Cancer prevention is an important issue in the field of public health. In Oriental countries, Eucommia bark (the bark of Eucommia ulmoides) is used in tonics and anti-hypertensive medicines. Eucommia bark has inhibitory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation in mice. We demonstrated that at a dose of 1 mg/mouse, a methanol extract of Eucommia bark markedly inhibited the tumour-promoting activity of TPA in mice with skin tumour formation following initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). These results suggest the potential use of Eucommia bark in cancer prevention.

Chaga (the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus) has been widely used as a folk medicine in the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Russia, Poland, and several Baltic countries. More recently, this herb has been assessed for its cancer-preventing activity. Using a mouse model of skin cancer, oral administration of Chaga was found to inhibit tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate following initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in mouse skin.

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.

Cancer prevention is one of the most urgent problems in the field of public health worldwide. The methanol extract of watercress ( Nasturtium officinale) inhibits 12-O-tetradecaonoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema in mice. The extract also exhibits marked antitumor activity in in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test in mice using 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene as an initiator and TPA as a promoter. From the active fraction of the methanol extract, sitosterol 3-O-glucopyranoside (1) was isolated and identified. This compound was evaluated for its inhibitory effects on TPA-induced inflammation (1 µg/ear) in mice, and had a 50% inhibitory dose of 299 nmol/ear. These results indicate that watercress extracts are useful in cancer prevention.

Objective: To show the preventive effect of Brazilian propolis on metabolic syndrome.Methods: Nine Brazilian propolis were examined for inhibition ofα-glucosidase, absorption of sugar in mice, and lipid accumulation, glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and adiponection production in mouse 3T3-L1 cells.Results: In nine Brazilian propolis, AF-06, AF-19, and AFG-06 propolis inhibited rat internal α-glucosidase, and AF-06 propolis inhibited the absorption of sugar in mice. In 3T3-L1 cells, AF-06 and AF-08 propolis inhibited accumulation lipid, and inhibited glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase.Conclusion: Brazilian propolis AF-06 and AF-08 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.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonic diverticular hemorrhage (DH) was a rare disease until the 1990s, and its incidence has increased rapidly since 2000 in Japan. In recent years, colonic DH has been the most frequent cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). Nearly all cases of DH are mild, with the bleeding often stopping spontaneously. Some cases, however, require surgery or arterial embolization. In this study, using a cohort at Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, we investigated factors associated with severe colonic DH. METHODS: Among patients with LGIB who underwent colonoscopy at our hospital between 1995 and 2013, DH was identified in 273 patients. Among them, 62 patients (22.7%) were defined as having severe colonic DH according to recurrence of bleeding in a short period, and/or the necessity of transfusion, arterial embolization, or surgery. We then evaluated risk factors for severe DH among DH patients in this retrospective cohort. RESULTS: Among the 273 patients with DH, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (odds ratio [OR], 2.801; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.164–6.742), Charlson Risk Index (CRI) ≥2 (OR, 3.336; 95% CI, 1.154–7.353), right-sided colonic DH (OR, 3.873; 95% CI, 1.554–9.653), and symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion (such as light-headedness, dizziness, or syncope) (OR, 2.926; 95% CI, 1.310–6.535) showed an increased risk of severe DH even after controlling for other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Severe DH occurred in 23% of DH patients, and NSAID use, CRI ≥2, right-sided colonic DH, and symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion are suggested to be predictors of severe DH.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Cohort Studies ; Colon* ; Colonoscopy ; Dizziness ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Japan ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*