• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.158-172
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• 2017

Nigella sativa (N. sativa, family Ranunculaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been widely used for centuries throughout the world as a natural remedy. A wide range of chemical compounds found in N. sativa expresses its vast therapeutic effects. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main component (up to 50%) in the essential oil of N. sativa. Also, pinene (up to 15%), p-cymene (40%), thymohydroquinone (THQ), thymol (THY), and dithymoquinone (DTQ) are other pharmacologically active compounds of its oil. Other terpenoid compounds, such as carvacrol, carvone, 4-terpineol, limonenes, and citronellol, are also found in small quantities in its oil. The main pharmacological characteristics of this plant are immune system stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, anti-tussive, milk production, uricosuric, choleretic, anti-fertility, and spasmolytic properties. In this regard, we have searched the scientific databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with keywords of N. sativa, anti-cancer, apoptotic effect, antitumor, antioxidant, and malignancy over the period from 2000 to 2017. The effectiveness of N. sativa against cancer in the blood system, kidneys, lungs, prostate, liver, and breast and on many malignant cell lines has been shown in many studies, but the molecular mechanisms behind that anti-cancer role are still not clearly understood. From among the many effects of N. sativa, including its anti-proliferative effect, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS generation, anti-metastasis/anti-angiogenesis effects, Akt pathway control, modulation of multiple molecular targets, including p53, p73, STAT-3, PTEN, and $PPAR-{\gamma}$, and activation of caspases, the main suggestive anti-cancer mechanisms of N. sativa are its free radical scavenger activity and the preservation of various anti-oxidant enzyme activities, such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and the anti-cancer effects of N. sativa, with a focus on its molecular targets in apoptosis pathways.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.526-532
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Acanthopanax sessiliflorus is a native Korean plant and used as a traditional medicine or an ingredient in many Korean foods. The free radical theory of aging suggests that cellular oxidative stress caused by free radicals is the main cause of aging. Free radicals can be removed by cellular anti-oxidants. MATERIALS/METHODS: Here, we examined the anti-oxidant activity of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract both in vitro and in vivo. Survival of nematode C. elegans under stress conditions was also compared between control and Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract-treated groups. Then, anti-aging effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract was monitored in C. elegans. RESULTS: Stem extract significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocyte, which was not observed by leaves or root extract. Survival of C. elegans under oxidative-stress conditions was significantly enhanced by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract. In addition, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem increased resistance to other environmental stresses, including heat shock and ultraviolet irradiation. Treatment with Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract significantly extended both mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans. However, fertility was not affected by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem. CONCLUSION: Different parts of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus have different bioactivities and stem extract have strong anti-oxidant activity in both rat lymphocytes and C. elegans, and conferred a longevity phenotype without reduced reproduction in C. elegans, which provides conclusive evidence to support the free radical theory of aging.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2020

This study focused on investigation of the immunosuppressive inhibitory effect through determination of IL-2 production of nine compounds (1 - 9) isolated from Chlamydomonas sp. KSF108. Among them, compounds 1, 5, and 6 displayed moderately inhibitory effects on IL-2 production at a concentration of 100 µM. In addition, the related ones including cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities were also elucidated. 6 further displayed cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 cell line, with an IC₅₀ value of 17.2 µM and 4, 6 - 7, and 9 possessed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.1 to 4.4 µM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the bioactivity of isolated chemical constituents from the genus Chlamydomonas. Compounds 1 and 5 investigated for the first time in the activity of immunosuppressivity and 6 may come to serve as the most important marker in broad-spectrum activities of the secondary metabolites identified from C. sp. KSF108.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.761-767
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• 2018

Degenerative diseases are commonly associated with excess free radicals. Acer okamotoanum, a plant endemic to Korea, is reported to have anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-viral activities. We previously isolated flavonoids from the ethyl acetate fraction of A. okamotoanum such as quercitrin (QU), isoquercitrin (IQ), and afzelin (AF). In the present study, the in vitro antioxidant activity of flavonoids such as QU, IQ, and AF isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of A. okamotoanum were investigated by measuring the free radical scavenging activity including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical ($^{\cdot}OH$), and superoxide anion ($O_2{^-}$). The flavonoids (QU, IQ, and AF) concentration-dependently showed a DPPH radical scavenging activity. In particular, QU and IQ showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than that of AF. In addition, the flavonoids (QU, IQ, and AF) at $10{\mu}g/mL$ showed over an 80% scavenging effect against $^{\cdot}OH$ radical production. Furthermore, the $O_2{^-}$ radical scavenging activity of the flavonoids, QU, IQ, and AF increased in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, IQ exerted the strongest scavenging activities against $^{\cdot}OH$ and $O_2{^-}$ radicals among the other flavonoids. These results indicate that the flavonoids from A. okamotoanum, in particular IQ, would have a protective activity against oxidative stress induced by free radicals, and potentially be considered as a natural antioxidant agent.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2015

This study was to investigate anti-skin wrinkle effect of Agastache rugosa Kentz extracts by extraction processes. In the comparison of the effect of the solvent extraction, the extracts by 70% ethanol (EE) showed better biological activities that those by hot water. Therefore, further fermented Agastache rugosa was applied to 70% ethanol extraction process (FEE). FEE showed higher DPPH scavenging activity of 62.98% than EE's 62.71% at $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, but there was no significant. Elastase inhibition was measured 23.0% from FEE at $1.0mg/m{\ell}$. Cytotoxicity showed the highest 16.26% from FEE, this value is safe in the cell experiment. Collagen production showed $113.1ng/m{\ell}$ from FEE, on the other hand EE was measured $77.4ng/m{\ell}$ in adding $1.0mg/m{\ell}$. MMP-1 production was observed $1398pg/m{\ell}$ from FEE and EE was measured $1632pg/m{\ell}$. These results were found the highest antioxidant and anti-wrinkle effect. As a result, it was also confirmed that anti-skin wrinkle activities of the Agastache rugosa Kentz extract was correlated with anti-oxidant activities.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.1088-1099
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to confirm the possiblility of Zingiber mioga as a cosmetic material. For this we carried out biologically activated material characteristic evaluation about anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, wrinkle reduction effects using Zingiber mioga extract. To carry out this experiment, we extracted Zingiber mioga extract from Zingiber mioga flowers exract (ZMF) and Zingiber mioga leaves exract (ZML) with 70% ethanol. In order to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect, we tested the toxicity and the hindrance activity to nitric oxide of samples using macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells). After we measured DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of the Zingiber mioga extracts, we knew that they increased depending on their concentration. ZMF showed higher antioxidant activity than ZML after the measurement of ABTS+ radial scavenging activity and superoxide desmutase (SOD)-like activity. According to the measurement result of Nitric oxide inhibition activity we knew that ZMF reduced NO productions in a concentration-dependent manner. After the measurement of the biosynthesis quantity of pro-collagen type-1, we knew that its excellent effect appeared 110% or more at the concentration of 25 ㎍/ml. And at the same concentration, the result of the measurement of metalloprotease (MMP)-1 inhibition effect showed the 20% activation. In conclusion, ZMF is expected to be applied as a cosmetic material for wrinkle reduction. Zingiber mioga is believed to be used as a natural cosmetic material because it has been proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wrinkle-improving effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.102-117
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the protective and treating efficacy of Pyeongwi-san, Ijin-tang, and Pyeongjin-tang extracts to the mice with gastric mucosal lesions induced from indomethacin. Methods: In order to verify protective and treating efficacy of Pyeongwi-san, Ijin-tang, and Pyeongjin-tang extracts to the mice with gastric mucosal lesions induced from indomethacin, I administered the extracts of these prescriptions to three group, and induced gastric mucosal lesion by indomethacin, and then I observed the gastric mucosal morphology of stomach, changes from stress resulting from HSP70, changes of gastro-protection (mucous barrier, COX-1). After I observed the anti-oxidant effect, and anti-inflammation effect (IKK mRNA, iNOS mRNA, COX-2 mRNA) in vitro, I induced gastric mucosal lesion by indomethacin, and administered the extracts of each prescriptions to three group, and then I observed the gastric mucosal morphology, anti-inflammation effect to mucosa (NF-${\kappa}$B, iNOS, COX-2) in vivo. Results & Conclusions: 1. Hemorrhagic erosion and damaged mucus secreting cell, positive responses to HSP70 were decreased in all the before-gastric-mucosal-lesion-induced groups, compared to non-extract administered group. The effects were good in the order of Pyeongwi-san extracts administered group, Pyeongjin-tang extracts administered group and Ijin-tang extracts administered group. 2. In all the before-gastric-mucosal-lesion-induced groups, gastro- protection functions (mucous barrier, COX-1) were significant. The effects were good in the order of Pyeongwi-san extracts administered group, Pyeongjin-tang extracts administered group and Ijin-tang extracts administered group. 3. Anti-oxidant effect was significant in Pyeongwi-san extracts, Ijin-tang extracts and Pyeongjin-tang extracts. The effects were good in the order of Pyeongjin-tang extracts, Pyeongwi-san extracts and Ijin-tang extracts. 4. The anti-inflammation effects in vitro were good in Pyeongwi-san extracts, Ijin-tang extracts and Pyeongjin-tang extracts. Especially Pyeongjin-tang extracts showed the most prominent results. Damaged mucus secreting cells and the positive reactions of NF-${\kappa}$B, iNOS, COX-2 in vivo were decreased in after-gastric-mucosal-lesion-induced groups compared to non-extract administered group. The effects were good in the order of Pyeongjin-tang extracts administered group, Pyeongwi-san extracts administered group and Ijin-tang extracts administered group. These results show that Pyeongwi-san, Ijin-tang and Pyeongjin-tang are effective on both in protecting and treating the gastric mucosal membrane. Pyeongwi-san is more effective than other prescriptions, in protecting gastric mucosal membrane, and Pyeongjin-tang is more effective in treating gastric mucosal lesion.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.434-441
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• 2010

The Plants and their extracts containing polyphenol have been shown to be associated with decreased the cause of aging and variety of disease such as reaction oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in several recent studies. We conducted to investigate whether the extracts and fractionation isolated from Aster glehni Fr. Schm. has an inhibitory effect association with oxidation or inflammation. The Aster glehni Fr. Schm. 70% aq. MeOH was fractioned according to polarity with n-hexane layer, EtOAc layer, n-BuOH layer and water layer. The electron donating ability of EtOAc, n-BuOH solvent fraction from Aster glehni Fr. Schm. was about 58.0%, 46.4% at $50\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The superoxide anion radical inhibitory effect of EtOAc extracts was about 64.65% at $50\;{\mu}g/mL$, and n-BuOH extracts was 35.66% at $50\;{\mu}g/mL$. EtOAc layer to the inhibition activity of hyaluronidase and lipoxygenase were inhibited about 24.37%, 29.5% at $5\;{\mu}g/mL$. In the anti-inflammation effect of EtOAc layer inhibited the generation of nitric oxide. also, these results showed that EtOAc extract inhibited 81.5% at $50\;{\mu}g/mL$ on the expressions of iNOS protein in Raw264.7 cell line.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-75
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• 2005

Green tea and their major constituents such as catechins are famous materials for their anti-oxidative and anti-carcinogenic activity, but many compounds with reducing power can promote the oxidation in their oxidized form or in the presence of metal ion. We investigated the pro-oxidative effect of the ethanol extract equivalent up to 30mg of dried weight of green tea leaves in four in vitro systems which could be used for detecting DNA damage. Although ethanol extract of green tea did not show significant mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA102, which is sensitive strain to oxidative stress, it degraded deoxyribose extensively in the presence of $FeCl_3-EDTA$ complex, promoted 8-oxoguanine formation in the live bacteria cell, Salmonella typhimurium TAI04, and cleaved super coiled DNA strand with the help of copper ion. It suggested that green tea, famous anti-oxidative material, can be pro-oxidant according to the condition of extraction or metal existence.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2010

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect of Spirodela polyrrhiza (Lemnaceae), a widely used traditional medicinal plant were investigated. In macrophages nitric oxide (NO) is released as an inflammatory mediator and has been proposed to be an important modulator of many pathophysiological conditions including inflammation. 85% MeOH extracts of S. polyrrhiza (0.01, 0.1, 1 mg/mL) suppressed nitric oxide production in interferone-$\gamma$ (IFN-$\gamma$) and lipopoloysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated macrophages. It also attenuated the expression of inflammatory enzymes like inducible NOS (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) as assessed by immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Moreover, the values obtained with DPPH radical, superoxide anion and NO radical scavenging assay showed that S. polyrrhiza has potent antioxidant properties as a natural ROS scavenger. The results of the present study suggest the potential use of S. polyrrhiza in the treatment of ROS-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.