• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.258-264
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• 2015

Withania somnifera has been used in folk medicine to treat various ailments for centuries. In this studies to investigate the whitening effect of Withania somnifera extracts as an active ingredient for whitening cosmetics, the antioxidant capacity and the effects of Withania somnifera extracts on melanogenesis in B16-F10 melanoma cells were identified. Withania somnifera extracts significantly reduced both tyrosinase activity and melanin content in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was found that Withania somnifera extracts decreased ${\alpha}-MSH$ (melanocyte-stimulating hormone)-induced tyrosinase activity and MITF(microphthalmia associated transcription factor) protein expression. These data indicate that Withania somnifera extracts attenuate ${\alpha}$-MSH-stimulated melanin synthesis by modulating MITF expression and that they may be a useful therapeutic agent for treating hyperpigmentation and an ingredient of whitening cosmetics.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.62-72
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• 2018

An active ingredient with hyaluronidase (HAse) inhibitory effect is one of the anti-aging approaches in cosmeceuticals. Here, red sea cucumbers (RSCs), Stichopus japonicus, from Jeju Island were evaluated to examine their HAse inhibitory and antioxidant activity effect. In this study, RSCs were extracted by six enzymatic hydrolysis (Alcalase; Al, Trypsin; Try, Neutrase; Neu, Pepsin; Pep, Alpha-chymotrypsin; Chy and Protamex; Pro). Alcalase hydrolysate (AlH) showed the highest antioxidant capacities for both of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) methods, compared to those of other hydrolysates, at $66.59{\pm}0.78{\mu}M\;TE/mg$ and $135.78{\pm}3.24{\mu}M\;TE/mg$, respectively. Furthermore, AlH performed the highest capacity of HAse inhibitory with $IC_{50}$ value of 3.21 mg/ml. Thus, RSCs hydrolyzed by Al were chosen to determine the cellular antioxidant activity and hyaluronic acid (HA) production effect on Human immortalized keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). The results showed that AlH improved the cell viabilities and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) were significantly decreased. In addition, AlH increased HA amount by regulating HYAL2 and HAS2 expressions in the HaCaT cells. Taken together, AlH of RSCs collected from Jeju Island showed HAse inhibitory and antioxidant activities against skin-aging which shows its potentials can be an optional natural bioactive ingredient for novel cosmeceuticals.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.381-392
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• 2019

Sperm function and male fertility are closely related to pH dependent $K^+$ current (KSper) in human sperm, which is most likely composed of Slo3 and its auxiliary subunit leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 52 (LRRC52). Onion peel extract (OPE) and its major active ingredient quercetin are widely used as fertility enhancers; however, the effect of OPE and quercetin on Slo3 has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of quercetin on human Slo3 channels. Human Slo3 and LRRC52 were co-transfected into HEK293 cells and pharmacological properties were studied with the whole cell patch clamp technique. We successfully expressed and measured pH sensitive and calcium insensitive Slo3 currents in HEK293 cells. We found that OPE and its key ingredient quercetin inhibit Slo3 currents. Inhibition by quercetin is dose dependent and this degree of inhibition decreases with elevating internal alkalization and internal free calcium concentrations. Functional moieties in the quercetin polyphenolic ring govern the degree of inhibition of Slo3 by quercetin, and the composition of such functional moieties are sensitive to the pH of the medium. These results suggest that quercetin inhibits Slo3 in a pH and calcium dependent manner. Therefore, we surmise that quercetin induced depolarization in spermatozoa may enhance the voltage gated proton channel (Hv1), and activate non-selective cation channels of sperm (CatSper) dependent calcium influx to trigger sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.940-948
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the immune activity of Ailantias altissima as an active ingredient on the immune enhancement by mixing ethanol extract with lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The activity of $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ transcription factor increased by $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity when mixed with LAB samples rather than with the extract alone. Nitric oxide (NO) production was similar in ethanol extract alone group and LPS treatment group. Mixing Ailantias altissima extract and lactic acid bacteria led to low NO production. The cytokine productivity of $TNF-{\alpha}$ significantly increased in Ailantias altissima extract when treated with LPS, and increased even more when mixed with lactic acid bacteria. The $IL-1{\beta}$ cytokine production was high when the Ailantias altissima extract were treated alone, but no $IL-1{\beta}$ cytokine was produced in the mixtures with isolates. The combination of the ethanol extract of the Ailantias altissima and the lactic acid bacteria was found to be effective in the immune function. Consequently, the ingredient to combine Ailantias altissima extract and lactic acid bacteria can be effectively used for development of the health functional food on the prevention and treatment of hypoimmunities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1559-1567
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• 2021

The root bark of Morus alba L. has cytotoxic activity against several types of cancer cells. However, little is known about its chemopreventive mechanisms and bioactive metabolites. In this study, we showed that M. alba L. root bark extracts (MRBE) suppressed β-catenin response transcription (CRT), which is aberrantly activated in various cancers, by promoting the degradation of β-catenin. In addition, MRBE repressed the expression of the β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF)-dependent genes, c-myc and cyclin D1, thus inhibiting the proliferation of RPMI-8226 multiple myeloma (MM) cells. MRBE induced apoptosis in MM cells, as evidenced by the increase in the population of annexin VFITC-positive cells and caspase-3/7 activity. We identified ursolic acid in MRBE through LC/mass spectrum (MS) and observed that it also decreased intracellular β-catenin, c-myc, and cyclin D1 levels. Furthermore, it suppressed the proliferation of RPMI-8226 cells by stimulating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These findings suggest that MRBE and its active ingredient, ursolic acid, exert antiproliferative activity by promoting the degradation of β-catenin and may have significant chemopreventive potential against MM.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.144-152
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• 2022

The Spartina anglica is recognized as a highly invasive plant and active eradication methods are required. In this study, we aimed to determine the physiologic activities of Spartina anglica extracts as a cosmetic ingredient. Antioxidant properties were investigated by different chemical methods including radical quenching (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power(FRAP) assay and aerial part of S. anglica(SAA) extract presented the strongest antioxidant activities. The significant cytotoxicity was not observed up to a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL in RAW264.7 cells and NHDF cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of S. anglica belowground(SAB) extract had strong effects on cell-based systems, including LPS-induced NO and cytokines(TNF-a and IL-6) production in RAW264.7 cells. Collagen synthesis and skin hydration gene expression of S. anglica extract showed the highest anti-wrinkle and moisturizing effect in NHDF cells. Results presented in this study tend to show that the ethanol extracts of S. anglica could be exploited as useful-bio-resource for bioactive substances in functional cosmetics.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

Background: A breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and among different types of breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis. Methods: We investigated the potential of ginsenoside compound K (CK), an active ingredient in the bio-transformed ginsenoside, to be used as a therapeutic ingredient by examining the effects of CK on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer-related gene expressions in breast cancer cells. Results: From the results of treating MCF-7, an ER and PR-positive breast cancer cells, and MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) with CK at a concentration of 0-100 µM, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for each cell were 52.17 µM and 29.88 µM, respectively. And also, it was confirmed that cell migration was inhibited above the IC50 concentration. In addition, fluorescence analysis of Apoptosis/Necrosis showed that CK induced apoptosis rather than necrosis of breast cancer cells. Through qPCR, it was confirmed that the expression of genes related to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest was increased in CK-treated breast cancer cells, and it acted more effectively on TNBC. However, the expression of genes related to tumor invasion and metastasis is also increased, so it is necessary to consider the timing of application of CK as a potential therapeutic anticancer compound. Conclusions: CK showed a stronger inhibitory effect in TNBC with poor prognosis but considering the high tumor invasion and metastasis-related gene expression, the timing of application of CK should be considered.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: Plant extracts have been used as environment friendly agricultural materials for organic farming in South Korea. However safety evaluation on the plant extracts was not properly tested. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety of the extracts from Melia azedarach, Nerium indicum and Coptis chinensis on cultivating rice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pant extarcts 300-fold diluted were treated on rice, and residues of M. azedarach, N. indicum and C. chinensis were determined. The analytes from the rice samples were detected by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method was validated, and good linearities ($r^2=0.995-0.998$), specificity, and recoveries were obtained. Limits of detection were 0.01 mg/kg for all of the target compounds. Recoveries were 79.3-118.3% at 0.1 mg/kg and 75.2-111.5% at 0.5 mg/kg. The residue levels were below 0.030 mg/kg for azadirachtin, 0.320 mg/kg for oleandrin and 1.460 mg/kg for berberine. CONCLUSION(S): The extracts of M. azedarach, N. indicum and C. chinensis contained azadirachtin, oleandrin and berberine as an active ingredient, respectively. The residue of three active ingredients dramatically decreased after treatment in all fruits, stems and roots of rice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.345-350
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• 2017

Saponin is the most pharmaceutical active ingredients of the ginseng plant, it was called "Ginsenoside" which means the Glycoside of ginseng that composed glycosides and aglycones. The human body will absorb the saponin easily if these substrate was decomposed by active microorganism. Fermentation is the most convenient technique to decompose this active ingredients. The purpose of this research was to study the sugar content, pH and acidity development during the ginseng fermentation process. Fresh Korean ginseng and red ginseng extract was used as the main ingredient. The concentrated of pure ginseng extract was added to increase the saponin extract. Furthermore, the mix microbial powder was added as starter to increase the fermentation efficiency. The ginseng was fermented in fermentation chamber at temperature $37^{\circ}C$ during 70 days. In the end of experiment the sugar content was decreased from 24% to 7.65%, The pH was decreased from 6.5 to 3.4, and the acidity level was incresed from 0% to 1.2%.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.591-595
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• 1982

In order to know about chemical properties of a commercial organofluoro rodenticide, $Kiratol-F^{(R)}$, this experiment was carried out. Chemicals from different two manufactures were compared with synthetic compound by Gas Chromatograph and NMR-spectrophotometer. The results were as followings; 1. The permitted active ingrdient of Kiratol-F, ${\beta}$-fluoro-ethylacetate, was not identified, but ${\beta}$-fluoroethanol was a new active ingradient. 2. Kiratol-F was a water soluble liquid containing samll amounts of chloroethanol in impurity. 3. Yield of synthetic fluoroethanol was about 50%, but the composition of the reactant was assumed ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-fluoroethanol, and the light condition was better than the dark in yield. 4. It was not become known any breakdown of active ingredient by the different dilutions and time intervals. So, the secondary toxicity of Kiratol-F might be relatively higher than imagination.