본 연구는 개망초꽃 에센셜 오일의 항산화, 항균 및 항염 효능에 관하여 조사한 것이다. 개망 초꽃 에센셜 오일은 용매추출법으로 추출하였다. 개망초꽃 에센셜 오일의 항산화 효능은 ABTS 라디칼 소거능과 DPPH 라디칼 소거 효능 측정으로 확인하였다. ABTS 라디칼 소거 효과는 500 μg/ml 농도에 서 98.6%, DPPH 라디칼 소거는 48.3%로 좋은 효능을 나타내었다. 항균 활성은 S. aureus와 P. acnes, E. coli 균에 대하여 paper disc법과 최소저해농도(MIC)와 최소사멸농도(MBC)값을 측정하여 확인하였 다. S. aureus 균주에 대해서는 MIC 값과 MBC 값이 모두 0.31 mg/mL 농도에서 우수한 억제 효과를 나타내었다. P. acnes 균에 대해서는 disc법에서 14 mm의 clear zone 형성과 MIC, MBC에서 각각 0.31 mg/mL, 0.63 mg/mL로 좋은 억제 효과를 보였다. 항염 활성에 관련하여 NO 억제 측정에서도 농도 의존적으로 NO의 생성을 억제시킴을 확인하였고, pro-inflammatory cytokine인 TNF-α, IL-6 역시 농도 의존적으로 억제하였다. 이러한 결과로부터 개망초꽃 에센셜오일은 항산화, 항균 및 항염 효 능을 갖는 화장품 원료로서 개발 가능성이 있음을 시사한다.

This study was conducted to verify the effects of Erigeron annuus powder on serum lipid levels of high-fat diet-induced mice from a nutritional viewpoint. Erigeron annuus powder has been used as a folk remedy since ancient times in Korea. There was no significant difference in the weight of the kidneys and spleens of the mice. The high-fat diet group had a significantly higher kidney weight compared to other groups (p<0.05). In the group of mice fed 20% Erigeron annuus powder with a high-fat diet, the concentration of serum LDL-cholesterol was high (p<0.05), whereas the concentration of triglyceride was remarkably lower compared to other groups (p<0.05). The group fed 10% Erigeron annuus with a high-fat diet had the lowest concentration of blood phospholipids (p<0.05) as well as the highest alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase levels in blood (p<0.05). There was no difference in blood insulin concentration. However, blood leptin concentration was significantly higher (5.88±3.53 ng/dL) in mice fed a high-fat diet compared to other groups (p<0.05). Measurements of Erigeron annuus revealed that TPC, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity of trolox, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and the measured value of FRAP were higher in the ethanol extract than in the water extract. Especially, the antioxidant activity effects were excellent for the ABTS+ radical scavenging activities of trolox and FRAP values of Erigeron annuus. Therefore, Erigeron annuus powder showed antioxidant activity. Hence, Erigeron annuus powder drastically lessened triglyceride concentration in blood in high-fat diet-induced mice. Thus, the powder is considered to have utility in the food processing industry. Additional related experiments are ongoing.