Isolation of 9-Hydroxy-10<i>E</i>,12<i>Z</i>-octadecadienoic Acid, an Inhibitor of Fat Accumulation from <i>Valeriana fauriei</i>

Dynamic characterization of volatile and non-volatile profiles during Toona sinensis microgreens growth in combination with chemometrics

Toona sinensis microgreens (TSM) are popular for their aroma similar to Toona sinensis buds (TSB). This study characterized TSM across four developmental stages: sprout-appearing (M1), apical hook opening (M2), cotyledon unfolding and expansion (M3), and fully opened cotyledons (M4). Eighty-two volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified, with nineteen VOCs serving as key discriminators. Total VOC content increased during TSM development, with volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) accounting for 71 %-81 %. Ter-4 (β-Cyclocitral), Ter-23 (α-Selinene) and Sul-13 (3-(Methylthio) propanoic acid ethyl ester) played a crucial role in balancing the overpowering odor-induced VSCs in M4. A total of 888 non-volatile metabolites were identified. Lipids, amino acids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids were the major components and regulated during TSM growth. Twenty-three non-volatile compounds were identified as potential biomarkers in M1, M2, and M4. Copaene, τ-cadinol, 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid, 9,10,11-trihydroxy-12-octadecenoic acid and 1-O-caffeoyl-β-d-glucose were screened as hub metabolites, making M1 stage had a woody, herbal aroma and potential bio-activities. Terpenoid (cis- and trans-caryophyllene, ursolaldehyde, sendanolactone, melianone lactone, meliasenin B) accumulation peaked at the M2 stage. Furthermore, cis- and trans-caryophyllene along with the only ester (10-Hydroxydecanoic acid, methyl ester), three dipeptides (L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, Lysine-phenylalanine and Cyclo (Proline-Valine)) of M2 offered better sensory expectations for consumers. Sulfur metabolism was the most significant biological process in M4 compared to other stages, as all hub metabolites in M4 were VSCs and precursors related to VSC biosynthesis. These results provide insights into metabolic changes across TSM growth, offering valuable information for optimizing its cultivation and utilization.

Activation of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor-2 by Oxylipin from Mangifera indica Leaves

Mangifera indica L., a member of the Anacardiaceae family, is widely cultivated across the globe. The leaves of M. indica are renowned for their medicinal properties, attributed to the abundance of bioactive compounds. This study investigated the effects of mango leaf extract on oxidative stress in HeLa cells. Notably, the n-hexane fraction (MLHx) significantly enhanced antioxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase activity at a concentration of 100 µg/mL, surpassing other fractions. MLHx also promoted the expression of HO-1 mRNA by increasing nuclear NRF2 levels. The molecular mechanism of MLHx involves increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and stabilization of NRF2. Bioactivity-guided isolation resulted in the identification of six oxylipins: 13(R)-hydroxy-octadeca-(9Z,11E,15Z)-trienoic acid (C-1), 9(R)-hydroxy-octadeca-(10E,12Z,15Z)-trienoic acid (C-2), 13(R)-hydroxy-(9Z,11E)-octadecadienoic acid (C-3), 9(R)-hydroxy-(10E,12Z)-octadecadienoic acid (C-4), 9-oxo-(10E,12E)-octadecadienoic acid (C-5), and 9-oxo-(10E,12Z)-octadecadienoic acid (C-6). These structures were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic techniques, including MS and 1H NMR. Additionally, compounds C-7 (9-oxo-(10E,12Z,15Z)-octadecatrienoic acid) and 8 (13-oxo-(9E,11E)-octadecadienoic acid) were characterized by LC-MS/MS mass fragmentation. This study reports the isolation of compounds 1-6 from M. indica for the first time. When tested for their effect on NRF2 activity in HeLa cells, compounds 3, 5, and 6 showed strong stimulation of ARE-luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner.

Stereoselective Syntheses of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, 13-(S)-HODE and 15-(S)-HETE

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and their metabolites have been reported in which their pathway has potential for the modulation of cancer cell growth. 13-(S)-HODE and 15-(S)-HETE, both of which are main metabolites of 15-LOXs, play an important role as endogenous ligands in biological systems. However, the modification of 13-(S)-HODE and 15-(S)-HETE in pharmaceutical applications has not been explored widely. Herein, we report the stereoselective syntheses of 13-(S)-HODE, 15-(S)-HETE, and its derivatives to enable the synthesis of bioactive fatty acid analogues.

Molecularization of Bitter Off-Taste Compounds in Pea-Protein Isolates (Pisum sativum L.)

Activity-guided fractionations, combined with taste dilution analyses (TDA), were performed to locate the key compounds contributing to the bitter off-taste of pea-protein isolates (Pisum sativum L.). Purification of the compounds perceived with the highest sensory impact, followed by 1D/2D-NMR, (LC-)MS/MS, LC-TOF-MS, and MSE experiments, led to the identification of 14 lipids and lipid oxidation products, namely, 9,10,13-trihydroxyoctadec-12-enoic acid, 9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid, 9,10,11-trihydroxyoctadec-12-enoic, 11,12,13-trihydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid, (10E,12E)-9-hydroxyoctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid, (9Z,11E)-13-hydroxyoctadeca-9,11-dienoic acid, (9E,11E)-13-hydroxyoctadeca-9,11-dienoic acid, 1-linoleoyl glycerol, α-linolenic acid, 2-hydroxypalmitic acid, 2-hydroxyoleic acid, linoleic acid, (9Z,11E)-13-oxooctadeca-9,11-dienoic acid, and octacosa-6,9,19,22-tetraen. Herein, we present the isolation, structure determination, and sensory activity of these molecules. Depending on their structure, the isolated compounds showed human bitter recognition thresholds between 0.06 and 0.99 mmol/L in water.

Iridoids of Valeriana fauriei contribute to alleviating hepatic steatosis in obese mice by lipophagy

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common risk factor for metabolic syndrome that increases the risk of future cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. Recently, autophagy has been proposed as a means to prevent NAFLD. We investigated whether substances with autophagy-inducing activity alleviate NAFLD. The Valeriana fauriei (V. fauriei) was selected as a potential autophagy inducer among various natural materials using a Cyto-ID autophagy detection kit. V. fauriei 70 % ethanol extract (VFE) increased LC3II levels in the presence of the lysosomal inhibitor and reduced the GFP/mCherry puncta ratio, suggesting that VFE enhanced autophagy. VFE reduced oleic acid (OA)-induced lipid accumulation and increased the number of autophagosome in hepatocytes. Autophagy induction by VFE is due to inhibition of mTORC1 activity. VFE supplementation reduced fatty liver by downregulating lipogenesis-related genes and increased the autophagy, as revealed by TEM and IHC analysis in the fatty liver. We identified iridoids as main compounds of VFE; didrovaltrate (DI), valeriotriate B (VAL B), valeriotetrate C (VAL C), valtrate (VAL), and valechlorine (VC) were shown to enhance autophagy. These compounds also reduced OA-induced lipid accumulation in an Atg5-dependent manner. Taken together, VFE and its iridoids might be effective in alleviating fatty liver by acting as autophagy enhancers to break down LDs.

Chemical comparison of the underground parts of Valeriana officinalis and Valeriana turkestanica from Poland and Kazakhstan

The volatile constituents from the n-hexane extracts of the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis (VO) and Valeriana turkestanica (VT) were investigated by GC-MS analysis. Two VO samples were obtained from cultivation, one from commercially available material, while VT was collected in a mountain of Kazakhstan. The most characteristic components present in all of the analysed samples were sesquiterpenoids. The three investigated samples of VO produced mainly valerenane and kessane sesquiterpenoids. Acetoxyvalerenic acid (33.94%), valerenic acid (15.05%), valerenal (11.93%), valeric acid 2,6-dimethylnon-1-en-3-yn-5-yl ester (5.24%), valerenol (3.31%), elemol (3.19%) and (E)-valerenyl isovalerate (2.53%), were the common components identified in the n-hexane extract from the roots of VT. In comparison to VO this species does not produce kessane sesquiterpenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. This study shows that the roots of VT possess compounds of high biological significance, since they have the appropriate contents of valerenic acid and its derivatives, thus VT can be considered as a substitute for VO.

Isolation of Monovalerianester A, an Inhibitor of Fat Accumulation, fromValeriana Fauriei

The rhizomes and roots of Valeriana fauriei were extracted with 80% aqueous ethanol. This extract was found to exhibit potent inhibitory effects on fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 murine adipocytes. After several steps of chromatographic purification, we succeeded in identifying monovalerianester A as an inhibitor of fat accumulation. Thus, monovalerianester A and the crude extract of the rhizomes and roots of V. fauriei may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of obesity.