• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2016

Black chokeberries (scientific name Aronia melanocarpa) have been reported to have major effects due to anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer capabilities. In this study, we investigated the anti- wrinkle effects of A. melanocarpa, including collagenase inhibition effects and their molecular biological mechanisms, such as oxidative stress-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and activator protein (AP)-1 expression and/or phosphorylation. In collagenase inhibition activity, the ethyl acetate fraction of black chokeberry (AE) was 77.2% at a concentration of 500 μg/ml, which was a significant result compared to that of Epigallocatechin gallate (positive control, 83.9% in 500 μg/ml). In the reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, the AE produced 78% of ROS in 10 μg/ml and 70% of ROS in 75 μg/ml, which was a much lower percentage than the ROS production of H₂O₂-induced CCRF S-180II cells. In the MTT assay, cell viability was increased dose-dependently with AE in H₂O₂-induced cells. In protein expression by western blot assay, the AE suppressed the expression and phosphorylation of MMPs (MMP-1, -3, -9), MAPK (ERK, JNK, and p38), and AP-1 (c-Fos and c-Jun), and expressed the pro-collagen type I in H₂O₂-induced cells. These results suggest that black chokeberries have anti-wrinkle and collagen-production effects, and they may be used in applications for material development in the functional food and cosmetic industries.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2016

Ethanol is a very valuable material, however, it is also a source of stress, as the accumulation of ethanol in a medium inhibits cell viability and decreases productivity of the target product. Therefore, the ethanol tolerance of yeast, which is closely related to ethanol productivity, is an important factor in industrial ethanol production. In this study, the YDJ1 and PEP5 genes were selected as target genes for elucidating ethanol-tolerant mechanisms by analyzing the expression regulation of these genes. The pA-YDJ1 and pA-PEP5 plasmids containing YDJ1 and PEP5 genes under an ADH1 promoter, respectively, were constructed and transformed into BY4742 (host strain), BY4742△ydj1, and BY4742△pep5 strains. The ethanol tolerance in the BY4742△ydj1/ pA-YDJ1 and BY4742△pep5/pA-PEP5 transformants was restored by overexpression of the YDJ1 and PEP5 genes to the host strain level. The YDJ1 and PEP5 genes were also introduced into the double gene disruptant (BY4742△ydj1△pep5) to investigate the expression regulation of the YDJ1 and PEP5 genes. The simultaneous overexpression of the YDJ1 and PEP5 genes restored ethanol tolerance to the 90% level of the BY4742 strain under 8% ethanol stress. The YDJ1 gene induced more overexpression of the PEP5 gene in the BY4742△ydj1 △pep5/pA-YDJ1, pA-PEP5 strain, suggesting that the YDJ1 gene partially regulates the expression of the PEP5 gene as an upstream regulator.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.524-531
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• 2018

The essential oil from Abies koreana E.H. Wilson had been developed, however, its efficacy has not yet been studied especially in terms of skin care research. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Abies koreana extracts (AKE) on melanogenesis and wrinkle formation in B16F10 melanoma cells (B16F10) and human dermal fibroblast cell line (HDF). The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation method and purified by anhydrous sodium sulfate. At a concentration of $10^{-5}$-fold, viability in these cells had been defined by cytotoxicity assays. Anti-melanogenic effects on B16F10 were evaluated using tyrosinase inhibition assay, and real-time PCR for verifying gene expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein-1 and -2 (TRP-1 and -2). AKEs reduced about 5-fold of tyrosinase inhibitory activity compared to ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-induced group and about 30% reduction compared to Arbutin induced group. The mRNA levels of three melanin-related factors were increased, separately. To investigate the effects of anti-wrinkle, procollagen type I c peptide synthesis assay (PIP) and Western blot were performed. At AKE-treated group, PIP was up-regulated and the expression of collagen type 1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 were improved. Furthermore, AKE presented anti-wrinkle effects by increasing UVB-inhibited collagen type 1 expression, and reducing UVB-induced MMP-1 production at $60mJ/cm^2$ of UVB radiation. Therefore, Abies koreana extracts has potentials as a safe and an effective skin ingredient for whitening and anti-wrinkle.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2007

To compare the survival rate of periodontal ligament cells preserved in storage media with good availability at the time of an avulsion injury, periodontal ligament cells were incubated in ${\alpha}-MEM$ culture medium containing 10% FBS in condition of $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$. These cells were then cultured in HBSS, ${\alpha}-MEM$, milk(S co., P. co.) and tap water at the temperature of 4, 25, $37^{\circ}C$ each in 60 min. The groups were measured by MTT assay. The results were as follows : 1. Among the storage media at $4^{\circ}C$, ${\alpha}-MEM$ and P-milk had the highest preserving ability of periodontal ligament cells, while that of HBSS S-milk and tap was low in order. 2. Among the storage media at $25^{\circ}C$, ${\alpha}-MEM$ had the highest preserving ability of periodontal ligament cells, while that of P-milk, HBSS, S-milk, tap water was low in order. 3. Among the storage media at $37^{\circ}C$, the preserving ability of periodontal ligament cells was very high in ${\alpha}-MEM$, P-milk, HBSS and S-milk, it's lowest in tap water. 4. The preserving ability of periodontal ligament cells in ${\alpha}-MEM$ was high at $4^{\circ}C$ and it's low in order of $25^{\circ}C$, $37^{\circ}C$, but in HBSS was high at $4^{\circ}C$ and it's low at $25^{\circ}C$, $37^{\circ}C$ 5. The preserving ability of periodontal ligament cells in S-milk and P-milk was high at $4^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$ and it s low at $37^{\circ}C$. In conclusion, HBSS is the storage medium of choice in an avulsion, but in this study it is preferable to choose milk at $4^{\circ}C$ for tooth since it is easy to get and affect cell viability.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.232-239
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• 2012

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the content of phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity from methanol extracts of different plant parts of $T.$ $officinale$ F. H. Wigg. Total phenolics [mg chlorogenic acid equivalents (FAE) $kg^{-1}$ DW] was highest in flower extracts (72.0 mg $kg^{-1}$), followed by leaf, root, and stalk extracts of $T.$ $officinale$ ($p$ < 0.05). The result of total flavonoid level [mg naringin equivalents $kg^{-1}$ DW] had same tendency to differential total phenolics contents among plant parts, but showed lower ranges of amount. The antioxidant activity of the methanol extracts from all the plant parts dose-dependently increased. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical) free radical scavenging activity was highest in flower extracts ($IC_{50}$ value = 624.3 mg $kg^{-1}$ ), and followed by leaf, root, and stalk extracts of $T.$ $officinale$ ($p$ < 0.05). By means of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, cell viability of Calu-6 for human pulmonary carcinoma and SNU-601 for human gastric carcinoma showed the lowest $IC_{50}$ value in the flower extracts ($IC_{50}$ value = 85.7 and 311.4 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively), indicating the highest cytotoxicity. The results suggested that total phenolics content and total flavonoids level in different plant parts of $T.$ $officinale$ were highly correlated with antioxidative ($r^2$=0.7280 to 0.9971) or with cytotoxic activities ($r^2$=0.5795 to 0.9515).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.561-567
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• 2011

This study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of methanol extract from natural products. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The production of NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to effectively screen for anti-inflammatory agents, we first examined the inhibitory effects of 24 natural products on the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells. Three extracts of Terminalia chebula Retz., Lavandula spica L., and Dalbergia odorifera T. significantly inhibited NO production. The three extracts significantly decreased production of NO in a dose-dependent manner. Terminalia chebula Retz. decreased TNF-${\alpha}$ production. Antioxidative effects of the three extracts were measured based on polyphenol and flavonoid contents and DPPH radical scavenging activity assay. The three extracts showed high polyphenol contents as well as strong DPPH scavenging activities. In particular, Terminalia chebula Retz. contained the highest polyphenol and flavonoid levels of 616 and $96\;{\mu}g/mg$, respectively, compared to Lavandula spica L. and Dalbergia odorifera T. As DPPH radical scavensing activities, RC50 values of Terminalia chebula Retz. were $2.09\;{\mu}g/ml$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.629-636
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of methanol extract from the leaves of Picrasma quassioides BENNET (PLME). The antioxidant effects of PLME were measured based on polyphenol and flavonoid contents. PLME was found to have $367.52{\mu}g/mg$ and $46.61{\mu}g/mg$ high polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was measured by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to effectively anti-inflammatory agents, we examined the inhibitory effects on the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO and $PGE_2$ in RAW 264.7 cells. PLME significantly decreased the production of NO and $PGE_2$ in a dose-dependent manner, and also reduced the expression of iNOS, a COX-2 protein. In addition, PLME reduced the NF-${\kappa}B$, $I{\kappa}B$ phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells upon stimulation with LPS (100 ng/ml) for 24 h. These results provide evidence for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Picrasma quassioides leaves.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.869-878
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• 2013

Eleven functional plant materials were identified via a literature search, and their antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells were tested. Yields from hot water extracts of the materials were the highest (52.10%) in Lycii fructus, and the yields from Phellinus linteus were the lowest (5.7%). The yields of another were 14.50-42.47%. Total phenol and flavonoids contents were the highest in P. linteus. The $EC_{50}$ values for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were lower than $100{\mu}g/ml$ for Salvia miltiorrhiza, whereas the values for P. linteus, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Paeonia lactiflora were $100-200{\mu}g/ml$. The $EC_{50}$ value for the superoxide anion radical scavenging activity of all the extracts was higher than $300{\mu}g/ml$. P. linteus for the reducing power was shown the highest activity. $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity was the highest in the Morus alba extract. In an MTT assay, the cell viability of the RAW264.7 LPS-exposed cells was above 80% in extracts of $50{\mu}g/ml$ and above 77% in extracts of $100{\mu}g/ml$ in all the plant materials except Acanthopanax sessiliflorum. NO production in the RAW264.7 LPS-exposed cells showed a 12-fold increase compared to the control. The NO production level of all the extracts was $6.86-26.18{\mu}M$. Notably, $100{\mu}g/ml$ of S. baicalensis extract showed a remarkable decrease in NO production (72%) compared with the control. The potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of S.baicalensis, P. linteus, S. miltiorrhiza, M. alba, and P. lactiflora suggest that they are potential candidates as functional materials.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1163-1169
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• 2018

In order to utilize the residue that is thrown away after an onion harvest, we analyzed the physiological activity and cytotoxicity of fermented and hot water extracts of the residue. The pH of the extracts were all acidic, and organic matter content was 0.75% in the fermented extract and four times more than 0.19% in the hot water extract. The contents of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, calcium, and magnesium components, except for the potassium component among macroelements, were higher in the fermented extract than in the hot water extract. The content of iron and silicon among the micro-elements was also higher in the fermented extract than in the hot water extract. In addition, the content of boron was higher in the hot water extract than in the fermented extract. The total polyphenol contents of the fermented and hot water extracts were $16.2{\pm}3.3mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ and $14.6{\pm}1.4mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$, respectively, which was $1.6mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ higher in the fermented extract than in the hot water extract. However, the total flavonoid contents of the fermented and hot water extracts were $0.1{\pm}0.1mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ and $4.8{\pm}0.7mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$, respectively, which was $4.7mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ higher in the hot water extract than in the fermented extract. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging ability for antioxidant activity were higher in the hot water extract than the fermented extract. The cytotoxicity of the extract using MTT assay showed cell viability of 101.6% and 97.9% in the fermented and hot water extracts, respectively. It was confirmed that there was no cytotoxicity in either extract.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.650-657
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the suppressive effect of acorn extracts, by evaluating 70% ethanol extract (AE) and hot water extract (AW) using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We applied various levels (0, 100, 200, 300 and $500 {\mu}g/mL$) of AE and AW to 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The cell viability of the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was not affected by up $300 {\mu}g/mL$ of extracts, but was suppressed by level $500{\mu}g/mL$ of both AE and AW by 20% and 9% respectively. The accumulation of lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was dose-dependently suppressed by AE and AW. Especially, at high concentrations ($300{\mu}g/mL$), AE (42%) was more effective than AW (41%). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also dose-dependently suppressed by treatment with AE (58%) and AW (52%). With regard to the mRNA related to differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, $PPAR-{\gamma}$ and aP2 were suppressed by treatment with AE (54 and 40%) and AW (38 and 18%). From our results, acorn extract (AE) has more suppressive effects than AW in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We therefore concluded that acorn has suppressive effects against obesity in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells due to antioxidation.