Sung-Pyo Lee

Perilla oil improves blood flow through inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.

The inhibitory effects of perilla oil on the platelet aggregation in vitro and thrombosis in vivo were investigated in comparison with aspirin, a well-known blood flow enhancer. Rabbit platelet-rich plasma was incubated with perilla oil and aggregation inducers collagen or thrombin, and the platelet aggregation rate was analyzed. Perilla oil significantly inhibited both the collagen- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregations, in which the thromboxane B2 formation from collagen-activated platelets were reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. Rats were administered once daily by gavage with perilla oil for 1 week, carotid arterial thrombosis was induced by applying 35% FeCl3-soaked filter paper for 10 min, and the blood flow was monitored with a laser Doppler probe. Perilla oil delayed the FeCl3-induced arterial occlusion in a dose-dependent manner, doubling the occlusion time at 0.5 mL/kg. In addition, a high dose (2 mL/kg) of perilla oil greatly prevented the occlusion, comparable to the effect of aspirin (30 mg/kg). The results indicate that perilla oil inhibit platelet aggregation by blocking thromboxane formation, and thereby delay thrombosis following oxidative arterial wall injury. Therefore, it is proposed that perilla oil could be a good candidate without adverse effects for the improvement of blood flow.

A Hop Extract Lifenol® Improves Postmenopausal Overweight, Osteoporosis, and Hot Flash in Ovariectomized Rats

Objective In order to assess the effectiveness of a hop extract (HE) for postmenopausal symptoms, the effects of Lifenol on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis, hyperlipidemia, body weight increase, and hot flash were investigated in rats. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and subjected to a daily scheduled exercise training (15 min at 15 m/min) or treated with HE (30 or 100 mg/kg, oral) or 17β-estradiol (100 μg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 12 weeks. Body and visceral fat weights, serum lipid profiles, osteoporotic parameters in serum, and femoral bones were analyzed. Separately, forced running-induced dermal and rectal temperatures and blood flow velocity were measured in ovariectomized rats. Results Ovariectomy increased blood lipids including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins, leading to visceral fat accumulation and overweight. Estrogen depletion caused osteoporosis, displaying decreased femoral bone weight, bone mineral density and content, and blood phosphorus level. The disturbances in lipid metabolism and bone resorption were recovered by treatment with HE in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, HE treatment shortened the duration of forced running-induced alterations in skin and rectal temperatures by reducing blood flow velocity. Conclusion The results indicate that HE attenuated overweight, osteoporosis, and hot flash in estrogen-deficient animals by regulating blood lipid profile and fat accumulation, blood estrogen and bone resorption factors, and dermal blood flow.

Comparative effects of plant oils on the cerebral hemorrhage in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objectives: Since oils and fats can induce metabolic syndrome, leading to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the present study was performed to find out whether the plant oils affect the cerebral hemorrhage in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHR-SP) rats. Methods: From 47 days of age, male SHR-SP rats were given drinking water containing 1% NaCl to induce hypertension, and simultaneously fed semi-purified diets containing 10% perilla oil, canola oil, or shortening. The onset time of convulsion following cerebral hemorrhage was recorded, and the areas of hemorrhage and infarction were analyzed in the stroke brains. Results: In comparison with 58-day survival of SHR-SP rats during feeding NaCl alone, perilla oil extended the survival time to 68.5 days, whereas canola oil shortened it to 45.7 days. Feeding perilla oil greatly reduced the total volume of cerebral hemorrhage from 17.27% in the control group to 4.53%, while shortening increased the lesions to 21.23%. In a microscopic analysis, perilla oil also markedly decreased the hemorrhagic and infarction lesions to 1/10 of those in control rats, in contrast to an exacerbating effect of shortening. In blood analyses, perilla oil reduced blood total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins which were increased in SHR-SP, but canola oil further increased them and markedly lowered platelet counts. Discussion: Perilla oil delayed and attenuated cerebral hemorrhage by improving hyperlipidemia in hypertensive stroke animals, in contrast to the aggravating potential of canola oil and shortening. It is suggested that perilla oil should be the first choice oil for improving metabolic syndrome in hypertensive persons at risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

Comparative effects of plant oils and trans -fat on blood lipid profiles and ischemic stroke in rats

Since plant oils are believed to be better than animal fats for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, the effects of various plant oils and trans-fat on blood lipid profiles and ischemic stroke were investigated. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing the oils or trans-fat, and then body weights, blood lipids, and effects on brain infarction and physical dysfunction induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were analyzed. All the oils and trans-fat, except perilla oil, significantly increased body fats and body weight gain. Sesame oil and trans-fat specifically increased blood cholesterols and triglycerides, respectively, while perilla oil decreased both cholesterols and triglycerides. Perilla oil not only attenuated cerebral infarction, but also restored locomotor activity and rota-rod performances of MCAO rats. It is suggested that perilla oil among oils and fats could be the first choice to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and ischemic stroke.

Anti-atherosclerotic effects of perilla oil in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet

Anti-atherosclerosis effects of perilla oil were investigated, in comparison with lovastatin, in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD). Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rabbits by feeding the HCD containing 0.5% cholesterol and 1% corn oil, and perilla oil (0.1 or 0.3%) was added to the diet containing 0.5% cholesterol for 10 weeks. HCD greatly increased blood total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins, and caused thick atheromatous plaques, covering 74% of the aortic wall. Hyper-cholesterolemia also induced lipid accumulation in the liver and kidneys, leading to lipid peroxidation. Perilla oil not only attenuated hypercholesterolemia and atheroma formation, but also reduced fat accumulation and lipid peroxidation in hepatic and renal tissues. The results indicate that perilla oil prevents atherosclerosis and fatty liver by controlling lipid metabolism, and that it could be the first choice oil to improve diet-induced metabolic syndrome.

Comparative analysis of anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of FEMY-R7 composed of Laminaria japonica and Oenothera biennis extracts in mice and humans

Helicobacter pylori-eliminating effects of FEMY-R7, composed of Laminaria japonica and Oenothera biennis extracts, were investigated in mice and humans. Male C57BL/6 mice were infected with the bacteria by intragastric inoculation (1×109 CFU/mouse) 3 times at 2-day intervals, and simultaneously, orally treated twice a day with total 20, 64 or 200 mg/kg/day FEMY-R7 for 2 weeks. In Campylobcter-like organism (CLO)-detection tests on gastric mucosa and feces, FEMY-R7 reduced the urease-positive reactivity in a dose-dependent manner; i.e., the positivity ratios were decreased to 70, 20, and 10% for gastric mocosa and to 80, 50, and 20% for feces. In a clinical sudy, human subjects, confirmed to be infected with Helicobacter pylori, were orally administered twice a day with capsules containing total 100, 320 or 1,000 mg/man/day FEMY-R7 (matching doses for 20, 64 or 200 mg/kg/day, respectively, in mice from a body surface area-based dose translation) for 8 weeks. FEMY-R7 decreased the positivity ratios in feces to 70, 40, and 30%, respectively. In bacterial culture, H. pylori was identified from the CLO-positive stools of mice and humans. The bacterial identification ratios exhibited a good correlation between the matching doses in mice and humans. It is suggested that FEMY-R7 could be a promising functional food without tolerance as an adjunct to reduce the dosage of antibiotics for the treatment of recurrent H. pylori infection.

Effect of Green Coffee Bean Extract Supplementation on Body Fat Reduction in Mildly Obese Women

In previous studies, we performed joint animal studies and clinical trials between Yonsei University and Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co. Ltd. We have shown that coffee bean extract has potent anti-obesity and hypotriglyceridemic activities as well as beneficial effects on body fat reduction.In this study, the effects of coffee bean extract (100 mg/capsule) on body fat reduction were evaluated in overweight/obese women (body mass index of 25~30 or body fat > 30%) not diagnosed with any type of disease. Subjects were randomly assigned to a coffee bean extract group (n

Cosmeceutical Activity of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) with Different Light Sources

The purpose of this study was to research the cosmeceutical activity of 70% ethanol extracts when Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck (BO) was dried under red lighting (RLD), blue lighting (BLD), red+blue lighting (RBLD), or white lighting (WLD). The electron-donating abilities of 70% ethanol extracts from drying BO under RLD, BLD, RBLD, and WLD were 62.8%, 68.1%, 60.9%, and 69.9%, respectively, at a concentration of 500 ppm. The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities of 70% ethanol extracts from drying BO under RLD, BLD, RBLD, and WLD were 39.2%, 47.2%, 19.6%, and 21.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 1,000 ppm. In terms of xanthine oxidase inhibition effects, the proportions of 70% ethanol extracts after drying BO under RLD, BLD, RBLD, and WLD were 45.1%, 56.2%, 38.8%, and 53.3%, respectively, at a concentration of 1,000 ppm. The tyrosinase inhibition effects of 70% ethanol extracts when BO was dried under RLD, BLD, RBLD, and WLD were 21.0%, 13.1%, 26.0%, and 19.1%, respectively, at a concentration of 1,000 ppm. The collagenase inhibition effect of 70% ethanol extracts when BO was dried under RLD, BLD, RBLD, and WLD were 47.4%, 20.8%, 54.6%, and 37.2%, respectively, at a concentration of 1,000 ppm. The astringent inhibition effects of 70% ethanol extracts when BO was dried under RLD, BLD, RBLD, and WLD were 21.5%, 39.6%, 40.0%, and 51.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 5,000 ppm. All of these findings suggest that BO extracts dried under RLD, BLD, RBLD, and WLD have great potential as a cosmeceutical ingredient with good biological activity.

Corrigendum to “A Hop Extract Lifenol® Improves Postmenopausal Overweight, Osteoporosis, and Hot Flash in Ovariectomized Rats”

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/2929107.].

Hydrogen-enriched water eliminates fine particles from the lungs and blood by enhancing phagocytic activity

Particulate matters (PM) are one of the major body burdens leading to diseases. We investigated the capacities of a hydrogen-enriched water (HW) eliminating carbon nanoparticles (CNP) and carbon microparticles (CMP) from the lungs and blood, respectively. In CNP-elimination test, rats were orally administered with purified water (PW) or HW (10 or 30 mL/kg/day) for 10 weeks. At the time point of 4 weeks, the rats were challenged with intratracheal instillation of CNP (4 mg). CNP accumulated in the airways and alveoli, and induced inflammatory lesions. Such pneumoconiosis was markedly improved by feeding HW, while PW was ineffective. CNP-induced pneumoconiosis caused systemic hematological alterations, decreasing major inflammatory cells, but markedly increasing eosinophils, indicative of an allergic reaction, which were attenuated by treatment with HW. Such PM-eliminating and anti-allergic effects of HW reduced body burden as confirmed from the facilitated recovery of body and lung weights. In CMP-clearance test, mice were orally administered with PW or HW for 7 days, and intravenously injected with CMP (300 mg/kg). CMP was rapidly eliminated from the blood in HW-fed mice. Indeed, the phagocytic indices increased to 3.5 and 6.7 folds at 10 and 30 mL/kg of HW, in comparison with a negligible effect of PW. As a mechanism study, only HW significantly inhibited lipid peroxidationin vitro Fenton reaction-mediated ·OH-generating system. Collectively, the results indicate that HW not only effectively eliminated PM from the lungs and blood by enhancing phagocytic activity, but also attenuated the lung injuries by inhibiting lipid peroxidation.