• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.242-249
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this work is to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antiobesity effects of Euphorbia resinifera extracts and investigate the phenolic constituents and the toxicity of these extracts. Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed to detect polyphenols and flavonoids. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by four methods (DPPH, ABTS, H₂O₂, and xanthine oxidase inhibition). The hypoglycemic effect was determined by the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro and via a starch tolerance study in normal rats. The antiobesity effect was estimated by in vitro inhibition of lipase. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed that the ethanolic extract was rich in polyphenols (99 ± 0.56 mg GEA/g extract) and tannins (55.22 ± 0.17 mg RE/g extract). Moreover, this extract showed higher antioxidant activity in different tests: the DPPH assay (IC₅₀ = 53.81 ± 1.83 ㎍/mL), ABTS assay (111.4 ± 2.64 mg TE/g extract), H₂O₂ (IC₅₀ = 98.15 ± 0.68 ㎍/mL), and xanthine oxidase (IC₅₀ = 10.26 ± 0.6 ㎍/mL). With respect to hypoglycemic effect, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed IC₅₀ values of 119.7 ± 2.15 ㎍/mL and 102 ± 3.63 ㎍/mL for α-amylase and 121.4 ± 1.88 and 56.6 ± 1.12 ㎍/mL for α-glucosidase, respectively, and the extracts lowered blood glucose levels in normal starch-loaded rats. Additionally, lipase inhibition was observed with aqueous (IC₅₀ = 25.3 ± 1.53 ㎍/mL) and ethanolic (IC₅₀ = 13.7 ± 3.03 ㎍/mL) extracts. Conclusion: These findings show the antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hyperlipidemic effects of E. resinifera extracts, which should be investigated further to validate their medicinal uses and their pharmaceutical applications.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

Objectives : Commiphora myrrha (CM) has been used in traditional medicine for treating disease such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoarthritis. However, the protective effects of CM on acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of CM water extract on cerulein-induced AP. Methods : AP was induced in mice via intraperitoneal injection of supramaximal concentrations of the stable cholecystokinin analogue cerulein ($50{\mu}g/kg$) every hour for 6 times. Water extract of CM (0.1, 0.2, or 0.5 g/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally 1 h prior to the first injection of cerulein. The mice were killed at 6 h after the final cerulein injection. Pancreas was rapidly removed for morphologic and histochemical examination, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Blood samples were taken to determine serum amylase and lipase activities. Results : Administration of CM significantly inhibited pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, pancreas histological injury. And CM administration inhibited the serum digestive enzyme elevation such as amylase and lipase on cerulein-induced pancreatitis. In addition, Pancreas MPO activity which indicates neutrophil infiltration was inhibited by CM extract on cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Conclusions : In conclusion, our results could suggest that pre-treatment of CM reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP. Therefore, CM could be used as a protective agent against AP. Also, this study could give a clinical basis that CM could be a drug or agent to prevent AP.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.11-17
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• 2014

Objective : Portulaca oleracea (PO) has been used as an important traditional medicine for inflammatory and bacterial diseases in East Asia. However, the protective effects of PO on acute pancreatitis (AP) is not well-known. Therefore, this study was performed to identify the anti-inflammatory and prophylactic effects of PO on cerulein-induced AP. Methods : AP was induced in mice via intraperitoneal injection of supramaximal concentrations of the stable cholecystokinin analogue cerulein ($50{\mu}g/kg$) given every hour for 6 times. Water extracts of PO (100, 300, or 500 mg/kg) was administrated intra-peritoneally 1 h prior to the first injection of cerulein. The mice were killed at 6 h after the final cerulein injection. Pancreas and lung were rapidly removed for morphologic and histochemical examination, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Blood samples were taken to determine serum amylase and lipase activities. Results : Administration of PO significantly inhibited pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, pancreas and lung histological injury. And MPO activity which indicates neutrophil infiltration was inhibited by PO extracts on cerulein-induced pancreatitis. In addition, PO administration inhibited digestive enzymes such as serum amylase and lipase activity on cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Conclusion : Our results could suggest that pre-treatment of PO reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP, thereby, PO could be used as a protective agent against AP. Also, this study could give a clinical basis that PO could be a drug or agent to prevent AP.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.23-31
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidemia effect of Scutellariae Radix, Aucklandiae Radix and Bupleuri Radix(SAB). Methods : FL83B cells were mouse liver hepatocytes, and we used this cell line. FL83B cells were treated with 0.5 mM oleic acid(OA) for 24 h, SAB extract was treated. After OA treatment, intracellular triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid contents were measured with AdiopoRed™ assay and Free Fatty Acid Quantitation assay kit, respectively. Further, we evaluated several lipogenesis and metabolic markers such as sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy3-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT-1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and cluster of differentiation (CD36) using RT-PCR and Western-blot analysis. Results : OA markedly increased intracellular TG and free fatty acid, which plays a key role in reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, in FL83B cells. These increases were alleviated by SAB extract. The mRNA and protein expression of Fatty acid(FA) oxidation factors (CPT-1, PPARα), lipolysis factor(HSL), FA transporter(CD36), cholesterol synthesis factors (HMGCoA) and Lipodenesis (SREBP-1c, FAS, and ACC-1) were significantly increased by treatment of SAB extract in the OA-induced fatty liver cell model. Conclusions : In summary, the treat of SAB extract showed a significant reduction of the influx of fatty acids into hepatocytes, promoted the oxidation of fatty acids, and regulated fat synthesis-related factors, thereby regulating the accumulation of TG and free fatty acids.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.555-567
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Abeliophyllum distichum is a plant endemic to Korea, containing several beneficial natural compounds. This study investigated the effect of A. distichum leaf extract (ALE) on adipocyte differentiation. MATERIALS/METHODS: The cytotoxic effect of ALE was analyzed using cell viability assay. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated using induction media in the presence or absence of ALE. Lipid accumulation was confirmed using Oil Red O staining. The mRNA expression of adipogenic markers was measured using RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR𝛾) were measured using western blot. Cell proliferation was measured by calculating the incorporation of Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) into DNA. RESULTS: ALE reduced lipid accumulation in differentiated adipocytes, as indicated by Oil Red O staining and triglyceride assays. Treatment with ALE decreased the gene expression of adipogenic markers such as Ppar𝛾, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/ebp𝛼), lipoprotein lipase, adipocyte protein-2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase. Also, the protein expression of PPAR𝛄 was reduced by ALE. Treating the cells with ALE at different time points revealed that the inhibitory effect of ALE on adipogenesis is higher in the early period treatment than in the terminal period. Furthermore, ALE inhibited adipocyte differentiation by reducing the early phase of adipogenesis and mitotic clonal expansion. This was indicated by the lower number of cells in the Synthesis phase of the cell cycle (labeled using BrdU assay) and a decrease in the expression of early adipogenic transcription factors such as C/ebp𝛽 and C/ebp𝛿. ALE suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPK, confirming that the effect of ALE was through the suppression of early phase of adipogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the results of the present study revealed that ALE inhibits lipid accumulation and may be a potential agent for managing obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.483-489
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• 2002

We investigated the biochemical properties of insect defensin expressed and secreted from Saccharomyces corevisiae. The defensin showed extremely high resistance to boiling for up to 30 min and to pH values tested from 2.0 to 12.0. The treatment of defensin with various proteases abolished antibacterial activity. However, amylases, cellulase, lipase and catalase had no effect on the activity. The defensin was purified to homogeneity through ammonium sulfate concentration of culture supernatant, SP-Sepharose column chromatography and RP-HPLC. Tricin-SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the molecular weight of the defensin was about 4.0 kDa. The antibacterial activity of the purified defensin was verified by renaturation of stained gel and gel pouring assay using Micrococcus luteus as a test organism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.259-267
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• 1998

Typical characteristics of Mejus must be understood to get the basic data for setting up mass production system of traditional fermented soybean products. One hundred and twenty one Mejus were collected from various places and analyed. Most of shapes were rectangular and some were spherical, conical, cylindrical and doughnut types. The weight of Mejus was 0.4~4.2kg. Chemical analysis showed: moisture content, 9.73~58.22% ; pH, 4.95~8.15; acidity, 0.6~3.8% ; soluble protein content, 4.45~12.31%; soluble sugar content, 0.82~10.95%. Enzyme assay showed: $\alpha$-amylase activity, 5.0~874.2 units/g; $\beta$-amylase activity, 0.02~27.74units/g; acidic protease activity, 31.3~225.1unts/g; lipase activity 1.0~53.0units/g. Total viable cells were 3.72$\times$107~1.35$\times$1010cfu/g, and yeast and mold count 6.46$\times$104~8.91$\times$106cfu/g. respectively. $\alpha$-Amylase activity of a traditional Meju from Incheon showed the highest activity of 732.8 units/g(interior section) and 823.2units/g (exterior section). $\beta$-Amylase activity was the highest{3.57 units/g (interior sectin) and 4.25units/g (exterior section)} in Meju from Chunbuk. Acidic protease activity was the highest in sample from Seoul, whereas traditional Meju from Kyongnam showed the highest activity of 21.5units/g(interior section) and 37.5units/g(exterior sectin).

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.126-130
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• 2021

The mass spectrometry (MS) provides the mass-to-charge ratios of atoms, molecules, stable/metastable complexes, and their fragments. I have taken a long journey with MS to address outstanding issues and problems by experiments and theory and gain insights into underlying principles in chemistry. By looking through the mass-to-charge ratio, I have studied thermochemical problems in silicon chemistry, the infrared multiphoton dissociation spectroscopy of organometallic intermediates, unimolecular dissociations of halotoluene radical cations, and the kinetics of association/dissociation of alkali halide triple ions with Lewis bases. Various MS platforms have been used to characterize non-covalent interactions between porphyrins and fullerenes and those between the group IIB ions and trioctylchalcogenides, and to examine the binding of the group IA, IIA and porphyrin ions to G-quadruplex DNA. Recently, I have focused on mass-balanced H/D isotope dipeptide tags for MS-based quantitative proteomics, a simple chemical modification method for MS-based lipase assay, and the kinetics and dynamics of energy-variable collision-induced dissociation of chemically modified peptides. Now, I see an important role of MS in global issues in the post-COVID era, as the society demands high standards for indoor air quality to contain the airborne-pathogen transmission as well as in-situ monitoring and tracking of carbon emissions to reduce global warming.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.594-601
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• 2022

This study evaluated the biological properties of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) extracts. The EtOAc extract of lemongrass had DPPH, TEAC, and nitric oxide-scavenging activity assay results of 58.06, 44.14, and 41.08% at the concentration of 50, 10, and 50 ㎍/ml, respectively. The EtOAc extract had higher elastase and collagenase inhibitory activities than the 80% MeOH, n-hexane, BuOH, and water extracts and comparable whitening activity toward monophenolase or diphenolase. Also, the EtOAc fraction had higher lipase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities against Cutibacterium acnes among extracts which is known to an important contributor to the progression of inflammatory acne vulgaris, and an opportunistic pathogen present in human skin. Total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations in the EtOAc extract were 132.31 mg CAE/g extract and 104.50 mg NE/g extract, respectively. Biologically active compounds in lemongrass extracts were analyzed by LC-MS. This study confirms that lemongrass extracts have potential use as cosmetic skincare ingredients. Thus, lemongrass can be considered a promising natural source of readily available, low-cost extracts rich in antioxidant, skincare, and antimicrobial compounds that might be suitable for replacing synthetic compounds in the cosmeceutical industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1854-1859
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• 2010

Three kinds of Korean traditional Meju were selected and the counts of microorganisms in these Meju were determined. The counts of total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts and molds were 107~108, 106~108 and 107~108 cfu/g, respectively in three Meju and lactic acid bacteria were important microorganisms in the fermentation of Meju. Therefore, we isolated three kinds of dominant lactic acid bacteria from these Meju. They were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides (98%, Lm-SMm), Lactobacillus plantarum (99%, Lp-SMm) and Lactococcus lactis (98%, Ll-GAm). Then, enzyme activities and physiological functionalities of three lactic acid bacteria were investigated. Protease, lipase and $\alpha$-amylase activities were detected in three lactic acid bacteria, Ll-GAm showed relatively higher activities than other two lactic acid bacteria. Lm-SMm, Lp-SMm and Ll-GAm showed 45, 48 and 60% of antioxidative activity to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH), and exhibited 45, 67 and 70% of inhibitory effects in HT-29 human colon cancer cells, respectively. These results indicate that three lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Meju, especially Ll-GAm are applicable to Meju preparation for soybean paste industry.