• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1415-1419
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• 2008

This study was carried out to determine the inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Korean Orysa sartiva and Coix lachryma-jobi var. ma-yuen on mutagenicity using Ames test and growth of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma and HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Both treatments of methanol extracts (5 mg/assay) from Orysa sartiva and Coix lachryma-jobi var. ma-yuen to Ames test system inhibited aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) induced mutagenicity by 76%. In case of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguamidine (MNNG) induced mutagenicity, the methanol extracts (5 mg/assay) from Orysa sartiva and Coix lachryma-jobi var. ma-yuen showed 79% and 69% inhibitory rate, respectively and the inhibitory effect was a little stronger in Orysa sartiva Inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Orysa sartiva. and Coix lachryma-jobi var. ma-yuen on the growth of AGS and HT-29 human cancer cells were increased as dose dependent patterns and the inhibitory effects on AGS and HT-29 cells were similar. The above results indicate that the consumption of these cereals, which contain many nutrients with good quality, may be recommended as potent functional foods for improving health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.337-344
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• 2018

Germinated brown rice (GBR, Orysa sartiva L.) has been reported to have anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects in adipocytes are not fully understood. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of GBR on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pretreated with GBR extracts (0-20 mg/mL) 1 h before LPS stimulation. The mRNA expression of adipokines and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were measured by RT-PCR. The protein expressions of TLR4-related molecules were detected by western blotting and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation was measured. Our results showed that GBR extract dose-dependently inhibited mRNA expression of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). GBR extract was found to inhibit LPS-induced mRNA expression of TLR4 and protein expression of both myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Furthermore, GBR extract significantly inhibited extracellular receptor-activated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. These results suggest that GBR extract has the anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflammation via inhibition of TLR4 signaling, includingthe ERK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways, in adipocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.745-752
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• 2018

Melanogenesis is involved in the pigmentation of the hair, eyes, and skin in living organisms. Various signaling pathways stimulated by ${\alpha}-MSH$, SCF/c-Kit, $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$, nitric oxide and ultraviolet activate melanocyte, leading to melanin production by tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 expressed via the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). However, the abnormal regulation of melanogenesis causes dermatological issues such as graying hair and vitiligo. Therefore, the activators that promote melanogenesis are crucial for the prevention of graying hair and the treatment of hypopigmentary disorders. Many melanogenesis stimulators have been studied for the development of novel drugs derived from synthesized compounds and natural products. Here, in addition to providing a description of a common signaling pathway in the melanogenesis of graying hair and the vitiligo process for the development of novel anti-hair graying agents, this article reviews natural herbs and the active ingredients that promote melanin synthesis as a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of vitiligo. In particular, compounds such as Imatinib and Sugen with a stimulating effect on melanogenesis as a side effect of the drugs, are also introduced. Recent advances in research on natural plant extracts such as Polygonum multiflorum, Rhynchosia Nulubilis, Black oryzasativa, and Orysa sartiva, widely known as traditional and medicinal extracts, are also reviewed.