Research Update: Thuja orientalis.Platycladus orientalis

  seminal trace...Cacumen Platycladi Orientalis Extract.10:1.Chinese Arborvitae Twig and Leaf Extract,Oriental arborvitae extract, Asiatic arborvitae,Chinese arborvitae extract...

 


   Phytochemical info of Chelidonium majus.

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 Definition:Thuja orientalis.Platycladus orientalis are majorly composed of
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   Research Update: Thuja orientalis.Platycladus orientalis

  Seizures in a 7-month-old child after exposure to the essential plant oil thuja..:Pediatr Neurol. 2007 Dec;37(6):446-8.Stafstrom CE.Section of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA. stafstrom@neurology.wisc.edu

 A previously healthy 7-month-old child was treated with homeopathic preparations of thuja, a potentially convulsant compound, for the purpose of providing a calming effect around times of immunizations. The child developed eight generalized tonic-clonic seizures with no other obvious cause, in the context of normal electroencephalograms and a normal brain magnetic resonance imaging scan. Seizures stopped after discontinuation of thuja and brief treatment with phenobarbital. The epileptogenic potential of plant-derived essential oils and other herbal remedies should be recognized by practitioners providing neurologic care to children.

  Plant light interception can be explained via computed tomography scanning: demonstration with pyramidal cedar (Thuja occidentalis, Fastigiata).:Ann Bot (Lond). 2008 Jan;101(1):19-23. Epub 2007 Nov 2.Dutilleul P, Han L, Smith DL.Department of Plant Science, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Qu¨¦bec, Canada H9X 3V9. pierre.dutilleul@mcgill.ca

 BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Light interception by the leaf canopy is a key aspect of plant photosynthesis, which helps mitigate the greenhouse effect via atmospheric CO(2) recycling. The relationship between plant light interception and leaf area was traditionally modelled with the Beer-Lambert law, until the spatial distribution of leaves was incorporated through the fractal dimension of leafless plant structure photographed from the side allowing maximum appearance of branches and petioles. However, photographs of leafless plants are two-dimensional projections of three-dimensional structures, and sampled plants were cut at the stem base before leaf blades were detached manually, so canopy development could not be followed for individual plants. Therefore, a new measurement and modelling approach were developed to explain plant light interception more completely and precisely, based on appropriate processing of computed tomography (CT) scanning data collected for developing canopies. METHODS: Three-dimensional images of canopies were constructed from CT scanning data. Leaf volumes (LV) were evaluated from complete canopy images, and fractal dimensions (FD) were estimated from skeletonized leafless images. The experimental plant species is pyramidal cedar (Thuja occidentalis, Fastigiata). KEY RESULTS: The three-dimensional version of the Beer-Lambert law based on FD alone provided a much better explanation of plant light interception (R(2) = 0.858) than those using the product LV*FD (0.589) or LV alone (0.548). While values of all three regressors were found to increase over time, FD in the Beer-Lambert law followed the increase in light interception the most closely. The delayed increase of LV reflected the appearance of new leaves only after branches had lengthened and ramified. CONCLUSIONS: The very strong correlation obtained with FD demonstrates that CT scanning data contain fundamental information about the canopy architecture geometry. The model can be used to identify crops and plantation trees with improved light interception and productivity.

  Diterpenoids from the pericarp of Platycladus orientalis.:Phytochemistry. 2007 Sep 11;Wang YZ, Tang CP, Ke CQ, Weiss HC, Gesing ER, Ye Y.State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu-Chong-Zhi Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai 201203, PR China.

 Eight labdane-type diterpenes, 7beta,13S-dihydroxylabda-8(17),14-dien-19-oic acid (1), 12R,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),13E-dien-19-oic acid (3c), 12R,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),13Z-dien-19-oic acid (3d), 12R,13R,14S-trihydroxylabda-12,15-epoxy-8(17)-en-19-oic acid (4a), 12S,13S,14R-trihydroxylabda-12,15-epoxy-8(17)-en-19-oic acid (4b), 15-hydroxy-12-oxolabda-8(17),13E-dien-19-oic acid (5), 14R,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),12Z-dien-19-oic acid (7a) and 14S,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),12Z-dien-19-oic acid (7b), along with 20 known diterpenoids, were isolated from the pericarp of Platycladus orientalis. Their structures were unambiguously elucidated by NMR spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, as well as via chemical correlation conversion. NMR spectroscopic data of known isomers 8c and 8d were reported as a supplement to existing data.

  Biosorption of a textile dye (Acid Blue 40) by cone biomass of Thuja orientalis: Estimation of equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic parameters.:Bioresour Technol. 2007 Aug 13;Akar T, Ozcan AS, Tunali S, Ozcan A.Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Science, Eski?ehir Osmangazi University, 26480 Eski?ehir, Turkey

 Biosorption of Acid Blue 40 (AB40) onto cone biomass of Thuja orientalis was studied with variation in the parameters of pH, contact time, biosorbent and dye concentration and temperature to estimate the equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. The AB40 biosorption was fast and the equilibrium was attained within 50min. Equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model in the studied concentration range of AB40 and at various temperatures. Maximum biosorption capacity (q(max)) for AB40 was 2.05x10(-4)molg(-1) or 97.06mgg(-1) at 20 degrees C. The changes of Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy of biosorption were also evaluated for the biosorption of AB40 onto T. orientalis. The results indicate that the biosorption was spontaneous and exothermic. Kinetics of biosorption of AB40 was analyzed and rate constants were also derived and the results show that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model agrees very well with the experimental data.

  Continuous determination of total flavonoids in Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco by dynamic microwave-assisted extraction coupled with on-line derivatization and ultraviolet-visible detection.:Anal Chim Acta. 2007 Jul 16;596(1):164-70. Epub 2007 Jun 8. Chen L, Ding L, Yu A, Yang R, Wang X, Li J, Jin H, Zhang H.College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, PR China.

 This paper describes a new method for the determination of total flavonoids in Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. The method was based on dynamic microwave-assisted extraction (DMAE) coupled with on-line derivatization and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) detection. The influence of the experimental conditions was tested. Maximum extraction yield was achieved using 80% aqueous methanol of extraction solvent; 80 W of microwave output power; 5 min of extraction time; 1.0 mL min(-1) of extraction solvent flow rate. The derivatization reaction between aluminium chloride and flavonoid is one of the most sensitive and selective reactions for total flavonoids determination. The optimized derivatization conditions are as follows: derivatization reagent 1.5% aluminium chloride methanol solution; reaction coil length 100 cm; derivatization reagent flow rate 1.5 mL min(-1). The detection and quantification limits obtained are 0.28 and 0.92 mg g(-1), respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precisions (R.S.D.) obtained are 1.5% and 4.6%, respectively. Mean recovery is 98.5%. This method was successfully applied to the determination of total flavonoids in P. orientalis (L.) Franco and compared with heat reflux extraction. The results showed that the higher extraction yield of total flavonoids was obtained by DMAE with shorter extraction time (5 min) and small quantity of extraction solvent (5 mL).


  Anatomical and water physiological plasticity of Grewia biloba var. parviflora leaf and secondary xylem:Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2006 Oct;17(10):1801-6. Chinese.Shi G, Cheng X, Liu L, Ma C.Department of Biology, Huaibei Coal Industry Teachers College, China. swsgr@sohu.com

 Based on the anatomical observations of leaf and secondary xylem as well as the measurements of leaf water physiological parameters, this paper studied the anatomical and water physiological plasticity of Grewia biloba var. parviflora growing in different succession stage communities. The results showed that G. biloba var. parviflora leaf was characterized by thin bifacial with thin cuticle and few stoma, indicating that it was mesophyte anatomically, while the secondary xylem had typical xeromorphic traits, such as short and thin vessel, high vessel frequency, low percentage single pores, and short fibers and rays. G. biloba var. parviflora had high plasticity in the anatomical structure and water physiological features of leaf and secondary xylem, and the plasticity index was in the order of secondary xylem anatomical structure (0. 24) > water physiological traits (0. 19) > leaf anatomical structure (0. 18). Compared with those growing in mixed forest and Platycladus orientalis forest, the individuals of G. biloba var. parviflora in shrub communities had the xeromorphic traits in the aspects of (1) their secondary xylem had shorter vessel elements, higher vessel frequency, less single porous percentage, lower rays, higher relative conductivity and lower vulnerability index, and (2) their leaf had lower water potential, lower water content and free water content, higher bound water content, high ratio of bound to free water content, and less specific leaf area. The phenotypic plasticity, both anatomical and physiological, made G. biloba var. parviflora tolerate to the drought at earlier succession stages and better adapt to the mesophytic condition at later stages, and consequently, become a widely distributed and dominant species in mixed forests.

  Labdane diterpenes from the seeds of Platycladus orientalis.:J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2006 Dec;8(8):677-82.Ren XY, Ye Y.Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.

 Two new labdane diterpenes, 14(R),15-dihydroxy-8(17),12(E)-labdadien-19-oic acid (1) and 16-methyl-12,15-epoxy-8(17),13-labdadien-19-oic acid (2), together with four known compounds, were isolated from the seeds of Platycladus orientalis. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. The stereochemistry of compound 1 was defined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

  Effects of homeopathic preparations on human prostate cancer growth in cellular and animal models.:Integr Cancer Ther. 2006 Dec;5(4):362-72. MacLaughlin BW, Gutsmuths B, Pretner E, Jonas WB, Ives J, Kulawardane DV, Amri H.Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.

 The use of dietary supplements for various ailments enjoys unprecedented popularity. As part of this trend, Sabal serrulata (saw palmetto) constitutes the complementary treatment of choice with regard to prostate health. In homeopathy, Sabal serrulata is commonly prescribed for prostate problems ranging from benign prostatic hyperplasia to prostate cancer. The authors' work assessed the antiproliferative effects of homeopathic preparations of Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, and Conium maculatum, in vivo, on nude mouse xenografts, and in vitro, on PC-3 and DU-145 human prostate cancer as well as MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with Sabal serrulata in vitro resulted in a 33% decrease of PC-3 cell proliferation at 72 hours and a 23% reduction of DU-145 cell proliferation at 24 hours (P<.01). The difference in reduction is likely due to the specific doubling time of each cell line. No effect was observed on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Thuja occidentalis and Conium maculatum did not have any effect on human prostate cancer cell proliferation. In vivo, prostate tumor xenograft size was significantly reduced in Sabal serrulata-treated mice compared to untreated controls (P=.012). No effect was observed on breast tumor growth. Our study clearly demonstrates a biologic response to homeopathic treatment as manifested by cell proliferation and tumor growth. This biologic effect was (i)significantly stronger to Sabal serrulata than to controls and (ii)specific to human prostate cancer. Sabal serrulata should thus be further investigated as a specific homeopathic remedy for prostate pathology.

  A preliminary study on antimetastatic activity of Thuja occidentalis L. in mice model.:Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2006;28(2):269-80. Sunila ES, Kuttan G.Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur, India.

 The effect of Thuja occidentalis extract on the inhibition of lung metastasis induced by B16F-10 melanoma cells was studied in C57BL/6 mice. The extract was administered by three different modalities. A remarkable reduction in tumor-nodule formation was shown by simultaneous (74.4%) and prophylactic (71.5%) mode of administration. The effect was comparatively low in drug administration after tumor development (60.2%). Increased lung collagen hydroxyproline (21.13 microg/mg protein) in the metastasized lungs of control animals compared with normal animals (0.98 microg/mg protein) was significantly reduced in Thuja-treated animals. The elevated level of uronic acid (349.5 microg/100 mg tissue) and hexosamine contents in metastatic control animals was significantly reduced in the animals treated with alcoholic extract of Thuja. Similarly the elevated levels of serum sialic acid and serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activity in the untreated control animals was significantly reduced in the animals treated with the extract of Thuja. The lifespan of the Thuja treated animals also was seen to be significantly increased.

  Quality evaluation of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco through simultaneous determination of four bioactive flavonoids by high-performance liquid chromatography.:J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2006 Jun 16;41(4):1186-90. Epub 2006 Apr 18. Lu YH, Liu ZY, Wang ZT, Wei DZ.State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, New World Institute of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Box #311, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, PR China. luyanhua@ecust.edu.cn

 Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (Cupressaceae), a traditional Chinese herb and food additive, has been used for treatments of gout, rheumatism, diarrhoea and chronic tracheitis. To evaluate the quality of P. orientalis (L.) Franco, a sensitive, simple and accurate reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) separation method with a photodiode array detector (DAD) was developed for the determination of four main bioactive flavonoids, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin and amentoflavone. Separation of the four compounds was achieved by the HPLC assay (Agilent Eclipse XDB-C 18 column with mobile phase, methanol-acetonitrile-18 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 3.5) and recorded at UV 356 nm). This method showed good linear relation in the range of 0.8-80 microg/ml for rutin, 1.84-184 microg/ml for quercitrin, 0.72-72 microg/ml for quercetin and 0.72-72 microg/ml for amentoflavone. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curve for the analysis were all higher than 0.999. In addition, the contents of those four flavonoids in P. orientalis (L.) Franco growing in 12 different locations in China were compared to establish the effectiveness of the method.


  15-Methoxypinusolidic acid from Biota orientalis attenuates glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells.:Toxicol In Vitro. 2006 Sep;20(6):936-41. Epub 2006 Feb 28.

 15-Methoxypinusolidic acid (15-MPA), a pinusolide derivative isolated from Biota orientalis (Cupressaceae) leaves prevented glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells in vitro. 15-MPA had more selectivity in protecting neurons against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neurotoxicity than that induced by kainic acid (KA). The glutamate-induced increase of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in cortical cells was effectively reduced by 15-MPA. Moreover, 15-MPA could successfully reduce the subsequent overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) and the level of cellular peroxide, and inhibit glutathione (GSH) depletion and lipid peroxidation induced by glutamate in our cultures. Collectively, these results suggested that 15-MPA attenuated glutamate-induced excitotoxicity via stabilization of [Ca2+]i homeostasis and suppression of oxidative stress possibly through the actions on the NMDA receptors.

  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical dose-response trial of an extract of Baptisia, Echinacea and Thuja for the treatment of patients with common cold.:Phytomedicine. 2005 Nov;12(10):715-22.Naser B, Lund B, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, K?hler G, Lehmacher W, Scaglione F.Schaper & Brtunmer GmbH & Co. KG, Bahnhofstr. 35, 38259 Salzgitter, Germany. belal.naser@schaper-bruemmer.de

 The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy and safety of an herbal medication containing an extract of a mixture of Baptisiae tinctoriae radix, Echinaceae pallidae/purpureae radix and Thujae, occidentalis herba (SB-TOX) in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), and to test whether SB-TOX's clinical efficacy is dose dependent. A total of 91 adults (mean age 42.1 +/- 13.0 years) were randomised to receive 19.2 mg of SB-TOX (n=31), 9.6 mg SB-TOX (n=29) or placebo (n=31) three times daily for 3-12 days. Since a "running nose" is the main symptom of a common cold, the total number of facial tissues used throughout the clinical duration of their cold was the primary efficacy parameter. In the intention-to-treat analysis, this total number of tissues decreased with increasing extract dose. The slope across groups according to the Jonckheere test was significant (p = 0.0259). In the high-dose group, the standardised effect size delta/SD was 0.46 compared with placebo. Time to relevant improvement in cold symptoms (measured as the time until less than 30 tissues per day were used) was 1.1 days (95% CI 0.52; 1.67), 0.76 days (95% CI 0.28; 1.24) and 0.52 days (95% CI 0.22; 0.82) in the placebo, low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively (p(LogRank) = 0.0175). No adverse events were reported. This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of SB-TOX in the treatment of URIs, and that its efficacy is dose dependent.

  Protective effect of Thuja occidentalis against radiation-induced toxicity in mice.:Integr Cancer Ther. 2005 Dec;4(4):322-8.Sunila ES, Kuttan G.Amala Cancer Research Centre, Trissur, India.

 The effect of Thuja occidentalis against damage induced by gamma radiation was studied. Whole-body exposure of Swiss albino mice to gamma-rays (6 Gy) reduced the total white blood cell count to 1900 cells/mm(3) on the third day, which was elevated to 2050 cells/mm(3) by the administration of alcoholic extract ofT occidentalis (5 mg/dose/animal, intraperitoneally). Six animals from each group were killed after 2, 7, and 11 days of irradiation to detect the bone marrow cellularity and radiation-induced toxicity. The number of bone marrow cells and alpha-esterase positive cells in control animals after 11 days was reduced to 12.2 x 10(6) cells/femur and 693.5/4000 cells, respectively. In T occidentalis-treated animals, bone marrow cellularity was increased to 16.9 x 10(6) cells/femur and alpha-esterase positive cells were 940/4000 cells, a nearly normal level. Alcoholic extract of T occidentalis reduced the elevated levels of GPT and alkaline phosphatase in liver and serum after irradiation. The lipid peroxidation levels were also lowered in the irradiated animals treated with the Thuja extract.

  Thuja occidentalis (Arbor vitae): A Review of its Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Clinical Properties.:Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2005 Mar;2(1):69-78. Epub 2005 Feb 9. Naser B, Bodinet C, Tegtmeier M, Lindequist U.

 Arbor vitae (Thuja occidentalis L.) is a native European tree widely used in homeopathy and evidence-based phytotherapy. Many reviews and monographs have been published on the herbal substance's description, mode of action and clinical use. However, no comprehensive evidence-based review is available. Therefore, our aim was to search MEDLINE databases and survey manufacturers for further details or unpublished data. This review presents the botany, ethnobotany and phytochemistry, especially the different contents of essential oil (Thujone) in relation to different extraction procedures of this medicinal plant. Thuja's antiviral action and immunopharmacological potential, such as stimulatory and co-stimulatory effects on cytokine and antibody production and activation of macrophages and other immunocompetent cells, have been evaluated in numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations. Although no controlled trials have been conducted on Thuja occ alone, many clinical studies have been performed with a herbal medicinal product containing a special extract of Thuja occ and other immunostimulants, demonstrating its therapeutic efficacy and safety in respiratory tract infections.

  Effects of Biota orientalis extract and its flavonoid constituents, quercetin and rutin on serum uric acid levels in oxonate-induced mice and xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase activities in mouse liver.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul;93(1):133-40.Zhu JX, Wang Y, Kong LD, Yang C, Zhang X.Institute of Functional Biomolecule, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China.

 The hypouricemic actions of Biota orientalis (BO) extract and its flavonoid constituents quercetin and rutin, were in vivo examined using oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. Quercetin and rutin, when administered three times orally to the oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice, were able to elicit dose-dependent hypouricemic effects. The effects of quercetin and rutin were more potent than that of Biota orientalis extract at the same dose of 100 mg/kg. At doses of 50 mg/kg of quercetin or above, or at doses of 100 mg/kg of rutin or above, the serum urate levels of the oxonate-pretreated mice were not different from normal mice. In addition, Biota orientalis extract, quercetin and rutin, when tested in vivo on mouse liver homogenates, elicited significant inhibitory actions on the xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase (XDH/XO) activities. The effects of quercetin and rutin resulted less potent than that of allopurinol. However, intraperitoneal administration at the same scheme did not produce any observable hypouricemic effect. These hypouricemic effects are partly due to the inhibition of XDH/XO activities in mouse liver. The pharmacological profile of the flavonoids is partly different from that of allopurinol. Such hypouricemic action and inhibition of the enzyme activity of quercetin and rutin may be responsible for a part of the beneficial effects of Biota orientalis extract on hyperuricemia and gout. The effects of quercetin and rutin on serum urate levels in hyperuricemic mice induced by oxonate and the inhibition of enzyme activities in mouse liver are discussed in relation to their absorption and metabolism, and their potential application to treat gout and hyperuricemia.


  Labdanes and isopimaranes from Platycladus orientalis and their effects on erythrocyte membrane and on Plasmodium falciparum growth in the erythrocyte host cells.:J Nat Prod. 2004 Apr;67(4):631-7.Asili J, Lambert M, Ziegler HL, Staerk D, Sairafianpour M, Witt M, Asghari G, Ibrahimi IS, Jaroszewski JW.Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

 Six labdanes (1-6) and four isopimaranes (7-10), including three new natural products (7, 9, and 10), were isolated from Platycladus orientalis, and their structures determined using 1D and 2D NMR methods, ion-cyclotron resonance HRMS, and optical rotation data. Relative configurations of all chiral centers in the isopimaranes were determined using NOESY experiments at 600 and 800 MHz. Specific optical rotation data were used to correlate absolute configurations. Compounds 1-9 and aframodial (11) were tested for their in vitro antiplasmodial activity and for their ability to induce changes of erythrocyte shape in order to obtain data about possible correlation between the two effects. All compounds tested exhibited weak (IC(50) > 25 microM) in vitro antiplasmodial effects against Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7. At the same time, the compounds caused echinocytic or stomatocytic changes of the erythrocyte membrane curvature, indicative of their incorporation into the lipid bilayer, in the concentration region where the antiplasmodial activity was observed. The antiplasmodial effect of these compounds thus appears to be an indirect effect on the erythrocyte host cell. Weak or moderate antiplasmodial activity observed with many other apolar natural products, in particular those with amphiphilic structures, is also likely to be an indirect effect.

  Aerobiological diagnosis of respiratory allergy by a personal sampler: two case reports.:J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2003;13(4):284-5.Fiorina A, Scordamaglia A, Fumagalli F, Canonica GW, Passalacqua G.DIMI, University of Genoa, Italy.

 We describe two cases of respiratory allergy (asthma), which were difficult to diagnosis from an etiological viewpoint. The routine diagnostic tests were not able to determine the causal allergens, although the clinical history suggested that allergens were confined to restricted environments. Therefore, an aerobiological sampling by means of a battery-powered portable device was carried out. This approach allowed identification of the responsible allergens, which were Alternaria spores in one case and thuja pollen in the other. Once a targeted environmental care had been performed, the patients' symptoms rapidly improved and antiasthma therapy could be stepped down or discontinued. We suggest that, in selected cases of difficult diagnosis the presence of proximity allergens is suspected, aerobiological sampling with a portable device should be considered.

  GC analysis of essential oils in the rumen fluid after incubation of Thuja orientalis twigs in the Rusitec system.:Res Vet Sci. 2004 Feb;76(1):77-82.Chizzola R, Hochsteiner W, Hajek S.Institute for Applied Botany, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna 1210, Austria. remigius.chizzola@vu-wien.ac.at

 Methods for the chemical analysis of toxic plant substances in the rumen of ruminants are of importance for the diagnosis of intoxications with poisonous plants. The present work establishes a method to estimate monoterpene components of the essential oil of thuja (Thuja orientalis, Cupressaceae) in these types of samples. Alpha-thujone, which is regarded as the toxic principle, is present at a concentration of 50-60% in the essential oil. The rumen simulation technique (Rusitec) was used to simulate natural digestion. Chopped twigs of thuja were subjected to rumen content in a closed container with an overflow device. The flow of saliva was simulated by the continuous addition of a buffer solution. Samples for analysis were taken from the overflow at 24 and 48 h. A further sample was taken from the remaining liquid fraction of the rumen content in the container at 48 h. The essential oils were extracted with hexane and concentrated. A quantitative determination was done by capillary gas chromatography. Together in the three fractions analysed this resulted in total mean recoveries of 6.8% for alpha-thujone, 5.3% for beta-thujone, 18.9% for fenchone and 27.8% for camphor. The observation that the thujones were recovered to a lesser extent than other oil components is evidence of their fast decomposition in the rumen medium. Under these circumstances the calculated detection limit is 100-200 g thuja twigs in cows with rumen volumes of 60-100 litres. The main essential oil degradation products found in the rumen fluid of all three fractions in the Rusitec system were discovered to be iso-3-thujanol, neo-3-thujanol, carvomenthol and carvomenthone.

  Volatile constituents of the fruit and leaf oils of Thuja orientalis L. grown in Iran.:Z Naturforsch [C]. 2003 Mar-Apr;58(3-4):171-2. Nickavar B, Amin G, Parhami S.Pharmacognosy Department, School of Pharmacy, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. bnickavar@yahoo.com

 The composition of the hydrodistilled essential oils from the fruits and leaves of Thuja orientalis L. grown in Iran was analyzed by GC/MS. Nineteen and twenty-eight compounds have been identified in the volatile oils of the fruit and leaf, respectively. While the fruit oil contained alpha-pinene (52.4%), delta-3-carene (14.2%), alpha-cedrol (6.5%) and beta-phellandrene (5.1%), the leaf oil contained alpha-pinene (21.9%), alpha-cedrol (20.3%), delta-3-carene (10.5%) and limonen (7.2%) as the main components.

  The extract of Thujae occidentalis semen inhibited 5alpha-reductase and androchronogenetic alopecia of B6CBAF1/j hybrid mouse.:J Dermatol Sci. 2003 Apr;31(2):91-8.

 BACKGROUND: The conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone; 5alpha-androstan-17beta-ol-3-one by 5alpha-reductase plays a crucial role in hair baldness and prostatomegaly. Recent approach showed specific inhibitors for 5alpha-reductase type 2 such as finasteride promoted hair growth in male pattern alopecia. OBJECTIVE: In order to search for effective medicinal plant extracts applied topically for androgenetic alopecia, we screened natural plant extracts having inhibitory activities of 5alpha-reductase type 2 and demonstrated its biological function in androgen-related animal models. METHODS: We evaluated the inhibition activities of numerous plant extracts by contact cell based metabolic method using a stable HEK 293 cell line expressing human 5alpha-reductase (type 2). To elucidate the biological activity in vivo, the Thujae occidentalis semen (TOS) extract was topically applied to fuzzy rat and androchronogenetic alopecia (AGA) mouse, respectively. The secreted sebum and the size of sebaceous glands of fuzzy rat were measured after 6 weeks. Also, after the topical treatment with TOS extract and androgen receptor antagonist (cyproterone acetate) simultaneously with subcutaneous injection of testosterone (1 mg/mice/day), hair loss patterns of female B6CBAF1/j hybrid mouse were observed. RESULTS: TOS extract showed higher inhibition activity of 5alpha-reductase type 2(IC(50) value=2.6 microg/ml) than that of gamma-linolenic acid, but lower than that of finasteride. When applied to fuzzy rat, the amount of sebum and sebaceous gland size decreased remarkably. In AGA model, alopecia degrees of two groups, treated with TOS extract (P<0.015) or cyproterone acetate (P<0.01), were lower than that of vehicle (propylene glycol:ethanol=7:3) and there was no difference between above two groups. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the inhibitory activity of TOS extract for 5alpha-reductase type 2 and its biological action in two animal models, suggesting that TOS extract would be used as an effective agent for male pattern baldness by modifying androgen conversion.


  Study on chemical constituents of essential oil of Biota orientalis by GC-MS.:Zhong Yao Cai. 2000 Aug;23(8):460-1. Chinese.Liu T, Qiu Q, Zhao Y, Shen Y, Wang J.Shandong University, Jinan 250100

 The essential oil was extracted from Biota orientalis (L) Endl by using steam distillery, analyzed with SE-54(30 m x 0.25 mm I.d) fused silica capillary column. The optimum separate and analytical conditions were researched. The amount of the components from the essential oil was determinated by monoliration method. The separated components were identified by GC-MS. There are 33 components which are make up 80% of the total essential oil were separated and identified.

  Effect of oral application of an immunomodulating plant extract on Influenza virus type A infection in mice.:Planta Med. 2002 Oct;68(10):896-900.Bodinet C, Mentel R, Wegner U, Lindequist U, Teuscher E, Freudenstein J.Schaper & Br¨¹mmer GmbH & Co. KG, Research and Development Department, Salzgitter, Germany. cornelia.bodinet@schaper-bruemmer.de

 The influence of the oral administration of an aqueous-ethanolic extract of a mixture of Thujae occidentalis herba, Baptisiae tinctoriae radix, Echinaceae purpureae radix and Echinaceae pallidae radix, on the course of Influenza A virus infection in Balb/c mice was investigated. The extract was administered to mice via the drinking water for 14 days starting 6 days before intranasal infection with Influenza A virus. The progress of infection was recorded during a time range of 21 days. Parameters for the evaluation of antiviral activity were survival rate and mean day to death. In a further set of experiments infected mice were sacrificed on defined days. Determination of consolidation score and virus titer were performed for each lung. The data show that the oral treatment with the extract induced a statistically significant increase in the survival rate, prolonged the mean survival time and reduced lung consolidation and virus titer. The experiments demonstrate that the plant immunomodulator given 6 days before exposure is a potent inhibitor of Influenza A virus pathology in vivo.

  A new neuroprotective pinusolide derivative from the leaves of Biota orientalis.:Chem Pharm Bull. 2002 Jun;50(6):834-6.

 A new pinusolide derivative, 15-methoxypinusolidic acid (1), and another new isopimarane diterpene, ent-isopimara-15-en-3 alpha,8 alpha-diol (2) with three known diterpenes, lambertianic acid (3), isopimara-8(9),15-dien-18-oic acid (4) and isopimara-7(8),15-dien-3 beta,18-diol (5) were isolated from the 90% MeOH fraction of Biota orientalis (L.) ENDL. (Cupressaceae) leaves. Chemical structures of 1-5 were elucidated by analyses of their spectral data, including the two-dimensional (2D) NMR technique. Compound 1 showed significant protective activity against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells.

  Four new terpenes from the pericarp of Platycladus orientalis.:Chem Pharm Bull. 2000 Jun;48(6):766-8.

 A new monoterpene, platydiol (1), and three new diterpenes, platyclolactonic acid (2), 14,15-bisnor-8(17)-labdene-16,19-dioic acid (3), and 6,7-dehydrosandaracopimaric acid (4), were isolated from the pericarp of Platycladus orientalis. Their structures were elucidated by spectral and chemical methods.

  Beneficial effects of biota, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine on learning impairment induced by basal forebrain-lesion in mice.:Biol Pharm Bull. 1995 Nov;18(11):1513-7.

 The effects of biota (Biota orientalis ENDL.) on learning impairment produced by bilateral lesion of basal forebrain in mice were studied using step-through and step-down type passive avoidance tasks. Basal forebrain-lesion was generated by applying radiofrequency current. Behavioral experiment, started 15d after the survey, revealed prominent delay in the memory acquisition process in the lesioned mice. The operation also induced memory retention deficit in both learning tests. Chronic oral administration of ethanol extract of biota seeds at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg/d, from the day of surgery until the end of the behavioral test, dose-dependently improved memory acquisition impairment in the step-down test and memory retention disturbance in both behavioral tasks. The preparation also had a tendency to alleviate memory acquisition impairment in the step-through test. Although precise action mechanisms of biota extract remains speculative, such as what component works on which target, the present results clearly suggest that the preparation affects the learning and memory processes in the central nervous system and improves the impairment of memory acquisition and retention disturbances produced by basal forebrain-lesion.


  Dietary Platycladus orientalis seed oil suppresses anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies and prolongs survival of NZB mice.:Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1994 Jun;71(3):293-302. Lai LT, Naiki M, Yoshida SH, German JB, Gershwin ME.Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California at Davis, California 95616.

 Dietary fish oils rich in 20:5(5,8,11,14,17) and 22:6(4,7,10,13,16,19) are known to replace arachidonic acid [20:4(5,8,11,14)] and to improve the immunopathology of New Zealand mice. However, in humans, similar dietary strategies may be impractical because of the high levels of fish oils required. In contrast, we believe that beneficial effects in humans may be attainable using new exotic fatty acids. Toward this end, we have focused on 5,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid [5,11,14-ETA, 20:3(5,11,14)]. This fatty acid is structurally analogous to 20:4(5,8,11,14) but lacks the delta-8 double bond essential for conversion to eicosanoids. To examine our hypothesis, diets containing the oil of Platycladus orientalis containing 3% 5,11,14-ETA, a matched control oil, fish oil, or safflower oil were fed to NZB mice. There was a dramatic delay in both the onset and the titer of direct Coombs' tests in mice fed P. orientalis oil. These were directly reflected by the abundance of 5,11,14-ETA in serum lipids. Most striking was the accumulation of 5,11,14-ETA in serum and tissue phospholipids. Though constituting only 3% of dietary fatty acids, 5,11,14-ETA was the most abundant long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in the serum phospholipids, suggesting that it very successfully competed with 20:4 as a constituent of membrane lipids. 5,11,14-ETA was incorporated into all tissue phospholipids examined except brain phosphatidyl inositol. Among tissues, liver showed the highest incorporation of 5,11,14-ETA into phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylinositol (PI), yet spleen PE had a higher quantity of ETA than other tissues. Lesser arachidonate in spleen PS, heart PC, and heart PI showed the evidence of replacement by 5,11,14-ETA. The data presented illustrates how new nutrition can modify autoimmune responses and emphasizes the need for further studies based on new nutritional strategies.

  Mitogenic activity of high molecular polysaccharide fractions isolated from the cuppressaceae Thuja occidentalis L. enhanced cytokine-production by thyapolysaccharide, g-fraction (TPSg).:Leukemia. 1992;6 Suppl 3:189S-191S.Offergeld R, Reinecker C, Gumz E, Schrum S, Treiber R, Neth RD, Gohla SH.Medical Clinic, University Hospital, Eppendorf, Hamburg, FRG.

 Thuja polysaccharide g fraction (TPSg) was shown to be an inducer of the CD4+ fraction of the human peripheral blood T-cell subset (1,2). Furthermore, it could be demonstrated that TPSg is a potent inhibitor of the expression of HIV-1-specific antigens and of the HIV-1-specific reverse transcriptase (3). This report deals with the cytokine pattern induced by TPSg in human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) and purified monocyte/macrophage cultures. In addition, a further characterization of the CD4+ T-cell fraction stimulated by TPSg was performed by FACS analysis. TPSg is induces IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, gamma-IFN, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and TNF-beta production in PBL cultures; and IL-1 beta and IL-6 in monocyte/macrophage cultures. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) demonstrated that no IL-4 was produced by PBL cultures under TPSg influence.

  In vitro plantlet formation from embryonic explants of eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.).:Tree Physiol. 1987 Sep;3(3):273-83. Harry IS, Thompson MR, Lu CY, Thorpe TA.Plant Physiology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.

 A protocol is described for the in vitro production of plantlets from embryonic explants of eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.). Bud induction was optimal when embryonic explants were cultured for 20-25 days on half-strength Quoirin and Le Poivre mineral salts containing equimolar concentrations (10(-6) M) of N(6)-benzyladenine and 2-isopentyl adenine. Bud development was achieved in phytohormone-free medium in the presence of activated charcoal. Maximal shoot elongation occurred on half-strength Quoirin and Le Poivre salts, whereas shoot multiplication was optimal on half-strength Bornman's MCM salts in the presence of cytokinin. Hardened shoots, dipped in commercial rooting powder containing indole-3-butyric acid, rooted optimally in mist under non-sterile greenhouse conditions. Both rooting and subsequent plantlet growth was best when Redi-Earth((R)) was used as a substrate. Over 250 plantlets per embryo can be produced annually by this technique.

  Mono- and Diterpenes from Cell Cultures of Thuja occidentalis.:Planta Med. 1983 Dec;49(12):216-21.Witte L, Berlin J, Wray V, Schubert W, Kohl W, H?fle G, Hammer J.GBF - Gesellschaft f¨¹r Biotechnologische Forschung mbH., Braunschweig-St?ckheim.

 Cell cultures of THUJA OCCIDENTIALIS L. were found to biosynthesize various mono- and diterpenes when grown on B5-medium. The identification of the constituents was achieved mainly by capillary GLC-MS using fused silica columns and E.I.-mass spectrometry. Monoterpenes of the menthane type were only isolated from the culture medium whereas diterpenes were found in the cell extracts. Thujaplicin derivatives, monoterpenes of an irregular type, were detected in the medium as well as in the cells. Major differences were found between the terpene composition of the cell culture extracts and those from THUJA leaves. The cell cultures accumulated some compounds which are presently unknown as constituents of THUJA plants. On the other hand, the cultures were evidently unable to synthesize the thujone type of monoterpenes.


  Proceedings of the SMBE Tri-National Young Investigators' Workshop 2005. Relaxation of functional constraint on light-independent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase in Thuja.:

 The light-independent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (DPOR) plays a key role in the ability of nonflowering plants and algae to synthesize chlorophyll in darkness. This enzyme consists of three subunits encoded by the chlB, chlL, and chlN genes in the plastid genome. Previously, we found a high nonsynonymous substitution rate (dN) of the chlL gene in the lineage of Thuja standishii, a conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae. Here we revealed that the acceleration of dN in the chlL occurred as well in other species of Thuja, Thuja occidentalis and Thuja plicata. In addition, dark-grown seedlings of T. occidentalis were found to exhibit a pale yellowish color, and their chlorophyll concentration was much lower than that of other species of Cupressaceae. The results suggested that the species of Thuja have lost the ability to synthesize chlorophyll in darkness, and the functional constraint on the DPOR would thus be expected to be relaxed in this genus. Therefore, we expected to find that the evolutionary rates of all subunits of DPOR would in this case be accelerated. Sequence analyses of the chlN and chlB (encoding the other subunits of DPOR) in 18 species of Cupressaceae revealed that the dN of the chlN gene was accelerated in Thuja as was the dN of the chlL gene, but the dN of the chlB gene did not appear to differ significantly among the species of Cupressaceae. Sequencing of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) products of these genes showed that RNA editing was rare and unlikely to have contributed to the acceleration. Moreover, the RT-PCR analysis indicated that all chl genes were still transcriptionally active in T. occidentalis. Based on these results, it appears that species of Thuja still bear the DPOR protein, although the enzyme has lost its activity because of nonsynonymous mutations of some of the chl genes. The lack of acceleration of the dN of the chlB gene might be accounted for by various unknown functions of its gene product.

  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical dose-response trial of an extract of Baptisia, Echinacea and Thuja for the treatment of patients with common cold.:

 The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy and safety of an herbal medication containing an extract of a mixture of Baptisiae tinctoriae radix, Echinaceae pallidae/purpureae radix and Thujae, occidentalis herba (SB-TOX) in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), and to test whether SB-TOX's clinical efficacy is dose dependent. A total of 91 adults (mean age 42.1 +/- 13.0 years) were randomised to receive 19.2 mg of SB-TOX (n=31), 9.6 mg SB-TOX (n=29) or placebo (n=31) three times daily for 3-12 days. Since a "running nose" is the main symptom of a common cold, the total number of facial tissues used throughout the clinical duration of their cold was the primary efficacy parameter. In the intention-to-treat analysis, this total number of tissues decreased with increasing extract dose. The slope across groups according to the Jonckheere test was significant (p = 0.0259). In the high-dose group, the standardised effect size delta/SD was 0.46 compared with placebo. Time to relevant improvement in cold symptoms (measured as the time until less than 30 tissues per day were used) was 1.1 days (95% CI 0.52; 1.67), 0.76 days (95% CI 0.28; 1.24) and 0.52 days (95% CI 0.22; 0.82) in the placebo, low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively (p(LogRank) = 0.0175). No adverse events were reported. This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of SB-TOX in the treatment of URIs, and that its efficacy is dose dependent.


  Effects of Biota orientalis extract and its flavonoid constituents, quercetin and rutin on serum uric acid levels in oxonate-induced mice and xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase activities in mouse liver.:

 The hypouricemic actions of Biota orientalis (BO) extract and its flavonoid constituents quercetin and rutin, were in vivo examined using oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. Quercetin and rutin, when administered three times orally to the oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice, were able to elicit dose-dependent hypouricemic effects. The effects of quercetin and rutin were more potent than that of Biota orientalis extract at the same dose of 100 mg/kg. At doses of 50 mg/kg of quercetin or above, or at doses of 100 mg/kg of rutin or above, the serum urate levels of the oxonate-pretreated mice were not different from normal mice. In addition, Biota orientalis extract, quercetin and rutin, when tested in vivo on mouse liver homogenates, elicited significant inhibitory actions on the xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase (XDH/XO) activities. The effects of quercetin and rutin resulted less potent than that of allopurinol. However, intraperitoneal administration at the same scheme did not produce any observable hypouricemic effect. These hypouricemic effects are partly due to the inhibition of XDH/XO activities in mouse liver. The pharmacological profile of the flavonoids is partly different from that of allopurinol. Such hypouricemic action and inhibition of the enzyme activity of quercetin and rutin may be responsible for a part of the beneficial effects of Biota orientalis extract on hyperuricemia and gout. The effects of quercetin and rutin on serum urate levels in hyperuricemic mice induced by oxonate and the inhibition of enzyme activities in mouse liver are discussed in relation to their absorption and metabolism, and their potential application to treat gout and hyperuricemia.

  GC analysis of essential oils in the rumen fluid after incubation of Thuja orientalis twigs in the Rusitec system.:

 Methods for the chemical analysis of toxic plant substances in the rumen of ruminants are of importance for the diagnosis of intoxications with poisonous plants. The present work establishes a method to estimate monoterpene components of the essential oil of thuja (Thuja orientalis, Cupressaceae) in these types of samples. Alpha-thujone, which is regarded as the toxic principle, is present at a concentration of 50-60% in the essential oil. The rumen simulation technique (Rusitec) was used to simulate natural digestion. Chopped twigs of thuja were subjected to rumen content in a closed container with an overflow device. The flow of saliva was simulated by the continuous addition of a buffer solution. Samples for analysis were taken from the overflow at 24 and 48 h. A further sample was taken from the remaining liquid fraction of the rumen content in the container at 48 h. The essential oils were extracted with hexane and concentrated. A quantitative determination was done by capillary gas chromatography. Together in the three fractions analysed this resulted in total mean recoveries of 6.8% for alpha-thujone, 5.3% for beta-thujone, 18.9% for fenchone and 27.8% for camphor. The observation that the thujones were recovered to a lesser extent than other oil components is evidence of their fast decomposition in the rumen medium. Under these circumstances the calculated detection limit is 100-200 g thuja twigs in cows with rumen volumes of 60-100 litres. The main essential oil degradation products found in the rumen fluid of all three fractions in the Rusitec system were discovered to be iso-3-thujanol, neo-3-thujanol, carvomenthol and carvomenthone.

  Volatile constituents of the fruit and leaf oils of Thuja orientalis L. grown in Iran.:

 The composition of the hydrodistilled essential oils from the fruits and leaves of Thuja orientalis L. grown in Iran was analyzed by GC/MS. Nineteen and twenty-eight compounds have been identified in the volatile oils of the fruit and leaf, respectively. While the fruit oil contained alpha-pinene (52.4%), delta-3-carene (14.2%), alpha-cedrol (6.5%) and beta-phellandrene (5.1%), the leaf oil contained alpha-pinene (21.9%), alpha-cedrol (20.3%), delta-3-carene (10.5%) and limonen (7.2%) as the main components.

  The extract of Thujae occidentalis semen inhibited 5alpha-reductase and androchronogenetic alopecia of B6CBAF1/j hybrid mouse.:

 BACKGROUND: The conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone; 5alpha-androstan-17beta-ol-3-one by 5alpha-reductase plays a crucial role in hair baldness and prostatomegaly. Recent approach showed specific inhibitors for 5alpha-reductase type 2 such as finasteride promoted hair growth in male pattern alopecia. OBJECTIVE: In order to search for effective medicinal plant extracts applied topically for androgenetic alopecia, we screened natural plant extracts having inhibitory activities of 5alpha-reductase type 2 and demonstrated its biological function in androgen-related animal models. METHODS: We evaluated the inhibition activities of numerous plant extracts by contact cell based metabolic method using a stable HEK 293 cell line expressing human 5alpha-reductase (type 2). To elucidate the biological activity in vivo, the Thujae occidentalis semen (TOS) extract was topically applied to fuzzy rat and androchronogenetic alopecia (AGA) mouse, respectively. The secreted sebum and the size of sebaceous glands of fuzzy rat were measured after 6 weeks. Also, after the topical treatment with TOS extract and androgen receptor antagonist (cyproterone acetate) simultaneously with subcutaneous injection of testosterone (1 mg/mice/day), hair loss patterns of female B6CBAF1/j hybrid mouse were observed. RESULTS: TOS extract showed higher inhibition activity of 5alpha-reductase type 2(IC(50) value=2.6 microg/ml) than that of gamma-linolenic acid, but lower than that of finasteride. When applied to fuzzy rat, the amount of sebum and sebaceous gland size decreased remarkably. In AGA model, alopecia degrees of two groups, treated with TOS extract (P<0.015) or cyproterone acetate (P<0.01), were lower than that of vehicle (propylene glycol:ethanol=7:3) and there was no difference between above two groups. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the inhibitory activity of TOS extract for 5alpha-reductase type 2 and its biological action in two animal models, suggesting that TOS extract would be used as an effective agent for male pattern baldness by modifying androgen conversion.

  Study on chemical constituents of essential oil of Biota orientalis by GC-MS:

 The essential oil was extracted from Biota orientalis (L) Endl by using steam distillery, analyzed with SE-54(30 m x 0.25 mm I.d) fused silica capillary column. The optimum separate and analytical conditions were researched. The amount of the components from the essential oil was determinated by monoliration method. The separated components were identified by GC-MS. There are 33 components which are make up 80% of the total essential oil were separated and identified.


  A new neuroprotective pinusolide derivative from the leaves of Biota orientalis.:

 A new pinusolide derivative, 15-methoxypinusolidic acid (1), and another new isopimarane diterpene, ent-isopimara-15-en-3 alpha,8 alpha-diol (2) with three known diterpenes, lambertianic acid (3), isopimara-8(9),15-dien-18-oic acid (4) and isopimara-7(8),15-dien-3 beta,18-diol (5) were isolated from the 90% MeOH fraction of Biota orientalis (L.) ENDL. (Cupressaceae) leaves. Chemical structures of 1-5 were elucidated by analyses of their spectral data, including the two-dimensional (2D) NMR technique. Compound 1 showed significant protective activity against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells.

  Pinusolidic acid: a platelet-activating factor inhibitor from Biota orientalis.:

 The water extract of Biota orientalis showed a potent inhibitory effect on platelet activating factor (PAF) binding to rabbit platelets using [3H]PAF as a ligand in our previous screening studies for Korean medicinal antagonists by the activity-guided purification studies. Another active compound, compound 1 (IC50 = 2.3 x 10(-5) M, 7.48 +/- 2.11 micrograms/ml, n = 4) was isolated from the title plant. The chemical structure of compound 1 was elucidated as pinusolidic acid by chemical and spectrometric analyses.

  Isolation and characterization of platelet-activating factor receptor binding antagonists from Biota orientalis.:

 The leaf extract of Biota orientalis showed potent PAF receptor binding antagonistic activity in our previous screening studies on 234 Korean medicinal plants using rabbit platelet receptor binding tests. The activity-guided purification of the plant extract resulted in the isolation of six compounds, including two active substances. The chemical structures of the compounds isolated were established by chemical and spectrometric analyses as dotriacontane, totarol, 8 beta-hydroxy-3-oxopimar-15-ene, cedrol (IC50 = 1.3 x 10(-5) M), pinusolide (IC50 = 2.52 x 10(-7) M), and 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone.

  Collapse of Water-Stress Emboli in the Tracheids of Thuja occidentalis L.:

 We report the kinetics of embolus formation and collapse in the tracheids of Thuja occidentalis L. stem segments. Radial wood sections were trimmed to 4 mm long paralleling the tracheids by 1 mm wide and 0.1 mm thick. They were observed under a dissecting microscope at 128x while sections were dehydrated and rehydrated. During dehydration, cavitations resulted in the formation of emboli in tracheids, but we concluded that the cavitated tracheids did not immediately fill with air at atmospheric pressure. This conclusion was based on the time required for the emboli to collapse after the rewetting of the dehydrated segment. By hypothesis, the time for the emboli to collapse should be proportional to the amount of air in the emboli. The time for all the emboli to collapse was a linear function of the dehydration time for times up to 15 min. For dehydrations greater than 80 min, the time for collapse after rewetting was constant, and we concluded that the tracheids have saturated with air by 80 min of dehydration. The kinetics of embolus formation is discussed in terms of the air-seeding hypothesis for cavitation, and collapse is discussed in terms of the physics of gas dissolution and diffusion. Embolus formation and dissolution in intact herbaceous and woody plants should follow the same physical laws.

  Mitogenic activity of high molecular polysaccharide fractions isolated from the cuppressaceae Thuja occidentalis L. enhanced cytokine-production by thyapolysaccharide, g-fraction (TPSg).:

 Thuja polysaccharide g fraction (TPSg) was shown to be an inducer of the CD4+ fraction of the human peripheral blood T-cell subset (1,2). Furthermore, it could be demonstrated that TPSg is a potent inhibitor of the expression of HIV-1-specific antigens and of the HIV-1-specific reverse transcriptase (3). This report deals with the cytokine pattern induced by TPSg in human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) and purified monocyte/macrophage cultures. In addition, a further characterization of the CD4+ T-cell fraction stimulated by TPSg was performed by FACS analysis. TPSg is induces IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, gamma-IFN, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and TNF-beta production in PBL cultures; and IL-1 beta and IL-6 in monocyte/macrophage cultures. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) demonstrated that no IL-4 was produced by PBL cultures under TPSg influence.


  Scientific References:

  1.Research Update: Thuja orientalis.Platycladus orientalis