• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.187-196
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• 2010

A total of 10 islands (Kumodo and Komundo in Yeosu City; Oinarodo in Goheung County; Chongsando, Soando, and Pogildo in Wando County; Chodo in Jindo County; Uido, Huksando, and Hongdo in Shinan County) were surveyed to confirm distribution of naturalized plants from June 2006 to December 2008. A total of 100 naturalized plants taxa from 25 families were recorded. The highest number of naturalized plant species (82 taxa) was recorded on Oinarodo, while the lowest number was recorded on Hongdo (42 taxa) and on Uido (34 taxa). A total of 26 naturalized species taxa (such as Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Bromus unioloides, Rumex obtusifolius, Chenopodium album, Phytolacca americana, Barbarea vulgaris, Lepidium apetalum, Robinia pseudo-acacia, Trifolium repens, Erigeron annuus, Erigeron canadensis, Senecio vulgaris, Xanthium strumarium) was recorded in all study areas. Distribution of naturalized plants were categorized into 7 habitat types based on ecological traits: afforested land, beach, port, and vacant land, road boundary, road cut and slope area, waste arable land, landfill area, and wetland. Systematic management is required to conserve unique landscape, species diversity, vegetation and ecosystem of Dadohae National Park. In order to manage the naturalized plants in Dadohae National Park, basic surveys are most needed to understand distribution and dispersal of naturalized plants communities based on ecological features of each habitat type.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2017

Ginger was steamed at $121^{\circ}C$ and $1.5lb/in^2$ for 30 min, dried at $60^{\circ}C$ for 12 h, and each step was repeated nine times. During processing, the lightness ($L^*$ value) and yellowness ($b^*$ value) decreased from $85.65{\pm}0.33$ and $26.99{\pm}0.20$ in the non-treated ginger to $56.91{\pm}0.25$ and $16.69{\pm}0.06$ in ginger treated for the ninth treatment. On the other hand, redness ($a^*$ value) increased from $-1.51{\pm}0.03$ to $7.34{\pm}0.08$ on the eight treatment and then decreased to $7.21{\pm}0.04$ on the ninth theatment. The contents of 6-gingerol decreased from $3.257{\pm}0.067mg/g$ in the non-treated ginger to $0.567{\pm}0.036mg/g$ on the theatment, whereas the contents of 6-shogaol increased from $1.299{\pm}0.050mg/g$ to $2.999{\pm}0.089mg/g$ on the sixth treatment and decreased to $2.099{\pm}0.039$ on the ninth treatment. The contents of 10-gingerol decreased slightly from $1.106{\pm}0.125mg/g$ to $0.806{\pm}0.026mg/g$. Unlike the 6- and 10-gingerol, the contents of 8-gingerol did not change greatly, with values between $0.916{\pm}0.005mg/g$ and $1.106{\pm}0.005mg/g$ being observed during processing. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities were increased from $43.42{\pm}11.45%$ in the non-treated ginger to 100% on the sixth treatment and then decreased to $51.98{\pm}7.36%$ on the theatment. The antioxidative activity was retained during processing.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1136-1143
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological activities of an aqueous extract of Angelica gigas (Ag) fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc). First, the soluble solids of the F/3 group, in which the Ag was fermented by Sc for 3 days, decreased from $1^{\circ}Bx$ to $0.9^{\circ}Bx$. On the other hand, the pH increased with the number of days of fermentation. The result of a TLC experiment confirmed that it gradually decomposed into a low-molecular weight sugar form upon fermentation. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were higher in the fermented group than in the non-fermented group. K and Ca contents were increased by fermentation in the following order: F/3, NF, and F/0 groups. Decursin and decursinol angelate contents were highest in the F/3 group. The DPPH (${\alpha}$, ${\alpha}{\prime}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity of the NF, F/0, and F/3 groups were 41.89%, 39.51%, and 60.26%, respectively. The inhibition activities of tyrosinase and lipoxygenase were stronger in the F/3 group than in the NF group. This experiment showed that the fermentation of Ag Nakai can lead to an increase in its antioxidant ability, physiological activity, whitening and anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, this oriental herbal medicine can be developed into a functional material that can be utilized in the development of cosmetic products in future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.736-744
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• 2021

Artemisia princeps Pampanini is an herbal medicine widely used to immune function-related diseases, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of AP extract and underlying mechanisms were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells. The effects of AP extract were also studied in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation mouse model. In RAW 264.7 cells, AP extracts significantly inhibited the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. The LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB was also significantly blocked by AP extract in RAW 264.7 cells. Oral administration of AP extract suppressed the increase in mouse paw edema and spleen index compared to CFA-treated mice group. Histologically, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was increased in cartilage and synovium in the CFA-treated mouse group, whereas it was suppressed in the AP extract-administered group. Furthermore, AP extract treatment significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α, levels in CFA and LPS-treated mouse. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis effect of AP extract was confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo models, suggesting that Artemisia princeps Pampanini may be a candidate material for arthritis treatment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.570-582
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• 2020

Purpose: Obesity is a risk factor for various adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. With an increasing obesity population worldwide, the prevention of obesity with natural components has emerged as an alternative health care strategy. Ramulus mori (Sangzhi, RM) is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. It contains various phytochemicals, including stilbenes and 2-arylbenzofurans. In this study, we compared the anti-obesity effects of RM extracts and its major stilbene components (mulberroside A [MSA] and oxyresveratrol [ORT]) in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods: Five week-old, male C57BL/6J mice were grouped into 7 experimental groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD + 1% RM water extracts (MW), HFD + 0.1% MSA, HFD + 1% RM ethanol extracts (ME), HFD + 0.1% ORT, and HFD + 1% Garcinia cambogia extracts (GC) as a positive control. All mice were fed experimental diet for 13 weeks. Results: Compared to the HFD group, total body weight and weekly body weight gain were significantly decreased in the ME, ORT, and GC groups. Glucose tolerance level was significantly decreased in all experimental groups, whereas plasma insulin level was decreased in MSA, ME, ORT and GC groups. Plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased in the MSA, ORT, and GC groups. Hepatic TG accumulation was also significantly decreased in the MSA, ME, ORT, and GC groups. Adipose tissue weight and size of adipocytes were significantly decreased in the MSA, ME and ORT groups, and were comparable to values obtained in the GC group. The levels of adiponectin and SREBP1c mRNA expressions were increased in the ORT and GC groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME, ORT and MSA exert significant anti-obesity effect, and have the potential to be developed as a weight control ingredient of functional foods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1033-1041
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• 2020

Many people of all ages wish to have lighter skin for cosmetic reasons, and natural products attract more attention than chemically synthesized compounds. Uncaria rhynchophylla is widely used in Asia as a traditional herbal medicine. In order to find novel skin whitening agents, the present study evaluated the antioxidant activity and potential tyrosinase-inhibiting properties of U. rhynchophylla. Specifically, this study analyzed the antioxidant capacity of a 70% ethanolic extract of U. rhynchophylla as well as its effects on tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis. Total mRNA levels were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that U. rhynchophylla extracts exhibit great antioxidant capacity and significant levels of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds. U. rhynchophylla extracts can also powerfully inhibit tyrosinase activity. This same capacity was observed in melanoma B16F10 cells; that is, U. rhynchophylla extracts suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity and reduced the amount of melanin in treated cells. In addition, a 1 mg/ml concentration of U. rhynchophylla extract significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of tyrosinase. U. rhynchophylla extracts decrease tyrosinase and inhibit melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. This finding suggests that U. rhynchophylla has great potential as a natural whitening agent in skincare products.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.304-308
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• 2018

The interest in and development of healthy foods and nutraceuticals have increased because of the trend for a health-oriented society. Cinnamon is used as a food ingredient as well as a herbal medicine because of its functional properties. In this study, flavoring compounds and antioxidative activities of cinnamon extracts were investigated with different extraction solvents and extraction methods. The contents of flavoring compounds such as coumarin, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamyl alcohol were investigated. The contents of courmarin, cinnamic acid, and cinnamylaldehyde in 70% ethanol extract were higher than those in hot water and subcritical water extracts. The contents of courmarin, cinnamic acid, and cinnamaldehyde in subcritical water extract were higher than those in hot water extract, whereas the content of cinnamyl alcohol was lower. DPPH scavenging activity increased with increasing concentration of the extracts, and the 70% ethanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity. The ascorbic acid content of the 70% ethanol extract was largest in the antioxidative activity measurement by FRAP analysis. The ascorbic acid contents of the hot water and subcritical water extracts were similar.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2021

Chronic alcohol is responsible for oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant activity and protective effects of seed of Carthamus tinctorius L. on ethanol-induced C6 glial cells. Antioxidant effect of seed of C. tinctorius L. was measured by scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-prcrylhydrazy (DPPH), hydroxyl radical (·OH), superoxide radical, and nitric oxide. The seed of C. tinctorius L. extract showed significant radical scavenging activities in a concentration-dependent manner. In particular, it revealed strong DPPH and ·OH scavenging activity, displaying more than 80% at 500 and 100 ㎍/mL, respectively. Treatment of 500 mM ethanol to C6 glial cell led to decline of cell viability and elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, seed of C. tinctorius L.-treated groups significantly increased cell viability and decreased ROS levels, compared to ethanol-induced control group. These results suggest that seed of C. tinctorius L. would have protective effect against neuronal oxidative stress induced by alcohol.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.14-32
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) has a central role in regulating muscle differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism. PGC-1α stimulates muscle growth and muscle fiber remodeling, concomitantly regulating lactate and lipid metabolism and promoting oxidative metabolism. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thumb.) has been widely employed as a traditional herbal medicine and possesses antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, hypoglycemic, and anticancer properties. We investigated whether G. pentaphyllum extract (GPE) and its active compound, gypenoside L (GL), affect muscle differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism via activation of the PGC-1α pathway in murine C2C12 myoblast cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: C2C12 cells were treated with GPE and GL, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to analyze the mRNA and protein expression levels. Myh1 was determined using immunocytochemistry. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation was measured using the 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. RESULTS: GPE and GL promoted the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes and elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of Myh1 (type IIx). GPE and GL also significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of the PGC-1α gene (Ppargc1a), lactate metabolism-regulatory genes (Esrra and Mct1), adipocyte-browning gene fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 gene (Fndc5), glycogen synthase gene (Gys), and lipid metabolism gene carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b gene (Cpt1b). Moreover, GPE and GL induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, p38, sirtuin1, and deacetylated PGC-1α. We also observed that treatment with GPE and GL significantly stimulated the expression of genes associated with the anti-oxidative stress response, such as Ucp2, Ucp3, Nrf2, and Sod2. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that GPE and GL enhance exercise performance by promoting myotube differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism through the upregulation of PGC-1α in C2C12 skeletal muscle.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2022

Airborne fine dust (FD) particles smaller than 10 ㎛ in diameter (PM10) are one of the major causes of air pollution in East Asia, including Korea, and have become a major contributor to respiratory and skin problems. FD inordinately promotes the production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory response in macrophages, leading to cell damage and death. Rosa rugosa, a deciduous shrub of the Rosa genus, has been used in traditional East Asian herbal medicine to treat various illnesses. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of R. rugosa organ extracts on PM10-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Compared to non-treated RAW264.7 cells, treatment with 100 ㎍.ml^-1 PM10 resulted in increased nitric oxide (NO) production, similar to lipopolysaccharide treatment. Additionally, 100 ㎍/ml stem extract reduced NO production by more than 45% compared to mock treatment. Furthermore, PM10-induced expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, inducible NO synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 was significantly reduced by stem extract treatment, indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of the stem extract is mediated by the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators in PM10-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate that the R. rugosa stem could be considered a natural remedy with a protective effect against inflammatory responses induced by harmful airborne dust.