Beneficial Effects of a Combination of Curcuma longa L. and Citrus junos Against Beta-Amyloid Peptide-Induced Neurodegeneration in Mice.

Both Curcuma longa (CL) and Citrus junos Tanaka (CJ) have been used to treat various diseases due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress activities. In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effect of the combination of CL extract and CJ extract (CCC) against beta-amyloid (Aß) peptide-induced neurological damage. CCC prevented neurocytotoxicity in vitro. In addition, it was confirmed that abnormal alternation behavior and memory impairment caused by Aß peptide were reversed by treatment with CCC. Furthermore, CCC treatment led to recovery of the cholinergic system and reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidative damage defense system. CCC induced expressions of cyclic-adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB)-responsive element-binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were confirmed as was the significantly improved processing in the hippocampus of the mouse Aß peptides. Accordingly, these results suggest that CCC can prevent and/or reverse neurocytotoxicity and cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

In Vivo Evaluation of Dendropanax morbifera Leaf Extract for Anti-Obesity and Cholesterol-Lowering Activity in Mice.

Metabolic syndrome is a worldwide health problem, and obesity is closely related to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer. According to WHO in 2018, the prevalence of obesity in 2016 tripled compared to 1975. D. morbifera reduces bad cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the blood and provides various antioxidant nutrients and germicidal sub-stances, as well as selenium, which helps to remove active oxygen. Moreover, D. morbifera is useful for treating cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Therefore, we study in vivo efficacy of D. morbifera to investigate the prevention effect of obesity and cholesterol. The weight and body fat were effectively reduced by D. morbifera water (DLW) extract administration to high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice compared to those of control mice. The group treated with DLW 500 mg∙kg-1∙d-1 had significantly lower body weights compared to the control group. In addition, High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased in the group treated with DLW 500 mg∙kg-1∙d-1. The effect of DLW on the serum lipid profile could be helpful to prevent obesity. DLW suppresses lipid formation in adipocytes and decreases body fat. In conclusion, DLW can be applied to develop anti-obesity functional foods and other products to reduce body fat.

Dendropanax morbifera Branch Water Extract Increases the Immunostimulatory Activity of RAW264.7 Macrophages and Primary Mouse Splenocytes.

Polyacetylenes in the bark of Dendropanax morbifera trees have been reported to promote immune cell proliferation and to strengthen the innate immune system. The immunomodulatory potential of D. morbifera branch water extract (DBW) was evaluated by determining its effect on cell viability and the expression of cytokines and immune effector molecules in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages and splenocytes. Production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-2, and IFN-γ) in RAW264.7 macrophages increased after treatment with DBW. The activation of components of the NF-κB signaling pathway, including the phospho-IκBα and the expression and translocation of p65, a subunit of NF-κB, were also increased in RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells after treatment with DBW. In addition, when mice were orally administered DBW, splenocyte cytokines and NO production were increased in a dose-dependent manner relative to control-treated mice. Furthermore, natural killer cell activity in DBW-treated mice was determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. LDH release also increased in response to DBW treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that D. morbifera extract enhances innate immunity by promoting NF-κB signaling, leading to increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and effector molecules. DBW therefore has potential therapeutic use in the context of immune stimulation.

Synergistic mechanisms of Sanghuang-Danshen phytochemicals on postprandial vascular dysfunction in healthy subjects: A network biology approach based on a clinical trial.

With the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the use of botanicals for vascular endothelial dysfunction has intensified. Here, we explored the synergistic mechanisms of Sanghuang-Danshen (SD) phytochemicals on the homeostatic protection against high-fat-induced vascular dysfunction in healthy subjects, using a network biology approach, based on a randomised crossover clinical trial. Seventeen differential markers identified in blood samples taken at 0, 3 and 6 h post-treatment, together with 12SD phytochemicals, were mapped onto the network platform, termed the context-oriented directed associations. The resulting vascular sub-networks illustrated associations between 10 phytochemicals with 32 targets implicated in 143 metabolic/signalling pathways. The three key events included adhesion molecule production (ellagic acid, fumaric acid and cryptotanshinone; VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and PLA2G2A; fatty acid metabolism), platelet activation (ellagic acid, protocatechuic acid and tanshinone IIA; VEGFA, APAF1 and ATF3; mTOR, p53, Rap1 and VEGF signalling pathways) and endothelial inflammation (all phytochemicals, except cryptotanshinone; 29 targets, including TP53 and CASP3; MAPK and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways, among others). Our collective findings demonstrate a potential of SD to protect unintended risks of vascular dysfunction in healthy subjects, providing a deeper understanding of the complicated synergistic mechanisms of signature phytochemicals in SD.

Ameliorative Effects of Dendropanax morbifera on Cognitive Impairment Via Enhancing Cholinergic Functions and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in ß-Amyloid-Induced Mice.

Alzheimer's disease accounts for the majority of dementia and shows hallmarks such as sequential cognitive dysfunction and abnormal behavior. Dendropanax morbifera (DM) has traditionally been used to treat a variety of diseases in East Asia. The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic effects of DM on brain neuron damage and on cognitive deficit in neuronal cell induced by Aß1-42 in mice. Treatment with DM reduced the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and protected against the death of neuronal cells induced by Aß1-42 peptide. In addition, it was also found that pretreatment with DM decreased cognitive damage induced by Aß peptide via enhancing the cholinergic system and antioxidant defense system in mice. Furthermore, the study verified that the change in the expression of both cyclic-adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein and of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus in Aß peptide-treated mice was significantly ameliorated after treatment with DM. Accordingly, these results suggest that pretreatment with DM defends against oxidative stress and cognitive impairment caused by Aß peptide.

Synergistic Effects of Sanghuang⁻Danshen Bioactives on Arterial Stiffness in a Randomized Clinical Trial of Healthy Smokers: An Integrative Approach to in silico Network Analysis.

The vascular endothelium is a favorite early target of cardiovascular risk factors, including cigarette smoking. Here, we investigated the synergistic effects of Sanghuang⁻Danshen (SD) bioactives on vascular stiffness in a controlled clinical trial of healthy chronic smokers (n = 72). Relative to placebo, 4-week SD consumption at 900 mg/day improves pulse wave velocity (p = 0.0497), reduces systolic blood pressure (peripheral, p = 0.0008; brachial, p = 0.0046; and ankle, p = 0.0066), and increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation (p < 0.0001). We then mapped all differential markers obtained from the clinical data, Affymetrix microarray, and ¹H NMR metabolomics, together with 12 SD bioactives, onto the network platform termed the context-oriented directed associations. The resulting vascular subnetwork demonstrates that ellagic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I, and tanshinone IIA are linked to NOS3, ARG2, and EDN1 for vascular dilation, implicated with arginine/proline metabolism. They are also linked to SUCLG1, CYP1A1, and succinate related to the mitochondrial metabolism and detoxification, implicated with various metabolic pathways. These results could explain the synergistic action mechanisms of SD bioactives in the regulation of vascular endothelial dilation and metabolism, confirming the potential of SD in improving vascular stiffness and blood pressure in healthy smokers.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the genotoxicity of Eriobotrya japonica leaf extract.

Eriobotrya japonica leaf is included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and is widely used as a medicinal material in traditional medicine. The present study investigated the potential genotoxic effects of E. japonica leaf extract (EJE) using three standard battery systems. Genotoxicity tests were conducted following the test guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), with application of Good Laboratory Practice. The bacterial reverse mutation test was conducted using the pre-incubation method in the presence or absence of the metabolic activation system (S9 mixture). The in vitro chromosome aberration test was performed using cultured Chinese hamster lung cell line in the presence or absence of the S9 mixture. The in vivo micronucleus test was performed using ICR mice. The bacterial reverse mutation test with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537 and Escherichia coli strain WP2uvrA showed that EJE did not induce gene mutations at any dose level in all the strains tested. EJE also did not show any chromosomal aberrations in the in vitro chromosomal aberration test and in the in vivo micronucleus test. These results showed that EJE did not induce mutagenicity or clastogenicity in either in vitro or in vivo systems.

A 13-week subchronic toxicity study of an Eriobotrya japonica leaf extract in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Eriobotrya japonica leaf is widely used in traditional medicine, and exhibits various beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. However, limited data are available on the potential adverse effects of E. japonica. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated the potential subchronic toxicity of an E. japonica leaf extract (EJE) through a 13-week repeated oral dose experiment in Sprague-Dawley rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male and 40 female rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: three treatment groups receiving 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day of EJE and a vehicle control group receiving sterile distilled water for 13 weeks. RESULTS: Repeated oral administration of EJE for 13 weeks did not cause any treatment-related adverse effects with respect to clinical symptoms, body weight, food and water consumption, urinalysis, ophthalmology, necropsy findings, hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight, and histopathological examination at any dose tested. Although some changes were observed in clinical symptoms, organ weight, hematology, and histopathology, these findings did not show a dose-response relationship and were within normal historical ranges for control rats. CONCLUSION: Under the present experimental conditions, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of EJE was > 1000 mg/kg/day in both sexes and no target organs were identified. The results suggest that the EJE is a safe traditional medicine for clinical applications at proper dose.

Antiobesity and Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of Dendropanax morbifera Water Extracts in Mouse 3T3-L1 Cells.

Obesity is the most common metabolic disease in developed countries and has become a global epidemic in recent years. Obesity is associated with various metabolic abnormalities, including glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Leaves from the plant Dendropanax morbiferus are beneficial to health as they contain high levels of vitamin C and tannin. There have been seminal studies on the anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetes, and antihyperglycemic effects of treatments with D. morbiferus trees. Herein, we investigated the toxicity of D. morbiferus water (DLW) extracts in vitro, and demonstrated no toxicity at 5-500 µg/mL in 24-72-h experiments with 3T3-L1 cells. The DLW increased cell viability at 48 h and inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells by reducing intracellular triglyceride levels and glucose uptake. In addition, mRNA and protein expression levels of adipogenesis-related genes were lowered by DLW, suggesting antiobesity effects in mouse 3T3-L1 cells. Because few studies have demonstrated cholesterol-lowering effects of D. morbiferus, we investigated the activities of adipogenic transcriptional factors following treatments of 3T3-L1 cells with D. morbiferus and observed increased CEBPα, CEBPß, PPARγ, and SREBP1 activities in the cells, indicating that DLW extracts inhibit adipogenesis.

Rivaroxaban vs Warfarin Sodium in the Ultra-Early Period After Atrial Fibrillation-Related Mild Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In atrial fibrillation (AF)-related acute ischemic stroke, the optimal oral anticoagulation strategy remains unclear. Objective: To test whether rivaroxaban or warfarin sodium is safer and more effective for preventing early recurrent stroke in patients with AF-related acute ischemic stroke. Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomized, multicenter, open-label, blinded end point evaluation, comparative phase 2 trial was conducted from April 28, 2014, to December 7, 2015, at 14 academic medical centers in South Korea among patients with mild AF-related stroke within the previous 5 days who were deemed suitable for early anticoagulation. Analysis was performed on a modified intent-to-treat basis. Interventions: Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive rivaroxaban, 10 mg/d for 5 days followed by 15 or 20 mg/d, or warfarin with a target international normalized ratio of 2.0-3.0, for 4 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was the composite of new ischemic lesion or new intracranial hemorrhage seen on results of magnetic resonance imaging at 4 weeks. Primary analysis was performed in patients who received at least 1 dose of study medications and completed follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. Key secondary end points were individual components of the primary end point and hospitalization length. Results: Of 195 patients randomized, 183 individuals (76 women and 107 men; mean [SD] age, 70.4 [10.4] years) completed magnetic resonance imaging follow-up and were included in the primary end point analysis. The rivaroxaban group (n = 95) and warfarin group (n = 88) showed no differences in the primary end point (47 [49.5%] vs 48 [54.5%]; relative risk, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.69-1.20; P = .49) or its individual components (new ischemic lesion: 28 [29.5%] vs 31 of 87 [35.6%]; relative risk, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.54-1.26; P = .38; new intracranial hemorrhage: 30 [31.6%] vs 25 of 87 [28.7%]; relative risk, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.70-1.71; P = .68). Each group had 1 clinical ischemic stroke, and all new intracranial hemorrhages were asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformations. Hospitalization length was reduced with rivaroxaban compared with warfarin (median, 4.0 days [interquartile range, 2.0-6.0 days] vs 6.0 days [interquartile range, 4.0-8.0]; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In mild AF-related acute ischemic stroke, rivaroxaban and warfarin had comparable safety and efficacy. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02042534.

TatC-dependent translocation of pyoverdine is responsible for the microbial growth suppression.

Infections are often not caused by a colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone but by a consortium of other bacteria. Little is known about the impact of P. aeruginosa on the growth of other bacteria upon coinfection. Here, cell-ree culture supernatants obtained from P. aeruginosa suppressed the growth of a number of bacterial strains such as Corynebacterium glutamicum, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, but had little effect on the growth of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. The growth suppression effect was obvious when P. aeruginosa was cultivated in M9 minimal media, and the suppression was not due to pyocyanin, a well-known antimicrobial toxin secreted by P. aeruginosa. By performing transposon mutagenesis, PA5070 encoding TatC was identified, and the culture supernatant of its mutant did not suppress the growth. HPLC analysis of supernatants showed that pyoverdine was a secondary metabolite present in culture supernatants of the wild-type strain, but not in those of the PA5070 mutant. Supplementation of FeCl2 as a source of iron compromised the growth suppression effect of supernatants and also recovered biofilm formation of S. aureus, indicating that pyoverdine-mediated iron acquisition is responsible for the growth suppression. Thus, this study provides the action of TatC-dependent pyoverdine translocation for the growth suppression of other bacteria, and it might aid understanding of the impact of P. aeruginosa in the complex community of bacterial species upon coinfection.

Low levels of plasma omega 3-polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with cerebral small vessel diseases in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Cerebral small vessel diseases (SVDs) are related to stroke or cognitive dysfunction. n-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) represent possible disease-modifying factors for cardiovascular disease or dementia. Our hypothesis was that a low proportion of plasma FAs would be associated with cerebral SVDs. We prospectively enrolled 220 patients with a first-episode cerebral infarction within 7 days after symptom onset. The composition of plasma FAs was analyzed by gas chromatography methods. The presence and burden of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), high-grade white matter changes (HWCs), high-grade perivascular spaces (HPVSs), and asymptomatic lacunar infarctions (ALIs) were investigated. The mean proportion (± SD) was 2.0 ± 0.7 for EPA, 8.9 ± 1.5 for DHA, and 12.0 ± 2.1 for ∑ n-3-PUFAs. In total, 46 (20.9%) patients had CMBs, 64 (29.1 %) had HWCs, 57 (25.9%) had HPVSs, and 65 (29.5%) had ALIs. In univariate analyses, CMBs, HWCs, and HPVSs were each negatively correlated with the proportion of EPA, DHA, and ∑ n-3-PUFAs. In the multivariate analysis, a lower proportion of EPA, DHA and ∑ n-3-PUFAs was associated with the presence of CMBs, HWCs and HPVS, but not ALIs. Total SVDs score was inversely correlated with the proportion of EPA, DHA and ∑ n-3-PUFAs. Overall, we found an association between low proportions of plasma n-3-PUFAs and cerebral SVDs pathologies. Further studies are needed to explore the association and potential therapeutic role of FAs in cerebral SVDs.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced IL-1ß production is inhibited by Sophora flavescens via the NF-κB/inflammasome pathways.

The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1ß plays an important role in protecting the host against airway infection; however, it can also trigger a massive influx of neutrophils into the airways, causing tissue damage. Anti-inflammatory treatments are particularly in demand for patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases. Sophora flavescens is a traditional herbal medicine used to reduce inflammation, but no study has examined its ability to block IL-1ß production. Here, we show that S. flavescens reduced the Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced expression of IL-1ß by lung epithelial cells and macrophages. S. flavescens was also effective at reducing IL-1ß production induced by either Staphylococcus aureus or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, indicating that the effect is generalizable to diverse inflammatory stimuli. In addition, S. flavescens blocked the phosphorylation of IKKα/ß, key upstream kinases involved in the degradation of IκBα, and the cleavage of caspase-1, a key component of the inflammasome. Thus, this study demonstrates that S. flavescens exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by blocking P. aeruginosa-mediated NF-κB/inflammasome activation and the subsequent production of IL-1ß.

Effect of glasswort (Salicornia herbacea L.) on the texture of frankfurters.

This study was aimed at evaluation of the effect of glasswort levels (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5%) on the textural properties of frankfurters formulated with 0.75% NaCl. The addition of glasswort improved protein solubility (P<0.05) and apparent viscosity of frankfurters formulated with 0.75% NaCl, resulting in increased cooking yield and emulsion stability. This phenomenon might be mainly related to salts and dietary fiber within glasswort. In addition, the textural properties of frankfurter prepared with 0.75% NaCl and 1.5% glasswort showed similar properties (P>0.05) compared to those of control (1.5% NaCl). Our result suggests that the use of glasswort can be an effective approach to manufacture reduced-salt meat products. Moreover, the addition of 1.5% glasswort in frankfurters formulated with 0.75% NaCl is the optimum level without adverse effect on the texture.

The effectiveness of fermented turmeric powder in subjects with elevated alanine transaminase levels: a randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Previous animal studies have shown that Curcuma longa (turmeric) improves liver function. Turmeric may thus be a promising ingredient in functional foods aimed at improving liver function. The purpose of the study is to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of fermented turmeric powder (FTP) on liver function in subjects with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted between November 2010 and April 2012 at the clinical trial center for functional foods of the Chonbuk National University Hospital. The trial included 60 subjects, 20 years old and above, who were diagnosed mild to moderate elevated ALT levels between 40 IU/L and 200 IU/L. Sixty subjects were randomised to receive FTP 3.0 g per day or placebo 3.0 g per day for 12 weeks. The treatment group received two capsules of FTP three times a day after meals, for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in the ALT levels in the two groups. The secondary efficacy endpoints included its effect on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TB), and lipid profiles. Safety was assessed throughout the study using ongoing laboratory tests. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded. RESULTS: Sixty subjects were randomised in the study (30 into the FTP group, 30 into the placebo group), and among them, twelve subjects were excluded from the analysis for protocol violation, adverse events or consent withdrawal. The two groups did not differ in baseline characteristics. After 12 weeks of treatment, 48 subjects were evaluated. Of the 48 subjects, 26 randomly received FTP capsules and 22 received placebo. The FTP group showed a significant reduction in ALT levels after 12 weeks of treatment compared with the placebo group (p = 0.019). There was also observed that the serum AST levels were significantly reduce in the FTP group than placebo group (p = 0.02). The GGT levels showed a tendency to decrease, while the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), TB, and lipids levels were not modified. There were no reported severe AEs during this study, or abnormalities observed on blood glucose, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels. CONCLUSION: The data of this trial indicate that FTP is effective and safe, generally well-tolerated without severe AEs, in the treatment of subjects with elevated ALT levels over a 12 weeks period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01634256

Artemisia capillaris extracts as a green factory for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial activities.

We report a green synthesis of silver nanoparticles that uses extracts from the aerial part of Artemisia capillaris. Both water and 70% ethanol extracts successfully generated silver nanoparticles. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance bands, Fourier transform-infrared spectra, high resolution-transmission electron and atomic force microscopic images. Various shapes of silver nanoparticles were generated with an average diameter of 29.71 nm with water extract and 29.62 nm with 70% ethanol extract. An improvement in antibacterial activity (MIC 8.35-16.7 microg/mL) was observed against a total of twenty different strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. A remarkable enhancement (approximately 12-fold) was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Klebsiella areogenes when compared with the extract alone. Silver nanoparticles produced by the 70% ethanol extract showed slightly higher antibacterial activity than those generated with the water extract. The correlation between total flavonoid content of each extract and the antibacterial activity did not exert any significant relationships. This report suggests that plant extracts have the potential to be used as powerful reducing agents for the production of biocompatible silver nanoparticles possessing enhanced antibacterial activities.

Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition in ischemic stroke: importance of docosahexaenoic acid in the risk for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: While data on the relationship between fatty acid (FA) composition and the risk for total stroke have accumulated, the association between FA composition and the risk for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) has never been studied. We compared plasma phospholipid FA composition between non-stroke control and ischemic stroke in Korean population, to discern the FA that distinguishes ICAS from total ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: Non-stroke controls (n = 215) and stroke patients (no cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis, NCAS: n = 144 and ICAS: n = 104) were finally included in the analysis. Plasma phospholipid FA compositions were analyzed. RESULTS: Age, coexistence of hypertension/diabetes were significantly different among the groups. Phospholipid FA compositions were significantly different between non-stroke control and ischemic stroke patients, and interestingly, between NCAS and ICAS in stroke patients. Pattern analysis showed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the ω3-polyunsaturated FAs were important FAs in distinguishing NCAS and ICAS in strokes. Particularly, the risk of ICAS was inversely associated with levels of DHA contents in phospholipids (OR: 0.590, 95% CI: 0.350-0.993, p < 0.05), indicating that the risk may be increased at lower levels of DHA contents. CONCLUSION: DHA and EPA are important FAs for distinguishing NCAS and ICAS in strokes. Additionally, the risk of ICAS was inversely associated with the levels of phospholipid DHA, which indicates that sufficient amounts of DHA in plasma or in diet may reduce the risk of ICAS.

Anethum graveloens flower extracts inhibited a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response by blocking iNOS expression and NF-κB activity in macrophages.

Inflammation is a system used by a host to defend against the presence of bacteria, viruses, or yeasts. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the plasma membranes of macrophages are activated when they recognize the molecular structure of a virus or bacterium. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an outer cell-wall component of Gram-negative bacteria, initiates an inflammatory process via TLR4. We investigated the effect of the extract of Anethum graveloens flowers (AGFs) on LPS-mediated inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. The extract markedly suppressed nitric oxide generation in a concentration-dependent manner in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. It inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the mRNA expression of cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. It also inhibited iNOS protein levels in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, AGF decreased the LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. AGF inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, an upstream molecule of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and thus inhibited NF-κB activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that AGF exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting iNOS expression and blocking the NF-κB pathway.

Anti-obesity effect of a standardised ethanol extract from Curcuma longa L. fermented with Aspergillus oryzae in ob/ob mice and primary mouse adipocytes.

BACKGROUND: We examined the anti-obesity effect of fermented Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) standardised ethanol extract (FTE) in the C57BL/6J ob/ob mouse model. Mice were fed a chow diet containing FTE (0, 200, or 500 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) for 9 weeks. RESULTS: Supplementation with FTE significantly reduced body weight gain and retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissue weights compared to the ob/ob control group. Additionally, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum and liver were significantly decreased in FTE-200 and FTE-500 groups when compared to those of the ob/ob control group, whereas the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was significantly increased. The levels of serum adiponectin as well as mRNA expression of lipases, such as hormone sensitive lipase and adipose triglyceride lipase, were clearly increased. In primary adipocytes of C57BL/6J mice, FTE treatment caused a significant increase glycerol release and hormone sensitive lipase levels and decreased perilipin A levels. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that supplementation of FTE has potent anti-obesity effects by controlling body weight, fat mass, serum lipids, and hepatic lipids. Moreover, FTE could be considered a potential resource for the treatment of obesity through its promotion of lipolysis via the protein kinase A pathway.