• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2011

p53 is tumor suppressor gene that regulates apoptosis such as caspase-dependent and p21-mediated signaling pathways. PI3K/Akt is known to be over-activated in cancer cells. Akt activates many survival-related signals such as mTOR and COX-2. Inactivation of Akt would result in non-inhibition of p53 as well as induced apoptosis. In this study, we showed that curcumin and EGCG activate p53 via inhibition of the Akt signaling pathway. Treatments using curcumin and EGCG in different concentrations for 24 hr and 48 hr inhibited proliferation of HCT116 colon cancer cells and increased apoptotic cell death. Also, our data showed that curcumin and EGCG increased the p53 expression and decreased the p-Akt. Treatment of LY294002 (Akt inhibitor) resulted in decreased cell proliferation of cancer cells, while LY294002 treated with curcumin or EGCG showed a greater decrease of cell proliferation. In addition, inhibition of Akt induced p53 activation in HCT116 colon cancer cells. These results suggest that curcumin and EGCG induce apoptosis by inhibiting Akt and increase p53 in HCT116 colon cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.1288-1294
• /
• 2011

Resveratrol, a kind of phytochemical, is presented in grape skins. Resveratorl exerts antiproliferative, anti-cancer and pro-apoptotic activities in cancer cells. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a critical regulator of cellular growth and proliferation, and it is known to be a strategic target for anti-cancer therapeutic uses. mTOR is a major downstream of the PI3K/Akt pathway, which is activated in various cancer cells. It also plays an important role in the survival, proliferation and angiogenesis of cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important protein that mediates inflammatory processes. It plays an important role in various tumors by affecting cell proliferation, mitosis, apoptosis and angiogenesis. In this study, we have investigated the effects of resveratrol on apoptosis through mTOR and COX-2 expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The treatment of resveratrol with different concentrations inhibited proliferation of MCF-7. The data showed that resveratrol induced apoptotic cell death of cancer cells and decreased mTOR and COX-2 expression. These results suggest that resveratrol induces apoptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by inhibiting mTOR and COX-2 expression.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.7
• /
• pp.1034-1040
• /
• 2010

Plants and their extracts can be utilized as inexpensive and rich resources of active constituents in the cosmetic field, as well as the food, pharmaceutical and medicinal fields. Until now, Aster glehni Fr. Schm. had no known active effect, except on anti-oxidation, that was found during investigations for application in the cosmetic field. In this study, we examined the inhibition of enzymatic reactions to protein levels in inclusive B16F10 melanoma cell lines. Significant inhibition of enzymatic reactions was observed in the EtOAc extract, which advanced to tyrosinase protein and TRP-1 in the B16F10 melanoma cell line. These results indicated that the effect of EtOAc extract inhibited expressions of tyrosinase protein and TRP-1 in the B16F10 melanoma cell line by 30.5% and 41.5% at 100ug/ml respectively. On the other hand, antimicrobial activity was evaluated to the four fractions in normal flora of the skin. Hexane extract was only exhibited in the higher clear zone in all strains. In conclusion, any cosmeceutical effects of Aster glehni Fr. Schm. may have a potential meaning, as well as possible value for further studies regarding the effects of chemical constituents of Aster glehni Fr. Schm.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.12
• /
• pp.1495-1500
• /
• 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-melanogenic effects of Hizikia fusiforme (HF) fractions in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Ethanol extractions of Hizikia fusiforme (EEHF) were subjected to fraction by using dichloromethane (CFHF), ethyl acetate (EAFHF), butanol (BFHF), and water (WFHF). EEHF, CFHF, and EAFHF inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. The melanin contents were inhibited by 40.5% and 33.2% in response to treatment with 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ of EEHF and CFHF, respectively. In addition, tyrosinase activities showed a 53.3% and 54.1% reduction in treatment with 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ of EEHF and CFHF. Western blotting analysis showed that EEHF, CFHF, and EAFHF inhibited tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, and MITF expression in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, these findings indicate that ethanol and dichloromethane fractions of Hizikia fusiforme, which inhibit melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, are effective skin-whitening agents.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.266-272
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of 2 constructed wetlands with different vegetation states (plumpton park wetland and Woodcroft park wetland) for reducing non-point source pollution from small watershed consisted of residential and agricultural area in suburban district of Sydney, Australia. The total nitrogen and phosphate removal efficiency of Plumpton park constructed wetland, composed of stable and dense vegetation, were 38.3% and 26.2% and Woodcroft park constructed wetland having still poor vegetation due to the short time to settle down transplanted plants after construction, showed relatively low removal efficiency of 20.2% and 14.0%. The removal efficiency of inorganic nutrients such as $NH_4-N$, $NO_3-N$, $PO_4^{-3}$ were higher than total nitrogen and phosphate because plants and microorganisms in rhizosphere of constructed wetlands took up inorganic nutrients shortly. According to the type of wetland inflow, the nutrients removal efficiency of storm water flow was lower than base flow.

• Archives of design research
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.97-106
• /
• 2004

Oukjuk becomes to known to the people and valuates due to the importance of the effect of the medicine. Known as taoist hermit plant, Oukjuk tea has called as a Solomon's Seal Tea in the western countries. Dissimilarly from other herb teas, it contains a high percentage of minerals. Because of the utility value of this, people used to use Oukjuk as an oriental medical treatment for various kinds of the condition of illness as for nutritive food or tonic material. According to the records, a sage of old or people seeking after truth had enjoyed the tea very much. In spite of these all effects, public has only a superficial understanding of the matter, Comprehending the problems, this study analyses ways and means of the functional packaging for the Solomon's Seal tea. In this research, the most problems came out with the quality of the products and the level of their packaging which is not variously in forms and not properly developed in materials and designs. As a conclusion the paper pointed out the importance of keeping the traditional high quality in product and having an appeal to packaging for customer's needs.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.199-207
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermented Laminaria japonica (FL), a type sea tangle used as a functional food ingredient, has been reported to possess cognitive improving properties that may aid in the treatment of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia. MATERIALS/METHODS: We examined the effects of FL on scopolamine (Sco)- and ethanol (EtOH)-induced hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, using the Passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. To examine the underlying mechanisms associated with neuroprotective effects, we analyzed acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, brain tissue expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and immunohistochemical analysis, in the hippocampus of mice, compared to current drug therapy intervention. Biochemical blood analysis was carried out to determine the effects of FL on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. 7 groups (n = 10) consisted of a control (CON), 3 Sco-induced dementia and 3 EtOH-induced dementia groups, with both dementia group types containing an untreated group (Sco and EtOH); a positive control, orally administered donepezil (Dpz) (4mg/kg) (Sco + Dpz and EtOH + Dpz); and an FL (50 mg/kg) treatment group (Sco + FL50 and EtOH + FL50), orally administered over the 4-week experimental period. RESULTS: FL50 significantly reduced EtOH-induced increase in AST and ALT levels. FL50 treatment reduced EtOH-impaired step-through latency time in the PA test, and Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia escape latency times in the MWM test. Moreover, anticholinergic effects of Sco and EtOH on the brain were reversed by FL50, through the attenuation of AChE activity and elevation of ACh concentration. FL50 elevated ERK1/2 protein expression and increased p-CREB (ser133) in hippocampus brain tissue, according to Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results suggest that FL may be considered an efficacious intervention for Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia, in terms of reversing cognitive impairment and neuroplastic dysfunction.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Neuroinflammation is mediated by activation of microglia implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of neuroinflammation may be an effective solution to treat these brain disorders. Petalonia binghamiae is known as a traditional food, based on multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-obesity. In present study, the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of Petalonia binghamiae was investigated in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Methods: Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Production of nitric oxide (NO) was examined using Griess reagent. Expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was detected by Western blot analysis. Activation of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling was examined by nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 subunit and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$. Results: Extract of Petalonia binghamiae significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production and iNOS/COX-2 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with Petalonia binghamiae suppressed LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$. Co-treatment with Petalonia binghamiae and pyrrolidine duthiocarbamate (PDTC), an $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, reduced LPS-stimulated NO release compared to that in PB-treated or PDTC-treated cells. Conclusion: The present results indicate that extract of Petalonia binghamiae exerts anti-neuroinflammation activities, partly through inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling. These findings suggest that Petalonia binghamiae might have therapeutic potential in relation to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.241-246
• /
• 2016

In the present study, ethanol extracts and their subsequent organic solvent fractions were extracted from the lees of Ehwa Makgeolli containing oriental herbs, a commercialized traditional Korean rice wine, and the prepared lees samples were designated as from KSD-E3-1 to KSD-E3-5. First, their effects on cell viability and on the expression of pro-apoptotic ATF3 and NAG-1 genes in human colorectal HCT116 cells were investigated. Among the treated lees samples, the hexane fraction (KSD-E3-2) and the ethyl acetate fraction (KSD-E3-3) of lees extracts from Ehwa Makgeolli significantly reduced cell viabilities, in a dose dependent manner. The treatment with KSD-E3-2 and KSD-E3-3 also increased the expression of pro-apoptotic NAG-1 and ATF-3 genes and their proteins, which were detected with RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. In addition, poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage was detected by treatment with the fraction KSD-E3-3, indicating that KSD-E3-3 could induce apoptosis in HCT116 cells. Interestingly, this PARP cleavage was recovered by transfection of NAG-1 small interfering RNA. The results indicate that NAG-1 is one of the genes responsible for apoptosis induced by the fraction KSD-E3-3 from Ehwa Makgeolli. Overall, the findings may help in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities mediated by the lees of Ehwa Makgeolli.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.38 no.7
• /
• pp.521-532
• /
• 2005

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) continues to rise in industrialized countries related to Western lifestyle, including dietary habits, especially imbalance of intake of dietary fatty acids. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary fatty acids and the assess the blood fatty acid composition and immune parameters in AD patients. AD (n = 50) patients and gender ${\cdot}$ age matched healthy controls (HC) were studied in case-control clinical trail. Current fatty acids intake status was determined by 3-day food record method. Blood sample were collected from 30 subjects in each group and blood fatty acid composition and immune parameters were analysed. AD patients consumed less PUFA and their n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was higher than that of HC. Both the ratios of PUFA and MUFA were positively correlated with SCORAD in AD patients (p < 0.05). In the AD patients, there were abnormalities in the fatty acid composition of the RBC and WBC, SFA being significantly high and most n-3 PUFA being significantly low. Moreover, both the ratios of EPA and DHA in WBC were negatively correlated with dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in AD patients (p < 0.05). Serum total IgE and IL-4 levels of AD patients increased significantly compared with the levels of HC (p < 0.01). Ratios of monocyte and eosinophil in WBC of AD patients increased significantly compared with the levels of HC including total WBC count (p < 0.01), and ratios of Iymphocyte and basophil in WBC of AD patients decreased significantly compared with the levels of HC (p < 0.05). Moreover, the ratios of eosinophil in WBC were positively correlated with dietary P/M ratio (p < 0.05), and the ratios of monocyte in WBC were positively correlated with n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (p < 0.05) in AD patients. This results indicated that AD patients had significantly high intake of dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA compared with HC. Imbalance of intake of dietary fatty acids affected fatty acid compositions in the RBC and WBC, and these lead to immune imbalance and grow worse of AD.