An account of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose of Atractylodes ovata in South Korea based on morphology and molecular data.

Ovate-leaf atractylodes (OLA) (Atractylodes ovata) is a well-known medicinal plant in Korea; its dried rhizome and root extracts are used in herbal medicine. However, anthracnose is a great challenge to the OLA cultivation in South Korea. Colletotrichum spp. is a major group of plant pathogens responsible for anthracnose on a range of economically important hosts. Its occurrence on OLA remains unresolved. To investigate the diversity, morphology, phylogeny, and biology of Colletotrichum spp., 32 fungal isolates were obtained from 30 OLA-affected leaves collected from five different farms, in two regions in South Korea, Mungyeong and Sangju. The phylogenetic analysis with four or five gene loci (ITS, TUB2, ACT, GAPDH, and CHS-1) along with morphology of 26 representative isolates delineated six previously known Colletotrichum species including C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides sensu stricto (s.s), C. cigarro, C. plurivorum, C. siamense and C. sojae, and one new species, described here as C. ovataense. Amongst these species, C. gloeosporioides s.s. and C. plurivorum were the most prevalent species. A pathogenicity test on the detached leaves revealed that different Colletotrichum species presented a distinct degree of virulence, confirming Koch's postulates. In this study, C. fructicola, C. cigarro, C. plurivorum, C. siamense, and C. sojae were reported from A. ovata for the first time, as the causal agent of ovate-leaf atractylodes anthracnose. Understanding the diversity and biology of the Colletotrichum species population will help in managing this disease.

The immune-enhancing effects of a mixture of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Angelica gigas Nakai, and Trichosanthes Kirilowii (Maxim.) or its active constituent nodakenin.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A mixture (SH003) of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Angelica gigas Nakai, and Trichosanthes Kirilowii (Maxim.) has beneficial effects against several carcinomas. There have been few reports on an immune-enhancing activity of SH003 and its active constituent nodakenin. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed at identifying the immune-enhancing effect of SH003 and nodakenin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immune-enhancing effect was evaluated using RAW264.7 macrophages, mouse primary splenocytes, and a cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppression murine model. RESULTS: The results show that SH003 or nodakenin stimulated the production levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, IL-12, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and nitric oxide (NO) and the expression levels of iNOS in RAW264.7 macrophages. SH003 or nodakenin also enhanced NF-κB p65 activation in RAW264.7 macrophages. SH003 or nodakenin stimulated the production levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-2, TNF-α, and NO and the expression levels of iNOS in splenocytes. SH003 or nodakenin increased the splenic lymphocyte proliferation and splenic NK cell activity. In addition, SH003 or nodakenin increased the levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α in the serum and spleen of CP-treated mice, alleviating CP-induced immunosuppression. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results of this study show that SH003 improved immunosuppression through the activation of macrophages, splenocytes, and NK cells. These findings suggest that SH003 could be applied as a potential immunostimulatory agent for a variety of diseases caused or exacerbated by immunodeficiency.

Hydrogen Absorption and Desorption Behavior on Aluminum-Coated Hot-Stamped Boron Steel during Hot Press Forming and Automotive Manufacturing Processes.

Our study mainly focused on diffusible hydrogen in aluminum-silicon-coated hot-stamped boron steel during a hot press forming process and in pre-treatment sequential lines of the automotive manufacturing process using a thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) technique. First, in the hot stamping procedure, as the soaking time increased in the heating furnace at a specific dew point when austenitizing, a high concentration of diffusible hydrogen was absorbed into the hot-stamped boron steel. Based on the TDS analysis of hydrogen absorbed from hot stamping, the activation energy value of hydrogen trapping in 1.8 GPa grade steel is lower than that of 1.5 GPa grade steel. This means that diffusible hydrogen can be more easily diffused into defective sites of the microstructure at a higher level of the tensile strength grade. Second, in sequential pre-treatment lines of the automotive manufacturing process, additional hydrogen did not flow into the surface, and an electro-deposition process, including a baking procedure, was effective in removing diffusible hydrogen, which was similar to the residual hydrogen of the as-received state (i.e., initial cold rolled blank). Based on these results, the hydrogen absorption was facilitated during hot press forming, but the hydrogen was sequentially desorbed during automotive sequential lines on aluminum-coated hot-stamped steel parts.

Microporous polymers with cascaded cavities for controlled transport of small gas molecules.

In membrane-based separation, molecular size differences relative to membrane pore sizes govern mass flux and separation efficiency. In applications requiring complex molecular differentiation, such as in natural gas processing, cascaded pore size distributions in membranes allow different permeate molecules to be separated without a reduction in throughput. Here, we report the decoration of microporous polymer membrane surfaces with molecular fluorine. Molecular fluorine penetrates through the microporous interface and reacts with rigid polymeric backbones, resulting in membrane micropores with multimodal pore size distributions. The fluorine acts as angstrom-scale apertures that can be controlled for molecular transport. We achieved a highly effective gas separation performance in several industrially relevant hollow-fibrous modular platform with stable responses over 1 year.

Anti-Melanoma Activities and Phytochemical Compositions of Sorbus commixta Fruit Extracts.

Sorbus commixta Hedl. (Rosaceae family) has a long history as a medicinal plant in East Asian countries. In this study, we evaluated the effect of S. commixta fruit extracts prepared with different ethanol concentrations on anti-melanoma activity, and the extraction yield of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Using the partitioned fractions from the EtOH extract, we found that the butanol fraction (BF) possessed strong cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL-2 cells (human melanoma cells) but not against HDFa cells (human dermal fibroblast adult cells). Additionally, BF-induced cell death was mediated by the inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling pathway, coupled with the upregulation of caspase-3 activity in SK-MEL-2 cells. Furthermore, HPLC analysis of polyphenolic compounds suggested that S. commixta fruits contained several active compounds including chlorogenic acid, rutin, protocatechuic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid, all of which are known to possess anti-cancer activities. Although this study has been carried out by cell-based approach, these results suggest that S. commixta fruits contain promising anti-melanoma compounds.

In Vitro Antioxidant, Antiinflammation, and Anticancer Activities and Anthraquinone Content from Rumex crispus Root Extract and Fractions.

Rumex crispus is a perennial plant that grows in humid environments across Korea. Its roots are used in traditional Korean medicine to treat several diseases, including diseases of the spleen and skin and several inflammatory pathologies. In this study, different solvent fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions) from an ethanol extract of R. crispus roots were evaluated for the presence and composition of anthraquinone compounds and antioxidants by checking for such things as free radical scavenging activity, and electron and proton atom donating ability. In addition, anti-inflammatory activity was measured by NO scavenging activity and inflammatory cytokine production; furthermore, anti-cancer activity was measured by apoptosis-inducing ability. Polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds were shown to be abundant in the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions, which also exhibited strong antioxidant activity, including free radical scavenging and positive results in FRAP, TEAC, and ORAC assays. HPLC analysis revealed that the dichloromethane fractions had higher anthraquinone contents than the other fractions; the major anthraquinone compounds included chrysophanol, emodin, and physcione. In addition, results of the anti-inflammatory assays showed that the ethyl acetate fraction showed appreciable reductions in the levels of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) in Raw 264.7 cells. Furthermore, the anthraquinone-rich dichloromethane fraction displayed the highest anticancer activity when evaluated in a human hepatoma cancer cell line (HepG2), in which it induced increased apoptosis mediated by p53 and caspase activation.

Polyphenolic Composition and Anti-Melanoma Activity of White Forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai) Organ Extracts.

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai, commonly called white forsythia, is a monotypic genus endemic to Korea. Although A. distichum is mainly used as an ornamental plant because of its horticultural value, recent studies have demonstrated its bioactivities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, prompting us to investigate the potential anticancer effect of A. distichum organ extracts (leaves, fruit, and branches) against human melanoma SK-MEL-2 cells. The methanol extract of A. distichum leaves (AL) exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicities against SK-MEL-2 cells but not against HDFa human dermal fibroblasts. Based on high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, we identified 18 polyphenolic compounds from A. distichum organ extracts and suggest that differences in anticancer activity between organ extracts should be caused by different compositions of polyphenolic compounds. Additionally, the Annexin V/propidium iodide staining assay and analysis of caspase activity and expression indicated that AL induced cell death, including early and late apoptosis, as well as necrosis, by inducing the extrinsic pathway. Furthermore, we analyzed the differentially expressed genes between mock- and AL-treated cells using RNA-seq technology, suggesting that the anti-melanoma action of AL is mediated by down-regulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Taken together, these results shed light on the potential use of A. distichum as a green resource with potent anti-melanoma activity.

Dendropanax morbifera Leaf Polyphenolic Compounds: Optimal Extraction Using the Response Surface Method and Their Protective Effects against Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage.

The response surface methodology was used to optimally extract the antioxidant substances from Dendropanax morbifera leaves. The central composite design was used to optimally analyze the effects of ethanol concentration, sample to solvent ratio, extraction temperature, and extraction time on the total flavonoids (TF) content, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). All three parameters were largely influenced by the ethanol concentration and extraction temperature, while TEAC was also influenced by the sample to solvent ratio. The maximum values of TF content, FRAP, and TEAC were achieved under the following extraction conditions: 70% ethanol, 1:10 sample to solvent ratio, 80 °C, and 14 h. The D. morbifera leaf extracts (DMLE) produced under these optimum extraction conditions were investigated to determine their preventive effects on alcohol-induced liver injury. The DMLE was shown to prevent liver injury by scavenging the reactive oxygen species generated by alcohol. In addition, composition analysis of DMLE found high contents of chlorogenic acid and rutin that were determined to inhibit alcoholic liver injury. The findings of this study suggest that DMLE could prove useful as a functional food product supplement to prevent liver injury caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Comparison of the main components and bioactivity of Rhus verniciflua Stokes extracts by different detoxification processing methods.

BACKGROUND: Rhus verniciflua Stokes is an Asian tree species that is used as a food supplement and traditional medicine in Korea. However, its use is restricted by its potential to cause allergy. Thus, allergen-free R. verniciflua extracts are currently being marketed as a functional health food in Korea. In the present study, three different allergen-free R. verniciflua extracts (DRVE, FRVE, and FFRVE) were produced by detoxification of R. verniciflua, and their properties and constituents were compared. METHODS: The main components and properties (antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and hepatic lipogenesis inhibitory effects) of the three allergen-free extracts were compared. Moreover, the major phenolic constituents of R. verniciflua, including gallic acid, fustin, fisetin, and quercetin, were analyzed in the three extracts. RESULTS: DRVE was superior to the two other extracts with regard to antioxidant activity, while FRVE was superior with regard to antimicrobial activity and suppression of hepatic lipogenesis. FRVE exhibited lipid-lowering effects by lowering sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and triglyceride levels, and promoting the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and AMP-activated protein kinase in an in vitro model of non-alcoholic fatty liver. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings demonstrate various differences among the three extracts. This suggests that functional and bioactive compounds present in R. verniciflua could be altered by the detoxification process, and this property could be considered in the development of functional health foods in the future.

Sasa quelpaertensis leaves ameliorate alcohol-induced liver injury by attenuating oxidative stress in HepG2 cells and mice.

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the progression of alcoholic liver diseases and substances of antioxidant property are of special interest for therapeutic purposes. We investigated the hepatoprotective effect of leaf extracts of Sasa quelpaertensis, an edible bamboo mainly cultivated in Jeju Island, South Korea. We examined the cytotoxicity of different extracts (distilled water, 20-80% EtOH) of S. quelpaertensis on HepG2 cells and their hepatoprotective effect on HepG2 cells stimulated by ethanol (800 mM, 24 h). Furthermore, we measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, ethanol toxicity induced cell death, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In in vivo experiments, liver damage was induced by oral administration of 5 g/kg ethanol with or without potent ethanol extract of S. quelpaertensis (10 or 100 mg/kg) 12 h interval for a total of 3 doses. Only 80% ethanol extract of S. quelpaertensis (SQEE80) exhibited cytoprotective effect on HepG2 cells against alcohol-induced toxicity. SQEE80 treatment (250, 500 µg/mL) in ethanol exposed HepG2 cells showed significant attenuation of ROS production and ethanol toxicity induced cell death. Furthermore, SQEE80 markedly increased the activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase 1 in ethanol exposed HepG2 cells compared to ethanol stimulated cells. In in vivo experiments, SQEE80 treatment evidently suppressed the alcohol-induced histopathological changes in liver, serum ethanol content, and expression of cytochrome P450 2E1. Furthermore, SQEE80 significantly reversed the reduction of glutathione level in the ethanol challenged liver. Taken together, we suggest the possibility of developing SQEE80 as a natural hepatoprotective substance in attenuating alcohol-induced oxidative stress.

Phenolic acid and flavonoid-rich fraction of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai leaves prevent alcohol induced fatty liver through AMPK activation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is an edible dwarf bamboo cultivated mainly in Jeju Island, South Korea and its leaf displays various health-promoting properties including antioxidant scavenging. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we aimed at elucidating its hepatoprotective effect against alcohol-induced fatty liver. METHODS: In in vitro study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective effect of different solvent fractions (aqua, butanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hexane) of 80% EtOH extract of S. quelpaertensis Nakai leaf. In vivo experiment performed using binge alcohol consumption model. RESULTS: Although all five fractions (0-1000 µg/mL) were non-cytotoxic to HepG2 cells, only ethyl acetate fraction (SQEA), rich in phenolic acids such as p-coumaric acid and flavonoids particularly myristin, showed hepatoprotective effect against EtOH (400 mM) in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, SQEA significantly decreased the ethanol induced cell death and enhanced the cell proliferation. In in vivo experiment using binge consumption model (5 g of EtOH/kg body weight in every 12 h for 3 times), SQEA treatment (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) markedly reduced the alcohol induced histopathological changes and serum EtOH content, and reversed the reduction of glutathione level in ethanol challenged livers. Further, it suppressed the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). In particular, SQEA activated AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, and decreased the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR1), which attenuated lipogenesis via decreased expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS). Inhibited lipogenesis due to SQEA treatment directed towards decreased perilipin-2 expression. These results indicate that SQEA has hypolipidemic effect which is mediated by decreased oxidative stress, increased fatty acid oxidation response and decreased lipogenesis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the possibility of developing SQEA as a natural hepatoprotective agent potent in attenuating alcohol-induced fatty liver.

Effects of Diabetic Macular Edema on Repeatability of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measurements at the Macular and Peripapillary Area Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the repeatability of macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements made using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and automated segmentation. Measurements were made in non-diabetic controls and in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) with or without diabetic macular edema (DME). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 131 eyes of 131 participants were included. Fifty-one eyes with DR had no DME (DME[-]), 45 eyes with DR had DME (DME[+]), and 35 eyes were healthy. Measurements of RNFL and full retinal thickness were simultaneously obtained with SS-OCT in the peripapillary area and in the nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfields using the wide three-dimensional mode. All measurements were made twice on the same day by a single examiner to test intra-observer repeatability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of repeatability were examined to evaluate repeatability. RESULTS: Average macular and temporal peripapillary RNFL thickness values were greater in the DME[+] group (36.4 ± 13.2 and 83.8 ± 19.4 µm, respectively) than in the control (27.4 ± 3.5 and 73.5 ± 11.4 µm, respectively) and DME[-] (27.9 ± 3.4 µm and 70.3 ± 11.3 µm, respectively) groups (both P < 0.001). The ICCs of average macular (control: 0.982, DME[-]: 0.913, and DME[+]: 0.970) and peripapillary (control: 0.972, DME[-]: 0.973, and DME[+]: 0.958) RNFL thickness measurements indicated good repeatability in all three study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the ICCs of average RNFL thickness measurements were relatively lower in eyes with DR than in healthy controls, the intra-observer repeatability of SS-OCT RNFL and full retinal thickness measurements is sufficiently reliable for them to be clinically useful.

Thermally rearranged (TR) bismaleimide-based network polymers for gas separation membranes.

Highly permeable, thermally rearranged polymer membranes based on bismaleimide derivatives that exhibit excellent CO2 permeability up to 5440 Barrer with a high BET surface area (1130 m2 g-1) are reported for the first time. In addition, the membranes can be easily used to form semi-interpenetrating networks with other polymers endowing them with superior gas transport properties.

Data on combination effect of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles and non-thermal plasma inhibit growth of solid tumors.

Highly resistant tumor cells are hard to treat at low doses of plasma. Therefore, researchers have gained more attention to development of enhancers for plasma therapy. Some enhancers could improve the efficacy of plasma towards selectivity of cancer cells damage. In this dataset, we report the application of low doses of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles with addition of plasma treatment. This data consists of the effect of PEG-coated GNP and cold plasma on two solid tumor cell lines T98G glioblastoma and A549 lung adenocarcinoma. Cell proliferation, frequency of cancer stem cell population studies by this co-treatment was reported. Finally, we included in this dataset the effect of co-treatment in vivo, using tumor xenograft nude mice models. The data supplied in this article supports the accompanying publication "Low doses of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles sensitize solid tumors to cold plasma by blocking the PI3K/AKT-driven signaling axis to suppress cellular transformation by inhibiting growth and EMT" (N. K. Kaushik, N. Kaushik, K. C. Yoo, N Uddin, J. S. Kim, S. J. Lee et al., 2016) [1].

The Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant and Biological Activity for the Dendropanax morbifera LEV. Leaves Extracted by Different Ethanol Concentrations.

The different concentrations of ethanol (20-100%) and distilled water extract for Dendropanax morbifera LEV. leaves were evaluated to induce antioxidant and biological activity employed by variety of assays. The 20%, 80%, and 100% ethanol extract demonstrated the relatively higher activity, whereas distilled water, 40%, and 60% ethanol extracts exhibited the lower antioxidant and biological activity. Especially, 80% ethanol extract showed the remarkably higher radical scavenging activity, reducing power, total phenol and flavonoid content, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity, and alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. Also, 100% ethanol extract exhibited relatively greater activity, but there did not show significant radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, there were 50% and 30% promotion effect for ADH activity assay and 80% and 40% promotion effect for ALDH activity assay in 80% and 100% ethanol extract, respectively. In addition, in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), all extracts except for distilled water extract inhibited Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus, Escherichia coli. For Pichia jadinii, whole extracts effectively inhibited yeast multiplication at concentration of 125 µg/mL for 100% ethanol extract and 250 µg/mL for the rest of extract. These result indicated that D. morbifera LEV. leaves extracted by 80% ethanol would be the ideal extracting solution to maximize inherent antioxidant and biological activity agent.

Effects of high voltage nanosecond pulsed plasma and micro DBD plasma on seed germination, growth development and physiological activities in spinach.

In this study, we analyzed seed germination, seedling growth, and physiological aspects after treatment with high voltage nanosecond pulsed plasma and micro DBD plasma in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), a green leafy vegetable known to have low germination rate. Both germination and dry weight of seedlings increased after high voltage pulse shots were applied to spinach seeds. However seeds treated with many shots (10 shots) showed a decrease in germination rate and seedling growth. Seeds treated with air DBD plasma exhibited slightly higher germination and subsequent seedling growth than those treated with N2 plasma. Seed surface was degenerated after treated with high voltage pulsed plasma and micro DBD plasma but no significant difference in the degree of degeneration was observed among micro DBD plasma treatment time. Level of GA3 hormone and mRNA expression of an amylolytic enzyme-related gene in seeds were elevated 1 day after treatment with high voltage pulsed plasma. The relative amount of chlorophyll and total polyphenols in spinach seedlings grown from seeds treated with air DBD plasma was increased in 30 s, 1 min, and 3 min treatments. Taken together, our results suggest a possibility that plasma can enhance seed germination by triggering biochemical processes in seeds.

Antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory effects of aerial parts extract from Korean crowberry (Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum).

Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum L.) is a wild berry commonly found in the northern hemisphere. Crowberry fruits have been suggested as good resources for functional applications in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, but the high polyphenolic content in crowberry leaves also indicates crowberry aerial parts as potential dietary health supplements. In this study, therefore, the biological activities of the aerial parts of Korean crowberry (E. nigrum var. japonicum) were investigated. Antioxidant activity was measured by three different assays on DPPH free radical scavenging, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacities. Dose-dependent antioxidant activities were exhibited by crude methanol extract and its fractions, suggesting that the crude methanol extract and EtOAc fraction possessed strong antioxidant activities and capacities. In addition, the crude methanol extract and EtOAc strongly inhibited α-glucosidase activity and suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediator and nitrite oxide from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These findings provide valuable evidence for the potential of such parts as good dietary sources of natural antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory, and anti-inflammatory components, suggesting that using the non-edible parts (e.g., leaves and stems) of crowberry can be a potential natural avenue for improving human health.

Low doses of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles sensitize solid tumors to cold plasma by blocking the PI3K/AKT-driven signaling axis to suppress cellular transformation by inhibiting growth and EMT.

Metastasis, the primary cause of tumor cell transformation, is often activated during cancer invasion and progression and is associated with poor therapeutic outcomes. The effects of combined treatments that included PEG-coated gold nanoparticles (GNP) and cold plasma on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSC) have not been described so far. Here, we report that co-treatment with GNP and cold plasma inhibited proliferation in cancer cells by abolishing the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling axis. In addition, co-treatment reversed EMT in solid tumor cells by reducing the secretion of a number of proteins, resulting in the upregulation of epithelial markers such as E-cadherin along with down-regulation of N-Cadherin, Slug and Zeb-1. The inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway and the reversal of EMT by co-treatment prevented tumor cells growth in solid tumors. Furthermore, we show that GNP and plasma also suppresses tumor growth by decreasing mesenchymal markers in tumor xenograft mice models. Importantly, co-treatment resulted in a substantial decrease in sphere formation and the self-renewal capacity of glioma-like stem cells. Together, these results indicate a direct link between a decrease of EMT and an increase in cell death in solid tumors following co-treatment with cold plasma and GNP.

Induction of apoptosis in MCF­7 human breast cancer cells by Khz (fusion of Ganoderma lucidum and Polyporus umbellatus mycelium).

Khz (fusion of Ganoderma lucidum and Polyporus umbellatus), isolated from the mycelia of G. lucidum and P. umbellatus, exerts anti­proliferative effects against malignant cells; however, its activity against human breast cancer cells remains to be elucidated. In the present study, cell proliferation was assessed using a 3-(4,5­dimethylthiazol­2­yl)-2,5­diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and poptosis was examined using annexin V­propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. The activation of caspases 7, 8 and 9 were detected in the Khz­treated cells using western blotting. The results demonstrated that Khz increased the intracellular calcium concentration and induced the production of reactive oxygen species in MCF­7 breast cancer cells, as determined using flow cytometry. The results also demonstrated that Khz inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in the MCF­7 cells. In addition, the mechanism by which Khz induces apoptosis in cancer cells was investigated. Khz induced apoptosis preferentially in transformed cells, with a minimal effect on non­transformed cells, suggesting its potential as an anticancer therapeutic agent. Oxidative stress is associated with apoptotic and non­apoptotic cell death, although pro­oxidative conditions are not a pre­requisite for apoptosis. Assessment of the activation status of caspases 7, 8 and 9 revealed that the levels of cleaved caspases were significantly increased in the cells treated with Khz. It is widely accepted that calcium signaling is important in apoptosis, and the present study observed an increase in [Ca2+]i in response to Khz treatment. The anti­proliferative and pro­apoptotic effects of Khz suggest that this extract may be developed as a potential anticancer agent.

Nutritional and nutraceutical characteristics of Sageretia theezans fruit.

The fruit of Sageretia theezans is one of many underutilized edible fruits that grow along the southern seashores of East Asia. In this study, to evaluate the nutritional and nutraceutical values of S. theezans fruit, the composition of minerals, organic acids, and proximate and fatty acids, the total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin content, and the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of S. theezans fruit were analyzed. The results indicate that S. theezans fruit could be classified as a potential potassium-, malic acid-, and linoleic/oleic acid-rich fruit. In addition, The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of the 70% ethanol (EtOH) crude extract exhibited strong antioxidant activities including free radical scavenging and reducing power activities compared with the same concentration of butylated hydroxytoluene. Furthermore, the EtOAc fraction showed significant inhibition of α-glucosidase activity. The analysis of the total phenolic and flavonoid content suggested that the remarkable antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the EtOAc fraction are due to the presence of high levels of polyphenolic compounds.