This study aimed to clarify the effects of watching forest videos on prefrontal cortex activity. We examined oxy-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) levels in the prefrontal cortex using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and measured the changes in relaxation level using the rating scale of emotion as defined in terms of relaxation (RE scale), and the free description data after watching the videos. We recruited 21 healthy female university students for this study. All subjects watched a forest video and an urban video in a random order; no significant differences were found in comparisons between the two conditions during and after watching the videos. Comparisons of oxy-Hb levels in the prefrontal cortex during and after watching the two videos showed a significant increase after watching the forest video. Significantly decreased scores of three RE scale items, i.e., “anxiety-relief,” “restrictive-free,” and “discomfort-comfort,” were observed with the urban video. The forest video significantly improved scores of the following items: “feeling high-stable,” “tense-relaxing,” “anxiety-relief,” “restrictive-free,” and “discomfort-comfort.” These results suggest that the forest video activates the left prefrontal cortex and subjectively enhances a relaxed feeling, after watching.

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We evaluated the long-term safety of eight adult volunteers (male 7, female 1: average age 47.4 years) ingesting powdered foods containing Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives (CRD/2.2g/day or 4.4g/day) for 1 year 8 months to 5 years (average 2 years 9 months). Body weight, vital signs (blood pressure, pulse rate), peripheral blood test, blood biochemical test, etc. were observed. We also investigated the presence or absence of side effects. The results showed no notable changes in vital signs or blood test results. From the above, it was speculated that long-term intake of CRD would not pose a safety problem. We plan to continue the study by increasing the number of observation cases in the future.

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In this study, we aimed to develop foods with antitumor and complementary effects against cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant bladder cancer. UMUC3, a human bladder cancer cell line was exposed to CDDP and cultured over a prolonged period to prepare UMUC3-CR, a CDDP-resistant subline. Androgen receptor mRNA expression was high in the UMUC3-CR subline. Genistein and vitamin C suppressed UMUC3-CR tumor growth. Additionally, the liberal intake of cheese in parental cell UMUC3-transplanted mice was associated with prolonged survival. Therefore, we created konjac jelly (KIK300) containing soy milk, cheese, and vitamin C as the main ingredients. Liberal administration of KIK300 to UMUC3-CR-transplanted mice suppressed tumor growth and reduced vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression. Furthermore, we observed no weight loss in the animals, their skin condition improved, and exercise capacity was improved. In conclusion, this study suggests that KIK300 may show antitumor and complementary effects on CDDP-resistant bladder cancer.

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[in Japanese]

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Objective: A study was conducted to clarify the anti-influenza virus effect of agricultural, forest and fishery products in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Method: The samples were prepared by both hot-water and ethanol extraction. The Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells infected with PR8 strain were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium（DMEM） containing extract for 24 hours and measured virus titer of supernatants by focus-forming reduction assay. Time-of-addition assay was performed to determine the inhibition stage in virus proliferation by the extract. The active ingredients were purified using a solid-phase extraction column (silica gel base C18).
Results: We revealed that many products have anti-influenza virus activity. Especially, four products ( Matteuccia struthiopteris, Colocasia esculenta, Sagittaria trifolia, and Eleucine coracana) show strong activity and inhibit several stages in virus proliferation.
Conclusion: We performed screening to 46 agricultural, forest and fishery products and found the four products ( Matteuccia struthiopteris, Colocasia esculenta, Sagittaria trifolia, and Eleusine coracana) inhibit virus proliferation strongly. In addition, the isolation and identification of the active ingredients contained in these remain as a future study.

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The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of agricultural activity on cognitive function, physical function, motivation, activity of daily living (ADL), self-efficacy and quality of life (QOL) of hospitalized elderly with dementia using multivariate statistical analysis. Elderly with dementia performed them for 2 months that replaced with agricultural activities once a week after they performed ordinary activities for 2 months. Ordinary and agricultural activities showed higher score than control condition. Two therapies are compared by principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis (MRA). From the PCA analysis, motivation, muscular strength, walking ability, and mobility ability tended to improve during agricultural activities, but there was no significant difference in cognitive function, daily life, and behavioral disorders. In the correlation analysis, walking speed, walking time, timed up and go test (TUG), and grip strength showed a high score. MRA showed that improved physical function is improved during agricultural activities, but no significant improvement in cognitive function and ADL. Therefore, it was found that agricultural activities may be useful for improving physical functions. Long-term evaluation is needed for discussing the effects on cognitive functions and ADL.

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In the present study, we assessed the antiaging effect of equine placental extract (ePE) on dermal fibroblasts and found that it markedly suppressed the appearance of β-galactosidase-positive cells among the senescent cells induced by repeated hydrogen peroxide exposure or ultraviolet A irradiation. Moreover, the efficacy of ePE treatment was similar to that of an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine. Thus, owing to its antioxidant effect, ePE can be used as an antiaging agent, particularly for the dermis.

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Irvingia gabonensis seed extract is known to have an anti-obesity effect. In this study, we confirmed this effect in high-fat diet-fed mice using the commercially available “Africamangonoki” food product with functional claims. As a result, significant reductions in body weight and visceral fat (excluding paratesticular fat) were observed in the high-fat food intake group containing the commercially available “Africamangonoki” product, compared with the high-fat food only intake group. Therefore, it was considered that the seed extract of Irvingia gabonensis has an excellent anti-obesity effect. Conversely, no anti-obesity effect was observed with ellagic acid, which is a component involved, suggesting that components other than ellagic acid may also be involved in the anti-obesity effect observed in relation to Irvingia gabonensis.

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A crossover study was conducted to evaluate suppressive effect of a commercially available green juice (Katuna-Aojiru;Egao Co., Ltd.) containing mulberry leaf powder as the main ingredient on postprandial hyperglycemia. The blood glucose and iAUC _(0-120min) values after loading cooked white rice were significantly lower with the consumption of Katuna-Aojiru than with the consumption of water. Katuna-Aojiru is effective in controlling postprandial blood glucose.

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Improvement of hair thinning was observed after a novel treatment course involving basalt stone and placental extract application in a patient of androgenetic alopecia. The patient was resistant to the general home care treatment. The response to the new treatment may be attributed to the decreased scalp hardness secondary to the improved blood circulation after basalt stone massage and the hair growth-promoting action of the placental extract. Furthermore, recurrence of hair thinning was observed after suspension of this treatment; however, this hair thinning improved when the treatment was resumed.

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Objective: We investigated the effects of Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives (CRD) on fibroblast proliferation and collagen production. Methods: Various concentrations of CRD (0.00001%, 0.0001%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%) were added to human fibroblasts, and changes in cell count and extracellular collagen production were measured.
Results: Fibroblasts proliferated by the addition of CRD, peaked at about 1.7 times when the CRD concentration was 0.0001%, and then decreased as the addition concentration increased. On the other hand, the collagen concentration in the extracellular matrix of fibroblasts increased as the CRD addition concentration increased, and the collagen concentration increased sharply at 0.1% of CRD concentration or more.
Conclusion: It was suggested that CRD has a function of increasing the proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen production.

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