• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2015

Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon, has interesting pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant. As supported by recent scientific reports on the beneficial effects of M. charantia, it is one of the most promising functional plants for diabetes today. In this study, we fermented the bitter melon with lactic acid bacteria and investigated the capability of controlling diabetic conditions by decreasing the blood glucose levels. After extracting the fermented bitter melon with hot water or ethanol, we tested several biological activities using mouse models. When we tested the efficacy of the glycemic control, the extracts of fermented bitter melon significantly lowered the blood glucose levels of the alloxan-induced diabetic mice. We also found that the lactic acid bacteria-fermented bitter melon protected liver damages from the treatment of alloxan monohydrates and maintained low levels of triglycerides and high levels of HDL cholesterol in these mouse models. These results suggest that our approach on fermenting bitter melon and the extracts of fermented bitter melon could lead to the possibility of the development of functional foods that contain the effectiveness of controlling blood glucose and lipid levels as well as preventing liver damages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2008

The antioxidative, antimutagenic and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extract from Cornus officianalis have been studied. The antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The inhibition effects on the mutagenicity in Salmonella Typhimurium TA100 were evaluated by Ames test and cancer cell inhibitory effects in Hep3B cell and HeLa cell were tested by MTT assay. Cornus officianalis had an important free radical-scavenging activity towards the DPPH radical. At a concentration of 500 ppm, the DPPH radical-scavenging activity of Cornus officianalis was similar to that of L-ascorbic acid. None of the extracts produced a mutagenic effect on S. Typhimurium TA100. The ethanol extract from Cornus officianalis showed about 77% of inhibition at 500 ppm on the mutagenicity induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. The extract from Cornus officianalis showed strong cytotoxicity against Hep3B and HeLa cells, with inhibition of 83 and 78% at a dose of $700{\mu}g$/plate, respectively. Moreover, the ethanol extracts had 34.33 mg H.E/g of polyphenols and 5.67 mg Q.E/g of flavonoids, respectively. Therefore, the present study showed antioxidative, antimutagenic and anticancer potential of the ethanol extract from Cornus officianalis.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.229-234
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• 2007

Pure Bombus ignitus venom samples were submitted to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 64 excised spots were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Three main proteins resulted in the identification have not been described in other bee venoms before. Dose-dependence against human carcinoma (Hep3B, BT-20, A549 and AGS) were observed from 1ng/ml to 100ng/ml. Expecially, the treatment of 100ng/ml B. ignitus venoms showed the highest cytotoxicity with 55% against hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B). The B. ignitus venoms showed strong antimicrobial activities against Enterococcus faecium and Shigella sonnei, and practically antimicrobial activity against the other microorganisms tested. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of E. faecium and S. sonnei, were 0.256ug/ml, respectively.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.160-170
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• 2015

In accordance to the increasing number of death due to cancer and side effects of chemotherapy, attention has recently focused on combined treatment of natural component and anti-tumor agent. Therefore development of safe and effective functional substances derived from natural materials is required. The emergence of various functional activities of Rubus coreanus Miquel, such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, etc. is continuously increasing its consumption. To utilize the above activities, many products developed by using Rubus coreanus Miquel extracts in the areas of foods, liquors, and cosmetics and medicines. In this review, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory activity and patents of Rubus coreanus Miquel are summarized. Further studies are needed to search for development of functional material from natural origin and various application possibility using stem, leaf and fruit of Rubus coreanus Miquel.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2021

Backgroud: Ginsenoside compound K (GK) is a major metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides and has remarkable anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. This work used an ionic cross-linking method to entrap GK within O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) nanoparticles (Nps) to form GK-loaded OCMC Nps (GK-OCMC Nps), which enhance the aqueous solubility and stability of GK. Methods: The GK-OCMC Nps were characterized using several physicochemical techniques, including x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, and particle size analysis via dynamic light scattering. GK was released from GK-OCMC Nps and was conducted using the dialysis bag diffusion method. The effects of GK and GK-OCMC Nps on PC3 cell viability were measured by using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Fluorescent technology based on Cy5.5-labeled probes was used to explore the cellular uptake of GK-OCMC Nps. Results: The GK-OCMC NPs had a suitable particle size and zeta potential; they were spherical with good dispersion. In vitro drug release from GK-OCMC NPs was pH dependent. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity study and cellular uptake assays indicated that the GK-OCMC Nps significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of GK toward the PC3 cells. GK-OCMC Nps also significantly promoted the activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. Conclusion: GK-OCMC Nps are potential nanocarriers for delivering hydrophobic drugs, thereby enhancing water solubility and permeability and improving the antiproliferative effects of GK.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.285-289
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• 2022

In this study, the growth characteristics of an agar-degrading bacterium isolated from seawater samples collected from Yeongheungdo, Incheon, and the characteristics of its agarase were analyzed. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolated strain was 95% similar to that of the genus Agarivorans, and thus the isolated strain was named Agarivorans sp. HY-1. When Agarivorans sp. HY-1 was cultured in a marine broth 2216 medium at 27℃ and 250 rpm, it showed maximum growth on day 1 and showed maximum enzymatic activity on day 2. A crude enzyme solution was prepared from secreted agarase in the culture medium. The extracellular agarase of the Agarivorans sp. HY-1 strain showed maximal activity at 40℃ and pH 7.0 (20 mM Tris-HCl) with 591.91 U/l. The agarase exhibited relative activities of 64, 91, 100, 97, 89, and 60% at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70℃, respectively. At pH 5, 6, 7, and 8, the relative activities were 79, 95, 100, and 55%, respectively. Furthermore, the agarase exhibited >86% residual activity at 20, 30, and 40℃ for 2 hr and >44% residual activity at 50℃ after 2 hr. A TLC analysis confirmed that Agarivorans sp. HY-1 produced α-agarase. As the degradation products of α-agarase have anticancer and antioxidant effects, Agarivorans sp. HY-1 and its agarase may well prove useful.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.277-283
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• 2023

Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hance (F. rhynchophylla) is a traditional medicinal plant that has been widely used in East Asia and has been used for chronic bronchitis, bacterial dysentery and improved eyesight. F. rhynchophylla contains various type of coumarins such as esculin, esculetin, fraxin and fraxetin. Esculetin possesses versatile activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer properties and improvement of atopic dermatitis. However, there is no research on the process of increasing active components in F. rhynchophylla. The objectives of the present study were to apply biotransformation technology to F. rhynchophylla for increasing the content of esculetin, and enhancing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. F. rhynchophylla extract (FRE) treated with viscozyme L (FRE-VL) showed 3.1 times higher content of esculetin than FRE, and exhibited effects such as increased anti-inflammatory activity and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Based on the these results, it is concluded that biotransformed FRE-VL could be potentially applicable as a new active ingredient in the cosmetic field.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.377-384
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• 2024

Prodigiosin is a red pigment characterized by a common pyrrolylpyrromethane skeleton. It is produced by Serratia marcescens, Vibrio psychroerythrus, Hahella chejuensis, etc. Prodigiosin has been reported to possess anticancer, immunosuppressant, antifungal antimalarial, and algicidal activities. However, despite prodigiosin's diverse range of activities, its production rate is significantly low and biosynthesis conditions are difficult. Consequently, the selling price is high, and its usability is limited. This study aimed to increase the efficiency of prodigiosin production according to the culture conditions of Serratia. In this study, a bacterial strain PDGS¹²⁰⁹¹⁵ producing prodigiosin was isolated from lightly contaminated stream water in Busan and identified as a strain of Serratia sp. based on 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis and physiological characteristics. The reddish pigment from PDGS¹²⁰⁹¹⁵ was directly extracted using acidified ethanol, and a characterization analysis confirmed that it was a prodigiosin compound. The optimal conditions for pigment production were 25℃, pH 7, and 0% NaCl concentration for a duration of 14 hr. Furthermore, by treating carbon and nitrogen sources, such as fructose and beef extract, respectively, prodigiosin production increased approximately six-fold and four-fold. Among the minerals tested, 0.1% KCl was found to be the most effective for prodigiosin production. Moreover, casein was identified as the most suitable source for prodigiosin production.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2019

Purpose: Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is an important traditional medicinal herb. Pharmacological research has indicated that AM has various physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and hepatoprotective activities. The bioactive substances responsible for the physiological activities in AM, including many antioxidant substances, change during the roasting process. This study investigated and compared the changes in the antioxidant constituents of AM caused by roasting. Methods: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) and $ABTS^+$ (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) radical scavenging activities and their total phenolic content (TPC) were measured. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to confirm any changes in the isoflavonoids of roasted AM (R-AM),. The cell viability of UVB-induced HDF (Human dermal fibroblast) cells treated with AM and R-AM extracts was investigated. The comet assay was used to examine the inhibitory effects of R-AM extracts on DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. Results: The DPPH and $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activities were $564.6{\pm}20.9$ and $108.2{\pm}3.1$ ($IC_{50}$ value) respectively, from the 2R-AM. The total phenol content was $47.80{\pm}1.40mg$ GAE/g from the 1R-AM. The values of calycosin and formononetin, which are the known isoflavonoid constituents of AM, were $778.58{\pm}2.72$ and $726.80{\pm}3.45{\mu}g/g$ respectively, from the 2R-AM. Treatment of the HDF cells with R-AM ($50{\sim}200{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect the cell viability. Furthermore, the R-AM extracts effectively protected against UVB-induced DNA damage. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that R-AM increases its isoflavonoid constituents and protects against UVB-induced DNA damage in HDF cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2012

The present study was performed to investigate antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities of four Korean sweet potato variaties and to identify the changes in these biological activities under different cooking conditions. Total polyphenol content was 3.8-73.6 mg/g in 80% ethanol extracts of sweet potatoes. The polyphenol content was highest Sinjami variety (p < 0.05). Radical scavenging activity against DPPH and $ABTS^{{\cdot}+}$ was high in Sinjami (p < 0.05) and the ethanol extract from Sinjami also showed effective superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, which decreased significantly by steaming and roasting (p < 0.05). Ethanol extracts from the four sweet potato variaties did not inhibit cancer cell growth in MCF-7 or HepG2 cells at concentrations of 1, 10, and $100\;{\mu}g$/mL. Of the investigated sweet potato variaties, only Sinjami exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium. The antimicrobial activity of Sinjami against E. coli, St. aureus, and S. typhimurium decreased following steaming and roasting (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the Sinjami Korean sweet potato had higher polyphenol content, radical scavenging activity, SOD-like activity, and antimicrobial activity than those of the other variaties and consuming raw Sinjami might be beneficial for maintenance of biological activities.