Boiling Water Extraction Research Articles

Anti-Helicobacter pylori effect of various extracts of ixeris chinensis on inflammatory markers in human gastric epithelial AGS cells

Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai (Taiwan) is a traditional herbal medicine used for treating various ailments, such as stomach ache, common cold and diarrhoea. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive effect of I. chinensis on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced gastric adenocarcinoma in an AGS cell model. Three types of I. chinensis extract were used: boiling water extract (BWE), ethanol extract (EE) and chloroform extract (CE) to check anti-H. pylori activity on the AGS cell line. Phytochemical and HPLC analysis were performed. In vitro antioxidant activity, including TEAC, DPPH and H2O2 scavenging abilities, was evaluated. In addition, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined, and an MTT assay determined survival rate. Furthermore, interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured. The BWE showed better antioxidative activity than the EE and CE. The lag time of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation was significantly increased by BWE, EE and CE. However, CE showed maximum antibacterial (MIC, MBC), anti-adhesive (urease test) and anti-inflammatory (IL-8, NO, TNF-α) activities. Based on the above findings, I. chinensis extract (BWE and CE) clearly shows antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive effects on H. pylori-induced gastric adenocarcinoma in the AGS cell model. Hence, I. chinensis might be used to combat against H. pylori-induced gastric cancer with standard chemotherapeutic agents.

Acidic polysaccharide complexes from purslane, silver linden and lavender stimulate Peyer’s patch immune cells through innate and adaptive mechanisms

Three polysaccharide complexes (PSCs) were isolated from the aerial parts of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), and the flowers of common lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and silver linden (Tilia tomentosa Moench) by boiling water extraction and ethanol precipitation. The chemical composition and immunomodulating effects of isolated PSCs were characterized. The chemical characterization revealed that the three samples contain mainly pectic polysaccharides. They exhibited ex vivo intestinal immunomodulating activity through the murine Peyer’s patch-mediated bone marrow cell proliferation test at 100μg/ml concentration. At the same time, they stimulated ex vivo human blood T-cell populations (CD4+/CD25+ and CD8+/CD25+), phagocytic leukocytes (CD14+ and CD64+ cells) and induced IL-6 production from human white blood cells and Peyer’s patch cells. The herbal PSCs stimulated ex vivo ROS production from whole blood phagocytes and showed unspecific in vitro anti-proliferative activity against normal and A549, HeLa and LS180 tumor cells. This is the first report on immunomodulating studies of linden flower pectins and chemical and biological activity characterization of lavender polysaccharides. Our study demonstrates that similarly to purslane, lavender and silver linden herbal materials contain immunomodulating polysaccharides that could be useful for support of compromised immune system.

Effect of ninjin'yoeito and ginseng extracts on oxaliplatin-induced neuropathies in mice.

Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) is a platinum-based anticancer agent used to treat various types of cancer. It frequently causes acute and chronic peripheral neuropathies, such as cold allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia. Ninjin'yoeito (NYT) is a formula used in traditional Japanese Kampo medicine to improve recovery from diseases and other medical disorders. We previously reported that treatment with a boiling-water extract of NYT prevented L-OHP-induced damage to neurite-like outgrowths from differentiated PC12 cells. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the in vivo effects of NYT on L-OHP-induced neuropathic pain in mice and identify the active ingredients in NYT. Treatment with NYT extract significantly ameliorated both cold allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia induced by L-OHP. While L-OHP treatment suppressed neurite outgrowths from primary dorsal root ganglion cells in vitro, NYT extract blocked this suppression in a concentration-dependent manner. Among the herbal components of NYT, the extract of ginseng (Panax ginseng roots) showed a protective effect against neurite damage induced by L-OHP, and one of its active ingredients was identified as ginsenoside Rg3. Ginseng extract partially relieved L-OHP-induced neuropathic pain in mice. Our results suggest that NYT could be an attractive agent for treating L-OHP-induced neuropathic pain, and that the active ingredient of NYT may be ginseng.

The common lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) pectic polysaccharides modulate phagocytic leukocytes and intestinal Peyer’s patch cells

Two pectic (chPS-L1, chPS-L2) and one polyphenolic (chPP-L) fractions were obtained from lavender flowers after boiling water extraction, exhaustive removing of alcohol-soluble molecules and SEC. chPS-L1 (52.4kDa) contains mainly low-acetylated and high-methoxylated homogalacturonans (HG), and smaller rhamnogalacturonan (RG) I backbone fragments rich in 1,3,5-branched arabinan and arabinogalactan (AG) II side chains. chPS-L2 (21.8kDa) contains predominantly similarly esterified HG, followed by RGI with AGII structures and RGII. The prevalence of catechin and epicatechin in chPP-L indicates that they form weak interactions with pectins. chPS-L1 and chPS-L2 enhanced ß2-integrin expression on neutrophils, inducing ROS generation and macrophage NO production. Both the effects on ß2-integrin and high complement fixation activity of chPS-L1 were proposed for its inhibitory action against PMA- and OZP-activated ROS formation. This, together with suppression of NO generation after co-stimulation with chPS-L1 and LPS, suggested anti-inflammatory activity of studied pectins. Lavender polysaccharides expressed intestinal Peyer’s patch immunomodulating activity.

Effects of Hwangryunhaedok-tang on gastrointestinal motility function in mice.

AIMTo investigate the effects of Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HHT) on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in mice.METHODSThe effects of a boiling water extract of HHT (HHTE) on GI motility were investigated by calculating percent intestinal transit rates (ITR%) and gastric emptying (GE) values using Evans Blue and phenol red, respectively, in normal mice and in mice with experimentally induced GI motility dysfunction (GMD). In addition, the effects of the four components of HHT, that is, Gardeniae Fructus (GF), Scutellariae Radix (SR), Coptidis Rhizoma (CR), and Phellodendri Cortex (PC), on GI motility were also investigated.RESULTSIn normal ICR mice, ITR% and GE values were significantly and dose-dependently increased by the intragastric administration of HHTE (0.1-1 g/kg). The ITR% values of GMD mice were significantly lower than those of normal mice, and these reductions were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by HHTE (0.1-1 g/kg). Additionally, GF, CR, and PC dose-dependently increased ITR% and GE values in normal and GMD mice.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that HHT is a novel candidate for the development of a gastroprokinetic agent for the GI tract.

Differences in suppression rates of crop pathogens and antioxidant activity at different harvesting times of Taraxacum mongolicum

This study was conducted to determine the suppression rates of extracts of the aerial parts of T. mongolicum collected at different harvesting times and prepared using different extract methods (water, boiled water and ethanol) on Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn and Colletotrichum coccodes. Additionally, the aerial parts of plants collected at different harvesting times were analyzed for phenol and flavonoid contents, DPPH scavenging activities and growth differences. Although the suppression rates of P. oryzae, Phytophthora capsici and Colletotrichum acutatum increased with increasing concentrations of water or boiled water extracts of T. mongolicum, the levels of suppression were low. In addition, the levels of suppression of the above three pathogens differed with harvesting time. P. oryzae, C. acutatum and P. capsici were 20–65, 10–60 and 5–95% suppressed by 5% ethanol extracts of T. mongolicum collected at different harvesting times, respectively. Generally, the order of suppression rates against the above three pathogens by T. mongolicum extract was July > June > May > April. Total phenol and flavonoid contents and DPPH radical scavenging activities of T. mongolicum extracts did not differ significantly among harvesting times. However, plant height and shoot dry weight of T. mongolicum sampled in July were much higher than those of plants collected in April, May and June. Thus, growth of T. mongolicum harvested at different times may be related to the higher suppression rates of ethanol extracts of T. mongolicum harvested in July.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction May Not Be a Better Alternative Approach than Conventional Boiling for Extracting Polysaccharides from Herbal Medicines.

In clinical practice polysaccharides from herbal medicines are conventionally prepared by boiling water extraction (BWE), while ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) has often been used instead employed in laboratory research due to its strong extraction ability and efficiency. However, if and how the polysaccharides obtained by UAE and BWE are comparable, and hence whether the UAE-based research is instructive for the actual usage of herbal polysaccharides still requires further evaluation. To address this issue, here we chemically analyzed and compared the UAE- and BWE-obtained polysaccharides from three herbal medicines, i.e., Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix and Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis. Then, the spike recovery of two series of standard dextran and pullulan by UAE and BWE was tested. The results showed that the polysaccharides from the herbal medicines by UAE were quantitatively and qualitatively different with those by BWE. The powerful extraction ability and polysaccharide degradation caused by ultrasound collectively contributed to these differences. It was then revealed that not only the UAE conditions but also the polysaccharide structures could affect the extraction ability and polysaccharide degradation. Given these, we highly recommended that the effects of UAE on polysaccharides from herbal medicines should be first carefully considered before employing it in relevant chemical and pharmacological analysis.

A polysaccharide from Sargassum thunbergii inhibits angiogenesis via downregulating MMP-2 activity and VEGF/HIF-1α signaling

A water-soluble polysaccharide (STPC2) was isolated from the boiling-water extract of Sargassum thunbergii, purified by CaCl2 precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-300 column. It was found that STPC2, with a molecular weight of 57kD, was composed of fucose, xylose, galactose and glucuronic acid, in a ratio of 8.1: 3.8: 2.1: 1.0. Additionally, we found that STPC2 significantly inhibited endothelial cell migration and tube formation without toxicity. Moreover, STPC2 significantly inhibited lung cancer cell A549 migration and proliferation. It was found that STPC2 treatment suppressed MMP-2 gene expression at transcriptional level and enzymatic activity. Furthermore, STPC2 reduced the mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 alpha in the endothelial cells. Taken together, our findings indicated that STPC2 was a potent bioactive polysaccharide with distinct anti-angiogenesis activity against tumor migration via down-regulation of MMP-2 activity and VEGF/HIF-1α signaling pathway.

Ginsenosides, ingredients of the root of Panax ginseng, are not substrates but inhibitors of sodium-glucose transporter 1.

Recent pharmacokinetic studies have revealed that ginsenosides, the major ingredients of ginseng (the roots of Panax ginseng), are present in the plasma collected from subjects receiving ginseng, and speculated that ginsenosides might be actively transported via glucose transporters. We evaluated whether ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1, and their metabolites from enteric bacteria act as substrates of sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 1, the major glucose transporter expressed on the apical side of intestinal epithelial cells. First, we evaluated the competing effects of ginseng extract and ginsenosides on the uptake of [14C]methyl-glucose, a substrate of SGLT1, by SGLT1-overexpressing HEK293 cells. A boiling water extract of ginseng inhibited SGLT1 in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 0.85mg/ml. By activity-guided fractionation, we determined that the fraction containing ginsenosides displayed an inhibitory effect on SGLT1. Of the ginsenosides evaluated, protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides were not found to inhibit SGLT1, whereas protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides, including ginsenosides Rd, Rg3, Rh2, F2 and compound K, exhibited significant inhibitory effects on SGLT1, with ginsenoside F2 having the highest activity with an IC50 value of 23.0µM. Next, we measured the uptake of ginsenoside F2 and compound K into Caco-2 cells, a cell line frequently used to evaluate the intestinal absorption of drugs. The uptake of ginsenoside F2 and compound K into Caco-2 cells was not competitively inhibited by glucose. Furthermore, the uptake of ginsenoside F2 and compound K into SGLT1-overexpressing HEK293 cells was not significantly higher than into mock cells. Ginsenoside F2 and compound K did not appear to be substrates of SGLT1, although these compounds could inhibit SGLT1. Ginsenosides might be absorbed by passive diffusion through the intestinal membrane or actively transported via unknown transporters other than SGLT1.

COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE EGYPTIAN AND CHINESE GREEN TEA (CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY)

Chemical composition and the antioxidant activity of Egyptian and Chinese tea extracts (ethanol, water, hot water and boiling water) were investigated. Egyptian green tea leaves contains total ash 8.77%, total lipids 7.1%, crude protein 17.6%, and total carbohydrates 7.5%.While Chinese green tea leaves contains total ash 7.8%, total lipids 7.05%, crude protein 18.2%, and total carbohydrates 7.44%. Total phenolics in Egyptian green tea extracts has been ranged from 113.7 to 259.1 mg/g while total flavonoids has been ranged from 87.6 to 185.9 mg/g, comparing with 89.4 to 229.1 mg/g and 79.7 to 181 mg/g of total phenolic and total flavonoid respectively in Chinese green tea extracts . HPLC results showed that Egyptian and Chinese green tea were found to contain 18 of phenolic compounds, among them Caffeine, epicatechin, cinnamic acid, reverstrol, Salycilic acid and Ferulic acid were the major active constituents. All extracts showed high antioxidant activity in both concentration (2.5 and 5%). Ethanolic extract showed the highest activity in reducing power assay compared other extracts and boiling water extract showed the lowest activity. Egyptian green tea showed high content from both total phenolics and falvonoids and also showed high antioxidant activity compared with Chinese green tea.

Construction and Demonstration of a Standardized Hop Boiled Water Extraction Method and its Application for a Sensory Evaluation System of Hop Aroma Characteristics

Hops impart characteristic flavors to beer. The key hop aroma compounds contributing to beer flavor have been intensively identified and studied; however, sensory evaluation remains necessary to evaluate hop aromas. High-throughput evaluation is vital, especially for preliminary hop seedling selection in breeding programs. Most of the volatile essential oils in hops are significantly evaporated during the wort boiling process after hop dosing. Furthermore, the compositions of essential oils in the boiled wort are changed from the original compositions in the hops as a result of the chemical and physical properties of the volatile aroma components, such as hydrophobicity and volatility. The so-called hop tea method is conducted to facilitate hop development but has not yet been scientifically discussed. In this study, we propose a sensory evaluation system of hop aromas based on the standardized hop boiled water (HBW) extraction method, in which hops are dosed to an α-acid level of 0.5 g/L in distilled water in glass flasks and autoclaved. Descriptive sensory evaluation was applied for the HBW samples, and nine descriptors were established for HBW evaluation. The results indicated that HBW extraction provided a good simulation of late-hopping in the wort boiling process. The aroma characteristics of hop varieties, even those harvested in different crop years, could be characterized by the sensory evaluation system. Moreover, the flavor hops were discriminated from the other categories of hop varieties (aroma hops and bitter hops). Consequently, the HBW method and sensory evaluation system proposed in this report allow for a high-throughput evaluation of hop cone samples suitable for the selection of new flavor hops.

Comparison of Anti‐obesity Effects of Onion Peels by Different Extraction Methods Using 3T3‐L1 and Primary Brown Adipocytes In Vitro

Obesity, indicated by excess body fat accumulation, is a serious health problem. Various functional foods have been attracted for improving obese condition. Onion peel, a by‐product of onion has shown possible benefits in obesity studies. Since onion peel is not the edible part of onion, it is important to select a relevant extraction method to obtain beneficial compounds from onion peel for a targeted purpose. Different extracting process causes the distinct selectivity of functional compounds which may have different biological effects. Here, we utilized two onion peel extracts obtained through 60% ethanol extraction (OPE) and boiling water extraction (OPW). The purpose of this study was to compare anti‐obesity effect of OPE and OPW in white and brown adipocytes which are related to energy storage and utilization, respectively. Briefly, 3T3‐L1, fibroblasts that mimic white preadipocytes and primary brown preadipocytes isolated from interscapular brown adipose tissue of 4 week‐old male C57BL/6 mice were cultured and differentiated into mature adipocytes. Various concentrations of OPE and OPW were treated to the cells during differentiation and then gene expression was measured using real‐time PCR. In 3T3‐L1 cells, OPE decreased the expression of proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase, and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase genes which are involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis respectively whereas OPW did not. Interestingly, both OPE and OPW significantly increased the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 α and PPARγ coactivator 1 α (PGC1α) genes which are related to the regulation of fatty acid oxidation. In brown adipocytes, PPARγ was significantly decreased by both OPE and OPW treatment. Only OPE significantly increased uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene which is associated with a non‐shivering thermogenesis, increasing energy expenditure by utilizing fatty acids. However UCP1 gene was not altered by OPW treatment. This was not correlated with the expression of PGC1α gene and other downstream genes of PGC1α. Collectively, onion peel extracts exhibited anti‐obesity effects in both white and brown adipocytes. However, the effects and mechanisms were affected by the different extraction methods.Support or Funding InformationSupported by USDA

Processed aconite root and its active ingredient neoline may alleviate oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathic pain

Ethnopharmacological relevanceProcessed aconite root (PA, the root of Aconitum carmichaeli, Ranunculaceae) is a crude drug used in traditional Chinese or Japanese kampo medicine to generate heat in the body and to treat pain associated with coldness. Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) is a platinum-based anticancer drug that frequently causes acute and chronic peripheral neuropathies, including cold and mechanical hyperalgesia. Aim of the studyWe investigated the effects of PA on L-OHP-induced peripheral neuropathies and identified the active ingredient within PA extract. Materials and methodsL-OHP was intraperitoneally injected into mice, and PA boiled water extract was orally administered. Cold and mechanical hyperalgesia were evaluated using the acetone test and the von Frey filament method, respectively. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were isolated from normal mice and cultured with L-OHP with or without PA extract. Cell viability and neurite elongation were evaluated. ResultsPA extract significantly attenuated cold and mechanical hyperalgesia induced by L-OHP in mice. In cultured DRG neurons, L-OHP reduced cell viability and neurite elongation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with PA extract significantly alleviated the L-OHP-induced reduction of neurite elongation, while the cytotoxicity of L-OHP was not affected. Using activity-guided fractionation, we isolated neoline from PA extract as the active ingredient. Neoline significantly alleviated L-OHP-induced reduction of neurite elongation in cultured DRG neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, subcutaneous injection of neoline attenuated cold and mechanical hyperalgesia in L-OHP-treated mice. PA extract and neoline did not show sedation and motor impairment. ConclusionsThe present study indicates that PA and its active ingredient neoline are promising agents to alleviate L-OHP-induced neuropathic pain.

IN VITRO BIOACTIVITIES AND PHYTOCHEMICALS CONTENT OF VEGETABLES FROM SABAH, MALAYSIA

This study aims to investigate potential of vegetables from Sabah with value-added benefits in nutraceuticals. Fifty-five samples of vegetables were collected from local market and tested for antioxidant activity using DPPH assay. Four species with high DPPH scavenging activity (>80%) which are Cosmos caudatus, Eryngium foetidum, Ipomoea batatas and Manihot esculenta Crantz were selected and subjected to different solvents extraction and tested to different scavenging assays (DPPH, O2 and NO), protein kinase-phosphatase assay (GSK-3β, MKK1, and MSG5) and antibacterial tests. Ethanol extract of I. batatas (90.56%), boiled water extract of M. esculenta Crantz (62.77%) and extractable polyphenol extract of E. foetidum (50.93%) exhibits comparable scavenging activities to catechin for DPPH, O2 and NO, respectively. Polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids and proanthocynidins are detected in all extracts at concentration between 0.001 mg/g to 0.52 mg/g. The highest total polyphenols content (0.40±0.01 mg GAE/g), total phenolics content (0.52±0.01 mg GAE/g), total flavonoids content (0.13±0.01 mg CE/g) and total proanthocyanidins content (0.12±0 mg CE/g) were obtained in extractable polyphenols of Cosmos caudatus. No extracts were observed as inhibitor for GSK-3β, MKK1 and MSG5. Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.0 mm to 12.3 mm) was only obtained in extractable polyphenols and ethanol extracts. Extractable polyphenols of E. foetidum exhibit the largest inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.3 mm).

Effect of rich Selenium Mushroom Polysaccharides on Hyperlipidemia Metabolism and Lipoprotein Lipase Activity of Tests Mice

The Selenium-Polysaccharides from Rich selenium Chemical explicitly defined the Edible Fungus (Se-EF) in Boiling water extraction by alcohol precipitation, analysis indicated that the there were main ingredient comprises xylose, dextrose, rhamnose, galactose, and arabinose. First investigate lipids Metabolic and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activated in the selenium-rich -EF rich in cholesterol and prospects by feeding rich foods (PRD). The purpose of this study is to explore the prospect 1st fed cholesterol-enriched diet (PRD) of KM mice selenium -EF on cholesterol metabolism and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activated of antioxidant capacity. In addition, studies of the relationship between atherosclerosis and total antioxidant capacity index (AI) and LPL activity (TAC). The results showed that selenium polysaccharide significantly reduce TC serum total cholesterol and LDL-C concentrations comparatively in with the CK control groups. Furthermore, orally administered of polysaccharide selenium notable enhance pay, lipoprotein lipase activity and reduce MDA levels, and artificial intelligence. These results indicate that the beneficial affects of selenium on -EF hypercholesterolemia precautions. In addition, oral administration of polysaccharide selenium notable enhance TAC and LPL activity in the meantime reduce MDA levels, the same as AI. These results indicate that Se-EF has a beneficial effect on the prevention of hyperlipidemia. These results indicate that the beneficial affects of selenium on -EF hypercholesterolemia precautions.

The metabolic change of serum lysophosphatidylcholines involved in the lipid lowering effect of triterpenes from Alismatis rhizoma on high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAlismatis rhizoma (AR), a Traditional Chinese Medicine with lipid-regulating properties, is usually used to treat hyperlipidemia. Lysophosphatidylcholines (Lyso PCs) play a crucial role in lipid metabolism disorders. In this study, the triterpene fraction purified from boiling water extract of AR was evaluated for its lipid lowering activity using mice with high-fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia. The metabolic changes of individual Lyso PCs treated with the triterpene fraction were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer (UHPLC–QTRAP-MS/MS). Materials and methodsHFD induced hyperlipidemia mice were administrated with triterpene and non-triterpene fractions at doses of 180, 360 and 720mg/kg body weight/day for 4 weeks, respectively. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and atherogenic Index (AI) in mice serum were measured. The chemical components in the lipid-lowering fraction were characterized by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–QTOF-MS/MS). The changes of Lyso PC in the serum of mice treated with the lipid-lowering fraction were quantified by UHPLC–QTRAP-MS/MS. ResultsA total of 18 alisol derivatives were identified in the triterpene fraction. The hyperlipidemia mice treated with the triterpene fraction showed a significant decrease in serum TC, LDL-C and AI after continuous consumption of HFD for 4 weeks. The results also showed that 27 serum Lyso PCs in mice fed with HFD were down-regulated, and 19 were up-regulated. The abnormal serum level of Lyso PCs associated with hyperlipidemia was intervened by the alisol derivatives, with increase of unsaturated Lyso PCs and decrease of saturated ones. ConclusionsThe study demonstrated for the first time that triterpenes from the AR extract can lower serum lipid level in HFD induced hyperlipidemia mice. These metabolism changes of Lyso PCs could further improve our understanding of the potential mechanism of lipid lowering effect of AR.

Structural characterization and effect on anti-angiogenic activity of a fucoidan from Sargassum fusiforme

A fucoidan FP08S2 was isolated from the boiling-water extract of Sargassum fusiforme, purified by CaCl2 precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-300. FP08S2 contained fucose, xylose, galactose, mannose, glucuronic acid, and 20.8% sulfate. The sulfate groups were attached to diverse positions of fucose, xylose, mannose, and galactose residues. The backbone of FP08S2 consisted of alternate 1,2-linked α-d-Manp and 1,4-linked β-d-GlcpA. Sugar composition analysis and ESI-MS revealed that the oligosaccharides from branches contained fucose, xylose, galactose, glucuronic acid and sulfate. FP08S2 could significantly inhibit tube formation and migration of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) dose-dependently. These results suggested that the fucoidan FP08S2 from brown seaweeds S. fusiforme could be a potent anti-angiogenic agent.

Analysis of the role of the main constitutive polysaccharides in the flax fibre mechanical behaviour

The role of the main cell-wall polysaccharide-constituents of flax fibres on their mechanical behaviour has been investigated. One sample of scutched flax fibres underwent a successive sequence of extractions (boiling water, EDTA, HCl, NaOH), and tensile tests on elementary fibres were carried out after each step. Results indicated a role of the primary cell-wall in the tensile performance of the fibres. Indeed, an increase of the TIII mechanical behaviour proportion was observed after the boiling water extraction. Furthermore, after EDTA extraction, a significant decrease of the strength at the tangent modulus threshold (312–153MPa) and a significant increase of the strain at rupture (2.3–2.9%), occurred. Additionally, it was highlighted that the strength at rupture and the Young’s modulus of flax fibres decreased after each extraction. In the secondary cell-wall, it was deduced that the matrix polysaccharides were involved in the load transfer whereas structuring polysaccharides enhanced the cohesion between cellulose microfibrils. At the end of the extraction sequence, fibres still had mechanical performances close to those of regenerated cellulose ones and exhibited a typical non-linear mechanical behaviour. Thus, it was hypothesized that microfibril reorientation phenomena can still occur after a NaOH extraction when fibres are mostly composed of cellulose.

Screening of Antimicrobial Activity of Fenugreek Seeds

The pharmaceutical industry has produced a large number of new antibiotics over the last three decades, but resistance to these antibiotics by microorganisms has increased. Statistically, WHO estimates that medicinal plants are the primary medicine for 2/3 of the world's population. Recent studies focus on plant research all over the world to extract appropriate and efficient antimicrobial drugs. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn.) is an annual herb which has widely been consumed throughout the world as a food, a food additive and in the traditional remedies science civilizations. This study was aimed preliminary to investigate in vitro antimicrobial activity of fenugreek seeds against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and other microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris), Staphylococcus aureus (St. aureus), Candida albicans (C. albicans), Staphylococcus epidermis (St. epidermis), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (St. saprophyticus) using two different solvents: aqueous extractions (cold, hot & boiling) and methanol extractions. The antimicrobial activities were evaluated using two different methods: agar disc diffusion and agar-well diffusion method. The results indicated that only the boiling water extract contains the antimicrobial active ingredients of fenugreek seeds, while both cold water extract and methanol extract are not suitable for such purposes.

Rapid analysis of astragalus and its extracts by infraredspectroscopy

Objective To provide effective reference for quality analysis of the chemical composition and extraction of astragalus separation process by comparing the extract of astragalus and it’s IR spectra. Methods The saponins and flavonoids in astragalus were firstly extracted by the method of circumfluence with ethanol as solvent and the residue of ethanol-extraction was then used to extract polysaccharides by distilled water. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IR) combined with second derivative infrared spectroscopy was applied to quickly identify astragalus herbs powder, water extraction of astragalus, astragalus alcohol extraction and water extraction of the residue of ethanol-extraction. Results The powder and 70% ethanol extract, 80% ethanol extract were around at 1 735 cm-1 (carbonyl stretching vibration absorption peak) has a weak, broad absorption, while the absorption peak was less obvious in boiling water extraction. So the main components of astragalus water extraction are polysaccharides and also contain a small amount of water-insoluble flavonoids. Alcohol extraction mainly contains saponins and flavonoids, and flavonoid extract volume increases with increasing alcohol concentration in a certain range. Conclusion This method can be a quick and easy identification for astragalus and it’s extraction for its chemical composition class, and provide the basis for further research quality. Key words: Astragalus; Water extraction of astragalus; Alcohol extraction of astragalus; IR