Extract of Lentinula edodes mycelia (LEM) reportedly maintains and improves the quality of life (QOL) of patients with cancer who undergo chemotherapy. We investigated the influence of LEM extract on the QOL of 73 Japanese patients with different backgrounds and stages of cancer who were undergoing various types of therapy at 16 institutions. All patients were orally administered with LEM (1200 mg/day) for four weeks. We compared changes in their QOL before and after taking LEM using the EORTC-QLQ-C30. The QOL scores for emotional function and fatigue were significantly improved after LEM intake. Global QOL and physical function scores improved only in patients with cancer at stages III and IV. These findings suggest that oral LEM intake improves the QOL of patients with advanced cancer.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of crocetin on the pupillary response during accommodation induced by visual display terminal (VDT) work. This clinical study was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in healthy adult volunteers with subjective symptoms of eye fatigue. In this study, the pupillary response during accommodation was evaluated using pupil constriction ratio (PCR). PCR was measured before and after VDT work, after rest at baseline, and at each intervention period. Following analysis of variations in PCR, the variation in PCR after rest significantly increased in the crocetin group. According to the visual analog scale questionnaire, subjective symptoms of eye fatigue significantly improved. These results show that ingestion of crocetin for 4 weeks is effective in mitigating the pupillary response during accommodation associated with VDT work.

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To evaluate the impact of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) intake on body odor, two studies that focused on 2-nonenal contained in the gases emanated from the skin were conducted. The first study targeted 20 healthy women aged 65–74 years in a placebo-controlled cross-comparison study. Subjects were divided into two groups using blood CoQ10 concentration as an index, with ubiquinol (QH) or placebos administered every 4 weeks (5-week washout). On measuring concentrations of CoQ10 in blood and 2-nonenal in skin gas before and after continuous use, CoQ10 level of QH intake group increased significantly, whereas 2-nonenal level reduced significantly. In the second study, 24 healthy women aged 65–74 years were divided into four groups. QH, ubiquinone, vitamin E and placebos were administered in 4 weeks, and each concentrations of 2-nonenal in skin gas were measured. QH and ubiquinone reduced 2-nonenal in skin gas; however, changes in vitamin E were not observed. Therefore, CoQ10 intake reduced 2-nonenal emanation from the body.

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In order to investigate the effects of fruits granola intake on defecation and quality of life (QOL), 20 females (mean age: 20.0 ± 1.1 y.o.) with frequency of defecation of less than 5 times per week were selected for this open study. Daily intake of 50 g of fruits granola was used as a substitute staple food for 2 weeks, and changes in defecation and QOL were compared before and after the procedure. The results showed that, compared with the pre-intake period, the frequency of defecation and the amount of defecation increased after fruits granola intake (p = 0.014, p = 0.024), and improvement of QOL (p = 0.011) was also observed. We conclude that, a continuous intake of fruits granola can improve defecation, and also improve quality of life.

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Effects of three plant extracts (Hordeum vulgare L., Apocynum Venetum L., Brasenia schreberi J.F.G mel.) on human gingival fibroblasts were examined. As a result, we observed the promoting effect of the extract of Hordeum vulgare L. and the extract of Apocynum Venetum L. respectively on FGF2 and FGF7 production. Moreover, the mixture of the three plant extracts showed the effect of improving the changes in type I collagen gene expression and matrix metalloproteinase 1 gene expression by LPS addition. Next, a dentifrice containing the three plant extracts was subjected to human efficacy trials. We measured periodontal pocket depth, attachment level, bleeding on probing and saliva TNFα as an indicator of periodontal disease. The results suggest that the dentifrice formulated with the three plant extracts were effective for the improvement of periodontal disease.

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Kaempferia parviflora rhizome is used folk medicines for treatment of various symptoms in Thailand since anticent times. Several types of methoxyflavones has been identified in this plant and their physiological functions have been reported. We determined that six kinds of methoxyflavones (5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone) were included in the 80% ethanol extract of K. parviflora rhizome. The safety of six methoxyflavones mixture was evaluated with 28-day repeated oral dose toxicity test in mice. These results indicated no significant toxicity on body weight, blood analyses, organ weight, blood biochemical analyses.

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Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of lactic fermenting beverage ANP71 on defecation, blood pressure, immune function, constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and safety. Methods: An open Clinical study was conducted on 15 healthy adults (female 11, male 4). ANP71 150ml per day was administrated for 4 weeks. At week 0, 1 and 4, blood samples were collected. blood pressure, immune function and constitution were measured. Results:① Defecation amount and exhilarating feeling increased. Abdominal feeling of fullness decreased.② Decrease of blood pressure was observed. ③ The change of parameters of blood biochemistry was in normal range. ④ Humoral immunity was predominant(Th1/Th2 decreased). ⑤ In constitution of TCM, Gentleness type, Yang-deficiency type, Yin-deficiency type, Phlegm-wetness type, wet-heat type and Qi-depression type were improved. ⑥ No significant adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Lactic fermenting beverage ANP71 appears to have benefits in improving defecation and constitutional problems. Various other biological effects of ANP71 were also observed.

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