The Biological Effects of Forsythia Leaves Containing the Cyclic AMP Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor Phillyrin

Forsythia fruit (Forsythia suspensa Vahl (Oleaceae)) is a common component of Kampo medicines for treating the common cold, influenza, and allergies. The main polyphenolic compounds in the leaves of F. suspensa are pinoresinol β-d-glucoside, phillyrin and forsythiaside, and their levels are higher in the leaves of the plant than in the fruit. It is known that polyphenolic compounds stimulate lipid catabolism in the liver and suppress dyslipidemia, thereby attenuating diet-induced obesity and polyphenolic anti-oxidants might attenuate obesity in animals consuming high-fat diets. Recently, phillyrin was reported as a novel cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor derived from forsythia fruit. It was expected that the leaves of F. suspensa might display anti-obesity effects and serve as a health food material. In this review, we summarized our studies on the biological effects of forsythia leaves containing phillyrin and other polyphenolic compounds, particularly against obesity, atopic dermatitis, and influenza A virus infection, and its potential as a phytoestrogen.     

Design,synthesis, molecular docking,and biological studies of novel phytoestrogen-tanaproget hybrids

A diverse range of novel and highly functionalized flavonoid-based tanaproget hybrids were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities. Novel products were synthesized in good yields (81–95%) under Pd-catalyzed reaction from bromo flavones and tanaproget boronic acids within 18–20 min at 60 °C. Bioassay results exhibited excellent activities against both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent human breast cancer cells (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, DU-145, PC-3, and HeLa). Among them, compounds 4e, 9a, 9c, 9e, 9 g, 9 h, 9 m, and 9n displayed excellent activity. Compounds 4d, 4o, and 9o were found equally potent against C. albicans compared to fluconazole. Compound 5c showed better antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Compounds 5a, 9i, 9o, and 10c have shown admirable antibacterial activity against E. coli.     

β-Sitosterol-D-Glucopyranoside Mimics Estrogenic Properties and Stimulates Glucose Utilization in Skeletal Muscle Cells

Estrogenic molecules have been reported to regulate glucose homeostasis and may be beneficial for diabetes management. Here, we investigated the estrogenic effect of β-sitosterol-3-O-D-glucopyranoside (BSD), isolated from the fruits of Cupressus sempervirens and monitored its ability to regulate glucose utilization in skeletal muscle cells. BSD stimulated ERE-mediated luciferase activity in both ERα and ERβ-ERE luc expression system with greater response through ERβ in HEK-293T cells, and induced the expression of estrogen-regulated genes in estrogen responsive MCF-7 cells. In silico docking and molecular interaction studies revealed the affinity and interaction of BSD with ERβ through hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bond pairing. Furthermore, prolonged exposure of L6-GLUT4myc myotubes to BSD raised the glucose uptake under basal conditions without affecting the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, the effect associated with enhanced translocation of GLUT4 to the cell periphery. The BSD-mediated biological response to increase GLUT4 translocation was obliterated by PI-3-K inhibitor wortmannin, and BSD significantly increased the phosphorylation of AKT (Ser-473). Moreover, BSD-induced GLUT4 translocation was prevented in the presence of fulvestrant. Our findings reveal the estrogenic activity of BSD to stimulate glucose utilization in skeletal muscle cells via PI-3K/AKT-dependent mechanism.     

Determination and Comparison of Phytoestrogens in Both Crude and Parched Flos Sophorae Immaturus by Capillary Electrophoresis with Electrochemical Detection

A method using high-performance capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE-ED) has been developed for content comparison of phytoestrogens in both crude and parched Flos sophorae immaturus. Genistin, genistein, rutin, kaempferol and quercetin are important active constituents in this plant. The effects of several factors, such as acidity and concentration of running buffer, separation voltage, applied potential and injection time, were investigated to find the optimum conditions. Detection limits (S/N=3) ranged from 1.1 × 10^–7 to 2.8 × 10^–7gmL^–1 for all five analytes. This method was successfully used to analyse both crude and parched Flos sophorae immaturus after a relatively simple extraction procedure, and the assay results were satisfactory.     

Analysis of Phytoestrogens in Foods Using Sol-Gel Enzyme Columns for Sample Preparation

The paper describes the development and application of a new method in phytoestrogen analysis using sol-gel cellulase columns for sample preparation. Enzyme columns were produced by entrapping commercially available cellulase by slightly modifying a simple sol-gel procedure previously optimised for immobilising antibodies. Quantitative hydrolysis of both lignan and isoflavone glycosides was achieved within 5 min. Immobilisation of the enzyme enabled the elimination of enzyme-born impurities prior to analysis. Sol-gel cellulase columns could be used for at least 15 cleavage cycles over the investigated period of two months.     

Simultaneous determination of phytoestrogens in different medicinal parts of Sophora japonica L. by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

A high-performance capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE-ED) method has been developed for the determination of phytoestrogens from the pericarps and seeds of Sophora japonica L. in this work. Genistin, genistein, rutin, kaempferol and quercetin are important bioactive constituents in these plants. The effects of several factors such as the acidity and concentration of running buffer, the separation voltage, the applied potential and the injection time on the CE-ED procedure were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the five analytes could be well separated within 18 min in a 75 cm length capillary (i.d. 25 microm) at the separation voltage of 16 kV in a 50 mmol L(-1) borax running buffer (pH 9.0). A 300 microm diameter carbon disk electrode was used as the working electrode positioned carefully opposite the outlet of the capillary in a wall-jet configuration at the potential of +950 mV (vs SCE). Detection limits (S/N = 3) ranged from 1.1 x 10(-7) to 2.8 x 10(-7) g mL(-1) for all fi ve analytes. This method was successfully used to analyse dried Flos sophorae immaturus, pericarps and seeds of dried Fructus sophorae after a relatively simple extraction procedure, and the assay results were satisfactory.