LC/MS approach targeting secondary metabolites of bacterial strain resulted in the discovery of boholamide A (1), from the culture of marine actinomycete strain which was isolated from a tidal mudflat in Muan, Republic of Korea. Boholamide A (1), a cyclodepsipeptide with HDMN, APD, glycine, and valine was structurally determined by using 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and UV spectroscopy. Boholamide A (1) showed the inhibitory activity against Bacillus subtilis, with IC₅₀ value of 0.08 mM.

Four compounds were isolated from 90% ethanol extract of the stem of Clematis heracleifolia. On the basis of spectral data, the structure of isolated compounds were identified as sitosterone (1), β-sitosterol (2), scoparone (3) and octadecanoyl caffeate (4), respectively. Sitosterone (1) and octadecanoyl caffeate (4) are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Fatsia japonica is grown wild to Eastern Asia, including Korea, Japan, and Taiwan and it is known as ornamental plant, and it is also known that pharmacological action. In this study, we have selected the stem of F. japonica with consideration about biological activities and amount of yield. In addition, four compounds (1-4) were isolated from the stem of F. japonica. Extensive spectroscopic and chemical studies established the structures of these compounds as maltose (1), begoniifolide A (2), leiyemudanoside B (3), leonticin F (4). All of the compounds were investigated for their anti-inflammatory, anti-neuroinflammatory, and neuro-protective effects on RAW264.7, BV2, and HT22 cells. However, among four compounds, there were no effects by maltose (1), begoniifolide A (2), leiyemudanoside B (3), leonticin F (4) on the anti-inflammatory, anti-neuroinflammatory, and neuro-protective action. This is the first report on the isolation of maltose (1), begoniifolide A (2), leiyemudanoside B (3), leonticin F (4) from the stem of F. japonica. Begoniifolide A (2), leiyemudanoside B (3), leonticin F (4) were isolated for the first time from this plant. It might be necessary to continue the further studies to find the biological active compounds isolated from the stem of F. japonica.

By analysing the benzo(a)pyrene concentration using HPLC-FLD and LC-MS/MS, pollution levels of herbal medicines without permitted benzo(a)pyrene specification were investigated. Average benzo(a)pyrene concentrations were 38.30, 37.46 and 21.22 ㎍/kg for Amomi Tsao-ko Fructus, Mume Fructus and Coptidis Rhizoma, respectively, which are 4 to 7 times higher than maximum permitted benzo(a)pyrene concentration of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata and Rehmanniae Radix, i.e. 5.0 ㎍/kg. Proportion of detected samples exceeding 5.0 ㎍/kg benzo(a)pyrene concentration was 22% for Cimicifugae Rhizoma and Scrophulariae Radix, 44% for Forsythiae Fructus, 67% for Mume Fructus, 100% for Amomi Tsao-ko Fructus and Coptidis Rhizoma, and collectively 29% (36 out of 125 samples) in average. In terms of risk characterization results, human exposure of benzo(a)pyrene were 7.96, 3.49 and 1.61 ng/kg b.w./day and the margin of exposure(MOE) were 1.25 × 10⁴, 2.86 × 10⁴ and 6.20 × 10⁴ for Mume Fructus, Amomi Tsao-ko Fructus and Coptidis Rhizoma, respectively. MOE banding of those herbal medicines was categorized to 'low concern'. However, considering that human exposure of benzo(a)pyrene for food is legislated to 1.4~2.5 ng/kg b.w./day, it was urgent to set up the guideline of benzo(a)pyrene in herbal medicines.

This research was carried out to investigate the moisturizing effects of Agarum cribrosum extract on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Moisturizing effects of A. cribrosum extract on NHEKs were measured by quantitative realtime RT-PCR to verify the gene expressions related to skin hydration, hyaluronic acid (HA)-ELISA to detect HA production, and cell viability assays. A. cribrosum extract increased the mRNA levels of the AQP3 and HAS2 genes and HA production in NHEKs. On the other hand, A. cribrosum extract decreased the mRNA level of the KRT1 and KRT10 genes known as differentiated keratinocyte marker in NHEKs. This research showed the moisturizing effects of A. cribrosum extract. The results indicate that A. cribrosum extract can be a potent functional ingredient for skin hydration and anti-aging products. Further study is warranted regarding the use of A. cribrosum extract to develop not only cosmetics but also food and medicine.

Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are present throughout the hair cycle and play an essential role in hair cycle and hair growth. In this study, we investigated the effect of Carex dispalata on the activation of anagen pathway in DPCs. C. dispalata extract increased the proliferation of DPCs and induced changes in the levels of cell cycle-related proteins. To elucidate the mechanism by which C. dispalata extract stimulates the anagen pathway related to the proliferation of DPCs, we evaluated the effect of C. dispalata extract on the activation of Akt signaling. The increase in the level of phospho-Akt by C. dispalata extract was inhibited by PI3K inhibitor (wortmannin). Wortmannin reduced the effects of C. dispalata extract on the levels of cell cycle-related proteins and proliferation of DPCs. C. dispalata extract increased the levels of Wnt/β-catenin proteins. Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor (XAV939) inhibited changes in cell cycle, cell cycle-related proteins, Wnt/β-catenin proteins, and proliferation induced by C. dispalata extract. C. dispalata extract increased the level of autophagy protein (LC3I/II), and this change was inhibited by XAV939. These results suggest that C. dispalata extract can activate PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, and autophagy pathways in DPCs to induce cell proliferation, and thereby promote hair growth phase.

Artemisia frigida Willd (AW, Fringed sagewort), which is widespread in Mongolia, is a well-known medicinal plant as a member of the Compositae family. This study aims to explore the gastroprotective effect of water extract of AW on 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol-induced acute gastritis in 5 week old male ICR mice. Total polyphenols, total flavonoid contents, and anti-oxidant activity in vitro in AW were evaluated. First, the gross area of gastric mucosal damage was measured. Then western blot analysis was conducted to determine the possible mechanisms of action underlying the effects of AW. AW administration decreased gastric mucosal damage. Moreover, the group with AW treatment effectively inhibited nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase expression associated with oxidative stress. AW treatment enhanced an anti-oxidant effect through the increase of anti-oxidant proteins. Besides, the increased expressions of inflammatory cytokines induced by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation are alleviated through AW treatment. Taken together, AW exerted a gastroprotective effect against gastric mucosal damage. These results indicate that AW could have the potential used as a natural therapeutic drug for the treatment of acute gastritis.

Oat, the seeds of Avena sativa L. (Gramineae), is an important dietary staple for people in many countries. Previous studies reported that A. sativa had various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, neurotonic, and antispasmodic activities. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans model system was used to investigate the antioxidant activity of methanol extract of oat. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the oat methanol extract showed the best DPPH radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate fraction was measured for the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and oxidative stress tolerance by using C. elegans along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. In addition, to confirm that the regulation of the stress response gene is responsible for the increased stress tolerance of C. elegans treated by the ethyl acetate fraction, SOD-3 expression was measured using GFP-expressing transgenic worm. As a result, the ethyl acetate fraction increased SOD and catalase activities, and decreased ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the ethyl acetate fraction-treated CF1553 worm showed higher SOD-3::GFP intensity compared to the control.

This study evaluated several in vitro activities including the preliminary assessment of the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects of tree sprout extracts. Chlorogenic, caffeic, and p-coumaric acid contents in tree sprouts were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and an ultraviolet detector. Among the studied tree sprout extracts, the ethanol (EtOH) extract of Rhus verniciflua exhibited the most potent anti-cancer effect by suppressing the cell viability of a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, with an IC₅₀ of 7.06 ㎍/mL. The EtOH extract of Morus alba (MAB) inhibited the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL, with an IC₅₀ of 83.44 ㎍/mL. Moreover, the EtOH extract of Securinega suffruticosa inhibited NO secretion with the lowest IC₅₀ of 54.42 ㎍/mL. The EtOH extract of Fraxinus mandschurica was the only extract with effective α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The total content of chlorogenic, caffeic, and p-coumaric acids was the highest in MAB (14.63 mg/g ext.). In conclusion, the beneficial activities of the tree sprout extracts with high phenolic acid content were generally high. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the development of health-promoting supplements and functional foods.