Search

In this study, a controlled atmosphere (CA) treatment was used in the submerged (SM) and solid-state (SS) fermentation of Inonotus obliquus to determine the optimal conditions. The goal was to accelerate the artificial fermentation to obtain I. obliquus as an ingredient for dietary supplements. The results indicated that when CA treatment was used, the SM and SS fermentation of I. obliquus yielded polysaccharide and betulinic acid contents 2–2.5 times higher than those obtained when such treatment was not used. The two fermentation methods yielded similar outcomes in terms of DPPH scavenging ability, bioactivity, and antioxidant activity. Although SS fermentation yielded highly bioactive fruiting bodies when the period of fermentation was extended to 60 days, the mycelia produced by SM reached a similar bioactivity quality with only 30 days of fermentation. It was indicated that SM fermentation is more economically feasible than SS fermentation in the production of I. obliquus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study collected 220 commercially available samples of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) tea produced in Taiwan from 2016 to 2021. The 220 tea samples were categorized into five types of GABA tea, including 108 GABA Oolong tea, 71 GABA Black tea, 21 GABA Paochong tea, 12 GABA Green tea, and 8 GABA Puerh tea samples. The most common type of GABA tea in Taiwan is GABA Oolong tea, followed by GABA Black tea. The physico-chemical constituents and consumer acceptance of the GABA tea samples were analyzed. The GABA content varied among the different types of GABA tea: GABA Oolong tea ranged from 128–286 mg/100 g, GABA Black tea ranged from 182–360 mg/100 g, GABA Paochong tea ranged from 98–203 mg/100 g, GABA Green tea ranged from 56–174 mg/100 g, and GABA Puerh tea ranged from 142–191 mg/100 g. In terms of the commercial standard of GABA tea, 22 out of the 220 GABA tea samples failed to meet the commercial standard, with a failure rate of 10%. During the fermentation process of GABA tea, the contents of GABA increased significantly, but the total polyphenol and total catechin contents remained stable. In terms of consumer acceptance, GABA Black tea is the most accepted by consumers, followed by GABA Puerh tea, GABA Paochong, and GABA Oolong tea. The sour flavor in GABA tea is similar to the original sour sensory properties found in black tea. It is assumed that this is the main reason GABA Black tea has the highest acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cordyceps species have been traditionally used for the enhancement of sexual function, however, there is few direct evidence to prove this. We investigated the spermatogenic effect of Cordyceps militaris (CM) by supplementation with CM mycelium to subfertile boars. Seventeen Duroc and 12 Landrace boars (29 to 40 months old) were selected to feed with regular diet (control groups, n = 8 and 6, respectively) or diet supplemented with CM mycelium (treatment groups, n = 9 and 6, respectively) for 2 months. Semen was collected once a week. The quality of fertile sperm (normally greater than 62% of motility and 70% of normal morphology) and the quantity (semen volume, and total sperm number) were compared in these boars. The result showed that sperm production was enhanced significantly at the end of first month (p < 0.05), peaked at the second month (p < 0.01) of supplementation with CM and was maintained for 2 weeks after stopping the treatment (p < 0.01). Plasma cordycepin concentration was detected in boars supplemented with CM but not in the controls. More importantly, the percentages of motile sperm cells and sperm morphology were also improved significantly in most of treated boars during the second month of supplementation (p < 0.01) and 2 weeks after the treatment (p < 0.05) as compared to their initial values. These results indicate that supplementation with CM mycelium improves sperm quality and quantity in subfertile boars and may partly support the role of Cordyceps in sexual enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been proposed to play a pathogenic role in neuronal injury. Sesame antioxidants that inhibit lipid peroxidation and regulate cytokine production may suppress ROS generation. In this study, we focused on the effect of sesamolin on H2O2-induced neurotoxicity and ROS production in the murine microglial cell line BV-2. Results indicate that the H2O2 elicited BV-2 cell death in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. ROS generation in BV-2 cells was time-dependently increased by the H2O2 treatment. Sesamolin reduced ROS generation in BV-2 cells. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and caspase-3 were also activated in BV-2 cells under H2O2 stress. Sesamolin was able to inhibit H2O2-induced p38 MAPK and caspase-3 activation and cell death. In addition, sesamolin preserved superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in BV-2 cells under H2O2 stress. In conclusion, sesamolin protects microglia against H2O2-induced cell injury and this protective effect was accompanied by its inhibition of p38 MAPK and caspase-3 activation and ROS production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study to investigate the biological activities of fermented extracts of Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) and Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae). Alcaligenes piechaudii CC-ESB2 fermented and ethanol extracts of Rhodiola rosea and Lonicera japonica were prepared and the antioxidative activities of different concentrations of samples were evaluated using in vitro antioxidative assays. Tyrosinase inhibition was determined by using the dopachrome method with L-DOPA as substrate. The results demonstrated that inhibitory effects (ED50 values) on mushroom tyrosinase of fermented Rhodiola rosea, fermented Lonicera japonica, ethanol extract of Lonicera japonica, and ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea were 0.78, 4.07, 6.93, and >10 mg/ml, respectively. The DPPH scavenging effects of fermented Rhodiola rosea (ED50 = 0.073 mg/ml) and fermented Lonicera japonica (ED50 = 0.207 mg/ml) were stronger than effects of their respective ethanol extracts. Furthermore, the scavenging effect increases with the presence of high content of total phenol. However, the superoxide scavenging effects of fermented Rhodiola rosea was less than effects of fermented Lonicera japonica. The results indicated that fermentation of Rhodiola rosea and Lonicera japonica can be considered as an effective biochemical process for application in food, drug, and cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This second total diet study (TDS) in Taiwan was initiated to assess the health risk posed on general consumers from the dietary intake of benzoic acid and sorbic acid as an illustration of a risk assessment of food preservatives. Health risk was assessed by estimating the ratio of the exposure level to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) level of an analyte. This ratio, known as the hazard index (HI), must be less than 100% to ensure no health risk of concern. The ADI values were obtained from the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The present TDS was conducted based on the two analytes, benzoic acid and sorbic acid. Exposure levels of the analytes were determined by using three sets of local data: 1) the analyte concentrations (C) in pertinent food samples, 2) the individual consumption rates (CR) of these food samples, and 3) the body weight (BW) of consumers. C values were obtained by chemical analysis of the analytes in food samples, while CR and BW values were derived from the database of the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT). The HI values were calculated using the equation below and expressed as % ADI. » -^ADD^ » QxCR, HI =V »/„ADI, = Y ^-xl00% = Y '¦ ü- xl00% 1 tí tf ADI, ^BWjXADIp A scheme was developed to select food items to represent the total diet consumed in Taiwan. Based on the NAHSIT database, the total diet was classified into 12 categories and 47 sub-categories. By ranking food consumption rates, 128 food items were selected to form a basic list for the TDS, which represented 83% of the total diet consumed daily in Taiwan. Taking into consideration the occurrence pattern of the analytes in foods, the list was adjusted to a total of 97 food items for sample collection and preparation for chemical analysis. Food products were purchased from 50 strategic sampling sites throughout Taiwan over two seasons (spring/summer and autumn/winter) for two consecutive years. Food samples were prepared according to the conditions of serving and were homogenized and mixed prior to chemical analysis to obtain data on C, of which the maximum concentration of each food item was used to make a conservative estimate. The BW of nine age groups and CR of individual food items by each age group were used as exposure factors in risk calculation. The results indicated that the levels of exposure to benzoates and sorbates of the general consumers at 95th percentile in Taiwan were below 50% ADI for benzoates and around 10% ADI for sorbates, which suggest relatively low risk of concern. The present TDS work has helped to renew and strengthen the framework of TDS in Taiwan and facilitate further similar risk assessment work on other target chemicals in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Background: The fungus Antrodia cinnamomea , which grows on Cinnamomum kanehirae tree, has many medicinal uses. However, its cultivation using the traditional method of growing on the C. kanehirae tree is costly and time-consuming. A possible alternative method of cultivating A. cinnamomea is to use Pinus morrisonicola Hayata tree, as it contains α-terpineol, which stimulates the synthesis of triterpenoids., Experimental Approach: To compare the cultivation of A. cinnamomea on P. morrisonicola and C. kanehirae , the contents of triterpenoids and antcin were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts of each product were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. Their mechanisms on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways (p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)) were determined using Western blot analysis., Results and Conclusions: The results showed that the cultivation times of A. cinnamomea on P. morrisonicola and traditional C. kanehirae discs were drastically different, lasting 6 and 18 months, respectively. The concentration of triterpenoids in the corresponding fruiting bodies was (70.0±3.0) and (20.0±4.0) mg/mL, respectively. More antcins were produced in the P. morrisonicola culture. Similar anti-inflammatory effect was obtained by both cultures, which is confirmed by the reduced production of IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2 and nitrogen monoxide. Their mechanisms were confirmed by the suppression of MAPK signalling pathways., Novelty and Scientific Contribution: Cultivation on P. morrisonicola is an innovative and more cost-effective method for growing A. cinnamomea . The same anti-inflammatory effect is achieved in a shorter production time., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Authors.)

Objectives: Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) is found with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory biological activities. In this study, we investigated the anti-hepatitis effect of the emulsified AC extract from RO water or supercritical fluid CO 2 with ethanol co-solvent extract methods of AC preparations., Materials and Methods: Five groups of eight to ten weeks male rats with a count of ten for each group were studied to evaluate the protection of two kinds of AC extract from hepatic injury. Acute liver injury of rats was induced by injecting 40% carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Positive and negative control groups rats were perfused with CCl 4 or isotonic saline, respectively. Experimental groups received oral administration once/day of AC preparations before CCl 4 treatment: water AC extract (WAE group), or emulsified AC extract from supercritical fluid extraction (EAE group) for 5 days, and sacrificed on the 6 th day and the blood and liver samples were collected under chloral hydrate anesthesia. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant markers, and relevant signaling pathways were measured (AST, ALT, ROS, IL-1, IL-6, NO, and COX-2, MAPKs, and caspase-3)., Results: EAE at 50 mg/kg significantly decreased the serum AST, ALT, IL-1, IL-6, NO, and ROS levels. Both extracts reduced the activation of p-ERK in the liver samples, but EAE inhibited COX-2 and caspase-3 protein expression better than WAE. The EAE ameliorated CCl 4 -induced hepatic injury significantly; as compared with WAE and the positive control., Conclusion: The hepatoprotection of EAE could be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Antrodia .

Objectives: Longan seeds have been used as a folk medicine in China. Longan seed extract (LSE) is known for antioxidative, antiproliferative, hypoglycemic, and hypouremic effects. However, its anti-inflammatory effect has not been shown., Materials and Methods: In this study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given LSE orally (vehicle, 10, and 30 mg/kg) for 3 days to its test anti-inflammatory effect by injecting λ-carrageenan (CARR) in the right hind paw or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IP. For the positive control, animals were given aspirin (20 mg/kg) orally and treated likewise. Serum or tissue samples from treated rats were collected after 3 hr of stimulation. Regarding the in vitro study, BV2 microglial cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence of LSE or normal saline for 10 min or 24 hr for Western blot and ELISA assay, respectively., Results: LSE reduced CARR-induced edema in the experimental animals. LSE also reduced LPS/CARR-induced nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL1β), IL6, and COX2 productions. These inflammatory factors were also reduced dose dependently by LSE in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed that LSE inhibited LPS activated c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), and p38 MAP kinases signaling pathways, caspase-3, inducible NO synthase, and COX2 expressions., Conclusion: LSE pretreatment suppressed CARR- and LPS-induced inflammations and these effects might be through the inhibition of MAP kinases signaling pathways and inflammatory factors.

This is the first study to investigate the biological activities of fermented extracts of Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) and Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae). Alcaligenes piechaudii CC-ESB2 fermented and ethanol extracts of Rhodiola rosea and Lonicera japonica were prepared and the antioxidative activities of different concentrations of samples were evaluated using in vitro antioxidative assays. Tyrosinase inhibition was determined by using the dopachrome method with L-DOPA as substrate. The results demonstrated that inhibitory effects (ED50 values) on mushroom tyrosinase of fermented Rhodiola rosea, fermented Lonicera japonica, ethanol extract of Lonicera japonica, and ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea were 0.78, 4.07, 6.93, and >10 mg/ml, respectively. The DPPH scavenging effects of fermented Rhodiola rosea (ED50 = 0.073 mg/ml) and fermented Lonicera japonica (ED50 = 0.207 mg/ml) were stronger than effects of their respective ethanol extracts. Furthermore, the scavenging effect increases with the presence of high content of total phenol. However, the superoxide scavenging effects of fermented Rhodiola rosea was less than effects of fermented Lonicera japonica. The results indicated that fermentation of Rhodiola rosea and Lonicera japonica can be considered as an effective biochemical process for application in food, drug, and cosmetics.