• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.911-917
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• 2016

Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is an edible perennial herb used in traditional Korean medicine. We investigated the anti-proliferative properties and mechanism of L. cuneata extract. The ethanolic extract of L. cuneata dose-and time-dependently inhibited human colorectal cancer cell proliferation. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to test the effect of the extract on proliferation of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The extract inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation with an $IC_{50}$ value of $554.26{\pm}8.81{\mu}g/mL$. L. cuneata extract suppressed production of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$. Apoptosis was evaluated by analysis of DNA fragmentation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, caspase-3 activity, and protein expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2). Our results demonstrated that the extract induced DNA fragmentation and characteristic morphological changes associated with apoptosis in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The extract also time- and dose-dependently up-regulated expression of the Bax and down-regulated expression of the Bcl-2. Furthermore, the extract dose- and time-dependently enhanced caspase-3 activity. Our findings provide evidence that L. cuneata extract may mediate its anti-proliferative effect via modulation of apoptosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.689-699
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• 2020

Brevibacillus brevis GZDF3 is a gram-positive, plant growth-promoting rhizosphere bacterium (PGPR) isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Pinellia ternata (an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine). The GZDF3 strain produces certain active compounds, such as siderophores, which are the final metabolite products of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and independent non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NIS) activity. With the present study, we attempted to investigate the siderophore production characteristics and conditions of Bacillus sp. GZDF3. The antibacterial activity of the siderophores on pathogenic fungi was also investigated. Optimal conditions for the synthesis of siderophores were determined by single factor method, using sucrose 15 g/l, asparagine 2 g/l, 32℃, and 48 h. The optimized sucrose asparagine medium significantly increased the production of siderophores, from 27.09% to 54.99%. Moreover, the effects of different kinds of metal ions on siderophore production were explored here. We found that Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ significantly inhibited the synthesis of siderophores. The preliminary separation and purification of siderophores by immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) provides strong antibacterial activity against Candida albicans. The synergistic effect of siderophores and amphotericin B was also demonstrated. Our results have shown that the GZDF3 strain could produce a large amount of siderophores with strong antagonistic activity, which is helpful in the development of new biological control agents.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 1999

Codonopsis lanceolata ("Deoduck" in Korea) is a perennial herb, and belongs to family, Campanulaceae. Its taproot is used a good source of a wild vegetable as well as an herbaceous medicine. In this study, to develop a bialaphos-resistant transgenic Codonopsis, seed germination mechanism and somatic embryogenesis of the plant were investigated, and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with bar gene encoding phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) was performed. Attempt were made to regenerate plant from cells via somatic embryogenesis. When the cotyledons, nodes and leaf disks were cultured on MS medium containing 2,4-D and zeatin, embryogenic calli were induced. Upon transferring the somatic embryos to N6 solid medium without plant growth regulators, they developed into plantlets under continuous illumination. All plants were dead on MS basal medium containing 10 mg/L phosphinothricin (PPT) and Basta, respectively. The explants did not produce calli in the medium containing 200 mg/L kanamycin. The explants were cocultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens for 2 days, and transformants were selected in MS basal medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D, 100 mg/L kanamycin and 500 mg/L carbenicillin. After the selection, embryogenic calli were induced and then somatic embryos were produced by subsequent subculturing. The somatic embryos were germiated on N6 basal medium containing 200 mg/L kanamycin and 500 mg/L carbenicillin. PCR analysis showed that nptII and bar genes were introduced in the Deoduck transformants. After the confirmation of bar gene expression in RNA and protein level, the transgenic Deoduck will be used to study the genetics of filial generation with the herbicide control gene, bar.gene, bar.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2015

In the present study, the substance that show anti-proliferation of cancer cells as well as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect was searched. As a results, the methanol extract of Pogostemon cablin (P. cablin), is a well-known herb for traditional medicine in Korea and China for treating the digestive disorders, less of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, inhibited the growth of various cancer cells such as A549, HepG2, MCF7 and HT29 cells. Cytotoxic effect of methanol extraction of P. cablin was excellent in A549 cells. P. cablin extract induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase of A549 in a dose dependent manner. And it induced phosphorylation of p38 and Cdc25A and reduced expression of Cdc25A, Cdks, Cyclins and phospho-Retinoblastoma (Rb) proteins. Therefore, P. cablin extract seems to act through the p38 - Cdc25A - Cdk - Cyclin - Rb pathway in A549 cells. In addition, P. cablin extract showed anti-oxidant effect by DPPH free radical scavenging assay and anti-inflammation effect by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that P. cablin may be used as not only candidate materials for anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, moreover, it would be possible utilized in various health functional food materials.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.991-998
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• 2012

Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines and health foods. Korean red ginseng (KRG; Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) extract is known to have potential therapeutic activities, such as anti-viral effects, the amelioration of food allergies, anti-oxidant effects, and obesity reduction. Nevertheless, no reports have been issued the modulatory effects of KRG extract on the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP). In the present study, we investigated the modulatory effect of KRG extract in vitro and in vivo by using pooled human liver microsomes and male ICR mice. When human liver microsomes were incubated with KRG extract at 0.01-10 mg/ml, CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A were not significantly inhibited by KRG extract, although CYP2B6 was slightly inhibited. Mice were orally administered KRG extract at 50, 250, or 500 mg/kg daily for 3, 7, or 14 days. However, the activities of CYPs in mouse livers were not significantly different from those of vehicle-treated controls. In conclusion, no significant ginseng-drug interaction was observed. KRG extract did not significantly modulate the activities of CYPs in vitro or in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1182-1187
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• 2003

This study was performed to evaluate the potentiality of Reynoutria elliptica Migo., being used as a folk remedy and a herb medicine for urethritis, cystitis, etc., on growth inhibition of Helicobacter pylori which is known as the ulcerogenic pathogen. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of methanol extract from Reynoutria elliptica Migo, was determined to be 120 ppm for H. pylori and urease activity derived from H. pylori was inhibited over 80% by the extract at 2 mg/mL in urea broth. Among various solvent fraction of the methanol extract, the hexane fraction showed a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of H. pylori reducing both its growth and urease activity. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs of H. pylori treated with the methanol extract at 2 mg/mL for 3 hr showed that the cell walls and membranes were disrupted so that the cytoplasmic components were leaked from the body. These results suggest that Reynoutria elliptica Migo. possesses a therapeutic potential on the gastric disease caused by H. pylori.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2001

Crotalaria sessiflora is one of a few medicinal herbs among the legumes used as antitumor herb medicine but has lower seed germination and afterward seedling emergence. This study was carried out to elucidate the effects of cold stratification as presown treatment as well as $GA_3$, $KNO_3$ and acetone on its seed germination and seedling emergence. Cold stratification, $GA_3$, $KNO_3$ and acetone treatments were performed with different concentrations and period levels. Cold treatment was done under 14 hour red light illumination a day or darkness and the two others under darkness. On the basis of the best germination rate of each treatment, $GA_3$ and cold stratification treatments showed the highest germination rates at 0.1 mM but 12 hours and 2 week periods under darkness, respectively. $KNO_3$ and acetone treatments came out at 400 mM and 200 mM lasted for, respectively. The best germination rates from $KNO_3$ and acetone were comparatively higher than those from the former $GA_3$ and cold treatments. In evaluation of seedling emergence using the last two treatments, $KNO_3$ treated seeds were better performed than acetone treated seeds showed somewhat higher germination rate, implying that presown seed treatments must be evaluated by the combination with indoor and field tests.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2018

Background: Angelica gigas Nakai is a perennial herb belonging to the family Umbelliferae. Its roots are utilized in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to increase the yield of and the content of two indicator components (decursin and decursinol angelate) in A. gigas Nakai. Methods and Results: The roots of A. gigas Nakai were harvested 4-times from late August to late October in 2017. Two agents (trace element-TE, and plant hormone-HM) were applied 4 times at intervals of 2 weeks. The content of the two indicator components were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The HM treatment showed the greatest increase in underground part yield and root diameter. The content of the two indicator components in the control (non-treatment) group was the highest in the underground part, but was higher in the aerial parts in the agent treatment group. After treatment with the agents, the content of the indicator components tended to decrease in the underground part. However, the total content of the indicator components in the two agent treatment groups exceeded the level of 6% set by the Korean Pharmacopoeia. Conclusions: The highest underground part yield was found in the HM treatment group, while the highest content of decursin and decursinol angelate were found in the control group. This study provides basic information for yield improvement in A. gigas.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.694-700
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• 2007

Acanthopanax senticosus is a common Asian herb also known as "Siberian Ginseng". It is often used as a traditional herbal medicine for reducing damage in the liver, kidney, bone and muscle. In the present study we investigated the ferric reducing/antioxidant power and total phenolic contents of the ethanol-/water-extracts obtained from the stems and leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus. Osteoblast cellular proliferation was evaluated using the MTT and alkaline phosphatase activity assays in the human osteoblast-like MG-63 cell line. Acanthopanax senticosus extracts exerted remarkable ferric reducing/antioxidant power and contained high amount of phenolics. Among the extracts the stem-/ethanol-extract showed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenol content. Interestingly a highly positive correlation was found between antioxidant activity and total phenol content (p < 0.01). Proliferation of MG-63 osteoblast cells was highest in the stem-/ethanol-extract and alkaline phosphatase activity significantly increased in the water-extract of the stems (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that Acanthopanax senticosus extracts have antioxidant activity for preventing oxidative stress-related diseases and may have beneficial effects on bone health through the proliferation of osteoblast cells.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.184-202
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• 1997

The results of immune response and antiallergic reaction were as follows. 1. Hemagglutinin titer and hemolysin titer were increased in case of AMR, AR, SNH. But the results were not recognized as having significance. 2. PFC was increased in case of AMR, AR. But the results were not recognized as having significance. 3. RFC was increased in all groups, and the results in the AR, SNH were significant. 4. In experimentation of phagocytic activity in peritoneal exudate cells, AR and SNH showed significant increase. In spleen cells AR and SNH showed significant increase. In monolymphocytus cells AMR, AR and SNH were increased, but result of AMR was of no significance. 5. I examined promotion on spleen cells transformation. As these results, AMR showed increase in $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in comparison with control group. And in $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ AMR showed increase in case of 24 hours, 72 hours incubation, but showed decrease in case of 48 hours incubation. AR showed increase in all. In $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ SNH showed increase in comparison with control group. And in $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ SNH showed increase in case of 24 hours, 48 hours incubation, but showed decrease in case of 72 hours incubation. 6. I examined proliferation of spleen cells. As these results AMR and SNH showed the highest increase in $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, but showed the lowest increase in $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. AR showed the highest increase in $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, but this result was the almost same in $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. And AMR, AR, SNH showed higher activity in Lipopolysaccharide than Concanavalin A. 7. In all groups results of PCA were decreased in 2 week. In 4 week AR and SNH showed decrease, but AMR didn't show change. In 6 week AR and SNH showed decrease, but on the contrary AMR showed increase. 8. In experimentation on histamine contents, AMR showed significant increase at first agent contact. And AR, SNH showed decrease at first agent contact, but these results were of no importance. At second agent contact AMR showed decrease, but was of no importance. AR, SNH showed significant decrease. At third agent contact, AMR showed significant increase. AR, SNH showed decrease, but these results were of no importance. From above these results, AR and SNH showed good effects on immunoreaction. And all the herb medicines in this examination showed good effects in promotion on spleen cells transformation and proliferation of spleen cells, especially activated B-cells. AR, SNH showed good effects on anti-allergic reaction, but AMR was almost inefficient. Accordingly I think that AR shall be used in disease bringing about a lowering of immunity, that is, AR shall be used in strengthening the body resistance. And I think that SNH shall be used in eliminating pathogenic factors with strengthening the body resistance. It is necessary to a deep study in future.