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Plasma triglyceride-decreasing components of pine needles
1Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Japan.
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Japanese red pine needles contain gallic acid and galloyl gallic acid, potent compounds that effectively reduce triglyceride levels. These polyphenols, found in the pine aqueous components fraction (PAC), demonstrate significant triglyceride-lowering effects in rats.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Japanese red pine needles are a source of bioactive compounds.
- A screening test identified a pine aqueous components fraction (PAC) with triglyceride-lowering activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify the specific compounds in PAC responsible for decreasing plasma triglyceride levels.
- To elucidate the chemical nature of these triglyceride-lowering substances.
Main Methods:
- Extraction and fractionation of Japanese red pine needle components using Sep-Pak Vac C18 and reversed-phase HPLC.
- Hydrolysis of active fractions followed by re-separation and analysis using FAB-LC/MS and 13C-NMR.
- Administration of isolated compounds to rats to assess triglyceride-decreasing action.
Main Results:
- PAC administration to rats significantly decreased plasma triglyceride levels.
- Gallic acid and galloyl gallic acid were identified as the primary active compounds.
- Galloyl gallic acid exhibited a more pronounced triglyceride-lowering effect than gallic acid.
- Hydrolysis of PAC revealed the presence of amino acids, suggesting tannin-peptide complexes.
Conclusions:
- The triglyceride-lowering effect of Japanese red pine needles is attributed to polyphenol compounds, specifically gallic acid and galloyl gallic acid.
- These active polyphenols are likely present as hydrolyzable tannin-peptide complexes within the PAC fraction.