Comprehensive Study of Components and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oil Extracted from Carum carvi L. Seeds.

Carum carvi L. belongs to the Apiaceae family and is widely used as a vegetable, food spice, preservative, and herbal medicine. This study investigated the impact of essential oil extracted from Carum carvi L. seeds (CEO) on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its possible action mechanism. The dominant chemical components of CEO determined by GC-MS were carvone and limonene. It was observed that CEO had a considerable inhibitory effect against the growth of planktonic bacteria and biofilm in MRSA cells. Untargeted metabolomics based on GC-Q-TOF-MS was used to analyze the possible mechanism of the interaction of MRSA with CEO. It was determined that there were 63 different metabolites based on fold change values greater than 1.5 or less than 1.5, p < 0.05, VIP > 1, which demonstrated amino acid metabolism in MRSA was significantly affected by CEO. In conclusion, CEO has a potent antimicrobial property and has promising potential for use in food and drugs.

Separation and Qualitative Study of Mentha asiatica Boriss. Essential Oil Components by prep-GC, GC-QTOF-MS, NMR and Prediction of Bioactive Compounds.

In order to understand the material basis of wild Mentha asiatica Boris. in Xinjiang, the chemical constituents of essential oil extracted from aerial parts of this plant were studied. A total 52 components were detected and 45 compounds were identified. First of all, the essential oil was separated by silica gel column chromatography, and divided into several parts according to the results of thin layer chromatography. Eight fractions were obtained, and then each fragment was preliminarily screened for antibacterial activity. It was found that all eight fragments had certain antibacterial activity in different level. Then the fractions were subjected to preparative gas chromatography (prep-GC) for further isolation. Ten compounds were identified by 13 C-NMR, 1 H-NMR and gas chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-Mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS). They are sabinene, limonene and ß-caryophyllene, (1R*,3S*,5R*)-sabinyl acetate, piperitone oxide, rotundifolone, thymol, piperitone, 4-hydroxypiperiditone, cedrol. After screened by bioautography, 4-hydroxypiperone and thymol were showed best antibacterial activity. The inhibitory effects of the two isolated compounds on Candida albicans and their related mechanisms were studied. The results showed that, 4-hydroxypiperone and thymol significantly reduced ergosterol content on the surface of Candida albicans cell membrane in a dose-dependent manner. This work has accumulated experience for the development and utilization of Xinjiang characteristic medicinal plant resources and new drug research and development, and provided scientific basis and support for the later research and development of Mentha asiatica Boris.

Effects of traditional artiri La Li formulation on experimental models of vitiligo and mechanisms of melanogenesis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Artiri La Li Honey Pill (ALLHP) is a traditional medicinal formula that is widely used in Xinjiang, China, for the treatment of vitiligo. Since the cause of vitiligo has not been determined, no satisfactory treatment is available. Clinical interventions include pharmacological treatment with psoralen, usually in conjunction with ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, but toxic side effects limit this application. Studies on the activity and mechanisms of ALLHP are scarce. AIM OF THE STUDY: To verify the therapeutic effect of ALLHP on vitiligo and determine its effectiveness as a theoretical and experimental basis for the development of innovative drugs with independent intellectual property rights and the effective use of local resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental animal model of vitiligo was established by chemical decoloring. Rats were treated with gradient doses of ALLHP. The therapeutic effect was judged by gross observation. The contents of TYR, MAO, AchE and MDA in serum and skin tissue, the number of hair follicles containing melanin in skin tissue, the distribution of epidermal melanin, and the weight index of immune organs were detected, and the therapeutic effect of ALLHP on vitiligo was evaluated. In addition, certain monomer components in ALLHP were used to intervene in the zebrafish juvenile melanin suppression model, and the melanin-activating activities of some monomer components in ALLHP were screened by counting the melanin area ratio. RESULTS: ALLHP increased the number of melanin-containing hair follicles and the epidermal melanin content in the skin of experimental vitiligo animals, repaired the skin cell morphology to a certain extent, increased the content of TYR in serum and skin, and reduced the content of MDA, AchE and MAO. Carvone, Luteolin, Psoralen and Psoraleae phenol and Bakuchiol could increase the melanin area of experimental melanin inhibition in zebrafish. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, ALLHP can increase the number of melanin-containing hair follicles and the epidermal melanin content in the skin of vitiligo animals and restore skin cell morphology to a certain extent by reducing oxidative stress in epidermal tissue. A wide range of active ingredients may promote melanogenesis with ALLHP.

Quality Assessment of Artemisia rupestris L. Using Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by Single Marker and Fingerprint Analysis.

The chromatographic fingerprint of 14 batches of Artemisia rupestris L. samples were established in this study. The constituents of ten components in Artemisia rupestris L. were determined using quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) and the external standard method (ESM). Due to their stability and accessibility, chlorogenic acid and linarin were used as references to calculate the relative correction factors (RCFs) of apigenin-C-6,8-pentoside-hexoside, apigenin-C-6,8-di-pentoside, luteolin, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, chrysosplenetin B, and sbsinthin, based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The value calculated by QAMS was consistent with that of the ESM, and the reproducibility of RCFs was found to be reliable. In conclusion, simultaneous determination of the ten components by the QAMS method and chromatographic fingerprint analysis were feasible and accurate in evaluating the quality of Artemisia rupestris L. and can be used as reference in traditional Chinese medicine quality control.

Phenolic Compounds and Bioactivities from Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peels.

Pomegranate peels, which are normally processed as the main byproduct of pomegranate juice production, are worthy of being researched and utilized for the aim of economic and environmental benefits. In a phytochemical investigation of the peels of Punica granatum L., 10 phenolic compounds containing a common hexahydroxy diphenol moiety were isolated. Three of them were identified for the first time and named as pomegranatins A-C, and from the other seven known ones, two of them were obtained from pomegranate peels for the first time. Their structures were determined via extensive spectroscopic analysis. Besides, for the sake of preliminarily comprehending their biological activities, in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, as well as antitumor assays were detected. In the DPPH antioxidant assay, six compounds presented significant free radical scavenging ability. Two compounds exhibited moderate antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans; one compound could inhibit the proliferation of both C. albicans and Escherichia coli within limits. Four compounds possessed weak antitumor activity toward the Hela cell line without taking into account the bioavailability of ellagitannins. Overall, these results provided further information on the structural diversity of bioactive compounds present in pomegranate peels, as well as on their biological activities.

The Suppressive Effect of Mamiran Cream on Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions In Vivo.

BACKGROUND: The Chinese herbal formula Mamiran cream (MMC) has been known for its ameliorative effects on diverse skin diseases, such as eczema. Atopic dermatitis (AD; eczema) is a chronic recurrent skin disease dominated by T-helper type 2-driven inflammation (Th2). OBJECTIVE: In this study, the inhibitory effect of MMC on AD was investigated in vivo. METHODS: An animal model was established by sensitization with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on the skin of SD rats. Cutaneous administration of MMC was applied, and its mechanism of action was investigated via RT-PCR and IHC assay. RESULT: Our data showed that topical application of MMC reduced the skin severity scores and alleviated the histological changes. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that MMC significantly decreased the levels of Th2 cytokine IL-5 and IL-4Ra in the skin lesion. In addition, it was demonstrated that MMC downregulated the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and TLR4. Moreover, MMC inhibited the activation of NF-κB, JNK1, and STAT6 pathways in skin lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that MMC exhibits the inhibitory effect on AD, suggesting that MMC may be a potential therapeutic agent for this atopic disorder.

Spectrum-effect relationship between GC-QTOF-MS fingerprint and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities of Schizonepeta tenuifolia essential oil.

Schizonepeta tenuifolia (Benth.) Briq, a traditional Chinese medicine, is an annual herbaceous plant that is widely distributed in China, Japan, and Korea. The essential oil (EO) of S. tenuifolia has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the components contributing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities remain unclear. This study was aimed at investigating the spectrum-effect relationship between GC-MS fingerprint and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of S. tenuifolia EO. Here, the fingerprints of EO from 10 batches of S. tenuifolia from various sources were established using GC-MS, and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and nitric oxide inhibitory assays, respectively. Finally, 13 common peaks were identified from 10 batches of S. tenuifolia by searching against the standard mass spectra in NIST 14 and comparing the literature retention index. The different sources of S. tenuifolia EO exhibit mild antioxidant activities and significant anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, menthone (peak 3), isomenthone (peak 4), pulegone (peak 7), piperitone (peak 8), and ß-caryophyllene (peak 11) might be the dominant constituents responsible for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of S. tenuifolia EO. This method may provide a time-saving, convenient way to screen the potential effective components of S. tenuifolia EO.

Antiproliferative abietane quinone diterpenoids from the roots of Salvia deserta.

A total of twenty abietane quinone diterpenoids including ten new ones (1-10) were isolated from the roots extract of Salvia deserta. Their chemical structures were delineated by extensive spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques including HRESIMS, NMR, UV, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, calculated 13C NMR-DP4+ analysis, calculated ECD, and Mo2(OAc)4-induced ECD. The absolute configurations of salvidesertone A (1), 8α,9α-epoxy-6-deoxycoleon U (18), and 7,20-epoxyroyleanone (19) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Salvidesertone A (1) represents the first example of a 9-hydroxyabieta-7(8)-ene quinone diterpenoid. This is the first report of the crystal structures of 8α,9α-epoxy-6-deoxycoleon U (18) and 7,20-epoxyroyleanone (19). Abietane quinone diterpenoids 1, 2, and 4-20 were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against five cancer cell lines A-549, SMMC-7721, SW480, MCF-7, and HL-60 and a normal epithelial cell line BEAS-2B in vitro. Salvidesertones E (8) and F (9) selectively inhibited the proliferation of A-549, SMMC-7721, and SW480 cancer cell lines. Importantly, salvidesertones E (8) and F (9), horminone (13), taxoquinone (14), 7α-O-methylhorminone (15), and 8α,9α-epoxy-6-deoxycoleon U (18) showed more potent antiproliferative effects against A-549 than the positive control cis-platin. A preliminary structure-activity relationship for the antiproliferative effects of abietane quinone diterpenoids 1-20 was discussed.

Study on Lavender Essential Oil Chemical Compositions by GC-MS and Improved pGC.

Lavender essential oil from the aerial parts of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. was analyzed by GC-MS equipped with three capillary columns of different polarities, which were HP-1, HP-5 ms and HP-INNOWax. A total of 40 compounds were identified by GC-MS, accounting for 92.03% of the total essential oil compositions. Nineteen monomers were separated by column chromatography and improved preparative gas chromatography (pGC), six of which could not be retrieved from the NIST 14 (National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA; 14th edition) library database. Fifteen compounds were identified for the first time in lavender essential oil. The improved pGC not only doubled the efficiency but also greatly reduced the cost.

The Effect of Volatile Oil from Vernonia anthelmintica Seeds on Melanin Synthesis in B16 Cells and Its Chemical Analysis by GC-QTOF-MS.

Vernonia anthelmintica Willd. seeds have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of leukoderma in Xinjiang, China, for more than 300 years. The promoting activities of its volatile oil (AVO) in melanogenesis and its chemical composition were investigated in this paper. The bioactivities of AVO were examined by melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity assay in B16 cells. Using GC-QTOF-MS technology, each compound of AVO contains a single separated peak in GC and the retention indices of every GC peak were calculated by the retention times of C7~C30 n-alkanes that were injected at the same chromatographic conditions. Then each individual peak was identified by comparing its mass spectrum with the MS library (NIST 14). As a result, AVO increased the melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 10-30µg·mL-1. The 64 compounds were identified in AVO which occupied 95.15% of total peak area in GC. They mainly contained caryophyllene (23.73%), sabinene (18.15%), α-thujene (6.57%), thymol (5.29%), 4-epi-α-acoradiene (4.98%), limonene (4.92%), anethole (3.44%), etc. According to the results the AVO can promote melanogenesis and upregulate tyrosinase activity in B16 cells.

Qualitative analysis of Schizonepeta annua (Pall.) Schischk essential oil by gas chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

In this study, a method for the qualitative analysis of small molecular compounds in Schizonepeta annua (Pall.) Schischk essential oil was established based on gas chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In addition to an automated search of the NIST library, the identification of oxygenated monoterpenes, phenolic esters, and phenolic compounds was achieved by two additional strategies. One strategy involved comparing the relative errors of accurate masses measured for ions in the experimental spectra with those calculated for fragments identified from the NIST database of candidate matches. The second strategy involved combination of the product ion scans and positive chemical ionisation spectra for structural elucidation. Overall, 95.45% of the total essential oil volatile chemical content of Schizonepeta annua (Pall.) Schischk was identified, with phenolic monoterpenes dominating.

The volatile oil of Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma induces endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in HUVEC cells.

Nardostahyos Radix et Rhizoma (NRR; the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) is a widely used medicinal herb. Historically, NRR is being used for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurological diseases. To search for active ingredients of NRR, we investigated the vascular benefit of NRR volatile oil in (i) the vasodilation in rat aorta ring, and (ii) the release of nitric oxide (NO) and the phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). By measuring the fluorescence signal in cultures, application of NRR volatile oil resulted in a rapid activation of NO release as well as the phosphorylation of eNOS: both inductions were markedly reduced by L-NAME. In parallel, the phosphorylation level of Akt kinase was markedly increased by the oil treatment, which was partially attenuated by PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002. This inhibitor also blocked the NRR-induced NO production and eNOS phosphorylation. In HUVECs, application of NRR volatile oil elevated the intracellular Ca(2+) level, and BAPTA-AM, a Ca(2+) chelator, reduced the Ca(2+) surge: the blockage were also applied to NRR-induced eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. These findings suggested the volatile oil of NRR was the major ingredient in triggering the vascular dilatation, and which was mediated via the NO production.

Optimizing the compatibility of paired-herb in an ancient Chinese herbal decoction Kai-Xin-San in activating neurofilament expression in cultured PC12 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kai-Xin-San (KXS), a well-known traditional Chinese herbal decoction, has been widely used to treat mental depression and memory loss in China. It has a combination of four herbs: Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (GR; root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.), Polygalae Radix (PR; root of Polygala tenuifolia Wild.), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR; rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott), and Poria (PO; sclerotium of Poriacocos (Schw.) Wolf), from which a pairing of two herbs was considered as paired-herb, such as the pairing of GR-PR and ATR-PO. The depression-induced neural cell loss is one of the major pathogenesis in depression. Here, an optimized KXS by changing the ratio of paired-herbs in KXS was demonstrated aiming at promoting neural cell differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative assessment of chemical markers in each herbal extract was determined by LC-MS. Promoters of neurofilaments, NF68 and NF200, linked with luciferase reporter gene (pNF68-Luc and pNF200-Luc) were applied in cultured pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells to study the transcriptional activation of each herbal extract. The effect of GR-PR and ATR-PO in improving NF promoter activity was analyzed by Compusyn software. The activation of PKA was indicated. RESULTS: In PC12 cells, an optimized KXS named KXS1:5 having 1:5 of GR-PR:ATR-PO had greater capability in promoting the expression of neurofilament. The synergistic effect of GR-PR and ATR-PO on the improved efficiency was further determined. Moreover, the treatment of H89, a PKA inhibitor, significantly inhibited the induced NF promoter activity. CONCLUSION: These results indicated an optimized KXS by optimizing the compatibility of paired-herb and this compatibility was proven to exert synergistic effect. Moreover, the underlying mechanism was mediated by a PKA signaling pathway.

Authentication of Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae by RAPD-derived DNA markers.

Bulbus Fritillariae is the most commonly used antitussive herb in China. Eleven species of Fritillaria are recorded as Bulbus Fritillariae in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae is a group of six Fritillaria species with higher efficiency and lower toxicity derived mainly from wild sources. Because of their higher market price, five other Fritillaria species are often sold deceptively as Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae in the herbal market. To ensure the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs, the authentication of botanical resources is the first step in quality control. Here, a DNA based identification method was developed to authenticate the commercial sources of Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae. A putative DNA marker (0.65 kb) specific for Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae was identified using the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. A DNA marker representing a Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) was developed from a RAPD amplicon. The SCAR marker was successfully applied to differentiate Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae from different species of Fritillaria. Additionally, the SCAR marker was also useful in identifying the commercial samples of Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae. Our results indicated that the RAPD-SCAR method was rapid, accurate and applicable in identifying Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae at the DNA level.

The volatile oil of Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma inhibits the oxidative stress-induced cell injury via reactive oxygen species scavenging and Akt activation in H9c2 cardiomyocyte.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma (NRR; the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) is a well-known medicinal herb widely used in Chinese, Uyghur and Ayurvedic medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte loss is the major pathogenesis of heart disorders. Here, the total volatile oil of NRR was isolated, and its function in preventing the cell death of cardiomyocyte was demonstrated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cyto-protective effect of volatile oil of NRR against tBHP-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury was measured by MTT assay. A promoter-report construct (pARE-Luc) containing four repeats of antioxidant response element (ARE) was applied to study the transcriptional activation of ARE. The amounts of phase ΙΙ antioxidant enzymes were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymer chain reaction (qPCR) upon the volatile oil treatment at 30 µg/mL for 24 h. The activation of Akt pathway was analyzed by western blot. RESULTS: In cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes, application of NRR volatile oil exhibited strong potency in preventing tBHP-induced cell death and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the application of NRR volatile oil in cultures stimulated the gene expressions of self-defense antioxidant enzymes, which was mediated by the transcriptional activation of antioxidant response element (ARE). The induced genes were glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic and modulatory subunits. In addition, the volatile oil of NRR activated the phosphorylation of Akt in cultured H9c2 cells. The treatment of LY294002, an Akt inhibitor, significantly inhibited the volatile oil-mediated ARE transcriptional activity, as well as the cell protective effect of NRR oil. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that NRR volatile oil prevented the oxidative stress-induced cell death in H9c2 cells by (i) reducing intracellular ROS production, (ii) inducing antioxidant enzymes and (iii) activating Akt phosphorylation.

A standardized extract of the fruit of Ziziphus jujuba (Jujube) induces neuronal differentiation of cultured PC12 cells: a signaling mediated by protein kinase A.

The fruit of Ziziphus jujuba Mill., known as Chinese date or jujube, is consumed as a health supplement worldwide. To study the role of jujube in brain benefits, its effects on neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells were studied. Application of jujube water extract induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells, >25% of which were differentiated; this effect was similar to that of nerve growth factor. In parallel, the expressions of neurofilaments (NFs) in jujube-treated cultures showed a dose-dependent increase, with the highest inductions by ∼150% for NF68 and NF160 and by ∼100% for NF200. Application of H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor, attenuated jujube-induced neurite outgrowth of the cultures. Besides, using jujube extract induced the phosphorylation of cAMP responsive element binding protein on PC12 cells, which was blocked by H89. These results support the use of jujube as a food supplement for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases in which neurotrophin deficiency is involved.

Flavonoids induce the expression of synaptic proteins, synaptotagmin, and postsynaptic density protein-95 in cultured rat cortical neuron.

Flavonoids, a family of phenolic compounds, are widely present in our daily diet and exist in traditional Chinese medicines, in which they act as the major active functional ingredients. Different lines of evidence indicate that flavonoids have positive impacts on human health. Here, different subclasses of flavonoids were analyzed for their inductive roles in promoting the expression of synaptic proteins, synaptotagmin, and post-synaptic density protein-95 in cultured rat cortical neurons. Among the screened 65 flavonoids, (-)-catechin, luteolin, and isorhamnetin, in micromolar concentration, were found to induce the expression of synaptic proteins in a dose-dependent manner: the induction values were from 2- to 8-fold that of the control. Similar results were revealed in the flavonoid-treated hippocampal neurons. The identification of these synapse-promoting flavonoids could be very useful in finding potential drugs, or food supplements, for treating various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and depression.

Song bu li decoction, a traditional uyghur medicine, protects cell death by regulation of oxidative stress and differentiation in cultured PC12 cells.

Song Bu Li decoction (SBL) is a traditional Uyghur medicinal herbal preparation, containing Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma. Recently, SBL is being used to treat neurological disorders (insomnia and neurasthenia) and heart disorders (arrhythmia and palpitation). Although this herbal extract has been used for many years, there is no scientific basis about its effectiveness. Here, we aimed to evaluate the protective and differentiating activities of SBL in cultured PC12 cells. The pretreatment of SBL protected the cell against tBHP-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. In parallel, SBL suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. The transcriptional activity of antioxidant response element (ARE), as well as the key antioxidative stress proteins, was induced in dose-dependent manner by SBL in the cultures. In cultured PC12 cells, the expression of neurofilament, a protein marker for neuronal differentiation, was markedly induced by applied herbal extract. Moreover, the nerve growth factor- (NGF-) induced neurite outgrowth in cultured PC12 cells was significantly potentiated by the cotreatment of SBL. In accord, the expression of neurofilament was increased in the treatment of SBL. These results therefore suggested a possible role of SBL by its effect on neuron differentiation and protection against oxidative stress.

Chemical and biological assessment of Ziziphus jujuba fruits from China: different geographical sources and developmental stages.

Chinese date, the fruit of Ziziphus jujuba Mill., has thousands of years cultivation history, and about 700 cultivars of dates in China. Two types of dates are commonly found in the market: (i) fresh immature dates consumed as fruits, and (ii) dried mature dates used as Chinese medicines. Here, chemical and biological properties of these dates were revealed. Different sources of dates showed similar chemical profiles; however, the amounts of identified chemicals showed a great variation. The amount of nucleotides, flavonoids and polysaccharides in dates could be affected by its maturity and drying process. In parallel, the antioxidative functions of their extracts were compared. The date extracts protected PC12 cells against tBHP-induced cytotoxicity, and which also stimulated the transcriptional activity of antioxidant response element. The antioxidative effects were varied among different dates. The current results suggested the optimization of sources and specific usage of different maturity dates.