title: Antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory effects of aerial parts extract from Korean crowberry (Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum).
abstract: Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum L.) is a wild berry commonly found in the northern hemisphere. Crowberry fruits have been suggested as good resources for functional applications in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, but the high polyphenolic content in crowberry leaves also indicates crowberry aerial parts as potential dietary health supplements. In this study, therefore, the biological activities of the aerial parts of Korean crowberry (E. nigrum var. japonicum) were investigated. Antioxidant activity was measured by three different assays on DPPH free radical scavenging, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacities. Dose-dependent antioxidant activities were exhibited by crude methanol extract and its fractions, suggesting that the crude methanol extract and EtOAc fraction possessed strong antioxidant activities and capacities. In addition, the crude methanol extract and EtOAc strongly inhibited α-glucosidase activity and suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediator and nitrite oxide from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These findings provide valuable evidence for the potential of such parts as good dietary sources of natural antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory, and anti-inflammatory components, suggesting that using the non-edible parts (e.g., leaves and stems) of crowberry can be a potential natural avenue for improving human health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Plant Science & Technology, College of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Kyung
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Hallasan, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province 690-816, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoun-Chol
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Majors in Plant Resource and Environment, College of Applied Life Sciences, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yeong-Jong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Majors in Plant Resource and Environment, College of Applied Life Sciences, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Republic of Korea; The Research Institute for Subtropical Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jeju National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antioxidant activity; Crowberry; α-Glucosidase