This study was carried out to investigate the chemical properties of safflower seeds cultivated at some areas in Korea. Safflower was used as one of the functional foods and medicinal plants for many centuries. Porximate compositions of safflower seeds were moisture, 4.8~8.1%, crude protein 16.5~19.5%, crude ash 2.7~3.3%, curde fiber 38.5~43.4%, and crude fat 16.6~24.4%, respectively. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid and arginine were the major amino acids and their contents were 2,587.4~3,143.5 mg%, 1,315.8~1,654.8 mg%, and 1,171.9~1,484.2 mg%. K, P, Ca, and Mg were major minerals and their contents were 611.6~886.3 mg%, 501.5~596.7 mg%, 208.5~641.2 mg%, and 530.6~639.5 mg%, respectively. The free sugars that were identified include raffinose, sucrose, glucose, fructose. α-tocopherol content was 0.14~3.82 mg%. Contents of vitamin C was 0.43~3.39 mg%. The safflower seeds fatty acids were palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linoleic acid. The major fatty acid was linoleic acid it’s content was 74.8~82.9%.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease, which destroys the connective tissue and the alveolar bone. Recently, it has been suggested that the effect of natural substances could be induced into an anti-inflammatory environment. However, the effect of Safflower seed extract (SAF-M) associated with periodontitis has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of SAF-M. Cytotoxicity was assessed through MTS analysis using hGF and hPDL cells. Periodontitis was induced by injecting LPS into gingival tissue on the maxillary molars of rats (45 μg LPS/one time, 3 times a week for 3 weeks). SAF-M was administered daily at 30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. Alveolar bone resorption was evaluated through the micro-CT. hGF and hPDL cells showed differential cytotoxicity in response to SAF-M at 5 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml concentrations. Micro-CT showed reduction of the alveolar bone resorption in the SAF-M treatment group. These results suggested that SAF-M is a potential therapeutic agent for periodontitis.

Backgoound : Sprout vegetables are rich source of nutrients for human health. The safflower seeds contained various functional compounds and nutritions, and can be used as food material without restriction. Therefore, this study was performed to compare the antioxidant properties of sprouts from safflower seeds according to germination periods. Methods and Results : The safflower seeds were sterilized and steeped with distilled water, then incubated at 25℃ for 1 - 7 days. These sprouts and seeds were extracted with methanol, and used as samples for antioxidant properties (total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging activities). Total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activities were higher in safflower seed than sprouts. Among sprouts with various germination periods, the sprouts incubated 4 - 7 days were higher in total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activities than other sprouts. The levels of antioxidant activities were similar in sprouts incubated for 4 - 7 days. Conclusion : These results indicated that the antioxidant properties of sprouts differed according to germination periods, and the optimal germination period of safflower seed as sprout vegetables are 4 days.

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.

홍화종자의 메탄올 추출물에서 preparative HPLC(u -Bondapak C18 column(7.8×300mm ) 분석을 통하여 DPPH radical 소거 활성도가 높은 두 종류의 항산화 물질(CA와 CB)을 확인하였다. 확인된 항산화물질의 대량 추출을 위하여 hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate 그리고 butanol 등의 유기용매를 이용하였으며 이 중 ethyl acetate 분획에서 DPPH radical 소거 활성이 높은 물질이 추출되었다. Ethyl acetate 분획물을 silica gel chlomatography하여 CA와 CB를 분리하였고, 1H -NMR과 13C -NMR 분석에 의하여 CA는 N-(p-Coumaroyl) serotonin, 그리고 CB는 N-feruoylserotonin으로 동정되었다. 홍화종자에서 N-(p-Coumaroyl) serotonin과 N-feruoylserotonin의 함량을 u -Bondapak C18 column(3.9×300mm )으로 300nm에서 acetonitrile의 용매로 10%에서 분석을 시작하여 30분 동안 50%까지 기울기 모드로 분석한 결과 N-(p-Coumaroyl)serotonin의 함량은 4.11 mg/gDW, N-feruoylserotonin의 함량은 7.29 mg/gDW이었으며, 이 두 가지 항산화 물질은 모두 종자껍질에서만 추출되었다.

홍화의 노지및 하우스재배의 생육과 수량 및 수확시기별 종실의 품질에 대한 시험결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 하우스비가림재배가 노지재배에 비해 출현기는 3일, 개화기는 8일이 빨랐으며, 생육도 양호하여 10g당 종실수량도 노지재배 보다 25~% 증수되어 노지재배 보다 비가림재배가 유리하였다. 조지방함량은 비가림하우스재배가 노지재배보다 높았고 종자의 색택도 비가림하우스재배에서 변색없이 흰색이었으나 노지재배에서는 변색되어 품질이 나빴다. 노지재배의 조지방 함량은 수확기까지 높아졌으며 개화성기 20일 이후 수확에서는 차이가 없었으나, 종실의 색깔은 개화성기 30일 이후 점차 변하여 개화성기 후 40일 수확은 흑갈색으로 종실품질이 크게 떨어져 종실의 수확시기는 개화성기 후 20일에서 30일 사이가 가장 좋았다.