A Metabolomics Strategy Combining Countercurrent Separation and qNMR for the Comprehensive Chemical Evaluation of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Processing.

Introduction: Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) is commonly used in traditional medicine as both raw and processed forms. Raw PMR was prepared into processed PMR via processing procedure; however, there is a lack of standardized protocols ensuring the completeness of processing.

Objective: This aims to develop a strategy based on a metabolomics approach for the comprehensive chemical profiling and comparison of raw and processed PMR and establish a basis for PMR processing standardization.

Evaluating the anticancer potential of Polygonum multiflorum root-derived stilbenes against H2452 malignant pleural mesothelioma cells.

A naturally occurring stilbene, resveratrol, shows promising effects in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) both as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs. To discover new anticancer agents targeting MPM, stilbene-targeted isolation was performed on the roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., an herbal medicine rich in stilbene compounds.

Diterpene and biflavone derivatives from Thuja koraiensis and their cytotoxicities against A549 cells.

During the screening of the cytotoxicity of rare Korean endemic plants, the extract of Thuja koraiensis Nakai displayed potent cytotoxicity against the adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial A549 cell line. Through a series of separations via column chromatography, three undescribed abietanes, an undescribed labdane along with a labdane, and a biflavonoid were purified from methylene chloride (CHCl) fraction possessing a potent cytotoxic effect. Extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analyses, in combination with quantum chemical calculations were conducted to establish the planar and absolute configurations of thujakoraienes A-C.

Inhibitory Effects of Euscaphic Acid in the Atopic Dermatitis Model by Reducing Skin Inflammation and Intense Pruritus.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex and multifactorial skin disease characterized by skin inflammation and intense pruritus. There are many commercially available treatments such as topical corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to treat of AD, but their effectiveness is limited, and frequent use of these treatments can cause serious side effects. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic agents is necessary for the treatment of AD.

The ameliorative effects of capsidiol isolated from elicited Capsicum annuum on mouse splenocyte immune responses and neuroinflammation.

Capsidiol, is an anti-fungal phytoalexin produced by plants of Solanaceae. Capsidiol was examined in cultures of primary splenocytes (SPLCs) isolated from healthy C57BL/6 mice and from those with induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a mouse model for autoimmune neurodegenerative multiple sclerosis (MS). We also examined the impact of capsidiol in IFN-γ-stimulated mouse BV2 microglial cells.

Characterization of red ginseng-drug interaction by CYP3A activity increased in high dose administration in mice.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a popular traditional herbal medicine used worldwide. Patients often take ginseng preparations with other medicines where the ginseng dose could exceed the recommended dose during long-term administration. However, ginseng-drug interactions at high doses of ginseng are poorly understood.

Polyozellin alleviates atopic dermatitis-like inflammatory and pruritic responses in activated keratinocytes and mast cells.

Polyozellus multiplex is an edible mushroom that offers beneficial pharmacological effects against intestinal inflammation and cancer. Previous studies have demonstrated that polyozellin, a major component of P. multiplex, has therapeutic activities against inflammation, cancer, and oxidative stress-related disorders.

1,7-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one from Betula platyphylla induces apoptosis by suppressing autophagy flux and activating the p38 pathway in lung cancer cells.

Betula platyphylla (BP) is frequently administered in the treatment of various human diseases, including cancers. This study was undertaken to investigate the pharmacological function of the active components in BP and the underlying mechanism of its chemotherapeutic effects in human lung cancer cells. We observed that BP extracts and 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one (BE1), one of the components of BP, effectively decreased the cell viability of several lung cancer cell lines.

Avenanthramide C from germinated oats exhibits anti-allergic inflammatory effects in mast cells.

Mast cells play a crucial role in allergic diseases via the release of inflammatory mediators, particularly histamine and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Avenanthramide (Avn) C, a polyphenol found mainly in oats, is known to exhibit various biological properties. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Avn C from germinated oats against mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation.

Ethanol extract of Glycyrrhizae Radix modulates the responses of antigen-specific splenocytes in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder resulting in paralysis, and the responses of reactive T cells against self-antigens are hallmarks. Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) has been used for detoxification and reducing inflammation. However, very few reports have described the effects of GR on MS.

Simultaneous Determination of Five Cytochrome P450 Probe Substrates and Their Metabolites and Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide Probe Substrate in Human Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

A rapid and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) and cytochrome P450 (P450) probe substrates and their phase I metabolites in human plasma was developed. The OATP1B1 (pitavastatin) and five P450 probe substrates, caffeine (CYP1A2), losartan (CYP2C9), omeprazole (CYP2C19), dextromethorphan (CYP2D6), and midazolam (CYP3A) and their metabolites were extracted from human plasma (50 µL) using methanol. Analytes were separated on a C18 column followed by selected reaction monitoring detection using MS/MS.

Isolation, Synthesis, and Antisepsis Effects of a C-Methylcoumarinochromone Isolated from Abronia nana Cell Culture.

Only a few isoflavones have been isolated from plants of the genus Abronia. The biological properties of compounds isolated from Abronia species have not been well established, and their antisepsis effects have not been reported yet. In the present study, a new C-methylcoumarinochromone, was isolated from Abronia nana suspension cultures.

Esculetin from Fraxinus rhynchophylla attenuates atopic skin inflammation by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder afflicting from infancy to adults with itching, scratching, and lichenification. We aimed to investigate the effects of esculetin from Fraxinus rhynchophylla on atopic skin inflammation. For induction of atopic skin inflammation, we exposed the ears of female BALB/c mice to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae extract, DFE) and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) for 4 weeks.

β-Secretase inhibition by -methylisoflavones from .

The methanol extract of suspension cultures were subjected to column chromatography to identify potential inhibitors of β-secretase, which is a major factor in Alzheimer's disease development. Two new -methylisoflavones boeravinone T () and U () were isolated with three knowns boeravinone B (), J () and X (). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) values of compounds - were 18.

Protective Effect of Isoliquiritigenin against Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Steatosis by Regulating the SIRT1-AMPK Pathway.

Ethanol-induced fat accumulation, the earliest and most common response of the liver to ethanol exposure, may be involved in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), an important constituent of Glycyrrhizae Radix, is a chalcone derivative that exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and phytoestrogenic activities. However, the effect of ISL treatment on lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and alcoholic hepatitis remains unclear.

Laccase Fermentation of Clove Extract Increases Content of Dehydrodieugenol, Which Has Neuroprotective Activity against Glutamate Toxicity in HT22 Cells.

Enzyme fermentation is a type of food processing technique generally used to improve the biological activities of food and herbal medicines. In this study, a Syzygii Flos (clove) extract was fermented using laccase derived from (LTV). The fermented clove extract showed greater neuroprotective effects against glutamate toxicity on HT22 than the non-fermented extract did.

Neuroprotective and Anti-Neuroinflammatory Activities of Anthraquinones Isolated from Culture Broth.

(PT), a gram-negative bacterium, lives symbiotically within entomopathogenic nematodes. The insecticidal compounds derived from are used as biopesticides in agriculture. However, the physiological properties are not well characterized.

The Glycosidase Treatment of Gentianae Scabrae Radix Converts Trifloroside into Deglucosyltrifloroside with an Enhancement of Antioxidative Effects.

Herbal medicines were subjected to enzyme reaction by using a commercial glycosidase AMG-300L, and were evaluated for enhancement of their antioxidative activities. The methanolic extract of Gentianae Scabrae Radix (GSR) showed the most dramatic changes after enzyme reaction, as seen in the high-performance liquid chromatography profiles and an increase in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect. Trifloroside (1, TF) was identified as being significantly decreased by enzyme reaction, whereas deglucosyltrifloroside (2, DTF) increased.

Chrysophanol suppresses pro-inflammatory response in microglia via regulation of Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission.

Objectives: Chrysophanol, also called chrysophanic acid, is a natural anthraquinone compound found in Rheum palmatum. R. palmatum has been used in oriental medicine in ancient East Asia.

Oleuropein isolated from Fraxinus rhynchophylla inhibits glutamate-induced neuronal cell death by attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Glutamate-induced neurotoxicity is related to excessive oxidative stress accumulation and results in the increase of neuronal cell death. In addition, glutamate has been reported to lead to neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.It is well known that Fraxinus rhynchophylla contains a significant level of oleuropein (Ole), which exerts various pharmacological effects.

Anti-inflammatory effect of oleuropein on microglia through regulation of Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission.

Oleuropein is a primary phenolic compound found in olive leaf and Fraxinus rhynchophylla. Here, we investigated the impact of oleuropein on LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells. Oleuropein suppressed the LPS-induced increase in pro-inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, via inhibition of ERK/p38/NF-κB activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Identification of acetylshikonin as the novel CYP2J2 inhibitor with anti-cancer activity in HepG2 cells.

Background: Acetylshikonin is one of the biologically active compounds derived from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, a medicinal plant with anti-cancer and anti-inflammation activity. Although there have been a few previous reports demonstrating that acetylshikonin exerts anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo, it is still not clear what is the exact molecular target protein of acetylshikonin in cancer cells.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the inhibitory effect of acetylshikonin against CYP2J2 enzyme which is predominantly expressed in human tumor tissues and carcinoma cell lines.

The comparison of neuroprotective effects of isoliquiritigenin and its Phase I metabolites against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death.

It is becoming increasingly important to investigate drug metabolites to evaluate their toxic or preventive effects after administration of the parent compound. In our previous study, isoliquiritigenin isolated from Glycyrrhizae Radix effectively protected mouse-derived hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22) against 5mM glutamate-induced oxidative stress. However, there is little information on the protective effects of the metabolites of isoliquiritigenin on HT22 cells.

β-Secretase (BACE1) inhibitory and neuroprotective effects of p-terphenyls from Polyozellus multiplex.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a major neurodegenerative disorder, is associated with the enzymatic reaction of β-secretase (BACE1) on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) for the generation of neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ). Therefore, Aβ accumulation and oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death are the pathogenic hallmarks of AD. In this study, we tried to identify BACE1 inhibitors and neuroprotectants from natural products, in particular, from the Korean mushroom Polyozellus multiplex.

Ameliorative effect of a rarely occurring C-methylrotenoid on HMGB1-induced septic responses in vitro and in vivo.

The ubiquitous nuclear protein, high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) functions as a late mediator of sepsis. A new rarely occurring C-methylrotenoid, named boeravinone X (comp 1), was isolated and identified from Abronia nana suspension cultures during our continuous works on the discovery of anti-septic natural products. Here, we investigated the antiseptic effects and underlying mechanisms of comp 1 against HMGB1-mediated septic responses.