• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.26-38
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• 2014

To examine the antioxidant activities of 11n selected miscellaneous cereal grains (proso millet, yellow glutinous proso millet, hwanggeumchal sorghum, glutinous sorghum, white glutinous sorghum, yellow glutinous foxtail millet, nonglutinous foxtail millet, green glutinous foxtail millet, golden foxtail millet, barnyard millet, and adlay), the free radical-scavenging activities of 80% ethanol extracts of the individual grains were investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) methods. The ethanol extracts of hwanggeumchal sorghum, glutinous sorghum, and barnyard millet grains exhibited more potent free radical-scavenging activities as compared to the other grains. When these three ethanol extracts were sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, the majority of the antioxidant activities were detected in the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions in which phenolic ingredients were abundant. The ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of hwanggeumchal sorghum and the ethyl acetate fraction of glutinous sorghum showed higher antioxidant activity than that of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. Both ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods demonstrated that these organic solvent fractions could inhibit lipid peroxidation. The ethyl acetate fractions from hwanggeumchal sorghum, glutinous sorghum, and barnyard millet grains could suppress tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced apoptotic events, including sub-G1 peaks, ${\Delta}{\Psi}m$ loss, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP and lamin B, in human HL-60 cells. These results show that the grains of hwanggeumchal sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench cv. Hwanggeumchalsusu), glutinous sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench cv. Chalsusu), and barnyard millet (Echinochloa esculenta) possess efficient antioxidant activity, which could protect cells from oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2013

Vitis amurensis Rupreche, a sort of grape, grows naturally in Asian countries. It is known for important biological effects such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and angiogenesis inhibition. Although its root is used as a traditional folk medicine in Korea, the root's biological activities are poorly studied. In the present study, the effects of V. amurensis root methanol extract (VARM) and its solvent fractions on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were investigated. The VARM significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and the triglyceride (TG) content of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. To identify active molecules, the VARM was fractionated with a series of organic solvents including dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). All the fractions also showed inhibition of lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction showed the most powerful anti-obesity effect through the modulation of cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosinethymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) gene and protein expression. Oleanolic acid was one of the main active compounds involved in the anti-obesity activity of the V. amurensis root. These results provide important new insight into the potential potent anti-adipogenic effect of the V. amurensis root and illustrate that one of the main compounds involved in this effect is oleanolic acid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.307-316
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• 2015

Beetle larvae have been used as a traditional medicine to treat various human liver diseases. To prove the liver protective function of Allomyrina dichotoma larvae (ADL), we induced liver damage by the intraperitoneal injection of a hepatotoxic reagent, diethylnitrosamine (DEN), to C3H/HeN male mice and orally administered freeze-dried ADL powder. ADL powder lessened DEN-induced hepatotoxicity considering the reduced signs of acute and chronic hepatotoxicities, such as the ALP level in the blood serum, TUNEL-positive hepatocytes, ductural reactions, steatotic hepatocytes, and collagen deposition of the Masson’s trichrome staining. In addition to hepatoprotection, the anti-cancer activity of ADL has been examined. The ADL powder was extracted with ethanol and then fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, and water by a solvent partition technique. The ethyl acetate fraction showed cytotoxicity to various cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and necrosis, as well as the perturbed metabolism of the cancer cell to trigger autophagy. Collectively, ADL contains bioactive substances that can protect hepatocytes from toxic chemicals and trigger cell death in cancer cells. Thus, further purification and analyses of ADL fractions could lead to the identification of novel bioactive compounds.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.574-581
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• 2015

This study describes a preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Acrosorium yendoi Yamada extracts. A. yendoi Yamada was extracted using 80% ethanol and then fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol. To screen for anti-inflammatory agents effectively, we first examined the inhibitory effect of 80% EtOH extract and solvent fractions of A. yendoi Yamada on the production of pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. In addition, we examined the inhibitory effect of 80% EtOH extract and solvent fractions of A. yendoi Yamada on pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, iNOS, PGE₂, and COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells. In the sequential fractions of n-hexane and EtOAc inhibited the NO and PGE₂ production and the protein level of iNOS and COX-2, and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-6). These results suggest that A. yendoi Yamada may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and may be provided as possible anti-inflammatory therapeutic seaweed.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.346-354
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• 2011

This study was carried out to fortify the antimicrobial activity of yoghurt by adding liquorice extract to it. The liquorice extracts (1 mg/mL) showed relatively high antibacterial activity against H. pylori KCCM 40449 (p < 0.05). The solvent liquorice extracts of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against H. pylori KCCM 40449 were 25- 100 ${\mu}g$/mL. Lactobacillus amylovorus DU-21 with high EPS production ability were inoulated to milk after the addition of different amounts of liquorice extracts (0.0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%). The physico-chemical characteristics of yoghurts added with liquorice extracts were examined. The initial pH, titratable acidity, viscosity and viable cell counts of the yoghurt added liquorice extracts were 3.41-3.51, 1.021-1.091%, 1,686-1,930 cp and 9.41-9.38 Log CFU/mL, respectively. The viscosity and syneresis of yoghurt were better than that of the control. Antimicrobial activity against H. pylori KCCM 40449 increased with increasing addition of liquorice extract. However, the sensory score of yoghurt added with different amounts of liquorice extracts was lower than that of the control (p < 0.05). As a result of the sensory evaluations, the flavor, taste, texture, color and overall acceptability of the yoghurt with 0.05% liquorice extract were found to be much better than those of the other groups (p < 0.05). Overall, the optimal amount of liquorice extract added in the manufacture of yoghurt was 0.05% of the total weight. Further studies on increment of antimicrobial activity and palatability of liquorice extract added yoghurt are necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1640-1648
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activity of bamboo (Sasa borealis) leaf extract by measuring electron donating ability, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, reducing power, and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. Two crude extracts by water or 70% EtOH and five fractions of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous from the crude extract of 70% EtOH were prepared for this study. The crude extracts of water and 70% EtOH yielded 8.5% and 11.4%, respectively and the yields of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions were 5.1% to 0.6%. Total polyphenol contents of the water and the 70% EtOH crude extracts were not significantly different; however, their total flavonoid contents were significantly greater in the 70% EtOH than in the water crude extract. Total polyphenol contents were the highest in chloroform fraction followed by ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions and total flavonoid contents were the highest in ethyl acetate fraction followed by chloroform and n-hexane fractions. The two crude extracts as well as the five fractions showed election donating ability, SOD-like ability, reducing power, and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. Most of the antioxidant activities of each crude extract or fractions increased proportionally with the concentration. These results indicate that bamboo (Sasa borealis) leaf extracts show antioxidant activities due to its substantial content of polyphenol including flavonoid. Thus, it could be concluded that crude extracts by water or 70% EtOH and the fractions from the 70% EtOH extract, especially chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, would be useful as natural antioxidant substances.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.989-997
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• 2013

In this study, based on the antioxidative effects in organic solvent fractions obtained from the main methanolic extract of L. japonica, the protective cellular effects and gene expression patterns of ethyl acetate fractions on $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell death ($IC_{50}$) were analyzed. The antioxidant activity of the fractions measured using DPPH free radical scavenging activity increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the $ED_{50}$ exhibited the highest $39.56{\mu}g/ml$ in the ethyl acetate fraction. In addition, the ethyl acetate fractions' cell viability on $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell damage increased in a concentration-dependent manner, showed a visible cell survival rate of 82.49% at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. The gene expression patterns related to the ethyl acetate fractions' cytoprotective effect in $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell damage presented similar patterns to those of BHA. In comparative analysis for antioxidant activity-related genes affected by ethyl acetate fractions and BHA in $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cells, both ethyl acetate fractions and BHA showed very similar gene expression patterns, but the gene expression level of the heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1) gene making antioxidant enzymes in cells was four times higher in ethyl acetate fractions than BHA. In inflammation-related genes in $H_2O_2$induced Raw 264.7 cells, the T-box transcription factor (Tbx21) gene was expressed about two times more frequently in the ethyl acetate fraction treatment group, while it was expressed half as frequently in the BHA treatment group.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1598-1604
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• 2009

In order to determine chemical components of onion flesh and peel, general nutrients, vitamin C, and total flavonoids were measured. Onion peel showed less moisture (14.3%) and no vitamin C compared to onion flesh. Onion peel contained more amounts of total flavonoids compared to onion flesh. In addition, the inhibitory effects of solvent extracts from onion flesh and peel on $H_2O_$-induced oxidative stress and growth of cancer cell lines (AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma and HT-29 human colon cancer cells) were investigated. Acetone with methylene chloride (A+M) and methanol (MeOH) extracts from onion flesh and peel appeared to significantly reduce the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p<0.05) and a greater antioxidant effect was observed in onion peel. Among fractions, 85% aq. methanol showed a higher protective activity against oxidative stress in both flesh and peel and there was no effect in the water and hexane fractions. The growth of cancer cells exposed to medium containing extracts and fractions from onion flesh and peel was inhibited dose-dependently. The growth of AGS was inhibited more in both flesh and peel compared to HT-29, and onion peel was more effective than onion flesh. Among fractions, 85% aq. methanol showed the greatest effect on growth inhibition in both flesh and peel. $IC_{50}$ values of 85% aq. methanol fraction from onion flesh and peel on AGS were 0.04 and 0.03 mg/ml, respectively, while those on HT-29 were 0.23 and 0.04 mg/ml. From our results, 85% aq. methanol fraction had an inhibitory effect against oxidative stress and growth of cancer cells, suggesting that it may contain biological active compounds.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.763-771
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• 2012

In this study, total antioxidant properties of extracts from different parts of Lespedeza bicolor were determined using techniques of measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl/2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-radical scavenging activity and total phenolic contents. The total antioxidant activities of leaf, stem and root extracts from various solvents (water, 50, 70, 100% ethanol, and hot-water) indicated that 50 and 70% ethanol extracts have high radical scavenging activities and phenolic contents. A systematic approach was used to determine the total antioxidant activity of different solvent fractions of the Lespedeza bicolor extracts, partitioning with chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water, and the ethyl acetate fraction was found to have the strongest antioxidant activity. Antioxidant assay-guided isolation was carried out to isolate potential antioxidant compounds. The ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract was subjected to silica gel, LH-20 and RP-18 column chromatography successively, and afforded compound 1, which was identified as eriodictyol by NMR and MS analysis, after which its antioxidant activity was determined.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.935-945
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• 2014

Persimmon leaves were commonly consumed as beverages, but were also used as popular folk medicine in Asia. The purpose of this work was to assess the biological activities of Diospyros Lotus L. extracts (DLLE). Various solvent extracts, including n-Hexnae, $CHCl_3$, EtOAc, and n-BuOH fractions, were obtained from the methanol extract of Diospyros Lotus L. leaves. The increasing interest in the powerful biological activity of plant phenolics and flavonoids outlined the necessity for determining their content in medicinal herbs. In this study, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) in the EA fraction were higher than those of other fractions. The biological activities of DLLE were tested using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assay, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as an anti-oxidant effect and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity as an anti-diabetic effect. The EA fraction with high TPC and TFC values showed the highest anti-oxidant effect and high ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition. The EA fractions were further purified into eight fractions using open column chromatography. Higher anti-oxidant and anti-${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity were observed in polar fractions. The content of the flavonoids, including quercein-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, myricetin, luteolin, and kaempferol, were analyzed in effective fractions using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results suggest that DLLE have anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic effects and thus, have the potential as anti-diabetic materials and as a source for natural health products.