Background: This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of the flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) and its constituent, rutin obtained from the leaf of Morus alba L., on the lipid accumulation mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and C57BL/6 mouse models. Methods and Results: In Oil Red O staining, FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) treatments showed inhibition rate of 35.39% in lipid accumulation compared to that in the control. AdipoRedTM assay indicated that the triglyceride content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) was reduced to 23.22%, and free glycerol content was increased to 106.04% that of the control. FRF and its major constituent, rutin affected mRNA gene expression. Rutin contributed to the inhibition of Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) gene expression, and inhibited the transcription factors SREBP-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In addition, the effect of FRF administration on obesity development in C57BL/6 mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated. FRF suppressed weight gain, and reduced liver triglyceride and leptin secretion. FRF exerted potential anti-inflammatory effects by improving insulin resistance and adiponectin levels, and could thus be used to help counteract obesity. The mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ, FAS, ACC, and CPT-1 were determined in liver tissue. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was also performed to evaluate the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in epididymal adipose tissue. Compared to the control group, mice fed the HFD showed the up-regulation in PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α genes, and down-regulation in CPT1 gene expression. FRF treatement markedly reduced the expression of PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to those in HFD control, whereas increased the expression level of CPT1. Conclusions: These results suggest that the FRF and its major active constituent, rutin, can be used as effective anti-obesity agents.

Background: Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) is useful for detection the ability of plants to tolerate environmental stresses such as drought, and excessive sunlight. Cnidium officinale Makino is highly sensitive to water stress and excessive sunlight. In this study, we evaluated the effect of soil water and shade treatment on the photosynthesis and leaf temperature change of C. officinale. Methods and Results: C. officinale was cultivated under uniform irrigation for 1 week drought stress (no watering) for 6 days. A significant decrease in CF was observed on the 5th day of withholding water (approximately 6% of soil water content) regardless of shading. Notably, the Rfd_lss parameter (CF decrease rates) with and without shade treatment was reduced by 73.1% and 56.5% respectively, at 6 days compared with those at the initial stage (0 day). The patterns of the degree of CF parameters corresponded to those of the soil water content and difference between leaf temperature (Ts) and air temperature (Ta). Meanwhile, CF parameters recovered to the 3 - 4 days levels after re-watering, while the soil water potential was completely restored. The suitable soil water content for C. officinale optimal growth was between -5 kPa and -10 kPa in this experiment. Conclusions: Lack of soil water in the cultivation of C. officinale, even with shading, decreased latent heat cooling through transpiration. As a result, heat dissipation declined, and the plant was subjected to drought stress. Soil water content plays a major role in photosynthesis and leaf temperature in C. officinale.

Morus alba, Anti-obesity, C57BL/6 Mice, Expression, Flavonoid, Gene, Mulberry Background: The seed oil of Zanthoxylum schinifolium S. et Z. (sancho) is a traditional cooking oil that has long been sold at a very high price however, depending on the method of extraction and storage, this oil becomes rancid occurs very quickly. Therefore, this study aimed to find a material that prevents rancidity and improves the storage properties of sancho oil. Methods and Results: Sancho oil was extracted using an extraction press, and acid values were compared with commercially available vegetable oils, sancho oil had a higher acid value than other vegetable oils. A very high acid value was observed in sancho oil stored for 6 months, regardless of temperature, requiring an effective storage method. The high acid value and the decrease in turbidity of sancho oil are dependent on the days of sedimentation. Treatment with sodium bicarbonate by concentration resulted in minimal changes in acid value over time. However, minor differences were detected among the treatment concentrations. Ascorbic acid was added to maximize the effect of sodium bicarbonate, and it was observed that ascorbic acid did not improve the antioxidant effect. The sodium bicarbonate and ascorbic acid mixture resulted in minimal change in acid value at temperature up to 25℃. Conclusions: Sancho oil becomes rancid very quicky and requires efficient storage techniques. Sodium bicarbonate and ascorbic acid have been proven to be useful as safe anti-racidity agents without causing harm to humans.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the quality characteristics of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge leaf (AMBL) fermented with lactic acid bacteria and the applicability of its biologically active compounds. Methods and Results: An assessment of physicochemical properties such as pH, total acidity, free sugars, and isoflavonoid (calycosin-7-o-β-d-glucoside, ononin, calycosin, and formononetin) was conducted. Furthermore, the levels of antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids, and radical scavenging activities of the extracts using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate and 2,2-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) were investigated. The calycosin content in the water extract of AMBL fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides increased by approximately twice as much as the control. Conclusions: These results indicate that L. mesenteroides can be used to improve biological activity through fermentation, and that AMBL can be used as a functional materials and edible resource in industrial areas.

Background: As the Positive List System (PLS) is implemented in broad application to agricultural products, attention to the correct use of pesticides is also needed in the production of mulberry leaves and fruit. In this regard, three types of pesticides against mulberry popcorn disease were applied 2 - 3 times both in the field and greenhouses to prepare safety standards. Residual pesticide analysis was conducted on mulberry fruits and leaves. Methods and results: Three pesticieds, thiophanate-methyl, thiophanate-methyl·triflumizole and fluopyram registered as PLS pesticides for mulberry popcorn disease, were sprayed in the Wanju and in Buan regions, after which residual pesticide analysis was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As three pesticieds were either undetected or below the permissible level in mulberry fruit, demonstrating that they were suitable for safe spraying. However, 5.6 mg/kg of thiophanate-methyl was detected in the greenhouse after three application, which was slightly above maximum residue limit (MRL). Furthermore the level of thiophanate-methyl·triflumizole was higher than 0.2 mg/kg ("Gwasang No. 2" variety, spraying twice) or similar to 0.09 mg/kg ("Daesim" variety, spraying thrice) the permissible level (0.1T mg/kg) as the thiophanate-methyl was detected in mulberry leaves in the greenhouse. Conclusions: The spraying frequency for controlling mulberry popcorn disease in greenhouses should be limited to two times or less, especially when mulberry leaves are treated with thiophanate-methyl·triflumizole careful consideration is required if the leaves are to be used as food materials.

Background: Culturing wild ginseng adventitious root using plant factory technology provides genetic safety and high productivity. This production technology is drawing attention in the fields of functional raw materials and product development. The cultivation method using elicitors is key technology for controlling biomass and increasing secondary metabolites. Methods and Results: Elicitor treatments using methyl jasmonate, pyruvic acid, squalene, β-sistosterol were performed to amplify total ginsenosides (Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, and Rd) of cultured wild ginseng adventitious root. Thereafter, fermentation and steaming processes were performed to convert total ginsenosides into minor molecular ginsenosides (Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5). The result indicated that methyl jasmonate minimizes the reduction in fresh weight of cultured wild ginseng adventitious root and maximizes total ginsenosides (sum of Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, and Rd). Ginsenoside conversion results showed a maximum degree of conversion of 131 mg/g. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated that the optimal elicitor treatment method increased the content of total ginsenosides, while the steaming and fermentation processing method increased the content of minor ginsenosides.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the applicability of dried jujube (Zizypui Fructus) distributed by size as a functional food material and herbal medicine by evaluating its physicochemical characteristics and betulinic acid content. Methods and Results: It was shown that the carbohydrate content of in jujube fruit significantly increased with fruit size; 81.42% for large, 79.83% for medium, and 76.39% for small. Similarly, the dilute ethanol extract content of each group was 72.48% (large), 69.56% (medium), and 64.16% (small). A free sugar analysis indicated that glucose, fructose and sucrose were found in quantitieds proportional to jujube fruit size, the total free sugar values were 68.85%, 63.93%, and 57.37% for large, medium, and small fruit sizes respectively. The betulinic acid content for large, medium, and small fruit was 0.50 mg/g, 0.54 mg/g, and 0.58 mg/g respectively, indicating that smaller jujube contained a higher amount of betulinic acid. Conclusions: It is considered that betulinic acid content could be used as a criteria for jujube fruit quality control.

Background: Evaluation of transpiration is required for agricultural and environmental management applications, as crop yields and plant growth are primarily water limited. This study aimed to determine the transpiration and carbon accumulation of Cnidium officinale. Methods and Results: The transpiration of C. officinale was evaluated using weighing lysimeter. The relationship between transpiration and factors such as solar radiation, air temperature, and leaf area was assessed. Transpiration increased as the leaf area increased with the growth stage. Furthermore, daily transpiration per unit leaf area was 0.69 ± 0.16 g·cm-2·day-1 and there were no significant differences in daily transpiration during the cultivation period. The maximum transpiration was 620.6 g m-2·h-1 and diurnal changes in transpiration were highly correlated with solar radiation although the maximum transpiration was observed at the air temperatures of 20℃ - 26℃. The ratio of carbon accumulation to transpiration was 0.12%. Conclusions: Our results indicated that the transpiration of C. officinale is primarily regulated by solar radiation energy on clear days and that 97% of the water is discharged through transpiration for heat dissipation. Therefore, weighing lysimeters can measure transpiration accurately and may be useful in interpreting plant growth.

Background: The roots of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense (RCJ) have been used as traditional medicine in Korea for hematuria and hematemesis. These extracts exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects by scavenging for free radical and regulating the inflammatory response. However, the effect of RCJ on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been elucidated. Thus, we evaluated the water extract of RCJ (WRCJ) using type II collagen-induced RA models. Methods and Results: RA was induced by immunization with type II collagen. All experimental materials were orally administered daily for three weeks. The positive control group was administered with 0.2 mg/kg methotrexate (n = 7), while the experimental group was administered with WRCJ (100 or 500 mg/kg, n = 7). Serum levels of TNF-alpha, Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and type II collagen IgG (CII) were measured using ELISA. Administration of 500 mg/kg WRCJ decreased the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CII. Moreover, WRCJ treatment diminished swelling of hind legs and infiltration of inflammatory cells in RA models' synovial membrane. Conclusions: These results indicate that WRCJ could improve RA, reduce inflammatory indicators and synovial inflammation. However, further experiments are required to determine how WRCJ can influence the signal transduction pathway in RA.