Efficacy of a Standardized Extract of Prunus mume in Liver Protection and Redox Homeostasis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of Prunus mume (PM) have previously been demonstrated. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the influence of two doses of a food supplement, made of 150 mg of a standardized PM extract on liver transaminases, lipid profile, glycemia, neopterin and reduced and oxidized thiols in plasma and erythrocytes, during a 3-month treatment period, in healthy subjects with transaminases levels between 20 and 40 UI/L. Forty-five subjects (56.0 ± 11.6 years) were enrolled. The results showed a beneficial and statistically significant effect versus placebo of PM extract on liver function, with a decrease versus baseline in alanine aminotransferase (47%), aspartate aminotransferase (7%), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (15%) and glycemia (11%). The lipid profile modification was also positive with an increase versus baseline in HDL cholesterol (13%), and a decrease in LDL/HDL ratio (12%) and triglycerides (8%). The antioxidant action of PM translated into a decrease in oxidized glutathione, reduced/oxidized cysteine-glycine, oxidized cysteine (intracellular pro-oxidant) and neopterin (inflammation biomarker), was associated with an increase in reduced glutathione. These results are in favor of the use of a standardized extract of P. mume for the support of liver health and prevention of common metabolic and inflammation-based diseases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A proprietary blend of quail egg for the attenuation of nasal provocation with a standardized allergenic challenge: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Occasional rhinitis symptoms caused by exposure to pollution or allergens is a growing concern. Based first on empirical observation of a lesser occurrence of allergies in quail farmers and then scientific works on ovomucoids properties, we developed a dietary supplement for the relief of such occasional rhinitis symptoms. The objective of the study was to determine whether one acute oral dose of the study product attenuates nasal provocation and other allergy-related symptoms after exposure to a standardized allergenic challenge as compared to placebo. Healthy subjects were recruited to participate in a randomized, double-blind, two-arm crossover, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. One acute dose of either the active study product (proprietary blend of quail egg) or placebo was given concomitantly to the standardized allergenic challenge. The primary endpoint was peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) measurement and the secondary endpoints were subjects' perceived feelings of well-being based on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for allergy-related symptoms, as well as immunoglobulin E count. Forty-three healthy subjects were enrolled and evaluable in a per protocol analysis. A gradual increase in PNIF from nadir up to Time 120 reflected the normal, gradual recovery from nasal obstruction induced by allergenic challenge for both the active and the placebo groups. At all postchallenge time points, the active group had higher PNIF values compared to the placebo group, indicating that the active product was associated with fewer symptoms and reduced intensity of these symptoms. The active product resulted also in statistically significant improvements of most of the subjects' perceived feelings of well-being based on VAS scores. No adverse events occurred during the study. In conclusion, the dietary supplement consisting of proprietary blend made of quail eggs provides fast and efficient relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms caused by the most common outdoor and indoor allergens, without adverse events.