Ecdysteroids were first discovered in silkworm larvae in 1954 and are known to act as molting hormones in insects. Recently, biologically active phytoecdysone has gained increasing interest as it affects many physiological functions in mammals and has been reported to have a wide range of pharmacological properties such as protein synthesis and anticancer. 20-Hydroxyecdysone is a class of ecdysteroids commonly found in plants and animals and is known to stimulate antibody formation in humans, reduce cholesterol levels, and exert anabolic and blood sugar-lowering effects. In order to determine the content of 20-Hydroxyecdysone in Achyranthes japonica (roots) and Protaetia brevitarsis (larvae), which are known to have related benefits, we wanted to confirm their value as medicinal ingredients. The results of the analysis showed 0.0389 ug/g for Protaetia brevitarsis and 4.36 ug/g for Achyranthes japonica. These results confirm that plants secrete high concentrations of ecdysteroids to prevent insect damage, and are expected to be used as a basis for future research on the extraction of 20-Hydroxyecdysone for biological control and pharmacological use.

The purpose of this study was to confirm the quality characteristics of distilled soju with different rice pretreatment processes. The non-steamed fermentation method is a technology that uses starch to produce saccharification and alcohol without going through the steaming of raw materials. It has advantages such as reduction of manpower and cost, prevention of nutrient loss, and minimization of waste water. In this study, rice used were non-steamed and pulverized 'Baromi2', nonsteamed and steamed ‘Samgwang’, and puffed rice. As the fermenting agent, koji, modified nuruk, N9 yeast, and purified enzyme were used, and lactic acid was added to prevent contamination during fermentation. The amount of water was 300% in total, and after the first watering, 5 days after fermentation, the second watering was carried out. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that the non-steamed fermentation method using ‘Baromi’ was superior to the existing fermentation method in terms of temperature during fermentation, final alcohol content, soluble solids, and pH. By expanding the stability of the production technology of non-steamed fermentation technology, product quality improvement can be expected.

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare neoplasm accounting less than 1% of malignant pancreatic tumors. A 47-year-old male patient visited the emergency room with epigastric pain. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 4.7-cm heterogeneously enhanced solid and cystic mass with internal necrosis located in the head of the pancreas. Radiological diagnosis was borderline malignancy such as neuroendocrine tumor or solid pseudopapillary neoplasm. Two months later, the necrotic mass in the pancreas head had grown up to 11 cm, compressing the duodenum, superior mesenteric vein, and proximal transverse colon. Pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with segmental resection of transverse colon was performed. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was pancreatic ACC. The patient recovered without any complication and was doing well without recurrence for 12 months after surgery.

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%.

This study examined the effects of micro- (crystallinity) and macro (orientation)-crystalline properties of graphite on the initial efficiency, discharge capacity, and rate performance of anodic materials. Needle coke and regular coke were selected as raw materials and pulverized to 2–25 μm to determine the effects of crystalline properties on particle shape after pulverization. Needle coke with outstanding crystallinity had high initial efficiency, and smaller particles with larger specific surface areas saw increased irreversible capacity due to the formation of SEI layers. Because of cavities existing between crystals, the poorer the crystalline properties were, the greater the capacity of the lithium ions increased. As such, regular coke had a 30 mAh/g higher discharge capacity than that of needle coke. Rate performance was more affected by particle size than by crystalline structure, and was the highest at a particle distribution of 10–15 μm.

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.

Ochratoxin A와 aflatoxin은 곰팡이 독소 생산 균주가 자연 발효되는 식품에 오염되거나 발표식품의 종균을 분별없이 선택했을 때 검출 될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 배양 환경이 ochratoxin A와 aflatoxin의 생산에 주는 영향에 대해 연구하였다. Aspergillus usamii KFRI 999와 A. awamori KFRI 983의 배양 온도, 배양 배지, 배양 시간을 달리하여 ochratoxin A생산 정도를 분석하였다. 또한 초기 pH, 온도, 배양 시간, 배양 배지를 다르게 하였을 때 A. flavus KACC 41403와 A. oryzae KACC 46471가 생산하는 aflatoxin의 양을 평가하였다. Ochratoxin A와 aflatoxin의 양은 HPLC로 분석하였다. 연구 결과, 곰팡이 독소는 배양 온도에 큰 영향을 받는 것으로 나타났다. A. oryzae KACC 46471는 aflatoxin을 생산하지 않았다. 곰팡이 독소를 생산하는 균주는 모두 30℃에서 가장 높은 독소 생산량을 보였다. A. awamori KFRI 983은 PDA 배지에서 가장 적은 ochratoxin A 생산량을 보였다. 본 연구 결과는 다양한 식품의 ochratoxin A와 aflatoxin 저감화에 유용하게 활용 될 수 있다.

There are diverse methods of cryopreservation of mammalian embryos with variable degrees of success. Although cryopreservation technique of mammalian embryos has been advanced, freezing stress affect to cellular event such as apoptosis and autophage in embryos. The objective of the study is to investigate the affection of to survival, development, live offspring, apoptosis and autophagy on embryo. Mouse embryos were vitrified and thawed using normal straw and modified cut standard straw (M-CSS), then in vitro cultured until blastocyst stage and transferred to recipient. Recovery rates (100 vs 99.2%), survival rates (99.2 vs 78.6%), developmental rates (18.4 vs 10.7%), total cell numbers (45 vs 37), preganacy rates (34.5 vs 25%) and offspring numbers (10.1 vs 4.9 %) of M-CSS group are significantly higher than those of normal straw vitrified group. Also, rate of apoptosis in blastocysts developed using M-CSS (1.9%) was significantly lower than using normal straw vitrification (2.7%). Apoptosis-related gene, caspase 3, was expressed at the highest level in blastocysts derived from normal straw group. However, no differences of autophagy related gene, Atg6 and expression of LC3 between normal straw and M-CSS groups were observed. In conclusion, the standard vitrification procedure induces mitochondrial apoptosis in zygotes in an autophagy-independent manner, whereas the novel M-CSS procedure may improve embryo vitrification.

Background: Atractylodes radix is a well-known medicinal crop having many physiological effects. This study was conducted to select useful Atractylodes japonica × Atractylodes macrocephala (AJM) cultivars by comparing anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Methods and Results: Seven extracts from AJM cultivars were used to treat lipopolysacchride (LPS)-treated BV2 cells, and the effects on cell viability and inhibition on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production were analyzed. In vitro scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and peroxynitrite (NOO−) radicals were also investigated. Contents of total phenol, atractylenolide I, and atractylenolide III in the AJM extracts were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or spectrophotometry. The experiments show that none of the seven extracts was cytotoxic above 89.2% at 20 - 250㎍/㎖. Extracts of Gowon, Dawon, Sangchul, and Huchul inhibited ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner, and Sangchul extract showed the highest inhibition on ROS production. All the AJM extracts showed effective inhibitory activity after on NO release in the LPS-treated BV2 cells, and Sangchul extract showed the highest activity. Sangchul extract had the most potent scavenging activities for NOO− and had some DPPH radical scavenging effect. Sangchul extract also had the highest content at total phenol and atractylenolide I content. Atractylenolide III was not detected in the AJM extracts. Conclusions: The results suggested that Sangchul was the most useful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory resource among the AJM cultivars.

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 : 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.