• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1516-1521
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• 2009

This study was carried out to estimate beneficial effects of medicinal plant [Oenanthe javanica (MNR), Coicis lachryma-jobi L. var. (YM), Plantaginis asiatica L. (CJJ)] water extracts on activities of key enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT) on lipid metabolism. LPL and ACS were extracted from the epididymal adipose tissue and liver of Zucker lean rats (lean) and Zucker fatty rats (fa/fa). MNR or YM water extract treatment significantly reduced the activity of lean and fa/fa LPL. When 10000 ppm of MNR, YM, and CJJ water extracts were tested, they decreased fa/fa LPL activity by 32.5%, 30.1% and 22.8%, respectively. The lean ACS activity was significantly higher in YM water extract treatment compared to the control and the MNR water extract treatment significantly increased the activity of fa/fa ACS, compared to the activity in the control (p<0.05). MNR water extract activated fa/fa ACS activity by 12-fold compared with control at 10000 ppm concentration. CAT activity was significantly higher in 10000 ppm and 20000 ppm CJJ water extract treatment than in the control. Thus, the MNR, YM and CJJ water extracts may have beneficial effects due to activities of enzymes related with fat metabolism in obese humans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1522-1527
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• 2009

We investigated the effects of feeding diet containing medicinal plant water extracts (MPWEs) on body weight, epididymal adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size of epididymal adipose tissue and plasma lipid levels in high fat (HF) diet-induced obese mice. To test antiobese effects of diet containing the MPWEs, C57BL/6J mice were fed with HF diet for 11 weeks. In the last 6 weeks, the HF diet was supplemented with 0 (HFD) or MPWEs (5 g/kg, HFD＋MPWEs) or orlistat [0.5 g/kg, HFD＋orlistat (antiobesity drug)]. The HF-free diet group was fed normal chow for 11 weeks. Eleven-weeks feeding with HFD resulted in significant increase in lipid levels, body weight, liver and epididymal adipose tissue weights, compared with the HF-free group. Diet containing MPWEs significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations as well as body weight, liver weight and epididymal adipose tissue weight. Plasma triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the HFD＋Forlistat group after 6 weeks and a similar effect was found with HFD＋MPWEs group. The adipocyte size of epididymal adipose tissue in HFD group was significantly larger than those of HF-free group. MPWEs and orlistat (positive control) significantly decreased the size of epididymal adipocytes but orlistat was slightly more effective than MPWEs. These results suggest that oral feeding of the MPWEs may have antiobesity effects by suppressing body weight gain, adipose tissue formation and adipocyte size increase.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.510-517
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the hot-water and methanol extracts of raw and black Doraji to increase its utilization. In order to prepare the black Doraji, it was steamed for 15 days at a temperature of $60^{\circ}C$ and then it was dried at a temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ for 3 hr. The methanol extract from the black Doraji (BM) contained the highest levels of total polyphenols among the extracts, and the total polyphenol content of the extract from a black Doraji was higher than that of the extract from a raw Doraji. The total flavonoid contents of the hot-water extract from a black Doraji (BW) was the highest (7.94 mgQE/g) among the samples. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increased according to the increase in the concentrations of the Doraji extracts. The BM has the highest radical scavenging activity among the extracts. Each extract showed a slight difference in the antibacterial activity according to the tested strains. The Black Doraji showed a higher antimicrobial activity compared to the raw Doraji. The hot-water extracts demonstrated higher activities than the methanol extracts, and the BW revealed the strongest activity. In this study, the black Doraji showed more effect of the antioxidant and anti-microbial activities than the raw Doraji. These results will provide fundamental data for improving the sitological value and the black Doraji can be used as a valuable resource for the development of nutraceutical foods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.934-942
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• 2009

This study was performed to observe the effect of hot-water extracts from garlic and 13 kinds of medicinal plants composites (GMP) on hyperlipidemia and hepatoprotective activity in rats administered with alcohol. Male Sprague-Dawly rats were fed an AIN-93 diet (Normal), a normal diet plus ethanol (control, 10 ml of 40% ethanoljkgjday), a control diet plus 0.5% garlic and 1.0% medicinal plants composites extracts (GMP-I), and a control diet plus 1.0% garlic and medicinal plants composites extracts (GMP-II) for 7 days. Blood glucose was higher than the control, but it was markedly decreased in the GMP-II group. Elevation total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipids in serum were markedly decreased in rats fed with GMP-I. GMP-II also inhibited the increase of lipid content in serum. Activities of GOT, GPT, $\gamma$-GTP and ALP in serum elevated by alcohol were significantly inhibited in the GMP group. TBARS content of serum was significantly decreased in GMP groups administered with garlic and medicinal plant extracts. Extracts of garlic and medicinal plants play an important role in recovering liver function in rats from alcohol induced damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.973-980
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• 2014

This study was conducted to explore new nutraceutical resources from the plant kingdom possessing biological activities. To fulfill this purpose, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Decaisnea insignis ethanol extract (DIEE) were evaluated. First, DIEE possessed potent scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), similar to ascorbic acid used as a positive control. Moreover, DIEE inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DIEE induced the expression of an anti-oxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), in a dose-dependent manner. The modulation of the HO-1 and Nrf2 expressions might be regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their upstream signaling pathways. On the other hand, DIEE suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) formation without cytotoxicity. The inhibition of the NO formation was the result of the downregulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) by DIEE. The suppression of NO and iNOS by DIEE might be modulated by their upstream transcription factors, nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), and activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathways. Taken together, these results provide important new insights that D. insignis possesses anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, it might be utilized as a promising material in the field of nutraceuticals.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.367-372
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• 2015

This study was aimed at determining the antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of solvent extracts from Asparagus cochinchinensis. The Asparagus cochinchinensis was extracted with water, methanol, ethanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and ether. The antimicrobial activity of these extracts was determined by modified well diffusion methods against 4 species of respiratory disease bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). In addition, the amount of total polyphenol and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity was evaluated. Ethyl acetate extract of A. cochinchinensis exhibited higher antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms than water, methanol, ethanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ether extracts. For antioxidant activity, the ethyl acetate extract of A. cochinchinensis exhibited a notable effect on the scavenging of superoxide against DPPH ($IC_{50}=3.81mg/ml$). Finally, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were $14{\pm}0.7mg/g$, and $0.50{\pm}0.13mg/g$, respectively. These results can be regarded as basic research into A. cochinchinensis for the prevention of respiratory diseases. The results indicate that A. cochinchinensis may be utilized as a nutraceutical for respiratory diseases when the physiologically active substances of A. cochinchinensis are increased by further study.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.68-71
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• 2007

Cordyceps militaris, Artemisa capillaris, and Fagopyrum esculentum have been known to maintain normal blood sugar levels in folk medicine. We investigated the effects of these nutraceuticals extract supplementations on fasting and postprandial blood glucose in diabetes mellitus patients. The study population consisted of 50 diabetes subjects with a mean fasting blood glucose of 186.8${\pm}$6.2 mg/dl and postprandial blood glucose of 292.8${\pm}$10.3 mg/dl. They consumed 3 tea bags (3g per meal) of the extract of selected plants for 17 weeks. Patients treated with nutraceuticals extract supplementation showed a significant decrease of fasting blood glucose (118.4${\pm}$3.9 mg/dl) and postprandial blood glucose (160.5${\pm}$4.0 mg/dl) in 7 weeks. Nutraceticals extract supplemantation caused a significant decrease of 36.5% and 45% in fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, respectively, and also significantly decreased HbA1c levels. This study shows that extract of nutraceuticals supplementation significantly lowered the fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels in NIDDM patients. These effects presumably contribute to the hypoglycemic activity.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.535-547
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• 2015

In this study, the chemical properties and phenolic compound of blueberry, bokbunja and mulberry and their pomace were determined to develop them as functional food materials. Water content of individual whole berry was ranged from 84.25-86.20%, and water content was significantly high in whole berries rather than their pomace (p<0.01). Additionally, each berry and its pomace's pH was 3.32-5.18. Among them, whole mulberry showed the highest pH which is 5.18 (p<0.01). Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were the greatest in blueberry pomace and they were 24.81 mg/g and 2.13 mg/g, respectively (p<0.01). However, mulberry pomace generated the greatest anthocyanin content compared to others (p<0.01). In phenolic compound profiles, cyanin chloride was detected in mulberry and bokbunja. Epigallocatechin, gallocatechin and isorhamnetin were found only in blueberry. Catechin (hydrate) and epicatechin were greater in pomaces than whole berries except blueberry (p<0.01), otherwise, significantly great rutin (trihydrate) and quercetin contents were found in whole berries as compared to their pomace except blueberry (p<0.01). Gallic acid was significantly greatest in mulberry (p<0.01) and quercetin 3-D-galactoside was significantly greatest in blueberry (p<0.01). Apigenin and luteolin were traced in mulberry, and mulberry pomace showed greater apigenin and luteolin contents than whole mulberry (p<0.01). Naringenin was greater in pomaces than whole berries (p<0.01). As a result, it was found that all berry extracts used in this study were able to be applied as functional food materials and their pomace contained high phenolic compound enough to be a good source of phytochemical for nutraceutical use.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.401-409
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• 2013

Smilax china L., a native plant found in Asian countries, has several medicinal properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Although the root of the plant is commonly used as traditional herbal medicine in Korea and China, the medicinal properties of the leaves have not gained the same attention. In this study, we analyzed the antioxidant activity, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory effect and lipid accumulation inhibition effect of Smilax china L. leaf water extract (SCLE) and its solvent fractions. SCLE was fractionated by using a series of organic solvents, including ethylacetate (EA) and n-butanol (BuOH). The EA fraction had the highest total polyphenol content ($440.20{\pm}12.67$ mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content ($215.14{\pm}24.83$ mg QE/g). The radical scavenging activity $IC_{50}$ values of the EA fraction for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) were 0.022 mg/mL and 0.13 mg/mL, respectively. Further, SOD-like activity and reducing power values of the EA fraction were higher than those of the other fractions. However, both the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and lipid accumulation inhibition assays showed that the BuOH fraction ($83.35{\pm}4.18%$ at 1 mg/mL) and water extract ($11.27{\pm}2.67%$) were more effective than the EA fraction ($64.13{\pm}6.35%$, and $45.66{\pm}7.20%$). These results provide new insights into the potential anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of Smilax china L. leaf.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2015

In this study, anti-inflammatory activity of hot water extract of Aronia fruits (AF-H) was examined. Pre-treatment with AF-H significantly inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E-2 in a dose-dependent manner in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The inhibitory effect of AF-H on LPS-induced inflammation was also confirmed by down-regulation of inducible NO synthase as well as cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. Furthermore, treatment with AF-H significantly inhibited secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor-necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and interleukin-6. Signal transduction pathway studies further indicated that AF-H inhibited LPS-induced activation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase. Treatment with AF-H also partially protected against LPS-induced lethal shock in C57BL/6 mice, although its effect was not statistically significant. These results suggest that AF-H is a more promising nutraceutical or medicinal agent for inhibition of LPS-induced inflammation or inflammation-related diseases.