• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1621-1627
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• 2012

Cell motility plays an essential role in many physiological responses, such as development, immune reaction, and angiogenesis. In the present study, we showed that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) modulates cancer cell migration by regulation of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Stimulation of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells with LPA strongly promoted migration. but this migration was completely blocked by pharmacological inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Inhibition of the ERK pathway had no effect on migration. Stimulation of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells with LPA significantly induced the generation of ROS in a time-dependent manner. LPA-induced generation of ROS was significantly blocked by pharmacological inhibition of PI3K or Akt, but inhibition of the ERK signaling pathway had little effect. LPA-induced generation of ROS was blocked by pretreatment of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells with an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, whereas inhibition of xanthine oxidase, cyclooxygenase, or mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I had no effect. Scavenging of ROS by N-acetylcysteine completely blocked LPA-induced migration of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase blocked LPA-induced migration whereas inhibition of xanthine oxidase, cyclooxygenase, or mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I did not affect LPA-induced migration of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Given these results, we suggest that LPA induces ROS generation through the PI3K/Akt/NADPH oxidase signaling axis, thereby regulating cancer cell migration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1214-1218
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• 2011

We investigated the fruits of Rubus crataegifolius Bge, a plant which has been traditionally used in Korea in phytotherapy, to describe antioxidant materials from plant sources. R. crataegifolius fruits were extracted with methanol and further fractionated into n-hexane, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate. The antioxidant activity of each fraction and the residue was assessed using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), $H_2O_2$ radical scavenging method, and their cytotoxicity on human primary kerationcyte (HK) was determined by an MTS assay. The R. crataegifolius fruit methanol extract showed strong antioxidant activity (75.04%, 50%) compared with vitamin C (79.9%, 54.1%) by the DPPH, and $H_2O_2$ method, respectively. The measured activity from the subsequent extracts of the methanol extract were 20.3% for n-hexane fraction (HF), 68.8% for diethyl ether fraction (DF), 67.1% for ethyl acetate fraction (EF), and 67.1% for the residue fraction (RE) by DPPH and 2.2% for HF, 1.6% for DF, 10% for EF, and 50% for the RE by $H_2O_2$ assay. An oxidative stress model of HK was established under a suitable concentration (1 mM). The cell viability of the RE treated group increased and the percentage of apoptotic cells decreased at concentrations of 0.005-0.02% RE compared with the $H_2O_2$ treated group. Fruit extracts of the medicinal plant R. crataegifolius showed potent antioxidant activity and the ability to relieve cell damage from $H_2O_2$ induced injury to HK.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1407-1414
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• 2012

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective regimen that has been found to prevent these diseases in postmenopausal women. However, HRT is accompanied by an increased risk of unfavorable outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eisenia Bicyclis extract on lipids in ovariectomized rats. Fifty 7-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Eisenia bicyclis extracts. The extract-treated diets were fed to the rats for 6 weeks after operation. Antioxidant effects were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract increased in a dose-dependent manner and was about 55.9% in a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. We measured the total cholesterol content, triglyceride content, HDL-cholesterol content, LDL-cholesterol content, atherosclerotic index, cardiac risk factor in serum, and anti-platelet aggregation and blood rheology. The total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum increased for the OVX-control group, but supplementation with the E. bicyclis extract caused these factors to decrease. Notably, the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in the OVX-EB200 group was significantly lower than the OVX-CON group. In addition, the blood passage times in rats that received the E. bicyclis extract were more rapid than the times in the untreated group (OVX-CON). Microscopic evaluation revealed that whole blood passed more smoothly through the microchannels in rats in the E. bicyclis extract supplement groups. Our results clarified the effects of E. bicyclis extract on serum lipid content in ovariectomized rats, and consequently we expect positive effects from providing E. bicyclis extract to postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1107-1112
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• 2010

In this study, the stable maintenance of bioactivity in alkaline ionized water (AIW) and antibacterial effects of AIW were evaluated to confirm benefits of AIW. As controls, purified water (PW) and tap drinking water (DW) were used. The pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) of AIW, PW and DW used were 9.5 and 120 mV, 7.2 and 144 mV, and 7.3 and 564 mV, respectively. High level of minerals was observed in DW (DW>AIW>PW of mineral contents). Concentrations of $Ca^{++}$ and $Na^+$ in DW were 14.5, and 8.4 mg/l, respectively, while no $Ca^{++}$, $Mg^{++}$, $K^+$, and $Na^+$ were detected in PW. Evaluation of antioxidant activities for AIW, PW and DW showed that the waters did not act as antioxidants. However, the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) or superoxide radical scavenging activities or reducing power of vitamin C were stably maintained in AIW and PW, though not in DW, against heat treatment ($60^{\circ}C$) or vigorous shaking (120 rpm) at $37^{\circ}C$. Similarly, after aspirin treatment at $60^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr, the antithrombosis activity in PW and AIW was 62.6% and 55.3%, while that of DW was 52.1%. Furthermore, cell growth analysis and viable cell count of Escherichia coli H7:O157 in PW, AIW and DW showed that AIW and DW, not DW, have antibacterial activities. Our results suggest that the state of water, for example pH, ORP and mineral contents of water, should be considered in medicine or food industries, and that AIW has high potential for utilization in various fields.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.959-966
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• 2014

This study was carried out to develop a functional healthy drink using 60% ethanol of dried Acanthopanax senticosus stem extract (ASE). The preparation, physical activity, anti-oxidant activity, and sensory properties of ASE were investigated. The moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, and ash contents of dried ASE were $6.50{\pm}0.12%$, $5.89{\pm}0.16%$, $1.18{\pm}0.11%$, and $3.03{\pm}0.40%$ respectively. The 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was $87.42{\pm}1.63%$ at 1/10 folds diluted ASE. In total, 40 male ICR mice were divided into five groups including the control (PBS), positive control (Red ginseng 200 mg/kg/day), and ASE-treated groups at doses of 35, 70, and 140 mg/kg/day for five weeks, respectively. ASE was administrated orally one time per day for five weeks before treadmill exercises, and normal and positive controls were fed PBS and red ginseng extract. In the treadmill test, ASE-treated mice (140 mg/kg/day) could run 1.4 times longer than the control mice. Healthy drinks were prepared with the addition of ASE at levels of 0.97% or 0.49% (A, B, and C type). Among the healthy drinks, the B type (ASE, 0.97%) was revealed to have the highest level of taste and overall acceptability through a sensory evaluation. The brix and pH of the ASE health drink (B type) were 14.9 and 4.51, respectively. These results indicated that the dried stem of Acanthopanax senticosus could be used as a functional material in the health drink industry.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.935-945
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• 2014

Persimmon leaves were commonly consumed as beverages, but were also used as popular folk medicine in Asia. The purpose of this work was to assess the biological activities of Diospyros Lotus L. extracts (DLLE). Various solvent extracts, including n-Hexnae, $CHCl_3$, EtOAc, and n-BuOH fractions, were obtained from the methanol extract of Diospyros Lotus L. leaves. The increasing interest in the powerful biological activity of plant phenolics and flavonoids outlined the necessity for determining their content in medicinal herbs. In this study, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) in the EA fraction were higher than those of other fractions. The biological activities of DLLE were tested using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assay, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as an anti-oxidant effect and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity as an anti-diabetic effect. The EA fraction with high TPC and TFC values showed the highest anti-oxidant effect and high ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition. The EA fractions were further purified into eight fractions using open column chromatography. Higher anti-oxidant and anti-${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity were observed in polar fractions. The content of the flavonoids, including quercein-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, myricetin, luteolin, and kaempferol, were analyzed in effective fractions using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results suggest that DLLE have anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic effects and thus, have the potential as anti-diabetic materials and as a source for natural health products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1501-1508
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• 2013

This study investigated antioxidant activity and the lipid content of serum for the possible outcome of improving the activity of Ishige okamurae extracts in ovariectomized rats. The antioxidant effects of an Ishige okamurae water extract and an Ishige okamurae ethanol extract were measured by evaluating DPPH free radical scavenging activity and SOD-like activity. Fifty, seven-week old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups as follows: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), ovariectomized rats that were treated with 17-beta-estradiol (200 ${\mu}g/kg/day$), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Ishige okamurae extracts (50 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively). The diets were fed to the rats for seven weeks after ovariectomy. The antioxidant activities of the water and ethanol extracts of Ishige okamurae increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the ethanol extract was found to be higher than the water extract. Therefore, we examined the effect of an Ishige okamurae ethanol extract on total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels, and anti-platelet aggregation. The total-cholesterol and triglyceride content of the serum increased in the OVX-CON group compared to the SHAM group, but supplementation with the Ishige okamurae ethanol extract caused these factors to decrease. Notably, the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in the supplemented 200 mg/kg/day Ishige okamurae ethanol extract group was significantly more reduced than it was in the OVX-CON group. In addition, the platelet aggregation ability was lower in the groups treated with Ishige okamurae than it was in the OVX-CON group. According to these results, the effects of Ishige okamurae extract on serum lipid content in ovariectomized rats were illuminated.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1477-1485
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the meat quality and natural di-peptide (carnosine and anserine) content in the loin and ham cuts of female, Korean Native Black Pigs (KNBP) during cold storage for 10 days. The pH value of the loin and the ham cuts increased with an increase in the number of storage days. The lightness ($L^*$) of the loin cuts did not show any significant difference; however, the lightness of the ham cuts was decreased at storage day 10 (p<0.05). The redness ($a^*$) of the ham was higher than the redness of the loin (p<0.05) during the entire 10-days of storage. The water holding capacity of the loin was decreased from 78.5% to 67.9% during storage (p<0.05). The total number of microorganisms and coliforms was increased in both the loin and the ham during storage, and the initial total microbial contamination was higher in the ham cut (5.16 log CFU/g) than it was in the loin cut (4.87 log CFU/g). The carnosine content of the loin and the ham was in the range of 1.12-1.35 mg/ml and no significant difference was found between those two pork cuts. The anserine content of the ham cut was higher than it was in the loin cut until storage day 3. The ratio of carnosine and anserine increased with an increase in the number of storage days and it ranged from 27.6-59.7 for the loin cut and from 20.1-51.2 for the ham cut. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the loin and the ham cuts significantly decreased as the number of storage days increased. For both types of KNBP cuts, lipid oxidation and volatile basic nitrogen significantly increased after storage day 5. These results found that natural antioxidants carnosine and anserine decreased as the number of storage days increased, and anserine decreased more rapidly than carnosine (p<0.05).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.994-1002
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• 2017

This study was performed to evaluate the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, and whitening effects of Zizania latifolia ethanol extracts prepared from 5 different ethanol concentrations (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90%). As the ethanol concentration in the extraction solvent was increased, the radical scavenging activities also increased. The inhibitory activity of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells tended to increase as the content of ethanol increased. The highest inhibitory activity was obtained with 70% ethanol extract. The antiallergy effects of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts were tested by measuring the release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. The suppressive effect of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner as the proportion of ethanol increased, except for the 10% ethanol extract. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts against melanin production in ${\alpha}-melanocyte$ stimulated hormone (MSH)-stimulated B16F0 cells increased as the ethanol ratio increased, and 70 and 90% ethanol extracts showed similar inhibitory activities to arbutin, a positive control, at $250{\mu}m$. The present study confirmed the efficacy of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts in various areas, demonstrating antioxidative, anti-inflammation, antiallergy, skin protective, and skin whitening effects, with no cytotoxicity. It could be used as a raw material in functional foods, as well as in cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.255-260
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• 2005

For selecting a new candidate as functional material, this study was conducted on in vitro antioxidant activity and total phenol content of methanol and water extracts prepared from two Mentha species (M viridis L. (M spicata L.) and Mentha piperita L, Extracts of M. viridis showed more efficient scavenging activity on superoxide and DPPH ${({\alpha},{\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl)}$ radical and inhibitory activity on oxidation of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) induced by $CuSO_4$ and auto-oxidation of linoleic acid than those of M piprita. Methanol extract $(65.88%{\sim}77.59%)$ and water extract $(37.69%{\sim}87.21%)$ of M. viridis also exhibited more potent inhibitory activity on LDL oxidation than that of ${{\alpha}-tocopherol\;(28.37%{\sim}66.54%)}$ at ${1{\sim}100\;{\mu}g/ml}$ of final concentration. The total phenol contents of methanol extract and water extract of Mviridis (17.95% & 10.18%, respectively) as tannic acid equivalent were higher than those of M piperita (15.44% & 9.19%). But the yields of methanol and water extracts of M. viridis (13.3 % & 13.5%) were lower than those of M. piperita (14.1 % & 14.6%). The results implies that the extracts from M. viridis (spicata) is more useful material for industrialization as functional food than those from M. piperita.