- 1. Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) prevents obesity by inhibiting angiogenesis in high fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice.
Adipose tissue growth and development are thought to be associated with angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Because ginseng has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, we hypothesized that adipose tissue growth and obesity can be regulated by Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were fed for 8 weeks with a low fat diet, a high fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with 0.5% or 5% Korean red ginseng extract. We measured body weight, adipose tissue mass, food intake, MMP activity, and the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and MMPs. Administering ginseng to HFD-induced obese mice produced reductions in body weight and adipose tissue mass compared with untreated counterparts. Ginseng treatment decreased blood vessel density and MMP activity in adipose tissues. Ginseng also reduced mRNA levels of angiogenic factors (e.g., VEGF-A and FGF-2) and MMPs (e.g., MMP-2 and MMP-9), whereas it increased mRNA levels of angiogenic inhibitors (e.g., TSP-1, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2) in adipose tissues. These results demonstrate that ginseng effectively reduces adipose tissue mass and prevents obesity in diet-induced obese mice and that this process may be mediated in part through the anti-angiogenic actions of ginseng....(more)
Lee H, et al. Food Chem Toxicol 2013 Mar;53:402-8.
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- 2. Cerebroprotective effects of red ginseng extract pretreatment against ischemia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant and has beneficial effects due to pharmacological properties. Although ginseng is thought to be protective under abnormal conditions, the effects of pretreatment with red ginseng (RG) extract on ischemic stroke have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the protective effects of RG extract after focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Crude RG extract (360 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for 2 weeks. Mice were then subjected to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1 hour, followed by reperfusion for 4 and 24 hours. Pretreatment with RG extract followed by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) resulted in significant reduction of oxidized hydroethidine signals in ischemic areas. At 4 and 24 hours after I/R, the number of 8-hydroxyguanosine and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)-positive cells decreased in the ischemic penumbra as seen using immunofluorescent staining. Western blotting showed that RG efficiently attenuated the protein levels of activated ASK1 in the ischemic penumbra. Consequently, DNA fragmentation and the infarct volume were reduced by RG extract pretreatment 24 hours after I/R. Also, RG extract resulted in better performance in rotarod test after I/R. Thus, RG pretreatment demonstrates a protective effect at suppressing ischemia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in ischemic lesions. Pretreatment with crude RG extract may be an effective strategy for preventing brain injury after an ischemic stroke....(more)
Cheon SY, et al. Int J Neurosci 2013 Apr;123(4):269-77.
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- 3. Bioactivity and bioavailability of ginsenosides are dependent on the glycosidase activities of the A/J mouse intestinal microbiome defined by pyrosequencing.
PURPOSE:
To investigate the ability of bacteria in the intestinal microbiome to convert naturally occurring primary ginsenosides in red ginseng extract to active secondary ginsenosides.
METHODS:
Anti-proliferative ginsenoside activity was tested using mouse lung cancer LM1 cells. Permeabilities were evaluated in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Systemic exposure of secondary ginsenosides was determined in A/J mice. 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing was used to determine membership and abundance of bacteria in intestinal microbiome.
RESULTS:
Secondary ginsenoside C-K exhibited higher anti-proliferative activity and permeability than primary ginsenosides. Significant amounts of secondary ginsenosides (F2 and C-K) were found in blood of A/J mice following oral administration of primary ginsenoside Rb1. Because mammalian cells did not hydrolyze ginsenoside, we determined the ability of bacteria to hydrolyze ginsenosides and found that Rb1 underwent stepwise hydrolysis to Rd, F2, and then C-K. Formation of F2 from Rd was the rate-limiting step in the biotransformation of Rb1 to C-K.
CONCLUSION:
Conversion to F2 is the rate-limiting step in bioactivation of primary ginsenosides by A/J mouse intestinal microbiome, whose characterization reveals the presence of certain bacterial families capable of enabling the formation of F2 and C-K in vivo....(more)
Niu T, et al. Pharm Res 2013 Mar;30(3):836-46.
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- 4. Korean Red Ginseng Extract Attenuates 3-Nitropropionic Acid-Induced Huntington's-Like Symptoms.
Korean red ginseng (KRG) possesses neuroprotective activity. However, the potential neuroprotective value of KRG for the striatal toxicity is largely unknown. We investigated whether KRG extract (KRGE) could have a neuroprotective effect in a 3-nitropropionic acid- (3-NP) induced (i.p.) Huntington's disease (HD) model. KRGE (50, 100, and 250 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was administrated 10 days before 3-NP injection (pre-administration), from the same time with 3-NP injection (co-administration), or from the peak point of neurological impairment by 3-NP injection (post-administration). Pre-administration of KRGE produced the greatest neuroprotective effect in this model. Pre-administration of KRGE significantly decreased 3-NP-induced neurological impairment, lethality, lesion area, and neuronal loss in the 3-NP-injected striatum. KRGE attenuated microglial activation and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway. KRGE also reduced the level of mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and OX-42. Interestingly, the intrathecal administration of SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) or PD98059 (an inhibitor of MAPK Kinase, MEK) increased the survival rate in the 3-NP-induced HD model. Pre-administration of KRGE may effectively inhibit 3-NP-induced striatal toxicity via the inhibition of the phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways, indicating its therapeutic potential for suppressing Huntington's-like symptoms....(more)
Jang M, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013;2013:237207.
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- 5. Red ginseng abrogates oxidative stress via mitochondria protection mediated by LKB1-AMPK pathway.
BACKGROUND:
Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been used as a botanical medicine throughout the history of Asian traditional Oriental medicine. Formulated red ginseng (one form of Korean ginseng) has been shown to have antioxidant and chemopreventive effects.
METHODS:
This study investigated the cytoprotective effects and mechanism of action of Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) against severe ROS production and mitochondrial impairment in a cytotoxic cell model induced by AA + iron.
RESULTS:
RGE protected HepG2 cells from AA + iron-induced cytotoxicity by preventing the induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Moreover, AA + iron-induced production of ROS and reduction of cellular GSH content (an important cellular defense mechanism) were remarkably attenuated by treatment with RGE. At the molecular level, treatment with RGE activated LKB1-dependent AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which in turn led to increased cell survival. The AMPK pathway was confirmed to play an essential role as the effects of RGE on mitochondrial membrane potential were reversed upon treatment with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results demonstrate that RGE has the ability to protect cells from AA + iron-induced ROS production and mitochondrial impairment through AMPK activation....(more)
Dong GZ, et al. BMC Complement Altern Med 2013 Mar 18;13:64.
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- 6. Ginseng Treatment Attenuates Chronic Cyclosporine Nephropathy via Reducing Oxidative Stress in an Experimental Mouse Model.
Background: This study was performed to investigate whether ginseng extract has a protective effect in an experimental mouse model of chronic cyclosporine (CsA) nephropathy. Methods: Mice were treated with CsA (30 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) with or without Korean red ginseng extract (KRG) (0.2, 0.4 g/kg/day, orally) on a 0.01% salt diet for 4 weeks. The effect of KRG on CsA-induced renal injury was evaluated by assessing renal function and pathology, mediators of inflammation, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and apoptotic cell death. Using an in vitro model, we also examined the effect of KRG on CsA-treated proximal tubular cells (HK-2). Oxidative stress was measured by assessing 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in 24-hour urine, tissue sections, and culture media. Results: Four weeks of CsA treatment caused renal dysfunction, typical pathologic lesions and apoptotic cell death. KRG treatment reduced serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and histopathology and increased creatinine clearance. Proinflammatory and profibrotic molecules such as induced nitric oxide synthase, cytokines, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β1-inducible gene h3 and apoptotic cell death, also decreased with KRG treatment. Consistent with these results, in vitro studies showed that addition of KRG protected against CsA-induced morphological changes, cytotoxicity, inflammation, and apoptotic cell death as demonstrated by annexin V binding. These changes were accompanied by decrease in the level of 8-OHdG in urine and culture supernatant after KRG treatment. Conclusion: The results of our in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that KRG has a protective effect in CsA-induced renal injury via reducing oxidative stress....(more)
Doh KC, et al. Am J Nephrol 2013 Apr 10;37(5):421-433.
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- 7. Study on improving blood flow with Korean red ginseng substances using digital infrared thermal imaging and Doppler sonography: randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with parallel design.
OBJECTIVE:
To examine the efficacy of Korean red ginseng for improving blood flow in healthy people.
METHODS:
Participants were randomized and treated with 1500 mg of Korean red ginseng extract or placebo for 8 weeks. The effect of Korean red ginseng was evaluated by digital infrared thermal images, and Doppler sonography, and blood test.
RESULTS:
Forty subjects completed the protocol. Imbalance in local thermal distribution was significantly decreased in the Korean red ginseng group confirmed by digital infrared thermal images. Doppler sonography showed no significant change in maximum and average rates of blood circulation in single or complex areas. Blood analyses for coagulation and lipid metabolism factors revealed no significant changes. No abnormal reactions to the Korean red ginseng were observed.
CONCLUSION:
Digital infrared thermal imaging showed that the temperature deviation in the whole body decreased safely in the Korean red ginseng group, which mitigated the body-temperature imbalance. This result suggests that the Korean red ginseng improves blood circulation in the human body....(more)
Kang J, et al. J Tradit Chin Med 2013 Feb;33(1):39-45.
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- 8. Lipid metabolic effect of Korean red ginseng extract in mice fed on a high-fat diet.
BACKGROUND:
Ginseng saponin and ginsenosides exert anti-obesity effects via the modulation of physiological lipid metabolism in vivo or intracellular signalling in cell culture systems. However, the complicated relationship between the anti-obesity effects of ginseng and gene expression has yet to be defined under in vivo conditions. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between the anti-obesity effects of Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) and hepatic gene expression profiles in mice fed long-term on a high-fat diet (HFD) in this study.
RESULTS:
KRGE reduces the levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), serum triglycerides, and atherogenic indices. Levels of leptin, adiponectin and insulin, which regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, were impaired profoundly by HFD. However, KRGE treatment brought these levels back to normal. KRGE was found to down-regulate genes associated with lipid metabolism or cholesterol metabolism (Lipa, Cyp7a1, Il1rn, Acot2, Mogat1, Osbpl3, Asah3l, Insig1, Anxa2, Vldlr, Hmgcs1, Sytl4, Plscr4, Pla2g4e, Slc27a3, Enpp6), all of which were up-regulated by HFD.
CONCLUSION:
KRGE regulated the expression of genes associated with abnormal physiology via HFD. Leptin, insulin, and adiponectin, which carry out critical functions in energy and lipid metabolism, were shown to be modulated by KRGE. These results show that KRGE is effective in preventing obesity.
Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry....(more)
Song YB, et al. J Sci Food Agric 2012 Jan 30;92(2):388-96.
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- 9. Correlation between Platelet Gelsolin and Platelet Activation Level in Acute Myocardial Infarction Rats and Intervention Effect of Effective Components of Chuanxiong Rhizome and Red Peony Root.
The biological role of platelet gelsolin in platelet activation of acute myocardial infarction is not defined. In order to provide a potential new antiplatelet target for Chinese medicine and to elucidate the contribution of Xiongshao capsule, the effective components of Chuanxiong rhizome and red peony root, in this study, we randomly allocated Sprague Dawley rats to left anterior descending coronary artery ligation or sham surgery and different drug prophylaxis as control. We found that gelsolin is highly expressed in platelet rich plasma and lowly expressed in platelet poor plasma, accompanied by the high platelet activation level in model rats; plasma actin filaments and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of platelet calcium ion increased and plasma vitamin D binding protein decreased in model rats. Xiongshao capsule could inhibit the gelsolin expression in platelet rich plasma and ischemic heart tissue simultaneously and reduce the level of plasma F-actin and MFI of platelet calcium ion. Our study concludes that platelet gelsolin is an important contributor to platelet activation, and platelet gelsolin inhibition may form a novel target for antiplatelet therapy. Xiongshao capsule may be a promising Chinese medicine drug for antiplatelet and aspirin-like cardioprotection effect....(more)
Liu Y, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013;2013:985746.
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- 10. Flower color diversity revealed by differential expression of flavonoid biosynthetic genes and flavonoid accumulation in herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.).
Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is an important ornamental plant which contains different flower colors. In this paper, eight genes encoding phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (F3'H), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-o-glucosyltransferase (UF3GT) were isolated. Moreover, the expression patterns of these eight genes and UF5GT in the flowers were investigated in three cultivars, that is, 'Hongyanzhenghui', 'Yulouhongxing' and 'Huangjinlun' with purplish-red, white and yellow flower respectively. Furthermore, flavonoid accumulation in the flowers was also analyzed. The results showed that in different organs, most of genes expressed higher in flowers than in other organs. During the development of flowers, all genes could be divided into four groups. The first group (PlPAL) was highly expressed in S1 and S4. The second group (PlCHS and PlCHI) was at a high expression level throughout the whole developmental stages. The third group (PlF3H, PlF3'H, PlDFR, PlANS and PlUF5GT) gradually decreased with the development of flowers. The fourth group (PlUF3GT) gradually increased during the flower development. In addition, anthoxanthins and anthocyanins were detected in 'Hongyanzhenghui' and 'Yulouhongxing', chalcones and anthoxanthins were found in 'Huangjinlun'. When different color flowers were concerned, low expression level of PlCHI induced most of the substrate accumulation in the form of chalcones and displaying yellow, changing a small part of substrates to anthoxanthins, and there was no anthocyanin synthesis in 'Huangjinlun' because of low expression level of DFR. In 'Yulouhongxing', massive expressions of upstream genes and low expression of DFR caused synthesis of a great deal of anthoxanthins and a small amount of colorless anthocyanins. In 'Hongyanzhenghui', a large number of colored anthocyanins were changed from anthoxanthins because of PlDFR, PlANS and PlUF3GT high expressions. These results would provide us a theoretical basis to understand the formation of P. lactiflora flower colors....(more)
Zhao D, et al. Mol Biol Rep 2012 Dec;39(12):11263-75.
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- 11. [Comparison of in vitro anti-oxidative activities among Siwu Decoction Serial Recipes, their composed crude herbs, and main aromatic acids, as well as their dose-effect correlation].
OBJECTIVE:
To assess and compare the in vitro anti-oxidative activities among Siwu Decoction Serial Recipes, their composed crude herbs, and main aromatic acids they contained.
METHODS:
Their anti-oxidative activities (including Siwu Decoction and correlated recipes such as Taohong Siwu Decoction, Xiangfu Siwu Decoction, Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction, and Xiongqiong Decoction, 16 kinds of crude herbs, and main aromatic acids they contained) were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical clearance method.
RESULTS:
The selected five decoctions showed obvious activities of scavenging free radicals. Siwu Decoction was better than other decoctions in scavenging free radicals and Xiongqiong Decoction was the least. Among the 16 kinds of crude herbs, red peony root, white peony root, safflower, ligustici chuanxiong, common aucklandia root showed the strongest activities, while peach seed showed the poorest activities. Among aromatic acids, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid showed obvious anti-oxidative activities in scavenging free radicals, showing obvious dose-effect correlation. p-hydroxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid, and cinnamic acid showed no activities on scavenging free radicals (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Siwu Decoction and aromatic acids contained in correlated decoctions played significant roles in anti-oxidative activities....(more)
Tang YP, et al. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2012 Jan;32(1):64-7. Chinese.
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- 12. Hierarchical nitrogen doped bismuth niobate architectures: controllable synthesis and excellent photocatalytic activity.
Nitrogen doped bismuth niobate (N-Bi(3)NbO(7)) hierarchical architectures were synthesized via a facile two-step hydrothermal process. XRD patterns revealed that the defect fluorite-type crystal structure of Bi(3)NbO(7) remained intact upon nitrogen doping. Electron microscopy showed the N-Bi(3)NbO(7) architecture has a unique peony-like spherical superstructure composed of numerous nanosheets. UV-vis spectra indicated that nitrogen doping in the compound results in a red-shift of the absorption edge from 450nm to 470nm. XPS indicated that [Bi/Nb]N bonds were formed by inducing nitrogen to replace a small amount of oxygen in Bi(3)NbO(7-x)N(x), which is explained by electronic structure calculations including energy band and density of states. Based on observations of architectures formation, a possible growth mechanism was proposed to explain the transformation of polyhedral-like nanoparticles to peony-like microflowers via an Ostwald riping mechanism followed by self-assembly. The N-Bi(3)NbO(7) architectures due to the large specific surface area and nitrogen doping exhibited higher photocatalytic activities in the decomposition of organic pollutant under visible-light irradiation than Bi(3)NbO(7) nanoparticles. Furthermore, an enhanced photocatalytic performance was also observed for Ag/N-Bi(3)NbO(7) architectures, which can be attributed to the synergetic effects between noble metal and semiconductor component.
Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved....(more)
Hou J, et al. J Hazard Mater 2012 May 30;217-218:177-86.
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- 13. Correlation between Fc γ R III a and aortic atherosclerotic plaque destabilization in ApoE knockout mice and intervention effects of effective components of chuanxiong rhizome and red peony root.
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the correlation between Fc γ RIII A (CD16A) and aortic atherosclerotic plaque destabilization in apoE knockout (apoE KO) mice and the intervention effects of effective components of chuanxiong rhizome and red peony root.
METHODS:
Eight 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. Forty 8-week-old male apoE KO mice were randomly divided into the model group, apoE KO + intraperitoneal injection immunoglobulin group (IVIG), apoE KO + simvastatin group (Sm), apoE KO + high dosage of xiongshao capsule (XSC) group (XSCH), and apoE KO + low dosage of XSC group (XSCL), 8 mice in each group. Mice in the control group were put on a normal diet, and others were fed with a high-fat diet. After 10-week different interventions, monocyte CD16 expression was detected by flow cytometry, aortic matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA expression was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, monocyte CD16 expression, aortic MMP-9 mRNA expression, and serum TNF-α level in the model group increased obviously (P<0.01). Injections of apoE KO mice with intraperitoneal immunoglobulin during a 5-day period significantly reduced the monocyte CD16 expression, aortic MMP-9 mRNA expression, and serum TNF-α level (P<0.01 or 0.05) over a 10-week period of high-fat diet. Indices above in the Sm group, XSCH group, and XSCL group decreased in a different degree. Of them, the aortic MMP-9 mRNA expression in XSCH group was lower than that in Sm group (P<0.05) and the monocyte CD16 expression and serum TNF-α level showed no significant difference between XSCH group and Sm group (P>0.05). Correlation analyses suggested positive correlation between monocyte CD16 expression and aortic MMP-9 mRNA expression or serum TNF-α level in IVIG group, XSCH group, and XSCL group.
CONCLUSIONS:
FcγR III A mediates systemic inflammation in the progression of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome. XSC could stabilize atherosclerotic plaque by suppressing inflammation and its target was relative with FcγRIII A....(more)
Huang Y, et al. Chin J Integr Med 2011 May;17(5):355-60.
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- 14. Peak alignment using wavelet pattern matching and differential evolution.
Retention time shifts badly impair qualitative or quantitative results of chemometric analyses when entire chromatographic data are used. Hence, chromatograms should be aligned to perform further analysis. Being inspired and motivated by this purpose, a practical and handy peak alignment method (alignDE) is proposed, implemented in this research for one-way chromatograms, which basically consists of five steps: (1) chromatogram lengths equalization using linear interpolation; (2) accurate peak pattern matching by continuous wavelet transform (CWT) with the Mexican Hat and Haar wavelets as its mother wavelets; (3) flexible baseline fitting utilizing penalized least squares; (4) peak clustering when gap of two peaks is smaller than a certain threshold; (5) peak alignment using differential evolution (DE) to maximize linear correlation coefficient between reference signal and signal to be aligned. This method is demonstrated with both simulated chromatograms and real chromatograms, for example, chromatograms of fungal extracts and Red Peony Root obtained by HPLC-DAD. It is implemented in R language and available as open source software to a broad range of chromatograph users (http://code.google.com/p/alignde).
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved....(more)
Zhang ZM, et al. Talanta 2011 Jan 30;83(4):1108-17.
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- 15. [Effects of different peony cultivars on community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in rhizosphere soil].
This paper studied the community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in the rhizosphere soil of different peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) cultivars grown in Zhaolou Peony Garden of Heze in Shandong Province. A number of parameters describing this community structure, e. g., spore density, species- and genera composition, species richness, distribution frequency, species diversity indices, and Sorenson's similarity coefficient, were examined. The species- and genera composition, species richness, and distribution frequency of AM fungi in rhizosphere soil varied with planted peony cultivars. A total of 10 AM fungal species were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of cultivars 'Fengdan' and 'Zhaofen', 9 species from the rhizosphere soil of 'Wulong pengsheng' and 'Luoyang red', and 8 species from the rhizosphere soil of 'Hu red'. The spore density was the highest (59 per 50 g soil) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Fengdan', but the lowest (47 per 50 g soil) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Hu red'; the species diversity index was the highest (1.89) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Zhaofen', but the lowest (1.71) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Hu red'; and the mycorrhizal colonization rate was the highest (63.6%) in rhizosphere soil of 'Fengdan' and 'Hu red', but the lowest (52.7%) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Wulong pengsheng'. The Sorenson's similarity coefficient of AM fungal species composition in the rhizosphere soil among the test cultivars ranged from 0.71 to 0.95, being the highest between 'Wulong pengsheng' and 'Fengdan', and the lowest between 'Luoyang red' and 'Hu red'. It was concluded that the gene type of peony could change the community structure of AM fungi in rhizosphere soil....(more)
Guo SX, et al. Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 2010 Aug;21(8):1993-7. Chinese.
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- 16. Regulation effects on abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism of TZQ-F, a new kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
Based on the recipe of the traditional anti-diabetic formula TZQ, we developed TZQ-F, a new formula including 8 fractions isolated from Red Paeony root, Mulberry leaf, Lotus leaf, Danshen root and Hawthorn leaf with a good quality assurance. The study was aimed at fraction preparation and effects of the fractions on abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The active fractions were obtained by macroporous resin, ion-exchange resin and polyamide resin column chromatographies. HPLC analyses were used for quality control. In vitro mechanism study included DPPH radical scavenging, AGEs formation inhibition, alpha-glucosidase inhibition and lipase inhibition, and rats on high-fat diet were used for in vivo study.
RESULTS:
In vitro mechanism study showed that among the 8 fractions, three of them had inhibition effects on intestinal disaccharase, three with inhibition effects on lipase, and five with effects of free radical scavenging. In vivo study showed that after 4 weeks of treatment, TZQ-F significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol, TG, glucose, LDL-C and HDL-C in rats on high-fat diet. Consistent with the in vitro and in vivo results, histology study demonstrated that TZQ-F alleviated hepatic steatosis induced by high-fat diet.
CONCLUSIONS:
TZQ-F possesses the potential regulation effects on abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved....(more)
Tao W, et al. J Ethnopharmacol 2010 Apr 21;128(3):575-82.
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- 17. Effects of active components of Red Paeonia and Rhizoma chuanxiong on angiogenesis in atherosclerosis plaque in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects and mechanism of the active components of Red Paeonia and Rhizoma chuanxiong (Xiongshao Capsule, XSC) on angiogenesis in atherosclerosis plaque in rabbits.
METHODS:
Fifty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, and the three medicated groups treated respectively with Simvastatin (2.5 mg/kg per day), low-dose (0.24 g/kg per day) and high-dose (0.48 g/kg per day) XSC, 10 in each group. Rabbits in the normal group were fed with regular diet. To those in the other four groups, high fat diet was given, and a balloon angioplasty was performed two weeks later to establish abdominal aortic atherosclerosis model. Then, the model rabbits were fed continuously with high fat diet, and to those in the medicated groups, the testing drugs were added in the forage correspondingly for 6 successive weeks. Levels of blood lipids were measured at the end of the experiment. Meantime, serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected with enzyme-linked immunoassay; the plaque area (PA), cross-sectional vascular area (CVA) and correcting plaque area (PA/CVA) were determined quantitatively using imaging software; and the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and factor VIII related antigen (FVIIIRAg) in plaque was detected using immunohistochemical method.
RESULTS:
As compared with the model group, the content of total cholesterol (TC) in the three medicated groups, and contents of triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the Simvastatin group were lower to various extents (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum level of hsCRP in all modeled rabbits was higher than that in the normal group, but in the three treated groups it was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Expressions of VEGF and FVIIIRAg, as well as PA/CVA in the three medicated groups were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P<0.05, P<0.01).
CONCLUSION:
The active components of Red Paeonia and Rhizoma chuanxiong have definite effects in delaying the genesis and development of atherosclerosis, its mechanism might be related with the inhibition on angiogenesis in plaque, and also with its actions of lipo-metabolism regulation and anti-inflammation....(more)
Zhang L, et al. Chin J Integr Med 2009 Oct;15(5):359-64.
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- 18. [Effect of the active components of red paeonia and rhizoma chuanxiong on matrix metalloproteinases in rabbits with atherosclerosis].
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of the active components from Red Paeonia and Rhizoma chuanxiong (in Xiongshao Capsule, XSC) on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in rabbit model of atherosclerosis.
METHODS:
Fifty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the normal control group (A), the model control group (B), the Simvastatin treated group (C), the low-dose XSC treated group (D) and the high-dose XSC treated group (E), 10 in each group. Rabbits in the normal control group were fed with normal diet, while those in the other four groups were fed with high fat diet and duplicated after two weeks feeding into model of abdominal aortic atherosclerosis by balloon angioplasty. In the 6 successive weeks feeding of high fat diet, Simvastatin 2.5 mg/kg, XSC 0.24 g/kg and 0.48 g/kg per day was given respectively to the rabbits in the three treated groups. Blood sample was collected for determining the level of blood lipids; serum MMP-3 and MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) with enzyme-linked immunoassay; and the protein expression of MMP-3 and cluster of differentiation antigen 40 ligand (CD40L) in plaque were detected with immunohistochemical method.
RESULTS:
Compared with Group B, the serum levels of MMP-3 and MMP-9; the expression of MMP-3 and CD40L in plaque; and the blood content of total cholesterol in the three treated groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Besides, the content of triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced in Group C, while the TIMP-1 showed no statistical difference among different groups (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
The active components of Red Paeonia and Rhizoma chuanxiong play a definite role in stabilizing the atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits, one of their possible mechanisms may be by way of inhibiting the expressions of MMP-3, MMP-9 in vascular walls and blood serum....(more)
Zhang L, et al. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2009 Jun;29(6):514-8. Chinese.
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- 19. Effect of dietary supplementation with either red wine extract or vitamin E on the volatile profile of lamb meat fed with omega-3 sources.
The effect of dietary supplementation with either vitamin E (300 ppm) or a red wine extract rich in polyphenols (900 ppm) in an omega-3 enriched concentrate on the volatile fraction of lamb meat was assessed. The effect of refrigerated storage (0 and 6 days) under high-oxygen atmospheres (70% O(2)/30% CO(2)) was also studied. Extraction and analysis of the volatile compounds was carried out by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and GC-MS, respectively. Vitamin E supplementation led to lower levels of lipo-oxidation compounds, such as 2-heptanone and 1-penten-3-ol. The red wine extract was less efficient against lipid oxidation than vitamin E but more efficient than the control (no added antioxidants). The levels of numerous lipid-derived compounds were found to be lower after 6 days of storage which could be due to further interactions with protein-related compounds....(more)
Rivas-Cañedo A, et al. Meat Sci 2013 Feb;93(2):178-86.
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- 20. Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of red wine extract: unveiling the mechanisms in colonic epithelial cells.
The development of new therapeutic approaches, combining efficacy and safety against intestinal inflammation, notably inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has emerged as an important goal due to the significant side effects and the lack of effectiveness of standard current therapies. Recently, several studies described the health-promoting effects of red wine, including anti-inflammatory properties, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial role remain largely unknown. Red wine is rich in phenolic compounds and it has been suggested that the positive effect of red wine intake might be attributed not only to the antioxidant properties of these compounds but also to the modulation of signalling cascades in connection with physiological and pathophysiological conditions such as inflammatory processes. This study assesses the potential anti-inflammatory action of a red wine extract (RWE) enriched in polyphenols in a cellular model of intestinal inflammation using cytokines-stimulated HT-29 colon epithelial cells. RWE suppressed cytokines-induced IκB degradation and interleukin-8 production in a dose-dependent manner. Coherently, key inflammatory mediators downstream NF-κB activation; notably cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase were maintained at low levels by RWE in the presence of the cytokines. Additionally, RWE inhibited both the increase of nitric oxide derived from iNOS and of protein tyrosine nitration, a biomarker of nitrosative stress that typically requires the reaction of nitric oxide with the superoxide radical. Taken together, the anti-inflammatory action of RWE, mechanistically supported by the modulation of cascades orchestrated by NF-κB and involving nitric oxide, suggests that RWE (a readily straightforward preparation when compared with the purification of specific compounds) may represent a simple and inexpensive therapeutic strategy in the context of intestinal inflammation....(more)
Nunes C, et al. Food Funct 2013 Feb 26;4(3):373-83.
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- 21. Protective effects of Merlot red wine extract and its major polyphenols in PC12 cells under oxidative stress conditions.
The potential effect of the extracts from free-run and pressed Merlot red wine has been evaluated in PC12 cells under oxidative stress situation. Comparing both vinification process, pressed Merlot red wine extract possessed higher neuroprotective activity than the free run wine, possibly attributed to the major content in all global polyphenolic families. High performance liquid chromatography determination of individual polyphenols showed that the major compounds found in Merlot red wine extract were quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, tyrosol, gallic acid, and procyanidins. Pretreatments with these polyphenolic compounds (0.25 mM and 0.1 mM, 24 h) significantly increased cell viability of H(2)O(2) and Fenton reaction treated cells. Moreover, these polyphenols attenuated ROS production and decreased the Redox Index of glutathione (RI = GSSG/GSH + GSSG) in cells treated only with Fenton reaction. Furthermore, some polyphenols induced antioxidant enzymes activity and protein expression. Quercetin was the most active. These results support the beneficial effects of red wine extracts and some of its polyphenols under oxidative stress conditions. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This research provides evidences of the preventive properties of wine extracts and its major polyphenols under oxidative stress conditions....(more)
Martín S, et al. J Food Sci 2013 Jan;78(1):H112-8.
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- 22. Prion Protein-mediated Toxicity of Amyloid-β Oligomers Requires Lipid Rafts and the Transmembrane LRP1.
Soluble oligomers of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide cause neurotoxicity, synaptic dysfunction, and memory impairments that underlie Alzheimer disease (AD). The cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) was recently identified as a high affinity neuronal receptor for Aβ oligomers. We report that fibrillar Aβ oligomers recognized by the OC antibody, which have been shown to correlate with the onset and severity of AD, bind preferentially to cells and neurons expressing PrP(C). The binding of Aβ oligomers to cell surface PrP(C), as well as their downstream activation of Fyn kinase, was dependent on the integrity of cholesterol-rich lipid rafts. In SH-SY5Y cells, fluorescence microscopy and co-localization with subcellular markers revealed that the Aβ oligomers co-internalized with PrP(C), accumulated in endosomes, and subsequently trafficked to lysosomes. The cell surface binding, internalization, and downstream toxicity of Aβ oligomers was dependent on the transmembrane low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1). The binding of Aβ oligomers to cell surface PrP(C) impaired its ability to inhibit the activity of the β-secretase BACE1, which cleaves the amyloid precursor protein to produce Aβ. The green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and the red wine extract resveratrol both remodeled the fibrillar conformation of Aβ oligomers. The resulting nonfibrillar oligomers displayed significantly reduced binding to PrP(C)-expressing cells and were no longer cytotoxic. These data indicate that soluble, fibrillar Aβ oligomers bind to PrP(C) in a conformation-dependent manner and require the integrity of lipid rafts and the transmembrane LRP1 for their cytotoxicity, thus revealing potential targets to alleviate the neurotoxic properties of Aβ oligomers in AD....(more)
Rushworth JV, et al. J Biol Chem 2013 Mar 29;288(13):8935-51.
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- 23. Phenolic compounds present in Sardinian wine extracts protect against the production of inflammatory cytokines induced by oxysterols in CaCo-2 human enterocyte-like cells.
Cholesterol auto-oxidation products, namely oxysterols, are widely present in cholesterol-rich foods. They are thought to potentially interfere with homeostasis of the human digestive tract, playing a role in intestinal mucosal damage. This report concerns the marked up-regulation in differentiated CaCo-2 colonic epithelial cells of two key inflammatory interleukins, IL-6 and IL-8, caused by a mixture of oxysterols representative of a high cholesterol diet. This strong pro-inflammatory effect appeared to be dependent on the net imbalance of red-ox equilibrium with the production of excessive levels of reactive oxygen species through the colonic NADPH-oxidase NOX1 activation. Induction of NOX1 was markedly while not fully inhibited by CaCo-2 cell pre-incubation with phenolic extracts obtained from well-selected wines from typical grape varieties grown in Sardinia. Oxysterol-dependent NOX1 activation, as well as interleukin synthesis, were completely prevented by Cannonau red wine extract that contains an abundant phenolic fraction, in particular phenolic acids and flavonoids. Conversely, cell pre-treatment with Vermentino white wine extract with smaller phenolic fraction showed only a partial NOX1 down-regulation and was ineffective in interleukin synthesis induced by dietary oxysterols. It is thus likely that the effects of Sardinian wine extracts against intestinal inflammation induced by dietary oxysterols are mainly due to their high phenolic content: low doses of phenolics would be responsible only for direct scavenging oxysterol-dependent ROS production. Besides this direct activity, an excess of phenolic compounds detectable in red wine, may exert an additional indirect action by blocking oxysterol-related NOX1 induction, thus totally preventing the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory events triggered by dietary oxysterols....(more)
Biasi F, et al. Biochem Pharmacol 2013 Apr 9.
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- 24. Effects of red wine intake on human salivary antiradical capacity and total polyphenol content.
The protective effects of grape polyphenols have been reported on oral health, though unreasonable alcohol consumption represents a risk factor for developing oral cancer. The possible effects of red wine consumption on salivary antiradical activity were investigated in health volunteers for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Time-course (from 0 min to 240 min) changes of salivary radical-scavenging capacity were measured by the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS<sup>·</sup><sup>+</sup>) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH<sup>·</sup>) assays, in twelve healthy volunteers, after the intake of red wine (125 mL), a capsule of red wine extract (300 mg) or water (125 mL). Furthermore, time course of salivary total polyphenol levels, detected by the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, was also determined. Both ABTS and DPPH tests showed that red wine consumption did not increase salivary antiradical activity in volunteers. Conversely, red wine extract administration caused a marked rise in salivary ABTS radical-scavenging capacity within 30 min, followed by a plateau up to 240 min. The same treatment also raised salivary DPPH radical-scavenging activity at any time point, though to a minor extent. The highest salivary polyphenol concentration was reached 30 min after wine drinking, followed by a steady decrease up to 240 min. Wine drinking was not associated to a reduced salivary antiradical capacity. However, wine extract greatly improved the salivary antioxidant status....(more)
Varoni EM, et al. Food Chem Toxicol 2013 Apr 30.
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- 25. In vitro fermentation of a red wine extract by human gut microbiota: changes in microbial groups and formation of phenolic metabolites.
An in vitro batch culture fermentation experiment was conducted with fecal inocula from three healthy volunteers in the presence and absence of a red wine extract. Changes in main bacterial groups were determined by FISH during a 48 h fermentation period. The catabolism of main flavonoids (i.e., flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins) and the formation of a wide a range of phenolic microbial metabolites were determined by a targeted UPLC-PAD-ESI-TQ MS method. Statistical analysis revealed that catechol/pyrocatechol, as well as 4-hydroxy-5-(phenyl)-valeric, 3- and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic, phenylacetic, phenylpropionic, and benzoic acids, showed the greatest increases in concentration during fermentation, whereas 5-(3'-hydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone, its open form 4-hydroxy-5-(3'-hydroxyphenyl)-valeric acid, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid represented the largest interindividual variations in the catabolism of red wine polyphenols. Despite these changes, microbial catabolism did not produce significant changes in the main bacterial groups detected, although a slight inhibition of the Clostridium histolyticum group was observed....(more)
Sánchez-Patán F, et al. J Agric Food Chem 2012 Mar 7;60(9):2136-47.
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- 26. Red wine extract protects against oxidative-stress-induced endothelial senescence.
Red wine polyphenols may preserve endothelial function during aging. Endothelial cell senescence enhances age-related endothelial dysfunction. We investigated whether RWE (red wine extract) prevents oxidative-stress-induced senescence in HUVECs (human umbilical-vein endothelial cells). Senescence was induced by exposing HUVECs to tBHP (t-butylhydroperoxide), and quantified by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining. RWE (0-50 μg/ml) concentration dependently decreased senescence by maximally 33±7.1%. RWE prevented the senescence-associated increase in p21 protein expression, inhibited tBHP-induced DNA damage of endothelial cells and induced relaxation of PCAs (porcine coronary arteries). Inhibition of SIRT1 (sirtuin 1) by sirtinol partially reversed the effect of RWE on tBHP-induced senescence, whereas both the NOS (nitric oxide synthase) inhibitor L-NMMA (NG-monomethyl-L-arginine) and the COX (cyclo-oxygenase) inhibitor indomethacin fully inhibited it. Furthermore, incubation of HUVECs with RWE increased eNOS (endothelial NOS) and COX-2 mRNA levels as well as phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177. RWE protects endothelial cells from tBHP-induced senescence. NO and COX-2, in addition to activation of SIRT1, play a critical role in the inhibition of senescence induction in human endothelial cells by RWE....(more)
Botden IP, et al. Clin Sci (Lond) 2012 Oct;123(8):499-507.
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- 27. Red wine polyphenolics reduce the expression of inflammation markers in human colon-derived CCD-18Co myofibroblast cells: potential role of microRNA-126.
Chronic intestinal inflammation is an established risk factor for colon cancer. Polyphenolic compounds from fruit and vegetables have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in several cell lines and tissues. However, their anti-inflammatory mechanisms, involving microRNAs in the regulation of inflammation, have not been extensively investigated. The goal of this research was to assess the chemopreventive potential of polyphenolics extracted from red wine made with Lenoir grapes (Vitis aestivalis hybrid) in human colon-derived CCD-18Co myofibroblasts cells, and to assess the potential involvement of microRNA-126 (miR-126) in the underlying mechanisms. The results show that the polyphenolic red wine extract (WE) decreased mRNA expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory mediators NF-kB, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and PECAM-1 by 1.95-, 1.98-, 1.52-, and 1.84-fold respectively, in a dose dependent manner (0-100 μg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) mL(-1)) down to 0.80-, 0.79-, 0.66-, and 0.68-fold in DMSO-treated control cells not challenged with LPS, respectively. Correspondingly, miR-126, which has a target region within the 3'-UTR of VCAM-1 mRNA, was increased 2.79-fold by the WE at 100 μg GAE mL(-1). The potential role of miR-126 was confirmed by transfecting cells with a specific miR-126-antagomir, as-miR-126. Transfection with as-miR-126 down-regulated miR-126 to 0.71-fold in the control cells and up-regulated mRNA levels of NF-kB, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and PECAM-1 to 1.80-, 1.49-, 2.30-, and 1.95-fold of controls, respectively. WE at 100 μg GAE mL(-1) partially reversed the effects of the as-miR-126 to 1.02-, 1.01-, 1.04-, and 1.05-fold, for mRNA levels of NF-kB, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and PECAM-1 respectively. This indicates the potential role of miR-126 in the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenolics from red wine in CCD-18Co myofibroblasts cells....(more)
Angel-Morales G, et al. Food Funct 2012 Jul;3(7):745-52.
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- 28. The effects of new Alibernet red wine extract on nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
We aimed to perform a chemical analysis of both Alibernet red wine and an alcohol-free Alibernet red wine extract (AWE) and to investigate the effects of AWE on nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production as well as blood pressure development in normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Total antioxidant capacity together with total phenolic and selected mineral content was measured in wine and AWE. Young 6-week-old male WKY and SHR were treated with AWE (24,2 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks. Total NOS and SOD activities, eNOS and SOD1 protein expressions, and superoxide production were determined in the tissues. Both antioxidant capacity and phenolic content were significantly higher in AWE compared to wine. The AWE increased NOS activity in the left ventricle, aorta, and kidney of SHR, while it did not change NOS activity in WKY rats. Similarly, increased SOD activity in the plasma and left ventricle was observed in SHR only. There were no changes in eNOS and SOD1 expressions. In conclusion, phenolics and minerals included in AWE may contribute directly to increased NOS and SOD activities of SHR. Nevertheless, 3 weeks of AWE treatment failed to affect blood pressure of SHR....(more)
Kondrashov A, et al. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2012;2012:806285.
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- 29. Chinese red yeast rice attenuates the development of angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular disease characterized by medial degradation and inflammation. No medical approaches have been validated for treating AAA, and therapeutic options are limited to regular surveillance leading to surgical intervention. This study aimed to investigate whether administration of Chinese red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus; RYR) suppressed angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AAA and atherosclerosis.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Apolipoprotein E-deficient male mice fed a normal diet were administered either RYR extract (200 mg/kg/day) or vehicle by gavage for 1 week before initiating AngII infusion (1000 ng/kg/min) via subcutaneous osmotic pumps for 28 days. Red yeast rice extract administration significantly suppressed AngII-induced expansion of suprarenal diameter and area (P<.05). Furthermore, RYR extract significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion areas in both the intima of aortic arches and cross sections of aortic roots (P<.05). These effects were associated with reductions of serum total cholesterol, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and increases of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor, but no changes in serum interleukin (IL) 1α, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, MMP-9 and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in aortic walls.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrated that RYR extract administration suppressed AngII-induced AAA and atherosclerosis associated with regulating inflammation responses independent of lipid-lowering effects. Red yeast rice may have preventive potential for patients with AAA.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved....(more)
Xie X, et al. J Nutr Biochem 2012 Jun;23(6):549-56.
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- 30. Nutraceuticals for blood pressure control in patients with high-normal or grade 1 hypertension.
BACKGROUND:
Current hypertension management guidelines do not recommend drug treatment in subjects with blood pressure (BP) in the high-normal range due to the risk of side effects of the currently available antihypertensive agents that overcomes the possible benefit. Nutraceuticals are free from relevant side effects and could be a valuable strategy for the treatment of these patients.
AIM:
The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of two nutraceutical compositions given by the combination of policosanol, red yeast rice extract, berberine, folic acid and coenzyme Q(10) with or without Orthosiphon stamineus in lowering the BP and lipid profile.
METHODS:
Thirty patients with grade 1 essential hypertension and low cardiovascular risk were analysed. At the end of a run-in period, patients were divided into two study arms and assigned to receive the nutraceutical combination with and without Orthosiphon stamineus. All participants underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring at the end of the run-in period and of the 4-week treatment with each of the two different nutraceutical combinations.
RESULTS:
In patients treated with Orthosiphon stamineus a significant reduction of mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP levels compared with baseline values was registered and the smoothness index calculated for systolic and diastolic BP showed a more reliable and homogeneous effect on BP over 24 hours. In contrast, nutraceutical treatment without Orthosiphon stamineus was not associated with a significant reduction of BP.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results show that the addition of Orthosiphon stamineus to the combination of nutraceuticals confers an antihypertensive effect that allows a surprisingly effective 24-hour BP control in hypertensive patients....(more)
Trimarco V, et al. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 2012 Sep 1;19(3):117-22.
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- 31. Use of a lipid-lowering food supplement in patients on hormone therapy following breast cancer.
AIM:
The aim of this paper was to determine the activity of a natural nutraceuticals combination (AP=Berberine+Red Yeast Rice) on dyslipidemia which frequently persists after life style changes in patients on hormone-therapy following breast cancer (HT-BC).
METHODS:
Twenty-one HT-BC patients, free of tumor, mean age 59.9 years, BMI 28,9 kg/m2, waist circumference 95.9 cm, with altered lipid profile (total cholesterol 269.0 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol 54.9 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol 184.0 mg/dL, and triglycerides 263.3 mg/dL) were recruited. They were recommended a 3-month period of diet followed by a 3-month period of treatment with AP 1 tablet/day. AP tablets contain berberine 500 mg, red yeast rice extract 200 mg (equivalent to 3 mg monacolins), policosanol 10 mg, folic acid 0.2 mg, coenzyme Q10 2 mg, and asthaxantin 0.5 mg.
RESULTS:
The lipid profile was significantly improved by AP vs. diet: 1.8% decrease in total cholesterol on diet and a further 15.3% decrease with AP vs. diet (P<0.001); a 3.1% decrease in LDL cholesterol after diet and an 18.9% decrease after AP treatment vs diet alone (P<0.01); a 2.3% decrease in triglycerides after diet alone and a 36.5% decrease after AP vs. diet (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Adequate life style therapy is effective in reducing, but not in normalizing, the lipid profile in patients on hormone-therapy following breast cancer. The use of natural nutraceuticals as AP, combined with diet, leads to a good therapeutic response and optimal acceptance by the patients....(more)
Zanardi M, et al. Minerva Ginecol 2012 Oct;64(5):431-5.
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- 32. Effect on LDL-cholesterol of a large dose of a dietary supplement with plant extracts in subjects with untreated moderate hypercholesterolaemia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
PURPOSE:
To determine the effect of 4 weeks of supplementation, then, withdrawal of a dietary supplement (DS) containing red yeast rice extract, policosanol and artichoke leaf extract at twice the recommended daily dose (6 tablets, 6-TAB) compared to the usual dose (3-TAB) or to a placebo (PLA), on blood lipid profiles and safety biomarkers.
METHODS:
Forty-five healthy subjects (15 per group), with untreated hypercholesterolaemia, were included in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
RESULTS:
After 4 weeks of supplementation, LDL-C was significantly lower in 6-TAB (-0.21 g/l; 95 % CI -0.38 to -0.03 g/l; p = 0.0217) and 3-TAB (-0.25 g/l; 95 % CI -0.42 to -0.07 g/l; p = 0.0071) compared to PLA, although no difference in LDL-cholesterol was observed between the two groups, while no effect was seen on triacylglycerol and HDL-cholesterol. Four weeks after the end of supplementation, no difference in LDL-C was seen between the PLA group and the DS-treated groups. The muscle breakdown biomarkers, as well as biomarkers of liver and renal function, were altered by neither dose of the DS. Acute application of the DS on permeabilised skeletal muscle fibres of rats did not induce deleterious effects on mitochondrial function.
CONCLUSIONS:
Supplementation with twice the recommended dose of the DS was effective in reducing LDL-cholesterol and appeared safe, but according to the present results, no additional benefit could be achieved compared to the recommended dose....(more)
Barrat E, et al. Eur J Nutr 2012 Dec 25.
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- 33. The treatment of hypercholesterolemic children: efficacy and safety of a combination of red yeast rice extract and policosanols.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
The prevention of cardiovascular risk, as occurs in lipoprotein disorders, is required since childhood. Aim of the study was to evaluate, in a group of children affected by primary dyslipidemia, the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a short-term treatment with a dietary supplement containing red yeast rice extract and policosanols.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
40 children affected by heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) (n=24) and Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH) (n=16), aged 8-16 years, were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. After a 4-week run-in period with only dietary advice, children received a dietary supplement containing 200mg red yeast rice extract, corresponding to 3mg of monacolins, and 10mg policosanols once-daily and placebo for 8 weeks, separated by a 4-week washout period. Lipid profile was assessed after each treatment period. The dietary supplement, compared with the placebo, significantly reduced total cholesterol by 18.5% (p<0.001), LDL-C levels by 25.1% (p<0.001), and apolipoprotein B by 25.3% (p<0.001) when patients were considered as a whole group. Similar results were obtained when FH and FCH were considered separately and no significant difference between groups was detected. No significant differences were observed in HDL-C and apolipoprotein A-I levels. No adverse effects were detected when liver and muscular enzymes (AST, ALT, and CK) were determined.
CONCLUSIONS:
The treatment with a dietary supplement containing red yeast rice extract and policosanols has been for the first time successfully employed in hypercholesterolemic children. Results indicate this strategy as an effective, safe and well tolerated in a short-term trial.
Copyright © 2009. Published by Elsevier B.V....(more)
Guardamagna O, et al. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2011 Jun;21(6):424-9.
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- 34. The impact of dietary changes and dietary supplements on lipid profile.
With a growing number of dietary interventions that claim to improve lipid profile, it is important to ensure that these claims are evidence based. The objective of this study was to make recommendations for dietary regimens by analyzing their effectiveness and the level of evidence. We searched MEDLINE as well as the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for nutritional studies. Meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials published in English and including data on the effect on blood lipid levels were used. Randomized controlled trials were included if they were at least 4 weeks in duration and had a minimum of 50 participants. We identified 22 different dietary interventions and reviewed 136 studies published between January 1990 and December 2009 that met our inclusion criteria. Our literature review showed that to improve lipid profile, the following regimens can be recommended fully: Mediterranean and Portfolio diets; low-fat diet; diet high in soy protein, fibre, or phytosterols; whole grain foods, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The consumption of nuts, a diet high in carbohydrates and protein, green tea, and red wine, as well as the supplementation with policosanol and red yeast rice extract, can be considered for improvement of the lipid profile, while the supplements of guggulipid, garlic, chromium, vitamin C, magnesium-pyridoxal-phosphate-glutamate, tocotrienols, and absorbitol cannot be recommended....(more)
Huang J, et al. Can J Cardiol 2011 Jul-Aug;27(4):488-505.
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- 35. [Lowered lipids efficiency of compound red yeast rice extract in rats with hyperlipidemia].
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of compound red yeast rice extract (CRYRE) on blood lipids, hemorheology and blood coagulant system in rats with hyperlipidemia.
METHOD:
SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group, model group, Xuezhikang group (0. 24 g x kg(-1)), CRYRE high dose group (2.4 g x kg(-1)), middle dose group (1.2 g x kg(-1)) and low dose group (0.6 g x kg(-1)). The normal control rats were given pure water, and rats of other five groups were given 10 mL kg lipid emulsion and subjected to daily intragastric administration simultaneously in two days, continuously for 3 weeks. After the last medication, all the rats were sacrificed for measurement of blood lipids, hemorheology and coagulation factors.
RESULT:
CRYRE 2.4 g x kg(-1) could significantly reduce the serum TG, TC levels and increase the HDL-C level (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CRYRE 0.6-2.4 g x kg(-1) could significantly increase the ratios of HDL-C/TG,HDL-C/TC and HDL-C/LDL-C (P < 0.01). CRYRE 2.4 g x kg(-1) also reduced whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), prolonged active partial thromboplastin time, and lowered fibrinogen content (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
CRYRE 2.4 g x kg(-1) could reduce blood lipids, blood viscosity and fibrinogen content, improve blood circulation, and depress the alteration of blood coagulant system resulted from lipid metabolic disorder in rats with hyperlipidemia....(more)
Chen Y, et al. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2010 Feb;35(4):504-7. Chinese.
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