Persimmon Water Extract Suppresses Hepatic Lipotoxicity by Regulating Lipid Metabolites.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic lipotoxicity. The compounds of persimmon water extract (PWE) were identified as gallic acid, glucogallin, 1-O-Galloyl-(2-O-acetyl)-glu, and trihydroxy-octadecadienoic acid. The PWE was ingested by C57BL/6 mice with an HFD for 8 weeks. The PWE improved glucose tolerance and suppressed weight gain by inhibiting increases in the weight of liver and adipose tissues. The results of serum biomarker analysis showed that PWE suppressed biomarkers such as liver injury and dyslipidemia. In ex vivo tests, reduction of oxidative stress and improvement of mitochondrial dysfunction were confirmed in the liver of PWE groups. In a molecular study, it was confirmed that PWE decreased lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, inflammation, and apoptosis in the liver. Finally, in a metabolite analysis of liver tissue using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS), it was confirmed that PWE has an effect on lipid metabolism. In particular, PWE reduced phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs). Notably, it is presumed that the reduction of lysoPCs and PCs in the PWE group is related to the improvement of liver dysfunction due to lipotoxicity.

Immature Persimmon Suppresses Amyloid Beta (Aß) Mediated Cognitive Dysfunction via Tau Pathology in ICR Mice.

This study confirmed the ameliorating effect of immature persimmon (Diospyros kaki) ethanolic extract (IPEE) on neuronal cytotoxicity in amyloid beta (Aß)1-42-induced ICR mice. The administration of IPEE ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction in Aß1-42-induced mice by improving the spatial working memory, the short-term and long-term memory functions. IPEE protected the cerebral cholinergic system, such as the acetylcholine (ACh) level and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and antioxidant system, such as the superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction against Aß1-42-induced toxicity was reduced by regulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP contents. In addition, IPEE regulated the expression levels of tau signaling, such as TNF-α, p-JNK, p-Akt, p-GSK3ß, p-tau, p-NF-κB, BAX and caspase 3. Finally, gallic acid, ellagic acid and quercetin 3-O-(6″-acetyl-glucoside) were identified as the physiological compounds of IPEE using ultra-performance liquid chromatography ion mobility separation quadrupole time-of-flight/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC IMS Q-TOF/MS2).

Diterpenoids and phenolic analogues from the roots of Aralia continentalis.

Two new compounds, including a nor-pimarane diterpenoid (continentanol, 1) and a phenolic derivative (aralianic acid, 2), along with the known diterpenoids (3-11), polyacetylenes (12-15), phenolic components (16-28), and phytosterols (29 and 30), were isolated from roots of Aralia continentalis. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic data interpretation, particularly HRESIMS, 1 D and 2 D NMR data including HSQC and HMBC. Also, those of the known compounds were identified by spectral comparison with those of the reported values.[Formula: see text].

The Characteristics of the Growth and the Active Compounds of Angelica gigas Nakai in Cultivation Sites.

The active compounds of medicinal plants vary in composition and content depending on environmental factors, such as light, temperature, and soil. According to the Korean Pharmacopoeia standards for herbal medicine, the sum of nodakenin, decursin, and decursinolangelate, which are the marker components of Korean Angelica, should be at least 6.0 g/100 g. However, the content of the components in Korean Angelica cultivated in South Korea often fall below 6.0 g/100 g, due to weather conditions and cultivation site characteristics. This study aimed to gather information about environmental factors that affect the root growth and the content of active compounds. In total, 18 cultivation sites in Pyeongchang, Jecheon, and Bonghwa regions in Korea were investigated for this study. Environmental factors, such as the monthly mean temperature, mean relative humidity, duration of sunshine, total precipitation, soil acidity, and the characteristics of soil nutrient, were investigated over the growing season from April to October 2017. As for the growth characteristics, the dry weight of roots of Korean Angelica was measured. The sum of the contents of the three active compounds was 5.3-7.0 g/100 g and the nodakenin content was 0.3-1.3 g/100 g in the cultivation sites. This study concludes that the root yields in the cultivation sites would be improved if weather conditions are maintained with similar levels as those in their natural habitats. Additionally, the environment that improves root growth did not increase the content of active compounds; however, when there was a lot of gravel or high temperatures during the growth period, the content of active compounds was relatively high.