Eun Sil Kim

Chemical constituents from Nelumbo nucifera leaves and their anti-obesity effects.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae), commonly called lotus, is widely distributed throughout Eastern Asia. It has been used for food and medicine for a long time. A phytochemical investigation of N. nucifera leaves led to the isolation of 13 megastigmanes (1-13), including a new megastigmane, nelumnucifoside A (1), and a new eudesmane sesquiterpene, nelumnucifoside B (14), eight alkaloids (15-22), and 11 flavonoids (23-33). Their chemical structures were determined based on spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectrometry. The relative and absolute stereochemistry of the compounds was determined by NOESY and CD spectrometry, respectively. Compounds 19 and 22 significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase, whereas compounds 15 and 16 showed a strong inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, the leaves of N. nucifera have potential as an anti-obesity agent by inhibiting pancreatic lipase and adipocyte differentiation.

Bactericidal effect of extracts and metabolites of Robinia pseudoacacia L. on Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis causing dental plaque and periodontal inflammatory diseases.

The mouth cavity hosts many types of anaerobic bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, which cause periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial potential of extracts of Robinia pseudoacacia and its different fractions, as well as some of its natural compounds against oral pathogens and a nonpathogenic reference bacteria, Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity of the crude extract and the solvent fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol) of R. pseudoacacia were evaluated against S. mutans, P. gingivalis and E. coli DH5α by standard micro-assay procedure using conventional sterile polystyrene microplates. The results showed that the crude extract was more active against P. gingivalis (100% growth inhibition) than against S. mutans (73% growth inhibition) at 1.8 mg/mL. The chloroform and hexane fractions were active against P. gingivalis, with 91 and 97% growth inhibition, respectively, at 0.2 mg/mL. None of seven natural compounds found in R. pseudoacacia exerted an antibacterial effect on P. gingivalis; however, fisetin and myricetin at 8 µg/mL inhibited the growth of S. mutans by 81% and 86%, respectively. The crude extract of R. pseudoacacia possesses bioactive compounds that could completely control the growth of P. gingivalis. The antibiotic activities of the hexane and chloroform fractions suggest that the active compounds are hydrophobic in nature. The results indicate the effectiveness of the plant in clinical applications for the treatment of dental plaque and periodontal inflammatory diseases and its potential use as disinfectant for various surgical and orthodontic appliances.

Cognitive Enhancing and Neuroprotective Effect of the Embryo of the Nelumbo nucifera Seed

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ENS on cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine and its potential neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cell and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. ENS (3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg), scopolamine (1 mg/kg), and donepezil (1 mg/kg) were administered to mice during a test period. Scopolamine impaired memory and learning in a water maze test and a passive avoidance test. The neuroprotective effect of ENS (10 and 100 μg/mL) was investigated on glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cells by MTT assay. We investigated acetylcholinesterase inhibition in hippocampus and antioxidant activity, ROS levels, and Ca2+ influx in HT22 cells to elucidate the potential mechanisms of ENS. We found that ENS significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment and inhibited AChE activity in hippocampus. In vitro, ENS showed potent neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in the HT22 cell. In addition, ENS induced a decrease in ROS production and intercellular Ca2+ accumulation and showed DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging activity. In conclusion, ENS showed both a memory improving effect and a neuroprotective effect. Our results indicate that ENS may be of use in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.

In Vivo Antifungal Activities of the Methanol Extracts of Invasive Plant Species Against Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Plants are the promising reservoirs for natural products with their diverse secondary metabolites. Many invasive plants have been introduced in Korea, which adversely affect on the native ecosystem but holds difficulty removing them due to their proliferation. In this study, we evaluated disease control efficacy of methanol extracts from four invasive plant species against 7 representative crop pathogens. Methanol extract of Phytolacca americana effectively suppressed rice blast, tomato gray mold, and tomato late blight in a dose dependent manner. The methanol extract of Amorpha fruticosa also exhibited potent antifungal activity against pepper anthracnose in a concentration dependent way. These data suggest that the extracts of P. americana and A. fruticosa can be developed as plant disease protection agents against rice blast, tomato gray mold, tomato late blight, and pepper anthracnose. Furthermore, more extensive research will be required to identify and isolate active compounds from problematic invasive plant species to develop valuable agrochemicals.

Potential anti-skin aging effect of Nelumbo nucifera

In the Texmelucan Valley of Puebla México, infusion of bark Quercus ilex is used as Anti-bacterial, Antihalitosis, Anti-hemorrhagic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-perspirant, Antiseptic, Anti-tumor, Antiviral, Astringent, emetic, expectorant, Hemostatic, Immuno stimulant, Litolitic, worming and vulnerary, given their anti-hemorrhagic and immunostimulant properties, this study determined the effect of aqueous extracts of the bark of Quercus ilex, on the recovery of wounds made wistar rats. We apply aqueous extracts of bark every 24 h. We observed a 40% increase in healing time compared to the control was left to heal naturally and 20% compared to the commercial product Dermatix® group. In subsequent work will determine the dose response in wounds with different depths. INTRODUCTION Quercus ilex People of woodlands in Texmelucan Valley in the state of Puebla Mexico, give you multiple uses of oak bark (1), particularly bark by the use of it when they have tooth mobility, redness, bleeding and inflammation of gums and halitosis, clear signs of periodontal disease, so we do a job using mouthwash 40% oak bark to gerontological patients, and found that the use of it changes the pH and salivary proteins (2). The oak is related to the life of the inhabitants of the valley Texmelucan, in fact the name Texmelucan is of Nahuatl origin Tetzmollocan, tetzmulli evergreen pine or oak Tetzmolla (pl. forest green) and Tezmollocan oaks (possessive) place that has forests oak (3). This region is called oak and oak or no oak, as the Spanish name Quercus ilex, has been derived from ilicina lecina (Latin Quercus ilex) (4). As previously stated in the valley of Texmelucan is attributed to the oak a large number of properties in particular caught our attention the fact that we comment on that “This infusión helps stop the bleeding and helps you to heal faster” considering their immunostimulatory and anti-hemorrhagic properties, this work experimentally determined the effect of aqueous extracts in the recovery of injuries incisions in the skin of Wistar rats. Wounds When a wound or incision is made, the surgeon expects the tissue healed with minimal oedema without local infection or runny, as healing by first intention, which makes it in a minimum time, without separation of the edges of the wound, and with minimal scar formation (5, 6). Assessment of the healing process There are many variables that have been used throughout history to assess the healing process, most of which are part of the normal properties of the skin, which is why they have been used as indicators of normal skin (7). Hence, the literature related to the indicators of the healing process (8, 9). Wound characteristics Many measurement instruments healing process include assessment of multiple attributes of the wounds, the choice of any of these features to be included in any scale / instrument / measurement rate, depends to some extent on the purpose you have the instrument (predicted healing, assessment of skin condition, evaluate treatment, etc.). Methodology Wound size The wounds were measured by measuring the way cephalocaudal length by the width and multiplying these two measurements to obtain a result in cm2 (10). Area = length x width Path tracing using contactless or photographs In all cases the wounds were photographed using a camera equipped with a macro lens, the photographs were measured using the CellProfiler ® program that , after calibration , can obtain reliable surface and perimeter of the wound. Quercus ilex recollection The bark of Quercus ilex was obtained from trees of theS which covers the entire outer surface of the body, is the largest organ. In humans, the skin interfaces with the environment and is the first line of defense against external factors. And also it plays key part in the barometer of anti-aging these days. For these reason, skin care is one of the fastest growing areas of cosmetic industry, in the twenty-first century. We have focused on the anti-aging effect of the extracts from on the anti-wrinkle and whitening activities. When the procollagen and elastase inhibition assay were measured, the fruit extract of N. nucifera had a concentration-dependent effect on procollagen synthesis. And all parts, leaf, fruit, and embryo of N. nucifera, had elastase inhibition activity. In the whitening assay, we found that melanin synthesis was reduced in cell treated these extract of fruit and embryo from N. nucifera. In conclusion, the extracts of N. nucifera overall had excellent properties. In addition to the anti-wrinkle, and whitening activities, all the N. nucifera extracts displayed excellent and desirable cosmetic properties. Thus, N. nucifera provides many cosmetical ingredients.Szu-Ying Wu has completed his undergraduate studies at Chang Gung University and earned his medical degree in 2012. He is a CAM resident at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital with a major in acupuncture and traumatology. He is the Vice Secretary-General of Taiwan Association of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy Quality. His research topics focus on low level laser acupuncture and treatment of sleep disorders. Recent clinical interest of Ricky is about sports medicine.C practice shows that acupuncture at Neiguan point can relieve angina of coronary heart disease, but its mechanism is unknown. Various cardiac imaging tools, including ECG, ultrasound, CT and MR were used to visualize how acupuncture improves chronic myocardial ischemia. Ten healthy Chinese miniature pigs were recruited in this experiment. All were operated by implantation of Ameroid narrow ring around the superior-middle part of the left anterior coronary artery and became the models of chronic myocardial ischemia after 4 weeks. 5 cases were dead due to heart failure after 3 weeks of post operation. However, another 5 survived cases participated in the acupuncture experiment. Each case was embedded with needle in the Neiguan point on the right anterior limb. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks. All imaging measurements were conducted before and after acupuncture treatment. 4 weeks post operation, 5 cases were found pathological Q wave of ECG, 2 cases of anterior wall of left ventricle, 2 cases of anterior-medial wall, the anterior-lateral wall in 1 case. R wave was showed in lower or flat. Ultrasound, CT and MR of Cardiac imaging showed the reduced left ventricular ejection fraction from 5 to 50%. After 2 weeks’ treatment of acupuncture at Neiguan, 4 cases showed the decreased heart rate. R wave was higher than before and the left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 10% to 50%. But 1 case showed no obvious change. The needle embedding therapy at Neiguan point improves the chronic myocardial ischemia state in pig model.H are one of the most common diseases in humans. About half of the people older than age 50 years have symptomatic hemorrhoids. Swelling and inflammation are typical hemorrhoid symptoms. In Traditional Korean Medicine, Jingyoganghwaltang and Cheongsimhwan have been used to treat diseases in anal fistula. Cheongsimhwan reduces a fever and has anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the effect of a mixture of Jingyoganghwaltang and Cheongsimhwan on croton oil induced hemorrhoid model in rats. Male rats aged 6 weeks were divided into three groups: Control, Croton oil stimulated group, and drug (a mixture of Jingyoganghwaltang and Cheongsimhwan) treated group. After three days of drug treatment, the animals except the control group were stimulated for 60 seconds by inserting the croton oil mixture (DW:pyridine:diethyl ether: 6% of croton oil in diethyl ether=1:4:5:10) into the anus. After 4 hours, all rats were sacrificed under deep anesthesia, and retroanal tissue was excised for histological, immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting. The weight of retro-anal tissue of the drug treated group was decreased to 86.4±2.9% (compared to 100% of the croton oil treated group). In a histological study of rectro-anal sections, severe inflammation can be observed in the croton oil treated group, and the drug treated group showed the reduction of inflammation. Additionally, the drug treated group showed the decrease in contents of ICAM1, MMP2 and MMP9 compared to the croton oil stimulated group. These results suggest that the treatment with Jingyoganghwaltang and Cheongsimhwan demonstrates the anti-inflammatory effects in croton oil induced hemorrhoid model in rats.

A New Flavolignan from Nelumbo nucifera Leaves

A new flavolignan, isohydnocarpin A (1), together with three known flavolignans, isohydnocarpin (2), hydnocarpin B (3), and hydnocarpin D (4), was isolated from the leaves of Nelumbo nicifera. The structure of the new compound was determined based on spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectrometry. The stereochemistry was determined by NOESY experiments.