Bioactivity-Guided Fraction from Viscera of Abalone, Haliotis discus hannai Suppresses Cellular Basophils Activation and Anaphylaxis in Mice

Basophils and mast cells are specialized effector cells in allergic reactions. Haliotis discus hannai (abalone), is valuable seafood. Abalone male viscera, which has a brownish color and has not been previously reported to show anti-allergic activities, was extracted with acetone. Six different acetone/hexane fractions (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 100%) were obtained using a silica column via β-hexosaminidase release inhibitory activity-guided selection in phorbol myristate acetate and a calcium ionophore, A23187 (PMACI)-induced human basophils, KU812F cells. The 40% acetone/hexane fraction (A40) exhibited the strongest inhibition of PMACI-induced-β-hexosaminidase release. This fraction dose-dependently inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium mobilization without cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis revealed that A40 down-regulated PMACI-induced MAPK (ERK 1/2, p-38, and JNK) phosphorylation, and the NF-κB translocation from the cytosol to membrane. Moreover, A40 inhibited PMACI-induced interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 production. Anti-allergic activities of A40 were confirmed based on inhibitory effects on IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in compound (com) 48/80-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. A40 inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and cytokine production such as IL-4 and TNF-α produced by com 48/80-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, it's fraction attenuated the IgE/DNP-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in the ears of BALB/c mice. Our results suggest that abalone contains the active fraction, A40 is a potent therapeutic and functional material to treat allergic diseases.

Sargahydroquinoic acid isolated from Sargassum serratifolium as inhibitor of cellular basophils activation and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice

Basophils and mast cells are characteristic effector cells in allergic reactions. Sargahydorquinoic acid (SHQA), a compound isolated from Sargassum serratifolium (marine alga), possesses various biochemical properties, including potent antioxidant activities. The objective of the present study was to investigate inhibitory effects of SHQA on the activation of human basophilic KU812F cells induced by phorbol myristate acetate and A23187 (PMACI), a calcium ionophore. Furthermore, we confirmed the inhibitory effects of SHQA on the activation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells induced by compound 48/80 (com 48/80), bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMCMCs) induced by anti-dinitrophenyl(DNP)-immunoglobulin E (IgE)/DNP-bovine serum albumin (BSA), DNP/IgE and on the reaction of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) mediated by IgE. SHQA reduced PMACI-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium levels. Western blot analysis revealed that SHQA downregulated the activation of ERK, p38, and NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SHQA suppressed the production and gene expression of various cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 in PMACI-induced KU812F cells and IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α in com 48/80-induced RBL-2H3 cells. It also determined the inhibition of PMACI, com 48/80- and IgE/DNP-induced degranulation by reducing the release of β -hexosaminidase. Furthermore, it attenuated the IgE/DNP-induced PCA reaction in the ears of BALB/c mice. These results suggest that SHQA isolated from S. serratifolium is a potential therapeutic functional food material for inhibiting effector cell activation in allergic reactions and anaphylaxis in animal model.

Moringa oleifera Hot Water Extract Protects Vero Cells from Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress by Regulating Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptotic Pathway and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling

The present study discloses the identification of phenolic compounds in Moringa oleifera hot water extract (MOH) and the evaluation of its antioxidant activity on H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in Vero cells. Upon analysis, MOH was found to contain phenolic compounds and indicated 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS⁺) radical scavenging with IC₅₀ values of 102.52 and 122.55 µg/mL, respectively. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of MOH indicated a dose-dependent increase with a maximum absorbance at 125 μg/mL and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of MOH was 1004.95 µmol TE/mg. Results showed that MOH dose-dependently reduced intracellular ROS generation in H₂O₂-stimulated Vero cells while increasing the cell viability. Fluorescence microscopy and flowcytometric analyses have supported the above findings. MOH markedly suppressed the H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis through suppression of the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway by possibly involving H₂O₂ generation in cell media. Findings of western blot were supported by immunocytochemistry of Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Thus, MOH bioactivity would potentiate its applications in manufacturing functional food.

Understanding the Composition, Biosynthesis, Accumulation and Transport of Flavonoids in Crops for the Promotion of Crops as Healthy Sources of Flavonoids for Human Consumption

Flavonoids are a class of polyphenolic compounds that naturally occur in plants. Sub-groups of flavonoids include flavone, flavonol, flavanone, flavanonol, anthocyanidin, flavanol and isoflavone. The various modifications on flavonoid molecules further increase the diversity of flavonoids. Certain crops are famous for being enriched in specific flavonoids. For example, anthocyanins, which give rise to a purplish color, are the characteristic compounds in berries; flavanols are enriched in teas; and isoflavones are uniquely found in several legumes. It is widely accepted that the antioxidative properties of flavonoids are beneficial for human health. In this review, we summarize the classification of the different sub-groups of flavonoids based on their molecular structures. The health benefits of flavonoids are addressed from the perspective of their molecular structures. The flavonoid biosynthesis pathways are compared among different crops to highlight the mechanisms that lead to the differential accumulation of different sub-groups of flavonoids. In addition, the mechanisms and genes involved in the transport and accumulation of flavonoids in crops are discussed. We hope the understanding of flavonoid accumulation in crops will guide the proper balance in their consumption to improve human health.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction and Identification of Ginsenosides in Russian and North Korean Ginseng by HPLC with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Ginseng roots, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, obtained from cultivated ginseng grown in the Kaesong province (North Korea) and Primorye (Russia) were extracted using the supercritical CO₂ extraction method. The extracts were subsequently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry identification. The results showed the spectral peaks of typical ginsenosides with some other minor groups, and major differences were observed between the spectra of the two ginseng samples. The use of a pressure of 400 bar and higher allowed an increase in the yield of ginsenosides in comparison with similar previous studies

Detection of hepatitis A virus in seeded oyster digestive tissue by ricin A-linked magnetic separation combined with reverse transcription PCR

Outbreaks of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections are most frequently associated with the consumption of contaminated oysters. A rapid and selective concentration method is necessary for the recovery of HAV from contaminated oysters prior to detection using PCR. In this study, ricin extracted from castor beans (Ricinus communis) was tested as an alternative to antibody used in immunomagnetic separation while concentrating HAV prior to its detection using reverse transcription PCR. Initially, the extracted proteins from castor beans were fractionated into 13 fractions by gel filtration chromatography. Pretreatment of different protein fractions showed a variation in binding of HAV viral protein (VP) 1 to oyster digestive tissue in the range of 25.9 to 63.9%. The protein fraction, which caused the highest reduction in binding of VP1 to the tissue, was identified as ricin A by quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Ricin A could significantly inhibit binding of VP1 to the tissue with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 4.5 μg/ml and a maximal inhibitory concentration of 105.2%. The result showed that the rate of inhibition of HAV binding to tissue was higher compared to the rate of ricin itself binding to HAV (slope: 0.0029 versus 0.00059). However, ricin A concentration showed a higher correlation to the relative binding of ricin itself to HAV than the inhibition of binding of HAV to the tissue (coefficient of determination, R(2): 0.9739 versus 0.6804). In conclusion, ricin A-linked magnetic bead separation combined with reverse transcription PCR can successfully detect HAV in artificially seeded oyster digestive tissue up to a 10(-4) dilution of the virus stock (titer: 10(4) 50% tissue culture infective dose per ml).

Immunomodulatory effect of tea saponin in immune T-cells and T-lymphoma cells via regulation of Th1, Th2 immune response and MAPK/ERK2 signaling pathway

The anti-cancer activity of saponins and phenolic compounds present in green tea was previously reported. However, the immunomodulatory and adjuvanticity activity of tea saponin has never been studied. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of tea saponin in T-lymphocytes and EL4 cells via regulation of cytokine response and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway. Quantitative analysis of mRNA expression level of cytokines were performed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction following stimulation with tea saponin, ovalbumin (OVA) alone or tea saponin in combination with OVA. Tea saponin inhibited the proliferation of EL4 cells measured in a dose-dependent manner. No cytotoxicity effect of tea saponin was detected in T-lymphocytes; rather, tea saponin enhanced the proliferation of T-lymphocytes. Tea saponin with OVA increased the expression of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-12, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and decreased the expression level of IL-10 and IL-8 in T-lymphocytes. Furthermore, tea saponin, in the presence of OVA, downregulated the MAPK signaling pathway via inhibition of IL-4, IL-8 and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) in EL4 cells. Th1 cytokines enhancer and Th2 cytokines and NF-κB inhibitor, tea saponin can markedly inhibit the proliferation and invasiveness of T-lymphoma (EL4) cells, possibly due to TNF-α- and NF-κB-mediated regulation of MAPK signaling pathway.

Theasaponin E₁ as an effective ingredient for anti-angiogenesis and anti-obesity effects

Theasaponin E₁ (TSE₁) has been suggested to have higher biological activity than other saponins present in tea seed. Saponins have recently been considered as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for treating cancer. We examined the anti-angiogenic and anti-obesity properties of TSE₁ contributing to anti-cancer efficacy. Treating with a 10 μg/mL concentration of TSE₁ completely inhibited tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). TSE₁ showed toxicity toward cancer cells and inhibited in vivo growth of the tumor. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor complex was suppressed, leading to the inhibition of protein kinase B (Akt) expression and down-regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) activation. The differentiating 3T3-L₁ cells treated with TSE₁ had decreased lipid droplet formation measured by Oil Red O staining. Reduced weight was measured in mice fed with a TSE₁ plus high-fat diet. The results taken together, and particularly the NF-kB inhibition, suggest that TSE₁ may have multi-target action for treating cancer as a novel chemotherapeutic agent.

Characterization of alginate lyase gene using a metagenomic library constructed from the gut microflora of abalone

A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed using a genomic DNA mixture extracted from the gut microflora of abalone. The library gave an alginate lyase positive clone (AlyDW) harboring a 31.7-kbp insert. The AlyDW insert consisted of 22 open reading frames (ORFs). The deduced amino acid sequences of ORFs 11–13 were similar to those of known alginate lyase genes, which are found adjacent in the genome of Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. aerogenes, Vibrio splendidus, and Vibrio sp. belonging to the phylum Gammaproteobacteria. Among the three recombinant proteins expressed from the three ORFs, alginate lyase activity was only observed in the recombinant protein (AlyDW11) coded by ORF 11. The expressed protein (AlyDW11) had the highest alginate lyase activity at pH 7.0 and 45°C in the presence of 1 mM AgNO3. The alginate lyase activity of ORF 11 was confirmed to be endolytic by thin-layer chromatography. AlyDW11 preferred poly(β-d-mannuronate) as a substrate over poly(α-l-guluronate). AlyDW11 contained three highly conserved regions, RSEL, QIH, and YFKAGVYNQ, which may act to stabilize the three-dimensional conformation and function of the alginate lyase.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant effect of aqueous extract of Arisaema cum Bile, the Oriental Herb Medicine, in human fibroblast cells

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of Arisaema cum Bile, which is widely used as a folk medicine in Korea, were determined. Phenolic composition profile revealed that the aqueous extract is rich in sinapic acid (13.14 mg/100 g extract), catechin (9.88 mg/100 g extract), neohesperidin (7.38 mg/100 g extract), and chlorogenic acid (3.64 mg/100 g extract). The aqueous extract effectively scavenged toward 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (90.63%), hydrogen peroxide (98.13%), and hydroxyl radical (59.62%) at 2.0 mg/mL, and also showed high reducing power. In cytotoxic evaluation, the aqueous extract exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in human fibroblast, and it also exhibited appreciable suppression of intracellular reactive oxygen species and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. In addition, the aqueous extract upregulated the level of glutathione in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, the aqueous extract of Arisaema cum Bile could be considered as a potential natural source that may be useful for curing diseases arising from oxidative deterioration.

Phlorofucofuroeckol A inhibits the LPS-stimulated iNOS and COX-2 expressions in macrophages via inhibition of NF-κB, Akt, and p38 MAPK

We have recently reported that phlorofucofuroeckol A isolated from the edible brown algae Ecklonia stolonifera showed potential antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in macrophage stimulated by LPS treatments. In this study, we further investigated the pharmacological characteristic of phlorofucofuroeckol A in regulations of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 through regulatory and signaling pathways using LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with 20 μM of phlorofucofuroeckol A significantly decreased levels of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA induced by LPS stimulation. As results, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly reduced by treatments of phlorofucofuroeckol A in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Phlorofucofuroeckol A inhibited promoter activities of inflammatory-mediators (iNOS and COX-2) and transcriptional factors (nuclear factor-κB, NF-κB, and AP-1) in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, phlorofucofuroeckol A inhibited activation of Akt and p38 MAPK in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate that the phlorofucofuroeckol A regulates iNOS and COX-2 expressions through the NF-κB-dependent transcriptional control associated with inhibition of multiple signaling proteins, suggesting potential candidates of phloroglucinol derivatives for treatments of inflammatory diseases.

Isolation and identification of phlorotannins from Ecklonia stolonifera with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of Ecklonia stolonifera was used to determine the chemical identity of bioactive constituents, with potent antioxidant activities. The structures of the phlorotannins were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including NMR and mass spectrometry analysis. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated by free radical scavenging activities in both in vitro and cellular systems. The anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated by determining their inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. The results indicated that phlorofucofuroeckol A, dieckol, and dioxinodehydroeckol showed potential radical scavenging activities against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Among them, phlorofucofuroeckol A and dieckol significantly suppressed the intracellular reactive oxygen species level assayed by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Phlorofucofuroeckol A significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of NO and PGE(2) through the down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 protein expressions. In conclusion, these results suggest that phlorofucofuroeckol A has a potential for functional foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Shewanella haliotis sp. nov., isolated from the gut microflora of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai

A motile, rod-shaped, pink–orange pigmented bacterium, designated strain DW01T, was isolated from the gut microflora of abalone collected from the South Sea (Republic of Korea). Cells were Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (17.7 %), C16 : 0 (13.4 %), iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c (12.5 %) and C17 : 1 ω8c (10.7 %). The DNA G+C content was 53.7 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DW01T forms a lineage of the genus Shewanella and is closely related to Shewanella algae ATCC 51192T (98.3 % sequence similarity) and to other members of the genus Shewanella (91.0–94.9 %). The phenotypic characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness data indicate that strain DW01T should be distinguished from S. algae ATCC 51192T. On the basis of the data presented in this study, strain DW01T represents a novel species, for which the name Shewanella haliotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DW01T (=KCTC 12896T=JCM 14758T).

Morphogenic development of the pancreas in the staged human embryo

The Carnegie stage is widely applied in the field of human embryology, and it is more logical to analyze the embryos by this stage than CR length or menstrual age. In this study, the early development of the pancreas is studied by tissue observation and reconstruction using serial sections of 33 human embryo ranging from Carnegie stages 11 to 23. The dorsal pancreas develops from the dorsal wall of the duodenum in stage 12, and the ventral pancreas from the proximal part of the cystic primordium in stage 13 or 14 as a single epithelial thickening, but in one case, as a bilateral thickening which contains some isolated spaces. The rotation of the ventral pancreas starts in stage 15, and completes in stage 17. Surrounding connective tissue differentiates in stage 18.

Biphasic recovery in n-hexane polyneuropathy. A clinical and electrophysiological study

We studied the course of recovery in n-hexane polyneuropathy in 4 patients by quantitatively assessing clinical and electrophysiological features. The electrophysiological study included measures of motor conduction of the median, ulnar, tibial and peroneal nerves and sensory conduction of the median, ulnar and sural nerves. After cessation of exposure, there was an initial worsening in muscle strength, sensory deficit and nerve conduction for up to 2-5 months. This deterioration was more severe and prolonged in the lower limbs than in the upper limbs. The period of deterioration was followed by a slow recovery studied for 1 year.