The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of red beet (Merlin sprout and root) extract. The free radical scavenging activity, EC50 of Merlin sprout extract and Merlin root extract were measured at 1.687 μg/mL and 7.457 μg/mL, respectively. The total polyphenol content of the Merlin sprout extracts was observed to higher than that of the Merlin root extracts. Next, we investigated the effect of Merlin sprout and Merlin root extract on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The Merlin sprout extract showed a higher NO production inhibitory effect compared to the Merlin root extract at 400 μg/mL concentration. In addition, treatment with the Merlin sprout extract significantly suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression levels. Furthermore, the Merlin sprout extract reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in a concentration-dependent manner. From these results, it appears that it would be beneficial to use the Merlin sprout extract in the food industry and for the development of safe antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances.

Background/Aim: Lapathoside A, a phenylpropanoid ester, was isolated from the roots of buckwheat by searching for bioactive compounds against human pancreatic cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Buckwheat root extracts, prepared by 70% ethanol, were separated into n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water fraction by solvent partitioning. Seven fractions were obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction by liquid chromatography, and fraction No. 6 contained lapathoside A. The effects of lapathoside A on Panc-1 and SNU-213 human pancreatic cancer cell lines were examined. Results: The structure of lapathoside A was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Next, we investigated whether lapathoside A has anticancer activity in human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and SNU-213). After treatment with 25 μM lapathoside A, viability of PANC-1 and SNU-213 cells decreased to about 40 and 27%, respectively. In addition, lapathoside A treatment also increased apoptosis while affecting the expression levels of apoptotic proteins. Conclusion: The effect of lapathoside A on apoptosis was confirmed in pancreatic cancer cell lines, supporting the application of lapathoside A in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and its 5-year relative survival rate is about 9% (1, 2). According to the report of American cancer society in 2018, deaths from pancreatic cancer have been steadily rising worldwide over the last decade (3). In addition, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the USA, accounting for 7% of all deaths caused by cancer (3). Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy over the past several years, pancreatic cancer still has a very poor prognosis. When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the cancer has already spread to other organs, making it difficult for most patients to undergo surgery. This is because pancreatic cancer does not show symptoms until disease progresses (4, 5). In addition, pancreatic cancer is resistant to chemotherapy or radiation therapy, so this treatment has limited effectiveness (6-8). Therefore, it is very important to find new drug candidates in natural products for pancreatic cancer treatment (9).Buckwheat is a common pseudo-cereal plant of the genus Fagopyrum in the family Polygonaceae. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) are mainly cultivated species. F. esculentum has a strong adaptability to the environment and is grown worldwide in areas such as Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America (10).According to previous studies, buckwheat seeds contain not only complex carbohydrates, but also many healthimportant ingredients such as natural antioxidants, minerals, dietary fiber, flavones, flavonoids, phytosterols, and pagopyrins (11-13). Although the composition in these compounds varies depending on the species, growth environment, and...