Anti-atherosclerotic effects of perilla oil in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet

Effects of Perilla Seed Meal on Productive Performance, Egg Quality, Antioxidant Capacity and Hepatic Lipid Metabolism of Wenchang Breeder Hens

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding perilla seed meal (PSM) to the diet on reproductive performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acids, antioxidant capacity and liver lipid metabolism in breeding hens. A total of 192 31-week-old yellow-feathered hens were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 8 birds for 8 weeks. The chickens were fed a typical corn-soybean meal diet containing 0% (control), 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1% PSM. The results showed that PSM can change the productivity of laying hens. Adding 0.6% PSM to the feed reduced the mortality rate of chickens. Adding 1% PSM improved the fertilization rate and hatching rate of chickens. Regarding egg quality, the albumen height and Haugh unit were improved in the 0.6% PSM group. The content of MUFAs and PUFAs in the egg yolk was increased in all the PSM groups, while SFAs were only increased in the 0.6% PSM group. Among the indicators related to lipid metabolism, serum GLU decreased in all the PSM groups. The 0.6% PSM group had a reduction in serum and liver TG, as well as reductions in serum LDL-C and ALT. The same results were observed for the abdominal fat percentage in the 0.6% PSM group. Liver lipid metabolism-associated gene expression of FAS and LXRα was decreased in all the PSM groups, and the mRNA expression of ACC and SREBP-1c was significantly reduced in the 0.6% PSM group. HE staining showed that the vacuoles in the liver tissue gradually decreased with increasing PSM doses, especially the 1% PSM dose. Lipid droplets with a similar trend were observed using Oil Red O staining. In the results of the antioxidant capacity test, the serum T-AOC was increased in the 0.6% and 1% PSM groups, and the SOD in both the serum and liver was significantly increased in all the PSM groups. The expression of antioxidant-related genes such as Nrf2, NQO-1, HO-1, CAT and GSH-Px was significantly upregulated in the 1% PSM group. In conclusion, the PSM diet improved the lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity of breeding hens. PSM reduces mortality and improves fertilization and hatchability in the late laying period of chickens, resulting in greater benefits. We recommend adding 0.6% PSM to layer feed, which improves the physical condition of the hens and brings higher economic benefits.

The Extract of Perilla frutescens Seed Residue Attenuated the Progression of Aberrant Crypt Foci in Rat Colon by Reducing Inflammatory Processes and Altered Gut Microbiota

Perilla frutescens (PF) seed residue is a waste from perilla oil production that still contains nutrients and phytochemicals. This study aimed to investigate the chemoprotective action of PF seed residue crude ethanolic extract (PCE) on the inflammatory-induced promotion stage of rat colon carcinogenesis and cell culture models. PCE 0.1 and 1 g/kg body weight were administered by oral gavage to rats after receiving dimethylhydrazine (DMH) with one week of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) supplementation. PCE at high dose exhibited a reduction in aberrant crypt foci (ACF) number (66.46%) and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to the DMH + DSS group (p < 0.01). Additionally, PCE could either modulate the inflammation induced in murine macrophage cells by bacterial toxins or suppress the proliferation of cancer cell lines, which was induced by the inflammatory process. These results demonstrate that the active components in PF seed residue showed a preventive effect on the aberrant colonic epithelial cell progression by modulating inflammatory microenvironments from the infiltrated macrophage or inflammatory response of aberrant cells. Moreover, consumption of PCE could alter rat microbiota, which might be related to health benefits. However, the mechanisms of PCE on the microbiota, which are related to inflammation and inflammatory-induced colon cancer progression, need to be further investigated.

Protective Effect of Diet-Supplemented and Endogenously Produced Omega-3 Fatty Acids against HFD-Induced Colon Inflammation in Mice

Perilla (Perilla frutescens) oil reduces high-fat-diet-induced colon inflammation by suppressing the NF-κB pathway. In the current study, we compared the effect of endogenously produced and externally supplemented omega-3 fatty acids on high-fat-diet-induced colon inflammation. The fat-1 transgenic mice that endogenously synthesize omega-3 fatty acids were backcrossed with C57BL/6J wild-type mice to obtain transgenic (TR) and wild-type (WT) littermates. Five-week-old male littermates were divided into five groups: two groups fed 10% normal diet (WTLD, TRLD) and three groups fed with a 60% fat high-fat diet (WTHD, TRHD, and WTPO). In the WTPO group, 8% (w/w) of perilla oil was added. Perilla oil supplemented WT mice and fat-1 transgenic mice suppressed high-fat-diet-induced body weight and improved serum lipid levels. Furthermore, the WTPO and TRHD groups exhibited increased colon length, lower macroscopic scores, and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory markers and improved epithelial integrity barrier markers. The expression of GPR120 was increased in the WTPO group. Altogether, our results indicated that perilla oil could improve the symptoms of colon inflammation as an alternate omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

Dietary squalene modifies plasma lipoproteins and hepatic cholesterol metabolism in rabbits

To evaluate the effects of squalene, the main unsaponifiable component of virgin olive oil, on lipid metabolism, two groups of male New Zealand rabbits were fed a 1% sunflower oil-enriched regular diet or the same diet containing 0.5% squalene for 4 weeks. Plasma triglycerides, total- and HDL-cholesterol and their lipoproteins were assayed. Analyses of hepatic lipid droplets, triglycerides, total- and non-esterified cholesterol, squalene, protein and gene expression, and cholesterol precursors were carried out. In the jejunum, the squalene content and mRNA and protein APOB expressions were measured. Finally, we studied the effect of cholesterol precursors in AML12 cells. Squalene administration significantly increased plasma total cholesterol, mainly carried as non-esterified cholesterol in IDL and large LDL, and corresponded to an increased number of APOB100-containing particles without accumulation of triglycerides and decreased reactive oxygen species. Despite no significant changes in the APOB content in the jejunum, the latter displayed increased APOB mRNA and squalene levels. Increases in the amounts of non-esterified cholesterol, squalene, lanosterol, dihydrolanosterol, lathosterol, cholestanol, zymostenol, desmosterol and caspase 1 were also observed in the liver. Incubation of AML12 cells in the presence of lanosterol increased caspase 1. In conclusion, squalene administration in rabbits increases the number of modified APOB-containing lipoproteins, and hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis is linked to caspase 1 probably through lanosterol.

Anti-obesity effects of Celastrus orbiculatus extract containing celastrol on canine adipocytes

From 50 to 60% of companion animals in the United States are overweight or obese and this obesity rate is rising. As obesity is associated with a number of health problems, an agent that can help weight loss in pets and assist in clinically managing obesity through veterinary prescription foods and medication would be beneficial. Many studies have shown that celastrol, a phytochemical compound found in Celastrus orbiculatus extract (COE), has anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects, although these effects have not yet been determined in canine or canine-derived cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of celastrol on the adipogenic differentiation and lipolysis of canine adipocytes. Primary preadipocytes were isolated from the gluteal region of a beagle dog and the primary adipocytes were differentiated into mature adipocytes by adipocyte differentiation media containing isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin. In a water-soluble tetrazolium (WST) assay, the cell viability of mature adipocytes was decreased after treatment with COE (0, 0.93, 2.32, and 4.64 nM celastrol) in a concentration-dependent manner, although preadipocytes were not affected. Oil Red O (ORO) staining revealed that COE inhibited the differentiation into mature adipocytes and lipid accumulation in adipocytes. In addition, treatment with COE significantly reduced triglyceride content and increased lipolytic activities by 1.5-fold in canine adipocytes. Overall, it was concluded that COE may enhance anti-obesity activity in canine adipocytes by inhibiting lipid accumulation and increasing lipolytic activity.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties of Thai Perilla frutescence fruit oil in animals

Perilla frutescens fruit oil (PFO) is rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA) and exhibits biological activities. We aimed to investigate analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of PFO and PFO-supplemented soybean milk (PFO-SM) in animal models. Analgesic activity was assessed in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, while anti-inflammatory activity was performed in ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats. Anti-ulcer effects were conducted in water immersion stress, HCl/ethanol and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Distinctly, PFO, containing 6.96 mg ALA and 2.61 mg LA equivalence/g, did not induce acute toxicity (LD50 > 10 mL/kg) in mice. PFO (2.5 and 5 mL/kg) and PFO-SM (0.05 mL PFO equivalence/kg) inhibited incidences of writhing (16.8, 18.0 and 32.3%, respectively) in acetic acid-induced mice. In addition, topical applications of PFO (0.1 and 1 mL/ear) significantly inhibited EPP-induced ear edema (59.3 and 65.7%, respectively) in rats, while PFO-SM slightly inhibited ear edema (25.9%). However, PFO and PFO-SM did not inhibit carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats. Indeed, PFO (2.5 and 5 mL/kg) significantly inhibited gastric ulcers in rats that induced by water immersion stress (92.4 and 96.6%, respectively), HCl/ethanol (74.8 and 73.3%, respectively) and indomethacin (68.8 and 88.9%, respectively), while PFO-SM did not. PFO displayed potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties, while PFO-SM exerted only analgesic properties. Thus, Thai PFO and its functional drink offer potential benefits in treatment of analgesic, inflammatory diseases and gastric ulcer.

Outcomes of Perilla Seed Oil as an Additional Neuroprotective Therapy in Patients with Mild to Moderate Dementia: A Randomized Control Trial

BACKGROUND

Dementia is a common medical disorder in the elderly. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the process of cognitive decline in dementia. Perilla seed oil demonstrates its neuroprotective effects via anti-oxidative mechanisms against dementia. We investigate neuroprotective effects of perilla seed oil as an additional treatment in patients with mild to moderate dementia.

METHOD

A double-blind, randomized-control trial (perilla seed oil versus placebo) in patients with mild to moderate dementia was conducted. Perilla seed oil or placebo was added on with standard treatment for six months. Cognitive function was compared at nine months after enrollment.

RESULT

182 patients, with 94 in the experimental group and 88 in the placebo group, were able to complete the study. Cognitive function is not significantly different compared between groups. However, the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the experimental group. Perilla seed oil had no adverse effect to kidney, liver, blood components or glucose metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Perilla seed oil as additional neuroprotective therapy in patients with mild to moderate dementia does not improve cognitive function. Perilla seed oil significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. A clinical trial is needed to prove the benefit of cholesterol-lowering effects with perilla seed oil in human.

Grape Leucoanthocyanidin Protects Liver Tissue in Albino Rabbits with Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common ailment. It is usually found in association with diabetes or obesity. There are no approved drugs to treat this condition. The study of flavonoid consumption has increased over the decades due to their antioxidative properties, although the literature is scarce when it comes to their effects in liver tissue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of leucoanthocyanidin in nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis. Thirty male albino rabbits were divided in 3 groups. Group 1 had a regular commercial diet. The second group had a regular diet and 10 mL of egg yolk and 1.5 g of pure cholesterol. The rabbits of the third group were on the same regimen as the second, but were also treated with grape leucoanthocyanidin (50 mg/kg/day) for 100 days. On the last day of the experiment, the animals were euthanized, and the livers excised and fixated in a 10% formalin solution. Afterwards, fragments of each liver were removed and histologically processed and analyzed. The stereological evaluation showed that leucoanthocyanidin reduced NAFLD in comparison with the nontreated group. This was also observed in the histological analysis of the liver tissue, as the treated group had less foci of fatty tissue. Leucoanthocyanidin may therefore be a promising substance to treat NAFLD, although further studies are needed.

Comparative effects of plant oils and trans-fat on blood lipid profiles and ischemic stroke in rats

Since plant oils are believed to be better than animal fats for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, the effects of various plant oils and trans-fat on blood lipid profiles and ischemic stroke were investigated. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing the oils or trans-fat, and then body weights, blood lipids, and effects on brain infarction and physical dysfunction induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were analyzed. All the oils and trans-fat, except perilla oil, significantly increased body fats and body weight gain. Sesame oil and trans-fat specifically increased blood cholesterols and triglycerides, respectively, while perilla oil decreased both cholesterols and triglycerides. Perilla oil not only attenuated cerebral infarction, but also restored locomotor activity and rota-rod performances of MCAO rats. It is suggested that perilla oil among oils and fats could be the first choice to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and ischemic stroke.