• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.437-443
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• 2018

Activation of macrophages plays an important role in the host-immune system. In this study, we investigated the functional roles and related signaling mechanism of hot-water extracts of bee pollen (BPW) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Since BPW did not exert cytotoxicity at concentrations ranging from 62.5 to $250{\mu}g/mL$ in macrophage cells, a concentration of $250{\mu}g/mL$ was used as the maximum dose of BPW throughout subsequent experiments. BPW increased inducible nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide production in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, BPW was found to induce macrophage activation by augmenting the expression of cell surface molecules (cluster of differentiation; CD80/86, and major histocompatibility complex; MHC class I/II) and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, interleukin-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) through mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Taken together, our results indicate that BPW could potentially be used as an immunomodulatory agent.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.444-450
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• 2018

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a pivotal role in modulating both innate and adaptive immunity. This study examined the immunomodulatory activities of hot-water extracts of bee pollen (BPW) in bone-marrow derived DCs (BMDC) and mice splenocytes. BMDCs isolated from mice were treated with 250 and $500{\mu}g/mL$ BPW for 24 h. BPW, up to $500{\mu}g/mL$, did not display any cellular toxicity against BMDCs. In fact, it functionally induced BMDC activation via augmentation of CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I/II expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor; $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin; IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) production. Interestingly, BPW treatment significantly increased the production of interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ in splenocytes, suggesting its possible contribution to Th1 polarization in immune response. Taken together, these findings suggest that BPW may regulate innate and adaptive immunity via DC activation and Th1 polarization in immune responses.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.192-203
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• 2018

Headwater streams provide various microhabitats, resulting in high diversity of macroinvertebrate community. In this study, we compared the differences of communities between two adjacent headwater streams (Jangjeon stream (GRJ; GRJ1-GRJ5) and Haanmi stream (GRH; GRH1-GRH3)) in Jungwang and Gariwang mountains, Gangwon-do and evaluated the effects of habitat condition to the macroinvertebrates community composition. In order to characterize the macroinvertebrate communities and extract influential environmental factors, we applied to Cluster analysis (CA), Indicator species analysis and Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Total 33,613 individuals in 3 phyla, 5 classes, 13 orders, 51 families, and 114 taxa (genera or species) were collected. Gammarus sp. was dominant at the upper stream of GRJ, whereas Chironomidae spp. was abundant at GRH and the downstream of GRJ. The CA classified samples into six clusters (1-6) reflecting spatial and temporal variation of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Benthic macroinvertebrate community composition was significantly different between two adjacent streams. Sweltsa sp. 1, Psilotreta kisoensis, Rhyacophila shikotsuensis and Serratella setigera were identified as representative indicator species for clusters 1, 2, 3 and 5, respectively. Similar to CA results, NMDS revealed the spatial and temporal differences of benthic macroinvertebrate communities, indicating the difference of community composition as well as microhabitat condition. Forest composition, proportion of boulders (>256 mm), and water velocity were main factors affecting the macroinvertebrate community composition.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.491-497
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• 2014

Nowadays, starfish is one of problems about interruption of marine ecosystem, so many researchers are focusing on application of the starfish (Asterias amurensis). In this study, we investigated the contractile and relaxant activity of the smooth muscles and the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of six different tissues (muscle, gut, liver, tube feet, gonads, and body) of A. amurensis. Frozen samples were extracted with distilled water containing 1% acetic acid. Extracts from all the tissues, except the body tissue, showed potent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli D31. The dorsal retractor muscles (DRM) of muscle and gut extracts showed strong contraction responses. On the other hand, contractile activity on esophagus of squid Todarodes pacificus could be detected in all tissues tested. The contractile activity of the liver extract was higher than that of the other tissues. The body, tube feet, and liver extracts showed the contractile activity on the intestine of the panther puffer fish (Takifugu pardalis). Relaxation response on the DRM of starfish (A. pectinifera) was observed in all tissues tested. Increased antioxidant activity was observed in the gut, liver, and body extracts. The results suggest that the starfish (A. amurensis) is a potential source of novel bioactive compounds.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.738-744
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• 2018

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is a native Korean plant that grows only on Mt. Halla of Jeju Island. Its leaf is used for a popular bamboo tea due to its various health-promoting properties, and it has been increasingly used as food and cosmetic ingredients. To utilize the S. quelpaertensis leaf efficiently, the preparation method for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) using the leaf's residue was previously reported, which was produced after hot water extraction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of PRE and its solvent fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction of PRE (EPRE) showed higher DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and it effectively inhibited intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EPRE also induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) by increasing the level of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in a nuclear fraction. The inhibiting effect of EPRE on LPS-induced NO production was partially reversed by the HO-1 inhibitor (zinc protoporphyrin, ZPP), suggesting that HO-1 is involved in suppressing NO production. Taken together, the results suggest that EPRE has potential as a promising anti- oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.364-369
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• 2012

Isotianil is a novel fungicide which induces systemic acquired resistance in plants. It has excellent preventive effects as low dosages against rice blast which is one of the most serious diseases in rice. The Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of Isotianil in republic of korea was set to 0.1 mg/kg in rice, so it is necessary to determine levels of Isotianil residues in agricultural commodities for controlling food safety. Therefore, The purpose of this study was to develop analytical method for the determination of isotiical residues in agricultural commodities using GC-NPD/MSD. Isotianil was extracted with acetonitrile from apple, chinese cabbage, hulled rice, mandarin, pepper, and soybean. The extract was diluted with saline water, and then dichloromethane partition was followed to recover this fungcide from the aqueous phase. A solid phase extraction with Florisil cartridge was additionally employed for final clean up. Isotianil was analyzed and quantitated by GC-NPD and confirmed by GC-MSD. Average recovery of Isotianil ranged from 70.0 to 103.9% in six representative agricultural commodities with relative standard deviations less than 10%, and limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.05 mg/kg.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.203-208
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• 2015

This study investigated the effect of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) extract on Blood Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Streptozotocin (70 mg/kg B.W., i.p.)-induced Diabetic Rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats (200~220 g) were divided into normal control group (NC), diabetic control group (DC) and Jerusalem artichoke treated diabetic group (DJ). Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin as a dose of 70 mg/kg body weight. Food (p<0.001) and water (p<0.05) intakes were higher in diabetic groups than the normal group. Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were significantly lower in diabetic groups than normal group (p<0.01). However, they were higher in the DJ group than in the DC group. The serum levels of AST and ALT were significantly lower in the DJ group than in the DC group (p<0.05). The serum level of HDL-C was significantly higher in the DJ group than in the DC group (p<0.001). The serum levels of Triglyceride (p<0.05), LDL-C (p<0.001), and glucose (p<0.001) were significantly lower in the DJ group than in the DC group. At 3 and 4 weeks after the experiment, blood glucose level in the DJ group was significantly lower than the DC group (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results indicated that Jerusalem artichoke can prevent or retard the development of diabetic complications via its beneficial effects for alleviating the hyperglycemia and improved lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.583-591
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• 2002

Biodegradation of fat, oil, and grease (FOGs) plays an Important role in wastewater management and water pollution control. However, many industrial food-processing and food restaurants generate FOG-containing waste waters for which there Is no acceptable technology for their pretreatment. To solve these problems, this study evaluated the feasibility of effective FOG-degrading microorganisms on the biodegradation of olive oil and FOG-containing wastewater. Twenty-two strains capable of degrading FOGs were isolated from five FOG-contaminated sites for the evaluation of their FOG degradation capabilities. Among twenty-two strains tested, the lipase-producing Pseudomonas sp. strain D2D3 was selected for actual FOG wastewater treatment. Its biodegradability was performed at 3$0^{\circ}C$ and pH 8. The extent of FOG removal efficiency was varied for each FOG tested, being the highest for olive oil and animal fat (94.5% and 94.4%), and the lowest for safflower oil (62%). The addition of organic nitrogen sources such as yeast extract, soytone, and peptone enhanced the removal efficiency of FOGs, but the addition of the inorganic nitrogen nutrients such as $NH_4$Cl and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ did not increase. The $KH_2PO_4$ sources in 0.25% to 0.5% concentrations showed more than 90% degradability. As a result, the main pathway for the oxidation of fatty acids results in the removal of two carbon atoms as acetyl-CoA with each reaction sequence: $\beta$-oxidation. Its lipase activity showed 38.5 U/g DCW using the optimal media after 9 h. Real wastewater and FOGs were used for determining the removal efficiency by using Pseudomonas sp. strain D2D3 bioadditive. The degradation by Pseudomonas sp. strain D2D3 was 41% higher than that of the naturally occurring bacteria. This result indicated that the use of isolated Pseudomonas sp. strain D2D3 in a bioaugmentating grease trap or other processes might possibly be sufficient to acclimate biological processes for degrading FOGs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1309-1316
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• 2004

We previously reported that the ethtyl acetate(EA) soluble fraction of Sophorae Radix(SR) water extract had the preventive effects against cardiovascular anaphylaxis elicited in experimental animals. In this study, we tested the anti-anaphylatic effects of the nine kinds of EA soluble subfractions in animal models such as Langendorff heart and anesthetized rats. These results were obtained as followed ; Among nine kinds of SR EA soluble subfractions, N10-16-2 and N10-16-9 fractions have an effects improving cardiovascular anaphylaxis in guinea pig Langendorff hearts. In passively anesthetized rats, N10-16-2 and N1 0-16-9 fractions of SR EA soluble subfractions have an effects improving cardiovascular anaphylaxis. N10-16-2 and N1 0-16-9 fractions of SR EA soluble subfractions inhibited the decrease of histamine release induced by compound 48180 and A-23187 in rat peritoneal mast cells. These results suggest that N10-16-2 and N10-16-9 fractions of SR EA soluble subfractions involve anti-anaphylactic molecules in cardiovascular system.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2020

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and is usually managed using currently available antiepileptic drugs, which result in adverse effects and are ineffective in approximately 20-25% of patients. Thus, there is growing interest in the development of new antiepileptic drugs with fewer side effects. In a previous study, we showed that a Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) water extract has protective effects against electroshock- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, with fewer side effects. In this study, the objective was to identify the RG components that are responsible for its anticonvulsant effects. Initially, a number of RG components (aucubin, acteoside, catalpol, and mannitol) were screened, and the anticonvulsant effects of different doses of catalpol, mannitol, and their combination on electroshock- and chemically (PTZ or strychnine)-induced seizures in mice, were further assessed. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor binding assay and electroencephalography (EEG) analysis were conducted to identify the potential underlying drug mechanism. Additionally, treated mice were tested using open-field and rotarod tests. Catalpol, mannitol, and their combination increased threshold against electroshock-induced seizures, and decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by PTZ, a GABA antagonist. GABA receptor binding assay results revealed that catalpol and mannitol are associated with GABA receptor activity, and EEG analysis provided evidence that catalpol and mannitol have anticonvulsant effects against PTZ-induced seizures. In summary, our results indicate that catalpol and mannitol have anticonvulsant properties, and may mediate the protective effects of RG against seizures.