Hyung-In Moon

Anticomplement activity of polyacetylenes from leaves of Dendropanax morbifera Leveille.

The present study evaluated the anticomplement effect of polyacetylenes from Dendropanax morbifera (Araliaceae) in the classical pathway complement system. The leaves of D. morbifera were evaluated with regard to its anticomplement activity, and its active principles identified following activity‐guided isolation. An aqueous CCl4 fraction of the leaves of D. morbifera exhibited significant anticomplement activity on the classical pathway complement system, which was expressed as total hemolytic activity. Three polyacetylenes isolated from the leaves of D. morbifera, namely (3S)‐falcarinol (1), (3S,8S)‐falcarindiol (2) and (3S)‐diynene (3). Compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed inhibitory activity against complement system with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) values of 87.3 µm, 15.2 µm and 39.8 µm. Among the compounds tested, 2 showed the most potent anticomplement activity (IC50, 15.2 µm). Copyright

Bioassay-guided isolation of antiplasmodial anacardic acids derivatives from the whole plants of Viola websteri Hemsl.

The petroleum ether extract of Viola websteri Hemsl. (Violaceae) was investigated for its activity against chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay method. The main antiplasmodial principles, 6-(8′Z-pentadecenyl)-salicylic acid (1) and 6-(8′Z, 11′Z, 14′Z-heptadecatrienyl)-salicylic acid (2), have been isolated from V. websteri for the first time. This is the first report on the antiplasmodial activity of the compounds from V. websteri.

In vitro evaluation of the antiplasmodial activity of Dendropanax morbifera against chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum.

Dendropanax morbifera Leveille (Araliaceae) is well known in Korea traditional medicine for a variety of diseases. The methanol extract of the lower stem parts of D. morbifera was investigated for its activity against chloroquine‐sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay method. Two cycloartane‐type glycosides oleifoliosides A (1) and B (2), and dendropanoxide (3), β‐amyrin (4), α‐amyrin (5) have been isolated from the stem parts of D. morbifera. All five compounds were evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activities as well as their cytotoxic potential on SK‐OV‐3 cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 3 showed notable growth inhibitory activity against chloroquine‐sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC50 values of 6.2 and 5.3 µm. This compound showed no significant cytotoxicity (IC50 > 150 µm) evaluated using SK‐OV‐3 cancer cell lines. This is the first report on the antiplasmodial activity of the compounds from D. morbifera. Copyright

Protective effects of 3′‐deoxy‐4‐O‐methylepisappanol from Caesalpinia sappan against glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells

To examine the neuroprotective effects of Caesalpinia sappan L., we tested its protection against the glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity in primary cortical cultured neurons. We found that an aqueous extract of this medicinal plant exhibited significant protection against glutamate‐induced toxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells. In order to clarify the neuroprotective mechanism(s) of this observed effect, isolation was performed to seek and identify active fractions and components. By such fractionation, two known compounds – sappanchalcone and 3′‐deoxy‐4‐O‐methylepisappanol – were isolated from the methanol extracts from the air‐dried and chipped C. sappan. Among these two compounds, 3′‐deoxy‐4‐O‐methylepisappanol exhibited significant neuroprotective activities against glutamate‐induced toxicity, exhibiting cell viability of about 50%, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 μM to 10 μM. Therefore, the neuroprotective effect of C. sappan might be due to the inhibition of glutamate‐induced toxicity by the protosappanin derivative it contains. Copyright

Curcumin inhibits TNFα-induced lectin-like oxidised LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression and suppresses the inflammatory response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by an antioxidant mechanism

In this study, the anti-oxidative activities of 70% ethanol extract from Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (CAS) and curcumin (CUR) were studied. The CAS extracts and CUR were both found to have a potent scavenging activity against the reactive species tested, as well as an inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), expression of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), lectin-like oxidised LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), adhesion molecules, inhibitory kappa Bα (IκBα) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) were measured. In HUVECs stimulated with TNFα, CUR significantly suppressed expression of the intracellular ROS, LOX-1 and adhesion molecules, degradation of IκBα and translocation of NFκB, while inducing production of NO by phosphorylation of eNOS (p <0.05). In conclusion, CAS and CUR may modulate lipoprotein composition and attenuate oxidative stress by elevated antioxidant processes.

Neuroprotective effects of a sesquiterpene lactone and flavanones from Paulownia tomentosa Steud. against glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells

The neuroprotective effects of Paulownia tomentosa against glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity were studied in primary cultured rat cortical cells. It was found that the aqueous extract of this medicinal plant significantly attenuated glutamate‐induced toxicity. In order to clarify the mechanism(s) underlying this neuroprotective effect, the active fractions and components were isolated and identified. Five compounds were isolated as the methanol extracts from air‐dried flowers of P. tomentosa. Isoatriplicolide tiglate exhibited significant neuroprotective activity against glutamate‐induced toxicity at concentrations ranging from 1 µm to 10 µm, and exhibited cell viability of approximately 43–78%. Therefore, the neuroprotective effect of P. tomentosa might be due to the inhibition of glutamate‐induced toxicity by the sesquiterpene lactone derivative it contains. Copyright

Anti-complement activity of isolated compounds from the roots of Clerodendrum bungei Steud.

To determine the anti‐complement activity of natural diterpenes, chromatographic separation of the acetone‐soluble fraction from the roots of Clerodendrum bungei (Verbenaceae) led to the isolation of five diterpenoids. An acetone‐soluble extract of the roots of C. bungei exhibited significant anti‐complement activity on the classical pathway complement system, which was expressed as total hemolytic activity. Five compounds isolated from the roots of C. bungei, namely 12‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranosyl‐3,11,16‐trihydroxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene (1), 3,12‐O‐β‐d‐diglucopyranosyl‐11,16‐dihydroxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene (2), ajugaside A (3), uncinatone (4) and 19‐hydroxyteuvincenone F (5). Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 showed inhibitory activity against complement system with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) values of 24 µm, 138 µm, 116 µm, 87 µm and 232 µm. Among the compounds tested, 1 showed the most potent anti‐complement activity (IC50, 24 µm). Copyright

Comparison of Meat Quality and Physicochemical Characteristics of Pork between Korean Native Black Pigs (KNBP) and Landrace by Market Weight

Results of meat quality, physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid and amino acid composition of the Korean Native Black Pig(70 and 90 kg of slaughter weight; KNBP) versus Landrace(110kg of slaughter) are as below. Compared with Landrace, the KNBP exhibited a greater lean meat yield, with no difference in backfat thickness between Landrace and KNBP. There were no difference in chemical composition between Landrace and KNBP, but pH, and cooking loss in the KNBP were superior value than those of the Landrace. These results, KNBP were affected in sensory property and cooking yield. Amino acid content of KNBP and Landrace were significant differences between Landrace and KNBP. Except for the methionine, essential amino acid contents of KNBP had significantly higher than those of Landrace. In the change of fatty acid composition, the Landrace had significantly higher percentages of palmitic(l6: 0), stearic(18: 0) and linolenic(18: 3) acids than that of KNBP, but linoleic acid(l8: 2) was decreased.

Leonurus sibiricus Herb Extract Suppresses Oxidative Stress and Ameliorates Hypercholesterolemia in C57BL/6 Mice and TNF-α Induced Expression of Adhesion Molecules and Lectin-Like Oxidized LDL Receptor-1 in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

In Leonurus sibiricus herb extract (LHE)-supplemented animals, plasma cholesterol decreased and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased, resulting in a lowered atherogenic index. The plasma trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and protein carbonyl values decreased significantly in LHE-supplemented mice (p<0.05), whereas the hepatic antioxidant indicators were all significantly elevated (p<0.05). In human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha, LHE significantly suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species, LOX-1, and adhesion molecules. LHE supplementation may modulate the lipoprotein composition and attenuate oxidative stress by elevated antioxidant processes, thus suppressing the activation of inflammatory mediators. This is a possible mechanism of the anti-atherogenic effect.

Inhibition of lung metastasis in mice by Oligonol.

Oligonol is a polyphenol formulation enriched with catechin‐type oligomers. As an initial approach to assess the chemopreventive potential of Oligonol, the study investigated the effects of Oligonol on the inhibition of lung metastasis induced by B16F‐10 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice. Oligonol, which is abundantly found in plants, vegetables and fruits, was found to possess antimetastatic activity against B16F‐10 melanoma cells. Continued consumption of Oligonol, even at high doses, for long periods does not seem to cause any toxic symptoms because excess Oligonol is stored in adipose tissue rather than in the liver. However, the mechanism by which Oligonol exerts its antimetastatic activity remains unclear. Further investigations are required to clarify the exact role of Oligonol in such B16F‐10 melanoma regulation. Copyright