In previous studies, we performed joint animal studies and clinical trials between Yonsei University and Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co. Ltd. We have shown that coffee bean extract has potent anti-obesity and hypotriglyceridemic activities as well as beneficial effects on body fat reduction.In this study, the effects of coffee bean extract (100 mg/capsule) on body fat reduction were evaluated in overweight/obese women (body mass index of 25~30 kg/m2 or body fat 〉 30%) not diagnosed with any type of disease. Subjects were randomly assigned to a coffee bean extract group (n=10) or placebo group (n=10). We measured anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computed tomography and blood components before and after the 8week intervention period. After supplementation, the coffee bean extract group showed body weight (p=0.08), body mass index (p=0.06), hip circumference (p〈0.05), and upper waist circumference (p〈 0.01). In addition, after 8 weeks, the coffee bean extract group showed a significant decrease in abdominal internal fat area compared to 0 weeks (0 weeks : 155.8cm2; 8 weeks : 145.9cm2, δ change : -9.9cm2, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in lipid profiles or serological measurements between the coffee bean extract group and placebo group. The results of our human study demonstrated that coffee bean extract supplementation for 8 weeks has beneficial effects on reducing abdominal internal fat area as well as hip and waist circumferences.

In this study, we investigated the effects of indole on biofilm formation inhibition in Pantoea agglomerans (P. agglomerans). In the biofilm growth assay, indole inhibited biofilm formation across all the growth time. Depending on biofilm growth stage, indole exhibited biofilm inhibition and anti-bacterial effects on planktonic cells. Through the analysis of the proportion rate between biofilm and Colony Forming Units (CFU) and inhibition rate of indole, we confirmed that depending on the biofilm stage of P. agglomerans, indole treatment timing was more important than the treatment duration. By comparing gene expression rates through rt-qPCR P.agglomerans affected by indole was found to significantly change quorum sensing (pagI/R) and indole transportation (bssS) gene expressions. Throughout all, indole exhibited both antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects on P. agglomerans. In addition, we confirmed the anti-biofilm effects of indole on mature biofilm. In conclusion, indole as a signal molecule, can exhibit anti-biofilm effects through bacterial quorum sensing inhibition and indole affects. Therefore, indole can regulate biofilm bacteria especially gram-negative opportunistic pathogens.

In this study, we investigated the in vitro anti-biofilm activities of plant extracts of chives (Allium tuberosum), garlic (Allium sativum), and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) against environment harmful bacteria (gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and, gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7). In the paper disc assay, garlic extracts exhibited the highest anti-biofilm activity. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of all plant extracts was generally higher for gram-negative bacteria than it was for gram-positive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria were more resistant to plant extracts. The tetrazolium dye (XTT) assay revealed that, each plant extract exhibited a different anti-biofilm activity at the MIC value depending on the pathogen involved. Among the plant extracts tested, garlic extracts (fresh juice and powder) effectively reduced the metabolic activity of the cells of food-poisoning bacteria in biofilms. These anti-biofilm activities were consistent with the results obtained through light microscopic observation. Though the garlic extract reduced biofilm formation for all pathogens tested, to elucidate whether this reduction was due to antimicrobial effects or anti-biofilm effects, we counted the colony forming units of pathogens in the presence of the garlic extract and a control antimicrobial drug. The garlic extract inhibited the E. coli O157:H7 biofilm effectively compared to the control antimicrobial drug ciprofloxacin; however, it did not inhibit S. aureus biofilm significantly compared to ciprofloxacin. In conclusion, garlic extracts could be used as natural food preservatives to prevent the growth of foodborne pathogens and elongater the shelf life of processed foods.

In this study, we evaluated the potential of 70% ethanol extract from Persicaria nepalensis (PNE) as a cosmetic ingredient by primary skin irritation, ocular irritation, and maximization tests for delayed hypersensitivity in New Zealand white rabbits and Hartley guinea pig. Skin safety study was performed to evaluate the potential toxicity of PNE using the primary irritation test. In the primary irritation test, 50% PNE was applied to the skin, and no adverse reactions such as erythema and edema were observed at the intact skin sites. Therefore, PNE was classified as a practically non-irritating material based on a primary irritation index of "0.0.". In the ocular irritation test, the 50% PNE applied did not show any adverse reactions in the different parts of rabbit eyes, including the cornea, iris, and conjunctiva. Thus, PNE was classified as a practically non-irritating material based on an acute ocular irritation index of "0.0.". Skin sensitization was tested by the Guinea Pig Maximization Test (GPMT) and Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) using an intradermal injection of 10% PNE. Edema and erythema were not observed 24 and 48 h after the topical application of PNE in skin sensitization test, which exhibited a sensitization score of "0.0.". Therefore, it can be suggested that P. nepalensis could be used as potential candidates for cosmoceutical ingredients, without any major side effects.

본 연구는 에탄올 농도별(0, 30, 50, 70, 100 %)로 추출한 사매추출물의 항산화 효과를 Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity(ORAC)로 평가한 결과 30 % 에탄올 추출물에서 가장 우수하였다. 따라서 30 % 에탄올 추출물의 주름 완화에 관련한 효능 및 효과를 확인하기 위하여 마우스 유래 섬유아세포에 대한 세포 독성, MMP-8 collagenase 억제 활성 검사를 실시하였다. 그 결과 30 % 에탄올 사매추출물을 섬유아세포에 처리한 결과 세포 독성이 없었고, 20 %의 MMP-8 collagenase 억제 활성을 보였다. 사매 추출물 1 %가 함유된 Di-Wrinkle Free Cream (DWFC)으로부터 35 ~ 50세의 21명 여성을 대상으로 하루에 2번 도포하여 8주간 인체 안전성과 주름개선 임상평가를 수행하였다. 주름 평가 방법은 3차원 입체 측정기(PRIMOS)를 이용하여 평가를 하였다. DWFC에 대한 안전성 평가는 피험자 방문 시 마다 이상반응, 부종, 인설, 가려움, 자통, 작열감, 뻣뻣함, 따끔거림이나 다른 이상반응이 발생하는지 육안평가와 문진으로 평가하였다. PRIMOS(GFM, Germany)를 이용하여 눈 주변의 주름을 분석한 결과 시험제품 사용 8주 후 통계적으로 유의하게 주름이 13 % 감소하였으며, 시험기간 동안 특별한 피부 이상반응은 관찰되지 않았다. 이와 같은 결과로 보아 사매추출물은 인체에 부작용이 없는 주름개선에 효과 있는 화장품으로 개발이 가능할 것으로 사료된다.