• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 2019

Fat accumulation in adipocytes occurs through the process of adipogenesis in which preadipocytes differentiate into adipocytes. Obesity is a metabolic disorder caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the body, which increases the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and various cancers. Recently, inhibition of adipocyte differentiation was shown to be a potential antiobesity strategy. In this study, the inhibitory effect of dichloromethane fractions from Illicium verum Hooker fil. water extract on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to adipocytes was investigated. Dichloromethane fractions from I. verum Hooker fil. significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation when applied during the adipocyte differentiation process, as assessed by measuring fat accumulation using Oil-red O staining. In addition, dichloromethane fractions from I. verum Hooker fil. reduced important adipogenic transcription factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$). The expression of FAS and LPL, which are terminal differentiation markers of mature adipocytes, was also reduced in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with dichloromethane fractions from I. verum Hooker fil. In addition, the treatment significantly inhibited mitotic clonal expansion, which is essential for adipocyte differentiation, by arresting the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Taken together, these results suggest that dichloromethane fractions from I. verum Hooker fil. may be a natural material with antiobesity effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2019

Calystegia soldanella is distributed in coastal sand dunes and has high environmental adaptability; it is also known to be effective for anti-oxidant, anti-pyretic, anti-septic, and diuretic action. This study investigated the effect of crude extracts and organic solvent fractions of C. soldanella on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, MMP activity, and cell mobility in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells. C. soldanella was twice extracted, once with methylene chloride (MC) and once with methanol (MeOH). After the MC and MeOH extracts were combined, their suppressive effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, MMP enzymatic activity, and gene and protein expression were measured by gelatin zymography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot method. Cell mobility for the HT-1080 cells was observed by wound healing assay. The combined crude extracts showed a significant suppressive effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. To explore active inhibitory elements, the combined extracts were fractionated according to polarity into with n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol, n-butanol, and water. Across these four solvent fractions, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and cell mobility in the HT-1080 cells were all strongly inhibited by the n-hexane fraction. These results suggest that C. soldanella extract and organic solvent fractions could be used as potent MMP inhibitors for effective anti-cancer treatments to suppress cancer invasion and metastasis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.665-670
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• 2018

This study was designed to evaluate the physicochemical properties and biological activities (antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activities) of three and seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extracts. Three and seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum contained crude saponins, free amino acids and minerals. Water extracts of the three and seven-year-old plants were prepared using reflux extraction methods. The total polyphenol contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and antimicrobial effects of the extracts were determined. The seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extract had higher TPC ($5.08{\pm}0.07TAEmg/g$) and TFC ($3.80{\pm}0.07QUEmg/g$). DPPH radical scavenging activity ($IC_{50}$ value: $288{\pm}3.88{\mu}g/mL$) and ABTS radical scavenging activity ($IC_{50}$ value: $568{\pm}2.09{\mu}g/mL$). The three and seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extracts exhibited a strong antimicrobial effect against three kinds of bronchus disease-inducing bacteria; the seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extracts showed a stronger antimicrobial effect than the three-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extracts.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.468-478
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of cordyceps militaris extracts for the improvement of cognitive dysfunction in PC12 and BV2 cells. Cordyceps militaris extracts was prepared by extracting with distilled water. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay using PC12 cells and BV2 cells. Confirmed effects of L-glutamate induced cytotoxicity test, Acetylcoline (ACh) concentration, and Acetylcolinestase (AChE) activity in PC12 cells. Anti-inflammatory activities of cordyceps militaris extracts was measured through changes in the levels of nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced BV2 cell. In addition, we measured the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$, p38, JNK, and caspase-3 in western blot analysis. Cordyceps militaris extracts showed no cytotoxicity at the concentrations of 1, 10, and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ except for the concentration of $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Cordyceps militaris extracts protected the cell and exhibited significant increases in the ACh concentration and a significant decrease in the AChE activity in L-glutamate induced PC12 cells. Moreover, cordyceps militaris extracts inhibited the productions NO, and PGE2 level and the protein expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$, p38, JNK, caspase-3 in LPS-induced BV2 cells. These results indicate that cordyceps militaris extracts possible prevented and improved cognitive dysfuction symptoms. Thus, cordyceps militaris extracts may be a novel natural material option for the improvement of cognitive dysfunction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1244-1255
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the stimulatory effects of herbal medicines extracts on cytokines release of immune response in immune cells, RAW 264.7 and TK-1 cell. Methods: In a total of 18 extracts, 9 water extracts and 9 ethanol extracts, of herbal medicines, the quantities of polyphenolic compounds were measured and anti-oxidation activities were determined by colorimetric assay. The herbal medicine extracts were treated on RAW 264.7 and TK-1, respectively, and then the releasing changes of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 from both immune cells were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The polyphenol contents were measured to be 1.56~0.64 mg/g of solids in the two types of extracts with 9 kinds of herbal medicines, while antioxidant activities were found to be 95.62~31.46% as compared with ascorbic acid control. In RAW 264.7 cells treated with herbal medicines extracts, the secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ increased to 1.31~1.18 fold, and the amounts of IL-6 were 68.4~97.9% compared with the control group treated with LPS alone. In particular, the secretion amount of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was suppressed by treatment using herbal medicine extracts. In the case of TK-1 cells, $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion was suppressed according to the concentrations of herbal extract. The released amounts of IL-10 were shown at 10~40 pg/ml, and increased in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Herbal medicines extracts act on macrophages inducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokine, thereby enhancing the activity of innate immunity. When acting on T cells involved in adaptive immunity, the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine is increased to induce the inhibition of the innate immune response.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2019

Unripe astringent persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb. cv. Cheongdo-Bansi) is a by-product produced when thinning out the superfluous fruit of persimmon. We investigated whether unripe astringent persimmon has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Unripe astringent persimmon extract was fractionated sequentially in n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity compared to those of the other fractions. Pretreatment of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages with the ethyl acetate fraction reduced nitric oxide, interleukin-6, and intracellular oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin, and p-coumaric acid as the phenolic compounds of the ethyl acetate fraction. Collectively, these findings suggest that unripe astringent persimmon is a source of functional materials that can promote antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.465-475
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• 2018

This study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of Melissa officinalis extracts and their fractions. The total polyphenol contents of the extracts were 33.02-302.76 mg GAE/g and total flavonoid contents were 9.98-325.07 mg CE/g. In 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed in the extracts and water fractions of M. officinalis and similar to that of ascorbic acid ($30{\mu}M$). In addition, the treatment of chloroform fraction significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells, indicating that they have anti-inflammatory activity. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity of $200{\mu}g/mL$ of 100% ethanol reflux extract showed better inhibitory activity than arbutin treatment at statistically significant level. As a result, it is considered that M. officinalis can be used as an effective cosmetic ingredient having antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and whitening activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.779-784
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• 2019

Free radicals are known to inhibit hair vitality by damaging the cell membranes of the hair follicles. The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant activities and the capacity for hair loss prevention of extracts from Platycodon grandiflorum. We prepared butanol (BF) and water (WF) fractions from P. grandiflorum. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were measured to investigate the antioxidant activities of the fractions. Both fractions exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant activities for DPPH radical production, and BF and WF almost completely suppressed ABTS radical production when supplied at 10 and 100 mg/ml, respectively. We confirmed a skin regeneration effect by treating human HaCaT skin cells with a range of BF and WF concentrations for 24 and 48 hr. The extract treatments accelerated cell proliferation. We also assayed the capacity of BF and WF to suppress inflammation using RAW264.7 cells. BF dose-dependently suppressed nitrous oxide (NO) production. Treatment of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) with BF and WF promoted cell proliferation after 24, 48, and 72 hr of treatment when supplied at 10, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/ml$. Taken together, these results confirm the possibility of using BF and WF extracts from P. grandiflorum in formulating hair loss prevention products.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of water and fermentation extracts of KMS (Kami-Mihudeongsikjang-tang) on AD (atopic dermatitis). Additionally, by applying the fermentation extracts of KMS at the first sensitization and latency period, I investgated whether it could prevent AD. Methods: In this study, to test the effect and preventive efficacy of KMSs on AD. DNCB-induced BALB/c mice of AD model was used. Through histological observation, epidermis and dermis thickness, the infiltration of eoshiphils and mast cells in epidermis and dermis were examined. We measured the serum level of IgE and IL-6, TNF-alpha, and the expressions of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK protein. In order to examine the effect of KMSs on keratinocyte, HaCaT cells were treated TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma to induce an inflammatory response. The KMSs were applied at various concentration in the experimental group. We investigated TARC expression. Results: The treatment groups were reduced epidermis and dermis thickness, inhibited the infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells, reduced the serum level of IL-6. Moreover, sfKMS group reduced serum level of TNF-alpha, inhibited the protein expressions of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and the phosphoryllation of ERK, JNK and p38. Especially sfKMS-pre group were reduced the serum level of IgE, show significant inhibition on the protein expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and the phosphoryllation of ERK, JNK and p38. In the experiment on HaCaT cells, sfKMS group were reduced expression of TARC. Conclusions: These result suggest that wKMS and sfKMS was effective in the treament on AD, and sfKMS would prevent AD.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.356-360
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• 2019

To evaluate antioxidant capacities and total phenolic, flavonoid, and catechin contents of pure green tea packaged in tea bags, green tea bags of 10 commercial brands were purchased and analyzed. Considering commonly used infusion methods, green tea bags were extracted using 150 mL of spring water at $70^{\circ}C$ for 2 min. Ten brands of green tea showed a wide range of total phenolic content (46.3-93.9 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), total flavonoid content (10.3-21.7 mg catechin equivalents/g), and antioxidant capacities (88.8-175.6 mg and 87.9-183.5 mg vitamin C equivalents/g for DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively). Total catechin content of green tea ranged from 33.8-74.7 mg/g, which corresponded to 43.0-108.3 mg/150 mL of cup. Collectively, these results suggest that daily consumption of 3.8-12.5 cups of green tea packaged in tea bags meets the recommended daily intake of catechins in green tea extract as a health functional foods in Korea.