• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.83-87
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• 1990

In terms of regulatory toxicology, especially for the traditional Chinese medicines, problems can be arise from a fact that there is no distinctive barrier between herbal drugs and food/beverage. An example is that many kinds of Chinese herbal materials have been also used as tea materials in Korea, China, Japan and Vietnam. Sixteen tea materials (also used as herbal materials) were extracted with 70% ethanol and the extract further partitioned with chloroform and water. Those ethanol extract and fractions were subjected to the SOS-Chromotest to examine potential mutagenicity. It was found that ethanol extract of Chaenomelis Fructus (Chaenomeles japonica Lindley, 木瓜, Rosaceae) and both ethanol extract and water fraction of Cassiae Semen (Cassia tora Linne, 決明子, Leguminosae) showed relatively high mutagenic activities in SOS-Chromotest.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.1 s.140
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• pp.56-59
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• 2005

Urease plays an important role in the urea metabolism and the effect of urease activity on human and environment is enormous. For instance, urease acts as a virulence factor of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts infections in human and animal, being involved in kidney stone formation, catheter encrusatation, pyelonephritis, ammonia encephalopathy, hepatic coma, and urinary tract infections. Widespread urease activity in soil induces a plant damage due to ammonia toxicity and pH increase. Therefore, urease activity regulation through urease inhibitors would lead to an enhanced efficiency of urea nitrogen uptake in plants and to the improved therapeutic strategies for ureolytic bacterial infections. To search for new inhibitory compounds on urease activity from herbs, MeOH extracts of herbs were screened. Among of them, the MeOH extracts of Areca catechu exhibited an excellent inhibitory effect on urease activity. Two compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction by the activity guided fractionation. Their chemical structures were identified as (+)-catechin(compound I) and allantoin(compound II) by spectroscopic evidence, respectively. Compound I showed a stronger inhibitory effect on urease activity than compound II.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.538-548
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• 2023

The research has been conducted on the isolation of antimicrobial compounds from plant natural extracts and their potential application in oral health care products. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial mechanism by analyzing the changes in gene expression of Streptococcus mutans, a major oral pathogen, in response to complex compounds extracted from Aralia continentalis and Arctii Semen using organic solvents. Transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) revealed that both natural extracts commonly upregulated or downregulated the expression of various genes associated with different metabolic and physiological activities. Three genes (SMU_1584c, SMU_2133c, SMU_921), particularly SMU_921 (rcrR), known as a transcription activator of two sugar phosphotransferase systems (PTS) involved in sugar transport and biofilm formation, exhibited consistent high expression levels. Additionally, component analysis of the A. continentalis extract was performed to compare its effects on gene expression changes with the A. Semen extract, and two active compounds were identified through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the active fraction. The n-hexane fraction (ACEH) from the A. continentalis extract exhibited antibacterial specificity against S. mutans, leading to a significant reduction in the viable cell counts of Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii among the tested multi-species bacterial communities. These findings suggest the broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of the A. continentalis extract and provide essential foundational data for the development of customized antimicrobial materials by elucidating the antibacterial mechanism of the identified active compounds.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.269-275
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the general characteristics such as volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm abnormality on whole semen, RSP-S and RSP-T semen and fractional semen of small size dogs, and the effect of temperature and preservation time and cryoproservation on motility of whole and RSP-S and RSP-T semen. Multiple ejaculates were collected from small dogs by the digital manipulation of penis. 1. The volume per ejaculate semen, sperm of concentration and motility and abnormal sperm rate of 1st fractional semen were 0.65$\pm$0.09 $m\ell$, 4.52$\pm$0.35$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 15.64$\pm$3.85% and 5.50$\pm$0.62%. Also, 2nd fractional semen were 1.25$\pm$0.20$m\ell$, 3.35$\pm$0.48$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 96.25$\pm$4.65% and 4.24$\pm$0.46%. And 3rd fractional semen were 1.45$\pm$0.21$m\ell$, 3.55$\pm$0.52$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 92.82$\pm$4.24% and 4.66 $\pm$0.58%, respectively. 2. The sperm of concentration and motility and abnormal sperm rates of whole, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were 5.45$\pm$0.82$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 95.55 $\pm$4.65%, 4.58$\pm$0.45% and 4.82$\pm$0.36$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 90.10$\pm$3.42%, 6.48$\pm$0.68% and 4.55$\pm$0.45$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 93.25$\pm$3.85%, 4.82$\pm$0.58%, respectively. 3. The motility of whole, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were higher at 4$^{\circ}C$ than at 38$^{\circ}C$. When preservation temperature was at 4$^{\circ}C$, survival rates of RSP-S and RSP-T sperm were 97.54~6.25% at 1~72 hrs, 97.40~5.62% at 1~100 hrs, respectively. 4. The survival rates of slow and rapid frozen 2nd fraction, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were 67.3$\pm$4.45%, 88.8$\pm$4.46% and 46.4$\pm$3.84%, 74.4$\pm$4.20%, respectively. Survival rates was significantly higher in frozen RSP-S and RSP-T semen than that in control group(8.5$\pm$2.12%).

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.122-128
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• 1982

In order to investigate the pharmacological action of combined preparation of crude drugs, 'Oyo-Tang' were studied. 'Oyo-Tang' consist of Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ephedrae Herba, Armenicae Semen, Platycodi Radix and Nepetae Herba. They have widely been prescribed in Oriental Medicine for controlling of cough, asthma, nasal abstraction, pharygeal pain and hoarseness. Experimental studies were implemented on analgesic, sedativc, anticonvulsive and ileum relaxing actions. The results of the studies were as follows; Significant anticonvulsive action was recognized by fraction IIII. Sedative and analgesic actions were noted by fraction I and III. Relaxing action was shown on the extracted ileum in mice, antagonistic actions were seen on $BaCl_2-induced$ contraction of the ileum of mice and Histamine-induced contraction of the ileum of guinea-pigs that the relaxing effect of the intestinal smooth muscle was recognized.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.271-274
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the survival rate of frozen-thawed spermatozoa in equine by glycerol concentration and freezing speed Two stallions (1 Thoroughbred-13 year old and 1 Arab-7 year old) bred in Korea Racing authority was examined for 1 times in a couple of weeks. Semen was collected by condom method standing heated mare and were centrifuged 650 g for 15 min. and isolated the seminal plasma. Thick fraction of semen was diluted EDTA-Lactose-egg yolk diluents to 1:1 and contained in 0.5 ml straw as $6{\sim}14{\times}10^7\;cells/ml$. Final concentrations of glycerol were 3, 5 and 7% in cryopreseved diluents and added 4 times for 2 hours equilibration. For the freezing, equilibrated straws were located 3 or 5 em above $LN_2$ gas for 5 or 10 min. Survival rates of pre-frozen sperm were $65.0{\pm}13.2%$, $68.3{\pm}10.4%$, $66.7{\pm}11.5%$ and post-frozen were $53.3{\pm}23.1%$, $45.0{\pm}15.0%$, $50.0{\pm}18.0%$ in 3, 5, 7% glycerol concentration, respectively. There was no difference between glycerol concentrations. Survival rates of frozen-thawed sperm on freezing speed were $36.7{\pm}10.4%$, $40.0{\pm}7.1%$, $30.0{\pm}13.2%$ at 3 cm-5 min and $33.3{\pm}11.5%$, $31.7{\pm}2.9%$, $21.7{\pm}10.4%$ at 3 cm-10 min in 3, 5, 7% glycerol concentration, respectively. Survival rates of frozen-thawed sperm on freezing speed were $43.3{\pm}15.3%$, $32.0{\pm}17.9%$, $22.3{\pm}15.7%$ at 5cm-5 min and were $47.5{\pm}15.0%$, $43.3{\pm}12.6%$, $48.3{\pm}15.3%$ at 5cm-10 min in 3, 5, 7% glycerol concentration, respectively. There were significantly different between groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that glycerol concentration did not affect cryopreservation of stallion semen within 3~7% but freezing speed affects. In our experiment, the best cryopreservation condition was at 5 cm above $LN_2$ gas for 10 min for pre-freezing and 7% of glycerol concentration. These results lead to commercial AI with frozen-thawed stallion semen.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.201-206
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of swim-up and density gradient centrifugation (DGC) for reducing the amount of sperm with fragmented DNA, sex chromosome aneuploidy, and abnormal chromatin structure. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from 18 healthy male partners who attended infertility clinics for infertility investigations and were processed with swim-up and DGC. The percentages of sperm cells with fragmented DNA measured by the sperm chromatin dispersion test, normal sex chromosomes assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and abnormal chromatin structure identified by toluidine blue staining were examined. Results: The percentage of sperm cells with fragmented DNA was significantly lower in the swim-up fraction (9.7%, p= 0.001) than in the unprocessed fraction (27.0%), but not in the DGC fraction (27.8%, p= 0.098). The percentage of sperm cells with normal X or Y chromosomes was comparable in the three fractions. The percentage of sperm cells with abnormal chromatin structure significantly decreased after DGC (from 15.7% to 10.3%, p= 0.002). The swim-up method also tended to reduce the percentage of sperm cells with abnormal chromatin structure, but the difference was not significant (from 15.7% to 11.6%, p= 0.316). Conclusion: The swim-up method is superior for enriching genetically competent sperm.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2013

Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis, the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture deteriorates, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone are altered. $It^{\circ}{\emptyset}s$ caused by the imbalance between born resorption and born formation. Recently natural products from plants have been extensively studied as therapeutic drugs to treat and prevent various diseases. Wheat bran is the hard outer layers of wheat grain and produced as a by-product of milling in the production of refined grains. In oriental medicines, Bu So Maek (Tritici Immaturi Semen) with wheat bran has been used as bronchitis, sedatives and anti-sweating effects. However effects of wheat bran butanol fraction (WBB, 50 ${\mu}g/ml$) in osteoclast differentiation remains unknown yet. Thus we investigated the effects of WBB on RANKL induced osteoclast differentiation. WBB inhibited osteoclast differentiation by downregulating the RANKL-induced activations of MAP kinases. Moreover mRNA expression of osteoclast-mediating molecules such as c-Fos, NFATc1 and DC-STAMP were attenuated by WBB during osteoclast differentiation. The finding of this study show that WBB and its components might prevent osteoclast-related bone loss.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.199-208
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• 2002

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Carthami Semen Aquacupunc- ture(CSA) exerts protective effect against alterations in membrane transport function rabbits with mercury chloride(HG)-induced acute renal failure. Methods : The administration of Hg at a subcutaneous single dose of 10 mg/kg caused a reduction in GFR and an increase in fractional Na excretion, indicating generation of acute renal failure. When CSA were given for 7 days prior to Hg administration, such changes were significantly attenuated. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate was increased in rabbits treated with Hg alone. Results : The increase in rabbits treated with Hg following CSA are significantly lower than that in animals treated with Hg alone. Uptakes of glucose and phosphate in purified isolated brush-border membrane and Na-K-ATPase activity in microsomal fraction were inhibited in rabbits treated with Hg alone. Such changes were prevented by CSA. Uptakes of organic ions, PAH and TEA, in renal cortical slices were inhibited by the administration of Hg, which was prevented by CSA. Exposure of renal cortical slices to Hg in vitro caused an increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which was significantly prevented by CSA extract. Conclusions : These results indicate that the administration of Hg causes impairment in reabsorption of solutes in the proximal tubule via the generation of reactive oxygen species. CSA provides the protection against the impairment in proximal reabsorption, and its effect may be resulted from its antioxidant effect.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2001

This study was conducted to evaluate whether \"Royal jelly\" (RJ) added to Tris-buffer dilute contributed to supporting post-thaw viability and longevity of frozen canine spermatozoa. Two Japanese spitzs (2 to 4 years of age) were used as a semen donor. Semen was collected by manual masturbation and separated into 3 fractions. Only the sperm-rich fraction having sperm motility of more than 70%, containing sperm concentration of 2~4$\times$10$^{8}$ cells/ml and having dead or abnormal spermatozoa of less than 15% was used for the experiment. Each ejaculated semen was centrifuged at 400 $\times$ g for 5 min and then diluted in a Tris-buffer supplemented with 20 ml egg yolk (Ext I), 4% glycero1 and 1% Equex STM Paste (Ext II) or g1ycero1, Equex STM paste and RJ of various concentrations (Ext II-RJ). After freezing and thawing, viability of spermatozoa in Ext II -RJ containing 1% RJ immediately after thawing (67.5$\pm$9.6) was significantly lower than that of Ext II , Ext II -RJ containing 0.01 or 0.1% RJ (77.5$\pm$12.5, 78.7$\pm$8.2 and 80.0$\pm$6.3). However, Ext II-RJ containing 0.1% RJ yielded higher viability than Ext II, Ext II-RJ containing 0.01% at or 1% 1 h after thawing (69.5$\pm$8.1 vs. 55.0$\pm$12.9, 57.5$\pm$9.6 and 41.5$\pm$12.6; P<0.05). At 1 h after thawing, the viability of spermatozoa thawed in 7$0^{\circ}C$ (68.8$\pm$12.5) was significantly higher than that of spermatozoa thawed in 38$^{\circ}C$ (48.8$\pm$16.3), although there was no difference in the viability between both groups immediately after thawing (77.5$\pm$9.6 and 81.3$\pm$8.1). Post-thaw viability and longevity of post-thaw spermatozoa in Ext II-RJ containing 0.1% RJ was higher in those in Ext II at 1 h (65.0$\pm$12.9 vs. 42.5$\pm$12.6), 2 h (52.5$\pm$12.6 vs. 27.5$\pm$17.1) and 3 h (40.0$\pm$14.1 vs. 20.0$\pm$12.1) after thawing. These results indicated that addition of 0.1% af to Tris-buffer enhanced post-thaw viability and longevity of canine spermatozoa and this additive can be used for increasing the possibility of collision between spermatozoa and ova during insemination.emination.