• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1516-1524
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• 2013

To find a novel skin whitening agent, the effect of cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps militaris (CM${\alpha}$) extract fermented by fungi on anti-melanogenesis in B16F0 mouse melanoma cells was investigated. Fermented CM${\alpha}$ was prepared with fungi, including Monascus purpureus (Mp), Aspergillus oryzae (Ao), Aspergillus kawachii (Ak), and Rhizopus oryzae (Ro), respectively. When the content of the phenolics and the flavonoids and the activities of the antioxidant and the mushroom tyrosinase inhibition were measured in the CM fermented by Ak (AkF-CM), the highest content of the phenolics was 46 mg/g dry weight and the highest content of the flavonoids was 0.93 mg/g; the highest activity of the DPPH radical scavenging was 62.74% and the highest activity of the mushroom tyrosinase inhibition was 79.97% CM${\alpha}$CM${\alpha}$. From this result, AkF-CM${\alpha}$ exhibited the highest mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity and so it was used in subsequent anti-melanogenesis. B16F0 melanoma cells were treated with 1-10 mg/ml concentrations of AkF-CM${\alpha}$ and 200 ${\mu}M$ arbutin as the positive control. The melanin content and cell viability of the melanoma cells by arbutin treatment decreased to 43% and 92% of the control, respectively. AkF-CM${\alpha}$ treatment at 1, 3, and 5 mg/ml concentrations decreased the extracellular melanin release induced by IBMX treatment by 35%, 45%, and 53%, respectively. AkF-CM${\alpha}$ showed inhibitory activity against both intracellular tyrosinase in melanoma cells and mushroom tyrosinase. AkF-CM${\alpha}$ reduced the protein level of tyrosinase in the IBMX-stimulated cells. These results indicate that AkF-CM${\alpha}$ suppressed the activity and protein content of cellular tyrosinase and decreased the total melanin content in cultured B16F0 melanoma cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2012

To isolate a novel antifungal compound, we obtained 100 kinds of endolichenic fungi from Korean Lichen & Allied Bioresources Center and examined their antifungal capability. Three fungi Usnea rigidula (2326), Parmotrema pseudotinctorum (2202) and Myelochroa sp. (2292) showed high antifungal activity against Candida albicans when they grew in both liquid and solid media. We extracted the culture supernatants of these three fungi with chloroform and then with ethyl acetate. Chloroform fraction exhibited the highest antifungal activities when those fractions were examined for the growth inhibition of Candida albicans with disc diffusion method. The chloroform faction was on further analysis with $C_{18}$ column chromatography to see whether the inhibitors are already known or not. Two peak fractions were collected from 4-day culture extract for Usnea rigidula and from 6-day culture extract for Parmotrema pseudotinctorum on the HPLC. A peak fraction from chloroform extracts of 4-day culture filtrate of Parmotrema pseudotinctorum showed higher antifungal activities against C. albicans and C. glabrata than another peak fraction. It appears that the antifungal materials are relatively nonpolar as usnic acid often found in lichenic fungi.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.129-144
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• 2002

We investigated anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects of Panax ginseng berry extract and its major constituent, ginsenoside Re, in obese diabetic C57BL/6J ob/ob mice and their lean littermates. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of Panax ginseng berry extract for 12 days. On Day 5, 150 mg/kg extract-treated ob/ob mice had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to vehicle-treated mice $(156{\pm}9.0\;mg/dl\;vs.\;243{\pm}15.8mg/dl,$ P<0.01). On Day 12, the extract-treated ob/ob mice became normoglycemic $(137{\pm}6.7\;mg/dl)$ and had significantly improved glucose tolerance. The overall glucose excursion during the two-hour intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), calculated as area under the curve (AUC), decreased by $46\%$ (P<0.01) compared to vehicle-treated ob/ob mice. Glucose levels of lean mice were not significantly affected by the extract. The improvement in blood glucose levels in 150 mg/kg extracttreated ob/ob mice was associated with significant reduction in serum insulin levels of fed and fasting mice. Consistent with an improvement in insulin sensitivity, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp study revealed a more than 2-fold increase in the rate of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in treated ob/ob mice $(112{\pm}19.1\;vs.\;52{\pm}11.8{\mu}mol/kg/min$ for the vehicle group, P<0.01). In addition, 150 mg/kg extract-treated ob/ob mice, but not the lean mice, lost significant weight (from $51.7{\pm}1.9g\;on\;Day\;0\;to\;45.7{\pm}1.2$ on Day 12, P<0.01 compared to vehicle-treated ob/ob mice), associated with a significant reduction in food intake (P<0.05) and a very significant increase in energy expenditure (P<0.01) and body temperature (P<0.01). A 12-day treatment with 150 mg/kg Panax ginseng berry extract also significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels in ob/ob mice. Additional studies demonstrated that ginsenoside Re, a major constituent of the ginseng berry, but not from the root, plays a significant role in anti-hyperglycemic action. This anti-diabetic effect of ginsenoside Re was not associated with body weight changes, suggesting that other constituents in the extract have distinct pharmacological mechanisms on energy metabolism. The identification of a significant anti-hyperglycemic activity in ginsenoside Re may provide an opportunity to develop a novel class of anti-diabetic agent.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.302-310
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• 2018

CD47 (integrin-associated protein), a multi-spanning transmembrane protein expressed in all cells including red blood cells (RBCs) and leukocytes, interacts with signal regulatory protein ${\alpha}$ ($SIRP{\alpha}$) on macrophages and thereby inhibits phagocytosis of RBCs. Recently, we generated a novel C57BL/6J CD47 knockout ($CD47^{-/-}$ hereafter) mouse line by employing a CRISPR/Cas9 system at Center for Mouse Models of Human Disease, and here report their hematological phenotypes. On monitoring their birth and development, $CD47^{-/-}$ mice were born viable with a natural male-to-female sex ratio and normally developed from birth through puberty to adulthood without noticeable changes in growth, food/water intake compared to their age and sex-matched wild-type littermates up to 26 weeks. Hematological analysis revealed a mild but significant reduction of RBC counts and hemoglobin in 16 week-old male $CD47^{-/-}$ mice which were aggravated at the age of 26 weeks with increased reticulocyte counts and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), suggesting hemolytic anemia. Interestingly, anemia in female $CD47^{-/-}$ mice became evident at 26 weeks, but splenomegaly was identified in both genders of $CD47^{-/-}$ mice from the age of 16 weeks, consistent with development of hemolytic anemia. Additionally, helper and cytotoxic T cell populations were considerably reduced in the spleen, but not in thymus, of $CD47^{-/-}$ mice, suggesting a crucial role of CD47 in proliferation of T cells. Collectively, these findings indicate that our $CD47^{-/-}$ mice have progressive hemolytic anemia and splenic depletion of mature T cell populations and therefore may be useful as an in vivo model to study the function of CD47.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.329-336
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• 2021

Cellulophga sp. J9-3, is a gram-negative, aerobic marine bacterium belonging to the family Flavobacteriaceae. In addition to cellulose degradability, the J9-3 strain is also capable of hydrolyzing agar in the solid and liquid medium, and the production of agarase in the presence of agarose can be remarkably induced by the bacterium. From the cell culture broth of Cellulophga sp. J9-3, ammonium sulfate precipitation and three kinds of column chromatography were successively performed to purify a specific agarase protein, the AgaJ93. Purified AgaJ93 showed the strongest hydrolyzing activity towards agarose (approximately 22%), and even displayed activity towards starch. AgaJ93 hydrolyzed agarose into neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose via various oligosaccharide intermediates, indicating that AgaJ93 is an endo-type β-agarase. AgaJ93 showed maximum activity at a pH of 7.0 and temperature of 35 ℃. Its activity increased by more than six times in the presence of Co²⁺ ions. The N-terminal sequence of AgaJ93 showed 82% homology with the heat-resistant endo-type β-agarase Aga2 of Cellulophaga sp. W5C. However, the biochemical properties of the two enzymes were different. Therefore, AgaJ93 is expected to be a novel agarose, different from the previously reported β-agarases.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.59
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• pp.371-393
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• 2018

Jeong Yak-yong attempted to establish a new philosophical system through the criticism on Neo-Confucianism. The most important area among the ideas of Dasan is on the ethical thoughts. He has a tremendous interest in the ethical education as well as ethical thought. During his exile, he gathered children around and educated them by editing "Jegyeong(弟經)". Dasan regarded "Sohak(小學)" to have some problems in educating children. Thus, he reconstructed the contents of "Sohak" and edited "Jegyeong". "Jegyeong" is more concise than Sohak and is a textbook focusing on children which is mainly composed of practical etiquette in the everyday life. It contains etiquettes to parents, teachers and adults, etiquettes on food in the everyday life and etiquettes between men and women. Although the contents does not exceed the scope of Sohak, he selected reasonable contents and composed with practical contents. Thus, it is practical. Dasan also attempted to make a novel interpretation on Saseo (四書), i.e., Noneo, Maengja, Daehak and Jungyong. His new interpretation on Saseo can be considered as ethical textbooks in a broad sense. Dasan considered the key ethical principle of Saseo (四書) to be Seo (恕). Accordingly, he thought it is very important to understand and practice ethical principle of Seo (恕). Dasan studied and annotated "Simgyeong(心經)" and "Sohak(小學)" for self moral discipline. And, he thought it is utmost important to understand and accept the existence of Sangje (上帝) in order to keep moral mind. He believed it to be important to have Gyesingonggu (戒愼恐懼), which is to aware and respect the existence of Sangje (god) for self discipline and Sindok (愼獨) to be cautious about things that only he was aware of. He thought that if people are aware of Sangje (上帝) and make dialog with Sangje, the will of Sangje could be expressed into Dosim (道心). In the ethical education, it can be said that, ultimately, the awareness on the absolute being is the most important point to Dasan.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.140-154
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• 2023

Purpose: Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) is generally used in conventional medicines and is considered to have remedial properties to cure several diseases. However, application of the C. lanceolata bud as a novel food ingredient has not been fully explored. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is associated with the production of oxidative damage that results in mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and cell death. This study examines the neuroprotective effect of C. lanceolate bud extracts (CLBE) on H₂O₂-stimulated apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: C. lanceolata bud of length 10 to 15 cm was collected and extracted using 70% ethanol. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the EZ-cytox reagent, measurement of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The morphological changes of the nuclei were determined using the Hoechst 33258 dye. Enzyme activities were analyzed using the caspase activity assay kit. Related protein expressions were quantified by the Western blot immunoassay in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. Results: Cell viability, LDH release and ROS generation, demonstrated neuroprotective effects of CLBE in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. The occurrence of apoptosis in H₂O₂-stimulated cells was confirmed by caspase activity, which was increased in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells compared to the unexposed group. Pretreatment of CLBE was observed to inhibit the H₂O₂-stimulated apoptosis. In addition, exposure to CLBE resulted in increased expression of the Bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma 2) protein and decreased expression of the Bax (Bcl2 associated X) protein. Conclusion: This study shows that exposure to CLBE alleviates the H₂O₂-stimulated neuronal damage in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results indicate the potential application of CLBE in neurodegenerative disease therapy or prevention.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.44.1-44.17
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• 2023

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health concern around the globe. Antimicrobial peptides exhibit broad-spectrum and efficient antibacterial activity with an added advantage of low drug resistance. The higher water content and 3D network structure of the hydrogels are beneficial for maintaining antimicrobial peptide activity and help to prevent degradation. The antimicrobial peptide released from hydrogels also hasten the local wound healing by promoting epithelial tissue regeneration and granulation tissue formation. Objective: This study aimed at developing sodium alginate based hydrogel loaded with a novel antimicrobial peptide Chol-37(F34-R) and to investigate the characteristics in vitro and in vivo as an alternative antibacterial wound dressing to treat infectious wounds. Methods: Hydrogels were developed and optimized by varying the concentrations of crosslinkers and subjected to various characterization tests like cross-sectional morphology, swelling index, percent water contents, water retention ratio, drug release and antibacterial activity in vitro, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected wound mice model in vivo. Results: The results indicated that the hydrogel C proved superior in terms of cross-sectional morphology having uniformly sized interconnected pores, a good swelling index, with the capacity to retain a higher quantity of water. Furthermore, the optimized hydrogel has been found to exert a significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria and was also found to prevent bacterial infiltration into the wound site due to forming an impermeable barrier between the wound bed and external environment. The optimized hydrogel was found to significantly hasten skin regeneration in animal models when compared to other treatments in addition to strong inhibitory effect on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α). Conclusions: Our results suggest that sodium alginate -based hydrogels loaded with Chol-37(F34-R) hold the potential to be used as an alternative to conventional antibiotics in treating infectious skin wounds.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.31-49
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• 2023

With the growth of the food-catering industry, consumer preferences and the number of dine-in restaurants are gradually increasing. Thus, personalized recommendation services are required to select a restaurant suitable for consumer preferences. Previous studies have used questionnaires and star-rating approaches, which do not effectively depict consumer preferences. Online reviews are the most essential sources of information in this regard. However, previous studies have aggregated online reviews into long documents, and traditional machine-learning methods have been applied to these to extract semantic representations; however, such approaches fail to consider the surrounding word or context. Therefore, this study proposes a novel review textual-based restaurant recommendation model (RT-RRM) that uses deep learning to effectively extract consumer preferences from online reviews. The proposed model concatenates consumer-restaurant interactions with the extracted high-level semantic representations and predicts consumer preferences accurately and effectively. Experiments on real-world datasets show that the proposed model exhibits excellent recommendation performance compared with several baseline models.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.179-190
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• 2024

Cannabis sativa is a plant widely cultivated worldwide and has been used as a material for food, medicine, building materials and cosmetics. In this study, we assessed the functional effects of C. sativa stem and root extracts using network pharmacology and confirmed their novel functions. The components in stem and root ethanol extracts were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, and networks between the components and proteins were constructed using the STICHI database. Functional annotation of the proteins was performed using the KEGG pathway. The effects of the extracts were confirmed in lysophosphatidylcholine-induced THP-1 cells using real-time PCR. A total of 21 and 32 components were identified in stem and root extracts, respectively, and 147 and 184 proteins were linked to stem and root components, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis showed that 69 pathways, including the MAPK signaling pathway, were commonly affected by the extracts. Further investigation using pathway networks revealed that terpenoid backbone biosynthesis was likely affected by the extracts, and the expression of the MVK and MVD genes, key proteins in terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, was decreased in LPC-induced THP-1 cells. Therefore, this study determined the diverse function of C. sativa extracts, providing information for predicting and researching the effects of C. sativa.