• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1808-1814
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• 2009

In our previous study, a new herbal preparation (HemoHIM) was developed as a functional food for the radioprotection and immunomodulatory agents. In order elucidate the mechanism involved, we examined the effect of HemoHIM on the compound 48/80-induced histamine release, and on the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/calcium ionophore (A23187)-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion in HMC-1. The cell culture supernatants were harvested, and the cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-$\alpha$, GM-CSF) in the supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The total RNA of the cells was extracted, and the cytokines or c-kit/tryptase/Fc$\varepsilon$RI's messenger RNA expressions were examined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Under low concentrations, HemoHIM inhibited histamine release in HMC-1 stimulated compound 48/80. Furthermore HemoHIM inhibited PMA/A23187-induced inflammatory cytokines' secreation or mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. But IL-8 secretion was not inhibited by low concentrayion of HemoHIM, respectively. The mRNA expression of c-kit and Fc$\varepsilon$RI were also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Tryptase mRNA expression was only inhibited by low concentration of HemoHIM. These results indicated that HemoHIM might be an useful agent for protection against allergy as well as immune modulation, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1836-1840
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• 2009

Recently, hydroxymethylfurfrual (HMF) has been highlighted as a key intermediate for the production of liquid biofuels and other valuable compounds. We used sesame roots as a biocatalyst to synthesize HMF using flask cultures. The synthesis of HMF was identified by GC-mass analysis. The highest root growth was observed in cultures with 1.0 mg/l NAA at $30^{\circ}C$, while root growth was not found in those without NAA treatment. When silver nitrate ($AgNO_3$) was added, the root growth was greatest in those treated with 0.5 mg/l $AgNO_3$ and cultured at $30^{\circ}C$. In the case of HMF synthesis, its highest yield was obtained in those treated with 0.5 mg/l NAA at $25^{\circ}C$, but low HMF was detected in those treated without naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The addition of $AgNO_$ to the culture medium showed a 8-10% reduction in HMF yield compared to that of the control, indicating its inhibitory effect on the synthesis of HMF. On the whole, an optimal culture temperature for HMF synthesis seemed to be between $25-30^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.984-988
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• 2013

Sparassis crispa is an edible mushroom with medicinal properties that contains more than 40% ${\beta}$-glucan. The role of S. crispa in regulating the functional activation of macrophages has yet to be fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the immune-stimulatory function of S. crispa soluble ${\beta}$-glucan and extracts on macrophages. In this study, we showed that S. crispa soluble ${\beta}$-glucan was able to stimulate TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production through NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in Raw 264.7 cells. We also showed that S. crispa extracts could not only enhance TNF-${\alpha}$ production in Raw 264.7 cells, but also suppress tumor growth in vivo. All of our results suggest that S. crispa could be developed as a promising immunostimulatory principle, applicable to cancer patients.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2013

We evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of Isaria tenuipes in diabetes mellitus type 2. For the experiments, the diabetic animal model OLETF rats were divided to 4 groups: Isaria tenuipes was administered mixed with the high fat diet 45% at dose levels of 0.0%, 0.1%, 1.0%, and 5.0% for 4 weeks. All animals have free access to water and high fat diet 45%. The diabetic clinical markers, including clinical signs, body weight and food intake, organ weights, blood glucose level, insulin level and HOMA-IR index, oral glucose tolerance test, GLUT4 mRNA and protein were measured at a time. After administration for 4 weeks, the blood glucose levels, insulin levels and HOMA-IR index of test groups were decreased compared with control group in dose-dependent manner. The body weight and diet consumptions were reduced in control group at 4 weeks. The treatments of Isaria tenuipes also showed high expression of GLUT4 mRNA and protein in the muscle of OLETF rats. The results suggest that Isaria tenuipes has anti-hyperglycemic effect attenuating blood glucose in the animal model of type 2 diabetes and might be useful as a functional diet for human diabetic diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.508-514
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various types of functional brown rice milk porridge, which has been popular as a fast yet nutritional food, to promote rice consumption and to examine the best ratio and recipe. Each sample contained 10, 20, 30, and 40% brown rice compared to non-glutinous rice and sweet rice and were applied to mechanical and sensory tests. The moisture content of both non-glutinous rice and sweet rice porridges increased with increasing brown rice content. The viscosity of non-glutinous rice milk porridge decreased as with increasing brown rice content, whereas the viscosity of sweet rice milk porridge increased with increasing brown rice content. The pH was highest for BRT0 at 6.74 and lowest for BGT0, which is sweet rice porridge with brown rice, at 6.27. The sweetness decreased significantly for both sweet rice and non-glutinous rice porridges with the increase in brown rice content. The brightness of weet rice and non-glutinous rice porridges with brown rice increased significantly (p<0.001) with the increase in brown rice content, while the redness and yellowness of the color increased significantly (p<0.001) with increasing in brown rice content. As a result of analyzing the preference in the milk porridge containing brown rice, BRT30, which is non-glutinous rice milk porridge with brown rice, was most preferred at 5.8 in terms of color, while BRT30 was most preferred at 6.2 in terms of fragrance. All samples containing brown rice powder were highly preferred in terms of taste and the overall preference of sweet rice milk porridge was highest for BRT30 (5.8). The overall preference was highest for BGT30 at 6.1 and the preference was generally higher for the experiment groups prepared with sweet rice as opposed to those prepared with non-glutinous rice. Also, the scores for the sensory test were higher when brown rice was added. Therefore, it was concluded that the milk porridge could quickly and easily be prepared with brown rice instead of non-glutinous rice or sweet rice.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2011

This study was carried out to search for natural anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds from 5 medicinal plants (Carthamus tinctorius seed, Cyperus rotundus, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum, and Paeonia lactiflora). These plants were extracted with 70% ethanol. In order to measure total antioxidant activity of flavonoids, polyphenol content was measured. Radical scavenging activities of extracts were examined using a-a-Diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl ($DPPH{\cdot}$), 2,2-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid ($ABTS{\cdot}$), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and superoxide anion radical assays. C. tinctorius seed extracts showed the highest polyphenol and flavonoid contents as well as strong $DPPH{\cdot}$, $ABTS{\cdot}$, FRAP, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity. Also, C. tinctorius seed extracts showed the highest nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory effect. Theses results indicate that the C. tinctorius seed extracts can be used as a functional material due to their effective anti-oxidative and antiinflammatory activities.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.1-35
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• 2014

This study analyzed convergence status among input technologies used in technology development with Technology I-O analysis. It was another version of industry input-output analysis which is used in technology planning. This case is an analysis of association between technology an product. The subjects of analysis were 401 tasks that applied to '2012 Convergence Technology Development Project for Small and Medium Businesses' promoted by Korea Technology & Information Promotion Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises. The process of analysis is as followed. First step, we made a matrix table as an input of technology input-output analysis. Input was defined by technology and output was defined by the product. Input technology was defined in a 3-digit code under National Science Technology Classification and output products were defined in a 5-digit under National Standard Industry Code. Second, the Spillover ratio among technologies were calculated and was used to make a picture of technology linkage. As a result of analysis, technology spillover of embedded S/W was the highest in IT convergence, mold product in ET convergence, and functional cosmetics development technology in BT convergence. In general, IT convergence had many element technologies with high technology spillover, and ET had a small number of element technologies with high technology spillover. Therefore, investment effect of element technology is expected to be large if investment on element technologies with high technology spillover is important for vitalizing convergence.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

Objectives : This paper serves to explore current trends of systems biology in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and examine how it may influence the Traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Literature review method was collectively used to classify Introduction to systems biology, diagnosis and syndrome classification of systems biology in TCM perspective, physiotherapy including acupuncture, herbs and formula functions, TCM systems biology, and directions of academic development. Results : The term 'Systems biology' is coined as a combination of systems science and biology. It is a field of study that tries to understand living organism by establishing a theory based on an ideal model that analyzes and predicts the desired output with understanding of interrelationships and dynamics between variables. Systems biology has an integrated and multi-dimensional nature that observes the interaction among the elements constructing the network. The current state of systems biology in TCM is categorized into 4 parts: diagnosis and syndrome, physical therapy, herbs and formulas and academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology. Diagnosis and syndrome field is focusing on developing TCM into personalized medicine by clarifying Kidney yin deficiency patterns and metabolic differences among five patterns of diabetes and analyzing plasma metabolism and biomarkers of coronary heart disease patients. In the field of physical therapy such as acupuncture and moxibustion, researchers discovered the effect of stimulating acupoint ST40 on gene expression and the effects of acupuncture on treating functional dyspepsia and acute ischemic stroke. Herbs and formulas were analyzed with TCM network pharmacology. The therapeutic mechanisms of Si Wu Tang and its series formulas are explained by identifying potential active substances, targets and mechanism of action, including metabolic pathways of amino acid and fatty acid. For the academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology, it is necessary to integrate massive database, integrate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as systems biology. It is also essential to establish a platform to maximize herbal treatment through accumulation of research data and diseases-specific, or drug-specific network combined with clinical experiences, and identify functions and roles of molecules in herbs and conduct animal-based studies within TCM frame. So far, few literature reviews exist for systems biology in traditional Korean medicine and they merely re-examine known efficacies of simple substances, herbs and formulas. For the future, it is necessary to identify specific mechanisms of working agents and targets to maximize the effects of traditional medicine modalities. Conclusions : Systems biology is widely accepted and studied in TCM and already advanced into a field known as 'TCM systems biology', which calls for the study of incorporating TCM and systems biology. It is time for traditional Korean medicine to acknowledge the importance of systems biology and present scientific basis of traditional medicine and establish the principles of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. By doing so, traditional Korean medicine would be innovated and further developed into a personalized medicine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.408-413
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• 2007

Vascular tone plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. In the present study, the methanol extract of Rosae multiflora Radix (MRM) induced dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta, which was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methly ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the relaxation induced by MRM, respectively. But, the relaxation effect of MRM was not blocked by indomethacine, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), verapamil, diltiazem, atropine, and propranolol, respectively. Moreover, incubation of endothelium-intact aortic rings with MRM increased the production of cGMP. Taken together, the present results suggest that MRM relaxes vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide/cGMP signaling. These results would be useful for further study to MRM on animal models with cardiovascular diseases.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.233-238
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• 2009

The expression of Corynebacterium ammoniagenes purF was analyzed by utilizing a plasmid carrying a cat gene fused to the purF promoter region. Adenine and guanine repressed the expression of the purF gene by 20~30% but hypoxanthine did not exert such repressive effect. The expression purF was maximal at the late log phase and remained constant throughout the stationary phase. Promoter $P_{180}$ which was developed in C. glutamicum was also functional in C. ammoniagenes, achieving maximal activity at the late log phase. The promoter outperformed Escherichia coli $P_{tac}$ promoter by 40~50% level. DNA-affinity purification identified a protein which could bind to the promoter region of the purF gene. The protein showed high similarity to the CRP-family transcriptional regulator encoded by NCgl0120 in C. glutamicum. The size of the screened protein agreed with the expected protein size from the ORF NCgl0120. The corresponding gene in C. ammoniagenes encoded a 42 kDa polypeptide composed of 400 amino acids with expected pI of 4.9. The encoded protein showed 14.1% and 15.8% identity with E. coli and Bacillus subtilis PurR, respectively, suggesting that the isolated protein might be a novel type of regulatory protein involved in the regulation of purine metabolism.