The purpose of this study is to analyze antioxidant activity and multidrug resistance reversing activity in several Korean colored soybean (Glycine max Merr.) cultivars. Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts from colored soybean cultivars was evaluated by TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) methods. By means of TBARS, cultivar "Jeonnam #1" showed the highest activity until 7 days, and followed by "Black #1", "Jinyul" and "Black #3", showing lower activity than that of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene). Methanol extracts of all cultivars proved that DPPH radical scavenging activity is dose-dependent. Methanol extract from cultivar "Jeonnam #1" showed highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, and followed by cultivars "Black #1". MDR (multi-drug resistance reversing) activity, however, showed the highest effect in "Black #3" and the lowest "Black #1" cultivar. These results suggest that seed colors of soybean may play an important role in antioxidant activity and MDR activity.

• Hee-Ock Boo
• Jong-Ill Lee
• Kaihei Koshio
• Won-Seob Song
• Sang-Uk Chon