Hair Growth-Promoting Activities of Glycosaminoglycans Extracted from the Tunics of Ascidian (Halocynthia roretzi).

Throughout the ages, hair has had psychological and sociological importance in framing the personality and general appearance of an individual. Despite efforts to solve this problem, no groundbreaking measures have been proposed. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and associated proteoglycans have important functions in homeostatic maintenance and regenerative processes of the skin. However, little is known about the role of these molecules in the regulation of the hair follicle cycle. Three fractions (F1, F2 and F3) were obtained after separation and purification of GAGs from ascidian tunics. F1 was observed to contain a small amount of amino sugar while high contents of galactose and N-acetylglucosamine were noted in F2 and F3. 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(ß-D-gluco-4-enepyranosyluronic acid)-6-O-sulfo-D-galactose (∆Di-6S) and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(ß-D-gluco-4-enepyranosyluronic acid)-4-O-sulfo-D-galactose (∆Di-4S) were the main disaccharide components. F3 exhibited the highest proliferation activity on human follicle dermal papilla (HFDP) cells. In addition, mixed samples (FFM) of F2 and F3 at different concentrations showed peak activities for five days. After cell culture at a concentration of 10 mg/mL and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the inhibition effect was higher than that for Minoxidil. Application of 10 mg of FFM to the hair of mice for 28 days resulted in a hair growth effect similar to that of Minoxidil, a positive control.

Nutritional quality variation in dried Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) using hybrid-pump dryer under different heating treatment.

This study explored the potential of using hybrid pump dryer (HPD) to utilize overproduction in aquaculture of oysters, especially during winter. HPD-dried oysters maybe used as amendments for kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish, for possible nutrient source and flavor enhancer. Oysters were subjected to different heating treatments and evaluated for proximate composition, quality characteristics, and antioxidant activities. Lower lipid and higher glycogen content were observed in HPD-dried oysters processed than the samples dried with hot air (HAD). HPD-dried oysters also exhibited lesser browning activity, better surface color, and higher antioxidant activities. Ash, protein, and water activity were slightly affected by heating treatment. VBN and TBARS were found to be higher in HAD-dried oysters, indicating faster spoilage. Applying heat pattern in drying resulted to improved quality characteristics and antioxidant activities and slower degradation of dried oyster products compared to their single-temperature-drying counterparts, especially those dried at high temperatures.

Characterization of hyaluronic acid extracted from Liparis tessellatus eggs grafted with phenolic acids and nisin.

In polymer therapeutics, polymer-based carrier systems conjugated with antioxidants have been synthesized and studied to improve diagnosis and treatment of diseases, such as, in cancer and tumor. The natural bioactive compound hyaluronic acid (HA), which is essential in medical and pharmaceutical fields, is a linear polymer composed of repeating disaccharide units of ß-1,3-N-acetyl glucosamine and ß-1,4-glucuronic acid. In this study, HA fractions of enzyme-assisted glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) extract from Liparis tessellatus eggs were grafted with gallic acid (GA), caffeic acid (CA), and ferulic acid (FA) via a free radical-mediated method, and with nisin via amide bond formation. The modification has been confirmed through FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy and quantified by Folin-Ciocalteu and Bradford assay. FTIR spectra of grafted HA samples exhibited the typical phenolic characteristics within 1450-1650 cm-1, and the formation of amide bond in nisin-grafted HA was shown by absorption peak within 1545-1646 cm-1. 1H NMR spectra showed new peaks of phenyl protons at 6.3-7.7 ppm and new peaks at 0.9-2.9 ppm of amino acids residues protons. These results all confirmed the successful grafting of GA, CA, FA and nisin onto the HA backbone extracted from L. tessellatus eggs.

Biocompatibility and structural characterization of glycosaminoglycans isolated from heads of silver-banded whiting (Sillago argentifasciata Martin & Montalban 1935).

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were extracted from heads of silver-banded whiting (SBW) fish and subjected to preliminary biocompatibility testing per ISO 10993: intracutaneous irritation, maximization sensitization, systemic toxicity, and cytotoxicity. When the GAG solution was injected intradermally, the observed irritation was within ISO limits and comparable to a marketed control. There was no evidence of sensitization, systemic toxicity, or cellular toxicity on the test organisms treated with the GAG mixture from SBW fish heads. Fractionation by size-exclusion chromatography has shown three distinct fractions: F1 as low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (190 kDa), F2 (82 kDa) and F3 (64 kDa), both as chondroitin sulfates. Structural characterization by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and disaccharide analysis have shown sulfation ratios at positions C4:C6 of the F2 and F3 fractions respectively as 70:20% and 50:30%, and the balance of non-sulfated and 4,6-di-sulfated units. The preliminary results here suggest that GAG-based extracts from SBW fish heads are suitable alternative products to be used in soft tissue augmentation, although further long-term biocompatibility studies are still required.