• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.548-555
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used for several decades to treat many diseases, enhancing both immunity and physical strength. Previous studies have documented the therapeutic effects of ginseng, including its anticancer, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities are mediated by ginsenosides present in the ginseng plant. Ginsenoside Rg3, an effective compound from red ginseng, has been shown to have antiplatelet activity in addition to its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Platelets are important for both primary hemostasis and the repair of the vessels after injury; however, they also play a crucial role in the development of acute coronary diseases. We prepared ginsenoside Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) to examine its role in platelet physiology. Methods: To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vitro, platelet aggregation, granule secretion, intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) mobilization, flow cytometry, and immunoblot analysis were carried out using rat platelets. To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vivo, a collagen plus epinephrine-induced acute pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model was used. Results: We found that Rg3-RGE significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in a dose-dependent manner in addition to reducing ATP release from collagen-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, using immunoblot analysis, we found that Rg3-RGE markedly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (i.e., extracellular stimuli-responsive kinase, Jun N-terminal kinase, p38) as well as the PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase)/Akt pathway. Moreover, Rg3-RGE effectively reduced collagen plus epinephrine-induced mortality in mice. Conclusion: These data suggest that ginsenoside Rg3-RGE could be potentially be used as an antiplatelet therapeutic agent against platelet-mediated cardiovascular disorders.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2023

Objectives : Neuroinflammation is a common pathological mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases, and the development of therapeutic agents is urgently needed. Red ginseng has been known to be good for the immune stimulation in Eastern Asia. Although the immuno-stimulatory activity of red ginseng are already known, the neuro-protective effects of cultivated red ginseng with fermented complex mushroom-cereal mycelium (RGFM) have not been conducted. Thus, in this study, we tried to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of RGFM water extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated BV2 cells. Methods : BV2 cells were pretreated with RGFM 1 h prior to LPS exposure. To determine the neuro-protective effects of RGFM water extract, we measured the expression of inflammatory mediators including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1𝛽, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-𝛼 in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. In addition, to find out the regulatory mechanism of RGFM water extract, we assessed the protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory 𝜅B𝛼 (I𝜅B𝛼) by western blotting. Results : In our study, treatment of RGFM reduced the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 and suppressed NO production in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Additionally, the secretion of IL-1𝛽 and TNF-𝛼 but not IL-6 was significantly inhibited by RGFM. Furthermore, RGFM water extract inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that RGFM water extract has a protective effect on neuroinflammation through inhibition of JNK.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.75-94
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• 2022

Objectives : To identify the active ingredient of Poncirus Trifoliata Immaturus and to explore the mechanism expected to potentially act on dermatitis accompanied by pruritus. Methods : We conducted the network pharmacological analysis. We selected effective ingredients among the active compounds of Poinciri Fructus Immaturus. We found the target protein of the selected active ingredient, disease(dermatitis accompanied by pruritus) and fexofenadine. Then we established the network between the proteins which Poinciri Fructus Immaturus and fexofenadine intersected with disease respectively, and the coregene was also extracted. After that, the active pathways in the human body involving the groups and coregenes were searched. Results : Total of 7 active ingredients were selected, and 202 target proteins were collected. There were 756 proteins related to inflammatory skin disease accompanied by pruritus, and 75 proteins were related to fexofenadine. 42 proteins crossed by Poinciri Fructus Immaturus with a disease, and 31 proteins crossed by fexofenadine with a disease. 12 proteins were found as a coregene from the proteins that cross Poinciri Fructus Immaturus and disease. Coregenes are involved in 'Nitric-oxide synthase regulator activity', 'Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway'. 2 groups that extracted are invloved in 'Fc receptor signaling pathway', 'Central carbon metabolism in cancer', 'Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex, class IB', and 'omega-hydroxylase P450 pathway'. Conclusion : It is expected that Poinciri Fructus Immaturus will be able to show direct or indirect anti-pruritus and anti-inflammatory effects on skin inflammation accompanied by pruritus in the future. And it is also expected to have a synergy effect with fexofenadine on skin disease.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.283-294
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• 2020

In this study, in order to increase the utilization of Citrus junos seeds, which account for 13% of the weight ratio of Citrus junos ripened fruit, but are mostly discarded and not utilized, the efficacy of skin beauty of Citrus junos seed oil extracted by cold pressing was studied. Citrus junos seed oil was found to contain approximately 74% of unsaturated fatty acids consisting mainly of oleic acid and linoleic acid, and limonene, which is mainly contained in Citrus junos peel, contained a very low content of about 0.0187%. As a result of evaluating the DPPH radical scavenging activity of Citrus junos seed oil, 26% of DPPH radical scavenging ability was confirmed at 5% concentration of Citrus junos seed oil. To confirm the anti-inflammatory effect, as a result of testing RAW 264.7 cytotoxicity test and NO production for Citrus junos seed oil, NO production was suppressed by 53% at a concentration of 0.05% that does not show cytotoxicity. In addition, in the RBL-2H3 cytotoxicity and β-hexosaminidase release inhibitory efficacy test for anti-allergic efficacy confirmation, it was confirmed that β-hexosaminidas release was suppressed by 26% at a concentration of 0.05% that did not show cytotoxicity. Lastly, in the human skin application test result of O/W emulsion containing 5% of Citrus junos seed oil, it showed higher skin moisturizing effect than the control emulsion containing the same amount of caprylic/capric triglyceride. Therefore, it is thought that Citrus junos seed oil might be used as a excellent skin care material.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.267-277
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• 2021

To evaluate hepatoprotective effects, the antioxidant capacities of matcha green tea extract (Camellia sinenesis) were compared to those of green leaf tea and the anti-inflammatory activities in HepG2 cells were investigated. Evaluation of the total phenolic and total flavonoid content, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation indicated that the aqueous extract of matcha green tea presented significant catechin content and antioxidant capacity compared to those of green leaf tea. In addition, the extract had considerable inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and advanced glycation end-products. The matcha green tea extract significantly increased cell viability and reduced reactive oxygen species in H₂O₂- and high-glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Furthermore, in response to oleic acid-induced HepG2 cell injury, treatment with matcha green tea aqueous extract inhibited lipid accumulation and regulated the expression of inflammatory proteins such as p-JNK, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, caspase-3, COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α. Matcha green tea could be used as a functional material to ameliorate hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.126-131
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• 2012

Physiological activities of hot water (BRW) and 80% ethanol (BRE) extracts from brown rice were investigated in this study. The highest activity (94.9%) of nitrite reductase was observed for BRE at 1 mg/ml at pH 1.2, while the activity for BRW was about 75.4% under the same conditions. The inhibitory effects of BRW and BRE on xanthine oxidase activity were about 39.0 and 72.9% at 10 mg/ml, respectively. The digestibility of starch was lower for brown rice than for milled rice and the highest inhibition (93.1%) of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity occurred with BRE. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities of BRW and BRE were weakly increased in a dose-dependent manner and were about 56.4 and 44.9% at 10 mg/ml, respectively. The influences of BRW and BRE on alcohol metabolizing activity were determined by measuring the generation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Increases in ADH and ALDH activities were only detected with BRE.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.410-417
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• 2019

The enhancement effects of sea mustard extract (SME), starfish collagen peptide (SCP) and a mixture of the two (MIX) on skin activity were evaluated to investigate the possibility of using marine-derived extracts as cosmetic additives. The anti-inflammatory activity, whitening activity and skin elasticity activity of the extracts were analyzed to evaluate their skin-activating effects. Inhibiting the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and the tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activities were assessed as the bio-markers for evaluating skin activity. SME, SCP and MIX did not show cytotoxicity within the concentration range of 1.0-50 ㎍/mL. In addition, SME, SCP and MIX all increased NO production and the tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activities in a concentration-dependent manner. The activity of MIX was significantly increased compared to that with using SME or SCP alone. Taken together, when natural extracts are applied as cosmetic additives, the results demonstrate that using a mixture of SME and SCP may have a greater synergistic effect than that when using only a single extract. Therefore, this study contributes to the knowledge about the kinds and composition of several natural extracts when they are used as cosmetic additives.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Recently, change of Western pattern diet and lifestyle is caused by various metabolic disorders and chronic diseases. These diseases need to take medicine regularly. Also, many people take health functional food, various vitamins and nutritional supplements in order to maintain a healthy life. But, there was no study about affects taking medicines against bacteria with gastrointestinal relevance. This study was performed by antibacterial activity test to evaluate the influence of a long time or commonly used medication. As a result, medicines of Vitamins & Minerals or Central nervous system show antibacterial activity against beneficial enteric bacteria and harmful enteric bacteria. Dexibuprofen of the Anti-inflammatory Drugs that acts on the central nervous system has shown high antibacterial activity at beneficial enteric bacteria strains (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus) and harmful enteric bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). Also, fenofibric acid of the antilipemic agents that acts on the Cardiovascular & Hematopoietic system has shown high antibacterial activity at beneficial enteric bacteria strains (Lactobacillus casei). Vitamins & Minerals appeared antibacterial activity against most intestinal bacteria. Vitamin B-Complex/with C and vitamin C were especially high with beneficial enteric bacteria strains (Bifidobacterium infantis) and harmful enteric bacteria (E. coli, E. aerogenes, S. flexneri, S. Typhimurium, S. aureus). Therefore, these results indicate that variously taking medicines have generally antibacterial activity against harmful enteric bacteria strains and beneficial enteric bacteria strains.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2008

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protective effects of $\beta$-glucan from barley on RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined. The RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were preincubated with various concentrations ($0-200\;{\mu}g/mL$) of $\beta$-glucan and stimulated with LPS to induce oxidative stress and inflammation. The $\beta$-glucan treatments were found to reduce thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) accumulation, and enhance glutathione levels and the activities of antioxidative enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in the LPS-stimulated macrophages as compared to the LPS-only treated cells. Nitric oxide (NO) production was significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05) with an $IC_{50}$ of $104\;{\mu}g/mL$. Further treatment with $\beta$-glucan at $200\;{\mu}g/mL$ suppressed NO production to 2% of the LPS-control, and suppressed the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein and mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. The specific DNA binding activity of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B\;(NF{\kappa}B)$ was significantly suppressed by $\beta$-glucan treatment with an $IC_{50}$ of $220\;{\mu}g/mL$ in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, barley $\beta$-glucan ameliorates NO production and iNOS expression through the down-regulation of $NF{\kappa}B$ activity, which may be mediated by attenuated oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.238-242
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• 2015

Background: Panax ginseng has been used to prolong longevity and is believed to be useful for improving skin complexion. Ginsenosides are the most active components isolated from ginseng, and ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) in particular has been demonstrated to possess antioxidative, antitumorigenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of G-Rg3 to inhibit melanogenesis. Methods: The effects of G-Rg3 on melanin contents and the protein levels of tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) were evaluated. Melanogenesis-regulating signaling molecules such as Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were also examined to explore G-Rg3-induced antimelanogenic mechanisms. Results: G-Rg3 was found to significantly inhibit the synthesis of melanin in normal human epidermal melanocytes and B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of cellular tyrosinase and the expression of MITF, tyrosinase, and TRP1 were all reduced, whereas ERK was strongly activated. PD98059 (a specific inhibitor of ERK) attenuated the G-Rg3-induced inhibition of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity. Conclusion: Taken together, these results showed that G-Rg3 induces the activation of ERK, which accounts for its antimelanogenic effects. G-Rg3 may be a promising safe skin-whitening agent, adding to the long list of uses of P. ginseng for the enhancement of skin beauty.