Search

Abstract Odor environments in living spaces can influence human physiological and psychological states. To elucidate the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of wood in living spaces on the modulations of cognitive processing, we built two experimental huts to simulate wooden construction living spaces. One hut was made of cedarwood (Cryptomeria japonica), and the other was made of resin. We used cedarwood and resin, because they are often used as construction materials in Japan. In both huts, we measured the participants’ first positivity in the early visual cortex (P1), the third positivity elicited by voluntary attention (P3b), and the automatic occipital negativity to infrequent visual stimuli in event-related potentials (ERPs), while they performed a visual discrimination task. The VOCs in both huts were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The concentration of volatile sesquiterpenes was significantly increased in the cedarwood hut. Neither P1 nor P3b was affected by the cedarwood hut. Compared to the resin hut, we observed significantly larger occipital negativities to the infrequent stimuli in the cedarwood hut in the time windows of 280–300 ms at the mid-occipital region. These findings suggest that the increased concentration of volatile sesquiterpenes emitted from cedarwood facilitates the human brain’s response to changes in visual stimuli.

Abstract Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) wood is widely used as a traditional construction material in Japan. The relationship between an individual’s perceived comfort level and a preference for Japanese cedar wood interiors is of interest. We compared volunteers’ physiological responses and subjective evaluations of wooden dwelling spaces with different wood materials: planed Japanese cedar lumber, or printed grain resin sheet overlay boards. Eighty-three subjects were asked to stay in each room for 30 min. We evaluated salivary stress markers, blood pressure, the profile of mood states-brief form (POMS), and a questionnaire that used the semantic differential method to evaluate the subjects’ feeling state for both rooms. The concentrations of the volatile organic compounds in both rooms were also quantified after the experiment. The results demonstrated that the subjects’ evaluation of each room was highly dependent on their preference; each room was evaluated more positively by subjects who preferred it. Although the subjects’ feelings were also influenced by their preference, the room with Japanese cedar did not elicit negative feelings, even from the subjects who disliked it. The subjects’ physiological responses were totally independent of their preferences. Their blood pressure decreased in the Japanese cedar room, and their salivary alpha-amylase activity was repressed in both rooms. These results indicated that the subjective evaluations were influenced in part by the subjects’ preferences, while their physiological responses were not affected. Regardless of which room the subjects preferred, the Japanese cedar room reduced the subjects’ blood pressure compared to the room with artificial materials.

Abstract Introduction Placenta extract is used as an ingredient in ointments for treating dermatological diseases, skin dryness, and for skin beautification. However, the clinical effects of the equine placenta on humans and the underlying mechanism of action are unclear. This randomized, controlled, double‐blind study aimed to clinically evaluate the effect of oral intake of equine placental extract on human skin quality. Methods Healthy women volunteers between the ages of 30 and 59 years (n = 29) were randomly assigned to receive 220 mg of equine placental extract–placebo orally, once daily for 4 weeks. Skin quality parameters such as skin hydration, skin barrier function (transepidermal water loss [TEWL]), and melanin index were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of administration. Results The melanin index was significantly increased in the placebo group, whereas it remained unchanged in the equine placenta group. The pattern of melanin index change was significantly different due to intake or no intake of equine placenta supplements over 4 weeks. No significant difference was found in skin hydration and TEWL between the two groups at 4 weeks of postadministration. It was shown that the intake of the equine placenta was more effective in protecting the skin condition against the change of ultraviolet (UV) sensitively than the change in temperature and humidity. Conclusions Effect of equine placental extract intake was evident on the cheek skin of the equine placenta group where participants were protected from UV‐induced pigmentation. Equine placental extract is useful for decreasing melanin synthesis and melanin content in the human skin and can be used as an effective food supplement to maintain human skin quality.

Lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera) is a popular food in Japan and southeast Asia. It is reported that lotus root includes dietary fiber, vitamin C, and abundant polyphenolic compounds. In Chinese medicine, lotus powder is also utilized in anti-tussive or anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study, we focused on the effects of lotus root powder on allergy symptoms in mice. First, we assessed nasal allergy symptoms in 2,4-diisocyanic acid toluene (TDI)-sensitized nasal allergy model mice. We found that lotus root powder alleviated nasal allergy symptoms in the mice. In addition, we estimated serum inflammatory parameters such as serum total IgE, histamine, and leukotriene B4. Lotus root powder intake significantly decreased serum total IgE and leukotriene B4 compared with standard food intake. We suggest that lotus root powder intake may alleviate allergic symptoms.

The consumption of mushroom Ganoderma lingzhi (G. lingzhi) is believed to help people fight influenza. However, few scientific studies, particularly in animals, has addressed that. Here, a hot-water extract of G. lingzhi was orally or intranasally administered to mice infected with influenza A virus, following by a 21-day post-infection observation. An in vitro neuraminidase (NA) assay, with four subtypes of NA, was used to assess inhibition. The total content of triterpenoids and carbohydrates in the extract were determined with colorimetric assays. Results showed that intranasal administration of the extract reduced the severe weight loss in infected mice by 55.1%. Oral administration of the extract did not significantly interfere the virus infection. In addition, the extract strongly inhibited NA from influenza virus H1N1 and H5N1. These findings suggest that short-term oral consumption of hot-water extract of G. lingzhi has limited anti-influenza function, which also inform further research for its activity observed.

The in vitro antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-allergy and skin-lightening effects of extracts from strawberry fruits (ripe and unripe) and nine other plant parts of Amaou strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa var. Amaou) were comparatively investigated by using the antioxidant assay and inhibition assays of lipase, adipocyte differentiation, β-hexosaminidase release, melanogenesis and tyrosinase. Their total phenolic content and the main phenolic compounds were also determined. The ripe strawberry fruits were found to possess potential anti-obesity and skin-lightening effects. The ethanol extracts from unripe strawberry fruits and several other parts like the crown, stolon leaf and flower showed more strong activities in the bioactivity assays conducted. The phytochemical profile varied among extracts from various parts of the plant. Ellagic acid was found in every part of the strawberry plant except the root. Our study provides valuable evidence that strawberry fruit is a food with potential anti-obesity and skin-lightening functions. The findings also support that several inedible parts of the strawberry plant have great potential to be used as the ingredients of functional food products.

Besides being a useful building material, bamboo also is a potential source of bioactive substances. Although some studies have been performed to examine its use in terms of the biological activity, only certain parts of bamboo, especially the leaves or shoots, have been studied. Comprehensive and comparative studies among different parts of bamboo would contribute to a better understanding and application of this knowledge. In this study, the biological activities of ethanol and water extracts from the leaves, branches, outer culm, inner culm, knots, rhizomes and roots of Phyllostachys pubescens, the major species of bamboo in Japan, were comparatively evaluated. The phytochemical profiles of these extracts were tentatively determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The results showed that extracts from different parts of bamboo had different chemical compositions and different antioxidative, antibacterial and antiallergic activities, as well as on on melanin biosynthesis. Outer culm and inner culm were found to be the most important sources of active compounds. 8-C-Glucosylapigenin, luteolin derivatives and chlorogenic acid were the most probable compounds responsible for the anti-allergy activity of these bamboo extracts. Our study suggests the potential use of bamboo as a functional ingredient in cosmetics or other health-related products.