• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.462-475
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• 2022

Purpose: Allomyrina dichotoma larvae are one of the approved edible insects with nutritional value and various functional and medicinal properties. Previously we have demonstrated that the Allomyrina dichotoma larval extract (ADLE) ameliorates hepatic insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice through the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This study investigated the effects of ADLE on insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle and explored mechanisms for enhancing the glucose uptake in palmitate (PAL)-treated C2C12 myotubes. Methods: To induce insulin resistance, the differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with PAL (0.5 mM) for 24 hours, and then treated with a 0.5 mg/ml concentration of ADLE, and the resultant effects were measured. The expression levels of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), AMPK, and the mitochondrial metabolism-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting. The mRNA expression levels of lipogenesis- related genes were determined by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. Results: The exposure of C2C12 myotubes to 0.5 mg/ml of ADLE increased cell viability significantly compared to PAL-treated cells. ADLE upregulated the protein expression of GLUT4 and enhanced glucose uptake in the PAL-treated cells. ADLE increased the phosphorylated AMPK in both the PAL-treated C2C12 myotubes and HFD-treated skeletal muscle. The reduced expression levels of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 alpha (PGC1α) and uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) due to the PAL and HFD treatment were reversed by the ADLE treatment. The citrate synthase activity was also significantly increased with the PAL and ADLE co-treatment. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expressions of fatty acid synthesis-related factors were reduced in the PAL and HFD-treated muscle cells, and this effect was significantly attenuated by the ADLE treatment. Conclusion: ADLE activates AMPK, which in turn induces mitochondrial metabolism and reduces fatty acid synthesis in C2C12 myotubes. Therefore, ADLE could be useful for preventing or treating insulin resistance of skeletal muscles in diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.435-444
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• 2022

Hibiscus hamabo Sieb. et Zucc. (yellow hibiscus) is a deciduous semi-shrub plant and mainly growing in Jeju Island. This is known the unique wild hibiscus genus and classified as an 2nd grade of endangered plant for Korean Red List. In previous studies, properties of germination, ecological, genetical and salt resistance have been reported. In this study, we investigated mass-proliferated adventitious root using bioreactor, antioxidant and whitening effects to conduct functional ingredients. Yellow hibiscus were collected from Gujwa, Jeju by prior permission and they were introduced by explant type and various medium composition after surface sterilization. As a result, seed response rates were evaluated at range of 51.17~51.83%, in terms of comprehensive efficiency of shoot and root formation. In the case of adventitious root propagation condition was confirmed in half strength Murashige and Skoog medium salts, 30 mg/L sucrose, and 2 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid for 8 weeks in 5,000 mL bioreactor. We also compared between relationship with biomass and secondary metabolites accumulation by total phenolics content, the flavonoid content, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and melanin content. The results indicated that adventitious root mass proliferation, antioxidant and whitening effect could develop value of the high-quality cosmeceutical ingredient and further metabolite studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.222-227
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• 2008

This study examined the chemical composition of lotus root and functionally evaluated a fermented lotus root drink. Electron-donating ability using DPPH along with nitrite-scavenging ability were used to compare the antioxidative activities of unfermented and fermented lotus root drinks. The electron-donating abilities of the unfermented lotus root drink (1%) and fermented lotusroot drink (1%) were 22.55% and 23.88%, respectively. At pH 6.0, the nitrite-scavenging abilities of the unfermented lotus root drink and the fermented lotus root drink (100%) were 27.64% and 40.3%, respectively, and their scavenging ability increased in a dose-dependent manner at all pH values. In order to study the anti-obesity effects of the two drinks, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (A: basal diet, B: high fat diet, C: high fat diet+unfermented lotus root drink, D: high fat diet+fermented lotus root drink). Net weight gains were not significantly different among the four groups. Plasma total cholesterol concentrations significantly decreased in the groups receiving the unfermented and fermented lotus root drinks. Also, plasma total lipid and triglyceride contents were lower in the groups receiving the unfermented and fermented lotus root drinks as compared to the high fat diet group; however, the differences among the three groups were not significant.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.435-445
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of vinegar extract from seed of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and seed of tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum Gaertner) on acute ethanol-induced hangover in Sprague-Dawley rats. Vinegar extract from buckwheat is rich choline, quercetin and its glycoside, rutin known as flavonoid antioxidants. The test extract containing buckwheat was proven to alleviate hangovers through a significant reduction in the concentration of alcohol and acetaldehyde in the context of an alcohol-induced hangover model. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities were significantly higher in buckwheat vinegar-treated rats than in ethanol-treated rats. Moreover, tartary buckwheat vinegar upregulated antioxidant enzyme such as superoxide dismutase and Catalase activities in liver tissues. These results suggest that buckwheat vinegar extract could alleviate ethanol-induced hangover symptoms by elevating activities related to hepatic ethanol-metabolizing enzymes against ethanol induced metabolites, and in particular, tartary buckwheat should be further developed to be a novel anti-hangover material.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.905-914
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• 2023

To evaluate the effectiveness of the skin barrier improvement of lactic acid (LA) and gluconolactone (GL), the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, hyaluronic acid (HA), hyaluronan syhthase-2 (HAS2), and aquaporine-3 (AQP3) in keratinocytes, and the moisture content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by clinical trials were evaluated. The expression levels of filaggrin and locricrin, which are the main factors affecting the proper functioning of skin barrier function, and HA, HAS2, and AQP3, which are skin moisturizing-related proteins measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. The results showed that the expression levels of the factors that decreased by H2O2 treatment were significantly increased by LA, GL, and a mixture of LA and GL at the mRNA and protein levels (p<0.05). The nanoemulsion containing a mixture of LA and GL was prepared using the emulsion inversion method, and the average particle size was 299.9 ± 0.287 nm. After measuring the TEWL of nanoemulsion using Vapometer, it was found that TEWL significantly decreased by 15.53% and 26.73% after two weeks and four weeks of product use, respectively, compared to TEWL before product use (p<0.001). Similarly, the skin moisture content of the nanoemulsion significantly increased by 15.40% and 26.59% after two weeks and four weeks of product use, respectively, compared to skin moisture content before product use (p<0.001). Therefore, the skin barrier function and moisturizing effect of a mixture of LA and GL are shown by increasing the moisture content and decreasing the TEWL by increasing the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, HA, HAS2, and AQP3. This suggests the possibility for the development of functional cosmetic ingredients in the future.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.173-182
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• 2024

This study was designed to compare the effects on antioxidant, whitening, and anti-wrinkle improvement of 60% ethanol extracts from Trigonotis radicans var. sericea (TR) and Lactobacillus brevis-fermented T. radicans var. sericea (FTR). The total phenolics contents of TR was 18.6 mg/g, and FTR was 18.2 mg/g. The HPLC analysis confirmed more phenolic compounds were produced in FTR by bioconversion than in TR. The FTR showed higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than TR. The results of the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, FTR and TR showed higher activity than BHT (positive control). The FTR (1.21-1.29 PF) showed higher antioxidant protection factor (PF) activity than the TR (1.15-1.22 PF) and showed higher tyrosinase, collagenase and elastase inhibitory activities. This results showed L. brevis -fermentation of Trigonotis radicans var. sericea changed the composition profile and has effects on antioxidant, whitening and anti-wrinkle improvement.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.183-196
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• 2024

This study investigated the protective effect of the aqueous extract of Eucommia ulmoides leaves (AEEL) against high glucose-induced human colon epithelial HT-29 cells. The 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) analyses indicated that AEEL had significant antioxidant activities. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that AEEL increased cell viability against high glucose-, H₂O₂-, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells. Also, the 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay indicated that AEEL decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) against high glucose-, H₂O₂-, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells. AEEL showed inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase and inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AEEL showed significant positive effects on the viability and titratable acidity of L. brevis. The high-performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC) analysis identified chlorogenic acid and rutin as the major compounds of AEEL. These results suggested that AEEL has the potential to be used as a functional food source to suppress blood glucose levels and protect the gut from high glucose-induced oxidative stress.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.315-323
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• 2024

This study aims to confirm the anti-inflammatory activities of acemannan and aloesin, which have been studied for various efficacies at various mixed sample ratios. The mixed samples were mixed at a ratio of 1:1 (AA-1), 1:2 (AA-2), 1:3 (AA-3), 2:1 (AA-4), and 3:1 (AA-5). Seven samples were evaluated for their cytotoxic ability on macrophages, and the results showed that all cell viability was over 90% at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL. First, due to the NO production inhibitory activity, a better inhibitory effect was achieved when using a mixed sample rather than a single material. Afterward, the activity of inhibiting the production of PGE₂, TNF-α, and IL-6 was confirmed using a mixed sample. It was confirmed that AA-2 had the best inhibitory activity on producing PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6 rather than AA-1, AA-3, AA-4, and AA-5. For this reason, experiments were conducted using AA-2 to determine the protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2, which are inflammation-related proteins. It was confirmed that AA-2 inhibited iNOS and COX-2 protein expression by 25.01% and 27.27%, respectively, compared to the LPS-alone treatment group. In conclusion, the mixed sample of acemannan and aloesin is judged to have anti-inflammatory activity and can potentially to be used as a functional material.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.422-430
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• 2023

The nutrient-rich and climate-resilient finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is a relatively new crop on the agricultural landscape. The present study explores the agronomic characteristics and antioxidant activities of grains and cookies produced from 'Finger1ho,' which was the first finger millet variety developed in South Korea. With heightened calcium content (314 mg/100 g) and polyphenol levels, 'Finger1ho' exhibited superior radical scavenging activities compared to other millets. The investigation assessed the impact of whole finger millet flour at varying concentrations (0, 10, 30, 50, and 100%) on cookie properties. Increasing the substitution of finger millet flour in the cookie formulation resulted in a notable rise in calcium content, ranging from 1.8 times at 10% to an impressive 10.8 times at 100%, surpassing the levels found in conventional wheat cookies. Conversely, the sodium (Na) levels in finger millet cookies demonstrated minimal variations, presenting a potentially favorable aspect in addressing the high Na intake prevalent in the South Korean diet. Notably, the antioxidant activity, assessed through ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays, exhibited a significant elevation compared to the control. This increase in antioxidant activity was directly proportional to the quantity of finger millet incorporated (p<0.001), indicating the potential health benefits associated with higher levels of finger millet in the cookie formulation. This study highlights finger millet's potential as a beneficial ingredient, enhancing both consumer acceptability and the functional attributes of cookies. Notably, cookies with 10% to 50% added finger millet exhibited significantly superior quality characteristics compared to controls, suggesting promising avenues for health-functional cookie development.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.369-377
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• 2013

In order to increase the utilization of sweet potato leaves and stalks as much as roots, it is necessary to study their beneficial potential. In this study, the antioxidant, antiallergic and anti-inflammatory effects of sweet potato leaves and stalks were evaluated by measuring total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging effects, the reducing power and inhibition effects on xanthine oxidase (XO), 5-lipoxygenase (LOX), and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 activities. Blanched sweet potato leaves (SL), raw whole purple stalks (ST) and peeled stalks (PST) were freeze-dried and extracted with 95% ethanol. Total polyphenol content was highest in SL (11.03 mg/g), followed by ST (0.87 mg/g), and PST (0.37 mg/g). Total flavonoid content was highest for SL (9.01 mg/g), followed by ST (0.50 mg/g) and PST (0.25 mg/g). The $IC_{50}$ for DPPH radical scavenging effects was highest for SL ($43.6{\mu}g/mL$), followed by ST ($308.4{\mu}g/mL$) and PST ($1,631.3{\mu}g/mL$). The reducing power was highest for SL ($59.72{\mu}g$ ascorbic acid eq./mL), followed by ST ($12.56{\mu}g$ ascorbic acid eq./mL) and PST ($2.18{\mu}g$ ascorbic acid eq./mL) with $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ of ethanol extract. The inhibition rate on XO activity was highest for SL (13.06%), followed by ST (5.05%) and PST (0.0%) at $250{\mu}g/mL$ extract treatment. The inhibition rate on COX-2 activity was highest for SL (55.34%), followed by ST (2.18%) and PST (0.0%) at $250{\mu}g/mL$ extract treatment. The inhibition rate on 5-LOX activity was highest for SL (91.16%), followed by ST (33.38%) and PST (14.93%) at $50{\mu}g/mL$ treatment. Taken together, sweet potato leaves showed high antioxidative, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities, especially with very strong inhibition effects on 5-LOX activity. These beneficial effects of sweet potato leaves might be mainly caused by the high content of polyphenols and flavonoids.