Myung-Soo Shon

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of persimmon tannins

Soluble and insoluble tannins from 5 different types of persimmon-unripe, astringent Cheongdobansi (CU); red-ripe Cheongdobansi (CR); unripe, astringent Daebong (DU); red-ripe Daebong (DR); and unripe, non-astringent Fuyu (FU)-were prepared. The antioxidant activity of the tannins was determined by measuring the DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA), ABTS RSA, and reducing power. The strongest DPPH RSA and reducing power were found in the soluble tannins from CU. Soluble tannins from CR, CU, and DU at a concentration of 1,000 μg/mL scavenged most of the ABTS radicals. Approximately 83 and 42% suppression of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells were observed in the 100 μg/mL treatments of the soluble tannins from CU and CR, respectively. Soluble tannins showed relatively higher antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities than insoluble tannins. These results demonstrate that soluble and insoluble persimmon tannins showed different antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities according to persimmon types.

Anti-aging Potential of Extracts Prepared from Fruits and Medicinal Herbs Cultivated in the Gyeongnam Area of Korea

Many recent studies have focused on maintaining a healthy life by preventing and/or postponing the aging process. Numerous studies have reported that continuous exposure to reactive oxygen species can stimulate skin aging and that excessive accumulation of fat can cause an impaired skin barrier and tissue structure alterations. Thus, the maintenance of antioxidant homeostasis and the suppression of adipose accumulation are important strategies for skin anti-aging. Here, we prepared three types of extracts [whole juice, acetone-perchloric acid (PCA), and ethanol] from 20 fruits and medicinal herbs native to the Gyeongnam area of Korea. The total phenolic content of each extract was analyzed, and we observed higher total phenolic contents in the medicinal herbs. Consistent with this, the results of the oxygen radical absorbance activity capacity assay indicated that the in vitro antioxidant activities of the medicinal herb extracts were stronger than those of the fruit extracts. The fruits and medicinal herbs had strong effects on cell-based systems, including H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes and 3T3-L1 lipid accumulation. Nishimura Wase persimmon, Taishu persimmon, wrinkled giant hyssop, sweet wormwood, Chinese cedar, red perilla, tan shen, hiyodori-jogo, and cramp bark may be natural anti-aging materials with effective antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities. Taken together, our findings may provide scientific evidence supporting the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals from fruits and medicinal herbs.

Anti-Adipogenic Effects of Ethanol Extracts Prepared from Selected Medicinal Herbs in 3T3-L1 Cells

Obesity is a major risk factor for various metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we prepared ethanol extracts from Agastache rugosa (ARE), Chrysanthemum zawadskii (CZE), Mentha arvensis (MAE), Perilla frutescens (PFE), Leonurus sibiricus (LSE), Gardenia jasminoides (GJE), and Lycopus coreanus (LCE). The anti-oxidant and anti-adipogenic effects were evaluated. The IC50 values for ascorbic acid and LCE against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals were 246.2 μg/mL and 166.2 μg/mL, respectively, followed by ARE (186.6 μg/mL), CZE (198.6 μg/mL), MAE (337.1 μg/mL), PFE (415.3 μg/mL), LSE (548.2 μg/mL), and GJE (626.3 μg/mL). In non-toxic concentration ranges, CZE had a strong inhibitory effect against 3T3-L1 adipogenes (84.5%) than those of the other extracts. Furthermore, the anti-adipogenic effect of CZE is largely limited in the early stage of adipogenesis, and we revealed that the inhibitory role of CZE in adipogenesis is required for the activation of Wnt signaling. Our results provide scientific evidence that the anti-adipogenic effect of CZE can be applied as an ingredient for the development of functional foods and nutri-cosmetics for obesity prevention.

Anti-adipogenic activity of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) extract by regulation of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) is widely distributed in European waters but it is little consumed. Although several studies have been reported biological activities of mussels, the anti-adipogenic activity of blue mussel and the molecular mechanism in anti-obese activity remain unknown. Here, we prepared a water extract of blue mussel (BME) and its anti-adipogenic activity was assessed in 3T3-L1 cells. BME treatment dose-dependently inhibited 3T3-L1 lipid accumulation, as judged by Oil Red O staining and microscopic analysis. Consistent with this, BME treatment markedly suppressed mRNA expression levels of adipogenic genes, such as C/EBPβ, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and FAS, in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. BME-inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was limited with treatment after adipocyte differentiation, particularly in the early and intermediate stages. We also showed that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is required in BME-inhibited 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. These finding may provide scientific evidence for the development of functional foods against obesity.

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of chestnut (Castanea crenata) byproducts

The antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of chestnut byproducts were evaluated. At 100 μg/mL, the methanol extract (ME) scavenged 34.2% of DPPH and 78.8% of ABTS radicals. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of the water extract (WE) was found to be low (13.7 and 33.1%, respectively) compared with controls. WE and ME dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. WE and ME at 100 μg/mL suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis by 71.0 and 96.5%, respectively, when compared with mature adipocytes. The results indicated that WE and ME inhibited adipocyte differentiation by down-regulating the mRNA expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-β, C/EBPα, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ in 3T3-L1 cells. Our study also revealed that WE and ME inhibited pre- and early stage adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The results suggest that chestnut byproducts are a promising source of antioxidant and antiobesity molecules.

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of acorn shells

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of water extract (WE) and methanol extract (ME) of acorn shells (AS), from Quercus acutissima Carruth. grown in Korea, were investigated. At a concentration of 50 μg/mL, the WE had a scavenging activity of 53.84% for the DPPH and 76.09% for the ABTS radical, while the ME had corresponding scavenging activities of 29.09 and 48.43%. Total phenolic contents of WE and ME were 375.96 and 288.01 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of extracts, respectively. Both extracts significantly inhibited 3T3-L1 adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, and concomitantly decreased the size and number of intracellular lipid droplets. Furthermore, the antiadipogenic activities of WE and ME are largely limited in the pre- and early stages of adipogenesis. The results suggest that AS may be a promising source of antioxidants and anti-obesity compounds.

Beneficial role and function of fisetin in skin health via regulation of the CCN2/TGF-β signaling pathway

Skin is composed of multiple layers, including the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Although several biological activities of fisetin have been reported, beneficial effects and the functions of fisetin in skin remain unclear. B16F10 melanoma cells, human skin fibroblasts, and 3T3-L1 cells were used to examine the beneficial effects of fisetin in skin health. α-MSH- and IBMX-induced melanosis in B16F10 melanoma cells was inhibited by fisetin treatment, which also enhanced mRNA expression levels of skin fibril-related genes via the CCN2/TGF-β signaling pathway. Decreased intracellular lipid accumulation via down-regulation of transcriptional factors through activation of the CCN2/TGF-β signaling pathway was observed. A novel function of fisetin in skin health via down-regulation of melanosis and adipogenesis, and up-regulation of skin fibril-related genes was observed. Evidence for development of nutri-cosmetics for skin health is presented.

Anti-oxidant and anti-adipogenic effects of acorn (Quercus acutissima CARR.) shell extracts via regulation of wnt signaling in 3T3-L1 cells

Acorn (Quercus acutissima CARR.) is a nut from the Fagaceae family that has been used in traditional medicine for many years. However, shells from acorns are regarded as a by-product and are mostly discarded. Anti-adipogenic activities of acorn shells were investigated using 3T3-L1 cells and methanol shell extracts (AE-M). AE-M demonstrated Cu2+-chelation activities and anti-oxidant activities via reduction of oxidative stress levels induced using AAPH. Six days after adipocyte differentiation, 50 and 100 μg/mL AE-M completely suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis and the anti-adipogenic effect was stronger than for the positive control 50 μM quercetin. Treatment with AE-M in 3T3-L1 cells reduced mRNA expression levels of adipogenic genes. AE-M-inhibition was found in pre-adipogenic, early, and intermediate stages of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is required for AE-M-inhibition of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis.

Effect of UV irradiation on the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of quercetin

Quercetin is one of the most abundant flavonol in the human diet and it is found in various plants. Although many of the biological activities of quercetin have been well described, the effect of UV irradiation on its physiological function is still relatively unknown. In this study, we compared the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of intact and UV-irradiated quercetins. The UV irradiation significantly and markedly attenuated the antioxidant activity of quercetins, as determined by the DPPH radical scavenging assay. However, the UV irradiation had little effect on its anti-adipogenic activity, which was determined using 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation model. Taken together, these results suggest that the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of quercetin are independently modulated through molecular and chemical based mechanisms.

Effect of nanoliposome containing quercetin on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells

Quercetin is one of the most well-known dietary flavonoids with antioxidant activity, and it also exerts anti-adipogenic activity by activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, while the quercetininduced apoptosis of mature adipocytes was mediated by modulation of the ERK and JNK pathways. We previously reported that nanoliposome could efficiently incorporate lipid soluble valuable nutrient. In the present study, nanoliposome containing quercetin was prepared, and consequently its effect on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was evaluated. After preparation of multilamellar vesicles containing 700mM of quercetin with soybean phosphatidylcholine, the vesicles were passed through MiniExtruder using a polycarbonate filter with a pore size of 80 nm. The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal calf serum. 3T3-L1 cells were grown until confluence and 2 days post-confluent 3T3-L1 cells (designated as Day 0) were simulated to differentiate. 3T3-L1 cells were treated with test samples between Day-2 to Day 2 (96 h). Oil Red O (ORO) staining was employed to qualitative and quantitative analysis of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Cells were fixed with 3% (v/v) formaldehyde for 1 h at room temperature and stained with ORO solution followed by three times wash with distilled water. Plates image were obtained using a scanner for qualitative documentation. The stain was also extracted from the cells using DMSO and measured absorbance at 490 nm for qualitative analysis of lipid accumulation. All data are obtained from three individual experiments (n = 9).