• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.71-78
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• 2017

Objectives : The various grape extracts derived from grape pulp, seed and skin, containing various types of polyphenols and flavonoids, have been known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and improve cardiovascular condition as well as sun's damaging effects. However, there have been rare reports of various beneficial effects of grape fruit stem extract (GFSE), one of the waste products of grapes. We investigated anti-inflammatory and melanogenesis inhibitory effects of GFSE. Methods : One-hundred gram of grape fruit stem was extracted with 80% ethanol at room temperature for 3 days. After filtration, the ethanol was removed using vacuum evaporator, then lyophilized to obtain the dry extract which was stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ until used. NO levels were measured by using Greiss reagent. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured by ELISA assay. The expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, TRP-1 and TRP-2 were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results : GFSE reduced the level of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production in a dose-dependent manner, compared to control. Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein were also effectively inhibited by the GFSE. In a tyrosinase inhibitory activity, GFSE significantly reduced the tyrosinase activity and melanin content in a dose dependent manner, compared to control. GFSE also decreased the expression of tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2), known as a melanocyte-specific gene product involved in melanin synthesis. Conclusions : Therefore, these results indicated that GFSE had powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.175-191
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The scientific evidence of a sodium-obesity association is limited by sodium intake assessments. Our specific aim is to synthesize the association between dietary sodium intake and obesity across the sodium intake assessments as evidenced by systematic reviews in adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A systematic search identified systematic reviews comparing the association of dietary sodium intakes with obesity-related outcomes such as body mass index (BMI), body weight, waist circumference, and risk of (abdominal) obesity. We searched PubMed on October 24, 2022. To assess the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS), we employed the ROBIS tool. RESULTS: This review included 3 systematic reviews, consisting of 39 unique observational studies (35 cross-sectional studies and 4 longitudinal studies) and 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We found consistently positive associations between dietary sodium intake and obesity-related outcomes in cross-sectional studies. Studies that used 24-h urine collection indicated a greater BMI for those with higher sodium intake (mean difference = 2.27 kg/m²; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-2.51; P < 0.001; I² = 77%) compared to studies that used spot urine (mean difference = 1.34 kg/m²; 95% CI, 1.13-1.55; P < 0.001; I² = 95%) and dietary methods (mean difference = 0.85 kg/m²; 95% CI, 0.1-1.51; P < 0.05; I² = 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative synthesis of the systematic reviews has shown that cross-sectional associations between dietary sodium intake and obesity outcomes were substantially different across the sodium intake assessments. We need more high-quality prospective cohort studies and RCTs using 24-h urine collection to examine the causal effects of sodium intake on obesity.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1199-1208
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of metabolite levels in serum and milk obtained from cows fed on different concentrate to forage feed ratios. Methods: Eight lactating Holstein cows were divided into two groups: a high forage ratio diet (HF; 80% Italian ryegrass and 20% concentrate of daily intake of dry matter) group and a high concentrate diet (HC; 20% Italian ryegrass and 80% concentrate) group. Blood was collected from the jugular vein, and milk was sampled using a milking machine. Metabolite levels in serum and milk were estimated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analyses performed using Chenomx 8.4. For statistical analysis, Student's t-test and multivariate analysis were performed using Metaboanalyst 4.0. Results: In the principal component analysis, a clear distinction between the two groups regarding milk metabolites while serum metabolites were shown in similar. In serum, 95 metabolites were identified, and 13 metabolites (include leucine, lactulose, glucose, betaine, etc.) showed significant differences between the two groups. In milk, 122 metabolites were identified, and 20 metabolites (include urea, carnitine, acetate, butyrate, arabinitol, etc.) showed significant differences. Conclusion: Our results show that different concentrate to forage feed ratios impact the metabolite levels in the serum and milk of lactating Holstein cows. A higher number of metabolites in milk, including those associated with milk fat synthesis and the presence of Escherichia coli in the rumen, differed between the two groups compared to that in the serum. The results of this study provide a useful insight into the metabolites associated with different concentrate to forge feed ratios in cows and may aid in the search for potential biomarkers for subacute ruminal acidosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.707-714
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• 2023

Plant-derived insecticide-neonicotinoid insecticides (NIs) played a crucial role in the development of agriculture and food industry in recent years. Nevertheless, synthesis of these nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds with an effective and greener routing remains challenging especially to the notion raise of "green chemistry" and "atom economy". While bio-catalyzed methods mediated by nicotinate dehydrogenase (NDHase) then provide an alternative. The current review mainly focuses on the introduction of sources, components, structure, catalytic mechanism and applications of NDHase. Specifically, NDHase is known as nicotinic acid hydroxylase and the sources principally derived from phylum Proteobacteria. In addition, NDHase requires the participation of the electron respiratory chain system on the cell membrane. And the most important components of the electron respiratory chain are hydrogen carrier, which is mainly composed of iron-sulfur proteins (Fe-S), flavin dehydrogenase (FAD), molybdenum binding protein and cytochromes. Heterologous expression studies were hampered by the plasmid and host with high efficiency and currently only Pseudomonas entomophila L48 as well as Comamonas testosterone was successfully utilized for the expression of NDHase. Furthermore, it is speculated that the conjugate and inductive effects of the substituent group at position 3 of the substrate pyridine ring exerts a critical role in the hydroxylation reactions at position 6 concerning about the substrate molecular recognition mechanism. Finally, applications of NDHase are addressed in terms of pesticide industry and wastewater treatment. On conclusion, this critical review would not only deepen our understanding of the theory about NDHase, but also provides the guideline for future investigation of NDHase.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.889-896
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• 2012

Melanin synthesis is catalyzed by tyrosinase. To investigate the whitening effect of Hizikia fusiformis, fractions from ethanol extract of H. fusiformis were prepared by a systematic fractionation procedure with solvents such as methanol, hexane, butanol, and $H_2O$. The ethanol extract and its fractions were then subjected to evaluate the inhibitory effects on the tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. The ethanol extract and aqueous fraction exhibited a whitening effect with no cytotoxicity. The ethanol extract showed the highest whitening effect among the samples. The inhibitory effect of $100{\mu}g/ml$ of ethanol extract was higher than that of $10{\mu}g/ml$ of arbutin, but it was lower than that of $10{\mu}g/ml$ of kojic acid. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of $100{\mu}g/ml$ of methanol, hexane, butanol, and aqueous fractions were similar to those of $10{\mu}g/ml$ of arbutin. The antioxidant activities were examined by comparing the results with that of ascorbic acid as a positive control. The ethanol extract and aqueous fraction showed relatively higher DPPH radical-scavenging activities compared with the other samples. Furthermore, $500{\mu}g/ml$ of ethanol extract and aqueous fraction diminished LPS-induced iNOS expression to 82 and 80%, respectively. These results suggest that ethanol extract and aqueous fraction of H. fusiformis could be used as cosmetic ingredients for whitening and skin protection effects.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.352-356
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• 2011

It is true that the industrial development has usually been accompanied with urbanization or centralization of population that has inevitably led to high-rise buildings and densely built-up living area in the cities. While it is badly needed to acquire as much green land within the city limits as possible to compensate for reduced space for recreational purpose in parallel with increasingly urbanized area, the living conditions of plants have become seriously devastated due to shortage of sun light walled-off by high-rise buildings and contaminated environment and air. The shade that is generated by high-rise and compact buildings hinders growth of plants, which makes it urgent to develop native ground cover plant that is strongly viable in the shade. For this purpose, Ligularia stenocephala, best known as greens for Ssam (rice and condiments wrapped in leaves) was cultivated under the 30%, 50%, and 80% shadings and observed to see if there would be any changes in soil conditions, growth of plants and chlorophyll contents depending on the shading rate. The leaf number was 10.8 pieces under the 50% shading and 8.4 under the 30%-shading, 7.7 pieces more than that cultivated under lighting. The leaf width turned out to be excellent from cultivation under the 50%- shading, an evidence indicating its possibility of being cultivated as native ground cover plant in the shade. The live weight of the plants cultivated under the shading increased to 31.63 g, 43.39 g and 19.40 g, respectively, compared to 90.43 g of those in the untreated control plot. The increase in growth of roots was particularly significant with 48.48 g in comparison to 12.33 g under 30% shading cultivation. The chlorophyll synthesis amounted to 46.2 under the 50% shading, showing an increase compared to 41.9 under lighting. The chlorophyll synthesis rather shrank under other shading conditions. The cultivation of Ligularia stenocephala under the 50% shading showed the best condition in growth as native ground cover plant.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2006

Changes in the fine structure of testicular Leydig cell from hatching to adulthood were studied in Korean native chickens of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 44, 52 and 64 weeks (n=13 chickens per group) of age. The objective of this study were to elucidate Leydig cell ultrastructure during testicular development. Testes of chickens were fixed by whole body perfusion using a fixative containing 2.5% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer, processed and embedded in Epon-araldite. Using $1{\mu}m$ sections stained with methylene blue-azure II, qualitative and quantitative(stereological) morphological studies were performed. The ultrastructural changes of the Leydig cell were investigated by ultrathin section with the transmission electron microscope. The stages of the Leydig cell development described focus on mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid droplets which are involved in androgens as fullows. 1) Approaching puberty. The closely packed Leydig cells and sparse intercellular space. The nucleus occupied a large portion of the Leydig cell volume. The population of Leydig cells contained two types of cells that differed in the appearance of their nuclei which were either highly electron-opaque or relatively electron-lucid. The cytoplasm was characterized by large amounts of lipid droplets, relatively few spherical mitochondria, and sparse smooth endoplasmic reticulum. 2) Puberty to adult. The Leydig cells which display features compatible with significant androgen synthesis: large volume of cytoplasm containing extended smooth endoplasmic reticulum, abundant mitochondria, and reduction of lipid droplets.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.524-531
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• 2018

The essential oil from Abies koreana E.H. Wilson had been developed, however, its efficacy has not yet been studied especially in terms of skin care research. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Abies koreana extracts (AKE) on melanogenesis and wrinkle formation in B16F10 melanoma cells (B16F10) and human dermal fibroblast cell line (HDF). The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation method and purified by anhydrous sodium sulfate. At a concentration of $10^{-5}$-fold, viability in these cells had been defined by cytotoxicity assays. Anti-melanogenic effects on B16F10 were evaluated using tyrosinase inhibition assay, and real-time PCR for verifying gene expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein-1 and -2 (TRP-1 and -2). AKEs reduced about 5-fold of tyrosinase inhibitory activity compared to ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-induced group and about 30% reduction compared to Arbutin induced group. The mRNA levels of three melanin-related factors were increased, separately. To investigate the effects of anti-wrinkle, procollagen type I c peptide synthesis assay (PIP) and Western blot were performed. At AKE-treated group, PIP was up-regulated and the expression of collagen type 1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 were improved. Furthermore, AKE presented anti-wrinkle effects by increasing UVB-inhibited collagen type 1 expression, and reducing UVB-induced MMP-1 production at $60mJ/cm^2$ of UVB radiation. Therefore, Abies koreana extracts has potentials as a safe and an effective skin ingredient for whitening and anti-wrinkle.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.248-257
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• 2009

The inhibitors against Vibrio harveyi quorum sensing (QS) signaling were developed by modifying the molecular structure of the major signal, N-3-hydroxybutanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (3-OH-$C_4$-HSL). A series of structural derivatives, N-(3-hydroxysulfonyl)-L-homoserine lactones (HSHLs) were synthesized by the solid-phase organic synthesis method. The in vivo QS inhibition by these compounds was measured by a bioassay system using the V. harveyi bioluminescence, and all showed significant inhibitory effects. To analyze the interaction between these compounds and LuxN, a 3-OH-$C_4$-HSL receptor protein of V. harveyi, we tentatively determined the putative signal binding domain of LuxN based on the sequence homology with other acyl-HSL binding proteins, and predicted the partial 3-D structure of the putative signal binding domain of LuxN by using ORCHESTRA program, and further estimated the binding poses and energies (docking scores) of 3-OH-$C_4$-HSL and HSHLs within the domain. In comparison of the result from this modeling study with that of in vivo bioassay, we suggest that the in silica interpretation of the interaction between ligands and their receptor proteins can be a valuable way to develop better competitive inhibitors, especially in the case that the structural information of the protein is limited.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1629-1636
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• 2009

Pine trees (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zacc.) have been used as a traditional health-promoting medicinal food in Korea. This research was performed to determine the antioxidative and antibacterial activities, tyrosinase, nitric oxide synthesis, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and xanthine oxidase inhibition effects of the pine bud ethanol extract (PBE). Antioxidative activities of PBE were measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase-like activity (SODA). DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activities of PBE were remarkably increased in a dose-dependent manner, and were about 88.9% and 47.9% at 1 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml, respectively. The xanthine oxidase and angiotensin converting enzyme activities were inhibited about 71.9% and 60.8% at 1 mg/ml and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of PBE, respectively. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities of PBE were slightly increased in a dose-dependent manner. The PBE showed strong antimicrobial activities on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Vibrio paraheamolyticus. Stimulation of the macrophages RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in increased production of nitric oxide (NO) in the medium. However, NO synthesis was reduced up to 54% by addition of PBE at $200{\mu}g/ml$. These results revealed that pine buds have a strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity, and exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. This suggests that pine buds have the greatest property as a source for natural health products.