Journal of medicinal food最新文献

Ginseng berry concentrate (GBC) is known to effectively reduce fatigue; however, its effects on fatigue in humans remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antifatigue effects of GBC in participants who experienced fatigue in their daily lives. Eighty-eight participants aged 30-64 years with checklist individual strength (CIS) scores above 76 were randomly assigned to receive either four capsules of GBC (1000 mg; n = 44) or placebo (n = 44) daily for 8 weeks. GBC treatment alleviated fatigue symptoms in participants experiencing daily fatigue, as indicated by improvements in numeric rating scale (NRS) and CIS-physical activity scores, which were associated with lower resting lactic acid levels, a known fatigue indicator. Furthermore, in a subgroup analysis excluding 14 participants taking musculoskeletal drugs, GBC treatment alleviated fatigue as evidenced by lower total scores for fatigue questionnaires, including CIS, fatigue severity scale, and NRS, as well as by lower resting lactic acid levels. Collectively, these results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of GBC for ameliorating fatigue symptoms in individuals with fatigue.

Chronic exposure to low-dose bisphenol A (BPA) has emerged as a pressing worldwide public health concern. Our previous work demonstrated that low-dose BPA exposure caused gut microbiota dysbiosis and liver fat accumulation. Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of turmeric and has an inhibitory effect on liver fat accumulation and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of curcumin against BPA-induced fat mass gain and obesity and gut microbiota-dependent bile acid (BA) metabolic mechanism. Male CD-1 mice were fed a diet containing a low dose of BPA (50 µg/kg/day) with or without 0.1% w/w curcumin for 24 weeks. Curcumin supplementation markedly decreased the fat mass of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) and the ratio of iWAT weight to body weight in BPA-exposed mice. Curcumin-treated mice exhibited decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased relative abundance of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Akkermansia, which are related to BA metabolism. Moreover, serum levels of lithocholic acid, the most potent activator of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), and TGR5 expression in iWAT were significantly increased following curcumin intervention. Activation of TGR5 elevated cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels, subsequently up-regulating the expression of iodothyronine deiodinase 2 and fibroblast growth factor 21. These changes increased the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), ultimately leading to enhanced iWAT browning and reduced fat mass in iWAT. These results indicated that curcumin suppressed BPA-induced fat mass gain by enhancing iWAT browning by activating gut microbiota-BA-TGR5/UCP1 pathways, supporting its potential as a nutritional therapy for BPA-induced obesity.

Probiotic supplementation is gaining attention for its role in maintaining health and enhancing the quality of life of the elderly. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a biomarker of cellular aging, with shorter LTL associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study explored whether probiotics could counteract LTL attrition in an ethnically homogeneous cohort of older adults over a 6-month period. Samples were selected from the PROBIOSENIOR trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 46 participants (≥60 years). Participants were randomized to receive either SYNBIO® probiotics (5 × 10⁹ CFU/daily dose) or a placebo for 6 months. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples at baseline, and 6 months later, LTL measures were obtained via quantitative PCR. A general linear model assessed the "treatment x time" interaction as the main outcome. LTL was successfully assessed for all participants (N = 46 × 2 time points). Statistical analysis revealed a significant "treatment x time" interaction (P = .034), indicating a reduced LTL attrition rate in the probiotic group compared with the placebo group. A 6-month supplementation with SYNBIO probiotics significantly reduced LTL attrition in an ethnically homogeneous cohort of elderly adults. These findings suggest that probiotics may serve as a simple and effective intervention to mitigate cellular aging and promote healthy aging.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of pain and reduced mobility in older adults, with few effective treatments currently available. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Boswellia serrata extract (BOSMAX®), a botanical anti-inflammatory agent, in participants with non/mild OA. A total of 150 adults aged 40-75 were randomized to receive either BOSMAX® or a placebo daily for 90 days. Primary outcome measures included WOMAC scores, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and Lequesne Functional Index; secondary endpoints were SF-36 scores, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Significant improvements were observed in the BOSMAX® group compared with the placebo. The mean total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores decreased significantly at days 30 (-6.28), 60 (-15.24), and 90 (-24.55; P < .05). WOMAC sub-scores (pain, stiffness, and function) and VAS pain scores also showed significant reductions at days 60 and 90. Lequesne Index scores improved progressively (-1.37, -2.93, and -4.53 at days 30, 60, and 90, respectively; P < .05). TNF-α and hs-CRP levels decreased significantly (-104.75 ng/L and -5.67 ng/mL, respectively; P < .05) at day 90. However, no significant changes were observed in SF-36 scores. Both treatments exhibited good tolerability, with only one mild and unrelated adverse event reported. Vital signs, physical exams, and laboratory parameters remained clinically unchanged. BOSMAX® significantly improved knee-joint symptoms and inflammatory markers over 90 days in individuals with non/mild OA, supporting its potential as a safe therapeutic option.

The tumor microenvironment, comprising elements such as endothelial cells (ECs) and immune cells, plays a critical role in cancer progression, therapy resistance, and metastasis. Adhesion of cancer cells to the endothelium, their transendothelial migration, and immune evasion by cancer cells contribute to these processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of the polysaccharide-rich fraction derived from bioprocessed black rice bran extract (BRB-F-P) on the interaction between triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and radiotherapy-resistant TNBC (RT-R-TNBC) cells with ECs, as well as on the cytolytic function of natural killer (NK) cells. BRB-F-P treatment did not affect the viability of ECs, TNBC, or RT-R-TNBC cells. However, BRB-F-P (50 and 100 µg/mL) significantly suppressed the clonogenicity of TNBC and RT-R-TNBC cells and attenuated ATP-induced expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and Vimentin, along with the phosphorylation of vascular endothelial cadherin in ECs. Additionally, BRB-F-P markedly reduced cancer cell adhesion to ECs and inhibited their ability to transmigrate through ECs. Interestingly, BRB-F-P increased NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against TNBC and RT-R-TNBC cells by inducing granzyme B release and downregulating human leukocyte antigen-E expression in target cancer cells. These results suggest that BRB-F-P exerts anticancer effects in TNBC and RT-R-TNBC by inhibiting interactions with ECs and inducing NK cell activity without cytotoxicity.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive cartilage damage, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis of chondrocytes. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential properties of proteoglycans (PG) extracted from salmon nasal cartilage in both in vitro (HTB-94 human chondrocytic cells) and in vivo (monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA rat model) approaches. Rats were treated with PG, and key parameters related to cartilage integrity, inflammation, and apoptosis were evaluated. Our results showed that PG treatment significantly improved cartilage structure and decreased inflammation, as evidenced by decreased levels of PGE₂ and nitric oxide, as well as reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6. PG also downregulated matrix metalloproteinases while increasing tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, preserving cartilage integrity. Additionally, apoptotic signaling pathways including JNK/c-Fos/c-Jun and FADD/capase-8/caspase-3 were attenuated, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was favorably modulated by PG. These findings suggest that PG can protect articular cartilage by mitigating inflammation, preserving cartilage degradation, and preventing chondrocyte apoptosis. This study supports the potential therapeutic role of PG as a promising treatment option for OA, providing both anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects.

Among the most significant comorbidities associated with the progression of COVID-19 to more severe stages, studies have reported a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, often resulting in complications that require hospitalization and intensive care. As obesity can, in many cases, be linked to lifestyle, dietary habits may influence physiological parameters, particularly in the period following viral infections such as COVID-19. This pilot study aimed to compare the blood parameters of individuals with different dietary patterns (omnivores and lacto-ovo vegetarians) after COVID-19 infection using principal component analysis (PCA). All participants were residents of the same city (Campo Mourão, Paraná State, Brazil) and were infected during a similar time period (January 2022 ± 2 months). Blood analysis data were collected from 20 volunteers, all evaluated at the same clinical analysis laboratory. The parameters assessed included leukocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocytes, platelets, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glucose, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin C, and calcium. PCA results indicated distinct differences in blood profiles between most lacto-ovo vegetarians and omnivores. Lacto-ovo vegetarians were associated with higher levels of HDL cholesterol, ferritin, glucose, platelets, and hematocrit, while omnivores showed higher levels of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and hemoglobin. Among the parameters evaluated, only vitamin D showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (P < .05). These preliminary findings suggest that dietary patterns may influence certain blood parameters in the post-COVID-19 recovery period. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these associations and to better understand the potential role of diet in postinfection metabolic responses.

Immune responses occurring in the central nervous system as a result of infection or exposure to toxins are referred to as neuroinflammation. It is heavily involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative conditions of the brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a water extract of Humulus japonicus (HJW) on neuroinflammation and its fundamental mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated BV-2 murine microglial cells and in a mouse model. HJW inhibited LPS-induced secretion of nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as the mRNA expression of Il1b in BV-2 cells. In the group co-administered with HJW, 24 h after LPS administration, a significant downregulation of Il6 expression occurred in the cerebral cortex, as well as in TNF-α and IL-6 in the blood. In the group co-administered HJW, microglial activation was effectively suppressed in the cerebral cortex after 24 h of LPS injection and in the hippocampus after 24 h. LPS-induced elevation of phospho-p38 was significantly reduced by administration of HJW to the hippocampus of mice and to BV-2 cells. Furthermore, HJW effectively alleviated cognitive deficits induced by repeated LPS injections in a novel object recognition test. These findings suggest that HJW may offer therapeutic benefits as a natural extract for treating neuroinflammation, thereby enhancing memory and cognitive functions.

Cordyceps has been clinically used to treat atherosclerosis (AS) since the 1980s. However, the active components responsible for its effects and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the anti-AS effects and mechanisms of action of wild Cordyceps polysaccharides (WCP). The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and structural characteristics of WCP were analyzed. Furthermore, the anti-AS effects of WCP were evaluated using apolipoprotein E knockout (Apoe^-/-) mice fed high-fat diets. The mechanisms underlying WCP's anti-atherosclerotic activity were elucidated in Apoe^-/- mice and oxidized low-density lipoprotein-loaded RAW264.7 macrophages. We found that WCP is composed of galactose, glucose, and mannose, with a molar ratio of 1:1.1:1.2. The average molecular weights of WCP are 1486 and 26 kDa. WCP significantly attenuated the progression of AS, as evidenced by reduced plaque formation in the aortic root valve area. Notably, WCP reduced cholesterol accumulation in macrophages by upregulating the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter protein 1 (ABCA1) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1), both in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, we identified peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) as a critical target of WCP in macrophages, as confirmed by siRNA knockdown experiments. The ability of WCP to enhance the expression of cholesterol efflux-related genes in macrophages was markedly diminished upon suppression of PPARγ expression. In conclusion, our findings suggest that WCP mitigates the development of AS by activating the PPARγ-liver X receptor alpha (LXRα)-ABCA1/ABCG1 pathway, thereby reducing cholesterol accumulation in macrophages. This study provides new insights into how Cordyceps polysaccharide exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects and highlights its potential as a therapeutic agent for AS.

In the present study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of LN19183, a combination of extracts of Citrus aurantifolia fruit rind and Theobroma cacao seed, in vitro and in vivo. Oil Red O staining and Western blotting were performed on 3T3-L1 adipocytes to examine the inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation and the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, LN19183, along with a high-fat diet, was administered to rats for 28 days, and body weight and serum biochemical profiles were assessed. In vitro study results showed that LN19183 significantly reduced lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, treatment with LN19183 regulated the expression of markers of adipogenesis (PPAR-γ, C/EBPβ, SREBP-1, FABP4, FAS), lipolysis (ACYL, PPARα, CPT-1), and thermogenesis (PGC-1, UCP-1) by adiponectin, leptin, AMPK, and ACC. In vivo, LN19183 administration significantly reduced body weight, serum triglycerides, leptin, glucose and adipose weight. Our study was the first to reveal the anti-obesity effects of LN19183 through adipogenesis and lipolysis, supporting its potential as a nutraceutical for reducing body fat.