Long-term evaluation of the effects of vitreous degeneration on cataracts and retinal detachment in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to track and evaluate the association between vitreous degeneration and the development of cataracts or retinal detachments in dogs over a long period. ANIMAL STUDIED: Data on vitreous degeneration, cataracts, and retinal detachment in 102 eyes were collected from 68 dogs who underwent ocular ultrasonography at least twice between March 2017 and November 2021 at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Konkuk University. The mean follow-up time was 515 ± 256 (mean ± standard deviation; range: 81-1196) days. PROCEDURE: Development of cataracts and retinal detachment, according to the severity of vitreous degeneration grade (VDG), was evaluated during long-term follow-up. RESULTS: In the cataract study (87 eyes, 61 dogs), the number of cataracts developed according to VDG (grade: 0-3) were as follows: VDG 0: 1 in 10 (10%) eyes, VDG 1: 15 in 35 (43%) eyes, VDG 2: 15 in 30 (50%) eyes, and VDG 3: 10 in 12 (83%) eyes. It was significantly different among grades (p = .026). In the retinal detachment study (95 eyes, 64 dogs), the number of retinal detachments developed according to each VDG were as follows: VDG 0: 0 in 11 (0%) eyes, VDG 1: 1 in 36 (3%) eyes, VDG 2: 5 in 35 (14%) eyes, and VDG 3: 4 in 13 (30%) eyes. It was also significantly different among grades (p = .019). CONCLUSIONS: During long-term follow-up, dogs with severe vitreous degeneration had an increased risk of cataract and retinal detachment development than those without or with mild vitreous degeneration.

Ameliorative effect of betulin from Betula platyphylla bark on scopolamine-induced amnesic mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease induced by cholinergic neuron damage or amyloid-beta aggregation in the basal forebrain region and resulting in cognitive disorder. We previously reported on the neuroprotective effects of Betula platyphylla bark (BPB) in an amyloid-beta-induced amnesic mouse model. In this study, we obtained a cognitive-enhancing compound by assessing results using a scopolamine-induced amnesic mouse model. Our results show that oral treatment of mice with BPB and betulin significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory deficits in both passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. In the Morris water maze test, administration of BPB and betulin significantly improved memory and cognitive function indicating the formation of working and reference memories in treated mice. Moreover, betulin significantly increased glutathione content in mouse hippocampus, and the increase was greater than that from betulinic acid treatment. We conclude that BPB and its active component betulin have potential as therapeutic, cognitive enhancer in AD.

Anti-stress effects of Fameyes in in vitro and in vivo models of stresses.

BACKGROUND: Fameyes (a mixture of Clematis mandshurica Rupr. extract (CMRE) and Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. extract (EAPE)) containing scutellarin and chlorogenic acid as major components has been reported to relieve mental stress in human subjects, which is reflected in improved scores in psychometric tests measuring levels of depression, anxiety, well-being, and mental fitness. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-stress activity of Fameyes and to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-stress activity using in vitro and in vivo models of stresses. RESULTS: First, we tested the effect of Fameyes on corticosterone-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells (human neurofibroma cell lines). Corticosterone induced apoptosis and decreased cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, but treatment with Fameyes inhibited these cytotoxic effects in a dose-dependent manner. However, CMRE and EAPE (components of Fameyes) did not inhibit the cytotoxic effect of corticosterone individually. Next, we tested the effects of Fameyes on rats that were exposed to different kinds of stresses for four weeks. When the stressed rats were treated with Fameyes, their immobility time in forced swim and tail suspension tests decreased. A reduction was also observed in the serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone. Furthermore, upon oral administration of Fameyes, serum serotonin levels increased. These in vitro and in vivo results support the anti-stress effects of Fameyes. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro experiments showed anti-stress effects of Fameyes in cell viability, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, in vivo experiments using rats showed anti-stress effects of Fameyes in blood and tissue levels of ACTH, corticosterone, and serotonin, as well as the immobility time in the forced swim and tail suspension tests. However, we did not specifically investigate which ingredient or ingredients showed anti-stress effects, although we reported that Fameyes contained chlorogenic acid and scutellarin major ingredients.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effects of TEES-10®, a Mixture of Ethanol Extracts of Ligularia stenocephala Matsum. & Koidz. and Secale cereale L. Sprout, on Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are inflammatory disorders caused by dental plaque and calculus. These disorders often lead to tooth loss if not treated properly. Although antibiotics can be used, it is hard to treat them due to the difficulty in supplying effective doses of antibiotics to lesion areas and side effects associated with long-term use of antibiotics. In the present study, attempts were made to provide in vitro and in vivo evidence to support anti-inflammatory activities of TEES-10®, a mixture of ethanol extracts of Ligularia stenocephala (LSE) and Secale cereale L. sprout (SCSE) toward gingivitis and periodontitis by performing the following experiments. TEES-10® with a ratio of 6:4 (LSE:SCSE) showed the best effects in both stimulating the viability and inhibiting the cytotoxicity. In in vitro experiments, TEES-10® showed an ability to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide radicals and remove ROS generated in periodontal ligament cells treated with lipopolysaccharide. TEES-10® also enhanced the viability of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth and stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of deciduous teeth cells. In in vivo experiments using rats with induced periodontitis, TEES-10® significantly decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and the numbers of osteoclasts, increased alveolar process volume and the numbers of osteoblasts, decreased serum levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α (pro-inflammatory cytokines), and increased serum levels of IL-10 and IL-13 (anti-inflammatory cytokines). These results strongly support the theory that TEES-10® has the potential to be developed as a health functional food that can treat and prevent gingival and periodontal diseases and improve dental health.

Application of microencapsulated isoflavone into milk.

This study was designed to develop a microencapsulated, water-soluble isoflavone for application into milk and to examine the hypocholesterolemic effect of such a milk product in a rat diet. The coating material was medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) and the core material was water-soluble isoflavone. The microencapsulation efficiency was 70.2% when the ratio (w/w) of coating material to core material was 15:1. The isoflavone release from the microcapsules was 8% after 3-day storage at 40 degrees C. In in vitro study, 4.0-9.3% of water-soluble isoflavone in simulated gastric fluid was released in the pH range of 2 to 5 after 60 min incubation; however, in simulated intestinal fluid at pH 8, 87.6% of isoflavone was released from the capsules after 40 min incubation time. In sensory analysis, the scores of bitterness, astringency, and off-taste in the encapsulated isoflavone-added milk were slightly, but not significantly, different from those in uncapsulated, isoflavone-added milk. In blood analysis, total cholesterol was significantly decreased in the isoflavone-added group compared with that in the control after 6-week feeding. Therefore, this study confirmed the acceptability of MCT as a coating material in the microencapsulation of water-soluble isoflavone for application into milk, although a slight adverse effect was found in terms of sensory attributes. In addition, blood total cholesterol was lowered in rats which had been fed a cholesterol-reduced and microencapsulated, isoflavone-added milk for 6 weeks.

The effects of Betula platyphylla bark on amyloid beta-induced learning and memory impairment in mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is closely associated with amyloid ß (Aß)-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in the brain. Betula platyphylla, which has been used to treat various oxidative-stressed related diseases, has recently received attention for its preventive activity on age-related neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we attempted to investigate the effects of B. platyphylla bark (BPB-316) on Aß(1-42)-induced neurotoxicity and memory impairment. Oral treatment using BPB-316 significantly attenuated Aß-induced memory impairment which was evaluated by behavioral tests including the passive avoidance, Y-maze and Morris water maze test. BPB-316 also inhibited the elevation of ß-secretase activity accompanying the reduced Aß(1-42) levels in the hippocampus of the brain. Furthermore, BPB-316 significantly decreased the acetylcholinesterase activity and increased the glutathione content in the hippocampus. In addition, we confirmed that the expression of both cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of Aß(1-42)-injected mice were markedly upregulated by the treatment of BPB-316. Our data suggest that the extracts of B. platyphylla bark might be a potential therapeutic agent against AD.

The effects of lignan-riched extract of Shisandra chinensis on amyloid-ß-induced cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity in the cortex and hippocampus of mouse.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Trucz.) Baill. (Schisandraceae) which have been used as a tonic especially for kidney yin deficiency in Chinese traditional medicine are recently receiving attention for its preventive activity on age-related neurodegenerative diseases. A variety of studies demonstrated the cognitive-enhancing effects of Schisandra chinensis through animal tests and also in clinical trials. AIM OF STUDY: In this study, we attempted to investigate the effects of the lignan-riched extract of Schisandra chinensis fruits (ESP-806) on neurotoxicity and memory impairment induced by Aß1-42 injection in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fruits of Schisandra chinensis were extracted with the mixture of n-hexane:ethanol (9:1), which is riched with bioactive dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, schizandrin, gomisin N, wuweigisu C. After oral treatment of ESP-806 (100 mg/kg body weight) followed by injection of Aß1-42 (2 µg/mouse, i.c.v.), novel object recognition and passive avoidance tests were evaluated. To verify the cognition enhancing effects of ESP-806, we examined the effects of ESP-806 on the activities of ß-secretase and acetylcholinesterase, and the contents of Aß and the reduced glutathione within the cortex and hippocampus of Aß-injected mice. RESULTS: Oral treatment of ESP-806 (100 mg/kg body weight) significantly attenuated Aß1-42-induced memory impairment evaluated by behavioral tests. Furthermore, the treatment of ESP-806 attenuated the elevation of ß-secretase activity accompanying the reduced level of Aß1-42 in the cortex and hippocampus of the brain. ESP-806 also significantly inhibited the acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus and increased the content of the reduced glutathione in the cortex and hippocampus of mouse brain. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that the extract of Schisandra chinensis fruits riched with dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans may be useful in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Cognition-enhancing and neuroprotective activities of the standardized extract of Betula platyphylla bark and its major diarylheptanoids.

Diarylheptanoids have been the center of the intensive research efforts for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. The present study aimed to determine the effect of the standardized extract of B. platyphylla bark and its major diarylheptanoids in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice through cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) activation. Oral administration of the standardized extract of B. platyphylla bark (100mg/kg body weight), aceroside VIII (1mg/kg body weight) and platyphylloside (1 or 2mg/kg body weight) significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia in passive avoidance test. CREB phosphorylation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the cortex and hippocampus of the scopolamine-treated mice were markedly increased by the treatment of the standardized extract of B. platyphylla bark and platyphylloside. The standardized extract of B. platyphylla bark and its major diarylheptanoids also significantly protected HT22 cells against neurotoxicity induced by glutamate insult. The standardized extract of B. platyphylla bark and platyphylloside may ameliorate memory deficits by activating the CREB-BDNF pathway and prevent a neurodegeneration by inhibiting neuronal cell death.

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica var. saboten) protects against stress-induced acute gastric lesions in rats.

The protective activity of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica var. saboten) fruit juice and its main constituent, betanin, were evaluated against stress-induced acute gastric lesions in rats. After 6 h of water immersion restraint stress (WIRS), gastric mucosal lesions with bleeding were induced in Sprague-Dawley rats. Pretreatment of a lyophilized powder containing O. ficus indica var. saboten fruit juice and maltodextrin (OFSM) and betanin significantly reduced stress lesions (800-1600 mg/kg). Both OFSM and betanin effectively prevented the decrease in gastric mucus content as detected by alcian blue staining. In addition, OFSM significantly suppressed WIRS-induced increases in the level of gastric mucosal tumor necrosis factor-α and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Betanin alone was only effective in decreasing MPO. These results revealed the protective activity of OFSM against stress-induced acute gastric lesions and that betanin may contribute to OFSM's gastric protective activity, at least in part. When OFSM and betanin were taken together, OFSM exerted gastroprotective activity against stress-induced gastric lesions by maintaining gastric mucus, which might be related to the attenuation of MPO-mediated damage and proinflammatory cytokine production.

Effect of isoflavone-enriched milk on bone mass in ovariectomized rats.

This study examined the effect of isoflavone-enriched milk on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into two groups: sham-operated and OVX. The OVX group was subdivided into three dietary groups (OVX, non-isoflavone-enriched milk; OVX+Iso, isoflavone-enriched milk; and OVX+Iso+Vit+Ca, isoflavone-, vitamins D and K-, and Ca-enriched mik). After 19 weeks of feeding, the food efficiency ratio and body weight gain in the sham-operated group were significantly lower compared with those in the other groups. The bone alkaline phosphatase and total alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly higher in isoflavone-enriched groups (OVX+Iso and OVX+Iso+Vit+Ca) when compared with the sham-operated group. Urinary excretions of deoxypyridinoline and hydroxyproline were significantly higher with ovariectomy, but mostly normalized in the OVX+Iso and OVX+Iso+Vit+Ca groups. The rats in the OVX+Iso and OVX+Iso+Vit+Ca groups showed higher femur and tibia weights. A significant increase was found in bone density of femur and trabecular bone area in the OVX+Iso+Vit+Ca group, which almost reached that of the sham-operated group, whereas no difference was found among the OVX and OVX+Iso groups. The histological areas of the proximal tibia sections showed highly filled trabecular bone in both isoflavone-enriched groups (OVX+Iso and OVX+Iso+Vit+Ca). The present study indicated that isoflavone-enriched milk may have a partial preventive effect on ovariectomy-induced bone loss; however, vitamins D and K and Ca enrichment with isoflavone may enhance effectiveness for increasing bone mass in OVX rats.