• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.701-707
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• 2007

Anti-diabetic effect of Platycodi radix (PR) extract fractions was determined if vitro by investigating insulin-like action, insulin sensitizing action, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, gene expression related to ${\beta}-cell$ function and mass, and ${\alpha}$-glucoamylase suppressing action. Insulin-like activity was not promoted by the treatment of PR methanol factions in 373-L1 fibroblast. However, treatment with 0, 20 and 100% PR methanol fractions along with 1 ng/mL insulin increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 373-L1 adipocytes. In addition, the treatment of 0% and 100% methanol fractions along with differentiation inducers significantly increased the differentiation of 373-L1 fibroblasts to adipocytes. These fractions may contain insulin sensitizer. The 20%, 80% and 100% methanol fractions enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in Min6 cells, insulin secreting cell line. This was related to the mechanism to promote glucose sensing and ${\beta}-cell$ proliferation, which was regulated by the induction of IRS-2, glucokinase and PDX-1 genes. As expected, 20, 80 and 100% methanol fractions increased mRNA levels of IRS-2, glucokinase and PDX-1 genes. However, PR fractions did not affect the ${\alpha}-glucoamylase$ activity in vitro. These data suggested that PR extract fractions have anti-diabetic actions through improving insulin sensitization, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and ${\beta}-cell$ proliferation. Therefore, PR extracts can be beneficial for anti-diabetic treatment in lean diabetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2017

Salvia plebeia R. Br. (Lamiaceae) has been used in folk medicines in Asian countries, including Korea and China, to treat inflammatory diseases. The focus of our research was on the anti-adipogenic activity of ethanol extract from Salvia plebeia R. Br. (SPE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study investigated inhibition of differentiation and lipogenesis upon SPE treatment in 3T3-L1 cells. The results reveal that SPE at non-cytotoxic concentration significantly suppressed triglyceride accumulation and reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein as adipogenic transcription factors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to non-treated control cells. Inducible phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, and hormone-sensitive lipase as well as carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 mRNA expression increased upon SPE treatment, which suppressed expression of fatty acid synthase. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SPE can inhibit expression of adipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our study suggests that SPE has potential anti-obesity effects and is a novel therapeutic functional agent with anti-adipogenic activity via reduction of lipogenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1330-1338
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• 2012

Solvent extracts of Theobroma cacao L. (TCL) were investigated for anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in order to consider TCL as a functional ingredient for cosmetic products. TCL(A) extract was fractioned according to polarity with $CHCl_3$, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and water. Following TCL(A) fractionation, the electron-donating ability of the n-BuOH and EtOAc solvent fractions (each 100 ${\mu}g/ml$) was about 76.2% and 53.9%, respectively. The superoxide anion radical inhibitory effect of the n-BuOH and EtOAc solvent fractions (each 50 ${\mu}g/ml$) was about 76.09% and 51.4%, respectively. Results of lipid oxidation showed that $Fe^{2+}$ had a greater chelating effect than $Cu^{2+}$. The $Fe^{2+}$ chelating effect of the EtOAc solvent fraction (50 ${\mu}g/ml$) was about 64%. Hyaluronidase inhibition related to the anti-inflammatory effect was 53.0% with EtOAc at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, while the lipoxygenase inhibitory effect was about 51.32% at 10 ${\mu}g/ml$. The anti-inflammatory activity in the EtOAc fraction inhibited the generation of nitric oxide. Results also showed that iNOS protein expression increased in RAW264.7 cells. In contrast, at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ EtOAc, iNOS and COX-2 protein expression significantly decreased in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.401-412
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an oriental herbal preparation obtained from Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). To expand our understanding of the action of KRG on central nervous system (CNS) function, we examined the effects of KRG on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in rat primary astrocytes. KRG extract was treated in cultured rat primary astrocytes and neuron in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL and the expression of functional tPA/PAI-1 was examined by casein zymography, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KRG extracts increased PAI-1 expression in rat primary astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner (0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL) without affecting the expression of tPA itself. Treatment of 1.0 mg/mL KRG increased PAI-1 protein expression in rat primary astrocytes to $319.3{\pm}65.9%$ as compared with control. The increased PAI-1 expression mediated the overall decrease in tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Due to the lack of PAI-1 expression in neuron, KRG did not affect tPA activity in neuron. KRG treatment induced a concentration dependent activation of PI3K, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK in rat primary astrocytes and treatment of PI3K or MAPK inhibitors such as LY294002, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125 (10 ${\mu}M$ each), significantly inhibited 1.0 mg/mL KRG-induced expression of PAI-1 and down-regulation of tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Furthermore, compound K but not other ginsenosides such as Rb1 and Rg1 induced PAI-1 expression. KRG-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 in astrocytes may play important role in the regulation of overall tPA activity in brain, which might underlie some of the beneficial effects of KRG on CNS such as neuroprotection in ischemia and brain damaging condition as well as prevention or recovery from addiction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.118-122
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• 2003

Oxidative stress and its consequent lipid peroxidation exert harmful effects, which have been currently involved in the generation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced fibrosis(cirrhosis). In this study, it was investigated whether dried extract of 田螺(Concha Cipangopaludinae; CC) has liver functional improvement, antioxidative and antifibrotic effect in rats those were induced liver fibrosis by CCl₄ administration. The female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups(Normal, AC, AC-CC) and were observed in 6 weeks. Except for normal group, liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) in rats were developed by CCl₄ administration(0.8 ㎖/rat/week). And the rats were treated with prepared CC(p. o. 2 ㎖/day/rat). At the time of sacrifice, the liver, kidney and spleen were weighed and the ratio of organ weight/body weight was calculated. The MDA, hyp and biochemical parameters(AST, ALT, ALP, t-bili) were measured in sera and liver tissue of rats. The strong yellow color of urine was observed in all CCl₄-treated group compared with normal group, but jaundice didn't appear in CCl₄-treated group. The mortality of CCl₄-treated group is very low(<13%) during 6 weeks of observation time. The ratio of liver/body as well as the weight of liver in CCl₄-treated rats significantly increased compared with that in normal group(p<0.001). The level of clinical parameters in sera of all liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) developed rats were significantly higher than that of normal group(p<0.001-0.05). Especially the value of BUN, ALP, t-bilirubin in AC-CC group showed 20.9%, 19.6%, 47.9% lower than that in AC group. The content of hyp in CCl₄-treated rats was significantly higher than normal group(p<0.001～<0.05), and showed 12.2% lower value in the AC-CC group than AC group(p<0.05). The production of lipid peroxidation(MDA) in sera and liver tissue significantly increased under the fibrotic(cirrhotic) condition(p<0.001～<0.05). Especially the MDA value of AC-CC group in sera significantly 46.5% decreased compared with that of AC group(p<0.05), and the MDA value of AC-CC in liver tissue showed 21.4% lower than that of AC group. Concha Cipangopaludinae can be improved hepatic function, and maybe have effect of liver protection, antioxidation and antifibrosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1386-1396
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum Platycodon grandiflorum root concentrate (PGRC, $65^{\circ}Brix$), fermented P. grandiflorum root extract by Lactobacillus plantarum (FPGRE, $2^{\circ}Brix$), and cactus Chounnyouncho extract (Cactus-E, $2^{\circ}Brix$) for preparation of PGRC stick product with FPGRE using response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental conditions were designed according to a central composite design with 20 experimental points, including three replicates for three independent variables such as amount of PGRC (8~12 g), FPGRE (0~20 g), and Cactus-E (0~20 g). The experimental data for the sensory evaluation and functional properties based on antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity were fitted with the quadratic model, and accuracy of equations was analyzed by ANOVA. For the responses, sensory and functional properties showed significant correlation with contents of three independent variables. The results indicate that addition of PGRC contributed to increased bitterness and acridity based on the sensory test and antimicrobial activity, addition of FPGRE contributed to increased antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity, and addition of Cactus-E contributed to increased fluidity based on the sensory test, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity. Based on the results of RSM, the optimum formulation of PGRC stick product was calculated as PGRC 8.456 g, FPGRE 20.00 g, and Cactus-Ex 20.00 g with minimal bitterness and acridity, as well as optimized fluidity, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2008

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the major cause of photoaging that causes skin wrinkling, roughness, dryness, laxity, and pigmentation. Recently, increasing efforts are being made to understand the relationship between foods and skin health. Ginsenosides are present in ginseng (Ginseng Radix Rubra) extract, and are known to have biomedical properties, such as, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated whether KTNG0345 prepared from red ginseng extracts delivered orally reduces skin wrinkling and ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced wrinkle formation in hairless mouse skin. KTNG0345 was administrated orally to the mice (5 times a week) during the period of UVB-irradiation (3 times a week) for 8 weeks at three different doses of 300 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg (w/v). UV doses were increased weekly by 1 MED (1MED = 75 $mJ/cm^2)$ up to 4 MED and then maintained at this level. After the 8-week administration period, it was found that orally administered KTNG0345 significantly inhibited UVB-induced wrinkle formation in a dose-dependent manner. Increases in skin thickness caused by UVB were prevented by KTNG0345. Moreover, it also significantly inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -13 and MMP-9 expressional inductions by UVB. In addition, KTNG0345 was observed to prevent UVB-induced water loss of epidermis in hairless mouse skin. Our results demonstrate that orally administered KTNG0345 has anti-wrinkling effects in hairless mouse skin, and suggest that dietary red ginseng and herbal mixture may be considered a functional beauty food for preventing UVB-induced skin wrinkles.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2011

Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng, is one of the oldest herbal medicines. It has a variety of physiological and pharmacological effects. Recently, we isolated a subset of glycolipoproteins that we designated gintonin, and demonstrated that it induced transient change in intracellular calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ in cells via G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway(s). The previous method for gintonin isolation included multiple steps using methanol, butanol, and other organic solvents. In the present study, we developed a much simple method for the preparation of gintonin from ginseng root using 80% ethanol extraction. The extracted fraction was designated edible gintonin. This method produced a high yield of gintonin (0.20%). The chemical characteristics of gintonin such as molecular weight and the composition of the extract product were almost identical as the gintonin prepared using the previous extraction regimen involving various organic solvents. We also examined the physiological effects of edible gintonin on endogenous $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^-$ channel activity of Xenopus oocytes. The 50% effective dose was $1.03{\pm}0.3\;{\mu}g$/mL. Finally, since gintonin preparation through ethanol extraction is easily reproducible, gintonin could be commercially applied for ginseng-derived functional health food and/or drug following the confirmations of in vitro and in vivo physiological and pharmacological effects of gintonin.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.233-238
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• 2008

This experiment was conducted to enhance the colored potatoes utilization and to determine the biological activity of colored potato extracts. In order to understand the factors responsible for the potent anti-oxidant ability of colored potatoes, it has been evaluated for anti-oxidative activity using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. 'Hongyoung' extract was significant anti-oxidant activities in ORAC assay. About two-fold higher radical absorbance capacity was found in 'Hongyoung' compared to that in 'Jayoung'. The ability of 80% ethanol extracts from colored potatoes to influence the inhibitory activity of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has also been investigated. The various therapeutic benefit claims in the new functional medicinal usage of colored potatoes ascribed to the phenolic compounds and anthocyanin. This result revealed that the extracts of colored potatoes are expected to be good candidate for development into sources of free radical scavenger or COX-2 inhibiting agents.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2015

Herbal plant extracts are good resources to find functional compounds for cosmetic ingredient. In this study, the extract of Areca semen (A. semen) was studied for melanogenesis inhibition and antioxidant activity. The results showed that ethyl acetate fraction of A. semen contained phenolic contents, $301.35{\pm}0.88{\mu}g/mg$, and exhibited potent antioxidant activity with $IC_{50}$ value of $1.02{\pm}0.07{\mu}g/mg$. Further, FRAP value exhibited potent antioxidant activity with $9.07{\pm}0.36mM$. Disk diffusion assay was performed for antibacterial activity. Ethyl acetate fraction of A. semen showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) at $80{\mu}g/mL$, whereas it showed no significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). The results of cell viability indicated that ethyl acetate fraction did not show cytotoxicity to B16/F1 cells at $80{\mu}g/mL$ and showed significant cytotoxicity at $100{\mu}g/mL$ of concentration and showed inhibition of melanin synthesis inhibitory, $29.78{\pm}0.31%$ at $80{\mu}g/mL$. Furthermore, mRNA expressions of tyrosinase and MITF were decreased after treatment with ethyl acetate fraction in a dose-dependent manner. As a result, the ethyl acetate fraction of A. semen could be considered as potential as whitening agents.