• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.9
• /
• pp.1113-1119
• /
• 2007

Water extracts from root, stem and leaf of Ailanthus altissima were utilized to determine antioxidant properties such as electron donating ability (EDA), nitrite scavenging ability, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, and the inhibitory activities of xanthine oxidase (XO) and tyrosinase. The EDA of root extract was the highest as 77.33% at 0.5 mg/mL concentration and that of stem extract was 70.01% at 1.0 mg/mL. The nitrite scavenging ability of leaf extract revealed the highest effect as 95.18% at pH 1.2, 1.0 mg/mL while those of stem and root extracts were 55.17% and 33.33%, respectively. The leaf extract showed the highest SOD like activity as 26.77% at 1.0 mg/mL, the measurement of root extract was 3.82% and that of stem extract was not effective. All kinds of extracts had strong inhibitory activities on XO of over 92% at 1.0 mg/mL. The highest activity on tyrosinase inhibition was obtained from leaf extract of 16.33% at 2.0 mg/mL. The results indicated that among the three extracts, the leaf extract has a strong and extensive antioxidant activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.31 no.4 s.54
• /
• pp.305-310
• /
• 2005

To obtain effective and safe depigmenting agents, we investigated the effects of Scirpi rhizoma, a medicine among Chinese herbs, on melanogenesis. Dried S. rhizoma was refluxed with 70% aqueous ethanol and the extract was evaporated to dryness. To determine the effects as a whitening agent, various in vitro tests were performed such as free radical scavenging activity, melanin formation assay, tyrosinase activity and expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2(western blot and RT-PCR) in B16 melanoma cells. S. rhizoma showed scavenging activities of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the $IC_{50}\;of\;638{\mu}g/mL$ against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and $21.7{\mu}g/mL$ against superoxide radicals in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, respectively. S. rhizoma significantly inhibited melanin production in B16 melanoma cells. S. rhizoma treatment(48 h) suppressed the biosynthesis of melanin up to 27% at 100{\mu}g/mL$ and reduced tyrosinase activity up to 31% at $100{\mu}g/mL$ in B16 melanoma cells. S. rhizoma was also able to significantly inhibit tyrosinase and TRP-1 expression in protein and mRNA level. These results suggest that S. rhizoma inhibited melanin biosynthesis by regulating tyrosinase activity and expression in B16 melanoma cells. Therefore, S. rhizoma may be useful as a new antioxidant and whitening agent to inhibit melanogenesis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.31 no.4 s.54
• /
• pp.323-327
• /
• 2005

Although many studies have been performed to elucidate the molecular consequence of ultraviolet irradiation on an aging, little is known about the effect of natural products. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) we known to play an important role in (a) photoaging. Hete we investigated the effect of $1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-{\beta}-{_D}-gluco- pyranose (1)$ and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (2) on the expression of MMP-1 in UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts (products), (on the) activity of MMP-1, and (on the) scavenging activities of free radicals. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated from Melothria heterophylla (Cucurbitaceae). These compounds were found to scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and were measured to have the $SC_{50}$ values of $3.9{\mu}M\;and\;13.3{\mu}M$ against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and $4.3{\mu}M\;and\; 4.0{\mu}M$ against superoxide radicals in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the e):pression and activity of MMP-1 in the UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts. Therefore, we concluded that compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited MMP-1 expression at the protein level. Also, these compounds were determined to have a potent antioxidant activity. From these results, we suggest that these compounds nay be used as (a) new anti-aging agents for the photo-damaged skin.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2004

To investigate the antioxidative effects of Prunus mume ethanol extract on the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver, Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 120∼160 g were divided into 5 groups; normal group(NOR), Prunus mume ethanol extract 200mg/kg treated group(PME), ethanol(10 mL/kg, 35％) treated group(ETH), Prunus mume ethanol extract 200 mg/kg and ethanol treated group (PML) and Prunus mume ethanol extract 400 mg/kg, and ethanol treated group(PMF), respectively. The antioxidative activity in vitro was reduced in order of EtOAC＞n-hexane＞water＞ chloroform fraction. The growth rate and feed efficiency ratio decreased by ethanol administration were gradually increased to the adjacent level of NOR by administering Prunus mume ethanol extract. It was observed that activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase(SOD), xanthine oxidase and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) of liver and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and asparate aminotransferase(AST) of serum were elevated by ethanol administration. Besides, Prunus mume ethanol extract markedly decreased elevated activites of catalase, GSH-Px, ALT and AST, except in activites of SOD and xanthine oxidase compared to ETH. Also, the depleted content of GSH by ethanol was increased similar to NOR level by administering Prunus mume ethanol extract. These results suggested that Prunus mume ethanol extract has a possible protective effect on the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.901-908
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to analyze the antioxidant activities of fermented black jujube and to compare these with those of dried jujube, for the development of functional materials. The antioxidative activities of dried jujube and fermented black jujube extracts were analyzed by electron-donating ability (EDA) using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide-dismutase-(SOD)-like activity by pyrogallol, nitrite-scavenging ability, and xanthin oxidase. The yield of the fermented black jujube extracts was higher than that of the dried jujube extracts, and that of the ethanol extracts was higher than that of the hot-water extracts. The total phenol contents of the hot-water extracts from fermented black jujube were higher. The EDA values of the hot-water and ethanol extracts from fermented black jujube and dried jujube increased with an increase in extract concentration, and were about 85% in a $1000{\mu}g/mL$ extract concentration. The SOD-like activity increased with an increase in extract concentration. The SOD-like activity of the hot-water extract from fermented black jujube was higher than that of the other extracts. The nitrite-scavenging ability at pH 1.2 of the hot-water extracts from dried jujube was higher than that of the other extracts. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of the hot-water and ethanol extracts from fermented black jujube were higher than those of the other extracts, and increased along with the concentrations of the extracts.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.117-123
• /
• 2018

This study was designed to determine the biological activities of Chionanthus retusus flower extracts. Water and 90% ethanol extracts of C. retusus flower were prepared. The inhibitory activities of water and ethanol extracts with a phenolic content of $200{\mu}g/mL$ against xanthine oxidase were 25.60% and 15.92%, respectively. Further, the water extract did not show any inhibitory activity against ${\alpha}$-glucosidase whereas the ethanol extract showed 100.00% inhibition of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase. The inhibitory activities of the extracts against tyrosinase were 17.27% (water extract) and 36.13% (ethanol extract), which suggest that the extracts may have a whitening effect. The water extract did not inhibit elastase activity but showed a collagenase-inhibitory activity of 20.21%. On the contrary, the ethanol extract showed 96.26% and 35.93% inhibition of collagenase and elastase, respectively. These findings suggest that the extracts may have an anti-wrinkle effect. Lastly, the extracts showed a hyaluronidase inhibitory activity of 36.96% (water extract) and 88.70% (ethanol extract), suggesting that they may have an anti-inflammatory effect. The results indicate that C. retusus flower extracts containing phenolic compounds can be used as functional resources because they have anti-gout, carbohydrate degradation-inhibitory, whitening, anti-wrinkle, and anti-inflammatory effects.

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

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.183-191
• /
• 2021

Euglena gracilis is a microalga of great biotechnological interest that can create high levels of bioactive compounds, such as tocopherol, paramylon, and folic acid. The objective of this study was to investigate the biological activities of extracts from E. gracilis, especially those focused on immunological activity. E. gracilis biomass was extracted with hot water (HWE) and the remaining pellet was continuously extracted with methanol (HWME). First, we examined the effect of two extracts from E. gracilis on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. HWE treatment dose-dependently increased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α. On the other hand, treatment with HWME significantly decreased the generation of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells. In addition, other biological activities of the extracts were further analyzed: α-glucosidase inhibition, protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Analysis of these biological activities showed that HWE has more inhibitory effects than HWME against α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and XO agents. However, the inhibition of PTP1B and ACE with HWME were higher than with HWE. Taken together, the results suggested that E. gracilis possesses various biological activities―especially immunological capabilities―through regulation of cytokine production. Therefore, E. gracilis extract may be potentially useful for food material with immune-regulating effects.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.523-531
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities in ethanol extracts from herb mixture (Ephedra sinica, Atractylodes lance, Gypsum fibrosum, and Theobroma cacao). DPPH, ABTS⁺ radical and xanthine oxidase scavenging activities were measured for antioxidant activity. Extracts of the herb mixture had 75.0, 100.8, and 79.5% scavenging activities at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. We investigated the inhibition of adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation with an extract of an herb mixture in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. An extract from the herb mixture at concentrations between 0 and 50 ㎍/ml did not affect 3T3-L1 cell viability. Treatment with herb mixture extracts of 25, 50, and 75 ㎍/ml in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes inhibited lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. As a result of a Western blot experiment, it was shown that the herb mixture inhibited the differentiation transcription factors, PPARγ and C/EBPa, by 44.2 and 77.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 75 ㎍/ml in MDI-induced differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. As a result of RT-PCR, the gene expression of C/EBPa, SREBP-1c, and PPARγ was significantly inhibited by 43.4%, 59.6%, and 55.3%, respectively, at the concentration of 75 ㎍/ml of the herb mixture compared with the MDI-treated group. In addition, the expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS), a fatty acid synthesis regulator, was suppressed. These results can be applied to develop a functional food for anti-obesity with a herb mixture.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.242-249
• /
• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this work is to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antiobesity effects of Euphorbia resinifera extracts and investigate the phenolic constituents and the toxicity of these extracts. Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed to detect polyphenols and flavonoids. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by four methods (DPPH, ABTS, H₂O₂, and xanthine oxidase inhibition). The hypoglycemic effect was determined by the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro and via a starch tolerance study in normal rats. The antiobesity effect was estimated by in vitro inhibition of lipase. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed that the ethanolic extract was rich in polyphenols (99 ± 0.56 mg GEA/g extract) and tannins (55.22 ± 0.17 mg RE/g extract). Moreover, this extract showed higher antioxidant activity in different tests: the DPPH assay (IC₅₀ = 53.81 ± 1.83 ㎍/mL), ABTS assay (111.4 ± 2.64 mg TE/g extract), H₂O₂ (IC₅₀ = 98.15 ± 0.68 ㎍/mL), and xanthine oxidase (IC₅₀ = 10.26 ± 0.6 ㎍/mL). With respect to hypoglycemic effect, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed IC₅₀ values of 119.7 ± 2.15 ㎍/mL and 102 ± 3.63 ㎍/mL for α-amylase and 121.4 ± 1.88 and 56.6 ± 1.12 ㎍/mL for α-glucosidase, respectively, and the extracts lowered blood glucose levels in normal starch-loaded rats. Additionally, lipase inhibition was observed with aqueous (IC₅₀ = 25.3 ± 1.53 ㎍/mL) and ethanolic (IC₅₀ = 13.7 ± 3.03 ㎍/mL) extracts. Conclusion: These findings show the antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hyperlipidemic effects of E. resinifera extracts, which should be investigated further to validate their medicinal uses and their pharmaceutical applications.