• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2009

Ginseng saponins have various pharmacological effects on the immune system. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT) are the species of ginseng saponin metabolites that are formed by human intestinal bacteria and detected in circulation. The effects of PPD and PPT on the inflammatory mediator release from the activated mast cells were tested. Histamine release was evaluated in activated guinea pig lung mast cells, and the secretion of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) was assessed in an HMC-1 cell after treating it with ginseng saponin metabolites. The results are as follows. PPT, at its maximum concentration of $100\;{\mu}M$, completely abolished the secretion of IL-4 from the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell. It also inhibited IL-8 secretion from the same cells by about 40-50% of the PMA-treated DMSO control. PPD, at its maximum concentration of $100\;{\mu}M$, showed a tendency to induce histamine release from the guinea pig lung mast cells. It inhibited the secretion of IL-4 (by 89% of the PMA-treated DMSO control) in the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell, but did have a significant effect on the IL-8 release from the same cell. Both PPD and PPT showed no effects, however, on the release of TNF-${\alpha}$ from the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell. These results suggest that PPD and PPT are from the ginseng metabolites that are responsible for the immunomodulating activity of ginseng extracts when they are taken orally.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.203-210
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• 2001

Here, we compared the effectiveness of 50 MeV($p{\to}RBe^+$) cyclotron fast neutrons versus $^{60}Co$ ${\gamma}$-rays by the apoptotic fragment frequency in both rat peripheral lymphocytes and crypt cells to check a radiobiological endpoint. The incidence of apoptotic cell death was increased in all irradiated groups, and radiation at all doses trigger rapid changes in both crypt cells and peripheral lymphocytes. These data suggest that apoptosis may play an important role in homeostasis of damaged radiosensitive target organ by removing damaged cells. The curve of dose-effect relationship for these data of apoptotic fragments frequencies was $y=0.3+(6.512{\pm}0.279)D(r^2=0.975)$ after neutrons, while $y=0.3+(4.435{\pm}0.473)D+(-1.300{\pm}0.551)D^2(r^2=0.988)$ after ${\gamma}$-rays. In addition, $y=3.5+(118.410{\pm}10.325)D+(-33.548{\pm}12.023)D^2(r^2=0.992)$ after ${\gamma}$-rays in rat lymphocytes. A significant dose-response relationship was found between the frequency of apoptotic cell and dose. These data show a trend towards increase of the numbers of apoptotic cells with increasing dose. Dose-response curves for high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation modalities in these studies were different. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value for crypt cells was 1.919. In addition, there were significant peaks on apoptosis induction at 4 and 6h after irradiation, and the morphological findings of the irradiated groups were typical apoptotic fragments in crypt cells that were hardly observed in the control group. Thus, apoptosis induction in both crypt cells and peripheral lymphocytes could be a useful endpoint of rat model for studying screening test and microdosimetic indicator to evaluate the biological effects of radiation-induced cell damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1487-1492
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• 2012

Peach (Prunus persica) has been recognized as a food allergen for over 20 years. However, there is little information about cross-reactivity with other foods. The aim of this study was to research cross-reactivity of Korean cherry and hot pepper on patients allergic to peach and its stability by digestive enzyme treatment. Peach, Korean cherry, and hot pepper proteins were extracted and separated by Tricine-SDS-PAGE analysis. The protein extracts had a wide range of molecular weight, from 3 kDa to more than 26 kDa, and displayed different patterns of protein bands on Tricine-SDS-PAGE. Peach allergic patients' sera were used to detect the allergenic protein in three samples. Three peach allergic patients' sera reacted strongly with 9 kDa protein of peach, which was the expected lipid transfer protein (LTP) as the major allergen of peach and was detected with anti-LTP1 polyclonal antibody. However, the reactivity of the 23 kDa protein in Korean cherry and hot pepper protein was stronger than that of the 9 kDa protein. The stability of protein extracts on digestive enzyme treatment was examined using simulated gastric fluids (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluids (SIF), in which digestive enzyme stability is one of the characteristics of allergen potentially causing food allergy. Findings confirmed that allergenic proteins in peach, Korean cherry, and hot pepper were not completely digested by SGF and SIF treatments from results of SDS-PAGE analysis. These results confirmed that Korean cherry and hot pepper might cause cross-reactivity in peach allergic patients, and its allergenic proteins have stability against digestive enzymes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1477-1486
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• 2012

This study was performed to determine the effect of onion peel extract using 70% ethanol and 95% ethanol on its anti-oxidation activity, small intestine length, and intestinal villi of high-fat fed mice. Five percent of each onion peel extract using 70% and 95% ethanol showed significant decrease of E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Total phenolic contents of onion peel extracts using 70% and 95% ethanol were $166.89{\pm}0.03$ mg/g and $160.89{\pm}0.13$ mg/g, respectively. In anti-oxidation activity, DPPH radical scavenging activity and SOD-like activity of onion peel extracts were higher at 100 ug/ml concentration. The obese mice were fed high-fat diets supplemented by 1, 3, and 5% of the onion peel extracts using 70% and 95% ethanol for 4 weeks. Body weight, feed intake, feed efficiency, small intestine weight, length, villi's length, and number of bacteria in intestine were determined. Body weight of mice fed 5% of onion extracts using both 70% and 95% ethanol was significantly lower than that of control (p<0.05). However, feed intake was increased in mice fed 5% of onion extracts at both fermented ethanol levels. Small intestine weight and length of mice showed no significant change with supplementation of the onion peel extracts. However, length of small intestine villi was significantly longer than that of control. Total bacteria counts of Cl. Perfringenes and E. coli in small intestine of the mice were significantly reduced by supplementation of 5% of onion extract using ethanol, while lactic acid bacteria were increased. These results suggest that 5% of onion peel extracts using ethanol at either 70% or 95% concentration have potential to be used as an additive for body weight control and enhanced gut health; however, more research on its effectiveness is needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.616-621
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• 2013

Aconitum pesudo-laeve var erectum has been known to possess anti-inflammatory activity and modulate the intestinal immune system. In addition, it has traditionally been used for the treatment of water retention in the body. In this study, the anti-aging and anti-diabetes effects of water and ethanol extracts from Aconitum pesudo-laeve var. erectum were investigated. The activities of each extract were measured by antioxidant tests such as DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, antioxidant protection factor (PF), TBARs content, and ${\alpha}$-amylase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity assay. DPPH radical scavenging activity was found in over 50% of water and ethanol extracts at $100{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging activity of ethanol extract was $99.8{\pm}0.1$% at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ in water, which was highest among the ethanol extract concentrations. PFs measured with ${\beta}$-carotene-linoleate model systems were in the order of ethanol (1.49 PF at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$) > ethanol (1.40 PF at $500{\mu}g/ml$) > water (1.33 PF at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$) > water (1.27 PF at $500{\mu}g/ml$). TBARs content in ethanol extracts ($1,000{\mu}g/ml$) was $0.16{\pm}0.03{\mu}M$, which was lower than that of water extracts and other ethanol extract concentrations. The extracts also showed over 90% of ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibition and over 60% of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition ratio in water ($1,000{\mu}g/ml$) and ethanol extracts (100~$1,000{\mu}g/ml$). These results suggest that Aconitum pesudo-laeve var. erectum extracts could be used as a cosmetic source and preventive agent for aging and diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.547-557
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• 1986

The characteristics of the three alkaline proteinases, Enz. A, B and C, from the pyloric caeca of mackerel have been investigated. The optimum condition for the activity of the Enz. A, B and C was pH 9.4, 9.8 and 9.8 at $45^{\circ}C$ for $2\%$ casein solution, and was pH 9.2 10.2 and 9.8 at $45^{\circ}C$ for $5\%$ hemoglobin denatured by urea, respectively. Enz. A, B and C by heat treatment at $50^{\circ}C$ for 5 min were inactivated 90, 33 and $37\%$, respectively, over the original activity. The reaction rate of the three alkaline proteinases was constant to the reaction time to 40 min in the reaction condition of $2{\mu}g/ml$ of enzyme concentration and $2\%$ casein solution. The reaction rate equation and Km value against casein substrate determined by the method of Lineweaver and Burk were: Enz. A, Y=3.6X and $Km=5.0{\times}10^{-3}\%$; Enz. B, Y=6.0X and $Km=1.0{\times}10^{-3}\%$; Enz. C, Y=4.2X and $Km=3.6{\times}10^{-3}\%$. The three alkaline proteinases were inactivated by $Ag^+$ and $Hg^{2+}$, but activated by $Mn^{2+},\;Sn^{2+}\;and\;Pb^{2+}$, Enz. B and C were remarkably inhibited by the soybean trypsin inhibitor. Molecular weight of Enz. A, B and C determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration was in the range of $27,500{\pm}2,500,\;20,500{\pm}1,500\;and\;15,250{\pm}250$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.563-574
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• 1986

The structure of gonads, gametogenesis and reproductive cycle of the jackknife clams, Solen strictus and Solen gordonis were investigated mainly by histological observation. The first species used were monthly sampled at the coastal area of Dadaepo, Pusan, Korea and Naechodo, Kunsan, Korea for one year from February 1982 to January 1983. The second species were monthly sampled at the sand beach of Dadaepo, Pusan, Korea, from February 1982 to January 1983. Sexualities of Solen strictus and Solen gordonis are dioecious, and these species are oviparous. The gonads are irregularly arranged from the subregion of mid-intestinal gland in visceral cavity to reticular connective tissue of foot. The ovary was composed of a number of small ovarian sacs and the testis was composed of several testicular lobuli which from the tubular structure. Early multiplicating oogonium was about $10{\mu}m$ in diamater. Nucleus and nucleolus, at that time, were distinct in appearance. Each of the early growing oocytes made an egg-stalk, connected to the germinal epithelium of the ovarian sac. A great number of undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue and eosinophilic granular cells are abundantly distributed in the ovarian sacs in the early development stages. With the further development of gonad, these tissue and cells gradually disappeared. Then the undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue and eosinophilic granular cells function as nutritive cells in the formation and development of the early stage germ cells. Mature oocytes were free in the lumen of ovarian sacs and gradually become round or oval. Ripe oocyte was about 80 to $90{\mu}m$ in diameter. With the further development of testis, each of the testicular lobuli formed stratified layers composed of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa in groups on the germinal epithelium. After spawning, the gonad gradually degenerated, and disorganized completely. Then new differentiated tissues were rearranged next year. The annual reproductive cycle of those species could be classified into five stages; multiplicative, growing, mature, spent, degenerative and resting stage. It seems that the spawning season is closely related to the water temperature, and the spawning of Solen strictus occurs from June to July at above $20^{\circ}C$ in water temperature. The peak spawning season appeared in June at Dadaepo and in July at Kunsan, The spawning of Solen gordonis occurs from May to June with the peak spawning season in June. Percentages of the first maturity in female of Solen strictus ranging from 5.1-6.0 cm and 7.1-8.0 cm in shell length were $50\%$ and $100\%$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.710-716
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• 2001

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary oligosaccharide on the blood glucose and serum lipid composition in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 150$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal and four STZ-induced diabetic groups. Diabetic groups were classified to basal diet(DM group) 10% xylooligosaccharide diet(DM-XO group) 10% isomaltooligosaccharide(DM-IMO group) and 10% fructooligosaccharide (DM-FO). Diabetes was experimentally induced by intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg of body weight of STZ in citrate buffer (pH 4.3) after feeding of experimental diets for 4 weeks. The rats were fed with experimental diet for further 4 weeks in diabetic state. The oligosaccharide diets were not effected on the body weight food intakes and food efficiency ratio. The oligosaccharide diets were also not effected on the body weight food intakes and food efficiency ratio. The oligosaccharide diets were also not effected on the weights of liver kidney and small intestine but the weight of cecum was significantly increased on the groups of xylooligosaccharide and isomaltooligosaccharide diet. The levels of oral glucose tolerance test was more effectively improved by DM-XO group. The levels of blood glucose were markedly lower in oligosaccharide supplemented groups than that of DM group. The levels of blood glucose were markedly lower in oligosaccharide supplemented groups than that of DM group. Activities of two intestinal enzymes such as lactase and sucrase in DM-XO and DM-FO groups were lower than that of DM group while activity of maltase was lower only in DM-XO in DM-FO groups than that of DM-group respectively. The levels of serum triglyceride in DM-XO group were lower than that of DM-group respectively. The levels of serum triglyceride in DM-XO groups were lower than that of DM group however was no significant differences among the oligosaccharide groups. These results suggest that dietary oligosaccharide may act as functional food to be capable of improving carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in diabetic rats.

• 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.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.222-229
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• 1999

Histopathological study has been carried out to elucidate the protective effect of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced acute toxicity in male guinea pigs. Forty male guinea pigs ($200{\pm}20g$) were divided into 4 groups: normal controls (group 1) received vehicle and saline; group 2 (single TCDD-treated) received TCDD (5 ${\mu}g/kg$, single dose) and saline; group 3 received KRG-WE (200 mg/kg, i.p.) for 2 weeks starting 1 week before TCDD-exposure; group 4 received same dose of KRG-WE for 7 days from the day of TCDD-exposure. Weights of liver, testis, kidney, spleen and lung of the TCDD-exposed guinea pigs were significantly decreased. Thymus was severely shrunken, thereby could not be distinguished from adipose tissue in group 2 animals. Focal interstitial inflammation and fibrosis were observed from the lung parenchyma of group 2 animals. Furthermore, moderate swelling of hepatocyte, diffused aggregates of hemosiderin-laden macrophages from the Prussian blue stained spleen, marked decrease in spermatogenesis, and pyknotic and degenerative changes in the renal tubules were observed from intestinal organs of group 2 animals. On the other hand, histopathological damage was moderately to markedly alleviated in groups 3 and 4, but pretreatment of KRG-WE was more effective than the simultaneous treatment. In particular, TCDD-induced testicular atrophy was significantly attenuated by KRG-WE (p<0.01). From these results, it could be suggested that Korean red ginseng might be a useful herb that prevented TCDD-induced toxicity on liver, testis, kidney and spleen.