• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1000-1007
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• 2010

In this study, toxicity monitoring of sediments collected from 25 stations in the Geum river basin was conducted using Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa. According to the results of acute toxicity tests (immobilization and mortality) of organic extracts of semdiments, Miho stream showed much less toxicity than Gap and Nonsan streams. In particular, significant toxicity was observed in both species for St.15 and St.16 sediment samples that passed through Deajeon city as a branch of Gap stream. For Nonsan stream, St.23 sediment showed high toxicity toward M. macrocopa. This site seemed to be affected by upper agricultural industrial complex. Additionally, M. macrocopa showed a higher sensitivity than D. magna for organic extracts of sediments. In the case of toxicity tests using sediment pore water and aqueous extracts, only pore water of St.27 sediment was toxic against D. magna. Toxicity identification evaluation showed that hydrogen sulfide was likely a major toxicant in the pore water.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2019

The study was conducted to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity effect of Aquilaria malaccensis leaves aqueous extract (AEAM) towards male ICR mice in terms of body weight, relative organ weight, mortality rate and sperm parameters. In acute toxicity study, a single dose at of 2000 mg/kg was performed. In sub-acute toxicity study, the mice were received normal saline (control group), 50, 100, 150, 200, 500, or 1000 mg/kg of AEAM orally for 21 days of treatment. In sub-acute toxicity study, the number of abnormal sperm were significantly decreased in AEAM 100, 150, 200, 500, and 1000 when compared to the control group. While, the motility of sperm were found to be significantly increased in AEAM 100, 150, 200, and 1000 as compared to the control group. No mortality was recorded in the control group and treated groups in both toxicity studies except for one mouse from AEAM 1000 group. However, the mild sedative effect in terms of the tendency to sleep was clearly noticeable in both toxicity studies. Results indicated that the AEAM can be one of the useful alternative medicine to enhance fertility rate by increasing healthy sperm production.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2012

Object: The aim of this study is to suggest a list of priority chemicals for the Hazard & Risk Evaluation of Chemicals (HREC) controlled by the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA). Method: Screening assessment was done for 642 chemicals whose exposure threshold limit values were set by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL). Hazard data were collected from Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency (KOSHA) and/or other toxicity database. Exposure data were obtained from KOSHA internal database. The hazard and exposure scores of chemicals were listed by order of priority in accordance with GHS classification and exposure index data. Result: From the result of screening risk assessment for 642 chemicals, we extracted a list of 13 priority chemicals for HREC performed by the ISHA. A priority list of 27 chemicals which have carcinogen, mutagen and/or reproductive toxicity but not controlled by the ISHA was suggested for additional evaluation as "chemicals for special management".

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2022

Background: Current research suggests that humans are exposed to microplastics through consumption of foods and beverages, the airway route, and a variety of other means. Objectives: We evaluated oxidative stress and inflammation from polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) in the neonatal liver through intragastric administration or intratracheal instillation in pregnant mice. Methods: PE-MPs were administered from gestational day 9 to postnatal day 7. The intragastric administration group (0.01 mg/mouse/day or 0.1 mg/mouse/day) and intratracheal instillation group (6 ㎍/mouse/day or 60 ㎍/mouse/day) of PE-MPs were administered. After sacrifice, the oxidative stress and inflammation of the neonatal livers were measured. Results: As a result of the oxidative stress caused by PE-MPs in the neonatal livers, glutathione peroxidase decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the intragastric administration group compared to the control group and intratracheal instillation decreased in high concentration PE-MPs. The catalase level increased at high concentrations of intragastric administration and intratracheal instillation. To confirm the level of inflammation caused by PE-MPs, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factoralpha were increased compared to the control group except for intratracheal intilation-high concentration PEMPs. The C-reactive protein level was decreased by intragastric administration compared to the control group and intratracheal instillation was increased compared to the control group. Conclusions: Despite the difficulty in comparing the toxic intensity between intragastric administration and intratracheal instillation of PE-MPs, our study revealed that oxidative stress and inflammation were induced in the neonatal liver. However, it is necessary to evaluate the toxic effects of microplastics on various organs as well. Overall, the present study indicates that the evaluation of toxic effects of long-term microplastic exposure, potential of microplastic toxicity on next-generation offspring and toxicity mechanism in human should be considered for further investigations.

• CELLMED
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.13.1-13.9
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• 2021

Background and Objective: Nux-vomica based traditional Unani formulation, Habb-e-Azaraqi (HAZ) is an important drug used by Unani physicians since several decades. It possesses Muqawwi-i-A'sab (nervine tonic), Muharrik-i-A'sab (nervine stimulant) properties and is an effective treatment option for diseases like Laqwa (facial palsy), Falij (paralysis), Niqris (gout) and Waja'al-Mafasil (arthritis) etc. The aim of the study is to access and provide information of HAZ for its TLC, HPTLC Fingerprinting defining its clear qualitative perspective and acute oral toxicity evaluation for its safety assessment which was not done earlier, thus contributing in the field of research. Materials and Methods: The chief ingredient, nux-vomica was detoxified as per method mentioned in Unani Pharmacopeia before its use in formulation. TLC and HPTLC was developed under four detection system i.e., UV 366nm, UV 254nm, exposure to iodine vapours and after derivatization with anisaldehyde sulphuric acid. Acute toxicity studies were performed as per OECD Guidelines 425 at a limit dose of 2000 mg/kg. Observations were done for signs of toxicity, body weight, and feed consumption at regular intervals followed by haematological and biochemistry evaluation. Results: The generated data proved the authenticity and established the TLC and HPTLC profile of the formulation. Acute toxicity revealed no significant differences in HAZ-treated animals with respect to body weight gain, feed consumption, haematology, clinical biochemistry evaluation. No significant gross pathological observation was noticed in necropsy. Conclusion: Data of the present study is substantial and scientific proof of HAZ in terms of standardization and toxicity study that can be utilize in future research activities.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.258-268
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• 2019

The extracts of AS contain in alloxanthin, halocynthiaxanthin, astaxanthin and 13 kinds of carotenoids. The aim of the study was to assess the anti-oxidant activity and cell viability of AS. The anti-oxidant activity was determined by using DPPH radical inhibition activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity. The results of cell viability assay showed that the extracts from AS were cytotoxic at concentrations above $5.0mg/m{\ell}$. This study was designed to examine inflammation induced by LPS, protection effect by UVB and the toxicity of Ascidian shell extract(ASE) as a functional cosmetic ingredient. Evaluation of embryo toxicity resulted in embryo coagulation and mortality when treated at 5.0, 10.0, $20.0mg/m{\ell}$. At the lowest concentration of $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, hatchability resulted in 100.0 % rate. The results of arrhythmia measurement in larvae showed similarity to the evaluation of embryo toxicity. This result demonstrated that toxicity is present at concentrations greater than $5.0mg/m{\ell}$. The protective effect of ASE on LPS and UVB-induced in the zebrafish was investigated. Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) generated by the exposure of zebrafish to LPS, UVB-radiation were significantly decreased after treatment with ASE at $0.1mg/m{\ell}$. As a result, ASE similarly reduced UVB-induced ROS generation and cell death in live zebrafsih. Therefore, it is suggested that ASE has anti-Inflammatory effects and can possibly be used as a functional substance for skin protection in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-2
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• 2023

2-Bromopropane, a causative chemical that caused the outbreak of reproductive toxicity 28 years ago, was classified as Group 2A in the recently held IARC monograph 133 meeting. Korean research data were used as supporting data in the carcinogenicity evaluation of 2-bromopropane and other carcinogens. I would like to share my memories with the researchers at the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute who worked hard to identify the cause.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.913-918
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• 2006

Both raw wastewater and effluent from a rubber products manufacturing factory were found to be toxic to Daphnia magna though the effluent satisfied current water quality standards. Thus, in order to reduce toxicity, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as gamma-ray (${\gamma}-ray$) treatment and ozonation ($O_3$) were applied. A combined ${\gamma}-rays/O_3$ treatment at 20 kGy after coagulation significantly reduced toxicity of raw wastewater, changing 48-h toxic unit (TU) value from 201.21 to 23.92. However, toxicity of treated water was higher than that of effluent (TU = 12.15). This shows limitation of gamma-ray treatment to remove toxicity of raw wastewater. In case of effluent, the combined ${\gamma}-rays/O_3$ treatment at 20 kGy efficiently decomposed toxic compounds down to non toxic level. This work strongly supports the necessity of toxicity reduction evaluation as well as toxicity-based effluent management.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.11-14
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• 2001

In this study, the relationship between metals (Cu, Cr, Cd, Zn. Pb, and Fe) 5 fractions and toxicity of soil samples from various contaminated sites in Korea were investigated. Metal toxicity of soils was tested using MetPLATE$^{TM}$ test kit, which is known as metal sensitive and organic insensitive. Significant amount of Fe was found in soils, and metal contents were in the order of Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd. Metal levels in organic fraction were rather high for all metals except Fe, and quite high percentages (35~79%) for residual fraction were observed for all metals. There were no significant relationships between the content of each metal fraction and toxicity which showed regression $R^2$in the range of 0.0003~0.414. However, correlation between toxicity and total metal contents showed regression coefficient $R^2$= 0.72. These results showed that the risk evaluation of metals in contaminated sites should be difficult to assess only by the contents of metal distribution because of the complexity of mixture of various metals.s.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.490-500
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• 2017

This study was performed to evaluate repeated dose oral toxicity upon administration of the test substance 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one for 90 days and to determine NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) and target organs in Sprague-Dawley rats. Single, 2-week repeated, and 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity studies were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. The dose levels of groups were 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg/d. All dose groups were compared with the vehicle control group. The animals were observed for clinical signs and weekly body weight. Urinalysis, hematology, and serum biochemistry analyses were conducted. Subsequently, animals were sacrificed and subjected to histopathological examination. For the result, NOAEL of ethanol extract from unripe fruit of bitter melon had an optimal dose of 5,000 mg/kg/d and acceptable daily intake up to 3,000 mg/man. There was no target organ detected. Therefore, bitter melon, which contains a variety of bioactive substances, could be widely used as a health functional food ingredient.