• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.290-295
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• 2010

Gamigunggui-tang (GMGGT) is one of the important prescriptions that has been used in oriental medicine. We investigated the inhibitory effect of an oral administration of hot water extract of GMGGT on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) by using Balb/c mice. The induction of atopic dermatitis-like lesion was conducted by the removal of the back hairs and topical application of 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on to the back skin repeatedly. GMGGT was orally administered at a different dose (10.0 mg/kg, 50.0 mg/kg). Skin reactions, consisting of increased ear thickness and the presence of ear inflammation, were observed in mice over three weeks. Oral administration of GMGGT significantly suppressed the skin lesions, ear swelling, spleen weight, total serum IgE in a concentration dependent manner, and also inhibited the infiltration of mast cells in the dorsal skin. In the present study, these results suggested that GMGGT extract inhibits inflammatory response atopic dermatitis. Therefore, GMGGT may be effective substances for the management of AD in human.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1044-1050
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• 2006

The Korean genuine medicine, 'Gigukjihwangtanggami (GJT)' has long been used clinically for hypertension and various cerebrovascular diseases. However, experimental study has been carried out very little. Recently cytokines involved in the regulation of inflammatory reactions and immune responses may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction (CI). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of GJT on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCS) stimulated with lipopolysaccaride (LPS) from Cl patients. The amount of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha}),\;interleukin-1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4 and IL-10 in PBMC culture supernatant was significantly increased in the LPS treated cells compared to unstimulated cells. GJT inhibited the production of $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-8 induced by LPS. The maximal inhibition rate of the $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-8 production by pretreatment of GJT (1 mg/ml) was $57.32{\pm}2.5%$ (p.0.05), $42.02{\pm}3.5%$ (p.0.05), $40.02{\pm}2.3%$ (p.0.05) and $48.02{\pm}3.1$, (p.0.05), respectively. In the Other hand, GJT increased the production of IL-4 and IL-10. The maximal increase rate of the IL-4 and IL-10 production by pretreatment of GJT (1 mg/ml) was $42.4{\pm}3.3%$ (p.0.05) End $56.4{\pm}2.9%$ (p.0.05), respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that GJT Ray have regulatory effects on the cytokine production and suggest that GJT might use clinically for the treatment of CI.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.686-697
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• 2021

Propolis is a resinous substance produced by honeybees, which they use to protect their hives. Honeybees produce propolis by mixing exudates from the various trees and plants with saliva and beeswax. It has been used since around 300 B.C. as a folk medicine to cure wounds. Propolis contains many physiologically active components, such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and beeswax. Because of its functional components, propolis has a wide spectrum of biological applications. The compounds in propolis and its biological activity can vary according to the location of nectar source and extraction method. Propolis is most commonly known for its anti-microorganism activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Artepillin C and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) have been identified as regulatory compounds that reduce inflammation and exert immunosuppressive reactions on T lymphocytes. Through its anti-inflammatory activity, propolis exhibits anti-tumor activity, including the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, the blocking of tumor signaling cascades, and antiangiogenesis. However, for the more apply of propolis its analysis of nectar source, identifying of propolis compound, the molecular mechanism of propolis and the investigation of compounds synergistic effects are essential. In this study, we described the physiological activity of propolis isolated from honeybees.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2017

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has been suggested as an ultimate strategy for mitigating climate change. However, potential leakage of $CO_2$ from the CCS facilities could lead to serious damage to environment. Plants can be a bio-indicator for $CO_2$ leakage as a cost-effective way, although plants' responses vary with plant species. In this study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the relation between the $CO_2$ tolerance of corn species and the initial physiological responses to the elevated soil $CO_2$ concentration. Treatment groups included CI (99.99% $CO_2$ gas injection) and BI (no gas injection). Mean soil $CO_2$ concentration for the CI treatment was 19.5~39.4%, and mean $O_2$ concentration was 6.6~18.4%. The soil gas concentrations in the BI treatment were at the ambient levels. In the CI treatment, chlorophyll content was not decreased until the $13^{th}$ day of the $CO_2$ injection. On the $15^{th}$ day, leaf starch content and stomatal conductance were increased by 89% and 25% in the CI treatment compared to the BI treatment, respectively. This might be due to the compensatory reaction of corn to avoid high soil $CO_2$ stress. However, the prolonged $CO_2$ injection decreased chlorophyll content after 13 days. After $CO_2$ injection, plant biomass was reduced by 25% in the CI treatment compared to the BI treatment. Due to the inhibited root growth, leaf phosphorous and potassium contents were decreased by 54% on average in the CI treatment. This study indicates that corn has a high tolerance to soil $CO_2$ concentration of 30% for 2 weeks by its compensatory reactions such as an maintenance of chlorophyll content and an increase in stomatal conductance.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.3
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• pp.119-131
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of and solution to thermogenic reactions to Korean ginseng through bibliographic research. A review of bibliography on the thermogenic reaction induced by ginseng indicated that people who lack fluids, have fever in lungs, a stuffy chest, coughing up sputum, a strong pulse, and constipation due to fever in the stomach may exhibit such a reaction. In the herbal medicine book of the Qing Dynasty, Bon-Cho-Jeong-Ui (本草正義) recorded that wild simulated ginseng is slightly cold and replenishes the body's liquid reserves. The book also describes the field cultivated ginseng is slightly warm and enhancing stamina. Bon-Kyung-Bong-Won (本經逢源), Bon-Cho-Pyon-Dok (本草便讀), and Bon-Cho-Jeong-Ui were published authors in the Qing Dynasty, and they explained that ginseng fine root is bitter, supplements bodily fluids, and can be easily ingested because it is cold. Wol-Ji-In-Sam-Jeon (月池人蔘傳) and Bon-Cho-Bi-Yo (本草備要) described fresh ginseng assweet, bitter, and slightly cold in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, respectively. On the basis of this bibliographic description, the thermogenic reaction induced by Korean ginseng can be overcome by using ginseng fine root, fresh ginseng, or wild simulated ginseng. These ginseng radices are slightly cool, replenish human bodily fluids, and show the physiological effects of easy ingestion properties.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.2
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• pp.251-262
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• 2022

We selected a cold-tolerant tea tree (Camellia sinensis L.) through reliable evaluation using a number of cold-tolerance indicators targeting tea tree cultivars such as "Chamnok," "Bohyang," "Sangnok," and "Myungnok" in response to climate change. We conducted a low-temperature damage investigation, "Chamnok" and "Bohyang" were damaged investigated with small amounts of green and bright green. "Sangnok" and "Myungnok" were damaged investigated red and dark red at -10℃. The extent of electrolyte leakage increased as the treatment temperature decreased in all cultivars. We predicted lethal temperatures through non-linear regression analysis, finding relatively higher tolerance to low temperature in "Chamnok" (-9.344℃) and "Bohyang" (- 8.883℃) than that in "Myungnok" (-8.092 ℃) and"Sangnok" (-7.632℃). "Bohyang" showed higher levels of antioxidant activity compared to other cultivars. The lipid peroxidation reaction revealed that "Sangnok" and "Myungnok" had higher MDA content than that of other cultivars when treated at low temperatures. Consequently, predictions of the lethal temperature through non-linear regression analysis of "Chamnok" and "Bohyang" were consistent with their tolerance to low-temperature damage, and antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation reactions were likewise consistent. The results of this study can be used not only for evaluation and selection of cold-tolerance of tea trees in response to climate change, but also in the cultivation of cold-tolerant plants.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.130-137
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• 2022

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, appropriate management of sequelae and treatment of infectious symptoms became increasingly important healthcare issues. Although the practice guidelines and treatment cases based on the East Asian traditional medicine have been reported, there are rare studies on the use of Korean medicine in Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to present the progress of non-contact Korean medical treatment for infected patients at a local public health center using retrospective chart review. A total of 18 patients were prescribed with 5 days of herbal decoction and medicine extract covered by the national health insurance. With the questionnaire form, the progression and improvement of symptoms before and after treatment were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS), and the treatment satisfaction and opinions were obtained. The symptoms such as cough (5.56±2.23 to 2.89±2.14), sputum (6.11±1,75 to 3.28±2.47), sore throat (6.06±2.70 to 1.47±1.62), anorexia (5.56±2.63 to 1.94±2.21), nausea (3.75±1.71 to 1.17±1.11), diarrhea (3.40±2.63 to 1.50±1.51), chest tightness (4.93±2.46 to 2.29±2.30) and fatigue (6.44±1.79 to 2.67±1.88) all improved according to the NRS, and the satisfaction with herbal medicine treatment on a 5-point Likert scale was 4.24±0.90. No side effects and adverse reactions were reported. Thereupon non-contact Korean medical treatment can be concluded that it effectively reduces the COVID-19 infection mild symptoms in restrictive extent. Since the retrospective data does not include a control group, the more confirmative data is needed by multicenter and large-scale controlled clinical study afterwards.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.899-916
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is a fundamental neurodegenerative disease trigger that damages and decimates nerve cells. Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic central nervous system disorders that progress and result from neuronal degradation and loss. Recent studies have extensively focused on neurodegenerative disease treatment and prevention using dietary compounds. Heseperetin is an aglycone hesperidin form with various physiological activities, such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and antitumor. However, few studies have considered hesperetin's neuroprotective effects and mechanisms; thus, our study investigated this in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated SH-SY5Y cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were treated with H₂O₂ (400 µM) in hesperetin absence or presence (10-40 µM) for 24 h. Three-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assays detected cell viability, and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining allowed us to observe nuclear morphology changes such as chromatin condensation and apoptotic nuclei. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assays measured intracellular ROS production; Griess reaction assays assessed nitric oxide (NO) production. Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reactions quantified corresponding mRNA and proteins. RESULTS: Subsequent experiments utilized various non-toxic hesperetin concentrations, establishing that hesperetin notably decreased intracellular ROS and NO production in H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, hesperetin inhibited H₂O₂-induced inflammation-related gene expression, including interluekin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 activation. In addition, hesperetin inhibited NF-κB translocation into H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cell nuclei and suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase protein expression, an essential apoptotic cell death regulator. Various apoptosis hallmarks, including shrinkage and nuclear condensation in H₂O₂-treated cells, were suppressed dose-dependently. Additionally, hesperetin treatment down-regulated Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratios and activated AMP-activated protein kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin autophagy pathways. CONCLUSION: These results substantiate that hesperetin activates autophagy and inhibits apoptosis and inflammation. Hesperetin is a potentially potent dietary agent that reduces neurodegenerative disease onset, progression, and prevention.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.297-316
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• 2018

The golden apple snail (GAS, Pomacea canaliculata) is an invasive freshwater snail. The GAS was introduced in Korea without prior studies on the possibility of crop damage or its impact on the natural ecosystem. The freshwater apple snails can be found typically in ponds, rice paddies, irrigation canals, roadside ditches or slower portions of streams. In this study, we were carried out to investigate the assessment of physiological and ecological characteristics, environmental characteristics inhabited area in winter season and cause of massive death at one time of golden apple snails used for weed control in wet rice paddies. The GAS was introduced from Japan to Korea for commercial production as a dietary protein supplement. The golden apple snail was also used a recently for weed control in wet rice cultivation. The species of freshwater Pomacea snails is belonging to the genus Pomacea, family ampulariidae, order mesogastropoda, subclass pulmonata, class gastropoda, phylum mollusca. The GAS spread into irrigation ditches and natural waterways. It is now distributed in ponds and canals near rice fields of southern parts of the country and has overwintered. It increases its cold hardiness before winter. However, the physiological mechanism of cold hardiness in molluscs is poorly understood, especially in freshwater molluscs. Our results on physio-ecological characteristics of the Pomacea apple snail showed that the ratio of males to females was 1: 1.99~2.33. The daily growth was 87.7 mg in weight, 0.31 mm in height and 0.33 mm in width of the their shell. On the other hand, the golden apple snails were very high to resistance on drying condition and survived rate about 80% up to 3 months. The inhabitation of GAS was no statistical significant impacts on the water quality. An important property of aqueous solutions is agricultural water quality because it affects chemical and biochemical properties such as chemical reactions, equilibrium conditions, and biological toxicity. The death rate of weed control apple snails by Ostracoda (Stenocypris hislopi) was only 2.86% and 5.71% depending on the density. Therefore, GAS was not a direct death caused by Ostracoda (Stenocypris hislopi).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 1993.12a
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• pp.6-9
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• 1993

According to changes in population, economic conditions, life-stile and eating habits, the frui ts and vegetables market wi 11 be shi fted from processed (i. e. , canned) to fresh. Undressed fresh produce, consisting of washed, disinfected and peeled fruits and vegetables that either sliced or grated, are currently increased in demand by retail and institutional market which use them as salad components or in ready-to use foods, Main attributes of minimally processed fruits and vegetables are convenience and fresh-like quality. Minimally processed Products readily deteriorate in quality, especially color and texture, as a result of endogeneous enzyme enhanced respiration and microorganisms which lead to reduced shelf Iife. According to changes in population, economic conditions, life-stile and eating habits, the frui ts and vegetables market wi 11 be shi fted from processed (i. e. , canned) to fresh. Undressed fresh produce, consisting of washed, disinfected and peeled fruits and vegetables that either sliced or grated, are currently increased in demand by retail and institutional market which use them as salad components or in ready-to use foods, Main attributes of minimally processed fruits and vegetables are convenience and fresh-like quality. Minimally processed Products readily deteriorate in quality, especially color and texture, as a result of endogeneous enzyme enhanced respiration and microorganisms which lead to reduced shelf Iife. Thus. to prevent these undesirable changes , val'ious techniques such as controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, modified atmosphere OIA) storage, including vacuum packaging have been receiving considerable attention, Although milch research has been done to find optimal conditions for whole intact frui ts and vegetables, only limi ted information is avai lable on fresh cut. and other minimally processed products. 81 iced frui ts exhibi t increas~d ethylene production and respiration compal'ed to whole f, 'uits during distribution in response to tissue damage. As a result, accelerated senescence and enzymatic browning OCCUI', Recent l'esearch on minimally processed fl'uits and vegetables has mainly focused on methods to inhibit browning, due to ban on use of sulfur dioxide, In order to retard or prevent these physiological changes, val'ious al ternatives, reducing agents. acidulants, chelating agents and inol'ganic sal ts have been evaluated for use on fresh cut fl'ui ts. Al though some agents were effective replacement for sulfur dioxide. consum$\textregistered$I'S demandless use of chemical on such products. Shel~ life of minimally processed products has been extended by inhibition of metabolic reactions associated with loss of quality and by inhibition of aerobic spoilage caused by wide variety of microorganisms. Appl ication of ~I.-\ packaging, including vacuum packaging, retards the rate of respiration, prevents growth of aerobic spoilage organisms, inhibits oxidation and color deterioration. Tissue softening is another major problem in minimally processed products because enzymes re 1 a ted to ce 11 wa 11 degrada t i on are not inactivated. Various treatments have been investigated for retardation of the softening of sliced products. Some studies have concentrated on the application of an active packaging system with ~I, l. packaging and calcium infi 1 tration as possible measures to retain firmness of processed products. In my opinion, one important step for production of minimally processed frui ts wi th favorabl e color of cut surface and firm texture is the selection of better cultivar. As the view, changing tendency of fresh color by apple cultivars and relationship between the tendency and PPO activity will be discussed in the seminar. In addition to the topic, research result on quality enhancement of fresh apple slices by heat shock treatment will be introduced.