Effects of Compounds from Physalis angulata on Fatty Acid Synthesis and Glucose Metabolism in HepG2 Cells via the AMP-activated Protein Kinase Pathway

The ability of the total extract from Physalis angulata; three fractions after partitioning with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (TBE), and water; and four withanolides (compounds 1 – 4) to phosphorylate 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in HepG2 cells was evaluated. The TBE fraction (50 μg/mL) activated p-ACC and p-AMPK expression most strongly. Compounds 1 – 4 (10 μM) upregulated p-ACC expression at different levels. Compound 4 induced the most significant changes in p-AMPK expression, followed by 1 and 2. Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) play a functional role in the transcriptional regulation of the lipogenic pathway, including fatty acid synthase (FAS) and ACC. The effects of compounds 2 and 4 (10 μM) on FAS and SREBP-1c expression under high glucose conditions (30 mM) in HepG2 cells were evaluated further. Both dose-dependently inhibited FAS and SREBP-1c expression as well as lipid accumulation (1 – 10 μM) were compared to high-concentration glucose control, which upregulated FAS and SREBP-1c. These results suggest that compounds 2 and 4 upregulate AMPK, suppress FAS and SREBP-1c, and have potential effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.

Preliminary Studies on Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Effects of Neem Leaves

Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) collected in Binh Thuan province in May have been shown to contain alkaloids (0.66%), flavonoids (2.95), coumarins, reduced sugars and lipids. The alkaloid fraction gave 6 spots and the flavonoid fraction yielded 7 spots on this layer chromatography. Two substances, i.e., A6, an alkaloid and a flavonoid suspected to be Azadirachin A, have been isolated for further study. Liquid extract of Neem Leaves exerted anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and candida albicans

On the Development of panax vietnamensis

The Panax vietnamensis (K5 panax, Ngoc Linh panax) known as its scientific name is Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., belonging to Araliaceae. K5 panax is the 3rd genus of panax L. branch and the 20th in the world. The mojoir components of Panax vietnamensis are determined the majonosid R2, 17 fat acide with 0.53% contents.