• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.63-74
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• 2022

Objective : Gastritis refers to an inflammatory disease of the gastric mucosa. Alcohol is one of the main aggression factors, causing bleeding and inflammation in the gastric mucosa and it is known to not only increase lipid peroxide levels, but also deplete key antioxidant factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus water extract (URW) in alcohol-induced gastritis. Methods : The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of URW were confirmed through an in vitro experiment. Also, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity were confirmed. For in vivo experiments, mice were divided into 4 groups (n=8). Also, 1 hr after oral administration of each drug, 50% ethanol was orally administered to induce gastritis. Results : As a result of in vitro experiments, URW showed excellent antioxidant activity. In alcohol-induced gastritis, URW alleviated the damage to the gastric mucosa caused by alcohol. Also, URW decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum and gastric tissues, and significantly decreased the expression of NADPH oxidases in gastric tissues. In addition, it significantly modulated the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-𝜅B p65 (NF-𝜅B) pathways as well as significantly increased the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins. Conclusions : These results suggest that URW not only reduces oxidative stress through excellent antioxidant activity but also relieves gastric mucosal inflammation as a regulator of Nrf2 and NF-𝜅B pathways.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2022

In this study, we tried to find out the value of using Vietnamese Ternstroemia kwangtungensis Merr. (TK) extracts as a functional material. As a result of measuring the level of Nrf2 expression of TK, 50% ethanol extract TK leaf showed the highest activity at a concentration of 200 ㎍/mL. In order to confirm the stability of the extract over time at room temperature, UPLC was performed, and stability was maintained because the patterns of the UV spectrum pattern were the same. In order to confirm the antioxidant efficacy of TK, the activity increased as the concentration increased as a result of measuring electron donating and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging ability. At 1,000 ㎍/mL, they showed effects of 94.6% and 90.8%, respectively. As a result of measuring the tyrosinase inhibitory activity showed an inhibitory ability of 24.4% at a concentration of 1,000 ㎍/mL. In addition, as a result of examining the elastase inhibitory activity of the extract was increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and it was confirmed that the inhibitory activity was 42.7% at 1,000 ㎍/mL. From these results, it was confirmed that the TK extract was valuable as a natural material for cosmetics.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.140-154
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• 2023

Purpose: Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) is generally used in conventional medicines and is considered to have remedial properties to cure several diseases. However, application of the C. lanceolata bud as a novel food ingredient has not been fully explored. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is associated with the production of oxidative damage that results in mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and cell death. This study examines the neuroprotective effect of C. lanceolate bud extracts (CLBE) on H₂O₂-stimulated apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: C. lanceolata bud of length 10 to 15 cm was collected and extracted using 70% ethanol. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the EZ-cytox reagent, measurement of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The morphological changes of the nuclei were determined using the Hoechst 33258 dye. Enzyme activities were analyzed using the caspase activity assay kit. Related protein expressions were quantified by the Western blot immunoassay in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. Results: Cell viability, LDH release and ROS generation, demonstrated neuroprotective effects of CLBE in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. The occurrence of apoptosis in H₂O₂-stimulated cells was confirmed by caspase activity, which was increased in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells compared to the unexposed group. Pretreatment of CLBE was observed to inhibit the H₂O₂-stimulated apoptosis. In addition, exposure to CLBE resulted in increased expression of the Bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma 2) protein and decreased expression of the Bax (Bcl2 associated X) protein. Conclusion: This study shows that exposure to CLBE alleviates the H₂O₂-stimulated neuronal damage in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results indicate the potential application of CLBE in neurodegenerative disease therapy or prevention.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.463-470
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• 2023

Desmarestia tabacoides Okamura is a brown macroalgae that is found worldwide. Although several genera of Desmarestia have been reported as having anti-tumorigenic, anti-melanogenic, and photoprotective properties, the anti-inflammatory activity of D. tabacoides Okamura has not yet been evaluated. In this study, we analyzed the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of D. tabacoides Okamura ethanol extract (DTEE) via the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E₂ production and the expression of their corresponding enzymes, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. In addition, their upstream signaling molecules were evaluated by Western blot analysis, such as nuclear factor (NF)-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The DTEE treatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO and PGE₂ production as well as the expression of their corresponding enzymes, iNOS, and COX-2 without cytotoxicity. The stimulated transcription factor NF-κB and upstream signaling molecules extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 were attenuated by the DTEE treatment, which was statistically significant, while Akt did not provide any inhibitory effect. Moreover, the DTEE treatment significantly mitigated the LPS-activated adaptor molecules, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) in the RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that DTEE attenuates TLR4-mediated inflammatory responses by inhibiting NF-κB activation and suppressing MAPK phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to develop a method for separating antioxidants and sugars from grape skin extract. The extract was first mixed with a variety of organic solvents to investigate whether the separation was feasible. When employing acetone, ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide, or dimethylformamide, the organic solvent-extract combination formed a single phase. However, when benzene, ethyl acetate, or n-hexane was added to the extract, the mixture separated into an organic and an aqueous phase and the pigments remained in the aqueous phase. On the other hand, when polyethylene glycol-2,000 (PEG-2000) and sodium citrate were added to the extract, the mixture was separated into three layers, with the majority of the flavonoids migrating to the top layer and 53% of the extract's glucose migrating to the bottom layer. The top layer had significant antioxidant activity, whereas the bottom layer showed no antioxidant activity. The glucose recovery in the bottom layer increased as the molecular weight of PEG increased and the highest recovery (67%) was observed when PEG-8,000 was added. The highest flavonoid separation was observed with PEG-2,000, followed by PEG-8,000 and PEG-400. The flavonoid separation when PEG-2,000 was added resulted in a flavonoid recovery of 48% and 0.2% from the top and bottom layers, respectively. Examining the effect of the separated solution using the agar disc diffusion method on yeast cell growth confirmed that the addition of the extract, the top, and the bottom layer did not inhibit cell growth.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, whitening, moisturizing, wound-healing, cell proliferation and cell protective effects of 70% EtOH and hot water extract from Scutellaria baicalensis. For the anti-oxidative test, the 70% EtOH and hot water extract showed DPPH radical scavenging activities. In the anti-inflammatory tests, 70% EtOH and hot water extract inhibited the production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6) and prostaglandin (PGE₂). In addition, it was confirmed that the 70% EtOH and hot water extract inhibited the melanin production, and increased production of hyaluronic acid (HA), a moisturizing factor. As a result of cell migration and proliferation assay, 70% EtOH extract promoted the cell growth in HaCaT cell. Additionally, 70% EtOH and hot water extract showed cell protective effects against UVB, and 70% EtOH extract also showed cell protective effects agianst blue light. Based on these results, it is concluded that the 70% EtOH and hot water extract from Scutellaria baicalensis could be potentially applicable as anti-oxdiative, anti-inflammation, whitening, moisturizing, wound-healing, cell proliferation and cell protective effects in cosmetic natural materials.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.51-51
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• 2023

The world-wide rate of obesity is increasing continuously, representing a serious medical threat since it is associated with a variety of diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and numerous cancers. Sophora japonicais used as a traditional herb for medicinal purposes in eastern Asia. However, the anti-obesity effects of S. japonicafruit have not been explored. The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis by an ethanol extract of S. japonicafruit (EESF) in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Our results demonstrate that EESF suppressed the terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in lipid droplet number and lipid content through Oil Red O staining. EESF significantly reduced the accumulation of cellular triglyceride, which was associated with a significant inhibition of the levels of pro-adipogenic transcription factors, including PPARγ, C/EBPα and C/EBPβ. In addition, EESF potentially down regulated the expression levels of adipocyte-specific proteins, including aP2 and leptin. In particular, EESF treatment effectively enhanced the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway; however, the co-treatment with compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, significantly restored the EESF-induced inhibition of pro-adipogenic transcription factors and adipocyte-specific genes. These results indicate that EESF may exert an anti-obesity effect by controlling the AMPK signaling pathway, suggesting that the fruit extract of S. japonica may be a potential anti-obesity agent.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.15-28
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• 2024

Objectives We used the D-galactose (D-gal) induced C2C12 myoblast senescence model to investigate whether ethanol extract of Perilla. fructescens leaves (EEPF) could delay cellular senescence and regulate related mechanisms. Methods C2C12 myogenic cells were cultured in an incubator under 37 ℃ and 5% CO₂ conditions. EEPF, dried perilla leaves were pulverized and extracted at 1:10 (v/v) at 50 ℃ for 4 hours. Cell counting kit-8 and western blot analysis was performed. Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit and DAPI staining was applied. Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde analysis kits were used. To measure the level of reactive oxygen species generation, staining and flow cytometry was used. To analyze the mitochondrial activity, membrane potential changes were measured using JC-1. 𝛽-gal activity was analyzed using SA-𝛽-gal staining solution, and DNA damage was analyzed by using 𝛾-H2AX. Quantikine ELISA kit was used to analyze inflammatory cytokine production. Results According to the results of this study, EEPF significantly alleviated the decrease in cell viability in C2C12 cells treated with D-gal and suppressed the decrease in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. EEPF also markedly blocked D-gal-induced C2C12 cell apoptosis and restored reduced activity of CAT, GSH-Px, T-AOC, SOD. In addition, EEPF suppressed the decrease in 𝛽-galactosidase activity, the induction of DNA damage and the increase in expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins such as p16, p53 and p21 in D-gal-treated C2C12 cells. Furthermore, EEPF significantly attenuated D-gal-induced production and expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-18. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that EEPF can be used as a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of muscle aging.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.215-230
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• 2023

Objectives : Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill contains many nutrients and exhibits high physiological functions. It has been shown that Schisandra seed and pamace contains more nutrients than fruits and thus have higher antioxidant efficacy. In this study, seed and pamace of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SPSC) were treated with hot-melt extrudate (HME) extrusion to produce water-soluble nanoparticles. Methods : SPSC was treated with HME to prepare nanoparticles. In this process, excipients (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, pullulan, 2-hydroxylpropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, lecithin) were added to prepare a hydrophilic polymer matrix. To compare and analyze the antioxidant effect and schizandrin content, total flavonoid content, total phenol content and ABTS assay were measured. To confirm the effect of increasing the water solubility of the particles, particle size and water solubility index measurements were performed. The molecular of the material was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Results : The particle size of HME extrudates decreased, while total phenols, flavonoids, schizandrin, antioxidant effect, and solubility increased. Through FT-IR, it was confirmed that the SPSC and the extrudate exhibit the same chemical properties. In addition, it was confirmed that when extracted with water, it exhibited a higher antioxidant effect than the ethanol extract. Conclusions : HME technology increased the solubility of SPSC, which are processing by-products, and improved their antioxidant effect to a higher degree. It was confirmed that SPSC could be used as an eco-friendly, high value-added material.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1635-1647
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• 2023

Muscle atrophy, which is defined as a decrease in muscle mass and strength, is caused by an imbalance between the anabolism and catabolism of muscle proteins. Thus, modulating the homeostasis between muscle protein synthesis and degradation represents an efficient treatment approach for this condition. In the present study, the protective effects against muscle atrophy of ethanol extracts of Morus alba L. (MA) and Angelica keiskei Koidz. (AK) leaves and their mixtures (MIX) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that MIX increased 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide-induced C2C12 myotube thinning, and enhanced soleus and gastrocnemius muscle thickness compared to each extract alone in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy Sprague Dawley rats. In addition, although MA and AK substantially improved grip strength and histological changes for dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in vivo, the efficacy was superior in the MIX-treated group. Moreover, MIX further increased the expression levels of myogenic factors (MyoD and myogenin) and decreased the expression levels of E3 ubiquitin ligases (atrogin-1 and muscle-specific RING finger protein-1) in vitro and in vivo compared to the MA- and AK-alone treatment groups. Furthermore, MIX increased the levels of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) that were reduced by dexamethasone, and downregulated the expression of forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a) induced by dexamethasone. These results suggest that MIX has a protective effect against muscle atrophy by enhancing muscle protein anabolism through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and attenuating catabolism through the inhibition of FoxO3a.