본 연구 결과, 숙성처리는 지황의 비소화성 당류의 분해로 환원당이 증가하고, 쓴 맛의 원인인 카탈폴을 감소시킴으로서 지황의 소화성과 단맛의 증가에 긍정적인 영향을 줄 수 있을 것으로 생각되며, 비소화성 당류로부터의 환원당 증가와 카탈폴 감소를 위한 최적 온도는 각각 50℃와 30~40℃이었다. 따라서 본 연구에서 제안하는 숙성처리가 낮은 소화성과 쓴맛으로 인해 활용성이 낮은 지황의 소화성과 관능적 품질 개선에 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구에서는 영지버섯의 종류별 기능성 성분과 생리활성과의 상관관계를 분석하였다. 영지버섯은 담자 균류 민주름목 구멍장이 버섯과에 속하며 전세계에 분보하고 떡갈나무, 상수리나무 등 활엽수에서 주로 자생한다. 영지버섯은 색상과 형상에 따라서 적, 흑,자, 황, 백, 청, 녹각, 편목, 쓰가 영지로 구분을 하고 있다. 영지버섯은 한방에서 골을 강화하고, 치질과 신경쇄약, 소화불량 등 만성질환에 도움을 주며, 오미의 성분 준다고 나와있다. 영지버섯은 2010~2013년 영지버섯의 전국 생산량은 281 M/T(metric ton), 경기도, 충남, 전북에서 많이 생산되었고, 주요 성분으로 triterpene계(ganoderic acid A-T), steroid계(ganoderol A,B), 다당류 (예: ganoderan B), proteoglycan(예: GLIS) 등이 알려져 있다. 영지버섯의 생리활성으로서는 항종양작용, 심혈관계에 대한 작용, 세포보호작용, 면역증진, 항바이러스 작용 등의 약리효능을 나타내는 것으로 보고되고 있고, 본연구팀의 이전 연구 결과에서 항산화 효과 및 RAW 264.7 대식세포에 대한 항염증 효과를 돟물 실험을 통해 분석한 결과 우수한 효과를 나타낸 것을 보고한 바 있다. 또한, 본 연구팀은 영지버섯중 녹각 영지버섯 추출물의 엡스타인 바 바이러스에 대해서 위암세포 발달을 저해하는 효과를 나타내는 것을 동물 실험을 통해서 확인하였다. 이번 연구결과는 영지버섯류의 기능성 성분과 생리활성 상관관계를 분석하여 베타 글루칸이외의 성분들과 효능과의 상관관계를 분석함으로서 버섯을 이용한 고부가가치 산업화의 소재 개발의 기초를 마련하고자 하였다.

웰빙식품, 건강에 대한 관심 증대로 버섯의 소비량은 꾸준히 증가하고 있으나, 주로 생버섯으로 소비되 고 2차 가공식품의 기능성 구명으로 새로운 용도 개발 연구는 미진한 상황이다. 버섯의 고부가가치 창 출을 위해서는 버섯의 생산 및 단순가공형 산업에서 탈피하여 새로운 신기능성 구명 연구를 통해 새로 운 미래 바이오산업 확대를 위한 용도 창출을 위하여 본 연구를 수행하였다. 연구내용은 버섯류 35종 에 대한 전립선암세포내 PSA발현 억제 효능 및 이를 통해 확인된 버섯자원들의 함유성분 중 암에 관 련된 화합물들에 대한 구조적 상관관계를 분석하였다. 35종의 버섯류는 99% 에탄올 추출 및 물로 추출 후 동결건조하여 공시재료로 사용하였다. 그 결과 35종의 버섯중 느티만가닥(Hypsizigus marmoreus), 눈 꽃동충하초(Cordyceps takaomontana), 차가버섯(Inonotus obliquus), 동충하초(Cordyceps sinensis), 양송이 (Agaricus bisporus) 등에서 전립선암세포내 PSA 발현을 억제하는 효과를 보였다. 이들 버섯들은 면역력 을 높이는데 유효한 성분인 베타글루칸이 다량으로 함유되어 있어 면역력증진에 따른 전립선암세포의 증식 억제에 효과를 나타내고 있는 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구에서는 녹각영지버섯 추출물의 항산화 효과 및 lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon (IFN)-γ로 자극 된 RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 항산화 효과 및 항염증 효과를 조사하였다. 녹각영지버섯의 항산화 활성 을 확인하기 위하여 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)과 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical 소거 활성 및 reactive oxygen species (ROS) 생성량을 측정한 결과, DPPH radical 및 ABTS radical 소거효과에 대한 IC50은 각각, 80.74, 52.28 ㎍/ml의 radical 소거능이 관찰되었으며 ROS 생성량은 농도 의존적으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 그리고, RAW 264.7 대식세포를 이용하여 항산화 및 항염증 활성을 확인하기 위하여 ROS 및 nitric oxide (NO) 생성량을 측정한 결과, 활성산소 종 ROS와 염증 매개물질인 NO는 투여농도 의존적으로 감소하였다. 또한, 염증과 관련된 inflammatory cytokine의 발현을 농도 의존적으로 억제하여 항염증 활성을 나타내는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이상의 결과로부터 녹각영지버섯 추출물은 항산화 및 항염증을 지닌 기능성 소재로 활용이 가능할 것으로 사 료된다.

Silk fibroin has been widely tested as a candidate biomaterial applicable to various attempts of tissue engineering. In order to examine bone forming ability of silk 3-D scaffold, we have developed a tibial interlocking intramedullary nailing model. A tibial intramedullary nail in the weight bearing hind limb of a rat was interlocked with a pin through a pin hole at the proximal end of the intramedullary nail. Interlocking of the intramedullary nail prevented total collapse of proximal region of a bone defect and helped maintain the critical gap that was filled with silk 3-D scaffold, though minor shinkage about 1 mm at distal region was unavoidable. Bone forming ability of an implanted silk scaffold was monitored weekly for 8~10 wks by X-ray radiography of live animals and bone formation in the scaffold was examined by H & E staining and Masson’s trichrome staining of the bone tissue recovered from the animals. Although scattered islets of bone tissue was observed in the implanted silk scaffold, bone tissue was not widely developed and implanted scaffolds of silk nanofiber and salt-leached sponge were X-ray transparent, suggesting inefficient bone formation. By contrast, X-ray image of implanted silk nanofibrous scaffold coated with hydroxyapatite was getting darkened with time, which suggests bone tissue formation in the scaffold, while untreated silk 3-D scaffold remained undisturbed. Although existence of bone tissue in the scaffold should be confirmed by histological criteria, hydroxyapatite-coated silk scaffold appeared competent to support regeneration of the long bone defects In addition, the interlocking intramedullary nailing in tibia of rat hind limb could be applicable in assessing long bone regenerative capacity of various biocompatible materials.

Background : Scopolamine induces cholinergic dysfunction and oxidative stress, and the impairment of memory function. Therefore, oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction are important role of the brain pathology of amnesia. In this study, we investigated the impact of Safflower seed against oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction on scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. Methods and Results : Mice were orally pretreated with safflower seed (100 ㎎/㎏ body weight) or vehicle for 7 days, and scopolamine (1 ㎎/㎏ body weight) was injected intraperitoneally, 30 min before the behavior tests such as T-maze and novel objective recognition test on first day. To evaluate learning and memory function, the Morris water maze task was performed for 5 days, consecutively. The results showed that spatial perceptive ability and novel object recognition was significantly increased by preadministration of safflower seed compared with scopolamin-induced control mice in the behavior tests. Consistently, immuno blot revealed the elevated expression of superoxide dismutase 1 in the safflower seed pretreated mice, compared to the control mice. Moreover, protein expression of acetylcholinesterase was decreased in safflower seed pre-treated group. Conclusion : Subsequently, our results suggests that the Safflower seed extract improved memory impairment through inhibition of cholinergic dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Background : Excess alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic liver damage and gastritis. Korean thistle (Cirsium japonicum var. maackii) has been reported that it’s administration protective from liver from lipid accumulation and toxicity. Also, Korean dandelion (Taraxacum coreanum Nakai) has been traditionally used for treating various inflammation-related diseases including ethanol-induced gastritis. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the combination treatment of Korean thistle and Korean dandelion could regulate alcoholic liver damage and gastritis in mice. Methods and Results : Seven-week-old mice were treated with ethanol (5 g/㎏ of body weight) by gavage every 12 h for a total of three doses to induce acute liver damage and gastritis. Ethanol extract of Korean thistle, Korean dandelion or combination was gavaged simultaneously with ethanol for three doses. The results showed that the combination treatment of Korean thistle and Korean dandelion significantly inhibited alcohol-induced increase of serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels, liver weight, and hepatic caspase-3 expressions. Hepatic histopathological changes induced by alcohol were also remarkably improved by the combination treatment. The combination treatment inhibited alcohol-induced Morphological changes of gastritis and attenuated the expressions of pro-inflammatory protein, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase. Conclusion : The results of our study suggest that the combination treatment of Korean thistle and dandelion may simultaneously alleviate acute alcohol-induced gastritis and liver damage.

Background : In the previous results, antidepressants and anxiolytic Effects were reported from the leave extracts of Valeriana fauriei. The major compounds of leave were valeranone and valerianate. The purpose of this study was to the investigation of nerve related bioassay correlation and of low-molecular’s chemical constituents from different parts of V. fauriei. Moorover, we proposed the biochemical pathways from the low molecular’s chemical constituents of V. fauriei. Methods and Results : First, in order to investigate the chemical constituents of V. fauriei, we were analyzed the references of V. fauriei. And, we were analyzed the low molecular’s chemical constituents by using GC-MS from extracts of different parts from V. fauriei. As a result, 39 compounds, which are (+)-8-hydroxypinoresinol, (+)-hydroxipinoresinol, 2S (-)hesperidin, 4a, 10a-epoxy-aromadendrane, 6-methylapigenin, 8-hydroxypinoresinol, acetoxy- valerenic acid, acetylvalerenolic acid, actinidine, anismol A, baldrinal, dihydrode hydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-isovalerate, E- (-)-3,4-Epoxyvalerenal, E- (-)-3,4-Epoxyvalerenyl acetate, E-valerenyl acetate, E-valerenyl isovalerate, hydroxy- valerenic acid, linarin, mononorvalerenone, orientalol C, pinorespiol, pinorespiol, spatulenol, valdiate, valeranone, valerenal, valerenic acid, valerenol, valerenyl hexanoate, valerenyl n-valerate, valerianine, valtrate, volvalelactone A, volvalelactone B, volvalerenone A, volvatrate A, volvatrate B, Z-valerenyl acetate, Z-valerenyl isovalerate. were reported as the chemical constituents of V. fauriei. And also, hexadecane, propanoic acid, 3-β-hydroxypregn-5-ene-20-carb oxylic acid, spiro [cyclopropane-1,8’ (1H’) methano, from flower, cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, 1,1-Dimethyl-1-silacyclobutane, oleamide, 3-β-hydroxypregn-5-ene-20-carboxylic acid, per (trimethylsilyl)-D-lyxose from leaf, N- [(-)-jasmonoyl]- (S)-glutamic acid from stem, 9-octadecenamide, 1-ethyl-4- phosphorinanone, thiosemicarbazone, raffinose from root, were detected. We proposed the biochemical pathway from the chemical constituents of V. fauriei. Conclusion : The results of our study suggest that the proposal biochemical pathway of V. fauriei will be useful in the study of correlation of nerve related bioassay.

Background : Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disorder related with oxidative stress and apoptosis leading to cartilage damage. Recently, Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) was reported to play a protective role in various inflammatory response. However, the role of CJM in cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis progression is still unknown. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the protective effect of CJM in a animal model of osteoarthritis and cartilage degradation. Methods and Results : First, in order to determine active ingredient contents of CJM, we were carried out total polyphenolic content and total flavonoid content analyses. As a result, dried aerial parts of CJM were found to contain 149.2 ± 24.1 ㎎·GAE/g dry weight and 27.9 ± 2.0 ㎎·NE/g dry weight in boiling water extraction. Also, the HPLC analysis of CJM showed major compounds identified as cirsimarin and cirsimaritin. In addition, CJM protected against osteoarthritic cartilage destruction in an osteoarthritis mouse model induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus, as demonstrated by histopathological analysis. Conclusion : The results of this study demonstrate that CJM may protect against the osteoarthritis and cartilage destruction. Further study is needed to identify the mechanism for their improvement effects of osteoarthritis and cartilage destruction.

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 : Rehmannia glutinosa root (R. root) has been used as traditional medicine, and is important resource for natural medicines and functional foods. In Korea, various varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa have been developed, and these have various characteristics depending on the variety. Therefore, this study was performed to compare the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of R. root extracts with various varieties (Jihwang 1ho, Goryeo, Daegyeong, Gogang, Togang, Dagang, Wongang, Yeongang, Hwanggang, and Segang). Methods and Results : R. roots were extracted by reflux extraction method with 70% ethanol-water solution at 40℃, and their extracts were used for total phenolic contents, antioxidant and anti-aging activities. The total phenolic content, ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities were highest in Yeongang, and these values were 11.50 ㎎/g, 9.37 ㎍/g TEAC, and 7.13 ㎍/g TEAC, respectively. However, the anti-aging activity on human dermal fibroblast cells treated with doxorubicin was higher in Segang, Dagang, and Goryeo than other varieties, and their senescence ratios were measured at 50.66, 57.16, and 61.36% when treated at 200 ㎍/㎖, respectively. The total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were negatively correlated with anti-aging activity. Conclusion : These results indicated that the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of R. root extracts were differed according to variety of Rehmannia glutinosa, and positive correlation between anti-oxidant activities and anti-aging activity was not shown.

Background : Prepared Rehmanniae root (PRR) has been used as traditional medicine, and is one of the most important oriental herbal medicines. However, physical characteristics of PRR are not suitable for use in industry. This study was performed to suggest preparation method of PRR powder, and determine the physicochemical characteristics of PRR powder with different pre-freezing temperatures. Methods and Results : Moisture content, powder yield, particle size, bulk density, compressive stress, extraction yield, and 5-HMF content of PRR powders with different pre-freezing temperatures (-20℃, -40℃, -60℃, and -80℃) were analyzed, and correlation among these factors was determined. Powder yield increased and particle size decreased in a pre-freezing temperature-dependent manner from -20℃ to -60℃. Hausner ratio increased from 1.186 to 1.225 with decreasing temperature from -20℃ to -80℃, and compressive stress showed the opposite trend. Extraction yield and 5-HMF content were not significantly different between PRR and powder. Significant correlations were observed among pre-freezing temperature and physical characteristics (yield, particle size, hausner ratio, and compressive stress). Conclusion : These results suggest that pre-freezing temperature was important factors affecting physical characteristics of PRR powder, and the results of this study are industrially applicable to production of PRR powder.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa root (R. root) has been used as traditional medicine, and is important resource for natural medicines and functional foods. However, R. root have catalpol which have bitterness, and undigested sugars, including stachyose, raffinose, and verbascose as main compounds, and these compounds can cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the changes in reducing sugar producted from undigested sugars and catalpol contents as a bitter taste compound in R. root with aging treatment conditions. Methods and Results : R. root was treated at 10 - 70℃ for 0 - 48 h, and extracted with 50% ethanol solution. Their catalpol content was analyzed using HPLC-UVD, reducing sugar content generated from undigested sugars was measured by the Nelson-Somogyi methods, and these reaction rates were calculated from their variation according to aging time and temperature. During aging treatment, reducing sugar content increased and catalpol content decreased. Their formation and degradation rates were highest at 50℃ and 30 - 40℃, and their rates were 1.89 ㎎/g·h and 23.09 - 23.33%/h, respectively. Conclusion : These results indicated that aging treatment can positively affect the sweetness and digestibility of R. root slurry. Therefore, aging treatment could be considered for improving the sensory qualities and digestibility of R. root.

Background: Rehmanniae radix preparata (RRP) has been used as a traditional medicine and is one of the most important oriental herbal medicines. However, the physical characteristics of RRP are not suitable for use in industry. The present study was undertaken to determined the preparation method of RRP powder and the physicochemical characteristics of RRP powder by milling under different pre-freezing temperatures. Methods and Results: Moisture content, powder yield, particle size, bulk density, compressive stress, extraction yield, and 5-HMF content of PRR powders by milling with pre-freezing temperatures (−20, −40, −60, and −80℃) were analyzed, and correlation among these factors was determined. Powder yield increased and particle size decreased in a pre-freezing temperature-dependent manner from −20 to −60℃. The Hausner ratio increased from 1.186 to 1.225 with decreasing temperature from −20 to −80℃, whereas compressive stress showed the opposite trend. Extraction yield and 5-HMF content were not significantly different between RRP powder. Significant correlations were observed among pre-freezing temperature and physical characteristics (e.g., yield, particle size, Hausner ratio, and compressive stress). Conclusions: These results suggest that the pre-freezing temperature is an important factor affecting the physical characteristics of PRR powder and applicable to the industrial production of RRP powder

Background: Glycyrrhiza uralensis Radix (GR) is a crude drugs used in Asian countries that has been reported to prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. The present study examined whether GR and its active compounds, glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and isoliquiritigenin (IL), exerted protective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in C6 glial cells. Methods and Results: We exposed C6 glial cells to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 24 h and investigated the cellular response to GR and its active compounds by evaluating cell viability, reactivie oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis-related protein expression. GR successfully mitigated the reduced cell viability and ROS production induced by H2O2 in C6 glial cells, IL and GA significantly increased the cell viability and decreased ROS production. In addition, IL and GA down-regulated apoptotic Baxdependent caspase-3 activation, but each compound exerted different mechanisms, i.e., IL dose-dependently decreased ROS production and, GA up-regulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that GR and its active components, IL and GA, exhibit potential for use as natural neurodegenerative agents for the modulation of apoptosis in C6 glial cells.