• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.715-723
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• 2023

Microbial biofilms are resilient, immune-evasive, often antibiotic-resistant health challenges, and increasingly the target for research into novel therapeutic strategies. We evaluated the effects of a nutraceutical enzyme and botanical blend (NEBB) on established biofilm. Five microbial strains with known implications in chronic human illnesses were tested: Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus simulans (coagulase-negative, penicillin-resistant), Borrelia burgdorferi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The strains were allowed to form biofilm in vitro. Biofilm cultures were treated with NEBB containing enzymes targeted at lipids, proteins, and sugars, also containing the mucolytic compound N-acetyl cysteine, along with antimicrobial extracts from cranberry, berberine, rosemary, and peppermint. The post-treatment biofilm mass was evaluated by crystal-violet staining, and metabolic activity was measured using the MTT assay. Average biofilm mass and metabolic activity for NEBB-treated biofilms were compared to the average of untreated control cultures. Treatment of established biofilm with NEBB resulted in biofilm-disruption, involving significant reductions in biofilm mass and metabolic activity for Candida and both Staphylococcus species. For B. burgdorferi, we observed reduced biofilm mass, but the remaining residual biofilm showed a mild increase in metabolic activity, suggesting a shift from metabolically quiescent, treatment-resistant persister forms of B. burgdorferi to a more active form, potentially more recognizable by the host immune system. For P. aeruginosa, low doses of NEBB significantly reduced biofilm mass and metabolic activity while higher doses of NEBB increased biofilm mass and metabolic activity. The results suggest that targeted nutraceutical support may help disrupt biofilm communities, offering new facets for integrative combinational treatment strategies.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to introduce the Korean medicine respiratory management program in public health center and to analyze the effects of that program. Methods : The respiratory management program was targeted on 22 soldiers during March 2016. The interventions of this program were herbal medicines (Gilgyung-tang and so on), aromatherapy, peppermint tea, fine dust mask, and health education. Data were collected by retrospective reviewing medical chart and analyzed using SPSS 18.0. Results : Total symptoms scores were measured by 4-point likert scale. Total score was $5.50{\pm}4.848$ at 1st week and $3.27{\pm}3.058$ at 4th week (p=0.008). The severity of respiratory discomfort reduced by $-1.14{\pm}2.46$ compared with last year. The satisfaction score was $7.82{\pm}4.16$. The most hoping program was muscular skeletal disease management program. Conclusions : This study suggests that Korean medical world should prepare countermeasures to cope with diseases caused by air pollution.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.443-448
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• 1992

To investigate the production of monoterpenoids by Mentha pipperita cells in suspension culture, effects of media formulation, plant growth hormones, initial pH of the media, and cold stress on the production of essential oil and menthol were analyzed. Among the media employed, Lin-Staba medium resulted in the best essential oil production. Addition of 100 mg/l of yeast extract to the Lin-Staba medium induced the cells to produce large amount of essential oil and high content of menthol (0.39 g/l and 19.6%, respectively). In the effect of plant growth hormone, auxine were more effective than cytokinins. At initial pH of 4.7, oil production was good but menthol content was low. However at pH 5.7 the trend was reversed. When the culture temperature was lowered from $27^{\circ}$ to $10^{\circ}$ during 6 hour-dark period, growth was not changed much but essential oil production and menthol content was increased and reached to 528 mg/l and 21%, respectively.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develop 'Emotion Rating Scale induced by Odors'and to identify the structure of odor emotion induced by odors. At first 37 adjectives that describe odor to develop a rating scale were selected. Subjects were to rate odor emotion on a 7-point bipolar scale. 304 subjects participated and were as a group instructed to rate odor emotion. 53 out of 304 subjects were retested to test for reliability of the scale two weeks after under the same condition and finally 25 adjectives were then selected based on high test-retest reliability and factor loading, high contributing to one factor. 24 subjects each in 10s, 20s, 30s & 40s were to rate odor emotion induced by 5 different odors on the scale developed. The structure of odor emotion consisted of 'Esthetics', 'Intensity', 'Romance', 'Nature'and 'Character'. The structure of odor emotion by age appeared quite similar but that by different odors was little bit different.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.257-263
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• 1995

As a primary step to develop natural preservative for extending the shelf-life of kimchi, the effect of 102 edible plants, 21 antimicrobial agents and related compounds on kimchi fermentation was studied. Among 42 oriental medicinal plants tested, Baical skullcap and Assam indigo were found to be highly effective for maintaining the fresh state of kimchi. Although Bugbane, Red mangolia, Bushy sophora, Szechuan pepper, Chinese quince and Scisandre significantly inhibit the growth of Lactobacilli, their effect was not high enough to be used as raw materials for kimchi preservative. When the effect of 32 herbs and spices was tested, peppermint, cinnamon, lemon balm, clove, hop, rosemary, sage, horseradish and thyme showed high antimicrobial activity against kimchi microorganisms. Among them, the effect of clove ranked top. When it was added to fresh kimchi, initial cfu value ($2.4{\times}10^{6}cfu/g$) changed little even after 2 day's fermentation ($2.6{\times}10^{6}cfu/g$). Sensory test was not a good criteria to evaluate the effect of herbs and spices, since their highly specific flavors affected the taste of kimchies. Twenty eight fruits, vegetables and related plants were tested, but only leaves of pine tree, persimmon and oak leaves showed a significant bactericidal effect, finally contributing to the storage of kimchi. In addition, when 21 natural preservatives and other compounds were added individually to fresh kimchi, nisin and caffeic acid could inhibit fermentation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.190-195
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to figure out the best condition in growth and sod quality of Mentha spp. according to cutting methods and soil depth. Applemint (M. suaveolens), Peppermint (M. piperita), and Spearmint (M. spicata) were used. Regardless of cultivar and soil depth condition, the growth rate in top cutting was higher than layering method. The difference between layering and layering without apical meristem was not significant. Optimal condition for growth was 5cm depth of soil. However, the shallower the depth of the soil, the better quality of sod. Among three Mentha species, M suavelens showed plant height and node number and M. piperita had shoot number were higher than other variety. The best condition of sod was top cutting and 1cm depth of soil regardless of cultivar.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence rate of bacteremia following toothbrushing with toothpastes composed of several antibacterial agents and compare the results with the conventional oral hygiene maintaining methods in orthodontic patients. Methods: This clinical study included 100 adult orthodontic patients who were divided into 4 groups. Each group comprised of 25 patients, wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. In the first group, bacteremia was assessed after toothbrushing without using any toothpaste. In the second group, a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse was used before brushing with no toothpaste. In the third group, subjects brushed with a commonly used toothpaste which did not include an additional antimicrobial agent. The fourth experimental group used toothpaste which included tea tree oil, clove oil, peppermint oil and bisabolol as antimicrobial elements. Pre- and post-brushing blood samples were obtained using a strict aseptic technique. All samples were microbiologically evaluated using blood culture bottles. Results: Toothbrushing in orthodontic patients yielded to an increase in the occurrence rate of bacteremia when using normal toothpaste or no toothpaste at all. Conclusions: The use of chlorhexidine mouthwash before toothbrushing, and brushing with antimicrobial toothpaste did not show a statistically significant difference in preventing the occurrence of bacteremia (p > 0.05).

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.171-181
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• 2022

Purpose: In this paper, we show our blending ratio of 10 types of Essential Oils that survives beneficial bacteria and kills harmful bacteria in the scalp, and we investigate the possibility of application of our blending ratio to the development of anti-dandruff products and the possibility of being used as a raw material for clinical beauty and customized cosmetics. Methods: The scalp microorganisms used in our study were M. furfur, S. epidermidis, E. coli, and P. nitroreducens. There are a total of 10 Essential Oils such as True Lavender, Lime, Roman chamomile, Rosemary camphor, Cedarwood, Geranium, Clove, Tea tree, Palmalosa, and Peppermint. The antibacterial test of the blended Essential Oil was carried out according to the test method of the standardized evaluation methodology of "Food and Food Additives Code". Since M. furfur is related to the growth of sebum in the scalp, in this study we used the fnLNB and the fnLNA with 20 ㎖ of whole fat cow milk added. Results: The blending ratio of EO, which inhibits dandruff-causing bacteria such as M. furfur, S. epidermidis, E. coli, and does not inhibit P. nitroreducens showing dominant growth in a healthy scalp, was B8(Clove 0.2%, Roman chamomile 0.5%, Tea tree 0.3%), B9(Geranium 0.1%, Palmarosa 0.1%, Roman chamomile 0.5%, Tea tree 0.3%), B10(Clove 0.1%, Geranium 0.1%, Palmarosa 0.1%, Roman chamomile 0.5%, Tea tree 0.2%). Conclusion: It is thought that the blending ratio of BEO obtained as a result of this study can provide a basis for use as an alternative to antibiotics in developing anti-dandruff drugs and emerge as a new alternative to solve scalp microbial imbalance. In order for EO to be used as a useful raw material for anti-dandruff preparation, researches on 1) Standardization (the effects of products differ according to the types, regions, climate, extraction methods, etc.), 2) Antimicrobial effects, 3) Safety, etc., must be established.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.5.1-5.10
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• 2024

Background: External parasites, particularly ticks and fleas, are among the most common problems affecting dogs. Chemical medicines are commonly used to prevent and eliminate such external parasites, but their improper use can cause adverse reactions, and the toxins they contain may remain in the environment. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro efficacy of Zanthoxylum limonella, citronella, clove, peppermint, and ginger essential oils against dog ticks and fleas and to test the sensitivity of dogs' skin to these essential oils. Methods: The five essential oils were tested for in vitro efficacy against ticks and fleas, and the two most effective essential oils were then tested on the dogs' skin. Results: The results revealed that these five essential oils at 16% concentrations effectively inhibited the spawning of female engorged ticks. In addition, all five essential oils had a strong ability to kill tick larvae at concentrations of 2% upward. Furthermore, 4% concentrations of the five essential oils quickly eliminated fleas, especially clove oil, which killed 100% of fleas within 1 h. A 50%, 90%, and 99% lethal concentration (LC₅₀, LC₉₀, and LC₉₉) for the essential oils on tick larvae in 24 h were found to be low values. LC₅₀, LC₉₀, and LC₉₉ for the essential oils on flea in 1 h was lowest values. Clove oil at 16% concentration was the most satisfactory essential oil for application on dogs' skin, with a low percentage of adverse effects. Conclusions: This study confirmed the effectiveness of essential oils for practical use as tick and flea repellents and eliminators. Essential-oil-based pharmaceutical can replace chemical pesticides and provide benefits for both consumers and the environment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.209-223
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• 2024

Purpose: Periodontal disease is a chronic condition caused by microbial infection and mediated by the host's immune response. Phytotherapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes a renewable resource capable of supplying less expensive medicines for the world's growing population. This review aimed to present clinical evidence on the use of complementary medicinal herbs in the treatment of periodontal diseases. Methods: Different databases were searched using the terms "herbal" and "periodontitis." All included studies were examined with a focus on herbal indications, type, and prescription length. Dentists' therapeutic and prophylactic herbal prescribing habits were also assessed. Results: Various herbs such as turmeric, neem, aloe-vera, pomegranate, catechu, tulsi, cloves, lemon grass, green tea, tea tree oil, peppermint, garlic, pineapple, oak bark, babul, bakul, sage, coriander, moringa, amla, guava, and grape seed extract have been used in the treatment of periodontitis. These herbs have been reported to exhibit a range of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antiplaque, antihalitosis, antiresorptive, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. These components can be utilized in various forms such as mouth rinse, gel, oil, toothpaste, aqueous extract, mouthwash, or tooth powder. Conclusions: Several readily available herbal formulations are now available on the market and have been shown to be effective as supplemental periodontal phytotherapy. However, these should be used under the supervision of a dental professional to ensure optimal benefits and effectiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the understanding of suggested herbal prescription practices among dental professionals.