• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1048-1060
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• 2008

Cirsii Japonici Herba(CJ) is a wild perennial herb found in many areas of Korea as well as China and Japan, which has been used to treat bleeding and inflammation. Silibinin is the main flavonoid extracted from milk thistle (Cirsii Japonici Herba). It exhibits potent antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, the effect of CJ and silibinin extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation was investigated using MTS assay, RT-PCR, western blot, and nitric oxide detection on mouse BV2 microglial cell lines. In the present results, CJ and silibinin extract suppressed nitric oxide production by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated enhancement of COX-2 and iNOS gene expression in BV2 cells. Moreover, CJ and silibinin also repressed some lipopolysaccharide-induced signaling molecules. Importantly, catalase-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression needed activations of $NF-{\kappa}B$, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK, which were important for the transcriptional up-regulation of COX-2 and iNOS. CJ and silibinin interaction on BV2 cells down-regulated $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent proinflammatory cytokine (IL-2,IL-6) expression. They are involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses. These data shows that CJ and silibinin exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, probably by suppression of COX-2 and iNOS synthase expression in BV2 microglial cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 1997.06a
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• pp.5-21
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• 1997

Unique virus-like particles were associated with five eriophyid mite-borne plant diseases of unknown etiology; fig mosaic, redbud yellow ringspot, rose orsette, thistle mosaic, and high plains disease of corn and wheat. Quasi-spherical, double membrane-bound particles (DMPs), 120 - 200 nm in diameter, were observed in the cytoplasm of all cell types in symptomatic leaves of infected plants. No DMPs were observed in symptomless plants. The DMPs in symptomatic thistles were associated with two types of inclusions, electron-dense amorphous material and tubular aggregates. Similar amorphous inclusions were also found in corn and wheat with high plains disease, while tubular inclusions were observed in figs with mosaic symptoms. The particles and inclusions were similar in some aspects to immature particles associated with viroplasms of animal and insect poxviruses and also to the double-enveloped particles of tomato spotted wilt virus associated with viroplasms during early stages of infection, but were unique and unlike any known plant viruses. The DMPs and associated viroplasm-like inclusions in the high plains disease were specifically immunogold labeled in situ with the disease-specific antiserum. Thread-like structures, similar to tenuivirus particles, present in the partially purified virus preparations were also immunogold labeled with the antiserum. It is suggested that the thread-like structures are derived from the DMP. In many cells of symptomatic corn and wheat samples, DMPs occurred together with flexuous rod-shaped particles and cylindrical inclusions of wheat streak mosaic potyvirus (WSMV), suggesting that the disease is caused by a mixed infection of WSMV and the agent represented by the DMPs. Based on cytopathology, symptomatology and mite and/or graft-transmissibility, the five diseases described in this paper are potentially caused by virus(es) and the DMPs associated with these diseases may represent virus particles. If the DMPs are indeed viral in nature, they would comprise a new group of plant viruses.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.117-124
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• 2017

The present study aimed to show that pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$, and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$] synergistically induce the production of nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse mesangial cells, which play an important role in inflammatory glomerular injury. We also found that co-treatment with cytokines at low doses (TNF-${\alpha}$; 5 ng/ml, IFN-${\gamma}$; 5 ng/ml, and IL-$1{\beta}$; 1.25 U/ml) synergistically induced NO production, whereas treatment with each cytokine alone did not increase NO production at doses up to 100 ng/ml or 50 U/ml. Silymarin, a polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), attenuates cytokine mixture (TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$)-induced NO production. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that silymarin inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in a dose-dependent manner. Silymarin also inhibited extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. Collectively, we have demonstrated that silymarin inhibits NO production in mouse mesangial cells, and may act as a useful anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 2012

Objectives: Animal husbandry workers could be exposed to various work hazards including toxic gases, chemicals such as pesticides or organic dust. Immunological evaluation focusing on respiratory allergic hypersensitivity occurrence was under-taken for swine farm workers as a part of the study on immunologic status of dairy barn, swine confinement, and poultry farm workers. Materials and Methods: Peripheral bloods were collected from 25 workers at the year of 2001 and 12 workers at the year of 2012 from swine farms located at Gyeonggi province, Korea. Seven adults not involved with animal husbandry were recruited at the year of 2001 from the same residential area as the swine farm workers'. Level of plasma IgE and 20 respiratory allergen-specific IgE were evaluated using commercially available ELISA kit. Results: Plasma IgE level was approximately five-fold higher in the swine farm workers regardless of the sampling year than the control subjects. Plant allergens from outdoor environments such as golden rod, pigweed, Russian thistle, or ragweed were the major allergens with positive reaction(allergen specific IgE${\geq}$0.7 IU/mL) for the swine farm workers at 2001 year. Meanwhile, house dust mite(Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus) and cockroach, typical indoor allergens in Korea, were the major respiratory allergens for the swine farm workers at 2012 year. Conclusions: Overall, even though our results are primitive, the results suggest that immunological function of swine farm workers could be modulated toward type-2 reactivity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2009

Silibinin is a polyphenolic flavonoid compound isolated from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), with known hepatoprotective, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant effects. Herein, we show that silibinin inhibits receptor activator of $NF-{\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis from RAW264.7 cells as well as from bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage cells in a dose-dependent manner. Silibinin has no effect on the expression of RANKL or the soluble RANKL decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) in osteoblasts. However, we demonstrate that silibinin can block the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in osteoclast precursors in response to RANKL. Furthermore, silibinin attenuates the induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c1 and osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR) expression during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. We demonstrate that silibinin can inhibit $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced osteoclastogenesis as well as the expression of NFATc1 and OSCAR. Taken together, our results indicate that silibinin has the potential to inhibit osteoclast formation by attenuating the downstream signaling cascades associated with RANKL and $TNF-{\alpha}$.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.271-280
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• 2001

We report on the applicability oj a method recently developed in our laboratory for measuring the antioxidant potential of isolated chemicals and extracts derived from natural products. Peroxyl radicals generated by thermal homolysis of 2,2'-azobis-amidinopropane (ABAP) oxidize $\alpha$-keto-${\gamma}$-methiolbutyric acid (KMBA) to ethylene, which is monitored by gas chromatography. Inhibition of ethylene formation in the presence of antioxidants that compete with KMBA for peroxyl radicals is the basis of the Total Oxyradical Scavenging Capacity Assay (TOSCA; Winston et al., 1998). Antioxidative activities of water-soluble extracts of American green tea, the anti-hepatotoxic flavonolignan from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) silybin, Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761, and a series of naturally occuring sesquiterpene lactones (all ger-macranolides found in in fungi, liverworts, and plants) were studied. The specific TOSC value per $\mu$M silybin was 5.2, which is essentially comparable to that of Trolo $x^{ⓡ}$, a water-soluble vitamine E analog. Tea and Ginkgo extracts exhibited potent peroxyl radical scavenging capacity with values, respectively of =1700 and 1000 $\mu$mols Trolo $x^{ⓡ}$ equivalent per gram dry matter. The known anti-inflammatory activity of some germacranolides prompted study of their antioxidant capacity. None of the lactones exhibited antioxidant capacity toward peroxyl radicals comparable to Trolo $x^{ⓡ}$; costunilide, the most lipophilic, had a TOSC value = to glutathione. The potential role of peroxyl radicals in lipidperoxidation, other cellular damage, and var-ious disease states suggest a possible preventive role for silybin, green tea and Ginkgo biloba in oxidative stress caused by these free radical species.ecies.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2001

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a thistle-like annual plant mainly grown in dry hot climates as an oilseed or birdseed. Traditionally, the oil has mainly been sold in the health food market because it is unsaturated having high linoleic and oleic acid levels. With increased health consciousness in recent years, the oil quality has become a more general health issue. This study was designed to understand whether safflower seed powder has positive effects on the fracture healing in rats. Simple transverse fracture of rat fibula was made with a rotating diamond disc saw. The histologic changes of rats were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The fractured fibulae showed a complete fusion at the fracture site in the 4th to 5th week after a simple transverse fracture. Administration of safflower seed powder facilitated the speed of histologic changes without affecting qualitative changes. These results suggest that safflower seed powder nay have substances that help the fracture healing process.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.337-344
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• 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major type of hepatoma, is associated with high recurrence and mortality because of its uncontrolled metastatic feature. Silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid from Silybum marianun (milk thistle) and exhibits anti-carcinogenic activity through modulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in several cancer cells. In this study, the inhibitory mechanism of silymarin against migration and invasion was investigated in the Huh7 HCC cell line. Wound healing and in vitro invasion assays were conducted to examine the effects of silymarin on migration and invasion. Western blot analysis was also applied to evaluate the inhibitory effects of silymarin on the EMT-related genes and their upstream signaling molecules. Silymarin inhibited the migratory and invasive activities of Huh7 cells. In addition, silymarin attenuated the protein expression levels of vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 as well as their transcription factors, Snail, and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, while the expression of E-cadherin was increased by the silymarin treatment. Among the upstream signaling molecules, the phosphorylation of Akt was inhibited by the silymarin treatment, which was confirmed by the selective inhibitor, LY294002. Consequently, silymarin inhibited the invasive and migratory activities in Huh7 cells through the modulation of EMT-related gene expression by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which may have potential as a chemopreventive agent against HCC metastasis.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.435-440
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• 2014

The number of Bemisia tabaci adults attracted to horseweed, thistle, red bean, cucumber, and tomato plants, as measured by the number stuck to yellow sticky traps, was investigated in a polyvinyl greenhouse for growing tomatoes using organic methods. The number was highest on cucumber plants in the early days of B. tabaci infestation, but was highest on horseweed overall. Of the eight species of beans tested, B. tabaci adults were most attracted to Ultari-Gangnang; however, beans were not effective trap plants for B. tabaci. Measurement of olfactory behavioral response using a four-choice olfactometer showed that B. tabaci adults preferred horseweed to cucumber, eggplant, or tomato. The developmental period of B. tabaci eggs and larvae was shorter at high temperature. At $30^{\circ}C$, the developmental period of eggs and larvae on horseweed were reduced approximately 0.5 and 1 day, respectively, compared to those on cucumber or tomato.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.285-294
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• 1994

Dried top and root extracts of seven different weed species, fresh top and root extracts, and various concentrations of extract (0, 5, 10 and 15%, W/V) and residue rate (0.0, 0.25. 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0%) of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) were used to study their allelopathic effects on alfalfa in the laboratory and greenhouse. Top and root aqueous extracts of common lambsquarter (Chenopodium album L.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberii Herrm), redroot pig-weed (Amaranthus retroflexus L), velvetleaf, large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L), canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L.) and prostrate knotweed (Polygonium aviculare L.) significantly inhibited germination, seedling length, weight, and vigor in alfalfa. Top growth extracts of weeds exhibited greater allelopathic effects than root extracts. Alfalfa test species, WL-320, responded significantly different to the various weed species extracts in terms of allelopathic effect. The regression slopes of various top extracts showed significant variation with respect to germination percentage. Velvetleaf (b=3.69) extracts were the most inhibitory, while large crabgrass (b=2.39) extracts had the least allelopathic effect on alfalfa. When compared the activity of fresh velvetleaf extract to that of dry velvetleaf extract, dry extract was more inhibitory to alfalfa germination and seedling growth. Germination, seedling length and weight of alfalfa were inversely proportional to the concentration of dried velvetleaf extracts. Seedling emergence and survival percentage was inhibited by velvetleaf residue mixture treatment. Also, more of the toxic effects were observed from the dried top extracts, as compared to extracts from fresh top and root. These results demonstrate the allelopathic activity of different weed species extracts and suggest that weeds may affect crop growth and development due to the inhibitory effects of allelochemicals present in weed tissue.