Component Analysis of Propolis from Papua New Guinea

Propolis is an aggregate of functional components found in plant resins and has been reported to exhibit valuable biological activities. This study investigated the components and antioxidant activity of propolis from Papua New Guinea. In component analysis, seven known compounds, 6-deoxyhaplopinol (1), 5-formylguaiacol (2), trans-caffeic acid (3), cis-caffeic acid (4), trans-ferulic acid (5), trans-p-coumaric acid (6), and L-kaempferitrin (7), were isolated and identified from Papua New Guinean propolis. The structure of 1 was confirmed by comparing the 13C NMR chemical shifts of the isolated and synthesized compounds. Based on component analysis, Papua New Guinean propolis may be a new type of propolis. The EtOH extracts of Papua New Guinean propolis exhibited antioxidant activity comparable to that of Baccharis and Populus propolis. This study demonstrated the potential of Papua New Guinean propolis in human health maintenance

Propolis Components and Biological Activities from Stingless Bees Collected on South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Three new compounds, namely sulabiroins A (1) and B (2), and 2',3'-dihydro-3'-hydroxypapuanic acid (3), were isolated from the propolis of stingless bees (Tetragonula aff. biroi) collected on South Sulawesi, Indonesia. In addition, ten known compounds, (–)-papuanic acid (4), (–)-isocalolongic acid (5), isopapuanic acid (6), isocalopolyanic acid (7), glyasperin A (8), broussoflavonol F (9), (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-prenylflavanone (10), isorhamnetin (11), (1'S)-2-trans,4-trans-abscisic acid (12), and (1'S)-2-cis,4-trans-abscisic acid (13) were identified. The structures of the new and known compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of sulabiroins A (1) and B (2) were determined by X-ray crystallography analysis and ECD calculation, respectively. The propolis from stingless bee (Tetragonula aff. biroi) collected on South Sulawesi contained compounds not present in propolis from other regions. Sulabiroin A (1) and isorhamnetin (11) were examined for xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity as one of biological activities; isorhamnetin (11) exhibited potent XO inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 3.9 µm

Nymphaeol-A Isolated from Okinawan Propolis Suppresses Angiogenesis and Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis via Inactivation of Survival Signals

Propolis, a resinous substance that honeybees collect to protect their beehive from enemies, is reported to have various biological activities. In our screening program to search for antiangiogenic compounds from propolis, the ethanol extracts of Okinawan propolis (EEOP) showed significant antiangiogenic activities in a tube formation assay with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro at 3.13 μg/mL and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in vivo at 25 μg/egg. To elucidate the active compounds of EEOP and their mode of action, we isolated some prenylated flavonoids from EEOP and found that nymphaeol-A had the strongest antiangiogenic activity among them. Nymphaeol-A significantly reduced in vivo neovessel formation in the CAM assay at 25 μg/egg. At the molecular level, nymphaeol-A markedly inactivated mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), whose molecular activations signal new vessel formation in HUVECs. In addition, nymphaeol-A dose- and time-dependently induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in tube-forming HUVECs. Taken together, nymphaeol-A was shown to inhibit angiogenesis at least in part via inactivation of MEK1/2–ERK1/2 signaling and induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis. Okinawan propolis and its major component, nymphaeol-A, may be useful agents for preventing tumor-induced angiogenesis

Brazilian Propolis Suppresses Angiogenesis by Inducing Apoptosis in Tube-Forming Endothelial Cells through Inactivation of Survival Signal ERK1/2

We recently reported that propolis suppresses tumor-induced angiogenesis through tube formation inhibition and apoptosis induction in endothelial cells. However, molecular mechanisms underlying such angiogenesis suppression by propolis have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol extract of Brazilian propolis (EEBP) on two major survival signals, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt, and to elucidate whether changes in these signals were actually involved in antiangiogenic effects of the propolis. Detection by western blotting revealed that EEBP suppressed phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but not that of Akt. Pharmacological inhibition by U0126 demonstrated that ERK1/2 inactivation alone was enough to inhibit tube formation and induce apoptosis. It was also shown that EEBP and U0126 similarly induced activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and lamin A/C, all of which are molecular markers of apoptosis. These results indicate that inhibition of survival signal ERK1/2, and subsequent induction of apoptosis, is a critical mechanism of angiogenesis suppression by EEBP

Original Article Brazilian Propolis Suppresses Angiogenesis by Inducing Apoptosis in Tube-Forming Endothelial Cells through Inactivation of Survival Signal ERK1/2

We recently reported that propolis suppresses tumor-induced angiogenesis through tube formation inhibition and apoptosis induction in endothelial cells. However, molecular mechanisms underlying such angiogenesis suppression by propolis have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol extract of Brazilian propolis (EEBP) on two major survival signals, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt, and to elucidate whether changes in these signals were actually involved in antiangiogenic effects of the propolis. Detection by western blotting revealed that EEBP suppressed phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but not that of Akt. Pharmacological inhibition by U0126 demonstrated that ERK1/2 inactivation alone was enough to inhibit tube formation and induce apoptosis. It was also shown that EEBP and U0126 similarly induced activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and lamin A/C, all of which are molecular markers of apoptosis. These results indicate that inhibition of survival signal ERK1/2, and subsequent induction of apoptosis, is a critical mechanism of angiogenesis suppression by EEBP

Maintaining meat freshness through spinal cord destruction in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

ニジマスはデリケートであり取扱いや環境によるストレスを受けやすい。ニジマスに水産業界で一般的に行われている水氷締めを施し氷蔵したところ、魚体の硬直の度合は死後30分後に最大に達し、その後、軟化を含めた品質の劣化が速やかに進んだ。この劣化の速さは苦悶死魚にも匹敵するものであり、手法の変更が望まれた。そこで、広く海水魚に適用されている延髄切断、それに引き続いての脱血と針金による脊髄破壊を施し、その効果を先の水氷締めの場合と、魚体の死後硬直と魚肉中ATP関連物質量の経時変化から比較した。その結果、脊髄破壊の手法によりニジマスの死後変化が10時間以上遅延することが判明した。これは死後すぐに脊髄の自律神経を破壊することで死後硬直を早める要因となる筋肉中のATP消費を抑えることができたためと考えられるが、脊髄破壊魚は、単に延髄切断を施した魚よりも解硬が緩やかであることも認められた。また氷蔵ニジマスにおいては、硬直指数とうまみ物質IMP含量の増減パターンが非常に類似しており、延髄破壊魚、水氷締め魚ともに魚体の最大硬直時にはIMP含量が最大値に達した。 延髄切断、脱血、そして脊髄破壊という一連のプロセスによりニジマスの鮮度は保持されることが判ったが、ストレスを与えない安定的な処置が難しいこともATP残存量における個体差の大きさから推察された。実用にあたっては、さらにストレスを除く方向性とともに、延髄切断と脱血にとどめ,不用なストレスをかけない方向性も提案される

Anthocyanins and the Antioxidant Capacities of Wild Berries that Grow in Shizuoka, Japan

ABSTRACTFruits from five wild edible berries that grow in the eastern region of Shizuoka (Japan) were collected, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated using the ORAC, DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays to obtain basic scientific knowledge of these species. Among the Shizuoka wild berries tested, Rubus microphyllus L. fil. exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, which is equivalent to that of commercial raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.). Furthermore, anthocyanins from these wild berries were analyzed using quantitative 1H NMR spectroscopy. Cyanidin-3-glucoside and pelargonidin-3-glucoside were detected in Shizuoka wild berries, with the latter identified as the characteristic anthocyanin. The present study revealed that Shizuoka wild berries are rich in natural antioxidants and pigments and are therefore potentially beneficial for reducing the risks of associated with lifestyle-related diseases in consumers

Composition of Algerian Propolis, Plant Origin, and Its Antiangiogenic Activity In Vitro

The antiangiogenic activity of the ethanol extract of propolis collected from different regions in western Algeria was investigated using in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The ethanol extract with the strongest activity, i.e., Algerian propolis 1 (EEPA1), inhibited the formation of capillary networks in a dose-dependent manner (6.25–50 μg/mL) within 12 h and induced cell fragmentation of HUVECs at 50 μg/mL after treatment for 24 h. To identify the active compounds in EEAP1, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed, revealing that EEAP1 contains two major compounds. Both compounds were isolated by repeated column chromatography and identified as ω-hydroxyferulenol (1) and ferulenol (2), which have a coumarin structure conjugated with a farnesyl group according to NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, and chemical modification. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited the tube-forming activity of HUVECs, especially 2, which exhibited a stronger antiangiogenic effect even at a low concentration of 3.31 μg/mL. Moreover, 2 suppressed the elongation and induced cell fragmentation at the same dose. The molecular changes in tube-forming HUVECs induced by 2 were found to be related to the activation of the caspase signals. To confirm the plant origin of propolis, an HPLC comparative analysis of the ethanol extracts of some plants near beekeeping areas and that of Algerian propolis (EEAP1) was performed, and similar chromatographic patterns were observed. This result suggests that the plant origin of this Algerian propolis is the resin of Ferula communis

Catechol-<i>O</i>-methyltransferase Inhibitors from <i>Calendula officinalis</i> Leaf

Calendula officinalis is commonly known as marigold and its flowers are used in herbal medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, dyes, pharmaceutical preparations, and food products. However, the utility of its leaves has not been studied in depth. The purpose of the present study was to identify the major compounds in C. officinalis leaves and to determine the inhibitory properties of the isolated compounds toward human catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a key neurotransmitter involved in Parkinson’s disease and depression. We isolated and identified ten compounds, including two phenylpropanoids and seven flavonoids, from C. officinalis leaf extracts, of which four flavonoids were identified from C. officinalis leaves for the first time. Eight compounds exhibited COMT inhibitory activities with IC50 values of less than 100 μM. Our results indicate that compounds in C. officinalis leaves are potentially effective for preventing Parkinson’s disease and depression. Thus, C. officinalis leaves may hold promise as dietary supplements