Effects of Unripe Citrus hassaku Fruits Extract and Its Flavanone Glycosides on Blood Fluidity

Abstract

Citrus fruits are widely consumed in Asian countries, especially in Japan. Some Citrus species, such as Citrus unshiu MARKOVICH and Citrus hassaku HORT ex T. TANAKA originate in Japan. Both species have been shown to possess various biological activities such as anti-allergy, tyrosinase inhibitory and anti-melanogenesis activities through recent extensive research. 1,2) Our previous reports 1,2) described that the 50% ethanolic extract (CH-ext) obtained from C. hassaku unripe fruits collected in July possessed significant anti-melanogenesis activity with potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity. In addition, CH-ext inhibited the allergic symptoms in vivo and degranulation of mast cells obtained from rat peritoneal showing its potent anti-allergic activity. Thus, CH-ext is expected to be a functional material possessing both skinwhitening and anti-allergy effects and a useful ingredient for cosmetics and/or supplements.The brightness of skin may be influenced by infraorbital dark circles around the eyes and skin darkness. From an antiaging point of view, these factors are recognized as unfavorable for many women. Thus, many cosmetic products to reduce these symptoms have been launched by Japanese cosmetic-related companies. One of the ways to improve infraorbital dark circles around the eyes and skin darkness is the enhancement of blood fluidity, since the murkiness is said to be due to the blood stasis ("Oketsu" in Japanese, a term in oriental medicine) in specific areas of the body. The treatment of Oketsu can be achieved by invigorating blood circulation and eliminating blood stasis. The enhancement of blood fluidity may lead to the improvement of skin problems resulting from unsmooth circulation or stagnation of blood. From the study of blood fluidity, it is known that blood platelet hyperactivity results in platelet adhesion to the vessel wall. Thus platelet hyperactivity is one of the most essential factors responsible for thrombosis, and the incidence of Oketsu, and for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular diseases. 3) Many investigations for antiplatelet agents from natural resources have therefore been carried out to prevent platelet dysfunction. 4) Recently, it has been reported that hesperetin, an aglycone of hesperidin which is a constituent of Citrus fruits, inhibited rabbit platelet aggregation induced by collagen and arachidonic acid, and that the cellular mechanism for the antiplatelet activity of hesperetin was mainly mediated by the inhibition of phospholipase (PL)C-g2 phosphorylation and cyclooxygenase-1 activity. 5) A group of antioxidants of the flavonoid family has been reported to inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro and ex vivo, and human studies have also suggested that a diet high in flavonoids may inhibit platelet aggregation in vivo. 5) These reports prompted us to examine the antiplatelet activity of CH-ext, since there is no report on antiplatelet effects of C. hassaku. First, we examined in vitro antiplatelet activity of CH-ext by an assay of the inhibitory effect ...

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