The effectiveness of fermented turmeric powder in subjects with elevated alanine transaminase levels: a randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Previous animal studies have shown that Curcuma longa (turmeric) improves liver function. Turmeric may thus be a promising ingredient in functional foods aimed at improving liver function. The purpose of the study is to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of fermented turmeric powder (FTP) on liver function in subjects with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted between November 2010 and April 2012 at the clinical trial center for functional foods of the Chonbuk National University Hospital. The trial included 60 subjects, 20 years old and above, who were diagnosed mild to moderate elevated ALT levels between 40 IU/L and 200 IU/L. Sixty subjects were randomised to receive FTP 3.0 g per day or placebo 3.0 g per day for 12 weeks. The treatment group received two capsules of FTP three times a day after meals, for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in the ALT levels in the two groups. The secondary efficacy endpoints included its effect on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TB), and lipid profiles. Safety was assessed throughout the study using ongoing laboratory tests. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded. RESULTS: Sixty subjects were randomised in the study (30 into the FTP group, 30 into the placebo group), and among them, twelve subjects were excluded from the analysis for protocol violation, adverse events or consent withdrawal. The two groups did not differ in baseline characteristics. After 12 weeks of treatment, 48 subjects were evaluated. Of the 48 subjects, 26 randomly received FTP capsules and 22 received placebo. The FTP group showed a significant reduction in ALT levels after 12 weeks of treatment compared with the placebo group (p = 0.019). There was also observed that the serum AST levels were significantly reduce in the FTP group than placebo group (p = 0.02). The GGT levels showed a tendency to decrease, while the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), TB, and lipids levels were not modified. There were no reported severe AEs during this study, or abnormalities observed on blood glucose, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels. CONCLUSION: The data of this trial indicate that FTP is effective and safe, generally well-tolerated without severe AEs, in the treatment of subjects with elevated ALT levels over a 12 weeks period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01634256

Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of tryptanthrin from Polygonum tinctorium Lour. in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglial cells.

This study was conducted to isolate the anti-neuroinflammatory component(s) in the 80% EtOH extract of P. tinctoria, and to investigate underlying molecular mechanism of the anti-neuroinflammatory component(s) in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells. To isolate the active component(s) in the extract, various chromatographic methods were employed, and the structures of the isolated secondary metabolites were determined mainly by analysis of spectroscopic data such as NMR and MS data. Tryptanthrin (1), isolated from P. tinctoria extract, significantly inhibited the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2, and reduced the levels of their products (NO and PGE2) in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Tryptanthrin (1) also downregulated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß. These anti-neuroinflammatory effects of tryptanthrin (1) was elucidated to be correlated with inactivating NF-κB pathway by interrupting the phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor of κB-α protein, and inhibiting the DNA binding activity of NF-κB. In addition, tryptanthrin (1) suppressed the activation of p38 MAPK pathway. Furthermore, tryptanthrin (1) inhibited the TLR4 and MyD88 protein expression in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Taken together, it was suggested that tryptanthrin (1) have anti-neuroinflammatory effect by regulating TLR4-MyD88-mediated several inflammatory pathways including p38 and NF-κB pathways in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells.

Orthogonal array design for optimizing extraction efficiency of active constituents from Jakyak-Gamcho Decoction, the complex formula of herbal medicines, Paeoniae Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix.

A complex formula composed of Paeonia lactiflora PALL. and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., which is called as Jakyak-Gamcho Decoction (JGD), has been used for a pain-relieving function and muscle spasms due to blood deficiency in the traditional medicine. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of JGD was evaluated based on the quantitative determinations and the relative proportions of six major constituents in the decoction mixture extracted by orthogonal array methods. Our results suggest that the three parameters are all crucial factors. The optimized conditions for extraction were therefore established [solvent (water); pH value (4); extraction number (4)]. We also optimized the extraction conditions related to anti-inflammatory activity [solvent (70% EtOH); pH value (6); extraction number (4)]. So, we found that the bioactivity was responsible for mixed components but not individual one. It was proportionally associated with the amounts of some components in the extracts of herbal medicines. When the proportion of the active components was similar to each other, they had the similar functions. Furthermore, the results could establish a model system for the quality assurance of herbal preparations, and provided a new paradigm of active components-pharmacodynamics, which is used for illustrating the connections between the bioactivities and the proportion of active constituents in the extracts of herbal medicines.

Protective effect of jakyak-gamcho-tang extract and its constituents against t-BHP-induced oxidative damage in HT22 cells.

The present study investigated whether Jakyak-Gamcho-Tang (JGT, Shaoyao-Gancao-tang) and its constituents have the protective effect against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced cytotoxicity on hippocampal HT22 cell line. JGT consists of two medicinal herbs, Paeoniae Radix (PR) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR). In contrast to treating with t-BHP alone, pre-treatment of HT22 cells with JGT, PR and GR (50-400 microg/ml) for 3 hours significantly increased the cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, JGT, PR and GR exhibited the scavenging activity in both 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and superoxide anion assays. Among the tested extracts, PR showed the most potent protective and antioxidative activities. These results suggest that PR acts as an antioxidant and this property may contribute to the neuroprotective activity of JGT extract.

Neuroprotective effects of Eriobotrya japonica against ß-amyloid-induced oxidative stress and memory impairment.

The generation of oxygen free radicals and oxidative damage is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Eriobotrya japonica has been used to treat several diseases in East Asia. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of an E. japonica extract against Aß peptide-induced oxidative stress. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay demonstrated that the E. japonica extract scavenged approximately 40% of DPPH radicals. Also, treatment of the E. japonica extract inhibited Aß(1-42)-mediated neuronal cell death. Furthermore, treatment of E. japonica extract efficiently suppressed the increase in intracellular ROS triggered by the Aß(1-42) peptide. Importantly, mice pre-treated with the E. japonica extract showed restoration of alternation behavior and reversal of Aß(1-42)-induced memory impairment. Consequently, the E. japonica extract substantially inhibited the increase in lipid peroxidation and restored superoxide dismutase activity. These results suggest that E. japonica protects from oxidative stress and cognitive deficits induced by the Aß peptide.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) extracts suppress the adhesion, migration and invasion of human breast cancer cell line.

We examined the inhibitory effects of loquat methanol extract on the adhesion, migration, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Cells were cultured with DMSO or with 10, 25, or 50 microg/ml of loquat methanol extract. Both leaf and seed extracts significantly inhibited growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner, although leaf extract was more effective. Adhesion and migration were significantly inhibited by loquat extracts in a dose-dependent manner. Loquat extract also inhibited the invasion of breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and leaf extract was more effective than seed extract. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were also inhibited by loquat extract. Our results indicate that methanol extracts of loquat inhibit the adhesion, migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells partially through the inhibition of MMP activity and leaf extract has more anti-metastatic effects in cell based assay than seed extract. Clinical application of loquat extract as a potent chemopreventive agent may be helpful in limiting breast cancer invasion and metastasis.