• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1584-1592
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• 2006

Houttuynia cordata Thunb, well known as 'E-Sung-Cho' in Korea, is traditional medicinal plant generally used in Oriental medicine therapy. We previously reported that the water extract of H. cordata inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cells. In the present study, we investigated the biochemical mechanisms of anti-proliferative effects by the methanol extract of H. cordata (MEHC) in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. It was found that MEHC could inhibit the cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with morphological change and apoptotic cell death as determined by formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation and increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase cells. Apoptosis of A549 cells by MEHC was also connected with a down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) expression. MEHC treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, and a concomitant inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), ${\beta}$-catenin and phospholipase (PLC)-${\gamma}$1 protein expression. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of H. cordata.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1093-1099
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• 1998

Dioscorea japonica Thunb its effects has been used in f31k remedies f9r various purposes including treatment of diabetes, on hypoglycemic actiity and energy metabolism were investigated. The plant was extracted with methanol(MeOH) and fractionated into four layers hexane, chloroform(CHCI$_3$), butanol(BuOH), and $H_2O$. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by the injection of streptozotocin(STZ) into tail vein at a dose of 45mg/kg body weight(BW). Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 160-200g were divided into five groups a diabetic control and four experimental groups such as hexane group, CHCl$_3$ group, BuOH group, and $H_2O$ group. The rats of all groups were fed on a AIN-76 diet and the four experimental groups were orally administered each fraction(500mg/kg BW) for 12 days. The diabetic control group was orally administered 5% carboxymethyl cellulose. The body weights were monitored and the concentrations of blood glucose were determined. The levels of glycogen and protein in liver were also measured. The plasma levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and fee fatty acid(FFA) were also analysed. The body weight gain was higher in the $H_2O$ group than in the control group. Heart weight was significantly reduced by administrations of Dioscorea japonica Thunb. The extents of blood glucose decrement in BuOH and $H_2O$ group were greater than that found in the control group. The muscle protein levels showed significantly higher amounts in all experimental groups. Glycogen levels were higher in the BuOH group than in the control group. The levels of TG were decreased in all experimental groups and the levels of plasma FFA were lower in the BuOH group. The plasma cholesterol levels were not influenced by these four fractions in diabetic rats. These results suggest that the orally administered H2O fraction of Dioscorea japonica Thunb exhibited hypoglycemic effects in STZ induced diabetic rats. (Korean J Nutrition 31(7) : 1093-1099, 1998)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.80-103
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• 2002

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, several natural extracts were tested using in vivo and in vitro test models. Firstly, all test materials were applicated onto the back skin of C57BL／6 mouse and then hair growth pormoting effect were measured using hair growth index As a result, Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb and Terrninalia chebula Retz. showed potent hair growth promoting effect, ranking as 1.5-2.0 of hair growth index. However, there were no plant extracts, which have remarkable potential of growth promotion of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro. In the experiments of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ inhibition assay, Morus alba L., Chaenomelis Fructus, Saussureae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Polygonum multifiorum Thunb, and Angelica dahurica (Fischer) Bentham et Hooker f. showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ. To investigate the possible involvement of effects of several plant extracts on the gene expression of growth factors in human hair dermal papilla cells, RT-PCR analyses were performed. As a consequences, Mentha haplocalyx Briq., Cimicifuga foetida L., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Pinus densiflora S. et. Z, and Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb revealed the regulatory roles on the expression of growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF and VEGF in the dermal papilla cells. Another test for inhibition of microbial such as P. acne and P. ovale were also carried out to find whether these plant extracts have anti-microbial activities. Morus alba L. and Chaenomelis Fructus showed anti-microbial effects on Propionibacterium acnes, which is believed as a pathogen of acne. Together, these results showed several plant extracts can be used for hair growth promotion.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.749-753
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• 2008

To assess the relationship between anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory activities of Diospyros kaki Thunb. fruit, we harvested persimmons on the first Friday of every month from July to October, and conducted a DPPH assay, a T-bet promoter assay, and an ELISA for IL-4 determination. Anti-oxidant activity increased as fruit weight rose. When the fruit was extracted with five different solvents, and the extracts examined for radical scavenging activity, such activity exhibited a pattern similar to that seen when anti-oxidant activity was assessed. T-bet promoter activity decreased on ripening, whereas IL-4 expression increased, as tested in a DNFB-induced animal model. Collectively, the results suggest that inflammation-inhibitory activity, valuable in treatment of some immune diseases, rises as persimmons ripen.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia should be controlled to avoid complications of diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the effects of autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) berry (AOB) on fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: In vitro ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory effect of AOB was determined. Maltose solution (2 g/kg) with and without AOB extract at 500 mg/kg or acarbose at 50 mg/kg was orally administered to normal mice after overnight fasting and glucose levels were measured. To study the effects of chronic consumption of AOB, db/db mice received the basal diet or a diet containing AOB extract at 0.4% or 0.8%, or acarbose at 0.04% for 7 weeks. Blood glycated hemoglobin and serum glucose and insulin levels were measured. Expression of adiponectin protein in epididymal white adipose tissue was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: In vitro inhibitory effect of AOB extract on ${\alpha}$-glucosidase was 92% as strong as that of acarbose. The AOB extract (500 mg/kg) or acarbose (50 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the postprandial rise of blood glucose after maltose challenge and the area under the glycemic response curve in normal mice. The AOB extract at 0.4% or 0.8% of diet or acarbose at 0.04% of diet significantly lowered levels of serum glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance values in db/db mice. The expression of adiponectin protein in adipose tissue was significantly elevated by the consumption of AOB at 0.8% of diet. CONCLUSIONS: Autumn olive (E. umbellata Thunb.) berry may reduce postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting ${\alpha}$-glucosidase in normal mice. Chronic consumption of AOB may alleviate fasting hyperglycemia in db/db mice partly by inhibiting ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and upregulating adiponectin expression.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

The tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Brei (TPT) used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of cough, sputum, vomiting, and insomnia, possesses antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Although recent studies have reported the anticancer effects of TPT in several cancer cells, it is still unclear whether TPT regulates tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) characterized by the immunosuppressive M2 macrophage phenotype. Our results showed that the ethanol extract of TPT (ETPT) suppressed the migration of RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells and THP-1 human monocytes differentiated into macrophages towards the conditioned media (CM) collected from lung cancer cells, suggesting that ETPT would attenuate the recruitment of macrophages into tumors. In addition, ETPT suppressed the interleukin (IL)-4 or IL-6-induced M2 macrophage polarization in RAW264.7 cells. ETPT treatment not only downregulated the mRNA expression of M2 macrophage markers including arginase-1, mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC-1), and IL-10, but also inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT6, general regulators of M2 macrophage polarization. Finally, the transwell assay results showed that the CM from M2-polarized RAW264.7 cells increased the migration of mouse lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells, while those from RAW264.7 cells co-treated with ETPT and IL-6 significantly reduced the migration of LLC cells. Taken together, our observations clearly demonstrate that ETPT suppressed the cancer cell migration by regulating macrophage recruitment and M2 macrophage polarization.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.122-125
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• 1988

A comparative electrophoretic study on protein and several important enzymes of calli induced from stem, intercostal area and minor vein area were conducted in Pinella ternata (Thunb.) Breit. Soluble protein band patterns of calli induced from stem, intercostal area and minor vein area were distinctly different from those of the corresponding plant parts. Esterase isozyme patterns of calli induced from stem, intercostal area and minor vein area were different from those of the corresponding plant parts. Glutamate oxalo-acetate transaminase isozyme patterns of calli grown for 4 weeks induced from 3 plant parts were similar to those of the corresponding plant parts. But a high molecular weight isozyme band appeared in the calli grown for 8 weeks. Alow molecular weight isozyme band disappeared on the peroxidase isozyme patterns of calli grown for 4 weeks appeared on those of the corresponding plant parts.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.325-330
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• 2022

In this study, a plant tissue culture system was established for Atractylodes spp., an economically valuable medicinal crop in Korea that has low domestic production and is increasingly imported. In particular, Atractylodes ovata was treated with four types of cytokinins, 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), zeatin, kinetin, and thidiazuron (TDZ), in two different concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 mg/L). Among the four types of cytokinins, the BA treatment was effective for the shoot and root growth of A. ovata. Both the 0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L concentrations of BA showed similar results; however, the 1.0 mg/L concentration of BA was more effective in promoting shoot and root growth. The treatments showed that the TDZ treatment was not effective for the shoot and root growth, except for the number of shoots and the fresh weight (FW) of the root; therefore, it was unsuitable for this species. In this study, we established a mass production system of A. ovata. Our results showed that direct in vitro regeneration may make a significant contribution to improving the cultivation of the medicinal plant A. ovata.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.639-640
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• 2022

A Ypsolophid moth Saridoscelis sphenias Meyrick was recorded in 2020 first in Korea, and specimens were collected from Jindo and Wando in Jeonam province from 2016 to 2017. This moth uses host plants such as Pieris japonica (Thunb.) D. Don ex G. Don, Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. and Leucothoe grayana Maxim. var oblongifolia (Miq.). This species was discovered once in a blueberry orchard in Jeju in August 2014, and since then it has been regarded as not an established species because of no further detection. However, S. sphenias was found again in blueberry orchards grown in vinyl houses in Jeju city and Seogwipo city in 2018 and 2019. Since 2020, this pest has also been found on field-grown blueberries. Hatched larvae first bored into new shoots and fed inside, and the mid-aged larvae escaped from the inside of shoots, attached several shoots with webs, and fed on the leaves in the group. It is considered that S. sphenias will become a severe pest on blueberries; thus, we report the basic life cycle here.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.29-41
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• 2022

This study was conducted to verify the availability of immature persimmon ethanol extract (IPEE) as a natural and functional ingredient in protecting inflammation and allergy of skin based on the mechanism. The major content analysis, antioxidant activities, anti-allergic activity, anti-inflammatory effect, and safety related to irritation of IPEE were evaluated. The gallic acid content per 10 mg/mL of IPEE was 0.522% (5.22 mg/g). The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were 428.3 mg/g and 31.1 mg/g, respectively. In ABTS+ activity, DPPH ability and SOD-like activity, it showed a concentration-dependent increase, which indicated IPEE has excellent antioxidant activities. As for the anti-allergy test in RBL-2H3 cells, the IPEE showed a decrease in β-hexosaminidase secretion as the concentration increases, and IPEE tended to decrease IL-4 secretion in all RBL-2H3 cells compared to the IgE + HSA group. IPEE showed good anti-inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 cells by decrease of NO production and inflammation cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). Also IPEE showed non-irritant in BCOP assay. By the results of this study, the IPEE containing high tannins, had good antioxidant, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory effects, which indicated that the immature persimmon is considered to be a useful for the development of related functional ingredients.