Purpose Previous reports showed that some probiotics provide beneficial effects on various diseases including metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of Lactiplantibacillus (L.) plantarum SKO-001 (SKO-001), a probiotic strain newly isolated from Angelica gigas. Methods C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat) for four weeks, and then different doses of SKO-001 (n = 10 each group) were orally given for 12 weeks. Following treatment, body weight, fat weight, serum parameters and adipose and liver tissues were analyzed. Results SKO-001 (2 × 1010 CFU/day, per os) reduced body weight gain after 10th week of administration, accompanied by a reduction in body fat mass of mice. In the SKO-001-fed group, increased serum adiponectin, decreased leptin, insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triglyceride levels were observed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of various fat depots showed that increased adipocyte size caused by HFD intake was markedly reduced and correlated with reduced mRNA levels of lipogenesis genes, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha, and increased uncoupling protein 1 levels. Similarly, SKO-001 reduced lipid accumulation, decreased the mRNA levels of lipogenic genes, and reduced α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type 1 alpha 1 levels in the liver. Conclusions SKO-001 ameliorates obesity and related metabolic abnormalities in adipose and liver tissues, possibly via the regulation of lipid metabolism. Based on the results of the present study, SKO-001 may be applicable as an anti-obesity therapeutic or functional food.

Skin acts as the primary defence organ and is composed of epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue 1 that protects against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, environmental toxins, allergens, pathogens, dehydration and other external threats. 2 Disruption of the skin barrier is associated with the development of inflammatory skin disease including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea and skin cancer. 3 Although UV irradiation can have beneficial effects, such as vitamin D synthesis and killing pathogens, acute and chronic UV exposure to human skin causes skin inflammation, photoageing and skin cancer. 4 UV light is divided into three components of different wavelengths:

Rice germ is an abundant source of ferulic acid, which is known for its anti-oxidant activity. This study aimed to evaluate the regulatory effects of fermented rice germ extracts on hepatic glucose metabolism in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. Rice germ was fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum and extracted with 30% ethanol (RG_30E) or 50% ethanol (RG_50E). Mice were fed modified AIN-93 diets containing fermented rice germ extracts and ferulic acid for 8 weeks. RG_50E significantly reduced food intake as well as liver weight and RG_30E and RG_50E improved glucose homeostasis, as indicated by fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance. Hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in db/db mice fed RG_30E and RG_50E. The antioxidant capacity of RG_30E and RG_50E was confirmed by a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and an increase in hepatic superoxide dismutase activity. The expression of genes related to glycolysis and gluconeogenesis was significantly regulated by RG_30E and RG_50E. These results suggest that fermented rice germ extracts have the potential to regulate hypoglycemia and hepatic glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes db/db mice.

Here, we compared the chemical properties and antioxidant effects of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and pink pepper (Schinus molle L.). Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of pink pepper were measured to determine nutraceutical potential. Pink peppers from Brazil (PPB), India (PPI), and Sri Lanka (PPS) had higher Hunter a* (redness) values and lower L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) values than black pepper from Vietnam (BPV). Fructose and glucose were detected in PPB, PPI, and PPS, but not in BPV. PPB, PPI, and PPS had greater 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical scavenging stabilities and higher total phenolic contents than BPV. BPV had higher levels of piperine than the pink peppers. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, epicatechin, and p-coumaric acid were detected only in the three pink peppers. PPB significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced reactive oxygen species production with increased Nrf2 translocation from cytosol to nucleus and heme oxygenase-1 expression. PPB and PPS significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced nitrite production and nitric oxide synthase expression by suppressing phosphorylation of p38 without affecting cell viability. Additionally, PPB and PPS significantly suppressed ultraviolet B-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression by affecting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without cell cytotoxicity. These results suggest that pink pepper is a potential nutraceutical against oxidative and inflammatory stress.

Consumption of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals may help treat or prevent inflammation-related illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This study evaluated the effect of Croton hirtus L'Hér extract (CHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling cascades. CHE significantly suppressed LPS-induced NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in RAW264.7 macrophages, although cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression was not affected. CHE also suppressed LPS-induced IκB kinase (IKK), IκB, and p65 phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays of cytosol and nuclear p65 and the catalytic subunit of NF-κB showed that CHE suppressed LPS-induced p65 translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. CHE also suppressed LPS-induced Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that CHE prevents NO-mediated inflammation by suppressing NF-κB and inflammatory cytokines.