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Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton leaves are used as food and in traditional medicine. A Perilla leaf special extract was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mode of immune-modulatory properties in the following ex vivo experiments addressing different immune cells. After stimulation, pattern of cytokines were determined and thus information about mode of action derived. As a result, anti-inflammatory effects were seen on the monocytic level with significant reduction of TNF-s production whereas on the T-helper cellular level, reactions were less pronounced but a shift towards a TH2-helper response was identified. Both effects were dose dependent. Results underline the anti-inflammatory and other immune-modulatory properties which might impact the beneficial effects in different indications, like for example irritable bowel syndrome.

The benefits of micronutrient supplementation are the subject of controversial scientific debate. Nevertheless, there is evidence that various diseases are favoured by low micronutrient deficiencies. In a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the influence of dietary supplementation with a broad combination of coordinated micronutrients was investigated in 48 healthy volunteers over a period of 3 months. The aim was to obtain information on both the extracellular and intracellular supply situation. The results show that such supplementation can also support the supply status in healthy individuals and positively influence individual metabolic parameters.

The use of antioxidants in cosmetics has a long history. Two different modes of application can be distinguished. They are used either to stability the cosmetic formulation or to protect the skin. As a formulation stabiliser, they serve as a "technical antioxidant." Here they are being used to prevent the oxidative deterioration of labile ingredietns such as unsaturated fatty acids or oxidation-prone active ingredeitns. Both synthetic compounds like butylated hydroxytoluene and natural antioxidants like alpha-tocopherol are frequently used for this purpose. The synergistic antioxidant effect of ascorbyl 2-phosphate and alpha-tocopheryl acetate was investigated in vitro using a human keratinocyte cell line and a fluorescence-based assay system.

Genotoxicity tests are essential to identify compounds that have a potential to compromise not only the environment but also human and animal health, including compounds that increase the risk of cancer. At present, no single test is capable of detecting all types of genotoxic effects; therefore a battery of in vitro and, if positive, in vivo tests is necessary to determine the genotoxicity of a substance. However, the respective specificities of current assays have been criticised for their high percentage of false positive results. We recently published an automated version of the "Fluorimetric detection of Alkaline DNA Unwinding" (FADU) assay for measuring DNA strand breaks in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or in cell lines.

After full macular translocation (MT) surgery with 360 degrees retinotomy, the fovea is rarely identifiable. Our aim was to verify the position of the fovea, to determine how patients fixate after MT and to examine distribution and optical density of macular pigment (MP).

The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design trial was to assess the safety of a multi-vitamin preparation containing nicotinic acid in a physiological dose. Seventy-two healthy volunteers took part in this trial. At six consecutive time-points, we systematically documented blood pressure, pulse, skin temperature and flushing symptoms after an oral dose of up to 50.1 mg nicotinic acid. The results suggest that nicotinic acid in a dosage of 16.7 mg does not cause flushing symptoms. In higher doses up to 50.1 mg, flushing symptoms are sporadically possible. There was no physiologically relevant change regarding the central metabolic parameters blood pressure, pulse and skin temperature.