Antioxidative and anticancer activity of extracts of cherry (Prunus serrulata var. spontanea) blossoms

Inhibition of Solar UV-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 Expression by Non-Enzymatic Softening Cherry Blossom (Prunus yedoensis) Extract

Cherry blossom (Prunus yedoensis) petals are used as ingredients in many cosmetics. However, despite their use in numerous products, the exact function of cherry blossom petals in cosmetics is unclear. Therefore, we need evidence-based studies to support the labeling claims that are made in cherry blossom products in the cosmetics industry. We investigated the skin anti-aging potential of non-enzymatic softening cherry blossom extract (NES-CBE) in this study. The extract desalinated, to improve its quality such that it can be used as a functional material for the skin. The anti-wrinkle effect of NES-CBE was investigated on human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) under solar UV (sUV) light exposure. We found that NES-CBE reduced the sUV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression and modulated the transactivation of the activator protein (AP)-1. Furthermore, NES-CBE suppressed the phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK proteins, indicating its regulation of sUV-induced MAPK signaling. Additionally, we observed NES-CBE reduced MMP-1 protein expression in a human skin equivalent model. Taken together, these results suggest that NES-CBE reduces sUV-induced MMP-1 protein expression through reducing AP-1 transactivation via regulation of the MEK1/2-ERK pathway.

A comparative study of biological potentiality and EAC cell growth inhibition activity of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) fruit pulp and seed in Bangladesh

Medicinal plant-derived bioactive compounds have recently gained more interest in biological research as an important source of novel drug candidates. Phyllanthus acidus (L.) is a widely distributed herbal medicinal plant naturally used in Ayurvedic medicine in Bangladesh. The present study focused on exploring the biological potential as well as the inhibitory effect of EAC cell growth with a comparative analysis between Phyllanthus acidus fruit pulp and seed. Crude methanol extract of P. acidus (MEPA) fruit pulp and seed was assessed as DPPH and NO free radical scavengers. While Brine Shrimp lethality bioassay, the standard protocol of phytochemical screening and hemagglutination assay were performed successively to determine the toxic effect on normal cells, the identification of some crucial phytochemicals, and the existence of lectin protein. EAC (Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma) cell growth inhibition was determined by hemocytometer and morphological changes of EAC cells were observed by a fluorescence microscope using Swiss albino mice. The IC50 value of MEPA fruit pulp and seed was obtained as 57.159 µg/ml and 288.743 µg/ml respectively where minimal toxic effects on Brine Shrimp nauplii demonstrates that it is a good source of natural antioxidant compounds. Again, MEPA fruit pulp and seed-mediated effective agglutination of mouse blood erythrocyte strongly support the presence of lectin protein. Furthermore, MEPA fruit pulp and seed extract-treated EAC cells showed 65.71% and 28.57% growth inhibition respectively. The fluorescent microscopic examination of EAC cells treated with MEPA fruit pulp has shown more remarkable structural changes in the nucleus than that of seed. Based on the above findings, the present study reveals that MEPA fruit pulp can be considered as a novel biological candidate for the treatment of fatal diseases shortly.

Towards identification of bioactive compounds in cold vacuum extracted double cherry blossom (Gosen-Sakura) leaves

The present research examines the possibility of finding bio-molecular compounds from the double cherry blossom (termed as 'Gosen-Sakura' of Gosen-city, Niigata-prefecture, Japan) leaves, which have been long used in the preparation of the traditional Japanese sweet (wagashi) - 'sakura-mochi'. Based on its indicated anti-microbial properties historically, our study provides a new low temperature vacuum extraction method for extracting 'near natural form of water soluble leaf (cell) extracts from the Gosen-Sakura, and demonstrates the presence of some 'novel' compound(s) with anti-tumor cell lines proliferation inhibitory affects through the MTT assay. To our knowledge, no reports exist on the sakura tree 'leaf (cell) extracts' inhibiting tumor cell line growth. We further examined and compared the effects of known compounds with anti-tumor activity, coumarin and benzyl alcohol with Gosen-Sakura leaf extract; results lead us to hypothesize that the Gosen-Sakura leaf extract contains substance(s) other than the above two known compounds, with antitumor effect. Additionally, we speculate on the underlying mechanism of action of the Gosen-Sakura leaf extract by targeting cell division at the point of DNA synthesis and causing apoptosis. In conclusion, we present scientific evidence on the presence of certain 'novel' biomolecule(s), with anti-tumor activity, in the Gosen-Sakura leaf which has been long used in Japanese sweet - the 'sakura-mochi'.

Protective skin aging effects of cherry blossom extract (Prunus Yedoensis) on oxidative stress and apoptosis in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells

Extracts of the cherry blossom plant have been reported to exert various biological effects on human cells. However, no previous investigations have examined the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of these extracts on ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation-induced skin aging. This study explores the underlying mechanisms of the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of cherry blossom extract (CBE) in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. HaCaT cells were treated with CBE at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% for 24 h and then irradiated with UVB (40 mJ/cm²). CBE effectively and dose-dependently decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, while increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Pretreatment with 1 and 2% CBE attenuated UVB-induced DNA damage by reducing the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8-hydroxy-20-deoxyguanosine. Furthermore, CBE also prevented UVB-induced apoptosis and significantly downregulated B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X, cytochrome-c, and caspase-3 expression, while upregulating Bcl-2 expression. Taken together, these results indicate that CBE protects HaCaT cells from UVB-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis and suggest that CBE could be a potent antioxidant against skin aging.

The anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossom extract (Prunus yedoensis) used in soothing skincare product

OBJECTIVE

Previous investigations suggested that cherry blossoms could provide valuable bioactive materials. However, few observations regarding the anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossoms were reported. This study was to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossom extract (CBE), which was used as a soothing ingredient in skincare product.

METHODS

In vitro study, the anti-inflammatory effect of CBE on the nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. In vivo study, 40 volunteers were included in a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. 24-hour-occlusive test chambers were applied on the flexor side of the forearm with 3% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Subsequently, the test areas were treated on 9 subsequent days with a cream containing 3% CBE or a placebo. Evaluation included a visual score and determination of erythema value (E value).

RESULTS

In vitro study, 2% CBE reduced NO production by 31.83% compared to the placebo. In the SLS irritant patch test, the visual score and erythema value of CBE were lower than that of the placebo on D5 and D9.

CONCLUSION

Cherry blossom extract shows good anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and in vivo and represents a promising functional ingredient in soothing skincare product by reducing skin inflammation.

Chemical composition of essential oils and hydrosols from fresh flowers of Cerasus subhirtella and Cerasus serrulata from East China

Essential oils and hydrosols from fresh flowers of Cerasus subhirtella (Miq.) Sok. and Cerasusserrulata (Lindl.) London from East China were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the first time. The major components of the essential oils from C. subhirtella and C.serrulata were benzaldehyde (31.2% and 42.1%, respectively), tricosane (23.1% and 27.7%, respectively) and pentacosane (23.2% and 19.0%, respectively). The main constituents of the hydrosol volatiles from C. subhirtella and C.serrulata were benzaldehyde (67.5% and 64.3%, respectively) and mandelonitrile (12.5% and 12.4%, respectively). Benzaldehyde was the key component of the essential oils, while benzaldehyde as well as mandelonitrile was the principal compound of the hydrosols.

Antihyperlipidemic and antitumor effects of chickpea albumin hydrolysate

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of chickpea albumin hydrolysate (CAH) on antihyperlipidemic and antitumor functions. The antihyperlipidemic results showed that CAH exhibited a dose dependent ability to decrease the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), while increasing HDL cholesterol (HDL-C). Additionally, the appearance of the hyperlipidemic livers was ameliorated significantly. The antitumor results showed that CAH administration significantly increased the tumor inhibition rate and decreased tumor volume. CAH was also able to increase the spleen index and promote spleen lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, CAH treatment led to a remarkable rise in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, while dramatically decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver. Most importantly, we found that the physical conditions, such as appetite, activity, and coat luster of the mice in the CAH test group were better than those in the tumor control (TC) and positive control (PC) groups. These results taken together indicate that CAH warrants being further investigated and developed as an adjunctive element for hepatic lipid control, as well as antitumor and hypolipidemic therapies.

Hexane extract of Raphanus sativus L. roots inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human cancer cells by modulating genes related to apoptotic pathway

Raphanus sativus, a common cruciferous vegetable has been attributed to possess a number of pharmacological and therapeutic properties. It has been used in indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of various human ailments in India. This present study evaluated the chemopreventive efficacy of different parts of R. sativus such as root, stem and leaves, extracted with solvents of varying polarity and investigated the molecular mechanism leading to growth arrest and apoptotic cell death in human cancer cell lines. Of the different parts, significant growth inhibitory effect was observed with hexane extract of R. sativus root. Analysis of hexane extract by GC-MS revealed the presence of several isothiocyanates (ITCs) such as 4-(methylthio)-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBITC), 4-(methylthio)-3-butyl isothiocyanate (erucin), 4-methylpentyl isothiocyanate, 4-pentenyl isothiocyanate and sulforaphene. R. sativus root extract induced cell death both in p53 proficient and p53 deficient cell lines through induction of apoptotic signaling pathway regardless of the p53 status of cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying R. sativus-induced apoptosis may involve interactions among Bcl(2) family genes, as evidenced by up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes along with activation of Caspase-3. Our findings present the first evidence that hexane extract of R. sativus root exerts potential chemopreventive efficacy and induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines through modulation of genes involved in apoptotic signaling pathway.

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of Diospyros lotus L. extract and isolated compounds

The object of the study was to determine the chemical composition of Diospyros lotus L. extract and their antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. Eight compounds were isolated from D. lotus and identified as gallic acid, methylgallate, ellagic acid, kaempferol, quercetin,myricetin, myricetin 3-O-beta-glucuronide, and myricetin-3-O-alpha-rhamnoside. D. lotus extract tested in different in vitro systems (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and Fe2+ chelating activity assay) showed significant antioxidant activity. The potential antiproliferative properties of D. lotus extract and isolated compounds against nine human cancer cell lines such as COR-L23, CaCo-2, C32, ACHN, A375, A549, Huh-7D12, MCF-7, and LNCaP were investigated in vitro by SRB assay. D. lotus extract demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against COR-L23 with an IC50 value of 12.2 microg/ml. Among identified hydrolysable tannins, ellagic acid evidenced strong antiproliferative activity against both C32 and A375 cells with IC50 values of 0.8 and 4.1 microg/ml, respectively. Interesting results were observed, also, with gallic acid that showed the highest cytotoxic activity against CaCo-2 (IC(50) 2.6 microg/ml). Overall, the results of this study suggest that D. lotus displays a good antioxidant activity and has antiproliferative effects. Both activities are related to identified phenolic compounds.

Antiproliferative activity of Korean wild vegetables on different human tumor cell lines

This study was conducted to determine the antiproliferative activity of 24 Korean wild vegetables. The methanol extracts of these wild vegetables were used against lung, breast, colon and gastric cancer cells, and the results were assessed by MTT assay. It was found that at the extract concentration of 400 mgL(-1) 14 plants exercised antiproliferative activity over 80% against the lung cancer cells, one plant among six--against breast cancer cells, and two plants among six--against colon cancer cells, respectively. Eighteen wild vegetables had the hyperplasia inhibition activity against gastric cancer cells over 23.6% at all extract concentrations, however, only six plants had the antiproliferative activity over 80% in 600 mgL(-1). It was found that the extracts from Youngia sonchifolia, Synurus deltoides, Syneilesis palmata, and Cephalonoplos segetum, in concentration of 400 mgL(-1) inhibited the hyperplasia of lung cancer cells over 95% and Angelica gigas-both lung and colon cancer cells over 95%. In conclusion, the studied wild vegetables' methanol extracts possess dose dependent antiproliferative properties, based on their bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, but some of them as Hypericum ascyron against lung cancer are not effective and even course harm.

Effects of FR-91 on immune cells from healthy individuals and from patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The immune system is subject to destruction and dysfunction as a result of attacks by pathogenic and environmental agents. In addition, many clinical situations exist in which it is desirable to stimulate or suppress the immune system. The present study evaluated the screening efficacy of flow cytometric lymphocyte subset typing in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals (HI) and from patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treated with different concentrations of FR-91, a standardized lysate of microbial cells belonging to the Bacillus genus, and in vitro cytokine production. Increased expression of subset markers (CD3, CD4, CD8) in NHL and CD3 in HI suggests an immunomodulating effect of FR-91. In addition the results of cytokine production also demonstrated a clear effect of FR-91 on both populations. A significant increase of IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha was observed in the HI group after treatment with FR-91. In a similar manner an increase of IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha was also observed in the NHL group. In conclusion FR-91 seems to affect lymphocyte subpopulations, in vitro cytokine production, as well as mitogen-induced lymphocyte activation in a dose-dependent manner in both healthy individuals and NHL patients.

Antioxidant and immunity activity of water extract and crude polysaccharide from Ficus carica L. fruit

The antioxidative activities of water extract (WE) and crude hot-water soluble polysaccharide (PS) from Ficus carica L. fruit were investigated using various assays in vitro, including scavenging abilities on DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and reducing power. The immunity activities of PS were evaluated using the carbon clearance test and serum hemolysin analysis in mice. In addition, total phenolics and flavonoids contents were also determined. Both WE and PS have notable scavenging activities on DPPH with the EC(50) values of 0.72 and 0.61 mg/ml, respectively. The PS showed higher scavenging activity than WE on superoxide radical (EC(50), 0.95 mg/ml) and hydroxyl anion radical (scavenging rate 43.4% at concentration of 4 mg/ml). The PS (500 mg/kg) also has a significant increase in the clearance rate of carbon particles and serum hemolysin level of normal mice. The results indicate that both WE and PS might be applicable in healthy medicine and food industry.

Determination of the antimicrobial and antioxidative properties and total phenolics of two "endemic" Lamiaceae species from Turkey: Ballota rotundifolia L. and Teucrium chamaedrys C. Koch

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and the amount of total phenolics of the methanol extracts of Ballota rotundifolia L. and Teucrium chamaedrys C. Koch. In the case of antimicrobial activity tests, polar sub-fractions of the methanol extracts of plant species exhibited weakest antimicrobial activity when compared with the non-polar ones. While, non-polar sub-fraction of B. rotundifolia showed moderate activity against A. lwoffii, C. perfringens and the yeasts, T. chamaedrys performed excellent activity pattern against all of the tested microorganisms. The sub-fractions were also screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary tests, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging and beta-carotene/linoleic acid assays. Non-polar extracts of the plant species remained inactive in both test systems. On the other hand polar extracts showed remarkable antioxidant activities. In DPPH system, free radical scavenging effect of T. chamaedrys was measured as 18.00 +/- 1.42 microg.mg(-1). It is extremely important to point out that, polar sub-fraction of T. chamaedrys is found as effective as the positive control BHT. Non-polar sub-fraction of T. chamaedrys found to have the highest total phenolic amount (97.12 +/- 1.28 microg/mg). Results obtained from this experiment confirm the relationship between the amount of phenolics and biological activities.

Total phenolics level, antioxidant activities and cytotoxicity of young sprouts of some traditional Korean salad plants

The aim of this investigation was to study the antioxidant and anticancer activities of young sprouts of some traditional Korean salad plants. Total phenolics, antioxidant and anticancer activities of the methanol extracts from young sprouts of 11 salad plants were determined. The highest amount of phenolics was found in methanol extracts of Euonymus alatus (235.7 mg kg(-1)), followed by Hypericum ascyron (197.1 mg kg(-1)), Zanthoxylum piperitum (194.1 mg kg(-1)) and Zanthoxylum schinifolium (142.5 mg kg(-1)). Methanol extracts of E. alatus, H. ascyron, and Z. piperitum at 63 mg kg(-1) exhibited the highest dose-depend DPPH radical scavenging activity by 91.2, 91.2 and 83.9%, respectively. According to the MTT results, the methanol extracts from Stellaria aquatica, Eleutherococcus sessilifolrus and Z. schinifolium showed the highest anticancer activities against Calu-6 (IC50<25.0 microg ml(-1)) and from S. aquatica-the highest anticancer activities against SNU-601 (153.3 microg ml(-1)), following by E. sessilifolrus (196.7 microg ml(-1)) and Amaranthus mangostanus (303.1 microg ml(-1)). Total phenolics were highly correlated with the DPPH, suggesting that they contribute to the antioxidant properties of the studied plants.

IN CONCLUSION

young sprouts of Korean salad possess antioxidant and anticancer properties and could be used as a supplement to proper drugs.

Antiproliferation and apoptosis on RKO colon cancer by Millingtonia hortensis

Millingtonia hortensis is a medicinal plant widely used in many Asian countries. An aqueous crude extract of this plant has been shown the apoptosis induction on RKO colon cancer cells. However, its mechanism remains unknown. To learn more about this plant extract, we partially purified the crude extract using Sephadex LH-20 and three aqueous fractions were collected. Each fraction was investigated for cytotoxicity using MTT assay. Fraction 1 showed antiproliferative effect on RKO cells with dose-dependent manner, while fraction 2 and 3 had no effect. Induction of apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation method. Apoptotic cell numbers and the appearance of fragmented DNA increased with dose-dependent manner after treatment with fraction 1 for 48 h. We further investigated the expression of apoptotic protein by western blot analysis. Fraction 1 decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-xL and p-Bad, while pro-apoptotic protein Bad, was not changed. Fraction 1 also decreased the expression of p-Akt and slightly increased the level of total Akt. These results indicated that fraction 1 is able to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis on RKO cells by decreasing the expression of Bcl-xL, p-Bad and p-Akt which are involving in survival of cancer cells.

Antioxidative and antigenotoxic activity of extracts from cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) flowers

The Cosmos bipinnatus has been used in a traditional herbal remedy for various diseases such as jaundice, intermittent fever, and splenomegaly. The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of antioxidant activities and antigenotoxic effect of Cosmos bipinnatus flowers according to four different colors (white, pink, orange, and violet). The antioxidants properties were evaluated by determining TPC, DPPH RSA, ABTS RSA, and RP. The highest TPC of methanolic CFE (at concentration of 1 mg/ml) showed in violet colored CF (1,013 microM), and IC(50) of DPPH RSA, ABTS RSA, and RP were also the lowest in violet colored CFE with values of 0.61, 1.48, and 0.82 mg/ml, respectively. The antigenotoxic effect of the CFE on DNA damage induced by H(2)O(2) in human leukocytes was evaluated by Comet assay. Pretreatments with CFE produced significant reductions in oxidative DNA damage at the concentration of 500 microg/ml, except for violet colored CFE. The ED(50) value of white colored CFE has shown the highest inhibition (0.40 mg/ml) on H(2)O(2) induced DNA damage, followed by orange > pink > violet color. These results suggested that Cosmos bipinnatus has significant antioxidant activity and protective effect against oxidative DNA damage.

Determination of antioxidant activity and characterization of antioxidant phenolics in the plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom (Prunus lannesiana)

Sakura-cha (salted cherry blossom tea) is a Japanese tea that is traditionally served at celebrations such as wedding ceremonies. The production of Sakura-cha includes the immersion of cherry blossom flowers in Japanese plum vinegar, and through this process, the byproduct (plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom) is obtained. In this study, the antioxidant activity of the plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom was examined. The plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom had a greater superoxide anion scavenging activity compared with red wine, which is a well-known strong antioxidant. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and caffeic acid were the major components in the phenolic extract prepared from plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom, and they possessed superoxide anion scavenging activity. Caffeic acid is mainly responsible for the scavenging activity of phenolic extract; the contributions of cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside were minor.