Effects of valerian extract on the sleep-wake cycle in sleep-disturbed rats.

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of valerian extract on the sleep-wake cycle using sleep-disturbed model rats. A significant shortening in sleep latency was observed with valerian extract at doses of 1000 and 3000 mg/kg. On the other hand, valerian extract had no significant effects on total times of wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep, or REM sleep, even at a dose of 3000 mg/kg. Valerian extract at doses of 1000 and 3000 mg/kg showed a significant increase in the delta activity during non-REM sleep. In conclusion, valerian extract may be useful as an herbal medicine having not only sleep-inducing effects but also sleep quality-enhancement effects.</p

Antihypertensive activities of royal jelly protein hydrolysate and its fractions in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and hypotensive effects of 7 peptide fractions (Frs) of royal jelly protein hydrolysate (RJPH) were studied in comparison with those of RJPH alone. Fr 4 and Fr 5 were the highest in ACE inhibitory activity and yield, respectively. Molecular weights (MWs) of RJPH and Fr 1-Fr 7 were distributed from 100 to 5,000 and those of Fr 1-Fr 7 increased in order from Fr 1 to Fr 7. RJPH, Fr 3 and Fr 4 at doses of 10, 30 and 100mg/kg i.v. and Fr 5 and Fr 6 at doses of 30 and 100mg/kg i.v. caused transiently significant hypotensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Fr 3, Fr 4, Fr 5 and Fr 6 at a dose of 1,000mg/kg also caused significant hypotensive effects 3h, 4-5h, 7-8h and 8h after oral administration in SHR, respectively. RJPH caused a long-lasting hypotensive effect in proportion to the magnitude of the MWs of RJPH fractions. The hypotensive pattern of RJPH was similar to the combined pattern of Fr 3-Fr 6. From these results, it can be concluded that the long-lasting hypotensive effect of oral administration of RJPH is dependent on the MWs of its ACE inhibitory peptides and the time required to digest them.</p

Effects of levocabastine on lipid mediator release from guinea pig lung fragments.

The effects of levocabastine, a novel histamine H1-receptor antagonist, on lipid mediator release induced by antigen-antibody reaction from actively sensitized guinea pig lung fragments were studied. Levocabastine dose-dependently inhibited the release of leukotriene C4 from guinea pig lung fragments induced by antigen. A significant effect was observed with levocabastine at a concentration of 10(-4) M. On the other hand, levocabastine produced no effect on the release of leukotriene E4 or thromoboxane B2. From these findings, it was concluded that levocabastine may be useful for relieving the nasal obstruction in allergic rhinitis caused by inhibition of leukotriene C4 release.</p

Effect of Beni-Koji on Blood Pressure and Learning Behavior in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

1)紅麹投与群は米粉を投与した対照群と比べ､体重増加に対しては有意な差は認められなかった｡ 2)紅麹投与群は対照群と比べ2週目より有意な血圧下降作用が認められた｡ 3)紅麹投与群は､対照群に比べ総エラー数および参照記憶エラー数の減少､すなわち学習獲得能が高いことが判明した｡ 4)以上の成績より､紅麹の投与により生じた血圧下降が二次的に学習獲得能を上昇させたのではないかと考えられる

The Fungal Metabolite (+)-Terrein Abrogates Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B Ligand-Induced Osteoclastogenesis by Suppressing Protein Kinase-C alpha/beta II Phosphorylation

Osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by a systemic impairment of bone mass and microarchitecture that results in fragility fractures. Severe bone loss due to osteoporosis triggers pathological fractures and consequently decreases the daily life activity and quality of life. Therefore, prevention of osteoporosis has become an important issue to be addressed. We have reported that the fungal secondary metabolite (+)-terrein (TER), a natural compound derived from Aspergillus terreus, has shown receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation by suppressing nuclear factor of activated T-cell 1 (NFATc1) expression, a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis. TER has been shown to possess extensive biological and pharmacological benefits; however, its effects on bone metabolism remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of TER on the femoral bone metabolism using a mouse-ovariectomized osteoporosis model (OVX mice) and then on RANKL signal transduction using mouse bone marrow macrophages (mBMMs). In vivo administration of TER significantly improved bone density, bone mass, and trabecular number in OVX mice (p < 0.01). In addition, TER suppressed TRAP and cathepsin-K expression in the tissue sections of OVX mice (p < 0.01). In an in vitro study, TER suppressed RANKL-induced phosphorylation of PKC alpha/beta II, which is involved in the expression of NFATc1 (p < 0.05). The PKC inhibitor, GF109203X, also inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in mBMMs as well as TER. In addition, TER suppressed the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related genes, such as Ocstamp, Dcstamp, Calcr, Atp6v0d2, Oscar, and Itgb3 (p < 0.01). These results provide promising evidence for the potential therapeutic application of TER as a novel treatment compound against osteoporosis