Background : Scopolamine induces cholinergic dysfunction and oxidative stress, and the impairment of memory function. Therefore, oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction are important role of the brain pathology of amnesia. In this study, we investigated the impact of Safflower seed against oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction on scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. Methods and Results : Mice were orally pretreated with safflower seed (100 ㎎/㎏ body weight) or vehicle for 7 days, and scopolamine (1 ㎎/㎏ body weight) was injected intraperitoneally, 30 min before the behavior tests such as T-maze and novel objective recognition test on first day. To evaluate learning and memory function, the Morris water maze task was performed for 5 days, consecutively. The results showed that spatial perceptive ability and novel object recognition was significantly increased by preadministration of safflower seed compared with scopolamin-induced control mice in the behavior tests. Consistently, immuno blot revealed the elevated expression of superoxide dismutase 1 in the safflower seed pretreated mice, compared to the control mice. Moreover, protein expression of acetylcholinesterase was decreased in safflower seed pre-treated group. Conclusion : Subsequently, our results suggests that the Safflower seed extract improved memory impairment through inhibition of cholinergic dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Background : Oxidative stress and inflammatory response are important features of the brain pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to the antioxidant activity and biochemical characterization of safflower seed. Moreover, we investigated the impact of Safflower seed on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. Methods and Results : First, in order to determine active ingredient contents of safflower seed extract, we were carried out total phenol content and total flavonoid content analyses. As a result, dried safflower seed were found to contain 35.4 ± 0.4 ㎎·GAE/g dry weight and 45.3 ± 7.5 ㎎·NE/g dry weight in boiling water extraction. Also, the major compounds of safflower seed from HPLC analysis were identified as serotonin and serotonin derivatives [N- (p-coumaroyl)serotonin and N-feruloylserotonin]. In addition, the antioxidant activity of safflower seed showed IC50 values of 331.4 and 168.2, respectively, against DPPH and ABTS in vitro. Finally, with regard to the memory improvement activity, the administration of Safflower seed extract significantly restored memory impairments induced by scopolamine in the behavior tests such as novel object recognition and Morris water maze test. Conclusion : The results of our study suggest that the safflower seed extract possess potent memory improvement activity and are also a good source of natural antioxidants. Further study is needed to identify the mechanism responsible for their memory improvement activity.

Background : The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant activities of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed extracts using various solvents. Method and Results : The safflower seed extracts was obtained using methanol (50, 75, 100%), ethanol (50, 75, 100%) and water. Total phenolic content (TPC) w as determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activities w ere estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing power (RP). Average TPC of safflower seed extracts were 72.03 ㎍·GAE·㎎-1 DE in methanol, 50.16 ㎍·GAE·㎎-1 DE in ethanol, and 28.47 ㎍·GAE·㎎-1 DE in water. TPC were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the solvents. DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and RP a average activities of methanol extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity, with value of 62.95 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, 123.48 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, 171.68 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, and 76.07 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, respectively. Values of Ethanol extracts showed DPPH 32.26 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, ABTS 81.02 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, FRAP 159.24 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, and RP 34.83 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE. There was no significant difference between extracts of ethanol and methanol in FRAP value. The 75% ethanol extracts showed higher antioxidant activity than 50% and 100% ethanol extracts (p < 0.05). The 75% ethanol extracts had TPC 68.98 ㎍·GAE·eq/㎎ DE, DPPH 70.07 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, ABTS 166.59 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, FRAP 208.78 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE, and RP 82.16 ㎍·ASC·eq/㎎ DE. Conclusion : Although ethanol extracts had lower antioxidant activity compared to methanol, it was suggested to be more suitable for further studies as it is less toxic and a recommended food grade solvent. It is estimated that the bioactive substance is extracted extensively from 75% ethanol with high antioxidant activity.

Background : In this study, we investigated the renoprotective effects of serotonin and its derivatives, on the renal function and expression of inflammation and apoptosis in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity mice. Methods and Results : Serotonin and its derivatives were orally administered at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg body weight for 5 days before the intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 20 mg/kg body weight, and the effects were compared with those of vehicle-treated nephrotoxicity control and normal groups. In the serum and kidney, renal function parameters, reactive oxygen species and expression of protein related to pro-oxidant, antioxidant, inflammation and apoptosis were examined. As a result, serotonin and its derivatives administrations to nephrotoxicity mice lowered serum BUN and creatinine concentrations. These results were derived, at least in part, from attenuation the expression of antioxidant enzymes-related proteins, SOD and GPx. In the cisplatin-induced renal condition, augmented p-p38, p-ERK and p-JNK (mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway) were reduced with a increase in antioxidant enzymes on serotonin and its derivatives treatment. Moreover, in the serotonin and its derivatives-treated groups, NF- κB-induced inflammatory factors and apoptotic protein expressions were regulated in the kidney. Conclusion : The present study indicates that serotonin and its derivatives exerts a renoprotective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through the recovery of kidney function deterioration and attenuation of renal inflammation and apoptosis by regulating oxidative stress condition.

The seed of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) has been reported to suppress human cancer cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms by which safflower seed inhibits cancer cell proliferation have remained nuclear. In this study, the inhibitory effect of the safflower seed (SS) on the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells and the potential mechanism of action were examined. SS inhibited markedly the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116, SW480, LoVo and HT-29). In addition, SS suppressed the proliferation of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7). SS treatment decreased cyclin D1 protein level in human colorectal cancer cells and breast cancer cells. But, SS-mediated downregulated mRNA level of cyclin D1 was not observed. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated cyclin D1 downregulation by SS and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in SS-treated cells. In addition, SS increased cyclin D1 phosphorylation at threonine-286 and a point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated SS-mediated cyclin D1 degradation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD98059 suppressed cyclin D1 phosphorylation and downregulation of cyclin D1 by SS. In conclusion, SS has anti-proliferative activity by inducing cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation through ERK1/2-dependent threonine-286 phosphorylation of cyclin D1. These findings suggest that possibly its extract could be used for treating colorectal cancer.

Background : Oxidative stress-related iflammatory mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed is a crude drug rich in serotonin derivatives to exhibit several biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the renoprotective effects of Safflower seed, using cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity mice. Methods and Results : Safflower seed was orally administered at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for 5 days before the intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 20 mg/kg body weight, and the effects were compared with those of vehicle-treated cisplatin administered to control and normal mice. In the serum and kidney, renal function parameters reactive oxygen species and expression of protein related to oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation and apoptosis were examined. Safflower seed treatment attenuated serum BUN, createinine and renal oxidative stress through reduction of reactive oxygen species and increase in the protein expression level of catalase. Safflower seed reduced renal protein expression of p-p38 and p-JNK (mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway), pro-apoptotic factors (such as Bax and caspase 3) and nuclear factor-kappa B-targeting pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase. In addition, Safflower seed treatment led to significantly attenuated histological damage in the kidney. Conclusion : These renoprotective effects of Safflower seed were achieved through attenuation of oxidative stress and its sensitive protein expression associated with inflammation and apoptosis in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity mice.

In order to evaluate the effect of seed weight on different aspect of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed germination and growth characteristics. Quantity of sinapine leaked from seed was greater as the viability of seeds was dropped by the time elapsed of seed aging model and long storage condition in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). The cultivar of safflower was Jin-Sun and the seeds that are separated to three different weights of small, middle, and large were used in this experiment. Large seeds revealed the highest germination percent, coleoptiles fresh weight, coleoptiles dry weight, radicle fresh weight and 1000 seed weights than other seed weight. Seed weight had little effect on yield while seed number exerted a positive influence. Interestingly, yield per plant and its major components, number of capsules and capsule weights, revealed a negligible relationship with oil content.

본 연구는 홍화씨 가공제품의 산패방지 및 품질 향상을 위하여 가식성 필름을 코팅하여 저장 중의 물리화학적 변화를 조사하였다. 가식성 필름 용제로 코팅한 홍화정의 색도 변화는 저장기간이 길어질수록 명도 L 값과 적색도 a 값은 조금씩 증가하였으며 황색도 b 값은 감소하였다. 코팅한 홍화정의 수분함량의 변화는 저장기간이 길어질수록 약간의 증가보였으나 큰 변화는 없었다. 산가는 저장온도에 관계없이 저장기간이 길어질수록 가식성 필름 용제로 코팅한 홍화정

잇꽃 종실의 품질 향상에 효과적인 황 시용방법을 구명하고자 황분말 20 kg/10a와 유안의 시용방법 및 시용량을 달리하여 종실의 영양적 품질에 미치는 영향을 비교 조사한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 종실의 질소와 황 함량은 황 무시용구에 비해 시용구에서 높은 경향이었다. 황 처리간에는 질소 함량은 차이가 없었으나, 황 함량은 유안 토양시비량이 증가할수록 높아졌다. 유안 시비방법 간에는 토양시비 33 kg/10a와 엽면시비 간에 큰 차이는 없었다. 질소/황 비율은 황 시용으로 질소/황 비율이 저하되었고, 유안 토양시비 간에는 시용량이 증가할수록 감소하여 유안 49.5 kg/10a 처리시 가장 낮았다. 2. 종실의 조지방과 조단백질 함량은 황 시용시 무시용에 비하여 높았으며, 황 유형 간에는 조지방이 유안 엽면시비에서 가장 높았고, 조단백질이 유안 16.5 kg/10a에서 가장 낮았던 것을 제외하고 차이가 없었다. 3. 총페놀성 화합물 함량과 항산화 활성은 황 시용으로 증가하였다. 황 처리 간에는 총페놀성 화합물 함량은 차이가 없었으나, 항산화 활성은 황분말과 유안 33.0 kg/10a 처리에서 다소 높았다.

홍화 재배시 비효면에서 효과적인 황 시용방법을 구명하고자 황분말 20 kg/10a와 유안의 시용방법 및 시용량을 달리하여 생육 및 수량에 미치는 영향을 비교 조사한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 황 유형 및 시용 정도에 따른 생육은 황 시용시 무시용에 비하여 초장이 큰 경향이었으며, 경태와 경엽중이 굵거나 무거웠고, 황 유형간에는 황분말 보다는 유안 처리시 양호한 경향이었다. 2. 황을 시용함으로써 화두수 등 수량구성요소가 전반적으로 증가하는 경향을 보였고, 종실 수량이 4-10~% 증수되었다. 황 유형간에는 황분말보다는 유안이 효과적이었으며, 유안 시비방법 간에는 엽면시비 8.3kg/10a과 토양시비 33.0~~49.5kg/10a 시용구와 차이가 미미하였다.

반응표면분석에 의하여 홍화유 추출조건에 따른 campesterol, stigmasterol, -sitosterol 및 total sterol의 추출 최적화를 모니터링 하였으며, 추출온도(35∼75, X), 추출시간(1∼11시간 X), 중심합성계획으로 추출조건을 최적화하였다. campesterol 최적 추출범위는 추출온도, 추출시간 및 시료의 전처리 가공온도가 각각 59.01, 2.88시간, 75.04 이었다. 그러나 -sitosterol, s

홍화씨의 식품재료로서의 이용성을 증가시키기 위한 목적으로서 양갱의 주원료인 건조 팥소 분말에 대한 볶은 홍화씨 분말 20, 35, 45 및 60mesh별로 첨가한 제품과 홍화씨 45mesh분말의 첨가량을 0, 5, 10, 15 및 20%로 하여 제조한 제품 및 배합수로 녹차추출물을 이용한 제품의 품질특성을 조사하였다. 수분함량은 20mesh 체분리 분말 첨가 제품에서 가장 낮은 27.6% 이었고, 동일한 45mesh 분말의 첨가량에 따른 양갱제품

볶은 홍화씨 열수추출분말을 첨가한 쿠키의 제조 및 품질 특성 등은 다음과 같다. 열수추출분말은 수분 4.7%, 조지방 6.5%, 조회분 15.6%, 조단백질 32.6%로 구성되었고, oleic acid, linoleic acid 등의 불포화지방산을 많이 함유하고 있었다. 유리아미노산은 asparagine과 arginine의 함량이 각각 12.69, 2.21 mg/g으로 매우 높게 함유되어 있었고, K과 Mg이 주된 무기질 성분이었다. 쿠키 제품의