Background: The objective of this study was to make colloidal dispersions of the active compounds of radix of Angelica gigas Nakai that could be charaterized as nano-composites using hot melt extrusion (HME). Food grade hydrophilic polymer matrices were used to disperse these compound in aqueous media. Methods and Results: Extrudate solid formulations (ESFs) mediated by various HPMCs (hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses) and Na-Alg polymers made from ultrafine powder of the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai were developed through a physical crosslink method (HME) using an ionization agent (treatment with acetic acid) and different food grade polymers [HPMCs, such as HP55, CN40H, AN6 and sodium alignate (Na-Alg)]. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the amorphization of crystal compounds in the HP55-mediated extrudate solid formulation (HP55-ESF). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated a lower enthalpy (ΔH = 10.62 J/g) of glass transition temperature (Tg) in the HP55-ESF than in the other formulations. Infrared fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed that new functional groups were produced in the HP55-ESF. The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoid (including decursin and decursinol angelate) content, and antioxidant activity increased by 5, 10, and 2 times in the HP55-ESF, respectively. The production of water soluble (61.5%) nano-sized (323 ㎚) particles was achieved in the HP55-ESF. Conclusions: Nano-composites were developed herein utilizing melt-extruded solid dispersion technology, including food grade polymer enhanced nano dispersion (< 500 ㎚) of active compounds from the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai with enhanced solubility and bioavailability. These nano-composites of the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai can be developed and marketed as products with high therapeutic performance.

Background : The objective of this study was to make colloidal dispersion of the active compound was characterized nano-composite from radix of Angelica gigas Nakai using hot melt extrusion (HME). Therefore, food grade hydrophilic polymer matrices was used to disperse compound in aqueous media. Methods and Results : Extrudate solid formulations (ESFs) mediated various HPMCs (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) and Na-Alg polymer from ultrafine powder of radix of Angelica gigas Nakai was developed through physical crosslink method (HME) with ionization agent (treatment of acetic acid) and food grade polymer [HPMCs such as HP55, CN40H, AN6 and sodium alignate (Na-Alg)]. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the amorphization of crystal compounds in extrudate solid formulations mediated HP55 (HP55-ESF). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated a lower enthalpy (ΔH = 10.62 J/g) of glass transition temperature (Tg) in HP55-ESF. Infrared fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR) reveled new functional groups produced in HP55-ESF. Phenolic compound, flavonoid (including decursin and decursinol angelate) and antioxidant activity increased at 5, 10 and 2 times in HP55-ESF. Water solubility (61.5%) nano size (323 ㎚) particle was achieved in the HP55-ESF. Conclusion : Nano-composites have been developed utilizing melt-extruded solid dispersions technology by food grade polymer enhanced nano dispersion (< 500 ㎚) of active compound from radix of Angelica gigas Nakai with enhanced solubility and bioavailability. This nano-composites of radix of Angelica gigas Nakai developmental and marketed products to enable therapeutic performance.

Background : The root of Angelica gigas Nakai is used as a traditional herbal medicine in Korea for the treatment of many diseases. Poor water solubility of the active compounds from A. gigas Nakai is a major obstacle to bioavailability. Methods and Results : This work aimed to enhance the solubility of active compounds by a chemical (viz. surfactant) and physical (HME, hot melt extrusion) crosslinking method (CPC) in A. gigas Nakai. Infrared fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed multiple peaks in extrudate solids representing new functional groups including carboxylic acid, alkynes and benzene derivatives. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of the extrudate showed lower glass transition temperature (Tg) and lower enthalpy (ΔH) [Tg: 43℃; ΔH: <6 (J/g)] compared to the non-extrudate (Tg 68.5℃; ΔH: 123.2) formulations. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed amorphization of crystal materials in extrudate solid. In addition, enhanced solubility (53%), nanonization (403 ㎚), and higher amount of extracted phenolic compounds were achieved in the extrudate solid compared to non extrudate (36%, 1499 ㎚, respectively). Among the different extrudates, acetic acid and span 80 mediated formulations showed superior extractions efficiency. Conclusion : We conclude that the HME successfully enhanced the production of amorphous nano dispersions of phenolic compound including decursin from extrudate solid formulations. human dermal fibroblasts, which is, associated with the regulation of procollagen biosynthesis resulting from AMRP-induced TGF-β1 expression and the mitogenic activity in HDF cells, and therefore, is expected to reduce the age-dependent loss of extracellular matrix proteins.

Background: The root of Angelica gigas Nakai is used as a traditional herbal medicine in Korea for the treatment of many diseases. However, the poor water solubility of the active components in A. gigas Nakai is a major obstacle to its bioavailability. Methods and Results: This work aimed at enhancing the solubility of the active compounds of A. gigas Nakai by a chemical (using a surfactant) and physical (hot melt extrusion, HME) crosslinking method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed multiple peaks in the case of the extrudate solids, attributable to new functional groups including carboxylic acid, alkynes, and benzene derivatives. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the extrudate soilid had a lower glass transition temperature (Tg) and enthalpy (ΔH) (Tg : 43℃, ΔH : < 6 J/g) as compared to the non-extrudate (Tg : 68.5℃, ΔH : 123.2) formulations. X-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed the amorphization of crystalline materials in the extrudate solid. In addition, enhanced solubility (53%), nanonization (403 ㎚), and a higher amount of extracted phenolic compounds were achieved in the extrudate solid than in the non-extrudate (solubility : 36%, nanonization : 1,499 ㎚) formulation. Among the different extrudates, acetic acid and span 80 mediated formulations showed superior extractions efficiency. Conclusions: HME successfully enhanced the production of amorphous nano dispersions of phenolic compound including decursin from extrudate solid formulations.

Astragalus membranaceus is a well known oriental medicinal herb. The polysaccharides of the aboveground parts (AMA) and the radix (AMR) of A. membranaceus are the most important functional constituents. Methods and Results: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of AMA and AMR on the oxidative damage induced in the skeletal muscle of rats subjected to exhaustive exercise. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into exercise and non-exercise groups; in the groups receiving the test compounds, AMA and AMR were administered orally for 30 days. Skeletal muscle samples were collected from each rat after running to exhaustion on a treadmill to determine the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) and the concentation of malondialdehyde (MDA). The antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD and GSH-Px of skeletal muscle of AMA- and AMR-treated groups were significantly higher than those of the control and commercial sports drink (SPD)-treated groups in exhaustive exercise rats. In addition, MDA concentrations in the skeletal muscle of the AMA- and AMR-treated groups were significantly lower than those of the control and SPD-treated groups. In the present study, the effects of AMA and AMR on exercise endurance capacity were also evaluated in mice subjected to a swimming exercise test. AMA and AMR supplementation prolonged the swimming time of mice and enhanced exercise endurance capacity. AMA and AMR possess the ability to retard and lower the production of blood lactate, and prevent the decrease of serum blood glucose. Conclusions: These results showed that, AMR and AMA exerted beneficial effect in mice, increasing the activity of the antioxidant systems and inhibiting oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise. The compounds improved exercise performance and showed anti-fatigue effects against exhaustive exercise.

Background : The major components in Astragalus membranaceus are isoflavonoids, triterpene and polysaccharides. Also, isoflavonoids was composed to aglycon and glucoside derivatives. In this study, we performed fermentation process (enzyme treatment) and steam processing (high temperature and pressure) to increase aglycon such as formononetin and calycosin. Methods and Results : The steam processing was performed at a lot of conditions, such as temperature (80, 100, 120℃) and time (30, 60 and 120 min). Fermentation processing carried out by A. membranaceus extract fermented with microorganisms which have high β -glucosidase activity (selection by esculin agar method) for detached glucose from isoflavonoids, converted to algycon. The isoflavonoids were analyzed using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in fermentation product of A. membranaceu extract by treated with steam processing at various conditions. As a result of β-glucosidase activity by pNP assay, we selected three strains, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella cibaria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Isoflavone aglycon was the highest in fermentation product by S. cerevisiae for 3 days, but change of isoflavonoids was not observed in steam processing. The calycosin-glucoside and ononin were reduced in fermentation product of A. membranaceus extract, whereas calycosin and formononetin was increased. Conclusion : This results showed that isoflavone glycoside converted to isoflavone aglycon in A. membranaceus by fermentation process, it seems to be available for industrial use.

Background : Natural substance extracted from plant is going increased to apply for agricultural industry to improve crop product. Thus, hydrosols of lavender used to cosmetic materials was treated in plant to investigate growth effect. Methods and Results : The young plants grown for 7 days from seed were transferred to pot. They have foliage dressed with lavender hydrosols diluted to 500 × at intervals of 2 days. The results of N. benthamiana grown by foliage dressing for 2 weeks were 11.37 ± 0.31 ㎝ of leaves length, 11.07 ± 0.47 ㎝ of leaves width, 14.43 ± 0.90 ㎝ of plant length. These values were investigated to more increase than control. In the results measuring plant length at 4 weeks, there had no difference in two treatments. The activities of DPPH scavenging and SOD were checked to examine the antioxidant activity in two treatments. The DPPH scavenging activity was not shown a difference in two treatments. However, SOD activity displayed at high to level of 2 times in extracts from 100% ethanol of N. benthamiana treated with lavender hydrosols in compared to control. The RT-PCR preceeded to investigate the transcriptional changes of genes related to antioxidant activity using the respective primers for 5 genes such as NbNOA1, NbNR, NbPAL, NbAPX, NbSOD. These 5 genes were known to detect as a high level in N. benthamiana treated with lavender hydrosols in transcriptionl expression. Conclusion : The influence on plant growth through lavender hydrosol treatment was represented as a promoting effect in early growth stage.

Background: This study were to investigate the effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus fermented Radix astragali (AMRP) and non-fermented products (AMRNP) on collagen synthesis in the cultures of human dermal fibroblasts, and their inhibitory effects on the matrix-degrading enzymes (collagenase, elastase, and gelatinase). Methods and Results: Both AMRP and AMRNP significantly improved cell growth and proliferation of HDF cells. However, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis demonstrated that AMRP, but not AMRNP, significantly and dose-dependently stimulated the biosynthesis of type I procollagen in both aged (74 y) and young (21 y) HDF cells. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that expression of type I, type III procollagen and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA was significantly stronger in AMRP-treated HDF cells than that of AMRNP-treated and un-treated HDF cells. The AMRP revealed an increase in astragaloside Ⅳ only depending on increase in fermentation period, because other astragalside converted to astragaloside Ⅳ, which it detached acyl group by fermentation processing of Pediococcus pentosaceus. Conclusion: The results also suggested that AMRP could stimulate the collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts, which is, associated with the regulation of procollagen biosynthesis resulting from AMRP-induced TGF-β1 expression and the mitogenic activity in HDF cells, and therefore, is expected to reduce the age-dependent loss of extracellular matrix proteins.

Background: To obtain useful cosmetic resources, this study aimed to determine the non-saponin fatty acid and inhibitory activities of collagenase and elastase by treatment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in supercritical fluid extracted oil of the adventitious root culture of wild mountain ginseng. Methods and Results: We performed supercritical fluid extraction at various conditions such as pressure, temperature, time, and use of co-solvents, unlike the n-hexane extraction for the adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng. The non-saponin-fatty acid obtained from the oil of the adventitious roots culture was incresed by treatment with S. cerevisiae. The supercritical fluid extraction was conducted using gas chromatography. Non-saponin-fatty acid content, in the oil of adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng treated with S. cerevisiae for 2 days were three times higher than that in the control. In addition, the oil of the adventitious roots culture treated with S. cerevisiae was investigated for the anti-wrinkle effect by using collagenase and elastase. The oil of adventitious roots culture treated with S. cerevisiae exhibited higher collagenase and elastase inhibitory activities than those in the control. Conclusions: Supercritical fluid extracted oil of the adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng treated with S. cerevisiae was found to have decreased ratio of saturated fatty acids and incresed ratio and content of unsaturated fatty acids increased. Furthermore, it showed anti-wrinkle effects in vitro.

Background: Hot steaming is known to be effective in improving the biological activities of plant extracts by breaking down useful compounds to low molecular weight ones. Methods and Results: This study aimed to develop an optimal extraction and steam processing method for enhancing the low molecular ginsenoside contents of the adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng. The total ginsenoside was optimally extracted when 70% EtOH was used at 50℃, whereas low molecule ginsenoside such as Rg2, Rh1, Rh4 and Rk1 could be extracted using 70% EtOH at 70℃. The adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng is known to contain four major ginsenosides, i.e., Rb2, Rb1, Rg1 and Rd, however new ginsenosides Rg6, Rh4, Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 were new abundantly obtaind after steam processing method was applied. The contents of total ginsenosides were the highest when thermal steam processing was conducted at 120℃ for 120 min. Unlike ginsenosides such as Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rh1, which decreased after steam processing, Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5 increased after thermal processing. Steam processing significanltly reduced the content of Rb1, increased that of Rg6 by about ten times than that in the adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng. Conclusions: Our study showed that the optimal extraction and steam processing method increased the content of total ginsenosides and allowed the extraction of minor ginsenosides from major ones.

Background: The extract of Abies holophylla is used as an ingredient in cosmetics. This study assessed the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the material remaining after the extract is used. Methods and Results: The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging abilities were assessed to determined the free radical scavenging activity. The total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined to measure the antioxidant activity. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the resudual extract were higher (95.61 - 99.42% and 74.26 - 77.98% in water extract respectively) than those of the positive control. In 50% EtOH extract, the total phenol content was 389.84 ㎎·GAE/㎖, and the total flavonoid was 0.15 ㎎·QE/㎖. The minimum inhibition concentration degree for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was < 8 to < 125 ㎍/㎖ compared to that of the positive control in all extracts. The clear zone against S. aureus was found to be 12.2 ± 3.8 ㎜. Conclusions: The A. holophylla byproducts were found to have antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Therefore, the materials remaining after the A. holophylla extract is used in cosmetics has potential functional uses. Key Words: Abies holophylla, Staphylococcus aureus, Antioxidant Activity, Antibacterial Activity

Background: Polysaccharides are the most important functional constituent in Astragalus membranaceus. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of polysaccharides isolated from the aboveground parts of A. membranaceus (AMA) and polysaccharides isolated from the roots of A. membranaceus (AMR) immune function by modulated cytotoxic T cell and Th1- and Th2- related cytokines kinetics. Methods and Results: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into exhaustive exercise case groups and non-exercise case, AMA and AMR samples were administered orally for 30 days (500 ㎎/㎏/day and 10 ㎎/㎏/day, respectively) and were compared to those rats in the groups fed commercial sports drink (SPD) and vehicle. Both exhaustive exercise groups and non-exercise groups had a lower ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the spleens of the rat fed AMA and AMR compared to those in the rats fed SPD and vehicle group. These results suggested that AMA and AMR promote an increase in the proportion of cytotoxic T cells. The IL-4- producing T lymphocytes decreased significantly in the AMR (10 ㎎/㎏/day) group compared to SPD and vehicle, whereas the AMA group increased the IL-4 concentration more than the SPD and vehicle in exhaustive exercise group. However, the populations of IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes of AMR and AMA increased. AMA decreased the concentration of IFN-γ to inhibit the Th1 response and thereby increased the concentration of IL-4 to induce a Th2 response that was related to humoral immunity in the non-exercise group. Conclusions: These results showed that, in addition to Th1/Th2 regulation, AMR and AMA played an important immuno-modulatory role after exhaustive exercise-induced Th1/Th2 lymphocyte imbalance, which might be correlated with cytokine producing immunoregulatory cells.

Backgrounds : The action mechanisms of several chemopreventive agents derived from herbal medicine and edible plants have become attractive issues in cancer research. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage worldwide. It have been demonstrated that the active principles of tea sources such as flower extract Camellia sinensis (CSF) and Camellia japonica (CJF)were attributed to their tea polyphenols. We focused on investigating CSF, CJF, mixtures of CSF and CJF has been proven to suppress colonic tumorigenesis. Methods and Results : In this study, human colorectal carcinoma HT-29 cells were treated with CSF, CJF, mixture of CSF and CJF to examine the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1), as well as the molecular mechanism underlying these effects. Cell viability assay, nuclear staining, DNA fragmentation, caspase assay, cytochrome c release, were utilized to dissect the signaling pathways. In mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1), CSF appeared most anticancer effect by both MTT assays and the cleavage analysis of apoptosis-related molecules and PARP. Interestingly, we found that CJF make it possible to express the apotosis inducing by CSF in a short time and apoptosis effect of CSF maintained sustainable. Conclusion : In summary, our results from this study suggest that in HT-29 human colon cancer cells (i) CSF treatment causes damage to mitochondria, and (ii) CJF contributed CSF induced apoptotic cell death mediates cytochrome C release, (ⅲ) mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1) the potential to function as a chemopreventive agent against colon cancer.

Background : Glehnia littoralis F. and Peucedanum japonicum T. is mostly founded coastal region of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China. Recently, because interests of health functional food has been increased the role of miscellaneous medicinal crop is not only strengthen provided energy but also health functional role and many researchers showed interest in plants to in beauty treatment and functional healthy food. The objectives of this research was to analyse antioxidant activity of G. littoralis and P. japonicum. using various plant parts. Methods and Results : Different analysis including DPPH free radical scavenging activity, Total phenolic contents and Total flavonoid content were performed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of different plant part in G. littoralis and P. japonicum. DPPH free radical scavenging activity was calculated a RC50 value (㎍/㎖). Total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents were expressed as milligrams of gallic acid and quercetin equivalent per gram of dry weight. Respectively, RC50 value of DPPH radical scavenging was higher (900.78 ± 87.53 ㎍ /㎖) in leave of P. japonicum and the lowest RC50 value of DPPH radical scavenging was observed (3806.74 ± 1361.38 ㎍/㎖) in root of G. littoralis. The highest total phenolic level was 5241.46 ± 228.52 ㎎․GAE/g and total flavonoid level was 426.11 ± 37.34 ㎎․QE/㎎ were detected in leaf of G. littoralis. Results showed that DPPH free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic contents and total flavonoid content were higher in leaf of G. littoralis and P. japonicum. Conclusion : Thus, medicinal plants can be an important resource for producing cosmetic and functional health food.

Backgrounds : Camellia sinensis is known to have a very high antioxidant activity, but its petals are small and it is difficult to use it because of its low yield. In comparison Camellia japonica has many petals and yield, however, the biological effects of C. japonica have been less frequently studied. In the present study, we focused on investigating the in vitro antioxidant effect of the ethanol extract from flower of C. sinensis (CSF), C. japonica (CJF) and mixture of CSF and CJF. Methods and Results : Content of total phenolics and total flavonid, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activities, reducing power, superoxide anion and hydroxy radical scavenging activity of CSF and CJF were compared in vitro experimetal models. Total phenolics was contained the higer in CJF (172.19±1.65 mgCAE/gEX) than 146.75±0.15 mgCAE/gEX in CSF. And effects of antioxidant measured by reducing power, superoxide anion generated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase and hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction (FeSO4 + H2O2) in a cell-free system was shown higher in mixture of CSF and CJF than BHT, ascorbic acid as a chemical oxidant which was detected by electron spin resonance spectrometry coupled with DMPO spin trapping. These results suggest that Camellia flower extract such as CSF and CJF exhibits antioxidant properties by scavenging ROS. Camellia extract contained quercetin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercitrin and kaempferol, which are antioxidant compounds. Conclusion : As a result, the combination of CSF and CJF showed higher antioxidative effect than using CSF or CJF alone.

Background : Sorghum is a major cereal food crop used in many parts of the world. It has been grown on a subsistence level by farmers, under various conditions of environmental stresses in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia. This crop has received significant attention because of its ability to lower cholesterol in the blood, and its anti-dementia, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It is possible to develop a functional and commercially viable sorghum variety by using superior cultivars of sorghum. The objective of this study was to construct a database of superior sorghum accession. Methods and Results : We used 250 sorghum accessions collected from different geographical bioregion in Korea. We determined various growth characters including germination rate and ear length of these accessions. To determine the antioxidant capacity, we measured the DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS scavenging activity, total phenolic contents, and total flavonoid contents. 189 accession showed higher germination (> 80%) than other accessions. Higher DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed in 11-SB-078 (RC50: 1.89 ± 2.88 ㎍/ ㎖), and higher ABTS scavenging activity was recorded in 11-SB-116 (RC50: 35.48 ± 2.42 ㎍/㎖) than other accessions. The ear length ranged from 15 ㎝ to 48 ㎝, the total phenolic contents ranged from 3 ㎎·GAE/g to 77 ㎎·GAE/g, and total flavonoid contents ranged from 0.09 ㎎·QE/g to 1.07 ㎎·QE/g. Conclusion : Among 250 sorghum accessions, we selected 10 with both superior agronomic characters and higher functional food quality.

Background : The study about cultured wild ginseng root (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) have been reported mainly ginsenosides in saponins family. However metabolites of fermented wild ginseng roots by microorganisms was not reported yet. Methods and Results : Cultured wild ginseng roots were used for fermentation of ginseng roots using Pediococcus pentosaceus and other bacterial strains. We analyzed different types of ginsenoside contents, metabolite and enzyme contents, and gene expression by using microorganisms. Results showed considerable differences in ginseonoside contents specially Rk1 and Rg5. The highest enzyme activity level was by Glutathione reductase (GR) and Glutathione S transferase (GST) in fermented ginseng roots than control (non-fermented), whereas Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and Peroxidase (POD) contents were reduced. Score plots and loading plots of principal components 1 of the PCA result obtained from the data on 43 metabolites in fermented wild ginseng root of five conditions. The concentration of metabolite such as β-alanin and 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is used to improve memory were increased in fermented ginseng roots than control. We found functional gene in wild ginseng root related with metabolic process. The APX gene expression gradually increased in fermented ginseng root with respect to fermentation times. Conclusion : In this study, accumulation of functional metabolite in cultured ginseng r