Dietary tea seed saponin combined with aerobic exercise attenuated lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Tea seed saponins (TSS) are oleanolane-type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin mixtures with various pharmacological effects. We aimed to explore the effects of a total of 4 weeks intragastric administration of TSS (140 mg/kg·day) combined with aerobic exercise (AE) on lipid metabolism and its associated oxidative stress in HFD-induced obese mice and to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms. TSS + AE intervention significantly reduced body weight and the adiposity index (including subcutaneous, epididymal, perirenal, and abdominal adipose) in obese mice; improved dyslipidemia by lowering serum TC, TG, and LDL-c levels; and increased HDL-c levels. TSS + AE intervention significantly improved hepatic steatosis by inhibiting lipogenetic Acc, Srebp1c, and Scd1 and upregulating lipolysis genes (Pgc1α, Pgc1ß, Pparα, and Cpt1). TSS + AE intervention increased the hepatic protein expression of p-AMPK, SIRT1, and PGC-1α, as well as PPAR-γ and GLUT-4 in skeletal muscle compared with expression in the HFD group. In addition, TSS + AE also modulated oxidative stress in obese mice, which was indicated by the increased serum and liver levels of SOD, GSH, and T-AOC and decreased ROS and MDA levels. These results suggest that TSS + AE intervention can reduce fat accumulation and improve HFD-induced lipid metabolism disorders and oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Obesity is a metabolic disease induced by excess nutritional intake and insufficient energy expenditure. Dietary modifications combined with aerobic exercise are currently an effective method for weight loss. Tea seed saponins (TSS) are a variety of biologically active oleanolane-type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins that naturally exist in tea seeds. Few articles have focused on the effects and mechanisms of TSS combined with aerobic exercise (AE) in regulating lipid metabolism and improving oxidative damage in vivo. Using an HFD-induced obese mice model to explore the mechanism of TSS + AE in regulating lipid metabolism and its associated oxidative stress damage will help provide reliable data for the application of dietary nutrition combined with AE in anti-obesity.

Cirsium japonicum var. Maackii Improves Cognitive Impairment under Amyloid Beta25-35-Induced Alzheimer's Disease Model.

Abnormal production and degradation of amyloid beta (Aß) in the brain lead to oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) is widely used as an herbal medicine and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study focused on the protective effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from CJM (ECJM) on Aß 25-35-induced control mice. In the T-maze and novel object recognition test, ECJM provided higher spatial memory and object recognition compared to Aß 25-35 treatment alone. In the Morris water maze test, ECJM-administered mice showed greater learning and memory abilities than Aß 25-35-induced control mice. Additionally, ECJM-administered mice experienced inhibited lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent manner. The present study indicates that ECJM improves cognitive impairment by inhibiting oxidative stress in Aß 25-35-induced mice. Therefore, CJM may be useful for the treatment of AD and may be a potential material for functional foods.

Effects of Sinapic Acid Combined with Cisplatin on the Apoptosis and Autophagy of the Hepatoma Cells HepG2 and SMMC-7721.

Sinapic acid (Sa) is a small-molecule phenolic acid compound predominant in fruits, vegetables, and grains. This study investigated the antitumor effects of cisplatin (DDP) combined with Sa (Sa/DDP) on the hepatic cancer cells (HCC), HepG2 and SMMC-7721. The HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were treated with Sa or Sa/DDP, and the cell proliferation and cell cycle were detected using the MTT assay. The cell migration was detected using the transwell and scratch assays, while apoptosis and autophagy were detected using Hoechst, MDC, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The protein expression was quantitated using the western blot. Sa/DDP was found to not only inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration but also induce cell apoptosis. Simultaneously, the Sa/DDP combination was found to activate autophagy, and the HCQ autophagy inhibitor enhanced the apoptosis in the Sa/DDP-induced liver cancer cells. The combined use of Sa and DDP makes it an attractive adjuvant therapy strategy for tumors, establishing the prospect of phenolic acid compounds for the adjuvant treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Dietary proanthocyanidins alleviated ovarian fibrosis in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats.

This study investigated the effects of proanthocyanidins (PCs) on ovarian fibrosis in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats. The administration of PCs effectively reduced the body weight (BW) and relative ovarian weight in PCOS rats. ELISA results revealed that PCs significantly reduced the level of serum T, LH, LH/FSH in the PCOS group. In addition, qRT-PCR results revealed that treatment with PCs significantly increased the main antioxidant enzymes (Cat, Sod2, Gpx3, Mgst1, Gsta4, Sod1 and Prdx3) in PCOS rats. Also, the expression analysis of proteins by Western blotting revealed that PCs significantly decreased the level of TGF-ßR1, p-Smad3, p-Smad2 and Smad4 and reversed the downregulation of Smad7 in PCOS rats. The study suggested that PCs improved ovarian fibrosis in PCOS rats by regulating the serum hormone level, inhibiting oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of the TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Currently, plant extracts are being widely used to treat female reproductive and metabolic disorders. Particularly, proanthocyanidins (PCs), the well-known natural polyphenolic compounds, which are a significant source of antioxidants present in many colored fruits, are consumed as fruits as well as a dietary supplement to prevent many disorders. Recent pharmacological studies have reported that PCs have many health beneficial properties, such as antioxidant activity, improving cholesterol homeostasis, blood lipid regulatory properties, microcirculation improvement effect, antitumor activity and anti-aging activity. Despite these properties of PCs, the antifibrosis effect of PCs has not been studied to date. The main purpose of this study was to research the role and the mechanisms of PCs in ovarian fibrosis in PCOS rats.

Rubusoside alleviates the ovalbumin-induced mice allergic asthma by modulating the NF-κB activation.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic effects of rubusoside (Rbs) were investigated in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice, followed by effective attenuation of Rbs treatment on the airway hyperresponsiveness and reduction of inflammatory cells inside the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The mitigation of inflammatory infiltration as a result of Rbs treatment was histologically observed in these mice lungs. Rbs contributed to the decrease of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-13, IL-6, IL-5, and IL-4) inside the BALF of mice with asthma. A decline of OVA-dependent IgE and IgG1 inside the serum was also noticed in these mice. Rbs was proved to enhance the mRNA level of Foxp3 inside the mice lung affected with asthma while decrease that of IL-17A, IL-23, and RORγt. NF-κB pathway activation elicited by OVA was suppressed by Rbs inside the pulmonary tissues. Rbs played significantly in the reduction of airway inflammation induced by OVA which with modulating NF-κB pathway activation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Simultaneous therapy with medicine and food is strategically significant for disease prevention and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. Rbs is a diterpene glycoside isolated from Rubus suavissimus. The anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic mechanism dependent of Rbs need further study clinically. The goal of current investigation is to explore the anti-inflammatory as well as anti-asthmatic activity of Rbs in mouse models of OVA-induced experimental allergic asthma. Results of the present study are scientifically supportive for the use of Rbs as an adjunctive reagent for clinical treatment of allergic asthma.

Dietary Mixed Cereal Grains Ameliorate the Azoxymethane and Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colonic Carcinogenesis in C57BL/6J Mice.

The chemopreventive effects of various mixed cereal grain (MCG) samples on azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS, 0.02 g/mL)-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) in C57BL/6J mice were studied. The main MCG preparation consisted of fermented brown rice (FBR), glutinous brown rice, glutinous Sorghum bicolor, glutinous Panicum miliaceum, Coix lacryma-jobi, and black soybean at an appropriate mixing ratio. Other MCG preparations contained rice coated with 5% Phellinus linteus and 5% Curcuma longa (MCG-PC) or 10% Phellinus linteus (MCG-P) or 10% Curcuma longa (MCG-C). Consumption of dietary MCG-PC by CRC mice significantly increased colon length, decreased the ratio of colon weight to length, and reduced the number of colon tumors. Similar effects, although to a lower extent, were observed in CRC mice fed with MCG-P, followed by those fed with MCG-C, MCG, FBR, or white rice. MCG-PC significantly suppressed colonic neoplasia and decreased the levels of various cytokines (tumor necrosis factor: Tnf, interleukin 1 beta: Il1b, interleukin 6: Il6, and interferon gamma: Ifnγ) in serum and colon tissue of the CRC mice. In addition, MCG-PC increased the mRNA expressions of tumor suppressor protein p53 (Tp53) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cdkn1a), activated pro-apoptotic caspase 3 (Casp3), and reduced expressions of both mRNA and protein of inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 (Nos2), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2), and cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) in colon tissue. These findings suggest that compared with other cereal grain preparations, MCG-PC had a greater activity against AOM/DSS-induced CRC by reducing intestinal inflammation and modulating the expression of certain carcinogenesis related factors (Nos2, Ptgs2, Tp53, Cdkn1a, Ccnd1, and Casp3) in colon tissue of CRC mice.

Fresh Saengshik Showed a Positive Effect on Mitigating Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Experimental Colitis in Mice.

This study was to compare the anticolitis activity of fresh Saengshik (FSS) with heated Saengshik (HSS) with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis mouse model. Both FSS- and HSS-fed colitis mice exhibited the effects of the increase in the body weight, the alleviation in the colon shortening, and the reduction of the ratio of colon weight to length. However, FSS-fed colitis mice showed a much more significant decrease in DSS-induced tissue damage by mucosal edema and crypt deficiency than did HSS-fed ones. Besides, FSS contributed to decreasing the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta) and inhibiting the colonic mRNA expressions of these cytokines in colitis tissue of the mice. FSS also resulted in the lower colonic mRNA expression level of inflammation-related inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colitis mice than did HSS. Overall results confirmed Saengshik, especially FSS, inhibits more effectively against DSS-induced inflammation reaction in colitis mice than HSS.

Protective activity of mogroside V against ovalbumin-induced experimental allergic asthma in Kunming mice.

We investigated the antiasthmatic effect of mogroside V (Mog V) in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. Administration of Mog V effectively attenuated OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and reduced the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Histological examination showed that Mog V reduced the inflammatory infiltration of the lungs in the asthmatic mice. ELISAs suggested that Mog V effectively decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF and serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 in the asthmatic mice. A quantitative reverse-transcription PCR assay also indicated that Mog V decreased the mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-23, and RORγt in the lungs of the asthmatic mice (the opposite effect on Foxp3 mRNA). Furthermore, Mog V significantly reduced the OVA-induced activation of NF-κB in the lungs. This study indicates that Mog V alleviates OVA-induced inflammation in airways, and this effect is associated with a reduction in NF-κB activation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: A traditional Chinese medicine herb has been reported to have a strong curative effect on asthma in clinical practice. Siraitia grosvenorii is known in China as a functional food product with the ability to improve lung function. Mogroside V is a triterpene glycoside isolated from S. grosvenorii. Nonetheless, the antiasthmatic effect of mogroside V has not been evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiasthmatic activity of mogroside V in mice with chemically induced asthma. The data from this study will provide some scientific evidence supporting wider use of S. grosvenorii in functional foods.

Increased Anticolitic Effects in C57BL/6 Mice Based on Functional Ingredients of Ramyeon Noodles and Soup.

We investigated the preventive effects of Ramyeon made from brown rice-sorghum noodles and doenjang-bamboo salt soup (BS+DB) on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice. Noodles were prepared with 10% brown rice and 10% sorghum powders added to wheat flour and potato powder, and soup was made using starter fermented (SF) doenjang powder (32%) and bamboo salt (13.5%). The experimental animals were divided into five groups: Normal, Control, BS (brown rice and sorghum noodles)+DB (doenjang and bamboo salt soup) (BS+DB Ramyeon), W (white flour noodles, commercial one)+DB, W+dC (W+doenjang commercial soup), and W + D (W+SF doenjang powder [100%]). The BS+DB and W + D groups showed significant reduction of DSS-induced colitis symptoms (P < .05). Doenjang soup (100%) (W+D) also showed a strong anticolitic effect even though the noodles were prepared with W. Histological observation of the colon revealed that BS+DB Ramyeon markedly alleviated colitis development in mice. Serum protein and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) were significantly suppressed in colon tissue of the BS+DB group compared with those of the W+DB and W+dC groups. BS+DB Ramyeon also reduced colon mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 compared with those of other groups (P < .05). Our results show that modification of noodle ingredients using brown rice and sorghum as well as alteration of soup composition using doenjang and bamboo salt improved the health benefits of Ramyeon.

Fermented Ganjangs (Soy Sauce and Sesame Sauce) Attenuates Colonic Carcinogenesis in Azoxymethane/Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Treated C57BL/6J Mice.

The effects of different ganjangs (also designated as kanjang), including acid-hydrolyzed soy sauce (AHSS), fermented soy sauce (FSS), and fermented sesame sauce (FSeS), on azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS, 2%)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in C57BL/6J mice were studied. Low doses (4 mL/kg) of both FSeS and FSS significantly increased colon length, suppressed AOM/DSS-induced increases in colon weight/length ratios, and induced colorectal neoplasia compared with AHSS-treated and control mice. Fermented sauces, particularly low doses of FSeS and FSS, showed activity against AOM/DSS-induced colorectal carcinogenesis by abrogating serum and mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-17α as well as by reducing mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in colon mucosa. FSeS significantly increased colonic p53 expression compared with other sauces. However, AHSS showed weak activity against AOM/DSS-induced colonic carcinogenesis. Overall, FSeS showed the strongest anticancer effect, followed by FSS and AHSS. Thus, fermentation with microorganisms rather than chemical processes is important, and raw materials are another factor influencing anticancer activity.

Comparison of Antioxidative Effects of Insect Tea and Its Raw Tea (Kuding Tea) Polyphenols in Kunming Mice.

Kudingcha is a traditional Chinese tea, and insect tea is a special drink produced by the metabolism of insect larvae using the raw Kuding tea. Insect tea polyphenols (ITP) and its raw tea (Kuding tea) polyphenols (KTP) are high-purity polyphenols extracted by centrifuge precipitation. The present study was designed to compare the antioxidative effects of insect tea polyphenols (ITP) and its raw tea (Kuding tea) polyphenols (KTP) on d-galactose-induced oxidation in Kunming (KM) mice. KM mice were treated with ITP (200 mg/kg) and KTP (200 mg/kg) by gavage, and vitamin C (VC, 200 mg/kg) was also used as a positive control by gavage. After determination in serum, liver and spleen, ITP-treated mice showed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) activities and lower nitric oxide (NO), malonaldehyde (MDA) activities than VC-treated mice, KTP-treated mice and untreated oxidation mice (control group). By H&E section observation, the mice induced by d-galactose-induced oxidation showed more changes than normal mice, and oxidative damage appeared in liver and spleen tissues; ITP, VC and KTP improved oxidative damage of liver and spleen tissues, and the effects of ITP were better than VC and KTP. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot experiments, it was observed that ITP could increase the mRNA and protein expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), cupro/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), gamma glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and reduce inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in liver and spleen tissues compared to the control group. These effects were stronger than for VC and KTP. Both ITP and KTP had good antioxidative effects, and after the transformation of insects, the effects of ITP were better than that of KTP and even better than VC. Thus, ITP can be used as an antioxidant and anti-ageing functional food.

Anti-inflammatory effect of methanolic extract of Conyzacanadensis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effect of Conyzacanadeusis methanol extract (CME) using a cell model of RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)(1µg/ml). Co-treatment with different concentrations (10, 50 and 100µg/ml) of CME was concentration-dependently reduced the LPS-induced generation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nitric oxide (NO) tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6. In addition, CME also reduced the mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These results suggested that CME showed an anti-inflammatory activity through reduced the mRNA expression of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α IL-1ß and IL-6 and also decreased the productions of PGE2, NO, TNF-α IL-1ß and IL-6in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Antiobesity effects of bamboo salt in C57BL/6 mice.

Antiobesity effects of bamboo salt (BS) were evaluated compared with those of purified salt and solar salt by oral administration in a diet-induced obesity model using C57BL/6 mice. Compared with other salts, BS, especially nine times baked BS (BS-9×), significantly reduced body weight, food efficiency ratio, and weights of epididymal adipose tissue and liver in high-fat diet-fed mice. Furthermore, BS suppressed the expression of adipogenic factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). Therefore, BS may suppress obesity by downregulating adipogenesis.

Protective effects of methanolic extract form fruits of Lycium ruthenicum Murr on 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-induced oxidative stress in LLC-PK1 cells.

BACKGROUND: Fruits of Lycium ruthenicum Murr is a health food and also used as a folk to treat heart disease, abnormal menstruation and menopause in Tibetan, China. However; whether L. ruthenicum Murr fruits methanolic extracts (LFME) protect LLC-PK1 porcine renal tubules cells from AAPH-induced oxidative damage has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of L. ruthenicum Murr fruits methanolic extracts (LFME) against 2, 2'- azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative damage in renal proximal tubule LLC-PK1 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LLC-PK1 cells were co-incubated with AAPH (1mM) and different concentrations of LFMW together for 24 h. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Total intercellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and lipid peroxidation were measured using a fluorescent probe 2', 7'-dichlorfluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) and the TBA reactive substance (TBARS) assay, respectively. The endogenous antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and intercellular glutathione (GSH) levels were determined using commercial assay kits according to the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: LFME did not show a significant cytotoxic effect and increased the viability of LLC-PK1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. LFME also decreased the total intercellular levels of ROS, reduced lipid peroxidation and increased the GSH levels as well as the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes to protect LLC-PK1 cells against AAPH-induced oxidative damage. CONCLUSION: The results from the present study indicated that LFME is an effective ROS scavenger to protect LLC-PK1 cells against AAPH-induced oxidative damage through decreasing ROS generation, reducing lipid peroxidation and up-regulation of endogenous GSH levels and antioxidant enzymes.

Anti-colitic effects of kanjangs (fermented soy sauce and sesame sauce) in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

This study was conducted to investigate the preventive effects of different kanjangs (Korean soy sauces), including acid-hydrolyzed soy sauce (AHSS), fermented soy sauce (FSS), and fermented sesame sauce (FSeS), on 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in C57BL/6J mice. The fermented sauces, particularly FSeS, significantly suppressed DSS-induced body weight loss, increased colon length, and decreased colon weight/length ratios. Histological observations suggested that the fermented sauces prevented edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of crypts induced by DSS compared to the control mice and animals fed AHSS. FSeS and FSS decreased the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-17α. mRNA expression of these cytokines as well as that of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colon mucosa was also inhibited by the two sauces. Our results suggest that fermented sauces, especially FSeS, exert an anticolitic effect partially by reducing the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the mRNA expression of these factors in the colon tissue of mice treated with DSS. However, AHSS did not protect against DSS-induced colitis. In addition, low-dose treatment (4 mL/kg) with the fermented sauces resulted in greater anticolitic effects than consumption of a high quantity (8 mL/kg) of the sauces.

Apoptosis inducing effects of Kuding tea polyphenols in human buccal squamous cell carcinoma cell line BcaCD885.

Tea polyphenols are functional substances present in tea. Kuding tea as a traditional drink also contains these compounds. After 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL of Kuding tea polyphenol treatment for 48 h, cell proliferation of human buccal squamous cell carcinoma cell line BcaCD885 was inhibited, and the 100 µg/mL of Kuding tea polyphenol showed the highest inhibitory rate at 72.3%. Compared to the lower concentration, the 100 µg/mL of Kuding tea polyphenols significantly (p < 0.05) induced apoptosis as determined by flow cytometry analysis, the content of sub-G1 cancer cells was 32.7%. By RT-PCR and western blot assays, Kuding tea polyphenol significantly induced apoptosis in BcaCD885 cancer cells (p < 0.05) by upregulating caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Fas/FasL, Bax, p53, p21, E2F1, p73 and downregulating Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, HIAP-1, and HIAP-2 mRNA and protein expressions. Kuding tea polyphenols thus present apoptosis inducing effects in vitro.

Kimchi protects against azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in mice.

The chemopreventive effects of different types and quantities of kimchi prepared with different subingredients, including commercial kimchi (CK), standardized kimchi (SK), cancer-preventive kimchi (CPK), and anticancer kimchi (ACK), on colorectal carcinogenesis in mice were evaluated. The development of colon cancer was induced in male BALB/c mice with a single intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg body weight) and subsequent treatment with 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days for two cycles. After exposure to AOM and DSS, treatment with the methanolic extracts from different kimchis, particularly 1.89 g/kg of ACK, significantly increased colon length, decreased the ratio of colon weight/length, and resulted in the lowest number of tumors compared with the other kimchi-treated groups. Histological observation revealed that ACK was able to suppress AOM- and DSS-induced colonic mucosal damage and neoplasia. ACK also significantly decreased the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ) as well as the mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In addition, the mRNA and protein expression of p53 and p21 was elevated in colon tissues from the ACK-treated mice compared with the other kimchi-treated groups. Our results suggest that kimchi exerted a suppressive effect on AOM- and DSS-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in the BALB/c mice. The anticancer effects of ACK were particularly potent. Thus, it is possible that the health-promoting subingredients added to ACK might be used to prevent colon carcinogenesis in humans.

Effects of methanolic extract form Fuzhuan brick-tea on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in human intestinal epithelial adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells.

The present study investigated the protective effect of methanolic extract from Fuzhuan brick­tea (FME) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)­induced oxidative stress in the human intestinal epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line Caco­2. Caco­2 cells were pretreated with different concentrations (50, 100 and 200 µg/ml) of FME for 2 h and then exposed to H2O2 (1 mM) for 6 h. FME did not exhibit a significant cytotoxic effect and increased the cell viability following H2O2 treatment by decreasing lipid peroxidation in Caco­2 cells. To investigate the protective effect of FME on H2O2­induced oxidative stress in Caco­2 cells, the levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and the activity of the endogenous antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH­px) and glutathione S­transferase (GST), were determined. FME significantly increased the level of GSH and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The results from the present study demonstrated that FME has a protective effect on H2O2­induced oxidative damage in Caco­2 cells through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, FME reduced the H2O2­induced expression of interleukin­8 at both the mRNA and protein levels in Caco­2 cells.

Anti-inflammatory effects of kudingcha methanol extract (Ilex kudingcha C.J. Tseng) in dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis.

The present study aimed to investigate the anti­inflammatory effects of Ilex kudingcha C.J. Tseng methanol extracts (KME) on 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)­induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice (C57BL/6J strain). Body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, colon weight to length ratio, colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Histological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Colonic levels of tumor necrosis factor­α (TNF­α), interleukin(IL)­1ß and IL­6 were measured with an enzyme­linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expression of TNF­α, IL­1ß, ­6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase­2 (COX-2) in the colon tissue, was quantified by RT­PCR. KME significantly suppressed DSS­induced body weight loss, colon length shortening and decreased the colon weight to length ratio. It also resulted in increased GSH and reduced MPO and MDA levels in the colon tissue. Histological observation suggested that KME prevented edema, mucosal damage and loss of crypts, which are induced by DSS. In addition, KME decreased the levels of TNF­α, IL­1ß and ­6 in the colon tissues, while inhibiting the mRNA expression of these cytokines, as well as iNOS and COX­2. The results of this study suggested that KME has anti­inflammatory effects on DSS­induced UC in mice (C57BL/6J strain) by reducing the colonic levels and inhibiting the mRNA expression of pro­inflammatory cytokines.

Bamboo salt attenuates CCl4-induced hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Bamboo salt, a Korean folk medicine, is prepared with solar salt (sea salt) and baked several times at high temperatures in a bamboo case. In this study, we compared the preventive effects of bamboo salt and purified and solar salts on hepatic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in Sprague-Dawley rats. Compared with purified and solar salts, bamboo salts prevented hepatic damage in rats, as evidenced by significantly reduced serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.05). Bamboo salt (baked 9×) triggered the greatest reduction in these enzyme levels. In addition, it also reduced the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Histopathological sections of liver tissue demonstrated the protective effect of bamboo salt, whereas sections from animals treated with the other salt groups showed a greater degree of necrosis. We also performed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses of the inflammation-related genes iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-1ß in rat liver tissues. Bamboo salt induced a significant decrease (~80%) in mRNA and protein expression levels of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1ß, compared with the other salts. Thus, we found that baked bamboo salt preparations could prevent CCl4-induced hepatic damage in vivo.