Efficacy of plant-derived dietary supplements in improving overall menopausal symptoms in women: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aims to confirm the effectiveness of plant-based supplements in improving overall menopausal symptoms and vasomotor symptoms. A systematic review of the literature was conducted by searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases up to June 2022. Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials that evaluated the effects of dietary supplements on menopausal symptoms were included.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Admission and Mortality Among Patients With Severe Emergency Diseases at Emergency Departments in Korea in 2020: Registry Data From the National Emergency Department Information System.

We aimed to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on admissions of patients with acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and severe trauma, and their excess mortality in emergency departments (EDs) in South Korea using registry data from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) for patients attending EDs of regional and local emergency medical centers. During the outbreak period of 2020, there were 350,698 ED visits, which was lower than the total in 2019 (392,627 visits). Multiple logistic regression revealed that, compared with 2019, there was significantly higher ED mortality rate during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 (adjusted odds ratio, 1.

Lycium chinense Miller fruit extract lowers liver enzyme levels in subjects with mild hepatic dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Purpose: In our previous study, we showed that Lycium chinense Miller fruit extract (LFE) exerted hepatoprotective effects in mice. In the current study, we examined the effect of LFE on liver enzyme levels in subjects with mild hepatic dysfunction.

Methods: A total of 90 subjects, aged 19 to 70 years old, with abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, were randomly placed into either an LFE (n = 45) treatment group or a placebo group (n = 45).

Effect of Ginseng Extracts on the Improvement of Osteopathic and Arthritis Symptoms in Women with Osteopenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Ginsenosides are active compounds that are beneficial to bone metabolism and have anti-osteoporosis properties. However, very few clinical investigations have investigated the effect of ginseng extract (GE) on bone metabolism. This study aims to determine the effect of GE on improving bone metabolism and arthritis symptoms in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.

Effect of processed aloe vera gel on immunogenicity in inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine and upper respiratory tract infection in healthy adults: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Aloe vera is a functional food with various pharmacological functions, including an immune-modulating effect. Until now, A. vera has never been studied as an adjuvant in influenza vaccine, and its effects on upper respiratory tract infection (URI) are unknown.

HAC01 Supplementation Improves Glycemic Control in Prediabetic Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

A recent animal study demonstrated that administration of HAC01 isolated from Korean kimchi improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetic mice. In the present study, we evaluated HAC01's effects on metabolic parameters of prediabetic human subjects. Forty subjects with isolated impaired glucose tolerance were randomly assigned to receive a daily placebo ( = 20) or a dose of HAC01 ( = 20) over eight weeks.

Effects of rice-based and wheat-based diets on bowel movements in young Korean women with functional constipation.

Background: Although several studies have reported the effects that dietary fiber intake from different types of grains and fiber components have on bowel movements, insufficient attention has been paid to comparing and evaluating the effects of rice-based and wheat-based diets. This study compared and evaluated the effects of ingesting rice-based (brown rice-based diet: BRD; white rice-based diet: WRD) and wheat-based diet (WD) on the bowel movements of young women with functional constipation.

Method: Based on an open, randomized, controlled, and parallel design, 39 subjects were assigned to BRD, WRD, and WD groups (13 in each group).

Clinical Characteristics and Associated Risk Factors of Prediabetes in the Southwestern Region of Korea from 2010-2019.

This study investigated the clinical characteristics and associated risk factors of prediabetes in the southwestern region of Korea. A total of 323 subjects from 13 prediabetes studies were included in the data analysis. Subjects with prediabetes were divided into the following subtypes: (1) normal glucose tolerance (NGT) with HbA1c 5.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Assessing the Effects of Nakai Extract on Blood Triglycerides.

Nakai, Korean dang-gui, has long been widely used in traditional treatment methods. There have been a number of studies of the health effects of and related compounds, but studies addressing effects on blood triglycerides (TG) are lacking. To investigate the effects of Nakai extract (AGNE) on TG in Korean subjects, we carried out a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate-Rich Green Tea Extract Ameliorates Fatty Liver and Weight Gain in Mice Fed a High Fat Diet by Activating the Sirtuin 1 and AMP Activating Protein Kinase Pathway.

The prevalence of metabolic diseases has risen globally in parallel with the obesity epidemic over the past few decades. Green tea has been reported to have metabolically beneficial effects on obesity; however, the mechanism by which green tea regulates lipid metabolism is not clearly understood. Male c57BL/6 mice were fed a normal chow diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or an HFD supplemented with various doses of epigallocatechin gallate-rich green tea extract (GTE) for 12 weeks.

Angelica gigas Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Hepatic Steatosis in C57BL/KsJ-db/db Mice via Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway.

The prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus has become a major global public health challenge. Decursin, an active compound of Angelica gigas Nakai roots, was recently reported to have a glucose-lowering activity. However, the antidiabetic effect of Angelica gigas Nakai extract (AGNE) has not yet been investigated.

Anti-obesity effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguariensis): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Obesity is a major health problem. A food field research that has recently aroused considerable interest is the potential of natural products to counteract obesity. Yerba Mate may be helpful in reducing body weight and fat.

An 8-wk, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for the antidiabetic effects of hydrolyzed ginseng extract.

Background: To investigate the antidiabetic effects of hydrolyzed ginseng extract (HGE) for Korean participants in an 8-wk, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Methods: Impaired fasting glucose participants [fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 5.6mM or < 6.

Postprandial glucose-lowering effects of fermented red ginseng in subjects with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Red ginseng is prepared by steaming raw ginseng, a process believed to increase the pharmacological efficacy. Further bioconversion of red ginseng through fermentation is known to increase its intestinal absorption and bioactivity, and bioconversion diminishes the toxicity of red ginseng's metabolite. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of daily supplementation with fermented red ginseng (FRG) on glycemic status in subjects with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes.

Antiobesity effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract (actiponin): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: The effects of actiponin was investigated, a heat-processed Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract, on body weight, fat loss, and metabolic markers of Korean participants in a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Design And Methods: Obese participants (BMI ≥ 25 kg m(-2) and WHR ≥ 0.90 for male or WHR ≥ 0.

Meta-analysis of Complementary and Alternative Intervention on Menstrual Distress.

Purpose: This study was to analyze the effect size of complementary and alternative intervention studies in reference to dysmenorrhea and menstrual distress.

Methods: In order to conduct a meta-analysis, a total of 393 studies were retrieved from the database. Twenty-eight studies that were published from March 2001 to February 2011 were selected.

Effects of male silkworm pupa powder on the erectile dysfunction by chronic ethanol consumption in rats.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disorder that affects millions of men worldwide. ED is now considered an early manifestation of atherosclerosis, and consequently, a precursor of systemic vascular disease. This study was designed to investigate the effects of male silkworm pupa powder (SWP) on the levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression, nitrite, and glutathione (GSH); lipid peroxidation; libido; and erectile response of the corpus cavernosum of the rat penis.

A placebo-controlled trial of Korean red ginseng extract for preventing influenza-like illness in healthy adults.

Background: Standardized Korean red ginseng extract has become the best-selling influenza-like illness (ILI) remedy in Korea, yet much controversy regarding the efficacy of the Korean red ginseng (KRG) in reducing ILI incidence remains. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of the KRG extract on the ILI incidence in healthy adults.

Methods/design: We will conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at the onset of the influenza seasons.

Effects of Ficus carica paste on constipation induced by a high-protein feed and movement restriction in beagles.

Constipation is one of the most common functional digestive complaints worldwide. We investigated the laxative effects of figs (Ficus carica L) in a beagle model of constipation induced by high protein diet and movement restriction. The experiments were consecutively conducted over 9 weeks divided into 3 periods of 3 weeks each.

Improved cognitive performance following supplementation with a mixed-grain diet in high school students: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Adolescence is a stage of rapid growth, when rich nutritional supplementation is important. Maintaining optimal cognitive functioning is critical in high school students, who are under considerable academic pressure. The objectives of this study were to identify the effects of a 9-wk randomly assigned diet of mixed grains versus a regular diet on cognitive performance and on levels of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and S100B, a calcium-binding protein produced by astroglial cells, in healthy high school students (grades 10 and 11).

Effects of Ficus carica paste on loperamide-induced constipation in rats.

Objective: Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints worldwide. This study examined the effects of fig (Ficus carica L.) paste for the treatment of loperamide-induced constipation in a rat model.

[Test of validity and reliability of the adolescent mental problem questionnaire for Korean high school students].

Purpose: This study was done to test the validity and reliability of the Adolescent Mental Problem Questionnaire (AMPQ) for Korean high school students.

Methods: The AMPQ was designed to assess adolescents' mental health status and problem behavior (Ahn, 2006). A methodological study design was used with exploratory factor analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and a fitness of the modified model for validity.