Emodin modulates gut microbial community and triggers intestinal immunity.

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota (GM) plays an important role in human health and is being investigated as a possible target for new therapies. Although there are many studies showing that emodin can improve host health, emodin-GM studies are scarce. Here, the effects of emodin on the GM were investigated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: In vitro single bacteria cultivation showed that emodin stimulated the growth of beneficial bacteria Akkermansia, Clostridium, Roseburia, and Ruminococcus but inhibited major gut enterotypes (Bacteroides and Prevotella). Microbial community analysis from a synthetic gut microbiome model through co-culture indicated the consistent GM change by emodin. Interestingly, emodin stimulated Clostridium and Ruminococcus (which are related to Roseburia and Faecalibacterium) in a mice experiment and induced anti-inflammatory immune cells, which may correlate with its impact on specific gut bacteria. CONCLUSION: Emodin (i) showed similar GM changes in monoculture, co-culture, and in an in vivo mice experiment and (ii) simulated regulatory T-cell immune responses in vivo. This suggest that emodin may be used to modulate the GM and improve health. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Melicopteline A-E, Unusual Cyclopeptide Alkaloids with Antiviral Activity against Influenza A Virus from Melicope pteleifolia.

In the search for antiviral cyclopeptides against influenza A virus, five unprecedented Caryophyllaceae-type cyclopeptides (1-5) were isolated from the leaves of Melicope pteleifolia. Their chemical structures and absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by means of advanced Marfey's analysis and comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and MS/MS fragmentation. Interestingly, compounds 3-5 contain an unusual heterocycle, a 3a-hydroxypyrroloindole moiety, which was biosynthetically formed by a nucleophilic cyclization from the least abundant amino acid, tryptophan, precursor and has aroused a great interest in the aspect of chemical diversity and biological activity. All isolates (1-5) were evaluated for their protective effects against influenza A viruses H1N1 and H9N2 in MDCK cells. All isolated cyclopeptides exhibited strong anti-influenza activity, especially against H1N1. Compound 3 showed the most potent CPE inhibition effect, which was stronger than that of the positive control ribavirin against H1N1, with an EC50 (µM) of 2.57 ± 0.45 along with higher selectivity.

Triterpenoid saponins from the leaves and stems of Pericampylus glaucus and their insulin mimetic activities.

During an attempt to discover insulin mimetics, thirteen new triterpenoid saponins (1-13), including three phytolaccagenic acids (1, 2, and 12) and ten serjanic acids (3-11 and 13), as aglycones were isolated from a 70% ethanol extract of leaves and stems from Pericampylus glaucus. The chemical structures of compounds 1-13 were determined through spectroscopic data analysis, including NMR, IR, and HRESIMS. All isolated compounds (1-13) were evaluated using 2-deoxy-2-[(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]-d-glucose (2-NBDG) as a fluorescent-tagged glucose probe to determine their stimulatory effects on glucose uptake in differentiated 3 T3-L1 adipocyte cells. Consequently, four compounds (4, 7, 11, and 12) exhibited stimulatory effects on glucose uptake.

Physalin A regulates the Nrf2 pathway through ERK and p38 for induction of detoxifying enzymes.

BACKGROUND: Physalin A isolated from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii has been known to have many pharmacological properties. However, its effect through the Nrf2 pathway has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we determined the effects of physalin A on cancer chemoprevention via the Nrf2 pathway. METHODS: Experiments were performed in Hepa-1c1c7 and HepG2 cells. The quinone reductase (QR) activity assay was used to assess the activity of physalin A and other compounds isolated from P. alkekengi. The antioxidant response element (ARE) reporter assay was used to determine physalin A induced transcription of Nrf2 target genes, whereas the oligonucleotide pull-down assay was used to investigate Nrf2 binding to the AREs post physalin A treatment. Real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to determine the expression of Nrf2 target genes. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine Nrf2 localization after treatment with physalin A. Kinase inhibitors were used to test the involvement of Nrf2-targeting kinases and the role of ERK and p38 phosphorylation was confirmed using western blotting. RESULTS: Physalin A significantly induced QR activity. As an upstream effector of QR, Nrf2 induced genes containing the ARE, which encode various antioxidants and detoxification enzymes. We observed that physalin A increased the expression of Nrf2 and its target genes in HepG2 cells. Moreover, we observed that physalin A-induced Nrf2 activation was regulated by ERK and p38 kinase in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we showed that physalin A increased detoxifying enzyme expression via activation of Nrf2 and its target genes. These results imply that physalin A could be a potential chemopreventive agent for liver diseases, as well as cancer.

Dereplication of Components Coupled with HPLC-qTOF-MS in the Active Fraction of Humulus japonicus and It's Protective Effects against Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model.

Humulus japonicus is an annual plant belonging to the Cannabacea family, and it has been traditionally used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis, dysentery, chronic colitis, and hypertension. We investigated the active components against Parkinson's disease from H. japonicus fraction (HJF) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with quadruple-time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (qTOF-MS) and NMR. Fourteen compounds were isolated from HJF, including one new compound, using HPLC-qTOF-MS and NMR. The major compounds of HJF were luteolin-7-O-glucoside and apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and there was approximately 12.57- and 9.68-folds increase in the contents of these flavonoids compared to those of the 70% EtOH extract. Apigenin and luteolin exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on monoamine oxidase (MAO) B enzyme activity. In animal studies, limb-use behavior was significantly reduced by unilateral 6-OHDA lesion and ipsilateral rotations. These results indicated that oral administration of 300 mg/kg HJF resulted in the improvement of motor asymmetry and motor impairment in unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. HJF, including active components leads to an improvement of motor behavior in a Parkinson's disease mouse model.

High-throughput and direct measurement of androgen levels using turbulent flow chromatography liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (TFC-LC-TQMS) to discover chemicals that modulate dihydrotestosterone production in human prostate cancer cells.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a high-throughput screening system to measure the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in cultured human prostate cancer cells using turbulent flow chromatography liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (TFC-LC-TQMS). RESULTS: After optimizing the cell reaction system, this method demonstrated a screening capability of 103 samples, including 78 single compounds and 25 extracts, in less than 12 h without manual sample preparation. Consequently, fucoxanthin, phenethyl caffeate, and Curcuma longa L. extract were validated as bioactive chemicals that inhibited DHT production in cultured DU145 cells. In addition, naringenin boosted DHT production in DU145 cells. CONCLUSION: The method can facilitate the discovery of bioactive chemicals that modulate the DHT production, and four phytochemicals are potential candidates of nutraceuticals to adjust DHT levels in male hormonal dysfunction.

Simultaneous determination of nine lignans from Schisandra chinensis extract using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in rat plasma, urine, and gastrointestinal tract samples: application to the pharmacokinetic study of Schisandra chinensis.

The fruit of Schisandra chinensis is a well-known herbal medicine and dietary supplement due to a variety of biological activities including antihepatotoxic and antihyperlipidemic activities. However, the simultaneous validation methodology and pharmacokinetic investigation of nine lignans of S. chinensis extract in biological samples have not been proved yet. Thus, the present study was undertaken to develop the proper sample preparation method and simultaneous analytical method of schisandrol A, gomisin J, schisandrol B, tigloylgomisin H, angeloylgomisin H, schisandrin A, schisandrin B, gomisin N, and schisandrin C in the hexane-soluble extract of S. chinensis to apply for the pharmacokinetic study in rats. All intra- and interprecisions of nine lignans were below 13.7% and accuracies were 85.1-115% and it is enough to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters after both intravenous and oral administration of hexane-soluble extract of S. chinensis to rats.

Chemical constituents with senolytic activity from the stems of Limacia scandens.

While screening senotherapeutics from natural products, seven undescribed chemicals, two syringylglycerol derivatives, two cyclopeptides, one tigliane analogue, and two chromone derivatives, as well as six known compounds were isolated from the stems of Limacia scandens. The structures of compounds were elucidated through spectroscopic data analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and CD data. All compounds were tested in replicative senescent human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to determine their potential as senotherapeutic agents to specifically target senescent cells. One tigliane and two chromones derivatives showed senolytic activity, indicating that senescent cells were selectively removed. Especially, 2-{2-[(3'-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl)phenyl]ethyl}chromone is expected to be a potential senotherapeutics by inducing HDF death, inhibiting the activity of senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) and expressing senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors.

Insulin-mimetic activity of 23-glycosyl oleanane triterpenoids isolated from Gymnema latifolium.

Chemical investigation of the plant Gymnema latifolium led to the isolation of seven undescribed 23-glycosyl oleanane triterpenoids, gymlatinosides GLF1-GLF7, and two known compounds, gymnemosides D and E. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using diverse spectroscopic methods. The extract of G. latifolium and all isolated compounds significantly enhanced 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG) uptake into 3T3-L1 adipocytes at 20 µM. Among them, gymlatinosides GLF2 and gymlatinosides GLF4 showed particularly potent stimulatory effects on glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner. Further investigation revealed that gymlatinosides GLF2 at 20 µM upregulated the expression of phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK). The results suggested that gymlatinosides GLF2 may enhance glucose uptake via regulating the AMPK signaling pathway.

Is 10 cm ileal resection sufficient in locally advanced caecal cancer surgery?

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus as to how much ileal resection is sufficient when performing a right hemicolectomy for right colon cancers. Locally advanced caecal cancer has the highest incidence of peri-ileal lymph node metastasis. Therefore, this study investigated whether the 10 cm ileum resection suggested by the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum is oncologically safe in stage II and III caecal cancer. METHODS: The prospectively collected medical records of stage II and III caecal cancer patients who underwent a right hemicolectomy with at least D2 lymph node dissection were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the length of proximal ileal resected: group 1 (≤10 cm) and group 2 (>10 cm). Factors contributing to the 5-year overall survival (OS) were analysed. RESULTS: The study enrolled 89 patients with pathological stage II or III caecal cancer. The >10 cm group tended to be younger (P = 0.0938) with higher pathological N stages (P = 0.0899) than the ≤10 cm group. The 5-year OS did not differ between the two groups. No significant difference was found between the two groups according to stage. Age (HR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.10, P = 0.0069) and N2 stage (HR = 5.38, 95% CI = 1.90-15.28, P = 0.0016) were significantly associated with OS in both uni- and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: There was no OS benefit to resecting >10 cm of ileum in either stage II or III caecal cancer patients. Hence, we suggest that the '10 cm rule' is sufficient for stage II and III caecal cancer patients.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, gomisins J and N inhibit the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in HCT116 cells.

Here, we report that gomisin J and gomisin N, dibenzocyclooctadiene type lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis, inhibit Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in HCT116 cells. Gomisins J and N appear to inhibit Wnt/ß-catenin signaling by disrupting the interaction between ß-catenin and its specific target DNA sequences (TCF binding elements, TBE) rather than by altering the expression of the ß-catenin protein. Gomisins J and N inhibit HCT116 cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. The G0/G1 phase arrest induced by gomisins J and N appears to be caused by a decrease in the expression of Cyclin D1, a representative target gene of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, as well as Cdk2, Cdk4, and E2F-1. Therefore, gomisins J and N, the novel Wnt/ß-catenin inhibitors discovered in this study, may serve as potential agents for the prevention and treatment of human colorectal cancers.

Schisandrin C improves leaky gut conditions in intestinal cell monolayer, organoid, and nematode models by increasing tight junction protein expression.

BACKGROUND: Leaky gut symptoms and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are associated with damaged intestinal mucosa, intestinal permeability dysfunction by epithelial cell cytoskeleton contraction, disrupted intercellular tight junction (TJ) protein expression, and abnormal immune responses and are intractable diseases. PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of schisandrin C, a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan from Schisandra chinensis, on intestinal inflammation and permeability dysfunction in gut mimetic systems: cultured intestinal cells, intestinal organoids, and a Caenorhabditis elegans model. METHODS: Schisandrin C was selected from 9 lignan compounds from S. chinensis based on its anti-inflammatory effects in HT-29 human intestinal cells. IL-1ß and Pseudomonas aeruginosa supernatants were used to disrupt intestinal barrier formation in vitro and in C. elegans, respectively. The effects of schisandrin C on transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and intestinal permeability were evaluated in intestinal cell monolayers, and its effect on intestinal permeability dysfunction was tested in mouse intestinal organoids and C. elegans by measuring fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran efflux. The effect of schisandrin C on TJ protein expression was investigated by western blotting and fluorescence microscopy. The signaling pathway underlying these effects was also elucidated. RESULTS: Schisandrin C ameliorated intestinal permeability dysfunction in three IBD model systems and enhanced epithelial barrier formation via upregulation of ZO-1 and occludin in intestinal cell monolayers and intestinal organoids. In Caco-2 cells, schisandrin C restored IL-1ß-mediated increases in MLCK and p-MLC expression, in turn blocking cytoskeletal contraction and subsequent intestinal permeabilization. Schisandrin C inhibited NF-ĸB and p38 MAPK signaling, which regulates MLCK expression and structural reorganization of the TJ complex in Caco-2 cells. Schisandrin C significantly improved abnormal FITC-dextran permeabilization in both intestinal organoids and C. elegans. CONCLUSION: Schisandrin C significantly improves abnormal intestinal permeability and regulates the expression of TJ proteins, long MLCK, p-MLC, and inflammation-related proteins, which are closely related to leaky gut symptoms and IBD development. Therefore, schisandrin C is a candidate to treat leaky gut symptoms and IBDs.

Plant Response to Cold Stress: Cold Stress Changes Antioxidant Metabolism in Heading Type Kimchi Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis).

Cold stress is known as the important yield-limiting factor of heading type Kimchi cabbage (HtKc, Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis), which is an economically important crop worldwide. However, the biochemical and molecular responses to cold stress in HtKc are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted transcriptome analyses on HtKc grown under normal versus cold conditions to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying HtKc responses to cold stress. A total of 2131 genes (936 up-regulated and 1195 down-regulated) were identified as differentially expressed genes and were significantly annotated in the category of "response to stimulus". In addition, cold stress caused the accumulation of polyphenolic compounds, including p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids, in HtKc by inducing the phenylpropanoid pathway. The results of the chemical-based antioxidant assay indicated that the cold-induced polyphenolic compounds improved the free-radical scavenging activity and antioxidant capacity, suggesting that the phenylpropanoid pathway induced by cold stress contributes to resistance to cold-induced reactive oxygen species in HtKc. Taken together, our results will serve as an important base to improve the cold tolerance in plants via enhancing the antioxidant machinery.

Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids from the Stems of Limacia scandens and Their Potential as Autophagy Inhibitors.

Limacia scandens is traditionally used to treat depression and affective disorders in Malaysia. The chemical compositions have been reported to include bisbenzylisoquinoline and aporphine-type alkaloids in the genus Limacia Lour., but studies on the components of L. scandens have rarely been reported. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine new benzylisoquinoline alkaloid derivatives with autophagy regulation activity from this plant. Bioactivity-guided isolation was applied to various column chromatography methods using RP-18, Sephadex LH-20 open column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated through spectroscopic data analysis, including NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and ECD data. In addition, isolated compounds were tested for autophagy-regulating activity in HEK293 cells expressing GFP-L3. Three new dimeric benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (1-3), one new 4-hydroxybenzoic acid-conjugated benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (4), and six known compounds (5-10) were isolated from the stems of L. scandens. All compounds (1-10) were screened for autophagy regulation in HEK293 cells stably expressing the GFP-LC3 plasmid. Among the isolated compounds, 1, 2, and 4 showed autophagic regulation activity that blocked the process of combining autophagosomes and lysosomes. They also inhibit the protein degradation process from the autolysosome as inhibitors of autophagy. Novel benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from L. scandens showed potent potency for the inhibition of autophagic flux. This study provides potential candidates for developing natural autophagy inhibitors for disease prevention and treatment.

Potent and Selective Inhibition of CYP1A2 Enzyme by Obtusifolin and Its Chemopreventive Effects.

Obtusifolin, a major anthraquinone component present in the seeds of Cassia tora, exhibits several biological activities, including the amelioration of memory impairment, prevention of breast cancer metastasis, and reduction of cartilage damage in osteoarthritis. We aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of obtusifolin and its analogs on CYP1A enzymes, which are responsible for activating procarcinogens, and investigate its inhibitory mechanism and chemopreventive effects. P450-selective substrates were incubated with human liver microsomes (HLMs) or recombinant CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in the presence of obtusifolin and its four analogs. After incubation, the samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Molecular docking simulations were performed using the crystal structure of CYP1A2 to identify the critical interactions between anthraquinones and human CYP1A2. Obtusifolin potently and selectively inhibited CYP1A2-mediated phenacetin O-deethylation (POD) with a Ki value of 0.031 µM in a competitive inhibitory manner in HLMs, whereas it exhibited negligible inhibitory effect against other P450s (IC50 > 28.6 µM). Obtusifolin also inhibited CYP1A1- and CYP1A2-mediated POD and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation with IC50 values of <0.57 µM when using recombinant enzymes. Our molecular docking models suggested that the high CYP1A2 inhibitory activity of obtusifolin may be attributed to the combination of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. This is the first report of selective and potent inhibitory effects of obtusifolin against CYP1A, indicating their potential chemopreventive effects.

The role of the lignan constituents in the effect of Schisandra chinensis fruit extract on penile erection.

The effect of the ethanol extract and active components of the fruit of Schisandra chinensis was evaluated on rabbit penile corpus cavernosum (PCC). PCC, pre-contracted with 10(-5) m phenylephrine (Phe), was treated with extracts of S. chinensis at five different compositions of ethanol and water (95%, 70%, 50%, 30% and ethanol/water [v/v]) and three fractions (0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/mL). The effect of the extracts and active lignans (schisandrol A and schisandrol B) from S. chinensis on sildenafil citrate pre-incubated PCC was also evaluated. The PCC relaxation induced by the 95% ethanol extraction and the n-hexane fraction was concentration-dependent and the ethanol extract enhanced sildenafil citrate-induced PCC relaxation. The active components of S. chinensis (schisandrol A and schisandrol B) significantly enhanced sildenafil citrate-induced relaxation >2-fold; schisandrol A had the highest relaxant effect on sildenafil citrate pre-incubated PCC. The lignans, schisandrol A and schisandrol B, isolated from the fruits of S. chinensis enhanced sildenafil citrate-induced relaxation and may have synergistic action in patients who do not completely respond to sildenafil.

Complete response of MSI-high metastatic colon cancer following treatment with regorafenib: A case report.

Regorafenib has been demonstrated to prolong survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to standard chemotherapy. However, overall survival is limited to 2.5 months. The present report describes a unique case of metastatic colon cancer, which showed a complete response to regorafenib. A 54-year-old woman was diagnosed with right colon cancer obstruction with peritoneal seeding. The patient underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, and the pathology was T4aN2bM1, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and wild-type KRAS/NRAS. The first-line chemotherapy was fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan with cetuximab. After 12 cycles, recurrence at the anastomotic site was identified. The patient underwent palliative colectomy, and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) lymph node metastases were evident. The patient received second-line chemotherapy of fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin with bevacizumab. Progression of metastasis to the right common iliac lymph nodes was detected after only four cycles of therapy. Thereafter, the patient received regorafenib as third-line therapy, starting with 160 mg for two cycles and reducing the dose thereafter, for a total of 17 cycles. The previously confirmed SMA lymph node metastasis had disappeared after the seventh cycle, and the right common iliac lymph node metastasis was not visible on CT after the 16th cycle. The patient decided to terminate regorafenib and has not experienced recurrence 2 years since treatment cessation. This is the first report of refractory metastatic colon cancer with MSI-H showing a complete response to regorafenib. Further studies are required to investigate the efficacy of regorafenib in refractory metastatic colon cancer with MSI-H and to elucidate the mechanism of remission.

Meroterpenoids from the leaves of Psidium guajava (guava) cultivated in Korea using MS/MS-based molecular networking.

MS/MS-based molecular networking showed differences in the chemical profiles, especially the terpenoid-coupled-phloroglucinol clusters, of Psidium guajava grown in Jeju Island of South Korea ("Jejuguava"), Vietnam and China. A chemical investigation of the 95% EtOH extract of Jejuguava leaves revealed meroterpenoids characterized by a dihydropyran ring junction between an acylphloroglucinol structure and terpenoid, and named jejuguajavones A-J (1-10). Compounds (±)-8-(±)-10 are racemic mixtures that were separated using a chiral HPLC column. The chemical structures of all the isolated compounds (1-10) were determined by analyzing the spectroscopic data and performing electronic circular dichroism calculations. Among the isolates, compounds 1-4 exhibit inhibitory activity against the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) enzyme, and this result was confirmed by molecular docking simulations.

Flavanonol Glycosides from the Stems of Myrsine seguinii and Their Neuroprotective Activities.

The accumulation of amyloid beta (Aß) peptides is common in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, who are characterized by neurological cognitive impairment. In the search for materials with inhibitory activity against the accumulation of the Aß peptide, seven undescribed flavanonol glycosides (1-7) and five known compounds (8-12) were isolated from stems of Myrsine seguinii by HPLC-qTOF MS/MS-based molecular networking. Interestingly, this plant has been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds (1-12) were elucidated based on spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Compounds 2, 6 and 7 showed neuroprotective activity against Aß-induced cytotoxicity in Aß42-transfected HT22 cells.

Bi-functional induction of the quinone reductase and cytochrome P450 1A1 by youngiasides via Nrf2-ARE and AhR-XRE pathways.

Many phytochemicals are known to exert cancer chemopreventive activity by eliminating chemical carcinogens or toxic xenobiotics through the action of detoxification enzymes. In this study, we investigated the cancer chemopreventive effects of youngiasides isolated from Crepidiastrum denticulatum. These youngiasides significantly induced quinone reductase (QR) activity in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1c1c7 cells, and showed a relatively high chemoprevention index (CI; divided IC(50) value with CD value). The youngiasides also significantly induced transcriptional activation of QR in Hepa-QR-secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) cells, which is a stable cell line containing the intact promoter region of QR. In order to determine if upregulation of QR by the youngiasides was mediated through a mono-functional or bi-functional mechanism, we examined the nuclear factor-E2 p45-related factor 2(Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-xenobiotic response element (XRE) pathways, which are two major pathways, involved in regulation of Phase I and/or Phase II detoxification enzymes. The youngiasides increased the cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA and protein levels in human colorectal cancer Caco-2 cells and also increased the QR mRNA and protein levels in Caco-2 cells through ARE and XRE activation which resulted from translocation of Nrf2 and AhR into the nucleus. These results suggest that regulation of QR by the youngiasides was due to bi-functional induction through the Nrf2-ARE and AhR-XRE pathways. Thus, these youngiasides as bi-functional inducers of QR have potential as cancer chemopreventive agents.