Pectolinarin Research Articles

Chlorogenic Acid of Cirsium japonicum Resists Oxidative Stress Caused by Aging and Prolongs Healthspan via SKN-1/Nrf2 and DAF-16/FOXO in Caenorhabditis elegans

To evaluate the value of Cirsium japonicum (CJ; thistle) as a material for functional foods, we studied the functional composition of cultivated CJ and the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of the functional substance. The detected phenolics in farmed CJ were chlorogenic acid (CA), linarin (LIN), and pectolinarin (PLIN) by HPLC analysis. As a result of the antioxidant activity of CJ and its phenolics by DPPH and ABTS method, CA had shown the greatest antioxidant activity. We employed Caenorhabditis elegans to validate that in vitro effects of CA are shown in vivo. CA delayed reduction in pumping rate and progeny production during aging of C. elegans. Under both normal and oxidative stress conditions, CA reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in worms and increased their lifespan. In particular, CA showed the reducing effect of ROS accumulation due to aging in aged worms (8 days old). To gain insight into the mechanism, we used skn-1/Nrf2 and daf-16/FOXO transformed worms. The CA effects (on catalase activity and lifespan extension) in the wild-type (WT) decreased in skn-1 and daf-16 mutants. In particular, CA strongly relied on daf-16 under mild oxidative condition and skn-1 under overall (from mild to strong) oxidative stress to reduce ROS and extend healthspan. Thus, we conclude that CA, a key bioactive phenolic of CJ, reduces ROS production and ultimately extends healthspan, and this effect is the result of actions of daf-16 or skn-1 at different stages depending on the degree of oxidation or aging. Our results suggest that CJ containing CA can be used as an antiaging material due to its antioxidant properties.

Pectolinarigenin Induces Antioxidant Enzymes through Nrf2/ARE Pathway in HepG2 Cells.

Pectolinarigenin (PG) and its glycoside pectolinarin (PN) were reported to have various health beneficial functions such as anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities. It has also been reported that PG and PN have radical scavenging ability as direct antioxidant activity. However, the indirect antioxidant activity of PG and PN by inducing antioxidant enzymes in hepatocytes is not fully understood yet. In this study, we investigated whether PG and PN increase expression of antioxidant enzymes through the nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and the liver of male ICR mice. PG, but not PN, induced antioxidant enzymes, namely heme oxigenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, and aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10, in HepG2 cells. As for the induction mechanism of these enzymes, PG-induced nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 increased antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated transcriptional activity and suppressed degradation of Nrf2 through modification of Kelch-like EXH-associated protein 1. Oral administration of PG also induced nuclear accumulation Nrf2 and expression of antioxidant enzymes in the liver of mice. Therefore, PG, but not PN, exhibits the indirect antioxidant activity by inducing antioxidant enzymes through the Nrf2/ARE pathway and may protect liver from oxidative stress.

Research on the Semi-synthesis of Pectolinarin from Scutellarin

Research on the Semi-synthesis of Pectolinarin from Scutellarin