• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.63-66
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• 2008

The fermentation broth (FB) of Streptomyces griseofuscus 200401 isolated from non-farming soil showed antagonistic activity against powdery mildew fungus both in melon leaf/seedling assay and in field trials. The FB of S. griseofuscus 200401 was tested at different concentrations. In primary test, the control value of 2-fold diluted FB of S. griseofuscus 200401, compared to control, reached to 82.8%. The protective activity recorded 80.5% in 2-fold dilution of FB. The effect was reduced to 28.9% in high dilution (100-fold) treatment. The curative effect was relatively lower than protective activity. In field test, the antifungal activities of S. griseofuscus 200401 remained low in blocks sprayed with 100-fold diluted FB and the control values were 15.2 and 15.9% in 2005 and 2006, respectively. However, the activities were as high as 65% and 67.3% in the blocks treated with 2-fold dilution of FB during the same period.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.290-301
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• 2017

Background: Forest edges create distinctive ecological space as adjacent constituents, which distinguish between different ecosystems or land use types. These edges are made by anthropogenic or natural disturbance and affects both abiotic and biotic factors gradually. This study was carried out to assess edge effects on disturbed landscape at the pine-dominated clear-cut area in a genetic resources reserve in Uljin-gun, eastern Korea. This study aims to estimate the distance of edge influence by analyzing changes of abiotic and biotic factors along the distance from forest edge. Further, we recommend forest management strategy for sustaining healthy forest landscapes by reducing effects of deforestation. Results: Distance of edge effect based on the abiotic factors varied from 8.2 to 33.0 m. The distances were the longest in $Mg^{2+}$ content and total nitrogen, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$ contents, canopy openness, light intensity, air humidity, $Na^+$ content, and soil temperature followed. The result based on biotic factors varied from 6.8 to 29.5 m, coverage of tree species in the herb layer showed the longest distance and coverage of shrub plant in the herb layer, evenness, species diversity, total coverage of herb layer, and species richness followed. As the result of calculation of edge effect by synthesizing 26 factors measured in this study, the effect was shown from 11.0 m of the forest interior to 22.4 m of the open space. In the result of stand ordination, Rhododendron mucronulatum, R. schlippenbachii, and Fraxinus sieboldiana dominated arrangement of forest interior sites and Quercus mongolica, Vitis amurensis, and Rubus crataegifolius dominated spatial distribution of the open area plots. Conclusions: Forest interior habitat lies within the influence of both abiotic and biotic edge effects. Therefore, we need a forest management strategy to sustain the stability of the plant and further animal communities that depend on its stable conditions. For protecting forest interior, we recommend selective logging as a harvesting method for minimizing edge effects by anthropogenic disturbance. In fact, it was known that selective logging contributes to control light availability and wind regime, which are key factors affecting microclimate. In addition, ecological restoration applying protective planting for the remaining forest in the clear-cut area could contribute to prevent continuous disturbance in forest interior.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1422-1430
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate the modulatory effects of two prototypes of Panax ginseng saponin fractions, 20(S)-protopanaxadiol saponins (PDS) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol saponins (PTS), on the induction of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. For this purpose, RAW264.7 cells were treated with LPS ($10{\mu}g/ml$) before, after, or simultaneously with PDS or PTS ($150{\mu}g/ml$), and the released level of nitric oxide (NO) and expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were evaluated. When RAW264.7 cells were treated with LPS and ginseng saponin fractions simultaneously for 24 hr, PTS, compared to PDS, more strongly attenuated the NO production induced by LPS treatment. When the cells were pretreated with LPS for 2 hr followed by PDS or PTS treatment for 24 hr, both ginseng saponins strongly reduced NO release. The pretreatment of RAW264.7 cells with PDS or PTS for 2 hr followed by LPS treatment for 24 hr significantly attenuated the LPS-induced production of NO. PTS showed stronger inhibitory potency to NO generation than PDS. Our western blot experiment showed that both PDS and PTS ($150{\mu}g/ml$) also significantly down-regulated the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 induced by LPS treatment. Our results suggest that both PDS and PTS possess strong protective effects against LPS-stimulated inflammation and that their protective effects are mediated by the suppression of NO synthesis via down-regulation of pro-inflammatory enzymes, iNOS, and COX-2 in the RAW264.7 cells.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.268-273
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• 2018

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is linked with high mortality rate. Several agents have been developed so far to reduce the risk of HIRI. In this study, we investigated the effects of combined treatment of Ginko biloba leaves extract and vitamin C (GLEVC) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. To explore the protective effects of GLEVC on HIRI rats model were tested. After the development of HIRI by using clamping method rats were then randomly divided into four groups. Different doses of GLEVC were administered in HIRI rat model. The level of ALT, AST, SOD and MDA content in serum were detected in HIRI groups. Moreover, the activity of SOD, content of MDA, and GSH in hepatic tissue were also examined. Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression were detected by immunohistochemical staining method. Compared with sham group, GLEVC has the protective effect on the HIRI-induced model. Level of ALT, AST, and MDA in blood were significantly lower in GLEVC group compared with HIRI-induced group. Moreover, SOD activity and GSH were increased in GLEVC group whereas MDA content was reduced by GLEVC treatment. Furthermore, HIRI-induced Bax protein was reduced upon GLEVC treatment, whereas Bcl-2 protein expression was enhanced. These results demonstrate that GLEVC treatment may provide potential ameliorative therapy by reducing damaged signaling mechanism in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury model.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2527-2533
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• 2016

Sensitising cancer cells and at the same time desensitizing normal cells is a double task in cancer management. Agents which can combat the debilitating side effects of cancer therapeutics and simultaneously synergize with anticancer agents in specifically targeting cancer cells are needed. Selenium, a proven anticarcinogen, gains due importance in terms of its efficacy to combat the side effects of cancer therapy. This study is a comparative analysis of the chemoprotective effects of selenium compounds, methyl selenol (generated from organic selenomethionine (5mmol/L ; METase 40U/L)) and sodium selenite (inorganic form)($30{\mu}M$) in peripheral blood human lymphocytes exposed to cisplatin and mitomycin. Biochemical alterations occurring in many cells during apoptosis include loss of plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry, DNA fragmentation, and activation of caspase-3. The present study demonstrated that the selenium metabolite and selenite are efficient in protecting lymphocytes undergoing DNA damage and exerted their activity by reducing caspase 3 expression. Interestingly organic methylselenol (MeSe) was found to offer more protective effects compared to inorganic selenite (SeL), by reducing the induction of apoptosis by the cytotoxic agents. This suggests that MeSe and to a lesser extent selenite might have potential for assessment in clinical trials and could be considered as strong candidates in pharmacogenomics or in the nutriprotective arena.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.259-263
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• 1996

The preventive effects of ginseng and aloe extract on cigarette smoke-induced hepatotoxicity to Spague-Dawley rats were investigated. The experimental rats were exposed smoke by inhalation for 5 weeks, 3 times per day, and 15 minutes each time. Also ginseng and aloe extract (Group G+A), aloe (Group A) or ginseng (Group G) were administered to each group, but the positive control rats (Group C) were exposed smoke without any other special treatments. Group C showed decreased food intake and increased water consumption. Also the reduction of body weight and the increase in serumAST, ALT, triglyceride and alkaline phosphatase were observed. The relative liver weights of group C were increased and the hepatic parenchyma revealed light brownish red grossly. On histopathologic observation, the hepatocytes of group C animals exhibited diffuse swelling which narrowed the, sinusoidal lumen and disarrayed the hepatic cord-like arrangement. Diffuse necrosis of the hepatocytes was also observed. However, degeneration and necrosis of the hepatocytes were milder in group G+A. In the case of group A, the damage was moderate, while the group G showed marginal improvement from group C. Electronmicroscopically, peroxisome increased and mitochodria decreased in group C. Various hepatic damages related to smoking in group C revealed recovering tendency in group G+A. This study indicated that daily administration of ginseng and aloe could decrease and even prevent cigarette smokeinduced hepatotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.26-31
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• 2019

[Purpose] Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that it is possible to prescribe exercise for neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, despite the availability of diverse scientific knowledge, the effects of exercise in this regard are still unclear. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate a substance, such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocapa L.) that could improve the ability of the treatment and enhance the benefits of exercising in neurodegenerative diseases. [Methods] The cell viability was tested with 2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolim-5-carboxanilide and the cells were stained with ethidium homodimer-1 solution. The mRNA expression levels were evaluated by microarray. The active compounds of black chokeberry ethanolic extract (BCE) were analyzed by gas chromatography. The chemical shift analysis in the brain was performed using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. [Results] BCE treatment decreased hydrogen peroxide-induced L6 cell death and beta amyloid induced primary neuronal cell death. Furthermore, BCE treatment significantly reduced the mRNA levels of the inflammatory factors, such as IL-1α, Cxcl13, IL36rn, Itgb2, Epha2, Slamf8, Itgb6, Kdm6b, Acvr1, Cd6, Adora3, Cd27, Gata3, Tnfrsf25, Cd40lg, Clec10a, and Slc11a1, in the primary neuronal cells. Next, we identified 16 active compounds from BCE, including D-mannitol. In vivo, BCE (administered orally at a dosage of 50 mg/kg) significantly regulated chemical shift in the brain. [Conclusion] Our findings suggest that BCE can serve as a candidate for neurodegenerative disease therapy owing to its cyto-protective and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, BCE treatment is expected to prevent damage to the muscles and neurons of the athletes who continue high intensity exercise. In future studies, it would be necessary to elucidate the effects of combined BCE intake and exercise.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1207-1214
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• 2017

Schisandrae Fructus (SF), the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of chronic diseases. SF extracts have been recently reported to attenuate the inflammatory responses in SW1353 human chondrocyte cells in in vitro and monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced cartilage degradation in in vivo osteoarthritis (OA) models. However, their protective and therapeutic potentials against OA in primary culture chondrocytes and animal models remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the ethanol extract of SF on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), biomarkers for diagnosis of OA, on interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}-induced$ primary cultured rat cartilage chondrocytes and MIA-induced osteoarthritis in a rat model. Our data indicated that SF treatment significantly reduced the mRNA expression and enzyme activity of MMP-1, -3 and -13 in $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ primary cultured rat cartilage chondrocytes. The chondro-protective effects of SF were then analyzed in a rat OA model using a single intra-articular injection of MIA in the right knee joint. According to our results, the elevated levels of MMP-1 and -3 were markedly ameliorated by SF administration. Collectively, these findings indicate that SF could be a candidate for the treatment of OA.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.604-614
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• 2020

The application of steroids has steadily increased thanks to their therapeutic effects. However, alternatives are required due their severe side effects; thus, studies on the activities of steroid derivatives are underway. Sugar derivatives of nandrolone, which is used to treat breast cancer, as well as cortisone and prednisone, which reduce inflammation, pain, and edema, are unknown. We linked O-glucose to nandrolone and testosterone using UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT-1) and, then, tested their bioactivities in vitro. Analysis by NMR showed that the derivatives were 17β-nandrolone β-ᴅ-glucose and 17β-testosterone β-ᴅ-glucose, respectively. The viability was higher and cytotoxicity was evident in PC12 cells incubated with rotenone and, testosterone derivatives, compared to the controls. SH-SY5Y cells incubated with H₂O₂ and nandrolone derivatives remained viable and cytotoxicity was attenuated. Both derivatives enhanced neuronal protective effects and increased the amounts of cellular ATP.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.218-221
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• 2013

Korean cabbage, a member of the Brassicaceae family which also includes cauliflower, mustard, radish, and turnip plants, is a crucial leafy vegetable crop. Korean cabbage is harvested after completion of the leaf heading process and is often prepared for use in "baechu kimchi", a traditional Korean food. Many of the components in Korean cabbage are essential for proper human nutrition; these components can be divided into two groups: primary metabolites, which include carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and organic acids, and secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, carotenoids, sterols, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and glucosinolates (GSLs). Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, this study examined the variety of volatile compounds (including isothiocyanates) contained in Korean cabbage and its seed, which resulted in the identification of 16 and 12 volatile compounds, respectively. The primary volatile compound found in the cabbage was ethyl linoleolate (~23%), while 4,5-epithiovaleronitrile (~46%) was the primary volatile component in the seed.