• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.448-458
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• 2021

Purpose: Mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit is widely grown in Asia and consumed as fresh fruit, jam, and juices. The fruit has beneficial health effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, and anti-obesity properties. However, the mechanisms by which mulberry fruit juice powder (MJ) regulates inflammatory microRNAs (miRs) are not yet known. This study investigated the effect of mulberry fruit juice powder on the regulation of inflammation and miR-132/143 during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. Methods: The 3T3-L1 cells were induced to differentiate for 2 days and then treated with various concentrations of MJ for 7 days. Cytotoxicity was determined by evaluating cell viability using a water-soluble tetrazolium salt-8 assay kit. Intracellular lipid accumulation was evaluated by oil-red O staining. The levels of the expression of genes involved in adipogenesis and inflammation, and miR-132/143 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. Results: MJ showed no cytotoxic effect on 3T3-L1 adipocytes at concentrations below 100 ng/mL. Intracellular lipid accumulation was reduced by MJ treatment at concentrations of 100 ng/mL. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of proliferator-activated receptor-γ, cytosine-cytosine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine/enhancer-binding protein-α, and adipocyte protein 2, which are involved in adipogenesis, were suppressed by MJ. A reduction was also seen in mRNA levels of genes related to the inflammatory response, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The expression of the inflammatory miR-132 and miR-143 was also decreased by MJ. Conclusion: These results suggest that MJ may suppress adipogenesis and inflammation through the regulation of miR-132/143 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Thus, MJ may be useful as a food agent that prevents obesity-associated inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.204-212
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• 2021

Resazurin, an oxidized blue dye, is reduced to resorufin, showing a peak absorbance change and emitting fluorescence due to the metabolic activity of living cells. In this study, the growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and the redox potential of living probiotic bacteria were evaluated based on changes in the absorbance or fluorescence of resazurin. Fluorescence analysis is a more accurate and sensitive method for quantifying viable LGG than the colorimetric absorbance measurement of resazurin change. Fluorescence measurement could detect LGG of 6.5-9.5 log CFU/mL within 30 min with R2=0.99. No significant effect of further reduction of resorufin to dihydroresorufin by LGG was observed. Various probiotics showed different resazurin-reducing activities, and L. kimchicus had the highest reducing activity among the six probiotics tested. These findings suggests that fluorescence measurement in a resazurin-based assay is useful for analyzing bacterial growth and the redox potential of living probiotics.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.64-64
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• 2019

Screening and identification of genetic resources based on their phytoconstituents and morphological characters potentially provide baseline data for researchers, breeders, and nutraceutical companies who wish to formulate a nutrient-dense diet and health beneficial supplement. Thus, we evaluated the amount of total phenolic content and major phenolic compounds; examined if phenolic compounds could be used as distinguishing factors for perilla genetic resources; and investigated the relation between some quantitative and qualitative morphological characters with the contents of phenolic compounds in 360 accessions obtained from National Agrobiodiversity Center gene bank, Jeonju, Korea. Total phenolic content (TPC) was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay. Individual phenolic compounds were determined using an Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography system equipped with Photodiode Array detector. Considerable variations were observed in TPC (7.99 to 117.47 mg GAE/g DE), rosmarinic acid (RA) (ND to 19.19 mg/g DE), caffeic acid (CA) (ND to 0.72 mg/g DE), apigenin-7-O-diglucuronide (ADG) (ND to 1.24 mg luteolin equivalent (LUE)/g DE), scutellarein-7-O-glucuronide (SG) (ND to 4.32 mg LUE/g DE), and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide (AG) (ND to 1.60 mg LUE/g DE). RA was the most dominant phenolic compound in most accessions (95.3%) followed by SG. The adaxial leaf color was light green, green and dark green in 13.8%, 65.0%, and 21.1 % of the accessions, respectively. 78.8% of the accessions had light green color at the abaxial side with the remaining being described as green. Most of the accessions (96.9%) were cordate shape, the remaining being eclipse. Intensities of green pigment at abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces were correlated with contents of individual phenolic compounds and TPC whereas leaf length and width had no correlation with TPC, CA and RA, and negatively correlated with ADG, AG, and SG. Leaf shape was not related with content of phenolic compounds, color of leaves, or the length or width of leaves. Accessions IT57426, IT157434, IT267710, and IT267712 which contained relatively high contents of TPC and major phenolic compounds (RA and SG) could be used for further research in breeding and bioassay test. Our study result showed the contents of total phenolics and individual phenolic compounds along with the morphological characters could be useful distinguishing factors for perilla genetic resources.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.443-449
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• 2020

This study was performed to investigate total phenolic contents, anti-oxidant, biological disease-related enzyme inhibitory, and anti-microbial effects of extracts of Lonicera morrowii leaves prepared with water and 40% ethanol. Anti-oxidative activities of the extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner and were very high even at low phenolic concentration. At phenolic concentrations ranging between 50 and 200 ㎍/mL, the water and ethanol extracts inhibited 39.34-76.35 and 47.53-99.83% of xanthine oxidase activity, 30.21-79.06, and 59.40-87.14% of angiotensin converting enzyme activity, and 59.81-80.35 and 36.06-63.58% of α-glucosidase activity, respectively. All inhibitory effect were increased in a dose-dependent manner. In the paper disc agar diffusion assay against seven microbes, L. morrowii extracts had anti-bacteria activities against Helicobacter pylori, Propionibacterium acne but no effect against other bacteria. These results indicate that the extracts from L. morrowii leaves have the possibility to be developed as a physiologically functional source for prevention of adult diseases.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTP) on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) for clinical application of periodontal treatment. Materials and Methods: HGFs were treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Customized NTP device was developed for periodontal in vitro study. Cell viability was evaluated with cell counting kit-8. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-8 and 6, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: When NTP was applied, the cell viability did not change significantly, and there was no difference for 6 h and 24h. When Pg LPS was treated to HGFs, the secretion of IL-8 and IL-6 was increased compared to the control group. But when the NTP was applied, the secretion of them was significantly decreased. Conclusion: NTP did not affect cell viability of HGFs. And it inhibited the LPS-induced production of IL-8 and IL-6.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2018

Objectives. Regenerative treatment using stem cells may serve as treatment option for empty nose syndrome (ENS), which is caused by the lack of turbinate tissue and deranged nervous system in the nasal cavity. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of ENS. Methods. In this prospective observational clinical study, we enrolled 10 ENS patients who volunteered to undergo treatment of ENS through the injection of autologous SVF. Data, including demographic data, pre- and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) scores, overall patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications, were prospectively collected. Nasal secretion was assessed using the polyurethane foam absorption method, and the levels of biological markers were analyzed in both ENS group and control group using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SVF extracted from abdominal fat was diluted and injected into both inferior turbinates. Results. Among the 10 initial patients, one was excluded from the study. Subjective satisfaction was rated as "much improved" in two and "no change" in seven. Among the improved patients, the mean preinjection SNOT-25 score was 55.0 and the score at 6 months after injection was 19.5. However, the average SNOT-25 score of nine participants at 6 months after injection (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $62.4{\pm}35.8$) did not differ significantly from the baseline SNOT-25 score ($70.1{\pm}24.7$, P>0.05, respectively). Among the various inflammatory markers assessed, the levels of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-8, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly higher in ENS patients. Compared with preinjection secretion level, the nasal secretions from SVF-treated patients showed decreased expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-8 after injection. Conclusion. Although SVF treatment appears to decrease the inflammatory cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa, a single SVF injection was not effective in terms of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction. Further trials are needed to identify a more practical and useful regenerative treatment modality for patients with ENS.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.224-237
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• 2021

Purpose: Paeonia Radix Alba is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat the liver and the spleen. Many studies have reported that Paeonia Radix Alba extract (PR) affects liver injury, but there has been no study on liver injuries induced by thioacetamide (TAA). Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the effect of PR on a TAA-induced acute liver injury (ALI) model. Methods: The antioxidant activity of PR was assayed by the content of total polyphenol, total flavonoid, 1,1-diphenyl-2'-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonicacid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities in vitro test. ALI was induced via-intraperitoneal injection of TAA (200 mg/kg body weight) for three consecutive days. Also, silymarin (100 mg/kg body weight) and PR (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) were administered at 1 hours 30 minutes prior to TAA treatment. The levels of ammonia, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were analyzed using an assay kit. The expressions of antioxidant proteins including Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 and oxidative stress-related proteins including NOX2, p47^phox, and p22^phox were evaluated by the western blot analysis. Results: PR showed excellent antioxidant activity in vitro. TAA administration increased the levels of ammonia, GOT, and GPT in the ALI control group compared to the normal group, whereas it was significantly reduced by PR pretreatment. Moreover, NADPH oxidase protein expressions were upregulated after TAA treatment, while the elevated expressions were inhibited by PR pretreatment. The expressions of antioxidant protein were downregulated in the ALI control group, whereas Nrf2 activation in the PR group was accompanied by increased levels of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: PR administration increased the antioxidant enzymes via activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibited the protein levels of NADPH oxidase factors. Taken together, these results showed that PR treatment may be considered to ameliorate acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 2021

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Caulerpa okamurae ethanol extract (COE) on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity as one of the drug targets for treatment of type2 diabetes. COE significantly inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) enzyme activities in vitro assay. Also, COE significantly enhanced the glucose uptake and the expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter4 (GLUT4) proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes or zebrafish larvae compared with control. In dexamethasone-induced resistance model of L6 myotubes, the protein expression of insulin signaling and glucose uptake was effectively increased by the treatment of COE. In contrast, the elevated phosphorylation of IRS-1 Ser307 was normally suppressed by treatment of COE. However, COE had no effect on insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. Thus, our results suggest that COE improves the glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity through the regulation of insulin signaling and GLUT4 protein in insulin's target cells and zebrafish larvae.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2021

Backgroud: Ginsenoside compound K (GK) is a major metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides and has remarkable anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. This work used an ionic cross-linking method to entrap GK within O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) nanoparticles (Nps) to form GK-loaded OCMC Nps (GK-OCMC Nps), which enhance the aqueous solubility and stability of GK. Methods: The GK-OCMC Nps were characterized using several physicochemical techniques, including x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, and particle size analysis via dynamic light scattering. GK was released from GK-OCMC Nps and was conducted using the dialysis bag diffusion method. The effects of GK and GK-OCMC Nps on PC3 cell viability were measured by using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Fluorescent technology based on Cy5.5-labeled probes was used to explore the cellular uptake of GK-OCMC Nps. Results: The GK-OCMC NPs had a suitable particle size and zeta potential; they were spherical with good dispersion. In vitro drug release from GK-OCMC NPs was pH dependent. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity study and cellular uptake assays indicated that the GK-OCMC Nps significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of GK toward the PC3 cells. GK-OCMC Nps also significantly promoted the activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. Conclusion: GK-OCMC Nps are potential nanocarriers for delivering hydrophobic drugs, thereby enhancing water solubility and permeability and improving the antiproliferative effects of GK.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.330-339
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• 2021

Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is a marine bivalve mollusk widely distributed in coastal areas, and have been long widely used in industrial resources. Several studies demonstrated that fermented oyster (FO) extract attribute to bone health, but whether administration of FO play as an endocrine disruptor has not been studied. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of FO on the endocrine system in vitro and in vivo. As the results of the competitive estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) binding affinities, FO was not combined with ER-α, ER-β, and AR. However, 17β-estradiol and testosterone, used as positive control, were interacted with ER and AR, respectively. Meanwhile, oral administration of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of FO doesn't have any harmful effect on the body weight, androgen-dependent sex accessory organs, estrogen-dependent-sex accessory organs, kidney, and liver in immature rats. In addition, FO supplementation has no effect on the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and 17β-estradiol. However, the relative weight of androgen- and estrogen-dependent organs were significantly increased by subcutaneously injection of 4.0 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) and by orally administration of 1.0 ㎍ of 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE) in immature male and female rats, respectively. Furthermore, TP and EE administration markedly decreased the serum LH and FSH levels, which are similar those of mature Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. Furthermore, the testosterone and 17β-estradiol levels were significantly enhanced in TP and EE-treated immature rats. Taken together, our findings showed that FO does not interact with ER and AR, suggesting consequentially FO does not play as a ligand for ER and AR. Furthermore, oral administration of FO did not act as an endocrine disruptor including androgenic activity, estrogenic activity, and abnormal levels of sex hormone, indicating FO may ensure the safety on endocrine system to develop dietary supplement for bone health.