Effect of Ginseng Powder Supplementation on the Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Capacity, and Sensory Characteristics of Cream Soup.

Ginseng has been used as a medicinal herb in Asian countries for hundreds of years. It contains many kinds of ginsenosides as major active ingredients and is known to have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antidiabetic properties. In this study, we have developed cream soup with different concentrations (0%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10%) of ginseng powder (GP) and determined the quality characteristics (color, viscosity, salinity, etc.) and antioxidant activity, along with sensory parameters. After the addition of GP, significant differences in salinity, L* and a*color value, DPPH, and ABTS were found among different concentrations of GP. Cream soup supplemented with GP 10% exhibited the highest values for DPPH and ABTS (83.5% and 87%, respectively), while the contents of total phenolic and saponin were 0.651 ± 0.02 (mg Gallic acid Equiv./g, DW) and 0.797 ± 0.05 (mg Diosgenin Equiv./g, DW), respectively. Moreover, there were no significant changes for °Brix value, pH, acidity, and total flavonoids content compared to control. The sensory characteristics indicated bitterness with the increase in the concentration of GP. However, a non-significant difference was observed between the control and supplemented samples for color, viscosity, and overall preference. Therefore, the supplementation of GP to cream soup could exhibit health benefits and increase the demand for ginseng to promote public health as functional food material.

Evodiae fructus Extract Inhibits Interleukin-1ß-Induced MMP-1, MMP-3, and Inflammatory Cytokine Expression by Suppressing the Activation of MAPK and STAT-3 in Human Gingival Fibroblasts In Vitro.

Periodontitis is a Gram-negative bacterial infectious disease. Numerous inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), regulate periodontitis pathophysiology and cause periodontal tissue destruction. In human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), IL-1ß stimulates the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and proinflammatory cytokines via various mechanisms. Several transcription factors, such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3), activator protein 1 (AP-1), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), regulate gene expression. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate these transcription factors. However, the MAPK/STAT-3 activation signal in HGFs is unknown. We investigated the potential inhibitory effects of the extract of Evodiae fructus (EFE), the dried, ripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, on MMP and proinflammatory cytokine expression in IL-1ß-stimulated HGFs. EFE inhibited the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8) in IL-1ß-stimulated HGFs through the inhibition of IL-1ß-induced MAPK/STAT-3 activation. Also, these results suggest that the EFE may be a useful for the bioactive material for oral care.

Neuroprotective effects of ethanolic extract from dry Rhodiola rosea L. rhizomes.

Rhodiola rosea L. rhizome has been used as a traditional medicine to treat fatigue, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. We aimed to authenticate R. rosea L. rhizome using the DNA barcoding technique and to quantify its main compounds, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity, and then to investigate their neuroprotective effects. The sequences of internal transcribed spacer and trnH-psbA of R. rosea L. rhizomes showed a 99% identity with those of NCBI GenBank database according to BLAST searches. Analysis using reversed-phase HPLC revealed five main compounds in R. rosea L. rhizome. Rhodiola rosea L. rhizome and two bioactive compounds, salidroside and tyrosol, showed free radical scavenging activity. Rhodiola rosea L. rhizome and its identified compounds protected neuronal PC-12 cells against oxidative stress and showed moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Taken together, these results suggest that R. rosea L. rhizomes with bioactives can be used as a functional ingredient with potential for neuroprotection. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10068-020-00868-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction () on Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis of Human A549 Lung Cancer Cells.

OBJECTIVE: To examinie the synergistic effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (, Known as Banhasasim-tang in Korean) extract (BXDE) on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in the A549 human lung cancer cell lines. METHODS: A549 cells were treated with varying concentrations (50-200 µg/mL) of cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination for 96 h. We used 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan assay and flow cytometry to analyze cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. RESULTS: The exposure of cells to cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination decreased cell viability dose- and time-dependently (P<0.05), which was found to be mediated by the apoptotic pathway as confirmed by the increase in the annexin V+/propidium iodide- stained cell population and a ladder pattern of discontinuous DNA fragments. Furthermore, the apoptosis was inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe) fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-FMK). CONCLUSIONS: BXDE significantly potentiated apoptotic effects of cisplatin in A549 cells. Moreover, apoptosis induced by BXDE might be the pivotal mechanism mediating its chemopreventative action against cancer.

Sophorae Flos extract inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by suppressing the NF-κB/NFATc1 pathway in mouse bone marrow cells.

BACKGROUND: Sophorae Flos (SF) is a composite of flowers and buds of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott and has been used in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine for the treatment of hemostasis and inflammation. Previous studies reported that SF possesses anti-obesity properties, as well as anti-allergic, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effect of SF in bone resorption has not been studies. In this study, we examined the potential of SF extract (SFE) to inhibit receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) -induced osteoclast differentiation in cultured mouse-derived bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). METHODS: BMMs, that act as osteoclast precursors, were cultured with M-CSF (50 ng/ml) and RANKL (100 ng/ml) for 4 days to generate osteoclasts. Osteoclast differentiation was measured by tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP) staining and the TRAP solution assay. Osteoclast differentiation marker genes were analyzed by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. RANKLs signaling pathways were confirmed through western blotting. RESULTS: SFE significantly decreased osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. SFE inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by suppressing NF-κB activation. By contrast, SFE did not affect phospholipase C gamma 2 or subsequent cAMP response element binding activation. SFE inhibited the RANKL-induced expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1). CONCLUSIONS: SFE attenuated the RANKL-mediated induction of NF-κB through inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation, which contributed to inhibiting of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation through downregulation of NFATc1.

Cornu cervi pantotrichum Pharmacopuncture Solution Facilitate Hair Growth in C57BL/6 Mice.

OBJECTIVES: Cornu cervi pantotrichum (CCP) has been widely used in Korean and China, as an anti-fatigue, anti-aging, and tonic agent to enhance the functions of the reproductive and the immune systems. Because CCP has various growth factors that play important roles in the development of hair follicles, we examined whether CCP pharmacopuncture solution (CCPPS) was capable of promoting hair growth in an animal model. METHODS: One day after hair depilation, CCPPS were topically applied to the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice once a day for 15 days. Hair growth activity was evaluated by using macro- and microscopic observations. Dorsal skin tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Expressions of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7 were examined by using immunohistochemical staining. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was also conducted to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of FGF-7. RESULTS: CCPPS induced more active hair growth than normal saline. Histologic analysis showed enlargement of the dermal papilla, elongation of the hair shaft, and expansion of hair thickness in CCPPS treated mice, indicating that CCPPS effectively induced the development of anagen. CCPPS treatment markedly increased the expressions of BrdU and PCNA in the hair follicles of C57BL/6 mice. In addition, CCPPS up regulated the expression of FGF-7, which plays an important role in the development of hair follicles. CONCLUSION: These results reveal that CCPPS facilitates hair re-growth by proliferation of hair follicular cells and up-regulation of FGF-7 and suggest that CCPPS can potentially be applied as an alternative treatment for patients with alopecia.

Identification of novel therapeutic target genes in acquired lapatinib-resistant breast cancer by integrative meta-analysis.

Acquired resistance to lapatinib is a highly problematic clinical barrier that has to be overcome for a successful cancer treatment. Despite efforts to determine the mechanisms underlying acquired lapatinib resistance (ALR), no definitive genetic factors have been reported to be solely responsible for the acquired resistance in breast cancer. Therefore, we performed a cross-platform meta-analysis of three publically available microarray datasets related to breast cancer with ALR, using the R-based RankProd package. From the meta-analysis, we were able to identify a total of 990 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 406 upregulated, 584 downregulated) that are potentially associated with ALR. Gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the DEGs showed that "response to organic substance" and "p53 signaling pathway" may be largely involved in ALR process. Of these, many of the top 50 upregulated and downregulated DEGs were found in oncogenesis of various tumors and cancers. For the top 50 DEGs, we constructed the gene coexpression and protein-protein interaction networks from a huge database of well-known molecular interactions. By integrative analysis of two systemic networks, we condensed the total number of DEGs to six common genes (LGALS1, PRSS23, PTRF, FHL2, TOB1, and SOCS2). Furthermore, these genes were confirmed in functional module eigens obtained from the weighted gene correlation network analysis of total DEGs in the microarray datasets ("GSE16179" and "GSE52707"). Our integrative meta-analysis could provide a comprehensive perspective into complex mechanisms underlying ALR in breast cancer and a theoretical support for further chemotherapeutic studies.

Toxicity of Single-dose Intramuscular Injection of Samjeong Pharmacopuncture in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out in order to find both the single-dose intramuscular injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of samjeong pharmacopuncture (SP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. METHODS: The SD rats in this study were divided into four groups, one control group (1.0 mL/animal, normal saline) and three experimental groups (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mL/animal, SP). All groups consisted of five male and five female rats. SP was injected as a single-dose intramuscularly at the thigh. After the injection, general symptoms and weight were observed for 14 days. After the observations had ended, hematologic and serum biochemical examinations, necropsy and a local tolerance test at the injection site were performed. The experiments were carried out at the Good Laboratory Practice firm, Biotoxtech Co. (Cheongwon, Chungbuk). Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee (Approval Number: 130379). RESULTS: No deaths occurred in any of the three experimental groups. The injection of SP had no effects on the general symptoms, body weights, results of the hematologic, and serum biochemical examinations, and necropsy findings. In local tolerance tests at the injection sites, mild inflammation was observed in the experimental group, but it did not appear to be a treatment related effect. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this test, the results from the injection of SP suggest that the approximate lethal dose of SP is above 1.0 mL/animal for both male and female SD rats. Therefore, the clinical use of SP is thought to be safe.

Integrative meta-analysis of multiple gene expression profiles in acquired gemcitabine-resistant cancer cell lines to identify novel therapeutic biomarkers.

In molecular-targeted cancer therapy, acquired resistance to gemcitabine is a major clinical problem that reduces its effectiveness, resulting in recurrence and metastasis of cancers. In spite of great efforts to reveal the overall mechanism of acquired gemcitabine resistance, no definitive genetic factors have been identified that are absolutely responsible for the resistance process. Therefore, we performed a cross-platform meta-analysis of three publically available microarray datasets for cancer cell lines with acquired gemcitabine resistance, using the R-based RankProd algorithm, and were able to identify a total of 158 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 76 up- and 82 down-regulated) that are potentially involved in acquired resistance to gemcitabine. Indeed, the top 20 up- and down-regulated DEGs are largely associated with a common process of carcinogenesis in many cells. For the top 50 up- and down-regulated DEGs, we conducted integrated analyses of a gene regulatory network, a gene co-expression network, and a protein-protein interaction network. The identified DEGs were functionally enriched via Gene Ontology hierarchy and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. By systemic combinational analysis of the three molecular networks, we could condense the total number of DEGs to final seven genes. Notably, GJA1, LEF1, and CCND2 were contained within the lists of the top 20 up- or down-regulated DEGs. Our study represents a comprehensive overview of the gene expression patterns associated with acquired gemcitabine resistance and theoretical support for further clinical therapeutic studies.

Crotonis Fructus and Its Constituent, Croton Oil, Stimulate Lipolysis in OP9 Adipocytes.

Introduction. Crotonis fructus (CF) is the mature fruit of Croton tiglium L. and has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbance in Asia. It is well known that the main component of CF is croton oil (CO). The present study is to investigate the effects of CF extracts (CFE) and CO on lipolysis in OP9 adipocytes. Methods. Glycerol release to the culture supernatants was used as a marker of adipocyte lipolysis. Results. Treatment with various concentrations of CFE and CO stimulates glycerol release in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in glycerol release by CFE is more potent than isoproterenol, which is a ß-adrenergic agonist as a positive control in our system. The increased lipolysis by CFE and CO was accompanied by an increase of phosphorylated hormone sensitive lipase (pHSL) but not nonphosphorylated HSL protein and mRNA. Pretreatment with H89, which is a protein kinase A inhibitor, significantly abolished the CFE- and CO-induced glycerol release in OP9 adipocytes. These results suggest that CFE and CO may be a candidate for the development of a lipolysis-stimulating agent in adipocytes.

Ethanol Extract of Alismatis rhizome Inhibits Adipocyte Differentiation of OP9 Cells.

The rhizome of Alisma orientale (Alismatis rhizome) has been used in Asia for promoting diuresis to eliminate dampness from the lower-jiao and to expel heat. In this study, an ethanol extract of the rhizome of Alisma orientale (AOE) was prepared and its effects on adipocyte differentiation of OP9 cells were investigated. Treatment with AOE in a differentiation medium for 5 days resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of lipid droplet formation in OP9 cells. Furthermore, AOE significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation by downregulating the expression of the master transcription factor of adipogenesis, peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor γ (PPAR γ ), and related genes, including CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ß (C/EBP ß ), fatty acid-binding protein (aP2), and fatty acid synthase (FAS). AOE exerted its inhibitory effects primarily during the early adipogenesis stage (days 1-2), at which time it also exerted dose-dependent inhibition of the expression of C/EBP ß , a protein related to the inhibition of mitotic clonal expansion. Additionally, AOE decreased the expression of autophagy-related proteins, including beclin 1, and the autophagy-related genes, (Atg) 7 and Atg12. Our results indicate that AOE's inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation of OP9 cells are mediated by reduced C/EBP ß expression, causing inhibition of mitotic clonal expansion and autophagy.

Saussurea lappa extract suppresses TPA-induced cell invasion via inhibition of NF-κB-dependent MMP-9 expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Saussurea lappa (SL) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat abdominal pain and tenesmus, and has been suggested to possess various biological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and cardiotonic activities. The effect of SL on breast cancer metastasis, however, is unknown. Cell migration and invasion are crucial in neoplastic metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix, is a major component in cancer cell invasion. METHODS: Cell viability was examined by MTT assay, whereas cell motility was measured by invasion assay. Western blot, Real-time PCR, and Zymography assays were used to investigate the inhibitory effects of ESL on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression level in MCF-7 cells. EMSA confirmed the inhibitory effects of ESL on DNA binding of NF- κB in MCF-7 cells. RESULTS: Cells threated with various concentrations of Saussurea lappa (ESL) for 24 h. Concentrations of 2 or 4 µM did not lead to a significant change in cell viability or morphology. Therefore, subsequent experiments utilized the optimal non-toxic concentration (2 or 4 µM) of ESL. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of ethanol extract of ESL on MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MCF-7 cells. ESL inhibited the TPA-induced transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). However, this result obtained that ESL did not block the TPA-induced phosphorylation of the kinases: p38, ERK, and JNK. Therefore, ELS-mediated inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion involves the suppression of NF-kB pathway in MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that ELS-mediated inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion involves the suppression of NF-kB pathway in MCF-7 cells. Thus, ESL has potential for controlling breast cancer invasiveness in vitro.

Inhibitory effects of Pericarpium zanthoxyli extract on adipocyte differentiation.

Obesity is a risk factor associated with numerous disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Pericarpium zanthoxyli extract (PZE) on the adipocytic differentiation of OP9 cells. During adipocyte differentiation, the OP9 cells were treated with 0, 10 and 20 µg/ml of PZE at various time intervals, followed by the examination of lipid droplet formation and the mRNA expression of adipogenesis-related genes. The cells treated with PZE during the early period (days 0-2) showed a significant reduction in the accumulation of lipid droplets, which were induced by a standard adipogenic cocktail, as well as a decrease in the expression of the adipogenesis-related transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and PPARγ-target genes, such as adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and other adipocyte markers. Adipocyte differentiation was not inhibited by treatment with PZE during the late stage of differentiation (days 3-5). Thus, the inhibitory effects of PZE on adipocyte differentiation occurred during the early stages of adipogenesis, which was confirmed by the decrease in the levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ß (C/EBPß) in a dose-dependent manner when the OP9 cells were exposed to PZE. Taken together, our results indicate that PZE inhibit the early stages of adipogenic differentiation by inhibiting C/EBPß expression.

Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption in Atopic Dermatitis treated with Korean medicine.

OBJECTIVES: This case report is to present a complete recovery from Kaposi's varicelliform eruption (KVE) that occurred in a patient with atopic dermatitis by applying Korean Medicine therapies. METHODS: Hwangyeonhaedoktang pharmacopuncture (HP), 0.3 mL, and 25% bee venom pharmacopuncture (BVP), 0.1 mL, were injected, 0.2 mL each, at both BL13 acupoints once a day in the morning. Acupuncture was applied at Sama Upper, Middle and Lower of the Master Tung acupuncture points and at ST44 on the left lateral for 30 minutes twice a day. The affected face was gauze dressed with mixture of 2.0 mL HP and 1.0 mL 25% BVP with 20 mL of normal saline twice a day. Herbal Medicine, Seungmagalgeuntang, was administered three times a day after each meal. RESULTS: Rashes and papules on the face were completely cleared after 10 days of treatments. CONCLUSION: KVE, an acute and urgent dermatitis, can be effectively treated with Korean medicine.

Inhibitory Effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum Kitamura Extract on RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation.

Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum Kitamura, known as "Gujulcho" in Korea, has been used in traditional medicine to treat various inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. However, these effects have not been tested on osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells that regulate bone metabolism. Here, we investigated the effects of C. zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum Kitamura ethanol extract (CZE) on osteoclast differentiation induced by treatment with the receptor activator of NF- κ B ligand (RANKL). CZE inhibited osteoclast differentiation and formation in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of CZE on osteoclastogenesis was due to the suppression of ERK activation and the ablation of RANKL-stimulated Ca(2+)-oscillation via the inactivation of PLC γ 2, followed by the inhibition of CREB activation. These inhibitory effects of CZE resulted in a significant repression of c-Fos expression and a subsequent reduction of NFATc1, a key transcription factor for osteoclast differentiation, fusion, and activation in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that CZE negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation and may be a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of various bone diseases, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontitis.

Review of cervi cornu parvum pharmacopuncture in korean medicine.

OBJECTIVE: The endpoint of this review is to investigate existing studies of Cervi cornu parvum(CCP) pharmacopuncture within Korean medicine journals in order to present a better research method in the future. METHODS: We searched all the papers through six Korean electrical databases that included the title of " Cervi cornu parvum pharmacopuncture" or " Cervi cornu parvum aqua-acupuncture". Articles that had been published until December 2012 were largely divided into experimental studies and clinical studies. RESULTS: Fifty-three (53) experimental studies and six clinical studies were found. The number of published articles has been constantly increasing. Many of the experimental studies demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects for arthritis, and most of the clinical studies dealt with musculoskeletal problems. CONCLUSION: Various therapeutically significant effects of the CCP pharmacopuncture have been found through this review; however, more systematic clinical studies on the CCP pharmacopuncture seem to be necessary to substantially support its clinical effects.

Curcumin suppresses the TPA-induced invasion through inhibition of PKCα-dependent MMP-expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a polyphenol derived from the plant turmeric (Curcuma longa), which is commonly used as a spice. Although anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-angiogenic properties have been reported, the effect of curcumin on breast cancer metastasis is unknown. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a major component in cancer cell invasion. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of curcumin on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion and the molecular mechanisms involved in MCF-7 cells. Our results showed that curcumin inhibits TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion through suppressing NF-κB and AP-1 activation. Also, curcumin strongly repressed the TPA-induced phosphorylation of p38 and JNK and inhibited TPA-induced translocation of PKCα from the cytosol to the membrane, but did not affect the translocation of PKCδ. These results indicate that curcumin-mediated inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion involves the suppression of the PKCα, MAPK and NF-κB/AP-1 pathway in MCF-7 cells. Curcumin may have potential value in restricting breast cancer metastasis.

Overexpression of the small GTPase Arl4D suppresses adipogenesis.

Arl4D is a developmentally-regulated member of the ADP-ribosylation factor/ARF-like protein (ARF/Arl) family of Ras-related GTPases. Although Arl4 protein is reported to be expressed in adipose tissue, the function of Arl4D is unknown. To investigate the potential role of Arl4D in adipogenesis, we examined Arl4D expression during adipocyte differentiation and the effects of Arl4D overexpression on adipogenesis. Arl4D protein increased early in adipogenesis, with the highest expression at 4 h after adipogenesis initiation, followed by a decrease thereafter. Overexpression of Arl4D in 3T3-L1 cells potently inhibited their ability to differentiate and accumulate lipid, and reduced the expression of adipogenic genes. Furthermore, treatment with valproic acid, an Arl4D inducer, suppressed adipogenesis. These results suggest that rapid reduction of Arl4D is required for adipogenesis to proceed.

Effects of Water Extracts of Red Pepper Seeds Powder on Antioxidative Enzyme Activities and Oxidative Damage in Rats Fed High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diets

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of water extracts from red pepper seeds powder on antioxidative enzyme activities and oxidative damage in groups of rrats fed high-fat and high-cholesterol diets group (HFC). The Rrats were divided into the following five experimental groups which are : composed ofa normal diet group, a high fat.high cholesterol diet group, and a high fat.high cholesterol diet group supplemented with different amounts contents (1%, 2% and 4%) of red pepper seeds powder water extracts supplemented groups (HFCW1, HFCW2 and HFCW4, respectively). Body weight gains and food intake were lower ofin the red pepper seed water extracts groups were lower than those inof the HFC group. Hepartic xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity was decreased in the HFCW2 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepartic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activitiyactivity was increased in the HFCW4 group compared to the HFC group. Hepatic superoxide radicals within the mitochondria and microsomes of cells were significantly reduced in the HFCW2 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepartic hydrogen peroxide in the cytosol was significantly reduced in the HFCW3 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepatic carbonyl values in the microsomes and mitochondria were significantly reduced in the HFCW4 group compared to the HFC group. Hepartic thiobarbituric acid reaction substance (TBARS) activity was decreased in the HFCW2 group compared to the HFC group. These results suggest that water extracts of red pepper seeds powder may reduce oxidative damage by activation of antioxidative defense systems in rats fed high fat.high cholesterol diets.