Anti-amnestic activity of E-p-methoxycinnamic acid from Scrophularia buergeriana. Kim So Ra,Kang So Young,Lee Ki Yong,Kim Seung Hyun,Markelonis George J,Oh Tae H,Kim Young Choong Brain research. Cognitive brain research We previously reported that phenylpropanoids isolated from the roots of Scrophularia buergeriana Miquel (Scrophulariaceae) protected cultured cortical neurons against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity [Kim and Kim, Phytochemistry, 54 (2000) 503-509; Kim et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. 135 (2002) 1281-1291]. In the present study, we examined the anti-amnestic activities of phenylpropanoids in mice with amnesia induced in vivo by scopolamine. Among the phenylpropanoids tested through passive avoidance tasks, buergeriside A1, buergeriside C1, E-p-methoxycinnamic acid (E-p-MCA) and E-isoferulic acid significantly improved the deficit of memory induced by scopolamine. This suggested that the alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxyl moiety and the para-methoxy group in phenylpropanoids (E-p-MCA) might be a crucial component in their cognition-enhancing activity. Indeed, E-p-MCA (0.01-2 mg/kg body weight, i.p.), given in pre- or post-treatment paradigms, significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia as determined by passive avoidance tasks and prevented or aided in the recovery of memory to a level that was about 60% of control. In addition, E-p-MCA (0.1-1.0 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) significantly improved impairments of spatial learning and memory induced by scopolamine; the compound reduced deficits in both long- and short-term memories as measured by the Morris water maze test. We suggest, therefore, that E-p-MCA may ultimately hold significant therapeutic value in alleviating certain memory impairments observed in dementia. 10.1016/s0926-6410(03)00161-7

Ferulic acid protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice. Kim Hyo-Yeon,Park Juhyun,Lee Kwan-Hoo,Lee Dong-Ung,Kwak Jong-Hwan,Kim Yeong Shik,Lee Sun-Mee Toxicology Ferulic acid (FA), isolated from the root of Scrophularia buergeriana, is a phenolic compound possessing antioxidant, anticancer, and antiinflammatory activities. Here, we have investigated the hepatoprotective effect of FA against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced acute liver injury. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle or FA (20, 40, and 80mg/kg) 1h before and 2h after CCl(4) (20μl/kg) injection. The serum activities of aminotransferases and the hepatic level of malondialdehyde were significantly higher after CCl(4) treatment, while the concentration of reduced glutathione was lower. These changes were attenuated by FA. The serum level and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α significantly increased after CCl(4) treatment, and FA attenuated these increases. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein and mRNA expression after CCl(4) treatment were significantly higher and FA reduced these increases. CCl(4)-treated mice showed increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and decreased levels of inhibitors of NF-κB in cytosol. Also, CCl(4) significantly increased the level of phosphorylated JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and nuclear translocation of activated c-Jun. FA significantly attenuated these changes. We also found that acute CCl(4) challenge induced TLR4, TLR2, and TLR9 protein and mRNA expression, and FA significantly inhibited TLR4 expression. These results suggest that FA protects from CCl(4)-induced acute liver injury through reduction of oxidative damage and inflammatory signaling pathways. 10.1016/j.tox.2011.01.017

Cinnamic acid regulates the intestinal microbiome and short-chain fatty acids to treat slow transit constipation. World journal of gastrointestinal pharmacology and therapeutics BACKGROUND:Slow transit constipation (STC) is a disorder with delayed colonic transit. Cinnamic acid (CA) is an organic acid in natural plants, such as (Xuan Shen), with low toxicity and biological activities to modulate the intestinal microbiome. AIM:To explore the potential effects of CA on the intestinal microbiome and the primary endogenous metabolites-short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and evaluate the therapeutic effects of CA in STC. METHODS:Loperamide was applied to induce STC in mice. The treatment effects of CA on STC mice were assessed from the 24 h defecations, fecal moisture and intestinal transit rate. The enteric neurotransmitters: 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin and Alcian blue and Periodic acid Schiff staining were used to evaluate intestinal mucosa's histopathological performance and secretory function. 16S rDNA was employed to analyze the composition and abundance of the intestinal microbiome. The SCFAs in stool samples were quantitatively detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS:CA ameliorated the symptoms of STC and treated STC effectively. CA ameliorated the infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes, increased the number of goblet cells and acidic mucus secretion of the mucosa. In addition, CA significantly increased the concentration of 5-HT and reduced VIP. CA significantly improved the diversity and abundance of the beneficial microbiome. Furthermore, the production of SCFAs [including acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA), propionic acid (PA) and valeric acid (VA)] was significantly promoted by CA. The changed abundance of and were involved in the production of AA, BA, PA and VA. CONCLUSION:CA could treat STC effectively by ameliorating the composition and abundance of the intestinal microbiome to regulate the production of SCFAs. 10.4292/wjgpt.v14.i2.4

Polydopamine-coated magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective solid-phase extraction of cinnamic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid from radix scrophulariae sample. Yin Yuli,Yan Liang,Zhang Zhaohui,Wang Jing,Luo Ningjing Journal of separation science We describe novel cinnamic acid polydopamine-coated magnetic imprinted polymers for the simultaneous selective extraction of cinnamic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid from radix scrophulariae sample. The novel magnetic imprinted polymers were synthesized by surface imprinting polymerization using magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes as the support material, cinnamic acid as the template and dopamine as the functional monomer. The magnetic imprinted polymers were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results revealed that the magnetic imprinted polymers had outstanding magnetic properties, high adsorption capacity, selectivity and fast kinetic binding toward cinnamic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid. Coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography, the extraction conditions of the magnetic imprinted polymers as a magnetic solid-phase extraction sorbent were investigated in detail. The proposed imprinted magnetic solid phase extraction procedure has been used for the purification and enrichment of cinnamic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid successfully from radix scrophulariae extraction sample with recoveries of 92.4-115.0% for cinnamic acid, 89.4-103.0% for ferulic acid and 86.6-96.0% for caffeic acid. 10.1002/jssc.201600026