Polyphenols are natural substances distributed widely in nature. They have various functions as well as an antioxidant activity, and are raw materials used commonly in food industry. Proanthocyanidins consist of catechin units. It is considered that the bioavailability would be low when orally administered because naturally available proanthocyanidins are high molecular weight resulting from polymerization. We developed a method for production of oligomeric proanthocyanidins from polymeric proanthocyanidins in collaboration with Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Nagasaki University. The method can be applicable to food process. The product produced through this method is named as “Oligonol”, which is superior to currently distributed polyphenols in in vivo antioxidant activities.
Oligonol is produced by oligomerizing proanthocyanidins derived from lychee fruit. The oligomerization mechanism is nucleophilic substitution of catechin monomers at the C-4 position of proanthocyanidins fragmentated under acidic condition. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins are available to be produced from any polymeric proanthocyanidins according to this method.
The safety of Oligonol was confirmed by various safety assessments, and a Phase I safety study in human has been conducted. Oligonol is also certified as NDI (New Dietary Ingredient) by US FDA. Oligonol possesses a predominant bioavailability when orally administered, and a lot of researches about improvement of blood flow, anti-fatigue, reduction of adipose and cosmetic appearance are vigorously underway.

AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) is an extract from mycelia of Lentinula edodes, a mushroom of the basidiomycetes family, which is cultivated in liquid media in a large tank. It is one of the most frequently used products in complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients in Japan. Also in recent studies, it has been reported as efficacious in treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. AHCC has been proved as safe food by various safety evaluations and drug interaction studies have been conducted. The result of a Phase I trial in healthy volunteers concluded that AHCC is safe as a supplement in clinical practice. The present paper reviews the effects of AHCC in ameliorating the side effects of anti-cancer drugs, in modulating the immune system, in reducing inflammation and in infection prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: The gender-specific characteristics of individuals at an increased risk of developing depression currently remain unclear despite a higher prevalence of depression in women than in men. This study clarified socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of subclinical depression in general Japanese men and women. METHODS: Study participants were residents not receiving psychiatric treatments in 300 sites throughout Japan in 2010 (1152 men, 1529 women). Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for socioeconomic factors and lifestyle factors were calculated using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Risk of depressive tendencies was significantly higher in men who were single and living alone (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.56-6.88) than those married. The risk was significantly lower in women who were not working and aged ≥ 60 years (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.22-0.68) and higher in men who were not working and aged < 60 years (OR, 3.57; 95%CI, 1.31-9.72) compared with those who were working. Current smoking was also associated with a significantly increased risk of depressive tendencies in women (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.68-5.22) but not in men. CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic and lifestyle factors were associated with an increased risk of depressive tendencies in general Japanese. Related factors were different by sex.
Adult ; Aged ; Community Psychiatry ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Japan ; epidemiology ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors