Mushrooms collected from Deogyu mountain, Korea, in 2011, were identified as four classes, four orders, 13 families, 22 genera, and 33 species. In particular, agaricales was most abundant and comprised more than 70%. Their antioxidant activities were estimated using three different bioassay methods, the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, and reducing power assay. As a result, the methanol extracts of Stereum ostrea, Laetiporus sulphureus var. miniatus, and Tyromyces sambuceus exhibited potent antioxidant activity in all bioassays tested.
Agaricales ; Biological Assay ; Biphenyl Compounds ; Humans ; Korea ; Methanol ; Ostrea ; Picrates

Since oxidative stresses are involved in gastroenteritis and diarrhea, we investigated antioxidative and antidiarrheal activities of persimmon flesh extract (PFE) and persimmon calyx extract (PCE) in vitro and in vivo, respectively. PCE significantly scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) from 500 microg/mL, although PFE was ineffective. In addition, PFE and PCE exhibited strong nitric oxide-scavenging effects from 1 microg/mL, in which PCE was superior to ascorbic acid (50 microM). Furthermore, PFE and PCE significantly inhibited FeCl3-induced lipid peroxidation as well as Cu2+/H2O2-induced protein oxidation from 10 microg/mL. In vivo charcoal-propulsion assay, in contrast to a negligible effect of PFE, treatment with PCE (160-500 mg/kg) markedly inhibited intestinal motility. The results indicate that extracts of persimmon, especially PCE, possess antioxidative, antiinflammatory and antidiarrheal activities. Therefore, it is suggested that persimmon extracts could be used for the relief of gastroenteritis and diarrhea.
Ascorbic Acid ; Biphenyl Compounds ; Diarrhea ; Diospyros ; Gastroenteritis ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Oxidative Stress ; Picrates

Flavonoids are known to be effective scavengers of free radicals. In particular, proanthocyanidins are flavonoids that possess cardiovascular protection, antioxidative activities, and immunomodulatory activities. Here, we evaluated proanthocyanidin contents in the total polyphenolic compounds of pine needle extracts prepared by hot water, ethanol, hexane, hot water-hexane (HWH), and hot water-ethanol (HWE). Analysis of each extract indicated that the ethanol extract contained the highest proanthocyanidin concentration. The HWH and hexane extracts also contained relatively high concentrations of proanthocyanidin. On the other hand, proanthocyanidin content analyses out of the total polyphenolic compounds indicated that the HWH extract contained the highest content. These results suggest that HWH extraction is a suitable method to obtain an extract with a high level of pure proanthocyanidins and a relatively high yield. The HWH extract possessed superior activity in diverse antioxidative analyses such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferrous ion chelating (FIC), and ferric-ion reducing power (FRAP) assays. In addition, upon assessing the effects of the pine needle extracts on macrophages (Raw 264.7 cell), the HWH extract exhibited the highest activity. In this study, we discerned an efficient extraction method to achieve relatively pure proanthocyanidins from pine needles and evaluated the biological functions of the resulting extract, which could potentially be used for its efficacious components in functional food products.
Biphenyl Compounds ; Ethanol ; Flavonoids ; Free Radicals ; Functional Food ; Hand ; Macrophages ; Needles ; Picrates ; Proanthocyanidins ; Water

This study was conducted in order to compare the biological activities of leaf and root water extracts of Smilax china L. (SC) by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, anti-oxidant activity, inhibitory effect on alpha-glucosidase, and anti-inflammatory gene expression. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of SC leaf (SCLE) and root (SCRE) water extracts were 127.93 mg GAE/g and 39.50 mg GAE/g and 41.99 mg QE/g and 1.25 mg QE/g, respectively. The anti-oxidative activities of SCLE and SCRE were measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assay and reducing power assay. Both SCLE and SCRE scavenged radicals in a concentration-dependent manner, and SCLE showed stronger radical scavenging activity and reducing power than SCRE; however, both SCLE and SCRE exhibited lower activities than ascorbic acid. Compared to the anti-diabetic drug acarbose, which was used as a positive control, SCLE and SCRE exhibited low alpha-glucosidase inhibition activities; nevertheless, the activity of SCLE was 3.7 fold higher than that of SCRE. Finally, SCLE caused significantly decreased expression of the LPS-induced cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2 mRNA in RAW264.7 cells, indicating anti-inflammatory activity. These results indicate that SCLE might be a potential candidate as an anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agent.
Acarbose ; alpha-Glucosidases ; Ascorbic Acid ; Biphenyl Compounds ; China ; Cytokines ; Gene Expression ; Picrates ; RNA, Messenger ; Smilax ; Water

The study elucidated carbohydrase inhibition, anti-cancerous, free radical scavenging properties and also investigated the DNA and protein protection abilities of methanolic root extract of Rumex crispus (RERC). For this purpose, pulverized roots of Rumex crispus was extracted in methanol (80% and absolute conc.) for 3 hrs for 60degrees C and filtered and evaporated with vacuum rotary evaporator. RERC showed high phenolic content (211 microg/GAE equivalent) and strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging (IC50 = 42.86 (absolute methanol) and 36.91 microg/mL (80% methanolic extract)) and reduced power ability. Furthermore, RERC exhibited significant protective ability in H2O2/Fe3+/ascorbic acid-induced protein or DNA damage and percentage inhibition of the HT-29 cell growth rate following 80% methanolic RERC exposure at 400 microg/mL was observed to be highest (10.2% +/- 1.03). Moreover, methanolic RERC inhibited alpha-glucosidase and amylase effectively and significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusively, RERC could be considered as potent carbohydrase inhibitor, anti-cancerous and anti-oxidant.
alpha-Glucosidases ; Amylases ; Biphenyl Compounds ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Glycoside Hydrolases ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Methanol ; Phenol ; Picrates ; Power (Psychology) ; Rumex ; Vacuum

In this study, we investigated the in vitro antioxidative effects, antimicrobial activities and single oral dose toxicity of the extracts from Samwhang-sasimtang to evaluate its use as a functional ingredient in cosmetics. In the antioxidative effect, the ethanol extract from Samwhang-sasimtang (SSE) had higher antioxidant values of 91.9% at 1,000 microgram/mL than that of water extract from Samwhang-sasimtang (SSW, 77.0%) when evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation decolorization of SSE was 82.2%, higher than that of the SSW (55.0%) and the antioxidant protection factors (APF) of SSW and SSE were 1.64 and 1.62 at 1,000 microgram/mL in concentration, respectively. This study was also undertaken to test the in vitro antimicrobial activity with the extracts of Samwhang-sasimtang. In general, the SSE showed the significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In single oral dose toxicity study, there were no differences in vivo were observed between control and treated groups in clinical signs, body weight gains, and gross finding. The results indicated that SSE did not show any toxic effects at 10 mL/kg in mice, and the LD50 of SSE was found to be higher than 10 mL/kg in this experiment. In conclusion, the extracts from Samwhang-sasimtang may act as a natural subsistence for functional cosmetics.
Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; Body Weight ; Cosmetics ; Ethanol ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mice ; Picrates ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Water

In the present study, an attempt to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of fungal endophytes inhabiting Emblica officinalis has been made keeping in view the medicinal importance of the selected host plant in Indian traditional practices. A total of four endophytic fungi belonging to Phylum Ascomycetes were isolated from different parts of the plant which were characterized morphologically and by using rDNA-internal transcribed spacer. The most frequently isolated endophyte was Phomopsis sp. The antioxidant activity by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power assay, and total phenol were evaluated using ethanolic extract of endophytic fungi. DPPH activities in all the ethanolic extract increased with the increase in concentrations. Endophytes, Phomopsis sp. and Xylaria sp. showed highest antioxidant activity and also had the higher levels of phenolics. Antimicrobial activity of fungal extract were tested against four bacteria namely, Escherichia coli MTCC730, Enteroccocus faecalis MTCC2729, Salmonella enterica ser. paratyphi MTCC735 and Streptococcus pyogenes MTCC1925, and the fungus Candida albicans MTCC183. In general, the fungal extracts inhibited the growth of test organisms except E. coli.
Ascomycota ; Bacteria ; Biphenyl Compounds ; Candida albicans ; Endophytes ; Escherichia coli ; Ethanol ; India ; Phenol ; Phyllanthus emblica ; Picrates ; Plants ; Salmonella enterica ; Streptococcus pyogenes

To investigate the effects of the free radical, 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picylhydrazyl, on cochlear blood flow, 20 guinea pigs were divided into 3 groups at random, 6 for control group, 6 for 1 mmol/L group and 8 for 0.1 mmol/L group. 2 microliters vehicle or drugs were dropped into round window membrane (RWM). Cochlear microcirculation was monitored by laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF), and mean arterial blood flow (MABP), which was transferred by pressure conductor sensor and preamplifier, was simultaneously recorded on the computer. Our results showed that MABP was stable throughout the experiment. Cochlear blood flow (CBF) increased by 10.32% (P < 0.05) in 1 mmol/L group, and decreased by 4.89% in 0.1 mmol/L group (P < 0.05). In control group cochlear microcirculation showed no significant changes. It is concluded that DPPH exerted effects on cochlear microcirculation.
Blood Flow Velocity ; Cochlea/*blood supply ; Free Radicals/pharmacology ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Microcirculation/drug effects ; Picrates/*pharmacology ; Random Allocation

BACKGROUND: In this study, we have investigated the effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on the production of TNF-alpha and IL-8 in human keratinocytes. Also, to examine the antioxidative effect of red ginseng extracts, free radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in human dermal fibroblasts was measured. METHODS: To investigate the effect of KRG in atopic dermatitis, we measured the level of TNF-alpha and IL-8 secretion in LPS-stimulated human keratinocytes after the treatment of KRG extracts using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-oxidative activity was investigated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and SOD activity. RESULTS: The stimulation of human keratinocytes with KRG extracts shifted the LPS-induced cytokine secretion toward a more immunosuppressive response. KRG dose-dependently decreased TNF-alpha and IL-8 production in HaCaT cells and a significant inhibition of TNF-alpha was shown when cells were treated with 500 and 1,000 microg/ml of KRG extracts. Additionally, KRG extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging and SOD activity in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, SOD activities of concentrations higher than 60 microg/ml of KRG extracts were significantly different in human dermal fibroblast cells. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, KRG extracts may be a useful immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Biphenyl Compounds ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; Keratinocytes ; Panax ; Picrates ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

In this study, we investigated the in vitro antioxidative effects, antimicrobial activities and single oral dose toxicity of the extracts from Dansam-samultang to evaluate its use as a functional ingredient in cosmetics. In the antioxidative effect, the ethanol extract from Dansam-samultang (DSE) had higher antioxidant values of 92.0% at 1,000 microg/mL than that of water extract from Dansam-samultang (DSW, 86.0%) when evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The superoxide dismutase-like activity of DSW and DSE were 16.3% and 21.3% at 1,000 microg/mL in concentration, respectively. Xanthine oxidase inhibition activity of the DSE was higher 51.5% than that of the DSW (21.4%). This study was also undertaken to test the in vitro antimicrobial activity with the extracts of Dansam-samultang. In general, the DSE showed the significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermiders and Escherichia coli. In single oral dose toxicity study, in vivo, there were no differences between control and treated groups in clinical signs, body weight gains, and gross finding. The results indicated that DSE did not show any toxic effects at 10 mL/kg in mice, and the LD50 of DSE was found to be higher than 10 mL/kg in this experiment. In conclusion, the extracts from Dansam-samultang may act as a natural subsistence for functional cosmetics.
Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; Body Weight ; Cosmetics ; Escherichia coli ; Ethanol ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mice ; Picrates ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Superoxides ; Water ; Xanthine Oxidase