Using Turmeric Oil as a Solvent Improves the Distribution of Sesamin-Sesamolin in the Serum and Brain of Mice.

Accumulation of amyloid-ß peptide is associated with Alzheimer's dementia. Previously, we reported that sesamin and sesamolin inhibited ß-secretase activity in vitro, and each was transported to the serum and brain in mice after oral administration. However, the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin was poor in mice. In this study, we aimed to improve the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin. We found that the levels of sesamin and sesamolin in mouse serum and brain were higher after the administration of a mixture of sesame extract and turmeric oil (MST) than those after administering sesame extract alone. Serum sesamin and sesamolin contents in the MST-treated group were 23-fold and 15-fold higher, respectively, than those in the sesame extract-treated group. Brain sesamin and sesamolin contents in the MST-treated group were 14-fold and 11-fold higher, respectively, than those in the sesame extract-treated group. These results suggest that turmeric oil is an effective solvent to enhance the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin.

The anti-obesity effect of Taheebo (Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb) extract in ovariectomized mice and the identification of a potential anti-obesity compound.

Estrogen deficiency-induced obesity has a high risk of visceral fat accumulation and body weight gain. It is also associated with many adverse health conditions. Taheebo extract from Tabebuia avellanedae has been recognized as playing several biological and pharmacological roles. Therefore, we investigated whether the intake of n-BuOH extract of Taheebo shows anti-obesity effect in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. After 16 weeks of feeding, the mice administrated with 0.5% n-BuOH extract of Taheebo showed significantly decreased body weight compared with that of the control mice, and the fat mass also showed a significant decrease. In 3T3-L1 cells, supplementation with n-BuOH extract of Taheebo significantly reduced the triglyceride (TG) levels. Furthermore, bioassay-guided purification of the n-BuOH extract based on the TG levels in 3T3-L1 cells led to the isolation of compound 2 (1-dehydroxy-3,4-dihydroaucubigenin). These results suggested that the anti-obesity effect of Taheebo extract is due to its capability in preventing the accumulation of adipocyte in mice. Taheebo extract might be a promising functional food resources capable of protecting against OVX-induced obesity.

Effect of dietary fish oil on mouse testosterone level and the distribution of eicosapentaenoic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine in testicular interstitium.

Low levels of serum testosterone are characteristically associated with diabetes, coronary atherosclerosis, obstructive sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Testosterone replacement therapy is effective against many of these disorders, indicating the importance of maintaining a healthy testosterone level. In this study, we investigated the effects of fish oil on murine testosterone metabolism and analyzed the dynamics of relevant lipids in testes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging. Testosterone was upregulated in mice that received fish oil. In the testicular interstitium, eicosapentaenoic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine was distributed characteristically. These data suggest that eicosapentaenoic acid is involved in testosterone metabolism.

Inhibitory Activities of Essential Oil Obtained from Turmeric and Its Constituents against ß-Secretase.

The need for a preventive agent against dementia led us to screen natural plant resources. Among the herbs and spices tested, turmeric, from rhizomes of Curcuma longa, showed high potency against ß-secretase. The active principles were determined as α-turmerone, ß-turmerone and ar-turmerone, with IC(50) values of 39, 62 and 92 µM respectively. In this study, the efficiency of collecting the essential oil using steam distillation of the volatile substance was disclosed The active principles were explored, and four sesquiterpenoids and five monoterpenoids were revealed as active principles against ß-secretase; On the other hand, α-turmerone, ß-turmerone and ar-turmerone were also investigated in a pharmacokinetic absorption experiment. After oral administration, these compounds were detected in an intact form in the brain and serum. These results suggest that consumption of-turieric constituents may prevent dementia.