• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.439-441
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• 2002

Cyanobacteria are the dominant micro flora in rice-fields, contributing significantly to fertility as a natural biofertilizer. Recent studies show a continuous depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, and the consequent increase in solar UV-B (280-315 nm) radiation reaching the Earth's surface. UV-B radiation causes reduction in growth, survival, protein content, heterocyst frequency and fixation of carbon and nitrogen in many cyanobacteria. UV -B induced bleaching of pigments, disassembly of phycobilisomal complexes, thymine dimer formation and alterations in membrane permeability have also been encounterd in a number of cyanobacteria. However, certain cyanobacteria produce photoprotective compounds such as water soluble colorless mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and the lipid soluble yellow-brown colored sheath pigment, scytonemin, to counteract the damaging effects of UV-B. Cyanobacteria, such as Anabaena sp., Nostoc commune, Scytonema sp. and Lyngbya sp. were isolated from rice fields and other habitats in India and screened for the presence of photoprotective compounds. A circadian induction of the synthesis of MAAs by UV -B was noted in a number of cyanobacteria. Polychromatic action spectra for the induction of MAAs in Anabaena sp. and Nostoc commune also show the induction to be UV-B dependent peaking at 290 nm. Another photoprotective compound, scytonemin, with an absorption maximum at 386 nm (also absorbs at 300, 278, 252 and 212 nm), was detected in many cyanobacteria. In conclusion, a particular cyanobacterium having photoprotective compounds may be a potent candidate as biofertilizer for crop plants.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.296-308
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• 2023

This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Coriandrum sativum L. ethanol extracts in a high fat diet-induced obesity model (DIO). We confirmed the anti-obesity effects by analysing the expression of the related proteins, weight gain, dietary intake, dietary efficiency, blood biochemistry, histological analysis and western blot analysis. After oral administration of Coriandrum sativumL. ethanol extracts at concentrations of 250 and 500 mg/kg, a significant improvement in dietary efficiency, reduction in weight gain, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in blood lipid was observed for 8 weeks. In addition, improvement in blood glucose and metabolism confirmed through glucose tolerance test was observed. Further, the concentration of alanine transaminase (ALT) in blood was significantly decreased, which improved the fatty liver caused by high-fat diet intake as confirmed by liver tissue analysis. This phenomenon was confirmed to decrease the expression of fat accumulation-related PPARγ and FAS protein in the liver tissue. Especially, it is believed that FAS, a liposynthetic enzyme, has a stronger inhibitory effect than PPARγ. Therefore, Coriandrum sativum L. ethanol extract is thought to improve obesity by reducing blood lipids levels, improving glucose metabolism and inhibiting synthesis of the fat that accumulates in the liver in high-fat diet-induced obesity animal models.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.700-705
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• 2009

Several studies have demonstrated that chlorophyll has many beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant properties. Chlorophyll has been also shown to have an excellent chemopreventive potential against skin tumor. Its preventive mechanism against skin tumor, however, has not been examined in detail. Furthermore, the effects of chlorophyll on UVB-induced cellular responses have not been investigated. Solar UV radiation, in particular its UVB component, is the primary cause of many adverse biological effects, which is responsible for the photoaging and skin cancer. We investigated the preventive effects of chlorophyll a on UVB-mediated responses in human immortalized HaCaT kerationocytes and normal human fibroblast. We found that treatment of chlorophyll a markedly inhibited UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. Chlorophyll a also prevented UVB-induced MMP-1 expression and MMP-2 activation and increased Type I pN collagen synthesis. These results suggest that chlorophyll a is a potent candidate for the prevention and treatment of UVB-induced skin cancer and photoaging.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2004

Inhibition of the early N-glycosylation process in the endoplasmic reticulum prevents the activation of tyrosinase, a key enzyme for melanin biosynthesis. This work aims at evaluating the increased activity of N-glycosylation inhibitors in vitro b, employing a nano-sized pH-sensitive liposome as a delivery carrier. Melexsome, a pH-sensitive nano carrier loaded with glycosylation inhibitos, was prepared by the hydration method with phospholipids and cholresterol-based amphiphiles. Inhibitory effects of Melexsome on the N-glycosylation process were evaluated by EndoH ＆ PNGaseF digestion and the western blotting. Melanin synthesis was also monitored after treatment with Melexsome Interestingly, Melexsome effectively increased the efficacy of N-glycosylation inhibitors. Melexsome was also much more efficiently translocated into the cytoplasm as observed in CLSM. These results demonstrated that the amphiphilic lipid-based pH-sensitive nano-carriers could be, used as an efficient delivery system for N-glycosylation inhibitor to enhance the effects of skin whitening cosmetics.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.529-534
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• 2008

The reactive oxygen species generated by ultraviolet rays causes various types of cutaneous damage, such as lipid peroxidation and denaturation of the extra-cellular matrix. The accumulation of such damage contributes to skin aging, especially the formation of wrinkles. This study was carried out to develop functional cosmatic by using Oriental herb supercritical extracts (OHSE) for prevention of skin. Effects of OHSE on anti-oxidation, collagenase inhibition and collagen synthesis in normal human fibroblast were investigated. OHSE showed antioxidative activity as high as vitamin C, trolox and DL-penicillamine. Also OHSE showed promotive effect on collagen synthesis and inhibitory effect on collagenase activity. From this results, we conclude that OHSE may have the potential to be conveniently used as an additive in cosmetics for prevention and improvement of skin aging.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1701-1707
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• 2016

The present study investigated the anti-obesity effect of pine cone (PC, Pinus koraiensis) supercritical extract in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were treated with HFD, HFD+catechin, and HFD+PC [two different doses, 20 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) and 100 mg/kg b.w.] in each AIN93G supplement for 8 weeks. Treatment of HFD mice with both low and high doses of PC significantly reduced body weight gain compared to HFD mice. Liver weight of mice was reduced in both the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups (24.19% and 19.83%, respectively). Total adipose tissue weight of mice was reduced in both the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups (45.54% and 62.66%, respectively). Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol were reduced in the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups, and ratios of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol increased by 94.55% in the high dose PC-supplemented group. Serum leptin was significantly reduced in the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups (28.14% and 62.72%, respectively). These results were supported by genetic expression of protein and enzymes related to lipid metabolism assessed by real-time PCR. There was significant reduction of lipid regulatory transcription factors such as $PPAR-{\gamma}$, C/EBP, and SREBP and lipid enzymes such as fatty acid synthesis and lipoprotein lipase in the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups. However, there was no statistical difference between low and high dose PC treatments. These results suggest that pine cone supercritical extract supplementation is able to regulate serum lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels, followed by regulation of expression of lipid metabolic factors, resulting in reduction of weight gain in HFD-induced obese mice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on the synthesis of the metallothionein in the liver of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats($220{\pm}10mg$) were randomly assigned to one control and three STZ-diabetic groups. Diabetic groups were classified to STZ-0E(vitamine E free diet), STZ-40E(40mg vitamin E/kg of diet) and STZ-400E(400mg vitamin E/kg of diet) according to the level of vitamin E supplementation. Blood glucose levels of STZ-diabetic rats were three times higher than that of control. The contents of vitamin E in liver were lower signifciantly STZ-0E, STZ-40E groups by 50%, 36% compared with that of control. Lipid peroxide values(LPO) in liver were higher 5.6 and 2.5 times in STZ-0E and STZ-40E groups than that of control. Plasma cortisol levels were higher STZ-0E and STZ-40E groups compared with those of control, but cortisol levels were lower significantly in STZ-400E group compared with those of the STZ-0E and the STZ-40E groups. The plasma insulin levels were lower in all three STZ-diabetic group compared with that of control, but were not affected by the level of dietary vitamin E. The metallothionein (MT) contents in liver, kidney and small intestine were five times higher in STZ-0E, STZ-40E and STZ-400E compared with that of control, but STZ-400E group was lower in the MT contents in tissues compared with that of STZ-40E group. Zn-MT peak in STZ-diabetic rats liver increased than that of control by Sephadex G-75, and Zn-MT peak divided into MTI and MTII peaks by DEAE Sephadex A-25 column chromatography. The present results indicate that STZ-induced diabetic rats are more sensitive to oxidative stress, leading to the acceleration of lipid peroxidation process, which can be more promoted low level of dietary vitamin E. And the result may that increase synthesis of MT induced in the liver of diabetic rats increased so it can be sure that the diabetes is one of the MT induce factor by free radical generation. And high vitamin E supplementation reduced total MT contents of liver, kidney and small intestine and the peak of purified Zn-MT. Through the results of these experiments, we can conclude that MT might be the free radical scavenger.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.962-970
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• 2022

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that highly increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer, and there are few therapeutic options available in the clinic. Poricoic acid (PoA), a component of Poria cocos Wolf, has a wide range of pharmacological activities; however, little is known about its effects on NASH. The preventive effects of PoA on NASH were examined in vivo and in vitro by analyzing triglyceride synthesis, inflammation and fibrosis. In the high fat and methionine-choline deficient diet (HFMCD)-induced NASH mice, PoA reduced the liver weight and the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase compared with non-treated HFMCD group. The staining with Oil Red O and hematoxylin and eosin revealed that PoA administration reduced red staining and the size of lipid droplet. qPCR analysis showed that PoA also reduced the expression of genes related to triglyceride synthesis. Further, immunostaining with CD68 and qPCR analysis revealed that PoA reduced the staining with CD68 and the expression of inflammatory genes induced by HFMCD. Moreover, PoA reduced the staining with sirius red and antibody of α-smooth muscle actin and also reduced the expression of genes related to fibrosis. The treatment of PoA to AML12 cells reduced the increase in triglyceride amount and expression of genes associated with triglyceride synthesis, inflammation and fibrosis. Taken together, our study indicate that PoA has therapeutic effect on NASH through preventing triglyceride synthesis, inflammation and fibrosis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.365-370
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• 2009

For the production of diglyceride (DG) containing medium chain fatty acid, which could be utilized as a substrate to structured lipid production, monoglyceride (MG) and caprylic acid were reacted in the presence of lipase. The reaction system was well mixed homogeneously without using any organic solvent. Among the lipases investigated, Lipozyme RM IM and Novozym 435 were selected on the basis of equilibrium DG yields from the medium chain fatty acid and MG. And reaction conditions such as addition of molecular sieve, water content of immobilized lipase, reaction temperature, and mole ratio of MG/caprylic acid are optimized to increase DG production by using Lipozyme RM IM. DG content of reaction mixture showed 8% increase by adding molecular sieve to reaction mixture. Removal of water from the immobilized lipase could affect seriously equilibrium content of DG. More than 2.8%(w/w) removal of water from the support could make 44% of DG. Optimum temperature was found to $60^{\circ}C$. Temperature shift from $60^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$ resulted in increase of free fatty acid (FFA) content. The equilibrium DG yield was not seriously affected by on MG/caprylic acid molar ratio. However, at the stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 the highest DG yield was obtained. Increasing MG/caprylic acid ratio from 0.3 to 1.8 decreased FFA content from 34% to 13%, while MG content increased from 27% to 50%.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.286-292
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the anti-obese activity of HPJ extract in C57BL/6J mice. The C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (Con), high fat diet control group (HFD), treatment groups with HPJ at 125 mg/kg (HPJ125), 250 mg/kg (HPJ250), or 500 mg/kg (HPJ500). To induce an obesity, mice were fed by a high fat diet for 6 weeks, and mice were administered with HPJ extract once a day for 8 weeks. At the end of treatment, we examined the effect of HPJ extract on body weight, plasma lipid, and lipogenic enzymes. HPJ extract was found to lower whole body and epididymal adipose tissue weights and lowered plasma levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and leptin, compared to those in HFD group. Histological analyses of the liver and fat tissues of mice treated with HPJ extract revealed significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and decreased size of adipocytes compared to the HFD group. In addition, HPJ extract preserved the morphological integrity of pancreatic islets. To elucidate an action mechanism of HPJ extract, Western blot and RT-PCR were performed using epididymal adipose tissues. HPJ extract up-regulated the levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylasse (ACC). HPJ extract also attenuated lipogenic gene expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein $1{\alpha}$ (SREBP$1{\alpha}$), fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in dose-dependent manners. In contrast, expressions of lipolytic genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\alpha$ (PPAR-${\alpha}$) and CD36, and fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation gene, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) were increased. These results suggest that HPJ extract ameliorates obesity through inhibiting synthesis of lipogenic enzymes as well as stimulating fatty acid oxidation resulting from activation of AMPK, and HPJ extract could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for obese patients.