Effects of Roasted Schisandra Chinensis (Turcz.) Baill and Lycium Chinense Mill. and Their Combinational Extracts on Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in RAW 264.7 Cells and in Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage Mice Model

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) and Lycium chinense Mill. (LC) are widely distributed in Asia, where the fruit has traditionally been used for medicinal herbs. We previously reported that the roasting process improved the antioxidant and their hangover relieving effects. In this study, we assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of water extract of SC, LC, and a mass ratio 1 : 1 mixture (SL), after roasting in RAW264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Roasted SL (RSL) extracts showed greater enhancement potential than the others, based on the inhibition of NO (nitric oxide) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in RAW264.7 cells. RSL also significantly decreased the proinflammatory markers (e.g., iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-1β) and NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX) signaling proteins (i.e., NOX (−1, −2, and −4), p22phox, p47phox, and p67phox). The inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-1 beta levels, NF-kB, and mitogen-activated kinase activations were also significantly inhibited by RSL treatment. Based on the results of cellular levels, we compared the promotion effects of RSL extract on liver injury mediated by alcohol-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in mice. Mice were fed a Lieber–DeCarli regular liquid alcohol diet with or without SL and RSL extracts for six weeks. Alcohol intake caused liver injury, evidenced by an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Consistent with the results in cell levels, RSL treatment remarkably downregulated ROS and inflammatory factors, as well as their signaling molecules, in serum and tissues. These results suggest that the roasting of SC and LC could potentially elevate the inhibition effect on alcohol-induced inflammation and oxidative stress and consequently prevent alcoholic liver damage. Also, the combination of SC and LC may provide a more synergistic effect than either alone.

Micropropagation, rooting, and acclimatization of two cultivars of goji (Lycium chinense)

In recent years, Lycium chinense (goji) has become increasing popular because of its public acceptance as a “superfood”. Hence, the present study aimed to develop a rapid production technology by using in vitro culture to produce plants with high health value, throughout year and in desired quantities. A micropropagation protocol for growing L. chinense ‘No 1’ and ‘New Big’ cultivars was developed. The explants were grown on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of meta-Topolin (0.4-0.8 mg L-1), and WPM and RA without plant hormones. Among the tested combinations, the maximum regeneration rate (95-97%) with the mean shoot length of 3.53-4.12 cm and mean shoot number of 1.42–1.58 (‘No 1’ and ‘New Big’, respectively) was recorded for plants grown on MS with 0.6 mg L-1 mT and WPM. For in vitro rooting, healthy roots (4.71-4.91 cm) were obtained on MS with the addition of 20 ppm chitosan. A maximum of 70–80% plantlets (‘No 1’ and ‘New Big’, respectively) regenerated on the medium with chitosan were successfully acclimatized and established in the mixture of 90% peat and 10% perlite under field conditions.

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF THE SUM OF SAPONINS IN THE FRUIT OF THE CHINESE TREE LYCIUM CHINENSE MILL.

The objects of the study were Mature dried fruits of Chinese birch (Lycium chinense Mill., this. Solanaceae (Solanaceae)). Four samples were examined: no. 1 (Gifts of Pamir, Russia), no. 2 (Gullin Tianhe Pharmaceutical, China), no. 3 (A. J. Alliance, Russia), №. 4 (Globaltorg, Russia). The purpose of this work is to determine the content of the sum of saponins in Chinese fruit trees by spectrophotometry. By direct spectrophotometry, after reaction with concentrated sulfuric acid, the content of the sum of saponins in the raw material of Chinese wood was determined. The expediency of using the spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of saponins in extracts from the fruit of Chinese wood is proved. The values of the optical density of the saponin solution were recorded at a wavelength of 250-500 nm. Analytical maxima of the studied compounds were determined at 325 nm typical for escin. Optimal conditions for the extraction of saponins from the raw materials of this plant (extractant – 40% ethanol; the ratio "raw material – extractant" – 1 : 50; extraction time – 90 minutes; the degree of grinding of raw materials – 0.5 mm) are justified. It was determined that the error of a single determination of the saponin content in Chinese fruit with a confidence probability of 95% is ±1.93%. It was found that the content of saponins in the studied samples of Chinese wood varies in the range of 4.94 to 5.03%.