Chestnut Flowers Research Articles

Antioxidant and Antimelanogenic Properties of Chestnut Flower Extract

In this study, we analyzed the antioxidant and antimelanogenic properties of a variety of solvent extracts of pre-bloom and full-bloom chestnut flowers. Among the solvent extracts, a pre-bloom methanol extract (preM) and an ethanol extract (preE) showed the highest amounts of phenolics (467.92+/-0.45 and 456.24+/-5.88 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of extract) and flavonoids (60.96+/-1.86 and 41.59+/-8.57 mg of quercetin equivalent/g of extract). These extracts exhibited the highest DPPH radical and reducing activities, as well as the greatest mushroom tyrosinase inhibition activity. In addition, preE effectively protected the skin against ultraviolet (UV) rays. Further, extracts were tested for cytotoxicity on human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-2), and we observed that all the extracts were non-cytotoxic for the cells. Their effects on tyrosinase and melanin inhibitory action were further assessed, and we found that all the extracts reduced the tyrosinase activity and melanin formation of SK-MEL-2 cells as effectively as arbutin. Moreover, the protein level expression of tyrosinase decreased dramatically. However, the protein levels of the other melanogenic enzymes, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), were not altered significantly. Therefore, the antimelanogenic effects of chestnut flower extracts were attributable to their inhibitory effects on tyrosinase via their anti-oxidative action, making them a strong candidate for use in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications.

Antioxidant activities of the extracts from chestnut flower, leaf, skins and fruit

In this study, the antioxidant properties of chestnut (flowers, leaves, skins and fruits) extracts were evaluated through several biochemical assays: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity, reducing power, inhibition of β-carotene bleaching, inhibition of oxidative hemolysis in erythrocytes, induced by 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH), and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in pig brain tissue through the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). These assays have been extensively studied as models for the peroxidative damage in biomembranes. The EC 50 values were calculated for all the methods in order to evaluate the antioxidant efficiency of each chestnut extract. The phenol and flavonoid contents were also obtained. Chestnut skins revealed the best antioxidant properties, presenting much lower EC 50 values, particularly for lipid peroxidation inhibition in the TBARS assay. Furthermore, the highest antioxidant contents (polyphenols and flavonoids) were found for these extracts.

Biological activities and chemical composition of three honeys of different types from Anatolia

In this study, we investigated and compared some chemical properties and in vitro biological activities of three different types of Turkish honey. The first two honey samples were monofloral from chestnut and rhododendron flowers, collected from the east Black Sea region, and the third sample was the heterofloral form of astragalus ( Astragalus microcephalus Willd.), thyme ( Thymus vulgaris) and other several mountain flowers, collected from Erzincan in Eastern Anatolia. The chemical properties of the honey samples, such as total moisture, ash, total protein, sucrose, invert sugar, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural content and acidity, were determined. Total phenolics, superoxide radical- and peroxynitrite-scavenging activities, and ferric reducing/antioxidant power measurements were used as antioxidant capacity determinants with ±-catechin, butylated hydroxytoluene, ascorbic acid, and trolox ® used as reference. The antimicrobial activity was studied by the agar diffusion method, using eight bacteria and two yeasts. The mineral contents were also determined by an AAS method. The chestnut flower honey had the highest phenolic content, superoxide radical-scavenging activity and reducing power, while the heterofloral honey sample exhibited the highest peroxynitrite-scavenging activity. The antioxidant activities were also found to be related to the sample concentrations. The mineral content of the chestnut honey was much higher than the others. The samples showed moderate antimicrobial activity against some microorganisms, especially Helicobacter pylori ATCC 49503, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Candida tropicalis ATCC 13803 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The honey samples studied proved to be a good source of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents that might serve to protect health and fight against several diseases.

인공재배한 흰돌기망태버섯(Dictyophora echinovolvata)의 형태적 특징

본 연구는 농업과학기술원 응용미생물과에 보존된 망태버섯속(Dictyophora sp.)에 대한 인공배양 자실체 및 균사체의 형태적 특징을 관찰하였다. 이 버섯의 알과 성숙한 자실체는 대, 치마, 갓, 대주머니로 이루어져 있다. 알은 타원형으로 내피막, 젤라틴층, 외피막으로 싸여 있으며, 표면에는 백색의 침상 균사돌기로 싸여 있다. 성숙한 자실체는 대주머니 안에 젤라틴층이 액화되어 남아 있으며, 포자는 갓 위에 짙은 녹색의 포자층을 형성하고 있다. 치마는 대주머니 위로 길게 내려오고, 그물망의 눈은 다각형이며, 밤꽃 냄새가 난다. 균사체에서 후막포자 모양의 팽대세포(swelling cell)가 확인되었으며, clamp connection도 존재하였다. 본 연구를 통하여 공시균주 KACC 50650은 Dictyophora echinovolvata로 동정되었으며, 한국명으로는 '흰돌기망태버섯'으로 명명하고자 한다. This study was conducted to investigate morphological characteristics of veiled lady mushroom (Dictyophora sp.). Morphological observation of mycelium showed the presence of chlamydospore-like swelling cells, and typical mycelial champ connections. Fruiting body of the veiled lady mushroom consists of cap, velum, stipe, and vulva. Oval-shaped eggs were surrounded by exodermis, gelatin layers and endodermis, and the fruiting bodies remained inside volva as liquid gelatin layer. Dark green spore layer was formed at the top of cap. The surface eggs in the cultivated veiled lady mushroom was covered with white needle-shaped mycelial projection that was oval in shape. The velum of fruiting body stretched down to the top of volva. The net was regularly shaped, and smelled like fragrance with chestnut flower. The strain KACC 50650 was identified as Dictyophora echinovolvata based on the morphology of eggs and fruiting bodies, and named as Huin-Dol-Gi-Mang-Tae mushroom in Korean.

Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) is widely used in Europe for the management of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Although traditionally recommended for a variety of medical conditions, CVI is the only indication for which there is strong supportive scientific evidence. Review of the literature reveals 14 randomized controlled trials, of which seven are methodologically of high quality, albeit limited by small sample sizes and short durations. These studies support the superiority of HCSE over placebo, and suggest equivalence to compression stockings and to oral oxerutins. In the future, a longer and adequately powered randomized trial is warranted to compare HCSE to standard of care, and to further assess safety and long-term efficacy. There are no data to suggest that horse chestnut flower, raw seed, branch bark, or leaf are effective for any indication, and it is recommended that these products not be used, as they are known to be toxic when ingested.

Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) is widely used in Europe for the management of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Although traditionally recommended for a variety of medical conditions, CVI is the only indication for which there is strong supportive scientific evidence. Review of the literature reveals 14 randomized controlled trials, of which seven are methodologically of high quality, albeit limited by small sample sizes and short durations. These studies support the superiority of HCSE over placebo, and suggest equivalence to compression stockings and to oral oxerutins. In the future, a longer and adequately powered randomized trial is warranted to compare HCSE to standard of care, and to further assess safety and long-term efficacy. There are no data to suggest that horse chestnut flower, raw seed, branch bark, or leaf are effective for any indication, and it is recommended that these products not be used, as they are known to be toxic when ingested.

Volatile constituents of the chestnut flower

Volatile constituents of the chestnut flower