Dill seed extract improves abnormalities in lipid metabolism through peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPAR‐α) activation in diabetic obese mice

Dill, a small annual herb, is widely used as a flavoring agent in dishes including salads. It has been demonstrated that dill extract and its essential oil show hypolipidemic effects in rats. However, the mechanism of these effects has not been elucidated yet. We found that dill seed extract (DSE) activated peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPAR‐α), an indispensable regulator for hepatic lipid metabolism, by luciferase assay. Thus, we performed DSE feeding experiments using diabetic obese model KK‐Ay mice to examine the effects of DSE on PPAR‐α activation in vivo. A 4‐week feeding of DSE contained in a high‐fat diet decreased plasma triacylglyceride and glucose levels and increased the mRNA expression levels of fatty acid oxidation‐related genes in the liver. In addition, the DSE feeding as well as bezafibrate (a PPAR‐α potent agonist) feeding increased oxygen consumption rate and rectal temperature. These results indicate that DSE suppresses high‐fat diet‐induced hyperlipidemia through hepatic PPAR‐α activation.     

Salicornia Extract Ameliorates Salt‐Induced Aggravation of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Mice Fed a High‐Fat Diet

High‐fat and high‐salt intakes are among the major risks of chronic diseases including obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Salicornia is a halophytic plant known to exert antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic effects, and Salicornia‐extracted salt (SS) has been used as a salt substitute. In this study, the effects of SS and purified salt (PS) on the aggravation of NAFLD/NASH were compared. C57BL/6J male mice (8‐wk‐old) were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 6 mo and divided into 3 dietary groups, which were additionally fed HFD, HFD + SS, and HFD + PS for 13 wk. PS induced aggravation of NAFLD/NASH in HFD‐fed mice. Although the actual salt intake was same between the PS and SS groups as 1% of the diet (extrapolated from the World Health Organization [WHO] guideline), SS induced less liver injury and hepatic steatosis compared to PS. The hepatic mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis marker were significantly lower in the SS group than the PS group. Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of inflammation in NAFLD/NASH. Results of the component analysis showed that the major polyphenols that exhibited antioxidant activity in the Salicornia water extract were ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and isorhamnetin. These results suggest that even the level of salt intake recommended by WHO can accelerate the progression of liver disease in obese individuals consuming HFD. It is proposed that SS can be a salt substitute for obese individuals who consume HFD.     

Anti‐obesity effect of Liupao tea extract by modulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in high‐fat‐diet‐induced obese mice

Liupao tea (LPT) is traditional dark Chinese tea. The effect of LPT extract on high‐fat‐diet‐induced obese mice was investigated systematically. The results showed that LPT extract could reduce body weight and significantly alleviate liver damage and fat accumulation. LPT could also decrease the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and increase the level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) in the liver. It also decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 and increased the serum levels of anti‐inflammatory cytokines, including IL‐10 and IL‐4. Moreover, LPT improved the levels of total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and catalase (CAT) and reduced the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver. Moreover, LPT could upregulate the mRNA and protein expressions of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPAR‐α), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1(CPT1), and cholesterol 7 alpha‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and downregulate those of PPAR‐γ and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (C/EBP‐α) in the liver. It also increased the mRNA expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), CAT, gamma‐glutamylcysteine synthetase 1 (GSH1), and GSH‐Px. The components of LPT extract include catechin, rutin, taxifolin, and astragalin, which possibly have a wide range of biological activities. In conclusion, our work verified that LPT extract possessed an anti‐obesity effect and alleviated obesity‐related symptoms, including lipid metabolism disorder, chronic low‐grade inflammation, and liver damage, by modulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress.     

狭叶红景天乙醇提取物的降血脂和 抗氧化活性研究

目的研究狭叶红景天乙醇提取物对小鼠的降血脂及抗氧化作用。方法分别采用高脂模型-预防性和治疗性给受试物法,预防性给受试物法喂饲小鼠高脂饲料的同时灌胃狭叶红景天乙醇提取物,连续21 d,测定血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和丙二醛(MDA)的含量以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活力;治疗性给受试物法即先喂饲小鼠高脂饲料7~10 d,连续21 d灌胃狭叶红景天乙醇提取物,测定小鼠血清TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C和MDA的含量以及GSH-Px和SOD的活力。结果狭叶红景天乙醇提取物能显著降低高血脂症模型小鼠血清中TC、TG、LDL-C含量(P0.05或P0.01),明显提高HDL-C含量(P0.05或P0.01),与此同时,能够增加GSH-Px和SOD的活力并且降低MDA的含量。结论狭叶红景天乙醇提取物有降血脂和抗氧化作用。     

苦菜黄酮对高脂血症小鼠血脂代谢及保肝作用

探讨苦菜黄酮（flavonoids from Sonchus oleraceus L.,FSOL）对高脂血症小鼠血脂代谢及肝脏的保护作用。选择60 只雄性ICR小鼠随机分为6 组：正常对照组、高脂模型组、阳性对照组（辛伐他汀,10 mg/kg）以及FSOL低剂量组（50 mg/kg）、中剂量组（100 mg/kg）、高剂量组（200 mg/kg）,正常对照组饲喂基础饲料,其余组饲喂高脂饲料,连续饲喂5 周后测定小鼠血清中总胆固醇（total cholesterol,TC）、甘油三酯（triglyceride,TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C）、谷丙转氨酶（alanine aminotransferase,ALT）、谷草转氨酶（aspartate aminotransferase,AST）、丙二醛（malondialdehyde,MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）及肝脏中TC、TG、MDA、SOD等指标水平,并观察肝脏的组织形态变化。结果表明：FSOL能抑制高脂血症小鼠体质量的增长,降低血清中TC、TG、LDL-C、ALT、AST、MDA水平和动脉粥样硬化指数,并且降低肝脏中TC、TG、MDA水平和肝脏指数;另外,SOD和HDL-C水平都有不同程度提升,说明FSOL对高脂血症小鼠具有较好的降血脂和保肝作用,可能与其改善脂质代谢和增强机体抗氧化能力有关,这为FSOL的开发利用提供了一定的理论依据。     

Determination of purine alkaloids and catechins in different parts of Camellia assamica var. kucha by HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS/MS

BACKGROUND: Kucha (Camellia assamica var. kucha) is a novel wild tea resource grown in China and a tea plant containing a sizable amount of theacrine (1,3,7,9‐tetramethyluric acid). High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of purine alkaloids and catechins in young leaves of Kucha has been reported previously. However, the compositions of purine alkaloids and catechins in other parts of the plant remain unknown, and more information about the chemical constituents of Kucha is also necessary for further research and development of this new tea resource. RESULTS: Using HPLC with diode array detection coupled with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS/MS), three purine alkaloids, seven catechins and four non‐catechin phenolic compounds were identified or tentatively identified in Kucha. Purine alkaloids and catechins in leaves at different developmental stages, flowers, stems, pericarps and seeds of the plant were also quantified for the first time by the HPLC method, which was fully validated. Recoveries of the quantified compounds ranged from 96.67 to 104.33%. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the total contents of purine alkaloids and catechins were highest in young leaves of Kucha. Theacrine was detected in all parts of the plant and found to be most abundant in pericarps. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Consumption of barley β‐glucan ameliorates fatty liver and insulin resistance in mice fed a high‐fat diet

Consumption of a diet high in barley β‐glucan (BG) has been shown to prevent insulin resistance. To investigate the mechanism for the effects of barley BG, three groups of male 7‐wk‐old C57BL/6J mice were fed high‐fat diets containing 0, 2, or 4% of barley BG for 12 wk. The 2% BG and 4% BG groups had significantly lower body weights compared with the 0% BG group. The 4% BG group demonstrated improved glucose tolerance and lower levels of insulin‐resistance index and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. Consumption of the BG diet decreased hepatic lipid content. Mice on the BG diet also demonstrated decreased fatty acid synthase and increased cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase gene expression levels. The BG diet promoted hepatic insulin signaling by decreasing serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 and activating Akt, and it decreased mRNA levels of glucose‐6‐phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. In summary, consumption of BG reduced weight gain, decreased hepatic lipid accumulation, and improved insulin sensitivity in mice fed a high‐fat diet. Insulin signaling enhanced due to the expression changes of glucose and lipid metabolism genes by BG consumption. Consumption of barley BG could be an effective strategy for preventing obesity, insulin resistance, and the metabolic syndrome.     

Dietary Tuna Dark Muscle Protein Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis and Increases Serum High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Obese Type‐2 Diabetic/Obese KK‐Ay Mice

Tuna muscle consists of light and dark muscle in approximately equal proportions. However, besides for the light muscle of tuna, cod, sardine, and salmon, few researches have assessed the health‐promoting functions of fish protein. Therefore, we evaluated the mechanisms underlying the alteration of lipid storage and cholesterol metabolism following the intake of tuna dark muscle protein (TDMP) by obese type‐2 diabetic/obese mice. Four‐week‐old male KK‐A^y mice were separated into 2 dietary groups, with one group receiving a casein‐based diet and the other receiving a diet with the substitution of part of the protein (50%, w/w) by TDMP (TDMP diet) for 4 wk. The TDMP diet significantly increased the content of serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, partly due to the reduction of the expression of scavenger receptor class B member 1 in epididymal white adipose tissue. In addition, dietary TDMP decreased the content of hepatic triacylglycerol, which could be due to the enhancement of carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐2 activity through the activation of the expression of the peroxisome proliferative activated receptor‐α in the liver. These results suggest that TDMP could have the potential to prevent the development of obesity‐related diseases by suppressing the storage of hepatic triacylglycerol and cholesterol.     

LC‐MS identification of anthocyanins in boysenberry extract and anthocyanin metabolites in human urine following dosing

The anthocyanin composition of boysenberry (Rubusloganbaccus × baileyanus Britt) extract was determined by LC‐ESI‐MS. Four anthocyanins were identified, all comprising a cyanidin‐anthocyanidin‐type skeleton. The two major components were identified as the disaccharide cyanidin‐3‐O‐sophoroside and the monosaccharide cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside. The two less abundant components were identified as the rutinosides, cyanidin‐3‐O‐2^G‐glucosylrutinoside and cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, respectively. These same four anthocyanins were also detected in human urine following a dosing study with boysenberry extract indicating that glycosylated anthocyanins can be absorbed from the gut and excreted intact in the urine. Several anthocyanin metabolites were also detected in the urine and were identified by LC‐ESI‐MS as monoglucuronides of peonidin, cyanidin and pelargonidin. The results suggest that anthocyanins consumed as part of a diet are bioavailable and are present as intact or metabolized forms in the body. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modulation of lipid metabolism by polyphenol‐rich grape skin extract improves liver steatosis and adiposity in high fat fed mice

This study investigated the influence of polyphenol‐rich grape skin extract (GSE) on adiposity and hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) and its underlying mechanisms based on adipose and hepatic lipid metabolism. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet or a HFD (20% fat, w/w) with or without GSE (0.15%, w/w) for 10 weeks. The supplementation of GSE significantly lowered body weight, fat weight, plasma free fatty acid level, and hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the HFD group. Plasma leptin level was significantly lower, while the plasma adiponectin level was higher in the GSE group than in the HFD group. GSE supplementation significantly suppressed the activities of lipogenic enzymes in both adipose and liver tissues, which was concomitant with β‐oxidation activation. Furthermore, GSE reversed the HFD‐induced changes of the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and β‐oxidation in the liver. These findings suggest that GSE may protect against diet‐induced adiposity and hepatic steatosis by regulating mRNA expression and/or activities of enzymes that regulate lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in the adipose tissue and liver.     

Enhanced cholesterol‐ and triglyceride‐ lowering effect of West African green tea

‘The Vert’ is a special type of green tea widely consumed in West Africa and locally associated with many health benefits. However, limited research has been conducted to evaluate its health benefits, such as its enhanced hypolipidemic potential. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the cholesterol‐ and triglyceride‐lowering effects of West African green tea (WAGT) as affected by diet and tea intake, (2) determine the impact of WAGT consumption on the CHD risk ratio, and (3) explore possible mechanisms through which WAGT improves serum lipid profile. Forty‐five male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of nine treatment combinations, three diets (regular, high‐cholesterol, and trans‐fat diets) and three fluid sources (no tea, diluted tea, and concentrated tea). After 6 weeks of feeding, animal blood, liver, and feces were harvested. Total cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc, and triglycerides in serum, liver, and feces were determined. The concentrations of bile acids in feces were also measured. WAGT significantly lowered serum and liver cholesterol (30% and 15%, respectively) and increased serum HDL cholesterol (30%). It also reduced liver enlargement caused by storage of excess lipids in high‐cholesterol diet. Overall, the CHD risk ratio was cut by two‐thirds in rats fed high‐cholesterol diet and WAGT. A marked increase in fecal total lipids, cholesterol (60%), and bile acids (50%) was observed in rats that consumed WAGT compared to the control group. These beneficial effects could be attributed to the significantly high flavonoid content of WAGT. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni extract supplementation improves lipid and carnitine profiles in C57BL/6J mice fed a high‐fat diet

BACKGROUND: Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is a non‐caloric natural‐source alternative to artificially produced sugar substitutes. This study investigated the effect of stevia extract on lipid profiles in C57BL/6J mice. Forty mice were divided into four groups: N‐C (normal diet and distilled water), H‐C (high‐fat diet and distilled water), H‐SC (high fat diet and sucrose, 1 mL kg^?1 per day), and H‐SV (high‐fat diet and stevia extract, 1 mL kg^?1 per day). RESULTS: Body weight gain was significantly higher in the H‐SC group than in the H‐SV group. Triglyceride concentrations in serum and liver were lower in the H‐SV group than in the H‐SC group. Serum total cholesterol concentrations were lower in the H‐SV and H‐C groups compared to the H‐SC group. The concentrations of acid‐insoluble acylcarnitine (AIAC) in serum were higher in the H‐SV group than in the H‐C and H‐SC groups and the acyl/free carnitine level in liver was significantly higher in the H‐SV group than in the N‐C group. These results were supported by mRNA expression of enzymes related to lipid metabolism (ACO, PPARα, ACS, CPT‐I, ACC) assessed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the supplementation of stevia extract might have an anti‐obesity effect on high‐fat diet induced obese mice. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

刺玫籽油及原花青素降血脂作用

通过动物实验对刺玫籽油和刺玫籽原花青素进行降血脂功能性研究。选用昆明雄性小鼠,通过高脂饲料饲喂建立高脂模型小鼠,分别经口灌胃刺玫籽油及原花青素5周后,检测分析小鼠血清及肝组织匀浆各项指标。结果显示,刺玫籽油及原花青素对小鼠体质量及主要脏器指数无显著影响;中剂量(100 mg/kg)、高剂量(200 mg/kg)的刺玫籽原花青素会显著降低高脂小鼠血清内低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇、甘油三酯含量(P0.05),显著升高小鼠肝组织内超氧化物歧化酶活力、过氧化氢酶活力、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶水平(P0.05),显著降低肝组织内丙二醛水平;低剂量(80 mg/kg)刺玫籽油能显著降低高脂小鼠血清内甘油三酯水平(P0.05)及显著升高小鼠肝组织中过氧化氢酶活力(P0.05)。研究结果表明,低剂量的刺玫籽油和中、高剂量的刺玫籽原花青素对高脂血症小鼠有一定的降血脂作用。     

黄粉虫油对高脂血症小鼠血脂水平及抗氧化能力的影响

目的：探讨黄粉虫油对高脂血症小鼠血脂水平及抗氧化能力的影响。方法：以高脂饲料喂养雄性ICR小鼠,建立高脂血症模型,以不同剂量(5、10、20mL/(kg·d))的黄粉虫油对小鼠进行灌胃,观察各实验组小鼠血脂水平和肝脏抗氧化能力的变化情况。结果：黄粉虫油能显著降低高脂血症小鼠血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)浓度,升高高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)的浓度,同时动脉粥样硬化指数(AI) 亦显著降低;黄粉虫油能降低小鼠肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量,增加肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性,提高肝脏总抗氧化(T-AOC)能力。结论：黄粉虫油具有调节血脂和增强抗氧化功能的作用。     

白耙齿菌发酵茶体内降血脂及保护肝脏作用的研究

为研究白耙齿菌发酵茶的降血脂及保护肝脏功效,本实验采用高脂饲料诱导建立高血脂小鼠模型,将70只雄性昆明小鼠随机分为模型组、辛伐他汀组阳性对照组（10 mg/kg）、绿茶组（400 mg/kg）,及白耙齿菌发酵茶高（400 mg/kg）、中（200 mg/kg）、低（100 mg/kg）剂量组,并另设空白对照组。空白对照组给予基础饲料,其余各组给予高脂饲料喂养。造模成功后,各组灌胃相应浓度的药物或茶汤。35 d后计算各组小鼠体重、肝重以及肝脏系数,检测血清中总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL-C）胆固醇及谷丙转氨酶（AST）、谷草转氨酶（ALT）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）含量,检测肝组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）和谷胱甘肽（GSH）水平;并对肝脏组织进行病理学观察（HE）以及肝脏脂肪颗粒观察（油红O）。结果显示:白耙齿菌发酵茶高剂量组能显著降低高血脂小鼠TC、LDL-C、AST、ALT、ALP水平（P<0.05或P<0.01）,其指标水平均接近于辛伐他汀组;极显著降低TG水平（P<0.01）,并且与空白对照组TG水平相当;极显著升高HDL-C水平（P<0.01）,其HDL-C水平接近辛伐他汀组;能显著降低高血脂小鼠肝脏中MDA含量并且低于辛伐他汀组,提高SOD活力接近空白对照组、GSH活力接近辛伐他汀组（P<0.05）;能改善肝脏组织病理学结构,减少肝脏脂肪颗粒。上述实验结果表明:白耙齿菌发酵茶高剂量组能通过调节氧化应激等途径达到降血脂、改善脂肪肝和保护肝脏的作用。实验结果可为白耙齿菌发酵茶开发为抗氧化、降血脂、改善脂肪肝的功能菌茶提供一定的科学依据。     

Determination of antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of Muntingia calabura Linn. peel by HPLC‐DAD and UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS

Antioxidant activity in Muntingia calabura Linn. peel was evaluated by DPPH radical, ORAC, ABTS cation radical, FRAP assays and total phenolic contents by different extraction conditions. In addition, a method for determination of phenolic compounds in calabura peel samples harvested in Brazil using methanol:water and magnetic stirring as the extraction method, HPLC‐DAD and UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis were developed. Calabura peel showed antioxidant activity for all extraction conditions and assays evaluated, the most polar solvents being more effective. The developed HPLC‐DAD method allowed the accurate determination of phenolic compounds, with recoveries in the range of 72–107% and precision values ≤4%, with exception for chlorogenic acid. Gallic acid was determined at the highest concentration levels, followed by myricetin, ferulic acid and vanillic acid. However, all the five proposed phenolic compounds were identified in calabura peel samples by UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS. Thus, calabura peel, an uncommon edible fruit part, can be appointed as a rich source of phenolic compounds.     

Analysis of the volatile components of tea seed oil (Camellia sinensis O. Ktze) from China using HS‐SPME‐GC/MS

Tea seed oil is unique to Asia and boasts significant nutritional and health benefits. In this study, the volatile components of tea seed oil from eight major producing areas in China were analysed using HS‐SPME‐GC/MS. The comparison was made among them to obtain their characteristic volatile compounds. After fibre selection and extraction and desorption condition optimisation, 194 types of volatile components, mainly consisting of aldehydes, pyrazines and esters, were detected. Three principle components were obtained by principal component analysis (PCA), allowing the different cultivars of tea seed oil to be characterised with strong correlation coefficients between factors. Both cluster discriminant analysis and PCA showed that geographical regions could influence the composition and content of tea seed oil's volatile components.     

Evaluation of antioxidative and hypolipidemic properties of a novel functional diet formulation of Auricularia auricula and Hawthorn

Auricularia auricula and hawthorn are well known for both traditional food and folk medicine. To develop a novel healthy functional diet (FD), the formulation of A. auricula polysaccharide (AAP) and hawthorn flavones were postulated in present study. In vitro, FD significantly increased the radical-scavenging effects and inhibited LDL oxidation, compared with AAP. In vivo, the hyperlipidemic mice, induced by cholesterol-enriched diet, were provided either 150, 300, 450 mg/kg day of FD or 300 mg/kg day of AAP for 12 weeks to evaluate their expected hypolipidemic activity. Compared with CED, both FD and AAP groups could lower serum TC and atherogenic index (AI), improve serum and hepatic antioxidant status. Especially, formulating with hawthorn could enhance hepatic antioxidant status in dose-dependent manner, compared with AAP. Thus, it can be concluded that FD may act as a potent hypolipidemic and powerful antioxidant formulation via improving serum lipid profile and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in mice.Industrial relevanceWith the development of modern living standard, dyslipidemia has become one of major causes leading to antioxidant stress and atherosclerosis. It is of great significance to maintain the normal body functions by reducing the elevated serum cholesterol to an adequate level. In view of side effects of recent therapies, it is urgent to produce certain health-promoting functional diet against dyslipidemia. Therefore, we studied on a novel functional formulation diet (Auricularia auricula and Hawthorn) against hyperlipidemia, using the traditional both edible and medicinal herbs. The antioxidant and hypolipidemic properties are roundly evaluated in vitro and in vivo with the appropriate animal model. Our research also suggests the optimum dosage with potent nutritional property. It could provide the future practical application to produce this functional diet as an adjuvant dietetic food.     

Identification of Low Molecular Weight Peptides in Chinese Rice Wine (Huang Jiu) by UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS

The aim of this work was to increase the general knowledge of peptide identification and to examine the low molecular weight peptides in Chinese rice wine (Huang Jiu) as there are very few publications in the literature on this topic. Chinese rice wine (Huang Jiu) has a high content of peptides and more than 500 peptides have been tentatively identified by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS), including 43 potential bio‐active peptides and 3 sensory‐active peptides, based on published references to date. These peptides have been tentatively identified according to the MS/MS spectra which produced sufficient information of product ions (complementary y ions and b ions). Results from this work indicated that it is feasible to produce rice wine with rich bioactive peptides and that there is potential to examine for rice wine authenticity and traceability based on the origin of the peptides.     

Quantitative UPLC‐MS/MS analysis of chlorogenic acid derivatives in antioxidant fractionates from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root

While qualitative studies have identified chlorogenic acids in antioxidant extracts, particularly ethyl acetate‐derived extracts, of Taraxacum officinale, quantitative analysis of these phenolic compounds remains largely unreported for this species. In this study, bioactivity‐guided fractionation of an antioxidant crude ethyl acetate extract (DPPH = 295.481 ± 0.955 mg TE g^?1 extract) from T. officinale root resulted in a number of reverse‐phase fractions that demonstrated high antioxidant activity (DPPH = 1058.733–1312.136 mg TE g^?1 extract), stronger than that of the synthetic antioxidant Trolox^®. UPLC‐MS/MS screening of these fractions for the presence of selected mono‐ and di‐caffeoylquinic acids revealed large quantities of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid present in several fractions (853.052–907.324 μg mg^?1), respectively. Due to the antioxidant potency and high levels of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid observed in these fractions, it was concluded that specifically this chlorogenic acid derivative is a major contributor to the antioxidant efficacy of dandelion root.