• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.7-20
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• 2023

Creating a complex balance between dietary composition, circadian rhythm, and the hemostasis control of energy is important for managing diseases. Therefore, we aimed to determine the interaction between cryptochrome circadian clocks 1 polymorphism and energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in women with central obesity. This cross-sectional study recruited 220 Iranian women aged 18-45 with central obesity. The 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intakes, and the E-DII score was calculated. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were determined. By polymerase chain response-restricted length polymorphism method, cryptochrome circadian clocks 1 polymorphism was assigned. Participants were categorized into three groups based on the E-DII score, then categorized according to cryptochrome circadian clocks 1 genotypes. The mean and standard deviation of age, BMI, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were 35.61 ± 9.57 years, 30.97 ± 4.16 kg/m², and 4.82 ± 5.16 mg/dL, respectively. The interaction of the CG genotype and E-DII score had a significant association with higher hs-CRP level compared to GG genotype as the reference group (β, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.11-2.27; p value, 0.03). There was a marginally significant association between the interaction of the CC genotype and the E-DII score with higher hs-CRP level compared to the GG genotype as the reference group (β, 0.85; 95% CI, -0.15 to 1.86; p value, 0.05). There is probably positive interaction between CG, CC genotypes of cryptochrome circadian clocks 1, and E-DII score on the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level in women with central obesity.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2022

Elsholtzia byeonsanensis is a Korean native plant of the Lamiaceae family, and was first introduced in the Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy. This plant has a short plant length of 20-35 cm, with leathery and glossy leaves. The purple flowers bloom in November, so they are highly useful as potted or ground cover ornamental plants. In this study, tray cell size (128, 162, and 200-cell trays), soil composition [horticultural soil (HS): decomposed granite (DG) 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 (v:v)], seeding rate (1, 2, and 3 seeds per cell) and additional fertilizer concentrations (0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/L Hyponex) were tested to find out the optimum seedling growth conditions. As a result of the study, E. byeonsanensis growth increased proportionally as the cell size of the tray increased. The growth was inhibited as the percentage of DG increased. As for the growth according to the seeding rate, plant height, plant width, leaf length, and leaf width decreased as the seeding rate increased, but there was no difference in the number of leaves, stem diameter, and root length. There was an increasing trend in seedling growth as the additional fertilizer concentration increased. Therefore, for producing E. byeonsanensis seedling, it is most effective to fill HS or HS:DG 1:1 in 128-cell trays, sow one seed per cell, and spray the seedling at 1000 mg/L for additional fertilizer.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the collagen metabolism and tyrosinase activity of Angelicae Gigantis Radix extracts (AGR). Methods : The effect of AGR on type I procollagen production and collagenase activity in human normal fibroblasts HS68 after UVB (312 nm) irradiation was measured by ELISA method. The tyrosinase activity after treatment of AGR was measured. Results : Type I procollagen production was recovered by AGR in UVB damaged HS68 cells. The increased collagenase activity after UVB damage was significantly recovered by AGR and the tyrosinase activity was significantly reduced. However, the L-DOPA oxidation was not changed. Conclusion : AGR showed the anti-wrinkle effects and whitening effects in vitro. These results suggest that AGR may have potential as an anti-aging ingredient in cosmetic herbs.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the collagen metabolism and tyrosinase activity of Sipgeondaebo-tang Pharmacopuncture extracts (SP). Methods : The effect of SP on type I procollagen production and collagenase activity in human normal fibroblasts HS68 after UVB (312 nm) irradiation was measured by ELISA method. The tyrosinase activity after treatment of SP was measured as well. Results : Type I procollagen production was recovered by SP in UVB damaged HS68 cells. The increased collagenase activity after UVB damage was significantly recovered by SP. The tyrosinase activity was significantly reduced as well. However, the L-DOPA oxidation was not changed. Conclusion : SP showed the anti-wrinkle effects and whitening effects in vitro. These results suggest that SP may be a potential pharmacopuncture as an anti-aging pharmacopuncture treatments.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.997-1006
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are closely related and considered as allergic respiratory diseases (ARD), and their prevalence has recently increased. Data on the association of dietary antioxidant vitamin intake with asthma and AR in adults are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the associations of vitamin A and C intake with asthma, AR, and all cases of both diseases in young adults who participated in a cross-sectional national survey, with the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level as an effect modifier. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 6,293 male and female adults aged 20-49 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted between 2016 and 2018. The questionnaire-based reports on asthma and AR diagnosis were used to determine outcome variables. Further, 24-h recall data on dietary vitamin A and C, carotene, and retinol intake were acquired. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Dietary vitamin C intake was inversely associated with asthma prevalence among participants with hs-CRP levels (≥ 1 mg/L); the OR of asthma prevalence was 0.27 (95% CI, 0.08-0.84) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Similar association analyses limiting to non-users of dietary supplements were performed to rule out the potential effects of supplement intake on the outcomes; results showed a stronger association. However, the association between vitamin C and asthma was not significant in participants with hs-CRP levels < 1 mg/L; the OR of asthma was 1.44 (95% CI, 0.66-3.16) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Vitamin C intake was not associated with AR. Moreover, there was no association between vitamin A intake and neither asthma nor AR. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that higher vitamin C intake may play a potential role in reducing asthma prevalence. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted to evaluate whether this association is causal.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2015

Wound healing is a complex process that includes inflammation, granulation tissue formation, re-epithelialization, and remodeling. We reported previously that BuOH fraction from Hydnocarpi Semen (HS) crude extract exhibited wound healing activity in animal ulcer models. In this study, we investigated whether BuOH fraction activates keratinocyte and fibroblast via wound closure test and migration assay. In the scratch test, BuOH fraction accelerated the closure of a monolayer wound scratch at $100{\mu}g/mL$. After treatment with BuOH fraction for 18 h, keratinocytes showed a increase in migration at $25{\mu}g/mL$, whereas the migration of fibroblast increased significantly at $100{\mu}g/mL$ of BuOH fraction compared to control. The mechanism that the BuOH fraction of HS helps to promote healing by inflammation is possibly associated with the migration of keratinocyte and fibroblast.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2018

Objectives: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with the destruction of periodontal ligament, alveolar bone loss and inflammation of gingva, leading to teeth loss. Eclipta prostrata L. (Ecliptae Herba) has been used to treat the inflammatory disease as a Korean traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of E. prostrata L. on periodontitis. Methods: E. prostrata L. was extracted with water and lyophilized. The aqueous extract of E. prostrata L. (EP) was topically applied to the periodontal lesion for 2 weeks. To induce the periodontitis, a 3-0 nylon ligature was placed around the cervix of the lower first molar in rat. Rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 7); NL group (non-ligatured and non-treated), L group (ligatured and vehicle-treated) and EP group (ligatured and EP-treated). After sacrifice, the mandibles was dissected and stained with methylene blue solution to analyze the alveolar bone loss. The expression of MMP-9 was determined in gingival tissues. To confirm the effect of EP on recovery of gingiva, mRNA expressions of type I pro-collagen and MMP-9 levels were investigated in LPS-treated HS68 fibroblast cells. In addition, inflammatory mediators were evaluated in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Results: Alveolar bone loss was significantly inhibited by EP treatment. The mRNA expression of MMP-9 was attenuated in rats treated with EP. In addition, treatment with EP increased the expression of type I pro-collagen, while the expression of MMP-9 was decreased in LPS-stimulated HS68 fibroblast cells. Furthermore, EP down-regulated the LPS-induced IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, COX-2 and iNOS production in RAW264.7 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that EP have ameliorative effects on periodontitis through inhibiting alveolar bone loss and modulating the inflammatory mediators. Therefore, E. prostrata L. may be an alternative on patients with periodontitis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 2005

The characteristics of cell growth and medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (MCL-PHA) biosynthesis of Pseudomonas chlororaphis HS21 were investigated using plant oils as the carbon substrate. The organism was efficiently capable of utilizing plant oils, such as palm oil, corn oil, and sunflower oil, as the sole carbon source for growth and MCL-PHA production. When palm oil (5 g/L) was used as the carbon source, the cell growth and MCL-PHA accumulation of this organism occurred simultaneously, and a high dry cell weight (2.4 g/L) and MCL-PHA ($40.2\;mol{\%}$ of dry cell weight) was achieved after 30 hr of batch-fermentation. The repeating unit in the MCL-PHA produced from palm oil composed of 3-hydroxyhexanoate ($7.0\;mol{\%}$), 3-hydroxyoctanoate ($45.3\;mol{\%}$), 3-hydroxydecanoate ($39.0\;mol{\%}$), 3-hydroxydodecanoate ($6.8\;mol{\%}$), and 3-hydroxytetradecanoate ($1.9\;mol{\%}$), as determined by GC/MS. Even though glucose was a carbon substrate that support cell growth but not PHA production, the conversion rate of palm oil to PHA was significantly increased when glucose was fed as a cosubstrate, suggesting that bioconversion of some functionalized carbon substrates to related polymers in P chlororaphis HS21 could be enhanced by the co-feed of good carbon substrates for cell growth. In addition, the change of compositions of repeating units in MCL-PHAs synthesized from the plant oils was markedly affected by the supplementation of acrylic acid, an inhibitor of fatty acid ${\beta}-oxidation$. The addition of acrylic acid resulted in the increase of longer chain-length repeating units, such as 3-hydroxydodecanoate and 3-hydroxytetradecanoate, in the MCL-PHAs produced. Particularly, MCI-PHAs containing high amounts of unsaturated repeating units could be produced when sunflower oil and corn oil were used as the carbon substrate. These results suggested that the alteration of PHA synthesis pathway by acrylic acid addition can offer the opportunity to design new functional MCL-PHAs and other unusual polyesters that have unique physico-chemical properties.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.188-192
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• 1998

We established the model of clonogenic assay with human tumor cell line such as Calu-3 (lung carcinoma), HEC- lB (endometrial adenocarcinoma) , HEp-2 (larnyx carcinoma), Hs-5787 (breast carcinoma), K-562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia), SF-188 (brain carcinoma), SNU-1 (stomach carcinoma) and WiDr (colon carcinoma) . We investigated growth inhibition of solvent (EtOH, MeOH) and water (100$^{\circ}C$, 121$^{\circ}C$) extracts from Korean red ginseng by clonogenic assay. The results of clonogenic assay showed that EtOH extract had growth inhibition against Calu-3, SF-188 and SNU-1, MeOH extract had growth inhibition against Calu-3, Hs-5787, K-562, and WiDr, but water extract at 100$^{\circ}C$ and water extract at 121$^{\circ}C$ had not growth inhibition against used cell lines.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.4 s.48
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• pp.499-502
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• 2004

DPPH radical-generating system was used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the Rosaceae. The inhibitory effects of ethanolic extracts from Rosaceae plants were investigated on melanin biosynthesis which is closely related to hyperpigmentation. Of the Rosaceae extracts, Prunus sargentii, Rubus coreanus, Chaenomeles sinensis, Photinia glabra and Pyrus pyrifolia showed a potent inhibition of tyrosinase, the enzyme which converts 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) alanine (dopa) to dopachrome in the melanin biosynthetic process. Furthermore, MMT assay was used to check the cytotoxicity of extracts on the human foreskin fibroblast cell line, Hs68. Among the Rosaceae, bark of Prunus sargentii, bark wood of Photinia glabra and all parts or Chaenomeles sinensis showed more than $50\%$ inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity at 100 ug/mL and more than $80\%$ of strong DPPH radical-scavenging activity at 10 ug/mL. In audition to, they had no cytotoxic activity on Hs68. These results suggest that these extracts might be except a controler in pigmentation.