Water extract of Cnidii Rhizoma suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW 264.7 cell by inhibiting NFATc1/c-Fos signaling and prevents ovariectomized bone loss in SD-rat.

BACKGROUND: Cnidii Rhizoma is the dried root stem of Cnidium officinale Makino. Cnidii Rhizoma (CR) has been used to treat menstrual irregularity, menstrual pain, and menopause in Korea. However, the effects and mechanisms of CR on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis pathway remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of CR on the inhibition of bone resorption of osteoclast and its mechanism RANK signaling pathway. METHODS: The anti-osteoclastogenesis of water extract of CR was measured using RAW 264.7 cell. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assay, pit assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot were performed. Moreover, the effects of CR were determined with an in vivo model using ovariectomized (OVX) rats. RESULTS: CR extract suppressed osteoclastogenesis, its activity and bone resorption activity through decreasing gene of osteoclast-related such as nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, etc. Moreover, CR extract prevented the bone loss in OVX rats. CONCLUSION: These results show that CR has a positive effect on menopausal osteoporosis by suppressing osteoclastogenesis.

Preparation and Characterization of an Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) Skin Gelatin and Polylactic Acid Bilayer Film.

Olive flounder skin gelatin (OSG) was used as a film base material. A bilayer film of OSG and polylactic acid (PLA) was prepared using solvent casting method to enhance the film properties. Physical properties of the OSG-PLA film were increased compared with the nonaugmented OSG film. In particular, the PLA lamination decreased water vapor permeability from 2.17 to 0.92 × 10-9 g·m/m2 ·s·Pa, as well as of the water solubility from 16.62% to 9.27%, in the bilayer film relative to the OSG film. The oxygen permeability of the OSG-PLA bilayer film was held low by the OSG film, compensating for the high oxygen permeability of the PLA layer. Therefore, the OSG-PLA bilayer film with its enhanced physical properties and high water and oxygen barrier properties can be applied as a food packaging material.

Characterization of red ginseng residue protein films incorporated with hibiscus extract.

An edible film was prepared from red ginseng residue protein (RGRP) and incorporated with hibiscus extract (HE). RGRP was extracted from red ginseng residue, which is an inexpensive by-product of the red ginseng processing industry. Different concentrations of HE were added to an RGRP film-forming solution as a natural antioxidant. The prepared RGRP films without HE had a tensile strength of 16.9 MPa and an elongation at break of 25.1%. The antioxidant activity of the RGRP film increased with increasing concentration of HE. In addition, the RGRP film with 1% HE exhibited the lowest value of water vapor permeability (1.88×10-9 g·m/m2·s·Pa), which indicates that the film has high water barrier property. The results present the production of edible films from discarded red ginseng residue, and the antioxidant activity of RGRP films as a packaging material can prevent lipid oxidation and quality loss of food products.

Antimicrobial activity of gelatin films based on duck feet containing cinnamon leaf oil and their applications in packaging of cherry tomatoes.

Duck feet gelatin (DFG) films were prepared and applied to the packaging of cherry tomatoes. Cinnamon leaf oil (CLO) was incorporated into the DFG films at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% to provide antimicrobial activity. The DFG films with 1.0% CLO incorporation exhibited the most desirable tensile strength (41.6 MPa) and elongation at break (18.5%). Regarding the antimicrobial activity, the DFG films containing CLO significantly inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogens. In addition, the DFG film with 1.0% CLO was employed in the coating and wrapping of cherry tomatoes inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium. The DFG film with 1.0% CLO incorporation reduced the population of the bacteria to below the detection limit. Moreover, the DFG film with CLO delayed the color change on cherry tomatoes. Overall, the DFG film with CLO enhanced the shelf life of cherry tomatoes and can be used as an antimicrobial packaging.

Application of a puffer fish skin gelatin film containing Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract to the packaging of Gouda cheese.

This study aims to develop a puffer fish skin gelatin (PSG) film that contains Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract (ME) as a new biodegradable film. With the increase in ME concentration, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the PSG film increased, whereas the oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability decreased. In addition, the PSG film with ME exhibited antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and antioxidant activity. To apply the ME-containing PSG film to food packaging, Gouda cheese was wrapped with the ME-containing PSG film. During storage, the cheese packaging with the ME-containing PSG film effectively inhibited the microbial growth and retarded the lipid oxidation of cheese compared with the control sample. Thus, the ME-containing PSG film can be used as an antimicrobial and antioxidative packaging material to improve the quality of food products.

Characterization of a starfish gelatin film containing vanillin and its application in the packaging of crab stick.

To explore the use of starfish gelatin (SFG) films as a biodegradable material, SFG from starfish was extracted and used as a film material. In addition, to provide antimicrobial activity and enhanced flavor of SFG films, vanillin was incorporated. As the concentration of vanillin increased, the tensile strength of the films increased and water vapor permeability decreased. With regard to the structural characteristics of SFG films containing vanillin, the microstructure of the SFG films was not affected by the addition of vanillin. In addition, the SFG films containing vanillin exhibited antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes. As the application of the SFG films, crab sticks were packed with SFG films containing 0.05% vanillin. During storage, the populations of L. monocytogenes inoculated on crab sticks wrapped with SFG films containing vanillin were lower than those on the control sample, suggesting that SFG films containing vanillin can be useful in active food packaging.

Xanthii Fructus inhibits allergic response in the ovalbumin-sensitized mouse allergic rhinitis model.

BACKGROUND: Xanthii Fructus (XF) is widely used in traditional anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory Asian medicine. Allergic rhinitis is a common inflammatory disease characterized by markedly increased levels of anti-inflammatory factors and the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the nasal mucosa. We investigated the effects of XF in the allergen-induced rhinitis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following ovalbumin (OVA)/alum intraperitoneal injection on days 0, 7 and 14, the BALB/c mice (albino, laboratory-bred strain of the house mice) were challenged intranasally with OVA for 10 days a week after the last sensitization. The number of sneezes was recorded for 10 days; additionally, the levels of cytokines, histamine, immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-specific serum IgE were estimated. Eosinophil infiltration, thickness of nasal mucosa and expression of caspase-1 were determined by immunohistochemistry. We also evaluated the effect of XF on the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) in human mast cell-1 (HMC-1), by Western blotting. RESULTS: The administration of XF significantly decreased sneezing and the serum levels of histamine, IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukine-1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-5, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2). XF inhibited the changes in thickness of the nasal septum, influx of eosinophils and expression of capase-1. In addition, XF inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB-α and NF-κB in phorbol-myristate-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) stimulated HMC-1. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that XF acts a potent anti-allergic drug which alleviates the allergic responses in ovalbumin-sensitized mouse allergic rhinitis model.

Antiallergic effects of Scutellaria baicalensis on inflammation in vivo and in vitro.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs for the treatment of inflammation. In this study, we investigated the antiallergic effect of SB in vivo and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received intradermal injections of anti-DNP IgE at each of three dorsal skin sites. Forty-eight hours later, each rat received an injection of DNP-HSA in saline containing 4% Evans blue through the dorsal vein of the penis. One hour before injection, SB extract was administered orally. The dorsal skin of the rats was removed and the pigment area measured. In addition, rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) were cultured and purified to investigate histamine release. In vitro, human mast cells (HMC-1) were pretreated with SB extract for 30min before stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187. The effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase expression were investigated using TNF-α and IL-8 assays, and Western blotting analysis of HMC-1 cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: SB treatment inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction compared to the control group, and histamine release decreased significantly following treatment of RPMCs with SB. In HMC-1 cells, SB restored IL-8 and TNF-α expression and inhibited MAP kinase expression in compound 48/80-induced HMC-1 cells. These data suggest that SB may prove to be a useful anti-inflammatory agent through its downregulation of the expression of various inflammatory mediators.

Minocycline markedly reduces acute visceral nociception via inhibiting neuronal ERK phosphorylation.

BACKGROUND: Minocycline prevents the development of neuropathic and inflammatory pain by inhibiting microglial activation and postsynaptic currents. But, how minocycline obviates acute visceral pain is unclear. The present study investigated whether minocycline had an any antinociceptive effect on acetic acid-induced acute abdominal pain after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of saline or minocycline 1 hour before acetic acid injection (1.0%, 250 µl, i.p.). RESULTS: Minocycline (4, 10, or 40 mg/kg) significantly decreased acetic acid-induced nociception (0-60 minutes post-injection) and the enhancement in the number of c-Fos positive cells in the T5-L2 spinal cord induced by acetic acid injection. Also, the expression of spinal phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) induced by acetic acid was reduced by minocycline pre-administration. Interestingly, intrathecal introduction of PD98059, an ERK upstream kinase inhibitor, markedly blocked the acetic acid-stimulated pain responses. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that minocycline effectively inhibits acetic acid-induced acute abdominal nociception via the inhibition of neuronal p-ERK expression in the spinal cord, and that minocycline may have therapeutic potential in suppressing acute abdominal pain.

Disparities in health-risk behaviors, preventive health care utilizations, and chronic health conditions for people with disabilities: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine how disability status is related with health disparities in South Korea. DESIGN: The study compared 3 indicators of health (health-risk behaviors, preventive health care utilizations, and chronic health conditions) according to the presence of disabilities using the Third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005 (KNHANES III). SETTING: We obtained data from the KNHANES III, which is the third nationwide representative study using a stratified, multistage probability sampling design. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects (N=5475) aged 20 years or older were included in the study; persons with disabilities (n=218) and persons without disabilities (n=5257). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nonconditional multiple logistic regression and adjusted mean were used to identify health disparities in health-risk behaviors, preventive health care utilizations, and chronic health conditions. RESULTS: Subjects with disabilities were more likely to be physically inactive (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71-5.48 for no physical activity; AOR=1.70; 95% CI, 1.19-2.43 for insufficient physical activity) than those without disabilities. Women aged 40 years or older with disabilities were less likely to receive cervical cancer screening services (AOR=0.52; 95% CI, 0.27-0.98). Adults with disabilities had higher proportion of osteoporosis (AOR=2.41; 95% CI, 1.50-3.88), underweight (AOR=2.14; 95% CI, 1.07-4.28), suicidal thoughts (AOR=1.86; 95% CI, 1.35-2.56), and had impaired quality of life (95% CI of adjusted mean, 60.89-65.35 compared to 69.95-70.84 in adults without disabilities). CONCLUSIONS: There exists substantial disability-related health disparities in South Korea. People with disabilities may be the underserved subpopulation demonstrating health disparities. The findings in this study underscore the continued needs in order to reduce health problems and disparities for people with disabilities.