• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.197-200
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• 2007

Mature seeds of Artemisia annua L. were placed onto Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with $4.52\;{\mu}M$ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). After 6 weeks of culture, off-white, compact calluses were formed on the plumule of seedlings at a frequency of 5.9%. Calluses were subcultured on the same medium. After an additional 2 weeks of subculture, calluses produced a few somatic embryos at a frequency of 28.8%. Upon transfer to MS basal medium, calluses producing a few somatic embryos gave rise to numerous somatic embryos, which subsequently developed into plantlets. Plantlets were successfully transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a greenhouse.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.137-146
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• 2008

Objectives : The leaves of Artemisia argyi L. have been used for the treatment of bleeding-related diseases in traditional korean medicine. But the immunological activities with macrophage have not been sufficiently reported. This study is to investigate the immunological bioactivities of the herbal acupuncture solution obtained from leaves of Artemisia argyi L. (AAAS). Methods & Results : Against Nicotine and Acetaldehyde, AAAS increased significantly the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) within mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells above the concentration of 10 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. AAAS increased significantly the production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264. 7 cells above the concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ against EtOH. And AAAS increased significantly the production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264. 7 cells above the concentration of 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ against Nicotine, Acetaminophen, and Acetaldehyde. Conclusions : These results suggest that AAAS could be thought to have the immunological activities related with the production of hydrogen peroxide and NO in macrophage.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 1998

The effects of the water extracts from thyme(TM) and tarragon(TG) on shelf-life and quality of kimchi were investigated by measuring the changes in pH, acidity, number of total microorganisms, number of Lactobacillii and Leuconostoc during fermentation at 1$0^{\circ}C$, and were tested for antimicrobial activities against Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. TM and TG were extracted with water, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol. Water, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of TM showed antimicrobial activities against Lactobacillus plantarum and did not observed against Leuconostoc mesenteroides. On the other hand, water, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of TG showed antimicrobial activities against Leuconostoc mesenteroides and did not observed against Lactobacillus plantarum. The decrease of pH and the increase of acidity showed lower in kimchi prepared by adding water extracts from TM than in products from TG. The number of total microorganisms were also detected less in the kimchi prepared by adding water extracts from TM. And, the properties of barkless of kimchi measured instrumentally were higher for kimchi prepared by adding water extracts from TM, also maintaining good crispness. The optimal addition amounts of both TM and TG for good overall and spicy taste of kimchi were 0.03%. The results suggested the possible use of the extracts of TM and TG can be successfully used for the quality and extension of shelf-life of kimchi.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.99-102
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• 1978

Several kinds of medicinal plants are used as diuretics in folk medicines and oriental drugs. The diuretic action of water extracts of the ten kinds of crude drugs, such as Pachyma hoelen $R_{UMPHIUS}$ Zea mays L., Akebia quinata $D_{ECAISNE}$, Alisma orientale Juzepezuk, Atractylodes koreana $N_{AKAI}$, phytolacca americana L., Achyranthes japo-nica $N_{AKAI}$, Juncus decipiens $N_{AKAI}$, Prunella asiatica $N_{AKAI}$ and Artemisia capillaris $T_{HUNBERG}$ was examined in mouse and compared with aminophylline as a control the following results were obtained. The urine volume was found to be remarkably increased by the Pachyma hoelen RUMPHIUS, Phytolacca americana L., Prunella asiatica $N_{AKAI}$ and Artemisia capillaris $T_{HUNBERG}$, moderately increased by the Akebia quinata $D_{ECAISNE}$, Achyranthes japonica $N_{AKAI}$ and Juncus decipiens $N_{AKAI}$, and slightly increased by Zea mays $L_{ENNE}$, Alisma orientale $J_{UZFPEZUK}$ and Atractylodes koreana $N_{AKAI}$.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.421-430
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• 2002

This study was performed to investigate the influence of dietary and extract foods from A. capilliaris Thunberg on plasma and liver lipid metabolism in male Sprague-Dawley rats. For the experiment of liver and plasma lipid metabolism, Rats were find diets containing normal concentrations of fat or high concentrations of lard and two different preparations of A. capillaris Thunberg ; control diet (group C),50 mg/kg body weight A. capillary Thunberg methanol extract (group M), 6 g/kg diet A. capillary Thunberg dried powder (group P), high lard control diet (group L), 50 mg/kg body weight A. capillaris Thunberg with high lard (group LM) and 6 g/kg diet A. capillary Thunberg with hi\ulcorner lard (group LP). Effects of A. capillary Thunberg on plasma total cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, Atherogenic index, triglyceride, plasma and liver peroxide contents, fatty acid composition of liver lipid and the distribution of fat droplets of liver. Supplementation of A. capillaris Thunberg resulted in lower plasma cholesterol, atherogenic index and triglyceride, and higher HDL-cholesterol in rats find high lard diets. However, these effects were not observed with low level of fat (groups C, M and P). A shift caused by feeding high lard diets in increased plasma and liver peroxides, saturated fatty arid composition of liver lipid and the more frequent distribution of fat droplets in liver could be reversed by feeding A. capillary Thunberg. This study suggests that A. capillary Thunberg co alter lipid metabolism in plasma and liver.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2022

Objectives: Insulin resistance (IR) is major cause of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and adipokines (e.g., adiponectin, leptin, and resistin) play an important role in insulin sensitivity. Medicinal plants are frequently used for T2D treatment. This study investigates the effect of Artemisia annua L. (AA) extracts on adipokines in mice with high-fat-diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2D. Methods: We divided 60 mice into 12 groups (n = 5 per group): control, untreated T2D, treated T2D, and 9 other groups. T2D was induced in all groups, except controls, by 8 weeks of HFD and STZ injection. The treated T2D group was administered 250 mg/kg of metformin (MTF), while the nine other groups were treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of hot-water extract (HWE), cold-water extract (CWE), and alcoholic extract (ALE) of AA (daily oral gavage) along with 250 mg/kg of MTF for 4 weeks. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed, and the homeostasis model assessment of adiponectin (HOMA-AD) index and blood glucose and serum insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels were measured. Results: Similar to MTF, all three types of AA extracts (HWEs, CWEs, and ALEs) significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased the area under the curve (AUC) of glucose during the IPGTT, the HOMA-AD index, blood glucose levels, and serum insulin, leptin, and resistin levels and increased serum adiponectin levels in the MTF group compared to the T2D group (p < 0.0001). The HWEs affected adipokine release, while the CWEs and ALEs decreased leptin and resistin production. Conclusion: Water and alcoholic AA extracts have an antihyperglycemic and antihyperinsulinemic effect on HFD/STZ diabetic mice. In addition, they decrease IR by reducing leptin and resistin production and increasing adiponectin secretion from adipocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.999-1006
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• 2018

Obesity is epidemic worldwide and has reportedly been linked to the progression of several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The natural products are decreasing the side effects of medicines used for obesity and also have health benefits dut to their numerous bioactive compounds. In this context, Artemisia scoparia is a widespread plant that has been suggested as possessing various types of bioactivity. In this study, the crude extract from A. scoparia (ASE) was tested for its ability to suppress adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The molecular pathway by which ASE affects differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was also investigated. The introduction of ASE to differentiating 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes resulted in suppressed adipogenesis, as confirmed by decreased intracellular lipid accumulation. The differentiating cells treated with 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of ASE showed 21.9 and 29.0% less lipid accumulation, respectively, than untreated adipocytes. In addition, the results indicated that ASE treatment lowered the expression of the adipogenesis-related factors $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and SREBP-1c. Furthermore, treating with ASE notably decreased levels of phosphorylated p38, ERK, and JNK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results indicate that ASE exhibits significant anti-adipogenesis activity by downregulating the MAPK and $PPAR{\gamma}$ pathways during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Therefore, A. scoparia may be a potential source of natural products against obesity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Objectives: Artemisinin and its derivatives extracted from Artemisia annua, a Chinese herbal medicine, have variable biological effects due to structural differences. Up to date, the anti-obesity effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of artemisinin, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects of DHA on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Methods: Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay were used to measure lipid accumulation and triglyceride (TG) content in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Cell count analysis was used to determine the cytotoxicity of 3T3-L1 cells. Western blot and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses were used to analyze the expression of protein and mRNA in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Results: DHA at 5 μM markedly inhibited lipid accumulation and reduced TG content in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells with no cytotoxicity. Furthermore, DHA at 5 μM inhibited the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and perilipin A as well as the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, while DHA at 5 μM had no effect on the mRNA expression of adiponectin, it strongly suppressed that of leptin in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. However, DHA at 5 μM had no lipolytic effect on differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, as assessed by no enhancement of glycerol release. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that DHA at 5 μM has a strong anti-adipogenic effect on differentiating 3T3-L1 cells through the reduced expression and phosphorylation of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, FAS, perilipin A, and STAT-3.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1708-1716
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• 2016

The Akt/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is activated in the majority of human cancers. Activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway confers resistance to many types of cancer therapy. In this study, we evaluated the apoptotic effect of ethanol extract of Artemisia annua L. through down-regulation of Akt signal pathways and the mitochondrial pathway in hepato-carcinoma cells (HepG2). A. annua extract is known as a medicinal herb that is effective against cancer. We evaluated anti-proliferative activity by MTT-based viability assay and apoptotic effect by Annexin-V/PI staining, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and caspase-3/7 activity as determined by flow cytometry. A. annua treatment led to loss of MMP, resulting in cytochrome c-inducible activation of caspase-3/7. Treatment with A. annua extract reduced activities of Akt/mTOR/anti-apoptotic proteins (such as Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$), leading to increased activation of tumor suppressor p53 and pro-apoptotic proteins (such as Bax and Bak). We applied LY294002 (inhibitor of Akt) and rapamycin (inhibitor of mTOR) to determine the relationship between signal transduction of proteins associated with apoptosis. LY294002 and rapamycin significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis. These results indicate that Bcl-2 and caspase-3 are key regulators in A. annua extract-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells and are controlled through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.334-340
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• 2005

This study has attempted to examine the effect of Artemisia princeps and A. argyi on liver function-related enzymes in rats with $CCl_4$ adminisration. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) from A. princeps were decreased by 33, 23 and $19\%$, respectively, compared to control. The activities of AST, ALT and ALP from A. argyi were decreased by 37, 33 and $26\%$, respectively. Total phenol contents were 10.2 mg/mL and 4.7 mg/mL in A. princeps, and A. argyi, respectively. Also, flavonoid contents were $6.1\;mg\%\;and\;3.6\;mg\%$ in A. princeps, and A. ar효i, respectively. Ethanol extract from A. argyi showed higher electron donating ability toward DPPH than A. princeps. A total of 31 volatile components(3 hydrocarbons, 10 terpenes, 5 carbonyls, 8 alcohols and 5 esters) were indentified in A. princeps, and A. argyi. The major volatile components of A. princeps were $\delta$-3-carene($2.2\%$) in terpenes and nerolidol($0.9\%$) in alcohols. The major volatile components of A. argyi were eugenol($1.4\%$) in alcohols and thyl pentadecanoate($1.1\%$) in esters.