• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.583-595
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of Sargassum horneri extracts on palmitic acid (PA)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in HepG2 cells. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with varying concentrations of S. horneri extract or PA, and the cell viability was measured by water soluble tetrazolium salts analysis. The effective induction of ER stress and the effects of S. horneri were investigated through an examination of the ER stress-related genes, such as activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), X-box binding protein (XBP1s), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression and activation levels of unfolded protein response (UPR) associated proteins, such as inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (IRE1α), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha submit (eIF2α), and CHOP were examined by western blot analysis. Results: The treatment with PA increased the expression of UPR associated genes significantly and induced ER stress in a 12-hour treatment. Subsequent treatment with S. horneri reduced mRNA expression of ATF4, GRP78, and XBP1s. In addition, the protein levels of phosphate (p)-IRE1α, p-elF2α, and CHOP were also reduced by a treatment with S. horneri. An analysis of sirtuin (SIRT) mRNA expression in the S. horneri and PA-treated HepG2 cells showed that S. horneri increased the levels of SIRT2, SIRT6, and SIRT7, which indicates a possible role in reducing the expression of ER stress-related genes. Conclusion: These data indicate that S. horneri can exert an inhibitory effect on ER stress caused by PA and highlight its potential as an agent for managing various ER stress-related diseases.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.803-809
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• 1998

Heavy metal ions in water were removed using algal biomass as adsorbents. Absorbents were dried for 3 days, ground them by 40~60 mesh and then were swelled in a buffer solution for 1hr. After being packed in the column, commercially available standard solution of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions were diluted to get the suitable concentration and then it was eluted with the rate of 1mι/min. Heavy metals on the adsorbents were recovered with nitric acid. More amounts of Cd(II) or Pb(II) ions in green algae, Ulva pertusa, than in brown algae, Sargassum horneri, were adsorbed. Pb(II) ion was adsorbed more than Cd(II) ion in both algae. The pH effect of adsorbed amounts of Cd(II), Pb(II) ions on the biomass was shown the following order ; pH 10.5 ＞ 8.5 ＞ 7.0 ＞ 5.5 ＞ 3.5. Recovery ratio of metal ions front algae is shown higher in acidic or neutral conditions than it in alkalic ones. Pb(II) ion is recovered relatively more than Cd(II) ion in our system.

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2019

Ecklonia cava (EC) has been widely utilized as an ingredient in commercial products such as functional foods and cosmeceuticals. Recently it has been found that Sargassum horneri (SH) has been invading on Jeju Island coast area by its huge blooming. Moreover, both seaweeds are considering as important ingredients in traditional medicine specifically in East-Asian countries (China, Japan, and Korea). In the present study, we attempted to compare anti-inflammatory properties of 70% ethanolic extracts of EC (ECE), SH (SHE), and their different combinations on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Results indicated that 8 : 2 combinations of ECE : SHE significantly inhibited LPS-activated inflammatory responses (cytokines, protein, and gene expression) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells compared to the respective extracts and other combinations. The synergistic effect of ECE and SHE was found to be prominent than the effects of ECE or SHE alone. These observations provide useful information for the industrial formulation of functional materials (functional foods and cosmeceuticals) using these two particular seaweeds in Jeju Island of South Korea.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2023

Sargassum horneri (SH), a brown macroalgae, has medicinal properties. The present study investigated the immune-enhancing effects of SH extract on peritoneal macrophages (PM). The SH significantly increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) in PM. It was confirmed that SH significantly increased NO expression through the increase of iNOS protein expression, which is the up-regulation pathway. Additionally, it was determined if SH activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, an upper regulatory mechanism that influences TNF-α, IL-6, and NO expression. Consequently, SH significantly increased the phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), all of which are MAPK pathway proteins. Moreover, the immune-enhancing effects of SH on another macrophage cell line, bone marrow-derived macrophages were investigated. It was observed that SH significantly enhanced TNF-α, IL-6, and NO production. Overall, this study demonstrates the immune-enhancing effects of SH on macrophages via activated MAPK pathway. Therefore, it suggests that SH has the potential to improve immunological activity in various macrophage cell lines and can be useful as an immune-enhancing treatment.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.503-508
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• 2009

We investigated species composition and variation of benthic marine algae between 2003 and 2006 at Dokdo on the East Sea. The total number of benthic algae species identified was 96, which included 15 Chlorophyta, 30 Phaeophyta, 50 Rhodophyta and 1 Spermatophyta species. The representative species in this study were Ulva pertusa, Caulerpa okamurae, Codium adhaerens, C. frgile, Undaria pinnatifida, Ecklonia cava, Eisenia bicyclis, Dictyopteris undulata, Padina arborescens, Sargassum horneri, Hildenbrandtia rubra, Lithophyllum okamurae, Amphiroa dilatata, Corallina officinalis, C. pilulifera, Prionitis cornea, Grateloupia elliptica, Plocamium telgairiae, Chondrus ocellatus, Chondracanthus intermedia, Chondria crassicaulis, Polysiphonia morrowii, Melobesioidean algae and Phyllospadix sp. Wet weight biomass according to various depths ranged between 1,094.8 to $2,595.3\;g\;m^{-2}$ during the study period. Mean biomass at the investigated sites was greater in the 15m depth range than in the 5 and 10m depths. Vertical distribution was characterized by Ulva intestinalis, U. linza, Endarachne binghamiae, Bangia atropurpurea, Gloiopeltis furcata and Chondria crassicaulis at intertidal zone, Amphiroa dilatata, Corallina pilulifera, Gelidium amansii, Eisenia bicyclis and Ecklonia cava at 2m depth, Ecklonia cava, Eisenia bicyclis, Padina arborescens, Undaria pinnatifida and Sargasum horneri at 5m depth, Ecklonia cava, Sargassum horneri and Padina arborescens at 10m depth, Ecklonia cava, Myagropsis myagroides, Padina arborescens and Sargassum horneri at 15m depth. The R/P, C/P and (R+C)/P value were 1.67, 0.50 and 2.17, respectively.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2015

Seaweed Sargassum horneri extracts were obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide ($SC-CO_2$) and different solvents. $SC-CO_2$ was kept at a temperature of $45^{\circ}C$ and pressure of 250 bar. The flow rate of $CO_2$ (27 g/min) was constant during the entire 2-h extraction period, and ethanol was used as a cosolvent. Six different solvents [acetone, hexane, methanol, ethanol, acetone mix methanol (7:3), and hexane mix ethanol (9:1)] were used for extraction and agitated by magnetic stirring (250 rpm) in the dark at $25^{\circ}C$ for 20 h; the ratio of material to solvent was 1:10 (w/v). Antioxidant properties of S. horneri extracted using $SC-CO_2$ with ethanol and different solvents have shown good activity. The highest activity belongs to $SC-CO_2$ with ethanol extracted oil, showing DPPH, ABTS, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid levels of $68.38{\pm}1.21%$, $83.51{\pm}1.25%$, $0.64{\pm}0.02mg/g$, and $5.57{\pm}0.05mg/g$, respectively. The S. horneri extracts showed a significant correlation between the antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Based on these results, the $SC-CO_2$ extract (ethanol) of the seaweed extract from brown seaweed may be a valuable antioxidant source.

• 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.

• 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sargassum horneri is an edible brown alga that grows in the subtidal zone as an annual species along the coasts of South Korea, China, and Japan. Recently, an extreme amount of S. horneri moved into the coasts of Jeju Island from the east coast of China, which made huge economic and environmental loss to the Jeju Island. Thus, utilization of this biomass becomes a big issue with the local authorities. Therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of crude polysaccharides (CPs) extracted from S. horneri China strain in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: CPs were precipitated from S. horneri digests prepared by enzyme assistant extraction using four food-grade enzymes (AMG, Celluclast, Viscozyme, and Alcalase). The production levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ were measured by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were measured by using western blot. The IR spectrums of the CPs were recorded using a fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrometer. RESULTS: The polysaccharides from the Celluclast enzyme digest (CCP) showed the highest inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells ($IC_{50}$ value: $95.7{\mu}g/mL$). Also, CCP dose-dependently down-regulated the protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, compared to the only LPS-treated cells. In addition, CCP inhibited the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p50 and p65 and the phosphorylation of MAPKs, including p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, FT-IR analysis showed that the FT-IR spectrum of CCP is similar to that of commercial fucoidan. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CCP has anti-inflammatory activities and is a potential candidate for the formulation of a functional food ingredient or/and drug to treat inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.507-514
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• 2018

Purpose: Sargassum horneri (S. horneri) is a species of brown macroalgae that is common along the coast of Japan and Korea. The present study investigated the immuno-modulatory effects of different types of S. horneri extracts in RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods: S. horneri was extracted by three different methods, hot water extraction, 50% ethanol extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction. Cell viability was then measured by MTT assay, while the production levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Griess assay, respectively. The expression and activation levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) were examined by western blot analysis. Results: The three different S. horneri extracts were nontoxic against RAW 264.7 cells up to $50{\mu}g/mL$, among which treatment with hot water extract (HWE) of S. horneri significantly enhanced the production of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and NO in a dose-dependent manner. Hot water extract of S. horneri also increased the expression level of iNOS, suggesting that up-regulation of iNOS expression by HWE of S. horneri was responsible for the induction of NO production. In addition, treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with HWE of S. horneri increased the phosphorylation levels of ERK, p38 and JNK. Furthermore, the activation and subsequent nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ was enhanced upon treatment with HWE of S. horneri, indicating that HWE of S. horneri activates macrophages to secrete TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and NO and induces iNOS expression via activation of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPKs signaling pathways. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that HWE of S. horneri possesses potential as a functional food with immunomodulatory activity.