• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.1597-1604
• /
• 2020

In this study, a synthesized poly(amino acid) self-assembly grafted with valine molecules was investigated on the skin activity of skin growth factors. The amphiphilic grafted poly(amino acid) derivatives were successfully synthesized by varying of degree of substitution(DS) and polymerization (DP) with valine molecules forming a β-sheet structure. Then, the pro-collagen biosynthesis of EGF(epidermal growth factor) was improved by 20%, and the inhibitory ability of tyrosinase activity was increased by 6.5 times by self-assembling of EGF with the poly(amino acid)s having β-sheet structures. This strategy of preparing protein self-assembly with poly(amino acid) derivatives will help improve the stability of protein growth factors and use it in medicals as well as cosmeceuticals through skin improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.1567-1574
• /
• 2020

This study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of leaf and stem of Ixeris dentate extract by hot water and 70% ethanol. The total flavonoid and polyphenol in 70% ethanol extract of leaf and stem of Ixeris dentate were significantly higher than those of hot water extracts. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity of 70% ethanol extract of leaf was higher than that of hot water extract of leaf. 70% ethanol extract of leaf was the highest on the DPPH and ABTS activity. Nitric oxide(NO) production of 70% ethanol extract was higher than that of hot water extract. According to this study, it was found that there was difference in physiological activity due to extraction solvents of each part of Ixeris dentate and it is believed that it can be used as an ingredient of functional foods using Ixeris dentate.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.66-72
• /
• 2022

Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (the flower buds of Lonicera japonica Thunberg) has been used as an antibacterial and antiviral drug in Korean Medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae water extract (FL) on the production of cytokines in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After 24 h treatment, the production of various cytokines from RAW 264.7 was measured with multiplex cytokine assay using Bio-Plex 200 suspension array system. FL at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL significantly inhibited productions of tumor necrosis factor-α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β, and MIP-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 100 and 200 ㎍/mL significantly inhibited productions of leukemia inhibitory factor, LIX (CXCL5), and RANTES in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 200 ㎍/mL significantly inhibited productions of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and macrophage colony-stimulating factor in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 50 and 100 ㎍/mL significantly increased productions of interleukin (IL)-10 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL significantly increased productions of IL-6 and interferon gamma-induced protein-10 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 100 and 200 ㎍/mL significantly increased productions of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, these data mean that FL might modulate productions of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factor in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Further study needs to verify the exact mechanism for modulatory activities of FL with macrophages.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.738-750
• /
• 2022

Objective: Alcohol is known to cause inflammation in the stomach by decreasing the protective substances of the gastric mucosa and increasing oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extract (AF) on alcohol-induced gastritis. Methods: The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of AF were confirmed through an in vitro experiment. Radical scavenging activities were confirmed using DPPH and ABTS assays. In vivo experiments were conducted on mice divided into 5 groups (n=8): a normal group (Nor), an alcohol-induced gastritis group (Con), an alcohol-induced gastritis group administered 10 mg/kg sucralfate (SC), an alcohol-induced gastritis group administered 100 mg/kg AF (AFL), and an alcohol-induced gastritis group administered 200 mg/kg AF(AFH). The serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined, and protein expressions were confirmed in gastric tissues. Results: In alcohol-induced gastritis, AF alleviated damage to the gastric mucosa caused by alcohol. AF also decreased the serum ROS levels. Western blots showed that AF decreased the expression of NADPH oxidase and decreased the expression of the NF-κB pathway associated with inflammation. AF also decreased the expression of adhesion molecules and chemokine proteins, and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins. Conclusions: AF not only reduced oxidative stress in alcohol-induced gastritis, but it also relieved gastric mucosal inflammation by regulating the expression of the NF-κB pathway.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.110-121
• /
• 2022

The root of ginger (Zingiber officinale) contains gingerol, which is known to be responsible for its pharmacological activity. The essential oil extracted from ginger has been found to have various pharmacological effects. Thus, interest in the development of various beverages using ginger oil has recently increased. Therefore, in this study, the organoleptic quality assessment of cow milk, yogurt, kefir, soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk was conducted by supplementing them with oil extracted from ginger at various concentrations (supplemented with 0.5% increments from 0% up to 2%). A poor grade was obtained in the organoleptic quality evaluation, owing to the strong odor of ginger oil. However, when compared to that of the control, the samples supplemented with 0.5% ginger oil showed a good grade of organoleptic quality assessment. Therefore, this study is considered valuable as it is the first study to review the organoleptic quality assessment by supplementing milk, yogurt, kefir, soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk with ginger oil. Additionally, in order to improve organoleptic quality assessment, it is critical to estimate how much ginger oil supplementation concentration could be reduced and whether ginger oil exhibits various bio-activities at this concentration.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.450-461
• /
• 2022

A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study was used to determine the cognitive functions related to working memory (WM) and antioxidant properties of fermented Laminaria japonica (FLJ) on healthy volunteers. Eighty participants were divided into a placebo group (n = 40) and FLJ group (n = 40) that received FLJ (1.5 g/day) for 6 weeks. Memory-related blood indices (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF; angiotensin-converting enzyme; human growth hormone, HGH; insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1) and antioxidant function-related indices (catalase, CAT; malondialdehyde, MDA; 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-oxo-dG; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were determined before and after the trial. In addition, standardized cognitive tests were conducted using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Batteries. Furthermore, the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS)-IV, and the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) were used to assess the pre and post intake changes on WM-related properties. According to the results, FLJ significantly increased the level of CAT, BDNF, HGH, and IGF-1. FLJ reduced the level of TBARS, MDA, and 8-oxo-dG in serum. Furthermore, FLJ improved physical activities related to cognitive functions such as K-WAIS-IV, MoCA-K, Paired Associates Learning, and Spatial Working Memory compared to the placebo group. Our results suggest that FLJ is a potential candidate to develop functional materials reflecting its capability to induce antioxidant mechanisms together with WM-related indices.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.337-347
• /
• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 are directly associated with hyper-activation of innate immune response that excessively produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and induce cytokine storm, leading to multi-organ-failure and significant morbidity/mortality. Currently, several antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and molnupiravir are authorized to treat mild to moderate COVID-19, however, there are still no drugs that can specifically fight against challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant widely used for treating various conditions, might be appropriate for this need due to its anti-inflammatory/cytokine/viral activities, fewer side effects, and cost efficiency. To review Panax ginseng and its pharmacologically active-ingredients as potential phytopharmaceuticals for treating cytokine storm of COVID-19, articles that reporting its positive effects on the cytokine production were searched from academic databases. Experimental/clinical evidences for the effectiveness of Panax ginseng and its active-ingredients in preventing or mitigating cytokine storm, especially for the cascade of cytokine storm, suggest that they might be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for cytokine storm of COVID-19. This review may provide a new approach to discover specific medications using Panax ginseng to control cytokine storm of COVID-19.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.47-52
• /
• 2024

Light is a major external environmental factor that influences the circadian rhythm of photosynthetic organisms and various physiological phenomena, such as growth, maturation, and behavior. The number of light-reaching organisms changes depending on the season and atmospheric conditions, and the intensity and wavelength of light differ depending on the organisms inhabiting the environment. Altered light changes the circadian rhythm of fish, which is controlled by clock genes, such as period 2 (Per2), cryptochrome 1 (Cry1), and melatonin. In this study, we set the zeitgeber time (ZT; 14 light-10 dark, LD) based on the actual sunrise and sunset times and examined Per2 and Cry1 activities, levels of aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), and melatonin in Pholis nebulosa, a drifting seaweed species exposed to irregular light. Per2 and Cry1 levels increased during the daytime and decreased after sunset. The AANAT levels decreased during the daytime and increased during the night. Melatonin concentration was highest around midnight (ZT21, 23:30), but exhibited similar concentrations during the daytime. While the activity of Per2, Cry1, and AANAT levels exhibited a typical circadian rhythm observed in most vertebrates, melatonin concentrations did not show a significant difference between the daytime and nighttime. These findings provide insights into the circadian rhythm patterns of organisms exposed to irregular light environments, such as P. nebulosa, which differ from those of typical fish species.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.1017-1028
• /
• 2024

Lignocellulolytic enzymes play a crucial role in efficiently converting lignocellulose into valuable platform molecules in various industries. However, they are limited by their production yields, costs, and stability. Consequently, their production by producers adapted to local environments and the choice of low-cost raw materials can address these limitations. Due to the large amounts of olive stones (OS) generated in Morocco which are still undervalued, Penicillium crustosum, Fusarium nygamai, Trichoderma capillare, and Aspergillus calidoustus, are cultivated under different fermentation techniques using this by-product as a local lignocellulosic substrate. Based on a multilevel factorial design, their potential to produce lignocellulolytic enzymes during 15 days of dark incubation was evaluated. The results revealed that P. crustosum expressed a maximum total cellulase activity of 10.9 IU/ml under sequential fermentation (SF) and 3.6 IU/ml of β-glucosidase activity under submerged fermentation (SmF). F. nygamai recorded the best laccase activity of 9 IU/ml under solid-state fermentation (SSF). Unlike T. capillare, SF was the inducive culture for the former activity with 7.6 IU/ml. A. calidoustus produced, respectively, 1,009 ㎍/ml of proteins and 11.5 IU/ml of endoglucanase activity as the best results achieved. Optimum cellulase production took place after the 5th day under SF, while ligninases occurred between the 9th and the 11th days under SSF. This study reports for the first time the lignocellulolytic activities of F. nygamai and A. calidoustus. Furthermore, it underlines the potential of the four fungi as biomass decomposers for environmentally-friendly applications, emphasizing the efficiency of OS as an inducing substrate for enzyme production.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.281-294
• /
• 2023

As a byproduct obtained from cheese manufacture, whey protein was developed as a functional food that contains multi-functional proteins. In this study, the biochemical activity of fermented milk prepared by fortifying whey protein with excellent physiological activity was investigated. Immunoglobulin (IgG) content was higher in 10% fortified whey protein fermented milk than in the control. The viable cell counts were 20% higher in the fermented milk with 10% fortified whey protein than in the control group. The antibacterial effect of 10% fortified whey protein fermented milk compared to the control group was shown to be effective against four pathogenic microorganisms, Escherichia coli (KCTC1039), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 530, Salmonela Typhimurium (KCTC3216), and Staphylococcus aureus (KCTC1621). The antioxidant effect by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities wasincreased two-fold in 10% fortified whey protein fermented milk compared to the control. The 10% fortified whey protein fermented milk inhibited the expression of the inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and induced nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]) in a concentration-dependent manner. In a piglets feeding test, the weight gain with 10% fortified whey protein fermented milk was increased by 18% compared to the control group, and no diarrhea symptoms appeared. Our results clearly demonstrated that 10% fortified whey protein fermented milk could be a useful functional ingredient for improving health.