• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1404-1408
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• 2009

Methanol extracts of Rubus Coreanus Miquel (RCM) were found to exhibit apoptosis induction of U937 human histiocytic leukemia cells. Treatment of RCM exerted strong cytotoxicity against U937 human leukemia cells. RCM induced apoptosis of U937 leukemia cells in a dose dependent manner. Nitric oxide (NO) production was increased in RCM-treated RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. RCM increased the p53 and $NF{\kappa}B$ gene and decreased the $I{\kappa}B$ gene expression in U937 cells. RCM also increased the $NF{\kappa}B$ protein expression, but decreased the PCNA and BcL-xL protein expression in cultured U937 cells. These data suggest that RCM are effective on the apoptosis induction of human leukemia cells and anti-cancer properties.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.429-434
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• 2011

Korean raspberry, Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM), contains high concentrations of phenolic compounds, which prevent oxidative stress. To determine the effect of RCM on antioxidant capacity in humans, we assessed in vivo lipid oxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities from plasma in 15 healthy men. The subjects ingested 30 g of freeze-dried RCM daily for 4 weeks. Blood was taken at baseline and at the end of the study to determine blood lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose, liver function, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities. RCM supplementation had no effect on blood lipid or fasting plasma glucose concentrations but decreased alkaline phosphatase activity. RCM supplementation increased glutathione peroxidase activities (P<0.05) but had no effect on lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that short-term RCM supplementation may offer health benefits by enhancing antioxidant capacity in a healthy population.

• 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.501-508
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Rubus Coreanus Miquel (RCM), used as a traditional Korean medicine, reduces chronic inflammatory diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. However, its mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we examine the anti-inflammatory effects of RCM and their possible mechanisms using RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Unripe RCM ethanol extract (UE), unripe RCM water extract (UH), ripe RCM ethanol extract (RE), and ripe RCM water extract (RH) were prepared. Inflammatory response was induced with LPS treatment, and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6) and NO and $PGE_2$ productions were assessed. To determine the anti-inflammatory mechanism of RCM, we measured NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPK activities. RESULTS: UE and UH treatment significantly reduced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and JNK and p38 phosphorylation and reduced transcriptional activities decreased iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines expressions, and NO and $PGE_2$ productions. RE and RH treatments reduced IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 expressions through suppressions of JNK and p38 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we showed that RCM had anti-inflammatory effects by suppression of pro-inflammatory mediator expressions. Especially, unripe RCM showed strong anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPK activation. These findings suggest that unripe RCM might be used as a potential functional material to reduce chronic inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1456-1461
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• 2007

Melanogenesis is induced mainly by ultraviolet radiation of sunlight and ${\alpha}-melanocyte$-stimulating hormone (${\alpha}-MSH$) which binds to a specific G protein coupled receptor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of melanogenesis inhibition in B16/F10 cells by methanol extract of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM). In the present study, ${\alpha}-MSH$ and forskolin led to a stimulation of melanin synthesis that appeared to result from an increased tyrosinase activity and melanin content. However, RCM inhibited the ${\alpha}-MSH$- and forskolin-induced melanin synthesis. In addition, RCM abolished the ${\alpha}-MSH$- and forskolin-induced cytoplasmic dendricity. Regarding protein levels of the melanogenic enzymes, the amounts of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) were increased after incubation with α-MSH and forskolin. The treatment of RCM decreased the ${\alpha}-MSH$- and forskolin-induced expression levels of tyrosinase and TRP-1. Based on these findings, it is likely that RCM exerts its depigmenting effects in B16/F10 cells through the suppression of tyrosinase and TRP-1 expression, which are key enzymes for melanogenesis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2019

Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM), also known as Korean blackberry or bokbunja, is used as a South Korean traditional medicine to treat acne and inflammatory skin conditions. The antimicrobial activity of RCM root and its active compounds remain unclear. In this study, we prepared a 50% ethanol fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and acid-treated ethyl acetate fraction (aglycone fraction) of RCM root, and evaluated antibacterial activities against the skin pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas acnes, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In a paper disc assay, all fractions of RCM root showed antimicrobial activities against the five skin pathogens. The ethyl acetate fraction displayed 6-, 12-, and 2-fold higher minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) than the 50% ethanol fraction against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. acnes, respectively. The aglycone fraction displayed 2-fold higher MIC than methyl paraben against P. acnes, S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. The ethyl acetate fraction displayed a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) similar to that of methyl paraben, and the aglycone fraction showed 2- to 4-fold higher MBCs than those of methyl paraben. In particular, the ethyl acetate fraction was not cytotoxic and showed thermal stability after incubation at high temperatures ($60-121^{\circ}C$). Finally, the ethyl acetate fraction was separated and four components were identified: procyanidin C, propelagonidin dimer, ellagic acid, and methyl ellagic acid acetyl pentose. The compounds showed high antibacterial activities. These results suggest that RCM root is potentially applicable as a natural preservative in cosmetics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.386-395
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• 2016

To develop a functional fermentation food from Rubus coreanus Miquel (Bokbunja) and chlorella mixtures, optimal lactic acid fermentation conditions were established, and quality properties based on physicochemical evaluation such as chemical compositions, free sugars, organic acids, and antibacterial activities were investigated. Regarding optimal fermentation strain selection, formation of lactic acid was best in Lactobacillus plantarum among the experimental strains (10 kinds), and the optimal fermentation temperature was $37^{\circ}C$. In addition, overall acceptability in the sensory evaluation was highest in the 5% chlorella mixture sample. Therefore, quality properties of the prepared sample under the established optimal fermentation conditions were investigated. Moisture, total sugar (dry basis), crude fiber (dry basis), and pH of fermented Rubus coreanus Miquel juice (RCM) with 5% chlorella mixture (RCM-C5) were reduced by 4.90%, 14.15%, and 0.32%, respectively, as compared with non-fermented RCM. Meanwhile, crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash (dry basis) of RCM-C5 were elevated by 13.75%, 0.18%, and 0.73%, respectively, as compared with RCM. The yellowness (b value) of color values was greater in RCM-C5 compared to RCM. The free sugar and organic acid contents of RCM-C5 were elevated by 0.97% and 616.30 mg%, respectively, as compared with RCM. In addition, the gram positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was elevated by 5.83% while gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium were elevated by 2.94% and 4.67%, respectively, as compared with RCM. In conclusion, the quality properties of RCM and chlorella lactic acid fermentation mixtures were improved compared with the general RCM product. Consequently, it is possible to apply fermented RCM as a functional fermentation food.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.6 s.67
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• pp.967-974
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• 2004

The osteoblastic cell activity is important for born formation, thus, this study was performed to investigation of that the effect of edible sources, Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM), on the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic like cell. The effects of RCM extract on cell proliferation were measured by MIT assay. At 1, $10\;{\mu}g/mL$ of RCM extract treated, that were elevated of cell proliferation to 103 and $142\%$ via control, respectively. And the cell differentiation were measured as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at 3, 9, 18, and 27 days. As the results, the $10\;{\mu}g/mL$ was increased ALP activity more than 2.6 times compared with control, 1.4 times via positive control at 27th day (p<0.05). The optical concentration of RC extract was rechecked by ALP staining and Alizarin Red staining for investigation of the induction of ALP activity, nodule formation by mineralization. mRNA expression analysis showed that the RCM $(10\;{\mu}g/mL)$ increased in SOX9 as well as ALP in MC3T3-E1 cells. These results suggest that RC extract was stimulates the MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.392-397
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• 2006

To compare the contents of amino acids in raspberry wine, 5 types of active dry yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Montrachet (UCD #522), Saccharomyces bayanus Pasteur Champagne (UCD #595), Saccharomyces cerevisiae Epemay II (CEG), Saccharomyces bayanus Prise do Mousse (PM), Saccharomyces uvarum Latvia W15) were used. In the fermentation experiment two kinds of raspberry wine were used; Rubus coreanus Miquel(RCM), harvested in Gochang, and Rubus crataegifolius Bunge(RCB), harvested in Okcheon. In 5 kinds of RCM raspberry wines, total contents of 17 amino acids were found from $16.77mg/{\ell}$ in the fermented Prise de Mousse, the most amount, to $12.29mg/{\ell}$ in Lalvin W15, the lowest. The content of amino acid in the RCB raspberry wine fermented by Montrachet was approximately 5.5 times higher than that of the RCM raspberry wine; $90.55mg/{\ell}\;to\;16.54mg/{\ell}$. Cystine and isoleucine were detected $2.97mg/{\ell},\;0.34mg/{\ell}$, respectively, in the RCB raspberry wine but not detected in the RCM raspberry wine. The amount of alanine, aspartic acid, and serine in RCB raspberry wine were found approximately 14 to 20 times larger than that of RCM raspberry wine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.192-196
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• 2012

In the present study, we examined the effect of the aqueous extract of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM-Ex) on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in male ICR mice. Mice were fed the diet containing 100 mg/kg body weight/day of RCM-Ex for 4 weeks. To induce amnesia, scopolamine (an antagonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, 1 mg/kg of body weight) was intraperitoneally injected into mice 30 min before starting the behavior tests. RCM-Ex reversed scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice as evidence by the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. In addition, acetylcholineasterase activities were decreased in the brains of mice treated with RCM-Ex. These results suggest that RCM-Ex may be an effective agent for the prevention of the memory impairment induced by cholinergic dysfunction.