Hyperlipidemia is involved in serious cardiovascular disease, however, synthetic drugs to reduce lipid contents in blood stream have been found to induce serious side effects. In the current study, we compared anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Paecilomyces japonica (PJ), Cordyceps militaris (CM) and cordycepin-rich Cordyceps militaris (CMα) in rats induced alcoholic hyperlipidemia (AIH) and oxidative stress. The experimental groups were divided in N (water), C (30% alcohol), PJ (30% alcohol + 3% PJ powder), CM (30% alcohol + 3% CM powder), CMα (30% alcohol + 3% CMα powder) and SM [30% alcohol + 0.1% silymarin (SM)]. Compared to C group, supplementation of PJ, CM, CMα and SM slightly alleviated the increased weight ratio of liver and kidney in the alcohol-treated rats. In addition, a significant or slight reduction was identified in total lipid, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels in the rats receiving PJ, CM and CMα as compared with C group. Administration of PJ, CM and CMα also blocked alcohol-induced lipid peroxidation via a decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA), and activated anti-oxidant enzyme, glutathione (GSH), in serum and various organ tissues. Overall, cordycepin-rich CMα showed highest anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemia effect under chronic alcoholic damage. Our results indicate that CMα might be useful in inhibiting the oxidation and hyperlipidemia in alcohol-induced hepatic disease possibly because of potential anti-oxidative and anti-hyperlipidemic activities of cordycepin.

We compared hepatoprotective effects between fermented rice bran (FRB) and fermented rice germ and soybean (FRS) in a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model of alcohol-induced hepatic injury (AIHI). To establish an SD rat model of AIHI, the SD rats were given 30% ethanol or water without ethanol treatment. Then, they were given 30% ethanol followed by FRB or FRS at concentrations of 15% or 30%. Our results indicate that the FRB might be more effective in lowering serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the serum and liver mitochondria, serum triglyceride levels and ALDH levels at a concentration of 15%, serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), GSH levels at a concentration of 30% and MDA levels in the liver homogenate and microsome, and hepatic triglyceride levels at both concentrations as compared with the FRS. It can therefore be concluded that FRB might also be considered as an alternative to FRS in improving the AIHI.

There is a growing interest in consumption of tropical fruits because of their higher degree of antioxidant effects. In present study, we assessed the antioxidant potential as a functional food using popular three tropical fruits, such as litchi ( Litchi chinensis Sonn.), rambutan ( Nephelium lappaceum L.) and mangosteen ( Garcinia mangostana L.). Tropical fruits were extracted in water, 70% ethanol and 70% methanol for 48 h. Then, we analyzed the antioxidant effects of tropical fruit extracts using α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and reducing power assay. The DPPH radical scavenging and TBARS activities showed the highest degree in rambutan 70% ethanol extract compared with other tropical fruit extracts, as well as total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also highly identified in rambutan 70% ethanol extract. Furthermore, DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power was higher in the EtOAc fraction and the F-2 sub-fraction of rambutan 70% ethanol extract as compared with other fractions at the same concentrations. The EtOAc fraction and the F-2 sub-fraction had a large amount of phenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant effects of rambutan extract were closely associated with phenolic compound such as (−)-epicatechin. In conclusion, our results indicate that tropical fruits containing natural antioxidants might be used as supplements for human health, but this deserves further studies.

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.METHODS:We investigated the anti-cancer effects of unfermented (SEE) and fermented silkworm larva ethanol extract (FSEE) on HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells as well as compared changes in free amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral contents. Anti-cancer activities were evaluated by SRB staining, cell cycle analysis, Annexin V staining, Hoechst staining, DNA fragmentation analysis and western blot analysis. Fatty acid, free amino acid and mineral contents of SEE and FSEE were determined by gas chromatography, amino acid analyzer and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively.RESULTS:Compared with SEE, treatment with FSEE resulted in apoptotic cell death in HepG2 cells characterized by G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, DNA fragmentation, and formation of apoptotic bodies. Furthermore, FSEE significantly up-regulated pro-apoptotic as well as down-regulated anti-apoptotic proteins in HepG2 cells. However, an equivalent concentration of SEE did not induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Moreover, fermentation process by Aspergillus kawachii resulted in enhancement of fatty acid contents in silkworm larvae, whereas amino acid and mineral contents were decreased.CONCLUSION:Collectively, this study demonstrates that silkworm larvae solid state-fermented by Aspergillus kawachii strongly potentiates caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis pathways in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating secondary metabolites.

We investigated the effect of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae fermented by Bacillus subtilis (FPb) on the orotic-acid-induced fatty livers of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. FPb was found to reduce SD-rat organ size and serum triglyceride levels. Conversely, serum lipid levels were elevated to normal levels, which helped to improve the liver. Total lipid and free fatty acid levels in the serum were lower in the group fed with FPb than in the group fed with Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (NPb) and showed an overall improvement in lipid metabolism. In a similar manner, the FPb group exhibited an HDL-cholesterol content that was similar to the normal group fed with NPb compared to the group fed only with orotic acid. On the other hand, the group administered with a high concentration of FPb exhibited intracellular toxicity. Pathological observations of liver tissue also revealed that hepatic lobular liver cells were uniformly arranged in the group fed with FPb powder, thereby improving the fatty liver. Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae fermented by Bacillus subtilis improves the non-alcoholic fatty liver and can be used as an effective health food material for enhancing liver function.

This study aimed to investigate the biological activities of aqueous extract of the edible insect Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (PB) larvae fermented by Bacillus subtilis KACC 91157. On the other hand, the soluble solids of PB increased reaching the maximum level about 5.6 °Brix after 7 days of fermentation. Protein concentration also increased during the fermentation period and the highest protein content was measured in the PB fermented for 6 days with B. subtilis. Protein content was analyzed by SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and it was observed that most of the protein bands were completely degraded after 3 days of fermentation. The phenolic and flavonoid compounds were higher in the fermented group than the non-fermented group. They showed the highest amounts during 2-3 days of fermentation. The highest reducing power and DPPH (α,α’-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity were observed in PB fermented for 3 days, and no major changes occurred during the subsequent fermentation. Similarly, fibrinolytic activity was the highest at the 3rd day of fermentation. This experiment showed that fermentation of PB for 3 days by B. subtilis is the optimum time to achieve the desired physicochemical properties and highest biological activities.

그라비올라(Annona muricata) 잎으로부터 정제수, 에탄올, 메탄올로 추출하여 수율, 총 페놀성 화합물과 이에 속하는 flavonoid 함량, 미네랄 함량을 측정하고 DPPH free radical scavenging 활성, Cu/Fe 환원력, 간 조직의 microsome 생체막의 지질과산화 억제능 및 linoleic acid를 이용한 지질과산화, ${\beta}$ -Caro...

We have previously found that mycelia culture broth of eight kinds of traditional herbal extracts fermented with Phellinus linteus (previously named as 8-HsPLCB) not only inhibited melanin and tyrosinase activity, but also reduced the contents of melanogenesis-related proteins, including tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, in 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine-stimulated B16F0 melanoma cells. For a further study, the effect of 8-HsPLCB against skin pigmentation in brown guinea pigs with ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced hyperpigmentation was investigated. 8-HsPLCB (3%) and arbutin (2%) as positive controls were applied topically twice daily for 4 weeks to the hyperpigmented areas. 8-HsPLCB showed skin-lightening effect as effective as arbutin, one of the most widely used in whitening cosmetics. Melanin index values as the degree of pigmentation showed a significant reduction week by week post 8-HsPLCB treatment and then substantially reduced by 4 weeks. The degree of depigmentation after 4 weeks of topical application with 8-HsPLCB was 32.2% as compared with before treatment (0 week). Moreover, using Fontana-Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining, 8-HsPLCB reduced melanin pigmentation in the basal layer of the epidermis and epidermal thickness changes exposed to the UV-B irradiation as compared with non-treatment and vehicle treatment. The intensity of the skin-lightening effect of 8-HsPLCB was similar to arbutin. These results suggest that the skin-lightening effect of 8-HsPLCB might be resulted from inhibition of melanin synthesis by tyrosinase in melanocytes. To conclude, 8-HsPLCB treatment showed reduction of the melanin pigment and histological changes induced by UV irradiation in brown guinea pigs.

본 연구는 유용 미생물을 이용하여 흰점박이 꽃무지 유충을 발효시킨 분말을 수용성, 에탄올, 메탄올 용매별 추출하여 항산화 등의 실험에 임하였다. 발효 균주로는 3종의 유산균 Lactobacillus plantarum JBMI F3, Lactobacillus plantarum JBMI F5, Lactobacullus gasseri Ba9, 1종의 곰팡이 Aspergillus kawachii KCCM 3...

This study aimed to identify the effects of extracts of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (A. gigas) with a Monascus purpureus strain on anti-obesity in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven dietary groups (n=8 per group), as follows:...

본 연구는 발효 참당귀를 이용한 건강 기능성 식품개발을 위해 산청, 평창 및 제천산 참당귀를 Monascus purpureus로 발효시켜 제조한 발효 참당귀의 이화학적 특성 및 생리활성을 평가하였다. 발효 참당귀의 decursin 및 decursinol angelate 함량은 발효전보다 증가한 바, 평창 참당귀(PA)군의 615.504 및 326.742 ppm이 발효 후 각각 792.610 및 429.500 ppm으로 증가되었다. 총 페놀성 화합물과 플라보노이드 및 미네랄 함량이 발효로 인해 증가하였고, DPPH를 이용한 자유라디칼 소거능 및 Fe, Cu를 이용한 환원력 비교를 통해 발효 참당귀군에서 높게 나타났으며, 이중 FPA군에서 활성이 높은 것을 확인하였다. LPS처리 RAW 264.7세포의 NO생성능과 유방암 세포(MCF-7) 및 간암 세포(Hep3B) 성장 저해능 확인 결과 발효 참당귀군에서 활성이 높게 나타났다. 이와 같이 M. purpureus 발효 산청, 평창 및 제천 참당귀를 비교한 결과 평창 참당귀에서 건강 기능성 식품으로의 활용 가치가 높을 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구는 칼슘 배합 비율에 따른 초석잠이 scopolamine 치매유도 흰쥐의 기억손상 개선효과에 대하여 연구하였다. 칼슘 배합 비율별(S, 1CS, 5CS군)로 군을 나누어 Y자 미로와 수중미로를 통한 행동실험을 실시한 결과, Y자 미로 실험에서 5CS군이 N군과 비교하였을 때 유사한 수치를 보이며 공간 인지기능을 개선시켰고, 수중미로 실험 또한 CS군의 escape latency가 감소하여 N군과 유사한 수치를 보여 기억력 및 학습능력 개선에 효과적이라는 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한 아세틸콜린 함량과 아세틸콜린에스테라제의 활성을 측정한 결과, CS군은 아세틸콜린에스테라제의 활성을 저해함으로써 뇌 조직 내 신경전달물질인 아세틸콜린의 함량을 증가시켜 뇌 신경세포 활성화 효과를 통해 인지기능 개선 효과를 유도할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. 해마를 병리조직학적으로 관찰한 결과, 앞선 결과와 유사하게 손상 정도가 심하여 많은 수의 응축된 신경세포가 관찰된 C군에 비하여 CS군은 응축된 신경세포 수가 현저하게 감소하여 신경세포 손상을 억제한 것으로 보인다. 따라서 칼슘 배합 비율에 따른 초석잠은 scopolamine 치매유도 흰쥐모델에서 기억력, 학습능력 및 인지능력 개선에 효과적으로 작용하는 천연물 유래 기능성 소재로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-amnesic effect of Stachys sieboldii MIQ. according to the mixing ratio of calcium on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment, in vivo. At the end of the adaptation period, SD rats were divided into a normal group (N), a control group (C: scopolamine), a positive control group (PC: scopolamine + tacrine), and a sample group (S: scopolamine + Stachys sieboldii MIQ., 1CS: scopolamine + low calcium-mixed Stachys sieboldii MIQ., 5CS: scopolamine + high calcium-mixed Stachys sieboldii MIQ.), and were tested with learning and memory tests. The C and CS groups were found to have a decreased scopolamine-induced memory deficit in the Y-maze and water maze tests. Brain tissue analysis showed that the CS group decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and increased acetylcholine (Ach) content, both of which are indicative of neuronal cell activity. From a light microscopy study, the nucleus of neurons in the hippocampus of the brain was more shrunken or condensed in the C group compared to the CS group. In the CS group, the damage to the neurons in the hippocampus of the brain was suppressed. These results suggest that Stachys sieboldii MIQ. according to the mixing ratio of calcium provides a significant anti-amnesic effect against scopolamine-induced cholinergic system deficits and cognitive impairment.