The effects of unripe apple mask pack made from unripe apple extracts on the skin status of middle-aged women for 4 weeks were investigated. The subjects were divided into three groups: placebo mask pack as the control (PM, n = 8), apple mask pack (AM, n = 16), and apple mask pack + apple intake (AAM, n = 12). The study included a survey questionnaire, and evaluations of nutrients intakes and of skin status. Skin status was measured by Aramo-TS. After 4 weeks, facial moisture, elasticity, evenness, and wrinkle level were improved in AM and AAM. The facial moisture level (AM: +3.13 ± 2.73, AAM: +2.25 ± 2.93) and elasticity level (AM: +5.81 ± 8.27, AAM: +5.50 ± 6.13) of AM (p < 0.001) and AAM (p < 0.05) were increased. The facial evenness level (AM: -5.25 ± 8.13, AAM: -9.17 ± 4.26) and wrinkle level (AM: -10.88 ± 11.74, AAM: -17.83 ± 12.22) were significantly decreased. AAM was more effective in improving skin elasticity, evenness, and wrinkle. The skin status of PM was not changed. While the macronutrient intakes of all the subjects were not different before and after the study, the daily intakes of some vitamins (vitamins B 6 , C, and E and folic acid) during the study were significantly increased in AAM. These findings suggested that regular use of apple mask pack was effective in improving overall skin status. Furthermore, the consumption of apples with mask pack application was much better in improving skin status. (

This study was performed to investigate the effects of Cheonggukjang added with Job's tears (CAJT) on antiobesity and lipid profiles on diet-induced obese rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high-fat diet only (A, control), and high-fat diet with Cheonggukjang powder 10% (B), CAJT powder 10% (C), Cheonggukjang powder 20% (D), CAJT powder 20% (E) for 5 weeks. Body weight gains were similar in the experimental groups, but FER was significantly lower in the group E than group A (p<0.05), and adipose tissue weights in groups with Cheonggukjang and CAJT powder were similar to those in the group A. The lengths of small intestine were significantly longer in the groups B, C, D, and E than the group A (p<0.05). Hepatic concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were similar to each other. Fecal weights were not significantly different among the groups. Fecal TC concentrations were similar in the experimental groups, but fecal TG concentrations were greatly increased in the groups B, D, and E (p<0.05). The serum TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels varied slightly among the groups, but serum TG levels were decreased in the group D and E than in the group A (p<0.05). The AI and CRF were marginally decreased in the groups B, D, and E than in the group A (p<0.05). However, blood glucose levels were not significantly different among the groups. From the findings, it had shown that Job's tears Cheonggukjang could improve lipid profiles.

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