• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2013

Morinda officinalis (MO) is a oriental medicinal herb which has been used traditionally for the treatment of impotence, anti-inflammatory, menstrual irregularity action and various brain diseases including antidepressant and anti-stress. In order to examine the mechanism of anticonvulsive effect, we treated the methanol extract of MO (100, 200 mg/kg, P.0) to the sleeping time and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsive mice. The methanol extract of MO prolonged sleep time by pentobarbital. Dose-dependent of methanol extracts of MO were effected the concentration of GABA and GABA-T activity in the brain of PTZ-induced mice. Methanol extracts of MO significantly inhibited the convulsion state as well as the level of lipid peroxidation in the brain. The butanol and dichloromethane fraction of methanol extracts among the others effectively inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation dose dependently ($5.0{\times}10^{-2}{\sim}20.0{\times}10^{-2}g/ml$).

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.413-419
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• 2011

This study was conducted to determine the physicochemical properties of a giant embryo rice 'P47JB-4-B-5-B' derived from the cross between 'P47', a mutant of 'Hwayoung' induced by T-DNA insertion, and 'Junam'. The grain appearance and chemical components of the embryo were analyzed and compared with a donor cultivar, 'Hwayoung'. The proportion of embryo weight to grain weight of 'P47 JB-4-B-5-B' was 2.2 times heavier (6.7%) than that (3.1%) of 'Hwayoung'. Total free amino acid content (75.81 mg/100 g) of 'P47JB-4-B-5-B' was 2.1 times higher than that of 'Hwayoung'. The GABA content in brown rice was 14.06 mg/100 g in 'P47JB-4-B-5-B' and 6.8 mg/100 g in 'Hwayoung'. Especially, the GABA content in brown rice of 'P47JB-4-B-5-B' remarkably increased (about 33 times from 1.48 mg to 44.81 mg/100 g) 2 days after germination. Continuous frequency distributions and transgressive segregation in embryo length and width were observed in the $F_2$ population of the cross between 'P47' and 'Cheongcheong', indicating that the giant embryo was controlled by quantitative trait loci. However, embryo length and width demonstrated high broad sense heritability, implying that giant embryonic traits could be selected in earlier generations in comparison with other quantitative traits.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.32-37
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological characteristics of the Sasang constitutions by using Braverman nature assessment (BNA). Methods: One hundred seventy-four students participated in this study, and among them, the 142 individuals who had clearly identified Sasang constitutional types were used for the analysis. Sasang constitutions and the Braverman temperaments of the subjects were determined by using a questionnaire for the Sasang constitution classification (QSCC) II and BNA, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was used to compare the inclinations of the Sasang constitutions and Braverman temperament types. Results: Significant differences in Braverman temperament type existed among the Sasang constitutions (P = 0.042), and the relations between Soyangin and the dopamine type and between Taeeumin and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type were meaningful. Significant differences were also shown in the comparison with the Yin and the Yang constitutions (P = 0.017), and the post-hoc analysis showed a strong and significant relation between the Yang constitution and the dopamine type and between the Yin constitution and the GABA type. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the independent t-test were conducted to examine the BMI and the degree of obesity among the Sasang constitutions and the Braverman temperament types. Concerning the BMI, Taeeumin showed a bigger BMI than the other constitutions (P < 0.001), but no significant differences in the BMI were observed between the Braverman temperament types. Conclusion: Soyangin has a close relationship to the dopamine type and Taeeumin has a close relationship to the GABA type. The correlation between two types were more clear when the Yin and the Yang types were compared to Braverman temperaments. These results may serve as a basis for identifying the psychological traits of Sasang constitutional types, especially in regard to the characteristics related to the four Braverman temperament types.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2001

In order to study the molecular mechanism of $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in plants, we cloned and sequenced a partial glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) cDNA from the Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library, using primers targeted at highly conserved sequences of the petunia GAD gene. The cDNA fragment was inserted into TA cloning vector with T7 promoter and the recombinant plasmid obtained was used to transform E. coli. The plasmid DNA purified from the transformed E. coli was digested with EcoRI and the presence of the insert was confirmed. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the fragment is a partial Arabidopsis thaliana GAD gene and that the sequence showed 98% and 78% identity to the region of the putative Arabidopsis thaliana GAD sequences deposited in GenBank, Accession nos: U46665 and U10034, respectively. The amino acid sequence deduced from the partial Arabidopsis thaliana GAD gene showed 99% and 91% identities to the GAD sequences deduced from the genes of the U46665 and U10034, respectively. The partial cDNA sequence determined may facilitate the study of the molecular mechanism of GABA metabolism in plants.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.614-619
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• 2011

Nelumbo nucifera(NN) is a oriental medicinal herb which has been used traditionally for the treatment of antidiarrhea, sedative action and various brain diseases including convulsion and epilepsy. In order to examine the mechanism of anticonvulsive effect, we treated the methanol extract of NN(100, 200 mg/kg, P.0) to the sleeping time and pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)-induced convulsive mice. The methanol extract of NN prolonged sleep time by pentobarbital. Methanol extracts of NN were not effected the concentration of GABA and GABA-T activity in the brain of PTZ-induced mice. Methanol extracts of NN significantly inhibited the convulsion state as well as the level of lipid peroxidation in the brain. The butanol and dichloromethane fraction of methanol extracts among the others effectively inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation dose dependently($5.0{\times}10^{-6}\sim2.0{\times}10^{-5}\;g/ml$). These results suggest that the anticonvulsive effect of NN is possibly due to the antioxidative effects of the free radical formation at brain for the PTZ-induced convulsion if it were by due to generating system.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.324-329
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• 2004

In order to investigate the molecular mechanism of $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in lactic acid bacteria, we cloned a glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene from Lactobacillus plantarum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One PCR product DNA was obtained and inserted into a TA cloning vector with a T7 promoter. The recombinant plasmid was used to transform E. coli. The insertion of the product was con­firmed by EcoRI digestion of the plasmid purified from the transformed E. coli. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the insert is a full-length Lactobacillus plantarum GAD and that the sequence is $100\%$ and $72\%$ identical to the regions of Lactobacillus plantarum GAD and Lactococcus lactis GAD sequences deposited in GenBank, accession nos: NP786643 and NP267446, respectively. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cloned Lactobacillus plantarum GAD gene showed $100\%$ and $68\%$ identities to the GAD sequences deduced from the genes of the NP786643 and NP267446, respectively. To express the GAD protein in E. coli, an expression vector with the GAD gene (pkk/GAD) was constructed and used to transform the UT481 E. coli strain and the expression was confirmed by analyzing the enzyme activity. The Lactobacillus plantarum GAD gene obtained may facilitate the study of the molecular mechanisms regulating GABA metabolism in lactic acid bacteria.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2005

Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug that is structurally similar to ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid (GABA), but does not interact with the GABA receptor. It does not bind significantly to plasma proteins, and is excreted to unchanged form in the urine. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two gabapentin capsules, $Neurontin^{TM}$ capsule 300 mg (Pfizer Pharm. Co., Ltd.) and Kuhnil $Gabapentin^{TM}$ capsule 300 mg (Kuhnil Pharm. Co., Ltd), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The release of gabapentin from the two gabapentin formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with various dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty six healthy male subjects, $22.46{\pm}1.86$ years in age and $67.64{\pm}7.24$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After a single capsule containing 300 mg as gabapentin was orally administered, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of gabapentin in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar at all dissolution media. In addition, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, $Neurontin^{TM}$ capsule 300 mg, were -2.03, -0.43 and 4.29% for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 $(e.g.,\;log\;0.89{\sim}log\;1.09\;and\;log\;0.91{\sim}log\;1.09$ for $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Kuhnil $Gabapentin^{TM}$ capsule 300 mg was bioequivalent to $Neurontin^{TM}$ capsule 300 mg.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2008

Gabapentin, [1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexaneacetic acid], a structural analog of $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is being developed for the treatment of epilepsy. Unlike GABA, gabapentin crosses the blood-brain barrier after systemic administration. Gabapentin is an effective antiepileptic drug in patients with partial and secondarily generalized seizures who are uncontrolled with use of existing anticonvulsant drug therapy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two gabapentin 400 mg capsules, $Neurontin^{(R)}$ capsule 400 mg (Pfizer Inc.) and Gabatin capsule 400 mg (Korean Drug Co. Ltd), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The release of gabapentin from the two gabapentin formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with various dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty six healthy male subjects, 23.58$\pm$1.50 years in age and 66.74$\pm$8.31 kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized 2$\times$2 cross-over study was employed. After one capsule containing 400 mg as gabapentin were orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of gabapentin in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar at all dissolution media. In addition, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, $Neurontin^{(R)}$ capsule 400 mg, were 2.04, -3.68 and 16.79% for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 (e.g., log 0.91$\sim$log 1.16 and log 0.87$\sim$log 1.11 for $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Gabatin capsule 400 mg was bioequivalent to $Neurontin^{(R)}$ capsule 400 mg.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.185-197
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• 2009

For utilizing Cattail pollen as a raw material for functional foods, the nutrients such as free sugar, free amino acid, fatty acid composition, flavonoid content, and the biological activity within Cattail pollen were measured. The results of proximate analysis within Cattail pollen included the following readings: 12.7-13.2% of moisture, 15.7-17.8% of crude protein, 1.3% of crude fat, 7.5-7.7% of free sugar, 13.7-18.6% of crude fiber, 3.4-4.9% of ash, and 49.7-55.9% of nitrogen free extracts. The composition of free amino acids consisted of 1.923% of T. orientalis, 0.907% of T. angustata, and 0.333% of T. latifolia, which were measurements that varied significantly among different species. However, all species showed considerable portions of GABA alanine, glutamic acid, and proline. Specifically, it was shown that the GABA composition, which is known for increasing immunity while simultaneously lowering blood pressure, exceeded 50%. Therefore, this result implies that Cattail pollens have potential as a powerful utilization for functional foods. The composition of the fatty acids mainly consisted of linoeic, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid, and didn't show many variances across different species. Also, the total contents of unsaturated fatty acid were particularly high with a measured ratio of 67.2-76.0% value. Mineral in Cattail pollen was composed of 0.354-0.492% of K, 0.0516-0.0546% of Mg, 0.045-0.0486% of Ca, and 0.0101-0.0204% of Na. Among the Cattail pollens known as anti-oxidants, flavonoid contains 0.169-0.186% of quercetin, and therefore is the largest constituent followed by rutin making up a measurement of 0.0094-0.0147%. For the purpose of the study, the Cattail pollen and its extracts were fed to SC class rats for a span of 4 weeks. Then, the DPPH radical scavenging activity was measured from the tested rats'serums and the results showed significant variances. Also, the results indicated that the cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood were decreased which in turn led to the conclusion that the cattail pollen can help hyperlipidemia and diabetic treatments.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.594-600
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• 2015

Protein-protein interactions have a critical role in the regulation of many cellular functions. Postsynaptic density-95/disks large/zonula occludens-1 (PDZ) domain is one of domains that mediate protein-protein interactions. PDZ domains typically bind to the specific motif at the carboxyl (C)-terminal end of partner proteins. Multi-PDZ domain protein 1 (MUPP1), which has 13 PDZ domains, serves a scaffolding function for structure proteins and signaling proteins, but the cellular function of MUPP1 has not been fully elucidated. We used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that interact with PDZ domains of MUPP1. We found an interaction between MUPP1 and muskelin. Muskelin was recently identified as a GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR) α1 subunit binding protein and known to have a role in receptor endocytosis and degradation. Muskelin bound to the 3^rd PDZ domain, but not to other PDZ domains of MUPP1. The C-terminal end of muskelin was essential for the interaction with MUPP1 in the yeast two-hybrid assay. When co-expressed in HEK-293T cells, muskelin but not the C-terminal deleted muskelin was co-immunoprecipitated with MUPP1. In addition, MUPP1 co-localized with muskelin at the same subcellular region in cells. These findings collectively suggest that MUPP1 or its interacting proteins could modulate GABA_AR trafficking and turnover through the interaction with muskelin.