• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2016

Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle (Korean name, ‘Doraji’) is a perennial plant containing various triterpenoid saponins. The roots of this plant have traditionally been used as a food material in Korea. Here, we prepared a fermented P. grandiflorum extract (PG). Although it was previously reported that P. grandiflorum A. extract has a variety of physiological functionalities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, little is known about its vascular functions. In this study, we executed a series of experiments to identify the effect of PG on endothelial cells. PG at a high concentration (100 μg/ml) was found to induce cell detachment, whereas PG at a low concentration (0.1 μg/ml) appeared to promote cell proliferation and migration in bovine aortic endothelial cells. The cell detachment induced by the high concentration was not associated with cell death, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. In addition, we found that PG at the high concentration formed a small vesicular structure called an endothelial microparticle (EMP). The EMP was prepared by centrifugal fractionation and determined with flow cytometry and a microscope. Interestingly, PG-induced cell detachment was found to be mediated by EMP. We furthermore determined that PG at the low concentration activated Akt, a crucial cell-signaling molecule, and then controlled cell proliferation and migration. Overall, our findings suggest that PG at low doses maintains vascular stability by promoting endothelial cell proliferation, and enhances the efficacy of wound healing by cell proliferation and migration activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.3 s.52
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• pp.219-236
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• 2005

Glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from fruit and milk sugars, has been commonly used as a cosmetic ingredient since it was known to have photo-protective, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-oxidant effect in UV-irradiated skin. However, little has been know about the functional role of glycolic acid on UV-induced skin cell proliferation. It was previously found that glycolic acid inhibited UV-induced skin tumor development in hairless mouse. As a possible mechanism of glycolic acid on the UV-induced skin tumor development, the ability of glycolic acid to inhibit the UVB-induced cell growth and possible mechanisms were investigated. Glycolic acid treatment attenuated the UV-induced cell proliferation and apoptotic cell death in the skin. In vitro study, glycolic acid inhibited the UVB-induced cell growth and apoptotic death through inhibiting caspase-3 activity. These results suggest that glycolic acid may exert the Inhibitory effect on the UVB-induced skin tumor development by regulating cell growth and apoptotic cell death.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

In this experiment, the Grateloupia elliptica (G. elliptica) was fermented using the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans (A. pullulans) and its extract was obtained from hot water and 70% ethanol solution. The extract was studied for their biological activities such as antioxidant effect, Collagenase and tyrosinase inhibition in comparison to the nonfermented exatract in same solvents. Antioxidative activity test using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) showed that ethanol extract had higher antioxidant activity than water extract. Among all of the samples, the antioxidant activity of G. elliptica fermented ethanol extracts (GEFEE) was highest. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity of GEFEE was highest with 9.8% at the 1,000 ㎍/mL concentration. No inhibition of collagenase from G. elliptica water extract (GEWE) and G. elliptica fermented water extract (GEFWE) was observed, but G. elliptica ethanol extracts (GEEE) and GEFEE showed increased collagenase inhibition activity with increasing concentrations of them. Collagenase inhibitory activity of GEFEE was highest with 50.3% at the 1,000 ㎍/mL concentration. MTS cell proliferation assay was conducted with the GEWE, GEEE, GEFWE, GEFEE and cell viability was over 90% at the 10 ㎍/mL ~ 1000 ㎍/mL concentrations for all of the samples, which suggested that the extracts were noncytotoxic. In conclusion, fermented extracts of G. elliptica could be developed to bioactive functional material for cosmetics with antioxidant and wrinkle improvement effects.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.421-427
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• 2015

Angelica gigas Nakai is one of the most widely used herbal medicines and is known to have many pharmaceutical effects including an anti-oxidant, anti-cancer etc. This study was carried out to investigate an effect of fertilization on leaf yield, production of dry-matter and accumulation of pyranocurmarine compounds such as decursin (DE) and decursinol angelate (DA) in Angelica gigas Nakai. Effect of fertilization was determined from response surface regression equation composing of 2 by 3 factorial arrangement of urea, sodium dihydrogen phosphate and potassium chloride. Yield of leaf in Angelica gigas Nakai significantly increased until 100 days after transplanting. Production of leaf also tended to increase with increasing nitrogen fertilization. Model of regression equation showed that leaf production depended upon nitrogen ($Pr>{\mid}t{\mid}$ : 0.087, 0.256 and 0.079). Also, statistical results between nitrogen application level and production of dry-matter showed significant relationship (p<0.05) and contents of dry-matter was highest in 10 kg 10a-1 treatment on 24 Sep. Active compound isolated and purified from leaf and root of Angelica gigas Nakai was identified as DE and DA by gas chromatograph-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). Concentration of DA as prevalent compound in leaf was highest on 20 Aug. but decreased on 24 Sep. Amount of DE and DA accumulated in Angelica gigas Nakai significantly increased with growth stages and nitrogen level. The result of our investigation imply that nitrogen fertilization is important factor for production of leaf and accumulation of pyranocurmarine in Angelica gigas Nakai as a medicinal/food materials.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.412-421
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• 2021

Purpose: Thioacetamide (TAA) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver, and the generated ROS induces liver injury through inflammatory reactions. The current study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba water extract (AC), imparted via its antioxidant activity, in an animal model of TAA-induced liver injury. Methods: Animal experiments were conducted in 5 groups: normal, control (TAA 200 mg/kg), SM (TAA 200 mg/kg + silymarin 100 mg/kg), ACL (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 100 mg/kg), ACH (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 200mg/kg). TAA (intraperitoneal) and treatment compounds (per oral) were administered for 3 days. Serum levels of ammonia concentration and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were subsequently measured. Liver tissues were subjected to western blot analysis for measuring the oxidative stress (NADPH oxidase), anti-oxidative activity (Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, and GPx-1/2), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) protein expressions. Results: Serum ammonia levels and MPO activity were significantly increased in the TAA-induced control group, whereas groups administered AC treatment showed markedly reduced levels. Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased NOX2 and p22^phox expressions, (oxidative stress-related factors) in the TAA-induced control group. These levels were determined to be significantly decreased after AC exposure. Moreover, antioxidant-related factors including Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 were significantly decreased in the control group and increased in the AC treated groups. In addition, MMP expressions were significantly suppressed in the AC treatment group due to increased levels of TIMP-1. Conclusion: Taken together, these data indicate that exposure to AC reduces the oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX2 and p22^phox) through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. We therefore propose the potential of AC for the prevention and treatment of TAA-induced liver injury.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.129-139
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• 2016

Curcumin plays a protective role in brain injury through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Moreover, peroxiredoxin-5 exerts a protective effect against oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether curcumin modulated the peroxiredoxin-5 expression in focal cerebral ischemic animal model. Middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) was performed to induce cerebral ischemic injury in rats. Adult male rats were injected intraperitoneally with vehicle or curcumin(50mg/kg B.W.) 1 h after MCAO and cerebral cortex tissues were collected 24 h after MCAO. Photographs of hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that MCAO induced necrotic changes with scalloped shrunken form and apoptotic changes with nuclear chromatin condensations. However, curcumin treatment attenuated MCAO-induced histopathological changes. Moreover, this study clearly showed that peroxiredoxin-5 expression was decreased in MCAO operated animal with vehicle using a proteomics approach. However, this decrease in peroxiredoxin-5 expression was attenuated by curcumin treatment. Reverse-transcription PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed that curcumin treatment alleviated the MCAO injury-induced decrease in peroxiredoxin-5 expression(p<0.05). These results demonstrated that curcumin regulates peroxiredoxin-5 expression in MCAO animal model. In conclusion, our findings suggest that curcumin exerts a neuroprotective effect in cerebral ischemia by attenuating the MCAO-induced decrease in peroxiredoxin-5 expression.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.965-976
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• 2023

Reynoutria japonica is a perennate plant belonging to Polygonaceae and grows wild in East Asia containing Korea. Roots of Reynoutria japonica (R. japonica), part of roots of Reynoutria japonica, has been used for anti-inflammation and antispasmodics and contains emodin as active compound. Epidermis of skin is crucial roles to defense our body against stimulants, harmful substance and prevent water loss. In this study, we examined the effect of R. japonica and emodin, its active compound, on skin-barrier and moisturizing on HaCaT cells. First, antioxidant effect of R. japonica was prominent by scavenging ABTS⁺ radicals. Next, we conducted real time PCR and expression of filaggrin mRNA which is crucial role in differentiation of keratinocyte increased by R. japonica and emodin dose-dependently. In addition, R. japonica and emodin significantly elevated the expression of HAS-2 mRNA which play a role in hyaluronic acid synthesis on HaCaT cells. Taken together, R. japonica containing emodin, as active compound has potential as a cosmetic material for enhancing the function of skin-barrier and moisturizing in epidermis.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2017

This study provide activity for beauty food of water and 80 % ethanol extracts from Pinus koraiensis leaves. Total phenolic content of extracts from Pinus koraiensis leaves were each 12.22 mg/g (Drying under hot air) and 17.93 mg/g (Drying under shade), 14.36 mg/g (Lyophilization) in water extracts (WE) and 11.9 mg/g and 20.63 mg/g, 17.96 mg/g in 80 % ethanol extracts (EE). The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity of extracts from Pinus koraiensis leaves was 96.20 % in EE from drying under shade at extracts concentration. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical decolorization activity of extracts from drying under shade was 99.85 % in WE and 99.80 % in EE at extracts concentration. The antioxidant protection factor (PF) extracts from drying under shade type was 9.63 PF in WE and 10.48 PF in EE at extracts concentration. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance from Pinus koraiensis leaf was 89.39 % in EE from drying under shade at extracts concentration. The elastase inhibition activity of EE for anti-wrinkle effect showed an excellent wrinkle improvement effect, showing 71.46 % in EE from lyophilization. Collagenase inhibition activity of EE from drying under shade was 97.48 % in extracts. Tyrosinase inhibition activity which was related to anti-melanogensis was observed. The tyrosinase inhibitory effect of extracts from lyophilization was confirmed to be 60.4 % in EE more than another drying methods at extracts concentration. Through out all results, it can be expected Pinus koraiensis leaves extracts to use as a functional material for anti-oxidant and functional beauty food.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2013

Objective: The study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of Ziziphus mucronata (ZM) fruit extract. Methods: The different types of fruit extract were prepared by soaking the dry powdered fruit in different solvents followed by rotary evaporation. Each extract was tested for its phenol content and antioxidant activities. An in vivo study was performed in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Thirty adult male SD rats (aged 21 weeks) were divided into six groups of five rats each and treated as follows: The normal control (NC) received distilled water while the dimethoate control (DC) received 6 mg/kg.bw.day-1 dimethoate dissolved in distilled water. The experimental groups E1, E2, E3, and E0 received dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (100 mg/kg.bw-1), dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (200 mg/kg.bw-1), dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (300 mg/kg.bw-1), and ZMFM (300 mg/kg.bw-1) only. Both the normal control and the dimethoate control groups were used to compare the results. After 90 days, rats were sacrificed, blood was collected for biochemical assays, and livers were harvested for histological study. Results: High phenol content was estimated, and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) spectrophotometric, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and 2, 2-Azobis-3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays showed a high antioxidant activity among the extracts. The preventive effects observed in the E1, E2 and E3 groups proved that the extract could prevent dimethoate toxicity by maintaining normal reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and E, superoxide dismutase, catalase, cholineasterase and lipid profiles. The preventive effect was observed to be dose dependent. The EO group showed no extract-induced toxicity. Histological observations agreed with the results obtained in the biochemical studies. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that ZM methanol fruit extract is capable of attenuating dimethoate-induced toxicity because of its high antioxidant activity.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.296-301
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• 1999

A Bacillus strain from Korean soil was isolated and identified to be Bacillus licheniformis B1 through various biochemical tests, VITEK, and MIDI system analysis. The strain produced extracellular amylase and protease. Whether or not the strain can perform Chungkookjang fermentation with autoclaved soybean and Kanjang fermentation was determined in this study. In Chungkookjang fermentation, browining materials of strong anti-oxidant increased 8-fold, and 2-fold in Kanjang, compared with initiation material for fermentation. Maximal protease activity in Chungkookjang was observed one day after inoculation. Protease activities in Kanjang decreased to the half, and then maintained constant values during fermentation, probably due to the inhibitory effect of salt on protease activities. High molecular mass of nucleic acids was identified in Chungkookjang and Kanjang. Since the nucleic acids were not observed in autoclaved soybean, they seem to be originated from B. licheniformis B1. This study demonstrated successive fermentation of Chungkookjang and Kanjang by B. licheniformis B1 isolated from nature, and suggested possible development of food rich in browing and nucleic acids.