Antioxidant and immunostimulatory effect of potential probiotic Lactobacillus paraplantarum SC61 isolated from Korean traditional fermented food, jangajji.

This study aimed to isolate and demonstrate their antioxidant and immunostimulatory activities of potential probiotics. The isolated strains, S. Pum19, SC28, and SC61 showed potential probiotic properties including stability in artificial gastric and bile conditions, non-production of ß-glucuronidase, suitable antibiotic susceptibility, and attachment to intestinal cells. S. Pum19, SC28, and SC61 strains were identified as Leuconostoc citreum, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Lactobacillus paraplantarum, respectively. Of the 3 potential probiotic LAB strains, intact cells of L. paraplantarum SC61 showed higher antioxidant activity, including DPPH radical scavenging, ß-carotene bleaching inhibition, reducing power, superoxide anion scavenging, and ABTS radical scavenging activity. In addition, L. paraplantarum SC61 produced the most nitric oxide production and its mRNA expression level for iNOS, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were superior to those of L. rhamnosus GG. Therefore, L. paraplantarum SC61 was demonstrated to exhibit antioxidant and immunostimulatory activity and to have potential use as a probiotic product.

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Korean fermented foods based on ß-glucosidase activity.

This study was designed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with ß-glucosidase activity and probiotic properties from Korean fermented foods. Among nine isolates, four LAB strains had excellent survival rates at pH 2.5 with 0.3% (w/v) pepsin for 3 h and 0.3% (w/v) oxgall for 24 h. Four LAB strains did not produce ß-glucuronidase and showed adhesion ability to HT-29 cells that was superior to that shown by the reference strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. All four strains were sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and doxycycline. These strains were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides H40, Lactobacillus plantarum FI10604, L. brevis FI10700, and L. perolens FI10842 by 16S rRNA gene sequence, respectively. It was found that L. perolens FI10842 produced the highest ß-glucosidase activity (49.10 mU/mL). These results indicate that the four LAB strains could be used as potential probiotic. Especially L. perolens FI10842 could be used as a starter culture for fermentation.

In vitro characterization of Lactobacillus brevis KU15006, an isolate from kimchi, reveals anti-adhesion activity against foodborne pathogens and antidiabetic properties.

This study aimed at evaluating the functional and probiotic properties of three lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains isolated from kimchi. The selected LAB strains, which had potential probiotic functions, were identified by 16S rRNA sequence analysis as Lactobacillus brevis G1, L. brevis KU15006, and Lactobacillus curvatus KCCM 200173. All LAB strains were able to tolerate incubation at pH 2.5 with 0.3% pepsin for 3 h and with 0.3% Oxgall for 24 h and showed similar enzyme production levels, antimicrobial activities, and antibiotic susceptibilities. L. brevis G1 and KU15006 presented higher adhesion ability, auto-aggregation, and cell surface hydrophobicity than Lactobacillus rhamnosus KCTC 12202BP, a commercial strain used as positive control. All LAB strains showed 50-60% co-aggregation activity with selected foodborne pathogens. L. brevis KU15006 showed anti-adhesion activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. In addition, cell-free supernatant and cell-free extract from L. brevis KU15006 displayed the highest inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase. These results indicate that L. brevis KU15006 has the best properties, with pathogen antagonistic and antidiabetic activity, for use in probiotic products.

Characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum Lb41, an isolate from kimchi and its application as a probiotic in cottage cheese.

Lactobacillus plantarum Lb41 was determined probiotic properties and applied to cottage cheese. L. plantarum Lb41 showed high viability (>80%) in artificial gastric (pH 2.5, 0.3% pepsin for 3 h) and bile (0.3% oxgall for 24 h) acids, and adhered strongly to HT-29 cells (7.5% adhesion). It did not produce ß-glucuronidase and was resistant to several antibiotics. L. plantarum Lb41 did not inhibit proliferation of normal MRC-5 cells, but showed antiproliferative effects on AGS, HT-29, and LoVo cells, based on 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. In addition, L. plantarum Lb41 reduced nitric oxide production by macrophages. Cottage cheese containing this strain did not show significant differences in physicochemical properties, but the number of lactic acid bacteria was maintained longer than that in control cheese. These results indicate that L. plantarum Lb41 could potentially be used as a probiotic in foods.

Animal testing using 3D microwave tomography system for breast cancer detection.

The three dimensional microwave tomography (3D MT) system of the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) comprises an antenna array, transmitting receiving module, switch matrix module and a signal processing component. This system also includes a patient interface bed as well as a 3D reconstruction algorithm. Here, we perform a comparative analysis of image reconstruction results using the assembled system and MRI results, which is used to image the breasts of dogs. Microwave imaging reconstruction results (at 1,500 MHz) obtained using the ETRI 3D MT system are presented. The system provides computationally reliable diagnosis results from the reconstructed MT Image.

Red ginseng saponin extract attenuates murine collagen-induced arthritis by reducing pro-inflammatory responses and matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression.

Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER, has been used as a food product and medicinal ingredient. In this study, we assessed the anti-arthritic effects of red ginseng saponin extract (RGSE), including ginsenosides Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 as major components, on a murine type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA), which is a valid animal model of human arthritis. Oral administration of RGSE at 10 mg/kg reduced the clinical arthritis score and paw swelling in the CIA mice, and inhibited joint space narrowing and histological arthritis, illustrating the severity of synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, pannus formation, and erosion of cartilage. RGSE inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and nitrotyrosine formation, and recovered the expression of superoxide dismutase in the joints of the CIA mice. Orally administered RGSE also reduced the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta in the CIA mice. CII- or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine production, in addition to CII-specific proliferation, was reduced in the spleen cells of the RGSE-treated CIA mice, as compared with those from vehicle-treated CIA mice. Furthermore, RGSE administration protected against CIA-induced oxidative tissue damage by restoring the increased malondialdehyde levels and the decreased glutathione levels and catalase activities almost to control levels. Therefore, RGSE may be a beneficial supplement which can improve human arthritis.

Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibody to ginsenoside rg3.

While studying the mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) on tumor inhibition, we produced monoclonal antibody to G-Rg3 for more specific investigation. We immunized Balb/c mice to G-Rg3 conjugated bovine serum albumin (BSA) by intraperitoneal injection and hybridized splenocytes from those immunized mice and myeloma cells. From those fusion cell lines, we selected productive monoclonal clones and obtained culture media containing monoclonal antibody to G-Rg3. After purification, we performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to verify the sensitivity and specificity of the antibody. When compared with G-Rh2 having a very similar structure as a metabolite of G-Rg3, the antibody worked only with G-Rg3 in a concentration-dependent manner. We confirmed that the monoclonal antibody to G-Rg3 can be applied to immunocytochemistry for detection of the treated G-Rg3 inside A549 human lung adenocarcinomas. Thus, the monoclonal antibody to G-Rg3 would be a useful tool for measuring the bioactivity of G-Rg3 in various fields.

Effects of in vitro-digested ginsenosides on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, is frequently used in traditional oriental medicines. The major active components of ginseng are the saponins, which are also called ginsenosides and are known for their pharmacological and biological activities. In this study, the effects of ginsenosides on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were investigated after the ginsenosides were in vitro-digested with artificial gastric and intestinal fluids. Ginseng extract was incubated with an artificial digestive fluid, and the changes were analyzed by HPLC, after which the effects of the digest on 3T3-L1 adipocytes were observed. Polar ginsenosides were transformed into less-polar ginsenosides at the low pH of the gastric acid, without any influence from the digestive enzymes. Additionally, the artificially digested ginsenosides showed inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. When the 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with various ginseng samples that possessed different polarities, the less polar ginsenosides were more effective in reducing lipid accumulation. Furthermore, when the Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5 ginsenosides were used to treat the cells individually, Rg3 ginsenoside was the most effective at inhibiting lipid accumulation. These results suggest that the less polar ginsenosides, particularly ginsenoside Rg3, effectively reduce lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Accordingly, our results suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 should be developed as an antiobesity treatment.

Simultaneous quantification of 14 ginsenosides in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Korean red ginseng) by HPLC-ELSD and its application to quality control.

A new method of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) was developed for the simultaneous quantification of 14 major ginsenosides, which are the marker compounds of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Korean red ginseng). Various types of ginseng samples were extracted, and the amounts of the 14 ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rh1, Rg2, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd, Rg3, Rk1, Rg5, and Rh2) were determined by reverse-phase HPLC-ELSD using digoxin as an internal standard. The mobile phase consisted of a programmed gradient of aqueous acetonitrile. Calibration curves for each ginsenoside were determined for the quantification. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, and limit of quantification. This quantification method was applied to several finished ginseng products including white ginseng, red ginseng powder, and red ginseng concentrate. The amounts of the 14 ginsenosides in the various ginseng samples could be analyzed simultaneously. This validated HPLC method is expected to provide a new basis for the quality assessment of ginseng products.

Preparative isolation of four ginsenosides from Korean red ginseng (steam-treated Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), by high-speed counter-current chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been well known to have a variety of ginsenosides that show diverse biological activities. Especially, the components of ginsenosides are quite different depending on the processing method. Recently, there have been several reports showing that less polar ginsenosides from Korean red ginseng (steam-treated Panax ginseng) have potent biological activities such as radical scavenging, vasodilating and anti-tumor activities. In this study, we have isolated four known ginsenosides Rg3, Rk1, Rg5 and F4 from Korean red ginseng by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD). The enriched saponin fraction (350 mg) was separated by using methylene chloride-methanol-water-isopropanol (6:6:4:1, v/v) as the two-phase solvent system and yielded 28.6 mg of Rg5, 26.6 mg of Rk1, 32.2 mg of Rg3 and 8.1 mg of F4. The purity of these ginsenosides was assessed by HPLC-ELSD to be over 95%, and their structures were characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR.