• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.330-338
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• 2019

Chronic infection with intracellular Brucella abortus (B. abortus) in livestock remains as a major problem worldwide. Thus, the search for an ideal vaccine is still ongoing. In this study, we evaluated the protective efficacy of a combination of B. abortus recombinant proteins; superoxide dismutase (rSodC), riboflavin synthase subunit beta (rRibH), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (rNdk), 50S ribosomal protein (rL7/L12) and malate dehydrogenase (rMDH), cloned and expressed into a pMal vector system and $DH5{\alpha}$, respectively, and further purified and applied intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice. After first immunization and two boosters, mice were infected intraperitoneally (IP) with $5{\times}10^4CFU$ of virulent B. abortus 544. Spleens were harvested and bacterial loads were evaluated at two weeks post-infection. Results revealed that this combination showed significant reduction in bacterial colonization in the spleen with a log protection unit of 1.31, which is comparable to the average protection conferred by the widely used live attenuated vaccine RB51. Cytokine analysis exhibited enhancement of cell-mediated immune response as IFN-${\gamma}$ is significantly elevated while IL-10, which is considered beneficial to the pathogen's survival, was reduced compared to control group. Furthermore, both titers of IgG1 and IgG2a were significantly elevated at three and four-week time points from first immunization. In summary, our in vivo data revealed that vaccination with a combination of five different proteins conferred a heightened host response to Brucella infection through cell-mediated immunity which is desirable in the control of intracellular pathogens. Thus, this combination might be considered for further improvement as a potential candidate vaccine against Brucella infection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2021

Saccharomyces lysate has the well-known function of soothing the skin in various ways: it is an anti-irritant and can treat skin care conditions, such as skin whitening and antioxidative activity. However, data on the safety for use of Saccharomyces lysate in cosmetics and skin care products are still limited. To design a new cosmetic material with antioxidant and skin-whitening effects, 80 yeast strains were isolated from berries grown in Sunchang. Among the isolates, the FT4-4 strain, which exhibited superior biological activities, was selected for further experiments. The FT4-4 strain was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae by 18S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. S. cerevisiae FT4-4 showed higher DPPH radical-scavenging (51.41%), superoxide dismutase (62.23%), and tyrosinase inhibition (64.75%) activities. The highest yield of biomass (3.16 g/l) and maximum growth rate of S. cerevisiae FT4-4 were observed within 16 h. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity potential of S. cerevisiae FT4-4 on B16F10 melanoma cells was measured by an MTT assay, and the results indicated that S. cerevisiae FT4-4 had a capacity to inhibit melanin up to 72.02% at an initial 10 mg/ml concentration. These results suggest that S. cerevisiae FT4-4 could be a promising candidate as a multi-functional material for application in the cosmetic industry, especially because of its antioxidant and skin-whitening effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.252-259
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• 2021

Barley contains health-beneficial compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and tocopherols. The antioxidant activities of pearled and wholegrain hull-less, premature, and black barley harvested in Jeju were investigated by measuring total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), phenolic compounds, tocopherols (T), and tocotrienols (T3), along with their in vitro antioxidant activities. Consequently, TPC and TFC in wholegrain barley groups were higher than those in pearled barley. Gallic acid (1.55-2.98 ㎍/g) and protocatechuic acid (0.67-2.84 ㎍/g) were the predominant phenolic compounds in barley. Total T and T3 concentrations of wholegrain barley groups were significantly higher than those of pearled barley (p<0.05). Except for the metal chelating effect and reducing power, the in vitro antioxidant activities of wholegrain barley were significantly higher than those of pearled barley. These results indicate that wholegrain Jeju barley can be used as a natural antioxidant source in the food industry.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.89-103
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• 2018

Objectives : This study is aimed to compare the changes in Antioxidative capacity of Liriopis Tuber by steaming process and to compare the effects in hyperlipidemia induced rats fed high cholesterol diet between Simvastatin and Liriopis Tuber by steaming process. Methods : The SD rats were divided into six groups: normal diet (Nor), high cholesterol diet (Veh), high cholesterol diet plus Simvastatin 5 mg/kg (Sim), high cholesterol diet plus LT0 extract 200 mg/kg (LT0), high cholesterol diet plus LT6 extract 200 mg/kg (LT6) and high cholesterol diet plus LT9 extract 200 mg/kg (LT9). We compared the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) contents and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from each serums. Protein expression in liver tissues related to antioxidant and cholesterol was analyzed. Results : The Antioxidant activity of Liriopis Tuber increased by steaming process. In vivo, TC, TG, LDL-c, atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factor (CRF) decreased and HDL-c increased with increasing steaming frequency. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased with increasing steaming frequency. ROS decreased only in LT9, and SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased with increasing steaming frequency. phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) increased and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), Phospho-Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (p-ACC) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) decreased with increasing steaming frequency. Liver staining showed a decrease in hepatic fat accumulation of LT9. LT9 showed significant results in all experiments. Conclusions : LT9 showed significance of anti-lipid effect and improved fatty liver of hyperlipemia induced rats fed on high cholesterol diet, In conclusion, LP9 can be effectively used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2022

Objectives : Although the pharmacological effects of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi water extract (AM) have been proven from many studies, reports on the antioxidant effect of AM on ulcerative colitis (UC) are scarce. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the anti-oxidant effect of AM on the DSS-induced UC model. Methods : To induce ulcerative colitis, 8-week-old male Balb/c mice received 5% DSS in drinking water for 1 week. After 1 week of adaptation, mice were divided into four groups (n=8 each) for use as normal (Normal), DSS Control (Control), DSS + AM 100 mg/kg (AM100)-treatment, DSS + AM 200 mg/kg (AM200)-treatment. After 1 week of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and the extracted colon tissue was analyzed for protein through western blot. Results : As a result of confirming the macroscopic changes in colon tissues to confirm the therapeutic effects of AM, the decrease in colon length was suppressed in the AM treatment group compared to the control group. In addition, as a result of biochemical analysis, AM administration significantly reduced serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvate transaminase levels and tissue malondialdehyde levels. As a result of confirming the protein expression level through western blot, AM administration significantly decreased the expression of NADPH-related proteins such as NOX2, p22^phox, and iNOS, but significantly increased the expression of SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2. Conclusions : AM may improve DSS-induced UC in mice by modulating NADPH and antioxidant-related proteins. In conclusion, AM showed an antioxidant effect through the improvement of oxidative stress on UC.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2023

Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to see the radiation protection effect of the oral injected Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts on the small intestine and uterus of female SD Rat as a natural radiation protection agent. The experimental group was divided into four groups: Normal Control group (NC group), Injected Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts group (DZ group), irradiated group after injecting Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts (DZ+IR group). The whole body of SD Rat was irradiated with gamma-ray 10Gy, and the administration of oral Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. Extract was 2 cc (71.56 mg/day/kg) once a day for 2 weeks. For this study, chages in blood cell levels, SOD assay, small intestine and uterus were observed. In the 21st white blood cell level, the DZ+IR group recovered to a normal level, and the IR group didn't. The IR group villus length was lower than other groups on Day 1. IR group was partially recovered, and DZ+IR group was recovered like the NC group on Day 21. In the case of the first-day endometrium, the IR group was thin and the boundary was cloudy, and the DZ+IR group was thicker and the boundary was clearer than the IR group. Day 21 IR group still did not recover, and DZ+IR group recovered like NC group. This is believed to have radiation protection effects in the blood cells and small intestine and uterus of the irradiated female SD Rat, and is expected to be useful for the study of natural radiation protection materials.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1002-1014
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• 2023

The root of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) has long been used in traditional medicine to prevent the onset and progression of various diseases and has been reported to exert a wide range of physiological effects, including antioxidant activity. However, research on its effects on hepatocytes remains scarce. This study used the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line to investigate the antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of C. japonicum root (EECJ) on hepatocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used to mimic oxidative stress. The results showed that EECJ significantly reverted the decrease in cell viability and suppressed the release of lactate dehydrogenase in HepG2 cells treated with H₂O₂. Moreover, an analysis of changes in cell morphology, flow cytometry, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) expression showed that EECJ significantly inhibited HepG2 cell autophagy induced by H₂O₂. Furthermore, it attenuated H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and cell cycle disruption by blocking intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide production, indicating strong antioxidant activity. EECJ also restored the decreased levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and enhanced the expression and activity of superoxide dismutase and GSH peroxidase in H₂O₂-treated HepG2 cells. Although an analysis of the components contained in EECJ and in vivo validation using animal models are needed, these findings indicate that EECJ is a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-induced liver cell damage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.384-389
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• 2014

The objective of the present study was to investigate the chemical composition of anthocyanin-enriched extract of radiation-induced blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) mutant (${\gamma}$-B201) as well as the protective effect of ${\gamma}$-B201 against oxidative stress in vitro. The cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, and DNA damage were assessed by WST-1 assay, flow cytometry, and comet assay, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were determined by using a commercial kit. The in vitro results showed that ${\gamma}$-B201 increased the cell viability, reduction of lactate dehydrogenase release, and intracellular ROS scavenging capacity in hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-treated HepG2 cells. Furthermore, treatment with ${\gamma}$-B201 attenuated DNA damage in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells and treatment with ${\gamma}$-B201 restored the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the present study suggests that ${\gamma}$-B201 blackberry extract can exert a significant cytoprotective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced cell damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.979-984
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• 2006

Although iron is essential for many physiological processes, excess iron can lead to tissue damage by promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). There is increasing evidence that ROS might play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. However, the effects of iron excess on platelet function and the thrombotic response to vascular injury are not well understood. We examined the effects of iron excess-induced oxidative stress and the antioxidants on platelet aggregation. Oxidative stress was accessed by either free iron $(Fe^{+2})$ or hydrogen peroxide $(H_2O_2)$, as well as their combination on washed rabbit platelets (WPs) in vitro. When WPs were stimulated with either $Fe^{+2}$ alone or a subthreshold concentration of collagen, which gave an aggregatory curve with a little effect, and a dose dependent increase in platelet aggregation was observed by increasing concentrations of $Fe^{+2}$ with $H_2O_2$. This aggregation was associated with the iron-catalyzed formation of hydroxyl radicals from $H_2O_2$, and were inhibited by NAD/NADP (proton acceptor), catalase $(H_2O_2\;scavenger)$, tiron (iron chelator), mannitol (hydroxyl radical scavenger), and indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor), but not by NADH/NADPH (proton donor), superoxide mutase, and aspirin. However, NADH/NADPH, an essential cofactor for the antioxidant capacity by the supply of reducing potentials, showed the effect of an enhanced radical formation, suggesting a role for NADH/NADPH-dependent oxidase. These results suggest that iron $(Fe^{+2})$ can directly interact with washed rabbit platelets and this aggregation be mediated by OH formation as in the Fenton reaction, inhibited by radical scavengers.