• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.888-895
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• 2017

Salsola collina (S. collina) is an annual plant widely distributed in drought and semi-drought areas, which has been used for a long time as a kind of folk remedy in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension. Previously, the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities of S. collina were elucidated in our research group. In this study, the anti-obesity activities of S. collina ethanol extract (SCEE) were evaluated using a pancreatic lipase enzyme inhibition assay and cell culture model. The results showed that SCEE effectively suppressed pancreatic lipase enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SCEE significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and triglyceride (TG) content, and triggered lipolysis on insulin, dexamethasone, and 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine-treated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Its anti-obesity effect was modulated by cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) gene, as well as protein expressions. Taken together, these results offer the important new insight that S. collina possesses anti-obesity properties, such as pancreatic lipase inhibition and anti-adipogenic and lipolysis effects through the modulation of their upstream signaling pathway. It could become a promising source in the field of nutraceuticals, and the identification of active compounds that confer the biological activities of SCEE may be needed.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.800-806
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• 2012

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by oxidative stresses which cause various chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer) has been reported to contain various biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, radioprotective, anti-amnestic and anti-aging effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of Panax ginseng, treated with high temperatures and high pressures, on oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oxidative stress was induced in the C2C12 cells through the introduction of $H_2O_2$ (1 mM), and cells were then treated with various ginseng preparations: dried white ginseng (DG), steamed ginseng (SG) and high temperature and high pressure treated ginseng (HG). In addition, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with various ginsengs for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. Our results show that HG treatment significantly protected oxidative stress in both cell lines and enhanced gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the protective effects of ginseng on the oxidative stress of adipocytes and muscle cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1162-1162
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• 2001

Whereas NIR spectroscopy has been applied in agriculture for more than 20 years, few studies refer to those plant substances occurring only in smaller amounts. Nevertheless there is a growing interest today to support efficiently activities in the production of high-quality medicinal and spice plants by this fast and non-invasive method. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to develop new NIR methods for the reliable prediction of secondary metabolites found as valuable substances in various plant species. First, sophisticated NIR methods were established to perform fast quality analyses of intact fennel, caraway and dill fruits deriving from single-plants [1]. Later on, a characterization of several leaf drugs and the corresponding fresh material has been successfully performed. In this context robust calibrations have been developed for dried peppermint, rosemary and sage leaves for the determination of their individual essential oil content and composition [2]. A specially adopted NIR method has been developed also for the analysis of carnosic acid in the leaves of numerous rosemary and sage gene bank accessions. Carnosic acid is an antioxidative substance for which several health promoting properties including cancer preservation are assumed. Also some other calibrations have been developed for non-volatile substances such as aspalathin (in unfermented rooibos leaves), catechins (in green tea) and echinacoside (in different Echinacea species) [3]. Some NIR analyses have also been successfully performed on fresh material, too. In spite of the fact that these measurements showed less accuracy in comparison to dried samples, the calibration equations are precise enough to register the individual plant ontogenesis and genetic background. Based on the information received, the farmers and breeders are able to determine the right harvest time (when the valuable components have reached their optimum profile) and to select high-quality genotypes during breeding experiments, respectively. First promising attempts have also been made to introduce mobile diode array spectrometers to collect the spectral data directly on the field or in the individual natural habitats. Since the development of reliable NIRS methods in this special field of application is very time-consuming and needs continuous maintenance of the calibration equations over a longer period, it is convenient to supply the corresponding calibration data to interested user via NIRS network. The present status of all activities, preformed in this context during the last three years, will be presented in detail.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.337-344
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• 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major type of hepatoma, is associated with high recurrence and mortality because of its uncontrolled metastatic feature. Silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid from Silybum marianun (milk thistle) and exhibits anti-carcinogenic activity through modulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in several cancer cells. In this study, the inhibitory mechanism of silymarin against migration and invasion was investigated in the Huh7 HCC cell line. Wound healing and in vitro invasion assays were conducted to examine the effects of silymarin on migration and invasion. Western blot analysis was also applied to evaluate the inhibitory effects of silymarin on the EMT-related genes and their upstream signaling molecules. Silymarin inhibited the migratory and invasive activities of Huh7 cells. In addition, silymarin attenuated the protein expression levels of vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 as well as their transcription factors, Snail, and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, while the expression of E-cadherin was increased by the silymarin treatment. Among the upstream signaling molecules, the phosphorylation of Akt was inhibited by the silymarin treatment, which was confirmed by the selective inhibitor, LY294002. Consequently, silymarin inhibited the invasive and migratory activities in Huh7 cells through the modulation of EMT-related gene expression by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which may have potential as a chemopreventive agent against HCC metastasis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.5628-5636
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• 2014

Currently, many countries have an interest in developing cosmetics materials using native plants. In this aspect, there is increasing need to develop cosmetics materials using native plants in our county. In the present study, calluses were induced from Artemisia annua Linne, which was highlighted because of its useful effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-fungal and anti-inflammation. Water and ethanol extractions were performed from the calluses of Artemisia annua Linne. After the mass production of Artemisia annua Linne's calluses, water and ethanol extraction was performed to examine its functional roles in healing wounds and inflammation. The differences in the effective elements were observed in the ethanol extract. The callus showed anti-inflammation activity through the suppression of the inflammation-related gene, COX-2, and ethanol extracts showed their ability to heal wounds. Overall, these results suggest that the extract of Artemisia annua Linne's calluses is a natural and environment-friendly material, and can be used as medical supplies associated with anti-inflammation and healing wounds.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2011

Actinomycetes, Gram positive soil bacteria, are valuable microorganisms which produce useful secondary metabolites including antibiotics, antiparasitic substances, anti-cancer drugs, and immunosuppressants. Although a major family of actinomycetes, known as streptomycetes, has been intensively investigated at the molecular level for several decades, a potentially valuable and only recently isolated non-streptomycetes rare actinomycetes (NSRA) family has been poorly characterized due to lack of proper genetic manipulation systems. Here we report that a PCR-based genome screening strategy was performed with approximately 180 independently isolated actinomycetes strains to isolate potentially valuable NSRA strains. Thanks to this simple PCR-based genome screening strategy we were able to identify only seven NSRA strains, followed by 16S rRNA sequencing for confirmation. Through further bioassays, one potentially valuable NSRA strain (tentatively named Nocardiopsis species MMBL010) was identified which possessed both antifungal and antibacterial activities, along with the presence of polyketide synthase and non-ribosomal peptide synthase genes. Moreover, Nocardiopsis species MMBL010, which was intrinsically recalcitrant to genetic manipulation, was successfully transformed via E. coli-driven conjugation. These results suggest that PCR-based genome screening, followed by the establishment of an E. coli-driven conjugation system, is an efficient strategy to maximize potentially valuable compounds and their biosynthetic genes from NSRA strains isolated from various environments.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2008

One bacterium, which showed strong antagonistic activity against H. pylori KCCM 41756, was isolated from kimchi. The strain NO1 was designated as Lactobacillus plantarum NO1 based on Gram staining, biochemical properties, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The culture medium $(2{\sim}4{\mu}g/ml)$ of Lb. plantarum NO1 reduced $(40{\sim}60%)$ the urease activity of H. pylori KCCM 41756. Lb. plantarum NO1 inhibited the binding of H. pylori to human gastric cancer cell line, AGS cells, by more than 33%. Lb. plantarum NO1 exhibited high viability (maintained initial viable cell count of $10^9CFU/ml$) in 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 3.0) for 2 h, in artificial gastricjuice for 2 h and in 0.3%, 0.5% oxgall for 24 h. Hemolysis phenomena did not observed when Lb. plantarum NO1 was incubated in the blood agar media. We concluded that Lb. plantarum NO1 can be a good candidate as a probiotic, harboring anti-H. pylori activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2016

Aster yomena is a perennial plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Seasoned wild vegetables are commonly used as functional ingredients because of their bioactive effects against oxidation, cancer, and inflammation. A recent report showed that ethanol extracts from Aster yomena effectively inhibited gene expression related to lipid accumulation within interstitial cells to prevent obesity, further raising awareness of its usefulness as a highly functional ingredient. Several studies have investigated Aster yomena, but none have investigated the effects of processing on its use. Therefore, this study investigated the quality characteristics and antioxidative activity of breads in which refined salt was replaced with Aster yomena powder at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0%. Bread containing any amount of Aster yomena powder did not differ significantly from the control in terms of appearance, aroma, taste, texture, and overall preference. In addition, higher levels of added Aster yomena powder were associated with greater 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity indicating the potential for production of highly functional bread and noodle products using this material.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2014

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for $hER{\alpha}$ and $hER{\beta}$ with $IC_{50}$ values of $1.20{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml and $1.00{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml, respectively. LNE induced $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on $hER{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for $hER{\beta}$ than $hER{\alpha}$, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1200-1208
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• 2009

Tight junctions (TJs) that act as paracellular permeability barriers play an essential role in regulating the diffusion of fluid, electrolytes and macromolecules through the paracellular pathway. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the tightening of TJs, permeability and the invasive activity of genistein - a bioactive isoflavone of soybeans - in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The inhibitory effects of genistein on cell proliferation, motility and invasiveness were found to be associated with the increased tightness of the TJs, which was demonstrated by an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance and a decrease in paracellular permeability. Additionally, the immunoblotting results indicated that genistein repressed the levels of the proteins that comprise the major components of TJ, claudin-3 and claudin-4, which play a key role in the control and selectivity of paracellular transport. Furthermore, genistein decreased the metastasis-related gene expressions of insulin like growth factor-1 receptor and snail, while concurrently increasing that of thrombospondin-1 and E-cadherin. In addition, we demonstrated that claudins play an important role in the anti-motility and invasiveness of genistein using claudin-3 small interfering RNA. Taken together, our results indicate a possible role for genistein as an inhibitor of cancer cell invasion through the tightening of TJs, which may counteract the up-regulation of claudins. In addition, our results indicate that this may be beneficial for the inhibition of tumor metastasis.