• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.231-238
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• 2013

Perilla frutescens, which comprises var. frutescens and var. crispa, has been cultivated traditionally in Asian countries as an edible oil, leaf vegetable, and medicinal crop. To evaluate the lipophilic phytonutrient properties of P. frutescens, we selected 54 Perilla accessions [19 landraces of var. frutescens (FL), 22 weedy type var. frutescens (FW), 9 weedy type var. crispa (CW), 2 cultivars of var. frutescens widely cultivated for seed oil (FCS), and 2 cultivars of var. frutescens cultivated as a leaf vegetable (FCL)] and analyzed their seeds and leaves for vitamin E, squalene, and phytosterols. Among the four vitamin E isomers analyzed, ${\gamma}$-tocopherol was the major form of vitamin E in seeds, whereas ${\alpha}$-tocopherol was the major form in leaves of all types of P. frutescens. The highest total vitamin E content in seeds was present in FL ($170.0mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$), whereas that in leaves was highest in FCL ($358.1mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$). The highest levels of squalene in seeds and leaves were in FL ($65.5mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) and CW ($719.3mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$), respectively. Among the three phytosterols, ${\beta}$-sitosterol occurred in the highest amount in both leaves and seeds of all of the crop types. Phytonutrient contents were comparatively higher in leaves than in seeds of all crop types. All of these results suggest that the consumption of leaves and seeds of Perilla crops could be beneficial to human health, as Perilla possesses considerable amounts of various lipophilic compounds.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.199-204
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• 2011

To characterize phytonutrients, the seeds of 12 purple Perilla (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) accessions collected from Korea and Japan were used for quantitative analysis of tocopherols, phytosterols, squalene and fatty acids. The average tocopherol, squalene and phytosterols contents were 12.2 mg $100g^{-1}$, 3.99 mg $100g^{-1}$ and 77.20 mg $100g^{-1}$, respectively. Among 4 tocopherol (T) isomers (${\alpha}$-T, ${\beta}$-T, ${\gamma}$-T, and ${\delta}$-T), ${\gamma}$-T was present in the highest quantity (11.03 mg $100g^{-1}$) with the least variation (CV = 13.7%), while ${\beta}$-T was present in lowest quantity (0.25 mg 1$100g^{-1}$). Compared to campesterol (4.36 mg $100g^{-1}$) and stigmasterol (13.32 mg $100g^{-1}$), ${\beta}$-sitosterol exhibited higher quantity (59.51 mg $100g^{-1}$) with 9.5% of variation. The major fatty acids were unsaturated fatty acids such as linolenic (61.5%), linoleic (17.3%), and oleic (9.9%) acids compared to saturated ones: palmitic (7.6%) and stearic (3.7%) acids. When Korean and Japanese accession were compared, almost no difference in content could be observed, while more variation as evaluated by CV (%) could be observed in Japanese accession in most phytonutrients suggesting wider genetic variation of purple Perilla in Japan. Presence of all above-mentioned phytonutrient compounds strongly suggested health beneficial value of purple Perilla seeds.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.975-984
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• 2018

The purpose of that was to investigate the potential of P. Herba extracts as phytonutrient active ingredients. In order to elucidate the P.Herba ethanol extracts were examined DPPH radical scavenging activity, NO production, protective effects against oxidative stress in HaCaT cells, anti-inflammatory activity, antimicrobial activity, anti-allergic effects, and inhibition of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase expression. The antioxidative activity of the P. Herba extracts was compared, and the antioxidative activity of the ethanol extract was found to be superior. No significant cytotoxicity was observed in HaCaT, RAW 264.7, and RBL-2H3 cells. The protective effect of the extracts against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) was examined in HaCaT cells, and it was found to be 83% This concentration refers to which extract ethanol at $100{\mu}g/mL$. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was examined in RAW 264.7 cells, and NO production was suppressed even at low concentrations. In addition, the concentration-dependent antimicrobial activities of the extracts were demonstrated in several bacterial strains, such as those of S.aureus, S.epidermidis and P. acnes. Based on the findings from this study, Portulacae Herba extracts could be used as physiological active substance that possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2009

To determine the effects of circulation frequency of nutrient solution, three frequencies of 10min. on/10min. off; 10min. on/110min. off; and 10min. on/1,430min. off. treatments were applied to leafy vegetable production using deep flow technique (DFT) systems and their growth and phytonutrient content were investigated. In the 10min. on/I,430min. off treatment, dissolved oxygen concentration (DOC) 17 days after treatment decreased to 2.8mg. $L^{-1}$, known to be a low DOC that causes hypoxia, and thereafter decreased to 1.5mg. $L^{-1}$ 20 days after treatment. Fresh weight of 7 leafy vegetables in the 10min. on/1,430min. off treatment was lower by 0${\sim}$24% than those in the 10min. on/110min. off treatment, and those in the 10min. on/10min. off was higher by -2${\sim}$34% than those in the 10min. on/110min. off treatment as control. As the more frequent circulation was applied, the higher phosphorous content and the lower carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) and total ascorbic acid contents were resulted. Results indicate that the circulation frequency of 110min, on/110min. off could be recommended for the production of the tested leafy vegetables in DFT systems.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.246-251
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of (-)-sesamin on memory deficits in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). MPTP lesion (30 mg/kg/day, 5 days) in mice showed memory deficits including habit learning memory and spatial memory. However, treatment with (-)-sesamin (25 and 50 mg/kg) for 21 days ameliorated memory deficits in MPTP-lesioned mouse model of PD: (-)-sesamin at both doses improved decreases in the retention latency time of the passive avoidance test and the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid, improved the decreased transfer latency time of the elevated plus-maze test, reduced the increased expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and increased the reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB). These results suggest that (-)-sesamin has protective effects on both habit learning memory and spatial memory deficits via the dopaminergic neurons and NMDA receptor-ERK1/2-CREB system in MPTP-lesioned mouse model of PD, respectively. Therefore, (-)-sesamin may serve as an adjuvant phytonutrient for memory deficits in PD patients.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.296-300
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• 2014

The present study investigated the effects of (-)-sesamin on dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells. Treatment with (-)-sesamin (25 and $50{\mu}M$) increased intracellular dopamine levels and enhanced L-DOPA-induced increase in dopamine levels in PC12 cells. (-)-Sesamin (25 and $50{\mu}M$) also induced the phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-dependent kinase A (PKA), cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in PC12 cells. These results suggest that (-)-sesamin induces dopamine biosynthesis via the PKA-CREB-TH pathways in PC12 cells. (-)-Sesamin needs to be studied further to serve as an adjuvant phytonutrient in neurodegenerative disease.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2010

The effects of sesamin on dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells were investigated. Sesamin at concentration ranges of 20-75 ${\mu}M$ significantly increased intracellular dopamine levels and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activities at 24 h: 50 ${\mu}M$ sesamin increased dopamine levels to 132% and TH activities to 128% of control levels. Sesamin (50 ${\mu}M$) induced the phosphorylation of TH, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB) for 0.5-24 h. Sesamin (50 ${\mu}M$) also increased the mRNA levels of TH and CREB for 3-24 h. In addition, sesamin (50 ${\mu}M$) associated with L-DOPA (50 and 100 ${\mu}M$) further increased the intracellular levels of dopamine for 24 h compared to L-DOPA alone. These results suggest that sesamin enhances dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced increase in dopamine levels by inducing TH activity and TH gene expression, which is mediated by PKA-CREB systems in PC12 cells. Therefore, sesamin could serve as an adjuvant phytonutrient for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.663-672
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• 2013

To characterize the nutraceutical property of Italian millet (Setaria italica) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), ten Korean landraces of each crop were collected and their vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols), squalene and phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol and ${\beta}$-sitosterol) contents as well as fatty acid composition in seeds were evaluated. Italian millet seeds exhibited 5 forms of vitamin E isomers: three (${\alpha}$-, ${\gamma}$- and ${\delta}$-) tocopherols and two (${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-) tocotrienols, while sorghum seeds showed only three forms of vitamin E isomers: ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol and ${\alpha}$-tocotrienol. In both crops, ${\gamma}$-tocopherol was the major constituent of vitamin E in terms of highest quantity. Total vitamin E content in Italian millet and sorghum landraces were 88.3 mg/kg and 44.3 mg/kg, respectively. Among three phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol and ${\beta}$-sitosterol) analyzed, ${\beta}$-sitosterol was the major form comprising about 85% and 65% in Italian millet and sorghum landraces, respectively. Total phytosterols content ranged from 443.0 to 568.5 mg/kg and 442.3 to 719.2 mg/kg in Italian millet and sorghum, respectively. Squalene, a precursor of phytosterols biosynthesis, ranged from 6.8 to 10.2 mg/kg in Italian millet and from 62.2 to 115.2 mg/kg in sorghum. Linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids were the major fatty acids in both of the crops and about 80% of the total fatty acids were unsaturated fatty acids. Among the tested landraces, M09 and S10 showed relatively higher proportion of phytonutrients, suggesting their potential as a gene source for further breeding program.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3473-3477
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• 2015

Plants and their by-products offer a diverse mixture of chemical constituents like natural antioxidants. Date-pits are rich in phenolic compounds that have antioxidant potential. The main objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of a date-pit extract (DPE) against AOM-induced colonic carcinogenicity and oxidative stress. Thirty-two weanling male Sprauge-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (eight rats in each group). All rats were fed basic diet and water ad libitum, and randomly distributed per treatment groups as follows: negative controls injected with normal saline once a week for two weeks, a cancer group injected intra-peritoneally with azoxymethane (15mg/kg body weight) for two consecutive weeks, and DPE treated groups receiving the extract via the oral route (1.5ml/day) for the entire experiment in the presence or absence of AOM injection. Results showed that DPE contained phytonutrients that were capable of inhibiting chemically-induced oxidative stress in the rat colonic cells. In those animals that consumed DPE, a protective effect was observed against AOM-induced oxidative stress in rat colonic cells as evident by a significant decrease in MDA and oxidized DCF formation in AOM injected and DPE fed groups. It is concluded that DPE has potential antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.450-461
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• 2022

Purpose: DNA damage and repair responses are induced by metabolic diseases and environmental stress. The balance of DNA repair response and the antioxidant system play a role in modulating the entire body's health. This study uses a high-fat and high-calorie (HFC) drink to examine the new roles of a plant-based multivitamin/mineral supplement with phytonutrients (PMP) for regulating the antioxidant system and cellular DNA repair signaling in the body resulting from metabolic stress. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, and placebo-controlled trial, healthy adults received a capsule containing either a PMP supplement (n = 12) or a placebo control (n = 12) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at 0, 1, and 3 hours after consuming a HFC drink (900 kcal). The blood samples were analyzed for the following oxidative stress makers: areas under the curve reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocytes MDA, urinary MDA, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and the glutathione:oxidized glutathione ratio at the time points. We further examined the related protein levels of DNA repair signaling (pCHK1 (Serine 345), p-P53 (Serine 15), and 𝛄H2AX expression) in the plasma of subjects to evaluate the time-dependent effects of a HFC drink. Results: In a previous study, we showed that PMP supplementation for eight weeks reduces the ROS and endogenous DNA damage in human blood plasma. Results of the current study further show that PMP supplementation is significantly correlated with antioxidant defense. Compared to the placebo samples, the blood plasma obtained after PMP supplementation showed enhanced DNA damage response genes such as pCHK1(Serine 345) (a transducer of DNA response) and 𝛄H2AX (a hallmark of DNA damage) during the 8 weeks trial on metabolic challenges. Conclusion: Our results indicate that PMP supplementation for 8 weeks enhances the antioxidant system against oxidative stress and prevents DNA damage signaling in humans.