The color of Rubus chingii was characterized by digital method, and the content of water extract, alcohol extract, total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, total polyphenols, ellagic acid, linden glycoside, kaophenol-3-O-rutin were determined. Correlation regression was used to analyze the correlation between color and composition. The results showed that L~* was positively correlated with total polyphenols, kaophenol-3-O-rutin and tilide, and moderately positively correlated with total flavones, ellagic acid and aqueous extracts. The a~* value was negatively correlated with total polyphenols, kaophenol-3-O-rutin, and linden glycosides, while was moderately correlated with total flavones, aqueous extracts, and ellagic acid. The b~* value was negatively correlated with the water extract, and moderately correlated with the content of total polyphenols, total polysaccharides, alcohol extract and kaophenol-3-O-rutin, which showed that R. chingii mature color had a significant correlation with material composition in the process of dynamic change. According to the law of dynamic change in the color and quality indexes, it is determined that the appropriate harvest time is in late April to May 1, while the fruit is not turn yellow. The agronomic traits related to fruit was(12.49±0.56) mm in diameter,(14.25±1.19)mm in height,(1.20±0.14) g in weight, the chroma L~* value was 52.87±3.14,a~* value was 2.01±1.58, b~* values was 28.31±3.88. The results lay a foundation for establishing an objective quantitative evaluation model of R. chingii color from experience.
Flavonoids ; Fruit ; Glycosides ; Plant Extracts ; Rubus

In order to provide rationale for selection of good germplasm in Rubus chingii, main effective medicinal ingredients of green fruit such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, astragalin and tiliroside were measured using UPLC for the samples collected from Chun'an county of Zhejiang province, and such parameters as soluble solid contents of ripe fruit of some samples were also measured to study variation among individuals and correlation. It has been found that there were differences among individuals in the contents of gallic acid, ellagic acid, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, astragalin and tiliroside, which ranged from 0.010 2%-0.027 4%, 0.089 5%-0.291 1%, 0.010 5%-0.114 8%, 0.005 8%-0.041 2% and 0.010 9%-0.086 3%, respectively, with a CV of 18.60%, 27.02%, 44.23%, 44.17% and 47.29%, respectively. Gallic acid was positively correlated with ellagic acid, but negatively with kaempferol-3-rutinoside and astragalin significantly. Significantly positive correlation existed between kaempferol-3-rutinoside, astragalin and linden glycoside as well as between ellagic acid and fruit shape index of ripe fruit and between linden glycoside and the content of soluble solids. 51.35% of the individuals had a content of soluble solids more than 15%. Therefore, abundant variations have been found among individuals in effective medicinal ingredients in R. chingii, which shows great potential for selection, but only do 7.61% of the individuals meet the requirement of Chinese pharmacopoeia in terms of the contents of effective medicinal ingredients. Therefore, selection could be first performed in terms of fruit shape index of ripe red fruit, followed by the contents of ellagic acid and kaempferol-3-rutinoside measured. The individuals, in which the contents of effective medicinal ingredients don't meet the requirement of Chinese pharmacopoeia, could be considered for the selection in terms of edible fresh fruit.
Ellagic Acid ; Fruit ; Glycosides ; Humans ; Plant Extracts ; Rubus

The genomic DNA of Rubus rosaefolius was extracted and sequenced by Illumina NovaSeq platform to obtain the complete chloroplast genome sequence, and the sequence characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast genes were carried out. The results showed that the complete chloroplast genome of the R. rosaefolius was 155 650 bp in length and had a typical tetrad structure, including two reverse repeats (25 748 bp each), a large copy region (85 443 bp) and a small copy region (18 711 bp). A total of 131 genes were identified in the whole genome of R. rosaefolius chloroplast, including 86 protein coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. The GC content of the whole genome was 36.9%. The genome of R. rosaefolius chloroplast contains 47 scattered repeats and 72 simple sequence repeating (SSR) loci. The codon preference is leucine codon, and the codon at the end of A/U is preferred. Phylogenetic analysis showed that R. rosaefolius had the closest relationship with R. taiwanicola, followed by R. rubraangustifolius and R. glandulosopunctatus. The chloroplast genome characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of R. rosaefolius provide a theoretical basis for its genetic diversity research and chloroplast development and utilization.
Phylogeny ; Rubus/genetics* ; Genome, Chloroplast ; Fruit/genetics* ; Codon/genetics*

A popular approach for the study of estrogen receptor α inhibition is to investigate the protein-protein interaction between the estrogen receptor (ER) and the coactivator surface. In our study, we investigated phytochemicals from Rubus coreanus that were able to disrupt ERα and coactivator interaction with an ERα antagonist. The E-screen assay and molecular docking analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of the estrogenic activity of R. coreanus extract and its constituents on the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. At 100 µg/mL, R. coreanus extract significantly stimulated cell proliferation (574.57 ± 8.56%). Sanguiin H6, which was isolated from R. coreanus, demonstrated the strongest affinity for the ERα coactivator-binding site in molecular docking analysis, with a binding energy of
Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Phytochemicals ; Rubus

Two new oleanane-type triterpenoids, parvifolactone A (1) and rubuside P (2), together with 11 known triterpenoids, fupenzic acid (3), 18,19-seco,2α,3α-dihydroxyl-19-oxo-urs-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid (4), euscaphic acid (5), maslinic acid (6), 1β- hydroxyeuscaphic acid (7), 2α,3α,19α,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (8), 2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (9), glucosyl pinfaensate (10), rubuside J (11), 2α,3α,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid (12), and 2α,3β,19α- trihydroxyurs-12-en-23,28-dioic acid (13), were isolated from the roots of Rubus parvifolius.
Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rubus ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Rubi Fructus is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. The origin of Rubi Fructus is the dried fruit of Rubus chingii, a plant of the family Rosaceae, according to the 2015 edition of Chinese pharmacopoeia. There are some differences in the plant origin of Rubi Fructus in ancient herbal literature, to trace back its sources, we conducted a textual research on its origin, producing areas, quality evaluation, processing and concocting, properties, tastes and efficacy etc. based on the records of ancient herbal literatures and combined with plant morphology and related investigation. RESULTS:: showed that the variety of Rubi Fructus was more complex among ancient herbal literature, including R. coreanus, R. hirsutus, R. corchorifolius, R. foliolosus and other mixed varieties. Most scholars believe that the R. chingii has not been recorded in ancient herbal literature, while R. chingii was recorded as early as the Ming Dynasty in Compendium of materia medica through our textual research. Ancient Chinese herbs recorded that Rubi Fructus was mostly produced in Hubei, Shandong, Shanxi and Jiangsu provinces, while R. chingii mainly produced in Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian and other provinces nowadays. Also, it was recorded that Rubi Fructus harvested in wheat field during May were the best. Besides, R. chingii with big, full, grain integrate, firm, yellow and green color, sour taste and impurity free possess the best quality in the contemporary. The ancient records of processing and concocting, properties, tastes and efficacy were basically the same as modern ones.These results provide the basis for the correct utilization and further development of Rubi Fructus.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Fruit ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rubus

In this experiment,the antioxidant capacity of raspberry extract and the protective effect on liver injury induced by ConA in mice were investigated. Balb/C male mice were randomly divided into six groups: normal group,model group,bicyclol control group( 200 mg·kg~(-1)),low-dose raspberry extract group( 200 mg·kg~(-1)),middle-dose raspberry extract group( 400 mg·kg~(-1)),and highdose raspberry extract group( 800 mg·kg~(-1)). Each group was intragastrically administered with drugs according to the body weight once a day. Seven days later,all of the groups except for the normal group were treated with ConA( 20 mg·kg~(-1)) through tail vein injection to establish the acute liver injury model. The mice were put to death 8 hours later. The organ indexes were calculated. These rum levels of ALT,AST and LDH and the activities of SOD,CAT,GSH and MDA in liver tissue were detected. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue in mice. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Nrf2 and Keap-1. The antioxidant capacity of raspberry extract was measured by CAA assay. The results showed that,raspberry extract had a strong antioxidant capacity. Simultaneously,compared with the model group,raspberry extract can significantly improve the pathological conditions of liver,and significantly reduce ALT,AST and LDH activities in serum of liver injury mice( P<0. 01). The activities of SOD,CAT in liver homogenate supernatant were significantly increased in the high-dose group,the content of GSH increased,while the content of MDA was sharply declined in the high-dose group( P<0. 01). Meanwhile,raspberry extract down-regulated the expressions of Bax and Keap-1 and up-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2 and Nrf2. CAA showed that the compound raspberry extract had a strong antioxidant capacity. Therefore,raspberry extract has an obvious protective effect on acute liver injury induced by ConA in mice.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Liver ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Protective Agents ; Rubus

Hyperlipidemia, which is closely associated with a fatty diet and aging, is commonly observed in the western and aged society. Therefore, a novel therapeutic approach for this disease is critical, and an immunological view has been suggested as a novel strategy, because hyperlipidemia is closely associated with inflammation and immune dysfunction. In this study, the effects of an aqueous extract of Rubus occidentalis (RO) in obese mice were investigated using immunological indexes. The mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce hyperlipidemia, which was confirmed by biochemical analysis and examination of the mouse physiology. Two different doses of RO and rosuvastatin, a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor used as a control, were orally administered. Disturbances in immune cellularity as well as lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production were significantly normalized by oral administration of RO, which also decreased the elevated serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level and total cholesterol. The specific immune-related actions of RO comprised considerable improvement in cytotoxic T cell killing functions and regulation of antibody production to within the normal range. The immunological evidence confirms the significant cholesterol-lowering effect of RO, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia and associated immune decline.
Administration, Oral ; Aging ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Homicide ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Inflammation ; Lymphocytes ; Mice ; Mice, Obese* ; Physiology ; Reference Values ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; Rubus* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is a major effector of various diseases; accordingly, antioxidants are frequently ingested in order to prevent or alleviate disease symptoms. Kimchi contains various natural antioxidants, and it is known that the functional activity varies depending on the ingredients and fermentation state. Black raspberries (BR) contain various bioactive compounds with antioxidant effects. This study investigated the antioxidant and liver-protection effects of kimchi supplemented with black raspberry juice powder (BJP). MATERIALS/METHODS: BJP-added kimchi (BAK; at 0.5%, 1%, and 2% concentrations of BJP) and control (without BJP) were prepared and fermented at 4℃ for 4 weeks. Changes in the antioxidant effects of BAK during fermentation were investigated. In addition, the protective activity of BAK against oxidative stress was investigated in a liver cirrhosis-induced animal model in vivo. RESULTS: BAK groups showed the acidity and pH of optimally ripened (OR) kimchi at 2 weeks of fermentation along with the highest lactic acid bacterial counts. Additionally, BAK groups displayed a higher content of phenolic compounds and elevated antioxidant activities relative to the control, with the highest antioxidant effect observed at 2 weeks of fermentation of OR 1% BAK. After feeding the OR 1% BAK to thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis rats, we observed decreased glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities and elevated superoxide dismutase activity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that the antioxidant effects of OR BAK and feeding of OR 1% BAK resulted in liver-protective effects against oxidative stress.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Bacterial Load ; Fermentation ; Glutamic Acid ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactic Acid ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver ; Models, Animal ; Oxaloacetic Acid ; Oxidative Stress ; Phenol ; Pyruvic Acid ; Rats ; Rubus ; Superoxide Dismutase

OBJECTIVE: Black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) has been known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects and for improving vascular endothelial function in patients at high-risk for cardiovascular disease. We investigated short-term effects of black raspberry on lipid profiles, vascular endothelial function and circulating endothelial progenitor cells in statin naïve participants with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Patients with metabolic syndrome (n=51) without lipid lowering medications were prospectively randomized into the black raspberry group (n=26, 750 mg/day) and placebo group (n=25) during the 12-week follow-up. Lipid profiles, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (baFMD) and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 were measured at baseline and at 12-week follow-up. Central blood pressure and augmentation index were also measured at baseline and at 12-week follow-up. RESULTS: Decreases from baseline in total cholesterol levels (-22.7±34.3 mg/dL vs. 0.0±34.7mg/dL, p<0.05, respectively) and total cholesterol/HDL ratio (-0.34±0.68 vs. 0.17±0.56, p<0.05, respectively) were significantly greater in the black raspberry group when compared to the placebo group. Decreases from baseline in IL-6 (-0.5±1.4 pg/mL vs. -0.1±1.1 pg/mL, p<0.05, respectively) and TNF-α levels (-5.4±4.5 pg/mL vs. -0.8±4.0 pg/mL, p<0.05, respectively) were significantly greater in the black raspberry group. Increases from the baseline in adiponectin levels (2.9±2.1 µg/mL vs. -0.2±2.5 µg/mL, p<.05) were significant in the black raspberry group. Increases in baFMD at 12-week follow-up were significantly greater in the black raspberry group when compared to the placebo group (2.9±3.6 mm vs. 1.0±3.9 mm, p<0.05, respectively). Radial augmentation indexes were significantly decreased in the black raspberry group when compared to the placebo group (-2±10% vs. 4±13%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of black raspberry significantly decreased serum total cholesterol levels, inflammatory cytokines, and augmentation index, thereby improving vascular endothelial function in statin naïve participants with metabolic syndrome during the 12-week follow-up.
Adiponectin ; Antioxidants ; Blood Pressure ; Brachial Artery ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cytokines ; Dilatation ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* ; Interleukin-6 ; Prospective Studies ; Rubus*