• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.406-415
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities and compared other physiological properties including anti-cancer and antimicrobial effects of several traditional Korean herb-combined remedies such as Gilgyung-tang (GGT), Daihwangmokdan-tang (DHMDT), Sagan-tang (SGT), Socheonryongtang (SCRT), Sihocheonggan-tang (SHCGT), Sipyukmiyuki-eum (SYMYKE) and Hwangheuk-san (HHS), which were recorded in “Dong-eui-bo-gam” for “Ongjeo”. Total phenolic contents of the herb medicines were in a rich order of GGT ＜ SYMYKE ＜ SCRT ＜ SHCGT ＜ DHMDT ＜ SGT ＜ HHS. Among them, HHS appeared highest in superoxide dismutase-like activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, scavenging of 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) cationic radical activity. Interestingly, there was a positive relationship between their total phenolic contents and their antioxidant activities. Although all of them showed anti-proliferative activities in human colon cancer HCT-116 cells, HHS was seven times higher than GGT. Antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori were revealed only on SGT, SCRT, SYMYKE and HHS. Taken together, these findings reveal the potential use of traditional Korean herbal formulas as functional ingredients in antioxidant and physiological materials.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1023-1026
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the estrogen-like activities of eight oriental medicines, including red ginseng, fenugreek, and dandelion. Hot water and ethanol extracts were prepared from Cervus nippon temminck (Nokgaksang), Cynanchum wilfordii (Baeksuo), Lespedeza cuneata (Yagwanmun), Panax ginseng (red ginseng), Smilax china (Toryeong), Taraxacum platycarpum (Mindeulre, dandelion), Tribulus terresteis (Namgase), and Trigonella foenum-graecum (Horopa, fenugreek). Then, estrogen-like activities were verified by the in vitro transcriptional activity assay. The extracts showing estrogen-like activities were red ginseng, Baeksuo, fenugreek, Yagwanmun, and dandelion in the ethanol extracts, and red ginseng, fenugreek, and Baeksuo in the hydrothermal extracts. Red ginseng extract showed a higher activity than the standard $10^{-8}M$ $17{\beta}$-estradiol in both the hydrothermal and ethanol extract at $500{\mu}g/ml$, while the $50{\mu}g/ml$ of the red ginseng ethanol extract and the $500{\mu}g/ml$ of the Baeksuo hydrothermal extract showed estradiol activities between $10^{-9}$ and $10^{-8}M$ $17{\beta}$-estradiol. This shows that it would be possible to contribute to the development of functional materials using red ginseng, Baeksuo, fenugreek, and dandelion.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.453-474
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• 2020

Here, we present an updated checklist based on voucher specimens of vascular plants for Gasan Mt. which is located in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. The list includes 322 taxa in 212 genera and 81 families of vascular plants, of which 14 are endemic, six are rare plants, 48 are floristic target species, and 14 are considered naturalized in Korea. Based on voucher specimens, Gasan Mt. was the southern limit of Cimicifuga heracleifolia var. bifida Nakai and Iris odaesanensis Y. N. Lee on the Korean peninsula. Moreover, we confirmed a hybrid plant deriving from two Iris parents, I. minutoaurea Makino and I. odaesanensis, in a mountain fortress of Gasan Mt. We also present online databases including 325 voucher specimens deposited at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM; http://oasis.kiom.re.kr/herblib). This study has great significance as the first floristic study of Korean plants sharing virtual specimens online.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.186-192
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• 2010

Skin wrinkles typically appear as a result of aging processes. One of causes may be the nonenzymatic glycation followed formation of browning products called advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), an irreversible cross-linked protein. The accumulation of glycated collagen cross-linked in skin inhibits the formation and function of skin tightening agents such as collagen and elastin. To development for anti-wrinkle ingredients from edible plants, MeOH and hot-water extracts were prepared and evaluated for their inhibitory effects of AGEs formation. The activities of both extracts from bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), cinnamon (Cinnamomum loureirii), clove (Eugenia caryophyllate), oregano (Origanum vulgare), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), savory (Satureja hortensis) and star anis (Illicium verum) of western spices, and blackberry (Rubus coreanus), dayflower (Commelina communis), Epimedium koreamun (whole), termunalia frutus (Terminalia chebula) and turkestan rose (Rosa rugosa) of medicinal plants were higher than the others. Of Korean vegetables, however, MeOH and hot-water extract from only Asters caber and green tea showed higher activities, and no activity in Korean marine plants (seaweeds).

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2023

This study aimed to confirm the potential as a material for food, medicine, and cosmetics by measuring the physiological activity of the complex extract(Leonurus japonicus Houtt., Houttuynia cordata Thunberg and Citrus unshiu Markovich). The complex extract was with hot water, The evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and MAPKs of the extract was performed by using ELISA and western blot. Total polyphenols and flavonoid contents of complex extracts were 126.16 mg/g and 105.84 mg/g, respectively. The scavenging activities of DPPH and ABTS radical significantly increased in a dose-dependent in complex extracts. Compared to the control group, the complex extracts treatments significantly reduced concentrations of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokine (i.e., IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6). Furthermore, the complex extracts treatments significantly reduced protein expression levels of MAPKs (i.e., ERK, JNK, and p38). The results indicate that the complex extract can be used for oxidative damage and inflammation. Thus, the results of this study can be used as basic data for composite materials for food, medicine, and cosmetics.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.602-614
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• 2023

Purpose: The balance between synthesis and degradation of proteins plays a critical role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been closely associated with skeletal muscle atrophy caused by aging, cancer, and chemotherapy. Polygalacin D is a saponin derivative isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. This study aimed to investigate the effects of polygalacin D on myoblast differentiation and muscle atrophy in association with mitochondrial function in in vitro and in zebrafish models in vivo. Methods: C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in differentiation media containing different concentrations of polygalacin D, followed by the immunostaining of the myotubes with myosin heavy chain (MHC). The mRNA expression of markers related to myogenesis, muscle atrophy, and mitochondrial function was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Wild type AB^* zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were treated with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) with or without polygalacin D, and immunostained to detect slow and fast types of muscle fibers. The Tg(Xla.Eef1a1:mitoEGFP) zebrafish expressing mitochondria-targeted green fluorescent protein was used to monitor mitochondrial morphology. Results: The exposure of C2C12 myotubes to 0.1 ng/mL of polygalacin D increased the formation of MHC-positive multinucleated myotubes (≥ 8 nuclei) compared with the control. Polygalacin D significantly increased the expression of MHC isoforms (Myh1, Myh2, Myh4, and Myh7) involved in myoblast differentiation while it decreased the expression of atrophic markers including muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)2, and Smad3. In addition, polygalacin D promoted peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (Pgc1α) expression and reduced the level of mitochondrial fission regulators such as dynamin-1-like protein (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission 1 (Fis1). In a zebrafish model of FOLFIRI-induced muscle atrophy, polygalacin D improved not only mitochondrial dysfunction but also slow and fast muscle fiber atrophy. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that polygalacin D promotes myogenesis and alleviates chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy by improving mitochondrial function. Thus, polygalacin D could be useful as nutrition support to prevent and ameliorate muscle wasting and weakness.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.139-148
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study was to review the effect of herbal medicine on hair growth in animal models reported in Korean domestic journals. Methods : Korean core databases were searched with terms alopecia and hair, and animal study reports on hair growth with herbal medicine were reviewed. Animal model, intervention, and hair growth measure data were extracted. Results : A total of 28 reports were reviewed. C57BL/6 mice with depilation was the most frequent animal models used. Polygoni multiflori radix, Cnidii rhizoma and Biotae Folium were frequently used herbal medicine. Positive effects were reported. Conclusions : Herbal medicines may be promising resource for pharmacopuncture materials for positive effects on hair growth.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.329-335
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• 2014

Sophora flavescens, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Dictamnus dasycarpus have been widely used in folk medicine for several inflammatory disorders in Korea and China. In this study, we compared the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extracts of S. flavescens (EESF), G. uralensis (EEGU) and D. dasycarpus (EEDS), and their mixtures (medicinal herber mixtures, MHMIXs) on production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Our data indicated that treatment with EESF, EEGU and EEDD significantly inhibited the excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The ethanol extracts and MHMIXs also attenuated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) by suppressing their protein expression, respectively. Interestingly, MHMIX-1, which basic ingredients are EESF, EEGU and EEDS in the proportion 3:1:1, more safely and effectively inhibits the LPS-induced inflammatory status in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages compared to ethanol extracts of each medicinal herb and other MHMIXs without causing any cytotoxic effects. Our study provides scientific evidence to support that a berbal mixture, MHMIX-1 may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases by inhibiting inflammatory regulator responses in activated macrophages.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2018

Citrus grandis Osbeck pericarp is used as tea, herbal medicine, etc., but is not commercialized in various ways. So, in this study, we identified potential for use of Citrus grandis Osbeck as health functional foods, cosmetics and food preservatives. Methanol extract of Citrus grandis Osbeck pericarp was fractionated with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol, to quantitatively analyze total phenol and flavonoid, and investigate antioxidative and enzyme inhibitory activities. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were highest in ethyl acetate fraction, FRAP and ORAC results also revealed highest activity in proportion to total phenol content. DPPH radical scavenging activity revealed that ethyl acetate, butanol and dichloromethane fraction manifested highest activity without significant difference. However, dichloromethane fraction revealed higher TEAC value and tyrosinase inhibitory activity than ethyl acetate fraction, and hexane fraction manifested best results with superoxide radical scavenging activity and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activity. Antimicrobial activity also revealed best effect in dichloromethane and hexane fractions. So, based on the following results, use of dichloromethane fraction as material of natural functional cosmetics, ethyl acetate fraction for health functional foods, and hexane fractions for pharmaceuticals and food preservatives, would be most practical for product development.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.1239-1247
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• 2020

Sedum kamtschaticum Fisch., a native plant of Korea, has been used in Korean traditional medicine in the form of water extract for its capacity to improve blood circulation and for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Since previous research suggests that S. kamtschaticum Fisch. has excellent antioxidant and mushroom tyrosinase inhibition activities, in this study, the root and stem parts of S. kamtschaticum Fisch. are extracted in 70% ethanol (SKS, SKR), fractionated with and in order of n-hexane (SSH), ethyl acetate (SSE, SRE), chloroform (SSC, SRC) and water (SSW, SRW) according to the polarity of each solvent, and tested for its applicability as a cosmetic material. According to the total polyphenol, flavonoid contents and DPPH radical scavenging activity of each fraction, the contents and scavenging activity of the root extractions (SKR) were higher than those of the stem extractions (SKS), ethyl acetate fractions (SSE, SRE) being the most effective. In addition, ethyl acetate fractions had the highest tyrosinase inhibition activity and melanin synthesis inhibition activity used on B16F10 melanoma cells, at the concentration of 10 ㎍/mL. HPLC analysis detected a variety of polyphenols including gallic acid and quercetin. This study suggests the potential role of S. kamtschaticum Fisch. as a natural cosmeceutical material.