Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine to treat inflammatory diseases in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the anti-ecotoxic potential of a 116 kDa glycoprotein isolated from UDN (UDN glycoprotein) in human intestinal epithelial INT-407 cells. We demonstrated that UDN glycoprotein (20 μg/mL) could inhibit the production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) induced by toluene, an ecotoxic substance. Additionally, we found that the toluene-induced intestinal cytotoxicity was mediated by the phosphorylation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) via the production of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The UDN glycoprotein significantly decreased the levels of ROS production and p38 MAPK activation in toluene-stimulated INT-407 cells. Moreover, the UDN glycoprotein inhibits the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which is responsible for the production of LDH, in toluene-stimulated INT-407 cells. Collectively, our data indicate that UDN glycoprotein is a natural antioxidant and a modulator of ecotoxicity signaling pathways in human intestinal epithelial cells.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) has been utilized as a traditional medicine in Asia. However, the development of varieties is limited and the climate is changing gradually. Therefore, it is required to develop a superior lineage suitable for this. So we have secured several species, and it is necessary to confirm the cytotoxicity of various kinds of cells for its safety and to secure safety for further utilization. Methods and Results : 11 cultivars and 21 lineages of RG were collected from Rural Development Administration (RDA) at Eumseong of Chungcheongbuk-do and national farmhouse. They were cultivated in test-research farm in RDA and used as materials. Human (THP-1 cell, human leukemia monocytic cell line) and rodent-derived immune cells (RAW264.7, murine monocyte/macrophage cell line) and hepatocytes (HepG2, human liver cell line) were used to assess cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity was determined by using MTT assay. As a result of evaluation of cytoxicity, 11 cultivars and 21 lineages of RG were not shown cytotoxicity range from 250 - 1,000 ㎍/㎖ concentration in THP-1 cell, RAW264.7 cell and HepG2 cell. Conclusion : Development of RG with superior lineage suitable for changing climate is required. We selected a good lineage (21 ea), and result of the cytotoxicity evaluation from low to high concentrations in immune- and liver-derived cells, there was no toxicity at all. Therefore, if these excellent lineages are distributed to farmers, they can help farmers. And it can help research on immunity and liver function in the future.

Background : As a part of ongoing research to elucidate and characterize anti-cancer nutraceuticals, extracts from many kinds of medicinal plants were tested for their ability to cytotoxicity on cancer cells so far. Datura stramonium is one of the plants known to contain various alkaloids such as hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine etc. Traditionally, it has been used as an analgesic, antispasmodic, and central nervous stimulant. Leaves are also known to be effective against asthma, cough, and chronic bronchitis. In this study, cytotoxicity of extracts from D. stramonium on human cancer cell lines A549 (lung), and HepG2 (liver) were evaluated and compared. Methods and Results : The extract was diluted with DMSO in the form of 10, 50, 250, 1,000 μg/ml for final concentration series respectively. The cell viabilities were examined by MTT assay. On HepG2 cell line, extracts of D. stramonium showed dramatic dose-dependent cytotoxicity on 10, 50, 250, 1,000 ㎍/㎖ concentrations series as 88.16%, 78.55%, 55.57%, 23.06% cell viability respectively. On A549 cell line, likewise, same concentration series showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect as 96.49%, 96.12%, 68.54%, 20.26% cell viability respectively. On A549 cell line, there was no difference in effect between 10 ㎍/㎖ and 50 ㎍/㎖. Conclusion : Above results, high concentrations of extracts are effective on two cancer cell lines. These results are expected to be used on further studies about the anticancer activity of D. stramonium as basic data. In order to confirm the anticancer effect of D. stramonium, it is anticipated that additional tests will be required to confirm the apoptosis assay and related protein expression.

화장품에 방부제(살균/보존제)로 사용되는 1, 2-hexanediol (HD)로 인한 부작용을 극복하기 위하여, Escherichia coli (E. coli)의 β-galactosidase (β-gal)를 이용하여 transgalactosylation 반응으로 1, 2-hexanediol galactoside (HD-Gal)를 합성하였다. 본 연구에서는 합성된 HD-Gal의 인간 피부세포에 대한 독성이 어느 정도인지를 HD와 비교하여 관찰하였다. HD-Gal과 HD의 세포독성은 인간 피부각질형성세포 (HaCaT cell line)에 HD와 HD-Gal을 처리한 후, cell proliferation assay를 이용하여 비교 분석하였다. 또한 이때, 위상차 현미경으로 HD-Gal과 HD로 처리한 세포의 상태를 비교 관찰하였다. 그 결과, HD-Gal은 42.2 mM에서 211 mM의 농도 범위에서 세포독성이 관찰되지 않았으며, 현미경 관찰에서도 큰 변화를 관찰할 수 없었다. 그러나, HD의 경우에는 저농도에서(42.2 mM and 84.4 mM)는 세포독성이 관찰되지 않았으나, 고농도 (168.8 and 211 mM)에서 매우 높은 세포독성을 나타내었고, 현미경 관찰에서는 고농도에서는 물론이고, 세포 독성이 관찰되지 않은 HD의 저농도에서도 세포모양과 세포 수에서의 변화가 관찰되었다. 앞으로 세포독성이 감소된 HD-Gal이 HD의 대체제로서 안전, 건강 및 웰빙 개념의 새로운 용도로 개발될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

As a part of an infrastructure project on medicinal herb-based remedies, we conducted a phytohemical investigation of the 100% MeOH extract from the aerial part of Boehmeria quelpaertense; our findings resulted in the isolation of flavonoids (1-2), isoquercitrin (1) and hyperoside (2). The identification and structural elucidation of these compounds were based on 1H-,13C-NMR, and LC ESI IT-TOF MS data. All the compounds isolated from this plant were reported for the first time. In this study, we examined the antioxidant activity of the 1 and 2 on the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in a Rat Cardiomyoblast cell line (H9c2). The pretreatment of the flavonoids showed that it protects against H2O2-mediated cell death in the H9c2 cell line. Also, it decreases the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by the flavonoids in the H2O2-treated H9c2 cell line. These results showed that the 1 and 2 are a source of antioxidants. As a result, they might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stress mediated diseases, including myocardial infarction.

In this study, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, antimicrobial effects, growth inhibition and cytotoxicity of herb extracts were determined to screen alternative antibiotics. Hot water extracts of 10 species herbs (Origanum vulgare, Monarda didyma, Echinacea purpurea, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha piperita, Melissa officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Stevia rebaudiana, Rosmarinus officinalis, Matricaria recutica) were used. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of all herb extracts was ranged from 31.4-49.9%, and significantly great activties were found at Rosmarinus officinalis, Origanum vulgare and Matricaria recutica (P<0.05). Hot water extracts of monarda didyma, origanum vulgare, thymus vulgaris and rosmarinus officinalis showed greater antimicrobial activities compared to others. Additionally, those four extracts represented relatively low cytotoxicity compared to others. As a result, it was found that Origanum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis which possessed great antioxidant and antimicrobial activity with less cytotoxicity. So these two herb extracts can be used as an alternative of antibiotics for organic farming.

Background: Hair loss related syndromes are increasing due to environmental pollution and stress. Hair care products are mainly prepared by mixing chemicals and natural extracts, such as those obtained from medicinal plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 70% ethanol extracts from the flowers of Calendula officinalis, fruit body of Phellinus linteus, and the whole plant of Houttuynia cordata on the growth of CCD-986 cells, hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC), and 3T3-L1 cells. Methods and Results: All sample extracts at all concentrations, except for that from P. linteus fruit body at 500㎍/㎖, were cytotoxic to CCD-986 cells. However, none of the sample extracts were cytotoxic to HFDPC. The lipid differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells regulates hair regeneration via secretion of platelet derived growth factor. The 70% ethanol extract of H. cordata whole plant promoted hair growth. Adipogenesis rate significantly increased in a treatment concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: These results suggest that 70% ethanol extracts of C. officinalis flower, P. linteus fruit body and H. cordata could be used for the development of hair care products.

Background : This study was carried out to investigate the cytotoxicity in 9 extracts from 8 medicinal plants, such as leaf extract of Lonicera maackii (Llm), leaf extract of Platycarya strobilacea (Lps), flower extract of Fagopyrum dibortryis (Fdf), stem extract of Physostegia virginiana (Spv), root extract of Allium senescence (Ras), aerial part extract of Allium schoenoprasum (Aas), aerial part extract of Artemisia japonica var. manshurica (Aaj), stem extract of Caryopteris incana (Sci), and leaf extract of Caryopteris incana (Lci), on human cancer cell lines. Methods and Results : Dried plant extracts were granted from National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Sciences. The extracts of each plant were dissolved in DMSO and stored in deep freeze at –20℃. The cell viabilities were examined by MTT assay. On SK-OV-3 cell line, Lps, Aas, Sci ans Lci showed dose-dependent cytotoxic effect. On A549 cell line, almost samples show dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, but especially Aaj showed relatively high cytotoxic effect. In case of HCT-15 cell line, Llm and Aas showed relatively high cytotoxic effect. Conclusion : These results suggested that Lonicera maackii, Platycarya strobilacea, Fagopyrum dibortryis, Physostegia virginiana, Allium senescence, Allium schoenoprasum, Artemisia japonica var. manshurica, and Caryopteris incana can be utilized as potential sources of anticancer agent due to their cytotoxicity.

Background : Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss and extracellular senile plaque, whose major constituent is β-amyloid (Aβ), a 39-43 amino acid peptide derived from amyloid precursor protein. In cultures, Aβ directly induce neuronal cell death and can include excessive generation of free radicals and peroxidative injury to proteins, lipids, and other macromolecules. Actinidia arguta, generally called hardy kiwifruit, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antioxidative properties. The present study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of the leaves and stems of A. arguta using in vitro cultured neurons and in vivo experimental animals. Methods and Results : Primary cortical neuronal cultures were prepared using Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat fetuses on embryonic days 15. Neurotoxicity experiments were performed on neurons after 3-4 days in culture. Cultured neurons were treated with 10 μM Aβ (25-35) for 24 h to produce neurotoxicity. In addition, cultured neurons were treated with H2O2 (100 μM) for 15 min and then incubated for 12 h in H2O2-free medium. Viability of cultured neurons was measured by a colorimetric MTT assay. Hoechst 33342 staining of neurons was carried out to examine Aβ (25-35)-induced apoptotic neuronal death. A. arguta over the concentration of 10 to 50 ㎍/㎖ prevented Aβ (25-35) (10 μM)-induced apoptotic neuronal death, and inhibited H2O2-induced decrease of MTT reduction rate. These results suggest that oxidative stress is implicated in Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal apoptotic death. Memory impairment was produced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) microinjection of 15 nmol Aß (25-35) and examined using passive avoidance test in ICR mice. Chronic treatments with A. arguta (14 days, p.o.) protected memory impairment induced by Aß (25-35). Conclusion : The present study suggests that A. arguta has a therapeutic role for preventing the progression of neurodegenerative disease such as AD.

Background : It is well known that Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is associated with neuronal loss and accumulation of extracellular senile plaque, whose major constituent is β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). In cell cultures, Aβ can directly stimulate neuronal cell death and make neurons susceptible to excitotoxicity which may include glutamate release and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation. There are numerous reports in the literature of Cedrela sinensis (CS) for pro-apoptotic effects. It was hypothesized that CS might protect neurons against neurodegeneration in AD due to its pro-apoptotic effects. The current study aimed to determine the protective effect of ethanol extract from the leave of CS on Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell death in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. Methods and Results : Cerebral neurons were collected from embryonic day 15 SD rat fetuses and were cultured on DMEM with serum. Neurotoxicity experiments were proceeded on cultured neurons after 4-5 days in vitro. Cultured neurons were treated with 10 μM Aβ (25-35) for 24 h or 1 mM NMDA for 20 h to induce neuronal death. CS was applied 20 min before the treatment with Aβ (25-35) or NMDA and also present in the medium during the incubations. Colorimetric MTT assay and Hoechst 33342 staining were used to estimate viability of neurons. Western blot analysis was carried out to examine the expression levels of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins. CS (5 and 10 ㎍/㎖) significantly inhibited Aβ (25-35)-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in cultured cortical neurons. CS also inhibited Aβ (25-35)-induced change of apoptosis-related protein expression in western blot analysis. Furthermore CS (5 and 10 ㎍/㎖) reuduced NMDA-induced neuronal cell death. This study demonstrated that NMDA glutamate receptor activation is related with Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal apoptotic death. Conclusion : CS protected culterd neurons against Aβ (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity probably via inhibition of NMDA receptor activation. These results suggest that CS can prevent the progression of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.

This study was conducted to evaluate the contents of total polyphenol and flavonoid, and the effect of antioxidant, antimicrobial activities and cytotoxicity in vitro by different solvent fractions from Orostachys japonicus. The ethylacetate fraction extract for O. japonicus contained 634.48 ㎍/g polyphenol and 205.20 ㎍/g flavonoid. The ABTS radical scavenging ability of ethylacetate fraction extract at 1 ㎎/㎖ was higher than 95% which is comparable to ascorbic acid of 97%. The APX enzymatic activity and CAT activity were 1125.89 μmol ascorbate oxidized/min/㎎ protein and 119.87 H2O2 decomposed/ min/㎎ protein, respectively. In disc agar plate diffusion assay, the extract gave rise to a larger inhibition circle with Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Malassezia furfur strains compared with antibiotics kanamycin suggestive of high antibiotic activity. The cytotoxicity of extracts of O. japonicus was significant differences between solvent fractions. That is, the cytotoxic effect against human cancer cell was higher in ethylacetate fraction extract than other fraction extracts. These results suggest that fraction extract of O. japonicus might be very effective and economical in developing natural antioxidant and antimicrobial.

Background : Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss and extracellular senile plaque, whose major constituent is β-amyloid (Aβ), a 39-43 amino acid peptide derived from amyloid precursor protein. In cultures, Aβ can directly induce neuronal cell death and can render neurons vulnerable to excitotoxicity which may involve glutamate release and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Silybum marianum (SM) has been used for centuries to treat liver disease due to its antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, Silymarin, an active constituent of SM, has been reported to decrease lipid peroxidation. Therefore we hypothesized that SM might protect neurons against neurodegeneration in AD due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, the protective effect of ethanol extract from the stem of SM on Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell death was examined in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. Methods and Results : Primary cultured cortical neurons were prepared using embryonic day 15 SD rat fetuses. Neurotoxicity experiments were performed on cultured neurons after 4-5 days in vitro. The cells were treated with 10 μM Aβ (25-35) or 1 mM NMDA for 36 h or 14 h, respectively. SM was applied 15 min before treatment of Aβ (25-35) or NMDA and also present in the medium during the incubations. The viability of neurons was monitored using a colorimetric MTT assay and Hoechst 33342 staining. The expression levels of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins were detected by western blot. An Ethanol extract of the stem of SM (10 and 50 μg/ml) significantly prevented Aβ (25-35)-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in cultured cortical neurons. Furthermore SM inhibited Aβ (25-35)-induced decrease of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, and increase of pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax and active caspase-2, in western blot analysis. SM (10 and 50 μg/ml) also reduced NMDA-induced neuronal cell death. These results suggest that NMDA glutamate receptor activation is implicated in Aβ (25-35) -induced neuronal apoptotic death. Conclusion : The present study suggests that SM has a possible therapeutic role for preventing the progression of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.

Background : Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive impairment and personality defects accompanied by diffuse structural abnormalities in the brain. The major pathological hallmarks of AD include beta amyloid (Aß) protein deposition, presence of neurofibrillary tangles and neurodegeneration of cholinergic neurons. Aß, a 39-43 amino acid proteolytic fragment of amyloid precursor protein, is the major constituent of the senile plaques. Rice bran, the major byproduct of the rice milling industry, is the source of a high quality vegetable oil. Rice bran oil (RBO) has attracted much medicinal attention for its strong hypocholesterolemic properties because of its balanced fatty acid composition and high levels of antioxidant phytochemicals such as oryzanols, tocopherols and tocotrienols. The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of RBO against Aß (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity in in vitro and in vivo. Methods and Results : Memory impairment was produced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) microinjection of 15 nmol Aß (25-35) and measured by passive avoidance test in ICR mice. Glutathione concentration, lipid peroxidation rate and acetylcholine esterase activity were measured in mice brain. The expression levels of phosphorylated mitogen activated proteins kinases (MAPKs), inflammatory factors, and anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins in mice brains were detected by Western blot. Cerebral cortical neuronal cells were cultured from 15-days-old fetus. Cortical neurons were incubated with 10 μM Aß (25-35) for 36 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Chronic treatments of RBO (0.1-1 ml/kg, 8 days, p.o.) protected against memory impairment induced by Aß (25-35). Depletion of glutathione level, lipid peroxidation and increased acetylcholine esterase activity by the treatment with Aß (25-35) were inhibited by administration of RBO. The increase of phosphorylated MAPKs, inflammatory factors, and proapoptotic proteins and the decrease of antiapoptotic protein in Aß (25-35)-administered mice brain were significantly inhibited by treatment with RBO. RBO (0.1-5ul/ml) inhibited 10μM Aß (25-35)-induced neuronal cell death in cultured cortical neurons. Conclusion : The present study suggests the role of RBO as a promising therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases like AD and stroke.

Background : Recently, ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer.) berry has been used as a health-promoting supplements. Also, Mulberries (Morus alba L.) fruit have been used in traditional herbal medicine to treat and prevent diabetes. In this study, we measured the cytotoxicity after fermentation of the extracts in Panax Ginseng Berry and Mulberry Fruit. Methods and Results : The extracts were prepared by decoction for 3 hours in distilled water (100 g/L). The dried extract was then dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in preparation for use. Cell viability was examined by an MTT assay. RAW 264.7 cells were seeded at 1 × 104/mL densities in 96-well plates. Each grouping had a non-treated group as the control. The extracts were added to each well and incubated for 24 hours at 37°C and 5% CO2. The MTT solutions (5 mg/mL) were added to each well, and the cells were cultured for another 2 hours. The supernatant was then discarded, and 100 μL of dimethyl sulfoxide was added to each well. The optical density was read at 540 nm. Conclusion : Probiotics and prebiotics modulate the composition of human and domestic animal gut microbiota. The beneficial effects may result from suppression of harmful microorganisms or stimulation of organisms which contribute in a positive way to the nutrition and health of human and domestic animal. Recently, fermentation using microorganisms for the production of more effective compounds has been extensively studied. In particular, the novel pharmacological effects of a new compound generated by fermentation have been reported. Some previous studies have demonstrated that Fermented herbal medicine extract showed better bioactivity than normal herbal Plants extract when used at the same concentration.

This study was conducted to compare the antioxidant, anticytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties of Euphorbia maculata ethanol extract with those of E. supina ethanol extract. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and superoxide scavenging activities of E. maculata at 50 μg/mL were 38.3 ± 3.7 and 21.5 ± 1.2%, respectively, whereas those of E. supina at the same concentration were 109.4 ± 0.9 and 59.5 ± 4.8%, respectively. Oxygen radical absorbance capacities of E. maculata and E. supina at 10 μg/mL were 14.70 ± 0.63 and 26.17 ± 1.36 nmol/mL Trolox, respectively. Cupric reducing antioxidant capacities of E. maculata and E. supina at 10 μg/mL were 10.22 ± 0.97 and 62.99 ± 5.28 nmol/mL Trolox, respectively. Total phenolic contents of E. maculata and E. supina at 50 μg/mL were 29.03 ± 0.14 and 87.89 ± 0.20 nmol/mL gallic acid, respectively. E. maculata and E. supina were reported to prevent supercoiled DNA breakage induced by peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals in a concentration-dependent manner, where protection against the supercoiled DNA breakage provided by E. supina was greater than that provided by E. maculata. E. maculata and E. supina at 100 μg/mL inhibited tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells by 49.4 ± 4.3 and 87.3 ± 4.5%, respectively. E. maculata and E. supina at 500 μg/mL inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells by 63.1 ± 7.0 and 85.2 ± 1.6%, respectively. The antioxidant capacities including DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide scavenging, oxygen radical absorbance, and cupric reducing antioxidant activity were found to be highly correlated with total phenolic content (0.896 < r < 0.983, p < 0.01) and anticytotoxic activities (0.915 < r < 0.960, p < 0.01). However, the superoxide scavenging activity was not significantly correlated (r = 0.604, p > 0.05) with the anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, these findings demonstrated that the radical scavenging, anticytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory capacities of E. supina were more potent than those of E. maculata. Further studies are needed to elucidate the properties of polyphenolic constituents in E. supina responsible for these effects and the underlying mechanisms.

Background : Lectins were individually isolated from natural Korean mistletoe (nML) and its in vitro cultured calli (cML). Both of the lectins showed the difference in bioactivities such as cytotoxicity and cytokine induction. Methods and Results : Target cells (1 x 104 cells/well) were seeded independently into each well of a 96-well culture plate and incubated with different concentrations of each lectin. Survivability of target cells was determined by CCK-8 kit (Sigma, USA) according to manufacturer’s directions. The nML showed 46, 34 and 5.5 times stronger than cML in cytotoxicity (IC50) to human melanoma cell line (SK-MEL-28), human carcinoma cell line (NCI-H1650) and murine macrophage (RAW 264.7), respectively. In addition, respective lectins directly stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 but they showed the difference in enhanced productivity of some inflammatory cytokines. Compared with cML, the nML induced both TNF-α and IL-1β at its low concentration. Administration of two kinds of lectins (10-1000 μ g/kg body weight) to ICR mouse did not show any significant changes on the level of alanine transaminase (ALT), glutamate-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in sera. Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that nML and cML showed differences in cytotoxic effects and cytokine production due to the difference in amounts from sources.

The objective of this study was to investigate anticytotoxic and antioxidatative capacities of ethanol extracts from Acer tegmentosum Maxim (A. tegmentosum) stem in vitro. The extract at concentration of 200 ug/mL inhibited 10 and 20 ug/mL arsenic trioxide-induced cytotoxicity of HepG2 cells by 79.3 and 57.5%, respectively. The extract at concentration of 200 ug/mL inhibited 0.2 and 0.5 mM t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity of HepG2 cells by 66.3 and 35.7%, respectively. Antioxidative effects of the extract were examined via measurement of ABTS, superoxide, and peroxyl radical scavenging activities. ABTS radical scavenging activity of the extract was higher than that of α-tocopherol. Superoxide scavenging activity of the extract was higher than that of catechin. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the extract was higher than that of ascorbic acid. Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity of the extract was higher than that of α-tocopherol. The extract at concentrations of 100 and 500 μg/mL inhibited 10 mM t-BHP-induced lipid peroxidation of HepG2 cells by 38.2 and 80.7%, respectively. The extract prevented supercoiled DNA strand breakage induced by hydroxyl or peroxyl radical. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract at concentration of 100 μg/mL were 71.3 nmol/mL gallic acid and 18.8 nmol/mL catechin equivalents, respectively. Thus, strong cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of A. tegmentosum stem extract seem to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicals-induced oxidation as well as high levels in polyphenolic contents.

본 연구는 돌연변이원(mutagen)의 하나인 메틸수은(methylmercuric chloride, MMC)의 세포독성을 알아보기 위하여 배양 NIH3T3 섬유모세포를 재료로 메틸수은의 독성을 산화적 손상측 면에서 조사하였으며, 또한 메틸수은의 세포독성에 대한 꿀풀 (Prunella vulgaris L. var lilacina Nakai) 추출물의 영향을 세포 생존율을 비롯한 SOD-유사 활성(SOD-like activity) 및 지질과산 화(lipid peroxidation, LP) 저해능과 같은 항산화 측면에서 분석 하였다. 본 실험에서 배양 NIH3T3 섬유모세포에 15∼35uM의 메 틸수은을 처리한 결과 처리농도에 비례하여 세포생존율이 대조군 에 비하여 유의하게 감소하였으며, 또한 XTT50값이 34.2uM에서 나타나 고독성(highly-toxic)인 것으로 나타났다. 한편, 항산화제 인 vitamin E는 메틸수은에 의하여 감소된 세포생존율을 유의하게 증가시켰다. 메틸수은의 세포독성에 대한 꿀풀 추출물의 영향에 있 어서, 꿀풀 추출물은 메틸수은에 의하여 감소된 세포생존율을 유의 하게 증가시킴으로서 메틸수은의 세포독성을 방어하였으며, 동시 에, SOD-유사 활성 및 지질과산화 저해능을 보임으로서 항산화능 을 나타냈다. 위의 결과로 부터 메틸수은의 세포독성에 산화적 손 상이 관여하고 있으며, 동시에 꿀풀 추출물은 항산화능에 의하여 메틸수은의 산화적 손상을 효과적으로 방어하였다. 따라서, 꿀풀 추출물과 같은 천연물질은 메틸수은과 같이 산화적 손상과 관련된 중금속의 독성을 방어 내지는 치료하는데 있어 항산화 소재로서의 유효한 기능이 있음을 제시하고 있다.

In order to find out anticancer activity of Korean pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), the cytotoxicity against 8 cell lines including 293 (normal kidney cells) and A-431 (epidermoid carcinoma cells) of extracts by extraction solvents and plant parts were investigated using MTT assay. Also the correlation between content of capsaicin known as anticancer ingredient and cytotoxicity of extracts from pepper were analyzed. The distilled water extracts from seed and germinated seed showed very high cytotoxicity against 6 cancer cell lines including A549 (lung carcinoma cells), AGS (stomach adenocarcinoma cells), HeLa (cervix adenocarcinoma cells), HepG2 (hepatoblastoma cells), HT-29 (colon adenocarcinoma cells), and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma cells). But 80% ethanol and methanol extracts showed cytotoxicity against 293 and AGS. The RC50, that was, the concentration of sample required for 50% reduction of cell viability, of seed and germinated seed extracts against AGS were 33.4~389.1μg/mℓ and 63.9~1,316.7μg/mℓ, respectively, so anticancer activity was higher in seed than in germinated seed. In capsaicin contents, seed with high cytotoxicity and pericarp with a little cytotoxicity contained 47.4~1,260.0μg/g and 58.3~1,498.0μg/g, respectively. As these results, the correlation was not between cytotoxicity and capsaicin content.

환경오염원이면서 알레르기성 접촉피부염 유발제인 NiSO₄의 세포독성과 멜라닌합성에 대한 감잎 추출물의 영향을 배양 B16/F10 흑색종세포를 재료로 하여 조사하였다. 또한, 감잎 추출물의 항산화능을 lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) 활성에 의하여 조사하였다. 본 연구에서 NiSO₄는 배양 B16/F10 흑색종세포에 처리한 농도에 비례하여 세포생존율을 유의하게 감소시켰으며(P<0.001), 이 때 XTT50값은 106.7μM로 중간독성인 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 항산화제인 비타민 E는 NiSO₄에 의하여 감소된 세포생존율을 유의하게 증가시킴으로서 NiSO₄의 세포독성을 방어하였다(P<0.001). 한편, NiSO₄의 세포독성에 대한 감잎 추출물의 영향에 있어서, 감잎 추출물은 NiSO4만의 처리에 비하여 유의한 세포생존율의 증가 및 LDH 활성 감소를 보임으로서 항산화능을 나타냈다. 멜라닌화에 있어서, 감잎 추출물은 NiSO₄에 의하여 증가된 티로시나제(tyrosinase) 활성과 총멜라닌양을 모두 유의하게 감소시켰다(P<0.001). 이상의 결과로부터 NiSO4의 세포독성에 산화적 손상이 관여하고 있으며, 감잎 추출물은 항산화능에 의하여 NiSO₄의 세포독성을 효과적으로 방어하였다. 또한 감잎 추출물은 티로시나제 활성과 총멜라닌양을 유의하게 감소시킴으로서 NiSO₄에 의한 멜라닌화를 효과적으로 방어하였다. 따라서, 감잎과 같은 천연추출성분은 NiSO₄처럼 산화적 손상과 관련이 있는 중금속의 독성으로부터의 미백 및 항독을 위한 천연소재로서의 개발적 가치가 크다고 생각된다.