Study on the correlation between color and inner quality during the processing of Prunus mume carbon and its processing end point / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the correlation between color and inner quality during the processing of Prunus mume carbon， and provide reference for the determination of processing end point of P. mume carbon. METHODS The chromaticity value of P. mume carbon powder was measured by colorimeter， and the inner quality of P. mume carbon was measured by selecting the contents of water， water-soluble extract， citric acid and tannin. The dynamic change trend of the chromaticity value， water， water- soluble extract， the contents of citric acid and tannin in P. mume carbon under different processing time was analyzed. The correlation between color and the above indexe contents was analyzed， and the regression equation of inner quality-chromaticity value was established. Combined with principal component analysis （PCA）， hierarchical cluster analysis （CA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA）， the difference of P. mume carbon at different processing times was analyzed to determine the processing end point. RESULTS With the extension of processing time， the sample color gradually deepened； the chromaticity values L* and E* of the samples increased at first and then decreased， the chromaticity values a* and b* decreased， and finally all tended to be stable. The content of water-soluble extract， citric acid and tannin in the sample increased at first and then decreased， the water content of the sample decreased with time and finally stabilized. Correlation analysis showed that water， water-soluble extract， citric acid and tannin were positively correlated with L*， a*， b* and E*（P＜0.001）. PCA and HCA showed that P. mume carbon under different processing time could be clustered into two categories： the processed samples of 0-30 min and those of 40-60 min. PLS-DA showed that water and water-soluble extract were important quality indexes and b* was an important chrominance index in the processing of P. mume carbon. The chromaticity value of the samples processed for 50 min and 60 min were not significantly different. The contents of water， water- soluble extract， citric acid and tannin in the samples processed for 60 min were less than those processed for 50 min. CONCLUSIONS There is a certain correlation between the color and the inner quality of P. mume carbon. The processing time of P. mume carbon should be 40-50 min.

Study on Quality Standard for Amaranthus retroflexus / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To provide reference f or the qualit y sta ndard establishment of Amaranthus retroflexus. METHODS ： Taking 7 batches of A. retroflexus medicinal materials as the research object ，the appearance properties of the medicinal materials were investigated ，and the microscopic characteristics of the medicinal powders were observed. TLC method was adopted to qualitatively identify rutin ，valine and leucine in A. retroflexus medicinal materials. According to the relevant methods of the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia （part Ⅳ），water content ，total ash content ，acid-insoluble ash content and water-soluble extract content were determined. HPLC method was used to determine the content of rutin in the medicinal material of A. retroflexus . The determination was performed on Agilent 5 TC-C18（2）column with mobile phase consisted of methanol- 0.3％ phosphoric acid solution（40∶60，V/V），at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 358 nm，and the column temperature was 30 ℃. The sample size was 10 μL. RESULTS：The appearance and microstructure characteristics of the medicinal materials were consistent with the existing description. The identification results of TLC meth od showed that 7 batches of medicinal materials and each reference substance （rutin，valine，leucine）showed spots of the same color at the same position. The moisture content of 7 batches of A. retroflexus medicinal materials was 7.43％-8.72％，the total ash content was 11.82％-13.78％，the acid-insoluble ash content was 0.15％-0.55％，and the water-soluble extract content was 17.27％-24.74％. The linear range of rutin was 10-200 μg/mL（R 2＝1.000 0）. RSDs of precision test ，stability test （24 h）and repeatability test were all less than 2.0％ （n＝6）. The average recovery rates of rutin were 99.14％，97.98％ and 98.80％ in low ，medium and high concentration of samples，and RSDs were 0.97％，0.95％，0.96％（n＝3）. The contents of rutin in 7 batches of A. retrophylla were 0.314-1.102 mg/g. CONCLUSIONS：In this study ，character observation ，microscopic identification ，moisture content ，total ash content ，acid- insoluble ash content and water-soluble extract content of A. retroflexus are investigated ；TLC method was established for qualitative identification of leucine ，valine and rutin in A. retroflexus ，and the HPLC method was established for content determination of rutin. It provides reference for the quality standard establishment of A. retroflexus .

Evaluation of Astragali Radix quality grade based on appearance characteristics and internal ingredients / 中国中药杂志

This study is to provide the basis of establishing a quality evaluation system, based on the differences in appearance and internal components of Astragali Radix from different sources. The diameter of 18 batches of Astragali Radix, the content of alcohol(water) extract and 7 kinds of flavonoids were determined. The peak area ratio of flavonoid aglycon to aglycone was calculated. PCA and CA were carried out by synthesizing various indexes. The results of PCA and CA showed that Astragali Radix was obviously clustered into three types. Alcohol extract, formononetin/formosan glycosides,(pilose isoflavones+astragalus flavonoid A)/pilose isoflavone glucoside are the most significant differences in the variable importance projection index(VIP) of Astragali Radix. Combining the diameter, alcohol(water) extract, flavonoid aglycon to aglycone peak area ratio can provide an analysis method for the establishment of the grade evaluation system of Astragali Radix.

Study on Quality Standard Improvement of Rhizoma Begoniae from Guizhou / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To provide reference for improving the quality standard of Rhizoma Bego niae from Guizhou . METHODS：Five batches of Rhizoma Begoniae from Guizhou were collected ，and the microscopic characteri stics of the Rhizoma Begoniae powder were observed. According to the corresponding methods in 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia （part Ⅳ）， potent adenosine 50-triphosphate competitive phosphati - dylinositol-3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors：discovery of compound 26（PKI-587），a highly effi cacious dual inhibitor Morpholine as a privileged structure ：a review on the me - dicinal chemistry and pharmacological activity of morpho - line containing bioactive molecules[J]. Med Res Rev ， qq.com 2019. DOI ：10.1002/med.21634. qualitative identification of Rhizoma Begoniae was conducted by TLC ，and the contents of moisture ，total ash and water-soluble extract in Rhizoma Begoniae were determined. The contents of rutin were determined by HPLC. RESULTS ：The powder of Rhizoma Begoniae medicinal materials was brown ，stone cells were square ，polygonal-like or irregular. There were many starch grains and few complex grains. The conduit ，calcium oxalate square crystal/cluster crystal were visible. The same fluorescence spots were found in the same location of TLC atlas of Rhizoma Begoniae control herb. The moisture ，total ash ，water-soluble extract contents were 10.15％-11.41％，8.70％-12.59％ and 16.91％-19.58％，respectively. The linear range of rutin were 18.47-147.8 μg/mL （r＝0.999 8）；RSDs of reproducibility ，intermediate precision and stability tests （8 h）were all lower than 3.0％；the average recoveries were 99.39％-100.29％（RSDs were 0.23％-2.59％，n＝3）；the contents of rutin in 5 batches of Rhizoma Begoniae were 0.102％-0.198％. CONCLUSIONS ：The contents of moisture and total ash shall not exceed 13.0％ and 14.0％ respectively， and the contents of water-soluble extract and rutin shall not be less than 15.0％ and 0.080％. The quality standard established in this study can be used for the quality control of Rhizoma Begoniae from Guizhou.

Elaboration, sensorial acceptance and characterization of fermented flavored drink based on water-soluble extract of baru almond / Elaboração, aceitação sensorial e caracterização de bebida fermentada saborizada à base de extrato hidrossolúvel da amêndoa de baru

ABSTRACT: The impact of alimentation on life's quality have encouraged the search for alternative foods with better quality and use of native fruits with technological and nutritional potentials contributes to the development of new products. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a fermented flavored drink, potentially probiotic, based on the water-soluble extract of baru almond, perform sensory evaluation, determine its chemical composition and monitor the shelf life. The extract was fermented by a culture containing Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. After fermentation, thickeners, sucrose and plum pulp were added, these latter two in accordance to the proposed factorial design that resulted seven assays. These formulations were subjected to sensorial analysis, which included the acceptance test and purchase intention. The optimized formulation had its physical-chemical and nutritional characteristics evaluated trough the determination of chemical and mineral composition, viability of the probiotic bacteria and the acidity and pH parameters were evaluated during the twenty-eight storage days. Formulations obtained high rates of acceptability and purchase intention and the optimized formulation achieved good nutritional characteristics, being a food with high manganese content and a source of magnesium and phosphorus. During the storage, the pH and acidity values varied and probiotic microorganism count increased. Probiotic potential of fermented drink can be justified by presence of both microorganisms and by the verified counting obtained since the seventh storage day of the product.

RESUMO: Os impactos da alimentação na qualidade de vida têm incentivado a busca de alternativas alimentares de melhor qualidade e a utilização de frutos nativos com potencial tecnológico e nutricional contribui para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar uma bebida fermentada saborizada, potencialmente probiótica, à base de extrato hidrossolúvel da amêndoa de Baru, realizar a avaliação sensorial, determinar sua composição centesimal e acompanhar a vida de prateleira. O extrato foi fermentado por uma cultura contendo Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus e Bifidobacterium. Após a fermentação foram incorporados espessantes, sacarose e polpa de ameixa, estes dois últimos segundo o delineamento fatorial proposto que totalizou sete ensaios. As formulações foram submetidas a análise sensorial, que compreendeu o teste de aceitação e de intenção de compra. A formulação otimizada teve suas características físico-químicas e nutricionais avaliadas pela determinação da composição centesimal e de minerais. Avaliou-se a viabilidade das bactérias probióticas e os parâmetros de pH e acidez durante vinte e oito dias de armazenamento. As formulações obtiveram altos índices de aceitabilidade e intenção de compra e a bebida otimizada apresentou boas características nutricionais, sendo um alimento com alto conteúdo de manganês e fonte de magnésio e fósforo. Durante o armazenamento os valores de pH e acidez variaram e a contagem de microrganismos probióticos aumentou. Justifica-se a potencialidade probiótica dessa bebida pela presença de ambos micro-organismos e pela contagem verificada a partir do sétimo dia de armazenamento do produto.

Optimization of Processing Technology of Honey-fired Polygonum perfoliatum by Orthogonal Test / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the processing technology of honey-fried Polygonum perfoliatum. METHODS:The pro-cessing method of honey-fried P. perfoliatum was optimized by L9(34)orthogonal test with the contents of effective component quer-cetin and water-soluble extract as comprehensive evaluation index,with the amount of honey,moistening time,baking temperature and baking time as investigating factors. RESULTS:The optimal processing technology was as follows as 30% honey,moistening for 120 min,baking for 50 min at 70 ℃. In verification test,the content of quercetin in 3 batches of honey-fried P. perfoliatum was higher than 0.05%,and the content of water-soluble extract was higher than 25%(RSD<2.5%,n=3). CONCLUSIONS:The optimized processing technology is stable and practical,and can provide reference for standardizing the processing technology and quality control of honey-fried P. perfoliatum.

Comparative Study on Water Soluble Extract and Total Flavonoid Content between Jinzhen Suanzao Teabag and Decoction / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To compare the quality control index between Jinzhen Suanzao teabag and decoction,and explore the alternative supplement of teabag to decoction. METHODS:The test sample solutions of Jinzhen Suanzao teabag and decoction were prepared by hot-maceration method and water-decoction method. The contents of water soluble extract and total flavonoids were de-termined and compared between 2 kinds of preparation. The leaching rates of teabag were investigated at different soak time(0,5, 10,15,20,25,30 min) to optimize soaking time. RESULTS:The average content of water soluble extract were 50.56% and 44.45%(P<0.05) respectively for the teabag and decoction. The total flavonoids content were 0.64 mg/g and 0.69 mg/g (P<0.05). The dissolution amount of teabag were increasing and leaching rate increased within first 20 min,and reached balance gradu-ally 25 min later. CONCLUSIONS:According to the convenience of use and results of each index,the difference in quality control index is not great between 2 kinds of preparation. Teabag can be as the supplement of decoction.

Optimum harvest time of Tulipa edulis based on comparison of biomass accumulation and medicinal quality evaluation / 中国中药杂志

The optimum harvest time of Tulipa edulis was explored based on biomass accumulation and medicinal quality evaluation. Samples were taken from bud stage (Feb 13th) to dormancy stage (May 14th) and the growth indexes, organs biomasses, drying rate, contents of water-soluble extract and polysaccharides were determined. The results showed that biomass distribution of T. edulis varied with growth center and the bulb gained maximum biomass allocation in the whole growth period. The total biomass accumulation and bulb biomass accumulation　increased in the whole growth period and peaked in fructescence stage. No differences were observed in bulb biomass among fructescence stage, withering stage and dormancy stage. The correlation between bulb biomass allocation and other morphological indexes varied with the harvest time. Bulb dry weight biomass had negative correlation with some morphological indexes of aerial part of T. edulis at bud stage, flower stage and fructescence and had significant positive (P<0.05) or extremely significant positive correlation（P<0.01）with other morphological indexes except for root at bearing fruits stage. The drying rate of bulb of T. edulis increased with the extension of harvest time and peaked in dormancy stage. The water-soluble extract of T. edulis bulb was the highest in pre-growing-stage. The tendency of polysaccharides contents showed a W-shape variation during the harvesting period. The polysaccharides content was the lowest in fructescence stage and was the highest in dormancy stage. Considering the yield and medicinal quality of T. edulis bulb, the optimum harvest time of T. edulis is in the withering stage or early stage of dormancy.

Induction of Translocation of Glucose Transporter 4 in Rat Skeletal Muscle Cells by a Water-Soluble Extract from Culture Medium of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> Mycelia / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective:</b> The water-soluble extract of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia (WER), which is used as a health food, reduced hyperglycemia and enhanced glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in KK-<i>A</i>^y<i> </i>mice, a type 2 diabetic animal model with obesity.In order to elucidate the reduction of hyperglycemia by WER, we investigated the translocation of glucose transporter 4, glucose uptake and associating signal transduction in rat skeletal muscle (L6) cells. <b>Method:</b> The glucose uptake was analyzed with radioactive 2-deoxy-D-glucose.The localization of GLUT4 in L6 cells treated with various concentrations of WER was analyzed with immunohistochemical staining and Western blot technique.As a positive control, insulin or troglitazone was used in these experiments.Furthermore, the activation of intracellular signaling pathways by Western blot analysis and the influence of glucose uptake using four kinds of inhibitors (LY294002 as potent PI3K inhibitor, rapamycin as mTOR inhibitor, Gö6983 as broad PKC inhibitor, compound C as AMPK inhibitor) was evaluated. <b></b><b>Results: </b>GLUT4 protein content in the plasma membrane was induced in a dose-dependent manner of WER without increasing the gene expression and amount of total protein in the L6 cells and the glucose uptake was augmented with increasing the amount of GLUT4 translocated on the plasma membrane.The phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), Akt and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) were induced in a concentration dependent manner and inhibited by the above inhibitors except rapamycin. <b>Conclusion: </b>These results indicate that the hypoglycemic effect of some material(s) in WER may be due to the enhancement of glucose uptake through GLUT4 translocation on the plasma membrane by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway through improving insulin resistance.

Influence of a Water-Soluble Extract from Culture Medium of<i> Ganoderma lucidum</i> Mycelia (WER) on Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Liver of Type 2 Diabetic Mice / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective:</b> Recently, we reported that long-term intake of a water-soluble extract from culture medium of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia (WER) reduced hyperglycemia and enhanced glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane in skeletal muscles and adipose tissue in KK-<i>A^y</i> mice, a type 2 diabetic animal model with obesity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of WER on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism.<br> <b>Methods: </b>Female KK-<i>A^y</i> mice were given free access to water and high-fat food containing 0.5% WER for 8 weeks, and blood glucose levels were assessed every week. At the end of the experimental period, the expression and activities of sugar metabolic enzymes in the liver were determined by Real Time RT-PCR and each activity measurement method. Also, the amount of glycogen was measured by anthrone-sulfuric acid method. Furthermore, the expression level of GLUT2 and activation of AMP kinase (AMPK) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSk3β) was also determined by western blot analysis.<br> <b>Results: </b>The mice with the high-fat ingestion showed a gradual increase in the levels of blood glucose and body weight. In the WER-treated mice, the blood glucose level was suppressed after 2 weeks of intake. The gene expression and enzyme activities of both glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were suppressed, whereas those of glucokinase were increased in the mice with WER intake and pioglitazone administration. The accumulation of glycogen was increased. Moreover the expression of GLUT2 and phosphorylation levels of AMPK and GSk3β were also increased in the mice with WER intake.<br> <b>Conclusion: </b>These results indicate that WER affects hepatic carbohydrate metabolism, which may derive from the suppression of gluconeogenesis through the modulation of related enzymes and enhancement of glucose uptake, glycolysis and glycogen synthesis.<br>

Protective Effects of a Water-Soluble Extract from Culture Medium of Lentinus Edodes Mycelia against Neuronal Damage after Hypoxia-Ischemia in Mice / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective</b>: <i>Lentinus edodes</i> (Shiitake) is a very popular mushroom in Asian cuisine. The water-soluble extract from culture medium of <i>Lentinus edodes</i> mycelia (LEM), which is commercially available as a nutritional supplement, is prepared by hot-water treatment from a solid medium composed of bagasse and defatted-rice bran overgrown for about 4 months with its mycelia. LEM was previously reported to have antioxidant activity and to suppress various oxidative damages. In this study, the neuroprotective effects of 2-week intake of LEM on cerebral ischemic damage induced by hypoxia/ischemia (H/I) followed by reoxygenation in mice were examined.<br> <b>Method</b>: Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups, fed for two weeks with the control laboratory powder chow, 0.5% LEM-contained chow, or 1% LEM-contained chow, respectively. Cerebral ischemic damage was induced in the mice by H/I (i.e., unilateral ligation of the carotid artery and exposure of 8%O₂ for 30 min). Twenty-four hours after H/I, total plasma oxidative stress, neurological deficits, cerebral infarction volume were evaluated in each group. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells in ischemic penumbra, the hippocampal CA1 and CA2, and the somatosensory area of the cortex, were analyzed by TUNEL staining and cleaved caspase-3 immunostaining.<br> <b>Results</b>: The infarct area assessed 24-h after H/I was extended to the corpus striatum and cortex in the control mice. Treatment of LEM dose dependently improved plasma oxidative stress, neurological deficits, and cerebral infarction volume. Moreover, LEM decreased the levels of dihydroethidium activity as an index of super oxide production and the number of apoptotic cells in ischemic penumbra.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: These results show that chronic intake of LEM relieves the hypoxia-induced cerebral ischemic injury, which may be attributed to the antioxidant effects of LEM.<br>

Inhibitory Effects of a Water-Soluble Extract from Culture Medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi) Mycelia on Postprandial Blood Glucose Elevation in Type 2 Diabetic Mice and Additional Effect with .ALPHA.-Glucosidase Inhibitors / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective:</b> The water-soluble extract of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia (WER) is prepared from a solid medium composed of bagasse and rice bran overgrown with<i> Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia. Recently, we reported that WER shows a blood glucose-lowering effect in maltose-loaded non-diabetic mice. Here, we investigated the efficacy of WER in type 2 diabetic state using KK-A^y mice. Moreover, the food-drug interactions of WER with α-glucosidase inhibitors, voglibose or acarbose were examined using both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo </i>experiments.<br> <b>Methods:</b> The glucose-lowering effects of oral administration <i>in vivo</i> of WER alone, or concomitant administration of WER with voglibose/acarbose on the elevation of blood glucose levels by sugar-tolerance tests were examined in KK-A^y mice. The inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase <i>in vitro</i> were also evaluated.<br> <b>Results:</b> Oral administration of WER (1 g/kg), which did not affect fasting blood glucose, significantly suppressed the hyperglycemia after loading of maltose (18% of decrease in AUC) compared to the water-administrated control mice. <i>In vitro</i> study showed that WER inhibited maltase in concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of lower concentrations of voglibose or acarbose on α-glucosidase activity were additively enhanced by the presence of WER, but those of higher concentrations were not affected. The glucose-lowering effect of voglibose (0.1 mg/kg) disappeared in maltose-loaded KK-A^y mice when the drug was concomitantly administrated with WER (1 g/kg), whereas acarbose (16 mg/kg) with WER showed no significant change in its effect.<br> <b>Conclusion:</b> These results demonstrated that WER shows the glucose-lowering effect in maltose-loaded KK-A^y, which may be based on inhibition of the α-glucosidase activity. The present study suggests that concomitant intake of WER with voglibose may override the therapeutic effect of voglibose on postprandial hyperglycemia by food-drug interaction in diabetic state.<br>

Hypoglycemic Effects of a Water-Soluble Extract from Culture Medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi) Mycelia in Type 2 Diabetic Mice / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<i>Objective</i>: The water-soluble extract of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia (WER) is prepared from a solid medium composed of bagasse and rice bran overgrown with <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia. Recently, we have reported that WER had glucose-lowering effect in streptozotosin-induced diabetic mice, an animal model of type 1 diabetes. Here, we investigated whether long-term treatment with WER affects hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in KK-A^y mice, a type 2 diabetic animal model with obesity.<br> <i>Methods</i>: Female KK-A^y mice were given free access to water and high-fat food containing 0.5% WER for 8 weeks, with blood glucose and plasma insulin levels assessed every week. At the end of the experimental period, insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed, and plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, AST, ALT and adiponectin were measured. Furthermore, expression of GLUT4 in skeletal muscle cell membrane and adipocytes was also determined by immunostaining and Western blot analysis.<br> <i>Results</i>: The mice with high-fat ingestion showed a gradual increase in levels of blood glucose and body weight. In the WER-treated mice, the blood glucose level was significantly suppressed after 2 weeks of treatment. WER also reduced plasma levels of ALT and insulin, but did not affect the other parameters. Additionally, ITT revealed that WER improved insulin sensitivity. Moreover, expression of GLUT4 in the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes of the WER-treated mice was increased.<br> <i>Conclusion</i>: These results indicate that WER has a glucose-lowering effect in type 2 diabetic mice. WER also improved hyperinsulinemia and insulin sensitivity, which may derive from enhancement of glucose uptake through GLUT4 of skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes.<br>

Antioxidant Properties of a Water-soluble Extract from Culture Medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi) Mycelia and Antidiabetic Effects in Streptozotocin-treated Mice / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<i>Objective</i>: <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> (Rei-shi) is widely used as an alternative medicine agent to promote health and longevity. The water-soluble extract from culture medium of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia (WER) is prepared from a solid medium composed of bagasse and rice bran overgrown for 3–4 months with <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia.<br> <i>Design</i>: In this study, we evaluate antioxidant activity of WER <i>in vitro</i>, and examined the effects of oral treatment of WER on oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.<br> <i>Method</i>: Male ICR mice were treated with STZ (150 mg/kg, i.p.) and were housed for a week for induction of experimental diabetic state. WER (1 g/kg daily) was orally administered for an additional 9 weeks, and the levels of blood glucose, oxidative stress in plasma, liver and kidney of the mice were assessed.<br> <i>Result</i>: WER inhibited generation of superoxide anion and lipid peroxidation in concentration dependent manner<i> in vitro</i>. Oral administration of WER to diabetic mice significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose, hydroperoxides, triglyceride, ALT, and AST. Moreover, WER prevented the increase in lipid peroxide levels and the decrease in activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) in liver and kidney of diabetic mice. In addition, histochemical studies revealed that treatment of WER precluded the sinusoidal dilation in liver and expansion of mesangial matrix in kidney of diabetic mice. Normal mice treated with WER showed no change in any parameters studied.<br> <i>Conclusion</i>: These data suggested that WER can act as an antioxidant <i>in vivo</i>, and show the antidiabetic effects by relieving diabetic hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress.<br>

Protective Effects of a Water-Soluble Extract from Culture Medium of Ganoderma lucidum Mycelia against Neuronal Damage after Hypoxia-Ischemia in Mice / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<i>Objective</i>: In this study, the neuroprotective effects of a water-soluble extract from culture medium of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mycelia (WER) on oxidative stress-induced injury were examined using H₂O₂-treated PC12 cells. Additionally, we investigated both the acute and chronic effects of WER on brain necrosis and apoptosis induced by hypoxia/ischemia (H/I) followed by reoxygenation in mice.<br> <i>Methods</i>: Viability and apoptosis index of H₂O₂-treated PC12 cells were determined by 3,4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl (MTT) assay and TUNEL staining, respectively. H/I in mice was induced by unilateral ligation of carotid artery and exposure of 8%O₂ for 30 min. Twenty-four hours after H/I, neurological deficits, cerebral infarction volume, and apoptosis level were evaluated.<br> <i>Results</i>: WER–pretreated PC12 cells showed an increased viability evaluated by MTT assay compared to untreated cells. TUNEL staining indicated that WER induced a concentration-dependent decrease of the number of apoptotic cells. In the mouse model of H/I, acute (pre-H/I) treatment of WER (1 g/kg, p.o.) did not affect neurological deficits, total plasma oxidative stress, cerebral lipid peroxidation, and infarction volume assessed 24-h after reoxygenation. However, chronic treatment of WER (1 g/kg, p.o., for 7 days) significantly improved these parameters compared with distilled water-treated mice. Moreover, chronic treatment of WER decreased the levels of apoptosis in two brain areas, the sensori-motor cortex and the CA1 of the hippocampus, analyzed by TUNEL and cleaved caspase-3 immunostaining.<br> <i>Conclusion</i>: These results show that daily intake of WER relieves the cerebral ischemic injury, which may be attributed to decrease of oxidative stress.<br>