In Vitro Studies to Assess the α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity and Insulin Secretion Effect of Isorhamnetin 3-O-Glucoside and Quercetin 3-O-Glucoside Isolated from Salicornia herbacea

In this study, we examined the effect of ethanolic extract of Salicornia herbacea (ESH), isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside (I3G), quercetin 3-O-glucoside (Q3G), quercetin, and isorhamnetin on α-glucosidase activity and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in insulin-secreting rat insulinoma (INS-1) cells. A portion of the ethyl acetate fraction of ESH was chromatographed on a silica gel by a gradient elution with chloroform and methanol to provide Q3G and I3G. ESH, Q3G, and quercetin inhibited α-glucosidase activity, and quercetin (IC50 value was 29.47 ± 3.36 μM) inhibited the activity more effectively than Q3G. We further demonstrated that ESH, Q3G, quercetin, I3G, and isorhamnetin promote GSIS in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells without inducing cytotoxicity. Among them, I3G was the most effective in enhancing GSIS. I3G enhanced the phosphorylation of total extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and activated pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1), which are associated with insulin secretion and β-cell function. As components of ESH, Q3G has the potential to regulate blood glucose by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity, and I3G enhances the insulin secretion, but its bioavailability should be considered in determining biological importance.

Coriolic Acid (13-(S)-Hydroxy-9Z, 11E-octadecadienoic Acid) from Glasswort (Salicornia herbacea L.) Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cell through the Regulation of c-Myc

Cancer stem cells have certain characteristics, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and drug resistance, which are related to tumor progression, maintenance, recurrence, and metastasis. In our study, we targeted breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) using a natural compound, coriolic acid, from Salicornia herbacea L. This compound was isolated by mammosphere formation inhibition bioassay-guided fractionation and identified by using NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Coriolic acid inhibited the formation of mammospheres and induced BCSC apoptosis. It also decreased the subpopulation of CD44high/CD24low cells, a cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype, and specific genes related to CSCs, such as Nanog,Oct4, and CD44. Coriolic acid decreased the transcriptional and translational levels of the c-Myc gene, which is a CSC survival factor. These results indicated that coriolic acid could be a novel compound to target BCSCs via regulation of c-Myc.

Effects of red glasswort as sodium chloride substitute on the physicochemical properties of pork loin ham

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of red glasswort (RG) (<i>Salicornia herbacea</i> L.) curing on the physicochemical, textural and sensory properties of cooked pork loin ham (<i>M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum</i>).Methods: All treatments were cured with different salt and RG powder levels. RG0 treatment was prepared with only 4% NaCl (w/w) as a control, and RG25, 3% NaCl:1% RG (w/w); RG50, 2% NaCl:2% RG (w/w); RG75, 1% NaCl:3% RG (w/w); RG100, 0% NaCl:4% RG (w/w) treatments were prepared sequentially. All samples were individually vacuum packaged in polyethylene bags and stored for 7 d at 3°C±1°C.Results: The results showed that as the rate of RG substitution increased, pH value, redness, myofibrillar protein solubility, and myofibrillar fragmentation index increased (p<0.05), but salt concentration and shear force decreased (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in cooking loss and moisture content. In terms of sensory evaluation, RG100 exhibited higher scores in tenderness and juiciness than RG0 (p<0.05).Conclusion: The partial substitution of NaCl by RG could improve the physicochemical properties, textural and sensory characteristics of cooked pork loin. Therefore, it is suggested that RG as a natural salt replacer could be an effective ingredient for developing low-sodium cured hams.

Laminarin From Salicornia herbacea Stimulates Glucose Uptake Through AMPK-p38 MAPK Pathways in L6 Muscle Cells

Laminarin is a component of brown seaweed, especially isolated from Salicornia herbacea. Laminarin was known to have various physiological functions, however, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we report that laminarin stimulates an activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and increases glucose uptake in rat L6 myotubes. Laminarin also increases an intracellular calcium release. Inhibition of Ca2+ release, using with CaMKK inhibitor, STO-609, blocked laminarin-induced AMPK activity, indicating that laminarin stimulated AMPK activity via calcium. In addition, laminarin activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways depending on AMPK activity. Moreover, the inhibition of either AMPK or p38 MAPK blocked laminarin-induced glucose uptake in rat L6 myotubes. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the hypoglycemic effect of laminarin is caused by its ability to activate AMPK-p38 MAPK pathways in skeletal muscles.

Microbial biocatalysis of quercetin-3-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside in Salicornia herbacea and their contribution to improved anti-inflammatory activity

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis AD011 catalyzed >85% of quercetin-3-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside into quercetin (Q) and isorhamnetin (IR), respectively, in 2 h. These Q and IR showed improved anti-inflammatory activity.