• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.241-246
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• 2016

Purpose: Aloe-emodin (AE), an ingredient of aloe, is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms of its inflammatory modulatory activity in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of AE using $Pam_3CSK_4$-stimulated macrophages. Methods: RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with AE (0~20 mM) for 1 h, followed by treatment with $Pam_3CSK_4$ for 1 h. After incubation, mRNA expression levels of cytokines were measured. The effect of AE on TLR2-related molecules was also investigated in $Pam_3CSK_4$-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Results: AE attenuated $Pam_3CSK_4$-stimulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Two concentrations of AE ($10{\mu}M$ and $20{\mu}M$) effectively reduced mRNA expression of TLR2 by 41.18% and 54.43%, respectively, compared to that in control cells (p < 0.05). AE also decreased nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. Phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK were markedly reduced by $20{\mu}M$ AE. In particular, AE decreased phosphorylation of ERK in a dose-dependent manner in $Pam_3CSK_4$-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion: Our data indicate that AE exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing TLR2-mediated activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.462-473
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• 2024

The anti-inflammatory effect of beluga lentil extract (BLE) and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with BLE significantly decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and protein and mRNA expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Down-regulation of this inflammatory gene expression was not associated with NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways, and further mechanistic studies demonstrated that BLE decreased LPS-induced iNOS expression through upregulation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. These results suggest that beluga lentil represent a potential source of natural anti-inflammatory agents, and further studies will be necessary to determine its anti-inflammatory effects in vivo.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.319-330
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• 2023

Some preservatives are naturally contained in raw food materials, while in some cases may have been introduced in food by careless handling or fermentation. However, it is difficult to distinguish between intentionally added preservatives and the preservatives naturally produced in food. The objective of this study was to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of propionic acid, sorbic acid, and benzoic acid for inhibiting food spoilage microorganisms in animal products, which can be useful in determining if the preservatives are natural or not. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the MIC of preservatives for 57 microorganisms. Five bacteria that were the most sensitive to propionic acid, benzoic acid, and sorbic acid were inoculated in unprocessed and processed animal products. A hundred microliters of the preservatives were then spiked in samples. After storage, the cells were counted to determine the MIC of the preservatives. The MIC of the preservatives in animal products ranged from 100 to 1,500 ppm for propionic acid, from 100 to >1,500 ppm for benzoic acid, and from 100 to >1,200 ppm for sorbic acid. Thus, if the concentrations of preservatives are below the MIC, the preservatives may not be added intentionally. Therefore, the MIC result will be useful in determining if preservatives are added intentionally in food.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.244-250
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• 1990

A bacterium capable of hydrotyzing raw starch was isolated from soil, which was identified as a strain of Bacillue. The effects of culture conditions and medium compositions on the enzyme production were investigated. Among tested carbon sources, soluble starch and wheat starch were most effective for the production of the enzyme, and the level of concentration for the optimal enzyme production was 0.5%. For nitrogen sources, polypeptone was best for the enzyme production, with the level of 0.5%. The enzyme was maximally produced by cultivating the organism at medium of initial pH 6.5, and temperature of $35^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was partially purified by Sepharose CL-6B gel filtration and DEAESephacel ion-exchange chromatography. The optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme reaction were 6.5 and $70^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme most stable at pH 8.0, and temperature up to $60^{\circ}C$. In kinetic studies, the k, values for corn, wheat, rice and potato starch were 1.7, 1.4,2.5 and 1.090, respectively.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to select an ingredient acting as a natural emulsifier to retard the retrogradation of rice cake by the measurement of mechanical characteristics of the cakes. For the purpose, Backsulgi, the most basic type of rice cake, was prepared by adding various ingredients having high contents of lecithin such as raw soybean powder, parched soybean powder, soybean oil, egg yolk powder, and the measurements and observations on the chromaticity, swelling power, pore ratio and cross-section were made. In addition, changes in the textural characteristics of Backsulgi samples were determined while storing them at the temperatures of 4$^{\circ}C$ and 20$^{\circ}C$ for 0, 1, 2 and 3 days. The results of the study were as follows: 1. In terms of chromaticity, the Backsulgi samples added with egg yolk powder, raw soybean flour and parched soybean flour were higher in yellowness(b) than the controls. 2. Both swelling power and pore ratio of Backsulgies added with raw soybean flour were higher than those of controls. 3. A cross-sectional observation using an electron microscope indicated that rice flour particles of controls had uneven pores and were conglomerated in a large lump while Backsulgi samples of raw soybean flour or roasted soybean flour had large and even pores and showed loosened bonding to be transformed into a sponge shape. 4. In hardness, Backsulgi samples added with raw soybean flour had less changes in hardness than that of controls, indicating that the effect of retarding retrogradation was higher when the storage time got longer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.288-294
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• 2014

Mangostenone F (MF) is a natural xanthone isolated from Garcinia mangostana. However, little is known about the biological activities of MF. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of MF in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. MF dose-dependently inhibited the production of NO, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-$1{\beta}$) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, MF decreased the NF-${\kappa}B$ luciferase activity and NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding capacity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, MF suppressed the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation by inhibiting the degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and nuclear translocation of p65 subunit of NF-${\kappa}B$. In addition, MF attenuated the AP-1 luciferase activity and phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinases. Taken together, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of MF is associated with the suppression of NO production and iNOS expression through the down-regulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and MAPK signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.270-278
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• 2005

This experiment was conducted to develop and design a product that is convenient and helpful to both patients and ordinary people who want to maintain their health. In this experimentation, the experimental rat have been given with high fat food to induce Diabetes. Organic brown rice was given as their main energy source and natural complex food, most of materials were freeze-dried, was given to observe its effects on their glucose amount in the plasma. The results are as follows. During 28 days of basal diets, as observing their weight variations, normal group gained weights, but the natural complex food(NCF) groups lost their weights. As comparing the amount of neutral fat levels in the plasma between the diabetes group who just had basal group and one who had NCF, group with NCF groups' level was much lower than the other group who just had basal food. As comparing total cholesterol levels in the plasma, with diabetes group with basal food, $50\%$ and $100\%$ NCF groups' levels were lowered than that group. Regarding HDL-cholesterol level, all NCE groups had around 30mg/dl and there were not much fluctuation among groups. As for LDL-cholesterol level, the $100\%$ NCF group had the lowest level and showed almost the same as the normal group. The amounts of the glucose in the plasma were lowered in all NCF groups. Among those NCE groups, $100\%$ NCF group had 120mg/dl to reach almost the same as the normal group.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2014

Benzoic acid is widely used in the food industry as a preservative in acidic foods, owing to its antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. Benzoic acid occurs naturally in different foods such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and nuts as well as in milk and dairy products. Lactic acid bacteria convert hippuric acid, which is naturally present in milk, to benzoic acid; therefore, the latter could also be considered as a natural component of milk and milk products. Benzoic acid is also produced during the ripening of cheese by the propionic acid fermentation process that follows lactic acid fermentation. This paper, we provide basic information regarding the systematic control of natural benzoic acid levels in raw materials, processing intermediates, and final products of animal origin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.1521-1527
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• 2012

Medicinal herbs have long been used as a remedy for diverse diseases in Asia owing to their various pharmacological effect. In this study, the immuno-enhancing activity of medicinal herbs was investigated using macrophage cell lines. Specifically, we examined the effects of extracts of twelve medicinal herbs on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells, and selected five that were highly effective (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica gigas, Platycodon grandflorum, and Actinidia polygama) for further immune related studies. The effects of extracts from five theses medicinal herbs, which were mainly composed of polysaccharides and proteins on the production of immune-related cytokines in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line and the Molt-4 T cell line were investigated. The extracts of all investigated medicinal herbs increased the production of NO and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Additionally, they slightly increased the proliferation of T-cells when compared to the control. Overall, the result of this study suggests that the five medicinal herb extracts investigated herein are useful natural immune enhancing agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2015

Citrus and its peels, which are by-products from juice and/or jam processing, have long been used in Asian folk medicine. Citrus peels show an abundant variety of flavanones, and these flavanones have glycone and aglycone forms. Aglycones are more potent than glycones with a variety of physiological functions since aglycone absorption is more efficient than glycones. Bioconversion with cytolase converted narirutin and naringin into naringenin and hesperidin into hesperetin. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of bioconversion of Citrus unshiu (CU) peel extracts with cytolase (CU-C) in RAW264.7 cells. HPLC chromatograms showed that CU and CU-C had 23.42% and 29.39% total flavonoids, respectively. There was substantial bioconversion of narirutin to naringenin and of hesperidin to hesperetin. All citrus peel extracts showed DPPH scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner, and CU-C was more potent than intact CU. RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with $0{\sim}500{\mu}g/mL$ of citrus peel extracts for 4 h and then stimulated by $1{\mu}g/mL$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 h. All citrus peel extracts showed decreased mRNA levels and protein expression of LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, CU-C markedly inhibited mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 compared to intact citrus peel extracts. All citrus peel extracts showed decreased NO production by iNOS activity. This result suggests that bioconversion of citrus peel extracts with cytolase may provide potent functional food materials for prevention of chronic diseases attributable to oxidation and inflammation by boosting the anti-inflammatory effects of citrus peels.