• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.54-68
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• 2013

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of microparticles of Socheongryong-tang (SCRT) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a mouse model. Methods: The inhalable microparticles containing SCRT were produced by spray-drying with leucine as an excipient, and evaluated with respect to the aerodynamic properties of the powder by Andersen cascade impactor (ACI). Its equivalence to SCRT extract was evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a cigarette-smoking (CS)-induced murine COPD model. Results: SCRT microparticles provided desirable aerodynamic properties (fine particle fraction of $49.6{\pm}5.5%$ and mass median aerodynamic diameter of $4.8{\pm}0.3{\mu}m$). SCRT microparticles did not show mortality or clinical signs over 14 days. Also there were no significant differences in body weight, organ weights or serum chemical parameters between SCRT microparticle-treated and non-treated groups. After 14 days the platelet count significantly increased compared with the non-treated group, but the values were within the normal range. Inhalation of SCRT microparticles decreased the rate of neutrophils in blood, granulocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and level of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 in BALF on COPD mouse model induced by LPS plus CS. This effect was verified by histological findings including immunofluorescence staining of elastin, collagen, and caspase 3 protein in lung tissue. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that SCRT microparticles are equivalent to SCRT extract in pharmaceutical properties for COPD. This study suggests that SCRT microparticles would be a potential agent of inhalation therapy for the treatment of COPD.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.347-356
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• 1992

In oriental medicine, Artemisia Iwayomogi(Compositae) has been used clinically for jaundice, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis etc. The purposes of present study were to examine pharmacological effects of Artemisia lwayomogi water extract(AIWE) on weights of body, liver, kidney, spleen and adrenal, and on biochemical parameters (activities of AST, ALT and LDH, contents of cholesterol and triacylglycerol, and levels of hepatic lipid peroxide) against hepatic injury by carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$) in rats. The results were as follow; 1. Body weights were reduced by $CCl_4$. In AIWE pretreatment groups, reduction of body weights was inhibited at 48 hours. Increased liver weights by $CCl_4$ were reduced in proportion to numbers of treatment of AIWE in AIWE pre- and posttreatment groups. Increased kidney weights by $CCl_4$ were reduced in AIWE pretreatment groups at 72 hours. Increased weights of spleen and adrenal by $CCl_4$ were not affected by AIWE treament. 2. Increased AST activities by $CCl_4$ were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in AIWE posttreatment groups at 48 and 72 hours. Increased ALT activities by $CCl_4$ were significantly(p<0.05) decreased in AIWE posttreatment groups at 48 hours. Increased LDH activities by $CCl_4$ were very significantly (p<0.01, p<0.001) decreased in AIWE posttreatment groups at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. 3. Increased cholesterol contents by $CCl_4$ were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in AIWE posttreatment groups at 24 and 48 hours. Decreased triacylglycerol contents by $CCl_4$ were significantly (p<0.05) increased in AIWE posttreatment at 48 and 72 hours. 4. Increased hepatic lipid peroxide levels by $CCl_4$ were significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01) decreased in AIWE posttreatment groups at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. In conclusion, AIWE did not affect normal liver function and had property of antioxidant, due to reduced lipid peroxidation by $CCl_4$. AIWE seems to have hepatoprotective effects rather than direct preventive effects to $CCl_4$-induced necrotic degeneration of liver cell, cholestasis and damages in metabolism of lipid.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.365-374
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• 2004

Inhalation toxicity, mutagenicity, and immunotoxicity tests were performed using a smoke generation system to investigate the safety of Herbrette, a tobacco substitute made with the leaves of Perilla frutescens. ICR mice were exposed to nicotine-free Herbrette smoke with concentrations of 0 (control), 4.08 $\pm$ 1.32 mg/$m^3$ (low dose), 7.72 $\pm$ 2.14 mg/$m^3$ (medium dose) and 12.83 $\pm$ 1.69 mg/$m^3$ (high dose) total particulate matters (TPM) for 4 weeks. When compared to the control group, the body weights, organ weights in the exposed groups did not show any significant differences. However, certain change of several serum chemical data and biochemical parameters were observed, however, the changes were within normal physiological ranges. Moreover, no changes in organ weight, and no gross/microscopic changes were observed between the exposed and control groups. Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation, in vivo chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assays revealed that Herbrette did not induce mutagenicity. Upon evaluation of peripheral cellular immunity of mice through in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay, no significant difference was observed in mean stimulation index between the exposed and control groups. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that Herbrette may not cause toxicity on mice under current condition.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.268-274
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• 2004

Olive flounder was treated with oxytetracycline (OTC) and changes in blood physiology, antioxidant enzymes and heat shock protein (HSP) were recorded to obtain preliminary data for optimal OTC treatment. Blood parameters were measured 1 and 3 h after the OTC treatments at the concentration of 0 (control), 100, 300 and 500 ppm for I h. Hematocrit decreased with time, however the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Reduced number of red blood cell was observed with increasing OTC concentration. Serum glucose level increased as the OTC concentration increased. However, glucose level was similar to control after 3 h. Blood total protein decreased immediately after the OTC treatment but increased after 1 and 3 h. However, the increment in blood total protein was low. Activities of superoxide dismutase enzymes in 300 and 500 ppm groups increased by the OTC concentration. Catalase enzyme activity was negatively affected by the OTC concentration. However, the differences were not significant (P>0.05). High expression of HSP-70 protein was recorded for groups treated with 100 and 500 ppm compared to that of the control group. However HSP-70 mRNA showed a lower increment which was not significant (P>0.05).

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.791-798
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• 2005

The hepatoprotective activity of flavonol glycosides rich fraction (F-2), prepared from 70% alcohol extract of the aerial parts of V calcarata Desf., was evaluated in a rat model with a liver injury induced by daily oral administration of $CCl_4$ (100 mg/kg, b.w) for four weeks. Treatment of the animals with F-2 using a dose of (25 mg/kg, b.w) during the induction of hepatic damage by $CCl_4$ significantly reduced the indices of liver injuries. The hepatoprotective effects of F-2 significantly reduced the elevated levels of the following serum enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The antioxidant activity of F-2 markedly ameliorated the antioxidant parameters including glutathione (GSH) content, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma catalase (CAT) and packed erythrocytes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) to be comparable with normal control levels. In addition, it normalized liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and creatinine concentration. Chromatographic purification of F-2 resulted in the isolation of two flavonol glycosides that rarely occur in the plant kingdom, identified as quercetin-3,5-di-O-$\beta$-D-diglucoside (5) and kaempferol-3,5-di-O-$\beta$-D-diglucoside (4) in addition to the three known compounds identified as quercetin-3-O-$\alpha$-L-rhamnosyl- (${\rightarrow}6$)-$\beta$-D-glucoside [rutin, 3], quercetin-3-O-$\beta$-D-glucoside [isoquercitrin, 2] and kaempferol-3-O-$\beta$-D-glucoside [astragalin, 1]. These compounds were identified based on interpretation of their physical, chemical, and spectral data. Moreover, the spectrophotometric estimation of the flavonoids content revealed that the aerial parts of the plant contain an appreciable amount of flavonoids (0.89%) calculated as rutin. The data obtained from this study revealed that the flavonol glycosides of F-2 protect the rat liver from hepatic damage induced by $CCl_4$ through inhibition of lipid peroxidation caused by $CCl_4$ reactive free radicals.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2009

The present study was conducted to compare the carcass yields and meat characteristics of three types of commercial male chicks White mini broilers, Ross broilers and Hy-Line brown chicks under the identical feeding condition. One-hundred 1-d chicks of each type were randomly placed into four pens per group (25 chicks per pen) and fed corn-soybean meal based commercial diets for 35d, 18d or 49d, respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, the birds were sacrificed and subjected to carcass measurements. The dressing percentages of White mini broilers and Ross broilers were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of Hy-Line brown cockerels. The rate of breast meat of Hy-Line brown cockerels was significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of White mini broilers and Ross broilers. However, Hy-Line brown cockerels showed higher (P<0.05) leg meats than the others. There were no significant differences in serum total cholesterol and the activities of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase among the groups. The breast meats of White mini broilers presented highest lightness value. The yellowness of breast and redness of leg meats of White mini broilers and Ross broilers were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of Hy-Line brown cockerels. There were no significant differences in the SOD-like activity and change of pH in edible meats among the groups. The meat color in White mini broilers was significantly higher than that of Hy-Line brown cockerels. No significant differences were observed in term of flavor, tenderness and overall acceptability. In conclusion, the physico-chemical properties and sensory characteristics of edible meats were not greatly affected by genotype if they were similar body weights and kept under the identical feeding condition. But the Hy-Line brown cockerels were less desirable as a meat-type strain due to lower carcass yields and inferior growth and feed conversion ratio.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.245-254
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• 2005

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of the supplemental alkali feldspar-ilite(feldspar) on growth performance and meat quality in broiler ducks for 43 days. One hundred eighty broiler ducks were divided into 5 groups of 12ducks. Dietary levels of feldspar 0, 0+antibiotics, 0.5, 1.0 and $1.5\%$ were added to experimental diets of each of the groups. Daily weight gain was slightly increased in 1.0 and $1.5\%$ feldspar treatments. Feed intake was slightly increased at all feldspar treatments. Glucose concentration of serum profile was decreased whereas BUN concentration was significantly increased (p<0.05) at $0.5\%$ feldspar. Cholesterol concentration was decreased at all feldspar treatments, this difference was especially observed in supplemental levels of $0.5\%$ feldspar(p<0.05). Carcass weight was increased at all feldspar treatments. Moisture and crude fat contents of proximate chemical composition in duck meat were decreased at all feldspar treatment, this difference especially was observed in supplemental levels of $1.5\%$ feldspar(p<0.05) on crude fat content. Lightness and yellowness was increased at all feldspar treatment. Cholesterol contents and TBA in meat were decreased, but this parameters were not difference by feldspar treatment. The composition of saturated fatty acids(SFA) was decreased, whereas unsaturated fatty acids(USFA) was slightly increased by feldspar treatment. The Pb content of heavy metal concentrations was increased with compared control, but not difference. The appearance of sensory evaluation was improved by supplemental feldspar, especially in supplemental feldspar, 1.0 and $1.5\%$(p<0.05). The results of this study indicate that the supplemental alkali feldspar may improve the production and meat quality of broiler ducks.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.975-988
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• 2010

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether water extracts from Artemisia capillaries (A. capillaries) and Camellia sinensis (C. sinensis) could be used as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler feed. The experiment 1 was verified their chemical composition, extracts yields, total phenolic compounds concentration, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and chicken splenocytes proliferation through in vitro test. The extract yields of A. capillaries and C. sinensis were 26.5 and 16.8%, respectively. Total phenolic compounds concentrations of them expressed as gallic acid equivalent were 15.28 and 26.74 mg/mL, respectively. Electron donating abilities of them expressed as $SC_{50}$ showing 50% DPPH radical scavenging were 0.30 and 0.06 mg, respectively. Bacterial inhibitory rates of them against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella Typhimurium were ranged from 42.1 to 52.3% and from 21.6 to 33.7%, respectively. And, these extracts increased proliferation of chicken splenocytes. Especially, A. capillaris was more excellent than Echinacea and Concanavalin A known as T-cell stimulator. The experiment 2 was investigated their effects on growth performance, relative organ weight, cecal microflora, blood biochemical parameters, and splenic cytokines mRNA expression in broiler chicks. Four hundred eighty 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were divided in to 4 treatment groups with 4 replicates of 30 birds in each group: NC (control, no antibiotics), PC (avilamycin, 10 ppm; salinomycin, 60 ppm), AC (A. capillaries, 100 ppm), and CS (C. sinensis, 100 ppm); treatments were administered through water supplementation. Final body weight was significantly higher in all treated groups than in NC (p<0.05). Cecal Salmonella numbers were significantly or somewhat decreased in all treated groups than in NC (p<0.05). The relative weights and lengths of the small intestine were more significantly decreased in the PC and AC groups than in the other groups. Cecal Salmonella numbers were significantly or somewhat decreased in all treated groups than in the NC group (p<0.05). The contents of total cholesterol, aspatate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase in blood serum were more significantly decreased in all treated groups than in NC (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggested the possibility that these extracts could serve as alternatives for antibiotic growth promoters.