Anti-allergic effects of PG102, a water-soluble extract prepared from Actinidia arguta, in a murine ovalbumin-induced asthma model.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung and its incidence has been increasing around the world. We previously reported that oral administration of a water-soluble extract prepared from Actinidia arguta, code-named PG102, could modulate the level of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and suppress the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized murine model as well as in the in vitro cell culture system, and furthermore could significantly improve dermatitis conditions in the NC/Nga murine model. These data suggested that PG102 might have therapeutic effects in a broad range of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the possible anti-allergic effects of PG102 in the OVA-induced murine asthma model. METHODS: The quality of PG102 was standardized, using its effects on the production of IgE, IL-5, and IL-13, in in vitro cell culture systems. To test effects on asthma, BALB/c mice were orally administrated with PG102, followed by OVA sensitization and challenge to induce asthmatic symptoms. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum, and lung tissue were analysed by using various methods. RESULTS: PG102 could decrease the level of IgE, IL-5, and IL-13 in in vitro cell culture systems with IC(50) being 1.12-1.43 mg/mL. PG102 could ameliorate asthmatic symptoms, including AHR and eosinophilia in the lungs. Such improvement of asthmatic symptoms by PG102 was accompanied by the down-regulation of IL-5 and IgE. In PG102-treated mice, high level expression of heme oxygenase-1, a potent anti-inflammatory enzyme, was observed in alveolar inflammatory cells, while the mRNA levels of foxp3, TGF-beta1, and IL-10, important markers for regulatory T cells, were also up-regulated in the lung tissue. CONCLUSIONS: PG102 may have potential as a safe and effective reagent for the prevention or treatment of asthma.

Fate of foodborne pathogens on green onions and tomatoes by electrolysed water.

AIMS: To investigate the efficacy of electrolysed water (EW) in killing Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes on the surfaces of spot-inoculated green onions and tomatoes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Green onions and tomatoes were inoculated with a cocktail of three strains each of E. coli O157:H7, Salm. typhimurium and L. monocytogenes and treated with acidic electrolysed water (AC-EW), alkaline electrolysed water (AK-EW), alkaline electrolysed water followed by acidic electrolysed water (AK-EW + AC-EW), deionized water followed by acidic electrolysed water (DW + AC-EW) and deionized water (control, DW) for 15 s, 30 s, 1 min, 3 min and 5 min at room temperature (22 +/- 2 degrees C). The relative efficacy of reduction was AC-EW > DW + AC-EW approximately AK-EW + AC-EW > AK-EW > DW. CONCLUSIONS: Acidic EW treatment was able to significantly reduce populations of the three tested pathogens from the surfaces of green onions and tomatoes with increasing exposure time. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Rinsing in acidic EW reveals an effective method to control the presence of E. coli O157:H7, Salm. typhimurium and L. monocytogenes on the surfaces of fresh green onions and tomatoes, without affecting their organoleptic characteristics. This indicates its potential application for the decontamination of fresh produce surfaces.

Efficacy of FIT produce wash and chlorine dioxide on pathogen control in fresh potatoes.

A commercial fresh pack potato operation was used as a model to evaluate FIT fruit and vegetable wash effectiveness in reducing levels of microorganisms on potatoes and in flume water. Fresh potatoes were washed in flume water with or without FIT, or treated with a spray bar utilizing either FIT, 9 ppm chlorine dioxide (CIO2), or a water control. Both flume treatments were also evaluated for APC and Gram-negatives. There were no significant differences in reduction of these microorganisms on treated or control potatoes. However, levels of Gram-negative bacteria in FIT-amended flume water were reduced by 5.95 log CFU/g, and the APC was reduced by 1.43 log CFU/g. To validate plant trial findings, this test was repeated using solutions of sterile potato flume water from the fresh pack operation, containing a typical level of dissolved and suspended solids. Treatment solutions prepared with flume water or deionized water containing FIT, 9 ppm CIO2, or a water control were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, or Pectobacterium carotovorumssp. carotovorum. FIT and ClO2 prepared with deionized water reduced levels of microorganisms by >6.1 to 6.6 log CFU/g to below the detection limit. FIT prepared with flume water reduced levels of all organisms by >6.0 to 6.4 log CFU/g to below the detection limit, whereas ClO2 prepared from flume water reduced bacterial levels of all organisms by only 0.7 to 1.4 log CFU/g. Neither FIT nor ClO2 was particularly efficacious against E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium, APC, yeasts, or molds on potato surfaces.

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of pinosylvin, a constituent of pine.

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of pinosylvin (3,5-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a constituent of pine, were studied and compared with those of resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene). Pinosylvin exhibited more potent growth inhibitory activity against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Suppressive effects of nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression by Calystegia soldanella methanol extract on lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells.

Since nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been found to be involved in various pathophysiological processes, including inflammation and carcinogenesis, the modulators of NO synthesis or expression have been considered as potential anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In this study, to procure the iNOS inhibitors from natural products, we evaluated 57 methanol extracts of natural products including Korean indigenous plants for the inhibition of NO formation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells. As a result, several extracts including those from Actinodaphne lancifolia, Calystegia soldanella, Caryratia japonica, Citrus dachibana, Dystaenia takeshimana, Erysimum aurantiacum, Hovenia undulata, Stewartia koreana and Viburnum awabuki showed potent inhibitory activities of NO production (>70% inhibition at the test concentration of 40 microg/ml). In particular, the extract of Calystegia soldanella showed a potential inhibition of NO production in a dose-dependent manner (IC50=4.3 microg/ml). Subsequent study also exhibited that the extract of Calystegia soldanella significantly suppressed iNOS protein and gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that Calystegia soldanella might be a new potential candidate for developing an iNOS inhibitor from natural products and also could be warranted for further elucidation of active principles for the development of new anti-inflammatory and/or cancer chemopreventive agents.

Naringin supplementation lowers plasma lipids and enhances erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Preliminary studies have shown that naringin has a potent lipid-lowering effect and antioxidant capacity in high-cholesterol diet fed animals. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of naringin on hypercholesterolemic subjects. METHODS: A hypercholesterolemic group (n=30) and healthy control group (n=30) were established based on the plasma cholesterol levels in the subjects, then all subjects received naringin (400mg/capsule/day) with regular meals for a period of 8 weeks. RESULTS: In the hypercholesterolemic subjects, naringin supplementation was found to lower the plasma total cholesterol by 14% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations by 17%, while the plasma triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations remained unaffected. The apolipoprotein B levels in the hypercholesterolemic subjects were significantly lowered after naringin treatment, yet no change was observed in the apolipoprotein A-1 levels. The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the hypercholesterolemic group were significantly increased, whereas the glutathione peroxidase activity and plasma TBARS levels were not different from the baseline measurements. Meanwhile, naringin supplementation had no affect on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and TBARS levels or antioxidant enzyme activities in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, these data suggest that naringin may play an important role in lowering plasma cholesterol and regulating the antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging effects of Nelumbo nucifera.

Ethanol extracts from Nelumbo nucifera (ENN) seeds were studied for possible antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects. Antioxidative effects were measured spectrophotometrically by reduction of 2,2'-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Hepatoprotective effects were tested using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatocyte toxicity models. ENN showed potent free radical scavenging effects with a median inhibition concentration of 6.49 microg/ml. Treatment of hepatocytes with ENN inhibited both the production of serum enzymes and cytotoxicity by CCl4. The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of AFB1 were also inhibited by ENN in dose-dependent manners. These hepatoprotective effects of ENN against CCl4 and AFB1 might result from its potent antioxidative properties.

Inhibitory effect on immunoglobulin E production in vivo and in vitro by Siegesbeckia glabrescens.

Elevated levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)E are associated with immediate-type allergic reactions. The effect of an aqueous extract of Siegesbeckia glabrescens (Compositae) whole plants (SGWP) on in vivo and in vitro IgE production was studied in mice. SGWP dose-dependently inhibited the active systemic anaphylaxis and serum IgE production induced by immunization with ovalbumin and Bordetella pertussis toxin absorbed to aluminium hydroxide gel. SGWP dose-dependently inhibited IL-4-dependent IgE production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine whole spleen cells. In the case of U266 human IgE-bearing B cells, SGWP also showed an inhibitory effect on IgE production. These results suggest that SGWP has an anti-allergic activity by inhibiting IgE production from B cells.

Constituents of Eugenia sandwicensis with potential cancer chemopreventive activity.

A triterpenoid, 3beta-cis-p-coumaroyloxy-2alpha,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1), and two natural products, 3beta-trans-p-coumaroyloxy-2alpha,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (2) and 23-trans-p-coumaroyloxy-2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (3), were isolated from a chloroform-soluble extract of the stems of Eugenia sandwicensis, along with 10 known compounds. Of these compounds, 2 showed significant inhibitory activity (79.2% at 4 microg/ml) in a 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mouse mammary organ culture assay system of relevance to cancer chemoprevention. Gallic acid was isolated as an antioxidative constituent of an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of E. sandwicensis stems. Isolates 1-3 were characterized on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.

Cyclooxygenase-inhibitory and antioxidant constituents of the aerial parts of Antirhea acutata.

Two new compounds, (6S)-hydroxy-29-nor-3,4-seco-cycloart-4(30),24-dien-3-oic acid (1) and 8-[1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-methoxy-3-oxopropyl]epicatechin (3), were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation from the aerial parts of Antirhea acutata (DC.) Urb. (Rubiaceae). Compound 1 showed moderate inhibitory activities in cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 assays (IC(50) 43.7 and 4.7 microM, respectively), while compound 3 was active in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free-radical and cytochrome c reduction antioxidant assays (IC(50) 29.1 and 16.3 microM, respectively). Additionally, one further new compound was isolated, (3S,24S)-25-trihydroxy-9,19-cycloartane-29-oic acid (2), but this was inactive in the bioassay systems used. Compound 1 is based on the unprecedented 29-nor-3,4-seco-cycloartane skeleton.

Regulation of mouse DNA topoisomerase IIIalpha gene expression by YY1 and USF transcription factors.

To investigate the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of DNA topoisomerase IIIalpha (TOP3alpha) gene expression, the promoter region of the mouse gene has been cloned and analyzed. The promoter region is moderately high in GC content and lacks a canonical TATA box, typical for promoters of a number of housekeeping genes. Transient expression of a luciferase reporter gene under the control of serially deleted 5'-flanking sequences demonstrated that the 34-bp region from -137 to -170 upstream of the transcription initiation site contains a positive regulatory element(s) for the efficient expression of mouse TOP3alpha gene. Combined analyses by gel mobility shift and supershift assays revealed that both YY1 and USF transcription factors were capable of binding to the 34-bp region. When YY1 and USF-binding elements were selectively mutated, the luciferase activity of the resulted constructs was greatly reduced, indicating that both YY1 and USF function as transcriptional activators. Interestingly, YY1 and USF-binding elements are conserved in both human and mouse TOP3alpha promoters. This suggests that mammalian TOP3alpha genes may possess a common mechanism of transcription regulation through these elements.

Anti-fibrotic effects of a hot-water extract from Salvia miltiorrhiza roots on liver fibrosis induced by biliary obstruction in rats.

The anti-fibrotic effects of a hot-water extract form the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza (Labiatae) on liver fibrosis induced by biliary obstruction was studied in rats. Liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by bile duct ligation and scission (BDL). After surgery, the hot-water extract of S. miltiorrhiza roots (100 mg kg(-1), p.o.) was administered daily for 28 days. The concentrations of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and total cholesterol in serum and hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde contents in liver were significantly increased in BDL rats. Treatment with the extract of S. miltiorrhiza significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and total cholesterol concentrations in BDL rats. The liver hydroxyproline content in BDL rats treated with extract was also reduced to 68% of that in BDL control rats (P < 0.01). The liver malondialdehyde content in BDL rats treated with the extract was also reduced to 47% of that in BDL control rats (P < 0.01). The morphological characteristics of fibrotic livers were improved in BDL rats treated with extract. Immunohistochemical examination of fibrotic liver showed that the extract of S. miltiorrhiza markedly reduced protein expression of alpha-smooth muscle cell-like actin, which indicates that hepatic stellate cell activation was inhibited during liver fibrosis development. The results indicate that the hot-water extract of S. miltiorrhiza roots inhibits fibrosis and lipid peroxidation in rats with liver fibrosis induced by biliary obstruction.

Neuroprotective constituents from Hedyotis diffusa.

In a bioassay-guided search for neuroprotective compounds from medicinal plants, a MeOH extract of whole plants of Hedoytis diffusa yielded five flavonol glycosides, kaempferol 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-E-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-E-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-E-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-(2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (4), and quercetin 3-O-(2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (5), and four O-acylated iridoid glycosides (6-9). Compounds 1 and 2 are previously unreported natural products, and all nine compounds exhibited significant neuroprotective activity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells damaged by L-glutamate.

Inhibitory effect of immunoglobulin E production by jin-deuk-chal (Siegesbeckia orientalis).

Elevated levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) E are associated with immediate-type allergic reactions. Jin-deuk-chal is the whole plant of Siegesbeckia orientalis (SO) sL Immunization of mice with small amounts of protein antigens on alum results in several fold increases in total plasma IgE, much of it specific for the immunizing antigen. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Siegesbeckia orientalis (SO) on IgE production. SO inhibited the plasma levels of IgE induced by antigens. The effects of SO on the interleukin (IL)-4-dependent IgE response by mouse whole spleen cells were studied. IL-4 dependent IgE production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole spleen cells was inhibited by SO. In addition, using U266B I human IgE-bearing B cells, we found that SO inhibited the production of IgE activated by LPS plus IL-4. These results suggest that SO have antiallergic activity by inhibition of IgE production from B cells.

Effect of allergina on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions.

The herbal formulation ALLERGINA has been used against allergic inflammation disease for generations, and still occupies an important place in traditional medicine in Korea. In this study, we investigated the effect of ALLERGINA by oral administration in mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis responses. ALLERGINA dose-dependently inhibited compound 48/48-induced systemic anaphylaxis with doses of 10(-2) to 5 g/kg 1 h before orally administered. Of special note, ALLERGINA inhibited systemic anaphylaxis completely with doses of 1 g/kg and 5 g/kg. ALLERGINA (1 g/kg) also inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis by 84%. ALLERGINA dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. When ALLERGINA (0.01 mg/ ml) was added, ALLERGINA inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, 80% and 26%, respectively in anti-dinitrophenyl IgE antibody-stimulated mast cells. Our studies provide evidence that ALLERGINA may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic inflammation diseases.

Anti-elastase and anti-hyaluronidase of phenolic substance from Areca catechu as a new anti-ageing agent.

We have previously screened 150 medicinal plants for the inhibition of elastase and found significant inhibitory effects of the extracts of Areca catechu L. on the ageing and inflammation of skin tissues. To isolate and identify the compounds having biological activity, they were further purified by each fraction of solvents, silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC and reversed-phase HPLC. The peak in HPLC, which coincided with the inhibitory activity against elastase, was identified as a phenolic substance by using various colorimetric methods, UV and IR. IC(50) values of this phenolic substance were 26.9 mug mL(-1) for porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and 60.8 mug mL(-1) for human neutrophil elastase (HNE). This phenolic substance showed more potent activity than that of reference compounds, oleanolic acid (76.5 mug mL(-1) for PPE, 219.2 mug mL(-1) for HNE) and ursolic acid (31.0 mug mL(-1) for PPE, 118.6 mug mL(-1) for HNE). According to the Lineweaver-Burk plots, the inhibition against both PPE and HNE by this phenolic substance was competitive inhibition with the substrate. The phenolic substance from A. catechu effectively inhibited hyaluronidase activity (IC(50) : 210 mug mL(-1) ). These results suggest that the phenolic substance purified from A. catechu has an anti-ageing effect by protecting connective tissue proteins.

Antifibrotic effect of Stephania tetrandra on experimental liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation and scission in rats.

We examined the antifibrotic effect of a methanol extract from Stephania tetrandra (ST) on experimental liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation and scission (BDL/S) in rats. In BDL/S rats, activity levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminse (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), concentration of total bilirubin in serum, and hydroxyproline content of the liver were significantly increased. The ST treatment (either 100 mg/kg/day or 200 mg/kg/day, p.o. for 4 weeks) in BDL/S rats reduced the serum AST, ALT and ALP activity levels significantly (p< 0.01). Similarly, when compared to the control group, the concentration of hydroxyproline in the livers of the BDL/S rats treated with 100mg or 200mg ST treated rats decreased by 40% and 33% respectively, when compared to the BDL/S control group (p<0.01). The morphological characteristics of fibrotic liver that were observed in the BDL/S control group, improved in the ST treated BDL/S group. In the fibrotic liver of BDL/S rats treated with ST, a marked reduction in the numbers of alpha smooth muscle cell actin positive stellate cells was observed. These results indicate that doses of either 100 or 200 mg/kg/day of methanol extract from S. tetrandra, had an antifibrotic effect in rats with liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation and scission.

Effect of Vitex rotundifolia on immediate-type allergic reaction.

We investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Vitex rotundifolia (L.) (Verbenaceae) fruits (VRFE) on the immediate-type allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro. VRFE (10(-4)-1.0 g/kg) dose-dependently inhibited systemic allergic reaction induced by compound 48/80. When VRFE was employed in a systemic allergic reaction test, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. VRFE (5x10(-1) and 1.0 g/kg) inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. VRFE (10(-3)-1.0 mg/ml) also dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. Moreover, VRFE (10(-3) mg/ml) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from RPMC. These results suggest that VRFE may be beneficial in the regulation of immediate-type allergic reaction.

Effect of a fish-oil concentrate on serum lipids in postmenopausal women receiving and not receiving hormone replacement therapy in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: n-3 Fatty acid supplementation lowered serum triacylglycerol concentrations in studies in which most of the subjects were male. The effects of n-3 fatty acid supplementation in postmenopausal women receiving and not receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have received little attention. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the effects of a fish-oil-derived n-3 fatty acid concentrate on serum lipid and lipoprotein risk factors for cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women receiving and not receiving HRT, with an emphasis on serum triacylglycerol concentrations and the ratio of triacylglycerol to HDL cholesterol. DESIGN: Postmenopausal women (n = 36) were grouped according to exogenous hormone use and were randomly allocated to receive 8 capsules/d of either placebo oil (control) or n-3 fatty acid-enriched oil (supplement). The supplement provided 2.4 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus 1.6 g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) daily. Serum lipids and the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids were determined on days 0 and 28. RESULTS: Supplementation with n-3 fatty acids was associated with 26% lower serum triacylglycerol concentrations (P < 0.0001), a 28% lower overall ratio of serum triacylglycerol to HDL cholesterol (P < 0.01), and markedly greater EPA and DHA concentrations in serum phospholipids (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that supplementation with a fish-oil-derived concentrate can favorably influence selected cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly by achieving marked reductions in serum triacylglycerol concentrations and triacylglycerol:HDL cholesterol in postmenopausal women receiving and not receiving HRT. This approach could potentially reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 27% in postmenopausal women.

The ethanol-soluble part of a hot-water extract from Artemisia iwayomogi inhibits liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of the hot-water extract from Artemisia iwayomogi (Compositae) on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Liver injury was induced by oral administration of carbon tetrachloride (1 mL kg(-1)) twice a week during 4 weeks of A. iwayomogi treatment. Extracts from A. iwayomogi were prepared and administered to rats orally (2 g kg(-1) as A. iwayomogi for 4 weeks) as follows: group 1, hot-water extract; group 2, ethanol-soluble part of hot-water extract; group 3, ethanol-insoluble part of hot-water extract; and group 4, methanol extract. In rats treated with the ethanol-soluble part of the hot-water extract, liver hydroxyproline content was reduced to 74% that of carbon tetrachloride control rats (P < 0.05). Protein expression of alpha smooth muscle cell like actin was also decreased in rats treated with the ethanol-soluble part of the hot-water extract, which indicates inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation. Liver malondialdehyde levels were significantly lowered in rats treated with the ethanol-soluble part of hot-water extract (P < 0.05). Serum cholesterol levels in rats treated with hot-water extract, ethanol-soluble or -insoluble parts of hot-water extract or methanol extract were significantly reduced when compared with those of carbon tetrachloride control rats (P < 0.05). The ethanol-soluble part of the hot-water extract from A. iwayomogi inhibited fibrosis and lipid peroxidation in rats with liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. Both hot-water extract (either ethanol-soluble or -insoluble) and methanol extract of A. iwayomogi also lowered serum cholesterol levels in fibrotic rats.