Effect of Extract of Black Sticky Rice with Giant Embryo on Alcohol Cravings of Korean Social Drinkers: A 12-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

We investigated the effect of black sticky rice with giant embryo (BSRGE) extract known to contain high levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on alcohol cravings in social drinkers. A total of 41 subjects were divided into a BSRGE extract group (G group: n = 21) and a placebo group (P group: n = 20), and a randomized placebo-controlled experiment was performed for 12 weeks. The G group took the BSRGE extracts that contained 30 mg of GABA per day. (1) In the Pennsylvania Alcohol Craving Scale, there was a tendency for time and group interaction between the two groups (P = .087) on the total score. (2) In the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), there was a significance for time and group interaction between the G and P groups (P = .011) on the obsessive subscale. The total score of the OCDS showed significant time and group interactions between the G and P groups (P = .011). Our results showed that the extract of BSRGE containing a high level of GABA significantly reduced alcohol cravings in Korean social drinkers.

S-Petasin isolated from Petasites japonicus exerts anti-adipogenic activity in the 3T3-L1 cell line by inhibiting PPAR-γ pathway signaling.

Petasites japonicus is an edible and medicinal plant with a good flavor, and it is a rich source of bioactive compounds. S-Petasin has been isolated from Petasites hybridus (L.), Petasites officinalis (L.) and Petasites formosanus, but not from Petasites japonicus. In this study, we found that hexane extracts of Petasites japonicus inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. After this we isolated s-petasin from Petasites japonicus. Subsequently, the 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were used to test whether s-petasin exerts an anti-adipogenic effect. The results showed that s-petasin presented strong anti-adipogenic activity. Further studies illustrated that s-petasin reduced glucose uptake. Moreover, results showed that triglyceride accumulation was inhibited by s-petasin in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. Western blot assay indicated that s-petasin down-regulated the expression of PPAR-γ and its target genes in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, we isolated s-petasin from Petasites japonicus and found that it exerted anti-adipogenic activity against 3T3-L1 cell differentiation through inhibition of the expression of PPAR-γ pathway signaling.

Effect of Feeding High Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-Containing Giant Embryo Black Sticky Rice (Oryza sativa L.) on Anxiety-Related Behavior of C57BL/6 Mice.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of feeding high gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing black sticky rice giant embryo (BSRGE, Oryza sativa L.) on anxiety-related behavior of C57BL/6 mice. Experimental feedstuff (BSRGE with high GABA+AIN-76A) and control (AIN-76A) were provided to C57BL/6 mouse for 10 days. Antianxiety effects of BSRGE with high GABA were measured using an elevated plus maze. On day 8, the number of open arm entries by GABA and control groups were 1.10 ± 1.60 (mean ± SD) and 0.00 ± 0.00 (P = .030). On day 10, the number of open arm entries by the GABA group was 2.00 ± 1.89, which was significantly (P = .025) higher than that in the control group (0.40 ± 0.84). On day 8, the time the mice spent in open arm in the GABA group and control group was 3.60 ± 7.06 and 0.00 ± 0.00 sec (P = .068), respectively. On day 10, the time the mice in the GABA and control groups spent in open arm was 6.20 ± 5.35 sec and 1.80 ± 3.82 sec (P = .042), respectively. In repeated analysis of variance for the number of entries into open arm and time spent in open arm, significant differences were found between the two groups. Therefore, BSRGE with high GABA content might have an antianxiety effect. This study can serve as a preliminary study so that further antianxiety effects of BSRGE can be determined in more extended animal or clinical research studies in the future.

Effect of GABA Extract of Black Sticky Rice with Giant Embryo on Alcohol-Related Indices After Acute Alcohol Intake in Social Drinkers.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the effect and safety of a high-gamma-aminobutyric acid-containing extract (GABA extract) of black sticky rice with giant embryo (BSRGE) on alcohol-related indices after acute alcohol intake in social drinkers. METHODS: Subjects were randomized to the GABA extract (G) group, GABA extract and alcohol drinking (GA) group, or placebo intake and alcohol drinking (PA) group in a double-blind design. All subjects were administered GABA extract (200 mg GABA) or placebo at 9 am on study days 2 and 3, respectively. Subjects in the GA and PA groups were administered an equivalent dose of alcohol that was diluted in a drinking beverage for a total amount of 240 ml at 11 am on day 3. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale were measured just before alcohol drinking, and 6 times after alcohol drinking. RESULTS: The peak and area under the curve (AUC) of the total stimulation scale score after alcohol intake in females were significantly higher in the GA than in the PA group, whereas no significant difference was found between the 2 groups in males. The peak and AUC of the total score on the sedation scale after alcohol intake in males were significantly lower in the GA than in the PA group, whereas both were significantly higher in the GA than in the PA group of females. The AUC for BAC in males was significantly lower in the GA than in the PA group, whereas no significant difference was found in females. No adverse events were reported in any of the groups including the G group. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of a GABA extract to social drinkers while drinking alcohol is supposed to affect alcohol-related indices in terms of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and did not induce any adverse events.

The neuroprotective effects of α-iso-cubebene on dopaminergic cell death: involvement of CREB/Nrf2 signaling.

As a part of ongoing studies to elucidate pharmacologically active components of Schisandra chinensis, we isolated and studied α-iso-cubebene. The neuroprotective mechanisms of α-iso-cubebene in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were investigated. α-Iso-cubebene significantly inhibited cytotoxicity and apoptosis due to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells. Pretreatment of cells with α-iso-cubebene reduced intracellular accumulation of ROS and calcium in response to 6-OHDA. The neuroprotective effects of α-iso-cubebene were found to result from protecting the mitochondrial membrane potential. Notably, α-iso-cubebene inhibited the release of apoptosis-inducing factor from the mitochondria into the cytosol and nucleus after 6-OHDA treatment. α-Iso-cubebene also induced the activation of PKA/PKB/CREB/Nrf2 and suppressed 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity. α-Iso-cubebene was found to induce phosphorylation of PKA and PKB and activate Nrf2 and CREB signaling pathways in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, α-iso-cubebene stimulated the expression of the antioxidant response genes NQO1 and HO-1. Finally, α-iso-cubebene-mediated neuroprotective effects were found to be reversible after transfection with CREB and Nrf2 small interfering RNAs.

α-Iso-cubebene, a natural compound isolated from Schisandra chinensis fruit, has therapeutic benefit against polymicrobial sepsis.

α-Iso-cubebene, a natural compound isolated from Schisandra chinensis fruit, strongly enhanced survival rate in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) challenge-induced sepsis. The mechanism involved the marked reduction of viable bacteria in the peritoneal fluid, by virtue of increased phagocytic activity and production of hydrogen peroxide. α-Iso-cubebene also significantly attenuated lung inflammation and widespread immune cell apoptosis in a mouse CLP sepsis model, and inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 in CLP mice and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated splenocytes. The results indicate that α-iso-cubebene can reverse the progression of toxic shock by triggering multiple protective downstream signaling pathways to enhance microbial killing and maintain organ function and leukocyte survival.

Pinoresinol-4,4'-di-O-beta-D-glucoside from Valeriana officinalis root stimulates calcium mobilization and chemotactic migration of mouse embryo fibroblasts.

Lignans are major constituents of plant extracts and have important pharmacological effects on mammalian cells. Here we showed that pinoresinol-4,4'-di-O-beta-D-glucoside (PDG) from Valeriana officinalis induced calcium mobilization and cell migration through the activation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor subtypes. Stimulation of mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cells with 10 microM PDG resulted in strong stimulation of MEF cell migration and the EC(50) was about 2 microM. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX), an inhibitor of G(i) protein, completely blocked PDG-induced cell migration demonstrating that PDG evokes MEF cell migration through the activation of the G(i)-coupled receptor. Furthermore, pretreatment of MEF cells with Ki16425 (10 microM), which is a selective antagonist for LPA(1) and LPA(3) receptors, completely blocked PDG-induced cell migration. Likewise, PDG strongly induced calcium mobilization, which was also blocked by Ki16425 in a dose-dependent manner. Prior occupation of the LPA receptor with LPA itself completely blocked PDG-induced calcium mobilization. Finally, PDG-induced MEF cell migration was attenuated by pretreatment with a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor such as LY294002. Cells lacking downstream mediator of PI3K such as Akt1 and Akt2 (DKO cells) showed loss of PDG-induced migration. Re-expression of Akt1 (but not Akt2) completely restored PDG-induced DKO cell migration. Given these results, we conclude that PDG is a strong inducer of cell migration. We suggest that the pharmacological action of PDG may occur through the activation of an LPA receptor whereby activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway mediates PDG-induced MEF cell migration.

Gomisin N isolated from Schisandra chinensis significantly induces anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in hepatic carcinoma.

Lignans isolated from Schisandria chinensis have been prescribed as anti-cancer and anti-hepatitis treatments in Chinese medicine. To investigate the applications of lignans isolated from Schisandria chinensis in hepatic carcinoma therapy, their apoptotic ability was screened using a cell proliferation assay. Compared to the other lignans, gomisin N induced high apoptotic levels in hepatic carcinoma. Cell morphology and flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that this lignan induced cell death at high concentrations, but did not induce any changes at low concentrations. In addition, the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins, which are involved in the apoptotic pathway, were markedly increased in only the 320 µM-treated group compared to the vehicle and other concentration groups, while the expression level of p53 protein remained unchanged in this group. These results suggest that gomisin N is an anti-cancer drug candidate capable of inhibiting the proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of human hepatic carcinomas.