• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2018

Objective: Gelidium amansii (Lamouroux) is a red alga belonging to the family Gelidaceae and is commonly found in the shallow coasts of many East Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. G. amansii has traditionally been utilized as an edible alga, and has various biological activities. The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation of G. amansii could be useful for improving ruminal fermentation. Methods: As assessed by in vitro fermentation parameters such as pH, total gas, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, gas profile (methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and ammonia), and microbial growth rate was compared to a basal diet with timothy hay. Cannulated Holstein cows were used as rumen fluid donors and 15 mL rumen fluid: buffer (1:2) was incubated for up to 72 h with four treatments with three replicates. The treatments were: control (timothy only), basal diet with 1% G. amansii extract, basal diet with 3% G. amansii extract, and basal diet with 5% G. amansii extract. Results: Overall, the results of our study indicate that G. amansii supplementation is potentially useful for improving ruminant growth performance, via increased total gas and VFA production, but does come with some undesirable effects, such as increasing pH, ammonia concentration, and methane production. In particular, real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that the methanogenic archaea and Fibrobacter succinogenes populations were significantly reduced, while the Ruminococcus flavefaciens populations were significantly increased at 24 h, when supplemented with G. amansii extracts as compared with controls. Conclusion: More research is required to elucidate what G. amansii supplementation can do to improve growth performance, and its effect on methane production in ruminants.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to select an effective microbial strain to improve the functional qualities of Eisenia bicyclis water extract by fermentation. For this purpose, several microorganisms isolated from traditional Korean fermented foods were inoculated and cultivated in E. bicyclis water extract. Ultimately, yeast strain YM-1 was selected for further study based on its total phenolic compound (TP) content and antioxidant activity, which were enhanced by microbial fermentation. The extract fermented by YM-1 exhibited a superior TP content and 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity compared to extracts fermented by other microbes. The highest TP content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were observed after one day of YM-1 fermentation. Yeast strain YM-1 was identified as Candida utilis based on an analysis of its physiological characteristics. During fermentation of the extract by C. utilis YM-1, no significant difference was observed in the proximate composition, including moisture, crude lipid, crude protein, and crude ash. Fermentation by C. utilis YM-1 resulted in enhanced biological activity, including increases in the TP content and antioxidant activity. Thus, fermentation by C. utilis YM-1 is an attractive strategy for developing value-added food ingredients.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 1998

The antimutagenic activity of a methanol extract of Ecklonia stolonifera (Laminariaceae) against aflatoxin $B_1\;(AFB_1)$ was demonstrated with the Salmonella typhimurium assay. The numbers of revertants per plate decreased significantly when this extract was added to the assay system using S. Salmonella typhimurium TA100. The methanol extract also exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the micronuclei formation in mouse peripheral blood reticulocytes and the DNA damage in mouse spleen lymphocytes induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MMU) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P). The MeOH extract was then sequentially partitioned with $CH_2Cl_2,\;CH_2Cl_2$ insoluble intermediate, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and $H_2O$. All fractions possessed antimutagenic activity but the $H_2O$ fraction was inactive. Among active fractions, the EtOAc and $CH_2Cl_2$ insoluble intermediate fractions showed the highest activity. Column chromatography using $SiO_2$ and Sephadex LH-20 yielded phloroglucinol from the EtOAc fraction. Phloroglucinol also demonstrated significant antimutagenic activity, and inhibitory effects on the micronuclei formation in mouse peripheral blood reticulocytes and DNA damage in mouse spleen lymphocytes induced by MMU and B(a)P.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.249-255
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• 2013

Recently, algae has been considered as a potential anti-inflammatory source due to its distinctive habitat environment exposing to light and high oxygen concentration. In present study, anti-inflammatory effect of brown alga, Sargassum fullvellum ethanol extract (SFEE), was examined. SFEE inhibited not only the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) but also the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells without affecting cell viability. SFEE also suppressed the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), suggesting that SFEE could affect the expression of inflammation related cytokines and proteins through the regulation of NF-${\kappa}B$. Furthermore, formation of edema of the ear was 40% lower in mice treated with the highest dose (250 mg/kg) of SFEE than in the control mice. Thus, our study showed that SFEE may be a potential therapeutic anti-inflammatory drug.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2011

The antioxidant activities of a methanolic extract of Eisenia bicyclis and its organic solvent fractions, including dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and water ($H_2O$) fractions, were investigated. Scavenging activities against DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide anion, and peroxynitrite radicals were evaluated using electron spin resonance spectrometry; intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated by a 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay using RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. The antioxidant activities of the individual fractions were: EtOAc>n-BuOH>$CH_2Cl_2$ >$H_2O$. The EtOAc fraction exhibited strong radical scavenging activity and a significantly reduced ROS level in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, the phenolic contents of the extract and fractions followed the same order as their radical scavenging activities. Our results indicate that E. bicyclis is a valuable natural source of antioxidants that may be applicable to the functional food industry.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2006

Ecklonia cava is brown alga which ow in the sea all over the world. It has been shown that Ecklonia cava has antioxidative, anticoagulant, and antiviral effect, lately. In this study, we examined the antihypertensiye effect of Ecklonia cava extract (Eca) on 2-kidney 1-clip Goldblatt Hypertensive Rats (GB-HT). In vitro assay, the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was significantly inhibited by Eca (27-95% inhibition at $10-50\;{\mu}g/ml$). The systolic blood pressure of Eca-treated GH-HT significantly was decreased compared to that of control CB-HT (15% decrease at 50 mg/kg). The serum ACE activity was also inhibited 19% with 50 mg/kg Eca treatment. These results suggest that Eca can be used as antihypertensive functional foods and nutraceuticals.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2015

In this study, the potential capacity of the crude extract and its solvent fractions from S. siliquanstrum against adipocyte differentiation were evaluated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The anti-adipogenic effect of S. siliquanstrum was evidenced by the fact that its crude extract decreases the lipid accumulation of differentiating cells and the expression levels of crucial adipogenesis markers, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR){\gamma}$ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein $(C/EBP){\alpha}$. All solvent fractions except the water fraction showed an observable decrease in lipid accumulation and $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ expressions. In conclusion, these results suggest that S. siliquanstrum possesses obesity inhibiting components, which may possibly be used as a valuable anti-obesity agent for reducing the risk of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.298-303
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• 2011

A large number of edible seaweeds are consumed by the coastal peoples of Asia. Some of them are used in traditional remedies in many parts of the world. In this study we investigated effects of supplementation with ethyl acetate extracts of the brown alga Eisenia bicyclis (EBE) on rat macrophage to evaluate the possibilities as immune-modulators. Twelve male SD rats were divided into two groups and the treatments were as follows: A, no Eisenia bicyclis extract (EBE) intake and distilled water ; B, oral supplemented with EBE 200 mg/kg. After 5 weeks of supplementation, rats were sacrificed to assess the effect on peritoneal macrophage functions. We showed no increasing effects on tumoricidal activity, phagocytic activity and NO production in macrophages in EBE supplementation group. However, EBE supplementation suppressed NO-iNOS production and p65 translocation into the nucleus in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Overall, these results suggest that the supplementation of EBE might have an anti-inflammatory effects on NO-iNOS production in macrophages throughout the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.24.1-24.9
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• 2020

Brown alga (Ishige okamurae; IO) dietary supplements have been reported to possess anti-diabetic properties. However, the effects of IO supplements have not been evaluated on glucose metabolism in the pancreas and skeletal muscle. C57BL/6 N male mice (age, 7 weeks) were arranged in five groups: a chow diet with 0.9% saline (NFD/saline group), high-fat diet (HFD) with 0.9% saline (HFD/saline group). high-fat diet with 25 mg/kg IO extract (HFD/25/IOE). high-fat diet with 50 mg/kg IO extract (HFD/50/IOE), and high-fat diet with 75 mg/kg IO extract (HFD/75/IOE). After 4 weeks, the plasma, pancreas, and skeletal muscle samples were collected for biochemical analyses. IOE significantly ameliorated glucose tolerance impairment and fasting and 2 h blood glucose level in HFD mice. IOE also stimulated the protein expressions of the glucose transporters (GLUTs) including GLUT2 and GLUT4 and those of their related transcription factors in the pancreases and skeletal muscles of HFD mice, enhanced glucose metabolism, and regulated blood glucose level. Our results suggest Ishige okamurae extract may reduce blood glucose levels by improving glucose metabolism in the pancreas and skeletal muscle in HFD-induced diabetes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.584-591
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• 2021

Marine algae (seaweed) encompass numerous groups of multicellular organisms with various shapes, sizes, and colors, and serve as important sources of natural bioactive substances. The brown alga Ecklonia cava Kjellman, an edible seaweed, contains many bioactives such as phlorotannins and fucoidans. Here, we evaluated the antioxidative, neuroprotective, and anti-apoptotic effects of E. cava extract (ECE), E. cava phlorotannin-rich extract (ECPE), and the phlorotannin dieckol on neuronal PC-12 cells. The antioxidant capacities of ECPE and ECE were 1,711.5 and 1,050.4 mg vitamin C equivalents/g in the ABTS assay and 704.0 and 474.6 mg vitamin C equivalents/g in the DPPH assay, respectively. The dieckol content of ECPE (58.99 mg/g) was approximately 60% higher than that of ECE (36.97 mg/g). Treatment of PC-12 cells with ECPE and ECE increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Intracellular oxidative stress in PC-12 cells due to ECPE and ECE decreased dose-independently by up to 63% and 47%, respectively, compared with the stress control (323%). ECPE reduced the production of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 more effectively than ECE. Early and late apoptosis in PC-12 cells were more effectively decreased by ECPE than ECE treatments. From the results obtained in this study, we concluded that ECPE, which is rich in phlorotannins, including the marker compound dieckol, may be applied to the development of functional materials for improving cognition and memory.