A 28-noroleanane-type triterpene oligoglycoside, camellioside E (4), an oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycoside, camellioside F (5), and the known compounds camelliosides A (1) and D (3) were isolated from a 50% EtOH extract of Camellia japonica flower buds from Korea. The principal constituents (1 and 5) significantly inhibited melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated B16 melanoma 4A5 cells. Camellioside B (2), a major constituent of C. japonica grown in Japan, showed potent inhibition of melanogenesis [95.0 ± 1.0% (p < 0.01) at 20 μM]. The inhibitory effects of 1, 2, and 5 were stronger than that of the reference compound, arbutin. We believe the melanogenesis inhibitory effects of 2 and 5 are partly related to the proliferation inhibitory effects in B16 melanoma 4A5 cells. Conversely, camelliosides tended to enhance proliferation in normal human neonatal skin fibroblasts. Interestingly, camellioside B (2) significantly accelerated fibroblast proliferation. This biological selectivity could make camellioside B useful for treating skin disorders. Herein, we report the first scientific investigation of a triterpene that displays an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis, but that also has an enhancing effect on fibroblast proliferation.

The anti-fatigue effect of 50% ethanol extract ([M]) from the dried whole body of Agkistrodon blomhoffii blomhoffii Boie, was investigated using an acute weight-loaded forced swimming (AWLFS) test by monitoring swimming times, blood biochemical parameters, thiobarbiturate-reactive substances (TBARS) as an index of lipid peroxide and antioxidative enzyme activities in blood and tissue. [M] (500 mg/kg/d), given orally for three successive days, significantly prolonged swimming times. It also inhibited the elevation of TBARS in plasma, liver, brain, kidney and soleus, and inhibited the lowering of catalase activity in erythrocyte, liver and soleus. However, it had no inhibitory effect on the elevation of creatine-kinase activity, free fatty acid and lactic acid levels or on the decrease in glucose level in serum. Also, it decreased the plasma TBARS level and increased the superoxide dismutase activity of plasma and erythrocytes in normal rats. From these results, it can be considered that [M] has an anti-fatigue effect.

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