In order to investigate the hypoglycemic effects and potential mechanism of Pumpkin Polysaccharides, Pueraria Flavonoids and Pu-erh Tea Theabrownin on diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice were established and treated with the active components of plants. Results showed that the active components of plants treatment could result in the decrease of blood glucose and possessed the efficacy of insulin resistance alleviation in the diabetic mice. Furthermore, the levels of Nrf2/HO-1were up-regulated by the active components of plants, which indicated the involvement of the Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway in the hypoglycemic mechanism. Results suggested that Pumpkin Polysaccharides, Pueraria Flavonoids and Pu-erh Tea Theabrownin could ameliorate the T2DM and combined groups had much more efficient effects than its single groups which might be a promising candidate functional food or medicine for T2DM treatment.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibitors are currently used to manage Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Peptides derived from collagen has been stated to have DPP IV inhibitory properties. A double blind randomized trial has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of collagen peptides (CPT) as nutritional supplement in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Resistant dextrin, a non-digestible dietary polymer, has been used as active comparator in this study. The subjects have been advised to consume 10g per day either CPT or resistant dextrin for 90 days. There is significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1C in three months study period in subjects who have taken oral ingestion of CPT. Insulin sensitivity measured in as HOMA IR has been improved significantly in CPT group. Study demonstrates the potential role of CPT as add on nutritional supplement for the management of type 2 diabetes.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum has been much investigated while there have been virtually no comparison of its chemical compositions. Eight Zanthoxylum bungeanum species: Chenjiawuci (CW), Dangcunwuci (DW), Fengjiao (FJ), Hanchengdahongpao (HD), Hanchengwuci (HW), Qin’anyihao (QY), Shizitou (SZ) and Xinongwuci (XW) were collected in China. The essential oils from the eight species were obtained by simultaneous distillation extraction and evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship among the eight species based on contents of chemical constituents in essential oils. Nighty-eight compounds were identified from all the species and their quantities are different quantity among the eight species. Terpinen-4-ol and Terpinyl acetate were the main components with contents DW ( 21.17% and 15.62%), HD (18.67% and 14.43%), HW (31.44% and 9.43%), QY (21.95% and 15.74%), SZ (25.83% and 10.18%), XW (13.05% and 19.36%). On the other hand, Terpinen-4-ol (25.20%) and Cymene (10.08%) were the main components for CW while Terpinen-4-ol (12.08%) and Linalool (28.71%) were the main components for CW. CW and HW exhibited high similarity. The study facilitates linking the oil compounds with the pharmacological activities of essential oils extracted from Z. bungeanum. These results can provide valuable reference information for resource assessment and the rational utilization of Z. bungeanum resources.

Phosphatidylserine is a structural component of cell membranes, which can be found in all biological membranes of plants, animals and other life forms. The human body contains about 30g of phosphatidylserine, close to half (~13 g) of which is found in the brain. Phosphatidylserine plays a vital role in several cellular processes, such as activation of cell-membrane bound enzymes, and is involved in neuronal signaling. Phosphatidylserine can also be found in human diet, though in the last decades it is estimated that average consumption levels have declined by approximately 50%. Phosphatidylserine has been extensively studied as a dietary supplement, mainly for cognitive health in various populations, from children with ADHD to elderly, healthy and diseased alike. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated that oral administration of phosphatidylserine is safe and well tolerated, and can improve cognitive functions, relieve daily stress, improve skin health, have benefits for those dealing with sports, and more. The physical traits of phosphatidylserine, such as the fact that it is an amphiphilic molecule or its lack of organoleptic problems, makes phosphatidylserine especially suitable for functional foods. Together with the growing consumer trend preferring functional foods over the traditional tablets and capsules, phosphatidylserine can be an interesting addition to foods for children, seniors, athletes and others.

Redox status in commercial bottled mineral water, ILOHAS, Mt. Fuji, Choju, Crystal Geyser, Volvic, Evian, Vittel, Perrier and Contrexville was studied. Among the 9 water, Choju and Perrier showed significantly larger DMPO-OH decay rate, k (min-1). Next, redox related correlation was studied with 9 water samples. A strong correlation between the hardness of water and the amount of residue after lyophilization of each water sample was demonstrated. Significant correlations were observed between X-ray-induced •OH generation and pH of the water sample. Another significant correlation was also observed between free radical-reducing ability and 1 minus the ratio of hardness/residue content (1-H/R value) of the sample water, which is a value indicating a ratio of mineral contents other than (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the water sample. No notable correlations were recognized among other factors, such as correlation between DMPO-OH generation C0int and residue weight, correlation between DMPO-OH decay rate and pH, and correlation between DMPO-OH decay rate and residue weight

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a complex multifaceted developmental toxicant, with mechanisms of teratogenesis thought to include production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that may decrease the toxicity of certain anticancer drugs, such as doxorubicin and CP. The current study explored the potential of NAC to attenuate CP-induced damage to the conceptus. Mated ICR mice were orally dosed with 150 mg/kg/d NAC, 150 mg/kg/d NAC + 20 mg/kg CP, CP only, or vehicle only. CP was administered by intraperitoneal injection on gestation day (GD) 10, and NAC was given by gavage on gestation days 6-13. Dams were sacrificed on GD 17, and their litters were examined for adverse effects. There were significant reductions in the incidences of digit, limb, and tail defects, as well as anasarca and macroglossia, in fetuses exposed to the combination of NAC and CP, compared to fetuses exposed to CP only. NAC did not increase the incidence of any defects when compared to control. Fetuses exposed to NAC weighed significantly more than the average vehicle control fetus. The data indicate that NAC, a well-tolerated, relatively inexpensive antioxidant, appears to reduce the incidence of specific cyclophosphamide-induced malformations when administered prior to, concurrently with, and after exposure to CP.