Effect of microwave-assisted drying and extraction of 6-Shogaol from Zingiber officinale Roscoe.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingeberaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used as food, spice, or flavoring agent worldwide. 6-Shogaol is a compound of prime interest in exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and chemopreventive effects. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of microwave-assisted drying (MAD) followed by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) so as to produce 6-Shogaol enriched Ginger with improved therapeutic benefits. Various drying techniques viz. shade drying, tray drying, microwave-assisted drying and osmotic dehydration as a pretreatment were used for drying Ginger rhizomes. The dried rhizomes were extracted by conventional solvent extraction and microwave-assisted extraction techniques and tested for content of 6-Shogaol using the newly developed HPLC method whereas total flavonoid and polyphenol content were determined using the UV spectrophotometric method. Subjecting the microwave dried Ginger to microwave-assisted extraction for 45 min at constant power level of 284 W resulted in a significant rise in the extractability of 6-Shogaol (1.660 ± 0.018), total polyphenols (855.46 ± 5.33) and flavonoids (617.97 ± 6.40) compared to the conventional method of extraction. The proposed Ginger processing method of microwave drying followed by microwave extraction outperforms traditional methods in terms of speed, convenience, and performance thus can be scaled up to industrial levels.

Personal Glucose Meter for α-Glucosidase Inhibitor Screening Based on the Hydrolysis of Maltose.

As a key enzyme regulating postprandial blood glucose, α-Glucosidase is considered to be an effective target for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In this study, a simple, rapid, and effective method for enzyme inhibitors screening assay was established based on α-glucosidase catalyzes reactions in a personal glucose meter (PGM). α-glucosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of maltose to produce glucose, which triggers the reduction of ferricyanide (K3[Fe(CN)6]) to ferrocyanide (K4[Fe(CN)6]) and generates the PGM detectable signals. When the α-glucosidase inhibitor (such as acarbose) is added, the yield of glucose and the readout of PGM decreased accordingly. This method can achieve the direct determination of α-glucosidase activity by the PGM as simple as the blood glucose tests. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the developed method was applied to evaluate the inhibitory activity of thirty-four small-molecule compounds and eighteen medicinal plants extracts on α-glucosidase. The results exhibit that lithospermic acid (52.5 ± 3.0%) and protocatechualdehyde (36.8 ± 2.8%) have higher inhibitory activity than that of positive control acarbose (31.5 ± 2.5%) at the same final concentration of 5.0 mM. Besides, the lemon extract has a good inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase with a percentage of inhibition of 43.3 ± 3.5%. Finally, the binding sites and modes of four active small-molecule compounds to α-glucosidase were investigated by molecular docking analysis. These results indicate that the PGM method is feasible to screening inhibitors from natural products with simple and rapid operations.

Development of edible Thai rice film fortified with ginger extract using microwave-assisted extraction for oral antimicrobial properties.

This study aimed to investigate microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of dried ginger and to develop a rice-based edible film incorporating ginger extract. The optimal MAE conditions of 400 W microwave power and an extraction time of 1 min were determined using a 32 full factorial design. The optimized extract showed total phenolic compounds (TPC, 198.2 ± 0.7 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), antioxidant activity measured by DPPH (91.4 ± 0.6% inhibition), ABTS (106.4 ± 3.1 mg Trolox/g), and FRAP (304.6 ± 5.5 mg Trolox/g), and bioactive compounds including 6-gingerol (71.5 ± 3.6 mg/g), 6-shogaol (12.5 ± 1.0 mg/g), paradol (23.1 ± 1.1 mg/g), and zingerone (5.0 ± 0.3 mg/g). Crude extract of dried ginger showed antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans DMST 18777, with a minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of 0.5 and 31.2 mg/mL, respectively. The rice-based edible film incorporating 3.2% (w/v) ginger extract tested against S. mutans DMST 18777 had a mean zone of inhibition of 12.7 ± 0.1 mm. Four main phenolic compounds, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, paradol, and zingerone, and six volatile compounds, α-curcumene, α-zingiberene, γ-muurolene, α-farnesene, ß-bisabolene, and ß-sesquiphellandrene, were found in rice film fortified with crude ginger extract.

Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity and Fatty Acid Composition of Roasted Alyanak Apricot Kernel.

The oil recovery from Alyanak apricot kernel was 36.65% in control (unroasted) and increased to 43.77% in microwave-roasted kernels. The total phenolic contents in extracts from apricot kernel were between 0.06 (oven-roasted) and 0.20 mg GAE/100 g (microwave-roasted) while the antioxidant activity varied between 2.55 (oven-roasted) and 19.34% (microwave-roasted). Gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, (+)-catechin and 1,2-dihydroxybenzene were detected as the key phenolic constituents in apricot kernels. Gallic acid contents varied between 0.53 (control) and 1.10 mg/100 g (microwave-roasted) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid contents were between 0.10 (control) and 0.35 mg/100 g (microwave-roasted). Among apricot oil fatty acids, palmitic acid contents ranged from 4.38 (oven-roasted) to 4.76% (microwave-roasted); oleic acid contents were between 65.73% (oven-roasted) and 66.15% (control) and linoleic acid contents varied between 26.55 (control) and 27.12% (oven-roasted).

[Search for Neuroprotective Compounds -From 4-Methycatechol to Citrus Compounds].

In the 1980s, the authors developed the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system for mouse nerve growth factor (NGF) to clarify its important physiological roles. Our EIA system was a new and powerful tool for measurement of extremely low levels of NGF in vitro and in vivo, and it contributed to investigation into the regulatory mechanism of NGF synthesis. After that, we demonstrated that the compounds with a low molecular weight, such as 4-methylcatechol, which elicit stimulatory activity toward NGF synthesis, were useful and practical for therapeutic purposes; as NGF has potent activity on neuronal degeneration in both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system. Since 2008, we have been searching for and isolating neuroprotective component(s) from citrus peels. As a result, our study revealed that 1) 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone (HMF) has neuroprotective ability in the CNS by inducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and by suppressing inflammation; 2) auraptene (AUR) also has neuroprotective ability in the CNS by suppressing inflammation and by probably inducing neurotrophic factor(s). As the content of AUR in the peels of Kawachi Bankan is exceptionally high, 1) we found this peel powder to exert neuroprotective effects in the brain of various pathological model mice; 2) some of the AUR transited from the peel to the juice during the squeezing process to obtain the juice. Therefore, K. Bankan juice, which is enriched in AUR by adding peel paste to the raw juice, was shown to be practical for suppression of cognitive dysfunction of aged healthy volunteers.

Potential Allylpyrocatechol Derivatives as Antibacterial Agent Against Oral Pathogen of S. sanguinis ATCC 10,556 and as Inhibitor of MurA Enzymes: in vitro and in silico Study.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus sanguinis is Gram-positive bacteria that contribute to caries. Many antibacterial agents are resistant against bacteria so that the discovery of new antibacterial agents is a crucial issue. Mechanism of antibacterial agents by disrupting cell wall bacteria is a promising target to be developed. One of the enzymes contributing to the cell wall is MurA enzyme. MurA is an enzyme catalyzing the first step of peptidoglycan biosynthesis in the cell wall formation. Inhibiting MurA is an effective and efficient way to kill the bacteria. Source of bioactive compounds including the antibacterial agent can be found in natural product such as herbal plant. Piper betle L. was reported to contain active antibacterial compounds. However, there is no more information on the antibacterial activity and molecular mechanism of P. betle's compound against S. sanguinis. PURPOSE: The study aims to identify antibacterial constituents of P. betle L. and evaluate their activities through two different methods including in vitro and in silico analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antibacterial agent was purified by bioactivity-guided isolation with combination chromatography methods and the chemical structure was determined by spectroscopic methods. The in vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and dilution methods while the in silico study of a compound binds on the MurA was determined using PyRx program. RESULTS: The antibacterial compound identified as allylpyrocatechol showed inhibitory activity against S. sanguinis with an inhibition zone of 11.85 mm at 1%, together with MIC and MBC values of 39.1 and 78.1 µg/mL, respectively. Prediction for molecular inhibition mechanism of allylpyrocatechols against the MurA presented two allylpyrocatechol derivatives showing binding activity of -5.4, stronger than fosfomycin as a reference with the binding activity of -4.6. CONCLUSION: Two allylpyrocatechol derivatives were predicted to have a good potency as a novel natural antibacterial agent against S. sanguinis through blocking MurA activity that causes disruption of bacterial cell wall.

Structure-Activity Relationship of Anti-malarial Allylpyrocatechol Isolated from Piper betle.

Malaria disease remains a serious worldwide health problem. In South-East Asia, one of the malaria infection "hot-spots," medicinal plants such as Piper betle have traditionally been used for the treatment of malaria, and allylpyrocatechol (1), a constituent of P. betle, has been shown to exhibit anti-malarial activities. In this study, we verified that 1 showed in vivo anti-malarial activity through not only intraperitoneal (i.p.) but also peroral (p.o.) administration. Additionally, some analogs of 1 were synthesized and the structure-activity relationship was analyzed to disclose the crucial sub-structures for the potent activity.

Solid γ-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Compound with Gingerols, a Multi-Component Guest: Preparation, Properties and Application in Yogurt.

Gingerols from the rhizome of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) were obtained by a simple extraction, followed by purification. The gingerols extract was composed of 6-gingerol (54%), 8-gingerol (20%), and 10-gingerol (26%). It was included into γ-cyclodextrin by classic co-dissolution procedures. Solid-state characterisation of γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols shows that this inclusion compound features 1:1 host-to-guest stoichiometry and that it is a microcrystalline powder with a crystalline cell that belongs to the tetragonal space group 4212, having the host molecules stacked in infinite channels where the gingerols are accommodated. In chimico studies with ABTS•+ scavenging, NO• scavenging, ß-carotene peroxidation, and 5-LOX inhibition show that γ-cyclodextrin is a suitable carrier for gingerols, because it does not alter their reactivity towards these substances. Yogurt was tested as a matrix for the incorporation of gingerols and γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols into foodstuff. The colour of the fortified yogurt suffered little alterations. In the case of yogurt with the inclusion compound, γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols, as fortificant, these alterations were not perceptible to the naked eye. Moreover, yogurt with γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols showed a good antioxidant activity, thus being suitable for use in nutraceutical applications.

Ginger extract and its compound, 6-shogaol, attenuates painful diabetic neuropathy in mice via reducing TRPV1 and NMDAR2B expressions in the spinal cord.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In silico data revealed that the active compound of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), 6-shogaol, has strong affinity toward transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV-1). TRPV-1 is expressed in nervous tissue and pancreatic ß-cells. Prolonged induction of TRPV-1 is related to the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NMDAR2B). However, there are no data on TRPV-1 and NMDAR2B expressions in nervous tissue after 6-shogaol or ginger extract treatment nor pancreatic islet morphology and insulin expression in mice model of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of ginger extract and its compound, 6-shogaol, on pancreatic islets as well as on expressions of TRPV-1 and NMDAR2B in the spinal cord of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mice model of PDN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four 5-6 weeks old male-Balb/C mice were induced with 110 mg/kgBW STZ i.p., while eight mice were used as control group. Mice with blood glucose level ≥200 mg/d, that suffered hyperalgesia and allodynia were classified as PDN mice. Hot plate and von Frey filament tests were performed once a week until termination. At day 28 after considered as PDN, ginger extracts, 6-shogaol or gabapentin as control treatment were given once daily for 21 days until day 49, except for the diabetic control group. Upon termination, mice' pancreas were fixed, processed as paraffin sections and stained with hematoxylin eosin. Total volume of pancreatic islets was estimated using Cavalieri methods. Immunohistochemistry on pancreatic sections were performed to observe insulin expression. mRNA was extracted from lumbar segments of the spinal cord, followed by cDNA preparation and quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure the expressions of TRPV1 and NMDAR2B. The mean differences between groups were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Ginger extracts and 6-shogaol alleviated hyperalgesia and allodynia. The groups that received ginger extract 400 mg/kgBW or 6-shogaol 15 mg/kgBW had significantly lower TRPV1 and NMDAR2B expressions in the spinal cord compared to the diabetic control group (p < 0.001; p < 0.05). However, no differences in volume of pancreatic islets (p > 0.05) nor insulin expression were observed in all PDN groups. CONCLUSION: Ginger extracts and its compound, 6-shogaol, reduced pain symptoms in PDN via its effect on decreasing TRPV1 and NMDAR2B expressions in the spinal cord, with very limited effect on pancreatic islets.

Blood-brain barrier permeability study of ginger constituents.

Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe is of great importance in the traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. More than 400 constituents have been reported in the plant, the most important ones being the gingerol and shogaol derivatives. Positive effects of ginger extracts and isolated [6]-gingerol have been proved in animal models of anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Taken in consideration these promising positive effects of ginger and its constituents in the central nervous system, the isolation of gingerol and shogaol derivatives ([6]-gingerol (1), [8]-gingerol (2), [10]-gingerol (3), [6]-shogaol (4), [10]-shogaol (5), 1-dehydro-[6]-gingerdione (6), 1-dehydro-[10]-gingerdione (7)) and investigation of their transcellular passive diffusion across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) were carried out. For this purpose, a Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay for the Blood-Brain Barrier (PAMPA-BBB) was chosen that had previously been validated for natural compounds. Based on our results, [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol were found to be able to penetrate the BBB via passive diffusion, suggesting them to contribute to the positive effects of ginger extracts in the central nervous system.

Ginger: A Novel Strategy to Battle Cancer through Modulating Cell Signalling Pathways: A Review.

Numerous studies have been performed in understanding the development of cancer. Though, the mechanism of action of genes in the development of cancer remains to be explained. The current mode of treatment of cancer shows adverse effects on normal cells and also alter the cell signalling pathways. However, ginger and its active compound have fascinated research based on animal model and laboratories during the past decade due to its potentiality in killing cancer cells. Ginger is a mixture of various compounds including gingerol, paradol, zingiberene and shogaol and such compounds are the main players in diseases management. Most of the health-promoting effects of ginger and its active compound can be attributed due to its antioxidant and anti-tumour activity. Besides, the active compound of ginger has proven its role in cancer management through its modulatory effect on tumour suppressor genes, cell cycle, apoptosis, transcription factors, angiogenesis and growth factor. In this review, the role of ginger and its active compound in the inhibition of cancer growth through modulating cell signalling pathways will be reviewed and discussed.

Six new compounds from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium and their biological activities.

Flower of Chrysanthemum morifolium is widely used in China and Japan as a folk medicine in treatment of many diseases. However, its active compounds remain largely unknown. In the present work, we have isolated, purified and characterized six new compounds (1-6), including two new arylnaphthalene lignans and four new phenolic glycosides, together with eight known compounds (7-14), from the flower of C. morifolium. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated in detail using 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, ORD, HRESIMS and ECD spectrometric data. In addition, compounds 1-3 possessed the significant neuroprotective activity against hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

The influence of the storage temperature on the stability of lipid microparticles containing ginger oleoresin.

Ginger oleoresin (GO) can be encapsulated within a protective lipid matrix in order to facilitate handling, provide protection against the external environment or promote the stability of GO compounds. The aim of this study was to verify the ability of solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) containing GO (10-20% w/w) to maintain or improve the stability of ginger compounds, by monitoring SLMs' characteristics during storage at different temperatures (25 and 40 °C). The lipids matrix of SLMs were composed by stearic acid (90, 80, 75, 65% w/w) and oleic acid (15% w/w), The crystalline structure of the particles after 84 days of storage did not present any polymorphic alterations, while presenting spherical form upon scanning by electron microscopy. SLMs containing oleic acid showed degradation of 6-gingerol when stored at 40 °C. Major volatile compounds had better stability in particles containing oleic acid. Kinetics of volatiles release resulted in a diffusion mechanism. SLMs showed better stability of GO compounds during storage at 25 °C than un-encapsulated GO and could, therefore, improve its distribution in foods due to its conversion to powder.

Simultaneous extraction of hydrophobic and hydrophilic bioactive compounds from ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe).

Ginger is a commonly used spice around the world. Its bioactive compounds contain hydrophobic gingerols and hydrophilic polysaccharides. Huge physiochemical differences between these compounds and the thermal instability of gingerols impede fast and effective extraction of them using conventional methods. In this research, ionic liquid-based ultrasonic-assisted extraction (ILUAE) was applied to simultaneously extract gingerols and polysaccharides from ginger. Parameters influencing the recovery of gingerols were ionic liquid type, ionic liquid concentration, solid/liquid ratio, ultrasonic power, extraction temperature and extraction time. Compared with traditional methods, LUAE significantly increased the yield of total gingerols and shortened the extraction time. Meanwhile, ginger polysaccharides recovery reached up to 92.82% with ILUAE. Our results indicated that ILUAE has a remarkable capacity to extract gingerols and ginger polysaccharides in one step. Therefore, ILUAE represents a promising technology for simultaneous extraction of hydrophilic and hydrophobic bioactive compounds from plant materials.

Inhibitory Activity of Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin in BALB/c Mouse through Oral Administration of Fermented Barks of Alnus sibirica.

Phytochemical isolation of fermented Alnus sibirica (FAS) which was produced by using Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. argentoratensis, exhibited multiple and different composition compared with the original plant. Anti-allergic contact dermatitis (anti-ACD)/anti-atopic dermatitis (anti-AD) activities (visual observation and regulation of Th1/Th2 cytokines and IgE in blood) of FAS and the barks of Alnus sibirica extract (AS) and the two diarylheptanoids, hirsutenone (1) and muricarpon B (2), which are major components of FAS, were measured in vitro and in vivo. FAS, AS and the two compounds showed potent anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-ACD and anti-AD activity. In particular, FAS showed more potent biological activity than AS. Thus, fermentation might be a prominent way to enhance the biological activity compared with the original plant. In addition, compounds (1) and (2) might be developed as functional materials or herbal medicines for ACD and AD.

Nine New Gingerols from the Rhizoma of Zingiber officinale and Their Cytotoxic Activities.

Nine new gingerols, including three 6-oxo-shogaol derivatives [(Z)-6-oxo-[6]-shogaol (1), (Z)-6-oxo-[8]-shogaol (2), (Z)-6-oxo-[10]-shogaol (3)], one 6-oxoparadol derivative [6-oxo-[6]-paradol (4)], one isoshogaol derivative [(E)-[4]-isoshogaol (5)], and four paradoldiene derivatives [(4E,6Z)-[4]-paradoldiene (8), (4E,6E)-[6]-paradoldiene (9), (4E,6E)-[8]-paradoldiene (10), (4E,6Z)-[8]-paradoldiene (11)], together with eight known analogues, were isolated from the rhizoma of Zingiber officinale. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. It was noted that the isolation of 6-oxo-shogaol derivatives represents the first report of gingerols containing one 1,4-enedione motif. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. All the new compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human cancer cells (MCF-7, HepG-2, KYSE-150).

Development and Method Validation of Analysis of Urushiol in Sumac and Food Ingredients in Korea.

This study developed an analytical method to determine the urushiol content in sap and several foods. The full process for urushiol analysis consists of extraction, trimethylsilyl silylation, analysis, and identification via GC-MS, with each step optimized to attain the required accuracy and precision. Urushiol was separated from sap via liquid-liquid extraction and was derivatized via silylation. The components were analyzed using a polar capillary column and identified using GC-MS. The deviations of relative retention times and retention time windows were within 0.001 and 0.02 min, which satisfied the criteria of 0.06 and 0.03 min, respectively. The response of the urushiol standards tested was found to be linear in the investigated concentration range, with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The LODs were between 1.74 and 2.67 µg/mL.

Antibacterial Activity of Hydroxytyrosol Acetate from Olive Leaves (Olea Europaea L.).

Vibrio spp. are pathogens of many bacterial diseases which have caused great economic losses in marine aquaculture. The strategy of alternative medical treatment that is utilised by herbalists has expanded in the past decade. The aim of our study is to discover the antibacterial molecules against Vibrio spp. Bacterial growth inhibition, membrane permeabilisation assessment and DNA interaction assays, as well as agarose gel electrophoresis, were employed to elucidate the antibacterial activity of hydroxytyrosol acetate. Results showed that hydroxytyrosol acetate had antibacterial activity against Vibrio spp. and it played the role via increasing bacterial membrane permeabilisation. The DNA interaction assay and agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that hydroxytyrosol acetate interacted with DNA. Hydroxytyrosol acetate enhanced the fluorescent intensity of DNA binding molecules and mediated supercoiled DNA relaxation. The present study provides more evidence that hydroxytyrosol acetate is a novel antibacterial candidate against Vibrio spp.

Hispolon Suppresses LPS- or LTA-Induced iNOS/NO Production and Apoptosis in BV-2 Microglial Cells.

Hispolon (HIS) is an active polyphenol compound derived from Phellinus linteus (Berkeley & Curtis), and our previous study showed that HIS effectively inhibited inflammatory responses in macrophages [Yang, L.Y., S.C. Shen, K.T. Cheng, G.V. Subbaraju, C.C. Chien and Y.C. Chen. Hispolon inhibition of inflammatory apoptosis through reduction of iNOS/NO production via HO-1 induction in macrophages. J. Ethnopharmacol. 156: 61-72, 2014]; however, its effect on neuronal inflammation is still undefined. In this study, HIS concentration- and time-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-induced inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS)/NO production with increased heme oxygenase (HO)-1 proteins in BV-2 microglial cells. Accordingly, HIS protected BV-2 cells from LPS- or LTA-induced apoptosis, characterized by decreased DNA ladder formation, and caspase-3 and poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein cleavage in BV-2 cells. Similarly, the NOS inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME), inhibited LPS- or LTA-induced apoptosis of BV-2 cells, but neither NAME nor HIS showed any inhibition of NO production or cell death induced by the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), indicating the involvement of NO in the inflammatory apoptosis of microglial cells. Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor (NF)-[Formula: see text]B contributed to LPS- or LTA-induced iNOS/NO production and apoptosis of BV-2 cells, and that was suppressed by HIS. Additionally, HIS possesses activity to induce HO-1 protein expression via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in BV-2 cells, and application of the HO inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), or knockdown of HO-1 protein by HO-1 small interfering (si)RNA significantly reversed HIS inhibition of NO production and cell death in BV-2 cells stimulated by LPS. Results of an analysis of the effects of HIS and two structurally related chemicals, i.e. dehydroxy-HIS (D-HIS) and HIS-methyl ester (HIS-ME), showed that HIS expressed the most potent inhibitory effects on iNOS/NO production, JNK activation, and apoptosis in BV-2 microglial cells activated by LPS with increased HO-1 protein expression. Overall these results suggested that HIS possesses inhibitory activity against LPS- or LTA-induced inflammatory responses including iNOS/NO production and apoptosis in BV-2 microglial cells and that the mechanisms involve upregulation of the HO-1 protein and downregulation of JNK/NF-[Formula: see text]B activation. A critical role of hydroxyl at position C3 in the anti-inflammatory actions of HIS against activated BV-2 microglial cells was suggested.

Differences in Chemical Component and Anticancer Activity of Green and Ripe Forsythiae Fructus.

Forsythiae Fructus, Lianqiao in Chinese, is one of the most fundamental herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Both green Forsythia (GF) and ripe Forsythia (RF) are referred to Forsythiae Fructus in medicinal applications. In most cases, they are used without distinction. In this study, a metabolomics approach was performed to compare componential differences of two Forsythiae Fructus aqueous extracts subtypes. Principal component analysis (PCA) score plots from the UPLC-MS data showed clear separation between the two subtypes, indicating there are significant differences in the chemical components between GF and RF. Meanwhile, the anticancer activity of them was also compared. GF exhibited much stronger antitumor activity than RF against B16-F10 murine melanoma both in vitro and in vivo. 15 chemical compounds were identified as specific markers for distinguishing GF and RF. Among these marker compounds, forsythoside I, forsythoside A, forsythoside E and pinoresinol were demonstrated to be key important active compounds that account for the different anticancer efficacies of GF and RF. Our data suggest that GF and RF should be distinctively used in clinical applications, particularly in the anticancer formulas, in which GF should be preferentially prescribed.