• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2024

Previous studies have highlighted the pivotal role of the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling pathway in stimulating cancer metastasis induced by chronic stress. According to the theory of traditional Korean medicine, chronic stress can induce Qi stagnation. Based on the traditional role of premature citrus unshiu peel in moving Qi, we hypothesized that an ethanol extract of premature citrus unshiu peel (EPCU) can attenuate chronic stress-induced cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the potential role of EPCU on modulating the adrenergic agonists-induced metastatic properties of liver cancer cells. Our findings revealed that adrenergic agonists, including norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), and isoproterenol (ISO), augmented the migratory capacity of Hep3B human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which was completely abrogated by EPCU treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. Consistently, EPCU inhibited the E-induced invasive property of Hep3B cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that EPCU efficiently attenuates adrenergic agonists-induced metastatic abilities of liver cancer cells. As a molecular mechanism, EPF suppressed the phosphorylation of major components of β-AR signaling pathway, including Src, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and ERK, induced by E treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that EPCU impedes the adrenergic agonists-driven metastatic potential of cancer cells by inhibiting β-AR signaling pathway. This study provides basic evidence supporting the probable use of premature citrus unshiu peel to prevent metastasis in liver cancer patients under chronic stress.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.132-135
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• 2002

Neohesperidin, naringin, and hesperidin contents of nine species of premature Korean citrus fruits have been determined. Flavonoids were extracted from dried citrus fruits by N,N-dimethylformamide and analyzed using RP-HPLC. 'Dangyooja' and 'Jikak' had higher content of neohesperidin and naringin. The content of hesperidin was higher in 'Binkyool' and 'Dongjeongkyool' than other seven species of citrus fruits, respectively.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2011

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease that is associated with Th2 cell-mediated allergy. The process that leads to infiltration of inflammatory cells into an AD lesion is remarkably dependent on various chemokines, especially TARC (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine/CCL17) and MDC (macrophage-derived chemokine/CCL22). Serum levels of these chemokines are over-expressed in AD patients. Citrus unshiu, which is known as Satsuma mandarin, has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammation, and anti-microviral activity. Therefore, we investigated the effect of EtOH extract of premature C. unshiu on AD. We did this using a DNCB-induced AD mouse model. We also tried to confirm an inhibitory effect for premature C. unshiu on the expression of inflammatory chemokines in IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulated HaCaT human keratinocytes. We found that extract of premature C. unshiu reduced DNCB-induced symptoms such as hyperkeratosis, increased skin thickness, and infiltrated mast cells, in our AD-like animal model. The extract decreased levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-4 in ConA-stimulated splenocytes isolated from DNCB-treated mice. Also, extract of premature C. unshiu inhibited mRNA expression and protein production of TARC and MDC through the inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation. These results suggest that C. unshiu has anti-atopic activity by regulating inflammatory chemokines such as TARC and MDC.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.202-208
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• 2006

Juice obtained from premature citrus fruits was deacidified by electrodialysis (ED), and its physicochemical and functional properties were evaluated. Total acidities decreased from 3.15 (Aug), 1.62 (Sep), and 1.45% (Oct) to 2.37 (Aug), 0.86 (Sep), and 0.74% (Oct) by electrodialysis for 100 min, respectively, whereas $^{\circ}Brix$ to acid ratio increased, and pH and color remained almost unchanged. Free sugar content of premature citrus juice remained almost unchanged, while organic acid content decreased significantly. Narirutin and hesperidin contents among flavonoids slightly, but not significantly, decreased. $K^+,\;PO_4\;^{2-},\;SO_42^-,\;and\;Cl^-$ contents decreased by ED, with $K^+$ content showing more than 60% decrease, while $Na^+$ content increased 2.5-3.5 times. Total polyphenol content and electron-donating ability decreased slightly by ED, while nitrite-scavenging ability remained almost constant. Sensory evaluation indicated juice (Sep) subjected to ED processing to $12^{\circ}Brix$ with sugar had the highest preference.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.783-788
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• 2005

Major components and antioxidative properties of whole fruit powders and juices prepared from premature mandarin, Citrus unshu, were investigated. Dietary fiber, flavonoid, and organic acid contents greatly increased in samples with lower degree of fruit maturity (August) than higher ones (October), and in whole fruit powders than extracted juices, whereas free sugar contents, especially sucrose content, increased in fruits with higher degree of maturity than lower ones. Antioxidative properties were not affected by degree of fruit maturity, whereas total polyphenol content and electron-donating abilities were higher in extracted juices than whole fruit powders. Nitrite-scavenging abilities of all samples were similar except at pH 6.0.