The fruits of Cudrania tricuspidata suppress development of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of 1,6,7-Trihydroxy-2-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-3-methoxyxanthone Isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata via NF-κB, MAPK, and HO-1 Signaling Pathways in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 and BV2 Cells

Neuroinflammation activated by microglia affects inflammatory pain development. This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory properties and mechanisms of 1,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-3-methoxyxanthone (THMX) from Cudrania tricuspidata in microglia activation-mediated inflammatory pain. In RAW 264.7 and BV2 cells, THMX has been shown to reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E2, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). THMX also decreased LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the activation of p65 nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Interestingly, THMX also activated heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression. These findings suggest that THMX is a promising biologically active compound against inflammation through preventing MAPKs and NF-ĸB and activating HO-1 signaling pathways.

Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ethanol Extracts from Chrysanthemum zawadskii Flower and Cudrania tricuspidata Fruit Occur via Inhibition of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Chrysanthemum zawadskii (CZ) and Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) are both traditional Korea herbal medicines, which is widely used to treat fever, cough, gastritis, and women's diseases that may be linked to inflammatory response. Although it has been used to treat diseases related to inflammation, there has been no case of the synergistic anti-inflammatory properties of both extracts. Our data revealed that ethanol extracts of dried whole CZ exhibited free radical-scavenging capacity in vitro, reduced LPS-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species, and decreased the LPS-induced upregulations of the mRNAs encoding iNOS, COX-2, and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells, without significant cytotoxicity. This anti-inflammatory effect was most evident from flower extracts: ethanol extracts from flowers significantly reduced the LPS-induced upregulations of iNOS and COX-2 at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. An ethanol extract of the fruit from CT also exerted a radical scavenging capacity and suppressed LPS-induced proinflammatory gene expression: 5.5 μg/ml of the ethanol extract significantly reduced the ability of LPS to induce the mRNA expression levels of iNOS and IL-6 without apparent cytotoxicity. Furthermore, as little as 1.0 μg/ml of the combined ethanol extracts of CZ flower and CT fruit reduced the LPS-induced changes monitored herein, decreasing the upregulations of iNOS and IL-6, and decreasing the nuclear localization of NF-κB p65. These results suggest that the observed synergistic anti-inflammatory effects may be mediated via inhibition of NF-κB signaling. Taken together, these data suggest that ethanol extracts from CZ flowers and CT fruits have synergistic anti-inflammatory effects and that a combination of the two extracts could prove useful for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

Derrone Targeting the TGF Type 1 Receptor Kinase Improves Bleomycin-Mediated Pulmonary Fibrosis through Inhibition of Smad Signaling Pathway

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has a strong impact on the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether derrone promotes anti-fibrotic effects on TGF-β1-stimulated MRC-5 lung fibroblast cells and bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Long-term treatment with high concentrations of derrone increased the cytotoxicity of MRC-5 cells; however, substantial cell death was not observed at low concentrations of derrone (below 0.05 μg/mL) during a three-day treatment. In addition, derrone significantly decreased the expressions of TGF-β1, fibronectin, elastin, and collagen1α1, and these decreases were accompanied by downregulation of α-SMA expression in TGF-β1-stimulated MRC-5 cells. Severe fibrotic histopathological changes in infiltration, alveolar congestion, and alveolar wall thickness were observed in bleomycin-treated mice; however, derrone supplementation significantly reduced these histological deformations. In addition, intratracheal administration of bleomycin resulted in lung collagen accumulation and high expression of α-SMA and fibrotic genes-including TGF-β1, fibronectin, elastin, and collagen1α1-in the lungs. However, fibrotic severity in intranasal derrone-administrated mice was significantly less than that of bleomycin-administered mice. Molecular docking predicted that derrone potently fits into the ATP-binding pocket of the TGF-β receptor type 1 kinase domain with stronger binding scores than ATP. Additionally, derrone inhibited TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocations of Smad2/3. Overall, derrone significantly attenuated TGF-β1-stimulated lung inflammation in vitro and bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in a murine model, indicating that derrone may be a promising candidate for preventing pulmonary fibrosis.

Protective Effects of Cudrania tricuspidata Against Helicobacter pylori-Induced Inflammation in C57BL/6 Mice

Helicobacter pylori modulates the host inflammatory response, resulting in chronic gastritis, which contributes to gastric cancer pathogenesis. We verified the effect of Cudrania tricuspidata on H. pylori infection by inhibiting H. pylori-induced inflammatory activity. Five-week-old C57BL/6 mice (n = 8) were administered C. tricuspidata leaf extract (10 or 20 mg/kg per day) for 6 weeks. An invasive test (campylobacter-like organism [CLO]) and noninvasive tests (stool antigen test [SAT] and H. pylori antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were performed to confirm the eradication of H. pylori. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of C. tricuspidata, pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and inflammation scores were measured in mouse gastric tissue. C. tricuspidata significantly decreased the CLO score and H. pylori immunoglobulin G antibody optical density levels at both 10 and 20 mg/kg per day doses (P < .05). C. tricuspidata decreased the H. pylori antibody levels in a concentration-dependent manner, increased negative responses to SAT by up to 37.5%, and inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL; IL-1β, IL-6, 1L-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha). C. tricuspidata also relieved gastric erosions and ulcers and significantly reduced the inflammation score (P < .05). We measured rutin in C. tricuspidata extract as a standard for high-performance liquid chromatography. C. tricuspidata leaf extract showed anti-H. pylori activity through the inhibition of inflammation. Our findings suggest that C. tricuspidata leaf extract is potentially an effective functional food material against H. pylori.

Anti-α-glucosidase and anti-oxidative isoflavonoids from the immature fruits of Maclura tricuspidata

The composition of a plant, together with its efficacy, vary depending on its maturity and plant parts. In this study, the chemical constituents of immature fruits of Maclura tricuspidata (Moraceae) were investigated together with their anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects. A total of 34 compounds were isolated from the immature fruits of M. tricuspidata using various chromatographic methods. Structure elucidation using extensive spectroscopic analysis led to the characterization of isolated compounds as isoflavonoids with prenyl substituents. Among them, macluraisoflavones A-O were first isolated from nature. The anti-diabetic and antioxidant activity of the isolated compounds were also suggested by α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and DPPH radical scavenging activity, respectively. In particular, macluraisoflavone I, an isoflavonoid with 2,2-dimethylpyran and 2-hydroperoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl moieties, showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Further molecular docking analysis suggested hydrogen bond and alkyl interactions between α-glucosidase and macluraisoflavone I. Therefore, the immature fruits of M. tricuspidata can be used as an important natural product with antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties.

Cudraxanthone D Ameliorates Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation in an Imiquimod-Induced Mouse Model via Inhibiting the Inflammatory Signaling Pathways

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease accompanied by excessive keratinocyte proliferation. Corticosteroids, vitamin D3 analogs, and calcineurin inhibitors, which are used to treat psoriasis, have diverse adverse effects, whereas natural products are popular due to their high efficiency and relatively low toxicity. The roots of the Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata) are known to have diverse pharmacological effects, among which the anti-inflammatory effect is reported as a potential therapeutic agent in skin cells. Nevertheless, its effectiveness against skin diseases, especially psoriasis, is not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the effect of cudraxanthone D (CD), extracted from the roots the C. tricuspidata Bureau, on psoriasis using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse model and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ-activated keratinocytes. IMQ was topically applied to the back skin of C57BL/6 mice for seven consecutive days, and the mice were orally administered with CD. This resulted in reduced psoriatic characteristics, such as the skin thickness and Psoriasis Area Severity Index score, and the infiltration of neutrophils in IMQ-induced skin. CD inhibited the serum levels of TNF-α, immunoglobulin G2a, and myeloperoxidase, and the expression of Th1/Th17 cells in splenocytes. In TNF-α/IFN-γ-activated keratinocytes, CD reduced the expressions of CCL17, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT1 and the nuclear translocation of NF-kB. Taken together, these results suggest that CD could be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of psoriasis.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Compounds from Cudrania tricuspidata in HaCaT Human Keratinocytes

The root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata has been reported to have anti-sclerotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and cytotoxic activities. In the present study, the effect of 16 compounds from C. tricuspidata on tumor necrosis factor-α+interferon-γ-treated HaCaT cells were investigated. Among these 16 compounds, 11 decreased IL-6 production and 15 decreased IL-8 production. The six most effective compounds, namely, steppogenin (2), cudraflavone C (6), macluraxanthone B (12), 1,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-3- methoxyxanthone (13), cudraflavanone B (4), and cudratricusxanthone L (14), were selected for further experiments. These six compounds decreased the expression levels of chemokines, such as regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and downregulated the protein expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Compounds 2, 6, 12, 4, and 14 inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B p65 translocation to the nucleus; however, compound 13 showed no significant effects. In addition, extracellular signal regulatory kinase-1/2 phosphorylation was only inhibited by compound 14, whereas p38 phosphorylation was inhibited by compounds 13 and 4. Taken together, the compounds from C. tricuspidata showed potential to be further developed as therapeutic agents to suppress inflammation in skin cells.

Protective Effect of Cudrania tricuspidata Extract against High-Fat Diet Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through Nrf-2/HO-1 Pathway

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic disease affecting a wide range of the world’s population and associated with obesity-induced metabolic syndrome. It is possibly emerging as a leading cause of life-threatening liver diseases for which a drug with a specific therapeutic target has not been developed yet. Previously, there have been reports on the benefits of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) for treating obesity and diabetes via regulation of metabolic processes, such as lipogenesis, lipolysis, and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effect of orally administered 0.25% and 0.5% (w/w) CT mixed with high-fat diet (HFD) to C57BL/6J mice for 7 weeks. It was found that body weight, fat mass, hepatic mass, serum glucose level, and liver cholesterol levels were significantly reduced after CT treatment. In CT-treated HFD-fed mice, the mRNA expression levels of hepatic lipogenic and inflammatory cytokine-related genes were markedly reduced, whereas the expression level of epididymal lipogenic genes was increased. The mRNA expression level of beta-oxidation and Nrf-2/HO-1 genes significantly increased in CT-treated obese mice livers. We propose that CT alleviates hepatic steatosis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Cudratricusxanthone O Inhibits H2O2-Induced Cell Damage by Activating Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in Human Chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint degenerative disease induced by oxidative stress in chondrocytes. Although induced-heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been found to protect cells against oxygen radical damage, little information is available regarding the use of bioactive compounds from natural sources for regulating the HO-1 pathway to treat OA. In this study, we explored the inhibitory effects of cudratricusxanthone O (CTO) isolated from the Maclura tricuspidata Bureau (Moraceae) on H₂O₂-induced damage of SW1353 chondrocytes via regulation of the HO-1 pathway. CTO promoted HO-1 expression by enhancing the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) into the nucleus without inducing toxicity. Pretreatment with CTO-regulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by inducing expression of antioxidant enzymes in H₂O₂-treated cells and maintained the functions of H₂O₂-damaged chondrocytes. Furthermore, CTO prevented H₂O₂-induced apoptosis by regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Treatment with the HO-1 inhibitor tin-protoporphyrin IX revealed that these protective effects were exerted due to an increase in HO-1 expression induced by CTO. In conclusion, CTO protects chondrocytes from H₂O₂-induced damages-including ROS accumulation, dysfunction, and apoptosis through activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in chondrocytes and, therefore, is a potential therapeutic agent for OA treatment.

Gastroprotective Effects of Cudrania tricuspidata Leaf Extracts by Suppressing Gastric cAMP and Increasing Gastric Mucins

Cudrania tricuspidata has been used as an East Asian folk remedy to treat various symptoms. Recently, scientific evidence of the efficacy of C. tricuspidata has emerged. The objective of this study was to elucidate protective role of C. tricuspidata in the gastric mucosa using pylorus-ligated Sprague-Dawley rats and primary parietal cells. C. tricuspidata ethanol extracts attenuated gastric mucosal damage, secretion, and juice acidity in pylorus-ligated rats; however, it did not affect expression of gastric acid-related genes [muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 receptor (M3R), histamine H2-receptors (H2R), and cholecystokinin-2/gastrin receptors (CCK2R)] or serum gastrin concentrations. Furthermore, extracts greatly reduced levels of gastric cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and significantly increased mRNA levels of gastric-type mucins (MUC5AC and MUC6). To identify the mode of action of C. tricuspidata extract in regulating gastric acid secretion, intracellular cAMP and mRNA for H2R, M3R, and CCK2R were measured in primary parietal cells. mRNA levels of H2R, M3R, and CCK2R did not significantly differ following treatment with C. tricuspidata extract, whereas cAMP induced by the H2R-specific agonist was significantly decreased. C. tricuspidata may therefore reduce gastric acid secretion by inhibiting H2R activity rather than regulating mRNA expression. These finding suggest that ethanol extracts of C. tricuspidata inhibit H2R-related gastric acid secretion and increase gastric mucus to help prevent gastric mucosal damage. Therefore, C. tricuspidata extract has potential to be used in foods and medicines to prevent diseases related to gastric mucosal damage, such as gastritis and functional dyspepsia.

Tyrosinase Inhibition Antioxidant Effect and Cytotoxicity Studies of the Extracts of Cudrania tricuspidata Fruit Standardized in Chlorogenic Acid

In the present study, various extracts of C. tricuspidata fruit were prepared with varying ethanol contents and evaluated for their biomarker and biological properties. The 80% ethanolic extract showed the best tyrosinase inhibitory activity, while the 100% ethanolic extract showed the best total phenolics and flavonoids contents. The HPLC method was applied to analyze the chlorogenic acid in C. tricuspidata fruit extracts. The results suggest that the observed antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of C. tricuspidata fruit extract could partially be attributed to the presence of marker compounds in the extract. In this study, we present an analytical method for standardization and optimization of C. tricuspidata fruit preparations. Further investigations are warranted to confirm the in vivo pharmacological activity of C. tricuspidata fruit extract and its active constituents and assess the safe use of the plant for the potential development of the extract as a skin depigmentation agent.

Cudrania tricuspidata Extract Protects against Reflux Esophagitis by Blocking H2 Histamine Receptors

Cudrania tricuspidata has been used in East Asia as a folk medicine for symptoms such as inflammation, allergy, and gastritis. Administration of C. tricuspidata extract to pylori-ligated rat stomachs reduces gastric acid secretion and alleviates esophagus damage caused by gastric reflux. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate whether C. tricuspidata extracts inhibit reflux esophagitis by blocking H₂ histamine receptor (H₂R). Dimaprit, a H₂R specific agonist, induced intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in U937 cells. Pretreatment with C. tricuspidata extracts significantly blocked dimaprit-induced cAMP production in a concentration-dependent manner. To extracted C. tricuspidata with different ethanol concentrations to determine the optimum method. We found that the 70% ethanol extract showed the most potent H₂R antagonistic effect against dimaprit-induced cAMP production. However, water extract did not show any H₂R blocking effect. These findings suggest that C. tricuspidata extracted using ethanol specifically inhibits gastric acid secretion and reduces esophageal injury by blocking H₂R in a competitive manner. Therefore, C. tricuspidata extracts may be used in food or medicine to prevent H₂R-related diseases, such as gastric hyperacidity and reflux esophagitis.

Quantitative Analysis, Extraction Optimization, and Biological Evaluation of Cudrania tricuspidata Leaf and Fruit Extracts

Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau (Moraceae) shows numerous pharmacological effects and has been used in traditional herbal remedies for inflammation, gastritis, tumors, and liver diseases. However, no validated analytical method for the standardization and optimization of the biological properties of C. tricuspidata preparations has been reported. We developed and validated a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the separation and quantification of active markers. Ethanolic extracts of C. tricuspidata leaves were prepared and evaluated for chemical profiles and biological activities. The 80% ethanolic extract demonstrated the greatest antioxidant activity and phenolic content, while the 100% ethanolic extract had the greatest total flavonoid content and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity. The validated HPLC method confirmed that chlorogenic acid, rutin, and kaempferol were present in C. tricuspidata leaf extracts. We postulated that the antioxidant and anti-hyperuricemic/gout effects of C. tricuspidata extract could be attributed to these marker compounds. Our results suggested that the flavonoid-rich fraction of the leaf extract may be utilized for the treatment and prevention of hyperuricemia-related diseases, and the validated method and marker compounds could be applied for the quality control of C. tricuspidata preparations.

Cudrania tricuspidata: an updated review on ethnomedicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology

This review summarized the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology ofCudrania tricuspidata, and the limitations of the studies on this species were also discussed so as to serve as the basis for further research and development of this medicinal plant.

Herbal Medicines Prevent the Development of Atopic Dermatitis by Multiple Mechanisms

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is among the most common skin disorders in humans. Although a variety of regimens are available for the treatment of AD, preventive approaches are limited. Recent studies have demonstrated that certain naturally-occurring herbal medicines are effective in preventing the development of AD via divergent mechanisms, such as inhibiting cytokine and chemokine expression, IgE production, inflammatory cell infiltration, histamine release, and/or enhancement of epidermal permeability barrier function. Yet, they exhibit few adverse effects. Since herbal medicines are widely available, inexpensive and generally safe, they could represent an ideal approach for preventing the development of AD, in both highly developed and developing countries.

Anti-Obesity Effect of 6,8-Diprenylgenistein, an Isoflavonoid of Cudrania tricuspidata Fruits in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Obesity, which is characterized by excessive fat accumulation, is associated with several pathological disorders, including metabolic diseases. In this study, the anti-obesity effect of 6,8-diprenylgenistein (DPG), a major isoflavonoid of Cudrania tricuspidata fruits was investigated using high fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice at the doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg for six week. The body weight of the DPG-treated groups was significantly lower compared to the HFD-treated group. In addition, fat accumulation in epididymal adipose tissue and liver was dramatically decreased in the HFD + DPG groups. The food efficiency ratios of the HFD + DPG groups were also lower compared to the HFD group with the same food intake. Metabolic parameters that had increased in the HFD group were decreased in the HFD + DPG groups. Further studies demonstrate that DPG efficiently reduces lipogenic genes by regulation of transcription factors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and hormones, such as leptin and adiponection. DPG also regulates acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Taken together, DPG is beneficial for the regulation of obesity, especially resulting from high fat intake.

Silkworm Thorn Stem Extract Targets RSK2 and Suppresses Solar UV-Induced Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression

Excessive exposure to solar UV (sUV) is associated with numerous human skin disorders, such as carcinogenesis, skin photoaging and skin inflammation. Silkworm Thorn (Cudraniatricuspidata, SW) is a plant belonging to the Moraceae family and widely present throughout Korea, China, and Japan. Most parts of the tree (including the fruit, leaf, stem, root, and bark) is consumable as a functional food or tea. In this study, we found that SW extract (SWE) inhibited the elevated expression of sUV-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 levels in both HaCaT and JB6 cells. Levels of nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1, two crucial transcription factors involved in COX-2 expression, were elevated by sUV treatment. Treatment with SWE abolished this activation. SWE also inhibited sUV-induced histone H3 phosphorylation. However, sUV-induced phosphorylation of Akt, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 kinase remained unchanged in the presence of SWE. SWE inhibited RSK2 activity, and pull-down assays using SWE-Sepharose beads revealed that SWE binds directly with RSK2 in an ATP-competitive manner. These results suggest a potential for SWE to be developed as a cosmeceutical material and functional food constituent for the promotion of skin health.

Effects of Cudrania tricuspidata Fruit Extract and Its Active Compound, 5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone, on the High-Affinity IgE Receptor-Mediated Activation of Syk in Mast Cells

Cudrania tricuspidata fruit extract contains a rich source of prenylated flavonoids with potential antiatherosclerotic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of C. tricuspidata fruit extracts and its active compounds on the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI)-mediated signaling remains unknown. In the present study, the effect of methanol extract from the fruits of C. tricuspidata (MFC) and its active compound, 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (THDPI), on FcεRI-mediated signaling in mast cells was investigated. MFC and THDPI suppressed mast cell degranulation and Ca(2+) influx. MFC also interfered with IgE-FcεRI interaction and decreased FcεRIβ mRNA expression in mast cells. Furthermore, MFC and THDPI inhibited the phosphorylation of Syk, LAT, and PLCγ and F-actin redistribution. These results indicate that MFC and its active compound, THDPI, inhibit mast cell activation through the inhibition of FcεRI-mediated Syk activation, suggesting a therapeutic potential for controlling mast cell activation in inflammatory and/or allergic processes.

Optimization of pancreatic lipase inhibition by Cudrania tricuspidata fruits using response surface methodology

The fruits of Cudrania tricuspidata (Carr.) Bur. (Moraceae) significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase, which plays a key role in fat absorption. Optimization of extraction conditions with minimum pancreatic lipase activity and maximum yield was determined using response surface methodology with three-level-three-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD). Regression analysis showed a good fit of the experimental data and the optimal condition was obtained as ethanol concentration, 74.5%; temperature 61.9°C and extraction time, 13.5h. The pancreatic lipase activity and extraction yield under optimal conditions were found to be 65.5% and 54.0%, respectively, which were well matched with the predicted value of 65.8% and 47.1%. Further fractionation of C. tricuspidata extract resulted in the isolation of compound 1, which was identified as 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone. It inhibited pancreatic lipase activity with IC50 value of 65.0μM. HPLC analysis suggested positive correlation between pancreatic lipase inhibition and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone of C. tricuspidata fruits.

Inhibitory Activities of Cudrania tricuspidata Leaves on Pancreatic Lipase In Vitro and Lipolysis In Vivo

To identify effective herb to treat obesity, we screened 115 herbal extracts for inhibition of porcine pancreatic lipase (triacylg-ycerol acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) activity in vitro. Of the extracts tested, Cudrania tricuspidata leaves exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effect on lipase activity with an IC₅₀ value of 9.91 μg/mL. Antilipid absorption effects of C. tricuspidata leaves were examined in rats after oral administration of lipid emulsions containing 50 or 250 mg  C. tricuspidata/kg body weight. Plasma triacylglycerol levels 2 h after the oral administration of emulsions containing C. tricuspidata were significantly reduced compared to the untreated group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that C. tricuspidata leaves may be useful for the treatment of obesity.

Effect of Alpinia katsumadai Hayata on House Dust Mite-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice

We evaluated the effects of Alpinia katsumadai Hayata (AKH, Zingiberaceae) extract on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in RAW 264.7 cells, thymus- and-activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) in HaCaT cells, and histamine level in HMC-1 cells. In an in vivo experiment, atopic dermatitis was induced by topical application of house dust mites for 4 weeks, and the protective effects of AKH was investigated by measuring the severity of the skin reaction on the back and ears, and plasma levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine. AKH extract suppressed the production of NO and PGE(2) in RAW 264.7 cells, TARC in HaCaT cells, and histamine in HMC-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In in vivo experiments, the severity of dermatitis, including erythema/hemorrhage, edema, erosion and scaling, and plasma levels of IgE, and histamine were lower in NC/Nga mice with atopic dermatitis, treated with AKH extract than in untreated mice. AKH extract reduced the histological manifestations of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions such as erosion, hyperplasia of the epidermis and dermis, and inflammatory cell infiltration on the skin of the back and ear. These results suggest that AKH inhibits the development of house dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.