Background : Astilboides tabularis (Hemsl.) Engl. is a perennial herbaceous plant, distributed in the northern high mountains of the Korean peninsula and China. It is an excellent ornamental plant currently at risk of overharvesting and therefore, is designated as an endangered wild plant Class II by the Ministry of Environment. Physiological research on A. tabularis has not be reported. Therefore, in this study, using A. tabulari extracts, antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory effects were determined. Methods and Results : The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of A. tabularis extracts were evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of A. tabularis possesses potent DPPH radical scavenging activity (2.90±0.08㎍/㎖), similar to the scavenging activity of ascorbic acid (2.19±0.06㎍/㎖), and better than the powerful antioxidant α-tocopherol (10.60±0.40㎍/㎖) as well as BHA (butylatedhydroxy anisole)(6.12±0.27㎍/㎖). The ethyl acetate fraction possessed a significantly higher concentration of total phenolic (549.70±2.72㎎GAE/g) and flavonolic content (154.58±1.04㎎QE/g). It was also found that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited high reducing power and inhibition of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) formation. Different fractions of A. tabularis were tested for anti-inflammatory activity using LPS stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. The n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited a high inhibitory effect on NO (Nitrite oxide) production (22.43±1.06%, 19.30±0.45%, respectively) at 200㎍/㎖ concentration. The mRNA of IL-1β, iNOS and COX-2 gene expression was decreased by treatment with the ethyl acetate fraction. These results showed that A. tabularis extracts can be used as natural substances to control inflammation. Conclusion : These result showed that A. tabularis extracts can be used in a variety of antioxidant and other functional product research and development processes as valuable natural materials.

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of germanium treatment on the growth and organic germanium production in the roots of Oplopanax elatus plantlets. Methods and Results: O. elatus plantlets were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of germanium dioxide (GeO2) to analyze optimum growth conditions. Exogenous treatment of 10 ㎎/ℓ GeO2 promoted growth and an increase in the contents of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid in O. elatus. The germanium accumulation and production in roots of O. elatus plantlets treated with organic germanium reached the highest levels. The growth of the aerial and underground portion of O. elatus with organic germanium was greater than that of the control. The accumulation and production of organic germanium reached the highest level (40.89 ㎍/plantlet) with the treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO2. Antioxidant activity measured by DPPH and ABTS assays also increased with the germanium treatment and improved the DPPH and ABTS radical activity by 200% compared with that in the control. In addition, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the plantlets with a treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO2 were higher than in the control. Conclusions: Taken together, the growth of O. elatus was increased with the treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO2 germanium and the biological references improved, with increased antioxidant activity and organic germanium production.

Background : We studied the anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of Rhododendron lapponicum (L.) Wahlenb. var. parvifolium (Adams) Herder extract (RLE). Methods and Results : The RLE was prepared using methanol. The antioxidant effects of RLE was evaluated for its DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free-radical scavenging activity, reducing power. Subsequently, using the RAW 264.7 cells, the cell viability of RLE was evaluated with or without LPS (lipopolysaccharide), and the anti-inflammatory effects of RLE was also estimated by nitric oxide (NO) and using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The extract showed antioxidant activity (DPPH free-radical scavenging activity) with RC50 value of 57.67 ㎍/㎖. The reducing power of the extract was Abs 0.77 at 250 ㎍/ ㎖. The result indicated that RLE would have significantly high anti-oxidative effects. Cell viability was determined using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. To evaluate anti-inflammatory activity, we examined the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. The NO inhibition rate was 85.44% at 200 ㎍/㎖ RLE. At the same concentration, the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 also decreased. In RLE 50 ㎍/㎖ concentration showed the highest decrease. Conclusion : This result suggest that RLE is a novel resource for the development of foods and drugs that possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Also, RLE can be developed as an inflammatory agents for cosmetic bases in the future.

Background : This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerow) extract. Methods and Results : The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of 100% methanol extract of water chestnut were investigated. The methanol extract was evaluated for its total phenolic and flavonoid content, DPPH•(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free-radical scavenging activity,reducing power, andeffect on nitric oxide (NO) production and cell viability using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The total phenolic content was 438.31 ㎍ allic acid equivalent (GAE)/㎎ extract and the total flavonoid content was 61.40 ㎍ quercetin equivalent (QE)/㎎ extract. In addition, results revealed the extract possessed antioxidant activity (DPPH• free-radical scavenging activity) with IC50 value of 5.28 ㎍㎖ The reducing power of the extract was assayed spectro photometrically and showed Abs of 0.71 at 100 ㎍㎖ Furthermore, extracts of water chestnut exhibited no cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, the NO assay revealed that LPS-induced NO production was significantly inhibited following treatment with water chestnut extracts. The expression of pro-inflammatory proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The water chestnut extract also decreased tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) release. Conclusion : Therefore, the present findings provide scientific evidence for the nutritional potential, chemical composition, and biological activities of Trapa japonica Flerow anddemonstrate its potential use as a functional food forapplication in the pharmaceutical industry

Background : We studied the anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of Spiraea fritschiana Schneid extract (SFSE). Methods and Results : The SFSE was prepared using methanol and was evaluated for its total phenol and flavonoid content, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free-radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and effect on nitric oxide (NO) production, and cell viability by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The total phenol content was 212.78 ㎍• gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/㎎ and the total flavonoid content was 66.84 ㎍• quercetin equivalent (QE)/㎎. The extract showed antioxidant activity (DPPH free-radical scavenging activity) with RC50 value of 76.61 ㎍/㎖. The reducing power of the extract was Abs 0.58 at 250 ㎍/㎖. Cell viability was determined using the MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. To evaluate anti-inflammatory activity, we examined the inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-(LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. The NO inhibition rate was 90% at 200 ㎍/㎖ SFSE. At the same concentration, the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 also decreased. Conclusions : Our results suggest that SFSE is a novel resource for the development of foods and drugs that possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Background : This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of extract from different parts of water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerow). Methods and Results : The total polyphenol content of pericarp and seed extract was 438.31 ㎎/g and 25.32 ㎎/g respectively. DPPH radical scavenging assay showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 values) of pericarp and seed extract were 5.28 ㎍/㎖ and 355.51 ㎍/㎖ respectively. In addition, the pericarp extract showed strong reducing power. In the MTT assay, the pericarp extract significantly inhibited the viability of A549, AGS, HeLa, PC-3, HCT116, HT29 and SW620 cell lines compared with the seed extract. Conclusions : These results suggest that T. japonica Flerow extracts have significant antioxidant and antiproliferative activity.

There has been little research on the harvesting time-dependent changes in the antioxidant activities of new varieties of highland cultures of Gomchwi (Ligularia fischeri) crossed with Turcs (Ligularia fischeri (Ledeb.)) and Nakai (Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis), namely Sammany (S), Gommany (G) and Damogy (D). This study was conducted to assess the effect of different harvesting times on nutritional and health-related properties such as total phenolic contents, flavonoids, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrasyl) free radical scavenging activities and reducing power. From these harvests, extracts were prepared using methanol. Total phenolic content in Jul 14-G (Gommany harvested on July 14, 0.172 ㎎·GAE/㎖) was higher than that in other products harvested after the same period (S, 0.154; D, 0.141 ㎎·GAE/㎖). Flavonoid content was higher in Jul 3-G (0.114 ㎎·QE/㎖), compared to Jul 3-S (0.113 ㎎·QE/㎖) and Jul 14-D (0.089 ㎎·QE/㎖). Antioxidant activities were higher in samples harvested after June 12 in all cases. On July 14, the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activities among all harvest dates were seen (92.875~94.595%). The reducing power was also dependent on harvest day (Abs 0.5~0.6 on July 14), showing a pattern similar to that of DPPH free radical-scavenging activities. Antioxidant activity and harvesting times seem to correlate with total polyphenol and flavonoid contents.

Lepisorus thunbergianus (Kaulf.) Ching has been used in folk medicine in Korea. In this study, a L. thunbergianus methanol extract and its fractions were investigated for their antioxidant properties. The results showed that the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of L. thunbergianus possess potent DPPH radical scavenging activities. Both fractions also possessed reducing power and inhibited reactive oxygen species formation. In addition, the cytotoxic activity of the L. thunbergianus n-hexane fraction (HF) was investigated. The results suggested that the HF remarkably suppressed proliferation of human breast, liver and colon cancer cells. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that L. thunbergianus extract induces apoptosis in SW620 cells, suggesting that L. thunbergianus may have potential as a therapeutic agent for colon cancer.

This study was conducted to find out the variation in agronomic trait and chemical composition in the collected Perilla frutescens from China and Japan. From the results of growth investigation, the maximum number if branches was 26.7ea in Japan 134 line, followed by 25 nodes number in China 119 line. Among the different lines investigated, maximum number of panicle number (108.8) were observed in China 114 line. 1000 seed weight was maximum (4.12 g) in China 118 line. Flowering time of different collected lines varied significantly with average value of 175.5 days and the average line required for maturation of seedlings was 205.1 days. Plant height was the highest (248.9 ㎝) in China 107 line. Highest number of total picking leaves was 965ea, and the average picked period was 54 days. The major phenol compounds contained in Perilla frutescens showed wide variation for Syringic acid, Benzoic acid, Naringin, o-Coumaric acid, Myricetin, Naringenin and Hesperetin. Japan 139 line showed the highest level of total phenol contents (8254.0 ㎍/g, dry weight).

‘봄내엽1호’ 들깨 품종은 강원대학교 농장에서 2006년에서 2008년에 걸쳐 파종과 계통선발을 통해 육성하였다. 품종의 특성검정은 2006년부터 2008년까지 들깨의 적정 재배조건 아래서 3회에 걸쳐 조사하였다. ‘봄내엽1호’ 들깨 품종은 대조 품종보다 경장이 크고, 화방군수와 화방군당삭수가 많으며 잎색은 대조품종에 비해 진한 녹색을 띤다. 정유 성분 분석결과 ‘봄내엽1호’ 들깨잎의 주요성분으로는 Perilla ketone, Beta-caryophyl

In order to better 　understand the morphological differentiation of the two cultivated types of Perilla crop and their weedy types in Korea and Japan, we studied the variation of 62 accessions by examining 15 morphological characteristics. By using ANOVA (one-way analysis of variance), we determined that var. frutescens and var. crispa showed significant morphological differences in terms of plant height and seed weight. Furthermore, cultivated var. frutescens and var. crispa could also be clearly discriminated from one another using PCA (principal component analysis). Specifically, quantitative and qualitative characteristics such as plant height, seed weight, degree of pubescence, shape of leaf, color of leaf, fragrance of plant, color of flower, color of stem and seed size greatly contributed to differences seen in the positive and negative direction on the first axis. In our study, most accessions of cultivated var. frutescens and those of its weedy type could be clearly discriminated from one another, however, most accessions of cultivated and weedy types of var. crispa were not clearly discriminated by the ANOVA and PCA analyses. These results indicated that cultivated var. frutescens can be considered to be a domesticated form, while the cultivated var. crispa can not be considered to be a domesticated form in Korea and Japan. It is our belief that our results concerning the morphological variations among cultivated types of Perilla crop and their weedy types in Korea and Japan will help ensure the long-term success of breeding programs and maximize the use of the germplasm resources in Korea.