• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2007

The goal of this study was to develop a highly valuable Korean traditional ginseng wine containing various bioactive compounds with good acceptability. The effect of some medicinal plants on the quality and physiological functionality of Korean traditional ginseng wine were investigated. Advanced traditional ginseng wine (AG wine) prepared by addition of 0.5% each Pleuropterus multflorus and Pueraria lobata into the rice mash containing 1% ginseng, 0.4% Fermivin(commercial alcohol fermentation yeast) and Koji (2:1 mixture of nuruk and amylase containing 36 Saccharogenic power per g) showed the highest acceptability and ethanol content (16.8%). Changes of functionalities of the AG wine during fermentation at $25^{\circ}C$ for 30 days were investigated. The highest antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity (78.9%) and total acceptability of the AG wine were shown after fermentation at $25^{\circ}C$ for 20 days. However, antioxidant activity, SOD-like activity and fibrinolytic activity of the AG wines were not detected or very low. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity of the AG wine was also shown to be 8.2% and 9.2% after fermentation for 15 days and 20 days, respectively.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.578-588
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• 2017

Background: Elevated testicular temperature disrupts spermatogenesis and causes infertility. In the present study, the protective effect of enzymatically biotransformed Panax ginseng Meyer by pectinase (GINST) against chronic intermittent heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats was investigated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 wk old, 60-70 g) were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), heat-stress control (HC), heat-stress plus GINST-100 mg/kg (HG100), and heat-stress plus GINST-200 mg/kg (HG200) treatment groups. Each dose of GINST (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) was mixed separately with a regular pellet diet and was administered orally for 24 wk. For inducing heat stress, rats in the NC group were maintained at $25^{\circ}C$, whereas rats in the HC, HG100, and HG200 groups were exposed to $32{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ for 2 h daily for 6 mo. At week 25, the testes and serum from each animal were analyzed for various parameters. Results: Significant (p < 0.01) changes in the sperm kinematic values and blood chemistry panels were observed in the HC group. Furthermore, spermatogenesis-related molecules, sex hormone receptors, and selected antioxidant enzyme expression levels were also altered in the HC group compared to those in the NC group. GINST (HS100 and HS200) administration significantly (p < 0.05) restored these changes when compared with the HC group. For most of the parameters tested, the HG200 group exhibited potent effects compared with those exhibited by the HG100 group. Conclusion: GINST may be categorized as an important medicinal herb and a potential therapeutic for the treatment of male subfertility or infertility caused by hyperthermia.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.36-42
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• 2002

Diesel exhaust (DE) has been recognized as a noxious mutagen and/or carcinogen, because its components can form DNA adducts. Mechanisms governing the susceptibility to DE and the efficiency of such DNA adduct formation require clarification. The transcription factor Nrf2 is essential for inducible and/or constitutive expression of a group of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes, and we hypothesized that the nrf2 gene knockout mouse might serve as an excellent model system for analyzing DE toxicity. To address this hypothesis, lungs from nrf2(-/-) and nrf2(+/-) mice were examined for the production of xenobiotic-DNA adducts after exposure to DE (3 $mg/m^{3}$ suspended particulate matter) for 4 weeks. Whereas the relative adduct levels (RAL) were significantly increased in the lungs of both nrf2(+/-) and nrf2(-/-) mice upon exposure to DE, the increase of RAL in the lungs from nrf2(-/-) mice exposed to DE were approximately 2.3-fold higher than that of nrf2(+/-) mite exposed to DE. In contrail, cytochrome P4501Al mRNA levels in the nrf2(-/-)mouse lungs were similar to those in the nrf2(+/-) mouse lungs even after exposure to DE, suggesting that suppressed activity of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes is important in giving ise to the increased level of DNA adducts in the Nrf2-null mutant mouse subjected to DE. Importantly, severe hyperplasia and accumulation of the oxidative DNA adduct 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were observed in the bronchial epidermis of nrf(-/-) mite following DE exposure. These results demonstrate the increased susceptibility of the nrf2 germ line mutant mouse to DE exposure and indicate the nrf2 gene knockout mouse nay represent a valuable model for the assessment of respiratory DE toxicity.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.268-274
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• 2004

Olive flounder was treated with oxytetracycline (OTC) and changes in blood physiology, antioxidant enzymes and heat shock protein (HSP) were recorded to obtain preliminary data for optimal OTC treatment. Blood parameters were measured 1 and 3 h after the OTC treatments at the concentration of 0 (control), 100, 300 and 500 ppm for I h. Hematocrit decreased with time, however the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Reduced number of red blood cell was observed with increasing OTC concentration. Serum glucose level increased as the OTC concentration increased. However, glucose level was similar to control after 3 h. Blood total protein decreased immediately after the OTC treatment but increased after 1 and 3 h. However, the increment in blood total protein was low. Activities of superoxide dismutase enzymes in 300 and 500 ppm groups increased by the OTC concentration. Catalase enzyme activity was negatively affected by the OTC concentration. However, the differences were not significant (P>0.05). High expression of HSP-70 protein was recorded for groups treated with 100 and 500 ppm compared to that of the control group. However HSP-70 mRNA showed a lower increment which was not significant (P>0.05).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.341-349
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• 2020

Background: The replicative senescence of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is accompanied by growth arrest. In our previous study, the treatment of senescent HDFs with Rg3(S) lowered the intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reversed cellular senescence by inducing peroxiredoxin-3, an antioxidant enzyme. However, the signaling pathways involved in Rg3(S)-induced senescence reversal in HDFs and the relatedness of the stereoisomer Rg3(R) in corresponding signaling pathways are not known yet. Methods: We performed senescence-associated β-galactosidase and cell cycle assays in Rg3(S)-treated senescent HDFs. The levels of ROS, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as well as the mitochondrial DNA copy number, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)⁺/1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) ratio, and NAD-dependent sirtuins expression were measured and compared among young, old, and Rg3(S)-pretreated old HDFs. Major signaling pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and sirtuin 1/3, including cell cycle regulatory proteins, were examined by immunoblot analysis. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3(S) reversed the replicative senescence of HDFs by restoring the ATP level and NAD⁺/NADH ratio in downregulated senescent HDFs. Rg3(S) recovered directly the cellular levels of ROS and the NAD⁺/NADH ratio in young HDFs inactivated by rotenone. Rg3(S) mainly downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt through the inhibition of mTOR by cell cycle regulators like p53/p21 in senescent HDFs, whereas Rg3(R) did not alter the corresponding signaling pathways. Rg3(S)-activated sirtuin 3/PGC1α to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion: Cellular molecular analysis suggests that Rg3(S) specifically reverses the replicative senescence of HDFs by modulating Akt-mTOR-sirtuin signaling to promote the biogenesis of mitochondria.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.751-757
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of mulberry (Morus alba) sugar extracts (MSE) against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. The MSEs was mixed with matured mulberry and sugar at the same ratio (1:1, w/w) and stored at $18{\pm}3^{\circ}C$ for 40 days. In 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test, MSE stored for 40 days showed high activity with a ratio above 66%. Therefore, we selected 40 days as the optimum storage period. After cell viability analysis using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, we determined that the optimum concentration of MSE was 0.5%. Our results showed that MSE increased the cell viability and antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. Moreover, the treatment with MSE inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. We also observed a reduction in apoptotic bodies in the Hoechst staining. These data show that MSE treatment significantly suppressed caspase-3 activity in HepG2 cells expored to $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress, thereby indicationg the protective effects of MSE in $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotecive effect of silk protein hydrolysates (SDH), which was prepared by acid hydrolysis, in rats. SDH itself did not exhibit any cytotoxic effect on hepatic tissues. SDH showed a protective effect on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced hepatotoxicity and liver damage. SDH effectively reduced AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase), which are biomarkers for liver damage, in a dose-dependent manner. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, was significantly reduced by SDH. A high dose of SDH (2 g/kg) reduced t-BHP-induced MDA production by 40%. Glutathione (GSH), which is an endogenous antioxidant molecule, was effectively increased by SDH treatment. GSH content was enhanced by around 2.5-fold, compared with t-BHP control, upon SDH (2 g/kg) treatment. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which is an enzyme released by cell cytotoxicity, was greatly increased by t-BHP, but significantly decreased by SDH treatment. Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining showed that SDH suppressed t-BHP-induced lesions in liver tissue. Taken together, SDH might be used as a protective agent against liver damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1452-1461
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• 2017

Melanin production by melanocytes in human hair follicles decreases with time and leads to the graying process, which is a phenotype of human aging and an index of aging. The reduction in melanin production is the result of decreased tyrosinase activity in hair follicles and an accumulation of active oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide. This study investigated antioxidant effects and melanin-promoting effects in B16F1 cells treated with black sesame ethanolic nonpolar-soluble extract (SBEEO) and black sesame ethanolic polar-soluble extract (SBEEP). In antioxidation experiments, both SBEEP and SBEEO did not eliminate 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, but SBEEO at $64{\mu}g/ml$ showed low reducing power. SBEEP exerted cytotoxic effects at concentrations greater than $8{\mu}g/ml$, whereas SBEEO showed cytotoxic effects at concentrations greater than $4{\mu}g/ml$. SBEEP and SBEEO induced melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, and DOPA oxidase activity in vitro. In live cells, melanin synthesis was greater in the SBEEP treatment group as compared with that in the SBEEO treatment group. SBEEP stimulated melanin synthesis by modulating the expression of tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), which is an important enzyme in melanin synthesis. These results imply that SBEEP obtained from black sesame ethanolic extract may have the potential to improve melanin synthesis.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2002

Application of phytoremediation in the polluted area to remove undesirable materials is a complex and difficult subject without detailed investigation and experimentation. We investigated the accumulation patterns of cadmium and lead in plants naturally grown, the bioavailability of plants to accumulate these toxic metals and the responses of P. thunbergii to cadmium and lead. The soil samples contained detectable lead (＜$17.5_\mu$g/g), whereas cadmium was not detected in the soils of study area. The whole body of Persicaria thunbergii contained detectable lead (＜320.$8_\mu$g/g/g) but cadmium was detected only in the stem (＜7.$4_\mu$g/g/g) and root (＜10.$4_\mu$g/g/g) of P. thunbergii. Cadmium was not detected in Trapa japonica and Nymphoides peltata, whereas lead was detected in T. japonica (＜323.$7_\mu$g/g/g) and N. peltata (＜177.$5_\mu$g/g/g). Correlation coefficient between lead content in soil and in these plant samples represented positive correlation. The total content of lead in each plant sample increased in the order of N. peltata$\leq$P. thunbergii

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.177-181
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate activity difference in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) of tomato callus transformed with Agrobacterium containing the GUS gene. Than those of other two tomato cultivars, the hypocotyl explant of JA101 was shown to have higher POD and SOD specific activity of 23 unit/mg protein and 2,156 unit/mg protein, respectively. Relatively high frequency of callus formation was obtained from the hypocotyl explant on MS medium containing 1 mg/L 2,4-D for 30 days and its POD(47 unit/mg protein) and SOD (95,786 unit/mg protein) specific activities were higher than other 2,4-D concentration. The hypocotyl explant and callus cocultivated with Agrobacterium for 72 hours were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 2,4-D, 30 mg/L kanamycin, 30 g/L sucrose and 4 g/L Gelrite. The hypocotyl explants transferred to the medium formed callus with 45.5% effeciency after 8 weeks. The transformation efficiency confirmed by GUS assay was 21.6%. POD specific activity of the transformed callus (54 unit/mg protein) were somewhat lower than the non-transformed callus (64 unit/mgg protein) and SOD specific activity of the transformed callus (30,300 unit/mg protein) were also lower than the non-transformed callus (37,077 unit/mg protein). However there was no significant difference in POD and SOD isozyme patterns between the transformed and the non-transformed calluses. From these results, it revealed that there was no difference of antioxidant enzyme activities between the transformed callus and the non-transformed callus in tomato.