In this study, 11 plant extracts from Bangladesh were used to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid content, in vitro antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Also, the inhibitory effect of nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line and the neuroprotective effect on H2O2-induced PC12 cells were tested. Our results revealed that Piper betle L. showed the highest total phenolic content (162.2 mg GAE/g extract) among the 11 plants from Bangladesh. Most plants showed strong radical scavenging effects and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Besides, Piper betle L. protected PC12 neuronal cells against H2O2 related oxidative stress in LPS-induced PC12 cells. Regarding the antiinflammatory effect, Piper betle L. significantly inhibited NO accumulation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Our results provide evidence that Piper betle L. could be useful for the development of functional health foods.

This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant activities and protective effects on PC12 cells of the extract of Epimedium koreanum and its main constituents icariin and icariside I. After screening the seven identified flavonoid glycosides from E. koreanum through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) assay, E. koreanum, Icariin and Icariside I exhibited significant effect on radical scavenging activity. E. koreanum, icariin and icariside I were examined using DPPH, ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (ferric reducing ability power) assay. In all antioxidant assays, E. koreanum, icariin and icariside I showed high radical scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner. Protective effects against H2O2-induced PC12 cells were assessed with MTT assay. The results indicated that cell viability and protection on PC12 cells of icariside I and icariin increased dose dependently. These study results suggest that E. koreanum, icariin and icariside showed high antioxidant capacities and cell protective effects. Icariside I, one of the metabolites of icariin, may be a new and effective flavonoid compound as a functional component.

This study attempted to establish the optimal conditions for storage of spring kimchi cabbage to stably control supply and demand. To this end, this study stored kimchi cabbages in various manners for different periods and compared the quality characteristics of kimchi using these cabbages. According to the results, pre-drying with photocatalytic and pre-cooling treatments showed average selectivity loss rates of 18.83 and 21.37%, respectively, which were lower than those of other treatments. Spring kimchi cabbages were stored for 15 weeks under various conditions, and the kimchi was stored for 4 weeks at 4°C. After ripening, each kimchi was analyzed for their soluble solid content, pH, acidity, and salinity. The average pH of kimchi was 4.60 and tended to rise, whereas average acidity was 0.38% and fell by 0.24 to 0.31% as the storage period was extended. Extension of the storage period caused decreases in soluble solid content and salinity, and the number of lactic acid bacteria decreased due to increased pH and reduced acidity (p<0.05). Sensory evaluation showed that all experts and non-professionals preferred kimchi treated by precooling compared to any other treatment.