Characterization of aroma-active compounds in Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis Schneid) by aroma dilution analyses.

Aroma-active compounds in the peel and pulp of Chinese quince fruits were extracted by high-vacuum distillation (HVD) and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) methods and identified by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) combined with aroma dilution analyses. Ethyl 2-methylpropanoate, ethyl (E)-2-butenoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, methional, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, β-ionone, ethyl nonanoate, and γ-decalactone were detected as the potent aroma-active compounds (logFD factors≥5) in the peel of Chinese quince, while hexanal, (Z)-3-hexenal, and (Z)-3-hexenol, which have a green odor note, were potent aroma-active compounds with high logFD factors (≥3) in the pulp of Chinese quince. In particular, ethyl propanoate, ethyl (E)-2-butenoate, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate-which had sweet and fruity aroma notes with relatively high FD factors-were detected in the samples extracted by HS-SPME.

3,3'-Diindolylmethane suppresses high-fat diet-induced obesity through inhibiting adipogenesis of pre-adipocytes by targeting USP2 activity.

Scope: Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a derivative abundant in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, is well known for its various health benefits such as chemo-preventive and anti-obesity effects. I3C is easily metabolized to 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), a more stable form, in acidic conditions of the stomach. However, the anti-obesity effect of DIM has not been investigated clearly.

Rg3-enriched ginseng extract ameliorates scopolamine-induced learning deficits in mice.

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been used as a traditional herb in the treatment of many medical disorders.

The retinoic acid derivative, ABPN, inhibits pancreatic cancer through induction of Nrdp1.

Combination chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer commonly employs gemcitabine with an EGFR inhibitor such as erlotinib. Here, we show that the retinoic acid derivative, ABPN, exhibits more potent anticancer effects than erlotinib, while exhibiting less toxicity toward noncancerous human control cells. Low micromolar concentrations of ABPN induced apoptosis in BxPC3 and HPAC pancreatic cancer cell lines, concomitant with a reduction in phosphorylated EGFR as well as decreased ErbB3, Met and BRUCE protein levels.

Identification of a Dual Inhibitor of Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) and p70 Ribosomal S6 Kinase1 (S6K1) Pathways.

Bioactive phytochemicals can suppress the growth of malignant cells, and investigation of the mechanisms responsible can assist in the identification of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer therapy. Ginger has been reported to exhibit potent anti-cancer effects, although previous reports have often focused on a narrow range of specific compounds. Through a direct comparison of various ginger compounds, we determined that gingerenone A selectively kills cancer cells while exhibiting minimal toxicity toward normal cells.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 channel regulates diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and leptin resistance.

Insulin resistance is a major characteristic of obesity and type 2 diabetes, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Recent studies have shown a metabolic role of capsaicin that may be mediated via the transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channel. In this study, TRPV1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice (as controls) were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and metabolic studies were performed to measure insulin and leptin action.

Dehydroglyasperin C suppresses TPA-induced cell transformation through direct inhibition of MKK4 and PI3K.

Bioactive natural compounds from plant-derived sources have received substantial interest due to their potential therapeutic and preventive effects toward various human diseases. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza), a frequently-used component in traditional oriental medicines, has been incorporated into recipes not only to enhance taste, but also to treat various conditions including inflammation, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even cancer. Dehydroglyasperin C (DGC) is a major isoflavone found in the root of licorice.

Hirsutenone in Alnus extract inhibits akt activity and suppresses prostate cancer cell proliferation.

Although specific compounds found in some East Asian traditional medicines have been shown to exhibit bioactive properties, their molecular mechanisms of action remain elusive. The bark of the Alnus species has been used for the treatment of various pathological conditions including hemorrhage, alcoholism, fever, diarrhea, skin diseases, inflammation, and cancer in East Asia for centuries. In this study, we show that hirsutenone, a bioactive compound in Alnus japonica, exhibits anti-cancer effects against prostate cancer through a direct physical inhibition of Akt1/2.

MLK3 is a novel target of dehydroglyasperin D for the reduction in UVB-induced COX-2 expression in vitro and in vivo.

Dehydroglyasperin D (DHGA-D), a compound present in licorice, has been found to exhibit anti-obesity, antioxidant and anti-aldose reductase effects. However, the direct molecular mechanism and molecular targets of DHGA-D during skin inflammation remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DHGA-D on inflammation and its mechanism of action on UVB-induced skin inflammation in HaCaT human keratinocytes and SKH-1 hairless mice.

Butein, a novel dual inhibitor of MET and EGFR, overcomes gefitinib-resistant lung cancer growth.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and MET amplification is a major therapeutic limitation in acquired-resistance lung cancer. We hypothesized that butein, a phytochemical, can overcome gefitinib-induced resistance by targeting both EGFR and MET in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To investigate the ability of butein to target EGFR and MET, we used in silico docking, a library of natural compounds and kinase assays.

20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol suppresses UV-Induced MMP-1 expression through AMPK-mediated mTOR inhibition as a downstream of the PKA-LKB1 pathway.

Various health effects have been attributed to the ginsenoside metabolite 20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (GPD); however, its effect on ultraviolet (UV)-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression and the mechanism underlying this effect are unknown. We examined the inhibitory effect of GPD on UV-induced MMP-1 expression and its mechanisms in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). GPD attenuated UV-induced MMP-1 expression in HDFs and suppressed the UV-induced phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p70(S6K) without inhibiting the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt, which are well-known upstream kinases of mTOR.

Recovery effect of onion peel extract against H2 O2 -induced inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication is mediated through quercetin.

Unlabelled: Cellular oxidative damage mediated by reactive oxygen species has been reported to inhibit gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). In turn, the inhibition of GJIC can be attenuated by functional food compounds with antioxidant properties. In this study, we compared the protective effects of onion peel extract (OPE) and onion flesh extract (OFE) on oxidative stress-mediated GJIC inhibition, and investigated the mechanisms of action responsible.

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy as a rapid and non-destructive analysis tool for curcuminoids in turmeric.

Introduction: Turmeric has been widely used in curry powders as the main spice. Conventional chemical analysis such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) may take several hours to extract curcuminoids and prepare samples in many turmeric processing industries.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate curcuminoids in turmeric powder using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS).

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, a major component of propolis, suppresses high fat diet-induced obesity through inhibiting adipogenesis at the mitotic clonal expansion stage.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the antiobesity effect of CAPE in vivo, and the mechanism by which CAPE regulates body weight in vitro. To confirm the antiobesity effect of CAPE in vivo, mice were fed with a high fat diet (HFD) with different concentrations of CAPE for 5 weeks. CAPE significantly reduced body weight gain and epididymal fat mass in obese mice fed a HFD.

Pelargonidin attenuates PDGF-BB-induced aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by direct inhibition of focal adhesion kinase.

Pelargonidin is a natural red pigment found in fruits and vegetables, and has been reported to exhibit various effects potentially beneficial for human health. However, the possible preventive effects of pelargonidin toward atherosclerosis and mechanisms involved have not been investigated to date. Here, we compared the effects of pelargonidin and its glucoside-conjugated form, pelargonidin-3-glucoside (P3G), on proliferation and migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs).

Cocoa phytochemicals: recent advances in molecular mechanisms on health.

Recent reports on cocoa are appealing in that a food commonly consumed for pure pleasure might also bring tangible benefits for human health. Cocoa consumption is correlated with reduced health risks of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cancer, and the health-promoting effects of cocoa are mediated by cocoa-driven phytochemicals. Cocoa is rich in procyanidins, theobromine, (-)-epicatechin, catechins, and caffeine.

Increased expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products in neurons and astrocytes in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been reported to have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study investigated RAGE levels in the hippocampus and cortex of a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD) using western blotting and immunohistochemical double-labeling to assess cellular localization. Analysis of western blots showed that there were no differences in the hippocampal and cortical RAGE levels in 10-month-old adult 3xTg-AD mice, but significant increases in RAGE expression were found in the 22- to 24-month-old aged 3xTg-AD mice compared with those of age-matched controls.

Anthocyanidins, novel FAK inhibitors, attenuate PDGF-BB-induced aortic smooth muscle cell migration and neointima formation.

Aims: Abnormal migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) causes intimal thickening of the aorta, a pivotal step in atherosclerotic development. Although many studies have demonstrated that high anthocynidins intake confers protective effects against atherosclerosis, the direct molecular targets, and mechanisms of action responsible remain unclear. Here, we investigated the preventive effect of anthocyanidins on atherosclerosis and the underlying mechanisms involved.

7,3',4'-Trihydroxyisoflavone Ameliorates the Development of Dermatophagoides farinae-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice.

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory and chronically relapsing skin disorder that commonly occurs in children; the number of atopic dermatitis patients is increasing. The cause and mechanism of atopic dermatitis have not been defined clearly, although many studies are ongoing. Epidemiological studies suggest that soybean and its isoflavones have immunoregulatory activities.

20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol-fortified ginseng extract attenuates the development of atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ginseng and ginsenosides are frequently used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently, 20-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (GPD), the main metabolite of ginsenosides, was reported to have both anti-allergic and anti-pruritic effects. The immunomodulatory effects of GPD-fortified ginseng extract (GFGE) on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like symptoms in mice were investigated.

The diarylheptanoid hirsutenone sensitizes chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin via modulation of apoptosis-inducing factor and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis.

Cisplatin (CDDP) and its derivatives are considered first-line treatments for ovarian cancer (OVCA). However, despite initial results that often appear promising, in most cases patients will return with recurrent disease that fails to respond to further chemotherapy. We assayed a number of food phytochemicals with reported PI3K inhibitory ability to identify candidates that can influence CDDP treatment outcomes in chemoresistant OVCA cell lines.

Optimization and validation of high-performance liquid chromatography method for individual curcuminoids in turmeric by heat-refluxed extraction.

Turmeric is a plant in the Zingiberaceae family which contains curcuminoids as anticancer agents and has been widely used as a main ingredient in curry powder. However, there is a lack of suitable high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) methods for reducing sample preparation time and peak resolution improvement of curcuminoids (bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin). No significant differences in yield concentrations were observed after 60 min of heat-refluxed extraction (p < 0.

3,3'-Diindolylmethane inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial hyperactivation and attenuates brain inflammation.

Recent studies have revealed that microglial hyperactivation and neuroinflammation are implicated in development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we examined the beneficial effects of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) and indole-3-carbinol (I3C), dietary components found in cruciferous vegetables, on brain inflammation. DIM, a major metabolite of I3C, suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in BV-2 microglia, but I3C did not.

Isoangustone A, a novel licorice compound, inhibits cell proliferation by targeting PI3K, MKK4, and MKK7 in human melanoma.

Licorice root is known to possess various bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpene compound, is the most abundant constituent of dried licorice root. However, high intake or long-term consumption of glycyrrhizin causes several side effects, such as hypertension, hypertensive encephalopathy, and hypokalemia.

Licorice-derived dehydroglyasperin C increases MKP-1 expression and suppresses inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration.

Recent studies have demonstrated that microglial hyperactivation-mediated neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, inhibiting microglial production of the neurotoxic mediator tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is considered a promising strategy to protect against neurodegeneration. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effect of licorice-derived dehydroglyasperin C (DGC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-α production and inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration.