• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the mutagenic, antimutagenic, cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of Adenophora triphylla (AT). AT was extracted with 70% ethanol and then further fractionated to hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. Antimutagenic, cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of AT extracts were measured by using Ames test, SRB method, and the tumor growth inhibition test. AT extracts did not show any mutagenicity in the Ames test; however, 70% ethanol extracts and its fractions had strong antimutagenic effects against mutation induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO). The ethyl acetate fraction of AT (200 ${\mu}g$/plate) showed approximately 66.5% inhibitory effect on the mutagenesis induced by 4NQO against TA98 strain, whereas 83.3% and 75.1% inhibitions were observed on the mutagenesis induced by MNNG and 4NQO against TA100 strain. In anticancer effects, the cytotoxicity of AT extract and its fractions against cancer cell lines including human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human gastric carcinoma (AGS), human lung carcinoma (A549) and transformed primary human embryo kidney (293) were investigated. The treatment of 1 mg/mL AT ethyl acetate faction had the highest cytotoxicity of 79.9%, 74.9%, 66.0%, 71.0% and 74.3% against HeLa, Hep3B, MCF-7, AGS and A549 cells, respectively. In contrast, the extract and its fractions showed only $3{\sim}36%$ cytotoxicity for a normal human kidney cell line (293). In vivo anti-cancer effect of Adenophora triphylla extract was tested using Balb/c mice transplanted sarcoma-180 cells. Adenophora triphylla ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest inhibition rate of 37.2% at the 50 mg/kg concentration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1221-1229
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• 2010

Nerium indicum, an India-Pakistan-originated shrub belonging to the oleander family, is reported to possess many pharmacological activities including cardiac muscle stimulation, and anti-diabetes, anti-angiogenesis, anti-cancer and neuro-protective activities. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of N. indicum were unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of the N. indicum leaf and stem (ENIL and ENIS) on the expression of anti-inflammatory mediators in U937 human pre-monocytic cell models. In U937 cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), pre-treatment with ENIS significantly inhibited the expression of both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein, which are associated with inhibition of the release of prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$, whereas the inhibitory effects appeared weakly in ENIL. Moreover, ENIS significantly attenuated PMA-induced IkappaB ($I{\kappa}B$) degradation and suppressed elevated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) nuclear translocation. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights that N. indicum exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes through the NF-kB signaling pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.370-376
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• 2014

Although the grasshopper Oxya chinensis sinuosa has long been used as food in Korea, there is little data on its functional effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of O. c. sinuosa ethanol extract (OCE) in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for induction of inflammation. First, we determined that there is no cytotoxicity at $2,000{\mu}g/ml$ or less of OCE in RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of OCE, we investigated expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6, and pro-inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, we examined whether OCE could inhibit translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 into the nucleus in LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells. As a result, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 decreased in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells after treatment with OCE in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we confirmed a $2,000{\mu}g/ml$ concentration of OCE inhibited translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 by immunnostaining and Western blot analysis, and a decrease in the protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2. Accordingly, we suppose that OCE has an anti-inflammatory effect through down-regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 related to ${\kappa}B$ p65 inflammatory signaling pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1629-1636
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• 2009

Pine trees (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zacc.) have been used as a traditional health-promoting medicinal food in Korea. This research was performed to determine the antioxidative and antibacterial activities, tyrosinase, nitric oxide synthesis, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and xanthine oxidase inhibition effects of the pine bud ethanol extract (PBE). Antioxidative activities of PBE were measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase-like activity (SODA). DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activities of PBE were remarkably increased in a dose-dependent manner, and were about 88.9% and 47.9% at 1 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml, respectively. The xanthine oxidase and angiotensin converting enzyme activities were inhibited about 71.9% and 60.8% at 1 mg/ml and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of PBE, respectively. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities of PBE were slightly increased in a dose-dependent manner. The PBE showed strong antimicrobial activities on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Vibrio paraheamolyticus. Stimulation of the macrophages RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in increased production of nitric oxide (NO) in the medium. However, NO synthesis was reduced up to 54% by addition of PBE at $200{\mu}g/ml$. These results revealed that pine buds have a strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity, and exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. This suggests that pine buds have the greatest property as a source for natural health products.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 2010

The contents of proximate composition, free amino acids and phenolic acids in the Fomitella fraxinea cultivated-Rhus verniciflua stem bark(FRVSB), and its adipogenesis effect were investigated. The proximate composition(%) of FRVSB was as follows: moisture(7.64), ash(6.30), crude fat(3.86), crude protein(3.59) and sugar(not detected); while Rhus verniciflua stem bark(RVSB) contained 1.64, 8.09, 7.28, 6.48 and 5.39, respectively. The total free amino acids concentration was 97.41 mg% in FRVSB and 71.91 mg% in RVSB. Phosphoserine(55.06 mg%), ammonia(17.84mg%) and aspartic acid(6.05mg%) were predominant amino acids. The content of total phenolic acids was 422.89 ppm in ethanol extract and 283.86 ppm in water extract, with syringic and gallic acid as the main component. The FRVSB extracts showed a potent free radical scavenging activity for DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate) with $IC_{50}$ of $28.54\;{\mu}g$(EtOH) and $54.70\;{\mu}g$(water), respectively, whereas $IC_{50}$ value of gallic acid was $1.84\;{\mu}g$. The protective effect of both ethanol and water extract the extracts against UV-induced oxidative stress in NIH3T3 was observed. The water extracts of FRVSB may promote adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.388-397
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum ethanol extraction conditions for maximum extraction of functional components such as ferulic acid, oryzanol, and toopherol from black rice bran using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A central composite design was applied to investigate the effects of the independent variables of solvent ratio ($X_{1}$), extraction temperature ($X_{2}$) and extraction time ($X_{3}$) on the dependent variables such as total phenol components ($Y_{1}$), total flavonoids compounds ($Y_{2}$), electron donating ability ($Y_{3}$), $\gamma$-oryzanol ($Y_{4}$), ferulic acid ($Y_{5}$) and $\alpha$-toopherol components ($Y_{6}$). ANOVA results showed that coefficients of determination (R-square) of estimated models for dependent variables ranged from 0.8939 to 0.9470. It was found that solvent ratio and extraction temperature were the main effective factors in this extraction proess. Particularly, the extraction efficiency of ferulic acid, $\gamma$-oryzanol and $\alpha$-toopherol components were significantly affected by extraction temperature. As a result, optimum extraction conditions were 20.35 mL/g of solvent ratio, 79.4$^{\circ}C$ of extraction temperature and 2.88 hr of extraction time. Predicted values at the optimized conditions were acceptable when compared with experimental values.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.325-331
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• 2019

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most popular green leafy vegetables, and it contains various beneficial components including polyphenolic compounds and has been known to possess various biological functions such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extract of dried lettuce (DLE) and investigated its anti-inflammatory activity. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of DLE, nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in LPS-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. DLE significantly suppressed NO production in these cells without affecting cell viabilities while resveratrol was used as a positive control. DLE dramatically decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS and COX-2 at the mRNA and protein levels and reduced the expression of several cytokines including $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-1F6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, CSF2 and CXCL10. In addition, DLE suppressed phosphorylation of MAPKs and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 indicating DLE shows its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs pathway and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathways. And also, DLE reduced the production of reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner. DLE increased HO-1 protein expression, and also increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Overall, our results suggest that lettuce down-regulate various pro-inflammatory genes and have its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.486-491
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• 2009

To evaluate the potential value of the major bioenergy crops which are wheat, canola, barley, corn, and sweet potato in Korea, we investigated the production of biomass and calorific value of crops, and also compared input and output factors among bioenergy crops during the cultivation period. There was difference between the biomass values in Agricultural and Forestry statistical yearbook(2006) and the one investigated in this experiment, also there was difference in crops and in species. Among the crops investigated, sweet potato(Jinhongmi, Yulmi) was shown the highest amount of biomass production and corn(Gangdaok) was shown the highest amount of the total biomass which is the total aboveground biomass at harvest. Oilseed canola which is presently a major source of bio-diesel had highest calorific value as $6,673{\sim}6,725cal\;g^{-1}$. Wheat and corn grains which are source of bio-ethanol were in the range of $3,879{\sim}4,317cal\;g^{-1}$. Gangdaok(Corn) produce the highest total calorific value in unit cultivating area among the crops as $8,263kcal\;m^{-2}$. Corn was shown that the input and output factors were the highest level among bioenergy crops during cultivation period. Sweet potato also was shown that output factor was the highest level though its input factors were average level. It is needed to be investigated more crops for collecting the higher potential value of bioenergy production further considering small land area and its effective utilization in Korea.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.238-243
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• 2011

Amelanchier asiatica fruits have been used as a traditional medical food. This research was investigated to assess angiotensin converting enzyme, xanthine oxidase (XOase) and elastase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activities. The content of total phenolic compounds in A. asiatica fruits extracts was 17.6mg/mL. In extracts, the electron donating ability by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging test of A. asiatica fruits extracts was 90.18% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. The 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical decolorization of A. asiatica fruits extracts was 98.81% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. The inhibition rate of the antioxidant protection factor was 1.03, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance was 73.27% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. The XOase inhibition activity of A. asiatica fruits extracts of showed to be 13.19% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. The angiotensin converting enzyme activity was significantly inhibited by A. asiatica fruits extracts as 82.52% inhibitory rate at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Elastase inhibitory activity in the A. asiatica fruits extracts (41.48% at $200{\mu}g/mL$) was higher than vitamin C (12.8% at $200{\mu}g/mL$). These results suggests that A. asiatica fruits extracts have the greatest property as a functional food and functional cosmetic source.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.851-859
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• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate whether ethanol extracts of Sophora flavescens (GS), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GC), Dictamnus dasycarpus (BSP), and their mixtures (GGB-1, -2, -3, and -4) inhibit 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in a mouse model. DNCB was topically applied on the dorsal surface of Balb/c mice to induce AD-like skin lesions. The pathological phenotypes of AD, such as erythema, ear thickness, edema, scabs, and discharge, were significantly decreased in the GGB (DNCB + GS:GC:BSP = 3:1:1 mixture)-1-treated groups compared with the other treated groups. The weight of the spleen in immune organs was significantly decreased in the GGB-1-treated groups, whereas the weight of the liver in a control group was similar to that of the groups treated with the samples. Furthermore, toluidine blue staining analysis, a method used to specifically identify mast cells, showed that master cell infiltration into the dermis of the GGB-1-treated group was significantly decreased. The immunoglobulin E concentration was lower in the GGB-1-treated group. In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines (interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin-1, 4, 5, 6, and 13, $1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were also significantly reduced in the GGB-1-treated group. Taken together, these results suggest that a mixture of GS, GC, and BSP in a proportion of 3:1:1 (GGB-1) may contribute to the relief of AD symptoms and may be considered an excellent candidate for an AD therapeutic drug.