Abstract To determine in vitro anti-aging activity and identify the active chemical constituents in Ginkgo leaf extracts. The antioxidant properties of Ginkgo biloba leaves extracts were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6 sulfonic acid radical (ABTS) scavenging assays. The inhibitory effects of extracts and chemical constituents on reactive oxygen species, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and collagen tpye I level were tested using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC/MS/MS) were used to quantitatively analyze flavonoids and terpene trilactones in the extraction. The established quantitative analysis method was validated according to the regulatory guidelines. The extraction and compounds kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, myricetin, ginkgolide A and bilobalide could have potential anti-aging activities of G. biloba. The results suggest that G. biloba could be used as anti-aging products and as a cosmetic and medicinal raw material.

Abstract The authors have successfully treated and monitored a case of paraneoplastic pemphigus in association with follicular dendritic cell sarcoma aggravated by hyaline-vascular Castleman's disease. The patient was a 56-year-old female who presented with recalcitrant erosive lichen planus of the oral cavity, tongue, and genital mucosa, along with polymorphous eruptions throughout her body. Histological examination of the cutaneous lesions, indirect immunofluorescence on rat bladder epithelium, and western blot of human keratinocyte proteins identified anti-epidermal antibodies in the patient's serum. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography scans found a mass in her retroperitoneal region. Pathology and immunohistochemistry investigation further corroborated the diagnosis of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma originated from hyaline-vascular Castleman's disease. Complete remission was achieved and the patient has been monitored for four years.

Abstract Rice bean (Vigna umbellata L.) sprouts are richer in metabolites and biological activities after germination. The total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents were analyzed during the sprouting process. The antioxidant activities of the sprouts were tested using 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) screening assay. To determine the reason for increased activity, quantitative analysis of 8 flavonoids, in the germination process of methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-treated and control groups, was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS/DA). The metabolites in MeJA-treated beans shows that addition of 100.0 μmol MeJA significantly increased the total flavonoid and polyphenol contents during the sprouting process. DPPH screening assay and analytical results show that MeJA has a significant influence on the production of secondary metabolites in sprouts between the 4th and 6th days, thereby inducing increased antioxidant activity. Flavonoids rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, daidzin, and genistin are further identified as the main contributors to the increased DPPH screening activity.