Hepatoprotective Principles from the Rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa.

A methanol extract of rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Plantaginaceae) showed hepatoprotective effects against D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice. We had previously isolated 46 compounds, including several types of iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, and aromatics, etc., from the extract. Among them, picroside II, androsin, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone exhibited active hepatoprotective effects at doses of 50-100 mg/kg, per os (p.o.) To characterize the mechanisms of action of these isolates and to clarify the structural requirements of phenylethanoid glycosides for their hepatoprotective effects, their effects were assessed in in vitro studies on (i) D-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in mouse primary hepatocytes, (ii) LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages, and (iii) tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells. These isolates decreased the cytotoxicity caused by D-GalN without inhibiting LPS-induced macrophage activation and also reduced the sensitivity of hepatocytes to TNF-α. In addition, the structural requirements of phenylethanoids for the protective effects of D-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in mouse primary hepatocytes were evaluated.

Structure-activity relationship study of 4,5-didehydroguadiscine, an aporphine alkaloid showing potent melanogenesis-inhibitory activity in B16 melanoma cells.

Although 4,5-didehydroguadiscine (12a), an alkaloid with potent melanogenesis-inhibitory activity isolated from Hornschuchia obliqua (Annonaceae), consists of an aporphine nucleus with an aromatized B-ring, to date, it has not been utilized as a template for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of pharmacological activities because of its exceptional structure. Accordingly, herein, five analogs (12b-12f) of 12a and five benzylisoquinoline analogs (13b-13f) lacking the C11a-C11b bond of 12b-12f were prepared. The inhibitory effects of 12b-12f and 13b-13f on melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated B16 melanoma 4A5 cells were examined and compared with those of 12a. Melanogenesis-inhibitory activities of 12b-12f were the same as that of 12a, whereas the melanogenesis-inhibitory activities of 13b-13f were significantly inferior to those of 12a and 12b-12f. These results suggest that the C11a-C11b bond plays an essential role in the melanogenesis-inhibitory activities of 12a-12e.

Phytochemicals with Chemopreventive Activity Obtained from the Thai Medicinal Plant Mammea siamensis (Miq.) T. Anders.: Isolation and Structure Determination of New Prenylcoumarins with Inhibitory Activity against Aromatase.

With the aim of searching for phytochemicals with aromatase inhibitory activity, five new prenylcoumarins, mammeasins K (1), L (2), M (3), N (4), and O (5), were isolated from the methanolic extract of Mammea siamensis (Miq.) T. Anders. flowers (fam. Calophyllaceae), originating in Thailand. The stereostructures of 1-5 were elucidated based on their spectroscopic properties. Among the new compounds, 1 (IC50 = 7.6 µM) and 5 (9.1 µM) possessed relatively strong inhibitory activity against aromatase, which is a target of drugs already used in clinical practice for the treatment and prevention of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The analysis through Lineweaver-Burk plots showed that they competitively inhibit aromatase (1, Ki = 3.4 µM and 5, 2.3 µM). Additionally, the most potent coumarin constituent, mammea B/AB cyclo D (31, Ki = 0.84 µM), had a competitive inhibitory activity equivalent to that of aminoglutethimide (0.84 µM), an aromatase inhibitor used in therapeutics.

Comparative Study on Epidermal Moisturizing Effects and Hydration Mechanisms of Rice-Derived Glucosylceramides and Ceramides.

Ceramide (Cer) plays an important role in skin barrier functions in the stratum corneum (SC). The ingestion of food-derived glucosylceramides (GlcCer) attenuates transepidermal water loss (TEWL). However, the moisturizing effects of single molecules of GlcCer and Cer remain unclear. Therefore, we herein purified 13 GlcCer and 6 Cer, including elasticamide, which has the same structure as human Cer[AP], from rice and compared their epidermal moisturizing effects in a reconstructed human epidermal keratinization model. The results obtained showed that 10 µM of 5 GlcCer[d18:2] with a 4E,8Z sphingadienine and C18 to C26 fatty acids and 10 µg/mL of 3 Cer with C23 or C24 fatty acids significantly reduced TEWL. The moisturizing effects of these GlcCer were dependent on the length of fatty acids. Furthermore, 10 µg/mL of elasticamide increased the SC Cer contents by promoting the expression of GlcCer synthase. Electron microscopic observations revealed that 1 µM of GlcCer[d18:2(4E,8Z)/26:0] increased the number of keratohyalin granules and desmosomes. Immunostaining and Western blotting indicated that 1 µM of GlcCer[d18:2(4E,8Z)/26:0] up-regulated the expression of filaggrin and corneodesmosin, which contribute to epidermal hydration. This comparative study on epidermal moisturization by GlcCer and Cer isolated from rice revealed differences in their hydration mechanisms.

A Gedunin-Type Limonoid, 7-Deacetoxy-7-Oxogedunin, from Andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aublet) Reduced Intracellular Triglyceride Content and Enhanced Autophagy in HepG2 Cells.

The seed oil of Carapa guianensis Aublet (Andiroba) has been used in folk medicine for its insect-repelling, anti-inflammatory, and anti-malarial activities. This study aimed to examine the triglyceride (TG) reducing effects of C. guianensis-derived limonoids or other commercially available limonoids in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells and evaluate the expression of lipid metabolism or autophagy-related proteins by treatment with 7-deacetoxy-7-oxogedunin (DAOG; 1), a principal limonoid of C. guianensis. The gedunin-type limonoids, such as DAOG (% of control at 20 µM: 70.9 ± 0.9%), gedunin (2, 74.0 ± 1.1%), epoxyazadiradione (4, 73.4 ± 2.0%), 17ß-hydroxyazadiradione (5, 79.9 ± 0.6%), 7-deacetoxy-7α-hydroxygedunin (6, 61.0 ± 1.2%), andirolide H (7, 87.4 ± 2.2%), and 6α-hydroxygedunin (8, 84.5 ± 1.1%), were observed to reduce the TG content at lower concentrations than berberine chloride (BBR, a positive control, 84.1 ± 0.3% at 30 µM) in HepG2 cells pretreated with high glucose and oleic acid. Andirobin-, obacunol-, nimbin-, and salannin-type limonoids showed no effect on the intracellular TG content in HepG2 cells. The TG-reducing effect of DAOG was attenuated by the concomitant use of compound C (dorsomorphin), an AMPK inhibitor. Further investigation on the detailed mechanism of action of DAOG at non-cytotoxic concentrations revealed that the expressions of autophagy-related proteins, LC3 and p62, were upregulated by treatment with DAOG. These findings suggested that gedunin-type limonoids from Andiroba could ameliorate fatty liver, and that the action of DAOG in particular is mediated by autophagy.

Indole Glycosides from Calanthe discolor with Proliferative Activity on Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells.

A methanol extract from the underground part of Calanthe discolor Lindl. (Orchidaceae) demonstrated significant proliferative activity on human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC, % of control: 120.8 ± 0.2%) at 100 µg/mL against HFDPC. Through bioassay-guided separation of the extract, a new indole glycoside named 6'-O-ß-D-apiofuranosylindican (1) was isolated along with six known compounds (2-7) including three indole glycosides. The stereostructure of 1 was elucidated based on its spectroscopic properties and chemical characteristics. Among the isolates, 1 (110.0 ± 1.0%), glucoindican (3, 123.9 ± 6.8%), and calanthoside (4, 158.6 ± 7.1%) showed significant proliferative activity at 100 µM. Furthermore, the active indole glycosides (1, 3, and 4) upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7) mRNA and protein in HFDPC, which could be the mechanism of their proliferative activity.

Lycoperoside H, a Tomato Seed Saponin, Improves Epidermal Dehydration by Increasing Ceramide in the Stratum Corneum and Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Effect.

Tomatoes are widely consumed, however, studies on tomato seeds are limited. In this study, we isolated 11 compounds including saponins and flavonol glycosides from tomato seeds and evaluated their effects on epidermal hydration. Among the isolated compounds, tomato seed saponins (10 µM) significantly increased the mRNA expression of proteins related to epidermal hydration, including filaggrin, involucrin, and enzymes for ceramide synthesis, by 1.32- to 1.91-fold compared with the control in HaCaT cells. Tomato seed saponins (10 µM) also decreased transepidermal water loss by 7 to 13 g/m2·h in the reconstructed human epidermal keratinization (RHEK) models. Quantitative analysis of the ceramide content in the stratum corneum (SC) revealed that lycoperoside H (1-10 µM) is a promising candidate to stimulate ceramide synthesis via the upregulation of ceramide synthase-3, glucosylceramide synthase, and ß-glucocerebrosidase, which led to an increase in the total SC ceramides (approximately 1.5-fold) in concert with ceramide (NP) (approximately 2-fold) in the RHEK models. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of lycoperoside H demonstrated that lycoperoside H is suggested to act as a partial agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects (10 mg/kg in animal test). These findings indicate that lycoperoside H can improve epidermal dehydration and suppress inflammation by increasing SC ceramide and steroidal anti-inflammatory activity.

Identification of ACA-28, a 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate analogue compound, as a novel modulator of ERK MAPK signaling, which preferentially kills human melanoma cells.

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway is essential for cell proliferation and is frequently deregulated in human tumors such as melanoma. Melanoma remains incurable despite the use of conventional chemotherapy; consequently, development of new therapeutic agents for melanoma is highly desirable. Here, we carried out a chemical genetic screen using a fission yeast phenotypic assay and showed that ACA-28, a synthetic derivative of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), which is a natural ginger compound, effectively inhibited the growth of melanoma cancer cells wherein ERK MAPK signaling is hyperactivated due to mutations in the upstream activating regulators. ACA-28 more potently inhibited the growth of melanoma cells than did the parental compound ACA. Importantly, the growth of normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEM) was less affected by ACA-28 at the same 50% inhibitory concentration. In addition, ACA-28 specifically induced apoptosis in NIH/3T3 cells which were oncogenically transformed with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/ErbB2), but not in the parental cells. Notably, the ACA-28-induced apoptosis in melanoma and HER2-transformed cells was abrogated when ERK activation was blocked with a specific MEK inhibitor U0126. Consistently, ACA-28 more strongly stimulated ERK phosphorylation in melanoma cells, as compared in NHEM. ACA-28 might serve as a promising seed compound for melanoma treatment.

Total Synthesis of γ-Alkylidenebutenolides, Potent Melanogenesis Inhibitors from Thai Medicinal Plant Melodorum fruticosum.

A hitherto unreported member of γ-alkylidenebutenolides in Melodorum fruticosum (Annonaceae), (4 E)-6-benzoyloxy-7-hydroxy-2,4-heptadiene-4-olide, named as isofruticosinol (4) was isolated from the methanol extract of flowers, along with the known related butenolides, namely, the (4 Z)-isomer (3) of 4, melodrinol (1), and its (4 E)-isomer (2). To unambiguously determine the absolute configuration at the C-6 position in these butenolides, the first total syntheses of both enantiomers of 2-4 were achieved over 6-7 steps from commercially available D- or L-ribose (D- and L-5). Using the same protocol, both enantiomers of 1 were also synthesized. Based on chiral HPLC analysis of all synthetic compounds ( S- and R-1-4), all naturally occurring butenolides were assigned as partial racemic mixtures with respect to the chiral center at C-6 (enantiomeric ratio, 6 S/6 R = ∼83/17). Furthermore, the melanogenesis inhibitory activities of S- and R-1-4 were evaluated, with all shown to be potent inhibitors with IC50 values in the range 0.29-2.9 µM, regardless of differences in the stereochemistry at C-6. In particular, S-4 (IC50 = 0.29 µM) and R-4 (0.39 µM) showed potent inhibitory activities compared with that of reference standard arbutin (174 µM).

Labdane-Type Diterpenes, Galangalditerpenes A-C, with Melanogenesis Inhibitory Activity from the Fruit of Alpinia galanga.

In our continuing study of biologically active natural products from the fruit of Alpinia galanga (Zingiberaceae), we newly isolated three new labdane-type diterpenes, termed galangalditerpenes A-C (1-3), along with four known sesquiterpenes (4-7) and two diterpenes (8 and 9). The stereostructures of 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic properties. The melanogenesis inhibitory activities in theophylline-stimulated murine B16 melanoma 4A5 cells of these isolates, including the new diterpenes (1-3, IC50 = 4.4, 8.6, and 4.6 µM, respectively), were found to be more than 6-87-fold higher than that of arbutin (174 µM), a commercially available positive control.

Melanogenesis inhibitory activity of a 7-O-9'-linked neolignan from Alpinia galanga fruit.

An aqueous acetone extract from the fruit of Alpinia galanga (Zingiberaceae) demonstrated inhibitory effects on melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated murine B16 melanoma 4A5 cells (IC50=7.3µg/mL). Through bioassay-guided separation of the extract, a new 7-O-9'-linked neolignan, named galanganol D diacetate (1), was isolated along with 16 known compounds including 14 phenylpropanoids (2-15). The structure of 1, including its absolute stereochemistry in the C-7 position, was elucidated by means of extensive NMR analysis and total synthesis. Among the isolates, 1 (IC50=2.5µM), 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (2, 5.0µM), and 1'S-1'-acetoxyeugenol acetate (3, 5.6µM) exhibited a relatively potent inhibitory effect without notable cytotoxicity at effective concentrations. The following structural requirements were suggested to enhance the inhibitory activity of phenylpropanoids on melanogenesis: (i) compounds with 4-acetoxy group exhibit higher activity than those with 4-hydroxy group; (ii) 3-methoxy group dose not affect the activity; (iii) acetylation of the 1'-hydroxy moiety enhances the activity; and (iv) phenylpropanoid dimers with the 7-O-9'-linked neolignan skeleton exhibited higher activity than those with the corresponding monomer. Their respective enantiomers [1' (IC50=1.9µM) and 2' (4.5µM)] and racemic mixtures [(±)-1 (2.2µM) and (±)-2 (4.4µM)] were found to exhibit melanogenesis inhibitory activities equivalent to those of the naturally occurring optical active compounds (1 and 2). Furthermore, the active compounds 1-3 inhibited tyrosinase, tyrosine-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 mRNA expressions, which could be the mechanism of melanogenesis inhibitory activity.

Inhibitory effect of trans-tiliroside on very low-density lipoprotein secretion in HepG2 cells and mouse liver.

An acylated flavonol glycoside, trans-tiliroside (1), is found in certain parts of different herbs, including the seeds of Rosa canina (Rosaceae). Previous studies on compound 1 have focused on triglyceride (TG) metabolism, including its anti-obesity and intracellular TG reduction effects. In the present study, the effects of compound 1 on cholesterol (CHO) metabolism were investigated using human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived HepG2 cells and mice. Compound 1 decreased CHO secretion in HepG2 cells, which was enhanced by mevalonate in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased the secretion of apoprotein B (apoB)-100, a marker of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Compound 1 also inhibited the activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer proteins, which mediate VLDL formation from cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver. In vivo, compound 1 inhibited the accumulation of Triton WR-1339-induced TG in the blood of fasted mice and maintained low levels of apoB-100. These results suggest that compound 1 inhibits the secretion of CHO as VLDL from the liver and has the potential for use for the prevention of dyslipidemia.

Alkylphthalides with intracellular triglyceride metabolism-promoting activity from the rhizomes of Cnidium officinale Makino.

Methanol extract of the Cnidium officinale Makino rhizome, which is used as a crude drug Cnidium Rhizome (Cnidii Rhizoma; "Senkyu" in Japanese) and is listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia XVIII, showed intracellular triglyceride metabolism-promoting activity in high glucose-pretreated HepG2 cells. Thirty-five constituents, including two new alkylphthalide glycosides, senkyunosides A (1) and B (2), and a neolignan with a new stereoisomeric structure (3), were isolated in the extract. Their stereostructures were elucidated based on chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Among the isolates, several alkylphthalides, (Z)-3-butylidene-7-methoxyphthalide (9) and senkyunolides G (10), H (14), and I (15), and a polyacetylene falcarindiol (26), were found to show significant activity without any cytotoxicity at 10 µM.

Hypoglycemic effects of mountain caviar extract and inhibitory mechanism of saponins, including momordin Ic, on glucose absorption.

Mountain caviar is a fruit of Kochia scoparia that contains momordin Ic as a major saponin constituent. Its extract (MCE) has been shown to suppress blood glucose elevations in the human oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as well as increases in blood glucose in OGTT, gastric emptying (GE), and glucose incorporation in the small intestine in rats. However, the effects of MCE and momordin Ic on glucose absorption in mice and these action mechanisms have not been examined for more than 2 decades. Therefore, we herein investigated the effects of MCE, its saponin fraction, and momordin Ic on blood glucose elevations in mice. Mouse blood glucose elevation tests were performed on carbohydrate-loaded mice. The mountain caviar saponin fraction significantly delayed blood glucose elevations in glucose-, sucrose-, and soluble starch-loaded mice. In glucose-loaded mice, the saponin fraction, MCE, and momordin Ic significantly suppressed rapid glucose elevations after glucose loading, but not sucrose loading. A mouse GE study was performed by loading with glucose and phenolphthalein solution. Momordin Ic and MCE strongly suppressed mouse GE. Intestinal glucose absorption was evaluated by the incorporation of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) into Caco-2 cell layers and mouse duodenum wall vesicles. The results obtained showed that momordin Ic inhibited the incorporation of 2-DG into Caco-2 cells and mouse duodenum vesicles. Collectively, these results suggest that MCE, particularly the principal saponin, momordin Ic, preferably suppressed glucose-induced blood glucose elevations and delayed carbohydrate-induced glucose elevations in mice. The underlying mechanism was found to involve the suppression of GE and intestinal glucose absorption.

Ameliorative effect of bofutsushosan (Fangfengtongshengsan) extract on the progression of aging-induced obesity.

This study aimed to compare fat accumulation in young and aged mice raised on a high-fat diet and to characterize the obesity-reducing effects of a Kampo medicine, bofutsushosan (BTS; fangfengtongshengsan in Chinese). Aged mice fed a high-fat diet containing 2% BTS extract for 28 days exhibited a significant reduction in weight gain and accumulation of visceral and subcutaneous fat, which were greater degree of reduction than those of the young mice. When the treatment period was extended to two months, the serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels and the accumulation of fat droplets in the hepatocytes decreased. The mRNA expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in the brown adipose tissue was significantly reduced in the aged mice compared to the young mice but increased by 2% in the BTS-treated aged mice. Additionally, the effect of BTS extract on oleic acid-albumin-induced triglyceride accumulation in hepatoblastoma-derived HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. Evaluation of the single crude drug extracts revealed that Forsythia Fruit, Schizonepeta Spike, and Rhubarb were the active components in BTS extract. These results suggest that BTS extract is effective against visceral, subcutaneous, and ectopic fats in the liver, which tend to accumulate with aging. Thus, BTS extract is useful in preventing and ameliorating the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Structures of Mammeasins P and Q, Coumarin-Related Polysubstituted Benzofurans, from the Thai Medicinal Plant Mammea siamensis (Miq.) T. Anders.: Anti-Proliferative Activity of Coumarin Constituents against Human Prostate Carcinoma Cell Line LNCaP.

A methanol extract of the flowers of Mammea siamensis (Miq.) T. Anders. (Calophyllaceae) showed anti-proliferative activity against human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells (IC50 = 2.0 µg/mL). Two new coumarin-related polysubstituted benzofurans, mammeasins P (1) and Q (2), and a known polysubstituted coumarin mammea B/AC cyclo F (39) were isolated from the extract along with 44 previously reported polysubstituted coumarin constituents (3-38 and 40-47). The structures of two new compounds (1 and 2) were determined based on their spectroscopic properties derived from the physicochemical evidence including NMR and MS analyses and taking the plausible generative pathway into account. Among the coumarin constituents, mammeasins A (3, IC50 = 1.2 µM) and B (4, 0.63 µM), sugangin B (18, 1.5 µM), kayeassamins E (24, 3.0 µM) and G (26, 3.5 µM), and mammeas E/BA (40, 0.88 µM), E/BB (41, 0.52 µM), and E/BC (42, 0.12 µM) showed relatively potent anti-proliferative activity.

Aromatase inhibitors isolated from a flowering tea, snow Chrysanthemum (the capitula of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt.).

Methanol extract from the capitula of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (Asteraceae), which is also known as a flowering tea or blooming tea "Snow Chrysanthemum," was found to inhibit the enzymatic activity of aromatase. A total of 24 known isolates (1-24) were identified from the extract, including three chalcones (1-3), an aurone (4), five flavanones (5-9), four flavanols (10-13), a flavonol (14), and two biflavanones (15, 16). Among them, okanin (1, Ki = 1.6 µM), (2S)-naringenin (5, 0.90 µM), isookanin (6, 0.81 µM), (2S)-7,3',5'-trihydroxyflavaone (7, 0.13 µM), and (2S)-5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone (8, 0.32 µM) exhibited relatively potent competitive inhibition. Specifically, the isolates 7 and 8, having a common 3',5'-resorcinol moiety at the B ring in their flavanone skeleton, exhibited potent inhibitory activities compared to those of a clinically applied aminoglutethimide (0.84 µM) and naturally occurring flavone, chrysin (0.23 µM), which is a common non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. Importantly, the active flavonoid constituents (1 and 5-8) did not inhibit the activity of 5α-reductase enzyme, which normally reacts with the same substrate "testosterone," thus, these compounds were suggested to be specific to aromatase.

Anti-melanogenic effects of glucosylceramides and elasticamide derived from rice oil by-products in melanoma cells, melanocytes, and human skin.

Glucosylceramides (GlcCer), which are present in many edible plants, suppress melanin production in mouse melanocytes. Rice GlcCer consist of multiple molecules that comprise different types of sphingoid bases as well as diverse lengths and stereotypes of free fatty acids. Adjacent to the GlcCer fraction, there are free ceramides (Cer) as minor constituents. However, the anti-melanogenic activities of individual GlcCer and Cer remain unknown. Therefore, we herein isolated 13 GlcCer and elasticamide, a Cer [AP] from the gummy by-products of rice bran oil, and examined their anti-melanogenic activities. In theophylline-induced melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells, GlcCer [d18:2(4E,8Z)/18:0], GlcCer [d18:2(4E,8Z)/20:0], and elasticamide significantly suppressed melanin production with IC50 values of 6.6, 5.2, and 3.9 µM, respectively. Elasticamide, but not GlcCer [d18:2 (4E,8Z)/20:0], suppressed melanogenesis in human 3D-cultured melanocytes and the expression of tyrosinase-related protein 1 in normal human melanocytes. Based on these results, we conducted a clinical trial on the effects of rice ceramide extract (Oryza ceramide®), containing 1.2 mg/day of GlcCer and 56 µg/day of elasticamide, on UV-B-induced skin pigmentation. The ingestion of Oryza ceramide® for 8 weeks significantly suppressed the accumulation of melanin 7 days after UV irradiation (1288 and 1546 mJ/cm2 ·S). Rice-derived GlcCer and elasticamide, which exhibited anti-melanogenic activities, were suggested to contribute to the suppressive effects of Oryza ceramide® on UV-induced skin pigmentation. Although the mechanisms underlying the anti-melanogenic activities of GlcCer remain unclear, elasticamide was identified as a promising Cer that exhibits anti-melanogenic activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The anti-melanogenic activities of rice-derived GlcCer and elasticamide currently remain unclear. We herein demonstrated the inhibitory effects of individual GlcCer and elasticamide on melanogenesis in melanoma cells, melanocytes, and human skin.

Ursane-type triterpene oligoglycosides with anti-hepatosteatosis and anti-hyperlipidemic activity from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.

The methanol extract from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. (Aquifoliaceae), popularly known as mate, maté, or yerba maté, inhibits the intracellular triglyceride accumulation in HepG2 cells and suppresses the plasma triglyceride elevation in olive oil-treated mice. Three new triterpene saponins, termed mateosides I (1), II (2), and III (3), were isolated from the extract along with 29 known compounds. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated based on chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Among the isolates, principal saponin constituents, 2 and matesaponins 1 (7) and 2 (9), potently inhibited the triglyceride accumulation in HepG2 cells simultaneously treated with oleic acid and high glucose. In vivo assay of the methanol extract of I. paraguariensis revealed that 7 and 9 showed anti-hyperlipidemic activities in olive oil-treated mice. These results suggested that the saponin constituents of I. paraguariensis could be valuable bioactive marker for the anti-obesogenic activity.

Ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids from Isodonis Herba activate human hair follicle dermal papilla cells proliferation via the Akt/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin transduction pathway.

A methanol extract from Isodonis Herba demonstrated significant proliferative effect on human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC, % of control: 150.0 ± 2.0% at 20 µg/mL, p < 0.01). From the extract, 14 ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids (1-14), two abietane-type diterpenoids (15 and 16) and four triterpenoids (17-20) were isolated. Among the isolates, enmein (1, 160.9 ± 3.0% at 20 µM, p < 0.01), isodocarpin (2, 169.3 ± 4.9% at 5 µM, p < 0.01), nodosin (4, 160.5 ± 12.4% at 20 µM, p < 0.01), and oridonin (8, 165.4 ± 10.6% at 10 µM, p < 0.01) showed the proliferative effects. The principal component enmein (1) activated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA, upregulated the production of VEGF and increased levels of phospho-Akt, phospho-GSK-3ß, and ß-catenin accumulation in HFDPC, which could be the mechanism of these activate proliferation activity.