Jatrophihabitans cynanchi sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of Cynanchum wilfordii.

A novel actinobacterial strain, SB3-54T was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Cynanchum wilfodill, Jaecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain SB3-54T were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, and flagellated which formed pale yellow colonies on Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar. Growth occurred at 15-30 °C (optimum 25 °C), pH 5-8 (optimum pH 7), and 0-2.5% NaCl (optimum 0%). Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses showed that strain SB3-54T formed a separate lineage in the genus Jatrophihabitans with Jatrophihabitans telluris N237T. Strain SB3-54T was positive for catalase activity. Genomic analysis showed that SB3-54T has plant-beneficial function contributing (referred to as PBFC) genes such as root colonization and plant protection from oxidative stress. Furthermore, genome of SB3-54T contained gene clusters related to cytokinin biosynthesis, auxin response, tryptophan biosynthesis, siderophore biosynthesis and bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems. Strain SB3-54T contained iso-C16:0 as the major fatty acid and MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6) as the predominant quinones. The organism had meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the peptidoglycan. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol polymannosides, two unidentified aminoglycophospholipids and three unidentified phospholipids. Based on phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain SB3-54T represents a novel species of the genus Jatrophihabitans. The type strain is SB3-54T (= KCTC 49134T = NBRC 114108T).

Mucilaginibacter mali sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of apple orchard.

A novel Gram-negative bacterium, designated G2-14T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil sample collected from apple orchard in Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. Strain G2-14T was a strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile and short-rod-shaped bacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain G2-14T was closely related to Mucilaginibacter myungsuensis HMD1056T (96.9 %) and Mucilaginibacter boryungensis BDR-9T (96.8 %). The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) of strain G2-14T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6с and/or C16:1 ω7с) and iso-C15:0. The predominant quinone and the major polar lipid were menaquinone-7 and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. Strain G2-14T produced acetic acid. The DNA G+C content based on whole genome sequences was 46.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain G2-14T represents a novel species in the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter mali sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G2-14T (=KCTC 72533T=NBRC 114179T).

Nocardioides cynanchi sp. nov., isolated from soil of rhizosphere of Cynanchum wilfordii.

A novel actinobacterial strain, SB3-45T, was isolated from soil of Cynanchum wilfordii rhizosphere, Jaecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. Strain SB3-45T, was Gram-stain-positive, aerobic and coccoid to short rod-shaped bacterium. Growth occurred at 4-37 °C (optimum 28 °C), pH 5-8 (optimum pH 7) and 0-2.5 % NaCl (optimum 0%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain SB3-45T belonged to the genus Nocardioides and was closely related to Nocardioides opuntiae OS-21T (96.2%) and Nocardioides panacihumi Gsoil 616T (95.9%). ll-DAP as the diamino acid in the peptidoglycan and the menaquinone MK-8(H4) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone were detected. The polar lipids of strain SB3-45T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and unidentified phospholipid. The major cellular fatty acids (>5%) of strain SB3-45T were iso-C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c and C17 : 0. Based on phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain SB3-45T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides cynanchi sp.nov. is proposed. The type strain is SB3-45T (=KCTC 49133T=NBRC 114107T).

Protective effects of Coenzyme Q10 against acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) refers to inflammation in the pancreas, which may lead to death in severe cases. Coenzyme Q10 (Q10), generally known to generate energy, plays an important role as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effector. Here, we showed the effect of Q10 on inflammatory response in murine AP model. For this study, we induced AP by injection of cerulein intraperitoneally or pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) in mice. The level of cytokines and digestive enzymes were measured in pancreas, and blood. All pancreatic tissues were excised for investigation such as histological changes, infiltration of immune cells. Administration of Q10 attenuated the severity of AP and its associated pulmonary complication as shown by reduction of acinar cell death, parenchymal edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and alveolar thickening in both cerulein-induced AP and PDL-induced AP. Moreover, reduction of the cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were observed in pancreas and pancreatic acinar cells by Q10. Furthermore, Q10 reduced the infiltration of immune cells such as monocytes and neutrophils and augmentation of chemokines such as CC chemokine-2 (CCL2) and C-X-C chemokine-2 (CXCL2) in pancreas of AP mice. In addition, Q10 deactivates the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in pancreas. In conclusion, these observations suggest that Q10 could attenuate the pancreatic damage and its associated pulmonary complications via inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration and that the deactivation of ERK and JNK by Q10 might contribute to the attenuation of AP.

Preventive Effects of Gardenia jasminoides on Cerulein-Induced Chronic Pancreatitis.

Our previous report revealed that Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) has protective effects against acute pancreatitis. So, we examined whether aqueous extract of GJ has anti-inflammation and antifibrotic effects even against cerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis (CP). CP was induced in mice by an intraperitoneal injection of a stable cholecystokinin (CCK) analogue, cerulein, six times a day, four days per week for three weeks. GJ extract (0.1 or 1[Formula: see text]g/kg) or saline (control group) were intraperitoneally injected 1[Formula: see text]h before first cerulein injection. After three weeks of stimulation, the pancreas was harvested for the examination of several fibrotic parameters. In addition, pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were isolated using gradient methods to examine the antifibrogenic effects of GJ. In the cerulein-induced CP mice, the histological features of the pancreas showed severe tissue damage such as enlarged interstitial spaces, inflammatory cell infiltrate and glandular atrophy, and tissue fibrosis. However, treatment of GJ reduced the severity of CP such as pancreatic edema and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, treatment of GJ increased pancreatic acinar cell survival, and reduced pancreatic fibrosis and activation of PSC in vivo and in vitro. In addition, GJ treatment inhibited the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in the PSCs. These results suggest that GJ attenuated the severity of CP and the pancreatic fibrosis by inhibiting JNK and ERK activation during CP.

Synergistic effect of Lactobacillus gasseri and Cudrania tricuspidata on the modulation of body weight and gut microbiota structure in diet-induced obese mice.

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity has been associated with alteration of gut microbiota alongside body weight gain. In this study, the synbiotic effect of Lactobacillus gasseri 505 (LG) and Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) in HFD-induced mice was revealed. After feeding mice with high-fat diet for 10 weeks, combination of LG and CT (LG_CT) exhibited the greatest reduction in the final body weight (11.9%). Moreover, microbial diversity significantly increased, and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) revealed that the LG_CT group showed closer cluster to NORM. At phylum level, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio increased in HFD, and the abundance of Bacteroidetes was restored by LG and CT. At genus level, notable changes in Alistipes, Desulfovibrio, Bilophila, and Acetatifactor were observed. Helicobacter elevated to 16.2% in HFD and diminished dramatically to less than 0.01% in LG and/or CT. At species level, L. gasseri increased after the administration of LG (0.54%) and LG_CT (1.14%), suggesting that LG may grow and colonize in the gut and CT can function as a prebiotic. Finally, functional analysis revealed certain metabolic factors correlated with body weight and gut microbiota. This study serves as a potential basis for the application of L. gasseri 505 and C. tricuspidata in the prevention and treatment of diet-induced obesity.Key Points • Combination of L. gasseri (LG) and C. tricuspidata (CT) reduced body weight gain.• Microbial diversity significantly increased in LG_CT treatment.• Abundance of microorganisms involved with leanness increased in LG, CT, and LG_CT.• Body weight is associated with some metabolic functions of gut microbiota.

Physicochemical Properties of Liquid Infant Formula Stored at Different Temperatures.

Changes in the physicochemical properties of ready-to-feed liquid infant formula (LIF) stored at different temperatures (10, 20, 30, and 40°C) for 6 mon, focusing on 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, color, pH, fat globule size distribution, and rheological properties were determined. The HMF content increased with storage time, and LIF stored at 40°C had a higher HMF content than that of LIF stored at 10°C. The lightness (L*) decreased while redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) increased with increasing HMF content. The fat globule size and pH of LIF stored at 10°C did not change. However, in the case of LIF stored at 30°C and 40°C, the fat globule size increased and the pH decreased during storage for 6 mon. LIF stored at 40°C had a higher apparent viscosity (ηa,10) than that of LIF stored at 10°C, and the shear-thinning behavior of LIF stored at higher temperature was stronger than that of LIF stored at low temperature. The physicochemical changes of LIF during storage were accelerated by Maillard reaction (MR) at higher storage temperatures. Therefore, even if LIF is aseptically manufactured, we recommend that sterilized LIF should be stored at low temperature in order to minimize quality changes during storage.

Effect of Homogenization Pressure and Supplementation with Sucrose Fatty Acid Ester on the Physical Properties of Dairy Cream-based Emulsions.

In this study, the droplet size distribution, rheological properties, and stability of dairy cream-based emulsions homogenized with different sucrose fatty acid ester (SFAE, a non-ionic small-molecule emulsifier) concentrations (0.08%, 0.16%, and 0.24% w/w) at different homogenization pressures (10 MPa and 20 MPa) were examined. Homogenization at a high pressure resulted in a smaller droplet size and narrower droplet size distribution. The D[4,3] (volume-weighted mean) and D[3,2] (surface-weighted mean) values of the emulsions decreased with an increase in the SFAE concentration. The flow properties of the emulsions homogenized with SFAE showed shear-thinning (n=0.21-0.46) behavior. The apparent viscosity (ηa,10) and consistency index (K) of the homogenized emulsions were lower than those of the control sample that is non-homogenized and without SFAE, and decreased with an increase in SFAE concentration. The storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G") of all emulsions homogenized with SFAE were also lower than those of the control sample. The stability of all emulsions with SFAE did not show any significant change for 30 d at 5°C. However, the emulsions stored at 40°C were unstable over the storage period. Therefore, the addition of SFAE enhanced the stability of dairy cream emulsions during storage at refrigeration temperature (5°C).

Jatrophihabitans telluris sp. nov., isolated from sediment soil of lava forest wetlands and the emended description of the genus Jatrophihabitans.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated N237T, was isolated from sediment soil of wetlands at Meonmulkkak, Dongbaek-Dongsan, the lava forest, Gotjawal, Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain N237T were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile rods and formed pale yellow colonies on ten-fold diluted Reasoner's 2A agar. Strain N237T contained iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c as the major fatty acids, MK-9(H4) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone and meso-DAP as the diamino acid in the peptidoglycan. It contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol polymannosides, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified glycophospholipids, three unidentified glycolipids and two unidentified lipids as polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 68.1 mol%. Strain N237T formed a separate lineage in the genus Jatrophihabitans, as demonstrated by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequencing. It was most closely related to Jatrophihabitans soli KIS75-12T (95.6 % sequence similarity). The combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics supported the conclusion that strain N237T represents a novel species in the genus Jatrophihabitans, for which the name Jatrophihabitans telluris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N237T (=KCTC 39922T=NRRL B-65477T).

Enhanced Microbial, Functional and Sensory Properties of Herbal Yogurt Fermented with Korean Traditional Plant Extracts.

This study evaluated the effects of two Korean traditional plant extracts (Diospyros kaki THUNB. leaf; DK, and Nelumbo nucifera leaf; NN) on the fermentation, functional and sensory properties of herbal yogurts. Compared to control fermentation, all plant extracts increased acidification rate and reduced the time to complete fermentation (pH 4.5). Supplementation of plant extracts and storage time were found to influence the characteristics of the yogurts, contributing to increased viability of starter culture and phenolic compounds. In particular, the increase in the counts of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus was highest (2.95 and 1.14 Log CFU/mL respectively) in DK yogurt. Furthermore, supplementation of the plant extracts significantly influenced to increase the antioxidant activity and water holding capacity and to produce volatile compounds. The higher antioxidant activity and water holding capacity were observed in NN yogurt than DK yogurt. Moreover, all of the sensory characteristics were altered by the addition of plant extracts. Addition of plant extracts increased the scores related to flavor, taste, and texture from plain yogurt without a plant extract, as a result of volatile compounds analysis. Thus, the overall preference was increased by plant extracts. Consequently, supplementation of DK and NN extracts in yogurt enhanced the antioxidant activity and physical property, moreover increased the acceptability of yogurt. These findings demonstrate the possibility of using plant extracts as a functional ingredient in the manufacture of herbal yogurt.

Nocardioides baekrokdamisoli sp. nov., isolated from soil of a crater lake.

A novel actinobacterial strain, B2-12T, was isolated from soil of a crater lake, Baekrokdam, Hallasan, Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain B2-12T were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming and coccoid to short-rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, showed that strain B2-12T belonged to the genus Nocardioides and shared highest sequence similarity with 'Nocardioidespaucivorans' KIS31-44 (98.4 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H4). The major fatty acids of strain B2-12T were C16 : 1 (ω7c and/or ω6c), summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl), C17 : 0 10-methyl, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω6c. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was ll-diaminopimelic acid. It contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 67.0 mol%. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain B2-12T represents a novel species in the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioidesbaekrokdamisolisp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B2-12T (=KCTC 39748T=NRRL B-65313T=DSM 100725T).

Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of a standardized potato extract in ob/ob mice.

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) has been cultivated globally for food for millenia. Potato contains proteinase inhibitor II, which catalyzes the release of cholecystokinin (CCK), leading to delayed gastric emptying in humans. The present study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Slendesta™ Potato Extract (SLD), a standardized potato extract containing 5% proteinase inhibitor II, in the ob/ob obese mice. Three doses of SLD (50, 150 or 300 mg/kg) were orally administered to ob/ob mice once a day for 28 days, whereas control mice were administered distilled water. Four weeks after SLD treatment, the changes in body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat weight, serum chemistry, insulin, leptin and adiponectin contents, and fat histopathology were determined and compared with ob/ob mice treated with 750 mg/kg conjugate linoleic acid. As a result of SLD treatment in the obese mice, body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat, serum biochemistry, histomorphological changes of fat and pancreas were significantly and dose-dependently decreased compared with ob/ob control mice. These obesity and type 2 diabetes associated alterations were significantly inhibited after SLD treatment for 28 days. Thus, the present results indicate that SLD has potential as an alternative therapeutic agent for obesity.

Microbiological characterization and functionality of set-type yogurt fermented with potential prebiotic substrates Cudrania tricuspidata and Morus alba L. leaf extracts.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 2 plant leaf extracts on fermentation mechanisms and health-promoting activities and their potential as a nutraceutical prebiotics ingredient for application in dairy products. The individual active phenolic compounds in the plant extract-supplemented milk and yogurts were also identified. Compared with control fermentation, the plant extracts significantly increased the growth and acidification rate of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. In particular, plant extract components, including monosaccharides, formic acid, and hydroxycinnamic acid, such as neo-chlorogenic, chlorogenic, and caffeic acid, together play a stimulatory role and cause this beneficial effect on the growth of yogurt culture bacteria through fermentation. In addition, supplementation with the plant extracts enhanced antioxidant activities with increased total phenolic contents, especially the highest antioxidant activity was observed in yogurt supplemented with Cudrania tricuspidata leaf extract.

Improved functionality of fermented milk is mediated by the synbiotic interaction between Cudrania tricuspidata leaf extract and Lactobacillus gasseri strains.

This study was designed to investigate the cooperative effect of selected Lactobacillus gasseri strains and Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) leaf extract in enhancing the health-promoting activities of fermented milk. Addition of CT increased total bacterial counts and proteolysis during fermentation of milk with L. gasseri strains. Antioxidant capacities were determined by measuring the ABTS, DPPH, and peroxyl radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing power. The antioxidant capacity of CT-supplemented milk was greater than that of milk without supplementation; moreover, the antioxidant activity of CT-supplemented milk was synergistically improved by fermentation with L. gasseri strains. In particular, CT-supplemented milk fermented by L. gasseri 505 showed the highest antioxidant activity. The phenolic compounds in CT, such as neo-chlorogenic, chlorogenic, and caffeic acid, were metabolized during fermentation with L. gasseri strains, and 3,4-dihydroxy-hydrocinnamic acid was produced as a fermentation metabolite. Moreover, the liberation of bioactive peptides of fermented milk was increased by the proteolytic activity of L. gasseri strains. In particular, six peptides, which were mainly derived from ß-casein, were newly identified in this study. These findings suggest that L. gasseri strains metabolize the phenolic acids in the CT and the bioactive peptides released through this interaction improve the antioxidant activity of the fermented milk.

Chemical characteristics and enhanced hepatoprotective activities of Maillard reaction products derived from milk protein-sugar system.

The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics, antioxidative properties, and hepatoprotective effects of Maillard reaction products (MRP) from milk protein reacted with sugars. The MRP were obtained from milk protein, whey protein concentrates and sodium caseinate, using 2 types of sugars, lactose and glucose, by heating the mixture at 55°C for 7d in a sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Changes in the chemical modification of the milk protein were monitored by measuring the protein-bound carbonyls and PAGE protein profiles. The results showed that the amount of protein-bound carbonyls increased after Maillard reaction (MR). In addition, sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE analysis indicated a formation of high-molecular weight complexes through MR. The modification sites induced by MR of milk protein were monitored by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic-digested gel spots of MRP. As a result, modification and their localization in AA sequence of MRP was identified. Also, the MRP showed higher antioxidant activities than the intact milk protein, and they reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species production and inhibited the depletion of the reduced glutathione concentrations in the HepG2 cells. In particular, glucose-sodium caseinate MRP showed the highest biological activities among all MRP. Therefore, these results suggest that the MRP from milk protein reacting with sugars possess effective antioxidant activity and have a protective ability against oxidative damage.

Anti-inflammatory effect of desoxo-narchinol-A isolated from Nardostachys jatamansi against lipopolysaccharide.

We previously reported that Nardostachys jatamansi (NJ) exhibits anti-inflammatory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the active compound in NJ is unknown. Therefore, here, we examined the effects of desoxo-narchinol-A (DN) isolated from NJ against LPS-induced inflammation. To demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effect of DN against LPS, we used two models; murine endotoxin shock model for in vivo model, and peritoneal macrophage responses for in vitro. In endotoxin shock model, DN was administrated intraperitoneally 1h before LPS challenge, then we evaluated mice survival rates and organ damages. Pretreatment with DN (0.05mg/kg, 0.1mg/kg, or 0.5mg/kg) dramatically reduced mortality in a murine LPS-induced endotoxin shock model. Furthermore, DN inhibited tissue injury and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), in the liver and lung. In in vitro macrophage model, we examined the inflammatory mediators and regulatory mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). DN inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and its derivative nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α and H3 protein acetylation in murine peritoneal macrophages. DN also inhibited p38 activation, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and NF-κB. These results suggest that DN from NJ exhibits protective effects against LPS-induced endotoxin shock and inflammation through p38 deactivation.

Single oral dose toxicity test of blue honeysuckle concentrate in mice.

The objective of this study was to obtain single oral dose toxicity information for concentrated and lyophilized powder of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L., Caprifoliaceae; BHcL) in female and male ICR mice to aid in the process of developing natural origin medicinal ingredients or foods following proximate analysis and phytochemical profile measurement. The proximate analysis revealed that BHcL had an energy value of 3.80 kcal/g and contained 0.93 g/g of carbohydrate, 0.41 g/g of sugar, 0.02 g/g of protein, and 0.20 mg/g of sodium. BHcL did not contain lipids, including saturated lipids, trans fats, or cholesterols. Further, BHcL contained 4.54% of betaine, 210.63 mg/g of total phenols, 159.30 mg/g of total flavonoids, and 133.57 mg/g of total anthocyanins. Following administration of a single oral BHcL treatment, there were no treatment-related mortalities, changes in body weight (bw) or organ weight, clinical signs, necropsy or histopathological findings up to 2,000 mg/kg bw, the limited dosage for rodents of both sexes. We concluded that BHcL is a practically non-toxic material in toxicity potency.

Syneilesis palmata (Thunb.) Maxim. extract attenuates inflammatory responses via the regulation of TRIF-dependent signaling and inflammasome activation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Syneilesis palmata (Thunb.) Maxim. (S. palmata, Asteraceae) is a traditional Korean therapeutic herb widely used to treat pain, arthritis, and other symptoms. This study provides the scientific basis for the anti-inflammatory effects of S. palmata extract (SP) in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages were used to study the regulatory effect of SP on the inflammatory mediators in vitro. Bone marrow-derived macrophages were used to study the effects of SP on inflammasome activation. Escherichia coli-induced sepsis mouse model and LPS-induced endotoxin shock model were employed to study the effect of SP on in vivo efficacy. RESULTS: SP inhibited the LPS-stimulated release of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide and interleukin (IL)-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. SP treatment also attenuated IL-1ß secretion via the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by monosodium urate, ATP, and nigericin. Further, SP ameliorated the severity of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated symptoms in LPS-induced endotoxin and E. coli-induced sepsis mouse models. Mechanistic studies revealed that inhibitory effects of SP were mediated through the regulation of TRIF-dependent signaling and inflammasome activation. CONCLUSION: This study was the first to reveal mechanistic-based evidence substantiating the traditional claims of SP in the treatment of inflammation-related disorders, such as pain and arthritis.

In vivo and in vitro antitumor effects of platycodin d, a saponin purified from platycodi radix on the h520 lung cancer cell.

Platycodin D is a major pharmacological constituent of Platycodi radix and has showed various pharmacological activities through oxidative stress defense mechanisms. Here, possible antitumor, anticachexia, and immunomodulatory activities of platycodin D were observed on the H520 tumor cell-bearing athymic nude mice after confirming the in vitro cytotoxicity. Platycodin D was orally administered at dose levels of 200, 100, and 50 mg/kg, once a day for 35 days from 15 days after implantation. The results were compared with gemcitabine 160 mg/kg intraperitoneally treated mice (7-day intervals). Platycodin D showed favorable cytotoxic effects on the H520 cells, and also dose-dependently decreased the tumor volumes and weights with increases of apoptotic cells (caspase-3 and PARP immunopositive cells), iNOS and TNF-α immunoreactivities, decreases of COX-2 immunoreactivities in tumor masses. Platycodin D also showed dose-dependent immunostimulatory and anticachexia effects. Gemcitabine showed favorable cytotoxity against H520 tumor cell and related in vivo antitumor effects but aggravated the cancer related cachexia and immunosuppress in H520 tumor cell-bearing athymic nude mice. Taken together, it is considered that oral treatment of platycodin D has potent antitumor activities on H520 cells through direct cytotoxic effects, increases of apoptosis in tumor cells, and immunostimulatory effects and can be control cancer related cachexia.

Effects of temperature and supplementation with skim milk powder on microbial and proteolytic properties during storage of cottage cheese.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of temperature and supplementation with skim milk powder (SMP) on the microbial and proteolytic properties during the storage of cottage cheese. Cottage cheese was manufactured using skim milk with 2% SMP and without SMP as the control, and then stored at 5°C or 12°C during 28 days. The chemical composition of the cottage cheese and the survival of the cheese microbiota containing starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) and non-starter culture lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) were evaluated. In addition, changes in the concentration of lactose and lactic acid were analyzed, and proteolysis was evaluated through the measurement of acid soluble nitrogen (ASN) and nonprotein nitrogen (NPN), as well as electrophoresis profile analysis. The counts of SLAB and NSLAB increased through the addition of SMP and with a higher storage temperature (12°C), which coincided with the results of the lactose decrease and lactic acid production. Collaborating with these microbial changes, of the end of storage for 28 days, the level of ASN in samples at 12°C was higher than those at 5°C. The NPN content was also progressively increased in all samples stored at 12°C. Taken together, the rate of SLAB and NSLAB proliferation during storage at 12°C was higher than at 5°C, and consequently it led to increased proteolysis in the cottage cheese during storage. However, it was relatively less affected by SMP fortification. These findings indicated that the storage temperature is the important factor for the quality of commercial cottage cheese.