• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.46-46
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• 2021

The first purpose of this study was to evaluate the scavenging capacity (SC) of DPPH and ABTS free radicals for ethanol extract (STR-E) and its active fractions from Sophora tonkinensis root (STR). Four different fractions from STR-E were prepared by using different types of solvents such as chloroform (STR-E-C), ethyl acetate (STR-E-EA), n-butanol (STR-E-B), and water (STR-E-W). STR-E-C showed the highest value of total phenolic content, while STR-E showed the highest value of total flavonoid and terpenoid content. In STR-E and its four fractions, STR-E-EA showed the strongest SC with the lowest SC50 values of the DPPH radicals and ABTS radicals. The second purpose of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with STR-E, STR-E-C, and STR-E-EA, respectively. No cytotoxic effect to RAW 264.7 cells was observed at 20 ~ 25 ㎍/ml of STR-E, 10 ㎍/ml of STR-E-C, and 5 ㎍/ml of the STR-E-EA, presenting cell viability values close to that of the untreated control (100%). STR-E, STR-E-C, and STR-E-EA significantly suppressed the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) in a dose-dependent manner. Results of reverse-transcription (RT)-qPCR analysis showed that the peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, IL-6, and IL-10 were observed in the LPS-stimulated macrophages at 4 h, 2 h, 12 h, 12 h, and 12 h, respectively. The peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 were significantly reduced in the LPS-stimulated macrophages co-treated with 20 ㎍/ml and 25 ㎍/ml of STR-E, respectively. In the case of IL-10, its peak mRNA level slightly increased without statistical significance. Compared with the LPS-stimulated macrophages, the peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 reduced in the LPS-stimulated macrophages co-treated with 10 ㎍/ml and 20 ㎍/ml of STR-E-C, respectively. In contrast, the peak mRNA level of IL-10 significantly increased at 8 h. Compared with the LPS-stimulated macrophages, the peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 reduced in the LPS-stimulated macrophages co-treated with 5 ㎍/ml and 10 ㎍/ml of STR-E-EA, respectively. In contrast, the peak mRNA level of IL-10 increased at 4 h. Taken together, our data indicated that STR-E, STR-E-C, and STR-E-EA activate macrophages to secrete both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2024

The durability of the catalyst support has a significant effect on the durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The accelerated durability evaluation of the catalyst support is performed at a high voltage (1.0 to 1.5 V), and the catalyst and ionomer binder in the catalyst layer are also deteriorated, hindering the evaluation of the durability of the support. The existing protocol (DOE protocol) was improved to find conditions in which the support, which is a durability evaluation target, deteriorates further. A protocol (MDOE) was developed in which the relative humidity was lowered by 35% and the number of voltage changes was reduced. After repeating the 1.0 ↔ 1.5 V voltage change cycle, the catalyst mass activitiy (MA), electrochemical active area (ECSA), electrical double layer capacity (DLC), Pt dissolution and particle growth were analyzed. Reaching 40% reduction in mass activity, the MDOE protocol took only 500 cycles, reducing the number of voltage changes compared to the DOE method and increasing the degradation of the carbon support by 50% compared to the DOE protocol.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2024

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a stable and an effective system that protects cell-impermeable biologically active compounds such as nucleic acids, proteins, and peptides against degradation caused by subtle environmental changes. This study focuses on developing LNPs encapsulating gallic acid (GA), an antioxidant, to effectively prolong the half-life of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THDC), a oil-soluble vitamin C derivative. These LNPs were synthesized in small, uniform sizes at room temperature and pressure conditions using a microfluidics chip. Compared to liposomes manufactured under high pressure and high temperature conditions through conventional microfluidizers, LNPs manufactured through microfluidics chips had excellent dispersion and temperature stability, and improved skin absorption as well as improved oxidative stability of fat-soluble vitamin C derivatives. Future studies will focus on ex vivo and in vivo evaluations to study skin improvement to further validate these results.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1484-1490
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• 2024

The gut microbiota is a key factor significantly impacting host health by influencing metabolism and immune function. Its composition can be altered by genetic factors, as well as environmental factors such as the host's surroundings, diet, and antibiotic usage. This study aims to examine how the characteristics of the gut microbiota in pigs, used as source animals for xenotransplantation, vary depending on their rearing environment. We compared the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in fecal samples from pigs raised in specific pathogen-free (SPF) and conventional (non-SPF) facilities. The 16S RNA metagenome sequencing results revealed that pigs raised in non-SPF facilities exhibited greater gut microbiota diversity compared to those in SPF facilities. Genera such as Streptococcus and Ruminococcus were more abundant in SPF pigs compared to non-SPF pigs, while Blautia, Bacteroides, and Roseburia were only observed in SPF pigs. Conversely, Prevotella was exclusively present in non-SPF pigs. It was predicted that SPF pigs would show higher levels of processes related to carbohydrate and nucleotide metabolism, and environmental information processing. On the other hand, energy and lipid metabolism, as well as processes associated with genetic information, cell communication, and diseases, were predicted to be more active in the gut microbiota of non-SPF pigs. This study provides insights into how the presence or absence of microorganisms, including pathogens, in pig-rearing facilities affects the composition and function of the pigs' gut microbiota. Furthermore, this serves as a reference for tracing whether xenotransplantation source pigs were maintained in a pathogen-controlled environment.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.369-375
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the physiological activities of Ginkgo biloba sarcotesta extracts before and after heat treatment. G. biloba sarcotesta was heated at $130^{\circ}C$ for 2 h and extracted with water, 70% ethanol and 80% methanol. ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities increased after heating in the water (14.95 mg AAE/g and 7.36 mg TE/g) and ethanol extracts (12.20 mg AAE/g and 6.23 mg TE/g). ${\alpha}$-Glucosidase inhibitory activity decreased after heating in all but the water extract. Angiotensin converting enzyme I inhibitory activities decreased after heating in all extracts. Nitric oxide production inhibitory activity increased from 12.40~44.55% of the raw sample to 40.76~72.39% of the heated sample at a concentration of $200{\mu}g/mL$. Lipid accumulation inhibitory activities were similar before and after heat treatment. The highest antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines were observed in 80% methanol extract in the heated sample. Cell viability at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$ measured 34.88, 17.58, 8.44 and 10.48%, respectively. From the results, the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of G. biloba sarcotesta extracts increased with heat treatment, and research on the identification of the structure for the active compounds are needed in further studies.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.9
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• pp.179-191
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• 2000

Anti-bone resorption properties of the Korean herbal medicine, CEDR, which is comprised 5 herbs of [Drynariae Rhizoma, Loranthi Ramus, Cibotii Rhizoma, Amydae carapax, Psoraleae semen], were investigated. Mouse calvarial osteoblast cells were isolated and cultured. Mouse osteoblasts, which were stimulated by PTH, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$, $TNF-\alpha$ and IL-1 as bone resorption agents, showed increased collagenolysis by producing the active gelatinase. IL-1 in stimulating bone resorption was examined using fetal mouse long bone organ culture. IL-1 stimulated bone resorption and produced marked resorption when present simultaneously. The results of in vitro cytotoxicities showed that CEDR extracts have no any cytotoxicities in concentrations of $1-60{\mu}g/ml$ and furthermore there is no any cytotoxicity even in concentration of $120{\mu}g/ml$ on mouse calvarial bone cells. CEDR extracts had protective activity against PTH (5 units/ml, or $IL-1{\alpha}$ (1 ng/ml) or $TNF-\alpha$ or $1,25(OH)_2D_3$ (20 ng/ml), $IL-1{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ collagenolysis in the mouse calvarial cells. Pretreatment of the CEDR extracts for 1 h, which by itself had little effect on cell survival, did not enhance the collagenolysis, nor significantly reduced the collagenolysis by pretreatment. Furthermore, the medicinal extracts were shown to have the protective effects against collagenolysis induced by $IL-1{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$. Pretreatment of the extracts for 1 h significantly reduced the collagenolysis. Interestingly, the CEDR extracts were shown to have the inhibiting effects against gelatinase enzyme and processing activity induced by the bone resorption agents of PTH, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$, $TNF-\alpha$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and $IL-1{\alpha}$ with strong protective effect in pretreatment with the extracts. CEDR extracts were shown to have the inhibiting effects against $IL-1{\alpha}-$ and $IL-1{\beta}-stimulated$ bone resorption and the effect of the pretreatment with a various concentrations of the medicinal extracts were significant. These results indicated that the CEDR extracts are highly stable and applicable to clinical uses in osteoporosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1023-1030
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• 2008

NtMEK2, which is the tobacco MAPK kinase that is upstream of SIPK and WIPK, was identified using the dexamethasone (DEX)-inducible gain-of-function transgenic system. Expression of $NtNEK2^{DD}$, a constitutively active mutant of NtNEK2, leads to HR-like cell death, which indicates that the NtMEK2-SIPK/WIPK cascade controls defense responses in tobacco. However, little is known about the downstream target substrates or defense-related genes that are regulated by the NtMEK2-SIPK/ WIPK cascade. In this study, ACP-based differential display RT-PCR was used to isolate the downstream effectors mediated by the NtMEK2-SIPK/WIPK cascade in $NtNEK2^{DD}$ transgenic plants. The results identified 6 novel differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These included pathogen induced protein 2-4 (pI2-4), monoterpene synthase 2 (MTS2), seven in absentia protein (SINA), cell death marker protein 1 (CDM1), hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (HRGP) and unknown genes (DEG45). The induction of these genes was confirmed by RT-PCR of samples obtained from $NtNEK2^{DD}$ plants. Additionally, when compared with other isolated DEGs, the pI2-4, CDM1 and HRGP genes were significantly up-regulated in response to treatment with salicylic acid and tobacco mosaic virus. Taken together, these results suggest that three novel DEGs were regulated by the NtMEK2-SIPK/WIPK cascade involved in disease resistance in tobacco.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1 s.34
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• pp.55-65
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• 1984

Comparative effects of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and ouabain on the isolated rat(Sprague-Dowley) atria were studied. The isolated rat atria were prepared for isometric myography in the isolated organ bath containing Feigen's solution perfused with 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$, and the pH of the medium was maintained at 7.4. The cumulative concentration-response relationship revealed the positive inotropic effects of both drugs with the higher potency of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and the higher efficacy of ouabain. $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ showed a positive chronotropic effect, but ouabain showed a tendency of increasing the contraction rate. In low-Ca(1.4 mM) medium, the positive inotropic and chronotropic effect of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$(by $3{\times}10^{-8}M$) were preponderant $(p<0.05{\sim}p<0.005)$ over those of ouabain(by $3{\times}10^{-3}M$). $Ca^{++}$-addition(cumulative, to 2.8, 4.2, 5.6, and 7.0 mM) into the medium evoked the more sensitive response in the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ group than in the ouabain group. In low-K(2.8 mM) medium, the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}a(3{\times}10^{-8}M)$ group and the ouabain$(3{\times}10^{-3}M)$ group showed similar tensions(DT and RT) and contraction rates. And both group showed significantly(p<0.05p<0.01) higher tensions and contraction rates than those of the control group. By the cumulative addition of the $K^+$(to 4.2, 5.6, 7.0 and 8.4 mM), only the DT of the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ group was sustained at signifcantly$(p<0.05{\sim}p<0.01)$ higher level than the DT of the control group. The $K^+$-addition inhibited the positive inotropic effect of ouabain significantly (p<0.05). The cumulative addition of lidocaine in high concentrations $(1{\times}10^{-5}\;to\;1{\times}10^{-3}M)$ evoked no significant influence on the intropic activities of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and ouabain, but significant ${\beta}$-blockade with propranolol could not inhibit the positive intropic and chronotropic effect of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$. In conclusion, it is presumed that $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ may have some more active mechanism of accelerating the influx of $Ca^{++}$ across the cell membrane of the isolated rat atria as compared with ouabain, and the action site may be located at the cell membrane. As a supposition which needs further investigations, it is presumed that $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ may have its specific membrane receptors on the atrial muscle or sinus node cells.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2005

To investigate whether there are estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities in various medicinal herbs and discover prominent chemo-preventive agents, we screened and compared the ethanol extracts of 9 plants through the recombinant yeast assay and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell assay, In recombinant yeast assay, seven medicinal herbs showed estrogenicity, and four extracts showed androgenecity. In MCF-7 proliferation assay, the growth of MCF-7 cells was inhibited by eight extracts before and even after co-treatment with bisphenol A. It is interesting that the extracts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cassia tora, Syringa velutina, Zingiber officinale, Malva verticillata, and Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer exhibited inhibitory effects as phytoestrogens in estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cells. This study suggests that some Korean medicinal herbs might be considered as phytoestrogens and be useful to further analyze those plants which contain the estrogenic effect in order to identify the active principles.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1245-1252
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• 2016

As a research of inflammation inhibitory activity using natural resource, the inflammation inhibitory activity by purified active compound from Rhododendron mucronulatum flower was experimented. Rhododendron mucronulatum flower components were purified and separated with Sephadex LH-20 and MCI gel CHP-20 column chromatography, Purified compound was confirmed as myricetin by $^1H-NMR$, $^{13}C-NMR$ and Fast atom bombardment (FAB)-Mass spectrum to have inhibition activity on inflammatory factors secreted by Raw 264.7 cells in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Myricetin inhibited nitric oxide (NO) expression in a concentration dependent manner, approximately 40% inhibition was observed at a concentration of $50{\mu}M$. The inhibition effect of myricetin on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression was 20% and 80%, respectively, at a concentration of $25{\mu}M$. Myricetin also inhibited expression of the inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ in a concentration dependent manner; a concentration of $50{\mu}M$, 70%, 80%, 80% and 95% inhibition was observed, respectively. Therefore myricetin isolated from Rhododendron mucronulatum flowers is expected to have an anti-inflammatory effect in Raw 264.7 cell induced by lipopolysaccharides. The results can be expected myricetin from Rhododendron mucronulatum flower to use as functional resource for anti-inflammatory activity.