Time-Course Changes and New Expressions of MIP-3α and Its Receptor, CCR6, in the Gerbil Hippocampal CA1 Area Following Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-3α (MIP-3α) and its sole receptor, CCR6, play pivotal roles in neuroinflammatory processes induced by brain ischemic insults. In this study, we investigated transient ischemia-induced changes in MIP-3α and CCR6 protein expressions in the hippocampal CA1 area following 5 min of transient global cerebral ischemia (tgCI) in gerbils. Both MIP-3α and CCR6 immunoreactivities were very strongly expressed in pyramidal neurons of the CA1 area from 6 h to 1 day after tgCI and were hardly shown 4 days after tgCI. In addition, strong MIP-3α immunoreactivity was newly expressed in astrocytes 6 h after tgCI. These results indicate that tgCI causes apparent changes in MIP-3α and CCR6 expressions in pyramidal neurons and astrocytes in the hippocampal CA1 area and suggest that tgCI-induced changes in MIP-3α and CCR6 expressions might be closely associated with neuroinflammatory processes in brain ischemic regions.

Brain ischemic preconditioning protects against moderate, not severe, transient global cerebral ischemic injury.

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in the brain increases ischemic tolerance to subsequent ischemic insults. In this study, we examined whether IPC protects neurons and attenuates microgliosis or not in the hippocampus following severe transient global cerebral ischemia (TCI) in gerbils. Gerbils were assigned to 8 groups; 5- and 15-min sham operated groups, 5-min and 15-min TCI operated groups, IPC plus 5- and 15-min sham operated groups, and IPC plus 5- and 15-min TCI operated groups. IPC was induced by subjecting animals to 2-min transient ischemia 1 day before 5-min TCI for a typical transient ischemia and 15-min TCI for severe transient ischemia. Neuronal damage was examined by cresyl violet staining and Fluoro-Jade B histofluorescence staining. In addition, microglial activation was examined using immunohistochemistry for Iba-1 (a marker for microglia). Delayed neuronal death and microgliosis was found in the CA1 alone in the 5-min TCI operated group at 5 days post-ischemia, and, in the 15-min TCI operated group, neuronal death and microgliosis was shown in all CA areas (CA1-3) and the dentate gyrus. IPC displayed neuroprotection and attenuated microglial activation in the 5-min TCI operated group. However, in the 15-min TCI operated group, IPC did not show neuroprotection and not attenuate microglial activation. Our present findings indicate that IPC hardly protect against severe transient cerebral ischemic injury.

A Complex of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matisum. and Thymus vulgaris L. Improves Menopausal Symptoms and Supports Healthy Aging in Women.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of MS-10® for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 71 premenopausal women for 4 and 12 weeks. A total of 12 individual menopausal symptom scores were assessed using the Kupperman index. MS-10 treatment effectively improved the symptoms by ∼48%. In addition, the quality of life of the women improved by 36% from four perspectives: vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual symptoms as evaluated using the menopause-specific quality of life (MenQoL) questionnaire. Our results show that MS-10 improves insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and estrogen utilization through receptor activation, which are thought to have causative therapeutic effects on menopause and aging inhibition in women. Improvement of Enthotheline-1 (ET-1) in the blood after MS-10 intake led to an improvement in menopausal vascular symptoms. Improvements in bone formation and absorption markers such as osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP), C-telopeptides of type I collagen (CTx), deoxypyridinoline (deoxyPYD), and N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) in blood or urine indicate that MS-10 fundamentally improves bone health in women. By confirming the improvement of the psychological well-being index based on the improvement of stress hormone cortisol, MS-10 can solve causative psychological and physical stress-related symptoms. Moreover, various safety tests, such as those for female hormones, were confirmed. Therefore, it can be confirmed that MS-10 is a natural pharmaconutraceutical that causatively and safely improves health of women and aids in antiaging processes.

YES-10 Improves Stress, Tension, and Fatigue by Reducing Cortisol and IL-6 Levels.

The extract of Clematis mandshurica Rupr. (CMR) inhibits the production of proinflammatory mediators from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peritoneal macrophages and concanavalin A-stimulated splenocytes. Erigeron annuus Pers. (EAP) extract suppresses the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from preadipocytes. Furthermore, the mixture of the leaf extracts of CMR and EAP, YES-10®, protected against nerve injuries induced by ischemia/reperfusion, suggesting a ROS-scavenging action. These observations show the anti-inflammatory action of YES-10. Inflammatory cytokines can cause alterations in mental function, including depression, by influencing the neurotransmitter system. Thus, it was hypothesized that YES-10 could improve mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and sense of well-being. Seventy-two subjects were recruited and randomly divided into YES-10 or placebo groups (n = 36 per group). Each group was daily administered two capsules orally, containing 200 mg of YES-10 or placebo, for 4 weeks in a double-blinded manner and tested for levels of depression, anxiety, well-being, and mental fitness using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Psychosocial Well-being Index (PWI), and Mental Fitness Scale (MFS). In addition, the levels of cortisol (a stress hormone), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (an inflammatory cytokine), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG; a marker of oxidative stress) in the serum were measured. The BDI, BAI, PWI, and MFS scores decreased significantly, and the serum levels of cortisol, IL-6, and 8-OHdG were lowered significantly (P < .05), suggesting that YES-10 has the ability to improve mental health by relieving stress and by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Complex Extracts of Ligularia stenocephala Matsum. & Koidz. and Secale cereale L. Sprout in Chronic Gingivitis: In Vitro Investigation and Randomized Clinical Trial.

Complex extracts of Ligularia stenocephala Matsum. & Koidz. (LSE) and Secale cereale L. sprout (SCSE) (TEES-10®) were prepared. The purposes of the study were to evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of TEES-10® in vitro and to observe resolution of gingivitis in human with oral administration of TEES-10®. The effects of TEES-10® on normal periodontal ligament (PDL) cell viability, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced PDL cell viability and the changes of inflammatory mediator expression were evaluated in vitro. In the clinical trial, 150 mg of TEES-10® powder containing capsule was administered twice daily to the test group, while the control group administered placebos in a total 100 participants with gingivitis. Probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment loss, gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were measured at baseline and 4 weeks. Administering TEES-10® showed significant increase in PDL cell viability compared to administering LSE or SCSE alone. In addition, treating TEES-10® to LPS induced PDL cell significantly increased PDL cell viability compared to control. TEES-10® suppressed expression of NF-κB, p-ERK, ERK, COX-2, c-Fos and p-STAT and promoted expression of PPARγ in LPS induced PDL cells. In the clinical trial, significant improvement of GI and BOP was observed in the test group at 4 weeks. In addition, the number of patients diagnosed with gingivitis was significantly reduced in the test group at 4 weeks. Salivary MMP-8 and MMP-9 was also significantly decreased compared to placebo group. Within the limitations of this study, the TEES-10® would have an anti-inflammatory potential clinically in the chronic gingivitis patients.

Experimental pretreatment with YES-10®, a plant extract rich in scutellarin and chlorogenic acid, protects hippocampal neurons from ischemia/reperfusion injury via antioxidant role.

Erigeron annuus (L.) PERS. (EALP) and Clematis mandshurica RUPR. (CMR) have been used in traditional remedies due to their medicinal effects. Recently, we reported that pretreatment with 200 mg/kg of YES-10® (a combination of extracts from leaves of EALP and CMR) displayed neuroprotective effects against brain ischemia and reperfusion injury. The present study analyzed the major ingredients of YES-10® and investigated whether neuroprotection from YES-10® was dependent upon antioxidant effects in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) field in the gerbil hippocampus, after transient forebrain ischemia for 5 min. YES-10® was demonstrated to predominantly contain scutellarin and chlorogenic acid. Pretreatment with YES-10® significantly increased protein levels and the immunoreactivity of copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD2) was in the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 field when these were examined prior to transient ischemia induction. The increased SODs in CA1 pyramidal neurons following YES-10® treatment were maintained after ischemic injury. In this case, the CA1 pyramidal neurons were protected from ischemia-reperfusion injury. Oxidative stress was significantly attenuated in the CA1 pyramidal neurons, and this was determined by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal immunohistochemistry and dihydroethidium histofluorescence staining. Taken together, the results indicated that YES-10® significantly attenuated transient ischemia-induced oxidative stress and may be utilized for developing a protective agent against ischemic insults.

Brain Factor-7® improves learning and memory deficits and attenuates ischemic brain damage by reduction of ROS generation in stroke in vivo and in vitro.

Brain Factor-7® (BF-7), silk fibroin peptide, is known to be effective in improvement of memory and learning ability. In this study, the effects of BF-7 (10 mg/kg, p.o., pre-treatment for 7 days and post-treatment for 7 days) on neuroprotection and memory and learning functions were investigated in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia and a gerbil model of transient global forebrain ischemia. Furthermore, to find the mechanism of BF-7, we examined the neuroprotective and antioxidative effects of BF-7 in vitro using neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. In vivo model, treatment with BF-7 significantly reduced the number of errors in 8-arm maze test and significantly increased latency time in passive avoidance test at 7 days after focal ischemia compared to those in the vehicle-treated group. In addition, treatment with BF-7 significantly decreased the infarct size or neuronal death at 7 day following transient ischemia compared to that in the vehicle-treated group. In vitro model, 10 or 20 µg/ml of BF-7 treatment significantly increased cell viability in dose-dependent manner. In addition, oxidative stress was significantly attenuated in the ischemic cells, showing that 10 or 20 µg/ml of BF-7 treatment significantly reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to that in the ischemic cells. These results indicate that BF-7 treatment can attenuate ischemic damages and improve memory deficits via reduction of ROS generation.

YES-10, A Combination of Extracts from Clematis mandshurica RUPR. and Erigeron annuus (L.) PERS., Prevents Ischemic Brain Injury in A Gerbil Model of Transient Forebrain Ischemia.

: Clematis mandshurica RUPR. (CMR) and Erigeron annuus (L.) PERS. (EALP) have pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory activity and been used in traditional medicines in Asia. However, neuroprotective effects of CMR and/or EALP extracts against brain ischemic insults have never been addressed. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine neuroprotective effects of YES-10, a combination of extracts from CMR and EALP (combination ratio, 1:1), in the hippocampus following ischemia/reperfusion in gerbils. Protection of neurons was investigated by cresyl violet staining, fluoro-jade B histofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry for neuronal nuclei. In addition, attenuation of gliosis was studied by immunohistochemistry for astrocytic and microglial markers. Treatments with 50 or 100 mg/kg YES-10 failed to protect neurons in the hippocampus after ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, administration of 200 mg/kg YES-10 protected neurons from ischemia/reperfusion injury and attenuated reactive gliosis. These findings strongly suggest that a combination of extracts from CMR and EALP can be used as a prevention approach/drug against brain ischemic damage.

MR-10 Enhances Men's Health by Improving Endogenous Male Sex Hormone Generation.

Although there is a clear need for improving men's health, treatment with suitable natural substances has not yet been well established. Previously, it was reported that MR-10, a novel complex of Korean dandelion and rooibos found by screening many natural products, improved sperm generation and activity. Here, the ability of MR-10 to increase testosterone levels and enhance men's health was tested. Treatment with MR-10 (400 mg/day) for a month significantly increased levels of free testosterone, total testosterone, and the testosterone precursor dehydroepiandrosterone by 22%, 14%, and 32%, respectively, in clinical studies. Also, men's health in terms of mental, physical, and sexual aspects, as determined by using the clinical questionnaires Androgen Deficiency of Aging Men and Aging Males' Symptoms, was improved. Furthermore, the safety of MR-10 was determined by testing levels of prostate-specific antigen, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvate transaminase; and the lack of changes due to MR-10 treatment supports the safety of MR-10. In conclusion, this study suggests that MR-10 is a safe and effective natural product improving men's sexual health.

Promoter DNA methylation contributes to human ß-defensin-1 deficiency in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease caused by epidermal barrier dysfunction and dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Epigenetic regulation of human ß-defensin-1 (HBD-1) might be associated with a variety of defects in the innate immune system during AD pathogenesis. We investigated the possible mechanism of decreased HBD-1 gene expression in AD and demonstrated the restoration of HBD-1 transcription in undifferentiated normal human epidermal keratinocyte cells after treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. We also conducted an in vitro methylated reporter assay using a reporter containing 14 CpG sites. Methylation of the 14 CpG sites within the HBD-1 5' region resulted in an approximately 86% reduction in promoter activity and affected HBD-1 transcriptional regulation. We then compared methylation frequencies at CpG 3 and CpG 4 between non-lesional and lesional epidermis samples of patients with severe AD and between these paired tissues and healthy control epidermis from normal volunteers without AD history. Bisulfite pyrosequencing data showed significantly higher methylation frequencies at the CpG 3 and 4 sites in AD lesional samples than in non-lesional AD skin and normal skin samples (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the DNA methylation signature of HBD-1 is a novel diagnostic/prognostic marker and a promising therapeutic target for the compromised stratum corneum barrier attributed to HBD-1 deficiency.

The protective effects of ethanolic extract of Clematis terniflora against corticosterone-induced neuronal damage via the AKT and ERK1/2 pathway.

Chronic stress induces neuronal cell death, which can cause nervous system disorders including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of Clematis terniflora extract (CTE) against corticosterone-induced apoptosis in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, and also investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. At concentrations of 300 and 500 µg/ml, CTE significantly decreased apoptotic cell death and mitochondrial damage induced by 200 µM corticosterone. CTE decreased the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins GRP78, GADD153, and mitochondrial damage-related protein BAD, suggesting that it downregulates ER stress evoked by corticosterone. Furthermore, our results suggested that these protective effects were mediated by the upregulation of p-AKT and p-ERK1/2, which are involved in cell survival signaling. Collectively, our results indicate that CTE can lessen neural damage caused by chronic stress. [BMB Reports 2018; 51(8): 400-405].

Steroidogenic effects of Taraxacum officinale extract on the levels of steroidogenic enzymes in mouse Leydig cells.

In this study, we investigated the steroidogenic effect of Taraxacum officinale extract on mouse TM3 Leydig cells, which produce male hormones by increasing the levels of steroidogenic enzymes. Steroidogenic enzymes are involved in the production of testosterone in the testis. To date, the steroidogenic effect of T. officinale has not been reported. Therefore, we examined the steroidogenic effects of T. officinale extract (TOE) on mouse Leydig cells in vitro. Traditionally, plants have been used for the treatment of various kinds of ailments. For many years, some medicinal plants have been used to regulate steroidogenesis or late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). In particular, plants belonging to the genus Taraxacum have anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties. In this study, we determined whether the TOE exerts steroidogenic effects by increasing the levels of enzymes associated with steroidogenesis, such as the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), CYP11A1, and translocator protein (TSPO) in the mitochondria and CYP17A1 in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, in mouse Leydig cells. Our results showed that the TOE significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of steroidogenic enzymes, thereby increasing the testosterone levels in mouse Leydig cells. Thus, our results indicate that the TOE increases the levels of steroidogenic enzymes, and further studies are required to establish the potential of this plant in regulating steroidogenesis and improving LOH.

Effects of Zanthoxylum piperitum ethanol extract on osteoarthritis inflammation and pain.

Degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis (OA), is the most common type of arthritis, which is caused by degenerative damage of the cartilage, which primarily protects the joints, leading to inflammation and pain. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vivo and in vitro effects of treatment with ZPE-LR (90% EtOH extract of Zanthoxylum piperitum) on pain severity and inflammation. When using an in vivo OA model MIA (monosodiumidoacetate-induced arthritis) rats, ZPE-LR (100 mg/kg) oral-administratio significantly inhibited MIA-induced change in loaded weight ratio on the left foot, and articular cartilage thickness. To confirm the positive effects on pain relief, acetic acid, heat and formalin-induced pain were remarkably decreased by 50 and 100 mg/kg ZPE-LR oral-administration. Pain related KCNJ6 mRNA expression as well as K + current was increased after ZPE-LR treatment in BV-2 cells. To confirm the positive effects on inflammation, TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) induced inflammation measured by mouse ear thickness and biopsy punch weight and TPA-induced iNOS, COX-2 mRNA and protein expression were remarkably suppressed by 50 and 100 mg/kg ZPE-LR oral-administration. In addition, TPA-induced iNOS, COX-2 mRNA level and protein expression were reduced. Acetic acid, heat and formalin-induced pain were remarkably decreased by 50 and 100 mg/kg ZPE-LR oral-administration. We examined in vitro ZPE-LR effects in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-induced p65 translocation to the nucleus was prohibited by ZPE-LR 100 µg/ml oral administration. Moreover, ROS generation by LPS was significantly inhibited by ZPE-LR 50 and 100 µg/ml treatment. To investigate new ZPE-LR activating mechanisms, the gene fishing method (not a typical term, should probably use PCR based genetic screening) was used. LPS-induced HPRT1 (hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1) was decreased by ZPE-LR. However, RPL8 (Ribosomal protein L8) which showed no change in mRNA expression due to LPS, did show increased mRNA levels after ZPE-LR treatment. Our data elucidate mechanisms underlying ZPE-LR and suggest ZPE-LR may be a potential therapeutic agent to modulate osteoarthritis inflammation and pain.

Bidirectional Association between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Gallstone Disease: A Cohort Study.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallstone disease (GD) are often found to coexist but the sequential relationship of NAFLD and GD to each other remains controversial. We prospectively evaluated the bidirectional relationship of NAFLD with GD. A cohort study was performed on Korean adults who underwent a health checkup and were followed annually or biennially for a mean of 6.0 years. Fatty liver and gallstones were diagnosed by ultrasound. NAFLD was defined as hepatic steatosis on ultrasonography in the absence of excessive alcohol use or other identifiable causes. The NAFLD severity was determined by non-invasive fibrosis markers. Among 283,446 participants without either gallstones or cholecystectomy at baseline, 6440 participants developed gallstones. Among 219,641 participants without NAFLD at baseline, 49,301 participants developed NAFLD. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for incident gallstone comparing the NAFLD group vs. the non-NAFLD group was 1.26 (1.17⁻1.35). Increased non-invasive fibrosis markers of NAFLD were positively associated with an increased incidence of gallstones in a graded and dose-responsive manner (p-trend < 0.01). The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident NAFLD comparing gallstone and cholecystectomy to no GD were 1.14 (1.07⁻1.22) and 1.17 (1.03⁻1.33), respectively. This large-scale cohort study of young and middle-aged individuals demonstrated a bidirectional association between NAFLD and GD. NAFLD and its severity were independently associated with an increased incidence of gallstones, while GD and cholecystectomy were also associated with incident NAFLD. Our findings indicate that the conditions may affect each other, requiring further studies to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying this association.

Age­dependent alteration in the expression of oligodendrocyte­specific protein in the gerbil hippocampus.

Oligodendrocytes are myelin-forming cells in the central nervous system. Research into the effects of aging on oligodendrocyte protein expression remains limited. The present study aimed to determine the alterations in oligodendrocyte­specific protein (OSP) expression in the gerbil hippocampus at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 months of age with western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. OSP expression levels in the hippocampus were highest at 6 months of age. OSP immunoreactivity was identified in numerous cell bodies at 1 month, although the number of OSP immunoreactive cells was different according to hippocampal subregion. The number of OSP immunoreactive cells significantly decreased at 2 months and, thereafter, numbers decreased gradually. The detection of OSP immunoreactive fibers was negligible in all layers in the hippocampal subregions until 4 months. OSP immunoreactive fibers were abundant at 6 and 24 months, although the fiber distribution patterns in the CA1­3 areas and dentate gyrus were different. The results demonstrated that OSP expression in the gerbil hippocampus was age­dependent. The detection of OSP immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers was significantly different according to the layers of hippocampal subregions, indicating that myelination may be continuously altered in the hippocampus during normal aging.

Intermittent fasting increases SOD2 and catalase immunoreactivities in the hippocampus but does not protect from neuronal death following transient ischemia in gerbils.

Intermittent fasting has been shown to have neuroprotective effects against transient focal cerebral ischemic insults. However, the effects of intermittent fasting on transient global ischemic insult has not been studied much yet. The present study examined effects of intermittent fasting on endogenous antioxidant enzyme expression levels in the hippocampus and investigated whether the fasting protects neurons 5 days after 5 min of transient global cerebral ischemia. Gerbils were randomly subjected to either ad libitum or alternate­day intermittent fasting for two months and assigned to sham surgery or transient ischemia. Changes of antioxidant enzymes were examined using immunohistochemistry for cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), mitochondrial (SOD2), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). The effects of intermittent fasting on ischemia­induced antioxidant changes, neuronal damage/degeneration and glial activation were examined. The weight of fasting gerbils was not different from that of control gerbils. In controls, SOD1 and GPX immunoreactivities were strong in pyramidal neurons of filed cornu ammonis 1 (CA1). Transient ischemia in controls significantly decreased expressions of SOD1 and GPX in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Intermittent fasting resulted in increased expressions of SOD2 and CAT, not of SOD1 and GPX, in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Nevertheless, CA1 pyramidal neurons were not protected in gerbils subjected to fasting after transient ischemia, and inhibition of glial­cell activation was not observed in the gerbils. In summary, intermittent fasting for two months increased SOD2 and CAT immunoreactivities in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. However, fasting did not protect the CA1 pyramidal neurons from transient cerebral ischemia. The results of the present study indicate that intermittent fasting may increase certain antioxidants, but not protect neurons from transient global ischemic insult.

Epigenetic suppression of the anti-aging gene KLOTHO in human prostate cancer cell lines.

KLOTHO was originally identified as an aging-suppressor gene that causes a human aging-like phenotype when tested in KLOTHO-deficient-mice. Recent evidence suggests that KLOTHO functions as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting Wnt signaling. KLOTHO gene silencing, including DNA methylation, has been observed in some human cancers. Aberrant activation of Wnt signaling plays a significant role in aging, and its silencing may be related to prostate cancer and other types of cancers. Thus, we investigated whether the expression of the anti-aging gene KLOTHO was associated with epigenetic changes in prostate cancer cell lines. KLOTHO mRNA was detected in the 22Rv1 cell line while it was not detected in DU145 and PC-3 cell lines. The restoration of KLOTHO mRNA in the DU145 and PC-3 cell lines was induced with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Methylation-specific PCR was performed to determine the specific CpG sites in the KLOTHO promoter responsible for expression. In addition, the level of methylation was assessed in each CpG by performing bisulfite sequencing and quantitative pyrosequencing analysis. The results suggested a remarkable inverse relationship between KLOTHO expression and promoter methylation in prostate cancer cell lines.

The Natural Substance MS-10 Improves and Prevents Menopausal Symptoms, Including Colpoxerosis, in Clinical Research.

Many natural substances were screened to develop nutraceuticals that reduce menopausal symptoms. A complex of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii and Thymus vulgaris extracts, named MS-10, had significant positive effects. Under a low concentration of estrogen, which represents postmenopausal physiological conditions, MS-10 had beneficial effects on estrogen receptor-expressing MCF-7 cells by reversibly enhancing estrogen activity. In addition, in the ovariectomized rat model, changes in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin, as well as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly decreased by MS-10. These results show that MS-10 protected bone health and reduced metabolic disturbances. Furthermore, in a clinical study, all menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, parenthesis, insomnia, nervousness, melancholia, vertigo, fatigue, rheumatic pain, palpitations, formication, and headache, as well as colpoxerosis, were significantly improved by taking MS-10 for 90 days. Therefore, the evidence supports that MS-10 is an effective natural substance that can safely improve menopausal symptoms, including colpoxerosis.

Improvement of andropause symptoms by dandelion and rooibos extract complex CRS-10 in aging male.

Many aging male suffer various andropause symptoms including loss of physical and mental activities. This study evaluated the putative alleviative effects of CRS-10 dandelion and rooibos extract complex (CRS-10) on the symptoms of andropause. The survival rate of TM3 Leydig cells (TM3 cells) treated with CRS-10 was measured based on typical physiological stress. After daily intake of CRS-10 for 4 weeks, the level of testosterone, physical activity and both the number and activity of sperm in older rats (18 weeks) were measured. Furthermore, thirty males were surveyed with AMS (Aging Males' Symptoms) questionnaire after intake of 400 mg of CRS-10. Overall, CRS-10 protected TM3 cells from serum restriction and oxidative stress via activation of ERK and Akt pathways. The level of testosterone and activation of spermatogenesis in rats were significantly enhanced. In addition, physical locomotion was markedly improved. Daily intake of 400 mg of CRS-10 improved the quality of life among agingmale respondents, according to a clinical survey using the AMS. The results indicate the potential of CRS-10 as a safe and efficacious natural substance for reducing or alleviating andropause symptoms.