• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.3 s.70
• /
• pp.461-467
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the biological activity and hepatoprotective effect of DWP-04 [DDB : selenium yeast: glutathione (31.1 : 6.8 : 62.1(w/w/w)] in D-galactosamine (GaIN) intoxicated rats. The DWP-04 (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) or its vehicle was orally administered everyday before the start of GaIN injection (400 mg/kg, ip) for two weeks and animal decapitated for 24 hrs after GaIN­injected. The activities of serum enzymes, markers of liver function, were increased in the GaIN group compared to normal group and significantly lowered in the DWP-04 pretreated group than in the GaIN group. Hepatic lipid peroxide level and activities of phase 1 enzymes were significantly higher than those of GaIN group compared to normal group and lower in the DWP-04 pretreated group than in the GaIN group, and phase II enzyme activities in liver were lower in the GaIN group than in the normal group and were increased in the DWP-04 pretreated group than in the GaIN group. Total hepatic glutathione content and glutathione biosynthesis enzymes were lower in the GaIN group than in the normal group and were increased in the DWP-04 pretreated group than in the GaIN group. Therefore, the current results indicated that DWP-04 administration alleviated the GaIN-induced adverse effect through enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.11
• /
• pp.1286-1292
• /
• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA) isolated from Ligularia fischeri against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Antioxidative effects of 3,5-DCQA were determined by measuring antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] expression levels against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress using real-time PCR analysis. 3,5-DCQA treatment significantly increased gene expression levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx in a dose-dependent manner ($10{\sim}30{\mu}g/mL$) in HepG2 cells. Hepatoprotective effects were analyzed by measuring glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities using a biochemistry analyzer in hydrogen peroxide-treated HepG2 cells. 3,5-DCQA treatment significantly reduced GOT, LDH, and GGT activities in a dose-dependent manner ($10{\sim}30{\mu}g/mL$) against increased liver function index enzyme activities induced by hydrogen peroxide oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. The results reveal that 3,5-DCQA compound isolated from Ligularia fischeri can be useful for the development of an effective hepatoprotective agent.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.1543-1552
• /
• 2021

Atractylodes japonica has been widely used in a traditional Korean herbal medicine exerting various pharmacological activities such as diauretic action, asriction, anti-allergy, neuroprotective activity, anti-cancer, immunomodulation and gastrointestinal protective effect. This study was to investigate the antioxidant, nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines production of A. japonica extract by water and 70% ethanol. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity were increased in a dose-dependent manners with both extracts and there was no difference with extract solvents. 70% ethanol extract of A. japonica showed a very strong inhibitory effect on NO production. Both extracts of A. japonica significantly reduce the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins involved in NO prodction. A. japonica extract by water and 70% ethanol inhibited LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-1b. In this study, 70% ethanol extract of A. japonica significantly suppresses LPS-induced NO and inflammatory cytokine production. Therefore it can be widely used to treat and improve inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.133-142
• /
• 2023

National parks are one of the important types of protected area management systems established by IUCN and a management model for implementing effective conservation and sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage in countries around the world, and they assume important roles in conservation, scientific research, education, recreation and driving community development. In the context of big data, this study takes China's Liaohe National Park, a typical representative of global coastal wetlands, as a case study, and using Python technology to collect tourists' travelogues and reviews from major OTA websites in China as a source. The text spans from 2015 to 2022 and contains 2998 reviews with 166,588 words in total. The results show that wildlife resources, natural landscape, wetland ecology and the fishing and hunting culture of northern China are fully reflected in the perceptions of visitors to Liaohe National Park; visitors have strong positive feelings toward Liaohe National Park, but there is still much room for improvement in supporting services and facilities, public education and visitor experience and participation.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.545-555
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to predict the distribution density and potential habitat of domestic cats (Felis catus) in order to identify core distribution areas. It also aimed to overlay protected areas to identify priority areas for cat management. Kernel density estimation was used to determine the distribution density, and areas with high density were classified in Greater Seoul, Chungnam, Daejeon, and Daegu. Elevation, distance from the used area and roughness were identified as important variables in predicting potential habitat using the MaxEnt model. In addition, the classification of suitable and unsuitable areas based on thresholds showed that the predicted presence of habitat was more extensive in Seoul, Sejong, Daejeon, Chungnam, and Daegu. Core distribution areas were selected by overlapping high-density areas with suitable areas. Priority management areas were identified by overlaying core distribution areas with designated wildlife sanctuaries. As a result, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam have the largest areas. In addition, buffer zones will be implemented to effectively manage the core distribution area and minimize the potential for additional introductions in areas of high management priority, such as protected areas. These results can be used as a basis for investigating the status of the cat's habitat and developing more effective management strategies.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.298-306
• /
• 2024

This study evaluated the differentiation and protective effects of mixed plant-extract powder in C2C12 muscle cells. Cells were differentiated into myotubes in 2% horse serum (HS)-containing medium with mixed plant-extract powder (MPEP) for 6 days. Treatment with MPEP increased the expression of myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein in cells compared with non-treated cells. Differentiated cells were pretreated with MPEP, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Our results revealed that treatment with MPEP before H₂O₂ treatment increased cell viability and decreased H₂O₂-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK). In addition, MPEP attenuated H₂O₂-induced upregulation of Bax, downregulation of Bcl-2, and activation of caspase-9 and -3. These results suggest the MPEP can stimulate C2C12 muscle cell differentiation into myotubes and observe the protective effect of mixed plant-extract powder against muscle oxidative stress. In conclusion, MPEP may be useful as a prevention and treatment material for skeletal muscle disease caused by age-related diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.708-717
• /
• 2018

The antioxidant activity and protective effects of a hot water extract from the Stauntonia hexaphylla fruit (WESHF) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of WESHF were $16.13{\pm}0.27mg$ gallic acid equivalent/g and $4.7{\pm}0.80mg$ catechin equivalent/g, respectively. In addition, the DPPH radical-scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$) and the Oxygen Radical Absorbance capacity of WESHF were $63.62{\pm}4.10{\mu}g/ml$ and $90.63{\pm}5.29{\mu}M$ trolox equivalent/g, respectively. The hepatoprotective effect of WESHF against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage was investigated. $H_2O_2$-induced liver damage on HepG2 cells was prevented by $200{\mu}g/ml$ of WESHF. Furthermore, to investigate the protection mechanism of WESHF on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells, pre-treatment with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of WESHF significantly attenuated a decrease in the activities of CAT, SOD, GR, and GPx. The hepatoprotective activity of WESHF was evaluated in an experimental model of hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen (APAP). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly decreased in the livers of mice treated with 200 mg/kg of WESHF compared to the APAP-treated group. The lipid peroxidation level, which increased after APAP administration, was significantly reduced in the WESHF group. In addition, histological examinations of the liver showed the same protective effect of WESHF treatment. Based on these findings, it is suggested that WESHF has potent hepatoprotective effects, and the mechanism that causes this type of protection could be related to antioxidant pathways.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.380-387
• /
• 2015

The anti-amnesic effect of Artemisia argyi H against trimethyltin (TMT)-induced learning and memory impairment and its neuroprotective effect against $H_2O_2$-inducedoxidative stress were investigated. Cognitive behavior was examined by Y-maze and passive avoidance test for 4 weeks, which showed improved cognitive functions in mice treated with the extract. In vitro neuroprotective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress were examined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. A. argyi H. extract showed protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity; moreover, LDH release into the medium was inhibited. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that eupatilin and jaceosidin were the major phenolic compounds in A. argyi H. extract. These results suggest that A. argyi H. could be a good source of functional substances to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.38 no.11
• /
• pp.1551-1558
• /
• 2009

The management of skeletal health in the twenties is the number one priority for preventing fracture or osteoporosis occurrence in later life cycle. Therefore, the factors influencing bone mineral density were examined by anthropometric measurements, food intakes, bone mineral density and biochemical nutritional indexes in blood among college students. Among the students who received health examinations from May to December, 2007, 532 male and 507 female students who agreed to participate in the study were selected. Nutritional intakes were estimated with 3-day 24-hour recall method. Bone mineral density was measured by ultrasonic attenuation passing through right calcaneus bone and expressed as broadband ultrasound attenuation and t-score was calculated by WHO criteria. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit values were measured by whole blood analysis, and alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium and serum iron were used as indexes for biochemical nutritional status. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 14.0 program, and protecting and risk factors on bone health status were analyzed by logistic regression analysis between normal bone health group (t-score$\underline{\geq}$ -1.0) and osteopenia group (t-score<-1.0). The results showed that more people belong to the normal bone health group probably because this study was conducted among those with their peak bone density. Biochemical nutritional status and nutrition intakes of both groups for normal and osteopenia did not show statistically significant difference except MCHC, animal protein and animal iron intakes in female. According to the results of logistic regression analyses, dietary intakes of animal protein, animal iron and zinc showed protecting effects against osteopenia. Therefore, dietary nutritional intakes of micronutrients, especially iron and zinc are important for bone health of young people.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.150-164
• /
• 2022

The objective of this study is to analyze the biodiversity changes and characteristics of the benthic macroinvertebrate community in the Nakdong River with eight weirs, which was constructed as one of the Four Major River Restoration Projects from May to October 2020. The study also includes the analysis of changes in the major groups of benthic macroinvertebrates for about ten years, from 2010 to 2020. The surveys collected 97 species of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 83 genera, 52 families, 18 orders, five classes, three phyla, and 128.1 individuals/m². Chironomidae sp. and Tubificidae spp., which are pollutant indicators, dominated throughout the sections. The community analysis result shows the average dominant index and the diversity index of 0.62±0.20 and 1.87±0.63, respectively, and indicated the most stability of the freshwater ecosystem in the upper stream of the Nakdong River. The survey showed dominance by Chironomidae sp. at the center of the Nakdong River weir and the most unstable community in Chilgok and Gangjeong Goryeong weirs. The results of the community stability analysis showed a high distribution of the characteristic group I with high resilience and resistance and small distribution of characteristic group III with low resistance and resilience, indicating a very unstable condition of communities in the Nakdong River weir section. Predators were relatively abundant among the functional feeding groups (FFGs), whereas shredders, gathering-collectors, and filtering-collectors were relatively lower. Among the habitat orientation groups (HOGs), burrowers and climbers were dominant, indicating a wide distribution of groups in ecosystems with low dissolved oxygen. An endangered species level II of Macromia daimoji was found in Sangju and Nakdan weirs. The analysis results for 10 years from 2010 showed that the number of species and populations increased immediately after the dam construction but plummeted in 2016 and are now stabilizing. Chironomidae spp. has been dominant in all sections over the past 10 years, and they are currently maintained at a rate of about 50%. The EPT groups have decreased significantly since 2011, and the Plecoptera and Trichoptera of the group have not yet been restored. The population of Tubificidae spp. showed an increase after construction was completed in 2012 and drastically increased in 2015 and 2020. The species of Cristaria plicata, designated as endangered species level I, has not been observed since 2011 in Hapcheon Changnyeong weir. Moreover, Macromia daimoji was rarely observed in seven weirs until 2015, and it has been confirmed that the current distribution habitat has decreased rapidly.