• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.333-342
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• 2003

The pathogenic effort of high glucose, possibly in concert with fatty acids, is mediated to vascular complications of diabetes via increased production of reactive oxygen species(ROS), reactive nitrogen species(RNS), and subsequent oxidative stress. This study was carried out to investigate the suppressive effect of buchu(Allium tuberosum) on oxidative stress in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetes in Sprague Dawley male rats. The effect of buchu supplementation (10%) on lipid peroxidation, and antioxidative defense system in blood and liver was compared among normal rats fed basal diet(normal) and diabetic rats fed basal diet(DM-control) or 10% buchu-supplemented diet(DM-buchu). Diabetes was experimentally induced by the femoral muscle injection of 50 mg STZ per kg of body weight. Animals were sacrificed after 4 wks of experimental diets feeding. The induction of diabetes by STZ elevated the level of lipid peroxidation represented by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances(TBARS) and conjugated dienes in plasma, LDL, liver, and erythrocytes. 10% buchu-supplemented diet significantly reduced the levels of conjugated dienes in erythrocytes(p<0.05) and lowered TBARS in liver and LDL to the levels of control. Induction of diabetes by STZ elevated Mn-superoxide dismutase(Mn-SOD) activity and lowered activities of glutathionine reductase(GSH-red) and glutathionine peroxidase(GSH-px). Catalase activity was not affected by the induction of diabetes by STZ. However, buchu supplementation to diabetic rats significantly elevated catalase activity(p<0.05) and slightly elevated GSH-px and GSH-red activities in liver. GSH levels of blood and liver were lowered or not changed by induction of diabetes by STZ, respectively, while buchu supplementation to diabetic rats significantly elevated hepatic GSH level (p<0.05). In conclusion, it can be concluded that buchu might be a food source to attenuate oxidative stress in diabetic patients by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, by increasing hepatic GSH level, and by inducing anti-oxidative enzyme systems.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1406-1413
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Pimpinella brachycarpa(PBE) on chronically ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 90-130 g were divided into 5 groups; normal group(NOR), ethanol(35%, 10 ml/kg) treated group(CON), PBE 200 mg/kg treated group(P1), PBE 200 mg/kg and ethanol treated group(P2), and PBE 400 mg/kg and ethanol treated group(P3). PBE was also fractionated by the following solvent: n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and n-butanol. The antioxidative capacity of the n-hexane fraction was the highest among fractions and was similar to that of butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT). The body weight gain and feed intake of the rats were decreased by ethanol administration, but were gradually increased to the similar levels of the NOR group by administering PBE. The AST activity in serum elevated by ethanol was significantly decreased by administering the high dosage of PBE, but exerted no significant change on serum ALT activity. It was also observed that the hepatic activities of xanthine oxide(XO), catalase and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) increased by ethanol were markedly decreased in the combined ethanol and PBE administered groups(P2 and P3), but not in the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) as compared with the CON group. The glutathione(GSH) contents were decreased by ethanol adminstration, however, increased after administering PBE. These results suggest that ethanol extract of Pimpinella brachycarpa has a possible positive effect on the liver function in hepatotoxicity-induced rats by ethanol administration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.782-788
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• 2010

The protective effects of a powder mixed with solid-cultured and liquid-cultured Lentinus edodes mycelia (2 : 1, w/w) (designate LED) with different doses of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) on induced hepatotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was investigated. The rats were divided into seven groups (6 rats/group) and the following substances were administered orally to each group: Vehicle (0.2 ml distilled water), Control (0.2 ml distilled water), LED (LED 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg BW in 0.2 ml distilled water), and Silymarin (200 mg/Kg BW in 0.2 ml distilled water). After two weeks of daily administration, all groups except for the Vehiclegroup were subjected to abdominal injection with $CCl_4$ ($CCl_4$ : corn oil, 1 : 1 v/v; 0.5 ml/kg BW). One day later, blood and liver samples were collected to analyze biomarkers. All LED treatments elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase) activities, and reduced thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), resulting in the reduction of glutamate-oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in plasma. These results indicate that LED effectively protected SD rat hepatotoxicity induced by $CCl_4$ through its antioxidative activity and reduction of some cytokines. The highest efficacy was found in LED 200 mg/kg BW, showing potential as a useful material for protection from hepatotoxicity in humans.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.935-945
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• 2014

Persimmon leaves were commonly consumed as beverages, but were also used as popular folk medicine in Asia. The purpose of this work was to assess the biological activities of Diospyros Lotus L. extracts (DLLE). Various solvent extracts, including n-Hexnae, $CHCl_3$, EtOAc, and n-BuOH fractions, were obtained from the methanol extract of Diospyros Lotus L. leaves. The increasing interest in the powerful biological activity of plant phenolics and flavonoids outlined the necessity for determining their content in medicinal herbs. In this study, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) in the EA fraction were higher than those of other fractions. The biological activities of DLLE were tested using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assay, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as an anti-oxidant effect and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity as an anti-diabetic effect. The EA fraction with high TPC and TFC values showed the highest anti-oxidant effect and high ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition. The EA fractions were further purified into eight fractions using open column chromatography. Higher anti-oxidant and anti-${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity were observed in polar fractions. The content of the flavonoids, including quercein-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, myricetin, luteolin, and kaempferol, were analyzed in effective fractions using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results suggest that DLLE have anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic effects and thus, have the potential as anti-diabetic materials and as a source for natural health products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.975-985
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• 2017

To investigate the beneficial effects of an agar gel mask (AGM) on UV-induced photoaging, SKH-1 hairless mice were treated with a topical application of AGM and an AGM dipped in essence (AGMdE). The mice were divided into an no radiation group, UV + AGM, UV + AGMdE, and UV + vehicle (PBS) treatment groups. Alterations in skin wrinkles, skin phenotype, histological structures, oxidative status, and toxicity were then evaluated during 4 weeks of exposure. The topical application of AGM and AGMdE inhibited wrinkle formation, suppressed the erythema index, prevented transepidermal water loss, and enhanced skin hydration. In addition, epidermal thickness recovered to a similar level as that in the no irradiation group in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups compared with the UV + vehicle (distilled water) group. Furthermore, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tyrosinase were reduced in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups, although the highest level varied. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly lower in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups as compared with the UV + vehicle group. No significant alterations induced by most toxic compounds were measured in serum biochemical markers and liver and kidney histological features of the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups. These results suggest that AGM may protect against skin aging by regulating skin morphology, histopathological structures, and oxidative conditions.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.261-267
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• 2005

Alcohol metabolizing and antioxidant activity of Mentha species were investigated in rat liver. Fifty six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups such as normal (ethanol excluded), negative control (40% ethanol (10 g/kg of body weight/day) fed), positive control (1 g Silymarin/kg of body weight/day with ethanol fed), two Mentha viridis extracts (0.2 g & 1 g M. viridis methanol ext./kg of body weight/day with ethanol fed) and two M piperita extracts (0.2 g & 1 g M. piperita methanol ext./kg of body weight/day with ethanol fed) groups. After 2 weeks, rats were sacrificed under ether. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), catalase (CAT), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GAH-px) and the content ofthiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the rat livers and the activity of glutamate pyruvate transferase (GPT) in serum were evaluated. From the analyses, 1 g M. viridis and 0.2 g M. piperita administrated groups showed higher ADH and ALDH activity than the other groups. Groups fed with 0.2 g and 1 g M. viridis ext. and 0.2 g M. piperita ext. showed higher CAT activity than the other groups. All the Mentha extract fed groups exhibited more effective in recovering Mn-SOD, GSH-px and GPT acitivities to a similar degree of normal group. TBARS contents of two M. viridis ext. fed group and 0.2 g M. piperita ext. fed group were higher than those of the other groups. M. viridis extract fed groups showed more effective in CAT and Mn-SOD activities than M. piperita extract groups at p < 0.05. Finally, it is concluded that both Mentha species have alcohol metabolizing and antioxidant activity and M viridis is more effective than M. piperita.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.651-657
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• 1993

The protective effects of dietary vatamin E and selenium on peroxidative damage and hematopoietic inhibition by lead poisoning were investigated in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150$\pm$5g were divided into six groups according to dietary vitamin E and / or selenium levels, i.e. control(vitamin E, 40mg/kg diet), 0E(without vitamin E, Se), 40E(vitamin E, 40mg/kg diet ; without Se), 200E(vitamin E, 200mg/kg diet ; without Se), 200ES(vitamin E, 200mg/kg diet ; Se, 0.5ppm) and 0Es(without vitamin E ; Se, 0.5ppm) groups. All experimental groups were fed ad libitum 2000ppm lead in diet except control for 4 weeks. Hemoglobin contents and hematocrit values of lead groups were lower than control group except 200ES group and were the lowest in 0E group. Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase(ALAD) activities of blood and liver were sequentially reduced in 200ES, 200E, 0ES, 40E and 0E groups, compared to control, were as urinary aminolevulinic acid (ALA) excretions were increased in the groups which represented low ALAD activity. Heapatic superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities was lower in 0E, and higher in 40E, 200E and 200ES groups, compared with control. Glutathione peroxidase(GPX) activities of liver were reduced in 0E and 40E groups, but those of 0ES, 200E and 200ES groups were significantly increased. Especially GPX activities in 200ES and 200ES groups were not different from control group. The reduced glutathione contents in liver were lowest in 0E and 40E groups, compared with control, whereas levels of the oxidized form were opposite phenomena of that. Liver lipid peroxide values of 0E, 0ES, 40E and 200E groups were 6.4, 2.9, 2.1 and 1.3 fold higher than control, respectively, but 200ES groups was not different from control.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.1388-1394
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• 2012

The physiological functionalities of 70% ethanol extracts (EE) from Cudrania tricuspidata fruit (ECFD, EE of C. tricuspidata subjected to freeze-drying; ECHD, EE of C. tricuspidata subjected to heat air drying; ECID, EE of C. tricuspidata subjected to infrared drying) were investigated. Yields of freeze-dried powders of ECFD, ECHD, and ECID were 51.50%, 53.91%, and 56.14%, respectively. Color $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, and $H^{\circ}$ values of ECHD and ECID decreased. Dried ECHD and ECID had relatively higher contents of total polyphenolics and flavonoids than ECFD. Electron donating abilities at a concentration of 10 mg/mL (w/v) were in order of ECID (62.37%) >ECHD (80.17%)>ECFD (77.80%). Reducing powers ($OD_{700}$) of ECFD, ECHD, and ECID were 0.75, 1.70, and 1.89, respectively. Additionally, ABTS radical scavenging ability of ECID was the highest with a value of 62.37% at a concentration of 10 mg/mL (w/v). Nitrite scavenging activities of ECFD, ECHD, and ECID at a concentration of 10 mg/mL (w/v) were 28.76%, 30.69%, and 41.64%, respectively. SOD (superoxide dismutase)-like activities at 5 mg/mL (w/v) were in the order ECFD (891.93 mUnits)>ECHD (723.02 mUnits)>EFID (611.97 mUnits). Whereas ferrous ion chelating activity of ECFD (52.36%) and ECID (47.16%) was significantly higher than that of ECHD (30.04%). ACE inhibitory and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities of ECHD and ECID at a concentration of 1 mg/mL (w/v) were higher than those of ECFD. In conclusion, we provided experimental evidence that extracts of pre-dried C. tricuspidata exhibit increased physiological functionalities. Further, infrared drying technique is the best method for enhancement of antioxidant activity of C. tricuspidata fruit.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.706-713
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the contents of monacolin K and citrinin, along with the sensory quality and antioxidant activity of mulberry leaf tea fermented by $Monascus$ $pilsous$ (FMM). Total monacolin K content of FMM was 0.058%, but citrinin was not detected. Redness of brewed FMM was remarkably higher than that of unfermented mulberry leaf tea (UFM). In sensory evaluation of brewed FMM, while astringent taste and savory taste were lower, flavor, color, and overall acceptability were significantly higher than those of UFM. Total polyphenol contents of UFM and FMM were 83.1 and 23.61 mg/g (dry basis), total flavonoid contents of UFM and FMM were 17.96 and 3.99 mg/g (dry basis), respectively. Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of FMM were lower than those of UFM. Electron-donating ability and ferric-reducing antioxidant power of FMM were slightly lower than those of UFM. However, the antioxidant activities of FMM per polyphenol content were markedly higher than those of UFM. These results suggest that FMM may scavenge excessive reactive oxygen spices (ROS) via inhibition of XO and SOD-like activity. Furthermore, FMM demonstrated relatively higher acceptability and antioxidant ability along with functionality of $Hongguk$ (red yeast rice), and therefore could be utilized to prevent various ROS-induced diseases.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2012

The anti-obese, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of post-fermented green tea by Monascus pilosus was tested with mice fed with high-fat diet for 7 weeks. The body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio (FER) in normal control group (NC), CHA (2% non-fermented green tea powder supplemented high-fat diet group) and mCHA (2% green tea powder post-fermented by M. pilosus supplemented high fat diet group) groups were significantly lower than those of high fat diet control group (HC). Epididymal fat weight in mCHA and NC were significantly lower than HC. The hepatic lipid peroxide was dramatically higher in HC than that of NC and was significantly lower in CHA and mCHA. In addition, dehydrogenase type activity of xanthine oxidoreductase in HC was lower than that of NC, but significantly higher than CHA and mCHA. In histopathological findings, hepatic fat accumulation in HC was higher than that of NC, CHA and mCHA. Antiobese, hypolipidemic and antifatty liver effect of green tea powder post-fermented by M. pilosus was slightly higher than that of non-fermented green tea. In conclusion, the constituents of green tea fermented by M. pilosus has been proven to not only inhibit obesity and hyperlipidemia but also decrease the hepatic fat accumulation in high fat diet-induced obese mice.