• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2012

We investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of extracts from the leaves, stems, and fruit of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) against $H_2O_2$ or ethanol-induced oxidative damage. The total polyphenol and flavonoid content was the highest in the 80% ethanol extracts from the leaves of the plant (CTL80). Also, the radical scavenging activity of DPPH and ABTS in the CTL80 was significantly higher than that of the non-treated control. To determine the hepatoprotective effects of CT in $H_2O_2$ and ethanol-induced oxidative damage, cell viability was measured using an XTT assay. Pre-treatment of CTL80 significantly increased cell viability compared with the non-treated control cells by 71.21% and 80.40%, respectively. The data suggests that CTL80 exhibits hepatoprotective antioxidant effects. Therefore, CTL80 may be considered a potential agent to control $H_2O_2$ or ethanol-induced liver damage.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2014

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for $hER{\alpha}$ and $hER{\beta}$ with $IC_{50}$ values of $1.20{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml and $1.00{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml, respectively. LNE induced $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on $hER{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for $hER{\beta}$ than $hER{\alpha}$, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.652-660
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• 2017

Fermented medical herbs using Lactobacilli have attracted significant attention due to their enhanced biological activities. A traditional medicinal plant, Artemisia annua L., was fermented using a probiotic strain, L. plantarum SK3494. The strain was isolated from Artemisia princeps var. orientalis and molecularly identified through sequence similarities and phylogenetic tree analysis. The antioxidant activity of L. plantarum-fermented A. annua L. (LFA) was determined using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Cellular antioxidant activity of LFA was examined using the superoxide radical reduction assay in MAT-C cells. Total polyphenol contents (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) of LFA were determined. The antibacterial activity of LFA against fish pathogens was also determined in this study. The viable cell number (9.38 log10 CFU/ml) and pH (4.1) results showed good adaptive ability of the selected strain during fermentation. LFA was found to have enhanced antioxidant activity compared to non-fermented A. annua L. (NFA) based on the DPPH assay. Cellular antioxidant activity was present in both LFA and NFA. After 24 hr and 48 hr of fermentation, the LFA also showed antibacterial activities against fish pathogens Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae and Vibrio ichthyoenteri. These results suggest that L. plantarum-fermented A. annua L. may have potential as a feed additive in aquaculture.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.536-547
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• 2008

Anthocyanidin synthase (ANS, leucoanthocyanidin oxygenase), a 2-oxoglutarate iron-dependent oxygenase, catalyzed the penultimate step in the biosynthesis of the anthocyanin class of flavonoids, from the colorless leucoanthocyanidins to the colored anthocyanidins. The full-length cDNA and genomic DNA sequences of ANS gene (designated as GbANS) were isolated from Ginkgo biloba for the first time. The full-length cDNA of GbANS contained a 1062-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 354-amino-acid protein. The genomic DNA analysis showed that GbANS gene had three exons and two introns. The deduced GbANS protein showed high identities to other plant ANSs. The conserved amino acids (H-X-D) ligating ferrous iron and residues (R-X-S) participating in 2-oxoglutarate binding were found in GbANS at the similar positions like other ANSs. Southern blot analysis indicated that GbANS belonged to a multi-gene family. The expression analysis by real-time PCR showed that GbANS expressed in a tissue-specific manner in G. biloba. GbANS was also found to be up-regulated by all of the six tested abiotic stresses, UV-B, abscisic acid, sucrose, salicylic acid, cold and ethylene, consistent with the promoter region analysis of GbANS. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli strain with pET-28a vector. The in vitro enzyme activity assay by HPLC indicated that recombinant GbANS protein could catalyze the formation the cyanidin from leucocyanidin and conversion of dihydroquercetin to quercetin, suggesting GbANS is a bifunctional enzyme within the anthocyanidin and flavonol biosynthetic pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2015

The regulation of flowering time has crucial implications for plant fitness. MicroRNA156 (miR156) represses the floral transition in Arabidopsis thaliana, but the mechanisms regulating its transcription remain unclear. Here, we show that two AGAMOUS-like proteins, AGL15 and AGL18, act as positive regulators of the expression of MIR156. Small RNA northern blot analysis revealed a significant decrease in the levels of mature miR156 in agl15 agl18 double mutants, but not in the single mutants, suggesting that AGL15 and AGL18 co-regulate miR156 expression. Histochemical analysis further indicated that the double mutants showed a reduction in MIR156 promoter strength. The double mutants also showed reduced abundance of pri-miR156a and pri-miR156c, two of the primary transcripts from MIR156 genes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that AGL15 directly associated with the CArG motifs in the MIR156a/c promoters. AGL18 did not show binding affinity to the CArG motifs, but pull-down and yeast two-hybrid assays showed that AGL18 forms a heterodimer with AGL15. GFP reporter assays and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) showed that AGL15 and AGL18 co-localize in the nucleus and confirmed their in vivo interaction. Overexpression of miR156 did not affect the levels of AGL15 and AGL18 transcripts. Taking these data together, we present a model for the transcriptional regulation of MIR156. In this model, AGL15 and AGL18 may form a complex along with other proteins, and bind to the CArG motifs of the promoters of MIR156 to activate the MIR156 expression.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2000

In the previous paper (Kim et al., Glycoconjugate Journal 16, 247-252, 1999), heteropolysaccharides from Korean medicinal plant, Phellodendri cortex (Hwangbek) showed a poten B-Iymphocyte-stimulating activity in a system using polyclonal antibody forming cells in C57BL/6XC3H mice at dosages of 2-10 mg. In a series of biolgical active polysaccharides from natural medicinal plants, the polysaccharide fractions were isolated and purified from Phellodendron chinese SCHNEID, and antitumor activities were examined at dosages of 2, 5 and 10 mg/100 g. F-7 and F-8 showed the highest tumor inhibitory activities (inhibition ratio 96.4 and 98.2% in 2 mg/100 g), and in dose of 5 mg/100 g, the inhibitory ratios were 95.3 and 97.5%, respectively. Furthermore, 10 mg/100 g of intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection gave 97.3 and 98.7% of inhibition. In oral administration, the inhibitory activities were not markedly observed, indicating that the polysaccharides are directly acting to immune system. When the effects on TS and TK activities were determined, TS activities in the F-2 and F-7-treated mice were markedly suppressed to 73.7% and 79.5% of that in the control (p<0.01), while there was little difference in TK activity with a slight decrease in F-2 only. However, in i.p. injection, TS activities in the F-2, F-5, F-7 and F-8-treated mice were markedly suppressed to 83% to 85% of that in the control (p<0.01). Furthermore, there was also significant differences in TK activities in F-2, F-5, F-7 and F-8-treated mice (p<0.05). Therefore, polysaccharide fraction F-8 was further purified to active fractions of F-9 and F-11 by gel permeation chromatography using TSK Gel HW50S. The purified polysaccharides of F-9 and F-11 were composed of GlcNAc (47.3%), Gal (24.7%) and Man (28.0%). These results clearly indicated that the i.p. injection is much effective to suppress tumor growth than oral administration.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.2-8
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• 2012

In this study, in order to develop renewable bio-based nanocomposites, multi-functional nanocomposites from soybean resins (AESO, MAESO) and nanoclay were prepared. Photoelectrodes for environmental friendly dye-sensitized solar cell using soybean resin were also prepared. Organo-modified nanoclay was directly dispersed in functionalized soybean resins after mixing with styrene as a comonomer and radical initiator was used to copolymerize the nanocomposites. The observed morphology was a mixture of intercalated/exfoliated structure and the physical properties were improved by adding nanoclay. A nanocomposite using MAESO, which added COOH functional group to the soybean resin, showed better dispersibility than AESO composites. Ultrasonic treatment of the nanocomposites also improved the physical properties. Nanoporous $TiO_2$ photoelectrode was also prepared using soybean resins as a binder, after acid-treatment of $TiO_2$ surface using nitric acid. Dye-sensitized solar cells were prepared after adsorbing dye molecules on it. The $TiO_2$ photoelectrode prepared using soybean binder had high current density because of increased surface area by improved dispersibility. The photoelectrochemical properties and conversion efficiency of the solar cell were significantly improved using the soybean binder.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.207-218
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• 2020

In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities of the extracts from the leaves of the Hydrangea petiolaris were identified, and the chemical structure was identified by separating the active ingredient. As the result of the anti-inflammatory activity experiment using RAW 264.7 cells, it was confirmed that the n-hexane (Hex) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fractions inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of iNOS protein in a concentration-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. In addition, the n-Hex and EtOAc fractions reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6). Upon the anti-bacterial tests using Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes, the extract, n-Hex, EtOAc and n-butanol (BuOH) fractions showed potent activities. In order to isolate the active constituents, the n-Hex and EtOAc fractions were further purified to afford four phytochemicals; phytol (1), corosolic acid (2), asiatic acid (3) and 1-O-p-coumaroyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). All of the compounds 1 - 4 were isolated for the first time from this plant. In addition, the contents of isolated compounds were determined by HPLC and the quantity of phytol (1) was 27.8 mg/g for the 70% EtOH extract. Based on the above research results, it is believed that it will be possible to develop a natural cosmetic material that has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects using the extract of H. petiolaris leaves.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.206-212
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• 2013

In the current study, antioxidant properties of extracts from different parts of Taraxacum officinale were determined by measuring the radical scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl(DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). The antioxidant activity of aerial and root parts of this plant was measured in extracts obtained from various solvents, e.g., water, 50, 70, 100% ethanol, and hot-water. The hot-water extracts had the highest radical scavenging activities. A further study was conducted to determine the total antioxidant activity of hot-water extract fractions obtained from different solvents, e.g., chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. The ethyl acetate fraction of this extract displayed the strongest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and the highest total phenolic contents. The inhibitory effect of individual solvent fractions on the production of nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was measured. The results indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction of aerial and roots part extracts significantly reduced nitric oxide productions.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.1239-1247
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• 2020

Sedum kamtschaticum Fisch., a native plant of Korea, has been used in Korean traditional medicine in the form of water extract for its capacity to improve blood circulation and for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Since previous research suggests that S. kamtschaticum Fisch. has excellent antioxidant and mushroom tyrosinase inhibition activities, in this study, the root and stem parts of S. kamtschaticum Fisch. are extracted in 70% ethanol (SKS, SKR), fractionated with and in order of n-hexane (SSH), ethyl acetate (SSE, SRE), chloroform (SSC, SRC) and water (SSW, SRW) according to the polarity of each solvent, and tested for its applicability as a cosmetic material. According to the total polyphenol, flavonoid contents and DPPH radical scavenging activity of each fraction, the contents and scavenging activity of the root extractions (SKR) were higher than those of the stem extractions (SKS), ethyl acetate fractions (SSE, SRE) being the most effective. In addition, ethyl acetate fractions had the highest tyrosinase inhibition activity and melanin synthesis inhibition activity used on B16F10 melanoma cells, at the concentration of 10 ㎍/mL. HPLC analysis detected a variety of polyphenols including gallic acid and quercetin. This study suggests the potential role of S. kamtschaticum Fisch. as a natural cosmeceutical material.