• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2018

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from metabolic reactions cause oxidative DNA damage, which results in oxidative tissue injury. Therefore, there is an increasing demand in the intake of high antioxidant sources in order to maintain a healthy environment in cells. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Malus domestica (apple), Pyrus communis L. (pear), Daucus carota L. (carrot), Brassica oleracea var. (broccoli), Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage), and Raphanus sativus L. (radish) obtained from the local market. Since these are common fruits and vegetables that are widely consumed, we aimed to investigate their beneficial properties, placing particular emphasis on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The samples were processed via an indirect heating method and their properties were compared to their raw forms. Based on DPPH and ABTS assays, processed samples showed better antioxidant activities when compared to raw samples and processed pear samples exhibited the best antioxidant activity. The anti-inflammatory activities of the samples were also investigated in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines (iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6) was assessed using RT-PCR. As expected, processed samples exhibited better iNOS inhibition when compared to their raw forms and processed broccoli and cabbage samples exhibited outstanding anti-inflammatory effects. The samples, up to 1 mg/mL concentration, did not exhibit cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cells as demonstrated by cell viability assays. Altogether, processed broccoli and cabbage samples exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatory properties.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2006

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. In this study we investigated the role of apigenin in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the modulation of activity of $K^+-Cl^-$-cotransport (KCC) in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells. Apigenin induced $Cl^-$-dependent $K^+$ efflux, a hallmark of KCC activity, which was markedly prevented by different kinds of KCC inhibitors (calyculin-A, genistein and $BaCl_2$). These results indicate that KCC is functionally present, and activated by apigenin in the IMR-32 cells. Treatment with apigenin also induced a sustained increase in the level of intracellular ROS. The KCC inhibitors also significantly inhibited the apigenin-induced ROS generation. Taken together, these results suggest that apigenin can modulate ROS generation through the activation of a membrane ion transporter, KCC. These results further suggest that the alteration of KCC activity may play a role in the mechanism of degenerative diseases and/or carcinogenesis in neuronal tissues through the regulation of ROS production.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.485-491
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• 2011

Previously, we have reported that apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, stimulated melanogenesis through the activation of $K^+-Cl^-$-cotransport (KCC) in B16 melanoma cells. In this study we investigated the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mechanism of apigenin-induced melanogenesis in B16 cells. Apigenin elevated intracellular ROS level in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with various inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, diphenylene iodonium (DPI), apocynin (Apo) and neopterine (NP) significantly inhibited both the generation of ROS and melanogenesis induced by apigenin. In addition these inhibitors profoundly inhibited apigenin-induced $Cl^-$-dependent $K^+$ efflux, a hallmark of KCC activity. However, the apigenin-induced ROS generation was not significantly affected by treatment with a specific KCC inhibitor R-(+)-[(2-n-butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetic acid (DIOA). These results indicate that the ROS production may be a upstream regulator of the apigenin-induced KCC stimulation, and in turn, melanogenesis in the B16 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS production may play an important role in the apigenin-induced melanogenesis in B16 cells. These results further suggest that NADPH oxidase may be a good target for the management of hyperpigmentation disorders.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.540-552
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• 2019

To determine the chemopreventive potential of alyssin and iberin, the in vitro anticancer activities and molecular targets of isothiocyanates (ITCs) were measured and compared to sulforaphane in hepatocellular carcinoma cell HepG2. The SR-FTIR spectra observed a similar pattern vis-a-vis the biomolecular alteration amongst the ITCs-treated cells suggesting a similar mode of action. All of the ITCs in this study cause cancer cell death through both apoptosis and necrosis in concentration dependent manner ($20-80{\mu}M$). We found no interactions of any of the ITCs studied with DNA. Notwithstanding, all of the ITCs studied increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressed tubulin polymerization, which led to cell-cycle arrest in the S and $G_2/M$ phase. Alyssin possessed the most potent anticancer ability; possibly due to its ability to increase intracellular ROS rather than tubulin depolymerization. Nevertheless, the structural influence of alkyl chain length on anticancer capabilities of ITCs remains inconclusive. The results of this study indicate an optional, potent ITC (viz., alyssin) because of its underlying mechanisms against hepatic cancer. As a consequence, further selection and development of effective chemotherapeutic ITCs is recommended.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2020

Allium L. is one of the largest genera of the Amaryllidaceae family, with more than 920 species including many economically important species used as vegetables, spices, medicines, or ornamental plants. Currently, DNA barcoding tools are being successfully used for the molecular taxonomy of Allium. A total of 46 Allium species were collected from their native areas, and DNA was extracted using the IBRC DNA extraction kit. We used specific primers to PCR amplify matK. DNA sequences were edited and aligned for homology, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method. The results show thymine (38.5%) was the most frequent and guanine (13.9%) the least frequent nucleotide. The matK regions of the populations were quite highly conserved, and the amount of C and CT was calculated at 0.162 and 0.26, respectively. Analysis of the nucleotide substitution showed C-T (26.22%) and A-G (8.08%) to have the highest and lowest percent, respectively. The natural selection process dN/dS was 1.16, and the naturality test results were -1.5 for Tajima's D and -1.19 for Fu's Fs. The NJ dendrogram generated three distinct clades: the first contained Allium austroiranicum and A. ampeloprasum; the second contained A. iranshahrii, A. bisotunense, and A. cf assadi; and the third contained A. rubellum and other species. In this study, we tested the utility of the matK region as a DNA barcode for discriminating Allium. species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.1053-1062
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• 2011

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (${O_2}^1$), superoxide anion radical ($O_2{\cdot}^-$), hydroxyl radical ($HO{\cdot}$), peroxyl radical ($ROO{\cdot}$), hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), and hypochlorous (HOCl), are generated as byproducts of normal cellular metabolism. ROS induce damage to many biological molecules, such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA. It is widely believed that some degenerative diseases caused by ROS can be prevented by the high intake of fruits and vegetables due to their antioxidant activities. Recently, research on natural antioxidants has become increasingly active in various fields. Several assays have been developed to measure the total antioxidant capacity of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables in vitro. These assays include those for DPPH radical scavenging activity, SOD-like activity, total polyphenol content, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, reducing power, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (ABTS assay), single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), and a cellular antioxidant activity assay. Because different antioxidant compounds may act through different mechanisms in vitro, no single assay can fully evaluate the total antioxidant capacity of foods. Due to the complexity of the composition of foods, it is important to be able to measure antioxidant activity using biologically relevant assays. In this review, recently used assays were selected for extended discussion, including a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each assay and their application to fruits and vegetables.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2012

Occurrence Hyphantria cunea was confirmed in 35 cities and counties nationwide in 2011, each of which reported some form of crop and/or ecological damage caused by the moth. Only a larva of the black-headed form were reported to have occurred in the nation. H. cunea was found in street trees 66.7%, followed by landscape trees 19.4% and forests 13.9%. This suggests that artificial environment 86.1% suffered from H. cunea more severely than natural forests. The study identified 44 families and 102 species of host plants, and found an additional 29 species, to those which had been identified in previous studies. At present, the identified host plants of H. cunea are composed of 62 families and 219 species in total since their first appearance was reported approximately 50 years ago. Host plants include 5 species of food crops (2.3%), 6 species of vegetables (2.7%), 4 species of medicinal crops (1.8%), 1 species of industrial crops (0.5%), 13 species of fruit trees (5.9%), 6 species of other trees crops (2.7%) as well as a further 5 species of farmed crops (2.3%). Seven species of host plants (18.4%) originate from North America where Hyphantria cunea has been introduced from, while 11 species (29.0%) are from China and Japan, Europe and India were the native sources of (10.5%) of the origin with 4 species, respectively. Seventeen species of trees, including Platanus occidentalis L., Ulmus davidiana (var.) japonica (Rehder) (Nakai) and Cornus officinalis (Siebold & Zucc) were heavily noted to be heavily infected with larval populations.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.417-422
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• 2008

Apicidin is a cyclic tetrapeptide produced by some Fusarium species and is known to inhibit Apicomplexan histone deacetylase. The goals of this study were to determine species identity of Fusarium isolate KCTC16676, an apicidin producer, to improve a method for apicidin extraction, and to test phytotoxicity of apicidin and its analogs. We compared sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) gene in KCTC16676 with those from isolates representing diverse Fusarium species, which showed that KCTC16676 belongs to the F. semitectum-F. equiseti species complex. To enhance apicidin production, after culturing isolate KCTC16676 on a wheat medium for 3 weeks at $25^{\circ}C$, the culture was extracted with chloroform. Apicidins were purified through a reverse phase $C_{18}$ silica gel column, resulting in 5 g of apicidin, 200 mg of apicidin A, and 300 mg of apicidin $D_2$ from 4 kg of wheat cultures; this represents a significant yield improvement from a previous method, offers more materials to study the modes of its action, and facilitates the elucidation of the apicidin biosynthesis pathway. Apicidin and apicidin $D_2$ showed phytotoxicity on both seedlings and 2-week-old plants of diverse species, and weeds were more sensitive to apicidins than vegetables

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.106-111
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• 2005

For breeding of a new rootstock for eggplant production, somatic hybrids between two species, Solanum integrifolium and S. sanitwongsei were obtained through protoplast fusion. The former species has been commonly used for rootstock for eggplant production in Japan. Eggplants on these rootstocks are more productive than ungrafted plants, but are susceptible to bacterial wilt caused Ralstonia solanacearum. While the latter species is resistant, the growth of eggplants on this rootstock is rather slow and low yield. Protoplast of both species were isolated from cotyledons, and inactivated with iodoacetamide or UV-irradiation, then fused electrically. The fused products were then cultured. Regenerated plantlets were then transplanted on soil then maintained in a green house. The plants were classified into four groups. Those in the first group showed morphological characters intermediate of the parentalspecies. The plants bore fruit with viable seeds. The plants showed a chromosome number of 2n=48, the sum of those of the parental species, and are suggested to be symmetric fusion products. While plants in the other groupswas less vigorous and showed chromosome number 2n= 68 to 72 suggesting asymmetric fusion products by genomic in situ hybridization(GISH). Isozyme pattern of shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH; EC 1.1.1.25), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH; EC 1.1.1.41) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM; EC 2.7.5.1) showed that 24 regenerated plants in three groups were somatic hybrids. Analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) showed that 43 S. integrifolium-specific and 57 S. sanitwongsei-specific bands were all found in 24 plants. Both somatic hybrids and its S1 plants were found to be resistant to bacterial wilt, and eggplant grafted these plants using for rootstocks were more productive than grafted mother plants. Now, S1 progenies are used for commercial eggplant production in Osaka Prefecture.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.493-503
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• 2005

This survey was performed to investigate the distribution of specialities which cultivated importantly in Jeollabukdo area in order to understand food culture of this area. Foods in speciality were divided into 4 groups, agricultural, aquatic, animal and the others products. Total number of 93 species of specialities, including 40 species of agricultural products, 29 species of aquatic products, 8 species of animal products and 16 species of the miscellaneous products, were identified from Jeollabukdo area. Especially, there were various fruits and vegetables among agricultural products and fishes among aquatic products in this region. Rice, pepper, pear, Mandarin fish, beef, pine mushroom, lentinus edodes and honey were determined as specialities in Jeollabukdo area. Various aquatic products were specialities in Gochang, Gunsan, Buan and Gimje region. Fruits, mushrooms, wild edible greens and animal products were specialities in Muju, Jangsu, Jeongeup and Jinan. Sweet fish, cat fish and freshwater crab were caught off in Sumjin river region only such as Namwon, Sunchang and Imsil, Recently, pumpkin(Cucurbita maxima) and paprika were determined as specialities in Jeollabukdo. In case of aquatic products, mushrooms and wild edible greens, their wild type products decreased, while cultivated type increased Commercialization by brand naming of agricultural and animal products were rapidly increasing. The kinds of specialities in Jeollabukdo area were changing by the influence of geographical, religious and social factors.