The seasonal appearance and the chemical composition characteristics of cladode of Opuntia humifusa were investigated in this study. The minor (horizontal) and major (vertical) axes, the width, and weight of O. humifusa cladode were compared for its appearance features. Moisture, crude protein, ash, fat, color, dietary fiber, mineral, and amino acids contents were measured for the comparison of their chemical composition characteristics. The cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer showed higher values of minor and major axis, width, and weight than those harvested in winter. According to the results of Hunter color index, cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer showed the highest lightness level (Hunter L value). In the meanwhile, cladode of O. humifusa harvested in spring showed the highest Hunter a (redness) and b (yellowness) values. Cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer had the lowest crude protein and crude fat contents, while it showed the highest crude ash content. The total contents of moisture and dietary fiber were significantly greater than summer-harvested cladode of O. humifusa followed by spring- and winter-harvested cladode of O. humifusa. The major mineral content of all seasonal cladode of O. humifusa was Ca2+. Glutamic acid and aspartic acid were the major amino acids in all seasonal samples. Contrary, the contents of total amino acids and free amino acids were the lowest in summer-harvested cladode of O. humifusa. Taken together, it was concluded that the appearance and chemical quality of cladode of O. humifusa was versatile depending on the harvesting season.

상황버섯을 90℃에서 환류추출 시 시간과 추출용매의 조건(물 및 에탄올 농도, pH)에 따른 추출물을 제조하여 β-glucan 함량과 항산화활성 및 항산화성분의 함량을 조사 하였다. 상황버섯 추출물은 추출시간이 길어짐에 따라 수 율과 β-glucan 함량이 증가하여 24시간 추출 조건을 실험에 사용하였다. 추출용매에 따른 상황버섯 추출물의 수율은 60% 에탄올, pH 4의 조건에서 가장 높았다. β-glucan 함량 은 열수 추출물에서 높은 함량을 나타내었고, 산성과 중성 조건에서 높게 나타났다. 항산화활성은 60% 에탄올, pH 7 조건에서 추출한 것이 가장 높았다. 항산화성분의 함량 또한 항산화활성과 같은 경향을 보였으며, 수율, β-glucan 함량, 항산화활성 및 성분을 모두 고려하였을 때 60% 에탄 올, pH 7 추출 조건이 적합하였다.

Recently, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-mediated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was proposed to accelerate adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cell. We have previously shown that Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) extract significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation via downregulation of PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) gene expression. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism(s) of NOX4, G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and antioxidant enzymes in anti-oxidative activities of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that Cheonnyuncho extracts markedly inhibits ROS production during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Cheonnyuncho extracts suppressed the mRNA expression of the pro-oxidant enzyme such as NOX4 and theNADPH-producing G6PDH enzyme. In addition, treatment with Cheonnyuncho extract was found to upregulate mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes such as Mn-SOD (manganese-superoxide dismutase), Cu/Zn-SOD (copper/zinc-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathion reductase (GR), and catalase, all of which are important for endogenous antioxidant responses. These data suggest that Cheonnyuncho extract may be effective in preventing the rise of oxidative stress during adipocyte differentiation through mechanism(s) that involves direct down regulation of NOX4 and G6PDH gene expression or via upregulation of endogenous antioxidant responses.

In this study, 80% ethanolic extracts of tartary and common buckwheats were assessed for their total phenol content, total flavonoids content, antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing power), and anti-adipogenic effects. Our results show that total phenol contents of 80% ethanolic extract from tartary and common buckwheats were 17.35±0.41 and 8.20±0.28 μg GAE/g, respectively. Antioxidant activities of 80% ethanolic extract from tartary buckwheat were significantly higher than that of common buckwheat extract (p<0.05). During adipocyte differentiation, 80% ethanolic extracts of tartary and common buckwheat significantly inhibited lipid accumulation compared to control cells. We further evaluated the effect of buckwheat extracts on the changes of key gene expression associated with 3T3-L1 adipogenesis and ROS production. Tartary buckwheat extract was more suppressed the mRNA expressions (PPARγ and aP2) than that of common buckwheat extract. Moreover, tartary buckwheat inhibited the mRNA expression of both NOX4 (NADPH oxidase 4) and G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). These results indicate that anti-adipogenesis effect of tartary buckwheat can be attributed to phenolic compound that may potentially inhibit ROS production.

최근 천년초 선인장은 녹차 및 양파와 같은 피토케미칼(phytochemical)에 함유된 페놀성 화합물의 중요한 소재로 보고되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 천년초 열수 및 80% 에탄올 추출물의 총 페놀 및 총 플라보노이드 함량, 항산화 활성(DPPH 라디칼 소거능 및 환원력) 및 항비만 활성을 평가하였다. 총 페놀 함량은 천년초 열수 추출물 및 80% 에탄올 추출물에서 각각 와 mg GAE/g로 나타난 반면, 총 폴라보노이드 함량은 80% 에탄올