Many components in urine are useful in clinical diagnosis and urinary proteins are known as important components to define many diseases such as proteinuria, kidney, bladder and urinary tract diseases. In this study, we focused on the comparison of different sample preparation methods for isolating urinary proteins prior to protein analysis of pooled healthy and lung cancer patient samples. Selective method was used for preliminary investigation of some putative urinary protein markers. Urine samples were passed first through a gel filtration column (PD-10 desalting column) to remove high salts and subsequently concentrated. Remaining interferences were removed by ultrafiltration or four precipitation methods. The analysis of urinary proteins by high-performance liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed many similarities in profiles among preparation methods and a few profiles were different between normal and lung cancer patients. In contrast, the results of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) showed more distinctly different protein patterns. Our finding showed that the sequential preparation of urinary proteins by gel filtration and ultrafiltration could retain most urinary proteins which demonstrated the highest protein spots on 2-D gels and able to identify preliminary urinary protein markers related to cancer. Although sequential preparation of urine samples by gel filtration and protein precipitation resulted in low amounts of proteins on 2-D gels, high Mr proteins were easily detected. Therefore, there are alternative choices for urine sample preparation for studying the urinary proteome and identifying urinary protein markers important for further preclinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro bioactivities associated with the content of phytochemicals in the extracts from perilla seed meal extract (PSME) compared with dietary seed (PSE). PSE had higher total phenolics and flavonoids content than PSME. However, hydrophilic phytochemical contents in PSME were quantitatively equivalent to PSE. Rosmarinic acid was predominantly found in both extracts. Cell viability and anti‐mutagenicity testing demonstrated that PSE and PSME were biosecured and non‐genotoxic. Both extracts strongly scavenged free radicals and significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The extracts drastically diminished nitric oxide (NO) production of LPS‐treated RAW 264.7 cells via iNOS mRNA expression. The expression of IL‐6 and COX‐2 were evidently inhibited by these extracts. It could be concluded that PSE and PSME clearly showed in vitro anti‐mutagenicity, antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory capacities. In particular, the by‐product perilla seed meal could be considered as a high nutritive functional food. Practical applications This study suggests that the seed meals, a by‐product from seed oil industry, can be utilized as a valuable dietary source for humans and animals. The high content of polyphenols and their bioactivities can be developed as functional foods, and excipients and fillers in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals production. Moreover, recycling of the by‐product seed meals should also reduce environmental and sanitary pollution.

Increasing numbers of diabetic patients, especially those with type II, can link their condition to changes in eating habits. Black rice and red rice are not only a source of carbohydrate but also rich sources of antioxidants, especially proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins. This study determines the effect consuming a black rice extract (BRE) or a red rice extract (RRE) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the diabetic group were determined and compared to that of the control group. The results demonstrate that consumption of BRE, 50 mg/kg body weight (BW), or RRE, 100 mg/kg BW, could significantly reduce the blood glucose level of the diabetic rats after eight weeks. Consumption of BRE, 100 mg/kg BW or RRE, 50 mg/kg BW, also clearly decreased the triglyceride level. The cholesterol level in the diabetic group fed with BRE or RRE decreased as well. Thus daily consumption of black rice, red rice, or having their extracts in food supplements may prevent the onset of diabetes.

In this study, the chemopreventive properties of Perilla frutescens leaf extract (PLE) on rat colon carcinogenesis were investigated during initiation and postinitiation stages. Rats were fed orally by 50 and 500 mg/kg bw of PLE continuously from 1 week before subcutaneously injection of 1,2dimethylhydrazine (DMH) until the end of experiment. PLE administration reduced the aberrant crypt foci (ACF) number in DMH-treated rats through the inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) and bacterial b-glucuronidase activity in the colonic lumen. These events led to the reduction of DNA methylation in colonic epithelial cells. For the postinitiation model, rats were injected (s.c.) with DMH, followed by PLE administration until the end of experiment. PLE administration also reduced the ACF number in DMH-induced rats, resulting from apoptosis induction and reduction of proliferation in colon crypt cells. These studies demonstrated that perilla leaf could inhibit ACF formation and progression in DMH-initiated colon carcinogenesis in rats. Practical applicationsThis study revealed the inhibitory effect of PLE on chemical-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats.Altogether, our data supported that PLE acts as a chemopreventive agent for colon cancer. Thus, PLE might be developed as food supplement or functional tea for colon cancer prevention. K E Y W O R D S aberrant crypt foci, colon cancer, DNA methylation, functional food, perilla leaf, xenobiotic metabolism