In vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-lipid accumulation properties of taxifolin-rich extract from the Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi

This cell-culture study evaluated a methanol extract of Japanese larch rich in taxifolin. In macrophage-related assays, the extract reduced nitric oxide and reactive-oxygen-species measurements, and it reduced lipid accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. Taxifolin, quercetin, and luteolin produced similar responses, although the whole extract appeared more active than its measured taxifolin content alone would predict. The experiment concerns a plant extract and flavonoids, not beta-glucan. It does not demonstrate prevention of inflammation, obesity, or cardiovascular disease in humans.