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This study aims at examining the hypolipidemic effect of piceatannol on high fat diet (HFD)-induced hypercholesterolemic Sprague-Dawley rats and serum metabolite changes. Piceatannol supplement significantly lowered the total cholesterols, low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the atherogenic index as compared to the HFD model which only have increased dietary cholesterol intake. Using untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomic platforms, multivariate statistics revealed that HFD significantly perturbed fatty acids, lysophospholipids, bile acids and conjugated bile acids. Reduced CYP7A1 protein expression and increase in glycocholate and taurodeoxycholate after piceatannol treatment suggested the conjugated bile acid might contribute to the cholesterol-lowering effect. For lipid profiles, lysoPC (20:2) and lysoPC (20:0) were decreased while the ratio of esterified arachidonic acid to esterified dihomo-γ linoleic acid was up-regulated for rats after piceatannol supplement. These results indicated that the therapeutic effect of piceatannol is associated with bile acid and fatty acid metabolisms and reduced absorption of dietary cholesterols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycium barbarum fruit (Goji or wolfberry) is widely used as a functional food as well as an herb in Chinese medicine. The polysaccharides of L. barbarum (LBPs) are well-known for immunomodulation and antioxidant activities. This study evaluated the yields, properties and bioactivities of LBPs extracted from L. barbarum fruit by different methods including hot water (HWE 100 °C), ultrasonic water (UWE 30–40 °C), subcritical water (SWE 110 °C), and ultrasound-enhanced subcritical water extraction (USWE 110 °C). The total LBP yield (80 min extraction followed by ethanol precipitation) was the highest from USWE (14% w/w) and the lowest from HWE (7.6%). The LBP from USWE also showed the highest protein (27.9%) and phenolic content (5.3%, w/w), and the highest antioxidant activities (scavenging radicals by DPPH and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays; ferric reducing power). It also showed the highest immunoactivities in activating the phagocytosis and NO production of RAW264.7 macrophages. USWE was proven the most efficient method for extraction of LBPs. Temperature and ultrasound were two chief factors affecting the extraction yield, chemical properties and bioactivities of LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Shan Zha’s hypocholesterolaemic and vasoprotective effects were investigated. [•] Shan Zha 80% ethanolic extract improved lipid profile in hypercholesterolaemic rats. [•] Endothelium-mediated aortic relaxation was enhanced in Shan Zha treated rats. [•] Shan Zha could provide its effect by up-regulating hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA expression. [•] Shan Zha may be used to treat hypercholesterolaemia-related complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Investigate the hypocholesterolaemic and vascular protective effects of PNS. [•] 28-Day treatment of PNS improved lipid profile in hypercholesterolaemic rats. [•] PNS improved endothelium-mediated aortic relaxation. [•] PNS gave its effect by changing the hepatic CYP7A1 and PPARα expressions. [•] This study provides mechanistic explanation of PNS’s beneficial effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Gui-ling-gao (GLG), also known as turtle jelly, is a popular medicinal Chinese health/functional food prepared from several traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. The present study aimed at examining and explaining the anti-inflammatory properties of GLG by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in splenocytes isolated from BALB/c mice. Additionally, the effects of GLG on mRNA and protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated splenocyte proliferation were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot assays. We demonstrated that GLG significantly inhibited LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. LPS-mediated up-regulations in the gene and protein expressions of iNOS, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were suppressed by GLG. These findings suggest for the first time that GLG exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the expression of iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α. The current study provides strong scientific evidence for the health-beneficial claim that consumption of GLG could help the body to modulate the immune system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Some of the major components of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), a widely used Chinese herbal medicine rich in phenolic acids, are thermosensitive and may degrade to other phenolic acids during extractions with heating. The chemical profiles of Danshen water-extract may vary with different heat water extraction at different temperatures, affecting the composition and bioactivity of the extracts. In this study, six water-extracts of Danshen obtained from heat reflux water extraction and microwave-assisted extraction with water (MAE-W) at different temperatures were tested for their composition and pharmacological effects. Among these extracts, the third-round MAE-W (100°C) extract had the highest phenolic acids and tanshinones contents, with the strongest antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and ferric reducing/antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay. This extract also showed the strongest inhibitory effects on 2,2′-azobis-2-amidinopropane (AAPH)-induced hemolysis in human red blood cells, hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in rat heart H9c2 cells and the highest relaxation effects on rat basilar artery. The antioxidant effects of Danshen water-extracts linearly correlated to their relaxation effects (r =0.895–0.977). Through multiple linear regression analysis, danshensu was found to be the most significant marker in the antioxidant and vasodilation effects of Danshen water-extract, while tanshinone IIA as the marker on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in rat heart H9c2 cells. Danshensu is, therefore, a useful marker for the quality control of Danshen water-extracts in antioxidant and vasodilation, while tanshinone IIA for anti-apoptotic potential of different extracts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: Beimu (Bulbus Fritillariae) is a commonly used anti-tussive traditional Chinese herbal medicine and the major Fritillaria alkaloids in the herb are believed to be responsible for its antitussive activity. However, the detailed underlying mechanism and potency of individual Fritillaria alkaloids are still not very clear. Methods: In the present study, we investigated and compared the relaxant effect of five major Fritillaria alkaloids [imperialine (IMP), verticine (VER), verticinone (VERN), ebeiedine (EBE) and puqietinone (PUQ)] using rat isolated tracheal and bronchial preparations pre-contracted with carbachol. Results: All five Fritillaria alkaloids caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of both tracheal and bronchial preparations with the relative relaxing potency of IMP < VER ≅ VERN < EBE < PUQ. Amongst all five alkaloids tested, IMP (an isosteroidal Fritillaria alkaloid with a cis-configuration in rings D and E) was found to be the most potent; whereas PUQ (a steroidal Fritillaria alkaloid) was the least effective one. Furthermore, three Fritillaria alkaloids, namely IMP, VER and VERN (≥ 1 μmol·L−1) were capable of eliciting parallel rightward shifts of the carbachol concentration-response curve, demonstrating a competitive antagonism in muscarinic pathway. In addition, the suppression of carbachol-induced contraction caused by all five isosteroidal Fritillaria alkaloids was also partly due to the inhibition of influx of calcium ions. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the major isosteroidal Fritillaria alkaloids might be the most active constituents responsible for the anti-tussive activity of herbal Beimu with the mechanisms of competitive antagonism of muscarinic pathway and also the inhibition of influx of calcium ions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The hypocholesterolemic and atheroscleroprotective potentials of dietary consumption of hawthorn (dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, Shan Zha) were investigated by monitoring plasma lipid profiles and aortic relaxation in Sprague–Dawley rats fed with either normal diet, high-cholesterol diet (HCD) or HCD supplemented with hawthorn powder (2%, w/w) (4weeks). In HCD-fed rats, an increased plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol with a decreased HDL-cholesterol was observed, and consumption of hawthorn markedly suppressed the elevated total cholesterol and LDL-lipoprotein levels plus an increased HDL-cholesterol level. The blunted acetylcholine-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation of isolated aortas of HCD-fed rats was improved by hawthorn. The development of fatty liver, an increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and an elevated oxidative stress (as estimated by the attenuated levels of anti-oxidant enzymes) associated with HCD were attenuated by hawthorn. Thus, the results demonstrated that hawthorn consumption provides overall beneficial effects on reversing HCD associated detrimental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]