• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.224-229
• /
• 2008

Eucommia ulmoides (Duchung) is commonly used for treatment of diabetes in Korean traditional medicine. However, the exact mechanism of its anti-diabetic effect has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, the effect of E. ulmoides extract on glucose uptake was investigated in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells. E. ulmoides extract stimulated the activity of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase that is a major regulatory molecule in glucose uptake pathway. Protein kinase B (PKB) and protein kinase C-${\xi}$ (PKC-${\xi}$), downstream mediators of PI 3-kinase, were also activated by E. ulmoides extract. We assessed the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), another regulatory molecule in glucose uptake pathway. Phosphorylation level of AMPK did not change with treatment of E. ulmoides extract. Phosphorylations of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), downstream mediators of AMPK, were not significantly different. Taken together, our results suggest that E. ulmoides may stimulate glucose uptake through PI 3-kinase but not AMPK in L6 skeletal muscle cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.963-974
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to examine the growth performance, carcass characteristics, physico-chemical properties and fatty acid composition of muscle tissues of Hanwoo steers when they were fed diets containing four levels of E. ulmoides leaves. Steers were allotted to one of four dietary treatments, which were designed to progressively substitute Eucommia ulmoides for 0, 3, 5 and 10% of the rice straw in the basal diet. Seventy two Hanwoo steers (321±13kg) were used. Average daily gain (0.81-0.86kg) and feed conversion (10.05-10.59) were not changed by feeding E. ulmoides leaves. Emission of fecal ammonia gas was decreased by increasing substitution levels of E. ulmoides leaves. Emission of ammonia gas in feces of steers were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the 5% and 10% treatments at 40℃ compared with in control (30.6ppm) and 3% treatment (29.8ppm), respectively 20.3 and 21.6ppm. Back fat thickness was higher (p<0.05) in steers fed control diet (15.0mm) than 5 and 10% E. ulmoides diets (10.2 and 10.5mm respectively). The grade ‘A’ appearances of meat yield of steers were increased up to 20% by the 3% substitution of E. ulmoides leaves, and the grades ‘1+’ and ‘1’ appearances of meat quality were significantly improved (p<0.05) by the 5 and 10% Eucommia ulmoides feeding. There was no statistical difference in meat color of loin and top round among all treatments. It appeared that the 5% and 10% E. ulmoides leaves feeding affected (p<0.05) a increase in oleic acid concentration in loin and top round muscles. The concentration of serum cholesterol was lower (p<0.05) in steers fed 10% E. ulmoides (53.3mg/100g) than that of the other treatments (55.7-57.0mg/100g). The diarrhea incidence was about 20.26% in control, while it was lower (p<0.05) in the 5 and 10% E. ulmoides leaves treatments (10.4-12.5%) than control. There was no statistical difference in the occurrences of respiratory disease among all treatments. It is concluded that E. ulmoides leaves should be a prospective feed additive because it contains various functional substances. It is likely that air-dried E. ulmoides leaves can reduce the back fat thickness of Hanwoo steers and the occurrences of diarrhea. Therefore, the 5 and 10% substitution of E. ulmoides for roughage are highly recommended to be used in practice.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.330-334
• /
• 2006

Chemical composition of the Eucommia ulmoides bark, including extractives, proximate, mineral, fatty acid and monosaccharide compositions, was studied The most abundant mineral was calcium (533.17 mg/l00 g). $\alpha-linolenic$ acid (24.7%) and linoleic acid (24.3%), showed higher contents among the fatty acids. Major monosaccharides of E. ulmoides balk were arabinose (13.94 mg/g), xylose (18.91 mg/g) and glucose (119.7 mg/g). From the bark of E ulmoides, four compounds were isolated and their structures were elucidated as caffeic acid (I), kaempferol (II), quercetin (III) and isoquercitrin (IV) by spectroscopic analysis such as NMR and MS, including cellulose TLC and other chemical evidence such as hydrolyzation and acetylation. The antioxidant activities of four isolated compounds were evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging, hydroxyl scavenging and reducing power assays. The results indicated that all the isolated compounds showed higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than $\alpha-tocopherol$ and BHT that were used as positive controls and these four compounds exhibited considerable reducing power and hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenging activity. Considering from the results above, it suggests that the E. ulmoides bark is a potential natural source of antioxidant material.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.639-644
• /
• 2013

In this study, ethosomes loaded with Eucommia ulmoides extracts that have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging activities on the skin were prepared as cosmetic materials. The particle size, physical property, and entrapment efficiency of ethosomes to identify their stabilities during 4 weeks were measured. Ethosomes containing 0.01~0.05% E. ulmoides extracts did not show either precipitation or separation. The mean particle size of these ethosomes was 136.4 nm, and monodisperse. The particle size of ethosome containing 0.05% E. ulmoides extracts was 151.15 nm and the entrapment efficiency was 81.79%. Therefore, in vitro skin permeation experiment was performed with ethosome containing 0.05% E. ulmoides extracts that showed the high loading efficiency and stability during 4 weeks. The order of skin permeation of E. ulmoides extracts was ethosome (77.16%) > liposome (62.80%) > ethanolic solutoin (41.59%). These results suggest that ethosomes containing 0.05% E. ulmoides extracts are effective for the skin permeation and may be used as a cosmetic formulation containing plant extracts.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.801-813
• /
• 2014

A study was conducted to improve the biological activity of two medicinal plants, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, by fermentation. The biological activity was assessed by determining antibacterial, antioxidant and antimethanogenic properties. Fermentation was achieved by adding the plant materials in MRS broth at 10% (w/v) and different starter cultures at 1% (v/v). Condition for fermentation were incubation temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ and agitation at 150 rpm for 48 h. Six starter cultures, Weissella confusa NJ28 (Genbank accession number KJ914897), Weissella cibaria NJ33 (Genbank accession number KJ914898), Lactobacillus curvatus NJ40 (Genbank accession number KJ914899), Lactobacillus brevis NJ42 (Genbank accession number KJ914900), Lactobacillus plantarum NJ45 (Genbank accession number KJ914901) and Lactobacillus sakei NJ48 (Genbank accession number KJ914902) were used. Antibacterial activity was observed in L. curvatus NJ40 and L. plantarum NJ45 only as opposed to other treatments, including the non-fermented groups, which showed no antibacterial activity. Both plants showed antioxidant activity, although E. ulmoides Oliv. had lower activity than G. uralensis. However, fermentation by all strains significantly improved (p<0.05), antioxidant activity in both plants compared to non-fermented treatment. Six treatments were based on antibacterial activity results, selected for in vitro rumen fermentation; 1) non-fermented E. ulmoides, 2) fermented E. ulmoides NJ40, 3) fermented E. ulmoides NJ45, 4) non-fermented G. uralensis, 5) fermented G. uralensis NJ40, 6) fermented G. uralensis NJ45. A negative control was also added, making a total of 7 treatments for the in vitro experiment. Medicinal plant-based treatments significantly improved (p<0.05) total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration. Significant methane reduction per mol of VFA were observed in G. uralensis (p<0.05). Based on the present study, fermentation improves the biological activity of E. ulmoides Oliv. and G. uralensis. Fermented G. uralensis could also be applied as an enteric methane mitigating agent in ruminant animals.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.18-26
• /
• 2022

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Eucommia ulmoides extracts on rheumatoid arthritis biomarker in a CIA-induced DBA/1 mice. For evaluation, Eucommia ulmoides extracts was administered orally at dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks after production of an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis and we confirmed the treatments' effects based on serum biomarker, radiological, structural parameter analysis. Compared to the negative control group, the Eucommia ulmoides extracts treatments significantly reduced the serum level of inflammation and immunoglobulin markers (i.e., TNF-α, IgG, and hs-CRP), and significantly decreased the monocyte count of white blood cells. Furthermore, the Eucommia ulmoides extracts treatments effectively preserved the joint destruction, and little the joint deformation. Moreover, compared to the negative control group, the Eucommia ulmoides extracts treatments increased the bone volume, and significantly decreased bone inflammation. The results indicate that the Eucommia ulmoides extracts improved rhrumatoid arthritis symptoms. Thus, the Eucommia ulmoides extracts may be a novel therapeutic option for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2008

Lignans and neolignans are optically active plant secondary metabolites. Research on biosynthesis of lignans has already been advanced especially for the formation of (+) pinoresinol but information on the biosynthesis of 8-O-4'- neolignans is still limited. Moreover, the chemical structure(position of substituents on aromatic rings) and stereochemistry of 8-O-4' neolignans is not clear. Katayama and Kado discovered that incubation of cell-free extracts from E. ulmoides with coniferyl alcohol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide gave (+)-erythro- and (-)-threo- guaiacylglycerol 8-O-4'-(coniferyl alcohol) ether (GGCE)(diastereomeric ratio, 3:2) which is the first report on enzymatic formation of optically active -8-O-4' neolignans from an achiral monolignol. In this aspect, enzymatic formation of guaiacyl 8-O-4' neolignan is noteworthy to clarify its stereochemistry from incubation of coniferyl alcohol with enzyme prepared from Eucommia ulmoides. In this experiment, soluble and insoluble enzymes prepared from E. ulmoides were incubated with 30 mM coniferyl alcohol(CA) for 60 min. The enzyme catalyzed GGCE, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol(DHCA), and pinoresinol identified by reversed phase HPLC. Consequently, diastereomeric compositions of GGCE were determined as erythro and threo isomer. Enantiomeric composition was determined by the chiral column HPLC. Both enzyme preparations enantioselectively formed (-)-erythro, (+)-erythro and (+)-threo, (-)-threo-GGCEs respectively.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.955-962
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to examine the nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics in sheep fed diets containing four substitution levels of E. ulmoides leaves for rice straw. For the experiment, they were given a basal diet consisting of rice straw and concentrate at a 3:7 ratio (DM basis). The treatments were designed as a 4$\time$4 Latin square design with four sheep (50.2$\pm$1.6 kg body weight). Sheep were allotted in one of four treatments, which were designed to progressively substitute Eucommia ulmoides for 0, 3, 5 and 10% of rice straw in the basal diet. The digestibility of crude fat was significantly (p<0.05) improved by 12.5 to 17.5% in 3% and 5% air dried Eucommia ulmoides leaves compared with that in control. The digestibility of crude fiber in the 3, 5 and 10% treatments was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the control. Dry matter intake was highest (p<0.05) in sheep fed 10% air dried E. ulmoides). Retained nitrogen in the 3, 5 and 10% treatments was increased up to 97%, 173% and 192%, respectively, compared to that in control (p<0.05). Organic matter utilization was higer in 3% and 5% treatments than control (p<0.05). Purine derivatives and microbial nitrogen synthesis were significantly increased by the dietary substitution of 5 % E. ulmoides leaves (p<0.05) compared with control and the 3% treatment. Ruminal concentration of total-VFA was significantly (p<0.05) higher in sheep fed all levels of air dried Eucommia ulmoides than those of control. It is concluded that air-dried E. ulmoides leaves given to ruminants can increase nutrient digestibility and palatability and improve ruminal fermentation. Therefore, the 5 and 10% substitution of E. ulmoides for roughage are highly recommended to be used in practice.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.82-85
• /
• 2006

Eucommia ulmoides bark extracts by cold water, boiling water, 100% EtOH, 70% EtOH, 100% MeOH, 70% MeOH and $CHCl_3$ were assayed for their medicinal effects. The antioxidant activity of the extracts ranged from $IC_{50}$ 125.2 to $IC_{50}\;872.7{\mu}g/ml$ in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) free radical-scavenging assay, and cold water extracts had the highest antioxidant activity. $CHCl_3$ extracts had the highest inhibitory effect on angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) giving inhibition of up to 56.4% at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. Extracts in 100% EtOH had the greatest inhibitory effect on $\acute{a}-amylase$ activity ($IC_{50}=174.6{\mu}g/ml$), and 70% MeOH extracts had the greatest inhibitory effect on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ activity ($IC_{50}=14.0{\mu}g/ml$). Taken together, these results provided the in vitro evidence on the ACE, amylase and glucosidase inhibitory actions of E. ulmoides bark that form the pharmacological basis for its antihypertensive and antidiabetic action.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.698-704
• /
• 2009

To evaluate a potential possibility of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver as a functional food, ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitory activities of leaf, bark, stem and 4 compounds isolated from E. ulmoides were tested. The 4 compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and reverse phase column chromatography. Compound I was pinoresinol-4,4'di-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside (PG) and compound II was dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4,${\gamma}$'-di-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (DAG) originating from Eucommial Cortex. The highest amount of PC was present at raw and roasted bark as 135.13 mg% and 163.67 mg%, and the highest amount of DAG was present at raw and roasted leaf as 117.93 mg% and 133.93 mg% respectively. In an ACE inhibition test, 10 mg/ml of roasted leaf, raw and roasted bark extracts of E. ulmoides Oliver were 77.49%, 75.72% and 75.36% respectively, and 10mg/ml of PC and DAG were shown to be 78.51 and 81.20% respectively. $IC_{50}$ values of PG and DAG were 0.6${\pm}$0.2 and 0.5${\pm}$0.2 mg/ml respectively.