Validity of using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure skeletal muscle mass in preschool children.

[Purposes] Although it is recommended to develop a habit of physical activities, there is no easy way to measure skeletal muscle mass in preschool children, which cause the difficulty of evaluation. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of body composition including the skeletal muscle mass assessment using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis by comparing body fat mass obtained by using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and body mass index formulas. [Subjects and Methods] Ninety-four children were surveyed for age, height, weight, grip strength, maximum occlusal force, thickness of muscle and fat mass (masseter and lower limb), body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and calf circumference. We assessed additional parameters, which were thought to be related to skeletal muscle mass, to ensure validity. [Results] A strong correlation was found in body fat mass values obtained using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and those obtained using the body mass index formulas. Additionally, strong correlation coefficients were found between the skeletal muscle mass/height obtained using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and grip strength and calf circumference. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that skeletal muscle mass can be reliably measured using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method in preschool children.

Biological activities and phytochemical profiles of extracts from different parts of bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens).

Besides being a useful building material, bamboo also is a potential source of bioactive substances. Although some studies have been performed to examine its use in terms of the biological activity, only certain parts of bamboo, especially the leaves or shoots, have been studied. Comprehensive and comparative studies among different parts of bamboo would contribute to a better understanding and application of this knowledge. In this study, the biological activities of ethanol and water extracts from the leaves, branches, outer culm, inner culm, knots, rhizomes and roots of Phyllostachys pubescens, the major species of bamboo in Japan, were comparatively evaluated. The phytochemical profiles of these extracts were tentatively determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The results showed that extracts from different parts of bamboo had different chemical compositions and different antioxidative, antibacterial and antiallergic activities, as well as on on melanin biosynthesis. Outer culm and inner culm were found to be the most important sources of active compounds. 8-C-Glucosylapigenin, luteolin derivatives and chlorogenic acid were the most probable compounds responsible for the anti-allergy activity of these bamboo extracts. Our study suggests the potential use of bamboo as a functional ingredient in cosmetics or other health-related products.

Comparative biological study of roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of Angelica shikokiana Makino.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Angelica shikokiana has been used as a health food for its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiallergic, and blood vessel dilating effects in Japan. It can also be used to prevent and treat hepatitis, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and arteriosclerosis. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to compare the biological activities such as melanin synthesis inhibitory, anti-allergy, anti-lipase, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective activities of different parts of the plant that may justify the use of this plant in folk medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The roots, stems, leaves and, seeds of Angelica shikokiana were separately extracted with water and ethanol. Each extract was examined for melanin synthesis inhibitory and anti-allergy activity on B16-melanoma and RBL-2H3 cells using IgE and A23187 as a stimulant for ß-hexosaminidase release, respectively. We also evaluated the inhibition of two enzymes, lipase and acetylcholine esterase, and of the bacterial growth of two species, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureaus. The anti-oxidant activity was determined using oxygen radical anti-oxidant capacity, ORAC assay and its relation to the phenolic content was estimated using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Besides, the protective effect of the extracts against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in mouse neuroblastoma, Neuro-2A cells was investigated. RESULTS: The most active extract exhibiting melanin synthesis inhibition (63%) and at the same time with low cytotoxicity (15%) was the ethanol extract of roots at 20 µg/ml, followed by the ethanol extract of stems (57% inhibition, 5% cytotoxicity). On the other hand, the highest inhibitions of ß-hexosaminidase release were recorded for the ethanol extract of leaves with IC50 value of 6.89 µg/ml followed by the water extract of the seeds and leaves with IC50 value of 78.32 and 88.44 µg/ml, respectively. For anti-lipase assay, ethanol extracts of the stems and roots showed the strongest inhibition with IC50 values of 204.06 and 216.24 µg/ml, respectively. None of the examined extracts showed any activity against Escherichia coli. while the ethanol extract of the roots and stems showed moderate inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration of 400 µg/ml. Ethanol extract of the roots showed only 30% inhibition of acetylcholine esterase enzyme. The results of anti-oxidant, phenolic content and protective effect against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity assays showed highly correlated data. Ethanol extract of the stems (ORAC value of 1.08 µmol Trolox/mg and phenolic content 44.25 µg GAE/mg) increased the cell viability of H2O2-treated Neuro-2A cells by 28%.

Target proteins of ganoderic acid DM provides clues to various pharmacological mechanisms.

Ganoderma fungus (Ganodermataceae) is a multifunctional medicinal mushroom and has been traditionally used for the treatment of various types of disease. Ganoderic acid DM (1) is a representative triterpenoid isolated from G. lingzhi and exhibits various biological activities. However, a universal starting point that triggers multiple signaling pathways and results in multifunctionality of 1 is unknown. Here we demonstrate the important clues regarding the mechanisms underlying multi-medicinal action of 1. We examined structure-activity relationships between 1 and its analogs and found that the carbonyl group at C-3 was essential for cytotoxicity. Subsequently, we used 1-conjugated magnetic beads as a probe and identified tubulin as a specific 1-binding protein. Furthermore, 1 showed a similar Kd to that of vinblastine and also affected assembly of tubulin polymers. This study revealed multiple biological activities of 1 and may contribute to the design and development of new tubulin-inhibiting agents.