• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2009

Magnolia extract, prepared from the Chinese herb Magnolia officinalis, is known for its potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In this report, we showed that Magnolia extract inhibits adipocyte differentiation, as evidenced by reduced triglyceride (TG) accumulation. Also, Magnolia extract increased hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) protein level, and decreased the adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-${\gamma}$ protein and their corresponding mRNA. Our results suggest a potential apllication of Magnolia extract as anti-obesity agents inhibits adipocyte differentiation through the down-regulation of adipogenic transcription factors and other adipocyte-specific genes.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.218-224
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• 2014

Objectives : Zizyphus jujuba fruits(ZJF), a traditional Korean medicine has various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuro-protective effects. However, it is still unclear whether ZJF has any biological effect on anti-aging. In this study, we examined the effect of ZJF on lifespan and thermal stress in C. elegans. Methods and Results : ZJF water extracts were fermented for 7 days(F7-ZJF) and 14 days(F14-ZJF) by Laetiporus sulphureus to increase secondary metabolites such as aglycone of flavonoids and terpenoids. In the lifespan assay, ZJF water extracts and fermented ZJF were treated on the agar medium plate with age synchronized egg stage of C. elegans. Treatment of F7-ZJF-$200{\mu}g/mL$ with OP-50 E. coli and F14-ZJF-$200{\mu}g/mL$ with OP-50 E. coli significantly increased life span of C. elegans(N2) at thermal stress condition of $25^{\circ}C$. Moreover mRNA levels of lifespan associated HSP 16.1, HSP 70, and HSF-1 were increased at thermal stress condition of $25^{\circ}C$. However, in the equilibration temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ after stress condition of $35^{\circ}C$ for 2 hr, F-14-ZJF-$200{\mu}g/mL$ treatment decreased the levels of heat shock protein in hsp16.2/GFP C. elegans. Conclusions : Our study indicates that prolong role of fermented-ZJF in C. elegans is mediated by control HSPs production.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.673-680
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• 2017

Fludarabine, a chain terminating anti-cancer drug, is a purine analogue that causes DNA strand breaks in normal cells. In this study, we determined if A. melanocarpa and Korean red ginseng extract mixture reduce cytotoxicity of fludarabine. Treatment of HaCaT cells with $10{\mu}M$ of fludarabine for 24 hours decreased cell viability and increased DNA strand breaks. Treatment of A. melanocarpa and Korean red ginseng extract mixture for 24 hours increased cell viability as compared with single extract treatment. The protective effect of these extracts on cell activity increased in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA strand breaks induced by fludarabine decreased as concentration of extract mixture increased. p-H2AX level, a marker of DNA strand breakage, decreased depending on the concentration of extract mixture. The effect of mixed extract of A. melanocarpa and Korean red ginseng on DNA damage is due to the anti-oxidative effect of A. melanocarpa and signal transmission through glucocorticoid receptor upon binding of saponin of Korean red ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.536-542
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• 2022

Background: In aged skin, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to visible aging signs. Collagens in the ECM are cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Syringaresinol (SYR), isolated from Panax ginseng berry, has various physiological activities, including anti-inflammatory action. However, the anti-aging effects of SYR via antioxidant and autophagy regulation have not been elucidated. Methods: The preventive effect of SYR on skin aging was investigated in human HaCaT keratinocytes in the presence of H₂O₂, and the keratinocyte cells were treated with SYR (0-200 ㎍/mL). mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2 and -9 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Radical scavenging activity was researched by 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. LC3B level was assessed by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Results: SYR significantly reduced gene expression and protein levels of MMP-9 and -2 in both H₂O₂-treated and untreated HaCaT cells. SYR did not show cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. SYR exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities with an EC₅₀ value of 10.77 and 10.35 ㎍/mL, respectively. SYR elevated total levels of endogenous and exogenous LC3B in H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, counteracted the inhibitory effect of SYR on MMP-2 expression. Conclusion: SYR showed antioxidant activity and up-regulated autophagy activity in H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells, lowering the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 associated with skin aging. Our results suggest that SYR has potential value as a cosmetic additive for prevention of skin aging.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.964-973
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• 2020

Recent studies have highlighted that early enhancement of the glycolytic pathway is a mode of maintaining the proinflammatory status of immune cells. Thiamine, a wellknown co-activator of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, a gatekeeping enzyme, shifts energy utilization of glucose from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, we hypothesized that thiamine may modulate inflammation by alleviating metabolic shifts during immune cell activation. First, using allithiamine, which showed the most potent anti-inflammatory capacity among thiamine derivatives, we confirmed the inhibitory effects of allithiamine on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and maturation process in dendritic cells. We applied the LPS-induced sepsis model to examine whether allithiamine has a protective role in hyper-inflammatory status. We observed that allithiamine attenuated tissue damage and organ dysfunction during endotoxemia, even when the treatment was given after the early cytokine release. We assessed the changes in glucose metabolites during LPS-induced dendritic cell activation and found that allithiamine significantly inhibited glucose-driven citrate accumulation. We then examined the clinical implication of regulating metabolites during sepsis by performing a tail bleeding assay upon allithiamine treatment, which expands its capacity to hamper the coagulation process. Finally, we confirmed that the role of allithiamine in metabolic regulation is critical in exerting anti-inflammatory action by demonstrating its inhibitory effect upon mitochondrial citrate transporter activity. In conclusion, thiamine could be used as an alternative approach for controlling the immune response in patients with sepsis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.745-751
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• 2013

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds have been used in Korea and China for promoting bone formation and protection. This study was designed to examine the Nrf-2 mediated anti-oxidative effects of Korean and Chinese safflower seeds. Water and ethanol extracts of safflower seeds were treated to RAW 264.7 cells. Nrf-2 transcriptional activity was measured by reporter gene assay and western blot analysis. Semi-quantitive RT-PCR analysis was adopted to measure Nrf-2 dependent gene expressions. Water extracts of safflower seeds have strongly induced the activation of Nrf-2 transcription than ethanol extracts. Especially, water extracts of Korean safflower seeds has more strongly increased the expression of nuclear Nrf-2. Water extracts of Korea and China safflower seeds have also increased the expression of Nrf-2-dependent genes such as GCLC, NQO-1 and HO-1 in RAW 264.7 cells. However, all kinds of safflower seeds extracts did not increase intracellular ROS production. These results demonstrate that the antioxidant effects of safflower seeds are not related with ROS production, rather it is mediated by the direct activation of Nrf-2.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2006

Opuntia humifusa is a member of the Cactaceae family. In the present study, the antioxidant, nitric oxide(NO) inhibitory activities and potential irritation response of the fermented Opuntia humifusa cladodes(FOH) were investigated for cosmetic use. Antioxidant activities were tested using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and xanthine oxidase assay, we found that FOH could scavenge DPPH free radicals and inhibit xanthine oxidase activity in a dose dependent manner, with $IC_{50}$ of 2599.46${\mu}g/ml$ and 721.38${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. To investigate the possible anti-inflammatory effects of FOH, RAW 264.7 macrophages were pretreated with FOH($0{\sim}400{\mu}g/ml$) for 30 min and then treated with LPS for 24 h. We found that cell number did not vary significantly with the treatment of FOH, and FOH did not show any inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production. After application of FOH to rabbits for skin and eye irritation test, the experimental sites did not show any response compared to the control. FOH were considered to be a non-irritant to the skin and eye. Based on the above information, we suggest that FOH can be considered to be a non-irritant base cosmetic material for safely use.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.373-381
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• 2020

There is a need for newer feed additives due to legal prohibition on inclusion of growth promoting antibiotics in livestock diets in several countries due to antimicrobial resistance. In this context, rare earth elements (REE) have gained attention among animal nutritionists as potential growth promoters. Currently, several studies have reported better weight gain, milk production, egg laying capacity and feed conversion efficiency among different breeds of farm animals following supplementation with REE, with however largely inconsistent results. Furthermore, REE supplementation has also shown to improve ruminal fibrolytic and proteolytic activities as well as flavor of meat with negligible residues in edible tissue, however the mechanism behind this action is still unclear. According to existing research, due to their poor absorption and similarity with calcium REE might exert their action locally on gut microbial populations within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Moreover, REE have also shown anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative as well as immune stimulating effects. The present review aims to broaden the knowledge about use of REE as feed additives for livestock and sum up efficacy of REE supplementation on performance and health of animals by comparing the findings. Till date, researches with REE have shown properties that make them a promising, new and safe alternative feed additive but further exploration is recommended to optimize effects and clarify discrepancy of various results before practical proposals can be drafted.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.429-435
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng has been studied various biological activities such as immune, anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, and anticancer activities but antiviral mechanism needs further studies. In this study, we aimed to examine the antiviral effects of Korea red ginseng extract and ginsenosides on norovirus surrogate, including murine norovirus (MNV) and feline calicivirus (FCV). We evaluated the pre-, co-, and post-treatment effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG), ginsenosides $Rb_1$ and $Rg_1$. To measure the antiviral effect and cytotoxicity of KRG extract, and ginsenosides $Rb_1$ and $Rg_1$, we treated Crandell-Reese Feline Kidney for FCV or RAW264.7 cells for MNV with concentrations of 0, 5, 6.7, 10, 20 ug/mL total saponin. There was cytotoxic effect in the highest concentration 20 ug/mL of KRG extract so this concentration was excluded in this study. The FCV titer was significantly reduced to 0.23-0.83 $log_{10}$ 50% tissue culture infectious dose ($TCID_{50}$)/mL in groups pre-treated with red ginseng extract or ginsenosides. The titer of MNV was significantly reduced to 0.37-1.48 $log_{10}$ $TCID_{50}$/mL in groups pre-treated with red ginseng extract or ginsenosides. However, there was no observed antiviral effect in groups co-treated or post-treated with KRG and its constituents. Our data suggest that KRG extract has an antiviral effect against norovirus surrogates. The antiviral mechanisms of KRG and ginsenosides should be addressed in future studies.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.159-166
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate antioxidative and anti-aging action of extracts from Sancho (Zanthoxylum schinifolium) leaves. Two extracts were obtained by 80% methanol extraction followed by subsequent fractionation with methylene chloride (MC) and n-butanol (B) and fed at one or three levels to rats on normal level (5%) of fat (control) and high fat(20%) in diets. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 100 g were divided into ten groups such as control diet group(C), control diet+0.50%B group (CB), control diet+0.50%MC group (CMC), high-fat diet group (HF), high-fat diet+0.25%B group (HBL), high-fat diet+0.50%B group (HBM), high-fat diet+0.75%B group (HBH), high-fat diet+0.25%MC group (HMCL), high-fat diet+0.50%MC group (HMCM) and high-fat diet+ 0.75%MC group (HMCH) and fed each diet for four weeks. The effects of the extracts on antioxidant enzyme activities and indices of lipid peroxidation and aging were seen only in high fat diet groups. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and aryleaterase activities were not changed by Sancho extracts. But glutathione peroxidase, catalase and paraxonase activities were significantly restored by both MC and B at the level of 0.75% lipid peroxide which was increased by high fat diet was significantly reduced by B and MC at the level of 0.25% and over. Lipofuscin fluorescence and cabonyl value were increased by high fat diet were reduced by B and MC at the level of 0.5% and over. It is concluded that the Sancho extracts can be utilized as functional ingredients of health foods for reducing oxidative stress.