• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.80-84
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• 1999

Peroxynitrite is a cytotoxic intermediate produced by the reaction between the superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide. Flavonoids (afzelin, quercitrin and quercetin 3-O-sambubioside), and chlorogenic acid and its methyl ester obtained from leaves of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) have recently been shown to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and to inhibit lipid peroxidation in mouse liver homogenate. The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effects of the above components on peroxynitrite produced stimulated by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) to produce superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide at the same time. In addition, the present study tests whether or not the components directly scavenge peroxynitrite itself. The results showed that the components with the aromatic ortho-dihydroxyl groups (catechol) were more potent inhibitors of peroxynitrite formation by SIN-1. In particular, the methyl ester form of chlorogenic acid showed the most potent inhibition. At $5\;{\mu}M$ concentration, the order of minimizing peroxynitrite formation were : methyl chlorogenic acid > quercitrin > quercetin 3-O-sambubioside > chlorogenic acid > afzelin. Authentic peroxynitrite was directly scavenged by the components in a manner similar to peroxynitrite formation by SIN-1. In particular, when compared with penicillamine as a positive control, methyl chlorogenate was as effective in inhibiting peroxynitrite formation and approximately 2 times more effective in scavenging an authentic peroxynitrite. These results demonstrate therefore, that components extracted from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica effectively scavenged peroxynitrite.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.673-681
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• 2011

We investigated the effects of an ethanol extract of Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. (loquat) leaves (EJ) on the lipid metabolism of serum, liver, and adipose tissue, and antioxidative activity in rats fed a fat/cholesterol diet for four weeks. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 207 g were divided into 4 groups: a normal diet group (N), a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group (HFC), a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group administered 200 mg/kg day EJ (HFC-EJL), and a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group administered 400 mg/kg/day EJ (HFC-EJH). The serum ALT and AST activities of the EJ groups were lower than those of HFC group, but there was no significant change in serum ALP or LDH activities. The serum total and LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index, and cardiac risk factor tended to be decreased in the EJ groups compared to the HFC group, while the serum HDL-cholesterol decreased in the HFC group and increased only minimally in the EJ groups. The total cholesterol in liver and mesenteric adipose tissues was lower in the EJ groups than in the HFC group. Triglycerides in the mesenteric and epididymal adipose tissues were lower in the EJ groups than in the HFC group. The liver GSH levels of the EJ groups were significantly lower than the HFC group. The liver TBARS content was significantly lower in the EJ groups than in the HFC group. These results suggest that EJ ethanol extract may improve the lipid metabolism of serum, liver, and adipose tissue and prevent oxidative stress by stimulating antioxidative systems in rats fed a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.684-690
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• 2006

Eriobotrya japonica has been used as a folk medicine for treatment of skin diseases, inflammation, coughing, phlegm, and ulcers in Korea and other Asian countries. In a search for possible bioactive agents from natural sources, we found that the methanolic extracts from various parts of E. japonica showed moderate antioxidative and antimicrobial activities in several in vitro bioassay systems. Additionally, the respective parts of E. japonica were irradiated at 20 kGy to investigate the effects of irradiation. Gamma irradiation of E. japonica extracts removed the deep greenish color without affecting its natural biological activities such as its antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. Based on these findings, the methanolic extracts of this plant source may be not affected by gamma irradiation as its bioactive constituents may be insensitive to this irradiation. Moreover, the methanolic extract of E. japonica may serve as a good natural resource for beneficial functions in food and other related industries.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.1202-1207
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• 2016

This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Eriobotrya japonica leaves extract (EJE) in a high-fat diet-induced obese mice model. For the analysis, 40 mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet group (HD), high-fat diet containing EJE 100 mg/kg b.w. (EJE-L), 500 mg/kg b.w. (EJE-H), and Garcinia cambogia extract 100 mg/kg b.w. in each AIN 93G supplement for 8 weeks as positive control. During the study period, food intake and body weight were measured separately. Body weight, serum triglyceride level, and total cholesterol levels of the EJE group were significantly lower than those of the HD and ND. Moreover, mice fed an EJE-containing high-fat diet showed decreased leptin levels compared with high-fat diet-induced obese mice. These results suggest that EJE has potential as an anti-obesity agent by reducing body weight and improving levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and leptin in serum.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.169-181
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• 1990

The development of eggs and larvae, and minute scale-like tubercles on the skin surface of larval Acantlaorhodeus gracilis from Korea were observed. They spawned from late March through the middle of June. A fish spawned at least 5 times and the number of eggs averaged 304 per oviposition. Unfertilized eggs are nearly ovoid-shaped(mean$\pm$SD=$2.09{\pm}0.04\;mm$ in length with range of 2.05 to 2.13 mm and mean$\pm$SD=$1.26{\pm}0.02\;mm$ in breadth with range of 1.24 to 1.30 mm measured for the 50 eggs) and opaque yellow color. The tip of egg membrane at the animal pole side swelled and formed a few hilly projections. The shape of the eggs was just like a loquat. Most of embryos began to hatch out in thirty-eight hours after insemination at $22{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ in water temperature. As regards the morphological characters of the eggs and larval development, Acan. gracilis was similar to Acan. asmussi, Acheilognathus rhombeus, A. longipinnis and Pseudoperilampus typus. The larvae of this species is unique particularly in the following two characters, i.e., 1) scale-like tubercles ellipsoided in a diagonal cross section on the whole body and 2) incessant wiggly movement pattern as that of fly maggot, with the larvae of the above mentioned species. These characters seem to reflect the phylogenetic relationships among acheilognathine fishes. On the other hand, this species and Acan. asmussi are spring-summer spawning bitterlings. And also these species never retard the larval growth in such larval stage as the duration from Stage B to Stage D.