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Phytochemical info of Willow Herb,epilobium parviflorum,Epilobium Angustifolium.

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Definition:Willow Herb,epilobium parviflorum,Epilobium Angustifolium are majorly composed of
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Research Update:Willow Herb,epilobium parviflorum,Epilobium Angustifolium and others.

Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase by the ellagitannins oenothein A and oenothein B from Epilobium species.:Planta Med 1997 Apr;63(2):111-4.Ducrey B, Marston A, Gohring S, Hartmann RW, Hostettmann K. (Institut de Pharmacognosie et Phytochimie, Universite de Lausanne, Switzerland.)

Species of the genus Epilobium (Onagraceae) have been investigated for their activity against 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase, two enzymes which are involved in the aetiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Activity-guided fractionation has led to the identification of two macrocyclic ellagitannins, oenothein A (1) and oenothein B (2), as the main constituents responsible for the inhibition of the two enzymes. Quantitation of oenothein B in 10 different species of Epilobium has shown that amounts of up to 14% in the crude plant extracts are possible.

Determination of oenothein B as the active 5-alpha-reductase-inhibiting principle of the folk medicine Epilobium parviflorum.:

Several extracts from Epilobium parviflorum, a plant used in Central Europe for the treatment of prostate disorders, were evaluated in a biochemical assay with 5-alpha-reductase. The aqueous extract displaying inhibition of the enzyme was analyzed, the fraction responsible for this activity was purified, and the active compound identified as a macrocyclic tannin, oenothein B (1).

Antitumor activity of oenothein B, a unique macrocyclic ellagitannin.:

The antitumor effect of oenothein B, a macrocyclic ellagitannin from Oenothera erythrosepala Bordas, on rodent tumors was studied. Oenothein B exhibited a strong antitumor activity against MM2 ascites tumors upon intraperitoneal administration to the mice before or after the tumor inoculation. The tannin also inhibited the growth of Meth-A solid type tumor in mice. This antitumor effect of the tannin could not be attributed to its direct cytotoxic action on tumor cells, because the cytotoxicity was very weak in the presence of serum protein. When oenothein B was injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice, peritoneal exudate cells, including cytostatic macrophages, were induced. Furthermore, in the in vitro treatment of macrophages from mice and humans, the tannin stimulated release of an interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like activity and IL-1 beta from the cells.
These results suggest that oenothein B exerts its antitumor effect through potentiation of the host-immune defense via activation of macrophages.

Induction of neutral endopeptidase activity in PC-3 cells by an aqueous extract of Epilobium angustifolium L. and oenothein B.:

An aqueous extract of Epilobium angustifolium and its main compound oenothein B (OeB), a dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin, are specifically able to induce the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in prostate cancer cells. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is not influenced. Additionally, a weak but statistically significant inhibition of cell proliferation is observed. Simultaneous treatment of the cells with arabinosylcytosine and the extract as well as the OeB, leads to an additional enhancement of NEP activity. Taking into account the role of this peptidase in prostate cancer progression, our results might offer a pharmacological explanation for the use of Epilobium in folk medicine.

Effect of Epilobium angustifolium L. extracts and polyphenols on cell proliferation and neutral endopeptidase activity in selected cell lines.:

The ability of Epilobium extracts and polyphenols to induce neutral endopeptidase (NEP) activity and to inhibit the proliferation in cell lines with high NEP expression (SK-N-SH) and with low NEP expression (PC-3) was investigated. Epilobium extracts enhanced in a dose-depend manner NEP activity in both cell lines with additional inhibition of cell proliferation. The sensitivity of cells depended on basal enzyme activity. SK-N-SK cells were much more sensitive than PC-3 cells. Oenothein B enhanced NEP activity at a concentration of 5-40 microM while quercetin-3-glucuronide and quercetin-3-O-(6"-gal-loyl) galactoside showed slight or no activity at a concentration of 100 microM. The comparison of activities of the extracts with oenothein B, a dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin, suggests that the latter is mostly responsible for the observed effects.

Taking into account the role of NEP in the homeostasis of signalling peptides, Epilobium angustifolium extracts may be a potential herbal remedy in diseases connected with the disturbed metabolism of signaling peptides caused by an unbalanced neutral endopeptidase activity.

Water-soluble complexes formed by natural polyphenols and bovine serum albumin: evidence from gel electrophoresis.:

The formation of water-soluble complexes from combinations of various polyphenols and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (PAGE) analyses clearly showed complexes formed from BSA with oenothein B, corilagin, (+)-catechin, procyanidin B3, and gallic acid derivatives; however, it was difficult to distinguish between the complexes containing a single BSA molecule and the BSA molecule itself by using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Combining SDS and native PAGE analyses showed instability in the macromolecular complexes formed from pentagalloylglucose (PGG) and BSA. Research also revealed that the oxidation of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) contributed to the formation of more stable macromolecular complexes from EGCG and BSA.

Compounds from Epilobium angustifolium inhibit the specific metallopeptidases ACE, NEP and APN.:

Willow herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.) extracts showed inhibitory activity against the metallopeptidases: neutral endopeptidase (NEP), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and aminopeptidase N (APN). A bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of several flavonoids and phenolic acids and an ellagitannin. The dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin oenothein B inhibited the neutral endopeptidases in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 = 20 microM. Other polyphenols showed weaker activity but their synergistic activity cannot be excluded. Taking into account the role of these peptidases in prostate diseases, the results may partly support and explain the use of Epilobium extracts in folk medicine.

Characterization of the effect of Epilobium extracts on human cell proliferation.:
We have previously shown that extracts of different Epilobium species, a phytotherapeutic agent used in folk medicine as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, inhibit proliferation of human prostate cells. The selectivity of this effect was evaluated in four different human cell lines (PZ-HPV-7, normal prostate cells; LNCaP, transformed prostate cells; HMEC, mammary cells, and 1321N1, astrocytoma cells). Different extracts of Epilobium species (E. rosmarinifolium, E. spicatum, and E. tetragonum) had similar growth-inhibitory effects in all cell lines tested, indicating a lack of specificity for prostate cells. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was mostly due to the nonpolar fraction of the extracts which is expected to contain flavonoids and sterols. Polar fractions were devoid of activity with the exception of that from E. rosmarinifolium. This species is the most potent in the antiproliferative effect and contains the highest concentration of oenothein B, a hydrolyzable ellagitannin. Oenothein B inhibited DNA synthesis in all four cell lines tested. Extracts of E. angustifolium (the Linne denomination of E. spicatum) and of E. spicatum from different sources were compared for their ability to inhibit DNA synthesis and for their oenothein B content. The E. angustifolium extract contained an amount of oenothein B 40-fold higher than the other extract of the same species and was ten times more potent in inhibiting DNA synthesis in a human prostate cell line.

These results indicate that Epilobium extracts inhibit proliferation of prostate cells in a nonspecific manner. Oenothein B may play a role in this effect, but other active compounds are also present. The difference observed between extracts from the same species underscores the importance of determination and standardization of active ingredients in phytotherapeutic agents.

Polyphenols from Eucalyptus consideniana and Eucalyptus viminalis.:

From the leaves of Eucalyptus consideniana and E. viminalis, known hydrolysable tannins, galloyl esters and ellagitannins, were isolated. Flavonol glycosides were also isolated from the leaves of E. consideniana. The spectral data of the dimeric ellagitannin, oenothein B (1), are reported.

Oroxylin A inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced iNOS and COX-2 gene expression via suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB activation.:

Polyphenols are major components of many traditional herbal remedies, which exhibit several beneficial effects including anti-inflammation. The exact mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of polyphenols, however, has not been determined. In the present study, we examined the effects of eight different polyphenols isolated from Chinese herbs, including two flavonoids (myricitrin and oroxylin A), four ellagitannins (penta-O-galloyl-beta-glucopyranose, woodfordin C, oenothein B, and cuphiin D1), and two anthraquinones (emodin and physcion), on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in RAW264.7 macrophages. The results indicated that only oroxylin A and emodin concentration-dependently inhibited LPS-induced NO production. The remaining compounds slightly inhibited LPS-induced NO production only at the highest concentration examined. Furthermore, oroxylin A inhibited the expression of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 proteins and mRNAs without an appreciable cytotoxic effect on RAW264.7 cells. Emodin also inhibited LPS-induced iNOS protein as potently as oroxylin A, but it inhibited LPS-induced iNOS mRNA expression only slightly and did not affect COX-2 mRNA and proteins. This was consistent with the findings that oroxylin A but not emodin or physcion inhibited prostaglandin E(2) synthesis induced by LPS. The inhibitory effects of oroxylin A on LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 gene expression were also demonstrated in Bcl-2-overexpressing RAW264.7 macrophages, suggesting that oroxylin A inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression was not due to its antioxidant effect. Furthermore, oroxylin A but not emodin blocked nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding and transcriptional activation associated with decreased p65 proteins in the nucleus induced by LPS. These results indicated that oroxylin A, an active component in Huang Qin, inhibited LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 gene expression by blocking NF-kappaB activation, whereas emodin inhibition of LPS-induced iNOS expression may be mediated by a different transcription factor.

EBV DNA polymerase inhibition of tannins from Eugenia uniflora.:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the high population malignant tumors among Chinese in southern China and southeast Asia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human B lymphotropic herpes virus which is known to be closely associated with NPC. EBV DNA polymerase is a key enzyme during EBV replication and is measured by its radioactivity. The addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to Raji cell cultures led to a large increase in EBV DNA polymerase, which was purified by sequential DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose and DNA-cellulose column chromatography. Four tannins were isolated from the active fractions of Eugenia uniflora L., which were tested for the inhibition of EBV DNA polymerase. The results showed the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of gallocatechin, oenothein B, eugeniflorins D(1) and D(2) were 26.5 62.3, 3.0 and 3.5 microM, respectively. Furthermore, when compared with the positive control (phosphonoacetic acid), an inhibitor of EBV replication, the IC(50) value was 16.4 microM. In view of the results, eugeniflorins D(1) and D(2) are the potency principles in the inhibition of EBV DNA polymerase from E. uniflora.

Cytotoxic activity of hydrolyzable tannins against human oral tumor cell lines--a possible mechanism.:

Hydrolyzable tannins showed higher cytotoxic activity against human oral squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland tumor cell lines than against normal human gingival fibroblasts, whereas gallic acid, a component unit of tannins, showed much weaker selective cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic activity of dimeric compounds was generally higher than that of monomeric compounds. Macrocyclic ellagitannin oligomers, such as oenothein B, woodfordin C and woodfordin D showed the greatest cytotoxic activity, and their activity (per given number of molecules) was one order higher than those of gallic acid and epigallocatechin gallate, a major component of green tea. These compounds induced apoptotic cell death characterized by DNA fragmentation (as demonstrated by the TUNEL method) and cleavage of cytokeratin 18 by activated caspase(s) (as demonstrated by M30 monoclonal antibody). ESR spectroscopy revealed that these macrocyclic compounds at higher concentrations produced their own radicals and significantly enhanced the radical intensity of sodium ascorbate, possibly by their prooxidant actions. Catalase failed to eliminate their apoptosis-inducing activity, reducing the possibility of the involvement of hydrogen peroxide production in the extracellular fraction. These observations suggested that the antitumor activity of macrocyclic ellagitannin oligomers reported previously might be explained by their apoptosis-inducing activity.

Production of macrocyclic ellagitannin oligomers by Oenothera laciniata callus cultures.:

Callus cultures of Oenothera laciniata grown on LS agar medium supplemented with IAA and kinetin produced large amounts of the macrocyclic ellagitannin dimer, oenothein B, and a trimer, oenothein A, accompanied with related monomeric hydrolysable tannins. The content of the main compound oenothein B (65 mg/g dry wt) in calli cultured on modified LS medium containing 10 mM NH4+ and 5 mM NO3- was nearly two times higher than that in intact leaves.

Role of (ADP-ribose)n catabolism in DNA repair.:

Poly(ADP-ribose) is a reversible covalent-modifier of chromosomal proteins in eukaryotic cells. The function of poly(ADP-ribose) is not clear, although it has been suggested to be involved in the regulation of DNA transactions such as replication, repair, and transcription. Here we describe a specific competitive inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, a macrocircular ellagitannin oenothein B, and a nuclear system prepared from synchronized HeLa S3 cells at mid-G1 phase that enable us to examine the role of poly(ADP-ribose) catabolism in DNA repair. The results suggest that poly(ADP-ribose) is capable of generating ATP by the concerted action of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase and ADP-ribose pyrophosphorylase and that this ATP enables repair DNA synthesis.

A macrocircular ellagitannin, oenothein B, suppresses mouse mammary tumor gene expression via inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase.:

Oenothein B, a macrocircular dimeric ellagitannin, was found to be a potent and specific inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase. Oenothein B suppressed glucocorticoid-sensitive mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) transcription in 34I cells. This suppression was accompanied by inhibition of glucocorticoid-induced endogeneous de-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of high mobility group (HMG) 14 and 17 proteins. These results suggest that de-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of these proteins may be closely connected with the events initiating glucocorticoid-sensitive MMTV gene transcription.

Extracts of various species of Epilobium inhibit proliferation of human prostate cells.:

This study examined whether various species of Epilobium, a phytotherapeutic agent used in folk medicine as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, may have an antiproliferative effect in PZ-HPV-7 human prostatic epithelial cells in-vitro. The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) test, [methyl-(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and flow cytometry analysis were used to evaluate cell proliferation.

Ethanolic extracts of E. spicatum,E. rosmarinifolium and E. tetragonum inhibited DNA synthesis in PZ-HPV-7 cells. While at high concentrations all extracts were cytotoxic, DNA synthesis was also decreased at levels that caused no or little cytotoxicity. Treatment of cells with Epilobium extracts did not result in a formation of DNA fragments (evaluated by the TUNEL assay) or chromatin condensation (assessed by Hoechst staining). Flow cytometry analysis indicated that Epilobium extracts inhibit the progression of the cell cycle from the G(0)/G(1) phase. These results suggest that extracts of Epilobium inhibit proliferation of human PZ-HPV-7 cells in-vitro by affecting progression of the cell cycle. This study provides some initial biological plausibility for the use of Epilobium extracts in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Anti-proliferative effect on a prostatic epithelial cell line (PZ-HPV-7) by Epilobium angustifolium L.:

Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in elderly men and has a significant impact on their daily lives. The drugs prescribed for treatment include alpha1-blockers, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and plant preparations. Epilobium angustifolium L. is deemed to be helpful in BPH therapy, although there is less information regarding the mechanism of its biological activity. The present study evaluated the effect of E. angustifolium extract on human prostatic epithelial cells (PZ-HPV-7). The exposure to E. angustifolium extract induced a marked inhibition of cell growth in all tested conditions. The anti-proliferative effect observed in in vitro systems clearly indicates a biologically relevant effect of compounds present in the extract.

Considering these results, the use in traditional medicine of E. angustifolium extract against BPH seems to be justified. However, further experimental studies are needed to determine the biochemical mechanism of the action and the clinical value of the E. angustifolium extract.

THE RATE OF CROSS-POLLINATION IN EPILOBIUM PARVIFLORUM SCHREB.: ISHS Acta Horticulturae 330: WOCMAP I - Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Conference: part 4 of 4 Authors:X. Simonnet, N. Delabays.

Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. is a new medicinal plant used in cases of prostate's adenoma. The domestication of this increasingly popular and expensive plant is justified, especially in view of the elaboration of a pharmaceutical speciality, wich needs raw material with a standardized chemical composition. Therefore, a good knowledge of the breeding system of the plant is needed in view of seeds production and also for the genetic improvement of the species. A determination of the rate of cross-pollination of E. parviflorum has been carried out in 3 different sites, using the very variable sensitivity of different lots of E. parviflorum to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca epilobii) as a genetic marker. In each site, sensitive and resistant plants have been self-fertilized. Controlled cross-fertilization and free pollination have also been realised between the two types of plants. The observation of the sensitivity of progenies to the pathogen revealed that the rate of cross-pollination in field conditions varies between 2.4 and 8.3 %, with significant differences between the 3 sites.

Comparison of free radical scavenging activity and phenoloid content of Epilobium parviflorum Schreb.:Balazs, A.; Apati, P.; Szoke, E.; Kery, A.; Blazovics, A. 2003.Acta Horticulturae (597): 185-190

Epilobium parviflorum has been used for a long time as a medicinal plant for the treatment of various prostate symptoms, like prostate adenoma and associated disorders. Epilobii herba, willow herb, has not been officially recognized by any of the European pharmacopoeias. Epilobii herba contains various pharmacologically-useful compounds, such as polyphenols, among which are the flavonoids, i.e. quercitrin, rutin, isoquercitrin, isomyricitrin and myricitrin. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined in crude willow herb drugs. A high linear correlation was observed between the total phenolic content and the reducing power of the samples. Epilobii herba showed marked activity as a radical scavenger, indicating that it has effective activities as hydrogen donors and primary antioxidants to react with lipid radicals.

Identification of Epilobium Species and Willow-herbs (Onagraceae) by HPLC Analysis of Flavonoids as Chemotaxonomic Markers.:Chromatographia,Volume 63, Supplement 13,June.2006.Vieweg Verlag Publishing.S119-S123.B. Hevesi Toth , A. Balazs, V. Vukics, E. Szoke and A. Kery.Department of Pharmacognosy, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, ¨¹ll?i Street 26, Hungary

Abstract The aim of this work was to compare macro- and micromorphological characteristics and flavonoid composition of some Epilobium species and commercial willow-herbs for their authentication and quality control. In order to determine the flavonoid composition of extracts, the flavonol-glycosides were also hydrolised quantitatively to their aglycones. Before and after hydrolysis flavonoid fingerprints were studied by high-performance liquid chromatography using two different gradient mobile phase systems. Flavonoid composition was found to be suitable for the authentication of Epilobium species and commercial willow-herbs as an alternative to the current phytochemical study and time-consuming microscopic procedures [1]. The combined HPLC analysis of free flavonoid-aglycones and glycosides, developed in our laboratory can be used for the quality control of willow-herb samples and various commercial preparations.

Cytoprotection by Achyrocline satureioides (Lam) D.C. and some of its main flavonoids against oxidative stress.:Journal of Ethnopharmacology.Volume 91, Issue 1, March 2004, Pages 13-20.M. F. Arredondo1, F. Blasina1, C. Echeverry, A. Morquio, M. Ferreira, J. A. Abin-Carriquiry, L. Lafon and F. Dajas, Department of Neurochemistry, Instituto de Investigaciones Biol¨®gicas, Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay

Abstract:Epidemiological studies indicate that dietary antioxidants can influence the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. Among them flavonoids have been proposed to be effective cytoprotectors. Consequently, herbs with a high concentration of these compounds such as Achyrocline satureioides, Ginkgo biloba and Epilobium parviflorum are of special interest. In this context a comparative study of the cytoprotective capacity of infusions from the three plants against an oxidative insult was performed. Hence, the cytoprotective activity of each infusion against H2O2 injury to PC12 cells was tested and the antioxidant capacity was assessed by the ABTS¡Ì+ radical bleaching assay. Free and glycosylated flavonoids contained in the infusions were identified by HPLC and the cytoprotective effect of some of these individual flavonoids was tested. The analysis of the flavonoid content of the infusions revealed different profiles. Epilobium parviflorum infusion showed the highest antioxidant capacity but only Achyrocline satureioides infusion proved to be cytoprotective. Moreover, the free flavonoids quercetin and luteolin contained in this infusion were also cytoprotective. In conclusion, the free radical scavenger capacity did not correlate with the cytoprotective profile of the infusions. The special mixture of unglycosylated Achyrocline satureioides flavonoids could be a clue to explain the unique effect of this plant.

Author Keywords: Achyrocline satureioides; Marcela; Flavonoids; Cytoprotection; PC12 cells; H2O2 6-OHDA, 6-hydroxydopamine; LDL, low density lipoproteins; H2O2, hydrogen peroxide; HPLC, high performance liquid chromatography; TP, total polyphenols; CAE, caffeic acid equivalents; ABTS, 2,2¡ä-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid); ABTS¡Ì+, ABTS radical; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; RPMI, basal medium designed at Roswell Park Memorial Institute; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; TBARS, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TRAP, total reactive antioxidant potential; TAR, total antioxidant reactivity

Determination of Oenothein B as the Active 5-alpha-Reductase-Inhibiting Principle of the Folk Medicine Epilobium parviflorum.:J. Nat. Prod., 59 (5), 490 -492, 1996. np960231c S0163-3864(96)00231-5.D. Lesuisse,* J. Berjonneau, C. Ciot, P. Devaux, B. Doucet, J. F. Gourvest, B. Khemis, C. Lang, R. Legrand, M. Lowinski, P. Maquin, A. Parent, B. Schoot, and G. Teutsch.Centre de Recherche ROUSSEL UCLAF, 102 Route de Noisy, 93230 Romainville, France

Several extracts from Epilobium parviflorum, a plant used in Central Europe for the treatment of prostate disorders, were evaluated in a biochemical assay with 5--reductase. The aqueous extract displaying inhibition of the enzyme was analyzed, the fraction responsible for this activity was purified, and the active compound identified as a macrocyclic tannin, oenothein B.

Testing of provenances of willow herb (Epilobium sp.).:Zeitschrift f Arznei- & Gewzpflanzen, 2004 (Vol. 9) (No. 1) 12-18.Blum, H., Fausten, G.Dienstleistungszentrum Ldlicher Raum - Rheinpfalz, Kompetenzzentrum Gartenbau, Walporzheimer Str. 48, D-53474 Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany.

Willowherb (Epilobium spp.) is used to treat the symptoms of benign prostate adenoma and associated disorders of micturition. The raw plant material is obtained by collection from the wild. Identification of species is complicated since willowherb has a strong tendency to hybridize, and the commercial drug consists of a mixture of species. In a 3-year (2000-2002) study at the research station at Ahrweiler, Germany, 14 different Epilobium provenances were examined for their suitability for cultivation. Differences among provenances were observed in crop yield, contents of 3 flavonoids and the macrocyclic tannin oenothein B, and in suitability for cultivation. Among the small-flowered provenances, no. 11 (E. roseum) gave a stable crop yield in all 3 years, whereas for provenances 4 and 8 (E. parviflorum), the yield was good in the second year but declined in the third. The 2 large-flowered provenances, 13 (E. angustifolium) and 14 (E. hirsutum), gave the highest crop yields. Provenance 13 showed a markedly different flavonoid pattern compared with the other provenances. Provenance 11 (E. roseum) achieved the highest oenothein B content, while 13 had the lowest content.

A new method for the authentication of plant samples by analyzing fingerprint chromatograms.:Phytochem Anal. 2007 Mar;18(2):123-32.Obradovic M, Krajsek SS, Dermastia M, Kreft S.Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerdeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. marko.obradovic@ffa.uni-lj.si

Chemical analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis of plant pulverized samples, juices or extracts is an excellent method for the authentication of medicinal plant species and their products, particularly when morphological authentication is not possible. In the conventional procedure, chromatograms are integrated and the heights or areas of several peaks are used in a supervised pattern recognition method to confirm the authenticity of the product. We propose a new section approach in analysing chromatograms, where chromatograms are split into sections, which are described by four variables (number of peaks in the section, average retention time of peaks in the section, total area of peaks in the section and average area of peaks in the section), and these variables are then used in statistical analysis. The method is especially useful when the peaks on the chromatogram are not well separated and it is not easy to link individual peaks on one chromatogram with corresponding peaks on other chromatograms. In comparison with the standard procedure, our approach in analyzing chromatographic data of willow-herb (Epilobium and Chamaenerion spp.) extracts was more objective, gave better results and was also easier to perform.

Compounds from Epilobium angustifolium inhibit the specific metallopeptidases ACE, NEP and APN.:Planta Med. 2004 Oct;70(10):919-23.Kiss A, Kowalski J, Melzig MF.Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. kissanka@wp.pl

Willow herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.) extracts showed inhibitory activity against the metallopeptidases: neutral endopeptidase (NEP), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and aminopeptidase N (APN). A bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of several flavonoids and phenolic acids and an ellagitannin. The dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin oenothein B inhibited the neutral endopeptidases in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 = 20 microM. Other polyphenols showed weaker activity but their synergistic activity cannot be excluded. Taking into account the role of these peptidases in prostate diseases, the results may partly support and explain the use of Epilobium extracts in folk medicine.

Secondary succession is influenced by belowground insect herbivory on a productive site.:Oecologia. 2004 Jan;138(2):242-52. Epub 2003 Oct 18.Sch?dler M, Jung G, Brandl R, Auge H.Department of Community Ecology, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany. schaedler@staff.uni-marburg.de

We investigated the effects of insect herbivory on a plant community of a productive old-field community by applying foliar and soil insecticides in a full factorial design. During the first 3 years of succession, insecticide treatments had only minor effects on total cover abundance and species richness. However, species ranking within the plant community was strongly affected by soil insecticide but not by foliar insecticide. Creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense, dominated the experimental plots with reduced root herbivory, while square-stemmed willow-herb, Epilobium adnatum, dominated the control and the plots with foliar insecticide. When soil insecticide was applied, cover abundance of monocarpic forbs increased and cover abundance of polycarpic herbs decreased compared to the control. However, this effect was due to a few abundant plant species and is not based on a consistent difference between life history groups. Instead, application of soil insecticide promoted persistence of species that established at the start of succession, and suppressed species that established in the following years. We conclude that below-ground herbivory reduces competitive ability of resident species and, thus, facilitates colonization by late-successional species. Hence, soil insects can exert strong top-down effects on the vegetation of productive sites by affecting dominant plant species and altering competitive balances.

Herbal medication: potential for adverse interactions with analgesic drugs.:J Clin Pharm Ther. 2002 Dec;27(6):391-401. Review.Abebe W.Department of Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-1128, USA. wabebe@mail.mcg.edu

The use of herbal supplements in the US has increased dramatically in recent years. These products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the same scrutiny as conventional drugs. Patients who use herbal supplements often do so in conjunction with conventional drugs. This article is a review of potential adverse interactions between some of the commonly used herbal supplements and analgesic drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly aspirin, have the potential to interact with herbal supplements that are known to possess antiplatelet activity (ginkgo, garlic, ginger, bilberry, dong quai, feverfew, ginseng, turmeric, meadowsweet and willow), with those containing coumarin (chamomile, motherworth, horse chestnut, fenugreek and red clover) and with tamarind, enhancing the risk of bleeding. Acetaminophen may also interact with ginkgo and possibly with at least some of the above herbs to increase the risk of bleeding. Further, the incidences of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity may be augmented by acetaminophen when concomitantly used with the potentially hepatotoxic herbs Echinacea and kava, and with herbs containing salicylate (willow, meadowsweet), respectively. The concomitant use of opioid analgesics with the sedative herbal supplements, valerian, kava and chamomile, may lead to increased central nervous system (CNS) depression. The analgesic effect of opioids may also be inhibited by ginseng. It is suggested that health-care professionals should be more aware of the potential adverse interactions between herbal supplements and analgesic drugs, and take appropriate precautionary measures to avoid their possible occurrences. However, as most of the interaction information available is based on individual case reports, animal studies and in vitro data, further research is needed to confirm and assess the clinical significance of these potential interactions.

Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin.:Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2000 Jul 1;57(13):1221-7; quiz 1228-30. Review.Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL.School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USA. amheck@iupui.edu

Potential and documented interactions between alternative therapy agents and warfarin are discussed. An estimated one third of adults in the United States use alternative therapies, including herbs. A major safety concern is potential interactions of alternative medicine products with prescription medications. This issue is especially important with respect to drugs with narrow therapeutic indexes, such as warfarin. Herbal products that may potentially increase the risk of bleeding or potentiate the effects of warfarin therapy include angelica root, arnica flower, anise, asafoetida, bogbean, borage seed oil, bromelain, capsicum, celery, chamomile, clove, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger ginkgo, horse chestnut, licorice root, lovage root, meadowsweet, onion, parsley, passionflower herb, poplar, quassia, red clover, rue, sweet clover, turmeric, and willow bark. Products that have been associated with documented reports of potential interactions with warfarin include coenzyme Q10, danshen, devil's claw, dong quai, ginseng, green tea, papain, and vitamin E. Interpretation of the available information on herb-warfarin interactions is difficult because nearly all of it is based on in vitro data, animal studies, or individual case reports. More study is needed to confirm and assess the clinical significance of these potential interactions. There is evidence that a wide range of alternative therapy products have the potential to interact with warfarin. Pharmacists and other health care professionals should question all patients about use of alternative therapies and report documented interactions to FDA's MedWatch program.

Antimicrobial effects of Finnish plant extracts containing flavonoids and other phenolic compounds.:Int J Food Microbiol. 2000 May 25;56(1):3-12.Rauha JP, Remes S, Heinonen M, Hopia A, K?hk?nen M, Kujala T, Pihlaja K, Vuorela H, Vuorela P.Department of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Plant phenolics, especially dietary flavonoids, are currently of growing interest owing to their supposed functional properties in promoting human health. Antimicrobial screening of 13 phenolic substances and 29 extracts prepared from Finnish plant materials against selected microbes was conducted in this study. The tests were carried out using diffusion methods with four to nine microbial species (Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis). Flavone, quercetin and naringenin were effective in inhibiting the growth of the organisms. The most active plant extracts were purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) against Candida albicans, meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.), willow herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.), cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) against bacteria, and white birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.), pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum. L.) against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus.

Antioxidant activity of plant extracts containing phenolic compounds.:J Agric Food Chem. 1999 Oct;47(10):3954-62.K?hk?nen MP, Hopia AI, Vuorela HJ, Rauha JP, Pihlaja K, Kujala TS, Heinonen M.Department of Applied Chemistry, Division of Food Chemistry, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland. konen@helsinki.fi

The antioxidative activity of a total of 92 phenolic extracts from edible and nonedible plant materials (berries, fruits, vegetables, herbs, cereals, tree materials, plant sprouts, and seeds) was examined by autoxidation of methyl linoleate. The content of total phenolics in the extracts was determined spectrometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and calculated as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Among edible plant materials, remarkable high antioxidant activity and high total phenolic content (GAE > 20 mg/g) were found in berries, especially aronia and crowberry. Apple extracts (two varieties) showed also strong antioxidant activity even though the total phenolic contents were low (GAE < 12.1 mg/g). Among nonedible plant materials, high activities were found in tree materials, especially in willow bark, spruce needles, pine bark and cork, and birch phloem, and in some medicinal plants including heather, bog-rosemary, willow herb, and meadowsweet. In addition, potato peel and beetroot peel extracts showed strong antioxidant effects. To utilize these significant sources of natural antioxidants, further characterization of the phenolic composition is needed.

The leaf tannin of willow-herb [Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.].:Biochem J. 1966 Sep;100(3):733-8.Brown BR, Brown PE, Pike WT.

1. The leaf tannin of willow-herb [Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.] has been isolated and separated into two fractions of differing solubility. 2. The tannin contains a penta-O-galloyl-beta-d-glucose core to which further galloyl groups are depsidically bound. 3. The unfractionated tannin contains an average of 10.5 galloyl groups/glucose molecule; the soluble fraction has on average 7.6 galloyl groups/glucose molecule and the less soluble fraction has 12.4. 4. The tannin is a mixture of molecules ranging at least from hepta- to trideca-galloyl-beta-d-glucose. 5. The tannin forms complexes with proteins and the fact that it is a hydrolysable gallotannin has a bearing on the release of nitrogen from the protein of the dead leaf.

Evaluation of willow herb's (Epilobium angustofolium L.) antioxidant and radical scavenging capacities.:Phytother Res. 2007 Jul 27;Stajner D, Popovi? BM, Bo?a P.Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovi?a 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.

The present study investigated the antioxidative properties of root, leaf and stalk of Epilobium angustofolium L. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase), quantities of malonyldialdehyde, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and reduced glutathione and also the content of total flavonoids, chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids, vitamin C and soluble proteins were determined. The results indicate that extracts from all plant organs exhibited antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the leaves. Radical scavenging capacity (RSC), determined by DPPH assay, was highest in the leaves as well as total reducing power determined by FRAP assay. Lipofuscin 'plant age pigments' were also determined.

Remediation of heavy metal-contaminated forest soil using recycled organic matter and native woody plants.: Environ Qual. 2007 Jun 27;36(4):1145-53. Print 2007 Jul-Aug.Helmisaari HS, Salemaa M, Derome J, Kiikkil? O, Uhlig C, Nieminen TM.Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Research Unit, P.O. Box 18, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland. helja-sisko.helmisaari@metla.fi

The main aim of this study was to determine how the application of a mulch cover (a mixture of household biocompost and woodchips) onto heavy metal-polluted forest soil affects (i) long-term survival and growth of planted dwarf shrubs and tree seedlings and (ii) natural revegetation. Native woody plants (Pinus sylvestris, Betula pubescens, Empetrum nigrum, and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) were planted in mulch pockets on mulch-covered and uncovered plots in summer 1996 in a highly polluted Scots pine stand in southwest Finland. Spreading a mulch layer on the soil surface was essential for the recolonization of natural vegetation and increased dwarf shrub survival, partly through protection against drought. Despite initial mortality, transplant establishment was relatively successful during the following 10 yr. Tree species had higher survival rates, but the dwarf shrubs covered a larger area of the soil surface during the experiment. Especially E. nigrum and P. sylvestris proved to be suitable for revegetating heavy metal-polluted and degraded forests. Natural recolonization of pioneer species (e.g., Epilobium angustifolium, Taraxacum coll., and grasses) and tree seedlings (P. sylvestris, Betula sp., and Salix sp.) was strongly enhanced on the mulched plots, whereas there was no natural vegetation on the untreated plots. These results indicate that a heavy metal-polluted site can be ecologically remediated without having to remove the soil. Household compost and woodchips are low-cost mulching materials that are suitable for restoring heavy metal-polluted soil.

Simulation of germination of pioneer species along an experimental drought gradient.:J Environ Biol. 2006 Oct;27(4):679-85.P¨¦rez-Fern¨¢ndez MA, Calvo-Magro E, Ferrer-Cast¨¢n D.Area de Ecolog¨ªa, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera, 41013 Sevilla, Spain. maperfer@upo.es

The germination of ten plant species from the Iberian Peninsula was assessed along a water deficit gradient between -0. 1652 (moist) and -0.4988 MPa (dry) of osmotic potential, created by addition of increasing concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) to distilled water in which plants were grown hydroponically. The level and rate of germination of Daucus carota and Thapsia villosa significantly decreased with decreasing psi. Seeds of Dactylis glomerata and Dittrichia viscosa had positive germination responses to low osmotic potentials; germination of Epilobium hirsutum was not affected by osmotic potential. Germination of Medicago arabica, Cynosurus cristatus, Cistus ladanifer and Cistus albidus, was no favored by the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Germination of Foeniculum vulgare and Thapsia villosa was inhibited by PEG.

Contribution to the knowledge of the veterinary science and of the ethnobotany in Calabria region (Southern Italy).:J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2006 Dec 11;2:52. Passalacqua NG, De Fine G, Guarrera PM.Museo di Storia Naturale della Calabria ed Orto Botanico, Universit¨¤ della Calabria, 87030 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy. nicodemo@unical.it

BACKGROUND: A series of preliminary research projects on plants used in Calabria (Southern Italy) in veterinary science and in other ethno-botanical fields (minor nourishment, domestic and handicraft sector) was carried out in the last twenty years. From the ethno-botanical point of view, Calabria is one of the most interesting region, since in the ancient times it was subject to the dominant cultures of several people (Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans etc.). Until some decades ago the road network was poorly developed and villages were isolated, so that the culture of the "subsistence" and some archaic customs were kept. METHODS: Data were collected by means of "open" interviews to farmers, shepherds and housewives in the last twenty years. More than 100 informants were interviewed, mostly over 50 years old. Plants were identified by local informants through gathering in the area or through examination of the fresh plants collected by the researchers. The collected data were compared with pharmacobotanical papers mainly of southern Italy and with other studies, in order to highlight novelties or concordances of uses. RESULTS: The use of 62 taxa distributed into 34 families are described. Among these, 8 are or were employed in veterinary science, 8 as anti-parasitic agents, 19 in minor nourishment, 5 as seasoning, 38 for other uses. Some toxic species for cattle are also mentioned. CONCLUSION: Among the major findings: the use of Helleborus bocconei for bronchitis of bovines and of Scrophularia canina for lameness in veterinary science; Nerium oleander and Urginea maritima as anti-parasitic agents; Epilobium angustifolium, Centaurea napifolia L. and C. sphaerocephala L. in minor nourishment.

Seed germination in response to chemicals: effect of nitrogen and pH in the media.:J Environ Biol. 2006 Jan;27(1):13-20.P¨¦rez-Fern¨¢ndez MA, Calvo-Magro E, Montanero-Fern¨¢ndez J, Oyola-Velasco JA.Ecology Area, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas sIn, 06071 Badajoz, Spain. maperfer@upo.es

Seed germination generally presents a peak in the next growing season after a fire. Among other factors associated with fire are the increase of soil nitrogen and changes in the pH of the soil. In this study, we addressed the question, whether or not the germination response of eight species is linked with the increase in pH and nitrogenous compounds in the germination media? We assessed the separate and combined effects of nitrogenous compounds and pH on the percentage and rate of germination of seeds of Medicago arabica (L.) Hudson, Epilobium hirsutum L., Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Daucus carota L., Thapsia villosa L., Cynosurus cristatus L., Dactylis glomerata L. and Rumex crispus L. All these species are well represented in the Mediterranean ecosystems of the central-west Spain. Water and CaCl2 were used as controls. Nitrogenous compounds increased percent germination (level) and rate in three of the species studied. High pH negatively affected the germination rate of seeds from most species, but had no effect on the per cent germination of any of the species. The higher concentration of the nutritious solutions affected negatively the germination level and rate. The different germination responses of seeds of the studied species could not be exclusively attributed to pH values in the media, whereas the amount and form of Nitrogen in the media has a greater effect on it. These differences in germination are species dependent.

Inhibition of intestinal motility and secretion by extracts of Epilobium spp. in mice.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Oct 11;107(3):342-8. Epub 2006 Apr 6.Vitali F, Fonte G, Saija A, Tita B.Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. fvitali@pharma.unime.it

Ethanol extracts of the fresh aerial parts of various Epilobium species were tested to elucidate the mechanism of their gastrointestinal activity in animals. The methods of charcoal meal, castor oil-induced diarrhoea, and enteropooling assay were used to evaluate their effect on mouse gut at various dose levels. The extracts were found to have a significant activity in all models. Moreover, the extracts resulted to possess very little toxicity. Thus, it can be concluded that Epilobium possesses anti-diarrhoeal, anti-motility, and anti-secretory activities and can prove beneficial in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

New, rare and remarkable records of microfungi from the Slovakian Republic.:Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci. 2005;70(3):269-80.Feige GB, Ale-Agha N, Jensen M, Brassmann M, Christiaans B, Kricke R.Universit?t Duisburg-Essen (Standort Essen), FB Biologie/Geographie--Allgemeine Botanik Universit?tsstr. 5, D-45117 Essen, Germany.

During an excursion to the Slovakian Republic (lower and upper Tatra) of the Botanical Institute of the University of Essen in 2004 we were able to collect about 150 species of microfungi as parasites or saprophytes on cultivated crops and wild plants. Some of them are new for the entire world and a few of them are new for the Slovakian Republic, e.g: Ramularia liliicola N. Ale-Agha, U. Braun & G.B. Feige on Lilium martagon L.; Septoria aegopodii DESM. Ex Kickx. F. on Aegopodium podagaria L.; Puccinia asarina Kunze on Asarum europaeum L.; Puccinia polygoni ALB. & SCHW. and Puccinia polygoni-amphibii PERS. on Bilderdykia convolvulus (L.) Du Mont.; Ramularia chamaenerii Rostr. and Mycosphaerella chamaenerii Saville on Epilobium angustifolium L.; Plasmopara pusilla (de By.) Schroet on Geranium sylvaticum L.; Cercosporidium depressum (Berk. & Br.) Deighta on Angelica sylvestris L. All specimens are located in the Herbarium ESS, Mycotheca Parva collection G.B. Feige & N. Ale-Agha.

Induction of neutral endopeptidase activity in PC-3 cells by an aqueous extract of Epilobium angustifolium L. and oenothein B.:Phytomedicine. 2006 Mar;13(4):284-9. Epub 2005 Jun 27.Kiss A, Kowalski J, Melzig MF.Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. kissanka@wp.pl

An aqueous extract of Epilobium angustifolium and its main compound oenothein B (OeB), a dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin, are specifically able to induce the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in prostate cancer cells. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is not influenced. Additionally, a weak but statistically significant inhibition of cell proliferation is observed. Simultaneous treatment of the cells with arabinosylcytosine and the extract as well as the OeB, leads to an additional enhancement of NEP activity. Taking into account the role of this peptidase in prostate cancer progression, our results might offer a pharmacological explanation for the use of Epilobium in folk medicine.

Effect of Epilobium angustifolium L. extracts and polyphenols on cell proliferation and neutral endopeptidase activity in selected cell lines.:Pharmazie. 2006 Jan;61(1):66-9.Kiss A, Kowalski J, Melzig MF.Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. kissanka@wp.pl

The ability of Epilobium extracts and polyphenols to induce neutral endopeptidase (NEP) activity and to inhibit the proliferation in cell lines with high NEP expression (SK-N-SH) and with low NEP expression (PC-3) was investigated. Epilobium extracts enhanced in a dose-depend manner NEP activity in both cell lines with additional inhibition of cell proliferation. The sensitivity of cells depended on basal enzyme activity. SK-N-SK cells were much more sensitive than PC-3 cells. Oenothein B enhanced NEP activity at a concentration of 5-40 microM while quercetin-3-glucuronide and quercetin-3-O-(6"-gal-loyl) galactoside showed slight or no activity at a concentration of 100 microM. The comparison of activities of the extracts with oenothein B, a dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin, suggests that the latter is mostly responsible for the observed effects. Taking into account the role of NEP in the homeostasis of signalling peptides, Epilobium angustifolium extracts may be a potential herbal remedy in diseases connected with the disturbed metabolism of signaling peptides caused by an unbalanced neutral endopeptidase activity.

Studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of herbal remedies used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan 3;103(1):71-5. Epub 2005 Aug 24.Steenkamp V, Gouws MC, Gulumian M, Elgorashi EE, van Staden J.Department of Urology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa. vsteen@med.up.ac.za

Crude water and ethanolic extracts of five herbal remedies reported in the literature for traditional treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and/or prostatitis were investigated for their effect on hydroxyl scavenging activity, antibacterial activity and their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) catalysed prostaglandin biosynthesis. Both the water and ethanol extracts of Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Epilobium parviflorum inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli. All 10 extracts scavenged the hydroxyl radical but with various potencies (32-93%). Ethanolic extracts were the most active in inhibiting COX-1 catalysed prostaglandin biosynthesis. The ethanolic extract of Epilobium parviflorum showed inhibitory effects on both the COX-1 and -2 catalysed prostaglandin biosynthesis, inhibited growth of Escherichia coli and exerted antioxidant activity. Although these results support the traditional use of Epilobium parviflorum for treatment of prostatitis and BPH, further investigation is required, for this promising plant.

Photoprotection by topical application of Achyrocline satureioides ('Marcela').:Phytother Res. 2005 Jun;19(6):486-90.Morquio A, Rivera-Megret F, Dajas F.Department of Neurochemistry, Instituto de Investigaciones Biol¨®gicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay.

It has been demonstrated that the use of topical antioxidants can contribute to controling the free radicals excess produced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the skin, being beneficial for processes such as photo aging and eventually cancer. Some plant extracts, particularly because of their polyphenolic constituents, can be beneficial for skin photo damage. Plant extracts of Achyrocline satureioides (AS) and Epilobium parviflorum (EP), potent antioxidant medicinal plants, were mixed with a cosmetic base and applied to the back skin of rabbits. Afterwards the skin was exposed to 1 h of UV irradiation from a known source. The production of the hydroxyl (OH.) radical was assessed in the skin after UV by measuring 2,3-dyhydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA), produced by the hydroxylation of sodium salicylate, previously injected intracutaneously (i.c.) in the irradiated areas.The UV provoked a marked increase in 2,3-DHBA that was significantly decreased by the AS cosmetic preparation. The EP extract did not show any effect on 2,3-DHBA production. It is concluded that the cosmetic preparation containing the AS extract is able to scavenge OH. production likely to be due to the presence of high concentrations of flavonoid aglycones such as quercetin, luteolin and 3-O-methylquercetin.

Elevated carbon dioxide increases nectar production in Epilobium angustifolium L.:Oecologia. 2005 Dec;146(2):311-7. Epub 2005 Oct 28.Erhardt A, Rusterholz HP, St?cklin J.Department of Integrative Biology, Section of Conservation Biology, University of Basel, St Johanns-Vorstadt 10, CH 4056, Basel, Switzerland.

Effects of elevated CO2 and nutrient availability on nectar production and onset of flowering in five different seed families (genotypes) of Epilobium angustifolium were investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Elevated CO2 significantly increased nectar production per day (+51%, p < 0.01), total sugar per flower (+41%, p < 0.05), amino acid concentration (+65%, p < 0.05) and total amino acids per flower (+192%, p < 0.001). All other parameters tested, i.e., nectar sugar concentration, proportion of glucose/fructose and proportion of sucrose/(glucose + fructose), were not significantly affected by elevated CO2 and/or fertilization. However, elevated CO2 caused a marginally significant trend for earlier flowering in highly fertilized plants. No significant family x CO2 interaction was found in any of the tested parameters, but the response in nectar production varied considerably among seed families (+10 to +104%) and was significantly positive in two of the five seed families investigated. Our results are not consistent with earlier studies on effects of elevated CO2 on nectar production and flowering phenology in other plant species. It seems, on the other hand, that CO2 effects on nectar production are specific to species and genotype. Hence, no general conclusions about effects of elevated CO2 on these floral traits can be drawn at present, but it must be cautioned that elevated CO2 might not only increase floral rewards as in E. angustifolium, but might also lead to shifts or even disruptions in fine-tuned plant-pollinator interactions.

Seed weight increases with altitude in the Swiss Alps between related species but not among populations of individual species.:Oecologia. 2005 Jun;144(1):55-61. Epub 2005 May 11.Pluess AR, Sch¨¹tz W, St?cklin J.Botanical Institute, University of Basel, Schoenbeinstrasse 6, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. Andrea.Pluess@unibas.ch

Seed weight is a crucial plant life history trait, determining establishment success and dispersal ability. Especially in stressful environments, larger seeds may be selected at the expense of seed number, because larger seeds have a better chance of giving rise to an established offspring. We tested the hypotheses that between related species-pairs and among populations of single species a similar trend for increasing seed weight with increasing altitude should be present. Firstly, we measured seed weights from 29 species-pairs, with one species occurring in lowland areas and a congeneric species from high altitudes. Seeds of the alpine species were 28+/-8% larger than seeds from lowland species (P < 0.01). Compared to the related lowland species, 55% of the alpine species had heavier seeds, 3% (one species) had lighter, and 41% had seeds of approximately equal weight. Secondly, we compared seed weights among populations of four species from different habitats and with different life histories. Seeds from between 11 and 34 populations per species were sampled along altitudinal gradients of 800-1,500 m (ca. 800 m in Scabiosa lucida, ca. 1,000 m in Saxifraga oppositifolia, ca. 1,000 m in Epilobium fleischeri, and ca. 1,500 m in Carex flacca). In all the four species, we found no indication for heavier seeds at higher altitudes. Our results indicate a selection pressure for species with heavier seeds at higher altitude, but the trend does not seem to operate across all cases. Phylogenetic constraints may limit the correlation among altitude and seed weight, operating particularly against selection for larger seed size, the closer populations and species are related to each other.

An ecophysiological study of plants growing on the fly ash deposits from the "Nikola Tesla-A" thermal power station in Serbia.:Environ Manage. 2004 May;33(5):654-63.Pavlovi? P, Mitrovi? M, Djurdjevi? L.Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research, Sinis a Stankovi?, 29 Novembra 142, Belgrade 11060 Serbia and Montenegro. ppavle@ibiss.bg.ac.yu

This ecophysiological research on the ash deposits from the "Nikola Tesla-A" thermal power station in Serbia covered 10 plant species (Tamarix gallica, Populus alba, Spiraea van-hauttei, Ambrosia artemisifolia, Amorpha fruticosa, Eupatorium cannabinum, Crepis setosa, Epilobium collinum, Verbascum phlomoides, and Cirsium arvense). This paper presents the results of a water regime analysis, photosynthetic efficiency and trace elements (B, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Cd) content in vegetative plant parts. Water regime parameters indicate an overall stability in plant-water relations. During the period of summer drought, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) was low, ranging from 0.429 to 0.620 for all the species that were analyzed. An analysis of the tissue trace elements content showed a lower trace metal concentration in the plants than in the ash, indicating that heavy metals undergo major concentration during the combustion process and some are not readily taken up by plants. The Zn and Pb concentrations in all of the examined species were normal whereas Cu and Mn concentrations were in the deficiency range. Boron concentrations in plant tissues were high, with some species even showing levels of more than 100 microg/g (Populus sp., Ambrosia sp., Amorpha sp., and Cirsium sp.). The presence of Cd was not detected. In general, it can be concluded from the results of this research that biological recultivation should take into account the existing ecological, vegetation, and floristic potential of an immediate environment that is abundant in life forms and ecological types of plant species that can overgrow the ash deposit relatively quickly. Selected species should be adapted to toxic B concentrations with moderate demands in terms of mineral elements (Cu and Mn).

Cytoprotection by Achyrocline satureioides (Lam) D.C. and some of its main flavonoids against oxidative stress.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Mar;91(1):13-20.Arredondo MF, Blasina F, Echeverry C, Morquio A, Ferreira M, Abin-Carriquiry JA, Lafon L, Dajas F.Department of Neurochemistry, Instituto de Investigaciones Biol¨®gicas, Clemente Estable, Avda Italia 3318, CP 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay.

Epidemiological studies indicate that dietary antioxidants can influence the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. Among them flavonoids have been proposed to be effective cytoprotectors. Consequently, herbs with a high concentration of these compounds such as Achyrocline satureioides, Ginkgo biloba and Epilobium parviflorum are of special interest. In this context a comparative study of the cytoprotective capacity of infusions from the three plants against an oxidative insult was performed. Hence, the cytoprotective activity of each infusion against H2O2 injury to PC12 cells was tested and the antioxidant capacity was assessed by the ABTS*+ radical bleaching assay. Free and glycosylated flavonoids contained in the infusions were identified by HPLC and the cytoprotective effect of some of these individual flavonoids was tested. The analysis of the flavonoid content of the infusions revealed different profiles. Epilobium parviflorum infusion showed the highest antioxidant capacity but only Achyrocline satureioides infusion proved to be cytoprotective. Moreover, the free flavonoids quercetin and luteolin contained in this infusion were also cytoprotective. In conclusion, the free radical scavenger capacity did not correlate with the cytoprotective profile of the infusions. The special mixture of unglycosylated Achyrocline satureioides flavonoids could be a clue to explain the unique effect of this plant.

Quantifying nitrate retention processes in a riparian buffer zone using the natural abundance of 15N in NO3-.:Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2003;17(23):2597-604.Dhondt K, Boeckx P, Van Cleemput O, Hofman G.Laboratory of Applied Physical Chemistry--ISOFYS, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium. Karel.Dhondt@rug.ac.be

Quantifying the relative importance of denitrification and plant uptake to groundwater nitrate retention in riparian zones may lead to methods optimising the construction of riparian zones for water pollution control. The natural abundance of 15N in NO3- has been shown to be an interesting tool for providing insights into the NO3- retention processes occurring in riparian zones. In this study, 15N isotope fractionation (variation in delta15N of the residual NO3-) due to denitrification and due to plant uptake was measured in anaerobic soil slurries at different temperatures (5, 10 and 15 degrees C) and in hydroponic systems with different plant species (Lolium perenne L., Urtica dioica L. and Epilobium hirsutum L.). It was found that temperature had no significant effect on isotope fractionation during denitrification, which resulted in a 15N enrichment factor epsilonD of -22.5 +/- 0.6 per thousand. On the other hand, nitrate uptake by plants resulted in 15N isotope fractionation, but was independent of plant species, leading to a 15N enrichment factor epsilonP of -4.4 +/- 0.3 per thousand. By relating these two laboratory-defined enrichment factors to a field enrichment factor for groundwater nitrate retention during the growing season (epsilonR = -15.5 +/- 1.0 per thousand ), the contribution of denitrification and plant uptake to groundwater nitrate retention could be calculated. The relative importance of denitrification and plant uptake to groundwater nitrate retention in the riparian buffer zone was 49 and 51% during spring, 53 and 47% during summer, and 75 and 25% during autumn. During wintertime, high micropore dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and low redox potentials due to decomposition of the highly productive riparian vegetation probably resulted in a higher denitrification rate and favoured other nitrate retention processes such as nitrate immobilisation or dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). This could have biased the 15N isotope fractionation and led to a low 15N enrichment factor for groundwater nitrate retention during wintertime (-6.2 +/- 0.9 per thousand ). In contradiction to what many other studies suggest, it is possible that due to plant decomposition during the winter period other nitrate transformation processes compete with denitrification.

Lentinellus herbarum, a rediscovered unclamped species.:Mycol Res. 2003 Jun;107(Pt 6):757-62.Moreau PA, Garcia G, Roux P.Geobotanisches Institut E. T. H., Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008 Z¨¹rich, Switzerland. moreau@geobot.umnw.ethz.ch

The fungus first described as Lentinus flabelliformis var. herbarum has been found fruiting on dead Epilobium angustifolium stalks at La Chaise-Dieu (France), the first record since its original diagnosis. The basidiospore characters, trama and hymenium structure indicate the species belongs Lentinellus sect. Omphalodei (Hericiales), but the absence of clamps is a remarkable character, new for this genus. The new combination L. herbarum comb. nov. (syn. Lentinus flabelliformis var. herbarum) is made and a neotype designated. A key to the eight European taxa of sect. Omphalodei is included.

Characterization of the effect of Epilobium extracts on human cell proliferation.:Pharmacology. 2003 Oct;69(2):79-87.Vitalone A, McColl J, Thome D, Costa LG, Tita B.Department of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, IT-00185 Rome, Italy. annabella.vitalone@uniroma1.it

We have previously shown that extracts of different Epilobium species, a phytotherapeutic agent used in folk medicine as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, inhibit proliferation of human prostate cells. The selectivity of this effect was evaluated in four different human cell lines (PZ-HPV-7, normal prostate cells; LNCaP, transformed prostate cells; HMEC, mammary cells, and 1321N1, astrocytoma cells). Different extracts of Epilobium species (E. rosmarinifolium, E. spicatum, and E. tetragonum) had similar growth-inhibitory effects in all cell lines tested, indicating a lack of specificity for prostate cells. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was mostly due to the nonpolar fraction of the extracts which is expected to contain flavonoids and sterols. Polar fractions were devoid of activity with the exception of that from E. rosmarinifolium. This species is the most potent in the antiproliferative effect and contains the highest concentration of oenothein B, a hydrolyzable ellagitannin. Oenothein B inhibited DNA synthesis in all four cell lines tested. Extracts of E. angustifolium (the Linn¨¦ denomination of E. spicatum) and of E. spicatum from different sources were compared for their ability to inhibit DNA synthesis and for their oenothein B content. The E. angustifolium extract contained an amount of oenothein B 40-fold higher than the other extract of the same species and was ten times more potent in inhibiting DNA synthesis in a human prostate cell line. These results indicate that Epilobium extracts inhibit proliferation of prostate cells in a nonspecific manner. Oenothein B may play a role in this effect, but other active compounds are also present. The difference observed between extracts from the same species underscores the importance of determination and standardization of active ingredients in phytotherapeutic agents.

Extracts of various species of Epilobium inhibit proliferation of human prostate cells.:J Pharm Pharmacol. 2003 May;55(5):683-90.Vitalone A, Guizzetti M, Costa LG, Tita B.Dept. of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University of Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. annabella.vitalone@uniroma1.it

This study examined whether various species of Epilobium, a phytotherapeutic agent used in folk medicine as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, may have an antiproliferative effect in PZ-HPV-7 human prostatic epithelial cells in-vitro. The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) test, [methyl-(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and flow cytometry analysis were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Ethanolic extracts of E. spicatum, E. rosmarinifolium and E. tetragonum inhibited DNA synthesis in PZ-HPV-7 cells. While at high concentrations all extracts were cytotoxic, DNA synthesis was also decreased at levels that caused no or little cytotoxicity. Treatment of cells with Epilobium extracts did not result in a formation of DNA fragments (evaluated by the TUNEL assay) or chromatin condensation (assessed by Hoechst staining). Flow cytometry analysis indicated that Epilobium extracts inhibit the progression of the cell cycle from the G(0)/G(1) phase. These results suggest that extracts of Epilobium inhibit proliferation of human PZ-HPV-7 cells in-vitro by affecting progression of the cell cycle. This study provides some initial biological plausibility for the use of Epilobium extracts in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Atrazine resistance entails a limited xanthophyll cycle activity, a lower PSII efficiency and an altered pattern of excess excitation dissipation.:Physiol Plant. 2003 May;118(1):47-56.V¨¢radi G, Poly¨¢nka H, Dark¨® E, Lehoczki E.Department of Botany, University of Szeged, Szeged, Egyetem u. 2., H-6722, Hungary Research Institute for Viticulture and Enology, Kecskem¨¦t, Urihegy 5/a, H-6000, Hungary Permanent address: Agricultural Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Martonv¨¢s¨¢r, Hungary.

Atrazine-resistant (AR) weeds have a modified D1 protein structure, with a Ser264-->Gly mutation on the D1 protein, near the plastoquinone binding niche. The photosynthetic performance, the light response of the xanthophyll cycle and chlorophyll fluorescence quenching-related parameters were compared in attached leaves of susceptible (S) and AR biotypes of the C3 dicot Chenopodium album L., Epilobium adenocaulon Hausskn., Erigeron canadensis L., Senecio vulgaris L. and Solanum nigrum L. and the C4 dicot Amaranthus retroflexus L. grown under natural high-light conditions. No significant difference in CO2 assimilation rate per leaf area unit was found between the S and AR biotypes of the investigated C3 plants, whereas the AR biotype of A. retroflexus exhibited a relatively poor photosynthetic performance. The D1 protein mutant plants expressed a reduced activity of light-stimulated zeaxanthin formation. Neither the lower violaxanthin de-epoxidase activity nor the depletion of ascorbate seems to be the cause of the lower in vivo zeaxanthin formation in the AR plants. All the D1 mutant weeds had limited light-induced non-photochemical (NPQ) and photochemical (qP) quenching capacities, and displayed a higher photosensitivity, as characterized by the ratio (1-qP)/NPQ and a higher susceptibility to photoinhibition. Analysis of the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters showed that a lower proportion of excitation energy was allocated to PSII photochemistry, while a higher excess of excitation remained in the AR weeds relative to the S plants.

The effect of protandry on siring success in Chamerion angustifolium (Onagraceae) with different inflorescence sizes.:Evolution Int J Org Evolution. 2003 Feb;57(2):240-8.Routley MB, Husband BC.Department of Botany, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada. mroutley@uoguelph.ca

Protandry, a form of temporal separation of gender within hermaphroditic flowers, may reduce the magnitude of pollen lost to selfing (pollen discounting) and also serve to enhance pollen export and outcross siring success. Because pollen discounting is strongest when selfing occurs between flowers on the same plant, the advantage of protandry may be greatest in plants with large floral displays. We tested this hypothesis with enclosed, artificial populations of Chamerion angustifolium (Onagraceae) by experimentally manipulating protandry (producing uniformly adichogamous or mixed protandrous and adichogamous populations) and inflorescence size (two-, six-, or 10-flowered inflorescences) and measuring pollinator visitation, seed set, female outcrossing rate, and outcross siring success. Bees spent more time foraging on and visited more flowers of larger inflorescences than small. Female outcrossing rates did not vary among inflorescence size treatments. However, seed set per fruit decreased with increasing inflorescence size, likely as a result of increased abortion of selfed embryos, perhaps obscuring the magnitude of geitonogamous selfing. Protandrous plants had a marginally higher female outcrossing rate than adichogamous plants, but similar seed set. More importantly, protandrous plants had, on average, a twofold siring advantage relative to adichogamous plants. However, this siring advantage did not increase linearly with inflorescence size, suggesting that protandry acts to enhance siring success, but not exclusively by reducing between-flower interference.

Anti-proliferative effect on a prostatic epithelial cell line (PZ-HPV-7) by Epilobium angustifolium L:Farmaco. 2001 May-Jul;56(5-7):483-9.Vitalone A, Bordi F, Baldazzi C, Mazzanti G, Saso L, Tita B.Department of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in elderly men and has a significant impact on their daily lives. The drugs prescribed for treatment include alpha1-blockers, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and plant preparations. Epilobium angustifolium L. is deemed to be helpful in BPH therapy, although there is less information regarding the mechanism of its biological activity. The present study evaluated the effect of E. angustifolium extract on human prostatic epithelial cells (PZ-HPV-7). The exposure to E. angustifolium extract induced a marked inhibition of cell growth in all tested conditions. The anti-proliferative effect observed in in vitro systems clearly indicates a biologically relevant effect of compounds present in the extract. Considering these results, the use in traditional medicine of E. angustifolium extract against BPH seems to be justified. However, further experimental studies are needed to determine the biochemical mechanism of the action and the clinical value of the E. angustifolium extract.

Antimicrobial activity of Epilobium spp. extracts.:Farmaco. 2001 May-Jul;56(5-7):345-8.Battinelli L, Tita B, Evandri MG, Mazzanti G.Department of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

The antimicrobial activity of the Epilobium angustifolium, E. hirsutum, E. palustre, E. tetragonum and E. rosmarinifolium ethanolic extracts was studied in vitro on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and fungi. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was also evaluated using the Artemia salina test. All the extracts showed antimicrobial activity in a range of concentrations between 10 and 650 microgml of dry extract. E. angustifolium and E. rosmarinifolium had the most broad spectrum of action inhibiting bacteria, yeasts and fungi. The extracts were devoid of toxicity on Artemia salina within the range of antimicrobial concentrations, suggesting that the action is selective on microorganisms.

Analgesic properties of Epilobium angustifolium, evaluated by the hot plate test and the writhing test.:Farmaco. 2001 May-Jul;56(5-7):341-3.Tita B, Abdel-Haq H, Vitalone A, Mazzanti G, Saso L.Department of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.

The analgesic properties of Epilobium angustifolium (Ea), a plant containing flavonoids with anti-inflammatory activity, have not been sufficiently studied so far. Thus, we decided to evaluate, by the classical hot plate test and the writhing test, the analgesic effect of a dry extract of Ea obtained by evaporating a commercially available mother tincture. In the former assay, the effect of Ea (380 mg/kg) was slightly lower than that of morphine (10 mg/kg s.c.). In the writhing test, which is more sensitive for non-steroidal analgesics, the effect of Ea was already significant (P < 0.05) at 95 mg/kg while at doses > or = 190 mg/kg, its activity was similar to that of lysine acetylsalicylate (300 mg/kg). The LD50 of this dry extract of Ea was 1.4+/-0.1 g/kg. Further studies are necessary for the identification of the active principles and the elucidation of their mechanism of action.

Drought stress, plant water status, and floral trait expression in fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium (Onagraceae).:Am J Bot. 2001 Mar;88(3):438-446. Carroll AB, Pallardy SG, Galen C.Division of Biological Sciences, 105 Tucker Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211 USA. Department of Forestry, 203 ABNR Bldg, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211 USA.

In a controlled environment, we artificially induced drought during flowering of Epilobium angustifolium, an animal-pollinated plant. Leaf water potential (psi(l)) and floral traits were monitored over a 12-d period of soil moisture depletion. Soil moisture depletion induced drought stress over time, as revealed by significant treatment x day interactions for predawn and midday psi(l). Nectar volume and flower size showed significant negative responses to drought stress, but nectar sugar concentration did not vary between treatments. Floral traits were more buffered from drought than leaf water potentials. We used path analysis to examine direct and indirect effects of psi(l) on floral traits for plants in well-watered (control) vs. drought treatments. According to the best-fit path models, midday psi(l) has significant positive effects on flower size and nectar volume in both environments. However, for controls midday psi(l) also had a significant negative effect on nectar sugar concentration. Results indicate that traits influencing floral attractiveness to pollinators in E. angustifolium vary with plant water status, such that pollinator-mediated selection could indirectly target physiological or biochemical controls on psi(l). Moreover, under mesic conditions selection for greater nectar sugar reward may be constrained by the antagonistic effects of plant water status on nectar volume and sugar concentration.

Bioindication of heavy metals with aquatic macrophytes: the case of a stream polluted with power plant sewages in Poland.:J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2001 Jan 12;62(1):57-67.Samecka-Cymerman A, Kempers AJ.Department of Ecology and Nature Protection, Wroclaw University, Poland.

The Kozi Brod (left tributary of the Biala Przemsza, east of Katowice) flows in a highly industrial coal-mining area dominated by the power plant of Siersza. Concentrations of the microelements nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), barium (Ba), aluminum (Al), vanadium (V), and strontium (Sr), as well as the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and sulfur (S), were measured in water and plants of the Kozi Brod. The collected plants were: Myosotis palustris L. Nathorst, Galium palustre L., Mentha rotundifolia L. Huds., Mentha aquatica L., Berula erecta (Huds.) Coville, Cardamine amara L., Epilobium angustifolium L., Geranium palustre L., Lysimachia vulgaris L., Crepis paludosa L. Much., Calitriche verna L., Solanum dulcamara L., and the aquatic moss Hygrohypnum ochraceum (Turn.) Loesk. These plants were used to evaluate the spatial distribution of elements in the Kozi Brod and contained elevated levels of Co, Cd, Zn, Ni, Mn, Al, Pb, and Cu. Significant correlations between concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Mn in water and plants indicate the potential of these species for pollution monitoring.

Unfertilized ovules of Epilobium obcordatum (Onagraceae) continue to grow in developing fruits.:Am J Bot. 2000 Dec;87(12):1765-1768.Seavey SR, Mangels SK, Chappel NJ.Department of Biology, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon 97219 USA.

To determine whether unfertilized ovules continue to grow when in an ovary containing fertilized ovules, we measured ovule lengths in developing fruits of Epilobium obcordatum that were harvested 4, 5, 8, and 10 d post pollination. We found that unfertilized ovules that were in the presence of fertilized ovules continued to grow and that there was a broad range of overlap in their sizes at all sampling times. This effect was found for two types of unfertilized ovules that occur throughout the length of the ovary: normal, unfertilized ovules, apparently bypassed by pollen tubes; and sterile ovules lacking an embryo sac. In addition, there is a position effect within developing fruits. Both fertilized and unfertilized ovules are larger at the stylar end. In six samples resulting from pollination with a single pollen tetrad, a total of 18 embryos were found, and the effect on unfertilized ovules, greatest at the stylar end, diminished with distance from the ovules with embryos. Our results are consistent with the interpretation that diffusible hormones produced by developing seeds cause nearby unfertilized ovules to grow. We conclude that caution is necessary when attempting to infer ovule fertilization histories from the appearances of ovules in developing and mature fruits. What are often inferred to be aborted seeds, in many cases, may not be seeds at all. They may be enlarged, unfertilized ovules.

Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase by the ellagitannins oenothein A and oenothein B from Epilobium species.:Planta Med. 1997 Apr;63(2):111-4. Ducrey B, Marston A, G?hring S, Hartmann RW, Hostettmann K.Institut de Pharmacognosie et Phytochimie, Universit¨¦ de Lausanne, Switzerland.

Species of the genus Epilobium (Onagraceae) have been investigated for their activity against 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase, two enzymes which are involved in the aetiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Activity-guided fractionation has led to the identification of two macrocyclic ellagitannins, oenothein A (1) and oenothein B (2), as the main constituents responsible for the inhibition of the two enzymes. Quantitation of oenothein B in 10 different species of Epilobium has shown that amounts of up to 14% in the crude plant extracts are possible.

Studies of Epilobium angustifolium extracts on growth of accessory sexual organs in rats.:J Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Feb;55(3):179-83.Hiermann A, Bucar F.Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Graz, Austria.

Hexane and water extracts, as well as an ultrafiltration fraction (MW < 1000 Da) obtained from the water extract from Epilobium angustifolium L. (Onagraceae) were administered perorally (p.o.) on intact male rats as well as on testosterone stimulated castrated rats and changes in growth of prostate, musculus laevator ani and seminal vesicles were determined. In intact rats the water extract decreased the weight of seminal vesicles whereas in castrated rats an increased weight of all accessory sexual organs was observed. In intact rats the ultrafiltration fraction (MW < 1000 Da) exhibited the same but smaller effect than the water extract, in testosterone stimulated castrated rats it showed no effect in comparison with the control group. The hexane extract exhibited no significant effects, both in intact and testosterone stimulated castrated rats. For characterization the hexane extract was analyzed for the first time for its fatty acid composition by GC-MS.

Determination of oenothein B as the active 5-alpha-reductase-inhibiting principle of the folk medicine Epilobium parviflorum.:J Nat Prod. 1996 May;59(5):490-2.Lesuisse D, Berjonneau J, Ciot C, Devaux P, Doucet B, Gourvest JF, Khemis B, Lang C, Legrand R, Lowinski M, Maquin P, Parent A, Schoot B, Teutsch G.Centre de Recherche ROUSSEL UCLAF, Roumainville, France.

Several extracts from Epilobium parviflorum, a plant used in Central Europe for the treatment of prostate disorders, were evaluated in a biochemical assay with 5-alpha-reductase. The aqueous extract displaying inhibition of the enzyme was analyzed, the fraction responsible for this activity was purified, and the active compound identified as a macrocyclic tannin, oenothein B (1).

Bumblebee preference for symmetrical flowers.:Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995 Mar 14;92(6):2288-92.M?ller AP.Department of Population Biology, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Fluctuating asymmetry, which represents small random deviations from otherwise bilateral symmetry, is a measure of the phenotypic quality of individuals indicating the ability of controlled development under given environmental and genetic conditions. I tested whether floral symmetry reliably reflects phenotypic quality measured in terms of pollinator rewards and whether pollinators respond to floral symmetry in a series of observations and experiments on Epilobium angustifolium (Onagraceae). Lower petal asymmetry was negatively related to mean lower petal length, whereas asymmetry in leaf width was positively related to mean leaf width. Flowers visited by bumblebees were larger and more symmetrical than the nearest neighboring flower. This relationship between pollinator preference for large and symmetrical flowers was demonstrated to be causal in experiments in which the lower petals were manipulated symmetrically or asymmetrically. Nectar production was larger in symmetrical flowers, and this may explain the bumblebee preference for flower symmetry. Floral symmetry therefore reliably reflects nectar production and hence enhances pollen transport. Extensive embryo abortion has been documented in E. angustifolium and other outcrossing plant species. Floral fluctuating asymmetry, which reflects general developmental homeostasis, may explain such developmental selection in these plants.

Polyphenols from Bulgarian medicinal plants with anti-infectious activity.:Basic Life Sci. 1992;59:717-28.Ivancheva S, Manolova N, Serkedjieva J, Dimov V, Ivanovska N.Botanical Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia.

Three Bulgarian medicinal plants--Geranium macrorrhizum L. and G. sanguineum L. (Geraniaceae), and Epilobium hirsutum L. (Onagraceae) were analyzed phytochemically. Different polyphenols like flavonoids and tannis have been found to be principal constituents of the plants. A series of water or alcohol extracts was obtained, and their anti-infectious activity was tested. A significant inhibitory effect of water-alcohol extract and of four fractions from the polyphenolic mixture of E. hirsutum on the reproduction of influenza viruses in vitro, in ovo, and in vivo was established. Four extracts from G. macrorrhizum and three extracts from G. sanguineum were studied for in vitro inhibition of the growth of some Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), and fungus (Candida albicans). Some geranium extracts caused a strong increase of the survival rate in an infection with K. pneumoniae in mice. Augmentation of the nonspecific host resistance in relation to the influence of the extracts on the classical complement activation pathway was also studied.

Isolation of the antiphlogistic principle from Epilobium angustifolium:Planta Med. 1991 Aug;57(4):357-60. German.Hiermann A, Reidlinger M, Juan H, Sametz W.Institut f¨¹r Pharmakognosie, Universit?t Graz, Austria.

From the leaves of Epilobium angustifolium L. (Onagraceae) an antiphlogistic principle was isolated and identified as myricetin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronide. This novel flavonoid exhibited a very strong anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced edema in the rat hind paw (more than ten times more effective than indomethacin) and an inhibitory effect on prostaglandin biosynthesis (as effective as indomethacin).

Exposure of two upland plant species to acidic fogs.:Environ Pollut. 1991;74(3):217-25.Ashenden TW, Rafarel CR, Bell SA.Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Bangor Research Unit, University College of North Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UP, UK.

A system is described for exposing large numbers of plants to acidic fogs. The system allows low volumes of treatment solutions to be provided at particle sizes chiefly in the 5-30 microm range (equivalent to fog/cloud droplets). Plants of Poa alpina L. and Epilobium brunnescens were propagated from material collected in Snowdonia, North Wales and exposed to fog treatments at pH values of 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.6. There were 3 x 4 h exposures per week which provided a total of 6 mm deposition. Supplementary watering was with pH 4.5 simulated acid rain (24 mm per week). After 21 weeks, there was increased lowering and a greater dry weight for plants of E. brunnescens exposed to the pH 2.5 fog in comparison with other treatments. Also, the plants used assimilated material to form shoots rather than roots. A similar increase in dry weight accumulation in the pH 2.5 treatment was found in P. alpina after 63 weeks but this was not associated with changes in assimilate partitioning.

Inhibitory action of extracts of Maclura aurantiaca and Epilobium hirsutum on tumour models in mice.:Acta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg. 1991;17(4):50-2.Voynova E, Dimitrova S, Naydenova E, Karadjov P.National Centre of Oncology, Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Primary screening of alcohol extracts of fruits of Maclura aurantiaca (Moraceae) and the overground part of Epilobium hirsutum (Onagraceae) was conducted in order to test the anti-tumour action on models in mice. Applied in doses of 100 mg/kg and 90 mg/kg, Maclura extract increased the life span of the mice by 158 and 152% accordingly in leucosis P-388 and ascitic tumour of Ehrich. In doses of 1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg the Epilobium extract prolonged the life span of the mice by 156 and 158% accordingly in leucosis P-388 and ascitic tumour of Ehrlich.

Influence of Epilobium extracts on prostaglandin biosynthesis and carrageenin induced oedema of the rat paw.:J Ethnopharmacol. 1986 Aug;17(2):161-9.Hiermann A, Juan H, Sametz W.

Epilobium species have been used as remedies in folk-medicine for the treatment of pathophysiological processes of the prostata. In this paper the influence of extracts of Herba Epilobii angustifolii L. and Herba Epilobii parviflori Schreb. on prostaglandin biosynthesis and the carrageenin rat paw oedema is described. Aqueous extracts of Herba E. angustifolii reduced the release of prostaglandins I2, E2 and D2 (in the perfused rabbit ear) approximately 5 times more effectively than did similar extracts of Herba E. parviflori. Methanolic extracts were inactive. The aqueous extract of E. angustifolium strongly reduced the carrageenin-induced rat paw oedema whereas that of E. parviflorum was inactive. The chemical nature of the active compound(s) is as yet unknown but flavonoids and sitosterol derivatives can be excluded.

Quantitative genetically nonequivalent reciprocal crosses in cultivated plants.:Basic Life Sci. 1976 Mar 1-7;8:269-80.Aksel R.

Quantitative expressions of character difference between reciprocal crosses have been studied by different researchers in a number of plant species, such as Epilobium, Zea mays, Oryza sativa, Hordeum sativum, Triticum aestivum, Trifolium hybridum, Linum usitatissimum, Nicotiana rustica, and others. In all cases it was found that the nonequivalence of reciprocal crosses manifested itself beginning with the F1 generation, with the exception of some flax crosses in which reciprocals differed beginning with the F2 generation. The nonequivalence of reciprocal crosses usually manifested itself in the inequality of their F1 and/or F2 or backcross means; however, there were instances in which their means were the same but the variances were different. Both matroclinous and patroclinous inheritances were reported in plants. Because of the casual complexity of reciprocal differences the experimental results often lack a simple explanation.

Induction of neutral endopeptidase activity in PC-3 cells by an aqueous extract of Epilobium angustifolium L. and oenothein B..:Phytomedicine. 2006 Mar;13(4):284-9. Epub 2005 Jun 27.Kiss A, Kowalski J, Melzig MF.Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. kissanka@wp.pl

An aqueous extract of Epilobium angustifolium and its main compound oenothein B (OeB), a dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin, are specifically able to induce the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in prostate cancer cells. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is not influenced. Additionally, a weak but statistically significant inhibition of cell proliferation is observed. Simultaneous treatment of the cells with arabinosylcytosine and the extract as well as the OeB, leads to an additional enhancement of NEP activity. Taking into account the role of this peptidase in prostate cancer progression, our results might offer a pharmacological explanation for the use of Epilobium in folk medicine.

Antibacterial activity of hydrolyzable tannins derived from medicinal plants against Helicobacter pylori..:Microbiol Immunol. 2004;48(4):251-61.Funatogawa K, Hayashi S, Shimomura H, Yoshida T, Hatano T, Ito H, Hirai Y.Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical School.

Helicobacter pylori is a major etiological agent in gastroduodenal disorders. In this study, we isolated 36 polyphenols and 4 terpenoids from medicinal plants, and investigated their antibacterial activity against H. pylori in vitro. All hydrolyzable tannins tested demonstrated promising antibacterial activity against H. pylori. Monomeric hydrolyzable tannins revealed especially strong activity. Other compounds demonstrated minimal antibacterial activity with a few exceptions. A monomeric hydrolyzable tannin, Tellimagrandin I demonstrated time- and dose-dependent bactericidal activity against H. pylori in vitro. On the other hand, hydrolyzable tannins did not affect the viability of MKN-28 cells derived from human gastric epithelium. Hydrolyzable tannins, therefore, have potential as new and safe therapeutic regimens against H. pylori infection. Furthermore, we investigated effects of hydrolyzable tannins on lipid bilayer membranes. All the hydrolyzable tannins tested demonstrated dose-dependent membrane-damaging activity. However, it remains to be elucidated whether their membrane-damaging activity directly contributes to their antibacterial action.

Size exclusion chromatographic analysis of polyphenol-serum albumin complexes.:Phytochemistry. 2003 Aug;63(7):817-23.

Formation of water-soluble polyphenol-protein complexes was investigated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The combination of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), which did not form a precipitate after the solutions were mixed, showed an SEC peak due to complex formation 2-24 h after mixing. Peak size of the complex varied with time, suggesting slow change of the conformation of the protein accompanied by complexation. Formation of the complex was substantiated by ultrafiltration of the mixture; the complex did not pass through a membrane with a 100,000 nominal molecular weight limit (NMWL). The SEC profile varied with the combination of compounds. The peaks due to the complexes showed that the apparent value of the number average molecular weight (M(n)) of the EGCG-BSA complex was 2.8x10(5), while that of a pentagalloylglucose (PGG)-BSA complex was 9.5x10(5) under the conditions used. Dimeric hydrolyzable tannins, oenothein B and cornusiin A, also caused changes in the SEC profile of BSA, although the combinations did not show peaks attributable to formation of such large complexes observed for EGCG and PGG. Procyanidin B3 and (+)-catechin did not cause changes in the SEC profile of BSA. With cytochrome c, EGCG did not show any chromatographic changes.

Polyphenols from Eucalyptus consideniana and Eucalyptus viminalis.:Fitoterapia. 2001 Jan;72(1):95-7.Santos SC, Waterman PG.Instituto de Qu¨ªmica, Universidade Federal de Goi¨¢s, Campus Samambaia, Caixa Postal 131, CEP 74001-970, Goiania, Goi¨¢s, Brazil. suzana@quimica.ufg.br

From the leaves of Eucalyptus consideniana and E. viminalis, known hydrolysable tannins, galloyl esters and ellagitannins, were isolated. Flavonol glycosides were also isolated from the leaves of E. consideniana. The spectral data of the dimeric ellagitannin, oenothein B (1), are reported.

EBV DNA polymerase inhibition of tannins from Eugenia uniflora.:Cancer Lett. 2000 Jun 30;154(2):131-6.Lee MH, Chiou JF, Yen KY, Yang LL.Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy Science, Taipei Medical College, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, Taiwan.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the high population malignant tumors among Chinese in southern China and southeast Asia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human B lymphotropic herpes virus which is known to be closely associated with NPC. EBV DNA polymerase is a key enzyme during EBV replication and is measured by its radioactivity. The addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to Raji cell cultures led to a large increase in EBV DNA polymerase, which was purified by sequential DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose and DNA-cellulose column chromatography. Four tannins were isolated from the active fractions of Eugenia uniflora L., which were tested for the inhibition of EBV DNA polymerase. The results showed the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of gallocatechin, oenothein B, eugeniflorins D(1) and D(2) were 26.5 62.3, 3.0 and 3.5 microM, respectively. Furthermore, when compared with the positive control (phosphonoacetic acid), an inhibitor of EBV replication, the IC(50) value was 16.4 microM. In view of the results, eugeniflorins D(1) and D(2) are the potency principles in the inhibition of EBV DNA polymerase from E. uniflora.

Cytotoxic activity of hydrolyzable tannins against human oral tumor cell lines--a possible mechanism.:Phytomedicine. 2000 Mar;7(1):39-47.

Hydrolyzable tannins showed higher cytotoxic activity against human oral squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland tumor cell lines than against normal human gingival fibroblasts, whereas gallic acid, a component unit of tannins, showed much weaker selective cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic activity of dimeric compounds was generally higher than that of monomeric compounds. Macrocyclic ellagitannin oligomers, such as oenothein B, woodfordin C and woodfordin D showed the greatest cytotoxic activity, and their activity (per given number of molecules) was one order higher than those of gallic acid and epigallocatechin gallate, a major component of green tea. These compounds induced apoptotic cell death characterized by DNA fragmentation (as demonstrated by the TUNEL method) and cleavage of cytokeratin 18 by activated caspase(s) (as demonstrated by M30 monoclonal antibody). ESR spectroscopy revealed that these macrocyclic compounds at higher concentrations produced their own radicals and significantly enhanced the radical intensity of sodium ascorbate, possibly by their prooxidant actions. Catalase failed to eliminate their apoptosis-inducing activity, reducing the possibility of the involvement of hydrogen peroxide production in the extracellular fraction. These observations suggested that the antitumor activity of macrocyclic ellagitannin oligomers reported previously might be explained by their apoptosis-inducing activity

Antitumor activity of four macrocyclic ellagitannins from Cuphea hyssopifolia.:Cancer Lett. 1999 Jun 1;140(1-2):195-200. Wang CC, Chen LG, Yang LL.Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taipei Medical College, Taiwan.

We evaluated the antitumor activities of four macrocyclic hydrolyzable tannin dimers, cuphiin D1, cuphiin D2, oenothein B and woodfordin C isolated from Cuphea hyssopifolia (Lythraceae). All significantly inhibited the growth of the human carcinoma cell lines KB, HeLa, DU-145, Hep 3B, and the leukemia cell line HL-60, and showed less cytotoxicity than adriamycin against a normal cell line (WISH). All four compounds inhibited the viability of S-180 tumor cells in an in vitro assay and an in vivo S-180 tumor-bearing ICR mice model. Oenothein B demonstrated the greatest cytotoxicity (IC50 = 11.4 microg/ml) against S-180 tumor cells in culture, while cuphiin D1 resulted in the greatest increase in survival on S-180 tumor-bearing mice (%ILS = 84.1%). Our findings suggest that the antitumor effects of these compounds are not only related to their cytotoxicity on carcinoma cell lines, but also depended on a host-mediated mechanism; they may therefore have potential for antitumor applications.

Production of macrocyclic ellagitannin oligomers by Oenothera laciniata callus cultures.:Phytochemistry. 1998 Jul;48(6):981-5.

Callus cultures of Oenothera laciniata grown on LS agar medium supplemented with IAA and kinetin produced large amounts of the macrocyclic ellagitannin dimer, oenothein B, and a trimer, oenothein A, accompanied with related monomeric hydrolysable tannins. The content of the main compound oenothein B (65 mg/g dry wt) in calli cultured on modified LS medium containing 10 mM NH4+ and 5 mM NO3- was nearly two times higher than that in intact leaves.

Role of (ADP-ribose)n catabolism in DNA repair.:Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997 Jul 18;236(2):265-9.

Poly(ADP-ribose) is a reversible covalent-modifier of chromosomal proteins in eukaryotic cells. The function of poly(ADP-ribose) is not clear, although it has been suggested to be involved in the regulation of DNA transactions such as replication, repair, and transcription. Here we describe a specific competitive inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, a macrocircular ellagitannin oenothein B, and a nuclear system prepared from synchronized HeLa S3 cells at mid-G1 phase that enable us to examine the role of poly(ADP-ribose) catabolism in DNA repair. The results suggest that poly(ADP-ribose) is capable of generating ATP by the concerted action of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase and ADP-ribose pyrophosphorylase and that this ATP enables repair DNA synthesis.

Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase by the ellagitannins oenothein A and oenothein B from Epilobium species.:Planta Med. 1997 Apr;63(2):111-4.Ducrey B, Marston A, G?hring S, Hartmann RW, Hostettmann K.Institut de Pharmacognosie et Phytochimie, Universit¨¦ de Lausanne, Switzerland.

Species of the genus Epilobium (Onagraceae) have been investigated for their activity against 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase, two enzymes which are involved in the aetiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Activity-guided fractionation has led to the identification of two macrocyclic ellagitannins, oenothein A (1) and oenothein B (2), as the main constituents responsible for the inhibition of the two enzymes. Quantitation of oenothein B in 10 different species of Epilobium has shown that amounts of up to 14% in the crude plant extracts are possible.

A macrocircular ellagitannin, oenothein B, suppresses mouse mammary tumor gene expression via inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase.:Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1995 May 16;210(2):329-37.

Oenothein B, a macrocircular dimeric ellagitannin, was found to be a potent and specific inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase. Oenothein B suppressed glucocorticoid-sensitive mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) transcription in 34I cells. This suppression was accompanied by inhibition of glucocorticoid-induced endogeneous de-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of high mobility group (HMG) 14 and 17 proteins. These results suggest that de-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of these proteins may be closely connected with the events initiating glucocorticoid-sensitive MMTV gene transcription.

Antitumor activities of ellagitannins against sarcoma-180 in mice.:Biol Pharm Bull. 1993 Apr;16(4):379-87.

Forty-five ellagitannins and related compounds were intraperitoneally injected into mice once, 4 d before intraperitoneal inoculation of S-180 cells, and their antitumor activities were evaluated. When an antitumor-active tannin was defined as one producing a 70% increase or more in the mean life span of mice or one regressor out of six mice, twenty-one ellagitannins were active. Among monomeric ellagitannins, tellimagrandin II was most active. Most of the oligomeric ellagitannins, consisting of tellimagrandins I and II as the monomer unit, had a significant antitumor activity. Macrocyclic ellagitannins were all active. Oenothein B, among them, had the most potent antitumor activity. In contrast, ellagitannins containing a casuarictin or potentillin moiety in their molecules, except for extensively oligomerized ones, showed very low or negligible activity. These results suggest that tannins need the ellagitannin monomer units, having galloyl groups at the O-2 and O-3 positions on the glucose core(s), such as tellimagrandins, in order to exhibit a strong antitumor activity.

Antitumor activity and interleukin-1 induction by tannins.:Anticancer Res. 1993 Jan-Feb;13(1):37-42.

The relationships between structures, antitumor activities and interleukin-1 (IL-1) induction by fifteen tannins were studies. When tannins (10 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected into mice once, 4 days before intraperitoneal inoculation of S-180 cells, tellimagrandin II, rugosin A, hirtellin B, oenothein B and oenothein A, which have only tellimagrandins I or II units in their molecules, had significant antitumor activity. Although casuarictin and its related tannins were ineffective, agrimonin, which is a dimer, had a strong effect, as previously reported. On the other hand, monomeric ellagitannins such as tellimagrandins I and II, rugosin A and casuarictin also increased IL-1 beta production from human peripheral macrophages in vitro by 2-fold over the non-stimulated basal production and oligomeric ellagitannins with strong antitumor activity more potently stimulated the IL-1 beta induction. Other tannins having no antitumor activity induced less IL-beta. This study indicates that oligomeric ellagitannins, which consist of tellimagrandin I or II, casuarictin or their related structure units, have antitumor activity and induce IL-1 beta.

Antitumor activity of oenothein B, a unique macrocyclic ellagitannin.:Jpn J Cancer Res. 1993 Jan;84(1):99-103.

The antitumor effect of oenothein B, a macrocyclic ellagitannin from Oenothera erythrosepala Bordas, on rodent tumors was studied. Oenothein B exhibited a strong antitumor activity against MM2 ascites tumors upon intraperitoneal administration to the mice before or after the tumor inoculation. The tannin also inhibited the growth of Meth-A solid type tumor in mice. This antitumor effect of the tannin could not be attributed to its direct cytotoxic action on tumor cells, because the cytotoxicity was very weak in the presence of serum protein. When oenothein B was injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice, peritoneal exudate cells, including cytostatic macrophages, were induced. Furthermore, in the in vitro treatment of macrophages from mice and humans, the tannin stimulated release of an interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like activity and IL-1 beta from the cells. These results suggest that oenothein B exerts its antitumor effect through potentiation of the host-immune defense via activation of macrophages.

Scientific References:

1.Research Update:Willow Herb,epilobium parviflorum,Epilobium Angustifolium and others.

Claims & Warning:

Claims: Information this web site presented is meant for Nutritional Benefit and as an educational starting point only, for use in maintenance and promotion good health in cooperation with a common knowledge base reference...Furthermore,it based solely on the traditional and historic use or legend of a given herb from the garden of Adonis. Although every effort has been made to ensure its accurate, please note that some info may be outdated by more recent scientific developments......

Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).

And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).