• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.197-209
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• 2004

The study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanol extract of Caesalpinia bonducella leaves (MECB) (Family: Caesalpiniaceae). The effect of MECB on antioxidant activity, reducing power, free radical scavenging (DPPH radical, nitric oxide radical, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging), total phenolic content and antimicrobial activities were studied. The antioxidant activity of MECB increased in a dose dependent manner. About 50, 100, 250 and 500 g of MECB showed 53.4, 61.2, 69.1 and 76.2 % inhibition respectively on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion. Like antioxidant activity, the effect of MECB on reducing power increased in a dose dependent manner. The free radical scavenging activity of MECB was determined by DPPH radical scavenging method. The potency of this activity was increased with increased amount of extract. MECB was found to inhibit the nitric oxide radicals generated from sodium nitroprusside $(IC_{50}\;=\;102.8\;g/ml)$ whereas the $IC_{50}$ value of curcumin was 20.4 g/ml. Moreover, the MECB was found to scavenge the superoxide generated by photoreduction of Riboflavin. MECB was also found to inhibit the hydroxyl radical generated by Fenton reaction, where the $IC_{50}$ value is 104.17 g/ml compared with catechin 5 g/ml, which indicates the antioxidant activity of MECB. The MECB capable of scavenging hydrogen peroxide in a concentration-dependent manner. The amounts of total phenolic compounds were also determined. Antimicrobial activities of MECB were carried out using disc diffusion methods with five Gram positive, four Gram negative and four fungal species. The results obtained in the present study indicate that MECB leaves are potential source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.377-384
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• 2005

Algae causes not only the eutrophication of lake, but also the deterioration of drinking water process. Especially, algogenic organic matters(AOM) are assumed as disinfection by-products(DBPs) precursors like humic and fulvic acids. In this study, it was investigated the characteristics changes of algogenic organic matter(AOM) by prechlorination and coagulation treatment. Evaluation of enhanced coagulation and applicability of UV oxidation process were also evaluated as the drinking water treatment system for the eutrophicated water source. prechlorination was effective process for algae removal but caused releasing of dissolved organic matter(DOC) into water due to the destruction of algae's cell. In coagulation treatment with Fe(III) coagulant, reaction pH is an important factor for the removal of AOM and triholomathanes(THMs). At pH 5, removal efficiency of DOC and THMs were dramatically improved by 50% and 28%, respectively, in comparison with the conventional coagulation treatment at about pH 7. Photo-Fenton($UV/H_2O_2/Fe^{3+}$) process among the UV oxidations is the most effective system to remove AOM, but its removal efficiency was lower than that of enhanced coagulation treatment at pH 5.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.22-39
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• 2003

Biological activity of phenolic compounds in seeds and leaves of safflower (Carthamu tinctorius L.) were evaluated using several in vitro and in vivo assays. Six phenolic constituents were isolated from the seeds and identified as N-feruloylserotonia, N- (p-coumaroyl)serotonin, matairesinol, 8′-hydroxyarctigenin, acacetin 7-O-$\beta$-D-glucoside (tilianine) and acacetin. Six phenolic compounds exhibited considerable antioxidative activity, and especially two serotonins showed potent DPPH radical scavenging activity and antiperoxidative activity against rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by the hydroxyl radical generated via a Fenton-type reaction. Additionally, six phenolic compounds possessed comparable cytotoxicity against three cancer cells, Hela cell, MCF-7 and HepG2 cell, and particularly acacetin and its glycosides had the most potent cytotoxicity. Moreover, we found that feeding safflower seeds attenuated bone loss, and lowered levels of plasma and liver lipids in ovariectomized rats. Serotonins, lignans and flavones stimulated proliferation of the osteoblast-like cells in a dose-dependent manner (10$^{-15}$ ~10$^{-6}$ M), as potently as E$_2$ (17$\beta$-estradiol). Particularly, serotonins were mainly responsible for bone-protecting and lipid lowering effects in ovariectomized rats. Meanwhile, eight flavonoids, including a novel quercetin-7-O-(6"-O-acetyl)-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside and seven kown flavonoids, luteolin quercetin, luteolin 7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside, luteolin-7-O-(6"-O-acetyl)-$\beta$-D-gluco-pyranoside, quercetin 7-O- -glucopyranoside, acacetin 7-O-$\beta$-D-glucuronide and apigenin-6-C-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside were first isolated and identified from safflower leaf. Among these flavonoids, luteolin-acetyl-glucoside and $\beta$quercetin- acetyl-glucoside showed potent antioxidative activities against 2-deoxyribose degradation and lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. Luteolin, quercetin and their corresponding glycosides also exhibited strong antioxidative activity, while acacetin glucuronide and apigenin-6, 8-di-C-glucoside were relatively less active. Finally, changes in phenolic compositions were also determined by HPLC in the safflower seed and leaf during growth stages and roasting process to produce standardized supplement powerds. These results suggest that phenolic compounds in the roasted safflower seed and leaf may be useful as potential sources of therapeutic agents against several pathological disorders such as carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.