• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.485-491
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate thermophilic bacteria from soil having broad antifungal spectrum against Rhizoctonia solani, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici, and Botrytis cinerea. One isolate selected could resist heat shock of $60^{\circ}C$ for one hour, and had broad antifungal activity in dual culture assay against all tested fungal pathogens and was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Y1 using 16S rRNA gene sequence. Further investigation for antifungal activity of bacterial culture filtrate (BCF) and butanol crude extract (BCE) of various concentrations showed broad spectrum antifungal activity and fungal growth inhibition significantly increased with increasing concentration with highest growth inhibition of 100% against R. solani with 50% BCF and 11 mm of zone of inhibition against R. solani with 4 mg BCE concentration. Treatment of butanol crude extract resulted in deformation, lysis or degradation of C. gloeosporioides and P. capsici hyphae. Furthermore, B. amyloliquefaciens Y1 produced volatile compounds inhibiting growth of R. solani (70%), C. gloeosporioides (65%) and P. capsici (65-70%) when tested in volatile assay. The results from the study suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens Y1 could be a biocontrol candidate to control fungal diseases in crops.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2013

Objective : Morus alba Linne Root Bark (MRAL) is a medicinal herb in Korean Medicine, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. However, its mechanisms of action and the cellular targets have not yet been found and the study was developed to investigate the allergic suppressive effect of MRAL. The purpose of this study is to investigate the allergic suppressive effects of MRAL on activation of MC/9 mast cells. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of MRAL (50, 100, 200, 400 ${\mu}g/mL$) on MC/9 mast cells measured using EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit (WST reagent). The levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-13 and IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 mRNA expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR respectively. The expression of transcription factors such as GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding activity were measured by western blot and electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results : Our results indicated that MRAL (50 ${\mu}g/mL$, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited PMA/Ionomycin-induced production of IL-5 and IL-13 and the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13 mRNA in MC/9 mast cells. Moreover, MRAL (50 ${\mu}g/mL$, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$) inhibited PMA/Ionomycin-induced GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos protein expression and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding activity in MC/9 mast cells. Conclusions : In conclusion, we suspect the anti-allergenic activities of MRAL, may be related to the regulation of transcription factors GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding assay causing inhibition of Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 in mast cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.25-32
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• 2019

Objectives : Gardeniae Fructus extract is used as a component of various cosmetics. However, the effect of the extract on the motility of keratinocytes has not been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of ethanol extract of Gardeniae Fructus (GFET) or ethyl acetate extract of Gardeniae Fructus (GFEA) on oxidation and motility of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods : Antioxidant activity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts were determined by the 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. To investigate the cytotoxicity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was performed. The mRNA expression levels of tight junction related genes were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Cell migration assay was employed to determine the activity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts on motility of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Results : GFET and GFEA showed strong antioxidant activity. GFEA showed stronger cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells than GFET until $2.0mg/m{\ell}$ concentration. Cell migration assay demonstrated that GFET and GFEA decreased the motility of HaCaT cells. In addition, the mRNA expression level of claudin 8 among tight junction genes was significantly reduced by GFET or GFEA treatment. Conclusions : We investigated the physiological activities of the extracts of Gardeniae Fructus extracts on human keratinocytes by two different extraction methods. In addition, the mRNA expression level of claudin 8 among tight junction genes was significantly reduced by either GFET or GFEA treatment. This study provides basic information on the application of Gardeniae Fructus extract to cosmetics component.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2020

Objectives : At present, aging-related degenerative muscle diseases are considered a serious problem. However, the effects on muscles regarding the efficacy of blueberry have not been studied. In this study, we tried to find out the correlation between blueberry and muscle. Methods : 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay was performed to confirm the antioxidant efficacy of blueberry hydrothermal extract. To determine the effect of blueberry hydrothermal extracts (BHE) on myoblast activity, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was performed. To confirm the effect of blueberry hydrothermal extracts on the differentiation of myoblast into myotubes, protein expression levels of myosin heavy chain 3 (Myh3) and paired box 3/7 (pax3/7) were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy was performed to confirm the effect on myotube formation of blueberry hydrothermal extracts. Results : Antioxidative efficacy and low toxicity were confirmed through ABTS assay and MTS assay of blueberry extract for myoblasts. As a result of immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence analysis, the decrease in myogenic marker Pax3/7 was not confirmed, but myotubes The specific expression inhibitory activity of the forming protein Myh3 was confirmed. Through this, it was confirmed that the blueberry extract has a negative activity against myoblast differentiation. Conclusion : This experiment confirmed that blueberry hydrothermal extract has excellent antioxidant efficacy and negative results in inhibiting the differentiation and proliferation of myoblast. This requires deep study of certain ingredients and requires reassessment of the dietary intake of blueberries.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.217-223
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• 2019

Colon cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosis in worldwide. There are growing interests in the health benefits associated with consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially for the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular or other chronic diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of natural product, guarana(GR) and graviola(GV) in human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells. MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis were employed to investigate the anticancer mechanism and DPPH assay was determined to the antioxidant activity to scavenge free radicals in extract of these. All two extracts showed significantly antioxidant activity at 50mg/ml of concentration. GR and GV reduced HCT-116 cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner. Specially GR treatment(96.65±3.71) also significantly increased the sub-G1 population more than GV(79.58±2.87) treatment in HCT-116 at the concentration of 10mg/ml, as shown by flow cytometry assay. Statistical analyses revealed GR and GV exhibited significantly high (P < 0.05) cytotoxicity in HCT-116. These findings indicate that GN and GV may serve as novel therapeutic agents for colon cancer treatment and future leads for drug development.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.55-59
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• 2010

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage of Nelumbinis Semen Extracts Methods : Nelumbins semen were extracted with hot-water and ethylacetate (EtOAC). The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and $Fe^{2+}$ chelating assay were performed for antioxidative effect and ${\phi}X$-174 RF I DNA cleavage assay and intracellular DNA damage assay were used for inhibitory effect on intracellular DNA damage. Results : In DPPH, Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity of EtOAC extracts were 96.22%, 53.53%, 64.72%, while those of hot-water extracts were 20.86%, 10.72%, 29.74% at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively. In ${\phi}X$-174 RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay, the protective effects of EtOAC and hot-water extracts against oxidative DNA damage were 76% and 6% at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively. Conclusion : These results indicated that the seed extracts of Nelumbo nucifera can be used as a natural antioxidants, which effectively inhibits the oxidative DNA damage.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.469-490
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• 1996

The initial events required for periodontal regeneration is the attachment, spreading, and proliferation of appropriated cells at the healing sites. These have been reported that minocycline stimulates the attachment of periodontal ligament cells, and also $TGF-{\beta}1$ enhances the proliferation of periodontal ligament cells. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of $TGF-{\beta}1$ on the cellular activity of minocycline treated human periodontal ligament cells. Periodontal ligament cells were obtained from the explants of healthy periodontal ligaments of extracted 3rd molars or premolar teeth extracted from the patients for orthodontic treatment. The cells were cultured in minimal essential medium(${\alpha}-MEM$) supplemented with 10.000units/ml penicillin, $10,000{\mu}g/ml$ streptomycin and 10% FBS(fetal bovine serum) at $37^{\circ}C$ in a humidified atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide and the 5th to the 8th passages of the cells were used. To evaluate the effect of minocycline on cell attachment, the cells were seeded at a cell density of $1.5{\times}10^4$ cells/well in 24-well culture plates and treated with $20{\mu}g/ml$ and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of minocycline for 1.5 h. After trypsinization, the cells were counted with hemocytometer and were taken photographs for observation of cellular morphology. To evaluate the effect of $TGF-{\beta}1$ on minocycline-pretreated periodontal ligament cells, the cells were seeded at a cell density of $1{\times}10^4$ cells/ well in 24-well culture plates and treated with $20{\mu}g/ml$ and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of minocycline for 1.5 h. After incubation, 1 and 10ng/ml of $rh-TGF-{\beta}1$ were also added to the each well and incubated for 1 and 2 days, respectively. Then, MTT assay, DNA synthesis($^3H-thymidine\;assay$), and protein and collagen assay(3H-proline assay) were carried out. In the MIT assay, after 200ul MTT solutionlconeentration of 5mg/ml) were added to the each well of the 24-well plates and incubated for 3 hours, and 200 ul DMSO were added so as to dissolve insoluble blue formazan crystals which was formed in incubated period. Then it read plates on a ELISA reader. For mitogenic assay, 1 uCi/ml $^3H-thymidine$ was added to each well for the final 2 hours of the incubation periods. After labeling, the wells were washed 3 times with ice cold PBS and 4 times with 5% TCA to remove unincorporated label and precipitate the cellular DNA. DNA, with the incorporated $^3H-thymidine$, was solubilized with 500 ul of 0.1% NaOH/0.1% SDS. A 250 ul aliquot was removed from each well and placed in a scintillation vial with 4ml of scintillation cocktail. Using an liguid scintillation counter, counts per minute(CPM) were determined for each samples. 3 uCi/ml $^3H-proline$ was added to each well for the final 4 hours of the incubation periods and total protein and percent collagen synthesis were carried out. The results indicate that minocycline treated group with $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration for 1.5 hours significantly increased than that of control in cell attachment, and cell process is also evident compared with that of control in cell morphology, and the cellular activity and DNA synthesis rate of cells treated minocycline and $TGF-{\beta}1$ significantly increased than that of control values, but were below to values of the $TGF-{\beta}1$ only treated group in MIT assay and $^3H-thymidine\;assay$, and the total protein synthesis of minocycline and $TGF-{\beta}1$ treated group also significantly increased than that of control values, but the percent collagen synthesis of tested group significantly decreased to compared with control. On the above the findings, the tested group of minocycline and $TGF-{\beta}1$ did not increase the effect on the cell activity than $TGF-{\beta}1$ only tested group and the tested group of minocycline inhibited cell activity. This results indicate that minocycline was effective on cell attachment in early stage, but it is harmful to cell activity, that inhibitory effect of minocycline was compensated with stimulatory effect of $TGF-{\beta}1$.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2010

The MTT assay is one of superior evaluation methods widely used to analyze the viability of metabolically active cell. It can be used to determine the percentage of viable sperm through measurement of the reduction of MTT granules at mitochondria in sperm tail. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal condition of a simple and easy MTT assay to validate boar sperm viability and compare the accuracy of this test with microscopic examination. The MTT reduction rate for sperm viability were analyzed in microtiter plates (96 well) from 1 hr to 5 hr incubation periods at $37^{\circ}C$ using spectrophotometer (microplate reader) at 550 nm wavelength. The remainder of semen sample was simultaneously examined to compare the correlation of accuracy between MTT assay and other sperm parameters. Those sperm parameters were included the motility, survival rates, membrane integrity, mitochondria activity and acrosome integrity. The OD values of MTT assay (MTT reduction rates) did not greatly change at 1 hr to 5 hr incubation periods in different proportion of live and freeze-killed sperms (dead sperm). The MTT reduction rates or survival rates were decreased according to the different concentration of live and dead sperm. The linear regression at 1 hr and 4 hr incubation periods in sperm MTT assay was y=291.55x-72.176 and y= 180.64x-44.569, respectively. There are high correlation between 1 hr and 4 hr incubation periods (p<0.001). The results of MTT assay and other sperm parameters has a positive correlation (p<0.01 or 0.05). The correlation coefficients for MTT assay was 0.88115 for motility, 0.89868 for survival rates, 0.91722 for membrane integrity and 0.77372 for acrosome integrity, respectively. In conclusion, the MTT assay can be used as a reliable and efficient evaluation method for boar sperm viability. It can be use practical means to evaluate the quality of boar sperm by a fast, inexpensive and easy method.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.168-176
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• 2008

Recently damage of rice bakanae disease disseminated by infected seeds increased in paddy field in Korea. For controlling rice bakanae disease, the efficacy of 17 fungicides was assessed by 5 kinds of bioassay, spore germination test (SGT), mycelial growth test, detection test on Komada's medium (KDT), pouch test (PT) and greenhouse test (GT). Among ergosterol biosynthesis inhibiting fungicides, prochloraz showed a high controlling activity in all the assay systems while the others showed very low activity except for $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ of hexaconazole in GT and $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ of triflumizole in KDT. Although benomyl and the mixture of benomyl and thiram showed a good activity at 100 and $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ in SGT and PT, respectively, in GT they did a middle activity. Trifloxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl included in strobilurins showed a good activity even at $20\;{\mu}g/ml$ in KDT as well as a middle activity in SGT. Also a high activity not only at $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ in SGT but also at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ KDT was detected in thiram. The activity of fludioxonil was confirmed in SGT, KDT and PT. Based on these results, it is very important to determine a bioassay system, because the fungicidal activity against rice bakanae disease was fluctuated depending on a assay systems as well as the mechanism of fungicide.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.49 no.spc1
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• pp.195-202
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• 2004