Mi Ja Lee

Suppression of Akt-HIF-1α signaling axis by diacetyl atractylodiol inhibits hypoxia-induced angiogenesis.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a key regulator associated with tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. HIF-1α regulation under hypoxia has been highlighted as a promising therapeutic target in angiogenesis-related diseases. Here, we demonstrate that diacetyl atractylodiol (DAA) from Atractylodes japonica (A. japonica) is a potent HIF-1α inhibitor that inhibits the Akt signaling pathway. DAA dose-dependently inhibited hypoxia-induced HIF-1α and downregulated Akt signaling without affecting the stability of HIF-1α protein. Furthermore, DAA prevented hypoxia-mediated angiogenesis based on in vitro tube formation and in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. Therefore, DAA might be useful for treatment of hypoxia-related tumorigenesis, including angiogenesis. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(9): 508-513]

Physicochemical and in vitro binding properties of barley β-glucan treated with hydrogen peroxide

This study investigated the changes in content, purity, physical properties, and in vitro binding properties of barley β-glucan by oxidation treatment. Barleys (Hordeum vulgare) were oxidized, using different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0.2-1.0% H2O2). The total and soluble β-glucan contents ranged from 8.41% and 4.81% in the control to 9.48% and 6.45% in the 0.6% H2O2 treatment. With increasing H2O2 concentration, the purity of β-glucan increased from 35% to 70%, whereas molecular weight (MW), viscosity, and water-binding capacities decreased to 2.0 × 10(4)Da, 3.9 cP, and 4.45 g water/g β-glucan, respectively. Oil binding capacities ranged from 8.29 g of oil/g in non-oxidized β-glucan to 9.42 g of oil/g in β-glucan oxidized with 0.6% H2O2. The MW, viscosity, and binding capacities of waxy barley β-glucan were higher than those of non-waxy barley β-glucan. Oxidation by hydrogen peroxide improved the physical properties and in vitro binding capacity of barley β-glucan.

Barley Seedling Extracts Inhibit RANKL-Induced Differentiation, Fusion, and Maturation of Osteoclasts in the Early-to-Late Stages of Osteoclastogenesis

The number of patients with osteoporosis is increasing worldwide, and a decrease in bone mass is a main risk factor for fracture. The prevention of bone loss is critical for improving the quality of life for patients. However, the long-term use of antiosteoporotic agents is limited due to their side effects. Barley has been traditionally ingested for thousands of years as a safe, natural food with pharmaceutical properties, and its seedling can enhance the biological activity of the medicinal components found in food. This study aimed to clarify the antiresorptive activity of barley seedling and its mode of action. Barley seedling extracts (BSE) dose-dependently inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation with alteration of IκB degradation, c-Fos, and NFATc1 molecules in the early-to-middle stages of osteoclastogenesis. In the late phase of osteoclastogenesis, BSE also prevented DC-STAMP and cathepsin K, which are required for cell fusion and bone degradation, such as osteoclast function. In conclusion, barley seedling from natural foods may provide long-term safety and be useful for the prevention or treatment of osteoclast-mediated bone metabolic diseases, including osteoporosis.

Physicochemical Properties of β-Glucan from Acid Hydrolyzed Barley

This study was performed to investigate changes in the content and purity, as well as physical characteristics of β-glucan extracted from acid hydrolyzed whole grain barleys. Waxy and non-waxy barleys (Hordeum vulgare) were hydrolyzed with different concentrations of HCl (0.1~0.5 N) for 1 h. As the HCl concentration increased, the contents of total and soluble β-glucan from acid hydrolyzed barley decreased. However the ratio of soluble/total β-glucan content and purities of β-glucan significantly increased. The ratio of β-(1→4)/β-(1→3) linkages, molecular weight, and viscosity of soluble β-glucan of raw barleys were 2.28~2.52, 6.0~7.0×105 g/mol, and 12.8~32.8 centipoise (cP). Those of isolated soluble β-glucan were significantly decreased to 2.05~2.15, 6.6~7.8×103 g/mol, and 3.6~4.2 cP, respectively, with increasing acid concentration. The re-solubility of raw barley β-glucan was about 50%, but increased to 97% with increasing acid concentration. Acid hydrolysis was shown to be an effective method to produce β-glucan with high ratio of soluble β-glucan content, purity, water solubility, and low viscosity.

Antioxidant and antiproliferation activities of winter cereal crops before and after germination

This study investigated the changes in antioxidant and antiproliferation activities of germinated winter cereal crops, including oats, barley, rye, and wheat, to develop functional materials. The highest total polyphenol content was found post-germination at 3.97 mg gallic acid equiv./g, which was 1.61-fold higher than the 2.46 mg gallic acid equiv./g in pre-germination barley. The flavonoid content was highly increased in wheat, which was 2.25-fold higher than 0.28 mg catechin equiv./g sample in pre-germination. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC50) was the greatest in the post-germination barley at 1.67 mg/mL. The highest ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (7.43 mg AA eq/g sample) was obtained from post-germination barley, while its pre-germination capacity was 5.44 mg AA eq/g sample. The post-germination oats ethanol extract had a higher antiproliferation effect on HepG2 and HCT-116 cell lines than the pre-germination extract. The cell viability of the HepG2 and HCT-116 cell lines exposed to the post-germination oats was 19.98 and 11.81% at 3.0 mg/mL, respectively.

Changes in the Functional Components of Barley Produced from Different Cultivars and Germination Periods

This study investigated the changes in the functional components of three cultivars (Kunalbori, Dahan, and Hinchalssalbori) over a 6 day germination period; these cultivars were selected because of their varied characteristics and applications. Barley produced from the cultivars was subjected to 6 days of germination. Germinated barley was analyzed for total polyphenol, total flavonoid, hordenine, total arabinoxylan, soluble arabinoxylan, γ-aminobutyric acid, and γ-oryzanol contents. The total polyphenol content increased with germination period, corresponding to 1.47–3.83, 1.41–3.42, and 1.59–2.82 mg/g in barley produced from the three cultivars, respectively. The corresponding total flavonoid contents were 0.35–0.44, 0.31–0.48, and 0.22–0.37 mg/g. The hordenine contents in the barley produced from the three cultivars increased from not detected for nongerminated barley to 1.52, 1.09, and 1.34 mg/100 g, respectively, at germination day 6. The γ-aminobutyric acid content significantly increased until germ...

Physicochemical Characteristics of Cultivated Aromatic Rice Germplasm and Comparative Analysis of Flavor Components During Transplanting Time

BACKGROUND:The Aromatic rice which is characterized by the flavor of Nurungji whencooked rice, andconsumption is increasing recently. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical characteristics and aroma components of five aromatic rice cultivars according to transplanting time. METHODS AND RESULTS: Quantitative analysis of protein, fat, fatty acid and essential amino acid for five aroma rice cultivars(Hyangmibyeo 2 ho, Aromi, Mihyang, Aranghyangchal, Heughyang)and transplanting time was analyzed by crude protein analyzer, gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC) and viscosity analysis was done by using rapid viscosity analyzer (RVA). The content of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometer. (GC-MS) As a result, the average protein and lipid contents were 6.5%and 2.4%, respectively. The content of essential amino acid showed the highest content at 104.4mg/g. There was no significant change in normal nutrients during the transplanting time. By RVA, cv.Hyangmibyeo 2 ho showed the highest peak and total setback viscosities and lowest breakdown viscosity in early transplantation. The content of 2AP in flavor varieties and transplanting time was quantitatively analyzed by GC-MS. Among the cultivars, Aromi showed the highest 2AP contents at 66.7 g/100gin μ normal transplanting time. CONCLUSION: cv.Aromi and Hyangmibyeo 2 ho were excellent physicochemical properties and 2AP components contentsamongaromatic ricecultivars tested.Theiroptimaltime to transplant was at the beginning of June in the area of Miryang.