• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2007

Compound K (CK) is a final metabolite of panaxadiol ginsenosides. Although panax ginseng is known to have anti-diabetic activity, the active ingredient is not yet fully identified. Therefore, it would be interesting to know whether and how CK has an anti-diabetic activity. First, insulin secretion-stimulating activity of CK was examined using RIN-m5F cell line and primary cultured islets. CK enhanced the insulin secretion in a concentration dependent manner. This effect, however, was almost completely abolished in the presence of diazoxide, $K^+$ channel opener, indicating that the insulin secretion-stimulating activity of CK is presumably due to blockade of ATP sensitive $K^+$ channel. In addition, effects of CK on gene expressions of hepatic enzymes (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase[PEPCK], glucose-6-phos-phatase[G6Pase]) and on adipocyte differentiation in H4IIE and 3T3-Ll cells, respectively, were examined. CK suppressed the induction of PEPCK and G6Pase mRNA expressions under the dexamethasone/cAMP stimulation condition. CK also reduced the $PPAR-{\gamma}$ mRNA expression and triglyceride accumulation in a dose dependent manner as compared to the control. The present study suggests that CK deserves to examine whether it shows an anti-diabetic activity in animal and human studies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1635-1647
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• 2023

Muscle atrophy, which is defined as a decrease in muscle mass and strength, is caused by an imbalance between the anabolism and catabolism of muscle proteins. Thus, modulating the homeostasis between muscle protein synthesis and degradation represents an efficient treatment approach for this condition. In the present study, the protective effects against muscle atrophy of ethanol extracts of Morus alba L. (MA) and Angelica keiskei Koidz. (AK) leaves and their mixtures (MIX) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that MIX increased 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide-induced C2C12 myotube thinning, and enhanced soleus and gastrocnemius muscle thickness compared to each extract alone in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy Sprague Dawley rats. In addition, although MA and AK substantially improved grip strength and histological changes for dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in vivo, the efficacy was superior in the MIX-treated group. Moreover, MIX further increased the expression levels of myogenic factors (MyoD and myogenin) and decreased the expression levels of E3 ubiquitin ligases (atrogin-1 and muscle-specific RING finger protein-1) in vitro and in vivo compared to the MA- and AK-alone treatment groups. Furthermore, MIX increased the levels of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) that were reduced by dexamethasone, and downregulated the expression of forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a) induced by dexamethasone. These results suggest that MIX has a protective effect against muscle atrophy by enhancing muscle protein anabolism through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and attenuating catabolism through the inhibition of FoxO3a.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.928-936
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• 2010

This study was conducted to select efficient foliage plants for improving indoor environment conditions through the investigation of physiological responses including photosynthetic rate according to temperature, light intensity, and $CO_2$ level. Eight popular foliage plants used in this study were $Hedera$ $helix$ L., $Cissus$ $rhombifolia$ Vahl, $Ficus$ $benjamina$ L. 'Hawaii', $Syngonium$ $podophyllum$ Schott 'Albo-Virens', $Dieffenbachia$ $sp.$ 'Marrianne', $Pachira$ $aquatica$ Aubl., $Spathiphyllum$ $wallisii$ Regel, and $Scindapsus$ $aureus$ Engler. Photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate of the plants subjected to various light intensities (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 300, and $600{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ PPFD), $CO_2$ levels (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 700, and $1,000{\mu}molCO_2{\cdot}mol^{-1}$), and two different temperatures (16 and $22^{\circ}C$) were measured. In addition, various parameters in relation to photosynthesis were calculated from the measured data. As a result, the patterns of photosynthesis varied among 8 foliage plants according to light intensity, $CO_2$ level, and temperature. Most foliage plants except $Dieffenbachia$ had high levels of apparent quantum yield, which represents the photosynthetic rate under low light intensity (PPFD $0-100{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). $Hedera$ $helix$, $Ficus$ $benjamina$, $Pachira$ $aquatica$, and $Spathiphyllum$ $wallisii$ exposed to high light intensity (PPFD $200-600{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$) showed high levels of photosynthesis. $Cissus$ $rhombifolia$ and $Syngonium$ $podophyllum$ were low in $CO_2$ fixation efficiency compared to the other 6 foliage indoor plants. $Hedera$ $helix$ and $Spathiphyllum$ $wallisii$ showed high photosynthetic rate under high $CO_2$ level and vigorous photosynthesis was also observed in $Ficus$ $benjamina$ and $Pachira$ $aquatica$ grown under $22^{\circ}C$. Considering characteristics of indoor environment such as low light, high $CO_2$ level, and low relative humidity, therefore, $Hedera$ $helix$, $Spathiphyllum$ $wallisii$, $Ficus$ $benjamina$, and $Pachira$ $aquatica$ were efficient indoor foliage plants to improve indoor environmental conditions.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.643-647
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• 2012

The antioxidant capacity of aloe vera gel (AG), aloe vera exudates (AE), and a low molecular filtrate of aloe vera gel (ALMF) prepared from aloe vera grown on Jeju Island, Korea was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays, and total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined. The phenolic compounds in aloe samples were analyzed. Antioxidant capacities in oil-in-water emulsions following riboflavin photosensitization were analyzed using lipid hydroperoxide. AE had significantly higher antioxidant capacity than that of the other samples based on the DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC assays (p<0.05). Lipid hydroperoxide values of 5 mg/mL for AG, AE, and ALMF were 521.78, 272.32, and 699.89 mmol/kg oil, respectively, whereas that of samples without aloe vera was 893.07 mmol/kg oil over 48 h. AE had higher TPC and TFC values. Aloesin and aloin were found in AE, whereas those compounds were only found in trace amounts in AG and ALMF.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2008

This study was carried out to determine the analytical methods for heterocyclic amines(HAs) of the tobacco smoke by LC/MS/MS. HAs have been found in pyrolysate of protein and cooked food including protein, were known the Sugimura compound. HAs content of the smoke were known to exist very low ppb level. Especially, some of HAs are mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds. In according to IARC, the toxicity of N-heterocyclic amines classified IARC class 2A or 2B group. Precursors of these compounds are glutamic acid, protein and free amino acids including tryptophan, therefore, the precursors have been proved in cooked food continuously. This study was investigate multiple analysis methods for HAs and HAs contents of some commercial products. In this study, we used the linear type smoking machine for HAs analysis. At the ISO conditions, mainstream smoke was collected on cambridge filter pad, and then cambridge filter pad was extracted by 0.1% acetic acid. The extracted solution were passed cation exchange SPE cartridge to remove matrix, samples were analyzed using LC/MS/MS on MRM mode. From the result that optimized this methods, the correlation coefficient(R) of the individual compounds were good linearity over 0.999, recovery rate over 96% and the limit of detection were good values between 0.06 to 0.37 ng/mL, In addition, HAs content of some commercial products were in range of 0.02 to 43.8 ng/cig.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.191-206
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• 2006

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix herbal-acupuncture solution(APR-HAS) at Joksamni(ST36) on collagen IT induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice. The author performed several experimental items to analyze several cytokines and immune cells related with RA. Results : 1. In the APR-HA group, the incidence of arthritis and arthritis index were significantly decreased. 2. In APR-HA group, the levels of IL-6, $INF-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IgG, IgM, $IL-{\beta}$ and Anti-collagen II in serum of the CIA mouse were significantly decreased. 3. In APR-HA group, the level of $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4 in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture were significantly decreased. 4. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased in the APR-HA group, and the collagen fiber expressions in the APR-HA group were similar with that of the Normal group. 5. In the APR-HA group, CD3e+/CD19+ and CD4+/CD8+ were similarly maintained as Normal group in the CIA mouse lymph nodes, 6. In the APR-HA group, CD3e+/CD69+ was significantly decreased in the CIA mouse joint. 7. In the APR-HA group, CD11a+/CD19+ and CD11b+/Gr-l+ were significantly decreased in the CIA mouse lymph nodes 8. In the APR-HA group, CD4+/CD25+ was decreased in the CIA mouse spleen cell. 9. In the APR-HA group, CD4+/CD25+ was similarly maintained as Normal group in the CIA mouse lymph nodes.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 1998

The investigation on the removal of 502 gas fro.In flue gas which causes serious air pollution was made by using a semi dry flue gas desulfurization method. Experiments were carried out as a function of process variables which would affect SO2 removal efficiency. Process variables inclilded SO2 inlet concentration, inlet temperature of simulated flue gas, sorbent weight fraction, and volume flow rate of sorbent slurry. In this study, used sorbent was Ca(OH), and simulated flue gas was prepared by mixing pure SO2 gas with air. Experimental conditions were varied at 140~18$0^{\circ}C$ of inlet temperature of the simulated flue gas, 500~2000ppm of inlet SO2 concentration, 0.4~1.0% of sorbent concentration, and 10~25 mL/min of flow rate of sorbent slurry. Among process variables, inlet concentration of SO2 was found to be the most significant factor to affect SO2 removal efficiency. The concentration of Ca(OH2) had a lower effect on SO2 removal than SO2 inlet concentration removal amount was 0.108, 0.141, 0.153 g SO2/g Ca(OH)2 respectively- As 200 mmol of HNO3 was added into slurry to improve removal efficiency, initial pH was maintained and solubility of slurry increased, so that removal efficiency elevated. Adding over 200 mmol of HNO3 into slurry caused removal efficiency lower. Therefore it could be concluded the optimum was 200 mmol of HNO3 input.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2007

This study selected the optimal microalgal species for mass culture of a brackish water copepod Paracyclopina nana. Fifteen microalgal species were tested to examine nauplius production and the survival and maturation of brood females. Total and daily nauplius production were highest in P. nana fed Tetraselmis suecica followed Isochrysis galbana, Dunaliella tertiolecta, and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. With a monospecific microalgal diet, the total density was highest with P. nana fed I. galbana, at 63.3 inds./mL. With a mixed microalgal diet, the total density of P. nana fed T. suecica+I. galbana was higher than that fed other mixed diets, although there was no difference between a monospecific diet of I. galbana and a mixed diet of T. suecica+I. galbana. Examining the fatty acid composition of P. nana, the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was highest in P. nana fed T. suecica at 5.4% while the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content was highest I. galbana diet at 31.9%. Although no DHA was detected in T. suecica, P. nana fed this microalgal species had a high DHA composition of 24.3%. We suggest that the optimal microalgal species for the mass culture of P. nana is T. suecica which is easy to culture on masse and has a high linolenic acid content.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.736-742
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• 2005

Xyloglucan (XG), which exhibits thermal sol to gel transition, non-toxicity, and low gelation concentration, is of interest in the development of sustained release carriers for drug delivery. Drug-loaded XG beads were prepared by extruding dropwise a dispersion of indomethacin in aqueous XG solution (2 wt.-$\%$) through a syringe into corn oil. Enteric coating of XG bead was performed using Eudragit L 100 to improve the stability of XG bead in gastrointestinal (GI) track and to achieve gastroresistant drug release. Release behavior of indomethacin from XG beads in vitro was investigated as a function of loading content of drug, pH of release medium, and concentration of coating agent. Adhesive force of XG was also measured using the tensile test. Uniform-sized spherical beads with particle diameters ranging from 692 $\pm$ 30 to 819 $\pm$ 50 $\mu$m were obtained. The effect of drug content on the release of indomethacin from XG beads depended on the medium pH. Release of indomethacin from XG beads was retarded by coating with Eudragit and increased rapidly with the change in medium pH from 1.2 to 7.4. Adhesive force of XG was stronger than that of Carbopol 943 P, a well-known commercial mucoadhesive polymer, in wet state. Results indicate the enteric-coated XG beads may be suitable as a carrier for oral drug delivery of irritant drug in the stomach.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.33 no.4 s.131
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• pp.364-371
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• 2002

Yew (Taxus cuspidata Sibe) selected cultivation as drug, food and decorative plant in Gyong-gi province in Korea. To extract the water soluble active ingredients, as a extracting method, there was extracted with 20g of dried seeds with each 20g of butylene glycol(BG) and propylene glycol(PG), and 40 mL of water mixing 72 hours at $40{\pm}5^{\circ}C$, and then they were filtrated by 400 mesh. Appearance of extract of seeds was pale brown, $pH=4.5{\pm}0.5$, $gravity=1.013{\pm}0.05$, a reflective $index=1.373{\pm}0.05$, and yield=75%. Also, to extract the high purity oil from seeds, it minutely pulverized the dried seeds and added the hexane, mixing 2 hours at $20{\pm}57^{\circ}C$. And then, this filtrated it with 400-mesh. It got the purified oil through evaporating them at $55^{\circ}C$ during under vacuum. As the results, appearance was slightly brown, gravity=0.922 acid value=0.12, saponification value=192, and it should be obtained the $40{\pm}5%$ of yield. As the efficacy evalution of cosmetic field, the antioxidative activities by NBT method were stronger 86.0% from extract of talus seeds than 52.0% from green tea extract and 35.0% from skullcap extract as well as the antioxidative activities by DPPH method were stronger 93.7% from extract of seed than 60.3% from extract of green tea and 27.1% from extract of skullcap. These are more effective than other plant extracts. The collagen synthesis rate on the activating fibroblast for Taxus cuspidata Sibe extract showed 35.43%. As the activity of the skin elasticity, PPE(porcine pancreatic elastase)-inhibitory activities of talus extract was 50.8%. Anti-inflammatory activity was more effective to be taken 41.1% of taxus seed oil than 24.2% of steady glycyrrhetinate (SG) as a control.