• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.374-380
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• 2014

In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of Lespedeza cuneata extract on macrophages and wound-healing in wound-induced animal experiments were investigated. In an anti-inflammatory test, 0.1 mg/mL of Lespedeza cuneata extract did not affect growth of RAW 264.7 cells, and Lespedeza cuneata extract suppressed nitric oxide (NO) generation from inflammation-induced macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. Wounds on the skin of rats were treated with vehicle containing Lespedeza cuneata extract (SSP), vehicle (SCO), and commercial ointment (CCO). The wound and scar sizes in the SSP group were significantly reduced in comparison to the SCO and CCO groups (P<0.05). The epidermis and dermis of the SSP group also recovered faster than the SCO group based on Masson's trichrome staining. The gene expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) decreased and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-${\beta}1$) increased in wound tissue from the SSP group compared to that from the SCO group. These results show that Lespedeza cuneata extract accelerates wound-healing through anti-inflammatory activity and induction of collagen regeneration as well as reduces the scar area surrounding wounds. Accordingly, Lespedeza cuneata extract could be useful as a cosmeceutical in the cosmetic industry.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.53 no.spc
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• pp.121-123
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• 2008

In order to verify the efficacy of Lespedeza cuneata G. Don which have been used as a folk traditional herb medicine from ancient times, the test of antioxidant activity and the analysis of constituents were carried out. Methanol extracts from L. cuneata G. Don showed a radical scavenging activity corresponding to that of (+)-catechin as positive control at 250 ${\mu}g$/mL (ca 90% inhibition), and inhibited more than 30% of DPPH radical at low concentration of 10${\mu}g$/mL. In the present study, as a fundamental study for the specification of antioxidant components from L. cuneata G. Don, the analysis for constituents for L. cuneata with HPLC was preformed although there was no results to identify functional flavonoids such as quercetin.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.263-268
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is a well-known medicinal plant. In this study, the biological activities of L. cuneata extracts were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: L. cuneata shoot was extracted with 30% ethanol and further fractionated with organic solvents. Total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition effect of the extract and fractions were measured. Among the tested extract and fractions, the highest contents of total phenolic and flavonoids were found in ethyl acetate fraction (117.8 mg GAE/g and 35.9 mg QE/g, respectively). Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, and the antioxidant activity of the other fractions followed the order n-hexane fraction>ethanol extract>methyl chloroform>n-butanol fraction. Inhibitory effect on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1 and MMP3) was highest in the fraction of ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fraction also significantly inhibited the expression of MMP3. Antioxidant activities of L. cuneata extracts were significantly positively related to their phenolic and flavonoid content. CONCLUSION: Ethyl acetate fraction of L. cuneata ethanol extract showed potent antioxidant and matrix metalloproteinases inhibitory activities. Those activities might be related to the high total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1961-1970
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• 2017

Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is a traditional herb that has been associated with multiple biological activities. In this study, we investigated the antioxidative/antiaging activities and performed an active component analysis of the non-fermented and fermented (using Lactobacillus pentosus) extracts of Lespedeza cuneata G. Don. The antioxidative activities of the fermented extract were higher than those of non-fermented extracts. The elastase inhibitory activity, inhibitory effects on UV-induced MMP-1 expression, and ability to promote type I procollagen synthesis were investigated in Hs68 human fibroblasts cells. These tests also revealed that the fermented extract had increased antiaging activities compared with the non-fermented extract. A component analysis of the ethyl acetate fractions of non-fermented and fermented extracts was performed using TLC, HPLC, and LC/ESI-MS/MS to observe changes in the components before and after fermentation. Six components that were different before and after fermentation were investigated. It was thought that kaempferol and quercetin were converted from kaempferol glucosides and quercetin glucosides, respectively, via bioconversion with the fermentation strain. These results indicate that the fermented extract of L. cuneata G. Don has potential for use as a natural cosmetic material with antioxidative and antiaging effects.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 2019

Although honeybees (Apis mellifera) are crucial for maintenance of the ecosystem, population of honeybee has been steadily decreasing due to diseases including nosemosis. Nosemosis is a disease caused by Nosema ceranae and is now considered as a major threat to honeybees. N. ceranae is a microsporidian that stays in form of spore even before the infection, which makes it harder to control than other pathogens. People are now aware of this parasite, however, cure and preventive candidates for nosemosis are hardly found until today. In this study, in vitro experiment of Lespedeza cuneata treatment to prevent nosemosis were done using Trichoplusia ni cell line, BTI-TN5B1-4. Normal T. ni cells exhibited round shape without abnormal size. On the other hand, when N. ceranae were treated, cells deteriorated and some cells abnormally enlarged due to N. ceranae infection. Interestingly, treatment of T. ni cells with L. cuneate extract protected abnormal cell shape induced by N. ceranae infection to normal shape. Some N. ceranae spores were observed outside of the cells. Effective concentration range for N. ceranae control were experimented. Lowest concentration which can control nosemosis were 50 ㎍/mL. When the concentration of L. cuneata extract was exceeded 200 ㎍/mL, cytotoxicity started to show up.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.62-62
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• 2018

Inhibition of aldose reductase (AR) has been shown to prevent the onset and progression of many diabetic complications wherein several AR inhibitors were isolated from plants abundant in polyphenolic compounds. Lespedeza cuneata (Fabaceae), a perennial plant indigenous in East Asian countries, is shown to be abundant in these polyphenolic substances such as flavonoids and tannins. However, there are no studies to date regarding its effects on AR. In this study, the inhibitory activity of the methanol extract and stepwise polarity fractions of Lespedeza cuneata on AR was investigated. The bioactive compounds purified from L. cuneata by repeated column chromatography were also tested for AR inhibition. Results show that the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of L. cuneata exhibited potent inhibition against AR with $IC_{50}$ values of 0.57 and $0.49{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Further analysis led to the isolation of acacetin (1), afzelin (2), astragalin (3), kaempferol (4), and scutellarein 7-O-glucoside (5). The AR inhibitory effects these five compounds were also determined in which compounds 2, 3, and 5 showed potent AR inhibitory effects with $IC_{50}$ values of 2.20, 1.91, and $12.87{\mu}M$, respectively. Quantitative analysis of astragalin (3) by HPLC-UV was also performed in the leaves and roots of L. cuneata (0.626 and 0.671 mg/g, respectively). This study reports that the flavonoids isolated from L. cuneata show promising AR inhibitory activities which can be further developed as natural therapies for treating and managing diabetic complications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.911-917
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• 2016

Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is an edible perennial herb used in traditional Korean medicine. We investigated the anti-proliferative properties and mechanism of L. cuneata extract. The ethanolic extract of L. cuneata dose-and time-dependently inhibited human colorectal cancer cell proliferation. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to test the effect of the extract on proliferation of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The extract inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation with an $IC_{50}$ value of $554.26{\pm}8.81{\mu}g/mL$. L. cuneata extract suppressed production of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$. Apoptosis was evaluated by analysis of DNA fragmentation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, caspase-3 activity, and protein expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2). Our results demonstrated that the extract induced DNA fragmentation and characteristic morphological changes associated with apoptosis in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The extract also time- and dose-dependently up-regulated expression of the Bax and down-regulated expression of the Bcl-2. Furthermore, the extract dose- and time-dependently enhanced caspase-3 activity. Our findings provide evidence that L. cuneata extract may mediate its anti-proliferative effect via modulation of apoptosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.516-521
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the skin regeneration ability of Lespedeza cuneata extract (LC) as well as verify its wound healing effects on an open wound in rats. Rats were divided into six groups (NO, saline treated group; CO, 1% carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) treated group; PC, fucidin treated group; LCL, 1% LC treated group; LCM, 3% LC treated group; LCH, 5% LC treated group), and the experimental material was applied for 5 weeks. Elastase inhibition rate of the LCM group was 2.7% lower than that of butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA), which is an antioxidant. Futher, the collagenase inhibition rate of the LCM showed 7% higher activity than that of BHA. The left wound areas in the LCL group, LCM group, and LCH group after the 21st day were noticeably reduced in wound area by 54.2%, 53.5%, and 48.7%, respectively, compared to the CO group. This suggests that Lespedeza cuneata extract has healing effects on surgical wounds by promoting regeneration of skin epithelial tissue and synthesis of collagen.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.79-100
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• 2010

Objective: Production of ROS from glucose toxicity results in injury of pancreatic $\beta$-cells in diabetes models. This study was undertaken to examine the influence of Lespedeza Cuneata extract (LCE) on cytoprotective effects on glucose toxicity, insulin secretion and gene expression in RIN-m5F cells. Methods: First, we measured LCE's antioxidant activity by DPPH free radical-scavenging activity and SOD activity. After the various concentrations of LCE were added to the RIN-m5F cells, we measured cell viability with glucose stimulation by MTT assay and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We analyzed gene expression with Agilent whole mouse genome 44K oligo DNA microarray and searched for related pathways in KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes). Lastly we measured INS-1, INS-2, INS-R, IRS-1, IRS-2, IRS-3, GLP-1R, and GLP-2R mRNA expression by real time RT-PCR. Results: Free radical-scavenging activity, SOD activity and insulin secretion increased dependent on LCE concentration, but LCE did not show considerable cytoprotective effect on RIN-m5F cells. More than twice expressed gene was 6362 in Oligo DNA chip. In KEGG, the most related pathway was the metabolic pathway. In the insulin signaling pathway, up expressed genes were Irs1, Mapk8, Akt1, and Lipe and down expressed genes were Rhoq, Fbp2, Prkar2b, Gck, and Prkag1. In real time RT-PCR, IRS-2, and IRS-3 expression increased significantly compared to the control group on LCE $12{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentration and GCK expression decreased significantly compared to the control group. Conclusions: These results show that LCE encourages insulin secretion and insulin metabolism by complicated gene mechanisms. Further mechanism study and clinical study seem to be necessary about Lespedeza Cuneata.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.705-711
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• 2017

Lespedeza cuneata (LC) is a herbaceous plant that grows throughout Korea. To investigate the physicochemical properties and the antioxidant activities of LC extracts and LC-soaked liquor (s. liquor), extraction with distilled water (DW) and ethanol was conducted and the extracts were compared with s. liquor. A total of 22 free amino acids from LC extract were detected, with the main ones being phosphoethanolamine 20.36>L-proline 18.02>ammonia 14.48>L-aspartic acid 12.96>${\gamma}$-amino-n-butyric acid 10.67%. The total flavonoid contents (TFC) and total phenolics contents (TPC) were in the order of s. liquor>DW>ethanol extract. The electron donating ability based on DPPH radical scavenging ability was highest for s.liquor, which equivalents 81.4% ascorbic acid in the order of s. liquor>ethanol>DW extract. The orders of ferric reducing antioxidant power and ABTS radical scavenging ability were proportional to the TFC and TPC of extracts, and in the order of s. liquor>ethanol>DW extract. The nitrite scavenging ability of s. liquor was highest among the three extracts (96.6% at pH 1.2), which was 2.6 times greater than that of DW extract.