• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1033-1040
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• 2016

In Korea, the aerial parts of the halophyte Salicornia europaea, known as hamcho, are used in salads in April–June and in oriental medicine in September–October In this study, with the aim of developing functional foods to aid blood circulation, hot water extract (HWE) and ethanol extract (EE) were prepared using hamcho harvested from the fields of Shinan, Jeonnam, Korea on 5th April (HWE-04, EE-04), 5th July (HWE-06, EE-06), 5th August (HWE-08, EE-08), 5th September (HWE-09, EE-09), and 5th October (HWE-10, EE-10), and their antioxidant and antithrombosis activities were evaluated. Among the HWEs, HWE-10 showed the highest concentration of total polyphenols and total flavonoids (22.4 and 17.6 mg/ml, respectively), and EE-09 had the highest concentration among the EEs (20.1 and 19.3 mg/ml, respectively). Among the HWEs and EEs, HWE-08 and EE-08 had the highest total sugar and reducing sugar content. In the antioxidation assay, HWE-10 and EE-09 showed strong reducing power, as well as DPPH, ABTS, and nitrite scavenging activities. The calculated RC₅₀s of EE-09 against DPPH, ABTS, and nitrite were 578, 277, and 68.8 μg/ml, respectively. The antithrombosis activity assay revealed that HWE-04, HWE-06, EE-04, and EE-06 had anticoagulation activity against coagulation factors and that HWE-08, HWE-09, EE-08, and EE-09 expressed strong thrombin inhibitory activity, which was comparable to the antithrombosis activity of aspirin. In addition, EE-06 and HWE-08 exhibited strong aggregation inhibitory activities against human platelets. The results suggest that extract from hamcho harvested in particular periods and prepared using a defined solvent has strong potential as a novel food ingredient and an antioxidant and antithrombosis agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.1333-1339
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• 2011

After mulberry (Morus alba) leaves were fermented with Hericium erinaceum mycelium by solid-state culture to enhance physiological activity, fermented mulberry leaves (MA-HE) was extracted by hot-water (MA-HEHW) and ethanol (MA-HE-E). MA-HE-HW showed enhanced mitogenic and intestinal immune system modulating activities (1.41 and 1.52 fold of saline control, respectively) compared to hot-water extracts of non-fermented mulberry leaves (MA-HW) and H. erinaceum mycelium (HE-HW) at $100\;{\mu}g$/mL. Meanwhile, when we tested the inhibitory effects of extracts on nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production, MA-HE-E significantly inhibited these pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (45.1, 41.3, 70.2, and 55.7% inhibition of LPS control at $1,000\;{\mu}g$/mL). In addition, MA-HE-HW and MA-HE-E did not show any cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 cells at $1,000\;{\mu}g$/mL whereas HE-E and MA-E indicated cytotoxicity (80.1 and 30.7% cell viability of saline control). These results suggest that mulberry leaves fermented with H. erinaceum by solid-state culture might have enhanced immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects compared to non-fermented mulberry leaves, resulting in ingredients biotransformed for fermentation with H. erinaceum mycelium.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.443-450
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• 2012

Recently, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-mediated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was proposed to accelerate adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cell. We have previously shown that Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) extract significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation via downregulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) gene expression. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism(s) of NOX4, G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and antioxidant enzymes in anti-oxidative activities of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that Cheonnyuncho extracts markedly inhibits ROS production during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Cheonnyuncho extracts suppressed the mRNA expression of the pro-oxidant enzyme such as NOX4 and the NADPH-producing G6PDH enzyme. In addition, treatment with Cheonnyuncho extract was found to upregulate mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes such as Mn-SOD (manganese-superoxide dismutase), Cu/Zn-SOD (copper/zinc-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathion reductase (GR), and catalase, all of which are important for endogenous antioxidant responses. These data suggest that Cheonnyuncho extract may be effective in preventing the rise of oxidative stress during adipocyte differentiation through mechanism(s) that involves direct down regulation of NOX4 and G6PDH gene expression or via upregulation of endogenous antioxidant responses.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.680-688
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• 2016

This study analyzed the changes in physicochemical components of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) fermented with Phellinus linteus. Moisture content, pH, total acidity, total reducing sugar content, extraction yield, free sugar content, free amino acid and isoflavonoid (calycosin, formononetin) were investigated. The moisture content was increased during fermentation with Phellinus linteus. The pH level increased while the total acidity significantly decreased during fermentation. The reducing sugar content were in the range of 0.32~0.61%. The extraction yield using water was higher than that using 80% ethanol. The major free sugars were identified as glucose, fructose, sucrose and the content of free sugars decreased through fermentation. However, the glucose and sucrose contents of the water extracts were increased. In addition, the free amino acid increased significantly during fermentation. Finally, calycosin and formononetins contents in water extracts of after 30 days of AM fermentaion with Phellinus linteus were (3.91 mg/100 g) and (1.38 mg/100 g), respectively. These results suggest that fermentation with Phellinus linteus could be used to increase the bioactivity of AM. The mycelium-fermented AM could be a valuable source of functional material and edible resource for industry.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2015

Anti-obese effects of mulberry (Morus alba L.) root bark was investigated in vitro by measuring its inhibitory effect against 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and digestive enzymes such as ${\alpha}$-amylase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. Ethanol extract of mulberry root bark (MRE) showed the potent inhibitory activities on ${\alpha}$-amylase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase with $IC_{50}$ values of $7.86{\pm}0.36$, $0.12{\pm}0.03$ and $7.93{\pm}0.11mg/mL$, respectively. Furthermore, MRE significantly suppressed cellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the mechanism of MRE, we performed qRT-PCR and Western blotting for the expression of genes related with adipogenesis and lipogenesis. Treatment of MRE markedly suppressed the protein expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and SREBP-1c, as well as FAS and ACC, which are the key transcription factors and metabolic enzymes in adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In addition, qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the anti-adipogenesis effect of MRE might be due to its inhibition at transcription levels. These results demonstrate that MRE can effectively suppress adipocyte differentiation and inhibit key enzymes related to obesity. Our findings suggest that mulberry root bark may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1407-1414
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• 2012

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective regimen that has been found to prevent these diseases in postmenopausal women. However, HRT is accompanied by an increased risk of unfavorable outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eisenia Bicyclis extract on lipids in ovariectomized rats. Fifty 7-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Eisenia bicyclis extracts. The extract-treated diets were fed to the rats for 6 weeks after operation. Antioxidant effects were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract increased in a dose-dependent manner and was about 55.9% in a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. We measured the total cholesterol content, triglyceride content, HDL-cholesterol content, LDL-cholesterol content, atherosclerotic index, cardiac risk factor in serum, and anti-platelet aggregation and blood rheology. The total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum increased for the OVX-control group, but supplementation with the E. bicyclis extract caused these factors to decrease. Notably, the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in the OVX-EB200 group was significantly lower than the OVX-CON group. In addition, the blood passage times in rats that received the E. bicyclis extract were more rapid than the times in the untreated group (OVX-CON). Microscopic evaluation revealed that whole blood passed more smoothly through the microchannels in rats in the E. bicyclis extract supplement groups. Our results clarified the effects of E. bicyclis extract on serum lipid content in ovariectomized rats, and consequently we expect positive effects from providing E. bicyclis extract to postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.959-966
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• 2014

This study was carried out to develop a functional healthy drink using 60% ethanol of dried Acanthopanax senticosus stem extract (ASE). The preparation, physical activity, anti-oxidant activity, and sensory properties of ASE were investigated. The moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, and ash contents of dried ASE were $6.50{\pm}0.12%$, $5.89{\pm}0.16%$, $1.18{\pm}0.11%$, and $3.03{\pm}0.40%$ respectively. The 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was $87.42{\pm}1.63%$ at 1/10 folds diluted ASE. In total, 40 male ICR mice were divided into five groups including the control (PBS), positive control (Red ginseng 200 mg/kg/day), and ASE-treated groups at doses of 35, 70, and 140 mg/kg/day for five weeks, respectively. ASE was administrated orally one time per day for five weeks before treadmill exercises, and normal and positive controls were fed PBS and red ginseng extract. In the treadmill test, ASE-treated mice (140 mg/kg/day) could run 1.4 times longer than the control mice. Healthy drinks were prepared with the addition of ASE at levels of 0.97% or 0.49% (A, B, and C type). Among the healthy drinks, the B type (ASE, 0.97%) was revealed to have the highest level of taste and overall acceptability through a sensory evaluation. The brix and pH of the ASE health drink (B type) were 14.9 and 4.51, respectively. These results indicated that the dried stem of Acanthopanax senticosus could be used as a functional material in the health drink industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.1405-1411
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• 2013

We investigated the physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities of Doragi (Platycodon grandiflorum) at different aging temperatures (60, 70 and $80^{\circ}C$) and for various periods of duration (5, 10, 15, 30 and 50 days). As the temperature and duration were increased, the pH of Doragi water extracts decreased from 5.22 to 4.17, whereas total acidity increased from 0.265 to 0.998 lactic acid eq.%. In addition, browning index went up from 0.092 to 1.002 and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content steeply rose to 50.40 mg/g from its initial zero value with an increase in temperature and duration. The radical scavenging activity of ethanol extracts was enhanced with a rise in temperature and duration as evident from the value of total polyphenol content (0.589 to 2.358 mg/g), DPPH (0.149 to 1.244 mg Trolox eq/g) and ABTS (0.354 to 1.509 mg Trolox eq/g). The correlation between physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities was high; the correlation between pH and total acidity showed a r value of -0.910 (P<0.01), whereas between browning index and 5-HMF content, the r value was 0.880 (P<0.01). Total polyphenol content and DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were highly correlated with the r value of 0.885 (P<0.01) and 0.745 (P<0.01), respectively.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 2012

In this study, the skin moisturing effect and stability of cream containing L. cuneata G. Don extract (ethyl acetate fraction) were evaluated. The skin hydrating effect of the cream containing extract was 1020% higher than the placebo cream, and the TWEL of the cream containing extracts was decreased to $7.7g/m^2h$ compared to the control ($10.2g/m^2$) and placebo cream ($8.9g/m^2$). The pH, viscosity, and absorbance were measured under the 4, 25, 37, $45^{\circ}C$ and the sun light during the 12 weeks. The pH change between cream containing extract and placebo cream did not show the significant difference under the 4, 25, 37, $45^{\circ}C$ except for the sun light. Both creams showed high decrease (about 59%) of viscosity at $45^{\circ}C$. However, there was no significant change under other conditions. The absorbance of the cream containing the extract and the placebo cream was decreased similarly at all conditions. This decrease in absorbance was relatively small compared to the decrease of absorbance of the extract in ethanol solution under the sun light (Fig. 7). In addition, any change in color or smell of the cream was not observed during the 12 weeks. Also physical changes as creaming and cohesion were not shown. These results indicate that the cream containing L. cuneata extract has the skin moisturizing effect and is relatively stable. Therefore, it is suggested that the ethyl acetate fraction of L. cuneata extract could be applicable to cosmetics as a new cosmetic material with its antioxidative and antibacterial activities reported previously.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2014

Salsola collina, also known as Russian thistle, is widely distributed in and around waste facilities, roadsides, and drought and semi-drought areas, and is used as a traditional folk remedy in Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities of the ethanol extract of S. collina Pall. (EESC), and the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects on human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. EESC exhibited anti-oxidative activity through DPPH radical scavenging capacity and showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner in HT29 cells. After EESC treatment, HT29 cells altered their morphology, becoming smaller and irregular in shape. EESC also induced cell accumulation in the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decrease of cell population in the G1 phase. The G2/M arrest by EESC was associated with the increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and Wee1 kinase, which phosphorylates, or inactivates, Cdc2. EESC treatment induced the phosphorylation of Cdc2 and Cdc25C, and inhibited cyclin A and Cdc25C protein expression. In addition, S arrest was induced by the highest concentration of EESC treatment, associated with a decrease of cyclin A and Cdk2 expression. These findings suggest that EESC may possess remarkable anti-oxidative activity and exert an anti-cancer effect in HT29 cells by cell cycle regulation.