ABSTRACT. The effects of two Peruvian folk medicines, Lepidium meyenii Walp and Jatropha macrantha, on mouse sex steroid hormones and embryo implantation were investigated. Progesterone levels increased significantly in mice that received L. meyenii Walp, while testosterone levels increased significantly in mice that received L. meyenii Walp as well as in those that received both L. meyenii Walp and J. macrantha. However, there were no marked changes in blood levels of estradiol-17β or the rate of embryo implantation. KEY WORDS: Jatropha macrantha, Lepidium meyenii Walp, mouse.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 65(10): 1145-1146, 2003 L. meyenii Walp is a root vegetable that only grows in the Peruvian Andes at elevations higher than 4,000 m [2, 4-7, 9-13, 16, 17, 19], while J. macrantha is sap collected from trees that grow naturally in the Peruvian Andes [3,8,18]. Because they are crude drugs, there are slight differences in components and compositions depending on where they are grown and when they are harvested. Both crude drugs have been widely used as folk medicines in Peru and have been administered to treat impotence, climacteric disorders and infertility in Europe and America [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][16][17][18][19]. However, no reports have investigated administration of these natural substances to animals or determined changes in sex steroid hormone levels and rates of embryo implantation. Therefore, we conducted the present study to investigate whether these crude drugs are also effective in animals.The level of estradiol-17β and progesterone measured in female mice, and the level of testosterone was measured in male mice. Three week-old ICR mice were divided into the following four groups: Control group, L group (only L. meyenii Walp was administered), J group (only J. macrantha was administered) and LJ group (both L. meyenii Walp and J. macrantha were administered). Each group consisted of ten mice, and prior to the study, mice were acclimatized for seven days in the same cage (room temperature: 22 ± 3°C, humidity: 60%, light: 14 hr, darkness: 10 hr). The crude drugs were administered for 30 days.Three-week-old mice were used in the present study because although mice are not sexually mature at the age of 3 weeks, by the end of the study, mice were able to breed. The design of the present study also allowed the female mice to have similar estrous cycles, thus minimizing individual differences. Furthermore, a vaginal smear test was conducted on every female mouse, and a blood sample was collected in estrus.Crude drugs were administered as follows: In the control group, 100 ml of plain water was poured into a 100 ml water bottle; in the L group, 5.0 g of L. meyenii Walp powder was dissolved in 100 ml of water; in the J group, 5.0 g of J. macrantha powder was dissolved in 100 ml of water; and in the LJ group, 2.5 g of L. meyenii Walp powder and 2.5 g of J. macrantha powder were dissolved in 100 ml of water. In all groups, mice had free access to drinking water.At the end of the administration period, e...

Intraperitoneal injection of beta-glucan was shown to greatly delay mortality in mice exposed to whole-body X-ray radiation and tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. Since the leukocyte and lymphocyte numbers were increased by a single dose of beta-glucan, the radioprotective effect of beta-glucan is probably mediated, at least in part, by a hemopoietic action in irradiated mice. In addition, both natural killer (NK) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activities were significantly increased by repeated doses of beta-glucan. Augmented immunological activity as seen in increased NK and LAK activity by beta-glucan seems to play a role in preventing secondary infections associated with irradiation, and probably contributes to the attenuated tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice through enhanced anti-tumor immunity. These results suggest that beta-glucan may be a promising adjunct treatment for cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

In this study, we focused on immune stimulation by Propolis, and examined changes in the effect of irradiation after Propolis administration. We also examined the radioprotective effect of Propolis by observing its effect on the immune system. The effect of immune activation by Propolis was investigated by measuring the total immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM. The radioprotective effect of immune activation by Propolis was investigated by measuring the T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of mice following whole body irradiation. Compared with the control group, the IgG was significantly reduced in the Propolis group, indicating that Propolis suppressed IgG production. ELISA revealed that the amount of IgM in mouse serum was significantly higher in the Propolis group as compared with the control group, indicating that Propolis increased IgM production. The number of CD4-positive cells was increased only in the Propolis group. Likewise, the number of CD4-positive cells increased by 81% in the Propolis with irradiation group compared with the irradiation group alone. Compared with the control group, the Propolis group increased CD8-positive cells. Compared with the irradiation alone group, CD8-positive cells were decreased by Propolis with irradiation group. Propolis activated macrophages to stimulate interferon (IFN)-gamma production in association with the secondary activation of T-lymphocytes, resulting in a decrease in IgG and IgM production. Cytokines released from macrophages in mouse peripheral blood after Propolis administration activated helper T-cells to proliferate. In addition, activated macrophages in association with the secondary T-lymphocyte activation increased IFN-gamma production and stimulated proliferation of cytotoxic T-cells and suppressor T-cells, indicating the activation of cell-mediated immune responses.

A study to evaluate the mechanisms of tumoricidal activity resulting from orally administered extract of Agaricus blazei Murill (A. blazei) was performed in mice bearing syngeneic and xenogeneic tumors. Tumor regression was comparably seen in both syngeneic and xenogeneic tumor-bearing mice when administered oral extract preparations. In addition, in a murine syngeneic tumor model, oral administration of water-soluble extracts of A. blazei resulted in significant production of cytokines such as IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha in peritoneal exudate cells, in parallel with the marked regression of tumor development. The water-soluble extracts also induced pronounced antioxidant activity in in vitro and in vivo assays using two different methods. These results indicate the A. blazei extract may enhance not only the immnunomodulatory effects that promote activity of peritoneal exudate cells for tumor regression but also potentially result in the direct destruction of tumor cells through its antioxidant activity.

Abstract. The present study undertook chemical analysis of components of Pfaffia paniculata roots. In addition, an animal experiment was conducted in which mice had ad libitum access to water enriched with powdered P. paniculata root for 30 days. Changes in plasma concentrations of estradiol-17β and progesterone in female mice and of testosterone in male mice were ascertained. The results revealed that P. paniculata roots contain two types of phytosteroids, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol, in addition to other compounds such as pfaffic acid, allantoin, saponins, β-sitosteryl-β-D-glucoside, and stigmasteryl-β-D-glucoside. Regarding changes in plasma concentrations of hormones, levels of the sex hormones estradiol-17β, progesterone and testosterone were clearly higher for mice that drank P. paniculata root-enriched water than for mice that drank plain water. Powdered P. paniculata root is easily dissolved in feed or water, and as no adverse reactions were seen in mice within 30 days of oral intake, consumption of P. paniculata for long periods of time appears safe.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the utility of ultrasonography with improved resolution using a high-frequency probe for dialysis-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study targeted 125 hemodialysis patients at our hospital. A 12 MHz probe was placed on the carpal tunnel area to identify the median nerve. The compression rate of the nerve was calculated by measuring the smallest diameter of the compressed nerve and largest diameter of the unaffected part. To quantify CTS symptoms, we determined the presence of Tinel's sign, measured pinch strength, and used questionnaires to assess numbness and pain. The association of these clinical data with the compression rate was examined. Mean compression rate was 12.1 ± 1.1%. The compression rate cutoff value for those positive with Tinel's sign was 25%, (sensitivity and specificity were 0.80 and 0.91, respectively), and that for those with a history of CTS surgery was 25% (sensitivity and specificity were 0.67 and 0.89, respectively). Multiple regression analysis identified duration of dialysis, β2-microglobulin(β2-Mg) concentration, positivity for Tinel's sign, history of CTS surgery, and pinch strength as independent compression rate determinants. Notably, compression rates were significantly higher in patients with a ≥4-year duration of dialysis and a β2-Mg level of 20 mg/L or more. The compression rate of the median nerve measured by an improved ultrasound device significantly correlated with clinical symptoms, medical history, and serological features associated with dialysis-related CTS. Because ultrasonography is non-invasive, the examination might be a simple method especially for early diagnosis of dialysis-related CTS.

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