• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.518-533
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• 2014

The flora in the region of Daeheuksando ($N34^{\circ}37^{\prime}{\sim}34^{\circ}42^{\prime}$, $E125^{\circ}23^{\prime}{\sim}125^{\circ}38^{\prime}$) was surveyed from June 2010 to October 2011. The vascular plants from 22 field surveys were revealed to total of 496 taxa: 113 families, 316 genera, 446 species, four subspecies, 43 varieties and three forms. 124 taxa were the first records from this region. This field study discovered significant plants in various categories. Korean endemic plants numbered 7 taxa, and 6 taxa designated by Korean Forest Service as rare plants were investigated in this region. The taxa in the category II of rare and endangered plants and higher than the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants designated by Korean Ministry of Environment were one taxon and 47 taxa, respectively. Especially, it was proved that Spiraea chartacea, Hosta yingeri, Hemerocallis hongdoensis and Saussurea polylepis were endemic to Heuksan-myeon including Daeheuksando in Korean peninsular. In addition, the naturalized plants of 46 taxa were recorded.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.257-263
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• 2009

In order to search for new whitening cosmetic ingredients from Chinese herbal extracts including Chinese herbs and complex prescriptions from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), we screened about 47 TCM extracts collected from China. We tested their inhibitory effects on melanogenesis by using in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay and B16 melanoma cells. We selected Siphonostegia chinensis and Salvianic miltiorrhiza Bunge. We isolated Danshensu ($\alpha$,3,4-trihydroxybenzenepropanoic acid sodium salt) from Salvianic miltiorrhiza Bunge extract and tested its inhibitory effect on melanin formation in B16-F10 melanoma cells. Danshensu suppressed melanin synthesis up to about 50% at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$. Siphonostegia chinensis suppressed melanin synthesis up to about 60% at a concentration of $300\;{\mu}g/mL$. The results showed that these extracts could be used as new natural active ingredients for whitening cosmetics.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2007

Dietary flavonoids have antioxidant and antitumor promoting effects. Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) is a flavonoid-rich herbal medicine and has long been used as a food additive and an antitumor agent in Korea. Previous study demonstrated that a purified flavonoid fraction prepared from RVS, herein named RCMF (the RVS chloroform-methanol fraction), exhibited growth inhibition and induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma(HOS) cells. This study evaluated if p53-mediated pathway is associated with the RCMF-induced apoptosis in HOS cells. RCMF was shown to be capable of inducing apoptosis of the cells, as expected, and transparently increased p53 expression in the cells. However, the RCMF-induced cytotoxicity was suppressed by transfecting the cells with antisense p53 oligonucleotide, which also inhibited the decrease of Bcl-2 and the increase of Bax in mitochondria, and the release of cytochrome c into cytosol. This finding suggests that p53-mediated mitochondrial stress is required for RCMF-induced apoptosis in HOS cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.675-682
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• 2013

One hundred and sixty Taiwan country chickens (d-old chicks) were randomly assigned into four groups with four replicates and equal sex. Basal diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% of Bazhen powder, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine complex. The study was conducted for 14 wks. Experimental results indicated that Bazhen supplement did not influence feed intake, body weight gain and feed:gain ratio. Compared with control group, the percentage of serum HDL (high-density lipoprotein) linearly increased (p<0.03) and that of VLDL+LDL (very low-density+low-density lipoprotein) linearly decreased (p<0.03) in Bazhen supplemented groups, that 2% Bazhen was significantly different with control group (p<0.05). Chickens fed diets containing 2% Bazhen displayed reduced (p<0.05) serum GOT (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) levels. The IgG, ${\gamma}$-globulin levels and PHA (phytohemagglutinin) skin challenge results in 1% Bazhan supplemented group were higher (p<0.05) than in the control group, the SRBC (sheep red blood cell) and ND (newcastle disease) titers in Bazhen supplemented groups were linear higher (p<0.05) than in the control group. The liver catalase activity and the capacity of scavenging DPPH (${\alpha}$-${\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl) radical were linearly increased (p<0.03) in Bazhen supplemented groups, and the 1 and 2% groups were different from the control group (p<0.05). Liver TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) levels in all Bazhen supplemented groups and total glutathione level in the 2% group were reduced (p<0.05) compared to the control group and displayed a linear response (p<0.05). The TBA (thiobarbituric acid) and pH value of the breast muscle after 24 h post-mortem in the Bazhen supplemented groups was linear lower (p<0.05) than in the control group. Results from this study demonstrated that Bazhen supplement in chicken had several beneficial effects, including increased SRBC and ND titers, HDL and IgG, ${\gamma}$-globulin levels, PHA skin challenge result, decreased VLDL+LDL and GOT levels, and displayed antioxidation effects in serum and carcass meat parameters.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2006

Beans are well known to be high-protein diets. Bean seeds contain arginine, lysine, or glycine-rich proteins which are effective to maintain lower glucose levels. In this study, the synergistic effect of fermented small soybean (Chounggukjang) and mulberry leaf on metabolism and hexokinase activity was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. We divided 8 groups as follows: non-diabetic rat group fed with only water diet (NC: control), and STZ-induced diabetic rat groups fed with water (DC), fermented Rhynchosia Nulubilis (Bbc), fermented Glycine max Merr (Ybc), Bbc and YBc (BYbc), mulberry leaf and Bbc (MBbc), mulberry leaf and Ybc (MYbc), or the mulberry leaf, Bbc, and Ybc (MBYbc). Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by subcutaneous STZ administration (70 mg/kg of body weight). All diet groups were fed with Chounggukjang in a powder form. Three ml of Chounggukjang solution (0.75 mg per gram of body weight) dissolved in distilled water was orally administered to all rat groups after STZ administration except for NC rat group. In groups fed with fermented soybeans, the body weight (increased), food efficiency ratio (FER) (increased), glucose level (decreased) and hexokinase (HK) activity (increased) significantly differed to NC. Among them, particularly in the groups fed with both fermented soybeans and mulberry leaf, kidney weight significantly decreased, whereas HK activity significantly increased compared to DC. These results suggest that Chounggukjang of both fermented soybeans and mulberry leaf is potentially used as an effective functional food to prevent diabetes complications.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2012

In this study we examined the changes in expression of pigments in black rice during kernel development, which were sampled at 2~3-day intervals to the 40th day after flowering. The first expression of pigment on kernels was observed on the seed coat about 5 days after flowering. At that times, the ratio of pigment expression was 0.08% of total area. The order in expression of pigments in black rice during kernel development was top first, followed by bottom, dorsal side, then ventral side. Maximum percentage of the total colored area in kernel was about 25 days after flowering. After that, the color has changed to dark purple from pale purple during kernel development after flowering. After harvesting, the non-uniform color kernels were observed. As a result, the ventral side in a kernel was a position of the non-uniform color such as a mixture of pale purple and dark purple. Also, we could be concluded that patten of pigment expression was similar in kernel development.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2018

Recently, it has been a big issue to distinguish the dried roots of Cynanchum wilfordii and C. auriculatum in health functional food market. The original plant species of Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix belong to the Asclepiadaceae family is differentially described in the national pharmacopoeia of Korea, China and Japan. Owing to the morphological similarities of the dried roots of this plant to those of C. auriculatum, which is often misidentified in Korean herbal medicine marketplace, distinguishing these two species is exceedingly difficult. The purpose of this study was to compare the conventional-PCR with the real-time PCR for detection of C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum DNA. We also tried to realize a quantitative real-time PCR assay using species-specific matK primers, which allowed us to estimate the ratio of C. willfordii and C. auriculatum using varying ratios of mixed genomic DNA template from the two species. The differentiation of intentional and unintentional mixture in this study would be applied to food safety management and can be helpful for protection of consumer's right and cultivators.

• 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.40 no.3
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• pp.332-336
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• 2008

Ginger is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine. Both ginger and its extracts have been used to treat many chronic inflammatory conditions via the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activation, which results in the suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. However, the mechanisms as to how ginger extracts mediate their health effects are largely unknown. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) trigger anti-microbial innate immune responses, recognizing conserved microbial structural molecules that are known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns. All TLR signaling pathways culminate in the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. The activation of NF- ${\kappa}B$ leads to the induction of inflammatory gene products, including cytokines and COX-2. This study reports the biochemical evidence that 6-shogaol, an active compound in ginger, inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and COX-2 expression induced by TLR2, TLR3, and TLR4 agonists. Furthermore, 6-shogaol inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by the following downstream signaling components of the TLRs: MyD88, $IKK{\beta}$, and p65. These results imply that ginger can modulate immune responses that could potentially modify the risk of many chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.220-226
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• 2018

Background: Atractylodes japonica Koidz. and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. belong to the family (Asteraceae). Their rhizomes, called white Atractylodes rhizomes, are used in traditional medicine. To address some issues with their cultivation, we recently developed eight hybrid cultivars by interspecific hybridization of A. japonica and A. macrocephala. This study was conducted to screen the hybrid cultivars that have high amounts of active ingredients and yield ability. Methods and Results: Experiments were conducted using the eight hybrid cultivars and A. macrocephala (control cultivar) in the experimental field of the department of Herbal Crop Research located in Eumseong, South Korea. We investigated the growth characteristics of the aerial and underground parts. Among the cultivars, 'Sanwon' had the highest rhizome dry weight (53.8 g/plant), followed by 'Dachul' (50.0 g/plant). In addition, the content of atractylenolide I, II, III and total active ingredients were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Compared with A. macrocephala, most of the inter-specific hybrid cultivars had a higher content of active ingredients and yield ability. Conclusions: Through study, we established the superior quality of Atractylodes inter-specific hybrid cultivars. In particularly, it was found that 'Dachul' may be grown as a superior cultivar, with high amount of active ingredients as well as yield ability.