• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.8
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• pp.1139-1147
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• 2014

We investigated whether or not Schisandra chinensis (SC), a traditional herbal medicine, has protective effects against alcohol-induced fatty liver and blood alcohol clearance. Two tests focused on acute intoxication and chronic ethanol treatment were carried out. For the chronic ethanol treatment test, rats were fed ethanol by intragastric administration everyday for 8 weeks to induce alcoholic fatty liver. Ethanol treatment significantly increased blood alcohol concentration at 90 min after acute ethanol intoxication. Compared with the two ethanol-treated groups, rats administered ethanol along with SC extracts showed an approximately 13% increased blood alcohol clearance rate at 360 min. Chronic ethanol treatment significantly increased serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels, and caused fatty degeneration of liver. Ethanol treatment also elevated the serum total-cholesterol (TC) level. However, after feeding of ethanol plus SC extracts, ethanol-induced elevation of hepatic TG levels reversed, whereas elevation of serum TG and TC levels was not observed after treatment with SC extracts. Ethanol treatment significantly increased ${\gamma}$-GT, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities after 8 weeks. Compared with the ethanol-fed group, rats administered ethanol plus SC extracts for 4 weeks showed attenuated fatty degeneration as well as decreased hepatic function test values. SC administration also significantly increased intracellular lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and reduced steatosis score and hepatic TG levels, as measured by biochemical and histolopathological analyses. Our results indicate that the protective effects of SC are accompanied by a significant decrease in hepatic TG levels, thereby suggesting SC has the ability to prevent ethanol-induced fatty liver, by reducing hepatic TG and enzyme levels in alcoholic rats.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2015

Bacterial leaf spot, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syrinage, is a very damaging disease to green pumpkin in Gong-ju and Non-san nursery. However, there is no good method to control the disease in Korea. Growth inhibition of pathogen on medium, control efficacy on seedling stage, and seed treatment effect of 6 anti-bacterial pesticides were investigated for selection of the best pesticide for seed treatment and control of the disease. Growth inhibition zone on King's B medium were the largest by oxytetracycline 170 ppm and oxytetracycline 15 ppm + streptomycin sulfate 188 ppm, oxolinic acid 200 ppm, streptomycin 200 ppm were next respectively. Control efficacy of oxytetracycline 1.5% + streptomycin sulfate 18.8% WP and oxytetracycline 17% WP on seedling stage were 71.4% and 49.4%, respectively. Seed treatment of oxytetracycline 15 ppm + streptomycin sulfate 188 ppm on the artificially inoculated seeds inhibits pathogen growth completely from the treated seeds and 96% control efficacy on grow-out test of the treated seeds. Seed treatment of streptomycin 100 ppm (2,000 dilution of streptomycin 20%) on the artificially inoculated seeds allow 280 cfu/g of pathogen growth from the treated seeds and 60% control efficacy on grow-out test of the treated seeds. Seed treatment of oxytetracycline 85 ppm (2000 dilution of oxytetracycline 17% WP) on the artificially inoculated seeds allow 80 cfu/g of pathogen growth from the treated seeds and 90% control efficacy on grow-out test of the treated seeds. These results suggested that oxytetracycline 1.5% + streptomycin sulfate 18.8% WP was the best pesticide for seed treatment to control of the bacterial spot disease by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.5-13
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• 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity stress on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Crepidiastrum sonchifolium. The plant was treated with NaCl at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, and 200mM for 6 weeks. After treatment, the whole plant was collected, and 70% ethanol extracts were prepared. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in the order of NaCl treatment concentrations of 0, 100, and 50mM, while the 200mM treatment group showed the lowest radical scavenging. The total phenol and total flavonoid contents showed very similar results to the antioxidant activity depending on the NaCl concentration, confirming that the phenolic compounds of the plant can contribute to the antioxidant capacity against salinity stress. In addition, the investigation of the effect of NaCl-treated C. sonchifolium extract on the inhibition of NO production in the LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line (Raw 264.7) revealed that NO production significantly decreased in the 1,000㎍/mL treatment group across all NaCl concentration groups. But, the high concentration (1,000㎍/mL) treatment of the 100mM and 200mM NaCl treatment groups was found to have a negative effect on cell survival. These results suggest that radical scavenging activity is highest in healthy plants and that they produce antioxidants to respond to NaCl salinity stress up to 100mM. However, a high NaCl concentration of 200mM has a negative effect on the physiological activity of the plants. Compared with the results of the previously reported growth index, it is thought that the growth and physiological activity of plants can be positively affected in an NaCl treatment environment of 50mM or less.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.16-19
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• 2008

Shoot parts of a monocarpic and short day plant Orostachys japonicus have been used as a herbal medicine. The study was carried out to examine the effect of transplanting time (May 30, June 30, July 30) of its seedlings on its growth, morphological characters, and flowering. Two hours night-break treatment at midnight was done since Aug. 25 when samples were taken afterward every 4 weeks. Growth, morphological and flowering related characters were measured from each sample. Plant height and inflorescence length became longer with delayed transplanting time. Number of leaves including bracts and stem diameter were more and thicker when transplanted on June 30 than two other treatments. Leaves and bracts, stem, root, shoot and total dry weights showed nearly the same result to the number of leaves although floret dry weight were increased as transplanting time was delayed. Although florets were most formed when transplanted on June 30, they were not flowered because of the night-break treatment, meaning that the transplanting time had little effect on its growth and anthesis of the florets.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2003

To establish the fertilization condition to increase the productivity of Chasanthemum boreale M. with high quality, the effects of three nutrients (N, P, K) on the yields and the effective components were investigated in the pot scale. NPK was applied by chemical fertilizers with $(N-P_2O_5,-K_2O=250-160-160\;kg/ha)$ as a main treatment, and NP $(N-P_2O_5,-K_2O=250-160-160\;kg/ha)$, NK $(N-K_2O =250-160\;kg/ha)$, and PK $(P_2O_5K_2O=160-160\;kg/ha)$ treatments were settled as comparison. Dry yields of C. boreale M. was increased significantly to 4 fold higher by nitrogen. Nitrogen increased apparently plant growth and inorganic nutrient uptake. In the flower, which is most useful and edible part as a herbal medicine, main amino acids were glutamic acid and aspartic acids, and the total content was increased significantly by three elements of application. In addition, the content of cumambrin A, which is known to have the effect of blood-pressure reduction, was increased source to 6.2 times by nitrogen higher than that in PK treatment. Potassium was more effective in biosynthesis of cumambrin A than phosphorus, but the biological pathway was not clear, still.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.31-35
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• 2012

Background and Objectives: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents approximately 80% of all lung cancers. Unfortunately, at their time of diagnosis, most patients have advanced to unresectable disease with a very poor prognosis. The oriental herbal medicine HangAm-Plus (HAP) has been developed for antitumor purposes, and several previous studies have reported its therapeutic effects. In this study, the efficacy of HAP was evaluated as a third-line treatment for advanced-stage IIIb/IV NSCLC. Methods: The study involved six patients treated at the East- West Cancer Center (EWCC) from April 2010 to October 2011. Inoperable advanced-stage IIIb/IV NSCLC patients received 3,000 or 6,000 mg of HAP on a daily basis over a 12-week period. Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained from the patients at the time of the initial administration and after 12 weeks of treatment. We observed and analyzed the patients overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Of the six patients, three expired during the study, and the three remaining patients were alive as of October 31, 2011. The OS ranged from 234 to 512 days, with a median survival of 397 days and a one-year survival rate of 66.7%. In the 12-week-interval chest CT assessment, three patients showed stable disease (SD), and the other three showed progressive disease (PD). The PFS of patients ranged from 88 to 512 days, the median PFS being 96 days. Longer OS and PFS were correlated with SD. Although not directly comparable, the OS and the PFS of this study were greater than those of the docetaxel or the best supportive care group in other studies. Conclusion: HAP may prolong the OS and the PFS of inoperable stage IIIb/IV NSCLC patients without significant adverse effects. In the future, more controlled clinical trials with larger samples from multi-centers should be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of HAP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2017

Salvia plebeia R. Br. (Lamiaceae) has been used in folk medicines in Asian countries, including Korea and China, to treat inflammatory diseases. The focus of our research was on the anti-adipogenic activity of ethanol extract from Salvia plebeia R. Br. (SPE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study investigated inhibition of differentiation and lipogenesis upon SPE treatment in 3T3-L1 cells. The results reveal that SPE at non-cytotoxic concentration significantly suppressed triglyceride accumulation and reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein as adipogenic transcription factors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to non-treated control cells. Inducible phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, and hormone-sensitive lipase as well as carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 mRNA expression increased upon SPE treatment, which suppressed expression of fatty acid synthase. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SPE can inhibit expression of adipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our study suggests that SPE has potential anti-obesity effects and is a novel therapeutic functional agent with anti-adipogenic activity via reduction of lipogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2012

Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense has long been used in herbal medicine for the treatment of arthritis, dyspepsia, and bleeding in Korea. In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of C. japonicum var. ussuriense against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced activation in RAW264.7 cells by the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1. The 70% EtOH extract of the aerial parts of C. japonicum var. ussuriense (CJE), showed the potent anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of CJE was demonstrated by the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including pro-inflammatory enzymes (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2). Furthermore CJE induced HO-1 expression through nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increased HO activity in RAW264.7 macrophages. The effects of CJE on LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ productions were partially reversed by an HO-1 inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin (SnPP). Therefore, it is suggested that CJE-induced HO-1 expression plays a role of the resulting anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages. These results suggest that CJE may be a promising candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.642-652
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• 2018

Rhus verniciflua (RV) Stokes is a herbal medicine that helps improve blood circulation by stimulating digestion, removing extravasated blood, and raising body temperature. The purpose of this research was to study the anti-inflammatory effect of fermented soy products (FSP) containing a fermented RV (FRV) extract on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-treatedd RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with FRV extracts (1, 10, $100{\mu}g/mL$) downregulated nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines as compared to the LPS-treated group. Besides, the RV extract treatment suppressed the expression of genes related to pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrixins, inflammation, and apoptosis, while increasing the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant system. Furthermore, RVS extract upregulated antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione, Cu,Zn-SOD, and catalase without changes in the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. FSP (doenjang, ganjang) containing FRV extracts (0.1, 1, or $10{\mu}g/mL$) significantly decreased the NO and IL-6 levels in an FSP after 8 weeks of fermentation, but not the expression of genes involved in the inflammation and antioxidant system. These result indicate that an FRV extract and FSPs have a potential application in inflammatory conditions.

• 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.