Xianjun Meng

Purification of six lignans from the stems of Schisandra chinensis by using high-speed counter-current chromatography combined with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for the preparative purification of lignans from Schisandra chinensis was established using a combination of high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The crude extracts obtained from S. chinensis by using 70% ethanol were separated on a macroporous resin column and then eluted with a graded ethanol series. A two-phase solvent system consisting of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (1:1:1:1, v/v) was used for HSCCC, and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (50:50, v/v) was used for preparative HPLC. The results obtained using HSCCC were compared with those obtained using preparative HPLC, and their advantages were further integrated to improve the separation efficiency. Six known lignans were identified by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and (13)C NMR analyses; the purities of all the compounds were more than 91%.

Anti-tumor activity of a polysaccharide from blueberry.

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are rich in bioactive compounds. However, the biological activity of polysaccharides from blueberry has not been reported so far. This study evaluated the anti-tumor and immunological activities of a polysaccharide (BBP3-1) from blueberry in S180-bearing mice. The experimental results indicated that BBP3-1 (100 mg·kg−1·d−1) inhibited the tumor growth rate by 73.4%. Moreover, this group, compared with the model control, had shown an effect of increasing both the spleen and thymus indices (p < 0.05), increasing phagocytosis by macrophages (p < 0.05), boosting the proliferation and transformation of lymphocytes (p < 0.01), promoting the secretion of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 (p < 0.05) and improving NK cell activity (p < 0.01). From this study, we could easily conclude that BBP3-1 has the ability to inhibit tumor progression and could act as a good immunomodulator.

Combined effect of ultrasound, heat, and pressure on Escherichia coli O157:H7, polyphenol oxidase activity, and anthocyanins in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) juice

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different treatments-heat treatment (HT), sonication (SC), thermosonication (TS), manosonication (MS), manothermal (MT), and manothermosonication (MTS) on Escherichia coli O157:H7, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and anthocyanin content in blueberry juice. First, samples were treated at different temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80°C) and power intensities (280, 420, 560, and 700W) for 10min. Subsequently, samples were treated using combinations of power intensity and mild temperature for 10min. For further study, samples were treated using HT (80°C), TS (40°C, 560W), MT (350MPa, 40°C), MS (560W, 5min/350MPa), or MTS (560W, 5min, 40°C/350MPa, 40°C) for 5, 10, 15, 20min for each treatment, and the results compared between treatments. HT significantly reduced PPO activation (2.05% residual activity after only 5min), and resulted in a 2.00-log reduction in E. coli O157:H7 and an 85.25% retention of anthocyanin. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was slightly inactivated by TS after 5min (0.17-log reduction), while residual PPO activity was 23.36% and anthocyanin retention was 98.48%. However, Escherichia coli O157:H7 was rapidly inactivated by MTS (5.85-log reduction) after 5min, while anthocyanin retention was 97.49% and residual PPO activity dropped to 10.91%. The destruction of E. coli cells as a result of these treatments were confirmed using SEM and TEM. Therefore, a combination of sonication, high pressure, and mild heat allows the safety of blueberry juice to be maintained without compromising the retention of desirable antioxidant compounds.

Lonicera caerulea berry extract suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation via Toll-like receptor and oxidative stress-associated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling

The protective effects of Lonicera caerulea berry extract (LCBE) against hepatic inflammation and the underlying mechanisms were investigated in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chronic liver inflammation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with LPS (200 μg per kg bw) with or without LCBE co-administration (50, 100 and 200 mg per kg bw intragastrically once daily) for 4 weeks. We found that LCBE supplementation inhibited the increase in Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 expression induced by LPS, while preventing glutathione depletion and reactive oxidative species generation and abrogating increases in C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels, restoring alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities, and blocking the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The protective effects of LCBE against liver damage caused by LPS were dose-dependent. These results demonstrate that LCBE suppresses liver inflammation caused by LPS via inhibition of TLR and MAPK signaling and oxidative stress pathways, and suggest that LCBE treatment can potentially prevent chronic liver injury.

Isolation and purification of schisandrol A from the stems of Schisandra chinensis and cytotoxicity against human hepatocarcinoma cell lines.

Background: Schisandrol A, a lignan with anticancer effects, is one of the representative components that identifies Schisandra chinensis. Objective: A method for purifying schisandrol A from the stems of S. chinensis was established using an octadecylsilyl (ODS) column combined with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Materials and Methods: Crude extracts obtained from the stems of S. chinensis using 70% ethanol were separated on an AB-8 macroporous resin column and then eluted with a graded ethanol series. After 70% methanol was used in an ODS column separation, preparative HPLC was used for subsequent purification. The structure was identified by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance, and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance. HepG2 and Bel-7402 hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines were used for toxicological evaluation. Results: 21.4 mg of schisandrol A with a purity of 95.2% were collected. The cytotoxicity of the ODS-purified sample and schisandrol A were significantly stronger than that of a resin-purified sample. Conclusion: Schisandrol A was successfully extracted from the stems of S. chinensis and separated with an ODS column combined with preparative HPLC. The samples obtained during the purification process showed different levels of cytotoxicity on the HepG2 and Bel-7402 hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Application of High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography for Isolation of Triterpenes from Schisandra Chinensis (Turcz.) Baill and Induction Apoptosis Mechanism of HSC-T6

Triterpenes have shown many beneficial activities in researches, but their separation and preparation usually require multiple methods. Following an initial cleaning-up step on the AB-8 macroporous resin, a preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system comprising chloroform-n-butyl alcohol-methanol-water (10:1:7:4, v/v/v/v) was used to isolate and separate triterpenes from caculis of Schisandra Chinensis (Turcz.) baill. A total of 89 mg corosolic acid with purities of 98.5% were obtained from 400 mg crude extract in one-step elution and less than 4 h, and the structure identification was performed by UV, IR, MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The inhibition on liver fibrosis activities of the triterpenes against HSC-T6 in vitro were studied by cell culture methods. The results showed that the corosolic acid have better inhibitory effects on HSC-T6 cells with the IC50 value of 5~25 μg/mL and the study also indicated that corosolic acid might be a potential Chinese medical component to inhibit liver fibrosis.

Can polysaccharide K improve therapeutic efficacy and safety in gastrointestinal cancer? a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Objective To assess the comparative efficacy and safety of polysaccharide K (PSK), with or without chemotherapy, for patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) through a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Materials and Methods We performed a network meta-analysis to identify evidence from randomized controlled trials. We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for publications up to May 2017. The prespecified primary efficacy outcomes were 1–7 year overall survival (OS), while the secondary efficacy outcomes were 1–7 year disease-free survival (DFS); we performed subgroup analyses and meta-regressions according to the cancer type (colorectal, esophagus and gastric cancer) and treatment arms (with or without chemotherapy). Safety outcomes were side effects of PSK. We conducted pairwise meta-analyses using a random-effects model and then performed random-effects network meta-analyses. Results A total of 23 trials were eligible, involving 10684 patients and 13 intervention arms. PSK treatment significantly increased 1–5 year OS and resulted in positive trends in 6–7 year OS; significant increases were also found in 1–7 year DFS, while no increase in side effects was observed. Significant efficacy outcomes obvious in colorectal and gastric cancer groups, as well as PSK combined with chemotherapy groups (iv, po, iv+po). Network meta-analysis revealed that PSK combined with chemotherapy was superior, with significantly increased 3-year and 5-year OS. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017065193) Conclusions The adjuvant immunochemotherapy agent PSK is effective and safe for patients with GIC. PSK combined with chemotherapy appears to be the preferred application of PSK.OBJECTIVE To assess the comparative efficacy and safety of polysaccharide K (PSK), with or without chemotherapy, for patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) through a systematic review and network meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a network meta-analysis to identify evidence from randomized controlled trials. We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for publications up to May 2017. The prespecified primary efficacy outcomes were 1-7 year overall survival (OS), while the secondary efficacy outcomes were 1-7 year disease-free survival (DFS); we performed subgroup analyses and meta-regressions according to the cancer type (colorectal, esophagus and gastric cancer) and treatment arms (with or without chemotherapy). Safety outcomes were side effects of PSK. We conducted pairwise meta-analyses using a random-effects model and then performed random-effects network meta-analyses. RESULTS A total of 23 trials were eligible, involving 10684 patients and 13 intervention arms. PSK treatment significantly increased 1-5 year OS and resulted in positive trends in 6-7 year OS; significant increases were also found in 1-7 year DFS, while no increase in side effects was observed. Significant efficacy outcomes obvious in colorectal and gastric cancer groups, as well as PSK combined with chemotherapy groups (iv, po, iv+po). Network meta-analysis revealed that PSK combined with chemotherapy was superior, with significantly increased 3-year and 5-year OS. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017065193)Conclusions: The adjuvant immunochemotherapy agent PSK is effective and safe for patients with GIC. PSK combined with chemotherapy appears to be the preferred application of PSK.

Effects of Triterpenoid From Schisandra chinensis on Oxidative Stress in Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Alcohol-induced oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathological development of alcoholic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of triterpenoid from Schisandra chinensis on oxidative stress in alcohol-induced liver injury in rats. We found that the administration of triterpenoid attenuated alcohol-induced oxidative stress in multiple organs including liver. Moreover, the impaired liver function and histological changes resulted from alcohol consumption was improved by triterpenoid treatment. Finally, we found that pretreatment with triterpenoid from Schisandra chinensis to alcohol-fed rats increased the expression level of haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) while inhibited the induction of cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in liver microsomes. Further assays revealed that the microsomal activity of HO-1 was accordingly induced whereas CYP2E1 was suppressed in rats received triterpenoid intervention. Our findings suggest that triterpenoid from Schisandra chinensis may protect against alcohol-induced liver injury through ameliorating oxidative stress in rats.

Use of box-behnken design for the optimization of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of oil from Schisandra Chinensis(Turcz.) Baill

The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the process parameters of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of the oil from caculis of Schisandra Chinensis(Turcz.) Baill. The effects of temperature, pressure and flow rate on the oil yield were investigated. Results showed that the data were adequately fitted into the second-order polynomial model. The linear and quadratic of independent variables, temperature, pressure and flow rate, the interactions between pressure and flow rate, temperature and flow rate had a significant effect on the oil yield. It was predicted that the optimum extraction process parameters within the experimental ranges would be the extraction temperature of 36°C and pressure of 42MPa and flow rate 17L/h. Under these conditions, the oil yield was 0.43%. The color of oil extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide is golden orange. Its physical and chemical properties come up to the required standard for edible oil.

Chicory inulin ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus and suppresses JNK and MAPK pathways in vivo and in vitro

SCOPE Chicory inulin is a naturally occurring fructan that is conducive to glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which chicory inulin improves glucolipid metabolism in diabetic conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS Rats were injected with streptozotocin and fed with high fat diet to induce diabetes, and then administrated with different doses of chicory inulin for 8 weeks. The glycometabolism and lipid metabolism parameters were determined, the activity of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were examined by western blot. The effect of chicory inulin on glucose uptake of myoblast and hepatocyte were also measured in vitro. Data were analyzed by students t-test or one-way analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc testing. The results showed that chicory inulin improved glucolipid metabolism, and it activated IRS but suppressed the MAPK pathways in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that chicory inulin, as a nutritional supplement, may be beneficial for the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the metabolism-modulatory effect seems to be related with the inhibition of JNK and P38 MAPK pathways.