• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.242-249
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• 2004

The main aim of this study was to investigate stress related activities of Sun-ginseng extract as a candidate for anti-stress-related functional supplement by comparing its effect to those of red ginseng, which is also known to alleviate stress. Normal group was not exposed to stress while the control group was exposed to stress. Rats were orally administered once a day with 200 mg red ginseng (RG) extract, 100 or 200 mg Sun-ginseng (SG) extract/kg body weight. Mice were given water containing 400 mg red ginseng extract, 200 or 400 mg SG/100 mL potable water. Rats were given supplements for 5 days without stress, and 5 days with restraint and electroshock stress. After final stress, stress-related behavioral changes of experimental animals were recorded and levels of blood corticosterone were measured. Mice were given supplements for 5 days through drinking water, and then fatigue related motor activity were recorded. SG-supplementation partially blocked stress effect on locomotion and elevated plus maze test in rats, and also partially blocked stress-induced behavioral changes such as freezing, burrowing, smelling, facewashing, grooming and rearing behavior in rats. SG-supplementation decreased blood corticosterone level which is increased by stress in rats. Effects of SG may not be modulated by GABAnergic nervous system. SG-supplementation prolonged swimming time and staying time on the wire and rotarod wheel in mice. These results suggest that SG partially protects living organisms from stress attack in some cases and thus has the potential to be used as a functional food to alleviate stress response.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.4 s.147
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• pp.246-252
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• 2006

Processing of traditional herbal medicine is one of the pharmaceutical technique in oriental medicine. Most frequently used processing method in oriental medicine are roasting and steaming. In this studies, to elucidate the pharmacological transformation of traditional herbal medicine by means of processing them, Ginseng Radix (root of Panax ginseng, Araliaceae) was used as a sample. Processed ginseng radix (SGR, Sun Ginseng) was prepared by steaming of roots of white ginseng (GR) for 3 hours at $120^{\circ}C$. The biological activities of methanol extract of GR and SGR were investigated. According to DPPH radical scavenging effects, and inhibitory effects of xanthine oxidase and AAPH induced hemolysis, PGR exhibited more effective than those of GR in vitro. And, the antifatigue effect of GR and SGR were investigated using a weight-loading forced swimming test by monitoring swimming times and prolonged intensity exercise model rats by measuring blood biochemical parameters. GR and SGR were significantly prolonged swimming times in 8% body weight ratio loaded mice. Also, they had the inhibitory effects on the decrease of blood glucose levels, the elevation of serum creatinine, lactic acid and free fatty acid, and lactic dehydrogenase activities in forces swimming rats with 1% of the body weight attached to the neck for 3 hours. SGR was more excellent than GR on these effect. Also, these effects were transformed to the n-butanol fraction of methanol extract of SGR. From these results, it can be considered that SGR has antifatigue effect.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2014

NF-${\kappa}B$ is a transcriptional factor which is involved in many biological processes including immunity, inflammation, and cell survival. Many investigators studied on the mechanism involved in activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ signalling pathway via ubiquitination and degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ regarding skin disease. Some specific molecules including Akt, MEK, p38 MAP Kinase, Stat3, et al. represent convergence points and key regulatory proteins in signaling pathways controlling cellular events such as growth and differentiation, energy homeostasis, and the response to stress and inflammation. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has many adverse effects on skin, including inflammation, alteration in the extracellular matrix, cellular senescence, apoptosis and skin cancer. Prunus mume, a naturally derived plant extract, has beneficial biological activities as blood fluidity improvement, anti-fatigue action, antioxidative and free radical scavenging activities, inhibiting the motility of Helicobacter pyolri. Previous reports on various beneficial function prompted us to investigate UVB-induced or other immunostimulated biological marker regarding P. mume extract. P. mume extract suppresses UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in mouse skin epidermal JB6 P+ cells. The activation of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ induced by UVB was dose-dependently inhibited by P. mume extract treatment. This results suggest that P. mume extracts might be used as a potential agents for protection of inflammation or UVB induced skin damage.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.657-665
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• 2022

Background: Sarcopenia is a new and emerging risk factor aggravating the quality of life of elderly population. Because Korean Red Ginseng (RG) is known to have a great effect on relieving fatigue and enhancing physical performance, it is invaluable to examine its potential as an anti-sarcopenic drug. Methods: Anti-sarcopenic effect of non-saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng (RGNS) was evaluated in C2C12 myoblasts treated with C2-ceramide to induce senescence phenotypes, and 22-month-old mice fed with chow diet containing 2% RGNS (w/w) for 4 further months. Results: The RGNS treatment significantly alleviated cellular senescence indicated by intracellular lipid accumulation, increased amount of lysosomal β-galactosidase, and reduced proliferative capacity in C2C12 myoblasts. This effect was not observed with saponin fraction. In an aged mouse, the 4-month-RGNS diet significantly improved aging-associated loss of muscle mass and strength, assessed by the weights of hindlimb skeletal muscles such as tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), gastrocnemius (GN) and soleus (SOL), and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of SOL muscle, and the behaviors in grip strength and hanging wire tests, respectively. During the same period, an aging-associated shift of fast-to slow-twitch muscle in SOL muscle was also retarded by the RGNS treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the long-term diet of RGNS significantly prevented aging-associated muscle atrophy and reduced physical performance, and thus RGNS has a strong potential to be developed as a drug that prevents or improves sarcopenia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.9-17
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• 2017

Objectives : Kyeongok-go has the effect of antioxidant, anti-cancer, improving fatigue, and hyperlipidemia, but it is not easy to use in clinical practice becausee of the complicated manufacturing process of heat control and moisture control. The aim of this study was to explore the lipid improvement effect of new manufacturing methods prodeced Kyeongok-go in hyperlipidemia rats. Methods : The SD rats were divided randomly into 8 groups of six animals each : Normal rats (Nor), hyperlipidemia rats (Con), hyperlipidemia rats treated with Spirulina 60 mg/kg(SP60), hyperlipidemia rats treated with Commercial Kyeongok-go 1 g/kg (K0), hyperlipidemia rats treated with Kyeongok-go manufactured by heating mantle 1 g/kg (K1), hyperlipidemia rats treated with ginseng fermentation Kyeongok-go 1 g/kg (KF), hyperlipidemia rats treated with Kyeongok-go with black ginseng 1 g/kg (BK), hyperlipidemia rats treated with black ginseng fermentation Kyeongok-go 1 g/kg (BKF). The experimental group induced hyperlipidemia by eating high cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Also, we compared Kyeongok-go manufacturing method using the new method compared with traditional method. Results : As a result, the improvement effect of hyperlipemia using the new method showed the similar or better improvement effect compared with the conventional method, and it is considered that the Kyeongok-go manufacturing method using the new method can be substituted for the traditional Kyeongok-go manufacturing method. Conclusion : In conclusion, these results suggest that new manufacturing methods prodeced Kyeongok-go has the potential as a anti-hyperlipidemia material which possess lipid improvement activities.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.25-39
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• 2021

Objectives: Ssanghwa-tang (SHT) is a traditional herbal formula comprising nine medicinal herbs, and it is used for reducing fatigue in Korea. SHT exerts various effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging activities, and protection against acute hepatotoxicity. However, the genotoxicity of SHT has not yet been established. Methods: Ten components were identified in SHT water extract by using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. We assessed the genotoxicity of SHT by using bacterial reverse mutation (Ames test), chromosome aberration, and in vivo micronucleus tests. Results: The contents of paeoniflorin, glycyrrhizin, and liquiritin apioside in SHT were 15.57, 6.94, and 3.48 mg/g extract, respectively. SHT did not increase the revertant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli strains in the presence or absence of metabolic activity. Although SHT did not induce structurally abnormal chromosomes in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells in the presence of metabolic activity, the number of structurally aberrated chromosomes increased dose-dependently in the absence of metabolic activity. In the in vivo micronucleus test, SHT did not affect the formation of micronuclei compared with the vehicle control. Conclusions: Genotoxicity of SHT was not observed in the Ames test and in vivo micronucleus test. However, based on the results of chromosome aberration test, it can be presumed that SHT has the potential to induce genotoxicity because it induced structurally abnormal chromosomes in the absence of metabolic activity.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.97-104
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• 2016

OBJECTIVES : The objective of this research is to develop additives for the modification of Solvent DeAsphalting Residue (SDAR) to be used as pavement materials, and evaluate the performance of asphalt mixture manufactured using the SDAR modified by developed additives. METHODS : The SDAR generally consists of more asphaltenes and less oil components compared to the conventional asphalt binder, and hence, the chemical/physical properties of SDAR are different from that of conventional asphalt binder. In this research, the additives are developed using the low molecular oil-based plasticizer to improve the properties of SDAR. First, the chemical property of two SDARs is analyzed using SARA (saturate, aromatic, resin, and asphaltene) method. The physical/rheological properties of SDARs and SDARs containing additives are also evaluated based on PG-grade method and dynamic shear-modulus master curve. Second, various laboratory tests are conducted for the asphalt mixture manufactured using the SDAR modified with additives. The laboratory tests conducted in this study include the mix design, compactibility analysis, indirect tensile test for moisture susceptibility, dynamic modulus test for rheological property, wheel-tracking test for rutting performance, and direct tension fatigue test for cracking performance. RESULTS : The PG-grade of SDARs is higher than PG 76 in high temperature grades and immeasurable in low temperature grades. The dynamic shear modulus of SDARs is much higher than that of conventional asphalt, but the modified SDARs with additives show similar modulus compared to that of conventional asphalt. The moisture susceptibility of asphalt mixture with modified SDARs is good if, the anti-stripping agent is included. The performance (dynamic modulus, rutting resistance, and fatigue resistance) of asphalt mixture with modified SDARs is comparable to that of conventional asphalt mixture when appropriate amount of additives is added. CONCLUSIONS : The saturate component of SDARs is much less than that of conventional asphalt, and hence, it is too hard and brittle to be used as pavement materials. However, the modified SDARs with developed additives show comparable or better rheological/physical properties compared to that of conventional asphalt depending on the type of SDAR and the amount of additives used.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of LAB (Lactic acid bacteria: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus) on detoxication of damaged liver in carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) and ethanol (25%)-treated rats. Rats had been daily (twice a day) pre-treated with saline (0.5 ml/kg: untreated group), $CCl_4$ (0.5 ml/kg: other groups) for 6 days. At seventh day, after treating rat with $CCl_4$ and then, mixture of LAB ($10^{11}$/0.5 ml: LAB group), saline (0.5 ml/kg: untreated group, $CCl_4$ group), and biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) (50 mg/kg: DDB group) were treated orally with $CCl_4$ for 8 days. Ethanol is treated as the same manner instead of $CCl_4$. To investigate the hepatoprotective effect, rats treated with $CCl_4$ and ethanol were analyzed with serum GOT and GPT level. The GOT and GPT levels of LAB group was lower than the level of $CCl_4$ and DDB group. Especially, compared with data of $CCl_4$ group, GPT activity showed statistically significant result in the significance level of p < 0.05. The LAB group treated with ethanol also showed lower level of GOT and GPT than the other control groups treated with ethanol. The triglyceride level of serum decreased more in a group treated special materials (DDB and LAB group) than ethanol group. As well, the effect of LAB on the antifatigue has been investigated. The animals (10/group) were divided into 4 groups (untreated group, Carrier group, Red-ginseng group, LAB group). Each group was given carrier (0.9 mg/0.2 ml), red ginseng extract (200 mg/kg), and mixture of LAB ($10^{11}$/0.2 ml). Special materials were given for three weeks. After finishing treating through oral, horizontal wire test, rotarod test, and forced swimming test were performed. The time of resistance to fatigue of the group, fed with mixture of LAB, was longer than the time when mice treated with red-ginseng that the effect was already revealed. The result of this study revealed that LAB could decrease hepatocelluar injury compared with rats treated orally with $CCl_4$ and ethanol, and could also decrease fatigue.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1324-1330
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• 2015

The present study was performed to analyze and review the physical and immune responses to overtraining syndrome in humans. Overreaching refers to the initial phage of overtraining syndrome and has been known as a physical fatigue which is mainly from metabolic imbalance. It has been known that overtraining also results in a loss of adaptability which may lead to an attenuation of exercise performance, sleeping disorder, central fatigue, neurohormonal changes, difficulty recovery to physical stress, and immunological changes. Additionally, overtraining syndrome is characterized by persistent fatigue, poor performance in sport due to the prolonged and strenuous physical training. Also, previous studies reported that endurance athletes experienced a high incidence of URTI during intense training and the post training. And also, high-performance athletes reported that suppression of cell mediated and anti-body mediated immune function. NK cell numbers were also reduced in the period of overtraining syndrome. Major components of prevention and treatment for the overtraining syndrome are screening, education, and detraining. Furthermore, the combination of these prevention and treatment strategies will be much helpful. Therefore, the current review will be helpful for athletes and individuals who are at the risk of overtraining syndrome.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2016

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a well-known natural product with anticarcinogenic and antioxidant effects. We evaluated the antifatigue effect of KRG in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Eighty patients with NAFLD were prospectively randomized to receive 3 wk of KRG or placebo in addition to counseling on healthy eating and regular exercise. Liver function test, proinflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, antioxidant activity, and fatigue score were measured and compared according to the body mass index between the KRG and placebo groups. Results: The liver function tests were significantly improved after 3 wk of treatment in both groups. The mean levels (at baseline and after treatment) of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ were $108.0pg/mL{\pm}54.8pg/mL$ and $92.7pg/mL{\pm}39.0pg/mL$ (p = 0.018) in the KRG group and $123.1pg/mL{\pm}42.1pg/mL$ and $127.5pg/mL{\pm}62.2pg/mL$ (p = 0.694) in the placebo group, respectively. There was a significant difference in change of adiponectin levels between the KRG ($7,751.2pg/mL{\pm}3,108.1pg/mL$ and $8,197.3pg/mL{\pm}2,714.5pg/mL$) and placebo groups ($7,711.6pg/mL{\pm}3,041.3pg/mL$ and $7,286.1pg/mL{\pm}5,188.7pg/mL$, p = 0.027). In patients with overweight, the fatigue score was significantly decreased in the KRG group ($35.0{\pm}13.2$ and $24.5{\pm}8.9$, p = 0.019). Conclusion: Our results show that KRG might be effective in reducing proinflammatory cytokine and fatigue in overweight patients with NAFLD, in addition to improvements in adiponectin levels.