• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2019

Inflammatory and oxidative stimuli play a critical role not only in the process of transforming normal cells into cancer cells, but also in the proliferation process of cancer cells. Sipyukmiryukieum (SYMRKU), a traditional Korean herb-combined remedy, is composed of 16 kinds of herbal medicines, which were recorded for "Ongjeo" treatment in "Dongeuibogam". In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of SYMRKU against inflammatory and oxidative responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that SYMRKU significantly inhibited LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ without showing any significant cytotoxicity. Consistent with these results, SYMRKU down-regulated LPS-induced expression of their regulatory enzymes such as inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. SYMRKU also inhibited LPS-induced production and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6. In addition, SYMRKU significantly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species by LPS and showed a strong, which was associated with induction of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 expression. Although further studies are needed to fully understand the anti-inflammatory effects associated with the antioxidant capacity of SYMRKU, the findings of the current study suggest that SYMRKU may have potential benefits by inhibiting the onset and/or treatment of inflammatory and/or oxidative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.221-234
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• 2019

Cancer is genetically, metabolically and infectiously induced life threatening disorder showing aggressive growing pattern with invasive tendency. In order to prevent this global menace from jeopardizing human life, enormous studies on carcinogenesis and treatment for chemotherapy resistance have been intensively researched. Hinokitiol (${\beta}$-thujaplicin) extracted from heart wood of cupressaceous is a well-known bioactive compound demonstrating anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria and anti-cancer effects on several cancer types via apoptosis and autophagy. This study proposed that hinokitiol activates transcription factor EB (TFEB) nuclear translocation for autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis regardless of nutrient condition in cancer cells. Mitophagy and ${\beta}$-catenin translocation into the nucleus under treatment of hinokitiol on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and HeLa cells were investigated. Hinokitiol exerted cytotoxicity on HeLa and HCC827 cells; moreover, artificially induced autophagy by overexpression of TFEB granted imperfect sustainability onto HeLa cells. Taken together, hinokitiol is the prominent autophagy inducer and activator of TFEB nuclear translocation. Alternative cancer therapy via autophagy is pros and cons since the autophagy in cancer cells is related to prevention and survival mechanism depending on nutrition. To avoid paradox of autophagy in cancer therapy, fine-tuned regulation and application of hinokitiol in due course for successful suppressing cancer cells are recommended.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was performed to identify the anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia miltiorrhizae radix Water extract (SMW) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation. Methods: RAW 264.7 cells were treated with 500 ng/ml of LPS. SMW (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 mg/ml) was treated 1 h prior to LPS. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Levels of nitric oxide (NO) were measured with Griess reagent and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation by western blot. In addition, we observed mice survival rate after LPS and examined their cytokine levels of serum and liver tissue. Results: SMW itself did not have cytotoxic effects in RAW 264.7 cells less than 0.5 mg/ml. SMW treatment inhibited the production of NO, and interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ which is pro-inflammatory cytokine. And SMW treatment inhibited the LPS-induced activation of MAPKs such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 kinases (p38), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and $NF-{\kappa}B$. In addition, it also showed reducing the level of $IL-1{\beta}$ on the serum and liver tissue of mice. Also, death of LPS-induced mice was inhibited by SMW. Conclusions: The result suggests that treatment of SMW could reduce the LPS-induced inflammation. Thereby, SMW could be used as a protective agent against inflammation. Also, this study could give a clinical basis that SMW could be a drug or agent to prevent inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.62-70
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• 2018

In this study, we synthesized Oligo Peptide (Lys-Val-Ala-Arg-Pro: KVARP) and peptide derivatives using Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis(SPPS). KVARP was commonly known to improve whitening of skin. We measured bio-activity of the synthesized compounds. The whitening effect was measured in tyrosinase inhibition and the result showed to be highly effective with 93% inhibition rate at $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Geranic-KVARP, on the other hand the IC50 value was $68{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The wrinkle-reducing effect was measured by elastase inhibition at a concentration of 63% at $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Salicylic-KVARP, and the IC50 value was $253{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. In the DPPH assay, Caffeic-KVARP showed more than 95% antioxidant activity at $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with high concentration and IC50 value was $31{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The anti-inflammatory effect of Nitric Oxide inhibition was 67% at $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Lipoic-KVARP. Therefore, the four types of KVARP derivative that were synthesized from various experiments has shown that it could have potential to be used to develop new medicines, cosmetics as well as in various industries.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.273-279
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• 2017

Curcumin have various health-beneficial properties in numerous studies. However, its bioavailability is low due to its limited intestinal uptake and rapid metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of newly developed sub-micron particle curcumin with increased water dispersibility (Theracurmin(R) CR-033P). Plasma curcumin levels were measured at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 h after Theracurmin(R) CR-033P intake using high-performance liquid chromatography. For analyzing pharmacokinetics of Theracurmin(R) CR-033P, eighteen healthy subjects were recruited and received Theracurmin(R) CR-033P at a single oral dose containing curcumin 30 mg. $C_{max}$ was 28.14 ng/ml, and the area under the curve for 8 h was estimated to be 104.36 ng/ml. Based on the area under the plasma concentration (AUC), the bioavailability of sub-micron particle curcumin was higher 22-, 35-, 28-fold than native curcumin in men, women, and all subjects, respectively. For comparing by formulation, seven healthy subjects were recruited and received two type of treatment: (1) existing dosage form 300 mg (contained curcumin 30 mg) ${\times}$ 3 capsule, (2) high dosage form 300 mg (contained curcumin 90 mg) ${\times}$ 1 capsule + placebo 300 mg ${\times}$ 2 capsule. In the cross-over study, there was no significant differences in $C_{max}$ and AUC of plasma curcumin. In conclusion, submicron particle curcumin with increased water dispersibility significantly improved its oral bioavailability and women absorbed curcumin more effectively than men. Different formulation of Theracurmin(R) CR-033P has shown equivalent to the reference in terms of pharmacokinetics.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2017

Caesalpinia sappan L. is an oriental medicinal plant distributed in the Asia Pacific region including India, Malaysia, and China. The dried heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan has been traditionally used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug. In this study, the effects of extract methods of C. sappan on contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxic activity were evaluated. As a result, hot water extract from C. sappan (CSWE) significantly exhibited contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids (22.6 mg GAE/g and 14.5 mg QE/g) higher than 70% ethanol extract (CSEE) (17.6 mg GAE/g and 13.2 mg QE/g). However, CSEE showed greater antioxidant activity than CSWE in both DPPH and ABTS. Also, the cytotoxicity of C. sappan against three kinds of cancer cell lines was higher in CSEE than in CSWE. These results show that ethanol extract is a better extract method than hot water method to maintain antioxidant and anti-cancer activities.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.127-145
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Daeganghwal-tang on knee cartilage in monosodium iodoacetate(MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods : Forty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups(n=8/group): normal group was SD rats group injected with normal saline at left knee joint and administrated orally distilled water, control group was MIA-induced osteoarthritis SD rats group administrated orally distilled water, Indomethacin group was MIA-induced osteoarthritis SD rats group administrated orally indomethacin 2 mg/kg, DGHT(L) group was MIA-induced osteoarthritis SD rats group administrated orally 1280 mg/kg of Daeganghwal-tang, and DGHT(H) group was MIA-induced osteoarthritis SD rats group administrated orally 2560 mg/kg of Daeganghwal-tang. After orally administration of drugs for 4 weeks, gross appearance and histological analysis were used to evaluate the degree of knee cartilage damage. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines, bone degrade factor and bone defence factors were analyzed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and cartilage protection effects of Daeganghwal-tang. Also, hematological test, biochemical test, and liver and kidney tissue were analyzed to determine the safety of Daeganghwal-tang. Results : Daeganghwal-tang inhibited the damage of the knee cartilage, and significantly prevented the reduction in cartilage thickness. In addition, the pro-inflammatory cytokines and the bone degrade factor significantly decreased, and the bone defence factors significantly increased. In the safety assessment of Daeganghwal-tang, there were no significant differences among the experimental groups and no abnormal findings were observed. Conclusions : Daeganghwal-tang has anti-inflammatory effect, inhibits cartilage damage, and protects cartilage in MIA-induced osteoarthritis rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.144-148
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• 2021

This study aimed to analyze the content and composition of a biological amine, cadaverine, isolated from the venom of worker honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). This biological amine―which has diverse functionality, such as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects―has not been previously reported in bee venom. An assay completed in 13 minutes was developed for the cadaverine present in the bee venom using an ultra-performance liquid chromatograph and a Halo C18 column with acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase. The specificity, accuracy, and precision of the assay were verified, and the assay was validated. The linearity for cadaverine in the bee venom was R2=0.99 or above, indicating a moderate level. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were both 0.3 ㎍/ml, and the rate of recovery was 97.6%-99.1%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the intra-day precision and inter-day precision for cadaverine was 0.25%-0.44% and 0.25%-1.25%, respectively, with an RSD that fell within 5% indicating excellent precision. Through this novel assay, it was found that the mean content of cadaverine was 1.10±0.05 mg/g. Our results indicated that the linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and rate of recovery of the cadaverine assay were of a satisfactory level, and the cadaverine content of the bee venom was ably determined. This study provides basic data on cadaverine in bee venom, which will prove useful in further studies on the bioactivity of this component.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1054-1062
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• 2020

This study was designed to investigate whether extracts from Oxya chinensis sinuosa Mistshenk (an edible insect considered a grasshopper) could inhibit the activity of carbohydrate digestive enzymes and alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Oxya chinensis sinuosa Mistshenk was extracted with 80% ethanol (OEE) or water (OWE) and then concentrated. The carbohydrate digestive enzyme-inhibiting activity of the resulting extracts was evaluated by examining α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The IC50 values of OEE against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 0.229 mg/ml and 0.106 mg/ml, respectively. This result indicated that OEE has stronger inhibitory effects than OWE and positive control. The blood glucose levels of the diabetic control mice increased after one meal. However, when OEE (300 mg/kg) was added to starch, this increase in postprandial blood glucose levels was significantly suppressed. The area under the curve also significantly decreased following the administration of OEE, which exhibited no cytotoxicity. These results indicate that OEE is more efficacious than OWE and may be used as a carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitor, delay carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption, and thus alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia caused by dietary carbohydrates.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.692-701
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• 2020

Centella asiatica (CA) has been widely used as herbal plants. It is a valuable resources. The aim of the present study was to evaluate physiological activities of solvent extracts from CA cultivated in Chungju, Korea (Good tiger care). After preparing water (cold-water, CA-WE; hot-water, CA-HWE) and EtOH extracts (50% EtOH, CA-50E; 70% EtOH, CA-70E), their total polyphenol, flavonoid, and triterpenoid contents, and anti-oxidant activities, and anti-inflammatory activities were examined and compared. CA-70E showed the most potent anti-oxidant activity based on ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing ability assays, while CA-50E and CA-70E showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. Among major triterpenoid glycosides present in CA, madecassoside and asiaticoside contents were found to be the highest in CA-70E, and madecassic acid and asiatic acid were the highest in CA-50E. In LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, CA-70E showed the highest TNF-α inhibitory activity, although CA-50E and CA-70E similarly inhibited nitric oxide production. Ethanol extracts significantly inhibited IL-6 and IL-8 production more than water extracts using TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells, indicating its better inhibitory against skin inflammation. Therefore, Chungju-CA EtOH extract, especially 70% EtOH extract, has high physiologically active ingredients and potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting its industrial application as a functional material.