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In the present study, the change in the content and activity of some functional constituents including aglycone, the bioactive form of isoflavone, vitamin K2, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of black soybeans during their solid fermentation with Bacillus subtilis BCRC 14715 at different temperatures (35, 40, 45, and 50 degrees C) for 18 h was investigated. It was generally found that fermentation resulted in an enhancement of these constituents, regardless of fermentation temperature, while varying the fermentation temperature of black soybeans produced variations in the enhancement. The 50 degrees C -fermented black soybean showed the most marked increase in the content of daidzein and genistein aglycone. On the other hand, the highest SOD activity and vitamin K2 content were found in the black soybeans fermented at 45 and 40-45 degrees C, respectively. Thus functional properties of black soybeans can be further improved through fermentation with B. subtilis BCRC 14715.

Background: Gynura bicolor is a common vegetable in the Asia and has many physiological effects. We aimed to investigate the renoprotective effects of G. bicolor alcohol extracts (GBAEs). Methods: Rat kidney epithelial NRK-52E cell culture and kidney damage induction by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) were used as experimental models. In this study, the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, the levels of apoptosis and apoptosis-related molecules were analyzed in NRK-52E cells following t-BHP-induced injury. Results: The results showed the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased by levels by 61-71% and 41-59%, respectively, in NRK-52E cells treated with 0.5, 1, or 5 mg/ml GBAE combined with t-BHP compared with t-BHP-induced cells (p<0.05). The GSH levels and GSH-to-GSSG ratio were increased in NRK-52E cells treated with 0.5, 1, and 5 mg/ml GBAE combined with t-BHP compared to t-BHT-induced cells (p<0.05). The nitrite (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), IL-6, and TNF-α levels of NRK-52E cells treated with 0.5, 1, and 5 mg/ml GBAE combined with t-BHP were decreased compared with t-BHP-induced cells (p<0.05). In addition, Bcl-2 levels were increased after treatment with 5 mg/ml GBAE combined with t-BHP, and the levels of Bax and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and the apoptosis percentage were decreased after treatment with 1 or 5 mg/ml GBAE combined with t-BHP induction compared to after t-BHP induction alone (p<0.05). Conclusions: These data showed that 5 mg/ml GBAE can protect against kidney cell damage induced by t-BHP. The mechanism involves reducing cell damage and apoptosis through decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation.