• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.545-555
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• 2015

Oxyresveratrol (trans-2,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxystilbene) has been receiving increasing attention because of its astonishing biological activities, including antihyperlipidemic, neuroprotection, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiinflammation, immunomodulation, antiaging, and antioxidant activities. Oxyresveratrol is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol and a phytoalexin produced in the roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of several plants. It was first isolated from the heartwood of Artocarpus lakoocha, and has also been found in various plants, including Smilax china, Morus alba, Varatrum nigrum, Scirpus maritinus, and Maclura pomifera. Oxyresveratrol, an aglycone of mulberroside A, has been produced by microbial biotransformation or enzymatic hydrolysis of a glycosylated stilbene mulberroside A, which is one of the major compounds of the roots of M. alba. Oxyresveratrol shows less cytotoxicity, better antioxidant activity and polarity, and higher cell permeability and bioavailability than resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a well-known antioxidant, suggesting that oxyresveratrol might be a potential candidate for use in health functional food and medicine. This review focuses on the plant sources, chemical characteristics, analysis, biosynthesis, and biological activities of oxyresveratrol as well as describes the perspectives on further exploration of oxyresveratrol.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.401-414
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• 2013

Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) contained only in red ginseng has been found to show various pharmacological effects such as an anticancer, antiangiogenetic, antimetastastic, liver protective, neuroprotective immunomodulating, vasorelaxative, antidiabetic, insulin secretion promoting and antioxidant activities. It is well known that G-Rg3 could be divided into 20(R)-Rg3 and 20(S)-Rg3 according to the hydroxyl group attached to C-20 of aglycone, whose structural characteristics show different pharmacological activities. It has been reported that G-Rg3 is metabolized to G-Rh2 and protopanaxadiol by the conditions of the gastric acid or intestinal bacteria, thereby these metabolites could be absorbed, suggesting its absolute bioavailability (2.63%) to be very low. Therefore, we reviewed the chemical, physical and biological transformation methods for the production on a large scale of G-Rg3 with various pharmacological effects. We also examined the influence of acid and heat treatment-induced potentials on for the preparation method of higher G-Rg3 content in ginseng and ginseng products. Futhermore, the microbial and enzymatic bio-conversion technologies could be more efficient in terms of high selectivity, efficiency and productivity. The present review discusses the available technologies for G-Rg3 production on a large scale using chemical and biological transformation.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 1998

Lovastatin, one of the potent cholesterol-lowering agents, is an inactive lactone prodrug which is metabolized to its active open acid, lovastatin acid (LVA). Bioequivalence study of two lovastatin preparations, the test drug ($Mevacor^{\circledR}$: Chungwae Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and the reference drug ($Lovaload^{\circledR}$: Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), was conducted according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Fourteen healthy male volunteers, $23.9{\pm}3.9$ years old and $67.6{\pm}8.0$ kg of body weight in average, were divided randomly into two groups and administered the drug orally at the dose of 160 mg as lovastatin in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study. Plasma concentrations of lovastatin acid were analysed by HPLC method for 12 hr after administration. The extent of bioavailability was obtained from the plasma concentration-time profiles of total lovastatin acid after alkaline hydrolysis of the plasma samples. By alkaline hydrolysis, trace amounts of unmetabolized lovastatin were converted to lovastatin acid. The $AUC_{0-12hr}$ was calculated by the linear trapezoidal rule method. The $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were compiled directly from the plasma drug concentration-time data. Student's t-test indicated no significant differences between the formulations in these parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there were no differences in AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$ between the formulations. The apparent differences between the formulations were far less than 20% (e.g., 7.07, 5.77 and 1.18% for AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively). Minimum detectable differences(%) between the formulations at ${\alpha}=0.05$ and $1-{\beta}=0.8$ were less than 20% (e.g., 17.2, 15.1, and 15.9% for AUC, Cmax, and Tmax, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals for these parameters were also within ${\pm}20%$ (e.g.. $-5.20{\sim}19.3$, $-5.00{\sim}16.5$, and $-10.2{\sim}12.5%$ for AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively). These results satisfied the bioequivalence criteria of KFDA guidelines, indicating that the two formulations of lovastatin were bioequivalent.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2003

Phytoestrogens, especially soy-derived isoflavones, are receiving great scrutiny as a food supplement for preventing hormone dependent disease such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. Their beneficial effects are derived from aglycone form of isoflavones, such as daidzein, genistein or glycitein. In contrast to the common usage of soybean, black bean (Rhynchosia Molubilis : Yak-kong) has been used as a supplement for preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis in oriental medicine. To investigate the effects of the saliva, artificial stomach fluid, and digestive enzymes on the conversion of glycosidic isoflavone to aglycone form, soybean and black bean were extracted with 70% methanol and freeze-dried. The recovery yield of methanol extracts of black bean was 14.1% which was higher than that of soybean, 13.5%. In terms of total isoflavones, we routinely obtained larger amount of isoflavones from black bean than those from soybean. By incubating methanol extracts of soybean and black bean with IN HCI for 180 min, the proportions of aglycones relative to the total isoflavone were significantly increased (32.4% and 52.4%, respectively). In vitro conversion, digestive enzymes ($\beta$-glucosidase and $\alpha$-glucosidase) may hydrolyze glycosidic bond of isoflavone more effectively than saliva or artificial stomach fluid did. It seems to say that the activity of $\beta$-glucosidase was higher than those of $\alpha$-glucosidase. The rate of conversion of glucoside form to aglycone form in black bean and soybean was low in physiological condition (pH) tested, although the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucoside was active. These results demonstrated that the composition of aglycone in food may be the important factors in terms of the bioavailability of isoflavones. (Korean J Nutrition 36(1): 32-39, 2003)

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.655-658
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• 2011

The possible application of Lactobacillus spp. as a functional starter culture to ferment galgeuntang (GT) and to produce bioactive isoflavone (daidzein) was investigated. Lactobacillus casei KFRI 127, L. plantarum KFRI 144, L. bulgaricus KFRI 344 were used for GT fermentation. Acid development and quantification of isoflavones using high-performance liquid chromatography were performed after fermentation at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 48 h. All the tested Lactobacillus spp. lowered pH to about 3.8 in 48 h and L. plantarum KFRI 144 exhibited 89.9% hydrolysis rate of daidzin (79.1-8.0 ${\mu}g$/mL) during fermentation. The content of daidzein in GT fermented with L. plantarum KFRI 144 was increased by 6.6-fold (3.6-23.9 ${\mu}g/mL$). These results demonstrate that L. plantarum KFRI 144 has potential as functional starter culture for manufacturing fermented GT with higher isoflavone bioavailability.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1224-1229
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• 2012

Puerarin (P), an isoflavone derived from kudzu roots, has strong biological activities, but its bioavailability is often limited by its low water solubility. To increase its solubility, P was glucosylated by three dextransucrases from Leuconostoc or Streptococcus species. Leuconostoc lactis EG001 dextransucrase exhibited the highest productivity of puerarin glucosides (P-Gs) among the three tested enzymes, and it primarily produced two P-Gs with a 53% yield. Their structures were identified as ${\alpha}$-$_D$-glucosyl-($1{\rightarrow}6$)-P (P-G) by using LC-MS or $^1H$- or $^{13}C$-NMR spectroscopies and ${\alpha}$-$_D$-isomaltosyl-($1{\rightarrow}6$)-P (P-IG2) by using specific enzymatic hydrolysis, and their solubilities were 15- and 202-fold higher than that of P, respectively. P-G and P-IG2 are easily applicable in the food and pharmaceutical industries as alternative functional materials.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.248-254
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• 2011

Biotransformation of pharmacologically inactive lactone prodrug simvastatin (SV) into pharmacologically active simvastatin ${\beta}$-hydroxy acid (SVA) exhibits inter-species differences due to variations in amount and activity of esterase enzymes. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of SV and its metabolite SVA following oral doses of SV from controlled-release (CR) tablets and immediate-release (IR) tablets in rodent and canine animal models that features different esterase activity. In rat PK study, no SV was detected in plasma for both formulations due to rapid hydrolysis of SV into SVA by plasma esterase. Besides, no significant differences in PK parameters of SV or SVA were observed between both species. In dog PK study, the relative oral bioavailability of CR tablets in terms of SV was 72.3% compared to IR tablets. Regarding formulation differences in dogs, CR tablets exhibited significantly lower $C_{max}$ (p<0.05), and higher $T_{max}$ (p<0.01) and MRT (p<0.01) for both SV and SVA compared to IR tablets. Accordingly, CR tablets of SV with prolonged drug release profiles in both species might be a potential candidate for a more effective delivery of SV with reduced side effects. Besides, similar PK parameters of SV and SVA in both species despite variation in enzyme activities suggested involvement of equally potent biotransformation pathways in these animal species.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 1998

In order to elucidate the effect of N-demethylation on the in vivo metabolite kinetics, especially hepatic first-pass effect of trimebutine(TMB), the N-demethylation of TMB to N-monodesmethyl trimebutine(N-TMB) was studied in rats. TMB(10 mg/kg) and N-TMB(10 mg/kg) were injected into the femoral and the portal vein, respectively. And the pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained from the plasma concentration-time profiles of TMB and N-TMB determined by the simultaneous analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography. It was supposed that these drugs were almost metabolized in vivo because the urinary and biliary excreated amounts of TMB and N-TMB were lower than 0.1% of the administered dose. According to the hepatic biotransformation model and metabolic pathways of TMB proposed, it was found that the fraction of systemic clearance of TMB which formed N-TMB in liver$(G_{mi})$ was 0.826, that of TMB which furnishes the available N-TMB to the systemic circulation$(F_{mi})$ was 0.083, and the absolute hepatic bioavailability of N-TMB formed trom TMB$(F_{mi.p})$ was 0.1. These results showed that TMB was suspected of the sequential hepatic first-pass metabolism and N-demethylated by 82.6%. Therefore, the residue would be hydrolyzed by the esterase in the liver. That is, the ability of N-demethylation of TMB was 4.75-fold larger than that of hydrolysis by the esterase in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 1990

Enalapril maleate tablets of two different producers were tested for bioequivalence. Enalapril is rapidly metabolized to an active metabolite, enalaprilat which inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). The pharmacokinetics of enalapril maleate and the time course of inhibition of plasma ACE activity after administration of the drugs were studied. Two single doses of 10mg each of enalapril maleate were administered orally to twelve male volunteers in a balanced, randomized, two-way crossover investigation. Plasma enalaprilat concentrations were determined over a 23-hour after the dose by enzyme inhibition assay and enalapril by the same method following in vitro hydrolysis. Urinary recoveries of enalapril and enalaprilat were determined for the calculation of renal clearance. Plasma ACE activity was determined by an enzyme assay. Peak plasma levels of enalapril were observed about 1 hour after the doses, and practically all enalapril had disappeared from plasma within 6 hour. Peak enalapril concentrations of both formulations were almost identical ($Vasotec^{\circledR}$, 61.38 ng/ml; $Beartec^{\circledR}$, 64.27 ng/ml). The values of the pharmacokinetic parameters of enalaprilat computed for $Vasotec^{\circledR}$ and $Beartec^{\circledR}$ tablets are presented in that order; area under the curve=330.63:320.96 $ng{\cdot}hr/ml$; peak concentration=38.63:39.43 ng/ml; time to peak=3.83:4.08 hour; elimination half-life=3.95:3.92 hours. No statistically significant difference was detected when area under the curve and all other parameters were compared. Using criteria of 95% confidence interval for the comparison of these parameters, only the upper limits of area under the curve and time to peak of enalapril were over 120%. All the parameters of enalaprilat were acceptable. Percent inhibition of plasma ACE to plasma enalaprilat concentration showed the sigmoid concentration-inhibition relationship. Time courses of plasma ACE inhibition after the administration of both formulations were quite similar. The formulations were found to be equivalent when compared on the premise that no significant difference was detected when pharmacokientic parameters and inhibition of ACE activity were compared, based on the confidence limits analysis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.149-159
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• 1998

To utilize the oyster shell containing a lot of calcium, we investigated the bioavailability of calcium compounds from oyster shell. First, calcium oxide was prepared by burning of oyster shell at $1200^{\circ}C$. Its purity was approximately $98.5\%$. Calcium compounds, $CaCl_2$, and $CaHPO_4$, from the calcium oxide were prepared by chemical reaction. Effect on calcium absorption by the calcium compounds from oyster shell was improved using fish skin gelatin peptides.(FSGP), which was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of fish skin gelatin for 4hr with tuna pyloric caeca crude enzyme (TPCCE). in vitro experiment, calcium absorption by addition of FSGP in a mixture solution of calcium and phosphate was higher approximately $70\%$ than that by control. in vivo using calcium deficient rats, a group taken the diets with $3\%$ FSGP and $CaHPO_4$ was significantly improved amount of calcium and ash in femur and strength of femur. These results suggest that calcium compounds from oyster shell and FSGP could be used as an effective dietary calcium source.