Didem Deliorman

Hepatoprotective effects of Turkish folk remedies on experimental liver injury.

Seven plants which are used in Turkish folk medicine were studied for possible hepatoprotective effects. These plants are Carduus acanthoides and C. nutans (Asteraceae), Cichorium intybus (Asteraceae), Fumaria asepalae and F. vailantii (Fumariaceae), Gentiana olivieri (Gentianaceae) and Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae). Stems, bracts and receptaculum of Cynara scolymus were used as natural reference drugs. Effects of the ethanolic extracts were studied using the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity model in rats. The extracts of F. vailantii and G. olivieri significantly prevented the elevation of plasma and hepatic malondialdehyde formation (evidence of lipid peroxidation) as well as enzyme levels (AST and ALT) in acute liver injury, which might be ascribed to their potent hepatoprotective activity. Liver sections were also studied histopathologically to confirm the biochemical results.

Effects of the Turkish subspecies of Viscum album on macrophage-derived cytokines.

Viscum album L. herbs are used for the treatment of various diseases. Apart from their immunostimulatory, antitumor, and hypotension inducing activities, anti-inflammatory effects has also been recorded in the literature. Since the immunostimulatory activity of mistletoe is mainly attributed to a stimulation of the mononuclear phagocytic system and to an induction of inflammation by macrophage-derived cytokines, utilization based on anti-inflammatory activity seems in contrast with its use as immunostimulant. The inhibitory effects of 80% ethanol extracts and subfractions obtained by petroleum ether, diethylether, ethylacetate and n-butanol from three Turkish subspecies of V. album L. (ssp. album, ssp. abietis, ssp. austriacum) against interleukins (IL-1alpha and IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were studied. Ethanolic (80%) extracts of all three subspecies exhibited almost no significant inhibitory activity on the proinflammatory cytokines, at least in the concentrations applied in this study. In contrast, they induce a concentration dependent stimulation of these cytokines. On the other hand, moderate to weak, dose dependent inhibitory effects were observed on fractionation, which may be attributed to the existence of less polar components with anti-inflammatory activity. Based on our results, it was concluded that the utilization of ethanol extracts for anti-inflammatory purposes would not be beneficial probably due to the partial extraction of the low-molecular-weight polypeptides, i.e. viscotoxins, which induce an inflammatory response. Moreover, for anti-inflammatory effects, extracts of Viscum album ssp. austriacum may be preferred, since higher inhibitory ratios were obtained against inflammatory cytokines than with the other two subspecies.

Iridoids from Galium aparine

The isolation and UV, IR, 1 H- and 13 C-NMR data of asperulosidic acid, 10-deacetylasperulosidic acid from Galium aparine L. aerial parts are reported.

The comparative studies on phenylpropanoid glycosides of Viscum album subspecies by high performance liquid chromatography

Viscum L. is a semi-parasitic genus growing on various host plants, such as trees and shrubs. The plant is known as “Okse Otu” in Turkey. In our country, Viscum L. is represented by one species and 3 subspecies. These subspecies are V.album ssp. album, V.album ssp. abietis, V.album ssp. austriacum. Comparative investigations were carried on with the active principles, phenylpropanoid glycosides, of the subspecies of V.album. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of the phenylpropanoid glycosides named syringin, coniferin, and kalopanaxin D of 3 V.album subspecies were done by using HPLC. We developed a new isocratic mobile phase (Methanol:water: 0.1 N sodium acetate 20:73.5:6.5) for HPLC analysis of these group of compounds.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Senecio lorenthii

The isolation and NMR spectra of otosenine (1) and seneciphylline (2) from Senecio lorenthii are reported.

High performance liquid chromatographic determination of syringin in Viscum album L. ssp. Album samples collected from different host plants

V. album (Loranthaceae)has been utilized for the treatment of various diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and cancer, either alone or in combination with other plant extracts in modern medicine. In this study, qualitative and quantitative determinations of syringin contents of Viscum album L. ssp. album samples, collected from nine different host plants, were carried out by using HPLC. This analysis was performed on a LiChrospher RP-18e column, using an isocratic mobile phase (Methanol:water: 0.1 N sodium acetate 20:73.5:6.5).