Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Content of Different Parts of Lotus and Optimization of Extraction Condition using Response Surface Methodology

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae) is commonly called lotus and its leaves are widely been used as functional ingredients due to its antioxidant activity. For maximum efficacy, optimized extraction condition was established using response surface methodology. The high F-values, low p-values and insignificant p-value for lack-of-fit supported the fitness of the model and yielded the second-order polynomial regression for the antioxidant activity. The optimized extract was obtained by the extraction of 1 g of lotus leaves with 40 mL of 50% MeOH at 10.0℃, which exerted 70.1% antioxidant activity. Close correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity suggested phenolic compounds as active constituents of lotus leaves. In addition, comparison of different parts of lotus demonstrated the most potent antioxidant activity of flowers, followed by leaves and roots. Taken together, these results provide useful information about lotus leaves for the development as antioxidant ingredients. In addition, flowers and roots as well as leaves are suggested as good sources for antioxidant activity.

Two New Caffeoyl Threonate Esters from the Leaves of Toxicodendron vernicifluum

Toxicodendron vernicifluum, also called as Rhus verniciflua is a deciduous tree belonging to Anacardiaceae family. Two new caffeoyl threonate esters, rhuseols A (1) and B (2), together with 5-O-(E)-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (3) were isolated from the leaves of T. vernicifluum. The structures of isolated compounds were established by using 1D and 2D NMR in combination with HR-ESI-MS. Compounds 1 – 3 showed DPPH radical scavenging effects with IC₅₀ values of 47.9, 107.8 and 15.4 µM, respectively. Taken together, these compounds might contribute to the antioxidant properties of the leaves of T. vernicifluum, which will be useful for various oxidative stress mediated diseases.

Optimization of Extraction Condition of Methyl Jasmonate-treated Wild Ginseng Adventitious Root Cultures using Response Surface Methodology

The usage of wild ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been limited due to short supply and high price. Therefore, sufficient production as well as efficient extraction of mountain ginseng are required for the development as products. In this study, wild ginseng adventitious root cultures were prepared for efficient production with advantages of fast growth and stable production. Treatment of methyl jasmonate (MJ) to wild ginseng adventitious root cultures increased the extraction yield and antioxidative activity. Further investigation on effect of extraction conditions suggested the importance of ethanol concentration on antioxidative activity and extraction yield of MJ-treated wild ginseng adventitious root cultures. Optimized extraction condition of MJ-treated wild ginseng adventitious root cultures for maximum extraction yield and antioxidative activity was determined using response surface methodology with three-level-three-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD). Extraction of 1 g MJ-treated wild ginseng adventitious root culture with 30 ml of 9% ethanol at 30 ℃ produced 310.2 mg extract with 71.0% antioxidative activity at 100 µg/ml. Taken together, MJ-treated wild ginseng adventitious root culture is valuable source for wild ginseng usage and optimized extraction condition can be used for the development of functional products or folk remedies.

Effect of Extraction Conditions of Green Tea on Antioxidant Activity and EGCG Content: Optimization using Response Surface Methodology

Green tea, the leaves of Camellia sinsneis (Theaceae), is generally acknowledged as the most consumed beverage with multiple pharmacological functions including antioxidant activity. This study was performed to analyze the effect of extraction conditions of green tea on its antioxidant effects using DPPH assay. Three extraction factors such as extraction solvent (EtOH, 0 – 100%), extraction time (3 – 15 min) and extraction temperature (10 – 70℃) were analyzed and optimized extraction condition for antioxidant activity of green tea extract (GTE) was determined using response surface methodology with three-level-three-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD). Regression analysis showed a good fit of data and the optimal conditions of extraction were found to be 57.7% EtOH, 15 min and 70℃. Under this condition, antioxidant activity of experimental data was 88.4% which was almost fit to the ideal value of 88.6%. As epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is known for the major ingredient for antioxidant activity of green tea, we investigated the effect of EGCG on antioxidant activity of GTE. EGCG showed antioxidant activity with the IC50 value of 4.2 µg/ml and a positive correlation was observed between EGCG content and the antioxidant activity of GTE with R2 = 0.7134. Interestingly, however, GTE with 50 – 70% antioxidant activity contain less than 1.0 µg/ml of EGCG, which is much lower than IC50 value of EGCG. Therefore, we suppose that EGCG together with other constituents contribute to antioxidant activity of GTE. Taken together, these results suggest that green tea is more beneficial than EGCG alone for antioxidant ability and optimal extraction condition of green tea will be useful for the development of food and pharmaceutical applications.

The Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of Methylprednisolone in Korean Renal Transplant Recipients / 대한신장학회잡지

Glucocorticoids are usually given according to a standard dosing protocol regardless of individual difference. We evaluated the pharmacokinetic characteristics of methylprednisolone and the degree of interpatient variation in stable Korean renal transplant recipients during the period of 15-21 days after transplantation. This study included 23 renal transplant recipients, 13 males and 10 females, who received kidneys from living donors with stable graft function and without episode of acute rejection. On the study day at 8 A.M., 16.3mg of ethylprednisolone sodium succinate (i.v.) was administered to each patient instead of usual dose (20mg) of prednisolone (p.o.) after sampling of 7cc of baseline blood and additional blood samples were drawn after starting infusion. Plasma was separated and analyzed for methylprednisolone level using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay, and parameters for pharmacokinetics were calculated. There was significant interpatient variation in the pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone in our patients group. There was no significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters between patients with and without side effects of steroid. Korean renal transplant recipients had higher volume of distribution than black renal transplant recipients; lower clearance than white renal transplant recipients; longer t1/2 than both black and white renal transplant recipients. Even if the number of patients included in this study was too small to reach conclusion, the differences in the pharmacokinetics of glucocorticoids do not seem to be a significant risk factor for side effects of steroid after transplantation. It may be necessary to individualize the dose of a glucocorticoid to achieve an optimal effect and also we need to establish a new steroid regimen protocol for Korean renal transplant recipients.

A Case of Uncrossed Complete Ureteral Duplication with Upper System Reflux and Caudal Orthotopic Orifice with Ureterocele / 대한비뇨기과학회지

We report a case of uncrossed complete ureteral duplication with the orifice of the upper system ureter opening in the cranial and lateral positionin the bladder. There was reflux only to the upper system of the duplex kidney and the orifice of the lower system ureter in caudal position was associated with a ureterocele, and the lower pole system was large and non-functioning. The patient was treated successfully by lower pole heminephrectomy and ureterectomy.

Percutaneous Nephrostomy in Patients with Ureteral Obstruction Secondary to Pelvic Tumor / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Percutaneous nephrostomy was done in 18 cases for ureteral obstruction secondary to advanced pelvic malignancy from Jan.1990 to Apr.1993. The most common site of the primary malignancy was cervix ( 77% ). The mean survival time after diversion was 4.2 months ; 22.2% (4/18) of the patients lived more than 6 months, and 1 patient is alive at 4 months. In 4 patients the renal function was not improved, whose mean survival time was 1.4 months. We consider that close. periodic follow-up is mandatory to detect the ureteral obstruction in patients With malignant pelvic tumor and early management may improve the survival time. The patients who had previously urinary diversion for unilateral ureteral obstruction should be evaluated periodically for contralateral renal function. However, the exact criteria for the selection of patients for urinary diversion is, not obvious.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism with a Ureteral Stone: Report of a Case / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by symptoms and signs of hypoparathyroidism in association with distinctive skeletal and developmental defects. The pseudohypoparathyroidism is due to deficient end organ response to the endogenous hormone. It is represented by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone and hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands, a response to the resistance to hormone action at the target tissues, kidney and bone. We report an unusual case of Albright syndrome associated with a ureteral stone in 3.5 years old female patient.

Colony Formation Assay and Chemosensitivity Test for Urologic Malignancies: A Preliminary Report / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Use of the Hamburger-Salmon soft agar assay method for in vitro chemotherapy sensitivity testing was tried. In this assay, double soft agar was used to culture 9 human urologic tumors, including 2 renal adenocarcinomas, one Wilms' tumor, 4 bladder transitional cell carcinomas, one paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma and one penile squamous cell carcinoma. Among these cancers, Wilms' tumor and penile carcinoma grew to the extent that they could be used in chemosensitivity testing in soft agar (> or =30 colonies per control plate). It is concluded from this study that in vitro chemosensitivity testing by colony formation assay may be a useful tool in the treatment of urologic cancers, but more experiences should be gathered.

A Case of Subcutaneous Tissue Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Renal cell carcinoma is highly malignant and metastatic, but only single organ metastasis is rare. A case of contralateral subcutaneous tissue metastasis of renal cell carcinoma is presented with review of literatures.

Nonfunctioning Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma: A case report / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Adrenal cortical carcinoma is classified clinically as functioning and nonfunctioning and the latter is though to be extremely rare and causes generally mass effect or symptoms due to metastasis because of insufficient steroid secretion. We report a case of nonfunctioning adrenal cortical carcinoma, which is thought to be heterotopic origin.

A Case of Penile Cancer Transformed from the Giant Condyloma Acuminata / 대한비뇨기과학회지

The incidence of Giant Condyloma Acuminata of the penis is unknown but considered rare. They are similar to condyloma acuminata, histologically and grossly similar to squamous cell ca. Most authorists consider that they get the real possibility of malignant change and they had been first described by Buschke in the German literatures in l896 as a variant of condyloma acuminata. A case of malignancy of the penis which has apparently transformed from Giant Condyloma Acuminata of the penis is herein presented with review of related literatures.

A Case of Infected Urachal Sinus / 대한비뇨기과학회지

The urachus lies between the peritoneum and transversalis fascia and extend from the anterior dome of the bladder toward the umbilicus. The urachal sinus is opened at the umbilicus superiority and not connected with the bladder. This may become symptomatic at any age with an infected discharge. We experienced a case of infected urachal sinus in a 21 years old girl, so we report this case with review of literatures.