To utilize pepper (Piper nigrum) as an immunostimulatory agent, we isolated macrophage stimulating polysaccharides from pepper and investigated their macrophage activating activities. Hot-water extracts (HW) of black pepper (BP) and white pepper (WP) were prepared, and their macrophage stimulating activities were evaluated using RAW 264.7 cells. BP-HW significantly promoted the secretion of macrophage stimulating factors such as nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12 compared to WP-HW. When BP and WP-HW were fractionated into crude polysaccharides (CP) and low molecules (LM) by ethanol precipitation, BP-CP demonstrated significantly more potent activity. Furthermore, BP-CP not only induced mRNA gene expression of macrophage activation factors, but also promoted nuclear localization of p65 and c-Jun. In addition, component sugar analysis revealed that glucan-type polysaccharides in BP-CP played a crucial role in macrophage activation. Taken together, these findings suggest that black pepper has industrial applicability not only as a spice, but also as an immunostimulatory functional material.

The present study was conducted to investigate effects of rabbit meat extract on energy metabolism and muscle differentiation in C2C12 myotubes. Water extract of rabbit meat (10, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml) was used to treat differentiated C2C12 cells. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis were used to determine mRNA or protein levels of energy metabolism-related genes. Total adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was also measured. Treatment with rabbit meat extract significantly increased expression levels of muscle differentiation markers (myogenin and myosin heavy chain) and mitochondrial biogenesis regulators (PGC1α, NRF1, and TFAM) in C2C12 myotubes compared to non-treated control. Additionally, rabbit meat extract activated phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC). Rabbit meat extract significantly increased ATP contents in myotubes. These results suggest that rabbit meat extract has the potential to improve energy metabolism in skeletal muscles.

Health concerns related to particulate matter (PM) pollution are on the rise globally. This study investigates the effects of the main components of PM on human airway epithelial cells (Calu-3), focusing on three distinct types: PM10-bound PAHs (including Benzo[a]anthracene and Benzo[b]fluoranthene), PM10-bound trace elements (containing arsenic and lead), and PM2.5-bound ions (comprising sodium and calcium). Calu-3 cells were exposed to these PM components at concentrations ranging from 2 to 100 μg/mL. Unexposed Calu-3 cells exhibited a 60% increase in metabolic activity after 12 hours. In contrast, exposure to PM components resulted in significant reductions in cell viability, with PM10-bound PAHs and PM10-bound trace elements causing decreases of 54% and 55% respectively, and PM2.5-bound ions leading to a 63% reduction at 100 μg/mL. Additionally, there was found to be a notable rise in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-8 and TNF-α. Specifically, IL-8 levels increased by 456%, and TNF-α levels rose by 660% after 12 hours of exposure to PM2.5-bound ions. These findings indicate that the size and composition of fine dust particles play a critical role in their cytotoxic effects, contributing to increased cell death, membrane damage, and necrosis in airway epithelial cells.

Recently, active research in Korea and worldwide has begun to focus on gene function and cultivar development using gene editing tools. This research, in addition to studies on edible mushroom, aims to enhance the physical and biochemical characteristics of mushrooms for applications in materials and substance production. For these studies, efficient isolation of protoplasts from the target mushroom is critical. However, several commercial cell wall-lysing enzyme cocktails, including Novozyme234, Glucanex, and Lysing enzymes, have recently been discontinued. In this study, we aimed to identify alternative enzyme systems to replace the discontinued cell wall-lysing enzymes for stable isolation of protoplasts from Ganoderma lucidum. To select an optimal osmotic buffer, enzyme function in 0.6 and 1.2 M Sorbitol, Sucrose, Mannitol, and KCl was assessed. The effect of reaction time was also evaluated. Protoplast isolation efficiency of each alternative enzyme was tested using lysing enzymes from Trichoderma harzianum, Chimax-N, and Yatalase, either individually or in combination. This matrix of studies identified enzymes and optimal conditions that could replace the discontinued lysing enzymes.

Obesity, a global health concern characterized by excessive fat accumulation, necessitates the discovery of anti-obesity compounds. Rottlerin, known for its anti-cancer effects as a mitochondrial uncoupler, has been a subject of interest. However, its impact on reducing intracellular lipid accumulation remains a gap in our understanding. This study aimed to fill this gap by dissecting the mechanism of rottlerin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We treated differentiated 3T3-L1 cells with 0-20 mM of rottlerin for 48 hours to assess its capability to induce lipid accumulation. Notably, we observed no cytotoxicity associated with the treatment of rottlerin up to 20 mM, indicating its safety at these concentrations. Lipid accumulation, measured by oil Red O, was downregulated dose-independently by rottlerin. We also found that key lipogenic enzymes, including SCD1 and DGAT1, were decreased. The transcription factor of lipogenic genes, SREBP1, was reduced by approximately 80% with rottlerin. LRP6, a crucial link between de novo lipogenesis mechanism reactions and Wnt signaling, was also degraded by around 70%. Interestingly, the downstream regulation of LRP6, b-catenin, and TCFL2 was diminished by rottlerin. Our data indicate that rottlerin alleviates adipocyte lipid accumulation by suppressing the LRP6/β-catenin/SREBP1c pathway. These findings underscore the potential of rottlerin as a safe nutraceutical for combating obesity.

Cirsium setidens, Allium hookeri, Aronia melancocarpa, are popular dietary ingredients for Asian cuisine or beverage. this study attempted to search and report the antioxidant activity of extracts of aronia, gondre and samchae, which are used for food in Korea. As a result, total phenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity tended to increase, and Gondre extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity effect. The results of a study on the ABTS radical scavenging activity of extracts of Gondre, Aronia, and Samchae showed a tendency for radical scavenging activity to increase as the concentration increased. Gondre hot water extract showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity. In this way, antioxidant activity was shown in the order of Gondre, Aronia, and Samchae, and the concentration showed a high activity effect at high concentrations. In the cell protection effect results, the concentration of Gondre extract was 500 μg/mL, the Samchae alcohol extract was used at concentrations of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 μg/mL, and the Aronia extract was used at concentrations of 125 μg/mL. and showed a cytoprotective effect at 250 μg/mL. We hope that these research results will be used as basic data for the development of various functional foods.

Orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts are developmental cysts that occur in the jaw that account for approximately 7%–17% of all cysts in the jaws. Studies have shown that malignant transformation of odontogenic cysts most often occurs in inflammatory cysts, such as periapical cysts, but malignant transformation of orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts has also been reported. In this report, we present an uncommon case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from an orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst.

본 연구에서는 주박의 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 평가하기 위해 분획물에 따 른 항산화 활성평가와 인간섬유아세포인 CCD-986sk 세포에서의 주름효능 평가를 진행하였다. ABTS+ radical 소거능 측정을 통해 항산화 활성을 확인한 결과, 주박 Ethyl Acetate 분획물 1,000 μg/ml 농도 에서 75.5%로 나타나 분획 용매 중 가장 높은 항산화 활성을 보였다. Elastase, Collagenase 저해 활성 측정을 통해 주름 개선 효과를 확인하였으며, 두 실험 결과 모두 주박 Ethyl Acetate 분획물이 1,000 μ g/ml 농도에서 가장 높은 효능을 나타내었다. UVB로 유도된 CCD-986sk 세포 내 pro-collagen type I 의 합성율을 측정한 결과 주박은 동일농도에서 20 μg/ml에서 Ethyl Acetate, Water, Acetonitrile, Hexan 분획물 순으로 높은 효능을 보였다. 콜라겐 분해효소인 MMP-1의 저해률을 측정한 결과 4가지 용매 분획몰은 20 μg/ml에서 모두 70% 이상의 효능을 나타내었다. Real time PCR 실험에서 pro-collagen type I, MMP-1 및 MMP-3의 mRNA 발현량을 측정한 결과 UVB 단독군 대비 Jubak 추출물을 함께 처리했을 때 pro-collagen type I의 단백질 발현량이 증가되었고, MMP-1과 MMP-3의 mRNA 발현량은 감소하는 것을 확인하였으며 대조군(EGCG) 다음으로 Ethyl Acetate 추출물이 주름 개선에 가장 효능이 우수하였다. 이상의 결과로 주박의 용매 분획물 중 Ethyl Acetate 분획물은 UVB 자극에 의한 광노화에 대한 항주름 효과가 있음을 확인하여 화장품의 천연물 소재로서의 이용이 기대된 다.

This study investigated major constituents and anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of Platycodon grandiflorum leaves. Through HPLC analysis, chlorogenic acid and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were identified as predominant constituents in the ethanol extract. Their anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using murine macrophage (RAW 264.7 cells) and human lung carcinoma cells (NCI-H292 & A549). The ethanol extract significantly (p<0.01) inhibited the production of nitrite, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, the ethanol extract suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) proteins in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. In NCI-H292 and A549 cells, treatment with the ethanol extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 induced by IL-1β. The phosphorylation of ERK rather than JNK in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway was observed to be a more important mediator in the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in NCI-H292 cells. These findings suggest that the ethanol extract of Platycodon grandiflorum leaves containing luteolin-7-O-glucoside exhibits promising anti-inflammatory properties.

본 연구는 국내산 가시오가피의 건강기능식품 소재로서 의 가능성을 확인하기 위해 산지별 채취한 가시오가피의 유효물질 함량 및 면역 증강 효과을 평가하였다. 태백, 철 원, 삼척, 강원도 농업기술원에서 수확한 가시오가피의 지 표성분인 eleutheroside B 및 eleutheroside E의 분석을 수 행하였으며, 면역 증강에 대한 효과를 관찰하기 위하여 MTT 세포독성 평가, NO 생성량과 cytokine 생성량을 측 정하였다. 지표성분 eleutheroside B의 함량은 채취 지역별 로 70% 에탄올 추출물에서는 2.96±0.11-6.24±0.05 mg/g로 태백에서 가장 높은 함량을 나타냈으며, 열수 추출물에서 는 1.11±0.05-2.11±0.03 mg/g로 태백에서 가장 높은 함량 을 나타냈다. Eleutheroside E 함량은 채취 지역별로 70% 에탄올 추출물에서는 4.93±0.20-10.79±0.03 mg/g을 나타냈으 며 철원에서 가장 높은 함량을 나타냈고, 열수 추출물에서 는 1.75±0.14-3.64±0.05 mg/g로 철원과 농업기술원에서 가장 높은 함량을 나타냈다. 또한, eleutheroside B 및 E 함량은 열수 추출물보다 70% 에탄올 추출물에서 더 높은 함량을 나타냈다. 채취 지역별 가시오가피의 70% 에탄올 추출물은 50-200 μg/mL 농도에서, 열수 추출물은 100-500 μg/mL 농도 에서 RAW 264.7 대식세포에 대한 세포독성을 나타내지 않 았으며, 대식세포의 활성화로 방출되는 NO 성성량을 측정 한 결과, 가시오가피 줄기 추출물에서 NO 생성량이 증가하 는 것을 확인하였으며, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β을 포함하는 cytokine의 방출을 측정한 결과 유의적인 증가를 나타냈다. 따라서 가시오가피 줄기는 면역 관련 질환의 개선을 위한 건강기능식품 소재로 활용 가능할 것으로 사료된다.

To increase industrial applicability of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) as immunostimulating materials, hot-water extract (AME) was prepared from AM and fermented with Kimchi-lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus sakei & Leuconostoc mesenteroides) to prepare fermented AM-postbiotics (FAME). Although FAME prepared from AM-postbiotics did not show a significant enhancement in macrophage stimulating activity compared to non-fermented AME, crude polysaccharide (FAME-CP) fractionated by EtOH precipitation from FAME showed significantly higher macrophage stimulating activity than AME-CP. Compared to AME-CP, FAME-CP showed dramatic changes in component sugar and molecular weight distribution. FAME-CP was a polysaccharide with a major molecular weight distribution of 113.4 kDa containing Man (44.2%), Glc (19.3%), Gal (10.2%), GalA (10.2%), and Ara (7.4%) as sugar components. FAME-CP with enhanced macrophage stimulatory activity not only increased expression levels of mRNA genes encoding macrophage-activated factors (iNOS, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6, and COX-2), but also led the nuclear translocation of activated p65 and c-Jun. In conclusion, crude polysaccharide from AM-postbiotics fermented with lactic acid bacteria could increase industrial applicability as a functional material with enhanced immunostimulating activity than AME-CP.

배경/목적: ROS는 악성종양의 성장 및 공격과 관련이 있다. UDCA는 담도암 세포에서 진행과 전이에 밀접한 EGFR-MAPK 신 호 경 로 와 EMT를 억 제 한 다 . 이 연 구 는 UDCA가 담도암세포에서 ROS 생성 및 그에 관련된 바이오마커에 어떠한 영향을 주는지 알아보기 위해 시행되었다. 방 법 : 인간 간외 담관암 세포주인 SNU-245세포를 배양하였다. 세포생존율은 MTT assays로, ROS는 세포 ROS assays kit로 측정하였다. Western blotting으로 다양한 표적 단백질의 발현 수준을 측정하였다. 특정 유전자의 억제를 위해 siRNA를 사용하였고, 특정 유전자의 과발현을 위해 shRNA를 사용하였다. 결과: UDCA는 담도암 세포에서 DCA에 의한 peroxide와 ROS가 생성되는 것을 억제하였으며, DCA로 발현이 증강된 STAT3, PRX2 및 SOD2를 억제하였고, IGF-1에 의해 발현이 증강된 NOX2 및 NOX4를 억제하였다. 또한, 담도암 세포에서 SiRNA를 이용한 STAT3 및 PRX2의 억제는 UDCA 처치와 상관없이 EGF에 의해 약화된 E-cadherin 발현을 복원하고 EGF에 의해 증가된 N-cadherin 발현을 억제하였는데, 이는 UDCA의 EMT 억제에 PRX2/STAT3가 상당한 역할을 하는 것을 의미한다. 덧붙여, UDCA는 담도암 세포에서 DCA에 의해 억제된 catalase의 발현을 복원하였다. 한편, ShRNA를 사용한 NOX4의 과발현의 유도는 UDCA의 항종양 효과를 상쇄하였다. 결론: UDCA는 담도암 세포에서 ROS 생성을 억제하고, ROS 제거를 향상시킴으로써, 결국 EMT와 관련된 STAT3 및 PRX2를 억제한다, 따라서, UDCA는 ROS 활성도 및 EMT의 억제를 통하여 담도암 세포의 성장 및 침습을 억제하는 데 기여한다.

헤스페리딘(Hesperidin, HD)은 다양한 식물체에 존재하는, 강한 항산화 기능을 가진 대표적인 flavonoid의 일종이다. 본 연구에서는 수용성 HD인 Hesperidin glucoside(HDG)가 가지는 세포손상 회복, 항염증 인자억제 및 melanin 생성억제 활성을 세포수준에서 비교하였다. HDG는 HD에 당전이 효소반응 으로 제조되었으며, HD에 비해 20,000배 이상 수용해도가 증가되었다. HaCaT 세포주에 대한 세포독성은 HDG가 HD에 비해 월등히 낮았다. HD와 HDG는 모두 자외선 조사된 HaCaT 세포에서 세포생존율 회 복효과를 나타내었다. 또한 HD와 HDG는 세포내 산화질소(NO), 종양괴사인자-α(TNF-α) 및 인터루킨 -6(IL-6)과 같은 염증 매개체 및 cytokine을 감소시켰으며, HD 보다는 HDG의 효과가 다소 우수하였다. Melanoma B16F10 세포주를 이용한 melanin 형성능과 tyrosinase 저해활성을 측정한 결과, HD와 HDG 모두 효과를 나타내었으며 HDG가 약간 우수한 결과를 보였다. 결론적으로, HD의 당전이체인 HDG는 HD에 비해 동등이상의 세포손상 회복, 염증성 매개체 및 cytokine 억제능과 melanin 형성억제능을 나타내 었으며, HDG의 높은 수용성과 낮은 세포독성 등의 특성은 다양한 분야에서의 용도를 확대시킬 수 있을 것으로 보인다.

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of shiitake mushroom and kelp (SMK) mixture extracts in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with LPS significantly increased NO (nitric oxide) production, pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β), and inflammation-related genes (COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)). In cytotoxicity testing using RAW 264.7 cells, SMK mixture extracts in the range of 1-16 μg/mL did not inhibit cell proliferation. However, SMK mixture extracts significantly inhibited NO production in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). SMK treatment significantly decreased TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-1β levels compared to the LPS group, and similarly, pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels also decreased. SMK mixture extracts reduced the mRNA expression of COX-2 and iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells compared to LPS (p<0.05). The above results show that SMK mixture extracts suppressed the inflammatory response induced by LPS. In particular, the extracts were shown to regulate the inflammatory response by suppressing the expression of inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related enzymes.

석유기반 플라스틱의 대체제인 폴리하드록시부틸레이트(polyhydroxybutyrate, PHB)의 기존 추출방법은 분자량 감 소 및 물성 변형을 일으킨다. 본 연구에서는 기능화 된 탄소나노튜브(carbon nanotube, CNT)를 부착한 돌기형 탄소나노튜브 분리막의 여과를 통해 물리적 파쇄를 발생시켜 미생물 내 축적된 PHB를 추출하고자 하였다. 돌기형 탄소나노튜브 분리막의 물리적 파쇄를 확인하기 위해 대장균 용액으로 여과 실험을 수행하여 불활성화를 관찰하였다. 또한 PHB를 축적한 미생물 용 액의 여과를 수행하여 PHB가 추출되었는지 확인하였더니 가장 대표적인 추출방법인 chloroform과 비교하여도 여과로 인한 추출이 4% 높은 성능을 가진 것을 관찰하였다. 본 결과를 통해 친환경적 바이오 플라스틱 회수를 위한 돌기형 탄소나노튜브 분리막의 적용 가능성을 확인하였다.

Owing to its diverse range of bioactive compounds, Ganoderma lucidumhas garnered significant research attention for health promotion and disease prevention. Ganodermanondiol, which has a triterpenoid structure, is one of the major active compounds of G. lucidum. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of ganodermanondiol were investigated to evaluate its usefulness as a functional ingredient. Ganodermanondiol (0.5–2 g/mL) significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), the expression of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)??and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 (murine macrophage) cells. Ganodermanondiol (0.5–2 g/mL) also inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal molecules, including p38 and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) in RAW 264.7 cells. Ganodermanondiol significantly inhibited the essential factors involved in the inflammatory responses of RAW 264.7 cells and would, therefore, serve as a potential prophylactic and therapeutic agent for immune-related diseases.

This study was conducted to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activity of goat meat hot water extracts and the changes in apoptosis-related protein expression levels in the cancer cells treated with these extracts. Goat meat hot water extracts were prepared using different cuts of goat meat, including foreleg, hindleg, loin, and rib. Among these extracts, the foreleg and hindleg extracts displayed higher (P<0.05) ABTS radical scavenging activity than the other two extracts. Protein expression levels of BAX, p53, and p21 were not different in the cells treated with the extracts from different cuts, regardless of the cell type. Only p53 expression in HT-29 cells was elevated (P<0.05) after loin extract treatment. These results suggest that antioxidant activity and apoptosis-related effects of goat meat hot water extract varied with cut of meat under in vitro conditions. Because all data was obtained from the in vitro experiment, the ability to generalize conclusions is limited. Additional in vivo studies are necessary.

Velvet antler is widely used as a traditional medicine, and numerous studies have demonstrated its tremendous nutritional and medicinal values including immunity-enhancing effects. This study aimed to investigate different deer velvet extracts (Sample 1: raw extract, Sample 2: dried extract, and Sample 3: freeze-dried extract) for proximate composition, uronic acid, sulfated glycosaminoglycan, sialic acid, collagen levels, and chemical components using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-light mass spectrometry. In addition, we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of the deer velvet extracts on BV2 microglia, HT22 hippocampal cells, HaCaT keratinocytes, and RAW264.7 macrophages using the cell viability MTT assay. Furthermore, we evaluated acute toxicity of the deer velvet extracts at different doses (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) administered orally to both male and female ICR mice for 14 d (five mice per group). After treatment, we evaluated general toxicity, survival rate, body weight changes, mortality, clinical signs, and necropsy findings in the experimental mice based on OECD guidelines. The results suggested that in vitro treatment with the evaluated extracts had no cytotoxic effect in HaCaT keratinocytes cells, whereas Sample-2 had a cytotoxic effect at 500 and 1000 μg/mL on HT22 hippocampal cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. Sample 3 was also cytotoxic at concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/mL to RAW264.7 and BV2 microglial cells. However, the mice treated in vivo with the velvet extracts at doses of 500–2000 mg/kg BW showed no clinical signs, mortality, or necropsy findings, indicating that the LD50 is higher than this dosage. These findings indicate that there were no toxicological abnormalities connected with the deer velvet extract treatment in mice. However, further human and animal studies are needed before sufficient safety information is available to justify its use in humans.