ABSTRACT
Vaccinium bracteatum, an evergreen shrub of Vaccinium genus of Ericaceae, is widely distributed throughout China, especially in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces. At present, the researches on V. bracteatum mainly focus on the extraction, separation and bioactive verification of the functional components in its leaves and fruits. However, few literatures had been reported on its application in foods. This paper summarized the main functional components of its leaves and fruits. The development and utilization of the leaves and fruits were also introduced, which is helpful for the development and application of V. bracteatum resources.
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. methanol extract (VBME) on microglial activation and to identify the underlying mechanisms of action of these effects. The anti-inflammatory properties of VBME were studied using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. We measured the production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as inflammatory parameters. We also examined the effect of VBME on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65). VBME significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of NO and PGE₂ and LPS-mediated upregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner; importantly, VBME was not cytotoxic. VBME also significantly reduced the generation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In addition, VBME significantly dampened intracellular ROS production and suppressed NF-κB p65 translocation by blocking IκB-α phosphorylation and degradation in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Our findings indicate that VBME inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators in BV-2 microglial cells by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Thus, VBME may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases due to its ability to inhibit inflammatory mediator production in activated BV-2 microglial cells.
Subject(s)
Cytokines , Interleukin-1beta , Interleukin-6 , Methanol , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Nitric Oxide , Nitric Oxide Synthase , Phosphorylation , Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases , Reactive Oxygen Species , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Up-Regulation , VacciniumABSTRACT
Objective:To optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction process of total flavonoids in Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaves. Methods:The single factor test and orthogonal test were adopted with the content of total flavonoids as the index, and the ultra-sound-assisted extraction was optimized with the concentration of solvent, extracting time, ratio of raw material to liquid and extraction times as the factors. Results:The optimal extraction conditions were 70% ethanol with 40-fold volume, extracting 2 times with 30 mi-nutes per time. Conclusion:The extraction process is stable and feasible, and all the results are useful references for the extraction process improvement.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. Leaf ethanol extract (VEE) and its different extracts on the anti-oxidative capability of brain stem in sleep-deprived rats. Methods: Rats were intragastrically administered with low, middle, and high dose of VEE (1.2 g/ml, 2.4 g/ml, and 7.2 g/ml) and different extracts daily for 10 days. The rat mental fatigue models were established by sleep deprivation through flower-pot on the 7th day. Rats treated with salidroside (200 mg/ml) were taken as positive controls. After 72 h sleep deprivation, the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) , superoxide dismutase (SOD) , and total antioxidative capacity(T-AOC) in the brain stem were determined in each group. Results: The concentrations of the MDA, SOD, and T-AOC in the normal control group were (16.4±0.42) nmol/mg protein, (2.9±0.62) U/mg protein, and (154.3±14.47) U/ml, respectively. Compared with the normal control group, the sleep-deprived group had significantly higher concentrations of MDA, SOD and T-AOC(P<0.05), and the groups of salidroside, high dose ethanol, and aqua extract of VEE had significantly lower MDA (P< 0.05), and lower SOD and T-AOC. Conclusion: The high dose VEE can greatly decrease the oxidative stress level of the brain stem, and it also has remarkable anti-oxidative ability, with the active part mainly in the aqua extract of VEE.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the protective effect of the extract of Vaccinium Bracteatum Thunb(VBT) leaves against light injury of retina.Methods 20 Newzealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups: the normal control group,modelⅠgroup,modelⅡ group,and model Ⅲ group.The normal control group ate and drank freely.modelⅠgroup ate and drank freely but took in 50g/(kg?d) fresh VBT leaves daily for 4 weeks.model Ⅱgroup ate and drank freely,but took in 50g/(kg?d) old VBT leaves daily for 4 weeks.model Ⅲ group ate freely,but took in 50mg/(kg?d) extract of VBT leaves(resolved in water) daily for 4 weeks.All rabbits were exposed to strong light,meanwhile, the retinas were analyzed by electroretinogram(ERG) every week.Finally,all the rabbits were killed and the content of MDA and SOD in the retina were detected.Results In the control group,the latency time of the B wave increased and the amplitude of the B wave shortened,while in the model Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups,the changes of B wave just opposite.The content of MDA in the model Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ groups was lower than that in the control group(P