• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.583-590
• /
• 2021

Background: Gintonin, isolated from ginseng, acts as a ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand and elicits the [Ca²⁺]_i transient through six LPA receptor subtypes (LPARSs). However, the long-term effects of gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on the gene expression of six LPARSs remain unknown. We examined changes in the gene expression of six LPA receptors in the mouse whole brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, small intestine, colon, and testis after long-term oral GEF administration. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: control vehicle and GEF (100 mg/kg, p.o.). After 21-day saline or GEF treatment, total RNA was extracted from nine mouse organs. Quantitative-real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to quantify changes in the gene and protein expression of the six LPARSs, respectively. Results: qRT-PCR analysis before GEF treatment revealed that the LPA6 RS was predominant in all organs except the small intestine. The LPA2 RS was most abundant in the small intestine. Long-term GEF administration differentially regulated the six LPARSs. Upon GEF treatment, the LPA6 RS significantly increased in the liver, small intestine, colon, and testis but decreased in the whole brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Western blot analysis of the LPA6 RS confirmed the differential effects of GEF on LPA6 receptor protein levels in the whole brain, liver, small intestine, and testis. Conclusion: The LPA6 receptor was predominantly expressed in all nine organs examined; long-term oral GEF administration differentially regulated LPA3, LPA4, and LPA6 receptors in the whole brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine, and testis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.56-63
• /
• 2021

This study was conducted to find a candidate prescription with anti-inflammatory efficacy of 7 herbal prescriptions known to be effective in atopic dermatitis and sleep disorders in Korean medicine. The anti-inflammatory of the 7 herbal prescriptions extracts were evaluated by ELISA assay and Western blot assay. 7 herbal prescriptions, Seongyutang(SU), Danseontoetang(DST), Sotosajahwan(ST), Jisiljagyagsan(JJ), Seokchangpo(SCP), Wiryeongseon(WLS), Gogojohwan(GGJ) 30 % EtoH extract was used for in vitro experiments. In TNF-α + IFN-γ(TI) stimulated HaCaT cells, all 7 herbal prescriptions reduced TARC and MDC production, and JJ strongly reduced TARC and MDC production at 100 ㎍/ml concentration. SCP strongly reduced MDC production at 10 ㎍/ml and 100 ㎍/ml concentration. In addition, in substance P(SP)/CRH stimulated HMC-1 cells, JJ strongly inhibited VEGF production at both 10 and 100 ㎍/ml concentrations. In LPS/CRH stimulated Raw264.7 cells, all 7 herbal prescriptions significantly inhibited TNF-α. PMA + Ionomycin(PI)/CRH stimulated EL4 cells, SU significantly reduced IL-4 production at both concentrations of 10 and 100 ㎍/ml. WLS significantly reduced IL-17 production at both concentrations of 10 and 100㎍/ml. This suggests that 7 herbal prescriptions have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing inflammatory cytokines in keratinocytes, mast cells and macrophages caused by inflammation. Therefore, it is expected that 7 herbal prescriptions that are effective for sleep disorders and atopic dermatitis can be used as therapeutic materials for sleep disorders and diseases associated with atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate characteristics of growth and active compounds of Angelica gigas population distributed in Mt. Jeombong. Quadrates were established in native area to harvest root part of Angelica gigas and analyze soil properties in September and October 2017. It was found that Angelica gigas populations were collected above the altitude 758 m near the valley covered with Fraxinus mandshurica and Acer pictum, and so on. In case of soil nutrient, soil organic matter, available phosphorous, and total nitrogen ranged 5.8-25.2%, 23.0-67.9 mg/kg and 0.3-1.3% respectively. Also, the Fresh weight of root ranged 28.8-65.3 g in September and 22.3-75.6 g in October. The content of active compounds ranged 2.7-4.7% in decursin and 2.9-4.5% decursinol angelate in October that was increased by 1% and 2.4% respectively compared with that in September. In the final analysis, there was positive correlation between fresh weight of root and exchangeable cation (natrium, calcium, magnesium). Also, there was positive correlation between active compounds and the content of water in root part of Angelica gigas.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.63 no.4
• /
• pp.390-398
• /
• 2018

Miscanthus is a perennial energy plant that reproduces via rhizomes and has C4 metabolism. The flowering pattern of a wild type M. sacchariflorus (WTM) is affected by environmental conditions such as photoperiod and soil water status. Geodae-Uksae 1 (Geodea), which is a new M. sacchariflorus cultivar, has a lower heading rate than WMS; however the mechanism with why this happens is unknown. To confirm the effects of drought or waterlogging stresses on the growth of WTM and Geodea at the reproductive stage, we investigated variations in morphological characteristics and nutrient contents of the two Miscanthus species after four months of three water treatments. Morphological traits of the two Miscanthus species under the drought condition were similar to those under the control condition. But, the height of Geodea increased by 30% in response to the waterlogging stress. In WTM, the heading rate under the drought condition was lowest, while there was no significant difference between the waterlogging and control conditions. In the two Miscanthus species, nutrient contents, such as sucrose, total N, $P_2O_5$, K and Mg, were the highest under the drought condition, wherea Ca and Mg contents under the waterlogging condition were more than three times lower than those under the drought condition. The current study results showed that drought stress accelerated senescence and then inhibited nutrient mobilization in WTM, while waterlogging stress promoted the growth. This study is the first report to confirm that waterlogging stress promotes flowering of M. sacchariflorus.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.284-291
• /
• 2019

Background: Ginseng root rot disease, caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans and Fusarium solani is a major cause of replant failure in continuous cropping ginseng. Methods and Results: To control replant injury in soil infected with C. destructans and F. solani, biosolarization was performed by covering the plot with transparent polyethylene film after adding green manure of maize and sunflower for the summer season. Per 10 a, fresh and dry weight of maize was 10.1 and 2.5 tons, respectively, and that of sunflower was 8.1 tons and 1.2 tons, respectively. Mean maximum temperature at 20 cm depth was $33.2^{\circ}C$, $41.5^{\circ}C$ and $41.8^{\circ}C$ in the control, maize-incorporated and sunflower-incorporated plots, respectively. The elapsed time over $40^{\circ}C$ was 36.4 h in the maize-incorporated plot and 77.3 h in the sunflower-incorporated plot. Biosolarization increased $NO_3$ content in soil, while content of organic matter, Ca, and Mg was decreased. Electrical conductivity, $NO_3$ and $P_2O_5$ in soil significantly increased after two years of biosolarization. The number of spores of C. destructans in soil was significantly decreased by biosolarization, and sunflower treatment was more effective than maize treatment in decreasing the number of spores. Root yield of 3-year-old ginseng was significantly increased by biosolarization, however, there was no significant difference between maize and sunflower treatments. Rate of root rot in 3-year-old ginseng decreased to 16.5% with the incorporation maize and 5.0% with the incorporation of sunflower, while that in control 25.6%. Conclusions: Biosolarization was effective in inhibiting ginseng root rot by decreasing the density of root rot disease and improving soil chemical properties.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.71-81
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the corrosion behaviors of dental implant alloy after microsized surface modification in electrolytes containing Mn ion. Materials and Methods: $Mn-TiO_2$ coatings were prepared on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy for dental implants using a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) method carried out in electrolytes containing different concentrations of Mn, namely, 0%, 5%, and 20%. Potentiodynamic method was employed to examine the corrosion behaviors, and the alternatingcurrent (AC) impedance behaviors were examined in 0.9% NaCl solution at $36.5^{\circ}C{\pm}1.0^{\circ}C$ using a potentiostat and an electrochemical impedance spectroscope. The potentiodynamic test was performed with a scanning rate of $1.667mV\;s^{-1}$ from -1,500 to 2,000 mV. A frequency range of $10^{-1}$ to $10^5Hz$ was used for the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The amplitude of the AC signal was 10 mV, and 5 points per decade were used. The morphology and structure of the samples were examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and thin-film X-ray diffraction. The elemental analysis was performed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Result: The PEO-treated surface exhibited an irregular pore shape, and the pore size and number of the pores increased with an increase in the Mn concentration. For the PEO-treated surface, a higher corrosion current density ($I_{corr}$) and a lower corrosion potential ($E_{corr}$) was obtained as compared to that of the bulk surface. However, the current density in the passive regions ($I_{pass}$) was found to be more stable for the PEO-treated surface than that of the bulk surface. As the Mn concentration increased, the capacitance values of the outer porous layer and the barrier layer decreased, and the polarization resistance of the barrier layers increased. In the case of the Mn/Ca-P coatings, the corroded surface was found to be covered with corrosion products. Conclusion: It is confirmed that corrosion resistance and polarization resistance of PEO-treated alloy increased as Mn content increased, and PEO-treated surface showed lower current density in the passive region.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2002

Three different species of green and air-dried Korean bamboos were carbonized by using three different types of kilns designated as special (800~1000℃), improved (600~700℃) and simple kiln (400~500℃), and the bamboo vinegars obtained from the carbonization processes were characterized. In the case of the special kiln, most of the bamboo vinegars obtained at the first recovery stage showed high values of specific gravity and also in content of organic acid and water-soluble tar. The bamboo vinegars obtained from the improved kiln showed various physical properties depending on their species. In the case of simple kiln, the bamboo vinegars obtained from air-dried bamboos and at temperatures below 80℃, showed a higher specific gravity and more water-soluble tar as well as total organic components than those obtained at 80~150℃. A good linear relationship (correlation coefficient of ca. 0.90) was obtained between the specific gravities and the sum of organic acids and water-soluble tars. Therefore, this correlation coefficient might be a good index to determine the quality of bamboo vinegars. The major chemical constituents of the bamboo vinegars were acetic acid and considerable amounts of phenols: guaiacol, ethyl guaiacol, syringol, and methyl syringol.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.313-321
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUND: Ammonia is a causative substance for the fine particulate matters (PM_2.5) and generates dust through atmospheric reactions. Agricultural sector accounts for 79.3% of ammonia emissions in Korea. Urea and composted organic fertilizer (COF) are used in the soil for the purpose of supplying nutrients in grapevine orchards. This study was conducted to investigate estimates of ammonia emission and examine fruit quality from the rain proof cultivation of the 'Beni Balad', applied by urea and COF to the soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: Urea, COF1, and COF2 were applied at the rates of 119, 135, and 271 kg ha^-1 respectively. Ammonia emissionwas measured using a dynamic flow-through method. CONCLUSION(S): Ammonia emissions by urea and COF treatments to 'Beni Balad' soils under rain proof cultivation were calculated to be 2.63, 12.95, 2.05, and 3.97 kg NH₃-N ha^-1 day^-1, respectively for the control, urea, COF1, and COF2. Urea soil application increased soluble solids, firmness, and anthocyanin content in fruits at harvest, and COF1 application increased the soluble solids and anthocyanin content. For all the treatments, acidity increased in the harvested fruits.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.35-41
• /
• 2022

Mulberry is a hardy, perennial, deep-rooted plant capable of thriving under diverse agroclimatic conditions. The selection of suitable land and appropriate variety can help the sustainable mulberry field. However, no conclusive and comprehensive investigation has been conducted on the mulberry soil properties and nutritional composition of mulberry cultivars from Korea local areas in previous studies. In our study, soil properties and mulberry leaf components of Korea local mulberry farms were briefly investigated. In result, the soil organic matter (OM) content was significantly high in Buan (6.81%) and Jangseong (6.14%). In contrast, available phosphate (P₂O₅) was different in each local area. To investigate relationship between soil property and nutritive component of mulberry leaf, Cheongil leaf samples from 8 local areas were analyzed. Among the macrominerals (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, and Mg²⁺), the concentration of K varied from (1884±9.36) mg/100 g to (2685±11.5) mg/100 g. The potassium (K⁺) of Cheongil leaf in Sangju was the highest at 2685 mg/100 g. Besides macrominerals, flavonoids, total dietary fiber contents and moisture of Cheongil leaf samples were studied in the 8 local areas. In terms of these contents, the variation was largely depending on the local areas. This study provides a possible industrial use of mulberry, and holds promise to enhance the overall profitability of sericulture.