• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Objective ： Lonicera japonica contains anti complementary polysaccharides and polyphenolic compound. Among these polyphenolic substances, chlorogenic acid is the major active component of this plant. However, the immunological mechanisms for these activities, have not been elucidated, nor the active components. To clarify immunomodulatory effects of those we examined the relationship between the activity of CD8+ T cell-mediated lysis and the frequency of cytokine profiles in spleen, thymus (especially IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, GM-CSF etc.) expressing CD8+ T cells activated by IL-2. Methods : To study immunomodulatory effects ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica, chlorogenic acid on cytokine gene expression from spleen, thymus cells, RT-PCR was performed after quantitative normalization for each gene by a densitometry using ${\beta}$-actin gene expression. A modified standard $^{51}Cr$-release assay was used to measure cytotoxic activities of cytotoxic T cells. Spleen, thymus cells from NOD mice were stained with CD3, CD4, CD44, CD69 in staining buffer and analyzed by two color flow cytometry. Results : We showed that ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica in combination with IL-2 resulted in a significant enhancement of PCR products for IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-10, GM-CSF, IL-6 and cytotoxtic CD8+ T cell proportion in spleen and thymus T cells in NOD mice. This suggests that IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-6 like IL-4 may be acting as a regulatory rather than proinflammatory cytokine. Conclusions : In conclusion, based on the results of the present study which showed that ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica and chlorogenic acid upregulating cytokine gene expression in spleen and thymus, we are tempted to speculate that some of the therapeutic efficacies such as anti-diabetic activity of Lonicera japonica are due to the immunomodulatory its ethylacetate fraction and chlorogenic acid.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.650-657
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• 2021

Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug and has anticancer effects on various cancers. Several studies have suggested that metformin reduces cell proliferation and stimulates cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the definitive molecular mechanism of metformin in the pathophysiological signaling in endometrial tumorigenesis and metastasis is not clearly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of metformin on the cell viability and apoptosis of human cervical HeLa and endometrial HEC-1-A and KLE cancer cells. Metformin suppressed cell growth in a dose-dependent manner and dramatically evoked apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells, while apoptotic cell death and growth inhibition were not observed in endometrial (HEC-1-A, KLE) cell lines. Accordingly, the p27 and p21 promoter activities were enhanced while Bcl-2 and IL-6 activities were significantly reduced by metformin treatment. Metformin diminished the phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K and 4E-BP1 by accelerating adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) in HeLa cancer cells, but it did not affect other cell lines. To determine why the anti-proliferative effects are observed only in HeLa cells, we examined the expression level of liver kinase B1 (LKB1) since metformin and LKB1 share the same signalling system, and we found that the LKB1 gene is not expressed only in HeLa cancer cells. Consistently, the overexpression of LKB1 in HeLa cancer cells prevented metformin-triggered apoptosis while LKB1 knockdown significantly increased apoptosis in HEC-1-A and KLE cancer cells. Taken together, these findings indicate an underlying biological/physiological molecular function specifically for metformin-triggered apoptosis dependent on the presence of the LKB1 gene in tumorigenesis.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.800-806
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• 2012

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by oxidative stresses which cause various chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer) has been reported to contain various biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, radioprotective, anti-amnestic and anti-aging effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of Panax ginseng, treated with high temperatures and high pressures, on oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oxidative stress was induced in the C2C12 cells through the introduction of $H_2O_2$ (1 mM), and cells were then treated with various ginseng preparations: dried white ginseng (DG), steamed ginseng (SG) and high temperature and high pressure treated ginseng (HG). In addition, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with various ginsengs for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. Our results show that HG treatment significantly protected oxidative stress in both cell lines and enhanced gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the protective effects of ginseng on the oxidative stress of adipocytes and muscle cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.444-453
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• 2018

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), of the Poaceae/Gramineae family, is a common grain in the surrounding area. It has been used in Ancient Egyptian medicine and it has been used worldwide for many years as food and as an ingredient in beer. Barley has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti -carcinogenic and anti-diabetic effects. So far, a lot of research has been done on barley but the effects of fermented barley seeds with lactic acid bacteria have not been studied largely. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol-extracted barley seeds after their fermentation with lactic acid bacteria. The biological activities of fermented barley seeds with lactic acid bacteria and non-fermented barley seeds were analyzed for total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase-like activity and tyrosinase inhibition. These results showed that fermented barley seeds with lactic acid bacteria have more advanced anti-oxidant and whitening properties than non-fermented barley seeds. Hence, we suggest that fermenting barley seeds with lactic acid bacteria can be an impressive material in the food and cosmetic industries.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.307-314
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• 2024

Broussonetia kazinoki twig extract (BKT) is recognized for its antioxidant and anti-cancer effects and natural whitening properties. So, it is used as a raw material for cosmetics. B. kazinoki twig is also an edible raw material. B. kazinoki has been used in Asia for paper production and oriental medicine, has anti-diabetic effects, and contains various flavonoids and alkaloids. In this study, to evaluate the efficacy of BKT on allergic skin inflammatory responses, we investigated its effects on factors related to skin inflammation in HaCaT keratinocytes and allergic responses in RBL-2H3 cells. There was no cytotoxicity of the 70% ethanol extract against HaCaT and RBL-2H3 cells. In HaCaT cells, stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-𝛼) and interferon-gamma (IFN-𝛾) increased the production of several chemokines, including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). However, it was observed that this elevation was notably mitigated in a concentration-dependent manner upon treatment with BKT. Furthermore, BKT treatment demonstrated a significant reduction of 𝛽-hexosaminidase and inflammatory cytokines TNF-𝛼 and IL-4 in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. Thus, it is expected that BKT can be used as a natural cosmetic and food ingredient that effectively suppresses allergic inflammatory reactions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2017

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects; however, its effect on postprandial blood glucose levels remains unknown. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors regulate post-prandial hyperglycemia by impeding carbohydrate digestion in the small intestine. Here, the effect of C3G on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ and ${\alpha}-amylase$ inhibition and its ability to ameliorate postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were evaluated. ICR normal and STZ-induced diabetic mice were orally administered soluble starch alone or with C3G or acarbose. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of C3G for ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ and ${\alpha}-amylase$ were 13.72 and $7.5{\mu}M$, respectively, suggesting that C3G was more effective than acarbose. The increase in postprandial blood glucose levels was more significantly reduced in the C3G groups than in the control group for both diabetic and normal mice. The area under the curve for the diabetic mice was significantly reduced following C3G administration. C3G may be a potent ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitor and may delay dietary carbohydrate absorption.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1052-1058
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• 2017

Gelidium amansii shows antioxidant and anti-obesity effects; however, the effect on postprandial blood glucose levels is not known. The objective of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Gelidium amansii extract (GAE) on carbohydrate-digesting enzymes and its ability to alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Gelidium amansii was extracted with 80% ethanol and concentrated for use in this study. The ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ and ${\alpha}-amylase$ inhibition assays were performed using the colorimetric method. ICR normal and STZ-induced diabetic mice were orally administered GAE (300 mg/kg body weight) or acarbose (100 mg/kg body weight) alone or soluble starch (2 g/kg body weight). Blood samples were taken from the tail vein at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min. Our results indicated that GAE markedly inhibited ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ and ${\alpha}-amylase$ activities with $IC_{50}$ values of $0.099{\pm}0.009mg/ml$ and $0.178{\pm}0.038mg/ml$, respectively, and was a more effective inhibitor than acarbose, the positive control. Further, the postprandial blood glucose levels of STZ-induced diabetic mice in the GAE-administered group were significantly lower than those of control group mice (p<0.05). Moreover, the area under the curves (AUC) significantly decreased with GAE administration in STZ-induced diabetic mice (p<0.05). These results indicate that GAE may be effective in decreasing postprandial blood glucose levels by inhibiting carbohydrate-digesting enzymes such as ${\alpha}-amylase$ and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$. Therefore, GAE could be used as a potential functional food for alleviating postprandial hyperglycemia.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 2015

Sodium butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid derivative found in foods, such as Parmesan cheese and butter and is produced by anaerobic bacteria fermentation of dietary fibers in the large intestine. There have been reports that butyrate prevented obesity, protected insulin sensitivity, and ameliorated dyslipidemia in dietary obese mice. This study investigated the effects of sodium butyrate on fasting blood glucose level and serum lipid profile in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed AIN-93G for four weeks prior to intraperitoneal injections with STZ (100 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic mice had supplements of 5% sodium butyrate for four weeks. The 5% sodium butyrate diet significantly improved fasting blood glucose level and lipid profile in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Inflammation has been recognized to decrease beta cell insulin secretion and increase insulin resistance. Circulating cytokines can directly affect beta cell function, leading to secretory dysfunction and increased apoptosis. Thus, anti-inflammatory therapies represented a potential approach for the therapy of diabetes and its complications. In this animal study, the 5% sodium butyrate supplementation also inhibited inflammatory cytokine production in STZ-induced diabetic mice. These results suggested that sodium butyrate can be a potential candidate for the prevention of diabetes and its complications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.542-547
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• 2008

The anti-diabetic effects of water extracts (WE) from medicinal herbs on hepatic glucose-regulating enzymes, such as glucokinase (GCK), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, were studied using the cytosol fraction in liver and mitochondia fraction in heart of a type II diabetic animal (GK rat, Goto-Kakizaki). The free radical scavenging activity of water extracts by DPPH method was also tested. We found that free radical scavenging activity was strong in Corni fructu (CF), Mokdan Bark (MDB), Chenhwabon (CHB) and Sanyack (SY), while that of Backbocreng (BBR), Shuckgihwang (SGH) and Taecsa (TS) was lower. For GCK activity in cytosol of liver, CF and CHB had a more effective activity than other extracts. PDH activity in mitochondria fraction of heart was higher in all of the extracts, expect for the TS extract, than in the control. ACC activity in cytosol fraction of liver was significantly higher in the CF, CHB, SGH, TS and SY extracts than in the control. CF, BBR and MDB led to a decrease in the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity. Therefore, these results suggest that all of the extracts may be used as functional material in the development as anti-diabetic functional food and medicine.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the hypoglycemic and kidney protective effect of black ginseng in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods and Results: Diabetes was induced by treating mice with streptozotocin (STZ) for four weeks. In vivo studies were performed in order to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the black ginseng prosapogenin (GBG05-FF) extract. The body weight and blood glucose level were measured. Moreover, after the mice were sacrificed, the kidneys were isolated and histological changes were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were also measured. The results showed that administration of black ginseng increased body weight. Compared to blood glucose levels in STZ mice, blood glucose levels were reduced by 48% in STZ mice supplemented with 300 mg/kg of black ginseng, and by 69% in STZ mice supplemented with 900 mg/kg. Furthermore, histopathological examination of STZ mouse kidneys revealed, changes in the kidneys, epithelial cell damages, inflammatory cell infiltration and glomerulus hypertrophy. However, a significant reduction of glomerular water droplets (indicative of glomerulus hypertrophy) was observed in the kidneys of STZ mice supplemented with black ginseng extract. Conclusions: These results suggest that black prosapogenin (GBG05-FF) ginseng extract has a significant hypoglycemic effect and can be used as an anti-diabetic substance and renal protective agents as part of dietary supplements or novel drugs.