• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.209-218
• /
• 2011

Ginseng has been used as a general tonic agent to invigorate the human body as an adaptogenic agent. In a previous report, we have shown that ginseng contains a novel glycolipoprotein called gintonin. The main function of gintonin is to transiently enhance intracellular free $Ca^{2+}$ $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ levels in animal cells. The previous method for gintonin isolation included multiple steps using organic solvents. In the present report, we developed a simple method for the preparation of crude gintonin from ginseng root as well as stem and leaf, which produced a higher yield of gintonin than the previous one. The yield of gintonin was 0.20%, 0.29%, and 0.81% from ginseng root, stem, and leaf, respectively. The apparent molecular weight of gintonin isolated from stem and leaf through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was almost same as that from root but the compositions of amino acids, carbohydrates or lipids differed slightly between them. We also examined the effects of crude gintonin from ginseng root, stem, and leaf on endogenous $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^-$ channel (CaCC) activity of Xenopus oocytes through mobilization of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. We found that the order of potency for the activation of CaCC was ginseng root > stem > leaf. The $ED_{50}$ was $1.4{\pm}1.4$, $4.5{\pm}5.9$, and $3.9{\pm}1.1$ mg/mL for root, stem and leaf, respectively. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that in addition to ginseng root, ginseng stem and leaf also contain gintonin. Gintonin can be prepared from a simple method with higher yield of gintonin from ginseng root, stem, and leaf. Finally, these results demonstrate the possibility that ginseng stem and leaf could also be utilized for ginstonin preparation after a simple procedure, rather than being discarded.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.446-451
• /
• 2009

In this study, cathepsin S (CTSS) inhibitory fraction was isolated from Paecilomyces tenuipes and anti-obesitic effects of the fraction were evaluated in mice, fed a high-fat diet. Hot water extract of P. tenuipes (DHW) was divided into 2 fractions, water eluate fraction (DHP1) and methanol eluate fraction (DHP2) using Diaion HP-20. $IC_{50}$ values for DHW, DHP1 and DHP2 against CTSS were 108.7, 890.3 and 2.3 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively. To evaluate anti-obesitic effects of the fractions, each fraction was administrated orally to C57BL/6 mice for 4 weeks with a high-fat diet. DHP2 had the highest inhibitory effect on CTSS activity, causing serious reduction in weight gain, a reduction in the amount of adipose tissue and in serum lipids levels. These results suggest that the inhibition of CTSS by compounds derived from P. tenuipes may be effective in preventing and in ameliorating obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.8
• /
• pp.895-903
• /
• 2016

This study was carried out to discover the response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) senescence- associated genes (SAGs) to several plant hormones in detached and developing cotyledon. Accordingly, a collection of cucumber SAGs were examined to characterize their gene expression response through semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Cotyledons were excised at day 14 after seed sowing from plantlets, then incubated in 100 μM each of IAA or zeatin solution for up to 4 days in light and darkness. They were collected at 2-day intervals and used for total RNA extraction and subjected to RT-PCR. Gene expression levels of several cucumber SAGs were significantly changed during the incubation period. More than five cucumber SAGs involving SAG 60 responded to the IAA and zeatin treatment. In the ethylene response study, cotyledons were exposed up to 10 days by ethylene gas. Most of the cucumber SAGs did not show immediate response to ethylene in green cotyledon. The exceptions were PCK, SAG 158, and SAG 288 genes, which responded after 1 day of exposure to green cotyledon, while ICL and SAG 281 revealed strong responses after 10 days of being exposed to yellowing cotyledon. These results suggest that several cucumber SAGs react actively in response to starvation or senescence against exogenously applied stimulus. This induced senescence response is able to understand the SAGs role in lipids and amino acids metabolism partly and function in organ senescence during development.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.12
• /
• pp.1680-1687
• /
• 2012

Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease, primarily due to dyslipidemia that accompanies the loss of estrogen secretion. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Opuntia humifusa seed extracts on blood flow and serum lipid level in ovariectomized rats. Twenty-eight 9-week old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups as sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Opuntia humifusa seed extracts (OVX-OHS 2% and OVX-OHS 6%). The diets were fed to the rats for 7 weeks after operation. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride contents decreased in the SHAM group compared to the OVX-CON group. Seven weeks of feeding of Opuntia humifusa seed extracts resulted in significant (p<0.05) lowering of serum triglyceride and a decreasing tendency in total cholesterol levels. The level of HDL-cholesterol in serum increased significantly by feeding diets containing the 2% and 6% Opuntia humifusa seed hot-water extract (p<0.05). Blood passage times were shorter in the Opuntia humifusa seed extract-supplemented groups than in the untreated group (OVX-CON). The platelet aggregation ability was lower in groups treated with Opuntia humifusa seed extracts than in the OVX-CON group. These results suggest that Opuntia humifusa seed extracts may have benefits in improving metabolic syndrome in menopausal women.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.9
• /
• pp.946-951
• /
• 2014

Melanin plays a key role in the protection of skin from ultraviolet light that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. However, the ROS leading to the oxidation of lipids, proteins and DNA are involved in the overproduction of melanin that is known to cause melasma, age spots and freckles. Among the herb medicines, Ulmus macrocarpa used in this study was reported to contain flavonoids as a main component. The aim of this study is to investigate the whitening and anti-oxidant effects of Ulmus macrocarpa ethanolic extracts (UMEE) in B16F1 cells. UMEE below $3.12{\mu}g/ml$ did not show cytotoxicity. In an anti-oxidant experiment, UMEE showed not only high reducing power and scavenging activity on DPPH, but it was also observed that UMEE exhibit an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation. UMEE did not display an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity in vitro. However, UMEE inhibited melanin synthesis in B16F1 cells. In addition, UMEE reduced the expression levels of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), which are key enzymes in melanogenesis. These results indicate that UMEE exert a whitening effect through the inhibition of both tyrosinase and TRP-2 expressions as well as anti-oxidant activity, suggesting that UMEE could have the functional potential for a whitening effect on the skin.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.515-523
• /
• 1998

Oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS) damages cellular DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids and others causing various diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and heart diseases. 8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) is one of the products formed from DNA or RNA damaged by ROS. Since high amounts of 8-OHG can be excreted in urine, it may serve as a potential biomarker indicating the level of oxidative damage to nucleic acids. Residents in industrial area with severe air pollution are expected to be affected by higher level of oxidative stress from pollutants like polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), etc. Smokers are also expected to be damaged by higher level of oxidative stress from cigarette smoke components like PAHs than non-smokers. To examine if the determination of the urinary concentration of 8-OHG could be used as exposure biomarker for the oxidative stress caused by air-pollutants, this study was performed to determine and compare the urinary concentrations of 8-OHG in smokers and non-smokers, or non-polluted area residents and polluted area residents. Urine samples were collected and purified by a strong cation exchange and cellulose partition column, then analyzed by HPLC with electrochemical detector at 600 ㎷ potential. Concentrations of urinary 8-OHG in non-smokers and smokers of Seoul area college male students were determined as 15.12$\pm$9.68 (ng/mg creatinine) and 34.72$\pm$11.72 (ng/mg creatinine), respectively, showing significantly higher level of 8-OHG in smokers than in non-smokers. Urine samples of elementary school students were collected from Sokcho area, which is known to be non-polluted, and 3 representative polluted areas; Yocheon industrial area, Ulsan urban and Ulsan industrial area. The concentrations of 8-OHG in these samples were 12.42$\pm$8.27 (ng/ mg creatinine, Sokcho), 22.55$\pm$9.12 (ng/mg creatinine, Yocheon), 17.41$\pm$2.30 (ng/mg creatinine, Ulsan urban), 55.04$\pm$39.73 (ng/mg creatinine, Ulsan industrial). Thus, samples from polluted area tend to have higher level of 8-OHG and the levels of Yocheon and Ulsan industrial area were significantly higher than that of Sokcho area. The results indicate that the residents of polluted industrial area or smokers are more severely exposed to oxidative stress probably caused by air pollutants like PAHs. Thus, the determination of urinary 8-OHG concentration could be used as biomarker for the extent of body exposure to oxidative stress caused by various pollutants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.526-532
• /
• 1999

The aim of this study was to observe whether the dietary supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA). In growing rats requires extra supplementation of arachidonic acid(AA) for brain development. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, each fed a different diet. In the FO group, dams were fed a DHA-rich FO diet during pregnancy and lactation and pups were fed the same diet until 10 weeks old. In the AO group dams and pups were similarly fed a FO diet after weaning. DHA and AA were most effetively deposited in the developing brain during pregnancy and lactation in rats. However, FO-W pups showed significantly lower level of DHA at 0-3 weeks compared with the FO and AO groups and than slowly increased DHA levels to about 87% of other groups at 10 weeks with the introduction of the FO diet after weaning. The total amount of DNA in whole brain rapidly reached a maximum level at 3 weeks and then was sustained at a constant level after 5 weeks of age. The DNA content was positively correlated with DHA level but not with AA level in the developing brain. DNA content was significantly lower in the FO-W group compared to the FO and AO group at 3 weeks of age. However, the DNA content of brain in FO-W pups increased to 80% of the FO group level at 10 weeks after feeding the FO diet after weaning. The relative percentage of AA in brain lipids was significantly reduced in the early stage of brain development when only DHA was supplemented. However, DHA supplementation had no significant effect on the incorporation of AA when the approximately 35% of LA in the FO diet was substituted by preformed AA. These results suggest that large quantities of DHA could interfere with the normal conversion of LA to AA if LA is not supplemented enough together with DHA. Therefore, high DHA supplementation may require preformed AA in the diet even though AA has no significant correlation with the DNA content in brain. DHA supplementation after weaning also improved the incorporation of DHA into brain and content of DNA even though brain development was almost completed, suggesting that a low level of DHA supplementation without AA addition might be necessary to improve brain development during infancy as well as during pregnancy and lactation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.410-417
• /
• 2013

Caloric restriction is recognized as one of the best treatment options for obesity, and is associated with changes in body composition. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age in caloric restriction in overweight and obese women. In this caloric restriction study, nutrient intake of 61 women was evaluated using food records written by subjects for three days. Body composition and metabolic risk factors were assessed before and after caloric restriction. Blood levels of lipids, glucose, leptin, and adiponectin were measured. Visceral fat and subcutaneous fat were evaluated using bioimpedance analysis. General linear models (GLM) identified the independent effects of age after co-varying baseline weight and difference of energy intake. Weight, fat mass, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, and blood pressure showed a significant decrease by caloric restriction of 452 kcal/day. The percent changes in weight, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat were -4.5%, -12.0%, and -8.2%, respectively, after caloric restriction. The percent changes of weight, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat showed an independent association with age co-varying baseline weight and difference of energy intake. Decreased change in percent of leptin by caloric restriction also showed an association with age. Changes in body composition and leptin by caloric restriction showed an independent association with age. This may indicate greater difficulty in achievement of change of body composition as well as greater obesity-related metabolic risk with aging. Therefore, caloric restriction considering age should be recommended for effective dietary treatment in overweight or obese women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.1004-1009
• /
• 2001

Acid hydrolysates of cocoon was gained by acid hydrolysis of 2 N HCl, 11$0^{\circ}C$, 48 hours, neutralization and desalting from the cocoon. The amino acid compositions of acid hydrolysates of cocoon were glycine 43.25%, alanine 34.39%, serine 10.05% and valine 2.44%. The contents of essential amino acid was 10.05%. Food efficiency ratio of acid hydrolysates of cocoon group was equal to the reference protein, casein. Liver weight, GOT, GPT activity, serum albumin and serum total protein level of rats were not significantly different among the experimental groups. Therefore, the protein acid hydrolysates of cocoon is not of high quality. When the rat fed with high cholesterol, high lipid, and high sucrose diet was administered with 5% acid hydrolysates of cocoon, its plasma lipids concentration of acid hydrolysates of cocoon was favorably affected: its triglyceride was decreased, and the level of phospholipid and HDL cholesterol were increased. There was also an unfavorable effect: the levels of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol went up. Therefore, the acid hydrolysates of cocoon is not a good protein food source, but is can be used a cosmetic, medical, or packing material. Further research will reveal how it will affect or improve plasma lipid.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.832-838
• /
• 2004

This study investigated the effects of an antifat diet with $\beta$-cyclodextrin on the reduction of body weight, obesity index, body mass index, body fat mass, body circumferences and plasma lipid levels in obese Korean women. After maintaining an antifat diet for 45 days, there were significant reductions in body weight by 4 kg, obesity index by 5%, body mass index by 1 kg/$m^2$ and body fat mass by 7% as absolute values (p<0.05). When expressed as percentages of the decrease, these reductions remained significant at 4%, 13%, 4% and 20%, respectively (p<0.05). In addition, after maintaining this antifat diet for 45 days, there were also significant reductions in arm, waist, hip and thigh circumferences by 3 cm as absolute values when compared to before intake of antifat diet, and these reductions remained significant at 8%, 3.4%, 3% and 5%, respectively (p<0.05) as percentages of the decrease. Furthermore, this antifat diet significantly reduced triacylglyceride by 103 mg/dL, total cholesterol by 50 mg/dL and LDL-C by 50 mg/dL respectively (p<0.05). Thus, the present results demonstrate that $\beta$-cyclodextrin may have benefit as a novel food resource for diets to prevent obesity and control overweight in adult women.