• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.294-294
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• 2022

To date, there have been no reports on the cloning and characterization of a gene encoding SQS from Amaranthus, although there have been some reports on methods of extracting and purifying squalene from Amaranthus seeds. In this study, we monitored the expression pattern of the amaranth SQS gene in seeds at different developmental stages and in different tissues. The transcript expression pattern of the SQS gene was investigated using total RNA isolated from seeds at different stages of development. There were low levels of SQS transcripts at the early stage of seed development, and the levels remained low until the middle developmental stage. The expression of SQS increased rapidly to reach a peak at the mid-late developmental stage, and then declined dramatically. This pattern of expression was consistent with the results of RT-PCR analyses. All RNA samples generated a fragment of the expected size (183-bp). The amaranth SQS was expressed at low levels during the initial to middle stages of seed development, and its expression level increased at the mid-late development stage. Also The tissue-specific expression of amaranth SQS was determined by quantifying its mRNA in total RNA isolated from the leaves, petioles, stems, and roots of seedlings at the four- and six-leaf stages. Using qRT-PCR and RT-PCR analysis, we detected amaranth SQS transcripts in some of the tissues at the six-leaf stage, but in none of the tissues from plants at the four-leaf stage. SQS transcripts accumulated in almost equal amounts in stems and roots, while a lower level accumulated in leaves and petioles during seedling development at the four- to six-leaf stages. This study provides useful information about the molecular characterization of the SQS clone isolated from grain amaranth. A basic understanding of these characteristics will contribute to further studies on the amaranth SQS.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.242-250
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• 2016

Although rice has been cultivated as a major food crop for approximately 5,000 years, the interest of customers in 'scented rice' is a recent trend in the Korean market. As a part of developing a germinated scented rice variety, the newly bred scented rice variety 'Cheonjihyang-1 se' was germinated for 24 h, and changes in profiles of flavor-related volatiles, lipophilic phytonutrients, and fatty acids were investigated. The profiling of volatile compounds by using a headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) revealed a total of 56 odor-active flavoring compounds; 52 at the pre-germination stage, 51 at the post-germination stage, and 47 common at both stages. The major flavoring compounds were nonanol and benzene, which constituted 11.5% and 6.6%, respectively, of the total peak area in pre-germinated rice, and 19.4% and 6.5%, respectively, in post-germinated rice. Germination induced an increase in 13 flavoring compounds, including 3,3,5-trimethylheptane and 1-pentadecene, which increased by 763 and 513%, respectively by germination. However, we observed a germination-induced decrease in most of the other flavoring compounds. Especially, the most important scented rice-specific popcorn-flavoring compound, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, showed 89% decrease due to germination. Furthermore, the germination of scented rice induced a decrease in the content of various phytonutrients. For example, the total contents of phytosterols, squalene, and tocols decreased from 207.97, 31.74, and $25.32{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$ at pre-germination stage down to 136.66, 25.12, and $17.76{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$, respectively at post-germination stage. The fatty acid compositions were also affected by germination. The composition of three major fatty acids, linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids, increased from 36.6, 34.2, and 24.4%, respectively, at the pre-germination stage to 37.9, 36.9, and 20.7%, respectively, at the post-germination stage. All these results suggested significant changes in the flavor-related compounds and phytonutrients of the scented rice variety 'Cheonjihyang-1 se' during the process of germination, and subsequently the need for developing a more precise process of germination to enhance the flavor and nutritional quality of the germinated scented rice products.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.332-340
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• 2013

In this study, gamma rays were used to irradiate embryogenic calli induced from cotyledon explants of Panax ginseng Meyer. After the embryogenic calli were irradiated, they were transferred to adventitious roots using an induction medium; next, mutated adventitious root (MAR) lines with a high frequency of adventitious root formations were selected. Two MAR lines (MAR 5-2 and MAR 5-9) from the calli treated with 50 Gy of gamma rays were cultured on an $NH_4NO_3$-free Murashige and Skoog medium with indole-3-butyric acid 3 mg/L. The expression of genes related to ginsenoside biosynthesis was analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with RNA prepared from native ginseng (NG), non-irradiated adventitious root (NAR) and 2 MAR lines. The expression of the squalene epoxidase and dammarenediol synthase genes was increased in the MAR 5-2 line, whereas the phytosterol synthase was increased in the MAR 5-9 line. The content and pattern of major ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, and Rg1) were analyzed in the NG, NAR, and 2 MAR lines (MAR 5-2 and MAR 5-9) using TLC and HPLC. In the TLC analysis, the ginsenoside patterns in the NG, NAR, and 2 MAR lines were similar; in contrast, the MAR 5-9 line showed strong bands of primary ginsenosides. In the HPLC analysis, compared with the NG, one new type of ginsenoside was observed in the NAR and 2 MAR lines, and another new type of ginsenoside was observed in the 2 MAR lines irradiated with gamma rays. The ginsenoside content of the MAR 5-9 line was significantly greater in comparison to the NG.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.1 s.8
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• pp.91-103
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• 2002

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. characterized by leukocyte infiltration, a chronic inflammation of the joint, a pannus formation and the extensive destruction of the 3Iticular caJ1ilage and bone. Several proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpa}$(TNF-${\alpa}$), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the pathological mechanisms of synovial tissue proliferation, joint destruction and programmed cell death in rheumatoid joint. In the Korean traditional medicine, Hominis placenta (HP) as an herbal solution of herb-acupuncture has been widely used to treat the inflammatory diseases including RA. In order to study the medicinal effect of HP herb-acupuncture on rheumatoid joint, an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AlA) was generated by the injection of 1.5 mg uf Mycobactelium tuberculusis. emulsified in squalene, 10 the base of the tail of Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. After onset stage of polyarthritis, HP was daily injected to the Zusanti (ST36) acupuncture points in both of rat lags and the expression pattems of cytokines such as TNF-{\alpa}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and 1L-6 at the knee joint were analyzed using immunostaining and RT-PCR. The HP herb-acupuncture was found to be effective to alleviate the arthritic symptums in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats as regards the joint appearance and the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, therapeutic effects of HP herb-acupuncture on the rat with AlA might be related to anti inflammatory activities of the hurb-acupuncture.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1001-1006
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• 2004

In order to examine the anti-arthritic properties of ShinEumHur(SEH)-herbal acupuncture, an adjuvant-induced arthritic rat was generated by the intra-articular injection of dried cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis emulsified in squalene into the right knee joint. Fifty microliter of SEH extract was injected into Zusanli(ST36) acupoint on the ipsilateral hind paw every other day for 2 weeks. The body weight, knee circumference, squeak threshold, and weight distribution ratio were analyzed as the assessment methods addressing arthritic symptoms such as arthritic pain, edema, and tenderness. The weight distribution ratio was measured by a digital-type analgesia instrument using the dual channel scale that separately measures the weight the arthritic rat distributes to each hind paw, and thus quantifies both of swelling and pain severities at once. The therapeutic effects of SEH-herbal acupuncture, assessed by squeaking threshold and weight distribution ratio, were observed on 8th day after the arthritis induction as compared to saline group and control group. On 10th day, SEH-herbal acupuncture therapy significantly started to alleviate the growing pattern of knee circumference of an arthritic rat in the range of 0.2㎝. However, the loss of body weight was not significantly recovered. Taken together, the SEH-herbal acupuncture exhibited the significant therapeutic efficiency to treat adjuvant-induced monoarthritis in rat.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.223-234
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate intake of health foods and supplements and its associated factors in middle and old-aged adults in order to contribute to health promotion of Korean population by providing a guide for proper use of health foods and supplements. About 69% of the subjects reported that they were currently taking health foods and supplements or had experiences of having them in the past, whereas 31.2 % reported they had never taken them. The most commonly used type of health foods and supplements was vitamin C as reported by 41.8% followed by others such as lactobacillus products, multi-vitamins, tonic medicine and cardiotonic drug, artificially processed Ginseng foods, vitamin B complex, enzyme supplement, calcium, aloe, apricot extract products, chitosan products, loyal honey, squalene, refined fish oil and iron products. The major reason for taking health foods and supplements was 'to protect the weak constitution' with 155 (42.1%) responses, and the motive for the intake was the suggestion from family-relatives with 235 (63.9%) responses, and the place of purchase was pharmacy with 140 (38.0%) responses, the average monthly expense was 20,000-40,000 won with 140 (26.2%) responses, and effects after the intake was 'so and so' with 180 (33.6%) responses as the highest. More health foods and supplements were consumed as age and education were statistically significantly increased (p<0.05). For health and lifestyle and the intake of health foods and supplements, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and the presence of health management were statistically significant (p<0.05). Male subjects than female subjects and the 30s than the 405 and 50s were appeared to have poorer dietary behaviors (p<0.05). For the health locus of control and the intake of health foods and supplements, the health locus of control score was 22.82 for consumers and 22.79 for non-consumers, showing no significant difference. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out major factors that affect the intake of health foods and supplements, in which gender, education, smoking, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and health management were significant to the intake of health foods and supplements. It is shown that subjects with perception and attitude of 'health foods and supplements are useful in health maintenance and disease prevention' and 'the information and variety for health foods and supplements are great' have higher probability of taking health foods and supplements.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.346-351
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• 2003

The current studies investigated the therapeutic effects of Ephedra sinica Stapf (ES) herb-acupuncture on the inflammatory responses of rat arthritic joint, which was induced by the intradermal injection of heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis emulsified in squalene to the base of the tail. The measurements of body weight and articular index were exploited as the assessment methods addressing arthritic symptoms, and the expression profiles of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the rat joint were analyzed using RT-PCR. The articular indexes of arthritic rats were significantly restored after the treatment with ES herb-acupuncture. Although the clinical symptoms of arthritic rats were apparently alleviated by the ES treatments, their body weights were not recovered. It maybe due to the weight-loss and energy enhancement effects of ES extracts. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 genes, which were highly stimulated in the knee joints of arthritic rats, were restored to the levels of normal rats after the ES treatment. The therapeutic effect of ES herb-acupuncture was not observed in ES-treated, non-acupoint arthritic group as a sham control. The ES herb-acupuncture into an acupoint ST36 was found to be effective in alleviating the arthritic symptoms in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats as regards the body weight, joint appearance and the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2000

Terbinafine is an orally active antifungal agent as it inhibits the fungal enzyme squalene epoxidase, which is important in the early biosynthetic pathway of ergosterol. This leads to abnormal development of the fungal cell membrane. Bioequivalence of two terbinafine tablets, $Lamisil^{TM}$ (Novartis Korea Ltd.) and $Terbina^{TM}$ (Korean Drug Co., Ltd.), was evaluated according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Sixteen normal male volunteers, $23.56{\pm}1.75$ years old and $65.60{\pm}8.54\;kg$ of body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 125 mg of terbinafine was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the serum concentrations of terbinafine were determined using an HPLC method with UV detector. The pharmacokinetic parameters $(AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max})$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets based on $Lamisil^{TM}$, tablet were -2.53%, -2.98% and 8.13%, respectively. The powers $(1-{\beta})$ for $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were 85.21%, 98.21% and 93.11%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $({\Delta})$ at ${\alpha}=0.1\;and\;1-{\beta}=0.8$ were all less than 20%. The 90% confidence intervals were all within ${\pm}20%$. All the parameters above met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence, indicating that $Terbina^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Lamisil^{TM}$ tablet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.487-495
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• 1996

The consumer perception on health and food habit, the experience of health food use and the discrimination between health food and drug of Korean consumer were surveyed by using a questionnaire containing 20 items in order to obtain the basic data for the assessment of the benefit and risk of health foods in Korea. A total of 1,000 people over 20 years of age living in Seoul and the vicinities were interviewed and asked to fill out the questionnaire during the period from the October 1995 to the February 1996. Among the 882 answers collected 23 was incomplete data, and 859 answers were used for the statistical analysis by using SAS program. The survey revealed a strong interest of the consumer on health food by showing that more than a half of the subjects (58.8%) had the experience of actual use of health food, and 68.2% believed the effectiveness. What the consumer expect most from health food was to have beneficial effect to maintain overall health condition (59.8%), and the most negative aspect of health food was the overstatement on the effectiveness by the producers (52.1%). The most important source of information for the purchase of health food was the suggestion of friends and relatives (30.6%). Among the health foods registered and regulated by the food law, royal jelly (22.7%), squalene (16.0%), refined fish oil (15.1%), lactic acid bacteria (10.6%) and aloe (8.8%) were relatively well aware. Although 84% of the subjects perceived that health food is different from drug or traditional medicine, the largest percentage of the subject selected ginseng as the most well known type of health food (22.7%) as well as the most well known drug (or traditional medicine) (41.7%). Ginseng was also chosen as the most frequently used health food (17.0%), and vitamin tablets the third (13.0%). The vague definition of health food and unambiguous discrimination of it from medicine by the consumers were problematic for the correct use and reasonable purchasing behavior. The clear definition and proper regulation on the manufacture and distribution of health food, more strict control of labelling and advertisement, and a wide consumer education on health food were recommended.