Effect of Artificial Light Treatment on the Physiological Property and Biological Activity of the Aerial and Underground Parts of Atractylodes macrocephala

Abstract

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. is primarily used as a raw material in herbal medicine to treat digestive diseases. To improve the functionality of A. macrocephala, its growth patterns under artificial light were studied. A. macrocephala grew better under MEL light, with the highest chlorophyll content (57.07 ± 0.65 SPAD), than under other artificial light sources. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of 2000 μg·mL−1 underground extract treated with LED-red light was the highest (95.3 ± 1.1%). Furthermore, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of underground extract treated with LED-green light were the highest at 24.93 ± 0.3 mg GAE·g−1 and 11.2 ± 0.3 mg QE·g−1, respectively. Moreover, in the analysis of whitening activity, the tyrosinase inhibition rate of 5000 μg·mL −1 extract treated with LED-red light was the highest (84.6 ± 2.9%). In anti-inflammatory activity assay, LPS- induced RAW 264.7 cells exposed to 100 μg·mL−1 extract treated with fluorescent light showed the lowest NO levels (2.97 ± 0.14%). Finally, the expression of iNOS and COX-2, which are related to anti-inflammatory activity, was suppressed in cells exposed to artificial light-treated extract compared with that in controls, indicating potent anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, growth under artificial light can improve the various biological functions of A. macrocephala.