• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2018

Recently, it has been a big issue to distinguish the dried roots of Cynanchum wilfordii and C. auriculatum in health functional food market. The original plant species of Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix belong to the Asclepiadaceae family is differentially described in the national pharmacopoeia of Korea, China and Japan. Owing to the morphological similarities of the dried roots of this plant to those of C. auriculatum, which is often misidentified in Korean herbal medicine marketplace, distinguishing these two species is exceedingly difficult. The purpose of this study was to compare the conventional-PCR with the real-time PCR for detection of C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum DNA. We also tried to realize a quantitative real-time PCR assay using species-specific matK primers, which allowed us to estimate the ratio of C. willfordii and C. auriculatum using varying ratios of mixed genomic DNA template from the two species. The differentiation of intentional and unintentional mixture in this study would be applied to food safety management and can be helpful for protection of consumer's right and cultivators.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.993-999
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• 2015

For the purpose of investigating the in vitro antidiabetic activity of a medicinal herb and herb mixture extracts prepared through traditional antidiabetic prescription, this study examined ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Tyrosinase, a type I membrane glycoprotein, is synthesized and glycosylated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. The enzyme is subsequently transported to melanosomes, where it participates in melanogenesis. Previous studies showed that disruption of early ER N-glycan processing by an ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor suppresses tyrosinase enzymatic activity and melanogenesis. According to the results, most oriental medicinal herbal extracts were stronger than acarbose and N-butyldeoxynojirimycin, known as an ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor. Interestingly, ethyl acetate layer of enzyme hydrolyzed Cheongsimyeonjaeum had an inhibitory effect on melanin synthesis in B16F1 cells, although it did not inhibit tyrosinase activity directly. Together, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity could be used to evaluate anti-melanogenesis, although cross-checking with melanin inhibitory assay is recommended.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.242-249
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• 2013

Thermal processing of (+)-catechin was carried out at $121^{\circ}C$ for different reaction times (1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 h). The reacted products, compounds (1) and (2), were isolated and quantified via HPLC analysis. The antioxidant properties of processed (+)-catechin and its isolated compounds for different reaction time was measured via radical scavenging assays using DPPH and $ABTS^+$ radicals. Additionally, the anti-obesity efficacy of the thermal treated (+)-catechin was evaluated via porcine pancreatic lipase assay. The reacted (+)-catechin for 3 h had a slightly higher antioxidant capacity than that the parent (+)-catechin. Products 1 and 2, which were isolated from the reacted mixture during 3 h, showed an antioxidant capacity, and these two compounds may be responsible for the antioxidant capacity of processed (+)-catechin. Simple thermal treatment of (+)-catechin can be used to produce (+)-epicatechin (1) and protocatechuic acid (2) with enhanced antioxidant and anti-adipogenic effects.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.469-476
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• 2015

Button mushroom compost (BMC) was prepared by fermenting the mixture of waste button mushroom bed collected from Boryeong area in South Korea (4): sawdust (8) : pig and fowl manure (1) for 40 days at $30^{\circ}C$. The BMC compromised diverse microorganisms including aerobic bacteria $8.1{\times}10^6cfu\;g^{-1}$, Gram negative bacteria $1.7{\times}10^7cfu\;g^{-1}$, genus Bacillus $6.4{\times}10^6cfu\;g^{-1}$, genus Pseudomonas $1.5{\times}10^4cfu\;g^{-1}$, actinomycetes $1.0{\times}10^4cfu\;g^{-1}$, and fungi $3.5{\times}10^3cfu\;g^{-1}$. BMC was used as a microbial inoculant for estimating the mobilization of heavy metals in soil or plant. When metal solubilization potential of BMC was assessed in a batch experiment, the inoculation of BMC was shown to increase the concentrations of water soluble Co, Pb, Cd, and Zn by 29, 26, 27, and 43% respectively, than those of non-inoculated soils. BMC-assisted growth promotion and metal uptake in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was also evaluated in a pot experiment. In comparison with non-inoculated seedlings, the inoculation led to increase the growth of H. annuus by 17, 15, 18, and 21% respectively in Co, Pb, Cd, and Zn contaminated soils. Moreover, enhanced accumulation of Co, Pb, Cd, and Zn in the shoot and root systems was observed in inoculated plants, where metal translocation from root to the above-ground tissues was also found to be enhanced by the BMC. The apparent results suggested that the BMC could effectively be employed in enhancing phytoextraction from the soils contaminated with heavy metals such as Co, Pb, Cd, and Zn.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.962-967
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• 2010

The influences of the different mixture of urea fertilizer and pig manure compost as a nitrogen (N) source on Chinese cabbage yield, N uptake, and N agronomic efficiency (AE) were evaluated in two soils having different soil fertility levels. Increasing urea application level was very effective to improve yield and N uptake of Chinese cabbage, and the highest yield was obtained by urea fertilization alone in two soils. On the other hand, the lowest yield and N uptake was obtained from compost alone application in two soils. There was no significant difference in terms of the nitrogen AE between low and high fertility soils that were fully applied with urea. The AE values of Chinese cabbage applied by compost alone were significantly higher in the soil having a low fertility (28.8 g $g^{-1}$) than that in soil with high fertility (16.2 g $g^{-1}$), suggesting that N in compost was more responsive in improving the yield of Chinese cabbage in low fertility soils.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.403-417
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Evodiae Fructus (EF) on hydrochloric acid (HCl)/ethanol-induced gastritis, focusing on its impact on oxidative stress by analyzing inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related factors. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined through in vitro experiments, while the radical scavenging activity was confirmed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. Methods: In vivo experiments were conducted on rats divided into 5 groups (n = 7/in each group): normal group (Normal), 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol-induced gastritis group (Control), 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol-induced gastritis group administered 10 mg/kg sucralfate (SC), 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol-induced gastritis group administered EF at the doses of 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg (EF100 or EF200). The mice were pretreated with the extract (EF) or drug (SC), and after 1 hour, 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol (v/v) mixture was administered orally. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, peroxynitrite (ONOO^-), and pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 beta were assessed in serum. Additionally, western blotting of the gastric tissues confirmed the expression of inflammation-related proteins. Results: EF alleviated the gastric mucosal damage caused by 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol. The assessment of oxidative stress in the serum showed that EF significantly reduced ROS and ONOO^- levels and significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Western blot analysis revealed that EF reduced ROS-generating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunits, including gp91^phox, p22^phox, and p47^phox. Additionally, EF mitigated the inflammation by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Conclusion: These results indicate that EF is a potential herbal medicine candidate for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced gastritis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.219-227
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• 2009

The antifatigue and endurance promoting properties of two Korean medicinal herb extracts and molasses with various mineral components were studied by evaluating forced-swimming capacity and biochemical parameters in ICR mice. The treatment groups were orally administered mineral beverages which were contained 6% sugar with the mixture of Maesil (Prunus mume fruit) extracts, Omija (Schisandra chinensis fruit) extracts and molasses for 4 weeks. The exercised forced-swimming tests were conducted after 28 days of beverage supplementation. The swimming times to exhaustion were longer 1.5${\sim}$2 times in group 6 and group 10 than control goup (Control: 93.2${\pm}$10.4 sec; Beverage 6; 190.8${\pm}$25.6 sec, Beverage 10; 173.6${\pm}$21.8 sec; p<0.05). Moreover, the activity of hexokinase (Control: 5.23${\pm}$0.38 ${\mu}mol$l/g tissue; Beverage 6: 5.99${\pm}$0.18 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue, Beverage 10: 6.13${\pm}$0.25 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue, p<0.05) and citrate synthase (control: 42.9${\pm}$1.87 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue; Beverage 6: 56.8${\pm}$3.98 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue, Beverage 10; 59.5${\pm}$3.09 ${\mu}mol$/g tissue, p<0.05) were also significantly higher than those of control group. Even if the treatment groups had long swimming than control group, there is no significant difference in the glycogen contents of gastrocnemus muscle or liver between the control group and each treatment group. This demonstrated an improvement in endurance. These results suggest that reported herbal beverage is very effective to combat fatigue, improve endurance and increase overall physical activity.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2010

The present study was evaluated the antibacterial effect of the combination of Coptidis rhizoma, Lonicerae Flos, and Paeonia japonica (1:1:1) extracts (CLP1000). Also, the effectiveness of CLP1000, dioctahedral smectite (DHS), and the combination of CLP1000 and DHS (CLPS1000) against E. coli O157:H7 infection was studied using ICR female mice. During the incubation period, the dose of 10% and 20% CLP1000 were inhibited the growth of E. coli O157:H7 by 30% and 47%, respectively. For 7 days after single challenge with E. coli O157:H7, forty female ICR mice were divided into four experimental groups which were orally administered with saline, 10% CLP1000, 10% DHS, and 10% CLPS1000, respectively. On the 3rd day, the number of E. coli O157:H7 in mouse feces was significantly decreased by administration of CLP1000 (p < 0.05), DHS (p < 0.05) and CLPS1000 (p < 0.001). On the 7th day, CLP1000 (p < 0.05) and CLPS1000 p < 0.001) administration significantly decreased the number of E. coli O157:H7. According to the results of the present study, administration of CLPS1000 to mice can reduce the severity of E. coli O157:H7 infection. Also, it is suggested that CLPS100 represents a good candidate for the treatment of enteric infections in domestic animals.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.535-542
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• 2012

This study was carried out from 2011 to 2012 in order to analyze the cultivation technology system by six organic rice cultivation types in the southern provinces for the purpose of utilizing organic rice farming guidelines. This surveys were conducted by site visit on 8 counties and 115 farms in southern area. Cultivation technology system by six organic rice cultivation types were cultivated by the principle of minimum input or non-input. cropping systems, a mixture of barley and rice, or rice green manure crops were grown. Cultivars were mixture of the local cultivars and Japanese varieties. Soil were managed by a self-manufactured compost, indigenous microorganisms and barley straw without any fertilization. Pest control was mainly practied by purchased eco-friendly organic materials or herbal medication residue and indigenous microbial self-manufactured. Weed was controled by snails and barley straw. In addition, considering the restore of a longtail pitching shrimp and grasshoppers, the fuction of environmental ecology of six organic rice cultivation type proved to be excellent all. Meanwhile, the productivity of the organic farming per 10a were the order of Life and environment > Natural circulation > Stevia > Ji jang > Art and nature > Taepyoung of Farming Methods, but the farmers received prices showed the opposite tendency. Simple profitablity did not show a big difference. But, the productivity of all type of the organic farming were lower then the conventional farming. Finally, If we want to conduct safety and easy farming, we can suggest stevia farming, Natural circulation farming and life and environmental farming out of 6 organic rice cultivation types.

• 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.