• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.389-397
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• 2022

A total of 51 vegetables and fruits, commonly consumed agriculture products in Korea, were analyzed for their α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin contents as provitamin A. The beta-carotene content (㎍/100 g) was high in a few green leaf vegetables such as coriander (5,924.07), gegeol radish leaf (5.855.72), and curried mallow (5,138.01), while α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin contents were not detected. The β-carotene in 8 kinds of 20 general vegetables was detected in the range of 214.06~1,437.67 ㎍/100 g, while α-carotene was detected at 460.17 ㎍/100 g in only old pumpkin. The β-cryptoxanthin was detected in the range of 106.55~315.49 ㎍/100 g in Japanese elm, watermelon, white cucumber, and lettuce. However, carotenoids were not detected in 10 kinds of agricultural products including oriental melon, potato, etc. In fruits, the beta-carotene contents ranged from 165.72~3,997.39 ㎍/100 g, showing maximum value in apple mango and minimum value in persimmon. The β-cryptoxanthin was detected at 232.22 ㎍/100 g in only passion fruit, while the α-carotene was detected at 77.25 ㎍/100 g in only darae. Thus, based on the analyzed results of carotenoids of agriculture products consumed or cultivated in Korea, and it was found that green leaf vegetables comprise high beta-carotene overall.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.192-201
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• 2022

This study aimed to compare bioactivities of Centella asiatica (CA) cultivated in smart farms and fields. Component analysis, cell viability, anti-inflammatory activity, neuroprotection activity, and antioxidant activity were examined with 70% ethanol extracts of CA cultivated in smart farm (SEE) and field (FEE), respectively. Asiaticoside was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and as a result, SEE had more asiaticoside content than FEE. After treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with SEE and FEE, there was no cytotoxicity within the treated concentrations. SEE and FEE showed nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitory activities in a dose-dependent manner in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, SEE inhibited more NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 production levels than FEE. SEE and FEE reversed the H₂O₂-induced SH-SY5Y cell death. Especially, SEE was more effective in changing the H₂O₂-induced SH-SY5Y cell death than FEE. The antioxidant activity was confirmed by various methods such as total phenol content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). As a result, SEE showed the most potent antioxidant activities about TPC, DPPH, and SOD methods. This study suggested that SEE has higher bioactivities such as effect of anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and antioxidation than FEE.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.29-43
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• 2018

Objectives : Araliae Continentalis Radix(AC) is a medicinal herb belonging to the drug efficacy group treating musculoskeletal disorders(MSD) with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic action. However, due to morphologic and onomastic similarity, adulterants(Angelicae Pubescentis Radix: AP, Gypsophilae Oldhamianae Radix: GO, Levistici Officinalis Radix: LO) have been included or replaced the standard. Methods : Multilateral methods were carried out on the identification of AC and its adulterants. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics were observed by using stereoscope and microscope. For the comparison of chromatogram pattern, standard compounds were analyzed simultaneously using high performance liquid chromatography. Results : 1. The macroscopic identification of original plants was determined by the phyllotaxis type, the inflorescence type, the leaf margin and the color of flowers. The macroscopic identification of herbal materials was examined by oil spots, the cambium, heteromorphic vascular bundles, and the pholem. 2. For the microscopic identification, the fact whether its xylem ray is proliferated or not was first determined. Then medicinal herbs were secondly divided by cellular inclusions, fiber bundles, the distribution of secretary canals and the shape of cambium. 3. AC and its adulterants showed different chromatographic fingerprints. AC was containing continentalic acid and kaurenoic acid. AP was containing osthole and columbianadin. LO was containing osthole and falcarindiol. None of the compounds were found in GO. Conclusions : This recent identification keys of might be helpful to discriminate the pharmacopoeia standard and its adulterants for the right usage in clinics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.23-29
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• 2017

Objective : Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood uric acid levels, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing worldwide. Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus (AO) belonging to Zingiberaceae is one of well-known traditional medicines in China and Korea, and has been used to treat intestinal disorders, urosis, diuresis, and chronic glomerulonephritis traditionally. However, the effect of AO has not been studied. In this study we investigated the anti-hyperuricemic effect of AO, and the mechanisms underlying the effect in potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemic rats. Methods : To examine the anti-hyperuricemic effects of the AO extract, serum uric acid levels were analyzed in normal and PO-induced hyperuricemic rats. The mechanism underlying the effects of the AO extract on uric acid levels was studied through xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity test and uric acid uptake assay in vitro. The chemical finger printing of the AO extract was analyzed using HPLC-DAD. Results : The AO extract significantly reduced serum uric acid levels in normal as well as PO-induced hyperuricemic rats. It also significantly inhibited the uptake of uric acid in oocytyes and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) expressing urate transporter (URAT)1, but not XOD activity in vitro. The chemical finger printing analysis of the AO extract showed nootkatone as a main component. Conclusion : The AO extract exhibits anti-hyperuricemic effects, and these effect were accompanied by increasing excretion of uric acid in kidney. Therefore, the AO extract could be used for prevention or treatment of hyperuicemia and gout.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.39-47
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• 2019

Objectives : When herbal medicines are extracted together, they may interact with each other, leading to change of chemical characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of Atractylodes rhizomes (Atractylodes japonica, A. macrocephala, and A. chinensis) on the chemical features of the roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, which is are commonly combined with herbal medicines in many herbal formulae, when they are co-decocted. Methods : Liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, ononin, and glycyrrhizin levels of G. uralensis in hot-water extracts prepared by the combination of Atractylodes rhizomes with various weight ratios (G. uralensis : Atractylodes rhizomes = 10:0, 10:5, 10:10, and 10:20) and extraction times (60, 90, and 120 min) were quantified using a HPLC-diode array detector and compared by statistical analysis. Results : The concentrations of liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, ononin, and glycyrrhizin from G. uralensis roots and rhizomes mostly reduced when co-extracted with Atractylodes rhizomes, and the addition of A. chinensis most reduced their contents between Atractylodes combination groups. A. japonica and A. macrocephala rhizomes also showed differences of liquiritin and glycyrrhizin levels at 10 g and 20 g groups of Atractylodes rhizomes. Extraction times also affected the concentrations of liquiritin, ononin, and glycyrrhizin mostly during 60 and 90 min. Conclusions : Atractylodes rhizomes might alter the chemical characteristics of G. uralensis when these herbs are co-decocted. This study provides the understanding of the chemical interactions of herbal medicines during the extraction in hot water.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Objectives : This research aimed to investigate chondro-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract and its compound, tilianin. Methods : Caraganae Sinicae Flos was extracted with 50% ethanol. Tilianin in Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract was quantified by HPLC analysis method. To investigate chondro-protective effects of Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract, ATDC5 chondrogenic cells were co-treated with Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract (or tilianin) and tumor necrosis factor-𝛼 (TNF𝛼) for 24 hours. After treatement for 24 hours, media supernatant was used for quantifying protein level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) by ELISA and harvested cells were used for analyzing mRNA expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13) by reverse transcription PCR. To identify anti-inflammatory effects of Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract, RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were co-treated with Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract (or tilianin) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hours. media was used for quantifying the level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-6 (IL6) by ELISA and nitric oxide by Griess reagent asssay. Results : Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract and tilianin attenuated protein level of MMP3 and mRNA expression level of MMP13 in TNF𝛼-activated ATDC5 cells. Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract inhibited the level of PGE2, IL6 and NO in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells in dose dependent manner, though tilianin inhibited PGE2 only. Conclusions : These results presented that Caraganae Sinicae Flos 50% ethanol extract could be used as natural medicines for osteoarthritis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.375-386
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• 2022

In the present study, four distinctly colored bacterial isolates that show intense pigmentation upon brief ultraviolet (UV) light exposure are chosen. The strains are identified as Micrococcus luteus (Milky yellow), Cryseobacterium pallidum (Yellow), Cryseobacterium spp. (Golden yellow), and Kocuria turfanensis (Pink) based on their morphological and 16S rDNA analysis. Moderate salinity (1.25%), 25-37℃ temperature, and pH of 7.2 are found to be the most favorable conditions of growth and pigment production for all the selected isolates. The pigments are extracted using methanol: chloroform (1:1) and the purity of the pigments are confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Further, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy indicate their resemblance with carotenoids and flexirubin family. The antioxidant activities of the pigments are estimated, and, all the pigments have shown significant antioxidant efficacy in 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The UV protective property of the pigments is determined by cling-film assay, wherein, at least 25% of UV sensitive Escherichia coli survive with bio-pigments even after 90 seconds of UV exposure compared to control. The pigments also hold a good sun protective factor (SPF) value (1.5-4.9) which is calculated with the Mansur equation. Based on these results, it can be predicted that these bacterial pigments can be further developed into a promising antioxidant and UV-protectant for several biomedical applications.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.210-217
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• 2023

Background: N-nitrosamines are carcinogenic substances often found in rubber products. They are produced when certain additives of rubber products react with nitrite in saliva or air. Exposure assessment for the proper management and communication of N-nitrosamines in rubber balloons should be carried out. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of N-nitrosamines in rubber balloons in the South Korean market and assess exposure among Korean children. Methods: Forty eight rubber balloon products in the domestic market were purchased and a total of 68 balloons were analyzed for N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances. Chemical analysis was conducted by HPLC-MS/MS according to the method EN 71-12. For exposure assessment, an exposure algorithm and coefficients were obtained from previous studies. Results: Among the 68 rubber balloons, N-nitrosamines were detected in 18 (26.5%) with an average level of 60.77 ㎍/kg. N-Nitrosatable substances were detected in 44 products (64.7%) with an average level of 1353.33 ㎍/kg. As a result of the exposure evaluation, the exposure dose differed according to how exposure coefficients were applied. The median exposure (50th percentile) was higher in the age group of 6~12 years, and high exposure (95th percentile) was higher in the age group of 13~18. Conclusions: We evaluated the N-nitrosamines contained in rubber balloons purchased in the domestic market and assessed oral exposure among South Korean children. For integrated risk management of N-nitrosamines, further studies and discussion regarding exposure and risk assessment are required.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.79-93
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• 2022

Objectives: We investigated the isoflavone contained in SH003 and its fractions, and the effect of these components on the inhibition of breast cancer. Methods: The isoflavones in solvent fractions of SH003 extract were identified by UPLC-MS and its contents were quantified using HPLC analysis. The estrogenic activity of SH003 or fractions was assessed by ERE luciferase assay in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 cells. To test the breast cancer inhibitory effect, the cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. Results: In this study, we demonstrated that SH003 and fractions contain 4 isoflavones which are calycosin-7-β-D-glucoside, formononetin-7-β-D-glucoside, calycosin, and formononetin. Despite containing isoflavones, estrogen-dependent transcription activity was not altered by both SH003 and fractions. On the other hand, SH003 and fractions inhibited the cell viability of breast cancer. In addition, its isoflavone components also showed reduced cell viability in various breast cancer cells. Conclusions: Overall, the phytoestrogen included in SH003 and fractions did not influence the estrogenic activity, emphasizing the safety of SH003 and fractions in breast cancer treatment.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.512-518
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• 2006

The evidence containing some kind of petroleum at the fire spot was analyzed by gas chromatography to identify a fire's sources. To extract some petroleum from fire evidence, 10.0 mL of n-hexane was added in this solution, and it was shaken for 30 minutes. To identify a kind of petroleum in fire evidence, the prepared n-hexane solution was injected and analyzed in the gas chromatograph. The chromatogram of sample was different from those of thinner and gasoline that have low boiling point, and shown different peak pattern to heating and boiler oils. But it was similar to the chromatogram of diesel oil. After small amount of diesel oil was added to the sample, the area of characteristic peaks was increased more than those of raw sample. From the results, the kind of petroleum in the fire evidence was diesel oil.