• 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.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2007

Anti-angiogenesis and anti-cell adhesion effects were investigated with different dose of Camellia japonica leaf (CJL) extract for applying anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and anti-obesity. Cytotoxicity on HUVECs was very low at 200 ug/mL of CJL-extract. Anti-angiogenic ratio at increasing dose of 1.5 ug/mL, 3.0 ug/mL, 15 ug/mL and 30 ug/mL was showed 30.7%, 38.5%, 53.8%, and 70.0%, respectively. Also, anti-cell adhesion effect at concentration of $50{\mu}g{/well},\;100{\mu}g{/well}\;and\;200{\mu}g{/well}$ was expressed on E-selectin by 46.7%, 66.7%, and 86.76%, on VCAM-1, 23.0%, 61.5%, and 84.6%, and on ICAM-1, 11%, 55.5%, and 88.8%, respectively. For inquiring anti-angiogenesis mechanism, when western blot was performed with different dose of CJL extract, signal molecules of VEGFR-2, $\beta$-catenin and PI3-K were suppressed. As the signal transduction from VEGFR-2, $\beta$-catenin and PI3-K to NF-${\kappa}$B was interupted, angiogenesis could not be occurred causing not activated NF-kB. C. japonica leaf (CJL) is a useful herb for developing therapeutics of angiogenesis related diseases such as cancer, metastasis, rheumathioid arthritis and obesity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2014

Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation includes induction of inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-8 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which are mediated by oxidant-sensitive transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$. High levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) and increased activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a biomarker of neutrophil infiltration, are observed in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa. Panax ginseng Meyer, a Korean herb medicine, is widely used in Asian countries for its biological activities including anti-inflammatory efficacy. The present study aims to investigate whether Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) inhibits H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation in Mongolian gerbils. One wk after intragastric inoculation with H. pylori, Mongolian gerbils were fed with either the control diet or the diet containing RGE (200 mg RGE/gerbil) for 6 wk. The following were determined in gastric mucosa: the number of viable H. pylori in stomach; MPO activity; LPO level; mRNA and protein levels of keratinocyte chemoattractant factor (KC, a rodent IL-8 homolog), IL-$1{\beta}$, and iNOS; protein level of phospho-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$(which reflects the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$); and histology. As a result, RGE suppressed H. pylori-induced mRNA and protein levels of KC, IL-$1{\beta}$, and iNOS in gastric mucosa. RGE also inhibited H. pylori-induced phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and increases in LPO level and MPO activity of gastric mucosa. RGE did not affect viable H. pylori colonization in the stomach, but improved the histological grade of infiltration of poly-morphonuclear neutrophils, intestinal metaplasia, and hyperplasia. In conclusion, RGE inhibits H. pyloriinduced gastric inflammation by suppressing induction of inflammatory mediators (KC, IL-$1{\beta}$, iNOS), MPO activity, and LPO level in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.249-255
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• 2015

Schisandrae fructus [Schizandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baillon] is a medicinal herb widely used for treating various inflammatory and immune diseases in East Asian countries. The Schisandrae Semen essential oil (SSeo) from this plant has pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumoral activities. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying molecular mechanisms of the potential anti-cancer effects of this oil remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the potential inhibition of apoptosis signaling pathways by SSeo in human leukemia U937 cells and evaluated the underlying molecular mechanism. Exposure to SSeo resulted in a concentration-dependent growth inhibition due to apoptosis, which was verified by DNA fragmentation, the presence of apoptotic bodies, and an increase in the sub-G1 ratio. Induction of apoptotic cell death by SSeo was correlated with the down-regulation of members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family (including X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), cIAP-1, and surviving) and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and with up-regulation of death receptor (DR) 4 and DR5, depending on dosage. SSeo treatment also induced Bid truncation, mitochondrial dysfunction, proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, and concomitant degradation of activated caspase-3 target proteins such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Taken together, these findings suggest that SSeo may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia cells. Further studies are needed to identify its active compounds.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2011

The Echinacea, which has been commonly known as a species of composite herb of dicotyledonous plant, has been used in native American traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases like colds or other infections in North America. We artificially cultured the adventitious roots of Echinacea angustifolia using the bioreactor culture system from Echinacea angustifolia and evaluated the efficacy as a cosmetic ingredient for skin care. Several studies previously have reported neogenesis, wound healing and inflammatory inhibition effect of Echinacea angustifolia but other efficacies were not well known. In the present study, we investigated the cosmetic efficacy to know applicable value of adventitious roots cultured from Echinacea angustifolia as a cosmetic ingredient. The adventitious roots extract of Echinacea angustifolia has superior anti-oxidant effect and matrix metalloproteinase-2 inhibitory effect, compared to natural Echinacea angustifolia. These results indicate that the adventitious roots extract cultured from Echinacea angustifolia presents a new possibility of being applicable to skin care and anti-wrinkle products as a cosmetic ingredient.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.604-614
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• 2020

Chronological aging and photoaging affect appearance, causing wrinkles, pigmentation, texture changes, and loss of elasticity in the skin. Phragmites communis is a tall perennial herb used for its high nutritional value and for medicinal purposes, such as relief from fever and vomiting and facilitation of diuresis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of P. communis rhizome (PCE) on skin aging. The total flavonoid and total phenolic content in PCE were 2.92 ± 0.007 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents (QE) and 231.8 ± 0.001 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 mg of dried extract (n = 3). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PCE for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were 0.96 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. PCE showed inhibitory effects on tyrosinase when L-tyrosine (IC50 = 1.25 mg/mL) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (IC50 = 0.92 mg/mL) were used as substrates. PCE treatment up to 200 ㎍/mL for 24 h did not cause any significant cytotoxicity in B16F10 melanocytes, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and HaCaT keratinocytes. In B16F10 melanocytes, PCE (25 and 50 ㎍ /mL) inhibited melanin production and cellular tyrosinase activity after challenge with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH; p < 0.05). In HDFs, PCE suppressed the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and reduced the activity of elastase (p < 0.05). In addition, ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated downregulation of hyaluronic acid synthase-2 gene expression in HaCaT keratinocytes was also effectively suppressed by PCE treatment. Overall, our results showed that PCE has potential anti-skin aging activity associated with the suppression of hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation, and reduction in dryness. PCE is a promising candidate for the development of an anti-skin aging cosmetic ingredient.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.1090-1096
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• 2005

$Ag_4Br_4$ nanoclusters have been synthesized in about 75% of the sodalite cavities of fully $K^+$-exchanged zeolite A (LTA). An additional KBr molecule is retained in each large cavity as part of a near square-planar $K_4Br^{3+}$ cation. A single crystal of $Ag_{12}$-A, prepared by the dynamic ion-exchange of $Na_{12}$-A with aqueous 0.05 M $AgNO_3$ and washed with $CH_3OH$, was placed in a stream of flowing 0.05 M KBr in $CH_3OH$ for two days. The crystal structure of the product ($K_9(K_4Br)Si_{12}Al_{12}O_{48}{\cdot}0.75Ag_4Br_4$, a = 12.186(1) $\AA$) was determined at 294 K by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the space group Pm m. It was refined with all measured reflections to the final error index $R_1$ = 0.080 for the 99 reflections for which $F_o\;{\gt}\;4_{\sigma}\;(F_o)$. The thirteen $K^+$ ions per unit cell are found at three crystallographically distinct positions: eight $K^+$ ions in the large cavity fill the six-ring site, three $K^+$ ions fill the eight-rings, and two $K^+$ ions are opposite four-rings in the large cavity. One bromide ion per unit cell lies opposite a four-ring in the large cavity, held there by two eight-ring and two six-ring $K^+$ ions ($K_4Br^{3+}$). Three $Ag^+$ and three $Br^-$ions per unit cell are found on 3-fold axes in the sodalite unit, indicating the formation of nano-sized $Ag_4Br_4$ clusters (interpenetrating tetrahedra; symmetry $T_d$; diameter ca. 7.9 $\AA$) in 75% of the sodalite units. Each cluster (Ag-Br = 2.93(3) $\AA$) is held in place by the coordination of its four $Ag^+$ ions to the zeolite framework (each $Ag^+$ cation is 2.52(3) $\AA$ from three six-ring oxygens) and by the coordination of its four $Br^-$ ions to $K^+$ ions through six-rings (Br-K = 3.00(4) $\AA$).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1322-1328
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• 2006

In our previous study, a novel herb mixture (HIM-I) of Angelica gigas radix, Cnidium officinale rhizoma, and Paeonia japonica radix was developed to protect= the intestinal and immune systems and to promote their recovery from radiation damage. A new herbal composition (HemoHIM) with the high immune modulating activity was developed from HIM-I. In the present study, we examined the effects of HemoHIM on the maturation process of murine bone marrow (BM)-derived dendritic cells (DC). BM cells were cultured in the presence of iL-4 and GM-CSF and the generated immature DC were stimulated with HemoHIM for 24 hours. HemoHIM significantly enhanced the expression of co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86, especially. The activation capacity of HemoHIM-treated DC was significantly higher than that of immature DC, as analyzed by IL-2 and $IFN-\gamma$ production and proliferation of the responding T cells in the co-culture with allogeneic T cells. The antigen-presenting capacity of HemoHIN-treated DC was also increased by the co-culture with OVA-specific T cells (HS-1), as analyzed by IL-2 and $IFN-\gamma$ production and the proliferation. These results indicate that HemoHIM causes the maturation and ;Activation of DC, which may be a part of mechanisms of immunomodulation by HemoHIM.