Traditional medicine and herbal remedies are gaining popularity worldwide, comprising a significant portion of healthcare research, advancements, and market demand. Growing scientific evidence supports their substantial efficacy as pharmaceutical ingredients and dietary supplements in preventive healthcare. When developing pharmaceuticals, it is crucial to ensure that ingredients are free from side effects and toxicity in order to prioritize safety. Geckos, known as shou gong, are a diverse group of lizards that are widely utilized for treating various diseases in Korean Medicine. This study was conducted to assess the potential acute toxicity of a water extract Gekko gecko by a single oral dose in Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty rats of each sex were randomly assigned to four groups (5 rats each). Test articles were administrated once by oral gavage to rats at dose levels of 0, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg body weight. Mortality, changes of body weight, and clinical signs of gross observation were monitored for 14 days after dosing. At the end of a 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete macroscopic and hematological examinations were performed. There was no dead animal or test article-related effect on clinical signs, body weight, or gross finding. Other specific changes were not found between control and treated groups in hematology. Results showed no adverse effect at a dose of 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg in rats. The minimal lethal dose was considered to be over 2,000 mg/kg body weight in rats.

본 연구는 기능성 화장품 소재로서 생태교란종으로 지정되어있는 가시박 (Sicyos angulatus L., SA)의 이용 가능성을 알아보기 위하여 항산화, 미백, 항균, 항염증 효능 평가를 수행한 후, 에멀션 안정성을 확인하였다. SA는 초순수 (SAW)와 70% EtOH (SAE)로 추출하였다. SAE는 SAW와 비교하 여 DPPH radical 및 ABTS+ radical에 대한 소거 활성과 SOD 유사 활성이 보여 항산화의 효능이 뛰어 나며, tyrosinase의 활성을 저해하여 멜라닌 생성을 억제하였다. SAW는 Escherichia coli (E.c), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.e), Staphylococcus aureus (S.a), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a), Cutibacterium acnes (C.a) 균주에 대한 항균 효과가 없는 반면, SAE는 S.a를 제외한 E.c, S.e, P.a, C.a 균주에서 clear zone이 생성되어 항균 활성을 나타내었다. LPS를 처리한 RAW 264.7 세포에서 SAE는 SAW보다 iNOS 및 COX-2의 발현량이 억제됨으로써 NO의 생성량을 억제하여 항염증에 대한 효능을 나타내었다. SAE을 첨가한 에멀션을 4℃, 25℃, 50℃의 온도에서 분리 현상이 관찰되지 않고, pH와 점 도는 수치상 큰 변화가 없었으며, 입자크기가 대조군 에멀션의 입자와 유사하므로 제형에 영향을 끼치지 않음을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과를 기반으로, 기능성 화장품 연구에 새로운 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 제시하고자 한다.

This study is concerned with the optimization of the manufacturing process of a hot water extract containing antioxidant activity from Lycium barbarum, traditionally known to have various physiological activities. For the establishment of the optimization process, the central composite design of response surface methodology(RSM) was used. Thirteen extraction processes were performed by encoding the independent variables, extraction temperature (65.9oC–94.1oC) and extraction time (2.59 hr–5.41 hr). As a result of the experiment, the optimal manufacturing conditions for the extract were 340.0 mg/100 g of GAE at an extraction temperature of 94.1oC and an extraction time of 5 hr. The maximum yield of flavonoids was 22.44 mg/100 g of HES at an extraction temperature of 94.1oC and an extraction time of 4 hr. The conditions for producing the extract with the maximum antioxidant capacity (DPPH 92.12%) were 90oC and 4.5 hr extraction time. Therefore, the optimal manufacturing process conditions for extracts containing total phenol content, flavonoid content, and DPPH radical scavenging activity, which are dependent variables, were extraction temperature of 90-95oC and extraction time of 4 hr, which were not significantly different from the actual values. Therefore, Lycium barbarum extract rich in total phenol and flavonoid content related to antioxidant function is expected to be used as a functional food and cosmetic material.

This study was conducted to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activity of goat meat hot water extracts and the changes in apoptosis-related protein expression levels in the cancer cells treated with these extracts. Goat meat hot water extracts were prepared using different cuts of goat meat, including foreleg, hindleg, loin, and rib. Among these extracts, the foreleg and hindleg extracts displayed higher (P<0.05) ABTS radical scavenging activity than the other two extracts. Protein expression levels of BAX, p53, and p21 were not different in the cells treated with the extracts from different cuts, regardless of the cell type. Only p53 expression in HT-29 cells was elevated (P<0.05) after loin extract treatment. These results suggest that antioxidant activity and apoptosis-related effects of goat meat hot water extract varied with cut of meat under in vitro conditions. Because all data was obtained from the in vitro experiment, the ability to generalize conclusions is limited. Additional in vivo studies are necessary.

Laminaria japonica is a type of brown algae widely consumed in Asian countries and contains many essential nutrients and exhibits anti-obesity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of a Laminaria japonica water extract (LJE) were investigated using an in vitro model. Mean total polyphenol content of LJE was 2.16±0.11 μg GAE/mg, and LJE dose-dependently inhibited ABTS radical activity but did not scavenge DPPH radicals. In addition, LJE enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production and upregulated the mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) in RAW 264.7 cells. On the other hand, LJE inhibited NO production and downregulated proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels in endotoxin-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Thus, our data show that LJE has moderate antioxidant activity and biphasic immunomodulatory effects on RAW 264.7 cells. In summary, the study indicates that LJE has potential therapeutic use as a novel biphasic immuno-modulator.

An extract of fresh guava leaves (Psidium guajava) was used as a green carbon precursor to fabricate blue fluorescent carbon quantum dots (GCQDs) by hydrothermal process. The GCQDs show bright blue fluorescence emission under UV light with an excitation wavelength of 350 nm and emission at 450 nm. The physical structure of GCQDs was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). GCQDs 80 μg inhibited the growth of waterborne pathogens Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. We also investigated the catalytic activity of the GCQDs on the removal of two azo dyes, namely Congo red and bromophenol blue, with and without NaBH4. The GCQDs showed an excellent reduction of color intensity of both dyes without NaBH4 within 30 min of treatment.

Bacillus velezensis HKB-1가 표고버섯 수확후배지 퇴비로부터 분리되었으며 고추역병균(Phythopthora capsici), 인삼모 잘록병균(Rhizoctonia solani), 고추탄저병균(Collectotrichum coccodes) 및 시들음병(Fusarium oxysporium)의 균사체 성장을 70% 이상 억제하는 항 진균 활성을 보였다. B. velezensis HKB-1은 표고버섯 수확후배지 퇴비물 추출물과 당밀 1% 첨가배지에서 다른 상업용 세균배지보다 10~100배 더 높은 세균증식률을 보였으며 고추 역병균의 균사체 생장을 90% 억제하였으며 고추생육 촉진효과 및 고추역병에 대하여 70% 이상의 방제효과가 있었다.

본 연구는 가미수미원(백하수오 10 g,; 당귀 6 g; 구기자 8 g; 화피 6 g; 선태 3 g; 홍화 2 g)에 방기(Sinomenium acutum R.) 4 g의 첨가 여부에 따라 각각 열수추출물은 GS±SC(DW), 80% 에탄올 추출물은 GS±SC(EtOH)로 표기 하였다. 각 추출물은 항산화를 측정하기 위해 다음과 같은 연구를 수행하였 다. HPLC를 통한 방기 지표물질 함량측정, 중금속 검사 기준 측정, ABTS/DPPH 라디칼 소거능 측정, SOD 유사 활성능 측정, ROS 및 NO 생성량을 측정하였다. 방기 지표물질 중 sinomenine의 함량은 열수 추출물에서, decursin은 에탄올 추출물에서 더 높게 확인되었다. 중금속 측정 결과 기준치 적합으로 확인되었다. ABTS/DPPD 라디칼 소거능을 측정한 결과 GS+SC(EtOH)의 소거능이 가장 높게 나왔으며, 상대적으로 열수보다 에탄올 추출이 라디칼 소거율이 높게 확인되었다. 그러나 SOD의 경우 열수 추출에서 상대 적으로 유사 활성능이 높게 확인되었다. ROS 생성의 경우 열수 추출물이 에탄올 추출에 비해 유의하게 감소시켰으며, NO의 생성은 에탄올 추출물이 상대적으로 더 유의하게 감소시키는 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과에서 GS+SC(EtOH)이 라디컬 소거능 및 NO 감소를 높게 나타낸 것으로 확인되어 산화적스트레스 후, 생성된 활성산소의 제거에 좀 더 영향을 미치는 것으로 판단된다. 향후 지속적인 효능 심화 연구를 통해 조성물을 활용한 화장품 및 기능성 원료의 소재로서의 가능성이 높을 것으로 사료된다.

The present study is designed to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of the hot-water extract from the leaves of Dendropanax morbifera L. (DMWE) in hyperlipidemic rats. Thirty male 5-week-old rats were grouped as follows: Normal control (NC) given distilled water; hyperlipidemic control (HC) administered with distilled water; drug treatment (DT) orally administered with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg body weight (BW)); DMWE-treated groups (DM-50, DM-100 and DM-200) treated with DMWE 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg BW, respectively. All groups (except for NC) were fed a high-fat diet during the experiment. After 4 weeks of administration, the BW of all groups treated with DMWEs significantly increased compared to that of HC (p<0.05) and showed no significant difference compared to that of NC. In addition, serum total cholesterol levels in all groups treated with DMWEs were meaningfully decreased, compared to that in HC (p<0.05). In serum triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, both DM-100 and DM-200 considerably decreased compared to HC (p<0.05), and no significant differences in TG levels were between DM-100 and DM-200. In high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, DM-200 was statistically different compared to HC, and there were no significant differences between DM-100, DM-200 and DT. Furthermore, aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase concentrations of DM-100 and DM-200 were significantly decreased compared to those of HC (p<0.05). From results portrayed above, DMWE at the concentration of 100 mg/kg BW has been identified to be effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemic rats.

본 연구는 고삼 물추출물과 주 성분인 마트린의 유전 독성 유발능을 마우스 간세포 및 혈구세포에서 체내 단세포전기영동 시험법을 사용하여 평가하였다. OECD TG 489 에서 정하고 있는 체내 알카리코멧 시험법(in vivo alkanine Comet assay)을 수컷 마우스를 사용하여 수행하였다. 고삼 물추출물의 투여 용량은 한계 용량을 포함하도록 체중 대비 1,000와 2,000 mg/kg으로 하였다. 마트린의 세 투여용량은 50, 100, 200 mg/kg으로 정하였고, 최고 투여용량은 용량 설정시험을 통하여 설정하였다. 음성대조물질과 시험물질은 경구로 3회 투여하였고, 양성대조물질(ethyl methanesulfonate, EMS)은 2회 투여하였다. 마지막 투여 후 3-4시간 내에 간 조직과 혈액을 채취하였고 단세포전기영동을 알카리 조건에서 수행하였다. 코멧 시험 결과, 고삼 물추출물과 마트 린에 의한 체중의 변화가 관찰되지 않았으며, 간세포와 혈구세포에서 통계적으로 유의성 있는 유전자 손상을 유발 하지 않았다. 따라서, 본 연구조건에서 고삼 물추출물과 마트린은 유전독성 유발능이 없는 것으로 사료된다.

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Endoseal TCS, an mineral trioxide aggregate-based root canal sealer, mixed with water-soluble mangostin derivatives (WsMD) of Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen) ethanol extract against Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity of Endoseal TCS mixed with WsMD against three strains of E. faecalis and three strains of S. aureus was performed using agar diffusion test. The data showed that Endoseal TCS mixed with 0.115% WsMD had a zone of inhibition of 0.7 ± 0.2–2.4 ± 0.1 mm. The results suggest that Endoseal TCS mixed with WsMD of Garcinia mangostana L. ethanol extract is useful as a root canal sealer with antibacterial activity against E. faecalis and S. aureus .

원목표고는 수확시기, 재배지역 같은 요인들에 의하여 품질과 가격의 차이가 다양하다. 가을에 생산되는 표고는 수량은 많지만 화고로 불리는 고품질의 표고 생산량이 적고, 등급이 낮은 표고 생산량이 많아, 주로 표고가루로만 가공되고 있다. 이에 따라 가을에 생산되는 등급이 낮은 표고 가공품 개발이 요구되어진다. 원목표고당화물의 β-glucan, vitamin D2 함량은 UV 조사시간을 7분 적용한 원목표고당화물에서 가장 높게 나타났다. Ergosterol 함량은 UV 조사 7분 시험구에서 가장 낮은 함량을 보였다. 원목표고당화물의 환원당 함량은 62.4 mg/L~68.2 mg/L로 확인되었다. 원목표고당화물의 유리아미노산 함량을 분석한 결과, 총 16종의 유리아미노산이 검출되었으며, 대조구로 사용한 원목표고 열수추출 물에 비하여 원목표고 당화물들의 유리아미노산 함량이 높음을 확인하였다. UV 조사시간에 따른 유리아미노산 및 필수아미노산 함량은 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 원목 표고당화물의 세포독성을 확인한 결과 500 μg/mL 농도에서도 90%이상의 높은 세포 생존율을 보여, 대조구로 사용한 원목표고 hot water 추출액과 원목표고당화물 모두 세포독성은 없는 것으로 확인하였다. 원목표고당화물의 항염증 효과는 농도 의존적으로 높은 활성을 나타냈으며, UV 조사 7분 시험구에서 100 μg/mL이상의 농도에서는 90% 이하의 낮은 NO 생성능을 확인하였다. UV를 7분 조사한 원목표고당화물이 ergosterol을 제외한 유용성분 함량과 항염증 활성이 가장 높게 나타나, 원목표고당화액 제조 최적 UV 조사 시간은 7분으로 결정하였다. 본 연구결과 UV를 7분 조사한 원목표고당화물들은 안전성과 버섯의 유용성분 함량이 높아, 향후 천연감미 료 및 건강식품 소재로 다양한 활용이 기대된다.

This study was designed to evaluate the improvement in exercise endurance by Hovenia dulcis fruit hot water extract (HDWE) for the potential application as a functional food material. The effect was based on the evaluation of the forced-swimming capacity and changes in biochemical parameters in mice. Six-week-old mice were classified into four groups based on a randomized block design: the negative control group, the HDWE 50 mg/kg body weight group, the HDWE 200 mg/kg body weight group, and the 1-octacosanol 50 mg/kg body weight group (n=8 mice per group). The swimming exercise time in the HDWE-50 group was increased at 545±43 sec compared to the control group at 263±28 sec. The HDWE-200 fatigue indicators, lactate acid and ammonia content, decreased to 4.99±0.33 mg/mL and 0.63±0.05 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, the content of glycogen in the liver and muscle tended to increase in the group administered HDWE but was not significant. Likewise, the LDH and glucose contents were increased compared to the control group. The muscle damage indicators ALT (52.7±2.6 U/L) and AST (42.5±5.2 U/L) tended to decrease compared to the control group (76.4±10.2 U/L).

Artemisia annua (AA) is a well-known as a source of antimalarial drug (artemisinin), which also has been traditionally used as an antipyretic and hemostatic agent in Korea and China. In preclinical effective study, a water extract of Artemisia annua (WEAA) ameliorated weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed mice. The plasma levels of triglyceride, AST, and ALT were reduced in the WEAA-treated group. Based on these results, the safety of WEAA as a functional ingredient for liver health was evaluated in this repeated dose oral toxicity study before the clinical trial. Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats were treated by gavage with 20 times (1,000 mg/kg) more than the effective dose for 13 weeks. All rats had survived at the end of the study, and there were no changes indicating obviously abnormal clinical sign and behavior. The treatment of WEAA were also observed no obvious toxicities in the body weights, urine, hematological, serum biochemical, ophthalmic and histopathological examinations. Based on the results of this study, the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) of WEAA in SD rats was estimated to be 1,000 mg/kg. In conclusion, WEAA could be used as a safe functional ingredient for the improvement of liver health in individuals with hepatic diseases including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

노루궁뎅이균사로 발효한 율무 열수추출물의 항산화, NO 생성저해, tyrosinase 합성 억제, melanin 생성 저해 및 유용성분 분석을 수행하였다. 노루궁뎅이균사발효율무 열수추출물의 ergosterol 함량은 740.2 mg%으로 나타났으며, 원료로 사용한 율무 열수추출물에서는 검출되지 않았다. 노루궁뎅이균사발효율무 열수추출물의 β-glucan 함 량은 245.3 ± 5.1 mg%으로 나타났다. 노루궁뎅이균사발 효율무 열수추출물은 100%, 104.1%, 107.2%, 105.3%, 102.1%, 101.3%, 100.4%의 세포생존율이 측정되어, 율무 열수추출물보다 노루궁뎅이균사발효율무 열수추출물의 세포생존율이 더 높게 나타났다. B16F10 cell 500 ug/mL 농도로 처리했을 때, 노루궁뎅이균사발효율무 열수추출물 은 8.9 μM의 NO 생성율을 보여, 율무 추출물(10.6 uM) 의 NO생성율 보다 낮은 NO 생성율을 나타내었다. 10, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300 및 500 mg/mL 모든 농도에서 율무 열수추출물보다 노루궁뎅이균사발효율무 열수추출물이 유의적으로 tyrosinase 및 melanin 생성을 억제함을 확인 할 수 있었다. 노루궁뎅이균사발효에 따른 DPPH radical 및 ABTS radical 소거활성 측정결과 노루궁뎅이 균사발효 율무열수추출물이 율무 열수추출물보다 항산화 효과가 높음을 확인하였다. 따라서 추가적인 연구를 통해 노루궁뎅이균사발효 율무열수추출물은 기능성식품 원료와 식품 첨가물, 화장품 산업에 이용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.