Object: Gagome kombu (Kjellmaniella cracciforia) is the edible brown seaweed and contains fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, abundantly. Bunashimeji (Hypsizigus marmoreus) is the popular Japanese mushrooms and contains polyterpenes as the bitter substance. Previously, we investigated the bioactive functions (e.g. anti-tumor action) and the safety of fucoidan from Gagome kombu (GKF) and the extract from Bunashimeji (KTE: Kinoko terpene extract). In this study, we evaluate the influence of GKF and KTE on hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP).
Methods: Male SD rats were divided into three groups (n = 5). 2,000 mg/kg of GKF and KTE were given orally once daily for 4 days.
Result: There were no difference in activities and mRNA expressions of hepatic CYPs (CYP2C11, CYP2D, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1) among all groups.
Conclusion: These results indicated GKF and KTE did not influence the rat hepatic CYPs.

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Objective/Design: The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of herbal tea therapy (HTT) on Ménière’s disease, especially, about the quality of life (QOL). We studied 26 patients with Ménière’s disease who came to the International University of Health and Welfare MITA hospital between 2007 and 2008.
Methods: We divided subjects into two groups, one with 16 patients treated with herbal tea (HTT group) and one with 10 patients treated without herbal tea (non-HTT group). All patients were diagnosed as having Ménière’s disease and underwent otoneurologic examination, audiometric measurements, questionnaires of functional level and tinnitus every month. Moreover, we instructed these patients to keep a record of the number of times vertigo was experienced. In the HTT group, after 6 months of general treatment, we treated patients with herbal tea for one year. This herbal tea was effective as a diuretic, in promoting antivertigo, antistress, and relaxation. We compared results before and after HTT. Moreover, based on SF-36 questionnaires, we compared clinical symptoms between groups.
Result: HTT reduced the percentage of relapse and improved their Ménière’s symptoms, especially vertigo. QOL scores, especially for mental function, were higher in the HTT group than in the non-HTT group.
Conclusion: We thought that HTT might improve their mental health or stress and prevent worsening of Ménière’s disease.

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Objective: Plasma cluster ions consist of positive and negative ions and are known to suppress the activity of total bacteria, mold fungi, viruses and allergens floating in the air. In terms of inactivating mite allergens, it was reported that plasma cluster ions suppressed the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in mice. In the present study we investigated the effect of plasma cluster ions on attenuating chronic allergic rhinitis and fatigue induced by mite allergens in humans.
Design: Sixteen subjects with specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) positive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, who had symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by house dust participated in a randomized double-blinded crossover trial. Subjects occupied a mite allergen challenge room and performed mental task for 4 hours with 25,000/cm³ plasma cluster ions or without plasma cluster ions and rested for 2 hours outside of the room. We measured mite allergens (Der p1) on the floor using plastic dishes (90 mm diameter) placed at 5 points in the room. We also investigated the symptoms of allergic rhinitis using the Japanese Allergic Rhinitis Standard QOL Questionnaire (JRQLQ) during the 4-hour load and 2-hour rest and performance by Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic test during the 4-hour load.
Result: Plasma cluster ions inactivated 80–90% of Der p1 and attenuated the symptoms of nasal congestion in JRQLQ. Moreover, plasma cluster ions inhibited fatigue-induced impaired performance in Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic test compared to the case without the ions.
Conclusion: Plasma cluster ions reduce mite allergens and are effective for attenuating chronic allergic rhinitis and fatigue.

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Objective: In the present study, we conducted a clinical study to investigate the effect of newly developed LED lighting on improving sleep quality and living comfort in an indoor environment.
Design: Twelve healthy male subjects, whose Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were ≥5 participated in a randomized crossover trial. On the first day, as a sleep evaluation period, subjects rested from 21:00 to 22:00 under the newly developed lighting or ordinary lighting, went to bed at 22:00 and got up at 7:00. On the second day, as an evaluation period of daytime use, they performed a mental load for 4 hours under each lighting condition. We evaluated the quality of sleep by SLEEP SCAN and the St. Mary’s Hospital sleep questionnaire, and daytime performance by Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic test and advanced trail-making test (ATMT).
Result: The newly developed lighting improved the quality of sleep and increased comfortable feelings among participants; moreover, in daytime use, the environment did not induce impaired performance in spite of lower illumination.
Conclusion: This newly developed LED lighting produces suitable illumination and color temperature before sleeping and is useful for improving the living comfort in an indoor environment.

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In this study, we examined whether AA can be produced in Fru + Asn and Glc + Asn solutions that are incubated at 37°C for a long time. Acrylamide was observed in both solutions at pH 7.4 and pH 12.0. The Fru + Asn group became a deeper brown, but had a lower AA production rate than the Glc + Asn group at each pH. This suggests the presence of an acrylamide production pathway different from those in related high-temperature processes. Moreover, the generation of acrylamide at pH 7.4 in the Glc + Asn solution at 37°C suggests that acrylamide can be produced as an advanced glycation end product in the living body.

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Objective: “Ashitaba” (Angelica keiskei) is a traditional vegetable unique to Japan. Ashitaba contains an abundance of vitamins, dietary fiber and polyphenols such as chalcones. We previously reported anti-diabetic behavior of chalcones from Ashitaba. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of Ashitaba on patients and candidates with MetS.
Methods: Nine adult subjects defined as patients and candidates with MetS ingested Ashitaba green juice (6.2 g/day of granulated powder containing 12.3 mg chalcones) for 8 weeks. For evaluation of efficacy, abdominal fat area, body weight, body fat and blood parameters were measured. For evaluation of safety, blood chemistry analysis, hematological analysis and urinalysis were conducted.
Result: Ingestion of Ashitaba green juice for 8 weeks significantly decreased visceral fat area, body weight, BMI and body fat, respectively. There were no adverse clinical changes in blood analysis and urinary analysis, and no serious symptom was observed.
Conclusion: These results indicate that it is possible that Ashitaba is a useful and safe foodstuff for the prevention of MetS.

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Objective: To show the preventive effect of dietary supplements on metabolic syndrome.
Methods: Twenty dietary supplements were examined for inhibition of α-glucosidase, absorption of sugar in mice, lipids accumulation and adiponectin production in rat visceral adipocytes.
Results: In twenty dietary supplements, Bombyx mori and mulberry leaves inhibited rat intestinal α-glucosidase more than acarbose, and inhibited absorption of sugar in mice. In visceral adipocytes, Ganoderma lucidum, mate and Japanese yew inhibited accumulation of lipid and Artemisia Capillaris Flowers and Ground-ivy increased production of adiponectin in rat visceral adipocytes.
Conclusion: Mulberry leaves, Bombyx mori, Glechoma hederacea, Artemisia Capillaris Flowers are natural products which offer promise in the prevention of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Incorporating dietary supplements into a treatment plan with medicines with similar effects requires further study.

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The protection to the cytotoxicity of 24S-hydroxycholesterol on the brain-derived cells should be useful as a new therapy of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we have revealed neuroprotective effect of polyphenol, especially (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (−)-epicatechin gallate on cytotoxicity of 24S-hydroxycholesterol. These results suggest the possibility of a new complementary therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

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