Research Update:Blackcurrant or Ribes nigrum.Black Currant Extract Ribes Nigrum Anthocyanidins,Black Currant Extract,Black Currant Berry Extract.Black Currant Fruit Extract.Black Currant Seed Extract.5:1.Ribes Nigrum.Anthocyanidins.Black Currant Leaf Extract.Narrative.MDidea Extracts Professional.

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Phytochemical info of Blackcurrant or Ribes nigrum

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Definition:Blackcurrant or Ribes nigrum are majorly composed of
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Research Update:Blackcurrant or Ribes nigrum.

Proanthocyanidins, from Ribes nigrum leaves, reduce endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1:

Background:The effects of proanthocyanidins (PACs), isolated from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) leaves, on neutrophil accumulation during inflammatory processes were investigated in vivo and in vitro.

Methods:In vivo studies were performed using carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats pre-treated with PACs. Exudate volume and PMNs accumulation were measured. Leukocyte cell adhesion molecules (LFA-1, Mac-1 and VLA-4) mobilization in circulating granulocytes were analysed by flow cytometry and endothelial cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) were detected by immunohistochemistry on lung sections.

In vitro studies were conducted on endothelial LT2 cells, stimulated with TNF-¦Á, to evaluate ICAM-1, IL-8 and VEGF mRNA expression upon PACs treatment.

Data sets were examined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Scheffe post-hoc test.

Results:Pretreatment of the animals with PACs (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) inhibited dose-dependently carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats by reducing pleural exudate formation and PMNs infliltration. Leukocyte cell adhesion molecules mobilization was not down-regulated on granulocytes by PACs. Immunohistochemistry on lung sections showed a decreased production of endothelial cell adhesion molecules.

In vitro experiments demonstrated that PACs were able to significantly inhibit ICAM-1 but not IL-8 and VEGF165 mRNA expression. Moreover, VEGF121 mRNA expression was dose-dependently enhanced.

Conclusion:This study provides evidence to support the anti-inflammatory activity of proanthocyanidins is related to an inhibition of leukocyte infiltration which can be explained at least in part by a down-regulation of endothelial adhesion molecules, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and that these compounds are capable of modulating TNF-¦Á-induced VEGF transcription.

A high-throughput monolithic HPLC method for rapid vitamin C phenotyping of berry fruit.:Phytochem Anal. 2006 Sep;17(5):284-90.Walker PG, Gordon SL, Brennan RM, Hancock RD.Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, UK.

A rapid method for the quantification of L-ascorbic acid (1) in berry fruit by HPLC with photodiode array detection is presented. L-Ascorbic acid was resolved on a C18 monolithic column with aqueous buffer, after which the column was washed with acetonitrile to remove lipophilic compounds prior to re-equilibration for analysis of the next sample. Using the monolithic column format with high mobile phase flow rates, the entire separation, wash and re-equilibration were achieved in 3 min. With the exception of gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa), for which an interfering compound co-eluted, concentrations of 1 could be determined in a wide range of berry fruits after extraction in metaphosphoric acid without further sample preparation. Using this extraction method, recoveries of 1 in excess of 85% were achieved. Fruit or juice extracts were stable in 5% metaphosphoric acid for at least 4 h and stability could be extended to longer than 150 h by the addition of the reducing agent tris(2-carboxethyl)phosphine hydrochloride. Following validation, the method was utilised for the phenotyping of fruit in a Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) Ribes nigrum L. breeding population of 300 individuals. An improved extraction method allowed extraction, quantification of 1 and data analysis to be undertaken in less than one working week.

High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) fruit phenolics grown either conventionally or organically.:J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Oct 4;54(20):7530-8.Anttonen MJ, Karjalainen RO.Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Kuopio, Yliopistonranta 5, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland. mikko.anttonen@uku.fi

Black currants (Ribes nigrum L.) contain a diverse range of phenolics and possess a high antioxidant activity, which makes them an interesting target for the functional food industry. In this study, phenolic profiles of organically and conventionally grown black currant fruits, collected from commercial farms within a climatically similar area, were compared. Compounds were identified using UV/vis and mass spectroscopy techniques and quantified with high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with UV/vis detection. Several different conjugates of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins were quantified. Statistically significant differences between farms were found for almost all compounds. Differences between the highest and the lowest measured values of major phenolic compounds of different phenolic classes ranged from 24 to 77%. Principal component analysis quite effectively separated farms from each other but did not cluster them according to cultivation technique. Thus, it was concluded that the biochemical quality of organically grown black currant fruits does not differ from those grown conventionally.

Application of sample disruption methods in the extraction of anthocyanins from solid or semi-solid vegetable samples:J Chromatogr A. 2006 Sep 29;1129(1):14-20. Epub 2006 Aug 8.Manhita AC, Teixeira DM, da Costa CT.Departamento de Qu¨ªmica da Universidade de Evora, CLAV, Rua Rom?o Ramalho 59, 7000-617 Evora, Portugal.

Cassis, a commercial powder obtained from blackcurrant juice (Ribes nigrum L.), was used to optimize the anthocyanin extraction by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and by sea sand disruption method (SSDM). The optimum eluent conditions were 5.0 mL of MeOH/H2O (1:1, v/v) at pH 2. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC with diode-array detection (DAD) and the extraction efficiency was evaluated by statistical comparison (analysis of variance, ANOVA-single factor) of the compounds peak areas. The extraction efficiency for the MSPD procedure was dependent on the chemical nature of the C18 material but the optimized procedure yielded results similar to those obtained by the inexpensive sea sand disruption method (SSDM). This procedure also compared favorably to a previously published liquid-liquid extraction method. The optimized sea sand method was then used in the anthocyanin extraction from red grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) and strawberries (Fragaria ananassa D.) yielding chromatographic profiles similar to those reported in the literature for these products.

Optimisation of the azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical scavenging assay for physiological studies of total antioxidant activity in woody plant germplasm.:Plant Physiol Biochem. 2006 Apr;44(4):193-201. Epub 2006 May 11.Johnston JW, Dussert S, Gale S, Nadarajan J, Harding K, Benson EE.Plant Conservation Group, School of Contemporary Science, University of Abertay Dundee, Kydd Building, Bell St, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK. JJohnston@hortresearch.co.nz

A robust spectroscopic method for determining total antioxidant activity in aqueous extractions has been applied to tissues from diverse woody plant species, including seeds of Coffea arabica and in vitro shoots from Ribes nigrum, Picea sitchensis and Shorea leprosula. The assay involves scavenging of an ABTS [2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] radical generated by the reaction of potassium persulphate with ABTS to produce an ABTS*(+) chromophore (lambda=734 nm). Antioxidants reduce ABTS*(+) back to ABTS with a concomitant decrease in absorbance. Aqueous extractions from C. arabica and S. leprosula had considerably higher (110-205 micromol Trolox eq. g(-1) FW) total antioxidant activities than P. sitchensis and R. nigrum (6-11 micromol Trolox eq. g(-1) FW). Further studies in two of these species showed that the inclusion of water-insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone during aqueous tissue extraction enabled the combined phenolic and alkaloid antioxidant activity to be determined. These fractions accounted for 85% and 60% of total antioxidant activity for C. arabica seeds and R. nigrum shoots, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging assay is presented herein as a robust method for determining total antioxidant activity in germplasm from diverse woody plant tissues and species. Its applicability to study oxidative stress in tissue cultures and germplasm employed in plant biotechnology, breeding and stress physiology programmes is discussed.

Extraction of polyphenols from processed black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) residues.:J Agric Food Chem. 2006 May 31;54(11):4016-21.Kapasakalidis PG, Rastall RA, Gordon MH.School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, P.O. Box 226, Whiteknights, Reading RG66AP, United Kingdom. p.kapasakalidis@ reading.ac.uk

The total phenol and anthocyanin contents of black currant pomace and black currant press residue (BPR) extracts, extracted with formic acid in methanol or with methanol/water/acetic acid, were studied. Anthocyanins and other phenols were identified by means of reversed phase HPLC, and differences between the two plant materials were monitored. In all BPR extracts, phenol levels, determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, were 8-9 times higher than in the pomace extracts. Acid hydrolysis liberated a much higher concentration of phenols from the pomace than from the black currant press residue. HPLC analysis revealed that delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside were the major anthocyanins and constituted the main phenol class ( approximately 90%) in both types of black currant tissues tested. However, anthocyanins were present in considerably lower amounts in the pomace than in the BPR. In accordance with the total phenol content, the antioxidant activity determined by scavenging of 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation, the ABTS(*)(+) assay, showed that BPR extracts prepared by solvent extraction exhibited significantly higher (7-10 times) radical scavenging activity than the pomace extracts, and BPR anthocyanins contributed significantly (74 and 77%) to the observed high radical scavenging capacity of the corresponding extracts.

HPLC in reversed phase mode: Tool for investigation of kinetics of blackcurrant seed oil lipolysis in supercritical carbon dioxide.:J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2006 Jul 24;839(1-2):80-4. Epub 2006 Apr 4.B¨¢rtlov¨¢ M, Bern¨¢sek P, Sykora J, Sovov¨¢ H.Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojov¨¢ 135, 165 02 Prague 6, Czech Republic. bartlova@icpf.cas.cz

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) seed oil is rich in alpha- and gamma-linolenic acids, the latter in particular being of potential use in medicine. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the oil was carried out in supercritical carbon dioxide using lipase Lipozyme as catalyst and changes in the composition of acylglycerols were recorded. Mono-, di-, and triacylglycerols and free fatty acids were separated by non-aqueous high-performance liquid chromatography in reversed phase mode and detected by UV diode array and 1H NMR detectors. Lipozyme was found to exert low specificity to individual fatty acids in the hydrolysed oil.

Volatile monoterpenes in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) juice: effects of heating and enzymatic treatment by beta-glucosidase:J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Mar 22;54(6):2298-302.Varming C, Andersen ML, Poll L.Department of Food Science, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. cva@kvl.dk

Changes of terpenes in black currant juice induced by the action of heat were investigated in the present study. Limonene, alpha-terpinene, linalool, alpha-terpineol, 4-terpineol, and menthol added to either black currant juice or a model system were thermally treated at 90 degrees C for 30 min. Similar heat-induced decreases in the concentration of the terpenes were observed in the two systems. The concentration of a range of terpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated terpenes increased, alpha-terpineol being a main conversion product of most of the examined compounds. In the main, the measured loss of compounds exceeded the detected concentrations of products formed. In addition, determination of glycosidically bound terpenes in the juice was carried out by two methods of enzymatic hydrolysis, namely, addition of beta-glucosidase to an Amberlite XAD-2 isolate or directly to black currant juice. The two methods gave the same patterns of seven released volatile aglyconic terpenes. However, none of the released terpenes are important for the odor of black currant juice.

Cutin composition of five finnish berries.:J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Jan 25;54(2):457-62.Kallio H, Nieminen R, Tuomasjukka S, Hakala M.Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland. heikki.kallio@utu.fi

The raw cutin (i.e., extractive-free isolated cuticular membrane) fraction from Finnish berries, sea buckthorn (Hippopha? rhamnoides), black currant (Ribes nigrum), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), was depolymerized by NaOMe-catalyzed methanolysis. The composition of cutin monomers was determined by GC-(EI)MS analysis either as methyl esters or as TMSi esters, with OH groups derivatized to TMSi ethers. There was a notable difference in the degree of depolymerization, ranging from 6 to 47%. The extractive-free berry cuticle, that is, raw cutin, thus contains <50% polyester polymer cutin. The predominant cutin monomers were C(16) and C(18) omega-hydroxy acids with midchain functionalities, mainly epoxy and hydroxyl groups. Typically, the major compounds were 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid, 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid, 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadec-12-enoic acid, and 18-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid. The amount of epoxyacids was rather high in sea buckthorn ( approximately 70%) and cranberry ( approximately 60%), compared with the other berries. The black currant cutin differed from that of the other berries with a significant portion of hydroxyoxohexadecanoic acid ( approximately 12% of total monomers). This investigation of the cuticular hydroxy acids of five Finnish berries is part of the exploitation of the northern natural resources related to the chemical composition, nutritional value, and sensory properties.

Immunostimulatory effects of a polysaccharide-rich substance with antitumor activity isolated from black currant (Ribes nigrum L.).:Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2005 Nov;69(11):2042-50.

The fruit juice of black currant was found to contain a polysaccharide-rich substance, which was designated cassis polysaccharide (CAPS), with macrophage-stimulating activity. Especially, its interleukin (IL)-1beta-inducing activity was remarkably high, compared with other fruit juice preparations. CAPS was found to consist of rhamnose, mannose, arabinose, galactose, xylose, and glucose in a molar ratio of 11.3:0.9:54.1:29.8:2.0:1.9. CAPS turned out to be partitioned into a soluble component (CAPS-l.m.) and a precipitable component (CAPS-h.m.) with mean MWs of 80,000 and 600,000 respectively in 45% (v/v) ethanol solution. At least in vitro, CAPS-l.m. rather than CAPS-h.m. appeared to play an important role in macrophage activation. Oral administration of black currant juice and CAPS to Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice retarded the growth of the solid tumor by 45% and 51% respectively. CAPS administration had a stimulatory effect on the release of IL-2, IL-10, interferon-gamma, and IL-4 from splenocytes in comparison with PBS treatment in tumor-bearing mice. The IL-4 level was, however, still lower than that exhibited by a group of normal mice. CAPS showed a certain cytotoxicity directly against tumor cells.

HPLC determination of the composition and stability of blackcurrant anthocyanins.J Chromatogr Sci. 2005 Oct;43(9):478-82.Rubinskiene M, Jasutiene I, Venskutonis PR, Viskelis P.Laboratory of Biochemistry and Technology, Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture, Kauno g. 30, LT-54333 Babtai, Lithuania.

High-performance liquid chromatography with UV and mass spectrometry detectors are used to monitor the composition and stability of anthocyanins in blackcurrants harvested from different Ribes nigrum breeds at various ripeness phases. The highest amounts of pigments are found in overripe berries. The concentration of anthocyanins is higher in the berries of late blackcurrant breeds (Vakariai and Ben Alder). Delphinidin- 3-rutinoside is the dominant component in the reddish color berries (onset of ripening), and cyanidin-3-rutinoside is a major pigment in the black ones (ripe berries). Studies of the effect of temperature and light on the stability of the main pigments in blackcurrants show that aqueous solution prepared from a dry colorant is more stable when compared with the liquid water and ethanol extracts of coloring substances. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside is found to be the most thermally stable anthocyanin.

Anthocyanin-flavanol condensation products from black currant (Ribes nigrum L.).J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Oct 5;53(20):7878-85.McDougall GJ, Gordon S, Brennan R, Stewart D.Quality, Health and Nutrition Programme, Genes to Products Theme, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom. gmcdou@scri.sari.ac.uk

Putative flavanol-anthocyanin condensation products were detected in a polyphenol-rich concentrate from black currant (Ribes nigrum L.). These compounds had UV-vis spectra similar to those of delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, but eluted before all previously described anthocyanins on reversed phase HPLC. Mass spectrometric data indicated that they were rutinoside derivatives of novel aglycons 304 amu greater than delphinidin and cyanidin, respectively. The compounds were partly purified by semipreparative HPLC and gave MS and MS2 spectra consistent with anthocyanin rutinosides covalently linked to epigallocatechin or gallocatechin. These compounds are similar in structure to compounds thought to influence color and quality in red wines and strawberry juice products. There was also evidence for the presence of a range of other flavanol-anthocyanin condensation products. The compounds were present at differing levels in juices of 10 black currant varieties, which were roughly correlated to the content of the parent anthocyanins. The flavanol-anthocyanin products were present in polyphenol-enriched concentrates obtained by solid phase extraction, in commercially produced concentrates, and in fresh extracts of black currants. This suggests that the compounds were not artifacts formed during concentration or purification. However, differences in their comparative contents may be related to the lability of the parent anthocyanins during processing. Although present at low levels, the flavanol-anthocyanin products may influence color or quality parameters of black currant juices, and they may confer enhanced stability to the biological activities reported for their anthocyanin parents.

Characterization of a cDNA encoding metallothionein 3 from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).:DNA Seq. 2005 Apr;16(2):96-102.Characterization of a cDNA encoding metallothionein 3 from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).Jordan RH, Turley RB, Defauw SL, Steele M.Department of Biological Sciences, Delta State University, Cleveland, MS, USA.

A cDNA encoding metallothionein (MT) was isolated from a library constructed with poly A(+) RNA purified from 48 h etiolated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cotyledons. This cDNA encodes a deduced protein with 63 residues and a molecular weight of 6.3 kDa. The protein has 10 cysteines of which 4 are within the CXXCXCXXXXXC amino-terminus motif and six are within the CXCXXXCXCXXCXC carboxyl-terminus motif characteristic of the type III MT (MT3). The cotton MT3 protein sequence is 76.2, 69.8, 66.7, 60.3 and 33.5% identical to MT3 from Carica papaya, Rubus idaeus, Ribes nigrum, Citrus unshiu, and Gossypium hirsutum type I MT, respectively. A fusion protein was constructed by producing PCR primers for the 5' and 3' ends of the cotton MT3 cDNA and ligating the PCR product inframe at the 3' end of a bacterial glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene in the pGEX3 vector. The 5' PCR primer incorporated a segment of the cotton MT3 noncoding region, resulting in an addition of 9 residues to the MT3 (after Factor Xa digestion site) which increased the size of the expressed protein to 72 residues and 7.6 kDa. Expression of the 7.6 kDa protein in bacteria was confirmed by SDS-PAGE. Induction and accumulation of the GST-MT3 protein began inhibiting bacterial growth after 1 h. Addition of Cu (1 muM to 1 mM), 1 mM cysteine, or 1 mM cystine to the media did not rescue growth. Additionally, this protein was evaluated for its ability to bind Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn in the bacterial expression system. We found that cotton MT3 preferentially binds Cu.

Proanthocyanidins, from Ribes nigrum leaves, reduce endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1:J Inflamm (Lond). 2005 Aug 9;2:9.Garbacki N, Kinet M, Nusgens B, Desmecht D, Damas J.CHU, Tour 3, Universit¨¦ de Li¨¨ge, Avenue de l'H?pital, 3, B-4000 Sart Tilman, Belgium. N.Garbacki@ulg.ac.be

BACKGROUND: The effects of proanthocyanidins (PACs), isolated from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) leaves, on neutrophil accumulation during inflammatory processes were investigated in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: In vivo studies were performed using carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats pre-treated with PACs. Exudate volume and PMNs accumulation were measured. Leukocyte cell adhesion molecules (LFA-1, Mac-1 and VLA-4) mobilization in circulating granulocytes were analysed by flow cytometry and endothelial cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) were detected by immunohistochemistry on lung sections. In vitro studies were conducted on endothelial LT2 cells, stimulated with TNF-alpha, to evaluate ICAM-1, IL-8 and VEGF mRNA expression upon PACs treatment. Data sets were examined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Scheffe post-hoc test. RESULTS: Pretreatment of the animals with PACs (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) inhibited dose-dependently carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats by reducing pleural exudate formation and PMNs infliltration. Leukocyte cell adhesion molecules mobilization was not down-regulated on granulocytes by PACs. Immunohistochemistry on lung sections showed a decreased production of endothelial cell adhesion molecules. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PACs were able to significantly inhibit ICAM-1 but not IL-8 and VEGF165 mRNA expression. Moreover, VEGF121 mRNA expression was dose-dependently enhanced. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence to support the anti-inflammatory activity of proanthocyanidins is related to an inhibition of leukocyte infiltration which can be explained at least in part by a down-regulation of endothelial adhesion molecules, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and that these compounds are capable of modulating TNF-alpha-induced VEGF transcription.

Characterization of phenolic profiles of Northern European berries by capillary electrophoresis and determination of their antioxidant activity.:J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Aug 10;53(16):6484-90.Ehala S, Vaher M, Kaljurand M.Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia. sille@brosven.ee

Berries are known to contain phenolic substances (i.e., flavonoids and phenolic acids), which comprise two large and heterogeneous groups of biologically active nonnutrients. This investigation evaluated the content and profile of the phenolic compounds present in six different berries found in Northern Europe. The latter included bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), black currant (Ribes nigrum), and red currant (Ribes rubrum). The study was focused on two areas. The first involved the extraction and analysis of berries for total phenolic content and determination of their antioxidant activity. The total phenolic level of berries was correlated with their antioxidant activity. Second, the berry extracts were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis to determine the content and profile of selected bioactive compounds. The analytes of interest included trans-resveratrol, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and morin.

Delphinidin-3-rutinoside relaxes the bovine ciliary smooth muscle through activation of ETB receptor and NO/cGMP pathway.:Exp Eye Res. 2005 Mar;80(3):313-22.

Delphinidin-3-rutinoside (D3R) is the major anthocyanin component in blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) fruits. We investigated the relaxation mechanism of D3R in bovine ciliary smooth muscle (CM). D3R at a concentration of 10(-5) m produced a sustained and progressive relaxation during the contraction induced by endothelin (ET)-1 in the bovine CM specimens. After the pre-treatment with D3R, the anthocyanin exerted an inhibitory effect on the ET-1-induced contraction with a concomitant increase in cyclic GMP production and decreased phosphorylation ratio of myosin light chain (RLC). The inhibitory effect of D3R was significantly attenuated in the presence of either N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (NOARG) as a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, carboxy-PTIO as a NO scavenger, ODQ as an inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase, or BQ788 as a selective ET(B) receptor antagonist. The atteuation with NOARG was reversed by the addition of excess L-arginine. However, iberiotoxin as a Ca2+-activated K+ channel inhibitor, propranolol as a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, and indomethacin as a cyclooxygenase inhibitor failed to modify the inhibitory effect of D3R. Scatchard plot analysis revealed that the [125I]-ET-1 binding site constituted a single population with Kd of 54.5+/-4.6 nm and maximum binding site (B(max)) of 168.4+/-25.4 fmol/mg protein in the ciliary epithelium (CE), and Kd of 141.7+/-18.0 nm and B(max) of 357.7+/-35.8 fmol/mg protein in CM. [125I]-ET-1 binding was completely displaced by BQ788 with K(i) values of 56.7+/-10.8 pm in CE and 93.4+/-23.3 pm in CM. Meanwhile, partial displacement (approximately 40%) was observed by BQ123 as a selective ET(A) receptor antagonist in both preparations. ET(B) receptor was predominant subtype in CE and CM, whereas kinetics of the binding was different in two preparations. These results suggest that D3R possibly stimulates ET(B) receptors to produce/release NO, and results in an inhibition of myosin RLC phosphorylation and/or acceleration of dephosphorylation, thereby causing relaxation and producing an inhibitory effect on the ET-1-induced contraction in the bovine CM.

Influence of thermal treatment on black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) juice aroma.:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 15;52(25):7628-36.Varming C, Andersen ML, Poll L.Department of Food Science, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

The influence of thermal treatment on black currant juice aroma was investigated in temperature and time ranges relevant for black currant juice concentration processes, namely, 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees C. Forty-nine aroma compounds were quantified, and the thermal treatment resulted in concentration increases of most terpenes, aldehydes, furans, and phenols, whereas the concentration of esters slightly decreased. Higher temperatures and longer exposure times had larger effects on the aroma compounds. Odor triangle tests showed no sensory difference between pasteurized juice and juice heated at 60 degrees C, whereas juice heated at 90 degrees C differed significantly from pasteurized juice. It is concluded that a 90 degrees C thermal treatment of black currant juice, which is in the temperature range used for conventional evaporation of black currant juice, has an effect on the aroma and sensory properties.

Characterization of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in some cultivars of Ribes, Aronia, and Sambucus and their antioxidant capacity:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):7846-56.Wu X, Gu L, Prior RL, McKay S.Agriculture Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, 1120 Marshall Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, USA.

Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins were characterized by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS coupled with a diode array and/or fluorescent detector in seven cultivars of Ribes nigrum (black currant) and Ribes rubrum (red currant, Red Lake), six cultivars of Ribes grossularia (gooseberries), Aronia melanocarpa(chokeberry), and Sambucus nigra (elderberry). Thirty-one different anthocyanins were detected in these berries, but not every anthocyanin was observed in each berry. A number of minor anthocyanins were identified from these berries for the first time. The concentrations of individual anthocyanins in all of the berries were quantified using relevant anthocyanidin 3-glucoside standards. Among the berries studied in this paper and in berries in general, chokeberry has the highest total anthocyanin concentrations [1480 mg/100 g of fresh weight (FW)], whereas the lowest total anthocyanin concentration in the berries studied was found in the gooseberry cv. Careless, which contained only 0.07 mg/100 g of FW. Two cultivars of gooseberries (Marigold and Leveller) did not contain any anthocyanins. Total proanthocyanidin concentrations in the berries studied ranged from 23 to 664 mg/100 g of FW in elderberry and chokeberry, respectively. Procyanidin or prodelphinidin polymers were the predominant components (>65% w/w) in most of the berries. The lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities were measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC(FL)) procedure. The total antioxidant capacity varied from 21 micromol of TE/g of FW in Careless gooseberry to 161 micromol of TE/g of FW in chokeberry. Total phenolics in the berries in general paralleled hydrophilic antioxidant capacity.

LC/PDA/ESI-MS Profiling and Radical Scavenging Activity of Anthocyanins in Various Berries.:J Biomed Biotechnol. 2004;2004(5):241-247.

Anthocyanin extracts of two blueberries, Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) and Vaccinium ashei (rabbiteye blueberry), and of three other berries, Ribes nigrum (black currant), Aronia melanocarpa (chokeberry), and Sambucus nigra (elderberry), were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization - mass spectrometry (LC/PDA/ESI-MS). Both bilberry and rabbiteye blueberry contained 15 identical anthocyanins with different distribution patterns. Black currant, chokeberry, and elderberry contained 6, 4, and 4 kinds of anthocyanins, respectively. The radical scavenging activities of these berry extracts were analyzed by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). All these extracts showed potent antiradical activities.

Inhibition of protein and lipid oxidation in liposomes by berry phenolics.:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 1;52(24):7419-24.Viljanen K, Kylli P, Kivikari R, Heinonen M.Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, Division of Food Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland. kaarina.viljanen@helsinki.fi

The antioxidant activity of berry phenolics (at concentrations of 1.4, 4.2, and 8.4 mug of purified extracts/mL of liposome sample) such as anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and proanthocyanidins from raspberry (Rubus idaeus), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), and black currant (Ribes nigrum) was investigated in a lactalbumin-liposome system. The extent of protein oxidation was measured by determining the loss of tryptophan fluorescence and formation of protein carbonyl compounds and that of lipid oxidation by conjugated diene hydroperoxides and hexanal analyses. The antioxidant protection toward lipid oxidation was best provided by lingonberry and bilberry phenolics followed by black currant and raspberry phenolics. Bilberry and raspberry phenolics exhibited the best overall antioxidant activity toward protein oxidation. Proanthocyanidins, especially the dimeric and trimeric forms, in lingonberries were among the most active phenolic constituents toward both lipid and protein oxidation. In bilberries and black currants, anthocyanins contributed the most to the antioxidant effect by inhibiting the formation of both hexanal and protein carbonyls. In raspberries, ellagitannins were responsible for the antioxidant activity. While the antioxidant effect of berry proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins was dose-dependent, ellagitannins appeared to be equally active at all concentrations. In conclusion, berries are rich in monomeric and polymeric phenolic compounds providing protection toward both lipid and protein oxidation.

Inhibitory effects of proanthocyanidins from Ribes nigrum leaves on carrageenin acute inflammatory reactions induced in rats.:BMC Pharmacol. 2004 Oct 21;4(1):25.Garbacki N, Tits M, Angenot L, Damas J.Laboratoire de Physiologie humaine, CHU, Tour 3, Universit¨¦ de Li¨¨ge, Avenue de l'H?pital, 3, B-4000 Sart Tilman, Belgium. N.Garbacki@ulg.ac.be

BACKGROUND: The anti-inflammatory effects of proanthocyanidins (PACs), isolated from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) leaves, were analysed using carrageenin-induced paw oedema and carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats. RESULTS: Pretreatment of the animals with PACs (10, 30, 60 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced paw oedema induced by carrageenin in a dose and time-dependent manner. PACs also inhibited dose-dependently carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats. They reduced (A) lung injury, (B) pleural exudate formation, (C) polymorphonuclear cell infiltration, (D) pleural exudate levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and CINC-1 but did not affect IL-6 and IL-10 levels. They reduced (E) pleural exudate levels of nitrite/nitrate (NOx). In indomethacin treated rats, the volume of pleural exudate was low, its content in leukocytes and its contents in TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10 but not in NOx were reduced. These data suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of PACs are achieved through a different pattern from those of indomethacin. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the main mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of PACs mainly lies in an interference with the migration of the leukocytes. Moreover, PACs inhibited in vivo nitric oxide release.

Antimicrobial evaluation of some medicinal plants for their anti-enteric potential against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi:Phytother Res. 2004 Aug;18(8):670-3.Rani P, Khullar N.Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, India.

Screening was done of some plants of importance in the Ayurvedic system of traditional medicine used in India to treat enteric diseases. Fifty four plant extracts (methanol and aqueous) were assayed for their activity against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi. Strong antibacterial activity was shown by the methanol extracts of Aegle marmelos, Salmalia malabarica, Punica granatum, Myristica fragrans, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Terminalia arjuna and Triphal (mixture of Emblica of fi cinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia belerica). Moderate antimicrobial activity was shown by Picorhiza kurroa, Acacia catechu, Acacia nilotica, Cichorium intybus, Embelia ribes, Solanum nigrum, Carum copticum, Apium graveolens, Ocimum sanctum, Peucedanum graveolens and Butea monosperma.

High molecular weight polysaccharides from black currant seeds inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa:Planta Med. 2004 Jul;70(7):620-6.Lengsfeld C, Deters A, Faller G, Hensel A.Pharmaceutical Biology, University of D¨¹sseldorf, Universit?tstrasse 1, 40225 D¨¹sseldorf, Germany.

Several crude and purified polysaccharides from black currant seeds (Ribes nigrum L.) have been isolated, analysed and examined on their effects against Helicobacter pylori in in situ adhesion studies on sections of human gastric mucosa. After pre-treatment of Helicobacter pylori with 0.01 to 0.1 % solutions of the isolated raw polysaccharide (RPS), the epithelial binding of the bacteria was considerably reduced in a concentration-dependent manner, as compared with a non-treated control suspension. Preincubation of the mucosal sections with 0.1 % solutions did not result in a reduced binding of non-treated bacteria. An anion-exchange fraction of RPS eluted with 0.1 M phosphate buffer exhibited a comparable, concentration-dependent reduction of adhesion, whereas the water-eluted fraction was ineffective at the respective concentrations. Both subfractions consisted of similar 1,3-linked galactans, decorated with side chains possessing 1,4-galacturonic acid, galactose and arabinose residues. Molecular weight profiling by GPC revealed that the antiadhesive activity of the buffer eluate correlated with high molecular weight components ranging from about 1000 Da to 340 kDa, whereas the ones of the inactive water eluate had molecular weights of about 100 and 25 kDa, respectively. None of the active fractions revealed inhibitory effects on bacterial growth in vitro. We conclude that acidic, high molecular weight galactans are responsible for the antiadhesive qualities of black currant seed extracts and that these polymers are able to block Helicobacter surface receptors, thus inhibiting their interaction with specific binding factors located on human gastric epithelia.

Comparison of isolation methods for the determination of important aroma compounds in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) juice, using nasal impact frequency profiling.:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Mar 24;52(6):1647-52.Varming C, Petersen MA, Poll L.Department of Dairy and Food Science, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

The influence of isolation method on the determination of important aroma compounds in black currant juice was investigated by surface of nasal impact frequency (SNIF) gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). The applied methods were solvent extraction, static headspace, and purge and trap using 15 and 60 min of purge time. By the four methods, a total of 59 odors were observed, and, of these, 44 corresponded to compounds that could be identified. For the headspace methods increasing purge volumes resulted in recoveries of additional, less volatile compounds. The main compound groups recovered by the headspace methods were esters and terpenes, whereas compounds recovered by solvent extraction were not as dominated by fruity odors. For most compounds there was agreement between the size of the SNIF value obtained by GC-O and the amount of the measurable compound found by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Fatty acid content and juice characteristics in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) genotypes.:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Feb 25;52(4):948-52.Del Castillo ML, Dobson G, Brennan R, Gordon S.Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom.

The fatty acid compositions of seeds from 29 black currant genotypes were determined using a rapid small-scale procedure. There was interest in alpha-linolenic, stearidonic, and, especially, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) contents, and most samples showed values between 11.1 and 18.7%, between 2.5 and 4.5%, and between 11.6 and 17.4%, respectively. However, six genotypes exhibited gamma-linolenic contents >18%, and values >20% were recorded in four of these genotypes. The fatty acid contents of the six genotypes were also analyzed by using a conventional procedure, and only slight differences in fatty acid composition were found between the two methods. Although GLA content was not strongly correlated with juice parameters, some genotypes had both high GLA contents and desirable juice characteristics. The results obtained provide evidence that it is possible to select for GLA contents without negatively affecting juice quality, and both aspects can be combined in a single cultivar, thereby increasing the added value of the whole fruit.

Anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) for night vision--a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials.Surv Ophthalmol. 2004 Jan-Feb;49(1):38-50. Review.Canter PH, Ernst E.Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth, Exeter, UK. peter.canter@pms.ac.uk

We have systematically reviewed placebo-controlled trials of V. myrtillus-extracted anthocyanosides for evidence of positive effects on night vision. Searches of computerized databases and citations in retrieved articles identified 30 trials with outcome measures relevant to vision in reduced light. Of these, 12 were placebo-controlled. The 4 most recent trials were all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and were negative in outcome. A fifth RCT and 7 non-randomized controlled trials reported positive effects on outcome measures relevant to night vision. Negative outcome was associated with more rigorous methodology but also with lower dose level and extracts from geographically distinct sources that may differ in anthocyanoside composition. Healthy subjects with normal or above average eyesight were tested in 11 of the 12 trials. The hypothesis that V. myrtillus anthocyanosides improves normal night vision is not supported by evidence from rigorous clinical studies. There is a complete absence of rigorous research into the effects of the extract on subjects suffering impaired night vision due to pathological eye conditions. Evidence from methodologically weaker trials and auxiliary evidence from animal studies, trials of synthetic anthocyanosides, and a recent randomized controlled trial of Ribes nigrum (black currant) anthocyanosides may warrant further trials of V. myrtillus anthocyanosides in subjects with impaired night vision.

Genetic and environmental correlation and path coefficient analysis of fruit yield per bush and other traits in black currants (Ribes nigrum L.).:J Appl Genet. 2000;41(4):221-36.Madry W, Pluta S, Zurawicz E.Department of Agriculture Development and Economics, Bia?ystok University of Technology, ul. Zambrowska 16, 16-516 Bia?ystok, Poland. wieslaw.madry@omega.sggw.waw.pl

Twenty-five F1 hybrid families of black currants (Ribes nigrum L.) originating from diallel crosses of five cultivars were assessed. Phenotypic correlation coefficient between full-sib family means (rFS), genetic correlation coefficient between full-sib family expected values (rG) and the environmental correlation were estimated on the basis of two years of observations for 12 quantitative characteristics studied. Evident repeatability of correlations in both years was proved. A considerable consistency between the values of genetic and phenotypic correlation coefficients was also observed. Coefficients of phenotypic and environmental correlation were significant for many pairs of traits. Most of the significant environmental correlation coefficients were found for the same pairs of characteristics for which phenotypic correlation coefficients were significant. This shows that genetic and environmental factors affected similar traits. Fruit yield expressed the largest number of significant correlations with other traits. Path coefficient analysis indicated that plant and berry size were the main factors influencing directly fruit yield in both years. It was proved that the number and length of one-year-old shoots via bush size had very large indirect effects on fruit yield per plant.

Anti-herpesvirus activity of an extract of Ribes nigrum L:Phytother Res. 2003 Jun;17(6):609-13.

An extract of Ribes nigrum L., known as blackcurrant in Europe, has been used as an ingredient in a variety of foods and folk medicine. In this study, the anti-herpesvirus activity of this extract was examined in vitro. The extract inhibited herpes simplex virus type 1 attachment on the cell membrane completely at a 100-fold dilution, as well as the plaque formation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and varicella-zoster virus by 50% at a 400-fold dilution or lower concentrations. This latter activity, which inhibits virus replication in cells, was due to the inhibition of protein synthesis in infected cells from the early stage of infection. Kurokarin is a possible candidate as a herbal medicine for herpesvirus infectious diseases.

Mixed infection of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) plants with Blackcurrant reversion associated virus and rhabdovirus-like particles with symptoms of black currant reversion disease.:Acta Virol. 2002;46(4):253-6.Pribylov¨¢ J, Spak J, Kubelkov¨¢ D.Department of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branisovsk¨¢ 31, 370 05 Cesk¨¦ Bud¨¦jovice, Czech Republic. pribyl@umbr.cas.cz

Black currant plants of cvs. Black Smith and Karlstejnsky dlouhohrozen showing symptoms of severe Russian (R) form of black currant reversion disease (BCRD) were found in 1999-2000 in the Czech Republic. Five selected plants of both cultivars originating from two distant loci were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for presence of the Blackcurrant reversion associated virus (BRAV), the causal agent of BCRD. In all plants, virus-specific 215 nt cDNA fragments proving the presence of BRAV were obtained. Moreover, in two of those five black currant plants, rhabdovirus-like particles were found in ultrathin sections by electron microscopical examinations. The particles measured 200-347 nm by 64-90 nm. They occurred mostly within nuclei of parenchyma cells of vascular bundles as single particles, rafts of particles, but also in aggregates. They were found also in the perinuclear space and occasionally directly in the cytoplasm. Clusters of particles either within the nucleus or in the perinuclear space were membrane-bound. We bring evidence on the occurrence of the severe (R) form of BCRD and the first evidence of BRAV in the Czech Republic.

Antioxidant status, lipoprotein profile and liver lipids in rats fed on high-cholesterol diet containing currant oil rich in n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.:Physiol Res. 2003;52(2):177-87.Vecera R, Skottov¨¢ N, V¨¢na P, Kazdov¨¢ L, Chmela Z, Svagera Z, Walter¨¢ D, Ulrichov¨¢ J, Sim¨¢nek V.Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Palacky University, 775 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic.

Plant-based n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) possess a prospective antiatherogenic potential. Currant oil from Ribes nigrum L. is one of the few plant oils containing PUFAn-3 (15.3 mol%) in addition to PUFAn-6 (60.5 mol%). This study was aimed at comparing the effects of currant oil with those of lard fat, rich in saturated (43.8 mol%) and monounsaturated (47.0 mol%) fatty acids, on antioxidant parameters, the lipoprotein profile and liver lipids in rats fed on 1 % (w/w) cholesterol diets containing either 10 % of currant oil (COD) or lard fat (LFD). After 3 weeks of feeding, the COD induced a significant decrease in blood glutathione (GSH) and an increase in Cu(2+) induced oxidizability of serum lipids, but did not affect liver GSH and t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced lipoperoxidation of liver microsomes. Although the COD did not cause accumulation of liver triacylglycerols as LFD, the lipoprotein profile (VLDL, LDL, HDL) was not significantly improved after COD. The consumption of PUFAn-3 was reflected in LDL as an increase in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid. These results suggest that currant oil affects positively the lipid metabolism in the liver, above all it does not cause the development of a fatty liver. However, adverse effects of currant oil on the antioxidant status in the blood still remain of concern.

Anti-influenza virus activity of crude extract of Ribes nigrum L:Phytother Res. 2003 Feb;17(2):120-2.

This experiment was designed to detect the antiviral activities of crude fruit extracts of wild Ribes nigrum L. (Kurokarin extract) against influenza virus types A and B. Kurokarin extract was prepared as follows: fruits of Ribes nigrum L. were heated at 50 degrees C in a heating tank, and then ground under anaerobic conditions. The extracts were centrifuged, and the supernatant fluid was filtered and sterilized by infrared rays. The crude extract was diluted with Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM) and the solution was adjusted to a pH 7.2 with 0.1 N or 1 N NaOH. Proven anti-influenza virus effects of the extracts were shown. The concentration of extract required to inhibit the plaque formation of both IVA and IVB by 50% (IC(50)) was 3.2 microgram/mL. Both IVA and IVB were directly inactivated up to 99% by 10 microgram/mL of the extract at pH 2.8, and 95% to 98% by this dose at pH 7.2. The growth of IVA in cells treated with 10 and 100 microgram/mL of the extract for 6 h after infection was completely suppressed. Virus titres in culture fluids of the cells treated with 100 microgram/mL of Kurokarin extract for 1 h at 8 to 9 h after infection, were completely suppressed, indicating that the extract inhibited the virus release from the infected cells.

Effects of dietary anthocyanins on tocopherols and lipids in rats.:J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Dec 4;50(25):7226-30. Erratum in: J Agric Food Chem. 2003 May 7;51(10):3196.Frank J, Kamal-Eldin A, Lundh T, M??tt? K, T?rr?nen R, Vessby B.Department of Food Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. Jan.Frank@lmv.slu.se

The effects of dietary cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and concentrates from blackcurrant [Ribes nigrum] (BC) and elderberry [Sambucus nigra] (EC) on plasma and tissue concentrations of alpha- (alpha-T) and gamma-tocopherol (gamma-T) and cholesterol, as well as the fatty acid composition of the liver lipids were investigated in growing, male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain. Animals were fed semisynthetic diets supplemented with 2 g/kg C3G, BC, or EC for 4 weeks. Dietary anthocyanins did not affect feed intake, body weight, and organ weights. C3G elevated the concentrations of tocopherols in the liver and lungs (P < 0.05). Cholesterol levels in plasma and liver were not affected by any of the regimens. C3G and BC reduced the relative amount of saturated fatty acids in the liver (P < 0.05). BC also lowered the percentage of 22:6 + 24:0 and EC the ratio of 20:3/20:4 n-6 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary C3G, BC, and EC appear to have little effect on cholesterol levels and the fatty acid pattern in the liver but seem to be capable of sparing vitamin E in healthy, growing rats.

Fruit plant germplasm characterisation using molecular markers generated in RAPD and ISSR-PCR:Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2002;7(2B):785-94.Korbin M, Kuras A, Zurawicz E.Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Pomologiczna 18, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland.

The genotypes of the strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa), apple (Malus domestica) and Ribes species (R. nigrum, R. rubrum and R. glossularia), maintained in our Institute's collection and used in breeding programs, were screened for DNA markers. Twenty primers for RAPD (among 60 tested) and seven for ISSR (among 10 tested) were chosen as creating polymorphic DNA bands differentiating the investigated genotypes. Based on those identity markers, the genetic distance between genotypes was determined, and their relatedness was estimated. In many cases, both RAPD- and ISSR-based genetic similarity confirmed relatedness connected with biological origin and with the place where the cultivar was developed. However, some diversity connected with the technique used for molecular marker generation was observed. Generally, the similarity values based on ISSR data were higher than those based on RAPD. Parallel study using two data sets seems to enable a reduction in the number of potential mistakes connected with each method's, technical limitations and ensures more precise relatedness determination.

Effects of prodelphinidins isolated from Ribes nigrum on chondrocyte metabolism and COX activity.:Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2002 Jun;365(6):434-41. Epub 2002 Apr 26.Garbacki N, Angenot L, Bassleer C, Damas J, Tits M.Laboratoire de Physiologie humaine, Institut L¨¦on Fr¨¦d¨¦ricq, Universit¨¦ de Li¨¨ge, Belgium. N.Garbacki@ulg.ac.be

Articular diseases, such as osteoarthritis, is the clinical expression of the loss of cartilage function. COX inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of such pathologies for their beneficial effects on inflammation but often produce a negative activity on cartilage synthesis.In this study, we determined the effect of different prodelphinidins, the major compounds isolated from Ribes nigrum leaves, on the proteoglycans (PGs), type II collagen (coll. II) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production by differentiated human chondrocytes cultivated in long term (12 days) and in clusters as well as their inhibition potential on COX-1 and COX-2 in vitro. Gallocatechin trimer (GC-GC-GC) showed the higher stimulation of PGs and coll. II production (1 microg ml(-1)) and the synthesis of PGE(2) was significantly reduced by gallocatechin dimer (GC-GC), gallocatechin-epigallocatechin (GC-EGC) and GC-GC-GC at 10 and 100 microg ml(-1). The inhibition of PGE(2) synthesis was confirmed by the in vitro test on purified COX enzymes, showing the selectivity of prodelphinidins on COX-2. However, the prodelphinidins had no effects on COX activity in the whole blood assay.Our studies suggest that the prodelphinidins fractions from R. nigrum may be useful as an additive agent in the prevention of osteoarthritis.

Anthocyanins from black currants (Ribes nigrum L.).:J Agric Food Chem. 2002 May 22;50(11):3228-31.Slimestad R, Solheim H.Polyphenols Laboratories AS, Hanaveien 4-6, N-4327 Sandnes, Norway. rune@polyphenols.com

Fifteen anthocyanin structures are reported from an extract of black currant berries (Ribes nigrum L.). These are the 3-O-glucosides and the 3-O-rutinosides of pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin, cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside, and the 3-O-(6' '-p-coumaroylglucoside)s of cyanidin and delphinidin. The anthocyanins were characterized by means of size exclusion chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, UV-visible spectroscopy, and electrospray mass spectrometry. The four main pigments (the 3-O-glucosides and the 3-O-rutinosides of delphinidin and cyanidin) made up >97% of the total anthocyanin content. The minor pigments were enriched from the extract by successive partition against ethyl acetate and by gel fractionation. These chromatographic steps were successfully used to isolate the acylated anthocyanins from the ethyl acetate layer and to separate cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside from the mixture of anthocyanins. The amounts of anthocyanin rutinosides were found to be higher than the amount of the corresponding glucosides for all detected pigments having the same aglycon moiety.

Activity of anthocyanins from fruit extract of Ribes nigrum L. against influenza A and B viruses:Acta Virol. 2001;45(4):209-15.

Earlier, we have detected antiviral activity in an extract from Ribes nigrum L. fruits ("Kurokarin", name of the one species of black currant in Japanese) against influenza A and B viruses, and herpes simplex virus 1 (Knox et al., Food Processing 33, 21-23, 1998). In the present study, the antiviral activity of constituents of a Kurokarin extract and the mechanism of its antiviral action were examined. Kurokarin extracts were separated to fractions A to D by column chromatography. The major constituents of the fraction D were estimated as anthocyanins. The fraction D was further fractionated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to fractions A' to G'. The fraction E' consisted of 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-cyanidin and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-cyanidin, and the fraction F' consisted of 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-delphinidin and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-delphinidin, identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with standards and by high resolution mass spectrometry. The fractions D' to G' showed potent antiviral activity against influenza viruses A and B. The additive antiviral effect of a combination of the fractions E' and F' was assessed. Anthocyanins in the fraction F' did not directly inactivate influenza viruses A and B, but they inhibited virus adsorption to cells and also virus release from infected cells.

Nigrumin-5-p-coumarate and nigrumin-5-ferulate, two unusual nitrile-containing metabolites from black currant (Ribes nigrum) seed.:Phytochemistry. 2002 Feb;59(4):465-8.Lu Y, Foo LY, Wong H.Industrial Research, PO Box 31310, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. y.lu@irl.cri.nz

Two novel nitrile-containing compounds, nigrumin-5-p-coumarate and nigrumin-5-ferulate, together with six known flavonoids, were isolated from the seed of black currant (Ribes nigrum). The chemical structures of nigrumin-5-p-coumarate and 5-ferulate were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy as 2-trans-p-coumaroyloxymethyl-4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-2(E)-butenenitrile and 2-trans-feruloyloxymethyl-4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-2(E)-butenenitrile, respectively.

Phenolic compounds in berries of black, red, green, and white currants (Ribes sp.).:Antioxid Redox Signal. 2001 Dec;3(6):981-93.Maatta K, Kamal-Eldin A, T?rr?nen R.Department of Physiology, Universitv of Kuopio, Finland. Kaisu.Maatta@uku.fi

Multiple health benefits associated with phenolic compounds have raised the interest in the contents of these plant metabolites in foods. Several phenolic compounds were quantified from berries of Ribes nigrum (black and green currants) and Ribes x pallidum (red and white currants), by using sequential extraction with ethyl acetate and methanol and an optimized reversed-phase HPLC method with diode array detection. The highest contents of anthocyanins (3,011 mg/kg fresh weight, expressed as the aglycon) and flavonol glycosides (100 mg/kg) were found in black currant. The lack of anthocyanins in the colorless (green, white) berries was associated with increased levels of phenolic acids, especially p-coumaric acid (80 mg/kg in green currant vs. 45 mg/kg in black currant) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (18 mg/kg in white currant vs. 3 mg/kg in red currant). Previously, proanthocyanidins have not been quantified from berries. This study showed that the contents of extractable (22-41 mg/kg) and nonextractable proanthocyanidins (32-108 mg/kg) are comparable to those of other phenolics, with the exception of anthocyanins in black currant. Our results suggest that anthocyanins dominate in black and red currants, whereas proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids are the predominant phenolic compounds in green and white currants.

Determination of anthocyanidins in berries and red wine by high-performance liquid chromatography.:J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Sep;49(9):4183-7.Nyman NA, Kumpulainen JT.Food Research, L-Building, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of anthocyanidins from berries and red wine is described. Delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, and malvidin contents of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), black currant (Ribes nigrum), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa cv. Jonsok), and a Cabernet sauvignon (Vitis vinifera) red wine were determined. The aglycon forms of the anthocyanins present in the samples were revealed by acid hydrolysis. A reversed phase analytical column was employed to separate the anthocyanidins before identification by diode array detection. The suitability of the method was tested by determining the recovery (95-102% as aglycons and 69-104% from glycosides) for each anthocyanidin. Method repeatability was tested by charting the total aglycon content of two samples over a period of 14 analyses and determining the coefficients of variation (1.41% for bilberry and 2.56% for in-house reference material). The method developed proved thus to be effective for reliable determination of anthocyanidins from freeze-dried berry samples and red wine. The total anthocyanidin content of the tested samples was as follows: in-house reference material, 447 +/- 8 mg/100 g; strawberry, 23.8 +/- 0.4 mg/100 g; black currant, 135 +/- 3 mg/100 g; bilberry, 360 +/- 3 mg/100 g; and Cabernet sauvignon red wine, 26.1 +/- 0.1 mg/100 mL.

Enzyme-assisted extraction of antioxidative phenols from black currant juice press residues (Ribes nigrum).:J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Jul;49(7):3169-77.Landbo AK, Meyer AS.Food Biotechnology and Engineering Group, BioCentrum-DTU, Building 221, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark.

Enzymatic release of phenolic compounds from pomace remaining from black currant (Ribes nigrum) juice production was examined. Treatment with each of the commercial pectinolytic enzyme preparations Grindamyl pectinase, Macer8 FJ, Macer8 R, and Pectinex BE, as well as treatment with Novozym 89 protease, significantly increased plant cell wall breakdown of the pomace. Each of the tested enzyme preparations except Grindamyl pectinase also significantly enhanced the amount of phenols extracted from the pomace. Macer8 FJ and Macer8 R decreased the extraction yields of anthocyanins, whereas Pectinex BE and Novozym 89 protease showed no effect. A decrease in pomace particle sizes from 500-1000 microm to <125 microm increased the phenol yields 1.6-5 times. Black currant pomace devoid of seeds gave significantly higher yields of phenols than pomace with seeds and seedless wine pomace. Four selected black currant pomace extracts all exerted a pronounced antioxidant activity against human LDL oxidation in vitro when tested at equimolar phenol concentrations of 7.5-10 microM.

Preparative-scale isolation of four anthocyanin components of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) fruits.:J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Mar;49(3):1541-5.

Four anthocyanin components of black currant, delphinidin 3-O-beta-rutinoside (D3R), cyanidin 3-O-beta-rutinoside (C3R), delphinidin 3-O-beta-glucoside (D3G), and cyanidin 3-O-beta-glucoside (C3G), were successfully isolated as crystalline forms on a preparative scale. In this process, selective hydrolysis of the glucosides (D3G and C3G) and rhamnosides (D3R and C3R) was achieved by treatment with beta-glucosidase and hesperidinase (alpha-rhamnosidase), respectively, to improve resolution of anthocyanin components. Especially, selective conversion of the rutinosides into glucosides made the amounts of D3G and C3G increase about 4- and 7-fold, respectively. D3R, C3R, D3G, and C3G were isolated from enzymatic hydrolysates of black currant anthocyanins through Amberlite XAD-7HP absorption followed by preparative HPLC separation, and their crystals were obtained as the flavylium chloride.

Leaf lipids of Ribes nigrum: a plant containing 16:3, alpha-18:3, gamma-18:3 and 18:4 fatty acids:Biochem Soc Trans. 2000 Dec;28(6):583-6.Dobson G. Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK. gdobso@scri.sari.ac.uk

The glycerolipid composition of Ribes nigrum (blackcurrant) leaves was determined. The total fatty acid composition was unusual in that alpha-linolenic acid (alpha-18:3) occurred together with cis-7,10,13-hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3) and lower amounts of stearidonic acid (18:4) and gamma-linolenic acid (gamma-18:3). Monogalactosyldiacylglycerol contained the highest proportion of 16:3 with less in digalactosyldiacylglycerol. gamma-18:3 and 18:4 were present in all lipids and 18:4 was always greater than gamma-18:3. The highest percentages of gamma-18:3 and 18:4 were in phosphatidylcholine, but phosphatidylglycerol was particularly low in these acids. In summary, the lipid composition was largely typical of 16:3 plants but there was a minor contribution typical of 18:4 plants. The possibility of three pathways for glycolipid biosynthesis is discussed.

Gamma-linolenic acid and tocopherol contents in the seed oil of 47 accessions from several Ribes species.:J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Jan;49(1):349-54. Erratum in: J Agric Food Chem 2001 Apr;49(4):2104.

Gamma-linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid for humans with delta-6-desaturase deficiency; it is a precursor of prostaglandins, prostacyclins, and tromboxanes; and it has antiinflammatory and antitumoral effects. Tocopherols are natural antioxidants with biological activity, heart/vascular, and cancer protective properties. The oil, gamma-linolenic acid, and tocopherol contents, as well as tocopherol composition, were investigated in the seed oil of a collection of 47 accessions belonging to various species of the genus Ribes. Differences for oil content among species were not significant. The highest total tocopherol content was found in R. nigrum (mean, 1716 mg kg(-1) oil), followed by R. rubrum (mean, 1442 mg kg(-1) oil). R. grossularia showed the lowest values for this trait (mean, 786 mg kg(-1) oil). The three species also differed strongly for tocopherol composition. R. rubrumwas distinguished by a higher concentration of delta-tocopherol (mean, 20.2%); R. grossularia displayed the highest percentage of gamma-tocopherol (mean, 70.0%), and R. nigrum showed the highest concentration for alpha-tocopherol (mean, 34.8%), the most biologically active among the four tocopherols. Regarding gamma-linolenic acid, the highest content was found in R. nigrum, which exhibited up to 15.8% of this essential fatty acid in the oil. R. grossularia and R. rubrum showed mean gamma-linolenic acid contents of 8% and 6.2%, respectively. The present study indicated that seeds of Ribes species, especially R. nigrum, could be used as sources of gamma-linolenic acid and natural vitamin E.

Lipase-mediated hydrolysis of blackcurrant oil.:Enzyme Microb Technol. 2000 Oct 1;27(7):531-536.Goffman FD, Galletti S.Institute of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Georg-August-University of, Von-Siebold-Strasse 8, 37075 G?ttingen, Germany. fgoffman@mail.agro.uba.ar

Four commercially available lipases, both free and immobilized, were tested for their ability to catalyze hydrolysis of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) oil using two different approaches. The lipase from Mucor miehei was studied free and immobilized in two different ways. The former series of enzymic reactions were performed in tap water at 40 degrees C, but the latter series of enzymic processes were carried out in mixtures of isooctane and phosphate buffer (in a typical 2/1 ratio of the components) at 30 degrees C. These conditions were optimized to increase and/or to maximize the yields of the products, which were priority targets in this study. A rate of hydrolysis and a selective preference of the hydrolytic enzymes towards fatty acids, with a special focus on enrichment of alpha-linolenic acid and/or gamma-linolenic acid, were studied. Higher rates of hydrolysis of the blackcurrant oil in the former series of reactions were observed with the immobilized lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia used as biocatalyst. In the latter approach, the most favorable results of the rate of hydrolysis of the target blackcurrant oil were achieved with the immobilized lipase from Mucor miehei employed as biocatalyst. Only three lipases, selected from a series of lipases tested during this investigation, displayed specificity towards alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid, i.e. the immobilized lipase from P. cepacia, lipase from M. miehei and lipase from P. fluorescens.

Capillary supercritical fluid chromatography--atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry of gamma- and alpha-linolenic acid containing triacylglycerols in berry oils.:Lipids. 1997 Aug;32(8):825-31.Vacek M, Zarev¨²cka M, Wimmerb Z, Str¨¢nsky K, Koutek B, Mackov¨¢ M, Demnerov¨¢ K.Institute of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Technick¨¢ 5, CZ-160 28 6, Prague, Czech Republic

The effect of the gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n-6) residue on the elution of triacylglycerols on a 25% cyanopropyl-25% phenyl-50% methylpolysiloxane stationary phase was confirmed by using capillary supercritical fluid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry [cSFC-(APCI)MS]. The general elution rule on this stationary phase is that triacylglycerols having the same ACN + 2n value coeluted (ACN = acyl carbon number and n = combined number of double bonds in the acyl chains). The different effect of gamma- and alpha-linolenic acid residues on the retention of triacylglycerols and the use of cSFC-(APCI)MS allowed the study of the number of different linolenic acid residue isomer combinations in triacylglycerols with an identical ACN and degree of unsaturation. Stearidonic acid (18:4n=3) residue was found to have a similar effect on the retention behavior of triacylglycerols as that of gamma-linolenic acid residue. The abundance of the [M - RCOO]+ ion, formed by the loss of one fatty acid moiety of a triacylglycerol, was found to be clearly higher in the case of gamma-isomer of the linolenic acid than that of alpha-isomer in the identical regiospecific position. This indicates that the distance of the double bonds from the glycerol backbone in the acyl chain affects the stability of a triacylglycerol molecule in the (APCI)MS system. The triacylglycerol composition and the fatty acid combinations of triacylglycerols were found to be almost identical in black currant (Ribes nigrum) and alpine currant (R. alpinum) seed oils.

A study of some important vitamins and antioxidants in a blackcurrant jam with low sugar content and without additives.:Int J Food Sci Nutr. 1997 Jan;48(1):57-66.Viberg U, Ekstr?m G, Fredlund K, Oste RE, Sj?holm I.Department of Food Engineering, Chemical Center, Lund, Sweden.

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) jam was manufactured with the aim of producing a jam with a low sugar content, and without any additives. Four temperatures were investigated, namely 60 degrees C, 76 degrees C, 92 degrees C and 97 degrees C. Processing time varied between 1-20 min. After processing, the highest content of ascorbic acid was found in the jam processed at 97 degrees C for 1 min, which contained 63.3 +/- 2.6 mg ascorbic acid/100 g jam. At all combinations investigated more than 60% of the original amount of ascorbic acid was retained after manufacturing and packaging. The jam made at 92 degrees C was stored in a shelf-life study for 13 months. The jam was then stored at 8 degrees C, ambient temperature and at 37 degrees C. At ambient temperature the jam was stored both in dark and in daylight, at 8 degrees C and at 37 degrees C the jam was stored in dark. After 13 months of storage, at 8 degrees C, 60% of the amount of ascorbic acid and 29% of the amount of anthocyanins were retained. In the jam stored at higher temperatures less of both was retained. The beta-carotene in the jam was found to be stable throughout the whole shelf-life study. Exposure to light did not have any effect on any of the components studied. The degradation of anthocyanins was best described by a second-order reaction and the activation energy was determined to be 90 kJ/mol. A jam of blackcurrant may be considered as a good source of vitamins and antioxidants after one year, if certain precautions concerning manufacture and storage conditions are taken.

Differential inhibition of eukaryote protein kinases by condensed tannins.:Phytochemistry. 1996 Sep;43(2):359-65.Wang BH, Foo LY, Polya GM.School of Chemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

Condensed tannins, isolated from a variety of plant sources, were characterized according to the constituent flavans, being based on procyanidin and/or prodelphinidin and having a cis or trans stereochemistry at positions 2 and 3. All the tannin preparations are potent inhibitors of rat liver cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (cAK) with IC50 values (concentrations for 50% inhibition) ranging from 0.009 to 0.2 microM. The tannin preparations are very good inhibitors of rat brain Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) (IC50 values in the range 0.3-7 microM), wheat embryo Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) (IC50 values in the range 0.8-7 microM) and of calmodulin (CaM)-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) (IC50 values in the range 7-24 microM). One of the most effective preparations, that from the leaves of Ribes nigrum, has IC50 values with respect to cAK, PKC, CDPK and MLCK of 0.009, 0.6, 2.0 and 16 microM, respectively. In general, the order with respect to sensitivity to inhibition by these condensed tannins is cAK > PKC > CDPK > MLCK. The Ribes nigrum preparation is a competitive inhibitor of cAK with respect to both ATP and synthetic peptide substrate. These condensed tannin preparations are the most potent plant-derived inhibitors of cAK yet found.

Activity of polyphenolic crude extracts as scavengers of superoxide radicals and inhibitors of xanthine oxidase.:Planta Med. 1992 Aug;58(4):342-4.Costantino L, Albasini A, Rastelli G, Benvenuti S.Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universit¨¤ di Modena, Italy.

In view of the pharmacological interest in phenolic substances, we have determined the total amount of anthocyanins and polyphenols present in the berries of several cultivars of Ribes, Rubus, and Vaccinium genera. The in vitro antiradical activity of the crude extracts on chemically-generated superoxide radicals as well as the inhibitory activity towards the enzyme xanthine oxidase were studied. All the crude extracts examined showed a remarkably high activity towards chemically-generated superoxide radicals. The activities were greater than those expected on the basis of the quantities of anthocyanins and polyphenols present in the samples. Furthermore, the extracts showed a certain inhibitory activity towards xanthine oxidase. Ribes nigrum extracts exhibit the highest activity, being the richest in both anthocyanins and polyphenols. On the other hand, Ribes rubrum extracts seem to contain more active substances than the other crude extracts.

Comparative study of the effectiveness of continuous or intermittent courses of a phlebotonic drug on venous disorders disclosed or aggravated by oral, estrogen-progesterone contraceptives:Phlebologie. 1992 Apr-Jun;45(2):167-73. French.Allaert FA, Vin F, Levardon M.D¨¦partement de Biostatistiques et Informatique M¨¦dicale, CHRU, Dijon.

In patients with venous disorders related to oral contraceptives, venotonic treatment should be prescribed for as long as contraception is maintained. 2,295 patients between the ages of 20 and 40 years with venous insufficiency revealed or aggravated by oral contraceptives were randomised to receive venotonic treatment for one month either continuously or in parallel with active contraceptive treatment, from the 10th to the 28th day. The results demonstrated the values of prolonged treatment of venous disease, as its effects persisted and were reinforced with time. The possibility of intermittent prescription would appear to improve compliance and lower the cost of treatment while ensuring comparable long-term efficacy.

PIP: Throughout France, physicians randomly assigned 2295 women with vein insufficiency, which was either disclosed or aggravated by use of a combined oral contraceptive (OC), to the group treated by two doses of the extract of Ribes nigrum every day for 24 weeks or to the group treated with the same dose of the phlebotonic drug only during days 10-28 of the cycle (i.e., parallel with OC use). There were 968 women in the first group and 1023 in the second group. Continuous treatment significantly reduced signs and symptoms of vein insufficiency (p 0.001). In fact, after 24 weeks of treatment, pain and edema were absent in 89.1% and 79.6% of women, respectively. Treatment only during days 10-28 of the cycle also significantly reduced signs and symptoms (p 0.001). The disappearance rate of the various signs and symptoms among women in the second group were comparable with the rate of women in the first group. After 24 weeks of treatment parallel with OC use, the disappearance rate ranged from 61% to 96%, depending on the sign or symptom. The effects of both treatments continued and improved with time. These findings show that intermittent use of the phlebotonic drug equals that of daily use. It appears that intermittent use will improve compliance and reduce drug costs while maintaining long-term efficacy.

Identification of (all-cis)-6,9,12,15-octadecatetraenoic acid in Ribes nigrum and fish oils: chemical and physical characterization.:Chem Phys Lipids. 1992 Jan-Feb;60(3):273-80.Moine G, Forzy L, Oesterhelt G.Vitamin and Nutrition Research, Analytical Department, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland.

In this report, we show that the non-conjugated octadecatetraenoic acid found in the oil of the seeds from Ribes nigrum is identical to the C18-polyunsaturated fatty acid previously isolated in a number of fish oils and seed oils. Evidence obtained from mass spectral data of its triazolopyridine derivative clearly indicates the presence of methylene-interrupted double bonds. Comparison with authentic material prepared by chemical synthesis provides further confirmation of the (all-cis)-6,9,12,15-octadecatetraenoic acid structure. The (all-cis)-4,8,12,15-structural arrangement erroneously attributed to this acid in several literature reports is thus definitely ruled out.

Anti-inflammatory evaluation of a hydroalcoholic extract of black currant leaves (Ribes nigrum).:J Ethnopharmacol. 1989 Nov;27(1-2):91-8.Declume C.Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Facult¨¦ des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Universit¨¦ Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France.

A hydroalcoholic extract of black currant (Ribes nigrum) leaves was tested on carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. Pharmacological activity was compared with indomethacin and niflumic acid using acute and chronic (21 or 28 days) oral treatment. Black currant extract and lyophilisate revealed significant anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that seen with the reference substances, but without their ulcerogenic potential, even at high doses during chronic treatment.

Comparative effects of total flavonoids extracted from Ribes nigrum leaves, rutin and isoquercitrin on biosynthesis and release of prostaglandins in the ex vivo rabbit heart:Prostaglandins Leukot Med. 1986 Jun;22(3):295-300.Chanh PH, Ifansyah N, Chahine R, Mounayar-Chalfoun A, Gleye J, Moulis C.

Experiments were carried out on isolated rabbit hearts: PG biosynthesis was induced by administration into the coronary circulation of a single dose of arachidonic acid (100 micrograms) and the PGs synthesized and released in the heart effluent were detected by bioassays. Total flavonoids (TF) extracted from Ribes nigrum leaves and their 2 major components, rutin and isoquercitrin had neither spasmodic nor relaxing activity on rat stomach strip. They were not capable of inducing any biosynthesis and release of PG-like substances and did not act on PGE2 receptors. They inhibited both biosynthesis and release of PG-like substances: TF were more active than rutin and isoquercitrin: ID30 was 1.03 +/- 0.24 mg/ml for TF versus 3.75 +/- 0.24 mg/ml and 2.31 +/- 1.4 mg/ml for rutin and isoquercitrin respectively.

Flavonoids extracted from Ribes nigrum L. and Alchemilla vulgaris L.: 1. In vitro inhibitory activities on elastase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. 2. Angioprotective activities compared in vivo:J Pharmacol. 1986 Jan-Mar;17(1):21-7. French.Jonadet M, Meunier MT, Villie F, Bastide JP, Lamaison JL.

In vitro experiments were conducted on the inhibitory properties of extracts from Ribes nigrum L. and Alchemilla vulgaris L. (fractions A1 + A2, A1, A2) on activity of the proteolytic enzymes elastase, trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin. Extracts from Ribes Nigrum L. and Alchemilla Vulgaris L. (Fraction A1) inhibited 50% of the activity of porcine pancreas elastase at concentrations of 0.56 mg/ml and 0.16 mg/ml, respectively, against a synthetic substrate. Inhibition was less effective on activity of trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin. Marked in vivo angioprotective properties were shown by the compounds studied, except Fraction A2 of Alchemilla vulgaris L. which had no significant activity. The results suggest a possible role by these inhibitors in the protection of conjunctive and elastic tissues adversely affected by proteolytic enzymes. An additional advantage is their lack of toxicity.

Characterization of gamma-linolenic acid in Ribes seed:Lipids. 1984 Dec;19(12):923-8.Traitler H, Winter H, Richli U, Ingenbleek Y.

The total lipid content of fruit seeds of the Ribes family ranges by weight from 18.3% in goose-berries (Ribes uva crispa) to 30.5% in black currants (Ribes nigrum). Isolation procedures and analytical methods (gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, high performance thin layer chromatography and stereospecific analysis) demonstrate that the oils from Ribes seeds contain up to 19% by weight of gamma-linolenic acid (gamma-LA, C18:3, n-6) in black currant oil. This last Ribes species thus constitutes one of the richest natural sources in gamma-LA yet described. These oils appear promising for critically ill patients who seem unable to convert linoleic acid into subsequent EFA fractions.

Flavonoid glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acid esters of blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum). Phenolics of fruits 9.:Z Lebensm Unters Forsch. 1977 Aug 31;164(4):263-8.Koeppen BH, Herrmann K.

The major flavonol glycosides of ripe blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum cv. Silvergieters Schwarze), myricetin 3-beta-D-glucopyranoside, rutin, and isoquercitrin, have been isolated in crystalline form. Analysis by thin-layer chromatography confirmed the occurrence of the 3-rutinosides and 3-glucosides of cyanidin and delphinidin. No free flavonoid aglycones could, however, be detected in the fresh berries. The major constituent fluorescing blue under ultraviolet light on paper and cellulose thin-layer chromatograms, was isolated and characterized as 1-O-caffeyl-beta-D-glucopyranose. Also isolated were 1-O-ferulyl- and 1-O-p-coumaryl-beta-D-glucopyranose. The occurrence fo hydroxycinnamyl-D-glucoses in blackcurrants does not appear to have been recognized previously.

Scientific References:

1.Research Update:Blackcurrant or Ribes nigrum.

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).