Naturally occurring inhibitors against the formation of advanced glycation endproducts and Maillard reaction products in Korean food and health (647.29)

Abstract

We have screened natural plants against formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), and selected yellow myrobalan (Terminalia chebula), Asiatic plantain (Plantago asiatica L.) and seaweed fulvescenes (Capsosiphon fulvescens). T. chebula, native to India and Southeast Asia, has been used for antidiabetic and cardioprotective effects. Hepatoprotective chebulic acid (CA) was isolated from T. chebula extract (TCE). The adhesion of THP‐1 monocytic cell adhesion to HUVEC with AGEs was reduced by the treatments of TCE or CA suggesting an effect for alleviating diabetic complications. In addition, the EtOAc‐soluble portion of TCE showed reduced the levels of blood glucose and serum lipids, and decreased the AGEs distribution in testis seminiferous tubules of rats. P. asiatica, is used as a folk medicine in Asian countries. From its extract, plantamajoside was isolated, and its glycation inhibitory activities were higher. In a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled parallel design, the human data showed reductions of plasma free fatty acid levels, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein levels and DNA damage in lymphocytes with high‐dose Asiatic plantain. Pheophorbide a (PhA) from C. fulvescens demonstrated significant activities of glycation inhibition, monocyte adhesive inhibition and down regulation of AGEs‐stimulated cytokines related to inflammation of the endothelium.Also, models of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were applied to experimental batch‐type simulator models imitating human intestinal conditions, and affected the growth of gut commensal bacteria, particularly lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, whose levels increased significantly. There was a corresponding shift in the bacterial metabolites with increased level of lactate and decreased level of butyric acid with MRPs suggesting a health‐promoting effect in humans. In addition, MRPs showed immune‐modulating effects contribute to host immune defense through enhancing innate immune activity.