Chang-Gu Hyun

Rosmarinic acid as a downstream inhibitor of IKK-β in TNF-α-induced upregulation of CCL11 and CCR3

1 Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is known to induce the expression of CCL11 and CCR3 via the activation of NF‐κB. CCL11 (eotaxin), the C–C chemokine, is a potent chemoattractant for eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes, and CCR3 is the receptor for CCL11. 2 In order to determine the effects of rosmarinic acid on the TNF‐α‐induced upregulation of CCL11 and CCR3 in human dermal fibroblasts, we performed an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for CCL11 and a Western blot assay for CCR3. The TNF‐α‐induced expression of CCL11 and CCR3 genes was attenuated by rosmarinic acid. 3 In our NF‐κB luciferase reporter system, TNF‐α‐induced NF‐κB activation was observed to be reduced by rosmarinic acid. In accordance with this result, rosmarinic acid also inhibited TNF‐α‐induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκB‐α, as well as nuclear translocation of NF‐κB heterodimer induced by TNF‐α. This suggests that rosmarinic acid downregulates the expression of CCL11 and CCR3 via the inhibition of NF‐κB activation signaling. 4 Using the NF‐κB luciferase reporter system, Western blot analysis, and IKK‐β activity assay, we determined that rosmarinic acid inhibits IKK‐β activity in NF‐κB signaling, which upregulates the expression of CCL11 and CCR3. Additionally, TNF‐α‐induced secretion of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 molecules was found to be attenuated by rosmarinic acid. 5 Our results show that rosmarinic acid inhibits the expression of CCL11 and CCR3 by suppressing the IKK‐β activity in NF‐κB activation signaling. Further, these results suggest that rosmarinic acid might inhibit the expression of NF‐κB promoter‐related genes.

Biological Activities of Korean Citrus obovoides and Citrus natsudaidai Essential Oils against Acne-Inducing Bacteria

This study was designed to analyze the chemical composition of Citrus obovoides (Geumgamja) and Citrus natsudaidai (Cheonyahagyul) oils and to test their biological activities. These citrus essential oils were obtained by steam distillation of fruits collected from Jeju Island, Korea, and were analyzed using gas chromatograph (GC)-flame ionization detectors (FID) and GC-MS. Limonene and γ-terpinene were the major components of the two citrus species. To evaluate in vitro anti-acne activity, they were tested against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are involved in acne. The Geumgamja and Cheonyahagyul oils exhibited antibacterial activity against both P. acnes and S. epidermidis. Their effects on DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, and nitric oxide radical were also assessed. Cheonyahagyul and Geumgamja exhibited only superoxide anion radical-scavenging activity. To assess their potential usefulness in future cosmetic product applications, the cytotoxic effects of the two oils were determined by colorimetric MTT assays using two animal cell lines: normal human fibroblasts and HaCaT cells. They exhibited low cytotoxicity at 0.1 μl/ml in both cell lines. In addition, they reduced P. acnes-induced secretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in THP-1 cells, an indication of anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, based on these results, we suggest that Geumgamja and Cheonyahagyul essential oils are attractive acne-mitigating candidates for topical application.

Biosynthesis of novel daidzein derivatives using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens whole cells

Abstract Biotransformation of daidzein was performed by using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KCTC 13588, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis KCTC 3769, Leuconostoc citreum KCTC 13186, Kluyveromyces lactis var. lactis KCTC 17704, Pediococcus pentosaceus KCTC 3116, and Lactobacillus sakei KCTC 13416 cells as a biocatalyst. Four derivatives of daidzein such as daidzein-7-O-phosphate, daidzein-7-O-β-D-glucoside, daidzein-7-O-β-(6′′-O-succinyl)-D-glucoside, and 4′-Ethoxy-daidzein-7-O-β-(6′′-O-succinyl)-D-glucoside were isolated from the biotransformation reaction mixture. The structures of the molecules were elucidated by HPLC, HR-QTOF-ESI/MS and 1H-NMR analyses. Among them 4′-Ethoxy-daidzein-7-O-β-(6′′-O-succinyl)-D-glucoside derivative is novel compound and not reported elsewhere till now.