We investigated whether standardized edible bird’s nest extract (BNE-PK) can prevent ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-mediated oxidative stress and photoaging in the skin using in vitro and in vivo models. BNE-PK increased skin hydration by hyaluronic acid synthesis and activation of ceramide synthase in UVB-irradiated hairless mice and HaCaT cells. Furthermore, BNE-PK suppressed melanogenesis by down-regulation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB/MITF/TRP-1/TRP-2/tyrosinase pathway in UVB-irradiated hairless mice and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-treated B16F10 cells. In UVB-irradiated hairless mice, BNE-PK attenuated the wrinkle formation-related JNK/c-FOS/c-Jun/MMP pathway and activated the TGF-βRI/SMAD3/pro-collagen type I pathway during UVB-mediated oxidative stress. Based on these findings, our data suggest that BNE-PK may potentially be used for the development of effective natural anti-photoaging functional foods for skin health.

The present study aimed to investigate the antihypercholesterolemic effects of krill oil supplementation in high-cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats, and the mechanisms underlying these effects. Rats were divided into five groups: normal control, control (high-cholesterol diet), krill oil 100 mg/kg b.w. (high-cholesterol diet with Krill oil 100 mg/kg b.w.), and krill oil 200 mg/kg b.w. (high-cholesterol diet with Krill oil 200 mg/kg b.w.). After 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed to observe the effects of krill oil on cholesterol synthesis and excretion. We found that krill oil supplementation suppressed total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels, as well as HMG-CoA reductase activity. It stimulated AMPK phosphorylation, LDL receptor and ACAT2 expression in the liver, and the fecal output of cholesterol. Furthermore, it decreased the levels of P-selectin, sVCAM-1, and NO, as well as aortic wall thickness, demonstrating its role in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Thus, we suggest that krill oil supplementation can reduce LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood during hypercholesterolemia by stimulating the uptake of LDL-cholesterol into tissue and cholesterol excretion, as well as inhibition of cholesterol synthesis.

Hyperuricemia, abnormally excess accumulation of uric acid, is caused by an imbalance between the production and excretion of uric acid and is a major cause of gout. We compared the effects of extracts from Chrysanthemum indicum L. (Ci) and Cornus officinalis Siebold and Zucc. (Co) on hyperuricemia, both individually and in combination (FSU-CC), using hypoxanthine-treated human liver cancer (HepG2) cells, primary mouse renal proximal tubule cells, and potassium oxonate induced hyperuricemic mice. The Ci contained 7.62 mg/g luteolin and 0 mg/g loganin, Co contained 0 mg/g luteolin and 4.90 mg/g loganin, and FSH-CC contained 3.95 mg/g luteolin and 2.48 mg/g loganin. We found that treatment with Ci, Co, and FSU-CC suppressed the activity of xanthine oxidase and mRNA expression of xanthine dehydrogenase while inducing an increase in the expression levels of the organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) and organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3) proteins and a decrease in the expression levels of glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) and urate transporter 1 (URAT1) proteins. Particularly, treatment and supplementation with FSU-CC showed stronger effects than those of supplementation with either Ci or Co alone. We observed that the excretion of creatinine and uric acid in the combination of Ci and Co was higher than that observed in their individual supplementations and was similar to that of the normal group. Therefore, our data suggest that a combination of Ci and Co may potentially be used for the development of effective natural anti-hyperuricemic functional foods.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Antarctic krill oil (FJH-KO) in a rat model of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) induced osteoarthritis. The effect of FJH-KO on the development and severity of MIA-induced osteoarthritis was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and micro-CT. The expression of PGE₂, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), and arthritics related genes in osteoarthritic rats in response to FJH-KO supplementation was investigated using real time PCR. FJH-KO supplementation in the arthritic rat model reduced tissue damage, cartilage degeneration, and reduced the MIA-induced irregularities in articular cartilage surface. Serum PGE₂, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were higher in MIA treated animals, but these levels decreased upon FJH-KO supplementation. When FJH-KO was provided at a dose of 150 mg/kg b.w to MIA-treated animals, it significantly increased the mRNA expression of anabolic factors. The mRNA expression of catabolic factors was significantly decreased MIA-treated animals that were provided FJH-KO at a dose of 100 and 150 mg/kg b.w. Moreover, the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators was significantly decreased MIA-treated animals supplemented with FJH-KO. These results suggest supplementation with FJH-KO ameliorates the irregularities in articular cartilage surface and improves the inflammatory response in the osteoarthritis. Thus, FJH-KO could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis treatment.

For this research article, we investigated the protective effects of enzyme-treated caviar powder extract (CV) in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated hairless mice and keratinocytes by confirming moisturizing-related factors and elasticity-related factors. UVB irradiation induced wrinkle formation, dehydration, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the dorsal skin of mice; however, these were suppressed in the CV-supplemented groups in UVB-irradiated hairless mice. Furthermore, in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes, CV treatment increased the antioxidant enzyme activities and the levels of sphingomyelin and hyaluronic acid and decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of IkB-α and p65 phosphorylation. These findings indicate that CV can directly protect keratinocytes against UVB irradiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, we suggest that CV can protect against UVB-induced skin photoaging. Therefore, we suggest that caviar is effective for skin health by preventing UVB-induced skin photoaging.

The present research purposed to examine the gastro-protective effect of Glycine max (L.) Merr. fermented using Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. delbrueckii Rosell-187 (Gastro-AD^®) on ethanol/HCl-induced gastric damage, specifically on gastric acid secretion. After oral supplementation of Gastro-AD^® to Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats with ethanol/HCl-induced gastric damage, we determined that Gastro-AD^® attenuated the gastric mucosal lesion, hemorrhage and gastric acid secretion induced by ethanol/HCl. In addition, we observed that the Gastro-AD^® treatment increased the serum prostaglandin E2 level and decreased the levels of gastric acid secretion-related receptors in both gastric tissues and primary gastric parietal cells. Furthermore, it decreased the levels of inflammatory factors, including serum histamine and expression of p-IκB, p-p65, iNOS and COX-2 and the activity of apoptotic signaling pathways, including those involving p-JNK, Bcl2/Bax, Fas, FADD, caspase-8 and caspase-3, in the stomach of the ethanol/HCl-treated rats. Thus, we suggest that Gastro-AD^® supplementation may reduce ethanol/HCl-induced gastric acid secretion and prevent gastric injury.