Separation and Identification of an Antimicrobial Substance from Schisandra chinensis Extract against Streptococcus mutans KCCM 40105 Strain.

This study aimed to isolate and identify antibacterial compounds from Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis) that are effective against the Streptococcus mutans KCCM 40105 strain. First, S. chinensis was extracted using varying concentrations of ethanol, and the resulting antibacterial activity was evaluated. The 30% ethanol extract of S. chinensis showed high activity. The fractionation and antibacterial activity of a 30% ethanol extract from S. chinensis were examined using five different solvents. Upon investigation of the antibacterial activity of the solvent fraction, the water and butanol fractions showed high activity, and no significant difference was found. Therefore, the butanol fraction was chosen for material exploration using silica gel column chromatography. A total of 24 fractions were obtained from the butanol portion using silica gel chromatography. The fraction with the highest antibacterial activity was Fr 7. From Fr 7, thirty-three sub-fractions were isolated, and sub-fraction 17 showed the highest level of antibacterial activity. A total of five peaks were obtained through the pure separation of sub-fraction 17 using HPLC. Peak 2 was identified as a substance exhibiting a high level of antibacterial activity. Based on the results of UV spectrometry, 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC analyses, the compound corresponding to peak number 2 was identified as tartaric acid.

Isolation and Identification of Fisetin: An Antioxidative Compound Obtained from Rhus verniciflua Seeds.

The goal of this study was to provide basic data for the development of functional food and health materials for Rhus verniciflua (R. verniciflua) seeds. We investigated an antioxidative compound obtained from these seeds. Solvent fractionation was carried out on a 50%-ethanol extract of the seeds. The DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured, and high antioxidant activity was seen in the ethyl acetate fraction. The antioxidant compounds in the ethyl acetate fraction were isolated using silica-gel column chromatography by adjusting the solvent between chloroform and methanol. Fraction numbers 2-7 showed activity of more than 50%. Next, primary column chromatography was used to mix and concentrate the fractions that demonstrated antioxidant activity. The fractions were then subjected to secondary column chromatography to obtain subfraction 4, which showed high antioxidant activity. The separation of subfraction 4 was then performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three peaks were identified and peak number 2 was judged to be the primary antioxidative compound, which was then isolated by pure separation. Finally, the purified subfraction peak number 2 was identified as a fisetin compound by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and HPLC.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of the ethanolic extract of Aralia continentalis Kitag. in IL-1ß-stimulated human fibroblast-like synoviocytes and rodent models of polyarthritis and nociception.

BACKGROUND: Blocking the formation and invasive growth of pannus and its secretion of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs is important for treating rheumatoid arthritis. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: Anti-arthritic activity of Aralia continentalis Kitag., an oriental herbal medicine, and the underlying mechanisms involved were investigated. STUDY DESIGN: Anti-inflammatory and anti-nocicpetive activities of the ethanolic extract (50% v/v) of Aralia continentalis Kitag. harvested from Imsil, Korea (ACI) were investigated in IL-1ß-stimulated human fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) cells and rodent models of collagen-induced polyarthritis and carrageenan-induced acute paw pain. METHODS: In IL-1ß-stimulated FLS cells derived from rheumatoid arthritis patients, the anti-inflammatory activity of ACI was examined by analyzing the expression levels of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, PGE2, and COX-2 using ELISA and RT-PCR analysis. The anti-arthritic activity of ACI was investigated by measuring body weight, squeaking score, paw volume, and arthritis index in collagen-induced polyarthritis mice. The anti-nociceptive activity of ACI was examined in the paw-pressure test and Tail-flick latency test in rats. RESULTS: The ethanolic extract (50% v/v) of ACI reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, and MMP-13 secreted by IL-1ß-stimulated FLS cells, whereas MMP-3, COX-2, and PGE2 were not significantly affected. ACI inhibited the migration of NF-κB into the nucleus through the inhibition of ERK- and JNK-dependent MAP kinase pathways in IL-1ß-stimulated FLS cells. In collagen-induced polyarthritis mice, oral administration of ACI extract (200 mg/kg) significantly alleviated arthritic behaviors. Histological observations of arthritic mouse knees were consistent with their behaviors. The anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities of 200 mg/kg ACI extract were comparable to those of 10 mg/kg prednisolone when administered to mice. However, ACI administration did not significantly affect carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia or thermal nociception in rats. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of ACI have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects in a rodent arthritis model and in IL-1ß-stimulated FLS cells. Thus, ACI may be a useful candidate for developing pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis.