Context: Obesity is associated with a number of diseases with metabolic abnormalities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Medicinal plants have been widely used for the treatment of obesity and related complications. Objective: In this study, we investigated the antidiabetic properties of the extract of twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Blume (Lauraceae) (Cinnamomi Ramulus; CR) in 3T3-L1 murine preadipocytes. Materials and methods: 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated into adipocytes for 3 d in insulinconditioned medium and then treated with CR extract at concentrations of 100 and 500 mg/mL for 6 d. Adipocyte differentiation was measured by Oil Red O staining, and the expression of master transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARg), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha (C/EBPa), and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and lipid metabolism factors were investigated by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/ insulin signaling pathway was assessed by western blot analysis. Results: CR extract significantly reduced lipid accumulation and down-regulated the expression of PPARg, C/EBPa, and SREBP-1c in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CR extract also suppressed the expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS), acyl-CoA synthase, and perilipin. Moreover, CR extract markedly up-regulated the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In addition, CR extract effectively increased the expression levels of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Discussion and conclusion: These results suggest that CR extract may have therapeutic potential as a natural agent for the improvement of T2D via regulation of the insulin-dependent signaling pathway. Keywords3T3-L1 Adipocyte, Cinnamomi Ramulus, lipid metabolism, type 2 diabetes History

Ethnopharmacological Relevance In this study, we investigated the effects of Tribulus terrestris fruit (Leguminosae, Tribuli Fructus, TF) extract on oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis in mice. Materials and Methods TF extract was prepared with 30% ethanol as solvent. The 1% TF extract with or without 0.1% HC was applied to the back skin daily for 24 days. Results 1% TF extract with 0.1% HC improved AD symptoms and reduced TEWL and symptom scores in AD mice. 1% TF extract with 0.1% HC inhibited skin inflammation through decrease in inflammatory cells infiltration as well as inhibition of Orai-1 expression in skin tissues. TF extract inhibited Orai-1 activity in Orai-1-STIM1 cooverexpressing HEK293T cells but increased TRPV3 activity in TRPV3-overexpressing HEK293T cells. TF extract decreased β-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that the topical application of TF extract improves skin inflammation in AD mice, and the mechanism for this effect appears to be related to the modulation of calcium channels and mast cell activation. This outcome suggests that the combination of TF and steroids could be a more effective and safe approach for AD treatment.

Context:Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid. (Lemnaceae), Spirodelae Herba (SH), has been known to relieve inflammation, urticaria and skin symptoms including pruritus, eczema and rash.Objective: The effects of SH extract on two calcium ion channels, Orai1 and TRPV3, and their potential as novel therapeutics for atopic dermatitis (AD) were investigated. The regulatory role of Orai1 on mast cell degranulation was evaluated.Materials and methods: The dried leaves of SH were extracted by 70% methanol. Effects of SH extract (100 μg/mL) in an HEK293T cell line overexpressing human Orai1 or TRPV3 were assessed. Ion channel modulation in transfected HEK293T cells was measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. IgE-antigen complex-stimulated mast cell degranulation was measured by β-hexosaminidase assay with morphological observation after treatment with 20, 50 and 100 μg/mL SH extract.Results: SH extract (100 μg/mL) significantly inhibited Orai1 activity (63.8 ± 0.97%) in Orai1-STIM1 co-overexpressed HEK293T cells. SH extract significantly increased TRPV3 activity (81.29 ± 0.05% at −100 mV) compared with the positive control 2-APB (100 μM), which induced full activation. SH extract inhibited degranulation in IgE-antigen complex-stimulated RBL-2H3 mast cells by decreasing β-hexosaminidase activity (3.14 ± 0.03, 2.56 ± 0.12 and 2.29 ± 0.08 mU/mg, respectively).Conclusion: Our results suggested that SH extract could treat abnormal skin barrier pathologies in AD through modulation of the activities of the calcium ion channels Orai1 and TRPV3 and inhibition of mast cell degranulation. This is the first report of an herbal effect on the modulation of ion channels associated with skin barrier disruption in AD pathogenesis.

The Sasang constitutional medicine has long been applied to diagnose and treat patients with various diseases. Studies have been conducted for establishment of scientific evidence supporting Sasang Constitutional (SC) diagnosis. Recent human microbiome studies have demonstrated individual variations of gut microbiota which can be dependent on lifestyle and health conditions. We hypothesized that gut microbial similarities and discrepancies may exist across SC types. We compared the difference of gut microbiota among three constitutions (So-Yang, So-Eum, and Tae-Eum), along with the investigation of anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were predominant phyla in all SC types. The median plot analysis suggested that Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes appeared more abundant in SE and TE, respectively, in the male subjects of 20–29 years old. At the genus level, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides manifested the difference between SE and TE types. For anthropometry, body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference of the TE type were significantly higher than those of the other types. Overall, findings indicated a possible link between SC types and gut microbiota within a narrow age range. Further investigations are deemed necessary to elucidate the influences of age, gender, and other factors in the context of SC types and gut microbiota.

Traditional Korean medicines with antioxidant properties are believed to have potential therapeutic effects against oxidative stress in cerebral ischemia. In this study, the antioxidant effects of Joongpoongtang 05 (JP05) were evaluated in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with JP05 (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) for 5 days showed a reduction in infarct sizes and a decrease in oxidants after MCAO. Furthermore, a significant inhibition of enzymatic antioxidants in the ischemic cerebral cortex was observed. Treatment with JP05 reversed the inhibition to normal levels. In the glutathione system, the reduced glutathione (GSH) level was decreased while oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was increased in MCAO rats. Treatment with JP05 increased the GSH/GSSG ratio and redox index by enhancing the synthesis of GSH from GSSG. Moreover, in vitro studies showed that JP05 has strong antioxidant activity in the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical assays. The present findings suggest that JP05 treatment can contribute to a protective effect on brain ischemia through antioxidant mechanisms.