The inhibitory activities of the Cordyceps pruinosa butanol fraction (Cp‐BF) were investigated by determining inflammatory responses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated RAW264.7 macrophage cells and by evaluating HCl/ethanol (EtOH)‐triggered gastric ulcers in mice. The molecular mechanisms of the inhibitory effects of Cp‐BF were investigated by identifying target enzymes using biochemical and molecular biological approaches. Cp‐BF strongly inhibited the production of NO and TNF‐α, release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), phagocytic uptake of FITC‐dextran, and mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)‐6, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF)‐α in activated RAW264.7 cells. Cp‐BF also strongly downregulated the NF‐κB pathway by suppressing IKKβ according to luciferase reporter assays and immunoblot analysis. Furthermore, Cp‐BF blocked both increased levels of NF‐κB‐mediated luciferase activities and phosphorylation of p65/p50 observed by IKKβ overexpression. Finally, orally administered Cp‐BF was found to attenuate gastric ulcer and block the phosphorylation of IκBα induced by HCl/EtOH. Therefore, these results suggest that the anti‐inflammatory activity of Cp‐BF may be mediated by suppression of IKKα and its downstream NF‐κB activation. Since our group has established the mass cultivation conditions by developing culture conditions for Cordyceps pruinosa, the information presented in this study may be useful for developing new anti‐inflammatory agents.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight accelerates skin aging, leading to various clinical manifestations such as wrinkles, dryness, and loss of elasticity. This study investigated the protective effects of porcine placenta peptide (PPP) against UVB-induced skin photoaging. Female hairless SKH-1 mice were orally administered PPP for 12 weeks, followed by UVB irradiation. PPP significantly reduced wrinkle formation, improved skin moisture levels, and prevented collagen degradation. Mechanistically, PPP inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and upregulated collagen production. Moreover, PPP elevated hyaluronic acid levels, contributing to enhanced skin hydration. Additionally, PPP demonstrated antioxidant properties by increasing the expression of the antioxidant enzyme GPx-1, thereby reducing UVB-induced inflammation. Further molecular analysis revealed that PPP suppressed the activation of p38 MAP kinase and JNK signaling pathways, crucial mediators of UV-induced skin damage. These findings highlight the potential of porcine placental peptides as a natural and effective intervention against UVB-induced skin photoaging. The study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of PPP, emphasizing its potential applications in skincare and anti-aging formulations.

The excessive storage of triglycerides in adipose tissue is a characteristic feature of obesity, which arises from an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential anti-obesity effects of Salacia reticulata extracts (SC) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced in obese mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, with a specific focus on understanding the underlying lipid mechanisms. Mice were fed with a normal diet (NC; normal control), HFD (60% high-fat diet), Met (HFD containing metformin 250 mg/kg b.w.), SC25 (HFD containing SC 25 mg/kg b.w.), SC50 (HFD containing SC 50 mg/kg b.w.), or SC 100 (HFD containing SC 100 mg/kg b.w.) for 12 weeks. Notably, SC supplementation led to significant reductions in body weight gain, adipose tissue weight, adipose tissue mass, and adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, SC supplementation exerted inhibitory effects on the adipogenesis and lipogenesis pathways while promoting lipolysis and thermogenesis pathways in the adipose tissues of HFD-fed mice. In vitro experiments using 3T3-L1 cells demonstrated that SC treatment during the differentiation phase suppressed adipogenesis and lipogenesis, whereas SC treatment after differentiation, activated lipolysis and thermogenesis. Collectively, these findings indicate that SC exhibits a direct influence on the lipid metabolism of adipocytes, making it an effective candidate for weight loss interventions.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease characterized by cartilage degradation, leading to bone friction, inflammation, stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of porcine-derived chondroitin sulfate sodium (CS) on OA symptoms at both cellular and animal levels. In vitro study, HTB-94 chondrocytes were treated with inflammatory stimuli and CS (10, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) to assess the release of inflammatory mediators and the expression of genes and proteins related to cartilage synthesis and degradation. In vivo study, an MIA-induced OA rat model was used, and CS (62, 124, and 248 mg/kg b.w.) was orally administered for 4 weeks. Key parameters, such as exercise capacity, micro-CT, histological evaluation of joint tissues, serum inflammatory markers, and the expression of mRNA and proteins (inflammatory, cartilage synthesis and degradation, and apoptosis markers), were analyzed. Porcine-derived CS significantly reduced PGE₂, NO, and extracellular matrix degradation marker (COMP and CTX-II) levels and increased the expression of cartilage synthesis-related genes and proteins in both HTB-94 cells and the MIA-induced rats. Additionally, CS modulated cartilage degradation pathways and notably inhibited apoptosis in vivo. The effects of porcine CS were comparable to the NSAID ibuprofen, demonstrating its potential as an anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective agent for OA management and dietary supplementation.

Jung JI, et al. Nutr Res Pract. 2023 Dec;17(6):1113-1127. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2023.17.6.1113