Chlorogenic acid-rich Solanum melongena extract has protective potential against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in PC-12 cells.

Neurodegenerative diseases are major threats to human health. Here, through fluorescence, colorimetric, immunoblotting, spectroscopy, and laser scanning confocal microscopic techniques, we investigated the neuroprotective properties of chlorogenic acid-rich Solanum melongena extracts (SM extract) in rotenone-induced PC-12 cell death. The results showed that rotenone caused apoptosis to PC-12 cells by elevating Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and increasing caspase-3 activity. Rotenone also increased ROS in cells while suppressing SOD and catalase activities. This resulted in the depletion of ATP in cells by blocking mitochondria complex I activity. Pretreatment of the cells with SM extract at concentrations of 100, 250, and 500 µg/ml before incubation for 24 hr with rotenone significantly prevented apoptosis, decreased ROS, and increased ATP production in the cells. SM extract upregulated SOD and catalase activities in the cells. These results unveil evidence that SM extract content neuroprotective properties that can be exploited to prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Solanum melongena eggplant is a popular ingredient in many traditional recipes and is well known in Asia for its medicinal benefits. Despite numerous scientific reports of the potential health benefits of this plant, reports on its effects in neurodegenerative diseases is still lacking. This pilot study demonstrates that S. melongena eggplant can protect against neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases. The results of this research serves as a base for further research on eggplant that will result in its usage on a larger scale as functional food materials.

Quality and storage characteristics of yogurt containing Lacobacillus sakei ALI033 and cinnamon ethanol extract.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine the quality and storage characteristics of yogurt containing antifungal-active lactic acid bacteria (ALH, Lacobacillus sakei ALI033) isolated from kimchi and cinnamon ethanol extract. The starter was used for culture inoculation (1.0 % commercial starter culture YF-L812 and ALH). RESULTS: The antifungal activity of cinnamon extracts was observed in treatments with either cinnamon ethanol extracts or cinnamon methanol extracts. Changes in fermented milk made with ALH and cinnamon extract during fermentation at 40 °C were as follows. The pH was 4.6 after only 6 h of fermentation. Titratable acidity values were maintained at 0.8 % in all treatment groups. Viable cell counts were maintained at 4 × 10(9) CFU/mL in all groups except for 1.00 % cinnamon treatment. Sensory evaluations of fermented milk sample made with ALH and 0.05 % cinnamon ethanol extract were the highest. Changes in fermented milk made with ALH and cinnamon ethanol extract during storage at 4 °C for 28 days were as follows. In fermented milk containing ALH and cinnamon ethanol extracts, the changes in pH and titratable acidity were moderate and smaller compared with those of the control. Viable cell counts were maintained within a proper range of 10(8) CFU/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the overgrowth of fermentation strains or post acidification during storage can be effectively delayed, thereby maintaining the storage quality of yogurt products in a stable way, using cinnamon ethanol extract, which exhibits excellent antifungal and antibacterial activity, in combination with lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi.

Effects of Allium hookeri root water extracts on inhibition of adipogenesis and GLUT-4 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Anti-adipogenic and antidiabetic activities of Allium hookeri root water extracts (ARW) were assessed. Oil Red O staining showed that treatment with ARW caused a dose-dependent reduction in lipid accumulation. ARW was also involved in adipocyte lipolysis via LPL activity, and in the concentration of glycerol in a culture medium. On the basis of the concentration of adipokines following ARW treatment, ARW appeared to inhibit expression of PPAR-γ, to reduce concentrations of leptin and resistin, to increase the concentration of adiponectin, and to inhibit lipid accumulation. ARW modulated adipokine expression associated with insulin resistance and sensitivity. 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with ARW showed increased GLUT-4 expression with increased glucose uptake into adipocytes. ARW showed effectiveness for improvement of diabetic conditions.