• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) leaf hot-water extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated HepG2 cells. Treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract increased the cell viability of CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) released by CCl₄-treated cells were 27.6 U/L and 52.4 U/L, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in untreated control cells (10.0 U/L and 15.2 U/L, respectively). Moreover, the level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 5.4 times higher, while that of glutathione was 44.0% lower in CCl₄-treated cells than in control cells. However, treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT, and an increase in the level of glutathione. Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells was effectively reduced after treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Additionally, overproduction of intracellular lipids induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively inhibited by D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract treatment. Furthermore, DCFDA staining showed that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively reduced by treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Our results indicate that owing to its beneficial effects, D. morbifera leaf extract has considerable potential as a functional food material for liver protection.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of four different estrus induction methods in anestrus cows on the estrus induction and pregnancy following artificial insemination (AI). Sixty-five cows (3∼4 years old) were selected and divided into four different estrus induction treatment groups. Group 1, 12 cows were treated by Ovsynch program combined with GnRH and PGF$_2$a. Group 2, 12 cows were treated by "Tow plus Two" program with GnRH and PGF$_2$a. Group 3, 20 cows were treated by "Tow plus Two" program following intravaginal progesterone implantation (CIDR). Twenty one cows in Group 4 were treated by "Tow plus Two" program following follicular rupture and intravaginal progesterone implantation. Cows were then observed estrus induction and inseminated artificially at 12 h and 24 h after standing estrus. The rates of estrus induction in Group 4 (18/21, 86%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in groups 1, 2 and 3 (8/12, 67%; 9/12, 75%; 14/20, 70%). In the mean time of onset of estrus after final administration of GnRH in different hormone-treated cows, the cows in Group 3 (24.2$\pm$2.2) and Group 4 (23.4$\pm$2.0) were significantly (P<0.05) shorter than that in Group 1 (28.5$\pm$4.6) and Group 2 (26.4$\pm$3.3). The rates of pregnancy diagnosed on Day 28 were significantly different between treatment groups. Significantly (P<0.05) higher rate of pregnancy was observed in Group 4 (17/20, 85.0%) than those in Groups 1, 2 and 3 (7/11, 63.6%; 8/12, 66.7%; 15/20, 75.0%, respectetively). The rate of abortion diagnosed on 49 days of gestation was significantly (P<0/05) lower in Group 4 (1/17, 5.9%) than those in Groups 1, 2 and 3 (2/7, 28.7%; 2/8, 25% and 3/15, 20%, respectively). In conclusion, combined treatments with GnRH and PGF$_2$a following follicular rupture and progesterone implant in anestrus cows was considered to be most effective in estrus induction and maintenance of pregnancy. Further studies are needed to verify the functional mechanisms of residual follicles in anestrus ovaries on retarding the response of hormonal treatments.sponse of hormonal treatments.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2012

This study investigates the effect of ${\beta}$-glucans on the growth of Caenorhabditis elegans. Comparison was made among lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ${\beta}$-glucans extracted from Phellinus baumii, in the presence of peptidoglycans which is available as the major carbon source from OP50, a non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. When the three sources of carbohydrate were added singularly or in mixture to the culture media, a significant level of variation was observed with respect to fecundity. Addition of ${\beta}$-glucans appeared to increase the fecundity. When ${\beta}$-glucans was reinforced in the culture media, the fecundity increased at least 20 percent compared to the OP50-only media which exclusively contains peptidoglycans. In terms of life span, C. elegans showed a modest reduction when treated especially with ${\beta}$-glucans. C. elegans accumulated less fat in the ${\beta}$-glucans containing media different from the OP50 media. Based on the Sudan black staining, fat deposition significantly decreased corresponding to the ${\beta}$-glucans content in the media. On LPS-supplemented media, no difference was observed in fat deposition compared to the normal OP50 media. At the level of motility, ${\beta}$-glucans-treated worms moved more distance as well as LPS-treated worm. They also showed a comparable degree of motility under similar treatment with each source of carbohydrate. In conclusion, LPS and ${\beta}$-glucans, extracted from P. baumii, may not entirely replace the food required for C. elegans; however, it might be utilized as valuable alternative food source which C. elegans use as forms of carbohydrates in stead of peptidoglycan of OP50.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the weed suppressing effects of two winter cover crops, hairy vetch and rye in foxtail millet and sorghum fields in 2010. Crop growth and development and weed occurrences in the fields were examined to know the efficiency of proposed cropping system. In hairy vetch treated plots, heading of minor cereals occurred early. The heading date was earlier by 1 day and 2 days in sorghum and foxtail millet, respectively. However, rye treatment delayed heading by 12 days and 8 days in sorghum and foxtail millet, respectively. Besides he effect of cover crop on ear emergence of crops, the Besides changed growth-related characteristics. Plant height, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence of sorghum ere increased in hairy vetch treatment by 46.4% 88.7% and 7.9%, respectively. In foxtail millet, the characteristics ere also increased by 45.6%, 50.9% and 37.8%, respectively, s compared to control. Yields of sorghum and foxtail millet were increased by 105.1% and 135% as compared o control by hairy vetch treatment, respectively. However, he yields of cereal crops were decreased by rye cover crop treatment, the yields of sorghum and foxtail millet were decreased by 25.8% and 119.1%, respectively. Rye cover crop treatment inhibited crop growth suggesting nitrogen starvation in rye treated plots. In rye treatment, plant height, chlorophyll contents and chlorophyll fluorescence of sorghum ere slightly decreased by 7.1%, 10.8% and 10.8%, respectively, as compared to control whereas the inhibitory effects were greater in foxtail millet. Weed occurrences based n weed number in hairy vetch and rye plots were reduced n weed number in hairy vetch and rye plots were reduced y 27% and 20%, respectively. The smothering effect was weakened or disappeared after heading of crops. Weed number and dry weight in hairy vetch plot were increased by 159% and 55.2%, respectively, as compared to control. The results implied that weed suppressing of cover crops could be reduced drastically after heading of crops.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.93-99
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• 2012

In this study, the evaluation of antioxidative activity and componential analysis of C. obtusa leaf extracts was carried out. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of C. obtusa leaf extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction ($OSC_{50}$; 0.22 ${\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts (0.20 ${\mu}g/mL$) showed about 7 times more prominent ROS scavenging activity than L-ascorbic acid (1.50 ${\mu}g/mL$). The cellular protective effects of fractions obtained from C. obtusa leaf extracts on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts showed the cellular protective effects in a concentration dependent manner (5~25 ${\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}$) of ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction on tyrosinase exhibited 74.43 and 53.80 ${\mu}g/mL$, repectively. The aglycone fraction showed four times higher tyrosinase inhibitory effect than arbutin (226.88 ${\mu}g/mL$), known as a whitening agent. The aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts showed three bands in TLC chromatogram and three peaks in HPLC chromatogram (360 nm). Three compounds were identified as taxifolin, quercetin and kaempferol. These results indicate that the fractions of C. obtusa leaf extracts can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against reactive oxygen species. The fractions of C. obtusa leaf extracts can be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antioxidan and whitening effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.743-749
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to develop hydroponic-cultured ginseng vinegar (HGV) containing ginsenoside Rg2 in order to its anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic effects in C57BL/6J mice. HGV was prepared by two-stage fermentation. The ginsenoside Rg2 contained in acetic acid-fermented HGV increased by 4.0 times compared to that in pre-fermented HGV. To measure the anti-obesity effect of HGV, thirty two mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet group (ND), high-fat diet group (HFD), high-fat diet-supplemented with HGV group (HGV), and high-fat diet-supplemented with green tea extract group (GT). Body weight, fat weight, and liver weight decreased in the HGV group. The HGV group also showed lower plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides, and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol compared to the corresponding levels in the HFD group. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in plasma aspartase aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the HGV group compared to the corresponding levels in the HFD group. These results suggest that HGV can be used as an anti-obesity therapeutic agent or functional ingredient.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.380-387
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• 2015

The anti-amnesic effect of Artemisia argyi H against trimethyltin (TMT)-induced learning and memory impairment and its neuroprotective effect against $H_2O_2$-inducedoxidative stress were investigated. Cognitive behavior was examined by Y-maze and passive avoidance test for 4 weeks, which showed improved cognitive functions in mice treated with the extract. In vitro neuroprotective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress were examined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. A. argyi H. extract showed protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity; moreover, LDH release into the medium was inhibited. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that eupatilin and jaceosidin were the major phenolic compounds in A. argyi H. extract. These results suggest that A. argyi H. could be a good source of functional substances to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1586-1591
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• 2011

This study was carried out to evaluate the antiobesity effects of Crataegus fructus in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and mice fed a high fat diet (high fat 45% cal). The inhibitory effect of methanol extract from Crataegus fructus on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was quantified using Oil red O staining. Compared with the control, lipid accumulation was significantly decreased by 10-25% with treatment with Crataegus fructus extract at a concentration of 600-2,000 ug/ml. Three-week old ICR mice (n=24) were randomly divided into four groups (T0: normal diet, T1: high fat diet, T2: high fat diet and 50 ug of Crataegus fructus extract, T3: high fat diet and 100 ug of Crataegus fructus extract) and were fed an experimental diet for 5 weeks. At the end of the experiment, body weight gain in the T1 group (3.9${\pm}$0.24 g) was higher than that in the T0 group (2.56${\pm}$0.14 g), while body weight gain in the T2 (3.02${\pm}$0.25 g) and T3 (2.58${\pm}$0.16 g) groups was significantly reduced as compared with that of the T1 group. Moreover, liver weight in the T1 (4.8${\pm}$0.17 g) and T2 (4.8${\pm}$0.16 g) groups was significantly higher than that of the T0 (4.05${\pm}$0.16 g) and T3 (4.57${\pm}$0.10 g) groups, while kidney weight was significantly lower than that of the T0 and T3 groups (p<0.05). The levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum in the T2 and T3 groups were significantly decreased compared to the T1 group. These results suggest that Crataegus fructus can be used as functional materials in food and medicine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2017

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-hodgkin lymphoma. Advances in the chemotherapeutic treatment of this disease have improved the outcomes of DLBCL; nonetheless, many patients still die of DLBCL, and therefore, a better understanding of this disease and identification of novel therapeutic targets are urgently required. In a recent gene expression profiling study, PDE (phosphodiesterase) 4B was found to be overexpressed in chemotherapy-resistant tumors. The major function of PDE4B is to inactivate the second messenger cyclic 3',5' monophosphate (cAMP) by catalyzing the hydrolysis of cAMP to 5'AMP. It is known that cAMP induces cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis in B cells, and PDE4B abolishes cAMP's effect on B cells. However, the mechanism by which PDE4B is overexpressed remains unclear. Here, we show that the aberrant expression of miRNA may be associated with the overexpression of this gene. The PDE4B 3' untranslated region (UTR) has three functional binding sites of miR-23b, as confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Interestingly, miR-23b-binding sites were evolutionarily conserved from humans to lizards, implying the critical role of PDE4B-miR-23b interaction in cellular physiology. The ectopic expression of miR-2 3b repressed PDE4B mRNA levels and enhanced intracellular cAMP concentrations. Additionally, miR-23b expression inhibited cell proliferation and survival of DLBCL cells only in the presence of forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, suggesting that miR-23b's effect is via the downregulation of PDE4B. These results together suggest that miR-23b could be a therapeutic target for overcoming drug resistance by repressing PDE4B in DLBCL.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1315-1323
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• 2017

Turmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant (Curcuma longa (CL)) of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. A yellow-pigmented fraction isolated from the rhizomes of CL contains curcuminoids belonging to the dicinnamoyl methane group. Curcumin is an important active ingredient responsible for the biological activity of CL. However, CL is not usually used as a food source due to its bitter taste. The present study was designed to determine the effect of the CL fermented by Rhizopus oryzae (FCL) on pro-inflammatory factors such as nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cell line. The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of FCL 80% EtOH extracts, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured by ELISA kit. Also, the amount of $NO/PGE_2/NF-{\kappa}B$ was measured using the $NO/PGE_2/NF-{\kappa}B$ detection kit and the iNOS/COX-2 expression was measured by Western blotting. The results showed that the FCL reduced NO, $PGE_2$, iNOS, COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that FCL extracts may be a developed the functional food related to anti-inflammation due to the significant effects on inflammatory factors.