Antitumour-promoting and antitumour activities of the crude extract from the leaves of Juniperus chinensis

Development of Native Essential Oils from Forestry Resources in South Korea

South Korea’s forests occupy approximately 70% of the mainland, therefore, there is considerable potential for waste coming from the forest. Extracting essential oils from underutilised biomass is an economic and sustainable method for the production of high-added-value products. These days, countries’ ownership of domestic natural resources is becoming vital, so there is an urgent need for developing the essential oils from native plants. To increase the value of native essential oils in South Korea, the National Institute of Forest Science (NiFoS) established the to develop the native essential oils as well as develop more research infrastructure by sharing information on native essential oils and enhancing their value. We review the selected essential oils which are listed in the from the literature on major chemical constituents, biological activity, and potential uses of essential oils. Those utilising forest resources for commercial essential oil production need to consider the stable supply of plant material in terms of forest management and conservation. Therefore, Pinaceae (Larix kaempferi, Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis) and Cupressaceae (Chamaecyparis obtusa and Chamaecyparis pisifera) could be potential candidates for commercial essential oil as their waste materials are easily obtained from the plantation after forest management. With their unique fragrance and the bioactive compounds in their oils, potential candidates can be utilised in various industry sectors.

Sabina chinensis leaf extracted and in situ incorporated polycaprolactone/polyvinylpyrrolidone electrospun microfibers for antibacterial application

Sabina chinensis is a valuable reforestation conifer and traditional medicinal plant. In order to retain the physiological and pharmacological activities of the plant and obtain a fibrous material with better antibacterial properties, a mixed solvent of dichloromethane and N,N'-dimethylformamide was used to obtain the leaf extracts, and Sabina chinensis leaf extract (ScLE)-loaded PCL/PVP microfibers were successfully fabricated by electrospinning. The whole preparation process was carried out at room temperature to avoid deterioration of active ingredients. From the antibacterial activity test, it was observed that ScLE-loaded polycaprolactone/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PCL/PVP) microfibers had potential antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria stains. The morphological properties of the prepared microfibers were observed by SEM. As the proportion of ScLE increased, the fiber diameter gradually increased and the surface was smooth. The excess ScLE addition caused the formation of beads during electrospinning. Considering different characterization results, 33% (v/v) addition of ScLE to the spinning solution was the optimum ratio. The winding structure obtained by the interaction of components in ScLE with PCL and PVP was confirmed by FTIR, XRD and WCA tests, which indicated that ScLE-loaded microfibers possessed excellent thermal stability, tear resistance and degradation resistance. It is expected that the prepared composite microfibers have potential applications as robust antibacterial meshes and films in the fields of biomedicine and air purification.

Enhancing the Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Juniper Berries Using the Box-Behnken Design

Juniper berry is an important medicinal plant used in pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries thanks to its strong antioxidant potential, which is attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. In this study, four different solvents, namely, aqueous acetone, aqueous ethanol, aqueous NaOH, and water, were used in the extraction process with a view to optimize and determine the polyphenolic contents in the juniper berry using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry. Many experiments were performed at different solvent concentrations, time, temperature, and liquid-solid ratio. The models to evaluate the effects and the optimum of these variables on the polyphenols extraction using the response surface methodology (RSM) were developed. The predicted values of the polyphenol content of juniper berry were thus highly correlated with costly measured values (SECV = 0.14 and R ² = 0.97), and the optimal conditions of extraction were determined for the different solvents. Following the numerical optimization, the maximum predicted polyphenol contents obtained under the optimum extraction conditions are as follows: 17.57% for 58 °C extraction temperature, 78.5 min extraction time, 60% acetone concentration, and 29.8 liquid-solid ratio for the aqueous ethanol extraction; 20.68% for 71.46 °C extraction temperature, 79.2 min extraction time, 21.9% ethanol concentration, and 26.4:1 liquid-solid ratio for the aqueous acetone extraction; 34.51% for 96.4 °C extraction temperature, 37.7 min extraction time, 1.48% NaOH concentration, and 15.2:1 liquid-solid ratio for the aqueous NaOH extraction; and 9.8% was obtained under the optimum extraction conditions of 69 °C extraction temperature, 126 min extraction time, and 23:1 liquid-solid ratio for the water extraction. The GC-MS analysis of the chemical composition of juniper Berry revealed 60 identified components that represent 97.43% of the sample. The predominant fraction was monoterpene representing 80.87% especially for α-pinene (39.12%), β-pinene (12. 68%), and myrcene (12.92%). In the other fraction of sesquiterpene representing 16.54%, the predominant components were β-caryophyllene (4.41%) and germacrene D (4.23%).

Juniperanol: First total synthesis and evaluation in Type 2 Diabetes disease

The first total synthesis of juniperanol, the tricyclic sesquiterpenoid enantiomer of α-cedrol is described. The synthesis relies on stereoselective gold-catalyzed Ohloff-type propargylic ester rearrangement performed on a 10 g scale, and a carbocationic cascade in the presence of acetyl methanesulfonate. The ability of juniperanol to interfere in glucose processes in different cell types is described.

Juniperus chinensis Fruits Attenuate Oxazolone- and 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms in Mice

Juniperus chinensis, commonly Chinese juniper, has been used for treating inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effects of standardized J. chinensis fruits extract on murine oxazolone- and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced models of AD. Ear swelling, epidermis thickening, and eosinophils infiltration in the oxazolone-mediated dermatitis of BALB/c mice were significantly reduced upon topical application of J. chinensis fruits 95% EtOH extract (JCE). Besides, transdermal administration of JCE to SKH-1 hairless mice inhibited the development of DNCB-induced AD-like skin lesions by suppressing transepidermal water loss and improving skin hydration. Decreased total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin (IL)-4 levels could be observed in atopic dorsal skin samples of JCE-treated group. According to the phytochemical analysis, JCE was found to contain isoscutellarein-7-O-β-D-xyloside, cupressuflavone, and amentoflavone as main compounds. Therapeutic attempts with the J. chinensis fruits might be useful in the treatment of AD and related skin inflammatory diseases.

Isolation of tyrosinase and melanogenesis inhibitory flavonoids from Juniperus chinensis fruits

A new biflavonoid, amentoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and thirteen known flavonoids were isolated from the fruits of Juniperus chinensis using a bioactivity-guided method and their tyrosinase inhibitory effects were tested using a mushroom tyrosinase bioassay. Two isolates, hypolaetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and quercetin-7-O-α-L-rhamnoside, were found to reduce tyrosinase activity at a concentration of 50 μM. Quercetin-7-O-α-L-rhamnoside attenuated cellular tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in α-MSH plus IBMX-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. Molecular docking simulation revealed that quercetin-7-O-α-L-rhamnoside inhibits tyrosinase activity by hydrogen bonding with residues His85, His244, Thr261, and Gly281 of tyrosinase. Abbreviations: EtOH, ethanol; CH2Cl2, dichloromethane; EtOAc, ethylacetate; n-BuOH, n-butanol; MeOH, metanol; CHCl3,chloroform; DMSO, dimethylsulfoxide; DMEM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium; FBS, fetal bovine serum; α-MSH, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone; L-DOPA, L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine.

Dioscorea quinqueloba Ameliorates Oxazolone- and 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-induced Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms in Murine Models

Dioscorea quinqueloba has been used for food substances, as well as in herbal medicines for allergic diseases such as asthma. This study aimed to investigate the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effects of the total extract of D. quinqueloba rhizomes and active fractionson murine oxazolone- and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced models of AD. Specific AD symptoms, such as erythema, ear swelling, and epidermis thickening, were significantly reduced in the oxazolone-mediated AD BALB/c mice upon topical application of D. quinqueloba rhizomes 95% EtOH extract (DQ). DQEA (D. quinqueloba rhizomes EtOAc fraction) was beneficial for protecting the skin barrier against AD in DNCB-sensitized SKH-1 hairless mice. Decreased total serum IgE and IL-4 levels could be observed in atopic dorsal skin samples of the DQEA-treated group. On the basis of the phytochemical analysis, DQEA was found to contain dioscin and gracillin as its main compounds. Therapeutic applications with D. quinqueloba might be useful in the treatment of AD and related inflammatory skin diseases.

Antiangiogenic and antihepatocellular carcinoma activities of the Juniperus chinensis extract

Background

To identify a novel therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for which no promising therapeutic agent exists, we screened a panel of plants and found that Juniperus chinensis exhibited potential antiangiogenic and anti-HCC activities. We further investigated the antiangiogenic and anti-HCC effects of the active ingredient of J. chinensis extract, CBT-143-S-F6F7, both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

A tube formation assay conducted using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was first performed to identify the active ingredient of CBT-143-S-F6F7. A series of angiogenesis studies, including HUVEC migration, Matrigel plug, and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays, were then performed to confirm the effects of CBT-143-S-F6F7 on angiogenesis. The effects of CBT-143-S-F6F7 on tumor growth were investigated using a subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse model of HCC. In vitro studies were performed to investigate the effects of CBT-143-S-F6F7 on the cell cycle and apoptosis in HCC cells. Moreover, protein arrays for angiogenesis and apoptosis were used to discover biomarkers that may be influenced by CBT-143-S-F6F7. Finally, nuclear magnetic resonance analysis was conducted to identify the compounds of CBT-143-S-F6F7.

Results

CBT-143-S-F6F7 showed significantly antiangiogenic activity in various assays, including HUVEC tube formation and migration, CAM, and Matrigel plug assays. In in vivo studies, gavage with CBT-143-S-F6F7 significantly repressed subcutaneous Huh7 tumor growth in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, and prolonged the survival of orthotopic Huh7 tumor-bearing SCID mice (a 40 % increase in median survival duration compared with the vehicle-treated mice). Immunohistochemical staining of subcutaneous Huh7 tumors in CBT-143-S-F6F7-treated mice showed a significantly decrease in the cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin D1, cellular proliferation marker Ki-67, and endothelial marker CD31. CBT-143-S-F6F7 caused arrest of the G2/M phase and induced Huh7 cell apoptosis, possibly contributing to the inhibition of HCC tumors. Protein array analysis revealed that several angiogenic and antiapoptotic factors were suppressed in CBT-143-S-F6F7-treated Huh7 cells. Finally, five compounds from CBT-143-S-F6F7 were identified.

Conclusions

According to these results, we report for the first time the antiangiogenic and anti-HCC activities of CBT-143-S-F6F7, the active fractional extract of J. chinensis. We believe that CBT-143-S-F6F7 warrants further evaluation as a new anti-HCC drug.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1250-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cytotoxic effect of γ-sitosterol from Kejibeling (

Background: This study aimed to analyze the cytotoxicity effect of γ-sitosterol isolated from “Kejibeling” (Strobilanthes crispus), a medicinal plant, on several cancer cell lines. The mechanisms of the effects were studied through the expression of cancer-caused gene, c-myc and apoptotic pathways.Methods: This in vitro study was done using human colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2), liver cancer cell lines (HepG2), hormone-dependent breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) and the normal liver cell lines (Chang Liver). The cytotoxic effect was measured through MTT assay and the potential cytotoxic value was calculated by determining the toxic concentration which may kill up to 50% of the total cell used (IC50). Meanwhile, the cytotoxic mechanism was studied by determining the effect of adding γ-sitosterol to the c-myc gene expression by reverse transciptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effect of γ-sitosterol through apoptotic pathway was studied by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.Results: γ-sitosterol was cytotoxic against Caco-2, HepG2, and MCF-7 with IC50-values of 8.3, 21.8, and 28.8 μg/mL, respectively. There were no IC50-values obtained from this compound against Chang Liver cell line. This compound induced apotosis on Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines and suppressed the c-myc genes expression in both cells.Conclusion: γ-sitosterol was cytotoxic against colon and liver cancer cell lines and the effect was mediated by down-regulation of c-myc expression and induction of the apoptotic pathways.

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activities of Sulfur-Containing Bissalicylaldehyde Schiff Base and Binuclear Nickel(II) Nanorod Complex

Nickel(II) acetate tetrahydrate was treated with the ligand CH2(H2sal-sbdt)2in methanol heated at reflux to yield a novel binuclear Ni(II) nanorod complex of the formulaCH2{Ni(II)(sal-sbdt)(H2O)}2. The ligand of CH2(H2sal-sbdt)2was derived from 5,5′-methylene-bissalicylaldehyde andS-benzyldithiocarbazate. The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, FT-IR spectra, thermal analysis (TG-DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nickel(II) was coordinated by imino nitrogen, thiolato sulfur, and phenolic oxygen from the Schiff base ligand, and oxygen from the coordinated water, respectively. The pyrolysis reactions in the thermal decomposition process of the complex, the experimental, and calculated percentage mass loss were also given. The Ni(II) complex belonged to nanocrystalline metal complex, and the average size of the nanorod complex was about 30 nm × 150 nm. The antibacterial activities were screened for the Schiff base ligand and the Ni(II) nanorod complex against four bacteria:Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli,Bacillus subtilis, andStaphylococcus epidermidis. Both the ligand of CH2(H2sal-sbdt)2and the Ni(II) complex had the most intense antibacterial activities againstEscherichia coli.

Acaricidal activities of major constituents of essential oil of Juniperus chinensis leaves against house dust and stored food mites

The acaricidal activities of major constituents from the oil of Juniperus chinensis (var. globosa) leaves were compared with those of DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) by using impregnated fabric disk bioassay against Dermatophagoides spp. and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Toxicity varied with doses as well as chemical composition. The 50% lethal doses (LD50) of J. chinensis oil against Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and T. putrescentiae were 21.60, 19.89, and 38.10 microg/cm2, respectively. The active constituent was purified using silica gel chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The acaricidal component was identified as bomyl acetate through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C-NMR, 1H-13C shift correlation spectrum-NMR, and distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer-NMR. The LD50 of bornyl acetate (2.94 microg/cm2) against D. farinae was significantly lower than those of DEET (37.13 microg/cm2) and alpha-eudesmol (29.72 microg/cm2). Similar results were observed when bomyl acetate and alpha-eudesmol were tested against D. pteronyssinus and T. putrescentiae. The lower LD50 of bornyl acetate indicates that it may be responsible for the major acaricidal activity against house dust and stored food mites, even though it constitutes only 19.5% of J. chinensis oil. Overall, these findings indicated that bornyl acetate and c-eudesmol have potential for use as control agents against house dust and stored food mites.

The chemical composition of hexane extract from bark of Juniperus brevifolia

The phytochemical analysis of the bark of Juniperus brevifolia was undertaken for the first time. The GC-MS analysis of the hexane extract from bark of "cedro-do-mato" (J. brevifolia) allowed to identify three rare compounds for the first time in Juniperus genus: 6,7-dehydroferrugin-12-methyl ether, 11-hydroxy-6,7-dehydroferruginol and 6,7-dehydrohinokiol. The results also showed that the chemical composition of the extract were essentially abietane-type diterpenoids with alcohol function (44.9%) and with carbonyl function (8.6%). Fatty acids such palmitic, oleic, stearic and docosanoic acids were the second most abundant family of identified compounds (9.5%) and its value increased (12.7%) after alkaline hydrolysis, mainly due to docosanoic and tetradocosanoic acids. Sterols like sitosterol and stigmast-4-en-3-one, were also present (6.6%), along with esters of sterols (8.4%). Significant quantities of the long-chain aliphatic alcohols (ca 3.7%) were identified in the hexane extract only after alkaline hydrolysis.

Anti-obesity effects of Juniperus chinensis extract are associated with increased AMP-activated protein kinase expression and phosphorylation in the visceral adipose tissue of rats

This study evaluates the protective effect of Juniperus chinensis hot water extract (JCE) against high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its molecular mechanisms in the visceral adipose tissue of rats. JCE supplementation significantly lowered body weight gain, visceral fat-pad weights, blood lipid levels, and blood insulin and leptin levels of rats rendered obese by an HFD. Feeding with JCE significantly reversed the HFD-induced down-regulation of the epididymal adipose tissue genes implicated in adipogenesis, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma2 (PPARgamma2), adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR), as well as those involved in uncoupled respiration, such as the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3). Dietary supplementation with JCE also reversed the HFD-induced decreases in the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2) expressions at both the mRNA and protein levels and restored the HFD-induced inhibitions in the AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation, which are related to fatty acid beta-oxidation, in the epididymal adipose tissue. This study reports, for the first time, that the JCE can have an anti-obesity effect in a rodent model with HFD-induced obesity through an enhanced gene transcription of the uncoupling protein as well as an elevated AMPK protein expression and phosphorylation in the visceral adipose tissue.

Comparison between ethanolic and aqueous extracts from Chinese juniper berries for hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

AIM OF THE STUDY

Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic properties of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively, from Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis L.) berries were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After oral administration of each extract singly or repeatedly to alloxan-induced diabetic rats, the blood glucose, glutamate-pyruvate transferase (GPT), glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were assayed.

RESULTS

The blood glucose levels after a single oral administration of the ethanolic extract significantly reduced in a time-dependent manner, which is much faster and more than that of glibenclamide. The blood glucose levels of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with the ethanolic extract were reduced to 94, 81%, 66%, 45% and 40% at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9h, respectively (p<0.05), while the aqueous extract had no effect at all. Repeated oral administration of the ethanolic extract also effectively reduced the GPT value to 58% of the diabetic rats, but slightly reduced the GOT value to 87% of the diabetic rats (p<0.05). On the other hand, the repeated oral administration of aqueous extract effectively reduced the GOT value to 43% of the diabetic rats, without affecting the GPT level. Effects of both extracts on the TC and TG levels were different. There was no significant difference in the TC and TG levels between diabetic control and diabetic groups when repeatedly administered orally with ethanolic extract. On the other hand, the aqueous extract brought down the TC value to 57% and the TG value to 37% of the diabetic control rats (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that the ethanolic extract of Chinese juniper berries possesses a potential hypoglycaemic effect while the aqueous extract has a potential hypolipidemic effect.

Mucigerin, a new coumarin from Calophyllum mucigerum (Guttiferae)

Our recent studies on the stem bark of Calophyllum mucigerum (Guttiferae) have yielded a new coumarin mucigerin, a prenylated xanthone cudraxanthone C and the common steroidal triterpenes friedelin and stigmasterol. Structural elucidations of these compounds were achieved using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HETCOR and HMBC experiments while MS gave the molecular masses. Cytotoxic assays using CEM-SS cell line (T-lymphoblastic leukemia) on the crude extracts of the stem bark indicated some activity. The crude extracts were also found to be moderately toxic against the larvae of Aedes aegypti. This article reports the isolation and identification of mucigerin as well as bioassay data.

Macrophage immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides isolated from Juniperus scopolorum

Extracts of cones and leaves of different species of the genus Juniperus have been used for centuries to treat a variety of medical problems; however, little is known about the active components conferring therapeutic properties to these extracts. To address this issue, we extracted water-soluble polysaccharides from Juniperus scopolorum cones and used ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography to separate them into five fractions, with estimated Mr of 30, 60, 100, 200, and 680 kDa, respectively. All fractions contained type II arabinogalactan in their structure, as determined by reaction with Yariv reagent and structural analysis by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, but lacked complement fixing activity. Analysis of the effects of Juniper polysaccharides on murine peritoneal macrophages, cultured J774.A1 macrophages, and human mononuclear phagocytes demonstrated that the high molecular weight polysaccharide fractions (200 and 680 kDa) had potent immunomodulatory activity. These polysaccharide fractions primed macrophages for an enhanced respiratory burst, directly stimulated NO production via induction of nitric oxide synthase, and induced macrophages to secrete both inflammatory (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-12) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines. These data suggest that at least part of the beneficial therapeutic effects reported for extracts of juniper cones are due to modulation of monocyte/macrophage immune functions.

Toxicity studies on western juniper oil (Juniperus occidentalis) and Port-Orford-cedar oil (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) extracts utilizing local lymph node and acute dermal irritation assays

The essential oil extracts of western juniper oil (Juniperus occidentalis) and Port-Orford-cedar oil (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) were evaluated for possible dermal toxic effects on mice and rabbits. Mice were tested for their response to both extracts utilizing a local lymph node assay. Western juniper oil extract at 0.5% and 5% concentrations did not show a stimulation index (SI) greater than normal (3.0); however, a 50% concentration did show a positive response at 3.3. Port-Orford-cedar oil extract did not show a positive response at concentrations of 0.5%, 5% or 50%. An acute dermal irritation study using rabbits had a primary irritation index (PII) of 3.3 with 100% Port-Orford-cedar oil extract. This was reduced to a PII of 0.625 when diluted 1:1 with olive oil. Undiluted western juniper oil extract had a PII score of 2.7. While a 5.0% solution had a PII score of 0.3, a 0.5% solution of western juniper oil was a non-irritant. It would appear that animals bedded on wood shavings have contact with essential oils at concentrations far less than the 2% maximum by weight obtained by steam distillation extraction. These concentrations did not elicit a hypersensitivity response.

Distribution of (−)-yatein in cupressaceae family analysed by high performance liquid chromatography

The method for the chiral analysis of (-)-yatein was developed and the distribution of this component in the plants of three genera like Juniperus, Thuja and Chamaecyparis belonging to Cupressaceae family was examined. The chiral analysis of (-)-yatein from the plants was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography on (R,R)-Whelk-O1 column using 81 v/v% methanol as mobile phase. The yatein content in the leaves of Juniperus was the highest in compare with that of the other two genera, providing the possibility of the chemical discrimination of the plants in Juniperus from the other plants in the Cupressaceae family. In general, the yatein content in the leaves was much higher than that in the twigs. This method could be applied for the quality control of (-)-yatein in the plants belonging to Cupressaceae family.