Inhibitory Effects of Echinochrome A, Isolated from Shell of the Sea Urchin Anthocidaris crassispina, on Antigen-Stimulated Degranulation in Rat Basophilic Leukemia RBL-2H3 Cells through Suppression of Lyn Activation.

Echinochrome A (Echi-A) was isolated from the sea urchin Anthocidaris crassispina and its structure determined using ID and 2D-NMR. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effect of Echi-A on antigen-stimulated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells, which were suppressed in a dose dependent manner.. The antigens bind to the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor, which is expressed on the surface of mast cells and basophils and activate intracellular signal transduction, resulting in the release of biologically active mediators such as histamine. In order to disclose the inhibitory mechanisms of degranulation by Echi-A, we examined the elevation in intracellular C²âº concentration ([Ca²âº]i), production levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and early intracellular signaling events. Both elevation of [Ca²âº] and intracellular ROS production were markedly suppressed in cells treated with Echi-A. Echi-A also suppressed the activation of Lyn, Syk, and PLCyl/2 in antigen-stimulated cells. These results indicated that inhibition of antigen-stimulated degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells by Echi-A is mainly due to the inactivation of Lyn/Syk/PLCy signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that Echi-A could be a beneficial agent for alleviating the symptoms of type I allergy.

Biochemical analyses of the antioxidative activity and chemical ingredients in eight different Allium alien monosomic addition lines.

We measured the antioxidant contents and antioxidative activities in eight Allium fistulosum-shallot monosomic addition lines (MAL; FF+1A-FF+8A). The high antioxidative activity lines (FF+2A and FF+6A) showed high polyphenol accumulation. These additional chromosomes (2A and 6A) would therefore have anonymous genes related to the upregulation of polyphenol production, the antioxidative activities consequently being increased in these MALs.

Supplementation with Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) expressing a single alien chromosome from shallot increases the antioxidant activity of Kamaboko fish jelly paste in vitro.

Kamaboko is a traditional type of processed seafood made from fish jelly paste that is unique to Japan. We supplemented Kamaboko with Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) with an alien monosome from shallot (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum group) and we measured in vitro the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value, an index of antioxidant activity. We also evaluated the results of sensory testing. The ORAC value of plain Kamaboko was 166±14 µmol trolox equivalent (TE)/100 g fresh weight (FW). The values of the edible Alliaceae powder, i.e., Japanese bunching onion (JBO, genome FF, 2n=2x=16) and the alien addition line of JBO carrying the 6A chromosome from shallot (FF+6A, 2n=2x+1=17), were 6,659±238 and 14,096±635 µmol TE/100 g dry weight (DW). We hypothesized that the 6A chromosome encoded the enhancement of polyphenol production. Subsequently, we created Kamaboko containing 4.8% JBO powder or 4.8% FF+6A powder. The ORAC value of each modified Kamaboko product was increased to 376±24 µmol TE/100 g FW for the JBO powder and to 460±16 µmol TE/100 g FW for the FF+6A powder, respectively. We next created Kamaboko containing 9.0% JBO powder or 9.0% FF+6A powder and the ORAC values of the respective modified Kamaboko products was increased to 671±16 and 740±21 µmol TE/100 g FW, i.e., 4.1- and 4.5-times the value of plain Kamaboko. Consequently, taking into consideration the sensory evaluation regarding taste and appearance as well, the use of Kamaboko supplemented with 4.8% FF+6A powder is recommended.

Antioxidant activity of the giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity and hydroxyl radical averting capacity methods.

The giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai (reaching sizes of up to 2 m diameter and 150 kg), which forms dense blooms, has caused extensive damage to fisheries by overloading trawl nets, while its toxic nematocysts cause dermatological symptoms. Giant jellyfish are currently discarded on the grounds of pest control. However, the giant jellyfish is considered to be edible and is part of Chinese cuisine. Therefore, we investigated whether any benefits for human health may be derived from consumption of the jellyfish in order to formulate medicated diets. Antioxidant activity of Nemopilema nomurai was measured using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) methods. Based on the results, the ORAC value of the giant jellyfish freeze-dried sample was 541 µmol trolox equivalent (TE)/100 g and the HORAC value was 3,687 µmol gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g. On the other hand, the IC50 value of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity measured by using the electron spin resonance method was 3.3%. In conclusion, the results suggest that the freeze-dried powder of the giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai is a potentially beneficial food for humans.

Antioxidative activity of the buckwheat polyphenol rutin in combination with ovalbumin.

Buckwheat flour is well known for its highly antioxidative ingredient, rutin. We have undertaken to examine alterations in the characteristics of rutin treated with various proteins. In this study, the radical scavenging activities of a rutin-ovalbumin complex were examined. Dissolved rutin hydrate and ovalbumin were combined and boiled in water for 10 min. In the resulting rutin-ovalbumin complex, a new high molecular weight peak was detected using gel permeation chromatography analysis, and an existing high molecular weight area of ovalbumin was observed to be increased by the addition of rutin. This suggested that ovalbumin molecules produce a complex through their interaction with rutin. Alkaline luminol chemiluminescence and electron spin resonance analysis revealed the formation of a rutin-ovalbumin complex that markedly enhanced the peroxyl, but not the hydroxyl, radical scavenging activity of rutin. Rutin also demonstrated antioxidative activity against hydroxyl radicals in a DNA protection assay. We therefore conclude that, compared with ovalbumin or rutin alone, the rutin-ovalbumin complex has improved antioxidative activities in the form of enhanced peroxyl radical scavenging activity and DNA protection from apurinic/apyrimidinic site formation caused by hydroxyl radicals.