[Chemical constituents of Myristica fragrans Houttuyn seed and their physiological activities].

The antioxidative activity of phenylpropanoid compound extracts from nutmeg (Myristica fragragrans Houttuyn) seed was determined. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging method, superoxide disumutase assay, ferric thiocyanate assay, and radical-scavenging effect assay with electron-spin resonance. High antioxidant activity was found in monoterpenoid extracts including terpinene-4-ol (3), alpha-terpineol (4), and 4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol (12). Compound, 12 expressed particularly high antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant effects and antimicrobial activites of phytoncide.

Physiological activities of four types of phytoncide solutions (A, AB, CY and D-types), prepared from various plants widely distributed in nature, were examined. We assayed these phytoncide solutions, testing for active oxygen inhibition, DPPH radical scavenging effects, nitrogen monoxide inhibition, and lipid peroxide inhibition. The AB- and D-types of phytoncide solutions especially showed comparably potent antioxidant effects. Antibacterial and antifungal assays were conducted using the AB- and D-types, with results showing significant inhibitory activities with these solutions.

Synthesis and cosmetic whitening effect of glycosides derived from several phenylpropanoids.

Plant-derived phenylpropanoid compounds (4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2,3-dimethoxyphenol, 3,4-dimethoxyphenol, 3,5-dimethoxyphenol, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid) were glycosidated to form glycoside compounds. We evaluated the effects of these compounds on the inhibition of tyrosinase and melanin synthesis and their cytotoxicity from the viewpoint of their use as whitening agents in cosmetics. Some compounds had more potent tyrosinase-inhibiting activity than commercial arbutin, which was used as a control, and showed no cytotoxicity at low concentration ranges.

A study on fatty acids in seeds of Euterpe oleracea Mart seeds.

Fatty acids of Euterpe oleracea Mart seeds were analyzed in hexane and diethyl ether extracts. The hexane extract contained dodecanoic acid (3), tetradecanoic acid (4), hexadecanoic acid (7), and 9-octadecenoic acid (10). The diethyl ether extract contained (10). The oil of Mart seeds was obtained firstly by methanol extract and further extracted with diethyl ether. The hexane and diethyl ether extracts were then analyzed for antioxidant effects. Both extracts demonstrated a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical elimination effect similar to that of α-tocopherol and an active oxygen inhibition effect. Significant quantities (0.6212 mg/mL) of polyphenol, in comparison to the standard rejected gallic acid, were found in the extract oil of Mart seeds by the methanol extraction.

Chemical constituents of Coreopsis lanceolata L. and their physiological activities.

Petals from Coreopsis lanceolata L. were extracted in methanol and subjected to solvent-solvent partitioning to yield four fractions: hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and aqueous. These fractions were screened using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and an active oxygen inhibition assay. The ethyl acetate extract contained the highest level of active components. Four compounds isolated from this fraction by HPLC were screened for antioxidant activity and anti-allergic activity. Anti-allergic activity was assessed by measuring release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells. One compound, termed laceolin, was characterized by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive NMR and mass spectra. This compound had significant radical scavenging activity, with an SC50 (scavenging concentration of 50%) value of 2.6 microg/mL and superoxide dismutase activity of 46.2%.

Pharmacological activity of compounds extracted from persimmon peel (Diospyros kaki THUNB.).

Persimmon peels (Diospyros kaki THUNB.) are discarded during the production of dried fruit. The 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (8) which is component of persimmon peel had high antioxidant activity on the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay and SOD (superoxide dismutase) assay. And (8) had higher tyrosinase inhibiting activity than that of arbutin using both L-tyrosine and L-DOPA as substrates. In addition, tyrosinase inhibiting activity of synthesized 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol glycoside (8a) was studied. (8a) had tyrosinase inhibiting activity, suggesting that (8a) has possibilities for ingredient of cosmetics that are possessed of whitening effect.