• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.783-789
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• 2017

Malus melliana (Hand.-Mazz.) Rehder (M. melliana) is a Chinese plant that belongs to the Rosaceae family. There have been no previous reports regarding its bioactivity. In this study, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of M. melliana ethanol extract (MMEE) were evaluated using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity assay, nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity assay, and the analysis of related protein expressions through Western blot hybridization. MMEE showed potent scavenging activity against DPPH, similar to ascorbic acid, a well-known anti-oxidative agent, which was used as a positive control. MMEE also inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced ROS in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, MMEE induced the expression of an anti-oxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase 1, and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor E2-related factor-2, in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, MMEE was associated with a reduction in NO production, which was induced by the lipopolysaccharide treatment of RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, which is the upstream regulator of NO production, was also inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that MMEE has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, thus appearing to be a potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The further identification of active compounds that confer the biological activities of MMEE may be necessary.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2016

Background: Biocontrol agents are regarded as promising and environmental friendly approaches as agrochemicals for phytodiseases that cause serious environmental and health problems. Trichoderma species have been widely used in suppression of soil-borne pathogens. In this study, an endophytic fungus, Trichoderma gamsii YIM PH30019, from healthy Panax notoginseng root was investigated for its biocontrol potential. Methods: In vitro detached healthy roots, and pot and field experiments were used to investigate the pathogenicity and biocontrol efficacy of T. gamsii YIM PH30019 to the host plant. The antagonistic mechanisms against test phytopathogens were analyzed using dual culture, scanning electron microscopy, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Tolerance to chemical fertilizers was also tested in a series of concentrations. Results: The results indicated that T. gamsii YIM PH30019 was nonpathogenic to the host, presented appreciable biocontrol efficacy, and could tolerate chemical fertilizer concentrations of up to 20%. T. gamsii YIM PH30019 displayed antagonistic activities against the pathogenic fungi of P. notoginseng via production of VOCs. On the basis of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, VOCs were identified as dimethyl disulfide, dibenzofuran, methanethiol, ketones, etc., which are effective ingredients for antagonistic activity. T. gamsii YIM PH30019 was able to improve the seedlings' emergence and protect P. notoginseng plants from soil-borne disease in the continuous cropping field tests. Conclusion: The results suggest that the endophytic fungus T. gamsii YIM PH30019 may have a good potential as a biological control agent against notoginseng phytodiseases and can provide a clue to further illuminate the interactions between Trichoderma and phytopathogens.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2013

Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum cause yield losses in numerous economically important crops. To develop a bio-control agent, cell free extracellular compounds (ECs) of 5 bacterial strains Burkholdria sp. L1, Pseudomonas sp. L4, Pseudomonas chlororaphis VN391, Bacillus subtilis VN21 and Enterobacter sp. VN99 from Vietnamese fields, which reduced levels of R. solani root rot in lettuces and F. oxysporum root rot in tomatoes, were investigated. In a growth chamber, ECs of all antagonists markedly enhanced the biomass of lettuces (10 to 14.1%) and tomatoes (11.38 to 13.88%). In greenhouses, the disease's severity on both crops treated with ECs of the antagonists was reduced significantly and biomass losses in the plants decreased markedly. The reduction level of R. solani root rot in lettuces was 75, 66.7, 50, and 16.7% by ECs of strains L1, L4, VN21 and VN391, respectively. The biomass of lettuces increased markedly by 29.13%, 21.67%, and 23.4% by ECs of strains L1, L4 and VN21, respectively. Similarly, the reduction levels of F. oxysporum root rot in tomatoes was 76.3, 75, 41.7 and 25% by ECs of strain L1, L4, VN21 and VN391, respectively, and the biomass was significantly enhanced by 14.42, 12.7 and 13%, respectively. The ECs of strain L1 exhibited the most effective bio-control agents to suppress R. solani and F. oxysporum.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2016

Background: Sanguisorba officinalis has been used in traditional Asian medicine owing to its beneficial effects on various diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of S. officinalis on the antioxidant system of Streptozotocin (STZ) and Alloxan (ALL) induced diabetic rats. Methods and Results: Triglyceride and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels decreased in the STZ-induced diabetic groups treated with S. officinalis extract (SOE) compared to the corresponding levels in the control groups. Moreover, in the ALL-induced diabetic groups, SOE reduced triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased significantly in the STZ and ALL-induced groups treated with SOE compared to the corresponding levels in the control group. Further, Glutathione (GSH) levels increased but did not reach statistical significance. The levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) showed a tendency to recover with SOE treatment in the STZ and ALL-induced diabetic groups. In addition, Catalase (CAT) levels in the SOE treatment group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that SOE might be an effective agent in attenuating oxidative stress in diabetic patients by improving blood lipid profiles and inducing the anti-oxidative enzyme systems.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2010

This study manufactured hydrogel, which was contained NSAIDs(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Ketorolac tromethamine and hydrolyzed products of gardeniae fructus extract, and experimented viscosity, surface tension, tensile strength and bio-adhesiveness by using hairless mouse. Thus, it was performed in expectation for being probably able to develop as effective auxiliary agent of periodontal disease after non-surgical or surgical periodontal treatment. As a result, the following conclusions were obtained. 1. Out of KGE and KGH gel materials, the content of ketorolac tromethamine was 1.02~0.97%. The content of geniposide was 0.34% in KGE gel A and C. However, it got lower to 0.11% in KGH gel B and D. The content of genipin wasn't shown in KGE gel A and C, but was shown with 0.13% in KGH gel B and D. 2. As for viscosity according to temperature in gel material, the gel, which used independently Carbopol 940 as gel inoculant, maintained the higher viscosity than the gel, which added Poloxamer 407. The surface tension in each material showed 34.77~40.58 dyne/cm at 37. As for tensile strength in material, KGH gel B was shown the higher tensile strength in about 3.5 times compared to the control group. 3. As for bio-adhesiveness, the back-skin upper part(epidermis) and abdomen skin were shown to be 50.62 N in KGH gel B, thereby having indicated higher value in about 5 times compared to control group. The back-skin lower part(dermis) and abdomen skin were shown to be 35.93 N in KGH gel B, thereby having indicated higher value in about 3.5 times compared to control group.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2015

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common causative agent of genital ulceration and can lead to subsequent neurological disease in some cases. Here, using a genital infection model, we tested the efficacy of vinegar-processed flos of Daphne genkwa (vp-genkwa) to modulate vaginal inflammation caused by HSV-1 infection. Our data revealed that treatment with optimal doses of vp-genkwa after, but not before, HSV-1 infection provided enhanced resistance against HSV-1 infection, as corroborated by reduced mortality and clinical signs. Consistent with these results, treatment with vp-genkwa after HSV-1 infection reduced viral replication in the vaginal tract. Furthermore, somewhat intriguingly, treatment of vp-genkwa after HSV-1 infection increased the frequency and absolute number of $CD3^-NK1.1^+NKp46^+$ natural killer (NK) cells producing interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ and granyzme B, which indicates that vp-genkwa treatment induces the activation of NK cells. Supportively, secreted IFN-${\gamma}$ was detected at an increased level in vaginal lavages of mice treated with vp-genkwa after HSV-1 infection. These results indicate that enhanced resistance to HSV-1 infection by treatment with vp-genkwa is associated with NK cell activation. Therefore, our data provide a valuable insight into the use of vp-genkwa to control clinical severity in HSV infection through NK cell activation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2008

The potential of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) from a Serratia sp. strain Gsm01 as an antiviral agent against a yellow strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-Y) was evaluated in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc). The spray treatment of plants using an EPS preparation, 72h before CMV-Y inoculation, protected them against symptom appearance. Fifteen days after challenge inoculation with CMV-Y, 33.33% of plants showed mosaic symptoms in EPS-treated plants compared with 100% in the control plants. The EPS-treated plants, which showed mosaic symptoms, appeared three days later than the controls. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses of the leaves of the protected plants revealed that the EPS treatment affected virus accumulation in those plants. Analysis of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase, and phenols in protected plants revealed enhanced accumulation of these substances. The pathogenesis-related (PR) genes expression represented by PR-lb was increased in EPS-treated plants. This is the first report of a systemic induction of protection triggered by EPS produced by Serratia sp. against CMV-Y.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2011

This study was carried out to estimate beneficial effects of Foeniculi fructus water extract on activities of key enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS), and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) on lipid metabolism related with obesity. LPL and ACS were extracted from the epididymal adipose tissue and liver of C57BL/6J normal and obese mouse. Foeniculi fructus water extract treatment significantly reduced the activity of normal and obese LPL. When 100 ppm of Foeniculi fructus water extracts were tested, they decreased obese LPL activity by 12.0%. Foeniculi fructus water extract activated obese ACS activity by 7-fold compared with control at 1,000 ppm concentration. Expression of HSL mRNA was increased in Foeniculi fructus water extracts treated cells compared with non treated cells. All things considered, Foeniculi fructus water extract efficiently inhibits the influx of fatty acid into the cell, and activates metabolic process that uses fatty acids flowing as an energy source. Thus, it suggest that Foeniculi fructus water extract may have great potential as a novel anti-obesity agent.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.176-186
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• 2016

For several decades, lactic acid bacterium (Lactobacillus graminis: LAB) has been generally recognized as safe. To develop the pan-environmental bio-control agent, algicidal activity of the live LAB cell and its culture filtrate (CF) was examined against Microcystis aeruginosa. LAB cells perfectly lysed M. aeruginosa within 3 days, while the CF had a less effect than the live cells, approximately 78% inhibition of algal growth during a same culture period. The concentration of microcystin in alone culture of M. aeruginosa was $7.1{\mu}gL^{-1}$, but gradually increased and leach $158.5{\mu}gL^{-1}$ on 10 days. However, LAB cells clearly decreased the microcystin by $10.3{\mu}gL^{-1}$ in the same period, approximately 93.5%. CF of LAB showed a strong algicidal activity over 75% between pH 2-7, 91.3% by the treatment of proteinase K, 87.8% by below 3 kDa in particle size, and 75.3% by heat treatment, respectively. Of five solvents, fractions of CF passed through solvents diethyl ether and ethyl acetate showed an obvious algicidal activity in the algal-lawn test. Among 5 fractions purified by silica-gel TLC plate, two spots showed a most strong removal activity on M. aeruginosa. Another analysis of GC indicate that CF contained six representative fatty acids. Even though most of these substance have been known as an anti-algal substance against M. aeruginosa, oleic acid is the most effective. These results suggested that the culture filtrate or specific substances, like a fatty acids, in comparison with live L. graminis can be a successful and eco-friendly agent to control Microcystis bloom.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2008

In China, energy and environmental problems are becoming serious owing to rapid economic development. Coal is the most problematic energy source because it causes indoor and outdoor air pollution, acid rain, and global warming. One type of clean coal technology that has been developed is the coal-biomass briquette (or bio-briquette, BB) technique. BBs, which are produced from pulverized coal, biomass (typically, agricultural waste), and a sulfur fixation agent (slaked lime, $Ca(OH)_2$) under high pressure without any binder, have a high sulfur-fixation effect. In addition, BB combustion ash, that is, the waste material, can be used as a neutralization agent for acidic soil because of its high alkalinity, which originates from the added slaked lime. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of alternative biomass sources, namely, aquatic plants, as a BB constituent from the perspective of their use as a source of energy. We selected three types of aquatic plants for use in BB preparation and compared the fuel, handling, and environmental characteristics of the new BBs with those of conventional BBs. Our results showed that air-dried aquatic plants had a higher calorific value, which was in proportion to their carbon content, than agricultural waste biomass; the compressive strength of the new BBs, which depends on the lignin content of the biomass, was high enough to bear long-range intracontinental transport in China; and the new BBs had the same emission control capacity as the conventional BBs.