• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.480-485
• /
• 2019

The present study was conducted to compare antioxidant capacities of protein hydrolysates from four different edible insects (Protaetia brevitarsis larvae, Allomyrina dichotoma larvae, Gryllus bimaculatus imago, and Tenebrio molitor larvae) which have recently been registered as food varieties in Korea. Protein hydrolysates were prepared from each insect using enzymatic hydrolysis using alcalase, and were then separated into a fraction containing ${\leq}3kDa$. According to $RC_{50}$ values and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity results obtained from five different antioxidant analyses, the Gryllus bimaculatus (GB) hydrolysate showed relatively high levels of antioxidant capacity and, in particular, the GB hydrolysate showed considerably strong antioxidant activities in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The GB hydrolysate also showed the strongest inhibitory effect on peroxidation of linoleic acid, and its rate of inhibition at $100{\mu}g/mL$ on day 3 of treatment was 60.26%. These results suggest that protein hydrolysates from edible insects including GB represent potential sources of natural antioxidants.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.1018-1027
• /
• 2019

Natural-derived protein-derived low molecular weight peptides have been known to have physiological activities such as antioxidant, hypertension relief, immunomodulation, pain relief and antimicrobial activity. In this study, the low-molecular peptides were produced using commercial proteases (alcalase, bromelain, flavourzyme, neutrase, papain, protamex), and the antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, hydroxy radical scavenging activity, and metals chelation capacity), constituent amino acid and molecular weight of the peptide were analyzed. Enzyme reaction was performed by adding 50 g of chopped Ogae meat slurry and 2%(w/v) protein enzyme into the enzyme reactor for 2 h at a pH of 6 and a temperature of $60^{\circ}C$. The degree of hydrolysis(%) after the reaction ranged from $36.65{\pm}4.10%$ to $70.75{\pm}5.29%$. The highest degree of hydrolysis of protamex was 46.3%, and the highest value of papain hydrolysate was $70.75{\pm}5.29%$. On the other hand, alcalase hydrolysate showed the lowest value of $36.65{\pm}4.10%$. Bromelain-treated low molecular weight peptides showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and the lowest scavenging activity of alcalase-treated peptides. Superoxide radical scavenging activity showed that bromelain treated low molecular peptide showed the highest radical scavenging activity of 50% or more. Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity ranged from about 16.73 to 69.16%, the highest among bromelain-treated low molecular peptides. $Fe^{2+}$ chelation abilities showed a distribution between about 17.85 to 47.84%. The chelation capacity of the hydrolysates was not significantly different without any difference to the enzymes used. The results of amino acid analysis showed differences between hydrolysates of alcalase, bromelain, flavourzyme, neutrase, papain, and protamex enzymes. The most amino acid was glutamic acid. The molecular weight distribution of the enzyme hydrolyzates was in the range of 300-2,000 Da, although the molecular weight distribution differed according to the treated enzymes.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2001

Background: Meralgia paresthetica(MP) which is characterized by paresthesias and sensory impairment without motor weakness in the anterolateral aspects of the thigh is produced by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve(LFCN). Even though the diagnosis of MP is mostly based on the clinical symptoms, electrophysiologic study is mandatory to confirm the disease objectively. It has been known that Somatosensory evoked potential(SSEP) study of LFCN is a simple and very useful method to evaluate MP, so we studied SSEP of LFCN in normal adults and offer normal values. Materials and Methods: Thirty six normal adults(23 males and 13 females) ages from 21 to 73 years old($mean{\pm}SD$:$42.06{\pm}15.74$) were studied SSEP of LFCN bilaterally. The stimulation site was anterolateral aspect of thighs and the recording site was Cz'. Results: The mean values($mean{\pm}SD$) of $LP_0$, $SP_0$, $LN_1$ and $SN_1$ of all subjects were 35.10(${\pm}2.42$), 33.80(${\pm}2.4$), 43.68(${\pm}1.88$) and 42.16(${\pm}2.12$) and the mean values($mean{\pm}SD$ of $DP_0$, $DN_1$ and DA(${\mu}V{\pm}SD$ were 1.30(${\pm}1.14$), 1.52(${\pm}1.38$) and 0.32(${\pm}0.33$). Conclusion: For the diagnosis of MP. comparison of latency difference between both sides is more reliable than simple value of latency itself because of individual differences of body types. According to our results. the latency difference should be less than 2 msec and the amplitude difference was less than 1.6 times in normal adults.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.292-300
• /
• 2012

We report the expression, purification, and characterization of L-asparaginase (AnsA) from Rhizobium etli. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity in a single-step procedure involving affinity chromatography, and the kinetic parameters $K_m$, $V_{max}$, and $k_{cat}$ for L-asparagine were determined. The enzymatic activity in the presence of a number of substrates and metal ions was investigated. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 47 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme showed a maximal activity at $50^{\circ}C$, but the optimal temperature of activity was $37^{\circ}C$. It also showed maximal and optimal activities at pH 9.0. The values of $K_m$, $V_{max}$, $k_{cat}$, and $k_{cat}/K_m$ were $8.9{\pm}0.967{\times}10^{-3}$ M, $128{\pm}2.8$ U/mg protein, $106{\pm}2s^{-1}$, and $1.2{\pm}0.105{\times}10^4M^{-1}s^{-1}$, respectively. The L-asparaginase activity was reduced in the presence of $Mn^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ metal ions for about 52% to 31%. In addition, we found that $NH_4{^+}$, L-Asp, D-Asn, and ${\beta}$-aspartyl-hydroxamate in the reaction buffer reduced the activity of the enzyme, whereas L-Gln did not modify its enzymatic activity. This is the first report on the expression and characterization of the L-asparaginase (AnsA) from R. etli. Phylogenetic analysis of asparaginases reveals an increasing group of known sequences of the Rhizobial-type asparaginase II family.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.789-795
• /
• 2008

To study the possible use of probiotics in fish farming, we evaluated antagonism of antibacterial strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens H41 against the fish pathogenic bacterium Vibrio anguillarum NCMB1. The purification of growth inhibition factor produced by B. amyloliquefaciens H41 was achieved by obtaining supernatant of this bacterium. The growth inhibition factor was purified to homogeneity by 70% ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography, sephadex G-200 gel filtration column chromatography, and sephadex G-50 gel filtration column chromatography with 40.8 fold of purification and 2.9% yield. The molecular weight of the purified growth inhibition factor was 48 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum pH and temperature for the growth inhibition factor were pH 7.5 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The activity of growth inhibition factor was enhanced slightly by some metal ions, such as $Mg^{+2}$, $Mn^{+2}$, but was inhibited by the addition of $Co^{+2}$, $Hg^{+2}$, $Zn^{+2}$ and $Ag^{+2}$. NaCl stability of the growth inhibition factor was observed with 50% residual activity at 3% NaCl concentration. Toxicity test showed that the purified B. amyloliquefaciens H41 growth inhibition factor did not affect the live of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and the effectiveness was 78% of residual lethality compared to commercial antibacterial agents.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.295-302
• /
• 2019

Liquiritigenin (LG) is a chiral flavonoid isolated from the roots of licorice. It exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In particular though, the anti-cancer activity of LG in oral squamous cell carcinoma has yet to be elucidated, and LG-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we tested the role of LG in inducing apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. LG treatment of HN22 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability as detected by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The induction of apoptosis in terms of Annexin V/7-Aminoactinomycin D staining, sub-G1 population, and multi-caspase activity were assessed with a $Muse^{TM}$ Cell Analyzer. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LG treatment resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression and downregulation of cyclin B1 and CDC2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. It also resulted in significant upregulation of p27. In addition, LG was seen to trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species and induce CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein in concentration-dependent upregulation. The LG treatment of HN22 cells led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$); it also reduced the levels of anti-apoptotic protein and increased the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor-1, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase and Bax. Overall, our results indicate that the pro-apoptotic effects of LG in HN22 cells depend on the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways. Thus, our results suggest that LG constitutes a natural compound with a potential role as an anti-tumor agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.418-425
• /
• 2022

Background: Sorafenib is effective in treating hepatoma, but most patients develop resistance to it. STAT3 signaling has been implicated in sorafenib resistance. Artesunate (ART) and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have anti-hepatoma effects and can inhibit STAT3 signaling in cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rg3 in combination with ART (Rg3-plus-ART) in overcoming sorafenib resistance, and to examine the involvement of STAT3 signaling in these effects. Methods: Sorafenib-resistant HepG2 cells (HepG2-SR) were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. A HepG2-SR hepatoma-bearing BALB/c-nu/nu mouse model was used to assess the in vivo anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. CCK-8 assays and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining were used to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Immunoblotting was employed to examine protein levels. ROS generation was examined by measuring DCF-DA fluorescence. Results: Rg3-plus-ART synergistically reduced viability of, and evoked apoptosis in HepG2-SR cells, and suppressed HepG2-SR tumor growth in mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that Rg3-plus-ART inhibited activation/phosphorylation of Src and STAT3 in HepG2-SR cultures and tumors. The combination also decreased the STAT3 nuclear level and induced ROS production in HepG2-SR cultures. Furthermore, overactivation of STAT3 or removal of ROS diminished the anti-proliferative effects of Rg3-plus-ART, and removal of ROS diminished Rg3-plus-ART's inhibitory effects on STAT3 activation in HepG2-SR cells. Conclusions: Rg3-plus-ART overcomes sorafenib resistance in experimental models, and inhibition of Src/STAT3 signaling and modulation of ROS/STAT3 signaling contribute to the underlying mechanisms. This study provides a pharmacological basis for developing Rg3-plus-ART into a novel modality for treating sorafenib-resistant hepatoma.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.988-995
• /
• 2003

Physiological parameters were measured on six primiparous, non-pregnant Holstein cows prior to peak lactation over a 3-month summer season in southwestern Taiwan. The objectives were to characterize heat stress-induced change in functionality of mammary gland under natural climates of tropical summer and to establish physiological indices applicable to this environment in referring to this change. Environmental and physiological readings, milk and blood samples were taken at 15:00 h biweekly for totally five time points during the study. Climate readings showed that the afternoon humidex value reached the highest (53.5) around mid summer. Rectal temperature of cows taken simultaneously varied between $38.26^{\circ}C$ and $40.02^{\circ}C$ in parallel to humidex. Milk production declined drastically from 29.2 to 22.2 kg/d the first month entering summer but leveled up at end of the summer season suggesting effects exerted by heat stress rather than stages of lactation. Lactose content decreased linearly (p<0.05) with times in summer, from 4.69 to 4.38%. On the other hand, activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk increased linearly to over two folds (p<0.05) during the same intervals. Elevations of fractional constituent of BSA in whey protein and serum cortisol level were also noticed in the course. Measurement of arteriovenous concentration (A-V) difference across the mammary gland demonstrated net uptake of glucose and net release of urea throughout the study period. The amount of urea released from mammary gland increased (p<0.05) progressively from 1.54 to 7.76 mg/dl during summer. It is concluded that gradual regression of mammary gland occurred along the humid tropical summer season. This regression is likely initiated through elevation of body temperature, which is irreversible above certain point. The increased release of urea from mammary gland during heat stress suggests its potential role as an early indicator of suboptimal mammary function.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.371-376
• /
• 2017

The caudal subnucleus of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (medullary dorsal horn; MDH) receives direct inputs from small diameter primary afferent fibers that predominantly transmit nociceptive information in the orofacial region. Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in persistent pain, primarily through spinal mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) system, a known generator of superoxide anion ($O_2{^-}$), on membrane excitability in the rat MDH neurons. For this, we used patch clamp recording and confocal imaging. An application of X/XO ($300{\mu}M/30mU$) induced membrane depolarization and inward currents. When slices were pretreated with ROS scavengers, such as phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase, X/XO-induced responses decreased. Fluorescence intensity in the DCF-DA and DHE-loaded MDH cells increased on the application of X/XO. An anion channel blocker, 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid (DIDS), significantly decreased X/XO-induced depolarization. X/XO elicited an inward current associated with a linear current-voltage relationship that reversed near -40 mV. X/XO-induced depolarization reduced in the presence of $La^{3+}$, a nonselective cation channel (NSCC) blocker, and by lowering the external sodium concentration, indicating that membrane depolarization and inward current are induced by influx of $Na^+$ ions. In conclusion, X/XO-induced ROS modulate the membrane excitability of MDH neurons, which was related to the activation of NSCC.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 1998

A GABA synthesizing enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase, has been purified from bovine brain by several chromatographic procedures. The preparation appeared homogeneous on SDS-PAGE. The enzyme is a homodimeric protein with a molecular mass of 120 kDa. The activation of glutamate decarboxylase by ginesenosides from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been studied. Preincubation of the enzyme with total ginsenoside, $Rb_2$ and Rc ginsenosides, increased glutamate decarboxylase activities in a dose-dependent manner. There was a reproducible decrease in $K_m$, in addition to a increase in $V_{max}$, in response to increasing concentrations of the Rc ginsenoside fraction. Upon addition of the ginsenoside to the enzyme, a decrease in flurorescence intensity was discernible, together with an increase in emission anisotropy. Judging from the anisotropy values, the ginsenoside is rapidly trapped by the protein matrix. Total ginsenoside was administered to rats and the rat brains were removed for the measurement of the changes of GABA shunt regulating enzyme activities. Among the GABA shunt regulating enzymes, only the glutamate decarboxylase activities were increased after ginsenoside treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that the ginsenosides may elevate the GABA level in brain by activation of glutamate decarboxylase and the enzymatic activation might be due to the conformational change induced by binding of ginsenoside to the enzyme.