• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.6.1-6.10
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• 2019

Background: This study is aimed at identifying the anti-inflammatory properties of 70% ethanol extract produced from an edible brown seaweed Sargassum horneri (SJB-SHE) with industrial-scale production by Seojin Biotech Co. Ltd. S. horneri is a rich source of nutrient and abundantly growing along the shores of Jeju, South Korea. Methods: Here, we investigated the effect of SJB-SHE on LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The cytotoxicity and NO production of SJB-SHE were evaluated using MTT and Griess assays, respectively. Additionally, protein expression and gene expression levels were quantified using ELISA, Western blots, and RT-qPCR. Results: Our results indicated that pre-treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with SJB-SHE significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ production. SJB-SHE downregulated the proteins and genes expression of LPS-induced iNOS and COX2. Additionally, SJB-SHE downregulated LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-$1{\beta}$). Furthermore, SJB-SHE inhibited nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activation and translocation to the nucleus. SJB-SHE also suppressed the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK1/2 and JNK). Conclusions: Collectively, our results demonstrated that SJB-SHE has a potential anti-inflammatory property to use as a functional food ingredient in the future.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.7.1-7.10
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• 2019

Sargassum serratifolium ethanolic extract has been known for strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We prepared hexane fraction from the ethanolic extract of S. serratifolium (HSS) to improve biological activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of HSS on the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$-induced monocyte adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that HSS suppressed the production of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HUVECs. Moreover, TNF-${\alpha}$-induced production of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and keratinocyte chemoattractant was inhibited by HSS treatment. HSS suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation via preventing proteolytic degradation of inhibitor ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$. HSS induced the production of heme oxygenase 1 via translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus in TNF-${\alpha}$-treated HUVECs. Overall, HSS alleviated vascular inflammation through the downregulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and the upregulation of Nrf2 activation in TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HUVECs. These results indicate that HSS may be used as therapeutic agents for vascular inflammatory disorders.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2022

In this study, in order to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of sargassum horneri extract, the effects of the extract on lipase activity and preadipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells were investigated. S. horneri extract between 0.0 and 1.0 mg/mL showed no cytotoxicity and inhibited lipase activity by 68.1%. When S. horneri extract was utilized at levels of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL in 3T3-L1 cells, preadipocytes differentiation decreased by 11.4, 19.7, and 25.6%, respectively, showing anti-obesity effects. In addition, after treatment with 1.0 mg/mL S. horneri extract, the mRNA expression levels of sterol regulatory element binding proteins-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α (CEBP-α), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1) in 3T3-L1 cells were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) by 65.2, 54.9, 50.0, 33.8, and 33.8% respectively. These results showed that S. horneri extract suppresses lipase activity and prophylactic preadipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1, and thus can be used as an anti-obesity agent in functional foods and medicines.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.45-53
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• 2021

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated whether a 70% ethanolic (EtOH) extract of Sargassum horneri had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells. [Methods] The proximate composition, fatty acids, amino acids, and dietary fiber of S. horneri, various biologically active compounds, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. [Results] The DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities, as well as the reduction power, of the S. horneri extract used here were significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner. This indicates that S. horneri contains bioactive compounds, such as phenols and flavonoids, that have excellent antioxidant activity. The cellular viability and metabolic activity results confirmed that the extract had no discernible toxicity at concentrations up to 100 ㎍/mL. The levels of nitrites and cytokines (PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-6), which mediate pro-inflammatory effect, were significantly inhibited by treatment with either 50 or 100 ㎍/mL S. horneri extract, whereas that of IL-1β was significantly inhibited by treatment with 100 ㎍/mL of the extract. Similarly, the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins also decreased according to 50 or 100 ㎍/mL extract concentrations. NF-κB binding to DNA was also significantly inhibited by treatment with 100 ㎍/mL of extract. [Conclusion] These results suggest that 70% EtOH extracts of S. horneri can relieve inflammation caused by disease or high intensity exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2023

Seaweed-derived foods have long been popular in Korea because of their high content of nutrients that are beneficial to the human body. Recently, Korean seaweeds have been used as raw materials to produce new natural products with health benefits. Herein, we compared the antioxidant activity of 16 Korean seaweed extracts to explore their potential utility as health foods. The total phenolic content (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of seaweed extracts were determined. We also investigated their ability to protect human diploid fibroblast (HDF) cells against hydrogen peroxide. The results showed that seaweed extracts at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL did not cause any cell toxicity. Sargassum thunbergii (Jichung-i) had the highest TPC and radical scavenging effects, followed by Porphyra tenera (Gim), Silvetia siliquosa (Tteumbugi), and Sargassum fusiforme (Tot). Hydrogen peroxide increased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species, while P. tenera (Gim), Saccharina japonica (Dasima), and S. thunbergii (Jichung-i) extracts significantly decreased it. The effect was highest in the S. thunbergii (Jichung-i)-treated HDF cells. These findings indicate that S. thunbergii (Jichung-i) shows promise as a potential antioxidant raw material.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.363-370
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• 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammation associated with skin hypersensitivity caused by environmental factors. The objent of this study was to assess the hot water extracts of Sargassum horneri (SHHWE) on AD. AD was induced by spreading 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on the BALB/c mice. The efficacy of SHHWE was tested by observing the immunoglobulin E (IgE), cytokine, skin clinical severity score and cytokine secretions in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocytes. The levels of interleukine (IL)-4, IL-5 and IgE, the pro-inflammatory cytokines that are closely related, were notably suppressed in a does-dependent manner by SHHWE, whereas the level of interferon γ (IFN-γ), the atopy-related Th1 cytokine inhibiting the production of Th2 cytokines, was increased. Therefore, these results show that SHHWE has a potent anti- inhibitory effect on AD and is highly valuable for cosmetic development.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.355-365
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• 2023

The Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, is a highly valued and industrially important aquaculture species with growing demands of the expanding abalone aquaculture industry. To explore the feasibility of using the brown alga, Sargassum horneri, as a potential substitute for abalone feed, it is important to identify the feed preference and attractant effect of S. horneri on Pacific abalone. Our experiments indicated that the feeding-associated movement of abalone could be detected using a video tracking system under indirect illumination with dim red light. To further analyze the attraction potentials of various test materials, preference analysis was performed using Avicel-coated glass plates with ground powders of various seaweeds (e.g., S. horneri, Saccharina japonica, and Undaria pinnatifida) and commercial abalone feed, together with coffee waste. Heat map analysis indicated greater attraction by the kelp S. japonica than by S. horneri and commercial feed, which showed similar preference levels. Feeding preference based on the area of Avicel eaten by abalone showed a significant preference for U. pinnatifida over S. horneri (feeding area: 68.6 ± 20.1% vs. 37.5 ± 22.4%, p < 0.05). Additionally, the feeding area was significantly greater for plates with S. japonica than for plates with S. horneri (44.0 ± 16.6% vs. 22.6 ± 15.4%, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in feeding area between commercial feed and S. horneri (31.7 ± 11.6% vs. 31.6 ± 20.2%, p > 0.05). The methanol extracts attracted abalone in the following order: U. pinnatifida > S. horneri > S. japonica > commercial feed > coffee waste. To determine the attractive effects of the components of methanol extracts, mixtures of methanol extracts of commercial feed with increasing amounts of S. horneri were examined. The results showed a significant increase in feeding preference upon addition of S. horneri up to 50% and 75%, suggesting its potential for use as an appetite-enhancing feed additive. This study identified conditions that can be successfully used to monitor the movement of Pacific abalone; the results of preference analysis confirmed that abalone exhibited similar attraction and feeding preference for S. horneri, compared with commercial feed.

• ALGAE
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.331-347
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• 2022

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of major skin inflammatory diseases characterized by excessive Th2-mediated immune responses. Recent evidence provides that interlukin-13 (IL-13) plays the role of a key Th2 cytokine that drives the inflammation underlining AD. Due to adverse effects of commercially available synthetic drugs, the need for treatments based on natural products is gaining much attention. Sargassum horneri is an edible brown algae known for beneficial bioactivities including anti-inflammation. We investigated if polyphenol-rich S. horneri extracts (SHE) could suppress AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice and if that involved inhibition of the infiltration of Th2-mediated cytokine IL-13. We observed markedly increased infiltration of IL-13 positive cells in AD-like skin lesions of mice but SHE treatments decreased it. Also, the dermal expression of IL-13 was sufficient to cause inflammatory responses in mice skin resembling human AD. SHE suppressed the dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells where IL-13 plays a crucial role in skin tissues and in the recruitment of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, it was confirmed that SHE reduced T cell, dendritic cell, and macrophage populations in spleen. Moreover, SHE decreased the collagen deposition in skin and ear dermis resulting in reduced fibrosis that occurs in AD due to excessive collagen. Taken together, our results reveal that SHE suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory cells into skin dermis by decreasing the infiltration of IL-13 positive cells. Therefore, SHE could be taken as a useful therapeutic agent to alleviate AD.

• ALGAE
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.295-306
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• 2023

Human coronavirus diseases, particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, still remain a persistent public health issue, and many recent studies are focusing on the quest for new leads against coronaviruses. To contribute to this growing pool of knowledge and explore the available marine natural products against coronaviruses, this study investigated the antiviral effects of fucoxanthin isolated from Sargassum siliquastrum-a brown alga found on Jeju Island, South Korea. The antiviral effects of fucoxanthin were confirmed in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected Vero cells, and its structural characteristics were verified in silico using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations and in vitro colorimetric method. Fucoxanthin inhibited the infection in a concentration-dependent manner, without showing cytotoxicity. Molecular docking simulations revealed that fucoxanthin binds to the angiotensinconverting enzyme 2-spike protein (binding energy -318.306 kcal mol^-1) and main protease (binding energy -205.118 kcal mol^-1). Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations showed that fucoxanthin remains docked to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-spike protein for 20 ns, whereas it breaks away from main protease after 3 ns. Also, the in silico prediction of the fucoxanthin was verified through the in vitro colorimetric method by inhibiting the binding between angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 and spike protein in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that fucoxanthin exhibits antiviral effects against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by blocking the entry of the virus. Therefore, fucoxanthin from S. siliquastrum can be a potential candidate for treating coronavirus infection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2006

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of solvent extracts from Sargassum thunbergii by measuring electron-donating ability (EDA), nitrite- scavenging ability, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, reducing power and antioxidant activity in $\beta-carotene-linoleate$ model system. Total phenolic compound contents of chloroform and methanol extracts from Sargassum thunbergii were $22.5{\pm}0.8$ mg/100 mL and $20.1{\pm}0.6$ mg/100 mL, respectively. The EDA were proportionally increased with concentration of the extracts except hexane extract. The EDAs were $70.4\%\;and\;63.2\%$ in methanol and water at concentration of $1000{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The nitrite-scavenging ability of methanol extract (pH 2.5, $1000{\mu}g/mL$) was $89.4{\pm}0.9\%$ that was higher than those of other extracts. SOD-like ability of chloroform extract was stronger than other extracts. Reducing power of chloroform extracts at $1000{\mu}g/mL$ were 0.75 as O.D. value of 700 nm and antioxidant activities measured with $\beta-carotene-linoleate$ model system were in order of methanol $(78.4\%)>BHT\;(72.1\%)>chloroform\;(62.2\%)>water\;(51.4\%)>hexane\;(43.2\%)$. These results indicated that methanol extract from Sargassum thunbergii showed the highest activities on the EDA, nitrate- scavenging ability and antioxidant activities while the chloroform extract had the highest effect on the SOD-like activity and reducing power.