• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.8
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• pp.87-93
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• 1967

1) For the micro-analysis of mercury in plant materials, the method of Furutani was shown to be the simplest and most efficient way and the recovery of the assay was about 98%. 2) When the rice grain was soaked in 1/1000 diluted solution of organo-mercury fungicide for 8 hours at the end of March, the amounts of mercury residues in the brown rice and unhulled rice were 8.8 to $9.5\;{\mu}g/g$ seeds and 10.1 to $10.7\;{\mu}g/g$ seeds, respectively. 3) By washing the treated rice seeds with running water for three days, tile residual mercury concentration was reduced to 1/4 to 1/5; thus the mercury residues were 1.86 to $1.92\;{\mu}g/g$ for brown rice and 1.96 to $2.93\;{\mu}g/g$ for unhulled rice. 4) The residual mercury was present more in the unhulled rice than in the brown rice, either before or after washing of the treated seeds. 5) Among the different rice varieties, no difference was observed in mercury residues by seed treatment and washing.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2011

In this study, the antibacterial activity and the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase of Lespedeza cuneata G. Don extracts were investigated. MIC value of ethyl acetate fraction from L. cuneata G. Don on P. ovale (0.125%) showed that the antibacterial activity of the ethyl acetate fraction was higher than methyl paraben. The aglycone fraction of L. cuneata G. Don (14.63 ${\mu}g$/mL) showed the most prominent the free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of L. cuneata G. Don fraction on $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The aglycone fraction of L. cuneata G. Don (0.07 ${\mu}g$/mL) showed the most prominent ROS scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract/fractions of L. cuneata G. Don on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The L. cuneata G. Don extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner (1 ~ 50 ${\mu}g$/mL). The inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) of L. cuneata G. Don extracts on tyrosinase were determined with ethyl acetate fraction (104.83 ${\mu}g$/mL) and aglycone fraction (27.55 ${\mu}g$/mL) of L. cuneata G. Don extract. These results indicate that L. cuneata G. Don extract/fractions can function as high potential as bactericide against the pathogenic bacteria and antioxidant in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. Extract/fractions of L. cuneata G. Don could be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antiaging, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.309-318
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• 2011

In this study, the antioxidative effect, antibacterial, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase, inhibitory effects on elastase and component analysis of Phellinus linteus (P. linteus) extracts were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction of P. linteus extracts ($2.94\;{\mu}g/mL$) showed the highest free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity ($OSC_{50}$) of P. linteus extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system was investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction ($0.0072\;{\mu}g/mL$) showed the most prominent ROS scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract/fractions of P. linteus extracts on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The P. linteus extracts showed cellular membrane protective effects in a concentration dependent manner ($5{\sim}50\;{\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}$) on tyrosinase of P. linteus extract was the highest at 50 % ethanol extract ($6.34\;{\mu}g/mL$), and the inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}$) on elastase of P. linteus was the highest at ethyl acetate fraction ($14.08\;{\mu}g/mL$). TLC, HPLC chromatogram and LC/ESI-MS of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from P. linteus extracts were identified interfungin A (PL RPT-1a). These results indicate that extract/fractions of P. linteus can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. Extract/fractions of P. linteus can be applicable to new cosmeceuticals for antioxidant, antiaging, antiwrinkle and whitening.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.225-236
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• 2012

In this study, the cellular protective effects on HaCaT cells and human erythrocytes and antioxidative effects of P. tricuspidata stem extracts were investigated. The ethyl acetate ($50{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction ($25{\mu}g/mL$) of P. tricuspidata stem extracts doesn't show any characteristics of cytotoxicity. When HaCaT cells were treated with 10 mM $H_2O_2$ and $30{\mu}M$ rose bengal, the ethyl acetate ($6.25{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone ($6.25{\sim}25{\mu}g/mL$) fraction protected the cells against the oxidative damage in a concentration dependent manner. The P. tricuspidata stem extracts showed more prominent cellular protective effect than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol, known as lipid antioxidant at $10{\mu}g/mL$. The ethylacetate fraction of P. tricuspidata stem extracts ($18.5{\mu}g/mL$) showed more free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC5_{50}$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity ($OSC_{50}$) of P. tricuspidata stem extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system was investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate ($1.72{\mu}g/mL$) and the aglycone fraction ($1.53{\mu}g/mL$) showed similar ROS scavenging activity of L-ascorbic acid ($1.50{\mu}g/mL$). These results indicate that extract/fractions of P. tricuspidata stem extracts can function as natural cytoprotective agents and antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by protecting cellular membrane against ROS.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 1977

Acetylene-ethylene($C_2H_2-C_2H_4$) assay was carried out to find the heterotrophic nitrogen-fixing activities and distribution of nitrogen fixers in eleven different soil series which are located in Kyeonggi province. Following are the summaries of this study. 1. Acetylene-reducing activities were higher in Gwanghwal, Mangyeong and Buyong series which are derived from fluviomarine deposite than in Yeongsan, Hamchang and Pyeongtack series which are observed from continental alluvial plain. The lowest activities are observed in Yecheon, Hoegog, and Jisan series which are situated in local valley region. 2. Estimated amouts of $N_2$ per annum fixed by $N_2$-fixing heterotrophs were about 3.2kg in fuluvio marine soils, 2.6kg in continental alluvial plain and 2.0kg/10a in local valley region, respectively. 3. Azotobacter and Beijerinckia were not detected in any of the ten different soil series except in Pyeongtaeg series. However, Clostridia, anaerobic nitrogen fixer, was detected in order of ${\times}10^2$. It is assumed that these population are not enough to contribute to the nitrogen supply by the biological fixation in paddy soil. 4. For the assesment of heterotrophic nitrogen fixation in paddy soil, it must be presumed that aerobes, anaerobes and phototrophs which can grow on nitrogen free media may greatly contribute for the asymbiotic netrogen fixation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.403-412
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• 2016

The tight junction, one of Intercellular junctions, performs a variety of biological functions by bonding adjacent cells, including the barrier function to control the movement of the electrolyte and water. Recent studies have revealed that unusual expression of tight junction-related genes have been shown to be related in cancer development and progression. Recently, there are many reports that control of tight junction proteins expression is closely related to the skin moisture. In this study, we are focusing on the regulating mechanism of tight junction-associated genes by the steviol and its derivatives. Steviol, used as a sweetner, is known to chemical compound isolated from stevia plant. The MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) assay was carried out in HaCaT cells (human keratinocyte cell line) in order to determine the cytotoxicity. As a result, while steviol showing cytotoxicity from $250{\mu}M$, steviol derivatives are not cytotoxic more than $250{\mu}M$ concentration. We have observed a change in the tight junction protein via quantitative real-time PCR. Claudin 8 among tight junction proteins is only significantly reduced up to 30% in the presence of steviol. In addition, cell migration was inhibited by steviol, not by stevioside and rebaudioside. Finally, we could observe that steviol, not stevioside and rebaudioside, is able to increase the skin barrier permeability through the transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) measurements. These results suggest that the steviol and its derivatives are specifically acts on the tight junction related gene expression, but steviol derivatives are more suitable as a cosmetic material.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.641-654
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• 1996

In infectious disease, invasion of host tissue by bacteria or their products frequently induces a wide variety of inflammatory and immunopathologic reaction. Evidence indicates that cytokines are involved in the initiation and progression of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as periodontitis. Interleukin-6, which is a multifunctional cytokine, has important roles in acute and chronic inflammation and may also be implicated in bone resorption. Periodontal diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation of the periodontium with alveolar bone resoption. A principal driving force behind this response appears to lie in the immune system's response to bacteria. Many of the cell components which have been shown to function as virulence factors in gram-negative bacteria are associated with the bacterial surface. Of these, lipopolysaccharide has been characterized as one that mediates a number of biological activities which can lead to the destruction of host tissue. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug is used for reduce inflammation, and most of NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandine $E_2$ production, but it is shown that $PGE_2$ production is stimulated by IL-1 in recent study. So, the influence of other cytokines except $PGE_2$ on periodontium can not be avoided. Therefore, new antiinflammatory drug is needed. Rhizoma coptidis is used in oriental medicine for anti-inflammation and antiseptics. In this present study, we examined the IL-6 release in periodontal ligament cells treated with the lipopolysaccharide, and also the effect of rhizoma coptidis on cellular activity and IL-6 production of periodontal ligament cells. To evaluate the effect of rhizoma coptidis on cellular activity, the cells were seeded at a cell density of $1{\times}10^4$ cells/well in 24-well culture plates. After one day incubation, 1-6, 10-9 and 10-12 g/ml of rhizoma coptidis and 5, $10{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS were added to the each well and incubated for 1 and 2 days, respectively. Then, MTT assay were carried out. To evaluate the effect of rhizoma coptidis on IL-6 production, the cells were seeded at a cell density of $1.5{\times}10^4$ cells/well in 24-well culture plates. After one day incubation, 10-9 g/ml of rhizoma coptidis and 5, $10{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS were added to the each well and incubated for 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Then, amounts of IL-6 production is measured by IL-6 ELISA kit used. The results were as follows : 1. Rhizoma coptidisrbelow to ($10^{-6}g/ml$) significantly increaed cellular activity of periodontal ligament cells than control. 2. Rhizoma coptidist ($10^{-9}g/ml$) significantly increased cellular activity of LPS($5{\mu}g/ml$)-treated periodontal ligament cells than control. 3. LPS(5 and $10{\mu}g/ml$) significantly increased IL-6 production of periodontal ligament cells than control. 4. Rhizoma coptidis($10^{-9}g/ml$) decreased IL-6 production of LPS ($5{\mu}g/ml$)-treated periodontal.ligarnent cells than LPS only tested group. These findings suggest that stimulation of the IL-6 release of periodontal ligament cells by LPS may have a role in the progression of inflammation and alveolar bone resoption in periodontal disease, and that inhibition of the IL-6 release of cells and stimulation of cellular activity by rhizoma coptidis may help the periodontal regeneration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.318-324
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• 2016

This study was aimed to verify anti-inflammatory activity of fermented Sargassum siliquanstrum with lactic acid bacteria. Anti-inflammatory activities were compared by measuring the amount of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and suppressive effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in stably transfected RAW 264.7 cells. Inhibitory activities of NO production and iNOS expression were measured after confirmation of NO radical scavenging activities. Fermentation increased NO radical scavenging activities from 7.6% to 15.2% compared to non-fermented condition, and fermentation with Lactobacillus sp. SH-1 was the most efficient. Fermentation without algal debris showed better NO radical scavenging activities than that with debris. Fermentation with Lactobacillus sp. SH-1 also showed the highest NO production inhibitory activity (64.1%) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-induced iNOS expression was diminished to 28.6, 35.6, 49.4 and 58.5 at 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 μg/ml, respectively, by fermentation with Lactobacillus sp. SH-1. According to MTT assay, fermented S. siliquanstrum did not influence the cell viability at all concentrations tested, meaning no or less cytotoxicity. These results suggest that S. siliquanstrum has NO radical scavenging activity and anti-inflammatory activity. Thus biological activities of S. siliquanstrum were upgraded by fermentation, which could be used for the development of functional foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.1397-1403
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• 2011

Epimedium koreanum Nakai is a wild medicinal plant commonly consumed in South Korea due to its health beneficial effects. In the present study, the antioxidative, antimutagenic and immunological activities of E. koreanum Nakai extracts were investigated for their use in food. The yields of icariin compounds from the ethanol extract as well as the ethyl acetate, butanol, hexane, water, and chloroform fractions of E. koreanum were 27.9, 2.5, 1.7, 1.4, and 1.3 ${\mu}g/g$, respectively. The icariin components (295.5 ${\mu}g/g$) were collected from the ethyl acetate fraction by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and analyzed via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant activities of each fraction were as follows: ethyl acetate (49.0 ${\mu}g/mL$), butanol (59.2 ${\mu}g/mL$), hexane (119.8 ${\mu}g/mL$), water (122.0 ${\mu}g/mL$), and chloroform (138.5 ${\mu}g/mL$), based on $RC_{50}$ ${\mu}g/mL$. Icariin, isolated and identified as the main component, showed strong antioxidant activity with a $RC_{50}$ value of 15.3 ${\mu}g/mL$, which was higher than those of ascorbic acid (19.5 ${\mu}g/mL$) and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol (18.2 ${\mu}g/mL$). In an Ames test, none of the fractions produced mutagenic effects on Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 and TA100. In an immunomodulating activity test, the effects of E. koreanum Nakai on B cells (Rhamos) and T cells (Jurkat) were investigated. These results show that the growth and viability of B and T cells were increased by isolated icariin components for 1.27 and 1.28 fold, respectively. These results also provide preliminary data for the development of E. koreanum Nakai as an edible food material.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2020

Global climatic change and increasing climatic instability threaten crop productivity. Due to climatic change, drought stress is occurring more frequently in crop fields. In this study, we investigated the effect of treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) before leaf development on the growth and yield of sorghum for minimizing the damage of crops to drought. To assess the effect of H₂O₂ on the growth of sorghum plant, 10 mM H₂O₂ was used to treat sorghum leaves at the 3-leaf stage during growth in field conditions. Plant height, stem diameter, leaf length, and leaf width were increased by 7.6%, 9.6%, 8.3% and 11.5%, respectively. SPAD value, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were increased by 3.0%, 4.9%, 26.0%, 23.4% and 12.7%, respectively. The amount of H₂O₂ in the leaf tissue of sorghum plant treated with 10 mM H₂O₂ was 0.7% of the applied amount after 1 hour. The level increased to approximately 1.0% after 6 hours. The highest antioxidant activity measured by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity assay was 847.3 µmol·g^-1 at 6 hour after treatment. However, in the well-watered condition, the concentration of H₂O₂ in the plant treated by the foliar application of H₂O₂ was 227.8 µmol·g^-1 higher than that of the untreated control. H₂O₂ treatment improved all the yield components and yield-related factors. Panicle length, plant dry weight, panicle weight, seed weight per plant, seed weight per unit area, and thousand seed weight were increased by 8.8%, 18.0%, 24.4%, 24.7%, 29.9% and 7.1%, respectively. Proteomic analysis showed that H₂O₂ treatment in sorghum increased the tolerance to drought stress and maintained growth and yield by ameliorating oxidative stress.