• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.126-133
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• 2021

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (20(S)-PPD), one of the aglycone derivatives of major ginsenosides, has been shown to have an anticancer activity toward a variety of cancers. This study was initiated with an attempt to evaluate its anti-cancer activity toward human endometrial cancer by cell and xenograft mouse models. Methods: Human endometrial cancer (HEC)-1A cells were incubated with different 20(S)-PPD concentrations. 20(S)-PPD cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using the annexin V binding assay and cell cycle analysis. Cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and activated caspase-9 were assessed using western blotting. HEC-1A cell tumor xenografts in athymic mice were generated by inoculating HEC-1A cells into the flank of BALB/c female mice and explored to validate 20(S)-PPD anti-endometrial cancer toxicity. Results: 20(S)-PPD inhibited HEC-1A cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 3.5 μM at 24 h. HEC-1A cells morphologically changed after 20(S)-PPD treatment, bearing resemblance to Taxol-treated cells. Annexin V-positive cell percentages were 0%, 10.8%, and 58.1% in HEC-1A cells when treated with 0, 2.5, and 5 μM of 20(S)-PPD, respectively, for 24 h. 20(S)-PPD subcutaneously injected into the HEC-1A cell xenograft-bearing mice three times a week for 17 days manifested tumor growth inhibition by as much as 18% at a dose of 80 mg/kg, which sharply contrasted to controls that showed an approximately 2.4-fold tumor volume increase. These events paralleled caspase-9 activation and PARP cleavage. Conclusion: 20(S)-PPD inhibits endometrial cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell death via a caspase-mediated apoptosis pathway. Therefore, the 20(S)-PPD-like ginsenosides are endowed with ample structural information that could be utilized to develop other ginsenoside-based anticancer agents.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.665-676
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• 2003

To investigate the chemical characteristics of PM$\_$2.5/ in Seoul, Korea, atmospheric particulate matters were collected using a PM$\_$10/ dichotomous sampler including PM$\_$10/ and PM$\_$2.5/ inlet during the period of October 2000 to September 2001. The Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectromety (ICP-MS), ion Chromatography (IC) methods were used to determine the concentration of both metal and ionic species. A statistical analysis was performed for the heavy metals data set using a principal component analysis (PCA) to derived important factors inherent in the interactions among the variables. The mean concentrations of ambient PM$\_$2.5/ and PM/sub10/ were 24.47 and 45.27 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. PM$\_$2.5/ masses also showed temporal variations both yearly and seasonally. The ratios of PM$\_$2.5/PM$\_$10/ was 0.54, which similar to the value of 0.60 in North America. Soil-related chemical components (such as Al, Ca, Fe, Si, and Mn) were abundant in PM$\_$10/, while anthropogenic components (such as As, Cd, Cr, V, Zn and Pb) were abundant in PM2s. Total water soluble ions constituted 30∼50 % of PM$\_$2.5/ mass, and sulfate, nitrate and ammonium were main components in water soluble ions. Reactive farms of NH$_4$$\^$+/were considered as NH$_4$NO$_3$ and (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$ during the sampling periods. In the results of PCA for PM$\_$2.5/, we identified three principal components. Major contribution to PM$\_$2.5/ seemed to be soil, oil combustion, unidentified source. Further study, the detailed interpretation of these data will need efforts in order to identify emission sources.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.54-68
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• 1985

It is desirable to collect the solar thermal energy at relatively high temperature in order to minimize the size of thermal storage system and to enlarge the scope of solar thermal energy utilization. So far the concentrating solar collector has been developed to collect solar thermal energy at relatively high temperature, but it has some difficulties in maintaining the volumetric body of solar collector for long term utilization. On the other hand, the flat-plate solar collector has been developed to collect the solar thermal energy at low temperature, and it has advantages in maintaining the system for long term utilization, since it's thickness is thin and not volumetric. In this study, to develop a solar collector that has both advantages of collecting solar thermal energy at high temperature and fixing conveniently the collector system for long term period, a cylindrical parabolic concentrating solar collector was designed, which has two rows of parabolic reflectors and thin thickness such as the flat-plate solar collector, maintaining the optical form of concentrating solar collector. The characteristics of the concentrating parabolic solar collector newly designed was analysed and the results are summarized as follows; 1. The temperature of the air enclosed in solar collector was all the same as $50^{\circ}C$ in both cases of the open and closed loop, and when the heat transfer fluid was not circulated in tubular absorber, the maximum surface temperature of the absorber was $118-120^{\circ}C$, this results suggested that the heat transfer fluid could be heated up to $118^{\circ}C$. 2. In case of longitudinal installation of the solar collector, the temperature difference of heat transfer fluid between inlet and outlet was $4^{\circ}-6^{\circ}C$ at the flow rate of $110-130{\ell}/hr$, and the collected solar energy per unit area of collector was $300-465W/m^2$. 3. The collected solar energy per unit area for 7 hours was 1960 Kcal/$m^2$ for the open loop and 220 Kcal/$m^2$ for the closed loop. Therefore it is necessary to combine the open and closed loop of solar collectors to improve the thermal efficiency of solar collector. 4. The thermal efficiency of the solar collector (C.P.C.S.C.) was proportional to the density of solar radiation, indicating the maximum thermal efficiency ${\eta}_{max}=58%$ with longitudinal installation and ${\eta}_{max}=45%$ with lateral installation. 5. The thermal efficiency of the solar collector (C.P.C.S.C.) was increased in accordance with the increase of flow rate of heat transfer fluid, presenting the flow rate of $110{\ell}/hr$ was the value of turning point of the increasing rate of the collector efficiency, therefore the flow rate of $110{\ell}/hr$ was considered as optimum value for the test of the solar collector (C.P.C.S.C.) performance when the heat transfer fluid is a liquid. 6. In both cases of longitudinal and lateral installation of the solar collector (C.P.C.S.C.), the thermal efficiency was decreased linearly with an increase in the value of the term ($T_m-T_a$)/Ic and the increasing rate of the thermal efficiency was not effected by the installation method of solar collector.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.226-235
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• 2017

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a shrub which grows well in a tropical climate. There are large amounts of anthocyanins, organic acids and other compounds in roselle. Mostly, roselle is cultivated to use its red calyx. Its calyx is used as a natural food colorant and commonly consumed as a tea. This quality study was conducted to investigate the characteristics and antioxidant activities of Sulgidduck with roselle calyx powder. Four samples and a control were made with different ratios of added roselle calyx powder (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%). The moisture content of the 0.5%-sample was the highest as 40.60%, and that of the 2%-sample was the lowest as 37.37%. The pH of samples significantly decreased from 6.26 to 3.65 as the amount of roselle calyx powder increased (p<0.05). The L-value of samples also significantly decreased (p<0.05). In contrast, a-value and ${\Delta}E$ of samples significantly increased with elevated amounts of roselle calyx powder (p<0.05). The b-value of roselle calyx added Sulgidduck samples significantly increased compared to the control (p<0.05). Hardness and chewiness of Sulgidduck samples with added roselle calyx also significantly increased compared to the control (p<0.05). Cohesiveness of Sulgidduck samples with roselle calyx significantly decreased compared to control (p<0.05), with the exception of the 1% sample. There were no significant differences in springiness among samples. Total phenolic contents significantly increased when roselle calyx powder was added above a level of 1.5% (p<0.05). The flavonoid content of the control was the lowest as 0.73. ABTS radical scavenging activity significantly increased with increasing amounts roselle calyx powder (p<0.05). The 2%-sample got the lowest sensory preference scores in sweetness and overall acceptability. In contrast, the control and 1%-sample got the highest sensory preference scores. Based on these study findings, addition of 1% roselle calyx powder optimized the preparation of Sulgidduck and roselle calyx is therefore a useful natural colorant and antioxidant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2009

The effects of heat treated and herb added garlic (Allium sativum L.) on the antioxidant activities were investigated. Boiling ($100^{\circ}C$, 60 min), steaming ($100^{\circ}C$, 30 min), baking ($120^{\circ}C$, 10 min), or high temperature and high pressure (HTHP, $120^{\circ}C$, 20 min, 1.5 kgf/$cm^2$) were applied, and several herbs were added to garlic. Hunter color L-value of heated garlic was significantly decreased, compared to that of control (fresh garlic), whereas a-value and b-value were increased (p<0.05). In the texture profile analysis, hardness, chewiness and gumminess of heated garlic were decreased, whereas adhesiveness was increased. The antioxidant activities determined by DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities were decreased in HTHP garlic. The pungent taste and garlic odor were the weakest in HTHP garlic. Especially, the pungent taste of HTHP garlic was not detectable. Green tea among several herbs (bay leaf, cinnamon bark, pine needles) showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. Addition of green tea to HTHP garlic was appropriate for decreasing antioxidative activity of HTHP garlic compared to fresh garlic. Based on these results, it was suggested that high temperature and high pressure treated garlic with green tea might be very useful as a substitute for odorless functional garlic products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.1519-1526
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• 2014

This study investigated the biological activities and effects of Korean Zingiber mioga R. (flower buds and rhizome) on memory. The general composition, minerals, anti-oxidative activities, and AChE inhibitory effects were analyzed, and NORT (Novel object recognition test) and Y-Maze test in vivo were performed. The general contents (moisture, crude fat, crude protein, and crude ash; wet basis) of ZB (flower buds) were 91.96%, 0.15%, 1.99%, and 11.90%, respectively. The general contents (moisture, crude fat, crude protein, and crude ash; wet basis) of ZR (rhizome) were 75.21%, 0.53%, 2.20%, and 9.50%, respectively. The macro mineral contents (Ca, P, Na, and K) of ZB were 31.70 mg%, 15.20 mg%, 8.20 mg%, and 258.60 mg%, respectively. Inhibitory effects (IC50 value) of DPPH and ABTS radicals were higher with ZBD (flower buds water extract) than with ZBE (flower buds EtOH extract), ZRD (rhizome water extract) or ZRE (rhizome EtOH extract). AChE inhibitory effect of ZBD was higher and that of ZRD. NORT and Y-Maze test were performed with scopolamine-induced mice treated with ZBD and ZBE. In NORT, effects of ZBD and ZBE were similar to that of donepezil. In the Y-maze test, performances of ZBD and ZBE-treated mice were similar to that of the normal group. These results suggest that Korean Zingiber mioga R. has potential to be developed into a new functional food for cognition enhancement in the global food market.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2017

Although alternative test methods based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are being developed to replace animal testing in reproductive and developmental toxicology, they are still in an early stage. Consequently, we aimed to develop alternative test methods in male animals using mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Here, we modified the OECD TG 489 and optimized the in vitro comet assay in our previous study. This study aimed to verify the validity of in vitro tests involving mSSCs by comparing their results with those of in vivo tests using C57BL/6 mice by gavage. We selected hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to chemically induce male reproductive toxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of HU was 0.9 mM, as determined by the MTT assay. In the in vitro comet assay, % tail DNA and Olive tail moment (OTM) after HU administration increased significantly, compared to the control. Annexin V, PI staining and TUNEL assays showed that HU caused apoptosis in mSSCs. In order to compare in vitro tests with in vivo tests, the same substances were administered to male C57BL/6 mice. Reproductive toxicity was observed at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day as measured by clinical measures of reduction in sperm motility and testicular weight. The comet assay, DCFH-DA assay, H&E staining, and TUNEL assay were also performed. The results of the test with C57BL/6 mice were similar to those with mSSCs for HU treatment. Finally, linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation between results of in vitro tests and those of in vivo. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the effect of HU-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and apoptosis in mSSCs. Further, the results of the current study suggest that mSSCs could be a useful model to predict male reproductive toxicity.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2014

This study was performed in order to investigate the functional components of 5 kinds of marine algae. We have collected 5 samples of marine algae, such as the sea mustard (Undaria pinnatifida), sea tangle (Laminaria iaponice), sea weed fusiforme (Hizikia fusiforme), green laver (Entetomotpha), laver (Phophyratenera), which have been harvested in Jeollanam-do. In order to examine the functional effects, 5 kinds of marine algae were extracted with hot water ($80^{\circ}C$, 4 hr), ethanol and methanol (R.T., 4 hr), and subcritical water extract (SWE, 3 MPa, $90^{\circ}C$, $150^{\circ}C$, $210^{\circ}C$). A higher yield of extract was obtained through SWE method (3 MPa, $210^{\circ}C$) in all of the samples obtained. The highest total sugar content was 427.4 mg/g in green laver extracted with SWE (3 MPa, $210^{\circ}C$). The content of the SWE total phenolic compounds was higher than that of the water and solvent (methanol, ethanol) extracts. The anti-oxidative activities of the extracts from 5 kinds of marine algae were examined through the DPPH radical scavenging activity test. The SWE (3 MPa, $150^{\circ}C$ and $210^{\circ}C$) of the marine algae was the highest among all of the extracts. As per the results, the SWE of the marine algae contained more functional components and it had a higher antioxidant activity than those of the other extracts. The $IC_{50}$ value of tyrosinase in seaweed fusiforme and laver were higher than those of the other samples. These results strongly support the possible use of marine algae as functional materials.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.595-602
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate on food component characteristics of seafood cooking drips (skipjack tuna cooking drip, octopus cooking drip and oyster cooking drip) as a source of functional seasoning. Heavy metal contents of seafood cooking drips were below food safety level. Among seafood cooking drips concentrated to 5 folds, the crude protein content was the highest (18.1%) in skipjack tuna cooking drip (SCD). The free amino acid content and taste value were higher in SCD than in other seafood cooking drips, and the major free amino acids were glutamic acid and aspartic acid. Total amino acid content of SCD was 16.2 g/100 mL and the major amino acids were glutamic acid (11.9%), proline (9.2%), glycine (9.1%) and histidine (11.5%). SCD in comparison with other seafood cooking drips showed the highest angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity at $IC_{50}$ of 14.1 mg/mL. These results suggested that SCD could be used as a source of functional seasoning.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.79-92
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• 2007

Oxidative stress have known to be a risk factor for the degenerative processes and closely related to a lot of diseases. It is well established that antioxidants are good in protection and therapeutic means against oxidative damage. There is increasing interest in natural antioxidants and many natural antioxidants have been found and utilized as the possible protection for various diseases and skin aging. We have screened natural antioxidant agents for cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and drugs as therapeutic and preventive means against oxidative stress, and have developed a number of novel antioxidants from various natural sources. A novel melanin synthesis inhibitor, Melanocin A, isolated from the metabolite of a fungal strain Eupenicillium shearii F80695 inhibited mushroom tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis of B16 melanoma cells with $IC_{50}$ value of 9.0 nM and MIC value of $0.9\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Melanocin A also exhibited potent antioxidant activity by scavenging of DPPH and superoxide anion radicals. UV was found to increase the level of hydrogen peroxides and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin tissues. This increase in ROS may not only alter the structure and function of many genes and proteins directly but may also modulate their expressions through signal transduction pathways and, ultimately, lead to skin damage. We investigated the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced premature skin aging. Firstly, the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT in vitro was investigated. Acute UV irradiation induced MMP-9 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels and Melanocin A suppressed this expression in a dose-dependent manner. We then investigated UV-induced skin changes in hairless mice in vivo by Melanocin A. Chronic exposure of hairless mouse dorsal skin to UV increased skin thickness and induced wrinkle formation and the gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, Melanocin A significantly suppressed UV-induced morphologic skin changes and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. These results show that Melanocin A can prevent the harmful effects of UV that lead to skin aging. Therefore, we suggest that Melanocin A should be viewed as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing and/or treating premature skin aging. Terrein is a bioactive fungal metabolite isolated from Penicillium species. Terrein has a relatively simple structure and can be easily synthesized. However, the biologic effects of terrein are comparatively unknown. We found for the first time that terrein potently inhibit melanin production in melanocytes and has a strong hypopigmentary effect in a spontaneously immortalized mouse melanocyte cell line, Mel-Ab. Treatment of Mel-Ab cells with terrein (10-100 mM) for 4 days significantly reduced melanin levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, terrein at the same concentration also reduced tyrosinase activity. We then investigated whether terrein influences the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway and the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), which is required for tyrosinase expression. Terrein was found to induce sustained ERK activation and MITF down-regulation, and luciferase assays showed that terrein inhibits MITF promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the correlation between ERK pathway activation and a decreased MITF transcriptional level, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the ERK pathway, was applied before terrain treatment and found to abrogate the terrein-induced MITF attenuation. Terrein also reduced the tyrosinase protein level for at least 72 h. These results suggest that terrain reduces melanin synthesis by reducing tyrosinase production via ERK activation, and that this is followed by MITF down-regulation.