• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.363-371
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• 2020

This study was designed to evaluate the improvement in exercise endurance by Hovenia dulcis fruit hot water extract (HDWE) for the potential application as a functional food material. The effect was based on the evaluation of the forced-swimming capacity and changes in biochemical parameters in mice. Six-week-old mice were classified into four groups based on a randomized block design: the negative control group, the HDWE 50 mg/kg body weight group, the HDWE 200 mg/kg body weight group, and the 1-octacosanol 50 mg/kg body weight group (n=8 mice per group). The swimming exercise time in the HDWE-50 group was increased at 545±43 sec compared to the control group at 263±28 sec. The HDWE-200 fatigue indicators, lactate acid and ammonia content, decreased to 4.99±0.33 mg/mL and 0.63±0.05 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, the content of glycogen in the liver and muscle tended to increase in the group administered HDWE but was not significant. Likewise, the LDH and glucose contents were increased compared to the control group. The muscle damage indicators ALT (52.7±2.6 U/L) and AST (42.5±5.2 U/L) tended to decrease compared to the control group (76.4±10.2 U/L).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.9-14
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• 2011

Objective : Present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Gyungohkgo-gamibang extract on hair growth and protein expression in an alopecia model of C57BL/6 mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 3 experimental groups including normal (vehicle), Gyungohkgo-gamibang extract (YNS-10) and 5% minoxidil-treated group. The test materials were daily applied with 0.1 ml per mouse on shaved dorsal skin for 3 weeks. The hair growth was monitored by photograph at 5, 10, 15, 21 days after topical application. Then the changes of hair density and hair thickness in the hair-removed area were evaluated by phototrichogram using folliscope. Also the expression level of growth factors related to hair growth was measured by western blotting. Results : Application of minoxidil or YNS-10 stimulated the hair growth compared to vehicle treatment. Therefore hair density of minoxidil or YNS-10 application was increased about 200% and 210% more than in vehicle application on 14 day, respectively. And hair thickness of both minoxidil group and YNS-10 group was increased about 220% and 210 % more than in vehicle spreading on 14 day, respectively. Futhermore the protein expression of IGF-1 and VEGF were significantly up-regulated on 7 day in YNS-10 and minoxidil-spreaded group compared to vehicle-applied group. Conclusion : These data suggest that YNS-10 has potent stimulating activity on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and potential usefulness as ingredients of hair tonic and hairrestore.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.485-516
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• 2011

Republic of Korea is small nation that is comprised of 0.7% of the world population and occupying just 0.07% of the world territory. Despite this, Republic of Korea once again proved herself to be as the world's major economic powerhouse by becoming the world's 7th largest exporter in 2010. However, the reality is that Republic of Korea is still significantly concerned about the volatile economic nature and anxiety that is spread across the globe since the global depression that began at the end of 2008 and the financial crisis that has been threatening the Euro-Zone recently. This has resulted in the nation reaching the limitation in significant economic growth and limited creation of jobs within the nation and due to such circumstances, the nation is becoming more aware of the fact that she needs to pay more attention on the service sector and service exports if she was to see a more positive economic outlook in the upcoming future. This research is aimed to analyse the cost that is associated with the service export sector, by examining a number of enterprises in relation to the MICE(Meeting Incentives Convention Exhibition) industry which certainly has both direct and indirect influences on the service exports of the nation Further, the prime goal of the research is to encourage the SMEs of Korea, who have substandard experience associated to foreign exports, to intensify and increase service exports and also the goal extends to the degree to suggest appropriate assistance measures to aid these enterprises to achieve such goals. This research is fundamentally designed and based on the literature research associated with the MICE industry and also, this research is premeditated through the analysis of the case of exports to Vietnam. As the result of research, it has been found out that SMEs in the MICE industry and those of in service export sector are reluctant or even feel insecure to attempt any kind of export of their services mainly due to; the lack of foreign market information and also the lack of experience associated with service exports. Furthermore, it has also been revealed that the difficulty to estimate the validity and profitability of service the export is a significant factor withholding those enterprises from attempting any service export to the foreign markets. Henceforth, in order to aid and stimulate service export to the foreign markets by these SMEs (including those in association with the MICE industry), it is imperative to prepare an one-stop service export assistance program which would provide the information associated with marketing, law and legislation, taxation system and financial area in regard to the global markets.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2004

To validate and to estimate the chemical hazard playa very important role to environment and human health. The detection of many synthetic chemicals used in industry that may pose a genetic hazard in our environment is of great concern at present. Since these substances are not limited to the original products, and enter the environment, they have become widespread environmental pollutants, thus leading to a variety of chemicals that possibly threaten the public health. In this resepct, the clastogenicity of 17 synthetic chemicals was evaluated with bone marrow micronucleus assay in mice. The positive control, mitomycin C (2 mg/kg, i.p.) revealed significant induction ratio of percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes/1,000 polychromatic erythrocytes compared to solvent controls. The chemicals with relatively high $LD_{50}$ value such as allyl alcohol (CAS No. 107-18-6), 2,4-pentanedione (CAS No. 123-54-6) and 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol (CAS No. 88-04-0) revealed no significant induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in mice. From this results, 17 synthetic chemicals widely used in industry have revealed no significant micronucleus induction of clastogenicity in mice in this experiment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2022

This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of 80% ethanol extracts of Stachys affinis (MQ) on 1-fluoro-2,4-Dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in Balb/c mice. AD-like allergic contact dermatitis was induced by challenge of DNFB on the ear after DNFB sensitization on the back sides of mice. MQ alleivated clinical severity in AD-like skin lesions. In addition, ear thickness of epidermis and penetration of inflammatory cells in AD-like skin lesions were decreased by topical application of MQ. The the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were measured in AD mice using ELISA kits. Levels of TNF-α and IL-4 in serum were significantly decreased by topical application of MQ. Therefore, this study could give a clinical basis that MQ could be a agent to prevent AD.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.641-659
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The skin is the outermost organ of the human body and plays a protective role against external environmental damages, such as sunlight and pollution, which affect anti-oxidant defenses and skin inflammation, resulting in erythema or skin reddening, immunosuppression, and epidermal DNA damage. MATERIALS/METHODS: The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of red orange complex H extract (ROC) against ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin photoaging in Skh:HR-2 mice. ROC was orally administered at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks, along with UV irradiation of the mice for 10 weeks. RESULTS: ROC improved UV-induced skin barrier parameters, including erythema, melanin production, transepidermal water loss, elasticity, and wrinkle formation. Notably, ROC inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α) and melanogenesis. In addition, ROC recovered the UV-induced decrease in the hyaluronic acid and collagen levels by enhancing genes expression. Furthermore, ROC significantly downregulated the protein and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases responsible for collagen degradation. These protective effects of ROC against photoaging are associated with the suppression of UV-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and activator protein 1 activation. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our findings suggest that the oral administration of ROC exerts potential protective activities against photoaging in UV-irradiated hairless mice.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2015

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease, which is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Pulsatilla koreana (P. koreana) is a perennial plant that grows around Korea and it has various pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity. However, the regulatory effects of P. koreana in intestinal inflammation are not yet understood. This study attempted to determine the effect of P. koreana in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The colitis mice were induced by drinking water containing 5% DSS for 7 days. The results showed that mice treated with DSS showed remarkable clinical signs, including weight loss, and reduced colon length. Administration of P. koreana attenuated DSS-induced the weight loss, colon shortening and Disease activity index in mice. Additionally, P. koreana inhibited the cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$ levels in DSS-treated colon tissues. These results provide experimental evidence that P. koreana might be a useful therapeutic medicine for patients with UC.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2011

To evaluate the ability of Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra var. henenis Strapf) leaf extract (BL) to protect the skin from photodamage, the gross and microscopic changes in the skin of hairless mice and BL-treated mice exposed chronically to ultraviolet (UV) were examined. The skin of the UV-irradiated mice showed characteristic signs of photoaging, such as deep wrinkles across the back, increased epidermal thickeness, numerous cell infiltration, and many enlarged keratinizing cysts. BL-treated mice showed a significantly decreased wrinkling score and lack of proliferation of cysts. By the 22nd week, 88.9% (i.p. with saline) or 60.0% (topical administration with cream base) of the UV-irradiated mice developed at least one tumor. BL delayed tumor onset significantly. BL (i.p.) was also effective in reducing the occurrence of UV radiation-induced skin tumors and reduced the number of tumors per mouse. After 22 weeks of treatment, 37.5% (i.p.) of the mice treated with BL were tumor-free. Tumor multiplicity was reduced by 81.2% (i.p.) in the BL treated groups. It is noted that skin that is chronically exposed to UV is subject to photoaging and photocarcinogenesis and regular use of BL would prevent these photodamaging effects of UV.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2019

Leaves of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai are used in folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and diuretic properties. To ensure efficient utilization of S. quelpaertensis leaf, we previously reported a preparation method for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) using the leaf residue, which was produced after hot water extraction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the hypouricemic potential of S. quelpaertensis leaf PRE in potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemic mice. The administration of PRE significantly reduced serum uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine levels and increased urine UA and creatinine levels in the PO-induced hyperuricemic mice. It also reduced liver UA levels and xanthine oxidase (XA) activity. A histological analysis revealed that PRE administration protected against PO-induced liver damage, pointing to anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects in PO-induced hyperuricemic mice. We analyzed the transcriptome response to PRE administration in PO-induced hyperuricemic mice using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) in kidney tissues. The administration of PRE mainly enriched genes involved in mediating immune and inflammatory responses and the metabolic pathway. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the metabolic pathway, purine metabolism, and antibody biosynthesis were the major pathways altered in the PRE and PO groups. These results suggest a potential role for PRE in the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia with inflammation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4435-4440
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• 2013

Aloe vera gel supercritical $CO_2$ extract (AVGE) has been shown to contain five phytosterols, reduce visceral fat accumulation, and influence the metabolism of glucose and lipids in animal model experiments. Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that obesity is an established risk factor for several cancers including colorectal cancer. Therefore, we examined the effects of AVGE on intestinal polyp formation in Apc-deficient Min mice fed a high-fat diet. Male Min mice were divided into normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD), low dose AVGE (HFD+LAVGE) and high dose AVGE (HFD+HAVGE) groups. The ND group received AIN-93G diet and the latter 3 groups were given modified high-fat AIN-93G diet (HFD) for 7 weeks. AVGE was suspended in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and administered orally to mice in HFD+LAVGE and HFD+HAVGE groups every day (except on Sunday) for 7 weeks at a dose of 3.75 and 12.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively. ND and HFD groups received 0.5% CMC alone. Between weeks 4 and 7, body weights in the HFD and HFD+LAVGE groups were reduced more than those in the ND group. However, body weights were not reduced in the HFD+HAVGE group. Mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and their intestines were scored for polyps. No significant differences were observed in either the incidence and multiplicity of intestinal polyps (${\geq}0.5$ mm in a diameter) among the three groups fed HFD. However, when intestinal polyps were categorized by their size into 0.5-1.4, 1.5-2.4, or ${\geq}2.5$ mm, the incidence and multiplicity of large polyps (${\geq}2.5$ mm) in the intestine in the HFD+HAVGE group were significantly lower than those in the HFD group. We measured plasma lipid (triglycerides and total cholesterol) and adipocytokine [interleukin-6 and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin] levels as possible indicators of mechanisms of inhibition. The results showed that HMW adiponectin levels in the HFD group were significantly lower than those in the ND group. However, the levels in the HFD+HAVGE group were significantly higher than those in the HFD group. These results indicate that HAVGE reduced large-sized intestinal polyps and ameliorated reduction in plasma HMW adiponectin levels in Min mice fed HFD.