• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.9-18
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• 2018

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the anti-ulcer effect of an standardized herbal extracts mixture of Inulae Flos and Paeoniae Radix (HT074) on acidified ethanol induced gastric injury and its potential mechanisms. Methods : Antioxidant activities of HT074 and its constituents were measured by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging capacity. After the oral administration of HT074 at doses of 100, 300 mg/kg twice per day for 14 days, Gastric lesions were induced by oral administration of acidified ethanol in Sprague Dawley rats. Oxidative stress markers, such as super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity, concentrations of catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) were measured in gastric mucosal tissues. Additionally, the expression of human mucin gene, Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) mRNA in gastric mucosal tissues was measured. Results : HT074 showed dose dependent radical scavenging activities against DPPH and ABTS radicals. Oral administration of HT074 300 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days significantly decreased gastric lesions and histological damages induced by HCl/EtOH in rats. HT074 treatment significantly increased the activity of SOD (300 mg/kg) and concentration of GSH (100 and 300 mg/kg), however catalase concentration was not significantly increased. MUC5AC mRNA expression was significantly increased by HT074 100, 300 mg/kg treatment. Conclusions : HT074 protects the gastric mucosa from oxidative stress caused by acidified ethanol by increasing the activity of SOD, concentration of GSH and mucin biosynthesis. These findings suggest that HT074 could be an effective candidate for prevention and treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2019

Objectives : Nypa fruticans Wurmb. (NF) have been used as a traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases in East-South Asia. However, it is largely undiscovered whether NF water extract could exhibit anti-inflammatory activities against tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced inflammatory responses on human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of NF water extract on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses in HaCaT cells. Methods : To investigate the anti-inflammatory activites of NF water extract in HaCaT cells, the inflammatory model of HaCaT cells was established under a suitable concentration (10 ng/ml) of human TNF-${\alpha}$ (hTNF-${\alpha}$). HaCaT keratinocyte cells were pre-treated with NF water extract for 1 h, and then stimulated with hTNF-${\alpha}$. Then, the cells were harvested to measure the inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and pro-inflammatory cytokine including TNF-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6. In addition, we examined the inhibitory mechanisms of NF, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$) Results : The treatment of NF inhibited the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced elevation of iNOS, COX-2, and $PGE_2$ in HaCaT cells. In addition, NF treatment inhibited the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced elevation of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6. Furthermore, NF treatment inhibited the activation of MAPKs but not degradation of $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$. Conclusions : Taken together, our result suggest that treatment of NF could inhibit the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses via deactivation of MAPKs in HaCaT cells. This study could suggest that NF could be a beneficial agent to prevent skin damage or inflammation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.19-28
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• 2018

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Flaxseed oil and Chrysanthemi Indici Flos 50% ethanol extract in an HCl/ethanol induced acute gastritis model. Methods : ICR mice were divided into 6 groups; normal mice (Nor), gastritic mice with distilled water (Veh), gastritic mice with 10 mg/kg sucralfate (SC), gastritic mice with 16 g/㎏ Flaxseed oil (FO), gastritic mice with FO + 50 mg/kg Chrysanthemi Indici Flos (FCL), and gastritic mice with FO + 100 mg/kg Chrysanthemi Indici Flos (FCH). Then, mice were orally administered with 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol and caused acute gastritis. After 1 hr, mice were sacrificed, and blood and stomach tissue were collected. Results : Administration of FCL and FCH to mice prior to the induction of gastritis was found to reduce gastric injury. reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxy nitrite ($ONOO^-$) levels of stomach tissues were significantly decreased in FO, FCL, and FCH compared to Veh group. As results of stomach protein analyses, FCL and FCH effectively reduce inflammatory-related factors such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin 1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) in gastric lesion mice. In addition, nuclear factor kappa B p65 ($NF-{\kappa}B$ p65) and phosphorylation inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa $B{\alpha}(p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha})$ were down-regulated in FCL and FCH administrated gastric lesion mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that FCL and FCH has an inhibitory effect against gastric injury. Therefore, FCL and FCH has the potential to be used as a natural therapeutic drug.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the unknown mechanisms behind the anti- inflammatory activity of Hyeonto-dan(HT) 70% ethanol extract on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : Cells were treated with Hyeonto-dan 1 h prior to addition of 200 ng/mL of LPS. Cell viability was measured by the MTS assay. Nitric oxide levels were determined by the Griess assay. $PGE_2$ were measured using EIA kit. Pro-inflammatory cytokine production was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of COX-2, iNOS, and MAPKs was investigated by Western blot, qRT-PCR. $NF-{\kappa}B$/p65 localization and interaction of the TLR-4 receptor with LPS was examined by immunofluorescence assays. Results : Hyeonto-dan had no cytotoxicity at the measured concentration. Hyeonto-dan inhibited NO production and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and PGE2 as well as the protein and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2. Moreover, Hyeonto-dan inhibited the interaction between LPS and TLR-4 in murine macrophages. It suppressed phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK 1/2) and p38. Finally, it inhibited translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in response to competitive LPS. Conclusions : Based on the results of this study, Hyeonto-dan inhibited the binding of TLR-4 receptor to LPS and inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signaling pathway MAPKs. These inhibitory effects are thought that the amount of $NF-{\kappa}B$ delivered to the nucleus was decreased and the inflammatory reaction was prevented by decreasing the production of LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.27-38
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• 2017

Objective : In the present study, we examined whether Canavalia gladiata D.C. (CG) and Arctium lappa L., Redix (AL) mixture (CGAL), their components, lupeol and chicoric acid, regulate immune system and suppress the tumor in vitro and in vivo. Methods : LPS-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured after treatment with CG extract (CGE), CGAL, lupeol, chicoric acid and lupeol and chicoric acid mixture (lupeol+CA) in Raw264.7 cell. To determine the effect of CGE on immune responses, immune cell population and IgG production were assessed in mice. To investigate the effect of CGAL and their component on anti-tumor activity, tumor volume and weight were measured, cell cycles and immune cell population were analyzed in MC38 injected tumor bearing mice. Also, NK cell activity was determined in splenocyte isolated from tumor bearing mice. Results : CGE, CGAL, lupeol, chicoric acid and lupeol+CA decreased the LPS-induced ROS and NO production without cell toxicity in RAW264.7 cells. CGE increased the immune cell populations of $CD4^+T$, $CD8^+T$ and macrophages in various immune organ of mice. In tumor bearing mice, CGAL, lupeol, chicoric acid and lupeol+CA suppressed tumor volume and weight. In cell cycle analysis, they decreased the percentages of S phase. In addition, CGAL, lupeol, chicoric acid and lupeol+CA immune cell populations of $CD4^+T$, $CD8^+Tcell$, NK cell and macrophage in tumor as well as NK cell activity. Conclusion : CGAL and its compounds may enhance immune responses and suppress tumor growth, and may be capable of developing health functional foods.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2020

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Corni Fructus 30% ethanol extract (CFE) on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods : The subjects were divided into 4 groups ; Normal group (N, n=10), MIA-induced osteoarthritis control group (Con, n=10), indomethacin 5 mg/kg treated group (INDO, n=10), CFE 200 mg/kg treated group (CFE, n=10). Blood and articulation tissues were collected after two weeks of drug administration. Oxidative stress was analyzed with reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite (ONOO-). And the Nuclear factor erythroid-2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase-1/2 (GPx-1/2), Nuclear Factor Kappa B p65 (NF-κBp65), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin 1β (IL-1β), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were investigated by western blot. Results : The administration of CFE showed a significant reduction of changes in relative hind paw weight distribution. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxy nitrite (ONOO-) levels of articulation tissues were significantly decreased in CFE compared to the control group. Western blot measurements of Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, GPx-1/2 showed that the CFE group was increased compared to the Con group. And western blot measurements of NF-κBp65, COX-2, iNOS, TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β showed that the CFE group was reduced compared to the Con group. Also CFE group decreased MMP-1 and increased TIMP-1. Conclusion : Based on the above results, it can be seen that osteoarthritis is improved when Corni Fructus 30% ethanol extract treated.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.444-450
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• 2022

The effect of coated polyester (PET) textiles with metal oxide, chitosan, and copper ion on the antibacterial and antiviral activities was evaluated to investigate the applicability of multi-coated PET textiles as antiviral materials. Compared to coated PETs with a single agent, multi-coated PETs reduced the loading amount of coating materials as well as the contact time with bacteria for a bacterial cell number of < 10 CFU/mL, which was not detectable with the naked eyes. Metal oxides generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as free radicals by a catalytic reaction, and copper ions can promote contact killing by the generation of ROS. Chitosan not only enhanced antibacterial activities due to amine groups, but enabled it to be a template to load copper ions. We observed that multi-coated PET textiles have both antibacterial activities for E. coli and S. aureus and antiviral efficiency of more than 99.9% for influenza A (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2. The multi-coated PET textiles could also be prepared via a roll-to-roll coating process, which showed high antiviral efficacy, demonstrating its potential use in air filtration and antiviral products such as masks and personal protective equipment.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2022

As the use of chemical products increases in daily life, the removal of dye waste has also emerged as an important environmental issue. This dye waste can be decomposed using a photocatalyst, and the photocatalyst can be synthesized very cost-effectively by using the sol-gel technology. The sol-gel technology is not only very useful for nanoscale film formation, but also can simply form multilayer structures. Using a multiple spin coating method, in this study, a ZnO film with a multilayered structure (3 layers, 5 layers) was formed by using zinc oxide (ZnO), which is effective in decomposing various dyes. For performance comparison, a ZnO film having a single layer structure by a single spin coating method was prepared as a control. Structural and elemental analysis of ZnO film was performed using an X-ray diffraction analyzer and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. A nanowire-like surface morphology could be observed through a scanning electron microscope. Additionally, UV-Vis spectrophotometer was used to measure the absorbance of UV light. The ZnO film with a five-layer structure degraded the simulated methylene blue by 49% more than the ZnO film with a single-layer structure. In conclusion, it was found that ZnO having a multilayered structure is useful as a photocatalyst that decomposes methylene blue dye more effectively.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.357-372
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• 2021

The energy harvesting device is known to be promising as an alternative to solve the resource shortage caused by the depletion of petroleum resources. In order to overcome the limitations (environmental pollution and low mechanical properties) of piezoelectric elements capable of converting mechanical motion into electrical energy, many studies have been conducted on a polymer matrix-based composite piezoelectric energy harvesting device. In this paper, the output performance and related applications of the reported piezoelectric composites are reviewed based on the applied materials and processes. As for the piezoelectric fillers, zinc oxide, which is advantageous in terms of eco-friendliness, biocompatibility, and flexibility, as well as ceramic fillers based on lead zirconate titanate and barium titanate, were reviewed. The polymer matrix was classified into piezoelectric polymers composed of polyvinylidene fluoride and copolymers, and flexible polymers based on epoxy and polydimethylsiloxane, to discuss piezoelectric synergy of composite materials and improvement of piezoelectric output by high external force application, respectively. In addition, the effect of improving the conductivity or the mechanical properties of composite material by the application of a metal or carbon-based secondary filler on the output performance of the piezoelectric harvesting device was explained in terms of the structure of the composite material. Composite material-based piezoelectric harvesting devices, which can be applied to small electronic devices, smart sensors, and medicine with improved performance, can provide potential insights as a power source for wireless electronic devices expected to be encountered in future daily life.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1543-1552
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• 2021

Atractylodes japonica has been widely used in a traditional Korean herbal medicine exerting various pharmacological activities such as diauretic action, asriction, anti-allergy, neuroprotective activity, anti-cancer, immunomodulation and gastrointestinal protective effect. This study was to investigate the antioxidant, nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines production of A. japonica extract by water and 70% ethanol. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity were increased in a dose-dependent manners with both extracts and there was no difference with extract solvents. 70% ethanol extract of A. japonica showed a very strong inhibitory effect on NO production. Both extracts of A. japonica significantly reduce the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins involved in NO prodction. A. japonica extract by water and 70% ethanol inhibited LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-1b. In this study, 70% ethanol extract of A. japonica significantly suppresses LPS-induced NO and inflammatory cytokine production. Therefore it can be widely used to treat and improve inflammatory diseases.