Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Activating Triterpenoid Saponins from Camellia japonica Roots

Oleanane-Type Triterpene Glycosides from Camellia phanii and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity

Three new oleanane-type triterpene saponins, named camphanosides A-C (1-3), along with five known compounds, chikusetsusaponin IVa (4), spinasaponin A 28-O-glucoside (5), (-)-epicatechin (6), (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (7), and (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (8) were isolated from the leaves Camellia phanii Hakoda & Ninh. Their structures were established by 1D and 2D-NMR and mass spectral analysis and chemical methods. Moreover, compounds 1-5 were also evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compounds 1-3 exhibited moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 230.7±18.0, 251.4±22.7, and 421.4±25.6 μM, respectively.

Puerarin Alleviates Oxidized Oil-Induced Oxidative Injury and Inflammation via Inhibition of the Nrf2/Keap1 and HMGB1/TLR4/MAPK Signaling Pathways: An Investigation in a Chicken Model

SCOPE

Puerarin has possessed a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, little is known about the protective effects of puerarin on the oxidized oil-induced injury. Here, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of puerarin are described using a chicken model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 360 broilers are arranged in four treatments. Diets include two types of soybean oil (fresh or oxidized) and two levels of puerarin (0 or 750 mg kg-1 ). Results show that puerarin alleviates oxidized soybean oil-induced hepatic and thymic oxidative injury. This effect is observed by increasing the SOD activity and the expressions of Nrf2 signaling pathway-related genes and reducing the MDA content in the liver and thymus. Moreover, puerarin supplementation decreases the concentrations and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory factors in the liver and thymus. The potential mechanism responsible for this is the decrease in the mRNA or protein levels of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88, and p65 in the liver or thymus. Western blotting results indicate that puerarin also decreases the phosphorylation of JNK1/2, ERK1/2, and p38 in the liver and thymus.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates puerarin may be a potential nutrient supplement in the treatment of oxidized oil-induced damage, and the Nrf2/Keap1 and HMGB1/TLR4/MAPK signaling pathways might be its important target.

A new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity from Camellia nitidissima

A new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin, 21β, 22α-di-O-angeloyl-15α, 16α, 28-trihydroxyolean-12-ene 3β-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), together with five known compounds (2-5), were isolated from Camellia nitidissima. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods, including extensive NMR and MS spectra. Compound 1 showed potential inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase with the IC50 values of 185.9 ± 44.5 µmol/L.

Triterpenoid saponins from Camellia sinensis roots with cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects

Camellia sinensis L. (Theaceae) leaves have been used as a beverage in both Eastern and Western cultures for a long time, while its root has not been intensively studied. In this study, seven undescribed triterpenoid saponins (1-7) and twelve known saponins (8-19) with different combinations of substituents, such as oxygenated isoprenyl substituents and sugar moieties, and lengths of sugar chains, were isolated from the C. sinensis roots. Their structures were unequivocally determined using one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance data and acid hydrolysis analysis. Investigation of the biological activities of isolated compounds revealed that only those without functional acetyl groups exhibited cytotoxic activities against mouse and human cancer cells (B16F10) and human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) at 50 μM. Compounds with an aldehyde group at C-23 of aglycone showed immunomodulatory activity against Th1 and Th17 cells at 10 μM. Ten compounds with biological activities from C. sinensis roots extracts, including three previously undescribed ones (3, 6, and 7), were identified.

Dietary Supplementation with Mono-Lactate Glyceride Enhances Intestinal Function of Weaned Piglets

Mono-lactate glyceride (LG) is a short-chain fatty acid ester. It has been shown that short-chain fatty acid esters play an important role in maintaining intestinal structure and function. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of mono-lactate glyceride on growth performance and intestinal morphology and function in weaned piglets. Sixteen 21-day-old weaned piglets of similar weight were distributed arbitrarily to two treatments: The control group (basal diet) and the LG group (basal diet + 0.6% mono-lactate glyceride). The experiment lasted for 21 days. On day 21 of the trial, piglets were weighed, and blood and intestinal samples were collected for further analysis. Results showed that dietary supplementation with 0.6% mono-lactate glyceride decreased (p < 0.05) the diarrhea rate and the contents of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in the ileum and jejunum and increased (p < 0.05) the expression of intestinal tight junction protein (Occludin) and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the ileum and colon. In addition, mono-lactate glyceride supplementation could enhance intestinal mucosal growth by increasing (p < 0.05) the mRNA levels of extracellular regulated protein kinases, promote intestinal mucosal water and nutrient transport and lipid metabolism by increasing (p < 0.05) the mRNA levels of b^0,+ amino acid transporter, aquaporin 3, aquaporin 10, gap junction protein alpha 1, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, and lipoprotein lipase, enhance antiviral and immune function by increasing (p < 0.05) the mRNA levels of nuclear factor kappa-B, interferon-β, mucovirus resistance protein II, 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase-like, interferon-γ, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, and toll-like receptor 4, and enhance antioxidant capacity by increasing (p < 0.05) the mRNA levels of NF-E2-related factor 2 and glutathione S-transferase omega 2 and decreasing (p < 0.05) the mRNA level of NADPH oxidase 2. These results suggested that dietary supplementation with mono-lactate glyceride could decrease the diarrhea rate by improving intestinal antioxidant capacity, intestinal mucosal barrier, intestinal immune defense function, and intestinal mucosal water and nutrient transport. Collectively, dietary supplementation with 0.6% mono-lactate glyceride improved the intestinal function of weaned piglets.

Cassaine diterpenoids from the seeds of Erythrophleum fordii Oliv. and their antiangiogenic activity

Fourteen undescribed cassaine diterpenoids along with nine known ones were isolated from the seeds of Erythrophleum fordii Oliv. (Leguminosae). In addition, subsequent structural modification yielded ten derivatives. Their chemical structures were established by extensive spectroscopic methods and acid hydrolysis. All the diterpenoids were screened for their antiangiogenic activity using the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model. Five compounds were active, of which three possessed excellent activity as their effect was better than that of the positive control (SU5416). The structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that the side chain at C-13 was the key part affecting the inhibitory effect. Further study demonstrated that 3β-hydroxynorerythrosuamine-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and the formate of 3β-hydroxynorerythrosuamine-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside significantly inhibited a series of angiogenic processes including proliferation, migration and capillary-like structure formation of endothelial cells. These findings may provide a new type of antiangiogenic agent for future cancer drug development.

Camellia japonica Root Extract Increases Antioxidant Genes by Induction of NRF2 in HeLa Cells

Camellia japonica L. (Theaceae) has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes in East Asian countries. Most functional components were obtained from the upper parts of the tree, such as leaves, flowers, or seeds. Here, we report a functional effect of the 80% methanolic extract of C. japonica root (CJRE) on antioxidative stress in HeLa cells. The nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a key transcription factor that triggers the induction of oxidative stress-relating genes and drug detoxification. As result, CJRE showed a strong anti-radical scavenging effect in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the induction of antioxidant response elements (ARE)-luciferase activity was maximized at CJRE 200 µg/mL. Furthermore, CJRE induced the mRNA levels of HO-1 and NQO1 by the nuclear NRF2 accumulation. As a possible mechanism of Nrf2 activation, the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2 signaling might fortify the NRF2 induction as well as its stability. However, the phosphorylation of AKT is rather decreased. Taken together, CJRE may potentiate the antioxidant effects by increasing the NRF2 signaling through MAP kinase signaling and the properties of its radical scavenging activity. Thus, CJRE could apply for other medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Acetylated Rhamnose Triterpenoid Saponins from Glechoma longituba Analyzed by LC-Q-TOFMS

The aim of the present work is to isolate a series of triterpene derivatives with rhamnosyl linking acetyl groups from Glechoma longituba according to the structural characteristics of previously described triterpene saponins. The extract ion chromatography spectrum of the crude extract of G. longituba was detected and analyzed by HPLC-HR-ESI-MS to determine possible components, and these metabolites were traced and separated by combining high-resolution mass spectrometry and predicted liquid chromatography retention time. Three 11α, 12α-epoxypentacyclic oleanolic acid triterpene saponins (glechomanosides H-J) and one ursane triterpene aldehyde saponin with a C-28 aldehyde group were isolated from G. longituba. The structure of these compounds was confirmed by NMR and compared with those of previously characterized compounds. The strategy described in this report enables a rapid, reliable, and complete analysis of glycoside compounds containing different numbers of acetyl groups at different positions on the sugar.

Puerarin enhances intestinal function in piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

Puerarin has been reported to be an excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent, but the potential effect of puerarin on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether puerarin could alleviate intestinal injury in piglets infected with PEDV. A PEDV (Yunnan province strain) infection model was applied to 7-day-old piglets at 10^4.5 TCID₅₀ (50% tissue culture infectious dose). Piglets were orally administered with puerarin at the dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight from day 5 to day 9. On day 9 of the trial, piglets were inoculated orally with PEDV. Three days later, jugular vein blood and intestinal samples were collected. Results showed puerarin reduced morbidity of piglets infected with PEDV. In addition, puerarin reduced the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, the ratio of serum aspartate aminotransferase to serum alanine aminotransferase, the number of white blood cells and neutrophils, and the plasma concentrations of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as protein abundances of heat shock protein-70 in PEDV-infected piglets. Moreover, puerarin increased D-xylose concentration but decreased intestinal fatty acid-binding protein concentration and diamine oxidase activity in the plasma of piglets infected with PEDV. Puerarin increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, while decreasing the activities of myeloperoxidase and concentration of hydrogen peroxide in both the intestine and plasma of PEDV-infected piglets. Puerarin decreased mRNA levels of glutathione S-transferase omega 2 but increased the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. Furthermore, puerarin increased the abundance of total eubacteria (16S rRNA), Enterococcus genus, Lactobacillus genus and Enterobacteriaceae family in the intestine, but reduced the abundance of Clostridium coccoides in the caecum. These data indicate puerarin improved intestinal function in piglets infected by PEDV and may be a promising supplement for the prevention of PEDV infection.