Effects of taxifolin from enzymatic hydrolysis of on hair growth promotion.

Flavonoid aglycones possess biological activities, such as antioxidant and antidiabetic activities compared to glycosides. Taxifolin, a flavonoid aglycones, is detected only in trace amounts in nature and is not easily observed. Therefore, in this study, to investigate the hair tonic and hair loss inhibitors effect of taxifolin, high content of taxifolin aglycone extract was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis.

Suppression of exaggerated NMDAR activity by memantine treatment ameliorates neurological and behavioral deficits in aminopeptidase P1-deficient mice.

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are common causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, including microcephaly, hyperactivity, and intellectual disability. However, the synaptic mechanisms of and pharmacological interventions for the neurological complications of most IEMs are unclear. Here, we report that metabolic dysfunction perturbs neuronal NMDA receptor (NMDAR) homeostasis and that the restoration of NMDAR signaling ameliorates neurodevelopmental and cognitive deficits in IEM model mice that lack aminopeptidase P1.

Application of Ethanol Extracts From Fisch. ex Turcz in Hair Growth Promotion.

Fisch. ex Turcz (ASFT), belonging to the family of Betulaceae, grows naturally in Asia, Europe, and America. The aims of this study are determining the efficacy of various biomarkers related to hair loss, evaluated by extracting the branch with 60% alcohol, and purely separating diarylheptanoid oregonin, an indicator and active substance, from 60% alcohol extract of the tree.

Altered hippocampal gene expression, glial cell population, and neuronal excitability in aminopeptidase P1 deficiency.

Inborn errors of metabolism are often associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and brain injury. A deficiency of aminopeptidase P1, a proline-specific endopeptidase encoded by the Xpnpep1 gene, causes neurological complications in both humans and mice. In addition, aminopeptidase P1-deficient mice exhibit hippocampal neurodegeneration and impaired hippocampus-dependent learning and memory.

Purification of Four Flavonoid Glycosides from Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) plumule by Macroporous Resin Combined with HSCCC.

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) combined with macroporous resin (MR) column was successfully applied to the isolation and purification of four flavonoid glycosides from the medicinal herb Lotus plumule (LP). A polar two-phase solvent system composed of ethyl acetate-n-butanol-water (1:2:3, v/v/v) was selected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and run on a preparative scale where the lower aqueous phase was used as the mobile phase with a head-to-tail elution mode. Quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (15 mg), isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (13 mg), apigenin 6-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-α-L-arabinopyranoside (18 mg) and apigenin 6,8-di-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (48 mg) were obtained in a one-step HSCCC separation from 240 mg of the sample.

The repopulating cancer cells in melanoma are characterized by increased mitochondrial membrane potential.

Although considerable effort has been expended in identifying definitive markers for cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer-initiating cells (CICs), the phenotypic plasticity of these cells obviates simple characterization using cell surface markers. We hypothesized that these cells could be characterized by their metabolic properties because they are in a quiescent state with low energy needs. We examined whether cancer cells differ in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) when they are under stress.

Salicortin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses via blockade of NF-κB and JNK activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

We isolated the phenolic glucoside salicortin from a Populus euramericana bark extract, and examined its ability to suppress inflammatory responses as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying these abilities, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Salicortin inhibited iNOS expression and the subsequent production of NO in a dose-dependent manner in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.

Down-regulation of RalBP1 expression reduces seizure threshold and synaptic inhibition in mice.

Idiopathic epilepsy is characterized by seizures without a clear etiology and is believed to have a strong genetic component but exhibits a complex inheritance pattern. Genetic factors seem to confer a low seizure threshold to susceptible individuals and thereby enhance epileptogenesis. However, the identity of susceptibility genes and the mechanisms regulating seizure threshold are still poorly understood.

Developmental retardation, microcephaly, and peptiduria in mice without aminopeptidase P1.

Cytosolic aminopeptidase P1 (APP1) is one of the three known mammalian aminopeptidase Ps (APPs) that cleave the N-terminal amino acid residue of peptides in which the penultimate amino acid is proline. In mammals, many biologically active peptides have a highly conserved N-terminal penultimate proline. However, little is known about the physiological role of APP1.

Casuarinin suppresses TARC/CCL17 and MDC/CCL22 production via blockade of NF-κB and STAT1 activation in HaCaT cells.

Casuarinin is a naturally occurring tannin that is isolated from the leaves of Hippophae rhamnoides. It has been shown to have anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible mechanism by which casuarinin inhibits TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced Th2 chemokines expression in the human keratinocytes cell line HaCaT.

Casuarinin suppresses TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression via blockade of NF-κB activation in HaCaT cells.

Hippophae rhamnoides has been extensively used in oriental traditional medicines for treatment of asthma, skin diseases, gastric ulcers, and lung disorders. In this study, we isolated casuarinin from the leaves of H.rhamnoides and examined the effect of casuarinin on the TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression in a human keratinocytes cell line HaCaT.

Inhibitory effect of glucodistylin from the bark of Quercus acutissima on human recombinant aldose reductase and sorbitol accumulation.

A flavanol glycoside, glucodistylin (1) and three polyphenol derivatives, gallate (2), (+)-catechin (3) and (+)-gallocatechin (4) were isolated from an aqueous acetone extract of the bark of Quercus acutissima. Of these compounds, glucodistylin exhibited uncompetitive inhibitory activity against recombinant human aldose reductase with an IC(50) value of 7.2 μM.

Inhibition of aldose reductase by phenylethanoid glycoside isolated from the seeds of Paulownia coreana.

Aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors have considerable therapeutic potential against diabetic complications and do not increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Through bioassay-guided fractionation of the 70% acetone extract obtained from Paulownia coreana seeds, phenylpropanoid glycosides (compounds 1-4) and 5 phenolic compounds were isolated (compounds 5-9). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data.

Neuroprotective effects of onion extract and quercetin against ischemic neuronal damage in the gerbil hippocampus.

Onion has several well-known biological functionalities, including antioxidant effects, and contains quercetin (3,3',4,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), a powerful antioxidant. In the present study, we observed neuroprotective effects of onion extract (OE) and its major component, quercetin, on ischemic damage in the gerbil hippocampus, which is related to memory function. Repeated treatment with 100 mg/kg OE and 20 mg/kg quercetin for 15 days before ischemic surgery protected pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region from ischemic damage.

Antioxidant phenolic glycosides from the bark of Populus ussuriensis Kom.

Study on the EtOAc soluble fraction from the bark of Populus ussuriensis Kom. resulted in the isolation of three phenolic glycosides, including populoside (1), 7-O-ρ-coumaroylsalirepin (2) and 7-O-caffeoylsalirepin (3), among which 3 is a new compound. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

Suppression of thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) production by 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose via blockade of NF-kappaB and STAT1 activation in the HaCaT cells.

Keratinocytes, one of major cell types in the skin, can be induced by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma to express thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), which is considered to be a pivotal mediator in the inflammatory responses during the development of inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, we examined the effect of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-d-glucose (PGG), isolated from the barks of Juglans mandshurica, on TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma induced CCL17 expression in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Pretreatment of HaCaT cells with PGG suppressed TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-induced protein and mRNA expression of CCL17.

Platycodin D and 2''-O-acetyl-polygalacin D2 isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum protect ischemia/reperfusion injury in the gerbil hippocampus.

Platycodi radix is used as a folk remedy for several conditions. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of five major extracts; deapioplatycoside E (DPE), platycoside E (PE), platyconic acid A (PA), platycodin D (PD) and 2''-o-acetyl-polygalacin D2 (PD2) isolated from the P.radix in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) 4 or 10 days after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).

Phenolic compounds in the leaves of Populus ussuriensis and their antioxidant activities.

Two new phenolic glucosides [isograndidentatin A (1) isograndidentatin B (2)], 5 known phenolic glucosides [grandidentatin (3), salireposide (4), populoside (5), populoside A (6), and salicortin (7)], and 2 known phenolic acids [P-coumaric acid (8) and caffeic acid (9)] were isolated from the leaves of Populus ussuriensis. Structure elucidation of 1 and 2 was achieved through extensive spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1-6 and 9 showed significant antioxidant activities, which were evaluated by the DPPH radical-scavenging method (IC(50) values of 6.

Enhanced NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission, enhanced long-term potentiation, and impaired learning and memory in mice lacking IRSp53.

IRSp53 is an adaptor protein that acts downstream of Rac and Cdc42 small GTPases and is implicated in the regulation of membrane deformation and actin filament assembly. In neurons, IRSp53 is an abundant postsynaptic protein and regulates actin-rich dendritic spines; however, its in vivo functions have not been explored. We characterized transgenic mice deficient of IRSp53 expression.

Studies on the phenylethanoid glycosides with anti-complement activity from Paulownia tomentosa var. tomentosa wood.

Four epimeric phenylethanoid glycosides, including a new one, R,S-beta-ethoxy-beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-(6-O-E-caffeoyl)-glucopyranoside named isoilicifolioside A (1), and three known compounds, ilicifolioside A (2), campneoside II (3), and isocampneoside II (4), were isolated from Paulownia tomentosa var. tomentosa wood. The structures of the four compounds were elucidated by the interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectra.

A new phenylpropanoid derivative of catechin from the needles of Taxus cuspidata.

Investigation of the lower molecular weight phenolics from the needles of Taxus cuspidata led to the isolation and structural elucidation of (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin-(5,6-bc)-4beta-(4''-hydroxyphenyl)-dihydro-2(H)-pyranone (1), a new phenylpropanoid flavan-3-ol. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.

Antiinflammatory effect of the ethanol extract of Berberis koreana in a gerbil model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

Berberis koreana extract (BE) has a strong neuroprotective effect after ischemic stroke in gerbils, which is associated with the inhibition of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor. The present study examined the antiinflammatory mechanism of BE after ischemic damage in vitro and in vivo. The BE used contained on average 7.

Induction of cell proliferation and neuroblasts in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus by aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum in middle-aged mice.

In the present study, we observed the neurogenic effects of an aqueous extract from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum (EPG) in middle-aged (12-month-old) mice. For this, 100mg/kg EPG was administered orally to mice for 30 days before sacrifice and 5-bromodeoxyguanosine (BrdU) was injected intraperitoneally every 8h for 24h on the day prior to sacrifice. The increase of neurogenesis was estimated by immunohistochemical staining for cellular proliferation markers (BrdU and Ki67) and a marker for neuroblasts (Doublecortin, DCX).

Phenylpropanoid glycosides from the leaves of Paulownia coreana.

Study on the water soluble fraction from the leaves of Paulownia coreana led to the isolation of verbascoside (1), isoverbascoside (2), campneoside II (3), and a new phenylpropanoid glycoside, (R,S)-7-hydroxy-7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 --> 3)-beta-d-(6-O-caffeoyl)-glucopyranoside (4). The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.