Aim: To investigate the anti-oxidant properties of esculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin) against H 2 O 2 -induced Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) damage. Methods: The radical scavenging activity was assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, lipid peroxidation was assayed by the measure of related substances which react with thiobarbituric acid. The amount of carbonyl formation in protein was determined using a protein carbonyl ELISA kit. As well, cellular DNA damage was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence image. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Results: Esculetin exhibited DPPH radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and intracellular ROS scavenging activities. The radical scavenging activity of esculetin resulted in the protection of cells from lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, and DNA damage induced by H 2 O 2 . Therefore, esculetin recovered cell viability exposed to H 2 O 2 . Conclusion: Esculetin efficiently attenuated the oxidative stress induced cell damage via its anti-oxidant properties. As a result, esculetin may be useful in the development of functional food and raw materials of medicine.

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A cytotoxic coumestan derivative, psoralidin (1), was isolated from the seed of Psoralea corylifolia. The IC50 values of 1 against SNU-1 and SNU-16 carcinoma cell lines were 53 and 203 micrograms/ml, respectively, indicating cytotoxic activity against stomach carcinoma cell lines.

Two new furo-1,2-naphthoquinones, crataequinones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida. The structures of two new compounds were determined as 11,12-dimethoxy-3,4-furo-1,2-naphthoquinone (1) and 11,12-dimethoxy-5-hydroxy-3,4-furo-1,2-naphthoquinone (2) by spectroscopic analysis. The two compounds 1 and 2 showed significant inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 33 and 90 microM, respectively, against the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).