The skin is an important barrier that protects the body from harmful environments such as UV rays. When the skin is repeatedly stimulated, such as UV rays, ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines are overproduced. As a result, the proteins and nucleic acids that make up the skin are damaged, and aging occurs. Esculetin is known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and UV-induced MMP-1 inhibitory effects. However, the inhibitory effect of MMP-1 on TNF-α-induced fibroblasts is not known. Therefore, in this study, the MMP-1 inhibitory effect of esculetin was confirmed in TNF-α-induced fibroblasts. As a result of confirming the cytotoxicity of esculetin in Hs68 cells by MTT assay, there was no significant toxicity up to 200 µM. As a result of real-time PCR and ELISA, it was confirmed that esculetin inhibited the expression of MMP-1. Esculetin did not inhibit MAPK (ERK, JNK, p38) phosphorylation, but inhibited phosphorylation of the mTOR-p70S6k signaling pathway. In addition, it was confirmed that the phosphorylation of the transcription factor NF-κB was inhibited. These results suggest that esculetin has potential as an anti-aging material.

In the previous study, we reported that cynaroside isolated from Lysimachia christinae methanolic extract had potent neuroprotective activities in neuronal cell death injured by excessive glutamate. In this study, we tried to confirm the neuroprotective activities of cynaroside in glutamate injured HT22 cells and establish mechanisms of neuroprotective action of cynaroside. We employed HT22 cells damaged by glutamate-induced cell death as a bioassay system. Cynaroside decreased reactive oxygen species increased by excessive glutamate treatment in HT22 cells. Also, Ca²⁺ concentration was decreased by cynaroside treatment. Cynaroside restored mitochondrial membrane potential to normal condition. It also increased not only glutathione reductase but also peroxidase to the control level. And it increased amount of glutathione, an endogenous antioxidant. These results suggested that cynaroside isolated from L. christinae showed potent neuroprotective activity through the anti-oxidative pathway.

KSM-2690 B (1), a peptide-polyketide hybrid compound, was discovered from an actinomycete strain (CJD 1) isolated from Dong-Baek hill on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The chemical structure of 1 was identified by using NMR, MS, and UV spectroscopic analyses. Careful analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data revealed that KSM-2690 (1) has an oxazole ring, a β-lactone-γ-lactam spirocycle ring, and both triene and diene structures. KSM-2690 B (1) showed inhibitory activities against E. coli at 200 ㎍/mL.

Cirsium japonicum var. maackii is a traditional Korean wild perennial herb used to treat blood circulation, high blood pressure, inflammation, diabetes, and kidney damage. However, it is not known whether C. japonicum var. maackii directly improves endothelial dysfunction. In this study, the effect of C. japonicum var. maackii (CJE) on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced vascular inflammation was investigated in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). As a result, CJE inhibited the production of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and ROS increased by TNF-α in HUVECs. In addition, treatment with CJE attenuated IκB phosphorylation and translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus. These results suggest that CJE can suppress TNFα-induced adhesion molecule expression by blocking NF-κB signaling and inhibiting ROS generation. The results of this study show that CJE has the potential to be used to treat and prevent inflammation associated with endothelial cell damage.

This research was conducted to investigate the comprehensive effects of methanol extract of Coptidis rhizoma (MECR) against oral pathogen. We studied the antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-gingipain and anti-inflammatory activity of MECR. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of MECR was 100 ㎍/mL against several oral pathogens. The formation of biofilm of Streptococcus mutans was reduced to 8.93~24.12% in the presence of 25 ㎍/mL of MECR. The gingipain activity of Porphyromonas gingivalis were reduced to 3.91~6.23% in case of Kgp and 5.73~7.78% in case of Rgp in the presence of 10 mg/mL of MECR. The expression of fadA mRNA, virulence factor of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) was 3 folds decreased in the presence of 25 ㎍/mL of MECR. In case of YD-38 cells challenged with F. nucleatum, RQ values of IL-8 and IL-6 were reduced about 12 folds and 5.45 folds in the presence of 2 ㎍/mL of MECR. In case of RAW 264.7 murine cell challenged with F. nucleatum, RQ values of IL-1β and IL-6 were 2.52 folds and 2.55 folds reduced in the presences of 2 ㎍/mL of MECR. Conclusively, MECR showed potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects against oral pathogenic bacteria.

A simple and accurate assay was developed for the quantitative analysis of 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ) derived from the silkworm (Bombyx mori). Normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) and a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column was used. Various parameters were applied to optimize the analysis method. The limits of detection and quantification of 1-DNJ were 2.97 × 10^-3 and 9.00 × 10^-3 mg/mL, respectively. The calibration curve showed good linearity results. The concentration range and the r² value were 0.0625-1.0 mg/mL and 0.9997, respectively. The accuracy test demonstrated a significantly high recovery rate (89.95-103.22%). The relative standard deviation was ≤ 1.00%. Thus, a method for the accurate identification and quantitative analysis of 1-DNJ in silkworms was developed. Moreover, in this procedure, the process of derivatization of 1-DNJ, which was required in previous experiments, could be eliminated. This technique may be actively utilized for the development of pharmaceuticals and health functional foods using 1-DNJ.

Fine dust has emerged as seriously hazardrous particles, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, we have developed a natural complex extract consisted of Codonopsis lanceolata (Siebold & Zucc.) Trautv., Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer in the ratio of 3 : 5 : 2, which have a beneficial effect on respiratory system. In this study, simultaneous quantitative analysis of marker compounds, lobetyolin, platycodin D, and glycyrrhizic acid in the natural complex extract was developed and validated with high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector. The marker compounds were shown in a large linearity with a correlation coefficient (R²) of 1.000. The limit of detection (LOD) of lobetyolin, platycodin D and glycyrrhizic acid were 5.40 ㎍/mL, 3.94 ㎍/mL and 5.86 ㎍/mL, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of lobetyolin, platycodin D and glycyrrhizic acid were 16.36 ㎍/mL, 11.94 ㎍/mL and 17.75 ㎍/mL, respectively. The content analysis revealed that the amounts of lobetyolin, platycodin D, and glycyrrhizic acid were 0.039±0.013 mg/g, 0.337±0.048 mg/g, and 1.171±0.003 mg/g, respectively, in the natural complex extract. Therefore, these results could be used as basic data for the standardization and quality control of the natural complex extract.