Background: Atractylodes radix is a well-known medicinal crop having many physiological effects. This study was conducted to select useful Atractylodes japonica × Atractylodes macrocephala (AJM) cultivars by comparing anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Methods and Results: Seven extracts from AJM cultivars were used to treat lipopolysacchride (LPS)-treated BV2 cells, and the effects on cell viability and inhibition on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production were analyzed. In vitro scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and peroxynitrite (NOO−) radicals were also investigated. Contents of total phenol, atractylenolide I, and atractylenolide III in the AJM extracts were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or spectrophotometry. The experiments show that none of the seven extracts was cytotoxic above 89.2% at 20 - 250㎍/㎖. Extracts of Gowon, Dawon, Sangchul, and Huchul inhibited ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner, and Sangchul extract showed the highest inhibition on ROS production. All the AJM extracts showed effective inhibitory activity after on NO release in the LPS-treated BV2 cells, and Sangchul extract showed the highest activity. Sangchul extract had the most potent scavenging activities for NOO− and had some DPPH radical scavenging effect. Sangchul extract also had the highest content at total phenol and atractylenolide I content. Atractylenolide III was not detected in the AJM extracts. Conclusions: The results suggested that Sangchul was the most useful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory resource among the AJM cultivars.

Background : Medicinal wild vegetables refer to wild medicinal plants whose aerial parts are edible. Recent researches for developing a functional food product from medicinal wild vegetables have been actively reported. The objective of this study is to test anti-diabetic activity of 2 medicinal wild vegetables, Allium victorialis and Aster koraiensis. Methods and Results : The medicinal wild vegetables were extracted using water and ethanol. Several medicinal wild vegetables were screened for anti-diabetic activity using α-glucosidase inhibitor screening test (colorimetric). It utilizes the ability of an active α-glucosidase to cleave a synthetic substrate and releasing a chromophore (OD 410 ㎚). In the presence of an α-glucosidase specific inhibitor, the enzymatic activity is greatly reduced which is detected by a decrease of absorbance readings. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of acarbose was compared with wild vegetables extracts at 1 ㎎/㎖. And A. victorialis and A. koraiensis extracts were selected. α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of A. victorialis and A. koraiensis extracts were confirmed in various concentration. Conclusion : These results suggest that A. victorialis and A. koraiensis could be good candidates for anti-diabetic material.

Background : It is known that Platycodon grandiflorum has anti-inflammatory activity and inhibits the production of nitric oxide (NO) in inflammatory macrophages. But the change of bioactivity of platycodon grandiflorum according to steaming is not well known. In this study, We investigated the effects of steaming on anti-inflammatory activity of 70% ethanol extracts of platycodon grandiflorum. Methods and Result : The cytotoxicity of RAW264.7 cells treated with platycodon grandiflorum extracts was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the concentration of NO in culture supernatants were determined using nitric oxide (NO) assay. And western blotting was performed to quantify the expression of iNOS, a protein related to NO production. As a results, it was confirmed that no cytotoxicity was observed at 25, 50 and 100 ㎍/㎖ platycodon grandiflorum extracts in RAW264.7 cells. The production of NO and the expression of iNOS were induced by LPS and suppressed by all platycodon grandiflorum extracts in proportion to the number of steaming in RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion : These results suggest that a steaming process can increase anti-inflammatory activity of platycodon grandiflorum extracts.

Background : The health-promoting effects of green tea are mainly attributed to its polyphenol content, particularly flavanols and flavonols, which account for 30% of a fresh leaf’s dry weight, but the ingredients of the polyphenol content vary depending on the species. This study was conducted to select some candidates with superior anti-oxidative and anti-allergy effects from among seven cultivars of green tea. Methods and Results : Green tea extracts were prepared by extraction with ethanol and by evaporation of the solvent at low pressure. To evaluate their anti-allergy effect and cell viability, the samples were tested for ß-hexosaminidase inhibitory activity and MTT assay of the RBL-2H3 cells, respectively. The anti-oxidation effects of the samples were analyzed with a DPPH radical scavenging activity. According to the results of the experiment, four extracts including Camelia sinensis var. Kemsull, C. sinensis var. Beachwisull, C. sinensis var. Chamnok and C. sinensis var. Fushun showed effective ß-hexosaminidase inhibitory activity at 12.5, 25, 50, 100 ㎍/㎖. At 50 ㎍/㎖, C. sinensis var. Saemidori had the highest cell viability as 86.1%, and all of the samples showed cell proliferation above 70% at 25 ㎍/㎖. The extract of C. sinensis var. Kemsull showed a 60 - 70% inhibitory effect on the DPPH radical at all of the tested concentrations, whereas the extracts of C. sinensis var. Ryohu, C. sinensis var. Saemidori, C. sinensis var. Yabukita showed lower DPPH inhibition effects at around 10 - 30%. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that the extracts of C. sinensis var. Kemsull, C. sinensis var. Beachwisull, and C. sinensis var. Chamnok have more prominent anti-oxidation and anti-allergy effects than other cultivars, and thus could be utilized as resources for improving health.

Background : Acetylcholine is related with various functions, including cognition and behavior, and increased activity of cholinesterase has been reported in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As such, the inhibition of cholinesterase activity could be a means of ameliorating neuronal degenerative diseases such as AD. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause neuronal cell damage. The AchE inhibitory effects of Sorghum bicolor (SB) have been revealed by research. This study was conducted to compare the cholinesterase inhibitory effects and anti-oxidative effects of SB extracts according to their extraction conditions. Methods and results : Eight extracts were prepared from SB seed, which was extracted using three different methods including room temperature extraction, reflux extraction at 85℃, and accelerate solvent extraction (ASE) at 50℃ by using distilled water and/or ethanol as a solvent. AchE and BuchE inhibition activities of the extracts were measured in vitro, and their inhibitory activities on ROS, nitric oxide (NO) production and cell proliferation were analyzed in lipoppolysacchride–treated BV2 mouse microglia cells. According to the results of the experiments, the 50% ethanol extract obtained by room temperature extraction showed a BuchE inhibitory effect of 40% at the final concentration of 100 ㎍/㎖, while the other 50% ethanol extracts showed a BuchE inhibitory effect of around 20%. The 100% Ethanol extract obtained from reflux extraction at 50 ㎍/㎖ showed the highest inhibitory effect on NO generation as 58.3%, whereas the 50% ethanol extract obtained from ASE extraction at 50 ㎍/ ㎖ showed the highest inhibitory effect on ROS generation as 56.0%. Conclusion : The results of the experiments show that the 50% and 100% ethanol extracts prepared under different temperature, pressure and solvent conditions have more effective on strong cholinesterase inhibition, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects..

Background : Exposure to Ultraviolet B (UVB) causes oxidative stress, inflammation, pigmentation and severe skin damage. Astragalus membranaceus (AG) has been used as a traditional medicine and have been studied various physiological activities. During the roasting process, bioactive substances is change including antioxidant substances. The aim is study the antioxidant effects and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitory effect of the roasted A. membranaceus (R-AG). on Human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. Methods and Results : To prepare of R-AG samples, roasting machine was used. AG and R-AG were extracted to water and 70% ethanol. AG samples were evaluated the antioxidant potential by measuring the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2`-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activities. Additionally, total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents was compared with antioxidant ingredients. AG and R-AGs were analyzed with HPLC determine the major compounds such as calycosin, mononetin and glycosides. The antioxidant activities of R-AG increased and changed in major compounds. In UVB exposed HDF cells, AGs did not affect cell viability and R-AG inhibited ROS more effectively than AG. Conclusion : From these results, R-AG can inhibit oxidative stress induced UVB in HDF cells.

Background : Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata) is important medicinal resource in korea. Gastrodin and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4-HBA) are major active compounds of G. elata, and ρ-cresol is major cause of off-odor like pig slurry from G. elata. The off-odor can decrease the quality of fresh G. elata as well as its products. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the influence of extraction temperature on bio-active and odorous compounds of G. elata extract. Methods and Results : G. elata was extracted with distilled water at 0, 30, 60, and 90℃ for 20, 40, 60, and 120 min. Gastrodin and 4-HBA contents were analyzed by using a HPLC-UVD, and ρ-cresol content was analyzed by using a SPME-GC-MS. Gastrodin content increased as increasing extraction temperature and time, and showed the highest value in extract at 90℃. 4-HBA content showed the highest value at 60℃, and increased as increasing extraction time. Total content of gastrodin and 4-HBA was higher in extract from G. elata at 60℃ for 120 min than other extracts. ρ-Cresol content was varied according to extraction temperature, and was lower in extract at 30 and 60℃ than 0 and 90℃. Conclusion : These results indicated that the extraction temperature can affect the bio-active components and off-odor of G. elata extract, and 60℃ is appropriate to improve the qualities including bio-active component and off-odor of G. elata extract and its products.

Background : Gastrodia elata (GE) is a perennial herb that belongs to the orchidaceae and is used as a medicinal or food material. Known pharmacological agents include gastrodin and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. It is used as medicinal herb that is traditionally used for headache, migraine, dizziness, epilepsy and infant seizures. It is used for medicinal herbs such as sedation, hypnosis, epilepsy treatment, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, neuroprotection, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, Antioxidant, memory improvement, anti-aging, antiviral, anti-tumor. The purpose of this study was to find the extraction method with the highest oxidative stress inhibition and to optimize the pharmacological effect of the extract. Methods and Results : GE was freeze-dried to obtain 5 g, and then extracted into 50 ㎖ of water. Extraction temperature was 0, 30, 60 and 90℃ for 20, 40, 60 and 120 min, respectively. After centrifugation, the mixture was filtered through a 0.45 ㎛ filter. ABTS scavenging ability, DPPH scavenging ability, total phenol content, neuronal cell line (PC12) cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress scavenging activity in neurons were measured by this extract. ABTS scavenging ability, DPPH scavenging ability and total phenol content increased with increasing temperature and extraction time. However, at 60℃ and 90℃ extraction temperature, there was no significant difference. The cytotoxicity of 2 ㎎/㎖ of GE extract was significantly increased in the extract group of 90℃ after 20 hours. Conclusion : From the above results, the water extraction conditions to optimize the pharmacological activity of GE were 120 minutes at 60℃ or less.

Background: Atractylodes japonica Koidz. and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. belong to the family (Asteraceae). Their rhizomes, called white Atractylodes rhizomes, are used in traditional medicine. To address some issues with their cultivation, we recently developed eight hybrid cultivars by interspecific hybridization of A. japonica and A. macrocephala. This study was conducted to screen the hybrid cultivars that have high amounts of active ingredients and yield ability. Methods and Results: Experiments were conducted using the eight hybrid cultivars and A. macrocephala (control cultivar) in the experimental field of the department of Herbal Crop Research located in Eumseong, South Korea. We investigated the growth characteristics of the aerial and underground parts. Among the cultivars, ‘Sanwon’ had the highest rhizome dry weight (53.8 g/plant), followed by ‘Dachul’ (50.0 g/plant). In addition, the content of atractylenolide I, II, III and total active ingredients were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Compared with A. macrocephala, most of the inter-specific hybrid cultivars had a higher content of active ingredients and yield ability. Conclusions: Through study, we established the superior quality of Atractylodes inter-specific hybrid cultivars. In particularly, it was found that ‘Dachul’ may be grown as a superior cultivar, with high amount of active ingredients as well as yield ability.

Background : Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora (Rosaceae) called “Brial wreath” is a deciduous latifoliate shrub that is widely distributed throughout in Northeast Asia. Phytochemical and biological investigation of S. prunifolia have led to the discovery of biologically active compounds. Pharmacological studies revealed that the extract of the root of S. prunifolia possess antioxidant, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. Some chemical constituents such as sterols, phenolics, terpene and fatty acid, as well as ethanolic extracts from the roots of S. prunifolia, have previously been reported to modulate the deleterious effects of diabetes, to prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity, and to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Our continuing research was carried out to search for other phytochemical constituents from the leavess of S. prunifolia. The chemical structures of compounds were determined by NMR and FAB/MS spectroscopic data interpretation. Methods and Results : Multiple-preparative liquid chromatography (MPLC) purifications were carried out on YMC LC-forte/R instrument (YMC Kyoto, Japan) equipped with YMC-Pack ODS-A columns (ODS gel : 5 ㎛, 10 ㎜ × 250 ㎜). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed on Agilent Technologies instrument (Aglient Tec., Santa clara, CA, USA) equipped with YMC–Pack Pro C18 columns (ODS gel : 5 ㎛, 4.6 ㎜ × 250 ㎜). Next, quantitative analysis was carried out on UPLC-QqQ/MS 3200 Q-TRAP instrument (AB SCIEX Toronto, Canada) using a ACQUITY UPLC (waters corp.) with an ACQUITY BEH C18 column (2.1 ㎜ × 100 ㎜, 1.7 ㎛). The metabolite samples was applied to preparative reversed-phase HPLC and UPLC using gradient method, solvent A [water + 0.1% formic acid (v/v)] and solvent B [acetonitrile + 0.1% formic acid (v/v)]. Conclusion : In this study, we isolated the major metabolites from the stem of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora by using MPLC and HPLC. UPLC-QqQ/MS was also used to quantify target compounds. Finally, we established methodology and performed the quantitative analysis on target compounds from the stem of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora.

Background : Lythrum salicaria L. (LS), a herb that is found all around the world, has long been used as medicinal plant to treat inflammation, external wound bleeding, and diarrhea, while its sprouts (young leaves) can be utilized as a food material. The antioxidant and hepato-protective activities of LS have been reported in several articles. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and cell proliferation of LS leaves according to their growth period, and to obtain information on the optimal harvesting time of LS as a food resource. Methods and results : LS leaves were collected at ten-day intervals between April 27 and June 26, 2016 in Eumseong-gun, South Korea. The LS leaves were extracted with 50% ethanol at room temperature, and seven LS extracts (LSE) were obtained. A peroxynitrite (ONOO-) scavenging assay and a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay were performed to compare the antioxidant effects of LSE, while a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed on the BV-2 cell lines to determine cell viability. The total phenol contents of LSE were quantified by using the calibration curve of tannic acid. From these assays, LSE harvested on April 27 showed the lowest value, while LSE harvested on June 6 showed the highest DPPH scavenging activity at 10 ㎍/㎖. There was no difference among the extracts in terms of their peroxynitrite scavenging activity. The extract prepared on April 27 showed the highest value in terms of BV2 cell viability, while that obtained on June 6 showed the lowest value. The value in terms of the total phenol content of the LSE harvested on June 6 was the highest, whereas that of the LSE harvested on April 27 was the lowest. Conclusion : When comparing the activity of LSE according to its harvesting time, the extract dated June 6 showed the highest effect in terms of its antioxidant activity and its total phenol content, whereas the extract dated April 27 showed the highest cell viability. As such, this study suggests that LS leaves harvested in the early season could be utilized as a food material even though they display low efficacy.

Background : This study was conducted to select candidates from among plant resources with the potential to improve Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia. AD has been linked to a deficiency in the brain neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), and is also correlated with cholinergic system abnormalities coupled with progressive cognitive impairment and altered behavior. The activity of ACh in the brain is terminated by the hydrolysis action of cholinesterase (ChEs). An inhibitor of these enzymes could contribute to improving the level of ACh and to augmenting the activity of surviving cholinergic neurons in patients with AD. Methods and Results : Plant extracts were prepared by solvent extraction and tested for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity by using the Ellman colorimetric method. One hundred and eighty-four extracts at a final concentration of 100 ㎍/㎖ were preliminarily screened for their AChE inhibition capacity. From the experiment, the AChE inhibitory activity of five extracts including a methanol extract of Coptis chinensis (rhizome), a methanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (stamen/ovary), a methanol extract of Persicaria tinctoria H.GROSS (flower), and both a methanol extract and a water extract of Phellaodendron amurense Rupr (bark) showed comparatively higher AChE inhibitory effects, ranging from 38.3 to 63.1%, than other extracts. The five selected extracts were retested for their AChE inhibition activity at final concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/㎖, and compared with tacrine (0.1 ㎍/㎖) as the positive control. In the experiment, the five extracts effectively inhibited AChE at each of the set concentrations. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that the five plant extracts mentioned above could be utilized as candidates for improving the ACh level and for ameliorating AD.

An unrecorded alien species plant, Phalaris paradoxa L. (Poaceae) was found in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju island, Korea. It is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, and it is currently found worldwide. Phalaris paradoxa is distinguishable from related taxa (P. arundinacea, P. canariensis, P. minor and P. arundinacea var. picta) in Korea by the following combination of characterstics: spikelets in clusters (the upper central fertile spikelet surrounded by six lower sterile spikelets), wing of the keel. This taxon was named ‘Nal-gae-ca-na-ri-sae-pul’ in Korean based on its character. We provide its description, illustrations, photographs and a key of related taxa in Korea.

Background: Allergic diseases like such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis have recently increased both domestically and globally. The present study was undertaken to select candidates with anti-allergic activity from plant resources. Methods and Results: Fifty-six plant extracts at 20㎍/㎖ were screened against β-hexosaminidase production and interleukin (IL)- 4 release in degranulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. The anti-allergy activity of three plant extracts selected from the preliminary screening experiment, Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche (root), Pyrus pytifolia var. culta (Makino) Nakai (leaf), and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud (root) were measured at concentrations of 2 - 250㎍/㎖ in three cell lines as RBL- 2H3, HaCaT and Jurkcat T cells. The assay showed the root extract of R. glutinosa to have an inhibitory activity of 4.2% - 28.6% on β-hexosaminidase production from IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. Each extract of P. sibiricum and R. glutinosa reduced IL-4 release in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells, respectively. The leaf extract of P. pyrifolia var. culta showed a significantly potent suppressive effect of 10.2% - 74.7% on the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in HaCaT cells sensitized with TNF-a and INF-g, and showed inhibitory effect of –8.6% - 90.9% on the mRNA expression of IL-2 in Jurkat T cells sensitized with PMA and A23187. Conclusions: The results showed that the root of R. glutinosa and leaf of P. pyrifolia var. culta could be useful candidates as antiallergy materials.

This study was performed to evaluate the possibility of application of lactic acid bacteria fermentation to increase the anti-allergic activity of the extracts from Houttuynia cordata Thunb. H. cordata Thunb was fermented on 25, 30, 35 and 40℃ for 5 days by two species of lactic acid bacteria, Leuconostoc mesenteroides 4395 and Lactobacillus sakei 383. The anti-allergic activity of water extracts of H. cordata Thunb was then analyzed both before and after fermentation. Anti-allergic activity was determined in vitro assays by using 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and β-hexoseaminidase release of RBL-2H3 cells (degranulation marker). The extracts fermented at 35℃ by both bacteria had the highest inhibitory activities against 5-LO, and also higher than the control, and the one fermented at 30℃ by both bacteria had the highest inhibitory activity against COX-2. The degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells induced by IgE-antigen complex was estimated as β-hexoseaminidase release rate as reference of 100%, the release rates were inhibited in 25 μg/ml of the extracts fermented at 30, 35 and 40℃ only by L. mesenteroides 4395. These results indicate that anti-allergic activity of H. cordata Thunb is increased by lactic acid bacteria fermentation.

Hylotelephium erythrostictum is commonly used as a medicinal herb. In this study, H. erythrostictum leaf (HEL), branch (HEB), root (HER), and above ground (HEAG) extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties. The antioxidant activities were assayed by three methods based on scavenging of DPPH, ABTS and superoxide anion radical. HEAG extract showed the highest DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion radical scavenging activities. HEAG extract also exhibited the highest phenolic content (230 mg/g gallic acid equivalent). In our research for anti-inflammatory ingredients, the extract of HEAG inhibited the generation of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. To test the inhibitory effects of HEAG on pro-inflammatory cytokines, we conducted ELISA assay for the measuring the generation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL (interleukin)-1β, and IL(interleukin)-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. In these assays, HEAG ethanol extract showed a dose-dependent decrease in the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Based on these results, extract of HEAG could be the efficient candidate for anti-inflammatory agents.