Oral administration of red ginseng powder fermented with probiotic alleviates the severity of dextran-sulfate sodium-induced colitis in a mouse model / 中国天然药物

Red ginseng is a well-known alternative medicine with anti-inflammatory activity. It exerts pharmacological effects through the transformation of saponin into metabolites by intestinal microbiota. Given that intestinal microflora vary among individuals, the pharmacological effects of red ginseng likely vary among individuals. In order to produce homogeneously effective red ginseng, we prepared probiotic-fermented red ginseng and evaluated its activity using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. Initial analysis of intestinal damage indicated that the administration of probiotic-fermented red ginseng significantly decreased the severity of colitis, compared with the control and the activity was higher than that induced by oral administration of ginseng powder or probiotics only. Subsequent analysis of the levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α, inflammatory biomarkers that are increased at the initiation stage of colitis, were significantly decreased in probiotic-fermented red ginseng-treated groups in comparison to the control group. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and mRNAs for inflammatory factors in colorectal tissues were also significantly decreased in probiotic-fermented red ginseng-treated groups. Collectively, oral administration of probiotic-fermented red ginseng reduced the severity of colitis in a mouse model, suggesting that it can be used as a uniformly effective red ginseng product.

Antimicrobial Activity of Methanol Extract from Ficus carica Leaves Against Oral Bacteria

Ficus carica L. (fig) belongs to the mulberry tree (Moraceae) which is one of the oldest fruits in the world. It has been used as a digestion promoter and a cure for ulcerative inflammation and eruption in Korea. The present study investigated the antimicrobial activity of methanol (MeOH) extract of figs against oral bacteria. The MeOH extract (MICs, 0.156 to 5 mg/ml; MBCs, 0.313 to 5 mg/ml) showed a strong antibacterial activity against oral bacteria. The combination effects of MeOH extract with ampicillin or gentamicin were synergistic against oral bacteria. We suggest that figs could be employed as a natural antibacterial agent in oral care products.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity Against Oral Bacteria by the Essential Oil of Artemisia iwayomogi

The aerial part of Artemisia iwayomogi KITAMURA has traditionally been used for antitumour, immunomodulating, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antipyretic, diuretic, liver protective effect, and choleretic purposes in Korea. The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from A. iwayomogi was analyzed by GC/MS. The essential oil and its major compounds were tested for antibacterial activities against 15 different genera of oral bacteria. The essential oil of A. iwayomogi was rich in camphor (17.96%), 1,8-cineole (14.79%), terpinen-4-ol (3.28%), alpha-terpineol (17.60%), and beta-caryophyllene (4.05%). The essential oil of A. iwayomogi exhibited considerable inhibitory effects against all obligate anaerobic bacteria (MICs, 0.05 to 0.2 mg/ml; MBCs, 0.1 to 0.4 mg/ml) tested, while its major compounds demonstrated various degrees of growth inhibition.