• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.169-175
• /
• 2023

As a protective defensive mechanism against ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in skin tissue, melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. Tyrosinase plays a key role in melanin production in melanocytes. However, the overproduction of melanin can lead to lesions, such as freckles and dark spots. Thus, it is clinically important to find a modulating molecule to control melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase expression and/or activity. It is known that catechin, a plant flavonoid, can reduce melano- genesis through the downregulation of tyrosinase expression. Here, we tested whether catechin derivatives isolated from the stem bark of Ulmus parvifolia have an effect on melanin production by regulating tyrosinase in mouse melanoma cells and in vitro mushroom tyrosinase. The catechin derivatives used in this study included C5A, C7A, C7G, and C7X. Treatments using these catechin derivatives reduced melanin production in mouse melanoma B16F10 cells in which melanogenesis was stimulated by α-MSH. Notably, the anti-melanogenic effects of catechin derivatives were similar to those of kojic acid, a well-known anti-melanogenic molecule. Both C5A and C7A directly inhibited the activity of tyrosinase isolated from mushrooms in vitro. Furthermore, our in silico computational simulation showed that these two compounds were expected to bind to the active site of tyrosinase, which is similar to kojic acid. In addition, all four catechin derivatives reduced tyrosinase protein expression. In summary, our results showed that catechin derivatives can reduce melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase activity or expression. Thus, this study suggests that catechin derivatives isolated from U. parvifolia can be novel modulators of melanin production.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.10
• /
• pp.1377-1384
• /
• 2011

Astaxanthin (ATX) is a red-orange carotenoid pigment that occurs naturally in a wide variety of living organisms. In this study we investigated the inhibitory effects of ATX on the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nitric oxide (NO), proinflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-${\kappa}B$) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, we tested the superoxide radical scavenging activity of ATX by scavenging assay. iNOS and NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions were determined by immunoblot analysis. Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) were assayed by ELISA. NO production was monitored by measuring the amount of nitrite. ROS was examined by using the 2', 7'-Dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) method. At a concentration of 100 ${\mu}M$, ATX inhibited the expression level of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$, as well as the production of LPS-induced NO and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$), by suppressing iNOS expression. In particular, the maximal inhibition rate of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production by ATX (100 ${\mu}M$) was 65.2----- and 21.2-----, respectively. In addition, ATX inhibited the LPS-induced transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$, and this was associated with suppressing the translocations of NF-${\kappa}B$ from the cytosol to the nucleus. Moreover, at various concentrations (25-100 ${\mu}M$), ATX inhibited the intracellular level of ROS. At a concentration of 5 mg/ml, the superoxide radical scavenging activity of ATX was 1.33 times higher than ${\alpha}$-tocopherol of the same concentration. These results showed that ATX inhibited the expression of iNOS and the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines resulting from ROS production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in macrophages. Furthermore, ATX was found to be more effective in superoxide radical scavenging activities compared to ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. These findings are expected to strengthen the position of ATX as anti-inflammatory medicine and antioxidant.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.350-359
• /
• 2007

The egg development and morphological change of larvae and juveniles of the starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus were observed in laboratory. Fertilized eggs of the species, 1.09~1.19 mm (mean $1.13{\pm}0.03mm$, n=50) in diameter, were floating, colorless, transparent in shape and lacked in oil globules. The eggs hatched out 121 hours after fertilization at water temperature $8.2{\sim}11.2^{\circ}C$. The size of the hatched larvae were 2.58~2.89 mm (mean $2.67{\pm}0.09mm$) in total length, their mouth and anus were not open yet and myotome number was 14+27=41. Melanophore and xanthophore appeared on the notochord and digestive organ and the margin of membrane fin, on the yolk sac and eyes were lacking in pigment cells. 5 days after hatching the larvae attained 4.30~4.97 mm (mean$4.74{\pm}0.21mm$) in TL, and their mouth and anus were open. 10 days after hatching the larvae transformed to postlarval stage and they were 4.67~5.75 mm in TL (mean $5.30{\pm}0.31mm$), and absorbing the yolk completely. Feeding activity increased as the mouth became larger. At 23 days, the larvae attained 6.69~8.82 mm in TL (mean $7.85{\pm}0.75mm$), and the right eye was started moving to the left side of the head. At 52 days, the juveniles attained 10.99~17.06 mm in TL (mean $13.50{\pm}1.67mm$). The right eye was moved completely onto the left side. All of the fins had completed set of the fin rays (D. 64~67: A. 45~51: P. 11: V. 6: C. 19).

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.59 no.4
• /
• pp.463-469
• /
• 2014

Sorghum has been consumed as one of the important staple food in the semiarid tropics of Africa and Asia. Sorghum is rich in starch, protein, essential vitamins and minerals and grows relatively well in dry climate regions when it compared with other staple food crops. Sorghum has taken an increased interest due to several studies that report about the beneficial effects of sorghum on human health. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative and activity of extract of milling by-products (hull and bran) of Korean sorghum cultivar, 'Hwanggeaumchal' as well as its grain. Hull extract showed the highest total polyphenol contents ($29.7{\pm}0.2mg\;GAE/100g$) and major four pigments content ($322.6{\pm}14.5mg/100g$). From results of 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, hull extract ($IC_{50}$, $6.3{\pm}0.1{\mu}g/mL$) was also showed the strongest antioxidative effects. Bran and grain showed similar polyphenol, pigments contents and antioxidative effects. We determined cell viability by MTT assay and evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity by measuring nitric oxide (NO) of hull, bran and grain methanol extract (0.5% HCl v/v) on RAW 264.7 cells. Hull extract treatment was significantly decreased NO production with dose-dependant manner. Apigeninidin as one of the major pigment of hull was showed inhibitory activity against NO production without cytotoxicitiy. Therefore, sorghum milling by-products can be used as a good source of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.91-97
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This purpose of study is to investigate the effect of UV-A-blocking or brown-tinted ophthalmic lens against A2E photooxidation which known as one of the etiologies of AMD(Age-related macular degenaration). Methods: The photooxidation of A2E, synthetic product of two molecules of all-trans-retinal and ethanolamine, was induced by the exposure to blue light (420~470 nm, $94mW/cm^2$) for 3 minutes. The inhibitory effect of UVblocking or brown-tinted ophthalmic lens against A2E photooxidation was evaluated by UV absorbance and HPLC analysis of remained A2E after the exposure to blue light. Results: UV-blocking ophthalmic lens could not inhibit A2E photooxidation induced by blue light irradiation. There was no difference in A2E photooxidation in the presence of brown-tinted ophthalmic lens to block 15% of visible ray, however, those lenses blocking 55% or 86% of visible ray showed the inhibitory effect of A2E photooxidation as 9.98% and 16.55%, respectively. By HPLC analysis, the amount of residual A2E which was not blocked by any lens was $199.29{\pm}26.53{\mu}M$, however, the inhibitory effect against A2E photooxidation was shown in the presence of brown-tinted lens. The remained A2Es were $264.58{\pm}31.91{\mu}M$ and $402.93{\pm}28.68{\mu}M$ in brown-tinted lenses of 55% and 86% blocking visible ray, respectively. However, there was no inhibitory effect against A2E photooxidation in the case of UV-blocking lens by HPLC analysis. Conclusions: In this study, brown-tinted ophthalmic lens was confirmed to have the inhibitory effect against the photooxidation of A2E, a causing substance of AMD onset.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 1984

The Chili fish, one of the most common species of the freshwater fishes, is distributed in the river basins of the western coast of Korea. However, any studies on this fish, especially its development or life history, have not been made so far. The authors, therefore, carried out an experiment to reveal some characteristics of egg develoment and fry in this fish. For accomplshing this study, we caught some adult Chili fish by means of a casting net at raceway in the vicinity of Kunsan in June and July, 1983; then, we injected 0. 1 cc Gonadotrophic hormone 1,000 unit solution (Puberogen) in order to induce the spawning on the abdominal cavity of male and female respectively, Approximately 12 hours after injection, the artificially fertilized eggs by using of the dry method and the naturally fertilized eggs were observed simultaneously in the aquarium ($30{\times}50{\times}70cm$). The fertilized eggs, in spherical shape, were sperative, demersel, adhesive nature and $1.38{\sim}1.59\;mm$ in diameter. The light yellow yolk was opaque and $1.17{\sim}l.27\;mm$ in diameter. The hatching of eggs took place at 29.5 hours after fertilization under the condition of $23.5{\sim}25.0^{\circ}C$ water temperature. Basically there were not found so many different aspects in comparison with the common species of Cyprinidae in the development process of eggs : however, there were a few noticable characteristics, that is, pigment cells, eye balls and blood circulation are invisible, or the velocity of egg development is rapid, seemed similar to the Loach's egg. Newly hatched larvae with the yolk sac (2.39 mm in size) were $3.87{\sim}3.99\;mm$ in total length and their myotome number was expressed as 28+15=43. About 20 hours after hatching, a caudal and a pectoral fin as well as an anus began to orgin. In addition, a few malanophore showed on the upper regin of the yolk sac of the larvae whose size was 4.73 mm in total length. The larvae developed about 5.02 mm in total length, and the median fin fold in the abdomen extended forward to two thirds or beyond of the yolk sac at 50 hours after hatching. Simultaneously, the eye balls and mouth also appeared. After 3 days, the yolk sac nearly disappeared, and the larvae (5.4 mm in total length) with perfect eye balls began to swim for themselves for the first time. Also, the specialization between the gill arches and the ailmentary canal, the development of each fins except dorsal fin as well as the blood circulation obviously distinguished in this stage. The larvae whose total length was 5.68 mm was very brisk: also, the development of the dorsal fin rudiment, nearly perfect formation of each organs and the function of the upper and lower jaws were noticeably observed 5 days after hatching.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.707-711
• /
• 2008

The principal objective of the current study was to isolate a purpurogallin derivative as an oxidation product from gallic acid, in an effort to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of this compound. Purpurogallin derivative is known to be the one of the oxidation products of gallic acid. This compound has been identified as a minor chemical component in fermented tea products. It has been previously demonstrated that theaflavins, the oxidation products of catechins found in fermented tea products, exert profound antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the biological activities of a minor chemical component in fermented teas have yet to be evaluated. Purpurogallin carboxylic acid (PCA) was identified as a major oxidation product of gallic acid from a peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide oxidation model system. The identity of the PCA was verified by $^{1}H$ NMR, $^{13}C$ NMR and MS techniques. PCA treatment significantly suppressed the generation of pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophages. According to the nitrite assay, PCA 100, 75, and $50{\mu}g/mL$ treatment dose-dependently inhibited NO production by 57.6, 41.5, and 21.8%, respectively, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. Moreover, IL-6 production was inhibited to a significant degree with PCA treatment of 100 and $75{\mu}g/mL$ at 43.1 and 23.9%, respectively. PCA treatment also significantly suppressed $PGE_2$ production at levels of 100 and $75{\mu}g/mL$. These results showed that PCA exerts inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 1971

As a result of analyzing the change of material substance of all sorts biochemically and comparing the control with ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation (800${\gamma}$, 40 Min), incubating the silkworm eggs (Bombyx mori L.) as the objective in the process of growth of embyro shortly before hatching, the following conclusion has been found. 1. Ascorbic acid has shown the maximum increase of 319 r/g in the Byong B embyro stage and in other words it has increased during the period of vigorous metabolism of the materials in eggs but it has decreased before hatching after that period. 2. Triglyceride has shown the increase of 27.54 mg/g in the Byong A stage, the early period of incubation and in other words it has increased in the period of activation of cells in eggs but it has gradually decreased during the growth of embyro after that period. Great change of either total cholesterol or free cholesterol has not been shown from the early period till shortly before hatching. 3. Free fatty acid has shown the minimum decrease of 257.4$\mu$ mole/g in the Byong A stage in which triglyceride increases greatly. On the contrary, it has shown the increase of 1, 020.0$\mu$ mole/g in Ki A stage in which triglyceride decreases. As a whole, the fact that free fatty acid increases according to the growth of embyro in eggs has been found. 4. Glucose has shown the increase of 281.2 mg/g in control during tile Pigment stage and it has shown the increase of 179.6 mg/g in ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation during the same period. The difference in quantity between the former and the latter is due to the fact that the growth of embyro has been influenced by the radio active. Glucose has changed with free fatty acid and phosphorus the other way round. 5. Control organic phosphorus has shewh the increase of 5.23mg/g during the Byong B or Ki A in which organ and tissue in the emhyro has been formed. Organic phosphorus in ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation has shown the increase of 5.73mg/g during Ki B. Inorganic phosphorus has shown only a little change in the control and ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation. The phosphorus in both has shown a little quantity in the ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation in the early period of incubation. After the Ki A embyro, it has increased rapidly and it has increased till the hatching more continually than in control. The about results of the research will be helpful and instructive to the betterment and improvement, breeding and management of animals and plants.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2019

In this study, the surveys were carried out from October (2016) to October (2017) along the tidal flat of Geunso Bay, Taean Peninsula of the western edge of Korea. The sampling trips were carried out for a total of 16 times, once or twice a month. In order to investigate the monthly variation of the microphytobenthos (MPB) biomass, community composition and photo-physiology were analyzed by HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography). The total chlorophyll a (TChl a) concentrations used as an indicator of biomass of MPB in the upper 1 cm sediment layer ranged from 40.4 to $218.9mg\;m^{-2}$ throughout the sampling period. TChl a concentrations showed the maximum level on $24^{th}$ of February and remained high throughout March after which it started to declined. The biomass of MPB showed high values in winter and low values in summer. The monthly variations of Phaeophorbide a concentrations suggested that the low grazing intensity of the predator in the winter may have partly attributed to the MPB winter blooming. As a result of monthly variations of the MPB community composition using the major marker pigments, the concentrations of fucoxanthin, the marker pigment of benthic diatoms, were the highest throughout the year. The concentrations of most of the marker pigments except for chlorophyll b (chlorophytes) and peridinin (dinoflagellates) increased in winter. However, the concentrations of fucoxanthin increased the highest, and the relative ratios of the major marker pigments to TChl a except fucoxanthin decreased during the same period. The vertical distribution of Chl a and oxygen concentrations in the sediments using a fluorometer and an oxygen micro-optode Chl a concentrations decreased with oxygen concentrations with increasing depth of the sediment layers. Moreover, this tendency became more apparent in winter. The Chl a was uniformly vertical down to 12 mm from May to July, but the oxygen concentration distribution in May decreased sharply below 1 mm. The increase in phaeophorbide a concentration observed at this time is likely to be caused by increased oxygen consumption of zoobenthic grazing activities. This could be presumed that MPB cells are transported downward by bioturbation of zoobenthos. The relative ratios (DT/(DD+DT)) obtained with diadinoxanthin (DD) and diatoxanthin (DT), which are often used as indicators of photo-adaptation of MPB, decreased from October to March and increased in May. This indicated that there were monthly differences in activity of Xanthophyll cycle as well.