Apigenin-7-glycoside prevents LPS-induced acute lung injury via downregulation of oxidative enzyme expression and protein activation through inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation

Apigenin-7-glycoside (AP7Glu) with multiple biological activities is a flavonoid that is currently prescribed to treat inflammatory diseases such as upper respiratory infections. Recently, several studies have shown that its anti-inflammatory activities have been strongly linked to the inhibition of secretion of pro-inflammatory proteins, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induced through phosphorylation nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways. Additionally, inflammation, which can decrease the activities of antioxidative enzymes (AOEs) is also observed in these studies. At the same time, flavonoids are reported to promote the activities of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) decreased by LPS. The purpose of this study was to assess these theories in a series of experiments on the suppressive effects of AP7Glu based on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro and acute lung injury in mice in vivo. After six hours of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, pulmonary pathological, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, total polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) cells, cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and AOEs, are all affected and changed. Meanwhile, our data revealed that AP7Glu not only did significantly inhibit the LPS-enhanced inflammatory activity in lung, but also exhibited anti-inflammatory effect through the MAPK and inhibitor NF-κB (IκB) pathways.

Infusions of artichoke and milk thistle represent a good source of phenolic acids and flavonoids

Cynara scolymus L. (artichoke) and Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn (milk thistle) are two herbs well-known for their efficiency in the prevention/treatment of liver injuries, among other chronic diseases. Therefore, the aim of this work was to characterize specific bioactive components, phenolic compounds, in hydromethanolic extracts but also in infusions (the most commonly used preparations) obtained from the whole plant of milk thistle and artichoke. The phenolic profiles were accessed using HPLC-DAD-MS/ESI. Infusions of both species presented higher phenolic contents than the hydromethanolic extracts. Milk thistle presented a similar phenolic composition between the two preparations, revealing only differences in the quantities obtained. Nevertheless, artichoke revealed a slightly different profile considering infusion and hydromethanolic extracts. Apigenin-7-O-glucuronide was the major flavonoid found in milk thistle, while luteolin-7-O-glucuronide was the most abundant in artichoke. Therefore, infusions of both artichoke and milk thistle represent a good source of bioactive compounds, especially phenolic acids and flavonoids.

Identification and quantitation of phenolic compounds from the seed and pomace of Perilla frutescens using HPLC/PDA and HPLC-ESI/QTOF/MS/MS

INTRODUCTION

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., an essential traditional Asian crop and Chinese medicine, potentially exerts anti-oxidation effects through its phenolic compounds. These compounds have already been reported in perilla seed, however, little is reported in Perilla pomace, the primary waste during oil production of Perilla seed.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate major phenolic compounds in perilla seeds and pomaces in order to check whether the pomace could be an alternative resource to the seed for nutritional and medical purposes.

METHODS

Compounds in extracts of perilla seeds and pomaces were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and detected by photodiode array, and by electrospray ionisation with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Herb-markers selected by principal components analysis were then quantified in both seeds and pomaces. Moreover, a fingerprinting approach and multiple discriminant analysis were applied to screen the phenolic markers in 22 samples.

RESULTS

Ten phenols were tentatively identified, among which four (rosmarinic acid, luteolin, apigenin and rosmarinic acid-3-O-glucoside) were selected as herb-markers. Perilla seeds and pomaces showed similar phenol profiles, however, the pomaces contained almost two times the amount of the four herb-markers than the seeds.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated perilla pomace is a promising alternative source of phenolic compounds that could be recovered and potentially used as natural anti-oxidants.

Profiling of flavonols in seeds and sprouts of Luffa cylindrical

Seeds of Luffa cylindrica (Luffa) have been considered as agricultural wastes. However, we hypothesized that the seeds and its sprouts may provide bioactive components that could provide health benefits for humans. The current study profiled the bioactive components in both seeds and sprouts of Luffa by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MSn). Apigenin was identified as a major component in the seeds of Luffa, with a concentration of 2.89 mg from 1 g fresh weight. The bioactive components in the sprouts were myricetin, luteolin, and quercetin, with concentrations of 32.4, 12.5, and 32.5 μg from 1 g fresh weight, respectively. Apigenin metabolites, such as apigenin-glucuronic acid and apigenin-acetyl glucuronic acid, were also identified in the sprouts. This implied that apigenin in the seeds, when sprouting, was changed to other flavonols having a flavone backbone. Results from the current study suggest that both seeds and sprouts of Luffa could be a bio-resource for health-promoting food materials.

Comparison of flavonoid compounds in the flavedo and juice of two pummelo cultivars (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) from different cultivation regions in China

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different cultivation regions on the pattern and content of flavonoids in two pummelo cultivars (C. grandis L. Osbeck) in China. Results showed that similar patterns of flavonoids were observed in the flavedo or juice of each pummelo cultivar from these cultivation regions, whereas the individual flavonoid content showed unique characteristics. Naringin, the predominant flavanone glycoside, showed the highest content in both flavedo and juice of C. grandis "Guanximiyu" from the Pinghe of Fujian (FJ) cultivation region compared with the Dapu of Guangdong (GD) and Nanbu of Sichuan (SC) regions. However, its content in the flavedo of C. grandis "Shatianyu" from the Pingle of Guangxi (GX) was significantly lower than in the GD and SC regions. Vicenin-2 appeared to be the dominant flavone C-glycoside in the flavedo of both cultivars, and the lowest content was observed in the flavedo of C. grandis "Guanximiyu" from the SC region. However, C. grandis "Shatianyu" contained the highest content of vicenin-2 in the flavedo from SC region. Similarly, the predominant flavone O-glucoside, rhoifolin, showed the highest content in C. grandis "Guanximiyu" from the GD and FJ regions, whereas C. grandis "Shatianyu" in SC region showed the highest content of rhoifolin. Cluster analysis suggested that genotype played a primary role in determining the flavonoid profiles of pummelo cultivars, whereas regional differences significantly affected the flavonoid distribution of pummelo cultivars potentially via affecting the direction of flavonoid accumulation in pummelo.

[Chemical constituents in higher polar substances from Desmodium caudatum]

In this study the chemical constituents of the higher polar sustances from Desmodium caudatum were investigated.The compounds were isolated by using column chromatographies over silicagel, polyamide, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. The structures of these compounds were identified on the basis of NMR and MS spectra. Thirteen compounds were obtained and their structures were identified as vanillin(1), loliolide(2), indole-3-carboxaldehyde(3), salicylic acid(4), swertisin(5), saccharumoside C(6), isosinensin (7), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (8), isovitexin (9), vitexin (10), nothofagin(11), resveratroloside (12), and 2"-α-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-methylvitexin (13). Except for compound 5, the remaining compounds were isolated from D. caudatum for the first time. Compounds 2, 3, 6-8, 11-13 were separated from the genus Desmodium for the first time.

Bioactive diterpenoids and flavonoids from the aerial parts of Scoparia dulcis

Six new diterpenoids, 4-epi-7α-O-acetylscoparic acid A (1), 7α-hydroxyscopadiol (2), 7α-O-acetyl-8,17β-epoxyscoparic acid A (3), neo-dulcinol (4), dulcinodal-13-one (5), and 4-epi-7α-hydroxydulcinodal-13-one (6), and a new flavonoid, dillenetin 3-O-(6″-O-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), along with 12 known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Scoparia dulcis. The 7S absolute configuration of the new diterpenoids 1-4 and 6 was deduced by comparing their NOESY spectra with that of a known compound, (7S)-4-epi-7-hydroxyscoparic acid A (7), which was determined by the modified Mosher's method. The flavonoids scutellarein (11), hispidulin (12), apigenin (15), and luteolin (16) and the terpenoids 4-epi-scopadulcic acid B (9) and betulinic acid (19) showed more potent α-glucosidase inhibitory effects (with IC50 values in the range 13.7-132.5 μM) than the positive control, acarbose. In addition, compounds 1, 11, 12, 15, 16, and acerosin (17) exhibited peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonistic activity, with EC50 values ranging from 0.9 to 24.9 μM.

[Chemical constituents from Punica granatum flowers]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical constituents in the flowers of Punica granatum.

METHODS

The chemical constituents were separated by silica gel column chromatography and their structures were determined by spectroscopic experiments.

RESULTS

As a result, twelve compounds were isolated and identified as oleanolic acid (1), ursolic acid (2), palmitic acid (3), tricin (4), catechin (5), rutin (6), apigenin (7), apigenin-7-O-glucoside (8), 2S, 3S, 4S-trihydroxypentanoic acid (9), gallic acid (10), beta-stitosterol (11), and daucosterol (12).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 are separated from this plant for the first time, and compounds 3, 4 and 9 are isolated from this genus for the first time.

[Chemical constituents of Indocalamus latifolius leaves]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Indocalamus latifolius leaves.

METHODS

The chemical constituents were isolated and purified with silica column chromatography and gel chromatography. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and various spectroscopic methods including NMR spectrum, MS, UV, etc.

RESULTS

Fourteen compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate part as isovitexin (1), vitexin (2), orientin (3), homoorientin (4), vanillic acid (5), chlorogenic acid (6), caffeic acid (7), ferulic acid (8), friedelin (9), tricin (10), tricin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), fernenol (12), luteolin-6-C-glucopyranoside (13) and quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside (14).

CONCLUSION

All compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Simultaneous separation of apigenin, luteolin and rosmarinic acid from the aerial parts of the copper-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens

Elsholtzia splendens is a copper-tolerant plant species which grows on copper deposits in China. The generation of a valuable E. splendens biomass on specific contaminated sites has become one of the promising phytotechnologies. The simultaneous separations of apigenin, luteolin, and rosmarinic acid yielded in the ethyl acetate extracts of the flowering aerial parts was achieved by the use of a macroporous resin, polyamide, and silicagel columns during chromatography. Chemical identification confirmed the structures based on the spectra of FTIR, NMR, and HPLC/ESI-MS. The isolated compounds of purity above 98.3% were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines including A549 (non-small lung), A431 (skin), and Bcap37 (breast). Among these compounds, luteolin and apigenin presented the best cytotoxic activities against A549, A431, and Bcap37 cells and, therefore, both could be the valuable products for the post-harvest processing of E. splendens biomass.

[Quality standard study on Vigna radiata]

In order to control the quality of Vigna radiata, the quality control method and standard were established in this study. The tests of water content, ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of V. radiata were carried out according to the methods recoded in appendix of Chinese Pharmacopeia (2010 edition, volume 1). The TLC method was established by using vitexin and isovitexin as references, and a mixture of acetate-method-water (10: 1.7 : 1.3) as the developing solvent system on GF254 thin layer plate. The contents of vitexin and isovitexin were determined by HPLC on a Prevail C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column, using acetonitrile: water (23 : 77) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature is 30 degrees C and the detection wavelength is 337 nm. As a result, vitexin, isovitexin and the other constituents were well separated on TLC detected under the UV light (254 nm). The methodology validation for the assay of vitexin and isovitexin presented that they were in good linear correlation in the ranges of 6.12-98 mg x L(-1) and 6.85-109.6 mg x L(-1), with the regression equations of Y = 46.213X - 7.100 (r = 1.000) and Y = 54.515X + 6.829 (r = 1.000), and the average recoveries were 98.2% (RSD 1.9%) and 97.2% (RSD 0.79%), respectively. The content ranges of vitexin and isovitexin from 25 different batches of V. radiata were 1.076-2.062 mg x g(1) and 1.127-2.303 mg x g(-1), respectively. suggesting that the qualities of V. radiata are relatively stable. The ethanol-soluble extractives, water content and total ash of 25 samples varied in the ranges of 13.27% - 18.46%, 9.59% - 12.43% and 2.63% - 3.53%, respectively. All of the above data proved that the established quality of control method V. radiata is specific and accurate, which can be used for the quality control of this drug.

A new strategy for enhancing the oral bioavailability of drugs with poor water-solubility and low liposolubility based on phospholipid complex and supersaturated SEDDS

A novel supersaturated self-emulsifying drug delivery system (Super-SEDDS) loaded with scutellarin-phospholipid complex (SPC) was developed. The system aimed to address the limitations presented by conventional SEDDS as delivery carriers for drugs with poor water-solubility, low liposolubility and high dose. As an intermediate, SPC was first prepared based on the response surface design. The presence of amorphous scutellarin was demonstrated through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), while enhanced liposolubility was confirmed through comparison with scutellarin powder via an octanol/water distribution test. On the basis of the solubility study and ternary phase diagram, Super-SEDDS containing SPC of up to 200% equilibrium solubility (S_eq) was designed, which composed of ethyl oleate, Cremophor RH40 and Transcutol HP with a ratio of 60∶25∶15 (w/w%). The subsequent in vitro lipolysis study and ex vivo intestinal absorption test indicated that Super-SEDDS enhanced the cumulative dissolution from 70% to 100% and improved the intestinal absorption from 0.04 to 0.12 µg/cm² compared with scutellarin powder. Furthermore, an in vivo study demonstrated that Super-SEDDS achieved the AUC_0-t of scutellarin up to approximate 1.7-fold as scutellarin powder. It was also proved superior to SPC and the conventional SEDDS. Super-SEDDS showed great potential for expanding the usage of SEDDS and could act as an alternative to conventional SEDDS.

[Chemical constituents from Ajuga nipponensis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Ajuga nipponensis.

METHODS

The chemical constituents were isolated by repeated silica gel column chromatography and their structures were elucidated by phyisochemical properties and spectral analysis.

RESULTS

Ten compounds were isolated and identified as:hexadecanoic acid(1), ajuforrestin A(2), beta-sitosterol(3), acacetin(4), apigenin(5), ajugamacrin B(6), ursolic acid(7), beta-ecdysone(8), 8-acetylharpagide(9) and daucosterol(10).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1-7 and 10 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Strategic formulation of apigenin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for intracellular trafficking, DNA targeting and improved therapeutic effects in skin melanoma in vitro

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of anti-proliferative potentials of apigenin (Ap), (a dietary flavonoid) loaded in poly (lactic-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (NAp) in A375 cells in vitro. NAp was characterized for particle size, morphology, zeta potential, drug release and encapsulation. Cellular entry and intracellular localization of NAp were assessed by transmission electron and confocal microscopies. Circular dichroic spectral analysis and stability curve for Gibb's free energy of dsDNA of A375 cells were also analyzed. DNA fragmentation, intracellular ROS accumulation, superoxide-dismutase activity, intracellular glutathione-reductase content and mitochondrial functioning through relevant markers like mitochondrial transmembrane potential, ATPase activity, ATP/ADP ratio, volume changes/swelling, cytochrome-c release, expressions of Apaf-1, bax, bcl-2, caspase-9, 3, and PARP cleavage were analyzed. NAp produced better effects due to their smaller size, faster mobility and site-specific action. Photostability studies revealed that PLGA encapsulations were efficient at preserving apigenin ultraviolet-light mediated photodegradation. NAp readily entered cancer cells, could intercalate with dsDNA, inducing conformational change. Corresponding increase in ROS accumulation and depletion of the antioxidant enzyme activities exacerbated DNA damage, mediating apoptosis through mitochondrial dysfunction. Overall results indicate that therapeutic efficacy of NAp may be enhanced by PLGA nanoparticle formulations to have better ameliorative potentials in combating skin melanoma.

Enzymatic synthesis of apigenin glucosides by glucosyltransferase (YjiC) from Bacillus licheniformis DSM 13

Apigenin, a member of the flavone subclass of flavonoids, has long been considered to have various biological activities. Its glucosides, in particular, have been reported to have higher water solubility, increased chemical stability, and enhanced biological activities. Here, the synthesis of apigenin glucosides by the in vitro glucosylation reaction was successfully performed using a UDP-glucosyltransferase YjiC, from Bacillus licheniformis DSM 13. The glucosylation has been confirmed at the phenolic groups of C-4' and C-7 positions ensuing apigenin 4'-O-glucoside, apigenin 7-O-glucoside and apigenin 4',7-O-diglucoside as the products leaving the C-5 position unglucosylated. The position of glucosylation and the chemical structures of glucosides were elucidated by liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The parameters such as pH, UDP glucose concentration and time of incubation were also analyzed during this study.

Anti-peroxyl radical quality and antibacterial properties of rooibos infusions and their pure glycosylated polyphenolic constituents

The anti-peroxyl radical quality of two aqueous rooibos infusions and solutions of their most abundant glycosylated polyphenols was evaluated using pyrogallol red and fluorescein-based oxygen radical absorbance ratios. It was observed that the artificial infusions, prepared using only the most abundant polyphenols present in rooibos and at concentrations similar to those found in the natural infusions, showed greater antioxidant quality than the latter infusions, reaching values close to those reported for tea infusions. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of the natural and artificial infusions was assessed against three species of bacteria: Gram (+) Staphylococus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus and Gram (-) Escherichia coli. When compared to the natural infusions the artificial beverages did not demonstrate any bacterostatic/cidal activity, suggesting that the antibacterial activity of rooibos is related to compounds other than the glycosylated polyphenols employed in our study.

Two new constituents from Erigeron breviscapus

Two novel constituents, named erigeronones A (1) and B (2), together with apigenin-7-O-β-galacturonide (3), quercetin-7-O-β-glucuronide (4), quercetin-3-O-β-galacturonide (5), and eriodictyol-7-O-β-glucuronide (6), were isolated from the whole grass of Erigeron breviscapus (Vant) Hand.-Mazz (Compositae). Their structures were established on the basis of spectral analyses and comparison with the literature data. Both new compounds 1 and 2 possess a γ-pyrone moiety that is rare in nature. Compound 1 showed significant protective effect on H2O2-injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Bioactive flavone-C-glycosides of the African medicinal plant Biophytum umbraculum

Three flavone-C-glycosides-cassiaoccidentalin A (1), isovitexin (2) and isoorientin (3)-were isolated from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) soluble fraction of the methanol crude extract of the African medicinal plant Biophytum umbraculum, This is the first report of these compounds in this plant. All compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data. Isoorientin (3) and the EtOAc extract showed the greatest antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay as well as the strongest inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO). From these results, the extract of B. umbraculum might be a valuable source of flavone C-glycosides.

Effects of chrysin, apigenin, genistein and their homoleptic copper(II) complexes on the growth and metastatic potential of cancer cells

The (iso-)flavonoids chrysin 1, apigenin 2, genistein 3 and their homoleptic copper(II) complexes 4-6 were compared for general cancer cell growth inhibition and for antimetastatic effects on rapidly proliferating and metastasizing 518A2 melanoma cells. The complexes 4-6 were three to five times more active than the free flavonoids in cytotoxicity assays with MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] against 518A2 melanoma, HCT-116 colon, KB-V1/Vbl cervix, and MCF-7/Topo breast carcinoma cells. This activity correlated with an arrest of the cell cycle of 518A2 melanoma cells at the G2/M transition. The complexes also diminished the migration propensity of these cells in wound healing assays more distinctly than the flavonoid ligands. By fluorescent staining of F-actin and beta-catenin the antimetastatic effects of the Cu(II) genistein complex 6 were shown to originate from a remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and an increase in cadherin-catenin complex formation, factors that favor cell-cell adhesion. Complex 6 also attenuated the expression and secretion of the metastasis-relevant matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. In summary, coordination of apigenin and genistein to Cu(II) greatly enhances the antitumoral properties of these flavonoids and potentiates their mechanistic diversity.

Transgenic rice seed synthesizing diverse flavonoids at high levels: a new platform for flavonoid production with associated health benefits

Flavonoids possess diverse health-promoting benefits but are nearly absent from rice, because most of the genes encoding enzymes for flavonoid biosynthesis are not expressed in rice seeds. In the present study, a transgenic rice plant producing several classes of flavonoids in seeds was developed by introducing multiple genes encoding enzymes involved in flavonoid synthesis, from phenylalanine to the target flavonoids, into rice. Rice accumulating naringenin was developed by introducing phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS) genes. Rice producing other classes of flavonoids, kaempferol, genistein, and apigenin, was developed by introducing, together with PAL and CHS, genes encoding flavonol synthase/flavanone-3-hydroxylase, isoflavone synthase, and flavone synthases, respectively. The endosperm-specific GluB-1 promoter or embryo- and aleurone-specific 18-kDa oleosin promoters were used to express these biosynthetic genes in seed. The target flavonoids of naringenin, kaempferol, genistein, and apigenin were highly accumulated in each transgenic rice, respectively. Furthermore, tricin was accumulated by introducing hydroxylase and methyltransferase, demonstrating that modification to flavonoid backbones can be also well manipulated in rice seeds. The flavonoids accumulated as both aglycones and several types of glycosides, and flavonoids in the endosperm were deposited into PB-II-type protein bodies. Therefore, these rice seeds provide an ideal platform for the production of particular flavonoids due to efficient glycosylation, the presence of appropriate organelles for flavonoid accumulation, and the small effect of endogenous enzymes on the production of flavonoids by exogenous enzymes.

[Simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, scutellarin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in different parts of Erigeron breviscapus by high-performance liquid chromatography]

OBJECTIVE

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, scutellarin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in different parts of Erigerontis Herba.

METHOD

The four constituents were measured on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 450 mm, 5 microm) with a gradient elution of acetonitrile (A) -0.3% phosphoric acid solution (B) (0-10 min, 12%-15% A, 10-32 min, 15% A, 32-33 min, 15%-20% A, 33-50 min, 20%-22% A) at wavelength of 335 nm and 327 nm, and a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 30 degrees C.

RESULT

Linearity of each standard was established in the concentration range of 0.050 1-1.002 microg for chlorogenic acid, 0.165 9-3.318 microg for chlorogenic acid, 0.049 7-0.994 microg for 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 0.048 7-0.974 p.g for 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid respectively, with correlation coefficient r > 0.999 6. Average recoveries (n = 6) of 4 compounds were 98.53% with a RSD of 0.94%, 99.68% with a RSD of 0.49%, 98.78% with a RSD of 1.1%, 99.06% with a RSD of 0.81%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The developed method is simple, accurate, and precise, it can be used for the quantitative analysis of Erigeron breviscapus.

Scutellarin from Scutellaria baicalensis suppresses adipogenesis by upregulating PPARα in 3T3-L1 cells

Adipocyte dysfunction is a major cause of obesity, which is associated strongly with many disorders including psychological and medical morbidities, metabolic abnormalities, and cardiovascular diseases as well as a series of cancers. This study investigated the antiadipogenic activity of scutellarin (1) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. It was observed that 1 reduced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells potently, as evidenced by a decrease in cellular lipid accumulation. At the molecular level, mRNA expression of the master adipogenic transcription factors, PPARγ and C/EBPα, was decreased markedly. However, mRNA levels of C/EBPβ, the upstream regulator of PPARγ and C/EBPα, were not decreased by 1. Moreover, a dose-dependent upregulation of PPARα was observed for 1. Computational modeling indicated that 1 can bind to PPARα, γ, and δ each in a distinct manner, while it can activate PPARα only by forming a hydrogen bond with Y464, thus stabilizing the AF-2 helix and activating PPARα. Therefore, these results suggest that 1, a major component of Scutellaria baicalensis, attenuates fat cell differentiation by upregulating PPARα as well as downregulating the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα, thus showing therapeutic potential for obesity-related diseases.

Flavonoid apigenin is an inhibitor of the NAD+ ase CD38: implications for cellular NAD+ metabolism, protein acetylation, and treatment of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a growing health problem worldwide. It is therefore imperative to develop new strategies to treat this pathology. In the past years, the manipulation of NAD(+) metabolism has emerged as a plausible strategy to ameliorate metabolic syndrome. In particular, an increase in cellular NAD(+) levels has beneficial effects, likely because of the activation of sirtuins. Previously, we reported that CD38 is the primary NAD(+)ase in mammals. Moreover, CD38 knockout mice have higher NAD(+) levels and are protected against obesity and metabolic syndrome. Here, we show that CD38 regulates global protein acetylation through changes in NAD(+) levels and sirtuin activity. In addition, we characterize two CD38 inhibitors: quercetin and apigenin. We show that pharmacological inhibition of CD38 results in higher intracellular NAD(+) levels and that treatment of cell cultures with apigenin decreases global acetylation as well as the acetylation of p53 and RelA-p65. Finally, apigenin administration to obese mice increases NAD(+) levels, decreases global protein acetylation, and improves several aspects of glucose and lipid homeostasis. Our results show that CD38 is a novel pharmacological target to treat metabolic diseases via NAD(+)-dependent pathways.

Testing of Perilla frutescens extract and Vicenin 2 for their antispasmodic effect

Gastrointestinal discomfort is frequently observed. The effects of Perilla frutescens extract and Vicenin 2 (a compound in this extract) were assayed in rat ileum with or without stimulation with acetylcholine or Ba(2+). Both had no direct spasmolytic effect, but both decreased acetylcholine- or Ba(2+)-induced contraction of rat ileum indicating an antispasmodic effect. This is valuable because effects were only observed when spasms were induced and may disturb the patient. The extract and the compound may be used to maintain and improve gut health.

[Evaluation on preparation process of brevisapin colon-specific tables and its in vitro release]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare the new traditional Chinese medicine preparation--pH-dependent brevisapin colon-specific tablets, and investigate its in vitro release, in order to discuss the feasibility of preparing colon-targeted traditional Chinese medicines.

METHOD

With scutellarin, the active ingredient in brevisapin, as the evaluation index, coating prescriptions of the preparation was screened. The in vitro release determination method was adopted to detect the in vitro release performance of the preparation.

RESULT

The in vitro release determination results showed no brevisapin in artificial pH 1. 2 dilute hydrochloric acid solution for 2 h, an accumulated dissolution rate of less than 5% in pH 6. 8 phosphate buffer solution for 4 h, but an accumulated dissolution rate exceeding 90% in pH 7. 6 phosphate buffer solution for 1 h.

CONCLUSION

Brevisapin colon-specific tablets prepared can realize colon-specific release.