• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.89-97
• /
• 2016

Obesity is caused by excess accumulation of body fat and contributes to various pathological disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of a 30% ethanol extract of Fructus Rosae laevigata (RLE) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, measured by triglyceride accumulation and expression of adipogenesis-related transcription factors during differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes. RLE decreased the intracellular triglyceride contents (assessed by Oil Red-O staining) in a dose-dependent manner. It also downregulated the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and inhibited cell proliferation during the mitotic clonal expansion phase of adipocyte differentiation by inducing G1 phase arrest. We investigated the alterations in the levels of G1 phase arrest-related proteins. The expression of p21 protein significantly increased, while the levels of Cyclin E, Cdk2, and phospho-Rb decreased in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells treated with RLE. These results suggest that RLE inhibits the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by suppressing the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and inducing G1 phase arrest in the early stages of adipocyte differentiation.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2011

Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide composed of randomly distributed ${\ss}$-(1-4)-linked D-glucosamine and Nacetyl-D-glucosamine. There have been many reports on the induced systemic resistance and in vivo antifungal activities of higher molecular weight chitosans with molecular weights over 3,000 amu (atomatic mass unit), but there are few papers on in vivo antifungal activities of low molecular weight chitosans (oligochitosans) with molecular weights less than 3,000 amu. In our study, an oligochitosan sample (320.3,000 amu) showed a potent 1-day protective activity with control values more than 94% at concentrations of 500 and 1,000 ${\mu}g$/ml especially against tomato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans under growth chamber conditions. It also displayed a moderate 1-day protective activity with control values of 67.89% at concentrations of 500 and 1,000 ${\mu}g$/ml against wheat leaf rust and red pepper anthracnose. On the other hand, it showed a 16-hr curative activity against red pepper anthracnose, but not against tomato late blight and wheat leaf rust. In field experiments, oligochitosan effectively suppressed the development of late blight on potato and tomato plants with control values of 72% and 48%, respectively. The results strongly indicate that oligochitosan can be used as an eco-friendly organic material for the control of late blight on tomato and potato plants.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.167-172
• /
• 2014

Background: Roles of immune reaction and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) have widely been established in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Methods: We evaluated the biologic efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), urushiol, and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) in mouse models of ALD. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into six feeding groups for 10 weeks: normal diet, alcohol, control, alcohol + KRG, alcohol + urushiol, and alcohol + probiotics. Alcohol was administered via a LiebereDeCarli liquid diet containing 10% alcohol. TLR-4 expression, proinflammatory cytokines, and histology, as well as the results of liver function tests were evaluated and compared. Results: No between-group differences were observed with regard to liver function. TLR-4 levels were significantly lower in the KRG, urushiol, and probiotics groups than in the alcohol group ($0.37{\pm}0.06ng/mL$, $0.39{\pm}0.12ng/mL$, and $0.33{\pm}0.07ng/mL$, respectively, vs. $0.88{\pm}0.31ng/mL$; p < 0.05). Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ levels in liver tissues were decreased among the probiotics and KRG groups. The tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ level of liver tissue was decreased in the KRG group. Conclusion: The pathological findings showed that alcohol-induced steatosis was significantly reduced by KRG and urushiol. As these agents improve immunologic capacity, they may be considered in potential anti-ALD treatments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.181-187
• /
• 2016

Algae is a potential resource with various biological activities. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of Grateloupia imbricata Holmes ethanol extract (GIHEE) from red algae was investigated in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. As a result, reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factors-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6] and nitric oxide (NO) was observed in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-${\kappa}B$) as well as inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 proteins was reduced by GIHEE, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory activity of GIHEE is related to suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathways. In addition, GIHEE reduced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. These results suggest that GIHEE can be used as a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2006

The uptake of cadmium in animals is mainly accumulated in and affected to the liver and kidney by binding with red blood cells and serum albumin. The process accounts for more than 50% of the total accumulated cadmium in the body. The kidneys may be damaged without regarding the pathway uptake of cadmium. In a group of rats on supplements of 1% chlorella and 40 ppm cadmium, the concentration of cadmium in urine greatly decreased by 66% compared to control group, and the total synthesis of metallothionein decreased by 48.6% compared to control group. However, no previous study has assessed the protective effect on kidney damage induced by cadmium uptake through supplementation with chlorella. This study analyzed the biochemical marker for kidney damage in the rats after uptake of 40 ppm $CdCl_2$ and supplementation of the diet of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with 1%, 5%, and 10% chlorella during 4 weeks. In a group of SD rats on supplementation with 1% chlorella and uptake of 40 ppm $CdCl_2,\;\beta_2$ microglobulin in the urine was found to be $3.1\pm0.6\;{\mu}g/L$, a decrease of 58% compared to a group of Sp rats on uptake of $CdCl_2$ only, in which the $\beta_2$ microglobulin was found to be $4.9\pm0.7\;{\mu}g/L$. According to the results of histopathological observation, the accumulation of mild and localized chronic inflammatory cells in kidney tissues was observed in 50% of the SD rats on uptake of cadmium only. In contrast, only 30% of the SD rats on supplementation with 1% chlorella and uptake of 40ppm $CdCl_2$, representing a histopathological abnormality, and there were no histopathological abnormalities at all in groups of SD rats on supplementation with 5% or 10% chlorella and uptake of 40 ppm $CdCl_2$. In conclusion, protein, calcium, and iron, which account for more than 50% of the total dried chlorella composition, may contribute to the reduction nephrotoxicity by stimulating both inhibited absorption of cadium and increased excretion of accumulated cadmium in kidneys.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.800-808
• /
• 2004

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin found at high levels in grapes and in grape products such as red wine, has been reported to possess a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities including antioxident, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic effects. According to recent studies, this compound is an effective inhibitor of cell growth in general, triggers partial arrest of the cell cycle and induce apoptosis. In this study, the anti-proliferative effects of resveratrol in A549 human lung carcinoma cells were investigated. It is shown that resveratrol induced the growth inhibition in a time-dependent manner and morphological changes of A549 cells, which were associated with induction of S phase arrest of the cell cycle and apoptotic cell death. The Bcl-$X_L$levels were markedly down-regulated in resveratrol treated cells, however, Bax and Bcl-2 were remained unchanged. Resveratrol treatment induced the proteolytic degradation of Sp-l and proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein, and inhibited the expression of $\beta$-catenin protein. Resveratrol treatment also induced a marked up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21 and inhibited the kinase activities of Cdk2 and Cdk4. In addition, resveratrol treatment inhibited the levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein, and the release of prostagladin E2 without alteration of COX-1 expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that resveratrol may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human lung carcinorma cells.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.233-240
• /
• 2012

White LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are promising new-generation light sources which can replace conventional lamps due to their high reliability, low energy consumption and eco-friendly effects. This paper briefly reviews recent progress of oxy/nitride host phosphor and quantum dot materials with broad excitation band characteristics for phosphor-converted white LEDs. Among oxy/nitride host materials, $M_2Si_5N_8$ : $Eu^{2+}$, $MAlSiN_3$ : $Eu^{2+}$ M-SiON (M = Ca, Sr, Ba), ${\alpha}/{\beta}$-SiAlON : $Eu^{2+}$ are excellent phosphors for white LED using blue-emitting chip. They have very broad excitation bands in the range of 440~460 nm and exhibit emission from green to red. In this paper, In this review we focus on recent developments in the crystal structure, luminescence and applications of the oxy/nitride phosphors for white LEDs. In addition, the application prospects and current trends of research and development of quantum dot phosphors are also discussed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.146-154
• /
• 1985

Low-salted Kochuzang was made by the replacement of a part of NaCl with 4% ethanol as the preservative. Comparative analysis were performed for general components in 7 kinds of low-salted Kochuzang. The activities of ${\alpha}-and{\beta}-amylase$ and protease were high in ripened Kochuzang of low salt concentration in case of addition of alcohol. The changes of total sugar and pH were remarkably decreased when alcohol and salt were added. Total acid contents showed a remarkable increase when alcohol was not added, and in case of salt concentration. Total nitrogen contents were not remarkably changed, but the contents of amino nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen were increased in case of low salt conuntration with alcohol. Reducing sugar contents were increased in case of low salt concentration and alcohol added. Alcohol contents were not remarkably changed in case of addition of alcohol, but when alcohol was not added and low salt concentration they showed a remarkable increase(about 2.2%). A good Kochuzang may be produced by adding 4% alcohol to a low salted one (5.1% content in Kochuzang) in seventy days of the fermentation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.493-501
• /
• 1998

The most significant direct role of estrogen in vivo is its ability to elicit receptor-mediated cellular proliferation in mammalian target tissues. However, the mechanism by which exogenously added estrogen causes the neoplastic transformation of renal cortical cells is yet to be uncovered. The present study was designed to evaluate interaction of $17{\beta}-estradiol\;(E_2)$ with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on proliferation and $P_i$ uptake in primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubular cells in phenol red-free, hormonally defined-medium. $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation increased markedly by about 133% and 141% more in the presence of $10^{-9}\;and\;10^{-6}\;M\;E_2$, respectively, than that of control. Cell count was 162% and 143% greater in the presence of $10^{-9}\;and\;10^{-6}\;M\;E_2$ , respectively, compared with control. Among all time points examined, there was an increase in $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation in the presence of $10^{-9}\;M\;E_2$ at day 9 or 13, respectively. However, $E_2$ ($10^{-9}\;M$) significantly drove up cell count to 160% of that of control at day 13, while it had a slight but statistically insignificant effect at day 9. $E_2-induced$ stimulation of $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation was completely reversed by $E_2$ antagonists (progesterone or tamoxifen). $E_2$ ($10^{-9}\;M$) or EGF ($10^{-8}\;M$) significantly stimulated $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation by 144% and 154% of control. $E_2$ plus EGF was synergistic on $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation (204% of control), while $E_2$ plus IGF-I showed a slight but no significant synergistic effect. Cell number also displayed similar pattern. $E_2$ ($10^{-9}\;M$) significantly stimulated $P_i$ uptake to 134% of control. $E_2$-induced stimulation of $P_i$ uptake was partially reversed by $E_2$ antagonists. EGF or IGF-I ($10^{-8}\;M$) significantly also increased $P_i$ uptake to 132% or 129% of control. $E_2$ plus EGF had synergistic effect on $P_i$ uptake, while $E_2$ plus IGF-I did not. In conclusion, $E_2$ may act not only directly interaction with its receptors but also indirectly as a modulator of EGF in proliferation and $P_i$ uptake of primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubular cells.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.98-101
• /
• 1975

The components of Gardenia pigment in rind, flesh, fresh fruit and stored fruit, its heat resistance and stability in pH, its dilution and colour-degree were studied. The results are summarized as follows; 1. The components of CROCIN in fresh fruit and stored fruit were 0.0157% and 0.0136% respectively. One year storage of stored fruit resulted in the decrease of 15% of CROCIN. 2. The components of Gardenia pigment in flesh were contained nearly twice as much as in rind. 3. There were traces of ${\beta}-carotene$ and some unknown carotenoid pigments. 4. Gardenia pigment was stable at $100^{\circ}C$ for 60 minutes, but, at $150^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes, nearly half of them was destructed. 5. Gardenia pigment turned to colurless but was stable in neutral or alkali condition after 10 days. 6. Supercially, dark Gardenia pigment looked yellowish red and thin Gardenia pigment looked yellow: however, each ${\lambda}_{max}$. was all the same.