In the present study, the estrogenic activity and anti-osteoclastogenic activity of the Myelophycus simplex extract were evaluated using T47D-Kbluc cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). As a result of the measurement of the estrogenic activity in the T47D-Kbluc cell line, the Myelophycus simplex extract showed increased estrogenic activity in a dose-dependent manner in association with its concentration. To confirm the regulatory effect of the Myelophycus simplex extract on the estrogen-responsive gene, the Myelophycus simplex extract showed a similar tendency to estradiol: the expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) was significantly decreased while the expression of estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) was increased. Furthermore, the Myelophycus simplex extract exhibited an inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation. In conclusion, these Myelophycus simplex extracts might be regarded as candidates for further studies or the development of functional food products or medicine to prevent or avoid postmenopausal symptoms for women.

Sialic acid, which is contained in about 60-160 mg/kg in the edible bird's nest (EBN), is known to facilitate in the proper formation of synapses and improve memory function. The objective of this study is to extract effectively the sialic acid from edible bird's nest using affinity bead technology (ABT). After preparing the non-polar polymeric bead "KJM-278-28A" having a porous network structure, and then desorbed sialic acid was concentrated and dried. The analysis of the physicochemical properties of bead "KJM-278-28A" showed that the particle size was 400-700 ㎛, the moisture holding capacity was 67-70%, the surface area (BET) was 705-900 ㎡/g, and the average pore diameter 70-87 Å. The adsorption capacity of the bead "KJM-278-28A" for sialic acid was shown a strong physical force to bind sialic acid to the bead surface of 400 mg/L. In addition, as a result of analyzing the adsorption and desorption effects of sialic acid on water, ethanol, and 10% ethanol on the bead, it was confirmed that desorption effectively occurs from the beads when only ethanol is used. As a result of HPLC measurement of the separated sialic acid solution, a total of four sialic acid peaks of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), α,β-anomer of Neu5Ac and N-glycoly-neuraminic acid were identified. Through these results, it was confirmed that it is possible to separate sialic acid from EBN extract with efficient and high yield when using ABT.

Stichopus japonicas (red sea cucumbers) inhabit the coastal sea surrounding Jeju Island, South Korea, and are thought to have various medicinal properties. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of a red sea cucumber (S. japonicus) collected from Jeju Island. We obtained the red sea cucumber extract (RSCE), and observed that it inhibited the tumor cell growth and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production associated with the induction of apoptosis through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in murine colon carcinoma cells (CT-26). Treatment with RSCE and N-acetylcysteine, which is a ROS scavenger, increased ROS production and apoptosis via the regulation by the MAPK pathway on the ERK and JNK compared with the nontreated group. Therefore, RSCE promotes ROS-mediated suppression of the ERK and JNK activation, and subsequently inhibits cancer progression, suggesting that RSCE may be beneficial in treating colon carcinoma.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory degenerative joint disease that is accompanied by irreversible joint cartilage destruction. Recently, the antioxidant effects of Carpomitra costata, which is a type of brown algae, have been reported, but their effects on OA have not been investigated. In this study, the anti-osteoarthritic effect of the ethanol extract of C. costata (EECC) on SW1353 human chondrocytes was studied. Results showed that EECC significantly attenuated the interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide (NO), as well as expressions of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase. EECC also inhibited the IL-1β-induced expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -3, and -13 in SW1353 chondrocytes, which reduced their extracellular secretion. In addition, the oxidative stress induced by IL-1β was confirmed to be blocked by EECC due to the inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation. Moreover, EECC suppressed IL-1β-mediated translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) from cytosol into the nucleus and the degradation of IκB-α, which indicates that EECC exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. These results are the first to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activities of C. costata extracts in chondrocytes, thus suggesting that this algae extract may be used in the treatment of OA.

A variety of shellfish species sold for human consumption are available for purchase in the domestic fish market. The microalgae families inhabit the ocean, where planktons supply the main nutritional resource for the growth of shellfish. Some phytoplanktons produce toxic compounds that are accumulated in shellfish and ultimately cause toxicity in humans. This article reports the cytotoxicity of commercially available shellfish species. Accordingly, hot water extract (HWE) and an aqueous fraction of 50% methanol extract (MEE-AF) showed no significant cytotoxicity on the two cell lines (i.e., HL-60 and Vero cell lines), but 50% methanol extract (MEE) in 3, 6 samples showed 50% cytotoxic effects on HL-60 cells, and 1, 4 samples showed 40%, 20% cytotoxic effects on Vero cells, respectively. In addition, their consequential dichloromethane fractions (MEE-DF) exhibited significant toxicities at the highest concentration (1,000 ㎍/ml) on HL-60 and Vero cells. Since the shellfish samples showed cytotoxicity in the dichloromethane fraction, it is possible that the dichloromethane fraction contains marine toxins. Further research will be needed to identify the toxic components from each sample.

Eisenia bicyclis, a perennial macroalga is a primary producer of in the ocean, It has been identified as a key species that plays a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem stability. Also, it is an important target in marine afforestation projects and useful marine organisms. In addition, E. bicyclis is used as a health food for humans. This study investigated the effect of water temperature, light (photon irradiance), and duration of light (photoperiod) on the growth of gametophytes and young sporophytes of E. bicyclis. The germination and growth of the zoospores of E. bicyclis were examined at five temperatures (5℃, 10℃, 15℃, 20℃ and 25℃), four intensities of photon irradiance (10, 20, 40, and 80 μmol m-2s-1), and photoperiods (14:10 and 10:14 light/dark cycles). The zoospores released from mature plant germinated into the gametophytes under all experimental conditions. The gametophytes were able to grow at water temperature 5℃-25℃ and mature at 10℃-20℃. The optimal range of water temperature for the maturation of the gametophyte was 15℃-20℃. At 25℃, E. bicyclis gametophytes grew rapidly but did not mature. The optimal culture conditions for the growth of young sporophytes grew slowly in low temperature and photon irradiances.

Cancer is an unfavorable human disease, and the treatment commonly have side effects and can be ineffective. Since exploration and development of cancer treatment drugs is particularly demanding, this study aimed to investigate the anticancer activities of Polysiponia morrowii extract s (PME) on CT-26 and HeLa cells. The results showed that PME inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 41.04% in CT-26 and 48.51% in HeLa cell cultures. Moreover, cytological observation using Hoechst 33342 staining assay showed typical apoptotic morphology in both cancer cells, and production of sub-G1 DNA was induced by PME treatment in a dose-dependent manner, with 34.41% in CT-26 and 46.01% in HeLa cell cultures. These findings suggest that PME may have potential preventive effects or medicinal value in the treatment of colorectal and cervical cancers.