The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a Pholiota adiposa extract on fat mass in hyperlipidemic mice fed on a high-fat diet. The water extracts from P. adiposa (ASI 24018) were not affected in the total triglyceride contents and epididymal fat mass in mice fed on a high-fat diet, but the retroperitoneal fat mass decreased significantly. This result suggests that the P. adiposa extract may be a potential candidate for use as a functional food that can act as a prophylactic against hyperlipidemia. However, the P. adiposa extract showed no effect in the total triglyceride contents and epididymal fat mass.
Animals ; Diet, High-Fat ; Functional Food ; Hyperlipidemias ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Mice* ; Pholiota* ; Triglycerides ; Water

Based on the rDNA ITS sequences data, specific primer set for PCR detection of wood-decaying fungus Phellinus linteus was designed. The length of PCR products using designed primer set(SHF and SHR) was about 540 bp. Among 11 species, 17 isolates of Phellinus spp. including Phellinus linteus, P. pomaceus, P. spiculosus, P. baumi, P. pini, P. igniarius, P. gilvus, P. biscuspidatus, P. weirii, P. johnsonianus, P. robutus, and P. igniarius, seven isolates of Phellinus linteus showed about 540 bp-sized single band. This molecular technique could offer a useful tool for detecting and identifying Phellinus linteus.
DNA, Ribosomal* ; Fungi* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

This study examined the chemical composition of A. blasiliensis and the chemical structural properties of an immuno-stimulating polysaccharide. The amino acids, free sugars, and organic acids by HPLC and fatty acids by GC were analyzed. The immuno-stimulating substance from A. blasiliensis was extracted with hot water and purified by ethanol precipitation. It underwent ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration on Toyopearl HW 65F. Through GP-HPLC, the substance was found to be homogeneous. Its chemical structure was determined by 13C-NMR. Fatty acids, organic acids, and sugar alcohol composition consisted exclusively of linoleic acid, fumaric acid and mannitol, respectively. The amino acids were mainly glutamic acid, glycine, and arginine. By 13C-NMR analysis, the immuno-stimulating substance was identified as beta-(1-->3) (1-->6)-glucan, composed of a backbone with (1-->3)-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues branching a (1-->6)-linked D-glucopyranosyl residue. The beta-glucan from A. blasiliensis showed pronounced immuno-stimulating activity on the antibody-production ability of B-lymphocytes by the hemolytic suspension assay. In these results, A. blasiliensis was estimated to have potent pharmacological properties and potential nutritional values.
Agaricus ; Amino Acids ; Arginine ; B-Lymphocytes ; Carbohydrates ; Chromatography, Gel ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; DEAE-Cellulose ; Ethanol ; Fatty Acids ; Fumarates ; Glutamic Acid ; Glycine ; Linoleic Acid ; Mannitol ; Nutritive Value ; Water

The purposes of this study were to determine phenolic compounds and to evaluate antioxidant activities of plums (Soldam, Oishiwase and Formosa). Soldam contains the highest amount of total phenolics among cultivars (Formosa: 4.0%, Oishiwase: 3.3%, Soldam: 6.4% for total phenolic) as well as the total flavonoids of which constituents were mainly myricetin and anthocyanidin. The antioxidant activities were measured by DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, and SOD-like activities. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of Korean plum extracts (200 microg/mL) showed more than 43%, and the Soldam turned out to be the highest : ID50 value: 160-177 microg/mL for Formosa and Oishiwase; 58-64 microg/mL for Soldam. The ABTS radical scavenging activity of Korean plum extracts (200 microg/mL) was found to be more than 50%. The SOD-like activity of Korean plum extracts (200 microg/mL) showed more than 70%. Among three kinds of cultivars, Soldam had the highest antioxidant activity. The nitrite scavenging activity of Soldam was 61.5%, which is the highest, compared with that of the other cultivars, about 50%. From these results, Korean plums turned out to be phytochemical rich fruit as well as to show high antioxidant activities.
Anthocyanins ; Benzothiazoles ; Flavonoids ; Fruit ; Phenol ; Prunus domestica ; Sulfonic Acids ; Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract is used as a traditional herbal medicine. The efficacy of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract is known for antioxidative activity, antiinflammation effect, antibacterial effect, inhibitory effect of melanin synthesis, sun protection effect, antiallergy effect, and etc. OBJECTIVE: We confirmed the cell viability or inhibitory effect of melanin synthesis in HaCaT (human keratinocyte cell line) and B16F10 (murine melanoma cell line) cells and the skin safety test through a clinical test (dermal irritation study) for Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract, according to the extraction methods. METHODS: We checked the cell viability, using MTT assay and inhibitory effect of melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells or HaCaT cells for thirty one Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract, according to the extraction methods. Then, we evaluated the skin safety for selected eight Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract through a primary dermal irritation test. RESULTS: Among the thirty one Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts, according to the extraction methods, we selected eight Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts that were not detected with cell toxicity in HaCaT cells and B16F10 cells, and could have inhibited the melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. The selected eight Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts identified the skin safety through a primary dermal irritation test. CONCLUSION: We expect clinical trials for whitening efficacy based on inhibitory effect of melanin synthesis and human skin safety for Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts.
Cell Survival ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Melanins ; Melanoma ; Scutellaria ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; Skin ; Solar System

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Elevation of postprandial lipemia characterized by a rise in triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins can increase the risk of atherogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate postprandial lipemia response to a single dietary fat/sugar load test and monitor beneficial changes induced by the consumption of Platycodi radix (AP) beverage in healthy subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to either placebo or AP beverage group with a high-fat shake in a randomized controlled crossover trial. Postprandial blood was collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h and analyzed for TG and lipoprotein lipase mass. Inhibition of pancreatic lipase was determined in vitro. RESULTS: AP inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in vitro (IC₅₀ = 5 mg/mL). Compared to placebo beverage, AP beverage consumption with a high-fat shake induced significant increase of plasma lipoprotein lipase mass (P = 0.0111, β estimate = 4.2948) with significant reduction in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) TG concentration (P = 0.038, β estimate = −52.69) at 6 h. Based on significant correlation between high-fat dietary scores MEDFICTS and postprandial TG responses in VLDL (P = 0.0395, r = 0.2127), subgroup analysis revealed that 6 h-postprandial VLDL TG response was significantly decreased by AP consumption in subjects with MEDFICTS ≥ 40 (P = 0.0291, β estimate = −7214). CONCLUSIONS: AP beverage might have potential to alleviate postprandial lipemia through inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity and elevating lipoprotein lipase mass. Subgroup analysis revealed that subjects with high-fat dietary pattern could be classified as responders to AP beverage among all subjects.
Atherosclerosis ; Beverages* ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Hyperlipidemias* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lipase ; Lipoprotein Lipase ; Lipoproteins* ; Plasma ; Triglycerides

A novel synthetic hexapeptide (SFKLRY-NH2) that displays angiogenic activity has been identified by positional scanning of a synthetic peptide combinatorial library (PS-SPCL). This study was carried out to investigate the irritation of the SFKLRY-NH2 on the skin. The tests were performed on the basis of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) guidelines. In results, cell toxicity is not appeared for SFKLRY-NH2 in HaCaT cells and B16F10 cells. SFKLRY-NH2 induced no skin irritation at low concentration (10 microM), mild irritation at high concentration (10mM). We consider that this result is helpful for saying about the safety of SFKLRY-NH2 in clinical use.
Korea ; Oligopeptides ; Peptide Library ; Skin ; United States Food and Drug Administration

The process of biodegradation in lingo-cellulosic materials is critically relevant to biospheric carbon. The study of this natural process has largely involved laboratory investigations, focused primarily on the biodegradation and recycling of agricultural by-products, generally using basidiomycetes species. In order to collect super white rot fungi and evaluate its ability to degrade lingo-cellulosic material, 35 fungal strains, collected from forests, humus soil, livestock manure, and dead trees, were screened for enzyme activities and their potential to decolorize the commercially used Poly-R 478 dye. In the laccase enzymatic analysis chemical test, 33 white rot fungi and 2 brown rot fungi were identified. The degradation ability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) according to the utilized environmental conditions was higher in the mushrooms grown in dead trees and fallen leaves than in the mushrooms grown in humus soil and livestock manure. Using Poly-R 478 dye to assess the PAH-degradation activity of the identified strains, four strains, including Agrocybe pediades, were selected. The activities of laccase, MnP, and Lip of the four strains with PAH-degrading ability were highest in Pleurotus incarnates. 87 fungal strains, collected from forests, humus soil, livestock manure, and dead trees, were screened for enzyme activities and their potential to decolorize the commercially used Poly-R 478 dye on solid media. Using Poly-R 478 dye to assess the PAHdegrading activity of the identified strains, it was determined that MKACC 51632 and 52492 strains evidenced superior activity in static and shaken liquid cultures. Subsequent screening on plates containing the polymeric dye poly R-478, the decolorization of which is correlated with lignin degradation, resulted in the selection of a strain of Coriolus versicolor, MKACC52492, for further study, primarily due to its rapid growth rate and profound ability to decolorize poly R-478 on solid media. Considering our findings using Poly-R 478 dye to evaluate the PAH-degrading activity of the identified strains, Coriolus versicolor, MKACC 52492 was selected as a favorable strain. Coriolus versicolor, which was collected from Mt. Yeogi in Suwon, was studied for the production of the lignin-modifying enzymes laccase, manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP), and lignin peroxidase (LiP).
Agaricales ; Agrocybe ; Anthraquinones ; Basidiomycota ; Carbon ; Coloring Agents ; Fungi ; Humans ; Laccase ; Lignin ; Lip ; Livestock ; Manure ; Mass Screening ; Peroxidase ; Peroxidases ; Pleurotus ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; Polymers ; Recycling ; Soil ; Sprains and Strains ; Trees

This study investigated the morphological differences of P. ostreatus grown in the artificial environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, ventilation, and watering. Oyster mushroom, which was cultivated on artificial environmental condition, was shown to have different morphology of fruitbodies. The optimum CO2 concentration for good morphology of P. ostreatus was 0.3%. But most fruitbody showed the morphologically low qualities in more than 0.5% of CO2 concentration. In the humidity in excess of 80% at 13~16degrees C, the best morphology of P. ostreatus was investigated. The growth of fruitbodies of P. ostreatus in the ventilation system was good at the wind velocity ranging from 0.2~0.5 fpms and expouring type. In other conditions, P. ostreatus generally showed the morphology closing to malformation.
Humidity ; Pleurotus* ; Ventilation ; Wind

This study investigated the biochemical changes of abnormal fruiting bodies grown under artificial environmental conditions in P. ostreatus. Abnormal mushroom growth during cultivation damages the production of good quality mushroom. This study showed that different environmental conditions produced morphological changes in the fruiting bodies of P. ostreatus. The fruiting bodies with morphological changes were collected and examined for differences in biochemical properties, enzyme activities, and carbohydrates composition. The enzyme activities assay showed that glucanase and chitinase activities decreased when the temperature was below or above the optimum cultivation temperature for P. ostreatus. The biochemical compositions of the abnormal mushroom were significantly different from the normal fruiting bodies. It was suggested that the changes in the biochemical composition of abnormal mushroom were caused by the unfavorable environmental conditions during mushroom cultivation.
Agaricales ; Carbohydrates ; Chitinase ; Fruit* ; Pleurotus*