• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1671-1676
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• 2012

In this study, the immuno-enhancing activity of seed extracts were studied on the macrophage cell lines. We examined the effect of nine seed extracts on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells and selected four highly-effective seed candidates (Fagopyrum esculentum, Taraxacum platycarpum, Impatiens balsamina, Helianthus annuus) for further immune-related studies. The effects of the four seed extracts on the production of immune-related cytokines in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line and proliferation of Molt-4 as a T cell line were investigated. The secretion of NO from the RAW 264.7 cells was increased up to 39 ${\mu}M$ by adding the seed extracts (25 ${\mu}g/mL$) compared to the control. Also, the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) was also increased up to 32 times by adding the seed extracts (25 ${\mu}g/mL$). Secretion of cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) was also increased and induced the proliferation of T cells compared to the control. In conclusion, these results suggest that four seed extracts provide beneficial immuno-enhancing effects for human health.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.135-143
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• 2016

Purpose: Ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative stress contributes to several adverse biological effects on skin. Many phenolic phytochemicals have been shown to have antioxidant properties and protect skin cells from UV-induced oxidative damage. In this study, we investigated whether or not Aralia elata (AE) has a protective effect against UVB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately leading to photoaging. Methods: Phenolic content of dried AE and antioxidant properties of AE extract in 70% ethanol weredetermined by measuring DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The effect of AE extract on cellular ROS generation and expression levels of oxidative stress-response proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1, catalase, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf)-2, and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in UVB-irradiated ($75mJ/cm^2$) human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were further determined by 2'-7'-dichlorofluoresceine diacetate assay and Western blotting, respectively. Results: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of dried AE were 20.15 mg tannic acid/g and 18.75 mg rutin/g, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ of AE extract against DPPH radical was $98.5{\mu}g/mL$, and ABTS radical scavenging activity and FRAP upon treatment with $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ of AE extract were $41.8{\mu}g\;ascorbic\;acid\;(AA)\;eq./mL$ and $29.7{\mu}g\;AA\;eq./mL$,m respectively. Pretreatment with AE extract significantly reduced (p < 0.05) ROS generation compared to that in UVB-irradiated control HaCaT cells. Pretreatment with AE extract reversed reduction of Nrf-2 and SOD-1 protein expression and induction of HO-1 protein expression caused by UVB exposure in HaCaT cells, whereas it did not affect catalase expression. Conclusion: AE extract in 70% ethanol demonstrated a protective effect against UVB-induced oxidative stress and decreased expression of Nrf-2 and SOD-1 in human keratinocytes. These findings suggest that AE ethanol extract might have potential as a natural resource for a skin anti-photoaging product in the food and cosmetic industry.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 1992

Concentrations of 5 major minerals(Na, K, Ca, P, Mg) and 3 trace elements(Mn, Mo, Ni) were measured in human milk samples collected from 21 highly selected healty lactating women at 2-5 days and at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. Significant decrease in contents of the major minerals and trace elements were found with time postpartum. Sodium contents decreased from 293.01ug/N at 2-5 days to 194.27ug/N at 12 weeks. Potassium contents also decreased from 436.18ug/N in colostrum to 358.51ug/N in matured milk at 12 weeks. The Ca/P ratios of colostrum transitional and matured milk were 3.39, 281 and 2.45 respecti-vely. Mean manganese levels of colostrum and transitional were 0.024ug/N and those of matured milk were 0.014ug/N. Molybdenum concentrations in the breast-milk collected at 1, 2, 4 weeks were higher than those in the milk samples at 2-5 days and 12 weeks Nickel content of colostrum was 0.062ug/N and those of trnsitional matured milk were 0.22ug/N and 0.017ug/N, These determinations will provide the basic information on the variability of minerals and trace elements as lactation proceed and the comparison of the components between term and preterm milk.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.415-425
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• 2017

Purpose: Many studies have suggested that neuronal cells protect against oxidative stress-induced apoptotic cell death by polyphenolic compounds. We investigated the neuroprotective effects and the mechanism of action of Momordica charantia ethanol extract (MCE) against $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death of human neuroblastoma SK-N-MC cells. Methods: The antioxidant activity of MCE was measured by the quantity of total phenolic acid compounds (TPC), quantity of total flavonoid compounds (TFC), and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined by CCK-8 assay. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. Antioxidant enzyme (SOD-1,2 and GPx-1) expression was determined by real-time PCR. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway and apoptosis signal expression was measured by Western blotting. Results: The TPC and TFC quantities of MCE were 28.51 mg gallic acid equivalents/extract g and 3.95 mg catechin equivalents/extract g, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ value for DPPH radical scavenging activity was $506.95{\mu}g/ml$ for MCE. Pre-treatment with MCE showed protective effects against $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death and inhibited ROS generation by oxidative stress. SOD-1,2 and GPx-1 mRNA expression was recovered by pre-treatment with MCE compared with the presence of $H_2O_2$. Pre-treatment with MCE inhibited phosphorylation of p38 and the JNK pathway and down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP by $H_2O_2$. Conclusion: The neuroprotective effects of MCE in terms of recovery of antioxidant enzyme gene expression, down-regulation of MAPK pathways, and inhibition apoptosis is associated with reduced oxidative stress in SK-N-MC cells.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.209-212
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• 2007

To evaluate the estrogenic activities of di-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP), two phthalates known as endocrine disrupters, we used MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. As results, DBP and DEHP had estrogenic effects. In brief, the concentration of maximal MCF-7 cell proliferation was $10^{-7}M\;and\;10^{-8}M$ for DEHP and DBP, respectively. The ratio of maximal cell yield of the test compounds to that of $17{\beta}-estradiol$ was 87.5% for DEHP and 73.4% for DBP. In summary, both DEHP and DBP had cell proliferation potencies in the MCF-7 cell. Potencies ranged from approximately 10 to 100 times less than 17beta-estradiol. DBP was stronger than DEHP in the concentration of maximal efficacy. However, DEHP was stronger than DBP in the MCF-7 cell proliferation. Results from this study suggested that DEHP and DBP may play an important role in the estrogenic activity. Therefore, it is suggested that DEHP and DBP are estrogenic.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.167-179
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• 2009

This study aims at examining perception of body weight control and lifestyles and food habits of under-weight, normal-weight and over-weight female college students. The data analysis were conducted by a body fat analyzer and questionnaires. The subjects were 368 female college students divided into three groups: the under-weight(UW), the normal-weight(NW), and the over-weight(OW), according to the guidelines of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity(2000). Among the subjects, 18.2% were under-weight, 63.6% normal-weight, and 18.2% over-weight. Mean of body weights were 45.4kg, 53.3kg, and 63.7kg, and BMIs were $17.5kg/m^2$, $20.5kg/m^2$ and $24.6kg/m^2$ in the UW, NW, and OW groups, respectively. 'Self assessment of body weight' was significant at the level of p<0.001 according to the Obesity Index. Of the UW group, 41.8% considered their weight to be normal and 4.5% believed they are over-weight. In the NW group, 43.2% thought they are over-weight, 1.5% believed they are under-weight. 57.1 % of the UW group and 98.6% of the NW group had ever tried to reduce their weight. Their 'exercise frequency and exercise time' were not significant by the 01. 'Regularity in the daily life' of the subjects was significant at the level of p<0.05. 43.3 % of the OW group answered that they don't live regular daily lives. 'Sleeping time' of the subjects was significant at the level of p<0.05 by the 01. 41.8% of the OW group reported that they sleep 'between 7 and 8 hours a day' which was the highest rate among the three groups. 'Frequency of meals per day' was not significant by the OI. 'The speed of eating meals' was significant at p<0.01, 23.9% of the UW group, 31.2% of NW group, and 38.8% of OW group reported that they have meals 'in a very fast speed'. Concludingly, most of female college students conceive themselves as having inappropriate body image, which means that they need to be given additional education about nutrition and diet.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.409-415
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• 2010

In this study, the bioactivities of ethanol (EELS) and water extract (WELS) from the leaf of Lythrum salicaria L. were investigated. In the anti-cancer activity, the growths of both human prostate cancer (DU145) and human colonic carcinoma cell (HT29) were inhibited up 60% by adding 10 mg/$m{\ell}$ of EELS. Anti-inflammatory activity of EELS and WELS have been evaluated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced release of nitric oxide (NO) by the macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. EELS and WELS inhibited inflammatory by 57.3 and 46.9% in 10 mg/$m{\ell}$, respectively. In the anti-oxidative activity, $IC_{50}$ of DPPH radical scavenging activity was respectively 60.71 and $92.90\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ by EELS and WELS. In the anti-diabetic activity, $IC_{50}$ of ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory activity of EELS and WELS were respectively 5,250 and $5,020\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. $IC_{50}$ of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity was 7.96 and $68.41\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ by EELS and WELS. In the anti-obesity, $IC_{50}$ of lipase inhibitory activity was 880 and $9,840\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ by EELS and WELS. Finally, EELS and WELS exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic activity and anti-obesity. It suggests that Lythrum salicaria L. could be potentially used as a resource of bioactive materials for health functional foods.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.849-854
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• 2007

Body fat proportion is a major issue in health. The prevalence of obesity in childhood has been increasing on thesedays. A series of indirect estimates of body fat have been developed. There are hydrodensitometry, BIA and anthropometry equation for body fat. Hydrodensitometry has been regarded as a common criterion method. BIA made it possible to analyze body fat mass more related to hydrodensitometry than anthropometry. The purpose of this unvestigation were to compare body fat and other body composition between boys & girls and to know which anthropometry equation for body fat was most closely associated with BIA in boys & girls respectively. The subjects were 148 4th grade elementary school students(male:70, female:78). They underwent BIA(InBody 3.0, Biospace Korea)to determine body fat and other body composition. Anthropometric measurements were taken of height, weight, skinfolds and circumferences. The results obtained are summarized as follow: 1) Weight, BMI and Rohrer index were $39.9{\pm}7.2kg$, $20.5{\pm}8.0$, $138.2{\pm}17.0$ for boys and $35.9{\pm}6.7kg$, $18.2{\pm}2.6$, $96.6{\pm}13.6$ for girls. 2) Total body fat and percent body fat determined by BIA were $10.3{\pm}4.3kg$, $25.4{\pm}6.6%$ for the boys group and $9.3{\pm}3.8kg$, $25.1{\pm}6.0%$ for girls. 3) Mean triceps skinfold thickness was $20.5{\pm}6.1mm$ in boys, $17.0{\pm}5.1mm$ in girls and mean WHR was $0.88{\pm}0.4$ in bodys, $0.82{\pm}0.4$ in female and the values were significantly different by sex. 4) Correlational nanlyses showed that estimation of body fat by BIA measurement seemed to be closely associated with Rohere index(boys r=0.854, girls r=0.909). Kim's equation was highly correlated with the body fat in girls(r=0.910) but less correlated in boys(r=0.710). We need to develop specific anthropometric equations based on age and sex to determine body fat for children.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1552-1557
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• 2012

It has been reported that pipernonaline isolated from Piper longum Linn. has a wide biochemical and pharmacological effect, including antitumor activity in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. However, its mechanism and expression pattern of many genes involved in biological functions are not clearly understood. To perform the gene expression study in PC-3 cells treated with pipernonaline, a cDNA microarray chip composed of 44,000 human cDNA probes was used. As a result, cell cycle-related genes, apoptosis-related genes, and cell proliferation/growth-related genes have been identified in gene ontology of the DAVID database. These results suggest that pipernonaline has antitumor activity by regulating the expression pattern of genes involved in biological signaling pathway in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Further, additional analysis of these microarray data can be a useful tool to identify the mechanism and discovery of novel genes in cancer therapy.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.253-260
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• 2010

Plant secondary metabolites have always been a focus of study due to their important roles in human medicine and nutrition. We transferred the isoflavone synthase (IFS) gene into soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] using the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method in an attempt to produce transformed soybean plants which produced increased levels of the secondary metabolite, isoflavone. Although the trial to produce transgenic plant failed due to unestablished hygromycin selection, transformed callus cell lines were obtained. The induction rate and degree of callus were similar among the three cultivars tested, but light illumination positively influenced the frequency of callus formation, resulting in a callus induction rate of 74% for Kwangan, 67% for Sojin, and 73% for Duyou. Following seven to eight subcultures on selection media, the isoflavone content of the transformed callus lines were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The total amount of isoflavone in the transformed callus cell lines was three- to sixfold higher than that in control callus or seeds. Given the many positive effects of isoflavone on human health, it may be possible to adapt our transformed callus lines for industrialization through an alternative cell culture system to produce high concentrations of isoflavones.