Bacterial expression, purification and characterization of the human Dectin-1 lectin domain for structural and functional studies.

Dectin-1 (CLEC7A), a C-type lectin-like receptor that recognizes β-1,3 glucans, has a key role in the innate immune system. While the lectin domain of mouse Dectin-1 has been solubilized and refolded from inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli, similar refolding of the human Dectin-1 lectin domain is hindered by the formation of misfolded multimers with aberrant intermolecular disulfide bonds. The aim of this study was to develop a method for the large-scale production of the human Dectin-1 lectin domain.

A convenient assay for soluble Dectin-1 lectin domain binding to insoluble β-glucans.

β-Glucan is a homopolymer with a backbone of β-1,3-linked glucose residues. The solubility and biological activity of β-glucan can be influenced by the length of the backbone and the length/interval of the β-1,6 branches. Dectin-1 is crucial in innate immunity through its binding to exogenous β-glucans.

Effects of paramylon-rich EOD-1 powder on visceral fat obesity in moderately obese Japanese adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.

To investigate whether supplementation of paramylon (PM)-rich EOD-1 powder (EOD-1) reduces visceral fat obesity in moderately obese Japanese subjects. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study was conducted involving 36 Japanese adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 and <30 kg/m. Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups to consume EOD-1 capsules (EOD-1 group, 2.

Paramylon extracted from EOD-1 augmented the expression of SIRT1.

, a type of microalgae, contains several nutrients and accumulates paramylon, a β-1,3-glucan. In recent studies, paramylon has shown to exhibit various activities including immunomoduratory and hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, using an in vitro cell culture system, we aimed to determine whether paramylon derived from the EOD-1 strain, which produces large amounts of paramylon, can augment SIRT1 expression in epidermal cells via activating gut-skin interactions.

Effect of Food Containing Paramylon Derived from EOD-1 on Fatigue in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Trial.

EOD-1, a kind of microalgae, is known to contain a high proportion of paramylon, a type of β-1,3-glucan. Paramylon derived from EOD-1 is presumed to suppress cellular oxidative injury and expected to reduce fatigue and fatigue sensation. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether food containing paramylon derived from EOD-1 (EOD-1PM) ingestion reduced fatigue and fatigue sensation in healthy adults.

Effects of Paramylon Extracted from EOD-1 on Parameters Related to Metabolic Syndrome in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Paramylon (PM), a type of β-glucan, functions like dietary fiber, which has been suggested to exert a protective effect against obesity. We evaluated the potential beneficial effects of PM powder on obesity in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with either 2.

Pomegranate-Derived Polyphenols Reduce Reactive Oxygen Species Production via SIRT3-Mediated SOD2 Activation.

Pomegranate-derived polyphenols are expected to prevent life-style related diseases. In this study, we evaluated the ability of 8 pomegranate-derived polyphenols, along with other polyphenols, to augment , a mammalian homolog localized in mitochondria. We established a system for screening foods/food ingredients that augment the promoter in Caco-2 cells and identified 3 SIRT3-augmenting pomegranate-derived polyphenols (eucalbanin B, pomegraniin A, and eucarpanin T).

Anti-Glycation Effects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Fruit Extract and Its Components in Vivo and in Vitro.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leads to various diseases such as diabetic complications and arteriosclerosis. In this study, we examined the effect of pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) and its constituent polyphenols on AGE formation in vivo and in vitro. PFE, fed with a high-fat and high-sucrose (HFS) diet to KK-A(y) mice, significantly reduced glycation products such as glycoalbumin (22.

Daily intake of rosehip extract decreases abdominal visceral fat in preobese subjects: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Obesity has become a great problem all over the world. We repeatedly screened to find an effective food to treat obesity and discovered that rosehip extract shows potent anti-obesity effects. Investigations in mice have demonstrated that rosehip extract inhibits body weight gain and decreases visceral fat.

Rosehip Extract Inhibits Lipid Accumulation in White Adipose Tissue by Suppressing the Expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma.

Recent studies have shown that Rosa canina L. and tiliroside, the principal constituent of its seeds, exhibit anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activities via enhancement of fatty acid oxidation in the liver and skeletal muscle. However, the effects of rosehip, the fruit of this plant, extract (RHE), or tiliroside on lipid accumulation in adipocytes have not been analyzed.

Ellagitannin oligomers and a neolignan from pomegranate arils and their inhibitory effects on the formation of advanced glycation end products.

Two new ellagitannin oligomers, pomegraniins A (7, tetramer) and B (8, pentamer), and a new glucose ester of neolignan, pomegralignan (19), together with six known ellagitannins, were isolated from the arils and pericarps of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses and chemical evidence.

Development of film dosage form containing allopurinol for prevention and treatment of oral mucositis.

Film dosage forms (FDs) containing allopurinol (AP) were prepared using a casting method with water-soluble polysaccharides, such as sodium alginate (ALG), and the release profile of AP from FDs was investigated in limited dissolution medium. Some ALGs were able to form FDs incorporating AP, and the thickness was about 50 μm. All FDs were easy to handle, though the rheological properties varied with ALG species.

Tiliroside, a glycosidic flavonoid, inhibits carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Scope: Recent studies have reported that tiliroside, a glycosidic flavonoid, possesses anti-diabetic activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of tiliroside on carbohydrate digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Methods And Results: This study showed that tiliroside inhibits pancreatic α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 0.

Preparation of Fast Dissolving Films for Oral Dosage from Natural Polysaccharides.

Fast-dissolving films (FDFs) were prepared from natural polysaccharides, such as pullulan, without heating, controlling the pH, or adding other materials. The release profiles of model drugs from the films were investigated. In the absence of a drug, the casting method and subsequent evaporation of the solvent resulted in the polysaccharide forming a circular film.

Potent anti-obese principle from Rosa canina: structural requirements and mode of action of trans-tiliroside.

The 80% aqueous acetone extracts from the fruit (50 mg/kg/d) and seeds (12.5 and 25 mg/kg/d) of Rosa canina L., but not from the pericarps, were found to show substantial inhibitory effect on the gain of body weight and/or weight of visceral fat without affecting food intake in mice for 2 weeks after administration of the extracts.

Effect of valerian extract preparation (BIM) on the sleep-wake cycle in rats.

In the present study, we studied the effect of valerian extract preparation (BIM) containing valerian extract, golden root (Rhodiola rosea L.) extract and L-theanine (gamma-glutamylethylamide) on the sleep-wake cycle using sleep-disturbed model rats in comparison with that of valerian extract. A significant shortening in sleep latency was observed with valerian extract and the BIM at a dose of 1000 mg/kg.

Inhibitory effects of coumarin and acetylene constituents from the roots of Angelica furcijuga on D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice and on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.

The methanolic extract (200 mg/kg, p.o. and i.

Inhibitors of nitric oxide production from the flowers of Angelica furcijuga: structures of hyuganosides IV and V.

The methanolic extract from the flowers of Angelica furcijuga KITAGAWA was found to inhibit nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. From the methanolic extract, two new glycosides, hyuganosides IV and V, were isolated together with 28 known constituents. The structures of the new constituents were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.

Structures of new aromatics glycosides from a Japanese folk medicine, the roots of Angelica furcijuga.

Three new aromatics glycosides, hyuganosides II, IIIa, and IIIb, were isolated from a Japanese folk medicine, the roots of Angelica furcijuga KITAGAWA. The structures of the new glycosides were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.

Carnosic acid, a new class of lipid absorption inhibitor from sage.

The methanolic extract from the leaves of Salvia officinalis L. (sage) showed significant inhibitory effect on serum triglyceride elevation in olive oil-loaded mice (500 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.

Anti-hyperlipidemic sesquiterpenes and new sesquiterpene glycosides from the leaves of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.): structure requirement and mode of action.

The methanolic extract from the leaves of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) was found to suppress serum triglyceride elevation in olive oil-loaded mice. Through bioassay-guided separation, sesquiterpenes (cynaropicrin, aguerin B, and grosheimin) were isolated as the active components together with new sesquiterpene glycosides (cynarascolosides A, B, and C).

Salacia reticulata and its polyphenolic constituents with lipase inhibitory and lipolytic activities have mild antiobesity effects in rats.

Salacia (S.) reticulata, a Hippocrateaceae plant distributed in Sri Lankan and Indian forests, has been used as a supplementary food in Japan to prevent obesity and diabetes. We examined the antiobesity effects of the hot water-soluble extract (SRHW) from the roots of S.

Antidiabetic principles of natural medicines. V. Aldose reductase inhibitors from Myrcia multiflora DC. (2): Structures of myrciacitrins III, IV, and V.

Following the characterization of myrciacitrins I and II and myrciaphenones A and B, three new flavanone glucosides, myrciacitrins III, IV, and V, were isolated from the leaves of Brazilian Myrcia multiflora. The structures of new myrciacitrins were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical and chemical evidence. Myrciacitrins were found to show potent inhibitory activity on aldose reductase.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidative properties of Salacia reticulata: preventive effects of phenolic constituents on CCl4-induced liver injury in mice.

The hepatoprotective effects of the hot water (SRHW) and methanolic (SRM) extracts from the roots and stems of Salacia reticulata were examined using an oxidative stress-induced liver injury model. Both SRHW and SRM extracts (400 mg/kg, p.o.