• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2019

Portulaca oleracea L. (PL) has been used in traditional medicine herb for treatment of various diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, and skin inflammation. Previous studies have shown that the PL regulates the inflammation by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Although PL might have improvement effects of intestinal function and bioactive effects, there are not enough studies to demonstrate. This study investigated the effects of KDC16-2 on the improvement of intestinal function and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro. The improvement effect of intestinal function was measured fecal amount, water content and intestinal transit rate in KDC16-2 treated ICR mice. As results, compared with the control group, the KDC16-2 group showed a significant increase in wet fecal weight, dry fecal weight and fecal water content. The intestinal transit rate of KDC16-2 group was significantly increased. Based on the results, KDC16-2 is considered to have effects on improving intestinal function. The effect of anti-inflammatory demonstrated by using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. The mice were administered 3% DSS along with KDC16-2 (100, 300 mg/kg) for 14 days. DSS-induced colitis mice were significantly ameliorated in KDC16-2 treated group, including body weight loss, colon length shortening, tight junction protein of colon and histological colon injury. The levels of inflammatory mediators (IgG2a, IgA, C-reactive protein and Myeloperoxidase) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, Interleukin (IL)-6) which are involved in inflammatory responses were increased in the DSS-treated group as compared to those in the control group, and the levels were significantly decreased in the KDC16-2 groups. In addition, we investigated the impact of KDC16-2 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in J774A.1 cells. KDC16-2 inhibited production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results suggested that the KDC16-2 could effectively alleviate the dysfunction of intestinal and inflammatory mediators. Thus, these KDC16-2 can be potentially used as health functional food of intestinal.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.13-37
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Korean medicine for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We analyzed the result of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that applied Korean medicine to NAFLD patients through meta analysis and systematic review. Methods: The key question was to the effects of Korean medicine for NAFLD patients according to the PICO-SD (participants, intervention, comparison, outcome, study design) and we included only RCTs. We searched 10 databases including NDSL, KMBASE, KISS, KISTI, KoreaMed, Koreantk, OASIS, Cochrane, Pubmed, EMBASE without a language restriction. We assessed risk of bias by Cochrane group's Risk of Bias tool. Results: The finally selected 12 RCTs were analyzed. Total number of participants was 1189 (male 719, female 470) as 684 and 505 in the oriental medicine group (i.e. herbal drugs, acupuncture, acupoint embedding therapy) and control group (conventional drugs, placebo), respectively. The meta analysis results of examining 7 RCTs comparing the therapeutic efficacy of herbal medicine with that of Western medicine showed statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in the efficacy evaluation, liver function test results, blood lipids, and TNF-${\alpha}$. Furthermore, the meta analysis results of investigating 3 RCTs comparing the therapeutic efficacy of herbal medicine with that of a placebo showed statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in the liver function test results, blood lipids, and waist circumference. Conclusions: The research showed that Korean medicine for NAFLD can be effective treatment. But more studies are required to enhance the level of evidence and we should report on safety.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.564-569
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• 2019

Heavy drinking disrupts the nervous system by activation of GABA receptors and inhibition of glutamate receptors, thereby preventing short-term memory formation. Degradation of cognition by alcohol induces blackouts, and it can lead to alcoholic dementia if repeated. Therefore, drugs need to be developed to prevent alcohol-induced blackout. In this study, we confirmed the effect of an ethanol extract of Cassia obtusifolia seeds (COE) on alcohol-induced memory impairment. The effects of COE and ethanol on cognitive functions mice were examined using the passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. The manner in which alcohol affects long-term potentiation (LTP) in relation to the learning and memory was confirmed by electrophysiology performed on mouse hippocampal slices. We also measured N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated field excitatory synapses (fEPSPs), which have a known association with cognitive impairment caused by ethanol. Ethanol caused memory impairments in passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. COE prevented these ethanol-induced memory impairments in these tests. Ethanol also blocked LTP induction in the mouse hippocampus, and COE prevented this ethanol-induced LTP deficit. Ethanol decreased NMDA receptor-mediated fEPSPs in the mouse hippocampus, and this decrease was prevented by COE. These results suggest that COE might be useful in preventing alcohol-induced neurological dysfunctions, including blackouts.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.96-96
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• 2019

Sedum kamchaticum, Sedum middendorffianum and Sedum takesimense belong to the sebum species. Especially, Sedum takesimense is a Korean native species growing only on Ullenung-do. Few studies for the biological activities of these plants have been reported. In this study, we examined biological activity and the contents of functional components of the aerial part and the root part of Sedum kamchaticum, Sedum middendorffianum and Sedum takesimense. As the results, the roots of Sedum takesimense showed the highest total phenolic contents (TPC : $13040{\pm}50.0mg\;GAE{\cdot}100g^{-1}$), and the aerial part of Sedum takesimens showed the highest total flavonoid contents (TFC : $2722.2{\pm}107.1mg\;CAE{\cdot}100g^{-1}$). Meanwhile, Sedum middendorffianum exhibited the highest anti-oxidant activity (DPPH $RC_{50}$ value of aerial part : $50.69{\pm}0.75{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$, DPPH $RC_{50}$ value of root part : $27.27{\pm}0.55{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$; ABTS $RC_{50}$ value of aerial part : $11.32{\pm}0.38{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$, ABTS $RC_{50}$ value of roots part $5.54{\pm}0.02{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$). The root part of Sedum middendorffianum showed the potent alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity (AGI $IC_{50}$ : $60.69{\pm}0.72{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$). In order to elucidate active principle of Sedum middendorffianum that was shown the most potent antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities, the methanol extract of Sedum middendorffianum was fractionated with various solvents according to the polarity successively. As a result, EtOAc fraction of Sedum middendorffianum showed the highest contents of functional components (TPC : $16245.8{\pm}1025.7mg\;GAE{\cdot}100g^{-1}$, TFC : $4850.4{\pm}182.9mg\;CAE{\cdot}100g^{-1}$). And it also showed excellent anti-oxidant activities (DPPH $RC_{50}$ : $14.0{\pm}0.6{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$, ABTS $RC_{50}$ : $3.4{\pm}0.1{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$) and anti-diabetic activity (AGI $IC_{50}$ : $79.0{\pm}2.2{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$). Above results suggest that Sedum middendorffianum can be developed to health functional material as a plant resource with potent antioxidant activity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1695-1704
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• 2019

Objective: This study investigated the effects of the administration of ethanolic saffron petal extract (SPE) and vitamin E (Vit E) on growth performance, blood metabolites and anti-oxidant status in Baluchi lambs. Methods: Thirty-two Baluchi male lambs ($35.22{\pm}5.75kg$) were randomly divided into 4 groups. The 1st (control), 2nd (injectable saffron petal extract [ISPE]), and 3rd (Vit E) groups were respectively injected subcutaneously with either physiological saline (5 mL), SPE (25 mg/kg body weight [BW]) or DL-${\alpha}$-tocopheryl acetate (225 IU) once a week. An oral dose of SPE (500 mg/kg BW) was also administered to the 4th group (oral saffron petal extract [OSPE]). Feed intake and BW were measured for 42 days and blood samples were taken on days 1, 14, 28, and 42. The lambs were slaughtered, and tissue samples were taken. Results: Growth performance and many blood metabolites were not affected (p>0.05) by the treatments. Cholesterol of plasma in the ISPE and Vit E groups was similar and less (p<0.01) than both the OSPE and control groups. Although there was no significant difference between the control and other groups for plasma triglyceride, the ISPE group showed lower (p<0.05) triglyceride than the OSPE and Vit E groups. The highest (p<0.01) plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was detected in the OSPE group, while the ISPE and Vit E groups showed higher (p<0.01) superoxide dismutase (SOD) of plasma than the control. Malondialdehyde of plasma in the ISPE group was lower (p<0.05) than the OSPE. No differences (p>0.05) were observed among the groups for antioxidant status of both longissimus dorsi muscle and liver. However, the activity of GPx in the kidney and heart, as well as SOD activity in the kidney, were influenced ($p{\leq}0.01$) by the treatments. Conclusion: Adding ethanolic SPE improved antioxidant status and lowered lipids oxidation in lambs. The SPE and Vit E demonstrated similar effects on antioxidant status in lambs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1392-1402
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• 2021

Objective: The growth rate of pigs is related to differentiation and proliferation of muscle cells, which are regulated by growth factors and expression of growth-related genes. Thus, the objective of this study was to establish optimal culture conditions for Jeju black pig (JBP) muscle cells and determine the relationship of various factors involved in muscle growth with the proliferation of JBP muscle cells. Methods: Muscles were taken from the femur skeletal muscle of JBP embryos. After isolation of the muscle cells, cells were cultured in a 6-well plate under four different culture conditions to optimize culture conditions for JBP muscle cells. To analyze proliferation rate of JBP muscle cells, these muscle cells were seeded into 6-well plates at a density of 1.5×10⁵ cells per well and cultured for 3 days. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were applied to verify the myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD) expression and growth-related gene expression in JBP muscle cells, respectively. Results: We established a muscle cell line from JBP embryos and optimized its culture conditions. These muscle cells were positive for MyoD, but not for paired box 7. The proliferation rate of these muscle cells was significantly higher in a culture medium containing bFGF and epidermal growth factor + basic fibroblast growth factor (EGF+bFGF) than that without a growth factor or containing EGF alone. Treatment with EGF and bFGF significantly induced the expression of MyoD protein, an important transcription factor in muscle cells. Moreover, we checked the changes of expression of growth-related genes in JBP muscle cells by presence or absence of growth factors. Expression level of collagen type XXI alpha 1 gene was changed only when EGF and bFGF were added together to culture media for JBP muscle cells. Conclusion: Concurrent use of EGF and bFGF increased the expression of MyoD protein, thus regulating the proliferation of JBP muscle cells and the expression of growth-related genes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the whitening effects of hot water (AMPW) and ethanol (AMPE) extracts of Mangifera indica L. peel. To verify the whitening effects, tyrosinase inhibitory activity was measured. 9.51% inhibitory activity, and 35.98% inhibitory activity at 1,000 ㎍/ml. The effects of AMPW and AMPE on cell viability were measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in B16-F10 melanoma cells. Greater than 95% cell viability was observed at 100 ㎍/ml. Thus, subsequent experiments were performed at concentrations less than 100 ㎍/ml. The whitening effects were confirmed by measuring the protein and mRNA expression levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2, which are factors involved in melanin synthesis. Western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results confirmed that 100 ㎍/ml AMPW and AMPE showed superior inhibitory effects than the control treatment (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone only). Therefore, Mangifera indica L. peel extract had a whitening effect, and thus, has potential as a natural material for use in cosmetics.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.14-32
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) has a central role in regulating muscle differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism. PGC-1α stimulates muscle growth and muscle fiber remodeling, concomitantly regulating lactate and lipid metabolism and promoting oxidative metabolism. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thumb.) has been widely employed as a traditional herbal medicine and possesses antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, hypoglycemic, and anticancer properties. We investigated whether G. pentaphyllum extract (GPE) and its active compound, gypenoside L (GL), affect muscle differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism via activation of the PGC-1α pathway in murine C2C12 myoblast cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: C2C12 cells were treated with GPE and GL, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to analyze the mRNA and protein expression levels. Myh1 was determined using immunocytochemistry. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation was measured using the 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. RESULTS: GPE and GL promoted the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes and elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of Myh1 (type IIx). GPE and GL also significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of the PGC-1α gene (Ppargc1a), lactate metabolism-regulatory genes (Esrra and Mct1), adipocyte-browning gene fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 gene (Fndc5), glycogen synthase gene (Gys), and lipid metabolism gene carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b gene (Cpt1b). Moreover, GPE and GL induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, p38, sirtuin1, and deacetylated PGC-1α. We also observed that treatment with GPE and GL significantly stimulated the expression of genes associated with the anti-oxidative stress response, such as Ucp2, Ucp3, Nrf2, and Sod2. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that GPE and GL enhance exercise performance by promoting myotube differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism through the upregulation of PGC-1α in C2C12 skeletal muscle.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.123-130
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• 2022

We present the analysis of a planetary microlensing event OGLE-2019-BLG-0362 with a shortduration anomaly (~0.4 days) near the peak of the light curve, which is caused by the resonant caustic. The event has a severe degeneracy with ∆𝜒² = 0.9 between the close and the wide binary lens models both with planet-host mass ratio q ≃ 0.007. We measure the angular Einstein radius but not the microlens parallax, and thus we perform a Bayesian analysis to estimate the physical parameters of the lens. We find that the OGLE-2019-BLG-0362L system is a super-Jovian-mass planet $M_p=3.26^{+0.83}_{-0.58}M_J $ orbiting an M dwarf $M_h=0.42^{+0.34}_{-0.23}M_{\odot}$ at a distance $D_L=5.83^{+1.04}_{-1.55}kpc$. The projected star-planet separation is ${\alpha}_{\bot}= 2.18^{+0.58}_{-0.72}AU$, which indicates that the planet lies beyond the snow line of the host star.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.759-770
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• 2022

Background: Aerobic cellular respiration provides chemical energy, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to maintain multiple cellular functions. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) can deacetylate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis. Targeting energy metabolism is a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as cardiac and neurological disorders. Ginsenosides, one of the major bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng, have been extensively used due to their diverse beneficial effects on healthy subjects and patients with different diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of total ginsenosides (GS) on energy metabolism remain unclear. Methods: In this study, oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, mitochondrial biosynthesis, glucose metabolism, and SIRT1-PGC-1α pathways in untreated and GS-treated different cells, fly, and mouse models were investigated. Results: GS pretreatment enhanced mitochondrial respiration capacity and ATP production in aerobic respiration-dominated cardiomyocytes and neurons, and promoted tricarboxylic acid metabolism in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, GS clearly enhanced NAD⁺-dependent SIRT1 activation to increase mitochondrial biosynthesis in cardiomyocytes and neurons, which was completely abrogated by nicotinamide. Importantly, ginsenoside monomers, such as Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rh1, Rb2, and Rb3, were found to activate SIRT1 and promote energy metabolism. Conclusion: This study may provide new insights into the extensive application of ginseng for cardiac and neurological protection in healthy subjects and patients.