• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.286-291
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• 2017

This study was conducted to certify the effect of aqueous extracts from fifty medicinal plants on the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in vitro. Each aqueous extract was prepared by combining one-part medicinal plants with twenty-parts distilled water at $80^{\circ}C$ for 8 h. Among the fifty medicinal plants, Allium sativum L. and Cinnamomum cassia Presl were regarded as an effective anti-hangover substance. Allium sativum L. extract increased ALDH activity more than 2 times compared with ADH activity, enhancing the acetaldehyde degradation. Cinnamomum cassia Presl extract dramatically inhibited ADH activity compared with ALDH activity, thus potently decreasing the acetaldehyde formation. ADH and ALDH activities were proportionally inhibited according to the increased concentration of Cinnamomum cassia Presl extract. The aqueous extract of Cinnamomum cassia Presl at a concentration of $45.33{\mu}g/mL$ inhibited ADH activity by 52.8% and ALDH activity by 11.0%.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.339-344
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• 2022

The development of drug resistance is one of the most severe concerns of malaria control because it increases the risk of malaria morbidity and death. A new candidate drug with antiplasmodial activity is urgently needed. This study evaluated the efficacy of different dosages of aqueous extract of Strychnos ligustrina combined with dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine phosphate (DHP) against murine Plasmodium berghei infection. The BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into 6 groups, each consisting of 10 mice. The growth inhibition of compounds against P. berghei was monitored by calculating the percentage of parasitemia. The results showed that the mice receiving aqueous extract and combination treatment showed growth inhibition of P. berghei in 74% and 94%, respectively. S. ligustrina extract, which consisted of brucine and strychnine, effectively inhibited the multiplication of P. berghei. The treated mice showed improved hematology profiles, body weight, and temperature, as compared to control mice. Co-treatment with S. ligustrina extract and DHP revealed significant antimalarial and antipyretic effects. Our results provide prospects for further discovery of antimalarial drugs that may show more successful chemotherapeutic treatment.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.1130-1142
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• 2023

Objective: Cow urine possesses several bioactive properties but the responsible components behind these bioactivities are still far from identified. In our study, we tried to identify the possible components behind the antimicrobial activity of cow urine by exploring the peptidome and metabolome. Methods: We extracted peptides from the urine of Sahiwal cows belonging to three different physiological states viz heifer, lactation, and pregnant, each group consisting of 10 different animals. The peptides were extracted using the solid phase extraction technique followed by further extraction using ethyl acetate. The antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract was evaluated against different pathogenic strains like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae. The safety of urinary aqueous extract was evaluated by hemolysis and cytotoxicity assay on the BuMEC cell line. The urinary peptides were further fractionated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to identify the fraction(s) containing the antimicrobial activity. The HPLC fractions and ethyl acetate extract were analyzed using nLC-MS/MS for the identification of the peptides and metabolites. Results: A total of three fractions were identified with antimicrobial activity, and nLC-MS/MS analysis of fractions resulted in the identification of 511 sequences. While 46 compounds were identified in the metabolite profiling of organic extract. The urinary aqueous extract showed significant activity against E. coli as compared to S. aureus and S. agalactiae and was relatively safe against mammalian cells. Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity of cow urine is a consequence of the feeding habit. The metabolites of plant origin with several bioactivities are eliminated through urine and are responsible for their antimicrobial nature. Secondly, the plethora of peptides generated from the activity of endogenous proteases on protein shed from different parts of tissues also find their way to urine. Some of these sequences possess antimicrobial activity due to their amino acid composition.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2011

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro antibacterial effects of Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts, traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including vaginitis in Korea against Gardnerella vaginalis, and combination effects of Chungdae-tang extracts with Clindamycin were also monitored in this study. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Gardnerella vaginalis of Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at MIC and MIC${\times}$2 levels. The combination effects of Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts with Clindamycin were observed by Checkerboard microtiter assay, and the effects of bacterial growth curve treated with or Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts MIC+Clindamycin MIC, 1/2MIC and 1/4MIC, respectively. In the present study, Gardnerella vaginalis were incubated under $37^{\circ}C$, 10% $CO_2$; and bacterial growth curves were calculated at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120hrs after incubations. Results: MIC of Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts against Gardnerella vaginalis were detected as $3.906{\pm}2.344$(0.782~6.250) mg/$m\ell$, respectively. MIC of Clindamycin was detected as $0.010{\pm}0.006$(0.004~0.016) ${\mu}g/m\ell$ at same conditions. In addition, Clindamycin and Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth, and more dramatical inhibitions were detected in Clindamycin+Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts MIC treatment as compared with each of single Clindamycin MIC and Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts MIC treatments, respectively. In addition, quite similar inhibitory effects on bacterial growth were detected in Clindamycin 1/4 MIC+Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts MIC treatment as compared with single Clindamycin MIC treatment in the present study. FIC index in combination of Chungdae-tang and Clindamycin were detected as $0.775{\pm}0.285$ (0.500~1.250) at Checkerboard microtiter assay. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that Chungdae-tang aqueous extracts showed antibacterial effects against Gardnerella vaginalis, and it also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. In addition, combination treatment of Chungdae-tang aqueous extract with Clindamycin showed more potent inhibitory effects on the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis with FIC index $0.775{\pm}0.285$(0.500~1.250), respectively. It means, the combination of Chungdae-tang aqueous extract with Clindamycin is partially synergistic effects. It, therefore, is expected that effective dosages of Clindamycin will be reduced to 1/4 or over 1/4 levels as combination with Chungdae-tang extracts, respectively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10613-10619
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• 2015

Background: Both alcohol and aqueous extracts of Sauromatum giganteum(Engl.) Cusimano and Hett, the dried root tuber of which is named Baifuzi in Chinese, have been used for folklore treatment of cancer in Northeast of China. However, little is known about which is most suitable to the cancer therapy. Materials and Methods: Serum pharmacology and MTT assays were adopted to detect the effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Sauromatum giganteum(Engl.) Cusimano and Hett, prepared by heat reflux methods, on proliferation of different cancer cells. Results: Cancer cells treated with medium supplemented with 10%, 20%, 40% serum(v/v) containing ethanol extract had a decline in viability, with inhibition rates of 7.69%, 21.8%, 41.9% in MCF-7 cells, 42.8%, 48.1%, 51.8% in SGC-7901 cells, 44.1%, 49.2%, 53.7% in SMMC-7721 cells, 6.8%, 15.2%, 39.8% in HepG2 cells, 7.57%, 16.3%, 36.2% in HeLa cells, 6.24%, 12.5%, 27.4% in A549 cells, and 7.20%, 17.5%, 31.3% in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. Viability in the aqueous extract groups was no different with that of controls. Conclusions: An ethanol extract of Sauromatum giganteum(Engl.) Cusimano and Hett inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721, SGC-7901 and MCF-7 cells, which supports the use of alcoholic but not aqueous extracts for control of sensive cancers, which might include hepatocarcinoma, gastric cancer and breast cancer.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2014

Red pine (Pinus densiflora) is widely used traditional medicine, pharmacological and nutritional values from which the phytochemical compounds are derived. The present study was aimed to examine the antibacterial effects in the absence and presence of a immature red pine cone extract against 13 microorganisms. The components in the aqueous extract from immature red pine cone were identified by GC-MS. About 1.4% of total polyphenolic compound was measured in aqueous extract collected from immature red pine cone. Also, the high concentration of ${\beta}$-phellenandrene, ${\alpha}$-pinene, limonene, bornyl acetate and aldehyde was detected in total ion chromatograms. Of total 13 microorganisms, 4 microorganisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholera, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia were effectively killed by aqueous extract of immature red pine cone. The highest anti-bacterial effect was detected in P. aeruginosa, followed by V. cholera, L. monocytogenes and K. pneumonia. In case of P. aeruginosa, the largest diameter of inhibition zone was maintained to 1/2 solution treated cells and slightly decreased at 1/4 and 1/8 solution treated cells. Also, in test used V. cholera and L. monocytogenes, the inhibition zone was strongly formed in only 1 and 1/2 solution treated cells, while K. pneumonia showed the very small diameter of inhibition zone in all concentrations. Therefore, these results suggested that the aqueous extracts of immature red pine cone should be considered as a new and potentially important anti-bacterial substrate to effectively prevent the microbial infection and penetration.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.187-199
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• 2007

Objectives : The present study purposed to compare the antioxidant effect, anti inflammatory effect and cancer cell multiplication inhibition effect of Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui aqueous extract according to extraction temperature. Methods : We medicated animal models, which had experimental oxidation, with Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui total extract and $50^{\circ}C$ low temperature leachate, and performed hematological analysis and blood chemical analysis with measuring SOD, GSH, catalase, NO and MDA content in the liver. In addition, we made comparative observation of anti inflammatory effect and anti-cancer effect. Results : Compared to the control group, both the group medicated with Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui total extract and with $50^{\circ}C$ low-temperature leachate were found to decrease the number of thrombocytes in blood plasma and NO content while to increase SOD activity and catalase activity significantly. Both groups also showed anti-inflammatory effect against THP-1 cells and a multiplication inhibition effect against liver cancer cells and stomach cancer cells significantly. Conclusions : Both Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui total extract and Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui $50^{\circ}C$ low-temperature leachate have significant antioxidant effect, anti inflammatory effect and anti cancer effect.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2022

Objective: Sperm vitrification leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage the functional parameters of sperm. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant effect of Nigella sativa extract on motility, plasma membrane function, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and intracellular ROS production. Methods: A total of 20 sperm samples were used. Samples were divided into six experimental groups, including groups with aqueous extract from N. sativa seeds at concentrations of 1% to 6%, a cryopreserved control group, and a fresh control group. Results: Statistical analysis showed significantly higher total sperm motility at concentrations of 3% to 6% than in the vitrified semen control group. Additionally, progressive motility and all motion characteristics at all concentrations were significantly higher than in the vitrified semen control group. The presence of N. sativa seed extract also improved the quality of the sperm parameters assayed in all experimental groups (1%-6%; intracellular ROS production, DNA damage, MMP, and sperm membrane function) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Higher concentrations of N. sativa led to improvements in all sperm parameters and sperm quality. These findings indicate that N. sativa seed extract is effective for improving the quality of sperm after vitrification.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.592-598
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increased mass of adipose tissue in obese persons is caused by excessive adipogenesis, which is elaborately controlled by an array of transcription factors. Inhibition of adipogenesis by diverse plant-derived substances has been explored. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of the aqueous methanol extract of laver (Porphyra yezoensis) on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to investigate the mechanism underlying the effect of the laver extract. MATERIALS/METHODS: 3T3-L1 cells were treated with various concentrations of laver extract in differentiation medium. Lipid accumulation, expression of adipogenic proteins, including CCAAT enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, fatty acid binding protein 4, and fatty acid synthase, cell viability, apoptosis, and the total content and the ratio of reduced to oxidized forms of glutathione (GSH/GSSG) were analyzed. RESULTS: Treatment with laver extract resulted in a significant decrease in lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which showed correlation with a reduction in expression of adipogenic proteins. Treatment with laver extract also resulted in a decrease in the viability of preadipocytes and an increase in the apoptosis of mature adipocytes. Treatment with laver extract led to exacerbated depletion of cellular glutathione and abolished the transient increase in GSH/GSSG ratio during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CONCLUSION: Results of our study demonstrated that treatment with the laver extract caused inhibition of adipogenesis, a decrease in proliferation of preadipocytes, and an increase in the apoptosis of mature adipocytes. It appears that these effects were caused by increasing oxidative stress, as demonstrated by the depletion and oxidation of the cellular glutathione pool in the extract-treated adipocytes. Our results suggest that a prooxidant role of laver extract is associated with its antiadipogenic and proapoptotic effects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.874-883
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• 2007

The aqueous extract of Chungsimyeonja-eum has been used to treat palpitation, anemia, chronic fatigue, hypertension, and stroke. It also possesses various pharmacological effects including hypotensive, blood circulating, sedative, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and anti-stress activities. In the present results, the latency time of plantar test was decreased in the immobilization stress and incusion pain-induction group. However the paw withdrawal latency values were increased in the immobilization stress and incision pain-induction groups after treatment with the aqueous extract of Chungsimyeonja-eum. The c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in the dorsal raphe were enhanced in the immobilization stress and incision pain-induction groups. However, the treatment with the aqueous extract of Chungsimyeonja-eum suppressed the immobilization stress and incision pain-induced increase of c-Fos, 5-HT, and TPH expressions. Here in this study, we have demonstrated the protective effects of Chungsimyeonja-eum on immobilization and incision pain-induced stress. The present study revealed that Chungsimyeonja-eum treatment diminishes immobilization and pain stress.