• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2006

Investigation of Cd and Zn availability in four different soils as affected by the interactions of these two heavy metals was conducted using the metal desorption quantity-intensity (Q/I) isotherms. The soils were artificially contaminated with proper concentrations of Cd and Zn as $CdSO_4\;and\;ZnSO_4$ solutions. DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) - extractable and water-extiactable Cd or Zn from the soils were used as $Q_{Cd}\;or\;Q_{Zn}\;and\;I_{Cd}\;or\;I_{Zn}$ factors, respectively. The coefficient of determination for Cd and Zn desorption Q/I linear regression in the soils ranged from 0.947 to 0.999, which indicated that Q and I factors were closely correlated. The buffering capacity of Cd, $BC_{Cd}$, in the soils decreased with increasing Zn treatments, and the $BC_{Cd}$ values were ranged between 205.8 and 2255.6. The decreases of $BC_{Cd}$ values were mainly dependent upon the increases of $I_{Cd}$ factors. However, Zn buffering capacity. $BC_{Zn}$ decreased with increasing Cd treatments in acidic soils, and increased in neutral and calcareous alkaline soils. The $BC_{Cd}$ values were ranged from 143.2 to 6158.0. The values of $BC_{Zn}$ as influenced by the treatments of Cd were also controlled by the solubility of water-extractable Zn, $I_{Zn}$ factor. The solubility of water-extractable Cd and Zn was significantly dependent upon the changes of soil pH that were impacted by the treatment of Zn and Cd, respectively. Also, the availability of Cd was higher than Zn availability in the acidic and neutral soils, but Zn was higher than Cd in the calcareous alkaline soil.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.356-361
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• 2008

Chrysanthemum indicum L. (Gamgug) has been examined to study their flowering habits, yields and bioactive compounds under different planting densities and mowing dates. The planting density experiment revealed a significantly increasing stem diameter, number of flowers and branches with decreasing plant density in the $100\;cm{\times}30\;cm$ and $130\;cm{\times}30\;cm$ treatments as compared to $70\;cm{\times}30\;cm$ treatments, but not plant height, leaf and flower width. On the other hand, the mowing date experiment showed that growth characteristics of plants were similar to the control plants (not mowing) and June 20 treatment, but July 20 treatments had significantly smaller than the control. The weights (g $plant^{-1}$) of dry flowers were affected by the planting density and mowing date. The flower yield of $586\;kg\;ha^{-1}$ obtained at $100\;cm{\times}30\;cm$ density was 11% and 22% higher than that of $120\;cm{\times}30\;cm$ and $70\;cm{\times}30\;cm$ treatments, respectively. The yield of dry flowers in the control and June 20 mowing date ranged $495-508\;kg\;ha^{-1}$, which is 40-42% higher than the yield in the July 20 treatments. The amount of essential oil (g $plant^{-1}$) in medically valuable flowerheads of C. indicum L. was statistically different between mowing dates but not among planting densities. The study showed that planting density and the mowing date could increase yields of flowerheads. An optimum planting density of $100\;cm{\times}30\;cm$ and mowing date of on or before June 20 is recommended for C. indicum L.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 2010

The Geranium nepalense has been used traditionally for treatment of various diseases. However, the molecular studies on the effect of Geranium nepalense have not been carried out. In the present study, Quercetin, quercitrin, and afzelin were isolated from the methanol extract of Geranium nepalense were tested for their anti-inflammatory effect. The anti-inflammatory effect of the compounds was studied in lipopolysaccharide(lps)-treated mouse macrophage cells, RAW 264.7. RAW 264.7 cells were pre-incubated with isolated compounds(0, 5, 10, 20, 40, $50\;{\mu}g/ml$) for 4h and treated with $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ lps for 18h, and then the anti-inflammatory effects of compounds were determined. The results are as follows: Quercetin at various concentration inhibited the viability of Raw 264.7 from 7% to 45%, quercitrin from 25% to 80%, and afzelin from 13% to 52%. Isolated compounds showed a significant decrease in iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2). These results suggest that these compounds can be used as stable anti-inflammatory materials.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.177-182
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• 2012

A new composition of standardized Scutellariae Radix extract (HPO12) was developed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. For the preclinical pharmacokinetic study of HPO12, a rapid, sensitive, and selective LCMS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 4 bioactive compounds, baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, and wogonoside. After extraction with ethylacetate, chromatographic analysis was performed on a Thermo $C_{18}$ column ($150mm{\times}2.1mm$, $3{\mu}m$) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid (A) and 0.1% formic acid in 95% acetonitrile (B) by using gradient elution at a flow rate of $250{\mu}L/min$. Analytes introduced to a mass spectrometer were monitored by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive ion mode. Using $25{\mu}L$ of plasma sample, the method was validated over the following concentration ranges: 25-5000 ng/mL for baicalein, 20-40000 ng/mL for baicalin, 1-1000 ng/mL for wogonin, and 5-10000 ng/mL for wogonoside. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy of the quality control samples at the 4 concentrations showed $\leq$ 13.7% relative standard deviation (RSD) and 86.6-105.5% accuracy. The method was successfully applied to determine the concentrations of baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, and wogonoside in rat plasma after intraperitoneal and oral administrations of HPO12.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.772-784
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• 2020

This study was performed to investigate the effects of taste-related compounds and antioxidatve profiles of retorted samgyetang made from fresh and dried Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) mushrooms. A total of 48 carcasses were prepared from commercial broilers (CB; Ross, 4 weeks old) and randomly distributed into eight different treatments. Each treatment group consisted of 6 chicken carcasses made with the addition of broth in different condition and concentration of C. militaris mushrooms. The addition concentration was based on the broth volume (v/w) under either fresh or dried conditions ranging from 0% as a control to 1%, 2%, and 3% of C. militaris mushrooms. C. militaris mushrooms contributed to an improvement of meat tenderness and the antioxidative profile that led to a greater suppression of lipid oxidation. The addition of C. militaris mushrooms at 2% could also enrich the flavor and taste-related compounds, particularly the increase in 5'-AMP and umami-related free amino acid compounds, L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid. Different addition forms of C. militaris mushrooms, particularly fresh or dried mushrooms, had only small effects on bioactive compounds, where the dried addition could possibly enrich samgyetang broth with higher cordycepin and adenosine contents than the fresh addition. Besides, the addition of C. militaris mushrooms in the dried form could also contribute to a higher antioxidative profile. Eventually, the addition of C. militaris mushrooms with a minimum addition of 2% contributed to an improvement of meat quality, antioxidative profile and flavor improvement of samgyetang.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.860-873
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• 2018

Although ginseng marc is a by-product obtained during manufacturing of various commercial ginseng products and has been routinely discarded as a waste, it still contains considerable amounts of potential bioactive compounds, including saponins and polysaccharides. Previously, we reported that ginseng oligosaccharides derived from ginseng marc polysaccharides by enzymatic hydrolysis exert immunostimulatory activities in macrophages and these activated macrophages are in turn able to inhibit the growth of skin melanoma cells by inducing apoptosis. In the present study, a more detailed investigation of the immunostimulatory activity and underlying action mechanisms of an enzymatic hydrolysate (GEH) containing these oligosaccharides derived from ginseng marc polysaccharides was performed. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in GEH-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages using RT-PCR analysis and ELISA. The expression levels of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, Dectin-1, and MerTK were measured by RT-PCR analysis or western blot analysis, and the phagocytic activities of GEH-challenged bone marrow-derived macrophages toward apoptotic Jurkat cells were assayed using fluorescence microscopy. GEH induced the production of both proinflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of the TLR2 and MerTK mRNAs was increased upon GEH treatment. Phagocytosis of apoptotic Jurkat cells was enhanced in GEH-treated macrophages. Based on the results, this enzymatic hydrolysate (GEH) containing oligosaccharides exerts immunostimulatory effects by maintaining the balance between M1 and M2 cytokines, facilitating macrophage activation and contributing to the efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Therefore, the GEH could be developed as value-added, health-beneficial food materials with immunostimulatory effects.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1769-1776
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• 2020

As part of our current work to discover structurally and/or biologically novel compounds from Korean wild mushrooms, we isolated five ergostane-type steroids (1-5) from the fruiting bodies of Xerula furfuracea via repeated column chromatographic separations and HPLC purification. The chemical structures of the isolated steroids were shown to be (22E,24R)-24-methylcholesta-4,22-diene-3,6-dione (1), ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β-triol (2), ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β,9α-tetraol (3), (22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene-3β-ol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), and (22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,9,22-triene-3β-ol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5)based on comparison of the data regarding their spectroscopic and physical properties with those of previous studies. Notably, this is the first report on the presence of the identified steroids (1-5) in this mushroom. We tested compounds 1-5 to determine their effects on adipogenesis and osteogenesis in the mouse mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2 and found that compounds 4 and 5 suppressed the differentiation of stem cells into adipocytes. Notably, in addition to its suppressive effect on adipogenesis, compound 5 was also shown to promote the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. These findings demonstrate that the bioactive compounds isolated might be effective for the treatment of menopause-associated syndromes, such as osteoporosis and obesity, as the isolated compounds were shown to suppress adipogenesis and/or promote osteogenesis of stem cells.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.72-72
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• 2018

The root of Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is used as a traditional herbal medicine in Korea for the treatment of many diseases. However, a major challenge associated with the usage of the active compounds from AGN is their poor water solubility. Therefore, this work aimed to enhance the solubility of active compounds by a chemical (viz. surfactant) and physical (hot melt extrusion) crosslinking method (CPC). Infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed multiple peaks in extrudate solids representing new functional groups including carboxylic acid, alkynes and benzene derivatives. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of the extrudate showed lower glass transition temperature (Tg) and lower enthalpy (${\Delta}H$) (Tg: $43^{\circ}C$; ${\Delta}H$: <6 (J/g)) compared to the non-extrudate (Tg $68.5^{\circ}C$; ${\Delta}H$: 123.2) formulations. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed amorphization of crystal materials in extrudate solid. In addition, nanonization, enhanced solubility and higher extraction of phenolic compounds were achieved in the extrudate solid. Among the different extrudates, acetic acid- and Span 80-mediated formulations showed superior extractions. We conclude that the CPC method successfully enhanced the production of amorphous nano dispersions from extrudate solid formulations.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.832-839
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• 2003

Activated macrophages express inducible isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and produce excessive amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E$_2$ (PGE$_2$), which play key roles in the processes of inflammation and carcinogenesis. The root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., are important Chinese crude drugs used in many traditional prescriptions. 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-$\beta$-D-glucose (PGG) is a major bioactive constituent of both crude drugs. PGG has been shown to possess potent anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-$\beta$-D-glucose (PGG) isolated from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. on the COX-2 and iNOS activity in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells, COX-1 in HEL cells. To investigate the structure-activity relationships of gallate and gallic acid for the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 activity, we also examined (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gallic acid, and gallacetophenone. The results of the present study indicated that PGG, EGCG, and gallacetophenone treatment except gallic acid significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production in LPS-activated macrophages. All of the four compounds significantly inhibited COX-2 activity in LPS-activated macrophages. Among the four compounds examined, PGG revealed the most potent in both iNOS ($IC_{50}$ = 18 $\mu\textrm{g}/mL$) and COX-2 inhibitory activity (PGE$_2$: $IC_{50}$ = 8 $\mu\textrm{g}/mL$ and PGD$_2$: $IC_{50}$ = 12 $\mu\textrm{g}/mL$), respectively. Although further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and structure-activity relationship by which PGG exerts its inhibitory actions, our results suggest that PGG might be a candidate for developing anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.206-212
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• 2018

Depression is a type of mood disorder characterized by hypochondriasis, decreased appetite, and insomnia. Depression is a disease that affects more than 100 million people worldwide. 2-Nonadecanone (NAC) is a bioactive substance that constitutes Fomes fomentarius, and NAC is expected to have an antidepressant effect. By using the forced swimming test (FST), we investigated the effects of treatment with NAC on immobility subacutely in rats after oral dosing once a day for 2 days. Serum levels of cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nuclear factor-2 (Nrf-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) were analyzed by western blot method. NAC dose-dependently decreased immobility in the FST. NAC dosedependently decreased FST-induced increase of cytokine levels, as manifested by significantly stronger effects on $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels at higher doses than the lowest dose of NAC. Western blot analysis showed that Nrf-2 was significantly lower in the NAC-treated group than in the disease-induced group. The iNOS results were also significantly lower in the NAC-treated group than in the other groups. Considering FST results, the antidepressant effect of NAC is effective. Considering the results of cytokine and protein expression, this anti-depressant effect may be related to the anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it can be said that the anti-inflammatory effect of NAC increases the antidepressant effect in the FST experiment.