Background: Various Schisandra chinensis (SC) varieties grow in diverse regions in Korea. However, there is no valid scientific evidence of these varieties. This study aimed to select the excellent resources in terms of the growth characteristics, antioxidant activities, and analysis of the active compounds of the SC collection. Method and Results: In total, 154 resources of SC were collected from various regions of Korea. The growth characteristics were measured by the number of fruit bunches, fruit number, and weight of 100 fruits. The antioxidant activities were investigated by analyzing the total flavonoid and total polyphenol contents and the radical scavenging activity of DPPH and ABTS. Schizandrin A, schizandrin c, gomisin a, and gomisin N were analyzed by HPLC. Each resource showed different growth characteristics. Among the antioxidative effects, the highest 20 resources showed high antioxidant activities in selected 29 resources. Analysis of the SC lignan index showed that all resources contained more than 1.16% of active compounds. Conclusions: All of the selected 29 SC resources were shown to have excellent growth characteristics, antioxidant activities, and bioactive compound richness. Especially, SC-004, SC-007, and SC-154 showed the best growth characteristics, and SC-22, SC-40, and SC-45 showed the best antioxidant activities and bioactive compound richness.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa root has been commonly used as traditional medicine in Korea. This root including prepared rehmannia that is the steamed root of rehmannia can be also used as food. This study was performed to analyze the quality properties of the root and the tea with different steaming conditions to evaluate the potential as a tea. Methods and Results : For this study, we used ‘Dagang’, new variety of R. glutinosa, developed by NIHHS. The root was dried and steamed for 9 times. Every steaming, powder and extract were used for pH, antioxidant activity analysis (total phenolic acid and total flavonoid content) and sensory evaluation. As steaming repeated, pH was decreased. The total phenolic acid and total flavonoid content was increased during steaming process. In the sensory evaluation for the tea, 56% of respondents (A group) recognized the difference between 6th and 9th steaming tea correctly but 44% (B group) didn’t. The sensory scores showed that 6th and 7th steaming tea had higher overall preference scores than other samples. This tendency was more clear in the A group. Depending on the age group, there were significant different tendency among 3 age groups (20 – 30 s, 40 – 50 s, over 60 s). The youngest group was preferred 6th than 9th steaming tea. On the other hands, 9th steaming tea had more priority than 6th steaming tea in older age group. Conclusion : This study showed a potential of R. root as a tea material. The quality properties of the R. root are affected by steaming conditions and the preference tendency of tea was different depending on the age group. These data can be used to develop tea material suitable for consumer age and establish optimal steaming conditions in industrial use.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) has been utilized as a traditional medicine in Asia. However, the development of varieties is limited and the climate is changing gradually. Therefore, it is required to develop a superior lineage suitable for this. So we have secured several species, and it is necessary to confirm the cytotoxicity of various kinds of cells for its safety and to secure safety for further utilization. Methods and Results : 11 cultivars and 21 lineages of RG were collected from Rural Development Administration (RDA) at Eumseong of Chungcheongbuk-do and national farmhouse. They were cultivated in test-research farm in RDA and used as materials. Human (THP-1 cell, human leukemia monocytic cell line) and rodent-derived immune cells (RAW264.7, murine monocyte/macrophage cell line) and hepatocytes (HepG2, human liver cell line) were used to assess cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity was determined by using MTT assay. As a result of evaluation of cytoxicity, 11 cultivars and 21 lineages of RG were not shown cytotoxicity range from 250 - 1,000 ㎍/㎖ concentration in THP-1 cell, RAW264.7 cell and HepG2 cell. Conclusion : Development of RG with superior lineage suitable for changing climate is required. We selected a good lineage (21 ea), and result of the cytotoxicity evaluation from low to high concentrations in immune- and liver-derived cells, there was no toxicity at all. Therefore, if these excellent lineages are distributed to farmers, they can help farmers. And it can help research on immunity and liver function in the future.

Backgound : Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic disorders that are characterized by intestinal epithelial inflammation and injury. Currently, the most employed therapies are antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs; however, the side effects limit long-term effectiveness. Methods and Results : We evaluated the impact of glucose-lysine Maillard reaction products (Glc-Lys MRPs) on colitis, induced in rats by an administration of 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water. Glc-Lys MRPs ameliorate DSS-induced colitis, as determined by a decrease in disease. index activity, colon weight/length ratio, nitric oxide levels in serum, recovery of body weight loss, colon length and serum lysozyme levels. Furthermore, Glc-Lys MRPs increase the glutathione content and the activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, and inhibit lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase activity in colon tissues. In particular, Glc-Lys MRPs suppress the mRNA level of the inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor-κB in colon tissues. Conclusion : This study suggests the potential of Glc-Lys MRPs in preventing or treating IBDs.

Background : Recently there has been an increasing demand for well-being and health food products. Foreign special and medicinal crops which were not cultivated in Korea before are widely introduced and cultivated in Korea. Therefore, in order to provide the basic information necessary for stable cultivation of the introduced crops, we conducted a survey on the actual condition of cultivation of farms and sought to suggest future work. Methods and Results : The survey was conducted in cooperation with the Rural Development Administration and local rural organizations in the year 2015 based on cultivation area, number of farms, and cultivation scale. In thes case of Lepdium meyenii and Asimina triloba, we surveyed the status of management technology by stage of cultivation through the field case study of farms. As a result, 14 crops were cultivated in 1,015 farms in 329.9 ha area including, Allium hookeri, Amaranthus blitum, Annona muricata, Asimina triloba, Chenopodium quinoa, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Gynura procumbens, Lepdium meyenii, Moringa oleifera, Ocimum americanum, Psidium guajava, Silybum marianum, and Stachys japonica. The cultivation scale decreased in the order of C. longa, G. uralensis, A. hookeri, P. guajava, L. meyenii, M. oleifera, and A. triloba. Generally, L. meyenii seeds were sown generally in September and the roots were harvested from mid April to early May in the following year after wintering. A. triloba was cultivated using emerged seedlings or grafted seedlings. The emerged seedlings were more 5 years, and the grafted seedlings were more 4 years so that the fruit can be harvested. Conclusion : In order to stabilize the cultivation of special and medicinal crops introduced from foreign countries, it should be safe and economical in terms of cultivation environment based on domestic cultivation adaptability test, and the use of products and sales channels should be established first. Also, national support and countermeasures for benefit sharing under the Nagoya protocol are needed.

Background : This study was performed to investigate change in OnjisaponinB contents of Polygala tenuifolia depending on drying methods. Methods and Results : For this study, 5-years-old Polygala tenuifolia local cultivars from RDA(Eumseong) were used. Before starting to drying, root was shade-dried for 3 days and separated with the lead. Next, two types of drying methods conducted; natural drying and hot air drying. Hot air drying was controlled at 40℃, 50℃, 60℃ and 70℃ and checked with every 3 hours. Dried root from market was used as control group. The water content of raw root was about 52.04%. When it started to dry, the contents of it significantly decreased. The dried roots from market were 6.25 - 6.84%. To be under 7% of water contents, 6 hours of drying was enough in natural drying methods and 40℃, 50℃hot air drying methods. In case of 60℃, 70℃ hot air drying methods, it took under 3 hours. The OnjisaponinB contents of raw root was 0.53%. The dried root from market had 0.74% of onjisaponinB. During the drying, the contents of OnjisaponinB changed depending on the drying methods. Hot air drying method had more effect on OnjisaponinB contents than natural drying method. Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that natural drying methods was enough to drop the water content of Polygala tenuifolia. Because during pre-treatment steps including shade-drying and separating lead, much of water contents already decreased and became easy to lose water. However to get more OnjisaponinB, hot air drying methods can beneficial than natural drying methods.

Backgoound : Various varieties of Schisandra chinensis (Omija) are grown in various regions of Korea. However, there is no study on varieties with excellent efficacy for each variety. Therefore, in this study, it is aimed to select the excellent lineage by analyzing the active compounds of Omija collection species Methods and Results : 154 lineage of Omija was collected from Muju of Jeollabuk-do, Jangsu of Jeollabuk-do and Hoengseong of Gangwon-do. They were cultivated in test-research farm in Rural Development Administration at Eumseong of Chungcheongbuk-do and used as materials. In order to analyze the active compounds (Shizandrin A, Shizandrin C, Gomisin A, Gomisin N) in Omija, the HPLC method described in the Korean Pharmacopoeia (compounds of Omija indicator) was used. As a result of analysis of functional compounds, SC-003, SC-005, SC-013, SC-015, SC-019, SC-020, SC-022, SC-023, SC-040, SC-042, SC-045, SC-066, SC-069 and SC-072 were collected from Jangsu, Jeollabuk-do, SC-082 was collected from Hoengseong, Gangwon-do and SC-139 was collected from Muju, Jeollabuk-do showed higher contents of functional compounds than other collected species. Conclusion : As demand for high income crop has increased, new cultivar breeding is required to produce high quality Schisandra chinensis (Omija). In this study, Shisandra A, Shizandrin C, Gomisin A and Gomisin N were analyzed as functional compounds of Omija. They can be used for new Omija breeding. Especially SC-003, SC-019, SC-022, SC-040, SC-045, SC-069 and SC-082 can be superior lineags with high functional compound contents.

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.

Backgoound : This study was conducted to serve as a basis for the selection of superior lines by analyzing the content of antioxidant component and antioxidant activity in Schisandra chinensis Collections Methods and Results : In order to examine antioxidant component and antioxidant activity, 154 species of Schisandra chinensis from whole country were used. Antioxidant component was investigated by total flavonoid content and total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity. As a result, the total amounts of flavonoids was highest in SC-20 with 5.03 ㎎/g. However the content of polyphenols showed highest in SC-22 with 2.76 ㎎/g. In addition antioxidant activity results were also relatively high in SC-22. The IC50 value was 548 ㎍/㎖ in DPPH radical scavenging and 640 ㎍/㎖. in ABTS+ radical scavenging. Conclusion : As demand for high income crop has increased, new cultivar breeding is required to produce high quality Schisandra chinensis From this study, analyses of antioxidant component and antioxidant activity in collection can be used for new Schisandra chinensis breeding. Especially SC-22 can be superior lines with high antioxidant component and antioxidant activity.

Background : Invitro antioxidant activity, polyphenol and flavonoid aglycone contents in black and green tea products of balloon flower leaves were investigated to provide valuable information for the further development and utilization of resources of Platycodon grandiflorum. Methods and Results : Flavonoid aglycone contents were investigated using HPLC (SHIMADZU, Japan) with a hypersil ODS column (125 mm × 4 mm, 5-μm particle, HP). DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were measured by method of Lee & Lee (2004) with slight modification. Antioxidant activity, polyphenol and flavonoid contents in green tea were significantly higher than these in black tea. PC analysis indicated that first principal components explained 79.9% of the total variability for five traits investigated. PC2 explained 19.7% of the variation. Conclusion : It can be concluded from these results that these characteristics can reveal the active compound variation of black and green tea products of balloon flower leaves. These results provide scientific evidence for the utilization of balloon flower leaves.

Background : Tooth vitality is reflected by the health of dental pulp. Schisandrin C is a natural compound extracted from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis which has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The role of Schisandrin C on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) has not been studied yet. This study examined the properties of Schisandrin C as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compound, and whether its characteristics promote mitochondrial biogenesis in HDPCs. Methods and Results : HDPCs were extracted from fresh third molars and cultured. Reactive oxidative stress (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) formation were analyzed by a Muse cell analyzer. Western blotting and gelatin zymography were used to identify the presence of anti-oxidants, as well as inflammatory and mitochondrial biogenesis. Confocal microscopy was used for the detection of mitochondrial activity. Schisandrin C inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory molecules; intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2/9), NO production, ROS formation and the mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) pathway through minimizing the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) translocation. Schisandrin C increased the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes as well as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1a) through the phosphorylated-protein kinase B (p-AKT) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) pathways. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Schisandrin C promoted mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusions : These results suggest that Schisandrin C may be used as an anti-inflammatory compound to reduce oral inflammation such as pulpitis.

Background: The public has increasing concerns about herbal crops owing to insufficient information on biological hazards such as foodborne pathogens. Therefore, the objective of this study is the development of a herbal crop quality control system through monitoring with biological hazard analysis. Today, it is estimated that millions of people become ill every year from food contamination. The public demands agricultural products of stable and consistent quality. Governments have the responsibility of establishing the standards, legislation and enforcement programs necessary to control food quality and safety. However, research on the biosafety of herbal crop products is still insufficient. Therefore, the implementation of monitoring systems with high standards is critical for public safety. Methods and Results: In this study, we collected 52 samples of herbal crop products, and conducted both quantitative and qualitative biological hazard analysis. With biological hazard analysis, aerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Coliforms, and Listeria spp. could be detected. Conclusions: Herbal crops were found to be contaminated with aerobic bacteria at 3.69 ± 0.32 log CFU/g. Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Coliforms, and Listeria spp. were not detected in any of the samples. This research suggests that continuous monitoring of biological hazards is required to improve the quality of herbal crops.