hair growth-promoting effects of araliadiol via the p38/PPAR-γ signaling pathway in human hair follicle stem cells and dermal papilla cells.

Background: Scalp hair plays a crucial role in social communication by expressing personal appearance and self-identity. Consequently, hair loss often leads to a perception of unattractiveness, negatively impacting an individual's life and mental health. Currently, the use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs for hair loss is associated with several side effects, highlighting the need for identifying new drug candidates, such as plant-derived phytochemicals, to overcome these issues.

Giant , a novel cultivar rich in madecassoside and asiaticoside, suppresses α‑melanocyte‑stimulating hormone‑induced melanogenesis through MC1R binding.

The present study investigated the anti‑melanogenesis effects of Giant (GCA), a new cultivator of (CA) cataloged by the Korea Forest Service in 2022, and compared its efficacy with that of traditional CA. GCA has a high yield per unit area and enhanced antioxidant properties. The anti‑melanogenic effects of GCA were investigated using B16F10 melanoma cells and a 3D human skin‑equivalent model.

Ginseng berry polysaccharides on inflammation-associated colon cancer: inhibiting T-cell differentiation, promoting apoptosis, and enhancing the effects of 5-fluorouracil.

Background: Ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in treating various medical conditions. Chronic gut inflammation is a recognized factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this project, Asian ginseng berry polysaccharide preparations were used to assess their effects on CRC and related immune regulation mechanisms.

Induced Antidepressant-Like Effect in Ovariectomized Rats.

Background: extract (SQE) or dwarf bamboo has been extensively investigated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; however, no previous study assessed its effect as an antidepressant agent. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the effect of oral SQE administration in ameliorating menopausal depressive symptoms and to evaluate its mechanisms in ovariectomized rats with repeated stress.

Methods: All experimental groups except normal group underwent ovariectomy and then immobilization for 14 consecutive days.

Gallocatechin Gallate-Containing Fermented Green Tea Extract Ameliorates Obesity and Hypertriglyceridemia Through the Modulation of Lipid Metabolism in Adipocytes and Myocytes.

Green tea is reported to exert beneficial effects on metabolic disorders through the regulation of lipid metabolism. On the contrary, fermented food products have been introduced to improve human health by modulating immune response and energy metabolism. To maximize health benefit, we applied fermentation processing to green tea.

Immunostimulating and Antimetastatic Effects of Polysaccharides Purified from Ginseng Berry.

Ginseng root has been used in traditional oriental medicine for the enhancement of immune system function. The immunostimulatory effects of ginseng berry polysaccharides, however, remain unclear. Effects of polysaccharides from ginseng berry on the activation of natural killer (NK) cells and inhibition of tumors are reported.

Syringaresinol Reverses Age-Related Skin Atrophy by Suppressing FoxO3a-Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Activation in Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase-Deficient Mice.

Aging is characterized by accumulation of chronic and irreversible oxidative damage, chronic inflammation, and organ dysfunction. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) serves as a major enzyme for cellular superoxide radical metabolism and physiologically regulates cellular redox balance throughout the body. Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase-deficient (SOD1) mice showed diverse phenotypes associated with enhanced oxidative damage in whole organs.

Orally administered collagen peptide protects against UVB-induced skin aging through the absorption of dipeptide forms, Gly-Pro and Pro-Hyp.

Collagen hydrolysate is a well-known nutritional supplement for the improvement of healthy skin. Here, collagen peptide NS (CPNS) from fish scale was prepared, and its physicochemical properties were investigated. Gly-Pro was revealed as a representative low molecular weight peptide of CPNS, by performing prep-HPLC and LC-MS/MS.

The Antidepressant-Like Effect of Lactate in an Animal Model of Menopausal Depression.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of lactate and elucidate its mechanisms in ovariectomized rats with repeated stress.

Methods: Two experiments were conducted on female rats in which all groups, except normal, were ovariectomized and underwent immobilization for 14 days. Lactate was administered orally (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days, and the rats' cutaneous body temperature was measured during the same period.

AKT-targeted anti-inflammatory activity of calyx ethanolic extract.

Background: Korean ginseng () plays an anti-inflammatory role in a variety of inflammatory diseases such as gastritis, hepatitis, and colitis. However, inflammation-regulatory activity of the calyx of the berry has not been thoroughly evaluated. To understand whether the calyx portion of the berry is able to ameliorate inflammatory processes, an ethanolic extract of berry calyx (Pg-C-EE) was prepared, and lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages and HEK293 cells transfected with inflammation-regulatory proteins were used to test the anti-inflammatory action of Pg-C-EE.

Effect of polysaccharides from a Korean ginseng berry on the immunosenescence of aged mice.

Background: Korean ginseng has been widely evaluated to treat human diseases; however, most studies on Korean ginseng have focused on its root. In this study, polysaccharides [acidic-polysaccharide-linked glycopeptide (APGP) extracted with 90% ethanol and hot water] were prepared from Korean ginseng berries, and their effect on immunosenescence was explored.

Methods: The effect of APGP on thymic involution was evaluated by measuring the size of thymi dissected from aged mice.

Antimelanogenesis and skin-protective activities of calyx ethanol extract.

Background: The antioxidant effects of have been reported in several articles; however, little is known about the antimelanogenesis effect, skin-protective effect, and cellular mechanism of , especially of calyx. To understand how an ethanol extract of berry calyx (Pg-C-EE) exerts skin-protective effects, we studied its activities in activated melanocytes and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced keratinocytes.

Methods: To confirm the antimelanogenesis effect of Pg-C-EE, we analyzed melanin synthesis and secretion and messenger RNA and protein expression levels of related genes.

Multiple Effects of Ginseng Berry Polysaccharides: Plasma Cholesterol Level Reduction and Enteric Neoplasm Prevention.

The root of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been used for centuries in Oriental medicine to improve general well-being and to relieve various medical conditions.

Effects of Korean ginseng berry on skin antipigmentation and antiaging via FoxO3a activation.

Background: The ginseng berry has various bioactivities, including antidiabetic, anticancer, antiinflammatory, and antioxidative properties. Moreover, we have revealed that the active antiaging component of the ginseng berry, syringaresinol, has the ability to stimulate longevity via gene activation. Despite the many known beneficial effects of ginseng, its effects on skin aging are poorly understood.

Oxidative Stress & FoxO Transcription Factors in Cardiovascular Aging.

Background: Aging is a phenomenon in which the functions, adaptability and resistance of an organism decrease over time. With the global population aging at an accelerating pace, delaying the negative aspects of aging is vital for advancing the human life span and quality of life. The aging of multiple organs can lead to many diseases, and the cardiovascular system is no exception.

The natural phytochemical dehydroabietic acid is an anti-aging reagent that mediates the direct activation of SIRT1.

Dehydroabietic acid (DAA) is a naturally occurring diterpene resin acid of confers, such as pinus species (P. densiflora, P. sylvestris) and grand fir (Abies grandis), and it induces various biological actions including antimicrobial, antiulcer, and cardiovascular activities.

Effects of collagen tripeptide supplement on skin properties: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Background: Experimental and clinical trials have indicated that dietary supplements can have beneficial effects on skin health.

Objective: We investigated to evaluate the effect of daily collagen peptide (CP) supplement on skin properties.

Methods: Thirty-two healthy volunteers were randomized to receive either no supplement (Group A), CP 3 g (Group B), CP 3 g, and vitamin C 500 mg (Group C), or vitamin C 500 mg (Group D) daily for 12 weeks.

Identification of a small molecule activator of SIRT1 gene expression.

Increased SIRT1 expression exerts beneficial effects in transgenic animal models, ameliorating the onset and progression of aging-related disease phenotypes in various organs including the heart. The potential beneficial effects of SIRT1 have made SIRT1 a prime therapeutic target for age-related diseases and considerable efforts led to the identification of small molecule activator of SIRT1 protein. Thus far, however, a small molecule activator of SIRT1 gene expression has not been reported.

Effect of Aspergillus oryzae-challenged germination on soybean isoflavone content and antioxidant activity.

Application of microbial stress to soybean during germination induces the accumulation of phytoalexins, which have many health benefits. In this study, the effects of stress induced by Aspergillus oryzae on the phytochemical composition of germinating soybeans were investigated, and their radical scavenging activity was compared with those of ungerminated (US) and germinated (GS) soybeans. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of coumestrol, a soybean phytoalexin, against hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated in HepG2 cells.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators from Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) and their anti-obesity effect.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndrome including obesity and type-2 diabetes. As part of an ongoing search for new AMPK activators from plants, this study found that the total extract of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) activated the AMPK enzyme in differentiated C2C12 cells. As active constituents, seven 2,5-bis-aryl-3,4-dimethyltetrahydrofuran lignans, tetrahydrofuroguaiacin B (1), saucernetindiol (2), verrucosin (3), nectandrin B (4), nectandrin A (5), fragransin C(1) (6), and galbacin (7) were isolated from this extract.

Lithospermic acid derivatives from Lithospermum erythrorhizon increased expression of serine palmitoyltransferase in human HaCaT cells.

A MeOH extract of the dry root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon showed strong increasing effect on serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) in normal human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT cells). Bioassay-guided separation on this extract using repeated chromatography resulted in the isolation of lithospermic acid (1) and two derivative esters, 9''-methyl lithospermate (2) and 9'-methyl lithospermate (3). Compounds 1-3 significantly increased SPT expressions in the relative quantity (%) of SPT1 mRNA as well as SPT2 mRNA.

The Effect of Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) Extract on the Stratum Corneum Hydration and Ceramides Content in Atopic Dermatitis Patients.

Background: A disruption of the balance between the water content of the stratum corneum (SC) and skin surface lipids may lead to the clinical manifestation of dryness of skin in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective: To determine whether supplementation of gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon), one of herbs used in East Asia in remedies for various abnormal skin conditions, may improve the SC level of hydration and ceramides, major lipid in SC in patients with AD.

Methods: A total of 28 subjects with AD were randomly assigned into two groups: either gromwell group received dextrose contained capsules with 1.