• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1689-1697
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• 2011

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammation effect of Persicaria thunbergii (P. thunbergii) on RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of P. thunbergii was determined by measuring expression of the LPS-induced inflammatory proteins, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), and the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). Methanol extract of P. thunbergii decreased the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and NF-${\kappa}B$, and increased the expression of HO-1 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Methanol extract was fractioned by n-butanol, hexane and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and each fraction was tested for inhibitory effects on inflammation. Among the sequential solvent fractions, the EtOAc soluble fraction was investigated by the expression of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and showed decreasing form to the dose-dependent manner. EtOAc extract showed the most effective inhibitory activity of the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and NF-${\kappa}B$, and the production of NO. The study showed that P. thunbergii has anti-inflammatory activity through the decrease of NO and inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, $PGE_2$ and NF-${\kappa}B$ expression, and by the increase of HO-1 enzyme. This study needs for more investigation to find out the most effective single compound with anti-inflammatory activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.973-980
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• 2014

This study was conducted to explore new nutraceutical resources from the plant kingdom possessing biological activities. To fulfill this purpose, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Decaisnea insignis ethanol extract (DIEE) were evaluated. First, DIEE possessed potent scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), similar to ascorbic acid used as a positive control. Moreover, DIEE inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DIEE induced the expression of an anti-oxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), in a dose-dependent manner. The modulation of the HO-1 and Nrf2 expressions might be regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their upstream signaling pathways. On the other hand, DIEE suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) formation without cytotoxicity. The inhibition of the NO formation was the result of the downregulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) by DIEE. The suppression of NO and iNOS by DIEE might be modulated by their upstream transcription factors, nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), and activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathways. Taken together, these results provide important new insights that D. insignis possesses anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, it might be utilized as a promising material in the field of nutraceuticals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1293-1299
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• 2017

Obesity contributes to the development of diseases, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cancer. In addition, oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is recognized widely as a contributing factor in the development of chronic diseases. This study was examined the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated with or without EGCG for 6 days. The production of glutathione (GSH) and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. EGCG inhibited significantly the lipid accumulation and the expression of adipogenic specific proteins including CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein. The production of intracellular ROS was decreased significantly by EGCG in 3T3-L1 cells. EGCG increased the GSH production and the activities of GPx, GR, CAT, and SOD. Moreover, EGCG increased the protein expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase and heme oxygenase-1 in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggest that EGCG increased the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes and suppressed the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, the use of phytochemicals that can maintain the GSH redox balance in adipose tissue could be promising for reducing obesity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1420-1429
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• 2020

Corynebacterium glutamicum, an important industrial strain, has a relatively slower reproduction rate. To acquire a growth-boosted C. glutamicum, a descendant strain was isolated from a continuous culture after 600 generations. The isolated descendant C. glutamicum, JH41 strain, was able to double 58% faster (t_d=1.15 h) than the parental type strain (PT, t_d=1.82 h). To understand the factors boosting reproduction, the transcriptomes of JH41 and PT strains were compared. The mRNAs involved in respiration and TCA cycle were upregulated. The intracellular ATP of the JH41 strain was 50% greater than the PT strain. The upregulation of NCgl1610 operon (a putative dyp-type heme peroxidase, a putative copper chaperone, and a putative copper importer) that presumed to role in the assembly and redox control of cytochrome c oxidase was found in the JH41 transcriptome. Plasmid-driven expression of the operon enabled the PT strain to double 19% faster (t_d=1.82 h) than its control (t_d=2.17 h) with 14% greater activity of cytochrome c oxidase and 27% greater intracellular ATP under the oxidative stress conditions. Upregulations of genes those might enhance translation fitness were also found in the JH41 transcriptome. Plasmid-driven expressions of NCgl0171 (encoding a cold-shock protein) and NCgl2435 (encoding a putative peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase) enabled the PT to double 22% and 32% faster than its control, respectively (empty vector: t_d=1.93 h, CspA: t_d=1.58 h, and Pth: t_d=1.44 h). Based on the results, the factors boosting growth rate in C. gluctamicum were further discussed in the viewpoints of cellular energy state, oxidative stress management, and translation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.905-913
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• 2003

Oriental medicine explains aging as the weakening of Kidney-ai, and Kidney-strengthening herbal medicines such as Yukmijihwang-tang have been studied for anti-aging effects. In Western Medicine, the hypothesis that reactive oxidant species(ROS) contribute to the aging process is generally accepted. It has been reported that Moutan Cortex Radicis extract (MCR) was the most effective constituent of Yukmijihwang-tang in decreasing ROS production in oxidative-stressed cells. The purpose of this study is to confirm the anti-oxidant effect of MCR on PC12 cells, the expression of Heme oxygenase (HO), Macrophage migradon inhibitory factor (MIF), Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) using real time RT PCR. PC12 cells were treated without or with hydrogen peroxide in the presence or absence of MCR using MTS assay. Hydrogen peroxide decreased the viability of PC12 cells by 53% and MCR did not influence that of stressed PC 12 cells irrespective of dose or incubation period. However, MCR showed an inhibitory effect on production of ROS in stressed cells, both dose and incubation time dependently. In particular, 1 ㎎/㎖ of MCR for 24 h culture almost returned to normal level. In the quantiation of anti-aging related gene expression, MCR at 1 ㎎/㎖ increased the expression of HO by 370%, MIF by 180% and COMT by 280% through real time RT PCR. In conclusion, MCR treatment protected PC12 cells from hydrogen peroxide and decreased ROS production and enhanced anti-oxidative gene expression such as HO, COMT and MIF, which suggests that MCR is involved in controlling anti-aging of nerve cells through elimination of cytotoxic stimuli.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.537-541
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• 2008

White adipose tissue is now recognized as an important endocrine organ which secretes various signal factors and proteins termed 'adipokine'. Haptoglobin (Hp), which has been known as an acute phase protein, belongs to the adipokine. However, the function of Hp in adipose tissue remains unclear. To verify the role of Hp in preadipocytes, in this study, 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells were stably transfected with human Hp gene and Hp-overexpressing cells were made. The Hp had no effect on cell growth of preadipocytes. By RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, the Hp inhibited gene expression of IL-6 and COX-2 and enhanced HO-1 synthesis in preadipocytes. Moreover, invasion assay showed the Hp suppressed migration of monocytes to preadipocytes. These findings suggest that the Hp may inhibit an inflammatory reaction in adipose tissue by regulating the expressions of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, and by repressing monocytes/macrophages infiltration.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2003

This study was designed to assess the nutritional iron status and anemia of middle school girls. Three-hundred-fifty- three female subjects in Ulsan metropolitan city were evaluated using a questionnaire, and hematological indices. The average height and weight of the respondents were 157.19 $\pm$ 5.57 cm and 51.06 $\pm$ 9.42 kg respectively. The average Body Mass Index (BMI, $kg/m^2$) was 20.63 $\pm$ 3.23, which was within the normal range. With regard to clinical symptoms, the greatest number of respondents reported that they experienced 'decreased ability to concentrate'. The total caloric intake of each subject was 1743.28 $\pm$ 343.47 kcal(83.01% of the Korean RDA) and the calcium intake was 634.98 $\pm$ 201.43 mg (79.37% of the Korean RDh) . The mean daily intake of iron was 14.76 : 4.36 mg (92.25% of the Korean RDh) and the heme iron intake was 6.12 $\pm$ 2.30 mg, which was 41.5% of the total iron intake. The average hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of the subjects was 13.24 $\pm$ 1.01 g/dl, and the average hematocrit (Hct) level was 37.79 $\pm$ 4.10%. The transferrin saturation {TS (%)} was 19.41 $\pm$ 9.21%, and the ferritin level was 26.26 $\pm$ 18.60 ng/ml. The iron deficiency anemia among the subjects was estimated at 6.1% by using Hb (< 12 g/ml), 20.5% by using Hct (< 36%), 30.8% by using 75 (< 14%) , and 23.1% by using ferritin (< 12 ng/ml) The total iron binding capacity (TIBC) showed a negative correlation with the Hb, iron, ferritin and 75. With regard to the correlation between blood biochemistry and clinical symptoms related to anemia, the Hb concentration was negatively correlated with 'pale face'(p < 0.05) . In addition, the level of iron was significantly and negatively correlated with 'poor memory' (p<0.01) and the ferritin concentration was negatively correlated with 'no appetite '(p < 0.05) ,'pale face (p < 0.05) . These results suggest that the prevalence of iron deficiency among middle school girls is very high; therefore, guidelines on dietary support and nutritional education to improve their dietary iron status should be provided.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major chronic disease which increases global health problems. Diabetes-induced renal damage is associated with inflammation and fibrosis. Alpha (AT) and gamma-tocopherols (GT) have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in inflammation-mediated injuries. The primary aim of this study was to investigate effects of AT and GT supplementations on hyperglycemia induced acute kidney inflammation in alloxan induced diabetic mice with different levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG). MATERIALS/METHODS: Diabetes was induced by injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg, i.p) in ICR mice (5.5-week-old, male) and mice were subdivided according to their FBG levels and treated with different diets for 2 weeks; CON: non-diabetic mice, m-DMC: diabetic control mice with mild FBG levels (250 mg/dl ${\leq}$ FBG ${\leq}$ 450 mg/dl), m-AT: m-DM mice fed AT supplementation (35 mg/kg diet), m-GT: m-DM mice with GT supplementation (35 mg/kg diet), s-DMC: diabetic control mice with severe FBG levels (450 mg/dl < FBG), s-AT: s-DM mice with AT supplementation, s-GT: s-DM mice with GT supplementation. RESULTS: Both AT and GT supplementations showed similar beneficial effects on $NF{\kappa}B$ associated inflammatory response (phosphorylated inhibitory kappa B-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, C-reactive protein, monocyte chemotactic protein-1) and pre-fibrosis (tumor growth factor ${\beta}$-1 and protein kinase C-II) as well as an antioxidant emzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in diabetic mice. On the other hands, AT and GT showed different beneficial effects on kidney weight, FBG, and oxidative stress associated makers (malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) except HO-1. In particular, GT significantly preserved kidney weight in m-DM and improved FBG levels in s-DM and malondialdehyde and catalase in m- and s-DM, while AT significantly attenuated FBG levels in m-DM and improved glutathione peroxidase in m- and s-DM. CONCLUSIONS: the results suggest that AT and GT with similarities and differences would be considered as beneficial nutrients to modulate hyperglycemia induced acute renal inflammation. Further research with careful approach is needed to confirm beneficial effects of tocopherols in diabetes with different FBG levels for clinical applications.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.29-45
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• 2019

Objectives This study is to investigate anti-obesity effects of Banggihwanggi-tang-hap-yeonggyechulgam-tang (BY), an herbal formula, in high fat diet induced obese mice model. Methods Fourty five male C57Bl/6J mice were randomly assigned to normal group fed with normal research diet (Nor, n=9), high fat diet control group treated with water (Veh, n=9), high fat diet group treated with orlistat (Oris; n=9, Orlistat 40 mg/kg), high fat diet group treated with low concentraion BY (BYL; n=6, BY 0.87 g/kg) and high fat diet group treated with high concentration BY (BYH; n=6, BY 1.74 g/kg). Results Seven weeks later, antioxidative capacity, body weight, epididymal fat pad and liver weight, reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and histology of liver were evaluated. In the BYH group, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis (3 ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity were more than L-ascorbic acid. Body weight gain were significantly less than Veh group. Epididymal fat pad and liver weight gain were significantly less than Veh group. ROS and $ONOO^-$ were significantly less than with Veh group. ALT and AST were significantly less than with Veh group. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL were significantly less, HDL were significantly more than Veh group. SOD, catalase, Gpx, HO-1 significantly increased compared with Veh group. Injury on liver was lesser than Veh group. Conclusions It can be suggested that BY has anti-obesity effects in high fat diet induced obese mice model.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.617-630
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• 2021

Chemotherapy-induced side effects affect the quality of life and efficacy of treatment of cancer patients. Current approaches for treating the side effects of chemotherapy are poorly effective and may cause numerous harmful side effects. Therefore, developing new and effective drugs derived from natural nontoxic compounds for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced side effects is necessary. Experiments in vivo and in vitro indicate that Panax ginseng (PG) and its ginsenosides are undoubtedly non-toxic and effective options for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced side effects, such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and hematopoietic inhibition. The mechanism focus on anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis, as well as the modulation of signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), P62/keap1/Nrf2, c-jun Nterminal kinase (JNK)/P53/caspase 3, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4)/JNK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT. Since a systemic review of the effect and mechanism of PG and its ginsenosides on chemotherapy-induced side effects has not yet been published, we provide a comprehensive summarization with this aim and shed light on the future research of PG.