• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.201-205
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• 2014

Smilacina japonica is a localized common rhizomatous flowering plant, This plant is often used in Korean traditional systems of medicine as a remedy for migrain, diplegia, physical impurity, blood circulation, abscess and contusion. Generally drugs that are used for arthritis have antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. However, validity of the anti-inflammatory activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of S. japonica using the ethanolic extract and its subfractions. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) on RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our results indicated that hexane fraction significantly inhibited the LPS induced NO and $PGE_2$ production in the cells. The hexane fractions inhibitory activity for NO tests with $IC_{50}$ values showed in $53.3{\mu}g/ml$ and $PGE_2$ tests with $IC_{50}$ values showed at $32.5{\mu}g/ml$. Theseis result suggest a potential role of hexane fraction from S. japonica as source of anti-inflammatory agent.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2012

Polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (Ppy) hollow sphere structures with controlled shell thicknesses can be easily synthesized than those of using a layer-by-layer method for cathode active material of lithium-ion batteries. Polystyrene (PS) core was synthesized by emulsion polymerization using an anion surfactant. The shell thicknesses of PANI and Ppy were controlled by amounts of aniline and pyrrole monomers. PS was removed by an organic solution. This structure increased in contact with an electrolyte and a specific capacity in lithium-ion batteries. But polymers have disadvantages such as the difficult control of molecular weights and low densities. These disadvantages were completed by controlled shell thicknesses. The amount of aniline monomer increased from 1.2, 2.4, 3.6, 4.8 to 6.0 mL, and the shell thicknesses were 30.2, 38.0, 42.2, 48.2, and 52.4 nm, respectively. And the amount of pyrrole monomer was 0.6, 1.2, 2.4 and 3.6 mL, the shell thicknesses were 16.0, 22.0, 27.0 and 34.0 nm, respectively. In the cathode materials with controlled shell thicknesses, shell thicknesses of the PANI hollow spheres were 30.2, 42.2, and 52.4 nm, and discharge specific capacities of after 10 cycle were ~18, ~29, and ~62 mAh/g, respectively. The shell thicknesses of the Ppy hollow spheres were 16.0, 22.0, 27.0 and 34.0 nm, and discharge specific capacities of after 15 cycle were ~15, ~36, ~56, and ~77 mAh/g, respectively. Thus, shell thicknesses of PANI and Ppy increased, the specific capacities increased.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.379-386
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• 2007

Nonylphenol (NP) has been well known as a major substance of surfactant and/or estrogenic environmental hormone. We tested toxic effects of nonylphenol on the population growth and development of aquatic organism such as algae (Microcystis aeruginosa), heterotrophic nanoflagellate (Diphylleia rotans), micro- (Brachionus calyciflorus) and macro-zooplankton (Daphnia magna) among eutrophic water food-web constituents. Dosage of NP treatment were 4 to 5 grades, according to each organism's tolerance based on pre-experiments; algae (0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 1.00 mg $L^{-1}$) Diphylleia rotans (0.5, 1,2. 5,6, 10 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$, Brachionus calyciflorus (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), and Daphnia magna (0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), respectively. Toxic effects were measured by the changes of biomass of each organism after NP treatment. All experiments were triplication. As suggested, the higher concentration of NP treatment, the stronger inhibited the population growth of all organisms tested. In view of toxicity, a variety of concentration of NP showed a significant growth inhibition to organism; algae to 0.05 $mg\;L^{-1}$, D. rotans and B. calyciflorus to 1.0 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and D. magna to 5.0 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The $EC_{50}$ of each organism to the nonylphenol are as follows; 3. calyciflorus (2.49 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), D. rotans (3.49 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), D. magna (7.61 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$, and M. aeruginosa (47 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$. NP toxic effects on the development of zooplankton like egg production showed some differences in treatment concentration between Brachionus calyciflorus ${0.1{\sim}1NP{\mu}g\;L^{-1})$ and Daphnia magna $(0.5{\sim}5NP\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1})$. These results suggest that a strong growth inhibition of predator or grazer by the nonylphenol can stimulate the algal growth, or can play important role in evoking the nuisance algal bloom in eutrophic water with enough nutrients.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.117-121
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• 2018

Puffing process modifies the chemical and physical properties of the grains. In this study, oats were puffed by subjecting them to pressure of 1.0 and 1.2 MPa, following which the bioactive constituents and antioxidant activities in the oat extracts were investigated. The polyphenol content in puffed oat extracts increased in a pressure-dependent manner (109 and 157 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g at 1.0 and 1.2 MPa, respectively). In addition, gallic acid was synthesized after puffing ($518{\mu}g/g$ of extract at 1.0 MPa) and was the most abundant phenolic acid in puffed oats. The antioxidant activities, which were determined by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities, were improved in oat extracts after puffing (+245 and +184% at 1.2 MPa, respectively). In conclusion, puffing process of oats increased the extractability of polyphenols, including gallic acid, which positively affected its antioxidant activities. These results will provide useful information when using puffed oats for food production.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.124-131
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• 2011

We analyzed content and peptides in order to investigate the productivity from Cheonggookjang(fast-fermented soybean paste), fermenting it for 180 hours at $40^{\circ}C$. Results showed that pH was 7.07 at the start and became 7.41 in 24 hours, it eventually increased to 8.63 after 180 hours. Acidity was 0.2 in 12 hours, 0.5 in 12 hours, and then remained on 0.1 thereafter. Total sugar was 1.54 mg/$m\ell$ at the start, but it gradually decreased to 0.76 mg/$m\ell$ after the lapse of 48 hours, and 1.0 mg/$m\ell$ in 120 hours, and finally 0.8 mg/$m\ell$ in 180 hours. Reducing sugar was 0.14 mg/$m\ell$ at the start, and 0.88 mg/$m\ell$ after the lapse of 24 hours, 0.64 mg/$m\ell$ in 48 hours, 0.26 mg/$m\ell$ in 72 hours, and showed no definite change untill 180 hours. The amount of free amino acid was $0.19\;{\mu}M/\ell$ at the start, and $4.88\;{\mu}M/\ell$ after the lapse of 72 hours, $4.5\;{\mu}M/\ell$ in 120 hours, and then it rapidly decreased to $0.23\;{\mu}M/\ell$ after180 hours. Absorbance of soluble protein and peptide at 280 nm was 12.4 in 48 hours, 31.12 in 120 hours, and 31.12 in 180 hours. HPLC revealed that in the fermentation process, large molecular proteins are hydrolyzed into small peptides and amino acids, and after the lapse of 48 hours the pattern became almost the same. The protease activity of Cheonggookjang was 0.011 unit/$m\ell$ after the lapse of 36 hours and then it decreased. The result shows as Cheonggookjang started its deamination of amino acid in 100 hours, it is desirable to produce peptide within 100 hours of its fermentation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2006

Background: Luteolin, a flavone found in various Chinese herbal medicines is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to inhibit various proinflammatory signaling pathways including NF-${\kappa}B$ and p38 MAPK. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of luteolin on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Materials and Methods: We used a transgenic mouse model expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the transcriptional control of NF-${\kappa}B$ $cis$-elements. C57BL/6 NF-${\kappa}B^{EGFP}$ mice received 2.5% DSS in their drinking water for six days in combination with daily luteolin administration (1mg/kg body weight, 0.1ml vol, intragastric) or vehicle. NF-${\kappa}B$ activity was assessed macroscopically with a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) camera and microscopically by confocal analysis. Results: A significant increase in the Disease Activity Index (DAI), histological score (p<0.05), IL-12 p40 secretion in colonic stripe culture (p<0.05) and EGFP expression was observed in luteolin and/or DSS-treated mice compared to water-treated mice. Interestingly, a trend toward a worse colitis (DAI, IL-12p40) was observed in luteolin-treated mice compared to non-treated DSS-exposed mice. In addition, EGFP expression (NF-${\kappa}B$ activity) strongly increased in the luteolin-treated mice compared to control mice. Confocal microscopy showed that EGFP positive cells were primarily lamina propria immune cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that luteolin is not a therapeutic alternative for intestinal inflammatory disorders derived for primary defects in barrier function. Thus, therapeutic intervention targeting these signaling pathways should be viewed with caution.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.4 s.54
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• pp.337-342
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different skin care ingredient concentrations on the effect of polyols and oils on the human skin moisturization and skin surface roughness. Polyols and oils were essential ingredients to make a skin care formulation. But these were still not understood how much concentration(s) were tested on human skin in the aspect of efficacy and sensory. We studied to examine various concentrations of ingredient by cosmetic companies using noninvasive methods. Polyols were composed of glycerol and butylene glycol (BG) as 1:1 ratio, and oils were hydrogenated polydecene, cetyl ethylhexanoate and pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate (PTO(R), Stearinerie Dubois Fils Co., France) as 1:1:1 ratio. All compounds were tested $0{\sim}27%dml$ Polyols and $0{\sim}35%dml$ oils in O/W emulsions. We investigated the effect of water contents and the effect of stratum corneum roughness in forearm skin after application of compounds. Water contents of the skin measured by skin capacitance and skin surface roughness measured visual scoring of skin surface biopsy through the scanning electron microscopy. Water contents of the skin were highly related to amount of polyols (to 20%) and oils (to 12%). Correlation coefficients were 0.971 and 0.985 respectively (p<0.01), 2 h after application. Skin surface roughness was positively correlated with polyol contents in concentration dependent manner, and depend on oils up to 6%. The ratio of coefficient was 2.5 to 1 (polyol to oils) by regression analysis. Further studies will be conducted with other ingredients such as surfactants, lipids and aqueous materials, and with ether methods for noninvasive measurement.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.743-748
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• 2008

Amyloid $\beta$ peptide ($A{\beta}$) is known to increase oxidative stress in nerve cells, leading to apoptosis that is characterized by free radical formation and lipid peroxidation. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are characterized by large deposits of $A{\beta}$ in the brain. In our study, neuronal protective effects of green tea, along with water activity (0.813), and leaf storage periods (fresh leaf, or leaf stored for up to 4 weeks) were investigated. We measured protective effects against $A{\beta}$-induced cytotoxicity in neuron-like PC12 cells. Powdered green tea was extracted with distilled water at $70^{\circ}C$ for 5 min, and this extract was freeze-dried and stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ until use. In cell viability assays using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), the fresh extract, and that obtained after 1 week of leaf storage, showed the best protective effects against $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity. As oxidative stress causes membrane breakdown, the protective effect of green tea extracts was investigated using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and trypan blue exclusion assays. LDH release into the medium was inhibited (by 20-25%) in all tests. In addition, all green tea extracts (fresh, or stored before extraction for up to 4 weeks) showed better cell protective effects ($93.3{\pm}1.8-96.2{\pm}2.4$) than did vitamin C ($91.0{\pm}1.6$), used as a positive control. The results suggest that effectiveness of green tea extracts falls with prolonged leaf storage.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.434-441
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• 2011

To improve T-N and T-P removal efficiencies, removal efficiencies of pollutants in full-scale livestock wastewater treatment plant by natural purification method with water plant filtration and activated sludge beds were investigated under different re-injection rates and injection methods of livestock wastewater. The removal rates of COD, SS, T-N, and T-P in effluent in full-scale livestock wastewater treatment plant were in the order of 30% < 70% ${\leq}$ 100 % at different re-injection rates. The removal rates of pollutants in effluent in full-scale livestock wastewater treatment plant were higher as re-injection rate of livestock wastewater increased. Removal rates of COD, SS, T-N, and T-P by continuous injection were slightly higher than those by intermittent injection method in full-scale livestock wastewater treatment plant. Removal rates of COD, SS, T-N, and T-P by continuous injection method in full-scale livestock wastewater treatment plant with water plant filtration and activated sludge beds were 99.5, 99.8, 99.0 and 99.8%, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.898-904
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• 2021

Locusta migratoria is a widespread locust species in many parts of the world and is considered an alternative source for the production of protein for value-added ingredients. We previously identified putative antimicrobial peptides derived from L. migratoria through an in silico analysis of its transcriptome. However, its anti-inflammatory effect has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of the antimicrobial peptide locustacin (KTHILSFFPSFLPLFLKK-NH₂) derived from L. migratoria on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Locustacin (50, 100, and 200 ㎍/ml) significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated macrophages without any cytotoxicity. Locustacin also inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, in contrast to the presence of LPS alone. Locustacin decreased the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, and their gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, locustacin (100 and/or 200 ㎍/ml) inhibited phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Locustacin also suppressed the degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha, which was considered to be an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Collectively, these results demonstrate that locustacin can exert anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, activation of NF-κB, and downstream inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells.