• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.297-304
• /
• 2016

The seed of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) has been reported to suppress human cancer cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms by which safflower seed inhibits cancer cell proliferation have remained nuclear. In this study, the inhibitory effect of the safflower seed (SS) on the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells and the potential mechanism of action were examined. SS inhibited markedly the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116, SW480, LoVo and HT-29). In addition, SS suppressed the proliferation of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7). SS treatment decreased cyclin D1 protein level in human colorectal cancer cells and breast cancer cells. But, SS-mediated downregulated mRNA level of cyclin D1 was not observed. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated cyclin D1 downregulation by SS and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in SS-treated cells. In addition, SS increased cyclin D1 phosphorylation at threonine-286 and a point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated SS-mediated cyclin D1 degradation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD98059 suppressed cyclin D1 phosphorylation and downregulation of cyclin D1 by SS. In conclusion, SS has anti-proliferative activity by inducing cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation through ERK1/2-dependent threonine-286 phosphorylation of cyclin D1. These findings suggest that possibly its extract could be used for treating colorectal cancer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.704-709
• /
• 2015

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds have long been clinically used in Korea to promote bone formation and prevent osteoporosis. In addition, the safflower buds (SB) were found to have more useful functional ingredients than safflower seed. Thus, we investigated the preventive effects of SB diet in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The rats were divided into five groups; sham operated group, OVX alone group, OVX plus 17β-estradiol (E₂ 10 μg/kg, i.p.) and OVX plus SB diet feeding group (0.3% or 1%). Feeding of SB diet (0.3% or 3%) to OVX rats markedly increased trabecular formation in femur compared to OVX rats. Feeding of SB diet (0.3% or 3%) to OVX rats also decreased TRAP activity compared to OVX rats. These results suggest that SB diets have bone sparing effects by the decrease of osteoclast activity. We also observed that OVX rats fed with SB diet (0.3% or 3%) exhibited the decrease of calcium and phosphorus in serum compared to OVX-induced rats. Therefore, SB may be beneficial for the patients of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.213-218
• /
• 2000

Morphological characteristics of 16 collected safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)accessions were studied at Gyongbuk A.T.A. Uisong Medicinal Plant Experiment Station in 1998. As for plant height, 5 lines were tall(more than 131cm), which were mainly foreign safflower. Middle and small were 5 and 6 accessions, respectively. Number of branch per plant was 11∼13 in 2 accessions of domestic safflowers while foreign safflowers have more than 50 branches per plant. Leaf shapes were oblong(3 lines), lanceolate(10 lines) and broadly linear(3 lines). There were three types of leaf margin shape which were repand(7 lines), serrate(4 lines) and parted serrate(5 lines). Flower color was white(1 line), yellow(13 lines) and red orange(2 lines). As for flower head shape, 14 lines were conical and 2 lines were flattened. There were thorns on bract of flower head in 11 lines but in 5 lines there were not. Domestic safflower lines had seeds of conical shape. Contrastively, seed shapes of foreign saffower lines were oval.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.781-785
• /
• 2006

The chemical compositions of the seeds of the safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) plant were evaluated to determine possible compound having proliferative effects on human osteoblast cells. Three-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were used to assess the effects of the isolates on the human osteoblast-like line (Saos-2). Activity guided fractionation led to the isolation of ALP activating lignin and alkaloid glycosides through the extraction of the seeds, solvent partitioning and repeated silica gel and octadecyl silica (ODS) column chromatographic separations. The data from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Mass (MS), and Infrared (IR) analyses enabled the determination of the chemical structure and characterization of two compounds as a tracheloside and an N-(p-coumaroyl)-serotonin mono-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside. These two compounds showed respectively $149.2{\pm}4.2$ and $138.9{\pm}3.5%$ ALP activity compared to the control when evaluated at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2005

Very little research has been carried out on safflower seed for the prevention and treatment of the bone deficiency diseases, including osteoporosis, which are supported by scientific evidences. In the present study, $3{\mu}l$ of 0.1% dried crude extract or $2{\mu}l$ of 0.1% dried aqueous fraction were shown to significantly accelerate the rate of differentiation of osteoblast. Also, the crude extract and aqueous fraction increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of the cultured osteoblast cells: $3{\mu}l$ of 0.1% dried crude extract and $2{\mu}l$ of 0.1% dried aqueous fraction significantly increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of the cultured osteoblast cells ($8{\times}10^{-4}$) to the extent that it deserves a considerable attention. Furthermore, the crude extract and aqueous fraction increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of the cultured osteoblast cells, and $300{\mu}M$ $Cd^{2+}$, specific calcium channel blocker, completely blocked the increase. Therefore, the increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of the cultured osteoblast cells by safflower seed component continued to activate calcium channel.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.171-178
• /
• 2008

In the methanol extract from safflower seeds, two kinds of antioxidant were detected by preparative HPLC [$\mu$-Bondapak $C_{18}$ column ($7.8{\times}300\;mm$)]. Two unknown compounds were defined as CA and CB which had peaks at 22.1 min and 24.5 min, respectively. Antioxidant activity was measured by their scavenging ability on the stable tree radical of 1,1-diphenly-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). For bulk extraction of antioxidants, the methanol extract was fractionated with hexan, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol. The ethyl acetate traction showing the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was further purified by silica gel column chromatography to CA and CB. By NMR analysis, CA and CB were identified as N-(p-Coumaroyl)serotonin and N-feruoylserotonin, respectively. The content of N-(p-Coumaroyl)serotonin and N-feruoylserotonin were analyzed by reverse phase HPLC using a $\mu$-Bondapak $C_{18}$ column ($3.9{\times}300\;mm$) with linear gradient elution from 10% acetonitrile to 50% acetonitrile for 30min on UV detector at 300 nm. The contents of N-(p-Coumaroyl)serotonin and N-feruoylserotonin were 4.11 mg/g DW and 7.29 mg/g DW, respectively, and these two DPPH radical scavengers were detected only in the hull of seeds.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.207-210
• /
• 2004

Vitamin E, consisting of tocotrienols ($\textrm{T}_3$) and tocopherols ($\textrm{T}$) is well-known nutraceutical compound for its antioxidant, anticancer and cholesterol-low-ering activity. The contents of alpha ($\alpha\textrm{-}$), beta ($\beta\textrm{-}$), gamma ($\gamma\textrm{-}$) and delta ($\delta\textrm{-}$) tocotrienols and tocopheyols in some Korean crop seeds were evaluated by using HPLC after saponification. Among tested crops, total 73 contents (mg/110g) were purple perilla 25.06, barley 4.50, corn 3.54, iris 3.04, adlay 2.58, safflower 0.12. Other crops including 5 soybean cultivars, kidneybean, sunflower and perilla contained no tocotrienols. Regarding $\textrm{T}_3$ isomers, $\beta\textrm{-}$$\textrm{T}_3$ were rut observed in adlay and corn, and $\delta$-$\textrm{T}_3$ were not in iris aid purple perilla, while safflower exhibited no detectable $\alpha\textrm{-}$, $\beta\textrm{-}$ and $\delta\textrm{-}$$\textrm{T}_3$. Total T contents (mg/100g) were high in iris (51.82), perilla (40.90), soybean (34.11), sunflower (20.88), and they all contained all $\alpha\textrm{-}$, $\beta\textrm{-}$, $\gamma\textrm{-}$ and $\delta\textrm{-}$ tocopterol isomers. Total Vit E contents (T ＋ $\textrm{T}_3$, mg/100g) were iris 54.86, purple perilla 41.80, perilla 40.90, soybean 34.11, sunflower 20.88, safflower 14.73, corn 11.49, evening-primrose 10.07, barley 7.48, adlay 6.24 and kidneybean 5.27.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.32 no.3 s.58
• /
• pp.149-152
• /
• 2006

Natural safflower oleosomes are small ($1{\sim}3{\mu}m$) spherical shaped "reservoir", inside which the seed stores triglycerides for use as a future energy source. The surface of the oleosome is covered with a high molecular weight ($20{\sim}24$ KDa) oleosin protein which has been demonstrated to have emulsification properties. Traditionally, oleosomes from oil bearing seeds such as safflower were simply crushed to liberate the oil within. Our patented DermaSphere technology allows for the isolation of oleosomes in the intact state. Once isolated, these materials can be used in skin care formulations to deliver the emolliency, occlusivity, and anti-oxidant effects typically associated with safflower oil. However, because of the presence of the emulsifying oleosin protein covering the spherical oil body, oleosomes have self-emulsification property as well as can emulsify other oil phase in typical oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. The oleosomes can literally serve as the entire non-active portion of the oil phase of a typical skin care product. Most importantly, natural oleosomes can be loaded with other oil-soluble active materials and can therefore be used as delivery systems for improved cosmetic efficacies. Oleosomes can be loaded with various actives, such as fragrances, vitamins, inset repellents, and UV chromophores. The loaded oleosomes can be utilized to either protect the active ingredients within the formulation itself or to allow for control release of those actives over time.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.188-194
• /
• 2008

Porous carbon materials synthesized from various plant derived precursors i.e. seeds of [Castor (Ricinus communis), Soap nut (Sapindus sp.), Cashew-nut (Semecarpus anacardium), Jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), Ambadi (Crotolaria juncea), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bitter Almond (Prunus amygdalus), Sesamum (Sisamum indicum), Date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera),Canola (Brassica napus), Sunflower (Helianthus annulus)] and fibrous materials from [Corn stem- (Zea mays), Rice straw (Oryza sativa), Bamboo (Bombax bambusa) and Coconut fibers (Cocos nucifera)] were screened to make supercapacitor in 5M KOH solution. Carbon material obtained from Jack fruit seeds (92.0 F/g), Rice straw (83.0 F/g), Soap nut seeds (54.0 F/g), Castor seeds (44.34 F/g) and Bamboo (40.0 F/g) gave high capacitance value as compared to others. The magnitude of capacitance value was found to be inversely proportional to the scan rate of measurement. It is suggested that carbon material should possess large surface area and small pore size to get better value of capacitor. Moreover, the structure of carbon materials should be such that majority of pores are in the plane parallel to the plane of electrode and surface is fluffy like cotton ball.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2008.05a
• /
• pp.57-58
• /
• 2008