It is challenging to treat canine brucellosis due to the immune evading and stealthy characteristic of the causative bacteria, Brucella (B.) canis. Gold nanoparticle aptamer (AuNP-Apt) conjugated antimicrobial peptide (AMP) is a promising alternative to antibiotics for various bacterial infections. However, the toxicity of AuNP-Apt has been variable throughout research, and the in vivo toxic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential against B. canis, and the toxicity of AuNP-Apt conjugated antimicrobial peptide, RW-BP100 (AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His), in a mouse model. Intravenous (IV) treatment with AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His reduced the bacteria burden and histopathologic lesions. The IV treatment also induced CD4+ T cell differentiation and modulated serum cytokine levels. However, high-dose AuNP-Apt was lethal, resulting in tissue accumulation and vessel embolism. Therefore, AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His is a promising therapeutic agent for B. canis treatment, but due to its toxicity, further studies are needed for its utilization in clinical practice.

Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent chronic metabolic disorder associated with an elevated risk of diabeticinduced neuropathic pain and affective disturbances. However, animal models that recapitulate events of peripheral neuropathic pain and emotional alterations remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to investigate the association between hindpaw mechanical allodynia and distinct affective behavioral changes in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. Adult male C57BL/6 mice received a single intraperitoneal STZ injection (150 mg/kg), and body weight and blood glucose levels were monitored weekly for two weeks. Mechanical sensitivity was evaluated using von Frey filaments at baseline and at one and two weeks post-injection. Affective behaviors were assessed through the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), and marble burying test (MBT). STZ-treated mice developed sustained hyperglycemia and progressive weight loss. Furthermore, they displayed hindpaw mechanical allodynia since 1st week after injection. Although anxiety-like behavioral changes in the EPM were not prominent, STZ-treated mice exhibited reduced center-zone duration and locomotion in the OFT, along with fewer buried marbles in the MBT. Conversely, immobility time in the TST remained unchanged. These findings indicate that STZ-induced diabetic mice exhibit both peripheral mechanical hypersensitivity and selective depression-like behavioral alterations that differ across test paradigms, underscoring the need for diverse behavioral assessments when investigating diabetes-related pain-depression comorbidity.

Naringenin (5,7,4’-trihydroxyflavanone) is a natural bioflavonoid with numerous documented bioactivities in the central nervous system. The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc; medullary dorsal horn) is recognized as a pivotal site for integration and modulation of orofacial nociceptive inputs. However, the potential effects of naringenin on orofacial pain responses and the contributions of GABAA receptor modulation have not yet been examined. In this study, whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to evaluate the effects of naringenin on the GABAA receptor responses on SG neurons in the Vc, and to assess potential sex-related differences. The GABAA receptor agonist muscimol was applied alone or with naringenin on SG neurons in the Vc that were patch-clamped with high chloride pipette solution to augment GABAA potentials. Naringenin increased both the amplitude and the area under the curve of muscimol-mediated responses in the majority (64.7%) of neurons tested (n = 17), and these effects differed by sex, suggesting that naringenin may modulate orofacial pain in a sex-dependent manner by enhancing GABAA potentials on SG neurons in the Vc. Naringenin may thus be a promising prototype compound for developing therapeutic agents against orofacial pain.

Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented vegetable food known to contain various bioactive compounds produced during fermentation. In this study, we investigated the antiviral effects of a fermented cabbage Kimchi extract (FCK extract) against avian influenza virus (AIV, H9N2) using chicken embryonic eggs and a murine model. The FCK extract markedly inhibited AIV replication in chicken embryos and significantly reduced viral hemagglutinin titers. In addition, FCK extract suppressed viral neuraminidase activity, an essential enzyme involved in the release of newly formed virus particles. To evaluate its protective efficacy in vivo, the FCK extract was orally administered to 6-week-old BALB/c mice once daily for 15 days, and mice were intranasally challenged with AIV two days after the initiation of administration. Mice treated with the FCK extract exhibited significantly improved survival rates and attenuated clinical symptoms compared with the virus control group and the non-fermented cabbage Kimchi (N-FCK) extract group. Histopathological analysis revealed that lung tissue damage was markedly reduced in the FCK extract -treated mice relative to the control group. These findings suggest that oral administration of fermented cabbage Kimchi extract confers protective effects against AIV infection and that fermentation-derived antiviral components in FCK extract may contribute to this activity.

This study evaluated the sub-chronic oral toxicity of freeze-dried deer velvet antler (DVA) extract in ICR mice over a 90-day period. The extract was administered orally to male and female mice at doses of 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 mg/kg body weight daily; the control group (0 mg/kg body weight) received vehicle only. No clinical signs of toxicity or mortality were observed. Body weight gain, food consumption, and general behavior remained normal across all groups. Hematological analysis revealed no dose-dependent alterations in hemoglobin levels, platelet characteristics, or red or white blood cell counts. Males administered 2,000 mg/kg DVA exhibited a slight increase in reticulocyte count, whereas females exhibited reduced count at 5,000 mg/kg; however, neither finding was doseresponsive or toxicologically significant. Serum biochemistry including liver and kidney function markers (ALT, AST, -GT, BUN, and creatinine) remained within normal range, and no evidence of organ damage was observed. Notably, male mice exhibited a significant reduction in serum triglycerides compared with those in the control group, suggesting potential lipid-modulating effects of DVA; however, this finding requires further investigation. Based on these findings, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of DVA extract was determined to be greater than 5,000 mg/kg/day in both sexes. These results support the safety profile of DVA extract at the tested doses, and its potential metabolic benefits.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are closely associated with obesity mediated metabolic dysfunction, including hepatic injury, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance. Oenothera biennis seed (OBS) has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but the protective effects against AGE-induced metabolic disorder remain unclear. In this study, a CML-high fat diet (HFCML) mouse model was used to evaluate the effects of the OBS extract. OBS supplementation significantly attenuated kidney hypertrophy induced by HFCML diet. The serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were elevated in the HFCML group, and were reduced significantly by OBS administration. OBS administration also improved lipid metabolism by lowering triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Furthermore, OBS administration enhanced glucose tolerance. Overall, OBS extract mitigates HFCML-induced metabolic dysfunction by improving liver function, normalizing lipid profiles, and enhancing glucose tolerance, highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient for the prevention of AGE-associated metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.

This study examined the impact of Artemisia argyi extract (AE) on bone health using a mouse model of ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis. A total of seven sham-operated mice and twenty-one OVX mice were assigned to three groups: control (OVX), estradiol-treated (E2, 10 μg/kg), and AE-treated (100 mg/kg). The treatment lasted for 12 weeks, during which body weight, food intake, hindlimb thickness, grip strength, and various bone parameters were recorded. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was employed to evaluate body composition, bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD). The administration of AE significantly increased BMC and BMD compared to the OVX group, with no notable changes in body composition. Although AE did not enhance hindlimb thickness, it did significantly improve grip strength. These findings indicate that AE selectively promotes bone metabolism and may serve as a potential functional food component for preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT), a tricyclic antidepressant, is known to exhibit antimicrobial effects against a wide range of bacterial species. This study aims to evaluate the effect of AMT on Brucella (B.) abortus infection in RAW 264.7 cells and ICR mice, which has not yet been clearly characterized. The results showed that all tested concentrations of AMT had no direct bactericidal effect on B. abortus survival at any incubation time point. Interestingly, RAW 264.7 cells pre-treated with a non-toxic high concentration of AMT before B. abortus infection showed a significant reduction in the phagocytosis of B. abortus at 20 min post-infection, compared to untreated cells. However, AMT treatment did not affect the intracellular replication of B. abortus compared to the control cells. Based on the reduced bacterial uptake observed in-vitro, an in-vivo experiment was conducted to assess whether daily oral administration of AMT at a dose of 20 mg/kg could inhibit B. abortus growth in ICR mice. The results showed that AMT treatment slightly increased both organ weights and bacterial loads, suggesting possible systemic effects of prolonged AMT exposure. In summary, these preliminary results provide initial insight into the potential effects of AMT on B. abortus infection both in-vitro and in-vivo. Therefore, further study should focus on dose optimization in-vivo and exploration of the underlying cellular mechanisms involved in AMT-mediated inhibition of phagocytosis during Brucella infection.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a highly valued medicinal plant native to Aisa. Widely used as a spice, renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, clove bud extract (CBE) was prepared at different ethanol concentrations of 50%, 80%, and 90%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the CBE was evaluated through DPPH, polyphenol, and reducing power assays, revealing its strong antioxidant potential, with 90% ethanol being the most effective extract. HPLC analysis identified eugenol (8.7 mg/g) as the major active compound, known to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Given the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD), the therapeutic potential of CBE was explored using a 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model. Five-week-old BALB/c mice were induced with AD by topical application of DNCB. CBE was administered topically to the affected skin (back and ear) areas for 4 weeks. The treatment of CBE significantly reduced the severity of clinical dermatitis, decreased epidermal thickness, and lowered mast cell and eosinophil infiltration in skin tissue, as observed through hematoxylin eosin staining and toluidine blue staining. The results demonstrated CBE as a promising therapeutic agent for managing AD through its regulation of skin inflammation and oxidative stress, making it a potential candidate for future treatments of inflammatory skin disorders.

Background: Cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent often causes nephrotoxic side effects. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to induce pro-inflammatory responses, often leading to septic renal injury. We hypothesized that the combination of cisplatin and LPS would amplify renal injury, thereby improving a renal injury model. Therefore, we administered both agents to mice and evaluated renal injury indicators. Methods: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were injected with cisplatin (8, 10, or 12 mg/kg) and LPS (5 mg/kg) on days 1 and 4 following of each week. Mice were euthanized at specific time points to assess renal injury. Body weight, renal weight, area, and BUN levels were measured to evaluate renal damage. Additionally, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome (MT) staining were performed to assess histological changes. Results: The combination of cisplatin and LPS significantly reduced body and renal weight compared to cisplatin alone. A high dose of cisplatin (12 mg/kg) resulted in a 50% mortality, while, lower doses (8 and 10 mg/kg) showed 100% survival. Significant renal injury was observed in the 10 mg/kg cisplatin group administered for two weeks. In the 8 mg/kg cisplatin group, no changes were observed after two weeks, but renal damage appeared after four weeks. Histological evaluations in the 10 mg/kg cisplatin group administered for two weeks showed renal injury features, including tubular damage and fibrosis. Conclusions: Administering cisplatin (10 mg/kg) with LPS for two weeks or cisplatin (8 mg/kg) with LPS for four weeks resulted in a distinct renal injury, effectively establishing a renal injury mouse model.

아토피 피부염은 만성 염증을 동반한 알레르기성 질환 이며, 일반적으로 Type 2 염증 반응과 관련이 깊다고 알 려져 있다. Corchorus olitorius (C. olitorius)의 아토피 피 부염 치료 효과를 확인하기 위하여 2,4-dinitrochlorbenzene 로 아토피 피부염 모델을 유도한 BALB/c 마우스를 대상 으로 피부 염증 개선도를 육안으로 확인하였으며, 질환 관 련 IgE와 사이토카인(IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α)의 수준을 측정 하였다. 7일간의 투여기간동안 양성대조약물인 Dexamethasone 투여군의 체중은 감소하였던 반면에 모든 C. olitorius 투 여군의 체중은 꾸준히 증가하였다. 이와 같은 결과는 C. olitorius이 동물에 위해한 영향이 없었다는 것을 의미한다. C. olitorius 200 mg/kg/day 투여군의 치료 효과가 가장 뛰 어났으며, 모든 C. olitorius 투여군의 염증 관련 면역글로 불린과 사이토카인의 수준은 감소하였다. 따라서, C. olitorius 는 아토피 치료제로 충분히 활용될 수 있다고 판단된다.

We investigated the stress-induced changes in the lipid and hormonal concentrations in plasma, including cytochrome P450 (CYP)-derived oxidative stress in the liver, and the anti-stress effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) water extract in mice. Stress induction using restraint increased the levels of corticosterone (CORT), glucose, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) while decreasing in the levels of insulin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), compared with those of unstressed mice. Restraint-stress also increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plasma by 5.4-fold. Moreover, the stress resulted in a 2.8-fold higher production of C-reactive protein (CRP) than the control group. In addition, the catalytic activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in the liver microsomes were stimulated by 5.5- and 3.8-fold, respectively, and concomitant ROS formation was elevated by 4.3-fold in the liver extract, compared to the normal group. In contrast, the KRG treatment (5, 20, or 50 mg/kg/day) to stress-exposed 3 groups alleviated the increased CORT, TC, LDL-C, ROS, and CRP levels and restored the decreased insulin concentrations. The enhanced each ROS in the plasma and liver, and the CYP enzyme activities were also attenuated in KRG-treated mice in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, these results suggest that KRG ameliorates stress-induced detrimental effects on the plasma and liver of treated mice.

Hangovers, resulting from excessive alcohol intake, manifest hours after drinking, causing symptoms like thirst, headache, and fatigue. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), with acetaldehyde and reactive oxygen species contributing to toxic effects. Morning Care (MC) products were evaluated in male and female mice to assess their impact on alcohol metabolism and hangover alleviation. The study revealed that pre-administration of MC products led to a significant reduction in blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations postalcohol ingestion. This remarkable finding suggests a potential breakthrough in hangover relief. Enhanced ADH and ALDH activities were observed in blood and liver samples, indicating improved alcohol metabolism. Interestingly, gene expression levels of ADH and ALDH in the liver did not show significant differences, suggesting that MC products likely enhance enzyme activities through post-translational modifications rather than altering gene expression. These findings underscore the potential of MC products to mitigate hangover symptoms by enhancing alcohol metabolism.

The risk of inflammatory conditions caused by obesity is associated with an increased predisposition for additional pathological conditions, including cardiovascular risk factors. Adipose tissue stores energy and contributes to endocrine and immune functions that regulate homeostasis throughout the body. The effects of honokiol on vascular homeostasis in adipose tissue in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice are unclear. This study examined the protective effect of honokiol, an extract of traditional alkaloid herbs, on vascular endothelial cells in epididymal adipose tissue (EAT) and its regulatory effect on other metabolic parameters, such as the lipid droplet diameter, macrophage infiltration, and inflammation in HFDinduced obese mice. A HFD increased the density of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1)-1-positive vascular endothelial cells in EAT, which was decreased significantly by the honokiol treatment. Honokiol ameliorated the HFD-induced increase in lipid droplet diameter and increased macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue. Honokiol ameliorated the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory molecules and F4/80-positive macrophage infiltration in the adipose tissue of HFD-induced obese mice. Obese mice administered honokiol exhibited reduced mRNA expression of M1 macrophage (F4/80, TNF-, mIL-1, CD11c, and CCL2) and M2 macrophage (Arginase-1, FIZZ1, CD206, and TGF-1) markers in EAT. The vascular permeability was detected by Evans blue dye leakage in EAT of obese mice and treated mice with honokiol. These data suggest that honokiol regulates the angiogenic effects in adipose tissue and inflammation in HFDinduced obese mice.

Obesity occurs when the body consumes more energy than it requires and uses less energy, resulting in the accumulation of fat, which increases the number and size of fat cells in the body. It causes high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and joint crowding, making it difficult to fully treat. We investigated the effects of chito oligosaccharide(CHO) functional material, which suppresses fat accumulation, restores dyslipidemia values, and has no side effects.In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effects of CHO on obese mice fed a high-fat diet. The experimental groups were divided into 5 groups (n=10) of C57BL/6 mice: normal control (N), control group (C), and chito oligosaccharide low concentration (L), medium concentration (M), and high concentration (H) groups. We tested whether CHO has an effect on obesity through body weight and adipose tissue weighing, serum lipid testing, and histological examination. Experimental analysis showed that CHO reduced body weight and adipose tissue weight, improved the concentrations of TCHO, TG, HDL, and LDL, which are factors for dyslipidemia diagnosis, and decreased the diameter size of adipose tissue. These results suggest that CHO alleviates the levels of fat growth inhibition and dyslipidemia levels in obese-induced mice, and has a positive effect on obesity.

Chitin and chitosan, abundant biopolymers from shellfish, crustaceans, and fungal hyphae, have diverse applications in food, biomedical, and industrial sectors. Also, insects offer a one of the chitin and chitosan source, yet research into the biological processes of chitin and chitosan within insects remains inadequate. To investigates the safety and benefits of insect-derived chitin and chitosan, we orally administered crab-derived and insect-derived chitin and chitosan to mice and compared RNA expression. NGS derived sequences were obtained and DEG and GO analyses were performed. This study displays a chance to progress the application of edible insects.

This study investigated the effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JSA22-fermented rice drinks on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Twenty-four mice were randomly assigned; No colitis (Con), colitis with tap water (DSS-only), colitis with unfermented rice (DSS-UFR), and colitis with fermented rice (DSS-FR). After inducing colitis with 2% DSS for 5 days, they were given Tap water, UFR drink, or FR drink for an additional 6 days. The DSS-FR group had significantly lower Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores compared to the DSS-only group, but no significant difference with the DSS-UFR group. Colon length was reduced in the DSS-only group. The DSS-only group had significantly higher IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the Con group, while the DSS-FR groups showed significantly lower IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the DSS-only group. These results suggest that rice drinks fermented with Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum JSA22 ameliorate the severity of DSS-colitis, by potentially reducing proinflammatory cytokines.

Salivary gland dysfunction is a common complication of diabetes. Decreased saliva production and changes in saliva composition may cause oral diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the salivary glands results in the loss of acinar cells and decreased saliva secretion. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is the incretin hormone that regulates blood glucose level and can suppress ROS production and inflammation through its antioxidant effects. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is an enzyme that breaks down GLP-1. In this study, we evaluated the pathological role of DPP-4 and GLP-1 on salivary gland dysfunction in type 2 diabetic db/db mice. We observed reduced salivary secretion and histopathological alteration of salivary glands in the db/db mice. The increased DPP-4 and decreased GLP-1 levels in the salivary glands were also detected in the db/db mice. Furthermore, the db/db mice had increased apoptosis and oxidative injury in salivary glands. There was an accumulation of advanced glycation end products and mucus in the salivary glands of the db/db mice. In conclusion, these results showed the possible involvement of DPP-4 and GLP-1, leading to increased ROS-induced apoptosis in diabetes-related salivary gland dysfunction. DPP-4 and GLP-1 may be a pharmacological target for patients with diabetes-related salivary gland dysfunction.