Camphor Tree Seed Kernel Oil Reduces Body Fat Deposition and Improves Blood Lipids in Rats.

The total and positional fatty acid composition in camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) seed kernel oil (CKO) were analyzed, and for the first time, the effect of CKO on body fat deposition and blood lipids in rats was studied. The major fatty acids in CKO were determined to be decanoic acid (C10:0, 51.49%) and dodecanoic acid (C12:0, 40.08%), and uniformly distributed at Sn-1, 3, and Sn-2 positions in triglyceride (TG). Rats were randomly divided into control, CKO, lard, and soybean oil groups. At the end of the experiment, levels of blood lipids and the fats of abdomen in the rats were measured. The main organ were weighted and used for the histological examination. The results showed that body weight and fat deposition in CKO group were significantly lower than the lard and soybean groups. Moderate consumption of CKO was found to improve the levels of blood TG and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The effects of Fructus Aurantii extract on the 5-hydroxytryptamine and vasoactive intestinal peptide contents of the rat gastrointestinal tract.

CONTEXT: Fructus Aurantii, the unripe fruit of Citrus aurantium Linn (Rutaceae), is a Qi-regulating drug used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve gastrointestinal (GI) function. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) regulate GI motility and fluid secretion. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether the Fructus Aurantii extract altered VIP and 5-HT expression levels in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental rats were administered 0.3 g/ml Fructus Aurantii water decoction at 2.0 ml/100 g body weight per day for 10 days by gavage feeding, while control rats were gavage fed equal volumes of distilled water. Expression levels of 5-HT and VIP were measured by immunohistochemical staining and microscopic image analysis of the GI mucosa and myenteric nerve plexus. RESULTS: Average 5-HT staining intensity scores in the stomach antrum, duodenal mucosa and jejunal mucosa were significantly higher in the Fructus Aurantii treatment group than in the control group (antrum: 213% of control; duodenum: 193%; jejunum: 256%; p < 0.05 for all). In contrast, the average VIP density scores in the stomach antrum, duodenal mucosa and jejunal mucosa were significantly lower in the Fructus Aurantii group (antrum: 14% of control; duodenum: 15%; jejunum: 38%; p < 0.01 for all). Tissues from Fructus Aurantii-treated rats exhibited significantly greater numbers of 5-HT- and VIP-immunopositive cells in the gastric antrum, duodenum and jejunum mucosal layer but fewer VIP-expressing cells in the myenteric nerve plexus (p < 0.05 for both). CONCLUSION: Fructus Aurantii can enhance gastrointestinal motility by altering 5-HT and VIP expression levels in the rat GI tract.

[Determination of 6 kinds of pesticides residue in Dioscoreae rhizoma slices by GC-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 6 residues including organophosphorus, organochlorinated and pyrethroid pesticides simultaneously in crude yam slices, yam slices stir-fried with bran and sulfur fumigation yam. METHODS: The compounds were ready for GC-MS analysis after being extracted with acetonitrile and purified. Determinations were performed with selected ion monitoring mode and external standard method was adopted in the quantificaticon. RESULTS: The contents of 6 kinds pesticides residue had good linear correlation with the peak area in the rang of 0.01-0.5 microg/mL. The average recoveries of 6 kinds pesticides residue were 87.5%-95.5%. The method detection limits ranged from 0.002-0.005 microg/g. Organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides were detected in the three samples except the parathion residue. CONCLUSION: Stir-fried with bran and sulphur fumigation had nearly no effects on the pesticides residue in yam. The method is sensitive and accurate and can be used in determination of multiresidual pesticides residue in yam.

[Analysis of volatile oil in Fructus Aurantii processed with Zhangband method by GC-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chemical components of the volatile oil in processed pieces of Fructus Aurantii (PPFA) with JiangXi Zhangband methods by GC-MS. METHODS: The volatile oil was obtained from PPFA by steam distillation. The amount of the components from the volatile oil were determinated by area normalization method. The separated components were identified by GC-MS. RESULTS: Composed of the total volatile oil over 90% , 70 components were separated and identified. All of the processed Fructus Aurantii produced new chemical composition, in the meantime,the contents were changed in some chemical composition after processed. CONCLUSION: The method is reliable, stable and has good repeatability. This method can be applied to the analysis of volatile oil components in PPFA. It will provide the certain scientific methods for further evaluating of PPFA quality.