• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.1679-1683
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• 2008

The objectives of this study were to determine inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract from grape seeds and to investigate relationships between tyrosinase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of the extract. The 80% methanol extracts of grape seeds were fractionated subsequently with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and water. The methanolic extract and fractions from grape seeds inhibited tyrosinase activity in a concentration dependent manner. The methanolic extracts showed the highest inhibitory effects on tyrosinase activity. The inhibitory effects of the ethyl acetate fraction from the methanolic extract on tyrosinase activity was higher than other fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction from methanolic extracts showed higher antioxidant activity and contained higher polyphenolic and flavonoid contents compared to other fractions. The correlation coefficients among the polyphenoilc content of methanolic extracts, ABTS radical cation scavenging activity and inhibitory effect of tyrosinase were relatively high. These results suggest that grape seeds may have potential as a depigmentation agent for cosmetics and functional food products.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

In this study we investigated the embryo toxicity of three kinds of plant extracts during early development of African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis through FETAX assay (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Aassay with Xenopus). The plants used in this study were the materials of the Korean herbal medicines, Polygala tenuifolia, Lycium chinensis and Comus officinalis. The test embryos exposed to 1, 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of each plant extract and control embryos were incubated for 96h at $24{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$. The focus of this study is to elucidate the malformation due to toxicity of plant extracts, especially, to elucidate plant inducing optic malformation. As a result, the growth inhibition of embryos, optic malformation, axial distortion, cephalic and abdominal edema, dysplasia of digestive track and hyper-pigmentation were occurred in all of extracts, and these malformations were increased to the increase of extract concentration. The rate of optic malformation was highest in $100{\mu}g/ml$ of Lycium chinensistreated group and 27% of tested 150 individuals showed optic hernia. The histological results showed enlarged ventriculum in brain, dysplasia of vitreous chamber in eye and unclear retinal layers.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.238-243
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• 2008

Comparison of the physico-chemical characteristics were investigated among white (WG), fermented (FG) and red ginseng (RG) extracts. We observed maximum contents of extractable solids in FG, but viscosity was lower than other ginseng extracts. The contents of ash and crude protein of FG were higher than those of other ginseng extracts. The contents of carbohydrate were similar, but component Na and cruid lipids were maximum in RG. we extended our study on comparison of the calories among WG, FG and RG. We noticed that comparison of the calories among WG, FG and RG showed insignificant difference.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.233-237
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• 2009

Astragalus membranaceus has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese herbal medicine. It has been shown to have immunostimulant, tonic, antioxidant, antiperspirant, diuretic, anti-diabetic, expectorant properties, and a supplementary medicine during cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of anti-oxidation of Astragalus membranaceus root extract. The anti-oxidative activities of water, 80% methanol, and 100% methanol extracts from Astragalus membranaceus were analyzed by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, Superoxide dismutase-like activity, reducing power, and crude ash. The water extract demonstrated to be more effective than methanol extract for a DPPH radicals scavenging activities and reducing power. Superoxide dismutase-like activity showed higher efficiency in 80% methanol extract. Our results indicate that Astragalus membranaceus extracts could be used as a source of antioxidant ingredients in the food industry.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2003

Bioactivities of Korean ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) extract were investigated against several fungi, general bacteria and insect pests. Crude methanolic extracts of different parts of Korean ginkgo showed different bioactivities depending on the target organisms. The methanolic extract showed in vitro antimicrobial activity at dose of 200 ug per paper disc. The extract of ginkgo stalk was some higher than seed coat and root. The extract also showed a remarkable in vivo antifungal activity against green mold (Trichoderma harzianum) on compost surface of spawn bags and in vivo insecticidal activity to Nilaparvata lugens, Plutella xylostella and Tetranychus urticae. This study suggests that Korean ginkgo extracts have a potential as a natural pesticide.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.392-397
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• 2007

We investigated whether ethanol extracts of the safflower seeds containing phenolic compounds were responsible for the bone-protecting effects. Crude ethanol extract (CEE) of the safflower seeds was fed for 4 weeks at the level of 1% in diet to female Sprague-Dawley rats that had been subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). The CEE effects (OVX+CEE) were evaluated by comparing results obtained from OVX, Sham, and OVX injected with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($OVX+E_2$) groups. OVX resulted in a dramatic reduction in the trabecular bone mass of the proximal tibia (approximately 40% of the Sham group) and an increase in fat deposition in bone marrow. In $OVX+E_2$ group, the bone loss was completely prevented as well as marrow adiposity. In OVX+CEE group, approximately 80% of the bone mass was maintained compared with Sham group and fat deposition in the bone marrow was prevented. Meanwhile, the partially purified ethanol extract containing the phenolic compounds stimulated proliferation of the ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells in a dose-dependent manner, as potently as positive controls of $E_2$ and genistein. The present data demonstrate that the ethanol extracts of safflower seeds reduced bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency. The bone-protecting effect of safflower seeds seems to be mediated, at least partly, by the stimulating effect of the phenolic compounds on the growth of osteoblasts.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2010

The present study was designed to explore an immunostimulating activity of crude extracts of Macrolepiota procera, and a combination therapy of cisplatin and Macrolepiota procera extracts which can potentiate the anti-cancer activity of cisplatin. For these, water extraction of Macrolepiota procera were performed at $4^{\circ}C$(MPE-4) and $100^{\circ}C$(MPE-100). In experimental metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells, prophylactic intravenous administration of MPE ($80-2,000{\mu}g$/mouse) inhibited tumor metastasis compared with tumor control. Peritoneal macrophages stimulated with MPE produced IL-12 as well as induced tumoricidal activity. In an analysis of NK-cell activity, i.v. administration of MPE ($200{\mu}g$/mouse) significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity to YAC-1 tumor cells. The combination treatments of cisplatin ($20{\mu}g$) and MPE ($100{\mu}g$) exhibited prolongation of lifespan in colon26-M3.1 tumor bearing mouse. These results suggested that MPE stimulate immune system non-specifically and application as adjuvant in cancer treatment.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2018

Four isoforms of calcium binding proteins containing 2 EF hand motifs and a dynein light chain-like domain in the human liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini, namely OvCaBP1, 2, 3, and 4, were characterized. They had molecular weights of 22.7, 21.6, 23.7, and 22.5 kDa, respectively and showed 37.2-42.1% sequence identity to CaBP22.8 of O. viverrini. All were detected in 2- and 4-week-old immature and mature parasites. Additionally, OvCaBP4 was found in newly excysted juveniles. Polyclonal antibodies against each isoform were generated to detect the native proteins in parasite extracts by Western blot analysis. All OvCaBPs were detected in soluble and insoluble crude worm extracts and in the excretory-secretory product, at approximate sizes of 21-23 kDa. The ion-binding properties of the proteins were analyzed by mobility shift assays with the divalent cations $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, and $Cu^{2+}$. All OvCaBPs showed mobility shifts with $Ca^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$. OvCaBP1 showed also positive results with $Mg^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. As tegumental proteins, OvCaBP1, 2, and 3 are interesting drug targets for the treatment of opisthorchiasis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.375-380
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• 2018

We have previously found that mycelia culture broth of eight kinds of traditional herbal extracts fermented with Phellinus linteus (previously named as 8-HsPLCB) not only inhibited melanin and tyrosinase activity, but also reduced the contents of melanogenesis-related proteins, including tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, in 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine-stimulated B16F0 melanoma cells. For a further study, the effect of 8-HsPLCB against skin pigmentation in brown guinea pigs with ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced hyperpigmentation was investigated. 8-HsPLCB (3%) and arbutin (2%) as positive controls were applied topically twice daily for 4 weeks to the hyperpigmented areas. 8-HsPLCB showed skin-lightening effect as effective as arbutin, one of the most widely used in whitening cosmetics. Melanin index values as the degree of pigmentation showed a significant reduction week by week post 8-HsPLCB treatment and then substantially reduced by 4 weeks. The degree of depigmentation after 4 weeks of topical application with 8-HsPLCB was 32.2% as compared with before treatment (0 week). Moreover, using Fontana-Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining, 8-HsPLCB reduced melanin pigmentation in the basal layer of the epidermis and epidermal thickness changes exposed to the UV-B irradiation as compared with non-treatment and vehicle treatment. The intensity of the skin-lightening effect of 8-HsPLCB was similar to arbutin. These results suggest that the skin-lightening effect of 8-HsPLCB might be resulted from inhibition of melanin synthesis by tyrosinase in melanocytes. To conclude, 8-HsPLCB treatment showed reduction of the melanin pigment and histological changes induced by UV irradiation in brown guinea pigs.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.165-170
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• 2006

The antifungal activity of crude methanolic extract and fractions from Yucca smalliana Fern. leaves, roots and flowers were investigated in vitro against a panel of plant pathogenic fungi. The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) was determined by an agar dilution method. Preliminary liquid culture and agar plate assays showed that the growth of Fu sarium oxysporum, Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani and Botrytis cinerea were inhibited by Y. smalliana extracts. The extracts from flowers and leaves showed antifungal activity of 64.0% and 34.0% against F. oxysporum, 66.0% and 62.0% against P. capsici, and 27.0% and 41.0% against B. cinerea, respectively. The methanolic extract from Y. smallina leaves in distilled water was fractionated using solvents of increasing polarity: hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol. These fractions had a broad spectrum of antifungal activity, found to reside entirely in the butanol and aqueous fraction. The aqueous fraction showed inhibition rate of 60.0, 67.8, 84.6 and 58.3% against F. oxysporum, R. solani, C. gloeosporioides, and B. cinerea, respectively, and the butganol fracgtion showed 36.0, 46.0, 66.1 and 58.3%, respectively. Phenolics(e.g. flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids) were observed in the thin layer profile of the different fractions. Leave extract showed a prominent antioxidant activity totally scavenging the free radical of DPPH at a concentration of 1 mg/ml.