• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.445-453
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• 2016

Seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis a marine teleost fish, has long been used as one of the essential materials in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the uses of seahorse have been limited due to its high cost, despite its beneficial biological activities. Seahorse has not been widely explored for its biofunctional properties and active components. In the present study, the enzymatic hydrolysates of seahorse were prepared by using two digestive enzymes (trypsin and pepsin) and five food grade enzymes (neutrase, protamex, alcalase, kojizyme, and flavourzyme). The enzymatic hydrolysates indicated higher hydrolysis yields than its water extract. Among them, the distilled water-pepsin hydrolysate (DP) which was obtained by distilled water extraction followed by pepsin hydrolysis, showed the highest yield and protein content as well as the highest alkyl radical scavenging activity. Also, it provided protective effects against oxidative stress induced by AAPH in vero cell and zebrafish. Further fractionation based on the molecular weight was carried out to identify it’s active components, and < 5 kDa (less than 5 kDa) molecular weight fraction was confirmed to have the highest antioxidant activity. In conclusion, this study suggests that DP of seahorse has antioxidant properties, and might be a novel and useful material from the marine origin for healthy functional foods and cosmetics.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.214-219
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• 2012

This research was designed to determine what components of Gardenia jasminoides play a major role in inhibiting the enzymes related antidepressant activity of this plant. In our previous research, the ethyl acetate fraction of G. jasminosides fruits inhibited the activities of both monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), and oral administration of the ethanolic extract slightly increased serotonin concentrations in the brain tissues of rats and decreased MAO-B activity. In addition, we found through in vitro screening test that the ethyl acetate fraction showed modest inhibitory activity on dopamine-${\beta}$ hydroxylase (DBH). The bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of five bio-active compounds, protocatechuic acid (1), geniposide (2), 6'-O-trans-p-coumaroylgeniposide (3), 3,5-dihydroxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) heptanes (4), and ursolic acid (5), from the ethyl acetate fraction of G. jasminoides fruits. The isolated compounds showed different inhibitory potentials against MAO-A, -B, and DBH. Protocatechuic acid showed potent inhibition against MAO-B ($IC_{50}$ $300{\mu}mol/L$) and DBH ($334{\mu}mol/L$), exhibiting weak MAO-A inhibition (2.41 mmol/L). Two iridoid glycosides, geniposide ($223{\mu}mol/L$) and 6'-O-trans-p-coumaroylgeniposide ($127{\mu}mol/L$), were selective MAO-B inhibitor. Especially, 6'-O-trans-p-coumaroylgeniposide exhibited more selective MAO-B inhibition than deprenyl, well-known MAO-B inhibitor for the treatment of early-stage Parkinson's disease. The inhibitory activity of 3,5-dihydroxy-1,7-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) heptane was strong for MAO-B ($196{\mu}mol/L$), modest for MAO-A ($400{\mu}mol/L$), and weak for DBH ($941{\mu}mol/L$). Ursolic acid exhibited significant inhibition of DBH ($214{\mu}mol/L$), weak inhibition of MAO-B ($780{\mu}mol/L$), and no inhibition against MAO-A. Consequently, G. jasminoides fruits are considerable for development of biofunctional food materials for the combination treatment of depression and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.31-38
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• 2012

Sophorae Radix (SR) plays a role in a number of physiologic and pharmacologic functions in many organs. Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the potential role for transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channels in SR-inhibited growth and survival of AGS and MCF-7 cells, the most common human gastric and breast adenocarcinoma cell lines. Methods: The AGS and the MCF-7 cells were treated with varying concentrations of SR. Analyses of the caspase-3 and - 9 activity, the mitochondrial depolarization and the poly (ADPribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage were conducted to determine if AGS and MCF-7 cell death occured by apoptosis. TRPM7 channel blockers ($Gd^{3+}$ or 2-APB) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) were used in this study to confirm the role of TRPM7 channels. Furthermore, TRPM7 channels were overexpressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells to identify the role of TRPM7 channels in AGS and MCF-7 cell growth and survival. Results: The addition of SR to a culture medium inhibited AGS and MCF-7 cell growth and survival. Experimental results showed that the caspase-3 and -9 activity, the mitochondrial depolarization, and the degree of PARP cleavage was increased. TRPM7 channel blockade, either by $Gd^{3+}$ or 2-APB or by suppressing TRPM7 expression with small interfering RNA, blocked the SR-induced inhibition of cell growth and survival. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel overexpression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated SR-induced cell death. Conclusions: These findings indicate that SR inhibits the growth and survival of gastric and breast cancer cells due to a blockade of the TRPM7 channel activity. Therefore, TRPM7 channels may play an important role in the survival of patients with gastric and breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate changes in the quality of Gochujang following the addition of sea tangle Saccharina japonica powder fermented by lactic acid bacteria (FSP). Gochujang was prepared with or without FSP and fermented at $16^{\circ}C$ for 24 weeks, as detailed in a previous study. No significant physicochemical changes in moisture, crude protein content, pH, salinity and amino nitrogen content were observed among the varieties of Gochujangs evaluated (Commercial Gochujang, Gallic-Gochujang and FSP-Gochujang). In addition, we detected no significant differences in microbiological profiles. However, following addition of FSP to Gochujang, the color was affected and antioxidant properties were enhanced. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of FSP-Gochujang increased by 58.8% and 24.8% compared with Commercial Gochujang and Gallic-Gochujang, respectively. Furthermore, analysis of the free amino acid content revealed higher levels of ${\gamma}$-Aminobutyric acid (100.9 mg/100 g), a biofunctional ingredient, in FSP-Gochujang. Thus, these results suggest the potential for development of a traditional Korean fermented food with enhanced antioxidant activity and ${\gamma}$-Aminobutyric acid content using FSP.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2008

A fibrinolytic serine protease was purified from the fruiting bodies of an edible mushroom, Albatrellus confluens. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 30086.41 Da, as measured by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was Glu-Thr-Val-Thr-Glu-Thr-Thr-Ala -Pro-Trp-Gly-Leu-Ser-Arg-Ile. It displayed optimal activity at $50^{\circ}C$ and within a pH range of $8.0{\sim}10.0$, suggesting that the enzyme is an alkaline protease. The enzyme was stable up to $30^{\circ}C$. The enzyme displayed a strong substrate specificity for the synthetic peptide, N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe pNA. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by addition of PMSF, indicating that the enzyme is a serine protease. No inhibition was observed following addition of E-64, pepstatin, or EDTA. The activity of the purified enzyme was decreased in the presence $Fe^{2+}$ or $Co^{2+}$, and the enzyme was completely inhibited by addition of $Hg^{2+}$. From these results, we propose that Albatrellus confluens could be used for biofunctional foods development and has potential therapeutic value for the treatment of vascular diseases.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.88-94
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• 2008

Three different protein extraction methods-phenol extraction, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation, and desalting/TCA precipitation-were compared to determine the optimal reproducible high resolution 2-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis for each chungkugjang, doenjang, and kochujang samples. The soluble proteins from Chungkugjang extracted by phenol were separated with high reproducibility and resolution, and gained 1.75- to 3-fold more protein spots on 2-D gel than those from the other methods. On the contrary, the extracted proteins from doenjang and kochujang treated by desalting/TCA precipitation method showed about 1.5- to 3.3-fold more protein spots on 2-D gel. Using the established methods, the changes in the protein profiles of the fermented soy foods were monitored during the fermentation period by 2-DE. One of the major proteins in soy, $\beta$-conglycinin $\alpha$-subuint, and some proteins with unknown functions were localized on 2-D gel as the protease-resistant proteins throughout the fermentation period of doenjang. Changes in the protein profile monitored by the established methods can provide basic information on unfolding the mechanisms of the generation of biofunctional activity in the fermented soy foods.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.444-450
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• 2006

In this study, we investigated antimicrobial and cytotoxicity effects to each· fraction extracted from Hizikiafusifonnis (HF), which were extracted methanol (HFM) and then the extract was fractionated into four different types: hexane (HFMH) , methanol (HFMM) , bulanol (HFMB) and aquous (HFMA) partition layers. We determined the cytotoxic effect of these layers on human cancer cells by MIT assay. Among various partition layers of HF, the HFMB and HFMM were showed the strong cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines we used. The quinone reductase (QR) induced activity of the HFMB on HcpG2 cells at $150\;{\mu}g/mL$ concentration was 2.63 times more effective compared to the control value of 1.0. Although further studies are needed, the present work suggests that HF maybe a chemopreventive agent for the treatment of human cancer cells.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.505-509
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• 2005

For the purpose of developing a direct label-free electrochemical detection system, we have systematically investigated the electrochemical signatures of each step in the preparation procedure, from a bare gold electrode to the hybridization of label-free complementary DNA, for the streptavidin-modified electrode. For the purpose of this investigation, we obtained the following pertinent data; cyclic voltammogram measurements, electrochemical impedance spectra and square wave voltammogram measurements, in $Fe(CN)_6^{3-}/Fe(CN)_6^{4-}$ solution (which was utilized as the electron transfer redox mediator). The oligonucleotide molecules on the streptavidin-modified electrodes exhibited intrinsic redox activity in the ferrocyanide-mediated electrochemical measurements. Furthermore, the investigation of electrochemical electron transfer, according to the sequence of oligonucleotide molecules, was also undertaken. This work demonstrates that direct label-free oligonucleotide electrical recognition, based on biofunctional streptavidin-modified gold electrodes, could lead to the development of a new biosensor protocol for the expansion of rapid, cost-effective detection systems.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.56.2-56.2
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• 2012

Clinically-favored materials for bone regeneration are mainly based on bioceramics due to their chemical similarity to the mineral phase of bone. A successful scaffold in bone regeneration should have a 3D interconnected pore structure with the proper biodegradability, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and mechanical property. The pore architecture and mechanical properties mainly dependent on the fabrication process. Bioceramics scaffolds are fabricated by polymer sponge method, freeze drying, and melt molding process in general. However, these typical processes have some shortcomings in both the structure and interconnectivity of pores and in controlling the mechanical stability. To overcome this limitation, the rapid prototyping (RP) technique have newly proposed. Researchers have suggested RP system in fabricating bioceramics scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration using selective laser sintering, powder printing with an organic binder to form green bodies prior to sintering. Meanwhile, sintering process in high temperature leads to bad cost performance, unexpected crystallization, unstable mechanical property, and low bio-functional performance. The development of RP process without high thermal treatment is especially important to enhance biofunctional performance of scaffold. The purpose of this study is development of new process to fabricate ceramic scaffold at room temperature. The structural properties of the scaffolds were analyzed by XRD, FE-SEM and TEM studies. The biological performance of the scaffolds was also evaluated by monitoring the cellular activity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.36-42
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• 2013

Objectives: Shengmaisan (SMS) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription widely used for the treatment of diverse organs in Korea. The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells that play an important role in the generation of coordinated gastrointestinal (GI) motility. We have aimed to investigate the effects of SMS in the ICCs in the mouse small intestine. Methods: To dissociate the ICCs, we used enzymatic digestions from the small intestine in a mouse. After that, the ICCs were identified immunologically by using the anti-c-kit antibody. In the ICCs, the electrophysiological whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in the cultured ICCs. Results: The ICCs generated pacemaker potentials in the mouse small intestine. SMS produced membrane depolarization with concentration-dependent manners in the current clamp mode. Pretreatment with a $Ca^{2+}$ free solution and thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum, stopped the generation of the pacemaker potentials. In the case of $Ca^{2+}$-free solutions, SMS induced membrane depolarizations. However, when thapsigargin in a bath solution was applied, the membrane depolarization was not produced by SMS. The membrane depolarizations produced by SMS were inhibited by U-73122, an active phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors. Furthermore, chelerythrine and calphostin C, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors had no effects on SMS-induced membrane depolarizations. Conclusions: These results suggest that SMS might affect GI motility by modulating the pacemaker activity through an internal $Ca^{2+}$- and PLC-dependent and PKC-independent pathway in the ICCs.