Toxicological Evaluation of Brassica napus Extract Containing Vanadium, Nutricultured in Jeju Water.

This study evaluated the mutagenicity and acute toxicity of the juice extract of nutricultured Brassica napus containing vanadium (BECV). The BECV was prepared by nutriculture for 7 days in Jeju water containing vanadium. The mutagenic effects of BECV were investigated using the bacterial reverse mutation test, chromosome aberration test, and micronucleus test. Based on the results of the mutagenicity test, we propose that BECV is not a mutagenicity-inducing agent. In the acute oral toxicity study, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a single limiting dose of 0.014, 0.14, or 1.4 µg BECV/kg body weight; the rats were then observed for 7 days. No acute lethal effect was observed at the maximal dose of 1.4 µg BECV/kg body weight. In the subacute study, male and female rats were administered once daily, by oral gavage, a dose of 0.028, 0.14, and 0.7 µg/kg body weight of BECV for 28 days. No significant toxicity was observed not only hematological, biochemical, and pathological parameters but also the body and organ weights when compared to controls. The level of BECV with no observed adverse effects in male and female rats was 0.7 µg/kg body weight (concentration of vanadium in BECV) in the subacute toxicity study.

Suppressive Effect of the n-Hexane Extract of Litsea japonica Fruit Flesh on Monosodium-Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats.

We examined the antiosteoarthritic effect of the n-hexane extract of Litsea japonica fruit flesh (LJF-HE) in a rat model of monosodium-iodoacetate- (MIA-) induced osteoarthritis. LJF-HE significantly reduced the difference in weight-bearing capabilities of the hind paws between healthy and MIA-treated rats. Histological examination of the knee joints indicated that LJF-HE suppressed cartilage and bone destruction. Additionally, there were decreases in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 and cyclooxygenase-2 in the joints. The serum levels of deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and osteocalcin, which are markers of bone metabolism, also decreased. Furthermore, LJF-HE significantly suppressed infiltration of inflammatory cells into the synovium and inhibited the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, interleukin- (IL-) 1, and IL-6 in the joints and serum. The serum levels of leukotriene B4 and lipoxygenase were also significantly lowered by LJF-HE. Finally, LJF-HE inhibited the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, IL-6, and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages, which might be associated with inhibited phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Our data suggest that LJF-HE has an anti-inflammatory effect and may have potential as an antiosteoarthritic agent.

Immunomodulatory effect of a proanthocyanidin-rich extract from Pinus radiata bark by dosing period in chickens.

We evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of a proanthocyanidin-rich extract (PAE) from Pinus radiata bark in Korean native chickens. In experiment 1, proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly enhanced in chickens administered 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of PAE for 2 wk once daily by oral gavage compared with no administration of PAE in vitro. Proliferation of splenocyte and thymocyte cells was also significantly enhanced in chickens administered 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of PAE for 5 wk. In experiment 2, proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, splenocytes, and thymocytes in chickens administered PAE for 6 wk was continuously higher than that in other groups. Additionally, increasing cell populations for which CD4(+)CD8(-)(Th cells) and Bu-1(+) (B cells) protein was expressed on the cell surface were significantly different after 4 wk of PAE administration in chickens. Thus, the immunomodulatory effects of a PAE from P. radiata bark differed by dosing period in chickens.