Eun-Ock Park

Therapeutic potential of Gastrodia elata Blume for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Several studies have demonstrated that the Chinese herb Gastrodia elata Blume can protect against amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ)-induced cell death. To investigate the possible therapeutic effects of Gastrodia elata Blume on Alzheimers disease, we established a rat model of Alzheimers disease by injecting Aβ25-35 into bilateral hippocampi. These rats were intragastrically administered 500 or 1 000 mg/kg Gastrodia elata Blume per day for 52 consecutive days. Morris water maze tests showed that Gastrodia elata Blume treatment significantly improved the spatial memory of Alzheimers disease rats. Congo red staining revealed that Gastrodia elata Blume significantly reduced the number of amyloid deposits in the hippocampus of these rats. Western blot analysis showed that choline acetyltransferase expression in the medial septum and hippocampus was significantly increased by the treatment of Gastrodia elata Blume, while Ellman method showed significant decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase in all three regions (prefrontal cortex, medial septum and hippocampus). These findings suggest that long-term administration of Gastrodia elata Blume has therapeutic potential for Alzheimers disease.

Preventive Effect of Korean Red Ginseng for Acute Respiratory Illness: A Randomized and Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a functional food and has been well known for keeping good health due to its anti-fatigue and immunomodulating activities. However, there is no data on Korean red ginseng for its preventive activity against acute respiratory illness (ARI). The study was conducted in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in healthy volunteers (Clinical Trial Number: NCT01478009). Our primary efficacy end point was the number of ARI reported and secondary efficacy end point was severity of symptoms, number of symptoms, and duration of ARI. A total of 100 volunteers were enrolled in the study. Fewer subjects in the KRG group reported contracting at least 1 ARI than in the placebo group (12 [24.5%] vs 22 [44.9%], P = 0.034), the difference was statistically significant between the two groups. The symptom duration of the subjects who experienced the ARI, was similar between the two groups (KRG vs placebo; 5.2 ± 2.3 vs 6.3 ± 5.0, P = 0.475). The symptom scores were low tendency in KRG group (KRG vs placebo; 9.5 ± 4.5 vs 17.6 ± 23.1, P = 0.241). The study suggests that KRG may be effective in protecting subjects from contracting ARI, and may have the tendency to decrease the duration and scores of ARI symptoms.

Mixed grain containing giant embryonic brown rice improves postprandial glycaemic response in healthy subjects

Aim Mixed grain, which contributes to lowered glycaemic responses, has been shown to be effective in dietary management of patients with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. Methods The present study determined the postprandial blood glucose response of 20 healthy volunteers to mixed grains containing giant embryonic rice (MG-GER) or giant embryonic brown rice (MG-GEBR) compared with white rice (WR) in a randomised crossover design. Plasma glucose and serum insulin at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes were measured, and glycaemic index (GI) and incremental area under the curve (iAUC) were calculated. Results The GIs for WR, MG-GER and MG-GEBR were 86.75 ± 5.78, 76.09 ± 7.01 and 69.33 ± 6.54, respectively. The 120-minute iAUCs after administration of MG-GER or MG-GEBR were significantly lower than that of WR. In addition, the MG-GEBR diet group had a significantly lower C-peptide concentration at the 120-minute time point when compared to the WR group. Conclusions These results suggest that consumption of MG-GER or MG-GEBR instead of WR is more effective to reduce postprandial glucose levels without increasing insulin secretion.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Ficus carica paste for the management of functional constipation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Constipation affects up to 20% of the worlds population. The aim of this study was to investigate whether supplementation with Ficus carica paste could be used to treat constipation in Korean subjects with functional constipation. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects with functional constipation were orally supplemented with either F. carica paste (n=40) or placebo (n=40) for 8 weeks. We measured the efficacy and safety of F. carica paste. Primary outcomes (colon transit time) and secondary outcomes (questionnaire related to defecation) were compared before and after the 8-week intervention period. RESULTS F. carica paste supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in colon transit time and a significant improvement in stool type and abdominal discomfort compared with the placebo. Blood parameters and clinical findings for organ toxicity remained within normal ranges. CONCLUSION These results suggest that F. carica paste may have beneficial effects in subjects suffering from constipation.