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Sabri Sudirman, Chun-Kai Chen, Bing-Ting Long, Heng-Wei Chang, David Tsou, Zwe-Ling Kong Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City 20224, TaiwanCorrespondence: Zwe-Ling KongDepartment of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City 20224, TaiwanTel/Fax +886 2 24622192 Ext. 5130Email kongzl@mail.ntou.edu.twPurpose: To investigate the ameliorative effects of Vitellaria paradoxa (VP) nut extract for an anterior cruciate ligament transection with medial meniscectomy (ACLT+MMx)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats.Methods: The rats were fed by HFD for 5 weeks before surgery-induced OA. Rats were treated orally with three different doses of VP nut extract (111.6, 223.2, and 446.4 mg/kg) for 8 weeks.Results: The VP nut triterpene-rich extract decreased the level of triglycerides and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The level of nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α decreased after treatment with VP nut triterpene-rich extract, especially in high-doses. The VP nut triterpene-rich extracts also alleviated swelling in the knee OA, weight-bearing difference, and suppressed cartilage degradation.Conclusion: The Vitellaria paradoxa nut triterpene-rich extract suppressed proinflammatory mediators and attenuated the cartilage degradation and pain in osteoarthritis with an obesity rat model. As such, Vitellaria paradoxa nut triterpene-rich extract can be used as an alternative for osteoarthritis treatment.Keywords: medial meniscectomy, obesity, osteoarthritis, triterpene, Vitellaria paradoxa

Zwe-Ling Kong,1 Jia-Ling He,1 Sabri Sudirman,2 Mao-Tien Kuo,3 Song Miao,4 Ke-Liang B Chang,1 David Tsou1 1Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, Taiwan; 2Fisheries Product Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang, Ogan Ilir Regency, Indonesia; 3Lantyng Biotech, Co. Ltd., Taipei City, Taiwan; 4Teagasc Food Research Center, Moorepark, Co. Cork, IrelandCorrespondence: Zwe-Ling Kong Tel +886-24622192 #5130 Email kongzl@mail.ntou.edu.twPurpose: To characterize the nanoparticle of antroquinonol from A. cinnamomea and its ameliorative effects on the reproductive dysfunction in the diabetic male rat.Material and Methods: The chitosan-silicate nanoparticle was used as the carrier for the delivery of antroquinonol from solid-state-cultured A. cinnamomea extract (AC). The rats were fed with a high-fat diet and intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. The rats were daily oral gavage by water [Diabetes (DM) and Control groups], three different doses of chitosan-silicate nanoparticle of antroquinonol from solid-state-cultured A. cinnamomea (nano-SAC, NAC): (DM+NAC1x, 4 mg/kg of body weight; DM+NAC2x, 8 mg/kg; and DM+NAC5x, 20 mg/kg), solid-state-cultured AC (DM+AC5x, 20 mg/kg), or metformin (DM+Met, 200 mg/kg) for 7 weeks.Results: The nano-SAC size was 37.68± 5.91 nm, the zeta potential was 4.13± 0.49 mV, encapsulation efficiency was 79.29± 0.77%, and loading capacity was 32.45± 0.02%. The nano-SAC can improve diabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction by regulating glucose, insulin, and oxidative enzyme and by increasing the level of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and sperm count as well as sperm mobility. In testicular histopathology, the seminiferous tubules of A. cinnamomea-supplemented diabetic rats showed similar morphology with the control group.Conclusion: The nanoparticle of antroquinonol from Antrodia cinnamomea can be used as an effective strategy to improve diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction.Keywords: Antrodia cinnamomea, antroquinonol, diabetes, nanoparticles, male reproduction

Sabri Sudirman, Yuan-Hua Hsu, Athira Johnson, David Tsou, Zwe-Ling Kong Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, Taiwan, Republic of China Purpose: Nanoencapsulated triterpenoids from petri dish-cultured Antrodia cinnamomea (PAC) and its amelioration effects on reproductive function in diabetic rats were investigated. Materials and methods: PAC encapsulated in silica–chitosan nanoparticles (Nano-PAC) was prepared by the biosilicification method. The diabetic condition in male Sprague Dawley rats was induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ). Three different doses of Nano-PAC (4, 8, and 20mg/kg) were administered for 6 weeks. Metformin and control of nanoparticles (Nano-con) were taken as positive and negative controls, respectively. Results: The average particle size was ~79.46±1.63nm, and encapsulation efficiency was ~73.35%±0.09%. Nano-PAC administration improved hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. In addition, Nano-PAC ameliorated the morphology of testicular seminiferous tubules, sperm morphology, motility, ROS production, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) antioxidant, as well as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were increased, whereas proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ were decreased. Conclusion: In the present study, we successfully nanoencapsulated PAC and found that a very low dosage of Nano-PAC exhibited amelioration effects on the reproductive function of diabetic rats. Keywords: Antrodia cinnamomea, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, male reproduction, nanoparticles