EXTRACTION, ISOLATION, CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION AND IN VITRO UROLITHIATIC ACTIVITY OF PIPERINE FROM PIPER NIGRUM

Piper nigrum is belongs to the family Piperaceae. The aim of the present study was to extract, isolate and investigate in vitro urolithiatic activity of alkaloid (piperine) from black pepper and identification by chemical reagents. In vitro urolithiatic evaluation of piperine was performed by percentage dissolution and turbidity methods. Calcium oxalate crystals were synthetically prepared and packed in a semipermeable membrane in both methods. Results were compared statistically and it showed significant P​

Primary meningococcal septic arthritis associated with joint calcium oxalate crystals: A case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT Primary meningococcal septic arthritis (PMSA) is an extremely rare local infection by Neisseria meningitidis in the absence of meningitis or meningococcaemia syndrome. A 30-year-old healthy, immunocompetent man presented with arthralgia, fever, chest rash, and significant swelling of the right knee. On admission, a disseminated maculopapular and purpuric rash, oligoarthritis, neutrophilia, and elevated acute phase reactants were documented. Following arthrocentesis of the right knee, isolation of N. meningitidis and the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the synovial fluid were reported. The diagnosis of PMSA was made. Histological analysis of the skin lesion showed leucocytoclastic vasculitis. He was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone plus open surgical drainage and ambulatory cefixime with adequate response. After 1 month, he presented resolution of the pathological process. We performed an extensive review of the literature, finding that the key elements supporting the diagnosis of PMSA are prodromal upper respiratory tract symptoms and skin involvement prior to or synchronous with the arthritis. Also, the most frequently involved joint is the knee. This report is the first case of a patient presenting with PMSA associated with calcium oxalate crystals in the synovial fluid. Herein, we discuss the most frequent clinical manifestations, the unusual histological features, the recommended treatment, and the reported prognosis of this rare entity.

Effect of Dolichos biflorus Seeds Based Functional Beverage on In Vitro Calcium Oxalate Crystallization in Human Urine

Calcium oxalate is the most common type of urolithiasis. The crystallization process includes nucleation, growth, and the aggregation of crystals. This study has used Dolichos biflorus seeds as a functional beverage to explore the role of its bioactive substances on the crystallization process of calcium oxalate in managing urolithiasis. A human urine model of in vitro calcium oxalate crystals was used in the study. Phytochemical screening of Functional beverage of Dolichos biflorus seeds was performed, and antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring DPPH radical-scavenging activity, reducing power assay, and Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Functional beverage of Dolichos biflorus seeds inhibited crystallization process by reducing aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals. The reduction in crystals aggregation helps prevent urolithiasis by keeping the crystals dispersed in the urine, controlling their size, and facilitating expulsion from the urinary tract. The results showed that the Functional beverage of Dolichos biflorus seeds has a significant quantity of flavonoids, glycosides, etc., and also possesses a significant antioxidant activity as evaluated by employing different antioxidant assays. Therefore, our findings suggested that the functional beverage of Dolichos biflorus seeds exhibited antiurolithiatic activity through inhibition of the crystallization process of the calcium oxalate process and significant antioxidant potential.

Histochemical observations in Piper malgassicum (Piperaceae) with a special focus on the epidermis

This is the first contribution about the histochemistry of vegetative and reproductive aerial organs in the genus Piper L. Piper malgassicum accumulates alkaloids and terpenes in the epidermis and the underlying layers of parenchyma, both in the leaves, in the stems and in anthers. Some idioblasts appear to contain a large amount of secondary metabolites. The micro-anatomical analysis showed peculiar secretory structures both in the leaves, in the anthers and in the ovary. Several lipid aggregates, alkaloid droplets and calcium oxalate crystals were observed in leaves and stems, indicating their role in defence strategies, mechanical support, and pollinators attraction. In the anthers, we observed elaioplasts whose content suggest an alternative and indirect function in pollination and defence against micro-organisms. Besides, some lipid aggregates surrounded by microtubules, detected in the anthers, were recognized as lipotubuloids. The tapetum was of secretory type. Alkaloids and terpenes were widely distributed in the plant confirming the important biological role of this type of biomolecules and its functional range. In the anthers, terpene and polyphenol inclusions appeared particularly abundant in the epidermal layer, whereas calcium oxalate crystals were observed close to the ovule in the ovary at maturity.

Novel Growth Age Characterization for Fresh Herbal Ginseng Based on Quantitative Counting of the Calcium Oxalate Crystals through FEG-ESEM

To reveal the accumulation of the calcium oxalate crystals (COH Crystals) during the growth and development of the taproot of Panax ginseng, and develop a novel and rapid characterization method to evaluate the growth age of commercial ginseng, multiple methods in micro characterization techniques of SAXS, Micro-CT, FEG-ESEM and Micro-Raman were used to identify the COH Crystals and establish a quantitative counting method for growth age identification. In this study, a cross-analysis with multiple methods proved for the first time with a Raman and Energy spectrum that the high-density particles widely distributed in the parenchyma cells of the xylem and cortex are COH Crystals; we also first realized quantitative counting of the COH Crystals on the cross-section of fresh ginseng samples. Moreover, catering to the testing requirements of the modern trading of fresh ginseng products, we also specifically established an interesting and useful mathematical equation (Y = 2.3797X − 1.2404) for growth age identification. The technology and strategy in this study effectively compensated for the shortcomings of chemical testing and other methods in technical limitations; hence, the application of more ginseng varieties to perform the technical optimization is expected.

Regulation of Laminaria Polysaccharides with Different Degrees of Sulfation during the Growth of Calcium Oxalate Crystals and their Protective Effects on Renal Epithelial Cells

The original Laminaria polysaccharide (LP0) was sulfated using the sulfur trioxide-pyridine method, and four sulfated Laminaria polysaccharides (SLPs) were obtained, namely, SLP1, SLP2, SLP3, and SLP4. The sulfated (–OSO3–) contents were 8.58%, 15.1%, 22.8%, and 31.3%, respectively. The structures of the polysaccharides were characterized using a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. SLPs showed better antioxidant activity than LP0, increased the concentration of soluble Ca2+ in the solution, reduced the amount of CaOx precipitation and degree of CaOx crystal aggregation, induced COD crystal formation, and protected HK-2 cells from damage caused by nanometer calcium oxalate crystals. These effects can inhibit the formation of CaOx kidney stones. The biological activity of the polysaccharides increased with the content of –OSO3−, that is, the biological activities of the polysaccharides had the following order: LP0 < SLP1 < SLP2 < SLP3 < SLP4. These results reveal that SLPs with high –OSO3− contents are potential drugs for effectively inhibiting the formation of CaOx stones.

Evidence for the Presence of Hyphae and Fruiting Body Calcium Oxalate Crystallites in Schizophyllum commune

Biomineralization is a phenomenon in which organisms form crystals. Studies have shown that many fungi have the ability to biomineralize, it can exhibit calcium oxalate crystals on their hyphae and fruiting body. Schizophyllum commune is a common saprophytic fungus distributed all over the world, but there is little research on its biomineralization. In this paper, S. commune fruiting body from three different provinces of China were collected, and isolation for hyphal cultured to obtain several samples. Utilizing light microscope, FE-SEM, and EDAX, the existence of crystals on the fruiting body and mycelium of each strain was found, and their morphological characteristics and ion content were analyzed. It was ultimately established that biomineralization occurs on S. commune.