• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2020

Osteoporosis is a worldwide disease leading to significant economic and societal burdens globally. Osteoporosis is caused by unbalanced bone remodeling between the rate of osteoclast bone resorption and osteoblast bone formation. Acer tegmentosum Maxim (AT) is a traditional herbal medicine containing multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory purposes. However, its role in osteoporosis has not been fully studied. Therefore, we investigated whether AT has a potent inhibitory effect on osteoporosis and its mechanism through a systemic evaluation in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. OVX mice were orally administrated with the AT at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 10 weeks. Histological images and histomorphometry analyses were performed by H&E and Toluidine blue satin, and the expression levels of receptor activator for nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL), nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasm 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) related to the osteoclast differentiation were investigated using immunohistochemical analysis. Administration of AT prevented bone loss and the alternations of osteoporotic bone parameters at the distinct regions of the distal femur and spongiosa region in OVX mice. Further, administration of AT increased periosteal bone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, AT inhibited not only the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, which are two major regulators of osteoclastogenesis but also reduced bone resorbed encoding expression of MMP9 and RANKL. Our results indicated that administration of AT prevented bone loss and the alternations of osteoporotic bone parameters at the distinct regions of the distal femur and spongiosa region in OVX mice. Also AT has the bone protective effect through the suppression of osteoclast and promotion of osteoblast, suggesting that it could be a preventive and therapeutic candidate for anti-osteoporosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.949-954
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• 2006

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an important crop, accounting for 48% of the world market in oil crops. Improvement of the quality and quantity of soybean seed constituents is one of the most important objectives in soybean breeding. Protein content and seed size are important properties to determine the quality of tofu and soy sprouts respectively. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control seed weight, protein and oil content in soybean. The 117 $F_{2:10}$ recombinant inbred lines (RlL) developed from a cross of 'Keunolkong' and 'Shinpaldalkong' were used. Narrow-sense heritability estimates based on a plot mean on seed weight, protein and oil content were 0.8, 0.78 and 0.71, respectively. Four independent QTLs for seed weight were identified from linkage group (LG) F, I and K. Five QTL for protein content were located on LG D1b, E, H, I and L. Oil content was related with six QTLs located on LG D1b, E, G, I, J and N. Protein and oil content have three common QTLs on LG D1b, E and I. Thus, we identified major loci improving soybean seed quality.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2005

Contents of isoflavone, phenolic acids, tocopherol, and anthocyanin in black soybean (Glycine max) were measured by HPLC. To compare antioxidative activities of main black soybean components, antioxidative effects of the same levels of commercial standard components were measured by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC). Most effective component was gentisic acid followed by anthocyanin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, genistein, syringic acid, and daidzein. TEAC assay results revealed genistein in isoflavone, gentisic acid in phenolic acids, p-tocopherol in tocopherol, and anthocyanin showed highest antioxidative and synergistic acitivities, with anthocyanin showing strongest synergy effect.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2016

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disorder that affects millions of men and considered to be an early symptom of atherosclerosis and a precursor of various systemic vascular disorders. The aim of the present study was to prepare ginsenoside Re enriched fraction (GS-F3K1, ginsenoside Re 10%, w/w) from ginseng berries flesh and to investigate the enhanced activities of GS-F3K1 on alcohol-induced ED. GS-F3K1 was prepared by the continuous liquid and solid separating centrifugation and circulatory ultrafiltration from ginseng berries flesh. GS-F3K1 was administered for 5 weeks in ethanol-induced ED rat by oral administration of 20% ethanol. To investigate the effects of GS-F3K1 on ED model, the levels of nitrite expression, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and erectile response of the penile corpus cavernosum of rat were measured. The erectile response of the corpus cavernosum was restored after GS-F3K1 administration, to a level similar to the normal group. The level of nitrite and cGMP expression in the corpus cavernosum of GS-F3K1-administered male rats was increased significantly compared to positive control group. GS-F3K1 from ginseng berries should effectively restore ethanol-induced ED in male rats and could be developed as a new functional food for the elderly men.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.466-469
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• 2008

A new kidney bean cultivar, "Hwanghyeob 1" was developed at the National Institute of Crop Science in 2005. "Hwanghyeob 1" was selected from a cross between KLG50064 and KLG50073. It has determinate growth habit, white flower, yellow pod color, oval shape of crossed section of pod at the harvesting time for edible pod, white seed coat and middle seed size (21.7 grams per 100 seeds). The average yield of edible pod of "Hwanghyeob 1" was 23.55 M/T per hectare in the yield trials which was carried out at the green house in spring and autumn in 2005. This yield level was 4 percent higher than that of the check cultivar "Kangnangkong 1".

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.470-473
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• 2008

A new kidney bean cultivar, "Hwanghyeob 2" was developed for edible pod kidney bean adaptable to Korean cultivation at the National Institute of Crop Science in 2005. "Hwanghyeob 2" was selected from a cross between KLG50073 and KLG50072. It has determinate growth habit, white flower, yellow pod color, oval shape of crossed section of pod at the harvesting time for edible pod. It has white seed coat and middle seed size (20.4 grams per 100 seeds). The average yield of edible pod of "Hwanghyeob 2" was 22.43 M/T per hectare in the yield trials which was carried out at the green house in spring and autumn in 2005. This yield level was 11 percent higher than that of the check cultivar "Kangnangkong 1".

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2020

The chemical investigation of the methanolic crude extract of leaves of Diospyros iturensis gave us 15 known secondary metabolites identified as mixture of α-amyrenone (1) and β-amyrenone (2), β-amyrin (3), mixture of β-sitosterol (4) and stigmasterol (5), betulin (6), uvaol (7), betulinic acid (8), ursolic acid (9), corosolic acid (10), actinidic acid (11),11-O-p-hydroxybenzoylbergenin (12), bergenin (13) and mixture of stigmasterol glucoside (14) and β-sitosterol glucoside (15) respectively. The structures of secondary metabolites were elucidated with the help of NMR and mass spectral data and by comparison of their spectral data with literature. Among the fifteen isolated compounds, four compounds were identified for the first time in Diospyros genus. These included uvaol (7), corosolic acid (10), actinidic acid (11) and 11-O-p-hydroxybenzoylbergenin (12). Crude methanolic extract of leaves and four isolated compounds including betulin (6), betulinic acid (8), 11-O-p-hydroxybenzoylbergenin (12) and bergenin (13) were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against two cancer cell lines CAL-27 and NCI-H460 by the MTT assay, antioxidant potential and inhibitory activity against the lipoxygenase and urease enzymes, respectively. The results indicated that the methanolic crude extract of leaves exhibited moderate antioxidant activity and was inactive against the two cancer cell lines. Betulin (6), 11-O-p-hydroxybenzoylbergenin (12) and bergenin (13) exhibited moderate antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibition with IC50 = 65.8, 85.6, 82.5 μM and IC50 = 58.5, 95.2, 76.2 μM, respectively. Furthermore, 11-O-p-hydroxybenzoylbergenin (12) and bergenin (13) exhibited moderate urease inhibition activity with IC50 values of 45.6 μM and 49.8 μM, respectively.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.86-98
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• 2021

This study was designed to characterize the effect of ginsenoside-Rg2 (Rg2), one of panaxatriol saponins isolated from Korean ginseng root, on the release of catecholamines (CA) in the perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla, and also to establish its mechanism of action. Rg2 (3~30 µM), administered into an adrenal vein for 90 min, depressed acetylcholine (ACh)-induced CA secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Rg2 also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion induced by 3-(m-chloro-phenyl-carbamoyl-oxy)-2-butynyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (McN-A-343), 1.1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium iodide (DMPP), and angiotensin II (Ang II). Also, during perfusion of Rg2, the CA secretion induced by high K⁺, veratridine, cyclopiazonic acid, methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoro-methyl-phenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay-K-8644) depressed, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of Rg2 and N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride ʟ-NAME), the CA secretion induced by ACh, Ang II, Bay-K-8644 and veratridine was restored nearly to the extent of their corresponding control level, respectively, compared to those of inhibitory effects of Rg2-treatment alone. Virtually, NO release in adrenal medulla following perfusion of Rg2 was significantly enhanced in comparison to the corresponding spontaneous release. Also, in the coexistence of Rg2 and fimasartan, ACh-induced CA secretion was markedly diminished compared to the inhibitory effect of fimasartan-treated alone. Collectively, these results demonstrated that Rg2 suppressed the CA secretion induced by activation of cholinergic as well as angiotensinergic receptors from the perfused model of the rat adrenal gland. This Rg2-induced inhibitory effect seems to be exerted by reducing both influx of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ through their ionic channels into the adrenomedullary cells as well as by suppressing Ca²⁺ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least through the elevated NO release by activation of NO synthase, which is associated to the blockade of neuronal cholinergic and AT₁-receptors. Based on these results, the ingestion of Rg2 may be helpful to alleviate or prevent the cardiovascular diseases, via reduction of CA release in adrenal medulla and consequent decreased CA level in circulation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2023

Sphaeranthus africanus is commonly used as a traditional remedy for sore throats and pain treatment in Vietnam. The aerial parts have been studied for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. However, the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the plant has not been explored. In this work, hydrophilic extracts of the plant's aerial parts were prepared in order to investigate its antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Also, the cytotoxicity of the root was evaluated and compared to that of the aerial parts. All of the extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.05 to 3.56 ㎍/mL, indicating substantial antioxidant activity. At an IC₅₀ value of 4.80 ㎍/mL, the 50% ethanol extract exhibited the most potent inhibition of α-glucosidase. The cytotoxic activity of root extracts is 2 to 5-fold less than that of the aerial parts. Nevertheless, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of the root demonstrated a selective effect on leukemia cells, with no harm towards the normal HEK-293 cell line. This work provides a scientific support for the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of the plant. Hence, it may find a promising material for the development of novel antioxidant and antidiabetic agents. More research can be conducted on the phytochemistry and anticancer activities of the plant's root.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.51 no.spc1
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• pp.139-145
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• 2006

The objectives of this study was to determine the oil contents and fatty acid compositions of soybean germplasms including major Korean cultivars, and to provide the basic information of fatty acid composition for development high quality soybean varieties. Among 46 Korean major cultivated soybean samples, the oil contents were varied from 15.8% to 20.3%, and the average oil content was 18.2%. Crude oil content of cv. Saebyolkong (20.3%) was the highest among that of other cultivated soybeans. Likely many other oils of plant origin, most fatty acids in soybean are unsaturated. The highest percentage of fatty acid in soybean was linoleic acid (18:2), followed in a decreasing order by oleic (C18:1), palmitic (C16:0), linolenic (C18:3), and stearic acid (C18:0). The composition of C18:1 and C18:2 fatty acids among 563 soybean germplasms and cultivars which were positively correlated with nutritional quality of edible vegetable oil, were ranged $13.29{\sim}43.30%\;and\;38.21{\sim}61.51%$, respectively, and the C18:3 which were negatively correlated with flavor quality were varied from 5.03% to 11.48%. Also, the composition of C16:0 and C18:0 which were known to raise total cholesterol levels in human serum were ranged $8.50{\sim}14.78%\;and\;1.86{\sim}4.78%$ respectively. On the other hand, the range of fatty acid composition among 46 Korean major soybean cultivars has been investigated to be: C16:0, $8.96{\sim}13.23%$; C18:0, $2.55{\sim}4.20%$; C18:1, $16.33{\sim}36.41%$; C18:2, $42.32{\sim}58.84%$; C18:3, $6.98{\sim}10.72%$. Among the 563 germplasms tested, there are significant correlations among unsaturated fatty acids: negative between C18:1 and C18:2 (r=-0.961**) or C18:3 (r=-0.756**), and positive between C18:2 and C18:3 (r=0.608**). Also, the C18:1 was negatively correlated with saturated fatty acids, C16:0 (r=-0.231**) and C18:0 (r=-0.479**).