• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2004

In the traditional Chinese medicine, Drynariae Rhizoma (DR) has been reported as a good enhancer for bone healing. DR, a plant widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of Korea, has been reported to possess antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Modulation of immune response to alleviate disease has been of interest for a long time. Plant extracts have been widely investigated for possible immunomodulatory properties. Thus, I have evaluated the anticellular and immunomodulatory properties of ethanolic extract of DR. DR extract inhibited proliferation of mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin; PHA) and antigen (purified protein derivative; PPD)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, DR inhibited growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin. It also inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$. Intracytoplasmic $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ and expression of cell surface markers, CD16 and HLA-DR, on human PBMC, were not affected on treatment with DR but CD25 expression was down regulated. This study demonstrates the antiproliferative and immunosuppressive potential of ethanolic extract of DR in vitro.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2004

Bang-Poong and related species are an important herbal medicine. However, it is difficult to determine the commercial dry material through anatomical and chemotaxonomical characteristics. Here, we used a PCR-based technique for an accurate discrimination of Bang-Poong and related species. With the RAPD primers, 215 RAPDSs(random amplified polymorphic DNAs) were obtained, and 98% of them showed polymorphic patterns. RAPDs from the four primers were appropriate for the discrimination of S. divaricata $(T_{URCZ{\cdot}})\;S_{CHISKIN}$, those from the six primers for P. japonicum $T_{HUNBERG}$, those from the four primers for P. terebinthaceum $F_{ISHER}$, and those from the six primers for G. littoralis Fr. $S_{CHMIDT}$. The specific bands from the primer 425 were obtained and used to develop SCAR (sequence characterized amplified region) markers, based on the sequence information of the RAPD markers. The SCAR primers generated a 215 bp fragment specific to Peucedanum terebinthaceum $F_{ISHER}$, and a 177 bp and a 300 bp fragment specific to G. littoralis Fr. $S_{CHMIDT}$. As a result, the three SCAR markers were able to discriminate from two Bang-Poong related species.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2008

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been isolated from a variety of plants, such as Coptis chinensis and Phellodendron amurense. It has a wide spectrum of clinical applications such as in anti-tumor, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, it is still unknown that berberine related with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. In the present study, we are examined the molecular mechanism of ROS- and p38 MAP kinase-mediated apoptosis by berberine in HepG2 cells. Berberine increased cytotoxicity effects by time- and does-dependent manner. $LD_{50}$ was detected 50 ${\mu}M$ at 48h of exposure to berberine. Nuclei cleavage and apoptotic DNA fragmentation were observed in cells treated with 50 ${\mu}M$ of berberine for 48h. Moreover, berberine induced the activating of caspase-3, p53, p38 and Bax expression, whereas the expression of anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, Bcl-2, was decreased. Additionally, berberine-treated cells had an increased level of generation of ROS and nitric oxide (NO). These results indicated that berberine induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells may be mediated oxidative injury acts as an early and upstream change, triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, Bcl-2 and Bax modulation, p38 and p53 activation, caspase-3 activation, and consequent leading to apoptosis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.416-424
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• 2013

In the course of a study for the development of functional foods utilizing Woosul (Achyranthis radix), the components and various biological activities of Korean Woosul (AJN: Achyranthes japonica Nakai) and Chinese Woosul (ABB: Achyranthes bidentata Blume) were compared. Woosul in Korea, including AJN and ABB, are regulated and part of the Korean Pharmacopoeia. From AJN and ABB, ethanol extracts and their subsequent organic solvent fractions were prepared and their in-vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-diabetes activities were evaluated. Although AJN and ABB have no clear distinction in terms of usage in Korea, our results suggest that AJN has higher quantities of lipid-soluble components and lower amounts of water-soluble sugars than does ABB. ABB also appears to possess greater amounts of flavonoid and polyphenol substances than AJN. Analyses of biological activities showed that the fractions of AJN were more active as antibacterial agents, and possessed more pronounced ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities than those of the ABB fractions. However, the antioxidant activities of the ABB fractions, as determined by DPPH anion-, ABTS cation-, nitrite-scavenging activity and reducing power, were higher than those of the AJN fractions. Our results suggest that the components and bioactivity of the extracts and subsequent fractions of AJN and ABB are different. Therefore, usage of either AJN or ABB should be carefully considered, as regards their individual properties, when the active fractions of Woosul are employed in the development of functional foods or novel plant-derived medicines.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 1997

LGC-40863(proposed common name ; pyribenzoxim), (benzophenone O-[2,6-bis[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]benzoyl]oxime) is a new rice herbicide being developed by LG Chemical Ltd. The herbicide is highly selective between rice(Oryza sativa L.) and weeds including barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli(L.) P. Beauv.), and assumed to inhibit acetolactate synthase(ALS ; EC 4.1.3.18) because other structurally related herbicides inhibit the enzyme. To know inhibitory activity and the mode of inhibition of LGC-40863, $I_{50}$(concentration inhibiting ALS activity by 50%) and inhibition kinetics were investigated using ALS extracted from rice and barnyardgrass. $I_{50}$ values of LGC-40863 were 14 and 16mM in rice and barnyardgrass, respectively. In contrast to imazapyr(2-[4,5-dihydro-4-mythyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-3-pyridine-carboxylic acid) which showed an uncompetitive inhibition pattern, LGC-40863 was a noncompetitive inhibitor to ALS with respect to pyruvate similar to chlorsulfuron(2-chloro-N-((4-methoxy-6-methyl-l,3,5-triazin-2-yl) aminocarbonyl)benz-enesulfonamide) in both plants.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2011

Three bark extracts of Albizia julibrissin were prepared using water (AW), 70% (v/v) ethanol (AE), and hot water (AHW). Organic solvent fractions were analyzed for total flavonoids and polyphenols, antioxidant activities, and inhibitory activities against xanthine oxidase. Total flavonoid and polyphenol contents of the AHW extract were 8.57 mg/g and 108.67 mg/g, respectively. The SOD-like activities of all extracts, assayed at 1.0 mg/mL, were 10.46-16.73%. The nitrite-scavenging ability of the AHW extract, assayed at pH 1.2, was 60.82%, and the $IC_{50}$ value was $770.18\;{\mu}g$/mL. The electron-donating ability of the AHW extract, at 0.3 mg/mL, was 92.30%; the $IC_{50}$ values of the AW and AHW extracts were $31.31\;{\mu}g$/mL and $36.22\;{\mu}g$/mL, respectively; thus higher than that of ascorbic acid ($39.06\;{\mu}g$/mL). Xanthine oxidase inhibition by the AHW extract, at 1.0 mg/mL, was 94.05%. These results indicate that the AHW of A. julibrissin has potential as a natural antioxidant, for addition to foods and nutraceuticals.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.271-277
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• 2007

Natural pigments have many applications like colouring agent, pigments, food additives, and antiseptics. At present, instead of synthetic pigments that have contributed to the development of industry, many kinds of natural pigments have been developed. The constituents of gardenia fruits, Gardenia jasminoides ELLIS, are traditionally known as herb medicine and natural dyes/pigments due to the customer is needs. The fruits produce yellow carotenoid pigments and iridoid compounds. The two main components in the yellow pigments are called crocin and crocetin. The extraction mode of yellow pigment from Gardenia is depended upon the extraction time, temperature, and volume of solvent. Red pigments or blue pigments formed from geniposide and amino acids have been reported a lot. Geniposide, the principal iridoid glucoside contained in gardenia fruit, was hydrolyzed to genipinic acid or genipin as a precursor for the pigment by enzymatic or chemical reaction. These red or blue pigments prepared with materials hydrolyzed of geniposide and amino acid and had properties governed by the electrostatic character of the amino acid. The pigments showed good stability to heat and pH but were gradually bleached by light while the other natural pigments are unstable in light, heat, acid, and base solution. The safety of the pigments was considered to be of little virulences in comparison to synthetic pigments.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.443-451
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• 2020

Recently, thrombotic diseases have become rapidly more prevalent due to Westernized lifestyles and high-fat diets. In this study, the anti-thrombosis activities of the aerial parts of Sageretia thea were evaluated using ethanol extracts of the leaf (ST-L), branch (ST-B), and fruit (ST-F), and their anti-coagulation, platelet aggregation inhibition, and hemolytic toxicity were assessed. In comparison to the ST-F extract, the ST-B exhibited 6.7 times more polyphenol content, and the ST-L had 2.7 times more total flavonoid content. The ST-L and ST-B extracts showed stronger inhibitions of thrombin, prothrombin, and blood coagulation factors than aspirin, berry extracts, or commercial oriental herbs. Furthermore, ST-L and ST-B showed superior platelet aggregation-inhibitory activities than aspirin. The ST-F extract demonstrated only minor anti-thrombosis effects, and none of the extracts showed hemolysis against red blood cells up to 1 mg/ml. Phenolic acid and flavonoid analysis of the ST-L and ST-B extracts showed abundant rutin, isoquercitrin, and astragalin as the major active compounds. Further research on the anti-thrombotic activity of isoquercitrin, a rare flavonoid from quercetin, is necessary. This is the first report of isoquercitrin in Sageretia thea, and our results suggest that ST-L and ST-B extracts could therefore developed as anti-thrombosis agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1223-1229
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• 2013

Ursolic acid (UA) a bio-active ingredient found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, and it has potent antioxidant activity. However, the role of UA in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells is poorly understood. This study investigated the functional role of UA in regulating the development of mouse ES cells under hypoxia. Hypoxia did not exert a significant effect on the undifferentiated state of mouse ES cells. However, it induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and increased the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production at 48 h of hypoxic exposure. Conversely, oxidative stress induced by hypoxia was significantly inhibited by UA ($30{\mu}M$) pretreatment. Hypoxia significantly decreased cell survival and the level of [$^3H$] thymidine incorporation, both of which recovered following pretreatment of UA. In addition, UA decreased the apoptotic effect of hypoxia by attenuating caspase-3 cleavage or by recovering cellular inhibition of the apoptotic protein (cIAP)-2 and Bcl-2 expression. We further found that UA decreased senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. We suggest that UA is a natural antioxidant and one of the functional modulators of hypoxia-induced survival, apoptosis, proliferation, and aging in mouse ES cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.518-528
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• 2013

Scutellaria baicalensis, belonging to the family Labiatae, is widely distributed in Korea, China, Mongolia, and eastern Siberia. It has been used in traditional medicine for various diseases, such as dysentery, pyrexia, jaundice, and carbuncles. In addition, S. baicalensis is reported to possess various beneficial pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiviral, antihypertension, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of its anticancer activity have not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the proapoptotic effects of ethanol extract of S. baicalensis (EESB) on human renal cell carcinoma Caki-1 cells. The anti-proliferative activity of EESB was associated with apoptosis induction, which was associated with the up-regulation of death receptor 4, the Fas ligand, and Bax and the down-regulation of Bid, XIAP, and cIAP-1 proteins. EESB treatment also induced mitochondrial dysfunction, proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins, such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, ${\beta}$-catenin, and phospholipase C-${\gamma}1$. However, pretreatment of a pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, significantly attenuated the EESB-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that EESB may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent. Further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anticancer activity of S. baicalensis.