• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a non-selective cation channel with modest permeability to calcium ions. It is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and is therefore important in processes such as thermal sensation, skin barrier formation, and wound healing. TRPV3 was initially proposed as a warm temperature sensor. It is activated by synthetic small-molecule chemicals and plant-derived natural compounds such as camphor and eugenol. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) has diverse pharmacological properties including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. It is extensively used as an oriental herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we investigated whether SC fruit extracts and seed oil, as well as four compounds isolated from the fruit can activate the TRPV3 channel. By performing whole-cell patch clamp recording in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV3, we found that the methanolic extract of SC fruit has an agonistic effect on the TRPV3 channel. Furthermore, electrophysiological analysis revealed that ${\gamma}$-schisandrin, one of the isolated compounds, activated TRPV3 at a concentration of $30{\mu}M$. In addition, ${\gamma}$-schisandrin (${\sim}100{\mu}M$) increased cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations by approximately 20% in response to TRPV3 activation. This is the first report to indicate that SC extract and ${\gamma}$-schisandrin can modulate the TRPV3 channel. This report also suggests a mechanism by which ${\gamma}$-schisandrin acts as a therapeutic agent against TRPV3-related diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2002

Objective: Lectins are cell-agglutinating and sugar specific proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that precipitate glycoconjugates having saccharides of appropriate complementarity. Because of these properties, plant lectins have been used to help characterize the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins in the zona pellucida (ZP) of several mammalian species including pigs. Treatment of oocytes with various lectins blocks sperm binding to the ZP in various mammalian species. This study was undertaken to examine the distribution of sugar residues in the ZP of pig oocytes matured in vitro and the ability of spermatozoa to bind to ZP and in vitro penetration in oocytes treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins. Materials and Methods: The lectins of Banderiaea simplicifolia (BS-II, bind to $\beta$-D-N-acetylglucosamine), Canavalin ensiformis (Con A, bind to $\alpha$-D-Mannose), Lens culinaris (LCA, bind to a-D-Mannose), Ricinus communis (RCA-I, bind to $\beta$-D-Galactose) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I, bind to $\alpha$-L-Fucose) were examined for spermatozoa penetration, binding capacity to ZP and distribution of lectins. Results: The penetration rates were significantry (p<0.05) higher in control oocytes (63%) than those treated with all lectins, but penetration rates ($40{\sim}49%$) were simililar in group treated with lectins. The incidence of monospermy was similar in oocytes untreated and UEA-I, but it was higher in oocytes treated with BS-II, Con A, RCA-I and LCA. The porcine oocytes cultured for 48 h in TC-199 medium were freed from cumulus cells and treated for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled lectins. When examined under fluorescein illumination, higher (p<0.001) proportions of oocytes showed fluorescein of zona pellucida after treatment with Con A (93%), LCA (93%) and RCA-I (100%) than BS-II (37%) and UEA-I (50%). All of the oocytes treated with RCA-I exhibited strong fluorescein in the outer region of the zona pellucida while those treated with LCA exhibited strong fluorescein throughout the zona pellucida. BS-II bounded mainly to the outer region and UEA-I bounded mainly to the inner region of the zona pellucida, with either strong or weak fluorescein. At 120 min after insemination in vitro, fewer spermatozoa were bound to the zona pellucida of the oocytes treated with BS-II, Con-A and RCA-I. Of the lectins, Con A most inhibited sperm binding. Conclusions: These results suggest that $\beta$-D-Galactose residues in the porcine zona pellucida may act as primary sperm receptors and inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction and these sugar residues may be involved in the block to polyspermy.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 1993

In order to retain the freshness of fruits and vegetables and to reduce the rate of disease damage, grafruit seed extract (GPSE), natural microorganism control agent, was applied during the preservation process of fresh fruits and vegetables. GFSE showed an effective inhibitory action against plant putrefactive bacteria and fungi which were involved in the decay of fruits and vegetables. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for GFSE against the microbes were in the range of 50 to 2,000 ppm. Direct observation of microbial cells and spores using electron microscopy showed their function was destroyed by the treatment of the dilute solutions of GFSE. Fresh Welsh onions, onions and red peppers treated with GFSE and stored in polyethylene film (0.1 mm) retained better quality in color and texture than the non-treated control. GFSE was efficient in controlling the germination of potatoes. It was observed that GFSE would reduce disease damages and have bactericidal and fungicidal properties during the storage of such fruits and vegetables as zucchinis, cucumbers, tomatoes and mandarin oranges.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.775-780
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• 2009

The efficacy of nitrifying sludge existed in biological nutrient removal process was examined for possible removal of endocrine disrupting chemical(EDC) in the effluent of wastewater treatment plant. Some of ammonia oxidizing bacteria causes ammonia oxidation mediated by ammonia monooxygenase(AMO) activity, which has low substrate specificity resulting in cometablic degradation of several chemicals. In this study, the removal of three model EDCs such as bisphenol A(BPA), nonylphenol(NP) and dibutyl phthalate(DBP) was studied in batch cultures using nitrifying sludge, BOD-oxidizing sludge with low nitrifying activity, and sterilized sludge. Nitrifying sludge showed higher initial removal rates in all batches of three EDCs when it was fed with ammonium as an energy source. The acclimation time was required for the removal of EDCs in batches using BOD-oxidizing sludge or nitritefed nitrifying sludge. That retardation seemed to attribute to the slow growth of cells using the EDCs while ammonium-fed nitrifying sludge could degrade EDCs through simultaneous cooxidation with ammonia oxidation. Sterilized sludge was also tested under the same conditions in order to find the contribution of physical adsorption to the removal of EDCs. About 10~20% of initial EDCs dose was removed when using sterilized sludge. Thus the biological activity is likely to play major role for the degradation of BPA, NP, and DBP rather than the physical adsorption from wastewater.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.3 s.58
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• pp.161-171
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• 2006

In this study, we investigated the whitening and anti-oxidant activity of 37 Jeju island native plants. The active ingredients of the plants were prepared by methanol extraction. Whitening activity of plant extracts was examined from the inhibitory effect of tyrosinase and the inhibition of melanin synthesis of the B16-F1 cell line. Their anti-oxidant activity was measured by electron donating ability of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ROS (reactive oxygen species) scavenging activity in V79-4 lung fibroblast cells using DCF-DA (dichlorofluorescin diacetate). Cytotoxicity of the extracts on cell s based experiments was investigated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. Also, the toxicity test using a rabbit and the human skin patch test were carried out for examining the safety of the extracts which showed the high whitening activity. It is interesting that the extracts of Lespedeza cuneata, Ligustrum lucidum (stem), Morus bombycis (stem) and Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina showed both potent whitening and anti-oxidant activities.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.327-336
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• 2008

Many herbal extracts have been reported to have a preventive or therapeutic effect of on diabetes mellitus. Momordica Charantia commonly known as bitter melon or karela has been reported to be a medicinal plant for treating various diseases including cancers and diabetes. The objectives of this study were to investigate anti-diabetic effects of bitter melon (BM) as determined by blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT), insulin and HbA1C activities in serum, serum biochemical and lipid levels, histopathology, immunohistochemistry and AMPK-${\alpha}2$ expression of skeletal muscle in male C57BL/6J db/db mice. There were four experimental groups including vehicle control, BM 10 mg/kg, BM 50 mg/kg, and BM 250 mg/kg. BM at doses of 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg was orally administered to the diabetic mice everyday for 8 weeks. The treatments of BM 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg significantly decreased the blood glucose level in the diabetic mice compared with vehicle control (p < 0.05). The treatments of BM 10 and 50 mg/kg significantly decreased the GTT, ITT and HbA1c levels in the diabetic mice compared with vehicle control (p < 0.05). All BM groups significantly decreased GOT, GPT, BUN, LDL and glucose levels in the diabetic mice compared with the vehicle control mice (p < 0.05). The livers of mice treated with the BM 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg showed a remarkable decrease in the number of lipid droplets compared with the vehicle control. The pancreas of mice treated with the BM 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg showed a remarkable increase in insulin concentration of ${\beta}$-cells compared with the vehicle control. In addition, the treatments of BM 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg actually increased the expression of AMPK-${\alpha}2$ compared with vehicle control. These results suggest that BM has a respectable anti-diabetic effect resulting from inhibition of blood glucose level and lipid level in serum and that consumption of BM may give a benefit for controlling diabetes mellitus in humans.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.110-115
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• 2012

$Epimedium$ $koreanum$ Nakai is a wild medicinal plant commonly consumed in South Korea due to its beneficial health effects. In this study, the antimutagenic and immunological activities of $E.$ $koreanum$ Nakai extracts were investigated for their use in food. In the immunomodulating activity, the effects of $E.$ $koreanum$ Nakai on the B cell (Rhamos) and T cell (Molt-4) were investigated. The results showed that the growth and viability of the B and T cells were increased and activated more in the ethylacetate (1.35 and 1.48 times) and water fraction (1.30 and 1.40 times), respectively. In the Ames test, none of the fractions produced a mutagenic effect on $Salmonella$. $typhimurium$ TA98 and TA 100. The ethylacetate fraction showed a strong antimutagenic effect (98%) on and a high butanol fraction (84%) of B(${\alpha}$)P in $S.$ $typhimurium$ TA98 and TA100, respectively. In 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO), all the solvent fractions showed an over 70% antimutagenic effect, except for the chloroform extract. Especially, ethylacetate and butanol showed strong inhibition of the mutagenic effects (80 and 90%) on 4NQO in $S.$ $typhimurium$ TA98 and TA100, respectively. These results provide preliminary data for the development of $E.$ $koreanum$ Nakai as an edible food material.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.131-138
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• 2010

To obtain basic data on the use of lotus as a raw material in functional food, antioxidant and anticancer activities of the leaf and root were investigated. Total flavonoid and total phenolic contents, at 12.84 mg/g and 24.33 mg/g respectively, were higher in white lotus leaf (WLL) than in any other part of the plant. The radical-scavenging activity of different tissues of lotus, measured in the DPPH radical-scavenging assay, increased with higher concentrations of solvent fractions. The butanol fraction of white lotus leaf showed the highest DPPH radical-scavenging activity. The reducing power of fractions increased in a dose-dependent manner. The butanol fraction of WLL had the greatest reducing power, and showed strong antioxidant activity in the linoleic acid system, and high-level inhibition of tyrosinase. Fractions from lotus were also capable of scavenging nitrite, depending on the concentration of the fractions. Butanol fractions of the leaf of white and red lotus scavenged 95.61% and 92.15% of available nitrite, respectively, when used at 1 mg/mL concentrations. Butanol fractions from leaf of white and red lotus exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on human lung and colon cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2015

To increase antioxidative activity of Chungkukjang, the protective effect of Seoritae Chungkukjang (SC) added with green tea powder against oxidative stress was evaluated under the cellular system using LLC-$PK_1$ cells. The treatment of 3-morpholinosydnonimine showed increase in lipid peroxidation, and decrease in endogenous anti-oxidant enzymes activity and cell viability. The methanol extract of SC inhibited lipid peroxidation by 70.9%, and significantly increased cell viability up to more than 33.2%. In addition, it enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. Particularly, the addition of green tea in SC exerted protective effect against oxidative stress by ONOO- through elevation in activities of SOD and GSH-Px, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. More addition of green tea showed stronger protective activity. These results suggest that the addition of green tea to SC leads to the increase in the antioxidative effect of Chungkukjang through elevation in antioxidative enzyme activities and protection from lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2016

Aster yomena is a perennial plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Seasoned wild vegetables are commonly used as functional ingredients because of their bioactive effects against oxidation, cancer, and inflammation. A recent report showed that ethanol extracts from Aster yomena effectively inhibited gene expression related to lipid accumulation within interstitial cells to prevent obesity, further raising awareness of its usefulness as a highly functional ingredient. Several studies have investigated Aster yomena, but none have investigated the effects of processing on its use. Therefore, this study investigated the quality characteristics and antioxidative activity of breads in which refined salt was replaced with Aster yomena powder at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0%. Bread containing any amount of Aster yomena powder did not differ significantly from the control in terms of appearance, aroma, taste, texture, and overall preference. In addition, higher levels of added Aster yomena powder were associated with greater 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity indicating the potential for production of highly functional bread and noodle products using this material.