Chemical Composition and Cytotoxic Activity of the Essential Oil and Oleoresins of In Vitro Micropropagated Ansellia africana Lindl: A Vulnerable Medicinal Orchid of Africa.

Orchids are rich treasure troves of various important phytomolecules. Among the various medicinal orchids, Ansellia africana stands out prominently in the preparing of various herbal medicines due to its high therapeutic importance. The nodal explants of A. africana were sampled from asymbiotically germinated seedlings on basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and were micropropagated in MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose and 10 µM meta topolin (mT) + 5 µM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) +15 µM indole butyric acid (IBA) + 30 µM phloroglucinol (PG). In the present study, the essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and the oleoresins by the solvent extraction method from the micropropagated A. africana. The essential oil and the oleoresins were analysed by Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC/MS (Mass spectrometry). A total of 84 compounds were identified. The most predominant components among them were linoleic acid (18.42%), l-ascorbyl 2,6-dipalmitate (11.50%), linolenic acid (10.98%) and p-cresol (9.99%) in the essential oil; and eicosane (26.34%), n-butyl acetate (21.13%), heptadecane (16.48%) and 2-pentanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl (11.13%) were detected in the acetone extract; heptadecane (9.40%), heneicosane (9.45%), eicosane (6.40%), n-butyl acetate (14.34%) and styrene (22.20%) were identified and quantified in the ethyl acetate extract. The cytotoxic activity of essential oil and oleoresins of micropropagated A. africana was evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay on Vero cells compared to the standard drug doxorubicin chloride. The present research contains primary information about the therapeutic utility of the essential oil and oleoresins of A. africana with a promising future research potential of qualitative and quantitative improvement through synchronised use of biotechnological techniques.

Preparative and scaled-up separation of high-purity α-linolenic acid from perilla seed oil by conventional and pH-zone refining counter current chromatography.

α-Linolenic acid is an essential omega-3 fatty acid needed for human health. However, the isolation of high-purity α-linolenic acid from plant resources is challenging. The preparative separation methods of α-linolenic acid by both conventional and pH-zone refining counter current chromatography were firstly established in this work. The successful separation of α-linolenic acid by conventional counter current chromatography was achieved by the optimized solvent system n-heptane/methanol/ water/acetic acid (10:9:1:0.04, v/v), producing 466 mg of 98.98% α-linolenic acid from 900 mg free fatty acid sample prepared from perilla seed oil with linoleic acid and oleic acid as by-products. The scaled-up separation in 45× is efficient without loss of resolution and extension of separation time. The separation of α-linolenic acid by pH-zone refining counter current chromatography was also satisfactory by the solvent system n-hexane/methanol/water (10:5:5, v/v) and the optimized concentration of trifluoroacetic acid 30 mM and NH4 OH 10 mM. The separation can be scaled up in 180× producing 9676.7 mg of 92.79% α-linolenic acid from 18 000 mg free fatty acid sample. pH-zone refining counter current chromatography exhibits a great advantage over conventional counter current chromatography with 20× sample loading capacity on the same column.

Monoraphidium sp. HDMA-20 is a new potential source of α-linolenic acid and eicosatetraenoic acid.

BACKGROUND: ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are synthesized from α-Linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3ω3) and play important roles in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses in mammal cells. ALA is an essential fatty acid which cannot be produced within the human body and must be acquired through diet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of a novel microalgal strain (HDMA-20) as a source of ω-3 PUFAs including ALA and eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA, C20:4ω3). METHOD: Phylogenetic Neighbor-Joining analysis based on 18S ribosomal DNA sequence was used to identify the microalga strain HDMA-20. Autotrophic condition was chosen to cultivate HDMA-20 to reduce the cultivation cost. GC-MS was used to determine the fatty acid composition of HDMA-20 lipid. RESULTS: A microalgal strain (HDMA-20) from Lake Chengfeng (Daqing, Heilongjiang province, China) was found to accumulate high content of ω-3 PUFAs (63.4% of total lipid), with ALA and eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA, C20:4ω3) accounting for 35.4 and 9.6% of total lipid, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S ribosomal DNA sequences suggested that the HDMA-20 belonged to genus Monoraphidium (Selenastraceae, Sphaeropleales) and its 18S rDNA sequence information turned out to be new molecular record of Monoraphidium species. The biomass productivity and lipid content of HDMA-20 were also investigated under autotrophic condition. The biomass productivity of HDMA-20 reached 36.3 mg L- 1 day- 1, and the lipid contents was 22.6% of dry weight. CONCLUSION: HDMA-20 not only represent an additional source of ALA, but also a totally new source of ETA. The high content of ω-3 PUFAs, especially ALA, of HDMA-20, makes it suitable as a source of nutrition supplements for human health. In addition, HDMA-20 exhibited good properties in growth and lipid accumulation, implying its potential for cost-effective ω-3 PUFAs production in future.

Changes in Soybean (Glycine max L.) Flour Fatty-Acid Content Based on Storage Temperature and Duration.

Soybeans are low in saturated fat and a rich source of protein, dietary fiber, and isoflavone; however, their nutritional shelf life is yet to be established. This study evaluated the change in the stability and quality of fatty acids in raw and roasted soybean flour under different storage temperatures and durations. In both types of soybean flour, the fatty-acid content was the highest in the order of linoleic acid (18-carbon chain with two double bonds; C18:2), oleic acid (C18:1), palmitic acid (C16:0), linolenic acid (18:3), and stearic acid (C18:0), which represented 47%, 26%, 12%, 9%, and 4% of the total fatty-acid content, respectively. The major unsaturated fatty acids of raw soybean flour-oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid-decreased by 30.0%, 94.4%, and 97.7%, and 38.0%, 94.8%, and 98.0% when stored in polyethylene and polypropylene film, respectively, after 48 weeks of storage under high-temperature conditions. These values were later increased due to hydrolysis. This study presents the changes in composition and content of two soybean flour types and the changes in quality and stability of fatty acids in response to storage temperature and duration. This study shows the influence of storage conditions and temperature on the nutritional quality which is least affected by packing material.

Nitro-Fatty Acids in Plant Signaling: Nitro-Linolenic Acid Induces the Molecular Chaperone Network in Arabidopsis.

Nitro-fatty acids (NO2-FAs) are the product of the reaction between reactive nitrogen species derived of nitric oxide (NO) and unsaturated fatty acids. In animal systems, NO2-FAs are considered novel signaling mediators of cell function based on a proven antiinflammatory response. Nevertheless, the interaction of NO with fatty acids in plant systems has scarcely been studied. Here, we examine the endogenous occurrence of nitro-linolenic acid (NO2-Ln) in Arabidopsis and the modulation of NO2-Ln levels throughout this plant's development by mass spectrometry. The observed levels of this NO2-FA at picomolar concentrations suggested its role as a signaling effector of cell function. In fact, a transcriptomic analysis by RNA-seq technology established a clear signaling role for this molecule, demonstrating that NO2-Ln was involved in plant defense response against different abiotic-stress conditions, mainly by inducing heat shock proteins and supporting a conserved mechanism of action in both animal and plant defense processes. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that NO2-Ln was also involved in the response to oxidative stress conditions, mainly depicted by H2O2, reactive oxygen species, and oxygen-containing compound responses, with a high induction of ascorbate peroxidase expression. Closely related to these results, NO2-Ln levels significantly rose under several abiotic-stress conditions such as wounding or exposure to salinity, cadmium, and low temperature, thus validating the outcomes found by RNA-seq technology. Jointly, to our knowledge, these are the first results showing the endogenous presence of NO2-Ln in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and supporting the strong signaling role of these molecules in the defense mechanism against different abiotic-stress situations.

Volatile Compound Profiling by HS-SPME/GC-MS-FID of a Core Olive Cultivar Collection as a Tool for Aroma Improvement of Virgin Olive Oil.

Virgin olive oil (VOO) is the only food product requiring official sensory analysis to be classified in commercial categories, in which the evaluation of the aroma plays a very important role. The selection of parents, with the aim of obtaining new cultivars with improved oil aroma, is of paramount importance in olive breeding programs. We have assessed the volatile fraction by headspace-solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-flame ionization detection (HS-SPME/GC-MS-FID) and the deduced aroma properties of VOO from a core set of olive cultivars (Core-36) which possesses most of the genetic diversity found in the World Olive Germplasm Collection (IFAPA Alameda del Obispo) located in Cordoba, Spain. The VOO volatile fractions of Core-36 cultivars display a high level of variability. It is mostly made of compounds produced from polyunsaturated fatty acids through the lipoxygenase pathway, which confirms to be a general characteristic of the olive species (Olea europaea L.). The main group of volatile compounds in the oils was six straight-chain carbon compounds derived from linolenic acid, some of them being the main contributors to the aroma of the olive oils according to their odor activity values (OAV). The high level of variability found for the volatile fraction of the oils from Core-36 and, therefore, for the aroma odor notes, suggest that this core set may be a very useful tool for the choice of optimal parents in olive breeding programs in order to raise new cultivars with improved VOO aroma.

Isolation of alpha-linolenic acid from Sutherlandia frutescens and its inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis' shikimate kinase enzyme.

BACKGROUND: Sutherlandia frutescens (L) R.Br. is one of traditional herbal medicines that formed the basis of primary health care systems since the earliest days and is still widely used. Sutherlandia is prescribed for people with tuberculosis (TB), but is still not known which compound(s) acts against M. tuberculosis and its mode of action. The aim of this study was to identify and isolate antimycobacterial compounds from S. frutescens extracts against shikimate kinase, a drug target for M. tuberculosis. METHODS: S. frutescens were dried, ground and extracted with ethanol, dichloromethane: methanol and water. Fractionation and separation of compounds was done with column chromatography. Chromatograms were developed in butanol/acetic acid/water (BAW) [21:6:3]; chloroform/methanol/water/formic acid (CMWF1) [60:15:2:1] and (CMWF2) [21:9:1:0.3]. Separation and isolation of active compounds were done using preparative HPLC. The activity of the plant extracts were also screened against shikimate kinase enzyme (MtbSK) using the MtbSK inhibition assay. RESULTS: The DCM: MeOH (1:1) extract showed a high percentage inhibition (with an IC50 of 0.1 µg/ml) of MtbSK and the purified inhibitor was an Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) compound and it had a significant IC50 of 3.7 µg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that ALA from S. frustescens is an inhibitor of shikimate kinase a good drug target for M. tuberculosis.

Isolation of methyl gamma linolenate from Spirulina platensis using flash chromatography and its apoptosis inducing effect.

BACKGROUND: Isolation of methyl gamma linolenate from Spirulina platensis using flash chromatography and its apoptosis inducing effect against human lung carcinoma A- 549 cell lines. METHODS: Gamma linolenic acid is an important omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of medicinal interest was isolated from microalgae Spirulina platensis using flash chromatography system (Isolera system) as its methyl ester. The isolated methyl gamma linolenate was characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and mass spectral analysis and the data were consistent with the structure. RESULTS: The percentage yield of isolated methyl gamma linolenate is found to be 71% w/w, which is a very good yield in comparison to other conventional methods. It was subjected to in-vitro cytotoxic screening on A-549 lung cancer cell lines using SRB assay and result was compared with standard rutin. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that the Flash chromatography system plays a major role in improving the yield for the isolation of methyl gamma linoleate from Spirulina platensis and the isolated molecule is a potent cytotoxic agent towards human lung carcinoma cell lines, however it may be further taken up for an extensive study.

Anti-thrombotic effects of α-linolenic acid isolated from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim seeds.

BACKGROUND: The current study was to evaluate the anti-thrombotic effect of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which was isolated and purified from Jiaomu in vivo. METHODS: The seeds were crushed and subsequently subjected to saponification, acid hydrolysis, gradient freezing, urea inclusion and complexation of silver nitrate to obtain the unsaturated fatty acids. The chemical characteristics of isolated ALA were validated by 1HNMR, 13CNMR and mass spectrometry, and then the anti-thrombotic effect of ALA and its mixture with linoleic acid (1:1) were evaluated in the following experiments. RESULTS: The alpha-linolenic acid was isolated and purified from Jiaomu through our newly established methods. ALA and its mixture with linoleic acid can prolong the hemorrhage and coagulation time as well as enhanced the survival rate of mice subjected to collagen-adrenaline induced thrombosis. In addition, the thrombosis on A-V bypass and platelet aggregation of rats will be reduced after treated with ALA or its mixture, and the expression level of Akt and PI3K protein decreased 26% and 31%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We designed and optimized a very simple and high-yield procedure to isolate ALA and linoleic acid mixture from seeds of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim and demonstrated that such mixture can obtain a good anti-thrombotic effect through the modulation of PI3K/Akt signaling.

A thin-layer chromatography autographic method for the detection of inhibitors of the Salmonella PhoP-PhoQ regulatory system.

INTRODUCTION: The PhoP-PhoQ system from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium controls the expression of factors that are critical for the bacterial entry into host cells and the bacterial intramacrophage survival. Therefore it constitutes an interesting target to search for compounds that would control Salmonella virulence. Localisation of such compounds in complex matrixes could be facilitated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) bioautography. OBJECTIVE: To develop a TLC bioautography to detect inhibitors of the PhoP-PhoQ regulatory system in complex matrixes. METHODS: The TLC plates were covered by a staining solution containing agar, Luria-Bertani medium, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal), kanamycin and a S. typhimurium strain that harbours a reporter transcriptional lacZ-fusion to an archetypal PhoP-activated gene virK. After solidification, the plate was incubated at 37°C for 16 h. RESULTS: A bioautographic assay suitable for the localisation of inhibitors of the PhoP-PhoQ system activity in S. enterica serovar Typhimurium present in a complex matrix is described. The assay was used to analyse a series of hydrolysed extracts prepared by alkaline treatment of crude plant extracts. Bioassay-guided analysis of the fractions by NMR spectroscopy and MS led to the identification of linolenic and linoleic acids as inhibitory input signals of the PhoP-PhoQ system. CONCLUSION: A practical tool is introduced that facilitates detection of inhibitors of the Salmonella PhoP-PhoQ regulatory system. The assay convenience is illustrated with the identification of the first naturally occurring organic compounds that down-regulate a PhoP-PhoQ regulatory system from a hydrolysed extract.

[Conjugated linolenic acids (CLnA, super CLA)--natural sources and biological activity]. / Sprzezone trieny kwasu linolenowego (conjugated linolenic acid­CLnA, super CLA)­zródla i dzialanie biologiczne.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have a wide range of biological activity. Among them conjugated fatty acids are of great interest. Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), which exert a multidirectional health-benefiting influence, and conjugated linolenic acids (CLnA, super CLA) are examples of this group of fatty acids. CLnA are a group of positional and geometric isomers of octadecatrienoic acid (C18:3), which possess double bonds at positions 9, 11, 13 or 8, 10, 12 of their chain. Some vegetable oils are rich sources of CLnA, e.g. bitter melon oil (from Momordica charantia seeds) and pomegranate oil (from Punica granatum seeds). The aim of this paper was to present information concerning natural sources and health-promoting activities of conjugated linolenic acids. The presented data reveal that conjugated linolenic acids may be very useful in prevention and treatment of many diseases, especially diabetes, arteriosclerosis , obesity and cancers (mammary, prostate and colon cancer). Among many potential mechanisms of their action, the fact that some CLnA are converted by oxidoreductases into CLA is very important. It seems to be very reasonable to conduct research concerning the possibility of CLnA use in prevention of many diseases.

[Study on Chemical Constituents of Oldenlandia diffusa].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Oldenlandia diffusa. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography as well as recrystallization method, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical and spectral analyses. RESULTS: Nine compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as quercetin (1), kaempferol (2), scopoletin (3), 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (4), 2-hydroxy-l-methoxyanthraquinone (5), α-linolenic acid (6), vanillic acid (7), p-hydroxyphenylethanol (8) and, ß-sitosterol (9). CONCLUSION: Compound 6 is obtained from this genus for the first time. Compounds 7 and 8 are obtained from this plant for the first time.

[The fatty acid composition of ordinary flax seed oil (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivated in Georgia and its byological activity].

The aim of the study was individual quantitatively and qualitatively determination of fatty acids in ordinary flax seed oil (Linum usitatissimum L.), cultivated in Georgia. The neutral lipids extracts were fractionated and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (PTC-1, Waters) with refractory detector R-401. Analitical column (150,0x3,0 mm) was filled with reversphase Bondopak C18). Software OASIS-740 is used. The correction retention times of each fatty acids is compared with comformity standard. The investigation showed that in flax seed oil linoleic (31,3±2,1 mg%) and linolenic (40,2±2,9 mg%) acids were predominant and together constitute principal basic of research composition. The flax seed oil contained also palmitic and stearic acids in less quantitaty.

Oils rich in α-linolenic acid independently protect against characteristics of fatty liver disease in the Δ6-desaturase null mouse.

Alpha-linolenic acid's (ALA) biological activity is poorly understood and primarily associated with its conversion to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Delta-6 desaturase (D6D) initiates the metabolism of linoleic acid (LA) and ALA to arachidonic acid, EPA, and DHA, respectively. In this study, D6D knock-out (D6KO) mice were used to evaluate the effects of ALA-rich oils in preventing hepatic steatosis and inflammation. D6KO and wild-type mice were fed 1 of 4 high-fat (14% w/w) diets: (i) lard (LD, 0% n-3 PUFA), (ii) canola oil + ARASCO (CD, 8% ALA), (iii) flax seed oil + ARASCO (FD, 55% ALA), (iv) menhaden oil (MD, 30% EPA/DHA) for 8 or 20 weeks. Livers of D6KO mice consuming CD and FD were depleted of EPA/DHA, and enriched in ALA. Markers of fat accumulation and inflammation were lowest in the MD-fed mice, at 8 and 20 weeks, regardless of genotype. CD- and FD-fed D6KO groups were found to have lower liver lipid accumulation and lower hepatic inflammation relative to the LD-fed mice at 8 weeks. In conclusion, while MD was the most protective, this study shows that ALA can act independently on risk factors associated with the development of fatty liver disease.

Production of isotopically labeled standards from a uniformly labeled precursor for quantitative volatile metabolomic studies.

Optimal accuracy and precision in small-molecule profiling by mass spectrometry generally requires isotopically labeled standards chemically representative of all compounds of interest. However, preparation of mixed standards from commercially available pure compounds is often prohibitively expensive and time-consuming, and many labeled compounds are not available in pure form. We used a single-prototype uniformly labeled [U-(13)C]compound to generate [U-(13)C]-labeled volatile standards for use in subsequent experimental profiling studies. [U-(13)C]-α-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3, ALA) was thermally oxidized to produce labeled lipid degradation volatiles which were subsequently characterized qualitatively and quantitatively. Twenty-five [U-(13)C]-labeled volatiles were identified by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/TOF-MS) by comparison of spectra with unlabeled volatiles. Labeled volatiles were quantified by a reverse isotope dilution procedure. Using the [U-(13)C]-labeled standards, limits of detection comparable to or better than those of previous HS-SPME reports were achieved, 0.010-1.04 ng/g. The performance of the [U-(13)C]-labeled volatile standards was evaluated using a commodity soybean oil (CSO) oxidized at 60 °C from 0 to 15 d. Relative responses of n-decane, an unlabeled internal standard otherwise absent from the mixture, and [U-(13)C]-labeled oxidation products changed by up to 8-fold as the CSO matrix was oxidized, demonstrating that reliance on a single standard in volatile profiling studies yields inaccurate results due to changing matrix effects. The [U-(13)C]-labeled standard mixture was used to quantify 25 volatiles in oxidized CSO and low-ALA soybean oil with an average relative standard deviation of 8.5%. Extension of this approach to other labeled substrates, e.g., [U-(13)C]-labeled sugars and amino acids, for profiling studies should be feasible and can dramatically improve quantitative results compared to use of a single standard.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-assisted Extraction and Fatty Acid Composition of Oil from Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. Seed.

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the effects of extraction parameters including time, power, temperature and liquid-to-solid ratio on peony seed oil yield. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed for optimization of extraction parameters in oil yield that extracted assisting by ultrasonic while petroleum ether as solvent. The chemical composition of peony seed oil under optimal condition in ultrasonic-assisted extract method was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The optimal conditions were that extraction time 45 min, extraction temperature 45°C, extraction power 90 W and liquid-to-solid ratio 7:1, respectively. Under this condition, the extraction yield value was 33.90% which was with 95% confidence level, hence indicated the reliability of RSM in optimizing ultrasonic-assisted extraction of oil from Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. seed. Three unsaturated fatty acid of peony oil such as n-3 α-linolenic acid (39.75%), n-6 linoleic acid (26.32%) and the oleic acid (23.66%), totally more than 89.00% was determined at optimum condition.

Chemical Characterization of Chinese Perilla Seed Oil.

Physicochemical properties and chemical composition of Chinese perilla seed oil has been characterized in this study. The result showed that both the cold press oil and the solvent extracted oil possessed low acid value and peroxide value. The fatty acid composition result showed that the oil has high content of linolenic acid (C18:3) up to 66.4 g/100 g, followed by linoleic acid (C18:2) of 15.3 g/100 g. The total triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles results showed that the oil contained 20 TAGs including 17 regioisomers, including LnLnLn (35.8 g/100 g), LLnLn (20.2 g/100 g), LLLn (17.7 g/100 g) and PLnLn (14.9 g/100 g) (Ln, linolenic acid; L, linoleic acid; P, palmitic acid). With content of only 0.57 g/100 g oil, the unsaponifiable matters were mainly composed of phytosterols, squalene, tocopherol, alcohols and hydrocarbons. The total phytosterols content was 0.39 g/100 g oil, in which ß-sitosterol has high content of 0.31 g/100 g oil.

Plant derived omega-3-fatty acids protect mitochondrial function in the brain.

Perilla frutescens seed oil (PFSO) represents a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, especially of omega-3 linolenic acid and is commonly used as herbal food supplement with beneficial effects on the vascular system. The present study investigated the effects of PFSO on the central nervous system (CNS) and provides new insight into potential mechanisms for protective properties of unsaturated fatty acids within the CNS. PFSO was administered chronically to guinea pigs and neuroprotective properties were assessed ex vivo in dissociated brain cells. Dissociated brain cells isolated from PFSO treated guinea pigs were less vulnerable against nitrosative stress as indicated by decreased levels of reactive oxygen species, by stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced levels of adenosine-triphosphate. In the brain, levels of oleic, linoleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids were significantly enhanced. However, fatty acid composition and membrane dynamics of isolated synaptosomal plasma membranes were not affected. Our findings provide new insights into the potential mechanisms for the neuroprotective actions of unsaturated fatty acids and identified PFSO as promising nutraceutical and possible alternative to fish oil supplements to provide healthful activities in the brain.

Feeding stimulant in Cinnamomum camphora for the common bluebottle, Graphium sarpedon nipponum (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

The acceptance of camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) as a host plant for the larvae of common bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon nipponum) was explained by the presence of feeding stimulants in the leaves. When the active methanol extract of C. camphora leaves was separated into hexane and water layers, both layers showed high feeding activities for the larvae of G. sarpedon nipponum. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the hexane layer resulted in the isolation of a highly active compound, which was identified as a-linolenic acid by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the large intestine, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain. It can be alleviated by certain bioactive compounds, including α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is a bioactive component in fermented black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger). The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of ALA in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in mice. UC was induced in C57BL/6 mice by allowing them to freely drink water containing 2.5% DSS for 7 days, followed by oral administration of ALA (30 and 60 mg/kg/day) or vehicle control for 7 days. DSS-induced colitis was evaluated using the Disease Activity Index (DAI) and by measuring colon length and performing a histopathological examination. Compared to the control group, the vehicle-treated group showed a higher DAI score, shorter colon, goblet cell loss, and crypt shortening. The ALA treatment mitigated clinical signs of UC and histopathological changes. Furthermore, it mitigated intestinal inflammation by reducing the expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1-positive macrophages in the colon. These results show that ALA alleviates DSS-induced UC by suppressing colon damage, which includes goblet cell loss, crypt shortening, and a reduction of macrophages in the colon.