It is noted that Dioscorea quinqueloba is a medicinal herb that is widely used to treat cardiovascular disease and is assessed as useful to treat other various medical conditions. The immunopotentiating effects of the protein extract (DQP-1) from Dioscorea quinqueloba were thus formally investigated in vivo under incident of cold stress. In this case study, the spleen and thymus weight in mice was shown to have decreased after a measured exposure to cold stress, while the adrenal gland weight in the mice was shown to have increased. The systematic oral administration of DQP-1 significantly recovered the weight loss of the spleen and suppressed the adrenal gland hypertrophy during the association with cold stress. Additionally, the DQP-1 also restored the ascorbic acid level in the adrenal gland reduced after cold stress. The cold stress exposure lowered the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the mouse thymus as determined by the flow cytometric analysis, as well as the levels of some serum immunological cytokines(interleukin-2, interleukin-12, and interferon-γ) in the studied mice. The resulting identified weakened immunity caused by cold stress was also recovered by a treatment with DQP-1. The DQP-1 significantly suppressed the formation of serum enzymes of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, which were systematically elevated during the cold stress episode. These results indicate that DQP-1 can improve immunity in mice that are characteristically weakened under stress.

Muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in the mass of the muscle. With an increase in life expectancy and chronic illnesses, the incidence of muscle atrophy is increasing and the quality of life of patients is decreasing. Thus, reducing muscle atrophy is of high clinical and socio-economic importance. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that has been used as a traditional medicine in many countries to treat various human illnesses. It has been reported that Korean mistletoe extract (KME) has diverse biological functions including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity properties, and extension of lifespan. Especially, we have recently reported that KME improves exercise endurance in mice, indicating its beneficial roles in enhancing the capacity of skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated whether KME could activate the signaling pathway related to protein synthesis in a mouse model of muscle atrophy. Interestingly, KME efficiently activated the Akt/mTOR pathway, and Akt and mTOR are important signaling hub molecules for the acceleration of protein synthesis in muscle cells. In addition, KME also increased the activity of S6 kinase which is involved in the regulation of muscle cell size. Moreover, the ERK activity, required for transcription of ribosomal RNA for protein synthesis, was also enhanced in KME-treated mouse muscle. These data support the idea that KME increases muscle mass via increased protein synthesis. Our findings also suggest that Korean mistletoe might be a promising candidate for the development of functional foods that are beneficial for preventing muscle atrophy.

Coffee is one of the most familiar beverages to modern human adults, but its bio-physiological effect has not been clearly elucidated. It was known that more than one thousand chemicals were included in the ordinary coffee extract. Among them, the caffein and chlorogenic acid (caffeoylquinic acids) are most abundant and have been investigated by many authors so far. In order to know the real cellular effect of whole coffee extract elements, the dialyzed coffee extract (DCE)1) was made to get coffee elements less than 1000 Da molecular weight, which are freely absorable through gastrointestinal tract. It was directly treated in the culture of RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage lineage. RAW 264.7 cells were treated with DCE equivalent to 2.5 cups of coffee (DCE-2.5), DCE-5, and DCE-10 for 12 hours, and their protein extracts were examined by histological observation and immunoprecipitation high performance liquid chromatography (IP-HPLC). RAW 264.7 cells differently expressed the proliferation-related proteins depending on the dose of DCE. DCE-2.5 and DCE-5 enhanced the cellular growth of RAW 264.7 cells by increasing the expression of β-actin, PCNA, Ki-67, MPM2, MAX, cMyc, E2F-1, and Rb-1, and by decreasing the expression of MAD and p21. These proliferation-related proteins were rarely affected by DCE-10. DCE-2.5 and DCE-5 induced the cellular proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells by the signaling of E2F-1 and cMyc, respectively, but these cellular effects almost disappeared in DCE-10. Therefore, it was presumed that the low dose of coffee, DCE-2.5 and DCE-5 might be effective for the proliferation of murine macrophages, RAW264.7 cells, contrast to the high dose of coffee, DCE-10. It was also suggested that the low dose of DCE-2.5 and DCE-5 be helpful to increase the innate immunity in vivo by increasing the cell number of macrophages in contrast to the high dose of DCE-10.

쌀단백질을 이용한 고부가가치 천연 조미소재를 개발하기 위하여 쌀단백질을 프로테아제로 효소분해한 배지에서 Saccharomyces cerevisiae를 배양하여 제조한 효모 추출물(Yx)에, 효소분해 후 남은 쌀단백질 잔사를 Bacillus licheniformis 혹은 Bacillus subtilis로 발효하여 얻은 발효물(Rfl, Rfs)을 각각 첨가하였다. 쌀단백질 잔사의 발효물이 첨가된 효모추출물(YxRfl, YxRfs)의 전체적 선호도는 첨가전의 효모추출물(Yx)에 비하여 높았으며, 특히 쌀단백질 발효물의 보충에 의해서 감칠맛과 같은 풍미가 증가함을 미각센서 분석 및 관능검사에 의해서 확인할 수 있었다. 쌀단백질 잔사발효물에 의한 감칠맛의 상승은 감칠맛을 내는 아미노산 이 외에도 쌀단백질의 발효에 따라 유리된 다양한 펩타이드 분획의 영향이 있었을 것으로 예상된다. 이와 같이 감칠맛 아미노산 및 펩타이드가 함유된 쌀단백질 발효물이 보충된 효모추출물은 감칠맛과 풍미의 상승작용으로 전체적인 기호도가 높아짐에 따라 고부가가치 천연조미소재의 제조에 응용될 수 있을 것으로 기대되었다.

쌀단백질을 효소분해하여 제조한 배양액으로 천연조미소재로 사용할 효모추출물을 제조하기 위한 최적 공정조건을 조사하였다. 쌀단백질(5%, w/w)을 단백분해효소인 Delvolase®로 효소분해한 상등분획에 3%(w/w) 수준으로 포도당을 첨가한 배지 조건이 가장 적절하였으며 이 조건에서 2.3 g/L의 효모를 회수하였다. 회수한 효모에는 RNA가 188.1 mg/g수준으로 함유되어 있었으며 GMP 및 IMP는 각각 650.33±48 μg/g, 69±21 μg/g 함유되어 있었다. 이와 같은 효모추출물에 효모배양액의 제조 후 남은 쌀단백질 잔사의 효소분해물(Rrh)을 혼합하면 감칠맛이 상승하였는데 미각센서 분석기로 측정한 결과 효모추출물의 감칠맛이 4.88에서 Rrh의 첨가 후에는 9.25로 증가하였으며 관능검사에서도 감칠맛의 증가를 확인할 수 있었다. 이와 같이 효모추출물에 쌀단백질 잔사의 효소분해물이 추가되면 효소분해 과정 중 생성된 다양한 맛 성분으로 인해 감칠맛이 상승되어 전체적인 기호도가 높아지므로 천연조미소재로서의 활용이 가능함을 알 수 있었다.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of 70% EtOH extract from Hippophae Rhamnoides L. leaves (HRL) on the anti-obesity effect in 3T3-L1 cells. The effects of HRL on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells were examined using Oil Red O staining. In addition, we examined the gene expression levels by using RT-PCR and western blot. The results of this analysis showed that 100 ㎍/㎖ HRL significantly increased the inhibition of lipid accumulation by 82.25%; significantly decreased the mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins α (C/EBPα), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in 3T3-L1 cells as well as the stimulated protein expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); and suppressed the expression level of PPARγ. These results suggest that HRL can prevent adipogenesis through activation of AMPKα and inhibition of adipogenesis transcription factors.

The present study investigated an ethanol extract (SSB) of a mixture of three medicinal plants of Vitisamurensis, Aralia cordata, and Glycyrrhizae radix for possible neuroprotective effects on neurotoxicity induced byAmyloid β protein (Aβ) (25-35) in cultured rat cortical neurons and antidementia activity in mice. Exposure of cultured cor-tical neurons to 15μM Aβ (25-35) for 36h induced neuronal apoptotic death. At 1-30㎍/㎖, SSB inhibited neuronal death,elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²+]i), and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Aβ(25-35) in cultured cortical neurons. Memory impairment and increase of acetylcholinesterase activity induced by intra-cerebroventricular injection of mice with 16nmol Aβ (25-35) was inhibited by chronic treatment with SSB (25, 50 and100㎎/㎏, p.o., for 8 days). From these results, it is suggested that antidementia effect of SSB is due to its neuroprotectiveeffect against Aβ (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity and that SSB may have a therapeutic role in preventing the progression ofAlzheimer’s disease.

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of immersion in Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract (RVSE) on the total reducing ability (TRA), protein oxidation and myoglobin oxidation of beef steak (Hanwoo longissimus muscle) stored with high oxygen-modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) (HOMAP, 75% O2+20% CO2+5% N2) and low oxygen-MAP (LOMAP, 0% O2+20% CO2+80% N2) at 4℃ for nine days. RVSE induced TRA (p<0.05), metmyoglobin (MetMb) formation, and the CIE Ho value but reduced the carbonyl content and R630-R580, as an index of the intensity of redness by oxymyoglobin, and the CIE L*, a*, and C* values. HOMAP maintained a lower TRA, MetMb concentration, and CIE H° value but had higher R630-R580 and CIE L*, a*, and C* values compared to LOMAP. Therefore, RVSE induced TRA and protein oxidation stability but reduced myoglobin stability in Hanwoo beef steak. In addition, the effects of HOMAP were opposite those of RVSE.

명아주과(Chenopodiaceae) 식물인 함초(Salicornia herbacea L., SH) 추출물이 단백질 합성과 항독효과에 미치는 영향을 배양 C6 glioma 세포를 재료로 조사하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 본 연구에서 CdCl2는 배양 C6 glioma 세포에 처리한 농도에 비례하여 세포생존율을 유의하게 감소시켰으며, 이 때 중간독성값(midcytotoxicity value, MCV)은 50μM에서 나타나 고독성인 것으로 나타났다. 광학현미경적 관찰에 있어서, CdCl2의 처리군에서는 세포수와 세포돌기가 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 감소된 반면, FSH 추출물 전처리에서는 CdCl2의 처리군에 비하여 현저한 세포수와 세포돌기의 증가를 나타냈다. 한편, acetaldehyde(ACE)는 배양 C6 glioma에 세포독성을 나타냈다. 단백질 합성에 대한 냉동 함초(freezed-SH, FSH) 추출물은 CdCl2로 감소된 단백질 합성을 유의하게 증가시켰으며, 또한 항독효과에 있어서도 ACE의 독성에 의하여 감소된 세포생존율을 유의하게 증가시킴으로서 ACE에 대한 항독효과를 나타냈다. 이에 비하여, 냉풍 함초(cold-SH, CSH) 추출물은 단백질 합성에 있어서 FSH 추출물 처럼 CdCl2의 처리군에 비하여 유의한 증가를 보였으나 항독효과에 대해서는 아무런 영향을 나타내지 않았다. 이상의 결과로부터 함초 추출물은 단백질 합성능과 항독효과를 나타냄으로서 건강증진을 위한 소재로서의 활용가능성이 클 것으로 생각된다.

Liriope platyphylla has been though as an useful medical plant to improve the cough, sputum, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, and diabetes in Korea and China from old times. In order to investigate the effects of Liriope platyphylla on expression and secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF), the mRNA expression and protein secretion were detected in the neuronal cell (B35) and neuroglial cell (C6) cultured with three differences concentration (5%, 10%, 15%) of Liriope platyphylla. In MTT assay and FACS anslysis, the some death of some B35 and C6 cells were observed in 15% extract-treated group, while other groups did not induce the death. Also, the mRNA expression of NGF were significantly increased in 5% and 10% extracts treated-group. Furthermore, the NGF protein concentration in supernatant collected from cultured cells showed the very similar pattern with mRNA expression. In order to verify the activity of secreted NGF, the culture supernatant collected from B35 and C6 cells cultured with Liriope platyphylla extracts for 24 hrs were treated into undifferentiated PC12 cells, and the differentiation level of PC12 cell were also observed with microscopes. The differentiation level of PC12 cell were significantly increased depend on the dose of extract. Therefore, these results suggested that the water extracts of Liriope platyphylla may contribute the regulation of NGF expression and secretion in the neuronal cell and be considered as an excellent candidate for a neurodegenerative disease-therapeutic drug.

The present study investigated an ethanol extract (HS0608) of a mixture of three medicinal plants of Curcumalongae radix, Phellinus linteus, and Scutellariae radix for possible neuroprotective effects on neurotoxicity induced by amyloid βprotein (Aβ) (25-35) in cultured rat cortical neurons and antidementia activity in mice. Exposure of cultured cortical neurons to10µM Aβ (25-35) for 36h induced neuronal apoptotic death. At 1-50㎍/㎖, HS0608 inhibited neuronal death, elevation of intra-cellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Aβ (25-35) in primary cul-tures of rat cortical neurons. Memory loss induced by intracerebroventricular injection of ICR mice with 15 nmol Aβ (25-35) wasinhibited by chronic treatment with HS0608 (25, 50 and 100㎎/㎏, p.o. for 7 days) as measured by a passive avoidance test. Fromthese results, we suggest that the antidementia effect of HS0608 is due to its neuroprotective effect against Aβ (25-35)-inducedneurotoxicity and that HS0608 may have a therapeutic role in preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Moutan cortex, the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (Paeoniaceae), has pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, analgesic and antioxidant activities. We investigated a methanol extract of Moutan cortex for neuroprotective effects on neurotoxicity induced by amyloid β protein (Aβ) (25-35) in cultured rat cortical neurons. Exposure of cultured cortical neurons to 10 μM Aβ (25-35) for 24 h induced neuronal apoptotic death. Moutan cortex inhibited 10 μM Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell death at 30 and 50 μg/ml, which was measured by a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Hoechst 33342 staining. Moutan cortex inhibited 10 μM Aβ (25-35)-induced elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which were measured by fluorescent dyes. Moutan cortex also inhibited glutamate release into medium induced by 10 μM Aβ (25-35), which was measured by HPLC. These results suggest that Moutan cortex prevents Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell damage by interfering with the increase of [Ca2+]i, and then inhibiting glutamate release and ROS generation. Moutan cortex may have a therapeutic role in preventing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Caulis Bambusae in Taenia is widely used in Korea and China due to its various pharmacological activity. The present study aims to investigate the effect of the methanol extract of Caulis Bambusae in Taenia (CB) from Phyllostachys nigra Munro var. henonis Stapf (Gramineae) on amyloid β protein (25-35) (Aβ (25-35)), a synthetic 25-35 amyloid peptide, -induced neurotoxicity using cultured rat cortical neurons. CB, over a concentration range of 10-50μg/μl, inhibited the Aβ (25-35) (10 μM)-induced neuronal cell death, as assessed by a 3-[4,5-dimethyIthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the number of apoptotic nuclei, evidenced by Hoechst 33342 staining. CB (50 μg/μl) inhibited glutamate release into medium induced by 10 μM Aβ, (25-35) which was measured by HPLC. Pretreatment of CB (50 μg/μl) inhibited 10μM Aβ (25-35)-induced elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c), which was measured by a fluorescent dye, fluo-4 AM, and generation of reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that CB prevents Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal ell damage in vitro.