• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.326-329
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• 2017

Background: Cultivated ginseng is often introduced as a substitute and adulterant of Russian wild ginseng due to its lower cost or misidentification caused by similarity in appearance with wild ginseng. The aim of this study is to develop a simple and reliable method to differentiate Russian wild ginseng from cultivated ginseng. Methods: The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 7 (nad7) intron 3 regions of Russian wild ginseng and Chinese cultivated ginseng were analyzed. Based on the multiple sequence alignment result, a specific primer for Russian wild ginseng was designed by introducing additional mismatch and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for identification of wild ginseng. Real-time allele-specific PCR with endpoint analysis was used for validation of the developed Russian wild ginseng single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker. Results: An SNP site specific to Russian wild ginseng was exploited by multiple alignments of mitochondrial nad7 intron 3 regions of different ginseng samples. With the SNP-based specific primer, Russian wild ginseng was successfully discriminated from Chinese and Korean cultivated ginseng samples by allele-specific PCR. The reliability and specificity of the SNP marker was validated by checking 20 individuals of Russian wild ginseng samples with real-time allele-specific PCR assay. Conclusion: An effective DNA method for molecular discrimination of Russian wild ginseng from Chinese and Korean cultivated ginseng was developed. The established real-time allele-specific PCR was simple and reliable, and the present method should be a crucial complement of chemical analysis for authentication of Russian wild ginseng.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.267-275
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• 2002

A self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was developed to increase the dissolution rate, solubility, and ultimately bioavailability of a poorly water soluble drug, lovastatin. SMEDDS was thε mixtures of oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants, which emulsify under conditions of gentle agitation, similar to those which would be encountered in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. Various types of self-emulsifying formulations were prepared using four types of oil (Capryol 90, Lauroglycol 90, Labrafil M 1944 CS and Labrafil M 2125), two surfactants (Cremophor EL and Tween 80), and three cosurfactants (Carbitol, PEG 400 and propylene glycol). Thε efficiency of emulsification was studied using a laser diffraction size analyzer to determine particle size distributions of the resultant emulsions. Optimized formulations selected for bioavailability assessment were Carpryol 90 (40%), Cremophor EL (30%) and Carbitol (30%). SMEDDS containing lovastatin (20 mg and 5 mg) were compared to a conventional lovastatin tablet $(Mevacor^{\circledR},\;20\;mg/tab)$ by the oral administration as prefilled hard gelatin capsules to fasted beagle dogs for in vivo study. The arεa under the serum concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measured time in serum, $AUC_{0{\rightarrow}24h}$, was significantly greater in SMEDDS, suggesting that bioavailability increase 130% and 192% by the SMEDDS, respectively. The self-emulsifying formulations of lovastatin afforded the improvement in absolute oral bioavailability relative to previous data of lovastatin tablet formulation. These data indicate the utility of dispersed self-emulsifying formulations for the oral delivery of lovastatin and potentially other poorly absorbed drugs.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 1990

Plasma and saliva concentrations of acetaminophen (AAP) were determined at various time points by HPLC after oral administration of AAP tablets (AAP 500 mg) to four healthy male Korean subjects. Saliva concentrations (S) of AAP were significantly correlated with plasma AAP concentrations (P). The S/P ratio of AAP was calculated to be 1.05 (r =0.944, $p<10^{-6}$) for all the data points from the subjects. It showed a little intersubject variation and ranged from 0.89 to 1.46 in each subject. Bioavailability parameters such as AUC, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ which are usually obtained from the plasma concentration data will be predictable approximately by saliva concentration data. Saliva seems to be very convinient and useful samples for the preliminary studies of bioavailability and bioequivalence of AAP preparations, since it can be collected frequently without any painful venipuncture to the subjects, that is inevitable in plasma sampling. Evaluation of the bioavailability of a preparation by saliva samples will reduce the cost, time and safety risk greatly in developing a new drug delivery system for AAP.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.958-960
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• 2015

Sickle cells possess a unique combination of traits that may enable their use as models for novel synthetic tumor targeting controlled release drug carriers with the ability to treat disseminated tumors in advanced metastatic disease. In this study, we assess the ability of light-activated release sickle cells to enhance tumor delivery of the fluorescent dye calcein by delayed photolysis controlled release compared to free systemic administration of calcein. Sickle cells from mouse models of the disease were shown to preferentially accumulate in tumors compared to adjacent tissue, in 4T1 tumors in mice on a time scale about 12 hours. Sickle cells photosensitized with protoporphyrin IX achieved delayed release of 50% of contents 8-16 hours after photoactivation, which was deemed useful for in vivo delivery of cargo to tumors given the tumor accumulation time of the sickle cells. Sickle cells may be useful as a model for new synthetic drug carrier particles with delayed photolysis controlled release properties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.6-10
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• 2006

The functional spherical microcapsules were produced through the innovative conjunction of the well-defined amphiphilic block copolymer and the stable droplet phase flow in the micro chemical plant. The microcapsules were formed to have hollow inner cavity and outer surface wall with nano-pores. To examine the potential of encapsulating foreign biochemical molecules, Congo-red dye was loaded into the microcapsule. The release performance in the specific surroundings such as temperature, pH and time was evaluated quantitatively.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-59
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• 1994

The effect of sodium taurodihydrofusidate (STDHF) on drug permeation across nasal mucosa was studied in vitro using Ussing type diffusion chamber. Disodium cromoglicate (DSCG, M.W.5123) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FD) of different molecular wieghts (M.W. 4400-71200) were used as model drugs. Pemeation profiles of DSCG and FDs showed a typical pseudo steady-state curve with short lag time. The pemeability coefficient of FD (M.W. 9400) sigmodially increased with increasing STDHF concentration. It also enhanced the DSCG pemeation. Interestingly the enhancement efficacy was independent of molecular weight of penetrants.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.245-256
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• 1996

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have been developed as a new drug delivery system. Although many particulate drug carriers, such as microsphere, liposome, niosome, emulsion, etc. have been introduced, they have some disadvantage; low efficiency of incorporation and stability, lack of reproducibility, and so on. Meanwhile, SLN as a new drug delivery system is known to entrap rugs with a high efficiency and a good reproducibility. Moreover, small size SLN can circulate in blood for a prolonged time. Although many preparation methods were introduced, microfluidization method is recommended to be the most useful. This study was attempted to prepare and evaluate ketoprofen-incorporated SLNs (keto-SLN), which were prepared by two methods, ultrasonication and microfluidization. Keto-SLN was evaluated by measurement of particle size and zeta potential, efficacy of entrapment, sedimentation volume, in virto release pattern. The mean particle size was about $0.1\;{\mu}m$, and the size was dependent on the type and the amount of emulsifier. Zeta potential was negative, $-9{\sim}-13mV$ and entrapment efficacy was very high and stability was good for at least 60 days in the respect of particle size and sedimentation volume ratio. Analgesic effect was also determined as well as pharmacokinetic parameters. The former was comparable to that of that of ketoprofen loaded suspension (keto-sus) and the latter revealed that consistent with the delayed release of keto-SLN. $T_{max}$ was longer than keto-sus. Therefore, keto-SLN was favourable dosage forms in the field of drug delivery system such as anti-cancer, analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2008

Meloxicam-loaded microspheres were prepared with poly(D,L-lactic acid)(PLA) by a solvent-emulsion evaporation method. The morphology, particle size, drug loading capacity, drug entrapment efficiency (EE) and release patterns of drug were investigated in vitro. Various batches of micro spheres with different size and drug content were obtained by changing the ratio of meloxicam to $PLA^{\circ}{\AE}s$ with different molecular weight, PLA concentration in the dispersed phase and stirring rate. Meloxicam crystals on microsphere surface, which were released rapidly and could act as a loading dose, were observed with increasing drug content. The release rate was increased with increase in drug contents and decrease in the molecular weight of PLA. Microspheres prepared with smaller molecular weight produced faster drug release rate. The release rate of meloxicam for long-acting injectable delivery system in vitro, which would aid in predicting in vivo release profile, could be controlled by properly optimizing various factors affecting characteristics of microspheres. Blood concentration-time profile of meloxicam after intramuscular injection of meloxicam-loaded microspheres in rabbits showed possibility of long term application of this system in clinical settings.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1993

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible applicability of alginate beads as an oral controlled release system of polymeric drugs. Cellulase was used as a model polymeric drug. The release of cellulase from alginate beads was moderately affected by the ratio of cellulase to sodium alginate and strongly affected by $CaCl_2$ concentration. However, the release was not particularly affected by the other factors such as sodium alginate concentration and curing time. The drug was not released from alginate beads at pH 1.2, but was released continuously up to 8 hr at pH 6.8. At pH 6.8, the beads were swollen highly up to 3 hr, thereafter, were eroded into the bulk solution up to 6 hr, completely. Drug release from the beads can be caused due to diffusion and erosion of the matrix. Activity of cellulase was reduced when alginate beads containing cellulase were stored in simulated gastric juice. Further investigation would be necessary to improve the acid resistance of the beads. Since the release of cellulase as a model polymeric drug could be controlled by the regulation of the preparation conditions of alginate beads, the alginate beads may be used for a potential oral controlled release system of such polymeric drugs as polypeptide drugs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.1-1
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• 2011

We developed a new generalized synthetic procedure, called as "heat-up process," to produce uniform-sized nanocrystals of many transition metals and oxides without a size selection process. We were able to synthesize uniform magnetite nanocrystals as much as 1 kilogram-scale from the thermolysis of Fe-oleate complex. Clever combination of different nanoscale materials will lead to the development of multifunctional nano-biomedical platforms for simultaneous targeted delivery, fast diagnosis, and efficient therapy. In this presentation, I would like to present some of our group's recent results on the designed fabrication of multifunctional nanostructured materials based on uniform-sized magnetite nanoparticles and their medical applications. Uniform ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles of <3 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron-oleate complex in the presence of oleyl alcohol. These ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles exhibited good T1 contrast effect. In in vivo T1 weighted blood pool magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), iron oxide nanoparticles showed longer circulation time than commercial gadolinium complex, enabling high resolution imaging. We used 80 nm-sized ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals for T2 MRI contrast agent for tracking transplanted pancreatic islet cells and single-cell MR imaging. We reported on the fabrication of monodisperse magnetite nanoparticles immobilized with uniform pore-sized mesoporous silica spheres for simultaneous MRI, fluorescence imaging, and drug delivery. We synthesized hollow magnetite nanocapsules and used them for both the MRI contrast agent and magnetic guided drug delivery vehicle.