• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2018

A new naturally occurring benzoic acid derivative, benzyl 2,4-di(benzyloxy)benzoate (1) and six known compounds (2-7) were isolated from the fungus, Preussia sp. found in frozen soil of the Himalaya Mountain. The structures of the new compound, together with the known compounds were determined by 1D-and 2D-NMR experiments, as well as comparison with published values. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, the known compounds 2-7 were isolated for the first time from the genus Preussia and the family Sporormiaceae. The isolates were evaluated for cancer chemopreventive potential based on their ability to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited NO production by 50.7% and 88.5% at a concentration of 100 mg/ml, respectively.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and inflammatory bowel disease is a risk factor for this malignancy. We previously reported colon cancer chemoprevention potential using American ginseng (AG) in a xenograft mice model. However, the nude mouse model is not a gut-specific colon carcinogenesis animal model. Methods: In this study, an experimental colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis mouse model, chemically induced by azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was established and the effects of oral AG were evaluated. The contents of representative ginseng saponins in the extract were determined. Results: AG significantly reduced experimental colitis measured by the disease activity index scores. This suppression of the experimental colitis was not only evident during DSS treatment, but also very obvious after the cessation of DSS, suggesting that the ginseng significantly promoted recovery from the colitis. Consistent with the anti-inflammation data, we showed that ginseng very significantly attenuated azoxymethane/DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis by reducing the colon tumor number and tumor load. The ginseng also effectively suppressed DSS-induced proinflammatory cytokines activation using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay array, in which 12 proinflammatory cytokine levels were assessed, and this effect was supported subsequently by real-time polymerase chain reaction data. Conclusion: AG, as a candidate of botanical-based colon cancer chemoprevention, should be further investigated for its potential clinical utility.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.954-960
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• 2011

The antioxidant activities of the ethanol, methanol, and water extracts of black onion were investigated. The highest extraction yield (28.56%) and total polyphenol content (13.5 mg/g) were found in the water extract. The water extract also showed the highest protective effect on the RAW 264.7 cell anti-inflammatory activity, and the water and ethanol extracts showed the highest reducing power. The water extract showed higher DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities (65.98 and 89.69%, respectively) than the other solvent extracts (ethanol, 47.77%; methanol, 66.12%). Hence, black onion can be used as a potent natural antioxidative source.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.118-127
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• 2021

Objective The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of Scutellaria baicalensis extract on skin damage recovery and inflammation relief in atopic dermatitis-induced mice through Endocannabinoid system (ECS) control. Methods 6-week-old Balb/C mice were divided into control group (Ctrl), atopic dermatitis induced group (ADE), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) administered group after atopic dermatitis induced (PEAT), and Scutellaria baicalensis extract administered group after atopic dermatitis induced (SBT). Seven animals were assigned for each group. After drug administration for 3 weeks after inducing atopic dermatitis, Claudin and 8-OHdG were observed to confirm the recovery of the skin damage in each group. To confirm ECS regulation, CB1, CB2, and GPR55 were observed. To confirm the anti-inflammatory effect, Fc ε receptor, and MMP-9 was observed. Results Claudin positive reaction was significantly increased in SBT compared to ADE and PEAT. 8-OHdG positive reaction was significantly decreased in SBT compared to ADE and PEAT. CB1, CB2, and GPR55 positive responses were significantly increased in SBT compared to ADE and PEAT. Fc ε receptor and MMP-9 positivity were significantly decreased in SBT compared to ADE and PEAT. Conclusion It was confirmed that the Scutellaria baicalensis extract can reduce the inflammation of atopic dermatitis by restoring the structural damage of the skin lipid barrier through ECS activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2019

The study is to investigate effects of andrographolide on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). Lewis rats were immunized on day 0 with porcine cardiac myosin to establish EAM. The EAM rats were treated with either andrographolide (25, 50, 100 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 21 days. An antigen-specific splenocytes proliferation assay was performed by using the cells from control rats immunized with cardiac myosin. Survival rates, myocardial pathology and myocardial functional parameters (left ventricle end-diastolic pressure, ${\pm}dP/dt$ and left ventricular internal dimension) of EAM rats received andrographolide were significantly improved. Andrographolide treatment caused an decrease in the infiltration of $CD3^+$ and $CD14^+$ positive cells in myocardial tissue. Moreover, andrographolide treatment caused a reduction in the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-17 (IL-17) and myosin-antibody, and an increase in the level of IL-10 in EAM rats. Oral administration of andrographolide resulted in the decreased expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt without any change of PI3K and Akt. Further results indicate andrographolide significantly inhibited myosin-induced proliferation in splenocytes, and this effect was inhibited by co-treatment of SC79 (Akt activator). Our data indicate andrographolide inhibits development of EAM, and this beneficial effect may be due to powerful anti-inflammatory activity and inhibitory effect on PI3K/Akt pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.51-62
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the macrophages polarization of traditional Korean medicine on cardiac pain about Geum-Gwe-Yo-Ryak's two prescriptions including Kwaruhaebaekbanha-tang (KHB) and Kwaruhaebaekpaekju-tang (KHP). Materials and methods: Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the changes in the ratio of M1 type and M2 type macrophages. Protein expression of nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured by Western Blot, and ABCA1 and SR-B1 were detected by real time PCR (RT-PCR). Intracellular lipid accumulation was measured by Oil Red O staining (ORO staining). Results: KHB and KHP increase anti-oxidative activity related protein levels including Nrf2 and HO-1. Furthermore, KHB and KHP inhibit lipid accumulation on intracellular levels through induction of ATP binding receptor cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) and scavenging receptor class B member 1 (SR-B1), respectively. Finally, KHB and KHP also blocked pro-inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), iNOS and COX-2 expression. Conclusion: This study suggests that KHB and KHP potently regulate the M1/M2 macrophage polarization.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.363-372
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• 2019

Daidzein isolated from soybean (Glycine max) has been widely studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the protective effects of 7,8,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (THIF), a major metabolite of daidzein, on 6-hydroxydopamine (OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity are not well understood. In the current study, 7,8,4'-THIF significantly inhibited neuronal cell death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release induced by 6-OHDA in SH-SY5Y cells, which were used as an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Moreover, pretreatment with 7,8,4'-THIF significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in 6-OHDA-induced SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, 7,8,4'-THIF significantly recovered 6-OHDA-induced cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), increased Bax, and decreased Bcl-2 levels. Additionally, 7,8,4'-THIF significantly restored the expression levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta ($GSK-3{\beta}$) in 6-OHDA-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Further, 7,8,4'-THIF significantly increased the reduced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) level induced by 6-OHDA in SH-SY5Y cells. Collectively, these results suggest that 7,8,4'-THIF protects against 6-OHDA-induced neuronal cell death in cellular PD models. Also, these effects are mediated partly by inhibiting activation of the MAPK and PI3K/Akt/$GSK-3{\beta}$ pathways.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2021

This review investigated the types of physiologically active substances isolated and extracted from Pinus densiflora and koraiensis native to Republic of Korea, and the current status of research on their effectiveness and industrial use. They contain various bioactive substances including essential oils, polyphenols, resins, and stilbene derivatives. In recent, physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cataract prevention, and neuroprotection from extracts of Pinus densiflora and koraiensis have been identified by domestic researchers. The extracts have been used in different industrial fields like food, health functional foods, cosmetics, and household goods, but the high proportion of them is industrially made from exotic species. Therefore, various studies on industrial applicability are needed due to the lack of cases in which the activity is applied to actual products, with respect to the effects that have been scientifically recognized.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.431-443
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nobiletin (NOB), a citrus flavonoid, is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, there is limited research investigating the effect of long-term supplementation with low-dose NOB on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we investigated the influence of NOB on hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD in HCD-fed mice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HCD (35 kcal% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid) with or without NOB (0.02%) for 20 weeks. RESULTS: HCD feeding markedly reduced the final body weight compared to ND feeding, with no apparent energy intake differences. NOB supplementation suppressed HCD-induced weight loss without altering energy intake. Moreover, NOB significantly decreased the total cholesterol (TC) levels and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very-LDL-cholesterol to TC ratio, and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol/TC ratio in plasma, compared to those for HCD feeding alone. The plasma levels of inflammatory and atherosclerosis markers (C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were significantly lower, whereas those of anti-atherogenic adiponectin and paraoxonase were higher in the NOB-supplemented group than in the HCD control group. Furthermore, NOB significantly decreased liver weight, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents, and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting messenger RNA expression of hepatic genes and activity levels of cholesterol synthesis-, esterification-, and fatty acid synthesis-associated enzymes, concomitantly enhancing fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and enzyme activities. Dietary NOB supplementation may protect against hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD via regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in HCD-fed mice; these effects are associated with the amelioration of inflammation and reductions in the levels of atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that NOB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCD-induced hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.418-422
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• 2022

α-pinene is a natural volatile organic compound secreted by coniferous trees to protect themselves from attacks by insects, microorganisms, and viruses. Recently, studies have reported that α-pinene possesses pharmacological effects on various biological reactions such as anxiolytic, sleep-enhancing, anti-nociceptive, and inflammatory activity. Thus, forest bathing has recently received great attention as a novel therapy for treating severe diseases as well as psychological issues. However, appropriate places and timings for effective therapies are still veiled, because on-site monitoring of α-pinene gas in forests is barely possible. Although portable chemosensors could allow real-time analysis of α-pinene gas in forests, the α-pinene sensing properties of chemosensors have never been reported thus far. Herein, we report for the first time, the α-pinene sensing properties of an oxide semiconductor gas sensor based on rhombohedral In₂O₃ (h-In₂O₃) nanoparticles prepared by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction. The h-In₂O₃ nanoparticle sensor showed a high response to α-pinene gas at ppm levels, even under humid conditions (for example, relative humidity of 50 %). The purpose of this research is to identify the potential of oxide semiconductor gas sensors for implementing portable devices that can detect α-pinene gas in forests in real-time.