• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.386-393
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• 2020

Insect industry has been focused as production of food, animal feed, pollinator and for environmental remediation. Hermetia illicens, called as black soldier fly (BSF) is famous as nutritive feed. In this study, to evaluate the antithrombotic activities of BSF, the larvae (instar 2~6), pupae, residue after adult emergence [RAAE] and adult of Hermetia illicens [black soldier fly, BSF] were collected and their ethanol extracts were prepared. Growth of BSF larvae was very rapid and the weight of larvae was increased to 25-folds during 10 days cultivation. The ethanol extraction ratios showed from 1.0% (pupae) to 18.5%(adults). The highest total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and total sugar contents were observed in RAEE (17.2 mg/g), pupae (3.4 mg/g), and instar 6 (37.6 mg/g), suggesting that metabolic changes occur during the life cycle of the BSF. Anti-coagulation assay showed that extracts of RAEE, instar 6 and pupa of BSF significantly inhibited thrombin, prothrombin, and blood coagulation factors. Furthermore, the extracts of RAEE, instar 3 and adult of BSF showed a strong platelet aggregation inhibitory activity. Our results suggest that pupae and RAEE of BSF have potential as antithrombotic agents. This is the first study to provide evidence of the antithrombotic activity of the BSF and bioactivity alterations during its life cycle.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 1999

We have isolated two anticoagulant polysaccharides from an acidic extract of Codium fragile. The purification was conducted using three consecutive chromatographies of DEAE-Toyopearl 650C, Sephadex G-100 (G-75), and Sepharose CL-6B by measuring activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The two purified anticoagulant polysaccharides, CF-1-VIa-1 and CF-1-VIIa-1, were found to be nearly homogenous on HPLC using a gel permeation column and appeared to have molecular weights of about 80,000 Da and 40,000 Da, respectively. The polysaccharides consisted mainly of arabinose and galactose in a molar ratio of about 2 : 1, and also comprised 12-13% of sulfates at their constituent sugars. CF-1-VIa-1 and CF-1-VIIa-1 inhibited blood coagulation via both the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathways. The polysaccharides unlike heparin showed an inhibitory activity on thrombin when a pure fibrinogen without antithrombin III was used as a substrate. Structural modifications using sulfation and desulfation affected the anticoagulant activities directly, suggesting that the content of sulfate plays an important role in the blood coagulation cascade. The polysaccharides may inhibit some proteases involved in the blood coagulation cascade, judging from the independence of calcium concentrations in their anticoagulant activity.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2013

Poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) has been widely used in the drug delivery and tissue engineering applications because of its good mechanical strength and biodegradation profile. However, cell attachment to the scaffold is low compared with that on fibrin although cells can be attached to the polymer surface. In this study, PLGA scaffolds were soaked in cells-fibrin suspension and polymerized with dropping fibrinogen-thrombin solution. Cellular proliferation activity was observed in PLGA/fibrin-seeded costal cartilage cells (CC) on 1, 3, and 7 days using the MTT assay and SEM. The effects of fibrin on the extracellular matrix (ECM) formation were evaluated using CC cell-seeded PLGA/fibrin scaffolds. The PLGA/fibrin scaffolds elicited more production of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen than the PLGA scaffold. In this study, fibrin incorporated PLGA scaffolds were prepared to evaluate the effects of fibrin on the cell attachment and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. In this result, we confirmed that proliferation of cells in PLGA/fibrin scaffolds were better than in PLGA scaffolds. The PLGA/fibrin scaffolds provide suitable environment for growth and proliferation of costal cartilage cells.

• 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.17 no.5 s.85
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• pp.652-657
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• 2007

To make functional fresh-cut yam using natural spices, the water or the methanol extract was prepared from different kinds of natural spices including ginger, wasabi, black pepper, mustard, cinnamon, chinese pepper, garlic, thyme, rosemary, chamomile, and peppermint. The extraction yields were varied as spice sources and extraction solvents used. Among the water extracts, peppermint extract showed strong antithrombosis activity with 26-folds extended thrombin time, and the $IC_{50}s$ of the extracts from cinnamon and rosemary were $61.3{\mu}g/ml\;and\;84.3{\mu}g/ml$ in DPPH scavenging assay, respectively. Whereas, the antimicrobial activity of all water extracts was ignorable. Among the methanol extracts, the extracts from thyme, ginger, and cinnamon showed antimicrobial activity against yam putrefactive bacteria. Strong antioxidative activity was found in the extracts from cinnamon and thyme. Based on these results, the functional fresh-cut yam was prepared using the water extract from peppermint or cinnamon. The antioxidative and antithrombin activities in the fresh-cut yam were maintained at $4^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. Our results suggest that the natural spices could be applied to production of functional fresh-cut yam.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), one of the four major fiber crops, is attracting attention for its efficient CO₂-absorbing ability and versatility for producing daily supplies, including textiles. In Korea, a new cultivar 'Jangdae' was established in 2013. The ease of cultivation and seed gathering of 'Jangdae' has led to its nationwide cultivation. However, evaluation of the bioactivities of the different parts of kenaf, and especially the 'Jangdae' cultivar, remains rudimentary. In this study, the antithrombosis and antioxidant activities of extracts prepared from different parts of the 'Jangdae' cultivar were evaluated by determining their effects on blood clot formation. Extracts prepared from seeds (HC-SD), seedpods (HC-SP), leaves (HC-L), stems (HC-S), and roots (HC-R) of the 'Jangdae' cultivar strongly inhibited blood clot formation. In particular, the HC-SD, HC-SP, and HC-S extracts showed strong inhibition against the coagulation factors prothrombin, and thrombin. The HC-SP extract showed strong antioxidant activities, such as scavenging ability against DPPH anion, ABTS cation, nitrite, and reducing power. Since blood clot formation is closely related to oxidative stress, the HC-SP extract could be developed as a novel anticoagulation and antioxidant resource. This is the first report of the antithrombosis activities of different parts of H. cannabinus L. cv. 'Jangdae'.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.303-309
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• 2022

Dystaenia takesimana is an endemic plant found only in Korea, especially on Ulleung Island. The leaves and roots of D. takesimana have been used as food, forage, and oriental medicine. Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibition biological activities have been reported in the plant's root extract. However, studies concerning the anti-thrombosis activities of D. takesimana are still in the rudimentary stage. In this study, the extracts of the leaf (DT-L), stem (DT-S), and root (DT-R) of D. takesimana were prepared using 70% ethanol, and their anti-thrombosis activities were evaluated. DT-L extracts (0.25 mg/ml) showed strong inhibitions against platelet aggregation, comparable to aspirin, with strong radical scavenging activities. Furthermore, the DT-L extract did not show any RBC hemolysis up to 1 m/ml. The ant-coagulation and antioxidant activities of the DT-S extract were ignorable. While the DT-R extract showed inhibitions against thrombin and blood coagulation factors, it also showed strong platelet aggregation. This is a first report of the anti-thrombosis activities of D. takesimana, and our results suggest that DT-L could be developed as a valuable bioresource for high value-added products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.989-996
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• 2022

Some flowers have high sensual appealability due to their unique shapes, colors, smells, and tastes. Such edible flowers receive social attention as a noble ingredient of functional teas. In this study, methanol extracts of 23 commercial flower teas (CFTs) were prepared, and their color differences were compared. No tar color pigments were detected in the 23 CFT. The average content of total polyphenol of the 23 CFTs was 80.2±50.92 mg/g and the extracts of jin-dal-rae (Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz), mae-hwa (Prunus mume), mae-mil (Fagopyrum esculentum), mok-ryun (Magnolia kobus), and sal-gu (Prunus armeniaca var. ansu Maxim) flowers showed total polyphenol contents greater than 150 mg/g. The average content of total sugar of the 23 CFTs was 187.4±166.5 mg/g and the extracts of chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), kuk-hwa (Chrysanthemum morifolium), dong-baek (Camellia japonica L.), and won-chu-ri (Hemerocallis fulva) flowers showed total sugar contents greater than 400 mg/g. Among the 23 CFTs, the extract of jang-mi (Rosa hybrida hortorum) flower has prominent anti-thrombosis activity, and the extracts of dal-ma-ji (Oenothera lamarckiana), dong-baek, hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus), and mae-mil flowers showed strong inhibitions against thrombin and blood coagulation factors. Also, the extracts of jang-mi, kum-jan-hwa (Tagetes erecta L.), mae-mil, mok-ryun dong-baek, and jin-dal-rae flower showed strong radical scavenging activities against DPPH, ABTS, and nitrite and reducing power. Our results suggest that the flowers of jang-mi, mae-mil, and dong-baek can be developed as promising anti-thrombosis treatments.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2023

Houttuynia cordata belongs to the Saururacease family and its leaves, stems, and roots have been used as oriental medicines to treat pneumonia, acute or chronic bronchitis, enteritis, and abscesses and to remove extravasated blood. Recently, the antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antibacterial, and anti-proliferation activities and protection abilities of H. cordata against liver and neuron cell damage have been reported. In this study, ethanol extract and its solvent fractions (fractions of hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water residue) were prepared, and their antithrombosis, antidiabetes, antioxidant, and hemolysis activities were evaluated. The ethyl-acetate fraction of H. cordata (EF-HC) showed the highest polyphenol and flavonoids contents among the fractions and exhibited strong antithrombosis and antioxidant activities. The EF-HC at 5 mg/ml showed 2.09-folds of thrombin time, 2.19-folds of prothrombin time, and 1.69-folds of activated partial thromboplastin time compared to the their solvent control and 30.9, 19.9, and 49.6 ㎍/ml of RC₅₀ against DPPH, ABTS, and nitrite radicals, respectively. Furthermore, the EF-HC did not show any hemolytic activity up to 1 mg/ml, whereas the hexane fraction of H. cordata showed 55% hemolysis at 1 mg/ml. This is the first report of the antithrombosis activity of H. cordata. Our results suggest that quercitirin, hyperoside, orientin, and isoquercitrin in EF-HC are related to its antithrombosis and antioxidant activities and that the EF-HC could be developed as a promising antithrombosis agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2024

Dioscorea alata L, commonly known as "tropical yam" is the most widely consumed yam species among the 650 yam species belonging to the Dioscoreacea family. It is extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions and is a major food source in Africa and India. Also, it is used for medicinal purposes, particularly in China and Taiwan, for its anti-inflammatory properties. In comparison to other yam varieties such as D. batatas or D. opposita, the tropical yam has gained popularity in Korea due to its higher yield per unit area. In this study, the nutritional characteristics and anti-thrombosis activity of the aerial bulbils of D. alata L. tropical yam were compared to those of D. opposita. The results showed that the aerial bulbils of tropical yam exhibited nutritional characteristics and potent anticoagulant activity compared to those of domestic yam varieties. The bulbils extract of tropical yam showed superior anticoagulant activities against thrombin, prothrombin and blood coagulation factors. Furthermore, the bulbils extract of tropical yam exhibited strong platelet aggregation inhibition at 0.25 mg/ml and showed no hemolytic activity up to a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml. These findings suggest the potential development of high-value anti-thrombosis agents utilizing the aerial bulbils of tropical yam.