Miyako Mochizuki

(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces experimental colon injury in rats by regulating macrophage and mast cell

The ameliorative effect of (‐)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) induced by ethanol 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was studied in 7‐week‐old male rats. Intestinal lesions were measured as an increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in mucosa. The supplementation of EGCG significantly inhibited MPO activity and histamine levels in the distal colon mucosa. The EGCG inhibited macrophage chemotaxis toward N‐formyl‐l‐methionyl‐l‐leucyl‐l‐phenylalanine in a concentration‐dependent manner. These observations confirmed that EGCG can ameliorate acute experimental colitis by the suppression of mast cells and macrophage activities. Copyright

Anti-inflammatory effect of enzymatic hydrolysate of corn gluten in an experimental model of colitis

Objectives Intestinal bacteria are thought to be involved in the initiation and perpetuation of inflammatory bowel diseases. Prebiotics (non‐digestable dietary carbohydrate) have beneficial properties that alter the intestinal flora and contain glutamine‐rich protein. Glutamine significantly decreases indices of inflammation. In this study, an enzymatic hydrolysate of corn gluten (EHCG) was administered by gavage to Sprague‐Dawley rats fed an elemental diet to determine whether EHCG can ameliorate experi‐ mental colitis.

Improved effect of Pycnogenol® on impaired spatial memory function in partial androgen deficiency rat model

The improved effect of Pycnogenol® on impaired spatial memory function was studied in orchidectomized rats. Endogenous testosterone levels were decreased by approximately one‐half for 3 months after castration. In the radial arm maze, castration significantly impaired working and reference memory function without lowering motor function. Pycnogenol® increased the NGF content in the hippocampus and cortex, and improved the spatial memory impairment. These observations confirmed that diagnostic accuracy can be improved by Pycnogenol® in androgen‐deficient rats. Copyright

Hepatoprotective Effects of Pycnogenol in a Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Oxidative stress is considered as a mechanism of hepatocellular injury in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pycnogenol (PYC) is the natural plant extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Aiton. and has potent antioxidant activities. We studied the protective effect of PYC on excessive fat accumulation in the liver fed a methionine–choline deficient (MCD) high‐fat diet for 6 weeks. Pycnogenol (10 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered for 5 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver samples were collected and assessed for effects of PYC by histopathological and biochemical analyses. Histopathological analyses of liver tissues stained with Azan–Mallory showed hepatic macrovesicular steatosis and fibrosis in MCD‐fed rats. Supplementation of PYC prevented this effect. Pycnogenol treatment significantly decreased the liver triglyceride and serum alanine amino transferase levels. Our results indicated that orally administered PYC may serve to prevent NASH‐induced liver damage. Copyright

Pycnogenol Ameliorates Depression-Like Behavior in Repeated Corticosterone-Induced Depression Mice Model

Oxidative stress is considered to be a mechanism of major depression. Pycnogenol (PYC) is a natural plant extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Aiton and has potent antioxidant activities. We studied the ameliorative effect of PYC on depression-like behavior in chronic corticosterone- (CORT-) treated mice for 20 days. After the end of the CORT treatment period, PYC (0.2 mg/mL) was orally administered in normal drinking water. Depression-like behavior was investigated by the forced swimming test. Immobility time was significantly longer by CORT exposure. When the CORT-treated mice were supplemented with PYC, immobility time was significantly shortened. Our results indicate that orally administered PYC may serve to reduce CORT-induced stress by radical scavenging activity.

Protective effect of Pycnogenol® on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

Pycnogenol® (PYC) is a natural plant extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster and has potent antioxidant activities. The protective effect of PYC on bone loss was studied in multiparous ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Pycnogenol® (30 or 15 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to 8‐month‐old OVX rats for 3 months. At the end of the experiment, bone strength was measured by a three‐point bending test and bone mineral density was estimated by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Ovariectomy significantly decreased femur bone strength and bone density. Supplementation with PYC suppressed the bone loss induced by OVX. The OVX treatment significantly increased serum osteocalcin (OC) and C‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx). Supplementation with PYC reduced the serum OC and CTx in OVX rats to a level similar to that of the sham‐operated group. The results indicated that orally administered PYC can decrease the bone turnover rate in OVX rats, resulting in positive effects on the biomechanical strength of bone and bone mineral density. Copyright