Preimplantation embryonic production in vitro is important in human assisted reproductive technology and animal embryo engineering. Icariin (ICA) is one type of flavonoids and a main component isolated from the stem leaf of Epimedium brevicornum. Flavonoids, which are among the best well-studied natural antioxidants, have been demonstrated to be active in clearing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ICA treatment during porcine oocyte in vitro aging and their in vitro developmental competency after parthenogenetic activation (PA). Porcine oocytes were matured in vitro for 44 h (control) and for an additional 24 h in the presence of 0, 5 μM ICA (aging, ICA-5), respectively. This study investigated the effects of ICA on nuclear maturation, ROS level, apoptosis index, and the developmental capacity of aged porcine oocytes. Oocyte survival was not different in aging group compared to control or ICA-5 group. The increased ROS level during in vitro aging was prevented in ICA-5 group, while GSH level was not decreased. The decrease of normal spindle formation during in vitro aging was prevented in ICA-5 group. After PA, although the cleavage rate was not different among treatment groups, the blastocyst formation was significantly higher in control and ICA-5 group than in aging group. However, there was significantly difference in the apoptotic index of the ICA-5 group, while it was no difference in the total cell number of the ICA-5 group. (p<0.05). Therefore, this result demonstrated that the ICA is an effective agent to prevent the deterioration during in vitro aging of porcine oocytes.

This study was designed to investigate the contents of icariin during ripening of Epimedium koreanum with sugar and Soju (25, 30, and 35% alcohol contents) using a homemade method. Contents of icariin of Epimedium wine were examined using high performance liquid chromatography. Icariin levels in Epimedium wine increased during the first 3 days of storage; after 6 days, icariin contents decreased gradually until 30 days. Contents of icariin in Epimedium wine by storage temperature (5 and 20°C) were not different during storage. After 30 days, icaiin was not detected in all tested Epimedium wines. Epimedium wines were assessed for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azinobis( 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increased in early storage periods, however, after 6 or 9 days, activities decreased gradually.

예로부터 삼지구엽초는(Epimedium koreanum Nakai)는 한방에서 강장, 강정, 이뇨 등의 약재로 이용되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는, 삼지구엽초의 주성분인 icariin의 함량에 따른 항돌연변이 및 면역활성을 탐색하여 향후 기능성 식품소재로서 활용하고자 하였다. Ames test 결과, icariin 함량에 따른 삼지구엽초 추출물은 TA98 및 TA100 균주 모두에서 집락수가 음성대조군에 비하여 농도 변화에 따른 집락수의 큰 변화를 나

To improve industrial scale extraction method for extraction of icariin from Epimedium koreanum Nakai, the yields under different extracting conditions such as solvent, temperature, duration and solvent to plant material weight ratio were compared. Regarding extracting solution, highest extracts and icariin yield could be achieved when 10% EtOH was used. In case of plant material to extracting solvent ratio, no significant differences could be observed from 1/10 to 1/50, indicating 1/10 was the most efficient. Extracting temperature significantly affected extracts and icariin yields in that 90℃ increased the collected extracts and icariin contents up to 29.6% and 0.76%, respectively, compared to 27.2%, 0.33% at 70℃. The yield of extracts was less dependent upon extracting temperature compared to icariin yield. Regarding extraction time, 4 hr and 6 hr resulted in high extracts and icariin yield, respectively. We found extracting Epimedium koreanum Nakai in 10 times volume of 10% EtOH for 4 and 6 hr at 90℃ seem to be relatively efficient methods for extracts and icariin, respectively.

삼지구엽초에 함유되어 있는 icariin 함량을 신속하게 추정하기 위하여 NIRS(근적외선 분광분석기)를 이용한 분석 방법을 검토하였다. HPLC를 이용하여 분석된 삼지구엽초 유전자원 150계통에 대한 이카린 함량치를 NIRS 스펙트럼에 적용시켜 42개의 calibration set 와 26개의 valilion set를 구분하였다. NIRS의 검량식을 몇가지 방법에 의하여 비교분석한 결과 2차미분된 스텍트럼을 MPLS(Modified Partial Least Squares)를 이용한 회귀식에 이용하는 것이 가장 적합하였다. HPLC를 이용한 유전자원들의 이카린 함량은 평균 0.424%(0.12~0.67%)이었으며, NIRS에서 도출된 검량식과의 상관계수는 0.951을 나타내었다. 따라서 삼지구엽초의 이카린 함량은 NIRS를 이용하여 신속 편리하게 분석할 수 있음이 인정되었다.