• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2018

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that occurs in puberty and young people. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is known to be a major cause of inflammation in acne. P. acnes proliferates within hair follicles blocked by overproduced sebum in the skin, and thereby activates monocytic cells to promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we investigated the possibility of Cnestis palala (Lour.) Merr. extract to diminish P. acnes-mediated inflammatory responses. We found that C. palala extract significantly attenuated P. acnes-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, such as $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, iNOS, and COX-2 in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, we observed that C. palala extract inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activation, which is the major transcription factor of inflammatory cytokine expression. Therefore, it is expected that C. palala extract has a potential as a therapeutic agent or supplement for the treatment P. acnes-induced inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2014

Gastrodia elata Blume, an achlorophyllous orchid plant, has been used in traditional medicine and harvests in spring and fall. Here we investigated the quantitative changes of amino acids in G. elata by harvest times and seed tubers. In the results, we found that there was not big difference in contents of total amino acids but the distribution of amino acids differed depending on harvest times. 19% of total amino acids were asparagin and valine, an essential amino acid, occupied 10% within total amino acids in the tubers harvested in October. Among amino acids in the tubers harvested in April, serine occupied 23% and arginine, an essential amino acid, occupied 10% within total amino acids in tuber. Interestingly, the use of sexually propagated seed tubers produced high concentration of total amino acids compared to vegetatively propagated seed tubers. As for sexually propagated seed tubers, essential amino acids contents similar to the tubes harvested in October and nonessential amino acids contents similar to the tubers harvested in April. In this study, we found that amino acids contents in G. elata tubers altered depending on various cultivation practices. Therefore if these results can be applied to food industry, the value of G. elata as a natural food resource will be enhanced to a great extent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1723-1728
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• 2007

Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM), a type of red raspberry, grows wild in Korea and China and its unripe fruit is used as a folk medicine for the treatment of impotence and as a diuretic. RCM was extracted with methanol and then further fractionated it into for different types. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of a RCM extract (ext.) and its fraction (fr.). DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay, total polyphenols contents, total flavonoids contents assay were used to analyze antioxidant activity. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity $(RC_{50}:1.67{\mu}g/ml)$ and total polyphenols contents $(546.25{\mu}g/mg)$ were higher in butanol fraction than in other fr. And total flavonoids contents was higher in ethylacetate fr. $(141.78{\mu}g/mg)$. We applied comet assay to measure the DNA damage in the individual cells and exposed time course at $IC_{50}$. Comet assay is a rapid and sensitive fluorescent microscopic method to examine DNA damage and repair at individual cell level. The butanol fro from RCM significantly induced 54.12%, 57.95% of DNA damage after treated RCM for 8 hr. In conclus

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.401-409
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• 2013

Smilax china L., a native plant found in Asian countries, has several medicinal properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Although the root of the plant is commonly used as traditional herbal medicine in Korea and China, the medicinal properties of the leaves have not gained the same attention. In this study, we analyzed the antioxidant activity, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory effect and lipid accumulation inhibition effect of Smilax china L. leaf water extract (SCLE) and its solvent fractions. SCLE was fractionated by using a series of organic solvents, including ethylacetate (EA) and n-butanol (BuOH). The EA fraction had the highest total polyphenol content ($440.20{\pm}12.67$ mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content ($215.14{\pm}24.83$ mg QE/g). The radical scavenging activity $IC_{50}$ values of the EA fraction for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) were 0.022 mg/mL and 0.13 mg/mL, respectively. Further, SOD-like activity and reducing power values of the EA fraction were higher than those of the other fractions. However, both the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and lipid accumulation inhibition assays showed that the BuOH fraction ($83.35{\pm}4.18%$ at 1 mg/mL) and water extract ($11.27{\pm}2.67%$) were more effective than the EA fraction ($64.13{\pm}6.35%$, and $45.66{\pm}7.20%$). These results provide new insights into the potential anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of Smilax china L. leaf.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.55-65
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• 2002

Ginseng has been used as a key constituent in traditional medicine prescriptions for centuries. Other than its well-known anti-stress and adaptogenic properties, ginseng has also been shown to be very effective in treating age-related deterioration in metabolic and memory functions. Although it is generally believed that the saponin (GS) fraction of the ginseng root accounts for the bioactivity of ginseng, a direct demonstration on which ginsenoside does what is still generally lacking. In the past decade, our laboratory has endeavored to identify the active GS components involved in energy metabolism, memory, and anti-neurotoxicity. To examine the ergogenic effects of GS in enhancing aerobic capacity, rats were subjected to either severe cold ($40^{\circ}C$ under helium-oxygen, two hours) or exercise workload $(70\%\;VO_{2}max,$ to exhaustion). Acute systemic injection (i.p.) of ginseng GS (5-20 mg/kg) significantly elevated both the total and maximum heat production in rats and improved their cold tolerance. However, pretreating the animal with the optimal dose (10 mg/kg) of GS devoid of $Rg_1\;and\;Rb_1$ failed to elicit any beneficial effects in improving cold tolerance. This indicates that either $Rb_1\;and/or\;Rg_1$ may be essential in exemplifying the thermogenic effect of GS. Further studies showed that only pretreating the animals with $Rb_1(2.5-5\;mg/kg),\;but\;not\;Rg_l,$ resulted in an increase in thermogenesis and cold tolerance. In contrast to the acute effect of GS on cold tolerance, enhancement of exercise performance in rats was only observed after chronic treatment (4 days). Further, we were able to demonstrate that both $Rb_1\;and\;Rg_1$ are effective in enhancing aerobic endurance by exercise. To illustrate the beneficial effects of GS in learning and memory, a passive avoidance paradigm (shock prod) was used. Our results indicated that the scopolamineinduced amnesia can be significantly reversed by chronically treating (4 days) the rats with either $Rb_1\;or\;Rg_1$ (1.25 - 2.5 mg/kg). To further examine its underlying mechanisms, the effects of various GS on ${\beta}-amyloid-modulated$ acetylcholine (ACh) release from the hippocampal slices were examined. It was found that inclusion of $Rb_1$ (0.1 ${\mu}M$), but not $Rg_1$, can attenuate ${\beta}-amyloid-suppressed$ ACh release from the hippocampal slices. Our results demonstrated that $Rb_1\;and\;Rg_1$ are the key components involved in various beneficial effects of GS but they may elicit their effects through different mechanisms.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.562-577
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• 2020

In this study, to conserve the clay seated Vairocana Buddha triad in Seonunsa temple, Gochang (Treasure 1752), the primary materials employed for creating the clay Buddha statues were scientifically analyzed. By analyzing the soil layer constituting the Buddha statues, it is observed that the said layer comprises sand having particle size greater than that of medium sand and soil having particle size smaller than that of fine sand, which were used in a ratio of 7:3, along with the bast fibers of paper mulberry (Broussonetia kazinoki). Hence, the aforementioned soil layer is composed of a mixture of sand and weathered soil, along with bast fibers to prevent scattering. By analyzing the tree species, it is found that the wooden materials constituting the bottom board and the interior of Buddha's sleeves of the Amitabha Buddha statue, Vairocana Buddha statue, and Medicine Buddha statue are hard pines (Pinus spp.). Additionally, three layers are found in the cross section of the gold layer. Furthermore, each of the hair sections of the Buddha statues is composed of earthy materials such as quartz, albite, microcline, mica, and magnetite, and the hair surface was painted by incorporating black materials containing magnetite.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.631-640
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• 2021

Houttuynia cordata Thunberg has been studied for a variety of pharmacological actions in traditional oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the effects of Houttuynia cordata ethanol extract (HCE) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) models induced by castration and testosterone propionate (TP) injection. Thirty rats were divided into six groups. One group was used as a normal control, and the other groups were castrated and had intraperitoneal injections of TP for 14 days to induce BPH. A positive control group was given daily doses of finasteride (5 mg/kg) to the BPH model. Rats administered HCE (0.5, 1 or 2 mg/kg) instead of finasteride were compared with controls as experimental groups. There was no statistical significance in terms of prostate weight based on 100 g of body weight. The concentrations of 5-α reductase and dehydroxytestosteronre (DHT) were determined via ELISA tests, and there was a significant decrease in all experimental groups. The 0.5 mg/kg HCE group had the lowest level of 5-α reductase, and the 2 mg/kg HCE group had the lowest level of DHT. In the histopathological observation of prostates, the control and the 2 mg/kg HCE groups had normal cell shapes and no swelling. However, in the negative control group and the 1 mg/kg HCE group, the cells were swollen, and the gap between the cells was narrowed. In particular, in the 0.5 mg/kg HCE group, some cells were bursting. Therefore, the administration of more than 2 mg/kg of HCE is suitable to protect against BPH.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.468-480
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• 2021

Ubiquitin D (UBD) is highly upregulated in many cancers, and plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiological processes of cancers. However, its roles and underlying mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of UBD in patients with OSCC. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to measure the expression of UBD in OSCC tissues. Immunohistochemistry assay was used to detect the differential expressions of UBD in 244 OSCC patients and 32 cases of normal oral mucosae. In addition, CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the effect of UBD on the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in OSCC. Furthermore, a xenograft tumor model was established to verify the role of UBD on tumor formation in vivo. We found that UBD was upregulated in human OSCC tissues and cell lines and was associated with clinical and pathological features of patients. Moreover, the overexpression of UBD promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of OSCC cells; however, the knockdown of UBD exerted the opposite effects. In this study, our results also suggested that UBD promoted OSCC progression through NF-κB signaling. Our findings indicated that UBD played a critical role in OSCC and may serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for OSCC treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2019

Ginseng has been recognized as a lifespan extending medicine which has been regarded as one of the medicines classified as top medicines, as the Boncho (medical herbs) study which is influenced by the idea of guidance's costume and food concept mainly in China is gaining its bona fide form. As the demand for ginseng has been expanded to other levels, the demand for ginseng has been increasing. Ginseng from the nature reached its supply chain limit due to its extinction and difficulty of picking, so it translated into ginseng cultivation of economy rather than harvesting in nature. After the start of ginseng cultivation, the ginseng cultivation was further enhanced by the rapid development of processing methods such as white-ginseng and red-ginseng, and the surge of consumption due to the traditional belief in ginseng drug efficacy and support of scientific research. In the Joseon Dynasty, the name Gasam (cultivated ginseng) had been created as ginseng was cultivated on farmland after the stage of SanYang (wild cultivated ginseng), the purpose of the new name Gasam is to differentiate from natural ginseng, and natural ginseng lost its firm position as the genuine ginseng as the Gasam replaced the genuine ginseng, and the natural ginseng got a new name of SanSam (wild ginseng). Because the real ginseng substance concept dissipated, and as Gasam is being called ginseng, the name Gasam was also disappeared. As a result, it was possible to grow large quantities according to the arrival of the Gasam era, and it was possible to supply the demand for ginseng, and it could become one agricultural industry. In this ginseng cultivation, in Japan where ginseng did not grow naturally, it was difficult to obtain ginseng from Joseon and faced with a shortage of ginseng at all times. Therefore, the shogun cultivated the Gasam systematically at the national level by the inside of the shogunate. However, since the natural ginseng is native to China and Korea, there is a concern about the deterioration of the quality of natural ginseng due to the incorporation of cultivated ginseng (Gasam). To protect the interests, the cultivation of ginseng was subject to control. For this reason, the lack of historical information on Gasam cultivation, which had to be started secretly, would be a natural result. In this paper, althouh not sufficient enough, the historical informations were used to summarize the history of ginseng cultivation in China, Japan and Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.735-739
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• 2019

The dried rhizomes and roots of Gentiana scabra (GS) have been frequently prescribed as a traditional folk medicine in East Asia (including China, Japan, and Korea) for the treatment of various pathophy-siological conditions, such as inflammatory skin diseases, anorexia, indigestion, gastric infections, and diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the effects of aqueous (GS-W) and ethanolic (GS-E) extracts of GS on gastrointestinal (GI) motor function were investigated by measuring the in vivo gastric emptying rate (GER) and the intestinal transit rate (ITR) in mice. The GER was significantly increased by GS-W at a dose of 1 g/kg. The ITR was significantly increased by GS-W (at doses of 0.1 and 1 g/kg) or GS-E (at a dose of 1 g/kg) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the ITR value of GS-W (at a dose of 1 g/kg) appeared to be higher than that of cisapride, which was the most prominent prokinetic agent in the 1900s but was removed from the market in 2000 due to its fatal side effects. The above results suggest that GS-W might be a potential prokinetic agent to replace cisapride.