The purpose of this study was to investigate sensory characteristics in radishes, processed through different methods, using chemosensory-assisted instruments. For electronic tongue (E-tongue) analysis, freeze-dried radish was high in the sensor values of sourness, umami, and sweetness, however, the saltiness was the lowest. In particular, the sensor values of taste freeze-dried radish have changed more than that of thermally processed radishes. Unlike the results of E-tongue, volatiles of freeze-dried radish have changed less than that of thermally processed radishes. In detail, amounts of sulfur-containing compound (thiophene) in freeze-dried radish were relatively higher than thermally processed radishes by an electronic nose. For gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and GC-olfactometry, the amount of sulfur-containing compounds in freeze-dried radish were also relatively higher than thermally processed radishes, and odor active compounds were also high in freeze-dried radish.

Loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age represents an important source of frailty and functional decline in the elderly. Antioxidants from botanical extracts have been shown to enhance the development, mass, and strength of skeletal muscle by influencing age-related cellular and molecular processes. Tannase-treated green tea extract contains high levels of the antioxidants (−)-epicatechin (EC) and gallic acid that may have therapeutic benefits for age-related muscle decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tannase-treated green tea extract on various muscle-related parameters, without concomitant exercise, in a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Administration of tannase-treated green tea extract (600 mg/day) for 12 weeks significantly increased isokinetic flexor muscle and handgrip strength in the treatment group compared with those in the placebo (control) group. In addition, the control group showed a significant decrease in arm muscle mass after 12 weeks, whereas no significant change was observed in the treatment group. Blood serum levels of follistatin, myostatin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and cortisol were analyzed, and the decrease in myostatin resulting from the administration of tannase-treated green tea extract was found to be related to the change in muscle mass and strength. In summary, oral administration of tannase-treated green tea extract containing antioxidants without concomitant exercise can improve muscle mass and strength and may have therapeutic benefits in age-related muscle function decline.

Three different types of typical Korean foods were studied to investigate the effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the sensory characteristics and hedonic perception of sodium- or sugar-reduced samples. The first consumer test (n = 300) was conducted to evaluate the overall liking (OL) of the samples containing four different levels of salt and sugar contents without added MSG, while the second consumer test (n = 300) was designed to examine the effects of MSG on the samples containing reduced salt and sugar contents with the lowest observed OL in the first consumer test. The results showed that the intensity of the umami taste and saltiness of the samples increased, whereas sourness and bitterness were suppressed with added MSG. The samples with the lowest salt contents were observed to be acceptable to consumers after MSG addition, indicating a 23% reduction in sodium intake. Bitterness was partially masked, while sweetness, umami taste, and saltiness were the main factors affecting the OL after MSG addition. However, no consistent results of added MSG on the sensory attributes of samples with reduced sugar contents were observed, possibly indicating that the effect of umami taste on sweetness depends on the MSG concentration used or the type of food studied. This study could be beneficial to researchers who want to know the optimal level of MSG required to reduce the sodium or sugar contents in cooked food.

We aimed to analyze the increase in the sleep-promoting effects based on the mixed ratio of botanical extracts, Ziziphus jujuba seeds, Dimocarpus longan fruits, and Lactuca sativa leaves, using animal models. Behavioral analyses, including an analysis of the total sleep time of Drosophila melanogaster, were conducted to select the optimal mixed ratio of the three botanical extracts. The effects were verified in a caffeine-induced sleepless model, specific neurotransmitter receptor antagonists, and ICR mice. In D. melanogaster exposed to 2.0% of each extract, group behavior was significantly reduced, and the mixed extracts of Z. jujuba, D. longan, and L. sativa (4:1:1 and 1:4:1) significantly increased the total sleep time with individual fruit flies. In the caffeine-induced insomnia model, mixed extracts (4:1:1 and 1:4:1) led to the highest increase in total sleep time. An analysis of locomotor ability revealed a significant reduction in the mobility percentage in the mixed extract groups (0:0:1, 1:0:1, 1:1:1, 4:1:1, and 1:4:1). The administration of Z. jujuba extract and mixed extracts (4:1:1) significantly increased the expression of GABA_A-R, whereas the administration of the mixed extracts (4:1:1) and (1:4:1) significantly increased the expression of GABAB-_R1 and GABAB-_R2, respectively. D. longan extract and the mixed ratio (1:4:1) reduced the subjective nighttime movement and increased the total sleep time in the presence of flumazenil. An analysis of ICR mice indicated that the administration of mixed extracts (4:1:1) significantly increased sleep duration in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicated that the mixed ratio of Z. jujuba, D. longan, and L. sativa extracts, particularly the mixed ratio of 4:1:1, may have sleep-enhancing effects in fruit flies and mice. The study also identified changes in gene expression related to GABA receptors, indicating the potential mechanism for the observed sleep-promoting effects.

Background: Although the diverse biological properties of nanoparticles have been studied intensively, research into their mechanism of action is relatively rare. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer activity of heterometallic Au@Pt-nanoseeds (NSs) against bladder cancers. Materials and methods: Mode of action of Au@Pt-NSs was investigated through MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis, Western immunoblots, real-time qPCR, wound-healing migration and invasion assays, zymography, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results: Treatment with Au@Pt-NSs significantly inhibited the proliferation of EJ cells in a dose-dependent manner by inducing G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Among the regulators associated with the G1 cell cycle phase, CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p21WAF1 were shown to participate in the inhibitory pathways of Au@Pt-NSs. In addition, treatment with Au@Pt-NSs led to upregulation of phospho-p38 MAPK and downregulation of phospho-AKT in EJ cells. Interestingly, Au@Pt-NSs inhibited the migratory and invasive potential of the cells, which was attributed to the suppression of the enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Using MMP-9-specific oligonucleotides, we showed that transcription factors such as NF-κB and Sp-1 were responsible for the MMP-9-mediated metastatic potential of EJ cells. Conclusion: Au@Pt-NSs significantly limited the progression, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer EJ cells. Our data represent a novel insight into developing cisplatin-like chemotherapeutic reagents with fewer side effects and provide useful information on molecular markers to monitor patients under Au@Pt-NSs-based chemotherapy.