• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.867-874
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• 2021

Epalrestat (EPS) is a brain penetrant aldose reductase inhibitor, an approved drug currently used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. At near-plasma concentration, EPS induces glutathione biosynthesis, which in turn reduces oxidative stress in the neuronal cells. In this study, we found that EPS reduces neurodegeneration by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative injury, mitochondrial membrane damage, apoptosis and tauopathy. EPS treatment up to 50 µM did not show any toxic effect on SH-SY5Y cell line (neuroblastoma cells). However, we observed toxic effect at a concentration of 100 µM and above. At 50 µM concentration, EPS showed better antioxidant activity against H₂O₂ (100 µM)-induced cytotoxicity, ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane damage in retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cell line. Furthermore, our study revealed that 50 µM of EPS concentration reduced the glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK3-β) expression and total tau protein level in H₂O₂ (100 µM)-treated cells. Findings from this study confirms the therapeutic efficacy of EPS on regulating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating GSK3-β and total tau proteins phosphorylation, which helped to restore the cellular viability. This process could also reduce toxic fibrillary tangle formation and disease progression of AD. Therefore, it is our view that an optimal concentration of EPS therapy could decrease AD pathology by reducing tau phosphorylation through regulating the expression level of GSK3-β.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Objective : Citri Unshius Pericarpium (Citrus unshiu peel) has been used in Korean medicine to treat indigestion, vomiting, coughing and phlegm. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract of Citrus unshiu peel (CEE) in cadmium (CdCl2)-treated mouse model. Methods : CEE was dissolved in water and administered orally to mice once a day for 7 consecutive days. The mice were then exposed to a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cadmium (4 mg/kg body weight) to induce acute hepatotoxicity. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver tissue samples were collected, analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and histopathological evaluation. Liver damage was assessed as the percentage of degenerative areas of the hepatic parenchyma, the number of degenerative hepatocytes, and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells. Results : In cadmium-treated rats, pretreatment with CEE significantly reduced the serum ALT and AST levels associated with liver damage. Histopathologically, CEE prevented degenerative changes on the hepatic tissues including confluent necrosis, congestions and infiltration of inflammatory cells. CEE also reduced the elevation of oxidative stress markers (nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal) and apoptosis markers (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) positive cells. PARP protein expression in liver tissue was also restored by CEE. Conclusion : This study showed that CEE exerted antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects against cadmium-induced liver injury. Thus, it can be concluded that CEE can be used to prevent liver damage caused by cadmium.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1615-1623
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• 2021

Picropodophyllotoxin (PPT), an epimer of podophyllotoxin, is derived from the roots of Podophyllum hexandrum and exerts various biological effects, including anti-proliferation activity. However, the effect of PPT on colorectal cancer cells and the associated cellular mechanisms have not been studied. In the present study, we explored the anticancer activity of PPT and its underlying mechanisms in HCT116 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to monitor cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell cycle distribution, the induction of apoptosis, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), assess the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), and multi-caspase activity. Western blot assays were performed to detect the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, apoptosis-related proteins, and p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase). We found that PPT induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, and ROS in the HCT116 cell line. In addition, PPT enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, which regulates apoptosis and PPT-induced apoptosis. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was inhibited by an antioxidant agent (N-acetyl-L-cysteine, NAC) and a p38 inhibitor (SB203580). PPT induced depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane and caspase-dependent apoptosis, which was attenuated by exposure to Z-VAD-FMK. Overall, these data indicate that PPT induced G1 arrest and apoptosis via ROS generation and activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.46-59
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Aster yomena (Kitam.) Honda (AY) has remarkable bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer activities. On the other hand, the effects of AY against obesity-induced insulin resistance have not been reported. Therefore, this study examined the potential of AY against obesity-associated insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: An obesity model was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a 60% HFD for 16 weeks. The C57BL6/When ethyl acetate fraction from AY (EFAY) at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day was administered orally to mice fed a HFD for the last 4 weeks. Normal and control groups were administered water orally. The body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured every week. Dietary intake was measured every other day. After dissection, blood and tissues were collected from the mice. RESULTS: The administration of EFAY reduced body and organ weights significantly compared to HFD-fed control mice. The EFAY-administered groups also improved the serum lipid profile by decreasing the triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein compared to the control group. In addition, EFAY ameliorated the insulin resistance-related metabolic dysfunctions, including the fasting blood glucose and serum insulin level, compared to the HFD-fed control mice. The EFAY inhibited lipid synthesis and insulin resistance by down-regulation of hepatic fatty acid synthase and up-regulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway. EFAY also reduced lipid peroxidation in the liver, indicating that EFAY protected hepatic injury induced by obesity. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EFAY improved obesity-associated insulin resistance by regulating the lipid and glucose metabolism, suggesting that AY could be used as a functional food to prevent obesity and insulin resistance.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.283-294
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to develop a functional beverage by using Caragana sinica extract and Tremella fuciformis Berk, which have high physiological effects such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-lipidemic and anti-inflammatory. To this end, we used various mixing ratios of Caragana sinica extract, Tremella fuciformis Berk, and isomalto oligosaccharide, and measured the physicochemical properties of those beverages. The analyses showed the following: moisture content of those beverages using Caragana sinica extract and Tremella fuciformis Berk was 50.51~67.64%, pH was 5.19~5.38, and crude fat content was 0.28~0.52%, crude protein content was 1.26~1.80%, ash content was 0.47~0.80 and sugar content was 8.55~26.98°Brix. The lightness (L) of the beverages was 37.70~58.11, the redness (a) was 6.88~16.94, the yellowness (b) was 13.72~23.68, the total polyphenol content was 2.07~3.46 mg/g, and the total flavonoid content was 0.37~0.42 mg/g. Based on the results, it was confirmed that the nutritional components and total polyphenols of functional beverage using Caragana Sinica Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Berk and isomalto oligosaccharide were high at a mixing ratio of 1:1.3:25%. These results will increase the use of Caragana Sinica Extract and Tremella Fuciformis Berk, as functional materials in the future, and provide a framework for the manufacturing of diluted beverages comprising mineral water and carbonated water.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2022

Sulfur is an essential element in plants, including amino acids, vitamin synthesis, and acting as an antioxidant. However, the interaction between endogenous sulfur and proline synthesis has not been yet fully documented. White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is known as a species highly sensitive to sulfate supply. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the role of sulfur in regulating proline metabolism in relation to ammonia detoxification and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation in white clover. The detached leaves of white clover were immersed in solution containing different concentration of sulfate (0, 10, 100, and 1000 mM MgSO₄). As MgSO₄ concentrations were increased, the concentration of H₂O₂ increased up to 2.5-fold compared to control, accompanied with H₂O₂ detection in leaves. Amino acid concentrations significantly increased only at higher levels (100 and 1000 mM MgSO₄). No significant difference was observed in protein concentration. Proline and ∆^1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) concentrations slightly decreased at 10 and 100 mM MgSO₄ treatments, whereas it rapidly increased over 1.9-fold at 1000 mM MgSO₄ treatment. Ammonia concentrations gradually increased up to 8.6-fold. These results indicate that exogenous sulfur levels are closely related to H₂O₂ and ammonia synthesis but affect proline biosynthesis only at a higher level.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.398-406
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• 2021

This study investigated on the nutritional components and physiological activity of four wild vegetables namely Salvia plebeia R. Br., Angelica acutiloba, Gynura procumbens and Saururus chinensis Baill for the development of representative wild vegetables in Chungbuk. Salvia plebeia possessed the highest radical scavenging activity and beta-carotene, but exhibited the lowest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared to the other three vegetables. Angelica acutiloba showed high crude protein content and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, but contained low total polyphenol content, radical scavenging ability and beta-carotene compared to the other three vegetables. Gynura procumbens showed high mineral content, beta-carotene, vitamin K1 content and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, but showed the lowest total polyphenol content and radical scavenging ability compared to the other three vegetables. Saururus chinensis showed high crude fiber content and total polyphenol content, but contained the lowest mineral and vitamin K1 content. To conclude, it is suggested to use Salvia plebeia or Saururus chinensis as antioxidant food materials and Angelica acutiloba and Gynura procumbens as food materials and sources of α-glucosidase inhibitors. In particular, it is believed that Saururus chinensis, which possessed high content of crude fiber, is suitable for low-calorie food materials such as diet products.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2021

Yeast strains are capable of hydrolyzing non-digestible saccharides, such as melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose, found in soy meal components. This study revealed the biochemical properties of fermented soybean meal during 72 hours with kefir. Starchyose and raffinose, non-digestible components, were almost digested in kefir 150 mL + soybean meal 500 g + water 70 mL and galactose was produced. Proteolysis of the soybean meal produced most of the small molecule peptides in kefir 150 mL + soybean meal 500 g + water 70 mL. The production of the vitamin B group and C were the highest in kefir 250 mL + soybean meal 500 g. The yeast number of the fermented soybean meal was 7.0 × 10⁶ CFU·mL^-1 which was the highest in kefir 250 mL + soybean meal 500 g. The lactic acid bacteria of the fermented soybean meal was the highest at 3.5 × 10⁹ CFU·mL^-1 in kefir 70 mL + soybean meal 500 g. The antioxidant effect was the highest at 57% in kefir 250 mL + soybean meal 500 g. Expression of inflammation-related cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and interleukin [IL]-6) was significantly inhibited in fermented soybean meals with different treatments. These results suggest that fermented soybean meal by kefir has an antiinflammatory and anti-oxidation activity and could be utilized in feed manufacturing, and inhydrolyzing non-digestible soy meal components.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.79-85
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was aimed at producing emulsion by using butanol fractions of Sanguisorbae radix(SRA-B) which have high antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions, and then evaluating stabilities of the emulsion. Methods : We measured antioxidant efficacy of SRA-B by using DPPH assay. Also, we checked the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by using the Western blot to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SRA-B3. We prepared emulsion containing SRA-B3(E-SRA-B3) and analysed its particle size distribution under a microscope. Also, we performed the test for stability of the emulsion. Results : SRA-B3 showed the highest efficacy in electronic donating abilities' activity. The Western blot's results indicated that the protein expression's amount of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophage stimulated by LPS were reduced by SRA-B3 treatment. The average particle size of E-SRA-B3 was $5{\sim}6{\mu}m$ in diameter and was $6.7{\mu}m$ in a view of the particle distribution. For a period of a observation, E-SRA-B3 has not made particular changes with storage temperature. It was observed that E-SRA-B3 could preserve its stable condition without a particular difference of viscosity during 28 days. Conclusions : From the above results, it was confirmed that SRA-B3 has potentiality enough to be applied to industrialization and could be utilized as antioxidative natural materials and anti-inflammatory cosmetics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2019

Objectives : Decrease in muscle mass and loss of muscle function due to aging are associated with various diseases. As interest in healthy aging increases, efforts to prevent and treat muscle hypoxia as an illness are increasing. Considering the physical limitations, a pharmacologic approach to the treatment of myopenia is needed. Methods : Terminalia chebula Rets has a wide range of pharmacological effects and is used as a medicinal product in traditional medicine. However, the drug effect on the treatment of muscle disorders has not been revealed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of water extract of Terminalia chebula (WETC) as a therapeutic agent to relieve symptoms of muscle hypoxia. Results : WETC showed strong radical scavenging ability. In addition, WETC increased cell activity of myoblast, and we observed that WETC induces myoblast differentiation by immunoblot analysis using differentiation protein markers as well as cell morphology of myoblast. Based on these results, we examined the effect of chebulic acid, chebulagic acid, gallic acid, geraniin, and punicalagin on cell activity and differentiation of myoblasts. Gallic acid significantly increased cell activity of myoblast, and it was found to be an effective substance which not only induces myoblast differentiation but also promotes proliferation. Conclusions : We suggest that the WETC with antioxidant effect and its indicator gallic acid on cell activity, proliferation and differentiation of myoblast can be studied and developed as a food and medicine for prevention and treatment of various muscle diseases.