This research aimed at investigating the hypoglycemic effect of Zanthoxylum alkylamides and whether TRPV1 receptor could participate in the glucose metabolism by using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. The results showed that the blood glucose measured in the Zanthoxylum alkylamides treated group (ALK) showed significantly lower values than that in the model group (Model). Significant improvements

The need for organic soil amendments is increasing in the Republic of Korea against the backdrop of increased soil acidification and nutrient losses. The pyrolysis of biomass produces biochar which not only increases soil productivity but also provides environmental benefits through carbon sequestration. The portion of the brewer’s spent grain (BSG) recycled is by far less than the amount generated

Five compounds including three triterpenoids and two sesquiterpenes were isolated from Alimatis rhizoma. Their chemical structures were determined to be alisol B 23-acetate (1), alisol C 23-acetate (2), alisol B (3), alismol (4) and alismoxide (5) by various spectroscopic analysis, including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC and MS spectra. Compounds 1–5 were evaluated for their antibacterial potential against

Rapid progression in resistance to antimicrobial agents by pathogenic organisms is a serious concern. This study aimed to synthesize fatty amido benzoic acid (FBA) from Citrullus colocynthis seed oil (CCO) and evaluate its safety profile as an alternative bioactive agent for combating drug-resistant pathogens. FBA was synthesised through simple chemical reaction route and examined for its antioxidant

Synbiotics synergistically favors beneficial effects of prebiotics and probiotics towards host metabolic health by modulating gut ecosystem. In this study, we sought to examine the effects of prebiotics (Schizophyllum commune derived β-(1,3/1,6)-glucan), probiotics (concoction made of eight different bacterial strains) and synbiotics (prebiotics + probiotics) on gut microbiota and its associated metabolic

Chia seed and flax seed oils are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, but are susceptible to oxidative deterioration. The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stability of chia seed and flax seed oils and enhance the stability using rosemary or garlic extracts. During accelerated storage at 65 °C for 14 days, the antioxidant abilities of rosemary or garlic extracts were evaluated and compared

Anthocyanin is a type of flavonoid that appears purple in plants. PAP1, PAP2, and MYB113 are the three major R2R3-MYB transcription factors that regulate flavonoid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we found that the three MYB genes regulate anthocyanin accumulation in different leaf stages. Under limited nutrient conditions, PAP1 and PAP2 genes were highly induced in juvenile leaves

Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata) is widespread throughout Asia and has known to have various physiological activities such as, inflammation, diabetes, obesity and tumor. Cudrania tricuspidata, a rich source of xanthones and flavonoids, have been investigated phytochemically and biologically. However, research of these compounds on platelets is limited. Therefore, we searched for a new substance

This study aimed to comprehensively analyze primary and secondary metabolites of three different-colored (white, pale green, and green) pak choi cultivars (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) using gas chromatography attached with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In total, 53 primary metabolites were identified and subjected to partial least-squares

Amomum tsao-ko (Zingiberaceae), an important traditional medicinal herb, possesses many biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects. Though the anti-obesity properties of the crude ethanol extract of A. tsao-ko fruits have been reported, the anti-adipogenic properties of its phytochemical constituents have not been reported. Therefore, in the present study, we isolated the active constituents

RNA interference (RNAi) is a regulatory mechanism of gene expression mediated by small RNAs. By using the RNAi technique, exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) designed to target mRNA, suppresses target gene expression levels in plants. In this study, we adopted the RNAi mechanism as a tool to protect plants from viruses. We designed and synthesized several dsRNAs targeting the pepper mottle virus

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Sulforaphane is a well-known phytochemical that stimulates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant cellular response. In this study, we found that sulforaphane promoted cell proliferation in HCT116 human colon cancer cells expressing a normal p53 gene in a dose-dependent but biphasic manner. Since p53 has been reported to contribute to cell survival by regulating various

In this study, lemon peel flavonoids (LPF) were administered to investigate its effect on the anti-fatigue and antioxidant capacity of mice that undergo exercise until exhaustion. LPF (88.36 min in LPFH group mice) significantly increased the exhaustion swimming time compare to the untreated mice (40.36 min), increased the liver glycogen and free fatty acid content in mice and reduce lactic acid and

Flavonoids present in the leaves of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) grown in different regions of South Korea (Yeongcheon, Haenam, and Seocheon) and at different harvest times (July to September) were determined. Flavonoid contents in lotus extracts were identified and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC results revealed that the flavonoid contents of the lotus extracts

Oil-contaminated soils from a former landfill and gas station site in Korea were treated by thermal desorption. The removal efficiencies of the different oil components such as total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), unresolved complex mixtures (UCM), and alkylated PAHs (Alk-PAHs) by thermal desorption were determined. The effects of temperatures (200, 400, and 600 °C)

We designed 21 ethyl 3,5-diphenyl-2-cyclohexenone-6-carboxylate derivatives to identify compounds exhibiting anticancer activity. To measure the inhibitory effects of the compounds on cancer cell growth, a long-term survival clonogenic assay was performed. Since compounds containing a cyclohexenone moiety inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, an in vitro acetylcholinesterase assay was performed

In the last few decades, studies on autophagy regulation and its potential role in cancer therapeutics have expanded to include detailed mechanisms. Since apoptosis exhibits drug resistance in some cancers, efforts have focused on searching for compounds with autophagy modulating properties. Numerous natural compounds have been used in cancer treatment and are considered a significant research area

Etridiazole (EDZ), a thiadiazole-containing toxic chemical, is widely used as a fungicide. Regular usage of EDZ may reach and contaminate water bodies, but its adverse effects on aquatic vertebrates have not been well studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the harmful effects of EDZ using zebrafish (ZF) (Danio rerio) embryos. ZF embryos were treated with 3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 mg/L

The recent dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 from Wuhan city to all over the world has created a pandemic. COVID-19 has cost many human lives and created an enormous economic burden. Although many drugs/vaccines are in different stages of clinical trials, still none is clinically available. We have screened a marine seaweed database (1110 compounds) against 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2 using computational approaches

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a harmful endocrine disruptor that is found in polycarbonate plastics such as plastic food containers and in epoxy resins such as dental resins. In the current study, we investigated the effect of BPA on function of inflammatory responses involving activation of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Treatment with BPA decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and expression

Soil has been used for treatment of wound and skin diseases and for cosmetic purposes. Fusidium coccineum (FC) SA-1FC (Ascomycota) is a fungus found in nature, and its by-products are present in humid soils with plant humus. This study investigates the medium of fermented FC as a covering for all skin problems, including dryness, inflammation, and wounds. A preliminary study revealed that an alcohol

Hexokinase1 (HXK1) is an Arabidopsis glucose sensor that has a variety of roles during plant growth and devlopment, including during germination, flowering, and senescence. HXK1 also acts as a positive regulator of plant immune responses. Previous research suggested that HXK1 might influence plant immune responses via responses to glucose. Plant immune responses are governed by two main pathways: PAMP-triggered

Sulforaphene (SFE), a major isothiocyanate in radish seeds, is a close chemical relative of sulforaphane (SFA) isolated from broccoli seeds and florets. The anti-proliferative mechanisms of SFA against cancer cells have been well investigated, but little is known about the potential anti-proliferative effects of SFE. In this study, we showed that SFE purified from radish seeds inhibited the growth

Aralia continentalis (A. continentalis) is a medicinal plant belonging to Araliaceae, it has been reported to exert anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet and anti-oxidative activities. But the potential mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effect of compounds isolated from the roots of A. continentalis is still insufficient. So, we evaluated whether compounds isolated from the

Endothelial dysfunction is directly involved in consequence of various metabolic syndromes such as diabetes and hypertension. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of two ark clams [ark shell (AS, Scapharca subcrenata) and granular ark (GA, Tegillarca granosa)] on endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet. Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follows: control (normal

Peat, as a heterogeneous mixture of decaying plant debris and microbial residues, has been widely used in many fields. However, little research focused on the impact of peat addition on food waste composting. To fill this gap, a composting experiment of food waste mixed with five varying percent peat 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% (w/w, dry weight) was designed to investigate the effect of different dosages

It is important to evaluate leaching behavior in agricultural soils to prevent the pollution of groundwater by pesticides. We identified the distribution coefficients (Kd) of ten pesticides with different physicochemical properties and compared their leaching characteristics using wick lysimeters from three distinct soil types on Jeju Island. The Kd values varied by pesticide and soil, but were within

Dietary fibers (DFs) and associated phytochemicals in ginseng species are known to provide various functional and health benefits. The incorporation of ginseng insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) in food products often result in undesirable physicochemical properties. Thus, to overcome such demerits, micronization of IDF has been considered. This study investigated the effect of particle size on the physicochemical

The mass usage of veterinary pharmaceuticals in farms has contributed to environmental pollution in vicinity waters, soils, and sediments from farms and composting facilities. In the present study, we investigated the usage of four antibiotics (viz., lincomycin, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim) to understand their contamination routes from livestock manure piles. Residual levels

Sawdust is the main bulking agent used to compost food waste in Korea but it is not an economically desirable choice because its availability entirely depends on imports. Since food waste composting provides agricultural, environmental and economic benefits, it is vital that we search for suitable replacements to sawdust from the locally available materials. In this study, we assessed the composting

Evodiamine is an active alkaloid member found in Traditional Chinese Herb (TCH) Evodia rutaecarpa. It has been reported to exhibit remarkable biological and medicinal activities including anticancer and anti-inflammatory. This study was designed to investigate the anticancer effects of evodiamine against human liver cancer and evaluate its effects on cell migration, cell invasion, cellular apoptosis

The objectives of this study were to compare physicochemical, rheological and sensory characteristics of Camembert cheeses salted with 4 types of salts (refined salt, baked refined salt, sun-dried salt, and Himalayan rock salt) during 4 weeks ripening period. The pH of Camembert cheese was 7.2 in the sun-dried salt, which was the highest than the other three types of salts. The viable lactic acid bacteria

Soybean has been recognized as a useful platform for heterologous protein production. This study compared the pollen characteristics of transgenic and non-transgenic soybean and investigated the rate of gene flow from transgenic soybean events, developed to obtain recombinant proteins (such as human epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, or thioredoxin) for use in the skin care industry

The scientific and systematic classification of cultivation age is important for preventing age falsification and ensuring the quality of ginseng. Therefore, we applied deep learning to classify the cultivation age of ginseng. Deep learning, which is based on an artificial neural network, is one of the new class of models for machine learning, and is state-of-the-art. It is a powerful tool and has

Neutrophil elastases are deposited in azurophilic granules interspace of neutrophils and tightly associated with inflammatory ailments. The root barks of Artocarpus elasticus had a strong inhibitory potential against human neutrophil elastase (HNE). The responsible components for HNE inhibition were confirmed as alkylated flavones (2–4, IC50 = 14.8 ~ 18.1 μM) and dihydrobenzoxanthones (5–8, IC50 = 9

The objective of this study was to determine methane yields (MY) of organic wastes in biogasification facilities according to the mixing ratio of food waste/food waste leachate and sewage sludge. One biogasification facility that treated sewage sludge only was compared with three biogasification facilities treating sewage sludge and food waste. The theoretical MY was derived based on analyses of carbohydrate

Lotus leaves (Nelumbo nucifera) are widely used in medicines and foods. The investigate systematically studied the anti-obesity effect of lotus leaf extracts. It could reduce body weight, alleviate liver damage, and inhibit fat accumulation in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. Lotus leaf extracts reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP)

The leaves of Stauntonia hexaphylla (SHL) are a very popular herbal medicine in Korea because it can be used to treat rheumatic osteoporosis and other diseases. However, owing to the inconsistency in harvesting time and growth years, their quality is uneven, which indirectly negatively affects the safety of this medication. Therefore, the difference of constituents in SHL harvested at different seasons

Considering that sex differences in glucose metabolism are observed in mice, researchers unconsciously use male mice to reduce variations by an estrogen cycle in female mice. In this study, we investigated the sex differences in glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes inbred mice (C57BL/6J). The C57BL/6J male and female mice were injected with or without STZ (40 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive

The aim of this study is to assess the cytoprotection and potential molecular mechanisms of procyanidin B2 (PCB2) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in MCF-7 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to determine the viability of MCF-7 cell exposure to H2O2 or PCB2. We measured the antioxidant properties of PCB2 by determining

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) has been known reduce muscle pain after exercise, and 6-shogaol {(E)-1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)dec-4-en-3-one)} is the major essential oil contained in ginger. In this study, the protective effect of 6-shogaol on L6 muscle cells against oxidative damage was measured. 6-shagol inhibited the damage of L6 cell induced by H2O2, and allowed the increase in mRNA and

High purity polyunsaturated fatty acids (> 95%) are essential for the synthesis of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), such as protectins, resolvins, and maresins, which are used for clinical application. To date, high purity (> 95%) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n3) have been produced through various manufacturing steps using fish oil. In this

Fraxetin, which is a simple coumarin, is a phytochemical present in medicinal plants, such as Fraxinus rhynchophylla, and Cortex Fraxini. In plants, it serves as a controller of iron homeostasis. The health-enhancing activities of fraxetin, such as anticancer, neuroprotective and antibacterial activities, are known. Scopoletin 8-hydroxylase (S8H) is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of fraxetin

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major dietary source of human caloric intake. Grain filling, the developmental stage of the seed during which starch and proteins accumulate, is of great interest in plant biology and agronomy. However, proteomic datasets covering maize seed development, especially during grain filling, are much scarcer than transcriptomic datasets, largely due to the labor-intensive and costly

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sequential presoaking and chlorine dioxide (ClO2) on the reduction of pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in alfalfa. When unsoaked and presoaked alfalfa were exposed to 200 ppm ClO2 for 15 min, the population of E. coli and Salmonella spp. on presoaked seeds reduced more than those on unsoaked seeds by 2.07 and 1.43 log CFU g−1 (p < 0

Co-pyrolysis of animal manure biomass with bone meal (BM) and soaking of the resultant biochar in urea containing solutions may offer a sustainable and cheap way of formulating slow-release nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisers. This method can lead to optimisation of the carbon sequestration capacity of the biochar, abatement of environmental pollution by P and N and alleviation of the severity

In order to improve the synergistic effect of unripe apple polyphenols (APP) and chitooligosaccharides (COS), apple polyphenols-chitooligosaccharides microcapsule (APCM) were prepared by spray-drying method. The effects of APCM on the release of polyphenols in simulated gastrointestinal digestion model, as well as the anti-inflammatory effect against LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells were also evaluated.

Tomatoes, watermelons, and processed tomato products contain abundant antioxidant compounds, including lycopene. In spite of the interest in the role of lycopene, little is known about the contribution of tomatoes and tomato products commonly consumed in Korea to the intake of lycopene. In this study, the daily per capita intake values of lycopene and antioxidant compounds and activities of tomatoes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum HFY09 on gastric injury induced by HCl/ethanol in Kunming mice. The results showed that HFY09-H inhibited any increases in gastric juice volume, maintained the normal pH value of gastric acid, and reduced the damage caused to the gastric mucosa and gastric wall, the inhibition rate on the injury area reaches 63.70%. Compared

Wheat yield is decreasing due to climate change, and a method to prevent decreasing yield during drought stress is desirable. In this study, wheat cultivars (Koso and Jokyung) were treated with 15% polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG) and PEG + Si solution (6.5, 8.7, 13.1 and 26.1 mM). The effect of Si treatment on the alleviation of drought stress was measured using the germination test, shoot relative

Sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in food products to stabilize color and reduce rancidity. Its absorption into the body causes many diseases. Ellagic acid is a natural polyphenol that contains powerful antioxidants, but it is taken as a poorly absorbed food. Therefore, chitosan-coated nanoparticles (EANP@CS) were loaded to enhance their bioactivity and bioavailability after oral administration

The brain is considered an immune-privileged organ. However, it has been found that inflammation mediated by microglia, which were once believed to support the brain structure, plays important roles in neuronal cell survival and death. Whether activated microglia has beneficial or detrimental effects on neurons remain controversial. Activated microglia could contribute to maintaining homeostasis in

The efficacy of ethanol extract of Diospyros kaki (EEDK) on dry eye (DE) was determined using an experimental mouse model. Experimental groups included three treated with various amounts of EEDK and one treated with omega-3 for 2 weeks. Damage to the ocular surface was evaluated, and the presence of conjunctival goblet cells was determined. Moreover, the inflammatory response was analyzed via RT-PCR

Biological methods for leaching of nonferrous and noble metals from its sulfide ores are widely applied at industrial enterprises of different countries. This process is based on the use of the oxidative activity of acidophilic microorganisms. Since all bio systems are quite sensitive to the temperature, bacterial leaching process also significantly effects. In the present study, the impact of temperature

Acrylamide (AA), which is mainly found in fried foods, causes neurotoxicity, genetic toxicity, carcinogenic effects, and DNA damage. This study confirms that a strain of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC8014) could alleviate the toxicity of rats by inhibiting the AA-induced oxidative damage. Forty-eight adult male SD rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control group, AA group

Chemical amendments have been used to remediate soils contaminated with heavy metals. However, there is little understanding on the impacts of these amendments on the physiological and biochemical functions of plants and soil. This study used in situ microcosm experiment to understand the effect of chemical amendments on antioxidant and soil enzyme activity in plant and soil with respect to heavy metal

In the present study, we evaluated new sources of plant proteases from fruits of Bromelia karatas (BK) and Bromelia pinguin (BP) to obtain antioxidant hydrolyzates/bioactive peptides (BPs) derived from chicken by-products (CH) and fish by-products (FH). The profile of the peptides was identified by reverse-phase high-resolution liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and the size weight distribution by molecular

The antimicrobial resistance of food-borne pathogenic bacteria, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus, has been reported globally, warranting the need to identify promising alternative antibiotics such as endolysins that originate from bacteriophages. In our previous study, we characterized a bacteriophage infecting V. parahaemolyticus, vB_VpaP_KF2, at the molecular level. In this study, an open reading

Repeated chromatographic separations of the EtOAc fraction of Schisandra chinensis fruits on silica gel, octadecyl silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 led to the isolation and identification of seven dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans (1–7). The NMR data reported in the literature for angeloyl gomisin H (5) were shown to be incorrect. We unambiguously identified the compounds based on detailed analysis of the