• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.54-72
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this review is to investigate studies on Estrogen-like activity and to contribute to the utilization of herbal medicines including phytoestrogens. Methods: Electric searches were performed with Pubmed from 2013 to June 2018, for the words, 'herb and estrogen', 'traditional Chinese medicine and estrogen', 'Oriental medicine and estrogen', and 'Korean medicine and estrogen'. 49 papers are investigated and classified into 'in vitro', 'in vivo' and 'in vivo and in vitro' experimental studies. Results: 1. In vitro experimental studies have shown that estrogen-like effects of the components extracted from Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Rubi Fructus, Sparganii Rhizoma, Epimedii Herba, Spatholobi Caulis, Evodiae fructus, Curcumae longae Radix, Ginseng Radix, Bupleuri Radix, Astragali Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, Puerariae Radix, Scutellariae Radix are present. 2. In vivo experimental studies have shown that estrogen-like effects of the components extracted from Phytolaccae Radix, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Alismatis Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix, Puerariae Radix, Ginseng Radix, Cyperi Rhizoma, Cistanchis Herba, Cynomorii Herba, Granati fructus, Astragali Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Crudus, Epimedii Herba, Polygalae Radix, Artemisiae Annuae Herba are present. 3. In vitro and in vivo experimental studies have shown that estrogen-like effects of the components extracted from Cirsii Herba, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, Cynomorii Herba, Cinnamomi cortex, Drynariae Rhizoma, Psoraleae Semen, Schisandrae Fructus, Epimedii Herba, Astragali Radix are present. Conclusions: Future studies will require additional research on numerous herbal medicines used in clinical practice.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.673-679
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• 2020

Background: Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) is the extraction from the roots and rhizomes of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen. PNS is the main bioactive component of Xuesaitong, Xueshuantong, and other Chinese patent medicines, which are all bestselling prescriptions in China to treat cardiocerebrovascular diseases. Notoginsenoside R₁ and ginsenoside Rg₁, Rd, Re, and Rb₁ are the principal effective constituents of PNS, but a systematic research on the rare saponin compositions has not been conducted. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic chemical study on PNS and establish the HPLC fingerprint of PNS to provide scientific evidence in quality control. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the new compounds was tested. Methods: Pure saponins from PNS were isolated by means of many chromatographic methods, and their structures were determined by extensive analyses of NMR and HR-ESI-MS studies. The fingerprint was established by HPLC-UV method. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 -diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Results and Conclusion: Three new triterpenoid saponins (1-3) together with 25 known rare saponins (4-28) were isolated from PNS, except for the five main compounds (notoginsenoside R1 and ginsenoside Rg1, Rd, Re, and Rb1). In addition, the HPLC fingerprint of PNS was established, and the peaks of the isolated compounds were marked. The study of chemical constituents and fingerprint was useful for the quality control of PNS. The study on antitumor activities showed that new Compound 2 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against the tested cell lines.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.522-530
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• 2002

We have already known, neural progenitor cells exist not only in the developing brain, but in certain spots in adult CNS in mammals, so it will be of great value to find out some compounds which can interfere these cells proliferation ability. In this research, we observed that ginsenoside $Rg_1$ can not only enhance neural progenitors' proliferation ability in vitro, but increase neurogenesis in adult mouse dentate gyrus in vivo. Firstly, we set up neural progenitor cells' culture system from embryonic rats' hippocampus and prove their feature through immunocytochemistry. Then by using MTT assay, we found that when growing with ginsenoside $Rg_1(0.5\~2.5{\mu}mol/l)$, the progenitor cells' survival rate nearly doubled, furthermore, we proved that this increase was due to the increment of cell proliferation through $^3H-thimidine$ incorporation assay, hence, we drew the first conclusion: ginsenoside Rg1 has the ability to stimulate neural progenitor cells' proliferation in vitro; in order to observe this compound's effect in vivo, we devised the following experiment: after administering ginsenoside Rg1 (5, 10 mg/kg, once a day) intraperitoneally for two weeks, we examine the number of BrdU positive cells in the dentate gyrus of mice, and found that Rg1 could increase the number of proliferation cells significantly in vivo. From these studies, we are quite sure about Rg1's effects on the proliferation ability of neural progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo, certain targets of the compound and its underlying mechanisms are in progress.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.539-549
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• 2019

Background: 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD), the aglycone part of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol ginsenosides, possesses antidepressant activity among many other pharmacological activities. It is currently undergoing clinical trial in China as an antidepressant. Methods: In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass tandem mass spectrometry method was established to identify the metabolites of PPD in human plasma and urine following oral administration in phase IIa clinical trial. Results: A total of 40 metabolites in human plasma and urine were identified using this method. Four metabolites identified were isolated from rat feces, and two of them were analyzed by NMR to elucidate the exact structures. The structures of isolated compounds were confirmed as (20S,24S)-epoxydammarane-12,23,25-triol-3-one and (20S,24S)-epoxydammarane-3,12,23,25-tetrol. Both compounds were found as metabolites in human for the first time. Upon comparing our findings with the findings of the in vitro study of PPD metabolism in human liver microsomes and human hepatocytes, metabolites with m/z 475.3783 and phase II metabolites were not found in our study whereas metabolites with m/z 505.3530, 523.3641, and 525.3788 were exclusively detected in our experiments. Conclusion: The metabolites identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in our study were mostly hydroxylated metabolites. This indicated that PPD was metabolized in human body mainly through phase I hepatic metabolism. The main metabolites are in 20,24-oxide form with multiple hydroxylation sites. Finally, the metabolic pathways of PPD in vivo (human) were proposed based on structural analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.366-375
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• 2009

This study examined the changes of side dishes in "Eumsikdimibang", "Gyuhapchongseo", "Chosunmusangsinsikyorijebub" over time. As food ingredients, seaweed, red pepper, salted fish, Korean hot pepper paste have been used in "Gyuhapchongseo". The use of cattle by parts, saltwater fish, Chinese cabbage, powdered red pepper, garlic have increased in"Chosunmusangsinsikyorijebub". Cooking techniques, such as the use of wheat flour, a double boiler by the use of steam, and boiling and then roasting cuisine were mostly used in"Eumsikdimibang", but reduced in"Gyuhapchongseo". In "Gyuhapchongseo", the cooking methods are primarily aimed at a positive visual effect, and slices of dried meat seasoned with spices have increased. In"Chosunmusangsinsikyorijebub", various Tang (Guk), the taste of food changed by controlling the gravy content (Gigimi, Chigye, Chorim), meat mixing oil, vegetable and mushroom together to cook and boiling down the main food ingredients to soak the seasoning were increased. Dog-meat steamed dish using the intestine of dog in "Eumsikdimibang" was changed to small intestine of cattle steamed dish in "Gyuhapchongseo". And seasoned dog meat with choncho in "Eumsikdimibang" influenced on beef tail soup with Korean hot pepper paste in "Gyuhapchongseo", and Yookgyejang soup using Korean hot pepper paste in"Chosunmusangsinsikyorijebub". In steamed young chicken, the stuffing such as soybean paste, choncho, welsh onion, leek and flour in "Eumsikdimibang" was changed to minced beef, welsh onion, dropwort and Shiitake mushroom in"Gyuhapchongseo". The steamed young chicken in "Chosunmusangsinsikyorijebub" with stuffing was added to chicken soup using glutinous rice, and ginseng powder. Now, the chicken soup was changed to Samgyetang with glutinous rice, and ginseng. In "Chosunmusangsinsikyorijebub", various vegetable dishes were cooked with beef.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.40-51
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 shows promising tumor-suppressive effects in ovarian cancer via inhibiting NF-kB signaling. This study aimed to explore the downstream tumor suppressive mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 via this signaling pathway. Materials and methods: A systematical screening was applied to examine the expression profile of 41 kinesin family member genes in ovarian cancer. The regulatory effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on KIF20A expression was studied. In addition, we explored interacting proteins of KIF20A and their molecular regulations in ovarian cancer. RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used for bioinformatic analysis. Epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and A2780 were used as in vitro and in vivo cell models. Commercial human ovarian cancer tissue arrays were used for immunohistochemistry staining. Results: KIF20A is a biomarker of poor prognosis among the kinesin genes. It promotes ovarian cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Ginsenoside Rg3 can suppress the transcription of KIF20A. GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation (IP) assays confirmed that KIF20A physically interacts with BTRC (β-TrCP1), a substrate recognition subunit for SCF^β-TrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase. In vitro ubiquitination and cycloheximide (CHX) chase assays showed that via interacting with BTRC, KIF20A reduces BTRC-mediated CDC25A poly-ubiquitination and enhances its stability. Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment partly abrogates KIF20A overexpression-induced CDC25A upregulation. Conclusion: This study revealed a novel anti-tumor mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3. It can inhibit KIF20A transcription and promote CDC25A proteasomal degradation in epithelial ovarian cancer.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 1990

Croping pattern, fertilizer application, Soil chemical characteristics, plant nutritional condition and growth status were investigated in three major vinyl house farms near Yesan. Croping pattern changed from tomato to pumpkin due to tomato diseases such as wilting and blossom-end rot. Wilting seemed to be closely related with high EC, nitrogen and root cyst nematodes. Calcium deficiency seemed to be due to high potassium, EC in soil and high uptake of iron. Chinese cabbages in summer showed poor growth (80% inhibition) due to high EC(1.8mmho/cm) and easily got wenny root disease that might due to high phosphorus (1055ppm) in soil. Summer radish showed poor growth (50% inhibition) due to high EC(1.6mmho/cm), K and Mg resulting in base imbalance. Farmers used 5 kinds of compound fertilizer as basal application and one without P for top dressing. Urea and KCL were used for top dressing. Heavy application of livestock manure and chemical fertilizer for every crop made eutrophic even in subsoil.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.500-507
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to categorize farm types and analyze the cultivated area and labor input time for each crop over a year in order to decide farm type conducting for the hazard exposure assessment. Methods: Crops ranked within the top 45 by cultivated area in Korea were selected and 15 target crops that exposure assessment had been conducted for through the Rural Development Administration(RDA) pilot research projects were selected. Labor input time was based on data investigated through RDA research surveillance. If there was no data, data from Statistics Korea was used. Data from Statistics Korea was used for total cultivated area. Results: Crops were divided into 5 types: open field crops(Chinese cabbage, Corn, Ginger, Potato), fruits (Mandarin, Pear), green house crops(Cucumber, Lily, Oriental melon, Pumpkin, Tomato), livestock(Poultry), specialty crops(Ginseng, Oyster mushroom, Tobacco). The cultivated area for potato was the largest, and lily was the smallest among the crops. Labor input time over a year was the highest with oyster mushroom and the lowest with pear. Total labor input time by crops was the highest with mandarin and the lowest with Chinese cabbage. Conclusions: To evaluate hazard factors of farm work, it's essential that crops and tasks be classified based on the size of farmers and working hours by farm type. Therefore, the priority of management should be determined based on the cultivated area and total labor time, but the characteristics of tasks in each crop should also be considered.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical research literature of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) which is applicable to pediatric fracture and to broaden the field about clinical application of Korean medicine treatment for pediatric fracture. Methods We searched randomized controlled trials about TCM treatment of pediatric fracture from the CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) January 2013 to December 2017. We searched the literature and analyzed the treatment methods and the results. Results 31 papers were selected from 63 studies. In most studies, the total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the bone healing time of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Methods of herb treatment include internal medicine (IM), fumigation (FG) and external application (EA). The most commonly used herb medicine were Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸), Carthami Flos (紅花), Drynaria Fortunei (骨碎補), Paeonia Lactiflora Pallas (芍藥), Persicae Semen (桃仁), Lycopodii Herba (伸筋草), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort (川芎), Olibanum (乳香), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (丹蔘), and Panax Noto Ginseng (三七). Conclusions The use of herb medicine in pediatric fractures has resulted in faster and more effective restoration of fracture union than the Western medical therapy alone. Based on the results of this study, it is possible to widen the scope of Korean medicine if additional clinical studies on pediatric fracture were conducted.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.475-482
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• 2020

Background: Active natural ingredients, especially small molecules, have recently received wide attention as modifiers used to treat neurodegenerative disease by promoting neurogenic regeneration of neural stem cell (NSC) in situ. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), one of the bioactive ingredients in ginseng, possesses neuroprotective properties. However, the effect of PPD on NSC proliferation and differentiation and its mechanism of action are incompletely understood. Methods: In this study, we investigated the impact of PPD on NSC proliferation and neuronal lineage differentiation through activation of the Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β/β-catenin pathway. NSC migration and proliferation were investigated by neurosphere assay, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and EdU assay. NSC differentiation was analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Involvement of the Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway was examined by molecular simulation and Western blot and verified using gene transfection. Results: PPD significantly promoted neural migration and induced a significant increase in NSC proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a remarkable increase in anti-microtubule-associated protein 2 expression and decrease in nestin protein expression were induced by PPD. During the differentiation process, PPD targeted and stimulated the phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9 and the active forms of β-catenin, resulting in activation of the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Transfection of NSCs with a constitutively active GSK-3β mutant at S9A significantly hampered the proliferation and neural differentiation mediated by PPD. Conclusion: PPD promotes NSC proliferation and neural differentiation in vitro via activation of the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway by targeting GSK-3β, potentially having great significance for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.