Effects of dietary Angelica keiskei on lipid metabolism in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

1. The effect of dietary Angelica keiskei on lipid metabolism was examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2. Six-week-old male SHRSP were fed diets containing 0.2% A. keiskei extract (ethyl acetate extract from the yellow liquid of stems) for 6 weeks with free access to the diet and water. 3. Elevation of systolic blood pressure tended to be suppressed on and after 2 weeks; however, this effect was not statistically significant. 4. Serum levels of cholesterol and phospholipid in SHRSP were significantly elevated after treatment with A. keiskei extract and this effect was accompanied by significant increases in serum apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I and ApoE concentrations. These changes in the serum were due to increases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) containing ApoA-I and ApoE. 5. In the liver, significant decreases in relative weight and triglyceride content were observed in SHRSP after treatment with A. keiskei extract. An investigation of mRNA expression of enzymes involved in hepatic triglyceride metabolism indicated a decreased level of hepatic Acyl-coenzyme A synthetase mRNA expression. 6. In conclusion, dietary A. keiskei produces elevation of serum HDL levels and a reduction of liver triglyceride levels in SHRSP.

Effects of Dietary Angelica keiskei on Serum and Liver Lipid Profiles, and Body Fat Accumulations in Rats

“…Unexpectedly, however, the present data did not show a significant decrease in the serum triacylglycerol concentration, body weight or fat mass of rats fed Ashitaba diets. These observations agree, in part, with those of Ogawa et al (17), who also showed that the serum lipid levels in SHRSP rats were elevated after treatment with Ashitaba extract. Moreover, they reported that mRNA expression of hepatic enzymes involved in triacylglycerol metabolism was not affected by Ashitaba ingestion.…”

Isobavachalcone, a Chalcone Constituent of Angelica keiskei, Induces Apoptosis in Neuroblastoma

“…Previously, it has been reported that A. keiskei extract produces elevation of the serum HDL level and a reduction of liver triglyceride levels in hypertensive rats. 8) Some chalcones isolated from A. keiskei inhibit phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction in vivo 9) and regulate nuclear factor (NF)-kB activation. 10) Moreover, some chalcones isolated from it reportedly have inhibitory effects against tumor promoter activity, [11][12][13] antitumor and antimetastatic activities 14,15) Humulus lupulus (commonly known as "hop cones" or "hops") is cultivated in the temperate zones of the world.…”

Xanthoangelol, a Major Chalcone Constituent of Angelica keiskei, Induces Apoptosis in Neuroblastoma and Leukemia Cells

“…An equal volume of stop solution (0.04 N HCl in isopropanol) to that of the culture medium was then added to each well and the absorbance at 570 nm (peak) and 630 nm (bottom) was ; Funabashi, Japan: c Department of Materials and Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University;[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Japan: and d Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Nihon University; 30-1 Oyaguchikami-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0032, Japan. Received February 28, 2005; accepted April 25, 2005 Xanthoangelol, a major chalcone constituent of the stem exudates of Angelica keiskei, was evaluated for cell toxicity and apoptosis-inducing activity in human neuroblastoma (IMR-32) and leukemia (Jurkat) cells.…”

“…Apoptosis is known to occur in normal development of nervous systems, and neuroblastoma is generated from neural crest cells when the apoptotic systems do not carry out. Delayed implementation of the normal apoptotic pathway has been proposed as an explanation for the spontaneous regression of favorable neuroblastoma.1) It is reported that resistance to apoptosis plays a contributory role in the mechanism of the aggressive behavior shown by advanced neuroblastoma.2) Acute lymphocytic leukemia, like advanced neuroblastoma, is also a pediatric disease that is difficult to treat, especially in older children or those with a high amount of leukemic cells in the peripheral blood.Angelica keiskei has been used traditionally in Japan as a diuretic, laxative, analeptic and galactagogue, and an A. keiskei extract was previously reported to affect metabolic activity 3,4) and vasoconstriction 5) in rats. Moreover, A. keiskei and a major chalcone constituent of this plant, xanthoangelol, reportedly have inhibitory effects against tumor promoter activity 6,7) and metastasis.…”