We investigated the effects of unripe black raspberry water extract (UBR-W) and oxidation-LDL treatment on cholesterol levels. Experiments using an established human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) showed a time-dependent increase in expression of LDL receptor after UBR-W treatment. Expression of LDL receptor-related genes, such as SREBP1 and 2, increased upon UBR-W treatment. However, expression of HDL-related genes was unaffected by UBR-W. HMG-CoA reductase activity was reduced by UBR-W treatment, whereas HMG-CoA mRNA expression significantly increased. In addition, the ApoB/ApoA1 mRNA level, which is a predictor of cardiovascular risk, was reduced in a time-dependent manner by UBR-W treatment. Macrophage-like cells (RAW 264.7) showed increased expression of ox-LDL-related genes, such as CD36, scavenger receptor-A, adipophilin, and PPAR-gamma, upon ox-LDL treatment compared to untreated control cells, and quantitative lipid analysis indicated a dramatic increase in lipid accumulation. However, UBR-W treatment significantly reduced expression of ox-LDL-related genes and largely prevented lipid accumulation. The results indicate that UBR-W mediates a cholesterol-lowering effect via inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and induction of LDL uptake through SREBP.
Antioxidant activity of wa-song (Orostachys japonicus A. Berger) was analyzed to clarify the influence of extractive solvent and drying method such as sun, hot-air and freeze drying. The contents of total phenols and flavonoids were significantly higher in 95% ethanol extracts than water extracts. Ability of reducing power and DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical and nitrite scavenging ability were higher in the order of hot-air dried sample> freeze dried sample> sun dried sample and these abilities were also higher in 95% ethanol extracts than water extracts. In conclusion, antioxidant activities of wa-song extracts were in proportion to the contents of total phenols and flavonoids. Also, hot-air drying is the superior method for the enhancement of antioxidant activity of wa-song.
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