감은 중국, 한국, 일본, 브라질, 터키, 이탈리아 등을 포함하는 온대지역에서 널리 재배되고 있으며 일부 아시아권 소비자들에게는 건강에 유익한 기능성 원료로 인식되고 있다. 또한 감에 포함된 풍부한 파이토케미컬들은 감을 섭취함으로써 건강과 관련된 다양한 문제점을 개선하기 위한 연구의 가능성을 제시한다. 본 연구에서는 감의 미숙과인 풋감추출물(DKA)의 유전독성을 확인하고자 한다. 미생물복귀돌연변이시험, 염색체이상시험, 포유류 소핵발생 시험을 수행하여 풋감추출물(DKA)의 유전독성을 평가하였다. 미생물복귀돌연변이시험에서 DKA는 Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537 와 Escherichia coli WP2uvrA에서 S9 대사활성계의 존재에 상관없이 돌연변이 유도를 보이지 않았다. 또한 마우스를 이용한 소핵 시험은 풋감추출물(DKA)처리군에서 소핵을 가진 다염성 적혈구와 전체적혈구 중 다염성 적혈구의 비율의 증가는 볼 수 없었으며 통계학적 유의성도 나타나지 않았다. 한편, CHL 세포를 이용한 염색체이상시험에서 모든 세포주 의 처리시간 및 S9 대사활성계 존재유무에 상관없이 염색 체이상을 보이지 않았다. 따라서 본 연구결과에 의하면 풋 감추출물(DKA)은 유전독성을 유발하지 않는 안전한 기능성 식품 원료로서 활용 가능하다고 판단된다.

We analyzed the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of common buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum and tartary buckwheat, F. tataricum. The diversity of the nucleotides and haplotypes, Tajima’s D, and Fu’s Fs was analyzed and compared among the varieties of common buckwheat and tartary buckwheat. The diversity of nucleotides and haplotypes indicated that the buckwheat populations had undergone rapid population expansion but D and Fs did not support their expansion statistically. The phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences did not clearly establish the phylogenetic relationships between the varieties of common buckwheat. The In/Del sequence of ITS-1 region could, therefore, be used as a DNA marker to distinguish raw or manufactured products derived from common buckwheat and tartary buckwheat.

In this study, a preliminary evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the Ficus erecta var. sieboldii (Miq.) King (FES) leaf extract has been performed to assess its potential as a natural resource for food and medicinal materials. FES was extracted using 70% EtOH and then fractionated sequentially using n-hexane, CH2Cl2, EtOAc, and n-BuOH. To screen for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents effectively, the inhibitory effect of the FES extracts on the production of oxidant stresses (DPPH, xanthine oxidase, and superoxide) and pro-inflammatory factors (NO, iNOS, COX-2, PGE2, IL-6, and IL-β) in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was examined. Among the sequential solvent fractions of FES, the CH2Cl2 and EtOAc fractions showed decreased production of oxidant stresses (DPPH, xanthine oxidase and superoxide), and the hexane and CH2Cl2 fractions of FES inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory factors (NO, iNOS, COX-2, and PGE2). The CH2Cl2 fraction also inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β). These results suggest that FES has a significant effects on the production of oxidant stresses and pro-inflammatory factors and may be used a natural resource for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by the progressive degradation of joint cartilage and is accompanied by secondary inflammation of synovial membranes. The purpose of this study describes a preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity on test material of Litsea japonica. fruit (LJTM) Also, this study was to evaluate the effects of LJTM on the joint cartilage of rat with OA induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). To study for anti-inflammatory agents effectively, we first examined the inhibitory effect of the LJTM on the production of pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. We identified anti-nociceptive effects of the LJTM by using in vivo peripheral and central nervous pain models. In addition, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on mRNA expression of MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -13, TIMP-1 and –2 in cartilage of OA. In the LJTM inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO and PGE2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). In cartilage, Expression of MMPs and TIMPs mRNA was suppressed in LJTM treatment group than in the control group. This study suggests that LJTM are potential candidates as anti-inflammation and anti-osteoarthritis agents (painkillers) for the treatment of OA.