• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.419-422
• /
• 1999

In order to develop a antimicrobial agent, dried Sophora flavescens Ait. was extracted with several solvents, and than antimicrobial activity was investigated. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracted substance against microorganisms were also examined. Antimicrobial activity of the initial methanol extract from the sample was the strongest compared to those of other solvent extracts such as $H_2O$, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The methanol extract had strong growth inhibition activity against gram-postive bacteria (MIC, $25~50{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$) such as B. subtilis. Among gram-positive bacteria tested, B. subtilis was the most susceptible to the extracted substance. The antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract from the sample had strong growth inhibition activity against gram-negative bacteria such as P. aeruginosa (MIC, $25{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}$/ml).

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.139-149
• /
• 2009

1. Objectives The roots of Sophora flavescens Aiton (SFA) are widely used as a herbal remedy for allergic inflammation. In this study, we invested the effect of SFA on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and histamin releas and we demonstrated that SFA suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), and interleukin -8 (IL-8), through inhibition of the $NF{\kappa}B$, JNK and p38 pathway in the human mast cell line, HMC-1. 2. Methods To accomplish this, we invested passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and histamin release at an animal experiment. In addition, we investigated the effect of SFA on the production of inflammation-related cytokines in HMC-1 cells that were co-treated with PMA and A23187, which can induce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. 3. Results and Conclusions SFA induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and histamin releas and supressed the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-8. In addition, the protein levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ were also decreased by SFA treatment. Furthermore, SFA inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor $NF{\kappa}B$ through inhibition of the phosphorylation and degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, which is an inhibitor of $NF{\kappa}B$. Moreover, SFA also inhibited induction of MAPKs (JNK, p38) and $NF{\kappa}B$ promoter-mediated luciferase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that SFA could be used as a treatment for mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.539-544
• /
• 1994

Ethanol 75% extracts of Morus alba Linne(Ma) and Sophora flavescens AITON(Sf) were fractionated by chloroform($CHCl_{3}$), ethyl acetate(EtOAc), butanol(BuOH) and water. Each fractionate was added to tryptic soy broth varying in extract levels and 5 strains of Listeria monocytogenes(Lm) were inoculated in them for comparing growth inhibition at $32^{\circ}C$. The $CHCl_{3}$ and EtOAc fraction of Ma were superior in growth inhibition of 5 strains but only $CHCl_{3}$ fraction of Sf showed comparatively higher inhibition to Lm ATCC 19113. Lm ATCC 19111 and 19113 were totally inhibited by 500 ppm of EtOAc fraction and Lm ATCC 19112, 19114 and 15313 were also absolutely inhibited by 1000 ppm of $CHCl_{3}$ fraction of Ma 75% ethanol extract.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.276-281
• /
• 2011

Oxidative stress or the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads neuronal cellular death and dysfunction, and it contributes to neuronal degenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke. Glutamate-induced oxidative injury contributes to neuronal degeneration in many central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as epilepsy and ischemia. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzyme plays an important role of cellular antioxidant system against oxidant injury. The expression of HO-1 has cytoprotective effects in glutamate-induced oxidative cytotoxicity in HT22 cells. The induction of HO-1 is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level, and its induction by various inducers is related to the nuclear transcription factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Nrf2 is a master regulator of the antioxidant response. NNMBS008, the water-insoluble fraction of the 70% EtOH extract of roots of Sophora flavescens, showed dominant neuroprotective effects on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells by induced the expression of HO-1 and increased HO activity. In mouse hippocampal HT22 cells, NNMBS008 makes the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 pathway. In conclusion, the waterinsoluble fraction of the 70% EtOH extract of roots of S. flavescens (NNMBS008) significantly protect glutamate-induced oxidative damage by induction of HO-1 via Nrf2 pathway in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. These results suggest that these extracts could be the effective candidates for the treatment of ROS-related neurological diseases.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 2021

Sophora flavescens Ait. (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant widely founded in Northeast Asia, and its dried root (Kushen) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The therapeutic effects of Kushen in micturition disorder was not investigated comprehensively yet. In the present study, we examined and compared the efficacy of three batches of Kushen extract using different ethanol content through an in vitro cell-based assay. Among them, we chose the batch with the highest efficacy and augmented the volume of extract for industrial purpose. The bulk extract was examined in its efficacy in the in vitro cell-based assay, and the therapeutic effects through an in vivo behavioral assay of OAB rats. The main components of the extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was investigated by MTT assay. The overall efficacy of the extract was as much as, or more than, kurarinone, a potent BK_Ca channel activator. Thus, the extract was a potent relaxant of urinary smooth muscle by upregulating the activity of BK_Ca channel. The Kushen extract could be explored as an alternative medicine against overactive bladder patients indicating severe dysfunction of BK_Ca channel.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.577-586
• /
• 2022

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing quercetin extracted from Sophora japonica flower (QS) to the diet of broiler chicks on their growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, cecal microbiota, serum lipid profiles, relative organ weight, and breast muscle quality. Methods: A total of 1,088 1-day-old broiler chicks (mixed sex) were randomly assigned to four groups based on the initial body weight (43.00±0.29 g). The experimental period was 35 days (starter, days 0 to 7; grower, days 7 to 21; finisher, days 21 to 35). There were 17 replicate cages per treatment and 16 birds per cage. Dietary treatments consisted of birds receiving basal diet without quercetin as the control group and treatment groups consisted of birds fed basal diet supplemented with 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 g/kg QS. Results: With the increase of the QS dosage, body weight gain during days 0 to 7 (p = 0.021), 7 to 21 (p = 0.010), and 1 to 35 (p = 0.045), feed intake during days 0 to 7 (p = 0.037) and 1 to 35 (p = 0.025), apparent dry matter digestibility (p = 0.008), apparent energy retention (p = 0.004), cecal lactic acid bacteria counts (p = 0.023), the relative weight of breast muscle (p = 0.014), pH value from breast muscle (p<0.001), and the water holding capacity of breast muscle (p = 0.012) increased linearly, whereas the drip loss from breast muscle (p = 0.001) decreased linearly. Conclusion: The addition of QS in the diet of broiler chicks had positive effects on the breast muscle yield and breast muscle quality, and improved the dry matter digestibility and energy retention by increasing cecal beneficial bacteria counts, thus improving growth performance.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.62 no.3
• /
• pp.193-205
• /
• 2023

Botanical insecticides derived from plant extracts exhibit repellent, antifeedant and enzyme-inhibiting activities against insect pests. Among such pests, phytophagous mites are major threats to horticultural crops. Botanical extracts derived from neem, chrysanthemum, and shrubby sophora are employed as field acaricides. These botanical extracts have low toxicities against natural enemies of the insect pests and, thus, are valuable in pest management. This review focuses on the potential for botanical extracts in the controls of mites, with comparisons of the spectrum of activity, the lethal dose and times and their mode of action. This information will enable better formulation of botanical extracts in integrated mite control.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.98 no.4
• /
• pp.392-398
• /
• 2009

Artificial Asian dust was treated in this study to compare and determine its effect on growth, photosynthesis, respiration and stomata of 5 species trees. Sophora japonica's growth and respiration using artificial Asian dust treatment which is 10 times of average contents of Asian dust: $5,000{\mu}g{\cdot}m^{-2}$ decreases after 3 weeks while no significant difference in other species. The maximum photosynthesis of Sophora japonica and Betula pendula decreased significantly after 3 weeks and 6 weeks, respectively, using artificial Asian dust treatment which is average contents of Asian dust: $500{\mu}g{\cdot}m^{-2}$. At $5,000{\mu}g{\cdot}m^{-2}$ treatment, photosynthesis of both species decreased just after treatment of artificial Asian dust. Quercus acutissima, Quercus mongolica and Acer triflorum have no significant differences. Dust was found inside the Sophora japonica's stomatas under heavy dust treatment when viewed under the light electron microscope. By scanning electron microscopy, the higher rate of stomatal opening of Sophora japonica and Betula pendula was recognized and the size of both stomatas was bigger than other species. This result means that Asian dust has an influence in decreasing the photosynthesis, respiration and growth of some species especially if the stomatas are large.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.349-354
• /
• 2014

Elevation of intracellular calcium ($Ca^{{+}{+}}$) triggers degranulation of mast cells by bypassing receptor activation. Flos Sophora japonica L. has been used as a natural dying source and has been reported to have biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ and IgE crosslinking. In the present investigation, we report the regulatory effect of ethanolic extract of Flos Sophora japonica L. (S.F) on allergic mediators produced by $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ ionophore activation in mast cells. S.F significantly inhibited calcium ionophore (A23187)-induced interleukin (IL)-4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ production as well as mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, administration of S.F suppressed allergic reactions in a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic dermatitis mouse model. Both oral administration and ear painting using 50 mg/kg of S.F significantly reduced levels of cytokines such as IL-4, TNF, and interferon-${\gamma}$ in ear tissues compared to the DNFB alone-treated group. Serum IgE level in the S.F-treated group also decreased compared to the DNFB alone-treated group. Weights of spleens and lymph nodes in the S.F-treated groups also decreased compared to the control group. Considering the data, we conclude that S.F mediates its anti-allergic effects not only through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ stimulation but also $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ influx in mast cells.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.173-182
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate ozone sensitivity of physiological indicators and the difference in ozone tolerance of 8 families of Sophora japonica seedlings on the basis of the standardized physiological indicators. After ozone treatment, photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigments and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidative enzyme activities were analyzed from the leaves of S. japonica seedlings. Ozone tolerance indices among 8 families were calculated with the standardized physiological parameters. In addition, the reduction of carboxylation efficiency and apparent quantum yield were observed in the leaves of seven families, except for family No. 6 and 7, respectively. The apparent quantum yield varied from -27% to -61% of the control seedlings. Photosynthetic pigment content differed significantly among 8 families, but was not affected significantly by ozone treatment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased from 7% to 64% after ozone exposure, and significant difference existed among 8 families. Ascorbate-peroxidase (APX) activity of 8 families increased by ozone treatment, and the activity of family No. 7 showed the highest increase (218%) in comparison to their respective control plants. On the basis of the standardized indices, family No. 6 showed the lowest tolerance by indicating higher reduction of both photosynthetic parameters and pigment content and lower increase of antioxidative enzyme activities. On the contrary, family No. 7 showed the highest tolerance as indicated by lower reduction of photosynthetic parameters, higher amounts of photosynthetic pigments, and higher enzyme activity.