Polyphenols are natural substances distributed widely in nature. They have various functions as well as an antioxidant activity, and are raw materials used commonly in food industry. Proanthocyanidins consist of catechin units. It is considered that the bioavailability would be low when orally administered because naturally available proanthocyanidins are high molecular weight resulting from polymerization. We developed a method for production of oligomeric proanthocyanidins from polymeric proanthocyanidins in collaboration with Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Nagasaki University. The method can be applicable to food process. The product produced through this method is named as “Oligonol”, which is superior to currently distributed polyphenols in in vivo antioxidant activities.
Oligonol is produced by oligomerizing proanthocyanidins derived from lychee fruit. The oligomerization mechanism is nucleophilic substitution of catechin monomers at the C-4 position of proanthocyanidins fragmentated under acidic condition. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins are available to be produced from any polymeric proanthocyanidins according to this method.
The safety of Oligonol was confirmed by various safety assessments, and a Phase I safety study in human has been conducted. Oligonol is also certified as NDI (New Dietary Ingredient) by US FDA. Oligonol possesses a predominant bioavailability when orally administered, and a lot of researches about improvement of blood flow, anti-fatigue, reduction of adipose and cosmetic appearance are vigorously underway.

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Astaxanthin (AX) is a red carotenoid widely distributed in nature and possesses excellent antioxidant activity by quenching singlet oxygen and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Recently, numerous biological activities of AX are reported. AX has been used for health supplements and cosmetics and is receiving increasing attention for complementary and alternative medicine. In this paper, we would like to clarify aspects of AX by presenting the origin, chemical properties, comparison with other carotenoids. Furthermore, we report the results of in vitro, in vivo analysis and clinical studies related to anti-lipid peroxidation, anti-inflammatory effects, blood flow improvement, effects on metabolic syndrome, anti-eye fatigue, effects on Helicobacter pylori, improved lipid metabolism, muscle endurance, effects on skin health, male infertility, pharmacokinetics, and safety.

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Among “food for specified health use” (FOSHU), approximately 100 are indicated in the treatment of life-style related diseases related to hypercholesterolemia; in the present review we describe the safety and effectiveness of several of these foods.

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Among “food for specified health use” (FOSHU) useful in treating life-style related diseases related to arterial sclerosis are those which create a condition in which postprandial serum triglyceride levels fail to rise or are difficult to pass into the body mass. Approximately 70 such FOSHU are recognized as useful in treating hyperlipidemia; in the present review we describe the safety and effectiveness of several of these foods.

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Objective: Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi) is widely used as an alternative medicine agent to promote health and longevity. The water-soluble extract from culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia (WER) is prepared from a solid medium composed of bagasse and rice bran overgrown for 3–4 months with Ganoderma lucidum mycelia.
Design: In this study, we evaluate antioxidant activity of WER in vitro, and examined the effects of oral treatment of WER on oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.
Method: Male ICR mice were treated with STZ (150 mg/kg, i.p.) and were housed for a week for induction of experimental diabetic state. WER (1 g/kg daily) was orally administered for an additional 9 weeks, and the levels of blood glucose, oxidative stress in plasma, liver and kidney of the mice were assessed.
Result: WER inhibited generation of superoxide anion and lipid peroxidation in concentration dependent manner in vitro. Oral administration of WER to diabetic mice significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose, hydroperoxides, triglyceride, ALT, and AST. Moreover, WER prevented the increase in lipid peroxide levels and the decrease in activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) in liver and kidney of diabetic mice. In addition, histochemical studies revealed that treatment of WER precluded the sinusoidal dilation in liver and expansion of mesangial matrix in kidney of diabetic mice. Normal mice treated with WER showed no change in any parameters studied.
Conclusion: These data suggested that WER can act as an antioxidant in vivo, and show the antidiabetic effects by relieving diabetic hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress.

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Objective: Anti-androgenic action of porcine placenta extracts were investigated.
Methods: To determine if porcine placenta extracts can inhibit androgen-stimulated growth of LNCaP cells, a dose response assay was performed. LNCaP cells were treated with varying concentrations of porcine placenta extracts with or without dihydrotestosterone.
A castrated rat was used to study influence of an exogenous androgen.
Results: Porcine placenta extracts-treated cells showed a statically significant decrease in cell number, indicating decreased cell growth.
The secretion of PSA(prostate specific antigen) was determined by ELISA. It was also inhibited in the presence of porcine placenta extracts and dihydrotestosterone.
Immunoblotting detected decreases in androgen receptor protein after treatment with the porcine placenta extracts.
In vivo studies in a castrated rat showed that enlargement of the prostate by testosterone was inhibited by porcine placenta extracts.
Conclution: These results suggest that porcine placenta extracts contain a substance with anti-androgenic actions.

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Objective: To assess the effectiveness of color images as mood stimulants by using an image selection system.
Methods: Color images of flowers and seascapes, each mainly comprising of 5 colors, were arranged into a set of 50 images (10 images for each of 5 colors) on a personal computer and shown to 40 university students on stressful days during (i) an examination period and (ii) a non-examination period. The students selected color images according to their individual preferences by using an image selection system. To determine the effect of viewing the color images, mood adjective scores as determined by the Multiple Mood Scale (MMS) were measured as an emotional parameter, and the levels of salivary chromogranin A (CgA) and salivary cortisol were measured as biochemical parameters. These data were analyzed statistically and a p value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: After viewing the color images, mean MMS scores indicating positive moods, such as well-being and friendliness increased significantly (p<0.05), and scores indicating negative moods, such as depression, boredom and hostility decreased significantly(p<0.05). The mean value of salivary CgA also decreased significantly after viewing the images (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Color images could possibly be used to induce a parasympathetically dominant state.

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Objective: In order to assess usefulness, applicability and problems of aromatherapy in the modern medical practice.
Method: We conducted a questionnaire survey on the recognition and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and medical aromatherapy in a professional school of acupuncture and Judo-therapy in Osaka City. The respondents were 866 students at the school.
Results: We found that 97.1% of the respondents had experienced at least one CAM therapy and 25.8% had aromatherapy. Compared to male students, more female students used aromatherapy. Perceived effectiveness of aromatherapy for purpose of the use ranged between 73.8% and 89.2%. Approximately 70.0% of the respondents were interested in medical aromatherapy, and 89.4% expected this therapy for psychosomatic/mental diseases. Main problems pointed out were collecting more scientific evidence and reducing the costs.
Conclusion: The results suggest that aromatherapy may become more widespread and one of the options to make the current clinical practice more satisfactory for patients.

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The effect of hot water extract of Tabebuia avellanedae (Taheebo) in rat peritoneal mast cells during stimulation of histamine release was studied. Taheebo at concentrations of over 5 μg/ml caused an decrease in histamine release stimulated by C48/80 in a dosage-dependent manner. In the Ca²⁺ free medium, Taheebo caused a decrease in histamine release too. The effect of Taheebo was suppressed by high concentrations of C48/40 competitively. Taheebo at concentrations of over 10 μg/ml caused an decrease in histamine release stimulated by concanavalin A in a dosage-dependent manner, but the inhibition was non-competitive. These results suggested that Taheebo caused a decrease in the histamine release, which led to a decrease in the allergy symptoms.

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The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been increasing in Japan. At Tokushima University Hospital, we started CAM consultation clinic in July, 2007 to give consumers scientific information of CAM by specialists. In other university hospitals, Osaka University (since 2006) and Kanazawa University (since 2008), have CAM clinics. To communicate among CAM clinic staffs, we held the First Meeting for Staffs of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinics of University Hospitals at July 14, 2008 by inviting Dr. Satoshi Ohno, Kanazawa University, to Tokushima University Hospital.
Effective ways to grasp the CAM use of the patients and to communicate with physicians were discussed. Possible undesirable interaction of CAM on other prescription should be mentioned. Scientific evidence obtained by clinical trials is the background of most answers. It is difficult to recommend some specific CAM in our clinics. We need to enlighten physicians, other co-medical staffs and patients on CAM clinics.
There are still many issues to be addressed in CAM clinic practice, and we are planning to have other chances to communicate to improve the quality in consultation. In addition, to establish evidence in CAM, the importance to promote clinical trials was emphasized.
(Consultation Clinic for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Tokushima University Hospital: Hiroaki Yanagawa, Chiho Sato, Junji Terao, Eiji Takeda, Yoshihisa Takaishi, Yoshiki Kashiwada, Kazuyoshi Kawazoe, Shuji Fushitani, Koichiro Tsuchiya, Aiko Yamauchi)

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