Japonica Leaf Research Articles

Content comparison of buddleoside and pectolinarin in Cirsium japonicum, C.leo and C.leducei

To compare Cirsium japonicum characteristics with C. leo and C. leducei, along with the content of buddleoside and pectolinarin, and lay the foundation for the quality control of C. japonicum. Samples were collected and the relevant drugs were bought. The samples were divided into root, stem, leaf and flower, and the content of buddleoside and pectolinarin was determine by the HPLC. Chromatographic column: Waters XBridge C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm), mobile phase: methanol-water (45: 55), measurement wavelength: 326 nm, flow rate: 0.8 mL x min(-1), column temperature: 30 degrees C. RESULT AND CONDUSION: Standard curve equation of buddleoside: Y = 74 064X-47 748, R2 = 0.991. Standard curve equation of pectolinarin: Y = 1 711 64X - 180 707, R2 = 0.999. The content of buddleoside: C. japonicum leaf was 1.987 3%, C. leo leaf 1.412 2%, C. leducei leaf 0.149 2%. The content of buddleoside was lower in root and stem. Pectolinarin was not detected in the C. japonicum and C. leo. The pectolinarin content was 0.069 0% in C. leducei leaf.

Anti-Proliferative Activities and Apoptosis Induction by Triterpenes Derived from Eriobotrya japonica in Human Leukemia Cell Lines

Eriobotrya japonica leaf is a traditional herbal medicine that contains numerous triterpenes, which have various pharmacological properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative activity of four triterpenes derived from E. japonica, including corosolic acid (CA), ursolic acid (UA), maslinic acid (MA) and oleanolic acid (OA), in human leukemia cell lines. CA showed the strongest anti-proliferative activity in all of the leukemia cell lines tested, but not in normal human skin fibroblast cell lines. To determine the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effect of CA, we examined the effect of CA on molecular events known as apoptosis induction. CA induced chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, sub-G1 phase DNA, activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9 and the cleavage of PARP in HL-60. CA also activated Bid and Bax, leading to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and cytochrome c release into the cytosol, whereas Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were unaffected by CA. These results suggest that CA has an anti-proliferative effect on leukemia cells via the induction of apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation. CA may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of human leukemia.

Plant Extract Synthesized PLA Nanoparticles for Controlled and Sustained Release of Quercetin: A Green Approach

BackgroundGreen synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) has been extensively carried out by using plant extracts (PEs) which have property of stabilizers/ emulsifiers. To our knowledge, there is no comprehensive study on applying a green approach using PEs for fabrication of biodegradable PLA NPs. Conventional methods rely on molecules like polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, D-alpha-tocopheryl poly(ethylene glycol 1000) succinate as stabilizers/emulsifiers for the synthesis of such biodegradable NPs which are known to be toxic. So, there is urgent need to look for stabilizers which are biogenic and non-toxic. The present study investigated use of PEs as stabilizers/emulsifiers for the fabrication of stable PLA NPs. Synthesized PLA NPs through this green process were explored for controlled release of the well known antioxidant molecule quercetin.Methodology/Principal FindingsStable PLA NPs were synthesized using leaf extracts of medicinally important plants like Syzygium cumini (1), Bauhinia variegata (2), Cedrus deodara (3), Lonicera japonica (4) and Eleaocarpus sphaericus (5). Small and uniformly distributed NPs in the size range 70±30 nm to 143±36 nm were formed with these PEs. To explore such NPs for drugs/ small molecules delivery, we have successfully encapsulated quercetin a lipophilic molecule on a most uniformly distributed PLA-4 NPs synthesized using Lonicera japonica leaf extract. Quercetin loaded PLA-4 NPs were observed for slow and sustained release of quercetin molecule.ConclusionsThis green approach based on PEs mediated synthesis of stable PLA NPs pave the way for encapsulating drug/small molecules, nutraceuticals and other bioactive ingredients for safer cellular uptake, biodistribution and targeted delivery. Hence, such PEs synthesized PLA NPs would be useful to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of encapsulated small molecules/drugs. Furthermore, different types of plants can be explored for the synthesis of PLA as well as other polymeric NPs of smaller size.

비파엽 추출물의 항산화 효능과 성분분석

본 연구에서는 비파엽 추출물의 항산화 활성, 타이로시네이즈 저해 활성, 및 추출물/분획의 성분 분석에 대한 연구를 수행하였다. 비파엽 추출물의 자유라디칼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) 소거활성(<TEX>$FSC_{50}$</TEX>)은 50 % 에탄올 추출물(<TEX>$22.63{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>) < 에틸아세테이트(ethyl acetate) 분획(6.75) < 당을 제거시킨 아글리콘(aglycone) 분획(5.06) 순으로 증가하였다. 루미놀(luminol)-의존성 화학발광법을 이용한 <TEX>$Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$</TEX> 계에서 생성된 활성산소종(reactive oxygen species, ROS)에 대한 총항산화능은 에틸아세테이트 분획(<TEX>$OSC_{50}$</TEX>, <TEX>$0.75{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>), 아글리콘 분획(0.79) 및 50 % 에탄올 추출물(1.61)에서 모두 큰 활성을 나타내었다. 비파엽 추출물의 rose-bengal로 증감된 사람 적혈구의 광용혈에 대한 보호효과를 조사하였다. 비파엽 추출물은 모든 분획에서 농도 의존적(<TEX>$5{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>)으로 증가하였으며, 특히 에틸아세테이트 분획은 <TEX>$10{\mu}g/mL$</TEX> 농도에서 <TEX>${\tau}50$</TEX>이 390.8 min, <TEX>$50{\mu}g/mL$</TEX> 농도에서 <TEX>${\tau}50$</TEX>이 1471.5 min으로 높은 세포 보호 활성을 나타내었다. 타이로시네이즈 저해 활성(<TEX>$IC_50$</TEX>)은 에틸아세테이트 분획(<TEX>$75.25{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>) < 50 % 에탄올 추출물(<TEX>$74.1{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>) < 아글리콘 분획(<TEX>$43.35{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>) 순으로 미백제로 알려진 알부틴보타 타이로시네이즈 저해활성이 크게 나타났다. 비파엽 추출물 중 에틸아세테이트 분획의 TLC 분석 결과 7개의 띠(EJL 1 - EJL 7)가 나타났다. HPLC로 아글리콘 분획을 분석한 결과 kaempferol 및 quercetin이 각각 53.7 % 및 46.3 %였으며, 따라서 추출물 중에는 kaempferol 및 그 배당체 비율이 다소 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과들은 비파엽 추출물 또는 분획이 <TEX>$^1O_2$</TEX> 및 다른 ROS를 소거 또는 소광함으로써 그리고 ROS에 대항해서 세포막을 효과적으로 보호함으로써 태양 자외선에 노출된 피부를 보호하는 항산화제로서 작용할 수 있음을 가리키며, 타이로시네이즈 저해 효과로부터 비파엽 추출물 및 분획물은 기능성 화장품 원료로서 응용가능성이 있음을 시사한다. In the present study, the antioxidative properties, inhibitory activity on tyrosinase, and active components of Eriobotrya japonica (E. japonica) leaf extract were investigated. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity (<TEX>$FSC_{50}$</TEX>) of extract/fraction of E. japonica leaf was in the order 50 % ethanol extract (<TEX>$22.625{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>) < ethyl acetate fraction (6.75) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction (5.06). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities (<TEX>$OSC_{50}$</TEX>) of fraction/extracton ROS generated in <TEX>$Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$</TEX> system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescenceassay were investigated. <TEX>$OSC_{50}$</TEX> of the ethyl acetate fraction, deglycosylated aglycone fraction, and ethanol extract were 0.75, 0.79, and <TEX>$1.61{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>, respectively. The cellular protective effects of E. japonica leaf extract on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The protective effects of extract/fraction of E. japonica leaf were increased in a in a concentration dependent manner (<TEX>$5{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>). Especially, <TEX>${\tau}50$</TEX> of ethyl acetate fraction at concentrations of <TEX>$10{\mu}g/mL$</TEX> and <TEX>$50{\mu}g/mL$</TEX> showed the most protective effects at 390.8 min and 1471.5 min. The inhibitory effect (<TEX>$IC_50$</TEX>) on tyrosinase of E. japonica leaf extracts was higher than arbutin, known as a skin-whitening agent. The order of inhibitory effects was acetate fraction (<TEX>$75.25{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>) < 50 % extract (74.1) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction (43.35). TLC of the ethyl acetate fraction showed 7 bands (EJL 1 - EJL 7). HPLC of the aglycone fraction exhibited 2 peaks, kaempferol and quercetin. The amounts of kaempferol and quercetin were 53.7 and 46.3 %. respectively. Therefore, The amounts of kaempferol and its glucoside were a little bit higher than quercetin and its glucoside in E. japonica leaf extract. Accordingly, these findings suggest that extracts/fractions of E. japonica leaf can function as antioxidants in biological systems, especially skin exposed to UV radiation, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. Thus, the extract/fraction of E. japonica leaf may be used in novel functional cosmetics as antioxidants against skin photoaging.

Chemical Composition and Antitermitic Activity against Coptotermes formosanusShiraki of Cryptomeria japonica Leaf Essential Oil

Cryptomeria japonica D. Don, called 'sugi' in Japanese, is an abundant and renewable potential resource of valuable natural products that may serve as natural biocides in Taiwan. Hydrodistillation (HD) and steam distillation (SD) were used for extracting the essential oils from C. japonica leaves in this study. The chemical constituents of the two leaf essential oils were identified by GC/MS analysis, and their antitermitic activities were evaluated. The results from the antitermitic tests against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki showed that the leaf essential oils extracted by HD and SD had excellent antitermitic activities, with LD(50) values of 1.57 and 1.72 mg/g after 7 d of testing, respectively. Comparison of the chemical composition of the two leaf essential oils revealed that oxygenated diterpenes (kaur-16-ene) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (β-elemol) were the dominant constituents. In addition, 13 constituents isolated from the C. japonica leaf essential oils were tested individually against C. formosanus. Among these constituents, β-elemol and α-terpineol achieved 100% termite mortality at the dosage of 1 mg/g after 7 d of testing. These results demonstrated that both C. japonica leaf essential oils as well as β-elemol and α-terpineol possessed commendable antitermitic activity.

쇠무릎과 청미래덩굴 부위별 추출물의 이화학적 특성에 관한 연구

야생생물자원의 기능성 탐색의 일환으로 쇠무릎과 청미래덩굴의 부위별 추출물에 대한 몇 가지 이화학적 특성을 비교 고찰하였다. 추출률은 증류수>메탄올>에탄올 순이었으며, 추출된 유리 아미노산은 총 16종으로서 쇠무릎은 proline이, 청미래덩굴은 phosphoserine과 glutamic acid의 함량이 가장 높았다. 갈변도와 방향족 화합물 함량은 청미래덩굴 잎은 메탄올 추출물이 가장 높고 에탄올, 증류수 순이었으나, 쇠무릎 잎의 경우 증류수 추출물의 흡광도가 가장 높고, 메탄올, 에탄올 순으로 나타났다. 청미래덩굴 잎과 뿌리의 전자공여능은 잎은 에탄올>메탄올>증류수, 뿌리는 메탄올>에탄올>증류수 순이었고 쇠무릎은 증류수>에탄올>메탄올 순이었다. 올리브유에 대한 산화억제 작용은 TBA가를 기준하여 합성 항산화제인 BHT에 비해 쇠무릎 잎은 82.1%, 청미래덩굴 잎은 84.0%의 값을 보였다. 쇠무릎 줄기의 메탄올 추출물은 Bacillus subtillis에 대해 항균력을 보였으며, 청미래덩굴 잎 추출물은 Bacillus subtillis, Vibrio vulnificus 및 Salmonella enterica에 대하여 항균력이 있었다. 그리고 중금속 이온의 흡착 및 회수실험 결과 동일한 금속농도에서 Cd(II)에 대한 청미래덩굴의 흡착률보다 Pb(II)에 대한 쇠무릎의 흡착률이 더 높았다. Physicochemical properties of Achyranthes japonica and Smilax china extracts were investigated for the purpose of functionality research on the natural bio-resources. Extraction contents were order of distilled water>methanol>ethanol solvent, the highest free aminoacids were proline from Achyranthes japonica, phosphoserine and glutamic acid from Smilax china, respectively. BI and TAC by spectrophotometric absorbance were order of methanol>ethanol>water in Smilax china leaf extract, but water>methaol>ethanol in Achyranthes japonica leaf extract. EDA was high in ethanol extract from Smilax china leaf and in methanol extract from Smilax china root, and in water extract from Achyranthes japonica. TBA value of Achyranthes japonica leaf and Smilax china leaf-ethanol extracts on olive oil was 82.1% and 84.0%, respectively, for that of an artificial antioxidant BHT. Antimicrobial effect was observed in Achyranthes japonica stem-methanol extract on Bacillus subtillis, in Smilax china leaf-ethanol extract on Bacillus subtillis, Vibrio vulnificus and Salmonella enterica, respectively. And the adsorption of Pb(II) on Achyranthes japonica was higher than that of Cd(II) on Smilax china under the same metal ion concentration.

Effect of Eriobotrya japonica on Adipogenesis and Body Weight

Anti-obesity effects of Eriobotrya japonica leaf extracts were evaluated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and ob/ob mice. Extracts of E. japonica were prepared with various solvents such as 80% methanol (MeOH), 50% ethanol (EtOH), and water using fresh or processed leaves. 80% MeOH, 50% EtOH, and processed water extracts of E. japonica leaves effectively inhibited lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and CCAAP/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)α in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oral treatment with 50% EtOH extract of E. japonica at 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight for 12 weeks significantly reduced the body weight and plasma triglyceride level compared to those of control group, ob/ob mice. Food efficiency ratio (FER) was significantly suppressed after treatment with E. japonica processed water extract in ob/ob mice. The plasma protein level of adiponentin was highly increased by feeding of 400 mg/kg body weight of 50% EtOH extract of E. japonica to ob/ob mice. Thus, these results suggest that the 50% EtOH extract of E. japonica has an anti-obesity effect through regulation of adipogenic transcription factors, and plasma lipid and adiponectin levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and ob/ob mice.

Antioxidant and aldose reductase inhibition activity of Ligustrum japonicum and Olea europaea L. leaf extracts

AbstractLigustrum japonicum and Olea europaea leaf extracts prepared via domestic techniques were studied for antioxidant and aldose reductase inhibitory activity (ARI) in relation to individual phenol/flavonoid composition (HPLC‐various detection means) and content. On the same extract weight basis L. japonicum leaf extracts, poorer in total polar phenol (TPP) content and in most cases in flavonoids, were less efficient than olive leaf extracts in radical scavenging and in retarding lipid oxidation. On the same TPP content basis, the former were of comparable efficiency in radical scavenging but exhibited lower activity than the latter in bulk oils or liposomes. L. japonicum extracts were characterized by the presence of verbascoside and apigenin derivatives, whereas O. europaea extracts by that of oleuropein. Superiority of L. japonicum infusion versus O. europaea infusion was evidenced using the ARI activity assay either on the same extract weight or on TPP content basis. The former was also superior in comparison to oleuropein, tyrosol, and hydroxytyrosol activity. These findings suggest the presence of other active compounds besides the so far identified phenolics and enhance our view on the importance of Oleaceae plants as sources of bioactive compounds beyond O. europaea.Practical applications: Oleaceae plants are a unique source for the secoiridoid oleuropein or verbascoside that confer well documented biological properties. On continuation of our effort to valorize plants of this family as sources for functional constituents we examined, in parallel, leaf extracts of the less investigated species Ligustrum japonicum versus those of Olea europaea L. The data presented for the extracts obtained via domestic preparations techniques (infusions, decoctions, tinctures) are expected to attract the interest of those involved in herbal teas and dietary supplements sector.

Variations in insecticidal activity and chemical compositions of leaf essential oils from Cryptomeria japonica at different ages

The larvicidal effects of the essential oils extracted from the leaves of Cryptomeria japonica at different ages (58, 42, and 26 years old) against 2 mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, were studied. The analysis of major constituents of these essential oils was also investigated. Results obtained from the larvicidal tests, using essential oil from the leaves of 58-year-old C. japonica was found to be most effective against both A. aegypti and A. albopictus larvae, indicating tree age has significant influence on mosquito larvicidal activity. In addition, the eleven pure constituents from C. japonica leaf essential oil were also tested individually against the two mosquito larvae. Among them, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, 3-carene, terpinolene, and β-myrcene shows strong larvicidal effect against the two mosquito larvae. Among these pure constituents, 3-carene exhibits the best larvicidal effect against A. aegypti and terpinolene shows an excellent inhibitory action against A. albopictus larvae. The results of this study show that the leaf essential oil and its effective constituents might be considered as a potent source for the production of fine natural larvicides.

In vitro biosynthesis of strictosidine usinglonicera japonica leaf extracts and recombinant yeast

Strictosidine is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of the terpenoid indole alkaloid (T1A) pathway. It results from a condensation reaction, catalyzed by strictosidine synthase (STR), between tryptamine and secologanin. We have now developed a useful method, based on enzyme-assisted synthesis, to produce strictosidine. Our procedure utilizes leaf extracts from Japanese honeysuckleLonicera japonica Thunb. as a secologanin source. In these experiments, an enzyme extract was prepared from transgenic yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae that expresses theCatharanthus roseus STR (CrSTR) coding region. Strictosidine was then isolated with a 38% yield based on the initial amount of tryptamine in the enzymatic reaction.

Cytotoxic activity of Perilla frutescens var. japonica leaf extract is due to high concentrations of oleanolic and ursolic acids

Three triterpene acids, ursolic acid (1), corosolic acid (2), and oleanolic acid (7), were isolated from the ethanol extract of leaves of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. japonica Hara (Labiatae; Japanese name: Egoma). These acids are the active principles responsible for the cytotoxicity against three cultured human tumor cell lines, HL-60 (leukemia carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast carcinoma), and Hep-G2 (hepatic carcinoma), with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 12–48 μM.

Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives in a nonhost rutaceous plant, Orixajaponica, deter both oviposition and larval feeding in a rutaceae-feeding swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus L.

A Rutaceae-feeding swallowtail butterfly. Papilio xuthus L., feeds on various rutaceous plants but always rejects Orixa japonica Thunb. (Rutaceae). Females were strongly deterred from laying eggs by a methanolic extract of O. japonica leaves. Larvae also rejected a diet leaf medium impregnated with O. japonica leaf extracts. Several components in the water-soluble fraction of the leaf extract were found to deter both oviposition and feeding responses. Two major deterrent compounds were characterized as 5-[[2-O-(beta-D-apiofuranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid and adisyringoyl aldaric acid. These compounds induced potent deterrence of both oviposition and larval feeding by P. xuthus, which suggests a congruent chemosensory mechanism of allomonal chemicals acting on both female tarsal chemoreceptors and larval maxillary taste receptors.

The effects of mating, age at mating, and plant stimuli, on the lifetime fecundity and fertility of the generalist herbivore Epiphyas postvittana

AbstractThe effects of mating, age at mating, the presence or absence of a plant leaf, and the deprivation of a suitable ovipositional substrate during when the first ovipositional bout after mating would normally take place, on the lifetime fecundity and fertility (percentage of fertile eggs laid) of female Epiphyas postvittana were investigated. Mating had a significant effect on lifetime fecundity, with mated females laying 2.5 times more eggs than virgin females. Age at mating had a significant effect on both fecundity and fertility, both declining with increasing age when the female was mated. In the presence of a leaf of C. japonica, mated females had a greater lifetime fecundity than when no leaf was present; females in the presence of a C. japonica leaf consistently laid more eggs each day during the first 4–6 days after mating than females without a leaf. When females were deprived of a suitable ovipositional substrate, for the first 22 h after mating, they were significantly less fecund over their lifetime than were control females. Finally, in no‐choice tests with three plants of different acceptability to females, the fecundity of females differed in the order C. japonica &gt; Urtica ferox &gt; Tibouchina multiflora. This different fecundity appeared to be inversely related to the pubescence of the leaves, suggesting that leaf texture may be a suitable antixenotic resistance factor for crops to be protected from this insect. These results suggest that strategies whereby mating is delayed or oviposition reduced within a critical period after mating, may result in significant reductions in pest populations.

Factors controlling somatic embryogenesis

Histological and ultrastructural, molecular and elemental distribution changes were investigated during the induction of direct somatic embryogenesis using theCamellia japonica leaf culture system. In this culture system, direct somatic embryogenesis is induced in a controlled way in a specific leaf region (leaf blade) within a leaf. Embryogenic and non-embryogenic leaf regions have characteristic energy-dispersive X-ray spectra already before induction. According to these results electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) can be a tool for early diagnosis of embryogenic competence. Histological studies showed that severe fluctuations in the number of calcium oxalate crystals and in starch accumulation occur after induction but only in induced tissues. Changes in the cell wall composition of competent cells occur shortly after the induction treatment. The induction of morphogenesis is linked to the appearance of callose covering the surface cells of induced leaves and calluses. A 2nd deposition of material (cutin) is necessary for normal somatic embryogenesis to occur. The involvement of lipid transfer proteins in the appearance of cutin in the embryogenic regions of the explant is suggested.