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Shiikuwasha (Citrus depressa Hayata) essential oil (SEO) extracted from Shiikuwasha fruit pulp contains two major volatile components, limonene and g-terpinene (56.56e57.31 and 24.41e24.98%, respectively). In this study, we showed that the aroma streams of SEO, limonene, and g-terpinene exhibited significant physiological stress amelioration effects in nine healthy female panelists tested in a 30-min visual display task. While SEO administration significantly reduced work errors by 15 min compared to the odorless control condition, the limonene stream reduced work errors only at the first and fourth 5-min intervals, and the g-terpinene effect lasted only for the initial 5-min. However, g-terpinene inhalation reduced stress by significantly increasing post-work electrocardiogram ReR interval variability and lowering electroencephalogram beta wave powers at the midline occipital Oz position. Additionally, SEO, limonene, and g-terpinene displayed anti-inflammatory activity in vitro by suppressing the pro-inflammatory markers NO and IL-1b in BV- 2 microglial cells in a dose-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Angelica shikokiana is a Japanese medicinal herb that is included among food and drug preparations protecting against cancer; however, there is no previous report about the cytotoxicity of A. shikokiana or its bioactive compounds. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic activities of A. shikokiana methanol extract (AME) and its isolated compounds and to identify the molecular mechanisms of the cytotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity and selectivity was investigated by measuring the IC50 values on five cancer cell lines; human hepatocellular carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (RD), colorectal carcinoma, human epithelioma and human breast adenocarcinoma and one normal cell line; human lung fibroblasts. The effects on tubulin polymerization and histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8), were examined to determine the mechanism of cytotoxicity. Docking study was designed to examine the binding affinity to the target molecules. Results: Methanol extract and some of its isolated coumarins and flavonoids showed potent, selective cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. AME and all isolated compounds inhibited tubulin polymerization. Angelicin and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside were the most active compounds. Phenolic compounds and furanocoumarins showed binding affinity to colchicine binding site rather than the vinblastine binding site of tubulin microtubules. On the other side, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, chlorogenic acid, and methyl chlorogenate exhibited the strongest activity against HDAC8 and the highest affinity to trichostatin A binding site. Conclusion: These findings provide the first scientific evidence of the cytotoxicity of AME through inhibition of tubulin polymerization and HDAC8 activity through its coumarin and flavonoid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new polyoxygenated cucurbitane triterpene glycosides named kedrojiftene A-D (4-7), were isolated via different chromatographic techniques along with three phenolic compounds (1-3) from the crude extract of Kedrostis gijef. The isolated compounds were elucidated based on 1D, 2D-NMR spectroscopic analyses, HRESIMS and comparison with the related metabolites in literature. In bioassay, the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay for the isolated compounds was carried out and compounds (1-3) showed significant inhibitory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we compare the performance of two reversed-phase liquid chromatographic approaches using different eluents either conventional hydro-organic eluent or micellar one for simultaneous estimation of hydrocortisone acetate and pramoxine hydrochloride in presence of their degradants and process-related impurities; hydrocortisone and 4-butoxyphenol, respectively. For conventional reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), separation of the studied compounds was completed on an Inertsil ODS 3-C18 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle size) with a mobile phase consists of 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 5.0): acetonitrile (50: 50, v/v). For micellar liquid chromatography (MLC), an Eclipse XDB-C8 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle size) was chosen for the separation with a green mobile phase consists of 0.15 M sodium dodecyl sulfate, 0.3% triethylamine and 10% n-butanol in 20 mM orthophosphoric acid (pH 5.0). Both methods were extended to analyze hydrocortisone acetate and pramoxine hydrochloride in their co-formulated cream. RPLC was superior to MLC with regard to sensitivity for the estimation of impurities. While, MLC represents an eco-friendly, less hazardous and biodegradable approach. Furthermore, the direct injection of the cream to the system without the need to laborious samples pretreatment, excessive amount of analysis time and/or use of large amount of toxic organic solvents is one of the outstanding advantages of MLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaves of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) possess high medicinal value and have been used as traditional medicines. However, there are no evidence-based studies on the skin-care effects of E. japonica leaves. To explore new biological activities of E. japonica leaves against skin disorder and to gain a better understanding of the chemical components associated with bioactivities, we evaluated 18 triterpenoids from E. japonica leaves on anti-melanogenesis, anti-acne, anti-allergy and anti-aging activities. Our results revealed that eight compounds showed anti-melanogenesis activity, of which ursolic acid (1) and maslinic acid (7) were the most potent with the similar selective index to that of arbutin. Structure–activity relationship and possible mechanism of active compounds were proposed. Twelve compounds exhibited anti-acne effect; ursolic acid (1), maslinic acid (7), corosolic acid (8) and euscaphic acid (12) showed highest activities against P. acnes. Four compounds displayed anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory activity; 3-epicorosolic acid (9) and euscaphic acid (12) showed marked activity against -hexosaminidase release. Finally, ursolic acid (1), pomolic acid (10), colosolic acid (8) and its methylated derivative (6) exhibited the highest anti-aging activity by stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) production. Our findings provide valuable evidence that E. japonica leaves have potential applications as ingredients of function foods or cosmetics for health benefits and a number of triterpenoids may play an important role in these bioactivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The broader objective of this study is to identify natural materials that might inhibit the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We have focused on stingless bee honey, which has a unique taste that is both sweet and sour and sometimes bitter. We screened 12 samples of honey from 11 species of stingless bees using an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-spike protein-binding assay and phytochemical analysis. Ten of the samples showed inhibition above 50% in this assay system. Most of the honey contained tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, carotenoids and carbohydrates. Our findings in this in vitro study showed that honey from stingless bees may have a potent effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting the ACE2-spike protein-binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of bioassay-guided fractionation using mushroom tyrosinase, a geranylated stilbene, chlorophorin, was characterized as the principal tyrosinase inhibitor in the heartwood of Chlorophora excelsa (Moraceae). It inhibited the oxidation of L-tyrosine and DL-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DL-DOPA) due to mushroom tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis on B16 melanoma cells. Chlorophorin, which is a slight yellowish compound, has previously been reported as an unstable compound in light. On the basis of this finding, a chlorophorin derivative [4-(3″,7″-dimethyloctyl)-2′,3,4′,5-tetrahydroxydihydrostilbene; hexahydrochlorophorin] which is colorless, obtained by the hydrogenation of chlorophorin with Pd/C, was also tested to develop a superior material for practical use. Hexahydrochlorophorin showed more potent inhibitory activity on tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis, and lower cytotoxicity towards B16 melanoma cells than chlorophorin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate chemical uses of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) shoot skin, we identified the main component of non-polar solvent extracts. To this end, a white precipitate from n-hexane extracts was evaluated using silica-gel column chromatography. The fraction with the highest recovery showed a single spot in silica-gel thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analyses. In subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron impact-mass spectrometry (EIMS) analyses, we identified the compound in the fraction as 1-triacontanol, which is a known regulator of plant growth. In addition, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) experiments showed 1-triacontanol concentrations of 13.3 and 41.7 ppm in fresh and boiled skins, respectively. In boiled skins, 1- triacontanol concentrations reached a maximum of 71.3 ppm after 2 weeks of composting. Although concentrations gradually decreased thereafter, they remained at 19.7 ppm after compost maturation for 6 months. In a further experiment, seeds of Welsh onion were sown on absorbent cotton impregnated with authentic 1-triacontanol solutions, significant increase in hypocotyl length was observed. Due to the presence of 1-triacontanol, Moso bamboo shoot skin has potential as functional compost that promotes plant growth for agricultural uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to discover more candidates for development of novel anti melanogenesis compounds from leaves of O. europeae. Seventeen compounds have been isolated from the leaves of O. europeae. The isolated compounds were identified as α, β-amyrin mixture (1), β-sitosterol (2), uvaol, erythrodiol mixture (3), oleanolic acid (4), maslinic acid (5), vomifoliol (6), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (7), luteolin (8), oleoside dimethylester (9), oleuropein (10), hydroxypinoresinol 1-O-β-D-glucoside (11), luteolin-7-O-β-Dglucoside (12), diosmetin 7-O-β-D-glucoside (13), verbascoside (14), oleoside 11-methylester (15), secoxyloganin (16) and hydroxytyrosol 8-O-β-D-glucoside, hydroxytyrosol 4'-O-β-D-glucoside mixture (17). This is the first report on the identification of vomifoliol (6) in the oleaceae family. Results showed that several compounds other than oleuropein exhibited inhibition of melanin synthesis and at the same time with low cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot study aims to analyze effects on the short-term memory and mood of the scent of bornyl acetate and eucalyptol, two volatile which are commonly used in many essential oils. The 44 participants in this study were from Nagasaki University's School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences (19 male, 25 female), and ranged in age from 18-20 with a mean age of 19. Effects on short-term memory by a memory test and changes in mood by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire were examined. Results showed that the average score of females and the combination of males and females was significantly better in the room with eucalyptol scent compared to the unscented room. The scent of eucalyptol was more effective than bornyl acetate in improving short-term memory, whereas bornyl acetate was effective in reducing vigor. This effect was particularly apparent among female subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ganoderic acid A (GAA) is one of the major Ganoderma triterpenes produced by medicinal mushroom belonging to the genus Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae). Due to its interesting pharmacological activities, Ganoderma species have been traditionally used in China for the treatment of various diseases. Herein, we developed a colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic strip assay (ICA) for the rapid detection of GAA using highly specific monoclonal antibody against GAA (MAb 12A) conjugated with gold nanoparticles. Using the developed ICA, the detection of GAA can be completed within 15 min after dipping the test strip into an analyte solution with the limit of detection (LOD) for GAA of ~ 500 ng/mL. In addition, this system makes it possible to perform a semi-quantitative analysis of GAA in Ganoderma lingzhi, where high reliability was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The newly developed ICA can potentially be applied to the standardization of Ganoderma using GAA as an index because GAA is major triterpenoid present much in the mushroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angelica shikokiana is widely marketed in Japan as a dietary food supplement. With a focus on neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, the aerial part was extracted and through bio-guided fractionation, fifteen compounds [á-glutinol, â-amyrin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, methyl chlorogenate, chlorogenic acid, hyuganin E, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde, â-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside, adenosine (isolated for the first time from A. shikokiana), isoepoxypteryxin and isopteryxin] were isolated. Isolated compounds were evaluated for in vitro neuroprotection using acetylcholine esterase inhibitory, protection against hydrogen peroxide and amyloid â peptide (Aâ25-35)-induced neurotoxicity in neuro-2A cells, scavenging of hydroxyl radicals and intracellular reactive oxygen species and thioflavin T assays. Quercetin showed the strongest AChE inhibition (IC50 value = 35.5 ìM) through binding to His-440 and Tyr-70 residues at the catalytic and anionic sites of acetylcholine esterase, respectively. Chlorogenic acid, its methyl ester, quercetin and luteolin could significantly protect neuro-2A cells against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity and scavenge hydroxyl radical and intracellular reactive oxygen species. Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoiside, hyuganin E and isoepoxypteryxin significantly decreased Aâ25-35-induced neurotoxicity and Th-T fluorescence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about neuroprotection of hyuganin E and isoepoxypteryxin against Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the antioxidant and anti-melanogenesis activities of Durio kutejensis [Bombacaceae (Hassk.) Becc] fruit extract. Methods: The fruit flesh of D. kutejensis was extracted successively with n-hexane, ethyl acetate/EtOAc, and ethanol/EtOH at room temperature repeatedly. The extracts were concentrated in vacuo to yield their residues. Antioxidant properties were analyzed by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) while anti-melanogensis activity was evaluated by tyrosinase enzyme activity and B16 melanoma cell assays (melanin inhibition and cytotoxicity). Results: The extract (200 μg/mL) showed melanin inhibition by inhibiting melanin formation in B16 melanoma cell by 47% without cytotoxicity but did not inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity. The extract (1 - 1000 μg/mL) also exhibited some level of antioxidant activity including ORAC (0.04 ± 0.00 ymol TE/mg at 950μg/mL), ABTS (1.0 ± 0.2% at 100.8μg/mL), SOD (IC50, 76.00 ± 14.6 μg/mL, and DPPH (21.5 ± 0.7% at 97.39μg/mL extract concentration). Conclusion: The fruit extract of Durio kutejensis has antioxidant properties with a potential for treating hyperpigmentation and for use as a skin-lightening agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides being a useful building material, bamboo also is a potential source of bioactive substances. Although some studies have been performed to examine its use in terms of the biological activity, only certain parts of bamboo, especially the leaves or shoots, have been studied. Comprehensive and comparative studies among different parts of bamboo would contribute to a better understanding and application of this knowledge. In this study, the biological activities of ethanol and water extracts from the leaves, branches, outer culm, inner culm, knots, rhizomes and roots of Phyllostachys pubescens, the major species of bamboo in Japan, were comparatively evaluated. The phytochemical profiles of these extracts were tentatively determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The results showed that extracts from different parts of bamboo had different chemical compositions and different antioxidative, antibacterial and antiallergic activities, as well as on on melanin biosynthesis. Outer culm and inner culm were found to be the most important sources of active compounds. 8-C-Glucosylapigenin, luteolin derivatives and chlorogenic acid were the most probable compounds responsible for the anti-allergy activity of these bamboo extracts. Our study suggests the potential use of bamboo as a functional ingredient in cosmetics or other health-related products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]