Change of Major Functional Components of Gastrodia elata Blume with Cultivation Conditions and Harvest Times

Abstract

S :Gastrodia elata Blume is a achlorophyllous orchid plant that has been used in traditional medicine to treat many human illnesses, such as vertigo, hemiplegia, and epilepsy. It contains three major pharmacological substances; gastrodin, ergothioneine, and vanillyl alcohol. Here we investigated the quantitative changes in those functional components by cultivation conditions and harvest times. The content of ergothioneine was different with cultivation areas, while gastrodin accumulated the higher levels than vanillyl alcohol regardless of cultivation areas. The smaller tubers contained the higher concentrations of gastrodin and the lower concentrations of ergothioneine than did the larger tubers. The cultivation under sun shade screen increased the concentrations of both gastrodin and vanillyl alcohol but decreased the levels of ergothioneine. We also determined the contents of functional substances depending on the harvest times. The concentration of gastrodin was higher in October than in April, while the level of ergothioneine was higher in April than in October. Interestingly, the use of sexually propagated seed tubers produced 1.9 times higher levels of gastrodin compared to vegetatively propagated seed tubers. In this study, we found that three major functional substances in G. elata tubers altered depending on various cultivation practices, which might be important to increase the economic values of G. elata tubers.

Inhibitory effect of Gastrodia elata Blume extract on alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced melanogenesis in murine B16F10 melanoma

“…A recent study [ 9 ] reported 64 GEB components using various chromatography techniques. Among them, the most important phenolic compounds are gastrodin [4-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy) benzyl alcohol], 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4-HBA), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), vanillyl alcohol (4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxyphenol), and vanillic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid) [ 8 9 10 11 12 ]. New natural compounds have been recently found in GEB; bis (4-hydroxybenzyl) sulfide [ 2 ], Ergo [ 8 ], and diosgenin [ 17 ].…”

“…, paralysis, vertigo, stroke, epilepsy, and dementia) [ 9 10 ]. A variety of bioactive compounds have been isolated from GEB, the most important ones are the phenolic compounds such as gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillin, vanillyl alcohol, and vanillic acid [ 8 9 10 11 12 ]. It has been recently reported that bioactive compounds of GEB have an inhibitory potency for tyrosinase activity [ 13 14 15 16 ].…”

“…It has been recently reported that bioactive compounds of GEB have an inhibitory potency for tyrosinase activity [ 13 14 15 16 ]. Moreover, recent studies have identified ergothioneine (Ergo) [ 8 11 ] and diosgenin [ 17 ] in GEB. Ergo is mainly found in mushrooms [ 18 19 ], while diosgenin in wild yam [ 20 ].…”

“…Although there are reports on the composition of freeze-dried and steam-dried GEB [ 22 ], its chemical constituents [ 11 12 23 ], and antioxidant [ 12 ], anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic [ 24 ] effects, little is known about the inhibitory effects of GEB extract on melanin synthesis and its relevant enzymes in B16F10 melanoma. Since GEB has been used as a traditional remedy for neurological disorders and skin problems because of its bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties, we analyzed the melanin content and tyrosinase activity as well as molecular levels of transcription factor and regulatory enzymes in murine B16F10 melanoma.…”

Change of amino acids contents of Gastrodia elata Blume with harvest times and seed tuber

“…최근 수확시기별, 재배 방법, 번식용으로 사용하는 자마의 종류에 따라 천마의 기능성물질 함량 또한 크게 차이 남이 보고 되어 있으나 아미노산에 대한 분석은 미 흡한 실정이다 (Kim and Park 2013). 아미노산은 생물의 몸을 구성하는 중요한 단백질 구성 요소이며 신진 대사를 원활하게 하는데 절대적으로 필요 한 영양소이다.…”