Do Un Kim

Enhancement of Antioxidative Activity of Codonopsis lanceolata by Stepwise Steaming Process

In general, stepwise hot steaming process is known to be effective in improving its biological activities; however, not much employed in processing Codonopsis lanceolata due to its hardness. In this study, C. lanceolata was first pretreated with warm water at and for two hours, then steamed for 3 hours. Antioxidant activities of 70% ethanol extracts were compared with the extract from the water solvent: 41.58% vs 8.98% of DPPH radical scavenging activity in adding of steamed extract and water extract, respectively. Reducing power of steamed and fresh C. lanceolata were also measured as 1.39 and 0.71. Total poly phenolic of the steamed extract was estimated as 12.11mg/g, compared to 3.98mg/g fresh C. lanceolata. Total flavonoid contents were also obtained as 11.48mg/g, compared to 7.11mg/g of fresh C. lanceolata. In comparing phenolic acids profiles in the extract, in general higher amounts of gallic acid, trans-ferulic acid, vanillic acid were obtained possibly by easy release of active components during thermal processing, which results in better antioxidant activities than that of water extract. This findings can also be supported by result that the ethanol extract showed better activities than the water extract.

Macelignan attenuated allergic lung inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness in murine experimental asthma

AIMS Macelignan isolated from Myristica fragrans Houtt. is widely used for spice and flavoring for foods, and has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of macelignan on allergic lung inflammation with a murine model of experimental asthma. MAIN METHODS Fungal protease mixed with chicken egg ovalbumin allergen was used as a challenge to induce murine experimental asthma. To determine its effects on allergy and inflammation, macelignan was administered orally during allergen challenge, and the symptoms of allergic asthma and its underlined mechanisms were examined. KEY FINDINGS Treatment with macelignan attenuated eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness. With the administration of macelignan, interleukin-4 (IL-4) producing cells, but not interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or IL-17 producing cells, were diminished in the lungs. Additionally, activation of the T helper type 2 (Th2) cell-specific master transcription factor, GATA3 was decreased with macelignan treatment. Finally, production of IL-4 but not IFN-γ or IL-17, by CD4(+) T cells was reduced with stimulation when combined with the administration of macelignan. SIGNIFICANCE Our data show that macelignan has anti-inflammatory effects on Th2 cell-mediated allergic lung inflammation and could potentially provide a novel preventative and/or therapy for the treatment of allergic diseases.

Inhibitory Effects of Boesenbergia pandurata on Age-Related Periodontal Inflammation and Alveolar Bone Loss in Fischer 344 Rats

Periodontitis, an infective disease caused by oral pathogens and the intrinsic aging process, results in the destruction of periodontal tissues and the loss of alveolar bone. This study investigated whether Boesenbergia pandurata extract (BPE) standardized with panduratin A exerted anti-periodontitis effects, using an aging model representative of naturally occurring periodontitis. In aged rats, the oral administration of BPE (200 mg·kg-1·day-1) for 8 weeks significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of interleukin-1β, nuclear factor-kappa B, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-8 in gingival tissues (p < 0.01). In alveolar bone, histological analysis with staining and micro-computed tomography revealed the attenuation of alveolar bone resorption in the BPE-treated aged group, which led to a significant reduction in the mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells c1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and cathepsin K (p < 0.01). BPE not only increased the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers, such as alkaline phosphate, and collagen type I (COL1A1), but also increased the ratio of osteoprotegerin to RANKL. Collectively, the results strongly suggested that BPE is a natural resource for the prevention or treatment of periodontal diseases.

Oral intake of Boesenbergia pandurata extract improves skin hydration, gloss, and wrinkling: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study

Photoaging is a severe skin damage that occurs as a result of exposure to external elements, primarily ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Chronically, UV‐irradiated skin exhibits the signs of sunburn and hyperpigmentation with the destruction of connective tissues. Previously, Boesenbergia pandurata (B. pandurata) and its active compound panduratin A showed antiphotoaging activities in vitro and in vivo.

Effect of oral administration of nutmeg extract on american house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) extract-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

The effects of oral administration of nutmeg extract (NE) on atopic dermatitis (AD) were evaluated using NC/Nga mice treated with American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) extract. In this mouse model of AD, NE suppressed transepidermal water loss, erythema, and the production of serum immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)-4, and interferon-γ by auxillary lymph node cells. In addition, NE reduced epidermal thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration into the skin. In skin lesions, NE suppressed IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA expression. In the spleen, NE upregulated T-box transcription factor expressed in T cells and downregulated GATA-binding protein 3, which are involved in T helper cell differentiation. Our findings suggest that NE ameliorates AD and may be a potential nutraceutical candidate for treating AD.