• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2011

Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng, is one of the oldest herbal medicines. It has a variety of physiological and pharmacological effects. Recently, we isolated a subset of glycolipoproteins that we designated gintonin, and demonstrated that it induced transient change in intracellular calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ in cells via G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway(s). The previous method for gintonin isolation included multiple steps using methanol, butanol, and other organic solvents. In the present study, we developed a much simple method for the preparation of gintonin from ginseng root using 80% ethanol extraction. The extracted fraction was designated edible gintonin. This method produced a high yield of gintonin (0.20%). The chemical characteristics of gintonin such as molecular weight and the composition of the extract product were almost identical as the gintonin prepared using the previous extraction regimen involving various organic solvents. We also examined the physiological effects of edible gintonin on endogenous $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^-$ channel activity of Xenopus oocytes. The 50% effective dose was $1.03{\pm}0.3\;{\mu}g$/mL. Finally, since gintonin preparation through ethanol extraction is easily reproducible, gintonin could be commercially applied for ginseng-derived functional health food and/or drug following the confirmations of in vitro and in vivo physiological and pharmacological effects of gintonin.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5117-5121
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• 2014

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as an EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used as a tumorigenic model. These were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, were subsequently down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated disease.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2011

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in gonad development. This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the GnRHR gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GnRHR gene on sex steroid level in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the GnRHR gene in 75 individuals. We identified three SNPs in the GnRHR gene: P1 locus (C759A and C830T) in the coding region of exon2 which were both linked together and P2 locus (G984T) in the coding region of exon3, which added a new transcript factor (ADR1) and a new methylation site (CG). Only C830T of P1 leads to amino acid changes Thr266Ile. Statistical analysis showed that P1 was significantly associated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level (p<0.01) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype BB of P1 had significantly higher serum $E_2$ levels (p<0.01) and GSI (p<0.05) than those of genotype AA or AB. Another SNP, P2, synonymous mutation, was significantly associated with GSI (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AB of P2 had significantly higher GSI (p<0.05) than that of genotype AA. In addition, there was a significant association between one diplotype based on three SNPs and reproductive traits. The genetic effects for both serum $E_2$ level and GSI of diplotype D4 were super diplotypes (p<0.05). These results suggest that the SNPs in Japanese Flounder GnRHR are associated with $E_2$ level and GSI.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.177-196
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• 2006

Objective : This experimental study was designed to determine the effects of BPT on obesity in vivo and in vitro. Methods : in vitro, BPTn extracts of various concentration(50, 100, 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$) were added in 3T3-L1 cell. Adipocyte differentiation was measured by Oil Red O staining and Morphological examination. The expression of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ receptor was measured by western blot assay and RT-PCR in vivo, Rats were orally administered BPT daily for consecutive four weeks before poloxamer-407 induced hyperlipidemic state. The rats were sacrificed 24 hrs later for poloxamer-407 treated and then serum triglyceride, total cholesterol were measured ; Rats were orally administered BPT daily for consecutive four weeks before triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidemic state. The rats were sacrificed 40 hrs later for triton WR-1339 treated and then serum triglyceride, total cholesterol were measured ; Rats with obesity were induced by the high fat-diet for six weeks and then serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, hydroxy radical, superoxide dismuatse activity were measured. Results : In vitro, The 3T3-L1 cells' differentiation was significantly decreased by BPT. The expression of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $C/EBP{\beta}$ was decreased by BPT. In vivo, BPT significantly reduced serum triglyceride, total cholesterol contents in poloxamer-407 treated rat. BPT significantly reduced serum triglyceride contents in Triton WR-1339 treated rat. Total cholesterol also reduced but did not show a significant change. BPT significantly reduced body weight gain of rat and adipose tissue mass of rats and serum triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol contents and significantly increased HDL-cholesterol, HTR(HDL-cholesterol/Total-cholesterol) in rats with obesity induced by the high fat-diet. BPT reduced blood lipid peroxide, hydroxy radical and increased superoxide dismuatse(SOD) activity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2011

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are present in many consumer products ranging from fabrics to plastics and electronics. Wide use of flame retardants can pose an environmental hazard, which makes it important to determine the mechanism of their toxicity. In the present study, dose-dependent toxicity of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a flame retardant, was examined in male prepubertal rats (postnatal day 18) treated orally with TBBPA at 0, 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg for 30 days. There were no differences in body weight gain between the control and TBBPA-treated groups. However, absolute and relative liver weights were significantly increased in high dose of TBBPA-treated groups. TBBPA treatment led to significant induction of CYP2B1 and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) expression in the liver. In addition, serum thyroxin (T4) concentration was significantly reduced in the TBBPA treated group. These results indicate that repeated exposure to TBBPA induces drug-metabolising enzymes in rats through the CAR signaling pathway. In particular, TBBPA efficiently produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) through CYP2B1 induction in rats. We measured 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of DNA oxidative damage, in the kidney, liver and testes of rats following TBBPA treatment. As expected, TBBPA strongly induced the production of 8-OHdG in the testis and kidney. These observations suggest that TBBPA-induced target organ toxicity may be due to ROS produced by metabolism of TBBPA in Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.429-436
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• 2016

Purpose: Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes inflammation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) overexpression and extracellular matrix depletion, leading to skin photoaging such as wrinkle formation, dryness, and sagging. Activation of MMP is influenced by various molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), proinflammatory cytokines, and transient receptor potential vanilloid type (TRPV)-1, which are increased in UV-irradiated skin cells. Aralia elata (AE) ethanolic extract was reported to inhibit ROS generation caused by UVB-irradiation in keratinocytes. In this study, we investigated the photoprotective effect of AE ethanolic extract on UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Methods: AE was freeze-dried, extracted in 70% ethanol, and concentrated. Skin cells were treated with AE extract for 24 h and then exposed to UVB ($55mJ/cm^2$). After 48 h of incubation, proinflammatory cytokines, MMP-1, type-1 procollagen, and TRPV-1 levels were measured by ELISA or Western blotting. Results: Treatment with AE extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited UVB-induced IL-6, IL-8, and $PGE_2$ production in HaCaT by 25.6%, 5.3%, and 70.2%, respectively, and also inhibited elevation of MMP-1 and TRPV-1 caused by UVB irradiation by 20.0% and 41.9%, respectively (p < 0.05). In HDF, AE extract treatment significantly inhibited both elevation of MMP-1 and reduction of type-1 procollagen caused by UVB irradiation (p < 0.05). In addition, type-1 procollagen was elevated by AE extract treatment in normal HDFs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: AE 70% ethanol extract has photoprotective ability via reduction of proinflammatory mediators, TRPV-1 and MMP-1 production, and elevation of collagen synthesis. Our findings suggest that AE extract might be a good natural material to protect against UVB-induced premature skin aging.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.432-435
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• 2002

The ultimate study of this research is to improve the properties of digital X-ray receptor based on amorphous selenium. There are being two prominent studying for Digital Radiography. Direct and Indirect method of Digital Radiography are announced for producing high quality digital image. But each two systems have strength and weakness. This is a basic research for developing of Hybrid digital radiography which is a new type X-ray detector. ln this study, we investigated the electrical characteristic of multi-layer$(CaWO_4+a-Se)$ as a photoconductor according to the changing iodine composition ratio. The iodine composition ratio of a-Se compound is classified into 5 different kinds which have 30ppm, 100ppm, 300ppm, 500ppm, 700ppm and were made test sample throught thermo-evaporation. The phosphor layer of $CaWO_4$ was overlapped on a-Se using EFIRON optical adhesives. We measured the dark and photo current about the test sample and compared the electrical characteristic of the net charge and signal-to-noise ratio. Among other things, test sample of compound material of 700ppm iodine showed good characteristic of $2.53nA/cm^2$ dark current and $479nC/cm^2{\cdot}mR$ net charge at $3V/{\mu}m$.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.178-185
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• 2016

This study was designed to develop and to qualify a coffee alternative beverage using a mixture of coffee beans and roasted black beans (Rhynchosia nulubilis). Therefore, the total isoflavone content (TIC), total phenol content (TPC), antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, NFATc1 (Nuclear factor of activated T-cells c1) expression in RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and sensory evaluation were measured for 5 different Cb (coffee bean)-RoS (roasted seomoktae) mixture extracts (Cb100RoS0, Cb75RoS25, Cb50RoS50, Cb25RoS75, and Cb0RoS100). Cb0RoS100 had the highest TIC ($516.83{\pm}36.61mg/100g$) and TPC ($18.11{\pm}1.77mg$ TAE/100 g) along with the highest antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity ($73.55{\pm}8.11%$) and ABTS radical scavenging activity ($63.27{\pm}7.27%$). Also, Cb0RoS100 showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity as measured by NO production ($13.57{\pm}2.21{\mu}M$) and PGE2 production ($3.25{\pm}0.21ng/mL$). The more the RoS ratio was increased in the mixtures of Cb-RoS, the more the NFATc1 protein expression was decreased in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In case of sensory evaluation, Cb50RoS50 had the highest scores for flavor, delicate flavor and overall quality, which were similar to those in Cb alone (Cb100RoS0). We suggest that the use of RoS replacement instead of Cb in/as a coffee alternative beverage may help to reduce the risk of caffeine-related bone loss and/or bone disease by effectively blocking NFATc1 expression in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells compared with Cb alone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.523-528
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• 2017

This study investigate the effects of extracts of five species of Korean native forest plants on lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Our results show that Korean native forest plants extracts significantly reduced lipid accumulation and ROS production during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Especially, Rubus coreanus Miq. was most effective in the inhibition of lipid accumulation and ROS production at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. Moreover, Rubus coreanus Miq. extracts significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation, which is dependent on down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, and adipocyte-specific fatty acid binding protein, a key adipogenic transcription factor. Therefore, these results suggest that Rubus coreanus Miq. might be a valuable source of bioactive compounds with anti-adipogenic activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.398-405
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng has been used as a tonic for invigoration of the human body. In a previous report, we identified a novel candidate responsible for the tonic role of ginseng, designated gintonin. Gintonin induces $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient in animal cells via lysophosphatidic acid receptor activation. Gintonin-mediated $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient is linked to anti-Alzheimer's activity in transgenic Alzheimer's disease animal model. The previous method for gintonin preparation included multiple steps. The aim of this study is to develop a simple method of gintonin fraction with a high yield. Methods: We developed a brief method to obtain gintonin using ethanol and water. We extracted ginseng with fermentation ethanol and fractionated the extract with water to obtain water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions. The water-insoluble precipitate, rather than the water-soluble supernatant, induced a large $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient in primary astrocytes. We designated this fraction as gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF). Results: The yield of GEF was approximately 6-fold higher than that obtained in the previous gintonin preparation method. The apparent molecular weight of GEF, determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was equivalent to that obtained in the previous gintonin preparation method. GEF induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient in cortical astrocytes. The effective dose (ED50) was $0.3{\pm}0.09{\mu}g/mL$. GEF used the same signal transduction pathway as gintonin during $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient induction in mouse cortical astrocytes. Conclusion: Because GEF can be prepared through water precipitation of ginseng ethanol extract and is easily reproducible with high yield, it could be commercially utilized for the development of gintoninderived functional health food and natural medicine.