• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.902-907
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• 2012

The worldwide prevalence and severity of allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis and asthma has increased dramatically over the past decade, especially in developed countries. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the anti-allergic activities of the extract of Duchesnea chrysantha (DCE). DCE was prepared by extracting with 80% ethanol. In the present study, we investigate the effect of DCE on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, and histamine in the human mast cell line (HMC-1 cells) and on the scratching behavior in hairless mice. Various concentrations of DCE were treated before the activation of HMC-1 cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187. PMA plus A23187 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8 production compared with media control. We also show that the increased cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly inhibited by DCE in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, DCE inhibited the histamine release from HMC-1 cells stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. Futhermore, the administration of DCE reduced the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80 or histamine) in hairless mice. These results suggest that DCE has a potential use as a medicinal plant for treatment against allergy-related disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2009

Puerariae flos (PF) is a traditional oriental medicinal plant and has clinically been prescribed for a long time. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of PF on repeated stress-induced alterations of learning and memory on a Morris water maze (MWM) test in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. The changes in the reactivity of the cholinergic system were assessed by measuring the immunoreactive neurons of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the hippocampus after behavioral testing. The female rats were randomly divided into four groups: the nonoperated and nonstressed group (normal), the sham-operated and stressed group (control), the ovariectomized and stressed group (OS), and the ovariectomized, stressed and PF treated group (OSF). Rats were exposed to immobilization stress (IMO) for 14 d (2 h/d), and PF (400 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 30 min before IMO stress. Results showed that treatments with PF caused significant reversals of the stress-induced deficits in learning and memory on a spatial memory task, and also increased the ChA T immunoreactivities. In conclusion, administration of PF improved spatial learning and memory in OVX rats, and PF may be useful for the treatment of postmenopausal-related dementia.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.361-366
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• 1992

The antagonistic bacteria, showing distinguished effect against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani were isolated from the rhizosphares of horticultural plants and identified as Bacillus subtilis. The strains were studied for their chracteristics of biochemistry, physiology, antagonistic effect against plant pathogenic fungi, and growth promoting effect on horticultural plants. The Bacillus thuringiensis(BT) HD-1 toxin gene was introduced into these B. subtilis. The BT toxin genes on chromosome of the bacteria were identified by southern blotting, but its proteins were not detected by SDS-PAGE. These transformed bacteria showed growth promoting effect and showed also insecticidal and antagonistic effects against Bombix mori and fungi F. oxysporum and R. solani but not against nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.202-211
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• 2011

The stems and branchs of Euryale ferox Salisbury (EF), are used in Chinese herbal medicine for latent-heat-clearing, antipyretic, detoxicant and anti-inflammatory ailments. This plant is used worldwide for the treatment of many types of inflammatory disease including respiratory infections, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and play an important role in the immune reaction. Topical natural antioxidants are a useful strategy for the prevention of oxidative stress mediated inflammatory disease. Plants produce significant amounts of antioxidants to prevent the oxidative stress caused by photons and oxygen, therefore they represent a potential source of new compounds with antioxidant activity. This study was designed to evaluate whether EFEA (ethylacetate fraction of EF) may ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammatory status through the antioxidative mechanism in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with EFEA significantly reduced LPS-stimulated inflammatory response in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the EF extracts have anti-inflammatory effects in vitro system, which can be used for developing pharmaceutical drug against oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory disease.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.305-318
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• 2018

In Trachelomonas hispida, the adult envelope that surrounds the monad is oval in shape and covered with spines. Development of the lorica is an interesting, but poorly known phenomenon. We observed in detail the formation of spineless envelopes of T. hispida using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that young cells formed delicate and net-like envelopes. The structure changed with age, and mature specimens had solid, thick loricae with small pores. As the loricae aged, they changed their shape, and rope-like fibres from the external layer started to unwind, progressing from the apical pore, exposing the underlying net-like structure. X-ray spectrometry showed that Fe was the major mineral component in young and mature loricae, whereas old loricae did not contain Fe salts, although they did contain a high number of Mn compounds. We also noticed a different pattern of mineralization process in the envelopes. Apart from the even distribution of mineral deposition over the entire lorica, we observed that it started from the apical pore and ended at the posterior end. There was considerable morphological variation in envelope shape and ornamentation, which had collars and folds around the apical pore and process at the posterior end. This suggested that many varieties of T. hispida should be taxonomically reappraised. We also discuss a hypothetical role for the spines on lorica surfaces in aquatic ecosystems.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2019.09a
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• pp.19-19
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• 2019

It is necessary to maintain stable crop productions under the unsuitable environments, because the drought and flood may be frequently caused by the global warming. Therefore, it is agent to improve the crop growth model corresponded to soil moisture status. Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) is one of the useful crop in Asia, and then it is affected by change of precipitation in consequence drought and flood occur however crop model to evaluate water stresses on chili pepper is not enough yet. In this study, development of crop model under different soil moisture status was attempted. The experiment was conducted on the slope fields in the greenhouse. The water level was kept at 20cm above the bottom of the container. Habanero (C. chinense) was used as material for crop model. Sap bleeding rate, SPAD value, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, plant height, leaf area and shoot dry weight were measured at 10 days after treatment (DAT) and 13 DAT. Moreover, temperature and RH in the greenhouse, soil volume water contents (VWC) and soil water potential were measured. As a result, VWC showed 4.0% at the driest plot and 31.4% at the wettest plot at 13 DAT. The growth model was calculated using WVC and the growth analysis parameters. It was considered available, because its coefficient of determination showed 0.84 and there are significant relationship based on plants physiology among the parameters and the changes over time. Furthermore, we analyzed the important factors for higher accuracy prediction using multiple regression analysis.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.166-178
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• 2018

In this study, the principal objective was to investigate the effect of light quality and vessel ventilation on the growth and development, physiology, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and contents of mineral nutrients of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) 'Marble Beauty'. Single node cuttings stuck into the plant growth regulator (PGR)-free MS medium in containers covered with caps with or without a ventilation filter were cultured first four weeks under white and then additional four weeks under either white (control), blue, red, or red + blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) for 56 days. Interestingly, a ventilated culture condition not only reduced the percentage of the hyperhydricity, but also increased the total chlorophyll content (Chl a + Chl b) of the plantlets as compared to the non-ventilated condition. In addition, blue LEDs produced plantlets with the greatest number of shoots and red LEDs produced plantlets with the greatest shoot length. The quality of plantlets was improved under a ventilation condition. Besides, under a ventilated condition, red + blue LEDs raised APX activity, and blue LEDs not only raised the activity of the CAT, but also increased tissue contents of such elements as K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn and Fe. The red LEDs increased contents of B and Si under a ventilated condition, and Na accumulation under a non-ventilated condition. Thus, including blue or red LEDs as the light source in a ventilated culture condition will produce plantlets of carnation 'Marble Beauty' in vitro with improved quality.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2019

Bumblebees have apposition compound eyes (one on either side of the head) of about 6,000 ommatidia and three small single-lens ocelli on the frons of their head capsule. The surface of the eye is smooth and interommatidial hairs, as in the honeybee, are not developed. Each ommatidium (approx. 26 ㎛ in diameter) is capped by a hexagonal facet and contains in its centre a 3 ㎛ wide, columnar light-perceiving structure known as the rhabdom. Rhabdoms consist of thousands of regularly aligned, fingerlike microvilli, which in their membranes contain the photopigment molecules. Axons from each ommatidium transmit the information of their photic environment to the visual centres of the brain, where behavioural reactions may be initiated. Since bumblebee eyes possess three classes of spectrally different sensitivity peaks in a ratio of 1:1:6 (UV= 353 nm, blue= 430 nm and green=548 nm) per ommatidium, they use colour vision to find and select flower types that yield pollen and nectar. Ommatidial acceptance angles of at least 3° are used by the bumblebees to discriminate between different flower shapes and sizes, but their ability to detect polarized light appears to be used only for navigational purposes. A flicker fusion frequency of around 110Hz helps the fast flying bumblebee to avoid obstacles. The small ocelli are strongly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and green wavelengths and appear to act as sensors for light levels akin to a photometer. Unlike the bumblebee's compound eyes, the ocelli would, however, be incapable of forming a useful image.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.89-95
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• 2021

As the influence of fine dust on society spreads gradually, the public's interest in indoor air is increasingly rising. Air-purifying plants are drawing keen attention due to their natural purifying function enabled by plant physiology. However, as their fine dust reduction mechanism is limited to adsorption only, vegetation bio-filters that optimize purification effects through integration with air-conditioning systems is rising as an alternative. In accordance with the relevant standard test methods, this study looked into the fine dust reduction assessment method by air-conditioning airflow volume that can be used for the industrial spread of vegetation bio-filters. In the case of PM₁₀ at 300 ㎍/m³, it was in the order of EG-B(3,500CMH, 29 min.) < EG-A (2,500CMH, 37 min.) < CG(0CMH, 64 min.) for reaching the maintenance level (100 ㎍/m³) of publicly used facilities. For reaching the WHO Guideline(50 ㎍/m³) requirement, it was in the order of EG-B (51 min.) < EG-A (160 min.) < CG (170 min.). In the case of PM_2.5, it was in the order of EG-B (26 min.) < EG-A (33 min.) < CG (57 min.) for reaching the maintenance level (50 ㎍/m³) of publicly used facilities. It was in the order of EG-B (48 min) < EG-A (140 min) < CG (158 min) for reaching the WHO Guideline (25 ㎍/m³) requirement. The findings from the analysis showed that fine dust can be reduced most efficiently when the system is operated at 3,500CMH level. The limitation of this study is that due to the absence of a way of assessing the stress of plants in vegetation bio-filters, generating optimal air-conditioning air flow of the relevant system and economics analysis against the existing facility-type air purification system have been clarified, which should be explored further though follow-up studies.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.337-347
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 are directly associated with hyper-activation of innate immune response that excessively produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and induce cytokine storm, leading to multi-organ-failure and significant morbidity/mortality. Currently, several antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and molnupiravir are authorized to treat mild to moderate COVID-19, however, there are still no drugs that can specifically fight against challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant widely used for treating various conditions, might be appropriate for this need due to its anti-inflammatory/cytokine/viral activities, fewer side effects, and cost efficiency. To review Panax ginseng and its pharmacologically active-ingredients as potential phytopharmaceuticals for treating cytokine storm of COVID-19, articles that reporting its positive effects on the cytokine production were searched from academic databases. Experimental/clinical evidences for the effectiveness of Panax ginseng and its active-ingredients in preventing or mitigating cytokine storm, especially for the cascade of cytokine storm, suggest that they might be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for cytokine storm of COVID-19. This review may provide a new approach to discover specific medications using Panax ginseng to control cytokine storm of COVID-19.