Project description:A novel compound 1 and nine known compounds (2-10) were isolated by open column chromatography analysis of the root bark of Ulmus davidiana. Pure compounds (1-10) were tested in vitro to determine the inhibitory activity of the catalytic reaction of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Compounds 1, 2, 4, 6-8, and 10 had IC50 values ranging from 11.4 ± 2.3 to 36.9 ± 2.6 μM. We used molecular docking to simulate inhibitor binding of each compound and estimated the binding pose of the catalytic site of sEH. From this analysis, the compound 2 was revealed to be a potential inhibitor of sEH in vitro and in silico. Additionally, molecular dynamics (MD) study was performed to find detailed interaction signals of inhibitor 2 with enzyme. Finally, compound 2 is promising candidates for the development of a new sEH inhibitor from natural plants.
Project description:Alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation are key drivers of alcohol-induced liver injury, mainly caused by oxidative stress. The roots bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica is well known for its substantial antioxidative and antitumorigenic potency. In this study, we examined whether this plant can ameliorate alcohol-induced liver injuries characterized by hepatic steatosis and inflammation through its antioxidative activity. C57BL/6J mice were treated with the root bark extract of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (RUE; 100 mg of extract/kg bodyweight; oral gavage) and alcohol (1 g/kg of bodyweight; oral gavage) for 5 days. Markers of acute alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis were determined and putative molecular mechanisms responsible for the protection of RUE were investigated. RUE noticeably protected against alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), over-produced by alcohol, negatively orchestrated various signaling pathways involved in the lipid metabolism and inflammation. These pathways were restored through the ROS scavenging activity of RUE in the liver. In particular, the expression of lipogenic genes (e.g., SREBP-1, ACC, and FAS) and inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1?, and NF-?B p65) significantly decreased with RUE treatment. Conversely, the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes (e.g., SIRT1, AMPK?, and PGC1?) were increased in mice treated with RUE. Thus, the results indicate that RUE counteracts and thus attenuates alcoholic hepatic steatosis onset in mice, possibly by suppressing ROS-mediated steatosis and inflammation.
Project description:Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (UD) has widely been used in Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of various types of diseases including inflammation and skin wounds. The UD root bark powders possess gelling activity with an excellent capacity for absorbing water. This distinct property could make the UD root bark powders to be a great material for manufacturing a gel film specifically for the healing of large and highly exudating wounds (e.g., pressure sores and diabetic ulcers). In this research, we separated the UD root bark powder into 4 different samples based on their sizes and then tested their water absorption capacity and flowability. Based on these results, 75-150 ?m sized and below 75 ?m sized samples of UD root bark powders were chosen, and UD gel films were prepared. The UD gel films showed good thermal stability and mechanically improved properties compared with pullulan only gel film with excellent swelling capacity and favorable skin adhesiveness. Further, in the animal studies with the skin wound mice model, the UD gel films exhibited significant therapeutic effects on accelerating wound closure and dermal regeneration. Overall, this study demonstrated the applicability of UD root bark powders for hydrogel wound dressing materials, and the potential of UD gel films to be superior wound dressings to currently available ones.
Project description:Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated during skin aging, including intrinsic (chronologic aging) and extrinsic aging (photoaging). Therefore, antioxidants that inhibit ROS generation can delay skin aging. In this study, we evaluated the potential anti-skin aging effect of (-)-phenolic compounds isolated from the root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica. We preferentially investigated the possible preventive effects of isolates against the degradation of skin extracellular matrix. Among the isolates, (-)-catechin suppressed the activity of collagenase MMP-1, and reversed the degradation of collagen induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in normal human dermal fibroblast. This action mechanism of (-)-catechin was validated by the suppression of tumor necrosis factor-α-induced accumulation of ROS and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, protein kinase B (Akt), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The proinflammatory cytokines upregulate inflammatory reactions, and ultimately promote aging-related reactions. In this milieu, we demonstrated that (-)-catechin decreased the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. In conclusion, (-)-catechin is a candidate to ameliorate both intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging.
Project description:Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is an allogamous coniferous species that relies on wind-mediated pollen and seed dispersal, and it is one of the most important forestry tree species in Japan. For accelerating breeding, we collected massive SNPs based on ESTs from several organs using NGS, and thus carried out QTL, GWAS and GS based on high-density linkage maps.
Project description:Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is an allogamous coniferous species that relies on wind-mediated pollen and seed dispersal, and it is one of the most important forestry tree species in Japan. For accelerating breeding, we collected massive SNPs based on ESTs from several organs using NGS, and thus carried out QTL, GWAS and GS based on high-density linkage maps.
Project description:The aim of this study was to determine the skeletal effect of total ethanolic extract from the stem-bark of Ulmus davidiana (UDE) in a rat model of postmenopausal bone loss. Effective dose of UDE was determined in adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by measuring bone regeneration at fracture site. UDE (250 mg/kg p.o.) was administered to ovariectomized (OVX) osteopenic SD rats for 12 weeks. OVX rats treated with vehicle or 17?-estradiol, and sham-operated rats treated with vehicle served as various controls. Bone mineral density (BMD), microarchitecture, biomechanical strength, turnover markers, and uterotrophic effect were studied. Bioactive markers in UDE were analyzed by HPLC. Human osteoblasts was used to study the effect of compounds on differentiation by alkaline phosphase assay. One-way ANOVA was used to test significance of effects. OVX+UDE group showed BMD, microarchitectural parameters and compressive strength at lumbar vertebra (L5) comparable to sham. At proximal femur, OVX+UDE group exhibited significantly higher BMD, better microarchitecture and compressive strength compared with OVX+vehicle. OVX-induced decrease in Ca/P ratio was completely restored at both skeletal sites by UDE treatment. Serum procollagen N-terminal propeptide and carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks were respectively higher and lower in OVX+UDE group compared with OVX+vehicle group. Osteogenic genes were upregulated in L5 and anti-resorptive genes were suppressed in proximal femur of OVX+UDE group compared with OVX+vehicle. UDE had no uterine estrogenicity. Analysis of markers yielded two osteogenic isoforms of catechin. In conclusion, UDE completely restored vertebral trabecular bones and strength in osteopenic rats by an osteogenic mechanism and prevented bone loss at proximal femur.
Project description:Aphid saliva plays an essential role in the interaction between aphids and their host plants. Several aphid salivary proteins have been identified and analyzed. However, none of the characterized salivary proteins are from galling aphids. Here we analyzed the salivary proteins from the Chinese gall aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis using LS-MS/MS analysis. A total of 31 proteins were identified directly from secreted saliva collected via artificial diet, and 141 proteins were identified from protein extracts derived from dissected salivary glands. Among these identified proteins, 17 were found in both secreted saliva and dissected salivary glands. In comparison with salivary proteins identified from three other free living aphids, the most striking feature of the salivary protein from S. chinensis is the existence of high proportion of proteins with binding activity, including DNA binding, protein binding, ATP binding and ion binding proteins et al. We speculate that these binding proteins may be involved in induction of gall formation. Our results provide a framework for future research to elucidate the molecular basis for gall induction by S. chinensis.
Project description:Aphid saliva plays an essential role in the interaction between aphids and their host plants. Several aphid salivary proteins have been identified and analyzed. However, none of the characterized salivary proteins are from galling aphids. Here we analyzed the salivary proteins from the Chinese gall aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis using LS-MS/MS analysis. A total of 31 proteins were identified directly from secreted saliva collected via artificial diet, and 141 proteins were identified from protein extracts derived from dissected salivary glands. Among these identified proteins, 17 were found in both secreted saliva and dissected salivary glands. In comparison with salivary proteins identified from three other free living aphids, the most striking feature of the salivary protein from S. chinensis is the existence of high proportion of proteins with binding activity, including DNA binding, protein binding, ATP binding and ion binding proteins et al. We speculate that these binding proteins may be involved in induction of gall formation. Our results provide a framework for future research to elucidate the molecular basis for gall induction by S. chinensis.