• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.3-14
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• 2022

Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br, commonly called dagga, klip dagga, or lion's ear, has been used to effectively treat various diseases and other health problems for a long time because of its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic activities. Several studies have attributed these biological activities to L. nepetifolia's constituent secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, glycosides, coumarins, anthocyanins, and saponins. This review aims to examine the evidence-based ethnopharmacological uses of L. nepetifolia in the treatment of bronchial asthma, diarrhea, skin diseases, malaria, burns, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatism. However, although L. nepetifolia has great potential to treat these diseases, further isolation and identification of its therapeutic phytochemical constituents are required. In addition, the performance of its extracts and phytochemicals should be thoroughly tested in preclinical and clinical trials in order to ascertain their safety and efficacy, which will prove valuable in developing new medicines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5499-5500
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• 2014

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.9-25
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• 1996

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.677-691
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• 2016

To assess South Korean commercial tomato cultivars, regular and cherry tomato cultivars were grown in the greenhouse and evaluated for color attributes, titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, carotenoids (lycopene and ${\beta}$-carotene), total phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity. Significant differences (p < 0.05 using Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT)) were observed in the levels of most phytochemicals, quality parameters, and antioxidant activity among the twenty South Korean tomato cultivars tested. Lycopene and ${\beta}$-carotene contents varied significantly (p < 0.05 using DMRT), from $0.95mg{\cdot}100g^{-1}$ to $5.12mg{\cdot}100g^{-1}$ and $0.65mg{\cdot}100g^{-1}$ to $3.56mg{\cdot}100g^{-1}$ of fresh weight, respectively. ${\beta}$-carotene contents exhibited the highest genetic variation (59.2%), followed by naringenin (52.8%) and other phytochemicals. Most of the cherry tomato cultivars had statistically higher levels (p < 0.05 using DMRT) of carotenoids, phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity compared to the regular tomato varieties, suggesting their higher nutritional value. Lycopene content was highest in the cultivars YoYo, Jicored, Titi-Chal, TY-Endorphin, and Rubyking. Cultivars Rubyking, TY-Endorphin, and Titi-Chal also showed relatively higher antioxidant activities in three assays: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All the antioxidants, except luteolin, were positively correlated with antioxidant activities; the highest correlation was observed between total phenol and antioxidant activities, followed by the correlation between rutin and vitamin C. Cultivars identified to have superior nutritional status would be useful in tomato breeding programs to further improve quality and health benefits of tomatoes for the fresh and processed markets.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.550-557
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Angelica keiskei is a green leafy vegetable rich in plant pigment phytochemicals such as flavonoids and carotenoids. This study examined bioavailability of flavonoids and carotenoids in Angelica keiskei and the alteration of the antioxidant performance in vivo. SUBJECTS AND MATERIALS: Absorption kinetics of phytochemicals in Angelica keiskei were determined in healthy older adults (> 60 y, n = 5) and subjects with metabolic syndrome (n = 5). Subjects consumed 5 g dry Angelica keiskei powder encapsulated in gelatin capsules with a low flavonoid and carotenoid liquid meal. Plasma samples were collected at baseline, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 h. Samples were analyzed for flavonoids and carotenoids using HPLC systems with electrochemical and UV detection, respectively, and for total antioxidant performance by fluorometry. RESULTS: After ingestion of Angelica keiskei increases in plasma quercetin concentrations were observed at 1-3 and 6-8 hr in the healthy group and at all time points in the metabolic syndrome group compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Plasma lutein concentrations were significantly elevated in both the healthy and metabolic syndrome groups at 8 hr (P < 0.05). Significant increases in total antioxidant performance were also observed in both the healthy and the metabolic syndrome groups compared to baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study clearly demonstrate the bioavailability of phytonutrients of Angelica keiskei and their ability to increase antioxidant status in humans.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.477-482
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• 2009

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in the induction of innate immune responses that are essential for host defense against invading microbial pathogens. In general, TLRs have two major downstream signaling pathways, namely MyD88- and TRIF-dependent pathways, leading to the activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and the expression of inflammatory mediators. TLR4 dimerization is required for the activation of downstream signaling pathways and may be one of the first lines of regulation in activating TLR-mediated signaling pathways. In this paper, the molecular targets of curcumin, 6-shogaol, and cinnamaldehyde in TLR signaling pathways will be discussed. Curcumin, 6-shogaol, and cinnamaldehyde with ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated carbonyl groups inhibit the dimerization of TLR4 induced by lipopolysaccharide, resulting in the downregulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and IRF3. These results suggest that phytochemicals with the structural motif conferring Michael addition inhibit TLR4 dimerization, suggesting a novel mechanism for the anti-inflammatory activity of phytochemicals.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.71-75
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• 1999

Epidemiologic studies consistently demonstrate an inverse relationship between risk for colon canter and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Wheat bran, flax and soy contain dietary fiber and phytochemicals, such as lignans and isoflavones, that may inhibit colon carcinogenesis. Orange juice contains hesperidin, a flavanone glucoside that protects against colon carcinogenesis. This study determined if feeding orange juice, wheat bran, soy and flaxseed (combined diet) would inhibit azoxymethane (AOM) induced colon cancer. Cancer was initiated in male Fisher 344 rats by injecting 15 mg AOM/kg of weight at 22 and 29 days of age. One week after the second AOM injection, rats (N = 30) in the combined diet group received dry diet containing wheat bran (4%), soy with ethanol soluble phytochemirals(13%) and flaxseed (8%) and orange juice replaced drinking water. The control group remained on the control diet and received distilled water to drink. The rats were killed 28 weeks later, and colon tissues and tumors were removed for histologic analysis. Feeding the combined diet significantly reduced tumor incidence (p < 0.05), however tumor multiplicity was not changed (p > 0.05, 0.9 tumors/rat fed the combined diet vs 1.2 for controls). Also, tumor burden was only marginally reduced in rats fed the combined diet vs control rats (65 vs 210 mg of tumor/rats, respectively). The reduction in tumor incidence was associated with a decreased labeling index and proliferation zone in normal appearing colon mucosa. Therefore, this study shows that phytochemicals in wheat bran, soy, flax and orange juice reduce colon carcinogenesis, presumably by decreasing cell proliferation and enhancing cell differentiation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.28-49
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• 2020

The efficacy and side effects associated with anticancer drugs have attracted an extensive research focus. Onconephrology is an evolving field of nephrology that deals with the study of kidney diseases in cancer patients. Most renal diseases in cancer patients are unique, and management of renal disease can be challenging especially in the presence of continuing use of the nephrotoxic drugs. Cisplatin is one of the most important chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of various malignancies, such as head, neck, ovarian, and cervical cancers. The major limitation in the clinical use of cisplatin is its tendency to induce adverse effects, such as nephrotoxicity. Recently, plant-derived phytochemicals have emerged as novel agents providing protection against cisplatin-induced renal cytotoxicity. Owing to the diversity of phytochemicals, they cover a wide spectrum of therapeutic indications in cancer and inflammation and have been a productive source of lead compounds for the development of novel medications. Of these agents, the effectiveness of triterpenoids, isolated from various medicinal plants, against cisplatin-induced renal cytotoxicity has been reported most frequently compared to other phytochemicals. Triterpenes are one of the most numerous and diverse groups of plant natural products. Triterpenes ameliorate cisplatin-induced renal damage through multiple pathways by inhibiting reactive oxygen species, inflammation, down-regulation of the MAPK, apoptosis, and NF-κB signaling pathways and upregulation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense mechanisms. Here, we reviewed recent findings on the natural compounds with protective potential in cisplatin-induced renal cytotoxicity, provided an overview of the protective effects and mechanisms that have been identified to date, and discussed strategies to reduce renal cytotoxicity induced by anticancer drugs.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.387-397
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• 2003

During the first half of twentieth century, even though the importance of non-calorie essential micronutrients of 13 vitamins and 17 minerals has been known to alleviate nutritional disorder; the primary objective of agriculture and plant breeding programs has been to increase the productivity and seed yields, and macronutrients of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates made up the bulk of foodstuff which were used primarily as an energy source. In the last decade it has been found that non-essential micronutrients encompass a vast group of phytochemicals including antioxidants that are not strictly required in the diet but when present at sufficient levels work as health-promoting chemicals. Nowadays agricultural crops are grown for health rather than for food or fiber, and modifying the nutritional compositions of plant foods has become an urgent health issue. To ensure an adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals, and to increase the consumption of health-promoting phytochemicals, the researches on plant secondary metabolism have been made. The attempt to improve nutritional quality of crops has been blocked by a lack of basic knowledge of plant metabolism. The advent of genomics era enabled new approaches to make crossing regardless of species, family, or phylum barriers, and the accumulation in our basic knowledge on plant secondary metabolism during the coming decade would be tremendous. As the major staple crops contain insufficient amount of many micronutrients, fortification strategy will be a necessary practice. Elevated intake of specific vitamins, C, E, and $\beta$-carotene, mineral selenium, antioxidants, and phytochemicals significantly reduces the risk of chronic disease such as cancer, cardiovascular disorder, diabetis, and other degenerative disease associated with aging. As the attempt to improve the nutritional quality of crops requires the basic knowledges on plant metabolism, plant biochemistry, human physiology, and food chemistry, strong interdisplinary collaboration among plant biotechnologists, human nutritionists, and food scientists will be needed. Inhibition of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other degenerative disorder may be the biggest goal facing nutritional plant breeders. But the assumption that simply increasing dietary level of any compound will necessarily improve human health is a dangerous idea because many plant secondary products and dietary contaminants have paradoxical (hermetic) effects. Before biotechnical manipulation is undertaken to elevate or reduce any individual constituent of crops, the contribution of the micronutrient to human health must first be investigated.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.321-325
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• 2010

Among endogenous oral microflora, Streptococcus mutans plays a critical role in dental plaque formation, which mainly contributes to the development of caries and periodontal disease. Phytochemicals are plant-derived chemical compounds that have been studied as beneficial nutrients to human health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of phytochemicals against S. mutans. Among them, oleanolic acid (OA) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (HF) from Thomson seedless raisins were tested for anti-microbial effects against various clinically important bacteria. OA inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, but not Gram-negative bacteria. However, HF did not display any antibacterial effect against any of the strains tested. OA also exhibited inhibitory effects in surface adherence and biofilm formation of S. mutans. The results suggest that OA can be utilized as a potential anti-plaque and anti-caries agent by controlling the physiological characteristics of S. mutans on teeth.