甘草属（Glycyrrhiza L.)的系统学研究——兼论与假甘草属（Glycyrrhizopsis Bosis.&Bal.)的关系

甘草属（Glycyrrhiza L.）隶属于豆科山羊豆族甘草亚族，各大洲均有分布。本文对甘草属进行了全面的系统学研究，重点分析了各形态相关性状的变异式样及变异范围，首次发现甘草属的龙骨瓣不合生、分离，中国植物志四十二卷记载龙骨瓣合生，则有误;认为荚果形态和叶片性状是较为可靠的分种依据，小叶数目、花序疏、密以及小花大小等性状对于属下种类的划分也具有重要的分类学意义。首次在扫描电镜下观察了13种甘草属植物花粉粒的微形态特征，发现甘草属植物花粉为球形或近球形、三孔沟、萌发沟通常比较宽、沟边缘不整齐、沟膜较明显、表面通常具有疣状、瘤状或颗粒状突起;外壁纹饰以小孔穴状纹饰为主，还有皱纹状纹饰。花粉的形状、大小、外壁纹饰在种间存在变异，反映了一定的种间关系，对目前的属下分类系统提供了一些证据。对种子形态观察表明，该属植物的种皮表面纹饰特征比较相近，除圆果甘草(G. squamulosa)表面纹饰为圆丘状突起外，其余种类均以各种条纹状或回纹状突起为主。从种皮表面纹饰特征所反映的种间关系来看，有些与传统的分类结果一致，有些则不一致，无规律可寻，对于进行甘草属分类和种间系统演化关系研究不具有更高价值。对甘草属植物进行了分子系统学研究，测定5种甘草属植物的ITS序列，并从Genebank中下载21种的ITS序列，包括了2种甘草属植物及山羊豆族内其它10个属的代表。以紫藤为外类群，进行简约性分析，构建甘草属及其临近类群的系统发育树状图，结果显示，所研究的甘草属植物聚为一支，而山羊豆族内的其余类群在系统树上聚为另一支，表明甘草属与山羊豆族内其余类群的关系相对稍远;甘草属植物作为一个单系类群得到了100％的支持。在包括了山羊豆族、车轴草族、蚕豆族、鹰嘴豆族、岩黄芪族和灰叶族植物的系统发育树状图上，甘草属植物与山羊豆族的其余类群则处于不同的分枝上，进一步表明它们亲缘关系较远，包括甘草属的山羊豆族不是一个单系类群，甘草属的分类位置还需进一步研究。 作者在研究了4000余份腊叶标本及进行了大量野外考察的基础上，结合孢粉学、种子形态及分子生物学的证据，首次采用综合手段对世界甘草属植物进行全面的分类学修订。确认甘草属含3个组、13个种、1个变种，其中处理一新组合;对17个名称进行了归并;重新界定了广布种乌拉甘草（G.uralensis）和欧亚甘草（G.glabra）的变异范围，澄清了上述两种长期存在的名实混乱;考证了属的正确模式及一些种的合法学名，发现被命名为胀果甘草（G. inflata）的类群其正确名称应是G. paucifoliolata，建议将长期使用的胀果甘草作为保留名。确立假甘草属Glycyrrhizopsis Boiss. & bal.的独立地位，并确认该属具有2种1变种，处理新组合一个。本文对每一个种进行了详细的形态描述，并附分布资料及地理分布图，还给出了分组、分种检索表。

Studies on Triterpenoids and Flavones in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch by HPLC-ESI-MSn and FT-ICR-MSn

Seven compounds, four flavones and three triterpenoids from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. extract are identified by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization multi-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSn). The fragmentation pathways of these compounds are investigated by ESI-MSn and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MSn). Comparing the retention times (t(R)) and mass spectra with those of reference compounds, seven components are identified in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. and their MSn data proposed plausible schemes for their fragmentation. All the experimental results show that ESI-MSn and FT-ICR-MSn are powerful tools for the structural characterization of triterpenoids and flavones

Studies on the alkaloid components in Strychnos nux-vomical L. uncombined and combined with Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fisch

The alkaloid components in Strychnos nux-vomical L. uncombined and combined with Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch have been investigated by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry ( ESI-MSn) and HPLC. The experimental results demonstrated that the number of strychnine and brucine all declined in combined Strychnos nux-vomical L. with Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, and the concentration level of strychnine fell obviously. The results of ESI-MS were identical to those of HPLC, which provided scientific basis for explanation of detoxicity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and the reasonable combination of Strychnos nux-vomical L.

One step isolation and purification of liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Risch using high-speed counter-current chromatography

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) technique in semi-preparative scale has been successfully applied to the separation of bioactive flavonoid compounds, liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin in one step from the crude extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Risch. The HSCCC was performed using a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-acetonitrile-water (2:2:1:0.6:2, v/v). Yields of liquiritigenin (98.9% purity) and isoliquiritigenin (98.3% purity) obtained were 0.52% and 0.32%. Chemical structures of the purified liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin were identified by electrospray ionization-MS (ESI-MS) and NMR analysis. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.

In vitro anti-Candida activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

The severity and frequency of opportunistic fungal infections still growing, concomitantly to the increasing rates of antimicrobial drug’s resistance. Natural matrices have been used over years due to its multitude of health benefits, including antifungal potential. Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the anti-Candida potential of the phenolic extract and individual phenolic compounds of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice), by disc diffusion assay, followed by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) for both planktonic cells and biofilms. Licorice extract evidenced inhibitory potential against the nineteen tested Candida strains, but no pronounced effect was observed by testing the most abundant individual phenolic compounds. Candida tropicalis strains were the most sensible, followed by Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis and, then, Candida albicans. Lower MIC and MFC values were achieved to C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, which confirms its susceptibility to licorice extract; however, for C. tropicalis strains a higher variability was observed. Anti-biofilm potential was also achieved, being most evident in some C. glabrata and C. tropicalis strains. In general, a twice concentration of the MIC was necessary for planktonic cells to obtain a similar potential to that one observed for biofilms. Thus, an upcoming approach for new antifungal agents, more effective and safer than the current ones, is stablished; notwithstanding, further studies are necessary in order to understand its mechanism of action, as also to assess kinetic parameters.

甘草粗提物对鲫的抗应激及免疫保护功效研究

采用腹腔注射和混饲投喂两种方式研究中药甘草(Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fiseh)粗提物对鲫(Carassius auratus)的抗应激和免疫保护功效。将一部分粗提物按0.5%和2%的质量分数制成药饵投喂实验鲫,分别在第14 d、28 d、35 d、42 d、56 d采集血样;将另一部分粗提物用无菌生理盐水按0.5%和2%的浓度配成针剂腹腔注射鲫,分别在第3 d、7 d、14 d、21 d、28 d采集血样。结果显示:投喂实验中药物组和对照组血清皮质醇水平均呈先升后降趋势,除第14 d

甘草粗提物对鲫的免疫调节作用

本研究对中药甘草(Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fiseh)进行了粗提,将粗提物按0.5%和2%的质量分数制成药饵投喂鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)后,于第14天、28天、35天、42天5、6天采样检测其免疫指标。结果显示,低剂量组试验鱼血清溶菌酶活性逐渐升高,高剂量组在35d达到最大值(205.5±28.8)U/mL,之后略有下降。低剂量组和高剂量组试验鱼血清杀菌活性均有所波动,波动范围分别为62.0%—73.1%和75.0%—83.3%,就各期而言,对照组、低剂量组和高剂量组

Note. Speciation of arsenic in licorice confectionery products and estimation of health risks

Total-arsenic (T-As) and arsenic (As) species were determined by HPLC-HG-AAS in ten different confectionery products: nine throat pearls and an industrial licorice extract. The Spanish legislation sets a maximum total-As content in confectionery products at 0.1 mu g/g. T-As concentrations were above the permitted maximum limit (mean of 0.219 +/- 0.008 mu g/g). All As was present in the form of toxic inorganic species. The daily consumption of licorice-confections in Spain is 1.1 g and leads to a daily intake of inorganic-As of 0.23 mu g (0.2% of the tolerable daily intake of inorganic As for a teenager). These experimental results proved that even though high total-As concentrations were found in licorice throat pearls and that all the As found was present as inorganic species, no significant risks for health are expected just by considering this As source.

Salt removing species

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão da Água e da Costa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2007

Cytotoxicity of Brazilian plant extracts against oral microorganisms of interest to dentistry

Background: With the emergence of strains resistant to conventional antibiotics, it is important to carry studies using alternative methods to control these microorganisms causing important infections, such as the use of products of plant origin that has demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity besides biocompatibility. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts of Equisetum arvense L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Punica granatum L. and Stryphnodendron barbatimam Mart. against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata, and to analyze the cytotoxicity of these extracts in cultured murine macrophages (RAW 264.7).Methods: Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts was evaluated by microdilution method based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), M7-A6 and M27-A2 standards. The cytotoxicity of concentrations that eliminated the microorganisms was evaluated by MTT colorimetric method and by quantification of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) using ELISA.Results: In determining the minimum microbicidal concentration, E. arvense L., P. granatum L., and S. barbatimam Mart. extracts at a concentration of 50 mg/mL and G. glabra L. extract at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, were effective against all microorganisms tested. Regarding cell viability, values were 48% for E. arvense L., 76% for P. granatum L, 86% for S. barbatimam Mart. and 79% for G. glabra L. at the same concentrations. About cytokine production after stimulation with the most effective concentrations of the extracts, there was a significant increase of IL-1β in macrophage cultures treated with S. barbatimam Mart. (3.98 pg/mL) and P. granatum L. (7.72 pg/mL) compared to control (2.20 pg/mL) and a significant decrease of TNF-α was observed in cultures treated with G. glabra L. (4.92 pg/mL), S. barbatimam Mart. (0.85 pg/mL), E. arvense L. (0.83 pg/mL), and P. granatum L. (0.00 pg/mL) when compared to control (41.96 pg/mL).Conclusions: All plant extracts were effective against the microorganisms tested. The G. glabra L. extract exhibited least cytotoxicity and the E. arvense L. extract was the most cytotoxic. © 2013 de Oliveira et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Ensaio de citotoxicidade de extratos naturais após determinação da concentração microbicida mínima para Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus mutans e Candida spp

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Medicinal plants - prophylactic and therapeutic options for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets lead to significant economic losses in livestock husbandry. A high morbidity has been reported for diarrhea (calves ≤ 35 %; piglets ≤ 50 %) and for respiratory diseases (calves ≤ 80 %; piglets ≤ 40 %). Despite a highly diverse etiology and pathophysiology of these diseases, treatment with antimicrobials is often the first-line therapy. Multi-antimicrobial resistance in pathogens results in international accordance to strengthen the research in novel treatment options. Medicinal plants bear a potential as alternative or additional treatment. Based on the versatile effects of their plant specific multi-component-compositions, medicinal plants can potentially act as 'multi-target drugs'. Regarding the plurality of medicinal plants, the aim of this systematic review was to identify potential medicinal plant species for prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and for modulation of the immune system and inflammation in calves and piglets. RESULTS Based on nine initial sources including standard textbooks and European ethnoveterinary studies, a total of 223 medicinal plant species related to the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases was identified. A defined search strategy was established using the PRISMA statement to evaluate 30 medicinal plant species starting from 20'000 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 20 years (1994-2014). This strategy led to 418 references (257 in vitro, 84 in vivo and 77 clinical trials, thereof 48 clinical trials in veterinary medicine) to evaluate effects of medicinal plants and their efficacy in detail. The findings indicate that the most promising candidates for gastrointestinal diseases are Allium sativum L., Mentha x piperita L. and Salvia officinalis L.; for diseases of the respiratory tract Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Thymus vulgaris L. and Althea officinalis L. were found most promising, and Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Camellia sinensis (L.) KUNTZE, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Origanum vulgare L. were identified as best candidates for modulation of the immune system and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Several medicinal plants bear a potential for novel treatment strategies for young livestock. There is a need for further research focused on gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets, and the findings of this review provide a basis on plant selection for future studies.

Candidacidal potential of licorice phenolic extract: emphasis on its mode of action

Medicinal plants bave gained a special attention in the last years, due to its renowned health benefits, such as antimicrobial effects [I]. In fact, several natural matrices bave been increasingly studied, namely for its antifungal activity against opportunistic fungi [2,3]. Candida species, although commensa! microorganisms, have caused severe organic dysfunctions to the host, once current antifungal agents have lost their recognized efficiency [2]. So, numerous studies have been carried out focusing the mechanisms of acquired drug-resistance by Candida species [Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) hydromethanolic extract have evidenced promissory candidacidal effects, and therefore, the involved mechanisms of action need to be clarified. Thus, in the present study these modes of action were assessed, by using flow cytometry.Overall, the licorice extract induced significant and irreversible primary damages on Candida cells, being membrane disruption and consequent unviability one of the main targets. In fact, after membrane destabilization, cells lost their proper homeostasis, their metabolic functions were blocked and, consequently cells lost functionality. The relevance and interest of the achieved results open new insights towards the upcorning use of the present phenolic matrix, being important to evaluate its in viva efficacy. Therefore, further studies are necessary to deepen knowledge on this field, aiming not only to establish therapeutic and prophylactic doses, but also to improve the clinical intervention in Candida infections.

Contribution of plant phytochemicals to organic homeostasis: focus on the aging process and opportunistic infections

Aging process is conceived as a normal stage during human life cycle, but it is also considered a hot topic among scientists and medical community. Alarming rates of premature aging and oxidative stress-related diseases have increasingly affect human individuals. Stress, pollution and exposition to chemical substances are considered the main triggering factors for those conditions; in addition, they also suppress the immune system and, therefore, improve organic vulnerability and occurrence of opportunistic infections [I]. Apart from the associated morbidity and mortality, the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance improve the severity of the clinical conditions [2]. Botanical preparations possess a multitude of bioactive properties, namely acting as antimicrobials, antioxidants, and homeostasis modulators. Thus, upcoming alternatives, mainly based in plant phytochemicals, are necessary to improve the wellbeing as also life expectancy of individuals. The present study aims to evaluate and to compare both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of plant extracts rich in phenolic compounds. Among the tested plants, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) evidenced the most pronounced free radicals scavenging and antimicrobial effects, followed by Salvia officina/is L. (sage), Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) and Origanum vulgare L. (oregano). Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (blue gum) and Juglans regia L. (walnut) also showed a high effect, while Pterospartum tridentatum (L.) Willk. (carqueja) and Rubus ulmifolius Schott (elm leaf blackberry) displayed moderate effects, and lastly, Tabebuia impetigirwsa (Mart. ex DC) Standley (pau d'arco), Foeniculum vulgare Miller (fennel), Rosa canina L. (rose hips) and Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile) gave only slight effects. In general, the most pronounced bioactivities were observed in the plant preparations (infusion>decoction>hydromethanolic extract) with higher levels of phenolic compounds (both flavonoids and phenolic acids). The observed synergisms between the phenolic compounds present in the extracts highlight the use of phytochemicals as future health promoters. However, further studies are necessary to understand the effective mode of action of individual phenolic constituents as also the existence of polyvalence relationships between them.