• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1737-1742
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• 2009

It has been known that Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens are dietary sources of possible chemopreventive compounds such as lignans and $\alpha$-linolenic acid. Here, we investigated and compared the inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens on mutagenicity using the Ames test, and growth of human cancer cells (AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma, HT-29 human colon cancer, Hep 3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells). In the Ames test system using Salmonella typhimurium TA100, aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$)-induced mutagenicity was significantly inhibited by treatment with the methanol extract from either Linum usitatissimum or Perilla frutescens (p<0.05) in a dose dependent manner. As for N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguamidine (MNNG)-induced mutagenicity, the methanol extracts (5 mg/assay) from Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens showed 63% and 78% inhibitory rates, respectively, indicating that Perilla frutescens possessed stronger antimutagenic activity than did Linum usitatissimum. Inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens on the growth of human cancer cells (AGS, HT-29 and Hep 3B) appeared to increase dose dependently, and the inhibition was more effective against AGS and HT-29 compared to Hep 3B cells. Our results suggested that the methanol extract from Perilla frutescens showed stronger antimutagenic activity than that from Linum usitatissimumas assayed by the Ames mutagenic test, whereas the methanol extract from Linum usitatissimum was more effective than its counterpart for growth inhibition of human cancer cells. It is concluded that intake of Linum usitatissimum and Perilla frutescens as sources of omega-3 fatty acids will be beneficial for preventing cancer.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.443-444
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• 2010

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.695-700
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• 2013

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has been used for the only edible oil in Korea. We carried out the field experiment in order to investigate the possibly combined effects of mepiquat chloride (MC) and trinexapac-ethyl (TE) on oil composition, lignan content, seed yield and endogenous gibberellins content of flax cultivar. Plant growth retardants mepiquat chloride (300 and 600 ppm) and trinexapac-ethyl (100, 200 and 300 ppm) were foliar-sprayed to flax plant at 50days after seeding. The plant height was decreased in the combination of mepiquat chloride 600 ppm with trinexapac-ethyl 100, 200 and 300 ppm. Mepiquat chloride treatment combined with trinexapac-ethyl observed the highest response on seed yield, followed by mepiquat chloride 300 ppm with trinexapac-ethyl 100 ppm, mepiquat chloride 300 ppm with trinexapac-ethyl 200 ppm and mepiquat chloride 300 ppm with trinexapac-ethyl 300 ppm. Lignan content was increased in all of the combination treatments. It concludes that the combination of mepiquat chloride 300 ppm with trinexapac-ethyl 300 ppm will be useful to increasing oil and lignan content in flax plants.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.291-297
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• 2018

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a very well-known causative agent for viral myocarditis and meningitis in human. However, the effective vaccine and therapeutic drug are not developed yet. CVB3 infection activates host cell AKT signaling. Inhibition of AKT signaling pathway may attenuate CVB3 replication and prevent CVB3-mediate viral myocarditis. In this study, we determined antiviral effect of the selected natural plant extract to develop a therapeutic drug for CVB3 treatment. We screened several chemically extracted natural compounds by using HeLa cell-based cell survival assay. Among them, Linum usitatissimum L. extract was selected for antiviral drug candidate. L. usitatissimum extract significantly decreased CVB3 replication and cell death in CVB3 infected HeLa cells with no cytotoxicity. CVB3 protease 2A induced eIF4G1 cleavage and viral capsid protein VP1 production were dramatically decreased by L. usitatissimum extract treatment. In addition, virus positive and negative strand genome amplification were significantly decreased by 1 mg/ml L. usitatissimum extract treatment. Especially, L. usitatissimum extract was associated with inhibition of AKT signal and maintain mTOR activity. In contrast, Atg12 and LC3 expression were not changed by L. usitatissimum extract treatment. In this study, the potential AKT signal inhibitor, L. usitatissimum extract, was significantly inhibited viral genome replication and protein production by inhibition of AKT signal. These results suggested that L. usitatissimum extract is a novel therapeutic agent for treatment of CVB3-mediated diseases.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2017

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important food, oil, and fiber crop of the family Linaceae. Although flaxseed has been consumed as a food ingredient for several centuries, its nutritional benefits have not yet been completely established. Flaxseed is a good source of lignans, nonstarch polysaccharides, and high-quality proteins. Hence, in this study, we aimed to prepare a bioactive kefir containing flaxseed and to examine the physicochemical characteristics of kefir containing different concentrations of flaxseed. We investigated the pH, and sensory evaluation of bioactive Kefir containing different concentrations of flaxseed. We investigated the pH, total anthocyanins (TAs), and sensory evaluation of bioactive Kefir containing different concentrations of flaxseed. The pH of this bioactive kefir decreased, whereas the TA content increased with increasing incubation time; however, these parameters were not affected by the amount of added flaxseed. As the addition rate of flaxseed increased, the scores for overall acceptability, texture, color, flavor, and taste in sensory evaluations were generally the same as or lower than the control. There were no significant differences in overall acceptability, texture, color, flavor, and taste between the control and treated groups. Therefore, further studies are needed to develop methods for production of health-improving kefir as a dietary supplement based on the functional properties of flaxseed.

• Genes and Genomics
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.1237-1248
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• 2018

Introduction Cellulose microfibril is a major cell wall polymer that plays an important role in the growth and development of plants. The gene cellulose synthase A (CesA), encoding cellulose synthases, is involved in the synthesis of cellulose microfibrils. However, the regulatory mechanism of CesA gene expression is not well understood, especially during the early developmental stages. Objective To identify factor(s) that regulate the expression of CesA genes and ultimately control seedling growth and development. Methods The presence of cis-elements in the promoter region of the eight CesA genes identified in flax (Linum usitatissimum L. 'Nike') seedlings was verified, and three kinds of ethylene-responsive cis-elements were identified in the promoters. Therefore, the effect of ethylene on the expression of four selected CesA genes classified into Clades 1 and 6 after treatment with $10^{-4}$ and $10^{-3}M$ 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) was examined in the hypocotyl of 4-6-day-old flax seedlings. Results ACC-induced ethylene either up- or down-regulated the expression of the CesA genes depending on the clade to which these genes belonged, age of seedlings, part of the hypocotyl, and concentration of ACC. Conclusion Ethylene might be one of the factors regulating the expression of CesA genes in flax seedlings.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2017

Recently, the health-promoting effects of functional foods have been shown to prevent nutrition-related diseases, improve physical and mental well-being, satisfy hunger, and provide necessary nutrients for the human body. Koumiss is a common type of fermented mare's milk that has been shown to have beneficial therapeutic effects on cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis, and diarrhea as it can nourish vessels, relieve ill mood, and improve digestion. Hence, in this study, we aimed to prepare health-promoting koumiss using different concentrations of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimmum L.), which has the potential to control heart disease, hypertension, inflammation, and lung function. The pH was decreased to around 4.42-4.43, whereas the total anthocyanin (TA) content was increased to around 0.78~0.82% after fermentation of the koumiss premix. There were no significant differences in pH and TA among the three groups, including the control group. In sensory profile analysis, the taste, flavor, color, texture, and overall acceptability decreased in proportion to the added amount of flaxseed. These findings provided the first data describing the effects of flaxseed on koumiss fermentation, establishing a basis for commercial-scale production of koumiss containing fermented flax seed and for improving the health-promoting activity of koumiss.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-217
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• 2000

In order to select more proper plants for phytoextraction at the heavy metal polluted areas, 11 species of non-edible plants were cultivated at the cadmium(Cd) and Lead(Pb) treated soils and analyzed the content of the absorbed Cd and Pb in each part of plants. Plants include three fibers(Linum usitatissimum, Cannabis sativa, Gossypium spp.), three flowers(Calendula officinalis, Rhododendron lateritium, Portulaca grandiflora), and five trees(Pinus thunbergii, Magnolia kobus, $Populus\;nigra\;{\times}\;P.$ maximowiczii, Euonymus japonica, Fraxinus rhynchophylla). Yield of tree species were higher than that of fiber and flower species. Cd and Pb were highly accumulated in root rather than leaves and stems. The Cd content of plants was in the order Portulaca grandiflora > Calendula officinalis > Gossypium spp. > Linum usitatissimum, Pb was Cannabis sativa > Linum usitatissimum > Fraxinus rhynchophylla. Total absorbed Cd by each plant was in the order $Populus\;nigra\;{\times}\;P.$ maximowiczii > Euonymus japonica > Rhododendron lateritium, but Pb was $Populus\;nigra\;{\times}\;P.$ maximowiczii > Rhododendron lateritium > Euonymus japonica. Total absorbed Cd and Pb contents in plants were negatively correlated with the residual Cd and Pb in the treated soils. It was estimated that $Populus\;nigra\;{\times}\;P.$ maximowiczii, Euonymus japonica, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, and Rhododendron lateritium were the most effective species for phytoextraction in the polluted area considering yield and heavy metal uptake.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.547-554
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• 2018

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), also called linseed and one of the raw materials for making linen, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vegetable estrogen, ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid, and dietary fiber. Studies on flaxseed have reported various additional effects, such as the inhibition of cholesterol, blood clotting, and tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the functional components of flaxseed fermented with lactic-acid bacteria. Lactic-acid bacteria was inoculated into heat-treated (roasted) flaxseed and fermented at $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr. The fermented flaxseed was extracted with 70% ethanol and the antioxidant effect of the fermented extracts according to the lactic-acid bacteria was analyzed. It was confirmed that the total polyphenol contents had expanded by about 1.5-8 times, and the total flavonoid contents had increased around 1.2 times in the case of fermented flaxseed with lactic-acid bacteria compared to non-fermented flaxseed (NFFS). DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase-like activities had increased around 5.6 and 2.3 times, respectively, in the fermented flaxseed compared to the NFFS at 100 ppm concentration. The study concluded that fermentation of flaxseed with lactic-acid bacteria is possible and that it is effective to increase the antioxidant effects of flaxseed. These results can be applied to the development of improved foods and cosmetic materials.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2017

Linum usitatissimum L. (flaxseed) is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents, namely, ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber, which are potentially beneficial for human health. Furthermore, flax or flaxseed oil has also been incorporated as a functional food ingredient into various foods such as milk, dairy products, and meat products. Flaxseed is known to possess antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo, but its growth-stimulating effect on lactic acid bacteria is not clear. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine whether crude flaxseed extract stimulated the growth kefir-isolated lactic acid bacteria in vitro. The result of this study showed that Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens DN1, Lactobacillus brevis KCTC3102, Lactobacillus bulgaricus KCTC3635, and Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC3105 treated with $100{\mu}L$ of crude flaxseed extract showed significantly higher growth than the control treated with $100{\mu}L$ of water (p<0.05). Based on the results of this study, crude flaxseed extract could be used as a growth stimulator for lactic acid bacteria in various food applications, including production of milk and dairy products.