• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.550-558
• /
• 2021

Fructus Corni, the fruit of Cornus officinalis, has long been used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. We recently suggested that it was effective against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Corni Fructus (CF) water extract on BPH induced by testosterone propionate (TP) in noncastrated and castrated animal models. BPH was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by an intramuscular injection of TP in castrated or noncastrated rats. Finasteride (FINA) treatment was used as a positive control for inhibition of BPH. According to our results, CF administration inhibited excessive enlargement of development of the prostate in both the noncastrated and castrated groups compared to the control and FINA-treated groups. The inhibitory effect of CF on BPH was associated with inhibition of expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, 5α-reductase type 2, steroid receptor coactivator-1, androgen receptor (AR), and prostate-specific antigen. Serum levels of the stress hormone cortisol increased during BPH induction by TP in both the noncastrated and castrated groups, but they were attenuated significantly by CF administration. However, insulin and IGF-1 levels were not increased in the BPH-induced groups and CF, and no effective results were found by CF administration. These results point to a beneficial effect of CF on BPH through inhibition of AR signaling pathway activity and imply that CF shows excellent potential as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of BPH.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.517-526
• /
• 2023

The harvest time of the late-ripening 'Fuji' apple (Malus × domestica) is variable, depending on the coloration of the fruit skin. Ethephon, a plant growth regulator, promotes the ethylene production and induces physiological responses associated with fruit maturation in climacteric fruit crops, such as apples. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ethephon treatment on fruit characteristics after fruit enlargement, with the objective of proposing an economical and stable harvest control method for 'Fuji'/M.26 apples. Fruit characteristics were assessed at 10-days intervals following the application of 100 mg/L ethephon and mixture of 100 mg/L ethephon and 0.5% CaCl₂ at 145 days after full bloom (DAFB). Starch contents of ethephon-treated (ET) and ethephon with CaCl₂-treated (EC) apples began to decrease from 155 DAFB, and the starch contents of ET and EC at 10 days before harvest were similar to those of control at harvest time. Red coloration of fruit skin in EC was lower compared to ET but higher than control. The average fruit firmness was low in ET, while the control and EC exhibited similar levels of firmness. Fruit sugar acid ratios did not show significant differences between treatments. However, the titratable acidity of EC was significantly lower than that of the control at 10 days before harvest. Moreover, fruit sugar acid ratio of ET and EC at 10 days before harvest in 2021 was similar to their sugar acid ratio at harvest time. Therefore, it was thought that fruit maturation and skin coloration could be accelerated by 10 days from the harvest time through the combined treatment of 100 mg/L ethephon and 0.5% CaCl₂ at the end of fruit enlargement in 'Fuji'/M.26.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.70-78
• /
• 2008

Prunus sargentii R. of Rosaceae familiy, has been reported to have radical scavenging activity and anti-inflammatory effect. On these facts, biological activity and safety test were conducted to evaluate biological activities of the extracts of P. sargentii R. as a potential pharmaceutical ingredient. The electron donating ability of its ethanol extracts at a 500 ppm level showed 92%, which was higher than that of hot water extract (59%), the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of the water extract of P. sargentii R. was about 50%, the ethanol extract of P. sargentii R. was about 40% at 1,000 ppm concentration. Xanthine oxidase inhibition by the water extract of P. sargentii R. was about 40% and that by the ethanol extract was 60% respectively at 500 ppm concentration. From the measurement on lipid oxidation, the $Cu^{2+}$ chelating effect of the ethanol extract was higher than that of hot water extract. The $Fe^{2+}$ chelating effect was also shown to be about 80% at a 500 ppm concentration in both hot water extract and ethanol extract. The tyrosinase inhibition effect related to skin-whitening was 26% by hot water extract and 20% by ethanol extract respectively at a 1,000 ppm. Hyaluronidase inhibition activity related to the anti-inflammation effect was 96% in ethanolic extract at a 500 ppm. Clear zones formed by P. sargentii R. against the human skin-resident micro-flora such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Propionibacterium acnes indicated that antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract was higher than that of the hot water extract.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.272-287
• /
• 2019

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established in 1953 by the Korean War Armistice Agreement. It extends from the estuary of the Imjin River, in the west, to the coast of the East Sea. It is 4 km in width and 148 km in length. However, the ecosystems of the civilian control zone (CCZ) located between the southern border of the DMZ and the civilian control line (CCL) and the CCZ in the estuary of the Han River and the Yellow Sea are similar to those in the DMZ, and, therefore, the ecosystems of the DMZ and the CCZ are collectively known as the "ecosystems of the DMZ and its vicinities." The flora in the DMZ and its vicinities is composed of 1,864 species, which accounts for about 42% of all the vascular plant species on the Korean Peninsula and its affiliated islands. Conducting a detailed survey on the vegetation, flora, and fauna in the DMZ is almost impossible due to the presence of landmines and limitations on the time allowed to be spent in the DMZ. However, to assess the environmental impact of the Munsan-Gaesong railroad reconstruction project, it was possible to undertake a limited vegetation survey within the DMZ in 2001. The vegetation in Jangdan-myeon, in Paju City within the DMZ, was very simple. It was mostly secondary forests dominated by oaks such as Quercus mongolica, Q. acutissima, and Q. variabilis. The other half of the DMZ in Jangdan-myeon was occupied by grassland composed of tall grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis, M. sacchariflorus, and Phragmites japonica. Contrary to the expectation that the DMZ may be covered with pristine mature forests due to more than 60 years of no human interference, the vegetation in the DMZ was composed of simple secondary forests and grasslands formed on former rice paddies and agricultural fields. At present, the only legal protection system planned for the DMZ is the Natural Environment Conservation Act, which ensures that the DMZ would be managed as a nature reserve for only two years following Korean reunification. Therefore, firstly, the DMZ should be designated as a site of domestic legally protected areas such as nature reserve (natural monument), scenic site, national park, etc. In addition, we need to try to designate the DMZ as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve or as a World Heritage site, or as a Ramsar international wetland for international cooperation. For nomination as a world heritage site, we can emphasize the ecological and landscape value of the wetlands converted from the former rice paddies and the secondary forests maintained by frequent fires initiated by military activities. If the two Koreas unexpectedly reunite without any measures in place for the protection of nature in the DMZ, the conditions prior to the Korean War, such as rice paddies and villages, will return. In order to maintain the current condition of the ecosystems in the DMZ, we have to discuss and prepare for measures including the retention of mines and barbed-wire fences, the construction of roads and railroads in the form of tunnels or bridges, and the maintenance of the current fire regime in the DMZ.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.71-76
• /
• 2002

Several antagonistic bacteria, SD-1, 4, 10, 11, 14, 15, and 16, which have strong CMCase and amylase activities, were isolated from the fermented mushroom media. Among them, SD-1, 10, 11, and 15 have strong antibacterial activities against the mushroom pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas sp., and SD-1, 10, 11, 14, and 16 have strong antifungal activities against the mushroom pathogenic fungi, Trichoderma sp. SD-14, 15, and 16 did not inhibit the growth of mushroom Pleurotus eryngii ASI-2302, and Pleurotus ostreatus ASI-2042 and ASI-2180. When the culture broth mixture of the seven bacterial strains was applied to the mushroom media, the growths of pathogens, Pseudomonas sp. and Trichoderma sp., were inhibited.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.101-107
• /
• 2022

In this research, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiaging, and skin whitening properties of pulp and seed extracts of passion fruit were studied. The result of the primary skin irritation test using a skin-attached patch determined the skin irritation index to be 0.00 for the passion fruit extract. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages produce NO by stimulation of lipopolysaccharides, and the application of extracts to this resulted in significantly lower NOs, confirming the excellent anti-inflammatory properties of passion fruit extracts. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test further confirmed that the passion fruit extract exhibits a good 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical scavenging ability of 5.11% and strong antioxidant properties. The presence of collagen type I in the skin is a measure of aging and various skin diseases. The results obtained from the analysis of the activity of human procollagen I alpha 1 confirmed that the passion fruit extract reduces the synthesis of procollagen. In addition, the skin whitening property of the passion fruit extract was confirmed by the melanin inhibition test, and a sample was obtained that contained more than 2% of arbutin, a whitening agent approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which is generally present in the form of a white powder and is used as a functional ingredient. This confirms that the whitening efficacy of the passion fruit extract obtained from nature contributes to the development of functional raw materials for cosmetics and food.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.123-134
• /
• 1979

For the purpose of developing a microbial insecticide utilizing Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, research was done and the following results were obtained. 1) As the freeze-dried matter of the cocoon-cooked water discarded from the filature contains much crude protein(51.825%) and a lot of inorganic salts, it can make a good nutrition source for the culture cf B. thuringiensis Berliner. 2) Based on the suspensibility, formula F-5 turned out to be the most suitable for insecticidal use. Its composition includes 0.2 g of the cell-spore-crystal mixture, 25 g of 200-mesh kaolin, 2.5 g of New Kalgen-NX-150, and 2.5 g of glycerine admixed with 8 ml of distilled water and granulated in 80-mesh size. 3) All the components of F-5, F-6 and F-7 are identical except that the amounts of cell-spore-crystal mixture of F-5, F-6, and F-7 are 0.2 g, 0.4 g, and 0.6 g, respectively. Accordingly, their physical properties are almost all the same. 4) Formulas F-5, F-6, and F-7 exhibited an excellent toxicity to Anomis mesogona Walker, Dendrolimus spectabilis Butler, and Margaronia perspectalis Walker at the concentration of 5%. 5) Formulas F-8 and F-9 which contain $NaHCO_3$ as one of their components showed a remarkably reduced toxicity to Anomis mesogona Walker and Dendrolimus spectabilis Butler than F-6 which does not contain $NaHCO_3$. 6) A maximum of $2.97{\times}10^9$ spores per ml was obtained by incubating B. thuringiensis in M-3 which has a pH of 7.05 and comprises 0.2% of ammonium sulphate and 0.8% of glucose dissolved in the cocoon-cooked water, with aeration for 96 hours. 7) Formula F-6 exhibited a somewhat reduced toxicity to Anomis mesogona Walker and Dendrolimus spectabilis Butler, when stored at room temperature for 70 days after formulation and it is desirable to keep it in a dark and cold place. 8) In held applications, formula F-6 showed a good activity in controlling Monema flavescens Walker. Margaronia perspectalis Walker, and Macrosiphum ibarae Matsumura.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.261-271
• /
• 2016

Citrus is an economically important fruit crop widely growing worldwide. However, citrus production largely depends on natural hybrid selection and bud sport mutation. Unique botanical features including long juvenility, polyembryony, and QTL that controls major agronomic traits can hinder the development of superior variety by conventional breeding. Diverse factors including drastic changes of citrus production environment due to global warming and changes in market trends require systematic molecular breeding program for early selection of elite candidates with target traits, sustainable production of high quality fruits, cultivar diversification, and cost-effective breeding. Since the construction of the first genetic linkage map using isozymes, citrus scientists have constructed linkage maps using various DNA-based markers and developed molecular markers related to biotic and abiotic stresses, polyembryony, fruit coloration, seedlessness, male sterility, acidless, morphology, fruit quality, seed number, yield, early fruit setting traits, and QTL mapping on genetic maps. Genes closely related to CTV resistance and flesh color have been cloned. SSR markers for identifying zygotic and nucellar individuals will contribute to cost-effective breeding. The two high quality citrus reference genomes recently released are being efficiently used for genomics-based molecular breeding such as construction of reference linkage/physical maps and comparative genome mapping. In the near future, the development of DNA molecular markers tightly linked to various agronomic traits and the cloning of useful and/or variant genes will be accelerated through comparative genome analysis using citrus core collection and genome-wide approaches such as genotyping-by-sequencing and genome wide association study.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.37-47
• /
• 2024

Currently, social interest in post-cremation funerals is growing due to the establishment of cremation culture. In addition, as awareness of nature-friendly funeral methods spreads in modern times, the demand for tree burial grounds and tree groves, which are representative natural burial methods, is increasing. However, if the current method of relying on trees is used, the forest burial may damage the forest and turn it into another cemetery. The tree decoration is a funeral method that contains the temporal meaning of humans returning to the space of nature that we have, and the philosophical meaning that humans return in compliance with nature. Like this, there are quite a few concerns. Even though tree burials are not the traditional burial facilities we are familiar with, many of the facilities and operating systems adopt the standards of park cemeteries and have stricter standards and restrictions than natural burials under the law. This rigidity is intended to preserve the forest, but the reality is that it limits the expansion and operation of tree plantations. To this end, this study seeks to find specific improvement measures for sustainable tree plantation operation. To this end, we look at the types of natural fields in foreign countries and find directions for tree planting that can be effectively applied and established in accordance with the sentiments of the people. Specific improvement measures include an enshrinement method that does not rely on memorial trees, the operation of anonymous or anonymous tree planting, a change in the method of visiting and commemorating, and various mountaineering methods, thereby suggesting alternatives to sustainable tree planting in Korea. The place where tree planting is implemented is the forest, that is, the forest itself. I should be a place where the spirit of natural return, which is the essence of the deceased, can be celebrated through the forest, not a funeral facility. By doing so, it will be possible to provide the public value of the forest, that is, the social function of the forest, in the name of an eco-friendly funeral service.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.673-681
• /
• 2024

This study was conducted to develop kombucha with better functionality. The developed kombucha (CK) was prepared using the sugar extracts from fruits of Cudrania tricuspidata (Carrière) Bureau ex Lavallée instead of the sugar, which is used as a substrate for SCOBY in conventional kombucha (K). During fermentation, the soluble solids content significantly decreased in CK compared to K, and the pH change decreased rapidly in CK compared to K. On the 14^th day of fermentation, the weight of the SCOBY in CK was higher than that in K. Immediately after preparation, K contained only sucrose, but CK contained sucrose, glucose, and fructose. SCOBY appears to use glucose and fructose preferentially during fermentation. K contained acetic acid and citric acid right after preparation. However, as fermentation progressed, the composition changed to acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid. At the same time, CK initially consisted of citric acid, lactic acid, and acetic acid. However, acetic acid and citric acid increased but lactic acid decreased significantly on the 14^th day of fermentation. In the cytotoxicity studies, the CK showed a proliferation-promoting effect on normal lung cells (MRC-5) and strong cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cells (A549). These results suggest that the kombucha made from sugar extracts of C. tricuspidata fruits can be used as a more functional beverage than regular kombucha.