Chemical nature of a desmutagenic factor from burdock (Arctium lappa LINNE).

Abstract

Studies were carried out to elucidate the chemical nature of the desmutagenic factor of Burdock (Arctium lappa Linne), Which is shown to be a complex polymer having a molecular weight of about 300,000.5) Its desmutagenic effects are demonstrated on indirect mutagens such as Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2, as well as on direct mutagens such as 2-nitro-l,4-diamino benzene and 4nitro-l,2-diamino benzene. The present findings suggest that this factor is not a protein because of the low content of nitrogen and the non-color reaction of its hydrolysate with ninhydrin. The desmutagenic factor probably possesses carboxyl groups as indicated by a 13C-NMRspectrum, potentiometric titration and analysis of its pyrolysates. This analysis of the factor's pyrolysates and its reductive degradation substances on the GC-massspectrum provided evidence that the factor also has an aromatic ring as a basic structure. The factor may be a lignin-like compoundhaving a 10% sugar content. Desmutagens are defined as agents inactivating mutagens through direct reactions.2) Wewere first able to show that many kinds of vegetables possess desmutagenic activities on pyrolysate mutagens derived from heated proteinous food or amino acids.1?2) In the cases of cabbage and broccoli, peroxidases were iden

The chemistry and biological activity of herbs used in Flor-Essence? herbal tonic and Essiac

“…Most of the evidence is based on in vitro studies, however, few in vivo studies are reported and no clinical trials in the United States or Canada with the whole tonic have been conducted to date; however, preclinical and clinical trials on gastroenterology patients have been conducted by the Russian Ministry. Articles addressing the beneficial antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant effects of several of the herbs have been published (Silver and Krantz, 1931;Ley and Reeve, 1997;Yang et al, 1997;Odin, 1997;Agarwal and Mukhtar, 1996;Dombradi and Foldeak, 1996;Foldeak and Dombradi, 1964;Morita et al, 1984Morita et al, , 1985Kimura et al, 1980;Maruta et al, 1995). Thus, the herbal mixture may have synergistic antitumour and immunostimulant activities since the individual herbs exhibit specific biological activity.…”

“…In vitro studies demonstrated that the aqueous extract of burdock root decreased mutations in cells exposed to toxic chemicals (Morita et al, 1984). In addition, animals that consumed burdock root were protected against several toxic chemicals (Kimura et al, 1980;Dombradi and Foldeak, 1966;Foldeak and Dombradi, 1964;Morita et al, 1985). The anticarcinogenic activity of natural and synthetic flavonoids has been evaluated in mice.…”

Inhibitory Compounds of .ALPHA.-Glucosidase Activity from Arctium lappa L.

“…species as antioxidant activity (12,13), and 2-nitro-1,4diaminobenzen was isolated as a desmutagenic compound (14). This plant has been used to study the physical dietary fibers (15).…”

Antioxidant activity of burdock (Arctium lappa Linné): Its scavenging effect on free‐radical and active oxygen

“…Analysis of its components and its desmutagenic effect have been reported (4,5). Few reports, however, have addressed the antioxidant activity of burdock.…”