• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.495-500
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• 2013

This study was performed to identify safe natural food preservatives from medicinal herbs and to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of medicinal plants against microorganisms. Medicinal herbs were extracted 3 times with methanol at $45^{\circ}C$ for 3 h and fractionated with n-hexane. The antimicrobial effects of the fractions were determined by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zone by using an agar-well diffusion assay. The MIC of fractions for the inhibition of microorganisms was determined using a microplate reader. The antimicrobial effects of fractions were greater against gram positive bacteria than against gram negative bacteria, but the difference was not significant. The antimicrobial effects of fractions were concentration dependent. While these results have implications, the underlying mechanisms of microbial inactivation need to be further elucidated. The results showed the possibility of developing safer food preservatives.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.91-105
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to conduct a questionnaire survey for total 503 high school female students in Wonju area, Kangwon province, and thereby determine any potential effectiveness of their trials to reduce weight in their satisfaction with their own figure, daily living practices related to weight control, nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviors. Out of all respondents, it was found that 284 girl students(58.4%) ever tried to reduce weight, and both trial group(trying to reduce weight) and no-trial group were much interested in weight control(94.7% vs. 60.7%). But 85.2% of trial group and 50.3% of no-trial group were dissatisfied at their figure. It was found that the percentage of trial group practicing regular exercise was higher than that of no-trial group doing so(21.8% vs. 5.5%). Subjects scored 14.3 out of 20 on a nutrition knowledge scale, but trial group scored significantly higher points(14.5) than no-trial group(13.9)(p<0.01). In particular, it was notable that trial group showed higher rate of correct answer in certain items such as balanced diet and knowledge about weight control. It was found that our all respondents showed moderate dietary behaviors, which is demonstrated by their mean score of 31.3 in dietary behaviors(possible score: $15{\sim}45$). Notably, it was found that there were problems exposed in their dietary velocity, intake of various diets and intake frequency for each food group(dairy products, marine plants and vegetative oil and fat). And it was found that the percentage of trial group taking diet with vegetative oil was higher than that of no-trial group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2014

This study was performed to determine the anticancer effects of cultivated Orostachys japonicus (COJ) and wild Orostachys japonicus (WOJ) on primary human prostate cancer cells (RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells). The morphology of cells treated with COJ and WOJ was distorted to shrunken cell masses. In addition, cell death induced by COJ and WOJ was associated with increased population of cells in sub-G1 phase as well as the formation of apoptotic bodies and nuclear condensation. COD and WOJ markedly reduced the number of viable prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, and cell numbers were lower than control cells. COJ and WOJ also inhibited increases in cell proliferation induced by environmental hormones such as dioxin and bisphenol A in charcoal-treated FBS (cFBS) medium. COJ and WOJ methanol extracts at the tested concentrations (150, 300, and 600 ${\mu}g/mL$) also dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation induced by environmental hormones. These results indicate that COJ and WOJ exert anticancer effects on primary human prostate cancer cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.467-474
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• 2010

Cheonggukjang is one of the traditional fermented soy-based foods in Korean diets. Studies in cell cultures, humans have revealed anti-hypertension, anti-stress, anticancer, antioxidant, immune enhancing effects. Angelica gigas, Rehmanniae radix, and Red ginseng are popular medicinal plants and widely used for oriental medicine. In this study a strategy had been developed to mobilize beneficial phenolics from Angelica gigas, Rehmanniae radix, and Red ginseng combined with fermented soy by Cheonggukjang fermentation for antioxidant and Type II diabetes management. The quality and functional characteristics of Chenggukjang fermented with Angelica gigas, Rehmanniae radix and Red ginseng. Cheonggukjang (CKJ), Angelica gigas Cheonggukjang (CKJ-DD), Rehmanniae radix Cheonggukjang (CKJ-RG), Angelica gigas and Rehmanniae radix Cheonggukjang (CKJ-DD+RG) and Red ginseng Cheonggukjang (CKJ-RED) were evaluated. The mobilized phenolic profile was evaluated for antioxidant activity and the potential to inhibit ${\alpha}$-amylase linked to hyperglycaemia. This research has important implications for the development of functional soy-based-fermented foods enriched with Angelica gigas, Rehmanniae radix and Red ginseng phenolics for oxidative stress - induced diabetic complications. Furthermore, Hunter's color values of 5 types cheonggukjang, lightness (L-values), redness (a-values) and yellowness (b-values) were evaluated. Free amino acid content of CKJ-RED (0.993 mg/gd. w.) showed higher than that of CKJ (0.205 mg/g-d.w.).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.123-123
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• 2017

In spite of the potential medicinal significance and a wide range of pharmacologic properties of Platycodon grandiflorum, the molecular mechanism of its roots is still unknown. The present study was conducted to profile proteins from 3, 4 and 5 months aged diploid and tetraploid roots of Platycodon grandiflorum using high throughput proteome approach. Two-dimensional gels stained with CBB, a total of 68 differential expressed proteins were identified from the diploid root out of 767 protein spots using image analysis by Progenesis SameSpot software. Out of total differential expressed spots, 29 differential expressed protein spots (${\geq}2-fold$) were analyzed using LTQ-FTICR MS whereas a total of 24 protein spots were up-regulated and 5 protein spots were down-regulated. On the contrary, in the case of tetraploid root, a total of 86 differential expressed proteins were identified from tetraploid root out of 1033 protein spots of which a total of 39 differential expressed protein spots (${\geq}2-fold$) were analyzed using LTQ-FTICR MS whereas a total of 21 protein spots were up-regulated and a total of 18 protein spots were down-regulated. It was revealed that the identified proteins from the explants were mainly associated with the nucleotide binding, oxidoreductase activity, transferase activity. Taken together, the identified proteins may be helpful to identify key candidate proteins for genetic improvement of plants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1439-1447
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary incorporation of tanninrich woody species on meat oxidative stability, carcass traits and meat quality in goats. Methods: Two tannin-rich species were tested using a three-treatments feeding trial, where treatments consisted of: Larrea divaricata and Acacia aroma both at 12.5% in dry matter basis of the diet and a control diet (alfalfa hay). All feeding diets were iso-protein and iso-energy. Carcass conformation, carcass compactness, carcass fatness and subcutaneous fat deposition were evaluated. Intake, liveweigh, Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscles of goats were analyzed in order to evaluate quality parameters such as pH value, instrumental color evaluation, water holding capacity, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, meat oxidative stability and fatty acid profiles in meat. Results: Feed intake, liveweight gain, carcass, and meat traits did not differ among treatments. Changes in meat lipid profile among treatments were observed for oleic and elaidic acid contents. Meat total phenolic content and antioxidant activity did not differ among treatments; although, meat oxidative status after storage at room temperature, as well as under refrigerated and frozen conditions were different between control and both supplemented groups. Conclusion: The inclusion of Acacia aroma and Larrea divaricata leaves in goat diet enhanced meat oxidative stability. Modulation of the ruminal biohydrogenation of fatty acids produced by condensed tannins of these plant species need to be further investigated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.38-47
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• 2001

L-theanine is a unique amino acid, found almost solely in tea plants. It is the main component responsible for the exotic taste of green tea. In our studies of L-theanine, we have found a variety of biological activities including relaxation and the alleviation of PMS. In general, animals generate very weak electric pulses on the surface of the brain, called brain waves. Brain waves are classified into four types, namely $\alpha$, $\beta$, $\delta$ and $\theta$-waves, based on their frequency. Brain waves correlate with individual mental conditions. For example, generation of $\alpha$-waves is considered an index of relaxation. In human volunteers, $\alpha$-waves were generated on the occipital and parietal regions of the brain surface within 40 minutes after the oral administration of 50 or 200 mg Suntheanine$^{TM}$ without causing drowsiness. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a symptom unique to women which appears in the luteal phase from the ovulation period through the first day of menstruation. It possesses characteristics of having a peak just prior to menstruation and disappearing 1 - 2 days following the start of menstruation. Symptoms of PMS are generally categorized as mental, physical and social symptoms. When comparing the reported Symptoms of PMS by the methods of MDQ score, the Suntheanine$^{TM}$ group was found to have a lower incidence of PMS symptoms, including physical, mental and social symptoms. Overall, a significant alleviation of PMS symptoms by the administration of 200 mg Suntheanine$^{TM}$ was observed. With the successful industrial production of L-theanine, we are now able to supply Suntheanine$^{TM}$, offering a tremendous opportunity for designing functional foods targeting relaxation and the alleviation of PMS.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 1994

Indolo[3,2-b]carbazole(ICZ) is a potent Ah receptor agonist with biological activities similar in several respects to those of the potent environmental toxin, TCDD. ICZ is produced during the oilgomerization of indole-3-carbinol(I3C), a breakdown product of the glucobrassicin present in food plants of the Brassica genus. In the present study we examined ICZ levels in tissues and excreta of rats treated with I3C or dietary cabbage of established glucobrasicin content, and in feces of conventional and germfree rats fed on a basal diet, and of humans. We also examined the levels of cytochrome P4501A1 induction, as determined by the ethoxyresorufin ο-deethylase assay, in tissues of animals that received cabbage-supplemented diets, or which were treated with purified I3C or ICZ. Our findings indicated that incorporation of either homogenized or whole freeze-dried cabbage in the feed led to large increases(16-60 fold) in the levels of ICZ in the feces and lower gastrointestinal tract of rats. We observed that whereas ICZ is readily detectable at about the same levels(2.00$\pm$0.50 ppb) in the feces of conventional rats fed on a purified diet and in human feces, levels of ICZ in the feces of germfree animals fed on the basal diet were at the limits of detection(0.40$\pm$0.20 ppb), indication that gut bacteria are important for the production of ICZ from essential dietary constituents in the basal diet. We showed that in contrast to the near 7000-fold difference in CYP1A1 inducing potencies of ICZ and TCDD in cells in culture, their inducing potencies differ by only about an order of magnitude in rats. Nonetheless, the levels of ICZ remaining in livers twenty hours after I3C treatment appear too low to account for the induced activity. This result indicates that ICZ may be rapidly cleared from the liver or that substances other than, or in addition to, ICZ be responsible for the enzyme-inducing activity of orally administered I3C or its precursors.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.582-589
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• 2015

Several theories emphasize that aging is closely related to oxidative stress and disease. The formation of excess ROS can lead to DNA damage and the acceleration of aging. Vigna angularis is one of the important medicinal plants in Korea. We isolated vitexin from V. angularis and elucidated the lifespan-extending effect of vitexin using the Caenorhabditis elegans model system. Vitexin showed potent lifespan extensive activity and it elevated the survival rates of nematodes against the stressful environments including heat and oxidative conditions. In addition, our results showed that vitexin was able to elevate antioxidant enzyme activities of worms and reduce intracellular ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. These studies demonstrated that the increased stress tolerance of vitexin-mediated nematode could be attributed to increased expressions of stress resistance proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) and heat shock protein (HSP-16.2). In this work, we also studied whether vitexin-mediated longevity activity was associated with aging-related factors such as progeny, food intake, growth and movement. The data revealed that these factors were not affected by vitexin treatment except movement. Vitexin treatment improved the body movement of aged nematode, suggesting vitexin affects healthspan as well as lifespan of nematode. These results suggest that vitexin might be a probable candidate which could extend the human lifespan.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.22-37
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• 2001

Melatonin is secreted during the hours of darkness and is thought to influence the circadian and seasonal timing of a variety of physiological processes. Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) which is found to be expressed in pineal gland, retina, and various tissues, catalyses the conversion of serotonin to N-acetylserotonin and is known as the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of melatonin. The compounds that modulate the activity of AA-NAT can be used to treat serotonin-and melatonin-related diseases such as insomnia, depression and seasonal affective disorders (SAD). Several assay methods have been developed by which to measure AA-NAT activity. We have also developed a simple, rapid and sensitive AA-NAT assay method that takes advantage of differences in the organic solubilities between acetyl CoA and N-acetyltryptamine. We screened modulators of AA-NAT activity from the water extracts of the medicinal plants. We found MNP1005 which strongly inhibited the activity of AA-NAT ($IC_{50}$=2.2$\mu$M). Enzyme inhibitory kinetic studies revealed that MNP1005 exhibited a noncompetitive inhibition toward tryptamine. The antidepressant effect of MNP1005 was investigated on behavioral despair test so called forced swimming test (FST). MNP1005 significantly increased swimming behavior by reducing immobility with treatment of 10 mg/kg when compared to the vehicle-treated control group (P < 0.05). This suggests that MNP1005 possesses antidepressant activity. The influence of chronic MNP1005 treatment on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was examined by in situ hybridization and Northern blot. Chronic treatment of MNP1005 blocked the downregulation of BDNF mRNA in the frontal cortex and other cortex regions in response to restraint stress.