• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.131-137
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• 2012

Objectives : Cyclooxygenase (COX) plays a central role in the inflammatory cascade by converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandin. COX-2 is typically induced by inflammatory stimuli in the majority of tissues, it is responsible for propagating the inflammatory response and thus, considered as the best target for anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study investigated the modulatory effect of ginsenoside Rg3, a principle active ingredient in Panax ginseng, on COX-2 expression in the brain tissue induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in C57BL/6 mice. Methods : Because systemic LPS treatment induces COX-2 expression immediately in the brain, ginsenoside Rg3 was treated orally with doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg at 1 hour before the LPS (3 mg/kg, i.p.) injection. At 4 hours after the LPS injection, COX-2 mRNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction method, COX-2 protein levels were measured by Western blotting. In addition, COX-2 expressions in brain tissue were observed with immunohistochemistry and double immunofluoresence labeling. Results : Ginsenoside Rg3 (20 and 30 mg/kg) significantly attenuates up-regulation of COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in brain tissue at 4 hours after the LPS injection. Moreover, ginsenoside Rg3 (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of COX-2 positive neurons in the cerebral cortex and amygdala. Conclusion : These results indicate that ginsenoside Rg3 plays a modulatory role in neuroinflammation through the inhibition of COX-2 expression in the brain and suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 and ginseng may be effective on neurodegenerative diseases caused by neuroinflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1466-1475
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• 2021

Compound K (20-O-β-(_D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol) is an active ingredient of ginsenosides. Compound K has been known to produce from biotransformation by β-glucosidase action of human intestinal microbes after oral admistration of ginseng. We have investigated the cytotoxicity of compound K obtained from bio-converted ginseng extract. As a result, compound K showed no significant cytotoxicity in the concentration of 0.001 to 1 ㎍/mL and inhibited the production of TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6 and NO in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS inflamation. In the same concentration, HaCaT cells induced by inflammation with TNF-α and IFN-γ decreased IL-8 production due to compound K treatment. In the brine shrimp lethality assay, the LC₅₀ of compound K was 0.37 mg/mL indicating some toxicity, but the bioconverted product containing 35% compound K showed relatively low toxicity with an LC₅₀ of 0.87 mg/mL. These results suggest that the compound K enriched extract is a potential functional material for acne relief cosmetic products.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2022

Although normal activation of platelets is important in the process of hemostasis, excessive or abnormal activation of platelets can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the discovery of novel substances capable of regulating or inhibiting platelet activation may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artemether is a derivative of artemisinin, known as an active ingredient of Artemisia annua, which has been reported to be effective in treating malaria, and is known to function through antioxidant and metabolic enzyme inhibition. However, the role of artemether in platelet activation and aggregation and the mechanism of action of artemether in collagen-induced human platelets are not known until now. This study investigated the effects of artemether on platelet activation and thrombus formation induced by collagen. As a result, cAMP level was significantly increased by artemether, and VASP and IP3R, substrates of cAMP-dependent kinase, were phosphorylated. IP3R phosphorylation by Artemether inhibited Ca²⁺ recruitment into the cytoplasm, and phosphorylated VASP inhibited fibrinogen binding by inactivating αIIb/β3 located on the platelet membrane. Consequently, artemether inhibited thrombin-induced fibrin clot formation. Therefore, we propose that artemether can act as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases caused by excessive platelet activation and thrombus formation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 2023

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is commonly used in sunscreen formulations to protect the skin surface and prevent the penetration of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays by the physical scattering action of light. However, a disadvantage of using TiO₂ is that it can cause white turbidity when used on skin due to its inactive mineral ingredient. In addition, when TiO₂ particles are reduced to nanosize to eliminate opacity, they can increase the transmittance of visible light and reduce whitening, but may lead to serious skin problems, such as allergic inflammation. To overcome these issues, the bandgap of TiO₂ was controlled by adjusting the amount of oxygen defect and nitrogen amount, resulting in color TiO₂ tailored to the skin. This innovative technology can reduce the whitening phenomenon and effectively block blue light, which is known to cause skin aging by inducing active oxygen. The bandgap controlled TiO₂ compounds proposed in this study are hypoallergenic, broad-spectrum, and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, these compounds have been shown to significantly enhance sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens, demonstrating their compatibility with blue light blocking products.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.386-393
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• 2023

The domestic marine healing industry is undergoing significant revitalization efforts, with a focus on understanding the efficacy and effectiveness of marine healing resources. This study establishes utilization and management standards through a detailed analysis of the active components within well-recognized marine healing mud materials. Samples of mud materials were collected from domestic tidal flats. These samples exhibited an average composition of 7.87% sand, 74.95% silt, and 17.17% clay, with a combined mud content (silt+clay)(silt+clay) consistently exceeding 90%. Notably, SiO₂ emerged as the most prevalent effective ingredient at 68.4%, followed by Al₂O₃ (13.3%)>Fe₂O₃ (4.0%)>K₂O (2.9%)>Na₂O (2.3%)>MgO (1.6%)>CaO (1.0%)>TiO₂ (0.7%), in terms of average content. Subsequently, through an analysis of effective ingredients, Si, Al, Fe, K, Na, Mg, and Ca were identified as elements demonstrating significant functionality. Among these, key indicator ingredients were selected for quality control, all of which were found to possess efficacious properties. Notably, K, Mg, and Ca exhibited particularly high concentrations. Based on these findings and referencing existing literature, it is recommended that domestic tidal flat mud resources earmarked for utilization as marine healing resources should possess a raw material mud content of no less than 70.0%. Moreover, the cumulative index components K₂O+MgO+CaO should meet or exceed a threshold of 5.0% for optimal effectiveness.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.876-886
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• 2023

In some cases of head and neck cancers (HNC), surgical interventions may result in the loss of organs and/or changes to their functions, thereby significantly affecting the patient's quality of life. As a result, the surgical treatment of HNC patients is often limited to specific cases, and alternative treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, are considered. However, serious adverse effects caused by chemotherapy, such as severe nausea and vomiting, necessitate the need for the development of adjunctive methods to minimize patient suffering. Chuanxiong, Ligusticum chuanxiong (L. chuanxiong), is a natural herb used in Eastern medicine to treat cerebrovascular disorders and headaches. This study aimed to predict the effect and potential of L. chuanxiong as an auxiliary anticancer drug through network-based pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. The study results showed that 40 out of 41 genes of L. chuanxiong shared common targets of HNC and their proteins could be used to target HNC cells to prevent cancer progression. The results of the functional enrichment analysis confirmed that L. chuanxiong is associated with the neuroactive-ligand metabolism and neurotransmitter pathways, indicating its potential medicinal value as an adjuvant in HNC treatment. Lastly, our findings demonstrated that the active ingredient of L. chuanxiong, (Z)-Ligustilide, has the ATP binding site of heat shock protein 90, a protein known to promote the activation of cancer cells. These results suggest that L. chuanxiong is a promising candidate for developing auxiliary anticancer drugs, and further research could potentially lead to the discovery of newer and safer anti-cancer agents.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.389-395
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• 2023

This study evaluated the effects of gibberellic acid (GA₃) on the growth and quality of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.). Experimental treatments included a No application of fertilizer and GA₃ (NFG) Control [3 N active ingredient (a.i.) g/m²], 0.3GA₃ (GA₃ 0.3 a.i. mg/m²/200 mL), 0.6GA₃ (GA₃ 0.6 a.i. mg/m²/200 mL), 1.2GA₃ (GA₃ 1.2 a.i. mg/m²/200 mL), and 2.4GA₃ (GA₃ 2.4 a.i. mg/m²/200 mL). Additionally, the study included a 1.5N+GA₃ experiment with similar GA₃ treatments combined with 1.5N a.i. g/m² : NFG, Control (3N a.i. g/m²), 1.5N+ 0.3GA₃ (1.5N a.i. g/m²+GA₃ 0.3 a.i. mg/m²/200 mL), 1.5N+0.6GA₃ (1.5N a.i. g/m²+GA₃ 0.6 a.i. mg/m²/200 mL), 1.5N+1.2GA₃ (1.5N a.i. g/m²+GA₃ 1.2 a.i. mg/m²/ 200 mL), and 1.5N+2.4GA₃ (1.5N a.i. g/m²+GA₃ 2.4 a.i. mg/m²/200 mL). Compared to the NFG, turf color index chlorophyll content was not significantly different (p< 0.05). However, shoot length in 1.2GA₃, 2.4GA₃, 1.5N+0.3GA₃, 1.5N+0.6GA₃, 1.5N+1.2GA₃, and 1.5N+2.4GA₃ treatments increased by 0.8%, 10.6%, 5.15%, 8.3%, 13.5 %, and 21.6%, respectively, compared to the control. As compared to the control, clipping yield in 1.5N+1.2GA₃ and 1.5N+2.4GA₃ treatments increased by 7.1% and 14.3 %, respectively. These results indicated that GA₃ application increased shoot length, with the 1.2GA₃ treatment showing shoot length similar to the control (3N a.i. g /m² ).

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2015

Insecticidal and antifeeding activities of 29 commercialized eco-friendly organic products for managing plant diseases and insect pests against Plutella xylostella larvae, Spodoptera exigua larvae, Frankliniella occidentalis adults, and Myzus persicae adults were tested using spraying and leaf dipping bioassays under laboratory conditions. Products containing 60% Sophora extract (EOIS) and mixtures (EOISm) with Sophora extract, Stemona japonica extract, Melia azedarach extract, and Nepeta cataria extract as well as mixtures (EOISc) with Sophora extract, Chenopodium ambrosioides extract, and Melia azedarach extract as active ingredients showed strong insecticidal activity at recommended concentration against P. xylostella larvae. At half concentration, their insecticidal activities were decreased under 50%. The EOIS gave good insecticidal activity against S. exigua larvae and also showed 85% and 95% insecticidal activity at 24 and 48 hours after treatment to F. occidentalis adults, respectively. For M. persicae adults, EOISm and mixtures (EOIR) containing rape seed extract, neem extract, and castar oil produced 93% and 68% insecticidal activity, but their activities did not be increased at double concentration. EOISm only showed 100% contact toxicity against M. persicae adults exposed to dipping leaves. Interestingly, the insecticidal activity of EOIR and EOICi (citronella oil and derris extract) against M. persicae adults was increased with exposed time and concentration. In addition, EOICe (cedar oil), EOIS, EOISm, EOISc, EOIM (microorganism), EOIR, EOIPe (plant extract), and EOIT (tea tree extract) gave strong antifeeding activity against S. exigua and P. xylostella larvae. EOIB, EOIBs, EOIM, EOICi, and EOIMc showed above 70% antifeeding activity to the lepidopteran larvae. These results indicate that mixtures containing 2 to 3 plant extracts with Sophora extract show good activities against insect pests, although the difference of insecticidal and antifeeding activities was produced depending on both a tested insect species and an active ingredient or concentration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 2018

Alopecia cause psychological stress due to their effect on appearance. Thus, the global market size of the alopecia treatment products are growing quickly. Timosaponin A III is the well known active ingredient of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma. In this study, we investigated and compared the binding affinity of timosaponin A III with finasteride (5-beta reductase antagonist) and minoxidil (androgen receptor antagonist) on the target protein active site by in silico computational docking studies. The three dimensional crystallographic structure of 5-beta reductase (PDB ID : 3G1R) and androgen receptor (PDB ID: 4K7A) was obtained from PDB database. In silico computational autodocking analysis was performed using PyRx, Autodock Vina, Discovery Studio Version 4.5, and NX-QuickPharm option based on scoring functions. The timosaponin A III showed optimum binding affinity (docking energy) with 5-beta reductase as -12.20 kcal/mol as compared to the finasteride (-11.70 kcal/mol) and with androgen receptor as -9.00 kcal/mol as compared to the minoxidil (-7.40 kcal/mol). The centroid X, Y, Z grid position of the timosaponin A III on the 5-beta reductase was similar (overlap) to the finasteride, but the X, Y, Z centroid grid of the timosaponin A III on the androgen receptor was significantly far from the minoxidil centroid position. These results significantly indicated that timosaponin A III could be more potent antagonist to the 5-beta reductase and androgen receptor. Therefore, the extract of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma or timosaponin A III containing biomaterials can substitute the finasteride and minoxidil and can be applied to the alopecia protecting product and related industrial fields.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 1994

To develop mixed pesticides of herbicide and topdressing fertilizer for paddy rice, twelve mixtures were formulated with combination of urea coated with different level of acrylic acid wax(AAW) and four herbicides, which were thiobencarb, pretilachlor, mefenacet + bensulfuron-methyl and mefenacet + bensulfuron-methyl + dymron, and effects of the mixtures for weed control, phytotoxicity and rice tillering were investigated in the laboratory and the field experiments. Release rates of active ingredient of herbicides in the distilled water were over 90% during 24 hours same as that of the reference herbicides. The release rates of nitrogen showed different patterns according to coated level of granular urea with acrylic acid wax. Optimum release rate of nitrogen as $NH_4-N$ was obtained by 5.5% AAW coating on urea for thiobencarb or pretilachlor mixture, and by 4.0% AAW coating on urea for mefenacet + bensulfuron-methyl or mefenacet + bensulfuron-methyl + dymron mixture. The pesticide active ingredients of the mixtures were stable, which showed $3.7{\sim}8.0%$ of degradation rate after 90 days of storage under $50^{\circ}C$. Effects on weed control of mixtures were acceptable for both annual and perennial weeds, while ACRI-M9213 mixture showed considerable phytotoxicity at double dose of standard. When treated the mixed pesticides to paddy rice, rice growth status including culm length, ear length, panicle number and polished rice yield exhibited no significant differences compared with the conventional treatment.