• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.312-319
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effect of lecithin on lipid metabolism and antixidative capacity in 9-week-old rats. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 249.8 g were blocked into three groups according to their body weight and raised for 8 weeks with experimental diets containing 1% (LM) or 5% lecithin (LH) and control (C) diet. Plasma and liver total lipids, triglyceride, total cholesterol and plasma HDL-cholesterol concenterations, and fecal total lipids, triglyceride, total cholesterol and bile acid excretions were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma, liver, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in red blood cell and liver, xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in plasma and liver, and total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma were also measured. Effect of lecithin intake on antioxidative capacity was not significantly different among all the groups. Plasma total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were lower in lecithin groups compared to control group, and these three lipid levels of lecithin groups were lowered dose-dependently as dietary lecithin level increased. But liver total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were not different among all the groups. Also fecal total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol excretions were highest in high lecithin groups compared to two other groups. Thus it is plausible that lecithin intake decreases plasma lipid levels through increasing fecal lipid excretions, and may be beneficial for treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia, but has no effect on antioxidative capacity.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2003

In the biological world, there are a number of ecological fights for survival between each organism such as plants, animals and microorganism In such events, an organism can use its natural bioactive products as defence agent against other organisms. Furthermore, natural bioactive products can be utilized for medicine or functional food. Recently, we investigate the effect of Monascus pigment extracted from a fungus, Monascus anke, on the alcohol metabolism and blood lipid profile. In the present study, it is observed that Monascus pigment supplemented dietary may have a hepatoprotective effect on rat's liver damage induced with $CCl_4$ . By treatment with $CCl_4$(3 times, I.P), liver damage was reduced more in the rats fed 2% Monascus pigment extract supplemented diet than those fed standard diet, based on the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, microsomal glucose-6-phosphatse activity and hepaic malondialdehyde content. On the other hand, oxygen free radical generating enzymes, hepatic P-450 dependent aniline hydroxylase, xanthine oxidase, and oxygen free radical scavenging enzymes, hepatic glutathione S-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities were generally higher both in $CCl_4$ treated group and control fed 2% Monascus pigment extract supplemented diet than those fed standard diet. In conclusion, the rats fed 2% Monascus pigment extract supplemented diet showed more reduced liver damage than those fed standard diet, which may be due to the acceleration of oxygen free radical metabolism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.713-720
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• 2006

This study was designed to investigate the possible utilization of Ligustrum japonicum leaves as a source of functional ingredients. Contents of total phenolic compounds and condensed tannin were $0.89{\sim}1.53%$ and $0.10{\sim}0.13%$, respectively. The major flavonoid compounds in the leaves of L. japonicum were luteolin, apigenin and their glycosides. Tyrosol, t-cinnamic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, shikimic acid and protocatecuic acid were detected in free phenolic acid, while tyrosol, t-cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, esculetin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and hydroxytyrosol were detected in esterified phenolic acid. The insoluble phenolic acid contained tyrosol, t-cinnamic and p-caoumaric acid.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.1147-1155
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• 2018

The degradation efficiency and catabolism pathways of the different methylxanthines (MXs) in isolated caffeine-tolerant strain Pseudomonas putida CT25 were comprehensively studied. The results showed that the degradation efficiency of various MXs varied with the number and position of the methyl groups on the molecule (i.e., xanthine > 7-methylxanthine ${\approx}$ theobromine > caffeine > theophylline > 1-methylxanthine). Multiple MX catabolism pathways coexisted in strain CT25, and a different pathway would be triggered by various MXs. Demethylation dominated in the degradation of N-7-methylated MXs (such as 7-methylxanthine, theobromine, and caffeine), where C-8 oxidation was the major pathway in the catabolism of 1-methylxanthine, whereas demethylation and C-8 oxidation are likely both involved in the degradation of theophylline. Enzymes responsible for MX degradation were located inside the cell. Both cell culture and cell-free enzyme assays revealed that N-1 demethylation might be a rate-limiting step for the catabolism of the MXs. Surprisingly, accumulation of uric acid was observed in a cell-free reaction system, which might be attributed to the lack of activity of uricase, a cytochrome c-coupled membrane integral enzyme.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2010

We studied on the proteomic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii KI-1 tachyzoites which were originally isolated from a Korean patient, and compared with those of the well-known virulent RH strain using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), mass spectrometry, and quantitative real-time PCR. Two-dimensional separation of the total proteins isolated from KI-1 tachyzoites revealed up to 150 spots, of which 121 were consistent with those of RH tachyzoites. Of the remaining 29 spots, 14 showed greater than 5-fold difference in density between the KI-1 and RH tachyzoites at a pH of 5.0-8.0. Among the 14 spots, 5 from the KI-1 isolate and 7 from the RH strain were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and database searches. The spots from the KI-1 tachyzoties were dense granule proteins (GRA 2,3,6, and 7), hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGRPTase), and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRTase). The spots from the RH strain were surface antigen 1 (SAG 1), L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), actin, chorismate synthase, peroximal catalase, hexokinase, bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHTR-TS), and nucleosidetriphosphatases (NTPases). Quantitative real-time PCR supported our mass spectrometric results by showing the elevated expression of the genes encoding GRA 2,3, and 6 and UPRTase in the KI-1 tachyzoites and those encoding GRA 7, SAG 1, NTPase, and chorismate synthase in the RH tachyzoites. These observations demonstrate that the protein compositions of KI-1 and RH tachyzoites are similar but differential protein expression is involved in virulence.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2012

In the course of screening for antioxidant compounds by measuring the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging effect and superoxide quenching activity, methanol extract of Cyperus flaccidus (Cyperaceae) was found to show potent antioxidant activities. Subsequent activity-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract led to the isolation of ten compounds, kaempferol-3,7-O-${\alpha}$-L-dirhamnopyranoside (1), caffeic acid (2), quercetin-3-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnopyranosyl($1{\rightarrow}6$)-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), quercetin-3-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), luteoiln-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (6), kaempferol-3-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnopyranosyl($1{\rightarrow}6$)-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (7), luteoiln (8), quercetin (9) and quercetin-3-O-${\beta}$-D-glucuronide (10). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1 - 10 were isolated for the first time from this plant. Among them, compounds 2, 8 and 9 showed the significant radical scavenging effects on DPPH, and the potent xanthine-originated superoxide quenching activities.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.206-213
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the anticonvulsant, antioxidant effect of modified formulas Korean traditional medicine Gungchihwadam-Jeon(GCHDJ). The extract of GCHDJ was administered (p.o.) to mice for 14 days in anticonvulsant and antioxidant tests. The pretreatment of GCHDJ extract prohibited the pentylenetrazol(PTZ)-induced convulsion in PTZ-induced convulsion, lowered level of brain r-aminobutyric acid(GABA) was restored by the pretreatment of GCHDJ. Increased level of brain glutamic acid was lowered to normal state by GCHDJ, and increased activity of brain r-aminobutyric acid transaminase(GABA-T) was reduced by GCHDJ. In PTZ-induced convulsion, increased level of brain lipid peroxide was lowered to normal state by the pretreatment of GCHDJ. Increased activity of brain xanthine oxidase(XOD) was lowered to normal state by GCHDJ, and increased activity of brain aldehyde oxidase lowered to normal state by GCHDJ. In PTZ-induced convulsion, increased activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase in brain were lowered by the pretreatment of GCHDJ, whereas increased level of glutathione and increased activity of gluthathione peroxidase in brain were not changed significantly. Above results suggest that GCHDJ have anticonvulsant. antioxidant effect. That seems to be strongly related with the levels of GABA, glutamate, lipid peroxide and the activities of GABA-T, XOD, aldehyde oxidase, SOD, catalase in brain tissue. From these results, GCHDJ could be applied to various convulsive disorders.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 1997

Scutellariae radix, has been used as a natural drug for fever, inflammation, cataract, and liver disease in traditional medicine. This study was performed in order to investigate the antioxidative effects of Scutellariae radix aqua-acupuncture solution (SRAS) on lipid peroxidation by free radicals. Lipid peroxidation levels were determined by TBA method during the autoxidation of linoleic acid. In this linoleic acid autoxidation system, SRAS markedly exhibited antioxidant activity, which inhibited 89% of linoleic acid peroxidation. SRAS showed scavenging effects on ${\alpha},{\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl$(DPPH) radical, inhibited superoxide generation in xanthine-xathine oxidase system, and also inhibited lipid peroxidation of rat liver tissue by hydroxyl radical derived from $H_2O_2-FE^{+2}$ system. These effects were similar to those of $dl-{\alpha}-tocopherol$, BHA and BHT. In addition, SRAS protected the cell death induced by ter-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and significantly increased cell viability in the normal rat liver cell (Ac2F). On the basis of these results, it is suggested that SRAS might play a protective role in lipid peroxidation by free radicals.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.338-348
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• 2000

The present study was attempted to determine the effect of 5'-(N'-ethylcarboxamido) adenosine (NECA), which is an potent $A_2$-adenosine receptor agonist, on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation, membrane depolarization and calcium mobilization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. NECA (20 nM) perfused into the adrenal vein for 60 min produced a time-related inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32x10$^{-3}$ M), high $K^{+}$(5.6x10$^{-2}$ M), DMPP (10$^{-4}$ M for 2 min), McN-A-343 (10$^{-4}$ M for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (10$^{-5}$ M for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 (10$^{-5}$ M for 4 min). Also, in the presence of $\beta$,${\gamma}$-methylene adenosine-5'-triphosphate (MATP), which is also known to be a selective $P_{2x}$-purinergic receptor agonist, showed a similar inhibition elf CA release evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with 20$\mu$M NECA for 20 min under the presence of 20$\mu$M 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX), an adenosine receptors antagonist, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were much recovered in comparison to the case of NECA-treatment only. Taken together, these results indicate that NECA causes the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization. This inhibitory effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells through the adenosine receptor stimulation. Therefore, it is suggested that the inhibitory mechanism of adenosine receptor stimulation may play a modulatory role in regulating CA secretion.n.n.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2012

Green tea leaves were fermented for 15 and 30 days with Monascus pilosus which is known to produce functional statins (TMs), and the content of various biochemical constituents such as total polyphenol (TP), total flavonoid (TF), theaflavin, and thearubigin were analyzed and compared with that of non-fermented green tea (GT) and Pu-erh Chinese post-fermented tea (PU). In addition to the electron donating ability (EDA), ferric iron reducing power (FIRP), xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, iron chelating activity (ICA) and hydrogen peroxide contents were also measured and compared with that of GT and PU. Content of TP and TF in the water and ethanol extracts in TMs were lower than those in GT and PU. Theaflavin and thearubigin contents of water and ethanol extracts in TMs were higher than those of GT. And, these components were increased depending on the period of fermentation. While, EDA and FIRP of TMs were lower than those of GT, XO inhibitory activity of TMs was higher than non-fermented tea. While, ICA of TMs was slightly higher than GT and PU, the content of hydrogen peroxide in TMs was markedly lower than GT. This results suggested that the green tea fermented by M. pilosus was valuable for oxidative stress-induced diseases by decreasing hydrogen peroxide, and forming theaflavins and thearubigins with functionality of genus Monascus.