• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2012

In Northeast Asia, Paeoniae Radix has been used in treatments of inflammation-causing diseases such as arthritis for many centuries. Paeoniflorin, one of the principle bioactive monoterpene glucosides from the paeony root, is reported to be mostly responsible for the effectiveness of the treatments. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of a monoterpene, paeoniflorigenone (PFG) which partially has the moiety of paeoniflorin minus a glucose structure is unknown. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of PFG. For the investigation, PFG activity on the NO (nitric oxide) production from LPS-stimulated macrophages, and the anti-inflammatory effect was tested in the animal model of septic arthritis caused by Candida albicans, a major etiological agent for septic arthritis. For induction of the arthritis, mice were administered with an emulsion of C. albicans cell wall (CACW) mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) via footpad-injection (Day 0); PFG at a dose of 0.5 or 1 mg/mouse (25 or 50 mg/kg of body-weight) was given to the animals on Day 3, 6, and 9; footpads were scored for arthritis. Moreover, the PFG effect on proliferation of T-lymphocyte that causes aggravation of arthritis was additionally tested. Data resulting from those tests showed that PFG inhibited the NO production from the stimulated macrophage in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05), indicating that PFG is an anti-inflammatory. To confirm the in-vitro results, anti-inflammatory activity of PFG was determined against C. albicans-caused septic arthritis. Data showed that PFG-treatment reduced footpad-swelling which indicates that PFG has anti-arthritic effect (P<0.05), which is therapeutic. The anti-arthritic effect appeared to be mediated by PFG suppression of T-cell proliferation. Ultimately, PFG, a monoterpene component, has anti-inflammatory activity analogous to paeoniflorin. The anti-inflammatory activity treats the septic arthritis due to a pathogenic fungus C. albicans.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09b
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• pp.508-518
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• 2003

SZ95 cell is an immortalized human sebaceous gland cell line that shows the morphologic, phenotypic and functional characteristics of normal human sebocytes. Sebocytes may play crucial parts in the pathophysiologic processes and disorders of the pilosebaceous unit. The secretory activity of the sebaceous gland is remarkably species-specific and acne is an exclusively human disease. Thus, this SZ95 cells offer possibilities for investigations on the physiology of the sebaceous gland and its role in sebum-associated skin disease such as acne. In this study, we investigated the effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) and spironolactone, frequently used as therapeutic agents of acne, on the lipid synthesis and proliferation of human sebocytes. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and cytoplasmic lipid droplets was shown by Oil-red a staining. Total lipid levels were biochemically estimated by the sulfo-phospho-vanilline reagent. 13-cis-RA and spironolactone significantly inhibited proliferation and lipid levels in a dose-dependent manner. Combined treatment with testosterone and 13-cis-RA or spironolactone resulted in a lower total lipid levels than that with androgen alone. These observations indicate that 13-cis-RA and spironolactone are potent inhibitors of both cell proliferation and lipid synthesis in human sebocytes. We will provide experimental evidence that this human sebocyte cell line serves as an adequate tool for evaluating the anti-lipogenic activity of various compounds potentially useful for the bioactive cosmeceutical ingredients on acne skin, and studying the intracellular biochemical markers depending on the types of compounds from various sources.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.49.1-49.1
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• 2009

최근 손상된 생체조직의 재생 또는 대체를 위하여 다공성의 지지체(scaffold)를 이용하는 연구가 활발히 이루어져 왔다. 지지체 재료는 조직 재생을 목적으로 하는 경우에는 생분해성 고분자, 생흡수성 세라믹스 또는 이들의 복합재료가 사용되고, 조직 대체를 목적으로 하는 경우에는 금속 또는 세라믹스 재료가 단독으로 사용된다. 현재 경조직 대체를 위한 임플란트 재료로 사용되고 있는 금속재료 중 대부분이 타이타늄 또는 타이타늄 합금이다. 타이타늄은 비강도, 내식성이 우수하며, 생체 내 환경에서 부동태피막 재생 속도가 빠르고, 섬유상 결체조직 형성 두께가 얇아 생체의료용 소재로서 각광을 받고 있다. 다공성 타이타늄은 기존 타이타늄 소재의 장점에 다공체의 구조적인 특성을 부가하여 하중을 받는 골 결손부에 사용될 경우 뼈와의 탄성계수 차이에서 기인하는 응력차폐(stress shielding) 효과를 최소화할 수 있고, 다공체 내부로 골조직 성장을 유도할 수 있어 지지체와 골조직이 일체화되는 골융합 효과의 극대화를 기대할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 기공 구조를 다양하게 제어할 수 있고, 3차원적 연결 기공구조를 만들 수 있는 적층조형(layer manufacturing) 기술을 이용하여 3차원 다공성 타이타늄 지지체를 제조하였으며, 이에 대한 세포독성, 조골세포 증식능 등 in vitro 생체적합성을 평가하고, Rat model 을 이용한 in vivo 생체적합성을 평가하였다. 또한 지지체의 골조직 재생 유도성의 증대를 위한 생체활성처리 영향도 분석 평가하였다.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.126-130
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• 1997

Treatment of ethylacetate extract of Asiasarum sieboldi inhibited the germination and the growth of radish seeds. Two phenylpropanoids were isolated from ethylacetate extract. Their structures were identified as safrole and o-methyleugenol by spectroscopic evidence. From the test to inhibitory effect, o-methyleugenol had inhibited the germination and the growth of radish seeds, while safrole did not. The germination rate and radicle length of radish seeds were decreased to 63.0%, 31.5 % of control at 5mg/ml of o-methyleugenol, respectively. At the same concentration, o-methyleugenol inhibited the hypocotyl growth up to 100%.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.96-104
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• 2003

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is traditionally used as appetite enhancer, improver of the digestive system, antithusive, anti-cold, antipyretic, analgesic, and antiinflammation. In vitro evaluation using human lymphocyte cultures showed almost similar indication with those in in vivo mouse study, NK cell lysing activity was improved significantly. Proliferation activity of B and T cells, and CD3$^{＋}$ and CD3$^{＋}$CD4$^{＋}$T cell subset were better observed using oleoresin or gingerol and shogaol fractions. Although there were higher activities in gingerol, the improvement was almost equal to that by oleoresin. Shogaol did not show better improvement except at higher concentration. It could be concluded that treatment with single bioactive compound, such as gingerol, did not show significant effects compared to oleoresin, the crude extract. In human study, involving healthy male adult, the improvement of NK cell lysing activity was again demonstrated and even more apparent. The mechanism involved in the protection seemed to be through the antioxidant activity of gingerol. However, other mechanism underlying the improvement of NK cell lysing activity must be involved since this improvement seemed to be specifically toward NK cell activity. Since NK cells ave specific for the elimination of virus-infected cell and mutated cells, this positive effect on the immune system are very interesting. This work has also scientifically proved that the traditional beliefs that ginger had preventive effects on common cold appeared to be reasonable.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.265-274
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nelumbo leaves have been used in traditional medicine to treat bleeding, gastritis, hemorrhoids, and halitosis. However, their mechanisms have not been elucidated. MATERIALS/METHODS: The present study prepared two Nelumbo leaf extracts (NLEs) using water or 50% ethanol. Inflammatory response was induced with LPS treatment, and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 and nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) productions were assessed. To determine the anti-inflammatory mechanism of NLEs, we measured nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity. Major metabolites of NLEs were also analyzed and quantified. RESULTS: NLEs effectively reduced the expression and productions of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, $PGE_2$, and NO. NLEs also reduced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by inhibiting inhibitor of NF-${\kappa}B$ phosphorylation. Both extracts contained catechin and quercetin, bioactive compounds of NLEs. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we showed that NLEs could be used to inhibit NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated inflammatory responses. In addition, our data support the idea that NLEs can ameliorate disease conditions involving chronic inflammation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.442-450
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the preventive effect of Korean White Ginseng and Red Ginseng on oxidative stress in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. The roots of ginseng were extracted with 70% methanol and partitioned with butanol to obtain saponin fractions, which have been known as bioactive constituents of ginseng. 2',7'-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured for evaluating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Also, mRNA expressions and activities of antioxidant enzymes were analyzed to determine the antioxidant activity of saponin or non-saponin fractions of ginsengs. According to DCF-DA assay, $H_2O_2$-induced MDA release and ROS generation were significantly reduced by treatment with saponin fractions of white and red ginseng roots. Also, saponin fractions increased effectively intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 hepatoma cells. In general, red ginseng was more effective than white ginseng for reducing oxidative stress. These results indicate that administration of red ginseng may certainly contribute relatively stronger than white ginseng to prevent from damaging liver function by oxidative stress.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.379-388
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• 2013

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the serious complications in patients with either type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus but current treatments remain unsatisfactory. Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng can help adjust blood pressure and reduce blood sugar and may be advantageous in the treatment of tuberculosis and kidney damage in people with diabetes. The heat-processing method to strengthen the efficacy of P. ginseng has been well-defined based on a long history of ethnopharmacological evidence. The protective effects of P. ginseng on pathological conditions and renal damage associated with diabetic nephropathy in the animal models were markedly improved by heat-processing. The concentrations of less-polar ginsenosides (20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1) and maltol in P. ginseng were significantly increased in a heat-processing temperature-dependent manner. Based on researches in animal models of diabetes, ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 and maltol were evaluated to have therapeutic potential against diabetic renal damage. These effects were achieved through the inhibition of inflammatory pathway activated by oxidative stress and advanced glycation endproducts. These findings indicate that ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 and maltol are important bioactive constituents of heat-processed ginseng in the control of pathological conditions associated with diabetic nephropathy.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.579-590
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Petasites japonicus Maxim (P. japonicus) has been used as an edible and medicinal plant and contains many bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of P. japonicus on osteogenesis. MATERIALS/METHODS: The leaves and stems of P. japonicus were separated and extracted with hot water or ethanol, respectively. The total phenolic compound and total polyphenol contents of each extract were measured, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of each extract was evaluated to determine their effect on bone metabolism. To investigate the effect on osteoblast differentiation of the aqueous extract of P. japonicus leaves (AL), which produced the highest ALP activity among the tested extracts, collagen content was measured using the Sirius Red staining method, mineralization using the Alizarin Red S staining method, and osteocalcin production through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Also, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to investigate the mRNA expression levels of Runt-related transcriptional factor 2 (Runx2) and Osterix. RESULTS: Among the 4 P. japonicus extracts, AL had the highest values in all of the following measures: total phenolic compounds, total polyphenols, and ALP activity, which is a major biomarker of osteoblast differentiation. The AL-treated MC3T3-E1 cells showed significant increases in induced osteoblast differentiation, collagen synthesis, mineralization, and osteocalcin production. In addition, mRNA expressions of Runx2 and Osterix, transcription factors that regulate osteoblast differentiation, were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AL can regulate osteoblasts differentiation, at least in part through Runx2 and Osterix. Therefore, it is highly likely that P. japonicus will be useful as an alternate therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.584-591
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• 2021

Marine algae (seaweed) encompass numerous groups of multicellular organisms with various shapes, sizes, and colors, and serve as important sources of natural bioactive substances. The brown alga Ecklonia cava Kjellman, an edible seaweed, contains many bioactives such as phlorotannins and fucoidans. Here, we evaluated the antioxidative, neuroprotective, and anti-apoptotic effects of E. cava extract (ECE), E. cava phlorotannin-rich extract (ECPE), and the phlorotannin dieckol on neuronal PC-12 cells. The antioxidant capacities of ECPE and ECE were 1,711.5 and 1,050.4 mg vitamin C equivalents/g in the ABTS assay and 704.0 and 474.6 mg vitamin C equivalents/g in the DPPH assay, respectively. The dieckol content of ECPE (58.99 mg/g) was approximately 60% higher than that of ECE (36.97 mg/g). Treatment of PC-12 cells with ECPE and ECE increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Intracellular oxidative stress in PC-12 cells due to ECPE and ECE decreased dose-independently by up to 63% and 47%, respectively, compared with the stress control (323%). ECPE reduced the production of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 more effectively than ECE. Early and late apoptosis in PC-12 cells were more effectively decreased by ECPE than ECE treatments. From the results obtained in this study, we concluded that ECPE, which is rich in phlorotannins, including the marker compound dieckol, may be applied to the development of functional materials for improving cognition and memory.