• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.372-379
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• 2022

This study investigated the effect of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) extract on improving blood triglycerides according to the extraction solvent using 3T3-L1 cells. Lemon balm was extracted with water (MOW100), 70% ethanol (MOE70), 50% ethanol (MOE50), and 30% ethanol (MOE30). To verify its efficacy on improving blood triglycerides, cell viability, lipid accumulation, triglyceride (TG) content, and expressions of protein kinase A (PKA), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), perilipin, and CGI-58 proteins were evaluated. Cytotoxicity was not evident up to an extract concentration of 1 mg/mL. Lipid accumulation and TG content were decreased in a concentration-dependent manner compared to their levels in the control group. When the MOW100 extract was applied at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL, an inhibitory effect was evident, with lipid accumulation inhibited by 21.3% and TG content reduced by 32.7%. PKA phosphorylation and ATGL HSL and CGI-58 levels were increased. The data indicate that lemon balm extract obtained using water is more efficacious than extracted with ethanol. The aqueous extract shows potential in triglyceride control through lipolysis and lowering triglyceride levels.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 2022

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the synergistic protective effects of medicinal herbal mixture (HME) including Mori Ramulus (MR), Acanthopanacis Cortex (AC), Eucommiae Cortex (EC), and Black soybean (BS) in C2C12 cells, mouse myoblasts. Methods : Effects of HME on cell viability of C2C12 myoblasts were monitored by MTT assay. Anti-atrophic activity of HME was determined in myoblasts and myotubes under oxidative stress by H₂O₂. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes in a medium containing 2% horse serum for 6 days. After that, we measured that expression of MyoD and myogenine, the myogenic regulatory factors, to identify the mechanism of inhibiting muscle atophy after HME treatment. In addition, suppression of phosphorylation of Akt, FoxO3a and MARF-1, transcription factors of degradation proteins were analyzed via western blotting. Results : As a result of MTT, HME there was no show cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 1 mg/ml. The cytoprotective effects on oxidative stressed myoblast and myotube was better in HME extract than those of MR, AC, EU, and BS, respectively. HME treatment in Myotube induced by oxidative stress after H₂O₂ treatment increased Myo D, Myogenine activation, and Akt, FoxO3a phosphorylation and decreased expression of MuRF-1. As the results, HME has synergistic effects on protection against proteolysis of C2C12 myotubes through activation of the Akt signaling pathway under oxidative stress. Conclusions : These results suggest that HME may also be useful as a preventing and treating material for skeletal muscle atrophy caused by age-related diseases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2022

In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant efficacy of camellia subcritical water extracts (SWE, 135 ~ 180 ℃, 70 bar) was compared with 70% ethanol and hot water extracts. Among these extracts, the yield (57.9%) of the subcritical water extract, which was extracted under the condition of 180 ℃ and 70 bar was the highest, which increased the extraction yield by more than two times compared to the hot water extract (28.1%). The results of the nitric oxide (NO) production inhibition activity experiment using RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed that subcritical water extracts had superior effects in inhibiting the production of NO without cytotoxicity than 70% ethanol and hot water extracts. In addition, DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity experiments showed that the radical scavenging activity of subcritical water extract was similar to that of 70% ethanol and hot water extract. Moreover, the content of gallic acid was determined by HPLC and the quantity was about 1.62 mg/g for the SWE (165 ℃, 70 bar), which was the highest among all of the extracts. Based on these results, it is concluded the SWE of C. japonica flowers could be potentially applicable as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2022

2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is the most abundant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) present in breast milk, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut and aiding in the relief of allergic and inflammatory reactions. In this study, the anti-melanogenic effects of 2'-FL, and its potential for application in whitening cosmetics, were evaluated. MTT assay was performed on MNT-1 cells, human-derived melanocytes. 2'-FL was treated and replaced at 48 h intervals for 7 days, and it was confirmed that there was no cytotoxicity at 20 g/L or less, while a 40% reduction in melanin production was also observed. Western blot analysis of TYR and TYRP1, factors involved in melanogenesis, revealed that 2'-FL treatment reduced their expression levels. In addition, 2'-FL application and observation of the autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) revealed it was converted from LC3-I to LC3-𝚷, indicating increased autophagy. Likewise, confocal microscopy revealed an increase in LC3 puncta after 2'-FL treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that 2'-FL-mediated activation of autophagy reduces melanogenesis by inhibiting the expression levels of TYR and TYRP1 proteins. In conclusion, it has been confirmed that 2'-FL induces autophagy and suppresses melanin production, so its potential as a whitening cosmetic material is expected.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.647-658
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• 2022

Particulate matter (PM) is known to be involved in the onset and progression of various diseases by promoting oxidative and inflammatory reactions as air pollutants containing various small particles that are harmful. In this study, the protective efficacy of herbal medicines was evaluated in human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs) to select natural products that can protect the eye, the primary organ directly exposed to external pollutants from PM. As a result, five candid ate herbal medicines [Cheonmundong, Asparagus Rhizome; Seokchangpo, Aciru Gramineri Rhizoma; Hwangryeon, Coptidis Rhizoma; Gamgug, Chrysanthemi Indici Flos; and Geumjanhwa (Marigold flower petals)] which showed inhibitory efficacy on PM_2.5-induced cytotoxicity, were selected from among 12 candidate herbal medicines. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of these candidate substances, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability was investigated, and it was found that the extracts of Seokchangpo, Cheonmundong and Hwangryeon showed a significant inhibitory effect on PM_2.5-induced ROS production, which was correlated with the preservation of mitochondrial activity. In addition, it was confirmed that they could block DNA damage caused by PM_2.5 through analysis of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine generation and phosphorylated-H2A histone family member X (γ- H2AX) expression. Furthermore, the increase in inflammasome activity and inflammatory response in PM_2.5-treated hCECs was also canceled in the presence of these extracts. Although additional studies are needed, the results of this study will be used as primary data to find novel natural compounds that protect hCECs from PM.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the antioxidant activities of water extracts from Hibiscus petals, Moringa oleifera gymnosperm, and Nipa fruticans wurmb. Also, the possibility of their use as a functional cosmetic material and food were searched. Methods: We extracted Hibiscus petals, M. oleifera gymnosperm, and N. fruticans wurmb with water. And then, we measured the content of total polyphenols and flavonoids and the ability to scavenging free groups of ABTS and DPPH to study the antioxidant function. The toxicity of samples evaluated by measuring cell viability. Results: The polyphenol content of the water extract of N. fruticans wurmb was 109 ㎍/mg, which was significantly higher than that of Hibiscus petals (13 ㎍/mg) and M. oleifera gymnosperm (19 ㎍/mg). Radical scavenging ability was also excellent in N. fruticans wurmb, and the cytotoxicity test results of the samples were similar. Conclusions: The water extracts showed antioxidant activity to use for cosmetic materials or natural healing foodstuff.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2022

In this study, the cell viability, radical scavenging ability, elastase activity, moisturizing activity, and antimicrobial activity of mixed fermented extract of vitamin tree fruit, acai palm fruit, mango, lemon, apricot and blueberry as an active ingredient were measured. The experiment was performed at three concentrations(0.5 / 1.5 / 2%), since cytotoxicity was not shown at these three concentrations. Based on this, a radical scavenging experiment was conducted to compare with L-ascorbic acid, a representative raw material of an antioxidant material. The results showed that the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability was 95.1 ± 0.6%, 94.3 ± 0.7%, 95.3 ± 0.6%, 95.1 ± 0.7%, 95.1 ± 0.3%, 95.5 ± 0.3%, and 95.4 ± 0.4% respectively, when the concentration of the mixed fermentation extract was 2%. As the concentration increased at the three concentrations (0.5/1.5/2%) and the content of blueberry extracts increased, sample 7 showed excellent elastase activity at a concentration of 2% to 0.9 cm, such as retinol crystal, and moisturizing activity was also found to be 71.5%, 75.6%, and 81.6%, respectively. Particularly, at the 2% concentration of the mixed fermented extract, the antibacterial activity effect on Propionibacterium was very excellent in sample 7. Therefore, it is considered that it is worth developing the mixed fermented extracts of 2% concentration as a cosmetic component with antioxidant, moisturizing, and antibacterial properties.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.574-585
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• 2022

This study was conducted to quantify chlorogenic acid content and evaluate biological activity, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive enzyme activity of Aralia elata ethanol extract (AEE). The SC₅₀ of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of AEE were 4.79±0.05 mg/mL, 5.79±0.05 mg/mL; total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents were 170.0±1.8 mgGAE/g, 105.5±4.1 mgQE/g, respectively. Nitric oxide (NO) was increased in RAW 264.7 cells and Caco-2 cells with treatment of LPS, and production of NO was inhibited by AEE in a concentration-dependent manner. Production of NO was reduced by 60.0±1.1% in RAW 264.7 cells and 50.7±2.8% in Caco-2 cells at of AEE. Similarly, the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner. Antibacterial activity increased as the dose concentration of AEE increased, and the MIC was 75 mg/mL for L. monocytogenes, and 100 mg/mL for S. typhimurium and H. pylori. In addition, amylase and protease enzyme activity was observed in AEE and increased enzyme activity was observed according to the concentration of the extract. AEE contained 7.06±0.01 mg/g of chlorogenic acid. As a result of the experiment, it is judged that it can be used as basic data for the development of health food using Aralia elata.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.408-415
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• 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate various beneficial functions of soaked and germinated Robusta coffee beans. Vietnam Robusta coffee beans were soaked in purified water or Salicornia extract for 12 h. The total polyphenol content of non-germinated coffee (NGC), Salicornia extract-germinated coffee (SGC), and water-germinated coffee (WGC) was found to be 16.71-20.17%. First, NGC, SGC, and WGC at concentrations of 25-100 ㎍/mL showed significant anti-oxidant effects on DPPH radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase activity. NGC, SGC, and WGC also inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin formation in α-MSH-induced B16F10 cells. In addition, the anti-obesity property of germinated coffees was tested by the Oil Red O staining method. NGC, SGC, and WGC inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells without cytotoxicity. Taken together, germinated Robusta coffees with enhanced flavor showed beneficial multifunctional effects, such as anti-oxidant, anti-melanogenesis, and anti-adipogenesis effects.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.266-271
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• 2021

Estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ), a member of the orphan nuclear receptor family, is a key mediator in cellular metabolic processes and energy homeostasis. Therefore, ERRγ has become an attractive target for treating diverse metabolic disorders. We recently reported that ERRγ acts as a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). In the present study, we explored the effects of an ERRγ-specific modulator, GSK5182, on ERRγ-regulated osteoclast differentiation and survival. Interestingly, GSK5182 increased ERRγ protein levels much as does GSK4716, which is an ERRγ agonist. GSK5182 inhibited osteoclast generation from bone-marrow-derived macrophages without affecting cytotoxicity. GSK5182 also attenuated RANKL-mediated expression of cFos and nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), pivotal transcription factors for osteoclastogenesis. Arrested osteoclast differentiation was associated with reduced RANK expression, but not with the M-CSF receptor, c-Fms. GSK5182 strongly blocked the phosphorylation of IκBα, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in response to RANKL. GSK5182 also suppressed NF-κB promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition to osteoclastogenesis, GSK5182 accelerated osteoclast apoptosis by caspase-3 activation. Together, these results suggest that GSK5182, a synthetic ERRγ modulator, may have potential in treating disorders related to bone resorption.