• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.456-460
• /
• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidative capacity of Rhododendron brachycarpum 95% ethanol extracts. Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity against ABTS radical reactions. Total antioxidant capacities of R. brachycarpum extract at the concentrations of 0.2 and 1 mg/mL were 0.33 and 2.26 mM Trolox equivalents, respectively. Superoxide scavenging activities of R. brachycarpum extract at the concentrations of 0.2 and 1 mg/mL were 45.0 and 77.0%, respectively. Oxygen radical absorbance capacities of R. brachycarpum extract at the concentrations of 5 and 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ were 40.88 and 131.00 ${\mu}M$ Trolox equivalents, respectively. Total phenolic contents of R. brachycarpum extract at the concentrations of 0.2 and 1 mg/mL were 0.37 and 1.25 mM gallic acid equivalents, respectively. R. brachycarpum extract at the concentration of 0.1 mg/mL inhibited 0.2 mM and 0.5 mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide induced cyototoxicity by 52.1 and 30.3%, respectively, in HepG2 cell culture system. Thus, strong antioxidant and cytotoxicity-inhibiting effects of R. brachycarpum extract seem to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicals-induced oxidation as well as high levels in total phenolic contents.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.114-122
• /
• 2010

Se and Fe are trace minerals acting as antioxidant scavenging free radicals. Iron deficiency is the most frequently reported nutritional deficiency in females. Body iron status are known to be dependent not only upon dietary iron intake, but also upon micro-mineral nutrition and obesity. Antioxidants such as selenium are reported to play an important role on the regulation of erythropoiesis by protecting RBC membrane from antioxidative damage. In this study, iron status in young females and its relationships with selenium status and physique were examined. Serum selenium and iron concentrations were measured by HANARO research reactor using neutron activation analysis method (NAA-method). The proportion with iron deficiency and anemia were 27.1% and 8.6%, respectively in young females, but the proportion with iron deficient anemia was 1.4%. The mean serum selenium level was $12.0\;{\mu}g/dL$ and in normal range in the young women. The study participants were tertiled according to BMI and serum selenium levels. Serum ferritin and iron levels inclined with increasing BMI tertiles. Serum iron and RBC count were higher in middle selenium group than low selenium group. Individuals had significantly lower hematocrit level in the lowest tertile for their serum selenium levels compared with the highest tertile. The serum ferritin level was predicted 25% by BMI and RBC count 26.2% by the serum selenium level and body fat%. In conclusion, this study shows that body iron status in young adult females are influenced by obesity and body selenium status.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.700-705
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Ligustrum lucidum (LL) on growth performance, antioxidation, and meat quality in broilers. 270 birds (1 d old) were allotted to 3 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment. The feeding program included a starter diet from d 1 to 21 of age and a grower diet from d 22 to 42 of age. The birds were given a basal corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with 0 (the control), 5 or 10 g of LL/kg, respectively. The results showed that in the starter, grower and overall phase, broilers fed with 5 or 10 g of LL/kg had better (p<0.01) average daily gain, but there were no differences in feed: gain between treatments. In the starter and overall phase, average daily feed intake of LL groups was greater (p<0.05) than that of the control, but this difference was not observed in the grower phase. Supplementation of LL significantly increased (p<0.05) superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capability in serum of chickens. In breast muscle, birds fed 5 g of LL/kg had an increase (p<0.05) in superoxide dismutase activity. The LL supplementation significantly decreased (p<0.05) malondialdehyde contents. Adding 5 or 10 g of LL/kg to the diet significantly increased pH value and reduced drip loss of meat (p<0.05). The results of this study indicated that dietary LL could improve growth performance, increase pH value and reduce drip loss of meat by decreasing lipid peroxidation and by improving antioxidative status in broilers.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.460-463
• /
• 2012

The present study was aimed to evaluate and compare the oxidative stress status of isoflurane and propofol in pigs undergoing surgery with measuring the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The pigs were divided into 2 groups according to the type of anesthesia used for the surgical procedure. In the isoflurane group (group 1), anesthesia was induced and maintained with 2-2.5% isoflurane under 100% oxygen. The propofol group (group 2) received 8 mg/kg/h of IV propofol with 0.5-1% isoflurane under 100% oxygen. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities of isoflurane group were significantly lower at the end of surgery than at induction of anesthesia, while that of the propofol group maintained their baseline values. There were significant differences in all enzymes activities between groups at the end of surgery. These results indicate that propofol is capable of preserving the antioxidant capacity in pigs anesthetized with the combination of isoflurane and propofol infusion.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.74-84
• /
• 2011

Objectives: Palmul-tang (hachimotsu-to in Japanese and bawu-tang in Chinese) is a mixture of eight herbs. It is traditionally used for the treatment of anemia, anorexia, general weakness, and female infertility in China, Japan, and Korea. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Palmul-tang water extract (PTE) against ethanol-induced acute gastric injury in rats. Material and Methods: Acute gastric lesions were induced by intragastric administration of 5mL/kg body weight of absolute ethanol to each rat. Control group rats were given PBS orally and the ethanol group (EtOH group) received absolute ethanol (5mL/kg) by oral gavage. The positive control group and the PTE group were given oral doses of omeprazole (50mg/kg) or PTE (400mg/kg), respectively, 2 h prior to the administration of absolute ethanol. The stomach of each animal was excised and examined for gastric mucosal lesions. To confirm the protective effects of PTE, we evaluated the degree of lipid peroxidation, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in the stomach. Results: PTE reduced ethanol-induced hemorrhage and hyperemia in the gastric mucosa. PTE reduced the increase in lipid peroxidation associated with ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions and increased mucosal GSH content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: These results indicate that PTE protects gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced acute gastric injury by increasing antioxidant status. We suggest that PTE could be developed as an effective drug for the treatment of acute gastric injury.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.244-247
• /
• 2006

Neuronal cell death significantly contributes to neuronal loss in neurological injury and disease. Typically, neuronal loss or destruction upon exposure to neurotoxins, oxidative stress, or DNA damage causes neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 from red ginseng has a neuroprotective effect via an anti-apoptotic role induced by S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) at the molecular level. We also investigated the antioxidant effect of Rg3 using a metal-catalyzed reaction with $Cu^{2+}/H_2O_2$. Our results showed that Rg3 ($40-100\;{\mu}g/mL$) protected SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells under cytotoxic conditions and effectively protected DNA from fragmentation. In the signal pathway, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were kept at an inactivated status when pretreated with Rg3 in all ranges. In particular, the important upstream p-Akt signal pathway was increased in a dose-dependent manner, which indicates that Rg3 may contribute to cell survival. We also found that oxidative stress can be mitigated by Rg3. Therefore, we have concluded that Rg3 plays a certain role in neurodegenerative pathogenesis via an anti apoptotic, antioxidative effect.

• Plant Resources
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.161-170
• /
• 2001

A major portion of drugs used in Ayurvedic system of medicine which has been practiced since the early human civilization in Indian subcontinent were of plant origin. It should be noted that 70% of the population in this region depends on Ayurveda for their medical treatment and 60% of the drug resources are obtained from the Himalayan region. Therefore, Nepal becomes a potential source of plant drug resource since it occupies a major portion of the Himalaya. In the present paper, in general a current status of medicinal plant resources of Himalayan region especially Nepal will be discussed. In addition to this, a typical example of antidiabetic activity of Shilajit will be taken for the discussion. Shilajit is one of the crucial elements in several formulations including those of Rasayana, a therapy in Ayurveda, which has been practiced in the prevention of ageing and mental disorder. Although, Shilajit is widely used for the treatment of diabetes, no satisfactory scientific reports are available up to now. The crude Shilajit in the market is a dark brown or black rock-like substance collected from the Himalayan region with a strong smell of cow's stale urine. In our studies, Shilajit (collected in the central Himalayan region) prevented the diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice model. Shilajit also prevented the diabetes in the rats against the action of multiple low-dose (10 mg/kg, i.v., 5 times) of streptozotocin. On the other hand, Shilajit did not show antioxidative activity. The preventive action of Shilajit on diabetes is mainly focused on the Thl and Th2 cell activities, since Th2 cells activity was found to be significantly upregulated. Shilajit, however, showed a mild action in controlling the blood sugar level in young, old, and mild diabetic rats, but not in the severe diabetic rats. It also stimulated the nitric oxide production in macrophages. Based on these evidences, the antidiabetic activities of Shilajit appear to be immunomodulative probably by protecting or strengthening insulin-producing b-cells in the pancreas. Further systematic research on constituents of Shilajit and its quality evaluation is necessary to enable the use of natural medicines in the treatment of diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.7 no.6
• /
• pp.844-851
• /
• 2002

Smoking can increase oxidative stress and thereby change the antioxidant defense system in the body. To investigate the relationship between male adolescent smoking and antioxidant status, we surveyed the eating habits and dietary intake of 82 smokers and 44 nonsmokers recruited from a male technical high school. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxide values were determined in both the plasma and the erythrocytes. Although the frequency of food intake was not significantly different, most nutrient intake was unexpectedly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. In comparison with the Korean RDA, especially the average intake of Ca, Fe and vitamin $B_2$ didn t reach 75% of the Korean RDA in either smokers or nonsmokers. An analysis of antioxidant enzyme activity showed that plasma catalase. superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), erythrocyte catalase and GSH-px activities showed no significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers. However, the erythrocyte SOD activity of smokers (1.57 unit/mgHb) was significantly lower than that of nonsmokers (2.00 unit/mg Hb). In addition, the plasma ceruloplasmin concentration of smokers (28.68 mg/$d\ell$) was significantly higher than that of nonsmokers (26.30 mg/$d\ell$), whereas the specific ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity of smokers (0.31 unit/mg) was lower than that of nonsmokers (0.35 unit/mg). The plasma and erythrocyte thlobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) of smokers (2.57 $\mu$mol/L, 0.32 $\mu$mol/gHb) were also significantly higher than those of nonsmokers (2.25 $\mu$mol/L, 0.27 $\mu$mol/gHb). The overall data indicate that adolescent smoking might decrease the antioxidant capacity of the body, in part, by lowering the erythrocyte SOD activity and the specific ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.298-304
• /
• 2006

This study was carried out to elucidate the relationship among exercise, bone mineral density and antioxidant enzyme activity of postmenopausal women. 60 women residing in the Iksan, Korea area were recruited. The questionnaires were designed to find out exercise habits. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Parameters of antioxidative capacity, including the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TA) were analyzed in fasting blood. The mean age, height, weight, and BMI of subjects were 65.0 years, 151.1 cm, 59.5 kg $26.0\;m/kg^2$, respectively. The mean BMDs of subjects were $0.85\;g/cm^2$ (lumbar spine), $0.6\;g/cm^2$ (Femoral neck), $0.49\;g/cm^2$ (trochanter), and $0.40\;g/cm^2$ (Ward's triangle). There was a significant difference in BMD among different age groups (50's, 60's and 70's) showing lower value with increasing age (p<0.05). The mean SOD, GPx, and CAT activities were 138.5 U/mL, 1,273.8 U/mL and 314.3 kU/L respectively, and TA was 1.16 mmol/L. TA of the group which exercised 3$\sim$4 times a week was significantly higher than those of the other exercise groups (p<0.05). The subjects with higher SOD activity also have a higher the T values in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle. In conclusion, this study revealed that the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity were closely associated with the exercise status and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.20-33
• /
• 2001

A major portion of drugs used in Ayurvedic system of medicine which has been practiced since the early human civilization in Indian subcontinent were of plant origin. It should be noted that 70% of the population in this region depends on Ayurveda for their medical treatment and 60% of the drug resources are obtained from the Himalayan region. Therefore, Nepal becomes a potential source of plant drug resource since it occupies a major portion of the Himalaya. In the present paper, in general a current status of medicinal plant resources of Himalayan region especially Nepal will be discussed. In addition to this, a typical example of antidiabetic activity of Shilajit will be taken for the discussion. Shilajit is one of the crucial elements in several formulations including those of Rasayana, a therapy in Ayurveda, which has been practiced in the prevention of ageing and mental disorder. Although, Shilaiit is widely used for the treatment of diabetes, no satisfactory scientific reports are available up to now. The crude Shilajit in the market is a dark brown or black rock-like substance collected from the Himalayan region with a strong smell of cow's stale urine. In our studies, Shilajit (collected in the central Himalayan region) prevented the diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice model. Shilajit also prevented the diabetes in the rats against the action of multiple low-dose (10 ㎎/㎏, i.v., 5 times) of streptozotocin. On the other hand, Shilajit did not show antioxidative activity. The preventive action of Shilajit on diabetes is mainly focused on the Th1 and Th2 cell activities, since Th2 cells activity was found to be significantly upregulated. Shilajit, however, showed a mild action in controlling the blood sugar level in young, old, and mild diabetic rats, but not in the severe diabetic rats. It also stimulated the nitric oxide production in macrophages. Based on these evidences, the antidiabetic activities of Shilajit appear to be immunomodulative probably by protecting or strengthening insulin-producing b-cells In the pancreas. further systematic research on constituents of Shilajit and its quality evaluation is necessary to enable the use of natural medicines in the treatment of diabetes.