This study examined the anti-osteoarthritic effects of a Curcuma longa Linn ethanol extract (CLE), standardized to 500 mg/g of curcuminoids, in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were divided into a normal control group (NC), OA control group (OC), OA +10, 20, 30, or 50 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day CLE-administered group (O+CL10, O+CL20, O+CL30, or O+CL50), and OA+150 mg/kg BW/day methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM, positive control)-administered group (O+M). The rats were given oral doses of CLE or MSM for 5 weeks, with an intra-articular injection of MIA into their knee joints on the 15th day to induce OA. Micro-computed tomography, histological examination, and immunofluorescence staining were performed on the knee joint. The inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) mRNA expression were measured in the knee joint synovial fluid. The OC group showed more severe knee joint swelling and subchondral bone erosion than the NC group, and aggrecan and type II collagen expression in the articular cartilage was reduced. The OC group exhibited lower mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and MMPs than the NC group. In OA-induced rats, the oral administration of the CLE reduced knee swelling and cartilage degradation and increased aggrecan and type II collagen expression in the articular cartilage. CLE administration reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, 5-lipoxygenase, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in the synovia of knee joints. In particular, these levels reached the same as the positive control group, the O+M group. The CLE had potent anti-OA effects in MIA-induced OA rats by suppressing the expression of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and MMPs, alleviating cartilage degradation. Hence, the CLE is a potential functional food ingredient that can prevent and improve OA.

Steamed ginger ethanolic extract (GGE03) has been shown to exert anti-obesity effects, yet its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates the metabolic impact of GGE03 on lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, and energy regulation in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model. C57BL/6N mice were fed a control diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with GGE03 (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. GGE03 significantly reduced body weight gain (HFD: 18.1 ± 0.3 g vs. HFD+GGE03 200 mg/kg/day: 13.4 ± 0.2 g, p < 0.05) and fat mass percentage (HFD: significantly higher vs. HFD+GGE03 50, 100, 200 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05). Serum glucose levels were decreased from 220.2 ± 8.2 mg/dL (HFD) to 169.6 ± 5.9 mg/dL (HFD+GGE03 200 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05), and triglyceride levels were reduced from 82.9 ± 4.2 mg/dL (HFD) to 57.2 ± 2.9 mg/dL (p < 0.05). Insulin resistance, as measured by HOMA-IR, was improved by up to 54.9% compared to the HFD (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, GGE03 administration increased AMPK phosphorylation (p-AMPK/AMPK ratio significantly elevated by HFD+GGE03 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05) and upregulated fatty acid oxidation gene expression (Cpt-1), while suppressing lipogenesis-related genes (Srebp-1c, Fas, and Acc1). GGE03 improved obesity-related metabolic disturbances in high-fat diet-induced mice, with beneficial effects associated with AMPK signaling and lipid metabolism. These findings suggest the potential of GGE03 as a functional food ingredient for obesity prevention and management.

Background: Centella asiatica has been widely recognized for its dermatological benefits; however, clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of oral supplementation for improving skin aging parameters remains limited. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of oral Centella asiatica extract on skin wrinkles and related skin parameters in middle-aged women. Methods: A total of 112 participants were randomized to receive either Centella asiatica extract (200 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Skin wrinkle parameters were quantitatively assessed using a three-dimensional skin imaging system (PRIMOS^®). Skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), elasticity, and skin color (brightness and redness) were additionally measured using validated non-invasive instruments. Efficacy analyses were performed in the per-protocol population. Results: After 12 weeks of supplementation, the Centella asiatica extract group demonstrated significant improvements in multiple wrinkle parameters compared with the baseline. Average wrinkle depth decreased by 11.1%, and the mean depth of the largest wrinkle decreased by 14.4%. Maximum wrinkle depth and total wrinkle volume were reduced by 13.3% and 13.7%, respectively, while surface roughness (Ra) decreased by 10.4%. In contrast, the placebo group showed minimal or inconsistent changes. Epidermal hydration at the cheek site significantly increased, while transepidermal water loss decreased, indicating improved skin barrier function. However, the magnitude of changes in epidermal hydration (2.7%), skin elasticity (R2; 0.7%), and skin brightness (L*; 0.7%) were relatively small. Skin elasticity and skin brightness showed statistically significant differences compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05), but these changes should be interpreted as modest improvements. No serious adverse events were reported, and all hematological and biochemical safety markers remained within normal reference ranges during the 12-week intervention period. Conclusions: Oral supplementation with Centella asiatica extract for 12 weeks was associated with improvements in wrinkle-related parameters and TEWL, while changes in skin hydration, elasticity, and brightness were modest and of limited magnitude. These findings suggest a potential role for short-term supplementation; however, further studies are required to confirm long-term efficacy and broader applicability.