Abstract
The aim of this study was, firstly, to evaluate the phenol profile of thistle (Cirsium japonicum, CJ) by High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MS), dried by different methods (90 °C hot-air, 70 °C hot-air, shade-, and freeze-drying). Secondly, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between phenolic compounds content and antioxidant properties. CJ contained chlorogenic acid, linarin, and pectolinarin. Total phenolic contents of CJ significantly decreased under hot-air-drying condition, especially chlorogenic acid contents in CJ have been reduced by 85% and 60% for 90 °C and 70 °C hot-air-drying, respectively. We evaluated the protective effect on adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and Caenorhabditis elegans using shade-dried CJ, which has the largest phenolic contents and the strongest antioxidant property. CJ-treated PC 12 cells dose-dependently exhibited the protective effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS), while cell viability increases, lactate dehydrogenase release decreases, and ROS formation decreases. Furthermore, CJ has also shown protection against ROS in C. elegans. Consequently, CJ contributed to lifespan extension under ROS stress without influencing the physiological growth.
Highlights
People in North America have used the roots of thistles to treat wounds, boils, piles, and stomachache [1]
The major compounds contained in Cirsium japonicum (CJ) include chlorogenic acid, linarin, pectolinarin, apigenin, luteolin, acacetin, hispidulin, silymarin, cirsmarin, and cirsmaritin [3,4,5,6]
Research regarding CJ is underway on the preventive efficacies on age-related brain and neuronal degeneration such as anti-menopausal [8,9], gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level modulate [10,11,12], and neuronal protective effects [4,13]
Summary
People in North America have used the roots of thistles to treat wounds, boils, piles, and stomachache [1]. In Asia, traditionally, the aerial part of thistles has been used as food and medicine after boiling for purpose of cooling blood and maintaining hemostasis [2]. Thistle is characterized by leaves that contain prickles around the edges. These plants include genera Cardueae, Carduus, Onopordum, and Cirsium. CJ extract has been previously reported for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect; these reports are mainly on hepatocellular and/or liver target efficacies [5,7]. Research regarding CJ is underway on the preventive efficacies on age-related brain and neuronal degeneration such as anti-menopausal [8,9], gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level modulate [10,11,12], and neuronal protective effects [4,13]
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