• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1-27
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• 2023

Objectives : To investigate the modern research achievements of agarwood and its association with the efficacy of herbal medicine based on the in vivo and in vitro activities of volatile compounds detected in agarwood. Methods : Databases such as PubMed and ScienceOn were searched for medicinal in vivo and in vitro activity studies on agarwood. They were categorized into "medicine and pharmacy" and "others not related to medicine and pharmacy," and the studies on medicine and pharmacy were organized according to active efficacy. The efficacy and virtue of agarwood as identified in the book (or herbal medicine/herbology) corresponded to modern medical terms and diseases in reference to the . Separately, the Gas Chromatography & Mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis results of agarwood from a total of 5 production areas of Aquilaria crassna from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Cambodia as identified in previous studies were consulted to search for research papers on the medicinal activity of the 13 compounds of the aromatic sesquiterpene family detected in agarwood, and they were categorized according to topic. Results : There were 123 studies on the medicinal activity of agarwood. Overall, 46 studies on single extracts of agarwood reported activities such as improving mental health, including anti-anxiety and stability, and antiallergic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and digestive system protective effects. In total, 59 papers on the activities of single compounds isolated from agarwood reported anti-inflammatory and mental health benefits. Separately, 13 compounds detected in agarwood, such as α-agarofuran and β-caryophyllene, were reported by 110 studies to have anticancer, stabilizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. There were also papers on the cultivation methods and resin formation conditions of agarwood trees unrelated to the efficacy of herbal medicine. Conclusion : Among the pharmacological papers, a total of 57 papers corresponded to the effects of agarwood in traditional herbal medicine, including 33 papers related to agarwood extracts and 24 papers analyzing 8 types of sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene and cedrol, from previous studies. Based on the research findings of each paper, it was possible to correlate the effects of agarwood in traditional herbal medicine with the achievements of modern pharmacological research. In addition, further research is anticipated in new areas related to traditional herbal medicine, including the improvement of mental health such as anti-depression, as well as activities related to anticancer, antioxidant, and hair growth.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.844-851
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• 2012

Antioxidant and cancer cell growth inhibition activity of hot water extract from five different varieties of Artemisia (A. Argyi H., A. iwayomogi Kitamura, A. Princeps Var Orien talis HARA, A. princeps Pampanini and A. annua L.) in Korea was studied. We determined the phenol and flavonoid contents and examined antioxidant assay, such as DPPH, NO radical scavenging, activity ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and bleaching inhibition activity in the ${\beta}$-carotene linolic acid system. Also, we performed HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell growth inhibition assay of Artemisia extracts. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were the highest in A. iwayomogi Kitamura followed by A. Argyi H. DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in A. Argyi H. at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentration, NO radical scavenging activity was more than 50% in A. Princeps Var Orien talis HARA, A. princeps Pampanini, and A. annua L. at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentration. FRAP was higher in A. Argyi H. and A. iwayomogi Kitamura. Antioxidant activity in the ${\beta}$-carotene linolinolic system was also higher in A. Argyi H. and A. iwayomogi Kitamura by 60.50% and 56.90% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentration, respectively. In cancer cell growth inhibition activities at 400 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentration, A. iwayomogi Kitamura showed greater than 80% on HeLa cell. A. princeps Pampanini and A. Argyi H. extract had growth inhibition activities greater than 80% on MCF cell. The results of this study suggest that the antioxidant and anticancer activities in various Artemisia are a promising source of functional food ingredients.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2023

Sphaeranthus africanus is commonly used as a traditional remedy for sore throats and pain treatment in Vietnam. The aerial parts have been studied for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. However, the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the plant has not been explored. In this work, hydrophilic extracts of the plant's aerial parts were prepared in order to investigate its antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Also, the cytotoxicity of the root was evaluated and compared to that of the aerial parts. All of the extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.05 to 3.56 ㎍/mL, indicating substantial antioxidant activity. At an IC₅₀ value of 4.80 ㎍/mL, the 50% ethanol extract exhibited the most potent inhibition of α-glucosidase. The cytotoxic activity of root extracts is 2 to 5-fold less than that of the aerial parts. Nevertheless, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of the root demonstrated a selective effect on leukemia cells, with no harm towards the normal HEK-293 cell line. This work provides a scientific support for the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of the plant. Hence, it may find a promising material for the development of novel antioxidant and antidiabetic agents. More research can be conducted on the phytochemistry and anticancer activities of the plant's root.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2012

This study was carried out to evaluate antioxidant and anticancer activity of crudes extracts from colored corn (Zea mays. L.) among particle size with different pulverizing methods (pin mill and ultra fine pulverizer). In cytotoxicity test using extracts from the flours grounded by pin mill and ultra fine pulverizer respectively, it showed that A-549 was the highest anticancer activity among in vitro using 4 cancer cell line types (Hep-G2, A-549, HCT-116 and MCF-7). Assessing the antioxidant activities of crude extracted from different pulverizing methods was measured by trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Higher scanvening activity against free radical was observed in the crude extracted from small particle size flours of colored corn than in those of the big particle size.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.500-505
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• 2010

The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts from five different parts (flesh, peel, core, seed, calyx) of Jangseong Daebong persimmon (Diospyros kaki cv. Hachiya) were evaluated by determining total phenol content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA), ABTS RSA, and reducing power (RP). The flesh extract gave the highest yield (92.93%) while the lowest yield was obtained from the seed (5.17%). The seed extract showed the highest total phenolic content ($76.47\pm0.009$ mg GAE/g extract), DPPH RSA ($IC_{50}=52.05\pm1.61\;{\mu}g/mL$), ABTS RSA ($IC_{50}=30.94\pm0.41\;{\mu}g/mL$) and RP ($IC_{50}=87.94\pm0.37\;{\mu}g/mL$). In addition, the calyx extract also showed high antioxidant activity. On the other hand, the core extract gave the lowest TPC and all antioxidant assays. In particular, HT-29 cells showed extensive cell death when treated with $500\;{\mu}g/mL$ of calyx extracts. Thus, these results suggest that methanolic extracts of Jangseong Daebong persimmon seed and calyx may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidant for food and nutraceutical application.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.329-335
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• 2008

Korean Deep ground sea-like water (KDSW) has a similar mineral composition with deep sea water. KDSW has demonstrated its usefulness and attracted in the medical fields. KDSW and Danasoo (desalted deep ground sea-like water) intake improve antioxidant, antidiabetic activity and immunity. Antioxidant activities of KDSW and Dnansoo were measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-l-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, superoxide dismutase-like activity (SODA) and photochemiluminescence (PCL). DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activities of KDSW and Danasoo were remarkably increased in a dose-dependent manner. Antioxidant activities of KDSW and Danasoo 85.32 and 14.02 nmol of ascorbic acid equivalent/ml KDSW and Danasoo, respectively, using the PCL method. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages RAW264.7 cells was inhibited up to 30% by treatment with Danasoo (20%). NO is synthesized by the enzyme of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and plays an important role tumor growth and angiogenesis. The anticancer effects of Danasoo on human gastric and lung cancer cells was performed by levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Danasoo significantly reduced iNOS expression of human gastric cancer (SNU-l) and lung carcinoma (A549). The serum glucose level was significantly reduced by Danasoo (20%) diet in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. These result suggest that KDSW has excellent biological activities and thus it has great potential as a source for natural health products.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.239-247
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• 1999

Six-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were fed the diets of 20% casein or soy protein. Two weeks after the feeding, hepatocellular chemical carcinogenesis was initiated by diethylnitrosamine(DEN), and promoted by the diet containing 0.01% 2-acetylamino-fluorene(AAF) and two-thirds partial hepatectomy(PH). The animals were sacrificed at 8 weeks after the DEN injection. The area of placetal glutathione S-trnasferase(GST-P) positive foci, the activities of several enzymes in cellualr antioxidant enzyme systems and glucose 6-phosphatase were determined to investigate the mechanism of the anticarcinogenic effect by the dietary proteins. In another set of experiments, the drinking water of rats fed casein was supplemented with 1.5% inositol hexaphosphate(InsP6) to elucidate whether it has the comparable anticancer action of soy protein. The area and number of GST-P positive foci in the soy protein group were significantly(p<0.05) lower than those inthe casein group. The livers of rats fed casein showed moderate fattydegeneration and larger hyperplastic nodules than those of rats fed soy protein. In another set of experiments, the area and number of GST-P positive foci in the rats fed casein supplemented with InsP6 were not significantly different from those in the rats fed casein or soy protein. The lipid peroxidation of rats fed different protein sources showed no significant difference. Glutathione S-transferase(GST) activities were increased significantly(p<0.05) by carcinogen treatment in all dietary groups. Glucose 6-phosphatase(G6Pase) activities were decreased by carcinogen treatment, and hence showed a reverse relationship(r=-0.695, p<0.01) to the GST-P positive foci. Therefore, the activities in the rats fed casein were lower than those in the rats fed soy protein. These results suggest that the soy protein seems to be more anti-carcinogenic than casein by decreasing the preneoplastic lesion and by increasing the membrane stability but inositol hexaphosphate, a component of soy protein, may not be protective against hepatocarcinogenesis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.530-541
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• 2011

Objectives : Categorized as 'cheongyeol' herbs, Herba Prunellae, Flos Lonicerae and Radix Scutellaria have been proven to have effect on degenerative brain disease, cerebrovascular disease and brain tumor because of their anti inflammation, antioxidant, or anticancer effects. In this study, we studied activity against reactive oxygen species and anti inflammation effect of these three 'Cheongyeol' herbs. Methods : We measured each herb's yield of ethanol extracts, phenolic contents and activities against DPPH, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion. Also through 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line, we measured antioxidant effect and NO activity of the three herbs. From the three herbs, we chose Prunella Herba, which showed the highest antioxidant effect, and studied its cell survival rate and anti inflammation effect through COX-2 and iNOS. Results : All three herbs showed significant results, and especially Prunella Herba showed significant effect on phenol contents, antioxidant effect on various active oxygen and antioxidant, and anti inflammation effect through cell line. Conclusions : Further study of the origin concept of 'cheongyeol' and research into specific mechanisms and role in treatment of cranial nerve disease, seems warranted.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2095-2100
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• 2012

Sulforaphane (SFN) an isothiocyanate formed by hydrolysis of glucosinolates found in Brassica oleraceae is reported to possess anticancer and antioxidant activities. In this study, we isolated SFN from red cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var rubra) and evaluated the comparative antiproliferative activity of various fractions (standard SFN, extract and purified SFN) by MTT assay in human epithelial carcinoma HEp -2 and and Vero cells. Probable apoptotic mechanisms mediated through p53, bax and bcl-2 were also examined. The SFN fraction was collected by HPLC, enriched for its SFN content and confirmed. Expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by western blotting and RT PCR. Results showed that Std SFN and purified SFN concentration found to have closer $IC_{50}$ which is equal to 58.96 microgram/ml (HEp-2 cells), 61.2 microgram/ml (Vero cells) and less than the extract which is found to be 113 microgram/ml (HEp-2 cells) and 125 microgram/ml (Vero cells). Further studies on apoptotic mechanisms showed that purified SFN down-regulated the expression of bcl-2 (antiapoptotic), while up-regulating p53 and Bax (proapoptotic) proteins, as well as caspase-3. This study indicates that purified SFN possesses antiproliferative effects the same as Std SFN and its apoptotic mechanism in HEp-2 cells could be mediated through p53 induction, bax and bcl-2 signaling pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.509-516
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• 2001

Enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants are involved in defense of oxgen free radical intermediates in all aerobic cells. The non -enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme from the extracts of Solanum nigrum L. known to be anticancer medicinal plant were examined in other to utilize the discovery in natural products as cancer chem-opereventive agents. The DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) free radical scavening activity on plant position of Solanum nigrum L. was the highest in root, with stem, whole plant, seed, leaf and flower, at higher activities respectively. In extraction methods, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity by circulating extraction with 80 % MeOH. The DPPH activity of L6 fraction by LH-20 column chromatography showed about 6.7 times higher than that of ethyl acetate-fraction. These were identified as phenolic compounds such as 2-6-methano-3-benzazocin-11-ol, 2[1H]-phyidinethione and 2-hydroxy -5-methyl-benzaldehyde. Peroxidase(POD) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities of stem and root were higher than that of other plant positions and those of plant positions according to growing stage were the highest in 60 days after seeding. The numbers of isozyme pattern of POD and SOD showed 10 hands and 5 bands, respectively, especially, 8 bands of POD and 3 bands of SOC showed a difference according to plant positions.