• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate effects of mixture with dried food waste powder (FWP) and mixed organic fertilizer (MOF) on growth of pakchoi. As compared with non-fertilizer treatment (NF) or control (MOF treatment), growth of pakchoi in FWP treatments (2,500 kg/ha, 5,000 kg/ha, 10,000 kg/ha) was inhibited by salt (NaCl) content in the FWP. In comparison with control, mixtures of MOF and FWP (FWP10, FWP20, and FWP30 treatment) were not significantly different, and their salt content correlated with pakchoi growth factors negatively (P<0.05). Applied of FWP10, (FWP10: 2,500 kg/ha, 2FWP10: 5,000 kg/ha, 3FWP10: 7,500 kg/ha, 4FWP10: 10,000 kg/ha), growth factors of FWP10, 2FWP10 and 3FWP10 treatment were not significantly different than those of chemical fertilizer treatment, and of 4FWP10 decreased. Correlation coefficient between NaCl supply by FWP10 application and growth factor was negative (P<0.01). These results indicated that FWP was used as another source of organic fertilizer, and the organic fertilizers blending with FWP inhibited a pakchoi growth by increase of salt content containing in the them or of salt supplying amount after their application.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.321-330
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• 2021

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal disorders including brain ischemic injury. Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), a 12 kDa oxidoreductase, has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic functions in various cells. It has been highly implicated in brain ischemic injury. However, the protective mechanism of Trx1 against hippocampal neuronal cell death is not identified yet. Using a cell permeable Tat-Trx1 protein, protective mechanism of Trx1 against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was examined using HT-22 cells and an ischemic animal model. Transduced Tat-Trx1 markedly inhibited intracellular ROS levels, DNA fragmentation, and cell death in H2O2-treatment HT-22 cells. Tat-Trx1 also significantly inhibited phosphorylation of ASK1 and MAPKs in signaling pathways of HT-22 cells. In addition, Tat-Trx1 regulated expression levels of Akt, NF-κB, and apoptosis related proteins. In an ischemia animal model, Tat-Trx1 markedly protected hippocampal neuronal cell death and reduced astrocytes and microglia activation. These findings indicate that transduced Tat-Trx1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for treating ischemic injury.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.941-948
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• 2019

Colorectal cancer is a major health problem in industrialized countries. Ziyuglycoside II ($3{\beta}-3-{\alpha}$-1- arabinopyranosyloxy-19-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oicacid), a triterpenoid saponin isolated from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L., possesses antioxidant, antiangiogenic, and anticancer properties. However, the therapeutic function of ziyuglycoside II in colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis is undefined. In the present study, the effect of ziyuglycoside II on colitis-associated colon cancer induced in mice using azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was explored. The AOM model recapitulates many features of human colon cancer, but it lacks an inflammatory component. DSS induces colitis and promotes AOM-induced colon cancer in mice. BALB/c mice were injected with AOM and administered 2% DSS in drinking water. The mice were given ziyuglycoside II (1 or 5 mg/kg) orally three times per week, and colonic tissue was collected at 64 days. Administration of ziyuglycoside II markedly diminished the formation of colonic tumors. Western blot and immunohistological analyses showed that ziyuglycoside II noticeably decreased nuclear factor kappa-B-positive cells and levels of inflammation-related proteins, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 in colon tissue. It also prompted apoptosis. Ziyuglycoside II treatment augmented cleaved forms of caspase-3, caspase-7, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in colonic tissues. In conclusion, ziyuglycoside II could defend against colitis-associated tumorigenesis in mice by inhibiting inflammation and inducing apoptosis. This shows a promising chemopreventive potential for its use in colitis-associated colon cancer.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2019

Cassia tora L. have been used as a folk medicine in Korea. This study investigated anti-inflammatory effect of aurantio-obtusin isolated from C. tora. We isolated aurantio-obtusin from 50% ethanol extracts of C. tora L. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of aurantio-obtusin on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory response in murine macrophage cell line (Raw 264.7). To investigate the cytotoxicity of aurantio-obtusin on RAW 264.7 cells, MTS assay was performed. RAW 264.7 cells were treated with aurantio-obtusin at different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, $100{\mu}M$) for 30 h. The result showed that aurantio-obtusin had no cytotoxic effect in a concentration range of $12.5-100{\mu}M$. To determine the effect of aurantio-obtusin on LPS-induced NO production, the NO concentration measurement was performed. RAW 264.7 cells were treated with aurantio-obtusin at 12.5, 25, 50 and $100{\mu}M$ for 24 h, and the results showed that the NO production of aurantio-obtusin-treated cells compared to LPS alone treated group was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of aurantio-obtusin inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner. To find out inhibitory mechanisms of aurantio-obtusin on inflammatory mediators, we examined the $PGE_2$ pathways. As a result, $PGE_2$ were decreased in a dose-dependent manner by aurantio-obtusin. The release of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and IL-6 were also reduced. Moreover, aurantio-obtusin suppressed LPL-induced $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation. These results suggest that the down regulation of NO, $PGE_2$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 expression by aurantio-obtusin are achieved by the downregulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.414-422
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• 2019

There is accumulating evidence that microRNAs are emerging as pivotal regulators in the development and progression of neuropathic pain. MicroRNA-15a/16 (miR-15a/16) have been reported to play an important role in various diseases and inflammation response processes. However, whether miR-15a/16 participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain development remains unknown. In this study, we established a mouse model of neuropathic pain by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerves. Our results showed that both miR-15a and miR-16 expression was significantly upregulated in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Downregulation of the expression of miR-15a and miR-16 by intrathecal injection of a specific inhibitor significantly attenuated the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia of CCI rats. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 downregulated the expression of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor-necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), an important regulator in neuropathic pain and inflammation, was a potential target gene of miR-15a and miR-16. Inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 markedly increased the expression of GRK2 while downregulating the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and $NF-{\kappa}B$ in CCI rats. Notably, the silencing of GRK2 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-15a/16 inhibition in neuropathic pain. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of miR-15a/16 expression alleviates neuropathic pain development by targeting GRK2. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and suggest potential therapeutic targets for preventing neuropathic pain development.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.151-163
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• 2022

This study was conducted to promote organic fertilizer(s) that sustain soil productivity for corn production and protect the environment as required by the Act on the promotion of eco-friendly agriculture. It was conducted at the research station of the Organic Agriculture Division of the National Institute of Agricultural. The treatments consisted of Compost (Com), Bokashi as fermented organic fertilizer (FOF), and mixed expeller pressed cake (PC). They were applied at 174 kg N /ha to field corn, together with a 'no fertilizer' check in Randomized Complete Block Design. At eight weeks after transplanting (WAT) corn, compost increased soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to 7.48 and 0.76 g/kg respectively, while other fertilizers maintained the initial levels (before treatment application). At corn harvest (13 WAT), soil chemical properties (total C, total N, pH, electrical conductivity, P₂O₅, Ca, K, and Mg) were similar among all organic fertilizer treatments. For soil respiration, FOF increased soil CO₂ respiration by 31-76% above other fertilizer treatments. However, there were no prominent changes in the trends of CH₄ fluxes following the two mechanical weeding operations. Fermented organic fertilizer affected N₂O emissions between 87-96% lower than other fertilizer treatments. Compared to the initial microbial densities, FOF increased fungi and actinomycete colony foming unit by 25 and 16% at harvest. Therefore, the additional potential of improving soil biological fertility and local availability of raw materials make FOF a better option to sustain soil productivity while protecting the environment.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.244-254
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• 2020

Atractylodes macrocephala is a perennial herb and is a member of the Compositae family. This plant is known to contain various bioactive constituents indicating anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, immunological enhancement, and gastroprotective effects. In this investigation, we isolated four compounds with similar chemical structures from A. macrocephala, and evaluated their anti-inflammatory effects. Among the four compounds, compound 2(atractylenolide II) showed the second-best inhibitory effect on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide in RAW264.7 macrophages and BV2 microglial cells. Compound 2 also inhibited the LPS-induced the production of prostaglandin E2(PGE2), and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 proteins in both cells. In addition, compound 2 suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α. These inhibitory effects were contributed by inactivation of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs) pathways by treatment with compound 2. This compound did not induce the expression of heme oxygenase(HO)-1 protein indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of compound 2 was independent with HO-1 protein. Taken together, these results suggested that atractylenolide II can be a candidate material to treat inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of microbial fertilizer (MF) containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on the growth in the lettuce by treating MF without and with organic fertilizer (OF), or by its formulation types, and to investigate its application in the eco-friendly agriculture. B. amyloliquefaciens, active microbe of MF, had activities of amylase and protease. Applied only MF without OF, MF treatments were not significantly different with non-fertilizer (NF). As compared to control, dry weight of MOF2 treatment (2,500 kg OF/ha + 50 kg MF/ha) was increased by about 30%. As applied with wettable powder type (WP) and soluble powder type (SP) of MF, the dry weight of WP was increased by 43% than that of control, but SP not significantly different. In the comparison with two MF formulation, dry weight of WP was increased by about 37% than that of SP. These results indicated that an application of MF improved the growth of lettuce by prompting a mineralization of OF, and that the formulation type of MF was better WP than SP.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2022

We examined the anti-inflammatory properties of Nostoc commune HCW0811 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of HCW0811 on viability of treated cells was assessed by measuring the level of expression of NO, prostaglandin E₂ and pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in HCW0811 treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. HCW0811 was non-toxic to cells and inhibited the production of cytokines in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition its treatment suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner, and concomitantly decreased the protein expressions of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Moreover, the levels of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase family proteins such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38, and nuclear factor kappa B were reduced by HCW0811. These findings suggest that the HCW0811 collected from Daejeon National Cemetery have anti-inflammatory effects, and demonstrated its efficacy in cell-based in vitro assays.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.964-974
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• 2022

Objective: The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is a threat to the poultry industry and economy and remains a potential source of pandemic infection in humans. Antiviral genes are considered a potential factor for studies on HPAIV resistance. Therefore, in this study, we investigated gene expression related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway by comparing non-infected, HPAI-infected resistant, and susceptible Ri chicken lines. Methods: Resistant (Mx/A; BF2/B21) and susceptible Ri chickens (Mx/G; BF2/B13) were selected by genotyping the Mx and BF2 genes. Then, the tracheal tissues of non-infected and HPAIV H5N1 infected chickens were collected for RNA sequencing. Results: A gene set overlapping test between the analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and functionally categorized genes was performed, including biological processes of the gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways. A total of 1,794 DEGs were observed between control and H5N1-infected resistant Ri chickens, 432 DEGs between control and infected susceptible Ri chickens, and 1,202 DEGs between infected susceptible and infected resistant Ri chickens. The expression levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related genes (including MyD88, NF-κB, AP-1, c-fos, Jun, JunD, MAX, c-Myc), cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), type I interferons (IFN-α, IFN-β), and IFN-stimulated genes (Mx1, CCL19, OASL, and PRK) were higher in H5N1-infected than in non-infected resistant Ri chickens. MyD88, Jun, JunD, MAX, cytokines, chemokines, IFNs, and IFN-stimulated expressed genes were higher in resistant-infected than in susceptible-infected Ri chickens. Conclusion: Resistant Ri chickens showed higher antiviral activity compared to susceptible Ri chickens, and H5N1-infected resistant Ri chickens had immune responses and antiviral activity (cytokines, chemokines, interferons, and IFN-stimulated genes), which may have been induced through the MAPK signaling pathway in response to H5N1 infection.