• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2015

Water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerov.) is an annual aquatic plant. In the present study, we showed that the treatment of water chestnut extracted with boiling water resulted in a significant increase 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and decrease the intracellular $H_2O_2$-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species. In addition, water chestnut extract (WCE) inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production and suppressed mRNA and protein expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene. The cytokine array results showed that WCE inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion. Also, WCE reduced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$- and interleukin-6-induced nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activity. Furthermore, during sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-induced irritation of human skin, WCE reduced SLS-induced skin erythema and improved barrier regeneration. These results indicate that WCE may be a promising topical anti-inflammatory agent.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.808-812
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• 2009

The ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory and antioxidant effects of water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerov.) were assessed to explore its possible use as an anti-diabetic agent. Methanol extracts of the fruit shell and meat of water chestnut were assayed for inhibitory activity against yeast ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Effect of fruit shell extract on postprandial glucose response was assessed. Compared with fruit meat, shell extract showed stronger inhibition against ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ with an $IC_{50}$ of 273 ${\mu}g/mL$. Oral administration of fruit shell extract (500 mg/kg) significantly lowered the postprandial area under the glucose response curve to starch (1 g/kg) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (p<0.01). Compared with fruit meat, shell extract showed stronger scavenging activity against DPPH, with an $IC_{50}$ of 27.1 ${\mu}g/mL$. The results indicate that the fruit shell of water chestnut was effective in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia and exerted an antioxidant effect. Therefore, water chestnut may be useful in treating diabetes.

• Proceedings of the KSCN Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.182-182
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the KSCN Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.184-184
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.195-195
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• 2004

• Proceedings of the KSCN Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.181-181
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• 2005

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.307-312
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• 2023

Water chestnut is fruits of Trapa natans var. bispinosa grown wild in Korea. In this study, water chestnut was investigated for anti-pigmentation. Treatment with ethanolic extracts of water chestnut significantly reduced production of melanin in α-MSH simulated B16F10 cells. At 200 ㎍/mL ethanolic extracts of water chestnut, melanin contents were repressed by 43.26% compared to the control group. Additionally, ethanolic extracts of water chestnut reduced expression and activity of tyrosinase, key enzyme in melanogenesis, in α-MSH simulated B16F10 cells. Ethanolic extracts of water chestnut downregulated tyrosinase activity and expression to 23.65% and 62.35%, respectively. These results suggest that ethanolic extracts of water chestnut might be used as a promising whitening ingredients for inhibition of α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis and pigmentation.