• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1015-1021
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• 2013

Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, an important species of licorice, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants for over 4000 years. Glycyrrhiza plant species has been well known for its various therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-ulcer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal ethanol extracts (GBE) on adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation. Mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with sub-cytotoxic doses of GBE, and its effects on adipocyte differentiation were assessed. We found that GBE dose-dependently increased lipid accumulation and also induced the expression of adipocyte markers, such as $PPAR{\gamma}$ and its target genes, aP2, and adiponectin, in C3H10T1/2 cells. Consistently, similar effects of GBE on lipid accumulation were also observed in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells that further supports the pro-adipogenic activities of GBE. We also investigated the effects of GBE on osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. As a results, we found that GBE increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase in a dose-dependent manner and also promoted the expression of osteoblast markers, such as ALP and RUNX2, during osteoblast differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells. Similar pro-osteogenic effects of GBE were also observed in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Finally, our data show that a major bioactive compound found in Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, licochalcone A (LA) but not glycyrrhizic acid (GA), can mediate the pro-adipogenic and pro-osteogenic effects of GBE. Taken together, this study provides data to show the possibility of GBE and its bioactive component LA as putative strategies for type 2 diabetes and bone diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.165-176
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• 2003

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of Kami-hwal-hyeol-tang(KHHT) on the immune responses of synoviocyte cells prepared from the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and also on the collagen-mediated arthritis in mouse model. Several experiments were performed in vitro and in vivo to analyse the immunomodulatory effects of KHHT, and the major findings are summarized below: 1. KHHT did not show the cytotoxicity against mLFCs and hFLSs. 2. KHHT inhibited gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, NOS and GM-CSF in hFLSs. Furthermore, KHHT-treated hFLSs showed reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 compared to the control cells. 3. KHHT treatment of hFLSs inhibited the binding activity of NF-kB and AP-1 to their consensus DNA sequences. 4. KHHT treatment(400 ㎍/㎖) of hFLSs significantly inhibited hFLSs proliferations compared to the control cells. 5. KHHT significantly reduced the production of ROS in hFLSs compared to the control cells. The present data show that KHHT plays an important role for the regulation of AP-1 and NF-kB gene expression. Also, it was found that KHHT has anti-arthritis effect. Further studies of KHHT in relation to RA therapeutics may provide important information to develop drugs to treat this disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.88-103
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• 2009

Objectives: There is currently increased interest in the identification of natural antioxidant compounds derived from various plants. Peony Root (PR) is used worldwide for the treatment of many types of cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis and hypertension. It has been used in Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of glycosuria, hypertension and cancer. However, to date, no studies concerning the antioxidant properties of PR have been conducted. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro scavenging activity, inhibitory effect of LDL oxidation of pro-oxidant reactive species and anti-thrombosis effect in response to treatment with PR using various screening methods including biological and non-biological oxidants. Methods: In this study, the antioxidant activity of extract from PR was studied with in vitro methods by measuring the antioxidant activity by TEAC, measuring the scavenging effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) [superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical] and on reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [nitric oxide and peroxynitrite] as well as measuring the inhibitory effect on $Cu^{2+}$-induced human LDL oxidation and the inhibitory effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Results: The PR extracts were found to have a potent scavenging activity of oxidative stress [DPPH, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, etc.] as well as an inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation and on platelet aggregation. Conclusions: The PR extracts have anti-oxidative and anti-atherosclerotic effects in vitro system, which can be used for developing pharmaceutical drugs against oxidative stress and atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.321-327
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Cuscuta chinensis Lamark ethanol extract (CL) on wrinkle improvement. Cuscuta chinensis Lamark is known to contain dried saccharide, alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans and rein glycoside as major components of dried mature seeds of Cuscuta japonica Choisy. In this study, we evaluated the anti-wrinkle effects of CL and investigated bio-markers (e.g ; MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1, type I procollagen) associated with skin wrinkle improvement. We tested the anti-wrinkle effect of CL using human fibroblast called CCD-986Sk cell. We observed an increase in MMPs, TIMP-1, and type 1 pro-collagen CL in CCD-986Sk cells irradiated with UVB at an intensity of $2mJ/cm^2$ for 60 seconds. As a result, CL decreased UVB-induced MMPs levels and mRNA expressions in CCD-986Sk cell. The levels and mRNA expressions of type I procollagen and TIMP-1 were increased by CL. These results suggest that CL has activities on improvement of skin wrinkle, which is induced by UVB radiation. Taken together, this study proposed the possibility of developing herbal medicine and functional herbal cosmetic materials with wrinkle-improving effects of Cuscuta chinensis Lamark.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2007

The anti-fibrotic effects of hot water extract of adventitious root culture of Panax ginseng (ARCP) and the possible mechanisms were investigated on $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity model mice. Fibrosis was induced by a mild treatment of $CCl_4$. Then silymarin as a positive control drug and ARCP or carrier alone as a negative control were treated. Serum GPT, GOT and ALP activity levels were lowered by 25, 21 and 11% for silymarin treated group and by 48, 39 and 14% for ARCP treated group compared to carrier treated alone. Hepatic collagen for ARCP treatment group was reduced by 18% and MDA contents decreased a little more. Pro-fibrotic gene ($TGF-{\beta}1$, TIMP-1 and ${\alpha}-SMA$) expression increased following the $CCl_4$ treatment, but both the silymarin and the ARCP treatments decreased the expressions of these genes by 20% to 50%. The antioxidant effect of ARCP was studied by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. In addition, a generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also reduced in $H_2O_2-treated$ HepG2 cells upon the ARCP treatment. In summary, ARCP has antioxidant property, and can have some protection against oxidative stress; more importantly, ARCP can efficiently protect mice against $CCl_4-induced$ fibrosis.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 1997

An extracellular proteinase of Candida albicans was purified by a combination of 0~75% ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow ion exchange chromatography, and Sephacryl S-200 HR molecular sieve chromatography. Its mlecular weight was approximately 41 kDa on SDS-PAGE and isoelectric point was 4.4. The enzyme was inhibited by pepstain A. Optimum enzyme activity ranged from pH 2.0 to 3.5 with its maximum at pH 2.5 and a temperature of 45$^{\circ}C$. The addition of divalent cations, $Ca^{2+}$, Zn$^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$, resulted in no significant inhibition of enzymatic activity. However, some inhibitory effects were observed by Fe$^{2+}$, Ag$^{2+}$ and Cu$^{2+}$. With BSA as substrate, an apparent $K_m$ was determined to be 7$\times$10$^{-7}$ M and $K_i$, using pepstatin A as an inhibitor, was 8.05$\times$10$^{-8}$ M. N-terminal amino acid sequence was QAVPVTLXNEQ. Degradation of BSA and fibronectin was shown but not collagen, hemoglobin, immunoglobulin G, or lysozyme. The enzyme preferred peptides with Glu and Leu at the P$_1$ position, but the enzyme activity was highly reduced when the P$_2$ position was phe or pro. This enzyme showed antigenicity against sera of patients with candidiasis.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2014

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution For decades, Spergularia marina, a local food that is popular in South Korea, has been regarded as a nutritious source of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. While several halophytes are reported to possess distinct bioactivities, S. marina has yet to be promoted as a natural source of bioactives. In this study, the effects of S. marina on the adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and the osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts and C2C12 myoblast cells were evaluated. The anti-adipogenic effect of S. marina was assessed by measuring lipid accumulation and adipogenic differentiation marker expression. S. marina treatment significantly reduced lipid accumulation and notably decreased the gene levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$, and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c. In addition, S. marina enhanced osteoblast differentiation, as indicated by increased alkaline phosphatase activity and increased levels of osteoblastogenesis indicators, namely bone morphogenetic protein-2, osteocalcin, and type I collagen. In conclusion, S. marina could be a source of functional food ingredients that improve osteoporosis and obesity. Further studies, including activity-based fractionation, will elucidate the mechanism of action and active ingredients of S. marina, which would provide researchers with a better understanding of the nutraceutical and therapeutic applications of S. marina.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.109-123
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• 2018

Purpose : In this study, we intended to observe the anti-wrinkle and moisturizing effects of dried pomegranate juice concentration powder (PCP) using in vitro test. Materials and methods : Antioxidant effects of PCP were determined by free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH assay) and the cytotoxicity of PCP was examined in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human primary dermal fibroblast-neonatal (HDF) cells. To investigate the moisturizing effect of PCP, hyaluronan synthesis was examined in HaCaT cells. Activity of procollagen production were assessed in HDF cells and elastase inhibition properties of PCP were evaluated in cell free condition, to determine their anti-wrinkle effects. Metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) activity was also assessed following UVB irradiation, in the current in vitro experiment. Results : No PCP treatment related significant cytotoxic effects were demonstrated against to the both HDF and HaCaT cells. PCP showed favorable free radical scavenging activities in dose-dependent manner. In PCP-treated HaCaT cells, hyaluronan synthesis was non-significantly but markedly increased, and pro-collagen productions were significantly increased in HDF cells, at all three different concentrations (0.25, 0.75 and 1 mg/ml), and elastase inhibitory activities were observed by PCP treatment. A significant decrease in UVB-induced MMP-1 activity was also observed in 1 mg/ml PCP-treated HDF cells as compared to those of UVB-exposed cells. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that PCP has favorable antioxidant, anti-wrinkle and moisturizing effects without meaningful cytotoxicity on HDF and HaCaT cell lines.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.231-242
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the synergistic protective effects of mixtures of corn silk, perilla leaf and grape stem extract (CPG mixture) against UVB-induced skin damage and compound 48/80-induced pruritus in mice. The results showed that treatment with CPG mixture exhibited much stronger suppressive effect on erythema and melanin index as well as melanin formation than treatment with ascorbic acid (AA) in UVB-irradiated mice. Moreover, the treatment with CPG mixture showed ameliorative effect on immune cell infiltration and collagen fiber destruction in UV-irradiated mice. The treatment with CPG mixture inhibited glutathione (GSH) depletion, lipid peroxidation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in UVB-irradiated mice. Furthermore, the treatment with CPG mixture inhibited compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior and histological changes in mice. Taken together, these results indicated that CPG mixture has potentials as functional and therapeutic materials against skin damage and itch-related skin diseases.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.142-153
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• 2021

Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response to chronic liver injury, which is caused by the continuous and excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). The aim of this study is to investigate whether Uncaria rhynchophylla water extract (UR) can ameliorate thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. The liver fibrosis model was induced on C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection with TAA three times a week for 8 weeks. UR (200 mg/kg) or silymarin (50 mg/kg) was administered orally daily for 8 weeks. Biochemical analyses including AST, ALT, MPO, and Ammonia levels were measured in serum. In the mice liver tissues, western blot and histological staining were analyzed. As a result, UR dramatically reduced the levels in serum AST, ALT, MPO, and Ammonia levels. UR treatment regulated NADPH oxidase factors expression, and antioxidant enzymes except for GPx-1/2 were significantly increased via Nrf2 activation. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory mediators, such as COX-2 and iNOS were markedly suppressed through the inhibition of NF-κB activation. Expressions of ECM-related protein including α-SMA and Collagen I were noticeably decreased. The additional histological evaluation confirmed that hepatocyte damage and collagenous fiber accumulation were attenuated. Taken together, these data suggest that UR possessed hepatoprotective effects in TAA-induced liver fibrosis via the NF-κB inactivation and Nrf2 activation. Therefore, UR may act as a potential therapeutic drug against liver fibrosis.