BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Edible insects are increasingly being recognized as sustainable protein sources with potential lipid-lowering properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of protein hydrolysates from 3 edible insects, Tenebrio molitor (TM), Protaetia brevitarsis (PB), and Gryllus bimaculatus (GB), on lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.MATERIALS/METHODS: Treat cells with different concentrations of insect hydrolysates for 48 h during adipocyte differentiation. To evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of insect hydrolysates, analyses were conducted using Oil Red O staining, western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Non-toxic concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL) of the hydrolysates were applied during adipocyte differentiation for 48 h. All 3 hydrolysates significantly reduced intracellular lipid accumulation, with the PB hydrolysate demonstrating superior effects. PB uniquely stimulated lipolysis, as indicated by increased free fatty acid and glycerol release, accompanied by enhanced phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase. Additionally, the PB hydrolysate upregulated key genes involved in adipocyte metabolism, including Pparg, Cebpa, aP2, and ApN. CONCLUSION PB hydrolysate exhibits distinct metabolic benefits, highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient for obesity management. Further in vivo studies are required to explore the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic applications.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated total 26 ingredients of Saengshik which will be commercially produced as an anti-diabetic dietary supplement. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirteen vegetables, nine cereals, three legumes and one seed were extracted with aqueous ethanol for 2 h at 60degrees C, and evaluated for their inhibitory effects against alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase and for total phenolic and flavonoid contents. RESULTS: All ingredients inhibited alpha-amylase activity except cabbage. Strong inhibitory activity of alpha-amylase was observed in leek, black rice, angelica and barley compared with acarbose as a positive control. Stronger inhibition of alpha-glucosidase activity was found in small water dropwort, radish leaves, sorghum and cabbage than acarbose. All Saengshik ingredients suppressed alpha-glucosidase activity in the range of 0.3-60.5%. Most ingredients contained total phenols which were in the range of 1.2-229.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dried extract. But, total phenolic contents were not observed in carrot, pumpkin and radish. All ingredients contained flavonoid in the range of 11.6-380.7 mg catechin equivalent/g dried extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Saengshik containing these ingredients would be an effective dietary supplement for diabetes.
Acarbose ; alpha-Amylases* ; alpha-Glucosidases* ; Angelica ; Brassica ; Catechin ; Edible Grain ; Cucurbita ; Daucus carota ; Dietary Supplements ; Ethanol ; Fabaceae ; Gallic Acid ; Food, Organic* ; Hordeum ; Oenanthe ; Phenol ; Phenols ; Raphanus ; Sorghum ; Vegetables

Many aging male suffer various andropause symptoms including loss of physical and mental activities. This study evaluated the putative alleviative effects of CRS-10 dandelion and rooibos extract complex (CRS-10) on the symptoms of andropause. The survival rate of TM3 Leydig cells (TM3 cells) treated with CRS-10 was measured based on typical physiological stress. After daily intake of CRS-10 for 4 weeks, the level of testosterone, physical activity and both the number and activity of sperm in older rats (18 weeks) were measured. Furthermore, thirty males were surveyed with AMS (Aging Males' Symptoms) questionnaire after intake of 400 mg of CRS-10. Overall, CRS-10 protected TM3 cells from serum restriction and oxidative stress via activation of ERK and Akt pathways. The level of testosterone and activation of spermatogenesis in rats were significantly enhanced. In addition, physical locomotion was markedly improved. Daily intake of 400 mg of CRS-10 improved the quality of life among agingmale respondents, according to a clinical survey using the AMS. The results indicate the potential of CRS-10 as a safe and efficacious natural substance for reducing or alleviating andropause symptoms.
Aging ; Andropause ; Animals ; Aspalathus ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; Locomotion ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Oxidative Stress ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rats ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Stress, Physiological ; Survival Rate ; Taraxacum ; Testosterone

The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been used in folk medicine to treat cancers. However, limited information exists on the underlying anticancer effects of the major component of I. obliquus in vivo. We hypothesize that the pure compounds (3beta-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24-dien-21-al, inotodiol and lanosterol, respectively) separated from I. obliquus would inhibit tumor growth in Balbc/c mice bearing Sarcoma-180 cells (S-180) in vivo and growth of human carcinoma cells in vitro. To test this hypothesis, the growth inhibition of each subfraction isolated from I. obliquus on human carcinoma cell lines (lung carcinoma A-549 cells, stomach adenocarcinoma AGS cells, breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells, and cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells) was tested in vitro. Then, after S-180 implantation, the mice were fed a normal chow supplemented with 0, 0.1 or 0.2 mg of subfraction 1, 2 or 3 per mouse per day. All of the subfractions isolated from I. obliquus showed significant cytotoxic activity against the selected cancer cell lines in vitro. Subfraction 1 was more active than subfraction 2 and subfraction 3 against the A549, AGS and MCF-7 cancer cell lines in vitro. In in vivo results, subfraction 1 isolated from I. obliquus at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/mouse per day significantly decreased tumor volume by 23.96% and 33.71%, respectively, as compared with the control. Subfractions 2 and 3 also significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing S-180 as compared with the control mouse tumor. Subfraction 1 isolated from I. obliquus showed greater inhibition of tumor growth than subfractions 2 and 3, which agrees well with the in vitro results. The results suggest that I. obliquus and its compounds in these subfractions isolated from I. obliquus could be used as natural anticancer ingredients in the food and/or pharmaceutical industry.
Adenocarcinoma ; Agaricales ; Animals ; Breast ; Cell Line ; Drug Industry ; Humans ; Lanosterol ; MCF-7 Cells ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mice ; Stomach ; Tumor Burden ; Ursidae