• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2019

Glutamate toxicity-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal cell death are involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases as well as acute brain ischemia/stroke. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanism of dieckol (DEK), one of the phlorotannins isolated from the marine brown alga Ecklonia cava, against glutamate toxicity. Primary cortical neurons ($100{\mu}M$, 24 h) and HT22 neurons (5 mM, 12 h) were stimulated with glutamate to induce glutamate toxic condition. The results demonstrated that DEK treatment significantly increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner ($1-50{\mu}M$) and recovered morphological deterioration in glutamate-stimulated neurons. In addition, DEK strongly attenuated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial overload of $Ca^{2+}$ and ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$) disruption, adenine triphosphate depletion. DEK showed free radical scavenging activity in the cell-free system. Furthermore, DEK enhanced protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an important anti-oxidant enzyme, via the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2). Taken together, we conclude that DEK exerts neuroprotective activities against glutamate toxicity through its direct free radical scavenging property and the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway activation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2021

Objective : This study was designed to investigate effect of immature fruits from Citrus unshiu Markovich to mature them on antioxidative and antiaging-related enzyme activities in vitro. Methods : Fruits from Open field-cultivated C. unshiu Markovich (ripe and unripe fruits of Citri) made a purchase in Jeju island. We measured total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in mature C. unshiu Markovich (MC) and immature C. unshiu Markovich (IMC) 70% ethanol extract. DPPH free radical, ABTS radical, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities in both extracts were determined. Also, reducing power, SOD-like activities, elastase inhibition, and collagenase inhibition activities of these extract were assayed at 5, 1, 0.5, and 0.1 mg/㎖. Results : The total polyphenol contents in the ethanol extract of IMC were higher than those of MC (26.99 ± 0.89 mg/TAEg). And total flavonoid contents in them were very similar to both extract (MC; 7.25 ± 0.4 mg/RUEg and IMC; 7.44 ± 0.18 mg/RUEg). DPPH free radical scavenging activities, ABTS radical scavenging capacity, reducing power, and SOD-like activities of IMC-treated group showed significant increase compared to those of MC group in all treated concentrations. Particularly, DPPH free radical scavenging and elastase inhibition activities in IMC-treated group at 5 mg/㎖ showed similar with positive control group. Besides, IMC extract at 5 mg/㎖ concentration surpassed positive control (BHA or Vit. C) in SOD-like activities and ABTS radical scavenging capacity. Conclusion : These results suggest that IMC ethanol extract may be used as a natural antioxidant and a antiaging material for development of functional foods and cosmeceuticals.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

We evaluated the effects of prebiotic (mannan oligosaccharides, Mos) and probiotic diet supplements on growth performance, innate immunity, antioxidant activity, and intestinal changes in the microbial flora of red seabream Pagrus major. A basal diet (Con) was formulated to meet the nutrient requirement of red seabream. The dietary starch in Con was replaced with 0.6% Mos, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis and probiotic mixture (labeled as Mos, Pro-LP, Pro-BS, Pro-BL and Pro-Mix, respectively). We stocked 450 fish in 18 polypropylene tanks (400 L) in triplicate groups per dietary treatment. The fish were fed one of the diets twice (08:30, 18:30 h) a day for 63 days. Lysozyme activity was significantly higher in all the supplemented groups than that of the Con group. The immunoglobulin level of Pro-Mix, anti-protease activity of Pro-BL, and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity of Pro-BS, Pro-BL and Pro-Mix groups were significantly higher than those of the Con group. The ratio of total Vibrio/heterotrophic marine bacteria counts was significantly lower in Pro-LP, Pro-BL and Pro-Mix groups than that of the Con group. Therefore, dietary supplementation of Mos and probiotics to improves immune response and antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibits Vibrio bacteria in the intestine.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.390-399
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• 2023

Background: Gintonin (GT), a Panax ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid receptor (LPAR) ligand, has positive effects in cultured or animal models for Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and so on. However, the potential therapeutic value of GT in treating epilepsy has not yet been reported. Methods: Effects of GT on epileptic seizure (seizure) in kainic acid [KA, 55mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]-induced model of mice, excitotoxic (hippocampal) cell death in KA [0.2 ㎍, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.)]-induced model of mice, and levels of proinflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 cells were investigated. Results: An i.p. injection of KA into mice produced typical seizure. However, it was significantly alleviated by oral administration of GT in a dose-dependent manner. An i.c.v. injection of KA produced typical hippocampal cell death, whereas it was significantly ameliorated by administration of GT, which was related to reduced levels of neuroglial (microglia and astrocyte) activation and proinflammatory cytokines/enzymes expression as well as increased level of the Nrf2-antioxidant response via the upregulation of LPAR 1/3 in the hippocampus. However, these positive effects of GT were neutralized by an i.p. injection of Ki16425, an antagonist of LPA1-3. GT also reduced protein expression level of inducible nitric-oxide synthase, a representative proinflammatory enzyme, in LPS-induced BV2 cells. Treatment with conditioned medium clearly reduced cultured HT-22 cell death. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that GT may suppress KA-induced seizures and excitotoxic events in the hippocampus through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities by activating LPA signaling. Thus, GT has a therapeutic potential to treat epilepsy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.796-801
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• 2002

To investigate the effects of Ewomia ulmoides olivon extract on the serum and hepatic lipid status and anti-oxidant enzyme activities, male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were given high fat diets and Eucomia ulmoides olivon ethanol extracts for 6 weeks. Rats were divided into (our groups consisting the control (C), Eucomia ulmoides oliuon extract fed group (CE), high fat diet group (CL) and the extract and high fat fed group (CLE). Eucomia ulmoides oliuon ethanol extract lowered total cholesterol, but increased HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol of the serum compared to the control. On the other hand, the ratio of HDL-cholesterol/total cho-lcsterol (HTR) was increased by 55% (p<0.05). High fat diet significantly increased serum cholesterol contents, but decreased HDL-cholesterol level and HTR (p<0.05). Atherogenic index (AI) of CL group was increased by almost four times of the control (p<0.05). Triglycerides (TG) and phospholipids were also increased by high fat diet. Eucomia ulmoides oliuon ethanol extract decreased the levels of TG (p<0.05) and phospholipids (p<0.05). Although liver antioxidant engyme activities including glutathione sulfur transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were decreased by high fat diet, those were stimulated by the administration of Eucommia ulmoides olivon ethanol extract.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2007

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is known to protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced injuries, and regional differences in the mitochondrial antioxidant state during IR or IPC may promote the death or survival of viable and infarcted cardiac tissues under oxidative stress. To date, however, the interplay between the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme system and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body has not yet been resolved. In the present study, we examined the effects of IR- and IPC-induced oxidative stresses on mitochondrial function in viable and infarcted cardiac tissues. Our results showed that the mitochondria from viable areas in the IR-induced group were swollen and fused, whereas those in the infarcted area were heavily damaged. IPC protected the mitochondria, thus reducing cardiac injury. We also found that the activity of the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme system, which includes manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), was enhanced in the viable areas compared to the infarcted areas in proportion with decreasing levels of ROS and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. These changes were also present between the IPC and IR groups. Regional differences in Mn-SOD expression were shown to be related to a reduction in mtDNA damage as well as to the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt c). To the best of our knowledge, this might be the first study to explore the regional mitochondrial changes during IPC. The present findings are expected to help elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in IPC and helpful in the development of new clinical strategies against ischemic heart disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.650-656
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• 2013

Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays a pivotal role in augmenting Protein C activation through the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex. EPCR activity is markedly changed by ectodomain cleavage and released as the soluble protein (sEPCR). EPCR shedding is mediated by tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ converting enzyme (TACE). Lycopene found in tomatoes and tomato products has anti-oxidant, anti- cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, little is known about the effects of lycopene on EPCR shedding. We investigated this issue by monitoring the effects of lycopene on the phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and on the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated EPCR shedding. Data showed that lycopene potently inhibited the PMA, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and CLP-induced EPCR shedding by suppressing TACE expression. Furthermore, lycopene reduced PMA-stimulated phosphorylation of p38, extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Given these results, lycopene should be viewed as a candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of various severe vascular inflammatory diseases via inhibition of the EPCR shedding.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2019

Calystegia soldanella is distributed in coastal sand dunes and has high environmental adaptability; it is also known to be effective for anti-oxidant, anti-pyretic, anti-septic, and diuretic action. This study investigated the effect of crude extracts and organic solvent fractions of C. soldanella on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, MMP activity, and cell mobility in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells. C. soldanella was twice extracted, once with methylene chloride (MC) and once with methanol (MeOH). After the MC and MeOH extracts were combined, their suppressive effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, MMP enzymatic activity, and gene and protein expression were measured by gelatin zymography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot method. Cell mobility for the HT-1080 cells was observed by wound healing assay. The combined crude extracts showed a significant suppressive effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. To explore active inhibitory elements, the combined extracts were fractionated according to polarity into with n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol, n-butanol, and water. Across these four solvent fractions, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and cell mobility in the HT-1080 cells were all strongly inhibited by the n-hexane fraction. These results suggest that C. soldanella extract and organic solvent fractions could be used as potent MMP inhibitors for effective anti-cancer treatments to suppress cancer invasion and metastasis.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.586-593
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• 2012

This study was carried out to determine the biological activity of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum fruit extracts. The phenolic compound contents of the extracts were 21.4 and 15.8 mg/g in hot water and 60% ethanol extracts. The total anti-oxidant activities of the water and the 60% ethanol extracts at a 200 ${\mu}g/mL$ phenolic concent ration were at $92.4{\pm}0.8$ and $89.2{\pm}1.1%$ in terms of the DPPH radical scavenging activity, $98.3{\pm}1.1$ and $96.5{\pm}3.5%$ in terms of the ABTS radical decolorization, $2.0{\pm}0.6$ and $1.2{\pm}2.8$ PF in terms of the anti-oxidant protection factor, and $66.3{\pm}0.8$ and $61.4{\pm}2.3%$ in terms of the TBARs inhibitory activity. The activities that inhibited the angiotensin-converting enzyme and xanthin oxidase were at $85.1{\pm}3.2$ and 0% in the water extracts and $59.3{\pm}1.5$ and $9.5{\pm}0.8%$ in the 60% ethanol extracts at the 200 ${\mu}g/mL$ phenolic concentration. The tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activities were at $56.6{\pm}1.8$ and $53.1{\pm}1.1%$ in the water extracts and $33.7{\pm}2.2$ and $22.4{\pm}3.1%$ in the 60% ethanol extracts. The astringent effect of the water and the 60% ethanol extracts were at $50.5{\pm}0.9$ and $11.5{\pm}4.1%$.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.185-198
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• 2008

Influences of dietary brown seaweed(BSW) on the nutrient metabolism, anti-oxidant enzyme activity and cell-mediated immune response were studied in broiler chicks activated acute phase response. 72 Hatched male broiler chicks(Ross) were divided into 12 pens, 6 heads per pen, and fed the BSW 0.0% (Basal) or 2.0% diet, respectively, and injected with the Salmonella typhimurium lipopoly saccharide(LPS) for activation of the acute phase response three times at 8, 10 and 12 d of age. During 4 wks of experimental feeding, growth performance of broiler chicks was not affected by dietary BSW and the acute phase response. Compared with control birds, the acute phase response did not affect the daily weight gain in birds fed BSW 2.0% diet, decreased nitrogen balance(NB) or metabolizable energy(ME) utilization per metabolic body size(kg0.75), and enhanced activities of peroxidase or extracellular SOD(EcSOD), tumor necrosis factor-alpha and ovotransferrin in plasma and MnSOD and CuZnSOD in erythrocyte cytosol. Compared to BSW 0.0% diet, 2.0% diet enhanced protein retention(NB) per kg0.75 regardless the acute phase response, did not affect uric acid nitrogen excretion(UAN) per kg0.75 in birds during the acute phase response, decreased(p<0.05) the UAN excretion per kg0.75 in control birds. And BSW 2.0% diet also decreased(p<0.05) plasma peroxide level and erythrocyte peroxidase or MnSOD activity but increased plasma peroxidase and EcSOD activity and interleukin-1 activity secreted from LPS-stimulated PBMC in 4 week broiler chicks.