• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.297-305
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• 2014

Red ginseng (RG) contains specific ginsenosides (Rg2, Rg3) which show various pharmacological effects and absorption rate in the body better than panax ginseng. Therefore many people have been used it for health for a long time. Furthermore, many researchers have been studying its biological activities for a long times because fermentation generates lots of beneficial small molecules good for health. In this study, we fermented red ginseng with mycelium of Leatiporus sulphures var. miniatus for 7 days. As a result, we found that three ginsenosides Rg1, Re and Rb2 were decreased from 0.24, 0.25, 0.16 mg/g to 0.12, 0.1, 0.03 mg/g respectively HPLC analysis. In addition, we studied biological activities of fermented red ginseng (FRG) about skin ageing such as anti-inflammation, cell migration, anti-oxidation, collagen type 1 synthesis, and MMP-1 inhibition activities. As a result, FRG were shown higher anti-inflammatory and cell migration promoting activities than RG. FRG inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO) and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and decreased interleukin (IL)-6 induced by LPS stimulation in RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, this study suggest that FRG could be a potential source as a new natural anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1281-1293
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• 2019

The rhizosphere is the active zone where plant roots communicate with the soil microbiome, each responding to the other's signals. The soil microbiome within the rhizosphere that is beneficial to plant growth and productivity is known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR take part in many pivotal plant processes, including plant growth, development, immunity, and productivity, by influencing acquisition and utilization of nutrient molecules, regulation of phytohormone biosynthesis, signaling, and response, and resistance to biotic- and abiotic-stresses. PGPR also produce secondary compounds and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that elicit plant growth. Moreover, plant roots exude attractants that cause PGPR to aggregate in the rhizosphere zone for colonization, improving soil properties and protecting plants against pathogenic factors. The interactions between PGPR and plant roots in rhizosphere are essential and interdependent. Many studies have reported that PGPR function in multiple ways under the same or diverse conditions, directly and indirectly. This review focuses on the roles and strategies of PGPR in enhancing nutrient acquisition by nutrient fixation/solubilization/mineralization, inducing plant growth regulators/phytohormones, and promoting growth and development of root and shoot by affecting cell division, elongation, and differentiation. We also summarize the current knowledge of the effects of PGPR and the soil microbiota on plants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2023

In the present study, we prepared hot water extracts and the subsequent organic solvent fractions of methanol extracts of Houttuynia cordata (HC) and Lespedeza cuneata (LC), and investigated their anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among the treated samples, hexane, chloroform, and ethyl-acetate fractions of HC and LC inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner, and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression. And, we analyzed the flavonoid contents of the ethyl-acetate fraction of HC and LC, and chose apigenin for the further experiments because apigenin was one of flavonoids commonly found in HC and LC. Apigenin dramatically inhibited NO production in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viability and decreased iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. In addition, apigenin suppressed the phosphorylation of p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) indicating that apigenin exerts anti-inflammatory activity via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Subsequently, we conducted RNA-sequencing analysis to detect differentially expressed genes upon apigenin treatment. Among the down-regulated genes, four cytokine genes (interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2)) were selected for the further analysis, and the reduction of their expression by apigenin was confirmed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Overall, our results suggest that Houttuynia cordata and Lespedeza cuneata have the anti-inflammatory effects and apigenin can be the one of key molecules responsible for their anti-inflammatory activities.

• Clean Technology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.172-181
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• 2010

Hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) with fluoride molecules in their structure which are evaluated as the third generation replacement alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are known to be excellent for removal of nanoparticles and fluoride-type soils due to their low surface tension and high wetting index. In addition, HFEs have good physical properties with no flash point and excellent drying characteristics. But, HFEs also have shortcomings in that they are not effective for removal of organic soils due to their poor solubility in soil. In this study, $C_5$ HFE-based cleaning agents were formulated through addition of solvents such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA), ethyleneglycol monoether (EG), propyleneglycol monoethylether (PM) to HFE-7100 [$CF_3CF_2CF_2CF_2OCH_3$] or HFE-mec-f [$CF_3CHF=CF_2OCH_2CF_3$] with its maximum amount, respectively, in order to have no flash point for the safety in the working environment. These solvents are known to be excellent for dissolving organics in soil. Their physical properties and cleaning abilities for fluxes, water-insoluble cutting oils, and fluoride-type oils were evaluated and compared with those of other cleaning agents with single components. The experimental results show that the HFE-based formulated cleaning agents have various good physical properties which are almost similar to those of a single type of HFE cleaner. They show excellent cleaning ability for fluxes, water-insoluble cutting oils, and fluoride-type oils. These results indicate that the HFE-based formulated cleaning agents can be applicable to various industrial cleaning fields because of their good physical properties and cleaning abilities for various soils.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2024

Cosmetic preservatives are an important class of ingredients in terms of ensuring sustainable use and providing customer satisfaction. Recently, a great deal of interest has been drawn to the production and use of toxic-free, naturally derived preservatives. In this work, a new naturally derived preservative (laurimino bispropanediol, LB) was developed to replace the most widely used diol preservatives, such as 1,2-hexanediol or 1,2-octanediol. The basic properties of the obtained preservative were measured, and the solution behavior of the preservative in an aqueous medium was examined. The feasibility of micelle formation in the preservative solution was investigated using the fluorescence (FL) based pyrene method. Micelle formation was feasible owing to the relatively long hydrophobic chains and increased hydroxyl groups in the preservative molecules. The emulsification capability of the preservative was assessed using the Rosano and Kimura method, showing that the preservative possessed emulsifying capability in an organic solvent (benzene) and soy bean oil. In addition, the dispersion stability of cosmetic formulations, including the new LB preservatives such as essence and lotion, was demonstrated by comparing the light transmittance of the formulations. This article provides important information for future research regarding the synthesis and practical applications of new toxic-free naturally derived preservatives.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.753-762
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• 1994

Dephosphorylation of diphenyl- or isopropylphenyl-4-nitrophenylphosphinate (DPNPIN or IPNPIN) mediated by $OH^-$ or o-iodosobenzoate ion ($IB^-$) are relatively slow in aqueous solution. The reactions in CTAX micellar solutions are, however, very accelerated, because CTAX micelles can accommodate both reactants in their Stern layer in which they can easily react, while hydrophilic $OH^-$(or $IB^-$) and hydrophobic phosphinates are not mixed in water. Even though the concentrations (> $10^{-3}$ M) of $OH^-$(or $IB^-$) in CTAX solutions are much larger amounts than those ($6{\times}10^{-6}$ M) of phosphinates, the rate constants of the dephosphorylations are largely influenced by change of the concentration of the ions, which means that the reactions are not followed by the pseudo first order kinetics. In comparison to effect of the counter ions of CTAX in the reactions, CTACl is more effective on the dephosphorylation of DPNPIN (or IPNPIN) than CTABr due to easier expelling of $Cl^-$ ion by $OH^-$(or $IB^-$) ion from the micelle, because of easier solvation $Cl^-$ ion by water molecules. The reactivity of IPNPIN with $OH^-$(or $IB^-$) is lower than that of DPNPIN. The reason seems that the 'bulky' isopropyl group of IPNPIN hinders the attack of the nucleophiles. The mechanism of reaction of IPNPIN with IB- ion concluded as 'nucleophilic' instead of 'general basic' by a trapping experiment and a measured kinetic isotope effect.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.E
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• pp.311-324
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• 1994

The quantitative knowledge of N $O_{\gamma}$ (＝N $O_{x}$ ＋HN $O_3$＋/PAN＋N $O_3$ ＋$N_2$ $O_{5}$ ＋HN $O_2$＋N $O_3$$^{-10}$ ＋organic nitrates＋......)distribution is essential in tropospheric chemistry, especially, especially that related to understanding the processes leading to ozone production. Ambient concentrations of NO, N $O_2$, HN $O_3$ and PAN as well as total N $O_{\gamma}$ were measured during June and early July 1992 at a rural site(Candor, NC), in the central Piedmont region of NC. The measurements of N $O_{\gamma}$ species were made in an effort to provide a comprehensive understanding of nitrogen chemistry and to investigate the total nitrogen budget at the site. N $O_{\gamma}$, N $O_2$, and NO showed diurnal variations with maxima in the morning. The maximum N $O_{\gamma}$ concentration reached was 14.5 ppbv, and the maximum concentrations of NO and N $O_2$ were 5.4 and 7.8 PPbv, respectively. The mean N $O_{\gamma}$ concentration as found to be 2.88$\pm$1.58 ppbv(n=743). The mean concentrations of NO and N $O_2$, were found to be 0.15 $\pm$ 0.29 ppbv(n＝785) and 1.31 $\pm$ 0.99 ppbv(n＝769). Products of photochemical oxidants, (N <$O_{\gamma}$-N $O_{x}$ ), such as HN $O_3$ and PAN, as well as ozone showed diurnal variation with maxima in the afternoon and minima at night The fractions of individual reactive nitrogen species to total N $O_{\gamma}$ were investigated and contrasted to the results from remote marine site and rural continental sites. N $O_{x}$ was the major species to total N $O_{\gamma}$(45%). NO concentrations appeared to be nearly constant whether the Prevailing winds were from continental areas or from oceanic areas. Linear regression of $O_3$ with (N $O_{\gamma}$- N $O_{x}$ )/N $O_{\gamma}$ (i.e. percent N $O_{x}$ converted to the photochemical products of N $O_{\gamma}$) yielded ( $O_3$) ＝25.8 〔 N $O_{\gamma}$-N $O_{x}$ 〕/(N $O_{\gamma}$) ＋27, ( $r^{2}$＝0.58). The regression intercept is interpreted as the ozone back ground (intercept=27ppbv) and the slope suggests that 8.6 molecules of ozone are formed per molecule of N $O_{x}$ oxidized products (when the average N $O_{\gamma}$ concentration, about 3 ppbv at the site, is used). The N $O_{x}$ N $O_{\gamma}$ ratio was used as an indicator of the chemical age of airmasses and the ratio showed strong positive correlations with HN $O_3$( $r^{2}$=0.58), PAN ( $r^{2}$=0.46) and $O_3$( $r^{2}$=0.62). Larger N $O_{\gamma}$ and N $O_{x}$ N $O_{\gamma}$ ratio were found when winds came from continental sides. It may suggest that synoptic meteorological conditions and transport of N $O_{x}$ are important in the distribution of N $O_{\gamma}$ and its relationship with photochemical oxidants at the site.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.897-905
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• 2013

In this study, sorption coefficients (${\log}K_{OC}$, n) for the binding of phenanthrene (PHE) to soil humins, insoluble fraction of soil humc substances (HS), were determined and relationship between the sorption coefficients and structural characteristics of the soil humins were investigated. The soil humins used in the present study were isolated from 7 different soils including 5 domestic soils, an IHSS standard and a peat soil, and characterized by elemental analysis and CPMAS $^{13}C$ NMR method. $^{13}C$ NMR spectral features indicate that the soil humins are mainly made up of aliphatic carbons (57.1~72.3% in total carbon) with high alkyl-C moiety, and the alkyl-C contents ($C_{Al-H,C}$, %) was in order of granite soil Hu (26~42%) > volcanic ash soil, HL Hu (23.9%) > Peat Hu (14.0%). The results of correlation study show that a positive relationship ($r^2$ = 0.77, p < 0.05) between organic carbon normalized-sorption coefficients ($K_{OC}$, mL/g) and alkyl-C contents($C_{Al-H,C}$, %), while negative relationship ($r^2$ = (-)0.74, p < 0.05) between Freundlich sorption parameter (n) and H,C-substituted aromatic carbon contents ($C_{Ar-H,C}$, %). The magnitude of $K_{OC}$ values are also negatively well correlated with polarity index (e.g., PI, N + O)/C) ($r^2$ = (-)0.74, p < 0.1). These results suggest that the binding capacity (e.g., $K_{OC}$) for PHE is increased in soil humin molecules having high contents of alkyl-C or lower polarity, and nonlinear sorption for PHE increased as the H,C-substituted aromatic carbon contents ($C_{Ar-H,C}$, %) in the soil humins increased. The PHE sorption characteristics on soil humins are discussed based on the dual reactive mode of sorption model.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2013

Vitis amurensis Rupreche, a sort of grape, grows naturally in Asian countries. It is known for important biological effects such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and angiogenesis inhibition. Although its root is used as a traditional folk medicine in Korea, the root's biological activities are poorly studied. In the present study, the effects of V. amurensis root methanol extract (VARM) and its solvent fractions on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were investigated. The VARM significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and the triglyceride (TG) content of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. To identify active molecules, the VARM was fractionated with a series of organic solvents including dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). All the fractions also showed inhibition of lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction showed the most powerful anti-obesity effect through the modulation of cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosinethymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) gene and protein expression. Oleanolic acid was one of the main active compounds involved in the anti-obesity activity of the V. amurensis root. These results provide important new insight into the potential potent anti-adipogenic effect of the V. amurensis root and illustrate that one of the main compounds involved in this effect is oleanolic acid.