• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2018

Most neurodegenerative diseases are known to be influenced by oxidative stress. We investigated the anti-oxidative activity of the concentrate of fermented wild ginseng root culture (HLJG0701) containing ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1. HLJG0701 showed effective DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging ability ($IC_{50}$: 16- and 4-fold dilution, respectively) and was inhibited dose-dependently by the $FeSO_4$-induced lipid peroxidation group (8- and 4-fold dilution: 2.3 and 1.5 nM, respectively). In MTT and LDH assays, 8-, 16-, 32- and 64-fold diluted HLJG0701 significantly increased cell viability by 70, 53, 35, and 26%, respectively. LDH released by HLJG0701 was reduced 1.3-fold with 8-fold diluted HLJG0701 compared to the $H_2O_2$-treated control. In addition, the inhibitory effect of HLJG0701 on oxidative stress in PC12 cells was confirmed by DCF-DA analysis (16-, 4-fold diluted HLJG0701: 50 and 68% ROS inhibition, respectively), TBARS (16- and 4-fold diluted HLJG0701: 50.7 and 46.5% inhibition, respectively), GPx (16- and 4-fold diluted HLJG0701: 133.3 and 227.3% release, respectively), and SOD analysis (16- and 4-fold diluted HLJG0701: 118.2 and 218.2% release, respectively). These results suggested that HLJG0701 protects neuronal cells by its anti-oxidative effects and hence can be a potential preventive material against neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.318-324
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• 2016

This study was aimed to verify anti-inflammatory activity of fermented Sargassum siliquanstrum with lactic acid bacteria. Anti-inflammatory activities were compared by measuring the amount of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and suppressive effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in stably transfected RAW 264.7 cells. Inhibitory activities of NO production and iNOS expression were measured after confirmation of NO radical scavenging activities. Fermentation increased NO radical scavenging activities from 7.6% to 15.2% compared to non-fermented condition, and fermentation with Lactobacillus sp. SH-1 was the most efficient. Fermentation without algal debris showed better NO radical scavenging activities than that with debris. Fermentation with Lactobacillus sp. SH-1 also showed the highest NO production inhibitory activity (64.1%) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-induced iNOS expression was diminished to 28.6, 35.6, 49.4 and 58.5 at 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 μg/ml, respectively, by fermentation with Lactobacillus sp. SH-1. According to MTT assay, fermented S. siliquanstrum did not influence the cell viability at all concentrations tested, meaning no or less cytotoxicity. These results suggest that S. siliquanstrum has NO radical scavenging activity and anti-inflammatory activity. Thus biological activities of S. siliquanstrum were upgraded by fermentation, which could be used for the development of functional foods.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2017

Radical scavenging effect and protective activity against oxidative stress of Acer okamotoanum were investigated. A. okamotoanum was extracted with methanol (MeOH) and then fractionated with n-BuOH, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methylene chloride and n-hexane fractions. The MeOH extract and fractions showed strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide radical scavenging activity. Among the MeOH extract and fractions, the EtOAc fraction showed the strongest radical scavenging activity. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of EtOAc fraction was higher than other extract and fractions. Furthermore, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of the MeOH extract and fractions from A. okamotoanum against oxidative stress under cellular system using C6 glial cell. The C6 glial cells showed a decrease in cell viability and high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the treatment of amyloid $beta_{25-35}$ ($A{\beta}_{25-35}$). However, with the treatment of the MeOH extract and fractions, it significantly increased the cell viability and inhibited the overproduction of ROS by $A{\beta}_{25-35}$. In particular, the EtOAc fraction led to significantly increase the cell viability and decrease the generation of ROS against oxidative stress by $A{\beta}_{25-35}$. The current study indicated that A. okamotoanum demonstrated antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. In particular, the EtOAc fraction which attributed a strong protective activity against oxidative stress.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2017

This study examined a new functional cosmetic material possessing application possibility of Sambucus sieboldiana var. pendula (Nakai) (SS) extract. For this, we analyzed the toxic effect of the SS extract on macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) by performing MTT assay. Results of the MTT assay showed ${\geq}100%$ cell viability after treatment with $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract. To determine the anti-inflammatory activity of the SS extract, we examined its inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells by performing Griess assay. Result of the Griess assay showed that the SS extract inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Next, we examined the effect of the SS extract on the production of proinflammatory factors inducible NOS (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. First, we determined the inhibitory effect of 50, 100, and $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract on iNOS and COX-2 protein expression by performing western blot analysis, with ${\beta}$-actin as a positive control. Results of western blotting showed that treatment with $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract decreased iNOS and COX-2 protein expression by 31.2% and 54.7%, respectively. Next, we determined the inhibitory effect of 50, 100, and $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract on iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with GAPDH as a positive control. Results of reverse transcription-PCR showed that treatment with $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract decreased the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 by 72.2% and 89%, respectively. These results suggest that the SS extract is a highly valuable natural compound because of its functional components and anti-inflammatory activity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.150-160
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• 1999

Background: The CREST syndrome is an indolent form of progressive systemic sclerosis. Although its clinical progress is indolent, pulmonary hypertension(PH) associated with CREST syndrome have grave prognosis with over 40 percent mortality rate at 2 year follow-up. But the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension in this disease is not known, and classified as either primary or secondary PH. Clonality of endothelial cell proliferation in plexiform lesion is a molecular marker which allows distinction between primary and secondary PH. We performed this study to know whether the PH associated with CREST syndrome is a variant of primary PH or is a secondary PH. Methods: We assessed the X-chromosome inactivation based on the methylation pattern of the human androgen-receptor gene by PCR(HUMARA). Endothelial cells in plexiform lesions from female patients(n=3) with PH associated with CREST syndrome were microdissected from paraffin blocks. Vascular smooth muscle cells and lung parenchyma were also microdissected for clonality studies. Results: The proliferating endothelial cells in 14 plexiform lesions were all polyclonal. Similarly proliferated smooth muscle cells from 5 vessels with medial hypertrophy were also polyclonal. Conclusion: These results suggest that the pulmonary hypertension associated with CREST syndrome has different pathogenesis from primary PH and to be classified as secondary PH.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.279-286
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• 2020

Purple loosestrife-Lythrum anceps (Koehne) Makino is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Lythraceae family. It has been used for centuries in Korea and other Asian traditional medicine. It has been showed pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects. However, the mechanisms underlying its anti-cancer effect are not yet understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of apoptosis signaling pathways by ethanol extract of Lythrum anceps (Koehne) Makino (ELM) in human leukemia U937 cells. Treatment with ELM significantly inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs), DNA fragmentation and increased populations of sub-G1 ratio. Induction of apoptosis by ELM was connected with up-regulation of death receptor (DR) 4 and DR5, pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, and inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family proteins, depending on dosage. This induction was associated with Bid truncation, mitochondrial dysfunction, proteolytic activation of caspases (-3, -8 and -9) and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase protein. Therefore, our data indicate that ELM suppresses U937 cell growth by activating the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways, and thus may have applications as a potential source for an anti-leukemic chemotherapeutic agent.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.1 s.55
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• pp.59-64
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• 2006

Crinum asiaticum Linne var. japonicum has long been used as a rheumatic remedy, an anti-pyretic, an anti-ulcer treatment, and for the alleviation of local pain and fever in Korea and Malaysia. In order to investigate the possibility of Crinum asiaticum Linne var. japonicum extract as a cosmetic ingredient, we measured its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibition of iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase), and the release of PGE2, IL-6, and IL-8. HPLC experiment after extraction with 95% ethanol at pH 3.5 showed that Crinum asiaticum Linne var. japonicum was mainly composed of lycorine (up to 1%), a well-known immunosuppressant. The content of lycorine varied depending on the type of tissue analyzed and the extraction method. In anti-inflammatory assay for inhibition of nitric oxide formation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, the ethanolic extract of Crinum asiaticum showed inhibitory activity of NO production in dose-dependent manner ($IC_{50} = 83.5 {\mu}g/mL$). Additional study by RT-PCR demonstrated that the extract of Crinum asiaticum significantly suppressed the expression of the iNOS gene. Moreover, the extract of Crinum asiaticum did not show my cytotoxicity, but did show cell proliferation effect against LPS ($10{\sim}60%$ increase of tell viability). In an assay to determine inhibition of the $H_2O_2$-activated release of PGE2, IL-6, and IL-8 in human normal fibroblast cell lines, the release of PGE2 and IL-6 was almost completely inhibited above concentrations of 0.05% and 1%, respectively. Moreover, the release of IL-8 was completely inhibited over the entire range of concentrations (> 0.0025%). The result showed that the extract of Crinum asiaticum Linne var. japonicum has sufficient anti-inflammatory effect. There-fore, Crinum asiaticum Linne var. japonicum extract may be useful as an ingredient of cosmetic products.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2010

The nutritional components, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of water and a 50% methanol extract from litchi fruit pericarp were investigated. The most abundant mineral, amino acid, and fatty acid were K, proline, and palmitic acid, respectively. In addition, the total water phenolics and 50% methanol extracts were 8.02 and 12.28 mg/g, respectively. The DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the water and 50% methanol extracts showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity. In a cell viability assay using MTT, almost all extracts showed a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity, and lactate dehydrogenase leakage was also inhibited by the pericarp extracts. In particular, the 50% methanol extract showed a higher cell membrane protective effect than the water extract at the highest concentration. Consequently, these data suggest that litchi fruit pericarp can be utilized as an effective and safe functional food substances for natural antioxidants and may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disorders.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2015

Myelophycus simplex Papenfuss is distributed over the northern Pacific and southern coast of Korea, and is a member of the brown algae family. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of M. simplex methanol extract on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Treatment with M. simplex methanol extract significantly suppressed terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in lipid droplet content observed by Oil Red O staining. Also, the M. simplex methanol extract significantly suppressed the triglyceride content of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 300 and $500{\mu}g/ml$ of M. simplex methanol extract caused a 42% and 76% reduction in lipid droplet content, respectively. In order to understand the anti-adipogenic effects of M. simplex methanol extract, the changes in the expression of several adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\gamma}$-cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$, were investigated using immunoblotting. M. simplex suppressed the expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and $C/EBP{\beta}$ proteins compared with control. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that M. simplex methanol extract inhibits adipocyte differentiation and thus may have applications as a potential source for an anti-obesity functional food agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1384-1392
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• 2015

Sagantang (SGT), a Korean multiherb formula comprising six medicinal herbs, Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Poria cocos Wolf, Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komarov, and Artractylodes japonica Koidzumi, was recorded in “Dongeuibogam.” The present study investigated the anticancer potential of SGT in AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. The results indicated that SGT treatment significantly inhibited the growth and viability of AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, in addition to chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, and the accumulation of annexin-V positive cells. The induction of apoptotic cell death by the SGT treatment was associated with up-regulation of Fas protein expression, truncation of Bid, and down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. The SGT treatment also effectively induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which was associated with the activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8, and -9) and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. However, a pan-caspase inhibitor significantly blocked the SGT-induced apoptosis and growth suppression in AGS cells. This study suggests that SGT induces caspase-dependent apoptosis through an extrinsic pathway by upregulating Fas, as well as through an intrinsic pathway by modulating Bcl-2 family members in AGS cells. The results suggest that SGT may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human gastric cancer cells. However, further studies will be needed to confirm the potential of SGT in cancer prevention and therapy in an in vivo model and to identify biological active compounds of SGT.