The fruit of Sageretia theezans is one of many underutilized edible fruits that grow along the southern seashores of East Asia. In this study, to evaluate the nutritional and nutraceutical values of S. theezans fruit, the composition of minerals, organic acids, and proximate and fatty acids, the total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin content, and the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of S. theezans fruit were analyzed. The results indicate that S. theezans fruit could be classified as a potential potassium-, malic acid-, and linoleic/oleic acid-rich fruit. In addition, The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of the 70% ethanol (EtOH) crude extract exhibited strong antioxidant activities including free radical scavenging and reducing power activities compared with the same concentration of butylated hydroxytoluene. Furthermore, the EtOAc fraction showed significant inhibition of α-glucosidase activity. The analysis of the total phenolic and flavonoid content suggested that the remarkable antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the EtOAc fraction are due to the presence of high levels of polyphenolic compounds.

-This study describes a preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Castanopsis cuspidata extracts. C. cuspidata was extracted using 80% ethanol and then fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and butanol. To screen for anti-inflammatory agents effectively, we first examined the inhibitory effect of the C. cuspidata extracts on the production of pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. In addition, we examined the inhibitory effect of C. cuspidata extracts on pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, iNOS, COX-2) in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The amounts of protein levels were determined by immunoblotting. Of the sequential solvent fractions of C. cuspidata, the n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethylacetate fractions inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), production of NO, and the protein level of iNOS and COX-2. These results suggest that C. cuspidata may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and may be provided as a possible anti-inflammatory therapeutic plant.

BACKGROUND: Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is a wellknown medicinal plant. In this study, the biological activities of L. cuneata extracts were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: L. cuneata shoot was extracted with 30% ethanol and further fractionated with organic solvents. Total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition effect of the extract and fractions were measured. Among the tested extract and fractions, the highest contents of total phenolic and flavonoids were found in ethyl acetate fraction (117.8 mg GAE/g and 35.9 mg QE/g, respectively). Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, and the antioxidant activity of the other fractions followed the order n-hexane fraction>ethanol extract>methyl chloroform>n-butanol fraction. Inhibitory effect on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1 and MMP3) was highest in the fraction of ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fraction also significantly inhibited the expression of MMP3. Antioxidant activities of L. cuneata extracts were significantly positively related to their phenolic and flavonoid content. CONCLUSION:Ethyl acetate fraction of L. cuneata ethanol extract showed potent antioxidant and matrix metalloproteinases inhibitory activities. Those activities might be related to the high total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract.

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