• 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 Culture
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.597-604
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate the quality characteristics of lotus root tea (LT) prepared with Gardenia jasminoides powder (GLT) and Rubus coreanus Miquel powder (RLT). The proximate compositions, physicochemical properties, mineral contents, and sensory evaluations of samples were measured. GLT sample showed higher contents of crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and moisture (p<0.001) as well as pH (p<0.001) compared to LT and RLT. In terms of color, lightness (L) and yellowness (b) of GLT were the highest among the samples, whereas redness (a) of GLT was the lowest. The results of mineral analysis showed that the mineral contents of K, Ca, and Fe of LT were the highest, whereas the content of Mg of GLT was the highest. The results of browning color intensity of all samples showed that LT had the lowest. GLT showed higher contents of water soluble solids than LT and RLT. In the sensory evaluation, the scores of color, flavor, aftertaste, feeling of throat, and overall preference of LT and GLT were significantly higher than those of RLT. From the findings, this study suggests that addition of Gardenia jasminoides powder was effective for preparation of lotus root tea in the aspects of consumer acceptability.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.275-280
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• 2019

This study was performed to certify the inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts from sixty-seven medicinal plants on the activity of xanthine oxidase in vitro. Among the sixty-seven medicinal plants, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Citrus aurantium L., Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., Pueraria thunbergiana (Sieb. et Zucc.) Benth., Citrus unshiu Marcor., Rubus coreanus Miquel, Camellia sinensis L., and Poncirus trifoliata Raf. were regarded as effective anti-gout sources. The active substances of P. multiflorum root extract were very stable at pH 2.0 and high temperatures. Xanthine oxidase activity was proportionally inhibited when concentrations of P. multiflorum extract increased. The aqueous extract from P. multiflorum root at a concentration of 2.0 mg/0.1 mL inhibited xanthine oxidase by 73.8%.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2013

The fruit of the black raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miquel) has been employed in traditional medicine, and recent studies have demonstrated its measureable biological activities. However, the root of the black raspberry has not been studied. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of the root and unripe fruit polyphenols of the black raspberry. Both polyphenols proved to have anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by the decreased nitric oxide (NO), cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10) and prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. However, root polyphenols showed stronger anti-inflammatory activity than fruit polyphenols. LPS-induced mRNA and protein expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 levels were also decreased, confirming the anti-inflammatory activity. Root polyphenols showed lethal activity against methicillin-resistant Staphy-lococcus aureus (MRSA), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), and Bacillus anthracis. In contrast, the black raspberry fruit did not demonstrate these properties. These data provide the first demonstration that black raspberry root has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-superbacterial properties that can be exploited as alternatives for use in the food and cosmetic industries and/or as pharmaceuticals.