• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.864-872
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• 2005

Various types of functional foods for health (FFH) are popularly used among adolescents. We surveyed 858 students, $15.0 \pm$ 1.6 (14-18) years of age, attending general junior or senior high schools in Korea for FFH use and significant variables for their FFH use including demographic characteristics, food consumption frequency and nutritional beliefs. The use prevalence of FFH was $47.8\%$, and among all types of FFH, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by red ginseng products > enzyme containing products > plant extract-fermented products. FFH use was higher in older aged-group, subjects lived in small or middle city, and those from families with a high socioeconomic status in comparison to each corresponding group. Health concern on offsprings by parents and usage ratio of FFH by family was higher in users than in nonusers of FFH. Total score of dietary assessment was higher in users than in nonusers of FFH, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefit of FFH than did nonusers. Most users of FFH took FFH when they were healthy ($50.7\%$) , and they did not feel special effects through the FFH use ($57.1\%$) . Most users of FFH got the information on FFH through family and relatives ($61.5\%$) , and most of them purchased FFH at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics ($55.1\%$) . FFH users preferred vitamin C-and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin mineral supplements belonged to FFH. Given the widespread use of FFH by adolescents, the reasonable use of these products for the contribution to their overall health and well-being is a subject that is emphasized in nutrition education for them. (Korean J Nutrition 38(10) : 864$\sim$872,2005)

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.612-620
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• 2022

Recent studies have revealed that probiotics and their metabolites are present under various conditions; however, the role of probiotic metabolites (i.e., postbiotics in pathological states) is controversial. Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, we examined NK cell activation influenced by a postbiotics mixture in response to gut microbiome modulation in stress-induced mice. In vivo activation of NK cells increased in the postbiotics mixture treatment group in accordance with Th1/Th2 expression level. Meanwhile, the Red Ginseng treatment group, a reference group, showed very little expression of NK cell activation. Moreover, the postbiotics mixture treatment group in particular changed the gut microbiome composition. Although the exact role of the postbiotics mixture in regulating the immune system of stress-induced mice remains unclear, the postbiotics mixture-induced NK cell activation might have affected gut microbiome modulation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.145-153
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• 2013

Objectives : Neuroinflammation is characterized by microglial activation and the expression of major inflammatory mediators. The present study investigated the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rg1 ($GRg_1$), a principle active ingredient in Panax ginseng, on pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in the mouse brain tissue. Methods : Varying doses of $GRg_1$ was orally administered (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) 1 h before the LPS injection (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain tissue was measured using the quantitative real-time PCR method at 4 h after the LPS injection, Microglial activation was evaluated using western blotting and immunohistochemistry against ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) in the brain tissue. Cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) expressions also observed using western blotting and immunohistochemistry at 4 h after the LPS injection, In addition, double-immunofluorescent labeling of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and COX-2 with microglia and neurons was processed in the brain tissue. Results : $GRg_1$ (30 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the upregulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 mRNA in the brain tissue at 4 h after LPS injection. Morphological activation and Iba1 protein expression of microglia induced by systemic LPS injection were reduced by the $GRg_1$ (30 mg/kg) treatment. Upregulation of COX-2 protein expression in the brain tissue was also attenuated by the $GRg_1$ (30 mg/kg) treatment. Conclusion : The results suggest that $GRg_1$ is effective in the early stage of neuroinflammation which causes neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.137-145
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• 2022

This study attempted to examine the subjectivity of consumers of the MZ generation in their 20s on health functional foods, which have recently emerged as hot consumption items. A study was conducted using the Q methodology to examine the characteristics, meanings, and values of the younger generation in the health functional food market represented by red ginseng, vitamins, and probiotics. Using the QUANL analysis program, a total of 37 Q samples and 30 P samples were used in the study, and three types with unique tendencies were found. The first type discovered through this was named "YubiMuhwan(Forewarned, forearmed; 有備無患)", the second type was "Bansinbanui(half confident; 半信半疑)", and the third type was called "Silsagushi(empirical tradition; 實事求是)". Reflecting these attributes, various strategic ideas were presented for the classification of new characteristics and consumers in the health functional food market and promotion of sales.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.101-106
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• 2009

Objectives : We investigated the anti-aging effects on skin with 9 Repetitive steaming and fermenting herbal composition extract (FHE). Methods : Herbal composition is comprised of Panax Ginseng, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygonum multiflorum and Polygonatum Sibiricum. They steamed and fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus brevis by turns at 9 times. We measured various effects related to skin aging such as scavenging activity against free radical, cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and toxicity of 9 repetitive steaming and fermenting herbal composition extract were evaluated and compared with herbal composition extract (HE). Results : As the number of steaming and fermenting cycle increased free-radical scavenging activity were increased. But cell proliferating ratio was not increased when the number of steaming and fermenting cycle. The FHE could significantly increase the collagen synthetic ratio compared with HE treated group. And, FHE was showed no toxicity at all tested concentrations. Conclusions : The results of our study propose that FHE has good anti-aging effects on skin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.420-433
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effect of the health related factors on the preference and frequency of intake of coffee and traditional beverages among 280 university students (128 males and 152 females) who were residing in Incheon areas. The results were as follows; 1. Male students of over weight and obese were more than female students and female students of under weight were more than male students. Female students were interested in weight control and had an experience in weight control more than male students. 2. The group who was much interested in weight control preferred green tea, yuja tea and dunggulre tea. The group who was much interested in health when drink beverages preferred green tea, ginseng tea, dunggulre tea, vinegar drinks and water but didn’t prefer coffee. 3. The frequency of intake of green tea is high in the group who had an experience in weight control. And the frequency of intake of honey tea was high in the group who drank alcohol almost every day. Coffee intake was the highest among beverages in smokers and water intake was the highest among beverages in nonsmokers. In conclusion this study showed that as an interest in health is higher, the preference and frequency of intake of coffee was low whereas those who intake of traditional beverages was high in general.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.80-80
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• 2020

인삼(수삼)은 장기 유통할 때 품질관리에 어려움을 겪고 있고 이는 잘못된 저장, 세척 등의 기술에서 비롯되는 것으로 포장 기술만으로는 고품질 수삼 유통을 실현하기 어렵다. 따라서 연구결과를 토대로 수출용 인삼 수확후 품질관리 과정을 정리하여 매뉴얼화 하였다. 인삼의 수확후 생리적 특성과 품질저하 요인은 물론 수확에서 저장, 세척·건조, 상품성 향상 포장 방법, 냉장컨테이너 적재, 저온 수송 및 판매 시 주의사항 등을 기술하였다. 수삼의 유통 중 손실율에 가장 크게 영향을 미치는 요인은 물러짐과 곰팡이 발생에 의한 부패, 뇌두부위 출아에 의한 상품가치 하락으로 나타났다. 출아는 수확 시기에 따라 다르게 나타나 가을수확 수삼에서는 저장기간 뇌두부위 출아는 전혀 발생하지 않았고, 봄수확 수삼의 경우 수확시기가 늦으면 뇌두 출아가 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 부패 병원균은 25℃ 운송 시 Fusarium spp.가 15, 5, 1℃ 운송 시 Botrytis spp.가 주를 이루었다. 포장단위를 5kg 대포장과 500g 소포장으로 하였을 때 소포장의 물러짐 현상이 대포장보다 훨씬 높게 나타나는 반면 곰팡이 발생에 의한 부패는 대포장보다 낮게 나타났다. 수삼 저장온도에 따라 유통 중 품질이 크게 달라져 온도 -2℃ 이하에 저장한 수삼은 유통 중 손실률이 높고 특품의 비율이 낮아지는 등 품질이 저하되며 저장기간이 길수록 더욱 심화되는 반면 0℃ 저장 수삼은 저장 3개월 후에도 유통 중 품질의 변화가 적었다. 이러한 결과를 종합적으로 정리하여 인삼의 전통적인 수확후 관리 방법이 아니라 수출용 인삼의 품질 향상을 위해 개선된 수확후 관리 방법을 적용할 수 있도록 흐름도로 정리하였다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.591-599
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• 2009

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play important roles in nervous system functions and are involved in a variety of diseases. We previously demonstrated that ginsenosides, the active ingredients of Panax ginseng, inhibit subsets of nAChR channel currents, but not ${\alpha}7$, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Mutation of the highly conserved Leu247 to Thr247 in the transmembrane domain 2 (TM2) channel pore region of ${\alpha}7$ nAChR induces alterations in channel gating properties and converts ${\alpha}7$ nAChR antagonists into agonists. In the present study, we assessed how point mutations in the Leu247 residue leading to various amino acids affect 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ ($Rg_3$) activity against the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR. Mutation of L247 to L247A, L247D, L247E, L247I, L247S, and L247T, but not L247K, rendered mutant receptors sensitive to $Rg_3$. We further characterized $Rg_3$ regulation of L247T receptors. We found that $Rg_3$ inhibition of mutant ${\alpha}7$ nAChR channel currents was reversible and concentration-dependent. $Rg_3$ inhibition was strongly voltage-dependent and noncompetitive manner. These results indicate that the interaction between $Rg_3$ and mutant receptors might differ from its interaction with the wild-type receptor. To identify differences in $Rg_3$ interactions between wild-type and L247T receptors, we utilized docked modeling. This modeling revealed that $Rg_3$ forms hydrogen bonds with amino acids, such as Ser240 of subunit I and Thr244 of subunit II and V at the channel pore, whereas $Rg_3$ localizes at the interface of the two wild-type receptor subunits. These results indicate that mutation of Leu247 to Thr247 induces conformational changes in the wild-type receptor and provides a binding pocket for $Rg_3$ at the channel pore.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.959-966
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• 2014

This study was carried out to develop a functional healthy drink using 60% ethanol of dried Acanthopanax senticosus stem extract (ASE). The preparation, physical activity, anti-oxidant activity, and sensory properties of ASE were investigated. The moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, and ash contents of dried ASE were $6.50{\pm}0.12%$, $5.89{\pm}0.16%$, $1.18{\pm}0.11%$, and $3.03{\pm}0.40%$ respectively. The 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was $87.42{\pm}1.63%$ at 1/10 folds diluted ASE. In total, 40 male ICR mice were divided into five groups including the control (PBS), positive control (Red ginseng 200 mg/kg/day), and ASE-treated groups at doses of 35, 70, and 140 mg/kg/day for five weeks, respectively. ASE was administrated orally one time per day for five weeks before treadmill exercises, and normal and positive controls were fed PBS and red ginseng extract. In the treadmill test, ASE-treated mice (140 mg/kg/day) could run 1.4 times longer than the control mice. Healthy drinks were prepared with the addition of ASE at levels of 0.97% or 0.49% (A, B, and C type). Among the healthy drinks, the B type (ASE, 0.97%) was revealed to have the highest level of taste and overall acceptability through a sensory evaluation. The brix and pH of the ASE health drink (B type) were 14.9 and 4.51, respectively. These results indicated that the dried stem of Acanthopanax senticosus could be used as a functional material in the health drink industry.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.243-250
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• 2009

Fifty percent ethanol extract of Lythrum salicaria Linne root (LSR) was tested in vitro on antioxidant activity, and furthermore was investigated on antioxidative and fibrosis protecting activities in $CCL_4$-induced liver fibrosis rat model. Ratio of hepatic GSH/GSSG (reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione) as bio-parameter of antioxidant level in $CCL_4$ plus LSR-treated rats for 6 weeks significantly increased from 2.8- to 5.7-fold than that of $CCL_4$-treated rats at p < 0.05. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) contents in $CCL_4$ plus LSR-treated rats ranged from 1.57- to 2.19-fold of normal rats and were lower than those in $CCL_4$ plus silymarin-treated rats ($1.78{\sim}2.46$-fold of normal rats) (p < 0.05). Amounts of hydroxyproline of liver tissue showing the content of total collagen, a parameter of fibrosis, in $CCL_4$ plus LSR-administrated rat livers were $4.9{\sim}8.8{\mu}g$/mg ($-47{\sim}-71%$, compared with that in $CCL_4$-treated rat livers ($16.6{\mu}g$/mg tissue), which were significantly lower than those in $CCL_4$ plus silymarin-administrated rats being $8.4{\sim}11.7{\mu}g$/mg ($-30{\sim}-50%$). This collagen reducing effect of liver tissue in $CCL_4$ plus LSR-treated rats was supported by histological observation using microscopy assay. From the results, we conclude that the root of L. salicaria have efficient antioxidant potential and effective antifibrotic activities.