Search

Flavonoids present in the leaves of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) grown in different regions of South Korea (Yeongcheon, Haenam, and Seocheon) and at different harvest times (July to September) were determined. Flavonoid contents in lotus extracts were identified and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC results revealed that the flavonoid contents of the lotus extracts varied at different harvesting times, with the highest content in July. Analysis of the flavonoid content in the leaves from the different regions showed the highest contents of isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, and quercetin 3-O-glucoside in Yeongcheon, Korea, and highest contnts of rutin, myricetin, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, and quercetin in Haenam, Korea. The HPLC method was validated and optimized to quantify quercetin 3-O-glucuronide; it showed good linearity (1000–62.5 µg/mL, r2 = 0.9999), accuracy (106%–108%), and precision (RSD ≤ 1.70%). Determination of flavonoid content in lotus is valuable for producing medicinal crops and identifying the optimal sources to increase the quantity of clinically available medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress is an emerging and inevitable entity. Stress causes anxiety, depression, imbalance of homeostasis, hormone imbalance, and sleep disturbances that are closely related to the onset of metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of Ocimum sanctum extract (TZ-OSE) on anti-anxiety, anti-stress, and control of physiological changes due to sleep disturbance in a rat model with restraint stress and sleep disorder induced. After inducing the rat model with restraint stress, three behavioral tests were performed and blood cortisol concentration was determined. In Elevated plus maze test, the test substance TZ-OSE at dose of 200 mg/kg showed the best effect in increasing time that stayed on the open arms. In tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST), TZ-OSE significantly reduced immobility duration time (IMT). TZ-OSE also decreased plasma cortisol concentration. In the model after inducing sleep disturbance, ELISA, Western blotting, and Immuno-histochemistry (IHC) were conducted. TZ-OSE treatment decreased plasma cortisol, norepinephrine, glucose, and acylated ghrelin concentrations in the rat model with sleep disorders induced. Decreases of melatonin and leptin levels in the plasma of the rat model with sleep disorders induced were increased by TZ-OSE treatment. Finally, TZ-OSE treatment decreased metabolism-related markers (p-AMPK, Glut-4, p-ACC) in stomach and muscle tissues and decreased the expression of cortisol in adrenal gland tissues. Taken together, these results suggest that TZ-OSE can decrease anxiety, depression, and stress in vivo, regulate sleep-related factors, and control energy metabolism index factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) is a rare benign lesion predominantly involving the small bones of the hands and feet. Malignant transformation in BPOP has not been documented in the English literature. This report presents the coexistence of fibrosarcoma with BPOP in the right distal fibula of an 18-year-old woman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]