Laurus
Apocynaceae
Kaempferols
Isolation and characterization of alkyl peroxy radical scavenging compound from leaves of Laurus nobilis. (1/21)
EtOH-soluble fraction from leaves of Laurus nobilis (bay leaves) possessed the highest alkyl peroxy radical (ROO*) scavenging activity among 120 kinds of herbs and edible plants, using the bioassay system which could determine the viability of Staphylococcus aureus 209p by ROO* cytotoxicity. After EtOH-soluble fraction was partitioned with chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water, the ethylacetate-soluble fraction (L-EA) possessing the highest scavenging activity was further fractionated by Silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC analysis on micro-Bondapak C18 reverse phase, and a major flavonol (L-EA-IIa-3-H2) in leaves of L. nobilis was isolated. According to the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, L-EA-IIa-3-H2 was thought to be 3,5,7,3'-OH or 3(5),7,3',4'-OH flavonol. After acid hydrolysis of the fraction, L-EA-IIa-3-H2 was found to consist of quercetin and glucose, and was confirmed by one- or two-dimensional (1D or 2D)-NMR to be isoquercitrin. In addition, the ROO* scavenging activity of L-EA-IIa-3-H2 was supported by ESR and its activity was found to be comparable to that of other well-known antioxidants such as epigallocatechin and resveratrol, and higher than that of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid. (+info)A new method to determine the oxygen concentration inside the sapwood of trees. (2/21)
Research into the short-term fluctuations of oxygen concentrations in tree stems has been hampered by the difficulty of measuring oxygen inside tissues. A new method, which is based on fluorescence quenching of a ruthenium complex in the presence of oxygen, has been applied to measure changes of oxygen concentration in the sapwood of trees. During a field day-course oxygen increased with the radiation load and fell during the night (in Fagus orientalis from 20.3% in the afternoon to 17.5% in the morning next day). In a greenhouse experiment the sapwood oxygen concentration of Laurus nobilis could be influenced by flooding the root system. The very fast response, high resolution (better than 0.1%), easy calibration, and dependence only on oxygen and temperature make the technique well suited for measurements of oxygen concentrations in the sapwood. (+info)Inhibitory mechanism of costunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Laurus nobilis, on blood-ethanol elevation in rats: involvement of inhibition of gastric emptying and increase in gastric juice secretion. (3/21)
Basic inhibitory mechanisms of costunolide and its active component, alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone (alpha-MGBL), on blood-ethanol elevation were investigated in rats. In normal rats, blood-ethanol elevation (30 min later) induced by 20% (v/v) ethanol [5 ml/kg, per os (p.o.)] was strongly inhibited by pretreatment (30 min earlier) with costunolide and alpha-MGBL (50 mg/kg, p.o.). In pylorus-ligated rats given ethanol, blood-ethanol level (30 min) was barely elevated compared with that of normal rats. Neither costunolide nor alpha-MGBL affected the blood-ethanol elevation in pylorus-ligated rats or that induced by intraperitoneal and intraduodenal ethanol administration. Moreover, these compounds given orally induced no irreversible changes in alcohol dehydrogenase activity in rat liver. We continuously investigated the rate of gastric emptying in rats given various test meals. Costunolide and alpha-MGBL suppressed gastric emptying in rats given 20% ethanol and 1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. alpha-MGBL (50 mg/kg), but not costunolide, suppressed gastric emptying in 20% glucose-loaded rats. In an in vitro experiment, alpha-MGBL contracted the pylorus strip at a high concentration (20 mM), which was the estimated concentration in the stomach when the substance was given orally in vivo. These findings suggested that alpha-MGBL constricted the pylorus and caused delay of gastric emptying. Moreover, both compounds increased gastric fluid secretion with pepsin and mucus. In conclusion, the inhibitory effects of costunolide and alpha-MGBL on blood-ethanol elevation were based on inhibition of gastric emptying and dilution of the ethanol concentration by the increased gastric fluid. (+info)Trypanocidal terpenoids from Laurus nobilis L. (4/21)
Trypanocidal constituents of dried leaves of Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) were examined. Activity-guided fractionation of the methanol extract resulted in the isolation of two guaianolides, dehydrocostus lactone (1) and zaluzanin D (2), and a new p-menthane hydroperoxide, (1R,4S)-1-hydroperoxy-p-menth-2-en-8-ol acetate (3). The minimum lethal concentrations of these compounds against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi were 6.3, 2.5, and 1.4 microM, respectively. (+info)Evaluation of wound healing activity of Allamanda cathartica. L. and Laurus nobilis. L. extracts on rats. (5/21)
BACKGROUND: Allamanda cathartica. L. is a perennial shrub used in traditional medicine for treating malaria and jaundice. Laurus nobilis. L. is a tree and has been used for its astringent, healing and diuretic properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the aqueous extracts of Allamanda and Laurus nobilis to evaluate their wound healing activity in rats. METHODS: Excision and incision wound models were used to evaluate the wound healing activity of both the extracts on Sprague Dawley rats. In each model, animals were divided into four groups of 10 animals each. In both the model, group 1 served as control and group 2 as reference standard. In an excision wound model, group 3 animals were treated with Allamanda (150 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) and group 4 animals were treated with Laurus nobilis (200 mg kg(-1) b.w day(-1)) for 14 days respectively. In the case of incision wound model, group 3 and 4 animals were treated with the extracts of Allamanda and Laurus respectively for 10 days. The effects of vehicles on the rate of wound healing were assessed by the rate of wound closure, period of epithelialisation, tensile strength, weights of the granulation tissue, hydroxyproline content and histopathology of the granulation tissue. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of Allamanda promoted wound healing activity significantly in both the wound models studied. High rate of wound contraction (P < .001), decrease in the period of epithelialisation (10.2 +/- 0.13), high skin breaking strength (440.0 +/- 4.53), significant increase in the weight of the granulation tissue (P < .001) and hydroxyproline (P < .001) content were observed in animals treated with the aqueous extract of Allamanda. Histological studies of the granulation tissue from the Allamanda treated group showed the presence of a lesser number of inflammatory cells, and increased collagen formation than the control. In Laurus nobilis treated animals, the rate of wound contraction, weight of the granulation tissue and hydroxyproline content were moderately high (P < .05). The histological study of the granulation tissue of the Laurus nobilis treated animals showed larger number of inflammatory cells, and lesser collagen when compared with the Allamanda treated group of animals. However, it was better than the control group of animals. CONCLUSION: The data of this study indicated that the leaf extract of Allamanda possesses better wound healing activity than the Laurus nobilis and it can be used to treat different types of wounds in human beings too. (+info)Two new sesquiterpene lactones from the leaves of Laurus nobilis. (6/21)
As a part of our ongoing interest in new bioactive compounds from natural sources, we studied Laurus nobilis (Lauraceae). This plant is widespread in the Mediterranean area and is used for medicinal and economic purposes. Chromatographic separations on active extracts led to the isolation of two new sesquiterpene lactones, 5a,9-dimethyl-3-methylene-3,3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8-octahydro-1-oxacyclopenta[c]azulen-2- one (1) and 3beta-chlorodehydrocostuslactone (2). The structures of the new compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic activity was also evaluated against three different tumor cell lines of human origin. (+info)Comparative chemical composition and antioxidant activities of wild and cultivated Laurus nobilis L. leaves and Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum (Ucria) coutinho seeds. (7/21)
The chemical composition and antioxidant activities of wild and cultivated Laurus nobilis leaves and Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum seeds were determined. Differences were found in the total phenolic content of fennel. GC-MS analysis of the non polar fractions showed a different composition between wild and cultivated plants. Cultivated laurel had a high content of terpenes such as linool, alpha-terpinol, alpha-terpinyl acetate, thymol, caryophyllene, aromandrene, selinene, farnesene, and cadinene, while wild laurel had a high content of eugenol and methyl eugenol, vitamin E, and sterols. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was determined using three complementary methods. Wild plants showed greater radical scavenging activity than the cultivated plants. The extracts also exhibited a significant antioxidant capacity also in the beta-carotene-linoleic acid test system. A high level of antioxidant activity was observed in wild laurel (IC50 = 1 microg/ml). Significant antioxidant activity measured in bovine brain was observed in wild laurel. (+info)Gerronema wildpretii sp. nov. (Agaricales, Basidiomycetes) a new species from the Canary Islands. (8/21)
Gerronema wildpretii, collected in climactic sites of the monteverde forest of the Canary Islands is described and illustrated. Its macro- and microscopic features delimit this taxon as a new species. (+info)'Laurus', often referred to as the bay leaf, is a genus (Laurus nobilis) of aromatic evergreen trees or shrubs in the Lauraceae family, possessing medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects, frequently used in cooking and traditional medicine.
"Laurus" is a genus name in botany, which includes the bay tree or bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). The leaves of this tree have been used historically for medicinal purposes, such as to treat digestive complaints and skin conditions. However, "Laurus" itself is not a medical term and does not have a specific medical definition. It's important to note that the use of botanical preparations in medicine should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as they can interact with other medications and have potential side effects.
Apocynaceae is a family of flowering plants that include species with milky sap, simple or compound leaves, and showy flowers, some of which contain cardiac glycosides and are used in traditional medicine and as ornamentals, such as oleander, periwinkle, and dogbane.
Apocynaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes shrubs, trees, and vines. It's also known as the dogbane or milkweed family. The plants in this family have milky sap and contain toxic compounds, which can be harmful or even fatal to animals and humans if ingested. Some well-known members of Apocynaceae include the various species of milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), oleander (Nerium oleander), and periwinkle (Vinca spp.).
The family is characterized by having opposite leaves, flowers with five petals and five sepals, and a superior ovary. The fruits are usually paired follicles that contain numerous seeds with tufts of hair to aid in wind dispersal. Many species in this family have medicinal or toxic properties, and some have economic importance as ornamental plants, sources of fiber, or for their use in traditional medicine.
Kaempferol is a flavonoid compound found in various plants and foods, known for its antioxidant properties and potential health benefits, which can help protect against oxidative stress, inflammation, cancer, and other diseases by scavenging free radicals and modulating cell signaling pathways.
Kaempferol is not a medical term, but a chemical compound. It is a type of flavonoid, a class of plant pigments that are known for their antioxidant properties. Kaempferol can be found in various plants and foods such as tea, broccoli, kale, spinach, grapes, and some types of berries.
Medically, kaempferol has been studied for its potential health benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects and determine the appropriate dosages for medical use. It's important to note that consuming foods rich in kaempferol as part of a balanced diet is generally considered safe and beneficial for health.
Foeniculum is the genus name for a plant species that includes Foeniculum vulgare, commonly known as fennel, which has aromatic leaves and seeds used in flavoring foods, teas, and medicinal preparations for various purposes, such as improving digestion and alleviating symptoms of menopause.
"Foeniculum" is the genus name for a plant species that includes fennel. In a medical context, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is known for its seeds and essential oil, which have been used in traditional medicine for various purposes such as improving digestion, reducing bloating, and alleviating menstrual discomfort. The seeds and oil contain several compounds with potential therapeutic effects, including anethole, fenchone, and estragole. However, it's important to note that the use of fennel in modern medicine is not well-studied, and more research is needed to establish its safety and efficacy.