Rapid Measurement of Cellulose, Hemicellulose, and Lignin Content in Sargassum horneri by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Characteristic Variables Selection Methods

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and characteristic variables selection methods were used to develop a quick method for the determination of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents in Sargassum horneri. Calibration models for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in Sargassum horneri were established using partial least square regression methods with full variables (full-PLSR). The PLSR calibration models were established by four characteristic variables selection methods, including interval partial least square (iPLS), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), correlation coefficient (CC), and genetic algorithm (GA). The results showed that the performance of the four calibration models, namely iPLS-PLSR, CARS-PLSR, CC-PLSR, and GA-PLSR, was better than the full-PLSR calibration model. The iPLS method was best in the performance of the models. For iPLS-PLSR, the determination coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and residual predictive deviation (RPD) of the prediction set were as follows: 0.8955, 0.8232%, and 3.0934 for cellulose, 0.8669, 0.4697%, and 2.7406 for hemicellulose, and 0.7307, 0.7533%, and 1.9272 for lignin, respectively. These findings indicate that the NIR calibration models can be used to predict cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents in Sargassum horneri quickly and accurately.

Sargachromenol Isolated from Sargassum horneri Inhibits Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation in Macrophages through Toll-like Receptor-Mediated Cell Signaling Pathways

Sargassum horneri is an invasive brown seaweed that grows along the shallow coastal areas of the Korean peninsula, which are potentially harmful to fisheries and natural habitats in the areas where it is accumulated. Therefore, the author attempted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Sargachromenol isolated from S. horneri against particulate matter (PM)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. PM is a potent inducer of respiratory diseases such as lung dysfunctions and cancers. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory properties of Sargachromenol were validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blots, and RT-qPCR experiments. According to the results, Sargachromenol significantly downregulated the PM-induced proinflammatory cytokines, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and Nitric Oxide (NO) secretion via blocking downstream activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and MAPKs phosphorylation. Thus, Sargachromenol is a potential candidate for innovation in various fields including pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and functional food.

3-Hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionone Isolated from Invasive Harmful Brown Seaweed Sargassum Horneri Protects MH-S Mouse Lung Cells from Urban Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation

Air pollution is a process that mixes pollutants into the atmosphere, which is potentially harmful to humans and causes negative impacts on the surrounding environment (biotic and abiotic). The negative health effects associated with air pollution have been reported from both indoor and outdoor environments. Specifically, dust storms originating in Chinese and Mongolian desert areas introduce significant amounts of particulate matter (PM) to the Korean atmosphere. Previously, several studies reported that urban PM (UPM) is a potential agent that causes inflammation in the lungs by altering multiple signal transduction pathways; therefore, screening and identification of anti-inflammatory compounds against UPM-induced inflammation is an urgent requirement. In the present study, we attempted to study the anti-inflammatory properties of 3-Hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionone (HEBI), a pure compound isolated from invasive brown seaweed, Sargassum horneri (brown edible seaweed), against UPM-stimulated lung macrophages (MH-S). Anti-inflammatory parameters of HEBI were evaluated using Western blots, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and MTT assays. According to the results, HEBI at concentrations between 31.3 and 125 µg/mL reduced UPM-induced NO, PGE2, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production via blocking the downstream signal transduction of NF-κB and MAPKs. Specifically, HEBI down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4, which are well-known NF-κB and MAPKs stimulators. Taken together, HEBI is a potential candidate to develop functional foods and active ingredients in cosmeceuticals because of its profound effects against UPM-induced inflammation in MH-S macrophages.

In Vitro and In Vivo Photoprotective Effects of (-)-Loliode Isolated from the Brown Seaweed, Sargassum horneri

Skin is the largest organ of humans. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) is the primary environmental factor that causes skin damage. The compound, (-)-loliode, isolated from the brown seaweed Sargassum horneri, showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro and in vivo models. To further explore the potential of (-)-loliode in cosmetics, in the present study, we investigated the photoprotective effect of (-)-loliode in vitro in skin cells and in vivo in zebrafish. The results indicated that (-)-loliode significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, improved cell viability, and suppressed apoptosis of UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes. In addition, (-)-loliode remarkably attenuated oxidative damage, improved collagen synthesis, and inhibited matrix metalloproteinases expression in UVB-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, the in vivo test demonstrated that (-)-loliode effectively and dose-dependently suppressed UVB-induced zebrafish damage displayed in decreasing the levels of ROS, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation, and cell death in UVB-irradiated zebrafish. These results indicate that (-)-loliode possesses strong photoprotective activities and suggest (-)-loliode may an ideal ingredient in the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries.