• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2010

The seed of Phaseolus calcaratus Roxburgh (PHCR) is traditionally used for anti-pyretic and antiinflammatory effects. Although these effects are believed to be related to its antioxidant potential, little information is available for the mechanisms by which PHCR seed might scavenge free radicals or otherwise act as an antioxidant. In the present study, we purified some fractions from the ethanol extract of PHCR seed and evaluated each fraction's ability to scavenge free radicals generated by cell-free systems. We also identified active compound that is putatively responsible for free radical scavenging by analyzing NMR spectra. PHCR samples exhibited a concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, and DPPH radicals. Of the samples tested, a methanol-eluted sub-fraction from the PHCR extract, named $FF_4$, scavenged these radicals more effectively than the other fractions. We identified catechin-7-O-$\beta$-Dglucopyranoside as the active compound responsible for free radical scavenging potential of $FF_4$.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2010

The seeds of Raphanus sativus L. (RSL) and Phaseolus calcaratus Roxburgh (PHCR), the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), and the flower of Lonicera japonica (LJ) have been traditionally used as herbal medicines for anti-inflammation. Unlike the SB and LJ, little information is available for the scientific bases that show the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of RSL and PHCR. In this study, we prepared boiled water extracts from the medicines and determined their potentials in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The effects of the medicines on serum IgE levels in ovalbumin (OVA)-administrated mice were also studied. The medicines inhibited production of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6, and COX-2 expression in LPSstimulated macrophages. Especially, PHCR water extract showed more potent inhibition on TNF-$\alpha$ production than SB and LJ extracts, but RSL extract did not exert these effects. Similar to the cases of SB and LJ, PHCR extract prevented the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and c-Jun, and the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA binding. Further, oral supplementation of PHCR extract attenuated significantly serum levels of total and OVA-specific IgE in OVAtreated animals. These results suggest a possibility that PHCR water extract can be used for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases.