Protective effects of Erythronium japonicum and Corylopsis coreana Uyeki extracts against 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Erythronium japonicum (E. japonicum) and Corylopsis coreana Uyeki (C. coreana Uyeki, Korean winter hazel) have been shown to significantly decrease 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP)-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and CYP2E1 activity in HuH7, human hepatocytes. In this study, we expanded upon the previous study and investigated the effects of E. japonicum and C. coreana Uyeki extracts on 1,3-DCP-induced liver damage in rats. The pre-treatment of rats with these extracts alleviated a decrease in body weight and reduced 1,3-DCP-induced increase in catalytic activities of hepatic enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, in the serum. Moreover, treatment with the extracts restored the 1,3-DCP-induced decreases in anti-oxidant enzyme activities, such as the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, in the rat liver. Histopathological studies also strongly supported the results of enzyme activities. These results suggest a possibility that the extracts of E. japonicum and C. coreana Uyeki can be a remedy for alleviating 1,3-DCP-induced liver damage in animals.

Discrimination of Platycodon grandiflorum and Codonopsis lanceolata using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach.

Species of herbaceous flowering perennial plant of the family Campanulaceae such as Platycodon grandiflorum (P. grandiflorum) and Codonopsis lanceolata (C. lanceolata) widely used in traditional medicine to treat different diseases. In spite of different medicinal results after consumption of the plants, it is hard to distinguish between two of them, because of their similar morphological characteristics. In this study, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) - based metabolite profiling approach was performed and examined to discriminate tuberous roots of P. grandiflorum and C. lanceolate for medicinal purposes. Two basic approaches for sample preparation, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and solvent extraction were adopted. Multivariate statistical techniques, such as orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) plots showed significant differences between P. grandiflorum and C. lanceolata for polar primary and volatile organic metabolites. A number of potential candidates were suggested as the chemomarkers for discrimination of two plants.

Identification and Characterization of Diploid and Tetraploid in Platycodon grandiflorum.

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), a species of herbaceous flowering perennial plant of the family Campanulaceae, has been used as a traditional oriental medicine for bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, diabetes, hepatic fibrosis, bone disorders and many others similar diseases and as a food supplement. For the primary profiling of PG gas chromatography coupled with high resolution - time of flight mass spectrometry (GC/HR-TOF MS) was used as an analytical tool. A comparison of optimal extraction of metabolites was carried out with a number of solvents [hexane, methylene chloride, methanol, ethanol, methanol: ethanol (70:30, v:v)]. In extracts with methanol: ethanol (70:30 v:v) were detected higher amounts of metabolites than with other solvents. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) plots showed significant differences between the diploid and tetraploid metabolite profiles. Extracts of tetraploid showed higher amounts of amino acids, while extracts of diploid contained more organic acids and sugars. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Anthocyanin content and the activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in lettuce cultivars.

Anthocyanin content and the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and their relationships were determined in the leaves of six lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars, exposed for 6 weeks to alternating three different day/night temperatures. Anthocyanin content was found to be highest at 20/13°C, followed by 25/20°C and 30/25°C, showing accumulation of anthocyanin at low temperatures. Activities of PPO and PAL were also found to be highest at low day/night temperatures, whereas the POD activity was decreased at low day/night temperatures. The most significant positive correlation existed between anthocyanin content and PPO activity (r² = 0.71). The results suggest that various day/night temperature regimes affect anthocyanin content and the activities of PPO, POD and PAL in lettuce.

Positive effects of temperature and growth conditions on enzymatic and antioxidant status in lettuce plants.

The contents of two bioactive compounds (polyphenols and flavonoids) and their antioxidant and enzyme activities were determined in the leaves of six lettuce (Latuca sativa L.) cultivars subjected to 4 different day/night temperatures for 6 weeks. The total polyphenol and anthocyanin contents and the corresponding antioxidant activities were the highest at 13/10°C and 20/13°C, followed by 25/20°C and 30/25°C. The enzymatic activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) were also the highest at low day/night temperatures, but the peroxidase (POD) activity was decreased at low day/night temperatures and increased at high day/night temperatures. The most significant positive correlation existed between anthocyanin content and PPO activity, total polyphenols and their antioxidant activities. The results showed that at relatively low temperatures, lettuce plants have a high antioxidant and enzymatic status. These results provide additional information for the lettuce growers.