Sun Hee Cheong

Purification of a novel peptide derived from a shellfish, Crassostrea gigas, and evaluation of its anticancer property.

A novel anticancer peptide was purified from Crassostrea gigas and investigated for its cytotoxic activity. To prepare the peptide, eight proteases were employed for enzymatic hydrolysis. Flavourzyme hydrolysate, which showed clearly superior cytotoxic activity on prostate cancer cells, was further purified using a membrane system and consecutive chromatographic methods. Finally, a novel anticancer peptide was obtained, and the sequence was partially purified as His-Phe-Asn-Ile-Gly-Asn-Arg-Cys-Leu-Cys at the N-terminus. The peptide purified from C. gigas effectively induced the death of prostate, breast, and lung cancer cells but not normal liver cells. This is the first report of an anticancer peptide derived from the enzymatic hydrolysates of C. gigas.

Antioxidant activity of a novel synthetic hexa-peptide derived from an enzymatic hydrolysate of duck skin by-products.

A peptide was synthesized on the basis of our previous study from solid phase peptide synthesis using ASP48S (Peptron Inc.) and identified by the reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a Vydac Everest C18 column. The molecular mass of the peptide found to be 693.90 Da, and the amino acid sequences of the peptide was Trp-Tyr-Pro-Ala-Ala-Pro. The purpose of this study was to evaluate antioxidant effects of the peptide by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer, and on t-BHP-induced liver cells damage in Chang cells. The antioxidative activity of the peptide was evaluated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, alkyl and superoxide radical scavenging activity using an ESR spectrometer. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of the peptide for hydroxyl, DPPH, alkyl, and superoxide radical scavenging activity were 45.2, 18.5, 31.5, and 33.4 μM, respectively. In addition, the peptide inhibited productions of cell death against t-BHP-induced liver cell damage in Chang cells. It was presumed to be peptide involved in regulating the apoptosis-related gene expression in the cell environment. The present results indicate that the peptide substantially contributes to antioxidative properties in liver cells.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanolic extract of fermented red ginseng marc

Red ginseng marc (RGM) is generally discarded as waste, even though it contains bioactive components. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the bioactive components and properties of RGM extracts prepared via the fermentation of Bacillus subtilis (BSRGM) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SCRGM). Polyphenols were not detected in non-fermented RGM (NRGM) extracts, whereas the polyphenol levels in RGM extracts significantly increased with fermentation. The BSRGM and SCRGM extracts showed significantly higher free radicals scavenging activity than those of NRGM extracts. Treatment with the fermented RGM extracts also increased IgA levels compared to that of NRGM extracts, whereas it decreased IgE production by the mesenteric lymph node, spleen, and Peyer’s patch lymphocytes. These results suggest that fermented RGM extracts may ameliorate inflammation. In addition, the phenolic compounds in fermented RGM extracts may have biological activity, making fermented RGM extracts a potential natural resource that could be used in the functional foods industry.

In Vitro and In Vivo Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Abalone (Haliotis discus) Water Extract

In this study, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of abalone (Haliotis discus) water extract were investigated. The taurine concentration of the abalone water extract was 593.80 nmol/mg, which was represented the most abundant total free amino acid. Abalone (Haliotis discus) water extract is a potent scavenger of free radicals, including DPPH, superoxide and alkyl radicals, which were investigated using a spin-trapping electron method and electron spin resonance (ESR) signal intensity. In addition, abalone (Haliotis discus) water extract showed a protective effect against 2,2′-azobis dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress and cell death in the in vivo zebrafish model. Furthermore, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of abalone water extract using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated zebrafish model. Abalone water extract markedly inhibited LPS-stimulated ROS and NO generation. In this study, it is proved that both the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant potentials of abalone water extract, which contains taurine could be further utilized in relevant industrial applications.

Effect of mulberry silage supplementation during late fattening stage of Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) steer on antioxidative enzyme activity within the longissimus muscle

This study was conducted to determine the possible application of mulberry silage as a functional feed in the feeding management of Hanwoo, Korean native cattle, for high quality beef production. Twenty Hanwoo steers in the last stage of fattening were randomly assigned to two groups with (MSS) or without (Control) supplemental mulberry silage. The Control group was fed on a standard total mixed commercial ration, while the MSS group was fed on a total mixed commercial ration formulated with mulberry silage at the rate of 10%, fresh matter basis, for 30 days. The mulberry silage contained active ingredients such as 1-deoxynojirimycin, γ-aminobutyric acid, and phenol compounds. In the present study, the oxidative stress biomarkers such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase were improved in the MSS group compared with the Control group. Electron spin resonance assays showed that 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was significantly elevated by 75.5% in the MSS group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the MSS group exhibited stronger scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, and alkyl radicals, and the radical scavenging activity occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Findings from the present study suggest that mulberry silage may be useful as a functional feed by improving the antioxidant activity against various reactive radicals for beef cattle.

Protective Effect of Mussel (Mytilus Coruscus) Extract Containing Taurine Against AAPH-Induced Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish Model

The objective of this present study was to examine in vitro and in vivo antioxidative activities of mussel (Mytilus coruscus) water extract. Taurine concentration of mussel water extract was 140.76 nmol/mg, which was more abundant than all of the free amino acids combined. The antioxidative activity of the mussel extract was evaluated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and alkyl radical scavenging activity using an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of the mussel extract for DPPH and alkyl radical scavenging activity was 1.24 mg/mL and 0.44 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, we evaluated the protective effect of mussel extract against 2,2′-azobis dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress in the zebrafish model. Mussel water extract containing taurine significantly reduced ROS generation, lipid peroxidation and cell death in the zebrafish model. These findings indicate that mussel water extract contains in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities based on the zebrafish model.

Effect of Taurine on In Vitro Migration of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Breast cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Large number of scientists report that 17β-estradiol promotes breast cancer cell proliferation, motility and invasion. However the detailed mechanism remains largely unknown. Metallopeptidase inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), are glycoproteins that are expressed in several tissues of organisms. The glycoproteins are natural inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of peptidases implicated in degradation of the extracellular matrix. In this study we investigated the effect of taurine on migration-related genes expressions in human breast cancer cells. Our results showed that the expressions of migration-related genes such as VEGF and MMPs were significantly stimulated by 17β-estradiol. On the contrary, taurine significantly blocked the expression of VEGF and MMPs against 17β-estradiol. In addition, taurine increased the expression of TIMPs which were suppressed by 17β-estradiol. We also demonstrated that taurine suppressed cell migration in a dose-dependent manner using Radius™ technology.

Effects of growth stage and position within the beam in the structure and chemical composition of sika deer (Cervus nippon) antlers

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in structural and chemical properties of sika deer antler at different stages of its growth in order to improve scientific assessment of antler’s quality. Eighteen antler samples, harvested on 40, 50 and 60 days after casting were collected from randomly selected deer farms, and the structural properties of antlers were examined. The chemical composition of each antler was determined in the upper, middle and basal section. Our results showed that the crude protein, crude fat (ether extract), uronic acid and sialic acid increased markedly from the base to the upper section, but the ash was higher in the basal section. Collagen content increased significantly from the upper to the basal section in all groups. The structural factors, including length and girth were positively or negatively correlated with the chemical composition such as glycosaminoglycans, ether extract-fat, ash, uronic acid, sialic acid, total sugar and collagen content. These findings may provide useful basic information and identify biomarkers for the association between structural properties and chemical composition during antler growth period, which should facilitate efficient production of high quality antlers for food consumption and as pharmaceutical agents.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of Short Neck Clam (Tapes philippinarum) Water Extract Containing Taurine in Zebrafish Model

Short neck clam (Tapes philippinarum) water extract exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity. However, the direct anti-inflammatory effects of short neck clam (Tapes philippinarum) in an in vivo model remained to be determined. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of short neck clam water extract containing taurine (366.83 nmol/mg) using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated zebrafish model. LPS-treatment significantly increased ROS and NO levels in zebrafish. However, short neck clam water extract inhibited LPS-stimulated ROS and NO generation. These results show that short neck clam water extract alleviates inflammation by inhibiting ROS and NO generation induced by LPS-treatment. In addition, short neck clam water extract protects against the toxicity induced by exposing zebrafish embryos to LPS. This outcome could explain the potential anti-inflammatory activity of short neck clam water extract containing taurine, which might have a beneficial effect during the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Effect of Taurine on Prostate-Specific Antigen Level and Migration in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

In Korea, prostate cancer incidence has significantly increased in recent years. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a marker for prostate cancer, and elevated serum PSA levels have been associated with prostate intraepithelial neoplasms. Meanwhile, metastasis is a process by which cancer spreads from the place at which it first arose as a primary tumor to distant locations in the body. The so-called tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), which are naturally occurring inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), play an important role in the complex regulation of MMPs. They inhibit the catalytic activity of MMPs by binding to activated MMPs and control breakdown of extracellular matrix. Thus, the balance between MMPs and TIMPs plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of healthy tissues, and MMP inhibitors, as well as TIMP activators, are expected to be useful chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of malignancies. In addition, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in prostate cancer invasion. VEGF is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. In the present study, therefore, we investigated the anti-prostate cancer metastasis effect of taurine, and proved taurine suppressed PSA and several metastasis-related genes in human prostate cancer cells, LNCaP and PC-3. In addition, taurine inhibited migration of LNCaP and PC-3.