• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.604-614
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• 2020

Chronological aging and photoaging affect appearance, causing wrinkles, pigmentation, texture changes, and loss of elasticity in the skin. Phragmites communis is a tall perennial herb used for its high nutritional value and for medicinal purposes, such as relief from fever and vomiting and facilitation of diuresis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of P. communis rhizome (PCE) on skin aging. The total flavonoid and total phenolic content in PCE were 2.92 ± 0.007 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents (QE) and 231.8 ± 0.001 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 mg of dried extract (n = 3). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PCE for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were 0.96 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. PCE showed inhibitory effects on tyrosinase when L-tyrosine (IC50 = 1.25 mg/mL) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (IC50 = 0.92 mg/mL) were used as substrates. PCE treatment up to 200 ㎍/mL for 24 h did not cause any significant cytotoxicity in B16F10 melanocytes, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and HaCaT keratinocytes. In B16F10 melanocytes, PCE (25 and 50 ㎍ /mL) inhibited melanin production and cellular tyrosinase activity after challenge with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH; p < 0.05). In HDFs, PCE suppressed the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and reduced the activity of elastase (p < 0.05). In addition, ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated downregulation of hyaluronic acid synthase-2 gene expression in HaCaT keratinocytes was also effectively suppressed by PCE treatment. Overall, our results showed that PCE has potential anti-skin aging activity associated with the suppression of hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation, and reduction in dryness. PCE is a promising candidate for the development of an anti-skin aging cosmetic ingredient.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.174-178
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• 1975

The intermediate, 17${\alpha}$-methyl-4-aza-5${\alpha}$-androstan-17${\beta}$-ol(Ⅸ) required for the synthesis of 4-(${\beta}$-guanidinoethyl)-17${\alpha}$-methyl-4-aza-5${\alpha}$-androstan-17${\beta}$-ol(V) was obtained through a reaction of 17${\alpha}$-methyl-3,5-seco-4-norandrostan-17${\beta}$-ol-5-on-3-oic acid(VI) with ammonium hydroxide followed by two reductions(platinum dioxide with hydrogen and lithium aluminium hydride). Condensation of Ⅸ with chloroacetonitrile under anhydrous condition, followed by reduction of the nitrile with lithium aluminium hydride gave 4-(${\beta}$-aminoethyl)-17${\alpha}$-methyl-4-aza-5${\alpha}$-androstan-17${\beta}$-ol(XI). The reaction of XI with 2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea or 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-carboxamidine, or cyanamide provided the title compound, V. Relaxation of the nictitating membrane, in the absence of mydriasis, is considered to be evidence of adrenergic neurone blockade. Thus the test compound(V) resembles that of the classical adrenergic neurone blocking agents.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1519-1526
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• 2010

The behavior of peptide or protein solutes in saline aqueous solution is a fundamental topic in physical chemistry. Addition of ions can strongly alter the thermodynamic and physical properties of peptide molecules in solution. In order to study the effects of added ionic salts on protein conformation and dynamics, we have used the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the behavior of Staphylococcus aureus Hfq protein under two different ionic concentrations: 0.1 M NaCl and 1.0 M NaCl in presence and absence of RNA (a hepta-oligoribonucleotide AU5G). Hfq, a global regulator of gene expression is highly conserved and abundant RNA-binding protein. It is already reported that in vivo the increase of ionic strength results in a drastic reduction of Hfq affinity for $Q{\beta}$ RNA and reduces the tendency of aggregation of Escherichia coli host factor hexamers. Our results revealed the crucial role of 0.1 M NaCl Hfq system on the bases with strong hydrogen bonding interactions and by stabilizing the aromatic stacking of Tyr42 residue of the adjacent subunits/monomers with the adenine and uridine nucleobases. An increase in RNA pore diameter and weakened compactness of the Hfq-RNA complex was clearly observed in 1.0 M NaCl Hfq system with bound RNA. Aggregation of monomers in Hfq and the interaction of Hfq with RNA are greatly affected due to the presence of high ionic strength. Higher the ionic concentration, weaker is the aggregation and interaction. Our results were compatible with the experimental data and this is the first theoretical report for the experimental study done in 1980 by Uhlenbeck group for the present system.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.619-626
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• 2007

It is of special interest in our membrane separation technology due to its low energy consumption and cost, relatively simple equipment, low investment and operation cost, et al. Full scale utilization of such processes can be widely utilized to the various fields. Using the difference of permeability of gas molecules between the filter layers, it is able to separate effectually pure gases from the mixed gases. In this paper, the membranes of PDMS, ${\gamma}-radiated$ PDMS, PTFE, PTFE-X are chosen to develop the predictive model for the separation of pure gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and other gases from mixed gases. By utilizing the thermodynamic gas properties($\sigma$, $\varepsilon/k$) and experimental data of gas transport characteristics for different polymer membranes, it is able to develop the predictive model equation under the influence of temperature, pressure and polymer characteristics. Predictive model developed in this research showed good agreement with experimental data of gas permeability characteristics for develop four different polymer membranes. The proposed model can also be extended to the general equation for predicting the separation of gases based on the properties of polymeric membranes.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.319-323
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• 2011

Curcumin, of which a critical characteristic is the capacity of crossing the blood-brain barrier, has been reported to induce the expression of neuroprotective heme oxygenase (HO)-1. The aim of this study is to compare HO-1-inducing capacity and neuroprotective activity of curcumin, its demethoxy (demethoxycurcumin, DMC; bis-demethoxycurcumin, BDMC) and hydrogenated derivatives (tetrahydrocurcumin, THC) in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. Curcumin attenuated glutamate-induced cell death through HO-1 expression. DMC lacking a methoxy group on one of the aromatic rings possessed slightly lower activity in HO-1 expression and neuroprotection than curcumin. Similarly, BDMC, which lacks two methoxy groups on both of the aromatic rings, showed less activity than curcumin. These findings suggest that the presence of methoxy groups on the aromatic ring is required to enhance neuroprotective HO-1 expression. The reduction of the diarylheptadienone chain of curcumin by hydrogen, as in THC, was accompanied by a complete loss of ability to induce HO-1 expression and neuroprotection, suggesting that the conjugated double bonds of the central seven-carbon chain of curcumin may be essential for its ability to induce neuroprotective HO-1 expression. Our findings may provide useful information for further development of neuroprotective HO-1 inducers.

• Clean Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2008

There have been great attentions on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) due to their advantageous characteristics such as zero emission of hazardous pollutant and high energy density. In this work, we evaluated degradation phenomena and stability of single cell performance via one dimensional single cell modeling. Here, CO poisoning on anode on anode was considered for cell performance degradation. Modeling results showed that the performance and stability were highly degraded with CO concentration in fuel gas. In addition, cell performance was reduced by slow oxygen reduction on cathode in long term operation. In order to overcome, it is required to increase ratio o#hydrogen in the fuel gas of anode and high Pt loading contained in the cathodic catalyst layer.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.751-757
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of mulberry (Morus alba) sugar extracts (MSE) against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. The MSEs was mixed with matured mulberry and sugar at the same ratio (1:1, w/w) and stored at $18{\pm}3^{\circ}C$ for 40 days. In 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test, MSE stored for 40 days showed high activity with a ratio above 66%. Therefore, we selected 40 days as the optimum storage period. After cell viability analysis using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, we determined that the optimum concentration of MSE was 0.5%. Our results showed that MSE increased the cell viability and antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. Moreover, the treatment with MSE inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. We also observed a reduction in apoptotic bodies in the Hoechst staining. These data show that MSE treatment significantly suppressed caspase-3 activity in HepG2 cells expored to $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress, thereby indicationg the protective effects of MSE in $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.736-744
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• 2010

The root of Playtcodon grandiflorum, called Platycodi radix, has been a favorite edible plant in Asia and contains a large amount of saponins. Melanoma cells (B16F10) were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of aged black Platycodi radix extract (ABPRE) on oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Platycodon radix has been known to have a variety of medicinal effects such as prevention of gastric ulcers, antiallergenic activities, histamine release inhibition, and antioxidant effects. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear in humans. ABPRE was prepared using ethanol extraction of aged black Platycodi radix. In an antioxidant effect study of ABPRE, it was observed that ABPRE specifically exhibited the scavenging activity of DPPH radical, but did not inhibit the production of malondialdehyde from lipid peroxidation. DNA oxidation was also blocked in the presence of ABPRE. In addition, ABPRE decreased the expression and activation of MMP-2 stimulated by phenazine methosulfate. Furthermore, ABPRE revealed the inhibitory effect on melanin production induced by L-dopa via antioxidant effect and the reduction of tyrosinase expression. Especially, the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD-1 and SOD-2 regulated by Nrf2 was increased in the presence of ABPRE. Therefore, it appears that ABPRE may be a possible chemopreventive agent for the prevention of metastasis related to oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1452-1461
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• 2017

Melanin production by melanocytes in human hair follicles decreases with time and leads to the graying process, which is a phenotype of human aging and an index of aging. The reduction in melanin production is the result of decreased tyrosinase activity in hair follicles and an accumulation of active oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide. This study investigated antioxidant effects and melanin-promoting effects in B16F1 cells treated with black sesame ethanolic nonpolar-soluble extract (SBEEO) and black sesame ethanolic polar-soluble extract (SBEEP). In antioxidation experiments, both SBEEP and SBEEO did not eliminate 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, but SBEEO at $64{\mu}g/ml$ showed low reducing power. SBEEP exerted cytotoxic effects at concentrations greater than $8{\mu}g/ml$, whereas SBEEO showed cytotoxic effects at concentrations greater than $4{\mu}g/ml$. SBEEP and SBEEO induced melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, and DOPA oxidase activity in vitro. In live cells, melanin synthesis was greater in the SBEEP treatment group as compared with that in the SBEEO treatment group. SBEEP stimulated melanin synthesis by modulating the expression of tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), which is an important enzyme in melanin synthesis. These results imply that SBEEP obtained from black sesame ethanolic extract may have the potential to improve melanin synthesis.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.207-211
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• 1995

In order to determine the mechanism of cold tolerance in crops, changes in biochemical factors related with the biological reduction of molecular oxygen upon cold shock treatment were analyzed at an early stage of Brassica germination. As the cold shocked seedlings were recovered under the normal growth condition for 24 hours, the peroxidase activities in cold sensitive rape(B. napus) and cold tolerant 'Sandongchae'(B. campestris) were considerably increased by 33% and 87% in root fraction and, 84% and 206% in hypocotyl, respectively. The content of superoxide($H_2O_2$) in hypocotyl fraction was dramatically accumulated until 8 hours after recovery and then gradually decreased. The extent of superoxide accumulation was severer in B. napus than B. campestris. At 24 hours after cold shock, $H_2O_2$ content was decreased to the nearly control level in B. campestris but still remained by 38%, in E. napus. Even though $H_2O_2$ content in hypocotyl fraction was decreased only 2% in B. napus during cold shock, while in B. campestris it was severely decreased about 15%. On the other hand, the cold shock at 3 days after Uniconazole treatment was more effective in increase of peroxidase activity than each separate treatment.