• Genes and Genomics
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.1199-1211
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• 2018

Soil acidification is one of major problems limiting crop growth and especially becoming increasingly serious in China owing to excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer. Only the STOP1 of Arabidopsis was identified clearly sensitive to proton rhizotoxicity and the molecular mechanism for proton toxicity tolerance of plants is still poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to investigate the transcriptomic change in plants under the low pH stress. The low pH as a single factor was employed to induce the response of the wheat seedling roots. Wheat cDNA microarray was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A total of 1057 DEGs were identified, of which 761 genes were up-regulated and 296 were down-regulated. The greater percentage of up-regulated genes involved in developmental processes, immune system processes, multi-organism processes, positive regulation of biological processes and metabolic processes of the biological processes. The more proportion of down-regulation genes belong to the molecular function category including transporter activity, antioxidant activity and molecular transducer activity and to the extracellular region of the cellular components category. Moreover, most genes among 41 genes involved in ion binding, 17 WAKY transcription factor genes and 17 genes related to transport activity were up-regulated. KEGG analysis showed that the jasmonate signal transduction and flavonoid biosynthesis might play important roles in response to the low pH stress in wheat seedling roots. Based on the data, it is can be deduced that WRKY transcription factors might play a critical role in the transcriptional regulation, and the alkalifying of the rhizosphere might be the earliest response process to low pH stress in wheat seedling roots. These results provide a basis to reveal the molecular mechanism of proton toxicity tolerance in plants.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.560-565
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• 2009

In this study, Korean mistletoe extract (KM-110) was fermented with two strains of Lactobacillus (FKM-110) and then toxicity, lectin content, and immune activities were investigated. The lectin content of FKM-110 was about 53-71% lower than that of KM-110. When mice were subcutaneously administered with KM-110 and FKM-110, the $LD_{50}$ obtained for KM-110 treatment was 50-100 mg/kg as compared to 150-200 mg/mL for FKM-110. Each preparation stimulated macrophages directly and enhanced productivity of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$. FKM-110 treatment resulted in lower cytokine production compared to KM-110. When mice were immunized with Keyhol limpet hemocyanin (KLH) antigen along with KM-110 or FKM-110 administration, higher antibody titers to KLH were observed in the KM-110 or FKM-110 groups compared to mice immunized with KLH alone, thereby showing no difference between KM-110 and FKM-110. Therefore, fermentation of Korean mistletoe extract with these Lactobacillus strains decreased toxicity in vivo while the enhancement of immune activity by KM-110 and FKM-110 was similar. These data suggest that KM-110 fermentation tended to decrease lectin content and in vivo toxicity. In addition, other components in the fermented mistletoe extract appear to stimulate immuno-adjuvant activity instead of lectin.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.311-320
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• 2009

The low quality fresh ginseng was fermented by Phelinus linteus or Hericium erinaceum mycelium. This fermented ginseng was extracted by water at $100^{\circ}C$ or water with ultrasonification at $60^{\circ}C$. Total phenolic compounds was improved by ultrasonification extraction process, compare to conventional water extraction. All extracts enhanced the growth of human B and T cells, showing 2.68 times and 3.43 times higher, respectively, than the control. The secretion of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 from human immune cells was enhanced as $3.53{\times}10^{-4}\;pg/cell$, $3.40{\times}10^{-4}\;pg/cell$ by adding H. erinaceum mycelium fermented ginseng. H. erinaceum mycelium fermented ginseng yielded higher nitric oxide production from macrophage than Lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The cytotoxicity on human normal kidney cell (HEK293) was as low as 20.5% in adding the maximum concentration of $1.0\;mg/m{\ell}$ of fermented ginseng. Generally, the extracts from ultrasonification extraction process showed 10% lower toxicity than that by conventional process. H. erinaceum mycelium fermented ginseng had the highest anticancer activity on human lung cancer and stomach cancer cells as 69.33% and 75.32%, respectively at $1.0\;mg/m{\ell}$. It can be concluded that, in general, H. erinaceum mycelium fermented ginseng has relatively better immune and anticancer activities than P. linteus fermented ginseng. Expecially, the extracts treated with ultrasonification had higher activities than that from conventional extraction process.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.444-450
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• 2018

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a pivotal role in modulating both innate and adaptive immunity. This study examined the immunomodulatory activities of hot-water extracts of bee pollen (BPW) in bone-marrow derived DCs (BMDC) and mice splenocytes. BMDCs isolated from mice were treated with 250 and $500{\mu}g/mL$ BPW for 24 h. BPW, up to $500{\mu}g/mL$, did not display any cellular toxicity against BMDCs. In fact, it functionally induced BMDC activation via augmentation of CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I/II expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor; $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin; IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) production. Interestingly, BPW treatment significantly increased the production of interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ in splenocytes, suggesting its possible contribution to Th1 polarization in immune response. Taken together, these findings suggest that BPW may regulate innate and adaptive immunity via DC activation and Th1 polarization in immune responses.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2009

Effects of Korean mistletoe extracts (KM-110), Viscum album coloratum on the specific and non-specific immune responses of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica were examined. The optimal concentration not showing toxicity of KM-110 was determined to $30-40{\mu}g/ml$ in vitro and $100{\mu}g$/100 g of fish in vivo. Even $1000{\mu}g$ of KM-110/100 g of fish did not show any clinical problem in fish though the levels of toxic parameters were slightly increased. In terms of antibody production, KM-110 significantly elicited more antibody production than FCA or $\beta$-glucan. $\beta$-glucan plus KM-110 group synergistically enhanced antibody production. There was no significant difference between KM-110 and KM-110 plus $\beta$-glucan group. The ROI production by head kidney (HK) leucocytes of eel injected with 500 or $1000{\mu}g$ KM-110 was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced than the control and FCA-treated group. Maximum increase in the NBT reduction value was observed in $1000{\mu}g$ KM-110 group but no significant difference was found between 500 and $1000{\mu}g$ KM group. The level of serum lysozyme activity was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the 500 and $1000{\mu}g$ KM-110- or FCA-treated group than in the control and $200{\mu}g$ KM-110 group. The phagocytic activities of HK leucocytes isolated from eel injected with 500 and $1000{\mu}g$ KM-110 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than $200{\mu}g$ KM-110 and PBS-injected control group. Korean mistletoe appeared to be a good activator of the specific and non-specific immune responses of Japanese eel.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.117-129
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• 2018

Cellulose has been widely applied into various medical fields including scaffolding, tissue engineering and tissue formation. In this study, we manufactured cellulose medical fiber from Styela clava tunics(SCT-CS) and analyzed the tensile strength, elongation at break, fluid uptake and surface morphology. And then, the biocompatibility and toxicity of SCT-CS were measured in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats after the implantation for 30, 60 and 90 days. The level of tensile strength and fluid uptake were lower in SCT-CS than chromic catgut(CCG), while elongation at break level were maintained the higher in SCT-CS. Also, the roughness with pronounced surface patterns as a result of in vivo degradation was significantly greater in CCG than this of SCT-CS although these levels gradually appeared with time in both groups. After implantation for 90 days, SCT-CS and CCG was successfully implanted around muscle of thigh without any significant immune response. Furthermore, no significant alterations were measured in serum parameters and the specific pathological features induced by most toxic compounds for liver and kidney toxicity. Therefore, these results suggest that SCT-CS showing good biocompatibility and non-toxicity can be successfully prepared from cellulose powder of SCT as well as has the potential for use as a powerful biomaterial for medical sutures.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4809-4813
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• 2014

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as a representative EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells, used as a tumor model, were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, was also down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5117-5121
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• 2014

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as an EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used as a tumorigenic model. These were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, were subsequently down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.704-711
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• 2011

Traditionally, mistletoes have been used as immunostimulant for the management of certain diseases such as cancer with high profile immune depleting potentials. In order to examine the safety of the 20 kGy irradiated cold water extract powder of mistletoes, we performed a 90-day repeated-dose toxicity study with ICR mice. The mice were treated with daily doses of the 20 kGy irradiated cold water extract powder of mistletoes by gavage at 0, 20, 100, and 500 mg/kg/day for 90 consecutive days. We recorded clinical signs of toxicity, body weight, organ weights, histological changes in target organs, hematology, and clinical blood chemistry analysis data for all mice. There were no significant changes in body and organ weights during the experimental period. The hematological analysis and clinical blood chemistry data revealed no toxic effects from the 20 kGy irradiated cold water extract powder of mistletoes. Pathologically, neither gross abnormalities nor histopathological changes were observed between the control and treated mice of both sexes. Collectively, these data suggest that the 20 kGy irradiated cold water extract powder of mistletoes have a high margin of safety.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.82-91
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• 2001

This study was carried out to elucidate the protective effect of zinc chloride(ZnCl$_2$) and its mechanism against the immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury chloide($CH_3$HgCl). This study was observed in the culture of EMT-6 cells which are originated from mammary adenocarcinoma of Balb/c mouse. Cytotoxicity of metals was measured by cell viability and NO$_2$$^{[-10]}$ , and mitochondrial function was evaluated by adenosine triphosohate (ATP) production. $CH_3$HgCl significantly decreased the sythesis of nitric oxide(NO), ATP and glutathione(GSH) in a dose-dependent manner. ZnCl$_2$ significantly increased the synthesis of GSH in a dose-dependent manner, but synthesis of NO and ATP were not changed. The immuno-cytotoxicity of $CH_3$HgCl was not fully protected when combined addition of ZnCl$_2$, whereas ZnCl$_2$ prior to addition of $CH_3$HgCl completly protected the Hg-induced immuno-cytotoxicity. Similarly, intracellular accumulation of mercury significantly decreased by ZnCl$_2$. Degree of diminution of intracellular mercury was larger in ZnCl$_2$ prior to addition of $CH_3$HgCl than in combined addition of ZnCl$_2$ and $CH_3$HgCl.. Dithiothreitol(DTT) or buthionine sulfoximine(BSO) addition at 50$\mu$M or less, which was not toxic to the cells, did not affect synthesis of NO and ATP. DTT increased intracellular GSH level and DTT pretreatment protected toxicity induced by $CH_3$HgCl as shown complete recover in the NO and ATP values. BSO decreased intracellular GSH level and BSO pretreatment exaggerated toxicity induced by $CH_3$HgCl as shown synergistic reduction in the NO and ATP values. These results indicated that the protective effects of zinc against immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury associated with increasing cellular level of GSH. Increased intracellular GSH transports methylmercury to out of cells. In accordance with intracellular level of mercury decreased, immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury decreased. These result also suggest that the protective mechanism of zinc against the mercury toxicity would be exerted in the immune system in vivo.