The Promoting Effects of Geniposidic Acid and Aucubin in Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER Leaves on Collagen Synthesis.

We have reported that collagen synthesis was stimulated by the administration of a hot water extract from the leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, Eucommiaceae (Du-Zhong leaves) in false aged model rats. In this paper, we set out to examine the compounds in Du-Zhong leaves that stimulated collagen synthesis in false aged model rats. In experiment 1, a methanol extract of Du-Zhong leaves also stimulated collagen synthesis in aged model rats. An acetone fraction was derived from the methanol extract by silica gel chromatography in experiment 2. The acetone fraction mainly contained iridoides mono-glycosides such as geniposidic acid and aucubin. The administration of geniposidic acid or aucubin stimulated collagen synthesis in aged model rats in experiments 3 and 4 (significance (p<0.05)). The reported pharmacological effects of Du-Zhong leaves, including healing organs and strengthening bone and muscle, are closely related to collagen metabolism. It appears that geniposidic acid and aucubin are the actual compounds in Du-Zhong which caused the effect in our experiments.