Han Ol Kwon

Effect of Hijikia fusiforme extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis in vitro and in vivo models

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The inhibitory effect of Hijikia fusiforme (HF) extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis was examined in primary cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. MATERIALS/METHODS In vitro, cell survival and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), collagen type I, collagen type II, aggrecan, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) was measured after H2O2 (800 µM, 2 hr) treatment in primary chondrocytes. In vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats, and then RH500, HFE250 and HFE500 were administered orally once a day for 28 days. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of HFE, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) expression were measured. In addition, real-time PCR was performed to measure the genetic expression of MMPs, collagen type I, collagen type II, aggrecan, and TIMPs. RESULTS In the in vitro assay, cell survival after H2O2 treatment was increased by HFE extract (20% EtOH). In addition, anabolic factors (genetic expression of collagen type I, II, and aggrecan) were increased by HFE extract (20% EtOH). However, the genetic expression of MMP-3 and 7, known as catabolic factors were significantly inhibited by treatment with HFE extract (20% EtOH). In the in vivo assay, anabolic factors (genetic expression of collagen type I, II, aggrecan, and TIMPs) were increased by oral administration of HFE extract. However, the genetic expression of MMP-3 and 7, known as catabolic factors, and production of NO and PGE2 were significantly inhibited by treatment with oral administration of HFE extract. CONCLUSIONS HFE extract inhibited articular cartilage degeneration through preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury.

Costaria costata Extract Suppresses Development of Atopic Dermatitis in chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-treated NC/Nga Mice

We investigated the potential effects of Costaria costata (CC) on atopic dermatitis (AD) development in chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice. CC is a brown alga distributed across the seas of Korea, China, and Japan. A total of 40 mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 8 mice per group: untreated Balb/c mice, AD control (0.1% w/v DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice), positive control (i.e., DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 66.6 mg/kg of body weight [b.w.] of CJLP133), DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 100 mg/kg b.w. of CCE10 (CCE10 100), and DNCB-treated mice fed a dietary supplement of 300 mg/kg b.w. of CCE10 (CCE10 300) groups. The CCE10 100 and CCE10 300 treatment groups suppressed AD development including clinical and histopathological changes and a reduction in skin hydration induced by DNCB. In addition, Th2 cytokine production in primary splenocytes, serum IgE and histamine production, and mast cell infiltration into the skin were suppressed in the CCE10 300 mice compared to the CCE10 100 mice. Our finding demonstrated an inhibitory effect of CCE10 in AD development by means of improving the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and anti-inflammatory effect in an in vivo model.

The Effects of Sinetrol-XPur on Lipolysis of Leptin-Deficient Obese Mice

This study investigated the effects of Sinetrol-XPur (polyphenolic Citrus spp. and Paullinia cupana Kunth dry extract) on lipolysis using leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice. Obese mice were treated with two different doses, 100 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) and 300 mg/kg B.W. in each AIN93G supplement, for 7 weeks. Body weight gain in obese mice treated with both low and high doses of Sinetrol-XPur was reduced compared with control obese mice. Abdominal and visceral adipose tissue weight of mice were reduced in high dose supplemented groups. Epididymal adipose tissue weight was reduced in both low and high dose supplemented groups by 18.27% and 41.05%, respectively. Phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) mRNA levels decreased upon Sinetrol supplementation in adipose tissue of ob/ob mice, whereas A kinase anchor protein 1 (AKAP1), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), and perilipin (PLIN) mRNA levels increased. These results suggest that Sinetrol-XPur supplementation partially stimulates lipolysis through reduction of PDE3B and induction of AKAP1, ATGL, and/or PLIN gene expression, resulting in reduced body and white adipose tissue weight.