• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 2013

The crocetin derivatives, crocin (1), gentiobiosyl glucosyl crocetin (3), and mono-gentiobiosyl crocetin (4) were isolated from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides (Gj) and crocetin (2) from the processed fruit of Gj (PGj) by column chromatography. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods including IR, MS, and NMR (1D and 2D). These compounds were evaluated for their inhibition activity on melanin production in ${\alpha}$-MSH (melanocyte stimulating hormone) activated B16F10 cells. Compounds 1 - 4 reduced melanin content in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 20 - 60 uM. They also suppressed tyrosinase protein and m-RNA expressions dose dependently, assayed by western blot analysis, and RT-PCR experiment in B16F10 murine melanoma cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2016

Iridoid glycosides (mainly geniposide) and crocetin derivatives (crocins) are the two major active constituents in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. In the present study, geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin were separated from gardenia chromatographically. Then, mice were orally administrated with geniposide (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocins (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocin-1 (400 mg/kg b.w.) and crocetin (140 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for 7 days with $CCl_4$. Hepatoprotective properties were evaluated by biochemical parameters: Administration of geniposide, crocins, crocin-1and crocetin significantly lowered serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in $CCl_4$-treated mice. The reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities were also increased by geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin. Histopathological examination of livers showed that these components reduced deformability, irregular arrangement and rupture of hepatocyte in $CCl_4$-treated mice. These biochemical results and liver histopathological assessment demonstrated that geniposide, crocetin derivatives and crocetin show comparative beneficial effects on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage via induction of antioxidant defense. Therefore, contents of geniposide and crocetin derivatives should be both considered for hepatoprotective efficacy of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.