• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.188-190
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• 2008

In east Asia, the leaves of various Sasa species have been used in folk medicine for centuries. The effects of the methanolic extract and its subsequent fractions derived from the leaves of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai on cell proliferation in human leukemia HL-60 cells were evaluated. The ethyl acetate fraction of this extract (ESQL) significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner ($0-250\;{\mu}g/mL$). ESQL ($IC_{50}=24.8\;{\mu}g/mL$) exhibited growth inhibition comparable to the main constituent of green tea, epigallocatechin ($IC_{50}=26.2\;{\mu}g/mL$), which was used as a positive control. ESQL treatment induced apoptosis, which was confirmed by the presence of nuclear condensation and annexin V-staining. These results demonstrate that ESQL contains chemopreventive phytochemicals that may be useful in neutraceutical applications.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.240-247
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• 2023

This experiment investigated the effects of feed additives of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (SQN) extract on Landrace pigs on economic traits such as the quality, physiological characteristics, and productivity. Sixteen pigs with an average age of 154 days were selected as experimental subjects. The experiment was conducted by dividing the group into eight pigs for the supplementation group, feeding with SQN extract, and another eight for the control group feeding without SQN extract. Water was fed ad libitum. On the 30th day, there was no significant difference between meat quality and productivity. However, the glucose and thyroxine were statistically lower with the supplementation group than with the control group (p<0.05). Also, the levels of creatinine difference between 1.18 ± 0.12 mg/㎗ with the supplementation group and 0.70 ± 0.06 mg/㎗ with the control group (p<0.05). However, all serum biochemistry values were within a normal range, with no health problems. The present study will help solve the problem of reducing the diversity of plant species in Halla Mountain by increasing the availability of the SQN as a pig feed additive.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2019

Leaves of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai are used in folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and diuretic properties. To ensure efficient utilization of S. quelpaertensis leaf, we previously reported a preparation method for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) using the leaf residue, which was produced after hot water extraction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the hypouricemic potential of S. quelpaertensis leaf PRE in potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemic mice. The administration of PRE significantly reduced serum uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine levels and increased urine UA and creatinine levels in the PO-induced hyperuricemic mice. It also reduced liver UA levels and xanthine oxidase (XA) activity. A histological analysis revealed that PRE administration protected against PO-induced liver damage, pointing to anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects in PO-induced hyperuricemic mice. We analyzed the transcriptome response to PRE administration in PO-induced hyperuricemic mice using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) in kidney tissues. The administration of PRE mainly enriched genes involved in mediating immune and inflammatory responses and the metabolic pathway. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the metabolic pathway, purine metabolism, and antibody biosynthesis were the major pathways altered in the PRE and PO groups. These results suggest a potential role for PRE in the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia with inflammation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.238-247
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• 2023

Objective: Recently, indigenous Korean grass Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (SQ) has garnered much interest as a roughage source for livestock to mitigate its adverse effects on habitat diversity. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the ruminal fermentation, palatability, and nutrient digestibility of SQ for Korean native beef cattle (Hanwoo) using in vitro rumen fermentation, in situ rumen degradability, and in vivo feeding trials. Methods: Using in vitro tests with rumen fluid as the inoculum for 48 h, ruminal fermentation of SQ was evaluated and compared with that of other roughage sources commonly used in Korea (i.e., rice straw, Timothy hay, and Italian ryegrass [IRG]). Additionally, an in situ trial 96 h was performed using three cannulated Hanwoo steers. Further, an in vivo trial was performed using eight Hanwoo steers to compare the palatability of SQ with rice straw in total mixed ration (TMR) and forage-concentrate separate feeding conditions. Finally, an in vivo digestibility trial of SQ fed as TMR of two particle sizes was performed with four Hanwoo steers. Results: In vitro and in situ trials revealed that SQ was comparable or superior to rice straw in terms of the ruminal fermentation characteristics of pH, gas production, total volatile fatty acid content, and effective ruminal dry matter digestibility (DMD), although its fermentability was lower than that of Timothy hay and IRG. In the palatability test, steers showed a greater preference for SQ when given as TMR. The total tract DMD of SQ fed as TMR was 75.9%±1.37%, and it did not differ by particle size. Conclusion: The feed value of SQ as a roughage source for Hanwoo steers is comparable or superior to that of rice straw, particularly when provided as TMR.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.215-223
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• 2020

Sasa (S.) quelpaertensis Nakai (Korean name, Jeju-Joritdae), which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, is a type of bamboo grass distributed widely in Jeju Island, Korea. S. quelpaertensis leaves are used for therapeutic purposes in traditional Korean medicine. This study examined the hepatoprotective effects of the S. quelpaertensis ethyl acetate fraction (SQEA) in a mouse model to mimic alcoholic liver damage. The mice were administered orally with 30% alcohol (5 g/kg) once per day with or without SQEA treatments (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 14 days consecutively. Alcohol consumption increased the serum alcohol content and histopathological changes but reduced the liver weight. Moreover, the livers of the alcohol group exhibited the accumulation of malondialdehyde and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and lipid droplet coating protein perilipin-2. On the other hand, SQEA dose-dependently attenuated the alcohol-induced serum ethanol content and liver histopathological changes but increased the liver weight. Moreover, SQEA attenuated the level of CYP2E1 and inhibited alcohol-induced lipogenesis in the liver via decreased perilipin-2 expression. These results suggest that SQEA can provide a potent way to reduce the liver damage caused by alcohol consumption.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2010

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a major cause of photodamages to human skin and the immediate responses of the skin to UV include the erythema and edema. In an attempt to find effective UV-protecting agents to be used in cosmetics, a number of plant extracts were screened in the cell-based assays. Among the total of 38 plant extracts tested, 3 plant extracts derived from Sasa quelpaertensis, Althaea rosea, and Dryopteris crassirhizoma attenuated the UVB-induced cytotoxicity as well as melanin synthesis in cultured human epidermal melanocytes. The anti-inflammatory effects of these plant extracts were further examined in animal models. A control or test cream containing 1% of a plant extract was topically applied to ears of a C57BL/6 mouse or the dorsal skin of a SKH-1 hafirless mouse before and after the exposure to UVB. The change in ear thickness or dorsal skin redness due to UVB exposure was determined to monitor edema and erythema, respectively. All three test creams exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in both experiments. The creams containing Sasa quelpaertensis, Althaea rosea or Dryopteris crassirhizoma extract alleviated the UVB-induced edema response on day 4 by 53.8 %, 56.4 % and 31.1 %, respectively. They also inhibited the erythema formation on day 2 by 45.7 %, 34.1 % and 20.5 %, respectively. This study suggests that the selected plant extracts formulated in cosmetics may attenuate skin inflammation caused by overexposure to UV.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1330-1335
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• 2016

Sasa species leaves have been used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and diuretic properties. Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is a small bamboo grass that grows only on Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. This small bamboo grass has recently been the focus of much attention due to its potential biomass as well as its beneficial health effects. In this study, to promote the efficient utilization of the S. quelpaertensis leaf, we established a simple preparation method for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) by comparing phytochemical contents and biological activities according to extraction methods. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the contents of two major phytochemicals such as, tricin (5.35 mg/g) and p-coumaric acid (44.10 mg/g) contained in PRE were higher than those in fresh hot water extract (SQH, p-coumaric 23.39 mg/g, tricin 0.18 mg/g) and ethanol extract (SQE, p-coumaric 10.8 mg/g, tricin 0.38 mg/g). The antioxidant activities [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity] of PRE were higher than those of SQH and SQE. PRE effectively inhibited NO production in LSP- stimulation RAW 264.7 cells, and the growth of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. These results suggest that PRE has a potential as a promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.738-744
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• 2018

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is a native Korean plant that grows only on Mt. Halla of Jeju Island. Its leaf is used for a popular bamboo tea due to its various health-promoting properties, and it has been increasingly used as food and cosmetic ingredients. To utilize the S. quelpaertensis leaf efficiently, the preparation method for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) using the leaf's residue was previously reported, which was produced after hot water extraction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of PRE and its solvent fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction of PRE (EPRE) showed higher DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and it effectively inhibited intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EPRE also induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) by increasing the level of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in a nuclear fraction. The inhibiting effect of EPRE on LPS-induced NO production was partially reversed by the HO-1 inhibitor (zinc protoporphyrin, ZPP), suggesting that HO-1 is involved in suppressing NO production. Taken together, the results suggest that EPRE has potential as a promising anti- oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.501-512
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• 2020

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai leaf has been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of gastric ulcer, dipsosis, and hematemesis based on its anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and diuretic characteristics. We have previously reported the procedure for deriving a phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) from S. quelpaertensis and how PRE and its ethyl acetate fraction (EPRE) exhibits an anticancer effect by inducing apoptosis in various gastric cancer cells. To explore the molecular targets involved in this apoptosis, we investigated the mRNA and microRNA profiles of EPRE-treated SNU-16 human gastric cancer cells. In total, 2,875 differentially expressed genes were identified by RNA sequencing, and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that the EPRE-modulated genes are associated with apoptosis, mitogen-activated protein kinase, inflammatory response, tumor necrosis factor signaling, and cancer pathways. Subsequently, protein-protein interaction network analysis confirmed interactions among genes associated with cell death and apoptosis, and 27 differentially expressed microRNAs were identified by further sequencing. Here, GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that EPRE modified the expression of microRNAs associated with the cell cycle and cell death, as well as signaling of tropomyosin-receptor-kinase receptor, transforming growth factor-b, nuclear factor kB, and cancer pathways. Taken together, these results provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effect of EPRE.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the feed value and growth characteristics of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai by horse grazing in the woodland of Jeju. Crude protein (CP), NDF, ADF and minerals contents at different growth stages of Sasa quelpaertensis were analyzed. The apparent digestibilities of DM, CP, NDF and ADF were determined by total collection method using 5 Jeju horses. The yield and growth characteristics of S. quelpaertensis Nakai by horse grazing were investigated. CP contents in the currentand the previous-year-sprouted leaves of S. quelpaertenisis were $16.6{\pm}1.0%$ and $12.2{\pm}1.1%$, respectively. The digestibility of DM, CP, NDF and ADF in the current-year-sprouted leaves of S. quelpaertenisis were $47.2{\pm}1.2$, $67.8{\pm}1.0$, $47.0{\pm}1.3$ and $47.1{\pm}1.1%$, respectively. The current-year-sprouted S. quelpaertenisis tended to have high nutritional values and digestibilities compared to those of the previous-year-sprouted. The dry matter yield, plant length, leaf width and density of S. quelpaertensis Nakai were clearly decreased by horse grazing. These results show that considering the feed value and growth characteristics, the natural S. quelpaertenisis Nakai can be used as a feed source for horses.