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Sword bean has been known as a traditional medicinal plant to treat cancer, sinus infection, and suppurative disease. It also possesses hypertension-relieving, antioxidation, and antibacterial effects. However, studies on the efficacy of sword bean are limited to mature beans. Few studies have focused on immature sword bean pod (ISBP). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of ISBP in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells were treated with ISBP at concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, and 5 mg/mL), levels of nitrite oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, protein, and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inflammatory cytokine secretion level, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activity were determined. Under inflammatory conditions induced by LPS, ISBP reduced levels of inflammatory mediators NO and PGE2 by 60% and 23%, respectively. It also decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 known to synthesize inflammatory mediators. Inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, levels were decreased, while interferon gamma level was increased by ISBP based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time-polymerase chain reaction results. Finally, ISBP showed the ability to inhibit NF-κB activity. In conclusion, ISBP can alleviate inflammation by controlling inflammation-related substances, and may have efficacy as a healthful functional food and natural anti-inflammatory drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue is a common phenomenon usually observed in healthy, as well as in nonhealthy, individuals that affects their performance and quality of life. Efficient supplementation to relieve fatigue is of significant importance. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of three prescreened natural resources (Cervus elaphus L. [CEL], Angelica gigas Nakai [AGN], and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge [AMB]) against fatigue symptoms induced by heavy exercise. Effects on muscle fatigue and endurance capacity during exercise were investigated in C2C12 myoblasts and exercised mice. A combination of CEL, AGN, and AMB (CEL:AGN:AMB, 1:2:1) treatment in myoblasts reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels induced by hydrogen peroxide by ∼20 times (P < .001). The optimal mixture extract combination was determined as CEL:AGN:AMB, 1:2:1 (CAA), which was recombined by applying the extraction yield of individual substance for in vivo study. Compared to the exercise control (EC) group, the serum lactate dehydrogenase level decreased by ∼40% due to CAA administration. The proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha protein expression increased significantly (P < .05) after CAA administration compared to that observed in the normal control group. In parallel, CAA treatment significantly (P < .05) enhanced the maximum running time compared to the EC group. Overall, combinatorial administration exhibited greater efficacy compared to each individual treatment, indicating that CAA could be used as an efficient ergogenic and antifatigue supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aster yomena is used in traditional remedies to treat cough, asthma and insect bites; however, its therapeutic mechanism is not completely understood. To elucidate the anti-asthmatic effect of A. yomena, we investigated the anti-asthmatic characteristics of an alcohol extract of A. yomena in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. In this study, we showed that A. yomena extract inhibited the overall pathophysiological features of asthma by suppressing Th2 responses and enzymes associated with the production of inflammatory mediators. This suppression resulted in decreased Th2 type cytokines and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and OVA-specific IgE in serum. Additionally, A. yomena extract significantly decreased airway hyperresponsiveness and abrogated the histopathological changes in the lungs, which reached normal levels in the OVA-challenged mice treated with A. yomena extract. These findings suggest that A. yomena could be a promising natural agent for treating bronchial asthma in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]