Effects of Saffron Extract (Affron) with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Stress Resilience in Chronic Mild Stress-Induced Depression in Wistar Rats.

Stress-related symptoms are a global concern, impacting millions of individuals, yet effective and safe treatments remain scarce. Although multiple studies have highlighted the stress- alleviating properties of saffron extract, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study employs the unpredictable chronic mild stress (CMS) animal model to investigate the impact of a standardized saffron extract, Affron (AFN), on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation and neuroplasticity in Wistar rats following repeated oral administration.

Skin Barrier-Enhancing Effects of Dermabiotics HDB with Regulation of Skin Microbiota.

In the regulation of inflammatory responses and skin homeostasis, the skin and its microbiota are closely related. Studies have reported that lactic acid bacteria extracts can improve the skin condition and microbiota. In our previous study, we developed probiotic lysates, which are efficacious in improvement of human skin cells and the skin barrier.

Gut Microbiota-Mediated Immunomodulatory Effects of HDB1258 Cultured in the Lava Seawater in the Colitis Mouse Model.

The immunomodulatory effects of HDB1258 were evaluated in mice with colitis induced by (KO). HDB1258 was cultured in the lava seawater (LS) to improve its probiotic properties. It increased adhesive ability to mucin with mRNA expression levels of chaperone proteins (such as GroEL/ES, DnaKJ, and HtrA).

A Mixture Containing Fermented Nakai Ameliorates Osteoarthritis in Knee Joints of Monoiodoacetate-Injected Rats.

We demonstrated the effect of a mixture containing fermented Nakai (FS) in the context of a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis animal model. The mineralization, anabolic and catabolic factors, and the amount of cytokines within the articular cartilage of rats were measured after administration of MIA. We found that dietary supplementation with methylsulfonylmethane (positive control) and FS (FS 100 mg/kg body weight [b.

Fermented Castanea crenata Inner Shell Extract Increases Fat Metabolism and Decreases Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

The anti-obesity effects of fermented Castanea crenata inner shell extract (FCCE) were investigated using high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. In the FCCE intake groups, body weight gain and adipocyte area were significantly reduced, especially body weight gain in the 250 mg/kg FCCE group (G4) decreased by 37%, respectively, compared with negative control group (G2, HFD group). After oral administration of the FCCE, the increase of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol induced by HFD was suppressed significantly, as well as the level of aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase, which are markers of hepatitis induced by obesity.

Characterization of Soybean Germinated Embryo Extract as an Estrogen Receptor Subtype-Selective and Tissue-Specific Modulator.

Phytoestrogens possess beneficial effects in the management of menopausal symptoms with few side effects. Soybeans are major natural sources of isoflavones, with high estrogen receptor (ER)-β selectivity. The objective of this study therefore was to develop a solvent-mediated extraction method for soybean germinated embryos (SGEs) and to investigate the biological activities of the extract.

The Inhibitory Effect of Tartary Buckwheat Extracts on Adipogenesis and Inflammatory Response.

Tartary buckwheat () has been established globally as a nutritionally important food item, particularly owing to high levels of bioactive compounds such as rutin. This study investigated the effect of tartary buckwheat extracts (TBEs) on adipogenesis and inflammatory response in 3T3-L1 cells. TBEs inhibited lipid accumulation, triglyceride content, and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity during adipocyte differentiation of 3T3 L1 cells.

Protein Expression Level of Skin Wrinkle-Related Factors in Hairless Mice Fed Hyaluronic Acid.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the wrinkle improving effect of hyaluronic acid intakes. Wrinkles were induced by exposing the skin of hairless mice to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation for 14 weeks. Hyaluronic acid was administered to the mice for 14 weeks including 4 weeks before experiments.

Evaluation of the Biological Activity of Opuntia ficus indica as a Tissue- and Estrogen Receptor Subtype-Selective Modulator.

Phytoestrogens are selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) with potential for use in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve peri/postmenopausal symptoms. This study was aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the SERM properties of the extract of Korean-grown Opuntia ficus-indica (KOFI). The KOFI extract induced estrogen response element (ERE)-driven transcription in breast and endometrial cancer cell lines and the expression of endogenous estrogen-responsive genes in breast cancer cells.

Anti-inflammatory effects of chicanine on murine macrophage by down-regulating LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines in IκBα/MAPK/ERK signaling pathways.

Schisandra chinensis Baill is a Chinese traditional medicine with multiple pharmacological activities. In this study, chicanine, one of the major lignan compounds of S. chinesis, was investigated for suppressive effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages (RAW 264.

(+)-Altholactone exhibits broad spectrum immune modulating activity by inhibiting the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cell lines.

An evaluation of Indonesian plants to identify compounds with immune modulating activity revealed that the methanolic extract of an Alphonsea javanica Scheff specimen possessed selective anti-inflammatory activity in a nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) luciferase and MTT assay using transfected macrophage immune (Raw264.7) cells. A high-throughput LC/MS-ELSD based library approach of the extract in combination with the NF-κB and MTT assays revealed the styryl lactone (+)-altholactone (2) was responsible for the activity.

Lipophilic stinging nettle extracts possess potent anti-inflammatory activity, are not cytotoxic and may be superior to traditional tinctures for treating inflammatory disorders.

Extracts of four plant portions (roots, stems, leaves and flowers) of Urtica dioica (the stinging nettle) were prepared using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) involving water, hexanes, methanol and dichloromethane. The extracts were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities in an NF-κB luciferase and MTT assay using macrophage immune (RAW264.7) cells.

Myxobacteria versus sponge-derived alkaloids: the bengamide family identified as potent immune modulating agents by scrutiny of LC-MS/ELSD libraries.

A nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) luciferase assay has been employed to identify the bengamides, previously known for their anti-tumor activity, as a new class of immune modulators. A unique element of this study was that the bengamide analogs were isolated from two disparate sources, Myxococcus virescens (bacterium) and Jaspis coriacea (sponge). Comparative LC-MS/ELSD and NMR analysis facilitated the isolation of M.

The naphthol selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), LY2066948, is oxidized to an o-quinone analogous to the naphthol equine estrogen, equilenin.

o-Quinone forming estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been associated with carcinogenesis. LY2066948, a novel SERM in development by Eli Lilly for the treatment of uterine fibroids and myomas, has structural similarity to the equine estrogen equilenin present in hormone replacement formulations; both contain a naphthol group susceptible to oxidative metabolism to o-quinones. LY2066948 was synthesized and assayed for antiestrogenic activity, and in cell culture was confirmed to be a more potent antiestrogen than the prototypical SERM, 4-hydroxytamoxifen.

Azonazine, a novel dipeptide from a Hawaiian marine sediment-derived fungus, Aspergillus insulicola.

Azonazine, a unique hexacyclic dipeptide, was isolated from a Hawaiian marine sediment-derived fungus eventually identified as Aspergillus insulicola. Its absolute configuration, 2R,10R,11S,19R, was established using NMR, HRESIMS, and CD data plus insights derived from molecular models. A possible route for its biogenesis is proposed, and biological properties were explored against cancer cell lines and in an NFκB inhibition assay.

Click synthesis of estradiol-cyclodextrin conjugates as cell compartment selective estrogens.

Cyclodextrin (CD) is a well known drug carrier and excipient for enhancing aqueous solubility. CDs themselves are anticipated to have low membrane permeability because of relatively high hydrophilicity and molecular weight. CD derivatization with 17-beta estradiol (E(2)) was explored extensively using a number of different click chemistries and the cell membrane permeability of synthetic CD-E(2) conjugate was explored by cell reporter assays and confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Development of a liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method for analysis of stable 4-hydroxyequilenin-DNA adducts in human breast cancer cells.

Estrogen-DNA adducts are potential biomarkers for assessing cancer risk and progression in estrogen-dependent cancer. 4-Hydroxyequilenin (4-OHEN), the major catechol metabolite of equine estrogens present in hormone replacement therapy formulations, autoxidizes to a reactive o-quinone that subsequently causes DNA damage. The formation of stable stereoisomeric cyclic 4-OHEN-DNA adducts has been reported in vitro and in vivo, but their removal by DNA repair processes in cells has not been determined.

Anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cytoprotective activity of NO chimera nitrates of use in cancer chemoprevention.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have shown promise in colorectal cancer (CRC), but they are compromised by gastrotoxicity. NO-NSAIDs are hybrid nitrates conjugated to an NSAID designed to exploit the gastroprotective properties of NO bioactivity. The NO chimera ethyl 2-((2,3-bis(nitrooxy)propyl)disulfanyl)benzoate (GT-094), a novel nitrate containing an NSAID and disulfide pharmacophores, is effective in vivo in rat models of CRC and is a lead compound for design of agents of use in CRC.

Orientation of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) subunits complexed with the FSH receptor. Beta subunit toward the N terminus of exodomain and alpha subunit to exoloop 3.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) comprises an alpha subunit and a beta subunit, whereas the FSH receptor consists of two halves with distinct functions: the N-terminal extracellular exodomain and C-terminal membrane-associated endodomain. FSH initially binds to exodomain, and the resulting FSH/exodomain complex modulates the endodomain and generates signal. However, it has been difficult to determine which subunit of FSH contacts the exodomain or endodomain and in what orientation FSH interacts with them.

Follicle-stimulating hormone interacts with exoloop 3 of the receptor.

The human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor consists of two distinct domains of approximately 330 amino acids, the N-terminal extracellular exodomain and membrane-associated endodomain including three exoloops and seven transmembrane helices. The exodomain binds the hormone with high affinity, and the resulting hormone/exodomain complex modulates the endodomain where receptor activation occurs. It has been an enigma whether the hormone interacts with the endodomain.