• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2014

NF-${\kappa}B$ is a transcriptional factor which is involved in many biological processes including immunity, inflammation, and cell survival. Many investigators studied on the mechanism involved in activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ signalling pathway via ubiquitination and degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ regarding skin disease. Some specific molecules including Akt, MEK, p38 MAP Kinase, Stat3, et al. represent convergence points and key regulatory proteins in signaling pathways controlling cellular events such as growth and differentiation, energy homeostasis, and the response to stress and inflammation. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has many adverse effects on skin, including inflammation, alteration in the extracellular matrix, cellular senescence, apoptosis and skin cancer. Prunus mume, a naturally derived plant extract, has beneficial biological activities as blood fluidity improvement, anti-fatigue action, antioxidative and free radical scavenging activities, inhibiting the motility of Helicobacter pyolri. Previous reports on various beneficial function prompted us to investigate UVB-induced or other immunostimulated biological marker regarding P. mume extract. P. mume extract suppresses UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in mouse skin epidermal JB6 P+ cells. The activation of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ induced by UVB was dose-dependently inhibited by P. mume extract treatment. This results suggest that P. mume extracts might be used as a potential agents for protection of inflammation or UVB induced skin damage.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2009

This study was carried out to gather basic data on the restoration and extent of Don tea (a coin-shaped tea), the traditional tea of Korea. We examined the physicochemical components and anti-microbial activity of Don tea extracts at 0, 5 and 10 months. The Hunter value $L^*$, of Don tea extracts which were matured for 10 months decreased from 7.01 to 4.97 compared to that when the extracts were first manufactured. However, the $b^*$ value increased from 0.09 to 2.67. There were higher contents of inorganic matter in Don tea extracts following manufacture in the order of K (14.12 mg/100 mL), Mg (0.94 mg/100 mL), P (0.88 mg/100 mL), Ca (0.16 mg/100 mL) and Mn (0.16 mg/100 mL). Classified catechins contents were found in the order of C (19.97 mg/100 mL), EGC (9.30 mg/100 mL), ECG (9.02 mg/100 mL), GCG (8.50 mg/100 mL), GC (7.61 mg/100 mL) and CG (5.63 mg/100 mL). The longer the maturation period of the Don tea extracts, the lower the contents of inorganic matter and catechins. However, this did not apply to the total phenol contents, particularly in the phenol contents of Don tea extracts matured for 10 months which increased by 93.82 mg/l00 mL. Don tea extracts which were matured for longer periods showed higher anti-microbial activities against Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus mutans. However, there were lower activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis. Consequently, it was concluded that a shorter maturation period was required for the effective utilization of the inorganic matter, the catechins and the gram-negative bacteria in the Don tea extracts. However, a longer maturation period of 10 months was found to effectively utilize the total phenol compound contents and the gram-positive bacteria.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2010

The chemical structures of eight compounds purified from two plants (Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow and Dioscorea batatas Decene) were determined and their anti-microbial activity against three microbial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans) was tested. The three micro organisms were cultured in 96-well plates or Petri dishes without (control) or with the eight compounds added at concentrations of 100 to 0.01 ${\mu}M$ (wt/vol). The growth of the microorganisms in the medium was examined after a 24-h incubation. The inhibitory effect of each compound on the growth of the microorganisms was calculated from the optical density measured at 595 nm, turbidity, and size of the inhibition zone around the treated paper disc. The minimum inhiitory concentration (MIC) of compounds 4 to 7 against S. aureus was 0.08, 0.05, 1.3 and 0.02 ${\mu}M$, respectively, and 0.09, 0.1, 0.2 and 100 ${\mu}M$ against C. albicans. The $IC_{50}$ (50% inhibition) values of compounds 5 and 6 were 3.1 and 6.4 ${\mu}M$ against S. aureus, respectively, and 10 and 2.4 ${\mu}M$ against C. albicans. Therefore, compounds 4 to 6 were the most potent anti-microbial agents among the eight compounds tested.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.53-79
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• 2002

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, several natural extracts were tested using in vivo and in vitro test models. Firstly, all test materials were applicated onto the back skin of C57BL／6 mouse and then hair growth promoting effect was measured using hair growth index. As a result, Prunus mume, black bean, Brassica campestris subsp. black sesame and Rubi Fructus showed potent hair growth promoting effect, ranking as 1.5-2.0 of hair growth index. However, there were no plant extracts, which have remarkable potential of growth promotion of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro. In the experiments of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ inhibition assay, Prunus mume, Eriobotryae Folium showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ. To investigate the possible involvement of the effect of several plant extracts on the gene expression of growth factors in human hair dermal papilla cells, RT - PCR analyses were performed. However, there were no plant extracts, which have profound effect on the gene expression of several growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF and VEGF in the dermal papilla cells. Another tests for inhibition of microbial such as P. acne were also carried out to find whether these plant extracts have anti -microbial activities. Rubi Fructus showed anti -microbial effects on Propionibacterium acnes, which is believed as a pathogen of acne. Together, these results showed several plant extracts can be used for hair growth promotion.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.80-103
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• 2002

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, several natural extracts were tested using in vivo and in vitro test models. Firstly, all test materials were applicated onto the back skin of C57BL／6 mouse and then hair growth pormoting effect were measured using hair growth index As a result, Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb and Terrninalia chebula Retz. showed potent hair growth promoting effect, ranking as 1.5-2.0 of hair growth index. However, there were no plant extracts, which have remarkable potential of growth promotion of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro. In the experiments of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ inhibition assay, Morus alba L., Chaenomelis Fructus, Saussureae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Polygonum multifiorum Thunb, and Angelica dahurica (Fischer) Bentham et Hooker f. showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ. To investigate the possible involvement of effects of several plant extracts on the gene expression of growth factors in human hair dermal papilla cells, RT-PCR analyses were performed. As a consequences, Mentha haplocalyx Briq., Cimicifuga foetida L., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Pinus densiflora S. et. Z, and Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb revealed the regulatory roles on the expression of growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF and VEGF in the dermal papilla cells. Another test for inhibition of microbial such as P. acne and P. ovale were also carried out to find whether these plant extracts have anti-microbial activities. Morus alba L. and Chaenomelis Fructus showed anti-microbial effects on Propionibacterium acnes, which is believed as a pathogen of acne. Together, these results showed several plant extracts can be used for hair growth promotion.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by severe inflammation in the colon. Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide. Pu-erh tea, a unique Chinese tea produced by microbial activities, possesses a broad range of health-promoting effects, including anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antioxidation and anti-obesity. However, the inhibitory effect of Pu-erh tea on intestinal inflammation and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. The present study was designed to evaluate the regulatory effect of Pu-erh tea extract (PTE) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis clinical signs by analyzing the weight loss and colon length in mice. The inhibitory effects of PTE on inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were also determined in DSS-treated colitis tissue. We observed that PTE treatment significantly inhibited the DSS-induced clinical symptoms of weight loss, decrease,in colon length, and colon tissue damage in mice. Moreover, PTE attenuated the DSS-induced levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in colon tissue. We also demonstrated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PTE by suppressing the activation of NF-κB in DSS-treated colon tissues. Collectively, the findings provide experimental evidence that PTE may be effective in preventing and treatment of intestinal inflammatory disorders, including UC.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.178-183
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• 2009

In DPPH radical and nitric oxide scavenging ability, the extract of lowest temperature condition(40-15H ; 15 hours at $40^{\circ}C$ for drying) exhibited highest activity. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of each extracts were found to be $120.4{\sim}193.3\;mg$/g and $86.91{\sim}94.55\;mg$/g respectively. It is shown that 40-15H was the highest content in each compound. In antimicrobial activity, a lower drying temperature conditions were found to be more strong activities in disc diffusion assay and each extracts showed MIC of identical level against every tested microbial strains. However 100-2H(2 hours at $100^{\circ}C$ for drying) was exhibited MIC of slightly low level against some strains. And every extract showed fine cell viabilities($101.7{\sim}122.9%$) against RAW 264.7 cell. In anti-proliferation activity against AGS, each extract showed a similar inhibition activity. However in anti-proliferation activity against HeLa, a lower drying temperature conditions showed more strong activities.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2015

Recently, Cynanchi wilfordii Radix has gained wide use in Asian countries as a functional food effective for relieving fatigue, osteoporosis, and constipation, particularly in menopausal disorders. However, its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities have not been explored in detail to date. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties of the Cynanchi wilfordii Radix extracts obtained with water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone were compared. All 4 polyphenol-containing extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The ethanol extract was found to elicit the most potent reduction of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-${\alpha}$) levels, as well as inhibit the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a concentration-dependent manner. The evaluation of antioxidant activity also revealed the ethanol extract to have the highest free radical scavenging activity, measured as $85.3{\pm}0.4%$, which is equivalent to 99.9% of the activity of ${\alpha}$ -tocopherol. In the assessment of anti-bacterial activity, only ethanol extract was found to inhibit the growth of the Bacillus species Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. These results show that polyphenols of Cynanchi wilfordii Radix have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties that can be exploited and further improved for use as a supplementary functional food, in cosmetics, and for pharmaceutical purposes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.783-786
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• 2011

Various mushroom extracts were examined for their anti-Streptococcus mutans and anti-glucosyltransferase (GTase) activities. Mushrooms were extracted with chloroform, methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. The chloroform, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts showed higher antimicrobial activity than that of the others. The inhibitory effects of the chloroform, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of Lyopyllum ulmarium, which have high anti-microbial and GTase activities, on the growth of S. mutans were examined and the optimal ratio of solvents was also evaluated to investigate the influence of solvents using a simplex centroid design. The anti-cariogenic effects of the L. ulmarium extract on S. mutans was influenced by the solvent, and the optimum anti-cariogenic activity of the extract was obtained with the ratio of chloroform:methanol:ethyl acetate=1:1:1 (v/v/v). These results suggest that solvent selection is an important factor to extract anti-cariogenic materials effectively from mushrooms.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.951-962
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• 2015

To develop environment-friendly agricultural products with anti-microbial activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as a pathogen of sclerotium disease, Aristolochia tagala Champ. was extracted by methanol and its extract was fractionated into several solvent fractions. The chloroform fraction, which showed the highest antimicrobial activity, was separated by column chromatography and obtained forty three subfractions. The forty three fractions were searched the anti-fungal activities by bioassay. The most active No. 26 subfraction was analyzed by GC-MS. Each mass spectra, corresponding to each peak of chromatogram, was compared to MS database of Wiley library. As a result, 2,4-di-tetra-butyl-phenol, 2-mono-palmitin, 1-mono-stearin were profiled as maine compounds in No. 26 subfraction. Bioassay using commercial 1-mono-stearin to test for the anti-microbial activity conformed the antimicrobial active compound. In conclusion, 1-mono-stearin identified from Aristolochia tagala Champ. was antimicrobial chemical against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.