• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1635-1647
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• 2023

Muscle atrophy, which is defined as a decrease in muscle mass and strength, is caused by an imbalance between the anabolism and catabolism of muscle proteins. Thus, modulating the homeostasis between muscle protein synthesis and degradation represents an efficient treatment approach for this condition. In the present study, the protective effects against muscle atrophy of ethanol extracts of Morus alba L. (MA) and Angelica keiskei Koidz. (AK) leaves and their mixtures (MIX) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that MIX increased 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide-induced C2C12 myotube thinning, and enhanced soleus and gastrocnemius muscle thickness compared to each extract alone in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy Sprague Dawley rats. In addition, although MA and AK substantially improved grip strength and histological changes for dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in vivo, the efficacy was superior in the MIX-treated group. Moreover, MIX further increased the expression levels of myogenic factors (MyoD and myogenin) and decreased the expression levels of E3 ubiquitin ligases (atrogin-1 and muscle-specific RING finger protein-1) in vitro and in vivo compared to the MA- and AK-alone treatment groups. Furthermore, MIX increased the levels of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) that were reduced by dexamethasone, and downregulated the expression of forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a) induced by dexamethasone. These results suggest that MIX has a protective effect against muscle atrophy by enhancing muscle protein anabolism through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and attenuating catabolism through the inhibition of FoxO3a.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.201-208
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• 2017

Background: The present study was carried out to asses whether mulberry leaves (MLs) have the potential to inhibit the mutagenic effect of cigarette smoke condensates (CSCs). Methods and Results: ML powder was extracted with 70% ethanol, and a yield of 35.1% by weight was obtained. The 70% ethanol extract of ML was further extracted sequentially using diethyl ether, chloroform, butanol, dichloromethane and water. The crude 70% ethanol extract of MLs and its solvent fractions did not show any mutagenic effect when tested at concentrations up to 1 mg/plate against Salmonella typhimurium TA98. In contrast, the crude 70% ethanol extract showed an inhibitory activity against the mutagenicity of CSCs in the presence of S-9 mixture. Among the solvent fractions, the diethyl ether fraction showed the highest inhibitory activity, which increased in a dose-dependent manner, inhibiting mutagenesis by approximately 97.1% at a concentration of 1 mg/plate. Conclusions: In this study, we found that a crude 70% ethanol extract of MLs and the diethyl ether fraction themselves are potentially not mutagenic, but inhibit the mutagenic effect of CSCs.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2022

Different parts of the mulberry plant are described to be potential sources of polyphenolics exhibiting strong antioxidant activity. In this study, we prepared various aqueous extracts of mulberry root bark by subjecting to steam at different temperatures and time intervals (45℃, 15 h; 70℃, 15 h; 95℃, 6 h and 95℃, 15 h) followed by extracting at 80℃ for 1 h. The total polyphenolic content ranged from 66.82-101.20 mg gallic acid equivalent (GE)/g of extract whereas the flavonoids were in the range of 13.03-25.23 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/g of extract. The extracts also exhibited strong antioxidant activities (0.99-1.66 mg trolox equivalent (TE)/g of extract in DDPH assay and 10.65-16.26 mg TE/g of extract in ABTS assay). This study clearly showed an improvement in the antioxidant activity of the water extract of mulberry root bark by the steam treatment, which can be used as a tea or health-promoting materials.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.630-637
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• 2015

Morus alba root extract (MARE) has been used to treat hyperglycaemic conditions in oriental medicine. Here, we studied whether MARE possesses a cytotoxic effect on neuroblastoma. To check the cytotoxicity generated by MARE was whether relatively higher against the cancer cells rather than normal cells, we chose a neuroblastoma cell line (B103) and a normal cell line (Rat-2). A CCK assay revealed that MARE ($10{\mu}g/ml$) reduced cell viability to approximately 60% compared to an untreated control in B103 cells. But in Rat-2 cells, MARE induced relatively lower cytotoxicity. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic effect of MARE, we used flow cytometry combined with immunoblot analyses. We found that MARE-treatment could accumulate ROS and depolarize mitochondria membrane potential of B103 cells. Further treatment with MARE in B103 cells also could damage DNA and induce apoptosis. An expression study of p-Akt also suggested that there was a reduction in cellular proliferation and transcription along with the process of apoptosis, which was further evidenced by an increase in Bax and cleaved-caspase 3 activity. Together, our findings suggest that MARE produces more cytotoxicity in cancer cells while having a relatively attenuated effect on normal cells. As such, MARE may be a safer option in cancer therapeutics, and it also shows potential for the patients with symptoms of hyperglycemia and cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.3 s.31
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• pp.34-54
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• 2006

The effects of four extracts of medicinal herbs, Rubus coreanum, Acorus calamus, Morus alba and Rehmannia glutinosa on hair growth activity and acnes control were investigated. In the course of screening natural extracts for hair growth, we found that the extract of dried root of Rubus coreanum has the hair growth promoting effect. After topical application of these extracts to the back of C57BL/6 mice, the earlier conversion of telogen-to-anagen phase was induced. The growth of dermal papilla cells and mouse vibrissae hair follicle cultured in vitro, however, was not affected by treatment of these extracts. Furthermore these extracts do not possesspotent inhibitory effect on $5{\alpha}-reductase$ I and II activity and anti-bacterial effect on Escherichia coli , Propionibacterium acnes, Pityrosporum ovale, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidemidis, and Candida albicans. RT-PCR analysis showed that these extracts did notinduce mRNA levels of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-I, keratinocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in dermal papilla cells. These results suggest that Rubus coreanum has hair growth promoting effect. However, the effects of these materials on the hair growth promotion are not mediated through inhibition of $5{\alpha}-reductase$ I and II activity, stimulation of hair follicle cells and expression of growth factors in the dermal papilla cells.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.144-151
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• 2016

Background: Immunoregulatory elements have emerged as useful immunotherapeutic agents against cancer. In traditional medicine, Mori folium, the leaf of Morus alba L. (Moraceae), has been used for various medicinal purposes; however, the immunomodulatory effects have not been fully identified. We evaluated the immunoenhancing potential of water extract of Mori folium (WEMF) in murine RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods: RAW264.7 cells were treated with WEMF for 24 hours and cell viability was detected by an MTT method. Nitric oxide (NO) levels in the culture supernatants were assayed using Griess reagent. The productions of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and immune-related cytokines was measured using ELISA detection kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Inducible NO synthase, COX-2, and cytokines were assayed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of WEMF on phagocytic activity was measured using a Phagocytosis Assay Kit. Results: WEMF significantly stimulated the production of NO and $PGE_2$ as immune response parameters at noncytotoxic concentrations, which was associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase and COX-2. The release and expression of cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10, were also significantly increased in response to treatment with WEMF. Moreover, WEMF promoted the macrophagic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells and the resulting phagocytosis activity. Conclusions: WEMF has the potential to modulate the immune function by regulating immunological parameters. Further studies are needed to identify the active compounds and to support the use of WEMF as an immune stimulant.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 2011

This study identified the formula of the antioxidant substance separated from the ethyl acetate and the butanol extract and tested the antioxidant properties with the electron donating ability(EDA). Each phase with the fractionated methanol extract from mulberry leaf was screened in advance for the antioxidant substance with EDA. As the result, activity appeared in the ethyl acetate and butanol phase and the antioxidant component was separated. As the consequence, 2 components from the ethyl acetate phase and 1 from the butanol phase were separated, among which the structures of the components from ethyl acetate were determined by wogonin and linarin, whereas the structure of the component from the butanol phase was determined by pectolinarin. In the screening of antioxidant activity by the scavenging effect of the DPPH radical, the wogonin and linarin components from ethyl acetate phase showed more powerful antioxidant property than the component from butanol. The results from this study indicate that the chemical compound separated from the ethyl acetate extract has more powerful antioxidant property than the one separated from the butanol extract. The components separated from the ethyl acetate extract were wogonin and linarin, which are flavonoids, whereas the component from butanol was pectolinarin. Therefore, this study suggested that the feasibility of mulberry leaf as a functional food additive and its value as a natural antioxidant is very high.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.823-831
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• 2015

Evaluation of biological activity and analysis of functional constituents from water and ethanol extracts of four different parts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) tree were carried out to develop functional ingredients and foods using extracts of mulberry tree. The water and ethanol extracts of four different parts of mulberry tree were prepared and their biological activities and functional constituents determined by in vitro assays and HPLC, respectively. In general, ethanol extracts showed stronger biological activities and higher functional constituents than water extracts. Ethanol extracts of mulberry fruit, root bark, and twig showed stronger antioxidant ($IC_{50}=128.4{\mu}g/mL$), ${\alpha}$-glucosidase ($IC_{50}=12.0{\mu}g/mL$), and lipoxygenase ($IC_{50}=36.3{\mu}g/mL$) and tyrosinase ($IC_{50}=410.3{\mu}g/mL$) inhibitory activities, respectively, than those of other parts. Mulberry fruit and leaf showed the highest contents of anthocyanin (cyanidin 3-glucoside: 213.20 mg/100 g) and chlorogenic acid (514.97 mg/100 g), and especially ethanol extract of mulberry leaf contained higher quercetin 3-O-(6-O-malonyl)glucoside (143.25 mg/100 g) and kaempferol 3-O-(6-O-malonyl)glucoside (30.25 mg/100 g) contents without water extract of mulberry leaf. Meanwhile, mulberry twig contained both oxyresveratrol glycoside (48.90 mg/100 g) and its aglycone (21.88 mg/100 g), whereas mulberry root bark contained mostly oxyresveratrol glycoside (724.05 mg/100 g). Additionally, mulberry root bark and leaf contained much higher ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (223.90 mg/100 g) and 1-deoxynojirimycin (86.07 mg/100 g) contents, respectively, than other parts of mulberry tree. These results suggest that high quality processed foods and functional foods using mixtures of mulberry fruits, leaves, twigs, and root barks should be developed for prevention and inhibition of several pathological disorders.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.343-351
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• 2017

Plant extracts were screened for antifungal activity against major plant pathogens, Botrytis sp., Collectotrichum sp., Alternaria sp. and Cylindrocarpon sp. using 96-well microdilution method. Among the 662 methanol extracts from 401 plant species, 36 extracts showed complete inhibition of spore germination against at least one of four pathogenic fungi. Extracts of Morus alba twig and Sophora flavescens root showed minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) at $1,250{\mu}g/ml$ against Botrytis sp.. Extracts of Chloranthus japonicus root showed MIC at $1,250{\mu}g/ml$ against Collectotrichum sp.. Extracts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis aerial part, Inula helenium root and Menispermum dauricum root showed MIC between 625 and $1,250{\mu}g/ml$ against Alternaria sp.. G. uralensis aerial part and I. helenium root showed MIC at $1,250{\mu}g/ml$ against Cylindrocarpon sp.. Specifically, the extracts of Agrimonia pilosa root, Angelica tenuissima root, Asarum sieboldii root, Campsis grandifolia leaf and twig, Cnidium officinale root, Dictamnus dasycarpus root, G. uralensis aerial part, I. helenium root and M. alba twig completely inhibited spore germination at lower than $5,000{\mu}g/ml$ against all of four pathogenic fungi. Two methanol extracts from G. uralensis aerial part and M. alba twig may used as a candidate to develop into effective disease management materials in plant cultivation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.1090-1099
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• 2015

Among the four different parts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) tree, ethanol extract of Morus root bark showed the highest ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity ($IC_{50}=12.01{\mu}g/mL$). Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of root bark by Diaion HP-20, silica gel, ODS-A, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies led to the isolation of four compounds, including Compound (Comp.) 1 ($IC_{50}=5.22{\mu}g/mL$), Comp. 2 ($IC_{50}=1.78{\mu}g/mL$), Comp. 3 ($IC_{50}=2.94{\mu}g/mL$), and Comp. 4 ($IC_{50}=1.54{\mu}g/mL$) with strong ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Their chemical structures were elucidated as morusin (Comp. 1), kuwanon H (Comp. 2), chalcomoracin A (Comp. 3), and chalcomoracin B (Comp. 4) by UV and NMR spectral analyses. These results suggest that prenylflavonoid and mulberrofuran of Morus root bark may be useful as potential therapeutic agents for diabetes.