• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.479-490
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• 2018

Red pepper is seriously damaged by thrips (Thrips palmi) and anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum throughout its development. Because of biotic constraints, producers often depend on chemicals that are expensive and have adverse effects on the environment, operator, and beneficial insects. In addition, resistance is developed because of the repeated use of chemicals. In recent decades, the use of microorganisms in crop protection has become a credible alternative because it is eco-friendly. In this study, we aimed to select isolates with insecticidal and fungicidal activities against the pathogens that cause anthracnose and thrips. We treated T. palmi adults and juveniles with 13 strains of entomopathogenic fungi (isolated from the soil by using the insect-bait method), and 6 strains showed excellent insecticidal activity (70-100%) 5 days after the treatment. The selected isolates were cultured with C. acutatum to screen for the strain with excellent anti-fungal activities, among which an isolate FT333 showed more than 95% control efficacy against C. acutatum in vitro. The isolate was identified as Isaria javanica through its morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and ${\beta}-tubulin$ nucleotide sequences. The Isaria javanica FT333 isolate could be used effectively for dual bio-control of thrips and anthracnose during red pepper cultivation.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2019

Alismatis rhizoma (AR), the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep, is a well-known, traditional medicine that is used for the various biological activities including as a diuretic, to lower cholesterol and as an anti-inflammatory agent. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential toxicity of the Alismatis rhizoma aqueous extract (ARAE) following 90-day repeated oral administration to Sprague-Dawley rats. ARAE was administered orally to male and female rats for 90 days at 0 (control), 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day (n = 10 for male and female rats for each dose). Additional recovery groups from the control group and high dose group were observed for a 28-day recovery period. Chromatograms of ARAE detected main compounds with four peaks. Treatment-related effects including an increase in the red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, total protein, and urine volume were observed in males of the 2,000 mg/kg/day group (p < 0.05). However, the diuretic effect of ARAE was considered, a major cause of hematological and serum biochemical changes. The oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of the ARAE was > 2,000 mg/kg/day in both genders, and no target organs were identified.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.52-63
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• 2016

The Stupa of Buddhist Monk Soyo in Baegyangsa temple, Jangseong, was erected to pay a tribute to the achievement of the Buddhist monk Soyo, who worked for Baegyangsa temple as a chief monk, and is a bellshaped stupa with the detailed pattern of a Korean traditional buddhist bell. It is composed of pinkish-grey sandstone and the body of the stupa was damaged by longitudinal cracks on the front and back areas and the exfoliation caused break-out in the most part of the sculpture on the left and right areas. According to the ultrasonic test and infrared thermography analysis for physical deterioration diagnosis, most weathering aspects appeared on the body of the stupa and some exfoliated part that could not be seen with the naked eye was detected 6.1% and 5.9% on the left and right side respectively. Hyperspectral imaging analysis was also carried out to assess biological deterioration. According to the result, the surface of the stupa was covered 71.8 ~ 79.9% with vegetation like algae, lichen and moss. NDVI(Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) was higher relatively on the bottom part near the ground, right and back areas of the stupa. Therefore conservation treatment for the exfoliated part and bio-deterioration is necessary and the environment condition needs to be fixed to prevent extra damages on the stupa.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.206-212
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• 2019

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) lives in the hair follicles and pores, and it uses cell debris, sebum and metabolic byproducts of surrounding skin tissues as energy and nutrients. Increased production of sebum due to sebaceous hyperplasia or blockage of the follicle can cause growth and proliferation of P. acnes. The rapid growth of P. acnes in follicles produces cell damage, metabolic byproducts and bacterial chips, which can cause inflammation. In this study, we examined the possibility of Senecio iscoensis Hieron. (S. iscoensis) extract to regulate P. acnes-induced inflammatory signaling pathways. We observed that S. iscoensis extract effectively inhibited P. acnes-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions such as IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and iNOS in mouse macrophage cell line Raw 264.7. The inhibitory effect of S. iscoensis in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels was accompanied by the inhibition of the transcription factors NF-${\kappa}B$ and NF-AT. However, S. iscoensis did not alter the P. acnes-induced MAPK signaling pathways. This study first suggests the potential of using S. iscoensis extract as an alternative agent for the treatment of acne.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1080-1085
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• 2019

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as sacred lotus, has mainly been used as a food throughout the Asian countries. In the present study, we prepared the ethanol extracts from leaf (NL), seed (NS), and seedpod (NSP) of Nelumbo nucifera and investigated their anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. NL, NS, and NSP decreased cell viabilities in a dose-dependent manner. All extracts increased the expression of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated gene (NAG-1) as well as NAG-1 protein. And also, NL induced the expression of pro-apoptotic NAG-1 protein and PARP cleavage in a time-dependent manner. The PARP cleavage induced by NL treatment, was recovered in part by the transfection of NAG-1 siRNA. We also evaluated the effects of neferine, one of bioactive components of Nelumbo nucifera, on the proliferation and apoptosis in HCT116 cells. It also decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and induced the expression of pro-apoptotic NAG-1 protein and PARP cleavage in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, PARP cleavage was recovered in part by the transfection of NAG-1 siRNA, indicating that NAG-1 may be one of the genes responsible for apoptosis induced by neferine. Overall, our findings may contribute to understand the molecular mechanisms of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects mediated by Nelumbo nucifera and neferine.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.316-322
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• 2019

Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacterium, is one of the risk factors that induces gastritis and gastric cancer. Therefore, much attention has been paid to the compounds that inhibit bacterial growth or eradicate bacteria. Evodiae fructus (EF), the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, has been used for treating diarrhea and abdominal pain. EF extract was already found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of EF on the virulence factors of H. pylori has not been reported. In this study, when comparing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the different methanol concentration extracts, the 95% methanol extract (EF95) showed the lowest MIC value. EF95 extract suppressed the expressions of cagA, vacA and ureB, but interestingly, it up-regulated the expression of ureA. A decrease in production of ammonia in the culture medium and the cell lysates indicated that EF95 inhibited the urease activity in H. pylori, which was the result of EF95 inhibiting the ureB expression. Although the mechanism by which EF95 extract regulates the virulence factors in H. pylori needs further study, EF95 could be used for treatment of gastric troubles induced by H. pylori.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.163-171
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• 2021

Various records on health, food and treatment are written in ancient documents of Korea such as old recipe books, Korean medical books and history books, through these records, the principle of Sikchi can be discovered. Sikchi includes the meaning of medicine and food work on the same principle, and it is not only as traditional knowledge but also affecting modern food culture. Based on this principle of Sikchi, this study tried to lay a foundation that can be used as a modern health food material through scientific verification of foods recorded in the ancient literature. For this purpose, Omigalsu, a traditional drink made from omija, soybean, and honey, which is related to blood glucose control, which is one of the representative metabolic diseases of modern people, was selected as the subject of this study. In order to compensate for the agglomeration of beverages caused by honey or the rise in postprandial blood glucose, which occurs when the traditional Omigalsu recorded in the ancient literature is reproduced, the raw material that can be substituted for honey was discovered. The health promotion and quality improvement effects of newly prepared Omigalsu using honey substitutive raw material were confirmed through a comparative test with traditional Omigalsu. Based on this study, through scientific research using the principle of Sikchi, we intend to lay a foundation that can be used as various contents in the medical and food fields such as food bio and healthcare in modern society.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-67
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study is to identify the trends of vibration(or wave) therapy in Korea, to actively utilize vibration(or wave) therapy, and to help research activities of vibration therapy in Korean Medicine. Methods : The following Korean words "진동기", "진동요법", "진동운동", "진동치료", "파동요법", "파동운동", "파동치료" were searched on three specialized search sites (RISS, NAL, DBpia). Trends of vibration therapy were analyzed through the selected researches suitable for this study among these searched researches in an overview format. Results : 1. A total of 8,116 studies were searched and a total of 365 studies were finally selected 2. From 2000 to 2019, when research began to increase in earnest, there were 17.45±10.28 studies per year, and the AGR(Average Annual Growth Rate) was 11.92%. 3. In the main field of research, the 'Medicine and Pharmacy' was the largest with 147(40.16%) studies. In the Middle Field, the 'Kinesiology' was the largest with 99(27.05%) studies. In the study design, 'RCT(Randomized Controlled trial)' was the largest with 138(47.75%) studies. In the Age Group, 'Youth' was the largest with 126(48.84%) studies. 4. The average of the number of participants was 24.90±17.44. 5. The most used Intervention was the 'WBV(Whole Body Vibration)' with 177(61.25%) studies. 6. The average of Intervention Period was 5.99±4.14 weeks, while the maximum was 36 weeks. 7. The journal that published the most research papers is 'K. J. of Sports Science(체육과학연구;13)', and the society is 'Rehabilitation Engineering And Assistive Technology Society of Korea(한국재활복지공학회; 14)'. The University that published the most dissertations is 'Sahmyook University(11)'. 8. The authors who published the most studies are Ju-Hwan O(8) as the main author and Tae Kyu Kwon(18) as the co-author (including the thesis Director). In an integrated analysis of the authors and co-authors, Tae Kyu Kwon published the most numerous studies(19) Conclusions : 1. The study of vibration or wave therapy has been increasing noticeably every year. 2. The major academic Fields studying vibration or wave therapy are the 'Kinesiologic Field', 'Physical Therapy Field', and 'Biomedical Engineering Field'. 3. The most chosen method of study design on vibration or wave treatment was 'RCT', and there was no significant change in the annual presentation rate. 4. Types of vibration or wave therapy could be classified as 'LVS(Local Vibration Stimulation)', 'WBV(Whole Body Vibration)', 'MV(Micro Vibration)', 'BV(Bio Vibration)' and 'SWV(Sound Wave Vibration)', and the study on Whole Body Vibration is most active. 5. Most of the studies of vibration or wave therapy were on musculoskeletal systems, but there were very few studies on internal diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.321-333
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• 2021

Purpose: Reflux esophagitis is a disease caused by the reflux of stomach contents and stomach acid etc. into the esophagus due to defect in the lower esophageal sphincter and is currently increasing worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a mixture of Citrus Reticulata and Scutellariae Radix (CS) extract on acute reflux esophagitis in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups for examination: normal group (Normal, n = 8), water-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (Control, n = 8), tocopherol 30 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (Toco, n = 8), CS 100 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (CS100, n = 8), CS 200 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (CS200, n = 8). The experimental groups were administrated of each treatment compounds and after 90 min, acute reflux esophagitis was induced through surgery. Rats were sacrificed 5 h after surgery. We measured the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum and analyzed the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, inflammatory, and tight junction-related proteins by western blot in the esophageal tissues. Results: CS administration significantly protected the esophageal mucosal damage due to reflux esophagitis, and the level of ROS in the serum was significantly reduced with CS administration as compared to Control. In addition, CS administration significantly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK or MAP kinase) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways and increased protein expressions of tight junction protein. Conclusion: These results suggest that the CS not only regulates the expression of inflammatory proteins by inhibiting oxidative stress, but also reduces damage to the esophageal mucosa by inhibiting the expression of tight junction proteins.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2021

Far-infrared rays (FIR) are known to have various effects on atoms and molecular structures within cells owing to their radiation and vibration frequencies. The present study examined the effects of FIR on gene expression related to glucose transport through microarray analysis in rat skeletal muscle cells, as well as on mitochondrial biogenesis, at high and low glucose conditions. FIR were emitted from a bio-active material coated fabric (BMCF). L6 cells were treated with 30% BMCF for 24 h in medium containing 25 or 5.5 mM glucose, and changes in the expression of glucose transporter genes were determined. The expression of GLUT3 (Slc2a3) increased 2.0-fold (p < 0.05) under 5.5 mM glucose and 30% BMCF. In addition, mitochondrial oxygen consumption and membrane potential (ΔΨm) increased 1.5- and 3.4-fold (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), respectively, but no significant change in expression of Pgc-1a, a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, was observed in 24 h. To analyze the relationship between GLUT3 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis under FIR, GLUT3 was down-modulated by siRNA for 72 h. As a result, the ΔΨm of the GLUT3 siRNA-treated cells increased 3.0-fold (p < 0.001), whereas that of the control group increased 4.6-fold (p < 0.001). Moreover, Pgc-1a expression increased upon 30% BMCF treatment for 72 h; an effect that was more pronounced in the presence of GLUT3. These results suggest that FIR may hold therapeutic potential for improving glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function in metabolic diseases associated with insufficient glucose supply, such as type 2 diabetes.