Centella asiatica extract selectively decreases amyloid β levels in hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease animal model

PSAPP mice expressing the ‘Swedish’ amyloid precursor protein and the M146L presenilin 1 mutations are a well‐characterized model for spontaneous amyloid β plaque formation. Centella asiatica has a long history of use in India as a memory enhancing drug in Ayurvedic literature. The study investigated whether Centella asiatica extract (CaE) can alter the amyloid pathology in PSAPP mice by administering CaE (2.5 or 5.0 g/kg/day) starting at 2 months of age prior to the onset of detectable amyloid deposition and continued for either 2 months or 8 months. A significant decrease in amyloid β 1–40 and 1–42 was detectable by ELISA following an 8 month treatment with 2.5 mg/kg of CaE. A reduction in Congo Red stained fibrillar amyloid plaques was detected with the 5.0 mg/kg CaE dose and long‐term treatment regimen. It was also confirmed that CaE functions as an antioxidant in vitro, scavenging free radicals, reducing lipid peroxidation and protecting against DNA damage. The data indicate that CaE can impact the amyloid cascade altering amyloid β pathology in the brains of PSAPP mice and modulating components of the oxidative stress response that has been implicated in the neurodegenerative changes that occur with Alzheimer's disease. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

A double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 50- to 80-year-old Japanese men and women diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in order to examine the efficacy of oral administration of Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus), an edible mushroom, for improving cognitive impairment, using a cognitive function scale based on the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R). After 2 weeks of preliminary examination, 30 subjects were randomized into two 15-person groups, one of which was given Yamabushitake and the other given a placebo. The subjects of the Yamabushitake group took four 250 mg tablets containing 96% of Yamabushitake dry powder three times a day for 16 weeks. After termination of the intake, the subjects were observed for the next 4 weeks. At weeks 8, 12 and 16 of the trial, the Yamabushitake group showed significantly increased scores on the cognitive function scale compared with the placebo group. The Yamabushitake group's scores increased with the duration of intake, but at week 4 after the termination of the 16 weeks intake, the scores decreased significantly. Laboratory tests showed no adverse effect of Yamabushitake. The results obtained in this study suggest that Yamabushitake is effective in improving mild cognitive impairment.     

Garlic extract exhibits antiamyloidogenic activity on amyloid-beta fibrillogenesis: relevance to Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is characterized pathologically by the deposition of amyloid plaques. Fibrillar Abeta is the principal component of amyloid plaques in the brain of AD patients. The prevention of Abeta aggregation or dissolution of fibrillar Abeta has clinical significance. The present communication examined in vitro the antiamyloidogenic properties of garlic extract. The effects of aqueous garlic extract (both fresh and boiled) on Abeta aggregation and defibrillation were studied by thioflavin-T based fluorescence assay, transmission electron microscopy and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The aqueous fresh garlic extract not only inhibited Abeta fibril formation in a concentration and time dependent manner but was also able to defibrillate Abeta preformed fibrils. The maximum defibrillization was observed after 2-3 days of incubation. The boiled aqueous garlic extract also retained its antiamyloidogenic activity. This indicated that antiamyloidogenic activity of garlic extract is non-enzymatic, i.e. proteases present in garlic did not degrade Abeta in solution. However, the fibril degrading ability of boiled garlic extract was significantly lost. The findings suggest that consumption of garlic may lead to inhibition of Abeta aggregation in human brain.     

Effects of the use of bioceramic wraps in patients with lower limb venous ulcers: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundVenous ulcer represents the most advanced stage of chronic venous insufficiency. It is an important public health problem and has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life due to chronic pain, inability to work, need for hospitalization and frequent outpatient follow-up.ObjectiveWe investigated the treatment benefits of far-infrared ceramic (cFIR), in a 90-day study of lower limb venous ulcers and looked at ulcer healing scores, quality of life, serum bio-markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense enzymes.Design, setting, participants and interventionsThis is a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted in the Vascular Surgery Service of a hospital located in the northwest region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We included patients with lower limb venous ulcers who were randomized to use either a bioceramics wrap or a placebo wrap for 90 days.Main outcome measuresThe following evaluations were conducted at baseline and after 15, 30, 60 and 90 days: ulcer healing score, quality of life, and serum markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity.ResultsPatients (n = 24) with lower limb venous ulcers were randomized into two treatment groups. cFIR decreased the ulcer size on day 30 (P = 0.042) and 90 (P = 0.034) and the total ulcer healing scale scores on day 30 (P = 0.049) and 90 (P = 0.02) of the treatment, when compared to baseline. Additionally, cFIR improved tissue type (epithelial tissue) on day 60 (P = 0.022) when compared to baseline evaluation.ConclusioncFIR clinically improved ulcer healing in patients with lower limb venous ulcers.Trial registrationRBR-8c7xzn on ReBEC.     

Effect of curcumin supplementation on disease severity in patients with liver cirrhosis: A randomized controlled trial

Recent reports indicated that curcumin had beneficial effects in animal models of liver injury and cirrhosis. Current study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation in patients with liver cirrhosis. In this randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial, 70 patients with liver cirrhosis aged 20–70 years were randomly divided into two groups to receive 1,000 mg/day curcumin (n = 35) or placebo (n = 35) for 3 months. Model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) (i), MELD, MELD‐Na, and Child–Pugh scores were used to assess the severity of cirrhosis. Sixty patients (29 in the curcumin group and 31 in the placebo group) completed the study. MELD(i) (15.55 ± 3.78 to 12.41 ± 3.07), MELD (15.31 ± 3.07 to 12.03 ± 2.79), MELD‐Na (15.97 ± 4.02 to 13.55 ± 3.51), and Child–Pugh (7.17 ± 1.54 to 6.72 ± 1.31) scores decreased significantly in the curcumin group after 3‐month intervention (p < .001, p < .001, p = .001, and p = .051, respectively), whereas they increased significantly in the placebo group (p < .001, p < .001, p < .001, p = .001, respectively). Significant differences were only observed between the two groups in MELD(i), MELD, MELD‐Na, and Child–Pugh scores after 3‐month intervention (p < .001 for all of them). In this pilot study, beneficial effects of curcumin supplementation were observed in decreasing disease activity scores and severity of cirrhosis in patients with cirrhosis.     

Effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza hydrophilic extract on antioxidant enzymes in diabetic patients with chronic heart disease: a randomized controlled trial

To investigate whether Salvia miltiorrhiza hydrophilic extract (SMHE) has the ability to ameliorate oxidative stress in diabetic patients with chronic heart disease (CHD), 62 patients with CHD were recruited. These patients were assigned randomly into two groups: (1) placebo group receiving hypoglycemic therapy; (2) treatment group receiving hypoglycemic therapy plus SMHE. The biological markers related to oxidative stress were measured to determine the effect of treatment. Thirty patients in the placebo group and 24 patients in the treatment group were followed to completion in this study. Overall, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level at day 30 in the treatment group was significantly lower than in the placebo group. However, no significant difference in the serum antioxidant enzymes activities was observed between the groups. At day 60, the serum glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), Paraoxonase (PONase) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) activities increased markedly in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. There was no significant difference in the level of lipid profile between the two groups. This study indicated that SMHE clearly reduced oxidative stress in diabetic patients with CHD.     

Antihyperlipidemic effects of Salvia officinalis L. leaf extract in patients with hyperlipidemia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Hyperlipidemia is a common metabolic disorder contributing to morbidities and mortalities due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Conventional antihyperlipidemic drugs have limited efficacies and important side effects, so that alternative lipid lowering agents are needed. Salvia officinalis L. (sage) leaves have PPAR γ agonistic, pancreatic lipase and lipid absorption inhibitory, antioxidant, lipid peroxidation inhibitory and antiinflammatory effects. Thus, in this randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial with 67 hyperlipidemic (hypercholesterolemic and/or hypertriglyceridemic) patients aged 56.4 ± 30.3 years (mean ± SD), the effects of taking sage leaf extract (one 500 mg capsule every 8 h for 2 months) on fasting blood levels of lipids, creatinine and liver enzymes including SGOT and SGPT were evaluated in 34 patients and compared with the placebo group (n = 33). The extract lowered the blood levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.001), LDL (p = 0.004) and VLDL (p = 0.001), but increased the blood HDL levels (p < 0.001) without any significant effects on the blood levels of SGOT, SGPT and creatinine (p > 0.05) compared with the placebo group at the endpoint. No adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that sage may be effective and safe in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The clinical effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) seeds on metabolic profiles in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver diseases associated with unfavorable metabolic profiles and oxidative stress parameters. This study was designed to determine the effects of purslane seeds consumption with a low‐calorie diet on insulin resistance, lipid profile, and oxidative stress indices in patients with NAFLD. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 54 individuals with NAFLD. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume either 10 g/day of purslane seeds sachet before breakfast and dinner in addition to a low‐calorie diet (n = 27) or only the low‐calorie diet (n = 27) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the study to measure relevant variables. Intake of purslane seeds with the low‐calorie diet led to a significant decrease in serum concentrations of fasting blood sugar (FBS; ?3.52 ± 10.45 compared with 3.03 ± 9.01 mg/dl, P = 0.017), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI; 0.13 ± 0.27 compared with ?0.002 ± 0.016, P = 0.017), total cholesterol (4.33 ± 34.04 compared with 23.48 ± 29.47 mg/dl, P = 0.032), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C; ?4.35 ± 22.65 compared with 11.82 ± 16.08 mg/dl, P = 0.004) after intervention. Compared with the control group, purslane seeds consumption with adherence to a low‐calorie diet had beneficial effects on FBS, HOMA‐IR, QUICKI, serum total, and LDL‐C in patients with NAFLD but did not affect other glycemic, lipid profile, and oxidative stress parameters.     

The effect of sumac supplementation on insulin resistance,inflammation, oxidative stress,and antioxidant capacity in adults with metabolic syndrome: A randomized crossover clinical trial

The impact of sumac supplementation was not previously examined in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). So, we investigated the influence of sumac supplementation on insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant markers in adults with MetS. The current study was a single-center, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial that was conducted on 47 patients with MetS. Participants were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control in the first phase. They received capsules containing 500 mg sumac or placebo (lactose) twice a day, after lunch and dinner, for 6 weeks. After a 2-week washout period, the subjects crossed over to the alternate arm. In both arms, fasting venous blood samples were obtained at baseline and at the sixth week of the intervention to determine glycemic status, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and antioxidant enzymes activity. The mean (±SD) age, weight, and body mass index of participants were respectively 58.7 ± 5.83 years, 79.9 ± 14.35 kg, and 31.6 ± 4.6 kg/m²; 80.9% of subjects were females (n = 38). Based on per-protocol analyses, the serum fasting insulin concentration was unexpectedly decreased in the placebo group (change in sumac vs. control: 0.95 ± 3.9 vs. −1.17 ± 3.9 mU/L; p = 0.04). Sumac supplementation, compared to control, has marginally enhanced catalase activity (change in sumac vs. control: 2.91 ± 9.5 vs. −1.07 ± 9.1 nmol/min/ml; p = 0.06). This supplementation has also increased serum TAC and the activity of superoxide dismutase, but these changes were not significant. This intervention did not affect other insulin resistance, inflammatory, or oxidative stress markers. We found that 1 g/day sumac consumption for 6 weeks, as adjuvant therapy, could improve the antioxidant defense system in adults with MetS but did not affect insulin resistance, inflammation, or oxidative stress.     

Neurotransmitter metabolic enzymes and antioxidant status on Alzheimer's disease induced mice treated with Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd

Amyloid β_(25‐35) (Aβ) peptide may be neurotoxic during the progression of Alzheimer's disease by eliciting reactive oxygen species. The use of folklore medicine is prevalent and plants which possess a rejuvenating property are a large source of natural antioxidants that might afford leads for the development of novel drugs in neurodegenerative disorders. The study was designed to investigate the effect of an ethanol extract of Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd (EAG) on oxidative stress induced Alzheimer's type amnesia in mice. Mice were treated with an experimental extract at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg dose for 14 days and injected with neurotoxic Aβ and the doses were continued for 21 days. Behavioural studies with open field, step‐down inhibitory avoidance and a water maze after treatment indicated the acceleration in cognitive function. The elevated levels of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase enzymes in amnesia induced mice were attenuated by treatment with EAG. The generation of free radicals was decreased due increased activity of antioxidant enzymes after treatment with EAG. These findings suggested that EAG exerts an antiamnesiac effect in Aβ induced neurodegeneration through an antioxidant property. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of wheat germ supplementation on metabolic profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled trial

The aim of the present trial was to examine the effects of wheat germ (WG) consumption on metabolic control and oxidative stress status of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Eighty participants with T2DM were randomly allocated to receive 20‐g WG (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) in a randomized double‐blind clinical trial for 12 weeks. Serum lipid profiles, glycaemic indices, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdhyde (MDA) were assessed. A total of 75 subjects completed the trial. Compared with the placebo, WG consumption led to significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC) concentrations (p = .04). There was a trend regarding TC to high density lipoprotein ratio (p = .08) following 12 weeks WG consumption, although they were not statistically significant after correcting for multiple testing. In addition, within‐group comparison revealed a significant rise in total antioxidant capacity concentration (p = .001) in WG group. We observed no significant effects of WG intake on glycaemic status, blood pressure, MDA, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein levels. WG consumption for 12 weeks could decrease serum TC levels and had no significant effects on other metabolic variables and MDA in patients with T2DM. Though observed health benefit effects were small, it might lead to a major impact on wider public health.     

金叶败毒颗粒治疗风温肺热病(热在肺卫证)的随机双盲阳性药平行对照研究

了解金叶败毒颗粒治疗风温肺热病(热在肺卫证)的疗效,采用随机双盲阳性药平行对照的设计方法,研究对象是急性上呼吸道感染、风温肺热病(热在肺卫证)的患者,根据受试者发热和咽喉肿痛症状的发生情况,对纳入的所有受试者分为3层:发热、咽喉肿痛、发热合并咽喉肿痛;采用分层区组随机的方法,将各层内的受试者分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组干预措施是金叶败毒颗粒,对照组是复方双花颗粒;结果共纳入623例患者。治疗组与对照组比较,咽痛患者的咽痛症状、咽部症状总计分方面,与对照组比较有显著性差异。因此,在治疗咽痛方面,金叶败毒颗粒有显著优势;安全性良好,偶见恶心、呕吐、胃痛、腹泻的消化道症状,用于脾胃虚寒患者时,应注意观察患者变化,避免不良反应发生。     

Examining the nootropic effects of a special extract of Bacopa monniera on human cognitive functioning: 90 day double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial

While Ayurvedic medicine has touted the cognitive enhancing effects of Bacopa monniera for centuries, there is a need for double-blind placebo-controlled investigations. One hundred and seven healthy participants were recruited for this double-blind placebo-controlled independent group design investigation. Sixty-two participants completed the study with 80% treatment compliance. Neuropsychological testing using the Cognitive Drug Research cognitive assessment system was conducted at baseline and after 90 days of treatment with a special extract of Bacopa monniera (2 x 150 mg KeenMind) or placebo. The Bacopa monniera product significantly improved performance on the 'Working Memory' factor, more specifically spatial working memory accuracy. The number of false-positives recorded in the Rapid visual information processing task was also reduced for the Bacopa monniera group following the treatment period. The current study provides support for the two other published studies reporting cognitive enhancing effects in healthy humans after a 90 day administration of the Bacopa monniera extract. Further studies are required to ascertain the effective dosage range, the time required to attain therapeutic levels and the effects over a longer term of administration.     

补肾化痰益智方联合丁苯酞对阿尔茨海默病患者氧化应激、血流变学及认知功能的影响

目的:探讨补肾化痰益智方联合丁苯酞对阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)患者氧化应激、血流变学及认知功能的影响。方法:2014年3月—2016年4月齐齐哈尔医学院附属第三医院共收治127例AD患者,以该批患者为研究对象,按随机数字表法分为治疗组(63例),对照组(64例)。两组患者同时给予丁苯酞软胶囊,在此基础上,治疗组加服补肾化痰益智方,连续治疗3个月后,对两组患者临床疗效,氧化应激、血液流变学与简易智力状态检查法(mini-mental state examination,MMSE)量表评分进行比较。结果:治疗组患者总有效率为93.65%,对照组为81.25%,治疗组高于对照组(P0.05);经治疗,两组AD患者全血高、低切黏度,红细胞聚集指数与红细胞压积均明显降低,且治疗组明显低于对照组(P0.05);与治疗前比较,治疗后,两组患者超氧化物歧化酶(super oxide dismutase,SOD),谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GPX-3)及过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)均明显提高,丙二醛(malonyldialdehyde,MDA)明显降低,且治疗组效果明显优于对照组(P0.05);与治疗前比较,治疗后两组MMSE评分及记忆力、注意力和计算力、定向力、语言能力、回忆能力均明显改善,且治疗组明显优于对照组(P0.05)。结论:补肾化痰益智方联合丁苯酞可以明显提高AD患者的认知功能,改善患者血液流变学,降低氧化刺激损伤,因此对AD具有积极的治疗效果。     

Homeopathy for COVID-19 in primary care: A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial (COVID-Simile study)

Background: Different homeopathic approaches have been used as supportive care for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) cases, but none has been tested in a clinical trial.Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of the homeopathic medicine, Natrum muriaticum LM2, for mild cases of COVID-19.Design, setting, participants, and interventions: A randomized, double-blind, two-armed, parallel, singlecenter, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from June 2020 to April 2021 in S?...     

Chemotherapy in conjunction with traditional Chinese medicine for survival of elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: protocol for a randomized double-blind controlled trial

BACKG ROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is considered an important complementary therapy with beneficial effects for cancer patients.Elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) are a complex patient group with increasing co-morbidity and shrinking physiological reserve, and may derive substantial benefit from the supportive aspects of TCM.Researchers from Shanghai Longhua Hospital found that qi and yin deficiency is a common syndrome in patients with stage III or IV lung cancer.This project was designed to study the combination of single-agent chemotherapy with TCM methods of benefiting qi and yin in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.METHODS AND DESIGN: This is a double-blind controlled, multi-center, and prospective study with randomly selected participants from elderly NSCLC patients in China.Seventy-six patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be allocated into two groups, which will receive treatments of 3-week single-agent chemotherapy with TCM or placebo for four cycles.Progression-free survival(PFS) is the primary end point, and the secondary end points are overall survival, objective response rate, time-to-progression, and quality of life(EORTC QLQ-LC43, and TCM syndrome score).Mean while, other end points such as toxicity, side effects and safety of the treatments will be assessed.DISCUSSION: Results from this study may provide evidence on the effectiveness, and parameters for the usage of single-agent chemotherapy combined with or without TCM on PFS of elderly patients with NSCLC.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov.(Identifier: NCT01780181).     

三焦针法对阿尔茨海默病免疫功能影响的研究

[目的]观察三焦针法对阿尔茨海默病(AD)的临床疗效及对患者免疫功能的影响。[方法]收集AD患者32例和健康老年人30例。AD组给予三焦针法,取穴膻中、中脘、气海、血海、足三里和外关,健康组不给予任何干预。利用简易精神状态检查表(MMSE)、临床痴呆量表(CDR)、老年性痴呆评估量表-认知分量表(ADAS-cog)和日常生活活动量表(ADL)评价AD患者针刺前后的认知功能、非认知功能和日常生活能力。应用流式细胞术和酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA法)检测外周血CD3~+、CD3~+CD4~+、CD3~+CD8~+T细胞数量、CD4~+/CD8~+比例、免疫球蛋白(IgG)、白介素(IL)-1β、IL-2、IL-6、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)的水平。[结果]针刺后AD组MMSE评分升高,CDR、ADAS-cog、ADL评分降低(P0.05)。与健康组比较,AD组CD3~+、CD8~+T细胞数量减少,CD4~+T细胞数量增加(P0.05),针刺后CD3~+T细胞数量增加(P0.05)。与健康组比较,AD组IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ水平增加(P0.05),IgG未见明显改变(P0.05),针刺后以上细胞因子水平降低(P0.05)。[结论]三焦针法可能通过调节AD患者的免疫功能而改善其痴呆状态。     

Efficacy and safety of Wuling capsule,a single herbal formula,in Chinese subjects with insomnia: A multicenter,randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled trial

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Wuling Capsule is a single herbal formula from mycelia of precious Xylaria nigripes (Kl.) Sacc and its pharmacological function have a tranquilizing effect on the central nervous system. The aim of the study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Wuling capsule in treatment of insomnia.

Materials and methods

We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The participants received either placebo (n=92) or Wuling capsule (n=94) for 4 weeks and a follow-up period for 2 weeks.

Results

Compared between pre-treatment and post-treatment, the global Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores in both Wuling capsule group and placebo group improved significantly (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between Wuling capsule group and placebo group (P>0.05). Scores of clinical global impressions scale (CGI-I) at each week in Wuling capsule group was similar to those in placebo group (P>0.05). Compared between pre-treatment and post-treatment, scores of the four components of world health organization on quality of life brief scale (WHOQOL-BREF) in both Wuling capsule group and placebo group improved significantly (P<0.01). However, there were no difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The rate of adverse events was 10.10% in Wuling group, and 6.73% in placebo group (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Wuling capsule can improve insomnia when compared with pre-treatment for 4 weeks and be a well tolerated by all the patients at the 6 weeks of study period. However, there are no significant in the results of the variables tested when compared with placebo control. Further additional rigorous randomized clinical trials are still required.     

The effects of black seed supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly related to cardiovascular disorders risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) supplementation on cardiovascular disorders risk factors in patients with NAFLD. This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted on 50 patients with NAFLD. Participants were assigned to receive a lifestyle modification plus 2 g/day of either N. sativa or placebo for 12 weeks. Compared with the placebo, N. sativa supplementation led to significant reductions in serum glucose (?7.95 vs. ?1.22; p = .041), serum insulin (?3.87 vs. ?1.07; p = .027), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (?1.02 vs. ?0.28; p = .021), and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (0.03 vs. 0.006; p = .002). All of these changes were remained significant after adjusting for known confounding variables; however, there was no significant difference in lipid profile changes between the two groups (p = .05). N. sativa supplementation significantly decreased hepatic steatosis percentage compared with the placebo after adjustment for confounding variables (p = .005). In conclusion, our results indicate that daily intake of 2‐g N. sativa plus lifestyle modification is superior to lifestyle modification alone in amelioration of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD.     

Ameliorative effects of yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine,on learning and non-cognitive disturbances in the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Aim of this study

Aim of the present study is to clarify the effects of yokukansan (TJ-54) on learning and non-cognitive disturbances in the Tg2576 mouse expressing the human form of the APP695SWE (APP-Tg mice), which is considered to be an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

Materials and methods

Powdered diets containing 0.5 and 1.0% TJ-54 were given to the mice for 10 months (from 5 to 15 months old). The Morris water-maze test, elevated plus-maze test, and open-field test were performed for evaluation of learning and non-cognitive disturbances.

Results

Treatment with 1.0% TJ-54 for 5 months shortened the time it took for APP-Tg positive (+) mice to reach the platform in the Morris water-maze test. In the elevated plus-maze test, treatment with 1.0% TJ-54 for 2 months significantly reduced the increased number of entries and the time spent in open arms observed in APP-Tg(+) mice. In an open-field test, treatment of 1.0% TJ-54 for 9 months significantly suppressed the increase in locomotion observed in APP-Tg(+) mice.

Conclusion

These results suggest the possibility that TJ-54 ameliorates learning deficits and non-cognitive defects including a decrease in the anxiety (or disinhibition) and an increase in locomotor activity (hyperactivity) observed in APP-Tg(+) mice.