Objective: The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of Okara-puree (okara after the sub-critical water reaction) on antitumor and antipromoter activity.
Method: The antipromoter activity was investigated by colony method using JB6 Cl 41 cells and 3-3 MTT(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) method. We examined the antitumor effect by measuring the survival days and the bodyweight of the mice in which colon cancer cells had been transplanted in the soles of the left foot.
Result: Okara-puree DMSO extract inhibited EGF(epidermal growth factor)-induced colonization of JB6 Cl 41 cells. In the mice transplanted with cancer cells, more survivors were seen in the Okara-puree group compared to control during the period day 10 to day 20. Furthermore,the mice in the Okara-puree group showed a longer survival time compared to control even after day 22.
Conclusion: Unlike unprocessed okara, Okara-puree shows promise for development as a functional food material with antitumor and antipromoter effects.

We purified a novel angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor from fish sauce Ishiru prepared from squid, and identified it as the tripeptide Leu-Ala-Arg (LAR). IC₅₀ of this ACE inhibitor was 2.5 μM, demonstrating high potency among peptides previously purified from fish sauces. Moreover, LAR acted as an antihypertensive peptide, reducing systolic blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Bischofia javanica leaf extract exhibited inhibitory activities against hyaluronidase, collagenase, tyrosinase and urease, suggesting that it is useful as an active ingredient for functional foods and cosmeceutical products. In particular, its 50% inhibitory concentration for hyaluronidase was comparable to that of disodium cromoglycate, which is a well-known hyaluronidase inhibitor used as an anti-inflammation and anti-allergy agent. In addition, the extract also inhibited urease with the almost the same potential as acetohydroxamic acid, which is reported to suppress Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis by inhibiting urease.

Objective: We examined anti-influenza virus (anti-IFV) activity of Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives (CRD) extract.Methods: H1N1 A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) strain was infected to Malin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells. The infected cells were cultured by medium supplemented CRD extract for 24 h, and the supernatants were harvested to analyze virus titer by focus-forming reduction assay. Polyphenols were removed by PVPP treatment, and anti-influenza virus activity was compared with normal CRD extract. Results: CRD extract showed anti-IFV activity. In addition, CRD extract inhibited viral adsorption and replication. The study of CRD extract by PVPP treatment suggested that polyphenols are the main active component. Conclusion: This study revealed that CRD extract has anti-IFV activity against PR8 strain. The mechanism of action was inhibited viral adsorption and replication. It was also suggested that anti-IFV activity of CRD extract is due to polyphenols.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of feeding Okara fermented by Bacillus coagulans on cecum microflora in rat. Method: Three groups of SD rat of 8 weeks old were used in the experiment. The experimental animals were fed control diet, 2% okara diet, 2% fermented okara diet in each group for two weeks. The experimental diet and water were provided ad libitum. Food intake was measured every day. After 24 hours fast, we performed drawing blood with heparin after the experimental period. After drawing blood, several organs were removed for measuring their weight. In addition, we removed cecum after drawing blood about each three groups and studied their microflora. We also measured about plasma albumin, ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, and cytokine level. Result: Bifidobacteria of cecum and blood IFN-g levels significantly increased in the fermented okara group. The total cholesterol level in blood significantly decreased. Conclusion: Okara fermented by Bacillus coagulans had an influence on not only intestinal microflora but also the immune system in rat, suggesting that the fermented okara can expect development as functional materials.

Coix lacryma-jobi L. var.ma-yuen Stapf (Coix seed) is a grass crop that has long been used in traditional medicine as a nourishing food. However, high-intake safety of the extract of the husks, pellicles and astringent skin of Coix seed has rarely been evaluated. We performed a safety test of hot water extract of all parts of Coix seed (CRD extract) in rats. CRD extract showed no significant toxicity on body weight, blood analyses, urinalysis and histopathological examination in acute toxicity tests.

Coix lacryma-jobi L. var.ma-yuen Stapf (coix seed) is a grass crop that has long been used in traditional medicine as a nourishing food. However, high-intake safety of the extract of the husks, pellicles and astringent skin of coix seed has rarely been evaluated. We performed a 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity test of hot water extract of all parts of Coix seed in rats. The extract showed no significant toxicity on body weight, blood analyses, urinalysis and histopathological examination in acute toxicity tests.

Objective: A study was conducted to clarify the anti-influenza virus effect of agricultural, forest and fishery products in Ishikawa Prefecture. Method: The samples were prepared by both hot-water and ethanol extraction. The Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells infected with PR8 strain were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium（DMEM） containing extract for 24 hours and measured virus titer of supernatants by focus-forming reduction assay. Time-of-addition assay was performed to determine the inhibition stage in virus proliferation by the extract. The active ingredients were purified using a solid-phase extraction column (silica gel base C18). Results: We revealed that many products have anti-influenza virus activity. Especially, four products ( Matteuccia struthiopteris, Colocasia esculenta, Sagittaria trifolia, and Eleucine coracana) show strong activity and inhibit several stages in virus proliferation. Conclusion: We performed screening to 46 agricultural, forest and fishery products and found the four products ( Matteuccia struthiopteris, Colocasia esculenta, Sagittaria trifolia, and Eleusine coracana) inhibit virus proliferation strongly. In addition, the isolation and identification of the active ingredients contained in these remain as a future study.

In this study, we examined the influence of a newly developed Plenus kinme rice on blood pressure and plasma HbA1c value. Twenty five subjects without serious disease were recruited, and 24 subjects were analyzed. After the consumption of musen rice for 8 weeks (control group), Plenus kinme rice was administrated for 16 weeks (test group). The results were as follows: in the test group, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p=0.008) and the plasma HbA1c level decreased significantly by stratified analysis (p=0.003). Furthermore, Plenus kinme rice improved several mibyou constitutions such as Gentleness type, Qi-deficiency type, Phlegm-wetness type, Wet-heat type and Qi-depression type. It was concluded that the Plenus kinme rice may be useful for prevention of lifestyle related diseases. Further study will be needed to confirm these effects.