Research Update:Dogwood Fruit,Cornus officinalis,Cornus fruit

  seminal trace...Dogwood Fruit Extract.Asiatic dogwood fruit extract.Cornus fruit extract.Cornus officinalis extract.Corni Fructus extract...

 


   Phytochemical info of ogwood Fruit,Cornus officinalis

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 Definition:ogwood Fruit,Cornus officinalis are majorly composed of
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   Research Update:Dogwood Fruit,Cornus officinalis,Cornus fruit

  Morroniside and loganin extracted from Cornus officinalis have protective effects on rat mesangial cell proliferation exposed to advanced glycation end products by preventing oxidative stress.:Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006 Dec;84(12):1267-73.Xu H, Shen J, Liu H, Shi Y, Li L, Wei M.Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 282 HanZhong Road, Nanjing 210029, China. hqxu309@163.com

 Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are involved in the alterations of renal mesangial cell (MCs) growth, a feature of early stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN). We postulate that morroniside and loganin, 2 components extracted from Cornus officinalis, may ameliorate the detrimental effects of AGE-induced MCs proliferation by preventing oxidative stress. Rat MCs cultured in AGE milieu were treated with morroniside and loganin. Results showed that morroniside and loganin inhibited AGE-induced MC proliferation as measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that the morroniside and loganin improved the morphological changes of MCs. Flow cytometric analysis showed that morroniside and loganin inhibited the cell cycle of rat MCs. Furthermore, the level of reactive oxygen species was significantly reduced, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were markedly increased, whereas the level of malondialdehyde was not significantly reduced. These results suggest that morroniside and loganin regulate MC growth by preventing oxidative stress. Thus, this study provides a molecular basis for the use of morroniside and loganin in the early stages of DN.

  Inhibitory effects of plant extracts on tyrosinase, L-DOPA oxidation, and melanin synthesis.:J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2007 Mar 1;70(5):393-407.

 For medical, pharmacological, and cosmetic reasons, the demand for effective and safe depigmentating agents has increased. In this study, 101 plant extracts (methanol or water extracts) were screened for their inhibitory activities against tyrosinase, (L-3, 4,-dihydroxyphenylalanine) L-DOPA oxidation, and melanin biosynthesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells. Of the extracts examined, 31 showed over 50% inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase at a concentration of 666 microg/Ml, and 11 inhibited L-DOPA auto-oxidation at this concentration. In particular, extracts of Broussonetia kazinoki var. humilis (leaves and stems), Broussonetia papyrifera (leaves and bark), Cornus officinalis (fruit), Rhus javanica (gallnut), and Pinus densiflora (leaves) inhibited both tyrosinase activity and L-DOPA oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. Seventeen plant extracts that inhibited tyrosinase were further tested for their inhibitory effects on melanogenesis. In B16 mouse melanoma cells, extracts of Acorus gramineus, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Morus bombycis, Perilla frutescens var. crispa, Quercus dentate (bark), Rhus javanica (gallnut), Schizopepon bryoniaefolius, or Sophora flavescens markedly inhibited (>50%) melanin synthesis at 50 microg/Ml. These plants represent a potential source of novel whitening agents for ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive skin.

  Beneficial effect of Corni Fructus, a constituent of Hachimi-jio-gan, on advanced glycation end-product-mediated renal injury in Streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats:Biol Pharm Bull. 2007 Mar;30(3):520-6.

 Previous investigations have demonstrated that Hachimi-jio-gan, a Chinese prescription consisting of eight crude drugs, has a therapeutic potential in diabetes and diabetic nephropathy, using these model rats. To add to these findings, we performed this study to assess whether one of the crude drugs, Corni Fructus (Cornus officinalis SIEB. et ZUCC.), had an effect on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats as a major active constituent, compared with an inhibitor of advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation, aminoguanidine. Diabetic rats were orally administrated Corni Fructus extract (50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight/d) or aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg body weight/d). Treatment with Corni Fructus for 10 d suppressed hyperglycemia, proteinuria, renal AGE formation, and related protein expressions, i.e., receptor for AGEs, nuclear factor-kappaB, transforming growth factor-beta1, and Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine, in the same way as with aminoguanidine. However, improvement of renal function, shown via serum creatinine (Cr) and Cr clearance, was superior to aminoguanidine treatment. In conclusion, the present study supported the hypothesis that Corni Fructus plays an important role against diabetic pathogenesis, i.e., reducing glucose toxicities, up-regulating renal function, and consequently ameliorating glycation-associated renal damage; thus, this study may provide a new recognition of crude drugs to clarify the mechanisms of Chinese prescriptions.

  Release of acetylcholine to raise insulin secretion in Wistar rats by oleanolic acid, one of the active principles contained in Cornus officinalis.:Neurosci Lett. 2006 Aug 14;404(1-2):112-6. Epub 2006 Jun 6.Hsu JH, Wu YC, Liu IM, Cheng JT.Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, ROC.

 The plasma glucose lowering action of fruits of cornus (Cornus officinalis), the major active constituent of Die-Huang-Wan, has been documented to mediate acetylcholine (ACh) release, which in turn to stimulate muscarinic M(3) receptors resulting in the enhancement of insulin secretion in rats with functional pancreatic beta-cells. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of oleanolic acid, one of the active principles of cornus fruit, on the release of insulin in rats. After an intraperitoneal injection into the fasting Wistar rats for 90 min, oleanolic acid decreased the plasma glucose in a dose-dependent manner in parallel to an increase of plasma levels of insulin as well as C-peptide. Moreover, disruption of synaptic ACh using an inhibitor of choline uptake, hemicholinium-3, or vesicular acetylcholine transport, vesamicol, abolished these actions of oleanolic acid. Also, physostigmine at concentration sufficient to inhibit acetylcholinesterase enhanced the actions of oleanolic acid. Both the plasma glucose lowering action and the raised plasma levels of insulin and C-peptide induced by oleanolic acid were also inhibited by 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperdine methiodide (4-DAMP), but not affected by the ganglionic nicotinic antagonist, pentolinium or hexamethonium. The results suggest that oleanolic acid has an ability to raise the release of ACh from nerve terminals, which in turn to stimulate muscarinic M(3) receptors in the pancreatic cells and augment the insulin release to result in plasma glucose lowering action. Thus, oleanolic acid is one of the active principles responsible for the increase of plasma insulin produced by cornus fruit in rats.

  Function of getting rid of cores of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. and studies on method of processing in producing area:Zhong Yao Cai. 2006 Jan;29(1):60-3. Chinese.Zhang ZL, Zhao JY, Li J, Gao WN, Gao CX.Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450008, China. zhangzl6758@163.com

 OBJECTIVE: To gain a clear idea on function of getting fid of cores of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. and elect a suitable processing method and technics of Crnus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. in producing area. METHODS: The contents of loganin and morroniside were determined in the cores and sarocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.; Using pathogonal method, the methods which Cornus officinalis sieb. et Zuee. were warmed or poached were isolated by determining quantitively loganin from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. by HPLC. RESULTS: There was a bit loganin and morroniside in the cores of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zuecc.; There were three aspects that were marked influence to extracted account of loganin which were hot temperature of poach, adding water and time of warming. The best suitable extracting technology was warmed in 60 degrees C by 10 min and then getted rid of cores. CONCLUSION: Clearing the non-medicinal positon is the function of getting rid of cores of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. and warming is better than poach.


  The inhibitory effect of the components of Cornus officinalis on melanogenesis:J Cosmet Sci. 2007 Sep-Oct;58(5):505-17.

 Five known compounds were isolated from a Cornus officinalis 50% ethanol extract (C. officinalis extract) and a hot water extract. We investigated the photochemical and pharmacological active compounds of C. officinalis hot water extract and ethanol extract. We understood that C. officinalis is a medicinal plant with potent free-radical-scavenging activity not only against reactive oxygen species (H(2)O(2), superoxiside anion, hydroxyl radical, etc.) in a narrow sense, but also against many other free radicals (peroxynitrate, peroxyradical). It is estimated that the reduction effect with C. officinalis extract can block oxidative reaction on melanogenesis. Loganin and cornuside, the components in C. officinalis, showed a significant free-radical-scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on melanogenesis. We report to prove the inhibitory effect of UVB-induced pigmentation in C. officinalis extract through its radical scavenging activity.

  Endothelial NO/cGMP-Dependent Vascular Relaxation of Cornuside Isolated from the Fruit of Cornus officinalis.:Planta Med. 2007 Oct 10;

 Cornuside is a bisiridoid glucoside compound isolated from the fruit of CORNUS OFFICINALIS Sieb. et Zucc. (Cornaceae). In the present study, we investigated the effect of cornuside on vascular tone in rat aortic tissue. Cornuside induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the phenylephrine-precontracted rat aorta, which was abolished by removal of the endothelial layer. Pretreatment of the aortic tissues with either N(G)-nitro- L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1 H- -oxadiazole-[4,3-alpha]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) completely inhibited the relaxation induced by cornuside. However, the relaxant effect of cornuside was not blocked by pretreatment with verapamil, diltiazem, tetraethylammonium (TEA), glibenclamide, indomethacin, atropine, or propranolol. In addition, incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with cornuside increased the production of cGMP in a dose-dependent manner, but this effect was blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME and ODQ, respectively. Taken together, the present study suggests that cornuside dilates vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling. ATP:adenosine triphosphate cGMP:guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate DMSO:dimethyl sulfoxide EDHF:endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor EDRF:endothelium-derived relaxing factor EDTA:ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid FBS:fetal bovine serum HUVECs:human umbilical vein endothelial cells IBMX:3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine L-NAME: N(G)-nitro- L-arginine methyl ester NO:nitric oxide ODQ:1 H- -oxadiazole-[4,3-alpha]-quinoxalin-1-one RIA:radioimmunoassay TEA: tetraethylammonium.

  Cornuside suppresses cytokine-induced proinflammatory and adhesion molecules in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells.:Biol Pharm Bull. 2007 Sep;30(9):1796-9.

 Cornuside is a bisiridoid glucoside compound isolated from the fruit of Cornus officinalis SIEB. et ZUCC. The present study was designed to examine the effects of cornuside on expression levels of cytokine-induced proinflammatory and adhesion molecules in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cornuside treatment attenuated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 translocation in HUVECs. In addition, cornuside suppressed the expression levels of endothelial cell adhesion molecules including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) induced by TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) expression was also attenuated by treatment of cornuside. These inhibitory effects of cornuside on proinflammatory and adhesion molecules were not due to decreased HUVEC viability as assessed by MTT test. Taken together, the present study suggests that cornuside suppresses expression levels of cytokine-induced proinflammatory and adhesion molecules in the human endothelial cells.

  Comparative study on contents of amino acid and major and trace elements in Cornus officinalis before and after being processed:Zhong Yao Cai. 2007 Apr;30(4):396-9. Chinese.Ding X, Zhu FS, Yu ZL, Dong LN, Cai BC.Department of Chemistry, Nanjing Agricutural University, Nanjing 210095, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To investigate amino acid and inorganic element in cornus officinalis and study the effects of processed on contents of them. METHODS: The amino acid analysis with precolume derivatization was implemented by HPLC and the contents of element in the prevention were determined by ICP. RESULTS: cornus officinalis contained eighteen inorganic element and abundant K, Ca, Mg. After processed, except for Cu, Ba, Ni, all were increased and the contents of La and Ce were added remarkably. Sixteen amino acid were determined in cornus officinalis and rich asp and glu were measurated. The total content of amino acid decreased, but contents of lys, phe and etc. increased. After processed, the contents of met, his were destroyed and pro reduced, however the total content of amino acid increased. CONCLUSION: cornus officinalis contains many types of amino acid and inorganic element. Processing lead to the dissolved of inorganic element increase and change of contents of amino acid. Plenty K, asp and the increase of the contents of lys, leu, val, and etc. being necessary for mamkind may be one of mechanism of enganced effect on protecting liver and kidney.

  Identification of antidiabetic effect of iridoid glycosides and low molecular weight polyphenol fractions of Corni Fructus, a constituent of Hachimi-jio-gan, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats:Biol Pharm Bull. 2007 Jul;30(7):1289-96.

 In our previous study, Corni Fructus (Cornus officinalis SIEB. et ZUCC.), a component crude drug of the Chinese prescription Hachimi-jio-gan, was reported to reduce glucotoxicities, up-regulate renal function, and consequently ameliorate glycation-associated renal damage as well as Hachimi-jio-gan. Based upon these facts, we prepared Corni Fructus fractions and evaluated which fraction contained the effective components against diabetes, using one iridoid glycoside and three polyphenol fractions, which were expected to possess stronger activities than Corni Fructus, administered orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight/d for 10 d, respectively. As a result, iridoid glycosides and low molecular weight polyphenol fractions could reduce the pathogenesis of diabetic renal damage, each having different mechanisms, i.e., iridoid glycosides successfully decreased the hyperglycemic state and affected renal advanced glycation end-product (AGE) accumulation, such as N(epsilon)-(carboxyethyl)lysine and N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine, while low molecular weight polyphenol fractions could reduce renal lipid peroxidation, the receptor for AGE, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Overall, these data suggest that iridoid glycosides and low molecular weight polyphenols purified from Corni Fructus improve metabolic parameters associated with the development of diabetic renal damage. The main active components of these fractions are discussed.


  Effects of extract from Cornus officinalis on nitric oxide and NF-kappaB in cortex of cerebral infarction rat model:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Nov;30(21):1667-70. Chinese.Li CY, Li L, Li YH, Ai HX, Zhang L.Department of Pharmacology, Xuan Wu Hospital of Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To observe the change of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in the cortex of cerebral infarction rat induced by photochemical reaction, and study the effect of extract from Cornus officinalis (whose main ingredient is iridoid glycoside) in the course of disease. METHOD: After rats were fed with experimental drugs for 7 days, the model of cerebral infarction was induced. Spectrophotography and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the change of the content of NO, NOS and the expression of NF-kappaB in the cortex. RESULT: Compared with control group, distinct infarction was visible in the model group, and the content of NO, the activity of NOS and the positive cell number of NF-kappaB were increased obviously. Compared with model group, the extract of C. officeinalis decreased the area of infarction, the content of NO, the activity of NOS and the positive cell number of NF-kappaB. CONCLUSION: The iridoid glycoside of C. officinalis may have therapeutical effect on cerebral infarction through regulating the content of NO and NF-kappaB.

  Phylogeny, biogeography, and molecular dating of cornelian cherries (Cornus, Cornaceae): tracking Tertiary plant migration:Evolution Int J Org Evolution. 2005 Aug;59(8):1685-700.Xiang QY, Manchester SR, Thomas DT, Zhang W, Fan C.Department of Botany, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7612, USA. jenny_xiang@ncsu.edu

 Data from four DNA regions (rbcL, matK, 26S rDNA, and ITS) as well as extant and fossil morphology were used to reconstruct the phylogeny and biogeographic history of an intercontinentally disjunct plant group, the cornelian cherries of Cornus (dogwoods). The study tests previous hypotheses on the relative roles of two Tertiary land bridges, the North Atlantic land bridge (NALB) and the Bering land bridge (BLB), in plant migration across continents. Three approaches, the Bayesian, nonparametric rate smoothing (NPRS), and penalized likelihood (PL) methods, were employed to estimate the times of geographic isolations of species. Dispersal and vicariance analysis (DIVA) was performed to infer the sequence and directionality of biogeographic pathways. Results of phylogenetic analyses suggest that among the six living species, C. sessilis from western North America represents the oldest lineage, followed by C. volkensii from Africa. The four Eurasian species form a clade consisting of two sister pairs, C. mas-C. officinalis and C. chinensis-C. eydeana. Results of DIVA and data from fossils and molecular dating indicate that the cornelian cherry subgroup arose in Europe as early as the Paleocene. Fossils confirm that the group was present in North America by the late Paleocene, consistent with the DIVA predictions that, by the end of the Eocene, it had diversified into several species and expanded its distribution to North America via the NALB and to Africa via the last direct connection between Eurasia and Africa prior to the Miocene, or via long-distance dispersal. The cornelian cherries in eastern Asia appear to be derived from two independent dispersal events from Europe. These events are inferred to have occurred during the Oligocene and Miocene. This study supports the hypothesis that the NALB served as an important land bridge connecting the North American and European floras, as well as connecting American and African floras via Europe during the early Tertiary.

  Study on qualitative and quantitative methods for yinhuang liangxiao granule:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004 May;29(5):426-8. Chinese.Li XD, Tong Y, Ma ZS, Wang L.Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To establish the quality standard of yinhuang langxiao granule. METHOD: The Panax notoginseng, Arnebia euchromq, Cornus officinalis, Lonicera japonica, Artemisiae annua were identified by TLC. The content of chrysophanol in granule was determined by HPLC. RESULT: Spots of samples on TLC can be well separated and the method had good specificity. The average recovery of chrysophanol was 98.7% and RSD was 0.67%. CONCLUSION: An accurate, simple and effective quality-controlling method has been developed, which can be used for quality control for yinhuang langxiao granule.

  Chemoprevention against hepatocellular carcinoma of Cornus officinalis in vitro.:Am J Chin Med. 2004;32(5):717-25.Chang JS, Chiang LC, Hsu FF, Lin CC.Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.

 The water extracts of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zuce against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was studied for its chemopreventive potential. Three HCC cell lines (HepG2, SK-Hep1 and PLC/PRF/5) and three leukemic cell lines (U937, K562 and Raji) were tested with XTT assay. Extracts of C. officinalis inhibited all these HCC cells and leukemic cells at a concentration of 100 microg/ml (P < 0.05) and was dose-dependent (P < 0.0001). P53 (P< 0.0001) and Ras (P = 0.001) significantly affected its activity against HCC. Extracts of C. officinalis also possessed the anti-oxidant activity through free radicals scavenging activity at a concentration of 50 microg/ml (P < 0.05). In summary, our experiment implied that C. officinalis might be a candidate for chemopreventive agent against HCC through the antioxidant and anti-neoplastic effects.

  Research on components of Cornus officinalis extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003 Dec;28(12):1148-50, 1183. Chinese.Han SY, Pan Y, Yang GM, Cai BC.Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China. shuyanhan@yahoo.com.cn

 OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Cornus officinalis extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction (SFE). METHOD: The process was performed at 40 centigrade with pressures of 15 MPa for 2 hours and with CO2 fluid and gas at the flow rate of 22.0 kg x h(-1) and 18.0 kg x h(-1) respectively. The chemical constituents of the SFE extractions were determined by GC-MS. RESULT: The total amount of extractable substances or yields by SFE is 2.42% (mass). 31 Chemical constituents were identified and their relative contents were determined by normalization method of area. CONCLUSION: The major components identified in the extractions are 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl 2-methylpropyl ester, isopropyl myristate etc.


  Studies on pharmacokinetics of loganin and morroniside in Cornus officinalis injection in mice:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003 Jun;28(6):509-12. Chinese.Zhang LT, Ren LM, Wun JK.School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To establish a revered-phase HPLC method for the study of pharmacokinetics of loganin and morroniside in Cornus officinalis injectionin mice after a single oral and intravenous administrations. METHOD: The Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microns) was used as the analytical column and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-methanol-0.2% formic acid (12:8:80) with the flow rate at 1.0 mL.min-1. The UV detection was set at 237 nm. RESULT: The calibration curves of loganin and morroniside were linear in the range from 0.38 to 68.25 mg.L-1(r = 0.9999), and from 0.66 to 117.22 mg.L-1(r = 0.9999), respectively. The lowest determination concentrations of loganin and morroniside were 0.10 and 0.16 mg.L-1, respectively. The recoveries and relative standard deviations of loganin were 99.6% (2.0%), 102.0% (1.0%), 87.9% (7.2%), and those of morroniside were 99.2% (2.5%), 104.1% (1.2%), 92.7% (4.2%), respectively. The relative standard deviations of within-day and between-day precision for the method were all less than 6.8%. After a single intravenous administration of Cornus officinalis injection to mice, the mean plasma concentration-time courses were found to fit a two-compartment open model, the main pharmacokinetic parameters of loganin were as follows: T1/2(alpha), T1/2(beta), K21, K12, K10, V(c), AUC, CL were 3.2 min, 25.1 min, 5.997 h-1, 4.981 h-1, 3.564 h-1, 0.551 L.kg-1, 13.59 mg.L-1.h, 1.965 L.kg-1.h-1, respectively and those of morroniside were 3.6 min, 21.5 min, 5.926 h-1, 3.833 h-1, 3.797 h-1, 0.647 L.kg-1, 27.15 mg.L-1.h, 2.457 L.kg-1.h-1, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is the first time to establish the revered-phase HPLC method to determine concentrations of loganin and morroniside in plasma and to obtain their pharmacokinetic parameters and characteristics.

  Study on plant tissue culture of Cornus officinalis:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003 Feb;28(2):118-21. Chinese.Xue JP, Zhang AM, Wang YH, Sheng W.Department of Biology, Huaibei Coal Industry Teacher's College, Huaibei 235000, Anhui, China. xuejp2000@yahoo.com.cn

 OBJECTIVE: To set up the optimums of tissue culture for Cornus officinalis. METHOD: A section of stems of the fine varieties of Cornus officinalis were strictly sterilized, cultivated and geminated in medium with addition of different kinds of hormone. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The WPM medium with 6-BA 2.0 mg.L-1 + ZT 0.1 mg.L-1 + NAA 0.1 mg.L-1 was the optimum medium for the multiplication of adventitious buds. The WPM medium with 6-BA 1.0 mg.L-1 + ZT 0.1 mg.L-1 + GA3 0.5 mg.L-1 + NAA 0.1 mg.L-1 was the optimum medium for cultivation in strength. The plantlet could root well in 1/2 MS medium with IBA 1.0 mg.L-1 + 6-BA 0.1 mg.L-1.

  Insecticidal compounds against Drosophila melanogaster from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.:Nat Prod Res. 2003 Oct;17(5):337-9.

 Dimethyl malate (1) and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (2) were isolated as insecticidal compounds by bioassay-guided fractionation from MeOH extract of the fruits of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. Insecticidal activity against larvae of D. melanogaster was demonstrated: 1 and 2 gave the LC50 value of 6.15 and 11.8 micromol/mL of diet concentration, respectively. Acute toxicity against adults of D. melanogaster, 1 and 2 had the insecticidal activity, with the LD50 value of 21.5 and 34.0 microg/adult.

  Effect of alcohol extract of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc on GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic mellitus rats:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2001 Dec;26(12):859-62. Chinese.Qian DS, Zhu YF, Zhu Q.Department of Pharmacology, Nantong Medical College, Nantong, 226001 Jiangsu, China.

 OBJECTIVE: Based on its effects of decreasing postprandial plasma glucose and increasing insulin level in non-insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus (NIDDM) rats, we studied the effects of Alcohol extract of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc on the GLUT4 expression in NIDDM model rats. METHOD: The rat model of NIDDM was made. The animals were divided into three groups(six for each group): group I: control; group II: NIDDM model; group III: NIDDM model + Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. The drug was given orally to animals one time a day, uninterrupted for a month. The GLUT4 mRNA and its protein expression in skeletal muscle were observed with Northern blot and Western blot method, respectively. RESULT: The GLUT4 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle was decreased remarkably in NIDDM rats (P < 0.01, compared to control group). Alcohol extract of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc increased GLUT4 mRNA expression in NIDDM rats(P < 0.01), compared to NIDDM model group). The result of GLUT4 protein expression was similar to GLUT4 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: This experiment demonstrated that alcohol extract of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc can increase GLUT4 mRNA and its protein expression in NIDDM rats through promoting proliferation of islet and increasing postprandial secretion of insulin and therefore accelerate glucose transport.

  Study on enrichment process of Cornus officinalis glycosides with macroporous resin and active carbon:Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 May;25(5):349-51. Chinese.Pi W, Cai B, Pan Y, Qian J, Jia Y.Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029.

 OBJECTIVE: To study the technological parameters of the enrichment purification of Cornus officinalis glycosides (COG) with macroporous resin and active carbon. METHODS: COG was isolated and purified by active carbon and macroporous resin HPD100. The enrichment of COG was evaluated by HPLC method. RESULTS: The optimum process was that 10 ml extract of Fructus Corni was absorbed with columns of macroporous resin and active carbon(R25 mm x H300 mm) and the columns were washed with 600 ml distilled water, then the morroniside and loganin was eluted from the macroporous resin and active carbon with ethanol. CONCLUSION: The elutive rate of morroniside and logann was about 85% by the macroporous resin, 96% by the active carbon. So this method enriching COG from Fructus Corni is practical.


  A survey of Cornus officinalis varieties:Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 May;25(5):305-6. Chinese.Chen S, Dong C, Yang J, Ji C, Zhang Y.Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450008.

 According to the survey of Cornus officinalis in the main planting areas of Henan, Zhejiang and Shanxi province, the fruit shape can be divided into seven types, cylindricform, ellipticform, long pear-shape, short pear-shape, long cylindricform, short cylindricform and spindlefrom. These fruit types, growth habit and dried pulp productivity can provide scientific basis for breeding cultivation of Cornus officinalis varietis.

  Characterization, quantification, and bioactivities of anthocyanins in Cornus species:J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Apr 24;50(9):2519-23.Seeram NP, Schutzki R, Chandra A, Nair MG.Bioactive Natural Products and Phytoceuticals, Department of Horticulture and National Food Safety, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

 Cornus mas, Cornus officinalis, Cornus controversa, and Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) bear edible fruits that are consumed in parts of Europe and Asia. This study undertook the investigation of the presence and levels of anthocyanins in the fruits of these Cornus species by HPLC. The anthocyanins present in Cornelian cherries, C. mas, are delphinidin 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside (1), cyanidin 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside (2), and pelargonidin 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside (3). C. officinalis contains only anthocyanins 1-3, similar to C. mas, but in different proportions. However, C. controversa contains anthocyanins 1-3 among other anthocyanins, but Chinese dogwood, C. kousa, did not contain 1-3. The contents of pure anthocyanins 1, 2, and 3 in 1 kg of fresh fruits of C. mas, C. officinalis, and C. controversa were 280, 1079, and 710 ppm; 11, 77, and 230 ppm; and 600, 1000, and 700 ppm, respectively. In cyclooxygenase (COX)-I and -II enzyme inhibitory assays, anthocyanins 1-3 (all 40 microM) showed activities of 9.2 and 11.7%; 7.6 and 12.4%; and 5.3 and 7.8%, respectively, compared to Naproxen (54.3 and 41.3%; 10 microM), ibuprofen (47.5 and 39.8%; 10 microM), Celebrex (46.2 and 66.3%; 1.67 ppm), and Vioxx (23.8 and 88.1%, 1.67 ppm). In the antioxidant assay, anthocyanins 1-3 (all 40 microM) showed activities of 70.2, 60.1, and 40.3%, respectively. At 10 microM concentration, commercial synthetic antioxidants tert-butylhydroquinone, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, and vitamin E gave 83.2, 79.7, 82.1, and 10.2% of antioxidant activity, respectively.

  Antimicrobial effect of extracts from Chinese chive, cinnamon, and corni fructus.:J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Jan;49(1):183-8.Mau J, Chen C, Hsieh P.Department of Food Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, Republic of China.

 Extracts were prepared from Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), and corni fructus (Cornus officinalis) and used to evaluate their antimicrobial activity on common foodborne microorganisms, alone and in combination. The mixed extract, consisting of three extracts in equal volumes, showed an entire antimicrobial spectrum and had excellent stability to heat, pH, and storage. The mixed extract exhibited better inhibition on growth of Escherichia coli than potassium sorbate at 2-5 mg/mL. The mixed extract inhibited the growth of Pichia membranaefaciens at levels as low as 2 mg/mL. When the mixed extract was used in foods, the expected antimicrobial effect in orange juice, pork, and milk was observed. After gel filtration chromatography, each extract was partially purified into fractions, and one fraction in each extract showed enhanced antimicrobial activity. Overall, the mixed extract was of promising potential for incorporation into various food products for which a natural antimicrobial additive is desired.

  Separation of gallic acid from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc by high-speed counter-current chromatography.:J Chromatogr A. 2000 Jul 21;886(1-2):309-12.Tian G, Zhang T, Yang F, Ito Y.Beijing Institute of New Technology Application, China.

 Gallic acid was separated from a n-butanol extract of the fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc by high-speed countercurrent chromatography in two steps using two solvent systems composed of ethyl-acetate-ethanol n-butanol-water (5:1.8:6, v/v/v) and ethyl acetate-ethanol-water (5:0.5:6, v/v/v) successively. From 1 g of n-butanol extract the method produced 60 mg of gallic acid at a purity of 97%.

  A furan derivative from Cornus officinalis.:Arch Pharm Res. 1998 Dec;21(6):787-9.

 Dimethyltetrahydrofuran cis-2,5-dicarboxylate a furan derivative has been isolated from the fruits of Cornus officinalis, and it was isolated for the first time in the nature. The structure was elucidated by NMR spectroscopic techniques.


  Damage-loss relationships and integrated control of 3rd instar larvae of Actias selene nigpoana Felder in planting area of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1997 Aug;22(8):463-7, 510. Chinese.Chen S, Wang C, Zhang Q, Cheng X.Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei.

 In the present paper, the damage-loss model of Actias selene ningpoana to Cornus officinalis was tested and the results indicated that the yield loss rates obeyed the equation Y = 100 - EXP(4.6042 - 0.0315X). The economic threshold of the 2hd and 3rd instar larvae of A. selene nigpoana was then determined as 22 and 8 insects per tree respecitively. Suggestions for integrated control have been made based on the research of activities of A. selene ningpoana in the forest.

  A substance isolated from Cornus officinalis enhances the motility of human sperm.:Am J Chin Med. 1997;25(3-4):301-6.Jeng H, Wu CM, Su SJ, Chang WC.Department of Anatomy, Taipei Medical College, Taiwan.

 The effects of a Chinese herb, Cornus officinalis, on the motility of human sperm was studied. An aqueous extract was prepared from the dried fruits of the herb and used in this study. The crude extract at a final concentration of 0.5 microgram/microliter in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) increased sperm motility from 25.8 +/- 7.7% to 42.8 +/- 10.3% (i.e. 68% increase, n = 7), as determined by the computer-aided-sperm-analysis (CASA) method. The crude extract was fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) into four fractions: C1, C2, C3 and C4. Their effects on sperm motility were further studied by CASA. Only the C4 fraction showed substantial stimulatory effects on sperm motility. At a concentration of 5 ng/microliter, C4 increased the sperm motility from 15.7 +/- 3.8% to 34.5 +/- 6.4% (i.e. 120% increase, n = 6) by CASA and from 14.9 +/- 4.3 to 28.5 +/- 8.1 (i.e. 91% increase, n = 8) by transmembrane migration ratio (TMMR) method. This result suggests that C4 is the active component in Cornus officinalis that enhances sperm motility.

  Determination of loganin in the fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1996 Jul;21(7):429, 448. Chinese.Gu S, Xie C, Zhang D, Yang S, Xu L.Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing.

 A high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of loganin in the fruit of Cornus of ficinalis. The method is rapid, accurate and sensitive.

  Determination of loganin in Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. by TLC scanner:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1994 Dec;19(12):738, 763. Chinese.Li KM, Yang XJ, Yu MQ, Xie C, Xu LZ.Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing.

 The content of loganin extracted from Cornus of ficinalis was determined directly on a CS-930 TLC scanner. The method is simple and sensitive, and can serve as an index for checking the quality of C. of ficinalis.

  Effect of covering the ground under canopy tree with straw on growth of dogwood (Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1993 Feb;18(2):82-4, 125. Chinese.Fan CH, Yang ZH.Department of Horticulture, Northwestern Agricultural University, Yangling, Shaanxi.

 Experiments showed that the growth, blooming and bearing of dogwood (Cornus officinalis) were improved by covering the ground under canopy tree with straw. Growth of shoots, weight and thickness of 100 fresh leaves, and mineral nutrition of leaves were significantly higher than those of controls. Fruit buds of shoots, fruit setting per cluster, weight of 100 fresh fruits and yield per tree were increased by 17.9%, 20%, 31.7% and 33.5% respectively. Compared with uncovered trees, the blooming period of covered trees was delayed by 4-6 days.


  Studies on the chemical constituents of Cornus officinalis Sieb et Zucc:Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1992;27(11):845-8. Chinese.Zhao SP, Xue Z.Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China Friendship Hospital, Beijing.

 A new bisiridoid glucoside named cornuside was isolated from the fruits of Cornus officinalis Sieb et Zucc. The structure of cornuside has been established by spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR).

  Tannins of cornaceous plants. I. Cornusiins A, B and C, dimeric monomeric and trimeric hydrolyzable tannins from Cornus officinalis, and orientation of valoneoyl group in related tannins.:Chem Pharm Bull. 1989 Aug;37(8):2083-90.

 Cornusiin A (1), cornusiin B (2) and cornusiin C (3), new dimeric, monomeric and trimeric hydrolyzable tannins, were isolated from the fruits of Cornus officinalis (Cornaceae). Their structures, including the orientation of the valoneoyl group in 1 and 3, were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data. 2,3-Di-O-galloyl-D-glucose (7), 1,2,3-tri-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, gemin D (5), isoterchebin, tellimagrandin I (6) and tellimagrandin II were also isolated from the fruits. The orientation of the valoneoyl group in camptothin A (14) and that in camptothin B (15), which had been isolated from Camptotheca acuminata (Nyssaceae), were also determined based on that in 1.


  Scientific References:

  1.Research Update:Dogwood Fruit,Cornus officinalis,Cornus fruit