Cha-Kwon Chung

Production of modified starches by gamma irradiation

As a new processing method for the production of modified starch, gamma irradiation and four kinds of inorganic peroxides were applied to commercial corn starch. The addition of inorganic peroxides without gamma irradiation or gamma irradiation without the addition of inorganic peroxides effectively decreased initial viscosity, but did not sufficiently keep viscosity stable. The combination of adding ammonium persulfate (APS) and gamma irradiation showed the lowest initial viscosity and the best stability out of the tested four kinds of inorganic peroxides. Among the tested mixing methods of APS, soaking was found to be more effective than dry blending or spraying. Therefore, the production of modified starch with low viscosity as well as with sufficient viscosity stability became feasible by the control of gamma irradiation dose levels and the amount of added APS to starch.

Effects of gamma irradiation on physiological effectiveness of Korean medicinal herbs

Effects of gamma irradiation on the physiological effectiveness of Korean medicinal herbs were investigated. The physiological effectiveness including antioxidant and anticomplement function, nitrite scavenging and electron donating ability of Korean medicinal herbs by gamma irradiation at 10 kGy did not differ from that of the nonirradiated control.

Antimutagenic effects of subfractions of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) extract

Inonotus obliquus is a mushroom commonly known as Chaga that is widely used in folk medicine in Siberia, North America, and North Europe. Here, we evaluated the antimutagenic and antioxidant capacities of subfractions of Inonotus obliquus extract. The ethyl acetate extract was separated by vacuum chromatography into three fractions, and the fraction bearing the highest antimutagenic activity was subsequently separated into four fractions by reversed phase (ODS-C18) column chromatography. The most antimutagenic fraction was then separated into two subfractions (subfractions 1 and 2) by normal phase silica gel column chromatography. Ames test analysis revealed that the subfractions were not mutagenic. At 50 μg/plate, subfractions 1 and 2 strongly inhibited the mutagenesis induced in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 by the directly acting mutagen MNNG (0.4 μg/plate) by 80.0% and 77.3%, respectively. They also inhibited 0.15 μg/plate 4NQO-induced mutagenesis in TA98 and TA100 by 52.6-62.0%. The mutagenesis in TA98 induced by the indirectly acting mutagens Trp-P-1 (0.15 μg/plate) and B(α)P (10 μg/plate) was reduced by 47.0-68.2% by the subfractions, while the mutagenesis in TA100 by Trp-P-1 and B(α)P was reduced by 70.5-87.2%. Subfraction 1 was more inhibitory than subfraction 2 with regard to the mutagenic effects of 4NQO, Trp-P-1, and B(α)P. Subfractions 1 and 2 also had a strong antioxidant activity against DPPH radicals and were identified by MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analyses as 3β-hydroxy-lanosta-8, 24-dien-21-al and inotodiol, respectively. Thus, we show that the 3beta-hydroxy-lanosta-8, 24-dien-21-al and inotodiol components of Inonotus obliquus bear antimutagenic and antioxidative activities.

Anticancer activity of subfractions containing pure compounds of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) extract in human cancer cells and in Balbc/c mice bearing Sarcoma-180 cells

The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been used in folk medicine to treat cancers. However, limited information exists on the underlying anticancer effects of the major component of I. obliquus in vivo. We hypothesize that the pure compounds (3β-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24-dien-21-al, inotodiol and lanosterol, respectively) separated from I. obliquus would inhibit tumor growth in Balbc/c mice bearing Sarcoma-180 cells (S-180) in vivo and growth of human carcinoma cells in vitro. To test this hypothesis, the growth inhibition of each subfraction isolated from I. obliquus on human carcinoma cell lines (lung carcinoma A-549 cells, stomach adenocarcinoma AGS cells, breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells, and cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells) was tested in vitro. Then, after S-180 implantation, the mice were fed a normal chow supplemented with 0, 0.1 or 0.2 mg of subfraction 1, 2 or 3 per mouse per day. All of the subfractions isolated from I. obliquus showed significant cytotoxic activity against the selected cancer cell lines in vitro. Subfraction 1 was more active than subfraction 2 and subfraction 3 against the A549, AGS and MCF-7 cancer cell lines in vitro. In in vivo results, subfraction 1 isolated from I. obliquus at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/mouse per day significantly decreased tumor volume by 23.96% and 33.71%, respectively, as compared with the control. Subfractions 2 and 3 also significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing S-180 as compared with the control mouse tumor. Subfraction 1 isolated from I. obliquus showed greater inhibition of tumor growth than subfractions 2 and 3, which agrees well with the in vitro results. The results suggest that I. obliquus and its compounds in these subfractions isolated from I. obliquus could be used as natural anticancer ingredients in the food and/or pharmaceutical industry.

The nitric oxide-producing activities of Scutellaria baicalensis.

Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) has antibacterial and antiviral activities. Nitric oxide (NO) as a potent macrophage-derived effector molecule against a variety of bacteria, viruses and tumors has received increasing attention. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of SB on the production of NO. Stimulation of mouse peritoneal macrophages with SB after the treatment of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) resulted in the increased NO production. SB had no effect on NO production by itself. When SB was used in combination with rIFN-gamma, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal effect of SB on NO production was shown 6 h after treatment with rIFN-gamma. NO production by SB was inhibited by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine. The increased production of NO from rIFN-(gamma) plus SB-stimulated cells was decreased by the treatment of protein kinase C inhibitor such as staurosporin. In addition, synergy between rIFN-gamma and SB was mainly dependent on SB-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion. All the preparations of SB were endotoxin free. These results suggest that the capacity of SB to increase NO production from rIFN-gamma-primed mouse peritoneal macrophages is the result of SB-induced TNF-gamma secretion.

Inhibition of the induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase in murine brain microglial cells by sodium salicylate.

The induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been proposed to play a role in a variety of inflammatory diseases. Sodium salicylate (NaSal) is the most commonly used anti‐inflammatory agent. We investigated whether NaSal can diminish the induction of iNOS in murine brain microglial cells. In primary cultures, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) separately did not stimulate nitric oxide (NO) production, whereas IFN‐γ combined with LPS synergistically induced iNOS. NaSal inhibited both the production of NO and expression of iNOS in microglial cells. Synergy between IFN‐γ and LPS was mainly dependent on tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) secretion as the increase of the induction of the iNOS by IFN‐γ plus LPS was associated with the increase of TNF‐α secretion and IFN‐γ plus LPS‐induced TNF‐α secretion by microglial cells was decreased by the treatment with NaSal. These results suggest a possible use of NaSal in managing inflammation of the central nervous system through inhibition of the iNOS induction.

Comparative effects of gamma irradiation and ozone treatment on hygienic quality of Korean red ginseng powder

Abstract For the purpose of improving hygienic quality of Korean red ginseng powder, the comparative effects of gamma irradiation and ozone treatment on the microbial and physicochemical properties were investigated. Gamma irradiation at 7.5 kGy resulted in sterilization of total aerobic bacteria, molds and coliforms below detective levels, while ozone treatment for 8 hours up to 18 ppm did not sufficiently eliminate the microorganisms of the red ginseng powder. Physicochemical properties including compositions of the red ginseng saponin (ginsenosides) and fatty acids, pH and hydrogen doanting activity were not significantly changed by gamma irradiation, whereas, ozone treatment caused significant changes in fatty acid compositions, TBA value, pH, acidity and hydrogen donating activity. The results from this study led us to conclude that gamma irradiation was more effective than ozone treatment both for the improvement of hygienic quality and for the maintenance of physicochemical quality of red ginseng powder.

The therapeutic efficacy of α-pinene in an experimental mouse model of allergic rhinitis.

In the present study, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of α-pinene (α-PN) in the ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized allergic rhinitis (AR) model were investigated. Our results showed that pretreatment with α-PN caused a decrease in clinical symptoms, including a decrease in the number of nasal, eye, and ear rubs, and spleen weight in the OVA-sensitized mice. The level of interleukin (IL)-4 was decreased on the spleen tissue of α-PN treated mice. Pretreatment with α-PN significantly decreased levels of nasal immunoglobulin E. Protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 were decreased by the administration of α-PN in the nasal mucosa of the OVA-sensitized mice. The increased numbers of eosinophils and mast cells infiltrating the nasal mucosal tissue of mice with AR were decreased following oral administration of α-PN. Post-treatment with α-PN 1h after OVA challenge also resulted in a significant reduction of clinical symptoms and IgE levels. In addition, the expression and phosphorylation of receptor-interacting protein 2 (RIP2) and IκB kinase (IKK)-β and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and caspase-1 were all increased in the activated human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells, however, increased activations of RIP2, IKK-β, NF-κB, and caspase-1 were inhibited by treatment with α-PN. Taken together, we suggest that α-PN is a promising anti-allergic agent and may be useful in the clinical management of AR.

Activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase by Taraxacum officinale in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of Taraxacum officinale (TO) on the production of nitric oxide (NO). Stimulation of mouse peritoneal macrophages with TO after the treatment of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) resulted in increased NO synthesis. TO had no effect on NO synthesis by itself. When TO was used in combination with rIFN-gamma, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal effect of TO on NO synthesis was shown 6 h after treatment with rIFN-gamma. This increase in NO synthesis was manifested as an increased amount of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein. NO production was inhibited by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine. The increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus TO-stimulated cells was decreased by treatment with a protein kinase C inhibitor such as staurosporin. In addition, synergy between rIFN-gamma and TO was mainly dependent on TO-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion. All the preparations of TO were endotoxin free. These results suggest that the capacity of TO to increase NO production from rIFN-gamma-primed mouse peritoneal macrophages is the result of TO-induced TNF-alpha secretion.

Artemisia capillaris and Paecilomyces japonica Stimulate Lipid Metabolism and Reduce Hepatotoxicity Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats

The aim of this study was to identify the inhibitory effect of hepatic toxicity and liver lipid metabolism after the administration of Artemisia capillaris and Paecilomyces japonica. SD rats were divided into CCl4 treated group with subgroups of 6% Artemisia capillaries (6A), 4% Artemisia capillaris+2% Paecilomyces japonica (4A2P), 3% Artemisia capillaris+3% Paecilomyces japonica (3A3P), 2% Artemisia capillaris+4% Paecilomyces japonica (2A4P) and 6% Paecilomyces japonica (6P). In this study we also intended to verify the optimum ratio of Artemisia capillaris and Paecilomyces japonica which can reduce hepatotoxicity. Artemisia capillaris and Paecilomyces japonica reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels which were increased by the treatment of CCl4. HDL-cholesterol level was the most enhanced in the group of 4A2P. On the other hand, athrogenic index (AI) was reduced statistically (p<0.05). When the ratio of Artemisia capillaris and Paecilomyces japonica was 2:1, the improvement of rat serum and liver lipid metabolism and the alleviation of hepatic damage induced by CCl4 were shown to be the most effective in this study. It is considered that the symptoms of severe chemically induced hepatotoxicity could be lessened by Artemisia capillaris and Paecilomyces japonica administration.