Joo-Hong Yeo

Increased OPG/RANKL ratio in the conditioned medium of soybean-treated osteoblasts suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation

Soybean is a major dietary source of isoflavones, particularly daidzein and genistein, which stimulate osteoblastic functions that are initiated by binding to estrogen receptor (ER)-α and ER-β found on osteoblasts. However, coupled with a low expression of ER-α and ER-β in osteoclasts, the inhibitory effects of soy isoflavones on osteoclast differentiation is likely mediated through paracrine factors produced by osteoblasts. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether soybean can indirectly inhibit osteoclast differentiation through the modulation of osteoclastic factors produced by osteoblasts. Treatment with soybean extracts increased the levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and decreased those of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in the conditioned medium (CM) of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Subsequently, the RANKL-induced RAW264.7 osteoclast formation was markedly inhibited by treatment with CM collected from MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts incubated with soybean extracts (S-CM). Similarly, S-CM significantly attenuated the RANKL-induced increase in the mRNA and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a potential biomarker gene of osteoclast differentiation, through the suppression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) activation. Of note, a soybean concentration of 0.001 mg/ml further increased the OPG/RANKL ratio compared to treatment with a 0.1 mg/ml soybean concentration and was overall, more effective at inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and MMP-9 expression. Taken together, our data demonstrate that treatment with soybean extracts stimulates the secretion of OPG and inhibits that of RANKL, thus inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation through the suppression of NFATc1 activation.

Polysaccharides isolated from liquid culture broth of Inonotus obliquus inhibit the invasion of human non-small cell lung carcinoma cells

Polysaccharides isolated from Inonotus obliquus (PLIO) have been known to have various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, immunostimulating and anti-tumor activity. However, the anti-metastatic effect of PLIO in human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of PLIO on the metastatic potential of human NSCLC A549 cells and its underlying mechanisms. PLIO suppressed the invasive potential of A549 cells throughout reducing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. PLIO treatment inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation in A549 cells. In addition, PLIO treatment inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK/AKT in A549 cells. These results suggest that PLIO could inhibit human NSCLC invasion via suppression of AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Bee Venom Inhibits Angiogenesis by Decreasing HIF-1α Expression in HCT116 Cells

Bee venom (BV) has been used in medicine to treat a variety of diseases including arthritis, rheumatism, and various cancers. Recent reports indicate that BV has anti-angiogenic effects, but the precise molecular mechanism underlying the effects of BV against colorectal cancer remains to be elucidated. We examined the effects of BV and its major components (melittin and apamin) on tumor angiogenesis and found that BV significantly decreased protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor- (HIF-), an important factor involved in angiogenesis and tumor progression, in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells. BV also suppressed the transcription of HIF- under hypoxia, leading to a decrease in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major target gene of HIF-. We also found that these effects were mainly elicited by apamin, but not melittin. BV specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without changing the total levels of this protein, but had no effect on kinases of p38/JNK and AKT. Our results suggest that BV may inhibit human colorectal cancer progression and angiogenesis by inhibiting HIF- and VEGF expression, thereby providing a novel potential mechanism for the anticancer action of BV.

Conditions for Formation of Synnemata from Beauveria bassiana

This study was conducted to investigate optimal conditions for formation of synnemata from Beauveria bassiana. The strain of B. bassiana was isolated from a host of Oncotympana fuscata in Halla mountain of Jeju island. The yield of synnemata was the highest at application of brown rice (90%) and silkworm pupae (10%) media. On the other hand, the other media did not result in formation of synnemata. The highest formation of synnemata was achieved at conditions of moderate air inflow and . The optimal moisture and light intensity for formation of synnemata were 60% and 300 lux, respectively. In addition, inoculation of the liquid spawn resulted in higher yield than that of asexual spore.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Three Kinds of Strawberries

The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of three kinds of strawberry ethanol extracts from Robus corchorifolius L. f. (RCL), Rubus parvifolius L. var. parvifolius (RPL), and Duchesnea chrysantha Miq. (DCM) were investigated. The RPL was highest (P<0.05) in phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activities of RPL and DCM extracts were higher than that of RCL (P<0.05). Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity of RPL was high compared to DCM and RCL (P<0.05). RCL exhibited a significant (P<0.05) potent antioxidant activity in nitric oxide radical inhibition. Inhibition diameter zone (nearest mm) of extracts against the test bacteria ranged from 11.5 in RCL to 12.5 in DCM against Staphylococcus aureus, from 10.5 in RCL to 13.5 in DCM against Streptococcus pneumoniae, from 8.5 in DCM to 10.5 in RCL against Escherichia coli, and the same inhibition of 10 mm in three of the extracts against Klebsiella pneumoniae. However, there was no inhibition against fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Three of the extracts had the same minimum inhibitory concentration values of 12.50, 12.50, and 6.25 μg/mL against S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and S. pneumoniae, respectively. On the other hand, MIC values of 12.50, 12.50, and 6.50 μg/mL were recorded for RPL, DCM, and RCL against E. coli, respectively. The result of present study revealed that extracts from three kinds of strawberries could be potential candidates as antioxidant and antimicrobial sources for functional food industries.

Radical scavenging-linked anti-adipogenic activity of Alnus firma extracts

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and anti-adipogenic effect of extracts from Alnus firma (A. firma), which is an edible plant that grows in mountainous areas. The total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin content as well as the antioxidant activity of a 70% ethanolic extract of A. firma (AFE) was assessed. Furthermore, the effects of AFE on lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells were investigated. The results revealed that the total phenolic, flavonoid and pro-anthocyanidin content of AFE as 436.26±3.30 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, 73.82±0.54 mg quercetin equivalents/g and 149.25±6.06 mg catechin equivalents/g, respectively. In addition, AFE exerted significant antioxidant effects in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothia-zoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity. As for its anti-adipogenic activity, AFE significantly inhibited ROS production and lipid accumulation during adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells compared with those in control cells. In addition, AFE regulated adipogenic transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT/enhance-binding protein α and adipocyte protein 2. These results indicated that A. firma is a potential candidate for a functional food supplement.

Protein Composition and Biological Activities of Bombus ignitus Venom

Pure Bombus ignitus venom samples were submitted to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 64 excised spots were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Three main proteins resulted in the identification have not been described in other bee venoms before. Dose-dependence against human carcinoma (Hep3B, BT-20, A549 and AGS) were observed from 1ng/ml to 100ng/ml. Expecially, the treatment of 100ng/ml B. ignitus venoms showed the highest cytotoxicity with 55% against hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B). The B. ignitus venoms showed strong antimicrobial activities against Enterococcus faecium and Shigella sonnei, and practically antimicrobial activity against the other microorganisms tested. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of E. faecium and S. sonnei, were 0.256ug/ml, respectively.