In order to discover lifespan-extending compounds made from natural resources, activity-guided fractionation of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) ethanol extract was performed using the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model system. The compound 6-gingerol was isolated from the most active ethyl acetate soluble fraction, and showed potent longevity-promoting activity. It also elevated the survival rate of worms against stressful environment including thermal, osmotic, and oxidative conditions. Additionally, 6-gingerol elevated the antioxidant enzyme activities of C. elegans, and showed a dose-depend reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in worms. Further studies demonstrated that the increased stress tolerance of 6-gingerol-mediated worms could result from the promotion of stress resistance proteins such as heat shock protein (HSP-16.2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD-3). The lipofuscin levels in 6-gingerol treated intestinal worms were decreased in comparison to the control group. No significant 6-gingerol-related changes, including growth, food intake, reproduction, and movement were noted. These results suggest that 6-gingerol exerted longevity-promoting activities independently of these factors and could extend the human lifespan.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is linked to an extensive neuron loss via accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) as senile plaques associated with reactive astrocytes and microglial activation in the brain. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of WS-5 ethanol extract in vitro and in vivo against Aβ-induced AD in mice and to identify the extract’s active constituents. In the present study, WS-5 exerted a significant inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that WS-5 prevented Aβ oligomerization via inhibition of Aβ1-42 aggregation. Evaluation of antioxidant activities using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) demonstrated that WS-5 possessed a high antioxidant activity, which was confirmed by measuring the total antioxidant status (TAS). Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of WS-5 were examined using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. WS-5 significantly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide–induced production of nitric oxide and two proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6. The memory impairment in mice with Aβ-induced AD was studied using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance test. Immunohistochemistry was performed to monitor pathological changes in the hippocampus and cortex region of the mouse brain. The animal study showed that WS-5 (250 mg/kg) treatment improved learning and suppressed memory impairment as well as reduced Aβ plaque accumulation in Aβ-induced AD. HPLC analysis identified the extract’s active compounds that exert anti-AChE activity. In summary, our findings suggest that WS-5 could be applied as a natural product therapy with a focus on neuroinflammation-related neurodegenerative disorders.
Health of human intestine has deteriorated due to excessive stress and western diet. In this study, Vigna angularis was fermented by Bacillus subtilis KCCM11965P in order to develop prebiotic resource for improving bowel movement. The contents of ash and crude protein were 3.35±0.04% and 21.1±0.19% respectively. Vigna angularis extract (1, 3, 5%) were incubated with 3% (v/v) Bacillus subtilis KCCM 11965P for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Total bacterial numbers showed that the combination of 3% powdered seeds and 72 h incubation time was optimum condition for this experiment. Total polyphenol content increased from 0.18±0.010 mg/mL in pre-incubation to 0.23±0.007 mg/mL in post-incubation with the condition mentioned above. DPPH radical scavenging activity also increased from 36.1±6.0% to 63.6±5.2%. Analysis of protease activity showed 2.69±0.003 unit/mL in combination of 5% powdered seeds and 72 h incubation time. Amylase activity increased from 1.0±0.1 unit/mL in pre-incubation to 26.0±0.2 unit/mL in post-incubation. The analysis of free amino acids after incubation with Bacillus subtilis KCCM 11965P showed that leucine increased from 5.22 mg/L to 67.59 mg/L and tyrosine, one of non-essential amino acid also increased 10.08 mg/L to 259.35 mg/L by incubation with 5% powdered seeds. Most of organic acid were reduced by incubation for 72 h. These results suggest that Vigna angularis could be utilized most as a prebiotic resources.
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