• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.300-307
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• 2020

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelial dysfunction due to persistent inflammation is a key component and emerging concept in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), an active compound from red ginseng, has been known to be important for vascular homeostasis. However, the effect of Rg3 on inflammation-induced EndMT has never been reported. Here, we hypothesize that Rg3 might reverse the inflammation-induced EndMT and serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular diseases. Methods: EndMT was examined under an inflammatory condition mediated by the NOD1 agonist, γ-d-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP), treatment in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The expression of EndMT markers was determined by Western blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunocytochemistry. The underlying mechanisms of Rg3-mediated EndMT regulation were investigated by modulating the microRNA expression. Results: The NOD1 agonist, iE-DAP, led to a fibroblast-like morphology change with a decrease in the expression of endothelial markers and an increase in the expression of the mesenchymal marker, namely EndMT. On the other hand, Rg3 markedly attenuated the iE-DAP-induced EndMT and preserved the endothelial phenotype. Mechanically, miR-139 was downregulated in cells with iE-DAP-induced EndMT and partly reversed in response to Rg3 via the regulation of NF-κB signaling, suggesting that the Rg3-miR-139-5p-NF-κB axis is a key mediator in iE-DAP-induced EndMT. Conclusion: These results suggest, for the first time, that Rg3 can be used to inhibit inflammation-induced EndMT and may be a novel therapeutic option against EndMT-associated vascular diseases.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.40-48
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• 2014

Laver is one of the most consumed edible red algae seaweeds in the genus Porphyra. Laver is primarily prepared in the form of dried, roasted, and seasoned products. We investigated the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of laver products, and evaluated the in vitro antioxidant properties of solvent extracts from commercially processed laver products. Significant differences in the concentration of phenolic compounds were found among differently processed laver. The total phenolic content for laver extracts ranged from 10.81 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract to 32.14 mg GAE/g extract, depending on extraction solvent and temperature. Laver extracts contained very few flavonoids (0.55 mg catechin equivalent/g extracts to 1.75 mg catechin equivalent/g extracts). 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion scavenging assays were used to determine the radical scavenging capacities of laver extracts. These assays revealed that the processing method and extraction condition affected the antioxidant potentials of laver. Antioxidant activity of dried laver, roasted laver, and seasoned laver increased in a concentration-dependent manner ($100{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/mL$). The radical scavenging activities of $37^{\circ}C$ and $100^{\circ}C$ water extracts were lower than that of a $37^{\circ}C$ 70% ethanol extract. The highest radical scavenging capacity was observed in the $37^{\circ}C$ 70% ethanol extracts of dried laver, roasted laver, and seasoned laver. Overall, these results support that notion that laver contains bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which may have a positive effect on health.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.359-364
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• 2007

Pine bark extract is well-known as a very powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic material. French maritime pine bark extract ($Pycnogenol^{(R)}$) of Horphag Research has monopolized the world market over 30 years. Korean red pine bark extract ($Pinexol^{(R)}$) was first manufactured by the patent technology of NutraPharm in Korea in 2006. Feasibility of topical gel and patch formulations of Pinexol was systematically investigated by evaluating the skin absorption of catechin as a reference compound. In vitro hairless mouse skin absorption of catechin from gel formulation was higher than that from patches. However, significant amount of catechin was also deposited inside the skin from patch formulations, which were dependent on the types of pressure sensitive adhesives. Thus, it seems to be feasible to control the topical delivery of Pinexol by using both gel and patch formulations, and be necessary to conduct further systematic investigation.

• 한국연초학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.30-40
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of various smoke constituents to the toxicological activity of total particulate matter(TPM) or the gas/vapor phase(GVP). These components included phenol compounds, aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic amines, and carbonyl compounds. The mutagenic and cytotoxic potencies were assessed using the Salmonella mutagenicity assay with S. typimurium TA98 strain and the neutral red uptake cytotoxicity assay(NRU) with BALB/c 3T3 fibroblast cells, respectively. The Salmonella mutagenicity test showed that heterocyclic amines exhibited significantly higher levels of toxicity compared to other smoke constituents. Among them, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline(MeIQ) was shown the most mutagenic compound with a specific mutagenicity of $7.9{\times}10^5\;revertants/{\mu}g$. An analysis of the possible contribution revealed that MeIQ account for only 0.85% of the 2R4F-TPM mutagenicity in TA98. NRU data demonstrated that high cytotoxic activity was obtained for hydroquinone, formaldehyde, and acrolein. Based on the results of the present study, the contribution of acrolein to the cytotoxicity of the GVP fraction was calculated as 61%. Thus, a large proportion of the cytotoxic activity of this complex mixture, cigarette smoke gas phase, can be attributed to the acrolein.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.325-332
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• 2017

3-Bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) is a natural bromophenol compound that is most commonly isolated from red algae. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of BDB on atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages. BDB treatment (100 mg/kg) resulted in suppression of the development of AD symptoms compared with the control treatment (induction-only), as demonstrated by reduced immunoglobulin E levels in serum, smaller lymph nodes with reduced thickness and length, a decrease in ear edema, and reduced levels of inflammatory cell infiltration in the ears. In RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, BDB (12.5, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}M$) suppressed the production of interleukin-6, a proinflammatory cytokine, in a dose-dependent manner. BDB also had an inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1; Tyr 701), two major signaling molecules involved in cellular inflammation. Taken together, the results show that BDB treatment alleviates inflammatory responses in an atopic dermatitis mouse model and RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that BDB may be a useful therapeutic strategy for treating conditions involving allergic inflammation such as atopic dermatitis.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.1327-1331
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• 2008

In order to determine whether peach contains compounds to regulate adipocyte differentiation, extracts of flesh/pericarp of yellow/white peach were prepared in water, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), or n-butanol solvent and determined for effects on adipocyte differentiation in C3H10T1/2 or 3T3-L1 cells. Interestingly, none of peach extracts has statistically significant stimulatory effect on the adipocyte differentiation in C3H10T1/2. Furthermore, the presence of EtOAc extract of white peach pericarp (WPP) was found to inhibit lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells both by microscopic examination of Oil Red O-stained lipid droplets and by spectrophotometric quantification of extracted stain, indicating a significant inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. The inhibition of lipid accumulation was accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression levels of adipocyte molecular markers-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$, CAAT enhancer binding protein $\alpha$, and fatty acid-binding protein. Thus, this study determined that WPP EtOAc extract contains the inhibitory compound(s) on adipogenesis.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.796-801
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• 2000

Kimchi is the Korean traditional food which is fermented properly from salted Korean cabbage of raddish with other various supplements. Kimchi therefore can be the major sources for various kinds of nutrients and other biological substances. The fermentation process accompanies with complicated reaction mechanism which bacteria, fungi and yeast are involved and they produced aroma, taste and bioactive components. To identify nucleoside, this study was conducted with freeze-dried mustard leaf, mustard leaf kimchi and fermented mustard leaf kimchi. Hexane, CH$_2$Cl$_2$, EtOAc and BuOH was used in order to extract their components. The isolated compounds I and II from mustard leaf and mustard leaf kimchi were identified as adenosine and uracil using UV, $^{1}H$-NMR, $^{13}C$-NMR and LC-MS, respectively. Compound I, II and nucleosides are the first report of its occurrence from mustard leaf and their kimchi, the standardized ratios of ingredients for kimchi were 10 of anchovy juice, 8 of red pepper powder, 3 of garlic, 1.5 of ginger, 6 of paste of glutinous rice. The nucleoside of mustard leaf and their kimchi was determined and compared. The order of nucleosides contents of mustard leaf was uridine>cytosine>uracil>adenine>guanosine>guanin, that of fresh mustard leaf kimchi was uridine>uracil>cytosine>guanine>adenosine>adenin>guanosine and that of fermented mustard leaf kimchi (5days at 15$^{\circ}C$) was guanine>adenine>adenosine>guanosine. The differences of nucleoside contents from those were due to various supplements and fermentation process.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.1031-1037
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• 2018

수용성 비이온고분자인 Polyvinylalcohol (PVA), Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Hydroxypropyl cellusoe (HPC)와 iodine과의 착물 형성에 대한 계면활성제의 영향을 알아보기 위해 Sodiumdodecylsulfate을 포함하는 수용액에서 이들 사이의 반응을 수행하였다. PVP와 HPC에서 tri-iodide band의 적색 이동에 의하여 착물이 만들어졌다는 것을 알게되었고, PVA-iodine 착물에서는 500 nm 부근에서 고유의 특색있는 띠를 나타내었다. SDS 계면활성제의 존재는 PVA-iodine 착물의 파괴를 가져왔고, 고유의 푸른색도 사라지게 만들었다. 그러나 SDS 단량체는 PVP, HPC와 iodine의 착물 형성을 도와주는 경향을 나타내었다. 고분자 용액에서 겔이 만들어지는 것을 방해하는 n-propanol은 고분자-iodine 착물이 형성되는 것을 도와주었다. SDS가 있을 때와 없을 경우의 영향을 알아보기 위해 순수한 HPC와 HPC-iodine 착물을 만들고 이들의 성질을 조사하였다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) is an edible wild mushroom with tough fruiting body that belongs to the family Polyporaceae. It is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of ulcer, anaemia, cough and fever. Recent studies have demonstrated its anticancer, anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties. However, little or no information is available regarding the bioactive components and toxicological study of wild dried L. squarrosulus. Therefore, this study investigated the bioactive components of aqueous extract of boiled wild dried L. squarrosulus and its toxicological effects in rats. The extract of L. squarrosulus was subjected to GC-MS analysis. The acute toxicity test was performed by oral administration of a single dose of up to 5,000 mg/kg extract of L. squarrosulus. In subacute study, the rats were orally administered extract of L. squarrosulus at the doses of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 mg/kg body weight daily for 14 days. The haematological, lipid profile, liver and kidney function parameters were determined and the histopathology of the liver and kidney were examined. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds; 1-tetradecene, fumaric acid, monochloride, 6-ethyloct-3-yl ester, 9-eicosene, phytol, octahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine and 3-trifluoroacetoxypentadecane. In acute toxicity study, neither death nor toxicity sign was recorded. In the sub-acute toxicity study, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed on creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Whilst no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed on packed cell volume, heamoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell and alkaline phosphatase, in all the tested doses. No histopathological alterations were recorded. Our findings revealed that aqueous extract of L. squarrosulus may have antimicrobial, antinocieptive and antioxidant properties based on the result of GC-MS analysis. Results of the toxicity test showed no deleterious effect at the tested doses, suggesting that L. squarrosulus is safe for consumption at the tested doses.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.96-105
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Asparagus cochinchinensis (AC) and fermented AC (fAC) on microorganisms and efficacies. Methods: AC was fermented for four weeks without using any bacterial strains. Then we investigated fermentation characteristics including potential of hydrogen (pH), total sugar, microbial profiling and antioxidant compound contents such as total polyphenol and total flavonoid. The anti-obesity effects of AC and fAC were evaluated by using Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocyte. Also anti-diabetic effects of them were evaluated by using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake in C2C12 skeletal muscle cell. Results: Both pH and total sugar of fAC were decreased significantly compared to unfermented AC. And the abundance of total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria increased during fermentation, especially Lactobacillus plantarum. Also fermentation of AC increased the content of total polyphenol. On the metabolic aspects, we found that AC and fAC suppressed fat accumulation. Conclusions: After four weeks of fermentation, AC increased concentrations of active compounds, altered microbial composition, and inhibited fat accumulation such as triglyceride. These results indicate that fermentation of AC might be a beneficial therapeutic approach for obesity.