Preventive Activity of Patchouli Alcohol Against Colorectal Cancer and Diabetes.

Patchouli alcohol (PA) is a tricyclic sesquiterpene and the dominant bioactive component in oil extracted from the aerial parts of Pogostemon cablin (patchouli). It has been reported to possess diverse health-beneficial activities, including anti-inflammatory, antiobese, and anticancer activities. However, preclinical studies are required to explore the possibility of developing PA as a promising functional and promising drug for the prevention and treatment of human diseases. In this study, we used animal models to examine whether PA shows benefits in inflammation-induced colorectal cancer and obesity-induced diabetes. ApcMin/+ mice for colorectal cancer model were treated PA 0, 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight three times a week for 6 weeks along with 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 1 week. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice were treated with PA 0, 25, and 50 mg/kg bodyweight three times a week for 8 weeks. Oral administration of PA to ApcMin/+ mice treated with DSS significantly suppressed formation and development of tumors in both small and large intestines. In cell culture using Caco-2 human colorectal cancer cells, treatment of culture media with PA suppressed proliferation and induced G1-phase growth arrest. In a mouse model of HFD-induced obesity, glucose tolerance tests indicated the same orally administered dose of PA to significantly reduce blood glucose. In vitro assays in differentiated C2C12 myocytes further demonstrated PA to significantly enhance glucose uptake and increase phosphorylation of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and protein kinase B. This study demonstrates that PA might possess health beneficial effects on colorectal cancer and obesity-induced diabetes.

Anti-Adipogenic Activity of High-Phenolic Sorghum Brans in Pre-Adipocytes.

Obesity is one of the leading public health problems that can result in life-threatening metabolic and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world and certain genotypes of sorghum have high polyphenol content. PI570481, SC84, and commercially available sumac sorghum are high-polyphenol genotypes that have demonstrated strong anti-cancer activities in previous studies. The objective of this study was to explore a potential anti-obesity use of extracts from sorghum bran in the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and to investigate cellular and molecular responses in differentiated adipocytes to elucidate related mechanisms. None of the four different sorghum bran extracts (PI570481, SC84, Sumac, and white sorghum as a low-polyphenol control) caused cytotoxicity in undifferentiated and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells at doses used in this study. Sorghum bran extracts (PI570481, SC84, and Sumac) reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic and lipogenic proteins in a dose-dependent manner in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. The same polyphenol containing sorghum bran extracts also repressed production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MAPK signaling pathways and repressed insulin signaling and glucose uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. These data propose a potential use of high-phenolic sorghum bran for the prevention of obesity.

Polyphenol Containing Sorghum Brans Exhibit an Anti-Cancer Effect in Apc Min/+ Mice Treated with Dextran Sodium Sulfate.

Colon cancer (CC) is considered a high-risk cancer in developed countries. Its etiology is correlated with a high consumption of red meat and low consumption of plant-based foods, including whole grains. Sorghum bran is rich in polyphenols. This study aimed to determine whether different high-phenolic sorghum brans suppress tumor formation in a genetic CC rodent model and elucidate mechanisms. Tissue culture experiments used colorectal cancer cell lines SW480, HCT-116 and Caco-2 and measured protein expression, and protein activity. The animal model used in this study was APC Min+/mouse model combined with dextram sodium sulfate. High phenolic sorghum bran extract treatment resulted in the inhibition of proliferation and induced apoptosis in CC cell lines. Treatment with high phenolic sorghum bran extracts repressed TNF-α-stimulated NF-κB transactivation and IGF-1-stimulated PI3K/AKT pathway via the downregulation of ß-catenin transactivation. Furthermore, high-phenolic sorghum bran extracts activated AMPK and autophagy. Feeding with high-phenolic sorghum bran for 6 weeks significantly suppressed tumor formation in an APC Min/+ dextran sodium sulfate promoted CC mouse model. Our data demonstrates the potential application of high-phenolic sorghum bran as a functional food for the prevention of CC.

Anticancer Activity of a Novel High Phenolic Sorghum Bran in Human Colon Cancer Cells.

Human colon cancer is the third leading cause of mortality in the United States and worldwide. Chemoprevention using diet is widely accepted as a promising approach for cancer management. Numerous population studies indicate a negative correlation between the incidence of colon cancer and consumption of whole grains with a high content of bioactive phenolic compounds. In the current study, we evaluated the anticancer properties of a high phenolic sorghum bran extract prepared using 70% ethanol with 5% citric acid solvent at room temperature. A significant dose-dependent suppression of cell proliferation was observed in human colon cancer cells treated with the high phenolic sorghum bran extract. Apoptosis and S phase growth arrest were induced, while cell migration and invasion were inhibited by this treatment; these effects were accompanied by altered expression of apoptosis, cell cycle, and metastasis-regulating genes. We also found that the high phenolic sorghum bran extract stimulated DNA damage in association with induction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and subsequent expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). The present study expands our understanding of the potential use of high phenolic sorghum bran to prevent human colon cancer.

Fermented Castanea crenata Inner Shell Extract Increases Fat Metabolism and Decreases Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

The anti-obesity effects of fermented Castanea crenata inner shell extract (FCCE) were investigated using high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. In the FCCE intake groups, body weight gain and adipocyte area were significantly reduced, especially body weight gain in the 250 mg/kg FCCE group (G4) decreased by 37%, respectively, compared with negative control group (G2, HFD group). After oral administration of the FCCE, the increase of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol induced by HFD was suppressed significantly, as well as the level of aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase, which are markers of hepatitis induced by obesity. Serum leptin in G4 group was significantly decreased to less than that of G2 group. Also, in G4 and 500 mg/kg FCCE group (G5), enzymes-related lipogenesis, citrate synthase, and ATP citrate lyase were decreased, whereas the level of enoyl-CoA hydratase used for ß-oxidation was significantly increased in comparison with normal diet group. Furthermore, the FCCE stimulated the expression of lipolytic regulators, especially AMP-activated protein kinase. In conclusion, we suggest that the FCCE may ameliorate in diet-induced obesity by regulating lipid metabolism.

Antiobesity Effect of Garlic Extract Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum BL2 in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Obesity is viewed as a serious public health problem. This study aimed to investigate the antiobesity effects of fermented garlic extract by lactic acid bacteria (LAFGE) on obesity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. The HFD-induced obese mice were orally administrated with 250 or 500 mg/kg LAFGE for 8 weeks. Feeding HFD-fed mice with 250 or 500 mg/kg LAFGE reduced body weight by 14% and 18%, respectively, compared to HFD. HFD-fed mice with 500 mg/kg LAFGE administration had lower epididymal, retroperitoneal, and mesenteric adipose tissue mass by 36%, 44%, and 63%, respectively, compared to HFD. The concentration of plasma triacylglyceride and total cholesterol was significantly lower in the HFD-fed mice with LAFGE administration. Moreover, LAFGE supplementation suppressed adipogenesis by downregulation in mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and lipogenic proteins, including SREBP-1c, FAS, and SCD-1. Based on these findings, LAFGE may ameliorate diet-induced obesity by inhibiting adipose tissue hypertrophy by suppressing adipogenesis.

Germinated Waxy Black Rice Suppresses Weight Gain in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

This study was performed to investigate the antiobesity effect of germinated waxy black rice (GWBR) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The mice were divided into a normal diet (ND) group, HFD group, and 2 test groups for 8 weeks: 2.5% GWBR-supplemented (GWBR-2.5) group and 5% GWBR-supplemented (GWBR-5) group. Supplementing with GWBR significantly reduced body weight gain and lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue compared to the HFD control group. Triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in serum were decreased by GWBR supplementation, whereas high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level significantly increased. In addition, mRNA levels of transcriptional factors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-α, C/EBP-ß, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and related genes, including adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein, fatty acid synthase, and lipoprotein lipase, were significantly lower in the GWBR groups. However, lipolytic enzymes, such as hormone-sensitive lipase, adipose TG lipase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, and uncoupling protein 2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in GWBR-supplemented mice. These results suggest that GWBR exerts antiobesity effects by decreasing lipid accumulation and promoting lipolysis in HFD-induced obese mice.