• ALGAE
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2017

Polysaccharides of marine algae exhibit different structural characteristics and interesting biological functions. In this study, crude polysaccharides (CP) of eleven Sri Lankan marine algae obtained through hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation were investigated for DPPH, alkyl, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities using electron spin resonance spectrometry and for intracellular reactive oxygen species scavenging activity in the Chang liver cell line. Characterization of CPs was done by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and by analysis of the monosaccharide composition. Time-dependent density functional theory quantum-chemical calculations at the RB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level for constructed dimeric units of the corresponding polysaccharides were used to resolve the FTIR spectra. CPs from Chnoospora minima showed the highest DPPH and alkyl radical scavenging activities and higher intracellular reactive oxygen species scavenging effects for both AAPH and $H_2O_2$ induced ROS production in "Chang" cells. The major polysaccharide constituent in C. minima CP was identified as fucoidan and it displayed a higher sulfate content. The degree of sulfation of these polysaccharides suggests a positive correlation with the observed antioxidant properties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.597-604
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• 2020

This study examined the bioactive compound content and the antioxidant activities of bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn.) leaves. The content of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and total carotenoids was 69.77, 45.68, and 65.08 mg/100 g, respectively. To investigate the antioxidant capacity, bitter melon leaves were extracted using various concentrations of ethanol (60, 80, or 100%). Highest content of total polyphenols (18.07 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and flavonoids (4.53 mg cathechin equivalent/g) was found in the 100% ethanolic extract of the leaves (E100). Also, the E100 extract showed the highest levels of 2,2'azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and α-α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activities. Reducing power was also the highest (39.21 mg Trolox equivalent/g) in E100 extract. The E100 extract effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation by 91.45% compared to the control group. Also, the E100 extract showed a cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells and decreased the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that bitter melon leaves could be regarded as a potential source of natural antioxidants.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2015

Nutritional composition and in vitro antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract of Korean traditional actinidia (Actinidia arguta) sprouts of the Otumsense variety were investigated to examine the sproutsi nutritional value. The most abundant mineral, amino acid, and fatty acid were calcium, glutamic acid, and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid, respectively. The major free sugar of Otumsense sprouts was sucrose. The level of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant, was highest among other vitamins examined. The amount of total polyphenol was highest in the 40% ethanol extract. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activity of the 40% ethanol extract was about 94% at a concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. Malondialdehyde inhibition by the extract increased in a dose-dependent manner (from 0 to $100{\mu}g/mL$). Intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation resulting from $H_2O_2$ treatment of PC12 cells significantly reduced when the 40% ethanol extract was present in the media compared to that in PC12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$ only.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1290-1297
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• 2015

Studies of the inactivation of a gene encoding pyruvate decarboxylase, pdc, in an ethanol-producing bacterium, Zymomonas mobilis, identified a mutant strain with 50% reduced PDC activity. To evaluate the possibility of a carbon-flux shift from an ethanol pathway toward higher value fermentation products, including pyruvate, succinate, and lactate, fermentation studies were carried out. Despite attempts to silence pdc expression in the wild-type strain ZM4 using cat-inserted pdc and pdc-deleted homologs by electroporation, the strain isolated showed partial gene activation. Fermentation experiments with the PDC mutant strain showed that the reduced expression level of PDC activity resulted in decreased rates of substrate uptake and ethanol production, together with increased pyruvate accumulation of 2.5 g l^-1 , although lactate and succinate concentrations were not significantly enhanced in these modified strains. Despite numerous attempts, no strains were isolated in which complete pdc inactivation occurred. This result indicates that the ethanol fermentation pathway of this bacterium is totally dependent on the activity of the PDC enzyme. To ensure a redox balance of intracellular NAD and NADH levels, other enzymes, such as lactate dehydrogenase for lactate, and enzymes involved in the production of succinic acid, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and malic enzymes, may be needed for their increased end-product production.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1152-1158
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• 2019

Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey is used in home remedy for colic and gastritis in South Korea. Although Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey is used extensively for home remedies, no single study on its efficacy exists. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey. The anti-obesity effect of a 70% ethanol extract from Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to adipocytes was investigated with an Oil Red O assay, western blot analysis, and mRNA analysis. Compared to the control (only treated with DM), the 70% ethanol extract of Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and intracellular triglyceride (TG) levels at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. To determine how the TG content was reduced, we measured the level of protein and mRNA expression of obesityrelated agents, such as peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), CCAAT/enhancer- binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, LPL, and FAS. As a result, the 70% ethanol extract of Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey significantly increased the expression of AMPK and decreased the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and fat storage, such as $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, LPL, and FAS.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.53-58
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• 2018

Objectives : Plantaginis asiaticae Folium (PA) has been widely used in Korean medicine for treatment of liver disease, stomach troubles and inflammation. We investigated the effect of PA on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 according to extraction conditions. Methods : The MTT assay was employed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of PA extracted by different solvents (water, 50% ethanol, and 95% ethanol) on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Oil red O staining was used to identify intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with PA at concentration ranging in 0.1, 0.2 and $0.4mg/m{\ell}$. PA was extracted by different extraction conditions such as extraction solvents, extraction time, and extraction temperature. In addition, UPLC analysis was used for determination of candidates of active ingredients in PA. Results : 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with PA extracted by different solvents (water, 50% ethanol, and 95% ethanol) and there was no cytotoxicity. Oil red O staining was employed to identify the effect of PA on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1. In the present study, PA water extraction at $70^{\circ}C$ for 6 hours decreased greatly in lipid accumulation. The range of concentrations was 0.1, 0.2 and $0.4mg/m{\ell}$. Concentration at $0.2mg/m{\ell}$ was the most effective one among them. Candidates of active ingredients in PA were shown plantamajoside and acteoside through UPLC. Conclusions : These results suggest that the effect of PA water extraction at $70^{\circ}C$ on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 is superior to other extraction conditions. We suppose that plantamajoside and acteoside may be candidates of active ingredients in PA.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.123-139
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was conducted to establish whether an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves (LLE) and an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves from which chlorophyll has been removed, denoted as LLE(Ch^-), have a protective effect against hepatic fat accumulation. Methods: The inhibitory effects of LLE and LLE(Ch^-) on liver fat accumulation were examined in C57BL/6 mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by an methionine and choline deficient diet and in HepG2 cells with palmitic acid-induced fat accumulation. Results: The plasma triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in the LLE(Ch^-) group, whereas the plasma ALT activity decreased significantly in the LLE group. In both the LLE and the LLE(Ch^-) groups, the triglyceride and cholesterol contents in the hepatic tissue were significantly reduced. A greater inhibitory effect on tissue fat accumulation was observed in the LLE(Ch^-) group than in the LLE group. In HepG2 cells, LLE and LLE(Ch^-) were non-toxic up to a concentration of 1,000 ㎍/mL. Compared to the control group, intracellular fat accumulation in the LLE and LLE(Ch^-) groups were significantly reduced at concentrations of 200 ㎍/mL and 500 ㎍/mL, respectively. The expression of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase in both LLE groups increased at the concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL and 500 ㎍/mL. The fatty acid synthase expression was suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner at 10 ㎍/mL. Conclusion: The examined two ethanol extracts of LLE inhibit hepatic fat accumulation in NAFLD. This effect was more pronounced in the LLE(Ch^-) group. Therefore, these 2 extracts have an anti-steatosis effect and can be used for NAFLD treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1885-1891
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• 2017

In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of a rice bran mixture extract (RBE) on Brucella abortus pathogenesis in professional (RAW 264.7) and nonprofessional (HeLa) phagocytes. We fermented the rice bran mixture and then extracted it with 50% ethanol followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the components in RBE. Our results clearly showed that RBE caused a significant reduction in the adherence of B. abortus in both cell lines. Furthermore, analysis of phagocytic signaling proteins by western blot assay revealed that RBE pretreatment resulted in inhibition of phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and p38, leading to decline of internalization compared with the controls. Additionally, the intensity of F-actin observed by fluorescence microscopy and FACS was remarkably reduced in RBE-pretreated cells compared with control cells. However, the intracellular replication of B. abortus within phagocytes was not affected by RBE. Taken together, these findings suggest that the phagocytic receptor blocking and suppressive effects of RBE on the MAPK-linked phagocytic signaling pathway could negatively affect the invasion of B. abortus into phagocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.281-286
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• 2015

In this study, free radical scavenging activities (ABTS, DPPH, NBT, TBARS, and ORAC) and anti-obesity potential were evaluated using 50% ethanol extract from fermented Curcuma longa L. (FCE50). FCE50 showed free radical scavenging activities and anti-oxidant potential. Lipid accumulation and intracellular TG content were significantly reduced by 25.8% and 28.6%, respectively, by $250{\mu}g/mL$ of FCE50 compared to adipocytes. Glucose uptake was significantly reduced by 12.0%. FCE50 significantly reduced mRNA expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that the anti-adipogenic effect of FCE50 might be due to its radical scavenging activity and anti-oxidant potential.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.745-751
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• 2013

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds have been used in Korea and China for promoting bone formation and protection. This study was designed to examine the Nrf-2 mediated anti-oxidative effects of Korean and Chinese safflower seeds. Water and ethanol extracts of safflower seeds were treated to RAW 264.7 cells. Nrf-2 transcriptional activity was measured by reporter gene assay and western blot analysis. Semi-quantitive RT-PCR analysis was adopted to measure Nrf-2 dependent gene expressions. Water extracts of safflower seeds have strongly induced the activation of Nrf-2 transcription than ethanol extracts. Especially, water extracts of Korean safflower seeds has more strongly increased the expression of nuclear Nrf-2. Water extracts of Korea and China safflower seeds have also increased the expression of Nrf-2-dependent genes such as GCLC, NQO-1 and HO-1 in RAW 264.7 cells. However, all kinds of safflower seeds extracts did not increase intracellular ROS production. These results demonstrate that the antioxidant effects of safflower seeds are not related with ROS production, rather it is mediated by the direct activation of Nrf-2.