A diarylheptanoid, (5S)-1,7-bis-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5- hydroxyheptane-3-one-5-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, named oregonin (1), was isolated from the of Alnus japonica (A. japonica), which is a species of the genus Betulaceae, growing throughout Korea, Japan and China. The structure was elucidated by various spectroscopic methods including negative and positive LC/MS, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR techniques or by comparison with authentic samples. In order to evaluate the anti-oxidative activities of oregonin (1) isolated from A. japonica, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and 2,2'-azino-bis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid] (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were measured in vitro. Oregonin from A. japonica exhibited potent DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. A. japonica shows not only 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity, but also apoptosis modulative effects. The present results indicate that A. japonica could be a hair-growth-promoting agent for cosmetic products.

Background : Constipation is can refer to bowel movements that are rare or hard for pass. Constipation is common symptom in current people and the treatment of constipation focused on the use of medicines or physical intervention. The aim of this study are investigates the effects of modified-extracts of Salicornia herbacea (S. herbacea) L. on constipation model. Methods and Results : To investigate the effect of these extracts on constipation model with Sprague-Dawley rats by loperamide administration, we orally administered various dosage of modified-extracts of S. herbacea. L. Then, we checked constipation-related parameters such as fecal number, colon weight, colonic transmit length, colon length as compared to the controls and ameliorated in a dose dependent manner. The results indicated that modified-extracts of S. herbacea. L. was ameliorated constipation in SD rat model. Conclusion : Based on the results, modified-extracts of S. herbacea L. and its many ingredients were considered to have effects on constipation.