• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.259-270
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• 2019

Background: Eucommia ulmoides has long been used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and other diseases in many Asian countries. Methods and Results: This study aimed at evaluating the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of its water (EU-DW, and REU-DW) and ethanol (EU-EtOH, and REU-EtOH) extracts, as well as those of non-roasted E. ulmoides (EU) and roasted EU (REU) cortex. The following were assessed in each extract: total phenolic and flavonoid contents, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and nitrite radical scavenging activities, reducing power, DNA damage prevention activity, and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition activity. Both EU and REU extracts showed high phenolic and flavonoid content, dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging capacity, high reducing activity, and considerable DNA damage prevention activity. EU extracts showed remarkable ABTS free radicals scavenging capacity. REU extracts showed a higher radical scavenging capacity and played an important role in inhibiting NO production. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that aqueous and ethanol extracts of EU and REU possess antioxidant capacities, and prevent oxidative damage to DNA, probably owing to their phenolic and flavonoid content. Therefore, EU and REU could be candidates antioxidant supplements.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2018

Background: The flowering plant Hippophae rhamnoides L. has been used for many studies on fruit or leaf extracts. This study was conducted to investigate the development of a new cosmetic material from H. rhamnoides fruits and leaves that have by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wrinkle improvement activities. Methods and Results: The antioxidant abilities of H. rhamnoides extracts, including of a water-soluble fruit powder (FW), a fatsoluble fruit powder (FF), a supercritical extract of fruit by-product (BS), and a mixture of leaf and fruit (MIX), were investigated in vitro. A DPPH radical assay for antioxidant activity was performed for these fractions alongside assay to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC). As expected, the MIX had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity ($RC_{50}=10.27{\mu}g/m{\ell}$), and the TPC and TFC also were highest in MIX ($225.7mg{\cdot}GAE/g$, and $25.18mg{\cdot}QE/g$, respectively). Nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells was estimated and the results indicated an over 75% decrease of NO production in FF and MIX. In other assays, the highest elastase inhibitory activity was found in FW. Conclusions: These results revealed that H. rhamnoides extracts have a high potential for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiwrinkle activities. H. rhamnoides products are suggested to be applied as the functional materials of cosmetic ingredients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.390-399
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• 2014

Chalcones (1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones), a flavonoid subfamily, are widely known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Propenone moiety in chalcones is known to play an important role in generating biological responses by chalcones. In the present study, we synthesized chalcone derivatives structurally modified in propenone moiety and examined inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production and its potential mechanisms. Among the chalcone derivatives used for this study, TI-I-174 (3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(thiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one) most potently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitrite production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. TI-I-174 treatment also markedly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. However, TI-I-174 did not significantly affect production of IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), implying that TI-I-174 inhibits production of inflammatory mediators in a selective manner. Treatment of macrophages with TI-I-174 significantly inhibited transcriptional activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) as determined by luciferase reporter gene assay, whereas nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity was not affected by TI-I-1744. In addition, TI-I-174 significantly inhibited activation of c-Jun-N-Terminal kinase (JNK) without affecting ERK1/2 and p38MAPK, indicating that down-regulation of iNOS gene expression by TI-I-174 is mainly attributed by blockade of JNK/AP-1 activation. We also demonstrated that TI-I-174 treatment led to an increase in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression both at mRNA and protein level. Transfection of siRNA targeting HO-1 reversed TI-I-174-mediated inhibition of nitrite production. Taken together, these results indicate that TI-I-174 suppresses NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages via induction of HO-1 and blockade of AP-1 activation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.221-225
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• 2006

Phytochemical examination of the fruits of Actinidia arguta has led to the isolation three organic acids, one coumarin, and three flavonoids. Structures of these compounds were elucidated as protocatechuic acid (1), caffeic acid (2), $caffeoyl-\beta-D-glucopyranoside$ (3), esculetin (4), quercetin (5), quercetin $3-O-\beta-D-galactopyranoside$ (6), and quercetin $3-O-\alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl$ $(1\rightarrow6)-O-\beta-D-glucopyranoside$ (7) by comparisons with previously reported spectral data. To investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of these compounds, nitric oxide production inhibitory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and DPPH radical scavenging activities were examined. Nitric oxide productions were reduced significantly by the addition of compounds $[1(IC_{50}=59.27{\mu}g/ml),\;2(IC_{50}=27.95{\mu}g/ml),\;3(IC_{50}=73.09{\mu}g/ml),\;4(IC_{50}=67.44{\mu}g/ml),\;5(IC_{50}=17.40{\mu}g/ml),\;6(IC_{50}=41.99{\mu}g/ml),\;7(IC_{50}=54.46{\mu}g/ml)]$, and extracts $(IC_{50}=56.21{\mu}g/ml)$ compared with positive control, L-NMMA $(IC_{50}=14.48{\mu}g/ml)$. The phenolic compounds also showed anti-oxidative activities. Especially, Compounds $1(IC_{50}=8.87{\mu}g/ml),\;4(IC_{50}=3.41{\mu}g/ml),\;and\;5(IC_{50}=6.06{\mu}g/ml),\;$, showed potent anti-oxidative activities similar to L-ascorbic acid $(IC_{50}=5.89{\mu}g/ml)$.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

Objectives : Baicalein (3,3', 4', 5, 6-pentahydroxyflavone), a type of flavonoid, is a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient found in Scutellaria baicalensis root. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of baicalein on nitric oxide (NO) production in TM3 mouse Leydig cells stimulated by indomethacin (IN). Methods : TM3 cells were treated with IN (0.5 μM) and baicalein at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM for 24 hr, 40 hr, 42 hr, 44 hr, and 64 hr. After treatments, cell viabilities were measured with the modified MTT assay. The production of nitric oxide in cells was measured by Griess reagent assay. Results : Baicalein showed no cytotoxicity on IN-stimulated TM3. NO production in IN-stimulated TM3 treated for 24 hr with baicalein at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM was 95.8%, 94.86%, 89.97%, and 81.52% of the control group treated with IN only, respectively; NO production for 40 hr was 97.34%, 97.34%, 95.15%, and 87.42%, respectively; NO production for 42 hr was 89.12%, 90.14%, 89.74%, and 90.26%, respectively; NO production for 44 hr was 83.83%, 84.94%, 85.65%, and 86.85%, respectively; NO production for 64 hr was 94.12%, 95.38%, 94.21%, and 94.12%, respectively. Specifically, baicalein at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 have been shown to most efficiently inhibit NO productions in 48 hr of treatment. Conclusions : Baicalein might have anti-toxicant effect on Leydig cells related with its inhibition of NO production in Leydig cells stimulated with IN.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Objectives This study was conducted to find out the antioxidant and inflammatory improvement effects of Wolbigachul-tang. Methods To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of wolbigachul-tang, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured. And radical scavenging function was measured. In addition reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, cytokines productions were measured by treating wolbigachul-tang in the lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. We also measured the gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, cytokines too. Results Radical scavenging experiments showed significant concentration-dependent scavenging capacity increase. The amount of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, cytokines production in the cell all showed a significant concentration-dependent decrease compared to the control group. The gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and cytokines also showed a significant concentration-dependent decrease compared to the control group. Conclusions In conclusion, it is believed that wolbigachul-tang can be applied to various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2019

The aim of the present investigation was to assess the oxidation inhibition by nitrogen oxide scavenging activity and physiological activities. Bioactive compound of proanthocyanidin $69.000{\pm}2.737mg$ catechin equivalents (CE)/g dry weight. Antioxidant effects (nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, nitrite scavenging activity, ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching assay and lipid peroxidation inhibition activity) of distilled water (DW), 70% ethanol and n-butanol extract of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Turmeric extracts yield were DW 17.11%, 70% ethanol 15.26% and n-butanol 4.12%, respectively. Oxidation inhibition activity of the samples exhibited a dose-dependent increase. However, in the current study, none of the samples evaluated showed activity as strong as the BHA and trolox. Total flavonoid content was the highest in the n-butanol extract, followed by 70% ethanol and DW extract. Further, nitrite scavenging activity was the highest for the n-butanol extract. As a result of this experiment, the turmeric can be utilized as a valuable and potential natural oxidation inhibition for the functional food industry.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.241-253
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• 2019

Flavonoids are major plant constituents with numerous biological/pharmacological actions both in vitro and in vivo. Of these actions, their anti-inflammatory action is prominent. They can regulate transcription of many proinflammatory genes such as cyclooxygenase-2/inducible nitric oxide synthase and many cytokines/chemokines. Recent studies have demonstrated that certain flavonoid derivatives can affect pathways of inflammasome activation and autophagy. Certain flavonoids can also accelerate the resolution phase of inflammation, leading to avoiding chronic inflammatory stimuli. All these pharmacological actions with newly emerging activities render flavonoids to be potential therapeutics for chronic inflammatory disorders including arthritic inflammation, meta-inflammation, and inflammaging. Recent findings of flavonoids are summarized and future perspectives are presented in this review.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.337-340
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• 2014

In the present study, water extracts of Acanthopanax divaricatus var, albeofructus and Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis were prepared and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were compared. The water extract of Acanthopanax divaricatus var, albeofructus showed significantly higher activity in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, while there were no significant differences in ABTS/DPPH radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power. However, the water extract of Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis at the highest dose showed significantly lower capacity in nitric oxide production than that of Acanthopanax divaricatus var, albeofructus. Taken together, there were differences between Acanthopanax divaricatus var, albeofructus and Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis in total polyphenol/flavonoid contents and anti-inflammatory effect, however, the antioxidant effect was almost similar.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.569-578
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermentation can increase functional compounds in fermented soybean products, thereby improving antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activities. We investigated the changes in the contents of phenolics and isoflavones, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of Doenjang during fermentation and aging. MATERIALS/METHODS: Doenjang was made by inoculating Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus licheniformis in soybeans, fermenting and aging for 1, 3, 6, 8, and 12 months (D1, D3, D6, D8, and D12). Doenjang was extracted using ethanol, and sequentially fractioned by hexane, dichloromethane (DM), ethylacetate (EA), n-butanol, and water. The contents of total phenolics, flavonoids and isoflavones, 2,2-diphenyl-1 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured. Anti-inflammatory effects in terms of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressions were also measured using LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. RESULTS: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents showed a gradual increase during fermentation and 6 months of aging and were sustained thereafter. DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP were increased by fermentation. FRAP was further increased by aging, but DPPH radical scavenging activity was not. Total isoflavone and glycoside contents decreased during fermentation and the aging process, while aglycone content and its proportion increased up to 3 or 6 months of aging and then showed a slow decrease. DM and EA fractions of Doenjang showed much higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and DPPH radical scavenging activity than the others. At $100{\mu}g/mL$, DM and EA fractions of D12 showed strongly suppressed NO production to 55.6% and 52.5% of control, respectively, and PGE2 production to 25.0% and 28.3% of control with inhibition of iNOS or COX-2 protein expression in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve month-aged Doenjang has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities with high levels of phenolics and isoflavone aglycones, and can be used as a beneficial food for human health.