• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.398-402
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• 2005

The enzyme Xeronine was investigated as a microbial activating substance in biological wastewater treatment processes. Xeronine as bio-stimulant was injected in the anaerobic sludge and the activated sludge treating wastewater in order to examine the effect of hidden benefits. Bio-stimulant did not show significant improvement of anaerobic treatablity. In the aerobic system, higher bio-stimulant dose condition resulted in slightly more removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Floc aggregation and zone settling velocity as solid-liquid separation factors in activated sludge systems was enhanced by bio-stimulant. Effects of bio-stimulants injection on improvement of water quality and microbial activity did not clear in terms of normal operation conditions.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.144-151
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• 2016

Background: Immunoregulatory elements have emerged as useful immunotherapeutic agents against cancer. In traditional medicine, Mori folium, the leaf of Morus alba L. (Moraceae), has been used for various medicinal purposes; however, the immunomodulatory effects have not been fully identified. We evaluated the immunoenhancing potential of water extract of Mori folium (WEMF) in murine RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods: RAW264.7 cells were treated with WEMF for 24 hours and cell viability was detected by an MTT method. Nitric oxide (NO) levels in the culture supernatants were assayed using Griess reagent. The productions of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and immune-related cytokines was measured using ELISA detection kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Inducible NO synthase, COX-2, and cytokines were assayed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of WEMF on phagocytic activity was measured using a Phagocytosis Assay Kit. Results: WEMF significantly stimulated the production of NO and $PGE_2$ as immune response parameters at noncytotoxic concentrations, which was associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase and COX-2. The release and expression of cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10, were also significantly increased in response to treatment with WEMF. Moreover, WEMF promoted the macrophagic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells and the resulting phagocytosis activity. Conclusions: WEMF has the potential to modulate the immune function by regulating immunological parameters. Further studies are needed to identify the active compounds and to support the use of WEMF as an immune stimulant.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.352-358
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• 2020

In this study we investigated the immune effects of oral administration of anionic macromolecules extracted from Codium fragile (CFAM) and red ginseng extract mixture on the peritoneal macrophage cells in immune-suppressed mice. Cyclophosphamide (CY) induces the immune-suppressed condition. CY-treated mice were orally fed with different concentrations of CFAM supplemented with red ginseng extract and the peritoneal macrophages collected. CY treatment significantly decreased the immune activities of peritoneal macrophages, compared to the normal mice. The administration of CFAM mixed with red ginseng extract significantly boosted the viability of macrophage cells and nitric oxide production of peritoneal macrophages. Further, the oral administration of CFAM mixed with red ginseng extract up-regulated the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and TLR-4 as well as cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ more than the red ginseng-treated group. This study showed that CFAM enhanced the immune activity of red ginseng extract in the peritoneal macrophage cells of immune-suppressed mice. Furthermore, CFAM might be used as a co-stimulant of red ginseng extract through the regulation of macrophage cells for the enhancement of human health and immunity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1361-1368
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• 2019

Codium fragile is an edible seaweed in Asian countries that has been used as a thrombolytic, anticoagulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulatory agent. Ginseng has also been known to maintain immune homeostasis and to regulate the immune system via enhancing resistance to diseases and microorganisms. In this study, anionic macromolecules extracted from C. fragile (CFAM) were orally administered with red ginseng extract (100 mg/kg body weight) to cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed male BALB/c mice to investigate the immune-enhancing cooperative effect of Codium fragile and red ginseng. Our results showed that supplementing CFAM with red ginseng extract significantly increased spleen index, T- and B-cell proliferation, NK cell activity, and splenic lymphocyte immune-associated gene expression compared to those with red ginseng alone, even though a high concentration of CFAM with red ginseng decreased immune biomarkers. These results suggest that CFAM can be used as a co-stimulant to enhance health and immunity in immunosuppressed conditions.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2014

Genomic organization, including the structural characteristics of 5'-flanking regions of two 65-kDa protein (WAP65) isoform genes associated with warm temperature acclimation, were characterized and their transcriptional responses to immune challenges were examined in the intestine, kidney and spleen of the mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis; Cypriniformes). Both mud loach Wap65 isoform genes displayed a 10-exon structure that is common to most teleostean Wap65 genes. The two mud loach Wap65 isoforms were predicted to possess various stress- and immune-related transcription factor binding sites in their regulatory regions; however, the predicted motif profiles differed between the two isoforms, and the inflammation-related transcription factor binding motifs, such as NF-${\kappa}B$ and CREBP sites, were more highlighted in the Wap65-2 isoform than the Wap65-1 isoform. The results of qRT-PCR indicated that experimental immune challenges using Edwardsiella tarda, lipopolysaccharide or polyI:C induced the Wap65-2 isoform more than Wap65-1 isoform, although modulation patterns in response to these challenges were tissue- and stimulant-dependent. This study confirms that functional diversification between the two mud loach Wap65 isoforms (i.e., closer involvement of Wap65-2 in the acute phase of inflammation and innate immunity) occurs at the mRNA level in multiple tissues, and suggests that such differential modulation patterns between the two isoforms are related to the different transcription factor binding profiles in their regulatory regions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

Ginseng has been widely used in Korea as a natural medicine due to its saponin contents. Although the total amount of ginseng stem and leaf saponins (GSLS) is 4~5 times higher than that of saponin in the root, the root is mainly used. This is due to two reasons: nervous system-stimulant activity of GSLS and pesticide residues in GSLS. In this study, residual agricultural pesticides were removed from GSLS using two types of bacterial treatments. Two GSLS treatment groups of chickens (GSLS-1 and GSLS-2) were established. The chickens were fed 0.4% GSLS-1 or GSLS-2 mixed with crop. We then evaluated the effects of GSLS on bodyweight and several immune parameters. At the end of the experiments, chickens fed GSLS-1 and red ginseng saponin had significantly higher growth rates (16.6% and 8.0%, respectively) compared to the vaccine control group treated with Noblis Salenvac-T. The group fed GSLS-1 also had the highest IgG titer that was significantly different at the end of experiments compared to the other groups. These findings imply that GSLS-1 is a good candidate feed additive for the chicken industry.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2014

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a plant native to Europe and has been widely used as a carminative and gastric stimulant worldwide. This plant also has been used in cosmetic formulations as a fragrance component and skin conditioning agent. This study investigated the effect of peppermint oil on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. The animals were randomized into 4 groups based on different topical applications: saline (SA), jojoba oil (JO), 3% minoxidil (MXD), and 3% peppermint oil (PEO). The hair growth effects of the 4-week topical applications were evaluated in terms of hair growth, histological analysis, enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gene expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), known bio-markers for the enhanced hair growth. Of the 4 experimental groups, PEO group showed the most prominent hair growth effects; a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth. ALP activity and IGF-1 expression also significantly increased in PEO group. Body weight gain and food efficiency were not significantly different between groups. These results suggest that PEO induces a rapid anagen stage and could be used for a practical agent for hair growth without change of body weight gain and food efficiency.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2016

Bioactive components of ultra-fine ground Saururus, the extraction yield increases when the leaves are ultra-fine ground. Comparison of normal-ground and ultra-fine ground Saururus chinensis leaves showed that the solid content and antiinflammatory activity of ultra-fine ground extracts was higher than that of normal-ground extracts. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of Saururus chinensis extract and the amount of nitric oxide (NO) was determined; LPS-treated cells produced 2 times more NO than cells that were not treated with LPS. Moreover, the NO production in cells treated with Saururus chinensis extract was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. Because the stimulant-induced NO production is regulated by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), we measured the iNOS protein level to elucidate the mechanism by which the NO production was inhibited. We found that the amount of iNOS decreased dose-dependently. It was reduced by 53% at a Saururus chinensis extract concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. The protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells was inhibited by 31% at $100{\mu}g/mL$ of Saururus chinensis extract. Gel shift of the nuclear factor kappa B-DNA complex occurred in LPS-treated cells and the intensity of the band decreased gradually in a concentration-dependent manner. Ultra-fine ground Saururus chinensis extract had a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the production of prostaglandin $E_2$, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, interleukin $1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, and IL-8 in LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells, i.e., at $50{\mu}g/mL$ of Saururus chinensis extract, their levels were decreased by 53, 67, 52, 37, and 21% respectively.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2002

The effect of the foliar application of amino acid mixture on the growth of melon (Cucumis melo L.) seedlings was investigated. The amino acid treatments were initiated at the first (Ll) or second (L2) fully expanded leaf stage. The concentrations of amino acid mixture used were 0,10, 20, and 30 mg . L$^{-1}$ . At Ll stage, the fresh and dry weights of shoot were high in the amino acid treatments. Plant height was the highest in 30 mg . L$^{-1}$ at the third sampling of Ll. At L2 stage, shoot fresh weight was the greatest when the concentration of amino acid mixture was 30 mg.L$^{-1}$ at the third sampling. Plant height was the highest in 30 mg L$^{-1}$ at the second and third samplings. At the third sampling of Ll stage the amino acid mixture affected leaf length and leaf width of the first true leaf. At the third sampling of L2 stage leaf length was not significantly dirtferent between treatments, while leaf width was greater in amino acid treatments. At the second and third samplings of Ll stage the amino acid mixture had effect on leaf length and leaf width of the second true leafs which were not significantly different between treatments at L2 stage. Leaf length and leaf width of the third true leaf were affected by amino acid treatments. In conclusion, when the first true leaf expanded\ulcorner three foliar applications of 20-30 mg . L$^{-1}$ amino acid mixture can stimulate the growth of melon seedlings. If the amino acid mixture is sprayed at the second true leaf stage, two foliar applications of 30 mg . L$^{-1}$ amino acid mixture can improve the growth of melon seedlings.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2017

Hyaluronidase inhibitory activity as inflammatory factor of Koreinsis chinensis leaf ethanol extract was showed higher inhibitory activity than water extract. 29.5% inhibitory activity was shown at concentration of $200{\mu}g/mL$ phenolics. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations ($5-25{\mu}g/mL$) of Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract and the amount of nitric oxide (NO) was determined; LPS-treated cells produced 3 times more NO than non-LPS treated cells. Moreover, the NO production in cells treated with Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract showed inhibitory effect in a concentration-dependent manner. Due to the stimulant-induced NO production is regulated by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), we determined the iNOS protein level to elucidate the mechanism by which the NO production was inhibited. It was reduced by 40% with a Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$ and identified iNOS inhibition in dose-dependent manner. The prostaglandin $E_2$ production in cells treated with Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract was reduced by 26.2% at concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$. The protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells was inhibited by 64% at $25{\mu}g/mL$ of Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract. Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract had a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6 as pro-inflammatory cytokine in LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells at $25{\mu}g/mL$ of Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract. Their levels were decreased by 61.7 and 62% respectively.