Chapter 27 - Antioxidant properties and applications of Ophiopogon japonicus root for age-related disease

Abstract

Ophiopogonis Radix, which nourishes the yin, has been used in clinical practice to promote fluid secretion and to moisturize the lungs and skin in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. To evaluate this traditional medicinal effect, we investigated Ophiopogonis Radix's antichronic inflammatory effect on senescent cells. Permanent low-grade inflammation has been shown previously to be present in the elderly population, and long-term accumulation of cellular senescence can be responsible for age-related diseases. Consequently, cellular senescence may be a therapeutic target for age-related inflammatory diseases. Senescent normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) were induced in vitro by low-concentration H2O2 treatment. The NHDFs showed overexpression of SA-β-gal, morphological changes, and growth arrest. Additionally, the induced senescent NHDFs were accompanied by increased expression of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β genes. The Japanese and Chinese herbal medicine, Ophiopogonis Radix, is prepared from the enlarged part of the root of Ophiopogon japonicus Ker-Gawler. Methanol extracts and main constituents (methylophiopogonanone A, methylophiopogonanone B, ophiopogonanone A, and ophiopogonin B) significantly downregulated the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 and decreased IL-6 production in a strong and concentration-dependent manner by ELISA method. It is suggesting that Ophiopogonis Radix can be effective for chronic inflammation associated with aging. We believe that it is very important to clarify the antiinflammatory activities of crude drugs, such as Ophiopogonis Radix, on senescent cells for prevention and treatment of chronic age-related inflammation.