PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Apr 8 ;17(4):527. Epub 2016 Apr 8. PMID: 27070585

Abstract Title: 

Bavachin from Psoralea corylifolia Improves Insulin-Dependent Glucose Uptake through Insulin Signaling and AMPK Activation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Abstract: 

The fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabaceae) (PC), known as"Bo-Gol-Zhee"in Korea has been used as traditional medicine. Ethanol and aqueous extracts of PC have an anti-hyperglycemic effect by increasing plasma insulin levels and decreasing blood glucose and total plasma cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetic rats. In this study, we purified six compounds from PC and investigated their anti-diabetic effect. Among the purified compounds, bavachin most potently accumulated lipids during adipocyte differentiation. Intracellular lipid accumulation was measured by Oil Red-O (ORO) cell staining to investigate the effect of compounds on adipogenesis. Consistently, bavachin activated gene expression of adipogenic transcriptional factors, proliferator-activated receptorγ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα). Bavachin also increased adiponectin expression and secretion in adipocytes. Moreover, bavachin increased insulin-induced glucose uptake by differentiated adipocytes and myoblasts. In differentiated adipocytes, we found that bavachin enhanced glucose uptake via glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation by activating the Akt and 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in the presence or absence of insulin. These results suggest that bavachin from Psoralea corylifolia might have therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes by activating insulin signaling pathways.

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PMID: 

Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2019 Aug ;16(8):573-580. Epub 2019 Apr 17. PMID: 30994374

Abstract Title: 

Antimicrobial Effects and Mechanisms of Ethanol Extracts ofSeeds Againstand Methicillin-Resistant.

Abstract: 

seeds contain many bioactive compounds commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the antibacterial activity and possible mechanism ofseed ethanol extract (PCEE) against foodborne pathogens were investigated. Both methicillin-resistant(MRSA) andhad similar minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations of PCEE at 50 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, elevated OD, protein concentration, and electric conductivity indicated irreversible damage to the cytoplasmic membranes of PCEE-treated cells. Indeed, the treated cells displayed disrupted membranes, incomplete and deformed shapes, and rupture as visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Multidrug-resistance efflux pump gene expression was also analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Although the,, andgenes ofand thegene of MRSA were upregulated, there was no significant difference that indicated an attempt by the efflux pumps to discharge PCEE. MRSAexpression andexpression were significantly downregulated ( 

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PMID: 

Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016 ;10:3805-3816. Epub 2016 Nov 22. PMID: 27920496

Abstract Title: 

Fabrication of anti-vitiligo ointment containing: in vitro and in vivo characterization.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a repugnant and odious dermatological malady of the time. It has an detrimental impact on the pigmentation of the human skin as a result of the destruction of cutaneous melanocytes. It affects 1%-2% of the population worldwide. Different therapeutic regimens have been deployed to treat vitiligo, but none of them could stand alone to be stated as a perfect cure. Recently, a change has been observed through novel experimental-designed optimization leading to the development of an anti-vitiligo ointment containing(PC) seed powder.AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical outcomes of ointment containing powdered seeds of PC.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Guided by the protocol Response Surface Methodology, 13 formulations of concentration variance of permeation enhancers were prepared. The formulation fulfilling the required criteria (pH; temperature stability tests at 8°C±0.1°C, 25°C±0.1°C and 40°C±0.1°C; and the physical properties such as color, bleeding and rheology) was selected for clinical trials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies of seed powder of PC and selected formulation of the seed powder were performed. After obtaining informedconsents and with prior approval of university and hospital ethical review boards, 20 patients (age range 25-65 years) were included in the present study. Formulations were applied on the affected body parts of patients, and some affected portion of the same patient was taken as control (self-control study design). The pigmentation of white spots of vitiligo was photographically evaluated before, during and after 12 weeks of treatment. Analysis of the measured values was performed using GraphPad Prism version 5 statistical software. A paired sample-test was performed to observe variation between repigmented patches and white patches of self-control.RESULTS: Hydrophilic ointment (10% w/w) prepared with seed powder of PC was fabricated. The ointment was found effective for small circular white lesions of vitiligo as compared to self-control. Pre- and post-treatment differences in the levels of pigmentation were statistically significant (≤0.05).CONCLUSION: Ointment containing seed powder of PC could be an effective monotherapy for small circular white lesions of vitiligo.

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2019 Jul ;33(7):1851-1864. Epub 2019 May 22. PMID: 31119811

Abstract Title: 

Prenylated flavonoid-standardized extract from seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. activated fat browning in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Abstract: 

We investigated the effects of the prenylated flavonoid-standardized extract (PFE) from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. on countering obesity, which increases energy expenditure and stimulates thermogenesis in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). For 12 weeks, C57BL/6 mice were fed a controlled high-fat diet (HFD) or HFDs with 0.2% or 0.5% w/w PFE. In vitro, the differentiation of 3 T3-L1 cells was used to elicit thermogenesis in the presence of PFE. PFE obviously reduced body weight and fat mass in a dose-dependent manner, increased energy expenditure, improved insulin sensitivity, and prevented hepatic steatosis by increasing lipid oxidation and secretion in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, PFE induced clear browning in sWAT, significantly increased phosphorylation of AMPKα1/2 and p38, increased BAT activity and the differentiation of 3 T3-L1 by increasing the expression of uncoupling protein 1 and other thermogenic genes. Our study showed that PFE prevented obesity by increasing browning and activating thermogenic genes in sWAT and BAT, improving glucose homeostasis, and protecting hepatic steatosis.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2016 Feb 6 ;8(2):83. Epub 2016 Feb 6. PMID: 26861390

Abstract Title: 

Psoralea corylifolia L. Seed Extract Attenuates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Abstract: 

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), along with obesity, is increasing world-wide and is one of the major causes of chronic hepatic disease. The present study evaluated the ameliorative effect of extract of Psoralea corylifolia L. seed (PCS) on high fat diet-induced NAFLD in C57BL/6 mice after daily administration at 300 or 500 mg/kg for 12 weeks. Treatment with PCS extract significantly reduced body weight and blood glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. In addition, PCS extract treatment significantly attenuated lipid accumulation in liver and adipose tissue and reduced serum lipid and hepatic triglyceride levels. Furthermore, the expression of lipogenic genes and inflammatory genes were reduced, and the expression of fat oxidation-related genes was increased in the liver of PCS extract-treated mice compared with control mice. Our study suggests the therapeutic potential of PCS extract for NAFLD by inhibiting lipid accumulation and inflammation in liver.

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PMID: 

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Oct 3 ;14:370. Epub 2014 Oct 3. PMID: 25277760

Abstract Title: 

Neuroprotective effects of Psoralea corylifolia Linn seed extracts on mitochondrial dysfunction induced by 3-nitropropionic acid.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in neuronal apoptosis associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease (HD). Animals that are administered 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a mitochondrial toxin that specifically inhibits complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, manifest HD-like symptoms.METHODS: Psoralea corylifolia Linn seed extracts against 3-NP induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, which are used for neurobiological studies.RESULTS: In this study showed that 3-NP-treated PC12 cells had decreased ATP levels, lower cellular oxygen consumption, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential than those of untreated PC12 cells. Psoralea corylifolia Linn seed extracts stimulated mitochondrial respiration with uncoupling and induced an increased bioenergetic reserve capacity. Furthermore, PC12 cells pretreated with P. corylifolia Linn seed extracts significantly attenuated 3-NP-induced cell death, reduced ATP levels, and lowered the mitochondrial membrane potential.CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that P. corylifolia Linn seed extracts have a significant protective effect against 3-NP induced cytotoxicity. Thus, our results indicate that P. corylifolia Linn seed extracts may have potential applications as therapeutic agents for treating neurodegenerative disease.

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PMID: 

Int J Med Sci. 2020 ;17(1):63-70. Epub 2020 Jan 1. PMID: 31929739

Abstract Title: 

Extract ofProtects Keratinocytes from Particulate Matter-induced Oxidative Stress.

Abstract: 

The skin is one of the large organs in the human body and the most exposed to outdoor contaminants such as particulate matter

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PMID: 

Molecules. 2019 May 2 ;24(9). Epub 2019 May 2. PMID: 31052610

Abstract Title: 

HBX-6, StandardizedandL. Extracts, Suppresses Benign Prostate Hyperplasia by Attenuating E2F1 Activation.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study was to simplify and identify the contents of the herbal formula, HBX-5. This study was carried out to evaluate the therapeutic effects of HBX-6 in a mouse model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Based on in vitro, we selected a candidate, reconstituted an experimental agent and investigated the effects on testosterone-induced BPH rats. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay in RWPE-1 and WPMY-1 cells. The expression of androgen receptor (AR) was measured in dihydrotestosterone-stimulated RWPE-1 and WPMY-1 cells. BPH was induced in mice by a subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate for four weeks. Animals were divided into six groups: Group 1, control mice; Group 2, mice with BPH; Group 3, mice with BPH treated with finasteride; Group 4, mice with BPH treated with 200 mg/kg HBX-5; Group 5, mice with BPH treated with 100 mg/kg HBX-6; and Group 6, mice with BPH treated with 200 mg/kg HBX-6. Changes in prostate weight were measured after treatments, and the thickness of the epithelium was evaluated. The expression levels of proteins associated with prostatic cell proliferation and cell cycle-related proteins were determined. Based on previous reports and in vitro results, we selectedandamong HBX-5 components and reconstituted the experimental agent, and named it HBX-6. The result represented a new herbal formula, HBX-6 that suppressed the pathological alterations in BPH and showed a marked reduction in proliferation-related protein expression compared to mice with BPH. Our results indicate that HBX-6 has a better therapeutic effect in the BPH murine model than those of HBX-5 and finasteride, suggesting the role of HBX-6 as a new BPH remedial agent.

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PMID: 

Molecules. 2019 Oct 16 ;24(20). Epub 2019 Oct 16. PMID: 31623207

Abstract Title: 

Two Novel Polysaccharides inL and anti-A549 Lung Cancer Cells Activity.

Abstract: 

Two novel water soluble heteroglycan (PCp-I and PCp-II) with anti-A549 lung cancer cells activity were isolated fromL. Their average molecular weights were 2.721× 10and 2.850× 10. PCp-I and PCp-II had the same monosaccharide composition, but their molar ratios were different. Based on methylation and NMR spectroscopy, the part structure of PCp-I was identified. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that PCp-I had an irregular porous structure and PCp-II was flaky and irregularly curved. The results of thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) showed that PCp-I and PCp-II had good thermal stability. Furthermore, PCp-I and PCp-II exhibited significant anti-A549 lung cancer cells activity (IC= 64.84 and 126.30μM).

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PMID: 

Nat Prod Res. 2019 Mar ;33(5):673-680. Epub 2017 Nov 20. PMID: 29156966

Abstract Title: 

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia and their protective effects on ionising radiation injury.

Abstract: 

Two new flavonoids, corylifol F (1) and corylifol G (2), together with 19 known compounds, were isolated from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia L.. The structures of these compounds were determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data and comparison with literature properties. The radioprotective effects of the isolated compounds against ionising radiation damage were also evaluated in vitro. The results showed that corylifol A exhibited radioprotective effects in both HBL-100 and MCF-7 cells, while psoralen, isopsoralen, corylifol C and bakuchiol showed obvious selective action to protect HBL-100 cells against damage caused by ionising radiation.

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