• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 1999

It has long been recognized that dropwort contains specific funtional subtances for protecting human liver and preventing and curing its diseases, and thus it has been widely utilized in traditional folk remedy. In the present study. fresh of fermented extract of dropwort shoots grown on dryland and fresh extract of those grown on flooded fie1d were fed to the rats suffering from acute, subacute or chronical toxication induced by alcohol administration, and their affects were investigated. Administration of alcohol to rats and mice for 2 days at 5ml of 30% EtOH/kg/day raised total cholesterol and total glyceride which were, however, great1y supressed when alcohol was administered to the laboratory animals previously fed on fresh or fermented extract of dryland dropwort, or fresh extract of flooded field-grown dropwort for 20 days, without significant differences among the extracts. The levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase which were raised by alcohol adminstration were also lowered by feeding dropwort extract, among which that of fermented dryland-grown one was more effective than the other two. Chronic alcohol toxication was induced to rats by administering 10% alcohol for 10 months and fermented dropwort extract or tap water was fed to the rats for 5 days. The rats fed on fermented dropwort extract were lower in total cholesterol by 40% and in tota1 glyceride by 60% than the control. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the rats fed on fermented dropwort extract were decreased by 87.2% and 91.7%, respectively, compared to the control, and the rats recovered almost to normal. Activity of alkaline phosphatase, catalase, superoxide dismutase or glutathione peroxidase changed greatly by alcohol administration in the rats suffering from chronic as well as acute toxication. The extract of fermented dry land dropwort significantly lowed the activity of those enzymes, especially, alkaline phosphatase and superoxide dismutase. The present results suggesting the possible medicinal effect of fermented dropwort extract to liver diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.950-956
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• 2012

Salicornia herbacea L. is an annual herb that grows in salt marshes and salt fields along the seashores. It is also commonly used as a folk remedy in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of Salicorrnia herbacea L. (SH) hot water extract on obesity. Five-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=36) were divided into two groups and provided either a normal fat diet (11.5% fat from kcal) or a high fat diet (40.5% fat from kcal) for 6 weeks to induce obesity. Then, rats were blocked into six groups of six mice each and provided either a diet containing SH (0.5% of diet; g/kg) or a normal diet for another 6 weeks. Final body weights were significantly reduced when rats were fed SH among the high fat diet groups (HNS and HHS). Serum triglyceride concentrations significantly decreased in every group provided SH. HDL-cholesterol concentrations significantly increased in SH-fed groups among the high fat diet groups. Further, atherogenic index significantly decreased when rats were fed SH diet (HHS). There were no differences in LDL-cholesterol between the high fat diet groups, and glucose concentrations decreased when rats were fed SH diet (HNS). These results indicate that dietary intake of Salicornia herbacea L. hot water extract might have beneficial effects on obesity by reducing body weight, fat weights, and improving blood lipid profile.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.120-128
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• 2008

The death ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/ Apo1L is a cytokine that activates apoptosis through cell surface death receptors. TRAIL has sparked growing interest in oncology due to its reported ability to selectively trigger cancer cell death. Euphorbiae humifusae Wind has been used in traditional Oriental medicine as a folk remedy used for the treatment of cancer. However, the mechanism responsible for the anticancer effects of E. humifusae not clearly understood. Here, we show that treatment with subtoxic doses of water extract of E. humifusae (WEEH) in combination with TRAIL induces apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant human gastric carcinoma AGS cells. Combined treatment with WEEH and TRAIL induced chromatin condensation and sub-G1 phase DNA content. These indicators of apoptosis were correlated with the induction of caspase activity that resulted in the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Combined treatment also triggered the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, co-treatment with WEEH and TRAIL down-regulated the protein levels of the anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, XIAP and cIAP-1. Although more study will be needed to examine the detailed mechanisms, this combined treatment may offer an attractive strategy for safely treating gastric adenocarcinomas and the results provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anticancer activity of E. humifusae.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2014

Salsola collina, also known as Russian thistle, is widely distributed in and around waste facilities, roadsides, and drought and semi-drought areas, and is used as a traditional folk remedy in Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities of the ethanol extract of S. collina Pall. (EESC), and the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects on human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. EESC exhibited anti-oxidative activity through DPPH radical scavenging capacity and showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner in HT29 cells. After EESC treatment, HT29 cells altered their morphology, becoming smaller and irregular in shape. EESC also induced cell accumulation in the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decrease of cell population in the G1 phase. The G2/M arrest by EESC was associated with the increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and Wee1 kinase, which phosphorylates, or inactivates, Cdc2. EESC treatment induced the phosphorylation of Cdc2 and Cdc25C, and inhibited cyclin A and Cdc25C protein expression. In addition, S arrest was induced by the highest concentration of EESC treatment, associated with a decrease of cyclin A and Cdk2 expression. These findings suggest that EESC may possess remarkable anti-oxidative activity and exert an anti-cancer effect in HT29 cells by cell cycle regulation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.210-216
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• 2010

Rosa rugosa has traditionally been used as a folk remedy for diabetes. The objective of this study was therefore to demonstrate the inhibition of endothelial dysfunction activities through antioxidants and the anti-glycation of Rosa rugosa roots. Dried roots of Rosa rugosa were boiled in methanol for three hours, evaporated and lyophilized with a freeze-dryer. The methanolic extract of Rosa rugosa roots (RRE) was tested for antioxidant activities by measuring total polyphenol (TP) content, flavonoid content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging activity (DPPH) assay, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The total TP content, flavonoid content, FRAP value, and $DPPHSC_{50}$ are $345.2\;{\mu}g$ gallic acid equivalents/mg dry matter (DM), $128.1\;{\mu}g$ quercetin equivalents/mg DM, 2.2 mM $FeSO_4$/mg DM and $34.2\;{\mu}g$ DM/mL, respectively. Treatment of RRE significantly lowered fluorescent formation due to advanced glycation reaction. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging assay, monocyte adherent assay and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay were performed to investigate the possibility that RRE improves endothelial dysfunction-induced diabetic complications. The adhesion of THP-1 to treated HUVEC with RRE ($100\;{\mu}g/mL$; 33% and $500\;{\mu}g/mL$; 75%) was significantly reduced compared to HUVEC stimulated by glyceraldehydes-AGEs (advanced glycation end product). The TEER value ($88\;{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$) of stimulated HUVEC by glyceraldehydes-AGEs was reduced compared to non-stimulation ($113\;{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$). However, normalization with RRE increased endothelial permeability in a dose-dependent manner ($100\;{\mu}g/mL$; $102\;{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$ and $500\;{\mu}g/mL$; $106\;{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$). Thus, these results suggest that Rosa rugosa roots could be a novel candidate for the prevention of diabetic complications through antioxidants and inhibition of advanced glycation end product formation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1139-1150
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the silkworm powder on blood levels of glucose, Hb Alc, insulin, and lipids. Thirty-one NIDDM patients from Kyung Hee Medical Center were divided into two groups : patients with silkworm powder supplements and drug treatments(Drug diabetes) and patients with silkworm powder supplement only(Non-drug diabetes). For the control group, age-matched subjects were recruited. During the 4 weeks of the experimental period, silkworm powder(500mg/mea1) was given to the subjects right after each meal. Nutritional assessments and dietary education were carried out periodically, and body weight and blood pressure were measured when patients visited the hospital. Overnight fasting and 2-h postprandial blood glucose levels were measured at 2 week intervals. The blood levels of insulin, Hb Alc, and lipids were measured before and after the supplements. The mean ages of the three groups were 56.7-59.6 years old. The height, weight, and BMI did not differ among the groups. The fasting blood glucose levels were 138.1$\pm$22.0mg/dl for the Drug treated diabetes group, 175.0$\pm$32.0mg/dl for the Non-drug diabetes group, and 108. 3$\pm$16.gmg/dl for the control group at the begining of the supplement. After 4-wks of supplements, the blood levels of glucose tended to decrease in all three experimental groups. Before the supplements, the 2-h postprandial blood glucose levels of the Drug diabetes, Non drug diabetes, and control groups were 244.7$\pm$62.6mg/dl, 272.4$\pm$40.1mg/dl, and 147.7$\pm$28.0mg/dl, respectively. After the supplement, the levels were 197.2$\pm$30.gmg/dl, 208.6$\pm$ 56.6mg/dl, and 151.3$\pm$30.3mg/dl, respectively. This shows that silkworm powder tended to lower blood levels by 19.4% and 23.4% in NIDDM patient groups. However, the changes in the blood levels of insulin, Hb Alc, ind lipids were not observed after the supplement. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that silkworm powder has a tendency to decrease 2-h postprandial blood glucose levels, but it should be used with caution in controlling the diabetes. (Korean J Nutrition 31(7) 1139-1150, 1998)

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2021

Hemistepta lyrata Bunge (HL) has been used as a folk remedy to treat cancer, inflammation, bleeding, hemorrhoids and fever, and leaves and young shoots have been used as famine food. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects remain unclear. In this study, it was undertaken to explore the functions of the aerial part of HL as a suppressor of inflammation by using RAW 264.7 cells. As immune response parameters, the productions of as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytokines such tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were evaluated. Although the release of TNF-α remained unchanged in HL-treated RAW 264.7 cells, the productions of NO, PGE2 and IL-6 were significantly increased at concentrations with no cytotoxicity. Furthermore, HL significantly attenuated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway including decreasing the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Collectively, this study provides evidence that HL inhibits the production of major pro-inflammatory molecules in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells via suppression of ERK and P38 MAPK signaling pathways. These findings suggest that the beneficial therapeutic effects of HL may be attributed partly to its ability to modulate immune functions in macrophages.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2023

Myriophyllum spicatum L. has been used as an ornamental in ponds and aquariums, and as a folk remedy for inflammation and pus. Nevertheless, the biological activity and underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects are unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Myriophyllum spicatum L. (EMS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Antioxidant activity of EMS was assessed by radical-scavenging effects on ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. As inflammatory response parameters produced by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were quantified to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of EMS. Our results showed that EMS increased FRAP and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. In EMS-treated RAW 264.7 cells, the production of NO, PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly inhibited at the non-cytotoxic concentration. In addition, EMS significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated the toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/myeloid differentiation protein (MyD) 88 signaling pathway, and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB). Positive correlations were noted between anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity. In conclusion, it was indicated that EMS suppresses the transcription of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby suppressing LPS-stimulated inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. This study highlights the potential role of EMS against inflammation and associated diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.701-710
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• 2008

The wild simulated ginseng (WSG) has been effectively used in folk medicine as a remedy against hepatic disease, hypertension and arthritic disease. However, there is still lack of scientific proof about its antioxidant capability. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the protective role of the WSG ethanol extract in the CCl4-induced oxidative stress and resultant hepatic disfunction in ICR mice. The electron donating abilities and IC50 of WSG etnanol extract were 76.86 ${\pm}$ 1.06% and 33.3 ${\mu}g$/mL (that of ascobic acid was 16.5 ${\mu}g$/mL), respectively. Total antioxidant status of WSG extract was 2.13 ${\pm}$ 0.06 mmoL/mg, while the values of ascorbic acid and BHT were 3.63 ${\pm}$ 0.06 and 3.12 ${\pm}$ 0.02, respectively. ICR mice (aged 3weeks) were fed for 4 weeks on AIN-93M diet and had free access to food and water. The animals were divided into three groups: normal group (intraperitoneally (i.p) injected with PBS at 100 ${\mu}L$/mouse), group C; CCl4-induced and without any treatment. (i.p injected only PBS, 100 ${\mu}L$ /mice), group G; CCl4-induced and treated with WSG (i.p injected with 5 mg WSG extract per mouse, suspended in 100 ${\mu}L$ phosphate buffer). After the i.p. injection of WSG or PBS (5 times for 7weeks), all mice were administered CCl4 in olive oil at the last day of the experiment, except for normal group. The normal group was administered only olive oil. Determination of plasma triglyceride, total cholersterol, fasting glucose and GPT activity was performed using automatic blood analyzer. To evaluate the protective effect against the oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation and TBARS were determined in blood leucocytes and RBC and hepatocyte, respectively. Body and organs weights and food intake did not show significant differences among the groups. Blood total cholesterol of group G was similar to that of normal group, which was the lowest in group C. The fasting blood glucose level was the highest in normal group (205.20 ${\pm}$ 135.24), which were decreased in group C (134.2 ${\pm}$ 79.31) and group G (126.48 ${\pm}$ 77.05). TBARS values in a red blood cell and hepatic tisuue homogenate were lower in group G comparing to the group C. DNA% in tail, tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM) of blood leucoocytes showed the highest values in group C (20.11 ${\pm}$ 2.47, 17.36 ${\pm}$ 2.58, 94.11 ${\pm}$ 12.29) and they were significantly diminished in group G (9.63 ${\pm}$ 1.19, 7.04 ${\pm}$ 1.50, 38.64 ${\pm}$ 7.60). In conclusion, wild simulated ginseng might be a protective agent against the oxidative stress.