• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.107-115
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• 2014

Vegetable oils (triacylglycerols) produced mainly in seeds of plants are used for valuable foods that supply essential fatty acids for humans as well as industrial raw materials and biofuel production. As the demanding for vegetable oils has increased, plant metabolic engineering to produce triacylglycerols in biomass such as leaves has been considered and explored for alternative source of vegetable oils. Leaves are genetically programmed to supply the fixed carbon by photosynthesis to other organs for plant development and growth. Therefore, in order to produce and accumulate triacylglycerols in leaves, one should take account of multiple metabolic pathways such as carbon flux, competition of carbohydrate and fatty acid biosynthesis, and triacylglycerols turnover in leaves. The recent metabolic engineering strategy has showed potential in which the co-expression of three genes WRINKLED1, DGAT1, and OLEOSIN involved in the critical step for increasing the fatty acid synthesis, accumulating triacylglycerols, and protecting triacylglycerols, respectively produced higher amount of vegetable oils in leaves. Developing of genetically engineered plants producing vegetable oil in biomass at non-agricultural lands will be promising to the future success of the field.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.27-38
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• 2017

Objective : In the present study, we examined whether Canavalia gladiata D.C. (CG) and Arctium lappa L., Redix (AL) mixture (CGAL), their components, lupeol and chicoric acid, regulate immune system and suppress the tumor in vitro and in vivo. Methods : LPS-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured after treatment with CG extract (CGE), CGAL, lupeol, chicoric acid and lupeol and chicoric acid mixture (lupeol+CA) in Raw264.7 cell. To determine the effect of CGE on immune responses, immune cell population and IgG production were assessed in mice. To investigate the effect of CGAL and their component on anti-tumor activity, tumor volume and weight were measured, cell cycles and immune cell population were analyzed in MC38 injected tumor bearing mice. Also, NK cell activity was determined in splenocyte isolated from tumor bearing mice. Results : CGE, CGAL, lupeol, chicoric acid and lupeol+CA decreased the LPS-induced ROS and NO production without cell toxicity in RAW264.7 cells. CGE increased the immune cell populations of $CD4^+T$, $CD8^+T$ and macrophages in various immune organ of mice. In tumor bearing mice, CGAL, lupeol, chicoric acid and lupeol+CA suppressed tumor volume and weight. In cell cycle analysis, they decreased the percentages of S phase. In addition, CGAL, lupeol, chicoric acid and lupeol+CA immune cell populations of $CD4^+T$, $CD8^+Tcell$, NK cell and macrophage in tumor as well as NK cell activity. Conclusion : CGAL and its compounds may enhance immune responses and suppress tumor growth, and may be capable of developing health functional foods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2014

Antioxidative, immunostimulating, and antihypertensive activities of hot water extracts of fermented Hizikia fusiformis were evaluated. Fermentation with lactic acid bacteria generally increased the biological activities of H. fusiformis. Fermentation with isolated Weissella sp. SH-1 resulted in 13.83-62.15% DPPH radical scavenging activity and 34.90-59.25% SOD-like activity. The maximal inhibition of ACE was 82.25%, and the maximal reduction in NO production was 46.53%. Fermentation with Lactobacillus casei resulted in 11.98-72.84% DPPH radical scavenging activity and 14.17-33.62% of SOD-like activity. The maximal inhibition of ACE was 73.31%, and the maximal reduction in NO production was 65.20%. These results hint at the applicability of fermentation with lactic acid bacteria to improve the diverse biological activities of H. fusiformis and to develop functional materials or foods.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

Purpose: Natural medicinal plant extracts have recently attracted attention as health beneficial foods and potential therapeutic agents for prevention of various diseases. This study was undertaken to measure the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol-water fraction obtained from the above-ground portion of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora, a wild-growing plant in Korea. The final fraction used in this study was the H₂O-EtOH (40:60) fraction (SP60), which had the highest antioxidant activity, as determined in previous studies. Methods: The amounts of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β production were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells exposed to SP60. Western blot was performed to measure the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Results: SP60 exerted no cytotoxicity up to concentrations of 125 ㎍/mL. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, were significantly decreased in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells exposed to SP60. In addition, the expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, and phosphorylated p65 showed a concentration-dependent decrease subsequent to SP60 treatment. These results indicate that SP60 inhibits the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2, by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, which is responsible for the expression of inflammatory mediators. Conclusion: The results presented in this study indicate that the H₂O-EtOH (40:60) fraction (SP60) extracted from the above-ground portion of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora has the potential to be developed as a medicine or healthcare food and functional material possessing anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is necessary to first confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of SP60 in in vivo models.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1470-1478
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate biological activity and biochemical properties of extracts from Bacillus subtilis-fermented silkworm (Bombyx mori L., SP) powder of different origin (Buan, Namwon, and Boeun). An additional aim was to determine the inhibition of cancer cell (B16-F10, HT-29, LNcaP, and MCF-7) proliferation and nitric oxide (NO) production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Biological activities (${\alpha},{\alpha}^{\prime}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH], free radical scavenging activity, fibrinolytic activity, antiproliferation activity, and anti-inflammatory activity) and biochemical properties (compositional amino acid contents, and mineral contents) were examined in water extracts from silkworm powder and B. subtilis-fermented silkworm powder. The highest amino acid contents were detected in Buan silkworm powder (BU). After fermented, the highest contents were found in B. subtilis-fermented Buan silkworm powder (BBO). The major minerals detected were K, Ca, and Mg. Rates of these minerals, especially those of Na increased after fermented. DPPH radical scavenging activity and fibrinolytic activity were stronger in the fermented group than non-fermented group. DPPH radical scavenging activity and fibrinolytic activity were highest in the extract from BBO. The inhibition activities of LNcaP and MCF-7 cells viability were significantly decreased in the BBO, and there was no inhibition activity in other cancer cells (B16-F10 and HT-29). An SRB assay of the cell viability of RAW 264.7 cells exposed to extracts of silkworm powder and B. subtilis-fermented silkworm powder revealed no toxicity in any of the groups. Compared with the LPS-treated group, the biggest reduction in NO production was detected in the BBO group. Based on these results, extracts from Boeun silkworm powder fermented with B. subtilis could be a candidate material as a dietary supplement for use in healthy functional foods.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.379-386
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• 2021

This study was undertaken to develop a cascade-type continuous culture system (CCCS) that combines both ICT and biotechnology (BT), for the mass production of microalgae. This system is capable of maintaining the essential culture conditions of pH, temperature, carbon dioxide, and illuminance control, which are key parameters for the growth of microalgae, and is economical for producing microalgae regardless of the season or location. It has the added advantage of providing stable and high productivity. In the current study, this system was applied to culture microalgae for 71 days, with subsequent analysis of the experimental data. The initial O.D. of the culture measured from incubator 1 was 0.006. On the 71st day of culture, the O.D.s obtained were 0.399 (incubator 1), 0.961 (incubator 2), 0.795 (incubator 3), and 0.438 (incubator 4), thereby confirming the establishment of continuous culture. Thus, we present a smart-farm based on ISMC (in-situ monitoring and control) for a mass culture method. We believe that this developed technology is suitable for commercialization, and has the potential to be applied to hydroponics-based cultivation of microalgae and cultivation of high-value-added medicinal plants as well as other plants used in functional foods, cosmetics, and medical materials.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.867-877
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• 2015

In this study, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of water, methanol, and ethanol extracts obtained from Allium hookeri root were evaluated. The ethanol extract of A. hookeri was found to possess the strongest reducing power and also exhibited dominant effects on scavenging of nitrites, DPPH radicals, and superoxide radicals. The water extract showed more efficient DPPH and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activities than those of the methanol extract. Furthermore, the inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated to elucidate the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts. Results indicated that all the extracts of A. hookeri exerted inhibitory activities against NO production, especially the ethanol extract ($IC_{50}29.13{\mu}g/mL$). Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were found to be abundant in the ethanol extract, with values of 24.96 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and 4.27 mg rutin equivalent/g extract, respectively. Total thiosulfinate content was determined for the first time and a high amount was present in the ethanol extract ($14.2{\mu}M/g$ extract). These results suggest that A. hookeri root has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and could be used as a natural source for the development of pharmaceutical agents or functional foods.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.896-904
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• 2001

Conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) is a group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid(LA) and exhibits anticarcinogenic activity in multiple experimental animal models. Cis-9,trns-11(c9t11) and trans-10,cis-12(t10c12) CLA are the principal isomers found in foods. The present study was performed to determine whether CLA and the two isomers inhibits HT-29 cell proliferation and to assess whether such an effect was related to changes in secretion of eicosanoids. Cells were incubated in serum-free medium with various concentrations(0 to 20$\mu$M) of CLA or LA. CLA inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal inhibition(70 $\pm$ 1%) observed at 20$\mu$M concentration after 96 hours. However, LA had no effect at the same concentration range. To compare the ability of c9f11 and t10c12 to inhibit cell proliferation, cells were incubated with increasing concentrations(0 to 4$\mu$M) of these isomers. T10c12 inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. A 66 $\pm$ 2% decrease in cell number was observed within 96 hours after addition of 4$\mu$M t10c12. By contrast, c9t11 had no effect. The concentrations of CLA and the two isomers in the plasma membrane were increased when they were added to the incubation medium. However, they did not alter the levels of arachidonic acid in plasma membrane. To assess whether the proliferation inhibiting effect of CLA was related to changes in eicosanoid production, prostaglandin E$_2$(PGE$_2$) and leukotriene B$_4$(LTB$_4$) concentrations in conditioned media were estimated by a competitive enzyme immunoassay. Both CLA and t10c12 increased the production of materials reactive to PGE$_2$ and LTB$_4$ antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, c9t11 had no effect. These results indicate that inhibition of HT-29 cell proliferation by CLA is attributed to the effect of the t10v12 isomer. The materials reactive to PGE$_2$ and LTB$_4$ antibodies may inhibit growth stimulatory effect of arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids on HT-29 cell proliferation.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.136-143
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• 2019

In this study, we analyze the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of various extracts of Cryptoporus volvatus. Three extracts were prepared using hot-water, 70% ethanol, and 70% methanol. Compared to the hot-water and 70% methanol extracts, the 70% C. volvatus ethanol extracts showed significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging activities (76.1%), nitrite scavenging activities (29.5%), and total polyphenol content (9.17 mg GAE/g). The DPPH radical and nitrite scavenging activities of C. volvatus both correlated significantly with the total polyphenol content. The Pearson's correlation coefficient of DPPH radical and nitrite scavenging activities with total polyphenol content were r = 0.744 (p<0.05) and r = 0.921 (p<0.01), respectively. To test their anti-inflammatory effects, nitric oxide production and cell viability were measured by performing nitric oxide (NO) and MTT assays on lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells. The NO production levels of the 70% ethanol extract-treated cells were slightly lower than those of the others. In our MTT assay, the hot-water extracts showed higher cell viabilities (81.4%) than those of 70% ethanol and 70% methanol extracts. The ${\beta}$-glucan content of C. volvatus was 37.8%. From the results of this study, it is suggested that C. volvatus, an easily accessible wild mushroom, has potential to be used in the development of medicines, cosmetics, and functional health foods.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1163-1174
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• 2021

Casein-derived antioxidant peptides by using microbial proteases have gained increasing attention. Combination of two microbial proteases, Protin SD-NY10 and Protease A "Amano" 2SD, was employed to hydrolyze casein to obtain potential antioxidant peptides that were identified by LC-MS/MS, chemically synthesized and characterized in a oxidatively damaged HepG2 cell model. Four peptides, YQLD, FSDIPNPIGSEN, FSDIPNPIGSE, YFYP were found to possess high 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability. Evaluation with HepG2 cells showed that the 4 peptides at low concentrations (< 1.0 mg/ml) protected the cells against oxidative damage. The 4 peptides exhibited different levels of antioxidant activity by stimulating mRNA and protein expression of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), but decreasing the mRNA expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Furthermore, these peptides decreased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), but increased glutathione (GSH) production in HepG2 cells. Therefore, the 4 casein-derived peptides obtained by using microbial proteases exhibited different antioxidant activity by activating the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, and they could serve as potential antioxidant agents in functional foods or pharmaceutic preparation.