• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 1999

The effects of carnosine and related compounds (CRC) including anserine, homocarnosine, histidine, and ${\beta}$-alanine, found in most mammalian tissues, were investigated on in vitro glucose oxidation and glycation of human serum albumin (HSA). Carnosin and anserine were more reactive with D-glucose than with L-lysine. In the presence of $10\;{\mu}M$ Cu (II), although carnosine and anserine at low concentrations effectively inhibited formation of ${\alpha}$-ketoaldehyde from D-glucose, they increased generation of $H_2O_2$ in a dose-dependent manner. Carnosine, homocarnosine, anserine, and histidine effectively inhibited hydroxylation of salicylate and deoxyribose degradation in the presence of glucose and $10\;{\mu}M$ Cu (II). In the presence of 25 mM D-glucose, copper and ascorbic acid stimulated carbonyl formation from HSA. Except for ${\beta}$-alanine, CRC effectively inhibited the copper-catalyzed carbonyl formation from HSA. The addition of 25 mM D-glucose and/or $10\;{\mu}M$ Cu (II) to low density lipoprotein (LDL) increased formation of conjugated dienes. CRC effectively inhibited the glucose and/or copper-catalyzed LDL oxidation. CRC also inhibited glycation of HSA as determined by hydroxymethyl furfural and lysine with free ${\varepsilon}$-amino group. These results suggest that CRC may play an important role in protecting against diabetic complications by reacting with sugars, chelating copper, and scavenging free radicals.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.207-211
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• 2010

Current developments in IVF and animal cloning have resulted in increasing demand for large quantities of oocytes and ovarian follicles at specific stages of development. These medical and scientific needs may be met by developing an optimal culture system for preantral follicles. In this study, we investigated the growth of porcine preantral follicle cultures in different media and in the presence and absence of serum. Follicles were manually dissected from ovaries obtained from prepubertal gilts at a local slaughterhouse, and cultured for 3 days in M199 or NCSU23 medium supplemented with porcine FSH, transferrin, L-ascorbic acid and insulin. Follicle diameters were measured on day 1 and 3 of culture. In Experiment 1, the effect of supplementing culture medium with fetal calf serum (FCS) on porcine preantral follicle growth was examined. In the group of cultures supplemented with FCS, follicle diameter after 3 days of culture, survival rate and antrum formation rate in the FCS group were significantly higher than those of the control group. In Experiment 2, the effects of culture medium (M199 and NCSU23) on follicle growth were compared. Follicle diameters were increased in the M199 group, compared with those in NCSU23 (p<0.05), but we observed no significant differences in survival and antrum formation rates between cultures grown in the two media. In conclusion, supplementation of the culture medium with serum enhances preantral follicle growth and antrum formation, and M199 is superior to NUSU23 for porcine preantral follicle culture in vitro.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.3102-3102
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• 2001

Constituents of several .representative seaweeds, such as wakame Undaria pinnatifida; hijikia Hizikia fusifome; and kombu Laminaria japonica, were found to have fairly large reaction rates determined by quenching experiments of emission spectra in the near-infrared region (1max: 1270 nm) from singlet oxygen (102). Emission spectra of singlet oxygen generated from an aqueous solution of Rose Bengal under irradiation with a green laser (330 nm) were measured by a near-infrared (NIR) emission spectrometer constructed in our laboratory. The quenching experiments were as follows: Intensities of emission spectra were measured in the absence (I0) and in the presence of the seaweed constituents (I): Ratios of I0/I were plotted against every concentration of the quenchers (Stern-Volmer plots) which gives a straight line. The slope of each line gives a kqt value which gives a quenching constant kq value (an antioxidative constant against singlet oxygen) when the t value (half-life time of singlet oxygen in the solvent used) was given. The determined reaction rates are between 103-105 (g/l)-ls-1; the larger ones are as large as that of ascorbic acid, 8.4 ${\times}$ 104 (g/1)-ls-1. Most of these seaweed constituents also showed antioxidative activity against auto-oxidation and superoxide as well as their immunological enhancing activity. These results suggest a possibility that dietary fibers which are supposed to prevent the large-intestine cancer by their physical properties may prevent the cancer, at least in parts, by their chemical, antioxidative activity.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 2011

Purpose: Under different culture conditions, periodontal ligament (PDL) stem cells are capable of differentiating into cementoblast-like cells, adipocytes, and collagen-forming cells. Several previous studies reported that because of the stem cells in the PDL, the PDL have a regenerative capacity which, when appropriately triggered, participates in restoring connective tissues and mineralized tissues. Therefore, this study analyzed the genes involved in mineralization during differentiation of human PDL (hPDL) cells, and searched for candidate genes possibly associated with the mineralization of hPDL cells. Methods: To analyze the gene expression pattern of hPDL cells during differentiation, the hPDL cells were cultured in two conditions, with or without osteogenic cocktails (${\beta}$-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid and dexamethasone), and a DNA microarray analysis of the cells cultured on days 7 and 14 was performed. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to validate the DNA microarray data. Results: The up-regulated genes on day 7 by hPDL cells cultured in osteogenic medium were thought to be associated with calcium/iron/metal ion binding or homeostasis (PDE1A, HFE and PCDH9) and cell viability (PCDH9), and the down-regulated genes were thought to be associated with proliferation (PHGDH and PSAT1). Also, the up-regulated genes on day 14 by hPDL cells cultured in osteogenic medium were thought to be associated with apoptosis, angiogenesis (ANGPTL4 and FOXO1A), and adipogenesis (ANGPTL4 and SEC14L2), and the down-regulated genes were thought to be associated with cell migration (SLC16A4). Conclusions: This study suggests that when appropriately triggered, the stem cells in the hPDL differentiate into osteoblasts/cementoblasts, and the genes related to calcium binding (PDE1A and PCDH9), which were strongly expressed at the stage of matrix maturation, may be associated with differentiation of the hPDL cells into osteoblasts/cementoblasts.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2017

Background: We investigated the antioxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of 70% ethanol extract, and its fractions, of the root of Rumex japonicus HOUTT. Methods and Results: The total phenolic compound contents of the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were 168.99 mg/g and 651.78 mg/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity was compared through the DPPH radical and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH radical and NO scavenging abilities, which confirmed the antioxidant activity. Specifically, the ethyl acetate fraction showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging ability than ascorbic acid. These results were related to the total phenolic compound content of the ethyl acetate fraction. Moreover, in the tyrosinase inhibition assay, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited stronger inhibitory activity than arbutin, which was used as the positive control. The cell viability of L929 cells was analyzed by MTT assay after treatment with 70% ethanol extract and all fractions; no changes in viability were observed, which demonstrated the nontoxic nature of the extract and fractions. Conclusions: These results suggested that the extract from the root of R. japonicus and its ethyl acetate fraction could be a novel resource for the development of a cosmetic with antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1435-1447
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• 2012

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of hexaconazole (HEX), a triazole fungicide, on the growth, yield, photosynthetic response and antioxidant potential in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants subjected to UV-B stress. UV-B radiation and HEX were applied separately or in combination to cucumber seedlings. The growth parameters were significantly reduced under UV-B treatment, however, this growth inhibition was less in HEX treated plants. HEX caused noticeable changes in plant morphology such as reduced shoot length and leaf area, and increased leaf thickness. HEX was quite persistent in inhibiting shoot growth by causing a reduction in shoot fresh and dry weight. HEX noticeably recovered the UV-B induced inhibition of biomass production. Significant accumutation in anthocyanin and flavonoid pigments in the leaves occurred as a result of HEX or UV-B treatments. HEX permitted the survival of more green leaf tissue preventing chlorophyll content reduction and higher quantum yield for photosystemII under UV-B exposure. HEX treatment induced a transient rise in ABA levels in the leaves, and combined application of HEX and UV-B showed a significant enhancement of ABA content which activates $H_2O_2$ generation. UV-B exposure induced accumulation of $H_2O_2$ in the leaves, while HEX prevented UV-B induced increase in $H_2O_2$, indicating that HEX serves as an antioxidant agent able to scavenge $H_2O$ to protect cells from oxidative damage. An increase in the ascorbic acid was observed in the HEX treated cucumber leaves affecting many enzyme activities by removing $H_2O_2$ during photosynthetic processes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes including catalase(CAT), ascorbate peroxidase(APX), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and peroxidase(POD) in the leaves in the presence of HEX under UV-B stress were higher than those under UV-B stress alone. These findings suggest that HEX may participate in the enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress. From these results it can be concluded that HEX moderately ameliolate the effect of UV-B stress in cucumber by improving the components of antioxidant defense system.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2013

To investigate radical scavenging effects and protective activities of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) against oxidative stress, in vitro and a cellular system using LLC-$PK_1$ renal epithelial cells were used in this study. The butanol (BuOH) fraction of bitter melon scavenged 63.4% and 87.1% of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals at concentrations of 250 and $500{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In addition, the BuOH fraction of bitter melon effectively scavenged hydroxyl radicals (${\cdot}OH$). At all concentrations tested, the scavenging activity of the BuOH fraction was more potent than that of the positive control, ascorbic acid. Furthermore, under the LLC-$PK_1$ cellular model, the cells showed a decline in viability and an increase in lipid peroxidation through oxidative stress induced by pyrogallol, a generator of superoxide anion ($O_2{^-}$). However, the BuOH fraction of bitter melon significantly and dose-dependently inhibited cytotoxicity. In addition, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a generator of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$) formed by simultaneous releases of nitric oxide and $O_2{^-}$, caused cytotoxicity in the LLC-$PK_1$ cells while the BuOH fraction of bitter melon ameliorated oxidative damage induced by $ONOO^-$. These results indicate that BuOH fraction of bitter melon has protective activities against oxidative damage induced by free radicals.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.6 s.101
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• pp.484-488
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• 2006

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is widely used as a dietary condiment throughout the world. Its major constituent, 6-gingerol, exhibits diverse pharmacological activities including anti-oxidant and anti-tumor. Ginger were extracted by 0% to 95% ethanol. Maximum yield of 6-gingerol was obtained with 80% ethanol as extracting solvent at $30^{\circ}C$. We obtained increased yield (7%) of extraction by pretreatment with ultrasonication. Gingerols in the crude ginger extract was isolated by Sepacore preparative liquid chromatography on silica gel. We got the 6-gingerol which weight is 0.53 mg/mL, from fraction F9. Antioxidant effect of 6-gingerol were detected by DPPH moth(10. Its radical scavenging activity was $95{\sim}99%$ which compared with ascorbic acid.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2004

A peroxynitrite is formed when superoxide and nitric oxide exist at near eqimolar ratio in biological systems. Although not a free radical by chemical nature, peroxynitrite is a powerful oxidant having a wide array of tissue damaging effects ranging from lipid oxidation and inactivation of enzymes and ion channels through protein oxidation and nitration to inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. During our search for new antioxidizing components from natural resources, twenty salt marsh plants were screened for their ONOO and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Among them, methanol extract of Rosa rugosa, lxeris tamagawaensis, Erigeron annus, Tetragonia tetragonoides, Imperata cylindrica, and Suaeda japonica inhibited more than 85% of peroxynitrite produced by 3-morpholinsydnonimine (SIN-1) at a concentration of 5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$. In addition, Rosa rugosa, Artemisia capillaris, Erigeron annus and Ixeris tamagawaensis showed significant scavenging effect against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.237-244
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• 1998

A study was carried out to elucidate the relation between the production of flavonol glycosides and the change of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in cell suspension cultures of Ginkgo biloba by the unassisted and synergistic effects of various factors. The quercetin production showed a mixed-growth-associated pattern in cell suspension cultures. Fluorescent light and UV radiation increased phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, and resulted in the increase of the production of quercetin and kaempferol ten- and four-fold, respectively, as compared to that obtained in the normal culture condition. The cell growth of Ginkgo biloba was enhanced .at higher temperatures whereas the quercetin production was at its maximum at low temperatures. Moreover, the quercetin production was increased by temperature change during the culture period. In particular, the quercetin production was at the highest level when the culture temperature was elevated from $10^{\circ}C\;to\;30^{\circ}C$. The addition of phenylalanine as a precursor in the culture medium stimulated an 8-fold increase in the production of quercetin; the addition of naringenin caused a l0-fold increase. The quercetin production was also greatly increased by feeding enzyme cofactors such as 2-ketoglutarate and ascorbic acid in the culture medium, but specific PAL activity was not increased except with phenylalanine feeding. The synergistic effect of UV radiation and naringenin feeding was observed, resulting in the increase of flavonol glycoside production at a rate higher than in any other case investigated.