Therapeutic Effects of Cold-Pressed Perilla Oil Mainly Consisting of Linolenic acid, Oleic Acid and Linoleic Acid on UV-Induced Photoaging in NHDF Cells and SKH-1 Hairless Mice.

Positive physiological benefits of several plant oils on the UV-induced photoaging have been reported in some cell lines and model mice, but perilla oil collected from the seeds of Perilla frutescens L. has not been investigated in this context. To study the therapeutic effects of cold-pressed perilla oil (CPO) on UV-induced photoaging in vitro and in vivo, UV-induced cellular damage and cutaneous photoaging were assessed in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) and HR-1 hairless mice. CPO contained five major fatty acids including linolenic acid (64.11%), oleic acid (16.34%), linoleic acid (11.87%), palmitic acid (5.06%), and stearic acid (2.48%). UV-induced reductions in NHDF cell viability, ROS production, SOD activity, and G2/M cell cycle arrest were remarkably improved in UV + CPO treated NHDF cells as compared with UV + Vehicle treated controls. Also, UV-induced increases in MMP-1 protein and galactosidase levels were remarkably suppressed by CPO. In UV-radiated hairless mice, topical application of CPO inhibited an increase in wrinkle formation, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema value, hydration and melanin index on dorsal skin of UVB-irradiated hairless mice. CPO was observed to similarly suppress UV-induced increases in epidermal thickness, mast cell numbers, and galactosidase and MMP-3 mRNA levels. These results suggest CPO has therapeutic potential in terms of protecting against skin photoaging by regulating skin morphology, histopathology and oxidative status.

Inhibitory effects of Aristotelia chilensis water extract on 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene induced atopic-like dermatitis in BALB/c Mice.

BACKGROUND: Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) has been reported to have anti-glycation, anti-inflammation, lipogenesis-inhibiting activities highly related to its anti-oxidation function, but practical efficacy studies on immunological mechanisms for atopic dermatitis, have not been reported yet. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the immune regulation mechanism of Aristotelia chilensis water extract (ACWE) related to atopic-like dermatitis . METHODS: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ACWE was assayed. Atopy inhibitory effect was evaluated using in vitro cell study and in vivo 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced mouse atopic-like dermatitis model. RESULTS: ACWE has good antioxidant activities, and atopic indications were improved in ACWE group in DNCB-induced atopic-like dermatitis model of BALB/c mice. In spleen cells from mice, ACWE increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels, and decreased interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels compared with the DNCB control. CONCLUSIONS: ACWE was efficacious for atopic dermatitis which indicates that ACWE might have potential as an agent for atopic dermatitis.

Anti-obesity effect and action mechanism of Adenophora triphylla root ethanol extract in C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet.

This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of Adenophora triphylla root ethanol extract (ATREE). C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups, a normal diet group (N), a control group fed only high-fat diet (HFD) (C), a positive control group fed HFD with 0.5% catechin (PC), and groups fed HFD with 0.5% (E1) or 1% (E2) ATREE. The body weight gain, hematological and serum biochemistry data, and anti-oxidative index in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue were improved significantly in the E group (E1, E2), as compared to the C group. As for histological findings, adipocyte size was reduced by ATREE. E group (E1, E2) showed significant increases in adiponectin, AMPK, and PPAR-α, and significant decreases in TNF-α, GPDH, and PPAR-γ, as compared to the C group. The above findings indicate that ATREE might have an anti-obesity effect through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. It is considered ATREE can be used as a natural treatment for obesity and metabolic syndrome induced by oxidative stress.

Acute and subchronic toxicity of FCD, a soybean extract combined with L-carnitine, in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Soy products are primarily composed of proteins, phytochemicals such as isoflavones, soy lipids, and carbohydrates. Recently, soy isoflavones with L-carnitine were reported to exhibit anti-obesity effects in mice. FCD, a combination of soybean extract and L-carnitine, is a newly developed food substance. As a part of its safety assessment, acute and 13-week subchronic toxicity studies were performed in a total of 100 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In the acute study, a single limit dose of 2000 mg/kg was orally administered to five male and five female rats. No adverse effects or mortality was observed during a 14-day period or upon gross pathological examination. In the subchronic study, FCD was orally administered in daily doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg for 13 weeks, resulting in no mortality, and no changes in hematological and serum biochemistry parameters, gross pathology or histopathology. However, body weights of females were significantly decreased 10 weeks after treatment at an average of 2000 mg/kg. In addition, a slight decrease in mean food and water consumption was observed at the same dose level for 13 weeks. Therefore, the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of FCD was considered to be 2000 mg/kg for male and 1000 mg/kg for female SD rats.