Pear pomace ethanol extract improves insulin resistance through enhancement of insulin signaling pathway without lipid accumulation.

Background/objectives: The anti-diabetic activity of pear through inhibition of α-glucosidase has been demonstrated. However, little has been reported about the effect of pear on insulin signaling pathway in obesity. The aims of this study are to establish pear pomace 50% ethanol extract (PPE)-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity and characterize its action mechanism in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice.

Inhibitory effect of Erythronium japonicum on the human breast cancer cell metastasis.

Background/objectives: In this study, the inhibitory effect of Erythronium japonicum extracts on the metastasis of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line was determined.

Materials/methods: Cells were cultured with DMSO or with 50, 75, 100 or 250 µg/ml of Erythronium japonicum methanol or ethanol extract.

Results: Both methanol and ethanol extracts significantly inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Pear pomace water extract inhibits adipogenesis and induces apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Obesity occurs when a person's calorie intake exceeds the amount of energy burns, which may lead to pathologic growth of adipocytes and the accumulation of fat in the tissues. In this study, the effect and mechanism of pear pomace extracts on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and apoptosis of mature adipocytes were investigated. The effects of pear pomace extract on cell viability and the anti-adipogenic and proapoptotic effects were investigated via MTT assay, Oil red O staining, western blot analysis and apoptosis assay.