• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.32-56
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic and antimicrobial effects of the three herbal prescription (EST, SCT, WDT), which has been traditionally used for treating leukorrhea induced by various infections in the female genital tract. Methods: In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by Nitric oxide (NO), $Interlukine-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), Interlukine-2 (IL-2), Interlukine-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), Leukotriene $B_4$ ($LTB_4$) production amount and Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression levels in RAW264.7 cells. And the anti-pruritic effects were evaluated by Histamine, Acetylcholine (ACh), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Substance P production amount in Mast cell/9 (MC/9) and Pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells. The anti-microbial effect was measured by inhibition zone diameter on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Results: As a result of measuring anti-inflammatory efficacy, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $PGE_2$, and $LTB_4$ production amounts were significantly reduced in the EST, SCT, WDT extraction groups compared with the control group, and significantly decreased the amount of $NF-{\kappa}B$, iNOS, and COX-2 gene expression and the amount of Phospho-Inhibitor kappa B alpha ($p-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$)/Inhibitor kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 protein expression. In addition, As a result of measuring the anti-pruritic effect, the amounts of histamine, ACh and Substance P were significantly decreased, and AChE production was slightly decreased, but it's significance did not appear. Finally the anti-microbial effects of EST, SCT, WDT extraction groups against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger was inhibited, however the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was not inhibited. Conclusions: These data suggest that EST, SCT, WDT can be used to treat patients with leukorrhea.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 1988

In order to elucidate the systematic taxonomy and genetic characters of Canoderma lucidum, cultural characteristics of the fungus were investigated. Mycelial growth of Ganoderma lucidum were favorable on oat meal agar medium, and optimum temperature and pH of the medium for mycelial growth were $30^{\circ}C$ and 5.5-6.0 respectively. Irradiation of white fluorescent lamp inhibited mycelial growth and critical time for inhibition of mycelial growth was 4-8 hours. Concentric zones and mycelial strands of Ganoderma lucidum was induced by irradiation of white fluorescent lamp and formation of mycelial sectors was influenced by nutrient source of media and irradiation of white fluorescent lamp. These characters were different among the isolates, but no relationship was observed between these characters and the fruiting body type of the fungus. Basidiospores were formed directly from the mycelium cultured on artificial media without producing fruit body.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1773-1778
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• 2009

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) contains high amount of vitamins and minerals, and its leaves have been reported to be very effective on reducing blood pressure. In this study, antimicrobial characteristics of extracts from four different parts of guava (fruit, branch, leaf, and seed) with four different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and water) were evaluated. Four targeted food-borne microorganisms were selected; two Gram negatives (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium) and two Gram positives (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes). By the paper disc method, guava extracts showed stronger clear hollow zone against Gram positive bacteria than Gram negatives in nutrient broth agar plate. Especially, extracts of branches and leaves showed significant antibacterial activity. Guava extracts also showed significant inhibition activity on the growth of Gram positive food-borne bacteria in nutrient broth. For example, S. aureus did not grow at all at 200 ppm of acetone extracts of guava branch and leaf. In the case of L. monocytogenes, the same concentration of acetone extracts of guava branch and leaf inhibited the growth 33.5% and 55.4%, respectively, at 32 hrs of incubation time. The results indicated that extracts of guava branch and leaf showed significant antibacterial activities against food-borne Gram positive microorganisms, and that guava branches, the byproducts of guava, might be a valuable resource for antibacterial materials.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.219-236
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• 1988

Bensulfuron concentrations of $10^{-7}$, $10^{-6}$, $10^{-5}$ and $10^{-4}M$ were applied to agar medium on susceptible (cv. KH 17854 and cv. IR 1846) and tolerant (cv. Chinsurah Boro II and IR 14252) rice cultivars were grown for microscopic inspection. Susceptible cultivars showed the decrease in shoot and root growth at the concentration of $10^{-5}M$ while ones showed no difference. Such a tendency was also observed from microscopic inspection in the elongation zone of shoot meristematic tissue. Seedlings grown in soil for 10 days were transfered to distilled water containing only bensulfuron solutions. There were significant differences between cultivars in terms of supression of shoot meristematic activity and swelling of cell volume. Observations of those cells made it clear that especially susceptible cultivars showed the irregular cell layering, vacuolation, cell swelling and partial damage in membrane of shoot tissue. The major response of root tips of susceptible cultivars showed the disorganization of cortex, rupture and contraction of membrane, inhibition of cell division, swelling and emergence of lateral root while tolerant ones showed no such responses.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 1987

The amniotic fluid provides a medium in which the fetus can readily move, cushions him against possible injury and helps him maintain an even temperature. Besides above mentioned functions, investigators reported that human amniotic fluid contains host-resistance factors which prevent bacteria from producing infectious disease and this activity shows difference among human racial groups or bacterial genera, species and strains. 40 amniotic fluid specimens from Korean women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy were examined for inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli. And various factors which might affect bacterial growth inhibiting activity such as pH, initial inoculum size, concentration of amniotic fluid, and heat resistance, were also tested using a strongly inhibitory amniotic fluid specimen. Finally plate diffusion tests were carried out using other strongly inhibitory amniotic fluid. The following results were obtained: 1. Of the 40 fluid samples examined, 18 specimens(45%) had inhibitory activity and samples from women in their second trimester of pregnanancy showed non-inhibitory activity(2 specimens). 2. The pH of the fluids varied between 7.43 and 8.33. There was no correlation between pH and inhibitory activity. 3. No. 19 amniotic fluid showed bacteriostatic activity after 24 hours incubation when an inoculum of $10^2$ organisms per milliliter was used, but non-inhibitory with an inoculum of $10^3$ and $10^4$ bacteria per milliliter. 4. The content of amniotic fluid in culture media influenced E. coli growth. At 90 percent, E. coli was inhibited growth but at 10 percent and 50 percent. 5. Inhibitory activity of No. 19 amniotic fluid was retained after heating to $50^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes or 100^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. 6. Plate diffusion tests with No. 27 amniotic fluid showed that 0.7ml amniotic fluid gave clear zone of growth inhibition around the central well but 0.2ml and 0.1ml amniotic fluids were not.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Objectives : Gossypium arboreum (cotton) is traditionally used to treat various health disorders. However, anti-amnesic effect of G. arboreum has not been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate in-vivo the anti-amnesic effects along with in vitro antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition potential in G. arboreum seed essential oil. Methods : The essential oil of G. arboreum obtained by solid phase microextraction (SPME) techniques were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay were performed to determine the antioxidant activity at various concentrations (312.5, 625, 1250, 2500, 5000, 10000 ㎍/㎖. Y-maze, passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests were carried out to evaluate improved effect on scopolamine (1 mg/kg)-induced memory dysfunction at the dose level of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Donepezil (5 mg/kg) was used as a positive drug control. We performed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity assay in ex vivo. Results : Five volatile compounds were identified in G. arboreum. The assays of DPPH and ABTS revealed that G. arboreum increased antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. G. arboreum ameliorated the percent of spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test, shortened step-through latency in the passive avoidance test, and increased swimming time in the target zone in the Morris water maze test. In addition, G. arboreum inhibited the AChE activity. Conclusions : Based on these findings, G. arboreum may aid in the prevention and treatment of learning and memory-deficit disorders through antioxidant and AChE inhibitory activities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1409-1414
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• 2016

In the larvae of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, innate immunity mechanisms are activated in response to various pathogens and stimulants, resulting in the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). To induce the mass production of AMPs, H. illucens fifth instar larvae were immunized with five different kinds of bacteria. We isolated from the hemolymph of the H. illucens larvae after bacterial challenge, and their antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) were measured using the inhibition zone assay. Among these five different kinds of bacteria, the hemolymph of Bacillus subtilis-challenged H. illucens larvae showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of the hemolymph of $1{\times}10^9cfu/ml$ B. subtilis-challenged H. illucens peaks at 24 hr at 48 hr post-infection and gradually declines with time. Moreover, the immunized hemolymph also showed strong antimicrobial activity against various poultry pathogens such as S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium, and S. pullorum. These results suggest that the expression of AMP genes in B. subtilis-challenged H. illucens is up-regulated by innate immune responses, and that B. subtilis-challenged H. illucens overexpressing AMPs may be useful as a feed additive in livestock diets to reduce the need for antibiotics.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2012

Gelatin/Ag nanoparticle (AgNP) biocomposite was synthesized using the solution plasma process (SPP) that has been recently introduced as an effective method for synthesis of nanoparticles. In this study, gelatin/AgNP biocomposite was synthesized using various concentrations of Ag precursor ($AgNO_3$) and gelatin in the range of 1-5 mM and 1-3% (w/w), respectively, without using any chemical reducing agent. Physical properties of the gelatin/AgNP biocomposites were analyzed using EDS, FE-SEM, and TEM. The results indicated that spherical AgNPs with approximately 12~20 nm in diameter were synthesized successfully in the gelatin matrix by SPP. As the concentration of gelatin was increased (3%, w/w), disperse stability of AgNP was improved and micro-pores of gelatin became smaller and denser in the 3D scaffold. Bactericidal activity of the AgNPs was examined against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by measuring zone of growth inhibition and decrease in colony forming unit (CFU). CFUs of S. aureus and E. coli were decreased approximately to 56% and 0%, respectively, by the gelatin/AgNP biocomposite, Ag5G3.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.477-484
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to verify the antimicrobial effect of garlic and black garlic against pathogenic bacteria. For the comparative analysis of antibacterial effects of garlic, Ampicillin $10{\mu}g$ (BBL) was used as control antibiotics. Research experiments were conducted on each of November 2013 and January 2014. Susceptibility to the antimicrobial effect was measured through Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and verified according to the standard proposed by the CLSI. Antimicrobial effect of fresh garlic was higher regardless of the method to extract than Ampicillin $10{\mu}g$. In contrast, the manufacturing methods of the black garlic had no effective differentiations. In antimicrobial susceptibility test, black garlic showed resistance to all of 4 strains. However, in the ethanol-extract of fermented black garlic(natural aging of 15 days.) was found the small changes of the growth-inhibition-zone against S. aureus (8 mm)and E. coli(7 mm). This study proposes a variety attempts about the extraction methods of black garlic for the possibility of food preservation.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.235-243
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• 2012

We studied the effect of fermented Rhus verniciflua stem bark (FRVSB) extract (used in herbal med-icine by Koreans) on the microbial growth and enzyme activity of 12 soybean-fermenting microorganisms, including Bacillus spp., lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and other harmful bacteria. The ethanol and methanol extracts of FRVSB inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus cereus, and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, and in the disk diffusion assay, their inhibition zone diameters were 11.06-12.23, 12.32-18.38, 11.47-11.84, and 13.59-14.21 mm, respectively. The water extract did not show any inhibitory effect. In fact, the water extract addition enhanced the growth of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis by 1.3-4.5 fold and that of B. cereus by 1.2-1.4 fold. However, the water extract did not affect the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus mesenteroides, Saccharomyces cer-evisiae, and Escherichia coli. The addition of water extract increased the amylase and protease activity of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis.