eucommia ulmoides might prolong lifespan

Doug Skrecky (oberon@vcn.bc.ca)
Mon, 14 Jun 1999 06:24:00 -0700 (PDT)

Citations: 1-3
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Authors
Li Y. Sato T. Metori K. Koike K. Che QM. Takahashi S. Institution
Biochemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Chiba, Japan. Title
The promoting effects of geniposidic acid and aucubin in Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaves on collagen synthesis. Source
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 21(12):1306-10, 1998 Dec. Abstract
We have reported that collagen synthesis was stimulated by the administration of a hot water extract from the leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, Eucommiaceae (Du-Zhong leaves) in false aged model rats. In this paper, we set out to examine the compounds in Du-Zhong leaves that stimulated collagen synthesis in false aged model rats. In experiment 1, a methanol extract of Du-Zhong leaves also stimulated collagen synthesis in aged model rats. An acetone fraction was derived from the methanol extract by silica gel chromatography in experiment 2. The acetone fraction mainly contained iridoides mono-glycosides such as geniposidic acid and aucubin. The administration of geniposidic acid or aucubin stimulated collagen synthesis in aged model rats in experiments 3 and 4 (significance (p<0.05)). The reported pharmacological effects of Du-Zhong leaves, including healing organs and strengthening bone and muscle, are closely related to collagen metabolism. It appears that geniposidic acid and aucubin are the actual compounds in Du-Zhong which caused the effect in our experiments.

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Authors
Metori K. Furutsu M. Takahashi S.
Institution
Department of Biochemistry, College of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Chiba, Japan.
Title
The preventive effect of ginseng with du-zhong leaf on protein metabolism in aging.
Source
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 20(3):237-42, 1997 Mar. Abstract
Stimulation of collagen synthesis prevents the aging process. We found such a synergistic effect by using the leaves of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, Eucomiaceae (Du-Zhong leaf) and the roots of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER (Ginseng). The formula consists of amounts which exert no effect when used individually. We tested several formula ratios of Ginseng and Du-Zhong leaf, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4, and concluded that the last two formulas were effective. However, we did not observe a significant difference between 1:3 and 1:4. Thus, it was demonstrated that the formula ratio of Ginseng to Du-Zhong leaf of 1:3 was the most effective for the stimulation of collagen synthesis and the prevention of decreased protein metabolism in aging.

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Authors
Nakamura T. Nakazawa Y. Onizuka S. Satoh S. Chiba A. Sekihashi K. Miura

  1. Yasugahira N. Sasaki YF. Institution Biotechnology Engineering Division, Hitachi Zosen Cor., Hiroshima, Japan. Title Antimutagenicity of Tochu tea (an aqueous extract of Eucommia ulmoides leaves): 1. The clastogen-suppressing effects of Tochu tea in CHO cells and mice. Source Mutation Research. 388(1):7-20, 1997 Jan 15. Abstract The suppressing effect of crude extracts of Tochu tea, an aqueous extract of Eucommia ulmoides leaves and a popular beverage in Japan, on the induction of chromosome aberrations in CHO cells and mice was studied. When CHO cells were treated with Tochu tea crude extract after MMC treatment, the frequency of chromosome aberrations was reduced. Out of 17 Tochu tea components, 5 irridoids (geniposidic acid, geniposide, asperulosidic acid, deacetyl asperulosidic acid, and asperuloside) and 3 phenols (pyrogallol, protocatechuic acid, and p-trans-coumaric acid) were found to have anticlastogenic activity. Since the anticlastogenic irridoids had an alpha-unsaturated carbonyl group, this structure was considered to play an important role in the anticlastogenicity. The anticlastogenic effect of Tochu tea extracts was examined in mice using a micronucleus assay. When mice received 1.0 ml 4% Tochu tea extract by oral gavage 6 h before intraperitoneal injection of MMC, a decrease in the frequency of micronuclei was observed. This decrease was not due to a delay in the maturation of micronucleated reticulocytes.