• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1905-1911
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• 2015

Melanin is one of the most important factors affecting skin color. Melanogenesis is the bioprocess of melanin production by melanocytes in the skin and hair follicles and is mediated by several enzymes, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2. Convenient enzymatic transformation of the simple phenol pyrogallol with polyphenol oxidase originating from pear to an oxidative product, purpurogallin, was efficient. The structure of the pyrogallol oxidation product was identified on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The biotransformation product purpurogallin showed significant inhibitory effects against both melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner in B16 melanoma cells. In addition, purpurogallin significantly attenuated melanin production by inhibiting TRP-1, and TRP-2 expression through modulation of their corresponding transcription factors, and microphthalamia- associated transcription factor in B16 cells. Consequently, purpurogallin derived from convenient enzymatic transformation of pyrogallol might be a beneficial material for reducing skin hyperpigmentation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 1980

Seed tunicates of Halocynthia roretzi (v. DRASCHE) which were artificially settled in Chungmu area were transplanted to Seonyudo and Eochungdo to know the feasibility of the tunicate culturing in the western coast of Korea. From April 1978 to March 1979, the growth of the transplanted tunicate in the two area was compared and analyzed in reference to the ecological factors. At the time when the seeds were transplanted, the mean body height of Halocynthia roretzi(V. DRASCHE) was 1.84 mm, body breadth 1.42 mm, and the body weight 15.0 mg. After 333 days the mean body height was 10.77 mm, body breadth 6.75 mm, and body weight 201 mg in Seonyudo area. In Eochungdo area the mean body height was 13.5 mm, body breadth 11.51 mu and body weight 880 mg. According to above results, it is possible to culture the seeds in Eochungdo area. Salinity $(29.2-32.0\%_{\circ})$ was favorable, water temperature $(6.8-26.8^{\circ}C)$ was not a critical factor, but the growth of the tunicate was affected by the high temperature$(over\;25.0^{\circ}C)$ in July. Transparency lower than 1.0 m seriously affects the growth of the tunicate, and it was one of the important factors inhibiting the growth of the tunicate. Seonyudo area was found out to be inadequate for the culture of the sea spuirt Halocynthie roretzi because of the retarded growth in body breadth and weight while showing extended growth in body length then leading to higher mortality owing to large amount of silting and fouling of the colonial tunicate, Didemnum (didemnum) moseleyi.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2017

Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation significantly improves the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential repair mechanisms involve anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, few studies have focused on the effects of MSCs on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). In this study, MSCs were transplanted intracerebrally into rats 6 hours after HICH. The modified neurological severity score and the modified limb placing test were used to measure behavioral outcomes. Blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal loss were measured by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and neuronal nucleus (NeuN) expression, respectively. Concomitant edema formation was evaluated by H&E staining and brain water content. The effect of MSCs treatment on neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis or polymerase chain reaction of CD68, Iba1, iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The MSCs-treated HICH group showed better performance on behavioral scores and lower brain water content compared to controls. Moreover, the MSC injection increased NeuN and ZO-1 expression measured by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence. Furthermore, MSCs reduced not only levels of CD68, Iba1 and pro-inflammatory factors, but it also inhibited iNOS expression and peroxynitrite formation in perihematomal regions. The results suggest that intracerebral administration of MSCs accelerates neurological function recovery in HICH rats. This may result from the ability of MSCs to suppress inflammation, at least in part, by inhibiting iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.408-419
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• 2021

Background: The decreased renal function is known to be associated with biological aging, of which the main pathological features are chronic inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis. In previous studies, we reported that total saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJs) can availably protect acute myocardial ischemia. We proposed that SPJs might have similar protective effects for aging-associated renal interstitial fibrosis. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the overall effect of SPJs on renal fibrosis. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) aging rats were given SPJs by gavage beginning from 18 months old, at 10 mg/kg/d and 60 mg/kg/d, up to 24 months old. After the experiment, changes in morphology, function and fibrosis of their kidneys were detected. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and cystatin C (Cys C) were assayed with ELISA kits. The levels of extracellular matrix (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), inflammatory factors and changes of oxidative stress parameters were examined. Results: After SPJs treatment, SD rats showed significantly histopathological changes in kidneys accompanied by decreased renal fibrosis and increased renal function; As compared with those in 3-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in 24-month group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the 24-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in the SPJ-H group were significantly decreased. While ECM was reduced and the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased, the levels of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling were decreased; the expression level of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was down-regulated with reduced inflammatory factors; meanwhile, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) signaling was aggrandized. Conclusion: These results suggest that SPJs treatment can improve age-associated renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad, NFκB signaling pathways and activating Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways and that SPJs can be a potentially valuable anti-renal fibrosis drug.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.412-421
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• 2021

Purpose: Thioacetamide (TAA) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver, and the generated ROS induces liver injury through inflammatory reactions. The current study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba water extract (AC), imparted via its antioxidant activity, in an animal model of TAA-induced liver injury. Methods: Animal experiments were conducted in 5 groups: normal, control (TAA 200 mg/kg), SM (TAA 200 mg/kg + silymarin 100 mg/kg), ACL (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 100 mg/kg), ACH (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 200mg/kg). TAA (intraperitoneal) and treatment compounds (per oral) were administered for 3 days. Serum levels of ammonia concentration and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were subsequently measured. Liver tissues were subjected to western blot analysis for measuring the oxidative stress (NADPH oxidase), anti-oxidative activity (Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, and GPx-1/2), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) protein expressions. Results: Serum ammonia levels and MPO activity were significantly increased in the TAA-induced control group, whereas groups administered AC treatment showed markedly reduced levels. Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased NOX2 and p22^phox expressions, (oxidative stress-related factors) in the TAA-induced control group. These levels were determined to be significantly decreased after AC exposure. Moreover, antioxidant-related factors including Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 were significantly decreased in the control group and increased in the AC treated groups. In addition, MMP expressions were significantly suppressed in the AC treatment group due to increased levels of TIMP-1. Conclusion: Taken together, these data indicate that exposure to AC reduces the oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX2 and p22^phox) through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. We therefore propose the potential of AC for the prevention and treatment of TAA-induced liver injury.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 2022

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the synergistic protective effects of medicinal herbal mixture (HME) including Mori Ramulus (MR), Acanthopanacis Cortex (AC), Eucommiae Cortex (EC), and Black soybean (BS) in C2C12 cells, mouse myoblasts. Methods : Effects of HME on cell viability of C2C12 myoblasts were monitored by MTT assay. Anti-atrophic activity of HME was determined in myoblasts and myotubes under oxidative stress by H₂O₂. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes in a medium containing 2% horse serum for 6 days. After that, we measured that expression of MyoD and myogenine, the myogenic regulatory factors, to identify the mechanism of inhibiting muscle atophy after HME treatment. In addition, suppression of phosphorylation of Akt, FoxO3a and MARF-1, transcription factors of degradation proteins were analyzed via western blotting. Results : As a result of MTT, HME there was no show cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 1 mg/ml. The cytoprotective effects on oxidative stressed myoblast and myotube was better in HME extract than those of MR, AC, EU, and BS, respectively. HME treatment in Myotube induced by oxidative stress after H₂O₂ treatment increased Myo D, Myogenine activation, and Akt, FoxO3a phosphorylation and decreased expression of MuRF-1. As the results, HME has synergistic effects on protection against proteolysis of C2C12 myotubes through activation of the Akt signaling pathway under oxidative stress. Conclusions : These results suggest that HME may also be useful as a preventing and treating material for skeletal muscle atrophy caused by age-related diseases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.169-180
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• 2022

Streptococcus sp. is generally known as a strain that produces hyaluronic acid. In this study, we focused on ingredients other than hyaluronic acid among several metabolites produced by Streptococcus sp. during cultivation. The hair experimental sample (HAIRCLE^TM) was prepared with Streptococcus sp. culture filtrate under the condition that hyaluronic acid was not produced and the effect on the hair was identified. Tensile strength of hair was tested with a universal testing machine (UTM). Surface properties of a hair were examined with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Our results suggest that HAIRCLE^TM could prevent damage to a hair such as destroyed-cuticle, increased-faction force, and broken-hair. Furthermore, hair-related experiments confirmed that HAIRCLE^TM could promote the expression of hair growth factors VEGF, HGF, and Wnt10b and mitigate male hair loss by inhibiting androgen receptors and TGF-β2 expression. In addition, it was confirmed that the expression of barrier-related factors (INV, CLDN-1) was increased for oxidative stress, and the COX-2 expression, an inflammatory factor, was inhibited, thereby improving damaged scalp barriers and alleviating induced inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.885-897
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• 2021

Schisandrae Fructus (SF) and Corni Fructus (CF) have been used for a long time for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Although reports have highlighted the possibility of inhibiting the onset and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), studies on related mechanisms are still lacking. In this study, we investigated the potential of SF and CF in improving BPH by using a dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced in vitro BPH model using LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells. According to our results, water and ethanol extracts of SF and CF significantly inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP cells by DHT treatment and markedly downregulated the expression of DHT-induced BPH biomarkers and growth factors. They also regulated the expression of apoptosis regulatory factors and significantly reduced DHT-mediated oxidative stress. In addition, the protective effect on major factors involved in the pathogenesis of BPH was more effective in the ethanol extract treatment group than in the water extract group. Furthermore, the improvement effect on BPH was higher in the 1:1 combined treatment group than in the ethanol extract alone treatment group of SF and CF, and 60% ethanol extracts showed a better effect than 40% ethanol extracts. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that SF and CF can protect against BPH by preventing the hyperproliferation of prostate cells through the inhibition of the androgen signaling pathway, which was correlated with their antioxidant activities. Therefore, SF and CF extracts may be useful in the clinical treatment of BPH, and the combination of these two extracts can be synergistic.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.159-168
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• 2003

With microtiter plate, the assay method was developed for detecting the fungicidal activity of new compounds against spore germination, spore adhesion and mycelial growth of Colletotrichum sp. JC24 cal1Sing red pepper anthracnose. Also, the effects of some commercialized fungicides on fungal development like above mentioned were investigated by measuring the optical density of mycelia grown into wells of microtiter plate. For the standardization of assay method, some factors, such as the treatment of MTT and/or propanol, inodulum density and incubation period, affecting on mycelial optical density were investigated. For obtaining precise and consistent mycelial optical density, it was necessary the treatment of MTT for 12 hrs and propanol for 1 hr. inoculum density adjusted to $1\times10^5$ spores/mL and incubation period for 36 hrs at $25^{\circ}C$. For fungicidal activities, 6 protective fungicides, 6 ones inhibiting sterol biosynthesis, and one inhibiting respiration were used in this study. While mancozeb, chlorothalonil and dithianon among 6 protective fungicides inhibited strongly spore germination, adhesion, and mycelial growth at $6.25{\mu}g/mL$, propineb, iminoctadine and fluazinam inhibited intermediately spore germination and mycelial growth at $100{\mu}g/mL$. Washing above 3 fungicides with new PD broth, their activity against spore adhesion decreased. With hexaconazole, tebuconazole and myclobutanil, the tendency of the activity against fungal differentiation of the early infection stage was similar to the latter group of protective fungicides, showing the decrease of the inhibitory activity against spore adhesion by washing 2 hrs after incubation. However, kresoxim-methyl inhibited spore adhesion distinctly, depending on the applied concentrations. Based on these results, it might be able to assess the fungicidal activity of many compounds against spore germination, adhesion and mycelial growth by the use of microtiter plate in vitro. Using the assay developed in this report, it was possible to investigate the inhibitory activity of some commercialized fungicides, too.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.549-556
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• 1998

To survey the recognition of Community Based Rehabilitation(CBR) by Public Health Center(PHC) Physical Therapists in Seoul Province. This study analysed general characteristic of Physical Therapists and cognition, participation, education, problems and requirements for CBR. The subjects of this study were 31 therapists who work at PHC in Seoul Province and Seoul City Childerns Municipal Hospital. Data was collected for 18 days from April 13 to 31, 1998 and results computed from 25 responses. First, Female therapists outnumber males. The age category 30 to 35 old represented 44.0% of the total number studied. 48.0% of therapists had worked more than 7 years and therapists usually 84.0% worked from 3 to 4 years at the PHC. Junior colleage graduates were 72.0%, and respondents with family responsibility were 52.0%. Second, Recently pain control and therapeutic exercises has become the major requirement of patients at PHC(56.0%). If the offered expanded services, a rehabilitation programe at PHC(36.0%) was highly. When asked about a working guide book, nobody had one. Third, 64.0% of therapists were aware of the present level of CBR, 28.0% of them had gotten an information from newspaper and mass media. Fourth, For CBR, 72.0% had positive ideas in which they could participate. 56.0% wished to compose a team of various rehabilitation specialists. 52.0% wished for the meeting day to be flexible and 64.0% desired to meet once or twice a week. Fifth, Almost all(92.0%) desired more educational opportunity about CBR. Example, once or twice a year(48.0%) and training period of 4 to 7 day(44.0%). They wanted to learn theory and parctice together(88.0%) and 48.0% wanted national mutirehabilitation center as a educational managing organization. Sixth, The most important requirement for accomplishing CBR by Physical Therapists was job security and adequate number of therapists(48.0%). Required number of physical therapists in the PHC was 3(52.0%). The cooperative agency should be the distict govement(32.0%) and community welfare center of the disabled persons(32.0%). Factors inhibiting the execution of CBR were lack of physical therapists(56.0%), and equipments for pain control and for therapeutic exercises(68.0%).