Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), commonly known as Holy Basil is a revered herb with a rich history in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Southeast Asia. For its medicinal properties, Tulsi has been regarded as an “Elixir of Life” and has been used to treat various ailments. However, the comprehensive investigation of Tulsi extracts and their potential pharmacological benefits, specifically in relation to antioxidant activity remains limited. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Tulsi leaf and stem extract using various screening methods. We investigate the antioxidant activity exhibited by the extract using three different methods involved the utilization of the total polyphenol content assay, the ferric reducing power assay and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-14 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The results revealed that the Tulsi leaf extract (TLE) exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity when compared to the Tulsi stem extract (TSE) in all the performed assays. The higher content of phenolics in TLE may have contributed to its superior antioxidant activity. The HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis of TLE revealed the presence of eugenol, active compound for several therapeutic properties. These findings provide an understanding of the bioactive compounds present in Tulsi extracts and their potential antioxidant benefits.

Background: The potential impact of aqueous extracts from Psidium guajava leaves on the reproductive system of female rabbits was evaluated. Methods: Twenty-eight rabbits, aged five to six months were utilized. Rabbits were divided into four groups and were randomly assigned to receive one of the following oral doses of the guava leaf extracts: 0 (control group), 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg of body weight. After a treatment period of 30 days, blood was collected via jugular venipunture and the serum was extracted for the assessment of serum biochemical traits levels. The females were bred and monitored throughout their pregnancy to ascertain reproductive outcomes. Results: The results indicated that the guava leaf extract significantly increased the body weight of the rabbits during both pre- and post-pregnancy compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The litter size at three weeks post-birth, prolificity rate, FSH, LH, and protein levels were notably higher (p < 0.05) at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight. The viability rate three weeks post-birth increased with escalating extract doses, and the highest values were observed at doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg of body weight (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that, the aqueous extract of guava leaves appears to stimulate the production of FSH, LH and enhance body weight, prolificity, and pregnancy outcomes in mammals. As such, it is suggested that a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight could be beneficial in improving the reproductive performance of female.

A beverage was developed using the Abeliophyllum distichum leaf (AL). The beverage was prepared by adding it to apple juice by concentration, and physicochemical quality, antioxidant activities, and sensory evaluation were measured. Soluble solid and reducing sugar content of the control were 12.57 °Brix and 11.40%, respectively, and there was no difference from the group with addition of the AL extract. However, pH was slightly increased upon addition of AL extract. Lightness and yellowness increased when AL extract was added. Verbascoside content was not detected in the control, but it increased as the concentration of AL extract increased. The contents of ascorbic acid and flavonoids were 5.38 and 20.42 mg%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the groups. However, the content of polyphenols increased as the concentration of the AL extract increased. DPPH radical and metal ion scavenging activity were increased by addition of the AL extract, but there was no difference in the ABTS radical scavenging activity. As a result of the sensory evaluation, there was no difference from the control even wihen the AL extract was added; thus, it was considered that there was no problem with the degree of acceptability when added within about 300 ppm.

The leaves of Allium victorialis (AV) are known an edible perennial herb, which has been used in Korean traditional medicine. However, the beneficial pharmacological effects of AV extracts (AVE) on the antioxidant activity and atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate both antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect of AVE on AD in vitro and in vivo. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by total polyphenol content and ferric reducing ability. AVE showed a level of polyphenol content and reducing power activity. The five-week-old BALB/c mice were used as an AD-like mouse model by treating them with 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB). Topical administration of AVE for 3 weeks to DNCB-treated mice significantly alleviated clinical skin lesion dermatitis severity and epidermal thickness. Histopathological analysis also demonstrated that AVE decreased eosinophil and mast cell infiltration into skin and ear tissue. These results suggest that topical application of AVE inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesion in mice by their antioxidant activity. Thus, AVE may be a potential therapeutic agent for AD.

This study investigated optimal extraction conditions for applying Capsicum annuum L. leaf as a functional food resource. Capsicum annuum L. leaf was extracted at different extraction solvents (water and 95% ethanol), extraction temperatures (80oC and 100oC), and e xtraction times ( 30, 60, and 9 0 min), a nd t he extracts were e valuated for extraction yield, luteolin content as a major flavonoid component, antioxidant activity, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The extraction yield, luteolin content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the hot water extract were higher than those of the ethanol extract. In evaluating the extraction temperature of Capsicum annuum L. leaf, the antioxidant activities were similar, but the extraction yields, luteolin contents, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were higher at 100oC extraction. In evaluating the extraction time of Capsicum annuum L. leaf, extraction yield increased as the extraction time increased, but antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were the highest at 60 min of extraction. These results suggest that the optimum extraction conditions of Capsicum annuum L. leaf are hot water for 60 min at 100oC, and the extracts can be used as a functional food resource.

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.

The present study is designed to investigate the antibacterial effect of the hot-water and various ethanol extracts from the leaves of Dendropanax morbifera L. (DML) against Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalsis). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 30, 50 and 70% ethanol extract of DML against P. gingivalis decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. However, MIC and MBC of hot-water and 30% ethanol extract against P. gingivalis were the same as 3.13 and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. In the bacterial growth inhibition test, the growth of P. gingivalis in the group treated with MBC and 2×MBC of DML hot-water extract was statistically significantly decreased from 6 h after incubation compared to the control group (p<0.001). From the results portrayed above, aqueous extract from DML at the concentration of 6.25 mg/mL can be usefully used to suppress infection of P. gingivalis, a major causative agent of periodontal disease.

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.

The young shoots of Aralia elata, Chaenomeles sinensis fruit and Glycyrrhizae radix are edible and traditionally used as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. The present study was performed to investigate the protective effect of an ethanol extract mixture of these three medicinal plants (ACG) against amyloid β protein (Aβ) (25– 35)-induced memory impairment in an ICR mouse model. Memory impairment was induced by intracerebroventricular microinjection of 15 nmol Aβ (25–35) and assessed using the passive avoidance test and the Morris water maze test. The step-through latency in the passive avoidance test was decreased and the latency to reach the hidden platform in the Morris water maze test was increased in mice treated with Aβ (25–35), indicating memory impairment. This memory impairment induced by Aβ (25–35) was significantly prevented by chronic treatment with ACG (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg, p.o., 8 days). In memory impaired mice brain, cholinesterase activity and concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, a lipid peroxidation marker, were increased and glutathione level was decreased. These biochemical changes in Aβ (25–35)-treated mice were reversed by chronic administration of ACG. The present results suggest that antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities of ACG might be responsible for the inhibition of Aβ (25– 35)-induced memory impairment and that ACG preparation may have a therapeutic role in preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

본 연구는 B16F10 melanoma 세포에서 산딸기 잎 추출물(Rubus crataefifolius Leaf Extract, RCLE)의 멜라닌 생성 억제 효과를 확인하고자 수행되었다. α-MSH로 자극한 B16F10 melanoma 세포에서 멜라닌 함량과 tyrosinase 활성, 멜라닌 생성관련 효소들인 TRP-1, TRP-2 및 MITF의 단백질 발현 수준을 조사하였고 이에 대한 RCLE의 효과를 검증하였다. RCLE는 tyrosinase 활성과 멜라닌 생성을 효과적으로 억제하였고 멜라닌 생성 경로에 관여하는 PKA와 CREB의 인산화와 MITF의 발현을 억제하였으며 멜라닌 생성 관련 단백질의 발현을 하향 조절하였다. 이러한 결과는 RCLE가 MITF 발현을 억제하여 α -MSH로 자극된 멜라닌 합성을 억제한다는 것을 보여준다. 따라서 이러한 연구결과는 RCLE가 과도한 멜라닌 생성으로 인한 색소 침착을 완화시킬 수 있는 기능성 화장품 소재로 활용될 수 있음을 시사한다.

본 연구는 사과 잎 추출물의 화장품 소재로 응용하기 위한 가능성을 평가하기 위하여 에탄올 70%로 추출하여 실험을 진행하였다. 사과 잎 추출물을 GC/MS로 분석하였고, 폴리페놀, 플라보노이드 함량과 DPPH radical 소거 활성을 통하여 항산화, 세포생존율(MTT assay) 확인을 통한 독성 평가를 하였으며, Nitric oxide (NO) 생성 저해 측정을 통해 사과 잎 추출물을 처리한 군에 4.6배의 NO 생성량이 감소하는 것을 확인하였고, 항염효과를 알아보았다. 총 폴리페놀 함량은 78.80 ± 0.25 ㎎/g, 총 플라보노이드 65.25±6.62 ㎎/g로 나타났다. DPPH radical 소거 활성은 추출물 농도 0.25%에서 79.8± 0.99%, 0.5%에서 88.13±0.89%, 1%에서 96.83±2.00%로 소거능이 증가함을 확인하였다. 세포 생존율 평가는 고농도인 1000 ppm 농도에서도 91.19±3.49%로 80% 이상의 생존률을 확인하였다. GC-MS 성분분석 결과 catechol(5.65%), DL-Gluciol(12.05%), Ascorbicacid(2.41%) ,Phytol(13.88%), Hexanoic acid(5.47%) 등 항산화 화장품 소재로 활용이 사료된다. 이에 실험 결과 사과 잎 추출물을 이용한 천연 기능성 화장품 소재 개발에 있어 중요한 기초 자료로 이용되고자 한다.

1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, has been used to prevent or treat type 2 diabetes. Low amounts of DNJ are found in mulberry leaf; however, a methodology is necessary to enhance the DNJ content of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) since increasing the amounts of DNJ is required for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. In this study, the DNJ content of MLE was increased through the optimization of the conditions for MLE fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum SG-053, using response surface methodology (RSM). By single factor testing, the optimal conditions were identified as an inoculum concentration of 1%(v/v), an MLE concentration of 3°Bx, and no agitation. Based on a Plackett-Burman design, the following factors were considered to majorly affect the DNJ content in the MLE fermentation product: the initial pH, fermentation temperature, and fermentation time. By response surface methodology, the optimal conditions for MLE fermentation was found to have an initial pH of 5.5, a fermentation temperature of 31.9oC, and a fermentation time of 34 h. Under these optimal fermentation conditions, the DNJ content in MLE increased 3.59 times, or from 23.85 to 85.54 μg/mL.

본 연구는 ABTS radical 소거 활성을 통한 항산화 활성, RAW 264.7 대식 세포에서의 세포 독성, DCF-DA assay을 통한 세포 내 ROS 생성 억제 효과, 항균력을 측정하여 구아바 잎 추출물이 화장품 소재로써의 활용 가능성을 검토하고자 하였다. 실험 결과, 구아바 잎 추출물의 우수한 ABTS radical 소거능을 확인하였다. RAW 264.7 대식세포에서의 세포 독성은 나타나지 않았으며 세포 내에서 ROS 생성량 은 농도 의존적으로 감소하는 억제효과를 확인하였다. 또한 구아바 잎 추출물의 항균력 분석에서는 피부상 재균인 S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, P. acnes 균주들에서 항균 활성이 확인되었으며, 각 균주에 대한 최소 저해 농도(MIC)는 대체로 0.25 - 1 mg/mL의 수준으로서 P. acnes ≃ S. aureus < E. coli < C. albican 순의 낮은 농도로 측정되었다. 이와 같은 결과를 통해 구아바 잎 추출물의 항산화 활성과 세포 내 ROS 생성 억제 효과, 피부에 염증을 유발하는 피부상재균에 대한 항균력이 확인됨에 따라 독성이나 부작 용이 없는 기능성 화장품 소재로써의 활용이 가능할 것으로 사료된다.

세포투과 펩티드를 함유한 고분자 미셀 및 리포좀을 이용한 배나무 잎 추출물의 피부 흡수 증진 및 화장품 성분으로의 응용가능성에 대해 알아보기 위해 항산화, 항균 실험 및 제형별 피부 침투 실험을 진행하였다. 총 polyphenol 함량은 배나무 잎 에탄올 추출물에서 118.83 ± 9.39 mg/g, 배나무 잎 열수 추출물에서 106.89 ± 4.45 mg/g로 확인되었다. DPPH radical 소거능 측정 결과, 500 mg/L 의 농도에서 배나무 잎 에탄올 추출물이 74.39 ± 7.48%의 가장 높은 라디칼 소거능을 나타냈다. SOD 유사 활성능은 1,000 mg/L의 농도에서 열수 추출물이 91.62 ± 0.43%로 가장 높은 효능을 나타내었다. 이 후 실험으로부터 항산화, 주름 개선, 미백 활성이 확인되어 배나무 잎 추출물이 항산화 및 항균 소재로서의 실현가능성이 높다고 판단했다. 배나무 잎 에탄올 추출물을 함유한 고분자 미셀 피부침투 실험에서는 24시간 동안의 실험 결과, 총 축적된 tannic acid의 투과량은 Formulation 2(55.45 μ g/cm²), Formulation 1(46.43 μg/cm²), Formulation 0(34.36 μg/cm²)의 순서로 확인되었다. 배나 무 잎 열수 추출물을 함유한 리포좀 피부침투 실험에서는 24시간 동안의 실험 결과, 총 축적된 tannic acid의 투과량이 Formulation 5(75.01 μg/cm²), Formulation 4(64.01 μg/cm²), Formulation 3(36.60 μg/cm²)의 순서로 확인되었다. 이 연구를 통해 배나무 잎 추출물이 가지고 있는 항산화, 주름개선의 효능에 대한 가능성을 확인하였고 고분자 미셀 및 리포좀을 이용한 배나무 잎 추출물의 피부 침투 결과를 통해 향후 화장품 산업에 긍정적으로 이용될 것이라고 사료된다.

구아바 잎 추출물의 항산화 활성과 항염증 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 확인하고자 하였다. 구아바 잎 추출물의 총 폴리페놀 함량, 총 플라보노이드함량, RAW 264.7 세포에 대한 세포 독성 및 NO 생성 억제를 통한 항염증 효과, 피부에 대한 안전성 평가를 실시하였다. 본 실험 결과, 총 폴리페놀과 플라보노이드의 함량이 각 126.4 mg/g, 223.17 mg/g으로 높은 함량을 확인하였다. 대식세포인 264.7세포에 대한 세포 독성이 나타나지 않았으며 NO 생성을 농도 의존적으로 억제되는 것을 확인하였다. 구아바 잎 추출물을 함유한 크림을 제조하여 1차 첩포 테스트를 실시하여 피부 안전성을 확인한 결과 첩포 24 시간 후와 첩포 제거 24 시간 후에도 피부에 대한 자극은 확인되지 않았다. 이러한 결과를 종합해 볼 때 높은 총 폴리페놀과 플라보노이드의 함량으로 인한 항산화 활성이 우수하고, 세포에 대한 피부 독성이 적고 NO 생성 억제 효과가 확인됨에 따라 항산화 및 항염증 효과를 가진 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 확인하였다.

The prevalence of chronic diseases has increased steadily over the last 20 years. The side effects of drugs used to treat chronic disease have always been a problem, owing to the need for long-term medication. Many studies have attempted to discover drugs from natural sources with fewer side effects. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using jujube leaf as a potential anti-diabetic drug source or food supplement. The IC50 values of acarbose and jujube leaf extract on a-glucosidase were 2.59 and 0.37 mg/mL, respectively. In vitro tests showed that the inhibition of a-glucosidase was maintained after the jujube extract was passed through a simulated digestive system, but no inhibition of a-amylase was observed either before or after the in vitro digestion. The jujube leaf extract showed mixed non-competitive inhibition. Jujube leaf extract is expected to be safer and cheaper than synthetic inhibitors.

본 연구에서는 잣나무 잎으로 70% 에탄올 추출물과 증류수 추출물을 얻은 후 항산화 효과, 항염증, 미백효과 등 다양한 효과를 검증하고자 연구를 수행하였다. 항산화 실험 결과, 폴리페놀, 플라보 노이드 효과에서는 폴리페놀과 플라보노이드 함량이 농도 의존적으로 증가하였다. 폴리페놀과 플라보노 이드 함량은 증류수 추출물에 비해 에탄올 추출물에서 높은 것으로 확인되었다. B16F10, RAW264.7 세 포에서 농도별로 세포독성이 나타나지 않았으며, NO 생성 억제능 측정 결과, LPS로 유도된 NO 생성 을 효과적으로 억제하여 항염증 활성이 있을 것으로 예측되었다. 멜라닌 생합성 억제능 측정결과, 유의 한 감소효과를 확인하였으며, western blot을 수행하여 MITF, Tyrosinase 단백질 발현억제 실험결과, 농 도 의존적으로 현저히 억제됨을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구결과로부터 잣나무 잎추출물은 화장품 소재로서의 다양한 활용 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Rubus coreanus is known to have diverse biological properties, such as free radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activity. In the present study, Rubus coreanus leaf and stem extract (RLSE) was used in boar semen preservation whether it has a beneficial effect on assisted reproductive technology (ART) in mammals. Boar spermatozoa were preserved in Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) in the presence of varying concentrations of RLSE (0-10 μg/mL). Sperm motility, sperm viability, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were examined after 2 days of preservation. The percentage of total motile spermatozoa and progressive motile spermatozoa improved in the spermatozoa preserved with 0.5 μg/mL RLSE. Higher proportions of viable spermatozoa were seen in the presence of 0.5 and 1 μg/mL RLSE than in the control. Intracellular ROS levels decreased when the spermatozoa were preserved in BTS with 0.1–1 μg/mL RLSE. In order to examine the bacterial growth, E. coli was added to liquid semen diluted with antibiotics-free BTS in the presence or absence of RLSE. No anti-bacterial activity of RLSE against E. coli was observed during liquid semen preservation. Although there was no inhibition of E. coli growth, the addition of RLSE might help improve sperm motility and viability during boar semen preservation, suggesting it as a potential reagent for ART in mammals.