Hypopigmenting activity of bisabolangelone isolated from Angelica koreana Maxim. in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-activated B16 or melan-a cells.

Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of melanin pigments. Abnormal accumulation of melanin pigments causes melasma, freckles, and senile lentigo, which can be substantially ameliorated by treatment with arbutin or other tyrosinase inhibitors. In this study, roots of Angelica koreana Maxim.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of processed Aloe vera gel in a mouse model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The effects of processed Aloe vera gel (PAG) on the course of established diet-induced non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were studied in C57BL/6J mice. NIDDM was induced in C57BL/6J mice by feeding them a high-fat diet. Mice exhibiting diet-induced obesity (DIO) with blood glucose levels above 180mg/dl were selected to examine the antidiabetic effects of PAG.

Protective effect of a mixture of Aloe vera and Silybum marianum against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity and liver fibrosis.

The hepatoprotective effects of ACTIValoe N-931 complex, a mixture of Aloe vera and Silybum marianum, against acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injuries were investigated. Acute hepatotoxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl(4) (50 microl/kg), and ACTIValoe N-931 complex at 85, 170, and 340 mg/kg was administered orally 48, 24, and 2 h before and 6 h after injection of CCl(4). Hepatotoxicity was assessed 24 h after CCl(4) treatment.

Synergistic activation of monocytes by polysaccharides isolated from Salicornia herbacea and interferon-gamma.

The hot water extract of Salicornia herbacea, SHE, has recently been shown to have strong immunomodulatory activity. In the present study, we purified the polysaccharides, termed SHP, from SHE preparation and examined their immunomodulatory activity alone and in combination with interferon (IFN)-gamma. The combination of SHP and IFN-gamma synergistically inhibited the growth of the mouse monocytic cell line, RAW 264.

Identification of optimal molecular size of modified Aloe polysaccharides with maximum immunomodulatory activity.

Polysaccharides isolated from the gel of Aloe species have been known to have diverse biological activities, including immunomodulatory and antitumor activities. The molecular size-immunomodulatory activity relationship of modified Aloe polysaccharide (MAP) was examined in this study. Crude MAP (G2E1) was prepared from the gel of Aloe vera that was partially digested with cellulase.