• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.854-860
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• 2019

This study investigated the optimum pH conditions for efficient extraction of protein from defatted Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae. We examined the anti-inflammatory effect of protein derived from defatted TM larvae obtained by an alkaline extraction method. Six extraction pH values (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) and three precipitation pH values (2, 4, and 6) were used. The protein content, browning degree, and recovery yield of the protein obtained under each pH condition were determined. For efficient extraction of protein from defatted TM larvae, a combination of an extraction pH of 9 and precipitation pH of 4 resulted in a 32.4% recovery yield based on the extraction value and degree of browning. To determine whether the protein ameliorated inflammation by inhibition of macrophage activation by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), we measured nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-stimulated raw 264.7 macrophage cells. The protein markedly inhibited the production of NO without cytotoxicity and reduced the expression level of COX-2 and iNOS protein through the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling. These results suggested that protein derived from TM larvae could have potential applications in anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents and protein supplements.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.274-281
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• 2010

In this study, PEG-PLA(or PLGA) amphiphilic di-block copolymers were synthesized by ring opening polymerization of D,L-lactide(or glycolide) and applied to polymeric micelle system for solubilization of a rosiglitazone as diabetes drug. The drug could be efficiently loaded into the polymer micelle by solid dispersion technique, and the drug-loaded micelles were characterized and evaluated as a drug delivery carrier by fluorescence spectrometer, DSC, and DLS measurements. The colloidal stability of drug loaded micelles in aqueous media could be enhanced by addition of 2-hydroxy-N-picolylnitinamide as a hydrotropic agent. The polymer micelles also showed biocompatible and nontoxic properties in vitro cell viability using MTT assay, and the drug loaded micelles were observed to be more effective than free drug for decreasing glucose in blood of rats.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.3 s.58
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• pp.201-208
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• 2006

Propionibacterium acnes have been recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation in acne. The present study was conducted to evaluate antimicrobial activities of Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai against these etiologic agents of acne vulgaris and application possibility as a cosmetic resource. D. crassirhizoma crude extract and hexane fraction was prepared and its anti-acne effect against Propionibacterium acnes was investigated with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and paper disk diffusion method. The MIC of D. crassirhizoma crude extract and hexane fraction was 0.008 mg/mL and 0.001 mg/mL, respectively. This implies that D. crassirhizoma extract may be an efficient anti-acne ingredient for cosmetics, as a crude extract. The paper disk diffusion assay showed that its anti-acne effect was similar to that of triclosan. The cytotoxic effect of D. crassirhizoma extract was determined by a colorimetric MTT assay using HaCaT cell line and D. crassirhizoma extract exhibited lower cytotoxic effects. Finally, we examine the stability of D. crassirhizoma extract to temperature and pH. The D. crassirhizoma extract was very stable to high temperatures ($25{\sim}121^{\circ}C$) and to wide pH range ($pH\; 2{\sim}11$), suggesting its utilization for cosmetics.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.139-154
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• 2008

목적 : 홍화(紅花)는 활혈거어(活血祛瘀), 해독지통(解毒止痛)의 효능이 있어 관절염, 동맥경화(動脈硬化), 종양(腫瘍), 월경부조(月經不調), 뇌혈전(腦血栓)에 사용되어 왔다. 이에 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)의 분자생물학적 효능 분석을 하고자 Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)로 염증을 유발한 RAW 264.7 cell의 유전자(遺傳子) 발현(發顯)에 미치는 영향을 Microarray를 통하여 관찰하였다. 방법 : RAW cell을 배양하고 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)의 세포 독성을 확인한 후 (1) LPS, (2) 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液), (3) 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)과 LPS를 처치했을 때의 유전자 발현양상을 microarray를 이용하여 관찰하였다. 대조군에 비해 2배 이상 발현의 차이가 있는 경우를 유의한 것으로 보았다. 결과 : 8,170개의 유전자 중 (1) LPS를 처치하였을 경우 35개의 유전자에서 발현이 상승되었고, (2) 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)을 처치하였을 경우 11개의 유전자에서 발현이 상승되고 53개의 유전자에서 발현이 억제되었으며, (3) 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)과 LPS를 동시에 처치하였을 경우에는 47개의 유전자에서 발현이 상승되었고 11개의 유전자에서 발현이 억제되었다. LPS 자극으로 발현이 상승되었지만 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)을 처치할 때 발현이 억제되는 유전자는 SUMO1/sentrin specific protease 7(SENP7), Serine(or cysteine) proteinase inhibitor, clade B(ovalbumin), member 7(SERPINB7), M-phase phosphoprotein, mpp8(HSMPP8), Glycogenin 2(GYG2), InaD-like(Drosophila)(INADL), Copine III(CPNE3), Loss of heterozygosity, 11, chromosomal region 2, gene A(LOH11CR2A), Chromosome 9 open reading frame 33(SHC3), NADH dehydrogenase(ubiquinone) 1 beta subcomplex, 2, 8kDa(NDUFB2)로 9개가 있었다. 요약 : 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)이 LPS로 염증을 유발시킨 RAW 264.7 cell의 유전자 발현에 미치는 영향을 Microarray를 통해 분석하였다. 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)이 LPS로 발현을 항진시킨 35개의 유전자 중 9개를 효과적으로 억제하는 것을 확인하여 염증 치료 기전을 시사하는 유용한 자료를 얻을 수 있었으며 홍화약침액(紅花藥鍼液)이 발현을 항진시킨 유전자들을 통해 혈관생성과 종양억제 등 보다 넓은 범위에 대한 연구가 가능할 것으로 사료된다.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.973-983
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• 2018

Objectives: We report a case of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) treatment for skin side effects after taking afatinib (Giotrif$^{(R)}$). Methods: A 62-year-old female who was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer stage 4 (T4N2M1b) and was on treatment with afatinib (29.56 mg/day for 4 months) complained of skin toxicity as a side effect. For 16 admission days, the patient was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine (oral decoction and external ointment). Results: Improvement of skin toxicity was measured by a numeric rating scale. In addition, Quality of life (QOL) was measured using EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC QLQ-LC13) Developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Tumor size and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were also examined during follow up. Conclusions: After a combined TKM treatment, skin toxicity symptoms and quality of life scales were significantly improved with no side effects. The tumor size was not changed on computed tomography during follow-up period. CEA levels were decreased.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1644-1650
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• 2008

The essential oil of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is widely used in traditional Australian medicine for skin lesions and infected injuries. In the present study, we investigated the chemical composition, cytotoxicity and its biological activities. The composition of the oil was analyzed by GC-MS. ${\beta}$-Terpinene (20.87%), ${\alpha}$-pinene (17.60%), p-cymene (11.23%), 3-carene (10.40%), trans-anethole (8.47%) and limonene (4.65%) were the major components in the oil. The results tested by MTT assay indicated that the oil showed no cytotoxic effect, at concentrations up to 5%, for less than 3h. The antiradical capacity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging activity of the essential oil on the 2,20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis 3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals. The oil was able to reduce the both radicals dose-dependently, and the concentration required for 50% reduction ($RC_{50}$) against ABTS radicals ($1.6{\pm}0.02%$) was slightly lower than DPPH radicals ($2.6{\pm}0.29%$). The direct contact and vapor-phase antibacterial activity of the oil were also evaluated using disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Listeria monocytogenes, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. All the Gram-negative bacterial strains tested showed more sensibility to the oil than the Gram-positive strains when compare to the effect of gentamycin. On the other hand, the vapor phase of the essential oil against S. aureus exhibited strongest inhibitory effect.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.690-694
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• 2010

In this study, herbal wood vinegar including Bambusoideae, Cinnamomi Cortex, Zingiberis Rhizoma was tested to see possibility for cosmetic or skin related medicine. Anti-oxidation effect of herbal wood vinegar was tested by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and showed 97% inhibition rate at $50{\mu}g/ml$. Anti-bacterial effect was tested by disc diffusion method, and it indicated strong anti-bacterial activity against normal skin flora Staphylococcus aureus. Whitening effect was measured by tyrosinase inhibition assay, and it was lower compared with vitamin C. Stability test was done by MTT assay, and cell toxicity was relatively high. Stability was also checked, and there was not significant change in color, aroma, appearance and pH during storage. Anti-atopic dermatitis test was done by hairless mouse and herbal wood vinegar recovered damaged skin to almost normal condition after 9 days of application. IgE concentration in herbal wood vinegar treated mouse was also reduced 30% compared with control. From the study, herbal wood vinegar showed good anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial and anti-atopic dermatitis effect, and had promising application in cosmetic or skin related medicine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.677-685
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• 2021

Cannabis sativa L. belongs to the Cannabaceae family and is an annual herbaceous flowing plant. The plants can be classified into narcotic marijuana and nonnarcotic hemp. Different parts of C. sativa L. have been used as food, medicine, cosmetics, fiber and textile. However, the use of leaf, flower, and seed of C. sativa L was forbidden in Korea in January 1977 as a result of the Cannabis Control Act due to the narcotic properties. The plant's mature stems have limited uses for the production of fiber and sheets. Recently, various cannabinoids, terpenes and essential fatty acids were identified from C. sativa L., and their safety and useful bio-activities, such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammation, antithrombosis, antiepileptic, and antimicrobial activities, and the relief of pain, have been highlighted. Furthermore, the process of reduction of tetrahydrocannabinol, a representative narcotic compound, and the isolation of cannabidiol, a nonnarcotic active compound in C. sativa L., have been determined. These findings resulted in the legalization of C. sativa L. in Korea for medical use in December 2018 and the exclusion of C. sativa L. from the narcotic list of the UN Commission on Narcotics Drugs (UNCND) in December 2020. Therefore, developments of various high-value added products have commenced worldwide. Additionally, in 2021, the Korean government deregulated special zones based on hemp. In this study, the current status and the prospect of the hemp industry, as well as essential techniques for developing new hemp products, are provided for the activation of the Korea Green-Rush.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1128-1141
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• 2021

'Angelica' is one of the most traditionally consumed medicinal herbs around Northeast Asia including Korea for treatments of various diseases or health care purposes like hematopoiesis, blood circulation for women, sedative, analgesic, and a tonic medicine etc. Angelica gigas Nakai, a Korean native species of Angelica, is clearly different from the others in containing a high concentration of active ingredients like pyranocoumarines including decursin, decursinol, and decursinol angelate. These compounds have various kinds of positive effects such as anti-tumor activity including the precaution of neutropenia occurred during anticancer drug administration, improvements of metabolic disorders, menstrual irregularity, impairment of renal function, respiration improvement, cognition-enhancement, anti-inflammatory effect, anti-oxidative effect, enhancing fertility and so forth. Thus it implies incredible potentialities in future development for foods and drugs. However, certain purity-related qualities and/or overdose in food products can cause side effects like toxicities; therefore, their safety profiles should also be considered. This review focuses on the positive and negative effects of three pyranocoumarines in Angelica gigas Nakai and some possibilities and considerations for future food and drug products development.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2023

Houttuynia cordata belongs to the Saururacease family and its leaves, stems, and roots have been used as oriental medicines to treat pneumonia, acute or chronic bronchitis, enteritis, and abscesses and to remove extravasated blood. Recently, the antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antibacterial, and anti-proliferation activities and protection abilities of H. cordata against liver and neuron cell damage have been reported. In this study, ethanol extract and its solvent fractions (fractions of hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water residue) were prepared, and their antithrombosis, antidiabetes, antioxidant, and hemolysis activities were evaluated. The ethyl-acetate fraction of H. cordata (EF-HC) showed the highest polyphenol and flavonoids contents among the fractions and exhibited strong antithrombosis and antioxidant activities. The EF-HC at 5 mg/ml showed 2.09-folds of thrombin time, 2.19-folds of prothrombin time, and 1.69-folds of activated partial thromboplastin time compared to the their solvent control and 30.9, 19.9, and 49.6 ㎍/ml of RC₅₀ against DPPH, ABTS, and nitrite radicals, respectively. Furthermore, the EF-HC did not show any hemolytic activity up to 1 mg/ml, whereas the hexane fraction of H. cordata showed 55% hemolysis at 1 mg/ml. This is the first report of the antithrombosis activity of H. cordata. Our results suggest that quercitirin, hyperoside, orientin, and isoquercitrin in EF-HC are related to its antithrombosis and antioxidant activities and that the EF-HC could be developed as a promising antithrombosis agent.