The leaf of Crataegus pinnatifida (Rosaceae) is commonly consumed either raw or cooked to improve digestion and promote blood circulation in China. To investigate the regulation effects of it on glucose and lipid metabolism, the flavonoids fraction was prepared and analyzed by HPLC and LC-MS. In vivo, at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, the flavonoids fraction showed inhibitory effects on TG and glucose absorption, accelerating effects on gastrointestinal transit but no effect on gastric emptying. In vitro, treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with 30 μg/mL flavonoids fraction significantly suppressed the accumulation of TG and free fatty acid. It also suppressed the gene expressions of C/EBPα, PPARγ, SREBP 1c, aP2 and adiponectin but did not affect that of leptin. C. pinnatifida leaf may be useful for type 2 diabetics and hyperlipidemics as a foodstuff.
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease primarily associated with oxidative stress produced by free radicals. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anticataract potential of Crataegus pinnatifida (hawthorn tree) leaves extract in selenite-induced cataract in vivo and antioxidant effects in vitro. In vitro antioxidant assay of C. pinnatifida leaves extract on NO production inhibition, aldose reductase inhibition, and O(2)(-) radical scavenging activities gave the IC(50) of 98.3, 89.7, and 5.98 μg/mL, respectively. To characterize some major compounds in C. pinnatifida leaves extract, nine flavonoids were identified via LC-MS/MS qualitative analysis. Based on in vitro screening results, C. pinnatifida leaves extract eye drops in 0.1% hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose solution were prepared to evaluate the anticataract potential in vivo. Administration of C. pinnatifida leaves extract eye drops alternately three times a day in rat pups with selenite-induced oxidative stress significantly increased serum SOD and CAT activities, and tended to reduce MDA level compared with control group. The antioxidant enzyme SOD, CAT, and GSH activities in lens showed a significant increase. These results may be applied in the future for the prevention and treatment of cataracts.
a b s t r a c tPyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) commonly observed in aquatic ecosystems, which originates primarily from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and the use of petroleum compounds. Pyrene can cause the immune disturbance and oxidative stress, result in immunotoxicity, DNA damage, reduce reproduction significantly, and induce behavioral changes. Marine bivalves are commonly used as bioindicators for marine pollution, and hemolymph is a metabolite transfer medium for PAH pollutant. However, the vital immune indicator responses of pearl oyster Pinctada martensii hemolymph exposed to pyrene is still unclear. Thus, the immunotoxic responses of pyrene on the hemolymph of the Pinctada martensii were investigated in this study. After exposure to pyrene for 7 days, the total number of hemocytes (THC), cell membrane stability (CMS), phagocytic activity (PA) and total glutathione (GSH T ) all decreased significantly. Pyrene also caused a significant increase in lipid peroxi- ) and GSH T (7.2 mg L À1 ), which indicates that THC and LPO were more sensitive. Additionally, a clear dose-effect relationship indicated that pyrene stimulated a marked immune response, as well as oxidative stress in P. martensii, which demonstrates the subtle effects of pyrene exposure on marine invertebrates and the potential associated risk.
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