• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2021

In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of an extract of the fruiting body of the Tuber himalayense (TH) truffle collected from oak growing areas in Korea was investigated. The extract was not cytotoxic at concentrations below 100 ㎍/mL in an experiment evaluating inflammation inhibitory effect in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) production was inhibited by the extract in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot assay results indicated that the anti-inflammatory activity of TH extract was likely caused by the reduced production of NO and PGE₂ via suppression of induced NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression. In addition, TH extract effectively inhibited the production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 by macrophages. Thus, TH extract effectively inhibits the overexpression of various inflammatory mediators and could be valuable in formulating anti-inflammatory foods and medicines that target these components.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 2021

Biopolymers have been known as eco-friendly soil strengthening materials and studied to apply levees. However, the effect of biopolymer on vegetation is not fully understood. In this study, we analyzed the root growth of Camelina sativa L. (Camelina) when the xanthan gum was amended to soil in Aluminum (Al) stress conditions. Amendment of 0.05% xanthan gum increased root growth of Camelina under Al stress conditions. Under the Al stress condition, expression of aluminum activate malate transporter 1 (ALMT1) gene of Camelina root was induced but showed a lower level of expression in xanthan gum amended soil than non-amended soil. Additionally, the binding capacity of xanthan gum with Al ions in the solution was confirmed. Using morin staining and ICP-OES analysis, the Al content of the roots in the xanthan gum soil was lower than in the non-xanthan gum soil. These results suggest that xanthan gum amended soils may reduce the detrimental effects of Al on the roots and positively affect the growth of plants. Therefore, xanthan gum is not only an eco-friendly construction material but also can protect the roots in the disadvantageous environment of the plant.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.775-784
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• 2021

After isolating the DIMO 52 strain with a large inhibition zone diameter for Clostridium perfringens and maximum butyric acid production from the fecal sample of a breastfeeding infant, it was identified as Clostidium butyricum. The maximum growth of the DIMO 52 strain was reached 24 h after inoculation, and the maximum butyric acid concentration was approximately 34.73±4.27 mM. The DIMO 52 strain survived approximately 67.5% of the initial inoculum at pH 2.0, and approximately 64.9% survived in RCM broth supplemented with 0.3% (w/v) oxgall. In addition, DIMO 52 showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli KCTC 2441 and Salmonella Typhimurium KCTC 1925. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, 1×10³ CFU/mL viable cells of the DIMO 52 strain also exhibited significant NO (nitric oxide) production inhibitory activity (33%, p<0.01). This result suggests that C. butyricum DIMO 52 has anti-inflammatory activity related to NO radical-scavenging activity. In conclusion, C. butyricum DIMO 52 isolated in this study has the potential to be used as a probiotic.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.236-243
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-wrinkle effect of the black carrot(BC) extracted by supercritical dioxide(SC-CO₂). DPPH/ABTS radical scavenging and total polyphenol contents were measured to investigate the anti-oxidant activity of the BC supercritical extract. Collagen production and MMP-1 expression were assessed in normal human dermal fibroblasts(NHDF) for anti-wrinkle activity, The black carrot extract showed the highest total phenolic content(9.037±1.123 mg GAE/g extract) and the best antioxidant properties as shown by DPPH and ABTS assay. The supercritical fluid extracts of black carrot exhibited low toxicity to NHDF cells. In addition, the supercritical fluid extracts showed MMP-1 inhibition and type I pro-collagen synthesis inducing activities in a dose-dependent manner, respectively. Therefore, these results suggest that the black carrot is a potential source of high anti-oxidative, solvent-free and anti-aging material with promising applications in cosmetic, food, and beauty-food industries.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2019

Pueraria thomsonii Benth. as a medicinal ingredient, has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat fever, acute dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The effects of P. thomsonii flower on skin have not been reported yet. In this study, the whitening effect of P. thomsonii flower was verified using B16F1 melanoma cells and HS68 fibroblasts. P. thomsonii flower extract reduced melanin contents of B16F1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. To identify its active components, we analyzed P. thomsonii flower extract using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As a result, we identified three major isoflavones of tectorigenin, tectoridin, and tectorigenin 7-O-xylosylglucoside. At a non-cytotoxic concentration, the three components also reduced melanin contents of B16F1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The depigmentation effects were attributed to the reduced gene expression of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). In order to elucidate another depigmentation mechanism, their effects on DKK-1, a fibroblast-derived depigmentation factor, was determined in HS68 cells. As a result, P. thomsonii flower extracts, tectoridin and tectorigenin 7-O-xylosylglucoside, reduced DKK-1 gene expression, while tectorigenin increased DKK-1 gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that tectorigenin can be used as an effective whitening agent that inhibit melanin synthesis in melanocytes and promote the secretion of depigmentation factor from fibroblasts.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2021

Clematis trichotoma Nakai (CTN) is a broad-leaved vine plant belonging to the family Ranunculus, native to Korea. Young leaves are used as food, and the stem and roots are used as medicinal materials. Antioxidant studies have been reported on the stems of CTN, but no studies have been conducted on the leaves. In this study, a 70% ethanol extract of CTN was prepared and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated. For measuring the antioxidant activity, five assays (polyphenol and flavonoid content, reducing power, 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity) were performed and CTN showed a concentration-dependent effect in all assays. To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity, we used RAW 264.7 cells. The concentrations (from 31.25 to 250 ㎍/mL) of CTN did not show cytotoxicity. CTN (250 ㎍/mL) inhibited dendritic transformation (34.4%) and also inhibited inflammation as seen by reduced levels of NO (77.4%), IL-6 (85.5%) and TNF-α (41.2%) compared to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CTN (250 ㎍/mL) also suppressed the expression of the following genes: COX-2 (79.8%), iNOS2 (93.9%), IL-6 (87.6%), and TNF-α (77.3%) compared to LPS. These results demonstrated that CTN has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and can therefore be used as a natural biological resource.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.387-392
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• 2020

Pseudomonas tolaasii is a pathogen causing brown blotch disease in cultivated mushrooms. In previous study, various strains of P. tolaasii were isolated from the mushrooms with disease symptoms and they were further divided into Ptα, Ptβ, and Ptγ subtypes according to the 16S rRNA gene analysis. To investigate the secretion of peptide toxins, tolaasin and its analog peptides, culture extracts of Pt group strains were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography. Those of Ptα subtype strains contained two chromatographic peaks, band A and B. Meanwhile, those of Ptβ and Ptγ subtype strains contained mainly band A component and a little of band B. Molecular weights of toxic peptides of culture extracts were measured by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. In Ptα subtype strains, the peptide compositions of band A and B were same including tolaasin I (1,987 Da), tolaasin II (1,943 Da), and its two analog peptides, 1,973 Da and 2,005 Da. The strains of Ptβ and Ptγ subtype secreted many components of MW 1,100-1,200 Da, but they did not synthesize any tolaasin-like peptides. These results suggest that the only Ptα subtype strains secrete tolaasin and its analog peptide toxins and the strains of Ptβ and Ptγ subtypes have different pathogenic characters causing brown blotch disease.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2020

Bee (Apis mellifera L.) venom is used for the treatment of various human diseases due to its known anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This study investigated the effect of purified bee venom (PBV) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. There was no cytotoxicity while cells were treated with PBV by various concentrations. In the PBV treated cells increases in fat storage were inhibited and also confirmed by oil red o staining. To understand the underlying mechanism at the molecular level were examined on the expression of the genes involved in adipogenesis by using real-time PCR. In this cell model, the mRNA level of adipogenic genes such as peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ) and CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha(C/EBPα) were decreased by PAE treatment, comparing with those of control group. Theses results suggest that PBV inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and can be used as an efficient natural substance to manage anti-obesity.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2021

As aging progresses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduces skin moisturization and collapses skin barrier function. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of skin moisturizing and skin barrier function enhancement by extracts from halophytes using HaCaT cells. Spartina anglica (S. anglica; SAE) and Calystegia soldanella (C. soldanella; CSE), a kind of halophytes, were collected from Dongmak beach in Incheon, and extracted with 70% ethanol. At the first, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of extracts in HaCaT cell using WST-8 Kit. As a result, the other experiment was conducted by setting the concentration at which the cell viability was 90% or more. SAE and CSE showed high radical scavenging activity through ABTS assay. Expression levels of genes related to skin moisturizing and skin barrier functions, were analyzed by real-time qPCR. As a result, it showed that the expression of aquaporin 3, hyaluronan synthase 2, and transglutaminase 1 was increased by SAE treatment but not changed by CSE. Activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase was induced by SAE. These results suggest that SAE can be used as functional materials for cosmetics for skin moisturizing and barrier function enhancement.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2022

In this study, Enterococcus faecalis BMSE-HMP005 isolated from human breast milk demonstrated antimicrobial effects against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. The bacteriocin produced by E. faecalis BMSE-HMP005 was fractionated using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. This fraction showed antimicrobial effects against both gram-positive and gram-negative MDR bacteria. No hemolytic reactions were observed. E. faecalis BMSEHMP005 was resistant to vancomycin; however, kanamycin, ampicillin, and erythromycin showed minimum inhibitory concentrations that were lower than the acceptable range provided by the European Food Safety Authority. For artificial gastric juice and bile acid, the survival rates were 98.67% and 95.70%, respectively. These results show the potential utility of E. faecalis BMSE-HMP005 as a probiotic with remarkable antimicrobial effects against MDR bacteria.