• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1151-1156
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• 2014

Traditional medicinal plants are widely used to treat many diseases, such as inflammation, infections, and even cancer. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, a Chinese elm species, is distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. The stem bark is widely employed in Korean traditional medicine to treat dermatitis, mastitis, and edema. The aim of this study was to investigate whether water extract of U. macrocarpa Hance bark (Ulmus cortex) has a immune-modulating function in a mouse model. Three different concentrations (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of Ulmus cortex water extract (UCWE) were orally administered to mice for 14 days, and their immune responses were analyzed. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and IFN-${\gamma}$, increased in the blood of UCWE-fed groups when compared with a control group. In contrast, the IL-4 level did not change in any of the UCWE-fed groups Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was also assayed using lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK). LAK showed greater cytotoxicity in the UCWE-fed groups than LAK in the control group. Internal organ indices, such as liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus, were similar in all the groups, including the control group, indicating that UCWE may have been nontoxic in the experimental animals. These data suggest that UCWE has an immune-modulating function in a mouse model.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.779-788
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• 2005

Purpose : Echinacea, a traditional plant medicine has been used as immune-stimulant. Recent studies have revealed that extract of Echinacea has immunostimulatory effects on human blood mononuclear cells. This study was designed for the purpose of screening the genes associated with immunologic effects of Echinacea on monocytes and dendritic cells using a cDNA microarray chip. Methods : $CD14^+$ monocyte cells were cultured for one day with Echinacea extract(final concentration : $50{\mu}g/mL$) in experiment 1, but were cultured without Echinacea in experiment 2. The gene expression of these cultured monocytes was analyzed using the cDNA microarray chip. Dendritic cells produced from $CD14^+$ monocyte were cultured for five days with GM-CSF and IL-4, and then cultured for one day with Echinacea in experiment 3, but were done without Echinacea in experiment 4. Results : In experiments 1 and 2, there were 17 significantly expressed genes with average expression ratios above 2.5, including interferon gamma-inducible protein 30(IFI 30), CDC(cell-division-cylcle)-like kinase 2(CLK 2), syndecan binding protein(syntenin), superoxide dismutase 2, etc. In experiments 3 and 4, there were 24 gene, with significantly expressed genes were 24 genes, which were insulin-like growth factor 2(somatomedin A), methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3, IFI 30, small inducible cytokine subfamily A, member 22, etc. The genes encoding CD44, IFI 30, mannose receptor C type 1(MRC 1), chemokine receptor 7(CCR 7), CLK 2, syntenin and cytochrome C oxidase subunit VIII were significantly expressed in both monocytes and dendritic cells cultured with Echinacea. Conclusion : This study employed a cDNA microarray chip to elicit the immune-associated gene profile; the expression was enhanced by Echinacea in CD14+ monocytes and dendritic cells. Thus we laid the basis for the quantitative and functional analysis of genes induced by Echinacea in monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2013

This study was to compare the antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of perilla (Perilla frutescens Britton) and sesame (Seasamum indicum L.) leaf extracts. The total polyphenol levels of sesame leaf ($634.7{\pm}1.2$ mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dried leaf) were higher than those of perilla leaf ($408.7{\pm}4.6$ mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dried leaf; p<0.001). The total flavonoid levels of sesame leaf ($166.7{\pm}17.3$ mg quercetin equivalent/100 g dried leaf) were also higher than those of perilla leaf ($108.2{\pm}3.7$ mg quercetin equivalent/100 g dried leaf; p<0.05). ABTS radical- and DPPH radical-scavenging activities of sesame leaf extracts (78.9% and 18.2%, respectively) were higher than those of perilla leaf extracts (46.0% and 9.0%, respectively; p<0.01). Both perilla and sesame leaf extracts significantly inhibited the growth of HCT116 human colon cancer cells. However, the inhibitory activities of sesame leaf extracts were more pronounced than those of perilla leaf extracts (p<0.001). These results indicate that sesame leaf extracts have higher antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities than perilla leaf extracts. More studies are needed in order to enhance the sensory value of sesame leaf and to develop sesame leaf as health/functional food ingredients.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.402-410
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• 2013

Insect pests damages are increasing on the field of Lycium chinense under environment- friendly management Thus, we was to monitor the occurrence of pests on organic L. chinense in Chungnam Cheongyang and, insecticidal effect of eco-friendly agricultural materials (EFAMs) were tested against major pests. When the buds come out, injury by L. chinense was very high causing the high population density of Myzus persicae in late May and early June, and the injury by Lema decempunctata was increased from mid-June. Otherwise, injuries by Eriophys macrodonis, Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata and Hedma spp. were continued throughout the growing season. From the fruit held in late July, Hemipteran insects including Plautia stali and Halyomorpba balys were sucking the fruit, and their injury to L. chinense were gradually increased. For the eco-friendly environmental control of M. persicae, L. decempunctata and E. macrodonis, EFAMs containing Sophora flavescens, Melia azedarach (Chinaberry), Chenopodium ambrosioides (Mexican tea), Quassia amara (Amargo), Stemona sessilifolia, Sophora seeds and Nepeta cataria (Catmint), were selected and used to control the insect pests. Control effects of the mixed extract with S. flavescens and Sophora seeds against M. persicae and L. decempunctata were higher than any other EFAM as 84.0% and 86.6%, respectively. In case of E. macrodonis, its control effect was good with the mixed extract with S. flavescens, C. ambrosioides and M. azedarach.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.255-263
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• 2019

Glycyrrhizae radix is one of the most frequently prescribed ingredients in Oriental medicine, and Glycyrrhizae radix extract has been shown to exert anti-cancer effects. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of programed cell death (apoptosis) by Glycyrrhizae radix are poorly defined. In the present study, it was examined the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis by water extracts of Glycyrrhizae radix (GRW) in human bladder T24 cancer cells. It was found that GRW could inhibit the cell growth of T24 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation and increased populations of annexin-V positive cells. The induction of apoptotic cell death by GRW was connected with an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL), and inhibition of apoptosis family proteins (XIAP, cIAP-1 and cIAP-2). In addition, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of GRW induced the activation of caspase-9, an initiator caspase of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of PARP. GRW also induced apoptosis via a death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation, resulting in the down-regulation of total Bid and suggesting the existence of cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Taken together, the present results suggest that GRW may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder cancer cells.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2015

To determine whether metabolite fingerprinting for whole cell extracts based on Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy can be used to discriminate and compare metabolic equivalence, standard medicinal parts from four medicinal plants (Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, Atractylodes japonica Koidz, Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge) and their in vitro-produced adventitious roots were analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) from the FT-IR spectral data showed that the whole metabolic pattern from Cynanchum wilfordii was highly similar to Astragalus membranaceus. However, Atractylodes japonica and Polygonum multiflorum showed significantly different metabolic patterns. Furthermore, adventitious roots from Cynanchum wilfordii and Astragalus membranaceus also showed similar metabolic patterns compared to their standard medicinal parts. These results clearly show that mass proliferation of adventitious roots may be applied to aquire novel supply of standard medicinal parts from medicinal plants. However, the whole metabolic pattern from adventitious roots of Atractylodes japonica and Polygonum multiflorum were not similar to their standard medicinal parts. Furthermore, FT-IR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analyses established in this study may be applied as an alternative tool to discriminate the whole metabolic equivalence from several standard medicinal parts. Thus, we suggest that these metabolic discrimination systems may be applied for metabolic standardization of herbal medicinal resources.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 2010

Effects of thirteen essential oils (anise oil, clove oil, marigold, mustard oil, neem oil, quassia, quilaja, rosemary oil, rotenone, tea tree extract, thyme oil, wintergreen oil, and yucca) and caffeine on typical industrial insect, silkworm (Bombyx mori) and two entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema carpocapsae GSN-1 strain (Sc) and Heterorhabditis sp. Gyeongsan strain (Hg) were investigated in the laboratory. When 1,000 ppm of each essential oils was treated, neem oil showed the highest insecticidal activity against silkworm. Mortality of silkworm fed on neem oil treated mulberry leaf was 55.3 and 100% 5 and 10 days after treatment, respectively. The silkworm fed on neem oil treated mulberry leaf did not make cocoon and pupa. Weight of cocoon and pupa was low in rotenone treatment showing 0.27 g and 1.01 g, respectively. Mustard oil had the highest nematicidal activity against entomopathogenic nematodes. 20 ppm of mustard oil resulted in 69.0% and 100% mortality of Sc and Hg 3 days after treatment, but 4% and 36% at 5 ppm in X-plate, respectively. Mortality of baited Galleria mellonella larva by Sc was not different from control at the concentration of 100 ppm of mustard oil while 30% lower in Hg in sand barrier. Mean numbers of established infective juveniles of Hg in Galleria larva were lower than Sc in sand barrier. Survival rate of Sc was similar to control at the concentration of <200 ppm of mustard oil in sand barrier.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.253-259
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• 2011

In this studies, contents and activities of antioxidative substances in the fruits of a pear cultivar and five Korean wild pear lines were investigated. The content of total phenolic compounds was highest with Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta "Shingo" (7.68 $mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$, D.W.) while total flavonoids was highest with P. ussuriensis var. acidula (5.66 $mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$, D.W.). The contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids varied according to plant species, but in general pyrifolia lines had higher total polyphenols than total flavonoids whereas in ussuriensis lines total flavonoid contents were higher than total polyphenols. The scavenging effects of DDPH radicals was highest with highest with P. ussuriensis var. seoulensis ($RC_{50}$=1.45 $mg{\cdot}mL^{-1}$) and that of ABTS radicals was highest with P. ussuriensis var. acidula ($RC_{50}$=0.69 $mg{\cdot}mL^{-1}$). A pear cultivar "Shingo" showed highest total polyphenol content, but scavenging activity of DDPH and ABTS radicals was lowest. The fruits of P. ussuriensis var. seoulensis contained low level of phenolic compounds, but their scavenging effects on two radicals was superior. Ferrous ion chelating effect was high in P. pyrifolia var. culta (98.93%), and in P. ussuriensis var. sinensis (68.71%), but two species had low scavenging activity. The content of phenolic compounds in wild pears was not always directly proportional to the radical scavenging activity. Neither radical scavenging activity was to ferrous ion chelating activity. In conclusion the fruits of P. ussuriensis var. acidula, P. ussuriensis var. seoulensis, and P. ussuriensis var. sinensis had great potential for the development of new antioxidative functional food because their antioxidative activity is higher or at least similar to P. pyrifolia var. culta. However, due to their different levels of antioxidative effects, the development of methods of using them jointly, not singly, to obtain maximum level of antioxidants is recommended.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2019

Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is a traditional medicinal herb especially in Korea. It contains pyranocoumarins, which are major active components including decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA). This study was carried out to determine the change in active component content and antioxidant activity depending on the root diameter of AGN. Several processing steps are involved to use AGN roots as medicine. The dried AGN roots are divided into body (B), thick root (TkR), medium root (MR) and thin root (TnR) according to their diameter before cutting into medicine. The recovery rates of each root parts per 100 kg were measured as $32.3{\pm}2.5$, $9.0{\pm}1.0$, $39.3{\pm}2.1$ and $15.0{\pm}1.0%$, respectively and the mean diameters were measured as $51.95{\pm}4.55$, $7.05{\pm}0.89$, $2.88{\pm}0.49$ and $1.57{\pm}0.32mm$. Two index components, D and DA, were analyzed. The change of both D and DA content showed a similar tendency. Both D and DA content were increased as the root diameter decreased (higher in TnR). In addition, antioxidant activity was higher in B and TnR, and lower in TkR and MR than control. This study showed that the thinner the root diameter, the higher the D and DA content in AGN roots and that TnR has excellent antioxidant activity compared to other root parts, suggesting that the thinner root part of AGN could be used as a potential material.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.125-133
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• 2012

본 논문은 피부미백에 관한 실험적 연구로서, 봉선화(Impatiens balsamina Linne)의 성분 중에서 하이드록시-나프타-퀴논(hydroxynaphthoquinone)이 멜라닌 생성억제 효능, 색소침착 저해 효과 등의 미백 활성이 있는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 피부흑화(melanogenesis)는 멜라닌 색소생성세포(melanocyte)에서 자외선 등의 자극에 대한 방어기작으로 멜라닌 생성 활동이 증가되고 이로 말미암아 만들어진 다량의 멜라닌이 각질형성세포(keratinocyte)로 전이되어 피부 표피층에 축척된 결과이다. 비록 멜라닌이 피부에 보호작용을 하나 피부의 과색소 침착은 기미, 주근깨, 피부염증 후의 피부흑화, 노인성 색소반점 등을 일으키며 이로 인해 피부미용 상의 불편뿐만 아니라 정신적으로 부정적인 영향을 미쳐 사회활동에 불편을 초래하기도 한다. 멜라닌 생성 과정은 아미노산의 일종인 티로신(tyrosine)에 티로시나제(tyrosinase)라는 효소가 작용하여 도파(DOPA), 도파퀴논(dopaquinone)으로 바뀐 후 비효소적인 산화 반응을 거쳐 만들어 지며, 이것이 피부 내에 이상 침착하여 기미, 검버섯 등이 생기는 것이라고 알려져 있다. 이와 같은 색소침착, 기미, 반점 등의 완화, 예방 및 치료에는 멜라닌 생성을 억제하는 물질, 예를 들면 하이드로퀴논(hydroquinone), 알부틴, 비타민 C 및 그 유도체 등이 개발되어 사용되고 있으나 이 중, 하이드로퀴논은 일단 효과가 인정되고 있지만 감작성이 있기 때문에 일반적으로 사용이 제한되고 있다. 아스콜빈산은 쉽게 산화되어, 이를 배합한 제품에는 변색, 변취가 되는 문제를 야기하고, 식물추출물 유래의 물질들은 식물의 산지에 따라 효능의 차이가 심하여 제품의 균질성이 유지되기 어렵다. 이러한 이유로 많은 멜라닌 생성을 억제하는 물질을 개발하기 위한 연구들이 계속 진행하고 있다. 2-히드록시-[1,4]나프토퀴논 유도체는 다음과 같은 구조를 나타낸다. 상기 구조에서 R은 포화 혹은 불포화된 직쇄 또는 분지쇄의 알킬로서, 바람직하게는 C1 내지 C10의 포화 혹은 불포화된 직쇄 또는 분지쇄의 알킬이고, 보다 바람직하게는 C1 내지 C5의 포화 혹은 불포화된 직쇄 또는 분지쇄의 알킬이다. 실험에 활용된 화합물은 다음과 같은 반응식으로 얻어졌다. 2-히드록시-[1,4]나프토퀴논과 포타슘카보네이트(K2CO3)를 아세토니트릴에 용해한 후, 저온수조로 냉각하고 알킬할라이드를 적당한 당량비로 천천히 적하하여 히드록시기와 에테르(ether) 반응을 통하여 얻어질 수 있다. 상기 반응식에서 R은 C1~10의 포화 또는 불포화된 알킬기로서 직쇄형 또는 분지쇄형 모두 가능하다. 상기 화합물인 2-히드록시-[1,4]나프토퀴논(2-hydroxynaphthoquinone)은 배양된 쥐의 멜라노마 세포에 대하여 하이드로퀴논과 대등한 멜라닌 생성 억제효과를 보였다. 하이드로퀴논은 저농도에서 강력한 멜라닌 생성 억제효과를 보이지만 상기 화합물들은 보다 낮은 농도에서도 세포독성을 나타내지 않으며 하이드로퀴논보다 높은 멜라닌 생성 억제 효과를 보였다.