Wenjun Xiao

Bio: Wenjun Xiao is an academic researcher from Hunan Agricultural University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Epigallocatechin gallate & Cellular differentiation. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 5 publications receiving 39 citations.

Advances in physiological functions and mechanisms of (-)-epicatechin.

Abstract: (-)-Epicatechin (EC) is a flavanol easily obtained through the diet and is present in tea, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Recent studies have shown that EC protects human health and exhibits prominent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, enhances muscle performance, improves symptoms of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, prevents diabetes, and protects the nervous system. With the development of modern medical and biotechnology research, the mechanisms of action associated with EC toward various chronic diseases are becoming more apparent, and the pharmacological development and utilization of EC has been increasingly clarified. Currently, there is no comprehensive systematic introduction to the effects of EC and its mechanisms of action. This review presents the latest research progress and the role of EC in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases and its protective health effects and provides a theoretical basis for future research on EC.

Development and Validation of an Analytical Method Based on HPLC-ELSD for the Simultaneous Determination of Rosmarinic Acid, Carnosol, Carnosic Acid, Oleanolic Acid and Ursolic Acid in Rosemary

Abstract: The safety, efficacy and stability of natural antioxidants have been the focus of research in the food industry, with the aim of rapidly analyzing and controlling the quality of rosemary and its extracts, a novel analytical method involving high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) was developed for the simultaneous determination of rosmarinic acid, carnosol, carnosic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in rosemary. Chromatographic separation was conducted with gradient elution mode by using a Zorbax SB-C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) with mobile phases of methanol and 0.6% acetic acid. The drift tube temperature of ELSD was 70 °C, and the pressure of nebulizer nitrogen gas was 40 Psi. The method developed has high sensitivity (with limits of detection from 1.3 to 8.6 μg/mL), acceptable linearity over the tested concentrations (with correlation coefficients from 0.991 to 0.999), good repeatability (with intra- and inter-day CV less than 3.1% for all analytes) and satisfactory accuracy (with recovery between 95.5% and 100.8%). The method has been demonstrated as a powerful tool for the functional ingredients analysis and quality control of rosemary and its extracts in a cost- and time-effective manner.

Proteomic analysis of the inhibitory effect of epigallocatechin gallate on lipid accumulation in human HepG2 cells

Abstract: Background (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin found in green tea, effectively reduces body weight and tissue and blood lipid accumulation. To explore the mechanism by which EGCG inhibits cellular lipid accumulation in free fatty acid (FFA) induced HepG2 cell culture, we investigated the proteome change of FFA-induced HepG2 cells exposed to EGCG using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Role and mechanism of catechin in skeletal muscle cell differentiation.

Abstract: Muscle degeneration and cachexia caused by aging and chronic diseases seriously reduce the quality of life of patients. Catechins in tea enhance skeletal muscle performance, but the specific function and mechanism require further exploration. Myogenic differentiation is accompanied by extensive changes in cell morphology and gene expression patterns. In this study, we measured the number, length, diameter, and transcriptional levels of MyoD, MyoG, and MyHC of myotubes after C2C12 cell differentiation to assess changes in response to four different catechin monomers: epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate. The differentiation-promoting effect of ECG was the strongest. Atomic force microscopy showed that ECG significantly reduced the adhesion force, stiffness, and Young's modulus of myotubes. Finally, the mechanism of ECG-enhanced C2C12 cell differentiation was explored by a LC/MS whole proteomic strategy and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The results provide a powerful basis for further study of catechin-enhanced skeletal muscle regeneration and repair.

Method for preparing sulforaphen by virtue of subcritical fluid extraction

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for preparing sulforaphen by virtue of subcritical fluid extraction. The method comprises the following steps: taking fresh cabbages, performing pulping, adding a buffer solution, mixing the materials uniformly, performing filtration, adding ethanol of which the volume dose is 5 times that of a filtrate into the filtrate, mixing the materials uniformly, and performing high-speed centrifugation to obtain a deposit namely a myrosin crude product; taking fresh brassica oleracea. L.var. italica plenck, adding deionized water, performing pulping, then adjusting the pH value of the mixture to be 5.0-6.0 by using 5% hydrochloric acid, adding a catalyst and the myrosin crude product with an added weight ratio of the brassica oleracea. L.var. italica plenck pulp to the catalyst to the myrosin crude product of 1000:1:0.8, and performing enzymolysis for 12h at 40-42 DEG C; adding a mixed solvent into a solid-liquid mixture after the enzymolysis, adding an entrainer, and performing subcritical fluid extraction for 60min; and collecting extract cut fractions to obtain an oily sulforaphen product. The method for preparing the sulforaphen, disclosed by the invention, greatly improves the conversion rate and the content of the sulforaphen in the brassica oleracea. L.var. italica plenck, reduces the production cost of the sulforaphen, and has very considerable economic benefits and social values.

Potential Biological Effects of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health issue throughout the world. However, no validated treatments for NAFLD are currently available. In-depth studies have demonstrated the efficacy of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a main bioactive chemical extracted from green tea, in treating NAFLD. EGCG exhibits multi-pronged preventive and therapeutic activities, including promoting lipid and glucose metabolism, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-inflammation activities, anti-fibrosis, and anti-NAFLD related tumor, thus contributing to the mitigation of NAFLD occurrence and progression. The objectives of this paper are to review and discuss the currently known targets, signaling pathways and roles of EGCG that interfere with NAFLD pathogenesis, then providing additional experimental evidence and the foundation for the further studies and clinical applications of EGCG in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Advances in physiological functions and mechanisms of (-)-epicatechin.

Abstract: (-)-Epicatechin (EC) is a flavanol easily obtained through the diet and is present in tea, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Recent studies have shown that EC protects human health and exhibits prominent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, enhances muscle performance, improves symptoms of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, prevents diabetes, and protects the nervous system. With the development of modern medical and biotechnology research, the mechanisms of action associated with EC toward various chronic diseases are becoming more apparent, and the pharmacological development and utilization of EC has been increasingly clarified. Currently, there is no comprehensive systematic introduction to the effects of EC and its mechanisms of action. This review presents the latest research progress and the role of EC in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases and its protective health effects and provides a theoretical basis for future research on EC.

Biochemical Characterization of Traditional Varieties of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) of the Campania Region, Southern Italy.

Abstract: Bioactive compounds of different Campania native sweet pepper varieties were evaluated Polyphenols ranged between 137 mmol g-1 and 342 mmol g-1, β-carotene was abundant in the red variety "Cazzone" (705 μg g-1) Yellow and red varieties showed a content of ascorbic acid not inferior to 082 mg g-1, while in some green varieties the presence of ascorbic acid was almost inconsistent Interrelationships between the parameters analyzed and the varieties showed that ascorbic acid could represent the factor mostly influencing the antioxidant activity Polyphenol profile was different among the varieties, with a general prevalence of acidic phenols in yellow varieties and of flavonoids in red varieties Principal Component Analysis, applied to ascorbic acid, total polyphenols and β-carotene, revealed that two of the green varieties ("Friariello napoletano" and "Friariello Sigaretta") were well clustered and that the yellow variety "Corno di capra" showed similarity with the green varieties, in particular with "Friariello Nocerese" This was confirmed by the interrelationships applied to polyphenol composition, which let us to light on a clustering of several red and yellow varieties, and that mainly the yellow "Corno di capra" was closer to the green varieties of "Friariello"

A Comprehensive Review of Rosmarinic Acid: From Phytochemistry to Pharmacology and Its New Insight

Abstract: Polyphenolic acids are the widely occurring natural products in almost each herbal plant, among which rosmarinic acid (RA, C18H16O8) is well-known, and is present in over 160 species belonging to many families, especially the Lamiaceae. Aside from this herbal ingredient, dozens of its natural derivatives have also been isolated and characterized from many natural plants. In recent years, with the increasing focus on the natural products as alternative treatments, a large number of pharmacological studies have been carried out to demonstrate the various biological activities of RA such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-diabetes, anti-virus, anti-tumor, neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, etc. In addition, investigations concerning its biosynthesis, extraction, analysis, clinical applications, and pharmacokinetics have also been performed. Although many achievements have been made in various research aspects, there still exist some problems or issues to be answered, especially its toxicity and bioavailability. Thus, we hope that in the case of natural products, the present review can not only provide a comprehensive understanding on RA covering its miscellaneous research fields, but also highlight some of the present issues and future perspectives worth investigating later, in order to help us utilize this polyphenolic acid more efficiently, widely, and safely.