Quantitative determination of eleutheroside B and E from Acanthopanax species by high performance liquid chromatography

The protective effect of Eleutheroside E against the mechanical barrier dysfunction triggered by lipopolysaccharide in IPEC-J2 cells

Eleutheroside E (EE) exhibits immunocompetence, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can elicit a strong immune response. In vitro experiments were used to explore whether EE protects intestinal porcine jejunum epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) barriers from LPS stress. The experiment was divided into group C (control group: complete medium), group E (group C + 0.1 mg/mL EE), group L (group C + 10 μg/mL LPS), and group EL (adding 0.1 mg/mL EE for 6 h, and then adding 10 μg/mL LPS for culture). Finally, the cell proliferation, permeability, mRNA expression of cytokines, mRNA and protein expression of tight junctions (TJs) were analyzed. The result show that, when compared to the C group, EE significantly promoted the proliferation of IPEC-J2 at 58 h and showed low permeability (P < 0.05), the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β mRNA expression were increased extremely significantly, the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ mRNA expression were extremely significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the mRNA and protein expression of TJ were significantly increased in group E (P < 0.05). However, LPS showed a damaging effect. EL group compared with L group, the cell index (CI) value was higher at 58 h (P < 0.05), the permeability was significantly lower (P < 0.05), the mRNA expressions of the inflammatory cytokines were down-regulated(P < 0.01), and the TJ mRNA and protein relative expression were increased (P < 0.05). In summary, the addition of EE protects the LPS-induced increase in permeability of IPEC-J2, potentially by expressing high levels of TJ proteins and inhibiting the increase of inflammatory cytokines.

Bioactive extracts and association with C and N in Eleutherococcus senticosus subjected to chitosan nanoparticles in contrasting light spectra

Bioactive compounds are major reasons for the value of Eleutherococcus senticosus, which can be modified by different lighting spectra. Light-emitting diode (LED) provides lights with specific spectra which can interact with other treatments to impact plant bioactive production. Chitosan nanoparticle (CN) is a biopolymer derived from marine creatures. It's usage may be a practical approach to cope with uncertainties in secondary metabolites induced by illumination. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cyclings link plant eco-physiological performance and bioactive substance; hence their associations may reveal the mechanism of joint light-CN interaction. In this study, E. senticosus seedlings were raised under artificial lighting spectra from high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps (44% red, 55% green, 1% blue) and white (44% red, 47% green, 8% blue) and red colored (73% red, 13% green, 14% blue) LED panels. Half of the seedlings received CN and the other half received distilled water as the control. Compared to the HPS spectrum, the red-light induced stronger shoot growth with greater biomass accumulation and higher water uptake but resulted in lower N concentration and biomass ratio in the root. The white light caused more biomass allocated to the root and strengthened stem C concentration. Stem eleutheroside B increased with shoot growth, while root eleutheroside B had a positive association with leaf C and stem protocatechuic acid had a negative association with leaf N. Having the CN treatment in white and red LED lights is recommended for increasing accumulation of bioactive compounds in the shoots and roots of E. senticosus seedlings, respectively.

Comparison between the Biological Active Compounds in Plants with Adaptogenic Properties (Rhaponticum carthamoides, Lepidium meyenii, Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panax ginseng)

BACKGROUND

In the 1960s, research into plant adaptogens began. Plants with adaptogenic properties have rich phytochemical compositions and have been used by humanity since ancient times. However, it is not still clear whether the adaptogenic properties are because of specific compounds or because of the whole plant extracts. The aim of this review is to compare the bioactive compounds in the different parts of these plants.

METHODS

The search strategy was based on studies related to the isolation of bioactive compounds from Rhaponticum carthamoides, Lepidium meyenii, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Panax ginseng. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.

RESULTS

This review includes data from 259 articles. The phytochemicals isolated from Rhaponticum carthamoides, Lepidium meyenii, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Panax ginseng were described and classified in several categories.

CONCLUSIONS

Plant species have always played an important role in drug discovery because their effectiveness is based on the hundreds of years of experience with folk medicine in different nations. In our view, there is great potential in the near future for some of the phytochemicals found in these plants species to become pharmaceutical agents.

A Comparative Metabolomics Analysis Reveals the Tissue-Specific Phenolic Profiling in Two Acanthopanax Species

Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. Maxim.) Harms (ASH) and Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (Rupr. Maxim.) Seem (ASS), are members of the Araliaceae family, and both are used in Asian countries. These herbals have drawn much attention in recent years due to their strong biological activity, with innocuity and little side effects. However, the common and distinct mode of compound profiles between ASH and ASS is still unclear. In this study, a high performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) method was developed to simultaneously quantify the seven major active compounds, including protocatechuate, eleutheroside B, eleutheroside E, isofraxidin, hyperoside, kaempferol and oleanolic acid. Then the targeted metabolomics were conducted to identify 19 phenolic compounds, with tight relation to the above mentioned active compounds, including nine C6C3C6-type, six C6C3-type and four C6C1-type in the two Acanthopanax species studied here. The results showed that the seven active compounds presented a similar trend of changes in different tissues, with more abundant accumulation in roots and stems for both plants. From the view of plant species, the ASH plants possess higher abundance of compounds, especially in the tissues of roots and stems. For phenolics, the 19 phenols detected here could be clearly grouped into five main clusters based on their tissue-specific accumulation patterns. Roots are the tissue for the most abundance of their accumulations. C6C3C6-type compounds are the most widely existing type in both plants. In conclusion, the tissue- and species-specificity in accumulation of seven active compounds and phenolics were revealed in two Acanthopanax species.

Subchronic Oral Toxicity Study of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus in Rats

Acanthopanax divaricatus (Siebold & Zucc.) Seem. var. albeofructus (ADA), a traditional medical herb, has been used to treat arthritis and muscular injury, to strengthen muscle and bone, and to get vital energy. However, information regarding its toxicity is limited. ADA was administered by oral gavage to groups of rats at doses of 0 (control), 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000 mg/kg five times per week for 13 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, organ weights, necropsy, histopathological finding, vaginal cytology, and sperm morphology were compared between control and ADA-treated groups. Salivation was intermittently observed in both sexes receiving 2,500 and 3,000 mg/kg directly after dosing. Absolute liver weights increased in females receiving 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000 mg/kg ADA (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively) and so did the relative liver weights (P < 0.001). Salivation and increased liver weight were ADA-related changes but not considered to be adverse effects. Salivation was intermittent and transient, and the liver weight increase was minor and not accompanied by other changes such as hepatic morphological or functional alterations. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level was determined to be at least 3,000 mg/kg in both sexes of rats.

Anti‑inflammatory effects of Ciwujianoside C3, extracted from the leaves of Acanthopanax henryi (Oliv.) Harms, on LPS‑stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

The present study aimed to investigate the unknown mechanisms underlying the anti‑inflammatory activity of Ciwujianoside C3 (CJS C3), extracted from the leaves of Acanthopanax henryi Harms, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Cells were treated with CJS C3 for 1 h prior to the addition of 200 ng/ml LPS. Cell viability was measured using the MTS assay. Nitric oxide levels were determined by Griess assay. Proinflammatory cytokine production was measured by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)‑2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and mitogen‑activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were investigated by western blotting, reverse transcription (RT)‑polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RT‑quantitative PCR. Nuclear factor (NF)‑κB/p65 localization, and interaction of the TLR4 receptor with LPS was examined by immunofluorescence assay. The results indicated that CJS C3 exhibited no cytotoxicity at the measured concentrations. Treatment with CJS C3 inhibited NO production, proinflammatory cytokine levels, including interleukin (IL)‑6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and protein and mRNA expression levels of iNOS and COX‑2. Furthermore, CJS C3 suppressed phosphorylation of extracellular signal‑regulated kinases and c‑jun N‑terminal kinases. It was also able to suppress activation of NF‑κB via inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway. These results suggested that CJS C3 exerts inhibitory effects on LPS‑induced PGE2, NO, IL‑6 and TNF‑α production. In addition, iNOS and COX‑2 expression was decreased in murine macrophages. These inhibitory effects may be achieved via suppression of MAPKs and NF‑κB phosphorylation following inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway.

Green synthesis of multifunctional silver and gold nanoparticles from the oriental herbal adaptogen: Siberian ginseng

Pharmacologically active stem of the oriental herbal adaptogen, Siberian ginseng, was employed for the ecofriendly synthesis of Siberian ginseng silver nanoparticles (Sg-AgNPs) and Siberian ginseng gold nanoparticles (Sg-AuNPs). First, for metabolic characterization of the sample, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis (indicated the presence of eleutherosides A and E), total phenol content, and total reducing sugar were analyzed. Second, the water extract of the sample mediated the biological synthesis of both Sg-AgNPs and Sg-AuNPs that were crystalline face-centered cubical structures with a Z-average hydrodynamic diameter of 126 and 189 nm, respectively. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated that proteins and aromatic hydrocarbons play a key role in the formation and stabilization of Sg-AgNPs, whereas phenolic compounds accounted for the synthesis and stability of Sg-AuNPs. 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay determined that Sg-AgNPs conferred strong cytotoxicity against MCF7 (human breast cancer cell line) and was only slightly toxic to HaCaT (human keratinocyte cell line) at 10 µg⋅mL(-1). However, Sg-AuNPs did not display cytotoxic effects against both of the cell lines. The disc diffusion assay indicated a dose-dependent increase in the zone of inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Bacillus anthracis (NCTC 10340), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (ATCC 33844), and Escherichia coli (BL21) treated with Sg-AgNPs, whereas Sg-AuNPs did not show inhibitory activity. In addition, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay demonstrated that both Sg-AgNPs and Sg-AuNPs possess strong antioxidant activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report unraveling the potential of Eleutherococcus senticosus for silver and gold nanoparticle synthesis along with its biological applications, which in turn would promote widespread usage of the endemic Siberian ginseng.

Ethanolic Extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai Alleviates Alcoholic Liver Damage Combined with a High-Fat Diet in C57BL/6J Mice

Alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver steatosis have an indistinguishable spectrum of histological features and liver enzyme elevations. In this study, we investigated the potential of the ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (AK) to protect against experimental alcoholic liver disease in a mouse model that couples diet and daily ethanol bolus gavage. Fifty-six C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into seven groups: normal control (NC), alcohol control (AC), alcohol/HFD control (AH), low-dose (1%) AK in alcohol group (ACL), high-dose (3%) AK in alcohol group (ACH), low-dose AK in alcohol/HFD group (AHL), and high-dose AK in alcohol/HFD group (AHH). The AH group showed more severe damage than the AC group in terms of biochemical and molecular data that were observed in this study. The administration of AK exerted remarkable effects in: plasma ALT (p < 0.0001), total lipid (p = 0.014), TG (p = 0.0037) levels; CPT-1α (p = 0.0197), TLR4 (p < 0.0001), CD14 (p = 0.0002), IL-6 (p = 0.0264) and MCP-1 (p = 0.0045) gene expressions; and ALDH (p < 0.0001) and CAT (p = 0.0076) activities. The data suggested that at least the high dose AK might confer protection against alcoholic liver damage combined with an HFD by accelerating lipid oxidation and alcohol metabolism and by suppressing the inflammatory response, including the TLR pathway.

The antioxidant activity and their major antioxidant compounds from Acanthopanax senticosus and A. koreanum

The antioxidant activity and chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid contents were investigated from different parts of Acanthopanax senticosus and A. koreanum. Antioxidant activity was assessed by various in vitro assays such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, reducing power assays and ORAC, and the chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were validated by HPLC chromatography. Among the various extracts, the fruit extracts of A. senticosus and A. koreanum exhibited strongest antioxidant activities including ABTS, FRAP, reducing power and ORAC, however, strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed from the leaf extract of A. senticosus. In addition, the antioxidant activities of various extracts were correlated with total phenolic and proanthocyanidin contents. The major phenolic contents from various parts of these plants observed that leaf extract of A. senticosus expressed higher levels of chlorogenic acid (14.86 mg/dry weigh g) and caffeic acid (3.09 mg/dry weigh g) than other parts. Therefore, these results suggest that the leaf of A. senticosus may be an excellent natural source for functional foods and pharmaceutical agents, and the validated method was useful for the quality control of A. senticosus.

Acanthopanax divaricatus var. chiisanensis reduces blood pressure via the endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway in the spontaneously hypertensive rat model

In this study, we investigated the antihypertensive effects of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. chiisanensis extract (AE) and its active compound, acanthoside D (AD), on arterial blood pressure (BP) in vivo and endothelial function in vitro. We hypothesized that AE has antihypertensive effects, which is attributed to enhancement of endothelial function via the improvement of nitric oxide synthesis or the angiotensin II (Ang II) response. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs) were randomly divided into 7 groups and then fed the following diets for 14 weeks: WKY fed a normal diet (WN); SHR fed a normal diet (SN); SHR fed a high-cholesterol (HC) diet (SH); SHR fed a HC diet with AE of 150, 300, 600 mg/kg body weight (SH-L, SH-M, SH-H); and SHR fed an HC diet with AD of 600 μg/kg body weight (SH-D). Blood pressure was significantly reduced in the SH-H compared with the SH from week 10 until week 14; BP was also significantly decreased in the SHR fed a HC diet with AE of 300 at week 14. Aortic wall thickness showed a tendency to decrease by AE and AD treatment. The SH-H showed increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in the intima and media, compared with the SH. Furthermore, a significant increase in intracellular nitric oxide production was induced by AE and AD treatment in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. A significant increase of phospho-eNOS was found with a high dose of AE in human umbilical vein endothelial cells but not with AD. These results suggest that AE can regulate BP and improve endothelial function via eNOS-dependent vasodilation.

Analysis of yield of eleutherosides B and E in Acanthopanax divaricatus and A. koreanum grown with varying cultivation methods

An analysis of the yield of eleutherosides B and E in Acanthopanax divaricatus and A. koreanum was performed using high performance liquid chromatography to evaluate production by different cultivation methods. In A. divaricatus and A. koreanum, the total content of eleutherosides B and E was 2.466–7.360 mg/g varying by plant section, 3.886–11.506 mg/g by pinching site, 3.655–10.083 mg/g by planting time, and 3.652–10.108 mg/g by fertilizer ratio. Thus the total content of eleutherosides B and E in A. divaricatus and A. koreanum differed depending on cultivation methods. These results present useful information for high eleutheroside content applications in A. divaricatus and A. koreanum. This information can affect selection of plant section and cultivation methods for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical material development.

Extract from Acanthopanax senticosus prevents LPS-induced monocytic cell adhesion via suppression of LFA-1 and Mac-1

A crude extract from Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) has drawn increased attention because of its potentially beneficial activities, including anti-fatigue, anti-stress, anti-gastric-ulcer, and immunoenhancing effects. We previously reported that AS crude extract exerts anti-inflammatory activity through blockade of monocytic adhesion to endothelial cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remained unknown, and so this study was designed to investigate the pathways involved. It was confirmed that AS extract inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells, and we found that whole extract was superior to eleutheroside E, a principal functional component of AS. A series of PCR experiments revealed that AS extract inhibited LPS-induced expression of genes encoding lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and macrophage-1 antigen (Mac-1) in THP-1 cells. Consistently, protein levels and cell surface expression of LFA-1 and Mac-1 were noticeably reduced upon treatment with AS extract. This inhibitory effect was mediated by the suppression of LPS-induced degradation of IκB-α, a known inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). In conclusion, AS extract exerts anti-inflammatory activity via the suppression of LFA-1 and Mac-1, lending itself as a potential therapeutic galenical for the prevention and treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

Evaluation of the Mutagenic Properties of Two Lignans from Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai

Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai, a well known traditional herb grown in Jeju Island, South of Korea, has been used as a tonic and sedative agent, as well as in the treatment of diabetes and immune diseases. Mutagenicity of two lignans, syringaresinol and tortoside A isolated from A. koreanum, was assessed using Salmonella/microsome (Ames) test. Tester strains used were Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA. The mutagenic activity was determined both in the absence or presence of S9 mixture. As a result, tortoside A did not cause any increase in the number of his(+) revertants in S. typhimurium and E. coli WP2uvrA strains in the presence or absence of S9 mix, compared to the controls. Similarly, low concentrations of syringaresinol (750 and 1,500 μg/plate) did not show any mutagenic properties in all bacterial strains, in the presence or absence of S9 mixture. However, in the high concentration of syringaresinol (3,000 μg/plate), the number of revertants were increased in TA1535 strains, in the absence of S9 metabolic activation. Therefore, in vivo experiments such as comet assay are needed to further determine the genotoxic/carciogenic potential of syringaresinol isolated from A. koreanum.

The effects of a standardized Acanthopanax koreanum extract on stress-induced behavioral alterations in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The roots and stem bark of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (Araliaceae), a well-known herbal medicine in Jeju Island, Korea, has been used as a tonic agent in treating stress-related states. Despite its popular application, the anti-anxiety or anti-depressive action of Acanthopanax koreanum is not yet known.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to determine the effects of Acanthopanax koreanum on stress-induced behavioral alterations such as anxiety and depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice in the acute stress group were exposed to immobilization stress for 2h followed by electric foot shocks (0.5 mA in 1 s duration with a 10 s inter-shock interval) for 2 min, while sub-chronically stressed mice were exposed to these stresses for 2 weeks, once per day. 70% ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum (EEAK) (25, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) was administered once or sub-chronically (for 2 weeks) 1h prior to stress induction. Anxiety- or depression-like behavioral changes were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test and the forced swimming test (FST) a day after the final stress induction. Corticosterone levels and spleen weight were measured after conducting all the behavioral assays. The numbers of BrdU- or DCX-immunopositive cells in the hippocampal region of sub-chronically stressed mice were measured 2 days after EEAK treatment.

RESULTS

The percentage of time spent in the open arms was decreased in both the acutely and chronically stressed mice. In the FST, the immobility time was increased by only chronic stress, but not by acute stress. Acute or sub-chronic administration of EEAK significantly prevented the anxiety- or depression-like behavioral changes caused by stress. EEAK also attenuated stress-induced decrease and increase of spleen weight and corticosterone levels, respectively. Furthermore, the sub-chronic administration of EEAK (100 or 200 mg/kg, for 2 weeks) increased the number of BrdU-, doublecortin-, and neuropeptide Y-positive cells in the hippocampal region of the sub-chronically stressed mice.

CONCLUSION

EEAK attenuated the behavioral and biochemical changes in acute or sub-chronic stressed mice. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of Acanthopanax koreanum for the treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder.

Acanthoic acid induces cell apoptosis through activation of the p38 MAPK pathway in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukaemia

The present study was designed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of the action of acanthoic acid (ACAN) from Acanthopanax koreanum (Araliaceae) against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukaemia cells. ACAN reduced the proliferation of HL-60 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner accompanied by the induction of apoptosis. Possible mechanisms of ACAN-induced apoptosis were also examined. The results showed that ACAN-induced the phosphorylation of members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK (p38), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). A specific p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) significantly blocked ACAN-induced apoptosis and cell viability, whereas an ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) had no effect. Moreover, ACAN induced the cleavage of caspase-3 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and decreased the level of Bcl-xL, but these effects were inhibited by SB203580 pre-treatment. These results strongly suggest that ACAN may have cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic potential, due to its ability to activate the p38 MAPK-mediated signalling pathways.

Oral administration of levan polysaccharide reduces the alloxan-induced oxidative stress in rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a polysaccharide named levan, which was produced by new isolated bacteria, on oxidative stress and hyperglycemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Levan polysaccharide was given in drinking water for 60 days at a daily dose equivalent to 2%. The oral administration of levan in diabetic rats caused a decrease in glucose level in plasma and an increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in both pancreas and liver. Furthermore, a protective action against hepatic and pancreatic toxicity in diabetic rats was clearly observed. Furthermore, a significant decrease in hepatic and pancreatic indices toxicity was observed, i.e., alkalines phosphatases (ALP), aspartate and lactate transaminases (AST and ALT), lactate deshydrogenases (LDH) activities and the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs). These beneficial effects of levan were confirmed by histological findings in hepatic and pancreatic tissues of diabetic rats. This study demonstrates for the first time that levan is efficient in inhibiting hyperglycemia and oxidative stress induced by diabetes and suggests that administration of levan may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress.

Capillary electrophoretic method for the determination of diterpenoid isomers in Acanthopanax species

Acanthoic, continentalic and kaurenoic acids are bioactive diterpenoids that are structural isomers isolated from Acanthopanax species. Due to the interest in their potent biological activity, an analytical method of diterpenoids was developed for the quality control and the classification of Acanthopanax species. Capillary electrophoresis was used to separate and quantify the isomers. The three compounds were successfully separated from each other and from the matrices in the extracts of leaves, stems and roots of Acanthopanax species. The contents of acanthoic, continentalic and kaurenoic acids showed taxonomical differences in Acanthopanax species. Relatively higher concentrations of diterpenoids were found from A. koreanum and A. trifoliatus, while only trace amounts were found from the four other species tested: A. senticosus, A. senticosus f. inermis, A. chiisanensis, and A. divaricatus var. albeofructus. The contents of diterpenoids in association with lignans and triterpenoids in the Acanthopanax species could provide a chemotaxonomical index able to be used in the classification and discrimination of the species.

Quality control of roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus by HPLC

An HPLC method based on several known methods for the determination of eleutherosides B and E was developed, optimised and validated in terms of linearity, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision on different days and at different concentration levels) and accuracy (recovery). The extraction procedure, the extraction solvent and the extraction yield were evaluated and optimised. A reversed-phase RP-18 column gradient eluted with a two-phase system consisting of phosphoric acid:water (0.5:99.5) and acetonitrile was used to evaluate the samples; detection was at 220 nm. Although eleutherosides B and E are commercially available, they are very costly, and therefore ferulic acid was chosen as external standard. The correction factors for the response of ferulic acid against both eleutherosides were determined and validated. This method, accepted by the European Pharmacopoeia Commission, will be included in the monograph on Eleutherococcus senticosus roots to assay the content of eleutherosides B and E.

Toll-like receptor-mediated activation of B cells and macrophages by polysaccharide isolated from cell culture of Acanthopanax senticosus

We investigated the mechanism of the immunomodulatory action of polysaccharide (ASP) isolated from a cell culture of Acanthopanax senticosus. ASP was found to directly increase the proliferation and differentiation of B cells, and the cytokine production of macrophage, but not the proliferation and cytokine production of T cells. Since ASP cannot penetrate the cell membrane due to its large molecular mass, such cellular activation may be caused by the surface binding of ASP to receptors expressed on B cells and macrophages. The possibility that TLRs, which are known to be involved in immune-related responses, may be the receptor(s) of ASP was investigated. The immunomodulating activities of ASP on the B cells and macrophages of C3H/HeJ mice, expressing a defective toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, were decreased versus the corresponding cells from C3H/HeN mice. In addition, the activities of ASP on B cells and macrophages were significantly reduced by treating the cells with antibodies to TLR4 and TLR2 prior to ASP, suggesting that both of them are the possible receptors of ASP. The ligation of TLRs induced by ASP was able to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as Erk1/2, p38 and JNK, and the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Although ASP was shown to activate the TLR signaling cascades in the same manner as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), these two could be differentiated by the finding that polymyxin B (PMB), a specific inhibitor of LPS, did not significantly affect the activities of ASP on B cells and macrophages. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ASP, isolated from a cell culture of A. senticosus, activates B cells and macrophages by interacting with TLRs and leading to the subsequent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF-kappaB.

Characterization of B cell membrane receptors of polysaccharide isolated from the root of Acanthopanax koreanum

We investigated the immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharide isolated from the root of Acanthopanax koreanum (AK) at the cellular level. AK directly increased B cell proliferation and antibody production, but did not affect the expression of IL-2, IFN-gamma or IL-4 by T cells, or T cell proliferation in vitro. Since AK cannot penetrate cells due to its large molecular mass, B cell activation may be caused by the surface binding of AK to B cell-specific receptors. The role of TLR4 as an AK receptor was shown by the fact that AK activity in B cells from C3H/HeJ mice, which are known to have a defective Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, was found to be reduced compared with that in control cells from C3H/HeN mice. AK activity was also reduced by antibodies blocking TLR2, TLR4, CD19 or CD79b, but not by an antibody blocking CD38, which suggests AK receptor profiling in B cells. Two main differences between AK and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were observed. First, LPS activity was inhibited by antibodies to either TLR2 or TLR4, but not by antibodies to CD19, CD79b or CD38. Another was that LPS-induced B cell proliferation was inhibited by polymyxin B (PMB), a specific inhibitor of LPS, whereas AK activity was not affected. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AK directly activates B cells, but not T cells, and suggest that AK has a broader receptor profile than LPS in B cells.