• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2018

Background: BIOGF1K, a compound-K-rich fraction, has been shown to display anti-inflammatory activity. Although Panax ginseng is widely used for the prevention of photoaging events induced by UVB irradiation, the effect of BIOGF1K on photoaging has not yet been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of BIOGF1K on UVB-induced photoaging events. Methods: We analyzed the ability of BIOGF1K to prevent UVB-induced apoptosis, enhance matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, upregulate anti-inflammatory activity, reduce sirtuin 1 expression, and melanin production using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, melanin content assay, tyrosinase assay, and flow cytometry. We also evaluated the effects of BIOGF1K on the activator protein-1 signaling pathway, which plays an important role in photoaging, by immunoblot analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays. Results: Treatment of UVB-irradiated NIH3T3 fibroblasts with BIOGF1K prevented UVB-induced cell death, inhibited apoptosis, suppressed morphological changes, reduced melanin secretion, restored the levels of type I procollagen and sirtuin 1, and prevented mRNA upregulation of MMP-1, MMP-2, and cyclo-oxygenase-2; these effects all occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, BIOGF1K markedly reduced activator-protein-1-mediated luciferase activity and decreased the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular response kinase, p38, and C-Jun N-terminal kinase). Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that BIOGF1K has anti-photoaging activity and that BIOGF1K could be used in anti-aging cosmeceutical preparations.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.51-63
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• 2007

Objectives : For the congenital feeble, the Gongjindan is useful medicine. The experiment is to estimate the value of the Gongjindan as therapeutic agent preventing against aging with an analysis of the ingredients and the bio-activating effects by enzymologic methods. Methods : General ingredients' of the Gongjindan's extract were analyzed first and the quantitative analysis of a reducing sugar, a soluble protein, an amino acid and minerals was made. The Gongjindan, which is extracted, concentrated, and freeze drying with water, ethanol and chloroform, have got applied for the experiment. The effects on electronic donating ability, SOD-like activity, nitric oxide inhibition, xanthine oxidase inhibition, whitening effect have been investigated in the physiological activity measurement of function experiment. Results : The contained amino acid, in order of high amount, is Arginine, Alanine, Glutamic acid, Proline and the contained free amino acid is Glutamic acid, Leucine, Lysine, Phenylalanine. The derivative of free amino acid is ${\gamma}-Aminoisobutyric$ acid, Phosphoserine, Taurine. And the Gongjindan is containing 13 species of minerals in order of Ca>K>Na>Mg>Fe>AI>Mn. Then, to assure of the Gongjindan's capability of anti-oxidation, these following subjects-polyphenol, electronic donating ability, SOD-like activity, nitric oxide inhibition, xanthine oxidase inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition- are analyzed and show high activity especially the most in ethanol extracts. Conclusion : With this analysis of ingredients, the Gongjindan is containing many materials functioning as anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, neurotransmitter and immune agent. Moreover, In every water, ethanol, chloroform extracts, the Gongjindan's capability of anti-oxidation is confirmed so that we can apply to patients' treatment clinically.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.180-188
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the melanogenesis associated transcription factor (MITF) and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) genes on plumage coloration in Asian native duck breeds. MITF encodes a protein for microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, which regulates the development and function of melanocytes for pigmentation of skin, hair, and eyes. Among the tyrosinase-related family genes, DCT is a pigment cell-specific gene that plays important roles in the melanin synthesis pathway and the expression of skin, feather, and retina color. Methods: Five Asian duck varieties (black Korean native, white Korean native, commercial Peking, Nageswari, and Bangladeshi Deshi white ducks) were investigated to examine the polymorphisms associated with plumage colors. Among previously identified SNPs, three synonymous SNPs and one indel of MITF and nine SNPs in exon regions of DCT were genotyped. The allele frequencies for SNPs of the black and white plumage color populations were estimated and Fisher's exact test was conducted to assess the association between the allele frequencies of these two populations. Results: Two synonymous SNPs (c.114T>G and c.147T>C) and a 14-bp indel (GCTGCAAAC AGATG) in intron 7 of MITF were significantly associated with the black- and white-colored breeds (p<0.001). One non-synonymous SNP [c.938A>G (p.His313Arg)] in DCT, was highly significantly associated (p<0.001) and a synonymous SNP (c.753A>G) was significantly associated (p<0.05) with black and white color plumage in the studied duck populations. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a basis for further investigations of the associations between polymorphisms and plumage color phenotypes in Asian duck breeds.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.86-93
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• 2013

In the present study, we investigated if priming of autoreactive $CD8^+T$ cells would be inhibited by competitive peptides for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I binding. We used a mouse model of vitiligo which is induced by immunization of $K^b$-binding tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP2)-180 peptide. Competitive peptides for $K^b$ binding inhibited IFN-${\gamma}$production and proliferation of TRP2-180-specific $CD8^+T$ cells upon ex vivo peptide restimulation, while other MHC class I-binding peptides did not. In mice, the capability of inhibition was influenced by T-cell immunogenicity of the competitive peptides. The competitive peptide with a high T-cell immunogenicity efficiently inhibited priming of TRP2-180-specific $CD8^+T$ cells in vivo, whereas the competitive peptide with a low T-cell immunogenicity did not. Taken together, the inhibition of priming of autoreactive $CD8^+T$ cells depends on not only competition of peptides for MHC class I binding but also competitive peptide-specific $CD8^+T$ cells, suggesting that clonal expansion of autoreactive T cells would be affected by expansion of competitive peptide-specific T cells. This result provides new insights into the development of competitive peptides-based therapy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2002

Recent evidence has suggested that trunk neural crest cell generally assumed to have equivalent differentiation potentials, demonstrate differentiation bias along the anterior/posterior axis. In amphibian and fish, neural crest cells give rise to three chromatophore types, melanophores, xantho-phores, and iridophores. Each pigment cell type has distinct characteristics but there is speculation about the cellular plasticity that exists among them. Neural crest cells migrate along specific routes, ventromedially and dorsolaterally. Neural crest cells that travel dorsolaterally are the first cells to begin migration in the axolotl and are the major contributors to the visible pigment pattern. Many factors and mechanisms that are responsible for guiding migratory neural crest cells along potential pathways or determining their fate remain unknown. A single lineage of the crest, which becomes restricted to one of the three pigment cell types, gives us the opportunity to examine the existence of neural crest stem cell populations and cellular plasticity. Study presented here showed results from recent in vitro studies designed to identify parameters influencing differentiation events of individual neural crest-derived pigment cell lineages. Melanophore production from neural crest explants originating from different levels along the anterior/posterior axis of wild type-axolotl embryos were compared and demonstrate that the differentiation of melanophores is enhanced in subpopulation of neural crest treated with forskolin. Forskolin (an adenylate cyclase activator) increases intracellular CAMP concentration and eventually activates the protein kinase-A signaling pathway. Melanophore number, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity in explants taken from the anterior-most region of the crest increased significantly in response to forskolin treatment. This study suggests implications of region specific influences and developmental regulation in the development of pigment pattern.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.742-750
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• 2021

Ixeris repens is a type of halophyte that grows in high salinity sands found in coastal sand dunes and sandy shores. This study was conducted to investigate the contents, antioxidant potency, and physiological activities of I. repens. In analyses of general composition, carbohydrate, protein, ash, and moisture content were 57.42%, 10.48%, 11.99% and 10.29%, respectively. Potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium were its most prevalent minerals. The solvents used to extract I. repens were 70% ethanol, 80% methanol, and distilled water. Among the resultant extracts, ethanol and methanol extracts displayed higher total polyphenol and flavonoid contents than the water extract. ABTS (IC50, 0.12 mg/mL) and FRAP (0.77 mM) radical scavenging activity were highest in the water extract, while methanol extract exhibited the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50, 1.32 mg/mL), NO scavenging activity (IC50, 4.10 mg/mL), and reducing power (EC50, 0.14 mg/mL). Tyrosinase, elastase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were highest in the ethanol extract. The ethanol extract also possessed the most potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. These results indicate that I. repens may be useful as an antioxidant, and a functional substance in food and pharmaceutical materials.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.886-893
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• 2020

The seaweed Hizikia fusiformis is rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. This study investigated the antioxidant and physiological activities of H. fusiformis extracts prepared with 70% ethanol, 80% methanol, or distilled water. The extraction yields of these various solvent extracts were as follows: ethanol extract, 15.26%; methanol extract, 17.95%; and water extract, 45.62%. The methanol extract showed the highest total polyphenol content (24.06 mg GAE/g), but total flavonoid content was similar in all extracts. ABTS (2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical scavenging activity was highest in the ethanol extract (IC50: 0.90 mg/mL), while the methanol extract exhibited the strongest DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (IC50: 8.09 mg/mL), reducing power (EC50: 0.40 mg/mL), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.28 mM). By contrast, tyrosinase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were higher in the ethanol extract than in the other extracts. The high BACE1 (β-secretase) inhibitory activity was observed in the ethanol extract (IC50: 1.03 mg/mL). These results indicate that H. fusiformis ethanol extracts may be useful for their antioxidant and functional properties in food and pharmaceutical materials.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.249-257
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• 2022

Objectives : Aquilaria crassna is a traditional herbal medicine, which is used to treat allergies, diabetes, neurological diseases. Recently, Aquilaria crassna extracts have been reported in anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, various solvents fraction of Aquilaria crassna were investigated on various physiological activities. Methods : According to the polarity, the solvents fraction of Aquilaria crassna were confirmed through TLC, and the activities of the extracts were confirmed in anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, whitening, anti-gout, and anti-inflammation. Results : TLC results showed that ACM and ACM/E have similar patterns and most of the components were transferred to ACM/E. Treatment with ACM and ACM/E fraction were significantly decreased the generation of NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells. Analysis of biological activities such as α-glucosidase, protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B), tyrosinase, xanthine oxidase (XO) and pancreatic lipase inhibition, showed that ACM and ACM/E have more inhibitory effects than other fractions. Conclusions : Therefore, the results of the present study clearly demonstrate that Aquilaria crassna and its constituents might be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of immune-regulating effects.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.858-866
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• 2022

The present study investigated the chemical composition, and antioxidant and physiological activities of the Korean marine algae, Codium fragile. The solvent extracts from C. fragile were prepared using 70% ethanol, 80% methanol, and distilled water. Based on the general chemical composition, carbohydrate, crude protein, crude lipid, crude ash, and moisture were 74.22%, 16.73%, 0.66%, 4.39%, and 4.00%, respectively. Calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium were the main minerals. The extraction yield range of the solvent extracts was 3.51-9.76%. The ranges of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were approximately 10.97-13.76 mg/g and 8.00-8.69 mg/g, respectively. The ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] radical scavenging activity, reducing power and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) activities were the highest in the ethanol extract, while methanol extract exhibited the strongest nitrite oxide scavenging activity. On the other hand, tyrosinase, elastase, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of the ethanol and methanol extracts were higher than those of the water extract. Furthermore, the ethanol extract exhibited the highest β-secretase inhibitory activity. The results indicate that C. fragile can be used as an antioxidant and a functional ingredient in food and pharmaceutical products.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.567-575
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to identify genes regulated by cyclin dependent kinases 5 (CDK5) that participate in hair pigmentation in mice. Methods: The mRNA expression profiles of skin samples from CDK5-knockdown mice were constructed using high-throughput RNA sequencing and compared with those of wild-type mice. Results: In total, 8,002 known genes were differentially expressed between CDK5-knockdown and wild-type mice. Of these, 3,658 were upregulated and 4,344 were downregulated in the skin of CDK5-knockdown mice. An additional 318 previously unknown genes were also differentially expressed, with 171 downregulated and 147 upregulated genes in the skin of CDK5-knockdown mice. Of the known genes expressed in mouse skin, 80 were associated with hair color, with 61 showing lower expression and 19 exhibiting higher expression in skin of CDK5-knockdown mice. Importantly, the expression of the tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) and the calcium signaling pathway were also found to be regulated by CDK5, suggesting that pigmentation is regulated by CDK5 via the calcium signaling pathway and TYRP1. Conclusion: The transcriptome profiles obtained from the skin of CDK5-knockdown mice compared to wild-type mice provide a valuable resource to help understand the mechanism by which CDK5 regulates melanogenesis in mice and other animals.