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BACKGROUND: As a common disease of the elderly, the etiology and pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis have not been clearly defined, and due to its high incidence and high disability rate, it seriously affects the quality of life of patients, requiring active prevention and treatment. Studies have confirmed that flemingia has a significant effect on the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis; and studying its mechanism is of great significance. OBJECTIVE: By reviewing relevant articles at home and abroad, the research progress of flemingia in the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis was reviewed based on the mechanism-related signaling pathways, providing ideas and reference for the effective prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Relevant articles published from 2010 to 2020 were retrieved on CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochran and Nature databases. A total of 60 articles were included through inclusion and exclusion criteria to exclude duplicated and old articles. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The main active components of flemingia include genistein, stigmasterol, emodin, chrysophanol, and ononin. (2) The active components of flemingia play an anti-inflammatory role in promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and regulating chondrocyte apoptosis to delay the accelerated progression of knee osteoarthritis. The main regulatory pathways contain Notch, JAK2/STAT3, nuclear factor-κB, MAPK and other related signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect and anti-inflammatory mechanism the effect of Flemingia Roxb. exAit extract on acute gouty arthritis. Methods: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups by weight, control and model group, (100, 150, 200 mg/kg) of Flemingia Roxb. exAit extract group and colchicine group. The rats of each group were given by intragastric for 7 days of continuous administration, meanwhile, there were given 0.9%NaCl solution instead as control and model group. The acute gouty arthritis model was constructed through right ankle joint cavity injection of sodium urate crystal solutionon day 5 after 1 h, but rats in the negative control group were injected with 0.9%NaCl solution into the articular cavity of the right foot. The general condition of rats and the degree of joint swelling, and the gait was observed after constructed model. To detected the joint fluid IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 indicators, and the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1 protein in ankle joint tissue for 2 hours after the last administration. Results: Groups of Flemingia Roxb. exAit extract could markedly reduce the joint swelling on acute gouty arthritis rat model, improve gait in a dose-dependent manner, high dose group of Flemingia Roxb. exAit extract did particularly well(Pjoint swelling <0.01;Pgait<0.05), close to the therapeutic effect colchicine group. Further mechanism studies show that the joint fluid IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 level was reduced by Flemingia Roxb. exAit extract group, the expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 protein of Flemingia Roxb. exAit extract group was decreased observbly than model group, but the most obvious is that high dose group as well as colchicine group(PNALP3<0.01;PCaspase-1<0.01). Conclusion: Flemingia Roxb. exAit extract has the effect of treating acute gouty arthritis and its mechanism may be related toinhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inhibiting inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wild edible plants (WEPs) form an important constituent of traditional diets of the tribal community of Jharkhand. Most of the rural populations residing in different parts of Jharkhand depend on plants and their parts to fulfil their daily needs and have developed unique knowledge about their utilization. The present study has been conducted to document the indigenous knowledge related to the diversity and uses of wild edible weeds in day to day life of tribal in Jharkhand. A total of 77 different herbs, shrubs, and small trees have been recorded belonging to 38 families of which 73 are edible either as a vegetable or as medicine or in both forms directly or after proper processing. The common wild edible herbs frequently distributed in the study area are Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (51 quadrats out of 134) and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (47 quadrats out of 134). Similarly, the most frequent edible shrubs are Clerodendrum viscosum Vent., nom. superfl. (40), Lantana camara L. (35), Croton oblongifolius Roxb. (34) and Flemingia stobilifera (L.) R.Br. (20). The diversity of WEPs in Jharkhand has found to be depleted due to their over exploitation and unsustainable harvesting for foods, medicines as well as because of various other biotic interferences including grazing, herbivory and anthropogenic fire. Therefore, there is an urgent need to conserve these valuable Wild edible plants (WEPs) and use it in a sustainable manner to ensure future demand. Besides, further research is also warrant to explore the therapeutic potentials as well the nutritive values of WEPs, so that, it can give a scientific basis for the further development of herbal drugs and traditional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the legume family Fabaceae, Flemingia is a genus of endemic flowering plants with medicinal values. The leaf extract of several species of Flemingia is traditionally used in Asia, primarily in India and China, for the treatment of various diseases. However, chemical and biological properties and activities of Flemingia species are poorly investigated. In this study, we have assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Flemingia wightiana ethanolic extract (FWEE) in rat model. The study includes the estimation of the antioxidant role of FWEE by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) methods. The further study proceeds towards the estimation of role of FWEE in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced Colitis model by observing weight loss, colonic shortening, histological damage and levels of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Obtained results revealed that the FWEE had appreciable antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities and thus justifies its use in traditional medicine in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and other disease conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The allelopathic potential of aqueous leaf extracts of Flemingia semialata Roxb. a leguminous herbs was used to examined its effect on growth and yield of Zea mays L. and Oryza sativa L. at different concentrations in laboratory bioassays. The extracts show both inhibitory and stimulatory effect on the test crops. Significant stimulatory effects were observed in 50 and 75 per cent concentration for root length and 25 per cent for shoot length in maize. Stimulatory effect on the root length of rice were observed at lower concentrations, however inhibitory effect were observed on the shoot length whereby the inhibitory effect increases with increase in the concentration of extracts. The inhibitory effect on biomass yield was observed at lower concentration in maize but inhibitory effect was more pronounced in rice at higher concentrations. Aqueous leaf extract of Flemingia semialata Roxb. performed better in maize than in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, period1b −/− zebrafish mutants were used to establish an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) model, in which hyperactive behavior was found to be a typical characteristic of ADHD due to down-regulated dopamine levels. Here, we used five prenylated isoflavones from Flemingia philippinensis roots to study their therapeutic effects on hyperactivity behavior in period1b −/− zebrafish. Results of locomotor activity assay showed that auriculasin, one of the prenylated isoflavones, significantly reduced the hyperactivity behavior in period1b −/− zebrafish. Hormone measurement results showed that auriculasin increased melatonin and dopamine content. Results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that auriculasin down-regulated the expression of mao but up-regulated the expression of th and per1b . Thus, auriculasin demonstrated a potential biological effect on dopamine activity to inhibit hyperactivity behavior in the ADHD zebrafish model by regulating circadian clock gene per1b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flemingia philippinensis has been used throughout history to cure rheumatism associated with neutrophil elastase (NE). In this study, we isolated sixteen NE inhibitory flavonoids ( 1 – 16 ), including the most potent and abundant prenyl isoflavones ( 1 – 9 ), from the F. philippinensis plant. These prenyl isoflavones ( 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , and 9 ) competitively inhibited NE, with IC 50 values of 1.3–12.0 μM. In addition, they were reversible, simple, slow-binding inhibitors according to their respective parameters. Representative compound 3 had an IC 50  = 1.3 μM, k 3  = 0.04172 μM −1  min −1 , k 4  = 0.0064 min −1 , and K i app  = 0.1534 μM. The K ik / K iv ratios (18.5 ∼ 24.6) for compound 3 were consistent with typical competitive inhibitors. The prenyl functionality of isoflavones significantly affected inhibitory potencies and mechanistic behavior by shifting the competitive mode to a noncompetitive one. The remaining flavonoids ( 10 – 16 ) were confirmed as mixed type I inhibitors that preferred to bind free enzyme rather than the enzyme-substrate complex. Fluorescence quenching analyses indicated that the inhibitory potency (IC 50 ) closely followed the binding affinity ( K SV ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have demonstrated that natural agents targeting the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that selectively kill, leaving normal cells undamaged, can suppress prostate cancer. Here, we show that auriculasin, derived from Flemingia philippinensis, induces significant cell death and apoptosis via ROS generation in prostate cancer cells. Auriculasin treatment resulted in selective apoptotic cell death in LNCaP prostate cancer cells, characterized by DNA fragmentation, accumulation of sub-G1 cell population, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, increase of cytosolic apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (EndoG), in addition to inhibiting tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Interestingly, auriculasin-induced apoptosis did not result in caspase-3, -8, and -9 activations. We found that auriculasin treatment decreased phosphorylation of AKT/mTOR/p70s6k in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Further, cellular ROS levels increased in LNCaP cells treated with auriculasin and blocking ROS accumulation with ROS scavengers resulted in inhibition of auriculasin-induced PARP cleavage, AIF increase, upregulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and decrease in AKT/mTOR phosphorylation. Taken together, these data suggest that auriculasin targets ROS-mediated caspase-independent pathways and suppresses PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, which leads to apoptosis and decreased tumor growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One among Fabaceae member Flemingia strobilifera W.Ation is a very useful herbal drug. Leaf of the same is collected, authentified and used for the study. Morphological study of leaf reveals it as a simple leaf with slightly wavy margin, ovate-lanceolate shape with pulvinous petiole. Leaf microscopy shows blacklids, simple trichome with tannin content. Bundle sheath cells are mostly filled with Calcium oxalate crystal. Ground tissue made up of parenchyma cells heavily deposited by rhomboidal crystal of calcium oxalate, tannin content, simple and compound starch grains and oil globules. Epidermis is covered by cuticle. Lower and upper epidermis is having Trichome. Lower epidermis interrupted by stomata. Mesophyll tissue is rich in oil globules and crystals. Powder microscopy of leaf shows simple unicellular trichome, oil globule, dark brown tannin content, rhomboidal crystal and fragment of paracitic stomata. Physicochemical analysis revealed presence of carbohydrates, saponins, glycosides, steroids and flavonoid. HPTLC study of alkaloid showed the presence of four and two spots in short and long UV respectively. These characteristics will be helpful to identify the plant Flemingia strobilifera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bushy host plant, Flemingia semialata Roxb. (Leguminaceae) has been field tested for intensive lac cultivation at the Agricultural Research Station, Malagi, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India by following standard agronomic procedure during kharif and rabi 2015-16. Pre harvest parameters like initial settlement of crawlers, female cell density and post-harvest parameters like yield, recovery per cent was calculated for both Kharif and Rabi season. Pre harvest parameters like mean initial settlement of crawler on the F. semialata varied from 45.89 to 61.00 and 43.11 to 60 no./cm². Density of female cell varied from 9.11 to 11.00 9 and 11 to 11.89 no./cm² twig during kharif and rabi seasons, respectively. Yield of stick per brood lac and scraped lac was recorded highest i.e., 30 g/plant brood lac rate inoculated (619.20 g/plant) and (481.33 g/plant) during Kharif, while during Rabi season it was recorded 566.53 and 407.94 g/plant. Recovery per cent of lac varied from 73.79 to 82.99 and 58.48 to 72.00 per cent during kharif and rabi, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the immunoregulatory activity of Flerningia polysaccharide on immuno compromised by cyclophos­phamide and normal mice. We measured thymus, spleen atid calculated the visceral index; measured mononuclear-macrophage phagocytic function by the Carbon Grain Kuo Clear Law; measured the level of serum hemolysin after erythrocyte immune, to observe the effect of the high and low dose of Flemingia polysaccharide(doses of 500, 1 000 kg • d-1) on the normal SPF BALB/c mice. We injected cyclophosphamide (40 mg • kg-1) five times subcutaneously every other day to lead to the immunosuppression mice. We measured thymus, spleen and calculated the visceral index; measured mononuclear-macrophage phagocytic function by the Carbon Grain Kuo Clear Law; measured the level of serum hemolysin after erythrocyte immune, observe the effect of the high and low dose of Flemingia polysaccharide on the immunocompromised SPF BALB/c mice. High and low dose of Flemingia polysaccharide could increase index of immune organs, carbon clearance capacity in varying degress(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and could also enhance the clearance index on normal and immunocompromised mice, but it have no significance, and could increase antibody of serum hemolysin significantly (P <0.05 or P<0.01) as well. These indicate that Flemingia polysaccharide can obviously enhance the immune function in normal and immuno compromised mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root nodule bacterial strains were isolated from the little-studied legumes Eriosema chinense and Flemingia vestita (both in tribe Phaseoleae, Papilionoideae) growing in acidic soil of the sub-Himalayan region of the Indian state of Meghalaya (ME), and were identified as novel strains of Bradyrhizobium on the basis of their 16S rRNA sequences. Seven isolates selected on the basis of phenotypic characters and assessment of ARDRA and RAPD patterns were subjected to multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using four protein-coding housekeeping genes ( glnII , recA , dnaK and gyrB ). On the basis of 16S rRNA phylogeny as well as a concatenated MLSA five strains clustered in a single separate clade and two strains formed novel lineages within the genus Bradyrhizobium . The phylogenies of the symbiotic genes ( nodA and nifH ) were in agreement with the core gene phylogenies. It appears that genetically diverse Bradyrhizobium strains are the principal microsymbionts of these two important native legumes. The novel genotypes of Bradyrhizobium strains isolated in the present study efficiently nodulate the Phaseoloid crop species Glycine max , Vigna radiata and Vigna umbellata . These strains are genetically different from strains of Bradyrhizobium isolated earlier from a different agro-climatic region of India suggesting that the acidic nature of the soil, high precipitation and other local environmental conditions are responsible for the evolution of these newly-described Bradyrhizobium strains. In global terms, the sub-Himalayan region of India is geographically and climatically distinct and the Bradyrhizobium strains nodulating its legumes appear to be novel and potentially unique to the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus and obesity are one of the most common health issues spread throughout world and raised the medical attention to find the new effective agents to treat these disease state. Occurrence of the drug resistance to the insulin and leptin receptor is also challenging major issues. The molecules that can overcome this resistance problem could be effective for the treatment of both type II diabetes and obesity. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (PTP) has emerged as new promising targets for therapeutic purpose in recent years. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP 1B) act as a negative regulator of insulin and leptin receptor signalling pathways. Several approaches have been successfully applied to find out potent and selective inhibitors. This article reviews PTP 1B inhibitors; natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic that showed inhibition towards enzyme as a major target for the management of type II diabetes. These studies could be contributing the future development of PTP 1B inhibitors as drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an important target to treat obesity and diabetes due to its key roles in insulin and leptin signaling. The MeOH extracts of the root bark of Flemingia philippinensis yielded eight inhibitory molecules ( 1 – 8 ) capable of targeting PTP1B. Three of them were identified to be novel compounds, philippin A ( 1 ), philippin B ( 2 ), and philippin C ( 3 ) which have a rare 3-phenylpropanoyl chromenedione skeleton. The other compounds ( 4 – 8 ) were known prenylated isoflavones. All compounds ( 1 – 8 ) inhibited PTP1B in a dose dependent manner with IC 50 s ranging between 2.4 and 29.4 μM. The most potent compound emerged to be prenylated isoflavone 5 (IC 50 = 2.4 μM). In kinetic studies, chromenedione derivatives ( 1 – 3 ) emerged to be reversible, competitive inhibitors, whereas prenylated isoflavones ( 5 – 8 ) were noncompetitive inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigates the potential estrogenic activity of the ethanolic extract of Flemingia vestita Benth tubers using ovariectomized rat model. Materials and Methods: The ethanolic extract of F. vestita tubers has been standardized using validated HPLC method in terms of its genistein content (8.43 ± 0.05 mg/g of extract). Three to four week old young albino Wistar female rats were ovariectomized and treated for 14 days post ovariectomy with the standardized ethanolic extract at three different dose levels (100, 250, 500 mg/kg body weight) with a positive control of Estradiol valerate (1 mg/kg/day). The parameters evaluated were uterine weight, uterine glycogen, G6PDH, LDH, 17β-estradiol, progesterone, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and histo architecture of uterus. Results: Treatment with the ethanolic extract of F. vestita tubers showed dose dependent increase in uterine weight, glycogen levels, G6PDH levels, estrogen and progesterone levels when compared with the ovariectomized control. Amongst three dose levels, high dose of plant extract showed significant increase in the uterine weight (p < 0.001), uterine glycogen content (p < 0.001), 17-β estradiol and progesterone levels (p < 0.001), G6PDH and LDH levels (p < 0.001) as well as significant decrease in HDL and triglycerides levels (p < 0.001) compared to ovariectomized control. Histopathological evaluation of uteri sections revealed that the high dose of the plant show increase in the endometrial response as indicated by proliferation of endometrial glands and luminal epithelium of the ovariectomized rats. Conclusion: Thus, these data suggests that ethanolic extract (500 mg/kg body weight) of F. vestita tubers may exhibit good estrogenic activity in ovariectomized rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop a simple and rapid method for extracting total flavonoids from the roots of Flemingia philippinensis and to investigate the antioxidant and anti-tumor activities of the extracts of the materials from various locations in China. Methods: The total flavonoids in F. philippinensis were obtained by ultrasonic-assisted conventional solvent extraction method, and the extraction conditions were optimized by single factor and orthogonal test. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and anti-tumor activities, using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, of the extract were evaluated. The contents of flemiphilippinin A, auriculasin, 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6,8 -diprenylisoflavone and dorsmanins I were also determined. Results: Optimal extraction conditions were as follows: extraction time, 40 min; methanol concentration, 85 %; and solvent to solid ratio, 40 mL/g; and number of extraction, once. Total flavonoid content varied greatly (3.7 - 14.35 %) among the 19 samples collected from different origins in China. Flemiphilippin A, 5,7,3',4'- tetrahydroxy-6,8 -diprenylisoflavone, auriculasin and dorsmanins I showed varying DPPH radical scavenging activities with effective half maximal concentration (EC50) of 18.36, 23.59, 57.25 and 63.54 µg/mL, respectively. Flemiphilippinin A (5 µg/mL) also exhibited some level of antitumor activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell (BEL-7402), human lung epithelial (A-549) and human ileocecal adenocarcinoma cell (HCT-8) with inhibition of 91.13 ± 1.6, 91.22 ± 3.23, and 79.77 ± 3.57 %, respectively. Conclusion: Total flavonoids can be extracted efficiently from F. philippinensis by ultrasonic-assisted extraction method. Flemiphilippinin A has a potential for use in medicine as an antioxidant and antitumor drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flemingia vestita Benth (Fabaceae) is a much-branched trailing herb with tuberous roots, found throughout the Himalayas and Khasi Hills up to an elevation of 8,000 ft. Formononetin, pseudobaptigenin, diadzein and genistein are major isoflavones present in the tuberous root of F. vestita. Materials and Methods: In this research work, tubers of F. vestita were collected from different regions of Northeast India and analyzed for their genistein content using two chromatographic techniques (HPTLC and HPLC). Both the chromatographic methods have been optimized and validated as per ICH guidelines. Results:Comparative evaluation of genistein content in different samples of F. vestita revealed that the marker content varies significantly. Tubers collected from Lyngiong were found to be rich in genistein. Conclusion: Thus, chromatographic characterization of F.vestita using HPTLC and HPLC would enable its rational utilization and these methods can be applied for the quality evaluation of F. vestita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Flemingia philippinensis is used as a foodstuff or medicinal plant in the tropical regions of China. The methanol (95%) extract of the roots of this plant showed potent tyrosinase inhibition (80% inhibition at 30μg/ml). Activity-guided isolation yielded six polyphenols that inhibited both the monophenolase (IC50 =1.01–18.4μM) and diphenolase (IC50 =5.22–84.1μM) actions of tyrosinase. Compounds 1–6 emerged to be three new polyphenols and three known flavanones, flemichin D, lupinifolin and khonklonginol H. The new compounds (1–3) were identified as dihydrochalcones which we named fleminchalcones (A–C), respectively. The most potent inhibitor, dihydrochalcone (3) showed significant inhibitions against both the monophenolase (IC50 =1.28μM) and diphenolase (IC50 =5.22μM) activities of tyrosinase. Flavanone (4) possessing a resorcinol group also inhibited monophenolase (IC50 =1.79μM) and diphenolase (IC50 =7.48μM) significantly. In kinetic studies, all isolated compounds behaved as competitive inhibitors. Fleminchalcone A was found to have simple reversible slow-binding inhibition against monophenolase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Botanical root of Flemingia and Glycine of Leguminosae is used as a traditional Chinese medicine material “I-Tiao-Gung” in Taiwan. It is widely used in both traditional Chinese medicine and folk remedies for the treatment of rheumatism, arthropathy, leukorrhea, menalgia, menopausal syndrome, and chronic nephritis, and the improvement of bone mineral density. The quasi root of Glycine tomentella and Glycine tabacina is substituted and used by some off-shore island users, and it is also known as I-Tiao-Gung. Thus, the establishment of an effective method to distinguish the herb from alternative species is a critical issue. In this study, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region-based analysis was used to ascertain the phylogenetic relationship among the indigenous four Flemingia species and two Glycine species. The length of the ITS regions among the six species ranged from 595 bp to 622 bp and the GC ratio in ITS (ITS 1 þ 5.8S þ ITS 2) regions ranged from 57.17% to 58.86%. The molecular phylogenetic trees were constructed and indicated that Flemingia species and Glycine species were separated into two clusters. These results indicate that ITS regions can be used as a molecular marker to differentiate the four Flemingia species and two Glycine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the rumen bypass potential of various protein sources at 24, 48 and 72 hr of incubation in rumen-cannulated cattle. The animal was fed with Napier and legume supplement following a ratio of 80:20. The incubation process followed the sequential addition method and digested samples were analyzed for percent dry matter and percent crude protein. Significantly lower dry matter digestibility and dry matter disappearance rate were noted using Flemingia (Flemingia macrophylla) leaf meal than in Calopo (Calopogonium muconoides), Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium), Pinto peanut (Arachis pintoi) and Soybean meal (SBM) in all rumen exposure times. Crude protein digestibility (CPD) and crude protein disappearance rate (CPDR) of Flemingia were significantly lower than Calopo, Kakawate, Pinto peanut and SBM at all periods which could be due to its high tannin content. Calopo had significant reduction in CPD and CPDR than Pinto peanut and SBM at 24 hr, SBM at 48 hr, and Kakawate and Pinto peanut at 72 hr and this could be due to its physical properties, maturity and source of leaves. The study suggests that Flemingia is a good source of bypass protein for ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bacterial neuraminidase (NA) is one of the key enzymes involved in pathogenesis of inflammation during infection. The organic extract of the roots of Flemingia philippinensis showed high bacterial NA inhibitory activity with an IC50 of around 5μg/mL. Activity-guided separation of the methanol extract yielded nine prenylated isoflavones together with the novel species isoflavone (2) which was given the name flemingsin. Isolated prenylated isoflavones (1–9) were evaluated for NA inhibition and their IC50 values were determined to range between 0.30 and 56.8μM. The most potent inhibitor 4 (IC50 =300nM, K i =130nM) features a catechol motif in the B-ring and a furan in the A-ring. Structure–activity analysis also showed a 4-hydroxyl group within the B-ring was essential for NA inhibitory activity, because isoflavone (9) having protected 4-hydroxyl group was much less potent than its hydroxylated counterpart. All neuraminidase compounds screened were found to be reversible noncompetitive inhibitors. Furthermore, the most active NA inhibitors (1–9) were proven to be present in the native roots in high quantities by HPLC and LC-DAD-ESI/MS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was investigated from natural (MF) and cultivated sites (TF) ofFlemingia vestitaBenth. ex Baker.Samplings were done at monthly intervals for one crop cycle. Root samples were evaluated for AMF colonization. Trap cultures were also established with four different host plants (Oryza sativaL.,Paspalum notatumFlüggé,Trifolium repensL. andZea maysL.) using rhizosphere soils from natural and cultivated sites ofF. vestitaas the source of AMF inoculum. A total of 61 AMF species (51 from natural site and 46 from cultivated site) belonging to six genera (Acaulospora, Ambispora, Gigaspora, Glomus,PacisporaandScutellospora) could be distinguished fromF. vestitarhizosphere soil. 33 AMF species belonging to five genera (Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Glomus,ParaglomusandScutellospora) were isolated from trap cultures (25 AMF species from trap plants with MF derived inoculum and 18 AMF species from trap plants with TF derived inoculum). Three additional AMF species were isolated in trap cultures that were not detected in field soils, indicating that trap culture allows development and sporulation of AMF species which otherwise were not recovered from field soil. Higher AMF diversity was observed in natural site than in cultivated site ofF. vestita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the sedative, hypnotic and anticonvulsant activities of the ethanol extract of the roots of the Flemingia chappar (ERFC) on the central nervous system (CNS) of mice. Methods: The ethanol extract of the roots of F. chappar in doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o., was studied in mice for its sedative effect by evaluating its locomotor activity; its hypnotic effect was assessed by measuring pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, while anticonvulsant effect was determined by evaluating its activity on maximal electroshock-induced and pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. The latency of tonic convulsions and number of animals protected from tonic convulsions were noted. Results: ERFC (200 - 600 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased locomotor activity. ERFC also produced dose-dependent prolongation of pentobarbitone sleeping time. In addition, ERFC (400 and 600 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the duration of seizure induced by maximal electroshock (MES), The same dose also protected from pentylenetetrazol-induced tonic seizures and significantly (p < 0.05) delayed the onset of tonic seizures. Conclusion: The results indicate that the ethanol root extract of F. chappar has sedative and anticonvulsant activities, thus justifying its use in traditional medicine for epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combined approach of subwindow factor analysis and spectral correlative chromatography was used to analyze the volatile components in Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae and Flemingiae Latifolia Benth, one of its substitutes. After extraction by a water distillation method, the volatile components in Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae and Flemingiae Latifolia Benth were detected by GC-MS. Then the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the volatile components in Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae was completed with the help of subwindow factor analysis resolving two-dimensional original data into mass spectra and chromatograms. Sixty five of 82 separated constituents in the total ion chromatogram of the volatile components in Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae were identified and quantified, accounting for about 88.79% of the total content. Then, spectral correlative chromatography was used to extract correlative constituents in Flemingiae Latifolia Benth. Fifty one correlative components were recognized in essential oil of Flemingiae Latifolia Benth. The result proves the combined approach is powerful in the analysis of complex herbal samples. The developed method can be used to compare the sameness and differences of Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae and its substitutes and it can also be used for quality control of Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new prenylated benzofuran derivative, named flemiphilippinone A, was isolated together with ten known flavonoids from the roots of Flemingia philippinensis. Flemiphilippinone A was identified as (2S,3aS)-5-(1-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)- propylidene)-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-3a,7-bis(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)tetrahydrobenzofuran- 4,6(2H,5H)-dione, and its structure was established by a combination of HR EIMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY spectra data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new prenylated isoflavonoid, flemiphilippinin G ( 1), and a new flavonol glycoside, flemiphilippininside ( 2), along with eleven known isoflavonoids were obtained from the roots of Flemingia philippinensis ( Merr. et Rolfe) Li. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The in vitro cytotoxicities of compounds 1- 13 against MCF-7, A549, and Hep-G2 cell lines were determined by using the MTT (=3-(4,5-dimethylthazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against all the tested cell lines with IC50 values of 4.8-7.3 μ M, and compound 2 was found to be inactive. Both compounds 1 and 2 showed weak antioxidant activities with FRAP values of 110±15 and 124±16 μmol/g, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species: Opalia (Pliciscala) flemingi (late Nukumaruan-early Castlecliffian, OIS 71-29?, Wanganui); Kuroshioturris putere (Opoitian-Waipipian, Westland and Hawke's Bay), Antimelatoma waimea (Kapitean-Opoitian, Westland); two new genera: Cryptofusus (Turbinellidae) for New Zealand species formerly referred to Pleia Finlay (Australian); Onoketoma (Conidae, Raphitominae) for 'Insolentia' solitaria King, bathyal Nukumaruan, Palliser Bay. Xymene (sensu stricto; separated again from Axymene, Xymenella and Zeatrophon) is useful biostratigraphically in near-shore facies: X. drewi (Hutton) (based on Marwick's lectotype), Mangapanian-late Nukumaruan; X. expansus (Hutton), late Nukumaruan-early Castlecliffian (to OIS 19); X. plebeius (Hutton), OIS 17-Recent. New fossil records from Pleistocene (OIS 7) deposits at Hokianga Harbour, Northland: Agnewia tritoniformis (Blainville), Hydatina physis (Linne), Philine tepikia Rudman. Other biostratigraphically useful species: Zeatrophon bonneti (Cossmann) (Nukumaruan-OIS 9; 7?); Aeneator delicatulus Powell, Buccinulum caudatum Powell (both OIS 25-19, 17?). New synonymy: Otahua Marwick, 1948 = Bedeva Iredale, 1936; Cominella (Eucominia) marlboroughensis Powell = C. elegantula (Finlay), Nukumaruan-Recent; Antiguraleus Powell, 1942=Propebela Iredale, 1918; Antiguraleus depressipirus (Beu) = Propebela ula (Watson); Oenopota Morch, 1853 is possibly an earlier name for Liracraea Odhner, 1924, but Liracraea is retained; Antimelatoma ahiparana and A. otagoensis of Powell = A. buchanani (Hutton); Tritonoturris Dall, 1924=Asperdaphne Hedley, 1922; most Australasian 'Asperdaphne' species are assigned to Pleurotomella Verrill. Taxonomy revised: Cirsotrema zelebori (Dunker); Opalia (Nodiscala) nympha (Hutton) (Mangapanian-Nukumaruan); Acirsa cookiana (Dell, 1956) (OIS 23-Recent); Cominella (Eucominia) incisa (Hutton), Nukumaruan, Hawke's Bay; Euthria pangoides (Beu), Waipipian; Iredalula striata (Hutton), Kapitean(?)-Castlecliffian (-OIS 11) distinguished from I. alticincta (Murdoch & Suter), Nukumaruan-Recent; Ponderia zealandica (Hutton) (OIS 13-Recent); Amalda (Baryspira) olsoni Beu, Nukumaruan; Kuroshioturris angustata (Powell), Mangapanian-Recent; Austrotoma aguayoi (Carcelles) (Recent, SW Atlantic); Struthiolariopsis ferrieri (Philippi), Cretaceous, Quiriquina, Chile (Conoidea); Mitrellatoma angustata (Hutton), Nukumaruan; Gymnobela gypsata (Watson), Recent, E New Zealand, removed from Paracomitas; Paracomitas protransenna (Marshall & Murdoch) (Nukumaruan), P. gemmea (Murdoch) (Castlecliffian) and P. augusta (Murdoch & Suter) (=P. augusta powelli Dell; Recent); Aoteadrillia wanganuiensis (Hutton) (=chordata Suter and many other synonyms; Nukumaruan-Recent), A. finlayi (Powell) and A. apicarinata (Marshall & Murdoch) (Nukumaruan); Bulla quoyii Gray (OIS 7-Recent); Bulla australis Ferussac, Atlantic,=B. mabillei Locard; Philippia lutea (Lamarck), Nukumaruan-Recent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the possible antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of the aqueous extracts of four Flemingia species in Taiwan. A number of methods were employed for this investigation, including ABTS radical monocation scavenging, FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) method, DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging, total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, total flavonol content, and inhibition of α-glucosidase and aldose reductase methods. The results showed that the aqueous extract of Flemingia macrophylla (WFM) had the strongest antioxidant activity in comparison with the other extracts. We also found that WFM had higher contents of polyphenol compounds, flavonoids and flavonols than the other extracts. The correlation coefficient (R2) values of TEAC (trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) and FRAP showed high correlations (R2=0.83). The R2 values of TEAC and total polyphenol content showed a higher correlation (R2=0.66). The R2 values of TEAC and total flavonoid content for the aqueous extracts was 0.94. The antidiabetic activities of the four Flemingia species were studied in vitro using α-glucosidase and aldose reductase (AR) inhibitory methods. WFM had the highest inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase and aldose reductase, with IC50 (concentration with 50% inhibition) of 153.92 ± 0.20 μg/mL and 79.36 ± 3.20 μg/mL respectively. The positive control (genistein) had higher inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase and aldose reductase (IC50 16.65 ± 0.92 μg/mL and 45.62 ± 2.16 μg/mL) respectively. In LC-MS-MS analyses, the chromatograms of WFM with the highest antioxidant and antidiabetic activity were established. Genistein might be an important bioactive compound in WFM extract. This experiment suggests that WFM might serve as a good resource for future development of antioxidant and antidiabetic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I-Tiao-Gung has long been used in the Kinmen area of Taiwan as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of rheumatic illness. The roots of Flemingia lineata (FL), Flemingia macrophylla (FM) and Flemingia prostrata (FP) are also used as I-Tiao-Gung in the Taiwan markets. In the present study, we investigated the analgesic effect of aqueous extracts of Flemingia lineata (FL), Flemingia macrophylla (FM), and Flemingia prostrata (FP) by acetic acid-induced writhing response, formalin test, and the anti-inflammatory effect of FM, FL and FP by λ-carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. We also detected the changes in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GRx) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) of liver in the λ-carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of FL and FM. The results showed that FL and FM significantly inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin-induced licking time during the late phase (p < 0.001). FL and FM also significantly decreased the λ-carrageenan-induced paw edema (p < 0.001). FL and FM significantly increased the GRx and GPx activities in the liver and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in the edema paw (p < 0.001). These results indicated that FL and FM possessed analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of FL and FM might be related to the decrease in the level of MDA in the edema paw via increasing the activities of GPx and GRx in the liver and decreasing the NO level in the edema paw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Samples obtained from two planting experiments with tropical shrub legumes rich in condensed tannins (CT) (Calliandra calothyrsus, Flemingia macrophylla, Leucaena leucocephala) were analysed in detail for CT concentration, composition and properties, as well as for in vitro degradability. The factors evaluated included cultivation site (fertile mollisol with pH 7.8 and bimodal rainfall vs. infertile oxisol with pH 5.0, high Al saturation and unimodal rainfall) and different levels of mineral fertilisation. In vitro ruminal degradability, CT concentration and properties were affected by cultivation site or fertiliser application or both. In Calliandra and Flemingia, the CT concentration showed a trend (P <0.1) to be higher at the site with the infertile soil. This was consistent with the increased (P <0.001) astringency of CT extracts found in Calliandra when plants were cultivated at this site. In Flemingia, however, astringency was reduced (P <0.001) on the infertile soil. There were certain effects of the cultivation site on the anthocyanidin profile of CT from Calliandra and Flemingia, but these were relatively small and could not explain the differences in astringency observed between sites. Fertilisation did not affect (P >0.05) total CT concentration in Calliandra and Flemingia but clearly increased (P <0.01) astringency of the CT extracts. This suggests that not only CT concentration but also properties of CT may be affected by cultivation site and fertilisation. Leucaena did not grow on the infertile soil and site effects could therefore not be evaluated in this species. Fertilisation did not affect (P >0.05) CT concentration and astringency of CT extracts of Leucaena but reduced (P <0.05) the cyanidin proportion in CT. Cultivation site affected several variables describing fermentation dynamics. Foliage of the legumes grown on the infertile soil exhibited lower (P <0.05) gas production rates. Dry matter degradation was lower (P <0.001) and the proportion of dietary N remaining undegraded after in vitro incubation was higher (P <0.001) when Calliandra was grown on the infertile compared to the fertile soil. The present results indicate that the cultivation site may affect the feeding value of CT-containing legumes. Fertilisation could not compensate the negative effects of the cultivation site on CT properties and ruminal nutrient degradation. Selecting appropriate cultivation sites (with higher soil fertility) may contribute to improve the feeding value of certain tanniniferous tropical shrub legumes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]