Bioactivity-Guided Fraction from Viscera of Abalone, Suppresses Cellular Basophils Activation and Anaphylaxis in Mice.

Basophils and mast cells are specialized effector cells in allergic reactions. (abalone), is valuable seafood. Abalone male viscera, which has a brownish color and has not been previously reported to show anti-allergic activities, was extracted with acetone.

Hot Water Extract of (Hack.) Makino & Shibata Abate Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Kidney Epithelial Cells.

(Hack.) Makino & Shibata or broad-leaf bamboo is famous for its richness of bioactive natural products and its uses in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antipyretic properties and preventive effects against hypertension, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The present study investigated the antioxidant activity of hot water extract (SBH) and its effects in ameliorating hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress, using an African green monkey kidney epithelial cell line (Vero).

Neuroprotective Effects of Green Tea Seed Isolated Saponin Due to the Amelioration of Tauopathy and Alleviation of Neuroinflammation: A Therapeutic Approach to Alzheimer's Disease.

Tauopathy is one of the major causes of neurodegenerative disorders and diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins by various kinases leads to the formation of PHF and NFT and eventually results in tauopathy and AD; similarly, neuroinflammation also exaggerates and accelerates neuropathy and neurodegeneration. Natural products with anti-tauopathy and anti-neuroinflammatory effects are highly recommended as safe and feasible ways of preventing and /or treating neurodegenerative diseases, including AD.

Hot Water Extract Protects Vero Cells from Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress by Regulating Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptotic Pathway and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling.

The present study discloses the identification of phenolic compounds in hot water extract (MOH) and the evaluation of its antioxidant activity on HO-induced oxidative stress in Vero cells. Upon analysis, MOH was found to contain phenolic compounds and indicated 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging with IC values of 102.52 and 122.

Sargahydroquinoic acid isolated from Sargassum serratifolium as inhibitor of cellular basophils activation and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice.

Basophils and mast cells are characteristic effector cells in allergic reactions. Sargahydorquinoic acid (SHQA), a compound isolated from Sargassum serratifolium (marine alga), possesses various biochemical properties, including potent antioxidant activities. The objective of the present study was to investigate inhibitory effects of SHQA on the activation of human basophilic KU812F cells induced by phorbol myristate acetate and A23187 (PMACI), a calcium ionophore.

Understanding the Composition, Biosynthesis, Accumulation and Transport of Flavonoids in Crops for the Promotion of Crops as Healthy Sources of Flavonoids for Human Consumption.

Flavonoids are a class of polyphenolic compounds that naturally occur in plants. Sub-groups of flavonoids include flavone, flavonol, flavanone, flavanonol, anthocyanidin, flavanol and isoflavone. The various modifications on flavonoid molecules further increase the diversity of flavonoids.

Green Tea Seed Isolated Theasaponin E1 Ameliorates AD Promoting Neurotoxic Pathogenesis by Attenuating Aβ Peptide Levels in SweAPP N2a Cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent type of dementia affecting memory, thinking and behaviour. The major hallmark of the disease is pathological neurodegeneration due to abnormal aggregation of Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides generated by β- and γ-secretases via amyloidogenic pathway. Purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of theasaponin E1 on the inhibition of Aβ producing β-, γ-secretases (BACE1, PS1 and NCT) and acetylcholinesterase and activation of the non-amyloidogenic APP processing α-secretase (ADAM10).

Supercritical CO Extraction and Identification of Ginsenosides in Russian and North Korean Ginseng by HPLC with Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Ginseng roots, C.A. Meyer, obtained from cultivated ginseng grown in the Kaesong province (North Korea) and Primorye (Russia) were extracted using the supercritical CO extraction method.

Leaf Extract Ameliorates Steatosis Induced by High-fat Diet in Rats by Increasing Lysosomal Function.

The recent discovery that the impairment of autophagic flux in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) might be a strong determining factor in steatosis suggests the potential of therapeutic control of autophagic flux with natural agents in restoring NAFLD. We investigated the potential of leaf extract (EUL) to control dyslipidemia in NAFLD. EUL supplementation (200 mg/kg) promoted recovery from high fat diet (HFD)-induced lipid dysmetabolism.

Anthocyanins from Cornus kousa ethanolic extract attenuate obesity in association with anti-angiogenic activities in 3T3-L1 cells by down-regulating adipogeneses and lipogenesis.

Cornus kousa the Korean dogwood has been traditionally used in East Asia as therapeutic traditional medicine however biological activities of Cornus kousa have not been investigated previously. The aim of the present study was to evaluate anti-obesity activities coupled with anti-angiogenic activities of anthocyanins rich fraction of ethanolic leaf extract of Cornus kousa (ELECk) in HUVECs and 3T3- L1 cells. Dried plants leaves were extracted with 70% ethanol and anthocyanin fraction (AnT Fr) was obtained by eluting the ethanolic extract through non-polar macroporous resin and further purification by HPLC.

Volatile Flavor Components of Blended Tea with Fermented Tea and Herbs.

This study was conducted to characterize the volatile components of Korean fermented tea and blended tea with Korean fermented tea and several herbs. A total of 161 volatile components in 4 samples of FT (fermented tea), BT (blended tea) 1, BT2, and BT3 were analyzed in this study. A total of 61 volatile compounds were identified in the FT sample, which contained the most abundant hydrocarbons.

Eucommia ulmoides leaf (EUL) extract enhances NO production in ox-LDL-treated human endothelial cells.

Eucommia ulmoides leaves (EULs), referred to as Du-zhong, are utilized to lower blood pressure and improve liver and kidney tone, and also have been applied to cardiovascular disease in Korea, China, and Japan. Endothelial dysfunction, which is caused by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling, is an initial step in atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of EUL aqueous extract against ox-LDL-induced eNOS uncoupling and its possible mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Enhancing the Feasibility of Microcystis aeruginosa as a Feedstock for Bioethanol Production under the Influence of Various Factors.

Microcystis aeruginosa, a freshwater microalga, is capable of producing and accumulating different types of sugars in its biomass which make it a good feedstock for bioethanol production. Present study aims to investigate the effect of different factors increasing growth rate and carbohydrates productivity of M. aeruginosa.

Detection of hepatitis A virus in seeded oyster digestive tissue by ricin A-linked magnetic separation combined with reverse transcription PCR.

Outbreaks of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections are most frequently associated with the consumption of contaminated oysters. A rapid and selective concentration method is necessary for the recovery of HAV from contaminated oysters prior to detection using PCR. In this study, ricin extracted from castor beans (Ricinus communis) was tested as an alternative to antibody used in immunomagnetic separation while concentrating HAV prior to its detection using reverse transcription PCR.

Soyasaponins Aa and Ab exert an anti-obesity effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through downregulation of PPARγ.

Saponins are a diverse group of biologically functional products in plants. Soyasaponins are usually glycosylated, which give rise to a wide diversity of structures and functions. In this study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanism of soyasaponins Aa and Ab in regulating adipocyte differentiation and expression of adipogenic marker genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Theasaponin E₁ as an effective ingredient for anti-angiogenesis and anti-obesity effects.

Theasaponin E₁ (TSE₁) has been suggested to have higher biological activity than other saponins present in tea seed. Saponins have recently been considered as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for treating cancer. We examined the anti-angiogenic and anti-obesity properties of TSE₁ contributing to anti-cancer efficacy.

Immunomodulatory effect of tea saponin in immune T-cells and T-lymphoma cells via regulation of Th1, Th2 immune response and MAPK/ERK2 signaling pathway.

The anti-cancer activity of saponins and phenolic compounds present in green tea was previously reported. However, the immunomodulatory and adjuvanticity activity of tea saponin has never been studied. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of tea saponin in T-lymphocytes and EL4 cells via regulation of cytokine response and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway.

Dichloromethane fraction of Laminaria japonica ethanolic extract inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in RAW 264.7 cells via NF-κB pathway.

Strong anti-inflammatory activity has been found in Laminaria japonica dichloromethane fraction (LDF); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory activity are not reported. Our results indicated that LDF inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2) production in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant effect of aqueous extract of Arisaema cum Bile, the Oriental Herb Medicine, in human fibroblast cells.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of Arisaema cum Bile, which is widely used as a folk medicine in Korea, were determined. Phenolic composition profile revealed that the aqueous extract is rich in sinapic acid (13.14 mg/100 g extract), catechin (9.

Characterization of alginate lyase gene using a metagenomic library constructed from the gut microflora of abalone.

A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed using a genomic DNA mixture extracted from the gut microflora of abalone. The library gave an alginate lyase positive clone (AlyDW) harboring a 31.7-kbp insert.

Phlorofucofuroeckol A inhibits the LPS-stimulated iNOS and COX-2 expressions in macrophages via inhibition of NF-κB, Akt, and p38 MAPK.

We have recently reported that phlorofucofuroeckol A isolated from the edible brown algae Ecklonia stolonifera showed potential antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in macrophage stimulated by LPS treatments. In this study, we further investigated the pharmacological characteristic of phlorofucofuroeckol A in regulations of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 through regulatory and signaling pathways using LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells.

Screening and characterization of a cellulase gene from the gut microflora of abalone using metagenomic library.

A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed using genomic DNA isolated from abalone intestine. Screening of a library of 3,840 clones revealed a 36 kb insert of a cellulase positive clone (pAMHElO). A shotgun clone library was constructed using the positive clone (pAMHElO) and further screening of 3,840 shotgun clones with an approximately 5 kb insert size using a Congo red overlay revealed only one cellulase positive clone (pAMHL9).

Control of dongchimi fermentation with chitosan deacetylated by alkali treatment to prevent over-ripening.

Antimicrobial activities of chitosan against lactic acid bacteria were studied to apply for controlling dongchimi (whole-radish juicy kimchi) fermentation to prevent over-ripening. Antimicrobial activity of chitosan against lactic acid bacteria such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum was assayed at 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L concentration in the medium. The addition of 40 mg/L of the chitosan prepared at 140 degrees C for 10 min showed strong inhibitory effect on the growth of L.

Cellulase production from Pseudoalteromonas sp. NO3 isolated from the sea squirt Halocynthia rorentzi.

Pseudoalteromonas sp. NO3 was isolated from the hemolymph of diseased sea squirts (Halocynthia rorentzi) with symptoms of soft tunic syndrome. The strain was found to produce an extracellular cellulase (CelY) that consisted of a 1,476 bp open reading frame encoding 491 amino acid residues with an approximate molecular mass of 52 kDa.

Isolation and identification of phlorotannins from Ecklonia stolonifera with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of Ecklonia stolonifera was used to determine the chemical identity of bioactive constituents, with potent antioxidant activities. The structures of the phlorotannins were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including NMR and mass spectrometry analysis. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated by free radical scavenging activities in both in vitro and cellular systems.