In Soon Choi

Antioxidant effects of fermented sea tangle (Laminaria japonica) by Lactobacillus brevis BJ20 in individuals with high level of γ-GT: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study

A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of fermented sea tangle (FST) on healthy volunteers with high levels of γ-glutamyltransferse (γ-GT). Forty-eight participants were divided into a placebo group and an FST group that received FST (1.5 g/day) for 4 weeks. Serum γ-GT, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined before and after the trial. Administering FST significantly decreased serum levels of γ-GT and MDA. Additionally, SOD and CAT activities were significantly augmented compared to those in the placebo group after 4 weeks, but no significant alteration was observed in GPx activity compared to that in the placebo group. Our findings indicate that FST enhanced the antioxidant defense system in a healthy population and may be useful as a functional food ingredient.

Moringa oleifera with promising neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth promoting potentials.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCEnMoringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) by virtue of its high nutritional as well as ethnomedical values has been gaining profound interest both in nutrition and medicinal research. The leaf of this plant is used in ayurvedic medicine to treat paralysis, nervous debility and other nerve disorders. In addition, research evidence also suggests the nootropic as well as neuroprotective roles of Moringa oleifera leaf in animal models. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf in the primary hippocampal neurons regarding its neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe primary culture of embryonic hippocampal neurons was incubated with the ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaf (MOE). After an indicated time, cultures were either stained directly with a lipophilic dye, DiO, or fixed and immunolabeled to visualize the neuronal morphology. Morphometric analyses for neurite maturation and synaptogenesis were performed using Image J software. Neuronal viability was evaluated using trypan blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase assays.nnnRESULTSnMOE promoted neurite outgrowth in a concentration-dependent manner with an optimal concentration of 30 μg/mL. As a very initial effect, MOE significantly promoted the earlier stages of neuronal differentiation. Subsequently, MOE significantly increased the number and length of dendrites, the length of axon, and the number and length of both dendrite and axonal branches, and eventually facilitated synaptogenesis. The β-carotene, one major compound of MOE, promoted neuritogensis, but the increase was not comparable with the effect of MOE. In addition, MOE supported neuronal survival by protecting neurons from naturally occurring cell death in vitro.nnnCONCLUSIONSnOur findings indicate that MOE promotes axodendritic maturation as well as provides neuroprotection suggesting a promising pharmacological importance of this nutritionally and ethnomedically important plant for the well-being of nervous system.

A brown alga Sargassum fulvellum facilitates neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis

Sargassum fulvellum (Turner) C. Agardh is an edible brown macroalgae having pharmacological importance. In previous reports, we described the screening of marine algae for their neuritogenic activity in developing hippocampal neurons and found that ethanol extract of S. fulvellum (SFE) possesses promising neurite-outgrowth-promoting activity. In this study, we evaluated whether the initial neurite promoting effect of SFE was followed on the further neuronal maturation and synapse formation. SFE exhibited dose-dependent effect on neurite maturation with an optimum concentration of 5xa0μg/mL. The initial neuronal differentiation is significantly promoted by SFE. Subsequently, compared with control culture, SFE increased the indices of axonal and dendritic developments such as the number and the length of primary processes, and branching frequencies. In addition to its effect on neurite development, SFE significantly increased the number of puncta for postsynaptic density-95, synaptic vesicle 2, and synapse (about 35%, 67%, and 125%, respectively, of control). Moreover, SFE dose-dependently protects neurons from naturally occurring death in normal culture condition. Taken together, our data demonstrate that SFE can promote neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis and support neuronal survival, suggesting the beneficial effect of this alga in nervous system.

The Edible Red Alga Porphyra yezoensis Promotes Neuronal Survival and Cytoarchitecture in Primary Hippocampal Neurons

The edible red alga Porphyra yezoensis is among the most popular marine algae and is of economic and medicinal importance. In the present study, the neurotrophic and neuroprotective activities of the ethanol extract of P. yezoensis (PYE) were investigated in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. Results revealed that PYE significantly increased neurite outgrowth at an optimal concentration of 15xa0µg/mL. PYE dose-dependently increased viable cells, significantly accelerated the rate of neuronal differentiation in cultures, promoted axodendritic arborization, and eventually induced synaptogenesis. In addition to morphological development, PYE also promoted functional maturation as indicated by the staining of live cultures with FM 1–43. Moreover, PYE increased neuronal survivability, which was attributed to reduced apoptosis and its ROS scavenging activity. Taurine, a major organic acid in PYE (2.584/100xa0mg of dry PYE) promoted neurite outgrowth in a dose-dependent manner, and this promotion was suppressed by the taurine antagonist isethionic acid. The study indicates that PYE and its active component, taurine, facilitate neuronal development and maturation and have a neuroprotective effect.

Antiosteoporotic effects of Polycan in combination with calcium lactate-gluconate in ovariectomized rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the optimum composition of Polycan (β-glucan complex) and calcium lactate-gluconate (CaLG) that exhibited the most beneficial effects in ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporotic rats. Polycan and CaLG single formulas (100 mg/kg each), and three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of three mixed formulas [polycan:CaLG (PCLG)=1:99, 5:95 and 10:90] were orally administered once a day for 84 days. The effects of the test materials were compared with those of a risedronate sodium-treated group. OVX resulted in an increase in body weight, decreased bone formation, elevated serum osteocalcin levels and urine deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratio, as well as decreased serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels, femur indices, bone mineral content, bone mineral density and failure load. However, these OVX-induced osteoporotic changes markedly decreased following the administration of the test materials. Continuous oral treatment of Polycan or CaLG single formulas and the PCLG mixed formulas preserved bone mass and strength. The PCLG 10:90 mixed formula exhibited the most favorable synergistic antiosteoporotic effects in the OVX-induced osteoporotic rats as compared with equal doses of the Polycan or CaLG single formulas.

Antimicrobial activities of stearidonic and gamma-linolenic acids from the green seaweed Enteromorpha linza against several oral pathogenic bacteria

BackgroundWe found that the edible green seaweed Enteromorpha linza displayed potent antimicrobial activity against Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. To elucidate the active component of E. linza, isolation procedures were performed.ResultsThe main active compound was isolated by polarity fractionation, Sephadex LH-20 gel chromatography, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The active compounds were eluted at isocratic 95% acetonitrile by RP-HPLC and identified as unsaturated fatty acids, stearidonic acid (SA, C18:4 n-3) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, C18:3 n-6) by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The yields of SA and GLA from dried seaweed tissue were 6.33 × 10-3% and 6.47 × 10-3%, respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentration values of SA and GLA were 39.06 μg/mL against P. intermedia and 9.76 μg/mL against P. gingivalis, respectively. SA and GLA were also active against several other oral pathogens, including Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Candida albicans, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. vincenti, and Streptococcus mutans, at micromolar concentrations.ConclusionsThese data suggest that the E. linza extracts SA and GLA are useful antimicrobial agents for the prevention and/or treatment of periodontitis.

Anti-inflammatory Activity and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil Extracted with Supercritical CO2 from the Brown Seaweed Undaria pinnatifida

Abstract Essential oil extracted with supercritical CO2 fluid from the brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida showed high anti-inflammatory activity. Optimal extraction with supercritical CO2 was observed at 45°C and 20u2005MPa. The essential oil was active against mouse ear inflammation induced by phorbol myristate acetate, with median inhibition concentration IC50 values of 87, 134, and 158u2005µg per ear for edema, erythema, and blood flow, respectively. The major component compounds were palmitic acid (26 %), 2-(9,12- octadecadienyloxy)-,(z,z)-ethanol (16 %), eicosa-5,8,11,14,17-pentaenoate (EPA; 13 %), and 5,7,11- eicosatrienoic acid (mead acid; 12 %). These findings are consistent with the claims that the seaweed U. pinnatifida can be used in remedies for inflammation-related symptoms.

Safety and Efficacy of Polycalcium for Improving Biomarkers of Bone Metabolism: A 4-Week Open-Label Clinical Study

Polycalcium is a mixture of Polycan and calcium lactate-gluconate 1:9 (w/w) with demonstrated antiosteoporosis activity in vitro and in vivo studies. These studies were a 4-week open-label, single-center trial to evaluate the efficacy of oral Polycalcium on bone metabolism and safety. In total, 30 healthy women (range 40-60 years) were administered 400 mg of Polycalcium for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy parameter was urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPYR) levels, and serum osteocalcin (OSC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), urinary cross-linked C-telopeptide of type-1 collagen (CTx), urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type-1 collagen (NTx), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) levels, which were evaluated for comparison before and after administration of Polycalcium. After 4 weeks of Polycalcium administration, 27 subjects completed the test plan. Three subjects withdrew their consent to participate. The values of blood OSC, BALP, serum Ca, and serum P from baseline to 4 weeks of treatment were changed by -28.44%, 14.37%, 6.11%, and 1.42%, respectively. Biomarkers of bone resorption: urinary DPYR, serum CTx, serum NTx, urinary Ca, and urinary P, at baseline after 4 weeks of treatment were changed by -13.40%, 6.67%, -5.13%, -22.43%, and -3.04%, respectively. Additionally, when considering the subjects adverse effects and the results of the blood and urine tests over the 4-week trial period, the dose of 400u2009 mg Polycalcium showed efficacy for improving bone metabolism and was well tolerated and safe. Polycalcium was apparently safe and efficacious.

Simple freezing and thawing protocol for long-term storage of harvested fresh Undaria pinnatifida

The development of a simple and effective long-term storage protocol for harvested fresh Undaria pinnatifida is required to increase the market for U. pinnatifida products. We investigated the quality of U. pinnatifida after the application of various freezing and thawing methods to establish an optimum storage protocol. Four freezing temperatures (−40, −30, −20, and −10xa0°C), four freezing conditions (in air without seawater and with 50, 75, and 100xa0% seawater), and four thawing times (6, 12, 18, and 24xa0h) were employed. Changes in color value, tensile strength, total bacterial count, and most probable number of coliforms were measured. The best method for preserving the overall quality of U. pinnatifida is freezing at −30xa0°C with 50xa0% seawater and thawing in running tap water for 6xa0h. During retail display, changes in color, odor, tensile strength, and bacterial count of U. pinnatifida that had been freeze-thawed under optimum conditions were also measured, and a sensory evaluation was performed. There was no significant difference compared with the control within twoxa0days at 10xa0°C. In conclusion, we developed a simple and effective long-term storage protocol that led to no significant loss of quality of fresh U. pinnatifida.

Anti-erythema and anti-edema activities of lactic acid bacteria extracts in mice

We examined the anti-inflammatory activities of 10 lactic acid bacteria extracts, obtained by lysozyme treatment. Among ferments of the 10 species, Bifidobacterium lactis showed the highest anti-erythema (73.4%) and anti-edema (67.1%) effects. When comparing the anti-inflammatory activities of fermented broth and lactic acid bacteria in fermentation broth, the anti-erythema effect (70.4%) of 37.5 μg B. lactis hydrolysate, hydrolyzed enzymatically with 2.0 mg/mL lysozyme, was superior to that of the supernatant (68.5%). The anti-edema effect (74.2%) of 50 μg B. lactis hydrolysate, hydrolyzed enzymatically with 2.0 mg/mL lysozyme, was superior to that of the supernatant (68.5%). These results suggest that B. lactis hydrolysate may be useful as a source of anti-inflammatory agents for dermal applications.