• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.11
• /
• pp.1507-1514
• /
• 2012

Oxidative stress leads to damage in all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA due to imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and cellular detoxification. Phytochemicals are well-known to contain antioxidants, and their physiological role has been intensively studied. The fruit of Cornus officianalis has been used in oriental medicine and has been reported to have many functions. In this study, four different extraction techniques were applied to extract functional components from the fruit of Cornus officianalis, and the content of loganin, which is an antioxidant having DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and reducing power, was analyzed in each extract. Extraction techniques employed in this study were heat extraction by water, 70% ethanol extraction, enzyme treatment, and combination of enzyme treatment and heat extraction by water. All extracts contained 11.8-18.0 mg/g loganin and showed antioxidation function assayed by measuring DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and reducing power. Among them, heat extraction was the most effective technique, showing a maximum amount of loganin (18.0 mg/g) and antioxidative activity at 100 mg/ml concentration. Each extract showed very low cytotoxicity up to at 500 mg/ml but 10-20% cytotoxicity at 1,000 mg/ml by in vitro MTT assay.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.840-845
• /
• 2011

Degradation products of agarose are biologically active and thus used as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals or functional cosmetics. Furthermore, it has been strongly considered as a substrate for bio-ethanol fermentation. Recently, we isolated new agarase-producing microorganism, Pseudoalteromonas sp. from south sea of Korea. In this study, we aimed to separate and purify the agarase from culture broth of this strain. Separation of agarase was performed by ion- exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose resin. Equilibrium pH and volume ratio of resin to the amount of protein were optimized for the efficient adsorption of protein. 410 ${\mu}g$ of protein was completely adsorbed to 3 mL of resin at pH 7.5. The total amount of eluted protein increased as NaCl concentration increased to 400 mM at isocratic elution. Agarase was separated by linear gradient elution of NaCl (0~1,000 mM). Three major protein peaks were observed and the presence or absence of agarase in these eluted proteins was measured by Lugol's staining technique. Only six eluted protein fractions showed strong agarase activity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.1399-1406
• /
• 2012

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various extracts of Hizikia fusiforme on the anti-obesity effects in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We used H. fusiforme extracts from ethanol (EEHF), dichloromethane (CFHF), ethyl acetate (EAFHF), butanol (BFHF), and water (WFHF). Treatment with these extracts significantly suppressed terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner as confirmed by a decrease in lipid droplet content through Oil Red O staining; this effect was higher in WFHF than in other extracts. The concentrations of cellular triglyceride were also reduced in 3T3-L1 cells by exposure with these extracts, especially when compared with the controls. Treatment with 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ of WFHF and CFHF caused approximately 42.6% and 23.7% reduction, respectively. In addition, the extracts of H. fusiforme significantly reduced the expression levels of key pro-adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins ${\alpha}$ (C/$EBP{\alpha}$) and C/$EBP{\beta}$ as compared with controls. Accordingly, our data indicated that WFHF has a preeminent effect on inhibition of adipocyte differentiation among various extracts, and H. fusiforme extracts may be an ideal candidate for obesity relief.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.736-744
• /
• 2010

The root of Playtcodon grandiflorum, called Platycodi radix, has been a favorite edible plant in Asia and contains a large amount of saponins. Melanoma cells (B16F10) were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of aged black Platycodi radix extract (ABPRE) on oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Platycodon radix has been known to have a variety of medicinal effects such as prevention of gastric ulcers, antiallergenic activities, histamine release inhibition, and antioxidant effects. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear in humans. ABPRE was prepared using ethanol extraction of aged black Platycodi radix. In an antioxidant effect study of ABPRE, it was observed that ABPRE specifically exhibited the scavenging activity of DPPH radical, but did not inhibit the production of malondialdehyde from lipid peroxidation. DNA oxidation was also blocked in the presence of ABPRE. In addition, ABPRE decreased the expression and activation of MMP-2 stimulated by phenazine methosulfate. Furthermore, ABPRE revealed the inhibitory effect on melanin production induced by L-dopa via antioxidant effect and the reduction of tyrosinase expression. Especially, the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD-1 and SOD-2 regulated by Nrf2 was increased in the presence of ABPRE. Therefore, it appears that ABPRE may be a possible chemopreventive agent for the prevention of metastasis related to oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.10
• /
• pp.1080-1085
• /
• 2019

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as sacred lotus, has mainly been used as a food throughout the Asian countries. In the present study, we prepared the ethanol extracts from leaf (NL), seed (NS), and seedpod (NSP) of Nelumbo nucifera and investigated their anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. NL, NS, and NSP decreased cell viabilities in a dose-dependent manner. All extracts increased the expression of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated gene (NAG-1) as well as NAG-1 protein. And also, NL induced the expression of pro-apoptotic NAG-1 protein and PARP cleavage in a time-dependent manner. The PARP cleavage induced by NL treatment, was recovered in part by the transfection of NAG-1 siRNA. We also evaluated the effects of neferine, one of bioactive components of Nelumbo nucifera, on the proliferation and apoptosis in HCT116 cells. It also decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and induced the expression of pro-apoptotic NAG-1 protein and PARP cleavage in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, PARP cleavage was recovered in part by the transfection of NAG-1 siRNA, indicating that NAG-1 may be one of the genes responsible for apoptosis induced by neferine. Overall, our findings may contribute to understand the molecular mechanisms of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects mediated by Nelumbo nucifera and neferine.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.485-492
• /
• 2021

In this study, the whitening effect of Abelmoschus esculentus extract was investigated to confirm its applicability in cosmetics. To determine the whitening effect, the tyrosinase-inhibitory activity of Abelmoschus esculentus hot water extract (AEWE) and 70% ethanol extract (AEEE) was measured. At the final concentration of 1000 ㎍/ml, AEWE showed an inhibitory activity of 22.2% and AEEE of 32.8%. To determine the whitening effect at the cellular level, the viability of melanoma cells treated with AEWE and AEEE was evaluated using the MTT assay. At concentrations of 100 ㎍/ml or less, both AEWE- and AEEE-treated groups showed cell survival rates of >95%. Furthermore, in both AEWE- and AEEE-treated melanoma cells, the melanin content decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of AEWE and AEEE used at 5, 10, 50, and 100 ㎍/ml on protein expression were measured by western blot, with β-actin as the positive control. At a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml, AEWE showed an inhibitory effect of 88.1%, 24.8%, 62.2%, and 42.9% on microphthalmia-associated transcription factors (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 factors, respectively. At the same concentration, AEEE showed inhibitory effect of 65.3%, 58.3%, 66.2%, and 65.3% against MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 factors, respectively. In conclusion, the whitening effects of AEWE and AEEE were verified, and their applicability as a natural ingredient in cosmetics was confirmed.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.31-39
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the whitening effects of hot water (AMPW) and ethanol (AMPE) extracts of Mangifera indica L. peel. To verify the whitening effects, tyrosinase inhibitory activity was measured. 9.51% inhibitory activity, and 35.98% inhibitory activity at 1,000 ㎍/ml. The effects of AMPW and AMPE on cell viability were measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in B16-F10 melanoma cells. Greater than 95% cell viability was observed at 100 ㎍/ml. Thus, subsequent experiments were performed at concentrations less than 100 ㎍/ml. The whitening effects were confirmed by measuring the protein and mRNA expression levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2, which are factors involved in melanin synthesis. Western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results confirmed that 100 ㎍/ml AMPW and AMPE showed superior inhibitory effects than the control treatment (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone only). Therefore, Mangifera indica L. peel extract had a whitening effect, and thus, has potential as a natural material for use in cosmetics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is bind formation of glucose and protein. Acceleration of AGE formation during hyperglycemia is associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic complications and causes kidney and skin damage. The aim of this study was investigated the AGEs inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of water extracts from young persimmon (YP) and heated young persimmon (HYP). Methods : Paeoniae Radix Alba (YP) is prepared by heating with 30% ethanol. AGEs formation inhibitory activities of YP and HYP measured using bovine serum albumin. To evaluate the protective effects of YP and HYP in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ) and methyl glyoxal (MGO), SD rats were distributed into four groups; normal mice (Nor), AGEs-induced rats (Con), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg YP (YP), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg heated YP (HYP) for 3weeks. Heated young persimmon respectively decrease AGEs construction. Results : YP and HYP administration inhibited the biomarkers of AGEs in serum, kidney and skin tissues. AGE-induced rats revealed that the significant decreased collagen however, heat processing methods of young persimmon up regulated inhibits AGEs-induced collagen decrease. The expressions of AGEs were decreased in YP and HYP treated group compared with the control group in tissues. It specifies that HYP has potential to serve as a positive regulator of via AGEs path way. Conclusion : It has proposed that may have an improvement effect on diabetic complications, heated young persimmon has AGEs inhibitory excellent activities and antioxidant effect.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 2022

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), one of the four major fiber crops, is attracting attention for its efficient CO₂-absorbing ability and versatility for producing daily supplies, including textiles. In Korea, a new cultivar 'Jangdae' was established in 2013. The ease of cultivation and seed gathering of 'Jangdae' has led to its nationwide cultivation. However, evaluation of the bioactivities of the different parts of kenaf, and especially the 'Jangdae' cultivar, remains rudimentary. In this study, the antithrombosis and antioxidant activities of extracts prepared from different parts of the 'Jangdae' cultivar were evaluated by determining their effects on blood clot formation. Extracts prepared from seeds (HC-SD), seedpods (HC-SP), leaves (HC-L), stems (HC-S), and roots (HC-R) of the 'Jangdae' cultivar strongly inhibited blood clot formation. In particular, the HC-SD, HC-SP, and HC-S extracts showed strong inhibition against the coagulation factors prothrombin, and thrombin. The HC-SP extract showed strong antioxidant activities, such as scavenging ability against DPPH anion, ABTS cation, nitrite, and reducing power. Since blood clot formation is closely related to oxidative stress, the HC-SP extract could be developed as a novel anticoagulation and antioxidant resource. This is the first report of the antithrombosis activities of different parts of H. cannabinus L. cv. 'Jangdae'.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.63-74
• /
• 2022

Objective : Gastritis refers to an inflammatory disease of the gastric mucosa. Alcohol is one of the main aggression factors, causing bleeding and inflammation in the gastric mucosa and it is known to not only increase lipid peroxide levels, but also deplete key antioxidant factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus water extract (URW) in alcohol-induced gastritis. Methods : The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of URW were confirmed through an in vitro experiment. Also, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity were confirmed. For in vivo experiments, mice were divided into 4 groups (n=8). Also, 1 hr after oral administration of each drug, 50% ethanol was orally administered to induce gastritis. Results : As a result of in vitro experiments, URW showed excellent antioxidant activity. In alcohol-induced gastritis, URW alleviated the damage to the gastric mucosa caused by alcohol. Also, URW decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum and gastric tissues, and significantly decreased the expression of NADPH oxidases in gastric tissues. In addition, it significantly modulated the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-𝜅B p65 (NF-𝜅B) pathways as well as significantly increased the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins. Conclusions : These results suggest that URW not only reduces oxidative stress through excellent antioxidant activity but also relieves gastric mucosal inflammation as a regulator of Nrf2 and NF-𝜅B pathways.