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This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities of 80% methanol and water extracts from mustard leaf kimchi during different fermentation periods. The methanol extract exhibited higher TPC and TFC than the water extract. Both extracts from kimchi fermented for two months showed the highest antioxidant effects against the scavenging activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and 2,2-azino-bis diammonium salt (ABTS) radicals. Moreover, the methanol extract from kimchi fermented for two months showed the highest nitrite scavenging activity. The highest metal (Fe2+) chelating effect of the methanol extract and water extract was observed after three months and one month, respectively. Caffeic acid showed the highest increase with fermentation. These findings suggest that the antioxidant activities of kimchi depend on the fermentation period. Accordingly, this study provides basic data for improving the antioxidant activity of mustard leaf kimchi through the establishment of their fermentation period.

Long steeping process of waxy rice involved in Gangjung production is essential for obtaining good quality Gangjung, but it causes many related problems. The objective was to examine physiochemical properties of waxy rice flour and expansion properties of Gangjung manufactured using waxy rice flour treated with protease (P-flour), α-amylase (A-flour), or in combination of the two (PA-flour) over different durations. While crude protein and reducing sugar contents of P-flour and Aflour differed depending on enzyme treatment time, it was not observed for PA-flour. Gangjung made with P-flour or A-flour could show similar expansion rate to that of Gangjung made with waxy rice flour steeped under the optimal condition, however, Gangjung made with PA-flour showed lower expansion rate than of the optimal one. These findings indicate that treatment of waxy rice flour with either protease or α-amylase, but not both, could reduce the steeping time involved in Gangjung production.

We investigated the antihypertensive effects of Artemisia scoparia (AS) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The rats were fed diets containing 2% (w/w) hot water extracts of AS aerial parts for 6 weeks. The AS group had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels than the control group. The AS group also had lower angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) activity and angiotensin II content in serum compared to the control group. The AS group showed higher vascular endothelial growth factor and lower ras homolog gene family member A expression levels in kidney compared to the control group. The AS group had significantly lower levels of plasma lipid oxidation and protein carbonyls than the control group. One new and six known compounds were isolated from AS by guided purification. The new compound was determined to be 4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoyl (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl benzoate, based on its nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy data.

The present study was performed to investigate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Schizandra chinensis Baillon under different extraction conditions. Extraction yield of water extract, 70% ethanol extract, and methanol extract from S. chinensis was 17.7, 32.9, and 36.6% respectively. Total polyphenol content was 9.2-16.3 mg/g in S. chinensis extracts and was increased significantly by ethanol and methanol extraction (p < 0.05). Radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS·+ was significantly higher in ethanol and methanol extracts than in water extract (p < 0.05). Ethanol and methanol extracts from S. chinensis also showed effective superoxide dismutase-like activity compared with water extract (p < 0.05). S. chinensis water extract exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium, which was increased significantly by ethanol and methanol extraction (p < 0.05). On the other hand, inhibitory effect of S. chinensis water extract on nitric oxide production was more effective than ethanol and methanol extract.

Background Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. is a medicinal plant with physiological activities such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities and in vitro anti-diabetic activity. However, the effects of aqueous extracts from A. pilosa on insulin-resistant rats have not yet been examined. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract from A. pilosa on impaired glucose metabolism induced by a high-fat diet in rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to the following groups: normal-fat diet (NF, n = 9); high-fat diet (HF, n = 9); high-fat diet with 0.1% A. pilosa aqueous extract (HFA, n = 10). Experimental diets were administered for 16 weeks. At the end of the treatment, liver and fat tissues were isolated, and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. Results The HF group rats had a significantly higher liver weight than the NF group rats did, and increased hepatic lipid accumulation (p

Oxidative stress and inflammation are common to many pathological conditions. Defense mechanisms protect cells from oxidative stress, but can become over-activated following injury and inflammation. NF-κB and Nrf2 transcription factors regulate proinflammatory and antioxidant gene expression, respectively. Studies have shown that many natural dietary compounds regulate NF-κB and Nrf2, preventing inflammation and oxidative stress. Here, we report major compounds of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina such as rosmarinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and caffeic acid as a potential therapeutic for oxidative stress and inflammation. The major compounds exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting NO, PGE2 production, NF-κB expression and activating Nrf2 expression. In addition, we examined the effect of major compounds on MafK expression. Among the compounds, oleanolic acid significantly decreased MafK expression and MafK-mediated p65 acetylation. These findings suggest that oleanolic acid as NF-κB inhibitors can potentially be used in therapeutic applications for the treatment of oxidative stressnduced diseases. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(9): 524-529]

Interleukin-1β proteins from chicken, duck, goose, turkey, and pigeon share 77 to 99% amino acid sequence similarity among themselves, and only 31 to 35% sequence similarity is shared between avian and mammalian IL-1β. There have been no antibodies that specifically detect avian IL-1β, and the current study was conducted to develop mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against chicken IL-1β (chIL-1β) to further define its biochemical and immunological properties. In this study, 2 mouse mAb that are specific for chIL-1β were produced and characterized. Both mAb identified a 66.0 kDa recombinant chIL-1β protein expressed in Escherichia coli by Western blot analysis that corresponded to the expected molecular weight of a recombinant fusion protein containing the full-length 23.0 kDa chIL-1β protein and a 43.0 kDa maltose binding protein tag. Immunohistochemical analysis identified cells producing endogenous chIL-1β in the cecal tonsils, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen. Purified recombinant chIL-1β dose-dependently stimulated the proliferation and nitric oxide production by thymocytes, and both activities were inhibited by co-incubation with the 2 chIL-1β mAb described in this paper. These mAb will be important immune reagents for basic and applied poultry research of IL-1β in poultry.

The present investigation intends to evaluate the changes in the content of cis/trans carotene isomers as provitamin A carotenoids by steaming and roasting processes in the roots of four Korean sweet potato varieties viz. Shinzami, Younwhangmi, Chuwhangmi and Jinhongmi using a liquid chromatography with diode array detection and the negative ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometric (LC-DAD-APCI/MS) method and UV spectral pattern library created from several reference data. Except Shinzami, the content of all trans β-carotenes was found to slightly decreased or remained constant when steamed or roasted. The content of cis α-/β-carotenes was potentially increased about 2-fold or greater when raw or steamed and the content was slightly decreased while roasted. In Chuwhangmi, the content of 13-cis α-carotene and all trans α-carotenes were rapidly increased when steamed and slightly decreased when roasted. Chuwhangmi exhibited 27.2 mg/100 g DW content of all trans β-carotenes when roasted and thus, it was considered as a relatively superior cultivar.

Pathological increases in adipogenic potential with decreases in osteogenic differentiation occur in osteoporotic bone marrow cells. Previous studies have shown that bioactive materials isolated from natural products can reciprocally regulate adipogenic and osteogenic fates of bone marrow cells. In this study, we showed that Eupatorium japonicum stem extracts (EJE) suppressed lipid accumulation and inhibited the expression of adipocyte markers in multipotent C3H10T1/2 and primary bone marrow cells. Conversely, EJE stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity and induced the expression of osteoblast markers in C3H10T1/2 and primary bone marrow cells. Daily oral administration of 50 mg/kg of EJE for 6 weeks to ovariectomized rats prevented body weight increase and bone mineral density decrease. Finally, activity-guided fractionation led to the identification of coumaric acid and coumaric acid methyl ester as bioactive anti-adipogenic and pro-osteogenic components in EJE. Taken together, our data indicate a promising possibility of E. japonicum as a functional food and as a therapeutic intervention for preventing osteoporosis and bone fractures.

2} :PVOH .JO-FF 2} +POH #POH,JN 2} %POH 4JL1BSL 2} +FPOH 4PPL(P 2} )BFOH 3BO,JNDept. of Agrofood Resources, National Academy of Agricultural Science1)ABSTRACTThis study examines the changes in the physicochemical property and antioxidant activity of six types of vegetables (carrots, crown daisy, mugwort, cabbages, onions, and garlic) based on heat-treated cooking. According to the results, proximate contents (crude protein, fat, and ash) were lower in blanched samples than in untreated samples. Untreated cabbages showed the highest level of total dietary fiber content, which decreased by blanching and increased by high-temperature/high-pressure (HTHP) treatment. Noteworthy is that, in the case of soluble dietary fiber, blanched crown daisy and mugwort showed significantly high levels of 12.0 g and 7.3 g per 100 g(dry basis). There was no significant change in tocopherol content in heat-treated samples. The highest levels of total polyphenol and flavonoid content were 6.73 g and 5.51 g per 100 g, respectively, in the mugwort sample with HTHP treatment at 1300P for 2 h. The water extract of mugwort with HTHP treatment had the strongest antioxidant effect based on three bioassays (SOD, DPPH, and ABTS). These results indicate the relative correlation between the level of physiologically active content and antioxidant activity and suggest new insights into ingredients for developing functional foods.,FZ XPSET : vegetable, blanching, HTHP (High-Temperature/High-Pressure)

We evaluated preventive effects of Suaeda japonica (SJ) and Spergularia marina Griseb (SMG) on the insulin resistance in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. The 10-week old OLETF rats were fed diets containing 3% (w/w) SJ and SMG for 18 weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels in SJ and SMG groups, measured using the oral glucose tolerance test, were lower than that of the control rats. The SMG group showed significantly lower levels of insulin, glycated hemoglobin, triglyceride, and total cholesterol than the control group. In addition, these levels were relatively lower in the SJ group than those in the control rats. The SJ and SMG groups had relatively lower protein levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in adipose tissue and serine phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in skeletal muscle than the control group. These results suggest that SJ and SMG prevent insulin resistance and SMG in particular reduces blood triglyceride and total cholesterol levels.

This study investigated the estrogen-like activity of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, which has been shown to have pharmacological activities. Water extracts from A. triphylla (ATWE) could bind to estrogen receptors and displaced binding of E2 to ERα and ERβ. ATWE stimulated the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 cells in a dose dependent manner (p

This study investigated the antioxidant activities of processed Deoduck (Codonopsis lanceolata) extracts treated through high-pressure extraction and steaming with fermentation. The antioxidant activities were determined for DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity, SOD-like activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and chelating. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also measured. Among eight Deoduck extracts, the S5FDW extract had the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, 73.9 mg GAE/g and 50.9 mg QUE/g, respectively. The S5FDW extract had the highest DPPH radical-scavenging activity (27%) at a 1.0 mg/mL concentration. The ABTS radical-scavenging activity was highest for S5FDW extract (82.1%) at a 10 mg/mL concentration. The HFDE extract showed the highest SOD-like activity (29.7%) at a 1.0 mg/mL concentration. FRAP was highest in S5FDW extract (140.8 ) at a 1.0 mg/mL concentration. The DE extract showed the highest chelating (46%) at a 1.0 mg/mL concentration. The phenolic and flavonoid contents significantly correlated with the antioxidant activity of several processed Deoduck extracts and was higher in the processed Deoduck extracts compared to the raw Deoduck extracts. Therefore, processing techniques can be useful methods for making Deoduck a more potent and natural antioxidant.

BACKGROUND This study was designed to examine the potential health benefits of Allium sativum L. (garlic) stem extract (ASSE) on obesity and related disorders in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Obese mice were orally administered ASSE at doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg kg−1 body weight day−1 for 4 weeks. RESULTS Consumption of ASSE significantly suppressed body weight gain and white adipose tissue (WAT) weight regardless of daily food intake. Obese mice fed ASSE also exhibited a significant decrease in WAT cell size. The decreased level of adiponectin and increased level of leptin in obese mice reverted to near normal mice levels in ASSE-treated mice. ASSE administration significantly improved lipid parameters of the serum and liver and inhibited fat accumulation in the liver by modulating the activities of hepatic lipid-regulating enzymes in obese mice. Administration of ASSE also led to significant increases in antioxidant enzymes and suppressed glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation in hepatic tissue. CONCLUSION These results suggest that ASSE may ameliorate obesity, insulin resistance and oxidative damage in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

The effects of sensory and non-sensory factors on the liking of Korean style salad dressings and beverages among US subjects in two locations (California and Minnesota) and Korean subjects were investigated. Four types of dressing and five types of beverage samples were evaluated. Approximately, half of the subjects evaluated the samples under blind-labeled conditions while the other half evaluated the samples labeled with their corresponding names and flavor descriptions. The liking of each sample was rated and the reasons for liking and disliking each sample were surveyed. Various food attitudes were measured on the food neophobic scale, VARSEEK scale, and flavor attitude scales. Soy sauce & vinegar dressing was the most preferred sample among the US subjects, whereas sesame seed dressing was preferred as much as the soy sauce & vinegar dressing among Koreans. Cinnamon-ginger flavored beverage was preferred the most among the US subjects, whereas rice punch was preferred the most among Koreans. Sample labeling effect was relatively small compared to other factors. VARSEEK and food neophobia scale showed stronger effect on beverage than salad dressing. Preference attitudes for hot & spicy and roasted carbohydrate flavors affected the acceptance of salad dressing among consumers in California whereas preference attitude for garlic flavor affected the acceptance of dressing among consumers in Minnesota.

This study was conducted to compare the preference and satisfaction for Korean traditional foods (Jeonju Bibimbap, Daetongbap, Jeonbokjuk, Jorangiddockguk, Hobakbumbuk, Darkgalbee, Eonyang Bulgogi, Moyackgwa, Insam Jeonggwa, Maejackgwa) in foreigners and Koreans. In this study, 27 foreign and 31 Korean university students were surveyed. Statistical analysis and Mann-Whitney U test were performed using the SPSS statistical package (17.0). The major findings were as follows: 1) Foreigners had higher experience of eating Darkgalbee (84.6%), Jeonju Bibimbap (80.8%), Daetongbap (53.8%), and Jeonbokjuk (53.8%) among Korean traditional foods, whereas their eating experience of Insam Jeonggwa (3.8%), Maejackgwa (11.5%), Moyackgwa (15.4%) and Jorangiddockguk (23.1%) was lower. 2) Foreigners and Koreans both liked sweet taste, but disliked sour taste, bitter taste, garlic flavor, sesame flavor, and soy sauce flavor among the sensory characteristics of Korean traditional foods. 3) Foreigners scored their overall satisfaction of Korean traditional foods in the order of Jeonju Bibimbap (), Eonyang Bulgogi (), Daetongbap (), Darkgalbee (), and Jeonbokjuk (), whereas Koreans rated higher scores for Eonyang Bulgogi (), Darkgalbee (), Jeonju Bibimbap (), Jeonbokjuk (), and Moyackgwa ().

This study was conducted to identify the sensory profiles of gochujang dressing prepared with different formulations, and to compare hedonic responses crossculturally. Gochujang dressing samples were prepared by varying levels of gochujang and sugar. The sensory attributes of the samples were examined by 8 descriptive analysis panelists. Consumers from Korea (n=50), China (n=34), and the US (n=26) participated in the consumer test. Sourness and pungency of the samples were decreased by adding more gochujang. A significant gochujang× sugar interaction was observed for the sweetness and burning sensation. Korean consumers liked the dressing whose sugar level was increased from that of the control. There was no significant difference in Chinese and the US consumers’ liking score between the samples, but multiple factor analysis result suggested that the sample with the decreased sugar level was particularly liked by the US consumers whereas the sample with lower gochujang level was disliked by Chinese consumers.

The purpose of this study were to analyze the staple food consumption trend of Koreans using KNHANES(Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data. Nutrient intake of 38,840 participants of 1998~2008 KNHANES, over 6 year old were analyzed. For the analysis of major staple food intakes, twenty four hour recall data was used. The results were analyzed by SAS Program, as follows. Despite westernized diet, ranking in the primary energy source of food showed similar patterns. But total calory intake was reduced over the past 11 years and percentage of carbohydrate intake was increased. Relative proportions of protein and fat intake was reduced. The major carbohydrate and protein source of Koreans was rice and grains. Pork and ramen were the major fat source food. Although intake levels were different by gender, age and areas, carbohydrate of rice was primary source of energy in Korea.

A rare subpopulation of cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), may be responsible for tumor relapse and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. The development of a non-toxic, natural treatment for the elimination of CSCs is considered a strategy for cancer treatment with minimal side effects. In the present study, the potential for Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract (SQE) and its two bioactive compounds, tricin and p-coumaric acid, to exert anti-CSC effects by suppressing cancer stemness characteristics were evaluated in colon cancer cells. CD133+CD44+ cells were isolated from HT29 and HCT116 cell lines using flow-activated cell sorting (FACs). SQE treatment was found to significantly suppress the self-renewal capacity of both cell lines. SQE treatment was also associated with the down-regulation of β-catenin and phosphorylated GSK3β, while significantly enhancing cell differentiation by up-regulating CK20 expression and blocking the expression of several stem cell markers, including DLK1, Notch1, and Sox-2. In vivo, SQE supplementation suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft model by down-regulating stem cell markers and β-catenin as well as HIF-1α signaling. Compared with two bioactive compounds of SQE, SQE exhibited the most effective anti-CSC properties. Taken together, these results provide evidence that SQE inhibits colon cancer by regulating the characteristics of CSCs.

Excess accumulation of lipids and oxidative stress in the liver contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We hypothesized that Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. (PSZ) can protect against NAFLD by regulating lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in the liver. To investigate the effect of PSZ upon NAFLD, we used an established cellular model: HepG2 cells treated with oleic acid. Then, the extent of hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress was assessed and levels of inflammatory markers measured. Oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells, compared with controls, had greater lipid accumulation. PSZ decreased lipid accumulation by 63% in oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells. Additionally, PSZ decreased the target gene expression of lipogenesis such as sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase-1, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 by 1.75, 6.0, 2.32, 1.93 and 1.81 fold, respectively. In addition, Oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells elicited extensive accumulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) by 4.53 fold, whereas PSZ-treated cells decreased the expression of TNF alpha mRNA by 1.76 fold. PSZ significantly inhibited oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that PSZ has effects on steatosis in vitro and further studies are needed in vivo to verify the current observations.

Dietary patterns that are considered healthy (eg, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet and Mediterranean diet) may be more successful in reducing typical cardiovascular disease risks compared to dietary patterns considered unhealthy (eg, energy-dense diets such as the typical American diet).This study assessed the effects of a Korean diet, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), and a typical American diet on cardiometabolic risk factors, including lipid levels and blood pressure, in overweight, non-Asian individuals in the United States with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.The study was a three-period crossover, controlled-feeding study from January 2012 to May 2012. Thirty-one subjects were randomly allocated to one of six possible sequential orders for consuming the three diets for 4 weeks, each separated by a 10-day break. Data analysis included 27 subjects on the Korean diet periods and 29 in the DGA and typical American diet periods. Subjects remained weight stable.Lipid profile, blood pressure, insulin, glucose, and 24-hour urinary sodium were determined at baseline and at the end of each diet period.The additive main effects multiplicative interactions model was used to test for a subject by diet interaction. Differences among diets were determined using a mixed-models procedure (PROC MIXED) with random intercept for each subject.Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased on Korean (P0.0001 and P0.01, respectively) and DGA (P0.01 and P0.05, respectively) diets, but not on the typical American diet. Although an unfavorable outcome, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased on all three diets (Korean: P0.0001; DGA: P0.0001; typical American: P0.05). No diet had a significant effect on serum triglycerides, but a slight increase in triglycerides in the Korean and decrease in the DGA resulted in a significant difference between these two diets (P0.01). All three diets caused modest decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which reached statistical significance for DGA only (P0.05 and P0.01, respectively). No diet had significant effect on fasting insulin, whereas fasting glucose decreased significantly on the Korean (P0.01) and typical American (P0.05) diets only. Urinary sodium output decreased significantly on DGA (P0.0001).After a 4-week feeding period, Korean and DGA diet patterns resulted in positive changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of in ovo injection of Se on modulating the immune system and antioxidant responses in broiler chickens with experimental necrotic enteritis. Broiler eggs were injected at 18 d of embryo age with either 100 μL of PBS alone or sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) in PBS, providing 0 (SS0), 10 (SS10), or 20 (SS20) μg of Se/egg. At 14 d posthatch, PBS-treated and uninfected chickens were kept as the control group, whereas the remaining chickens were orally infected with 1.0 × 10(4) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria maxima (SS0, SS10, SS20). At 18 d posthatch, E. maxima-infected chickens were orally infected with 1.0 × 10(9) cfu of Clostridium perfringens. Infected control SS0 group showed significantly decreased BW compared with the uninfected control. However, SS20 group showed significantly increased BW compared with the infected control SS0 group, whereas the BW were similar among uninfected control and infected SS10 and SS20 groups. The SS10 group showed significantly lower intestinal lesions compared with the SS0 group, and oocyst production was decreased in both SS10 and SS20 groups. Serum malondialdehyde level and catalase activity were also decreased in both SS10 and SS20 groups, whereas the superoxide dismutase level was significantly lower in the SS10 group compared with the SS0 group. The SS20 group showed significantly higher levels of transcripts for IL-1β and IL-6 in intestine, and SS10 and SS20 groups had higher levels of transcripts for IL-8 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and decreased glutathione peroxidase 7 mRNA levels compared with the SS0 group. The SS10 and SS20 groups also showed increased serum antibody levels to C. perfringens α-toxin and NetB toxin compared with the SS0 group. These collective results suggest that the injection of Se into the amniotic cavity of developing eggs may be beneficial for enhancing immune and antioxidant responses in the hatched chickens exposed to the necrotic enteritis-causing pathogens.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of in ovo administration of selenium (Se) incorporated into hydrolyzed soybean protein (B-Taxim [BT]) on protection against experimental avian necrotic enteritis (NE). Broiler eggs were injected with either 100 μl of PBS alone (BT0), or 20 or 40 μg/egg of BT in PBS (BT20, BT40) at 18 days of embryogenesis. On day 14 post-hatch, the chickens were uninfected or orally infected with 1.0 × 10(4) oocysts of Eimeria maxima (E. maxima). On day 18 post-hatch, E. maxima-infected chickens were orally infected with 1.0 × 10(9) CFU of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). Compared with untreated and infected BT0 controls, BT20 and/or BT40 birds showed increased body weights, decreased fecal shedding of E. maxima oocysts, lower serum α-toxin and NetB levels, increased levels of serum antibodies against C. perfringens α-toxin and NetB toxin, decreased levels of serum malondialdehyde, reduced serum catalase and superoxide dismutase catalytic activities, and increased intestinal levels of gene transcripts encoding interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and peroxiredoxin-6, but decreased levels of transcripts for catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Interestingly, transcript levels for inducible nitric oxide synthase and paraoxonase/arylesterase 2 were decreased in the BT20 group and increased in the BT40 group, compared with BT0 controls. These results indicate that in ovo administration of broiler chickens with a Se-containing protein hydrolysate enhanced protection against experimental NE possibly by altering the expression of proinflammatory and anti-oxidant genes and their downstream pathways.

Background Recently, considerable attention has been focused on exploring the potential antioxidant properties of plant extracts or isolated products of plant origin. Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina is widely distributed in Korea, Japan, China, and Europe, and it continues to be used to treat inflammation, eye pain, headache, and dizziness. However, reports on the antioxidant activities of P. vulgaris var. lilacina are limited, particularly concerning the relationship between its phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anticancer activities of an ethanol extract from P. vulgaris var. lilacina and its fractions. Methods Dried powder of P. vulgaris var. lilacina was extracted with ethanol, and the extract was fractionated to produce the hexane fraction, butanol fraction, chloroform fraction and residual water fraction. The phenolic content was assayed using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method. Subsequently, the antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract and its fractions were analyzed employing various antioxidant assay methods including DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, SOD activity and production of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the extract and fractions were assayed for their ability to exert cytotoxic activities on various cancer cells using the MTT assay. We also investigated the expression of genes associated with apoptotic cell death by RT-PCR. Results The total phenolic contents of the ethanol extract and water fraction of P. vulgaris var. lilacina were 303.66 and 322.80 mg GAE/g dry weight (or fractions), respectively. The results showed that the ethanol extract and the water fraction of P. vulgaris var. lilacina had higher antioxidant content than other solvent fractions, similar to their total phenolic content. Anticancer activity was also tested using the HepG2, HT29, A549, MKN45 and HeLa cancer cell lines. The results clearly demonstrated that the P. vulgaris var. lilacina ethanol extract induced significant cytotoxic effects on the various cancer cell lines, and these effects were stronger than those induced by the P. vulgaris var. lilacina solvent fractions. We also investigated the expression of genes associated with apoptotic cell death. We confirmed that the P. vulgaris var. lilacina ethanol extract and water fraction significantly increased the expression of p53, Bax and Fas. Conclusions These results suggest that the ethanol extract from P. vulgaris var. lilacina and its fractions could be applied as natural sources of antioxidants and anticancer activities in food and in the pharmaceutical industry.

Tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A) is a type II transmembrane protein predominantly expressed by endothelial cells that promotes the expansion of activated T cells and regulatory T cells, modulates inflammation, and regulates the production of a wide variety of T cell cytokines. However, there have not been any mAbs which specifically detect chTL1A and define its biochemical and immunological properties. So in this study, two mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which specifically detect chicken TL1A (chTL1A) were developed and characterized. Both mAbs identified a 32 kDa Escherichia coli-derived, poly-histidine-tagged fusion protein by Western blot analysis. The mAbs identified TL1A-secreting cells in the chicken thymus, cecal tonsil, and bursa of Fabricius by immunocytochemistry, and were used to measure serum TL1A levels in normal and necrotic enteritis (NE)-afflicted chickens by antigen capture ELISA. These mAbs inhibited chTL1A-induced spleen lymphocyte proliferation, nitric oxide production by chicken macrophage cells (HD11), and blocked the cytotoxic effect of chTL1A against lymphoblastoid chicken B tumor cells (LSCC-RP9). These new mAbs that detect chTL1A will be important immune reagents for basic and applied research in poultry immunology.

Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina, a herbal medicine, has long been used in Korea for the treatment of sore throat, and to alleviate fever and accelerate wound healing. Although the therapeutic effect of P. vulgaris var. lilacina is likely associated with anti-inflammatory activity, the precise underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we sought to elucidate the possible mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity. We have investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of the various solvent fractions (hexane, butanol, chloroform and water) from the ethanol extract of P. vulgaris var. lilacina in activated macrophages. The hexane fraction exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activities, inducing inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Moreover, the hexane fraction from P. vulgaris var. lilacina significantly inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p50 and p65 subunits. These results indicate that P. vulgaris var. lilacina has an anti-inflammatory capacity in vitro, suggesting that it could be a potential source of natural anti-inflammatory agents.

Background Postmenopausal women experience estrogen deficiency-related menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flashes and mood swings) and a dramatic increase in the incidence of chronic diseases. Although estrogen-replacement therapy (ERT) can reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease and improve osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms, its side effects have limited recent use. This study investigated the estrogen-like activity of aqueous extract from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. Methods The estrogenic activity of A. pilosa was investigated by using several in vitro assays. The binding activity of A. pilosa on estrogen receptors was examined using a fluorescence polarization-based competitive binding assay. The proliferative activity of A. pilosa was also examined using MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the effect of A. pilosa on the expression of 3 estrogen-dependent genes was assessed. Results Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the 3 major peaks of A. pilosa aqueous extract were identified as apigenin-hexose, luteolin-glucuronide, and apigenin-glucuronide. The aqueous extract induced the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 cells (p A. pilosa-stimulated proliferation was blocked on adding the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,780. Moreover, A. pilosa treatment increased the mRNA expression of the estrogen-responsive genes pS2 and PR (p Conclusions These results suggest A. pilosa can be used to improve estrogen deficiency-related menopausal symptoms or to treat diseases in postmenopausal women.

The leaves and stems of the plant Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCMLS) are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which have antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue and anti-cancer effects. However, RCMLS is not included in the Korean Food Standards Codex due to the lack of safety assurance concerning RCMLS. We evaluated single and repeated oral dose toxicity of RCMLS in Sprague-Dawley rats. RCMLS did not induce any significant toxicological changes in both male and female rats at a single doses of 2500 mg/kg/day. Repeated oral dose toxicity studies showed no adverse effects in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmic examination, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathology at doses of 625, 1250, and 2500 mg/kg/day. The LD50 and LOAEL of RCMLS might be over 2500 mg/kg body weight/day and no target organs were identified. Therefore, this study revealed that single and repeated oral doses of RCMLS are safe.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although preclinical studies suggest that garlic has potential preventive effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, clinical trials and reports from systematic reviews or meta-analyses present inconsistent results. The contradiction might be attributed to variations in the manufacturing process that can markedly influence the composition of garlic products. To investigate this issue further, we performed a meta-analysis of the effects of garlic powder on CVD risk factors. MATERIALS/METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct and EMBASE through May 2014. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed on 22 trials reporting total cholesterol (TC), 17 trials reporting LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), 18 trials reporting HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), 4 trials reporting fasting blood glucose (FBG), 9 trials reporting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 10 trials reporting diastolic blood pressure (DBP). RESULTS: The overall garlic powder intake significantly reduced blood TC and LDL-C by -0.41 mmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.69, -0.12) (-15.83 mg/dL [95% CI, -26.64, -4.63]) and -0.21 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.40, -0.03) (-8.11 mg/dL [95% CI, -15.44, -1.16]), respectively. The mean difference in the reduction of FBG levels was -0.96 mmol/L (95% CI, -1.91, -0.01) (-17.30 mg/dL [95% CI, -34.41, -0.18]). Evidence for SBP and DBP reduction in the garlic supplementation group was also demonstrated by decreases of -4.34 mmHg (95% CI, -8.38, -0.29) and -2.36 mmHg (95% CI, -4.56, -0.15), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides consistent evidence that garlic powder intake reduces the CVD risk factors of TC, LDL-C, FBG and BP.