The characterization and quantitative analysis of anthocyanins in four purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties (Borami, Mokpo 62, Shinzami, and Zami) cultivated in Korea were carried out by HPLC/diode array detector (DAD), HPLC-TOF/MS, and HPLC-MS/MS analyses. For the identification of anthocyanins, molecular formulas were first calculated by using the exact mass data of the molecular ions ([M](+)). The patterns of isotope ions of M(+) were also monitored to confirm the assignment of the molecular formulas. HPLC-MS(2) analysis was further conducted for elucidating their molecular structures. Twenty-seven different anthocyanins were tentatively identified in the sweet potatoes. Six of them are the first reported in sweet potatoes roots. The quantity and profiles of anthocyanins in sweet potatoes varied greatly with variety. Borami was found, for the first time, to be a rare sweet potato variety with an exceptionally high quantity of pelargonidin-based anthocyanins.

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The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular biological efficacy of aqueous extract of Anthriscus sylvestris leaves (AE-ASL) in alleviating inflammation and improving articular cartilage in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat experimental models with carrageen-induced paw edema and destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). In the carrageen-induced paw edema model, AE-ASL significantly inhibited the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the experimental groups (orally administered 50, 100, 200 mg/kg of body weight for weeks) compared to the control group (1% carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats). In the DMM, AE-ASL (50, 100, 200 mg/kg of body weight for 8 weeks) was orally administered daily and the normal and placebo groups were orally administered drinking water daily. AE-ASL significantly inhibited the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -3, -13 (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13) and disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 (ADAMTS-4) in the experimental groups compared to the groups administered drinking water. Moreover, it was confirmed at each serum level, that the amounts of aggrecan and collagen type II increased in the experimental group compared with the groups administered drinking water. Based on these results, it was confirmed that AE-ASL was effective in alleviating inflammation and improving joints in in vivo experiments. Taken together, the results suggest that AE-ASL may be used as a health functional food for the improvement of articular cartilage.