• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2014

Laurus nobilis (L. nobilis) is traditionally used as an herbal medicine to treat various diseases. Ethanol (EtOH) consumption entails physiological, mental and psychomotor alterations. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of L. nobilis in attenuating the EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations. L. nobilis was administered to SD rats, 30 minutes before EtOH administration (4 g/kg), at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. Evaluations of psychomotor activity in the open-field, accelerating rota-rod, wire, and swimming ability were done at 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours after EtOH administration. In addition, blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels were also measured. Pre-treatment of L. nobilis significantly improved EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations and decreased blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels. These findings suggest that L. nobilis might be an effective substance to attenuate the harmful effects of EtOH, particularly psychomotor alterations, and can potentially be considered as a functional food.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2016

Cyanidin-$3{\beta}$-D-glycoside (C3G), which is widely distributed in herbal medicines and functional foods, exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-scratching behavioral effects. Orally administered C3G is metabolized to protocatechuic acid (PA) by gut microbiota. Therefore, we compared the anti-colitic effect of C3G to that of PA in mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Orally administered C3G and PA preventively and curatively ameliorated TNBS-induced colitis parameters, including macroscopic colitis score, colon shortening, and increase of myeloperoxidase activity. Treatment with C3G or PA also inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible NO synthatase, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ and the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in the colon of mice with TNBS-induced colitis. Furthermore, these also inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression in peritoneal macrophages. The anti-colitic effect of PA was more effective than C3G. Orally administered PA more potently attenuate colitis than C3G by inhibiting $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and the anti-colitic efficacy of C3G may be dependent on the biotransformation of C3G to PA by gut microbiota.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.51-55
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was finding out the daily dose of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Aconiti Lateralis Radix in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases.Methods : In order to estimate the daily dose of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Aconiti Lateralis Radix, I researched Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, Synopsis of Prescription of the Golden Chamber, Korean Pharmacoepia 10 and Science of Contemporary Chinese Medicine Product.Results : Daily doses of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata are 1, 2, or 3 pieces and those amount are respectively 1, 2, or 3 Ryang. Common dose of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata is 1 piece, Maximum Dose of it is 3 Pieces and that corresponds with dose of dried herb in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases. Consider from Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier, the dose of it in Buja-tang and Whyunmu-tang is 3 Ryang. 1 Ryang corresponds with 6.5 g. Aconiti Lateralis Radix is dried without baking so its weight is equal to Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata. Daily doses of Aconiti Lateralis Radix are 1 piece or 1 big piece and those amount are respectively 3 or 6 Ryang. Common dose of it is 1 piece.Conclusions : From this study, in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, Daily Doses of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata are 1, 2, or 3 pieces(19.5 g, 39 g or 52 g), and that of Aconiti Lateralis Radix are 1 piece or 1 big piece(19.5 g, 39 g). Common Dose of two Herbal Medicine is 19.5 g.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.25-33
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• 2017

This study was to investigate the effects of enzyme on quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of wild peach (Prunus persica L.) juice. pH levels and S.S (soluble solid) values in all samples ranged from 3.86 to 4.13 and from 48.0 to $55.0^{\circ}Brix$, respectively. The TA (total acidity) values of control (not treatment enzyme) were higher than those of the others. The highest 'L', 'a' and 'b' values were observed on PWP (preserved wild peach (Prunus persica L.) juice of cellulase/pectinase (1:1, w/w) sample. Glucose (26.65 g/100 g) and fructose (17.42 g/100 g) in PWP product were determined, however sucrose and maltose were not detected. The predominating organic acid components analyzed in PWP sample were tartaric (32.36 g/100 g) and lactc acids (209.34 g/100 g), whereas citric acid, acetic acid and malic acid were not detected. Higher scores for taste, flavor, color and overall acceptance were found for PWP products compared to other samples. The total phenolic content (13.31 mg GAE/mg dry weight) analyzed using Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent, of PWP sample was higher than those of the others and the total flavonoid concentrations were also 10.95 mg CE/mg dry weight. The DPPH radical scavenging and ABTS radical scavenging activities in all samples ranged from 55.16 to 74.29% and from 39.59 to 82.79%, respectively. The antioxidant activities were affected by addition of enzyme. These results indicate that the use of the mixture of cellulase and pectinase could increase the quality, and antioxidant potentials of sugar preserved wild peach (Prunus persica L.) juice by enzymatic treatment.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2003

Anti-diabetic effect of various fractions of Cordyceps militaris (CM), CCCA (crude cordycepin containing adenosine), CMESS (ethanol soluble supernatant), and cordycepin were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice, CMESS showed potent inhibitory activity of 34.7% in starch-loaded mice (2 g/kg) while acarbose as a positive standard exhibited 37.8% of inhibition rate. After 3 days administration (50 mg/kg), cordycepin (0.2 mg/kg), and acarbose (10 mg/kg) dramatically reduced blood glucose level (inhibition ratio: 46.9%, 48.4% and 37.5% respectively). CCCA that has high contents of cordycepin (0.656 mg/4 mg) did not influence on reducing blood glucose level. The proliferation of splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages derived from STZ-induced diabetic mice administered samples were evaluated out by addition of mitogens to see the stability of the usage of these herbal medicines. Proliferation of T-lymphocyte was significantly decreased; while NO production was increased more than two fold to STZ control in the cordycepin-administered group. Changes of serum enzyme levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were also evaluated. Cordycepin administered group was appeared to acarbose. We conclude that CMESS and cordycepin may be useful tools in the control of blood glucose level in diabetes and promising new drug as an anti-hyperglycemic agent without defects of immune responses and other side effects.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2007

Fresh unripe whole fruits of Luffa tuberosa (Roxb.) or Momordica tuberosa (Roxb.) Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae) were evaluated for the antidiabetic and hyperlipidemic potential in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by administration of intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 55 mg/kg body weight. After the induction of diabetes aqueous extract of L.tuberosa (AELT) was administered orally at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. body weight/day for a period of 14 days. The Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, serum insulin levels, changes in body weight, food and liquid intake were measured. In diabetic rats, the AELT exhibited significant reduction in blood glucose levels. Biochemical assay of plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), glycogen content and glucose-6-phosphatase activity in liver were assessed. Antihyperlipidemia in diabetic rats after the extract supplementation was confirmed by significant reduction in the levels of above mentioned hyperlipidemic indicators. This study focus on the efficacy of L.tuberosa fruits for the management of experimental STZ induced diabetic rats and provides the scientific basis of ancient herbal therapy and use of these fruits as vegetable.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.287-293
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• 2013

Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale), an oriental herbal medicine, has been shown to favorably affect choleretic, antioxidative and protection of gastric mucosa. The protective effects of common dandelion leaf and root extract were investigated by irradiation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male SD rats, 6weeks, were orally injected with dandelion extract(100mg/kg) for 10days. Immediately after final injection, rats were whole body irradiated with 10Gy used irradiation facility(Elekta Linac, Sweden). At 24h-15days after irradiation, complete blood counted test and apoptosis in jejunal crypt cell. Stimulated recovery by the extract was observed in platelet but was not showed in the erythrocyte and leucocyte. The jejunal crypt cells were protected significantly(p<0.05) and the radiation-induced apoptosis was reduced(p<0.05). The survival rate were carried for 15days, the survival ratio was 15% and 85% for the control and experimental group. Observations intestinal inhibition of cell death, intestinal mucosa and tissue decreased systemic inflammation and vacuole. Base on these data, we propose that dandelion may be a useful radioprotector, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.1066-1071
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• 2012

In this study we investigated the change in antigenicity and allergenicity of Meju, a traditional Korean soybean product, by fermentation via 3 different microorganisms. The steamed soybeans were fermented with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and/or Aspergillus oryzae and/or Bacillus subtilis. Proteins in soybean were degraded after fermentation. Antigenicity or allergenicity were analysed by immunoblotting and ELISA using soybean protein-specific polyclonal antibodies or soybean allergic patient sera. The best degradation was achieved by three step fermentation using nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IFO12007, A. oryzae and B. subtilis. Allergenicity and antigenicity were also starkly reduced after three step fermentation. The three-step fermentation method developed in our lab suggests an excellent alternative to reduce the allergenicity of soybeans.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.63-68
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• 2015

Objectives : We applied the term weighting method used in the field of data search to quantify relevancy between symptoms and medicinal herbs, and, based on this, we aim to introduce a method of visualizing the characteristics of medicinal herbs. Methods ： We proposed HF-IFF, an adaptation of TF-IDF, which is a term weighting measurement method adapted in the field of data search. Using this method, we deduced relevancy between symptoms and medicinal herbs In Cheongkangeuigam that was published in 1984 by organizing the medical theory of Cheongkang, Kim Younghoon, and visualized this as a graph in order to compare the characteristics of medicinal herbs used for different symptoms. Results ： HF-IFF is the product of HF and IFF, where HF is the frequency of the relevant medicinal herb for a set of symptoms, and IFF is the inverse of the number of formulations (FF) containing that herb. A total of 251 types of medicinal herb are used in Cheongkangeuigam, and 1538 formulations are classified according to 67 types of symptom. The overall mean for HF-IFF was 0.491, with a maximum of 4.566 and a minimum of 0.013. Conclusions ： In spite of several limitations, we were able to use HF-IFF to measure relevancy between symptoms and medicinal herbs, with formulations as an intermediate. We were able to use the quantified results to visually express the characteristics of the herbs used for symptoms by bubble chart and word-cloud from HF-IFF.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2015

To understand the metabolism of flavonoid rhamnoglycosides by human intestinal microbiota, we measured the metabolic activity of rutin and poncirin (distributed in many functional foods and herbal medicine) by 100 human stool specimens. The average α-L-rhamnosidase activities on the p-nitrophenyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, rutin, and poncirin subtrates were 0.10 ± 0.07, 0.25 ± 0.08, and 0.15 ± 0.09 pmol/min/mg, respectively. To investigate the enzymatic properties, α-L-rhamnosidase-producing bacteria were isolated from the specimens, and the α-L-rhamnosidase gene was cloned from a selected organism, Bifidobacterium dentium, and expressed in E. coli. The cloned α-L-rhamnosidase gene contained a 2,673 bp sequcence encoding 890 amino acid residues. The cloned gene was expressed using the pET 26b(+) vector in E. coli BL21, and the expressed enzyme was purified using Ni²⁺-NTA and Q-HP column chromatography. The specific activity of the purified α-L-rhamnosidase was 23.3 µmol/min/mg. Of the tested natural product constituents, the cloned α-L-rhamnosidase hydrolyzed rutin most potently, followed by poncirin, naringin, and ginsenoside Re. However, it was unable to hydrolyze quercitrin. This is the first report describing the cloning, expression, and characterization of α-L-rhamnosidase, a flavonoid rhamnoglycosidemetabolizing enzyme, from bifidobacteria. Based on these findings, the α-L-rhamnosidase of intestinal bacteria such as B. dentium seem to be more effective in hydrolyzing (1 →6) bonds than (1 →2) bonds of rhamnoglycosides, and may play an important role in the metabolism and pharmacological effect of rhamnoglycosides.