Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine (동의생리병리학회지)

The Physiological Society of Korean Medicine and The Society of Pathology in Korean Medicine (대한동의생리학회·한의병리학회)
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Comparative Study on the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Ten Forest Resources

산림자원 10종의 항산화 및 항염증 활성 비교 연구

  • Myung-Sun Lee (Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • In-Hwan Joo (Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Jong-Min Park (Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Dong-Hee Kim (Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University)
  • 이명선 (대전대학교 한의과대학 병리학교실) ;
  • 주인환 (대전대학교 한의과대학 병리학교실) ;
  • 박종민 (대전대학교 한의과대학 병리학교실) ;
  • 김동희 (대전대학교 한의과대학 병리학교실)
  • Received : 2025.07.15
  • Accepted : 2025.09.08
  • Published : 2025.10.25
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Abstract

Oxidative stress, caused by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a major contributor to cellular damage and chronic inflammation. Natural products derived from forest resources are gaining attention as safer alternatives to synthetic antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extracts from ten native forest resources traditionally used in Korea: Ginkgo biloba Linné, Thuja orientalis Linnaeus, Rhynchosia volubilis Lour, Diospyros kaki Linnaeus, Orostachys japonicus A. Berger, Agrimonia pilosa Ledebour, Potentilla chinensis Seringe, Gleditsia japonica Miquel, Citrus unshiu Markovich, and Rosa rugosa Thunberg. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined, along with antioxidant capacities assessed by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays and FRAP analysis. Furthermore, cellular antioxidant effects were evaluated using LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages by measuring intracellular ROS levels. The results showed that Rosa rugosa, Agrimonia pilosa, Potentilla chinensis, and Diospyros kaki demonstrated strong antioxidant activities across multiple indicators, with Rosa rugosa showing the highest overall performance. These extracts also significantly inhibited ROS production in activated macrophages without cytotoxicity. This comprehensive evaluation suggests that selected native forest resources possess promising potential as functional food ingredients or natural antioxidant agents. Further studies to isolate active compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action are warranted to support their development for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical applications.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 산림청(한국임업진흥원) 산림과학기술 연구개발사업 '(2021370A00-2123-BD02)'의 지원에 의하여 이루어진 것입니다.

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