• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.137-152
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was carried out to investigate and analyze the preference for plant fragrance and the psychological effects of a agro-healing activity in 101 firefighters aged 39.71 ± 10.94. Methods: For the psychological evaluation, post-traumatic stress symptoms, Korean occupational stress scale short form (KOSS-SF), emotional intelligence, and job satisfaction were surveyed on the Likert scale. For the preference for plant fragrances, 20 ㎕ of commercially available essential oils from four plant species (Mentha spp., Lavandula spp., Citrus limon, C. sinensis) were absorbed into each test paper and provided to the participants. Results: The rate of post-traumatic stress symptoms was high at 37.6% of the firefighters surveyed.. C. limon fragrance had the highest preference among the four plant fragrances, followed by C. sinensis > Mentha spp. > Lavandula spp. with statistically significant difference (F = 14.256, p < .001). The lower their age, income, and position, and higher the education level, the higher the preference for plant fragrances. And the administrative group had higher preference for plant fragrances than field group. In addition, as a result of examining the correlation between job satisfaction, preference for plant fragrance, post-traumatic stress, emotional intelligence, and job stress for fire-fighters, the higher the job satisfaction, the higher the fragrance preference and emotional intelligence, and the lower the post-traumatic stress and job stress. Conclusion: Therefore, installing a garden using botanical fragrances at workplaces that firefighters can easily access will improve job satisfaction and relieve stress. It can be concluded that applying the fragrance of plants to the healing farming activities at the fire-fighter's workplace can increase the usefulness of the healing activities.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.551-571
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• 2022

Xylella fastidiosa is xylem-limited bacterium capable of infecting a wide range of host plants, resulting in Pierce's disease in grapevine, citrus variegated chlorosis, olive quick decline syndrome, peach phony disease, plum leaf scald, alfalfa dwarf, margin necrosis and leaf scorch affecting oleander, coffee, almond, pecan, mulberry, red maple, oak, and other types of cultivated and ornamental plants and forest trees. In the European Union, X. fastidiosa is listed as a quarantine organism. Since its first outbreak in the Apulia region of southern Italy in 2013 where it caused devastating disease on Olea europaea (called olive leaf scorch and quick decline), X. fastidiosa continued to spread and successfully established in some European countries (Corsica and PACA in France, Balearic Islands, Madrid and Comunitat Valenciana in Spain, and Porto in Portugal). The most recent data for Europe indicates that X. fastidiosa is present on 174 hosts, 25 of which were newly identified in 2021 (with further five hosts discovered in other parts of the world in the same year). From the six reported subspecies of X. fastidiosa worldwide, four have been recorded in European countries (fastidiosa, multiplex, pauca, and sandyi). Currently confirmed X. fastidiosa vector species are Philaenus spumarius, Neophilaenus campestris, and Philaenus italosignus, whereby only P. spumarius (which has been identified as the key vector in Apulia, Italy) is also present in Americas. X. fastidiosa control is currently based on pathogen-free propagation plant material, eradication, territory demarcation, and vector control, as well as use of resistant plant cultivars and bactericidal treatments.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2024

Objectives : This study evaluates how various traditional Korean herbal medicines assess MUC5AC expression for esophageal mucosal defense and analyzes the associated mechanisms involved in inflammation. Methods : Forty types of traditional Korean herbal medicines were assessed for in vitro antioxidant activities, and the real-time PCR method was employed to analyze MUC5AC expression under pH 4.5 conditions in human esophageal epithelial cells (HET-1A). Eight types of Korean herbal medicines were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activities, and Reactive oxygen specise (ROS) expression was analyzed under bile salt (480 𝜇M) and pH 5.5 conditions in human esophageal epithelial cells (HET-1A). Simulation experiments involving bile salts and acidity were conducted for one hour to assess the efficacy of four drugs, and the activities of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MEK), Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-𝜅B), and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were detected through Western blot analysis. Results : Compared to the Normal group, the Control group exhibited higher ROS generation. Such increased ROS levels were significantly reduced by four extracts: Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (CUP), Cnidium officinale Rhizoma (CR), Ginseng Radix (GR), and Linderae Radix (LR). The protein expression of COX-2 decreased with the treatment of LR, CUP, and CR. Particularly, CUP and CR exhibited superior effects compared to other groups in inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-𝜅B. Conclusion : Based on the results obtained, we have identified drugs that inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation caused by bile acid in esophageal epithelial cells. Our future plans involve comparing and analyzing the efficacy of these herbal medicines through animal experiments.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.275-282
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• 2016

STAR of STAR (SS 01-04) is a series of drinks that consist of various extracts obtained from Coriolus versicolor, Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Hovenia dulcis, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Lycium chinense, Citrus reticulata, Saururus chinensis, Pueraria lobata, Pyrus pyrifolia, and Oenanthe javanica. A purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of SS 01-04. Antioxidant activity of the drinks was evaluated by conducting a hydroxyl radical-scavenging assay. Cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective potential were determined using HepG2 cells in vitro, while protective effects against acute hepatotoxicity was evaluated in vivo. The antioxidant activity of the SS 01-04 at concentration of 100 and 250 mg/mL was similar to that of $50{\mu}M$ vitamin C. tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was blocked by SS 01, 03 and 04 in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with SS 04 significantly lowered the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in an animal model of carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)-induced$ hepatotoxicity (p<0.05). In addition, SS04 increased glutathione level while decreased malondialdehyde level in the liver considerably (p<0.05). It also inhibited the $CCl_4-induced$ increase in the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in serum and the liver. These findings indicated that SS 01-04 possessed antioxidant activity and protect against ROS. In particular, SS 04 is potentially highly beneficial in treating liver damage as it scavenges reactive free radicals and boosts the endogenous antioxidant system.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2009

Heavy reliance on organosynthetic chemical methods to control agricultural pest tends to deteriorate and lower fertility of soil. We studied annual occurrence of earthworm in environment-friendly agroecosystem and attempted to determine the degree of soil contamination. Candidate bioindicators of earthworm in agroecosystem were selected through analysis of earthworm diversities. Depending on the degree of pesticide use, the fields were devided into conventional, less-pesticide, pesticide free, and organic fields. A nearby field not in agricultural use was chosen as a control. This study was carried out in the greenhouses (lettuce and grape) in 2006 and in orchards (apple, pear, peach, citrus and grape) in 2007. Earthworm was collected from 50 $\times$ 50 $\times$ 10 cm$^3$ of respective soil. We found 11 species from 5 genera and 3 families, and 12 species from 4 genera and 3 families in the greenhouses and in orchards, respectively. The contents of organic matter in soil in the greenhouses were variable but quite less so in orchards. Amynthas heteropodus occurred most frequently in both sites suggesting that it could be adopted as a bioindicator in agroecosystem in Korea.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.63-80
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• 1974

The chemical components of Citrus junos produced in Korea were divided into two parts; common and special components respectively. In the former the relation between the physiological effects of the plant and its ripening process was observed periodically while the latter was analyzed the ripening fruits for their effective utilization as food. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The analytical result of seasonal change showed that the rind ratio was higher than the flesh ratio and on a regional basis, the rind ratio was higher in the islands than on land areas. 2. In the experiment the moisture was increased until the third period, but afterwards it was made constant. While the content of crude fat, cellulose, ash, total acid and soluble non-nitrogen material were decreased until the third period and the cotent of cellulose and total acid were continuousely redused until the last period. In con trast with the above the content of reducing sugars was increased but the content of crude fat, cellulose, ash, crude protein and soluble non-nitrogen material were increased until last period. 3. The content of vitamin C was richer in the rind than in the flesh, in the Korean species than in the Japanese. 4. Free sugars; xylose, fructose, glucose were richer in the rind than in the flesh. 5. The content of volatile organic acids was richer in the rind than in the flesh. Among them, volatile acids, acetic acid, formic and n-valeric acid were found in the rind and formic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid were deteceed in the flesh. 6. The total content of non-volatile acids was richer in the flesh than in the rind. In the kind of non-volatile acids, citric acid,glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and an unknown acid were found in the rind and citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid, glutaric acid and malonic acid in the flesh. 7. Three kinds of aromatic components: D-limonene, ${\alpha}-pinene$, p-cymene and seven other kinds of unknown aromatic components were detected in neutral essential oils. Among them, D-limonene seemed to be main aromatic component in the fruits. 8. From the above results it is confirmed that both rind and flesh of the ripened fruit could be utilized for food effectively, and unripened fruits are suitable for producing citric acid, ripened fruits are also useful for producing juice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.6 s.67
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• pp.895-905
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• 2004

Herb found in the farm of Korea were classified into 3 divisions, 5 classes, 31 orders, 51 families, 134 genera and 226 kinds. In the taxon of family, labiatae, compositae and umbelliferae have larser number of herbs than another families. In the taxon of genus, Rosa (34 kinds), Mentha (8), Thymus (7), Pelargonium (6), Salvia (6), Lavandula (5), Citrus (4), Ocimum (4), Allium (4) in order contain many species. In the geographical floristic regions, Holarctic were 149 kinds, and next came Paleotropical of 26 kinds, Neotropical of 18 kinds, Capetown of 8 kinds, and Australian of 6 kinds in order. Plants growing naturally over 3 geographical region were 4 kinds including Passiflora caerulea. And 166 kinds were growing in the only 1 geographical region. Among the all farms, (1) farm (in Cheongwon) were highest number of 137 kinds. On the other hand, (3) farm (in Cheongsong) were lowest number of 59 kinds. Herb cultivating in all farms were 37 kinds including Pelargonium crispum. Among these, plants of 24 kinds belong to the labiatae family. Also, herb cultivating in the only 1 farm were 50 kinds including Humulus lupulus. About the numbers of usage of herb, the first in numbers was for food $(54.4\%,\;122\;kinds)$ including Ginkgo biloba, the second for medicinal purpose $(39.8\%,\;90\;kinds)$ including Equisetum arvense, the third for cosmetic $(15.9\%,\;36\;kinds)$, th fourth for flavor $(14.2\%,\;32\;kinds)$, the next for perfume $(12.4\%,\;28\;kinds)$, the next for dye $(10.8\%,\;23\;kinds)$, the next for insecticide $(6.6\%,\;15\;kinds)$, the next for ornament $(1.8\%,\;4\;kinds)$, the last for antiseptic $(0.9\%,\;2\;kinds)$.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.764-770
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• 1999

Antimicrobial activities were assayed through the hot-water extracts from 41 species of medicinal plants against Helicobacter pylori which is known as the ulcerogenic phathogen. Opuntia ficus-indica, Houttuynia cordata, Sinomenium acutum, and Coptis japonica showed the MIC at the concentrations less than 100 ppm, Pulsatilla koreana, Forsythia koreana, Rheum undulatum, and Perilla frutescens less than 200 ppm, Belamcanda chinensis, Arctium lappa, Cassia tora, Citrus tachibana, Siegesbeckia orientalis, and Caesalpinia sappan less than 300 ppm by the 2-fold dilution method. In disc method only three of them were confirmed to have antimicrobial activities which were increased in the order Perilla frutescens, Coptis japonica, Caesalpinia sappan. Three extracts were partitioned with chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol in sequence and examined for the activity to inhibit H. pylori. The major ativities were observed in ethyl acetate fraction of Caesalpinia sappan, butanol fraction of Perilla frutescens, butanol and chloroform fraction of Coptis japonica. The partitioned fractions were found to have increased antimicrobial activities in all extracts. The experiments in which the extracts were added into urea R broth containing the crude urease derived from H. pylori resulted in the increase of pH and optical density at 560 nm to 8.15 and 1.7 respectively. Urease activity of H. pylori was inhibited over 80% by Caesalpinia sappan, Perilla frutescens, and Coptis japonica, of which Caesalpinia sappan suppressed up to 95%.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.565-570
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• 2007

Changes in the quality of Hallabong tangor during growth stage and with temperature pre-treatment after harvest were investigated. Soluble solids of Hallabong increased continuously until early December. The acid content of M16A, a variant species of Hallabong, decreased by 1% after October and continued to decrease until the middle of January. After ripening, treatment to reduce the acid content was required. Fruit firmness decreased gradually until November and was maintained at 1000 g-force after this time. Soluble solids and acid content were $13.3{\pm}0.83^{\circ}Brix$ and $1.07{\pm}0.52%$. Soluble solids increased in temperature-treated Hallabong with prolonged storage, but acid content did not decrease. Fruit firmness also decreased with storage period, regardless of temperature pre-treatment. Therefore, water management during cultivation, temperature treatment above $35^{\circ}C$ after harvest, and checking of the acid content and soluble solids with prolonged storage are recommended in achieving high quality Hallabong.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2018

Mitochondrial calcium overload is a crucial event in determining the fate of neuronal cell survival and death, implicated in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. One of the driving forces of calcium influx into mitochondria is mitochondria membrane potential (${\Delta}{\psi}_m$). Therefore, pharmacological manipulation of ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ can be a promising strategy to prevent neuronal cell death against brain insults. Based on these issues, we investigated here whether nobiletin, a Citrus polymethoxylated flavone, prevents neurotoxic neuronal calcium overload and cell death via regulating basal ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ against neuronal insult in primary cortical neurons and pure brain mitochondria isolated from rat cortices. Results demonstrated that nobiletin treatment significantly increased cell viability against glutamate toxicity ($100{\mu}M$, 20 min) in primary cortical neurons. Real-time imaging-based fluorometry data reveal that nobiletin evokes partial mitochondrial depolarization in these neurons. Nobiletin markedly attenuated mitochondrial calcium overload and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in glutamate ($100{\mu}M$)-stimulated cortical neurons and isolated pure mitochondria exposed to high concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ ($5{\mu}M$). Nobiletin-induced partial mitochondrial depolarization in intact neurons was confirmed in isolated brain mitochondria using a fluorescence microplate reader. Nobiletin effects on basal ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ were completely abolished in $K^+-free$ medium on pure isolated mitochondria. Taken together, results demonstrate that $K^+$ influx into mitochondria is critically involved in partial mitochondrial depolarization-related neuroprotective effect of nobiletin. Nobiletin-induced mitochondrial $K^+$ influx is probably mediated, at least in part, by activation of mitochondrial $K^+$ channels. However, further detailed studies should be conducted to determine exact molecular targets of nobiletin in mitochondria.