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Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for the treatment of various diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis. In this study, the positive effect of G. lucidum on metabolic syndrome was investigated in more detail by the use of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cells. Treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with G. lucidum extract (GE) significantly promoted adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin production in a dose-dependent manner, as assessed by Oil-Red O staining, quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA. Treatment with GW9662, an inhibitor for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), significantly attenuated GE-dependent adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin gene expression, suggesting the involvement of PPARgamma. Moreover, a reporter gene assay using GAL4-PPAR fusion proteins revealed that GE enhances GAL4-PPARgamma and GAL4-PPARalpha activities. These results indicate the presence of natural compounds possessing PPARgamma and PPARalpha activating properties in G. lucidum. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aim: Carnosic acid (CA) inhibits adipogenesis in vitro. The present study evaluated the therapeutic effects of CA in ob/ob mice. Methods: The experimental animals were given a standard chow diet with or without CA for 5 weeks. Bodyweight gain and food intake were measured during this period. Magnetic resonance imaging analysis, histological examination, serum chemistry analysis and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) were all performed. Results: The mice fed CA experienced significant weight loss and reduced visceral adiposity, in addition to significantly reduced serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels. Importantly, CA had a dramatic effect on the liver by reducing the hepatic TG content, thus decreasing serum alanine aminotransferase levels. In addition, IPGTT revealed that CA significantly improved glucose tolerance. Conclusion: These data suggest that CA is a novel therapeutic agent for obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. About 2% of patients with the disease are associated with mutations in the gene encoding Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of rosemary extract and its major constituents, rosmarinic acid (RA) and carnosic acid (CA), in human SOD1 G93A transgenic mice, which are well-established mouse models for ALS. The present study demonstrates that intraperitoneal administration of rosemary extract or RA from the presymptomatic stage significantly delayed motor dysfunction in paw grip endurance tests, attenuated the degeneration of motor neurons, and extended the life span of ALS model mice. In addition, RA administration significantly improved the clinical score and suppressed body weight loss compared with a vehicle-treated group. In conclusion, this study provides the first report that rosemary extract and, especially, RA have preventive effects in the mouse model of ALS.