• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.707-713
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• 2002

Astragali radix (AR) is one of the oldest and mast frequently used crude drug for traditional medicine in many Asian countries. This study designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extracted AR (ARE) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic damage in ICR mice. APAP at the dose of 450 mg/kg i.p produced liver damage in ICR mice. Serum enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenese was dramatically decreased up to control level by pretreatment of ARE. However, hepatic glutathione level did not show a significant change between the tested groups. We also investigated TNF α mRNA gene expression on APAP-induced liver damage by RT-PCR. APAP dramatically induced TNF α mRNA gene expression in ICR mice. Pretreatment of mice with ARE led to a marked decrease of TNF α mRNA gene expression. These data indicate that 1) ARE has clearly revealed a hepatoprotective effect against APAP-induced hepatic damage in ICR mice, and 2) the protective effect of ARE may be, in part, associated with the regulation of TNF α mRNA gene expression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권11호
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• pp.1894-1901
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• 2015

A novel sulfatase gene, ary423 (1,536 bp ORF), encoding a protein of 511 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 56 kDa, was identified from Flammeovirga pacifica, which was isolated from deep-sea sediments of west Pacific Ocean. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that Ary423 possessed a conserved C-X-A-X-R motif, which was recognized as the sulfatase signature. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that Ary423 belonged to arylsulfatases. After heterologous expression in Escherichia coli cells, the recombinant Ary423 was purified with a Ni⁺ affinity column, and was shown to be highly active at a broad range of temperatures from 30° to 70℃, with maximum activity at 40℃. Furthermore, recombinant Ary423 retained more than 70% and 40% of its maximum activity after 12 h of incubation at 50℃ and 60℃, respectively, exhibiting good thermostability at high temperatures. The optimal pH for Ary423 was determined to be 8.0 and the activity of Ary423 could be slightly enhanced by Mg²⁺. The recombinant enzyme could hydrolyze sulfate ester bonds in p-nitrophenyl sulfate (NPS) and Asparagus crude polysaccharides with a specific activity of 64.8 U/mg and 25.4 U/mg, respectively. These favorable properties could make Ary423 attractive for application in the desulfating process of agar production.

• 대한한의정보학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.77-91
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• 2009

Flowery Knotweed Root is the dried tuberous root of the knotweed family wheres Auriculate Swallowwort Root is the dried tuberous root of the swallowort family. Flowery Knotweed Root is also called Red Flowery Knotweed Root in China, which is dried root of Polygonum multiflorum THUMB. Chinese Flowery Knotweed Root is better known as the dried tuberous root belonging to the family Apocynaceae whereas White Flowery Knotweed Root in Korea is the dried tuberous root of Cynanchum wilfordii(Maxim) Hemsl. Up to now, while the dried root named Red Flowery Knotweed Root has been widely used in China, Auriculate Swallowwort Root has been widely used in Korea. Both the roots contrast in a striking way with the origin, shape, botanical names, other names, and chemical constituents, so administration and dosage without discrimination of both sides can be open to question. According to the literature, it is recorded that Flowery Knotweed Root and Auriculate Swallowwort Root are similar to the characteristics, properties, and actions. From this study, the result is as follows: 1. Flowery Knotweed Root and Auriculate Swallowwort Root are divided into the family Apocynaceae and the family Polygonaceae, respectively. Accordingly 2. Flowery Knotweed Root is in shape of an irregular spindle and looks reddish- brown or deep reddish-brown and the section is light yellowish-brown, while Auriculate Swallowwort Root looks yellowish-brown and the section is white or yellow. 3. Flowery Knotweed Root is reported by the Journal of the Crude Drug that the medicinals have not the same therapeutic action as Auriculate Swallowwort Root. It is recorded that the properties, channel entry, functions of Flowery Knotweed Root and Auriculate Swallowwort Root in literature have much in common. Many works on the roots of this plant has been used traditionally as a tonic are required of. In view of the results, Flowery Knotweed Root and Auriculate Swallowwort Root varies both in nature and in shape, so that the administration and dosage of the medicinals must be taken a prudent attitude.

• 농촌계획
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.189-199
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• 2015

This study made use of 9 types of utilizing idle farmland deducted from existing research in order to examine cases by type of idle farmland, and selected representative cases by type after analyzing contents of 165 available newspaper articles. Selected Cases were assorted into agricultural use and nonagricultural use, and agricultural use are as followed. (1)Community Service/Farming type is the case of Gimhae city reported on 'Busan Ilbo', (2)High Income/Farming type is the case of cooperative unit of Geumjeong crude drug in Yeongam appeared in 'Newsis', and the case of Omija industry in Mungyeong reported on 'Hankyoreh', (3)Tourism/Landscape/Farming type is the case of rape flowers and buckwheat flowers in Gupo village reported on 'Asia News Agency', (4)Stock Raising/Farming type is the case of growing foraging crops published in 'The Daejeon Ilbo', (5)Weekend farm type is the case of utilizing idle farmlands and creating weekend farm reported on 'Mediawatch', (6)High income/Forest type is creating Mulberry cultivation areas in Hamyang-Gun published in 'Yonhap News', (7)Ecology/Landscape/Forest type is forestation project of idle land reported on 'Newsis', (8)Agricultural Experience Study type is the case of managing agricultural experience study center in Dosun elementary center published in 'Sisajeju' and the case of non-agricultural application case, (9)Ecological Environment type is the case of wetland restoration of idle farmland in Gochang. This study investigated and arranged detailed contents by the literature search and interview investigation according to investigating items such as utilizing area, main agent, purpose, utilizing item, utilizing content, etc. by case. With that, it deducted implications as well as case characteristics, and finally suggested political proposals through the case analysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.2939-2946
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• 2015

Many of the anti-cancer agents currently used have an origin in natural sources including plants. Aloe vera is one such plant being studied extensively for its diverse health benefits, including cancer prevention. In this study, the cytotoxic potential of Aloe vera crude extract (ACE) alone or in combination with cisplatin in human breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells was studied by cell viability assay, nuclear morphological examination and cell cycle analysis. Effects were correlated with modulation of expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and drug metabolism by RT-PCR. Exposure of cells to ACE resulted in considerable loss of cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, which was found to be mediated by through the apoptotic pathway as evidenced by changes in the nuclear morphology and the distribution of cells in the different phases of the cell cycle. Interestingly, ACE did not have any significant cytotoxicity towards normal cells, thus placing it in the category of safe chemopreventive agent. Further, the effects were correlated with the downregulation of cyclin D1, CYP 1A1, CYP 1A2 and increased expression of bax and p21 in MCF-7 and HeLa cells. In addition, low dose combination of ACE and cisplatin showed a combination index less than 1, indicating synergistic growth inhibition compared to the agents applied individually. In conclusion, these results signify that Aloe vera may be an effective anti-neoplastic agent to inhibit cancer cell growth and increase the therapeutic efficacy of conventional drugs like cispolatin. Thus promoting the development of plant-derived therapeutic agents appears warranted for novel cancer treatment strategies.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.470-477
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• 1995

Flavonoids from Scutellariae Radix possessed a dual function both as an anti-inflammatory agent and an enhancer of cellular activity in gingival fibroblast. The purpose of this study was to evaluate on the toxicity of ethanolic extract from the root of Scutellariae Radix Georgi and its flavonoids, Wogonin, Baicalein, and Baicalin were isolated and purified by the following method. The crude drug was extracted with ethyl acetate and the residue was dissolved in ethyl alcohol. The ethyl alcohol soluble fraction was separated, concentrated, and then chromatographed on a silica gel column. The acute oral LD 50 in rats was determined for EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix and three compounds were evaluated with a single oral gavage at three graded dosage levels. The acute intravenous LD 50 was determined with a single intravenous injection via the jugular vein at three graded dosage levels. Groups of 5 male and 5 female rats, 6 week of age at the start of the study, were fed diets containing 3 graded dosage levels for 14 days. Groups of 5 male and 5 female hamster received O.5ml of the test article at once in a day for 5 days to the buccal cheek pouch for two minutes each. The acute oral LD50 for EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix is 1430mg/kg, and for Wogonin 1320mg/kg, for Baicalein 1250mg/kg, for Baicalin 1330mg/kg. The acute intravenous toxicity of EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix and its extracts was found to be 27mg/kg body weight No toxic effects were observed in rats fed up to 200mg/kg of EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix, Wogonin, Baicalein and Baicalin in the diet for 14 days. The acute Mucouse Membrane LD 50 in hamsters was found to be greater than 100mg/kg. These results suggested that EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix and its flavonoids are safe for oral care products using limited amount of extract.

• 생약학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.130-141
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• 2000

The dried roots of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) have been used in the traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes, fever and dysuria, etc. In order to investigate the quality evaluation of the dried roots of RG, we conducted the physico-chemical and biological evaluation method. The amount of catalpol from commercial samples is very diverse about $0.00{\sim}3.89%$ by using HPLC method, because it is easily decomposed by processing of RG. So, we should try to identify the correlation with the contents of catalpol and biological activities of RG. We chose 3 samples which were a wide difference of catalpol contents between each sample (Sample-I; 3.4%, Sample-II; 2.8%, Sample-III; 0.05%). Sample-I and Sample-II were found to be more effective than Sample-III on the DPPH free radical scavenging effect and inhibitory effect on $H_2O_2-catalyzed$ lipid peroxidation in rat liver in vitro. And, Sample-I and Sample-II exhibited more significant effects than Sample-III on accelerating actions of the small and large intestinal transport, and diuretic action in mice. So, it is suggested that the quantitative determination of catalpol should be required for the tandardization of the dried roots of RG.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.291-298
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• 2003

Anti-diabetic effect of various fractions of Cordyceps militaris (CM), CCCA (crude cordycepin containing adenosine), CMESS (ethanol soluble supernatant), and cordycepin were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice, CMESS showed potent inhibitory activity of 34.7% in starch-loaded mice (2 g/kg) while acarbose as a positive standard exhibited 37.8% of inhibition rate. After 3 days administration (50 mg/kg), cordycepin (0.2 mg/kg), and acarbose (10 mg/kg) dramatically reduced blood glucose level (inhibition ratio: 46.9%, 48.4% and 37.5% respectively). CCCA that has high contents of cordycepin (0.656 mg/4 mg) did not influence on reducing blood glucose level. The proliferation of splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages derived from STZ-induced diabetic mice administered samples were evaluated out by addition of mitogens to see the stability of the usage of these herbal medicines. Proliferation of T-lymphocyte was significantly decreased; while NO production was increased more than two fold to STZ control in the cordycepin-administered group. Changes of serum enzyme levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were also evaluated. Cordycepin administered group was appeared to acarbose. We conclude that CMESS and cordycepin may be useful tools in the control of blood glucose level in diabetes and promising new drug as an anti-hyperglycemic agent without defects of immune responses and other side effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권18호
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• pp.7835-7838
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• 2014

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors have widespread and different clinical presentations and prognoses. This study was conducted to assess their survival time and prognostic factors in Iran. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, 189 patients diagnosed of having neuroendocrine carcinoma were chosen. The tumor and clinical characteristics of the patients were modeled with a Cox proportional hazard approach. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meyer curves. Results: Crude median survival time was 30 months. Women survived longer than men (the median survival time for women was 40 and for men was 24 months). Age (<60 vs >60 years old with hazard ratio (HR) of 2.43, 95% CI 1.3-4.5), primary pathology report (carcinoid vs. others with HR 5.85 cm, 95% CI 2.4-14.3), tumor size cm (for 5-10, HR of 3.1, 95% CI 1.6 and for >10 HR of 8.2, 95% with 95% CI 3.1-21.9), and chemotherapy with single drug (taking vs. not taking with a HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.8) had significant effects on overall survival of patients. Conclusions: Survival time in patients with neuroendocrine carcinomas is related to demographics, clinical characteristics, tumor histology, and subtype specific treatment.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.191-195
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• 2003

Euphorbia hirta, locally called 'ara tanah' or 'susun nabi' in Malaysia is a small annual herb common to the tropical countries and belongs to the same family as the tic and tapioca. E. hirta has had a long history of usage in the treatment of various ailments. In this current study, in vitro sensitivity test of crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves and barks of E. hirta was carried out against bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylocccus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and fungi (Microsporum canis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis) using the discs diffusion method. The extract-impregnated discs (20, 40 and $80\;{\mu}g/{\mu}l$), the E. hirta extracts inhibited the growth of all the bacteria tested. The growth of C. albicans was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by the aqueous leaves and barks extracts. C. tropicalis was found to be sensitive to the aqueous leaves extracts. The results were compared to antibacterial drugs of chloramphenicol, ampicilin, penicillin G, and enrofloxacine; and to antifungal drug of ketoconazole, itraconazole and miconazole. In this current study, it can be concluded that this plant has antimicrobial activity that is as potent as the standard antimicrobial drugs against certain microorganisms.