Source: UNIV OF CALIFORNIA submitted to
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF CHEMICALS IN NATURAL PLANTS
 
PROJECT DIRECTOR: Shibamoto, T.
 
PERFORMING ORGANIZATION
Environmental Toxicology
UNIV OF CALIFORNIA
DAVIS,CA 95616
 
NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The objective of this research is to search for antioxidants present in natural plants to prevent various diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis.
 
OBJECTIVES: The broad objective of this proposal is to study the induction of oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species such as a hydroxyl radical on blood samples (LDL, plasma, and whole blood), to correlate the marker of oxidative damage (MA), and to determine whether aroma essences obtained from natural plants are effective in reducing the oxidative damage in animals.
 
APPROACH: Donated blood plasma obtained from animals, including rabbit, cow, and horse, will be oxidized with or without various amounts of natural plant essences. Aqueous essences from natural medicinal plants (table 2) will be prepared using steam distillation under reduced pressure. Malonaldehyde formed from blood plasma upon oxidation will be monitored by gas chromatography to examine antioxidative activity of plant essences.
 
CRIS NUMBER: 0139299 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJECT NUMBER: CA-D*-ETX-5146-AH SPONSOR AGENCY: NIFA
PROJECT TYPE: ANIMAL HEALTH PROJECT STATUS: TERMINATED MULTI-STATE PROJECT NUMBER: (N/A)
START DATE: Oct 1, 2004 TERMINATION DATE: Sep 30, 2009

GRANT PROGRAM: (N/A)
GRANT PROGRAM AREA: (N/A)

CLASSIFICATION
Knowledge Area (KA)Subject (S)Science (F)Objective (G)Percent
702222010105.1100%

CLASSIFICATION HEADINGS
KA702 - Requirements and Function of Nutrients and Other Food Components
S2220 - Medicinal crops, non-narcotic
F1010 - Nutrition and metabolism
G5.1 - Ensure Access to Nutritious Food


RESEARCH EFFORT CATEGORIES
BASIC 70%
APPLIED 30%
DEVELOPMENTAL (N/A)%

KEYWORDS: plant biochemistry; plant physiology; antioxidants; anti carcinogenicity; essences; nutrient function; medicinal plants; toxicology; oxygen; plant damage; oxidation; hydroxyl groups; blood samples; blood; low density lipoproteins; blood plasma; rabbits; cows; horses; malondialdehyde; atherosclerosis; disease prevention; cancer; lipid peroxidation

PROGRESS: Jan 1, 2008 TO Dec 31, 2008
OUTPUTS: Three extracts (dichloromethane, petroleum ether, and ethanol) from juniper berry fruit (Juniperus drupacea L) exhibited clear antioxidant activities with dose response in both 1,2-diphenyl picrylhydrtazyl and B-carotene assays. All samples showed comparable activities to that of synthetic antioxidant tert-butyl hydroquinone at the level of 200 ug/mL in the two testing systems. The extracts of dichloromethane, petroleum ether, and ethanol exhibited appreciable antimicrobial activities against 6 microorganisms with the minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.5 mg/mL (volatile extract against Candida albicans) to 1.2 mg/mL (ethanol extract against Aspergillus niger). PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Ahmed El-Ghorab, Flavor and Aroma Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. He obtained juniper berry fruit and prepared samples. He was trained for advanced instrumentations. TARGET AUDIENCES: This study would serve as a useful research tool for a diverse range of backgrounds for scientists, including, biologist, biochemists, chemists, dietitians, food scientists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists as well as medical doctors, from academic institutions, governmental agencies, and private industries. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

IMPACT: 2008-01-01 TO 2008-12-31 Many essential oils have been used as therapeutic agents since ancient times. Certain essential oils, including juniper, have been scientifically proven to possess medicinal activities such as anti-inflammatories, anti-arthritic, anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-carcinogenic activities. Recent studies reported that various essential oils, including jasmine, parsley seed, rose, and ylang-ylang exhibited potent antioxidant activities. The discovery of the antioxidant activity of essential oils suggested that essential oils possess great health benefits. Moreover, due to recent safety concerns over synthetic compounds, there has been increasing interest in the use of natural plant substances, including essential oils, for food and medicinal therapy. The results of the present study suggest that juniper berry fruit could be a natural antioxidant supplement for foods and beverages.

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 2008-01-01 TO 2008-12-31
El-Ghorab, A.; Shaaban, H. A.; El-Massry, K. F.; Shibamoto, T. Chemical composition of volatile extract and biological activities of volatile and less-volatile extracts of juniper berry (Juniperus drupacea L.) fruit. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2008, 56, 5021-5025.

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
NAME: Shibamoto, T.
PHONE: 530-752-4523
FAX: 530-752-3394