• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.52-63
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• 2020

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the effects of Pueraria lobata Ohwi flower extracts (PLFE) on macrophages and their underlying mechanism(s) of action. PLFE increased the production of NO and cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-𝛼) in a dose-dependent manner, indicating its immunostimulatory property. Furthermore, PLFE upregulated iNOS, COX-2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, PLFE enhanced the phosphorylation of I𝜅B𝛼 and subsequent I𝜅B𝛼 degradation, thereby enabling the nuclear translocation of NF-𝜅B. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the immunostimulatory effects of PLFE are mediated by the nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-𝜅B and subsequent secretion of cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-𝛼), upregulation of iNOS and COX-2, and stimulation of MAPK signaling (JNK, ERK, and p38). Thus, PLFE may be a potential immunostimulatory therapeutic.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2023

Objectives : Alcohol-induced liver disease advances as to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular lipid peroxidation increase. We examined the hepatoprotective effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizome extract (ZR), Pueraria lobata Ohwi flower extracts (PF), and a newly developed herbal juice (HJ), which was a combination of ZR and PF extracts, against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: The study utilized the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 cells to validate the hepatoprotective effect of HJ (50~200 ㎍/mL) against ethanol (EtOH, 700 mM)-induced liver damage. Results: HJ effectively reduced the protein expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1, adiponectin, and AMP-activated protein kinase in EtOH-induced HepG2 cells. The levels of ROS, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, which are the result of various synthesis and lipogenesis processes induced by EtOH in the liver, were reduced by HJ. Furthermore, the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, enzymes linked to alcohol degradation, were more effectively downregulated by HJ treatment compared to treatment with ZR and PF alone, all without causing cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: HJ protects the liver by inhibiting EtOH-induced lipogenesis, lowering ROS generation, and improving alcohol degradation, which is more effective than ZR and PF alone. Further, in vivo experiments can offer additional evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and underlying mechanism of action of HJ.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.935-942
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• 2000

This study was designed to investigate the effect of flower of Pueraria lobata on liped peroxidation and activities of alcohol metabolic enzymes in alcohol-treated rats. Male Spra gue-Dawley rats were given 25% ethanol (Alcohol), 25% ethanol and 5 mg tectorigenin/kg B.W.(Alc.-Tec), 25% ethanol and 5mg kaikasaponin III/kg B.W. (Alc-Kai). The contents of serum total lipid, triglyceride and phospholipid were increased by ethanol treatment and were lower in the Alc.-Tec and Alc.-Kai group than in the Alcohol group. Decreased serum HDL-cholesterol by alcohol treatment was recovered by tectorigenin and kaikasaponin III. Microsomal cytochrome P-450, aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine N-demethylase activities were increased by ethanol and were lower in the Alc. Tec and Alc.-Kai group than in the Alcohol group. Activity of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase was increased by ethanol and was higher in the Alc.-Tec and Alc.-Kai group than in the Alcohol group. Microsomal ethanol oxidizing system activity was higher in Alc.-Tec group than in the other group. No significant difference was found in catalase activity among treatment groups. These data indicate that tectorigenin and kaikasaponin III were effected alcohol metabolic enzyme system and the liver damage associated with chronic ethanol consumption.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.710-718
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• 2002

It is reported that Pueraria Radix contains phtoestrogens whereas flower, and bud of Pueraria lobata Ohwi were not known. In the present study, we determined the amount of phytoestrogen in each portion of P. lobata Ohwi and carried out therapeutic effects of osteoporosis. The amounts of genistein, daidzein, and formononetin in Pueraria Radix (PR), Pueraria Flos (PF), and young Pueratia Folium (PL) were quantitated using a HPLC system. Proliferation of osteoblast and growth inhibitory effect on osteoclast were measured in order to screen their effects on osteoporosis. Proliferation of osteoblast-like cells (Saos-2) was analyzed by both MTT methods and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays. Growth inhibitory effect on osteoclast was also detected as Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assay. Ovariectomized rat as an in vivo animal model was selected and administrations of PR were 1 g/kg/day (PR-1) and 5 g/kg/day (PR-5) for 9 weeks, respectively. Trabecular bone areas (TBAs) of tibia and lumbar were analyzed usibg histomorphological methods. Results show that PR contains the highest level of daidzein ($10435{\pm}2143\;mg/kg$ of dried herb) and stimulated ALP activity, approximately 160% of the control. Growth inhibitory effect on osteoclast by both PR and daidzein were almost identical with control although $IC_{50}$ of genistein was $5.81{\times}10^{-7}$ M. Increases in body weight of OVX rats were suppressed by administration of PR but wet weights of uterus in PR-5 group were increased (p<0.05). Plasma ALP and HDL-cholesterol levels were decreased following ages (p<0.01), and LDL-cholesterol level was also decreased in PR-5 group at 20 week of age (p<0.01). TBAs of tibia and lumbar in PR-1 and PR-5 groups were higher than those of the control although the values were less than those of the sham group (each p<0.01) In conclusion, administrations of PR prevented loss of TBAs of tibia and lumber in OVX rats, while PL and PF did not (p<0.01).

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.549-553
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• 1995

Ethanol concentration in blood, brain and liver of rats was shown to be effectively lowered by arrowroot flower extract. The lowering effect for ethanol concentration in blood was maximum when measured after 1 hour from ethanol feeding. Hot water extract was more effective than 80% ethanol extract. The treatment of extract at 10 min. before ethanol feeding gave a better result than that at 10 min after or 1 hour before ethanol feeding. The ethanol concentration in brain and liver was lowered as found in the blood ethanol concentration. Acetaldehyde was not detected either in blood or the tissues. The optimal amount of the Puerariae flos was 55.7 mg/kg body weight. The newly developed analytical method using dichloromethane as extracting solvent was proven to be very effective in terms of speed and simplicity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.278-290
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hangover relieving effect of HO-series. HO-S1 is an herbal mixture, which consists of extracts from Flower of Pueraria lobata Ohwi, Glycyrrhiza glabra Linné, Fruit of Lycium chinense Miller, Poria cocos Wolf, Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Seeman, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Atractylodes lancea De Candlle and Zingiber officinale Roscoe. HO-S2 is a candidate that has been performed to ultra filtration based on HO-S1. HO-S3 is a mixture of amino acids and vitamins based on HO-S2. HO-01 is the final beverage base produced based on HO-S3. The antioxidant activity of HO-series was similar to that of vitamin C or trolox. The production of t-BHP induced reactive oxygen species(ROS) was significantly blocked in the presence of HO-series. In vivo study, AUC of alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations in HO-S2 and HO-S3 treated groups significantly decreased. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) activity were significantly higher in HO-S2 and HO-S3 treated groups. And 2E1 activity and glutathione were significantly elevated, while the malondialdehyde level was not significantly in liver tissue. After alcohol exposure, the sensitivity scores of blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentration and hangover symptoms were significantly decreased in the HO-01 intake group compared with the non-intake group. ALDH activity was significantly increased in the HO-01 intake group. HO-series have antioxidant activity and a protective effect from ROS. HO-S2, HO-S3 and HO-01 are potentially highly beneficial in relieving hangover, as it scavenges reactive free radicals and boosts the endogenous antioxidant system.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.438-446
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• 2022

Some flowers have a high sensual appeal owing to their unique shape, color, smell, and taste and have been used as functional food and oriental medicine. Recently, edible dry flowers (EDFs) have attracted social attention as noble sources of functional teas. In this study, for the risk assessment of EDFs, pathogenic bacteria, heavy metals, and pesticide residues were monitored in 23 types of commercial EDF. No Enterobacteria spp. and Listeria spp. were found in all EDF products. However, common aerobic bacteria (3.24~3.85 Log CFU/g) were found in EDF, namely, Pueraria lobata, Chamaemelum nobile, Acacia decurrens, Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz, Oenothera lamarckiana, Brassica napus, and Prunus serrulata. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 11 and Salmonella sp. was found in 8 of the 23 EDFs. Considering the cold extraction of EDF for tea and beverages, the regulation of pathogenic bacteria in EDFs is necessary. No heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and As were found in all EDFs, except the dry flower of Hemerocallis fulva, which contained Pb at 0.08 ppm. Different pesticides and fungicides were found in EDFs, but their concentrations were very low (0.01~0.08 ppm) and below the maximal residue level. Only the dry flower of Chrysanthemum morifolium had a high content of chlorpyrifos (0.215 ppm), which is long-lasting pesticide. Our results suggest that the establishment of EDF regulations for pesticide residue, culture separation between edible and garden flowers, and guidelines for preventing pathogenic microbial contamination are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.578-584
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the potential of 70% ethanol extracts from wild edible plants (Pueraria lobata sprout, Rosa multiflora sprout, Artemisia princeps leaf, Diospyros kaki leaf, Morus alba leaf, Robinia pseudoacacia flower, Inula britannica var. japonica flower), as natural antioxidants. The antioxidant contents and activities of extracts were examined using various methods. The measurements of total polyphenol content revealed that Rosa multiflora sprout extract had the highest value and total flavonoid content showed that Diospyros kaki leaf extract had the highest value. Antioxidant activities were the highest in Rosa multiflora sprout for DPPH (IC₅₀ 232.52 ㎍/mL), ABTS⁺ (IC₅₀ 470.10 ㎍/mL), superoxide^- (IC₅₀ 431.88 ㎍/mL), nitrite (IC₅₀ 363.38 ㎍/mL) scavenging activity, and reducing power (2.47 O.D.). These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of Rosa multiflora sprout is a potential source of natural antioxidants.