• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.460-465
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• 2013

The hepatoprotective activity of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai extract (AE) was investigated against D-Galactosamine/Lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS)-induced liver failure rats compared with that of acanthoic acid (AA) isolated from AE. Although D-GalN/LPS (250 mg/kg body weight/$10{\mu}g/kg$ body weight, i.p.) induced hepatic damage, pretreatments with AE (1 and 3% AE/g day) and AA (0.037% AA, equivalent to 3% AE/g day) alleviated the hepatic damage. This effect was the result of a significant decrease in the activity of alanine transaminase. Concomitantly, both the nitric oxide and IL-6 levels in the plasma were significantly decreased by high-dose AE (AE3) treatment compared to the GalN/LPS control (AE0). This response resulted from the regulation of pro-inflammatory signaling via a decrease in TLR4 and CD14 mRNA levels in the liver. While a high degree of necrosis and hemorrhage were observed in the AE0, pretreatment with AE3 and AA reduced the extent of hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, hemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltrates compared to the AE0. In conclusion, these results suggest that especially high-dose AE are capable of alleviating D-GalN/LPS-induced hepatic injury by decreasing hepatic toxicity, thereby mitigating the TLR 4-dependent cytokine release. The anti-inflammatory effect of AE could be contributing to that of AA and AE is better than AA.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.867-874
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• 2021

Epalrestat (EPS) is a brain penetrant aldose reductase inhibitor, an approved drug currently used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. At near-plasma concentration, EPS induces glutathione biosynthesis, which in turn reduces oxidative stress in the neuronal cells. In this study, we found that EPS reduces neurodegeneration by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative injury, mitochondrial membrane damage, apoptosis and tauopathy. EPS treatment up to 50 µM did not show any toxic effect on SH-SY5Y cell line (neuroblastoma cells). However, we observed toxic effect at a concentration of 100 µM and above. At 50 µM concentration, EPS showed better antioxidant activity against H₂O₂ (100 µM)-induced cytotoxicity, ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane damage in retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cell line. Furthermore, our study revealed that 50 µM of EPS concentration reduced the glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK3-β) expression and total tau protein level in H₂O₂ (100 µM)-treated cells. Findings from this study confirms the therapeutic efficacy of EPS on regulating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating GSK3-β and total tau proteins phosphorylation, which helped to restore the cellular viability. This process could also reduce toxic fibrillary tangle formation and disease progression of AD. Therefore, it is our view that an optimal concentration of EPS therapy could decrease AD pathology by reducing tau phosphorylation through regulating the expression level of GSK3-β.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.1017-1024
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Litsea japonica fruit flesh extract (LJF-HE) on gastritis in an indomethacin-induced SD rat model. Rats were randomly divided into six groups: G1 (normal group), G2 (control group, indomethacin-induced gastritis), G3 (positive group, indomethacin-induced gastritis and ranitidine 50 mg/kg), G4 (LJF-HE-L group, indomethacin-induced gastritis and L. japonica fruit flesh extract at 30 mg/kg), G5 (LJF-HE-M group, indomethacin-induced gastritis and L. japonica fruit flesh extract at 60 mg/kg), G6 (LJF-HE-H group, indomethacin-induced gastritis and L. japonica fruit flesh extract at 120 mg/kg). In the group treated with LJF-HE (G4, G5, and G6), gastric mucosal damage, gastric juice secretion and pepsin activity were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Additionally, there were decreases in the expression of cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK-2r), histamine receptor H2 (H2r) and H+/K+ ATPase in the gastric lesions. The plasma levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ significantly decreased in LJF-HE (G4, G5, and G6) treated groups compared with control. The plasma level of PGE2 was also significantly increased by LJF-HE (G5 and G6). These results suggest that LJF-HE (G4, G5, and G6) has the ability to inhibit on indomethacin-induced gastritis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1658-1663
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• 2006

Panax notoginseng (Buck) F.H chen. root (PNS) is used as a therapeutic agent to stop haemorrhages and a tonic to promote health in Korean and Chinses medicine. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the main PNS are still not accurately investigated. Our preliminary aim is to elucidate the pharmacokinetics features of the PNS in rats. Objective of this study is to determine whether PNS affects hepatic microvascular dysfunction elicited by gut ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), since gut I/R causes hepatic microvascular dysfunction, and to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO). No has been found to be a modulator of the adhesive interactions between platelet and endothelial cells. Male Wistar rats were exposed to 30 min of gut ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Intravital microscopy was used to monitor the number of non-perfused sinusoids (NPS). In another set of experiments, PNS (1 g/kg pre day intragastrically) was administered to rats for 7 days. In some experiments, dexamethasone (ST) (2 mg/kg per day intravenously) was administered. In control rats, gut I/R elicited increases in the number of NPS, and plasma TNF-${\alpha}$ and ALT activities, and these changes were mitigated by the pretreatment with PNS. Pretreatment with an No synthase inhibitor diminished the protective effects of PNS on the increase in NPS and plasma TNF-${\alpha}$ levels, but not its effect on the increase in plasma ALT activities. Pretreatment with PNS increased plasma nitrite/nitrate levels. The responses caused by gut I/R were attenuated by the pretreatment with ST. Pretreatment with an NO synthase inhibitor did not affect the effect of ST. These results suggest that PNS attenuates the gut I/R-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction and inflammatory responses such as TNF-${\alpha}$ production in the early phase via enhancement of NO production, and sequential hepatocellular damage via its anti-inflammatory effect like corticosteroid effect.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.594-601
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• 2008

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Panax ginseng) has been used for several thousand years to prolong longevity in Asian countries. Ginsenosides are the most active components isolated from ginseng and belong to damarane saponin which are separated into protopanaxadiol and protopanaxtriol. To evaluate the complex effect of ginsenoside in apo E null mice, ginseng extract were intraperioneally (i.p.) injected and provided high-cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. Ginseng extract came from were i.p. injected with dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks in the last experimental duration. Ginseng extract used experiment was abundant Rb1, Rc, Re, and Rg1 and PD：PT ratio was 1.2. The high-cholesterol diet induced liver damage was significantly reduced by ginseng extract. Results from plasma lipid profiles and atherogenic index were improved by ginseng extracts. The GE group significantly decreased plasma TG and TC by 73% and 61% compared to apo E (-/-) group. Also ginseng extract tend to decrease lipid profiles and lipidperoxidation contents in liver and heart. Ginseng extract with an abundant amount of Rg1 significantly suppressed the apoptosis induction of cardiac tissue. In conclusion, ginseng extract (PD：PT = 1) was improved lipid profiles and anti-oxidant effects.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.980-985
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• 2006

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of a newly developed functional food containing Bacillus polyfermenticus (BP) and other physiologically active materials on the antioxidant system and the process of colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. Following a one-week adaptation period, the rats were divided into 3 groups and fed either a high-fat, low-fiber diet (control and DMH groups), or a high-fat, low-fiber diet supplemented with B. polyfermenticus ($3.1{\times}10^8\;CFU/day$) and other physiologically active materials (chitosan, chicory, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, and flavonoids) (DMH+BP group). One week after the initiation of the diets, 2 groups of rats were subjected to six weeks of treatment with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 180 mg/kg BW, s.c.). The dietary treatments remained consistent throughout the entire experimental period. Nine weeks after the initial DMH injection, the rats supplemented with B. polyfermenticus had significantly lower numbers of aberrant crypt foci than those in the DMH group. Injections with DMH resulted in significantly higher leukocytic DNA damage and plasma lipid peroxidation levels, as well as in a lower plasma total antioxidant potential. These effects were reversed following supplementation with B. polyfermenticus and other physiological materials. Our results indicate that a functional food containing B. polyfermenticus exerts a protective effect on the antioxidant system and on the process of colon carcinogenesis, thereby suppressing the development of preneoplastic lesions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.477-477
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• 2008

For more than three decades, the gate dielectrics in CMOS devices are $SiO_2$ because of its blocking properties of current in insulated gate FET channels. As the dimensions of feature size have been scaled down (width and the thickness is reduced down to 50 urn and 2 urn or less), gate leakage current is increased and reliability of $SiO_2$ is reduced. Many metal oxides such as $TiO_2$, $Ta_2O_4$, $SrTiO_3$, $Al_2O_3$, $HfO_2$ and $ZrO_2$ have been challenged for memory devices. These materials posses relatively high dielectric constant, but $HfO_2$ and $Al_2O_3$ did not provide sufficient advantages over $SiO_2$ or $Si_3N_4$ because of reaction with Si substrate. Recently, $HfO_2$ have been attracted attention because Hf forms the most stable oxide with the highest heat of formation. In addition, Hf can reduce the native oxide layer by creating $HfO_2$. However, new gate oxide candidates must satisfy a standard CMOS process. In order to fabricate high density memories with small feature size, the plasma etch process should be developed by well understanding and optimizing plasma behaviors. Therefore, it is necessary that the etch behavior of $HfO_2$ and plasma parameters are systematically investigated as functions of process parameters including gas mixing ratio, rf power, pressure and temperature to determine the mechanism of plasma induced damage. However, there is few studies on the the etch mechanism and the surface reactions in $BCl_3$ based plasma to etch $HfO_2$ thin films. In this work, the samples of $HfO_2$ were prepared on Si wafer with using atomic layer deposition. In our previous work, the maximum etch rate of $BCl_3$/Ar were obtained 20% $BCl_3$/ 80% Ar. Over 20% $BCl_3$ addition, the etch rate of $HfO_2$ decreased. The etching rate of $HfO_2$ and selectivity of $HfO_2$ to Si were investigated with using in inductively coupled plasma etching system (ICP) and $BCl_3/Cl_2$/Ar plasma. The change of volume densities of radical and atoms were monitored with using optical emission spectroscopy analysis (OES). The variations of components of etched surfaces for $HfO_2$ was investigated with using x-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS). In order to investigate the accumulation of etch by products during etch process, the exposed surface of $HfO_2$ in $BCl_3/Cl_2$/Ar plasma was compared with surface of as-doped $HfO_2$ and all the surfaces of samples were examined with field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM).

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2001.05b
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• pp.8-11
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• 2001

In this study. the recovery of plasma induced damage in the etched PZT thin film with $O_2$ re-annealing have been investigated. The PZT thin films were etched as a function of $Cl_2/Ar$ and additive $CF_4$ into $Cl_{2}(80%)/Ar(20)%$. The etch rates of PZT thin films were $1600\dot{A}/min$ at $Cl_{2}(80%)/Ar(20)%$ gas mixing ratio and $1970\dot{A}/min$ at 30 % additive $CF_4$ into $Cl_{2}(80%)/Ar(20)%$. The etched profile of PZT films was obtained above 70 by SEM. In order to recovery properties of PZT thin films after etching, the etched PZT thin films were re-annealed at various temperatures in $O_2$ atmosphere. From the hysteresis curves, ferroelectrical properties are improved by $O_2$ re-annealing process. The improvement of ferroelectric behavior at annealed sample is consistent with the increase of the (100) and (200) PZT phase revealed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). From XPS analysis, intensity of Pb-O, Zr-O and Ti-O peak are increased and the chemical residue peak is reduced by $O_2$ re-annealing. The ferroelectric behavior consistent with the dielectric nature of TixOy is recovered by $O_2$ recombination during rapid thermal annealing process. From AFM images, it shows that the surface roughness of re-annealed sample after etching is improved.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.134-140
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• 2010

Dolichos biflorus Linn. (Fabaceae), commonly known as Horse gram is a medicinal plant, used in folk medicine for treating kidney stones and diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of daily oral feeding of various doses of methanolic extract of Dolichos biflorus seeds (DB) for 42 days on blood glucose concentrations and kidney functions in Alloxan-diabetic rats. Plasma glucose levels, body weight, serum creatinine, and urinary albumin levels were monitored on $15^{th}$, $29^{th}$, $43^{rd}$ day. Renal hypertrophy was assessed as the ratio between the kidney weight and body weight of the rats. Plasma glucose concentrations in Alloxan-diabetic rats were significantly reduced by the administration of DB (350 mg/kg) and DB (700 mg/kg) on day 15 and onwards (P < 0.01). After 15 days of Alloxan administration urinary albumin levels (UAE) were over 5 fold higher in diabetic controls as compared to normal controls. Treatment with DB significantly prevented the rise in UAE levels from day 15 to 43 in comparison to diabetic controls (P < 0.01). Renal hypertrophy was significantly higher in diabetic controls as compared to non-diabetic controls. Treatments with DB (350 mg/kg) and DB (700 mg/kg) significantly prevented renal hypertrophy (P < 0.01) as compared to diabetic controls. DB (175 mg/kg) failed to modify renal hypertrophy. Thus the present study indicates that methanolic extract of Dolichos biflorus may be useful in management of hyperglycemia and kidney functions in Alloxan-diabetic rats.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2014

Increased consumption of fresh vegetables that are high in polyphenols has been associated with a reduced risk of oxidative stress-induced disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of spinach in vitro and in vivo in hyperlipidemic rats. For measurement of in vitro antioxidant activity, spinach was subjected to hot water extraction (WE) or ethanol extraction (EE) and examined for total polyphenol content (TPC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), cellular antioxidant activity (CAA), and antigenotoxic activity. The in vivo antioxidant activity of spinach was assessed using blood and liver lipid profiles and antioxidant status in rats fed a high fat-cholesterol diet (HFCD) for 6 weeks. The TPC of WE and EE were shown as $1.5{\pm}0.0$ and $0.5{\pm}0.0mg$ GAE/g, respectively. Increasing the concentration of the extracts resulted in increased ORAC value, CAA, and antigenotoxic activity for all extracts tested. HFCD-fed rats displayed hyperlipidemia and increased oxidative stress, as indicated by a significant rise in blood and liver lipid profiles, an increase in plasma conjugated diene concentration, an increase in liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level, and a significant decrease in manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity compared with rats fed normal diet. However, administration of 5% spinach showed a beneficial effect in HFCD rats, as indicated by decreased liver TBARS level and DNA damage in leukocyte and increased plasma conjugated dienes and Mn-SOD activity. Thus, the antioxidant activity of spinach may be an effective way to ameliorate high fat and cholesterol diet-induced oxidative stress.