• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.481-490
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• 2012

Phytochemicals are reported to provide various biological functions leading to the promotion of health as well as the reduced risk of chronic diseases. Fat-soluble plant pigments, carotenoids, are extensively studied micronutrient phytochemicals for their potential health benefits. It is noteworthy that specific carotenoids may be responsible for different protective effects against certain diseases. In addition, each carotenoid can be obtained from different types of plant foods. Considering the fact that the phytochemical content in foods can vary according to, but not limited to, the varieties and culture conditions, it is important to establish a database of phytochemicals in locally produced plant foods. Currently, information on individual carotenoid content in plant foods commonly consumed in Korea is lacking. As the first step to support the production and consumption of sustainable local plant foods, carotenoids and total phenolic contents of plant foods commonly consumed in Korea are presented and their potential biological functions are discussed in this review.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2017

Various health promoting effects of steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm powder (SMSP) have been reported. However, it is not still clear which substances in SMSP are responsible for those health promoting effects yet. In this study, we examined and compared the quantities of phytochemicals in SMSP and freeze-dried mulberry leave powder (FMLP). To investigate the optimal solvent for extracting phytochemicals from SMSP and FMLP, we used four different solvents. Among them, 80% ethanol extracts from SMSP and FMLP contained the highest amount of five flavonoids examined. In addition, FMLP had high contents of flavonoids compared with those of SMSP. The amounts of rutin, isoquercetin, astragalin, quercetin, and kaempferol in FMLP were $5.078{\pm}0.187mg/g$, $5.162{\pm}0.083mg/g$, $2.989{\pm}0.061mg/g$, $3.317{\pm}0.236mg/g$, and $2.243{\pm}0.237mg/g$, respectively, while the amounts of rutin, isoquercetin, astragalin, quercetin, and kaempferol in SMSP were $0.171{\pm}0.024mg/g$, $0.252{\pm}0.032mg/g$, $0.374{\pm}0.031mg/g$, $0.645{\pm}0.063mg/g$, and $0.0512{\pm}0.047mg/g$, respectively. Taken together, SMSP could be a source for providing various and readily absorbable flavonoids.

• Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.192-203
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• 2017

Metabolite profile is a powerful analytical technique to identify the functional characterization of plants. In this study, the phytochemicals and secondary metabolites of lentils (Lens culinaris) were analyzed to compare the anti-oxidative activities according to the different colors. The polar metabolites, fatty acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, total phenolic acids, DPPH activity were analyzed. Three kind of lentils, French green whole lentil (FG), red whole lentil (LR), and green whole lentil (LG) (ASIA SEED Co., LTD), were used for this study. Fatty acids, phytochemicals, and antioxidative components from each lentil varieties were analyzed by official methods. The contents of lutein in carotenoids were 6-9 times higher than zeaxanthin in all lentils, but were not significantly different among three varieties. The content of carotenoids in FG was lower significantly than those in the LR and LG. Myricetin and luteolin were detected in the only FG. Kaempferol and delphinidin were significantly highest in the FG. Most of the phenolic acids except coumarate were higher in FG and LG than in LR. Also antioxidant effects ($EC_{50}$) were higher in FG and LG than in LR. The analyzed metabolites obtained from lentils showed distinct separation in the PCA results according to the varieties. Also, lentils showed different anti-oxidant profiles according to the colors. FG and LG showing higher contents of phytochemicals showed higher antioxidative activity than LG containing relative low contents of phytochemicals.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.111-114
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• 2021

Phytochemicals in fruits, vegetables, cereals, and nuts, advertised as "antioxidants", combat undesirable effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. These undesirable effects include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Although ROS were initially considered to be primarily damaging agents, ROS have been discovered to play a role in signaling immune and other physiological responses in recent years. Several studies have demonstrated that ROS act as essential signaling molecules to promote metabolic health. Therefore, the overall advantage of the interference of ROS signals by antioxidants could be questionable. Future research is required to understand the implications of the application of phytochemicals in functional foods and supplements for health benefits on ROS levels in the body. This study describes the new roles of ROS and hormesis of various phytochemicals to provide a possible research guideline to food and nutrition scientists.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to elucidate the difference in the amount of phytochemicals and anti-oxidant activities of the freeze-dried 5th instar 3rd day silkworm powder (FDSP) and 7 HongJams (HJs). Three primary colors of light of 8 silkworm powders revealed why each sample had unique color. The visual and absorption spectrum analyses of 80% methanol (MeOH) extracts of 8 silkworm powders revealed that white jade (WJ)-FDSP extracts showing strong forest-green colors had different absorption spectrum from 7 HJs. Among 7 HJs, the absorption spectrum of light green silkworm (LGS)-HJ extract was different from those of other HJ extracts. The amounts of total flavonoids and phenolic compounds of WJ-FDSP were 423.0±9.21% and 252.3±12.86%, respectively, more than those of WJ-HJ. Among 7 HJs, the amounts of total flavonoids and phenolic compounds in LGS-and red silkorm (RS)-HJ extracts were significantly more than those of WJ-HJ extract. Consistent with the amounts of phytochemicals, radical scavenging activity and reducing ability of WJ-FDSP extract were significantly higher that other HJ extracts. Among 7 silkworm powder extracts, LGS-HJ extract showed significantly higher radical scavenging activity and reducing ability than those of WJ-HJ extract. But, RS-HJ extract only showed significantly higher radical scavenging activity than that of WJ-HJ extract. Taken together, the amounts of phytochemicals in 8 silkworm powders contributed on their colors and anti-oxidant activities.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.166-176
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• 2022

Banana peels are also widely used as bio-adsorbent in the removal of chemicals contaminants and heavy metals from water and soil. GC-MS plays an essential role in the phytochemical analysis and chemo taxonomic studies of medicinal plants containing biologically active components. Intrinsically, with the use of the flame ionization detector and the electron capture detector which have very high sensitivities, Gas chromatography can quantitatively determine materials present at very low concentrations and most important application is in pollution studies. In the present study banana peels were used as bio-adsorbent to remediate the heavy metal contaminated water taken from three different stations located around the industrial belts of Ranipet, Tamilnadu, India. The AAS analysis of the samples shows a decrement of chromium concentration of 98.93%, 96.16% and 96.5% in Station 1, 2 and 3 respectively which proves the efficiency of the powdered peels of Musa paradisiaca. The GC-MS analysis of the control and treated peels of Musa paradisiaca reveals the presence of phytochemicals like Acetic Acid, 1-Methylethyl Ester, DL-Glyceraldehyde Dimer, N-Hexadecanoic Acid, 3-Decyn-2-Ol, 26-Hydroxy, Cholesterol, Ergost-25-Ene-3,5,6,12-Tetrol, (3.Beta.,5.Alpha.,6.Beta.,12.Beta.)-, 1-Methylene-2b-Hydroxymethyl-3, and 3-Dimethyl-4b-(3-Methylbut-2-Enyl)-Cyclohexane in the control banana peels. The banana peels which were used for the treatment reveals the changes and alteration of the phytochemicals. It is concluded that the alteration in phytochemicals of the experimental banana peels were due to adsorption of chromium heavy metal from the sample.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6463-6475
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• 2014

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase plays an important role in regulating cell growth and cell cycle progression in response to cellular signals. It is a key regulator of cell proliferation and many upstream activators and downstream effectors of mTOR are known to be deregulated in various types of cancers. Since the mTOR signalling pathway is commonly activated in human cancers, many researchers are actively developing inhibitors that target key components in the pathway and some of these drugs are already on the market. Numerous preclinical investigations have also suggested that some herbs and natural phytochemicals, such as curcumin, resveratrol, timosaponin III, gallic acid, diosgenin, pomegranate, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCC), genistein and 3,3'-diindolylmethane inhibit the mTOR pathway either directly or indirectly. Some of these natural compounds are also in the clinical trial stage. In this review, the potential anti-cancer and chemopreventive activities and the current status of clinical trials of these phytochemicals are discussed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.252-261
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although previous experimental studies reported the health benefits of foods rich in phytochemicals, few epidemiologic studies have investigated the associations between phytochemicals and metabolic disorders. This study aimed to calculate a phytochemical index (PI) and examine its association with metabolic syndrome in the Korean population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data of Korean adults aged ≥ 19 years who participated in the 2008-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed. The PI was calculated using 24-hour intake recall data regarding whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, and soybeans and soy products. Demographic and lifestyle data were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components according to PI quintiles. RESULTS: Overall, 31,319 adults were evaluated. Compared with men, women had a higher median PI level (9.96 vs. 13.63) and significantly higher caloric intake levels from most PI components (P < 0.05), except for soy products. After adjusting for multiple confounding variables, participants in the highest PI quintile had significantly lower prevalences of abdominal obesity (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81-0.99), hyperglycemia (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.74-0.94), high blood pressure (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73-0.93), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.94), and metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Higher intakes of phytochemical-rich foods are associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic dysregulation and consequently, cardiometabolic diseases.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.92-97
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• 2010

Luteolin and chicoric acid are the most abundant phytochemicals in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf. In this study, four kinds of extraction methods [hot water, ambient temperature (AT) water, ethanol, and methanol] were applied to analyze the contents of both phytochemicals and verify their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. The methanol extract showed the most potent nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory effect. The luteolin and chicoric acid concentrations were 3.42 and $12.86\;{\mu}g/g$ dandelion leaf in the methanol extract. The NO-suppressive effect of luteolin and chicoric acid was identified in a dose-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of $21.2\;{\mu}M$ and $283.6\;{\mu}M$, respectively, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, as an index for free radical injury on cell membrane, was also dose-dependently inhibited by the two compounds. The suppressive effect was further examined using mRNA and protein expression levels, which were attributable to the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). These results suggest that two phytochemicals in dandelion leaf, luteolin and chicoric acid, may play an important role in the amelioration of LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.

• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.22.1-22.12
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• 2014

Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. is a dense evergreen tree of the family Thymelaeceae. This plant is popular with the name of Mahkota dewa, which is literally translated as God's Crown. All parts of this plant including fruits, seeds, stem, and leaves have well known therapeutic properties and have been extensively used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, allergies, kidney disorders, blood diseases, stroke, and acne with satisfactory results. Scientific findings on bioactivities of P. macrocarpa also demonstrated different pharmacological properties of various parts of this plant including cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antihypertensive activities. Phytochemicals studies of P. macrocarpa revealed the presence of several classes of compounds such as benzophenones, terpenoids, xanthones, lignans, acids, and sugars. This review aims to provide a critical overview on botanical description, traditional usage, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of P. macrocarpa.