• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.336-340
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• 2008

Corilagin (CRN) isolated from Euphorbia helioscopia as rheumatoid arthritis drug. CRN was medicated to the abdominal cavity of collagen induced arthritis (CIA) mice that was an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis and its effects on incidence and arthritis index were studied. The results were as folllows; It was exhibited that medicating corilagin inhibited the infiltration of activated T lymphocytes into an inflammatory joint. The production of IgG and IgM that were RF (rheumatoid factor) and inflammatory cytokine, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$were reduced. After measuring $IFN-{\gamma}$and IL-4, it was found that it was shifted into Th2 immune response as increasing in IL-4. After liver function test, studies on liver poisoning of AST/ALT should be continued.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2017

Control of food pathogens is critical in food safety field. Norovirus is one of the major causes of gastroenteritis and food poisoning worldwide, however, currently, there is not a vaccine or a specific drug available for its treatment. There are several methods to inactivate norovirus during food processing by chemical and physical treatments, however, the use of natural substance has been suggested as an optional strategy due to their safety and consumer preference. In this study supported by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea, we identified novel plant-derived substances with significant anti-norovirus activities. The aim of this project was to determine the antiviral activity of a wide range of natural substances, including plant-derived extracts and essential oils, using a norovirus surrogate system, human norovirus replicon-bearing cells, and mouse in vivo experiments. During the activity screening test, we identified novel anti-norovirus substances or oils using plaque assay with MNV-1. Six selected substances were formulated into an optimum mixture and used as an ingredient for salad sauce of which anti-novovirus activity was confirmed(pending for patent and paper submission). The potential application of selected natural substances as a metal surface sanitizer was also tested. Interestingly, the mixture of selected natural compounds showed a significant inhibitory effect against norovirus. These results suggest that these substances may be used as food ingredient with anti-norovirus antivity or components for surface sanitizers to prevent norovirus contamination.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.441-449
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• 2023

Heavy metals, widely present in the environment, have become significant pollutants due to their excessive use in industries and technology. Their non-degradable nature poses a persistent environmental problem, leading to potential acute or chronic poisoning from prolonged exposure. Recent research has focused on separating heavy metals, particularly from industrial and mining sources. Industries such as metal plating, mining operations, tanning, wood and chipboard production, industrial paint and textile manufacturing, as well as oil refining, are major contributors of heavy metals in water sources. Therefore, removing heavy metals from water is crucial, especially for safe water supply in swimming and water sports. Iron oxide nanoparticles have proven to be highly effective adsorbents for water contaminants, and efforts have been made to enhance their efficiency and absorption capabilities through surface modifications. Nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts can effectively bind with heavy metal ions by modifying the nanoparticle surface with plant components, thereby increasing the efficiency of heavy metal removal. This study focuses on removing lead from industrial wastewater using environmentally friendly, cost-effective iron nanoparticles synthesized with Genovese basil extract. The synthesis of nanoparticles is confirmed through analysis using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction, validating their spherical shape and nanometer-scale dimensions. The method used in this study has a low detection limit of 0.031 ppm for measuring lead concentration, making it suitable for ensuring water safety in swimming and water sports.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.264-274
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• 2023

To evaluate functional biomaterials of 5 invasive alien plants, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and antibacterial effect were measured. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were in the order of Rumex acetosella L. > Hypochaeris radicata L. ≥ Lactuca scariola L. > Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. ≥ Solanum viarum Dunal. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the extract were the highest in R. acetosella and correlated well with the total polyphenol contents. In RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production inhibitory effect of the extracts (100 ㎍ SE/mL) were 20~60% and 10~70%, respectively, showing the highest inhibitory effect in R. acetocella. The extracts of R. acetosella, H. japonicus and S. viarum showed antibacterial activity against food poisoning-causing microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus. Furthermore, the H. japonicus extract was found to have effective antibacterial activity against oral microorganisms such as Enterococcus faecalis, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Rothia dentocariosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus mutans, and its major active ingredients were predicted to be pentadecylic acid, palmitic acid and clionasterol. These results suggest that alien plants have potential as biomaterials with antioxidant, anti-inflammation and antibacterial effects.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2020

Objectives: Methyl bromide is a highly toxic substance that can cause systemic poisoning, neurotoxicity, pulmonary edema. Methyl bromide is a widespread fumigation agent used for import and export quarantine, but there is little data on exposure assessment of workers participating in such fumigation. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the exposure level of methyl bromide among workers and the concentration distribution of methyl bromide in the workplace during fumigation. Methods: For this study, one wood tent and one container fumigation area in Pusan, and one wood tent fumigation area in Incheon were investigated over three months from June 2001. Results: Methyl bromide exposure levels for container fumigation workers were from undetected to 1.86 ppm and from undetected to 2.28 ppm for tent fumigation workers as an 8 hr TWA. After opening the container door, the methyl bromide concentration in the container decreased rapidly over time, but the concentration remained over 1 ppm even after about one hour. The concentrations around the tent during its removal were highly affected by wind, but were detected in a range from undetected to 11.97 ppm. Conclusions: This study confirmed that both container and tent fumigation caused workers to exceed the exposure limit of 1 ppm as an 8 hour TWA. In particular, it could be confirmed that a situation exists in which the worker may be exposed to high concentrations of methyl bromide when opening the container or removing the tent due to the nature of the work. Therefore, it is very important to improve working methods and to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2943-2948
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• 2012

Arsenic exposure is a serious health hazard worldwide. We have previously established that it may result in immune suppression by upregulating Th2 cytokines while downregulating Th1 cytokines and causing lymphocytic death. Treatment modalities for arsenic poisoning have mainly been restricted to the use of chelating agents in the past. Only recently have combination therapies using a chelating agent in conjunction with other compounds such as anti-oxidants, micronutrients and various plant products, been introduced. In the present study, we used T11TS, a novel immune potentiating glycopeptide alone and in combination with the sulfhydryl-containing chelator, mono-iso-amyl-dimarcaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA) as a therapeutic regimen to combat arsenic toxicity in a mouse model. Results indicated that Th1 cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, $IFN{\gamma}$, IL12 and the Th2 cytokines such as IL4, IL6, IL10 which were respectively downregulated and upregulated following arsenic induction were more efficiently restored to their near normal levels by T11TS alone in comparison with the combined regimen. Similar results were obtained with the apoptotic proteins studied, FasL, BAX, BCL2 and the caspases 3, 8 and 9, where again T11TS proved more potent than in combination with MiADMSA in preventing lymphocyte death. The results thus indicate that T11TS alone is more efficient in immune re-establishment after arsenic exposureas compared to combination therapy with T11TS+MiADMSA.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.714-720
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• 2011

Ethanol was used as reducing agent to remove $NO_x$ exhaust from the stationary source. Pre-treatment with sulfuric acid over $Ag/Al_2O_3$ catalyst was dedicated to overcome the $SO_2$ poisoning effect. The $NO_x$ reduction experiment was performed under the simulated condition of power plant The increased surface area with higher CPSI devoted to increase de-$NO_x$ yield. De-$NO_x$ yield of the $NO_x$ exhaust containing 20 ppm of $SO_2$ increased after acid treatment with 0.7% $H_2SO_4$ over 4.0% $Ag/Al_2O_3$, where the increased dispersion of Ag found from the results of XRD and XPS was the dominant factor for the increased de-$NO_x$ yield. However, the reason for the decreased de-$NO_x$ yield with the acid treatment of higher concentration (1.0% and 2.0%) of $H_2SO_4$ was found to be due to the formation of $Ag_2SO_4$ crystallites found from XRD result. Acid-treated $Ag/Al_2O_3$ catalyst showed maximum de-$NO_x$ yield at higher temperature than non-treated $Ag/Al_2O_3$ catalyst did.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2018

Purpose: Glehnia littoralis has been reported to have several pharmacological properties but no in vivo reports describing the protective effects of this plant on${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity have been published. ${\alpha}$-Amanitin is a peptide found in several mushroom species that accounts for the majority of severe mushroom poisonings leading to severe hepatonecrosis. In our previous in vitro study, we found that ${\alpha}$-amanitin induced oxidative stress, which may contribute to its severe hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Glehnia littoralis acetate extract (GLEA) has protective antioxidant effects on ${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity in a murine model. Methods: Swiss mice (n=40 in all groups) were divided into four groups (n=10/group). Three hours after giving ${\alpha}$-amanitin (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) to the mice, they were administered silibinin (50 mg/kg/d, i.p.) or Glehnia littoralis ethyl acetate extract (100 mg/kg/d, oral) therapies once a day for 3 days. After 72 hours of treatment, each subject was killed, cardiac blood was aspirated for hepatic aminotransferase measurement, and liver specimens were harvested to evaluate the extent of hepatonecrosis. The degree of hepatonecrosis was assessed by a pathologist blinded to the treatment group and divided into 4 categories according to the grade of hepatonecrosis. Results: GLEA significantly improved the beneficial functional parameters in ${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity. In the histopathological evaluation, the toxicity that was generated with ${\alpha}$-amanitin was significantly reduced by GLEA, showing a possible hepatoprotective effect. Conclusion: In this murine model, Glehnia littoralis was effective in limiting hepatic injury after ${\alpha}$-amanitin poisoning. Increases of aminotransferases and degrees of hepatonecrosis were attenuated by this antidotal therapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2005

Purpose: With the recent boom in 'eating healthy', many adults are interested in dieting to prevent future diseases. However only well trained experts can distinguish between what are edible vegetables and herbs from their poisonous look-alikes. In cases where a patient unknowingly ingests a poisonous herb, is caught off guard by the poisonous side effects that occur because of their lack of knowledge of what they have ingested. This paper will focus on the need to educate the public about the risks involved with ingesting wild vegetables and herbs and study the emergency diagnosis and treatment of poisoned patients that enter the emergency room. Method: This study was done in the spring of 2004 (from March to May) in the Kangwon Young-Seo districts of Korea. 15 subjects used in this study, entered the emergency room showing signs of toxic symptoms. Data was collected by examining subject's records. Additional data was collected by collaborating with physicians in the hospital that diagnosed and treated the subjects. Identifying the poisonous vegetable or herb is the first step to proper diagnosis and treatment. Subjects admitted to the emergency room, underwent a battery of tests: laboratory examination, ECG, radiological exam and etc. Results: The demographics of the study encompassed subjects with the average age of $50{\pm}19$ years old. There were 10 men and 5 women. Common symptoms of this study included; gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and so on. In the case of Caltha palustris ingestion, additional symptoms were present; bradycardia and hypotension which lasted for a long time. While cases that ingested Scopolia parviflora had little effect on vital signs but manic episodes lasted for about three days. Veratrum patulum ingestion showed signs of bradycardia and hypotension but contrary to Caltha palustris recovery was shorten by treating with dopamine. However, dizziness, headache and paresthesia of the extremities continued for a long time. Finally Sium ninsi ingestion showed visual disturbance, paresthesia of the extremities, dizziness as their initial symptoms. Conclusion: The risks involved with ingesting wild plants without the proper knowledge can lead to serious side effects and steps need to be taken to educate the public. In addition, all emergency physicians need to have a working knowledge of the symptoms and signs associated with ingesting toxic wild plants and need to treat accordingly.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.317-323
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• 1994

Nine plant foods (persimmon leaf, perilla seed, Chinese quince, ginger root, walnut, mugwort leaf, arrowroot, buckwheat and sorghum) rich in phenolic substances were examined for their effects on the digestive enzymes, food-poisoning bacteria and mutagenicity/antimutagenicity by Ames test. Among tested samples, Chinese quince significantly inhibited the $\alpha-amylase$ activity (97%), exhibiting an uncompetitive inhibition type. Protease activity was inhibited by Chinese quince (86%), persimmon leaf (51%) and mugwort leaf (20%), in which mugwort extract exhibited a noncompetitive type. Lipase was activated >50% by all samples. The inhibition of $\alpha-amylase$ was highly correlated with the content of condensed tannin (r=0.89) and the inhibition of protease, with total phenolic content (r=0.84). Total phenolies fraction of tested samples showed the growth inhibition toward E. coli. Streptococcus faecalis and Salmonella enteritidis, in which the effect of perilla, sorghum and arrowroot was the highest for E. coli. Standard phenolics and food samples did not show any mutagenicity toward Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. Tannic acid inhibited the mutation of the two strains by benzo[a]pyrene whereas total phenolics fractions of Chinese quince and walnut exhibited antimutagenicity to a lesser extent.