• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of NaCl and jasmonic acid (JA) on the growth and physiological responses of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.). Spearmint was hydroponically grown for 3 weeks in modified Hoagland solution containing 0 (untreated control), JA ($20{\mu}M$ JA pretreatment), NaCl (50 mM NaCl treatment) and JA + NaCl ($20{\mu}M$ JA pretreatment + 50 mM NaCl treatment). Growth characteristics, chlorophyll, vitamin C, proline contents, DPPH scavenging activity and inorganic ion contents were evaluated. As a results, there were significant decreases in the plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and fresh weight of plants, treated with NaCl compared with control. On the other hand, the dry matters of shoot and root treated with JA + NaCl combination were better than control or NaCl treatment. Chlorophyll a and b contents in JA treatment was the highest. Vitamin C, antioxidant activity, and proline content in shoot were increased in NaCl treatment which showed low level of growth rate. The K/Na ratio, which is known to indirectly reflect the balance of ion uptake, was higher in a single treatment of JA than the control group, while lower in salt treatment (NaCl and JA + NaCl) because of high $Na^+$ absorption. In conclusion, these results showed that moderate stress treatment such as low level salt treatment and plant growth regulator jasmonic acid (JA) application would be potential strategies to improve the quality of spearmint by inducing the accumulation of secondary metabolites containing high antioxidant activity and essential oil.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Objectives: Ephedrae herba (EH) and Coicis semen (CS) has been frequently prescribed for the treatment of obesity. However, effects of combinational extracts of these two herbs on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of EH and CS on lipid accumulation and glucose absorption in free fatty acids (FFAs) or palmitic acid (PA)-treated HepG2 cells. Methods: Five samples of EH and CS were extracted by combination ratios (S1=0:100, S2=25:75, S3=50:50, S4=75:25, S5=100:0). Oil Red O staining was used to measure lipid accumulation in FFAs-induced steatosis cells. Intracellular triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were measured in FFAs-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. In PA-treated cells, intracellular 2-NBDG was detected using a fluorescence microplate reader and flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of key metabolism-related factors of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, expression of key lipid synthesis-related factors carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 alpha (CPT1α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) were confirmed by western blot. Results: Treatment of EH-CS combination in the FFAs-induced steatotic HepG2 cells significantly reduced lipid accumulation. As the relative ratio of Ephedrae herba increased, the lipid-lowering effects of the combination were increased. However, S1 and S5 of Ephedrae herba and Coicis semen did not significantly reduce triglycerides and total cholesterol induced by FFAs. However, the combination of Ephedrae herba and Coicis semen restored glucose absorption in PA-induced HepG2 cells. Major makers of SREBP1, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and CPT1α expression tended to decrease with EH ratio. Conclusions: The EH-CS combination has advantages over sole EH and CS extracts in improving lipid and glucose metabolism in liver steatosis models.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1626-1633
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• 2004

In recent, the roles of oleic acid, most abundant fatty acid in myelin, were investigated in relation to the brain functions. This study examined the effects of diets either with desirable ratios of $\omega$6/ $\omega$9 and P/M/S (mixed oil-fed group: MO) or with defficient in $\omega$3 series fatty acids (safflower oil-fed group: SO) on the oleic acid composition in RBC and brain synaptosomal, mitochondrial & microsomal phospholipids. The desirable fatty acid composition was computer-searched with different fats and oils to meet right ratios of both $\omega$6/ $\omega$3 and P/M/S. Diets were fed 3 weeks before conception and new-born pups were fed maternal milk from the same mothers and same diets until 9 wks of age. At 3 wks of age, the compositions of oleic acid in brain subcellular fractions and red blood cells were constantly remained whatever the composition of dietary fatty acids. But at 9 wks of age, the composition of oleic acid in synaptosome and mitochondria were significantly higher in MO group than SO group. The composition of oleic acid in milk was significantly higher in MO group than SO group, but in case of SO group, that of oleic acid was increased by 48%, in comparison with dietary fatty acid compositions. -9 desaturase index (18:0\longrightarrow8:1) of brain synaptosome was significantly higher in MO group than SO group at 3 and 9 weeks of ages, but that of brain microsome was higher in SO group than MO group at 9 wks of age. Taken together, the presences of oleic acid in the diet was important to maintain brain functions. The origins of oleic acid in brain may suggests two hypotheses; first, the central nervous system has priority for the uptake of oleic acid, and second the nervous system can synthesize all the oleic acid it needs, independently of its presence in the diet.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.829-846
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• 2015

This study was conducted to determine the effects of organic fertilization rates on the nutrient accumulation and recovery in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as well as growth and yield of radish in Jeju island. An understanding the relationships between organic fertilization rate, crop nutrient recovery and crop yield can assist in making organic fertilizer recommendation which balances crop value and environmental risk in organic cultivation. Nitrogen (T-N), phosphate ($P_2O_5$) and potassium ($K_2O$) were applied at 0, 115-35-40, 230-70-80 (standard application rate), 460-140-160, 230-200-100 (recommended application rate) and 158-53-35 kg/ha (customary application rate), respectively as the broadcast application of mixed organic fertilizer (N 4.5% - $P_2O_5$ 1.5% - $K_2O$ 1%) in combination with langbeinite ($K_2O$ 22%), 100% at sowing period. The organic fertilizer was made of organic materials like oil cakes. Total yield of radish, as fresh weight of roots, increased with increasing organic fertilizer doses to a maximum at rate of standard or soil-testing application. Nitrogen, phosphate and potassium accumulations of radish increased curvilinearly with increasing organic fertilization rate to a maximum at rate of N 460 - $P_2O_5$ 140 - $K_2O$ 160 kg/ha. However, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium use efficiency of applied organic fertilizer decreased curvilinearly or linearly with increasing organic fertilization rate. Application of organic fertilizer in combination with langbeinite (as a potassium source) had significant effect on the yield of radish. Organic fertilization on a basis of standard or soil-testing application rate is recommended for maximun radish yield in organic cultivation.