인삼열매는 진세노사이드 함량이 인삼뿌리와 다르게 나타나며, 항 고혈당효과, 항암활성 등의 다양한 약리적 효능이 있다고 보고되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 인삼열매를 수확하여 Rb1 및 Rg1 등의 진세노사이드 함량이 풍부한 4회 증포 인삼열매와 Rg3를 포함한 총 진세노사이드 함량이 풍부한 7회 증포 인삼열매를 혼합하여 열수추출물과 에탄올 추출물을 얻었고, 이를 L. plantarum으로 발효시킨 추출물을 이용하여 액상 스틱을 제조한 후 10, 25, 35oC 에서 4개월 동안 저장하면서 진세노사이드 함량 변화 및 이화학적 특성을 조사하였다. 인삼열매 추출물을 함유하는 액상스틱을 35oC에서 4개월 동안 저장한 후에 pH는 4.81에서 3.81로 저하되었으나, 산도와 고형분 함량은 변화하지 않았다. DPPH 소거능은 10oC와 25oC에서 4개월 동안 저장했을 때 큰 변화를 나타내지 않았으나 35oC에서 4개월 저장했을 때 크게 감소하였다. L값(명도)와 b값(황색도)는 저장기간 동안 감소하였으나, a값(적색도)는 변화 하지 않았다. Rg1, Rb1, F2, Rg3(S), Rg3(R), Rg5 등 6종류의 총 진세노사이드 함량은 10, 25, 35oC에서 4개월 동안 저장하는 동안에 큰 변화가 없었으며, 일반세균과 대장균군도 검출되지 않았다.

This study aimed to analyze a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation using a pentafluorophenyl column of parent drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its active metabolite, desethylhydroxchloroquine (DHCQ) applying to determine bioequivalence of two different formulations administered to patients. A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for bioanalysis of HCQ and its metabolite DHCQ in human whole blood using deuterium derivative hydroxychloroquine-D4 as an internal standard (IS). A triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated using electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Sample preparation involves a two-step precipitation of protein techniques. The removed protein blood samples were chromatographed on a pentafluorophenyl (PFP) column (50 mm × 4.6 mm, 2.6 μm) with a mobile phase (ammonium formate solution containing dilute formic acid) in an isocratic mode at a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min. The standard curves were found to be linear in the range of 2 – 500 ng/mL for HCQ; 2 – 2,000 ng/mL for DHCQ in spite of lacking a highly sensitive MS spectrometry system. Results of intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits. A run time of 2.2 min for HCQ and 2.03 min for DHCQ in blood sample facilitated the analysis of more than 300 human whole blood samples per day. Taken together, we concluded that the assay developed herein represents a highly qualified technology for the quantification of HCQ in human whole blood for a parallel design bioequivalence study in a healthy male.

Sargassum fusiforme has traditionally been widely consumed in Asia as a food, and it has gained much attention due to its high nutritional, pharmaceutical, and industrial value. This study aimed to examine the promotional effects of ethanol extract (ET) and fraction obtained from ethyl acetate (FR) of S. fusiforme on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and HaCaT cells. Five-week-old mice were used to compare hair regrowth during application of ET and FR for 21 days. Hair regrowth was evaluated by macroscopic observation and verified by hematoxylin-eosin tissue staining. Levels of mRNA expression of factors relevant to the hair growth cycle such as keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Our results showed that ET and FR successfully promoted hair regrowth in shaved C57BL/6 mice at a dose >20 mg/kg. Moreover, ET and FR were effective in stimulating expression of KGF and VEGF mRNAs in a dose-dependent manner, whereas TGF-β1 was not activated. These results indicate that ET and FR of S. fusiforme effectively promoted hair growth and gene expression relevant to hair growth cycles in both in vitro and in vivo models.

The aim of the current study was to analyze the active ingredients and to screen the pharmacological properties of freshwater laver, Prasiola japonica, the only species grown in Korea. According to results of gas chromatography- mass spectrometry assay, components from P. japonica were more diverse than those from sea laver. Of particular interest, our results indicated that ethanol extract of P. japonica (PJE) contained loliolide, sorbitol, mannitol, and alverine, which were known to have an anti-oxidant, anti-oral microbial, osmotic diuresis, and smooth muscle relaxant, respectively. In addition, five solvent fractions of PJE (water, butanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane) significantly inhibited the production of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide and a higher amount (>100 μg/mL) of chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane fraction were considered to play a specific role in cancer cell death. PJE and its solvent fractions found to be effective scavengers of free radicals, particularly, hydroxyl radicals. Glucose uptake in L6 myoblast cell line that stably expresses the glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) proteins was also remarkably enhanced upon treatment with solvent fractions, remarkably chloroform fraction. Taken together, we concluded that P. japonica may have potent pharmacological properties and thus contribute to development of novel natural candidates for various disease targets.

In this study, we observed anti-diabetic effects of acid hydrolyzed silk peptides, where the amount of peptides in the total amino acid mixture was strictly regulated. Using in vitro diabetes models, silk peptide-containing amino acid mixtures of 5.60% (G5), 11.30% (G10), 14.50% (G15), and 20.50% (G20) were examined separately in order to determine whether they have biological activities. According to our results, a cytoprotective effect was observed following treatment of interleukin-1β in RINm5f pancreas β-cells. As a consequence, Bax, a pro-apoptotic gene, was down-regulated, while Bcl-2, a pro-survival gene, was retained at normal level. Results of the 4’,6-diamidino-2-phentylindole (DAPI) staining assay confirmed that G20 has a better cytoprotective effect. Insulin release from RINm5f cells showed a significant increase following treatment with G5-G20, suggesting that silk peptide effectively regulated and induced insulin production. Single treatment with G5-G20 resulted in enhanced glucose uptake in L6 skeletal muscle cells. In addition, a higher amount of each group inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase. In summary, these data suggest that silk peptide may have an anti-diabetic effect through protection of pancreas β-cells and enhancement of insulin release, which showed a close association with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), and can improve glucose uptake, which was the major target for therapy of Type 2 diabetes. Taken together, we concluded that acid hydrolyzed silk peptides can be used effectively for control of blood sugar metabolism via improvement of the problematic indices of Type 1 and Type 2 DM.