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Background: This study compared the contents of extracts of Chenopodium formosanum (Djulis) originating from 2 aboriginal areas (Kaohsiung and Taitung, Taiwan) and evaluated their efficacy in ameliorating insulin resistance in vitro. Methods: First, we analyzed the anti-oxidant compositions and activity, and α-glucosidase, α-amylase inhibitory effects of 2 Djulis and their extracts, and then evaluated the ability of the 2 extracts to ameliorate insulin resistance in HepG2 cell. To do this, we incubated the cells in DMEM medium spiked with insulin and TNF-α. Results: Taitung Djulis extract (TDE) had higher concentrations of flavonoids and polyphenols than the Kaohsiung Djulis extract (KDE). However, KDE had a greater anti-oxidative effect and greater ability to inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory than TDE. In the cellular experiment, insulin promoted cell glucose uptake, and increased the protein expression of glucose transporter-2 (GLUT-2). However, when adding TNF-α with insulin, TNF-α worsened insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism. This might be associated with TNF-α induced mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) expression. Treating the insulin resistant cells with either TDE or KDE significantly reversed the effect of TNF-α on glucose uptake and related protein expressions. Conclusion: Although both TDE and KDE reduced TNF-α-induced insulin resistance, KDE was found to be more potent. KDE might have more bioactivity or other undetected components that lead to more efficiency than TDE. Taken together, Djulis extract could potentially be used to control insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Both the fungus Monascus sp. and adlay possess functional components effective in improving human health. The fungus was inoculated into adlay and a new product was produced after the colonization of fungal mycelia. Our objective was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from inoculated products [monascal polished adlay (MPA) and monascal dehulled adlay (MDA)] as compared to uninoculated products [polished adlay (PA) and dehulled adlay (DA)]. With regard to EC50 values (mg extract ml−1) of methanolic extracts, antioxidant activities were excellent and in the descending order of MDA (0.05)≫MPA (0.75)>DA (0.83)≫PA (6.35). Effectiveness in reducing powers was in a descending order of MPA (0.78)>MDA (1.53)≫PA (13.24)∼DA (13.67mgml−1). Scavenging abilities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals and chelating abilities on ferrous ions were in the descending order of MPA>MDA>DA>PA. Total phenols were the major naturally occurring antioxidant components found. Overall, monascal adlay products displayed higher antioxidant activity, reducing power, scavenging and chelating abilities and higher in total phenol content than uninoculated adlay products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research aims to delineate the anti‐inflammatory effect of pregerminated brown rice extract (PE) and γ‐oryzanol on improving metabolic features of high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into eight groups: regular diet (RD), HFD, HFD‐combined treatment of 0.5, 5, or 10 mg kg−1 day−1 oral gavage γ‐oryzanol, and 30, 300, or 600 mg kg−1 day−1 PE for 18 weeks. HFD‐fed mice showed overweight, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia signs of metabolic disorder, and elevation of inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐6, TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, NO, PGE2 in serum and MAPKs, transcription factor p65, iNOS, and MDA in the liver. In contrast, HFD‐fed mice showed lower levels of adiponectin in serum and antiperoxidation enzymes GPx, SOD, and catalase in the liver. While HFD‐fed mice cotreated with PE or γ‐oryzanol, HFD‐induced metabolic disorders, ROS, and inflammation were improved. The anti‐MetS, antioxidative stress and anti‐inflammation properties of PE were more potent than γ‐oryzanol. Practical applications: Our study showed that PE or γ‐oryzanol supplement could help control metabolic disorders, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ganoderma tsugae Murrill was available in the form of mature and baby Ling chih, mycelia and fermentation filtrate. From these four forms, methanolic extracts were prepared and their antioxidant properties were studied. Methanolic extracts from mature and baby Ling chih showed high antioxidant activities (96.8% and 93.6%) at 20mgml−1, and had EC50 values of 0.53 and 1.11mgml−1, respectively. EC50 values in reducing power were 5.00, 2.28, 0.93 and 2.15mgml−1 for Ling chih, baby Ling chih, mycelia and filtrate, respectively. Methanolic extracts from mature and baby Ling chih scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals by 88.4% and 93.8% at 5mgml−1, whereas those from mycelia and filtrate scavenged by 85.7% and 79.3% at 10mgml−1, respectively. EC50 values in chelating ability on ferrous ions were 4.82, 3.05, 1.10 and 3.41mgml−1 for Ling chih, baby Ling chih, mycelia and filtrate, respectively. Total phenols were the major naturally occurring antioxidant components found in all methanolic extracts and in the range of 24.0–35.6mgg−1. Based on EC50 values, G. tsugae was good in antioxidant properties except for the scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]