Using information from literature as well as records of localities on herbarium specimen labels at the East African Herbarium Nairobi (EA), materials ofCissus quadrangularis L.,C. cactiformis Gilg. andC. quinquangular...Using information from literature as well as records of localities on herbarium specimen labels at the East African Herbarium Nairobi (EA), materials ofCissus quadrangularis L.,C. cactiformis Gilg. andC. quinquangularis Chiov. were collected and new localities were sought. On the basis of the nature of their stem angles, the specimens ofC. quadrangularis were sorted into two variants, A and B. Variant A has smooth stem angles while variant B has rough stem angles. The authors have proposed that variant B should be recognized as a new variety withinC. quadrangularis. Variant A is the type variety ofC. quadrangularis. A map showing the distribution of the two variants in Kenya has been prepared. The rough-edged variant was found to be absent from the low-lying semi-arid regions of northern Kenya. The variants were found occurring in distinct, separate populations but without separate geographical patterns. The results of t-test show no significant difference (p=0.05) between the means of measurements of dimensions of various organs in the two variants. The stem angles of specimens of the two variants were studied under scanning electron microscope (SEM). This showed a clear morphological difference between the two variants. The results of the investigation support the hypothesis that the variation withinC. quadrangularis represents distinct kinds that can be recognized as taxa at infra-specific level.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the potentials of the stem of Cissus quadrangularis(C.quadrangularis)in the control of anxiety and related motor coordination effects in mice using experimental models.Methods:The methanol ext...Objective:To investigate the potentials of the stem of Cissus quadrangularis(C.quadrangularis)in the control of anxiety and related motor coordination effects in mice using experimental models.Methods:The methanol extract of the stem of C.quadrangularis was studied in mice using elevated plus maze,hole board,open field and stair case tests.Acute toxicity and phytochemical analysis were also carried out.Results:The methanol extract(100,200,300 and 400 mg/kg)exhibited significant anxiolytic effects,as evident by significant(P<0.05)increase in the number of crossings at 100,200 and 300 mg/kg dose and number of rearing at 200,300 and 400 mg/kg dose in open field behavior test.Time spent in the open arms and number of entrances in the open arms increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01)at the dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg in elevated plus maze test.Post hoc analysis showed that C.quadrangularis at the dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg significantly(P<0.05)increased the number of steps taken and number of head dips.Significant(P<0.05)reduction in time duration on the bar and number of rearing were observed at the dose of 200,300 and 400 mg/kg.The acute toxicity test revealed an oral LD_(50)above 5000 mg/kg,while phytochemical studies showed the presence of phytosterols,terpenoids,saponins,flavanoids,tannins,carbohydrates and aminoacids.Conclusions:The stem extracts of C.quadrangularis is anxiolytic in nature,which contribute to its use in traditional medicine as anxiolytic.展开更多
Weight loss supplements often contain powerful pharmacoactive ingredients with the potential to cause harm. Trials used to determine product safety and effectiveness, meanwhile,tend to be small, of short duration, and...Weight loss supplements often contain powerful pharmacoactive ingredients with the potential to cause harm. Trials used to determine product safety and effectiveness, meanwhile,tend to be small, of short duration, and frequently lack financial conflict of interest disclosures. These factors could conspire to place consumers at risk, especially when published research cited in advertising cloaks products with the suggestion that their safety and effectiveness have been proven by science. Examples of current and former weight loss products backed by potentially con? icted or low quality research include Metabolife-356, Hydroxycut, Xenadrine and LeptiCore. Published research, especially in the field of weight loss supplements, needs better conflict of interest disclosure, and regulators should consider how research f indings are used in marketing claims.展开更多
To overcome the shortage of wood resources as well as to develop novel natural fibers materials,the Chimonobambusa quadrangularis(CQ)and Qiongzhuea tumidinoda(QT)planted in Southwest China were effectively isolated by...To overcome the shortage of wood resources as well as to develop novel natural fibers materials,the Chimonobambusa quadrangularis(CQ)and Qiongzhuea tumidinoda(QT)planted in Southwest China were effectively isolated by the steam explosion(SE).The fine and uniform bamboo microfibers derived from CQ and QT were obtained,and their smallest average widths were 12.62μm and 16.05μm,respectively.The effects of steam explosion on the micro-morphology,chemical composition,thermal stability,crystallinity,surface wettability,and mechanical properties of bamboo microfibers were comprehensively investigated.The results showed that the relative content of cellulose in bamboo microfibers increased but the hemicellulose and lignin contents decreased after SE.The degrees of crystallinity for CQ and QT increased from 40.49%and 39.46%to 68.90%and 55.78%,respectively.The thermal stability and surface hydrophilicity were also improved.The CQ microfibers had a maximum decomposition temperature of 2.79°C,a tensile strength of 58.54 MPa,an elongation at break of 0.6%,and a water contact angle of 2.7°higher than those of the QT microfibers.展开更多
基金the China Ministry of Education Fund for U niversity Staff Development in Key Subject Areas andKenyatta University
文摘Using information from literature as well as records of localities on herbarium specimen labels at the East African Herbarium Nairobi (EA), materials ofCissus quadrangularis L.,C. cactiformis Gilg. andC. quinquangularis Chiov. were collected and new localities were sought. On the basis of the nature of their stem angles, the specimens ofC. quadrangularis were sorted into two variants, A and B. Variant A has smooth stem angles while variant B has rough stem angles. The authors have proposed that variant B should be recognized as a new variety withinC. quadrangularis. Variant A is the type variety ofC. quadrangularis. A map showing the distribution of the two variants in Kenya has been prepared. The rough-edged variant was found to be absent from the low-lying semi-arid regions of northern Kenya. The variants were found occurring in distinct, separate populations but without separate geographical patterns. The results of t-test show no significant difference (p=0.05) between the means of measurements of dimensions of various organs in the two variants. The stem angles of specimens of the two variants were studied under scanning electron microscope (SEM). This showed a clear morphological difference between the two variants. The results of the investigation support the hypothesis that the variation withinC. quadrangularis represents distinct kinds that can be recognized as taxa at infra-specific level.
基金Supported by Smt.R.D.Gardi B.Pharmacy College,Rajkot,Gujarat,India(F.No.Pharmacy/1/2010-2011).
文摘Objective:To investigate the potentials of the stem of Cissus quadrangularis(C.quadrangularis)in the control of anxiety and related motor coordination effects in mice using experimental models.Methods:The methanol extract of the stem of C.quadrangularis was studied in mice using elevated plus maze,hole board,open field and stair case tests.Acute toxicity and phytochemical analysis were also carried out.Results:The methanol extract(100,200,300 and 400 mg/kg)exhibited significant anxiolytic effects,as evident by significant(P<0.05)increase in the number of crossings at 100,200 and 300 mg/kg dose and number of rearing at 200,300 and 400 mg/kg dose in open field behavior test.Time spent in the open arms and number of entrances in the open arms increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01)at the dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg in elevated plus maze test.Post hoc analysis showed that C.quadrangularis at the dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg significantly(P<0.05)increased the number of steps taken and number of head dips.Significant(P<0.05)reduction in time duration on the bar and number of rearing were observed at the dose of 200,300 and 400 mg/kg.The acute toxicity test revealed an oral LD_(50)above 5000 mg/kg,while phytochemical studies showed the presence of phytosterols,terpenoids,saponins,flavanoids,tannins,carbohydrates and aminoacids.Conclusions:The stem extracts of C.quadrangularis is anxiolytic in nature,which contribute to its use in traditional medicine as anxiolytic.
文摘Weight loss supplements often contain powerful pharmacoactive ingredients with the potential to cause harm. Trials used to determine product safety and effectiveness, meanwhile,tend to be small, of short duration, and frequently lack financial conflict of interest disclosures. These factors could conspire to place consumers at risk, especially when published research cited in advertising cloaks products with the suggestion that their safety and effectiveness have been proven by science. Examples of current and former weight loss products backed by potentially con? icted or low quality research include Metabolife-356, Hydroxycut, Xenadrine and LeptiCore. Published research, especially in the field of weight loss supplements, needs better conflict of interest disclosure, and regulators should consider how research f indings are used in marketing claims.
基金This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(32060381)the Applied Basic Research Programs of Yunnan Province(202201AT070058)+6 种基金the Scientific Research Funds of Educational Committee of Yunnan Province(2022Y552)the Opening Project of Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Products Chemistry and Engineering,China(GXFK2209)the High Level Innovative One-Ten-Thousand Youth Talents of Yunnan Province(YNWR-QNBJ-2020-203)the National College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(202110677009)the Major Basic Special Biological Resources Digital Development and Application Project in Yunnan Province(202002AA10007)the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture(1012359)“111”Project(D21027).
文摘To overcome the shortage of wood resources as well as to develop novel natural fibers materials,the Chimonobambusa quadrangularis(CQ)and Qiongzhuea tumidinoda(QT)planted in Southwest China were effectively isolated by the steam explosion(SE).The fine and uniform bamboo microfibers derived from CQ and QT were obtained,and their smallest average widths were 12.62μm and 16.05μm,respectively.The effects of steam explosion on the micro-morphology,chemical composition,thermal stability,crystallinity,surface wettability,and mechanical properties of bamboo microfibers were comprehensively investigated.The results showed that the relative content of cellulose in bamboo microfibers increased but the hemicellulose and lignin contents decreased after SE.The degrees of crystallinity for CQ and QT increased from 40.49%and 39.46%to 68.90%and 55.78%,respectively.The thermal stability and surface hydrophilicity were also improved.The CQ microfibers had a maximum decomposition temperature of 2.79°C,a tensile strength of 58.54 MPa,an elongation at break of 0.6%,and a water contact angle of 2.7°higher than those of the QT microfibers.
