• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.416-423
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• 2023

Figs has known to have antioxidant, whitening, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects in their leaves, roots, stems, latex, and fruits. In order to develop cosmetic materials based on natural products, we have studied on the skin activity of the ficin in latex as well as the whitening function of the fruit extract with 70% ethanol, and used it as a raw material for released cosmetic product. However, there is little research on the demand for the development of new eutectic solvent extraction methods and its ability to control skin inflammation and psoriasis regulation. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of fig fruit extracts and fractions using eutectic solvent extraction for skin inflammation control and psoriasis. First, fig fruits were extracted under optimal eutectic solvent conditions and fractionated with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol. First, the antioxidant activity and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production were confirmed in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In addition, as a result of observing the mRNA expression through RT-PCR, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL1α, and IL-1β were suppressed significantly in the hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate fractions. In addition, it was confirmed in TNF-α stimulated HaCaT keratinocyte model. Finally, chemokine CC motif ligand 20 (CCL20), marker gene of human psoriasis skin disease, was significantly suppressed in the hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate fractions. These results suggested its anti-inflammatory and skin soothing effect and the possibility of development as an excellent skin soothing natural cosmetic material in the future through future clinical trials.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.204-212
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• 2023

Whitening is inhibitory activity of the melanin synthesis of melanocytes. Recently, whitening materials have been developed on natural materials because of its side effects on skin. Figs (Ficus Carica L.) is a fruit belonging to the Moraceae family and whitening activity was reported in focusing on the fig's stem and leaf components, but whitening activity of the figs fruit was not known. Thus, in this study, we tried to observe its anti-melanogenesis as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammation. The radical scavenging activity of figs fruits extract (FFE) was observed as the level of 34.52±1.98%/60.71±1.26% compared to the control in the its maximum concentration in the DPPH/ABTS assay. Cytotoxicity of FFE was observed at 10% concentration by CCK8 assay, so the maximum concentration was set at 5% and applied to all experiments. FFE concentration dependently decreased NO production associated with inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression, these strongly suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. In melanin contents assay, FFE significantly down-regulated melanin production in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cell as well as tyrosinase inhibition in vitro. In addition, FFE decreased the Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) mRNA expression about 94.34% compared to the α-MSH treatment group in RT-PCR. Finally, FFE significantly reduced the MITF, cAMP response element-binding protein and tyrosinase protein expression in the α-MSH stimulated B16F10 cell. Through these results, we found that FFE can not only directly inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity but also suppress melanogenesis through regulation of MITF gene expression in α-MSH signal transduction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.919-923
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• 2006

Sebum is an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands in human skin. The differentiation of the sebaceous gland is remarkably species-specific and sebocytes may play crucial parts in the pathophysiologic processes and disorders of pilosebaceous unit. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Ficis folium on the lipid production using the human sebocyte cell line 5195. Our results showed that Ficis folium significantly inhibits synthesis of sebaceous lipids such as cholesterol esters, triglycerides, and total lipid. And Ficis folium supressed cytoplasmic lipid droplets. On the other hand, Ficis folium didn't effect on cell proliferation. These results suggest treatment with Ficis folium resulted in a lower lipid synthesis in SZ95 cells without cytotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.570-578
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• 2012

The present study investigated the effect of diets supplemented with different levels (0, 1, 3, and 5 %) of fig leaf ethanol extract (FLEE) on the nutritional composition of black rockfish Sebastes schlegeli. Fish ($10.05{\pm}0.44g$) were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. Adding FLEE decreased crude lipid levels and increased crude protein and ash. Among the three organic acids in the whole body of black rockfish, lactic acid was predominant, followed by citric acid and oxalic acid. Five free sugars were found in all groups. Fucose and glucose were the dominant free sugars in the FLEE-added group. The abundant fatty acids in the FLEE-added group were C16:0, C18:1-cis (n9), and C22:6n-3. The major amino acids in the samples were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, leucine, alanine, lysine, and arginine. The abundant free amino acids in the FLEE-added group were taurine, glutamic acid, alanine, leucine, and arginine.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2012

To explore on the defense strategies against hervivory of 67 broadleaved tree species, morphological characteristics of the leaf, leaf domatia structure and the number, herbivores insects and mites on the leaves, collected from the trees growing in Taean-gun, Chuncheongnam-do were investigated. 46 broadleaved tree species(68.7%) had the domatia structures, and 21 species including Quercus salicina and Magnolia grandiflora did not. 31 species including Juglans mandshurica and Carpinus laxiflora reveals tuft type, 12 species including Quercus dentata and Corylus heterophylla reveals pocket+tuft type, and 2 species, Sorbus alnifolia and Prunus yedoensis does pocket type, and Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki does pouch type. Domatia number per leaf proves the highest figures, 23.4/leaf for Quercus dentata. Plant defense strategies using leaf lower-surface trichomes of Magnolia grandiflora reveals dense villous, those of Populus alba and Vitis vinifera reveals dense pilose, that of Elaeagnus umbellata does dense scaly hairs, that of Pueraria lobata does dense strigose. Plant defense strategies using extrafloral nectaries were adapted 23 tree species(34.3%). Observed examples are Prunus tomentosa, Ficus carica, Viburnum dilatatum and Carpinus laxiflora. Predatory mites were observed on the leaves of 40 tree species(59.7%), and mean values of predatory mites was highest values 23.4/leaf in Quercus dentata. Minute arthropods destroying the leaf of broadleaved trees. are such as Periphyllus californiensis, P. viridis, Diaspididae sp., gall mites, thrips, and total numbers observed were odered gall mites, Diaspididae sp., aphids and thrips. Natural enemies of these hervivores arthropods are such as predatory mites, Chilocorus rubidus, Coccinella septempunctata and the nymph, Aphidius ervi. These results indicate that defense strategies including protective mutualisms may be frequent in the temperate broadleave trees.