Fatty Acid Content in Perilla Cultivars and Commercial Oils Determined by GC Analysis

The content analysis of fatty acids in Perilla cultivars and commercial oils is conducted through gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Results show that Perilla cultivars, such as Deulsaem and Daesil, contain high amounts of α-linolenic acid (262.22 and 261.97 mg/g, respectively). Among commercial oils, Perilla oil contains a higher amount of α-linolenic acid (515.20 mg/g). Accordingly, α-linolenic acid is a major fatty acid of Perilla cultivars and oil. Therefore, Perilla cultivars could be used as a food supplement for nutritional and pharmaceutical purposes.

Fucoidan protects hepatocytes from apoptosis and inhibits invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma by up-regulating p42/44 MAPK-dependent NDRG-1/CAP43

Fucoidan is a traditional Chinese medicine suggested to possess anti-tumor effects. In this study the anti-metastatic effects of fucoidan were investigated in vitro in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (Huh-7 and SNU-761) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions and in vivo using a distant liver metastasis model involving injection of MH134 cells into spleen via the portal vein. Its ability to protect hepatocytes against bile acid (BA)-induced apoptosis was investigated in primary hepatocytes. Fucoidan was found to suppress the invasion of HCC cells through up-regulation of p42/44 MAPK-dependent NDRG-1/CAP43 and partly, under normoxic conditions, through up-regulation of p42/44 MAPK-dependent VMP-1 expression. It also significantly decreased liver metastasis in vivo. As regards its hepatoprotective effect, fucoidan decreased BA-induced hepatocyte apoptosis as shown by the attenuation of caspase-8, and -7 cleavages and suppression of the mobilization of caspase-8 and Fas associated death domain (FADD) into the death-inducing signaling complex. In summary, fucoidan displays inhibitory effects on proliferation of HCC cells and protective effects on hepatocytes. The results suggest fucoidan is a potent suppressor of tumor invasion with hepatoprotective effects.

Quantitative Analysis of the Flavonoid Content in the Leaves of Boehmeria nivea and Related Commercial Products

Content analysis of flavonoids (epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, and rutin) present in the leaves of Boehmeria nivea (originating from Geumsan-myeon, Biin-myeon, Hansan-myeon, and Baeksu-eup) and their commercial products (ramie tteok, ramie songpyeon, ramie bory-tteok, and ramie tea) was conducted by HPLC. The content of epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, and rutin was highest in the leaves of B. nivea from Geumsanmyeon (0.138 mg/g), Baeksu-eup (1.654 mg/g) and Geumsan-myeon (12.205 mg/g), respectively. With respect to commercial products, the content of epicatechin and epicatechin gallate was highest in ramie tea, with concentrations of 1.879 and 1.090 mg/g, respectively. Given these flavonoid concentrations, B. nivea leaf extracts have the potential to be used as additives in natural medicinal products, health supplements, and beverages.