Gromwell (<i>Lithospermum erythrorhizon</i>) Supplementation Enhances Epidermal Levels of Ceramides, Glucosylceramides, β-Glucocerebrosidase, and Acidic Sphingomyelinase in NC/Nga Mice

Kim

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

et al. 2016

Bone remodeling and homeostasis are largely the result of the coordinated action of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts are responsible for bone formation. The differentiation of osteoblasts is regulated by the transcription factors, Runx2 and Osterix. Natural products of plant origin are still a major part of traditional medicinal systems in Korea. The root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (LR), the purple gromwell, is an herbal medicine used for inflammatory and infectious diseases. LR is an anti-inflammatory and exerts anticancer effects by inducing the apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the precise molecular signaling mechanisms of osteoblastogenesis as regards LR and osteoblast transcription are not yet known. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol (EtOH) extract of LR (LES) on the osteoblast differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts induced by bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and the potential involvement of Runx2 and Osterix in these effects. We found that the LES exhibited an ability to induce osteoblast differentiation. LES increased the expression of the osteoblast marker, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as its activity, as shown by ALP staining and ALP activity assay. LES also increased mineralization, as shown by Alizarin Red S staining. Treatment with LES increased the protein levels (as shown by immunoblotting), as well as the transcriptional activity of Runx2 and Osterix and enhanced osteogenic activity. These results suggest that LES modulates osteoblast differentiation at least in part through Runx2 and Osterix.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Ethanol extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. promotes osteoblastogenesis through the regulation of Runx2 and Osterix

Kim

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

et al. 2016

“…RD is a rare, autosomal, recessively-inherited disorder of peroxisome metabolism due to a defect in the initial step in the alfa-oxidation of phytanic acid, a C16 saturated fatty acid with four methyl side groups (at the C3, 7, 11, and 15 positions) [13, 27]. Humans obtain PA only from dietary sources, such as diary and ruminant fat [14, 25, 28]. Phytol, the precursor of PA, is a component of chlorophyll, but gut fermentation of chlorophyll in the ruminant stomach also produces phytol, which then is converted into PA and stored in fats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructure of skin from Refsum disease with emphasis on epidermal lamellar bodies and stratum corneum barrier lipid organization

et al. 2014

Classic Refsum disease (RD) is a rare, autosomal recessively-inherited disorder of peroxisome metabolism due to a defect in the initial step in the alpha oxidation of phytanic acid (PA), a C 16 saturated fatty acid with four methyl side groups, which accumulates in plasma and lipid enriched tissues (please see van den Brink, et al. 2006). It has been proposed that the disease complex in RD is in part due to the high affinity of phytanic acid for retinoid X receptors and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Structurally, epidermal hyperplasia, increased numbers of cornified cell layers, presence of cells with lipid droplets in stratum basale and reduction of granular layer to a single layer have been reported by Blanchet-Bardon et al (1978). However, lamellar body (LB) density and secretion were reportedly normal. We recently examined biopsies from 4 unrelated patients, using both OsO4 and RuO4 post-fixation to evaluate the barrier lipid structural organization. Although lamellar body density appeared normal, individual organelles often had distorted shape, or had non-lamellar domains interspersed with lamellar structures. Some of the organelles seemed to lack lamellar contents altogether, showing instead uniformly electron-dense contents. In addition, we also observed mitochondrial abnormalities in the nucleated epidermis. Stratum granulosum-stratum corneum junctions also showed co-existence of non-lamellar and lamellar domains, indicative of lipid phase separation. Also, partial detachment or complete absence of corneocyte lipid envelopes (CLE) was seen in the stratum corneum of all RD patients. In conclusion, abnormal LB contents, resulting in defective lamellar bilayers, as well as reduced CLEs, likely lead to impaired barrier function in RD.

Molecular Nutrition Food Res

Alleviation of Menopausal Symptoms by Yam (Dioscorea japonica Thunb.) and Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc.) Extracts in Ovariectomized Mice

Park,

Ha,

Lee

et al. 2024

ScopeThe decline in estrogen during menopause contributes to a variety of menopausal symptoms, for which hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been extensively applied. Regarding side effects and limited effectiveness of HRT for specific individuals, there is a growing interest in safe alternatives such as phytoestrogens which are structurally analogous to estrogens. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of yam and gromwell extracts, rich in bioactive compounds, and the synergistic effect of extracts on symptoms induced by estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized (OVX) mice.Methods and resultsOVX mice receive dietary intervention of either yam, gromwell extract, or their mixture for 14 weeks. Sham‐operated mice and E2‐injected OVX mice serve as positive controls. Following 14 weeks of oral administration, blood, adipose tissue, vagina, uterus, femurs, and tibias are harvested for further investigation. Consequently, yam and gromwell extracts ameliorate menopausal conditions such as weight gain, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis in estrogen‐deficient OVX mice. In addition, the mixture of yam and gromwell extracts synergistically aids in the relief of the indications.ConclusionThese results indicate the potential use of yam and gromwell extracts, as well as their mixture, for the development of healthy functional foods to modulate menopausal symptoms.