• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2006

In order to search anti-obesity agents, the methanol extracts of 155 herbal medicines were screened using with pancreatic lipase, which is involved in conversion of triglycerol to fatty acid. Among the tested medicinal plants, methanol extracts of Amsonia elliptica, Arecae pericarpium, Biota orientalis, Cinnamomum cassia, Curcuma aromatia, Elsholtzia ciliate, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Mucunae Caulis, Rhus javanica, and Rubus coreanus showed potent inhibition at final concentration of $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ on pancreatic lipase activity. All of them were extracted into chloroform fraction. The relative inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase by orlistat, the chloroform fraction of Arecae pericarpium and Cinnamomum cassia were 89, 80 and 80%, respectively. These results demonstrated that the screened medicinal plants could be develop as the effective lipase inhibitors in preventing and ameliorating obesity of human beings.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2018

Turmeric oleoresin, extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., is a widely-used natural food colorant. Curcuminoids, the major pigments in turmeric, which include curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BMC), possess various physiological activities. In the present study, changes in the chemical properties, antioxidant activities, and cytotoxicity of turmeric pigments upon heating were investigated. Color intensity of turmeric was significantly reduced after heating. Residual levels of curcumin, DMC, and BMC after 15 min of heating at $95^{\circ}C$ were 11.9, 37.4, and 77.3% respectively. Scavenging activities of turmeric against 2,2'-azobis-3-ethyl-benz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) peroxyl radicals, and nitrite were significantly enhanced after heating, while 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity remained unaffected. Generation of $H_2O_2$ from turmeric was increased via thermal decomposition. Cytotoxicity of turmeric pigments against colon cancer and normal intestinal cells was reduced significantly after heating. The results indicate that thermal processing affects chemical properties and bioactivities of turmeric pigments. These effects should be considered during the processing of foods containing turmeric pigments.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2020

Objectives : The objective of this study was to evaluate the gastric protective effect of Curcuma Longae Rhizoma (CLR) in 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol induced gastric ulcer (GU) in mice. Methods : Forty ICR mice were divided into five groups (n=8/Group): Nor group; Normal, Veh group; GU control, SC group; GU + sucralfate 10 mg/kg, CL; GU + CLR 30% ethanol extract 100 mg/kg, CH group; GU + CLR 30% ethanol extract 200 mg/kg. Then, mice were orally administered with 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol and caused GU. After 1 hr, mice were sacrificed, and blood and stomach tissue were collected. Results : CLR showed significance scavenging effects in 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities (DPPH IC₅₀; 78.18 ± 0.60 ㎍/㎖, ABTS IC₅₀; 55.91 ± 1.86 ㎍/㎖). CLR significance reduce inflammatory-related factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) via nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inactivation. In addition, the activation of nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) significantly led to up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes including factors heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase-1/2 (GPx-1/2). Conclusions : Our discovery provides that CLR possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, CLR may ameliorate the development of gastric ulcer though the inhibition of NF-κB inflammatory pathway and the elevation of Nrf2 anti-oxidant pathway.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications of chronic hyperglycaemia affecting normal kidney functioning. The ayurvedic medicine curcumin (CUR) is pharmaceutically accepted for its vast biological effects. Objectives: The Curcuma-derived diferuloylmethane compound CUR, loaded on Poly (lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles was utilized to combat DN-induced renal apoptosis by selectively targeting and modulating Bcl2. Methods: Upon in silico molecular docking and screening study CUR was selected as the core phytocompound for nanoparticle formulation. PLGA-nano-encapsulated-curcumin (NCUR) were synthesized following standard solvent displacement method. The NCUR were characterized for shape, size and other physico-chemical properties by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy studies. For in vivo validation of nephro-protective effects, Mus musculus were pre-treated with CUR at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. and NCUR at a dose of 25 mg/kg b.w. (dose 1), 12.5 mg/kg b.w (dose 2) followed by alloxan administration (100 mg/kg b.w) and serum glucose levels, histopathology and immunofluorescence study were conducted. Results: The in silico study revealed a strong affinity of CUR towards Bcl2 (dock score -10.94 Kcal/mol). The synthesized NCUR were of even shape, devoid of cracks and holes with mean size of ~80 nm having -7.53 mV zeta potential. Dose 1 efficiently improved serum glucose levels, tissue-specific expression of Bcl2 and reduced glomerular space and glomerular sclerosis in comparison to hyperglycaemic group. Conclusion: This study essentially validates the potential of NCUR to inhibit DN by reducing blood glucose level and mitigating glomerular apoptosis by selectively promoting Bcl2 protein expression in kidney tissue.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10407-10412
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• 2015

Background: ${\beta}$-elemene, extracted from herb medicine Curcuma wenyujin has potent anti-tumor effects in various cancer cell lines. However, the activity of ${\beta}$-elemene against glioma cells remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed effects of ${\beta}$-elemene on human glioma cells and explored the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: Human glioma U87 cells were used. Cell proliferation was determined with MTT assay and colony formation assay to detect the effect of ${\beta}$-elemene at different doses and times. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe cell apoptosis with Hoechst 33258 staining and change of glioma apoptosis and cell cycling were analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blotting assay were performed to investigated the influence of ${\beta}$-elemene on expression levels of Fas/FasL, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. The experiment was divided into two groups: the blank control group and ${\beta}$-elemne treatment group. Results: With increase in the concentration of ${\beta}$-elemene, cytotoxic effects were enhanced in the glioma cell line and the concentration of inhibited cell viability ($IC_{50}$) was $48.5{\mu}g/mL$ for 24h. ${\beta}$-elemene could induce cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. With Hoechst 33258 staining, apoptotic nuclear morphological changes were observed. Activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 was increased and the pro-apoptotic factors Fas/FasL and Bax were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was downregulated after treatment with ${\beta}$-elemene at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, proliferation and colony formation by U87 cells were inhibited by ${\beta}$-elemene in a time and does-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ${\beta}$-elemene inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human glioma cells in vitro. The induction of apoptosis appears to be related with the upregulation of Fas/FasL and Bax, activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 and downregulation of Bcl-2, which then trigger major apoptotic cascades.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.364-369
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• 1995

Anticarcinogenic activity of Moutan radix for mouse ascites cancer induced by mouse Sarcoma 180 (S-180) cells was investigated. Methanol extract of Moutan radix including other folk medicinal plants (Taxus cuspidata, Curcuma longa, Artemisia capillaris, Ligrstri fructus, and Liriope platyphylla) used to remedy or cure many chronic human diseases like cancer was fractionated into hexane, chloroform ($CHCl_3$), ethylacetate (EtOAc), and butanol (BuOH) fractions. Anticarcinogenic activity of the fractions, exhibited a strong cytotoxicity for L1210 and S-180 cells, was examined for mouse ascites cancer induced by S-180 cells. Male ICR mice (7 mice/treatment, $5{\sim}6$ weeks of age, $23{\pm}1\;g$ were injected i.p. with S-180 cells ($1{\times}10^{7}\;cell/1\;ml$ PBS). One day later, each mouse was given 0.1 ml of 10% DMSO containing sample ($30\;{\mu}g/g$ body weight) every day for 10 consecutive days. Control mice were only given 0.1ml S-180 cells and 0.1 ml 10% DMSO. Mice treated with EtOAc fraction of Moutan radix showed 28.7 days of life, which is 167% of control mice's life. Based on the dose-dependant experiment mice treated with $30\;{\mu}g$ showed longer life relative to mice treated with ootherr doses (5, 15, $60\;{\mu}g$), and mice treated with $60\;{\mu}g$ exhibited toxic symptoms. Body weight of mice treated with Moutan radix was significantly reduced relative to that of control mice (p<0.05). GC-MS analysis in conjunction with silica-gel column chromatography revealed that the EtOAc fraction contained 2-methoxylphenol, benzoic acid, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethanone, 8-methyl-2,4(1H,3H)pteridinedione and 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic dimethyl ester as regards to the anticarcinogenic property of the EtOAc fraction. These results suggest that Moutan radix might be included as an anticarcinogenic medicinal plant for treatment of ascites cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.272-281
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• 2003

Nontraditional or alternative medicine is becoming an increasingly attractive approach for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders and cancers. Curcumin is the major constitute of turmoric powder extracted from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin present in grapes and a variety of medicinal plants. In this report, We investigated the effect of curcumin and resveratrol on regulatory protein of cell cycle, induction of apoptosis and MMP activity. Treatment with 75 M curcumin for 24 hrs produced morphological changing in HN-4 cells. Curcumin and resveratrol inhibited the cellular growth in HN-4 cells. Inhibition of cell growth was associated with down-regulation of cell cycle regulatory proteins. Curcumin-induced caspase-3 activation and Bax degradation were dose-dependent with a maximal effect at a concentration of 100 M. The elevated caspase-3 activity in curcumin treated HN-4 cells are correlated with down-regulation of survivin and cIAP1, but not cIAP2. Curcumin induced a dose-dependent increase of cytochrome c in the cytosol. Curcumin induced-apoptosis was mediated through the release of cytochrome c. In addition, curcumin-induced apoptosis was caused by the generation of reactive oxygen species, which was prevented by antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Cotreatment with NAC markedly prevented cytochrome c release, Bax cleavage and cell death. Also resveratrol-induced apoptosis was preceded by down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, cIAP1, and caspase-3 activity. However, resveratrol-induced apoptosis was not prevented by antioxidant NAC. In addition, HN-4 cells release basal levels of MMP2 when cultured in serum-free medium. Treatment of the cells with various concentrations of PMA for 24 hr induced the expression and secretion of latent MMP9 as determined by gelatin zymography. HN-4 cells were treated with various concentrations of curcumin and resveratrol in the presence of 75 nM PMA, and MMP2 and 9 activities were inhibited by curcumin and resveratrol. These findings have implications for developing curcumin-based anticancer and anti-inflammation therapies.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2018

This study was performed to identify the antioxidant and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities of water and 70% ethanol extracts of the three following herbs: G. procumbens, M. charantia, and C. longa. In addition, the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of five types of Jerusalem artichoke composites (JA1 - 5), which were prepared by adding ethanol extracts of several herbs to Jerusalem artichoke concentrate, were studied and compared. The results showed that the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the ethanol extracts were higher than those of the water extracts. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power depended on the total phenol and flavonoid contents. The antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts from G. procumbens and C. longa were comparable. Moreover, the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the ethanol extracts ($2,000{\mu}g/ml$) from each herb was found to be over 50%. In contrast, the five types of JA composites showed higher total phenol and flavonoid contents than those of JA concentrate. In addition, increased antioxidant and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities were observed, with that of JA1 being the highest. However, all concentrations ($1{\sim}100{\mu}g/ml$) of JA tested did not affect the cell viability of Chang cells. In addition, JA induced the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in Chang cells and significantly increased the glucose uptake in C2C12 cells. Therefore, it could be concluded that the JA composites (JA1 - 5) mixed with G. procumbens, M. charantia, and C. longa extracts were effective in increasing the extracts' antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.481-489
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• 2010

This study was conducted to identify the optimal mixing ratios of turmeric powder or beet powder for the production of jelly. To establish the amount of turmeric powder or beet powder that could be added to jelly, physicochemical sensory characteristics and textural properties were measured. Specifically, jellies were prepared using gelatin containing turmeric powder or beet powder at ratios of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%(w/w). Sensory evaluation of color, appearance, sweetness, chewiness, springiness, hardness, transparency and overall acceptability of jelly prepared using 0.5% turmeric powder resulted in a high score. Similarly, the color, appearance, sweetness, chewiness, springiness, transparency and overall acceptability of jelly prepared using 1% beet powder received a high score. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that turmeric and beet can be useful in the production of high quality jelly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.393-400
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• 2011

This study investigates the effects of a hangover beverage (MIX) that contains minerals (highly-salty mineral water, HSMW) and several medicinal plant extracts, on antioxidant and alcohol-metabolizing enzymes in alcohol administered Sprague-Dawley rats. HSMW is pumped from below the sedimentary rock layer of Dadaepo, Busan, South Korea, which is 1,050 m below the land surface; it tastes salty, like sea water. In terms of medicinal plant extracts, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Rubus coreanus and Cornus officinalis were measured as being significantly higher than those in Curcuma longa. The results suggest that treatment with MIX significantly increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and DPPH radical scavenging activity. In the 10% HSMW-, for MIX- and company product (CP)-treated groups, the concentration of blood alcohol was significantly reduced 1~5 hr after alcohol loading, compared to that in the control group. In hepatic alcohol-metabolizing enzyme activities, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity was found to be higher in the MIX- and CP-treated groups than in controls, whereas acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was significantly higher in the CP-treated groups than other groups. This study concludes, therefore, that MIX (HSMW) minerals, like as Zn, Ca, Mg, Mn, and others stimulate alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, while the antioxidants of plant extracts prevent the damage otherwise incurred by alcohol toxicity. These results suggest that the hangover beverage (MIX) alleviates alcohol hangover symptoms by stimulating activities related to hepatic alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and antioxidant effects.