Sterculia
Karaya Gum
Characterization of cyclopropane fatty-acid synthase from Sterculia foetida. (1/5)
Cyclopropane synthase from Sterculia foetida developing seeds catalyzes the addition of a methylene group from S-adenosylmethionine to the cis double bond of oleic acid (Bao, X., Katz, S., Pollard, M., and Ohlrogge, J. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 99, 7172-7177). To understand this enzyme better, differential expression in leaf and seed tissues, protein properties, and substrate preferences of plant cyclopropane synthase were investigated. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies raised to recombinant S. foetida cyclopropane synthase (SfCPA-FAS) revealed that SfCPA-FAS is expressed in S. foetida seeds, but not in leaves, and is a membrane protein localized to microsomal fractions. Transformed tobacco cells expressing SfCPA-FAS were labeled in vivo with L-[methyl-(14)C]methionine and assayed in vitro with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-(14)C]methionine. These kinetic experiments demonstrated that dihydrosterculate was synthesized from oleic acid esterified at the sn-1 position of phosphatidylcholine (PC). Furthermore, analysis of acyl chains at sn-1 and sn-2 positions that accumulated in PC from S. foetida developing seeds and from tobacco cells expressing SfCPA-FAS also demonstrated that greater than 90% of dihydrosterculate was esterified to the sn-1 position. Thus, we conclude that SfCPA-FAS is a microsomal localized membrane protein that catalyzes the addition of methylene groups derived from S-adenosyl-L-methionine across the double bond of oleic acid esterified to the sn-1 position of PC. A survey of plant and bacterial genomes for sequences related to SfCPA-FAS indicated that a peptide domain with a putative flavin-binding site is either fused to the methyltransferase domain of the plant protein or is often found encoded by a gene adjacent to a bacterial cyclopropane synthase gene. (+info)Evaluation of Sterculia foetida gum as controlled release excipient. (2/5)
(+info)Conversion of t11t13 CLA into c9t11 CLA in Caco-2 cells and inhibition by sterculic oil. (3/5)
(+info)Isolation and synthesis of two antiproliferative calamenene-type sesquiterpenoids from Sterculia tavia from the Madagascar rain forest. (4/5)
(+info)Two cerebrosides isolated from the seeds of Sterculia lychnophora and their neuroprotective effect. (5/5)
(+info)"Sterculia" is a botanical term that refers to a genus of trees in the family Sterculiaceae. The name "Sterculia" comes from the Latin word "stercus," which means excrement, due to the unpleasant smell of the tree's flowers. Several species of Sterculia have been used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including as a laxative and as a treatment for skin conditions. However, it is important to note that the use of Sterculia as a medical treatment has not been extensively studied and its safety and efficacy are not well-established. Therefore, it should not be used as a substitute for proven medical therapies.
Karaya gum is not a medical term, but a substance that is used in some medical and pharmaceutical applications. It's a natural gum exuded from the tree Senegalia catechu, also known as Sterculia urens.
Medically, karaya gum is sometimes used as an excipient or a bulking agent in oral medications, and as a component of wound dressings due to its ability to absorb water and form a gel. It has been reported to have some potential benefits in wound healing, including promoting granulation tissue formation and reducing inflammation. However, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and effectiveness in these applications.
It's important to note that the use of karaya gum in medical products should be carefully evaluated and monitored, as it can cause allergic reactions or other adverse effects in some individuals.
A plant extract is a preparation containing chemical constituents that have been extracted from a plant using a solvent. The resulting extract may contain a single compound or a mixture of several compounds, depending on the extraction process and the specific plant material used. These extracts are often used in various industries including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food and beverage, due to their potential therapeutic or beneficial properties. The composition of plant extracts can vary widely, and it is important to ensure their quality, safety, and efficacy before use in any application.