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.

Diets rich in flavonoid-containing foods are sometimes associated with cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease prevention. β-glucan, one of the most important bioactive compounds in medicinal mushrooms, is used to boost the immune system, diabetes and cancer. In this study, we aimed to determine the content of two flavonoid compounds (naringenin and naringin) and β-glucan in Flammulina velutipes and Flammulina velutipe-gold strain. The naringenin, naringin, and β-glucan components from the Flammulina velutipes and Flammulina velutipe-gold strain were measured by the HPLC analysis. As a result, the contents of naringenin, naringin, and β-glucan were found to be much higher in Flammulina velutipe-gold strain than Flammulina velutipe. From the above results, we may suggest that Flammulina velutipe-gold strain might have useful as a material for functional food and pharmaceutics fir the pathological process of various human diseases.

Ganoderma lucidum has been reported to have various biological activities including antioxidant activity. The objective of this study was to compare the antioxidant effects between Ganoderma lucidum (GL) and antler-shaped fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum (AGL). In vitro antioxidant activities were examined by 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) and 1,2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities of GL and AGL ethanol extracts. In the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of GL and AGL ethanol extracts, antioxidant activities of AGL extracts (IC50, 66.94 μg/ml and 131.23 μg/ml) was showed higher than GL extracts (IC50, 83.93 μg/ml and 164.54 μg/ml). Total polyphenol content and total flavonoid content (38.00 g GAE/kg extract and 11.58 g NE/kg extract) of AGL were found higher as compared to GL (34.23 g GAE/kg extract and 3.46 g NE/kg extract). In summary, the results of this study demonstrate that AGL extracts had higher antioxidant activities to GL.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not the antler-shaped fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) has an anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of GL, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), activator protein 1 (AP-1), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). LPS/IFN-γ-induced cellular NO production was significantly decreased in GL-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, Western blotting analysis results demonstrated that reduced protein expression of MAPK families (such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK) and AP-1-targeting inflammatory enzymes (iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-6). These results indicated that GL modulates the MAPK/AP-1 signal pathway in inflammatory process. In conclusion, the present study provides important evidence that GL can potentially be used to reduce LPS/IFN-γ-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting the MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathways.

This study was conducted to in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of EtOH extracts of Cordyceps militaris (CM). Antioxidant potential, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of CM EtOH extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. Antioxidant activity of CM extracts was measured by following some well-established methods for free radical scavenging such as 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl hydrate and 1,2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). Moreover, Anti-inflammatory activity of CM extracts was determined by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide/interferon-γ-activated RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells. In addition, cytotoxicity of CM extracts against macrophages was determined by MTT assay. Our results showed that total phenolic content was 19.7 mg gallic acid/g extract. Total flavonoid content was 5.0 mg Naringin/g. Its antioxidant activity was assessed by IC50 value and the values are 338.8 μg/ml (DPPH radical scavenging), 35.4 μg/ml (ABTS radical scavenging). In addition, CM extracts attenuated NO production through the reduction of cellular inducible NO synthase protein expressions. Using MTT assay on indicate that CM extracts showed no toxicity. In conclusion, these results provide important evidence that CM extracts can potentially be used to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Naringenin and its glycoside naringin (naringenin-7-O-glycoside) belong to this series of flavonoids and were well-known strong antioxidant activity. This study was conducted to flavonoid constituents and antioxidant activity of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus cornucopiae. In order to determine active ingredient contents of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus cornucopiae, we were carried out total polyphenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) analyses. As a result, TPC (31.05 ± 0.03 g GAE/kg extract) and TFC (13.25 ± 1.24 g NE/kg extract) of Pleurotus cornucopiae were found significantly higher as compared to Pleurotus ostreatus. The IC50 values based on the DPPH (56.50 ± 0.73 μg/ml) and ABTS (86.53 ± 3.86 μg/ml) for Pleurotus cornucopiae were generally stronger showing potential antioxidant properties compared to Pleurotus ostreatus. In addition, naringin and naringenin content were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. A great amount of naringin and naringenin was found in Pleurotus cornucopiae. These results indicate that the Pleurotus cornucopiae can be used as an antioxidant therapeutic agent.

Hericium erinaceus (HE) is an edible mushroom to exhibit several biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects. This study focuses on the antioxidant potential of HE as extraction solvents. HE was extracted with ethanol (HEE) and water (HEW) in order to observe the change of the extraction amount of the active ingredient. Total polyphenol content (TPC) analyses were performed to decide the active ingredient contents of HEE and HEW. Moreover, 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) and 1,2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities were conducted to compare the antioxidant activities of HEE and HEW extracts. As a result, TPC (7.08 ± 0.08 g GAE/kg extract) of HEE was found significantly higher as compared to HEW (4.94 ± 0.02 g GAE/kg extract). The IC50 values based on the ABTS for HEE (471.47 ± 20.38 μg/ml) was generally stronger showing potential antioxidant properties compared to HEW (606.97 ± 1.04 μg/ml). On the other hand, DPPH radical scavenging activity showed no significant change in HEE and HEW extracts. These results demonstrated that ethanol extracts from HE could be useful as an antioxidative functional ingredients.

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.