[Michaelangelica]

This one is for the medicos and chemists.
Can anyone explain it to me?
J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Mar 8;104(1-2):12-7. Epub 2005 Oct 3. Related Articles, Links
Click here to read
The effect of sativan from Viola verecunda A. GRAY on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1 cause by ultraviolet irradiated cultured primary human skin fibroblasts.

Moon HI, Kim EJ, Lee J, Lee HK, Chung JH.

Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Institute of Dermatological Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea. himun@snu.ac.kr

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes whose main function is degradation of the extracellular matrix.
Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) degrades type I procollagen constituting the major structural component of the basement membrane and extra cellular membrane. The enzymatic activity is found to be elevated in photoaging.
With the aim of finding novel MMP-1 inhibitors from natural products, 15 extracts of the Viola taxa, which are used as prescriptions for skin eruption treatment in traditional medicine, were screened for their inhibitory activities towards MMP-1.
Among the 15 tested materials, the methanol extracts of Viola hondoensis W. BECKER et H. BOISS, Viola ibukiana MAKINO, Viola lactiflora NAKAI and Viola verecunda A. GRAY were potential inhibitory to MMP-1, and other Viola taxa showed a weak inhibitory effect at a concentration of 100 microg/ml.
We investigated the effect of MMP-1 inhibitory of the solvent fractions of the same plants (Viola hondoensis, Viola ibukiana and Viola verecunda).
Therefore, a strong inhibition was found in the ethylacetate fractions of Viola verecunda with inhibitory activity (>90%) at a concentration of 10 microg/ml. Here we investigated the effect of sativan isolated from the ethylacetate fractions of Viola verecunda on the expression of MMPs in UV-irradiated human skin fibroblasts in vitro.
Sativan markedly reduced UV-induced MMP-1 expression at the protein levels in a dose-dependent manner.
Our report is the first description for the ability of sativan to regulate UV-induced MMP-1 expression.

[Michaelangelica]

The selective distribution reported so far raises questions about the evolution of the cyclotides within the plant kingdom.

In this study, we use a combined bioinformatics and expression analysis approach to elucidate the evolution and distribution of the cyclotides in the plant kingdom and report the discovery of related sequences widespread in the Poaceae family, including crop plants such as rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), and wheat (Triticum aestivum), which carry considerable economic and social importance.

The presence of cyclotide-like sequences within these plants suggests that the cyclotides may be derived from an ancestral gene of great antiquity.

http://www.plantcell.org/cgi/content/abstract/18/9/2134

[Michaelangelica]

Good article on violets
http://healthcarebenefitportal.com/blog/?p=3531

Violet has a long history of use for the lungs, lymph system and as an aid in some cancers.

[maikeru]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

This one is for the medicos and chemists.
Can anyone explain it to me?
J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Mar 8;104(1-2):12-7. Epub 2005 Oct 3. Related Articles, Links
Click here to read
The effect of sativan from Viola verecunda A. GRAY on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1 cause by ultraviolet irradiated cultured primary human skin fibroblasts.

Moon HI, Kim EJ, Lee J, Lee HK, Chung JH.

Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Institute of Dermatological Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea. himun@snu.ac.kr

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes whose main function is degradation of the extracellular matrix.
Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) degrades type I procollagen constituting the major structural component of the basement membrane and extra cellular membrane. The enzymatic activity is found to be elevated in photoaging.
With the aim of finding novel MMP-1 inhibitors from natural products, 15 extracts of the Viola taxa, which are used as prescriptions for skin eruption treatment in traditional medicine, were screened for their inhibitory activities towards MMP-1.

MMPs are used by many cells in the body, including immune cells and cancer, as "molecular scissors" to cut through basement membranes or the extracellular matrix (ECM), which underlie and hold cells into pieces of tissue. For example, cancer cells often produce high levels of MMPs to help them migrate and eventually move out of a tissue site where they are contained--a deadly part of metastasis.

If you reduce the levels of MMPs, as some anti-cancer drugs do, you can reduce the destruction of tissue or the migration of cells through the basement membrane and the tissue. Immune cells also produce MMPs to move about through tissues and to do tissue remodeling.

Among the 15 tested materials, the methanol extracts of Viola hondoensis W. BECKER et H. BOISS, Viola ibukiana MAKINO, Viola lactiflora NAKAI and Viola verecunda A. GRAY were potential inhibitory to MMP-1, and other Viola taxa showed a weak inhibitory effect at a concentration of 100 microg/ml.
We investigated the effect of MMP-1 inhibitory of the solvent fractions of the same plants (Viola hondoensis, Viola ibukiana and Viola verecunda).
Therefore, a strong inhibition was found in the ethylacetate fractions of Viola verecunda with inhibitory activity (>90%) at a concentration of 10 microg/ml. Here we investigated the effect of sativan isolated from the ethylacetate fractions of Viola verecunda on the expression of MMPs in UV-irradiated human skin fibroblasts in vitro.

Our report is the first description for the ability of sativan to regulate UV-induced MMP-1 expression.

Basically, they didn't extract many notable chemicals in the methanol solution (polar solvent). But the ethyl acetate (a nonpolar to weakly polar solvent) did, which led them to sativan, and whatever sativan is, it works to reduce MMP expression. By reducing MMP expression, they can reduce some skin damage and photoaging, making a person's skin look better.

[maikeru]

I wonder if the anthocyanins in violets might contribute some anti-viral or anti-bacterial effects as well. Anthocyanins are a common family of chemicals that give many flowers and fruits, such as apples, plums, blueberries, etc., their stunning colors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthocyanin

They're part of a larger group of chemicals called flavonoids, which are in everything from tea to cocoa, and have antioxidant, anti-disease, or other effects.

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by maikeru

I wonder if the anthocyanins in violets might contribute some anti-viral or anti-bacterial effects as well. Anthocyanins are a common family of chemicals that give many flowers and fruits, such as apples, plums, blueberries, etc., their stunning colors.
s.

From Dr Duke's data base

Dr. Duke's
Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases

Biological Activities of ANTHOCYANINS

Antiarthritic; 120 mg/man orl; BOI;
Anticancer; 120 mg/man orl; BOI;
Anticollegenase; BOI;
Antielastase; FT66(4):302;
Antimutagenic; EJN238:227;
Antimyopic; 600 mg/man orl; AFR27:189;
Antinyctalopic; 600 mg/man orl; AFR27:189;
Antioxidant; FT66(4):302;
Antitumor; 120 mg/man orl; BOI;
Antiviral; PMP23:58;
Goitrogenic; AFR27:188;
Hemostat; JE26:80;
NO-Scavenger; JMF4:201;
Pesticide;
Vasoactive; FT66(4):302;
Vasodilator; JAFC48:220;

Sat Oct 28 23:59:09 EDT 2006

Please send questions and comments to:

James A. Duke
Green Farmacy Garden
8210 Murphy Road
Fulton, MD 20759

[Michaelangelica]

This is a nice article on violets;
http://homeboynet.wordpress.com/2006...-week-violets/
although it confuses Heartsease(Viola tricolor) Johnny Jump up and Tickle my Fancy(I kid you not) with violets.
The reported cases on cancer are correct, (although I vaguely remember more to the stories) too

Lady Margaret Marsham was cured of epithelioma, a cancer of the tonsils, with violet leaf tea. The wife of General Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, found relief from pain, when in the final stages of throat cancer, by drinking the tea.

Although this was news to me

the physicians of the school of Aesclepios used violet leaves to treat topical cancers.

http://homeboynet.wordpress.com/2006...-week-violets/

[Michaelangelica]

SOME NET GLEANINGS ON VIOLET

A quirky violet fact?

Viola Odorata–or sweet sented violet, yields to alcohol a rich blue color,
which it imparts in high perfection to paper

FROM: » Your Tips

Violet
By support
Viola odorata Part Used: Herb. Violet has a long history of use for the lungs, lymph system and as an aid in some cancers. Chronic lymph congestion, swollen glands. Eczema. Allergies and allergic reactions. .

..
Health Care Benefit Portal - Health Care Benefit Portal

Plant of the week > Violets
By grhomeboy
Violets (Viola odorata, Little faces or Johnny Jump Ups) are a perennial member of the Violaceae family, growing to 15cm in woodland and meadows in Europe. A stemless plant with heart shaped leaves bearing violet and yellow centered, ...

a web (not paper) magazine - a web (not paper) magazine

VIOLET SUGAR
By stv3(stv3)
1 cup violets (Viola odorata) 3/4 cup caster sugar. Wash flowers and dry. Pulverise flowers in a mortar or food processor. Mix the flowers trough the sugar and spread them onto a foil lined tray. Dry the mixture in the oven at 50C for ...
Jams/Jellies/Marmalades/Preserves

- Jams/Jellies/Marmalades/Preserves

SCOP: Protein: Cyclotide k1 from Sweet violet (Viola odorata)
Protein: Cyclotide k1 from Sweet violet (Viola odorata). Lineage:. Root: scop;
Class: Peptides [58231] Peptides and fragments. Not a true class; Fold: NTR,

Ohio's Kelleys Island has wealth of glacier-carved limestone
San Jose Mercury News - CA, USA
... The Kelleys Island alvar is also home to the state-endangered northern bog violet that in Ohio grows only on Lake Erie islands.

[Michaelangelica]

Strange blog, lots of herb lists
one with this info
ciaere: I take antioxidant pills because they ha
Rutin -

First isolted from rue (Ruta gravolens), rutin is widespread in higher plants. It demonstrates many of the general actions of quercetin and other flavones and flavonols.
Rutin has anti-inflammatory activity because of an ability to inhibit the action of the enzyme lipoxygenase.
It is specifically recognized as a free radical scavenger and has been used clinically against capillary fragility and varicosities.
In vitro studies show that is also has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Herbs containing Rutin -
(long list including
Salix alba (white willow) - bark
Sambcus nigra (black elder) flower, leaf
Spinacia oleracea (spinach) - leaf
Viola odorata (sweet violet) - flower
V. tricolor (pansy) - flower

also here
You Can't Fight the Moonlight - Violet
&
‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 1992 onwards. The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. Version: 29th July 2006. http://delta-intkey.com’.
Angiosperm Families - Violaceae Batsch.
Quotations

Violet is for faithfulnesse
Which in me shall abide;
Hoping likewise that from your heart
You will not let it slide
(from a popular songbook, ‘A Handfull of Pleasant Delites’, first published in 1566)

Lay her in the earth,
And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
May violets spring
(‘Hamlet’, v., 1)

. . . violets dim,
But sweeter than the lids of Juno’s eyes
Or Cyatherea’s breath
(‘The Winter’s Tale’, iv., 3)

When daisies pied, and violets blue,
And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue,
And Lady-smocks all silver-white,
Do paint the meadows with delight
(‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’)

Beautiful drawings
http://delta-intkey.com/angio/images/viola01.jpg

[Michaelangelica]

Increase Vitality, Even Prevent Cancer:

The leaves of Violets and the blossoms of both Honeysuckle and Red Clover are renowned as safe, life-enhancing tonics. In addition to enhancing vitality and rejuvenating fertility, they have proven effectiveness against pre-cancerous conditions. Red Clover especially is noted for its ability to reverse in situ breast cancers, cervical dysplasia, and pre-cancerous polyps of the colon. Violet, whether drunk in infusion or applied as a poultice, has a reputation as a dissolver of breast lumps and a protector of the lungs, even checking the growth of tumors.

Anti-Cancer Agents:

The most amazing thing about these seven humble plants is that each of them has been associated with cancer prevention.
Plantain is an important Latin-American folk remedy against cancer. Burdock as a specific cure for breast cancer dates back to at least 1887 in the Ukraine.
Around the world, Red Clover is a widely used folk remedy against cancer and is known as "The herb of immortality."
Dandelion is known to stop the promotion of oncogenes. (When damaged or turned on, an oncogene initiates cancer).
Violet slows tumor growth. Honeysuckle is a popular anti-cancer agent in China.
Yellow dock is one of the original plants in the Native American anti-cancer brew now known as Essiac.

Susun Weed herbal medicine articles on women's health: menopause, fertility, breast cancer / breast health, and much more...

Royalty free stock image | Violet | iStockphoto.com