• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.373-380
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the nutritional components and antioxidant activities of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower (lotus flower, LF) and its wine (lotus flower wine, LF wine). The moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and carbohydrate contents of the LF were 85.90, 1.91, 0.30, 1.04, and 10.85%, respectively, and of the LF wine, 92.87, 1.70, 0.30, 0.15, and 5.17%, respectively. The total amino acids in the LF and the LF wine were 2,168 and 6,341 mg/kg, respectively. Palmitic acid (38.63%) was a major fatty acid in the crude fat of the LF, and oleic acid (76.24%) was a major fatty acid in the crude fat of the LF wine. The levels of potassium in the LF ($390.91{\pm}9.60mg/100g$) and the LF wine ($27.40{\pm}1.86mg/100g$) were higher than those of the other minerals. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of both the lotus flower water extract (LFW) and the lotus flower ethanol extract (LFE) were higher than those of the LF wine. In addition, the highest antioxidant activities and ORAC values were obtained from the LFW and the LFE. In conclusion, we found that the LF and the LF wine have potential as natural antioxidants due to their higher bioactive compound contents such as their total phenol and flavonoid contents.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2007

Objective : Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae) has long been used for treatment of infectious diseases in oriental countries. The aim of this study was to investigative the effect by which the aqueous extract from flower of L. japonica (LJFAE) inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory mediators in murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells Methods : The dried flowers of L. japonica were extracted with distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 7 h. The extract was filtered through 0.45 ${\mu}m$ filter, freeze-dried. The dried extract was dissolved in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and filtered through 0.22 ${\mu}m$ filter before use. Accumulated nitrite, an oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$), and IL-6 production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. Results: LJFAE (10-400 ${\mu}g$/ml) per se had no cytotoxic effect in unstimulated macrophages, but LJFAE concentration-dependently reduced NO, PGE2, TNF-, IL-l, and IL-6 production and COX-2 activity caused by stimulation of LPS. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were markedly suppressed by the treatment with LJFAE in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that LJFAE suppress the NO and PGE2production in macrophages by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression and these properties may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Lonicera japonica.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.220-227
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• 2019

Stevia rebaudiana (Asteraceae), a perennial plant, has been used as a low-calorie sweetener and is being developed as a therapeutic agent for diabetes, hypertension, myocardial diseases, and microbial infections. Despite the common use of its leaves and stem, the bioavailability of the components present in S. rebaudiana flowers, when used as ingredients of cosmetics, has not been well investigated. Herein, we investigated the antioxidative and antimelanogenic effects of an aqueous extract of S. rebaudiana flowers (Stevia-F). Total flavonoid and phenolic content in Stevia-F were determined to be $8.64{\pm}0.23mg$ of quercetin equivalents/100 g and $631.5{\pm}2.01mg$ of gallic acid equivalents/100 g, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of Stevia-F for reducing power, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate radical, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide scavenging activities were 5541.96, 131.39, 466.34, and $10.44{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Stevia-F showed inhibitory effects on the tyrosinase ($IC_{50}=134.74{\mu}g/mL$) and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase ($IC_{50}=114.81{\mu}g/mL$) activities. No significant cytotoxicity of Stevia-F was observed in B16F10 cells, treated with up to $100{\mu}g/mL$ of the extract for 24 and 48 h (p > 0.05). Stevia-F ($1-100{\mu}g/mL$) suppressed ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced melanin production in B16F10 cells (p < 0.05) and also inhibited the cellular tyrosinase activity (p < 0.05). Overall, our results show that Stevia-F possesses potential for inhibiting tyrosinase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activities and has significant antioxidant capacity. The antimelanogenic potential of Stevia-F should extend the usage of S. rebaudiana flowers in the development of skin-whitening products.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.253-262
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• 2016

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is one of the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. S. mutans adheres to an acquired pellicle formed on the tooth surface, and aggregates with many oral bacteria. It initiates plaque formation by synthesizing glucan from sucrose, which is catalyzed by glucosyltransferases. Propolis is a resinous mixture produced by honeybees, by mixing saliva and beeswax with secretions gathered from wood sap and flower pollen. Bees prevent pathogenic invasions by coating the propolis to the outer and inner surface of the honeycomb. Propolis has traditionally been used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, asthma and dermatitis. We investigated the inhibitory effects of propolis ethanol extract on biofilm formation and gene expression of S. mutans. The biofilm formation of S. mutans was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and safranin staining. We observed that the extract of propolis had an inhibitory effect on the formation of S. mutans biofilms at concentrations higher than 0.2 mg/ml. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the gene expression of biofilm formation, such as gbpB, spaP, brpA, relA and vicR of S. mutans, was significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner. The ethanol extract of propolis showed concentration dependent growth inhibition of S. mutans, and significant inhibition of acid production at concentrations of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/ml, compared to the control group. These results suggest that the ethanol extract of propolis inhibits gene expression related to biofilm formation in S. mutans.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.186-191
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• 2006

Prunus mume is extensively cultivated as a fruit and medicinal plant in Korea. Recently, prunus mume has a pressing problem with an increase of prunus mume cultivation area in southern part in Korea. Chemical properties of prunus mume flower to determine the optimum processing varieties for tea were investigated. Three kinds of samples treated with fresh, freeze dry and shade dry were used. The content of moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat and nitrogen free extract of prunus mume flower varieties were to $82{\sim}85%,\;0.2{\sim}0.6%,\;2.5{\sim}3.1%,\;2.5{\sim}3.1%,\;0.6{\sim}0.8%\;and\;10{\sim}11%$ respectively. The main component of free sugars in prunus mume flower was glucose and those of organic acids were citric and malic acids. 17 kinds of amino acids were determined from prunus mume flower. The total amino acid contents of Cheongchuk, Baeagaha and Goseong were 760.47 mg%, 624.01 mg% and 807.41 mg%, respectively. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid and lysine were the major component in 3 cultivars. The content of K was much higher than Ca, Mg, Na, fe and Zn. The major fatty acids of prunus mume flower were myristic acid, palmitoleic acid me oleic acid. As a result of analysis, there were no significant differences among the three cultivars of prunus mume flower and drying method.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.594-601
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• 2015

In the present study, the total content of polyphenols and flavonoids, the antioxidant activities, and cytotoxic effects of the ethanol extracts from different parts of Taraxacum coreanum Nakai were investigated for their use as functional foods. The extract yields of the flower, leaf, and root were $32.15{\pm}3.21%$, $31.63{\pm}0.63%$, and $27.48{\pm}2.47%$, respectively. Total polyphenol and flavonoid content of the flower extract were $61.29{\pm}2.11mg/g$ and $46.11{\pm}1.88mg/g$, respectively, which were much higher than those of any other plant parts. The antioxidant activities of the flower, leaf, and root extracts were $89.99{\pm}2.83%$, $85.29{\pm}2.22%$, and $37.88{\pm}2.34%$, respectively, at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL. Cell cytotoxicity effects of AGS (human gastric carcinoma), HCT116 (human colon carcinoma), and A549 (human pulmonary carcinoma) cells were the highest in the flower extract, with values of $62.85{\pm}4.63%$, $69.89{\pm}3.44%$, and $85.72{\pm}4.17%$, respectively, at a concentration of 400 mg/kg. Both the antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effects of the ethanol extracts from all the parts of the T. coreanum Nakai increased dose-dependently. These results provide preliminary data for the development of T. coreanum Nakai as an edible functional food material.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1509-1517
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• 2008

The flowers and buds of Lonicera Flower (LF), are used in Korean 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 immune reaction. These pharmaceutical effects of LF looks like to be related to its antioxidant capacity and phytochemicals containing in LF. In this study, the antioxidant activity of extract from LF was studied in vitro methods by measuring the antioxidant activity by TEAC, measuring the scavenging effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) [superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical] and on reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [nitric oxide and peroxynitrite] as well as measuring the inhibitory effect on $Cu^{2+}$ induced human LDL oxidation and the inhibitory effect on collagen induced platelet aggregation. The LF extracts were found to have a potent scavenging activity, as well as an inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation and on platelet aggregation. In conclusion, the LF extracts have anti-oxidative and anti-atherosclerotic effects in vitro system, which can be used for developing pharmaceutical drug against oxidative stress and atherosclerosis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.196-201
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• 2004

Volatile components in flower and seed of safflower were identified. Volatile flavor compounds of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was extracted by simultaneous steam distillation and extraction method using Likens and Nickerson's extraction apparatus. Concentrated extract was analyzed and identified by gas chromatography and GC-mass spectrometry. Main volatile components in flower were terpene compounds, including p-cymene, limonene, ${\alpha}-phellandrene$, ${\gamma}-terpinene$, camphor, 4-terpineol, selinene, ${\beta}-caryophyllene$, torreyol, ${\beta}-eudesmol$, and 10 acids including 3-methylbutanoic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, and acids of $C_{2},\;C_{5}-C_{11}$. Main volatile components in seed and safflower were 20 aldehydes including hexanal (7.17%), (E)-2-heptenal (1.10%), (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.733-738
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• 2003

Chemical compositions and DPPH radical scavenger activity in different sections of safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.) were investigated. Protein contained 28.39% in sprout and fat contained 20.47% in seed, respectively. Linoleic acid as predominant unsaturated fatty acid of safflower contained 80.01% in sprout and 78.27% in seed. Glucose contained 1253.6mg% in sprout and fructose contained 970.7mg% in sprout. Sucrose contained 912.0mg% in flower bud. Succinic acid was included 2795.3 mg% in flower, malic acid was included 2054.8mg% in leaf. K as minerals contained 2826.8mg% in leaf and 2613,6 mg% in sprout, Ca contained 1999.8mg% in leaf and 1160.9mg% in sprout. Total phenolics contained 5.8%, 4.7%, 4.4% in flower, sprout and leaf, and total flavonoid contained 6.5%, 2.5%, 2.0% in flower, sprout and leaf, respectively Serotonin-I (Ν- [2- (5-hydroxy - l Η- indol -3- yl)ethyl] ferulamide) as serotonin compounds was determined 147.7mg% in seed, serotonin - II (Ν-［2-(5-hydroxy-lΗ-indo-1-3yl )ethyl]-p-coumaramide) was determined 155.4 mg% in seed. Acacetin as flavonoid compounds was contained 116.5mg% in seed. Luteolin as flavonoid compounds was identified 388.3mg% in sprout, luteolin 7-glucoside was determined 692.3mg% in leaf, respectively. DPPH radical scavenger activity was measured by DPPH method, it was shown higher 114.2% in ethanol extract of flower and 113.6% in ethanol extract of leaf than 88.05% of 100 ppm BHA as chemical antioxidant.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.578-584
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the potential of 70% ethanol extracts from wild edible plants (Pueraria lobata sprout, Rosa multiflora sprout, Artemisia princeps leaf, Diospyros kaki leaf, Morus alba leaf, Robinia pseudoacacia flower, Inula britannica var. japonica flower), as natural antioxidants. The antioxidant contents and activities of extracts were examined using various methods. The measurements of total polyphenol content revealed that Rosa multiflora sprout extract had the highest value and total flavonoid content showed that Diospyros kaki leaf extract had the highest value. Antioxidant activities were the highest in Rosa multiflora sprout for DPPH (IC₅₀ 232.52 ㎍/mL), ABTS⁺ (IC₅₀ 470.10 ㎍/mL), superoxide^- (IC₅₀ 431.88 ㎍/mL), nitrite (IC₅₀ 363.38 ㎍/mL) scavenging activity, and reducing power (2.47 O.D.). These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of Rosa multiflora sprout is a potential source of natural antioxidants.