L. Leaf Extract Ameliorates Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease by Modulating the AMPK Pathway in High Fat-Fed C57BL/6 Mice.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. In recent times, the term NAFLD has been modified to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), reflecting its comprehensive scope encompassing a range of metabolic abnormalities. L.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) dunal) root extract containing withanolide a alleviates depression-like behavior in mice by enhancing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathway under unexpected chronic mild stress.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) root or whole-plant extracts are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other nervous system disturbances.

Aim Of The Study: We evaluated the neuroprotective and antidepressant effects of ashwagandha root extract (ARE) on corticosterone-exposed HT-22 cells and unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)-challenged mice.

Correction: Ahn et al. Enzyme-Treated Ethanol Extract Improves Liver-Related Outcomes and Fatigability. 2024, , 1725.

In the original publication [...

Enzyme-Treated Ethanol Extract Improves Liver-Related Outcomes and Fatigability.

Long-term hepatic damage is associated with human morbidity and mortality owing to numerous pathogenic factors. A variety of studies have focused on improving liver health using natural products and herbal medicines. We aimed to investigate the effect of enzyme-treated ethanol extract (ETZL), which increases the content of tricin via enzymatic hydrolysis, for 8 weeks on liver-related outcomes, lipid metabolism, antioxidant activity, and fatigue compared to a placebo.

Exploring Pore Formation and Gas Sensing Kinetics Using Conjugated Polymer-Small Molecule Blends.

Controlling miscibility between mixture components helps induce spontaneous phase separation into distinct domain sizes, thereby resulting in porous conjugated polymer (CP) films with different pore sizes after selective removal of auxiliary components. The miscibility of the CP mixture can be tailored by blending auxiliary model components designed by reflecting the difference in solubility parameters with the CP. The pore size increases as the difference in solubility parameters between the matrix CP and auxiliary component increases.

Novel Potential Therapeutic Targets in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease from the Perspective of Cell Polarity and Fibrosis.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a congenital genetic disorder, is a notable contributor to the prevalence of chronic kidney disease worldwide. Despite the absence of a complete cure, ongoing research aims for early diagnosis and treatment. Although agents such as tolvaptan and mTOR inhibitors have been utilized, their effectiveness in managing the disease during its initial phase has certain limitations.

Antibiofilm and antithrombotic hydrogel coating based on superhydrophilic zwitterionic carboxymethyl chitosan for blood-contacting devices.

Blood-contacting devices must be designed to minimize the risk of bloodstream-associated infections, thrombosis, and intimal lesions caused by surface friction. However, achieving effective prevention of both bloodstream-associated infections and thrombosis poses a challenge due to the conflicting nature of antibacterial and antithrombotic activities, specifically regarding electrostatic interactions. This study introduced a novel biocompatible hydrogel of sodium alginate and zwitterionic carboxymethyl chitosan (ZW@CMC) with antibacterial and antithrombotic activities for use in catheters.

Coadministration of Lactulose with Probiotics Ameliorates Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Mice.

We evaluated the efficacy of mixtures of lactulose with probiotic strains to ameliorate constipation and to identify suitable probiotic strains. Constipation was induced in Institute of Cancer Research mice (6-week-old, male) by the administering loperamide (5 mg/kg, twice a day) orally for 5 days, whereas the control group was not treated. To evaluate the laxative effects of the lactulose-probiotic and lactulose-magnesium hydroxide mixtures, fecal parameters, the gastrointestinal (GI) transit ratio, and fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content were analyzed.

Characteristics and Absorption Rate of Whey Protein Hydrolysates Prepared Using Flavourzyme after Treatment with Alcalase and Protamex.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of whey protein hydrolysate and determine changes in absorption rate due to enzymatic hydrolysis. The molecular weight distribution analysis of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and low-molecule whey protein hydrolysate (LMWPH) using the Superdex G-75 column revealed that LMWPH is composed of peptides smaller than those in WPC. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated differences in peak positions between WPC and LMWPH, suggesting hydrolysis-mediated changes in secondary structures.

Yeast Hydrolysate Inhibits Lipid Accumulation via Regulation of Lipid Accumulation-Related Genes in a Model of High-Sugar Diet-Induced Obesity.

The increasing frequency of processed food consumption has led to the higher ingestion of sugar, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity. Yeast hydrolysates (YHs) inhibit body fat accumulation. However, the action mechanism of YH in relation to high-sugar diet-induced obesity is still unclear.

Effects of Leaf Extract on Sleep Parameters in Invertebrate and Vertebrate Models.

is highly valued in traditional medicine and has been used to alleviate the symptoms of numerous diseases owing to its excellent antioxidant activity. This study aimed to evaluate the sleep promotion and related signaling pathways of . extract (DE) via behavioral analysis, molecular biological techniques, and electrophysiological measurements in invertebrate and vertebrate models.

Combination of Cysteine and Glutathione Prevents Ethanol-Induced Hangover and Liver Damage by Modulation of Nrf2 Signaling in HepG2 Cells and Mice.

Excessive alcohol consumption increases oxidative stress, leading to alcoholic liver disease. In this study, the protective effects of a mixture of cysteine and glutathione against ethanol-induced hangover and liver damage were evaluated in mice and HepG2 cells. Ethanol (2 mL/kg) was orally administered to the mice 30 min before receiving the test compounds (200 mg/kg), and the behavioral and oxidative stress-related biochemical parameters altered by ethanol were analyzed.

Modulation of gut microbiota ecosystem by a glucan-rich snail mucin heteropolysaccharide attenuates loperamide-induced constipation.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of snail-derived mucin extract (SM) on ameliorating constipation symptoms of loperamide-induced constipated rats (n = 6). The analytical results indicated that SM mainly contains a glucan-rich snail mucin heteropolysaccharide with high molecular weights (108.5-267.

Preparation of Hypoallergenic Whey Protein Hydrolysate by a Mixture of Alcalase and Prozyme and Evaluation of Its Digestibility and Immunoregulatory Properties.

Whey protein (WP) has nutritional value, but the presence of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) and α-lactalbumin (α-LA) cause allergic reactions. In this study, hypoallergenic whey protein hydrolyate (HWPH) was prepared by decomposing β-LG and α-LA of WP using exo- and endo-type proteases. The enzyme mixing ratio and reaction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM).

Sleep-promoting activity of amylase-treated Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal) root extract via GABA receptors.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal), an Indian medicinal plant that has been used for centuries to treat insomnia, exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as improving cognitive function, immunity and anxiety. In this study, the effect of enzyme-treated Ashwagandha root extract (EA) and on sleep was evaluated using rodent models.

Heukharang lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) leaf extract displays sleep-promoting effects through GABA receptor.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Although lettuce is traditionally known to have hypnotic and sedative effects, to date, only a few studies have documented its sleep-promoting effects and elucidated the related mechanisms.

Aim Of The Study: We aimed to investigate the sleep-promoting activity of Heukharang lettuce leaf extract (HLE) with increased lactucin content, known as a sleep-promoting substance in lettuce, in animal models.

Materials And Methods: To evaluate the effect of HLE on sleep behavior, analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG), gene expression of brain receptors, and activation mechanisms using antagonists were investigated in rodent models.

Oral Administration of Mixed Probiotics Improves Photoaging by Modulating the Cecal Microbiome and MAPK Pathway in UVB-Irradiated Hairless Mice.

Scope: Continuous ultraviolet (UV) exposure causes skin photoaging, wrinkle formation, and skin barrier damage. In this study, the protective effect of mixed probiotics (MP) against photoaging in UVB-irradiated Hs68 fibroblasts and SKH-1 hairless mice is investigated.

Methods And Results: The mice are irradiated with UVB for 8 weeks to induce photoaging, and MP (15 and 50 mg day ) is orally administered once a day.

The Preparation and Physiochemical Characterization of Chitin Using Alcalase.

Chitin is mostly produced from crustaceans, but it is difficult to supply raw materials due to marine pollution, and the commonly used chemical chitin extraction method is not environmentally friendly. Therefore, this study aims to establish a chitin extraction process using enzymes and to develop edible insect-derived chitin as an eco-friendly new material. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis.

Side-Chain-Assisted Transition of Conjugated Polymers from a Semiconductor to Conductor and Comparison of Their NO Sensing Characteristics.

To investigate the effect of a side chain on the electrical properties of a conjugated polymer (CP), we designed two different CPs containing alkyl and ethylene glycol (EG) derivatives as side chains on the same conjugated backbone with an electron donor-acceptor (D-A) type chain configuration. with an alkyl side chain showed typical -type semiconducting properties, whereas with an EG-based side chain exhibited electrically conductive behavior. Both CPs generated radical species owing to their strong D-A type conjugated structure; however, the spin density was much greater in .

Chemical compositions and sleep-promoting activities of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) varieties.

Among natural products with sleep-promoting activity, hops have been used since ancient times as a tranquilizer and hypnotic agent. This study investigated the sleep-promoting effects of extracts of various hop (Humulus lupulus L.) varieties in invertebrate and vertebrate models.

Hangover-Relieving Effect of Ginseng Berry Kombucha Fermented by and in Ethanol-Treated Cells and Mice Model.

This study aimed to evaluate the hangover relieving effect of ginseng berry kombucha (GBK) fermented with and in in vitro and in vivo models. The antioxidant activity and oxidative stress inhibitory effect of GBK were evaluated in ethanol-treated human liver HepG2 cells. In addition, biochemical and behavioral analyses of ethanol treated male ICR mice were performed to confirm the anti-hangover effect of GBK.

Effects of gypenoside L-containing Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract on fatigue and physical performance: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract containing gypenoside L (GPE) on improving the cognitive aspects of fatigue and performance of the motor system. One hundred healthy Korean adults aged 19-60 years were randomized to the treatment (GPE for 12 weeks) and control groups, and efficacy and safety-related parameters were compared between the two groups. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO max) and O pulse were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (p = 0.

Sleep-promoting activity of lotus () rhizome water extract via GABA receptors.

Context: The sleep-promoting activity of Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae) alkaloids in leaves or seeds are well known. However, the sleep-promoting activity of the lotus rhizome (LE), which is used mainly as food, has not yet been evaluated.