• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.233-240
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• 2017

Previously, we have shown that Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (S. chinensis) has a protective effect against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced hepatic steatosis. Gomisin A is a bioactive phytoestrogen derived from S. chinensis. In the present study, the in vitro and in vivo effects of gomisin A on ER stress and hepatic steatosis were investigated. We quantified the expression of markers of ER stress, including glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homolog protein (CHOP), and X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), in HepG2 cells treated with tunicamycin or palmitate. Tunicamycin treatment in HepG2 cells induced the expression of markers of ER stress, including GRP78, CHOP, and XBP-1c. However, treatment with gomisin A reduced the expression of markers of ER stress. These inhibitory effects were also observed in palmitate-incubated HepG2 cells. The in vivo inhibitory effects of gomisin A were assessed in mice injected with tunicamycin or fed with a high fat diet (HFD). Gomisin A reduced the expression of markers of ER stress and decreased triglyceride levels in the livers of mice after tunicamycin injection or HFD feeding. Furthermore, gomisin A decreased the expression of inflammatory genes in palmitate-incubated HepG2 cells and the liver of HFD-fed obese mice. These results suggest that gomisin A inhibits ER stress and ameliorates hepatic steatosis induced by ER stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2008

This study investigated the effects of Punica granatum L. (PG) ethanol extracts on serum lipid levels in ovariectomized rats. In order to elucidate the effects of PG ethanol extracts on the change of lipid concentration in rats, Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to groups as follows: sham-operated rats (sham), ovariectomized control rats (OVX-control), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ethanol extracts of PG seed at 50 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-PS50), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ethanol extracts of PG seed at 200 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-PS200), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ethanol extracts of PG peel at 50 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-PS50), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ethanol extracts of PG peel at 200 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-PP200). PG ethanol extracts were orally supplemented at the level of 1mL per day for 7 weeks. The body weight gain, food intake and food efficiency ratio were not significantly different between groups by t-test. The levels of total-cholesterol and triglyceride in serum were not changed by supplementation of PG ethanol extracts. The level of HDL-cholesterol on serum of the OVX-PS50 and OVX-PS200 groups were similar to the OVX-control group, but the OVX-PP50 and OVX-PP200 groups were higher than sham group. These results suggest that ethanol extracts of PG peel were more effected than those of PG seed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.290-294
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to investigate in an in vivo model the effects of ethanol extract and ethyl ether and ethyl acetate fractions of Sedum sarmentosum Bunge (SS). To investigate the effects of ethanol extract and ethyl ether and ethyl acetate fractions, Sprage-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to groups as follows : Sham, OVX-control and ovariectomized rats supplemented with SS at 50 mg/kg bw/day, with SS at 100 mg/kg bw/day, with SS at 200 mg/kg bw/day, with ethyl ether fraction of SS at 10 mg/ka bw/day and with ethyl acetate fraction of SS at 10 mg/kg bw/day. Food intake and food efficiency ratio were not significantly different in groups. But body weight gain was decreased by supplementation of ethyl acetate fraction of SS compared to OVX-control. The levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum were higher in ovariectomized control rats than Sham-operated rats, but supplementation of SS ethanol extracts at 200 mg/kg bw/day decreased the level of the lipid in serum. The level of HDL-cholesterol in serum increased by supplementation of SS ethanol extracts at 200 mg/kg bw/day (p<0.01). The levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum were decreased by supplementation of ethyl acetate fraction of SS (p<0.01). On the other hand, the level of HDL-cholesterol in serum was increased by supplementation of ethyl acetate fraction of SS (p<0.05). On conclusion, it might be expected that ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of SS is believed to be a possible protective effects for the fatty serum increasing serum lipid.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.1201-1207
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• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been proposed as a potent tool to trigger apoptosis in cancer therapy. However, as many types of cancer cells remain resistant towards TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity, several combined therapy approaches aimed to sensitize cells to TRAIL have been developed. Genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, has been shown to have anticancer activity by inducing cell cycle arrest at G2M phase as well as apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we showed that treatment with TRAIL in combination with subtoxic concentrations of genistein sensitized U937 human leukemia cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Combined treatment with genistein and TRAIL effectively activated caspases through Bid truncation (tBid) and down-regulation of cellular caspase-8 (FLICE)-like inhibitory proteinL ($cFLIP_L$). However, the apoptotic effects of co-treatment with genistein and TRAIL were significantly inhibited by specific caspase inhibitors, which demonstrates the important role of caspases in apoptosis induced by genistein and TRAIL. Overall, our results indicate that genistein can potentiate TRAIL-induced apoptosis through down-regulation of $cFLIP_L$ and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic tBid proteins.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.549-556
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• 2005

Estrogenic and antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts of 45 edible and medicinal plants were evaluated by ${\beta}-galactosidase$ assay, and DPPH radical scavenging assay, and TBARS inhibition rate, respectively. Total polyphenol contents were in the range of 8.6 (Panax notoginseng Buck F.H. Chen.)-594.7 (Amomum globosum Loureiro) mg/g. Direct correlation between the DPPH radical scavenging activity and polyphenol content $(r^2=0.61)$ was established through simple regression analysis, whereas no correlation was observed between TBARS inhibition rate or ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activity and polyphenol content. Among medicinal plants screened, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Rheum undulatum L. showed strong antioxidant and estrogenic activities. Results of this study could be used as fundamental data for selecting potential phytoestrogen candidates.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2000

Phytoestrogen has been used as a suppliment of estrogen in order to treat osteoporosis. The representative phytoestrogens, isoflavones, are daidzein, genistein and formononetin which were present highly in our traditional soybean foods. The quantitative analysis of the isoflavone was done with a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) using a UV/VIS detector for the contents of the isoflavones in Astragali Radix, soybean sprouts, bean-curd(Tofu), soybean, soybean oil, pea, kidney pea, black bean(Yak-kong), soybean sauce(Ganjang). soybean paste(Doenjang), and fermented soybean(Maejoo). The content of free daidzein in soybean sprouts was $43.49{\pm}3.41\;mg/kg$$ which was much higher than that in soybean, $14.52{\pm}0.58\;mg/kg$, although total daidzein of fermented soybean was lower than that in soybean (Table 2. P<0.01). The amounts of free genistein in soybean sprouts, fermented soybean. and soybean paste were $27.63{\pm}1.66\;mg/kg,\;291.52{\pm}6.81\;mg/kg,\;and\;18.75{\pm}1.33\;mg/kg$, respectively. The level of free formononetin in soybean paste was the highest among the soybean products (P<0.01). The content of formononetin in Aatragali Radix, $9629.73{\pm}0.57\;{\mu}g/kg$, was about 160 times higher than that in soybean. Thus Korean traditional soybean products, black bean(Yak-Kong) and Astragali Radix can be a good choice of phytoestrogens.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2012

Chrysanthemum indicum L. (Asteraceae) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for the treatment of inflammation, hypertension, and respiratory diseases due to its strong antagonistic activity against inflammatory cytokines. The effects of Chrysanthemum indicum L. Extract (CIE) for increasing cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and collagen content were totally inhibited, suggesting that the effect of CIE might be partly involved with estrogen activity. Furthermore, the protective effects of CIE on the response of osteoblasts to oxidative stress were evaluated. Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were incubated with hydrogen peroxide and/or CIE, and markers of osteoblast function and oxidative damage were examined. CIE significantly increased cell survival, ALP activity, and calcium deposition, and decreased the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in osteoblasts. Taken together, these results indicate that the enhancement of osteoblast function by CIE may prevent osteoporosis and inflammatory bone diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.589-597
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• 2006

Genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, is a strong inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase and DNA topoisomerase activities. There are several studies documenting molecular alterations leading to cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis by genistein as a chemopreventive agent in a variety of cancer cell lines; however, its mechanism of action and its molecular targets on human bladder carcinoma and leukemic cells remain unclear. In the present study, we have addressed the mechanism of action by which genistein suppressed the proliferation of T24 bladder carcinoma and U937 leukemic cells. Genistein significantly inhibited the cell growth and induced morphological changes, and induced the G2/M arrest of the cell cycle in both T24 and U937 cells with a relatively stronger cytotoxicity in U937. The G2/M arrest in T24 cells was associated with the inhibition of cyclin A, cyclin B1 and Cdc25C protein expression without alteration of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1). However, the inhibitory effects of genistein on the cell growth of U937 cells were connected with a marked inhibition of cyclin B1 and an induction of Cdk inhibitor p21 proteins by p53-independent manner. These data suggest that genistein may exert a strong anticancer effect and additional studies will be needed to evaluate the different mechanisms between T24 and U937 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.7 s.80
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• pp.1219-1224
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• 2006

Osteoporosis is one of the major health problem affecting postmenopausal women. Estrogen deficiency results in an increase in bone turnover, lead to bone resorption and an increase risk of fracture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Capsosiphon fulvecense extract (SCF) on the collagen content of the connective tissues and alkaline phosphatase activity of serum in ovariectomized estrogen-deficient rats. Three groups were surgically ovariectomized (OVX). The fourth group was sham operated. Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to the following groups : sham-operated rats (Sham), ovariectomized control rats (OVX-control), ovariectomized rats supplemented with CsF at 50mg/kg body wt (OVX-CSF50) and ovariectomized rats supplemented with CsF at 200mg/kg body wt (OVX-CSF200). The Capsosiphon fulvecense extracts were orally administrated at 1mL per day. The ovariectomy caused a decreasing in the levels of collagen content in bone, cartilage, skin and lung tissues. However CSF groups, supplementation with Capsosiphon fulvecense extract, were increased the level of collagen content in bone, cartilage, skin and lung tissues than OVX-control group. Alkaline phosphatase activity also were increased and calcium levels were decreased than OVX-control on serum. These results suggest that Capsosiphon fulvecense supplementation prevents postmenopausal bone loss, thus it may be used possibly to improve the quality of life in menopausal women.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.620-630
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• 2003

The proliferative effects of thirty Oriental medicinal herbs on MCF-7 (estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cell line) and ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells were determined using the MTT assay. Methanol extracts from several herbs was found to show proliferative activity on the above two cell lines in the range of 5 to 100 $\mu$g/mL. Among these active herbs, the methanol extract from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei showed the most potent proliferative activity, and the cell proliferations were significantly increase by 136 and 158% in the MCF-7 and ROS 17/2.8 cells, respectively, when treated with 100 $\mu$ g/mL. Through a bioassay-guided separation, eight flavonoids, including four new flavan-3-ols and two propelargonidins, together with the known (-)-epiafzelechin and naringin, were isolated. Their chemical structures were characterized as (-)-epiafzelechin (1), (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-$\beta$-D-allopyranoside (2), (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-(6"-O-acetyl)-$\beta$-D-allopyranoside (3), 4$\beta$-carboxymethyl-(-)-epiafzelechin methyl ester (4), 4$\beta$-car-boxymethyl-(-)-epiafzelechin sodium salt (5), naringin (6), (-)-epiafzelechin-(4$\beta$\rightarrow8)-4$\beta$-car-boxymethylepiafzelechin methyl ester (7) and (-)-epiafzelechin-($4\beta\rightarrow8, 2\beta\rightarrowΟ\rightarrow7)-epiafzelechin-(4\beta\righarrow8)-epiafzelechin (8) by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Most of these flavonoids, in the range of $10^{-15}∼10^{-6}$ M, accelerated the proliferation of MCF-7 cell, with compounds 7 and 8, in the range of $10^{-15}∼10^{-12}$ M, showing especially potent proliferation effects. Meanwhile, seven flavonoids, with the exception of compound 4, stimulated the proliferation of ROS 17/2.8 cells in the range of $10^{-15}∼10^{-6}$ M, with compounds 5-8 especially accelerating the proliferation, in dose-dependent manners ($10^{-15}∼10^{-9}$ M), and their proliferative effect was much stronger than that of $E_2$ and genistein. These results suggest that propelargonidin dimers and trimers isolated from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei may be useful as potential phytoestrogens, which play important physiological roles in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.