Publications by authors named "Kuniyoshi Shimizu"

Article Synopsis
  • The study introduces MS-DIAL 5, a software designed for analyzing complex mass spectrometry data to better understand lipid structures and localization, integrating a species-specific lipidome database for enhanced accuracy.* -
  • With optimized settings, MS-DIAL 5 accurately identified lipid structures for 96.4% of tested standards and effectively assigned specific positions in lipids, particularly for complex molecules found in the eye.* -
  • The research also identified an enzyme (glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase) linked to the incorporation of important fatty acids into lipids, using both mass spectrometry techniques and experimental validation.*
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Amyloid fibril formation is associated with various amyloidoses, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Despite the numerous studies on the inhibition of amyloid formation, the prevention and treatment of a majority of amyloid-related disorders are still challenging. In this study, we investigated the effects of various plant extracts on amyloid formation of α-synuclein.

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We isolated ten compounds from methanolic extract of the peels of sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) rhizomes which were identified as β-sitosterol linoleate 1, β-sitosterol 2, lupeol 3, stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside 4, oleanolic acid 5, betulinic acid 6, pinoresinol 7, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 8, catechin 9 and gallocatechin 10. All of the isolated compounds from the peels of sacred lotus rhizomes are reported for the first time, and were investigated for their anti-allergic activity. We found that three of them, stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside 4, oleanolic acid 5 and pinoresinol 7, were capable of inhibiting A23187-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells with IC values 0.

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(enokitake) is widely recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Understanding the biochemical processes, such as lipid metabolism during fruiting body formation, is essential for enhancing mushroom cultivation and utilization. This study aimed at elucidating the dynamic lipidomic changes during seven growth stages of using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

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Introduction: Microbial communities affect several aspects of the earth's ecosystem through their metabolic interaction. The dynamics of this interaction emerge from complex multilevel networks of crosstalk. Elucidation of this interaction could help us to maintain the balance for a sustainable future.

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Parkinsonism is an age-related neurodegenerative illness that affects motor coordination leading to loss of dopaminergic neurons. Many medications are used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease but are only symptomatic and have a limited effect on the progression of this ailment. Therefore, bioactive compounds which derived from plants have been examined for their ability to improve the neuronal damage and cell death happened in parkinsonian patients.

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Two new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids (,), together with two known compounds (,), were isolated from the aerial parts of The structure of all compounds was elucidated based on NMR, HRESIMS analyses, and by comparison with the literature. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity against HeLa, Caco-2, and SH-SY5Y cell lines was determined using MTT colorimetric assay.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to examine how the levels of triterpenoids from Reishi mushrooms change over time when incubated in rumen fluid.
  • After milling the mushroom fruiting bodies and incubating them at various time intervals (0 to 48 hours), the triterpenoids were extracted and quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
  • The findings showed that triterpenoids decreased at different rates, with some showing a rapid decline of over 50% in 8 hours, while others had minimal changes even after 48 hours, indicating varied digestion and metabolism in rumen fluid.
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Hericenone C is one of the most abundant secondary metabolites derived from Hericium erinaceus, under investigation for medicinal properties. Here, we report that Hericenone C inhibits the second phase of formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in mice. As the second phase is involved in inflammation, in a mechanistic analysis on cultured cells targeting NF-κB response element (NRE): luciferase (Luc)-expressing cells, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NRE::Luc luciferase activity was found to be significantly inhibited by Hericenone C.

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Background: Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a progressive lung disease characterized by the diffuse interstitial tissue, leading to severe breathing difficulties. The existing treatment methods are primarily aimed at slowing the progression of the disease, underscoring the urgent need to discover new drug interventions targeting novel sites. The "gut-lung axis" represents a complex bidirectional communication system where the gut microbiota not only influences lung immunity but also responds to lung-derived signals.

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Background: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an escalating global health issue, characterized by rising rates of morbidity and mortality annually. Consequently, further investigation of potential damage mechanisms and potential preventive strategies for PF are warranted. Specnuezhenide (SPN), a prominent secoiridoid compound derived from Ligustrum lucidum Ait, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative capacities, indicating the potential therapeutic actions on PF.

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This Special Issue of gathers eight research papers and two review articles covering the isolation, identification, and biological activity of selected natural products, with the aim of discovering potential candidates that could change society and improve human health [...

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Numerous health hazards have been connected to advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In this investigation, using reaction models including BSA-fructose, BSA- methylglyoxal (MGO), and BSA-glyoxal (GO), we examined the anti-glycation potential of eight different berry species on AGEs formation. Our results indicate that black chokeberry () exhibited the highest inhibitory effects, with IC values of 0.

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The eelgrass Zostera marina L. has several economic roles, from its earlier usage in the insulation industry to protecting the earth from global warming. In this study, we aimed to discover the cosmetic potential of Z.

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Three prenylated flavonoids (1-3) were isolated from Tetragonula biroi propolis. The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses. The cytotoxicity activity of the crude extracts, fractions and the isolated compounds were established against four cell lines such as Caco-2, HeLa, MCF-7, and OVK-18.

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An eco-friendly dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction mediated with a reverse micelle and coupled to an HPLC-DAD was developed for the simultaneous determination of venlafaxine and agomelatine in dosage forms and human plasma. All the parameters affecting the extraction efficiencies of both drugs were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, an effective analytes' preconcentration with enrichment factors (EFs) up to 72 was achieved.

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Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaves contain many bioactive components such as ursolic acid (UA) and amygdalin. We investigated the effects of loquat leaf powder and methanol extract in human neuroglioma H4 cells stably expressing the Swedish-type APP695 (APP-H4 cells) and C57BL/6 J mice. Surprisingly, the extract greatly enhanced cellular amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) 42 productions in APP-H4 cells.

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Aims: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe pulmonary interstitial pneumonia. Our study focuses on the role of PLA2 enzyme in the IPF to explore a more effective diagnosis and treatment mechanism of IPF.

Main Methods: Transcriptome data of IPF from GEO database and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice were analyzed to identify PLA2 enzyme and their metabolite, lysophosphatidylcholines 18:0, in IPF.

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Sixteen chemically varied metabolites were isolated from the bulbs of (L'Her.) Herb., including eight flavonoids [3'-methyl isoliquiritigenin , 7-hydroxyflavan , 7-hydroxyflavanone , 7-hydroxyflavan-3-ol , 7-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan-3-ol , 7-hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy flavan , 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxychalcone , and isoliquiritigenin ], four acetophenones [2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyacetophenone , 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone , 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylacetophenone , and 2,4,6-trimethoxyacetophenone ], two alkaloids [lycorine and narciprimine ], one phenol derivative [-nitrophenol ], and one steroid [β-sitosterol 3--β-glucopyranoside ].

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A large variety of natural plants are widely produced and utilised because of their remarkable pharmacological effects. In this study, two phenolic glycosides were isolated for the first time from Schiede (Orchidaceae) from Kyushu, Japan: bis [4-(-D - O-glucopyranosyloxy)-benzyl] ()-2-isopropylmalate (1: ) and bis 4-[-D--glucopyranosyloxy)-benzyl]-(2,3)-2-isopropyl tartrate (2: ). We have discovered that the crude extract of leaves and stems and its two phenolic glycosides (compounds 1:  - 2: ) are highly effective in reversing skin senescence.

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Oil spills that contaminate the environment can harm the surrounding ecosystem. The oil contains petroleum hydrocarbon which is toxic to the environment hence it needs to be removed. The use of bacteria as remediation media was modified by immobilizing into a matrix hence the bacteria can survive in harsh conditions.

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is a member of the Juncaceae family and has culinary, medicinal, and decorative properties. It is also used in traditional Chinese Medicines for many years that promotes diuresis for strangury and clears out heart fire. This species has recently gained medicinal attention as a source of phenanthrenes, phenolic compounds, glycerides, flavonoids, and cycloartane triterpenes.

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, a mushroom species commonly known as Yamabushitake in Japan, is known to have a stimulatory effect on neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Hericenone C, a meroterpenoid with palmitic acid as the fatty acid side chain, is reported to be one such stimulant. However, according to the structure of the compound, the fatty acid side chain seems highly susceptible to lipase decomposition, under in vivo metabolic conditions.

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Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is strongly associated with aging. Telomeres are DNA sequences that protect chromosomes from damage and shorten with age. Telomere-related genes (TRGs) may play a role in AD's pathogenesis.

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