Hot water extract of adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) seed, commonly called Yokuinin, has been used as herbal medicine for treating verruca vulgaris, et al. Although there have been a number of studies on the usefulness of Yokuinin, the pharmacological assessment of its husk, pellicle, and astringent skin remains unclear. In this line, we evaluated the effect of methanol extract from all parts of adlay grain (seed, husk, pellicle, astringent skin) on cancer cells and identified its useful chemical components. Results revealed that a fraction of the extract have weak growth-suppressing activity on human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa cell). In particular, 5,7-dihydroxychromone and coixol were isolated and identified from the active fraction. This indicates the possible cancer chemopreventive efficacy of methanol extract from adlay. Moreover, further tests are needed to determine the role of 5,7-dihydroxychromone.

60 cancer patients between the ages of 20 and 80 who had completed a main treatment were randomly administered Tabebuia Avellanedae (Taheebo) extract 2.0 g/day (usual dosage), 4.0 g/day (2 times dosage), or 6.0 g/day (3 times dosage) for 6 months. A blood biochemical exam, urinalysis, adverse effects, several immunological parameters, urine 8-OHdG and QOLsurvey were evaluated. Five patients dropped out, but there was no direct cause and effect between the extract and dropout. Although several items of the blood biochemical exam revealed slight variation within the normal limits, distinct abnormities were not detected. Furthermore, side effects like allergic symptoms were not found. Immune parameters and urine 8-OHdG did not change significantly. CRP, which is a sensitive marker of inflammation, was significantly improved, and this may suggest the possibility of this extract helping to prevent hardening of blood vessels due to arteriosclerosis. In Japan, long-term food safety tests have rarely been done, therefore we recommend that more of these exams be carried out.

We evaluated the safety of fucoidan from Gagome Kombu (GKF) in genotoxicity tests. In bacterial reverse mutation test, GKF had no reverse mutation inducing activity on five bacterial strains with or without S9 metabolic activation. In chromosome aberration test, GKF had neither structural nor numerical chromosome aberration inducibility with or without S9 metabolic activation. In micronucleus test, neither formation of micronuclei nor decrease of mironucleated reticulocytes was observed in the bone marrow of the mice treated by GKF. These results indicate that GKF has no genotoxic activities under the condition of this study.

Object: Gagome kombu (Kjellmaniella cracciforia) is the edible brown seaweed and contains fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, abundantly. Bunashimeji (Hypsizigus marmoreus) is the popular Japanese mushrooms and contains polyterpenes as the bitter substance. Previously, we investigated the bioactive functions (e.g. anti-tumor action) and the safety of fucoidan from Gagome kombu (GKF) and the extract from Bunashimeji (KTE: Kinoko terpene extract). In this study, we evaluate the influence of GKF and KTE on hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP).
Methods: Male SD rats were divided into three groups (n = 5). 2,000 mg/kg of GKF and KTE were given orally once daily for 4 days.
Result: There were no difference in activities and mRNA expressions of hepatic CYPs (CYP2C11, CYP2D, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1) among all groups.
Conclusion: These results indicated GKF and KTE did not influence the rat hepatic CYPs.

Objective: Gagome kombu (Kjellmaniella crassifolia), an edible brown seaweed grown around the southern area of Hokkaido, is known to abundantly contain fucoidan. Previous studies show that on animals, fucoidan from Gagome kombu (GKF) exhibits immune-enhancing, anti-cancer and anti-influenza virus capabilities. In this study, we focused on the elderly and evaluated the safety and immune-efficacy of GKF.
Methods: Eighteen (18) Japanese elderly subjects were chosen to ingest the test samples (3 tablets/day containing 50 mg GKF and lactic acid bacteria) for 8 weeks. Before ingestion and every 4 weeks thereafter (4^th and 8^th week), blood chemistry analysis, hematological analysis, urinalysis and immune analysis were conducted.
Result: Test results showed no adverse clinical changes in blood and urinary analysis. In addition, no serious symptoms were observed. Moreover, GKF markedly decreased serum IgE levels.
Conclusion: These results indicate that in the case of elderly, GKF is a safe functional food ingredient.

Objective: Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide in Gagome kombu (GKF) is known to exhibit immune-enhancing and anti-cancer activities. Recently, cancer patients use various dietary supplements containing fucoidan and mushroom extracts. However, there have been few reports on the safety and efficacy of fucoidan-containing supplements. In this study, we examined the safety of long-term ingestion of GKF in cancer patients.
Methods: Twenty six (26) Japanese cancer patients—16 of whom (male 6, female 10, age 62.8 ± 10.7) have completed cancer treatment and 10 (male 4, female 6, 67.0 ± 10.6) still under treatment and regularly taking anti-cancer drugs and hormone pills—were chosen to ingest GKF-containing supplements (200–300 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Before ingestion and every 4 weeks thereafter (4^th and 8^th week), blood chemistry analysis, hematological analysis, urinalysis and immune analysis were conducted.
Result: There were no adverse clinical changes in blood and urinary analysis. In addition, no serious adverse effects were observed.
Conclusion: These results indicate long-term ingestion of GKF is indeed, safe for cancer patients.

Object: Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide in brown marine algae. Gagome kombu (Kjellmaniella crassifolia) is a Japanese edible seaweed and contains fucoidan abundantly. Recently, it was reported that fucoidan from Gagome kombu (GKF) had anti-tumor, immune-enhancing and anti-coagulant activities. In this study, we conducted a safety of GFK on the healthy adult.
Methods: Thirty-two healthy volunteers were randomly divided into 4 groups and administered a standard volume and three times volume of two kinds of test drinks containing GKF for 4 weeks.
Result: No abnormal changes were observed after test drinks ingestion on blood chemistry, urinalysis, hematological data and blood pressure. No severe adverse events related to test drinks were observed. Moreover, increase of Th1 cells was observed in immunological analysis.
Conclusion: This study suggests that GKF is safe in healthy adults.