• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.371-379
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• 2012

This study was designed to explore new nutraceutical and cosmetic resources possessing biological activities from the plant kingdom. To fulfill this purpose, we analyzed the anti-oxidative, anti-melanogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities of Zanthoxylum schinifolium extract (ZSE) and its solvent fractions using in vitro assays and cell culture model systems. Three kinds of ZSE treated with methanol, ethanol, and water exhibited potent anti-oxidative activities through DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and inhibited in vitro DOPA oxidation. Furthermore, Z. schinifolium methanol extract (ZSME) inhibited the ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone, which induces melanin contents in B16F10 cells. Its anti-melanogenic activity originates from the inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme activity and melanogenesis related protein expression. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide induced nitric oxide production in the RAW 264.7 cell line was also ameliorated by ZSME treatment in a dose dependent manner. Among the four solvent fractions of ZSME treated with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water, three fractions, except water, showed significant anti-melanogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. Taken together, these results provide important new insights into Z. schinifolium, indicating that it possesses numerous biological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-melanogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, it may well serve as a promising material in the field of nutraceuticals and cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.100-105
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• 2009

This study investigated the physiological characteristics of various medicinal plant extracts including Crataegi Fructus (CF), Perilla frutescens Britton var. acuta Kudo (PF), Geranium thunbergii sieb. et Zucc. (GT) and Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg (PM) for use in extending the shelf-life and improving the functional properties of seasoned pork. CF and GT showed a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities against 5 kinds of Gram (+) bacteria and 5 kinds of Gram (-) bacteria. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts decreased as the heat treatment temperature increased between 60 and $121^{\circ}C$, but their activities remained relatively high following heat treatment. The total phenolic compound contents of the CF, PF, GT, PM extracts were 66.2, 29.0, 96.6 and 13.3 mg/g, respectively. The order of their DPPH radical scavenging activity was GT > CF > PF > PF. The nitrite scavenging activities of the CF, PF and GT extracts at 0.1% concentration were 10.5, 1.6 and 3.8%, respectively. The GT extract (99.7%) showed the highest degree of lipid rancidity inhibition compared to CF (90.3%), PF (88.9%) and PM (41.2%). After heat treatment for 15 min at $121^{\circ}C$, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of CF decreased but it increased in GT and PM. The nitrite scavenging activities of CF and GT decreased after heat treatment for 15 min at $121^{\circ}C$ but remained at relatively high levels. Also, degrees of lipid rancidity inhibition remained relatively high in PF (86.3%) and GT (99.8%) after heat treatment for 15 min at $121^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that CF and GT extracts could be used as ingredients in seasoning sauce to improve the shelf-life and functional properties of seasoned pork.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.611-620
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• 2007

The current study was designed to define whether a blend of prunus mume extract(25%) containing lactic acid(75%) and grape seed extract(10ppm) could affect in vitro antimicrobial activity and growth performance, intestinal microflora, plasma biochemical profiles and digestive enzymes activities in broiler chickens. In paper disc agar diffusion test, we clearly observed antimicrobial activity against E. coli in response to prunus mume extract or a blend of prunus mume extract. For in vivo test, a total of ninety six 3-d-old male broiler chicks were assigned to basal diet(CON), basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (ANTI) and 0.5% a blend of prunus mume extract(PRNUS) until 35 days of age. Throughout the entire experimental period(3-35 days), there were no differences in BW and FCR between the birds fed the basal diet with antibiotics and the diet supplemented with a blend of prunus mume. However, ANTI group showed a significant increase in BW and total gain compared to CON group. The weights of digestive organs such as the pancreas and mucosal tissues were not affected by dietary treatments. There was no difference in plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol, AST and ALT activity. However, triglyceride in plasma increased(P<0.05) in the birds fed the diet supplemented with 0.5% a blend of prunus mume extract compared to those fed antibiotics supplemented diet. The activities of pancreatic trypsin and amylase, and intestinal hydrolase including disaccharidase were not affected by dietary treatment. The colony forming units(CFU) of lactobacillus in the lower ileal-cecum of the birds fed the diet supplemented with a blend of prunus mume extract was significantly(P<0.05) higher than that of birds fed antibiotic supplemented diet without affecting the CFU of E. coli. In conclusion, the birds fed the diet supplemented a blend of prunus mume as an alternative to antibiotics showed a similar growth performance and an significant increase in lactobacillus population compared with the birds fed basal and antibiotics supplemented diets.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1015-1021
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• 2013

Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, an important species of licorice, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants for over 4000 years. Glycyrrhiza plant species has been well known for its various therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-ulcer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal ethanol extracts (GBE) on adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation. Mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with sub-cytotoxic doses of GBE, and its effects on adipocyte differentiation were assessed. We found that GBE dose-dependently increased lipid accumulation and also induced the expression of adipocyte markers, such as $PPAR{\gamma}$ and its target genes, aP2, and adiponectin, in C3H10T1/2 cells. Consistently, similar effects of GBE on lipid accumulation were also observed in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells that further supports the pro-adipogenic activities of GBE. We also investigated the effects of GBE on osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. As a results, we found that GBE increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase in a dose-dependent manner and also promoted the expression of osteoblast markers, such as ALP and RUNX2, during osteoblast differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells. Similar pro-osteogenic effects of GBE were also observed in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Finally, our data show that a major bioactive compound found in Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, licochalcone A (LA) but not glycyrrhizic acid (GA), can mediate the pro-adipogenic and pro-osteogenic effects of GBE. Taken together, this study provides data to show the possibility of GBE and its bioactive component LA as putative strategies for type 2 diabetes and bone diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1304-1308
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• 2006

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the antioxidant activity and the cytotoxic effect of Ceramium kondoi. The antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effect of the water extracts were evaluated by total phenolic contents (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA), reducing power (RP), comet assay, and MTT reduction assay. TPC, DPPH RSA, and RP of the extract at the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ was $659.2{\mu}M$, 86.0%, and 1.084, respectively, and those were concentration dependent. The $200{\mu}M\;H_2O_2-induced$DNA damage was inhibited by C. kondoi water extract in a dose dependent manner in human leukocytes. The inhibition was by 62.3, 39.8, 24.8% and 16.4% at the concentration of 5, 10, $25{\mu}g/mL$ and $50{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Cytotoxic activity on HT-29 cells and MCF-7 cells of the C. kondoi water extract at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$ was 49% and 60%, respectively. These results strongly support the possibility of C. kondoi as a source of natural functional materials.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2021

This study was conducted to improve the useful components and biological activity of Lentinula edodes fermented by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Three LAB strains (Lactobacillus brevis KCCM 11904, L. plantarum KCCM 354469, and L. fermentum KCCM 12116) were inoculated and used for L. edodes hot water extract (10%, 20%, 30%) fermentation. LAB fermentation of L. edodes hot water extracts decreased pH and thus were more acidic than non-fermented L. edodes hot water extract. β-glucan and ergothioneine contents were increased by L. edodes in a concentration-dependent manner. The ergothioneine and β-glucan contents were highest in fermented with 30% L. edodes hot water extract fermented by L. plantarum and L. brevis (40.48 mg/100 g and 13.94%, respectively). The hepato-protective effect of fermented L. edodes hot water extracts by the three LAB were tested using Sprague-Dawley rat primary hepatocytes. In primary hepatocytes obtained following liver injury induced by acetaminophen, fermented L. edodes hot water extracts by the three LAB showed protective effects, as evident by reduction of the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase liver markers. The collective results indicate that the fermented L. edodes hot water extracts obtained using LAB are potentially valuable in preventing or treating liver disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.787-795
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• 2021

Eupatorium chinensis var. simplicifolium (EUC) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Young sprouts of EUC have been used as food for a long time, and the whole EUC plant has been used as an herbal remedy in oriental medicine. Arteriosclerosis, or chronic inflammation in arterial vessels, is a cardiovascular disease and is involved in various disorders. Cardiovascular diseases such as restenosis and neuropathic hyperplasia are mainly caused by abnormal growth and movement due to multiple growth factors in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a mitogen released from damaged vessel walls and is involved in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. To determine the effects of EUC on the abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs, the present study investigated intracellular signaling pathways in PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs treated with and without EUC. Pretreating PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs with EUC tended to effectively decrease cell proliferation and migration. Subsequently, the intracellular growth-related signaling pathways of AKT, phospholipase C gamma (PLC-γ), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were investigated using western blotting to confirm inhibited phosphorylation. Furthermore, flow cytometry data showed that EUC blocked the cell cycle of VSMCs. These results suggest that EUC can inhibit the proliferation and migration of VSMCs by controlling the cell cycle and growth factor receptors. Furthermore, this indicates that EUC can be used as a preventative against cardiovascular disease resulting from abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1369-1378
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• 2018

Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc., a member of the Rosaceae family (called Maesil in Korea), has been widely distributed in East Asia, e.g. Korea, Japan and China, and its fruit has been used as a traditional drug and health food. In this study, we evaluated physicochemical properties and physiological activities of condensed Prunus mume juice treated with pectinase (PJ). The values of total acidity, pH, sugar contents, turbidity moisture content of the PJ were 35.81%, 2.73, $54.36^{\circ}Brix$, 2.75 and 51.32%, respectively. The PJ had effective DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power effect, $H_2O_2$ scavenging activity and ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching effect. DPPH radical scavenging activities of PJ was 46.31%; their reducing power ($OD_{700}$) was 1.80; $H_2O_2$ scavenging activity of PJ was 91.62%; and ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching effect of PJ was 73.02%. Also, PJ showed effective levels of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity. The cell viability was measured by SRB assay. The PJ significantly decreased the cell viability of mouse melanoma cells (B16) and human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-2 and SK-MEL-28) in a dose-dependent manner, however, there was no effect on human keratinocyte HaCaT. In morphological study, PJ-treated SK-MEL-2 cells showed distorted and shrunken cell masses. Total polyphenol contents and total flavonoid contents of PJ were 588.31 mg% (gallic acid equivalent) and 860.45 mg% (rutin equivalent). The antiproliferative effect of PJ seems to be associated with the antioxidant activity of its flavonoid and polyphenol contents. In conclusion, PJ may be beneficial in development of a functional food material.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1227-1234
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• 2019

Prunus mume, also known as maesil, is a popular fruit consumed in East Asia (Korea, Japan, and China). It contains high amounts of organic acids, minerals, and polyphenols and has been used as a medication for fever, vomiting, and detoxification. In this study, the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of solvent fractions from maesil were evaluated using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays, morphological evaluations, Hoechst 33258 staining, and western blotting. Addition of the maesil methanol fraction (MMF) and the maesil butanol fraction (MBF) significantly and dose-dependently decreased the cell viability of HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Colony-forming assays confirmed that the MMF and MBF treatments decreased colony numbers when compared with untreated control cells. Treatment of HT-29 cells with MMF and MBF caused a distortion of the cell morphology to a shrunken cell mass. Treatment with MMF and MBF also dose-dependently increased nuclear condensation and the formation of apoptotic bodies in HT-29 cells. Treatment with MMF and MBF significantly and dosedependently increased the expression of Bax (a pro-apoptotic protein), caspase-3, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptotic protein). MMF significantly and dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation induced by bisphenol A, an environmental hormone. Therefore, MMF may have potential use as a functional food and as a possible therapeutic agent for the prevention of colon cancer.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 2020

The grade and price of Lentinula edodes largely differs in preference depending on the product area and seasonal factors. The product amount of autumn L. edodes was higher than that of spring L. edodes, but high quality, which is divided into "Hwago" is low in preference. Mostly, the autumn L. edodes is obtained as powder; hence, it is necessary to develop a processing method to utilize its flavor and aroma at an affordable price. Additionally, we estimated the content of 𝛽-glucan, ergosterol, vitamin D₂, reducing sugars, and free amino acids and evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of saccharification powder of log-cultivated L. edodes. In the saccharification powders obtained via 7 min of UV irradiation of log-cultivated L. edodes, 𝛽-glucan and vitamin D₂ contents were found to be the highest, whereas ergosterol content was found to be the lowest. The content of reducing sugars ranged from 62.4 mg/L to 68.2 mg/L. The free amino acids were higher in these saccharification powders than in the control. Subsequently, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations (10, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 500 ㎍/mL) of the saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes obtained via different UV irradiation time applications. The cells showed good viability; the anti-inflammatory effect was found to be the highest at 7 min UV irradiation. Therefore, 7 min of UV irradiation was determined to be the optimum condition for manufacturing saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes. Hence, saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes may be used as a raw material for natural sweeteners, food additives, and in the food industry.