Background : Oxidative stress and inflammatory response are important features of the brain pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to the antioxidant activity and biochemical characterization of safflower seed. Moreover, we investigated the impact of Safflower seed on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. Methods and Results : First, in order to determine active ingredient contents of safflower seed extract, we were carried out total phenol content and total flavonoid content analyses. As a result, dried safflower seed were found to contain 35.4 ± 0.4 ㎎·GAE/g dry weight and 45.3 ± 7.5 ㎎·NE/g dry weight in boiling water extraction. Also, the major compounds of safflower seed from HPLC analysis were identified as serotonin and serotonin derivatives [N- (p-coumaroyl)serotonin and N-feruloylserotonin]. In addition, the antioxidant activity of safflower seed showed IC50 values of 331.4 and 168.2, respectively, against DPPH and ABTS in vitro. Finally, with regard to the memory improvement activity, the administration of Safflower seed extract significantly restored memory impairments induced by scopolamine in the behavior tests such as novel object recognition and Morris water maze test. Conclusion : The results of our study suggest that the safflower seed extract possess potent memory improvement activity and are also a good source of natural antioxidants. Further study is needed to identify the mechanism responsible for their memory improvement activity.

Background: Astilbe chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. is a plant belonging to Saxifragaceae family and contains various active ingredients including astilbin and bergenin. It has been used as a traditional Korean medicine to improve fever, pain, and cough. Recently, a number of Korean medical resources have been studied for cancer and inflammation treatment, but A. chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. has not yet been investigated. Consequently, this study investigated the inhibitory effect of ethanol extracts from A. chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. (ARE) on oxidative stress and colorectal cancer using RAW264.7 and the human colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116. Methods and Results: In total, 500 ㎍/㎖ ARE reduced cell viability by 38.96 ± 1.32%, and increased caspase-3 activity by 133.08 ± 3.41% in HCT-116 cells. Moreover, TUNEL signaling and the early apoptosis ratio (34.56 ± 1.67%) increased by 500 ㎍/㎖ ARE treatment. H2O2-induced oxidative stress and cell death were diminished by 500 ㎍/㎖ ARE treatment through decreasing ROS (reactive oxygen species). Conclusions: The inhibitory effects of ARE against human colorectal cancer cells is mediated by apoptosis and caspase-3 activation, and H2O2-induced ROS generation and cell death are decreased by ARE treatment in RAW264.7 cells. However, further study is required to explore how ARE treatment is involved in the signaling pathway to decrease ROS.

Background: Inula japonica Thunb. is a plant belonging to the family compositae. Inulae flos (flower of I. britannica var. chinensis Regal.) is the dried flower of I. japonica Thunb. and contains various flavonoids (patulitrin, nepitrin and kaempferol), which have been utilized in traditional oriental medicine to treat nausea, phlegm, and coughs. However, ethanol extract of I. britannica (IJE) has not been previously studied for its use in cancer treatment, and its effects on oxidative stress, or inflammation. Thus, the present study investigated the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-colorectal cancer effects of IJE using RAW264.7 and HCT- 116 cells, which are human colorectal cancer cell line. Methods and Results: IJE contained flavonoids (80.95 ± 5.3 ㎎/g) and polyphenols (310.53 ± 10.6 ㎎/g). Moreover, it reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and H2O2-induced oxidative stress by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Additionally, the 500 ㎍/㎖ IJE treatment increased caspase-3 activity and apoptotic cell death in HCT-116 cells. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the anti-cancer effect of IJE against human colorectal cancer cells involves caspase-3 activation and apoptotic cell death. IJE also inhibited LPS-induced NO production, and H2O2-induced oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells. However, further studies are required to explore how IJE treatment regulates signal transduction in NO and ROS production.

Background : Cellular oxidative stress as reactive oxygen species (ROS), whether produced endogenously as a consequence of normal cell functions or derived from external sources, pose a constant threat to cells living in an aerobic environment as they can result in severe damage to DNA, protein, and lipids. The effects of Valeriana fauriei extract and fractions on hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal cell damage are studied. Methods and Results : Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathological process of neurodegenerative diseases. Valeriana fauriei extract (VFE) and EA fractions (VFEA) was investigated total phenolic contents using method. VFE of total phenolic contents had 2.54 ± 0.01 mg/g, also, VFEA had a 18.78 ± 0.03 mg/g. High phenolic content of the VFEA is expected to better the inhibition of oxidative stress. VFE and VFEA were experimented to inhibit ROS induced 200 μM 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1). VFE of inhibit SIN-1 induced-ROS dose dependently and signficantly. In addition, VFEA inhibition was also dose dependant and significant. Moreover, The treatment of SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells with VFEA significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced generation of intercellular ROS. Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that VFEA might have useful as a material for functional food and pharmaceutics for the pathological process of neurodegenerative diseases.

β amyloid protein (Aβ) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and possibly in Aβ -induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Aβ can directly cause reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Overproduction of ROS is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration of AD. Here, we investigated 9 kinds of ramie (Boehmeria nivea, (L.) Gaud., BN; hereafter denoted as BN) for their protective action against oxidative stress in a cellular system using C6 glial cells. We observed loss of cell viability and high levels of ROS generation after treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Aβ25-35. However, treatments with BN extracts led to an increase in cell viability and decrease in ROS production induced by H2O2 and Aβ25-35. In particular, the extracts of BN-01 (seobang variety from Seocheon) and BN-09 (local variety from Yeonggwang) showed excellent anti-oxidative properties. This indicates that BN extracts could prevent neurodegeneration by reducing oxidative stress in cells.

오디 당침출액(MSE)의 산화적 스트레스 개선 효과를 확인하기 위하여 HepG2 세포에 H2O2로 산화적 스트레스를 유도시킨 다음, MSE의 보호효과를 확인하였다. MSE를 40 일간 저장하여 DPPH radical scavensing을 통해 DPPH radical 소거능이 유의적으로 좋았던 저장 40일용 MSE를 선택하여 세포 실험에 적용하였다. HepG2 세포에 500 μM H2O2를 처리하여 산화적 스트레스를 유발시키고, MSE를 처리하여 세포 생존율을 확인한 결과, MSE 처리로 인한 세포 생존율이 유의적으로 증가하였고, ROS 생성과 과산 화물에 대한 지표로 측정된 MDA 농도도 MSE 처리로 인해 효과적으로 억제되었다. 또한, H2O2 처리로 감소된 SOD 및 CAT 활성이 MSE 처리로 인해 유의적으로 높아졌으며, H2O2를 처리로 인한 세포핵의 apoptosis body가 MSE 처리 로 인해 감소함을 확인하였으며, 이는 caspase-3 활성 MSE 가 억제시킴으로 인해 세포를 보호하고 있음을 확인하였 다. 이상의 결과로부터 오디 당침출액은 산화적 스트레스 로부터 야기되는 세포독성과 apoptosis로부터 세포 보호 효과를 확인함에 따라 향후 노화와 관련된 다양한 연구 소재의 기초 자료 및 질병 예방 소재로의 가능성을 확인하 였다.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of Eriobotryae Folium on diabetic improvement through oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver of type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Eriobotryae Folium extract (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o) was administrated everyday for 3 weeks. And then, its effect was assessed on comparison with vehicle-treated db/db and non-diabetic m/m mice. Serum glucose and hepatic tissue biochemical factors and protein expression related with oxidative stress and inflammation such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase were measured. As a result, the administration of Eriobotryae Folium decreased body and liver weight, food intake in vehicle-treated db/db. Also, serum glucose was lowered by Eriobotryae Folium treatment. Eriobotryae Folium administration decreased oxidative stress through the down-regulation of ROS and NADPH oxidase subunit proteins, NOX-4 and p47 phox .Moreover,theincreaseofinflammatoryproteinssuchasinduciblenitricoxidesynthase(iNO S),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),tumornecrosisfactoralpha(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) on vehicle-treated db/db were significantly decreased through down-regulation nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator pretoein-1 (AP-1) via reduction of oxidative stress. Therefore, hepatic functional parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase significantly decreased. In conclusion, Eriobotryae Folium extract could have hepato-protective effect through down-regulation of abnormal NADPH oxidase subunit and the oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic db/db mice.

본 연구는 산화적 스트레스에 대한 당뇨병의 예방과 관리에 대한 청국장과 블랙푸드의 효과를 평가하고자 대두청국장, 약콩청국장 그리고 블랙푸드를 첨가한 약콩청국장 분말을 식이에 첨가하여 STZ로 유도된 당뇨쥐에게 7주간 급여한 후 지질과산화물 함량, 항산화 효소 및 항산화 영양소 상태를 측정하였다. 그 결과 당뇨로 인하여 혈청과 간조직 내 증가된 지질과산화물 함량은 대두 및 블랙푸드가 첨가된 약콩청국장 공급군에서 p<0.05 수준에서 유의적으로 낮았다. 항산화 효소 중에서 당뇨 유도로 혈청 내 catalase 활성은 변화 없었으나 SOD 활성은 감소되었으며, 이때 약콩청국장의 공급으로 SOD 활성이 유도되었다. 항산화 영양소 중에서 혈청 내 retinol 함량은 당뇨 유도로 낮아졌지만 약콩청국장의 공급으로 7.5배 가량의 증가 현상을 보였고,간 조직 내 retinol과 α-tocopherol 함량은 세종류의 청국장의공급으로 높일수 있었다. 당뇨 유도로 낮아진 간 조직 내의 GSH/GSSG와 비장 조직의 anthocyanin 함량은 약콩청국장,그리고 혈청 내 총 항산화능은 블랙푸드 청국장의 공급으로 높아진 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과 당뇨병이 유발되었을 때 산화적 스트레스 지표인 지질과산화물 함량은 증가된 반면에, 항산화 효소인 catalase 및 SOD 활성과 항산화 영양소인 retinol, α-tocopherol, GSH/GSSG, TAC 및 anthocyanin 함량이 낮아졌다. 그러나 세종류의 청국장이 당뇨쥐의 산화적 스트레스 반응과 항산화 영양소 상태에 긍정적인 반응효과를 보였다. 이를 기반으로 향후 당뇨병의 예방과 관리를 위한 건강 기능성 식품으로서 청국장 및 블랙푸드의활용 방안에 대한 좀 더 많은 연구가 이루어져야 하겠다

자외선은 피부 광노화의 주요 요인이며, 효과적인 자외선 차단제가 피부의 건강과 아름다움을 위해 필요하다. 본 연구는 세포 실험을 통하여 자외선에 의해 유도된 세포 사멸, 산화적 스트레스, matrix metalloproteinase 1 발현에 미치는 죽여추출물의 영향을 알아보고자 수행하였다. HaCaT 인간 각질세포를 여러 농도의 죽여추출물 유무 조건에서 자외선을 조사하고 세포의 생존율과 생화학적 과정들의 변화를 분석하였다. 죽여추출물은 자외선을 조사한 세포의 생존율을 증진시켰고, procaspase 3가 활성화 형태로 절단되고, Bax/Bcl-2 비율이 증가하는 세포 자살 과정을 완화시켰다. 죽여추출물은 자외선에 노출된 세포에서 활성산소의 발생과 지질 과산화도 감소시켰다. 또한 죽여추출물은 자외선에 의해 자극된 matrix metalloproteinase 1의 발현과 c-Jun N-terminal kinase의 인산화를 억제하였다. 본 연구는 죽여추출물이 자외선에 의한 세포 사멸, 산화적 스트레스, 그리고 matrix metalloproteinase 1 발현을 억제함을 보여 주었으며, 이 추출물이 피부 광노화의 일부 현상을 억제하는 화장품 원료로 유용함을 시사하였다.

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) has been known for having strong anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic activities. The free radical theory of aging, also known as the oxidative stress theory of aging, claims that cellular oxidative damage accumulated with time is a major causal factor of aging. In the present study, we investigated the effect of buckwheat extracts on resistance to oxidative stress and aging using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. Survival under an oxidative-stress condition induced by paraquat increased markedly following 500mg/L buckwheat extracts treatment, suggesting lower cellular oxidative damage by buckwheat extracts. A lifespan assay also revealed that treatment of buckwheat extracts significantly extended both the mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans. Interestingly, this lifespan-extension by buckwheat extracts was not accompanied by reduced fertility. These findings suggest that buckwheat extracts can confer longevity phenotype to C. elegans through its strong anti-oxidant activity and support the aging theory which emphasizes a pivotal role of oxidative stress during aging.

한국잔디의 기본종과 중간적인 형태특성을 보이는 교잡종의 건조, 염, 약광, 저온 등과 같은 환경스트레스에 대한 차이를 알아보기 위해 전해질 유출과 MDA와 과산화수소(H2O2) 농도 변화를 조사하였다. 건조스트레스를 가했을 경우 들잔디와 금잔디가 갯잔디와 중엽형 잔디에 비해 전해질 유출과 MDA 농도가 증가하였고, H2O2 농도는 들잔디가 유의적으로 증가하였다. 염스트레스를 처리했을 때에는 들잔디와 금잔디가 갯잔디와 중엽형 잔디에 비해 전해질 유출과 MDA 농도가 증가하였으며, H2O2 농도 금잔디가 크게 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 약광스트레스를 처리했을 때에는 갯잔디가 전해질 유출, MDA와 H2O2 농도가 높게 나왔다. 저온스트레스를 가했을 경우에는 갯잔디가 전해질 유출과 H2O2 농도가 높았고, 금잔디는 MDA 농도가 높게 나타났다. 4가지 스트레스를 가했을 때 염스트레스에서는 갯잔디가 내성이 높았지만, 건조, 약광과 저온스트레스에서는 중엽형 잔디가 높은 내성을 보였다. 이와 같이 한국잔디 종내에서도 환경스트레스에 대한 반응 정도가 다르게 나타났으며, 한국잔디의 기본종에 비해 중엽형 한국잔디가 내환경성이 높은 경향을 보여 우수한 내환경성 잔디 개발을 위한 육종 재료로서의 가치가 높고, 중엽형 한국잔디에 대한 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료되었다.

본 연구는 국내에서 상용 중인 과일 및 채소로부터 췌장베타세포 보호활성을 가지는 추출물의 식물 자원을 탐색해보고자 수행되었다. Alloxan에 대한 총 13종의 과일･채소 추출물에 대한 효과를 햄스터췌장베타세포주(HIT-T15)를 배양한 후 세포생존율, LDH 방출량, NAD+/NADH ratio, 인슐린 분비량 및 4종의 항산화효소활성을 측정하였다. 총 13종의 과일･채소 추출물은 alloxan에 의해 감소된 세포생존율을 유의하게 증가시켰다. 마늘종(Allium sativum) 등의 11종의 시료는 alloxan에 의해 증가된 LDH 방출량을 유의적으로 감소시켰으며, 산수유(Cornus officinalis) 등의 9종의 시료는 alloxan에 의해 감소된 NAD+/NADH ratio를 유의적으로 상승시킴으로써 세포생존율을 증가시켰다. 또한 3종의 추출물인 마늘종(Allium sativum), 산수유(Cornus officinalis)와 고들빼기(Yongjia sonchifolia) 추출물은 인슐린 분비능을 보호하였고 깻잎 등 5종의 시료는 SOD, GST, GR 및 GPx와 같은 항산화효소 활성을 유의적으로 증가시켰다. 과일･채소 추출물은 세포괴사 및 DNA fragmentation을 억제하고 세포 내 항산화효소 활성을 증가시킴으로써 alloxan에 의해 유발된 산화스트레스로부터 췌장베타세포를 보호하는 것으로 생각된다. 이상의 연구결과로부터 마늘종(Allium sativum), 산수유(Cornus officinalis), 자두(Prunus salicina), 오미자(Schisandra chinensis) 및 고들빼기(Yongjia sonchifolia)와 같은 5종의 추출물이 alloxan에 의한 산화스트레스로부터 췌장베타세포를 보호하는 효과가 우수한 것으로 판단되며 향후 췌장베타세포의 손상을 억제하는 기능성 식품 등의 개발에 기초 연구자료로 활용될 것으로 생각된다.

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on antioxidant system and protective mechanism against oxidative stress under UV-B radiation was investigated in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings during 3 days growth period. UV-B irradiation caused a decrease of leaf biomass including leaf length, width and weight during growth. Application of NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), significantly alleviated UV-B stress induced growth suppression. NO donor permitted the survival of more green leaf tissue preventing chlorophyll content reduction and of higher quantum yield for photosystem Ⅱ than in non-treated controls under UV-B stress, suggesting that NO has protective effect on chloroplast membrane in maize leaves. Flavonoids and anthocyanin, UV-B absorbing compounds, were significantly accumulated in the maize leaves upon UV-B exposure. Moreover, the increase of these compounds was intensified in the NO treated seedlings. UV-B treatment resulted in lipid peroxidation and induced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in maize leaves, while NO donor prevented UV-B induced increase in the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2. These results demonstrate that NO serves as antioxidant agent able to scavenge H2O2 to protect plant cells from oxidative damage. The activities of two antioxidant enzymes that scavenge reactive oxygen species, catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in maize leaves in the presence of NO donor under UV-B stress were higher than those under UV-B stress alone. Application of 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4, 4, 5, 5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3- oxide (PTIO), a specific NO scavenger, to the maize leaves arrested NO donor mediated protective effect on leaf growth, photosynthetic pigment and free radical scavenging activity. However, PTIO had little effect on maize leaves under UV-B stress compared with that of UV-B stress alone. Nω -nitro-L-arginine (LNNA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), significantly increased H2O2 and MDA accumulation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities in maize leaves under UV-B stress. This demonstrates that NOS inhibitor LNNA has opposite effects on oxidative resistance. From these results it is suggested that NO might act as a signal in activating active oxygen scavenging system that protects plants from oxidative stress induced by UV-B radiation and thus confer UV-B tolerance.