The antioxidative capacity of 4 Lactobacillus strains, isolated from a milk product, was evaluated by measuring total antioxidative ability (TAA) and resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Both intact cells and intracellular cell‐free extracts of Lactobacillus casei KCTC 3260 demonstrated the highest antioxidative activity and inhibited lipid peroxidation by 46.2% and 72.9%, respectively. To evaluate the resistance of 4 Lactobacillus strains to ROS, we tested the survival under conditions of 1 mM hydrogen peroxide, 0.4 mM hydroxyl radicals, and 10 mM paraquat‐induced superoxide anions. L. casei KCTC 3260 was viable even after 8 h in the presence of 1 mM hydrogen peroxide and after 7 h in 0.4 mM hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, this strain was not influenced by superoxide anions, indicating that it has resistance to superoxide anions. To define the antioxidative mechanism, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and metal ion chelating activity were determined. All tested strains did not possess detectable SOD activity except Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, but L. casei KCTC 3260 had the higher level of chelating activity for both Fe2+ and Cu2+ ions at 10.6 ppm and 21.8 ppm, respectively. These results suggested that the antioxidative capacity of L. casei KCTC 3260 may be caused by chelating metal ions instead of SOD activation.

The antioxidative capacity of two lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kimchi, a Korean fermented food, was evaluated by measuring the resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and compared with that of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as a positive control. Both intact cells and cell-free extracts of Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 3099 exhibited higher antioxidative activity in inhibiting lipid peroxidation among the strains evaluated with an inhibitory level of 38.6% and 48.5%, respectively. To evaluate the resistance of the two lactic acid bacteria to ROS, we tested their survival in the presence of 1 mM hydrogen peroxide, 0.4 mM hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide anions induced by 10 mM paraquat. L. plantarum KCTC 3099 was viable even after 8 hours in the presence of both 1 mM hydrogen peroxide and 0.4 mM hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, the survival of L. plantarum KCTC 3099 was not affected by superoxide anions generated by using paraquat, indicating that it has resistance to superoxide anions. To define the antioxidative mechanism, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and metal ion chelating activities were determined. L. plantarum KCTC 3099 presented little SOD activity, but had the higher level of chelating activity for both Fe2+ and Cu2+ metal ions at 13.6 ppm and 23.9 ppm, respectively. These results suggested that the antioxidative capacity of L. plantarum KCTC 3099 is apparently caused by chelating metal ions rather than by SOD activation.

Ferulic acid was orally administered to mice in order to investigate its effects on exercise endurance capacity. When a single administration of ferulic acid was given to the mice in an adjustable-current water pool, the duration of exhaustive swimming was longer than that exhibited by the mice in the control group. Also, when the mice were exhaustively exercised for 3 consecutive days, no change in swimming time was found in the ferulic acid-administered group on the final day, and a large decrease in the untreated mice. Administration of ferulic acid efficiently activated the hepatic antioxidative defense system during exercise. The mice that received ferulic acid showed significant increases in the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Furthermore, an increased glutathione level was observed, while the malondialdehyde content was reduced. These results suggest that ferulic acid possesses stimulatory effects that can enhance exercise endurance capacity and reduce fatigue by elevating antioxidative potentials.

EOCO suppressed both AD-related neuronal cell apoptosis and AD-related dysfunction of the memory system. Thus, the results of this study support EOCO as a candidate drug for the treatment of AD.