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: Cassia tora L., an annual or perennial plant of the Fabaceae family, is traditional medicine with various biological activities, including anti-constipation and, anti-inflammation. Chemical compounds such as anthraquinone glycoside and naphthalene derivatives have been isolated from this plant. Cassia tora L. is a common contaminant of agricultural commodities, but is toxic to cattle and poultry. Methods and Results: To investigate the potential toxicity, Cassia tora L. aqueous extract (CO) was administered orally to rats for 26 weeks at 0 (control), 300, 1,500 and 3,000㎎/㎏/day (n = 10 for male rats for each dose). The positive control comprised animals orally administered anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day. There was no treatment-related mortality. An increase in the kidney weight was observed at 3,000㎎/㎏/day of CO and anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day. Macrophage infiltration in the colon was observed at CO 1,500 and 3,000㎎/㎏/day and anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day, but there were no significant toxicological changes in the incidence and severity of the finding. Conclusions: The oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of CO was 3,000㎎/㎏/day in male rats and no target organs were identified. In addition, 300㎎/㎏ was found to be the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for systemic toxicity under the conditions of the study.

Pumpkin has long been used as traditional health materials in oriental medicine, pharmacy, medicine, and food industries in many countries. In this study, the water extract and two active components from tendril of young C. moschata Duch. were investigated on inflammation inhibitory activity. The water extract of young C. moschata Duch. showed high cell viability over 95% and it decreased the production of interlukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in the capacity of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Also, isolated fraction (B4) suppressed the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α. Among the domestically cultivated pumpkins, B4 fraction contained in the tendril part of them and it comprised of the order of tendril from Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica, old of C. moschata Duch., and young of C. moschata Duch. These results suggest that water extracts of C. moschata Duch. and purified active compound, rutin, show anti-inflammation activity by suppression of the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α. It can be applicable as pharmaceutical materials.

This study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of fermented milk with addition of hot water extract of Cordyceps militaris grown upon Tenebrio molitor. The general components of Cordyceps militaris grown upon Tenebrio molitor are moisture 10.85%, crude protein 18.44%, crude fat 2.07%, crude ash 5.46%. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of different solvents were the highest (74.81 EDA%) with hot water extract sample. The acidity of fermented milk was high with increasing amount of extracts. The pH of fermented milk reached 4.60-4.66 after 4 h of fermentation, and the number of lactic acid bacteria was highest (11.70 log CFU/mL) with 1% fermented milk. The moisture content of fermented milk showed no significant difference. In addition, contents of crude protein were not significantly different according to addition amount. Regarding Hunter’s color values, L value decreased as the amount of extract increased, whereas a value and b value increased. The content of free amino acid increased with increasing amount of extract. The DPPH free radical scavenging ability and ABTS free radical scavenging ability of fermented milk were significantly different as the addition amount of extract increased. In the sensory evaluation, fermented milk containing 1% of extract showed the highest preference.

Rapeseed cake was extracted with 80% ethanol and then fractionated with H2O (fraction I) as well as with 30% (II), 50% (III), 70% (IV), and 100% ethanol (V). Total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant potential, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity were in the order of fractions II > III > I > IV > V. The three fractions with high antioxidant activities and TPC (I, II, and III) were pooled and hydrolyzed by NaOH solution, resulting in 18.97 mg sinapic acid/g hydrolyzed extract and 21- and 2.2-fold increases in TPC and DPPH radical scavenging activity, respectively. Hydrolyzed rapeseed cake extracts (200, 500, and 1,000 ppm) and catechin (200 ppm) as a comparison were added to 10% fish oil-in-water emulsion, and their effects on oxidative stability were investigated by measuring hydroperoxide values (PV) during refrigerated storage. PVs were significantly lower in the emulsions with added hydrolyzed extract as compared to the control (p<0.05) and significantly decreased with increasing extract concentration (p<0.05) over a period of 29 days. The emulsion added with hydrolyzed extract showed higher PV than that added catechin at the same concentration (200 ppm) during 13-22 days (p<0.05), but after then, the PV was not significantly different (p>0.05). This study indicates that hydrolyzed rapeseed cake extract rich in sinapic acid may inhibit oxidation in a fish oil-in-water emulsion in a concentration-dependent manner.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hot water extract of Welsh onion root (HEWO) on growth of lactic acid bacteria and fermentative characteristics of yogurt. The physiochemical characteristics of HEWO such as pH, soluble solid, reducing sugar, total polyphenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were studied. The lactic bacterial count in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth with HEWO was about 1 log cycle higher than in control for 24 h at 37℃. The pH of yogurt prepared with HEWO (WY100) and 50% HEWO (WY50) was gradually decreased significantly but increased the viscosity of yogurt with increasing HEWO concentration during fermentation. The viable cells of lactic acid bacteria after fermentation for 24 h were 8.03 (control), 8.77 (WY50), 8.84 (WY100) log CFU/mL, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of yogurt increased with increasing HEWO concentration. Sensory quality of yogurt prepared with HEWO was higher than that of control. The pH and lactic acid bacteria of all tested yogurts decreased during storage for 10 days at 4℃ but lactic bacterial count of yogurt prepared with HEWO maintained 108 CFU/mL during storage. These results indicated the potential use of HEWO as a valuable resource to improve fermentation and functionality of yogurt.

Background: Constipation is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. The present study examined the ability of water extract of fermented (FRC) and non-fermented (NFRC) roasted Cassia tora to improve intestinal function and reduce constipation in a rat constipation model.Methods and Results:Different concentration of FRC and NFRC were orally administered loperamide (5 ㎎/㎏; LOP) reduced the number, weight, and water content of feces, as well as intestinal transit motility. However, 24 h-(24 hour fermented roasted-Cassia tora) 300 ㎎/㎏ FRC administration increased the number, weight, and water concent of feces, compared to that seen in the LOP group, and also improve intestinal transit mitility and, the thickness of distal colon and mucous fluid.Conclusions:The results of the present study indicated that LOP-induced constipation was improved by treatment with FRC. Therefore FRC could be used to develop functional foods or natural medicine for constipation. However, further study is needed to clarify how fermentation improves the medicinal properties of roasted C. tora.

Menopause is characterized by a decrease in estrogen production by the ovaries. Furthermore, the risk of developing chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes increases in menopausal women. In this study, we evaluated the ability of Caragana sinica (CS) to affect lipid and glucose metabolism in an ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rat model of induced menopause. The animals were divwided randomly into three groups: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX), and ovariectomized rats treated with 1% water extract of CS (OVX-CS). The OVX-CS treated mice showed a significant decrease in body weight, adipose tissue, triglyceride, and total cholesterol. Improved lipid and glucose profiles were also observed, and were attributed to suppression of hepatic lipogenesis and adipokine production and regulation of glucose-regulating enzyme activity. Therefore, these findings indicate a potential use for CS as a functional food for menopause-induced hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.

Background: Many menopausal women suffer from health problems including metabolic diseases such as dyslipidemia and osteoporosis. Thus they need natural products and functional foods particularly highly nutritional food products, that can help alleviate these diseases. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Drynariae Rhizoma water extract on the lipid and bone metabolism of ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods and Results: The animals were randomly divided into six dietary groups comprising SHAM-operated rats, OVX rats (normal diet), and OVX-DR rats (Drynariae Rhizoma extract). After 8 weeks, plasma, liver, and fat samples were collected to analyze the lipid metabolism, plasma Ca, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide (CTx) concentrations, which are biochemical makers of bone metabolism. The left femurs of rats were also collected for histological analyses. OVX counteracted menopause induced body weight gain, as well as increases in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids. The Drynariae Rhizoma group showed low levels of triglycerides, high HDL-cholesterol, and decreased lipogenesis based on activity of the lipid-regulating enzymes (fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme). Decreased serum levels of ALP and osteocalcin were observed in Drynariae Rhizoma group.Conclusions: The results of this study show that Drynariae Rhizoma extract may effectively regulate hyperlipidemia and improve bone density.

We investigated the effects of Acorus gramineus water extract on the blood lipid levels in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. We divided thirty-five C57BL/6 mice into 5 groups: normal group, control group, and groups treated with Acorus gramineus water extract at concentrations of 20, 100, and 500 ㎎/㎏. We inoculated Acorus gramineus water extract per orally once a day for 6 weeks respectively. The results revealed that Acorus gramineus water extracts had positive effects on the total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Background: Sedum takesimense Nakai has been used as folk medicine in Korea. The present study aimed to determine the biological activity of S. takesimense by investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of S. takesimense water extract (SKLC) on the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. Methods and Results: Cytotoxicity of SKLC on RAW 264.7 cells was determinded by performing MTS assay was found to have no cytotoxic effect on RAW 264.7 cells at a concentration range of 62 - 500 ㎍/㎖. Further, pretreatment of SKLC inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner. To determined the inhibitory mechanisms of SKLC on inflammatory mediators, we assessed the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygnease-2 (COX-2) pathways. The activities of these pathways were decreased in a dose-dependent manner by SKLC. The production of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β‚ and IL-6 were also reduced. Conclusions: These results suggest that the down regulation of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β‚ and IL-6 expression by SKLC are mediated by the down regulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity, a transcription factor necessary for pro-inflammatory mediators. This might be the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of SKLC.

Background : Dioscorea quinqueloba(DQ) is a medicinal herb that is used as an alternative therapy for cardiovascular disease and various medical conditions. The objective of this study was to characterize the antioxidant activities of DQ. Methods and Results : The samples were extracted with Distilled water and analyzed for total flavonoid contents, polyphenol contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ABTS radical scavenging activity. H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells were subjected to H2O2, to study the protective effect of DQ on cell viability, and ROS production. The total amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids, which indicate the antioxidant capabillity of water extracts from DQ were 27.21mg/g and 22.95mg/g, respectively. The DQ water extract showed highest antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities. The DQ water extract was protected cells against H₂O₂-induced cell death without any cytotoxicity, as determined by the MTT assay. The DQ water extract also was inhibiting production of intracellular ROS. Conclusion : These observations suggest that DQ can use potentially good natural antioxidant in daily life for possible health benefits.

센텔라 아시아티카 정량추출물(TECA)은 병풀에서 얻은 난용성 추출물로 상처치유 및 항주름 물질로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 TECA를 함유한 water in oil in water (W1/O/W2) 에멀젼 제조에 필요한 최적 의 실험 조건을 찾기 위해 연구를 진행하였다. TECA의 용해도는 UV 흡광도계를 이용하였으며, 디프로필렌 글라이콜(40.0 g), 에탄올(20.0 g) 및 정제수(10.0 g)의 조성에서 2.55 g의 TECA가 용해되는 것을 확인하 였다. 에멀젼(W1/O, W1/O/W2)의 안정도에 영향을 미치는 요인에 대하여 조사하였다. W1/O 에멀젼의 제조 하기 위한 최적의 수상 조건은 디프로필렌글라이콜 : 에탄올 : 정제수 : TECA가 40.0 : 20.0 : 10.0 : 2.5% (w/w), 유상 조건은 스쿠알란 : 세틸피이지/피피지-10/1디메치콘 : 세테아릴알코올이 22.5 : 4.0 : 1.0% (w/w)임을 확인하였다. W1/O/W2 멀티에멀젼을 제조하기 위한 최적의 조건은 정제수 : W1/O 에멀젼 : 폴리 소르베이트 80 : 카보머 : 트리에탄올아민의 비율이 55.8 : 40.0 : 4.0 : 0.1 : 0.1% (w/w)임을 확인하였다.

Osteoporosis induces a bone mineral density loss due to imbalance of bone homeostasis that is achieved by osteoclasts (which are involved in bone resorption) and osteoblasts (which are involved in bone formation). Thus, this study was performed to evaluate the effects of hot water extract of the Achyranthes bidentata Blume (ABB) and Panax ginseng (Gin) on osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation. In this study, there was no cytotoxicity by ABB, 50 and 100 μg/ml of Gin significantly decreased cell viability of RANKL-induced osteoclast in RAW264.7 cell (p < 0.01). But, it was 50 μg/ml of ABB and Gin mixtures increased due to protective action of ABB. Furthermore, Gin contained groups (Gin, ABB and Gin mixtures) were inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, and increased in osteoblast differentiation activity. Gin clearly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by decreased calcitonin and TRAP (p < 0.01). Also, these extracts significantly increased calcium accumulation formation of osteoblastic differentiation reagents-induced osteoblast in MC3T3-E1 cell (p < 0.05). These results suggest that ABB and Gin mixtures may be a potential as drug for the treatment of osteoporosis.