Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Three Isolated Compounds of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii (PAF) in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated RAW 264.7 Cells.

(1) Background: Three isolated compounds from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii (PAF) have been investigated to possess a variety of biological activities. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis (Ultraviolet (UV), High-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-Ms), and their anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in vitro; (2) Methods: To investigate the mechanisms of action of PAF extracts and their isolated compounds, their anti-inflammatory effects were assessed in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RAW 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii three isolated compounds of PAF for 30 min prior to stimulation with or without LPS for the indicated times. The inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1ß and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain (RT-PCR); (3) Results Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with LPS alone resulted in significant increases in inflammatory cytokine production as compared to the control group (p < 0.001). However, with the treatment of isophysalin B 100 µg/mL, there was a significant decrease in the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α in LPS-stimulated raw 264.7 cells (p < 0.001). With treatment of physalin 1−100 µg/mL, there was a markedly decrease in the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α in LPS stimulated raw 264.7 (p < 0.05). Moreover, TNF-α mRNA (p < 0.05) and IL-1ß mRNA (p < 0.001) mRNA levels were significantly suppressed after treatment with 3',7-dimethylquercetin in LPS stimulated Raw 264.7 cells; (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that three isolated compounds from can suppress inflammatory responses in LPS stimulated macrophage.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Chitoglucan in High-Fat-Induced Obesity Mice.

BACKGROUND: Chitoglucan (CG) is a bioactive component obtained from Flammulina velutipes Sing, an edible mushroom, which is known to have an anti-obesity effect. However, its biological and hormonal activities in alleviating obesity through regulation of adipocyte-derived proteins have not been examined yet. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of chitoglucan and its hormonal mechanisms in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice. METHODS: The mice were fed either a normal diet (Normal group) or a high fat diet (HFD group) over 6 weeks. The HFD fed mice were administered with saline (HFD group), adipex (HFD + adipex group), chitoglucan 50, 150, or 300 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks (HFD + CG groups). The food consumption, body weight, fat contents, and the levels of serum leptin and resistin were assessed after treatment of chitoglucan. RESULTS: the HFD produced a marked increase in body and fat weights after 6 weeks of feeding compared with the Normal group. Administration of chitoglucan for 3 weeks tended to reduce body weight and significantly decreased parametrical adipose tissues in HFD groups. The level of serum leptin in the HFD group was markedly higher than that in the Normal group, whereas the level of leptin in the chitoglucan treated groups was significantly decreased in comparison with the HFD group. In addition, the level of serum resistin in high-fat diet group tended to be more increased than Normal group. However, the serum resistin level was significantly reduced in HF diet groups after treatment with chitoglucan (50 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg). CONCLUSION: Collectively, these data suggest that chitoglucan from the Flammulina velutipes may be useful in the treatment of high diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Neuroprotective Effect of Bean Phosphatidylserine on TMT-Induced Memory Deficits in a Rat Model.

BACKGROUND: Trimethyltin (TMT) is a potent neurotoxin affecting various regions of the central nervous system, including the neocortex, the cerebellum, and the hippocampus. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a membrane phospholipid, which is vital to brain cells. We analyzed the neuroprotective effects of soybean-derived phosphatidylserine (Bean-PS) on cognitive function, changes in the central cholinergic systems, and neural activity in TMT-induced memory deficits in a rat model. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into an untreated normal group, a TMT group (injected with TMT + vehicle), and a group injected with TMT + Bean-PS. The rats were treated with 10% hexane (TMT group) or TMT + Bean-PS (50 mg·kg-1, oral administration (p.o.)) daily for 21 days, following a single injection of TMT (8.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)). The cognitive function of Bean-PS was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test and a passive avoidance task (PAT). The expression of acetylcholine transferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in the hippocampus was assessed via immunohistochemistry. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan was used to measure the glucose uptake in the rat brain. RESULTS: Treatment with Bean-PS enhanced memory function in the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Consistent with the behavioral results, treatment with Bean-PS diminished the damage to cholinergic cells in the hippocampus, in contrast to those of the TMT group. The TMT+Bean-PS group showed elevated glucose uptake in the frontal lobe of the rat brain. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that Bean-PS protects against TMT-induced learning and memory impairment. As such, Bean-PS represents a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Cloning, characterization and expression of a Lateral suppressor-like gene from chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum Kitamura).

Conventionally, the lateral shoots of chrysanthemum are removed manually, which is time consuming and uneconomical. The development of branchless chrysanthemum will economize its commercial cultivation. To investigate the regulatory mechanism of branchlessness, we undertook cloning of Dendranthema grandiflorum Kitamura Lateral suppressor-like (DgLsL) gene for development of lateral shoot in chrysanthemum. A full-length cDNA of DgLsL gene was isolated by screening cDNA library and performing Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) PCR. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the DgLsL gene is closely related to Lateral suppressor that encodes transcriptional regulator proteins belonging to GRAS family of known transcription factor. Southern blot analysis revealed that DgLsL gene in chrysanthemum genome has one copy. DgLsL expression was apparently up-regulated by ethephon treatment. The expression patterns revealed that DgLsL transcripts were detected in all organs, but showed their highest level in stems.