Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic and chronic inflammatory skin disease. The present study investigates the anti-allergic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanolic extract of Cornus officinalis (COFE) for possible applications in the treatment of AD. COFE inhibits the release of β-hexosaminidase from RBL-2H3 cells sensitized with the dinitrophenyl-immunoglobulin E (IgE-DNP) antibody after stimulation with dinitrophenyl-human serum albumin (DNP-HSA) in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 0.178 mg/mL). Antioxidant activity determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging activity, result in EC₅₀ values of 1.82, 10.76, and 0.6 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the extract significantly inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and the mRNA expression of iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) through attenuation of NF-κB activation in RAW 264.7 cells. COFE significantly inhibits TNF-α-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells without cytotoxic effects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 2-furancarboxaldehyde and loganin are identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, respectively, as the major compounds. Molecular docking analysis shows that loganin, cornuside, and naringenin 7-O-β-D-glucoside could potentially disrupt the binding of IgE to human high-affinity IgE receptors (FceRI). Our results suggest that COFE might possess potential inhibitory effects on allergic responses, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses.

The present study aimed to assess the immunomodulatory effects of fermented Aronia melanocarpa extract (FAME) on RAW 264.7 cells and BALB/c mice. Aronia melanocarpa fruit was fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum EJ2014 by adding yeast extract and monosodium glutamate for 9 days at 30 °C to produce γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). After fermentation, significant GABA production was noted, along with minerals, polyphenols, and flavonoids (p < 0.05). The polyphenol content was confirmed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis. RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 μg/mL) in the presence or absence of FAME, and proinflammatory cytokine contents were measured by qPCR. In the in vivo experiment, female BALB/c mice were administered 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of FAME for 21 days. FAME treatment increased neutrophil migration and phagocytosis (p < 0.05). It also increased splenocyte proliferation, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell expression, and lymphocyte proliferation. Furthermore, it increased IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 cytokine levels in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). However, it decreased TNF-α and IL-6 levels (p < 0.05). These results indicate that FAME fortified with GABA including bioactive compounds exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells and modulates immune response in mice. Thus, FAME could be a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory disorders.

Obesity is becoming a global epidemic as a result of high-calorie food intake and unhealthy lifestyles. Different marine plants, especially brown algae (Ecklonia cava), are traditionally used to treat different health-related issues. The study was carried out to investigate the anti-obesity properties of E. cava 70% ethanol extract. To evaluate the anti-obesity effect of E. cava, both in vitro and in vivo tests were performed. E. cava suppresses pre-adipocyte 3T3-L1 differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. In HFD-induced obese rats’ models, administration of E. cava 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg significantly decreases total body weight and organs, especially liver weight, in all treatment groups. Adipose tissue weight, including subcutaneous, epididymal, peritoneal, and mesenteric adipose tissue, was markedly reduced in E. cava-treated HFD rats in dose-dependent manners. In addition, liver-related biomarkers AST, ALP, ALT, and GGT were evaluated; the lower level of liver-related biomarkers indicates no liver injury or fatty liver issue in E. cava HFD treatment groups. In addition, E. cava treatment has significant effects on the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic (PPAR-γ, FAS, LPL, and SREBP-1c) genes. Altogether, these results show the anti-obesity effect of E. cava. We concluded that E. cava could be a potential candidate for the prevention of obesity-induced by a high-fat diet.

Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim (Korean pear) has been used for hundreds of years as a traditional herbal medicine for asthma, cough, and atopic dermatitis in Korea and China. Although it was originally shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiatopic properties, its gastroprotective effects have not been investigated. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects of Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim extract (PUE) against ethanol-induced gastritis in rats. The bioactive compound profile of PUE was determined by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The gastroprotection of PUE at different doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) prior to ethanol ingestion was evaluated using an in vivo gastritis rat model. Several endpoints were evaluated, including gastric mucosal lesions, cellular degeneration, intracellular damage, and immunohistochemical localization of leucocyte common antigen. The gastric mucosal injury and ulcer score were determined by evaluating the inflamed gastric mucosa and by histological examination. To identify the mechanisms of gastroprotection by PUE, antisecretory action and plasma prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), gastric mucosal cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and histamine levels were measured. PUE exhibited significant antioxidant effects with IC₅₀ values of 56.18 and 22.49 µg/mL for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′- azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) inhibition (%), respectively. In addition, GC/MS and HPLC analyses revealed several bioactive compounds of PUE. Pretreatment with PUE significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the ulcer index by preventing gastric mucosal lesions, erosion, and cellular degeneration. An immunohistochemical analysis revealed that PUE markedly attenuated leucocyte infiltration in a dose-dependent manner. The enhancement of PGE₂ levels and attenuation of cAMP levels along with the inhibition of histamine release following PUE pretreatment was associated with the cytoprotective and healing effects of PUE. In contrast, the downregulation of the H⁺/K⁺ ATPase pathway as well as muscarinic receptor (M₃R) and histamine receptor (H₂R) inhibition was also involved in the gastroprotective effects of PUE; however, the expression of cholecystokinin-2 receptors (CCK₂R) was unchanged. Finally, no signs of toxicity were observed following PUE treatment. Based on our results, we conclude that PUE represents an effective therapeutic option to reduce the risk of gastritis and warrants further study.

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in food animals pose a major public health threat worldwide. In this study, we aimed to assess the antimicrobial resistance profiles and resistance trends of commensal Escherichia coli isolated from the feces of healthy cattle, pigs, and chickens in South Korea during 2010 and 2020. A total of 7237 E. coli isolates (2733 cattle, 2542 pig, and 1962 chicken isolates) were tested for susceptibility towards 12 antimicrobials. About 48%, 90%, and 97% of cattle, pig, and chicken isolates, respectively, were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents. Cattle isolates presented low resistance (45%) resistance rate to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and tetracycline. We observed high ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid resistance rates in chicken (76.1% and 88.6%, respectively), isolates in pig (12.7% and 26.7%, respectively) and cattle (2.7% and 8.2%, respectively) isolates. Notably, a very small proportion of isolates (<5%) from cattle, chickens, and pigs demonstrated resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, and colistin. We identified ceftiofur resistance in a small proportion of chicken (8.8%), pig (3.7%), and cattle (0.7%) isolates. We noted an increasing but fluctuating trend of ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftiofur, cefoxitin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and streptomycin resistance in pig isolates. Similarly, the ampicillin, ceftiofur, and chloramphenicol resistance rates were increased but fluctuated through time in chicken isolates. Overall, 56% of the isolates showed multidrug-resistant (MDR). The proportion of MDR isolates was low in cattle (17.1%); however, this proportion was high in chickens (87.1%) and pigs (73.7%). Most of the resistance patterns included streptomycin and tetracycline in pigs and cattle, and ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid in chickens. In conclusion, this study showed high resistance of commensal E. coli isolated from major food animals in Korea to commonly used antimicrobials including critically important antimicrobials. These bacteria could not only be a resistance reservoir but also could have potential to spread this resistance through gene transfer to pathogenic bacteria. Thus, the high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in food animals highlights the urgent need for measures to restrict and ensure the prudent use of antimicrobials in Korea.

Chronic alcohol consumption can cause hepatic injury and alcohol-induced toxicities. Extracts from Smilax china root have been widely used in traditional medicine and for their potential pharmacological benefits. We aimed to determine if fermented Smilax china extract (FSC) regulates alcoholic fatty liver and liver injury using two in vivo experiments. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered ethanol (3 g/kg b.w.; po) with or without FSC pretreatment to induce an acute hangover. In another experiment, rats were fed either a normal or Lieber-DeCarli ethanol (6.7%) diet with or without FSC pretreatment (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg b.w.; po) for 28 days. Serum biomarkers, liver histopathology, and the mRNA levels of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, lipogenic, and lipolytic genes were analyzed. FSC pretreatment significantly reduced blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations, upregulated the mRNA expression of alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and superoxide dismutase, and decreased the activities of liver enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. It also downregulated SERBP-1c and upregulated PPAR-α and reduced the gene expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in the liver. The final extract after fermentation had increased GABA content. Furthermore, FSC was found to be safe with no acute oral toxicity in female rats. Thus, FSC increases alcohol metabolism and exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to induce hepatoprotection against alcohol-induced damage. It may be used as a functional food ingredient after excess alcohol consumption.