• 대한약침학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.29-35
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• 2017

Objectives: Aging is an unconscious and gradual process that can lead to changes in biological systems. Induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis, hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity are involved in the aging process. Regarding the antioxidant property of black seed oil, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-aging effect of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) oil on d-galactose-induced aging in mice. Methods: For induction of aging, D-galactose (500 mg/kg, subcoutaneously SC) was administrated to male mice for 42 days. Animals were treated with D-galactose alone or with b lack seed oil (0.1, 0.2, 0.5 mL/kg, intraperitoneally (ip)). Additionally, vitamin E (200 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. At the end of treatment, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and the glutathione (GSH) contents in brain and liver tissues were measured. Also, enzymes in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT), were determined. The levels of the proteins Bax, Bcl2, caspase-3 (pro and cleaved) in brain and liver tissues were evaluated. Results: Administration of D-galactose (500 mg/kg, SC) for 42 days increased serum levels of ALT and AST, as well as the MDA content, in brain and liver tissues, but decreased the GSH content. Additionally, the levels of apoptotic proteins, including Bax, procaspase-3 and caspase-3 cleaved, were markedly increased. N. sativa oil (0.1 and 0.2 mL/kg) diminished the levels of the biochemical markers ALT and AST. Administration of black seed oil (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mL/kg) reduced lipid peroxidation and at doses 0.1 and 0.2 mL/kg significantly recovered the GSH content. The oil decreased Bax/Bcl2 levels and at 0.1 mL/kg down-regulated the expressions of caspase-3 (pro and cleaved) proteins in brain and liver tissues. Conclusion: Through its antioxidant and anti-apoptosis properties, black seed oil exhibited an anti-aging effect in a model of aging induced with D-galactose.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제11권5호
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• pp.32-40
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• 2011

저속촬영이 가능한 현미경을 통해 얻어진 세포동영상에서 세포활동의 추적 및 분석은 종양의 전이, 바이러스의 침입, 상처회복, 세포분열과 같은 복잡한 생물학적 과정을 이해하는데 있어 매우 중요한 역할을 담당한다. 세포추적의 자동화를 위해서는 각 프레임에서의 세포검출, 전후 프레임 내 세포들의 상관관계 조사, 새로운 세포의 인식 및 세포분열의 확인 등과 같은 일련의 작업들이 수행되어야 한다. 본 논문에서는 이를 위한 효과적인 자동 세포 추적 알고리즘을 제시한다. 첫 번째 프레임에서는 세포영역의 특성 분석을 통해 얻어진 특징벡터를 이용하여 각 세포의 마커 영역을 추출하고, 여기에 워터쉐드 알고리즘을 적용함으로써 세포 분할을 수행한다. 연속된 프레임들에서는 이전 프레임의 분할결과를 이용하여 현재 프레임에서의 분할 과정이 수행된다. 그리고 각 세포의 기하학적 특성과 밝기 특성의 결합 비용함수를 사용하여 전후 프레임 간 세포의 올바른 상관관계를 조사함으로써 세포 추적의 정확도를 개선한다. 실험에서 세포영상 분석을 위한 소프트웨어 패키지인 CellProfiler와의 비교/분석을 통해 제안 알고리즘의 효율성을 입증하였다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.102-106
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• 2009

We exposed ICR mice to low-dose (0.2 Gy) and low-dose-rate (0.7 mGy/h) $\gamma$-radiation ($^{137}Cs$) in the Low-dose-rate Irradiation Facility at the Radiation Health Research Institute to evaluate systemic effects of low-dose radiation. We compared the body and organ weights, number of blood cells (white and red blood cells and platelets), levels of biochemical markers in serum, and frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes between low-dose irradiated and non-irradiated control mice. The ICR mice irradiated with total doses of 0.2 and 2 Gy showed no changes in body and organ weights, number of blood cells (white and red blood cells), or frequency of micronuclei in the polychromatic erythrocytes of peripheral blood. However, the number of platelets (P = 0.002) and the liver weight (P < 0.01) were significantly increased in mice exposed to 0.2 and 2 Gy, respectively. These results suggest that a low-dose-rate of 0.7 mGy/h does not induce systemic damage. This dose promotes hematopoiesis in the bone marrow microenvironment and the proliferation of liver cells. In the future, the molecular biological effects of lower doses and dose rates need to be evaluated.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.615-619
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• 2017

Background: Black ginseng has a more potent biological activity than non-steamed ginseng. We investigated the effects of long-term intake of dietary black ginseng extract (BG) on antioxidant activity in aged mice. We also compared the effects of BG on cognitive deficits with those of white ginseng extract (WG) and red ginseng extract (RG). Methods: Ten-month-old mice were fed an AIN-93G-based diet containing 10 g/kg (low dose, L) or 30 g/kg (high dose, H) WG powder, RG powder, or BG powder for 24 wk. We measured serum lipids, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, the protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter, which are presynaptic cholinergic markers in the cortex and hippocampus of the brain, were measured by western blotting. Results: Triglyceride levels were reduced in all the extract-treated mice, except those in the LBG group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the HBG group were higher than those in the control group. Total cholesterol levels were reduced in the LBG group. Additionally, glucose levels in the HBG group were significantly reduced by 41.2%. There were lower levels of malondialdehyde in the LBG group than in the control group. Furthermore, glutathione reductase activity increased in the HWG group and the HRG group. The protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter significantly increased in all the ginseng-treated groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that supplementation with the tested ginseng extracts may suppress the cognitive decline associated with aging, via regulation of the cholinergic and antioxidant defense systems.

• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.12-21
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• 2002

Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have been associated with hypertension in various ethnic groups, but no relation between these polymorphisms and hypertension has yet been systematically evaluated. To assess the relationship between allelic variation of RAS genes and hypertension, we performed the case-control studies using genetic markers in Korean normotensives and hypertensives. The allele and genotype frequencies of RAS genes in Korean population were not significantly different between normotensives and hypertensives. To investigate the distribution of allele frequencies among various populations, the data obtained in this study were compared to those in other ethnic groups studied previously. Except for T174M polymorphism of angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, allele frequencies of RAS genes were different among racial groups. The reason for these differences may be due to the difference in various genetic or environmental background or due to the effects by various sample size studied. In addition, it can be emphasized that carefully designed studies are required to minimize the ethnic heterogeneity of the case and control populations.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제32권10호
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• pp.3597-3602
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• 2011

A simple and rapid analytical method was developed for the determination of eight isoquinoline alkaloids in Corydalis species. Eight isoquinoline alkaloids, including 2 aporphine alkaloids (isocorydine and glaucine) and 6 protoberberine alkaloids (coptisine, palmatine, berberine, canadine, corydaline, and tetrahydrocoptisine) were used as chemical markers which have a various biological activity and determined for quality control of Corydalis (C.) species (C. ternata, C. yanhusuo, and C. decumbens). To evaluate the quality of these herbal medicines, LC chromatographic separation of alkaloids were preferentially investigated on reversed-phase C18 column with pH variation and composition of mobile phase. In addition, the separation of these alkaloids in herbal extracts was found to be significantly affected on mobile phase composition using gradient elution. Especially for C. yanhusuo extract, berberine was seriously interfered with other alkaloid extracted from sample matrix when mobile phase composition was not optimized. As results, these compounds were successfully separated within 28 min using 10 mM ammonium acetate containing 0.2% triethylamine (adjusted at pH 5.0) as a mobile phase with gradient elution. On the basis of optimized HPLC conditions, 23 different Corydalis species samples were analyzed for the determination of alkaloid levels. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) combined with the chromatographic data could be successfully classified the different geographic origin samples.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.75-81
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• 2013

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone)은 프로폴리스, 꿀 같은 음식과 다양한 식물에 존재하는 천연 플라보노이드이다. Chrysin은 항산화, 항노화, 항염, 항암 효과 등 다양한 생물학적 효과를 가진다고 알려져 있다. 이 연구에서, 우리는 사람의 각질형성세포에서 chrysin이 VDR을 통한 transcriptional activity에 미치는 영향을 dual-luciferase assay을 통하여 살펴보았다. Chrysin은 농도 의존적으로 VDR을 통한 transcriptional activity를 증가시켰다. Quantitative real time PCR을 통해 chrysin이 사람의 각질형성세포에서 VDR mRNA의 발현을 증가시킴을 확인하였다. 또한, chrysin이 각질형성세포의 분화 마커인 keratin 10, involucrin 그리고 filaggrin의 mRNA 발현을 증가시킴을 확인하였다. 이러한 연구 결과는 chrysin이 VDR을 통한 transcriptional activity를 조절하여 각질형성세포의 분화를 촉진시킬 수 있다는 것을 시사한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.85-95
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• 2017

Background: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) products, such as slices, have a similar appearance, but they have significantly different prices, leading to widespread adulteration in the commercial market. Their aroma characteristics are attracting increasing attention and are supposed to be effective and nondestructive markers to determine adulteration. Methods: The aroma characteristics of American and Asian ginseng were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and an electronic nose (E-nose). Their volatile organic compounds were separated, classified, compared, and analyzed with different pattern recognition. Results: The E-nose showed a good performance in grouping with a principle component analysis explaining 94.45% of variance. A total of 69 aroma components were identified by GC-MS, with 35.6% common components and 64.6% special ingredients between the two ginsengs. It was observed that the components and the number of terpenes and alcohols were markedly different, indicating possible reasons for their difference. The results of pattern recognition confirmed that the E-nose processing result is similar to that of GC-MS. The interrelation between aroma constituents and sensors indicated that special sensors were highly related to some terpenes and alcohols. Accordingly, the contents of selected constituents were accurately predicted by corresponding sensors with most $R^2$ reaching 90%. Conclusion: Combined with advanced chemometrics, the E-nose is capable of discriminating between American and Asian ginseng in both qualitative and quantitative angles, presenting an accurate, rapid, and nondestructive reference approach.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.37-43
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• 2011

The Korean freshwater crayfish, Cambaroides similis, has recently suffered from range reduction and habitat degradation caused by environmental changes and water pollution. For the conservation and restoration of this species, it is necessary to understand the current population structures of Korean C. similis using estimation of their genetic variation. In this study, eight micro satellite loci were developed and characterized from 49 individuals collected from four locations: one population from Mt. Bukhan (BH) and three populations from Mt. Gwanak (GA) in Seoul, Korea. As a result, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 12. The observed heterozygosities and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 0.833 and from 0.125 to 0.943, respectively, and the former values were significantly lower than the latter ones expected under the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant linkage disequilibrium was revealed between any of the locus pairs after Bonferroni correction. From the pairwise Fst results over all samples, higher differentiation between GA-BH population pairs (mean 0.1789) was observed than between GA population pairs (mean 0.0454). This was also supported by Mantel's test showing that the genetic distances of these crayfish populations were significantly correlated with geographic distances. This result may show the regional differentiation caused by restricted gene flow between northern (BH) and southern (GA) populations within Seoul. These micro satellite markers have the potential for use in analyses of the genetic diversity and population structure of C. similis species, with implications for its conservation and management plans.

• 약학회지
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.311-318
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• 2003

Eurya emarginata (Thunb.) Makino (Theaceae) is distributed in coastal areas of island. The leaves of Eurya are used in the traditional medicine of the coastal areas of jeju island with the aim of diuresis or to treat ulcers. Nevertheless, there are few reports on the biological activity and constituents of E. emarginata. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological activity of the solvent extracts of E. emarginata on the several inflammatory markers (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, NO, iNOS and COX-2). Also we examined the antioxidizing effect of the solvent extracts by determination of DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Among the solvent fractions, EtOAc and BuOH extracts showed potent radical scavenging activity (RC$_{50}$=10.9 and 12.7 respectively). The subtractions of EF 5-4-6-3-2 and BF 1 potentially inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mι. Also the fractions inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mι. And then, the inhibition of iNOS was correlated with the decrease of nitrite level. These results suggest that E. emarginata may have anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, iNOS and COX-2.2.