• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.477-481
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• 2012

The rhizomes of Acorus gramineus have frequently been used in traditional medicine mainly for sedation as well as enhancing brain function. In this study, the anti-allergic activity of A. gramineus was investigated. The 70% ethanol extract of the rhizomes of A. gramineus was found to inhibit the allergic response against 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX)-catalyzed leukotriene (LT) production from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-1 cells and ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells with $IC_{50}$'s of 48.9 and > $200{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Among the 9 major constituents isolated, ${\beta}$-asarone, (2R,3R,4S,5S)-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-bis (2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran (AF) and 2,3-dihydro-4,5,7-trimethoxy-1-ethyl-2-methyl-3-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)indene (AI) strongly inhibited 5-LOX-catalyzed LT production in A23187-treated RBL-1 cells, AI being the most potent ($IC_{50}=6.7{\mu}M$). Against ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release by antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells, only AI exhibited strong inhibition ($IC_{50}=7.3{\mu}M$) while ${\beta}$-asarone and AF showed 26.0% and 39.9% inhibition at $50{\mu}M$, respectively. In addition, the ethanol extract of A. gramineus showed significant inhibitory action against the hapten-induced delayed hypersensitivity reaction in mice by oral administration at 200 mg/kg. Therefore, it is suggested that A. gramineus possesses anti-allergic activity and the constituents including ${\beta}$-asarone and AI certainly contribute to the anti-allergic activity of the rhizomes of A. gramineus.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.258-261
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• 2003

The optimal design and combustion analysis of the gas generator for Liquid Rocket Engine (LRE) were performed. A fuel-rich gas generator in open cycle turbopump system was designed for 101on1 in thrust with RP-1/LOx combination. The optimal design was done for maximizing specific impulse of main combustion chamber with constraints of combustion temperature and power matching in turbopump system. Results of optimal design show the dimension of length, diameter, and contraction ratio of gas generator. The configuration of the gas generator and the condition for performance which can maximize the objective function were determined and found to meet the design constraints. Also, the combustion analysis was conducted to evaluate the performance of designed chamber and injector of gas generator. And the effect of the turbulence ring was investigated on the mixing enhancement in the chamber.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Tanghwajitongsan(THJTS) through inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK. Methods : We evaluated cell survival rate by MTT assay, NO production by nitrite content in the culture medium. We quantified TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE₂ of the cultured supernatant by ELISA. And we evaluated the effect of THJTS on protein expression of NF-κB, MAPK, iNOS and COX-2 by Western blot analysis. THJTS ameliorates LPS-activated alterations in protein expression of NF-κB, p-38, iNOS and COX-2 and production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂. Also, THJTS ameliorates LOX, PGN and FLA-activated alterations in protein expression of NO, iNOS. THJTS ameliorates only PGN-activated alterations in protein expression of COX-2. Results : THJTS ameliorates LPS-activated alterations in protein expression of NF-κB, p-38, iNOS and COX-2 and production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂. Also, THJTS ameliorates LOX, PGN and FLA-activated alterations in protein expression of NO, iNOS. THJTS ameliorates only PGN-activated alterations in protein expression of COX-2. Conclusions : This study can provide scientific evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of THJTS.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2010

To establish the anti-inflammatory activity of the total flavonoid fraction of the root barks of Broussonetia papyrifera (EBP) and a new formula, the ethanol extract of the root barks of B. papyrifera was fractionated with ethylacetate, yielding the hydrophobic prenylated flavonoid-enriched fraction. EBP and the ethanol extract of the whole Lonicera japonica (ELJ) plant were then mixed at a ratio of 1:1 (w/w) to give a new preparation (BL) in the hope of obtaining an optimal formula with a higher anti-inflammatory activity. Evaluation of the effects of these preparations on A23187-treated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells revealed that EBP potently inhibited 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), while ELJ showed weak inhibition. Additionally, the mixture (BL) clearly showed stronger inhibitory effects against 5-LOX than either preparation alone. These preparations also inhibited cyclooxygenase-2-catalyzed $PGE_2$ and inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase-catalyzed NO production by lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells. When tested against arachidonic acid-induced mouse ear edema, EBP showed strong inhibitory activity at doses of 5-200 mg/kg when administered orally, but BL had obviously stronger inhibitory effects. When tested against ${\lambda}$-carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice, BL showed a potent and synergistic anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, in the acetic acid-induced writhing test, BL was found to have strong analgesic activity at 50-400 mg/kg. Taken together, these results indicate that each of these preparations exert anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo. In particular, BL showed stronger anti-inflammatory activity than EBP, and these anti-inflammatory effects were partially related to the inhibition of eicosanoid and NO production. BL may be useful for the treatment of human inflammatory disorders.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.450-458
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• 2020

Pepper and tomato plants infected with two Clavibacter species, C. capsici and C. michiganensis have shown different patterns of disease development depending on their virulence. Here, we investigated how pepper and tomato plants respond to infection by the high-virulent or low-virulent Clavibacter strains. For this, we chose two strains of each Clavibacter species to show different virulence level in the host plants. Although low-virulent strains showed less disease symptoms, they grew almost the same level as the high-virulent strains in both plants. To further examine the response of host plants to Clavibacter infection, we analyzed the expression patterns of plant defense-related genes in the leaves inoculated with different strains of C. capsici and C. michiganensis. Pepper plants infected with high-virulent C. capsici strain highly induced the expression of CaPR1, CaDEF, CaPR4b, CaPR10, and CaLOX1 at 5 days after inoculation (dai), but their expression was much less in low-virulent Clavibacter infection. Expression of CaSAR8.2 was induced at 2 dai, regardless of virulence level. Expression of GluA, Pin2, and PR2 in tomato plants infected with high-virulent C. michiganensis were much higher at 5 dai, compared with mock or low-virulent strain. Expression of PR1a, Osmotin-like, Chitinase, and Chitinase class 2 was increased, regardless of virulence level. Expression of LoxA gene was not affected by Clavibacter inoculation. These results suggested that Clavibacter infection promotes induction of certain defense-related genes in host plants and that differential expression of those genes by low-virulent Clavibacter infection might be affected by their endophytic lifestyle in plants.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.360-366
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• 2016

The Propulsion Test Facilities for the development of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II are being built, some test facilities are completed and various combustion tests are running. The Propulsion Test Facilities consists test-stand, which carries out tests for engine development model, and various sub-systems and vessels containing LOX and Jet A-1 as propellant. There are always risks of fire and explosion at the test-stand since engine development model is conducted at test-stand with real combustion test with very high pressure, mixed propellant and high energy. In this paper, in order to establish the consequence analysis and risk reduction measures in the Propulsion Test Facilities, followings are considered. 1) a propellant leak accident scenario is assumed in test-stand. 2) TNT equivalent model equation based on blast wave of the explosion was used to analyze blast overpressure and impacts. Also, technical, systematic and managemental measure is described to ensure risk reduction for propulsion test facility.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.65-71
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• 2003

In this research, we make the thin wall chamber to the measurement of heat flux of using a Kerosene/LOx liquid rocket engine's thrust chamber. The wall thickness is one millimeter. We measured outside wall temperature of thrust chamber by nine thermocouple. We suppose the system to the one-dimension unsteady state, and so the heat flux and heat transfer coefficient of thurst chamber are calculated using one-dimensional the transient energy equation by outside wall temperature. In this case, O/F ratio is 2.0, experimental variation is chamber pressure and we got the heat transfer coefficient of the proportion relation of 0.88 times for the chamber pressure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.118-122
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• 2006

For the development of a gas generator of a liquid rocket engine, the prediction of thermodynamic properties of combustion gas with respect to a propellant mixture ratio becomes critical. The present study focuses on the temperature measurement of exit combustion gas as a function of a mixture ratio through combustion tests of a fuel-rich gas generator propelled by Lox/Jet A-1. The measurement of combustion dynamic and static pressures allowed indirect estimation of thermodynamic properties like specific heat ratio, gas constant, and constant pressure specific heat. Comparing the results with empirical prediction through an interpolation reveals that the interpolation method calibrated using temperature results can be utilized as an effective tool for the design of a fuel-rich gas generator.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2011

An in vitro bioassay-guide revealed that the methanol (MeOH) extract of the whole plant of Patrinia saniculaefolia (Valerianaceae) showed cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) dual inhibitory activity by assessing their effects on the production of prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) and leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Phytochemical study of the MeOH extract of this plant led to the isolation of twelve compounds; ${\beta}$-farnesene (1), squalene (2), nardostachin (3), patridoid I (4), patridoid II (5), patridoid II-A (6), oleanolic acid (7), oleanonic acid (8), 23-hydroxyursolic acid (9), oleanolic acid 3-O-${\alpha}$-L-arabinopyranoside (10), oleanolic acid 3-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (11), oleanolic acid 3-O-[${\beta}$-D-xylopyranosyl-(1${\rightarrow}$3)-${\beta}$-D-(6-O-butyl)glucuronopyranoside] (12). Among the compounds, 4 and 5 strongly inhibited both the COX-2-dependent $PGD_2$ generation with $IC_{50}$ values of 8.7 and 13.6 ${\mu}M$, respectively, and the generation of $LTC_4$ in the 5-LOX dependent phase with $IC_{50}$ values of 41.7 and 46.9 ${\mu}M$, respectively, which suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of P. saniculaefolia might occur in part via the inhibition of both $PGD_2$ and $LTC_4$ generation by 4 and 5.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.42-53
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• 2020

Objective: Recently, microRNA (miRNA) has been identified both as a powerful regulator involved in various biological processes through the regulation of numerous genes and as an effective biomarker for the prediction and diagnosis of various disease states. The objective of this study was to identify and validate miRNAs and their target genes involved in inflammation in placental tissue. Methods: Microarrays were utilized to obtain miRNA and gene expression profiles from placentas with or without inflammation obtained from nine normal pregnant women and 10 preterm labor patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to validate the miRNAs and differentially-expressed genes in the placentas with inflammation. Correlations between miRNA and target gene expression were confirmed by luciferase assays in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Results: We identified and validated miRNAs and their target genes that were differentially expressed in placentas with inflammation. We also demonstrated that several miRNAs (miR-371a-5p, miR-3065-3p, miR-519b-3p, and miR-373-3p) directly targeted their target genes (LEF1, LOX, ITGB4, and CD44). However, some miRNAs and their direct target genes showed no correlation in tissue samples. Interestingly, miR-373-3p and miR-3065-3p were markedly regulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, although the expression of their direct targets CD44 and LOX was not altered by LPS treatment. Conclusion: These results provide candidate miRNAs and their target genes that could be used as placental biomarkers of inflammation. These candidates may be useful for further miRNA-based biomarker development.