Three months-longitudinal changes in relative telomere length, blood chemistries, and self-report questionnaires in meditation practitioners compared to novice individuals during midlife.

Aging accelerates during midlife. Researches have shown the health benefits of mind-body intervention (MBI). However, whether MBI is involved with aging process has not been well understood. In this study, we approach to examine the relations of MBI with this process by investigating an aging marker of the peripheral blood, blood chemistry, and self-report questionnaires. A quasi-experimental design was applied. Experienced MBI practitioners participated in a 3-month intensive meditation training, while the age, gender-matched MBI-naïve controls led a normal daily life. Measurements were taken at before and after the 3 months for relative telomere length (RTL), blood chemistry, and self-report questionnaires including items about sleep quality, somatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, emotional intelligence (EI), and self-regulation. For RTL, the repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant group*time interaction (P = .013) with a significant post hoc result (P = .030) within the control group: RTL was significantly reduced in the control while it was maintained in the meditation group. In repeated measures analysis of variance for blood chemistries, there were significant group differences between the groups in glucose and total protein. In the post hoc comparison analysis, at post measurements, the meditation group exhibited significantly lower values than the control group in both glucose and total protein. There were significant group-wise differences in the correlations of RTL with triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. Any of self-report results did not show significant changes in group*time interaction. However, there were group differences with significant (P < .05) or a tendency (.05 < P < .1) level. There were significant improvements in depression, stress and EI as well as tendencies of improvement in sleep quality and anxiety, in the meditation group compared to the control group. Our results suggest that meditation practice may have a potential to modify aging process in molecular cellular level combined with changes in psychological dimension.

Comparative sub-chronic toxicity studies in rats of two indistinguishable herbal plants, Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsley and Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight.

Sub-chronic toxicity studies using rats have been conducted for Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsley (CW) and Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight (CA). CW water extract didn't show any adverse effects whereas administering CW powder decreased body weights in complication with decreased food consumptions. In the case of CA water extract, triglyceride and absolute/relative liver weights were elevated and vacuolation was observed in liver. Treated CA powder in male rats increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and induced single cell necrosis and multinucleated hepatocyte in liver. As for female rats, increased absolute/relative weights and hypertrophy/vacuolation in adrenal glands and vacuolation in ovaries were observed when administered CA powder. In conclusion, no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of CW water extract was over 5000 mg/kg/day, while NOAEL of CW powder was 700 mg/kg/day for female and 150 mg/kg/day for male. In case of CA, NOAEL of water extract was 1500 mg/kg/day for male and 2000 mg/kg/day for female, while NOAEL of powder was 150 mg/kg/day for both gender. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first sub-chronic toxicity study on the adverse effects, target organs and its dose levels of C. wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsley and C. auriculatum Royle ex Wight following GLP protocols.

Synergistic Antitumor Activity of SH003 and Docetaxel via EGFR Signaling Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in lung cancer patients. Despite treatment with various EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, recurrence and metastasis of lung cancer are inevitable. Docetaxel (DTX) is an effective conventional drug that is used to treat various cancers. Several researchers have studied the use of traditional herbal medicine in combination with docetaxel, to improve lung cancer treatment. SH003, a novel herbal mixture, exerts anticancer effects in different cancer cell types. Here, we aimed to investigate the apoptotic and anticancer effects of SH003 in combination with DTX, in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SH003, with DTX, induced apoptotic cell death, with increased expression of cleaved caspases and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in NSCLC cells. Moreover, SH003 and DTX induced the apoptosis of H460 cells via the suppression of the EGFR and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways. In H460 tumor xenograft models, the administration of SH003 or docetaxel alone diminished tumor growth, and their combination effectively killed cancer cells, with increased expression of apoptotic markers and decreased expression of p-EGFR and p-STAT3. Collectively, the combination of SH003 and DTX may be a novel anticancer strategy to overcome the challenges that are associated with conventional lung cancer therapy.

The Appropriateness of Glycerin Enema in Pediatric Patients Visiting the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: We determined whether glycerin enemas were appropriately prescribed in pediatric fecal impaction patients using the Leech score and identified factors that influenced the prescription of glycerin enemas in the pediatric emergency department (PED). METHODS: We included patients who received a glycerin enema at the PED of a tertiary teaching hospital. We divided the study subjects into two groups on the basis of their Leech scores: an appropriate enema group (Leech score ≥ 8), and an inappropriate enema group (Leech score < 8). Logistic regression was performed to determine the factors associated with glycerin enema administration. RESULTS: The data of 998 patients, including 446 patients in the inappropriate enema group (Leech score 5.2 ± 1.7) and 552 patients in the appropriate enema group (Leech score 10.1 ± 1.7), were analyzed. A discharge diagnosis of fecal impaction was observed significantly more frequently (57.1%) in the appropriate enema group, and nonspecific abdominal pain (8.3%) and acute gastroenteritis (40.8%) were diagnosed significantly more frequently in the inappropriate enema group (p < 0.05). Constipation (2.8%) and irritability (3.0%) were slightly more common in the appropriate enema group than in the inappropriate enema group (p < 0.05). According to multiple logistic regression, subjects aged 2-8 years (2-4 years, OR 4.24; 4-8 years, OR 2.83), with vomiting (OR 1.72), with irritability (OR 4.52), and with a prolonged last defecation day (OR 1.2) were most likely to receive appropriate enema administration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that in those aged 2-8 years, with vomiting and irritability, and with a prolonged last defecation day, an enema was generally administered appropriately.

Licorice extract suppresses adipogenesis through regulation of mitotic clonal expansion and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in 3T3-L1 cells.

Licorice, the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, has been observed to possess an anti-obesity effect. Previous research has suggested that licorice acetone extract (LE) has an influence on mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which play a key role in regulating adipogenesis. This study sought further insight into the molecular mechanism of LE's anti-obesity effect using 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro. LE inhibited 3T3-L1 adipogenesis, and the inhibitory effect of LE on adipogenesis was most significant in the early stage of adipogenic differentiation. LE inhibited the protein expression of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases in the MCE stage and arrested cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, it activated AMPK via phosphorylation. Moreover, the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes were regulated by LE. These findings suggest the anti-obesity effect of LE via MCE and AMPK regulation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Although the anti-obesity effects of licorice have been studied, the application of functional food-related anti-obesity effects of licorice has been less than that of other extracts. The present study increases the reliability of the anti-obesity effect of licorice by suggesting a new mechanism of action and expands the application of functional foods related to the anti-obesity effect of licorice. A new mechanistic insight will not only improve the scientific knowledge but will also help to predict the side effects of licorice's anti-obesity application.

Plasma jet assisted carbonization and activation of coffee ground waste.

Activated carbon has been extensively utilized to adsorb pollutants generated by industrial activities. There have been many attempts to efficiently produce activated carbon from spent coffee grounds in the field of environmental technology. In this study, the feasibility of the novel production of activated carbon from coffee ground waste using a plasma jet was evaluated. A rotating gliding arc generator was designed that used an N2 plasma jet for the carbonization process and a CO2 plasma jet for the activation process. It was confirmed that the coffee ground waste could be carbonized and activated by the two plasma jets in the same reactor. The characteristics of the surface morphologies of the activated carbon samples varied depending on the plasma treatment conditions, such as the electric power of the plasma jet and the treatment time. The results implied that the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon could be optimized by regulating the pore size and distribution based on the plasma treatment conditions with regard to the molecular size of the target adsorbate.

Differential responses of endothelial integrity upon the intake of microencapsulated garlic, tomato extract or a mixture: a single-intake, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

This study investigated the effect of microencapsulated garlic and/or tomato on endothelial dysfunction induced by the PhenFlex test (PFT) in healthy male smokers. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 41 healthy male smokers were randomly assigned to one of four groups to receive the test groups (in microencapsulated garlic powder, tomato extract and a mixture thereof) or the placebo group. Proteomic biomarkers related to endothelial integrity were measured in plasma. Microencapsulated garlic, tomato extract and the mixture affected endothelial integrity biomarkers differently. Garlic consumption increased prothrombin time and decreased SAA and IL-12. Tomato extract intake increased activated partial thrombin time and decreased d-dimer, SAA, sVCAM-1, IL-13 and MCP-3 levels. Consumption of the mixture increased sE-selectin and lowered D-dimer, SAA, IL-13 and IL-10 responses after PFT challenge for 6 h. The different responses became clearer under high compliance in the dietary restriction groups. This single-intake clinical trial addressed the different responses of biomarkers related to endothelial integrity.

Targeted therapy of triple negative MDA-MB-468 breast cancer with curcumin delivered by epidermal growth factor-conjugated phospholipid nanoparticles.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with poor survival as chemotherapy is currently limited to conventional cytotoxic agents. Curcumin has promising anticancer actions against TNBC, but its application is hindered by poor bioavailability and rapid degradation in vivo. In the present study, curcumin-loaded phospholipid nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) conjugated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) were prepared for specific targeting of EGF receptors overexpressed in TNBC. NP formulation was performed by reacting EGF peptide with N-hydroxysuccinimide-Polyethylene Glycol-1,2-Distearoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphoethanolamine (NHS-PEG10000-DSPE), followed by efficient curcumin loading through lipid film hydration. EGF conjugation did not significantly affect NP size, zeta potential or morphology. Specific targeting was confirmed by EGF receptor activation and blocking of 125I-labeled NP binding by excess EGF. EGF-Cur-NP dose-dependently suppressed MDA-MB-468 TNBC cell survival (IC50, 620 nM), and completely abolished their capacity to form colonies. The cytotoxic effects were more potent compared with those of free curcumin or Cur-NP. In mice bearing MDA-MB-468 tumors, injections of 10 mg/kg EGF-Cur-NP caused a 59.1% retardation of tumor growth at 3 weeks compared with empty NP, whereas the antitumor effect of Cur-NP was weak. These results indicate that EGF-conjugated NHS-PEG10000-DSPE phospholipid NPs loaded with curcumin may be useful for treating TNBCs that overexpress the EGF receptor.

Rg3-enriched ginseng extract ameliorates scopolamine-induced learning deficits in mice.

BACKGROUND: Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been used as a traditional herb in the treatment of many medical disorders. Ginsenosides, which are triterpene derivatives that contain sugar moieties, are the main pharmacological ingredients in ginseng. This study was designed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3-enriched ginseng extract (Rg3GE) on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. METHODS: Rg3GE (50 and 100 mg/kg) were administered to C57BL/6 mice by oral gavage for 14 days (days 1-14). Memory impairment was induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) for 6 days (days 914). The Morris water maze test was used to assess hippocampus-dependent spatial memory. The effects of scopolamine with or without Rg3GE on acetylcholinesterase and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the hippocampus were also examined. RESULTS: Mice with scopolamine treatment alone showed impairments in the acquisition and retention of spatial memory. Mice that received Rg3GE and scopolamine showed no scopolamine-induced impairment in the acquisition of spatial memory. Oral administration of Rg3GE suppressed the scopolamine-mediated increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and stimulation of the NF-κB pathway (i.e., phosphorylation of p65) in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Rg3GE may stabilize scopolamine-induced memory deficits through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and NF-κB signaling in the hippocampus.

Discrimination of ginseng cultivation regions using light stable isotope analysis.

Korean ginseng is considered to be a precious health food in Asia. Today, thieves frequently compromise ginseng farms by pervasive theft. Thus, studies regarding the characteristics of ginseng according to growth region are required in order to deter ginseng thieves and prevent theft. In this study, 6 regions were selected on the basis of Korea regional criteria (si, gun, gu), and two ginseng-farms were randomly selected from each of the 6 regions. Then 4-6 samples of ginseng were acquired from each ginseng farm. The stable isotopic compositions of H, O, C, and N of the collected ginseng samples were analyzed. As a result, differences in the hydrogen isotope ratios could be used to distinguish regional differences, and differences in the nitrogen isotope ratios yielded characteristic information regarding the farms from which the samples were obtained. Thus, stable isotope values could be used to differentiate samples according to regional differences. Therefore, stable isotope analysis serves as a powerful tool to discriminate the regional origin of Korean ginseng samples from across Korea.

Oldenlandia diffusa Promotes Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effects in a Rat Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Liver Cirrhosis.

Oldenlandia diffusa (OD) is commonly used with various diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and autoimmune disease. Liver cirrhosis is a predominant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we show that the therapeutic effect of OD, which was investigated both in vitro and chemically, induced HCC model. OD significantly enhanced apoptosis and antiproliferative activity and reduced migration ability of HCC cells. In vivo, OD was treated twice a day for 28 days after confirmed HCC model through 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) imaging. The survival in OD treated groups was shown to have a greater therapeutic effect than the control group. 28 days after OD treatment, OD treated groups resulted in a significant reduction in tumor number, size, (18)F-FDG uptake, and serum levels such as alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphate compared to the control group. Also, proliferated cells in tumor sites by OD were reduced compared to the control group. Furthermore, several rats in OD treated group survived over 60 days and liver morphology of these rats showed the difference between tumor mass and normal tissue. These results suggest that OD may have antiproliferative activity, inhibition of metastasis, and apoptotic effects in chemically induced HCC model and can have the potential use for clinical application as anticancer drug of the herbal extract.

Nut consumption has favorable effects on lipid profiles of Korean women with metabolic syndrome.

Nut consumption has been studied for its cardioprotective effects. However, the findings of clinical intervention studies are inconsistent; and no intervention studies have been conducted in the Korean population. We hypothesized that nut supplementation may have favorable influence on metabolic markers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of nut consumption on metabolic parameters and biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial function in Korean adults with metabolic syndrome. To this end, we designed a randomized, parallel, controlled dietary intervention study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02023749). Subjects with metabolic syndrome and a body mass index of at least 23 kg/m(2) were randomized to the Control group and the Nut group, which received supplementation with 30 g/d of mixed nuts (walnuts, peanuts, and pine nuts) for 6 weeks. Sixty volunteers were included in the final analysis. Metabolic markers were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study. Total cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly improved in the Nut group compared to those in the Control group (P = .023 and P = .016, respectively) in women. Biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial function did not significantly change from baseline in either group. Thus, supplementing a usual diet with mixed nuts for 6 weeks had favorable effects on several lipid parameters in Korean women with metabolic syndrome. These findings present a possible mechanism for the cardioprotective effects of nut consumption.

Comparison of dietary food and nutrient intakes by supplement use in pregnant and lactating women in Seoul.

This study was performed to compare the dietary food and nutrient intakes according to supplement use in pregnant and lactating women in Seoul. The subjects were composed of 201 pregnant and 104 lactating women, and their dietary food intake was assessed using the 24-h recall method. General information on demographic and socioeconomic factors, as well as health-related behaviors, including the use of dietary supplements, were collected. About 88% and 60% of the pregnant and lactating women took dietary supplements, respectively. The proportion of dietary supplements used was higher in pregnant women with a higher level of education. After adjusting for potential confounders, among the pregnant women, supplement users were found to consume 45% more vegetables, and those among the lactating women were found to consume 96% more beans and 58% more vegetables. The intakes of dietary fiber and ß-carotene among supplement users were higher than those of non-users, by 23% and 39%, respectively. Among pregnant women, the proportion of women with an intake of vitamin C (from diet alone) below the estimated average requirements (EAR) was lower among supplement users [users (44%) vs. non-users (68%)], and the proportion of lactating women with intakes of iron (from diet alone) below the EAR was lower among supplement users [usesr (17%) vs. non-users (38%)]. These results suggest that among pregnant and lactating women, those who do not use dietary supplements tend to have a lower intake of healthy foods, such as beans and vegetables, as well as a lower intake of dietary fiber and ß-carotene, which are abundant in these foods, and non-users are more likely than users to have inadequate intake of micro-nutrient such as vitamin C and iron.

Draft genome sequence of Pantoea ananatis B1-9, a nonpathogenic plant growth-promoting bacterium.

Pantoea ananatis B1-9 is an endophytic Gram-negative rhizobacterium that was isolated for its ability to promote plant growth and improve crop yield in the field. Here we report the draft genome sequence of P. ananatis B1-9. Comparison of this sequence to the sequenced genome of a plant-pathogenic P. ananatis strain, LMG20103, indicated that the pathogenesis-related genes were absent, but a subset of gene functions that may be related to its plant growth promotion were present.

Effects of lycopene supplementation on oxidative stress and markers of endothelial function in healthy men.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the effects of lycopene supplementation on endothelial function assessed by reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) and oxidative stress. METHODS: Healthy men (n=126) were randomized to receive placebo (n=38), 6 mg (n=41), or 15 mg (n=37) lycopene daily for 8-week. RESULTS: Serum lycopene increased in a dose-dependent manner after 8-week supplementation (P<0.001). The 15 mg/day group had greater increase in plasma SOD activity (P=0.014) and reduction in lymphocyte DNA comet tail length (P=0.042) than the placebo group. Intragroup comparison revealed a 23% increase in RH-PAT index from baseline (1.45±0.09 vs. 1.79±0.12; P=0.032) in the 15 mg/day group after 8-week. hs-CRP, systolic blood pressure, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 significantly decreased, and ß-carotene and LDL-particle size significantly increased only in the 15 mg/day group. Interestingly, the beneficial effect of lycopene supplementation on endothelial function (i.e., RH-PAT and sVCAM-1) were remarkable in subjects with relatively impaired endothelial cell function at initial level. Changes in RH-PAT index correlated with SOD activity (r=0.234, P=0.017) especially in the 15 mg lycopene/day group (r=0.485, P=0.003), lymphocyte DNA comet tail moment (r=-0.318, P=0.001), and hs-CRP (r=-0.238, P=0.011). In addition, changes in lycopene correlated with hs-CRP (r=-0.230, P=0.016) and SOD activity (r=0.205, P=0.037). CONCLUSION: An increase in serum lycopene after supplementation can reduce oxidative stress which may play a role in endothelial function.

Antiasthmatic action of dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans from fruits of Forsythia viridissima on asthmatic responses to ovalbumin challenge in conscious guinea-pigs.

It was reported previously that dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans from Forsythia viridissima fruits, which are traditional medicines for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, have antiinflammatory effects. In this study, the effects on the immediate-phase response (IAR) and late-phase response (LAR) following aerosolized-ovalbumin challenge in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pigs were evaluated by measuring the specific airway resistance (sRaw), recruitment of leukocytes and chemical mediators in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) as well as a histopathological survey. Arctiin and matairesinol at 12.5 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.05) decreased sRaw by 51.83% and 43.15% in IAR and by 47.41% and 35.43% in LAR, respectively, whereas arctigenin at 25 mg/kg was significantly active, compared with the controls. Furthermore, arctiin and arctigenin dose-dependently inhibited histamine, and the activities of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in BALF, respectively, whereas matairesinol inhibited EPO and PLA2 at 12.5 mg/kg and histamine at 50 mg/kg, in addition, they moderately improved the infiltration of eosinophils, compared with controls. Dexamethasone, cromolyn and salbutamol significantly inhibited sRaw in both IAR and LAR, and the recruitment of leukocytes and chemical mediators, whereas salbutamol did not alter chemical mediators, in BALF. These results indicate the three lignans have antiasthmatic effects which were less active than those of the reference drugs.

Comparison of hesperetin and its metabolites for cholesterol-lowering and antioxidative efficacy in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.

This study was performed to compare the hypolipidemic and antioxidant efficacy of hesperetin and its metabolites in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. The hamsters were fed a high-fat (10% coconut oil and 0.2% cholesterol, wt/wt) diet or a high-fat diet supplemented with hesperetin (0.02%) or hesperetin metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (DHPP) (0.012%) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid) (0.013%), for 12 weeks. Dietary DHPP and ferulic acid were found to have significantly decreased the levels of the plasma total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein B, hepatic lipids, and cholesterol-regulating enzymes compared to the control group. In particular, ferulic acid was more potent with respect to raising HDL-C/total cholesterol ratio and paraoxonase levels while decreasing atherogenic index values. Hesperetin and its metabolites seemed to enhance antioxidant capacity by lowering the hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxide (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substrates) levels. Among the hesperetin metabolites tested, the relative potency of ferulic acid for reducing the risks of atherosclerosis in hamsters was found to be greater.

Geranylgeranylacetone ameliorates acute cochlear damage caused by 3-nitropropionic acid.

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induces hearing loss by impairing mitochondrial energy generation. Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) is known to protect the cochlea from various injuries. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of GGA against acute 3-NP-induced damage to the cochlear mitochondria. Female Hartley guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups. The 3-NP vehicle was injected to control animals and in animals receiving GGA alone, only GGA was administered for 7 days. 3-NP (500 mM, 4 microl) was administered with (animals receiving both GGA and 3-NP) or without (animals receiving 3-NP alone) GGA pretreatment (800 mg/kg, 7 days). The auditory brainstem response (ABR) was recorded at click and at 8, 16 and 32 kHz before and after injection, respectively. After cochlear harvest, hematoxylin/eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for anti-HSP70 antibody were done. 3-NP exposure resulted in elevated ABR thresholds that exceeded the maximum recording limit, while GGA pretreatment before 3-NP exposure led to a significant decrease in hearing threshold shift. Histological analysis of above former group revealed loss of type II fibrocytes in the spiral ligament, hair cells in the organ of Corti, stellate fibrocytes in the spiral limbus and spiral ganglion cells, while in above latter group, these cells were preserved. Control animals revealed weak HSP70 expression in the nuclei of some supporting cells (pillar cells, Deiters' cells and Hensen's cells) and interdental cells. Animals receiving GGA alone showed strong HSP70 expression in the same area as in control animals, while animals receiving both GGA and 3-NP demonstrated slightly decreased HSP70 expression in that area. These results suggest that GGA may protect the cochlea against acute injury resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction.

A mixture of the aqueous extract of Garcinia cambogia, soy peptide and L: -carnitine reduces the accumulation of visceral fat mass in rats rendered obese by a high fat diet.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-obesity effect of a mixture composed of Garcinia cambogia extract, soypeptide, and L: -carnitine (1.2:0.3:0.02, w/w/w) in rats rendered obese by a high-fat diet (HFD). Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either the high-fat control diet (CD) or the 0.38% mixture-supplemented HFD (CD + M) for 9 weeks. The mixture significantly reduced body weight gain and the accumulation of visceral fat mass in a rat model of HFD-induced obesity. Moreover, the mixture effectively lowered blood and hepatic lipid concentrations and serum glucose, insulin, c-peptide, and leptin levels in rats with HFD-induced obesity. Results from real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses indicated that the expression levels of leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) genes in the epididymal fat tissue of rats fed the CD + M diet were 0.4-, 0.6-, and 0.48-fold, respectively, of those found in the CD rats (P < 0.05), while expression of the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene in epididymal adipose tissue was 1.25-fold (P < 0.05) of that found in CD rats. In conclusion, a mixture composed of G. cambogia extract, soy peptide, and L: -carnitine attenuated visceral fat accumulation and improved dyslipidemia in a rat model with HFD-induced obesity.

Gigantol isolated from the whole plants of Cymbidium goeringii inhibits the LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression via NF-kappaB inactivation in RAW 264.7 macrophages cells.

During our efforts to find bioactive natural products with anti-inflammatory activity, we isolated gigantol from the whole plants of Cymbidium goeringii (Orchidaceae) by activity-guided chromatographic fractionation. Gigantol was found to have potent inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E (2) (PGE (2)) production in RAW 264.7 cells. Consistent with these findings, gigantol suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein and mRNA levels in RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Our data also indicate that gigantol is a potent inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release and influenced the mRNA expression levels of these cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a reporter gene assay for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and an electromobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated that gigantol effectively inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB, which is necessary for the expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6. Thus, our studies suggest that gigantol inhibits LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression by blocking NF- kappaB activation.