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Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases and cigarette smoking is known to be one of the major sources of oxidants. In this study, we investigated whether Korean black raspberry (BR) supplementation could reduce smoke-induced oxidative stress in healthy male smokers. Thirty nine healthy male smokers received either 30 g of freeze-dried BR or placebo for four weeks. Anthropometric and dietary data, smoking history, blood lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed at baseline and after supplementation. There was no difference of age, smoking history, anthropometry, and nutrient intake between groups. BR supplementation had no effect on plasma lipid profiles, LDL oxidation, and DNA damage. However, it significantly increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and reduced plasma lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, BR supplementation may decrease cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress through increase of endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities.

The present investigation intends to evaluate the changes in the content of cis/trans carotene isomers as provitamin A carotenoids by steaming and roasting processes in the roots of four Korean sweet potato varieties viz. Shinzami, Younwhangmi, Chuwhangmi and Jinhongmi using a liquid chromatography with diode array detection and the negative ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometric (LC-DAD-APCI/MS) method and UV spectral pattern library created from several reference data. Except Shinzami, the content of all trans β-carotenes was found to slightly decreased or remained constant when steamed or roasted. The content of cis α-/β-carotenes was potentially increased about 2-fold or greater when raw or steamed and the content was slightly decreased while roasted. In Chuwhangmi, the content of 13-cis α-carotene and all trans α-carotenes were rapidly increased when steamed and slightly decreased when roasted. Chuwhangmi exhibited 27.2 mg/100 g DW content of all trans β-carotenes when roasted and thus, it was considered as a relatively superior cultivar.

Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM) has been used as one of the Korean traditional medicines for prostate health. In addition, recent studies have reported that RCM reduced chronic inflammatory diseases such as cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of unripe and ripe RCM on inflammation- related gene expressions in LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Mice were fed with 2% unripe RCM (U2), 10% unripe RCM (U10), 2% ripe RCM (R2), and 10% ripe RCM (R10) for 8 weeks. Peritoneal macrophages were isolated and stimulated with LPS then proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) productions were assessed. Moreover, gene expression profiles were analyzed by cDNA microarray method. Unripe and ripe RCM significantly reduced TNF-α production but only unripe RCM decreased IL-1β and IL-6 production. RCM intake significantly reduced inflammatory-related gene expressions such as arachidonate 5-lip-oxygenase, interleukin 11, and nitric oxide synthase 2. Furthermore, unripe and ripe RCM significantly decreased ceruloplasmin, tissue plasminogen activator, thrombospondin 1, and vascular endothelial growth factor A expression which modulates symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases. RCM intake also significantly increased hypoxia inducible factor 3, alpha which is the negative regulators of hypoxia-inducible gene expression. Furthermore, only unripe RCM reduced chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 14, and phospholipase A2 expression. In this study, we showed that RCM had anti-inflammatory effects by suppression of pro-inflammatory mediator ex-pressions and may reduce chronic inflammatory disease progress through regulation of gene expressions. These findings suggest that RCM might be used as a potential functional material to reduce chronic inflammatory responses.

Phytonutrients in Angelica keiskei, a dark green leafy vegetable, were characterised and their extraction efficiency by different compositions of water/ethanol as well as stability at different temperatures was determined. A range in the content of lutein (205–265 mg/kg dry wt), trans-β-carotene (103–130 mg/kg dry wt), and total phenols (8.6–9.7 g/kg) was observed amongst Angelica keiskei grown in three different conditions. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis identified chlorogenic acid, chalcones and the glucosides of luteolin and quercetin as the major phenolic compounds in Angelica keiskei. Only 46% of lutein was extracted by 70% of ethanol and no carotenoid was detected in 40% ethanol and 100% water extracts of Angelica keiskei. Major phytonutrients in Angelica keiskei were stable at −80 °C up to 12 months whilst β-carotene was significantly degraded at room temperature and 4 °C within 2 months and lutein at room temperature within 12 months. The current study indicates that phytonutrients rich in Angelica keiskei can only be extracted partially using ethanol/water and substantial loss of certain phytonutrients such as β-carotene can occur during storage at either 4 °C or room temperature.

This study aimed to develop a fluorometric method to determine total antioxidant activity of plant foods. The antioxidant activities in plant foods were determined after extracting (1) hydrophilic components with acidified methanol (methanol:glacial acetate acid:water=50:3.7:46.3), (2) lipophilic components with methanol followed by tetrahydrofuran (THF), or (3) both hydrophilic and lipophilic components using sequential extraction of acidified methanol and THF together. Both the hydrophilic assay [using the hydrophilic radical initiator 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (10 mmol/L) and hydrophilic probe 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH)] and the lipophilic assay [using the lipophilic radical initiator [2,2'-azobis (4-methoxiy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2 mmol/L], and the lipophilic probe 4,4-difluoro-5-(4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-undecanoic acid (C11-BODIPY 581/591) (BODIPY: 2 micromol/L)] were used to measure antioxidant activity. The inhibition of BODIPY oxidation was significantly increased (P

Aging is a multifactorial phenomenon. Several clinical conditions directly related to lipid metabolism that induces hypertriglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and cardiovascular disease occur during aging. Attention has been focused on possible intervention strategies to control serum lipid levels. Phytic acid is a plant component in most grains that is the main source of energy intake for the aged, and its antioxidant and antinutrient effects have been reported. However, its effect on lipid metabolism in the aged model has not been evaluated. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of phytic acid on serum and hepatic lipid levels in aged mice. A total of 40 aged ICR male mice were fed purified diets supplemented with 0% (P0), 0.5% (P5), 1.0% (P10), and 1.5% (P15) sodium phytate for 12 weeks. There were no significant differences in food intake, body weight, and organ weight among the experimental groups. The concentrations of the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hepatic triacylglycerol, and total cholesterol, and the apparent absorption rates of total lipid and cholesterol were lower in the P15 group than in the P0 group. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of all groups fed phytate-containing diets were higher than that of the P0 group. The severity of fatty liver decreased as phytate percentage in the diet increased. The amounts of fecal total lipid, triacyglycerol, and total cholesterol were higher in the P10 and the P15 groups. These results suggested that phytate affect the serum and hepatic lipid levels in aged mice by increasing their fecal lipid content. Consuming phytate-rich foods may reduce serum and hepatic lipid levels in the aged.

Phytic acid, myo-inositol hexaphosphate, is a plant component existing in most grains and legumes. Although much attention has been focused on the biologic actions of phytic acid in human beings and animals, its effect on the blood glucose level in diabetic models has not been evaluated. This study was conducted to examine the supplementary effect of phytate on the blood glucose level in a diabetic rodent model. Thirty male diabetic KK mice were fed with purified diets supplemented with 0% (P0), 0.5% (P5), or 1.0% (P10) sodium phytate for 8 weeks. Diet intake, body and organ weights, and levels of fasting and random blood glucose, hemoglobin A 1c , as well as insulin were measured. A glucose tolerance test was conducted. There was no significant difference in diet intake, body weight, and organ weight among the experimental groups. The concentrations of fasting and random blood glucose were lower in the groups fed with the phytate diets, and the significant ( P 1c levels were significantly ( P

Extracts from 63 kinds of Pholiota sp. fruiting bodies were prepared using water and methanol, and then their physiological functionalities were investigated. The methanol extracts from Pholiota adiposa PAD030 showed high fibrinolytic activity and those of P. adiposa ASI PAD-022 showed potential inhibitory activity of 76.8% against reductase. The highest antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities were found in the water extracts of Pholiota sp. PSP-015 (72.7%) and methanol extracts of P. nameko PNA-024 (69.5%), respectively. However, superoxide dismutase(SOD)-like activity and elastase inhibitory activity were low in almost of the extracts. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor from the fruiting body of P. adiposa PAD-022 which showed the highest functionality was extracted maximally when powder of the fruiting body was shaked at for 12 h by methanol and its HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity was 80.2%.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of natural plant extracts on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the free radical scavenging activity. The methanolic extracts of plants were tested for AChE inhibitory activity using Ellman`s colorimetric method in 96-welled microplates and antioxidant activity as the scavenging effect of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH). The results showed that AChE activities were inhibited (about 20-30%) in whole plant extract of Daucus carota var. sativa, Hypericum erectum and Fragaria yezoensis. AChE activities were inhibited (about 32-34%) in stems extract of Gingko biloba and leaves extract of Rhododendrondron yedoensa var. poukhanense. Fruit extract of Zanthoxylum schinifolium inhibited (about 18%) AChE activity. And the DPPH scavenging effects as antioxidant activity were similar to L-ascorbic acid in whole plant extract of Fragaria yezoensis and fruits extract of Comus officinalis.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-18T15:56:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-10-01Bitstream added on 2015-03-18T16:28:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000342526700011.pdf: 486127 bytes, checksum: 9179907fef2eb90d745be45c2c0ae56b (MD5) BioGreen 21 Program, Rural Development Administration, Korea U.S. Department of Agriculture BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Angelica keiskei is a green leafy vegetable rich in plant pigment phytochemicals such as flavonoids and carotenoids. This study examined bioavailability of flavonoids and carotenoids in Angelica keiskei and the alteration of the antioxidant performance in vivo.SUBJECTS AND MATERIALS: Absorption kinetics of phytochemicals in Angelica keiskei were determined in healthy older adults (>60 y, n = 5) and subjects with metabolic syndrome (n = 5). Subjects consumed 5 g dry Angelica keiskei powder encapsulated in gelatin capsules with a low flavonoid and carotenoid liquid meal. Plasma samples were collected at baseline, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 h. Samples were analyzed for flavonoids and carotenoids using HPLC systems with electrochemical and UV detection, respectively, and for total antioxidant performance by fluorometry.RESULTS: After ingestion of Angelica keiskei increases in plasma quercetin concentrations were observed at 1-3 and 6-8 hr in the healthy group and at all time points in the metabolic syndrome group compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Plasma lutein concentrations were significantly elevated in both the healthy and metabolic syndrome groups at 8 hr (P < 0.05). Significant increases in total antioxidant performance were also observed in both the healthy and the metabolic syndrome groups compared to baseline (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study clearly demonstrate the bioavailability of phytonutrients of Angelica keiskei and their ability to increase antioxidant status in humans. Tufts Univ, Jean Mayer USDA, Human Nutr Res Ctr Aging, Boston, MA 02111 USA Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Botucatu Med Sch, Dept Internal Med, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Milan, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, I-20133 Milan, Italy Natl Acad Agr Sci, Rural Dev Adm, Suwon 441853, South Korea Konkuk Univ, Coll Biomed & Hlth Sci, Chungju Si 380701, South Korea Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Botucatu Med Sch, Dept Internal Med, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil BioGreen 21 Program, Rural Development Administration, Korea20070301034009 U.S. Department of Agriculture1950-51000-065-08S

The purposes of this study were to determine phenolic compounds and to evaluate antioxidant activities of plums (Soldam, Oishiwase and Formosa). Soldam contains the highest amount of total phenolics among cultivars (Formosa: 4.0%, Oishiwase: 3.3%, Soldam: 6.4% for total phenolic) as well as the total flavonoids of which constituents were mainly myricetin and anthocyanidin. The antioxidant activities were measured by DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, and SOD-like activities. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of Korean plum extracts (200 µg/mL) showed more than 43%, and the Soldam turned out to be the highest : ID(50) value: 160-177 µg/mL for Formosa and Oishiwase; 58-64 µg/mL for Soldam. The ABTS radical scavenging activity of Korean plum extracts (200 µg/mL) was found to be more than 50%. The SOD-like activity of Korean plum extracts (200 µg/mL) showed more than 70%. Among three kinds of cultivars, Soldam had the highest antioxidant activity. The nitrite scavenging activity of Soldam was 61.5%, which is the highest, compared with that of the other cultivars, about 50%. From these results, Korean plums turned out to be phytochemical rich fruit as well as to show high antioxidant activities.

Two lipid peroxidation inhibitors, designated as betulinans A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the MeOH extract of Lenzites betulina. The structures of these compounds have been determined to be 2,5-diphenyl-3,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone and 2-phenyl-3-methoxy-[1H-2-benzopyran][4,3-e][p]benzoquinone, respectively, on the basis of various spectral data. Betulinans A and B inhibited lipid peroxidation with IC50 values of 0.46 and 2.88 micrograms/mL, respectively.

Korean raspberry, Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM), contains high concentrations of phenolic compounds, which prevent oxidative stress. To determine the effect of RCM on antioxidant capacity in humans, we assessed in vivo lipid oxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities from plasma in 15 healthy men. The subjects ingested 30 g of freeze-dried RCM daily for 4 weeks. Blood was taken at baseline and at the end of the study to determine blood lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose, liver function, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities. RCM supplementation had no effect on blood lipid or fasting plasma glucose concentrations but decreased alkaline phosphatase activity. RCM supplementation increased glutathione peroxidase activities (P < 0.05) but had no effect on lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that short-term RCM supplementation may offer health benefits by enhancing antioxidant capacity in a healthy population.