• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.116-126
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• 2019

The production volume and amount of non-timber forest products in Korea has been on the increase for the past five years. In particular, the production amount of wild vegetables (edible mountain plants) is approximately KRW 400 billion as of 2017, accounting for 14 % of the total production amount of non-timber forest products. Among wild vegetables, especially the production volumes and amounts of bracken, saw-wort (Saussurea), and thistle have grown steadily. Nevertheless, severe price competition with cheap imports and little changes in the pattern of wild vegetable consumption may negatively affect the prices of domestic wild vegetables. This, in turn, can decrease the overall consumption of wild vegetables. Recently, however, consumers have preferred healthy food with increases in their income and interest in health. Therefore, now is a crucial time for the wild vegetable market. Accordingly, this study analyzed consumers' purchase and consumption behavior related to wild vegetables through a consumer survey to contribute to establishing various strategies and policies for promoting the consumption of these vegetables. Also, this study identified consumers' awareness and intention regarding wild vegetables by analyzing social big data. Different from previous studies, this study investigated consumers' awareness and intention by analyzing SNS social big data, as well as conducting a survey. The results of the study will help prioritize strategies and policies for boosting the consumption of wild vegetables.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.776-782
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• 2023

Silymarin, which is derived from dried Silybum marianum (milk thistle) seeds and fruits, possesses various beneficial properties, such as hepatoprotective, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity. This research aimed to explore the antioxidative activity of silymarin against oxidative stress and understand its molecular mechanism in RAW 264.7 cells. The study employed cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assays and western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that silymarin effectively reduced intracellular ROS levels induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a dose-dependent manner without causing any cytotoxic effects. Moreover, silymarin treatment significantly upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1, a phase II enzyme known for its potent antioxidative activity. Additionally, silymarin treatment significantly induced the expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf) 2, a transcription factor responsible for regulating antioxidative enzymes, which was consistent with the upregulated HO-1 expression. To investigate the involvement of key signaling pathways in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative stress, the phosphorylation status of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) was estimated by western blot analysis. The results showed that silymarin potently induced HO-1 expression, which was mediated by the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. To further validate the antioxidative potential of silymarin-induced HO-1 expression, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage was employed and attenuated by silymarin treatment, as identified by a selective inhibitor for each signaling molecule. In conclusion, silymarin robustly enhanced antioxidative activity by inducing HO-1 via the Nrf2/p38 MAPK signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.442-449
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• 2017

We analyzed the content of total phenolic and silymarin compounds of Cirsium japonicum (CJ), and its antioxidant activities and Liver protective effects were compared with those of Silybum marianum (SM). The total phenolic content in the aerial part ($97.22{\pm}5.51mg/g$) of CJ is higher than that in the underground part ($85.32{\pm}3.06mg/g$). The total silymarin content of CJ was 55.56% of SM, with the underground part ($0.47{\pm}0.03mg/g$) having higher content than the aerial part ($0.18{\pm}0.02mg/g$). The antioxidant activity of CJ was generally slightly lower than that of milk thistle, and the underground part of CJ generally had higher activity compared to the aerial part. When CJ extracts were processed at 1 mg/ml, DPPH activities were $83.76{\pm}0.60$ and $88.28{\pm}0.17%$, and FRAP activities were $77.63{\pm}0.70$ and $82.83{\pm}0.39%$ for extracts from aerial part and underground part, respectively. ABTS activities were $68.60{\pm}1.24$ and $63.41{\pm}0.57%$ for underground and aerial part respectively when extracts were processed at 0.1 mg/ml. The Liver protective effects of CJ were higher in the extracts from underground part compared to the aerial part, Liver cells were damaged by treating them with t-BHP, $H_2O_2$ and Ethanol, and then they were treated with 0.2 mg/ml CJ extracts. The survival rates of the damaged liver cells were $49.58{\pm}0.34$, $76.87{\pm}1.10$ and $71.73{\pm}0.58%$ respectively, which were higher than the cells not treated with extracts.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2014

Salsola collina, also known as Russian thistle, is widely distributed in and around waste facilities, roadsides, and drought and semi-drought areas, and is used as a traditional folk remedy in Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities of the ethanol extract of S. collina Pall. (EESC), and the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects on human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. EESC exhibited anti-oxidative activity through DPPH radical scavenging capacity and showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner in HT29 cells. After EESC treatment, HT29 cells altered their morphology, becoming smaller and irregular in shape. EESC also induced cell accumulation in the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decrease of cell population in the G1 phase. The G2/M arrest by EESC was associated with the increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and Wee1 kinase, which phosphorylates, or inactivates, Cdc2. EESC treatment induced the phosphorylation of Cdc2 and Cdc25C, and inhibited cyclin A and Cdc25C protein expression. In addition, S arrest was induced by the highest concentration of EESC treatment, associated with a decrease of cyclin A and Cdk2 expression. These findings suggest that EESC may possess remarkable anti-oxidative activity and exert an anti-cancer effect in HT29 cells by cell cycle regulation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.340-347
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• 2019

We performed a safety survey on residual pesticides in dried agricultural products. A total of 110 samples of dried agricultural products distributed in Gyeonggi-do were analyzed for 263 pesticides according to multi class pesiticide multiresidue method. Ten types of pesticides were detected in 10 samples. Chlorpyrifos was detected in Ricinus communis leaves, chlorpyrifos, hexaconazole, pyridalyl in Chwinamul (wild aster), diniconazole, isoprothiolane, lufenuron in radish leaves, hexaconazole in Cirsium setidens (Korean thistle), bifenthrin, and chlorothalonil, boscalid, and pyraclostrobin in pepper leaves. The detection rate of pesticides was 9.1%, and among these samples, one was detected over Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). In the validation study, the values of limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), coefficient of determination ($R^2$) and recovery were in the range of 0.002~0.027 mg/kg, 0.006~0.083 mg/kg, 0.9964~1.0000 and 74.8~118.9%, respectively. The Positive List System (PLS) was newly introduced as part of the safety management of residual pesticide in agricultural products in Korea in 2019. With the application of the PLS, if the MRL is not established, 0.01 mg/kg limit is applied uniformly. In spite, these of strengthened residue limits, the MRLs of dried agricultural products are still insufficient. Therefore, this study could be utilized as basic data for the setting of proper MRLs.