The major active components of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) are isoflavones, which exist in the form of various glycosides. Nuruk is a traditional fermentation starter in Korea, and is suitable for the biotransformation of isoflavone glycosides because it contains various microorganisms and enzymes. This study was performed to determine changes in the isoflavones and antioxidant properties of AM fermented (AF) with nuruk over 24 hours. AF was sampled after 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h of fermentation, and calycosin 7-glucoside, ononin, calycosin, and formononetin content, and the antioxidant properties of AF were analyzed. The total phenolic content increased with fermentation time, and the ABTS radical scavenging activity increased until 6 h of fermentation and then decreased. During fermentation, the isoflavone glycosides decreased significantly as fermentation time increased. The contents of calycosin and formononetin, which are aglycons of calycosin-7-glucoside and ononin, increased from 100.54 μg/g to 276.84 μg/g and from 56.29 μg/g to 123.04 μg/g, respectively, at 18 h of fermentation. Significant correlations were observed between fermentation time, isoflavone content, and antioxidant properties. The results of this study showed that fermentation with nuruk is suitable for the biotransformation of isoflavones in AM.

Aster koraiensis Nakai (A. koraiensis) which has been used as a food and medicinal plant in the past, is valuable as functional food material. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant properties and major phenolics of A. koraiensis extracts with different ethanol concentrations (0, 50, 70, and 100% aqueous ethanol solution). When ethanol concentration in the extraction solvent was increased, extraction yield decreased; 34.2, 23.2, 21.0, and 5.5% in 0, 50, 70, and 100% ethanolic extracts, respectively. Total phenolics content and antioxidant activities of extracts were increased in an ethanol concentration-dependant manner. The major phenolics in the extracts were chlorogenic acid (21.264~58.666 mg/g), isochlorogenic acid A (10.432~145.353 mg/g), and isochlorogenic acid C(0.239~13.148 mg/g), and these phenolic contents were higher in 70 and 100% ethanolic extracts than other extracts. Significant correlations were observed between ethanol concentration of extraction solvent, antioxidant properties, and major phenolics. These results indicated that the optimal ethanol concentration for extraction was 70%.

Fresh Omija (Schisandra chinensis) has good marketability, but its quality is difficult to maintain during storage and distribution. Freezing and freeze-thawing treatments can be utilized for the quality maintenance and processing of cold press juice. In this study, the color, antioxidant properties, and the major components of soaked liquor from Omija with freeze-thawing treatment were analyzed during the extraction periods. Each of the frozen and freeze-thawed Omija samples was soaked in 35% ethanol, extracted for 15 days, and used for analysis. The frozen and freeze-thawed samples showed a tendency toward better color and higher antioxidant activity and major component levels than the controls, and freeze-thawing was the best. The results of this study showed that freeze-thawing treatment improved the color, antioxidant properties, and level of the major components of Omija soaked liquor, and freeze storage is suitable for making soaked liquor.

Angelica gigas Nakai (A. gigas) easily changes its color during storage, and appropriate thermal treatment can improve storage stability through inactivation of enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase. Therefore, this study was performed to determine quality characteristics of dried A. gigas in response to high-temperature-short-time (HTST) treatment during storage. Dried A. gigas were treated at 120-180℃ for 10 min, the samples were stored at 4℃ and 50℃ for 10 weeks, and used for the analysis of qualities. Concerning the color values, the sample treated at 120℃ was similar to the control, and the color change was large when treated above 180℃. However, color difference (△E* ab) was lower in treated samples than in control. Browning index was similar for all the samples except for the sample treated at 180℃. Functional qualities (phenolics content, antioxidant activities, and level of major components) showed a slight difference according to storage periods in all samples without control, and nodakenin content was observed in control. The results of this study showed that HTST treatment improved storage stability such as stability of colors and browning index in dried A. gigas during storage, and the appropriate treatment temperature was 120℃ in terms of stability in color and browning index.

The aging treatment was applied to Rehmannia glutinosa rhizome (RGR) to improve the digestibility by the enzymatic hydrolysis of undigestible sugars. However, RGR spoils easily during the aging treatment. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of ethanol addition as preservatives on sugars and microbial growth of aged RGR. The RGR was treated with the addition of ethanol (0~10%) at 55℃ for eight days. Reducing, free sugars, and total bacterial counts of RGR with ethanol concentrations were analyzed during the aging periods. The aged RGR with 0-2% ethanol appeared spoiled in appearance, and total bacterial counts of these samples increased from 1.1×105 to 2.2×107 CFU and then decreased again. When treated with 4~10% ethanol, the total bacterial counts of aged RGR decreased by more than 99.9% at eight days. In all samples, reducing and digestible sugars increased, and stachyose decreased by the aging treatment. Sucrose content was highest in the 6% ethanol sample (18.2% at six days). These results indicate that the ethanol addition can be applied to the aging treatment of the RGR for improving qualities (sweetness, digestibility, and microbial growth), and can be considered for the stable production of high quality aged RGR.

This study was carried out to identify medicinal mushrooms with protective effects against oxidative stress in PC12 neuronal cell line, followed by evaluation of their antioxidant property. Extracts of medicinal mushrooms, including Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE), antler-shaped Ganoderma lingzhi extract (AGLE), Hericium erinaceus extract (HEE), and Sanghuangporus baumii extract (SBE), were screened for cytotoxicity using MTT assay. None of the extracts up to 10 μg/ml concentration affected cell viability. These extracts were further checked for their protective effect against oxidative stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Exposure to 50 μM H₂O₂ induced ROS generation in PC12 cells, which was inhibited only by treatment with AGLE. In addition, inhibition of H₂O₂-induced ROS generation by AGLE was found to be in a dose-dependent manner (2.5, 5, and 10 μg/ml). Microscopic examination of DCF fluorescence for detection of ROS showed a similar pattern. Further, antioxidant activity of AGLE was determined by ABTS radical cation assay, and its IC50 was found to be 46.90±0.31 μg/ml. Taken together, these results suggest that AGLE may help to alleviate oxidative stress in PC12 neuronal cells.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure is a risk factor for skin damage resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) to improve its biological activities using a three-step steaming process. We investigated the protective effects of PG and steamed PG extracts on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) against UVB radiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the underlying mechanisms. The antioxidant potential of the PG extracts was evaluated by measuring the 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity. ABTS and DPPH were shown by the 0, 30, and 70% ethanol extracts of 2S-PG and 3S-PG (IC50, 28~45 and 27~30 μg/mL, respectively). Treatment of UVB-irradiated cells with steamed PG (25~400 μg/mL) did not affect their viability. The streamed PG extract suppressed UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, streamed PG extract reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in UVB-irradiated HDF, regulating nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression. These findings suggest that steamed PG extract may be potentially effective against inflammation associated with UVB-induced oxidation stress.

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 : Obesity is a type of metabolic diseases caused by unbalanced in take and consumption of calories. 3T3-L1 is differentiated into adipocytes by various hormones and transcription factors and accumulates intracellular lipid. Therefore, it is important to inhibit the adipocyte differentiation precess for effective obesity inhibition. Aster yomena and Aster glehui are medicinal plant of Compositea family that grows widely in Korea. Aster genus plants have been used to treat snakebite wound or bruises in oriental. The aim of this study was comparison of inhibitory effect oxidation and adipocyte differentiation with Arial parts of A. yomena (AY) and A. glehni (AG). Methods and Results : AY and AG were cultivated from Pyeongchang in Korea, 2018. AY and AG were extracted by 70% ethanol (-E) and water (-W) at room temperature. AG-W has higher phenolic content (6.92 ± 0.23) and AG-E has higher flavonoid content (8.22 ± 0.19) than other extracts. AG-E has higher radical scavenging activity on DPPH and ABTS assay (IC50 value; 104.88 ± 10.50 and 30.06 ± 0.27). In cytotoxity assay, all extracts concentrations of lower 100 ㎍/㎖ were nontoxic to the cells and can be applied for the next assay. The anti-adipogenic effect of extracts were determined in 3T3-L1 cell by Oli Red-O (ORO) staining. The lipid diplot stained with Oil red O was dissolved to determine by microplate-reader. AG-W significantly reduced the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells (70.49%) compared with other extracts (AG-E, AY-W and AY-E). Conclusion : Theses results reveal that the water extract of AG has utility as a functional food material for preventing obesity.

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 : 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.