Inhibitory effect ofZanthoxylum schinifoliumon vascular smooth muscle proliferation

Two new coumarins from branches of Zanthoxylum schinifolium

Two new coumarins (1-2) have been isolated from a methanol extract of Zanthoxylum schinifolium branches. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 have been elucidated as 6-isopentenyl -7-benzoyl-coumarin and 3-isopentenyl-7-benzoyl-coumarin based on extensive spectroscopic analysis, including IR, NMR, and MS. The inhibitory activity of compounds 1 and 2 against HeLa and HepG2 cell lines has been described.

Induction of apoptotic cell death in human bladder cancer cells by ethanol extract of Zanthoxylum schinifolium leaf, through ROS-dependent inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Zanthoxylum schinifolium is traditionally used as a spice for cooking in East Asian countries. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-proliferative potential of ethanol extracts of Z. schinifolium leaves (EEZS) against human bladder cancer T24 cells.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Subsequent to measuring the cytotoxicity of EEZS, the anti-cancer activity was measured by assessing apoptosis induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In addition, we determined the underlying mechanism of EEZS-induced apoptosis through various assays, including Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

EEZS treatment concentration-dependently inhibited T24 cell survival, which is associated with apoptosis induction. Exposure to EEZS induced the expression of Fas and Fas-ligand, activated caspases, and subsequently resulted to cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. EEZS also enhanced the expression of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm by suppressing MMP, following increase in the ratio of Bax:Bcl-2 expression and truncation of Bid. However, EEZS-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis were significantly diminished by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Moreover, EEZS inhibited activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, and the apoptosis-inducing potential of EEZS was promoted in the presence of PI3K/Akt inhibitor. In addition, EEZS enhanced the production of ROS, whereas N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, markedly suppressed growth inhibition and inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway induced by EEZS. Furthermore, NAC significantly attenuated the EEZS-induced apoptosis and reduction of cell viability.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results indicate that exposure to EEZS exhibits anti-cancer activity in T24 bladder cancer cells through ROS-dependent induction of apoptosis and inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Comparative Study of Bioactivity and Safety Evaluation of Ethanolic Extracts of Zanthoxylum schinifolium Fruit and Pericarp

The fruit and pericarp of Zanthoxylum schinifolium (ZS) have been used in traditional medicine; however, few studies have characterized ZS fruit and pericarp. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the safety of ZS fruit (ZSF) and pericarp (ZSP) extracts and compared their bioactivity. To evaluate the safety of ZSF and ZSP, mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress assays were performed and nontoxic concentration ranges were obtained. ZSP was found to be superior to ZSF in terms of its antimutagenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the S9 mix, the mutation inhibition rate of ZSP was close to 100% at concentrations exceeding 625 µg·plate⁻¹ for both the TA98 and TA100 strains. ZSP exhibited efficient DPPH (IC₅₀ = 75.6 ± 6.1 µg·mL⁻¹) and ABTS (IC₅₀ = 57.4 ± 6 µg·mL⁻¹) scavenging activities. ZSP inhibited the release of cytokines, involved in IL-1β (IC₅₀ = 134.4 ± 7.8), IL-6 (IC₅₀ = 262.8 ± 11.2), and TNF-α (IC₅₀ = 223.8 ± 5.8). These results indicate that ZSP contains a higher amount of biochemicals than ZSF, or that ZSP contains unique biochemicals. In conclusion, for certain physiological activities, the use of ZSP alone may be more beneficial than the combined use of ZSF and ZSP.

Zanthoxylum schinifolium enhances the osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells

The present study demonstrates the osteogenic effect of Zanthoxylum schinifolium on periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). The dried herb of Z. schinifolium was first extracted with 70% ethanol and subsequently fractionated into five parts: n-hexane, methylene chloride (MC), ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol (BuOH), and water fractions. The proliferation of PDLSCs was first assessed and increased by hexane, EA, or BuOH fraction of Z. schinifolium. We evaluated the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osterix (OSX), FOSB, and FRA-1 as osteogenic transcription factors, and protein levels of osteopontin (OPN) and RUNX2 in response to each hexane, MC, EA, BuOH, or water fraction of Z. schinifolium. The significant ALP activity appeared in PDLSCs treated with hexane, EA, or BuOH fraction. The mRNA expression of osteogenic transcription factors was also increased by hexane, EA, or BuOH fraction with doses of 5, 10, 25, and 50 μg/ml compared to control group. We further assessed immunofluorescence staining with OPN and RUNX2 confirmed that the treatment of hexane, EA, or BuOH fraction enhances PDLSC osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, these data suggest that fractions from Z. schinifolium differentially regulate PDLSC function. Among them, proliferation and osteogenic potential of PDLSCs were enhanced by hexane, EA, or BuOH fraction.