Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Natural compounds have been proved to be useful in lowering serum cholesterol to slow down the progression of cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In the present study, the hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effects of the dietary consumption of chlorogenic acid were investigated by monitoring plasma lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein) in Sprague-Dawley rats fed with a normal diet, a high-cholesterol diet or a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with chlorogenic acid (1 or 10 mg/kg/day p.o.) for 28 days. Chlorogenic acid markedly altered the increased plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein but decreased high-density lipoprotein induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet with a dose-dependent improvement on both atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. Lipid depositions in liver were attenuated significantly in hypercholesterolemic animals supplemented with chlorogenic acid. It is postulated that hypocholesterolemic effect is the primary beneficial effect given by chlorogenic acid, which leads to other secondary beneficial effects such as atheroscleroprotective, cardioprotective and hepatoprotective functions. The hypocholesterolemic functions of chlorogenic acid are probably due to the increase in fatty acids unitization in liver via the up-regulation of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor α mRNA.

The anticancer effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have attracted the attention of the public vis-à-vis existing cancer therapies with various side effects. Lycium barbarum fruit, commonly known as Gou Qi Zi in China, is a potential anticancer agent/adjuvant. Its major active ingredients, L. barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), scopoletin and 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2βG), are found to have apoptotic and antiproliferative effects on cancer cell lines. Moreover, LBP also contributes to body's immunomodulatory effects and enhances effects of other cancer therapies. It is not known whether there are any undesirable effects. Further studies on its pharmacological mechanisms and toxicology could facilitate a safe usage of this TCM herb.

In Chinese communities, regular consumption of Chinese-medicated diets (CMD) (usually in the form of soup) is a traditional practice to promote health and prevent disease development. The overall improvement of health conditions is believed to be correlated with the anti-oxidant potentials of these herbs. Huangqin, roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae), is one of the herbs commonly used in CMD. In this study, the anti-oxidant capacities of Huangqin extracts (water, ethanol and ether extracts) were evaluated and compared to commonly used CMD herbs, Heshouwu, roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb (Polygonaceae) and Renshen (or Ginseng), roots of Panax ginseng CA Meyer (Araliaceae). The anti-oxidant capacities were measured by using both cell-free assay [ferric reducing/anti-oxidant power (FRAP)] and biological methods [2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) (AAPH)-induced haemolysis assay and H(2)O(2)-induced cell damage on H9C2 cells]. Additionally, the total phenolic content was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu methods. Water extract of Huangqin has the highest anti-oxidant activities compared to the ethanol and ether extracts. A positive relationship between the anti-oxidant effects and total phenolic contents of extracts was demonstrated. This shows that Huangqin could be an effective dietary anti-oxidant that can be consumed regularly as a functional food for the prevention of oxidant/free radical-related diseases.

Gui‐ling‐gao (GLG), also known as turtle/tortoise jelly, has been traditionally used as a functional food in southern China, Singapore, and Malaysia to regulate the immune system. In the present study, the antiinflammatory effects of GLG against Concanavalin A (Con A)‐induced inflammation in BALB/c mice isolated splenocytes were evaluated. GLG significantly (p < .05) inhibited Con A‐induced splenocyte proliferation in a concentration‐dependent manner. Con A‐mediated increases in mRNA and protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) were suppressed by GLG treatment (p < .001). GLG decreased the upregulated mRNA expressions of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) (p < .05) and IL‐15 (p < .001) induced by Con A. These findings suggest that GLG possesses potential antiinflammatory effects by inhibiting the expressions of iNOS and proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐15. Practical applications The present study revealed that Gui‐ling‐gao (GLG) exhibited potential antiinflammatory effect. Thus, GLG could be employed as an effective health food for regulating immune system to cope with inflammation.

Abstract:A validated high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with dual wavelength detection was developed and applied to the determination of chlorogenic acid in rat plasma. Elution was performed on C 18 column at 27C with acetronitrilewater (0.2% phosphoric acid, pH=2.0) at different proportion according to a timescheduled programme and pumped at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min -1. The eluent was detected at 325 nm for chlorogenic acid and 370 nm for the internal standard, kaempferol. The intra-day and inter-day precisions were better than 3.58% and 3.66%, , respectively. This assay has been successfully applied in the pharmacokinetic study of chlorogenic acid through oral and intravenous administration in rats. It showed that the low bioavailability of chlorogenic acid and intravenous administration route is a better dosage regimen. It is a simple and sensitive analytical method with good accuracy and reproducibility. The current method also demonstrated that internal standard with different optimal UV absorbance from that of the analyte can also be used in an analytical method.