Background: Fucoxanthin is a seaweed xanthophyll that has demonstrated an anti-obesity effect in rodents. However, clinical investigations of its influence on mildly obese subjects has not been performed. We conducted a clinical trial of fucoxanthin supplementation in Japanese obese subjects. Methods: We examined the effect of fucoxanthin (1 or 3 mg daily) in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Capsules containing fucoxanthin or placebo capsules were administered for 4 weeks to male and female Japanese adults with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 kg/m2. Before and after treatment, the body weight, body composition, abdominal fat area, and the circumferences of the neck, arm, and thigh were evaluated.Results: There was significant reduction of the relative (ratio versus before treatment) body weight, BMI, and visceral fat area in the 3 mg/day fucoxanthin group compared to the placebo group. Relative values of total fat mass, subcutaneous fat area, waist circumference, and right thigh circumference were also significantly lower in the 1 mg/day fucoxanthin group than the placebo group. A significant decrease of the absolute right thigh circumference was noted in the 1 mg/day fucoxanthin group compared to the placebo group. In the subjects ingesting fucoxanthin, there were no abnormalities of the blood pressure, pulse rate, blood parameters, and urinalysis parameters, which thereby suggests adverse effects. Conclusions: Fucoxanthin reduced body weight, BMI, and abdominal fat by acting on both visceral and subcutaneous fat. Consequently, Fucoxanthin may be able to improve a moderate overweight state in both men and women. Keywords: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial; fucoxanthin; body mass index; body weight; subcutaneous fat; adipose tissue

We previously reported that polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) in black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) extract (KPE) increased energy production by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in C2C12 myoblasts. We herein evaluated the effects of KPE on physical fitness performance and muscular endurance in mice. Male mice were orally administered KPE for 4 weeks, and then forced swimming test, open-field test, inclined plane test, and wire hanging test were performed. KPE significantly increased the swimming time, motility after swimming, and grip strength. IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression levels were decreased in the soleus muscle, whereas peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator (PGC)-1α and glycogen synthase mRNA expression levels, mitochondrial number, and glycogen content were increased. These results were in agreement with those obtained for KPE and PMFs in C2C12. Therefore, the activation of AMPK by PMFs may be one of the mechanisms by which KPE improves physical fitness performance and muscular endurance.

Ceramides (Cer) and glucosylceramides (GlcCer) play an important role in moisturizing the epidermis. Dietary GlcCer has been reported to improve transepidermal water loss (TEWL). However, the effect of GlcCer on epidermal Cer and GlcCer has not been well established. Therefore, we prepared a GlcCer-rich fraction (GCFr) from rice and evaluated its effect on TEWL and epidermal Cer and GlcCer in mice. In addition, we examined the effect of GlcCer (d18:2) contained in GCFr on the changes in Cer and GlcCer in a human epidermal equivalent. Oral dosing of GCFr (3 and 10 mg/[kg·day]) improved TEWL treated with sodium dodecyl sulfate. In the skin, epidermal Cer 1 was increased, and GlcCer (esterified ω-hydroxy fatty acid and sphingosine [EOS]) and a complex mixture of GlcCer (NS), (NP), and (C24,26-AS), known as GlcCer A/B were decreased by the GCFr. These changes were accompanied with the enhancement of glucosylceramide synthase (GCSase) and glucocerebrosidase expression. On the other hand, GlcCer (d18:2) increased Cer 1, Cer 2, GlcCer (EOS), and GlcCer A/B in a human epidermal equivalent accompanied with expression of GCSase and epidermal maturation markers. These results suggest that oral dosing of rice-derived GlcCer can compensate for epidermal loss of Cer by enhancing epidermal GlcCer metabolism. Rice-derived GlcCer may improve epidermal water loss and barrier function.

Enhancement of muscular energy production is thought to improve locomotive functions and prevent metabolic syndromes including diabetes and lipidemia. Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) has been cultivated for traditional medicine in Thailand. Recent studies have shown that black ginger extract (KPE) activated brown adipocytes and lipolysis in white adipose tissue, which may cure obesity-related dysfunction of lipid metabolism. However, the effect of KPE on glucose and lipid utilization in muscle cells has not been examined yet. Hence, we evaluated the effect of KPE and its constituents on energy metabolism in pre-differentiated (p) and differentiated (d) C2C12 myoblasts. KPE (0.1-10 μg/ml) was added to pC2C12 cells in the differentiation process for a week or used to treat dC2C12 cells for 24 h. After culturing, parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis were assessed. In terms of the results, KPE enhanced the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose and lactic acid as well as the mRNA expression of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 and monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) 1 in both types of cells. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator (PGC)-1α was enhanced in pC2C12 cells. In addition, KPE enhanced the production of ATP and mitochondrial biogenesis. Polymethoxy flavonoids in KPE including 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone and 5,7-dimethoxyflavone enhanced the expression of GLUT4 and PGC-1α. Moreover, KPE and 5,7-dimethoxyflavone enhanced the phosphorylation of 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In conclusion, KPE and its polymethoxy flavonoids were found to enhance energy metabolism in myocytes. KPE may improve the dysfunction of muscle metabolism that leads to metabolic syndrome and locomotive dysfunction.

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A 90-day oral toxicity study of γ-oryzanol, a rice-derived triterpenoid ferulate, was performed by oral gavage administration to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats at doses of 0, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day. All rats administered γ-oryzanol survived throughout the study period. Both male and female rats showed no toxicologically significant changes of the general signs, examination findings, body weight, food consumption, functional observational battery results, ophthalmological findings, urinalysis, hematology tests, clinical chemistry tests, organ weights, and necropsy findings. Moreover, there were no histopathological changes related to administration of γ-oryzanol in males and females from the 2000 mg/kg body weight/day group. In conclusion, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of γ-oryzanol exceeded 2000 mg/kg body weight/day for both male and female rats under the conditions of this study.

Background: Luteolin is a flavonoid found in various edible plants that exhibits diverse health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-gout effects. However, there has been little clinical investigation of luteolin from the viewpoint of gout prevention. We conducted a clinical trial of supplementation with chrysanthemum flower extract rich in luteolin (LCE) to assess the effect on serum uric acid levels in Japanese men.

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