Marine Healing, but Not Additional Intake of Undaria pinnatifida, Benefits Physical and Emotional Exhaustion Symptoms of Menopause

Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects of brown seaweeds in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Seaweeds have been reported to have various health beneficial effects. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of four types of domestic brown seaweeds in a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). MATERIALS/METHODS: Male C57BL/6N mice were fed low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD containing Undaria Pinnatifida, HFD containing Laminaria Japonica (LJ), HFD containing Sargassum Fulvellum, or HFD containing Hizikia Fusiforme (HF) for 16 weeks. RESULTS: Brown seaweed supplementation did not affect long-term HFD-associated changes in body weight or adiposity, although mice fed HFD + LJ or HFD + HF gained slightly less body weight compared with those fed HFD at the beginning of feeding. Despite being obese, mice fed HFD + LJ appeared to show improved insulin sensitivity compared to mice fed HFD. Consistently, we observed significantly reduced blood glucose concentrations in mice fed HFD + LJ compared with those of mice fed HFD. Although no significant differences in adipocyte size were detected among the HFD-fed groups, consumption of seaweeds decreased formation of HFD-induced crown-like structures in gonadal adipose tissue as well as plasma inflammatory cytokines. BMDM from mice fed HFDs with seaweeds showed differential regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and IL-6 compared with BMDM from mice fed HFD by LPS stimulation. CONCLUSION: Although seaweed consumption did not prevent long-term HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice, it reduced insulin resistance (IR) and circulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, seaweeds may ameliorate systemic inflammation and IR in obesity partially due to inhibition of inflammatory signaling in adipose tissue cells as well as bone marrow-derived immune cells.

Comparison of Saccharina japonica–Undaria pinnatifida Mixture and Minoxidil on Hair Growth Promoting Effect in Mice

BACKGROUND: Algae have traditionally been used for promotion of hair growth. Use of hair regrowth drugs, such as minoxidil, is limited due to side effects. The aim of this study was to examine a mixture of Saccharina japonica and Undaria pinnatifida (L-U mixture) on hair growth and to compare the promoting effect of hair growth by a 3% minoxidil and a L-U mixture. METHODS: To evaluate the hair growth-promoting activity, saline, 50% ethanol, 3% minoxidil, and the L-U mixture were applied 2 times a day for a total of 14 days on the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice after depilation. Analysis was determined by using a high-resolution hair analysis system, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and H&E staining. RESULTS: On day 14, the hair growth effect of the L-U mixture was the same as that of the 3% minoxidil treatment. The L-U mixture significantly (P<0.05) stimulated hair growth-promoting genes, as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor -1. Increase of VEGF was observed in the L-U mixture group compared with minoxidil and the negative control. In contrast, the L-U mixture suppressed the expression of transforming growth factor-β1, which is the hair loss-related gene. In histological examination in the L-U mixture and minoxidil groups, the induction of an anagen stage of hair follicles was faster than that of control groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the L-U mixture can promote hair growth in mice, similar to the effect from minoxidil, and suggests that there is potential application for hair loss treatments.

Dynamic Cr(III) uptake by Macrocystis pyrifera and Undaria pinnatifida biomasses

Background: The increased industrial activity has resulted in the discharge of large amount of pollutants including non-degradable metals into the environment. Chromium is produced in several industrial processes and it can be found in the environment in two stable oxidation states, Cr(VI) and Cr(III). Cr(VI) is more hazardous due to its carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on living organisms. Although much less toxic, Cr(III) can also exert genotoxic effects under prolonged or severe exposure. It can be separated from the solution by precipitation but biosorption using brown algae seems to be an effective and sustainable treatment technique owing to its cost-effectiveness and environmental friendly characteristics. Macrocystis pyrifera and Undaria pinnatifida are two marine brown macroalgae with high capability of removing heavy metals including Cr(III) in batch mode of operation. In this work packed bed biosorption of Cr(III) by M. pyrifera and U. pinnatifida biomasses was evaluated. Results: The shapes of the breakthrough curves were rather different for each biomaterial. Parameters like the breakthrough time (t b) andzone mass transfer (MTZ) showed that U. pinnatifida has greater affinity for Cr(III). The maximum adsorption capacity at the exhaustion operating time (t e) demonstrated that M. pyrifera has higher retention capacity of Cr(III). The experimental data were fitted to Thomas, Yoon-Nelson and Dose-Response models. The best correlation coefficient (0.94 or 0.96) was obtained with Dose-Response that accurately describes the uptake behaviour of Cr(III) on the seaweed biomasses under different experimental conditions. The FT-IR spectra evidenced that Cr(III) adsorption occurred mainly by interaction between metal and carboxylate groups present on both the seaweed surfaces. Conclusions: M. pyrifera and U. pinnatifida biomasses are efficient biosorbents for Cr(III) adsorption under a continuous mode of operation although differences between uptake capacities suggest different mechanisms involved in the biosorption.

Bioactive metabolites from Guignardia sp., an endophytic fungus residing in Undaria pinnatifida / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To isolate new and/or bioactive constituents from EtOAc extract of liquid culture of endophyte Guignardia sp. from the leaves of Undaria pinnatifida (Harv.) Sur.@*METHODS@#Isolation and purification were performed through silica gel column chromatograph, Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase ODS column and the structures of the compounds obtained were identified through a combination of spectral and chemical methods (IR, MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR). In vitro bioactive assays including antifungal activity against three human pathogenic fungi Microsporum canis, Tricophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosom and cytotoxic activity against the human nasopharyngeal epidermoid tumor KB cell line were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Seven compounds have been obtained from the liquid culture of the title endophyte: ergosterol peroxide (6, 22-diene-5, 8-epidioxyergosta-3-ol) (1), ergosterol (2), cyclo-(Tyr-Leu) (3), cyclo-(Phe-Phe) (4), cyclo-(Val-Leu) (5), cyclo-(Phe-Pro) (6) and cyclo-(Leu-Ile) (7). Compounds 1-3 and 6 inhibited the growth of M. canis with MICs of 10.0, 20.0, 50.0 and 5.0 μg·mL(-1), respectively and compounds 1, 2 and 6 against T. rubrum with MICs of 15.0, 20.0 and 10.0 μg·mL(-1), respectively and 1 and 6 against E. floccosom with MICs of 20.0 and 50.0 μg·mL(-1), respectively. In addition, compounds 1, 3 and 6 exhibited cytotoxic activity against KB cell line with IC(50) of 20.0, 10.0, 10.0 μg·mL(-1), respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Compounds 1-7 were obtained from Guignardia sp. of U. pinnatifida for the first time, and compounds 1 and 6 had potent cytotoxic and antifungal activity.

Effect of Eisenia Bicyclis and Its Pill on Serum Lipid Status in Rats Fed High Fat Diet

In order to investigate whether Eisenia bicyclis (EB) as a functional food material improves serum lipid status, supplementation of EB powder or EB extract to the high fat/cholesterol diet was tested in 6-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats for four weeks. In the first experiment, four kinds of seaweed powder-Eisenia bicyclis (EB), Undaria pinnatifida (UP), Laminaria japonica (LJ), and Ecklonia stolonifera (ES) were compared with alginic acid (ALG) as well as control. In the second experiment, EB water extract and EB ethanol extract and EB pill containing EB and LJ powder were compared with the EB powder. Amounts of dietary fiber contained in experimental diets were adjusted to provide 5% of diets. Serum total cholesterol was significantly lower only in rats fed LJ or EB powder, but HDL cholesterol was higher in rats fed UP, LJ, ES or EB powder. Ratios of HDL-/total cholesterol of all seaweed groups including ALG were significantly higher than that of the control group. Serum triglyceride was lower in LJ, EB and ES powder groups than the control group. In comparison of EB extracts, triglyceride level was decreased in rats fed only EB water extract as compared to control rats, but HDL cholesterol was elevated with both water and ethanol extracts. Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride were decreased and HDL cholesterol was increased by the EB pill. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were lower in rats fed ES powder, and EB powder, EB water extract or EB pill, as compared to the control rats. Supplementation of EB powder and EB pill reduced serum level of GOT and GPT, respectively, as compared to the control group. In conclusion, EB and EB pill improve serum lipid status and may be utilized as ingredient of functional foods for the purpose of improving serum lipid profile and inhibiting peroxidation of lipids.

Chondrocyte Viability in the Three Dimensional Culture Using Natural Alginate / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: Articular cartilage has a highly limited capacity to repair because of lack of blood supply. There have been no effective modality to regenerate the articular cartilage and prevent degenerative changes. It is necessary to proliferate the cells in vitro, however the cells lose their phenotype during in vitro monolayer culture. Although it is not enough to increase the number of the cells in the three dimensional culture, it is a effective way to maintain their original phenotype expression. Alginate has been used as a good source of scaffold in chondrocyte three dimensional culture. The objective of this study was to find the most favorable scaffold for chondrocyte viability among various alginate extracted from natural source in chondrocyte three dimensional culture. METHODS: The alginate extracted from brown seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida and sea tangle, Laminaria japonica inhabitating near Korean sea and commercially available alginate were used. Chondrocytes isolated from adult pig were used. Three kinds of chondrocyte-alginate bead were made and incubated for forty-four days. Cellular viability and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content were measured and compared. SPSS Version 10.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Viability of chondrocyte and GAG content were increased as a function of time. Alginate from brown seaweed, U. pinnatifida appeared more favorable to maintain chondrocyte viability than others. The total GAG content was similar among three kinds of alginate CONCLUSION: Alginate extracted from natural see weed, especially brown seaweed, may be a good source to maintain chondrocyte viability in three dimensional culture.

Study for the Process of Brachycephalization of Infant Skull

It has been known that Korean adults have brachycephalus in their skull shape as compared with neighboring orientals. However, there is no difference between Korean newborn infants and other oriental newborn infants in skull shape. Acquired factors seem to be more important than hereditary factors as a possible cause of brachycephalus in Korean adults. In order to study the process of brachycephalization in the skull shape, I measured head girth, head length, head width and cephalic index. Those results were divided into three categories, namely, feeding, period of ingestion of undaria pinnatifida (sea weed) soup and sleep posture. 1) I studied 1,371 newborn infants who were born in th busan Maternity baby health center and 1,521 newborn infants in the Daegu maternity baby health center from June 1,1976 to may 31,1977. In Busan group, average weight of male newborn was 3.45kg, headgirth34.31cm, head length 11.68cm, head width 9.57cm. and cephalic index 82.02. Average weight of female newborn was 3.34kg, head girth 33.79cm, head length11.54cm, head width 9.44cm. and cephalic index 81.96. In Daegu group, average weight of male newborn was 3.28kg, head girth 34.65cm,head length 11.85cm, head width 9.50cm. and cephalic index 80.31. Average weight of female newborn was 3.18kg., head girth 34.08cm., headlength11.62cm., head width 9.38cm. and cephalic index 80.81. There was statistically significant difference in each item (p<0.01) 2) It was also studied in the order of delivery in the family. In Busan group, first baby was 43.5%, second baby 38.8% and sum of first and second baby was 82.3%. In Daegu group, first baby was 47.2%, second baby was 30.3% and sum of first and second baby was 77.5%. 3) I studied 1,686 male and 1,175 female from one to twelve month olds who visited my clinic for check up and vaccination from January 1,1976 to March 31,1978. Head girth, head length and head width were measured 3,660 times for male and 2,607 times for female. 4) Feeding was divided into breast feeding, Mixed feeding and artificial feeding. Period of maternal ingestion of sea weed soup were one, two, three and four weeks. Sleep postures were supine, lateral and prone position. Occipital protuberance that is not in the middline was divided into right or left occipital protuberance. 5) There were neither significant differences in head girth, head length, head width and cephalic index between breast, mixed and artificial feeding nor period of maternal ingestion of seaweed soup. 6) There was either significant difference in the cephalic index between supine and lateral position or supine and prone position. 7) Among 2,861 infants, breast feeding was 75.0%, mixed feeding 15.1% and artificial feeding 9.9%. Occipital protuberance that is not in the midline was 59.3%, left occipital protuberance 27.1% and right occipital protuberance 32.2%. 8) Occipital protuberance that is not in the midline was 70.5% in the supine position, 24.6% in the lateral position and 0.0% in the prone position. There were significant differences among them. 9) Period of maternal ingestion of seaweed soup were one week 10.4%, two weeks 28.0%, three weeks 33.0% and four weeks 28.6%.