• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.10
• /
• pp.797-807
• /
• 2023

To improve the functionality of mulberry, samples were fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum JCM 1149 (LP) or Pichia kudriavzevii Atz-EN-01 (PK), and their antioxidant and anti-obesity activities were compared to those of unfermented mulberry. After fermenting for 60 hr, the total polyphenol and flavonoid content of the PK-fermented mulberry (PKFM) and LP-fermented mulberry (LPFM) was 1.5-fold and 2-fold higher, respectively, while the total anthocyanin content was 1.3-fold and 1.5-fold higher in the PKFM and LPFM, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be 16.3% higher (86% vs. 100%) after PK fermentation and 8.1% higher (86% vs. 93%) after LP fermentation. The lipase inhibitory activity of the LPFM and PKFM was 62.9% and 52.5%, respectively. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with unfermented mulberry, LPFM, or PKFM at 200, 400, or 800 ㎍/ml and stained with oil-red-O. A slight difference in the staining was observed in samples treated with 400 ㎍/ml. However, treatment with 800 ㎍/ml significantly reduced staining compared to the control, and the LPFM exhibited relatively higher adipogenesis inhibitory activity than the PKFM. Blood triglyceride content increased by 9.5% in the high-fat diet group, but decreased by 17.1% in the control group, 37.1% in the LPFM group, and 41.6% in the PKFM group. The blood triglyceride content of the LPFM group decreased by 43.1% and 21.4% compared to the high-fat diet group and the control group, respectively, and that of the PKFM group decreased by 48.6% and 28.9% compared to the same groups. In conclusion, the results indicate that fermented mulberry has increased antioxidant activity, lipase inhibitory activity, and adipogenesis inhibition activity, and decreased blood triglyceride content compared to unfermented mulberry.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.18-28
• /
• 2019

Recent studies reported that obesity upregulated the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and regulated particular behavior patterns in animal models. They also reported that ameliorated the increase in nNOS expression and decreased depression and anxiolytic effects. Thus, exercise seems to be an effective strategy for improving brain function by downregulating nNOS. However, the immune response differs greatly, depending on the exercise intensity. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in brain nNOS expression in obese C57BL/6 mice that performed exercise of different intensities. Obesity was induced in 6-wks-old mice (n=35) by feeding a 60%-fat diet for 6-wks. A control (CON) group (n=14) was fed a normal diet. At the end of the induction 6-wks period of obesity, seven animals in the CON group and obesity-induced group were sacrificed to confirm obesity induction (preliminary experiments and confirmation of visceral fat accumulation). The remaining animals were then used in an 8-wks exercise intervention. Other than the CON (n=7), the obesity-induced animals were divided into the following groups: high-fat diet (HFD, n=7), HFD-low intensity (HFD-LI, n=7, 12 m/min for 75 min), HFD-moderate intensity (HFD-MI, n=7, 15 m/min for 60 min), and HFD-high intensity (HFD-HI, n=7, 18 m/min for 50 min). The exercise was performed on an animal treadmill. The expression of the nNOS protein in the hippocampus was significantly higher in the HFD group as compared with that in the CON group (p<0.01). However, there was no difference in the hippocampal expression of the nNOS protein in the other exercise groups as compared with that in the CON group. In contrast, nNOS expression in the HFD-HI group was significantly lower than that in the HFD-LI group (p<0.05). The expression of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) was significantly higher in all the exercise groups as compared with that in the CON and HFD groups. There was no difference in the expression of pAkt in the cerebral cortex among groups, and the expression of pAkt in the cerebellum was significantly higher in the HFD-HI group as compared with that in the CON group (p<0.05). There were also no between-group differences in pAkt expression in the cerebellum among the various exercise groups. In conclusion, nNOS seems to be overexpressed in response to obesity, and it appears to be downregulated by exercise. Relatively high-intensity exercise may be effective in improving brain function by downregulating nNOS.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.7
• /
• pp.810-818
• /
• 2015

We analyzed whether lactic acid bacteria could control the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in activated mast cells and whether these bacteria could inhibit the activity of transcription factors such as GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, and NF-κB p65. We previously described a technique for identification of lactic acid bacteria with anti-atopy functionality by confirming increased expression of CD4+/CD25+/foxp3+ in T cells. We also confirmed that a double-culture method increased the antibacterial activity of these lactic acid bacteria against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In the present study, we characterized the effect of lactic acid bacteria cultured by this double-culture method on inhibition of allergic inflammatory reactions of RBL-2H3 mast cells, a cellular model of atopic dermatitis. The strongest anti-allergic effects of the lactic acid bacteria were seen in the following order: Lactococcus lactis broth cultured with medium containing Lactobacillus plantarum culture supernatant > Lc. lactis > Lc. lactis broth cultured with medium containing Lb. plantarum culture supernatant > Lb. plantarum. Thus, Lc. lactis cultured in medium containing Lb. plantarum culture supernatant had the strongest inhibitory effect on the differentiation of mast cells during allergic reactions, which may be mediated through the selective regulation of expression of relevant genes.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.234-242
• /
• 2017

This study was conducted to provide basic data of Cirsium setidens Nakai in different harvest time that will be applied for development of functional foods and ingredients. We investigated pectiolinarin and pectolinarigenin content, total flavonoids content and antioxidant effects (DPPH radical scavenging activity and ORAC assay) of C. setidens Nakai. Our results showed that the pectolinarin and total flavonoids contents of C. setidens Nakai in harvesting time ranged from $43.13{\pm}0.22$ to $95.65{\pm}0.34mg/g$ and from $32.81{\pm}1.68$ to $40.43{\pm}0.35mg$ rutin equivalent (RE)/g, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of C. setidens Nakai did not show differences in harvesting time. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value was highest in August (2016) extracts ($827.72{\mu}mole\;TE/g$). In addition, C. setidens Nakai exthanolic extract in harvesting time did not show any cytotoxicity up to $200{\mu}g/mL$. During adipocyte differentiation, C. setidens Nakai extract in harvesting time significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and ROS production, compared with the controls. These results suggest that C. setidens Nakai extract could be considered as a non-toxic natural resources of functional food ingredients and natural antioxidants.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.73-82
• /
• 2003

This experimental research has been done to study the effects of Bojungikgi-tang(BJIKT) on the anti-allergic reaction. We found the several important results from the research which has been performed by two experiments toward immediately type and delayed type in order to study the effects of BJIKT on hypersensitivity response to mice. The results obtained from our research are as following: 1. The survival rate of one group to which we injected only the compound 48/80 is almost 0% according to its density and timing test. In the other hand, the survival rates of the other group to which we injected both of the compound 48/80 and BJIKT are 20%, 10%, 30%, 10%, 40%, and 70% according to 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25 0.5 and 1(mg/g) of compound 48/80. Time dependency test also shows the 10% and 0% survival rates in 5 and 10 minutes. 2. BJIKT revealed the significantly inhibitory effect on Compound 48/80 induced Mast cell degranulation. 3. BJIKT showed the significantly inhibitory effect in the delayed type hypersensitivity response to picryl chloride. 4. BJIKT showed the significantly inhibitory effect in the delayed type hypersensitivity response to sheep red blood tell. Our research provides the important evidence that BJIKT is benificial to the prevention and treatment of allergy related diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.1507-1514
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study aimed at examining the antiproliferative effect of kimchi (kimchi B) adding mistletoe extract known as an anticancer function to improve the functions of kimchi. The study investigated the antiproliferative effect through hemocytometer counts and MTT assay, apoptosis induction through DAPI staining, and mRNA expression through RT-PCR using human lung carcinoma A549 cells. The standardized kimchi (Kimchi A) was used as a control group. As a result of hemocytometer counts and the MTT assay, it was found that kimchi samples inhibited the growth of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Kimchi B induced apoptosis in A549 cells through DAPI staining. The apoptosis induced by kimchi B was associated with the increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and with the decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Also, kimchi B influenced the increase in the expression of p21 mRNA, but did not have the effect on the expression of p53 mRNA. In conclusion, the antiproliferative effect of kimchi B was due to apoptosis induced by increasing Bax and decreasing Bcl-2, and increasing p21. The findings will be utilized to develop kimchi with the improved function for the patients having cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.9
• /
• pp.1215-1226
• /
• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of extracts of persimmon leaf (PWE), buckwheat leaf (BWE), and chinese matrimony vine leaf (LWE) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were divided into four groups: HFD (35% fat, w/w), HFD (38.5% fat, w/w) supplemented with PWE (10%, w/w), BWE (10%, w/w), and LWE (10%, w/w) groups. The epididymal, perirenal, and interscapular white adipose tissue (WAT) weights as well as plasma leptin level were lowest in the LWE group. Supplementation with PWE and BWE also tended to lower the perirenal and retroperitonal WAT weights compared to the HFD control group, and there was a significant decrease in plasma leptin concentration. Furthermore, plasma triglyceride concentration, hepatic cholesterol content, and hepatic lipid droplet accumulation were significantly lower in the PWE, BWE, and LWE groups than in the HFD group. BWE supplementation markedly lowered plasma total cholesterol concentration, although there were no significant differences in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration and ratio of HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol among the groups. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity was significantly higher in the PWE and LWE groups than in the HFD group, and hepatic ACAT was not changed by extract supplementation. However, supplementation with PWE, BWE, and LWE significantly increased fecal acidic sterol content in rats fed a HFD. These results suggest that supplementation with PWE, BWE, and LWE may be an effective anti-obesity strategy by lowering body fat weight and improving plasma and hepatic lipid profiles in HFD-fed rats.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2020

This study was designed to investigate whether Loranthus parasiticus extract (LPE) could inhibit the activities of carbohydrate digestive enzymes and alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Lyophilized L. parasiticus was extracted with 80% ethanol and concentrated. The inhibitory effects of LPE on carbohydrate digestive enzymes were evaluated by examining α-glucosidase and αamylase, and it was seen to inhibit the activities of both enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. More specifically, the IC50 values of LPE against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 0.121±0.007 and 0.157±0.004 mg/ml, respectively, significantly lower than those of acarbose, showing that LPE has stronger inhibitory effects than the positive control. These results suggest that LPE strongly inhibits the activities of these digestive enzymes. Blood glucose levels in the control group of diabetic mice increased to 490.00±28.52 mg/dl and 474.60±25.30 mg/dl at 60 and 120 min after a meal, respectively. However, when LPE was added to starch, postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly reduced (463.0±23.73 and 418.5±24.50 mg/dl at 60 and 120 min, respectively; p<0.05). The area under the curve also significantly decreased following administration of LPE, with no cytotoxicity. These results therefore indicate that LPE could be used as an α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitor and delay carbohydrate digestion and, thus, glucose absorption after a meal.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2016

Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol which belongs to the stilbenes group and is naturally generated in several plants in response to damage or fungal invasion. It has been shown in published studies that resveratrol has an anti-adipogenic effect. A good consensus regarding the involvement of a down-regulation of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ in this effect has been reached. In addition, different metabolic pathways involved in triacylglycerol metabolism in white adipose tissue have been shown to be regulated by resveratrol. Concerning lipolysis, though this compound in itself seems to be unable to cause lipolysis, it increases lipid mobilization stimulated by ${\beta}-adrenergic$ agents. The increase in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and accordingly the associated energy dissipation, can attribute to accounting for the body-fat reducing effect of resveratrol. Besides its effects on adipose tissue, resveratrol can also acts on other organs and tissues. Therefore, it increases mitochondrial biogenesis and accordingly fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle and liver. This effect can also attribute to the body-fat reducing effect of this molecule. The present review purposes to collect the evidence concerning the potential mechanisms of action which underlie the anti-obesity effects of resveratrol, acquired either in cultured cells lines and animal models.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Anti-obesity drugs that have been developed so far have limited efficacies and considerable adverse effects affecting tolerability and safety. Therefore, most anti-obesity durgs have been withdrawn. We tried to develop anti-obesity agent by combinations from herbs that are used in food ingredients as well as in traditional medicines. Methods : The 80% (v/v) ethanol extracts from Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescence) leaf (BL) and Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and their 1:1 combination (BLSB) was evaluated on high fat diet induced obese mice compared to Omega-3 as a positive control. The mice were divided into six groups (n=5), one group fed a normal diet (ND), and the others fed a high fat diets for eight weeks. Two weeks after starting feeding the diets, the high fat diet groups were orally administered vehicle and Omega-3, BL, SB, and BLSB at dosage of 200 mg/kg/day for six weeks. All groups were assayed for body weights, food efficiency ratio, blood biochemistry parameters, and organic tissue weights. Results : BLSB group showed significant reductions in body weight gain and fat weights of liver and epididymal adipose tissue compared to BL or SB alone as well as control. Total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels significantly decreased, and HDL-cholesterol level increased. In liver tissue, macrovesicular steaotisis was remarkably improved and its fat cell size was also significantly decreased. Conclusions : These results suggested that a combination preparation of bamboo leaf and S. baicalensis has anti-obesity effect and have synergistic effect compared to bamboo leaf or S. baicalesis.