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Excessive exercise can result in a detrimental condition known as overtraining syndrome (OTS), which is characterized by impaired immune function. In this study, we aimed to explore the immunomodulatory properties of YSK-A, a composite herbal substance comprising equal proportions of Boswellia serrata, Commiphora myrrha, and propolis, using a forced swimming (FS)-induced immunocompromised mouse model. Ex vivo experiments showed that YSK-A significantly increased the activity of NK cells against YAC-1 tumor cells compared with its individual components. HPLC analysis for quality control identified KBA, AKBA, furanoeudesma 1,3-diene, cinnamic acid, and galangin as the five primary components of YSK-A. Following sacrifice, improved profiles of molecules related to OTS, immune organ indices, white blood cell proportions in blood, and serum immunoglobulin levels were observed. Furthermore, YSK-A was found to enhance immunocyte function, including cytotoxic effect of splenic NK cells, and proliferation of lymphocytes. Our study suggests that YSK-A exhibits immunomodulatory effects against immune dysfunction.

SKI306X was previously found to have cartilage protective effects in the experimental osteoarthritis (OA) model. To investigate the chondro-protective benefits of SKI306X for its capacity in altering changes in cartilage metabolism and molecular mechanisms of cartilage protective action, SKI306X is studied in rabbit cartilage explants culture. To investigate the protective effect of SKI306X on cartilage catabolism, we assessed collagen degradation in rabbit cartilage explants treated with interleukin-1α up to 3 weeks. To examine the reaction mechanism, matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) were investigated by fluorimetric and Western blotting analysis. In addition, its effects on the activation process of proenzyme MMP-3 were determined by gelatin zymography. SKI306X significantly inhibited collagen degradation and inhibited the activities of several MMPs. Total MMPs activities in cultured medium were substantially increased in the third week at the time of collagen degradation with the absence of SKI306. However, the introduction of SKI306X decreased MMPs activities in cultured medium. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis proved that these inhibitory effects of this drug were the result of inhibiting MMPs expression. SKI306X also inhibited the activation of proenzyme MMP-3 to the active form of MMP-3. These results indicate that SKI306X inhibits matrix degradation by down regulating MMPs expression and secretion, inhibition of MMPs activity, and inhibiting activation of MMP-3 during the collagen breakdown process. Keywords:: SKI306X, osteoarthritis, hydroxyproline, matrix metalloproteinase

HVC1, a novel formation containing four herbs, was developed and its hypolipidemic effects in rats with high cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hyperlipidemia were investigated. The rats were given a HCD for 8 weeks. The HVC1-treated groups were orally administered HVC1 at doses of 10, 50 or 250 mg/kg, respectively, and the simvastatin group was treated at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The normal diet and HCD control groups were administered with physiological saline. Oral administration of HVC1 (10, 50 or 250 mg/kg) significantly reduced the body weight of rats with hyperlipidemia and regulated the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the serum. In addition, tissue analysis revealed that lipid accumulation in the liver and aorta was reduced by HVC1 administration. Furthermore, HVC1 significantly reduced the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and low-density lipoprotein receptor, as well as the protein level of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in the liver. The results clearly demonstrate that HVC1 has a potent hypolipidemic effect, and suggest that HVC1 should be evaluated as a potential treatment for hyperlipidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]