• Plant Biotechnology Reports
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2011

Tocopherols belong to the plant-derived poly phenolic compounds known for antioxidant functions in plants and animals. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) is a common reaction of plant cells in defense-related signal transduction pathways. We report a novel non-antioxidant function of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in higher plants linking the physiological role of tocopherol with stress signalling pathways. Pre-incubation of a low concentration of $50{\mu}M$ ${\alpha}$-tocopherol negatively interferes with MAPK activation in elicitor-treated tobacco BY2 suspension culture cells and wounded tobacco leaves, whereas pre-incubated BY2 cells with ${\alpha}$-tocopherol phosphate did not show the inhibitory effect on stimuli-induced MAPK activation. The decreased MAPK activity was neither due to a direct inhibitory effect of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol nor due to the induction of an inhibitory or inactivating activity directly affecting MAPK activity. The data support that the target of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol negatively regulates an upstream component of the signaling pathways that leads to stress dependent MAPK activation.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.287-297
• /
• 2024

It was confirmed that complex fermentation (CF) was more efficient than single-strain fermentations in inducing changes in the contents of phenolic compounds of Maclura tricuspidate and Pyrus Montana Nakai. A mixture of Maclura tricuspidata, Pyrus montana Nakai, Platycodon grandiflorum and Codonopsis lanceolata were fermented in CF using Aspergillus shirousamii (koji), yeast, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for 24 days, and the pH, °Brix, total acidity, anti-oxidant activity, polyphenol content, nitric oxide (NO), and Western blotting of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-𝛼 (TNF-𝛼) of the sample were determined. There was no significant change in pH and total acidity. °Brix significantly decreased from day 6 onwards. HPLC confirmed that the concentrations of chlorogenic acid, 4-hydrobenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and caffeic acid significantly increased from day 18 during the fermentation. Additionally, DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity, total phenol, and total flavonoid were confirmed to be increased until 18 days. NO was significantly inhibited from day 6, along with significant inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-a. In conclusion, this study confirmed that CF of low-use (or underutilized) wild vegetables enhances phenolic compounds. It effectively suppresses NO, iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-𝛼, markers of inflammation-related pathogenesis. Altogether, our results suggest that CF of the above plants has a potential anti-inflammatory effect.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.367-373
• /
• 2010

The study was established to compare fruit qualities and antioxidant compounds in 'Niitaka' pear (Pyrus pyriforia) trees grown in the organic and conventional farming systems. Fruits in the organic system appeared to have dark red color on the fruit surface. Fruit weight, soluble solids, acidity, firmness, and stone cells were not different between the farming systems. Organic fruits had a greater potassium concentration than the conventional fruits, but phosphorous, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in fruits were not different between the treatments. Peel, flesh, and juice parts in the organic fruits had greater phenolic compounds compared to the conventional fruits. Peel parts had much greater antioxidant compounds than the flesh parts, regardless of the treated-fruits. All fruits grown in the conventional and organic systems had a similar DPPH ($\alpha$, $\alpha$-diphenyl-$\beta$-picryl-hydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity in the peel, but flesh parts in organic fruits had a greater DPPH than the conventional fruits. Phenol and flavonoid compounds in the peel and flesh were positively related to the DPPH radical-scavenging activity. There were no significant differences for the nitrite scavenging activity in the peel and flesh parts between the treatments.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.431-439
• /
• 2009

Rice Oryza sativa accelerated cell death and resistance 1 (OsACDR1) encodes a putative Raf-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK). We had previously reported upregulation of the OsACDR1 transcript by a range of environmental stimuli involved in eliciting defense-related pathways. Here we apply biochemical, gain and loss-of-function approaches to characterize OsACDR1 function in rice. The OsACDR1 protein showed autophosphorylation and possessed kinase activity. Rice plants overexpressing OsACDR1 exhibited spontaneous hypersensitive response (HR)-like lesions on leaves, upregulation of defense-related marker genes and accumulation of phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites (phytoalexins). These transgenic plants also acquired enhanced resistance to a fungal pathogen (Magnaporthe grisea) and showed inhibition of appressorial penetration on the leaf surface. In contrast, loss-of-function and RNA silenced OsACDR1 rice mutant plants showed downregulation of defense-related marker genes expressions and susceptibility to M. grisea. Furthermore, transient expression of an OsACDR1:GFP fusion protein in rice protoplast and onion epidermal cells revealed its localization to the nucleus. These results indicate that OsACDR1 plays an important role in the positive regulation of disease resistance in rice.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.203-213
• /
• 1991

From 1986 to 1990, the fifty-three sites (shiros) of the five places known as an areas of the pine-mushroom production in Kyoung Sang Do were visited, investigating the biology or ecology of pine-mushrooms. Physical or ecological characteristics of the areas producing pine-mush­rooms was similar to those reported in Japan, but not similar to in this regardings; The ages of pine trees, the understory plant flora of the places producing the pine-mushrooms and the soil types. The areas of pine-mushroom productions are divided to two typical areas, the inland and coastal areas. Ecological differences between two areas were found, The understory plant flora and different soil types. Three kinds of soil were, by the naked eyes, were found from our observa­tions of Kyoung Sang Do, but not based on soil analysis. The pine-mushrooms observed in Kyoung Sang Do were related to the root of the pine trees, but not confirmed to be ectomycorrhizally related to the pine trees. The mycelia isolated form the different places were compared with the degradation of phenolic compounds and culture methods, but were not clearly distinguished. The productions of pine-mushroom and several methods for the pine mushroom were suggested under four years' observations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.43 no.11
• /
• pp.1701-1708
• /
• 2014

Phenolic compounds, physiological properties, and digestive enzyme inhibitory effect of 70% ethanol extracts from Aster scaber with different extraction methods (stirrer extraction, SE; reflux extraction, RE; autoclave extraction, AE; low temperature high pressure extraction, LTPE; ultrasonification extraction, USE) were investigated. Total polyphenols and flavonoids contents in LTPE were significantly higher than those of other extracts. The amount of substances related to cynarin (1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid) was highest in USE (34.34 mg/g), followed by LTPE (33.83 mg/g), RE (32.27 mg/g), AE (25.40 mg/g), and SE (18.17 mg/g). Chlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) and astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-glucopyranoside) were highest in AE and LTPE, respectively. Xanthine oxidase, angiotensin- I converting enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and acetylcholin esterase inhibitory activities of LTPE and USE at a concentration of 50 mg% (w/v) were somewhat higher than those of other extracts. The ${\alpha}$-amylase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, trypsin and lipase activities showed the same tendency as physiological properties (concentration of 500 mg%, w/v). Additionally, there was significantly higher or slightly lower inhibitory activity compared to the control group. These results suggest that extracts from Aster scaber have potential to act as functional materials, and LTPE and USE are superior for the enhancement of biological activity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2017

Objective : Nelumbo nucifera, its rhizome and semen have been used as a traditional medicine which was studied on antioxidant, hepatoprotective effect, anti-obesity and the others. However, Nelumbinis Flos have not studied. We investigated protective effects on oxidative DNA damage and anti-inflammatory effects of Nelumbinis Flos. Methods : The antioxidant activity was conducted by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2, 2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay. Total phenolic content was analyzed. Also, phenolic compounds were detected by HPLC/UV. The inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage was determined using ${\Phi}X-174$ RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay. The anti-inflammatory effect of Nelumbinis Flos was measured by the amount of nitric-oxide (NO) produced and protein levels of iNOS, and COX-2 in LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of extraction were $97.02{\pm}0.88%$ and $96.42{\pm}0.25%$. Reducing power (fold of L-ascorbic acid as control) was $100.14{\pm}0.31$ at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Total phenol content was $8.70{\pm}0.02mg/g$. Chlorogenic acid, catechin and epicatechin were found by HPLC. Nelumbinis Flos has inhibitory effect in dose-manner against oxidative DNA damage. In addition, it showed the anti-inflammatory effect by suppression of NO production as well as protein levels of iNOS, and COX-2. Conclusion : This study suggested that Nelumbinis Flos showed potential antioxidant and suppression activities of various factors were related in NO produced. Therefore, Nelumbinis Flos as natural plant resources that may help reduce inflammation and alleviate DNA damage.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 2000

Proton extrusion by hairy roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer was enhanced by iron-deficiency or single salt solutions of nitrate or ammonium salts. The enhancement effect of iron-deficiency was confined to the apical zones, whereas that of nitrate and ammonium was confined to the basal root zones. tinder iron-deficiency medium, the proton extrusion of ginseng hairy roots was higher at two times than that grown in the medium of iron-sufficiency. According to pH in the medium, uptake of inorganic elements showed various patterns for the kind of inorganic elements. $Ca^{2＋}$, $Mg^{2＋}$ and Fe$^{2＋}$ were highest uptake at the pH 4.8 and Mn$^{2＋}$, Zn$^{2＋}$ and Cu$^{2＋}$ were highest uptake at the pH 3.8. Free sugars and ginsenosides were analyzed by HPLC. Five kinds of free sugars were indentified in ginseng hairy roots. Glucose, fructose and sucrose were a major sugar in ginseng hairy roots and contents of free sugars were highest at pH 6.8 and pH 4.8, respectively. The contents of ginsenosides and phenolic compounds were highest at pH 5.8. This physiological responses in ginseng hairy root indicated that it may well be a good model system for the study of mechanism of mobilization and uptake of inorganic elements related with the red-colored phenomenon in ginseng roots.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.107-112
• /
• 2000

One of the physiologically important ginseng diseases is red-colored phenomena (RCP) that is caused by accumulation of red-colored substances on the epidermis of ginseng roots. Although RCP severely deteriorates the quality of ginseng products, there has been little information on what red-colored substance is and how RCP occurs. Therefore, the heavy losses of cultivators and ginseng industry are suffering by RCP, For this reason, we have investigated with the morphochernical characteristics of RCP to find out main cause of it. The red-colored substances (RS) on the epidermis of red-colored ginseng (RCG) were examined using inverted light microscope, confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM)and furier transform infrared (FT/IR) spectrometer. Red brown substances were accumulated in the cell wall of the epidermis from early stage to late stage of RCC. Especially, cell wall of the late stage of RCG was covered with the sub-stances with 80~ 130 fm thick. Therefore, the cell wall of RCG cannot protect the ginseng root cells from the mechanical damages, bacteria and fungi. To analyse red substances of roots, RS were isolated from epidermis of RCG and extracted using various solvents. RS is strongly insoluble but it was bleached by oxidizing agents including 12% (v/v) NaOCl. Therefore, RS was Presumed to make up of high chelation power. The proriles of FT/IR spectra or both healthy ginseng (HEG) and RCG showed a significant difference at two wavelength,2857 cm$\^$-1/(C-H) and 1032 cm$\^$-1/(S=O), respectively. Furthermore, absorption peak of 2857cm$\^$-l/ appears on the only epidermis of RCG. The other peak is shown lower absorption rate on the epidermis of RCG than that of healthy ginseng. Also, FT/IR spectra of the mixture of carboxym-ethylcellulose (CMC) and iron (Fe$\^$3+/) were very similar to RCG spectrum profiles. One of a interesting fact is that the contents of phenolic compounds at the epidermis of healthy ginseng were highest. The results of these experiments sup-port the RCP was closely related with the chemical interaction between inorganic elements (Fe) of rhizosphere and organic matters (cellulose, cellobiose, cell sap, etc.) of ginseng roots.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.139-145
• /
• 2017

Background: Invasion of these invasive plants in the ecosystem threatens the habitat of endemic species, reduces biodiversity, and causes a disturbance in the ecological system. Hypochaeris radicata L. (Asteraceae), the most invasive plant in Korea, particularly in Jeju Island, invades farmlands, and autochthonous forests, resulting in the establishment of monocultures and modification of the ecosystem structure. Methods and Results: In this study was, we evaluated the biological activity of 70% ethanolic extracts from different parts of Hypochaeris radicata L. The biological activities of 70% ethanolic extracts of different parts, such as flower, leaf, stem, and root, of H. radicata were investigated. The total polyphenol content was highest in flower extracts ($50.82{\pm}3.16mg{\cdot}QE/g$). In addition, the highest flavonoid content was observed in flower extract ($15.19{\pm}2.03mg{\cdot}QE/g$). The flower extract of H. radicata exhibited stronger DPPH radical-scavenging activities, ABTS radical scavenging activities, and reducing power than the other parts. The flower extract of H. radicata was observed to have the highest tyrosinase and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activities. Conclusions: The flower extracts of H. radicata exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity as well as tyrosinase and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory effects. These activities might be related to the phenolic compounds present in the H. radicata flower extract.