In vitro: |
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 01 Nov 2002, 50(24):7022-7028. | Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L.) protects against menadione-induced DNA damage through scavenging of reactive oxygen species: bioassay-directed isolation and characterization of active principles.[Reference: WebLink] | The roots/rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa L. (Nutt.) (black cohosh) have traditionally been used to treat menopausal symptoms through an unknown mechanism of action. In an effort to determine if black cohosh had additional health benefits, methanol extracts were investigated for their potential to scavenge reactive oxygen species and to protect against menadione-induced DNA damage.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
These extracts effectively scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. In addition, the extracts showed dose-dependent decreases in DNA single-strand breaks and oxidized bases induced by the quinone menadione using the comet (single-cell gel electrophoresis assay) and fragment length associated repair enzyme assays, respectively. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the methanolic extracts using the DPPH assay as a monitor led to the isolation of nine antioxidant active compounds: caffeic acid (1), methyl caffeate (2), ferulic acid (3), isoferulic acid (4), fukinolic acid (5), cimicifugic acid A (6), cimicifugic acid B (7), cimicifugic acid F (8), cimiracemate A (9), and cimiracemate B (10). Six of these antioxidants were found to reduce menadione-induced DNA damage in cultured S30 breast cancer cells with the following order of potency: methyl caffeate (2) > caffeic acid (1) > ferulic acid (3) > cimiracemate A (9) > cimiracemate B (10) > fukinolic acid (5).
CONCLUSIONS:
These data suggest that black cohosh can protect against cellular DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species by acting as antioxidants. | Planta Medica, 2000, 66(8):751-753. | Inhibition of neutrophil elastase activity by cinnamic acid derivatives from Cimicifuga racemosa.[Reference: WebLink] | METHODS AND RESULTS:
Caffeic acid, fukinolic acid as well as cimicifugic acid A, cimicifugic acid B, cimicifugic acid E and cimicifugic acid F isolated from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa (Ranunculaceae) inhibited the activity of neutrophil elastase (EC 3.4.21.37) in a dose-dependent manner. An IC50 of 93 mumol/L was determined for caffeic acid and 0.23 mumol/L for fukinolic acid. Cimicifugic acid A inhibited the enzyme with an IC50 of 2.2 mumol/L, cimicifugic acid B with 11.4 mumol/L, and cimicifugic acid F with 18 mumol/L. Cimicifugic acid E was only a very weak inhibitor. | Journal of natural products, 2010, 73(4):573. | Hyaluronidase inhibitors from "Cimicifugae Rhizoma" (a mixture of the rhizomes of Cimicifuga dahurica and C. heracleifolia).[Reference: WebLink] | METHODS AND RESULTS:
From the 80% acetone extract of "Cimicifugae Rhizoma" (a mixture of Cimicifuga dahurica and C. heracleifolia used medicinally), seven new fukiic acid derivatives (1-7) and a new phenylethanoid derivative (8) were isolated along with eight known compounds (9-16).
CONCLUSIONS:
Fukinolic acid (9) and cimicifugic acid A, cimicifugic acid B, cimicifugic acid C, cimicifugic acid D, cimicifugic acid E, cimicifugic acid F, cimicifugic acid G, cimicifugic acid H, cimicifugic acid I, cimicifugic acid J (10-16, 5-7) showed stronger hyaluronidase inhibitory activities than the positive control, rosmarinic acid. | Journal of natural products, 2010, 73(4):573. | Hyaluronidase inhibitors from "Cimicifugae Rhizoma" (a mixture of the rhizomes of Cimicifuga dahurica and C. heracleifolia).[Reference: WebLink] | METHODS AND RESULTS:
From the 80% acetone extract of "Cimicifugae Rhizoma" (a mixture of Cimicifuga dahurica and C. heracleifolia used medicinally), seven new fukiic acid derivatives (1-7) and a new phenylethanoid derivative (8) were isolated along with eight known compounds (9-16).
CONCLUSIONS:
Fukinolic acid (9) and cimicifugic acid A, cimicifugic acid B, cimicifugic acid C, cimicifugic acid D, cimicifugic acid E, cimicifugic acid F, cimicifugic acid G, cimicifugic acid H, cimicifugic acid I, cimicifugic acid J (10-16, 5-7) showed stronger hyaluronidase inhibitory activities than the positive control, rosmarinic acid. |
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