• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.137-145
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• 2013

Biological activities of wax gourd (Benincase hispida) extract and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum) were investigated in this study. Wax gourd extract reduced the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) by 47.9%, of tyrosinase by 13.2%, and had an anti-oxidant activity of 23.4%. Oral administration of wax gourd extract for 72 hours improved the symptom of loose bowels for 120 patients with its highest improvement rates within 6 to 12 hours. The improvement rates were standardized by the curative state by 80%. Lactic acid bacteria preparations reduced the activity of ACE by 21.49%. Oral administration of lactic acid bacteria preparations for 72 hours improved the symptom of loose bowels for 108 patients with its highest improvement rates after 24 hours. On the basis of these results, the tablets containing both wax gourd extract and lactic acid bacteria preparations for the improvement of irritable bowel syndromes were developed. The tablets reduced the activity of ACE by 27.1% and exhibited an anti-oxidant activity of 20.3%. Treatment of the tablets at 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 250 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ for 24 hours inhibited the growth of A549 human lung cancer cells by 67%, which was much higher than that of each wax gourd extract or lactic acid bacteria. In addition, treatment of the tablets at 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ for 24 hours reduced the growth of HCT-116 human colon cancer cells by 70%. Oral administration of the tablets to the patients with loose bowels led to higher improvement rates and speed than each wax gourd extract or lactic acid bacteria. Oral administration of the tablets to the patients with irritable bowel syndromes of loose bowels, constipation, or general type for 72 hours improved their symptoms by 100% with the highest improvement rates within 3 to 6 hours. Furthermore, the improvement rates and speed by the tablets was much higher than each wax gourd extract or lactic acid bacteria.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1480-1487
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• 2020

Our previous report determined that miR-144 is a key regulator of intestinal epithelial permeability in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) rats. Recent evidence has shown that lactobacilli play an important role in the relief of IBS-D symptoms. However, few studies have addressed the mechanisms by which microRNAs and lactobacilli exert their beneficial effects on intestinal epithelial permeability. Hence, to elucidate whether miRNAs and lactobacilli play roles in intestinal epithelial barrier regulation, we compared miRNA expression levels in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) under Lactobacillus casei (L. casei LC01) treatment. IECs and L. casei LC01 were co-cultured and then subjected to microRNA microarray assay. qRT-PCR, western blot and ELISA were used to detect the expression of occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens 1 (ZO1/TJP1). The interaction between miRNAs and L. casei LC01 acting in IECs was investigated through transfection of RNA oligoribonucleotides and pcDNA 3.1 plasmid. The results are as follows: 1) L. casei LC01 decreased the expression of miR-144 and FD4 and promoted OCLN and ZO1 expression in IECs; 2) L. casei LC01 enhanced the barrier function of IECs via downregulation of miR-144 and upregulation of OCLN and ZO1; 3) Under L. casei LC01 treatment, OCLN and ZO1 overexpression could partially eliminate the promoting effect of miR-144 on intestinal permeability in IECs. Our results demonstrate that L. casei LC01 regulates intestinal permeability of IECs through miR-144 targeting of OCLN and ZO1. L. casei LC01 can be a possible therapeutic target for managing dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the psychosocial characteristics of patients diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) by classifying them into irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD), functional constipation (FC), functional heartburn (FH) groups, and overlap group (two or more functional diseases) and to examine the factors associated with the quality of life (QoL) of patients with FGID. Methods : A total of 144 patients who were diagnosed with FGID were selected as the subjects. The demographical factors were investigated; Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II (K-BDI-II), Korean-Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI), Korean version of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (K-CTQ), Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Korean Version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (K-CD-RISC), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to evaluate the psychosocial factors. Results : TThe overlap group had a significantly higher K-BDI-II score (F=11.09, p<0.001) and K-BAI score (F=8.93, p<0.001) compared to other groups. In childhood trauma, the IBS patients had a difference in emotional neglect (F=2.54, p=0.04) than the FD patients. The QoL of FGID patients had a negative correlation with depression (r=-0.196, p<0.01), anxiety (r=-0.235, p<0.01), and childhood trauma (r=-0.222, p<0.01), and a positive correlation with social support (r=0.512, p<0.01) and resilience (r=0.581, p<0.01). Conclusions : Overlap group had a higher level of depression and anxiety, and the IBS patient group had a higher level of emotional neglect than the FD patient group in terms of childhood trauma.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.217-230
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• 2007

Objectives : Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease has been recognized as Ha-ri (下痢) or Jang-Byok in Korean oriental medicine. A purpose of the present study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at LI4 (HapGok) on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis in rats and further elucidate the possibility of herbal acupuncture on ulcerative colitis which is chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing $170{\sim}190$ g, were subjected to intrarectal injection of either saline (300 ${\mu}l$, 500 ${\mu}l$) for a control or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) (300 ${\mu}l$, 500 ${\mu}l$) for a colitis, Moxi-tar (20 mg/ml) were subcutaneously injected to the LI4 just after the secondary injection time of TNBS in rats. To study the effects of Moxi-tar acupuncture in LI4, body weight, RBC count, WBC count, total protein, Paw edema rate, rate of protein leakage into CMC-pouch fluid, IgG levels and IgM levels were observed. Results: Moxi-tar acupuncture in LI4 on TNBS-induced colitis inhibited the body weight lose rate but not effect RBC, WBC count. In addition, it inhibited the reduction of total protein concentration, paw edema, rate of protein leakage into CMC-pouch fluid, IgG levels and IgM levels. Conclusions : It is suggested that moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at LI4 helps to recover TNBS-induced colitis and plays an important role for an treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).