• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.710-713
• /
• 2017

This study evaluates the ability of corn silk (Zea mays L.) extract to function as a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic therapeutic agent. The anti-inflammatory effects of corn silk were evaluated by measuring the inhibitory activities of nitric oxide (NO) and production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$. Anti-atopic effects were assessed by measuring the repression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC). These results indicated that NICS-1 (corn silk ethanol extract) and NICS-3 (high maysin corn silk ethanol extract) functioned as anti-inflammatory agents by down-regulating LPS-induced NO and TNF-${\alpha}$. Additionally, two extracts showed weak repression of TARC expression levels in tumor necrosis factor TNF-${\alpha}$ plus IFN-${\gamma}$ induced HaCaT cells, respectively. These results suggest that corn silk extracts have anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic activities, and thus have the potential to reduce and alleviate the symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.349-357
• /
• 2014

In this study, the shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured Raoulia australis using the bioreactor culture system was tested for use a natural cosmetic ingredient. Tissue-cultured R. australis shoot clumps extract was tested anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity for a cosmetic application. R. australis is a wild herbaceous plant of the asteraceae growing in New Zealand and Australia. Previous studies have reported anti-viral activity of the inhibitory effects for the growth of viruses induced meningitis, bronchitis and respiratory diseases but other biological effects are unknown. The shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured R. australis showed higher anti-oxidant effect and anti-inflammatory effect than the natural R. australis extract. In DPPH, NBT and ABTS assay, the shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured R. australis enhanced radical scavenging activity (up to 10~25% at $50{\mu}L/mL$) more than the natural R. australis extract. Also, the shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured R. australis inhibited expression of iNOS and COX-2 protein in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages more than the natural R. australis extract. From this study, the shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured R. australis displayed strong possibility as a new natural cosmetic ingredient for skin-care products.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.45 no.10
• /
• pp.618-624
• /
• 2008

Various calcium phosphate bioceramics are distinguished by their excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Especially, the exceptional biodegradability of $\beta$-TCP makes it a bone graft substitute of choice in many clinical applications. The activation of osteoclasts, differentiated from macrophage precursor cells, trigger a cell-mediated resorption mechanism that renders $\beta$-TCP biodegradable. Based on this evidence, we studied the biodegradation process of granular-type $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute through in vitro and in vivo studies. Raw 264.7 cells treated with RANKL and M-CSF differentiated into osteoclasts with macrophage-like properties, as observed with TRAP stain. These osteoclasts were cultured with $\beta$-TCP nano powders synthesized by microwave-assisted process. We confirmed the phagocytosis of osteoclasts by observing $\beta$-TCP particles in their phagosomes via electron microscopy. No damage to the osteoclasts during phagocytosis was observed, nor did the $\beta$-TCP powders show any sign of cytotoxicity. We also observed the histological changes in subcutaneous tissues of rats implanted with granule-type $\beta$-TCP synthesized by fibrous monolithic process. The $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute was well surrounded with fibrous tissue, and 4 months after implantation, 60% of its mass had been biodegraded. Also, histological findings via H&E stain showed a higher level of infiltration of lymphocytes as well as macrophages around the granule-type $\beta$-TCP. From the results, we have concluded that macrophages play an important role in the biodegradation process of $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitutes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.68 no.3
• /
• pp.168-174
• /
• 2010

Background: Sepsis still has a high mortality rate despite adequate supportive care. Newer therapeutic modalities have been developed but they have generally ended in failure. Recently, insulin was reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the $I{\kappa}B/NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway, and may have therapeutic potential in sepsis. However, the precise mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of insulin is unclear. This study examined the role of insulin in activating $I{\kappa}B/NF-{\kappa}B$ in macrophage. Methods: Raw 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, were used in this experiment. Western blotting using $I{\kappa}B$ Ab and phosphor-specific $I{\kappa}B$ Ab was performed to evaluate the degradation and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$ cells. For the $I{\kappa}B$ Kinase (IKK) activity, an immune complex kinase assay was performed. The level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by ELISA to determine the level of proinflammatory cytokine. Results: $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation began 30 min after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. However, an insulin pretreatment suppressed the $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation caused by the LPS treatment. The phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and IKK activity was also inhibited by the insulin pretreatment. Finally, the insulin pretreatment showed a tendency to suppress the induction of IL-6 by LPS. Conclusion: Insulin might have an anti-inflammatory effect though partial inhibition of the $I{\kappa}B/NF{\kappa}B$ pathway in macrophage cell lines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.550-555
• /
• 2013

Extrinsic skin aging is characterized by the loss of skin tone and resilience, irregular pigmentation, and deep wrinkles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ehwa Makgeolli containing oriental herbs (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Lycium chinense MILL., Morus alba L., and Saururus chinensis Baill) on skin whitening and wrinkling in human skin cells. We prepared Makgeolli extracts (HEE) with 70% ethanol. HEE significantly inhibited in vitro mushroom tyrosinase activity and reduced the cellular and secreted melanin content of mouse melanoma melanocytes (B16F1 cells). HEE down-regulated the protein expression of tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1/-2, a key player in melanogenesis. Treatment with HEE in human keratinoctyes (HaCaT cells) inhibited the proteolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/-9 in a dose-dependent manner and dramatically reduced the expression of MMP-2/-9. In addition, HEE attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). These results indicate that HEE may be a great cosmeceutical ingredient for its whitening, anti-wrinkle, and anti-inflammatory effects.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.233-238
• /
• 2008

This experiment was conducted to enhance the colored potatoes utilization and to determine the biological activity of colored potato extracts. In order to understand the factors responsible for the potent anti-oxidant ability of colored potatoes, it has been evaluated for anti-oxidative activity using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. 'Hongyoung' extract was significant anti-oxidant activities in ORAC assay. About two-fold higher radical absorbance capacity was found in 'Hongyoung' compared to that in 'Jayoung'. The ability of 80% ethanol extracts from colored potatoes to influence the inhibitory activity of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has also been investigated. The various therapeutic benefit claims in the new functional medicinal usage of colored potatoes ascribed to the phenolic compounds and anthocyanin. This result revealed that the extracts of colored potatoes are expected to be good candidate for development into sources of free radical scavenger or COX-2 inhibiting agents.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.369-374
• /
• 2018

In this study, Lactobacillus brevis SM61 from traditional Kimchi was used for fermentation of aqueous extract of P. brevitarsis larva and mountain ginseng. As measured by MTT assay, aqueous extract of P. brevitarsis larva and fermented mixture of aqueous extract and mountain ginseng did not show specific cellular toxicity in RAW264.7 cells until a concentration of $5-1000{\mu}g/mL$. The polyphenol contents was highest in the fermented mixture of aqueous extract and mountain ginseng. DPPH radical scavenging activity was stronger in the fermented mixture of aqueous extract and mountain ginseng than the aqueous extract. Also, antibacterial activity was tested against E. coli, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus. The fermented mixture of aqueous extract and mountain ginseng showed antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. Therefore, L. brevis SM61 as a starter might be used to improve functionality of P. brevitarsis larva.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.27 no.4 s.91
• /
• pp.293-298
• /
• 1999

An one percent sodium carbonate extract prepared from sclerotia of Poria cocos activated the proliferation of the T lymphocytes as measured by mixed lymphocyte responses(MLR). The active fraction, PCSC22, was isolated from an one percent sodium carbonate extract by a combination of fractionation procedures, including ethanol precipitation and chromatographies on column of DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G50. Carbohydrate and peptide contained in PCSC22 were 78 : 22% in ratio. On employing gel filtration high performance liquid chromatography, PCSC22 exhitited a homogeneous peak with an average molecular weight of 8 kDa. The sugar moiety of PCSC22 was composed with mannose (92%), galactose (6.2%) and arabinose (1.3%), which might be indicated as heteromannan. Fifteen amino acids were found in peptide moiety of the polysaccharide and aspartic acid, serine, and valine were major components. PCSC22 activated the primary proliferation of T lymphocytes measured by mixed lymphocyte responses, the antibody production of the B lymphocytes and the secretion of nitric oxide from macrophage cell line, RAW264.7.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.596-603
• /
• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate traditional medicinal plants (TMP) 1 and 2, two different multi-herbal mixtures consisting of 24 herbs. Regarding the contents of flavonoid compounds, the ethanol extract (EE) of TMP2 yielded the highest content of flavonoid compounds (40.981 mg/g), followed by EE of TMP1 (28.23 mg/g), hot water extract of TMP2 (WE, 10.046 mg/g), and WE of TMP1 (6.59 mg/g). Antioxidant activities of EE and WE of TMP1 and TMP2 were measured based on DPPH radical scavenging activity. At 1 mg/ml, the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was shown in EE of TMP2 (96%), followed by EE of TMP1 (94%). Nitric oxide (NO) production by RAW264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was reduced to 82, 77, 86, and 47% by addition of $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ of EE and WE of TMP1 and TMP2, respectively. These results were not due to the cytotoxicity of the extracts. NO synthesis was increased by 2.3, 3.6, 3.0, and 1.8 fold by addition of $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ of EE and WE of TMP1 and TMP2, respectively. These results show that medicinal plants play a significant role in antioxidative activity and activation of the immune system in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, and different mixtures of the medicinal plants showed different effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.38 no.11
• /
• pp.1478-1484
• /
• 2009

The antioxidant, antiproliferation, and nitrate synthesis inhibitory effects of Magnolia denudata extracts (ME) were evaluated. The ME was extracted with 70% (v/v) ethanol and fractionated with solvents of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-buthanol and aqueous. The ethyl acetate fraction contained the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents of 427.10 mg garlic acid eq/g and 356.05 mg catechin eq/g, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with a 50% inhibition concentration ($IC_{50}$) of 0.20 mg/mL and total antioxidant activity was 0.90 mg AA eq/100 mg. From the results of cytotoxic effects of HCT116, NCL-H460, and HepG2 human cancer cells by MTT assay on the ME and its solvent fraction, chloroform fraction showed the highest cytotoxic effect ($IC_{50}$ value: 0.14, 0.37, and 0.41 mg/mL, respectively). Nitrate synthesis inhibitory effect of ME and its solvent fractions on nitric oxide synthase activity in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were decreased in dose-dependent manners, and $IC_{50}$ value of hexane and chloroform fractions were 0.39 and 0.49 mg/mL, respectively.