Background: Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) has been used both in traditional Chinese medicine and as a nourishing food based on its unique biological effects and highly nutritional values. In the present study, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of a hot-water adlay extract in sarcoma mice model. Materials and Methods: The hot water extract of whole adlay was orally administered to mice for one week, after which Sarcoma-180 cells (1×106) were subcutaneously implanted into the abdomen. Thereafter, the tumor growth was monitored and mouse survival was examined. Results: Tumor weights measured at 18 days were significantly lower in mice treated with extract (100 and 300 mg/kg/day) than those in control group (p<0.01). Moreover, mice treated with extract (100 mg/kg/day) showed apparently longer survival than control group evaluated until 32 days (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that hot water adlay extract appears to have some anti-tumor effects in vivo insarcoma cells.

Peucedanum japonicum Thunb (PJT) has reported the effect of lipid and glucose metabolism at some in vivo and in vitro study. In this study, 21 subjects with dyslipidemia border zone took PJT for 12 weeks. The changes over time of body composition and biochemical test were examined. The values of HbA1c were significantly reduced compared to the values before intake. For body fat percentage, the value at 8 weeks after intake showed a significant decrease compared with the value before intake. Adiponectin was significantly increase after 8 weeks in obese subject. These results suggested PJT may improvement of glucose metabolism.

Purpose: The learning situation of pharmacy students failing their final exam the previous year (referred to as US) was investigated, and a method of learning support for students with low scholastic abilities was examined.

Method: Questionnaires were completed by students who were unsuccessful in the previous year's final exam a total of three times from April to July 2014, and changes in their academic record were compared with the questionnaire results. Questionnaire contents were: (1)self-learning time, (2)learning support method, (3)weak subject area, (4) progress in the printed material we distributed.

Results: The students with a low academic performance hoped to study by themselves. They felt that physicochemistry and pharmacology were weak subject areas, because high-level understanding was necessary. We realized that the quality of learning was more important than the number of practice problems the students could complete, based on the tests we distributed. In addition, a decline in academic ability was seen in many students at the beginning of the following fiscal year.

Discussion: It is necessary to begin physicochemistry and pharmacology education support when students start their programs for those with a low scholastic ability. Support that incorporates unification-type learning for students unsuccessful in their final exams is also necessary. Furthermore, it is important to design specialized practice problems and individual guidance for students with a low academic performance.

In the Guideline for treatment of chronic headache published by Japanese Headache Society, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are proposed for the acute treatment of migraine in children. But prophylactic treatment of pediatric migraine is not established. We report the efficacy of Kampo medicine for preventing migraine in children and childhood periodic syndromes. We use a variety of Kampo medicine for 9 pediatric migraine and periodic syndromes patients from 8 to 15 years old. All 9 patients improve their headache and associated symptoms including abdominal pain, vertigo, nausea and vomiting. After treatment the mean average of Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) improve from 63.66 points to 45.77 points. Kampo medicines is effective for migraine in children and childhood periodic syndromes.

Of “foods for specified health use (FOSHU)”, approximately 90 kinds are presently indicated as “appropriate for hypertension”. In this review we describe their safety and effectiveness.

An exploratory open-label human clinical study was performed in healthy adults with shoulder stiffness to evaluate the efficacy of Astaxanthin by means of measuring blood flow change in the shoulders and subjective questionnaires on physical conditions, including alleviation of stiffness before and after treatment. Two capsules containing 3 mg Astaxanthin each (6 mg in total) were administered once daily (6 mg a day) on days 1 to 28 (4 weeks) to 13 patients (3 men/10 women). All patients were assessed for efficacy and the study demonstrated significant improvements in physical conditions such as shoulder stiffness, physical fatigue, sense of mental irritation, sense of coldness in hands and feet, eye fatigue and eye bleariness. Significant increases of blood flow in shoulders were observed at the end of treatment using laser-doppler graphics. Blood tests conducted to confirm safety before and at the end of treatment showed no clinical differences, and no adverse side effects were reported. In conclusion, Astaxanthin appeared to safely alleviate stiff shoulders and improve other physical conditions during a 4-week open-label study.

Approximately 100 kinds of Foods for Specified Health Use (FOSHU) are used to “control postprandial elevated blood glucose level”. In this review, we describe their safety and effectiveness.

Among “food for specified health use” (FOSHU), approximately 100 are indicated in the treatment of life-style related diseases related to hypercholesterolemia; in the present review we describe the safety and effectiveness of several of these foods.