• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2010

The nutritional components, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of water and a 50% methanol extract from litchi fruit pericarp were investigated. The most abundant mineral, amino acid, and fatty acid were K, proline, and palmitic acid, respectively. In addition, the total water phenolics and 50% methanol extracts were 8.02 and 12.28 mg/g, respectively. The DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the water and 50% methanol extracts showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity. In a cell viability assay using MTT, almost all extracts showed a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity, and lactate dehydrogenase leakage was also inhibited by the pericarp extracts. In particular, the 50% methanol extract showed a higher cell membrane protective effect than the water extract at the highest concentration. Consequently, these data suggest that litchi fruit pericarp can be utilized as an effective and safe functional food substances for natural antioxidants and may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disorders.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.609-615
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• 2014

The cytoprotective effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. (drumstick tree) on neuronal cells was investigated to confirm the physiological benefits associated with this natural food resource. First, the drumstick tree extract was chemically analyzed to determine inherent nutritional constituents. Calcium and potassium were identified as the major mineral constituents, and palmitic acid (C16:0, 16.33%) and gadoleic acid (C20:01, 66.34%) were detected as the major fatty acids. Moreover, drumstick tree extract contained 94.78 mg/100 g vitamin E and 112.61 mg/100 g niacin. PC12 cells were used to study the cytoprotective effects of drumstick tree extract. Intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species was significantly reduced when $H_2O_2$ treated-neuronal cells were cultured in a medium containing the methanolic extract of drumstick tree, compared to cells treated with only $H_2O_2$. Cell viability assay using MTT showed that the extract protected cells against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity and inhibited LDH leakage from the cell membrane. Caspase assay showed that the extract exerted cytoprotective effect against apoptosis. Consequently, these data suggest that drumstick tree is a useful natural resource with positive effects on human health.