• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1697-1703
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• 2012

Obesity is a risk factor for numerous metabolic diseases. Recently, naturally occurring compounds that may improve obesity have received increasing attention. Xanthigen is a mixture of fucoxanthin and punicic acid derived from brown seaweed and pomegranate seed, respectively, which have been traditionally used for lipid-lowering effects in humans. In this study, we investigated whether Xanthigen attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice. The mice were fed on a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus 1% Xanthigen or HFD plus 1% green tea extract (GTE) for 11 weeks. Food efficiency ratio (FER) and body weight were significantly reduced in mice fed HFD plus Xanthigen compared to HFD-fed mice. Consistent with the results in body weight change, Xanthigen also significantly decreased the weights of epididymal adipose tissue, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, and liver in HFD plus 1% Xanthigen-fed mice. The serum level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was significantly decreased in HFD plus Xanthigen-fed mice compared to HFD-fed mice. These results suggest that Xanthigen may be useful in the development of a functional health food for anti-obesity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2014

Objectives : Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in a wide spectrum of diseases including chronic inflammation and cancer. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts from the herbal teas such as Lonicera japonica Thunberg (L. japonica), Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat (C. morifolium), Mentha arvensis L. (M. arvensis), and P.rhizoma. Methods : Anti-oxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay and $Fe^{2+}$ chelating assay. And DNA cleavage assay was performed to evaluate an anti-oxidative effect. Anti-inflammatory effect was performed using NO generation assay and western blot in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell line. Results : L. japonica scavenged DPPH radical by 9.8% at 12.5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 24.8% at 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, 34.3% at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 61.1% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 75.8% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, C. morifolium and M. arvensis removed DPPH radical by 15.6% and 10.4% at 12.5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 34.8% and 22.8% at 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, 66.9% and 43.3% at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 87.4% and 69.1% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, and 92.1% and 73.2% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. However, P. rhizoma did not affect on DPPH radical scavenging. The $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity was highest in L. japonica, but lowest in P. rhizoma among the herbal teas. In addition, the extracts from L. japonica, C. morifolium and M. arvensis inhibited oxidative DNA damage via its anti-oxidant activity. In anti-inflammatory effect, the extracts from C. morifolium inhibited NO production. In addition, it suppressed the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : Together, this study indicates that L. japonica, M. arvensis and C. morifolium possess the protective effect against the oxidative DNA damage. Furthermore, C. morifolium exerts an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2009

Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major catechin in green tea, and has shown antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and cell cycle pertubation activity in various tumor models. Hypoxia can be induced because angiogenesis is insufficient for highly proliferating cancer. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1$\alpha$ (HIF-1$\alpha$) and its downstream target, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are important for angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine how hypoxia could cause changes in the cellular phenomena and microenvironment in a non-small cell culture system and to examine the effects of EGCG on a HIF-1$\alpha$ and VEGF in A549 cell line. Methods: A549 cells, a non-small cell lung cancer cell line, were cultured with DMEM and 10% fetal bovine serum. A decrease in oxygen tension was induced using a hypoxia microchamber and a $CO_2-N_2$ gas mixture. Gas analysis and a MTT assay were performed. The A549 cells were treated with EGCG (0, 12.5, 25, 50 ${\mu}mol/L$), and then examined by real-time-PCR analysis of HIF-1$\alpha$, VEGF, and $\beta$-actin mRNA. Results: Hypoxia reduced the proliferation of A549 cells from normoxic conditions. EGCG inhibited HIF-1$\alpha$ transcription in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to HIF-1$\alpha$, VEGF was not inhibited by EGCG. Conclusion: HIF-1$\alpha$ can be inhibited by EGCG. This suggests that targeting HIF-1$\alpha$ with a EGCG treatment may have therapeutic potential in non-small cell lung cancers.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2012

Purpose: The option of selecting isotonic rather than hypotonic fluids for maintenance fluid in children has been advocated by some authors. Pneumonia and CNS infections are frequent clinical settings for acute hyponatremia because of nonosmotic anti-diuretic hormone stimuli in children. We conducted the present study to identify the incidence of hyponatremia in pneumonia and CNS infection of children and to determine the importance of maintenance intravenous fluid therapy regimen and other related factors. Methods: The study included 1,992 patients admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at Pusan National University Children's Hospital between November 2008 and August 2011, who were diagnosed with pneumonia or CNS infections and checked for serum sodium concentration. Their clinical data including laboratory findings were reviewed retrospectively. Results: During the study period, 218 patients were identified to have acute hyponatremia among 1,992 patients. The overall incidence of hyponatremia was 10.9%. The incidence of hyponatremia in encephalitis (37.3%) was highest and the incidence in bacterial meningitis (27.4%), viral meningitis (20.0%), bacterial pneumonia (11.1%), mycoplasma pneumonia (9.2%), and viral pneumonia (6.8%) were in descending order. The mean age was higher in hyponatremic patients than in isonatremic patients. The incidence of hyponatremia was higher in who had 0.18% NaCl in 5% dextrose (D5 0.18% NS) than 0.45% NaCl in 5% dextrose infusion (D5 1/2NS) (9.0% vs. 2.2%). SIADH was identified in 20.5% among hospital acquired hyponatremic patients after adequate evaluation for SIADH. Conclusion: We recommend D5 1/2NS rather than D5 0.18% NS as the maintenance fluid given to children with pneumonia or infectious CNS diseases.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2015

Insecticidal and antifeeding activities of 29 commercialized eco-friendly organic products for managing plant diseases and insect pests against Plutella xylostella larvae, Spodoptera exigua larvae, Frankliniella occidentalis adults, and Myzus persicae adults were tested using spraying and leaf dipping bioassays under laboratory conditions. Products containing 60% Sophora extract (EOIS) and mixtures (EOISm) with Sophora extract, Stemona japonica extract, Melia azedarach extract, and Nepeta cataria extract as well as mixtures (EOISc) with Sophora extract, Chenopodium ambrosioides extract, and Melia azedarach extract as active ingredients showed strong insecticidal activity at recommended concentration against P. xylostella larvae. At half concentration, their insecticidal activities were decreased under 50%. The EOIS gave good insecticidal activity against S. exigua larvae and also showed 85% and 95% insecticidal activity at 24 and 48 hours after treatment to F. occidentalis adults, respectively. For M. persicae adults, EOISm and mixtures (EOIR) containing rape seed extract, neem extract, and castar oil produced 93% and 68% insecticidal activity, but their activities did not be increased at double concentration. EOISm only showed 100% contact toxicity against M. persicae adults exposed to dipping leaves. Interestingly, the insecticidal activity of EOIR and EOICi (citronella oil and derris extract) against M. persicae adults was increased with exposed time and concentration. In addition, EOICe (cedar oil), EOIS, EOISm, EOISc, EOIM (microorganism), EOIR, EOIPe (plant extract), and EOIT (tea tree extract) gave strong antifeeding activity against S. exigua and P. xylostella larvae. EOIB, EOIBs, EOIM, EOICi, and EOIMc showed above 70% antifeeding activity to the lepidopteran larvae. These results indicate that mixtures containing 2 to 3 plant extracts with Sophora extract show good activities against insect pests, although the difference of insecticidal and antifeeding activities was produced depending on both a tested insect species and an active ingredient or concentration.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.733-739
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• 1966

A 371 agricultural households from 26 different communities in South Korea was subjected on a study of food taboos in January of 1966. To the pregnant women, those to whom a high protein diet is particurally important, as many as 14 different kinds of foods, mostly portein rich foods, were avoided to eat. It is believed that if duck is eaten while pregnant her baby may walk like a duck in later life. Some mother have a strong aversion to the rabbit meat that her unborn baby must be a harelip. It is feared to eat chicken, shark or carp by the pregnant mother for her baby may get a gooseflesh appearance, or fish scale-like skin in later life. It is thought that if mother eats soup made of meat borns, especially chicken bones, a disfigured baby may be born. Some area informed that if mother eats crab meat her future baby will always bubble. To the child-bearing mothers 13 different kinds of foods were avoided to eat. Some believe that if raddish kimchi, soybean curd, squash are eaten while dilivery that mother may get dental decay or to lose all her teeth. Other think that highly spiced raddish kimchi cause delivery difficult. To the lactating mothers 7 different items of foods were not recommended to eat. It is a common belief that eating green vegetables, especially fresh lettuce, are restricted that her baby may stool greenish. It is said that eating ginsen-chicken soup, or ginsen tea during lactating reduces breast milk secretion. To the weaning babies 7 different kinds of foods were prohibited to fee. Eggs are not eaten because mothers think her babies will start to talk very late. Eight different items of foods in cases of gastro-intestinal diseases, 5 items for liver disease, 7 items for high blood pressure as well as for paralysis were respectively restricted. It is said that meats including pork, beef, and chicken are neither desirable for the patients of high blood pressure nor those of paralysis. To the measles children 10 varieties of foods were restricted. Especially soybean products and meats were not encouraged to use for avoiding asecond attack of measles. For the common cold 8 different kinds of foods were aversed and men think that eating of soup of undria delays a recovery. For the tuberculosis 4 kinds of foods were prohibited to eat. It is said that wine, red pepper and ginsen will stimulate lung bleeding. Many mothers had a strong aversion to fermented shrimp and fish in case of style. and 5 different items of foods were restricted. In case of menstration not so many foods were restricted as other cases, but meat soup is not eaten in this condition in some areas. Majority of food taboos in Korean villages are neither based on tribal nor religious factors. But no one knows how, since what ages, from where, these food taboos have been transmitted and spread over the country. This survey found a great variety of food taboos, aversions, traditional beliefs and prohibitions latent unknown reseasons, or non-scientific conceptions, or completely different ideas from the modern medical aspect, or somewhat fallacious and superstitious beliefs. For the vascular disease contrasting approach were found between modern the oritical therapy and popular remedy among the rural populations who largely depend on the eastern medication. Further scientific study on either side should be done to lead the patient proper way. Many restricted foods such as rabbit, duck, chicken and fish are best resources of protein rich foods which are available in the village. Emphasis should be laid upon breaking down fallacious and supersititious food taboos through the extended nutrition education activities in order to improve food habit and good eating pattern for healthier and stronger generations of Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.783-788
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• 2016

Excessive intake of trans fats is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Previously, we showed that green tea extract lowers intestinal absorption of cholesterol and elaidic acid in rats. This study was conducted to investigate a possible role for sorghum extract on lymphatic absorption of trans fat and cholesterol in rats. Adult male rats with lymph cannulae were infused at a rate of 3.0 mL/h for 8 h via a duodenal catheter with a lipid emulsion containing $146.4{\mu}mol$ of trielaidin, $36.8{\mu}mol$ of trilinoelaidin, $452.0{\mu}mol$ of triolein, $1.0{\mu}Ci$ cholesterol labeled with $^{14}C$ ($^{14}C-cholesterol$), $20.7{\mu}mol$ of cholesterol, and $396.0{\mu}mol$ of Na-taurocholate without or with 100.0 mg of sorghum extract in phosphate-buffered saline buffer (pH 6.4). Lymph was collected hourly for 8 h. No significant difference was noted in lymph flow. However, the lymphatic absorption of elaidic acid and linoelaidic acid for 8 h was significantly lower in rats infused with sorghum extract than in those infused with no sorghum extract. Further, lymphatic absorption of $^{14}C-cholesterol$ was reduced by sorghum extract, which was observed previously. These data indicate that sorghum extract has an inhibitory effect on the intestinal absorption of trans fat and cholesterol. The mechanism(s) by which sorghum extract lowers intestinal absorption of trans fat warrants further study.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.533-538
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• 2013

Potatoes were first introduced outside the Andes region four centuries ago, and have become an integral part of much of the world's food. Potatoes were first introduced into Europe in the 16th century and Korea in the early 19th century. In the nutritional aspects, potatoes contain abundant vitamins and minerals, as well as an assortment of phytochemicals such as carotenoids and natural phenols. Chlorogenic acid constitutes up to 90% of potato natural phenols. Due to the high content of potato functional compounds, it has known that potatoes are effective in the prevention of various human diseases. Recently, color-fleshed potatoes 'Hongyoung' and 'Jayoung' were developed by RDA, and it has reported that they have high content of anthocyanin. Additionally they show higher radical scavenging activity compared to white or yellow fleshed potatoes. So it will be expected that the consumption of color-fleshed potatoes grandually increase by pre-peeled potatoes and color potato chips. This study was conducted to enhance the peel of color-fleshed potatoes utilization and to determine the biological activity of peel of color-fleshed potatoes extract. The anti-inflammatory effects on ethanol extract and its solvent fraction were also evaluated. The anti-inflammatory activities of $CHCl_3$ fraction was evaluated for inhibitory activities against lipopolysacchride(LPS) induced nitric oxide(NO) and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ production as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclo oxygenase-2(COX-2) protein expressions in RAW264.7 cell lines. The fraction inhibitory activity for both tests with $IC_{50}$ values showed in the ranges of $25{\sim}50{\mu}g/ml$. This result revealed that $CHCl_3$ fraction of Jayoung's peel is expected to be good candidate for development into source of anti-inflammatory agent.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.568-573
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• 2015

Arabis glabra is a localized common rhizomatous flowering plant, This plant is often used in Korean traditional systems of medicine as a remedy for blood cleaning, detoxification, abscess, gastrospasm, arthritis, contraction and diarrhea. Generally drugs that are used for arthritis have antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. However, validity of the anti-inflammatory activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of A. glabra using the ethanolic extract and its sub-fractions. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) on RAW 264.7macrophages. Our results indicated that hexane and chloroform fraction significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO and PGE₂ production in the cells. The hexane fraction inhibitory activity for NO tests with IC₅₀ values showed in 21.0 ㎍/㎖. The chloroform fraction inhibitory activity for PGE₂ tests with IC₅₀ values showed in 18.0 ㎍/㎖. These efficacy are expected to be able to present the potential for the development of health functional food for the prevention inflammatory diseases because it has sufficient preventive medical possibilities. Further, it is determined that it is necessary to further study the mechanism of cytokine and protein expression associated with inflammation.