Krill oil (KO) exhibits various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. However, the inhibitory effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo have not yet been studied. This study investigated the anti-BPH effects of KO extracted by an enzymatic hydrolysis method. KO treatment inhibited the proliferation of WMPY-1 and BPH-1 cells by induction of G₀/G₁ phase arrest through the modulation of positive and negative regulators in both prostate cell types. KO treatment stimulated phosphorylation of JNK and p38 signaling. In addition, KO changed the expression of BPH-related markers (5α-reductase, androgen receptor, FGF, Bcl-2, and Bax) and the activity of the proliferation-mediated NF-κB binding motif. KO-induced levels of proliferation-mediated molecules of prostate cells were attenuated in the presence of siRNA-specific p-38 (si-p38) and JNK (si-JNK). Furthermore, the administration of KO alleviated prostate size and weight and the cell layer thickness of prostate glands in a testosterone enanthate-induced BPH rat model. KO treatment altered the level of dihydrotestosterone in serum and the expression levels of BPH-related markers in prostate tissues. Finally, KO-mediated inhibition of prostatic growth was validated by histological analysis. These results suggest that KO has an inhibitory effect on BPH in prostate cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, KO might be a potential prophylactic or therapeutic agent for patients with BPH.

Tea is one of the most popular health drinks around the world, especially in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Drinking tea has become a traditional culture and healthy lifestyle for preventing diseases in these countries and regions. Recent scientific researches indicate that tea has good efficacy in anti-cancer. The bioactive components and related anti-cancer mechanisms of tea are constantly being supplemented. Drinking tea can reduce the incidence of cancers. However, there is a lack of a systematic summary of the current tea anticancer research process to date. Here, we conduct an update on the bioactive components and r anti-cancer mechanisms of tea.

Angelica sinensis is well documented as a traditional medicine for a broad spectrum of disease. Recently, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction has been developed as an emerging green technology for processing of Angelica sinensis essential oil (AEO). To investigate the volatile components and antioxidant activity of AEO both in vitro and in vivo, we conducted an analysis of its chemical composition using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that AEO was mainly composed of phthalides, such as (Z)-Ligustilide (12.85%), 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (11.6%), and 3-Butylidenephthalide (3.16%). In vitro antioxidant experiments indicated that when the concentration of Vitamin C was 10 μg/mL, the scavenging capacity of 1,1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) for free radicals approached 100%, while the required AEO concentrations were 0.5 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the iron-reducing capacity also showed a concentration-dependent relationship with AEO. In vivo experiments showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae was cytotoxic after treatment with AEO at concentrations greater than 0.2 mg/mL. Furthermore, in a model of oxidative stress under 2 mM hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) stress, AEO increased the resistance of yeast to H₂O₂-promoted oxidative stress and improved its survival rate. These results demonstrate that AEO has good antioxidant capacity, and we hope to actively expand the application of AEO in various fields to fully develop and utilize this plant resource.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. At present, there is no specific drugs for the prevention and treatment of AD, so it is urgent to find natural products contributing to alleviation of AD. Nobiletin is one of polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) extracted mainly from citrus peels. Nobiletin has multiple bioactivities, good bioavailability and low side effects. Studies have shown that nobiletin improves cognitive impairment and pathological features in animal models of AD and exerts neuroprotective effects. In addition, 5-demethylnobiletin (5-DN), the main derivative of nobiletin, achieves neuroprotection through anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic and cholinergic effects for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Other PMFs (for example tangeretin) also have the potential to prevent neurodegenerative diseases due to their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects similar to nobiletin. Taken together, PMFs, including nobiletin, have potential as therapeutic agents for AD.

A simple and efficient ultrasonic-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from raw Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix was developed and optimized by using quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single-marker combined with response surface methodology approaches. The quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single-marker analytical method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector was established and applied to determine the contents of six bioactive compounds in raw Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix. In order to maximize extraction of six bioactive compounds in raw Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were obtained by the response surface methodology coupled with Box–Behnken design. The conditions of ultrasonic-assisted extraction were found to be effective for the extraction of bioactive compounds from raw Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix. The test results showed that the difference in saikosaponins contents in these samples was obvious; a quantitative analysis of saikosaponins will contribute significantly to improving the quality control of raw Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix. In conclusion, the designed protocol is suitable for the quality control of raw Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) as a common dietary adjunct is widely applied in Traditional Chinese Medicine due to its health-promoting properties, but the differences between white ginseng and red ginseng was rarely studied. In the present study, color parameters and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were determined to evaluate the differences of ginseng color and microstructure induced by processing procedure. Quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single-marker (QAMS) method and anti-α-amylase activity test were used to assess variations of chemical ingredients and pharmacological activity between white and red ginseng. Finally, molecular docking studies were carried out to screen out the most effective compound against α-amylase. Results indicated that processing had a significant impact on the physicochemical properties and pharmacological activity of white and red ginseng. After processing, the color value of L^* declined significantly. Red ginseng sample displayed a compact structure and presented of a gel layer on the surface compared to white ginseng. Additionally, the content of ginsenosides and the activity of anti-α-amylase decreased. The contents of total ginsenosides were positively correlated with the anti-α-amylase activities of ginseng, and ginsenoside Rb1 might be the most effective compound to inhibit the activity of α-amylase.

Hesperidin, a flavanone glucoside, is rich in citrus fruits, especially in citrus peels. Experimental and clinical data has demonstrated that hesperidin is a good candidate in cardiovascular diseases due to its lipid-lowing, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties. A recent report has revealed a new mechanism of hesperidin on myocardial ischemic/reperfusion injury through targeting Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent kinase II δ (CaMKII-δ) kinase. Herein, we highlight the finding and summarize the recently published clinical trials of hesperidin with regard to cardiovascular diseases. Akin to hesperidin, polymethoxylated flavones and flavanone – naringin are also very rich and found in some citrus peels. Therefore, clinical data are needed to address the perspectives of citrus peels in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Long-term artificial sweetener intake is linked to increased risk of obesity. In the present study, supplement of natural sweetener from Siraitia grosvenorii (SG) (or Momordica grosvenorii) fruit, compared with the artificial sweetener aspartame (ASM), was evaluated for anti-obesity effects on mice fed with high fat diet (HFD). We found that, in contrary to ASM, SG extracts prevented body weight gain, the insulin resistance and fat mass accumulation in HFD mice. SG extracts treatment inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and lowered the levels of the fat inflammatory cytokines (leptin, macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) in adipose tissues. In addition, SG extracts supplement counteracted the remodeling of gut microbiota resulted from HFD. However, ASM supplement aggravated the HFD-induced obese performances, fat inflammation and dysregulation of gut microbiota. Taken together, our results indicate that supplement of SG extracts may represent a promising alternation of artificial sweeteners in preventing metabolic diseases.

Camellia sinensis (tea), one of the most popular commercial crops, is commonly applied in all parts of the world. The main active ingredients of tea include polyphenols, alkaloids, polysaccharides, amino acids, aroma and volatile constitutes, all of which are potentially responsible for the activities of tea. Stem cells (SCs) are the immature and undifferentiated cells by a varying capacity for proliferation, self-renewal and the capability to differentiate into one or more different derivatives with specialized function or maintain their stem cell phenotype. Herein, a thorough review is conducted of the functional mechanism on SCs by tea bioactive compounds.

Tea represents an abundant source of naturally occurring polyphenols. Tea polyphenols (TPs) have received growing attentions for its wide consumption in the world, and more importantly its pleiotropic bioeffects for human health. After ingestion, TPs may undergo absorption and phase II reaction in the small intestine, and most undigested proportion would be submitted to the colon to interact with gut microbiota. Interactions between gut microbiota and TPs are bidirectional, including not only bacteria-mediated TPs metabolism, e.g., removal of gallic acid moiety and ring fission to release phenolic acid catabolites, but also TPs-based modification of bacterial profiles. Crosstalk between TPs and gut microbes may benefit for gut barrier function, for example, improvement of the intestinal permeability to alleviate inflammation. Moreover, by reshaping microbial composition and associated metabolites, TPs may exert a systemic protection on host metabolism, which contributes to improve certain chronic metabolic disorders. Given that, further understanding of the metabolic fate of TPs and interplay with gut microbiota as well as potential health-promoting effects are of great significance to development and application of tea and their polyphenolic components in the future as dietary supplements and/or functional ingredients in medical foods.