• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.544-551
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simultaneous analytical method for berberine and palmatine, which are representative substances of Phellodendron amurense, and to evaluate the antioxidant activity. We evaluated the specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) of analytical methods for berberine and palmatine using high-performance liquid chromatography. Our result showed that the correlation coefficients of the calibration curve for berberine and palmatine exhibited 0.9999. The LODs for berberine and palmatine were 0.32 to 0.35 µg/mL and the LOQs were 0.97 to 1.06 µg/mL, respectively. The inter-day and intra-day precision values for berberine and palmatine were from 0.12 to 1.93 and 0.19 to 2.89%, respectively. The inter-day and intra-day accuracies were 98.43-101.45% and 92.39-100.60%, respectively. In addition, the simultaneous analytical method was validated for the detection of berberine and palmatine. Moreover, we conducted FRAP and NaNO2 scavenging activity assays to measure the antioxidant activities of berberine and palmatine, and both showed antioxidant activity. These results suggest that P.amurense could be a potential natural resource for antioxidant activity and that the efficacy can be confirmed by investigating the content of the berberine and palmatine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.979-988
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• 2022

Halophytes have been reported to possess a variety of physiological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity. Studies on the roots of the halophyte Rosa rugosa, in particular, have shown a variety of physiological activities and are known to be effective for nursing diabetic complications in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, the effect of R. rugosa on adipogenesis was investigated in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes treated with crude extract and solvent fractions (H₂O, n-BuOH, 85% aq. MeOH, and n-Hex) obtained from R. rugosa roots. Treatment with extract and the solvent fractions inhibited the formation of intracellular lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to the untreated group. In particular, n-BuOH and 85% aq. MeOH fractions effectively decreased the expression of adipogenic transcription factors: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) in both mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, these results suggest that R. rugosa contains anti-adipogenic molecules that can be utilized as a nutraceutical against obesity. Further refining of n-BuOH and 85% aq. MeOH fractions and analysis of their action mechanisms could yield potential therapeutic agents with anti-adipogenic effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.277-286
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and function. It is a natural part of aging and can lead to decreased mobility and increased frailty. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which is involved in muscle protein degradation, is closely linked to sarcopenia. Germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis hydrolysate (GRH) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but there have been no reports on its inhibitory effect on muscle reduction. However, no study has yet explored the relationship between GRH and muscle loss inhibition. In this study, we evaluated the effects of GRH on muscle atrophy inhibitory activity in dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced muscle atrophy C2C12 myotubes and mouse models. Moreover, we identified a molecular pathway underlying the effects of GRH on skeletal muscle. May Grunwald-Giemsa staining showed that the length and area of myotubes increased in the groups treated with GRH. In addition, the GRH-treated group significantly reduced the expression of muscle ring finger protein 1 and muscular atrophy F-box (MAFbx) in the Dexa-induced muscular atrophy C2C12 model. GRH also improved muscle strength in C57BL/6 mice with Dexa-induced muscle atrophy, resulting in prolonged running exhaustive time and increased grip strength. We found that muscle strengthening by GRH was correlated with a decreased expression of the MAFbx gene in mouse muscle tissue. In conclusion, GRH can attenuate Dexa-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway via downregulation of the MAFbx gene expression.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2023

In this study, bioconversion of rutin to quercetin was confirmed by the fermentation of Korean indigenous probiotics and tartary buckwheat. Based on whole genome sequencing of 17 probiotics species, α-rhamnosidase, related to bioconversion of isoquercetin (quercetin 3-β-D glucoside) from rutin, is identified in the genome of CBT BG7, LC5, LR5, LP3, LA1, and LGA1. β-Glucosidase, related to bioconversion of isoquercetin to quercetin, is identified in the genome of all 17 species. Among the 17 probiotics species, 6 probiotics including CBT BG7, LR5, LP3, LA1, LGA1 and ST3 performed the bioconversion of rutin to quercetin up to 21.5 ± 0.3% at 7 days after fermentation. The fermentation of each probiotics together with enzyme complex Cellulase KN^® was conducted to reduce the time of bioconversion. As a result, CBT LA1 which showed the highest yield of bioconversion of 21.5 ± 0.3% when the enzyme complex was not added showed high bioconversion yield of 84.6 ± 0.5% with adding the enzyme complex at 1 day after fermentation. In particular, CBT ST3 (96.2 ± 0.4%), SL6 (90.1 ± 1.4%) and LP3 (90.0 ± 0.4%) showed high yield of bioconversion more than 90%. In addition, such probiotics including high levels in quercetin indicated the inhibitory effects of NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. In this study, we confirmed that the fermentation of Korean indigenous probiotics and enzyme complex together with roasted tartary buckwheat increased the content of quercetin and reduced the time of bioconversion of rutin to quercetin which is a bioactive compound related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetes.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.421-427
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• 2022

In this study, Jeju Tatary buckwheat tea's chemical composition and physiological activities were compared according to the leaching temperature (60, 80, 100 ℃). As the leaching temperature is increased, the degree of browning is induced. However, there was no significant change in pH. The total polyphenol content was higher at 80 ℃ than at 60 ℃ leaching temperature, but significantly decreased at 100 ℃ leaching temperature (60 ℃: 17.06 mg GA/g, 80 ℃: 20.09 mg GA/g, 100 ℃ :18.45 mg GA/g). There were high content of flavonoid and rutin as the leaching temperature increased. Consistently, 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity were significantly higher with increasing temperature (DPPH % inhibition: 60 ℃: 41.88%, 80 ℃: 46.01%, 100 ℃: 46.80%/tyrosinase inhibitory activity: 60 ℃: 9.38%, 80 ℃: 22.94%, 100 ℃: 28.17%). However, there was no significant difference in DPPH radical scavenging activity between 80 and 100 ℃. A cytotoxicity test was performed by treating with Jeju Tatary buckwheat extract into mouse macrophage cells (Raw264.7). 100 and 200 ㎍/mL treatment (100 ℃ extract) were significantly upregulated the survival rate, but there was no significant difference in other concentrations. Collectively, most of the bioactive components, antioxidant activity, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity were induced as the leaching temperature increased. However, the content of polyphenols which are known to have antioxidant activity, was significantly reduced at 100 ℃ leaching temperature. Several reports have demonstrated that leaching at too high temperature lowered the overall acceptability, so the optimal leaching condition of Tatary Buckwheat is 80 ℃, 5 min in this study.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Objectives : The main aim of this study was to examine the LC-MS/MS used to identify phenolic compounds of CRE(Coptidis Rhizoma 70% EtOH Extract). Also, we investigated antioxidative activities and Anti-inflammatory activities. Methods : LC-MS/MS Analysis HPLC and LC-MS/MS were performed on a 1260 series HPLC system (Agilent Technologies, Inc., California, USA) and 3200 QTrap tandem mass system (Sciex LLC) operated in positive ion mode (spray voltage set at -4.5 kV). The solvent used was DW and Acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid, a gradient system was used at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min for analysis, and a Prontosil C18 column (length, 250 mm; inner diameter, 4.6 mm; particle size, 5 ㎛; Phenomenex Co., Ltd., California, USA, Biochoff Chromatography) was used. The solvent conditions used in the mobile phases were 0-10 min at 10-15% B, 10-20 min at 20% B, 20-30 min at 25%, 30-40 min at 40%, 40-50 min at 70%, 50-60 min at 95%, and 60-70 min at 95%. The analysis was performed at a wavelength of 284 nm and a temperature of 35℃. The cell viability was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethyethiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. We examined the effects of CRE on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in a RAW 264.7 cells Results : The chemical analysis CRE by Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) confirmed that Rosmarinic acid, Ferrulic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid as phenolic components. DPPH radical scavenging activity was the inhibitory activity of CRE showed at 200 ㎍/mL a statistically significant level. MTT assay demonstrated that the CRE did not have a cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Also, CRE reduced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Conclusions : Based on these findings, The chemical analysis 4 major components CRE such as Rosmarinic acid, Ferrulic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid. Moreover, we confirmed that CRE has effects antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The results demonstrate that CRE can be used as an antioxidant and a powerful chemopreventive ingredient against inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.713-723
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• 2023

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that has the highest mortality rate. It is mainly classified into small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Chemotherapy is used to treat lung cancer, but long-term treatment causes side effects and drug resistances. Curcumin is a bright yellow polyphenol extracted from the root of turmeric. It has biological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we observed differential cell death in human lung cancer cells. Based on the results, curcumin at 10, 30, and 50 μM exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on the cell survival of several lung cancer cells, with minor differential phenotypes. In addition, apoptosis, autophagy, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) regeneration were observed through flow cytometry. Curcumin dose-dependently increased these phenotypes in A549 (NSCLC) and DMS53 (SCLC), which were restored by corresponding inhibitors. Western blotting was performed to measure the level of expression of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins. The results indicate that Bax, PARP, pro-caspase-3, and Bcl-2 were dose-dependently regulated by curcumin, with seemingly higher Bax/Bcl-2 ratios in DMS53. In addition, autophagic proteins, p-AKT, p62, and LC3B, were dose-dependently regulated by curcumin. ROS inhibition by diphenyleneiodonium reduced the induction of apoptosis and autophagy generated by curcumin. Taken together, it is suggested that curcumin induces apoptosis and autophagy via ROS generation, leading to cell death, with minor differences between human lung cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.158-168
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• 2023

Natural products have been used to mitigate the effects of cancer and infectious diseases, as they feature diverse bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Here, we chose 10 natural products that are well-known as pulmonary enhancers and investigated their bactericidal effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the disk diffusion assay, the growth of S. pneumoniae was significantly regulated by G. fructus treatment regardless of extraction method used. We first adopted spraying as a novel delivery method for G. fructus. Interestingly, mice exposed to G. fructus three times a day for 2 weeks were resistant to S. pneumoniae intranasal infection (shown both through body weight loss and survival rates compared to the control group). Moreover, we confirmed that exposure to G. fructus regulated the colonization of the bacteria despite the sustained inflammation in the lung after exposure to S. pneumoniae, indicating that migrated inflammatory immune cells may involve a host defense mechanism against pulmonary infectious diseases. While a similar number of granulocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C⁺Ly6G⁺), neutrophils (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G⁺), and monocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G^-) were found between groups, a significantly increased number of alveolar macrophages (CD11b⁺CD11c^hiF4/80⁺) was detected in BAL fluids of mice pre-exposed to G. fructus at 5 days after S. pneumonia infection. Taken together, our data suggest that this usage of G. fructus can induce protective immunity against bacterial infection, indicating that facial spray may be helpful in enhancing the defense mechanism against pulmonary inflammation and in evaluating the efficacy of natural products as immune enhancers against respiratory diseases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2023

This study was conducted to discover substances that regulate skin surface acidification using human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines, and to investigate their effects on the moisturizing ability and skin barrier function of the stratum corneum. Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) is an herb widely distributed in Northwest Africa and North America that has been studied for its anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, research on the regulation of NHE1 expression and the restoration of skin barrier function has not been conducted. Analysis of P. vulgaris revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid as active ingredients, which were tested for toxicity in human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT), and showed no toxic effects were observed at high concentarion (100 ㎍/mL or 100 µM). It is known that sodium-hydrogen ion exchange pumps (NHE1) decrease in expression in aging skin to maintain the acidic pH of the stratum corneum, and it is hypothesized that this decrease plays an important role in the impaired restoration of skin barrier function in aging skin. P. vulgaris extract and caffeic acid increased the expression of NHE1 in keratinocytes, increased the expression of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) precursor filaggrin and ceramide synthesis enzyme serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT). In addition, P. vulgaris and caffeic acid decreased the extracellular pH of keratinocytes, indicating a direct effect on skin pH regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that P. vulgaris and caffeic acid can regulate skin pH through NHE1 modulation, and may help to restore skin barrier function by increasing NMF and ceramide synthesis. These results show the possibility that honeysuckle and caffeic acid can have a positive effect on skin health, and can be the basis for the development of new skin protection products using them.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.498-505
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• 2023

Solanum tuberosum Linnaeus cv Hongyoung, which represents red potato, was developed in Korea. Hongyoung is known to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-tumor properties, but no research has been conducted on the growth inhibition and apoptosis effects of hongyoung in YD-10B oral cancer cells. In this study, the combined treatment of hongyoung ethanol extract (HEE) and cisplatin were examined to determine its ability to inhibit cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis, and inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 cancer metastasis. The cell viability was investigated using a 2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H- tetrazolium monosodium salt (MTS) assay, and the ability to induce apoptosis was analyzed using an FACS analyzer. The mRNA expression and protein activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured via RT-PCR and zymography. The YD-10B oral cancer cells showed an increase in growth inhibition as the concentration of HEE increased. The combination of 200 µM cisplatin and 500 ㎍/ml HEE reduced the growth of the YD-10B oral cancer cells by more than 50% compared to cisplatin alone. When phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated YD-10B oral cancer cells were co-treated with 200 µM cisplatin and 500 ㎍/ml HEE, both the mRNA expression and protein activity of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased. In addition, the percentage of the sub-G1 phase, which indicates apoptosis ability, more than doubled when treated in combination with 200 µM cisplatin and 500 ㎍/ml HEE than when cisplatin alone was used. The results of this study therefore suggest the possibility of using a combination of HEE and cisplatin in the development of effective drugs to treat oral cancer.