Ascochlorin Attenuates the Early Stage of Adipogenesis via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Inhibits High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice.

This study investigated the effects of ascochlorin (ASC), a natural compound derived from the fungus , on adipogenesis and obesity. We determined the effects of ASC on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and whether it ameliorated to mitigate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. We found that ASC significantly inhibited the differentiation of preadipocytes by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a key regulator of adipogenic processes.

Association between Visceral Adipose Tissue Metabolism and Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Patients with Cognitive Impairment.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) dysfunction has been recently recognized as a potential contributor to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to explore the relationship between VAT metabolism and cerebral glucose metabolism in patients with cognitive impairment. This cross-sectional prospective study included 54 patients who underwent F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) brain and torso positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), and neuropsychological evaluations.

Rg3-enriched red ginseng extracts enhance apoptosis in CoCl-stimulated breast cancer cells by suppressing autophagy.

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, a primary bioactive component of red ginseng, has anti-cancer effects. However, the effects of Rg3-enriched ginseng extract (Rg3RGE) on apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we explored the anti-tumor effects of Rg3RGE on breast cancer cells stimulated CoCl, a mimetic of the chronic hypoxic response, and determined the operative mechanisms of action.

Enhancement of Storage Stability and Masking Effect of Curcumin by Turmeric Extract-Loaded Nanoemulsion and Water-Soluble Chitosan Coating.

This study focused on improving curcumin stability in various pHs and NaCl concentrations and reducing the strong scent of turmeric by the nanoemulsions system and further coating with water-soluble chitosan (WSC). Turmeric extract-loaded nanoemulsions (TE-NEs) were firstly prepared by mixing an oil phase containing turmeric extract, MCT oil, and lecithin, and an aqueous phase containing tween 80 using an ultrasonication method. TE-NEs were further coated with WSC in the ratio of TE-NEs and WSC (1:1 to 1:10).

4-O-methylascochlorin-stimulated HIF-1α expression induces the epithelial mesenchymal transition and cell survival in breast cancer cells.

4-O-Methyl-ascochlorin (MAC), a derivative of the prenyl-phenol antibiotic ascochlorin, promotes accumulation of HIF-1α. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of the effect of MAC on cell migration and mesenchymal epithelial transition (EMT) processes in breast cancer cells. MAC upregulated cell motility and migration regardless of cell viability, and promoted EMT features by regulating EMT-related proteins and transcription.

Inhibitory effect of chloroform fraction on allergy-related mediator production in RBL-2H3 cells.

exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects; however, the mechanisms behind these effects are unknown. Here the ethanol extract of was partitioned using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. Subsequently, the anti-allergic effects of these fractions were evaluated .

Defatted safflower seed extract inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and improves lipid profiles in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice fed a high-fat diet.

In the present study, we hypothesized that defatted safflower seed which is known to be rich in polyphenols might influence adipogenesis and obesity-related disorders, and therefore the anti-adipogenic and hypolipidemic effects of ethanol extract from defatted safflower (Cathamus tinctorius L.) seeds (CSE) were investigated both in cultured 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice fed a high-fat diet. CSE inhibited adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and decreased expression of the adipogenic transcription factors, SREBP1c and PPARγ, and their target genes.

Hydroquinone stimulates cell invasion through activator protein-1-dependent induction of MMP-9 in HepG2 human hepatoma cells.

Hydroquinone (HQ) is a well-known environmental carcinogen and exposure of humans to HQ can also occur through plant foods, cosmetics, and tobacco products. Although liver is a major organ metabolizing HQ and susceptible to its toxicity, role of HQ in metastatic progression of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of HQ on the invasion of HCC cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Tricin derivatives as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic constituents from the aerial part of Zizania latifolia.

Methanol extract of Zizania latifolia was partitioned with EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H2O. From the EtOAc layers, a new flavonolignan along with a known flavone and three known flavonolignans, tricin (1), salcolin A (2), salcolin B (3), and salcolin C (4), were isolated through repeated silica gel and ODS column chromatography. The chemical structure of the new flavonolignan was determined to be tricin-4'-O-[erythro-β-guaiacyl-(7″-O-methyl)-glyceryl] ether and was named salcolin D (5) based on physicochemical and spectroscopic data, including FT-NMR and ESI-MS.

Carnosol induces apoptosis through generation of ROS and inactivation of STAT3 signaling in human colon cancer HCT116 cells.

Carnosol, an active constituent of rosemary, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of carnosol remain poorly understood. In the present study, we found that carnosol significantly reduced the viability of human colon cancer (HCT116) cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.

Suppression of LPS-induced inflammatory activities by Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) has been used in folk medicine to treat headaches, epilepsy, poor circulation, and many other ailments. It was found that rosemary could act as a stimulant and mild analgesic and could reduce inflammation.

Effect of Rosemarinus officinalis L. on MMP-9, MCP-1 levels, and cell migration in RAW 264.7 and smooth muscle cells.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease. Novel anti-inflammatory therapies may have promise as treatment strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction. Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis L.

Antioxidant effects of fermented red ginseng extracts in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats.

The antioxidant activities of fermented red ginseng (FRG) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The contents of total polyphenol and total flavonoid in FRG extracts were 17.01±2.

Induction of apoptosis by immature plum in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

In the present study, the effect of an extract of immature Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Soldam fruit on the viability and induction of apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells was investigated.

Inhibitory effect of immature plum on PMA-induced MMP-9 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effect of Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Soldam at three maturity stages (immature, midmature and mature).

The butanol fraction of Eclipta prostrata (Linn) effectively reduces serum lipid levels and improves antioxidant activities in CD rats.

Eclipta prostrata (Linn) has been used as a traditional medicinal plant to prevent lipidemia and atherosclerosis in Asia. However, its functional properties and the underlying mechanism of action have not been clearly defined. This study was conducted to elucidate the biological basis for hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of E.

Inhibitory effects of methanol extract of plum (Prunus salicina L., cv. 'Soldam') fruits against benzo(alpha)pyrene-induced toxicity in mice.

This study was carried out to investigate the chemopreventive effects of immature plum extracts. The methanol extract of immature plums (plum 1), that are picked at 20-40 days before final harvest, has remarkably inhibited the growth of hepatoma HepG2 cells. The effects of immature plum extracts on hepatotoxicity in benzo(alpha)pyrene (B(alpha)P, carcinogen)-treated mice were investigated.

Effects of ethanol extract from Saururus chinensis (Bour.) Baill on lipid and antioxidant metabolisms in rats fed a high-fat diet.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract from Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill on liver function, plasma lipid composition and antioxidant system with high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Rats were divided into the following five groups; untreated control group (normal), treated with 0.

Induction of apoptosis by immature fruits of Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Soldam in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effect of Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Soldam at three maturity stages (immature, midmature and mature stages).

Wogonin suppresses TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 expression by blocking the NF-kappaB activation via MAPK signaling pathways in human aortic smooth muscle cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis by regulating both migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) after an arterial injury. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of three major flavonoids in Scutellariae Radix, baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin, on TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Wogonin, but not baicalin and baicalein, significantly and selectively suppressed TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 expression in HASMC.