Nuruk contributes to the unique characteristics of Korean alcoholic beverages. In this study, the effects of nuruk extracts (NE) on anti-oxidant characters, melanogenesis, and anti-photoaging activity were investigated. NEs were obtained from the 70% ethanol extracts of six types of nuruk, which have been used in brewing of fermented alcohol beverages in Korea. First, various antioxidant characteristics were identified in terms of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiozoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression, and inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity. NE#4 exhibited potent ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 19.51 µg/mL). Compared with NE#4, relatively lower levels of activity were observed for NE#3 and NE#6, with IC50 values of 90.99 and 76.88 µg/mL, respectively. According to results of western blot analysis for determination of SOD expression in H2O2-treated HepG2 cells, NE#5 and NE#6 induced a dramatic increase in the expression ratio of SOD, compared to the group treated with H2O2 only. Activity of xanthine oxidase, which converts xanthine into uric acid, generating superoxide ions, was inhibited by NE#4 and NE#6 in a dose-dependent manner. NE#4 induced significant inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity. A reduction in cellular melanin contents of 80% was observed in B16F1 melanocytes treated with NE#5 and NE#6; these effects were similar to those of arbutin at 100 µM. In addition, gelatin zymography and reverse transcription-PCR analysis were performed for assessment of anti-photoaging activity of Nuruk. Treatment with NE#6 resulted in dramatically inhibited activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/-9, suppressed expression of MMP-1, and increased expression of type-1 procollagen. Results of gelatin zymography for NE#4 and NE#5 were similar, to a slightly lesser degree. These results suggest the potential of NE#4 and NE#6 as natural ingredients for use in functional foods and cosmetics.

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From the lees of bokbunja wine (LBW) made from Rubus coreanus Miquel, we have identified six compounds (1: trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid; 2: trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid; 3: 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid; 4: 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid; 5: 3,5-dimethoxy-4- hydroxybenzoic acid; and 6: 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (sinapic acid)) through silica gel chromatography and UHPLC-MS. The compounds 1-6 showed strong anticoagulation and platelet aggregation inhibitory activities without hemolytic effect against human red blood cells. To date, this is the first report of the in vitro anti-thrombosis activity of sinapic acid. Our results suggest that different cinnamic and benzoic acid derivatives are closely linked to the anti-thrombosis activity of LBW, and sinapic acid could be developed as a promising anti-thrombosis agent.

Vinegar was prepared from the fruits produced in Gangwon province, and major metabolite and aroma components were investigated for acetic acid fermentation. In the case of Meoru-Bokbunja vinegar, the Lalanine content was greatly changed by acetic acid fermentation. Acetic acid had the highest content (43%) of total aromatic components, and the contents of ester compounds, such as ethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate, were significantly increased after fermentation. Omija-Makgeolli vinegar produced linalool and hexanoic acid by fermentation, and terpenoid compound was prevalent (41.5%). L-alanine was also increased in Omija-Makgeolli vinegar, similar to that of Meoru-Bokbunja vinegar. Terpene compounds, such as terpinel-4-ol and α-terpineol in Omija-Makgeolli vinegar, and ethyl acetate in Meoru-Bokbunja vinegar, were identified as major components in each aromatic formulation.