• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.32-36
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• 2019

Dendropanax morbifera Leveille, an endemic species in Korea, is best known as a tree that produces a resinous sap. Although D. morbifera is used in folk medicine for various diseases, its active ingredients are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated antioxidative activities of ethanolic extracts of three parts of this plant including leaves, debarked stems, and roots. The root extracts exhibited strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity compared with leaf or stem extracts. The root extracts showed hepatoprotective activity against t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced HepG2 cells, and reduced the ROS level in the cells. The root fractions lowered the mRNA level of COX-2 on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw246.7 cells. These results suggest that ethanolic root extracts of D. morbifera are a source of antioxidant and hepatoprotective compounds, which indicate a potential for a botanical drug.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.455-460
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• 2019

In previous studies, we confirmed the effective antimicrobial activity of fermented Dendropanax morbifera leaf/branch extracts with Lactobacillus plantarum ilchiwhangchil 1785 and Lactobacillus plantarum ilchiwhangchil 2020. In this study, we investigated the hair growth effect of D. morbifera leaf/branch extracts fermented with L. plantarum ilchiwhangchil 1785 and L. plantarum ilchiwhangchil 2020 on human hair dermal papilla cells. The growth rate of human hair dermal papilla cells treated with fermented extracts in the range of 1 to $10{\mu}g/ml$ significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner, without increasing cell death. Double staining studies showed that the growth of cells treated with fermented D. morbifera leaf/branch extracts was more active than that of control cells. Moreover, the cells treated with the fermented D. morbifera leaf/branch extracts exhibited a 18.84% and 23.31% increase in cell mobility, respectively, as compared with that of the untreated cells. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the active agents responsible for hair growth. The results showed that the content of ${\beta}$-sitosterol, which is known to affect hair growth, increased about 10 times in the fermentation process of D. morbifera leaf/branch extracts. Taken together, the findings confirm that fermented Dendropanax morbifera leaf/branch extracts promote hair growth.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.641-648
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dried Dendropanax morbifera leaf extracts on lipid profiles of mice fed a high-fat and -cholesterol diet (HFCD). ICR mice were divided into six groups based on mice fed AIN-93G diet (Normal), HFCD (Control), HFCD+100 mg/kg/d of D. morbifera leaf aqueous extract (DA-100), HFCD+200 mg/kg/d of D. morbifera leaf aqueous extract (DA-200), HFCD+100 mg/kg/d of D. morbifera leaf ethanol extract (DE-100), or HFCD+200 mg/kg/d of D. morbifera leaf ethanol extract (DE-200) for 7 weeks. The final body weights of mice fed D. morbifera extracts were all lower than those of the control group. Mice treated with D. morbifera extracts showed significantly reduced plasma and hepatic triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, along with increased plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Fecal TG level was higher in DE-100 and DE-200 groups and TC level was significantly higher in the DA-200 and DE-200 groups. Relative liver weight, spleen weight, and testicle fat weight in mice treated with D. morbifera were reduced compared to the control group. Plasma insulin, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase levels of experimental groups were also lower than those of the control group. All mice treated with D. morbifera extracts had lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content and higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than the control group. Particularly MDA levels of the DA-200 and DE-200 groups and SOD levels of the DE-200 group were identical to levels of the normal group. These results suggest that D. morbifera extracts have lipid improvement effects in mice fed a HFCD.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.468-473
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• 2014

Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) grows in the southern coastal areas and on Jeju Island in Korea. In this study, D. morbifera leaf extract was investigated to determine the mechanism of its whitening effect. The inhibitory activities of the extract on melanogenesis were tested in B16 melanoma cells treated with the ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH). D. morbifera leaf extracts remarkably decreased the melanin content at 25 and $50{\mu}g/mL$. The extracts significantly inhibited the intracellular tyrosinase activity and protein expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2). In conclusion, D. morbifera leaf extracts would show a whitening effect by inhibiting intracellular tyrosinase activities and the expression of enzymes directly involved in the melanin biosynthesis. The results indicate that fractions of D. morbifera leaf extracts show potential for application as a whitening agent in the new whitening cosmetics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.348-354
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• 2022

The leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of Dendropanax morbifera have been used since ancient times as folk medicines for the treatment of headaches, skin diseases, infectious diseases, and other ailments. This study investigated the antioxidant, alcohol metabolism, and hepatoprotective effects of D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts. The total polyphenol content of the D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts was 49.56 mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/g, and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts was 84.09% at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. The effects of D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts on alcohol metabolism were determined by measuring the generation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). The ADH and ALDH activities of D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts were increased in a dose-dependent manner at 37.68% and 41.67%, respectively, at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. The D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts showed significant protective effects against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells at 50 ㎍/ml. Based on our results, we concluded that D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts may be used as major pharmacological agents, such as antioxidants, alcohol metabolism, and anti-hepatitis remedies.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.561-566
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• 2017

Dendropanax morbifera Lev. is known in Korea for its golden sap and medicinal properties. The many biological activities of the leaf and stem extracts suggest that this tree could be a valuable source of medicinal compounds for the treatment of various ailments such as dermatitis, migraines, dysmenorrhea, muscle pain, and infectious diseases. However, there is little information on the composition and biological activity of the volatile fraction of D. morbifera. Therefore, in this study, the volatile compounds in leaves, stems, and sap of D. morbifera were isolated using solvent and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to reveal their chemical composition and identify potential compounds of interest. Fifteen compounds were identified in the leaf extracts, whereas 29 and 3 compounds were identified in the stem and sap extracts, respectively. The volatile profiles obtained using solvent and SFE differed. Esters and aromatic hydrocarbons predominated in the solvent extract of leaves and SFE extract of stems, whereas the solvent extract of stems and SFE extract of leaves contained terpenoids. Limonene, ${\alpha}$-pinene, and ${\beta}$-myrcene were identified in the volatile extract of sap, with limonene representing 96.30% of the total peak area. In addition, the antiproliferative effects of the solvent extracts of leaves and stems were evaluated, revealing that these solvent extracts were particularly effective in decreasing the proliferation of HepG2 cells.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to compare the antihyperlipidemic effects of different Dendropanax morbifera leaf extracts in vitro. The extracts differed in terms of specimen age, harvesting season, and extraction method. RAW 264.7 cells were pretreated with these extracts and stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Ethanol was used to induce toxicity in HepG2 cells. Cellular lipid accumulation was quantified using oil red O staining in both these cells. The extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. RAW 264.7 cells treated with the 60% ethanol extract of an 8-year-old specimen harvested in November exhibited the lowest lipid accumulation. The 30% ethanol extract of a 5-year-old specimen harvested in May exhibited the greatest protection from ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. The hot water extract of an 8-year-old specimen harvested in May showed the greatest inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase. These results showed that D. morbifera extracts prepared from leaves that are harvested in May possess the highest antihyperlipidemic effects.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.407-415
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities on HaCaT and the whitening effects on B16F1 melanoma cells of Dendropanax morbifera leaf extract. In an antioxidative activity assay using HaCaT cells, the ethyl acetate ($50{\mu}g/ml$) and aglycone fractions ($25{\mu}g/ml$) of the D. morbifera leaf extract didn't exhibit any characteristics of cytotoxicity. When HaCaT cells were exposed to a single large dose ($800mJ/cm^2$) of UVB, the extracts protected the cells against UVB radiation. When HaCaT cells were treated with 10 mM $H_2O_2$ and $4{\mu}M$ rose bengal, the ethyl acetate ($6.25{\sim}50{\mu}g/ml$) and aglycone ($6.25{\sim}25{\mu}g/ml$) fractions protected the cells against oxidative damage in a concentration dependent manner. When the whitening effects of D. morbifera leaf extract were tested in melanoma B16/F1 cells treated with the a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH), the extracts inhibited ${\alpha}$-MSH-stimulated intra/extracellular melanogenesis in a concentration dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of the ethyl acetate and aglycone fractions of D. morbifera leaf extract were 21% and 44% at $25{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Both are more effective than arbutin (15% at $25{\mu}g/ml$) which is known as a whitening agent. These results indicate that fractions of the D. morbifera leaf can function as cell protectants and natural antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skins exposed to UV radiation by quenching and/or scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protecting cells against ROS. In addition, fractions of the D. morbifera leaf can be applied to new whitening cosmetics because of their inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}$-MSH stimulated melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.60-73
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The extract from Dendropanax morbifera exhibited diverse therapeutic potentials. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of D. morbifera leaf extract for improving metabolic parameters in human. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A 12-week, double blind, placebo-controlled and randomized trial included a total of 74 adults, and they were assigned to the placebo group (n = 38) or 700 mg/day of D. morbifera group (n = 36). The efficacy endpoints were changes in glycemic, lipid, obesity, and blood pressure (BP) parameters, in addition to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the numbers of MetS components. Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level significantly decreased in the D. morbifera group compared to that of the placebo group (difference: -0.13 ± 0.20% vs. 0.00 ± 0.28%, P = 0.031; % of change: -2.27 ± 3.63% vs. 0.10 ± 5.10%, P = 0.025). The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance level also decreased significantly from its baseline in the D. morbifera group. The systolic BP of D. morbifera group decreased significantly than that of placebo group (difference: -3.9 ± 9.8 mmHg vs. 3.3 ± 11.7 mmHg, P = 0.005; % of change: -2.8 ± 7.7% vs. 3.3 ± 10.2%, P = 0.005). However, the lipid parameters and body composition including body weight did not differ between the groups. The prevalence of MetS (36.8% vs. 13.9%, P = 0.022) and the incidence of MetS (10.5% vs. 13.9%, P = 0.027) at 12 weeks was significantly lower in the D. morbifera group than it was in the placebo group. No serious AEs occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with D. morbifera extracts over a 12-week period improved metabolic parameters such as HbA1c and BP and reduced the prevalence of MetS.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.394-402
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• 2014

Purpose: Dendropanax morifera Leveille (DML) exhibits diverse biological and pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidative effect, anti-cancer activity, hepatoprotection, immunological stimulation, and bone regeneration. As part of the identification for novel functions of DML, we investigated the therapeutic effects of DML on diabetes induced by streptozotocine (STZ) treatment. Methods: First, the four extracts including the water extract of leaf (DLW), the ethanol extract of leaf (DLE), the water extract of stem (DSW), and the ethanol extract of stem (DSE) were collected from the leaf and stem of DML using a hot water and ethanol solvent. Alterations in body weight, glucose concentration, insulin level, and pancreatic islet structure were investigated in diabetic mice after treatment with extracts of DML for 2 weeks. Results: Among four extracts, the highest level of total polyphenols and total flavonoids was detected in DLW, while the lowest level of these was measured in DSE. The radical scavenging activity was also higher in DLW than in the other three extracts at the concentration of $25-100{\mu}g/mL$, although this activity was maintained at a constant level in all groups at the concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$. Based on the results of anti-oxidant activity, DLW and DLE were selected for examination of anti-diabetic effects in a diabetes model. Body weight was gradually decreased in all STZ treated groups compared with the No treated group. However, four STZ/DML treated groups maintained a high level of body weight during 7-14 days, while the STZ/vehicle treated group showed a gradual decrease of body weight during the same period. Also, a significant decrease or increase in the concentration of glucose and insulin in the blood of the diabetes model was detected in a subset of groups, although the highest increase was detected in the STZ/DLE-200 treated group. In addition, the histological structure of pancreatic islet was significantly recovered after treatment with DLW and DLE. Conclusion: These results suggest that DLW and DLE may contribute to attenuation of clinical symptoms of diabetes as well as prevent the destruction of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells in STZ-induced diabetes mice.