Advancements in Genetic Diversity and Genome Characteristics of Durians (Durio spp.)

Durian is one of the important fruit crops in Southeast Asia with its unique flavor and important economic benefits. Breeding programs have produced hundreds of different cultivars of durian. These cultivars are classified mainly by fruit and flower characteristics, which cannot be observed at the vegetative stage. Therefore, molecular biology is a powerful tool to approach and explore the genetic characteristics of durians. Many studies based on barcoded DNA and molecular markers have been conducted and valuable data have been exploited. Thanks to the advancement of sequencing technology, the plastid genome and the whole genome were sequenced in some durian cultivars. The data revealed reliable data on the structure and function of several genes. This review aims to update recent studies on the durian genome attributes and potential applications in the conservation of germplasm, authentication, and exploration of the gene structure and function of this specialty plant.

Therapeutic effects of Durian wood bark extract on a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis / Los efectos terapéuticos del extracto de corteza de madera durián en un modelo de rata de artritis reumatoide

ABSTRACT Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by increased inflammation of synovial joint, and often associated with disability. Although several studies have demonstrated the medicinal properties of durian, little is known about the role of durian wood bark for medicinal purposes. Thus, this study investigated the anti-arthritic activity of durian wood bark extract in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The rats were divided into five groups, including control, RA model, and RA model treated with durian wood bark extract (20, 30, and 40 mg/kg/day for 14 days). The effects of treatment were evaluated by clinical, as well as histological changes in the ankle joints, and the expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Results: A complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced RA model in rats was successfully, characterized by the swelling of hind limbs, histopathological changes in ankle joints, and the upregulation of iNOS expression. The administration of durian wood bark extract at a dose of 40 mg/kg attenuated all parameters analyzed in CFA-induced RA model in rats. Conclusion: Amelioration of hind limb swelling, histopathological changes, and iNOS expression in the RA model indicates that durian wood bark extract can be considered as a new treatment alternative that reduces joint symptoms, as well as a future area of research in humans.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: La artritis reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad inflamatoria común mediada por el sistema inmunológico que se caracteriza por una mayor inflamación de la articulación sinovial, y a menudo se asocia con discapacidad. Aunque en varios estudios se han demostrado las propiedades medicinales del durián, se conoce poco sobre el papel de la corteza de madera de durián con fines médicos. Así pues, en este estudio se investigó la actividad antiartrítica del extracto de corteza de madera de durián en un modelo de AR en ratas. Métodos: Las ratas se dividieron en 5 grupos, incluyendo el control, el modelo de AR y el modelo de AR tratado con extracto de corteza de madera durián (20, 30 y 40mg/kg/día durante 14 días). Los efectos del tratamiento se evaluaron mediante cambios clínicos e histológicos en las articulaciones de los tobillos y el nivel de expresión de la sintasa de óxido nítrico inducible (iNOS). Resultados: Desarrollamos con éxito un modelo completo de AR inducida por adyuvantes de Freund (CFA) en ratas, caracterizado por la hinchazón de las extremidades posteriores, los cambios histopatológicos de las articulaciones del tobillo y el aumento de la expresión de la iNOS. La administración de extracto de corteza de madera de durián a una dosis de 40 mg/kg atenuó todos los parámetros analizados en el modelo de AR inducida por CFA en ratas. Conclusión: La mejora de la hinchazón de las extremidades traseras, los cambios histopatológicos y la expresión de iNOS en el modelo de AR indican que el extracto de corteza de madera dura puede considerarse una nueva alternativa de tratamiento para reducir los síntomas de las articulaciones, con un futuro campo de investigación en los seres humanos.

Chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of durian shells in ASEAN countries: A review / 中草药·英文版

Durio zibethnus is mainly distributed in Southeast Asia. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that durian shells have the effects of clearing heat and purging fire, nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness. Therefore, it is often used as a pharmaceutic food in the Chinese folk to assist treating diseases. At present, the chemical constituents isolated from durian shell include phenolic acids, phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenes, simple glycosides and other compounds. Modern pharmacological studies show that durian shell has many pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. The chemical composition and pharmacological effects of durian shells are summarized in order to provide references for the further research and application of durian shell.

Nutritional composition of indigenous durian varieties

@#Introduction: Data on nutrients of indigenous durians are useful for selecting suitable varieties for future cultivation and conservation. The objective of this study is to investigate the nutrient composition (proximate composition, dietary fibre, minerals, sugars, and fatty acids) of 17 indigenous durian varieties from Thailand. Methods: The edible part of each variety was collected, freeze dried, and kept in a freezer until analysis. All parameters were analysed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 accredited laboratories using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) standards or well-validated methods. Results: All varieties of durian contained protein, fat [2.2-3.4g and 2.6-6.1g/100g fresh weight (FW), respectively], and carbohydrate (20.0-39.5g/100g FW). Sugars were predominantly found (14.2-21.8g/100g FW) and sucrose was the major form of sugars (50.0-90.0%). For the most part, all varieties contained considerable amounts of potassium, sulphur, and phosphorus. Oleic acid (C18:1n9) was the major monounsaturated fatty acid and palmitic acid (16:0) was the major saturated fatty acid (27.9-51.9% and 35.6-48.3%, respectively) in all varieties. Conclusion: Varieties of Kob-wat-kuay, Kob-sao-noi, and Kob-wai provided several beneficial compounds but also had unhealthy nutrients in small amounts. This food composition database information is beneficial for selecting good varieties for the purpose of conservation, healthy consumption, and export promotion.

Antidiabetic and Antihypercholesterolemia Activities of Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) and Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) Fruit Peel Extracts.

This research study aimed to explore the antidiabetic and antihypercholesterolemia activities of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) and durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) fruit peels extracts. Diabetic rats induced by alloxan intra-peritoneal at dose 150 mg/kg.bw. Rats divided into eight groups, negative control received 0.5% CMC-Na, Glibenclamide 0.45 mg/kg.bw (positive control), groups of III, IV, and V were given ethanolic extracts of durian rind with successive doses of 500, 250, 125 mg/kg.bw, while groups of VI, VII and VIII were given of rambutan peels extracts for 11 days. Whereas, antihypercholesterolemia activity, high cholesterol gained by high-fat fed diet for 28 days and treated with the extracts for 14 days. The highest percentage reduction in blood glucose and cholesterol levels were shown of rambutan fruit peels extract with dose 500 mg/kg.bw and the value of percentage reduction were 61.76±4.26% and 60.75±8.26%, respectively which the activity were higher than positive control. While the durian rind extract with dose 500 mg/kg.bw had showed the reduction glucose levels at 50.19±3.66% and 35.82 ± 5.00% for reduction cholesterol levels. Nephelium lappaceum and Durio zibethinus peels extracts had the antidiabetic and antihypercholesterolemia activities at doses of 125 to 500 mg/kg.bw.

Experimental Study of Anti-inflammation of Durian Peel Extract / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of durian peel extracts (DPE). Methods The in vivo anti-inflammation effects of DPE were examined by carrageenin-induced mice paw edema test and allergic contact dermatitis test induced by 2, 4-DNFB. And the in vitro anti-inflammation effects of DPE were evaluated with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT) assay in RAW 264.7 cell model of inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results The results of animal experiments showed that DPE groups could markedly relieve mice paw edema induced by carrageenin ( P<0.01 or P<0.001 compared with blank group). DPE could effectively inhibit the allergic contact dermatitis induced by 2, 4-DNFB in mice, showing good dose-effect relationship. The results of in-vitro test showed that DPE at the given concentrations had no influence on RAW 264.7 cell proliferation. Tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α) , interleukin 6 ( IL-6) , interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), nitric oxide (NO) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-кВ ) were observably inhibited, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was enhanced by 25 and 50 mg/L of DPE. Conclusion DPE exert potential anti-inflammation effect, and the mechanism might be related to its inhibition of NF-кВsignal pathway.