The antioxidant properties of the Pacific chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) muscle protein hydrolysates prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis were investigated. After enzyme hydrolysis at 50°C for 60 min, more than 80% of the S. japonicus muscle protein was hydrolyzed. The highest 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity (71.69%) occurred in whole muscle protein hydrolysates treated at 50°C for 30 min with Protamex, and the highest 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical-scavenging activity (95.39%) was observed in white muscle protein hydrolysates treated at 50°C for 30 min with Neutrase. The highest superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity (32.84%) was recorded in white muscle protein hydrolysates treated at 50°C for 120 min with Protamex. Changes in the molecular weight distribution of S. japonicus muscle proteins after enzymatic hydrolysis were observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). A robust and a convenient enzyme hydrolysis technique for obtaining S. japonicus muscle protein hydrolysates with useful biological activities, within a short time (<2 h) is proposed.

Angiogenesis is critical in various biological processes, such as blood vessel growth, fetal differentiation, wound healing, and organ regeneration. Various growth factors have been associated with vascular regeneration, including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). One of the most important mediators of vascular regeneration is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is known to increase vascular permeability, induce the proliferation of endothelial cells, and stimulate capillary formation in vivo, which are core angiogenic functions. The hydrolysates of lactic acid bacteria were produced by hydrolyzing Lactobacillus plantarum with proteases, treated with MG-63 osteoblasts, and screened to obtain samples with an excellent VEGF production effect. These samples were applied to human dermal papilla cells (hDPC) to examine the correlation between cell growth and VEGF secretion. Furthermore, the hair growth rate was measured in hair growth experiments using C57BL/6 male mice. The hydrolysates of the lactic acid bacteria produced in this study produced hair growth superior to the growth obtained with 5% minoxidil in hair growth experiments using C57BL/6 male mice. This study aims to develop a material for application to the scalp that promotes angiogenesis in the scalp and facilitates the exchange of nutrients and wastes in the follicles to promote hair growth.

There is technology available for anti-thrombus with earthworms, but the procedure is complex and extracts protein with inferior purity. In order to develop a simplified process with a stronger purity of protease, we investigated the Lumbricus rubellus earthworm and Perinereis linea lugworm. We purified water extracts cut off at 10 kDa of molecular weight using ultrafiltration because proteins are large biomolecules, or macromolecules, consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues. We purified EW1 (raw earthworm extract), EW2 (molecular weight (m.w) > 10 kDa of earthworm extract), and EW3 (m.w < 10 kDa) from the Lumbricus rubellus earthworm. Likewise, we purified LW1 (wild lugworm extract), LW2 (m.w > 10 kDa), and LW3 (m.w < 10 kDa) from the Perinereis linea lugworm. Using a fibrin assay, we found that fibrinolytic activity of the specimens had a rank order of clear zone diameter: EW2 > EW1 > EW3 > LW2 > LW1 > LW3. In particular, EW2 and LW2 showed a potent fibrinolytic effect in two different worm specimens. The protein content of each sample was detected as 2.34 (EW1), 3.03 (EW2), 2.80 (LW1), 3.71 (LW2) mg/ml respectively, and their molecular weights were measured using SDS-PAGE. The samples contained the following amounts of total fatty acids: EW1, 3.61%; EW2, 0.48%; LW1, 4.96%; and LW2, 0.23%. We developed a process to increase the thrombolytic effect with a higher purity protein. The study results demonstrate this procedure and provide basic data for developing an anti-thrombolytic agent.

The hot‐water extract of Spatholobus suberectus (SWE) was investigated for antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells, and a simple reverse‐phase high‐pressure liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) method was used for phytochemical study of the SWE. SWE dose‐dependently scavenged free radicals, showed no cytotoxicity even for LPS‐induced macrophage cells, reduced the production of nitric oxide caused by LPS in culture, and decreased protein expression of iNOS and COX‐II in cells co‐treated with LPS. For phytochemical analysis, SWE showed a greater phenolic content, which was 177.6 mg/g. Using RP‐HPLC analysis, its major phenolic compound, gallic acid, was identified and quantified to be 108.43 mg/g of SWE. These results indicate that gallic acid‐rich SWE offers a potential therapeutic alternative to the treatment or prevention of inflammation‐related diseases. Practical applications The study demonstrates the systematic antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of SWE and their molecular mechanisms in LPS‐stimulated macrophage cells. The hot‐water extract of Spatholobus suberectus contained the highest amount of phenolics especially gallic acid, which is safe for human consumption, and could be used to develop functional foods or nutraceuticals for preventing the inflammatory related disorders.

Young Min Woo, Jae Yong Seo, Soo-ya Kim, Ji Hyun Cha, Hyun Dae Cho, Young Kwon Cha, Ju Tae Jeong, Sung Min Park, Hwa Sun Ryu, Jae Mun Kim, Moon Hoy Kim, Hee-Taek Kim, Yong-Min Kim, Kwang Sik Joo, Sun Mi Lee, JungNo Lee, and Andre Kim. Microbiol. Biotechnol. Lett. 2022;50:533-47. https://doi.org/10.48022/mbl.2206.06011