Juglans Mandshurica Research Articles

Investigation of apoptotic effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon cancer cell line.

Colon cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Juglone is a natural compound which has been isolated from Juglans mandshurica Maxim, and it has various pharmacological effects such as antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon carcinoma cell line in monolayer and spheroid culture medium. The CCL-228-SW 480 cell lines were cultured in both monolayer and spheroid cultures. Cells were treated with juglone at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. ID50 inhibition was determined on the dose for juglone and after it was found 20 μM was applied to the cells to examine the effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon carcinoma cell line. After Juglone was applied the BrdU marking index, Transferase dUTP Nick ends Labeling (TUNEL) assay, active caspase-3 assay, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) assay were determined by immunohistochemistry in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures. The control group had a healthy pattern of S-phase fraction, and many of the CCL-228-SW 480 cells nuclei were observed to be positive for BrdU. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl TUNEL-positive cells, active Caspase-3, and AIF were detected after treatment with juglone in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures. The dead cell count was higher in the CCL-228-SW 480 cell lines with juglone applied than in the controls. Juglone significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of CCL-228-SW 480 cells in vitro.

A chemical compound from fruit extract of Juglans mandshurica inhibits melanogenesis through p-ERK-associated MITF degradation

BackgroundTrials for regulation of abnormal hyperpigmentation from the use of natural products have been going on for years. Leaf and root extracts from Juglans mandshurica are reported to function as antioxidants and to suppress allergic dermatitis. However, studies evaluating its fruit extract and the chemical compounds from the fruit extract are lacking in dermatology fields, including melanogenesis. PurposeThe aim of this study is to understand the effect of the fruit extract from J. mandshurica on pigmentation and to search for specific chemical compounds that affect melanogenesis. MethodsAfter screening out any anti-melanotic effects of the fruit extract from J. mandshurica in B16F10 melanoma cells, three major phenolic compounds isolated from the fruit extract were tested by western blot analysis for expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase. Their effect on B16F10 melanoma cells with regard to melanogenesis was also confirmed in primary human epidermal melanocytes (PHEMs). PD98059 was tested to observe the compounds’ signaling role in the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)-pathway. ResultsFruit extract from J. mandshurica showed anti-melanotic effects in B16F10 melanoma cells. After chemical compounds were isolated from the fruit extracts, three phenolic compounds were evaluated for anti-melanotic effects. 2-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-1,3-propanediol (compound 1) showed the highest suppression effect among the three compounds. In B16F10 melanoma cells and PHEMs, reduced melanin contents were observed after treatment with the compound (1). Experiments using a blocker of ERK showed that the inhibitory effect of the compound (1) on melanogenesis was dependent on ERK-associated MITF degradation. ConclusionA chemical constituent of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. induces an inhibitory mechanism to melanogenesis. It has the potential to become a whitening agent in the medical field, though this requires further clinical investigation.

Variations in Soil Bacterial Community Diversity and Structures Among Different Revegetation Types in the Baishilazi Nature Reserve.

We compared patterns of soil bacterial community diversity and structure in six secondary forests (JM, Juglans mandshurica; QM, Quercus mongolica; MB, mixed Broadleaf forest; BE, Betula ermanii; CB, conifer-broadleaf forest; PT, Pinus tabuliformis) and two plantation forests (LG, Larix gmelinii; PK, Pinus koraiensis) of the Baishilazi Nature Reserve, China, based on the 16S rRNA high-throughput Illumina sequencing data. The correlations between the bacterial community and soil environmental factors were also examined. The results showed that the broadleaf forests (JM, QM, MB) had higher levels of total C (TC), total N (TN), available N (AN), and available K (AK) compared to the coniferous forests (PT, LG, PK) and conifer-broadleaf forest (CB). Different revegetation pathways had different effects on the soil bacterial community diversity and structure. For the α-diversity, the highest Shannon index and Simpson index were found in JM. The Simpson index was significantly positively correlated with the available P (AP) (P < 0.05), and the Shannon index was significantly positively correlated with AK (P < 0.05). Compared with others, the increased ACE index and Chao1 index were observed in the CB and MB, and both of these α-diversity were significantly negative with AK (P < 0.05). The relative abundances of bacterial phyla and genera differed among different revegetation types. At the phylum level, the dominant phylum groups in all soils were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, and Planctomycetes. Significant differences in relative abundance of bacteria phyla were found for Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, and Proteobacteria. Correlation analysis showed that Soil pH, TC, TN, AP, and AK were the main abiotic factors structuring the bacterial communities. As revealed by the clear differentiation of bacterial communities and the clustering in the heatmap and in the PCA plots, broadleaf forests and coniferous forests harbored distinct bacterial communities, indicating a significant impact of the respective reforestation pathway on soil bacterial communities in the Baishilazi Nature Reserve.

Biomass-dominant species shape the productivity-diversity relationship in two temperate forests

A negative productivity-diversity relationship was determined for biomass-dominant species at the community level. This study thus supports the hypothesis in which the effects of individual species on the productivity-diversity relationships at the community level are related to their biomass density, an important functional trait. The productivity-diversity relationships have been extensively studied in various forest ecosystems, but key mechanisms underlying the productivity-diversity relationships still remain controversial. The objective of this study is to explore the productivity-diversity relationships at the community level, and to investigate the roles of individual species in shaping the community-level relationships between productivity and diversity under different forest types. The study was conducted in two fully stem-mapped temperate mixed forest plots in Northeastern China: a natural secondary forest plot, and an old-growth forest plot. An individual-based study framework was used to estimate the productivity-diversity relationships at both species and community levels. A homogeneous Thomas point process was used to evaluate the significance of productivity-diversity relationship deviating from the neutral. At the species level, most of the studied species exhibit neutral productivity-diversity relationship in both forest plots. The percentage of species showing negative productivity-diversity relationship approaches linearly a peak value for very close neighborhoods (the secondary forest plot: r = 3 m, 38%; the old-growth forest plot: r = 4 m, 42%), and then decreases gradually with increasing spatial scale. Interestingly, only a few species displayed positive productivity-diversity relationship within their neighborhoods. Dominant species mainly exhibit negative productivity-diversity relationship while tree species with lower importance values exhibit neutral productivity-diversity relationship in both forests. At the community level, a consistent pattern of productivity-diversity relationship was observed in both forests, where tree productivity is significantly negatively associated with local species richness. Four biomass-dominant species (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Acer mono Maxim.,Ulmus macrocarpa Hance and Acer mandshuricum Maxim.) determined a negative productivity-diversity relationship at the community level in the secondary forest plot, but only one species (Juglans mandshurica) in the old-growth forest plot. The productivity-diversity relationship is closely related to the dominance of individual species at the species level. Moreover, this analysis is the first to report the roles of biomass-dominant species in shaping the productivity-diversity relationship at the community level.

Converting Larch Plantations to Larch-Walnut Mixed Stands: Effects of Spatial Distribution Pattern of Larch Plantations on the Rodent-Mediated Seed Dispersal of Juglans mandshurica

Larch (Larix spp.) is planted after a clear-cut of secondary forests (SFs) to meet the timber demand of Northeast China. However, the declination of soil fertility and the acidification of surface runoff in larch plantations (LPs) resulting from mono-species composition have threatened the sustainable development of LPs. Converting pure LPs into larch-walnut mixed forests can solve those problems, in which it is crucial to promote the seed regeneration of Juglans mandshurica in LPs. The success of walnut seed regeneration is dependent on rodent removing seed away from mother trees and the dispersal processes rely on the stand structure. The spatial distribution pattern between LPs and SFs is a type of stand structure that might affect seed dispersal. There are two typical spatial patterns in Northeast China due to different topographical conditions, that is, contour type (C-T, LPs and SFs located at the same slope position and aspect) and downslope type (D-T, LPs located at the down slope of the adjacent SF in the same aspect). The objectives of our study were to verify the effects of the spatial distribution pattern of LPs on rodent-mediated seed dispersal and to determine the optimal spatial distribution type for seed dispersal. The field trial was conducted by releasing tagged J. mandshurica seeds at three stages of seed rain during two continuous growing seasons in two types of spatial distribution patterns for LPs. We found that contour type had a substantial advantage in the rodent-mediated seed dispersal, that is, the dispersal rate and the proportion of scatter-hoarded seeds in LPs of C-T stands were much higher than in D-T stands, respectively. These differences may be caused by the variation in the topographic factor for these two types of spatial distribution pattern of LPs. In the C-T stands, it was a translational motion for rodents to remove walnuts from SFs to LPs, which would be an energy efficient and favorable method of seed dispersal. Fluctuation of seed abundance had an effect on rodent behaviors and seed fates, that is, there was a faster dispersal rate and lower proportion of seeds in situ in the non-masting year of 2015 than in the masting year of 2016 and proportion of scatter-hoarded seeds reached the highest during the early stage and lowest at the middle stage of seed rain. Thus, the contour type of LPs with a favorable terrain advantage is potentially conducive to dispersing walnut seeds by rodents during early stage of seed rain and converting larch plantations into larch-walnut mixed forests.

Two new tetralone glycosides from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim

Two new tetralone glycosides, 4(S)-5-methoxy juglanoside A (1), 4(S)-5-methoxy juglanoside D (2), together with ten known compounds (3–12) have been isolated from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their ESI-MS, 1 D and 2 D NMR spectroscopic data. In addition, all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the cancer BGC-823 (human gastric carcinoma), HCT-15 (human colorectal carcinoma) and K562 (human chronic myeloid leukemia) cell lines. The results showed aglycones of naphthoquinones had stronger cytotoxic activities than glycosides of tetralone.

Effects of gap size and within-gap position on seedling growth and biomass allocation: Is the gap partitioning hypothesis applicable to the temperate secondary forest ecosystems in Northeast China?

Forest gaps can change stand structure and affect forest regeneration dynamics. The gap partitioning hypothesis claims that tree species would regenerate along gap environmental gradients owing to their different resource demands. However, many studies that examined this hypothesis in uncontrolled gap conditions have yielded inconsistent conclusions and there are limited studies testing the hypothesis taking into account biomass allocation. In this study, we examined the gap partitioning hypothesis in a temperate secondary forest ecosystem where gap formation drives forest regeneration. We created gaps with different sizes and planted two commercially important native tree species with contrasting shade tolerance in nine positions along four cardinal directions within the gaps. We found that shade tolerance was the main factor affecting seedling regeneration performance within gaps. For the light-demanding Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.), seedling growth varied significantly along the light intensity gradients, which indicated that seedlings could greatly benefit from high light areas within gaps, especially when the gap size increased. Seedling biomass in gap centers and transitions (54.0 g) were much higher than in gap edges (13.7 g) and forest understories (8.6 g). High light environments contributed to higher biomass allocation to the leaves and accelerated carbon assimilation. Low light conditions resulted in increasing proportions of stem biomass, which might promote seedling height growth, although the promotion effects were relatively limited. However, for the shade-tolerant Korean spruce (Picea koraiensis Nakai), little evidence of seedling divergence was found within gaps. Mostly, seedlings only showed growth and biomass allocation differences between gaps and forest understories. Korean spruce showed high adaptability to various gap environments and might be a generalist species rather than being limited to small gaps. The performance of Manchurian walnut strongly supported the gap partitioning hypothesis, but Korean spruce provided little evidence for gap partitioning. Therefore, planting scenarios in silvicultural practices could be suitably designed, with Manchurian walnut in high light gap areas and Korean spruce in most positions within gaps, during the early stage after competition elimination.

Identification and characterization of major constituents in Juglans mandshurica using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS)

The present study was designed to identify and characterize the major constituents in Juglans mandshurica Maxim. A simple, efficient and sensitive ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS) method was established and validated under positive and negative ion modes. The separation was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) by gradient elution with a mobile phase (Phase A: 0.1% aqueous formic acid solution, Phase B: 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile solution). A total of 165 compounds were rapidly selected by Targeted and Non-Targeted Peak Finding approaches, and then tentatively identifled by comparing with reference substances or inferred through mass spectrometry fragment ion analysis and literature data. These compounds included 68 naphthalenequinones, 20 diarylheptanoids, 29 flavonoids, 20 triterpenes, and 28 phenolic acids. In conclusion, the present study provided an effective approach to identifying components in complex matrices of herbal medicines such as Juglans mandshurica Maxim.

Genomic Variation Among and Within Six Juglans Species.

Genomic analysis in Juglans (walnuts) is expected to transform the breeding and agricultural production of both nuts and lumber. To that end, we report here the determination of reference sequences for six additional relatives of Juglans regia: Juglans sigillata (also from section Dioscaryon), Juglans nigra, Juglans microcarpa, Juglans hindsii (from section Rhysocaryon), Juglans cathayensis (from section Cardiocaryon), and the closely related Pterocarya stenoptera. While these are ‘draft’ genomes, ranging in size between 640Mbp and 990Mbp, their contiguities and accuracies can support powerful annotations of genomic variation that are often the foundation of new avenues of research and breeding. We annotated nucleotide divergence and synteny by creating complete pairwise alignments of each reference genome to the remaining six. In addition, we have re-sequenced a sample of accessions from four Juglans species (including regia). The variation discovered in these surveys comprises a critical resource for experimentation and breeding, as well as a solid complementary annotation. To demonstrate the potential of these resources the structural and sequence variation in and around the polyphenol oxidase loci, PPO1 and PPO2 were investigated. As reported for other seed crops variation in this gene is implicated in the domestication of walnuts. The apparently Juglandaceae specific PPO1 duplicate shows accelerated divergence and an excess of amino acid replacement on the lineage leading to accessions of the domesticated nut crop species, Juglans regia and sigillata.

Root order-based traits of Manchurian walnut & larch and their plasticity under interspecific competition

Manchurian walnut and larch are key timber species of northeast China but information on (fine) root traits of both species is scarce. Plasticity of root traits in mixed plantations has been studied rarely although this could give important insights into mechanisms of root competition. This study examined root traits by branching order in 30-yr-old monocultures and their plasticity in mixed plantations. In monocultures, Manchurian walnut and larch differed in key fine root traits. Larch roots hold more absorptive root orders, larger diameter and lower specific root length/area. Walnut root orders featured greater cortex:stele ratios, N-concentrations and respiration rates. Under interspecific competition, the proportion of walnut root tips increased, the biomass/length of larch root orders 1–3 decreased. Larch possessed a greater morphological and anatomical plasticity of terminal root orders than walnut. Mycorrhizal colonization rates of walnut were reduced. Both species differed fundamentally in their fine root properties. Absorptive fine root orders reacted plastic under interspecific competition while traits of higher root orders remained unchanged. In mixture, larch roots possessed a greater plasticity in traits related to resource uptake (efficiency) than walnut roots whose reaction norm is suggested to be predominantly based on interference competition via juglone exudation.

Antioxidant hydrolyzed peptides from Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.) attenuate scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice.

Walnut protein, which is obtained as a by-product of oil expression, has not been used efficiently. Although walnuts are beneficial for cognitive functioning, the potential of their protein composition in strengthening learning and memory functions remains unknown. In this study, the inhibition of memory impairment by the Manchurian walnut hydrolyzed peptide (MWHP) was evaluated. Small-molecular-weight MWHP (<3 kDa) achieved the optimal antioxidative activity. Therefore, MWHP (<3 kDa) was subjected to the following mice trials to evaluate its attenuation effect on memory impairment. In the Morris water maze test, MWHP shortened the total path for searching the platform, reduced the escape latency, and increased the dwelling distance and time in the coverage zone. MWHP also prolonged the latency and diminished errors in the passive avoidance response tests. These behavioral tests demonstrated that MWHP could inhibit scopolamine-induced memory impairment. MWHP improved memory by reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, regulating neurotransmitter functions, maintaining hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons, and increasing calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II levels in brain tissues. Experimental results proved that MWHP exhibits potential in improving memory and should be used to develop novel functional food. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic juglones from the immature exocarps of Juglans mandshurica

Juglonols A−C (1−3), three new juglone derivatives possessing a hydroxyethyl side chain, were isolated from an organic extract of the immature exocarps of Juglans mandshurica together with five known tetralones (4–8). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature data. The new juglone derivatives exhibited inhibitory activities towards a panel of bacteria and fungi, as well as cancer cell lines. In contrast, the known tetralone homologues (4−8) appeared to be much less efficacy.

Two pairs of new alkaloid enantiomers with a spiro [benzofuranone-benzazepine] skeleton from the bark of Juglans mandshurica

(±)-Juglanaloid A (1) and B (2), two pairs of novel naturally occurring alkaloid enantiomers bearing an unprecedented spiro [benzofuranone-benzazepine] skeleton, were isolated from the bark of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. The unusual 6, 5, 7, 6-cyclic system with a rare spiro cyclic center at C-4 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. Chiral separation of 1 and 2 yielded two pairs of enantiomers, 1a/1b and 2a/2b. The absolute configurations were established by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. The potential anti-AD properties of 1a/1b and 2a/2b were evaluated by the Thioflavin T assay.

Juglone induces apoptosis and autophagy via modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Juglone (JG), a naturally-occurring naphthoquinone of Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica) was shown to inhibit proliferation in various tumor types. However, the molecular mechanisms of JG on the induction of apoptosis and autophagy in HepG2 cells have not been examined. Herein, we investigated that JG could inhibit cell proliferation by induction of G2/M phase arrest. Also, occurrence of apoptosis was closely related with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the changes of apoptosis-related proteins after treatment with JG. In addition, we found that JG caused autophagy, as evidenced by increased expressions of LC3-II and Beclin-1. Interestingly, inhibition of JG-induced autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and wortmannin (WT) significantly decreased apoptosis, whereas the apoptosis inhibitor z-VAD-fmk slightly enhanced autophagy. Furthermore, the induction of autophagy and apoptosis was associated with activation of MAPK family members (p38 and JNK) and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Both JNK inhibitor (SP600125) and ROS scavenger (N-acetylcysteine, NAC) could attenuate JG-induced autophagy and apoptosis. However, the p38-specific inhibitor SB203580 enhanced autophagic and apoptotic death. Moreover, the ROS scavenger NAC prevented phosphorylation of both p38 and JNK. Collectively, our data revealed that JG induced G2/M phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy through the ROS-dependent signaling pathway.

Juglanin suppresses fibrosis and inflammation response caused by LPS in acute lung injury

Acute lung injury in children is a complication showing devastating disorders linked to fibrosis progression and inflammation response. Fibrosis and inflammation response are two markers for acute lung injury. Juglanin is a natural product mainly isolated from green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica, which isconsidered as the functional composition among a series of compounds. It exhibited effective role in various diseases by inhibiting inflammation response. In our study, the protective effects and anti-inflammatory activity of juglanin were investigated in mice and lung cells treated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to reveal the possible mechanism by which juglanin attenuates acute lung injury. The mice were separated into four groups. The mouse model was established with 15 mg/kg LPS injection. Juglanin dramatically reduced the inflammation of cell infiltration. Compared to mice only treated with LPS, LPS-treated mice in the presence of juglanin developed less lung fibrosis with lower levels of α-smooth muscle-actin (α-SMA), collagen type I, collagen type III, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Additionally, juglanin markedly downregulated inflammatory cytokine secretion and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression via inhibiting IKKα/IκBα signaling pathway. Our results indicate that juglanin has a protective role in LPS-triggered acute lung injury via suppression of fibrosis and inflammation response by NF-κB signaling pathways inactivation. Thus, juglanin may be a potential candidate as dietary supplement for acute lung injury for children in future.

Secondary Metabolites with Anti-complementary Activity from the Stem Barks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim

Juglans mandshurica is a fast growing hard species, which is a tree in family of Juglandaceae and has a wide distribution in China, Korea and eastern Russia. Plant materials from J. mandshurica have extensively been used in folk medicines to prevent or cure gastric, esophageal, lung and cardiac cancer. As one chain of our searching for anticomplementary agents from natural sources, two epimeric ellagitannins, [2,3-O-4,4′,5,5′,6,6′,-hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP))-(α,β)-D-glucose] (I) and pedunculagin (II) were purified from 70% acetone extracts of the stem barks of J. mandshurica by Thin Layer Chromatography and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography approaches. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by MS, NMR, and a careful comparation with published literatures. The epimeric ellagitannins I and II exhibited inhibitory properties against a classical pathway of complementary system with 50 % inhibitory concentrations (IC50) values of 65.3 and 47.7 μM, respectively, comparing with riliroside (IC50=104 μM) and rosmarinic acid (IC50=182 μM), which were used as positive controls. Thus, the work indicated both the two secondary metabolites possess excellent inhibitory activity and might be developed as potential anticomplementary chemicals.

Chemical Constituents of Branches and Barks of Juglans mandshurica

Chemical Constituents of Branches and Barks of Juglans mandshurica

Evaluation of the antidiabetic activity of hydrolyzed peptides derived fromJuglans mandshuricaMaxim. fruits in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells and type 2 diabetic mice

Bioactive peptides derived from plant proteins are promising sources for the development safe hypoglycemics. The present study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic activity of walnut hydrolyzed peptides (WHPs) obtained from the fruit proteins of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. In vitro results showed that WHPs with medium molecular weights (3–10 kDa) exhibited the highest α‐glucosidase inhibitory rate (61.73%) and significantly increased extracellular glucose consumption in insulin‐resistant HepG2 cells. In mice with streptozotocin‐induced type 2 diabetes, WHPs with medium molecular weights reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 64.82% and increased insulin secretion by 23.71% and liver glucokinase and glycogen levels by 69.54 and 76.19%, respectively. Furthermore, an analysis of serum lipid profiles showed that WHPs significantly decreased serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Our results indicate the antidiabetic potential of WHPs and provide evidence to support the application of WHPs in the treatment of diabetes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Juglans mandshurica Maxim., commonly known as the Manchurian walnut, is a member of the Juglandaceae plant family. Its fruit is extensively consumed in northeast China and is used in the production of dairy and bakery products, candy, and cooking oil owing to its high protein content (about 30%), abundance of essential amino acids, and easy digestibility. Hence, there has been an immense increase, up to a million hectare, in the area under Manchurian walnut cultivation. The results of the present study indicated that WHPs showed significant antidiabetic activity by improving α‐glucosidase activity, glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, and liver glucokinase and glycogen levels as well as by decreasing the fasting blood glucose level. These findings have identified a green source of novel antidiabetic peptides that can either be used as a functional food ingredient in the management of hyperglycemia or developed as a drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

A new coumarin from Juglans mandshurica Maxim induce apoptosis in hepatocarcinoma cells

In this study, a new coumarin, juglansoside C (1) was isolated from the bark of Juglans mandshurica. Its chemical structure was identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells with an IC50 value of 70.9 μM. Furthermore, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay indicated that 1 markedly induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells.

Coumarins from Juglans Mandshurica Maxim and their apoptosis-inducing activities in hepatocarcinoma cells

Phytochemical investigation of the bark of Juglans mandshurica led to the isolation of two new coumarins, juglansoside A–B (1–2), along with five known compounds (3–7). The structures of new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity in vitro using two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (Hep3B and HepG2). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 61.07 μM and 64.46 μM, respectively. Compounds 4 and 5 were moderately active, with IC50 values of 55.40 μM and 66.97 μM against Hep3B cells, respectively. Moreover, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay was used to investigate whether the cytotoxic activities of 1–2 and 4–5 were due to cell apoptosis. The results indicated that 1–2 markedly induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and 4–5 effectively caused apoptosis in Hep3B cells.