The protective effects of Ninjin'yoeito against liver steatosis/fibrosis in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model mouse.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive fibrotic form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver fibrosis leads to liver cancer and cirrhosis, and drug therapy for NASH remains lacking. Ninjin'yoeito (NYT) has shown antifibrotic effects in a model of liver fibrosis without steatosis but has not been studied for NASH.

Effects of Ninjin'yoeito on Human and Mouse Activity.

Ninjin'yoeito (NYT) is widely used clinically for the management of patients with frailty and other multiple symptoms. NYT is often administered with other drugs; however, little information is available on its drug interactions. Previous studies using human liver microsomes have reported that constituents of NYT either inhibit (schisandra fruit, cinnamon bark, glycyrrhiza, and poria sclerotium) or induce (schisandra fruit and glycyrrhiza) CYP3A4 expression.

The AMPK-dependent inhibition of autophagy plays a crucial role in protecting photoreceptor from photooxidative injury.

Excessive light exposure can potentially cause irreversible damage to the various photoreceptor cells, and this aspect has been considered as an important factor leading to the progression of the different retinal diseases. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are crucial intracellular signaling hubs involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism, energy homeostasis, cellular growth and autophagy. A number of previous studies have indicated that either AMPK activation or mTOR inhibition can promote autophagy in most cases.

Ninjin'yoeito suppressed the onset of arthritis, pain, and muscle atrophy in rheumatoid arthritis model mice.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common diseases in orthopedic surgery. The main symptoms are joint pain and systemic symptoms. In recent years, rheumatoid arthritis is known to cause sarcopenia.

ameliorated PPE-induced pulmonary emphysema and anxiety/depressive-like behavior in aged C57BL/6J mice.

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing in the elderly. COPD is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway remodeling and alveolar emphysema. COPD patients are also at high risk for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

Disuse muscle atrophy-improving effect of ninjin'yoeito in a mouse model.

Disuse syndrome indicates psychosomatic hypofunction caused by excess rest and motionless and muscle atrophy is termed disuse muscle atrophy. Disuse muscle atrophy-induced muscle weakness and hypoactivity further induces muscle atrophy, leading to a vicious cycle, and this is considered a factor causing secondary sarcopenia and subsequently frailty. Since frailty finally leads to a bedridden state requiring nursing, in facing a super-aging society, intervention for a risk factor of frailty, disuse muscle atrophy, is important.

Ninjin'yoeito Alleviates Neuropathic Pain Induced by Chronic Constriction Injury in Rats.

Kampo medicines are frequently used empirically to treat pain in clinical practice. Ninjin'yoeito (NYT), which is associated with few adverse effects, is often used to treat the elderly, but has not yet been examined in detail. We herein investigated the effects of NYT, at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg p.

[Mechanism of Inhibitory Effects of Cherry Bark-containing Jumihaidokuto on Benzoyl Peroxide Induced Erythema in Hairless Mice].

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) has been widely used to treat acne vulgaris. Skin flaking, erythema and skin irritation have been observed as side effects of BPO in the treatment of this disorder. In a clinical study, cherry bark-containing jumihaidokuto significantly reduced the erythema induced by BPO application.

[Pharmacological Effects of Yokukansankachimpihange on Urinary Catecholamine in Restraint-stressed Mice].

Herbal medicines, acupuncture and moxibustion are often used for unidentified complaints. It is well known that catecholamine secreted by the sympatho-adrenal medullary system primarily functions to increase cardiac output and raise glucose levels in the blood during acute stress. In the present study, the effects of yokukansankachimpihange (YKSKCH, a Kampo medicine) on urinary catecholamine in mice that were repeatedly stressed by restraining were examined.

Antiapoptotic role of the cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes (CREG) in retinal photoreceptor cells in a rat model of light-induced retinal injury.

Objective: Light injury-induced apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells can lead to vision loss. The mechanism underlying such injury remains unclear, and there are no effective therapies at present. The aim of this study was to examine the potential antiapoptotic role of the cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes (CREG) in retinal cells in a rat model of light-induced retinal damage.

Application of response surface methodology to optimise ultrasonic-assisted extraction of four chromones in Radix Saposhnikoviae.

Introduction: Radix Saposhnikoviae is one of the most famous Chinese herbal medicines with many pharmacological activities towards inflammatory symptoms and antioxidation. Chromones are considered as one of the effective components. It is important to find a reasonable method to extract the chromones in S.

Optimization of ginsenosides hydrolyzing beta-glucosidase production from Aspergillus niger using response surface methodology.

To optimize ginsenosides hydrolyzing beta-glucosidase production from Aspergillus niger, response surface methodology was carried out in two stages. The Plackett-Burman design was achieved to screen the important variables that influence beta-glucosidase production. Among 10 variables (wheat bran, soybean powder, CaCl(2), ginsenosides, KH(2)PO(4), MgSO(4), polyethylene glycol (PEG), medium volume, inoculum size, and stirring speed), it was found that wheat bran, KH(2)PO(4), and stirring speed had significant effect on beta-glucosidase activity due to very low p-values (p<0.

[Effects of zingerone on fat storage in ovariectomized rats].

We reported that ginger prevented obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet in previous study. In this experiment, we examined the effects of zingerone, the major pungent component of ginger on fat storage in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Oral administration of 170 mg/kg zingerone significantly reduced body weight and the final parametrail adipose tissue weight in ovariectomized rats.

Effects of mannooligosaccharides from coffee mannan on blood pressure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl-S) rats, serving as a model of hereditary hypertension, were used to examine the effect of mannooligosaccharides (MOS) on blood pressure. Dahl-S rats were induced to develop hypertension by administering them with a 1.25% salt solution ad libitum.

Anti-obesity effects of escins extracted from the seeds of Aesculus turbinata BLUME (Hippocastanaceae).

To investigate the anti-obesity effects of escins extracted from the seeds of Aesculus turbinata BLUME, anti-obesity models in vitro and in vivo were employed. In a preliminary experiment, different solvent fractions of Aesculus turbinata BlUME as well as two isolated compounds were tested for their effects on pancreatic lipase (PL) in vitro. Subsequently, female ICR mice were fed a high fat diet with or without different concentrations of total escins for 11 weeks to examine body weight, parametrial adipose tissue weight, and hepatic triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) contents.

Reduction of fat storage in mice fed a high-fat diet long term by treatment with saponins prepared from Kochia scoparia fruit.

The fresh fruit (Japanese name, Tonburi) of Kochia scoparia has been used as a food garnish in Japanese-style dishes from ancient times, and may prevent metabolic syndromes such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity and atherosclerosis. This study was performed to clarify whether an ethanol extract of K. scoparia fruit prevented obesity induced in mice by a high-fat diet for 9 weeks.

[Isolation of pancreatic lipase activity-inhibitory component of spirulina platensis and it reduce postprandial triacylglycerolemia].

In the process of investigating the hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina platensis, we found that the aqueous extract of S. platensis may inhibit the intestinal absorption of dietary fat by inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity. The aqueous extract of S.

Effects of compounds in leaves of Salix matsudana on arachidonic acid metabolism.

Apigenin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranuronide (1), luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranuronide (2), m-hydroxybenzyl beta-D-glucoside (3), and chrysoeriol 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranuronide (4) were isolated for the first time from the leaves of Salix matsudana. Furthermore, the effects of compounds 1, 2 and 3 on arachidonic acid metabolism were studied. These compounds inhibited significantly the production of 12-hydroxy-5, 8, 10, 14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE).

[Effects of Coleus forskohlii on fat storage in ovariectomized rats].

The antiobesity effects of Coleus forskohlii were investigated in ovariectomized (ovx) rats. Eight-week-old female Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: a sham-operated group fed the control diet (MF, sham-m) ; an ovx-m group fed the control diet; a sham-operated group fed the control diet containing 50 g/kg of Coleus forskohlii extract (sham-c) ; and an ovx-c group fed the control diet containing 50 g/kg of Coleus forskohlii extract. The body weight, adipose tissues, and cell diameter were investigated in ovx rats after Coleus forskohlii extract treatment.

Anti-obesity effects of chikusetsusaponins isolated from Panax japonicus rhizomes.

Background: The rhizomes of Panax japonicus are used as a folk medicine for treatment of life-style related diseases such as arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus as a substitute for ginseng roots in China and Japan. Obesity is closely associated with life-style-related diseases. This study was performed to clarify whether chikusetsusaponins prevent obesity induced in mice by a high-fat diet for 9 weeks.

In vitro inhibitory effect of triterpenoidal saponins from Platycodi Radix on pancreatic lipase.

In the process of investigating anti-obesity effect of Platycodi Radix, we found that aqueous extract of Platycodi Radix might inhibit intestinal absorption of dietary fat by inhibiting pancreatic lipase (PL) activity. In order to clarify the anti-obesity mechanism of Platycodi Radix, activity-guided isolation was performed to find active components. The total saponin fraction of Platycodi Radix appeared to have a potent inhibitory activity against the hydrolysis of triolein emulsified with phosphatidycholine by pancreatic lipase in vitro.

[Antiobesity actions of Zingiber officinale Roscoe].

Zingiber officinale Roscoe has been used as a folk medicine in China. An aqueous extract of Z. officinale Roscoe inhibited the hydrolysis of triolein emulsified with phosphatidylcholine by pancreatic lipase in vitro and it reduced the elevation of rat plasma triacylglycerol levels 1 and 2 h after oral administration of a lipid emulsion containing corn oil.

[Effects of long-term administration of caffeine on fat storage in ovariectomized rats].

It is well known that obesity occurs in women with climacteric disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether caffeine prevents obesity and bone loss in ovariectomized rats (ovx). Eight-week-old female Wistar rat were assigned to 4 groups: a sham-operated group fed the control diet (CE-2); an ovx-c group fed the control diet; an ovx-caf 0.

[Effects of the flavonoid fraction from Ginkgo biloba extract on the postprandial blood glucose elevation in rats].

The present study investigated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract and its flavonoid fractions on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activity in vitro. Ginkgo biloba extracts and their flavonoid fraction significantly inhibited alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activity in vitro. Furthermore, Ginkgo biloba extracts and their flavonoid fraction reduced the elevation of rat plasma glucose level after oral administration of various saccharinity agents.