• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2022

As a herbal supplement, Dioscorea batatas Decne (DBD) presents potent antioxidant activity and diverse health benefits. In the present study, functions of a 30 kDa glycoprotein isolated from DBD (hereafter, DBD glycoprotein) in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor in mice were explored. DBD glycoprotein produced protective effect against cytotoxicity induced by the ecotoxicological endocrine-disrupting substance bisphenol A in gastrointestinal epithelial HT-29 cells. To investigate its potential roles in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor, mice were administered an oral injection of DBD glycoprotein for 2 weeks. Compared with the control values, the weight of internal organs (liver, heart, kidney, and spleen) and levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase were not significantly changed during DBD glycoprotein administration for 2 weeks. Interestingly, DBD glycoprotein improved feed efficiency and reduced hydrogen sulfide concentration without altering the ammonia level in mouse feces. Collectively, these results indicate that DBD glycoprotein is a functional agent that exerts gastrointestinal protective effects against ecotoxicological substances, improves feed efficiency, and reduces fecal malodor.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2009

Numerous studies have presented evidence that global atmospheric carbon dioxide ($CO_{2}$ ) concentration and temperature is increasing every year. Both of the $CO_{2}$ and temperature are important components for photosynthesis activity of plants and thusgrowth and yield. However, little information is available in terms of the reaction of vegetable plants to increased $CO_{2}$ concentration and temperature, and also the reaction to a complex condition of both increased $CO_{2}$ concentration and temperature. The aim of this research was therefore to investigate changes in growth, photosynthetic activity and ultra-cellular structure of leaf tissue of Chinese cabbage. Plants were grown under either of elevated $CO_{2}$ concentration (elevated $CO_{2}$, 2-fold higher than atmospheric $CO_{2}$ ) or elevated temperature (elevated temp, 4$^{\circ}C$ higher than atmospheric temperature), under both of elevated $CO_{2}$ concentration and elevated temperature (elevated temp+$CO_{2}$), and under atmospheric $CO_{2}$ concentration and temperature (control). The treatment of 'elevated temp' negatively affected leaf area, fresh weight, chlorophyll and starch content. However, when the treatment of 'elevated temp' was applied coincidently with the treatment of 'elevated $CO_{2}$', growth and photosynthetic performance of plants were as good as those in the treatment of 'elevated $CO_{2}$', Microscopic study resulted that the highest starch content and density of cells were observed in the leaf tissue grown at the treatment of 'elevated $CO_{2}$', whereas the lowest ones were observed in the leaf tissue grown at the treatment of 'elevated temp'. These results suggest that when Chinese cabbage grows under a high-temperature condition, supplement of $CO_{2}$ would improve the growth and yield. In our knowledge, it is the first time to determine the effect of a complex relationship between the increased $CO_{2}$ concentration and temperature on the growth of Chinese cabbage.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.451-459
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• 2011

The current study was conducted to determine the effects of herbal supplement on growth performances and diarrhea in Hanwoo calves. Total 24 Hanwoo calves (3 treatments: 8 calves per treatment) were randomly assigned to either Control (no treatment), Treatment 1 (0.3% herb supplement), or Treatment 2 (0.5% herb supplement) diets for 150 days. Total body weight gain and total feed intake per head in Treatment 1 was 142.8 kg and 545.9 kg, respectively, and it was higher (p<0.05) compared to other groups. The blood total cholesterol range was 86.43~97.00 mg/dl, triglycerides 13.26~13.86 mg/dl, GOT 76.97~79.60 mg/dl, GPT 19.54~20.97 mg/dl, WBC 8.75~9.95 k/${\mu}{\ell}$, RBC 10.14~11.91 M/${\mu}{\ell}$, and hemoglobin 10.74~11.20 g/$d{\ell}$, respectively, with no significant (p>0.05) differences among treatments. The blood immunoglobulin G levels were 5.74~6.05 mg/ml which tended to decrease as experimental period extended. Total number of pathogens in feces showed peaks at 1~2 months after the initiation of experiment, and tended to decrease thereafter. Total number of Eimeria spp., E. coli and BVDV in feces showed no significant differences but control group showed higher counts than both treatment groups. During overall period, the incidence of pathogenic diarrhea in calves of 2 treatment groups was much lower than control group calves (C: 24, vs T1: 9, T2: 13 heads), however, it was not significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of herbs in Hanwoo calf diets might be beneficial to improve growth performances and prevent diarrhea.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-obesity effect and molecular mechanism of YY312, a herbal extract composed of Imperatae Rhizoma, Citri Unshius Pericarpium Immaturus, and Evodiae Fructus, on a high-fat diet-induced animal model and on 3T3-L1 cells. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were fed for 6 weeks with a normal diet or a high-fat diet (HFD). Then they orally administered daily with 300 mg/kg YY312 for next 10 weeks. Body weight and food consumption were recorded weekly and daily, respectively. Tissue weights, serum lipid, and glucose levels were analyzed at the end of the study. Additionally, the effects of YY312 on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells were examined. After differentiating 3T3-L1 cells were treated with YY312, Oil-red O staining, RT-PCR, and Western blotting were performed for lipid accumulation, mRNA expression of adipogenesis gene, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, respectively. Results : YY312-administered mice showed a significant reduction of body weights and abdominal adipose tissue weights. YY312 also reduced the serum levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol, compared with the HFD group. Treatment with YY312 inhibited lipid accumulation and blocked expression of adipogenic transcription factors and lipogenesis genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, CCAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ and fatty acid synthase. YY312 increased AMPK phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conclusions : This study showed that herbal extract YY312 has an anti-obesity effect in vitro and in vivo. Thus, YY312 could be developed as a supplement for reduction of body weight gain induced by an HFD.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.235-241
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• 2017

This study was carried out to estimate growth characteristics of Kimchi cabbage cultivated in two different growing seasons and three transplanting dates in the greenhouses, and to create a predicting model for the production of Kimchi cabbage based on the growth parameters and climatic elements. Kimchi cabbages were transplanted three times at intervals of two weeks in spring and autumn growing seasons. Sigmoidal models for the estimation of fresh weight (Fw) was designed with days after transplanting, which were Fw=4451.5/[1+exp{-(DAT-34.1)/3.6}]($R^2=0.992$) and Fw=7182.0/[1+exp{-(DAT-53.8)/11.6}] ($R^2=0.979$), respectively. The relationship between fresh weight of Kimchi cabbage and growing degree days (GDD) was highly correlated, and the regression model represented by Fw=4451.5/[1+exp{-(GDD-34.1)/3.6}] ($R^2=0.992$) in spring growing season. The yield of Kimchi cabbage under spring and autumn growing season were estimated 11348.3kg/10a and 15128.2kg/10a, respectively, which were much different than outdoor culture each growing season, while greenhouse cultivation have shown similar results. To estimate the efficacy of prediction yield in Kimchi cabbage, we will need to supplement a predicting model, which was based on the parameters and climatic elements by the field cultivation.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigated effects of water relation of mulching and trickle irrigation on the external and internal fruit quality in Satsuma mandarin grafted on trifoliate orange rootstock in a orchard assigned to randomly three groups; whole period of Tyvex mulching (TM), Tyvex mulching with trickle irrigation once a week from October 22 to harvesting season (WM) and non-mulching treatment (NM). The average soil moisture content in the TM was lower than the WM during the time of trickle irrigation from Oct. 21 to Nov. 28. The leaf water potential was at the level of ${\Psi}max$ of -1.5 to -2.5 MPa during whole period of Tyvex mulching treatment but gradually increased at the point of supplement of water. The water and osmotic potential in juice vesicle was decreased by drought but increased again in response to the supply of water in WM. The total soluble solids (TSS) in fruit juice was increased by drought stress, but diminished in response to supply of water after drought. The content of titratible acidity was increased by drought stress but gradually decreased due to supplement of water after drought, reached it at the level of 1%. It was suggested that the accumulation of the total soluble solids compensates the degree of active osmoregulation and the decrease in content of acidity accounts for the fast respiration and water uptake resulted of the water after drought.

• 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2011

Target herbal ingredient (THI) is an extract made from two herbs, Scutellariae Radix and Platycodi Radix. It has been developed as a treatment for metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. One component of these two herbs has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-obesity activities. However, there have been no reports about the effects of the mixed extract of these two herbs on metabolic diseases. In this study, we investigated the metabolic effects of THI using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. High-fat diet (HFD) mice were orally administered daily with 250 mg/kg of THI. After 10 weeks of treatment, the THI-administered HFD mice showed reduction of body weights and epididymal white adipose tissue weights as well as improved glucose tolerance. In addition, the level of total cholesterol in the serum was markedly reduced. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the metabolic effects of THI in vitro, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with THI, after which the mRNA levels of adipogenic transcription factors, including C/$EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$, were measured. The results show that the expression of these two transcription factors was down regulated by THI in a dose-dependent manner. We also examined the combinatorial effects of THI and swimming exercise on metabolic status. THI administration simultaneously accompanied by swimming exercise had a synergistic effect on serum cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that THI could be developed as a supplement for improving metabolic status.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.509-526
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• 2017

Background and objectives : Soeumin Bojungykgi-tang (seBYTE) has been used to supplement qi in Korean medicine. It has been demonstrated to possess various biological functions such as anti-cancer, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study evaluated the protective roles of seBYTE in hepatotoxic in vitro and in vivo model. Methods : To investigate cytoprotective effect of seBYTE, HepG2 cells were pretreated with seBYTE and then subsequently exposed to $10{\mu}m$ AA for 12 h, followed by $5{\mu}m$ iron. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins was evaluated by immunoblot analysis. For responsible molecular mechanisms, ROS production, GSH contents, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. In addition, hepatoprotective effect of seBYTE in vivo was assessed in $CCl_4$-induced animal model. Results : seBYTE prevented AA + iron-induced cytotoxicity in concentration dependent manner. In addition, ROS production, GSH depletion, and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by AA + iron were significantly reduced by seBYTE pretreatment. Furthermore, seBYTE recovered expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins such as PARP and pro-caspase-3. In animal experiment, plasma ALT and AST levels were significantly elevated in $CCl_4$ treatment, but seBYTE significantly decreased the ALT and AST levels. Moreover, seBYTE alleviated the numbers of histological activity index, percentages of degenerative regions, degenerated hepatocytes, infiltrated inflammatory cells, nitrotyrosine- and 4-hydroxynonenal-positive cells in liver. Conclusions : These results showed that hepatoprotective effect of seBYTE against on $CCl_4$-induced hepatic damages is partly due to antioxidative and anti-apoptotic process.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.12 no.2 s.17
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• pp.75-83
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• 2006

Pogostemonis and Agastachis Herba are the whole of Pogostemon cablin (BLANCO) BENTH or Agastache rugosa (FISCHER et MEYER) O. KUNTZE (family Labiatae) which is produced in all part of Korea and China. This drug is used for removing dampness by means of aromatics in oriental medicine. The standard formula of this drug is important from the viewpoint of the quality control. A characteristic discrimination of internal and external morphological standard in original plants and herbal states of Pogostemonis and Agastachis Herba are as follows. 1. The external characteristics: Pogostemon cablin has hairs and brown-like in stem, elliptical fruit. In the other hand, Agastache rugosa has no hairs and red-like in stem, obovatic trigone fruit. 2. The physical characteristics: Pogostemon cablin is gray in whole, has hairs in stem and numerous hairs of ash in leaf. In the other hand, Agastache rugosa is yellow-green in whole, has no hairs in stem. Specially the latter has deep-green colour and numerous hairs presenting mostly at lower epidermis in leaf. 3. The physical characteristics in currents: Pogostemon cablin is brown, has hairs and round-like stem. In the other hand, Agastache rugosa is green or yellow-green, has no hairs and tetragon in stem. 4. The internal characteristics: Pogostemon cablin has progressed spongy tissue in epidermal cell of leaf and many rank of epidermal cell in stem. In other hand, Agastache rugosa has 1 rank palisade tissue in leaf and few rank of epidermal cell in stem. In the external shape, it was possible that herbs were distinguished according to artificial classification and that same genus-degree of relatedness among herbs could be distinguished by more precise and active observation. In the shape of real herbs, I compared current herbs in market with original herbs which were just collected or were on the course of drying. In addition, it was possible that the internal shape could be identified by using microscope after butanol series. Though it was impossible to make distinction of herbs which are not current in my search contents, this search contents will be a standard for applying herbs in the future. An Additional standard establishment including physiochemical reaction and gene research is required in order to supplement the fault of this search.