• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.368-376
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• 2021

This study was to investigate the Taraxinic acid from Taraxacum coreanum on tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis. In B16BL6 cell, Taraxinic acid did not show cytotoxicity even at concentrations of up to 100 ㎍/mL. In addition, tyrosinase inhibitory activity and melanogenesis inhibitory activity were confirmed by stimulation with α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the presence of taraxinic acid. Taraxinic acid was added to cells at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 ㎍/mL and treated for 48 hours to confirm tyrosinase inhibitory activity and melanin production. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity increased in proportion to the amount of the sample, and showed an inhibitory activity of about 54.5% at a concentration of 50 ㎍/mL. Melanin production decreased in proportion to the sample amount, and it was about 62.2% at the concentration of 10 ㎍/mL. From the above results, it was found that Taraxinic acid had higher tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis inhibitory activity in melanocyte than arbutin. The results suggest that Taraxinic acid can be utilized in natural whitening cosmetics.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.52-57
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• 2013

Objectives: The main purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of treatment with Hominis Placental pharmacopuncture (HPP) for 32 patients with hemifacial spasm. Methods: We treated facial spasm patients with acupuncture and HPP at Sabaek (ST2), Seung-eup (ST1), Gwallyeo (SI18), Chanjuk (BL2), Sajukgong (TE23), Hagwan (ST7), Hyeopgeo (ST6), Jichang (ST4), Wan-gol (SI4) and Yepung (TE17), and we investigated the effect by using Scott's scale. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS/10.0 for windows program with descriptive statistics, the paired t-test, and the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Results: After treatment, the grade of the spasm's intensity based on Scott's description were decreased significantly. About 72% of the patients felt that the combination treatment had produced excellent results. Conclusion: These data suggested that HPP can be useful for treating facial spasm patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1709-1713
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• 2015

Sepiapterin is a precursor for the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), which is a wellknown cofactor for aromatic amino acid hydroxylation and nitric oxide synthesis in higher mammals. In this study, a recombinant Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) strain harboring cyanobacterial guanosine 5’-triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) and human 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) genes was constructed to produce sepiapterin. The optimum conditions for T₇ promoter–driven expression of GCH1 and PTPS were 30℃ and 0.1 mM isopropyl-β-D-thioglucopyranoside (IPTG). The maximum sepiapterin concentration of 88.1 ± 2.4 mg/l was obtained in a batch cultivation of the recombinant E. coli, corresponding to an 18-fold increase in sepiapterin production compared with the control condition (37℃ and 1 mM IPTG).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.151-159
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• 1994

To evaluate the anticarcinogenic effect and its mechanism of red ginseng, the mice were treated with red ginseng and received subcutaneous Bl6 melanoma cell line injection on the back. Tumor incidence was same (100%) both in water and red ginseng-treated groups, but tumor production was delayed in red ginseng-treated group. Survival time was somewhat longer in red ginseng-treated group. The histopathological findings were similar in both groups, but lymphocytic infiltration around the tumor and melanin production in the tumor cells were prominent in the red ginseng-treated group. Flow cytometric analysis on T lymphocytes and natural killer cells revealed increased $T_H$/$T_S$ ratio and increased NK cells in red ginseng-treated group. These results suggest that the anticarcinogenic effect of red ginseng may be exerted by the increased cell-mediated immunity and natural killer cell activity.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.141-146
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• 2012

Veronica peregrina (Scrophylariaceae) has been widely used as a Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of various pathological conditions including infection, hemorrhage and gastric ulcer. In the current study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of methanolic extracts of V. Peregrina (VPM) on the LPS-mediated nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse (C57BL/6) peritoneal macrophages. NO production was significantly down-regulated by the treatment of VPM dose dependently. To evaluate the mechanism of the inhibitory action of VPM on NO production, we performed iNOS enzyme activity assay and checked the change of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels by Western blotting. Although VPM did not affect iNOS enzyme activity, iNOS protein expression was attenuated by VPM indicating VPM inhibits NO production via suppression of iNOS enzyme expression. In addition, VPM attenuated the expression of another pro-inflammatory mediator such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose dependent manner. We also found that VPM can reduce trypsin-induced paw edema in mice. Based on this study, we suggest that V. peregrina may be beneficial in diseases which related to macrophage-mediated inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2001

The "crescent-egg" a new spontaneous mutant was detected in a white egg strain k37. Studies were carried out the linkage analysis, to investigate phenotypic characteristics and biochemical analysis of haemolymph and ovarian protein. The mutant, ore was independent from 20 linkage groups P(2), Ze(3),L(4), oc(5), sn8), Ia(9), w-1(10), K(11), ch(13), U(14), bl(15), cts(16), bts(17), mln(18), nb(19), oh(20),Lan(21), or(22), tub(23) and Xan(27). The fertilization, hatchability and larval growth were not different from the those of normal eggs. The content and composition of yolk protein were similared to normal eggs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the areal specific structure in dorsal region of egg-shell of cre mutant. Analysis of chorion protein by isoelectrofocusing(IEF), was resolved no difference in the composite of the chorion protein. We conclude that the egg mutant ere is expressed only in the egg-shape formation and region specific determination.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze acupuncture treatment methods and acupoint used to treat infertility in the last decade. The data were retrieved from 2010.1 to 2021.8. using national and international electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, OASIS, NDSL, and KISS). "Infertility," "sterility," "acupuncture," "electroacupuncture," "bloodletting," "pharmacopuncture," were used as search terms. All studies were mainly concerned with acupuncture treatment of infertility, but the studies which were not related included; (1) infertility or acupuncture treatment; (2) animal studies; (3) review/meta/protocol or clinical study; comparative studies and case reports which were excluded from this review. Only clinical trials for acupuncture treatment of infertility were included in this review (n = 18). For infertility treatment studies using acupuncture, polycystic ovarian syndrome was the main cause of infertility, the most common acupoint used was CV4, CV3, CV6, SP6, BL23, and the treatment effect significantly improved in the group receiving acupuncture treatment compared with the control group, or the group taking Western medicine alone. In some studies, the group using acupuncture treatment did not show side effects. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for infertility.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to image metastaic lung melanoma model with optimal pre-conditions for animal handling by using $[^{18}F]FDG$ small animal PET and clinical CT. Materials and Methods: The pre-conditions for lung region tumor imaging were 16-22 h fasting and warming temperature at $30^{\circ}C$. Small animal PET image was obtained at 60 min postinjection of 7.4 MBq $[^{18}F]FDG$ and compared pattern of $[^{18}F]FDG$ uptake and glucose standard uptake value (SUVG) of lung region between Ketamine/Xylazine (Ke/Xy) and Isoflurane (Iso) anesthetized group in normal mice. Metastasis tumor mouse model to lung was established by intravenous injection of B16-F10 cells in C57BL/6 mice. In lung metastasis tumor model, $[^{18}F]FDG$ image was obtained and fused with anatomical clinical CT image. Results: Average blood glucose concentration in normal mice were $128.0{\pm}23.87$ and $86.0{\pm}21.65\;mg/dL$ in Ke/Xy group and Iso group, respectively. Ke/Xy group showed 1.5 fold higher blood glucose concentration than Iso group. Lung to Background ratio (L/B) in SUVG image was $8.6{\pm}0.48$ and $12.1{\pm}0.63$ in Ke/Xy group and Iso group, respectively. In tumor detection in lung region, $[^{18}F]FDG$ image of Iso group was better than that of Ke/Xy group, because of high L/B ratio. Metastatic tumor location in $[^{18}F]FDG$ small animal PET image was confirmed by fusion image using clinical CT. Conclusion: Tumor imaging in small animal lung region with $[^{18}F]FDG$ small animal PET should be considered pre-conditions which fasting, warming and an anesthesia during $[^{18}F]FDG$ uptake. Fused imaging with small animal PET and CT image could be useful for the detection of metastatic tumor in lung region.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.73-81
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• 2016

Objectives : $18{\beta}$-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18betaGA) is an metabolite of glycyrrhizin in Glycyrrhiza (licorice). The present study investigated anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effect of 18betaGA on the brain tissue of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Methods : 18betaGA was administered orally with low (30 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg) doses for 3 days prior to LPS (3 mg/kg) injection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA were measured in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus tissue using real-time polymerase chain reaction at 24 h after the LPS injection. Histological changes of Cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) neurons, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 expression in the hippocampus was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting method. Results : 18betaGA significantly attenuated the up-regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 mRNA, and COX-2 mRNA expression in the brain tissues induced by the LPS injection. 18betaGA also significantly attenuated the reductions of the thickness of CA1 and the number of CA1 neurons. The up-regulation of Bax protein expression in the hippocampal tissue by the LPS injection was significantly attenuated, while the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax expression was increased by 18betaGA treatment. 18betaGA also significantly attenuated the up-regulation of Bax and caspase-3 expression in the CA1 of the hippocampus. Conclusion : This results indicate that 18betaGA has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effect under neuroinflammation induced by the LPS injection and suggest that 18betaGA may be a beneficial drug for various brain diseases accompanied with the brain tissue inflammation.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2007.12a
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• pp.57-58
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• 2007

Purpose: Ginseng is a well-known medical plant used in traditional Oriental medicine. Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been known to have potent biological activities such as radical scavenging, vasodilating, anti-tumor and anti-diabetic activities. However, the mechanism of the beneficial effects of KRG on diabetes is yet to be elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of KRG extract in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. Methods: The db/db mice were randomly divided into six groups: diabetic control group (DC), red ginseng extract low dose group (RGL, 100 mg/kg), red ginseng extract high dose group (RGH, 200 mg/kg), metformin group (MET, 300 mg/kg), glipizide group (GPZ, 15 mg/kg) and pioglitazone group (PIO, 30 mg/kg), and treated with drugs once per day for 10 weeks. During the experiment, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured once every week. At the end of treatment, we measured Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), adiponectin, leptin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). Morphological analyses of liver, pancreas and white adipose tissue were done by histological observation through hematoxylin-eosin staining. Pancreatic islet insulin and glucagon levels were detected by double-immunofluorescence staining. To elucidate an action of mechanism of KRG, DNA microarray analyses were performed, and western blot and RT-PCR were conducted for validation. Results: Compared to the DC group mice, body weight gain of PIO treated group mice showed 15.2% increase, but the other group mice did not showed significant differences. Compared to the DC group, fasting blood glucose levels were decreased by 19.8% in RGL, 18.3% in RGH, 67.7% in MET, 52.3% in GPZ, 56.9% in PIO-treated group. With decreased plasma glucose levels, the insulin resistance index of the RGL-treated group was reduced by 27.7% compared to the DC group. Insulin resistance values for positive drugs were all markedly decreased by 80.8%, 41.1% and 68.9%, compared to that of DC group. HbA1c levels in RGL, RGH, MET, GPZ and PIO-treated groups were also decreased by 11.0%, 6.4%, 18.9%, 16.1% and 27.9% compared to that of DC group, and these figure revealed a similar trend shown in plasma glucose levels. Plasma TG and NEFA levels were decreased by 18.8% and 16.8%, respectively, and plasma adiponectin and leptin levels were increased by 20.6% and 12.1%, respectively, in the RGL-treated group compared to those in DC group. Histological analysis of the liver of mice treated with KRG revealed a significantly decreased number of lipid droplets compared to the DC group. The control mice exhibited definitive loss and degeneration of islet, whereas mice treated with KRG preserved islet architecture. Compared to the DC group mice, KRG resulted in significant reduction of adipocytes. From the pancreatic islet double-immunofluorescence staining, we observed KRG has increased insulin production, but decreased glucagon production. KRG treatment resulted in stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in the db/db mice liver. To elucidate mechanism of action of KRG extract, microarray analysis was conducted in the liver tissue of mice treated with KRG extract, and results suggest that red ginseng affects on hepatic expression of genes responsible for glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. In summary, multiple administration of KRG showed the hypoglycemic activity and improved glucose tolerance. In addition, KRG increased glucose utilization and improved insulin sensitivity through inhibition of lipogenesis and activation of fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation in the liver tissue. In view of our present data, we may suggest that KRG could provide a solid basis for the development of new anti-diabetic drug.