities throughout East and Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Naha (Okinawa). Our review highlights several key characteristics of urban coral reefs, including “reef compression” (a decline in bathymetric range with increasing turbidity and decreasing water clarity over time and relative to shore), dominance by domed coral growth forms and low reef complexity, variable city-specific inshore-offshore gradients, early declines in coral cover with recent fluctuating periods of acute impacts and rapid recovery, and colonization of urban infrastructure by hard corals. We present hypotheses for urban reef community dynamics and discuss potential of ecological engineering for corals in urban areas

サンゴの白化の後の回復時に見られるサンゴの色素沈着

博士(学術)doctoral創造科学技術大学院静岡大学甲第930号ET

Antioxidant, Anti-Tyrosinase, and Anti-Skin Pathogenic Bacterial Activities and Phytochemical Compositions of Corn Silk Extracts, and Stability of Corn Silk Facial Cream Product

Zea mays L. Poaceae stigma (corn silk, CS) is a byproduct of agricultural waste and is used as a traditional herb in many countries. CS is rich in chemical compounds known to benefit human health and is also a remedy for infectious diseases and has anti-proliferative effects on human cancer cell lines. In the present study, CS extract has been evaluated for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-tyrosinase activities and its phytochemical composition. The higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in the ethanolic extract of corn silk (CSA), at 28.27 ± 0.86 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and 4.71 ± 0.79 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract, respectively. Moreover, the antioxidant content of CSA was found at 5.22 ± 0.87 and 13.20 ± 0.42 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract using DPPH and reducing power assays. Furthermore, the ethanolic extract of corn silk showed tyrosinase inhibition with an IC50 value of 12.45 µg/mL. The bacterial growth inhibition of CSA was tested using agar disc diffusion and broth dilution assays against Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. It was found that CSA inhibited C. acnes and S. epidermidis with an inhibition zone of 11.7 ± 1.2 and 9.3 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. Moreover, the CSA showed MIC/MBC of 15.625 mg/mL against C. acnes. The following phytochemical compounds were detected in CSA: cardiac glycosides; n-hexadecanoic acid; hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester; oleic acid; and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester. After the corn silk cream product was formulated, the product demonstrated stability without phase separation. This research is beneficial for promoting effective ways to use agricultural waste while utilizing the antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and antibacterial activities of corn silk. Moreover, the use of technology and innovation to obtain high-value CS extract will benefit the development of commercial cosmetic products by providing safe, natural, and quality ingredients to the consumer

Synergistic Effect of Elevated Temperature and Light Stresses on Physiology of <i>Pocillopora acuta</i> from Different Environments

Increasing levels of greenhouse gases lead to ocean warming, which affects a range of marine organisms. Corals live in a narrow temperature range and become stressed when the temperatures change. Bleaching occurs when the temperature exceeds the coral’s threshold, and can be severe when this is combined with other stressors such as light. In order to understand how temperature and light affect corals in their physiological responses and photosynthetic performance, Pocillopora acuta from Maiton Island (MT) and Panwa Cape (PW), representing different environments, were investigated. The results show that light and temperature had by regime different effects on Symbiodiniaceae photosynthesis and the coral growth rate. There was a synergistic effect of elevated temperature and light on photosynthesis, as observed in the photochemical efficiency and pigment contents, suggesting photo-damage. A higher growth rate in Panwa corals was observed in control, and while elevated temperature reduced coral growth. Elevated temperature affected the Panwa coral less, suggesting that corals from this regime might be able to recover when the temperature returns to normal. This information is important for predicting the coral responses to elevated temperature especially in the summer, as regards the possibility of coral bleaching