Comparison of Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Pulverized and Unutilized Portions of Waxy Barley.

To promote the use of waxy barley bran, an underutilized resource, samples of waxy barley were divided into three parts: polished waxy barley powder (PWBP), inner bran layer powder (IBLP), and outer bran layer powder (OBLP). The color and appearance, general properties, minerals, vitamins, β-glucan, antioxidant properties, and aroma of each part were compared. In terms of appearance and color, IBLP and OBLP appeared more yellow than PWBP; general components that were more abundant in IBLP and OBLP compared with PWBP were protein, fat, and ash.

Low temperature modulates natural peel degreening in lemon fruit independently of endogenous ethylene.

Peel degreening is an important aspect of fruit ripening in many citrus fruit, and previous studies have shown that it can be advanced by ethylene treatment or by low-temperature storage. However, the important regulators and pathways involved in natural peel degreening remain largely unknown. To determine how natural peel degreening is regulated in lemon fruit (Citrus limon), we studied transcriptome and physiochemical changes in the flavedo in response to ethylene treatment and low temperatures.

Nobiletin and related polymethoxylated flavones bind to and inhibit the nuclear export factor Exportin-1 in NK leukemia cell line KHYG-1.

Polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) are naturally occurring compounds that have biological effects on many cell types. We previously demonstrated that PMFs such as nobiletin potentiate the cytolytic activity of the human leukemic natural killer cell line KHYG-1 and increased level of the cytotoxic protein granzyme B (GrB) and the cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ). However, the precise mechanisms by which this occurs remain to be elucidated.

Effects of high β-glucan barley on visceral fat obesity in Japanese individuals: A randomized, double-blind study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a diet in which high β-glucan barley was substituted for rice would reduce visceral fat obesity in Japanese individuals.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study was conducted with 100 Japanese individuals with waist circumference (WC) ≥85 cm for men or ≥90 cm for women and body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg/m. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a mixture of rice and either high β-glucan barley (test group, 4.

Polymethoxylated flavones potentiate the cytolytic activity of NK leukemia cell line KHYG-1 via enhanced expression of granzyme B.

Polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) are found in the peel tissues of some citrus species. Here, we report that PMFs, such as nobiletin, potentiate the cytolytic activity of KHYG-1 natural killer (NK) leukemia cells. Nobiletin markedly enhanced the expression of granzyme B, a serine protease that plays critical roles in the cytolytic activity of NK cells.

Low-temperature-modulated fruit ripening is independent of ethylene in 'Sanuki Gold' kiwifruit.

Fruit ripening in response to treatments with propylene, 1-methycyclopropene (1-MCP), and low temperature was characterized in 'Sanuki Gold' kiwifruit, Actinidia chinensis Planch. Propylene treatment immediately induced rapid fruit softening, increased AC-PG (polygalacturonase) and AC-EXP (expansin) mRNA accumulation, and stimulated an increase in the soluble solid concentration (SSC) and a decrease in titratable acidity (TA). After 3 d exposure to propylene, ethylene production and AC-PL (pectate lyase) mRNA accumulation were observed.

A fraction of unripe kiwi fruit extract regulates adipocyte differentiation and function in 3T3-L1 cells.

Adipocyte dysfunction is strongly associated with the development of insulin resistance and diabetes, and regulation of adipogenesis is important in prevention of diabetes. We prepared a 100% methanol fraction of methanolic extract from unripe kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa), designated KMF (kiwi fruit methanol fraction). When applied to 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells, KMF promoted adipocyte differentiation, increased glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity, and increased triglyceride (TG) content.

Flavanone exhibits PPARgamma ligand activity and enhances differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Flavanones are class of polyphenolic compounds, some of which are found in foods and provide health benefits. In this study, we show that flavanone significantly enhances differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. During adipogenesis, flavanone enhanced expression of genes and accumulation of proteins that are involved in adipocyte function.

Sakuranetin induces adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells through enhanced expression of PPARgamma2.

Sakuranetin (5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone) belongs to the flavanone class of polyphenols predominantly known as phytoalexin in rice plant. In this study, we demonstrate that sakuranetin strongly induces differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, as evidenced by increased triglyceride accumulation and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity. In addition, even in the absence of adipogenic hormonal stimuli, sakuranetin strongly induced adipogenesis and expression of genes that are critical for the adipocytes phenotype.

Nobiletin enhances differentiation and lipolysis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Nobiletin is a polymethoxylated flavone found in certain citrus fruits. Here we demonstrate that nobiletin enhance differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Nobiletin dose-dependently increased accumulation of lipid droplets in adipocytes.

Sennidin stimulates glucose incorporation in rat adipocytes.

A novel small molecule compound which exerts insulin mimetic is desirable. Dozens of natural products that have quinone, naphthoquinone, or anthraquinone structure, were tested by a glucose incorporation assay. We found that sennidin A, anthraquinone derivative, stimulated glucose incorporation to near level of maximal insulin-stimulated and sennidin B, a stereoisomer of sennidin A, also stimulated, but the activity of sennidin B was lower than sennidin A.