• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2016

Objectives: The mushroom Ganoderma lucidum has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine for many years. Although several studies have focused on the anti-oxidative activity of this mushroom, the molecular mechanisms underlying its activity have not yet been clearly established. The present study investigated the cytoprotective effect of ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum (EGL) against oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide, $H_2O_2$) and elucidated the underlying mechanisms in a C2C12 myoblast cell line. Methods: Oxidative stress markers were determined by using the comet assay to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. Cell viability and Western blotting analyses were employed to evaluate the cellular response to EGL and $H_2O_2$ in C2C12 cells. Transfection with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-specific small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) was conducted to understand the relationship between Nrf2 expression and $H_2O_2$-induced growth inhibition. Results: The results showed that EGL effectively inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced growth and the generation of ROS. EGL markedly suppressed $H_2O_2$-induced comet-like DNA formation and phosphorylation of histone H2AX at serine 139 ($p-{\gamma}H2AX$), a widely used marker of DNA damage, suggesting that EGL prevented $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage. Furthermore, the EGL treatment effectively induced the expression of Nrf2, as well as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), with parallel phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in the C2C12 myoblasts. However, zinc protoporphyrin IX, a HO-1 inhibitor, significantly abolished the protective effects of EGL against $H_2O_2$-induced accumulation of ROS and reduced cell growth. Notably, transient transfection with Nrf2-specific siRNA attenuated the cytoprotective effects and HO-1 induction by EGL, indicating that EGL induced the expression of HO-1 in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Conclusion: Collectively, these results demonstrate that EGL augments the cellular anti-oxidant defense capacity through activation of Nrf2/HO-1, thereby protecting C2C12 myoblasts from $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative cytotoxicity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.45-53
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• 2017

Objective : Nelumbo nucifera, its rhizome and semen have been used as a traditional medicine which was studied on antioxidant, hepatoprotective effect, anti-obesity and the others. However, Nelumbinis Flos have not studied. We investigated protective effects on oxidative DNA damage and anti-inflammatory effects of Nelumbinis Flos. Methods : The antioxidant activity was conducted by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2, 2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay. Total phenolic content was analyzed. Also, phenolic compounds were detected by HPLC/UV. The inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage was determined using ${\Phi}X-174$ RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay. The anti-inflammatory effect of Nelumbinis Flos was measured by the amount of nitric-oxide (NO) produced and protein levels of iNOS, and COX-2 in LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of extraction were $97.02{\pm}0.88%$ and $96.42{\pm}0.25%$. Reducing power (fold of L-ascorbic acid as control) was $100.14{\pm}0.31$ at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Total phenol content was $8.70{\pm}0.02mg/g$. Chlorogenic acid, catechin and epicatechin were found by HPLC. Nelumbinis Flos has inhibitory effect in dose-manner against oxidative DNA damage. In addition, it showed the anti-inflammatory effect by suppression of NO production as well as protein levels of iNOS, and COX-2. Conclusion : This study suggested that Nelumbinis Flos showed potential antioxidant and suppression activities of various factors were related in NO produced. Therefore, Nelumbinis Flos as natural plant resources that may help reduce inflammation and alleviate DNA damage.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated anti-oxidative and anti-bacterial constituents from Rhododendron weyrichii leaves. DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activities were screened for the ethanol extract and solvent fractions. Potent scavenging activities were appeared from the extract, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (BuOH) fractions. Upon the anti-bacterial tests using Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes, extract, n-hexane (Hex) and EtOAc fractions showed strong activities. To isolate the active constituents, the EtOAc fraction was further purified to afford five phytochemicals; ursolic acid (1), corosolic acid (2), asiatic acid (3), astragalin (4) and isoquercetin (5). All of the compounds 1-5 were isolated for the first time from this plant. Among the isolates, the compound 4 and 5 showed strong DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activities. Also, compound 3 exhibited the most potent anti-bacterial activity. In addition, the content of astragalin isolated from this plant was determined by UPLC and the quantity was about 8.1 mg/g for the 70% ethanol extract and 34.8 mg/g for the EtOAc fraction. Based on these results, it is concluded that R. weyrichii extract could be potentially applicable as anti-oxidative and anti-bacterial ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.242-256
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• 2007

1. Objectives Purpose of this study is to prove anti-aging and anti-oxidative effects of Gongjinhugwon-dan decoction. 2. Methods The SD rats used in this experiment were 6, 18, and 36 weeks old. Each age group was again divided into three groups. These nine groups consisted of 8 rats each. One group was given no treatment, another group was dosed $200{\mu}l$ of normal saline daily, and the last group was dosed $200{\mu}l$ of 1 % Gongjinhugwon-dan and saline mixture. At the conclusion of the experiment, the age groups were relabelled accordingly (10 weeks, 22 weeks, and 40 weeks). After 4 weeks, change of weight and liver markers were measured. Serum LDL cholesterol, total bilirubin, albumin, glucose, GOT and GPT levels were observed in order to check the hematological modification. Also, each organ tissue was biopsied in order to measure the SOD activity and the glutathione content change. 3. Results & Conclusions Aging did not cause any significant change in GOT and LDH, but GPT and albumin levels showed increase after GHD intake. Serum GPT was lower in the experimental group. Serum total bilirubin of the 40 w GHD group was significantly increased. The populations of dendritic cells in the spleens of the GHD groups were significantly increased. The levels of GSH in the liver of the 40 w GHD group and in the kidney of 22w-GSD were significantly increased in comparison with those of the normal groups. The degenerative change of brain tissue was decreased in the 40 w GHD group compared with those of the 40w normal group and the 40 w saline group. These results suggest that anti-oxidative GSH concentration of liver and kidney in rats treated with GHD showed significant increase in the 40 w GHD group. GHD was effective on increasing anti-oxidative substance in liver and dendritic cells in spleen, thus helping immune system and preventing cell mutation and degenerative change of brain tissues. Further studies and clinical investigation with GHD is needed.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.2 s.51
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• pp.147-152
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• 2005

As a part of searching tot the natural components which inhibit the skin aging and wrinkle formation, the $80\%$ methanolie extracts of 121 species of traditional herbal medicines used to treat lung and skin disease were investigated for their in vitro anti-oxidative activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals, and inhibitory activity against elastase. We selected 9 kinds of the traditional herbal medicines showing inhibitory activities of winkle formation. The effective concentrations of 9 candidates for anti-wrinke/skin firming activity was less than 0.1 mg/mL, and there is no toxicity to cell viability at these concentrations. Through analysis of human skin primary patch test data, the traditional herbal medicines represented non-irritant materials. We suggest that these 9 candidates with ability to help anti-wrinkle/skin firming may be useful for functional cosmetic materials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6657-6662
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• 2013

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of cabbage phytochemicals. Materials and Methods: Color coordinates were evaluated by colorimetry, and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were analyzed by spectrophotometer for some common cabbage varieties. Results: Red heads had the highest total antioxidant contents followed by Savoy, Chinese and green heads. The Chinese variety had the highest ABTS (2,2-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-sulfonic acid) antioxidant activity, was 5.72 ${\mu}mol$ TE/g fw (Trolox equivalent). The green variety had the highest DPPH (free radical scavenging activity) antioxidant activity, which was 91.2 ${\mu}mol$ TE/g fw. The red variety had the highest FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) antioxidant activity, which was 80.8 ${\mu}mol$ TE/g fw. The total phenol amounts were 17.2-32.6 mM trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and the total flavonoid amounts were 40.0-74.2 mg quercetin per gram. Methanolic extracts of different cabbage heads showed different anti-inflammatory activity values. Chinese, Savoy and green heads had the highest anti-inflammatory activity, while red heads had the lowest. Conclusions: The results suggest that these varieties of cabbage heads could contribute as sources of important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory related to the prevention of chronic diseases associated to oxidative stress, such as in cancer and coronary artery disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.202-211
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• 2011

The stems and branchs of Euryale ferox Salisbury (EF), are used in Chinese herbal medicine for latent-heat-clearing, antipyretic, detoxicant and anti-inflammatory ailments. This plant is used worldwide for the treatment of many types of inflammatory disease including respiratory infections, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and play an important role in the immune reaction. Topical natural antioxidants are a useful strategy for the prevention of oxidative stress mediated inflammatory disease. Plants produce significant amounts of antioxidants to prevent the oxidative stress caused by photons and oxygen, therefore they represent a potential source of new compounds with antioxidant activity. This study was designed to evaluate whether EFEA (ethylacetate fraction of EF) may ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammatory status through the antioxidative mechanism in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with EFEA significantly reduced LPS-stimulated inflammatory response in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the EF extracts have anti-inflammatory effects in vitro system, which can be used for developing pharmaceutical drug against oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory disease.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.332-337
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• 2014

The Salvia plebeia R. which is the biennial plant belonging to the labiatae department, grows widely in Korea. This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant activities and anti-allergic effects of Salvia plebeia R. leaves (SPLE) or roots (SPRE). Using ethanol extracts, both leaves and roots induced significant radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of SPLE was significantly higher than that of SPRE at all concentrations. Treatment of the RBL-2H3 cells with SPLE and SPRE in vitro decreased ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase release and significantly inhibited IgE-antigen complex-mediated IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression in RBL-2H3 cells. These findings suggest that Salvia plebeia R. can protect or reduce allergic asthma through high antioxidant and anti-allergic reactions.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2015

Most of the wheat germ in cereal grains is removed during the milling process. Various physiological effects have been reported for bioactive substances in wheat germ such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. In this study, the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic effects of ethanol extracts from wheat germ (WGE) and wheat germ fermented with Aspergillus oryzae (F-WGE) were investigated in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. The anti-oxidant activity of F-WGE was demonstrated by a dose-dependent increase in the enhanced scavenging capacity of hydroxyl radicals and $Cu^{2+}$-chelating activity compared to WGE. WGE and F-WGE treatment at doses between 10 and $400{\mu}g/mL$ did not affect the viability of HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. Intracellular ROS levels from $Cu^{2+}$-induced oxidative stress were significantly decreased by F-WGE treatment in HepG2 cells compared to WGE. Lipid accumulation was increased in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by $100{\mu}M$ $Fe^{2+}$ treatment, but the accumulation was strongly inhibited by $100{\mu}g/mL$ of WGE and F-WGE treatment. These results suggest that changes in bioactive substances during the fermentation of wheat germ can potentiate scavenging activities against transition metal-induced oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, we propose that F-WGE is a novel food materials and provided scientific evidences for its efficacy in the development of functional foods.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.65-75
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• 2012

Objectives : Cosmeceutical activities such as anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects of the Doinseunguitang and its composition, a traditional prescription, were evaluated. Methods : We performed MTT assay, melanin synthesis inhibition assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay, SOD-like activity, xanthine oxidase inhibition assay, astringent activity assay, tyrosinase inhibition assay, elastase and collagenase inhibition assay. Results : The results were obtained as follows : DPPH free radical scavenging of water extract Doinseunguitang (DISG) and ethanol extract DISG was 60% and 50% at 1,000 ppm. Xanthine oxidase inhibition effect of ethanol extract showed more than 80% at 500 ppm. Tyrosinase inhibition and inhibition melanin synthesis activities were measured in 40% and 50% at 1,000 ppm and 100 ppm. Elastase and collagenase inhibition rate of ethanol extracts DISG 40% and 80% at 1,000 ppm. It was concluded that compositive ingredients (Persicae Seman, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Rhei Rhizoma) influenced the most results. Conclusions : The results indicated that, ethanol extract which is superior in its anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects is useful to be applied in herbal cosmetic industry.