• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2018

Cyanazine is a member of the triazine family of herbicides. Cyanazine is used as a pre- and post-emergence herbicide for the control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. This experiment was conducted to establish a determination method for cyanazine, as domestic unregistered pesticide, residue in major agricultural commodities using HPLC-DAD/MS. Cyanazine was extracted with acetone from representative samples of five raw products which comprised apple, green pepper, Kimchi cabbage, hulled rice and soybean. The extract was diluted with saline water and partitioned to dichloromethane for remove polar extractive in the aqueous phase. For the hulled rice and soybean samples, n-hexane/acetonitrile partition was additionally employed to remove non-polar lipids. The extract was finally purified by optimized florisil column chromatography. On a $C_{18}$ column in HPLC, cyanazine was successfully separated from co-extractives of sample, and sensitively quantitated by diode array detection at 220 nm. Accuracy and precision of the proposed method was validated by the recovery experiment on every major agricultural commodity samples fortified with cyanazine at 3 concentration levels per agricultural commodity in each triplication. Mean recoveries were ranged from 83.6 to 93.3% in five major representative agricultural commodities. The coefficients of variation were all less than 10%, irrespective of sample types and fortification levels. Limit of quantitation(LOQ) of cyanazine was 0.02 mg/kg as verified by the recovery experiment. A confirmatory method using LC/MS with selected-ion monitoring(SIM) technique was also provided to clearly identify the suspected residue.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.1292-1301
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-pruritic activities such as cell viability and pruritus-related factor using seomaeyakssuk (Artemisia argyi H.; Seomaeyakssuk) extract on MC/9 (mouse mast cell line). Seomaeyakssuk was extracted from hot distilled water. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay on MC/9 cells. Anti-pruritic activities were measured through changes in the levels of transcription factor (IL4 and IL31) on MC/9 cells. In addition, the expression of linked proteins and histamine was measured. The results confirmed that significant cytotoxicity does not appear in the concentration range of 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/㎖. The levels of IL4 was reduced to 12% (25 ㎍/㎖), 26% (50 ㎍/㎖) and 61% (100 ㎍/㎖). Also, level of IL31 was decreased 33% (50 ㎍/㎖) and 36% (100 ㎍/㎖). In the case of proteins levels decreased significantly IL-4 34%/69% and IL-31 36%/37% at 50 ㎍/㎖ and 100 ㎍/㎖. Histamine decreased by 22, 58% and 61%, respectively, at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/㎖. This results shows possibility of ADD as raw material in anti-pruritic products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.736-744
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• 2021

Artemisia princeps Pampanini is an herbal medicine widely used to immune function-related diseases, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of AP extract and underlying mechanisms were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells. The effects of AP extract were also studied in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation mouse model. In RAW 264.7 cells, AP extracts significantly inhibited the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. The LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB was also significantly blocked by AP extract in RAW 264.7 cells. Oral administration of AP extract suppressed the increase in mouse paw edema and spleen index compared to CFA-treated mice group. Histologically, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was increased in cartilage and synovium in the CFA-treated mouse group, whereas it was suppressed in the AP extract-administered group. Furthermore, AP extract treatment significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α, levels in CFA and LPS-treated mouse. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis effect of AP extract was confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo models, suggesting that Artemisia princeps Pampanini may be a candidate material for arthritis treatment.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.395-411
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• 2020

Background: This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of the flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) and its constituent, rutin obtained from the leaf of Morus alba L., on the lipid accumulation mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and C57BL/6 mouse models. Methods and Results: In Oil Red O staining, FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) treatments showed inhibition rate of 35.39% in lipid accumulation compared to that in the control. AdipoRedTM assay indicated that the triglyceride content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) was reduced to 23.22%, and free glycerol content was increased to 106.04% that of the control. FRF and its major constituent, rutin affected mRNA gene expression. Rutin contributed to the inhibition of Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) gene expression, and inhibited the transcription factors SREBP-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In addition, the effect of FRF administration on obesity development in C57BL/6 mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated. FRF suppressed weight gain, and reduced liver triglyceride and leptin secretion. FRF exerted potential anti-inflammatory effects by improving insulin resistance and adiponectin levels, and could thus be used to help counteract obesity. The mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ, FAS, ACC, and CPT-1 were determined in liver tissue. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was also performed to evaluate the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in epididymal adipose tissue. Compared to the control group, mice fed the HFD showed the up-regulation in PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α genes, and down-regulation in CPT1 gene expression. FRF treatement markedly reduced the expression of PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to those in HFD control, whereas increased the expression level of CPT1. Conclusions: These results suggest that the FRF and its major active constituent, rutin, can be used as effective anti-obesity agents.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.570-582
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• 2020

Purpose: Obesity is a risk factor for various adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. With an increasing obesity population worldwide, the prevention of obesity with natural components has emerged as an alternative health care strategy. Ramulus mori (Sangzhi, RM) is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. It contains various phytochemicals, including stilbenes and 2-arylbenzofurans. In this study, we compared the anti-obesity effects of RM extracts and its major stilbene components (mulberroside A [MSA] and oxyresveratrol [ORT]) in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods: Five week-old, male C57BL/6J mice were grouped into 7 experimental groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD + 1% RM water extracts (MW), HFD + 0.1% MSA, HFD + 1% RM ethanol extracts (ME), HFD + 0.1% ORT, and HFD + 1% Garcinia cambogia extracts (GC) as a positive control. All mice were fed experimental diet for 13 weeks. Results: Compared to the HFD group, total body weight and weekly body weight gain were significantly decreased in the ME, ORT, and GC groups. Glucose tolerance level was significantly decreased in all experimental groups, whereas plasma insulin level was decreased in MSA, ME, ORT and GC groups. Plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased in the MSA, ORT, and GC groups. Hepatic TG accumulation was also significantly decreased in the MSA, ME, ORT, and GC groups. Adipose tissue weight and size of adipocytes were significantly decreased in the MSA, ME and ORT groups, and were comparable to values obtained in the GC group. The levels of adiponectin and SREBP1c mRNA expressions were increased in the ORT and GC groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME, ORT and MSA exert significant anti-obesity effect, and have the potential to be developed as a weight control ingredient of functional foods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1033-1041
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• 2020

Many people of all ages wish to have lighter skin for cosmetic reasons, and natural products attract more attention than chemically synthesized compounds. Uncaria rhynchophylla is widely used in Asia as a traditional herbal medicine. In order to find novel skin whitening agents, the present study evaluated the antioxidant activity and potential tyrosinase-inhibiting properties of U. rhynchophylla. Specifically, this study analyzed the antioxidant capacity of a 70% ethanolic extract of U. rhynchophylla as well as its effects on tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis. Total mRNA levels were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that U. rhynchophylla extracts exhibit great antioxidant capacity and significant levels of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds. U. rhynchophylla extracts can also powerfully inhibit tyrosinase activity. This same capacity was observed in melanoma B16F10 cells; that is, U. rhynchophylla extracts suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity and reduced the amount of melanin in treated cells. In addition, a 1 mg/ml concentration of U. rhynchophylla extract significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of tyrosinase. U. rhynchophylla extracts decrease tyrosinase and inhibit melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. This finding suggests that U. rhynchophylla has great potential as a natural whitening agent in skincare products.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.304-308
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• 2018

The interest in and development of healthy foods and nutraceuticals have increased because of the trend for a health-oriented society. Cinnamon is used as a food ingredient as well as a herbal medicine because of its functional properties. In this study, flavoring compounds and antioxidative activities of cinnamon extracts were investigated with different extraction solvents and extraction methods. The contents of flavoring compounds such as coumarin, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamyl alcohol were investigated. The contents of courmarin, cinnamic acid, and cinnamylaldehyde in 70% ethanol extract were higher than those in hot water and subcritical water extracts. The contents of courmarin, cinnamic acid, and cinnamaldehyde in subcritical water extract were higher than those in hot water extract, whereas the content of cinnamyl alcohol was lower. DPPH scavenging activity increased with increasing concentration of the extracts, and the 70% ethanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity. The ascorbic acid content of the 70% ethanol extract was largest in the antioxidative activity measurement by FRAP analysis. The ascorbic acid contents of the hot water and subcritical water extracts were similar.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2021

Chronic alcohol is responsible for oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant activity and protective effects of seed of Carthamus tinctorius L. on ethanol-induced C6 glial cells. Antioxidant effect of seed of C. tinctorius L. was measured by scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-prcrylhydrazy (DPPH), hydroxyl radical (·OH), superoxide radical, and nitric oxide. The seed of C. tinctorius L. extract showed significant radical scavenging activities in a concentration-dependent manner. In particular, it revealed strong DPPH and ·OH scavenging activity, displaying more than 80% at 500 and 100 ㎍/mL, respectively. Treatment of 500 mM ethanol to C6 glial cell led to decline of cell viability and elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, seed of C. tinctorius L.-treated groups significantly increased cell viability and decreased ROS levels, compared to ethanol-induced control group. These results suggest that seed of C. tinctorius L. would have protective effect against neuronal oxidative stress induced by alcohol.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2021

Aucklandia lappa Decne., a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat various diseases, including asthma, coughs, rheumatism, and diarrhea. In the present study, the effects of the oral administration of Aucklandia lappa Decne. extract on hair growth was investigated in hair-removed mice. A 70% ethanol extract of Aucklandia lappa Decne. (ALD) was prepared, and the extraction yield and total polyphenol content of ALD were measured as 27.30±0.01 and 28.39 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, respectively. The oral administration of ALD to hair-removed CL57BL/6 mice for six weeks had no significant effects on food intake and body weight changes. Biochemical and histological examinations also showed that the oral administration of ALD for six weeks had no significant effect on the liver and kidney functions. On the other hand, hair growth was significantly higher in the ALD group than the control group and the Pancidil group (positive control). In addition, the number of hair follicles and the degree of collagen production in the dermis were significantly higher in the ALD group than in the control and pancidil groups. These results suggest that ALD is a potential source of nutricosmetics with hair growth-promoting effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.14-32
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) has a central role in regulating muscle differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism. PGC-1α stimulates muscle growth and muscle fiber remodeling, concomitantly regulating lactate and lipid metabolism and promoting oxidative metabolism. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thumb.) has been widely employed as a traditional herbal medicine and possesses antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, hypoglycemic, and anticancer properties. We investigated whether G. pentaphyllum extract (GPE) and its active compound, gypenoside L (GL), affect muscle differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism via activation of the PGC-1α pathway in murine C2C12 myoblast cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: C2C12 cells were treated with GPE and GL, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to analyze the mRNA and protein expression levels. Myh1 was determined using immunocytochemistry. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation was measured using the 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. RESULTS: GPE and GL promoted the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes and elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of Myh1 (type IIx). GPE and GL also significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of the PGC-1α gene (Ppargc1a), lactate metabolism-regulatory genes (Esrra and Mct1), adipocyte-browning gene fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 gene (Fndc5), glycogen synthase gene (Gys), and lipid metabolism gene carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b gene (Cpt1b). Moreover, GPE and GL induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, p38, sirtuin1, and deacetylated PGC-1α. We also observed that treatment with GPE and GL significantly stimulated the expression of genes associated with the anti-oxidative stress response, such as Ucp2, Ucp3, Nrf2, and Sod2. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that GPE and GL enhance exercise performance by promoting myotube differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism through the upregulation of PGC-1α in C2C12 skeletal muscle.