Effect of Albizia julibrissin water extracts on low-density lipoprotein oxidization

Albizia julibrissin Exerts Anti-Obesity Effects by Inducing the Browning of 3T3L1 White Adipocytes

This study investigated the effects of the Albizia julibrissin Leaf extracts (AJLE) on adipocytes using 3T3-L1 cells. AJLE inhibited adipogenesis by reducing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) that regulate enzymes involved in fat synthesis and storage, and subsequently reduced intracellular lipid droplets, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), and triglyceride (TG). AJLE also increased the expression of brown adipocyte markers, such as uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1), PR/SET domain 16 (PRDM16), and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) by inducing the differentiation of brown adipocytes, as shown by a decrease in the lipid droplet sizes and increasing mitochondrial mass. AJLE increased the expression of transcription factor A, mitochondrial (TFAM), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, and UCP-1 protein expression, all of which are key factors in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis. AJLE-induced browning was shown to be regulated by the coordination of AMPK, p38, and SIRT1 signaling pathways. The ability of AJLE to inhibit adipogenesis and induce brown adipocyte differentiation may help treat obesity and related diseases.

A comparison review of Hehuan flowers and Hehuan bark on the traditional applications, phytochemistry and pharmacological effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Albizia julibrissin Durazz is a well-known medicinal plant with the Chinese name Hehuan []. Hehuan bark and Hehuan flowers have long been recognized as traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating anxiety, melancholy, insomnia, bruises, pulmonary abscess, fractures, carbuncle, amnesia, acute conjunctivitis, blurred vision, neonatal tetanus and stroke for thousands of years. They are recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia separately with different properties. Until now, new chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Hehuan have been continuously studied and revealed.

THE AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology effects, and toxicology of Hehuan bark and Hehuan flowers, and give critical assessment and point out the promising direction for further research on Hehuan.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature search was undertaken on Hehuan bark and Hehuan flowers by analyzing the information from scientific databases (SciFinder, Pubmed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Baidu Scholar). We also gathered the information of Hehuan from classic herbal literatures and conference papers on ethnopharmacology.

RESULTS

According to Chinese and English documents, the medicinal history of Hehuan in China can be traced back to ad 25. Meanwhile, its medicinal history as a kind of herbal medicine can also be found in other Asian countries. So far about 140 compounds have been isolated from Hehuan bark and Hehuan flowers, including triterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, alkaloids, etc. Among them, flavonoids mainly exist in Hehuan flowers, while Hehuan bark contains lignans and saponins. The composition differences between the barks and flowers of Hehuan account for the different effects and applications. Modern pharmacological studies have indicated that crude extracts and pure compounds of Hehuan flowers and Hehuan bark have multiple pharmacological activities, such as antineoplastic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant, metabolic regulation, anti-insomnia, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, sedative, and anti-osteolytic activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Hehuan (Albizia julibrissin Durazz) is traditionally used to relieve depression, calm nerves, promote blood circulation and reduce swelling. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed that natural products from Hehuan bark and Hehuan flowers possess extensive pharmacological activities in treating cancer, enhancing immunity, regulating metabolism, improving mental state, etc. These properties make it great clinical application potential. Further research on natural pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and quality standards of Hehuan are still required to verify the efficacy and safety for future clinical applications.

Hyperoside inhibits the effects induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein in vascular smooth muscle cells via oxLDL-LOX-1-ERK pathway

Hyperoside is a major active constituent in many medicinal plants traditionally used in Chinese medicines for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and vascular protective effects. Recent studies have focused on the protective effects of hyperoside on hyperlipidemia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. In this study, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were treated in vitro with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in the presence or absence of hyperoside. Western blotting, quantitative PCR, and tetrazolium assay were used to detect lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) activation, and to determine VSMCs viability. The results demonstrated that oxLDL promoted LOX-1 expression, ERK activation, and proliferation in VSMCs. Hyperoside significantly inhibited the oxLDL-stimulated effects after long time exposure. However, it promoted ERK activation directly following a short incubation duration (25 min). In conclusion, hyperoside inhibits oxLDL-induced LOX-1 expression, ERK activation, and cell proliferation through the oxLDL-LOX-1-ERK pathway in VSMCs. Our findings suggest a novel role of hyperoside in treating and preventing atherosclerosis.

Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum on selected traditional and novel biochemical factors of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic rabbits: A comparison between the extract and lovastatin

Context:

Evidence suggests that diets with high contents of cholesterol will increase serum lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, thereby increase risk of atherosclerosis. According to literature, some plants show hypolipidemic, hypocholestrolemic, and antiatherosclerotic activities.

Aims:

In this study, antiatherosclerotic effect of Hypericum perforatum hydroalcoholic extract on hypercholesterolemic rabbits was compared with that of lovastatin.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty five mature male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into five groups of five and were fed for 60 days as follows: Standard diet (GroupI), standard diet and hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum (150 mg/kg daily)(GroupII), standard diet, hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum (150 mg/ kg daily) and cholesterol (1% of food content) (Group III), standard diet and cholesterol (1% of food content)(GroupIV), and finally standard diet, lovastatin (10 mg/kg), and cholesterol (1% of foodcontent) (GroupV).

Results:

Hypericum perforatum extract significantly decreased the levels of apolipoprotein B(apoB), apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A (apoB/apoA), triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, oxidized LDL, malondialdehyde, and C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as atherosclerosis index, and increased high density lipoprotein and apoA in rabbits of Group III compared to the rabbits of Group IV. The effect of Hypericum perforatum extract in decreasing the level of some biochemical factors like apoB, apoB/apoA, and CRP was meaningfully more than that of lovastatin. Histopathological findings confirmed that hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum restricted the atherosclerotic lesions.

Conclusions:

This study indicates that hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum possesses hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects and could be beneficial in the management of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Fractionation of blue wheat anthocyanin compounds and their contribution to antioxidant properties

Demands for anthocyanin-rich foods and supplements are steadily increasing due to their significant roles in human health and food coloration. In the development of blue wheat as a functional food ingredient, dry milling was employed to separate the bran fraction where anthocyanins are concentrated 2.3-fold as compared to whole grain (13.9 mg/100 g). Anthocyanins were then extracted with aqueous ethanol and partially purified into a highly concentrated powder. The total anthocyanin content in the isolated powder as analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) averaged 3378 mg/100 g and afforded a 243-fold increase in concentration relative to the whole grain product. Four main anthocyanins, delphinidin-3-glucoside (45%), cyanidin-3-glucoside (28%), delphinidin-3-rutinoside (22%), and cyanidin-3-rutinoside (2%), were isolated from the powder using preparative HPLC. Anthocyanin products and compounds were assessed against scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate) radicals and inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation. Significant differences in antioxidant capacity were observed with anthocyanin powder and compounds exceeding that of butylated hydroxytoluene, indicating a potential for the development of blue wheat-based natural antioxidants and colorants.