PMID: 

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2019 Aug 30. Epub 2019 Aug 30. PMID: 31474696

Abstract Title: 

Antiviral and Virucidal Activities of Umesu Phenolics on Influenza Viruses.

Abstract: 

Umesu phenolics were purified from the salt-extracts of Japanese apricot (Nanko-mume cultivar of Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.). Characterization of umesu phenolics revealed that they inhibited the multiplication of influenza virus and several other RNA and DNA viruses, when added to the culture media of the infected cells. In addition to these antiviral activities, the phenolics significantly decreased a plating efficiency of influenza virus, if present in the virus inoculum. More drastic effects were observed in virucidal activity; the infectivity of several strains of influenza viruses decreased less than 0.001 when they were incubated with 4 mg/ml phenolics at 30℃ for 5 min. The virucidal activity of phenolics was found to be more remarkable in acidic conditions, but the activity was not merely a result of the acidity of the phenolics. These results clearly indicate the antiviral and virucidal activities of the umesu phenolics against influenza viruses and suggest their potential pharmacological usefulness as a disinfectant or preventive medicine against superficial infections, such as the respiratory infection.

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PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Jan 10 ;246:112215. Epub 2019 Sep 3. PMID: 31491438

Abstract Title: 

Anticancer properties of Prunus mume extracts (Chinese plum, Japanese apricot).

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Extracts of the fruit of Prunus mume (Rosaceae) have been used for a long time in Eastern Asia, in many culinary and medicinal preparations. The plant originates from the south of mainland China (named méi) and was introduced later in Japan (ume), Korea (maesil) and Vietnam (mai or mo). Extracts of the fruits (Chinese plum or Japanese apricot, 'Nanko' mume cultivar of Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) are used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, and various Korean medical preparations, for more than 2000 years. The medicinal use of the flesh of the fruits is cited in ancient Japanese monographies (such as Shokokukodenhiho published in 1817).AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the anticancer activities of P. mume extracts and their potential use to prevent or treat cancers. The use of P. mume extracts to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, notably drug-induced gastro-intestinal toxicities, is also reviewed.METHODS: Extensive database retrieval, such as SciFinder and PubMed, was performed by using keywords such as"Prunus mume","Chinese plum","Japanese apricot", and"cancer". In addition, relevant textbooks, patents, reviews, and digital documents (in English) were consulted to collate all available scientific literature and to provide a complete science-based survey of the topic.RESULTS: P. mume extracts display hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antibacterial effects, as well as anticancer properties. A survey of the antitumor activities of MK615 and other P. mume extracts is provided here, with information about the natural products found in the extracts (such as ursolic acid and oleanic acid) and the mechanisms of action of these extracts. MK615 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptotic death of different types of cancer cells from both solid and hematological tumors.CONCLUSION: The pool of in vitro data and signs of anticancer activities in mice models and in Human, although very limited, support the use of this extract to treat cancer, notably gastro-intestinal tumors. However, more robust evidence of anticancer activity in Human are awaited. Beyond cancer treatment, the use of P. mume extracts to prevent or to treat mucositis and other gastro-intestinal damages induced by anticancer drugs is underlined. The woody plant Prunus mume, a member of the Rosaceae family, has a long plantation history in China, and has widely been planted in Asia due to its high ornamental value (colorful corollas, pleasant fragrance, weeping trait) and the culinary, nutritional and medicinal potential of the fruits from the specie Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc (Mei). Over the past 20 years the therapeutic potential of the extract of Japanese apricot"Ume"has been regularly reported. Anti-bacterial, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties have been described. A complete analysis of the published scientific literature on Ume and cancer is presented here.

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PMID: 

Molecules. 2019 Sep 13 ;24(18). Epub 2019 Sep 13. PMID: 31540312

Abstract Title: 

Vasorelaxant Effect of(Siebold) Siebold&Zucc. Branch through the Endothelium-Dependent Pathway.

Abstract: 

Korean plum ((Siebold) Siebold&Zucc.) has long been used as a health food or herbal medicine in Asia. Previous studies have shown that several plants of the genushave vasodilatory and antihypertensive effects; we hypothesized thatbranches may have a vasorelaxant effect. In this study, we evaluated the effects and action mechanism of 70% ethanol extract ofbranch (PMB) on isolated rat aortic rings. Inhibitors such as NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, 1-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, methylene blue, indomethacin, atropine, tetraethylammonium chloride, glibenclamide, 4-aminopyridine and BaClwere used to investigate the mechanism of vasodilation responsible for the vascular relaxation. PMB (2-30μg/mL) induced vasorelaxation in the presence of vascular endothelium, and all inhibitors used in this study affected the degree of relaxation. These results suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of PMB is endothelium-dependent and affects the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, prostacyclin pathway, muscarinic receptor pathway, and potassium channels. Our study explains that PMB may be another approach to hypertension treatment to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.

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PMID: 

J Food Sci. 2019 Nov ;84(11):3284-3295. Epub 2019 Oct 16. PMID: 31618463

Abstract Title: 

Inhibitory Effects of Pectinase-Treated Prunus Mume Fruit Concentrate on Colorectal Cancer Proliferation and Angiogenesis of Endothelial Cells.

Abstract: 

Pectinase is a well-known enzyme used in the food processing industry to produce fruit juice and concentrate. This study evaluated the anticancer and antiangiogenesis activities of pectinase-treated Prunus mume fruit concentrate (PC) and its phenolic components. PC treatment (250 to 1,000 µg/mL) resulted in decreased proliferation of SW480 human colorectal cancer cells through S-phase cell cycle arrest; however, equivalent concentrations of PC did not show toxicity toward CRL-1539 colon normal cells. Furthermore, PC-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in SW480 cells, which was characterized by accumulation of apoptotic cell population, cell shrinkage, formation of apoptotic bodies, upregulation of proapoptotic Bax, cleaved PARP, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, and downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. Antiangiogenesis effects of PC were assessed using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that PC did not inhibit HUVECs proliferation at concentrations of 500 to 1,500 µg/mL. In addition, treatment with PC at nontoxic concentrations (500 to 1,000 µg/mL) blocked vascular endothelial growth factor induced cell migration, invasion, capillary-like tube formation, and angiogenesis from rat aortic rings. HPLC-PDA analysis showed that there were at least four different phenolics including 5-HMF, neochlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, and syringic acid. Taken together, these results indicated that PC could be used as a good source of phenolic compounds with selective anticancer and antiangiogenesis activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pectinases are one of the well-known enzyme used in the part of food processing. Treatment of pectinase is a useful strategy to reduce viscosity, turbidity, and pulp particles in the production of fruit juice, extract, and concentrate. In the present study, we found that pectinase-treated P. mume fruit concentrate significantly suppresses colorectal cancer proliferation and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The significance of our findings is that pectinase-treated P. mume concentrate may be used as a commercial functional food material to inhibit colorectal cancer and angiogenesis.

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PMID: 

Am J Chin Med. 2019 Dec 3:1-18. Epub 2019 Dec 3. PMID: 31795742

Abstract Title: 

How Ginsenosides Trigger Apoptosis in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Abstract: 

is a natural medicine that has been used globally for a long time. Moreover, several studies have reported the effective activity of ginseng in treating malignancies. Various agents containing ginseng were widely used as an antitumor treatment nowadays. Lung cancer is the most common fatal cancer in China, and lung adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). What's worse, many patients may have a failed response to conventional therapy including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or molecule-targeted therapy due to drug resistance. Apoptosis is a highly ordered cellular suicidal process that plays an essential role in maintaining normal homeostasis. The pharmacological mechanism of many antineoplastic drugs involves triggering of apoptotic process. In several recent studies, ginsenosides are regarded as major active components of ginseng that have the potential to control lung cancer. Most of these results have proved that ginsenosides induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells through many different signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, NF-B, EGFR, and so on. This study is aimed at reviewing the signaling pathways that underlie ginsenosides-triggered apoptotic process and encourage further studies to target promising agents against lung cancer treatment.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2019 Dec 4 ;11(12). Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31817227

Abstract Title: 

Fermented Korean Red Ginseng Extract Enriched in Rd and Rg3 Protects against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through Regulation of mTORC1.

Abstract: 

The fermentation of Korean red ginseng (RG) increases the bioavailability and efficacy of RG, which has a protective role in various diseases. However, the ginsenoside-specific molecular mechanism of the fermented RG with(CRG) has not been elucidated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A mouse model of NAFLD was induced by a fast-food diet (FFD) and treated with CRG (100 or 300 mg/kg) for the last 8 weeks. CRG-mediated signaling was assessed in the liver cells isolated from mice. CRG administration significantly reduced the FFD-induced steatosis, liver injury, and inflammation, indicating that CRG confers protective effects against NAFLD. Of note, an extract of CRG contains a significantly increased amount of ginsenosides (Rd and Rg3) after bioconversion compared with that of conventional RG. Moreover, in vitro treatment with Rd or Rg3 produced anti-steatotic effects in primary hepatocytes. Mechanistically, CRG protected palmitate-induced activation of mTORC1 and subsequent inhibition of mitophagy and PPARα signaling. Similar to that noted in hepatocytes, CRG exerted anti-inflammatory activity through mTORC1 inhibition-mediated M2 polarization. In conclusion, CRG inhibits lipid-mediated pathologic activation of mTORC1 in hepatocytes and macrophages, which in turn prevents NAFLD development. Thus, the administration of CRG may be an alternative for the prevention of NAFLD.

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PMID: 

Microbiol Immunol. 2019 Sep ;63(9):359-366. Epub 2019 Aug 22. PMID: 31301156

Abstract Title: 

Antiviral and virucidal activities against herpes simplex viruses of umesu phenolics extracted from Japanese apricot.

Abstract: 

Umesu phenolics were obtained from the salt extracts of Japanese apricot (Nanko-mume cultivar of Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) as purified phenolics. The antiviral activities of umesu phenolics obtained were then examined against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), enveloped DNA viruses. The phenolics inhibited the multiplication of these viruses when added to the culture media of the infected cells. This inhibition occurred at phenolic concentrations at which they showed no severe cytotoxicity. One-step growth experiments showed that the eclipse period in the HSV-1 multiplication process was extended in the presence of umesu phenolics and that the addition of phenolics after the completion of viral DNA replication did not affect their multiplication. More drastic effects were observed on virucidal activities against HSV-1 and HSV-2; the infectivity decreased to 0.0001 when infected cells were incubated with 3 mg/ml phenolics at 30°C for 5 min. These results demonstrate the antiviral and virucidal activities of umesu phenolics and suggest a potential pharmacological use for these phenolics as a sanitizing or preventive medicine against superficial HSV infections.

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PMID: 

J Agric Food Chem. 2019 Dec 8. Epub 2019 Dec 8. PMID: 31814398

Abstract Title: 

Lycopene prevents DEHP-induced Leydig cell damage with the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway in mice.

Abstract: 

As a plasticizer, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most usually used phthalates. Leydig cell is a male-specific cell, which plays a principal role in spermatogenesis and masculinization by androgens of synthesis and secretion. Numerous researchers have indicated that DEHP can result in testicular toxicity by inducing oxidative stress. Lycopene (LYC) is a possible treatment option for male infertility due to its natural antioxidant properties. Our study was aimed to investigate whether LYC could rescue DEHP-induced Leydig cell damage. The mice were treated with DEHP (500 mg/kg BW/day or 1000 mg/kg BW/day) and/or LYC (5 mg/kg BW/day) for 28 days. We found that LYC attenuated DEHP-induced Leydig cell damage. Moreover, the protective role of LYC was verified by the histopathological and ultrastructural analysis of the Leydig cell. LYC suppressed oxidative stress that was induced by DEHP. In the Leydig cell, the expressions of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream target genes were improved through LYC-mediated protection in DEHP-induced Leydig cell damage. Our findings indicated that LYC could increase the antioxidant capacity via mediating Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby attenuating DEHP-induced Leydig cell damage.

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PMID: 

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 ;2019:7623830. Epub 2019 Nov 16. PMID: 31827560

Abstract Title: 

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Bioactive Compounds Contained inUsed in the Mediterranean Diet.

Abstract: 

Background: is a medicinal plant called rosemary, largely used in the Mediterranean diet for many decades ago.Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the polyphenolic content, the antioxidant activity, and the antiproliferative effect against human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP) of carnosol and carnosic acid as bioactive compounds contained ingrowing in Morocco.Materials and Methods: Polyphenolic content ofethanolic extract was studied using colorimetric assay. Carnosol and carnosic acid contained inextract were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antiproliferative effect of the studied extracts on LNCaP was evaluated by WST-1 bioassay, and the antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH assay.Results: The extracts ofshowed an important polyphenolic content ranging from 74.15 g·GAE/mg to 146.63 g·GAE/mg. The percentage of carnosol and carnosic acid in rosemary crops ranges from 11.7 to 17.3% and 1.09% to 3%, respectively. The extracts ofexhibited a promoting antioxidant activity with ICranging from 0.236 mg/mL to 0.176 mg/mL. Regarding the antiproliferative effect, the WST-1 assay revealed that all the tested extracts reduced notably the cell viability with ICvalues ranging from 14.15 to 15. 04 g/mL.Conclusion: In the current work, carnosol and carnosic acid exhibit antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in a concentration-dependent manner.

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PMID: 

Neural Regen Res. 2020 May ;15(5):894-902. PMID: 31719255

Abstract Title: 

Rosmarinic acid ameliorates hypoxia/ischemia induced cognitive deficits and promotes remyelination.

Abstract: 

Rosmarinic acid, a common ester extracted from Rosemary, Perilla frutescens, and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been shown to have protective effects against various diseases. This is an investigation into whether rosmarinic acid can also affect the changes of white matter fibers and cognitive deficits caused by hypoxic injury. The right common carotid artery of 3-day-old rats was ligated for 2 hours. The rats were then prewarmed in a plastic container with holes in the lid, which was placed in 37°C water bath for 30 minutes. Afterwards, the rats were exposed to an atmosphere with 8% Oand 92% Nfor 30 minutes to establish the perinatal hypoxia/ischemia injury models. The rat models were intraperitoneally injected with rosmarinic acid 20 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days. At 22 days after birth, rosmarinic acid was found to improve motor, anxiety, learning and spatial memory impairments induced by hypoxia/ischemia injury. Furthermore, rosmarinic acid promoted the proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the subventricular zone. After hypoxia/ischemia injury, rosmarinic acid reversed to some extent the downregulation of myelin basic protein and the loss of myelin sheath in the corpus callosum of white matter structure. Rosmarinic acid partially slowed down the expression of oligodendrocyte marker Olig2 and myelin basic protein and the increase of oligodendrocyte apoptosis marker inhibitors of DNA binding 2. These data indicate that rosmarinic acid ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction after perinatal hypoxia/ischemia injury by improving remyelination in corpus callosum. This study was approved by the Animal Experimental Ethics Committee of Xuzhou Medical University, China (approval No. 20161636721) on September 16, 2017.

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