• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.304-310
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• 2011

To evaluate the effect of curing treatment using a newly developed simplified curing unit (SCU) on the physicochemical quality of stored sweet potatoes was investigated for six months. The SCU consisting of a heater, an air circulation fan, exhaust fans, and a humidifying duct was installed in a cold storage room where the harvested sweet potatoes were stacked. During the six days of curing treatment, air temperature and relative humidity in the storage room were set at $32^{\circ}C$ and 90%, respectively. Physical and chemical properties of sweet potatoes were measured at 1-month intervals from the first day of storage. McKinney index showing the incidence and severity of decay was 0.83% in the curing treatment, while that of untreated control was 5.08% over the same storing period. Firmness, soluble solids content, and dry matter content in the cured sweet potatoes were greater than those of untreated control. Moreover, the changes of skin color in uncured potatoes occurred rapidly than cured one which showed delay of skin discoloration during the long-term storage. Results suggest that the SCU treatment improves the physicochemical quality of stored sweet potatoes and extends their storability. Therefore, the SCU can be effectively used for curing treatment of sweet potatoes with a relatively low cost.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.3 s.47
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• pp.345-352
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• 2004

There are two paradigms to explain the atopic dermatitis. The first is outside-inside paradigm and the second is inside-outside paradigm. According to the outside-inside paradigm the best way to treat the atopic dermatitis is recovery of skin barrier function. The barrier function is maintained by the specific structure of stratum corneum, which is constructed from corneocytes and intercellular lipids. In terms of lipid structures of SC in atopic dermatitis and lamellar ichthyosis, they contain more fluid hexagonal gel structures in SC and show deficiencies in free fatty acids, especially long chains and certain ceramides. With this reason, moisturizer which has the lamellar structure and restoring function of intrinsic intercellualr long periodicity phase can maintain and restore the lamellar structure of intercellular lipids in SC. The moisturizers containing ceramide or pseudoceramide also seem to be reasonable therapy for atopic dermatitis and several skin diseases, which interrelated with impaired skin harrier. By the way, according to the inside-outside paradigm, immune response including helper T cells, IgE, eosinophils is related. It is effective treatment of atopic dermititis to restore imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cells. Even though several kinds of immune-suppressor were introduced, these can affect the intrinsic immune function. SPC and S1P, metabolites of ceramide, would be interesting because they have the function of wound healing and immune modulating properties.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.681-687
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• 2007

Biological properties of DongChongXiaCao extracts and culture supernatants were evaluated using DPPH and FRAP (antioxidants), Raw 264.7 (NO production), B16-F1 cells (cell migration activity) and HUVECs (angiogenesis activity). We found that antioxidant activity was higher in mycelium culture supernatants than in mycelial extracts. Mycelial extracts and culture supernatants inhibited or increased cyclooxygenase-2 transcription activity and NO production. Various extracts and culture supernatants inhibited B16 cell migration and motility, and inhibited HUVEC tube formation. These findings indicate that DongChongXiaCao extracts and products of mycelium could be a useful biological resource for anti-oxidant and anti-cancer purposes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.651-656
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• 2016

Bee pollen is produced by honeybees and is considered one of the most balanced and nourishing nutritional supplements available. Historically, bee pollen has been prescribed for its healing properties and consumed for its high-energy supply. Recent research has provided evidence that bee pollen has diverse biological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and even anti-cancer effects. However, the outer membrane of the pollen grain, exine, is highly resistant to most acidic solutions, high pressure, and even digestive enzymes, and the resulting low bioavailability limits its nutritional and clinical applications. This study applied a wet-grinding method to destroy the exine effectively, and it then examined the pollen's enhanced biological activity. First, microscopic observations provided strong evidence that wet grinding destroyed the exine time-dependently. In addition, the content of polyphenols, well-known ingredients of bee pollen and used as internal standards for the quality control of commercial pollen preparations, increased up to 11-fold with wet grinding. Further, the anti-oxidant activity demonstrated on the ABTS anti-oxidant assay, as well as the DPPH radical scavenging assay, was also dramatically increased. Together, the results presented here support a new technology by which bee pollen can be used as a resource for medical, nutritional, and cosmetic applications.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 1998

Extract of Centella asiatica(ECA), which is poorly water-soluble extract from the Centella asiatica is known to express excellent wound healing properties. $ECA-{\beta}-cyclodextrin$ $(asiaticoside-{\beta}-cyclodextrin\;and\;genin-{\beta}-cyc1odextrin)$ solid dispersion system, which was prepared by freezedrying method, was formulated as gels containing poloxamer 407 and propylene glycol, and evaluated with respect to their viscosity, stability, skin permeation and drug amount in the skin of hairless mouse. The average molar ratio $asiaticoside-{\beta}-CD$ and $genin-{\beta}-CD$ was 1:1.7 and 1:22, respectively. When the molar ratio of genin and ${\beta}-CD$ was 1:5, madecassic acid made 100% solid dispersion system and asiatic acid about 65%. In dissolution study, >99% of asiaticoside from $asiaticoside-{\beta}-CD$ was dissolved in 5 minutes, and >99% madecassic acid and >64% asiatic acid from $genin-{\beta}-CD$. The apparent viscosity of poloxamer 407 gels with $ECA-{\beta}-CD$ solid dispersion system increased in proportion to poloxamer 407 and propylene glycol concentration. In the accelerated stability test, all $ECA-{\beta}-CD$ poloxamer 407 gels showed that asiaticoside was most stable and madecassic acid stable and asiatic acid similar to stability of gel with free ECA. The permeation amount of asiaticoside in poloxamer gels through hairless mouse skin decreased as the concentration of poloxamer 407 increased. When propylene glycol was added at the level of 10%, the permeation amount of asiaticoside at poloxamer gels through hairless mouse skin increased but from 15% it decreased. The permeation of asiaticoside into the skin of hairless mouse was estimated to be about $0.10\;{\mu}g/cm^2$.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1370-1382
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• 2021

Previous studies have been conducted on domestic materials as a single extract. Research on complex mixtures for maximizing plant characteristics by individual extraction and potential interference with effects is insufficient. Therefore, this study confirmed the GC-MSD according to the extraction of essential oils for Agastache rugosa O. Kuntze(AR), Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zuccarini(PD), Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica(CC), Zingiber officinale Roscoe(ZR), Foeniculum vulgare Miller(FV), and Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle(CS). The cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the blending oil were confirmed to confirm its potential as a cosmetic material. As a result of analyzing GC-MSD aroma components, the main components were estragole of AR, à-Pinene for PD, Zingiberene for CC and ZR, Anethole from FV, and D-Limonene for CS. At a concentration of 100 uL/mL with no confirmed cytotoxicity, NO production was inhibited by 70.62%, DPPH radical scavenging activity was 64.03%, and ABTS radical scavenging activity was 89.55%. Through this, blended essential oil suggests the possibility of useful application as a raw material with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the cosmetic and food industries.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.603-614
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• 2020

Background and objective: This study was conducted to understand urban residents' perception of indoor plants in order to assist in the preparation of guidelines for growing plants indoors. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to urban residents currently growing plants or with experience of growing plants. The data of 247 respondents were subjected to analysis to assess their level of interest and ability with regard to growing plants, and their recognition of the selection and function of plants. Results: Respondents showed high interest in growing plants at a level of 6.77, but their ability was moderate. This suggests that information regarding plant maintenance should be provided to urban residents. They recognized the function of plants for improving the environment as important, and expected that indoor plants would improve their mood and visual experience. Satisfaction with growing plants was high from an emotional perspective. They recognized that the function of air purification function was important even if the actual performance or effect was not great. This indicates that the function of air purification should be emphasized more. As the result of the IPA, plants should be selected in consideration of morphological characteristics such as leaf, flower and fruit, and continuously managed to maintain their characteristics. Since the performance of pots was less satisfactory compared to their importance, they should be selected so that they harmonize better with plants and are of the appropriate size to fit the space. The type of plants is an important factor in plant selection in order to perform an environmental function, and the flower color and pot size are important in terms of aesthetics and healing. Conclusion: When horticulture information on indoor plants is provided to urban residents, first, it should be provided to satisfy the functions of the plants required by urban residents and in order to promote and maintain the proper growth of plants. Second, various contents that utilize components should be developed to achieve plant function so that resident can determine the function of plants and select the type, quantity, and shape of plants to achieve the desired function.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2023

Near-infrared (NIR) absorbing dyes have been applied to various applications such as optical filters, biotechnology, energy storage and conversion, coating additive, and traditionally information-storage materials. Because image sensors used in cellphones and digital cameras have sensitivity in the NIR region, the NIR cut-off filter is essential to achieving more clear images. As energy storage and conversion have been important, diverse NIR absorbing materials have been developed to extend the absorption region to the NIR region, and NIR absorbing materials-based research has proceeded to improve device performances. Adding NIR-absorbing dye with a photo-thermal effect to a self-healable coating system has been attractive for future mobility technology, and more effective self-healing properties have been reported. In this report, the chemical structures of representative NIR-absorbing dyes and state of the art research based on NIR-absorbing dyes are introduced.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.287-295
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• 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. The chemotherapeutic agents used to treat HCC patients are toxic and have serious side effects. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of anticancer drugs that reduce side effects by targeting tumor cells without causing cytotoxicity in healthy hepatocytes. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from plant compounds, has emerged as a potential candidate for cancer treatment due to its diverse pharmacological properties. The effect of berberine on HepG2 cell viability was determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. HepG2 cell proliferation was determined through a colony-forming assay. The effects of berberine on HepG2 cell migration were evaluated using a wound-healing assay. Berberine inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, as well as colony formation and migration. Berberine treatment increased the expression of autophagy-related genes and proteins, including Beclin-1 and LC3-II, and elevated the activities and mRNA expression of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3. Additionally, in experiments utilizing the Cell-Derived Xenograft animal model, berberine treatment reduced tumor size and weight in a concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrate the potential of berberine as a versatile anticancer agent with efficacy in both cellular and animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings herein shed light on berberine's efficacy against HCC, presenting opportunities for targeted and personalized therapeutic interventions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2015

A variety of previous pharmacological studies have suggested Liriope platyphylla (L. platyphylla) may exert beneficial biological effects on inflammation, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorder, obesity, constipation, and atopic dermatitis. In addition, hydrocolloid membranes (HCMs) have attracted attention in dermatological care, including in the treatment of scleroderma skin ulcers, cutaneous ulcers, permanent tympanic membrane perforations, pressure sores, and decubitus ulcers in the elderly. To investigate the therapeutic effects of HCM containing an aqueous extract of L. platyphylla (HCM-LP) on second-degree burn wounds, their physico-chemical properties were analyzed and the therapeutic effects were observed in SD rats after treatment with HCM-LP for 14 days. Significant declines in tensile strength (38.4%) and absorptiveness (46.3%), as well as an increase in surface roughness (38.1%) were detected in HCM-LP compared with that of HCM. In SD rats with burned skin, the wound diameter was shorter in the HCM-LP treated group than in the GZ group on post-surgical day 14, while the significant improvements in scar tissue reduction, epithelium regeneration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix deposition were observed in the HCM-LP-treated group during all experimental periods. Overall, these results suggest HCM-LP may accelerate the process of healing the burn injury skin of SD rats through the regulation of angiogenesis and connective tissue formation.