• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2015

Single - and combined effects of a domestic freshwater bivalve Unio douglasiae (7.6~8.6 cm in shell length) and zooplankton Daphnia magna (1~2 mm in body size) were examined to understand whether they inhibit the growth of harmful cyanobacterial bloom (i.e. Microcystis aeruginosa) in a eutrophic lake. The experiments were triplicated with twelve glass aquaria (40 L in volume); three aquaria without mussel and zooplankton, served as a control, three zooplankton aquaria (Z, density=40 indiv. $L^{-1}$), three mussel aquaria (M, density=0.5 indiv. $L^{-1}$), and three mussel plus zooplankton aquarium (ZM, density=40 indiv.Z $L^{-1}$ plus 0.5 indiv.M/L), respectively. Algal growth inhibition (%) calculated as a difference in the concentration of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) before and after treatment. Chl-a in all aquaria decreased with the time, while a greatest algal inhibition was seen in the ZM aquaria. After 24 hrs of incubation, Chl-a concentration at the mid-depth (ca. 15 cm) in ZM aquaria reduced by 90.8% of the control, while 63.2% and 79.8% in Z and M aquaria, respectively. Interestingly, during the same period, the surface Chl-a was diminished by 51.9% and 65.4% relative to the control in Z and ZM aquaria, while 27.4% of initial concentration decreased in M aquarium, respectively. These results suggest that 1) this domestic freshwater filter-feeding bivalve plays a significant role in the control of cyanobacterial bloom (M. aeruginosa), and 2) the combination with zooplankton and mussel has a synergistic effect to diminish them, compared to the single treatment of zooplankton and mussel.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.346-354
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• 2011

This study was carried out to fortify the antimicrobial activity of yoghurt by adding liquorice extract to it. The liquorice extracts (1 mg/mL) showed relatively high antibacterial activity against H. pylori KCCM 40449 (p < 0.05). The solvent liquorice extracts of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against H. pylori KCCM 40449 were 25- 100 ${\mu}g$/mL. Lactobacillus amylovorus DU-21 with high EPS production ability were inoulated to milk after the addition of different amounts of liquorice extracts (0.0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%). The physico-chemical characteristics of yoghurts added with liquorice extracts were examined. The initial pH, titratable acidity, viscosity and viable cell counts of the yoghurt added liquorice extracts were 3.41-3.51, 1.021-1.091%, 1,686-1,930 cp and 9.41-9.38 Log CFU/mL, respectively. The viscosity and syneresis of yoghurt were better than that of the control. Antimicrobial activity against H. pylori KCCM 40449 increased with increasing addition of liquorice extract. However, the sensory score of yoghurt added with different amounts of liquorice extracts was lower than that of the control (p < 0.05). As a result of the sensory evaluations, the flavor, taste, texture, color and overall acceptability of the yoghurt with 0.05% liquorice extract were found to be much better than those of the other groups (p < 0.05). Overall, the optimal amount of liquorice extract added in the manufacture of yoghurt was 0.05% of the total weight. Further studies on increment of antimicrobial activity and palatability of liquorice extract added yoghurt are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.194-204
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• 2018

In order to minimize the damage on the red sea bream Pagrus major by a harmful dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides, we investigated the effect of feeding, starvation and stocking density on the survival rate, growth, growth restoration and physiological response of P. major exposure to C. polykrikoides. The experimental groups were divided into three groups such as F-HD (feeding and high density with $6.4kg/m^3$), S-HD (starvation and high density with $6.4kg/m^3$) and S-LD (starvation and low density with $3.2kg/m^3$) according to stocking density and starvation in marine cage ($11m{\times}11m{\times}5m$). The F-HD was fed throughout the experiment for 9 weeks, whereas S-HD and S-LD were not fed for 5 weeks and then refeeding for 4 weeks. Survival rate was the lowest in F-HD (85.5%) and S-LD was the highest (97.3%). The growth rates of S-HD and S-LD were significantly lower than F-HD during starvation period for 4 weeks, but rapidly recovered after feeding. The nutritional status such as ALB, TP, TCH, TG were similar to tendency of growth data. Ht, Hb, AST, ALT and GLU levels were significantly higher in the F-HD than in the starvation groups at the same time (in 3 week) during starvation period. But starvation groups did not differ during starvation period. As a result, F-HD is more sensitive to stress than S-HD and S-LD. Thus, during C. polykrikoides bloom period, starvation and stocking density control can help survival and growth restoration of the red sea bream.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.297-305
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• 2022

The goal of this study was to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of radish leaf extracts (MU-C) and radish leaf extracts with 3% citric acid (MU-CA) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6 mice. The effects of radish leaf extracts on adipogenesis were also investigated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. As determined by Oil red O staining, MU-C inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 6 weeks and then treated with radish leaf extracts (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 6 weeks. Then, the serum levels of Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Total cholesterol, Triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the mice were measured using an automatic chemical analyzer and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of MU-C significantly reduced the fat weight when compared with HFD controls. As confirmed by histopathologic analysis, adipose tissue size markedly decreased in mice treated with MU-C. Therefore, this study could provide a basis for investigating the clinical use of MU-C as an agent for preventing obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1002-1014
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• 2023

The root of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) has long been used in traditional medicine to prevent the onset and progression of various diseases and has been reported to exert a wide range of physiological effects, including antioxidant activity. However, research on its effects on hepatocytes remains scarce. This study used the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line to investigate the antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of C. japonicum root (EECJ) on hepatocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used to mimic oxidative stress. The results showed that EECJ significantly reverted the decrease in cell viability and suppressed the release of lactate dehydrogenase in HepG2 cells treated with H₂O₂. Moreover, an analysis of changes in cell morphology, flow cytometry, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) expression showed that EECJ significantly inhibited HepG2 cell autophagy induced by H₂O₂. Furthermore, it attenuated H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and cell cycle disruption by blocking intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide production, indicating strong antioxidant activity. EECJ also restored the decreased levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and enhanced the expression and activity of superoxide dismutase and GSH peroxidase in H₂O₂-treated HepG2 cells. Although an analysis of the components contained in EECJ and in vivo validation using animal models are needed, these findings indicate that EECJ is a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-induced liver cell damage.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.158-164
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• 2006

Yongdam Lake is the fifth largest artificial lake in Korea newly formed by the first impounding the Yongdam Multi-purpose Dam on December, 2002. Yongdam Lake, with her total water storage of 820 million M/T, is located at the roof-top region of the streams flowing into the just-constructed new Saemankeum Lake. Seasonal succession of phytoplakton in Yongdam Lake might affect cyanobacterial blooms in Saemankeum Lake by inoculating seasonal dominants. During 2002-2003 when the first impounding after the construction of Yongdam Multi-purpose Dam was still undergoing, summer cyanobacterial blooms by Anabaena, Microcystis, and Aphanizomenon were observed. Among these three, filamentous Anabaena is well known to have its species with $N_2-fixing$ ability and special cells such as heterocysts and akinetes as well as the vegetative cells. We established a clonal culture of Anabaena spiroides v. crasse (KNU-YD0310) from the live water samples collected at the bloom site of Yongdam Lake. The N- and P-nutrient requirement of the KNU-YD0310 was explored by the experimental cultivation of the laboratory strain. Ratio of heterocysts to vegetative cells increased as N-deficiency extended with its maximum at $N_2-fixing$ condition. The strain KNU-YD0310 exhibited considerable growth under N-limiting conditions while its growth was proportional to the initial phosphate-P concentration under P-deficient conditions. Under P-limiting conditions akinete density increased, which could be interpreted as an adaptation strategy to survive severe environment by transforming into resting stage. The above eco-physiological characteristics of Anabaena spiroides v. crassa might be useful as an ecological criterion in controlling cyanobacterial blooms at Shaemankeum Lake in near future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1286-1293
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the biological activity and hepatoprotective effect of various fractions and isolated compounds from Kochiae fructus (KF) extract on D-galactosamine (GaIN)-intoxicated rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, GaIN treated group (GaIN), GaIN plus KF methanol extract treated group (KFM 200-GaIN), GaIN plus KF butanol extract treated group (KFB 200-GaIN), GaIN plus momordin Ic treated group (Momordin Ic 30-GaIN) and GaIN plus oleanolic acid treated group (Oleanolic acid 30-GaIN). KFM (200 mg/kg BW), KFB (200 mg/kg BW), momordin Ic (30 mg/kg BW) and oleanolic acid (30 mg/kg BW) were orally administered once a day for 14 days. GaIN (400 mg/kg BW) was injected at 30 minutes after the final administration of the compounds. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were increased in the GaIN group compared to the control group and significantly lower in the KFB 200-GaIN, momordin Ic 30-GaIN and oleanolic acid 30-GaIN group than in the GaIN group. Hepatic lipid peroxide level was increased in the GaIN group compared to the control group and was lower in the KFM 200-GaIN, KFB 200-GaIN, momordin Ic 30-GaIN and oleanolic acid 30-GaIN group than in the GaIN group. Activities of xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase in liver were higher in the GaIN group than in the control group and were significantly decreased in the KFB 200-GaIN, momordin Ic 30-GaIN and oleanolic acid 30-GaIN group compared to the GaIN group. Hepatic glutathione, ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase and catalase activities were decreased in the GaIN group compared to the control group and were higher in the KFB 200-GaIN, momordin Ic 30-GaIN and oleanolic acid 30-GaIN group than in the GaIN group. Activities of hepatic glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were lower in the GaIN group than in the control group and were improved in the KFM 200-GaIN, KFB 200-GaIN, momordin Ic 30-GaIN and oleanolic acid 30-GaIN group compared to the GaIN group. Therefore, the current results indicate that momordin Ic administration alleviated the GaIN-induced adverse effect through enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.4 s.28
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• pp.506-517
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• 1989

Two hundred and fifty teachers of special school (for the disabled) and 414 elementary school teachers were selected for the targets in order to compare their degrees of fatigue symptoms and to find what kind of ralationship is between subjective symptoms of fatigue and pH is the saliva. It was 30 minutes before their closing hours on April 21th, 1989 that their physical, mental and neuro-sensory symptoms and salivary pH were examined. The test results are summarized as fallows : It is observed that an interrelation between subjective fatigue and pH in their saliva shows a significant relationship between physical and neuro-sensory symptoms in a sense of statistics. The rate of subjective fatigue complained by the special teachers is higher than that by the elementary teachers. In the case of salivary pH, the special teachers' is as a whole lower than the elementary teachers'. The complain rates in each item, checked, of special teachers are generally higher than those of the elementary teachers. It is in the mental symptom related item that there are many sub-items which show significant difference. According to the average of salivary pH based on the degrees of complained symptoms shown in the pH related items, the salivary pH of the group with complained symptoms is lower than that of the group without complained symptoms. In the rate of complaints, by sex, both sexes of the special teachers show high ones, but salivary pH is low. The complain rate of mental symptoms shown by female group from the special teacher Is significantly higher(p<0.05). By age, the group in their thirties from the special teachers show the higher complain rate of mental symptoms (29.3%) and the lower salivary pH (p<0.05) than that (15.1%) of the elementary teachers belonging to the same age catagory. However, the special teachers in their forties show the lower complain rate of physical symptoms that of the elementary teachers (p<0.05). From the viewpoint of their working years, the special teachers below 14 years and elementary teachers above 15 years in their career show high complain rates. Among those who belong to the catagory of 10-14 working years, the special teachers show the higher complain rate of mental symptoms than that of their counterparts. In the case of the salivary pH, the special teachers of all working-year catagories show the higher pH than that of the elementary teachers. But there is not significantly difference. From the viewpoint of sleeping hours in the previous night of the questionaire surveyed, among those who slept for over 7 hours, the special teachers show the higher complain rate of mental symptoms with a significant difference, but the lower salivary pH than that of their counterparts. From the viewpoint of their marital status, existence of disease history, the special teachers show the higher complain rate of subjective fatigue, but the lower salivary pH than that of the elementary teachers respectively. According to the above results, the special teachers generally show the higher complain rate of subjective fatigue, the lower salivary pH, and the higher complain rate of mental symptoms. To prevent the possible accumulation of mental fatigue of the special teachers, ways and means to make use of leisure time, recreational facilities are necessarily provided. Since the degree of fatigue and salivary pH have a correlation to some extent, it is necessary that further continuous studies on the correlation between the degrees of fatigue and salivary pH should be pursued.

• Food preservation and processing industry
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.6-12
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• 2009

면역반응은 외부 감염원으로부터 신체를 보호하고 외부감염원을 제거하고자 하는 주요항상성 유지기전의 하나이다. 이들 반응은 골수에서 생성되고 비장, 흉선 및 임파절 등에서 성숙되는 면역세포들에 의해 매개된다. 보통 태어나면서부터 얻어진 선천성 면역반응을 매개하는 대식세포, 수지상 세포 등과, 오랜기간 동안 감염된 다양한 면역원에 대한 경험을 토대로 얻어진 획득성 면역을 담당하는 T 임파구 등이 대표적인 면역세포로 알려져 있다. 다양한 면역질환이 최근 주요 사망률의 원인이 되고 있다. 최근, 암, 당뇨 및 뇌혈관질환 등이 생체에서 발생되는 급 만성염증에 의해 발생된다고 보고됨에 따라 면역세포 매개성 염증질환에 대한 치료제 개발을 서두르고 있다. 또한 암환자의 급격한 증가는 암발생의 주요 방어기전인 면역력 증강에 대한 요구들을 가중시키고 있다. 예로부터 사용되어 오던 고려인삼과 홍삼은 기를 보호하고 원기를 회복하는 명약으로 알려진 대표적인 우리나라 천연생약이다. 특별히, 홍삼은 단백질과 핵산의 합성을 촉진시키고, 조혈작용, 간기능 회복, 혈당강하, 운동수행 능력증대, 기억력 개선, 항피로작용 및 면역력 증대에 매우 효과가 좋은 것으로 보고되고 있다. 홍삼에 관한 많은 연구에 비해, 현재까지 홍삼이 면역력 증강에 미치는 효과에 대한 분자적 수준에서의 연구는 매우 미미한 것으로 확인되어져 있다. 홍삼의 투여는 NK 세포나 대식세포의 활성이 증가하고 항암제의 암세포 사멸을 증가시키는 것으로 확인되어졌다. 현재까지 알려진 주요 면역증강 성분은 산성다당류로 보고되었다. 또 한편으로 일부 진세노사이드류에서 항염증 효능이 확인되어졌으며, 이를 통해 피부염증 반응과 관절염에 대한 치료 효과가 있는 것으로 추측되고 있다 [본 연구는 KT&G 연구출연금 (2009-2010) 지원을 받아 이루어졌기에 이에 감사드린다]. 면역반응은 외부 감염물질의 침입으로 유도된 질병환경을 제거하고 수복하는 중요한 생체적 방어작용의 하나이다. 이들 과정은 체내로 유입된 미생물이나 미세화학물질들과 같은 독성물질을 소거하거나 파괴하는 것을 주요 역할로 한다. 외부로 부터 인체에 들어온 이물질에 대한 방어기전은 현재 두 가지 종류의 면역반응으로 구분해서 설명한다. 즉, 선천성 면역 반응 (innate immunity)과 후천성 면역 반응 (adaptive immunity)이 그것이다. 선천성 면역반응은 1) 피부나 점막의 표면과 같은 해부학적인 보호벽 구조와 2) 체온과 낮은 pH 및 chemical mediator (리소자임, collectin류) 등과 같은 생리적 방어구조, 3) phagocyte류 (대식세포, 수지상세포 및 호중구 등)에 의한 phagocytic/endocytic 방어, 그리고 4) 마지막으로 염증반응을 통한 감염에 저항하는 면역반응 등으로 구분된다. 후천성 면역반응은 획득성면역이라고도 불리고 특이성, 다양성, 기억 및 자기/비자기의 인식이라는 네 가지의 특징을 가지고 있으며, 외부 유입물질을 제거하는 반응에 따라 체액성 면역 반응 (humoral immune response)과 세포성 면역반응 (cell-mediated immune response)으로 구분된다. 체액성 면역은 침입한 항원의 구조 특이적으로 생성된 B cell 유래 항체와의 반응과 간이나 대식세포 등에서 합성되어 분비된 혈청내 보체 등에 의해 매개되는 반응으로 구성되어 있다. 세포성 면역반응은 T helper cell (CD4+), cytotoxic T cell (CD8+), B cell 및antigen presenting cell 중개를 통한 세포간 상호 작용에 의해 발생되는 면역반응이다. 선천성 면역반응의 하나인 염증은 우리 몸에서 가장 빈번히 발생되고 있는 방어작용의 하나이다. 예를 들면 감기에 걸렸을 경우, 환자의 편도선내 대식세포나 수지상세포류는 감염된 바이러스 단독 혹은 동시에 감염된 박테리아를 상대로 다양한 염증성 반응을 유도하게 된다. 또한, 상처가 생겼을 경우에도 감염원을 통해 유입된 병원성 세균과 주위조직내 선천성 면역담당 세포들 간의 면역학적 전투가 발생되게 된다. 이들 과정을 통해, 주위 세포나 조직이 손상되면, 즉각적으로 이들 면역세포들 (주로 phagocytes류)은 신속하게 손상을 극소화하고 더 나가서 손상된 부위를 원상으로 회복시키려는 일련의 염증반응을 유도하게 된다. 이들 반응은 우리가 흔히 알고 있는 발적 (redness), 부종 (swelling), 발열 (heat), 통증 (pain) 등의 증상으로 나타나게 된다. 즉, 손상된 부위 주변에 존재하는 모세혈관에 흐르는 혈류의 양이 증가하면서 혈관의 직경이 늘어나게 되고, 이로 인한 조직의 홍반과, 부어 오른 혈관에 의해 발열과 부종이 초래되는 것이다. 확장된 모세혈관의 투과성 증가는 체액과 세포들이 혈관에서 조직으로 이동하게 하는 원동력이 되고, 이를 통해 축적된 삼출물들은 단백질의 농도를 높여, 최종적으로 혈관에 존재하는 체액들이 조직으로 더 많이 이동되도록 유도하여 부종을 형성시킨다. 마지막으로 혈관 내 존재하는 면역세포들은 혈판 내벽에 점착되고 (margination), 혈관벽의 간극을 넓히는 역할을 하는 히스타민 (histamine)이나 일산화질소(nitric oxide : NO), 프로스타그린딘 (prostagladins : PGE2) 및 류코트리엔 (leukotriens) 등과 같은 chemical mediator의 도움으로 인해 혈관벽 사이로 삼출하게 되어 (extravasation), 손상된 부위로 이동하여 직접적인 외부 침입 물질의 파괴나 다른 면역세포들을 모으기 위한 cytokine (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-$\alpha$, interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6 등) 혹은 chemokine (MIP-l, IL-8, MCP-l등)의 분비 등을 수행함으로써 염증반응을 매개하게 된다. 염증과정시 발생되는 여러 mediator 중 PGE2나 NO 및 TNF-$\alpha$ 등은 실험적 평가가 용이하여 이들 mediator 자체나 생성관련효소 (cyclooxygenase [COX] 및 nitric oxide synthase [NOS] 등)들은 현재항염증 치료제의 개발 연구시 주요 표적으로 연구되고 있다. 염증 반응은 지속기간에 따라 크게 급성염증과 만성염증으로 나뉘며, 삼출물의 종류에 따라서는 장액성, 섬유소성, 화농성 및 출혈성 염증 등으로 구분된다. 급성 염증 (acute inflammation)반응은 수일 내지 수주간 지속되는 일반적인 염증반응이라고 볼 수 있다. 국소반응은 기본징후인 발열과 발적, 부종, 통증 및 기능 상실이 특징적이며, 현미경적 소견으로는 혈관성 변화와 삼출물 형성이 주 작용이므로 일명 삼출성 염증이라고 한다. 만성 염증 (chronic inflammation)은, 급성 염증으로부터 이행되거나 만성으로 시작된다. 염증지속 기간은 보통 4주 이상 장기화 된다. 보통 염증의 경우에는 염증 생성 cytokine인 Th1 cytokine (IL-2, interferone [IFN]-$\gamma$ 및 TNF-$\alpha$ 등)의 생성 후, 거의 즉각적으로 항 염증성 cytokine인 Th2 cytokine(IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 및 transforming growth factor [TGF]-$\beta$ 등)이 생성되어 정상반응으로 회복된다. 그러나, 어떤 원인에서든 면역세포에 의한 염증원 제거 반응이 문제가 되면, 만성염증으로 진행된다. 이 반응에 주로 작용을 하는 염증세포로는 단핵구와 대식세포, 림프구, 형질세포 등이 있다. 암은 전세계적으로 사망률 1위의 원인이 되는 면역질환의 하나이다. 산화적 스트레스나 자외선 조사 혹은 암유발 물질들에 의해 염색체내 protooncogene, tumor-suppressor gene 혹은 DNA repairing gene의 일부 DNA의 돌연변이 혹은 결손 등이 발행되면 정상세포는 암화과정을 시작하게 된다. 양성세포 수준에서 약 5에서 10여년 후 악성수준의 암세포가 생성되게 되면 이들 세포는 새로운 환경을 찾아 전이하게 되는데 이를 통해 암환자들은 다양한 장기에 동인 오리진의 암세포들이 생성한 종양들을 가지게 된다. 이들 종양세포는 정상 장기의 기능을 손상시켜며 결국 생명을 잃게 만든다. 이들 염색체 수준에서의 돌연변이 유래 암세포는 거의 대부분이 체내 면역시스템에 의해 사멸되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 계속되는 스트레스나 암유발 물질의 노출은 체내 면역체계를 파괴하면서 최후의 방어선을 무너뜨리면서 암발생에 무방비 상태를 만들게 된다. 이런 이유로 체내 면역시스템의 정상적 가동 및 증강을 유도하게 하는 전략이 암예방시 매우 중요한 표적으로 인식되면서 다양한 형태의 면역증강 물질 개발을 시도하고 있다. 인삼은 두릅나무과의 여러해살이 풀로써, 오랜동안 한방 및 민간에서 원기를 회복시키고, 각종 질병을 치료할 수단으로 사용되고 있는 대표적인 전통생약이다. 예로부터 불로(不老), 장생(長生), 익기(益氣), 경신(經身)의 명약으로 구전되어졌는데, 이는 약 2천년 전 중국의 신농본초경(神農本草經)에서 "인삼은 오장(五腸)을 보하고, 정신을 안정시키고, 혼백을 고정하며 경계를 멈추게 하고, 외부로부터 침입하는 병사를 제거하여주며, 눈을 밝게 하고 마음을 열어 더욱 지혜롭게 하고 오랫동안 복용하면 몸이 가벼워지고 장수한다" 라고 기술되어있는 데에서 유래한 것이다. 다양한 연구를 통해 우리나라에서 생산되는 고려인삼 (Panax ginseng)이 효능 면에서 가장 탁월한 것으로 알려져 있으며 특별이 고려인삼으로부터 제조된 고려홍삼은 전세계적으로도 그 효능이 우수한 것으로 보고되어 있다. 대부분의 홍삼 약효는 dammarane계열의 triterpenoid인 ginsenosides라고 불리는 인삼 saponin에 의해 기인된 것으로 알려져 있다. 이들 화합물군의 기본 골격에 따라, protopanaxadiol (PD)계 (22종) 및 protopanaxatriol (PT)계 (10종)으로 구분되고 있다 (표 1). 실험적 접근을 통해 인삼의 약리작용 이해를 위한 다양한 노력들이 경주되고 있으나, 여전히 많은 부분에서 충분히 이해되고 있지 않다. 그러나, 현재까지 연구된 인삼의 약리작용 관련 연구들은 심혈관, 당뇨, 항암 및 항스트레스 등과 같은 분야에서 인삼효능이 우수한 것으로 보고하고 있다. 그러나 면역조절 및 염증현상과 관련된 최근 연구결과들은 많지 않으나, 향후 다양하게 연구될 효능부분으로 인식되고 있다.