The northern hemisphere plant <i>Arnica montana</i> L. can be found across Europe on high alpine slopes with acidic soils. The flowers are well documented as a source of natural products, particularly, active compounds associated with anti-inflammatory properties. The high demand for this extract has meant that wild plant numbers have reduced dramatically and now in many countries, it is illegal to harvest <i>A. Montana </i>from the wild. As a result, flowers from the non-endangered <i>A. chamissonis</i> Less. Have been employed for the production of extracts with similar properties. <i>A. montana</i> and <i>A. chamissonis</i> were both grown during the period 2004 to 2007 in the North of Scotland (Orkney) in order to determine whether this environment was condusive to high yield. The qualitative and quantitative effects of weeding, fertiliser, mulch, seed source and species on yield were also studied. This research found that <i>A. montana</i> had high quality extract but was prone to crown rot and was less robust than initial trials suggested. Conversely, while <i>A. chamissonis</i> grew vigorously, the extract contained approximately a third of the sesquiterpene lactone content.

171 women aged 27-69 with operable (T<SUB>2-3</SUB>N<SUB>0-1</SUB>M<SUB>0</SUB>) breast cancer 31-85 mm in diameter were randomised over 68 months, 86 to conventional treatment (CONV) and 85 to PST. In CONV, surgery was followed by tamoxifen except for node positive premenopausal women who received 6 cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. PST was started after tumour oestrogen receptor (ER) measurement. Patients with ER>19 <I>f</I>mol/mg were treated by goserelin if premenopausal or with tamoxifen if postmenopausal. Response was assessed by weekly examination. Sequential mammography and ultrasound, and serum CA 15-3 and HMFG<SUB>2</SUB> measurements were studied as alternative means of monitoring response. Non responding patients and all patients with ER<20 <I>f</I>mol/mg were treated with 6 cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisolone (CAP). Surgery followed 12-16 weeks of PST. The first part of the trial included 79 patients with tumours >40 mm, all of whom underwent mastectomy. The second part allowed tumours > 30 mm, and breast conservation was an option. 170 evaluable patients have been followed up for a median of 347 months and have sustained 53 events. No survival difference has emerged. Axillary lymph nodes, ER and tumour response have emerged as independent indicators of prognosis. Systemic therapy produced significant changes in tumour characteristics but post treatment prognostic data was qualitatively similar to conventionally gathered information. Patients experienced increased anxiety during PST, but psychological adjustment was similar after completion of all treatment. Despite longer treatment for PST, quality adjusted survival was identical to that found for CONV. Surgical morbidity was similar for both groups. Ultrasound proved a highly effective method for measuring tumour size and response to primary systemic therapy. Tumour marker levels were generally low and did not reflect response. The present package of primary systemic treatment is a safe and effective method for treating operable breast cancer, does not lead to excess morbidity, and offers the advantages of a response based approach to therapy.

The aim of the project is to extract and identify high value chemicals with potential applications as pharmaceutical drugs or precursors from heather (Calluna vulgaris) and bracken (Pteridium aquilinum). Supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of heather were analysed for their triterpenoid content. Several triterpenoids were identified in heather supercritical carbon dioxide extracts and many of them were already reported to have potential valuable biological activities. Seasonal variation of total triterpenoid content in heather was also evaluated. The result indicated that summer flowering heather contains the highest concentration of total triterpenoid (15400 ug/g dry plant) and spring heather picked in March exhibited the second highest total triterpenoid content (11200 ug/g dry plant). Optimal harvest and extraction time of heather is also identified based on its triterpenoid seasonal variation trend. In this study, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of bracken was achieved for the first time. Naturally occurring pterosin B and pterosin F were identified in bracken supercritical CO2 extract and the seasonal variation in pterosin content and other major compounds in bracken were also evaluated. Bracken crozier was found to contain the highest content of pterosins, and the pterosin content reduced dramatically when the frond grew towards its maturity. Geographical difference was also found to cause significant variation in the level of pterosins. It was found that Welsh bracken contains much less pterosin B and pterosin F compared to the Yorkshire sample. This distinct difference may be due to different pH value of the soil in Kilburn (Yorkshire) and Wales. Pterosins were recently proved to have strong anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities. Although pterosin B and F were not identified to have certain anti-diabetic or anti-obesity activities in previous research, these pterosins, especially pterosin F, have high possibility to be used as precursors to other more effective pterosins because of its active chlorinated side chain.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.