• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.278-288
• /
• 2014

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is a traditional medicinal plant famous for its strong therapeutic effects and serves as an important herbal medicine. To understand and manipulate genes involved in secondary metabolic pathways including ginsenosides, transcriptome profiling of P. ginseng is essential. Methods: RNA-seq analysis of adventitious roots of two P. ginseng cultivars, Chunpoong (CP) and Cheongsun (CS), was performed using the Illumina HiSeq platform. After transcripts were assembled, expression profiling was performed. Results: Assemblies were generated from ~85 million and ~77 million high-quality reads from CP and CS cultivars, respectively. A total of 35,527 and 27,716 transcripts were obtained from the CP and CS assemblies, respectively. Annotation of the transcriptomes showed that approximately 90% of the transcripts had significant matches in public databases.We identified several candidate genes involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis. In addition, a large number of transcripts (17%) with different gene ontology designations were uniquely detected in adventitious roots compared to normal ginseng roots. Conclusion: This study will provide a comprehensive insight into the transcriptome of ginseng adventitious roots, and a way for successful transcriptome analysis and profiling of resource plants with less genomic information. The transcriptome profiling data generated in this study are available in our newly created adventitious root transcriptome database (http://im-crop.snu.ac.kr/transdb/index.php) for public use.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.421-427
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to compare and analyze the active and general components between mulberry leaf tea (MLT) and fermented mulberry leaf tea (FMLT). Among the general ingredients, the crude lipids of FMLT contained higher than that of MLT, while the level of carbohydrates was higher in the MLT. Although free sugar of FMLT was a lower concentration than MLT, the value of maltose was higher in the MLT. In FMLT, maltose was not analyzed but small amount of lactose was analyzed. In addition, the level of total free amino acid of MLT was higher than that of FMLT. The level of glutamic acid was highest in MLT, while that of cystine was highest in FMLT. The value of $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was greater in the derivatives of amino acids, and the content was similar for both MLT and FMLT. FMLT also contained a lower level of unsaturated fatty acids than MLT. In addition, the content of total mineral was higher in FMLT, and the level of K was the highest and similar in both teas.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.137-142
• /
• 2008

Echinacea purpurea, an indian traditional plant medicine has been widely used as herbal remedy for the treatment of disease such as colds or other infections. However, Echinacea purpurea extracts recently have been applied as a cosmetic ingredient for skin care. We artificially cultured Echinacea purpurea by using the bioreactor culture system for this study. We induced callus from Echinacea purpurea and separated adventitious roots, harvested and extracted after cultured in bioreactors. Previously, several studies have been reported on anti-oxidant and immuno-enhancing effects of Echinacea purpurea extract but other efficacies were not well known. In this study, we investigated the whitening, anti-wrinkle and anti-oxidant effects to know applicable value of tissue-cultured Echinacea purpurea adventitious roots extract(TCEPARE) as a cosmetic ingredient. TCEPARE did not show cytotoxicity until a concentration of 2% and showed the anti-oxidative effect in DPPH and NBT tests. Also, the extract decreased tyrosinase expression in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited melanin synthesis in B16 melanoma cells. TCEPARE reduced protein levels of MMP-1, 2 secreted in culture medium or in cell lysates. From these results we suggest that TCEPARE has potential benefits applicable as to cosmetic ingredient for skin care products.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.82-88
• /
• 2012

Chrysanthemum indicum L. (Asteraceae) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for the treatment of inflammation, hypertension, and respiratory diseases due to its strong antagonistic activity against inflammatory cytokines. The effects of Chrysanthemum indicum L. Extract (CIE) for increasing cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and collagen content were totally inhibited, suggesting that the effect of CIE might be partly involved with estrogen activity. Furthermore, the protective effects of CIE on the response of osteoblasts to oxidative stress were evaluated. Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were incubated with hydrogen peroxide and/or CIE, and markers of osteoblast function and oxidative damage were examined. CIE significantly increased cell survival, ALP activity, and calcium deposition, and decreased the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in osteoblasts. Taken together, these results indicate that the enhancement of osteoblast function by CIE may prevent osteoporosis and inflammatory bone diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.401-409
• /
• 2013

Smilax china L., a native plant found in Asian countries, has several medicinal properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Although the root of the plant is commonly used as traditional herbal medicine in Korea and China, the medicinal properties of the leaves have not gained the same attention. In this study, we analyzed the antioxidant activity, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory effect and lipid accumulation inhibition effect of Smilax china L. leaf water extract (SCLE) and its solvent fractions. SCLE was fractionated by using a series of organic solvents, including ethylacetate (EA) and n-butanol (BuOH). The EA fraction had the highest total polyphenol content ($440.20{\pm}12.67$ mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content ($215.14{\pm}24.83$ mg QE/g). The radical scavenging activity $IC_{50}$ values of the EA fraction for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) were 0.022 mg/mL and 0.13 mg/mL, respectively. Further, SOD-like activity and reducing power values of the EA fraction were higher than those of the other fractions. However, both the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and lipid accumulation inhibition assays showed that the BuOH fraction ($83.35{\pm}4.18%$ at 1 mg/mL) and water extract ($11.27{\pm}2.67%$) were more effective than the EA fraction ($64.13{\pm}6.35%$, and $45.66{\pm}7.20%$). These results provide new insights into the potential anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of Smilax china L. leaf.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2019

Portulaca oleracea L. (PL) has been used in traditional medicine herb for treatment of various diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, and skin inflammation. Previous studies have shown that the PL regulates the inflammation by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Although PL might have improvement effects of intestinal function and bioactive effects, there are not enough studies to demonstrate. This study investigated the effects of KDC16-2 on the improvement of intestinal function and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro. The improvement effect of intestinal function was measured fecal amount, water content and intestinal transit rate in KDC16-2 treated ICR mice. As results, compared with the control group, the KDC16-2 group showed a significant increase in wet fecal weight, dry fecal weight and fecal water content. The intestinal transit rate of KDC16-2 group was significantly increased. Based on the results, KDC16-2 is considered to have effects on improving intestinal function. The effect of anti-inflammatory demonstrated by using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. The mice were administered 3% DSS along with KDC16-2 (100, 300 mg/kg) for 14 days. DSS-induced colitis mice were significantly ameliorated in KDC16-2 treated group, including body weight loss, colon length shortening, tight junction protein of colon and histological colon injury. The levels of inflammatory mediators (IgG2a, IgA, C-reactive protein and Myeloperoxidase) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, Interleukin (IL)-6) which are involved in inflammatory responses were increased in the DSS-treated group as compared to those in the control group, and the levels were significantly decreased in the KDC16-2 groups. In addition, we investigated the impact of KDC16-2 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in J774A.1 cells. KDC16-2 inhibited production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results suggested that the KDC16-2 could effectively alleviate the dysfunction of intestinal and inflammatory mediators. Thus, these KDC16-2 can be potentially used as health functional food of intestinal.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.570-582
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Obesity is a risk factor for various adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. With an increasing obesity population worldwide, the prevention of obesity with natural components has emerged as an alternative health care strategy. Ramulus mori (Sangzhi, RM) is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. It contains various phytochemicals, including stilbenes and 2-arylbenzofurans. In this study, we compared the anti-obesity effects of RM extracts and its major stilbene components (mulberroside A [MSA] and oxyresveratrol [ORT]) in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods: Five week-old, male C57BL/6J mice were grouped into 7 experimental groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD + 1% RM water extracts (MW), HFD + 0.1% MSA, HFD + 1% RM ethanol extracts (ME), HFD + 0.1% ORT, and HFD + 1% Garcinia cambogia extracts (GC) as a positive control. All mice were fed experimental diet for 13 weeks. Results: Compared to the HFD group, total body weight and weekly body weight gain were significantly decreased in the ME, ORT, and GC groups. Glucose tolerance level was significantly decreased in all experimental groups, whereas plasma insulin level was decreased in MSA, ME, ORT and GC groups. Plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased in the MSA, ORT, and GC groups. Hepatic TG accumulation was also significantly decreased in the MSA, ME, ORT, and GC groups. Adipose tissue weight and size of adipocytes were significantly decreased in the MSA, ME and ORT groups, and were comparable to values obtained in the GC group. The levels of adiponectin and SREBP1c mRNA expressions were increased in the ORT and GC groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME, ORT and MSA exert significant anti-obesity effect, and have the potential to be developed as a weight control ingredient of functional foods.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.12
• /
• pp.1033-1041
• /
• 2020

Many people of all ages wish to have lighter skin for cosmetic reasons, and natural products attract more attention than chemically synthesized compounds. Uncaria rhynchophylla is widely used in Asia as a traditional herbal medicine. In order to find novel skin whitening agents, the present study evaluated the antioxidant activity and potential tyrosinase-inhibiting properties of U. rhynchophylla. Specifically, this study analyzed the antioxidant capacity of a 70% ethanolic extract of U. rhynchophylla as well as its effects on tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis. Total mRNA levels were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that U. rhynchophylla extracts exhibit great antioxidant capacity and significant levels of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds. U. rhynchophylla extracts can also powerfully inhibit tyrosinase activity. This same capacity was observed in melanoma B16F10 cells; that is, U. rhynchophylla extracts suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity and reduced the amount of melanin in treated cells. In addition, a 1 mg/ml concentration of U. rhynchophylla extract significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of tyrosinase. U. rhynchophylla extracts decrease tyrosinase and inhibit melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. This finding suggests that U. rhynchophylla has great potential as a natural whitening agent in skincare products.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.88-95
• /
• 2021

Aucklandia lappa Decne., a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat various diseases, including asthma, coughs, rheumatism, and diarrhea. In the present study, the effects of the oral administration of Aucklandia lappa Decne. extract on hair growth was investigated in hair-removed mice. A 70% ethanol extract of Aucklandia lappa Decne. (ALD) was prepared, and the extraction yield and total polyphenol content of ALD were measured as 27.30±0.01 and 28.39 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, respectively. The oral administration of ALD to hair-removed CL57BL/6 mice for six weeks had no significant effects on food intake and body weight changes. Biochemical and histological examinations also showed that the oral administration of ALD for six weeks had no significant effect on the liver and kidney functions. On the other hand, hair growth was significantly higher in the ALD group than the control group and the Pancidil group (positive control). In addition, the number of hair follicles and the degree of collagen production in the dermis were significantly higher in the ALD group than in the control and pancidil groups. These results suggest that ALD is a potential source of nutricosmetics with hair growth-promoting effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.14-32
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) has a central role in regulating muscle differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism. PGC-1α stimulates muscle growth and muscle fiber remodeling, concomitantly regulating lactate and lipid metabolism and promoting oxidative metabolism. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thumb.) has been widely employed as a traditional herbal medicine and possesses antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, hypoglycemic, and anticancer properties. We investigated whether G. pentaphyllum extract (GPE) and its active compound, gypenoside L (GL), affect muscle differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism via activation of the PGC-1α pathway in murine C2C12 myoblast cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: C2C12 cells were treated with GPE and GL, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to analyze the mRNA and protein expression levels. Myh1 was determined using immunocytochemistry. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation was measured using the 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. RESULTS: GPE and GL promoted the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes and elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of Myh1 (type IIx). GPE and GL also significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of the PGC-1α gene (Ppargc1a), lactate metabolism-regulatory genes (Esrra and Mct1), adipocyte-browning gene fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 gene (Fndc5), glycogen synthase gene (Gys), and lipid metabolism gene carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b gene (Cpt1b). Moreover, GPE and GL induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, p38, sirtuin1, and deacetylated PGC-1α. We also observed that treatment with GPE and GL significantly stimulated the expression of genes associated with the anti-oxidative stress response, such as Ucp2, Ucp3, Nrf2, and Sod2. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that GPE and GL enhance exercise performance by promoting myotube differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism through the upregulation of PGC-1α in C2C12 skeletal muscle.