Antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-diabetic effects of fermented and non-fermented Dendropanax morbifera extracts were compared to assess the potential utility of this species in the development of healthoriented food. The non-fermented extract (NFDE) was obtained from leaves and branches of D. morbifera and the fermented extract (FDE) was prepared by inoculation with Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis after extraction of D. morbifera with distilled water. Antioxidant activity before and after fermentation was assessed via the α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, cytotoxicity analyzed with the MTT assay using 3T3-L1 cells and anti-diabetic activity measured based on inhibition of α-glucosidase activity. The D. morbifera extract exhibited substantial antioxidant activity. Moreover, FDE at 24 h exerted more significant antioxidant effects than NFDE (97.1 vs 89.8%) at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. Comparison of the effects of the non-fermented and fermented extracts on 3T3-L1 cell viability revealed slightly higher cytotoxicity of FDE than NFDE (85 vs 95% viability) at a concentration of 500 µg/ml. Both NFDE and FDE (100 µg/ml) exerted strong α-glucosidase inhibitory effects (98.9 and 97.6%, respectively). In view of the low cytotoxicity coupled with significant antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects, the D. morbifera extract presents a novel candidate for the production of functional anti-diabetic agents with minimal side-effects.

Korean ginseng is a traditional medicine that is widely used in Korea. In this study, a proteomic approach was used to investigate variations in Korean ginseng isolates that are associated with ecologic and geographic differences. Ginseng samples were collected from four geographically isolated locations in Korea: North gyeonggi, Gochang, Geumsan and Kanghwa. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and peptide fingerprinting of tryptic digests by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) revealed primary ginseng root region-specific variations in protein profiles in these distinct areas. Thirty seven (37) major proteins that are common to the main root of ginseng at all four geographic sites and six proteins that are specific to the main root of a local ginseng (Kanghwa) were identified. Most of the major common proteins identified could be classified into the following functional categories: (i) stress response; (ii) transcription and translation; (iii) nucleotide metabolism; (iv) plant hormone response; (v) signal transduction; (vi) protein degradation; (vii) protein destination and storage; and (viii) unassigned. The results show that Korean ginseng species can be distinguished on the basis of classical proteomics.