Salvia plebeia R. Brown is a medicinal plant containing various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, and has been reported to exhibit diverse pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities. However, previous studies on S. plebeia have mainly focused on phytochemical identification and pharmacological evaluation, while biotechnological approaches aimed at enhancing the productivity of major bioactive compounds—particularly metabolic regulation and content improvement through elicitor treatment in in vitro culture systems—remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of elicitor treatments on the accumulation of homoplantaginin, a major bioactive compound in the leaves of in vitro–cultured S. plebeia, as well as the associated changes in anti-inflammatory activity. In vitro–grown plantlets were treated with yeast extract at concentrations of 1, 2, and 5 mg/L and polyethylene glycol (PEG) at concentrations of 1, 2, and 5% (w/v), respectively. Homoplantaginin content was quantitatively analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production inhibition in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. As a result, the homoplantaginin content was significantly increased in the treatment with 2 mg/L yeast extract compared to the control, while the highest NO inhibition activity was observed in the 5% PEG treatment. These findings suggest that elicitor treatment can effectively enhance the production of bioactive compounds and anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro–cultured S. plebeian. Furthermore, this study provides fundamental data supporting the potential industrial application of S. plebeia through further elucidation of metabolic pathways and optimization of culture conditions.

본 연구는 유칼립투스 기반 복합추출물(Eucalyptus-Based Complex, EBC)의 항산화 및 항염 증 효능을 평가하고, 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 적용 가능성을 검토하고자 수행되었다. EBC는 유칼립투스 오일, 티트리 오일, 로즈마리 오일과 편백·황금 70% 에탄올 추출물을 일정 비율로 혼합하여 제조하였으며, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) 및 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) 라디칼 소거능을 통해 항산화 활성을 측정하였다. 항염증 활성은 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)로 염증 을 유도한 RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 nitric oxide(NO) 생성량과 MTT assay 기반 세포 생존율을 측정하 고, 염증 관련 유전자(iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β)의 mRNA 발현을 real-time PCR로 분석하여 평가하였다. EBC는 100–1000 μg/mL 범위에서 DPPH 및 ABTS+ 라디칼 소거능이 90% 이상을 나타내어 우수한 항산 화 활성을 보였다. MTT 결과, EBC 처리 농도 25 μg/mL 미만에서 세포 생존율이 80% 이상으로 유지되 었으나, 25 μg/mL 이상 농도에서는 생존율이 80% 이하로 급격히 감소하여 사용 농도의 제한 필요성이 확인되었다. 동일한 안전 농도 범위에서 EBC는 LPS로 증가된 NO 생성을 농도 의존적으로 유의하게 감소 시켰고, real-time PCR 분석 결과 iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β mRNA 발현을 유의하게 억제하여 염증 매개인자의 발현을 조절하는 항염증 기전을 갖는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 통해 유칼립투스 기반 복합 추출물은 적정 농도에서 산화 스트레스 저감과 염증 반응 조절을 동시에 수행할 수 있는 잠재력을 지니며, 향후 in vivo 및 임상 연구를 통해 검증된다면 민감·염증성 피부를 위한 기능성 화장품 원료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

흙생강은 태국의 생강과(Zingiberaceae)에 속하는 식물로 의약품, 식품등의 소재로 활용되고 있 다. 이에 본 연구에서는 화장품 소재로 활용하기 위해 흙생강의 열수 추출물을 제조하고 항산화, 항염, 및 보습 효능을 확인하였다. 흙생강 열수 추출물의 총 폴리페놀 함량을 확인한 결과 약 163.69 ± 0.90 mg TAE/100 g의 함량을 보유하였으며 라디칼 소거능을 확인한 결과 ABTS 라디칼 소거활성이 우수함을 확인 하였다. 세포독성이 없는 농도에서 NO 생성 저해 활성을 확인한 결과 농도의존적으로 저해 효능이 나타났 다. 또한, 피부 보습 활성을 확인하고자 HA 생성량을 확인한 결과 10 μg/mL의 농도에서 기존 각질형성 세포보다 약 29.47%의 증가를 관찰하였다. 결론적으로 흙생강 열수 추출물은 화장품 소재로 항염 및 보습 효능을 나타내며 기능성 화장품 소재로 활용 가능성을 확인하였다.

This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the hot-water extract of Allium wakegi Araki roots (ARE). The extract was prepared by reflux extraction, concentration, and freeze-drying. Total polyphenol content (TPC) was measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH radical scavenging assay. ARE showed dosedependent scavenging activity reaching 62.26±0.95% at 20 mg/mL. RAW 264.7 macrophages were used to examine anti-inflammatory activity. ARE did not exhibit cytotoxicity at concentrations ≤100 μg/mL. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production was significantly reduced by ARE in a dose-dependent manner with the highest inhibition observed at 100, 200 μg/mL. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that ARE suppressed the mRNA expression of iNOS (Nos2) and COX-2 (Ptgs2). Western blot analysis further showed that ARE inhibited LPS-induced p-ERK phosphorylation and reduced the protein levels of iNOS and TNF-α. These results indicate that ARE possesses antioxidant capacity and effectively attenuates inflammation by inhibiting NO production, suppressing pro-inflammatory gene expression, and modulating MAPK signaling. Therefore, ARE may serve as a promising natural ingredient for functional foods targeting oxidative stress and inflammation.

커피박 (spent coffee grounds, SCG)은 커피 산업 전 과정에서 대량으로 발생하는 부산물로, 대부분 소각 혹은 매립을 통해 처리되어 환경적, 경제적 부담을 초래한다. 그러나 SCG는 폴리페놀과 플 라보노이드를 비롯한 다양한 생리활성 성분을 함유하고 있어 기능성 소재로 활용 가능성이 크다. 본 연 구에서는 80% 에탄올 용매를 사용하여 SCGE (spent coffee grounds 80% ethanol extract, SCGE)을 확보한 후, 그 항산화, 항균 및 항염증 활성을 평가하였다. 분석 결과, SCGE는 221.31 TAE mg/g의 폴 리페놀과 321.66 QE mg/g 플라보노이드 함량을 보였으며, 이는 DPPH 및 ABTS 라디칼 소거 활성과 유의한 상관성을 나타내었다. 또한 SCGE는 여드름 원인균인 Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes)에 대한 항균 활성을 보였으며, RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 LPS 및 C. acnes 자극으로 유도된 염증 반응을 억제 하였다. 특히, nitric oxide (NO) 생성 억제와 더불어 iNOS 및 COX-2 단백질 발현 감소가 확인되었 다. 나아가 SCGE을 함유한 에멀전 제형은 안정적인 물리적, 화학적 특성을 보여 화장품 소재로서의 적 용 가능성을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 SCGE가 항산화, 항균 및 항염증 활성을 동시에 갖춘 지속 가 능한 기능 화장품 원료로 활용될 수 있음을 시사한다.

Fenbendazole (FBZ) is one of benzimidazole drugs, which is well known for its broad spectrum of anthelmintics. During recent research on FBZ, it is also expected to have anti-inflammatory characteristics. However, the related research on FBZ with its anti-inflammatory effects is still lacking. This study focuses on the effects of FBZ on macrophage cell line of mouse, RAW264.7, and also on the inflammatory condition induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). FBZ alone treatment on RAW264.7 cells reduced the metabolic activity on the range of 1-5 μM, but the metabolic activity in the presence of LPS was higher than that of absence of LPS. Given that LPS has the ability to enhance glucose uptake in macrophage and rapid ATP production, there is a possibility that LPS increases the metabolic activity. Whereas TNF-alpha was hardly produced at FBZ 1-5 μM in the presence of LPS, IL-10 was still being produced, suggesting on the possibility of anti-inflammatory effect. Interestingly, despite the decreased survival of cells treated with FBZ, MHC class II and CD86 expression in surviving cells was markedly increased. Further investigation of FBZ is required through in vivo experiments to validate these findings.

This study examined the anti-inflammatory potential and metabolite profiles of Perilla frutescens var. frutescens leaf germplasm. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in vitro by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion. Among the germplasm tested, PL7 and PL6 exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on both NO and IL-8. Metabolite profiling, conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), identified 60 compounds, primarily flavonoids and phenolic acids. Principal component analysis (PCA) grouped the samples into four distinct clusters: PL1–PL5, PL6, PL7, and PL8–PL10. Variable importance in projection (VIP) analysis highlighted 15 key metabolites (VIP>1.0), including tuberonic acid glucoside, caffeic acid, luteolin, and salicylic acid, which contributed to the separation of these groups. Heatmap visualization revealed distinct patterns of metabolite accumulation: vitexin and rosmarinic acid were abundant in PL1–PL5; vanillic acid-4-glucoside and prulaurasin were prominent in PL6; 5'-O-β-D-glucosylpyridoxine and esculin were concentrated in PL7; and luteolin and D-pantothenic acid were enriched in PL8–PL10. Further analysis identified key anti-inflammatory metabolites, such as apigenin-6,8-diglucoside, salicylic acid, and pinocembrin in PL6, along with quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, rosmarinic acid-3'-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside in PL7. These findings highlight the functional diversity among perilla germplasm and their potential as valuable sources of anti-inflammatory food ingredients.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily triggered by bacterial infections, with periodontopathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis playing a pivotal role. We evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of Salvia plebeia R. Br. (SP-E) on human gingival fibroblasts (hTERT-hNOF) stimulated with P. gingivalis -derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Dried S. plebeia was extracted using 70% ethanol, yielding a 10.5% extract. Inflammation in hTERT-hNOF cells was induced using P. gingivalis LPS in conjunction with LPS-binding protein and CD14. SP-E was administered at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 μg/mL. Antioxidant capacity was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity assay. Inflammatory cytokine expression and secretion were analyzed via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Results demonstrated a concentrationdependent antioxidant effect, with 62.98% radical scavenging activity observed at 200 μg/mL SP-E. In hTERT-hNOF cells, SOD activity increased from 4.88% (LPS-treated) to 45.78% with 100 μg/mL SP-E. RT-PCR analysis showed significant downregulation of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA expression following SP-E treatment. ELISA confirmed a reduction in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (312.83 → 178.22 pg/mL), IL-6 (453.97 → 170.83 pg/mL), and IL-8 (480.14 → 276.86 pg/mL) levels with 100 μg/mL SP-E. These findings suggest that SP-E may offer therapeutic potential for preventing and managing periodontal disease by mitigating oxidative stress and modulating inflammatory cytokine expression. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and validate these effects in vivo .

본 연구는 사자발쑥에서 분리한 유파틸린과 유파폴린을 이용하 여 피부질환을 개선할 수 있는 천연물 소재의 가능성을 확인하기 위해 항염증 및 면역과민성에 대한 활성을 조사하였다. DPPH 라디 컬 소거능 활성을 측정한 결과, 에탄올 추출물이 메탄올 추출물에 비해 DPPH 활성산소 소거 활성이 더 좋은 것으로 나타났으며, 그 중 95% 에탄올 추출물이 가장 우수한 것으로 확인되었다. 항산화 활성이 우수한 95% 에탄올 추출물로부터 유효성분인 유파틸린과 유파폴린을 분리하고, 항염증 활성이 있는지 확인하기 위해 NO, IL -6, TNF-α의 생성을 억제하는 실험을 진행하였다. 그 결과, 유파 틸린과 유파폴린은 각각 1, 5, 10mg/mL에서 농도 의존적으로 N O, IL-6 및 TNF-α의 생성을 억제하였으며, 유파폴린은 유파틸린 보다 더 우수한 억제 활성을 나타냈다. HaCa T (피부 각질 세포) 세포주를 이용하여 유파틸린과 유파폴린에 대한 피부염증 감소 효능 을 확인한 결과, TNF-α/IFN-γ에 의해 증가한 RNTES 및 TARC 사이토카인의 단백질 농도가 각각 농도에 따라 의존적으로 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 결론적으로 사자발쑥으로부터 분리한 유파틸린과 유파폴린은 향후 피부질환 관련 기능성 소재로 활용 가능성이 높을 것이라 사료된다.

본 연구는 다라수 씨앗 추출물의 생리활성을 평가하여 식품 원료로서의 활용 가치를 검증하 고자 하였다. 다라수 씨앗 추출물의 성분, 항산화, 세포독성, 항염증 분석을 기반으로 효능을 평가하였 다. 그 결과, 다라수 씨앗 추출물은 총 플라보노이드 16.50 mg/100g, 총 폴리페놀 699.66 mg/100g, 비 타민 C 4.44 mg/100g의 함량을 나타냈으며, DPPH 및 ABTS 라디컬 소거 활성이 농도 의존적으로 증 가하였다. 대조군과의 비교했을 때, 세포독성은 200 ㎍/㎖ 농도까지 95% 이상의 생존율을 보였고 해당 농도에서 iNOS 유전자 발현량과 NO 생성량, TNF-α 발현량을 유의성 있게 억제하였다. 이러한 결과 는 다라수 씨앗 추출물이 항산화 및 항염증 효능을 가진 안전한 식품 원료임을 입증하였다. 따라서 본 연구는 다라수 씨앗을 기반으로 한 신규 식품 개발 원료로의 활용 가능성을 제시하는 기초자료가 될 것 으로 기대된다.

본 연구에서 사용된 국내산과 중국산 댕댕이나무 열매 는 평균 길이가 약 2.2 cm이고, 자흑색의 타원형으로 육안 상 국내산과 중국산 댕댕이나무 열매는 비슷한 외형을 보 인다. 국내산과 중국산 댕댕이나무 열매를 기능성 식품소 재로 활용하기 위하여 polyphenol, amino acid 및 fatty acid 를 분석하고, 항염증 활성을 측정하여 원산지에 따른 차 이를 비교하였다. 총 플라보노이드 함량은 국내산 열수 추 출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물에서 각각 8.58±0.11 mg QE/g 과 11.83±0.25 mg QE/g의 결과를 보였고, 중국산 열수 추 출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물에서 각각 3.49±0.09 mg QE/g 과 4.46±0.10 mg QE/g의 결과를 보여 국내산이 중국산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출보다 2배 이상 높았다. Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid 및 rutin을 분석한 결과, chlorogenic acid 함량이 국내산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄 올 추출물에서 각각 1.51±0.02 mg/g과 1.94±0.03 mg/g으 로 중국산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물에서 각각 0.23±0.00 mg/g과 0.25±0.01 mg/g을 보인 결과보다 7배 이상 높았으며, caffeic acid와 rutin은 모든 추출물에서 미 량 또는 낮은 함량을 보였다. 아미노산 분석결과, 국내산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물에서 17종의 아미노산 이 확인되었고, 중국산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출 물에서 cystine을 제외한 16종의 아미노산이 확인되었으며, 주요 아미노산은 glutamic acid로 확인되었다. 총 아미노 산 함량은 국내산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물, 중 국산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물에서 각각 2.02±0.03 g/100 g과 0.81±0.03 g/100 g, 0.15±0.01 g/100 g 과 0.05±0.00 g/100 g의 결과를 보였다. 지방산 분석결과, 국내산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물 및 중국산 30% 에탄올 추출물에서 caprylic acid (C8:0)를 제외한 13종 지 방산이 확인되었고, 중국산 열수 추출물에서 caprylic acid (C8:0)와 lignoceric acid (C24:0)를 제외한 12종 지방산이 확인되었으며, 모든 추출물에서 주요 지방산은 palmitic acid (C16:0)로 확인되었다. 지방산 조성은 포화지방산이 국내산 및 중국산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물에서 52.02±2.00- 84.17±3.51%로 대부분을 차지하였고, 총 지방산 함량은 국 내산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물, 중국산 열수 추출 물과 30% 에탄올 추출물에서 각각 0.49±0.06 mg/g과 1.12±0.03 mg/g, 0.45±0.03 mg/g과 0.76±0.02 mg/g을 보였 으며, 모든 추출물에서 지방산 함유량이 대체로 낮은 결과를 보였다. 세포독성 측정결과, 국내산 및 중국산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물은 500-2,000 μg/mL 농도에 서 RAW 264.7 대식세포에 대한 독성이 나타내지 않았다. NO 생성억제 활성은 국내산 및 중국산 열수 추출물과 30% 에탄올 추출물의 농도에 따라 유의적으로 NO의 생 성량을 감소시키는 것으로 확인되었고, cytokine 생성억제 활성 또한 TNF-α와 IL-6의 생성량이 유의적인 감소를 보 여 항염증 활성을 나타내는 것으로 확인되었다. 이러한 연 구결과를 통하여 댕댕이나무 열매를 활용한 기능성 식품 소재 연구에 이용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a highly valued medicinal plant native to Aisa. Widely used as a spice, renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, clove bud extract (CBE) was prepared at different ethanol concentrations of 50%, 80%, and 90%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the CBE was evaluated through DPPH, polyphenol, and reducing power assays, revealing its strong antioxidant potential, with 90% ethanol being the most effective extract. HPLC analysis identified eugenol (8.7 mg/g) as the major active compound, known to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Given the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD), the therapeutic potential of CBE was explored using a 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model. Five-week-old BALB/c mice were induced with AD by topical application of DNCB. CBE was administered topically to the affected skin (back and ear) areas for 4 weeks. The treatment of CBE significantly reduced the severity of clinical dermatitis, decreased epidermal thickness, and lowered mast cell and eosinophil infiltration in skin tissue, as observed through hematoxylin eosin staining and toluidine blue staining. The results demonstrated CBE as a promising therapeutic agent for managing AD through its regulation of skin inflammation and oxidative stress, making it a potential candidate for future treatments of inflammatory skin disorders.

For centuries, humans have leveraged the health-promoting properties of plants for our well-being. While research has been conducted on numerous medicinal plants, the specific benefits of many species remain underexplored. Eupatorium Japonicum (EJ), a member of the Asteraceae family, has historically been consumed in Japan, South Korea, China, and Vietnam for its traditional use in soothing digestive issues. This study aimed to explore the radical scavenging and antiinflammatory efficacy of EJ extract using RAW 264.7 cells. The radical-scavenging effects were assessed using the DPPH and ABTS assays, where an anti-oxidative molecule in the test sample will react with a stable free radical in DPPH and ABTS causing discoloration. The anti-inflammatory efficacy was assessed using the nitric oxide (NO) assay in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, where the amount of NO produced in response to infection was measured using Griess reagent. Reversetranscriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR were executed to confirm the anti-inflammatory activity by measuring the RNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The DPPH and ABTS assays revealed that EJ extract decreased oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner (7.8-1,000 μg/mL) compared to ascorbic acid and Trolox respectively. EJ extract significantly reduced NO production concentration independently. Furthermore, EJ extract showed no cytotoxic effects as determined through the MTT assay. RT-PCR and real-time PCR analyses revealed inhibition of mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6). Western blotting demonstrated EJ’s anti-inflammatory activity by reducing protein levels of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6. These findings suggest that EJ extract exhibits anti-inflammatory activities and can be further evaluated in the future.

The cosmetics industry expects skin improvement and anti-aging effects by using natural products and natural extracts. In particular, herbal extracts are ingredients with traditionally proven pharmacological efficacy, and are in the spotlight as effective ingredients for maintaining skin health and improving skin troubles. In this study, the antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and wrinkle improvement effects were evaluated by using herbal ingredients such as Dioscorea opposita, Angelica dahurica, Rehmannia glutinosa, Panax ginseng and Ophiopogon japonicus. The antioxidant activity of the herbal complex was confirmed by measuring DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, and after a cytotoxicity test using the MTT assay, it showed a concentration-dependent inhibition effect on NO production by LPS stimulation in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, in the analysis of MMP-1, MMP-2 and procollagen gene expression induced by H2O2 in HDF cells, the expression of MMP-1 was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by the herbal complexes. This is expected to make a significant contribution to wrinkle improvement and skin elasticity enhancement. These results suggest that herbal complexes can be used as promising cosmetic materials for skin improvement and anti-aging.

The leaves and stalks of sweet potato have attracted considerable interest as a health food due to numerous studies reporting the presence of functional compounds and various physiological activities. This study analyzed the functional components in the aerial parts of six domestically developed sweet potato cultivars and compared their antioxidant activities. The total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, and total phenolic acid content ranged from 76.9 to 148.6 mg GAE/g, 3.98 to 11.90 mg CE/g, and 44.19 to 93.56 mg/100 g, respectively. Among the cultivars examined, 'Gogeonmi' and 'Tongchaeru' exhibited high levels of these compounds, and their DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were superior to those of the other cultivars. The GABA content ranged from 0.59 to 2.55 mg/g, with 'Tongchaeru' and 'Jinhongmi' showing the highest levels. Lutein content ranged from 0.10 to 0.24 mg/g, with 'Tongchaeru' reaching its maximum concentration 90 days post-cultivation. Extracts from 'Tongchaeru' significantly inhibited the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) inflammatory cytokines, with the water extract demonstrating a stronger effect than the pretanol extract. These findings suggest that the aerial parts of sweet potato could serve as excellent functional vegetables and bioactive ingredients for health food applications.