Application of Natural Ingredients to Preventive Medicine

Abstract

The super-aging society in Japan is currently experiencing growing demand for treatments that improve health and longevity. To develop new high-functional foods and search for pharmaceutical candidates among foods and natural products, it is necessary to promote organic collaboration among researchers in pharmacy, medicine, nutrition, and otherˆelds to encourage joint utilization of their technologies. Recently, attempts have been made to use numerous foods and natural products to prevent or treat diseases based on scientiˆc evidence. We have been endeavoring to develop preventive medicines from foods and natural ingredients by engaging in relevant activities such as screening these substances to determine the structures of their eŠective ingredients, verifying pharmacological activities, and conducting clinical trials. In this study, the eŠectiveness of Goishi tea (postfermented tea) and Flos Lonicerae (Japanese honeysuckle) for metabolic syndrome and hepatic disorders, respectively, was explored. Multicomponent foods and natural ingredients have diverse eŠects produced by the actions of individual components as well as the interactions among diŠerent components. Additionally, when using natural ingredients and similar materials, it is necessary to consider the diŠerent extraction e‹ciencies of various methods and their absorption, deposition, metabolism, and excretion after consumption. The in‰uence of intestinal bacteria and other factors is also critical. In our study, the administration of Goishi tea and Flos Lonicerae in animal models of disease demonstrated high functionality. Based on theseˆndings, we plan to conduct further investigations, including clinical studies in human participants, focusing on the potential usefulness of Goishi tea and Flos Lonicerae as functional foods.

Effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined with Antibiotics for Extensively Drug-Resistant Enterobacteria and Nonfermentative Bacteria Infection: Real-Life Experience in a Retrospective Cohort

“…Jin yin hua is one of the most common CHMs used for clearing heat and detoxifying; this herb possesses a variety of bioactive effects, such as antibacterial [ 18 ], antipyretic [ 19 ], anti-inflammatory [ 20 ], and antiviral properties [ 21 ] and liver protection [ 22 ]. Jin yin hua contains more than 140 compounds, including flavonoids, iridoids, organic acids, and saponins, such as chlorogenic acid, luteolin, loganin, and loniceroside A [ 23 ].…”

Isorhamnetin Suppresses Human Gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation through Mitochondria-Dependent Apoptosis

“…Thus, novel strategies are needed to alleviate the progression and mortality of GC. Due to the advantages of multi-target, multi-link, and small side effects, natural medicine has recently become an emerging option for clinical anticancer drug investigation [4]. For example, natural product-derived doxorubicin and camptothecin have been widely used as an anticancer drug [5].…”

Nanoparticles of Liquid Smoke Rice Husk Inhibit Porphyromonas gingivalis

“…4 The latest research is growing related to the processing of natural ingredients as a suitable alternative as an antimicrobial that is safer for consumption in the long term. 5 One of the developments of liquid smoke rice husks the health sector is as an antimicrobial agent; this is supported by the stimulation of a healing process in the oral mucosa against several bacteria. 6,7 The active content of liquid smoke rice husks forms origin of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.…”