• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.429-438
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• 2018

Objective: Although the efficacy of Rubus coreanus (RC) byproducts as a feed additive has been recognized, its effects on intestinal microorganisms and the immune system are still unknown. Methods: Six-week-old male rats were treated with 0.5% RC (T1), 1.0% RC (T2), and 1.5% RC (T3) for 4 weeks. Results: We found that treatment with RC byproducts significantly increased the daily gain of body weight and feed intake. Treg-cell differentiation was enhanced in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen from the rats fed with RC byproducts. Illumina sequencing showed that bacteria in the phylum Firmicutes decreased and while those in the phylum Bacteroidetes increased in RC-treated groups. Particularly, the pathogenic microorganisms in the family Peptococcaceae decreased, and the non-pathogenic families Lachnospiraceae and S24-7 increased. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the RC byproducts increased the lactic acid bacteria Bifidobacterium spp., Oscillospira spp., Leuconostoc citreum, and Weissella cibaria in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: RC byproducts may be effective in immunomodulation by affecting intestinal microorganisms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.455-460
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• 2009

Foods of plant origin, especially fruits and vegetables, have attracted attention because of their potential benefits to human health. In this report, Rubi Fructus (RF), the dried unripe fruit of Rubus coreanus Miq (Rosaceae) and ellagic acid (EA) purified from RF were used to test their potential hepatoprotective effect against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. RF extract (RFext) and EA reduced the elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and the content of lipid peroxide in liver by AAP administration, while the increment of the cellular glutathione (GSH) content and the induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) which were decreased by AAP administration. RFext and EA from RFext did not affect the two major form of cytochrome P450s, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), but downregulated the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) related to the conversion of AAP to N-acetyl-P-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). These results suggest that RFext and EA from RF exhibit a hepatoprotective effect not only by increasing antioxidant activities but also by down-regulating CYP3A4 in the AAP-intoxicated rat.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.437-445
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• 2013

This study was investigated to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect of Rubus coreanus(RC) extract on contracted rabbit carotid artery and its mechanism. To study the effect of RC extract on contracted rabbit carotid arterial strips, arterial strips with intact or damaged endothelium were used for experiment using organ bath. The pre-contracted arterial strips with norepinephrine(NE) or potassium chloride(KCl) was treated with various concentrations of an extract of RC(0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$). To determine the mechanisms of RC-induced vasorelaxant, RC extract was infused into contracted arterial rings which had been pretreated by indomethacin(IM), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), methylene blue(MB). And calcium chloride(Ca) 1 mM was infused into precontracted arterial ring induced by NE or KCl after treatment of RC extract in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution. Cytotoxic activity of RC extract on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) prodution was measured by Griess reagent. RC extract revealed significant relaxation on NE-induced arterial contraction, but didn't relax on KCl-induced arterial contraction. RC extract also had an effective relaxation to the intact endothelium arterial ring, but not the damaged endothelium arterial ring. Treatment of IM, TEA, L-NNA, MB reduced the relaxation of RC extract. Pretreatment of RC extract inhibited the contraction by influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in contracted arterial ring induced by NE, but it didn't work the contraction by influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in contracted arterial ring induced by KCl in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution. RC extract increased nitric oxide production on HUVEC. This study indicated that the relaxation effect of RC extract on contracted rabbit carotid artery is related with NO-cGMP pathway, EDHF, prostacyclin.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate biological and antioxidative activities on the fruit of bogbunja (Rubus coreanus Miquel). Total contents of phenolic compounds contents in cultivars ripened fruit and immatured wild-type fruit were 222 and 190mg/g, respectively, Polysaccharide contents of immatured wild-type fruit were the highest value of 320U. For EDA analysis, immatured wild-type fruit showed over 95％ in 100$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of sample concentration, which is the the most effective. Levels of SOD-like activities in immatured and cultivar ripened fruits were 81％ and 77%, respectively, For the inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation, all of bogbunja prepared were similar with those of $\alpha$-tocopherol as control. The inhibition of ACE activities on the water extracts of bogbunja fruit showed over 98%, especially, in immature wild-type and cultivar bogbunja.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2004

Background: The fruit of Rubus coreanus (RC), a perennial herb, has been cultivated for a long time as a popular vegetable. The anti-allergy mechanism of RC is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of RC on compound 48/80- or anti-DNP IgE-induced mast cell activation. Methods: For this, influences of RC on the compound 48/80-induced degranulation, histamine release, calcium influx and the change of the intracellular cAMP (cyclic adenosine-3',5' monophosphate) levels of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) and on the anti-DNP IgE-induced histamine release of RPMC were observed. Results: The pretreatment of RC inhibited compound 48/80-induced degranulation, histamine release and intracelluar calcium uptake of RPMC. The anti-DNP IgE-induced histamine release of RPMC was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of RC. The RC increased the level of intracellular cAMP of RPMC, and the pretreatment of RC inhibited compound 48/80-induced decrement of intracellular cAMP of RPMC. Conclusion: These results suggest that RC contains some substances with an activity to inhibit the compound 48/80- or anti-DNP IgE-induced mast cell activitation. The inhibitory effects of RC are likely due to the stabilization of mast cells by blocking the calcium uptake and enhancing the level of intracellular cAMP.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.144-149
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• 2006

The immediate-type allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of immediate-type allergic diseases is a very important subject in human health. In this study, we investigated the effect of Rubus coreanus Miq.(Rosaceae) unripe fruits (RCF) on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction and inflammatory cytokine secretion. RCF inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic reactions in mice. RCF attenuated immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated local allergic reactions. In addition, RCF dependently reduced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells local allergic reactions. In addition, RCF dependently reduced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80 or IgE. Furthermore, RCF decreased the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in human mast cells. Our findings provide evidence that RCF inhibits mast cell-derived immediate-type allergic reactions.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2012

This study was carried out to evaluate biological activities concerning extracts according to extraction methods from unripened fruit of Rubus coreanus Miq. The extraction methods were HWE (hot water extraction for 4 hr at $100^{\circ}C$), SFE (extraction for 3 hr at $40^{\circ}C$ under 300 bar, 100% of $CO_2$ fluid), USE (ultrasonification extraction for 4 hr at $50^{\circ}C$ with water), USE+HWE (hot water extraction for 2 hr at $100^{\circ}C$ after ultrasonification process for 2 hr), VE (vacuum extraction for 4 hr at $90^{\circ}C$ under 0.9 bar with water). VE extract showed the highest contents of total polyphenol ($178.78{\pm}3.79\;mg/g$) and total flavonoid ($40.93{\pm}0.68\;mg/g$). $IC_{50}$ values of DPPH radical scavenging activity, linoleic acid peroxidation inhibition activity and LDL (low density lipoprotein) oxidation inhibition activity of HWE extract showed the lowest $35.39{\pm}0.25{\mu}g/mL$, $12.61{\pm}0.31{\mu}g/mL$ and $1.31{\pm}0.02{\mu}g/mL$ among other all extracts, respectively. $IC_{50}$ values of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities of VE and HWE extracts showed lower $14.34{\pm}0.20{\mu}g/mL$ and $15.83{\pm}0.20{\mu}g/mL$ than those of other extracts, respectively. Specifically, HWE and VE extracts have relatively better biological activities than other extracts; these could be potentially used as a bioactive source for health functional foods.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2014

As well-being foods pursuing healthy life are becoming popular, interest in Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM) fruit, a type of Korean blackberry, is increasing due to its medicinal actions including protecting the liver, brightening the eyes, and alleviating diabetes. This study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of RCM concentrates on liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) in rats. RCM, produced in June ~ July 2008 at Chunbook, Gochang (South Korea), was finely mashed. The seeds were removed and the juices were condensed. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups according to treatment: normal (eight rats), $CCl_4$, 1% RCM, and 2% RCM. Experimental diets were provided to the experimental animals for 4 weeks. We measure total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Part of the livers was isolated for histopathological evaluation, and analyzed for lipid peroxide (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and liver proteins. The activities of serum AST, ALT, and ALP were elevated following $CCl_4$ administration. Levels of hepatic TBARS were also significantly increased in the $CCl_4$ groups. However, hepatic TBARS levels and the activities of serum enzymes were markedly reduced by supplementation with the RCM concentrates (P < 0.05). Hepatic SOD activity increased in the RCM concentrates group versus $CCl_4$ groups. Histopathological examination revealed massive necrosis in the centrilobular area and degenerative changes caused by $CCl_4$ were ameliorated by dietary supplementation with RCM concentrates. These results suggest that RCM concentrates have hepatoprotective effects and may improve the symptoms of liver injuries.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.260-265
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• 2015

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the bone-conserving effects of Rubus coreanus-Cheonggukjang (RC-CGJ) supplemented with more intensified phytochemicals compared to general Cheonggukjang (CGJ) in growing rats. Eighteen rats were divided into 3 treatment groups (Control, CGJ, and RC-CGJ) and were given experimental diets for 9 weeks. All of the rats in this study were fed a AIN-93G-based diet. Both CGJ groups were fed with 33.1% CGJ and RC-CGJ powder, respectively. The results of this study indicate that weight gain, mean food intake, and food efficiency ratio were not significantly different by the experimental diets among all groups. Spine bone mineral density (BMD) and femur BMD were not significantly different by the experimental diets. Spine bone mineral content (BMC) was significantly higher in the RC-CGJ and CGJ groups than in the control group, regardless of CGJ type. The femur BMC of the CGJ supplemented group was significantly higher compared with the control group and the RC-CGJ group. Compared with the control group, spine BMD and femur BMD per weight were markedly increased in the RC-CGJ and CGJ group regardless of CGJ type. Also, spine BMC per weight was significantly higher in the RC-CGJ group than in the CGJ group. However, femur BMC per weight was significantly higher in the CGJ group than in the RC-CGJ group. It can be concluded that RC-CGJ and CGJ supplemented diets have more beneficial effects on spine and femur peak bone mass in growing rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1345-1355
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• 2014

The interruption of angiogenesis using herbal extracts is now recognized as a useful approach for treating many solid tumors. To date, the best-validated antitumor approach is to target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenic pathway. In the present study, we first identified the antiangiogenic activity of a hot-water extract of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCMHE) in vitro and ex vivo. This extract suppressed VEGF-induced angiogenesis, the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). RCMHE also inhibited the VEGF-responsive phosphorylation of VEGFR2. These results clearly show that RCMHE may have potential therapeutic value for angiogenesis-associated human diseases through the suppression of angiogenesis and the interruption of the phosphorylation of VEGFR2.