Geraniin Promotes Recovery of Hematopoietic Cells after Radiation Injury.[Pubmed: 28659035]

Cells of the hematopoietic system are uniquely radiosensitive due to their rapid proliferation. Consequently, immune suppression readily and undesirably results from irradiation. Our previous studies demonstrated that geraniin isolated from Nymphaea tetragona var. angusta (water lily) had a protective effect on the splenocytes and intestinal tract of irradiated mice. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of geraniin, an ellagitannin isolated from the water lily, in decreasing gamma ray irradiation-induced destruction of the hematopoietic system in mice. Geraniin treatment improved the survival time of bone marrow cells and maintained bone marrow integrity and also up-regulated the expression of stem cell receptors and the extent of cell mitosis. Geraniin also enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells that had been suppressed by irradiation. These results suggest geraniin is a promising agent for reconstituting hematopoietic cells after exposure to irradiation.

Modulation of quorum sensing-controlled virulence factors by Nymphaea tetragona (water lily) extract.[Pubmed: 26325430]

Nymphaea tetragona is a widely distributed ornamental species with ethnomedicinal uses in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, eruptive fevers, and infections. The anti-infectious activities of this herb have already been assessed to clarify its traditional use as a medicine.

Synergistic effect and antiquorum sensing activity of Nymphaea tetragona (water lily) extract.[Pubmed: 24895589]

Salmonellosis is a common and widely distributed food borne disease where Salmonella typhimurium is one of the most important etiologic agents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Nymphaea tetragona alone and in combination with antibiotics against S. typhimurium. It also aimed to assess the plant for quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) activity and to identify the bioactive compounds. The antibacterial activities of the extract were assessed using broth microdilution method. Disk agar diffusion method was employed to determine the QSI and bioactive compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis. Ethyl acetate fraction of N. tetragona extract (EFNTE) demonstrated good antimicrobial activity (MIC 781 μg/mL) against 4 strains out of 5. FIC index ranged from 0.375 to 1.031 between EFNTE/tylosin and 0.515 to 1.250 between EFNTE/streptomycin against S. typhimurium. Among all extracts, EFNTE and butanol fraction more significantly inhibited pigment production of C. violaceum. Polyphenols were identified as major compound of EFNTE and butanol fraction. These results indicate that combination among N. tetragona extract and antibiotics could be useful to combat drug-resistance Salmonella infections and polyphenols are promising new components from N. tetragona that warrant further investigation as a candidate anti-Salmonella agent and quorum sensing inhibitor.

Seasonal variations and aeration effects on water quality improvements and physiological responses of Nymphaea tetragona Georgi.[Pubmed: 23819294]

Seasonal variations and aeration effects on water quality improvements and the physiological responses of Nymphaea tetragona Georgi were investigated with mesocosm experiments. Plants were hydroponically cultivated in six purifying tanks (aerated, non-aerated) and the characteristics of the plants were measured. Water quality improvements in purifying tanks were evaluated by comparing to the control tanks. The results showed that continuous aeration affected the plant morphology and physiology. The lengths of the roots, petioles and leaf limbs in aeration conditions were shorter than in non-aeration conditions. Chlorophyll and soluble protein contents of the leaf limbs in aerated tanks decreased, while peroxidase and catalase activities of roots tissues increased. In spring and summer, effects of aeration on the plants were less than in autumn. Total nitrogen (TN) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4(+)-N) in aerated tanks were lower than in non-aerated tanks, while total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved phosphorus (DP) increased in spring and summer. In autumn, effects of aeration on the plants became more significant. TN, NH4(+)-N, TP and DP became higher in aerated tanks than in non-aerated tanks in autumn. This work provided evidences for regulating aeration techniques based on seasonal variations of the plant physiology in restoring polluted stagnant water.

Geraniin down regulates gamma radiation-induced apoptosis by suppressing DNA damage.[Pubmed: 23541438]

Gamma ray irradiation triggers DNA damage and apoptosis of proliferating stem cells and peripheral immune cells, resulting in the destruction of intestinal crypts and lymphoid system. Geraniin is a natural compound extracts from an aquatic plant Nymphaea tetragona and possesses good antioxidant property. In this study, we demonstrate that geraniin rescues radiosensitive splenocytes and jejunal crypt cells from radiation-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Isolated splenocytes from C57BL/6 mice treated with geraniin were protected against radiation injury of 2 Gy irradiation through the enhancement of the proliferation and attenuation of DNA damage. Also, geraniin inhibited apoptosis in radiosensitive splenocytes by reducing the expression level and immunoreactivity of proapoptotic p53 and Bax and increasing those of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. In mice exposed to radiation, geraniin treatment protected splenocytes and intestinal crypt cells from radiation-induced cell death. Our results suggest that geraniin presents radioprotective effects by regulating DNA damage on splenocytes, exerting immunostimulatory capacities and inhibiting apoptosis of radiosensitive immune cells and jejunal crypt cells. Therefore, geraniin can be a radioprotective agent against γ-irradiation exposure.

Radioprotective effect of geraniin via the inhibition of apoptosis triggered by γ-radiation-induced oxidative stress.[Pubmed: 20680428]

The radioprotective effect of geraniin, a tannin compound isolated from Nymphaea tetragona Georgi var. (Nymphaeaceae), against γ-radiation-induced damage was investigated in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells. Geraniin recovered cell viability detected by MTT test and colony formation assay, which was compromised by γ-radiation, and reduced the γ-radiation-induced apoptosis by the inhibition of loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Geraniin protected cellular components (lipid membrane, cellular protein, and DNA) damaged by γ-radiation, which was detected by lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl formation, and comet assay. Geraniin significantly reduced the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species generated by γ-radiation, which was detected using spectrofluorometer, flow cytometer, and confocal microscope after 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining. Geraniin normalized the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, which were decreased by γ-radiation. These results suggest that geraniin protects cells against radiation-induced oxidative stress via enhancing of antioxidant enzyme activities and attenuating of cellular damage.

1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose protects splenocytes against radiation-induced apoptosis in murine splenocytes.[Pubmed: 20606300]

Antioxidant property and hematopoietic repair capacity are important characteristics of radioprotective agents. Some studies have demonstrated that 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), a molecule isolated from the waterlily, has antioxidant, hematopoietic repair, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we try to determine whether PGG extracted from a lily, Nymphaea tetragona var. angusta, has radioprotective effects on splenocytes in vitro against (60)Co gamma-ray irradiation with absorption doses of 2 Gy and 4 Gy. Results show that PGG treatment dramatically enhances the proliferation of splenocytes compared with irradiated but untreated controls. In addition, PGG treatment before irradiation protects the splenocytes from lethal effects of irradiation and decreases DNA damages as identified by the alkaline comet assay. PGG-treated cells also show less radiation-induced apoptosis. These cells have lower concentrations of the pro-apoptotic protein p53 and more of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. The results presented in this study suggest that PGG has a cytoprotective effect on immune cells exposed to normally damaging amount of radiation. Thus, PGG could be an effective, non-toxic radioprotective agent.

[Inhibitory effects of liquor cultured with Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea tetragona on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa].[Pubmed: 18268975]

The inhibitory effects of liquor cultured with Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea tetragona on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa have been investigated by measuring the cell number and the chlorophyll a content of Microcystis aeruginosa of culture in the laboratory. The results showed that the inhibitory effects on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa with different concentration of the liquor cultured with Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea tetragona were dissimilar, and an evident phenomenon appeared that low concentrations could promote the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa. However, the inhibitory effects on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa with continuous liquor cultured with Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea tetragona were obvious, which made the algal cell almost lose the capability of photosynthesis, and the inhibitory effects of liquor cultured with Nymphaea tetragona were better than those of Nelumbo nucifera. The scale-up experiment demonstrated that the algal cell received menace and damage by measuring the activities of peroxidase (SOD) and the accumulated contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) of Microcystis aeruginosa in the co-culture. Sterilization methods influenced the algal growth inhibition experiment so that high temperature couldn't replace micropore filter, which explained that the matter excreted by Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea tetragona may contain thermally-instabe matter.