Rhubarb Extract Research Articles

Determination of Bioactive Components in Chinese Herbal Formulae and Pharmacokinetics of Rhein in Rats by UPLC-MS/MS

Rhein (4,5-dihydroxy-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-carboxylic acid, cassic acid) is a pharmacological active component found in Rheum palmatum L. the major herb of San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXXT), a medicinal herbal product used as a remedy for constipation. Here we have determined multiple bioactive components in SHXXT and investigated the comparative pharmacokinetics of rhein in rats. A sensitive and specific method combining liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry has been developed and validated to simultaneously quantify six active compounds in the pharmaceutical herbal product SHXXT to further study their pharmacokinetics in rats. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was employed for quantification with switching electrospray ion source polarity between positive and negative modes in a single run. There were no significant matrix effects in the quantitative analysis and the mean recovery for rhein in rat plasma was 91.6% ± 3.4%. The pharmacokinetic data of rhein demonstrate that the herbal formulae or the single herbal extract provide significantly higher absorption rate than the pure compound. This phenomenon suggests that the other herbal ingredients of SHXXT and rhubarb extract significantly enhance the absorption of rhein in rats. In conclusion, the herbal formulae (SHXXT) are more efficient than the single herb (rhubarb) or the pure compound (rhein) in rhein absorption.

Diuretic activity in rats: the ethanol and aqueous extracts of rhubarb (657.1)

Aim: Rhubarb (Da Huang in Chinese), a worldwide herb, is commonly used as an ingredient of numerous herbal formulations to treat a large amount of diseases related to constipation, hepatitis, cholecystitis, as well as diabetic nephropathy (DN) and chronic renal failure (CRF). The aim of this study is to evaluate the diuretic activities of ethanol extract (EE) and aqueous extract (AE) of rhubarb in saline‐loaded rats to explore their potential mechanism and future research opportunities. Methods: Urinary excretion rate, pH and electrolyte excretion were measured in the urine after orally administered to rats by EE (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg) and AE (500 mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg). Results: In the study, both EE and AE increased the urinary excretion rate. Nevertheless, AE enhanced the urinary output slightly while EE significantly increased the urinary excretion. The three doses of EE produced an increase Na+, K+ and Cl‐ excretion. EE at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses increased pH values while 800 mg/kg dose showed decrease in pH values. All the three doses of AE showed an increase in the Na+, K+ and Cl‐ excretion significantly. The three doses of AE decreased pH values meaningfully. Conclusions: These date suggest that it is ethanol extracts instead of aqueous extracts of rhubarb that presents a remarkable diuretic effect. The results provide a quantitative basis to explain the use of rhubarb as a diuretic agent. Research will be continued to elucidate the mechanism of the diuretic action particularly the structure‐activity relationship of the bioactive components in the most bioactive fractions.Acknowledgements:This study was supported by the Program for the Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (No. IRT1174), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81001622) and the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shaanxi (13‐ZY006).

Interaction of five anthraquinones from rhubarb with human organic anion transporter 1 (SLC22A6) and 3 (SLC22A8) and drug–drug interaction in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceRhubarb is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and has been used in China for thousands of years. Anthraquinone derivatives including rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol and physcion are the important components in rhubarb. Materials and methodsHere we studied the interaction of five anthraquinone derivatives with human renal organic anion transporter 1 (hOAT1) and hOAT3 stably expressed in cells, and interaction of rhein or rhubarb extract (RE) with furosemide (FS, substrate of OATs) in rats. ResultsUptake of 6-carboxyl fluorescein via hOAT1 and fluorescein via hOAT3 were markedly inhibited by rhein, emodin and aloe-emodin, and slightly inhibited by chrysophanol and physcion. The estimated IC50 values for rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin and probenecid (typical inhibitor of hOAT1 and hOAT3) were 0.23, 0.61, 2.29 and 18.34μM for hOAT1, and 0.08, 1.22, 5.37 and 5.83μM for hOAT3, respectively. Furthermore, the data from the cellular accumulation assay indicated that these five compounds were not substrates of hOAT1 or hOAT3. Pharmacokinetic interaction between rhein and FS in rats showed that area under the curve (AUC0–t) for FS was increased by 65% when coadministrated with rhein. RE was also used to interact with FS in rats and results showed that AUC0–t of FS was increased by 32% and by 52% when coadministrated with single-dose or multiple-dose of RE, respectively. ConclusionsThese findings suggested that five anthraquinones inhibited hOAT1 and hOAT3, but these compounds were not transported by hOAT1 or hOAT3. Furthermore, rhein or RE, might cause drug–drug interaction when coadministrated with substrates of OAT1 or OAT3 in vivo.

Rheinanthrone, a metabolite of sennoside A, triggers macrophage activation to decrease aquaporin-3 expression in the colon, causing the laxative effect of rhubarb extract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAquaporin-3 (AQP3) is expressed in mucosal epithelial cells in the colon and is important for regulating fecal water content. We examined the role of AQP3 in the laxative effect of rhubarb extract. MethodsAfter orally administering rhubarb extract or its major component (sennoside A) to rats, the fecal water content, AQP3 expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in the colon were examined. The mechanism by which sennoside A decreases the expression of AQP3 was examined using the human colon cancer HT-29 cells and macrophage-derived Raw264.7 cells. ResultsDuring diarrhea by rhubarb extract administration, the PGE2 levels in the colon increased while the AQP3 expression significantly decreased. Similar changes were also observed when sennoside A was administered. When sennoside A or its metabolites, rheinanthrone and rhein were added to Raw264.7 cells, a significant increase in the PGE2 concentration was observed only in cells treated with rheinanthrone. Fifteen minutes after adding PGE2 to the HT-29 cells, the AQP3 expression decreased to approximately 40% of the control. When pretreated with indomethacin, sennoside A neither decreased the AQP3 expression nor induced diarrhea. ConclusionsSennoside A may decrease AQP3 expression in the colon to inhibit water transport from the luminal to the vascular side, leading to a laxative effect. The decreases in the levels of AQP3 are caused by rheinanthrone, which is a metabolite of sennoside A, this metabolite activates the macrophages in the colon and increases the secretion of PGE2; PGE2 acts as a paracrine factor and decreases AQP3 expression in colon mucosal epithelial cells.

Effect of rhubarb pre-treatment on intestinal microcirculation in septic rats.

The intestine plays a vital role in the pathophysiology of sepsis development. The objective of the present study was to explore the effects of rhubarb on intestinal microcirculation in septic rats. We used moorFLPI laser speckle imaging to detect the blood flow of the intestinal mucosa and wall. Using an ELISA, we assayed the concentration of lactate (L) and pyruvic acid (P) in the intestinal tissue to calculate the ratio of lactate to pyruvic acid (L/P ratio). To observe the intestinal mucosal capillaries, gelatin and ink were perfused into the intestine and subsequently stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to measure the ratio of the vessel area. We then used immunohistochemistry to measure CD31 expression. Using an MTT assay, the effect of the rhubarb extract on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was analyzed. The blood flow in the intestinal wall and mucosa of the control, sham and rhubarb-treated groups was significantly higher, while the sepsis group had relatively low blood flow. The L/P ratio in the intestinal tissue was larger in the sepsis group than in the other three groups. The microvascular area (MVA) in the sepsis group was smaller than in the control group, sham group or rhubarb group. Positive expression for CD31 was observed in the cytoplasm of vascular endothelial cells. The intestinal mucosal capillaries were reduced in septic rats as compared to the other three groups. HUVEC proliferation was enhanced by the rhubarb extract monomers at 1 μmol/L, but suppressed at higher concentrations of 10 to 100 μmol/L. These results suggest that pre-treatment with rhubarb prior to sepsis induction promotes the expansion of the intestinal mucosal capillaries, protects intestinal mucosal capillary endothelial cells and increases the number of functional intestinal capillaries.

Rhubarb Tannins Extract Inhibits the Expression of Aquaporins 2 and 3 in Magnesium Sulphate-Induced Diarrhoea Model

Tannins, a group of major active components of Chinese rhubarb and widely distributed in nature, have a significant antidiarrhoeal activity. Aquaporins (AQPs) 2 and 3 play important roles in regulating water transfer during diarrhoea. The present study aims to determine the effect of the total tannins extract of rhubarb on aquaporins (AQPs) 2 and 3 in diarrhoea mice and HT-29 cells both induced by magnesium sulphate (MgSO4). Our results showed that rhubarb tannins extract (RTE) significantly decreased the faecal water content in colon and evaluation index of defecation of diarrhoea mice. Interestingly, RTE could markedly reduce the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQPs 2 and 3 in apical and lateral mucosal epithelial cells in the colons of diarrhoea mice and HT-29 cells both induced by MgSO4 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, RTE suppressed the production of cyclic monophosphate- (cAMP-) dependent protein kinase A catalytic subunits α (PKA C-α) and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB, Ser133) in MgSO4-induced HT-29 cells. Our data showed for the first time that RTE inhibit AQPs 2 and 3 expression in vivo and in vitro via downregulating PKA/p-CREB signal pathway, which accounts for the antidiarrhoeal effect of RTE.

Antimicrobial Effects of Cinnamon and Rhubarb Extracts

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) and rhubarb extract (REE) against 5 food-related microorganisms. The major active constituents of CEO were cinnamaldehyde (80.010%) and 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (10.550%), and the major active constituents of REE were chrysophanic acid (54.950%) and physcion (13.270%). CEO and REE display strong inhibition against 5 strains. The checkerboard method was used to investigate the synergy antimicrobial potentiality of a combination of CEO and REE by analysis of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). The FICI was calculated and interpreted as synergy, addition, indifference, or antagonism. The combination showed additive efficacy against all tested microorganisms.

Preservation Effect of Rhubarb and Cinnamon Extracts on Fresh Beef

The effect of rhubarb ethanol extracts (REE) and cinnamon essential oil (CEO) were used individually and in combination to maintain quality of fresh beef steaks stored for 18 days at 4±1°C was investigated. Beef characteristics, including pH, total viable counts (TVC), instrumental color (CIE a*), lipid oxidation (TBARS) and total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) were determined. The treatments significantly inhibited bacterial growth (p< 0.05) and maintained the pH, TVB-N, TBARS of beefsteaks and reduced instrumental color loss (p< 0.05). The results indicated that the treatments could efficiently maintain quality of fresh beef during storage and the combination of CEO and REE antimicrobial packaging had better application potential on fresh beef preservation.

Pharmacokinetics of anthraquinones in rat plasma after oral administration of a rhubarb extract

A sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous determination of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion and their conjugates in rat plasma. The lower limit of quantitation of each anthraquinone was 0.020-0.040 µm. Intra-day and inter-day accuracies were 90.1-114.3% and the precisions were <14.6%. The matrix effects were 104.0-113.2%. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats receiving a rhubarb extract orally. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-t ) and peak concentration (Cmax ) of free aloe-emodin and emodin in rat plasma were much lower than those of rhein. The amounts of chrysophanol and physcion were too low to be continuously detected. After treating the plasma samples with β-glucuronidases, each anthraquinone was detectable throughout the experimental period (36 h) and showed much higher plasma concentrations and AUC0-t . The free/total ratios of aloe-emodin, rhein and emodin were 6.5, 49.0 and 1.7% for Cmax and 3.7, 32.5 and 1.1% for AUC0-t , respectively. The dose-normalized AUC0-t and Cmax of the total of each anthraquinone were in the same descending order: rhein > emodin > chrysophanol > physcion > aloe-emodin. These findings reveal phase II conjugates as the dominant in vivo existing forms of rhubarb antharquinones and warrant a further study to evaluate their contribution to the herbal activity.

Enhancement of rhubarb extract solubility and bioactivity by 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

Rhubarb is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, and the ethanolic extract of rhubarb consists of active anthraquinones, which are hydrophobic and have antiproliferative effects on hepatoma cell lines. To increase the aqueous solubility of rhubarb and study the consequent bioavailability, the ethanolic extract of rhubarb was complexed with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), a cyclic oligosaccharide that has a hydrophilic outer surface and a hydrophobic central cavity, to form a rhubarb–HP-β-CD complex. This complex was characterized by performing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, two-dimensional rotating frame spectroscopy and thin layer chromatography to confirm the inclusion of anthraquinones from rhubarb extract in HP-β-CD (weight ratio of rhubarb extract:HP-β-CD=1:9). We investigated the effects of complexing rhubarb extract with HP-β-CD on the growth of Huh7 and HepG2 cells by performing cytotoxicity analysis, cellular uptake test, and colony formation assay. Our results showed that complexation of rhubarb extract with HP-β-CD increased the aqueous solubility and bioavailability of rhubarb and thus enhanced its effect on hepatoma cells.

Effect of Dai-Saiko-To (Da-Chai-Hu-Tang) on LDL-Receptor Gene Expression in Human Hepatoma Cell Line (HepG2)

We previously reported that Dai-saiko-to (Da-Chai-Hu-Tang), a traditional Japanese kampo medicine, increased LDL receptor mRNA expression in the liver of the hypercholesterolemic rabbits. In this study, we focused on LDL receptor gene expression in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) treated with Dai-saiko-to extract and the extracts of eight herbs presented in Dai-saiko-to. Dai-saiko-to extract significantly increased LDL receptor gene and SREBP2 gene expression compared with the control. The extracts of four herbs, Bupleurum root, Pinellia tuber, Scutellaria root and Peony root significantly increased the LDL receptor gene expression. Whereas, Jujube, Immature orange, Ginger and Rhubarb extracts did not change the gene expression. These results suggest that Dai-saiko-to increased the expression of the cholesterol transport gene (LDL receptor) regulated by SREBP2 gene in the human hepatoma cell line. The pharmacological activity of Dai-saiko-to against hypercholesterolemia and atheromatous lesions related for these four herbal components.

Effect of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine with Antiquorum Sensing Activity onPseudomonas aeruginosa

Traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHMs) were tested for their ability of antiquorum sensing. Water extracts of Rhubarb, Fructus gardeniae, and Andrographis paniculata show antiquorumsensing activity when using Chromobacterium violaceum CV12472 as reporter; the sub-MIC concentrations of these TCHMs were tested against AHL-dependent phenotypic expressions of PAO1. Results showed significant reduction in pyocyanin pigment, protease, elastase production, and biofilm formation in PAO1 without inhibiting the bacterial growth, revealing that the QSI by the extracts is not related to static or killing effects on the bacteria. The results indicate a potential modulation of bacterial cell-cell communication, P. aeruginosa biofilm, and virulence factors by traditional Chinese herbal medicine. This study introduces not only a new mode of action for traditional Chinese herbal medicines, but also a potential new therapeutic direction for the treatment of bacterial infections, which have QSI activity and might be important in reducing virulence and pathogenicity of pathogenic bacteria.

The protective and toxic effects of rhubarb tannins and anthraquinones in treating hexavalent chromium-injured rats: The Yin/Yang actions of rhubarb

Chromium nephrotoxicity (CrNT) is thought to occur through the oxidant lesion mechanism. There is still a lack of specific remedies against CrNT. We primarily screened Chinese herbal medicines with a potential protective effect against CrNT, e.g., rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.). However, the active constituents in rhubarb and its mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the total rhubarb extract (TR) was successively separated into three parts: total anthraquinone extract (TA), total tannin extract (TT) and remaining component extract (RC). The effects of each extract on the potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats were comparatively assessed. The results showed that only the administration of TT protected the kidney function in K2Cr2O7-injured rats. Besides, TT showed significant activity to scavenge hydroxyl radicals, which is considered to be the dominant lesion product generated by hexavalent chromium. TT also showed a reduced ability to transform toxic high valence chromium ions into non-toxic low valence ions. And TT was able to further precipitate chromium ions. These results suggested that rhubarb tannins treat CrNT as a free radical scavenger, reductant, and metal precipitant. The multiple protective routes of the plant tannins reveal a superior option for development into a promising natural remedy against CrNT. In addition, the opposite effects of rhubarb anthraquinones in treating CrNT were observed compared to rhubarb tannins, which suggested the duo-directional effects (Yin and Yang) of herbal medicines should be addressed.

Rhubarb inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell metastasis via GSK-3-β activation to enhance protein degradation and attenuate nuclear translocation of β-catenin

The aim of our study was to investigate the mechanisms by which rhubarb regulates β-catenin as well as metastasis of hepatocellular carcinomas. Our results revealed that rhubarb extract inhibited HA22T cell migration ability in wound healing, migration and invasion assays in a dose-dependent manner. Rhubarb also reduced β-catenin protein level, downregulated its downstream proteins, cyclin D, Tbx3 and c-Myc, and attenuated the expression of MMP9 and contactin-1 metastatic factors. Additionally, rhubarb inhibited β-catenin nuclear accumulation and induced its degradation via proteasome-mediated pathway. Furthermore, we found that rhubarb suppressed the p-ser9 GSK-3-β protein level to inactivate Wnt signalling and reduce β-catenin protein level. Taken together; we found that rhubarb blocked the metastatic process of HA22T hepatocellular carcinoma cells mediated through GSK-3-β activation, and enhancement of protein degradation as well as reduction of the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on ZnO Films and Natural Dyes

This work employs extracts from Walnuts, Rhubarb, and Pomegranate as natural dyes for fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). ZnO nanoparticles with crystallite mean value 12 nm as confirmed from XRD data have been synthesized at pH 12. SEM picture of the ZnO powder reveals homogeneous and well defined nanoparticles with size of about 15 nm. TEM micrograph shows that the powder has a porous agglomerate structure consisting mainly of spherical crystalline particles with about 15–20 nm diameter. ZnO films were deposited on Fluorinated Tin Oxide (FTO) coated glass sheets followed by sintering at 450℃. The samples were sensitized by soaking in the dye solution. A Graphite slab was used as a back electrode, and <img src=image/10.5923.j.ijmc.20120203.04_001.gif></img> redox was employed as an electrolyte. Each cell was illuminated with light intensities in the range 40,000–100,000 <i>Lux</i> to measure the photovoltaic parameters. The experimental results shows that the highest <i>I</i><SUB><i>sc</i></SUB> value is obtained from the DSSC sensitized with Rhubarb extract while the highest <i>V</i><SUB><i>oc</i></SUB> value is obtained from the DSSC sensitized with the Walnuts extract. The <i>P</i><SUB><i>max</i></SUB> of the DSSC sensitized by the Walnuts extract is greater than those sensitized by Rhubarb and Pomegranate extracts. Moreover, the open circuit voltage <i>V</i><SUB><i>oc</i></SUB> decay was found to closely follow a pseudo single exponential form.

A strategy for detecting absorbed bioactive compounds for quality control in the water extract of rhubarb by ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector

To detect absorbed bioactive compounds of the water extract whose pharmacodynamic effect was craniocerebral protection for quality control assessment. Anthraquinones in water extract of rhubarb (WER), in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in ipsilateral cortex of TBI rats following oral WER were respectively explored by ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method developed in the present study. The effects of anthraquinones absorbed into injured cortex on superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity in TBI rats were detected. The antioxidative anthraquinones absorbed into target organ were evaluated for quality control of WER. Anthraquinones in WER were aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion. Only the last anthraquinone was found in CSF and in ipsilateral cortex under this chromatographic condition. Physcion increased SOD activity in TBI rats significantly. Physcion was the main active compound of rhubarb against craniocerebral injury via antioxidant pathway. According to our strategy, the exploration of physcion suggested the possibility of a novel quality control of WER in treating TBI injury.

Comparison of transformation of four processed rhubarb aqueous extracts in intestinal bacteria in vitro

To compare the metabolic transformation of four processed rhubarb aqueous extracts in rat intestinal bacteria in vitro. Rat intestinal bacteria test solution and each of four processed rhubarb aqueous extracts were incubated under anaerobic conditions at 37 degrees C. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used for the qualitative analysis on the components that can be bio-transformed by rat intestinal bacteria as well as the trend of metabolic transformation of each parent compounds according to the changes in chromatographic peak areas in different incubation times. Anthraquinones, glucose gallates and naphthalenes glucosides could be bio-transformed by rat intestinal bacteria. Of them, anthraquinones were undoubtedly the most prevalent parent compounds, as 12 out of the 17 metabolites were tentatively assigned as metabolites transformed from anthraquinones. Besides, it was also found that each parent compound in four processed rhubarb extract were diverse from each other with the incubation time. The preparations change composition and proportional relationship of ingredients contained in rhubarb and thus impacting their transformation effect in intestinal bacteria.

The Influence of Rhein 8-&lt;i&gt;O&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;i&gt;β&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;small&gt;D&lt;/small&gt;-Glucopyranoside on the Purgative Action of Sennoside A from Rhubarb in Mice

Rhubarb is one of the most well-known herbal medicines that constitute daiokanzoto (DKT), which is clinically effective for constipation. Sennoside A is transformed into an active metabolite, rheinanthrone, by intestinal bacteria. Sennoside A in rhubarb showed significantly accelerated metabolic activity in intestinal bacteria in comparison with sennoside A alone. In this study, we investigated the influence of rhubarb constituents on the metabolism and purgative activity of sennoside A. The 20% MeOH-eluted fraction separated by MCI-gel CHP-20P column chromatography from the water extract of rhubarb showed sennoside A metabolic activity similar to that of rhubarb extract. The 20% MeOH elute was further purified and rhein 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (RG) was isolated. The metabolic activity of sennoside A was significantly accelerated by increasing the level of RG. Moreover, rhein, emodin and aloe-emodin also accelerated sennoside A metabolism. The purgative activity of sennoside A was significantly accelerated when RG or rhein was concomitantly given with sennoside A in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that anthraquinones contribute to the purgative action of sennoside A in rhubarb. Therefore, it is assumed that the influence of anthraquinones on the fate of rheinanthrone transformed from sennoside A may promote the purgative action of sennoside A.

초고압을 이용한 반고형 사과 이유식 개발 및 품질평가

비열처리가공기술 중 하나로 새롭게 주목받고 있는 초고압처리를 반고형 형태의 친환경 유기농 이유식 제조에 적용하여 완제품 형태로 제조 후 냉장 조건으로 저장하여 저장기간에 따른 제품 안전성을 조사하였다. 가열 처리를 하지 않고 550 MPa 압력에서 3분 동안 초고압 처리하여 냉장 상태로 15일 동안 저장한 결과, 일반세균과 대장균 모두 검출되지 않아 미생물학적 안전성을 확인할 수 있었으며, 초고압 처리를 하지 않은 대조군에서 일반세균이 <TEX>$2.54{\times}10^3$</TEX>, <TEX>$7.85{\times}10^2$</TEX> CFU/g 수준으로 검출되었던 것과 비교했을 때 초고압 처리를 하는 것이 제품의 신선도를 살리고 제품의 안전성을 유지하기 위해 적합한 처리법이라고 판단되어진다. 초고압 처리를 통한 물성 변화는 처리 전 대조구와 점도, 스푼풀 현상을 비교하였을 때 큰 차이가 나타나지 않는 것으로 나타났고, 그 결과 사과의 신선한 상태를 유지하고 미생물학적 안전성 역시 유지하면서 냉장상태로 약 2주간 저장이 가능한 친환경 반고형 이유식을 제조할 수 있었다. For the purpose of develop semi-solid baby food, we investigated ingredients, processing aids as a thickener, processing suitability test, natural antibrowning agent, packing method, novel preservation technology, storage test and quality evaluation. In results, semi-solid baby food was developed. It's formulation is eco-friendly apple as a main ingredients, natural rhubarb extract 5% and thickener 4%. Thickener was used brown rice puffing powder and sweet pumpkin puffing powder. High pressure processing(HPP) and pouch packaging was used as processing and novel preservation technology. In results of storage test and quality evaluation, shelf-life of semi-solid baby food was 15 days in <TEX>$5^{\circ}C$</TEX> cold storage and hedonic score of sensory evaluation was 4.3/5.0. Taste of them was fresh and sweet.

Long-term effects of the rhapontic rhubarb extract ERr 731 ® on estrogen-regulated targets in the uterus and on the bone in ovariectomized rats

The efficacy of ERr 731 ®, a commercially available extract isolated from Rheum rhaponticum, in terms of menopausal complaints like hot flushes, depression, anxiety and vaginal dryness has been proven in a two-year clinical study. Further a recent preclinical study excluded unwanted side effects on the endometrium by showing a lack of stimulation of proliferation marker genes by ERr 731 ® or its constituents in the 3-day uterotrophic assay. The present study aimed at further substantiating the safety of ERr 731 ® in terms of endometrial hyperplasia and at the same time test for potential estrogenic effects in the bone. Therefore, ovariectomized (ovx) rats were treated in a dietary long-term administration for 90 days. Hence, the modulation of proliferation in the uterus was investigated by examining the effects on the mRNA expression of proliferation marker genes ( Mki67, Pcna), on the estrogen-responsive gene C3 and on the estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ. We additionally performed densitometry analysis of the proximal tibia metaphysis using peripheral computed tomography (pQCT) and quantified bone homeostasis markers in the serum to examine potential effects on the bone. In this study design, neither an uterotrophic response nor a modulation of proliferation marker genes on mRNA level has been observed as response to the long-term application of the rhapontic extract. Furthermore, no impact of the two administered ERr 731 ® doses on the E2 deprivation-induced bone loss has been evident at the end of the study. In conclusion, the observations from previous trials regarding the endometrial safety of ERr 731 ® have been supported by our experimental findings that exclude a stimulatory activity on proliferation in the uterus in a long-term administration in the young adult rat but no effect on the bone mineral density could be observed.