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This study examined the ability of methyl gallate (MG) and gallic acid (GA), the main compounds of gallo-tannins in Galla Rhois, to inhibit the proliferation of oral bacterial and the in vitro formation of Streptococcus mutans biofilms. The antimicrobial activities of these compounds were evaluated in vitro using the broth microdilution method and a beaker-wire test. Both MG and GA had inhibitory effects on the growth of cariogenic (MIC less than 8 mg/ml) and periodontopathic bacteria (MIC=1 mg/ml). Moreover, these compounds significantly inhibited the in vitro formation of S. mutans biofilms (MG, 1 mg/ml; GA, 4 mg/ml; P less than 0.05). MG was more effective in inhibiting bacterial growth and the formation of S. mutans biofilm than GA. In conclusion, MG and GA can inhibit the growth of oral pathogens and S. mutans biofilm formation, and may be used to prevent the formation of oral biofilms.

Deriving the priority vectors of the alternatives from preference relations is an interesting research topic for group decision making with preference information. This paper uses an example to show that the ranking or the optimal alternative could not always be derived from the existing additively consistent intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations. Thus, we provide novel additively consistent intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations and characterize them with Tanino’s normalized (T-normalized) intuitionistic fuzzy priority vectors. Then, we propose some methods to check and achieve the T-normalization, acceptably additive consistency and consensus of the intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations in group decision making using the local, individual and optimal collective intuitionistic fuzzy priority vectors, respectively. We also give some examples to show how the proposed models work and make comparisons with the existing methods to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed methods.

The effect of temperature on the antioxidant activity of phenolic acids (gallic, gentisic, protocatechuic, syringic, vanillic, ferulic, caffeic, and sinapic; 0.5 mmol/kg) was studied in pork lard, using an Oxipres apparatus, at a temperature range of 90 deg C to 150 deg C. The antioxidant activity of all studied compounds decreased with increasing working temperature, whereas a linear relationship (P less than 0.01) existed between temperature and the antioxidant activity in all cases. However, the relative rate of the antioxidant activity decrease with increasing temperature (i.e. in comparison with the activity at 90 deg C) was not the same for all studied phenolic acids. Easily oxidisable phenolic acids (i.e. gallic, gentisic, protocatechuic, and caffeic) showed a slower decrease in antioxidant activity with increasing temperature (in comparison with their activity at 90 deg C) than the less oxidisable ones (i.e. syringic, ferulic and sinapic acids, and especially vanillic acid). Consequently, only gallic, gentisic, protocatechuic, and caffeic acids showed a significant antioxidant activity at 150 deg C and vanillic acid was active only at 90 deg C.

:  As part of our study of the isolation of antihypertensive agents derived from natural marine products, the bioactivity of 10 edible Korean seaweeds were screened by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and peroxynitrite assays. Among the crude extracts of selected seaweeds, including five Phaeophyta (Ecklonia stolonifera, E. cava, Pelvetia siliquosa, Hizikia fusiforme, and Undaria pinnatifida), four Rhodophyta (Gigartina tenella, Gelidium amansii, Chondria crassicaulis, and Porphyra tenera) and one Chlorophyta (Capsosiphon fulvescens), the ethanol extracts of E. stolonifera, E. cava, P. siliquosa, U. pinnatifida, and G. tenella exhibited significant inhibitory properties against ACE at more than 50% inhibition at a concentration of 163.93 µg/mL. Phloroglucinol 1, eckstolonol 2, eckol 3, phlorofucofuroeckol A 4, and dieckol 5 had been isolated previously, and triphlorethol‐A 6 and fucosterol 7 were isolated for the first time from E. stolonifera. Also, the ACE inhibitory and peroxynitrite scavenging properties of phlorotannins 1–6 were evaluated, along with fucosterol 7 obtained from E. stolonifera. Among profound peroxynitrite scavenging compounds 1–6, phlorotannins 3, 4 and 5 were also determined to manifest marked inhibitory activity against ACE, with 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) values of 70.82 ± 0.25, 12.74 ± 0.15, and 34.25 ± 3.56 µM, respectively.

This book is the first of its kind that focuses on the chemistry and biology of ellagitannins, a special class of naturally occurring polyphenols which have so far not received the attention they deserve. These polyphenolic substances are found in many plants, including numerous food sources. They not only exhibit unique structural features that fascinate most chemists who are aware of their existence, but also express remarkable biological activities that have yet to attract the interest of the pharmaceutical industry. This is surprising because ellagitannins have been identified as active principles in traditional Chinese medicines.

Varios virus con genoma de ARN en fases iniciales de la infección realizan la translocación de proteínas al interior del núcleo de la célula hospedera mediante la vía de las importinas α1. Este transporte es fundamental para el éxito de la replicación viral y se ha convertido en un blanco para la búsqueda y desarrollo de nuevos antivirales. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar y caracterizar interacciones entre la Agatisflavona, Amentoflavona, Punicalina con el sitio mayor de unión de las Importinas α1 humanas mediante el análisis in silico del acoplamiento molecular y simulaciones de dinámica molecular. Las pruebas de acoplamiento molecular se realizaron entre estos fitoconstituyentes y la estructura de la importina α1 humana. Las afinidades de interacción fueron detectadas con la Agatisflavona, Amentoflavona y Punicalina (ΔGb = -8,8, -9,1 y -8,8 kcal.mol-1 respectivamente), con afinidades de interacción específicamente a los dominios ARM2–ARM5 (sitio mayor de unión) de las importinas α1. Las simulaciones de dinámica molecular revelaron interacciones significativamente favorables (P<0,001) con los ligandos Agatisflavona y Amentoflavona (ΔGb= -18,60±0,35 y -22,55±2,41 kcal.mol-1) mientras que la Punicalina registró mayores valores de energía de interacción (ΔGb= -5,33±1,72 kcal.mol-1). Los hallazgos obtenidos en este estudio computacional sugieren que las moléculas Agatisflavona y Amentoflavona presentan interacciones favorables con el sitio mayor de unión de las Importinas α1, en comparación a lo registrado con la Punicalina, sin embargo, se recomienda realizar ensayos in vitro a modo de confirmar estas observaciones.

RESUMEN Varios virus con genoma de ARN en fases iniciales de la infección realizan la translocación de proteínas al interior del núcleo de la célula hospedera mediante la vía de las importinas α1. Este transporte es fundamental para el éxito de la replicación viral y se ha convertido en un blanco para la búsqueda y desarrollo de nuevos antivirales. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar y caracterizar interacciones entre la Agatisflavona, Amentoflavona, Punicalina con el sitio mayor de unión de las Importinas α1 humanas mediante el análisis in silico del acoplamiento molecular y simulaciones de dinámica molecular. Las pruebas de acoplamiento molecular se realizaron entre estos fitoconstituyentes y la estructura de la importina α1 humana. Las afinidades de interacción fueron detectadas con la Agatisflavona, Amentoflavona y Punicalina (ΔG b = -8,8, -9,1 y -8,8 kcal.mol-1 respectivamente), con afinidades de interacción específicamente a los dominios ARM2-ARM5 (sitio mayor de unión) de las importinas α1. Las simulaciones de dinámica molecular revelaron interacciones significativamente favorables (P<0,001) con los ligandos Agatisflavona y Amentoflavona (ΔG b = -18,60±0,35 y -22,55±2,41 kcal.mol-1) mientras que la Punicalina registró mayores valores de energía de interacción (ΔG b = -5,33±1,72 kcal.mol-1). Los hallazgos obtenidos en este estudio computacional sugieren que las moléculas Agatisflavona y Amentoflavona presentan interacciones favorables con el sitio mayor de unión de las Importinas α1, en comparación a lo registrado con la Punicalina, sin embargo, se recomienda realizar ensayos in vitro a modo de confirmar estas observaciones.

Nevus of Ota is a benign dermal melanocytic nevus that typically affects Asian children and women. The nevus presents as unilateral blue-gray hyperpigmented macules and patches scattered along the first and second divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Individuals with nevus of Ota experience emotional and psychosocial distress related to cosmetic disfigurement and often look for treatment options. Unfortunately, even when treated early, lesions of nevus of Ota are still difficult to treat. The use of lasers for the treatment of nevus of Ota lesions has become helpful in the management of dermal nevi. Currently, Q-switched (QS) lasers have been the most studied and demonstrated positive results for treatment of nevus of Ota. The purpose of this review article is to summarize the clinical efficacy and side effects associated with QS lasers and the treatment of nevus of Ota lesions.

Host plant resistance is an important component of integrated pest management of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae). We studied various antixenotic and allelochemical traits in the fruit for 15 varieties/genotypes of watermelon Citrellus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsumara & Nakai (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) in relation to resistance against B. cucurbitae under field conditions in a hot arid region of India. Results showed significant differences in tested varieties/genotypes in levels of fruit infestation and larval density per fruit. The varieties/genotypes ‘Asahi Yamato’ (12.73%), ‘AHW/BR-16’ (15.10%), and ‘Thar Manak’ (18.27%) were found to be resistant; ‘Durgapura Lal’ (23.03%), ‘Sugar Baby’ (26.67%), ‘AHW/BR-12’ (29.73%), ‘Arka Manik’ (34.15%), ‘Charleston Gray’ (38.70%), ‘AHW-65’ (35.80%), and ‘AHW-19’ (48.97%) were found to be moderately resistant; and ‘IC 582909’ (53.18%), ‘AHW/BR-60’ (55.52%), ‘BSM-1’ (59.10%), ‘AHW/BR-137’ (60.58%), and ‘AHW/BR-9’ (67.37%) were found to be susceptible to fruit fly infestation. Significant positive correlation (r = 0.99; P < 0.01) was observed between percentage fruit infestation and larval density per fruit. Percentage fruit infestation and larval density per fruit were significantly and positively correlated with fruit length (r = 0.57 and 0.55, respectively) and with days to first fruit harvest (r = 0.75 and 0.76, respectively), but negatively correlated with length of ovary pubescence (r = -0.91 and -0.91, respectively), rind hardness (r = -0.86 and -0.87, respectively), and rind thickness (r = -0.77 and -0.75, respectively). Maximum variation in fruit infestation and larval density were explained by length of ovary pubescence (82.5 and 83.6%, respectively) followed by fruit length (4.3 and 3.0%, respectively) and rind thickness (3.2 and 2.0%, respectively). Free amino acid content was lowest in the resistant ‘Asahi Yamato’ and highest in the susceptible ‘BSM-1’, whereas the contents of phenols, tannins, total alkaloids, and flavonoids were highest in resistant and lowest in susceptible varieties/genotypes. Flavonoid and total alkaloid contents explained 88.4 and 92.0%, respectively, of the total variation in fruit fly infestation and in larval density per fruit.

A series of experiments have been undertaken to determine the effect of water extracts from pine bark (Pinus radiata) on the inhibition of the sporulation of oocysts of three species of avian coccidia. Tubes containing coccidian oocysts isolated from droppings of coccidia-infected chickens were randomly assigned to 0, 250, 500 and 1,000 microg/mL pine bark extract (PBE). The tubes were incubated at 25-29 deg C for 48 h depending on the species of Eimeria. Sporulation inhibition bioassay was used to evaluate the activity of PBE on the sporulation of coccidian oocysts. The oocysts were gently aerated with an air pump away from sun light. The results show for the first time that water-soluble extracts from pine bark containing 35% condensed tannins have anticoccidial activity as evidenced by their ability to decrease significantly the sporulation of the oocysts of three species of Eimeria, namely Eimeria tenella, E. maxima and E. acervulina, under laboratory conditions. Incubation of unsporulated oocysts of these parasites in water containing 500 microg PBE per mL resulted in inhibition of sporulation of these oocysts by about 28-84% relative to the oocysts in the control incubations. In addition, up to 12% of E. maxima oocysts exposed to 500-1,000 microg pine bark/mL were containing abnormal sporocysts in terms of size, number and shape.