• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2014

To identify potential gastrointestinal prokinetic agents, water and 70% ethanol extracts and isolated compounds from 41 different traditional medicinal herbs were evaluated for the stimulation of gastrointestinal (GI) motility in vivo. Of the 41 water and 70% ethanol extracts, 12 extracts were found to enhance GI motility activity in mice by more than 10%. The 12 extracts are as follows: Atractylodes japonica (root), Crataegus pinnatifida (flower), Aucklandia lappa (root), Inula helenium (root), Cynanchum wilfordii (root), Chinese Liriope platyphylla (root), Codonopsis pilosula (root), Glehnia littoralis (root), Pinellia ternate (tuber), Agastache rugosa (aerial part), Angelica decursiva (whole plant), and Peucedanum praeruptorum (whole plant). In particular, the extracts from Atractylodes japonica (root), Cynanchum wilfordii (root) and Angelica decursiva (whole plant) have demonstrated the highest GI motility activity. In addition, 26 isolated compounds from the medicinal herbs were tested, and 8 isolated compounds were found to be active. They are ${\alpha}$-ionone, ${\beta}$-ionone, trans-caryophyllene, cedrol, methyl-3,5-di-O-E-caffeoyl-quinate, lobetyolin, oleoyllinoleoylolein and cis-jasmone. ${\beta}$-ionone from Aucklandia lappa (root) showed the most potent GI motility activity. The active traditional medicinal herbs and isolated compounds might be therapeutically advantageous in the treatment of GI motility disorders.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.183-188
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• 2000

In order to discover novel potent antitumor agents, methanolic extracts of approximately 180 herbal medicines were prepared and primarily evaluated for cytotoxic activity in cultured human lung (A549) and colon (Col 2) cancer cells. As a result, 17 natural product extracts were found to be active in the criteria of $IC_{50}$<$20\;{\mu}g/ml$. Especially, the extracts of Aristolochia debilis, Cynanchum ascyrifolium, Cynanchum paniculatum, Daphne genkwa, Euphorbia lathyris, Ipomoea hederacea, Magnolia officinalis, Melia azedarach var. japonica, Solanum nigrum, Thuja orientalis, and Trichosanthes kirilowii showed a strong cytotoxic potential. The flower extract of Daphne genkwa was more selective cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cells $(IC_{50};\;0.2\;{\mu}g/ml)$ compared to colon cancer cells $(IC_{50}>20\;{\mu}g/ml)$. In addition, based on the cytotoxic potential of the root extract of Cynanchum paniculatum, the further fractionation of methylene chloride partition with silica gel column chromatography was performed. Several subfractions were considered to be active, and thus indicating that further studies for the identification of active principles from these fractions might be warranted.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.373-392
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• 2017

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized through a simple green route using the Nelumbo nucifera leaf, stem and flower extracts. These nanoparticles showed characteristic UV-Vis absorption peaks between 410-450 nm which arises due to the plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the presence of amides and which acted as the stabilizing agent. X-ray diffraction spectrum of the nanoparticles confirmed the Face centered cubic (FCC) structure of the formed AgNPs. Dynamic light scattering technique was used to measure hydrodynamic diameter (68.6 nm to 88.1 nm) and zeta potential (-55.4 mV, -57.9 mV and 98.9 mV) of prepared AgNPs. The scanning electron micrographs of dislodged nanoparticles in aqueous solution showed the production of reasonably monodispersed silver nanoparticles (1-100 nm). The antimicrobial activity of prepared AgNPs was evaluated against fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using disc diffusion method. Anti-corrosion studies were carried out using coupon method (mild steel and iron) and dye degradation studies were carried out by assessing photo-catalytic activity of Nelumbo nucifera extracts mediated AgNPs.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.821-832
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• 1997

The aim of this study was to separate or purify some bioactive compounds from flowers of alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) and to test of the isolated compounds on alfalfa for their autotoxicity and on Echinochloa crus-galli for their allelopathy for seed germination and seedling weight. Using thin layer chromatography(TLC) of $CHCl_3$ extracts, the most inhibitory band to alfalfa seed germination was determined. Germination inhibition of this extract suggested a complex chemical interaction. Separation and purification of compounds with CHCl$_3$ extract of fresh alfalfa flowers were conducted by a silica gel TLC, and microcrystalline cellulose TLC(MCTLC), followed by droplet countercurrent chromatography(DCCC) bioassay. Preliminary identification was done by high perfomance liquid chromatography(HPLC) on the most inhibitory fractions in DCCC. Ferulic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, narringin were identified in fraction 5 and ferulic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, coumarin in fraction 6. The phytotoxicity of their individual compound was tested on alfalfa and Echinochloa crus-galli seed germination and seedling weight. Coumarin and ferulic acid showed the most inhibitory effect on alfalfa seed germination and Echinochloa crus-galli seedling fresh and dry weight. These compounds may be, at least in part, involved in autotoxicity and allelopathy.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 2012

Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense is often used in treatment of human disease such as hemorrhage, blood congestion and inflammation. This study was accomplished to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the leaf (CLE) and flower (CFE) extracts of C. japonicum var. ussuriense to protect normal human red blood cells (RBC) and plasma samples against oxidative damage in vitro. CLE and CFE were prepared by extracting with hot water. In red blood cells and plasma, oxidative hemolysis and lipid peroxidation induced by the aqueous peroxyl radical generator [2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, AAPH] were significantly suppressed by CLE or CFE in a dose-dependent manner at the same time. CLE and CFE also prevented the depletion of cytosolic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in RBC. These results suggest that the leaves and flowers of C. japonicum var. ussuriense may have the antioxidant properties.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.433-452
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• 2018

This study was conducted to select candidates from plant resources for the purpose of improving or treating Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia. One hundred and eighty-four plant extracts at a final concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$ were screened to determine their capacity to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by in vitro assay. From this AChE assay, seven plant extracts - including methanol ext. and water ext. of Phellaodendron amurense Rupr. (bark), methanol ext. of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (stamen/ovary), methanol ext. of Persicaria tinctoria H. GROSS (flower), methanol ext. of Coptis chinensis (rhizome), ethanol ext. of Cinnamomum cassia Blume(bark) and ethanol ext. of Carthamus tinctorius L. (fruit) - showed effective inhibition activity ranging from 18.7% to 63.1%. The selected extracts were testified their inhibition activities on AChE and BuChE (butyrylcholinesterase) at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, $200{\mu}g/ml$. In the AChE assay, five extracts including methanol ext. of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (stamen/ovary), methanol ext. of Persicaria tinctoria H. GROSS (flower), methanol ext. of Coptis chinensis (rhizome), methanol ext. and water ext. of Phellaodendron amurense Rupr. (bark) showed inhibition activity of 15.0%~73.5%, 19.5%~63.5%, 81.6%~58.5%, 69.9%~80.5%, and 54.8%~78.3%, respectively, at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, $200{\mu}g/ml$. In the BuChE assay, the extracts of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (stamen/ovary), Persicaria tinctoria H. GROSS (flower), and Coptis chinensis (rhizome) showed inhibitory capacities of 58.9~81.6%, 45.8%~72.4%, and 33.1%~55.4% at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, $200{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In conclusion, it is suggested that Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (stamen/ovary), Persicaria tinctoria H. GROSS, Coptis chinensis (rhizome) and Phellaodendron amurense Rupr. (bark) could be selected as candidate materials for improving or treating Alzheimer's disease on the basis of further study.

• 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.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2007

The chemical components of flesh persimmon flowers (petal and calyx), and the qualify of hot-water extracts (teas) prepared from powders of these flower parts, were investigated In flesh petal and calyx, the contents of moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, and carbohydrate were 84.8% 0.4% 0.3% and 13.7% respectively. The values were not significantly different when the two tissues were compared. In petal and calyx respectively, the crude ash values were 0.5% and 1.1% of flesh weights, the vitamin C content were 192.3mg% and 392.7ng%, the flavonoid levels were 98.4 mg% and 355.2mg% and the carotenoid content were 0.8mg% and 3.8mg%. Hot air and freeze drying methods applied to petals, prior to powder preparation, did not affect the levels of soluble solids or soluble annins. Extract from calyx had higher L values, higher ${-\alpha}$ values, more soluble tannins, greater 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhy-drazylradical-scavenging activities, me lower pH values, than did exracts from petal. Fructose and glucose were higher in petal extract than in calyx extract, but sucrose was higher in calyx extracts. Extract of freeze-dried powdered petals had significantly higher free sugar levels than did exracts from petals dried with hot air. The major organic acids in extracts were citric acid, oxalic acid, and malic acid. The levels of organic acids were inversely related to free sugar levels in all flower parts and after all drying methods tested. Sensory tests of aroma, taste and overall acceptability yielded scores above medium for all teas, regardless of the flower part powdered, or the drying method used. The results show that the petal and calyx of persimmon may be used to make tea and perhaps other foods.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2009

The attempts to develop natural antioxidants have been made with aerial part of 16 Compositae species by analyzing their phenolic compound contents, scavenging activities on 1,l-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, ferrous ion chelating effects and inhibition effects on peroxidation of linoleic acids. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were highest in Matricaria recutica. Scavenging activity on DPPH and ABTS radicals were highest with extracts of Echinacea angustifolia and Serratula coronata var. insularis f. insularis, respectively. Aerial palt extracts of all species showed lower DPPH scavenging activity than ascorbic acid and 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT). But Serratula coronata var. insularis f. insularis demonstrated higher ABTS scavenging activity than ascorbic acid and BHT. In Hieracium pilosella, Echinacea angustifolia, Matricaria reculica extracts showed higher ABTS scavenging activity than BHT. Ferrous ion chelating effects was highest with Matricaria recutica extract, but the effects were much lower than ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The inhibition activity in lipid peroxidation of linoleic acids was highest in Eupatorium japonicum with 90.06% inhibition 4 days after reaction and 40.52% after 24 days. This demonstrated higher inhibition activity and longer lasting than BHT. Aerial part of Matricaria recutica for extraction source, rather than flower, has higher potential for antiox.idant material. In conclusion, development of natural antioxidants in Compositae is possible by studying antioxidant activity of each species.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.630-637
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• 2010

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lonicerae Flos, aqueous extracts of the dried flower bud part of Lonicera japonica on the 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU)-induced rat hypothyroidism. Aqueous extracts of Lonicerae Flos (LF yield = 23.80%) were administered, once day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 500 and 250 mg/kg (body weight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28 days. The changes on the body weight, thyroid gland weights, serum thyroid hormone - thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), tri-iodothyronine ($T_3$) and thyroxine ($T_4$), serum lipid profiles - total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride were observed with liver antioxidant defense system - lipid peroxidation, $H_2O_2$, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and serum asparte aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) analysis. Results were compared with Levothyroxine ($LT_4$) 0.5 mg/kg treated rats. As results of PTU treatment, marked decreases of body weights, serum thyroid hormone levels and triglyceride contents, liver $H_2O_2_3$ and SOD activities were observed with increases of serum AST and HDL contents, liver CAT activities, thyroid gland weight. However, these PTU induced hypothyroidism were dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of LF extracts, and LF extracts effectively regulated the hypothyroidism related changes on the antioxidant defense system. The results obtained in this study suggest that LF extracts have favorable effects on the thyroid hormone productions with beneficial effects on the hypothyroidism mediated by the modulatory effects on the antioxidant defense system.