Bioactivity Evaluation and Phytochemical Characterization of (Thunb.) Siebold Leaf Extract.

Background: () has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, and its leaves are considered edible. While is known for its diverse biological activities, the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects of its leaves extracted using different solvents have not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods: This study examined the antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and life-prolonging effects of () leaf extract.

Antioxidant and anticancer effects of kiwi () fermented beverage using .

Kiwi fermented beverages utilizing lactic acid bacteria exhibit a decrease in sugar content, pH and increase in total acidity. The maximum CFU is observed in 20% kiwi fermented beverages containing . For the most efficient fermentation conditions, 20% kiwi fermented beverages fermented at 24 h was selected for use in subsequent experiments.

Antioxidant activity and blood alcohol concentration lowering effect of fermented fruit vinegar.

In this study, fruit fermented vinegar (HFV) was produced by the two-step fermentation of the fruit. The bioactivities before and after fermentation were compared. During the two-stage fermentation, the highest total acidity (4.

The Flavonol Isoquercitrin Promotes Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis in SK-Mel-2 Melanoma Cell via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway.

Isoquercitrin (IQ), a major flavonol present in fruit, has gained much attention in recent studies because of its superior bioavailability and physiological effects. In this study, the anti-cancer mechanism of IQ against human melanoma, particularly its effect on the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, was investigated. Treatment with IQ at 25 μM concentration effectively inhibited the proliferation of SK-MEL-2 skin cancer cells while the same concentration did not exhibit cytotoxicity against human keratinocytes HaCaT.

Solid state fermentation process with Aspergillus kawachii enhances the cancer-suppressive potential of silkworm larva in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Background: Mulberry silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) are known as the oldest resource of food and traditional medicine. Although silkworm larvae have been reported to treat various chronic diseases, the effect of fermentation by microorganisms improving the biological activities of silkworm larvae was not reported. In the present study, fermented silkworm larvae was developed via solid-state fermentation with Aspergillus kawachii and investigated its anti-cancer activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Feasibility of the Korean version of the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale in Adolescents with Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder.

Objective: This study explores the feasibility and psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS) in adolescents with Early-onset bipolar disorders.

Methods: Fifty-three participants (aged 13-18) with early-onset bipolar disorders (40 depressed and 18 euthymic, 5 patients were assessed at depressed state and reassessed after remission) were recruited. All participants were assessed using the BDRS, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Montgomery-Asperg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and the Modified Overt Aggression scale (MOAS).

Association of the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene and Clinical Features of Bipolar Disorder in Korea.

Objective: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in cell survival, differentiation, and cell death as well as in neural plasticity. Recent studies have suggested that BDNF is involved in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the genetic variations of the BDNF gene with bipolar disorder in Korea.