• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2021

Clematis trichotoma Nakai (CTN) is a broad-leaved vine plant belonging to the family Ranunculus, native to Korea. Young leaves are used as food, and the stem and roots are used as medicinal materials. Antioxidant studies have been reported on the stems of CTN, but no studies have been conducted on the leaves. In this study, a 70% ethanol extract of CTN was prepared and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated. For measuring the antioxidant activity, five assays (polyphenol and flavonoid content, reducing power, 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity) were performed and CTN showed a concentration-dependent effect in all assays. To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity, we used RAW 264.7 cells. The concentrations (from 31.25 to 250 ㎍/mL) of CTN did not show cytotoxicity. CTN (250 ㎍/mL) inhibited dendritic transformation (34.4%) and also inhibited inflammation as seen by reduced levels of NO (77.4%), IL-6 (85.5%) and TNF-α (41.2%) compared to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CTN (250 ㎍/mL) also suppressed the expression of the following genes: COX-2 (79.8%), iNOS2 (93.9%), IL-6 (87.6%), and TNF-α (77.3%) compared to LPS. These results demonstrated that CTN has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and can therefore be used as a natural biological resource.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.2
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• pp.212-217
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• 2011

A photoautotrophic micropropagation methodology in liquid culture medium has a number of advantages for large-scale propagation of plants. This paper describes an improved system for the mass propagation via somatic embryogenesis of the medicinal plant Kalopanax septemlobus Nakai. Somatic embryo-derived young plantlets of K. septemlobus were cultured either under heterotrophic conditions with sucrose on half-strength MS medium with $30gL^{-1}$ sucrose, under heterotrophic conditions without sucrose, or under photoautotrophic conditions (MS liquid medium without sucrose under forced aeration) for four weeks before transferring the plantlets for acclimatization. Plantlets grown under photoautotrophic conditions had more leaves, higher chlorophyll content, a higher net photosynthetic rate (NPR), and a higher survival rate. The results indicate that the photoautotrophic conditions with a forced ventilation system are effective in enhancing the growth of plantlets and the rate of net photosynthesis. The plantlets grown under photoautotrophic conditions had a high survival rate (92%) upon ex vitro transplantation. Our study shows that autotrophically produced plantlets acclimatize better and sooner upon ex vitro transplantation than conventionally cultured plants.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.344-352
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• 2018

The effects of chemical compositions (protein, lipid, and dietary fiber) on the physical properties of dried biji powders were investigated. The raw biji was freeze-dried (control) and hot-air dried (untreated). The untreated biji was further defatted and deproteinated. The prepared biji powders were analyzed for the proximate composition, total dietary fiber (TDF), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), swelling power, solubility (including the quantification of soluble carbohydrate and protein fractions), and final viscosity (using a rapid visco analyzer). Control and untreated biji powders exhibited the similar chemical compositions. The defatted biji possessed higher TDF, although its protein content did not significantly differ for control and untreated ones. The deproteinated biji consisted mainly of TDF. WAI and swelling power increased in the order: deproteinated > defatted > control > untreated biji powders. WSI and solubility increased in the order: control > untreated > defatted > deproteinated biji powders. The similar patterns were observed for soluble carbohydrate and protein fractions. The deproteinated biji revealed the highest viscosity over applied temperatures, while the untreated one was lowest. Overall results suggested that the physical properties of the dried biji powder were reduced by protein and fat, but enhanced by dietary fiber.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2021

Background: Abnormal chloride (Cl-) transport has a detrimental impact on mucociliary clearance in both cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF chronic rhinosinusitis. Ginseng is a medicinal plant noted to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The present study aims to assess the capability of red ginseng aqueous extract (RGAE) to promote transepithelial Cl- secretion in nasal epithelium. Methods: Primary murine nasal septal epithelial (MNSE) [wild-type (WT) and transgenic CFTR-/-], fisher-rat-thyroid (FRT) cells expressing human WT CFTR, and TMEM16A-expressing human embryonic kidney cultures were utilized for the present experiments. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and airway surface liquid (ASL) depth measurements were performed using micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT). Mechanisms underlying transepithelial Cl- transport were determined using pharmacologic manipulation in Ussing chambers and whole-cell patch clamp analysis. Results: RGAE (at 30㎍/mL of ginsenosides) significantly increased Cl- transport [measured as change in short-circuit current (ΔISC = ㎂/㎠)] when compared with control in WT and CFTR-/- MNSE (WT vs control = 49.8±2.6 vs 0.1+/-0.2, CFTR-/- = 33.5±1.5 vs 0.2±0.3, p < 0.0001). In FRT cells, the CFTR-mediated ΔISC attributed to RGAE was small (6.8 ± 2.5 vs control, 0.03 ± 0.01, p < 0.05). In patch clamp, TMEM16A-mediated currents were markedly improved with co-administration of RGAE and uridine 5-triphosphate (8406.3 +/- 807.7 pA) over uridine 5-triphosphate (3524.1 +/- 292.4 pA) or RGAE alone (465.2 +/- 90.7 pA) (p < 0.0001). ASL and CBF were significantly greater with RGAE (6.2+/-0.3 ㎛ vs control, 3.9+/-0.09 ㎛; 10.4+/-0.3 Hz vs control, 7.3 ± 0.2 Hz; p < 0.0001) in MNSE. Conclusion: RGAE augments ASL depth and CBF by stimulating Cl- secretion through CaCC, which suggests therapeutic potential in both CF and non-CF chronic rhinosinusitis.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.171-176
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• 2021

Aloe has been widely used as a cosmetic and medicinal plant. Until now, several effects such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, immunity and whitening of aloe gel extract have been reported, but research on aloe by-products occurring in food processing has not been actively conducted. In this study, we investigated whether the aloe by-product extract from food processing could be used as a functional biomaterial. Cytotoxicity was not seen in both the mixer and press extracts. Inhibition of 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation was detected only in the mixer extract and not in the press. It was confirmed that hyaluronic acid accumulation and tyrosinase inhibition increased according to the treatment concentration of the mixer extract. The antimicrobial activity of the mixer extract was observed in the Porphyromonas gingivalis strain, but not in the Streptococcus mutans strain. Antioxidant activity through DPPH and SOD analysis increased with the concentration of the mixer extract. In summary, it was confirmed that the mixer extract of aloe by-products has the effect of inhibiting adipocyte differentiation, moisturizing, whitening, and antioxidant, suggesting the possibility of using it as a functional bio-material for health drinks or beauty masks.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1100-1109
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• 2021

The halophyte Artemisia scoparia is an edible medicinal plant, with insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, anticholesterol, antipyretic, and antibacterial effects. The aim of this study was to assess the inhibitory effect of crude extract and solvent-partitioned fractions obtained from A. scoparia on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells using four different activity tests: gelatin zymography, MMP enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), wound healing assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot assay. A. scoparia samples were extracted twice with methylene chloride (MC) and twice with methanol (MeOH). After the MC and MeOH crude extracts were combined, the combined crude extracts showed a significant inhibitory effect against MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes. They were then fractionated into n-hexane, 85% (v/v) aqueous methanol (85% (v/v) aq.MeOH), n-butanol, and water according to solvent polarity. Among the four solvent-partitioned fractions, n-hexane and 85% (v/v) aq. MeOH fractions significantly inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and cell mobility. In addition, the n-hexane and 85% (v/v) aq.MeOH fractions effectively inhibited MMP-2 and -9 activity in the gelatin zymography and MMP ELISA assay. In the wound healing assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot assay, all solvent-partitioned fractions, except the H₂O fraction, significantly suppressed cell migration, as well as the expression levels of MMP-2 and -9 mRNA and proteins.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2014

Objectives : Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in a wide spectrum of diseases including chronic inflammation and cancer. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts from the herbal teas such as Lonicera japonica Thunberg (L. japonica), Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat (C. morifolium), Mentha arvensis L. (M. arvensis), and P.rhizoma. Methods : Anti-oxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay and $Fe^{2+}$ chelating assay. And DNA cleavage assay was performed to evaluate an anti-oxidative effect. Anti-inflammatory effect was performed using NO generation assay and western blot in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell line. Results : L. japonica scavenged DPPH radical by 9.8% at 12.5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 24.8% at 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, 34.3% at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 61.1% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 75.8% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, C. morifolium and M. arvensis removed DPPH radical by 15.6% and 10.4% at 12.5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 34.8% and 22.8% at 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, 66.9% and 43.3% at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 87.4% and 69.1% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, and 92.1% and 73.2% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. However, P. rhizoma did not affect on DPPH radical scavenging. The $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity was highest in L. japonica, but lowest in P. rhizoma among the herbal teas. In addition, the extracts from L. japonica, C. morifolium and M. arvensis inhibited oxidative DNA damage via its anti-oxidant activity. In anti-inflammatory effect, the extracts from C. morifolium inhibited NO production. In addition, it suppressed the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : Together, this study indicates that L. japonica, M. arvensis and C. morifolium possess the protective effect against the oxidative DNA damage. Furthermore, C. morifolium exerts an anti-inflammatory effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect for allergic-inflammation of Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (FTB) on HaCaT cells and RBL2H3 cells. Methods : To investigate the effects of FTB for anti-inflammation in HaCaT cells, the cells were pretreated with FTB for 1h and then stimulated with $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\beta}$ for 24h. Then thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and Macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) levels were analyzed with ELISA kit. Also to investigate the effect of skin barrier protein, the cells were treated with FTB of various concentrations, and then cells were harvested, expressions of skin barrier protein were measured with RT-PCR. To investigate the effects of FTB for anti-allergy in RBL2H3 cells, the cells were pre-treated with FTB for 1h, and then stimulated with A23187 for 30 min. ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured using cultured media. The cells were harvested to analyze the mechanism of the effect for FTB via Western blot. Results : FTB did not show cytotoxicity in HaCaT and RBL2H3. In HaCaT cells, FTB significantly suppressed the expression of TARC, MDC at a dose-dependent manner and markedly increased formation of the skin barrier proteins. In RBL2H3 cells, FTB decreased release of the ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in RBL2H3 through inhibition of the phosphorylation of JNK and p38, which are include in the signaling mechanism of MAPK Conclusion : These results indicate that FTB has an anti-inflammatory effect on the allergic response through blocking MAPK pathway. This suggest that FTB could be a therapeutic agent for allergic response.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2022

This study was conducted to determine the optimal composition of sex attractant for monitoring adults of the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura, in Korea. Lures of different compositions from the two sex pheromone components the female, (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9E11-14:Ac) and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9E12-14:Ac), were compared for male attraction using synthetic chemicals, rubber septa, and funnel traps in soybean and peanut fields. After sequential tests were conducted using three sets of the two components different ranges from 5:5 to 10:1, from 9:1 to 99:1, and from 9:1 to 39:1, the 19:1 ratio was identified as the most efficient composition. However, S. litura males were barely caught in the trap of the Z9E11-14Ac single component lure. The results show that both the sex attractant compounds are necessary for monitoring adults S. litura males. The higher the pheromone amount in the dispenser in the range from 0.1 to 10 mg, the more males were attracted. Furthermore, the trap height of 1.5 m was optimal for male capture.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.305-318
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• 2022

To minimize the effects of aging-related comorbidities and to maintain a good quality of life and physical independence for a longer period, the improvement of lifestyle and dietary habits is essential, and healthy foods can be helpful. Among them, medicinal plant such as ginseng (Panax ginseng) and bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorum) contain natural functional substances and have been used for disease treatment and prevention since ancient times. This review summarizes the scientific of these treatments basis by investigating the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic effects of major functional substances on the aging-related health effects of Panax ginseng and Platycodon grandiflorum. The main functional substances of Panax ginseng and Platycodon grandiflorum are saponins, which have a similar molecular structure and confirmed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticancer, and anti-metabolic syndrome effects (improvement of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and obesity). Both types of saponins in Panax ginseng (Ginseonside) and Platycodon grandiflorum (Platycoside) have very low absorption profiles in their purified state, but methods to increase absorption in the body through extraction or fermentation have been studied.