• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.329-340
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• 2024

Mangiferin is a kind of natural xanthone glycosides and is known to have various pharmacological activities. However, since the beneficial efficacy of this compound has not been reported in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, this study aimed to evaluate whether mangiferin could protect human RPE ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury mimicked by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The results showed that mangiferin attenuated H₂O₂-induced cell viability reduction and DNA damage, while inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and preserving diminished glutathione (GSH). Mangiferin also antagonized H₂O₂-induced inhibition of the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase and GSH peroxidase, which was associated with inhibition of mitochondrial ROS production. In addition, mangiferin protected ARPE-19 cells from H₂O₂-induced apoptosis by increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, decreasing caspase-3 activation, and blocking poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Moreover, mangiferin suppressed the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, which was achieved by interfering with mitochondrial membrane disruption. Furthermore, mangiferin increased the expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, the inhibition of ROS production, cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of mangiferin were significantly attenuated by the HO-1 inhibitor, indicating that mangiferin promoted Nrf2-mediated HO-1 activity to prevent ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury. The results of this study suggest that mangiferin, as an Nrf2 activator, has potent ROS scavenging activity and may have the potential to protect oxidative stress-mediated ocular diseases.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the photosynthetic characters of Populus alba${\times}$glandulosa cuttings in response to elevated $CO_2$ concentration and air temperature for selecting tree species adaptive to climate change. The cuttings were grown in environment controlled growth chambers with two combinations of $CO_2$ concentration and air temperature conditions: (i) $22^{\circ}C$ + $CO_2$ 380 ${\mu}mol$ $mol^{-1}$ (control) and (ii) $27^{\circ}C$ + $CO_2$ 770 ${\mu}mol$ $mol^{-1}$ (elevated) for almost three months. The cuttings under the elevated treatment showed reduced tree height and photosynthetic pigment contents such as chlorophyll and carotenoid. In particular, the elevated treatment resulted in a marked reduction in the chlorophyll a closely associated with $CO_2$ fixative reaction system. Different levels of reduction in photosynthetic characters were found under the elevated treatment. A decrease was noted in photochemical reaction system parameters: net apparent quantum yield (7%) and photosynthetic electron transport rate (14%). Moreover, a significant reduction was obvious in $CO_2$ fixative reaction system parameters: carboxylation efficiency (52%) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate(RuBP) regeneration rate (24%). These results suggest that the low level of photosynthetic capacity may be attributed to the decreased $CO_2$ fixative reaction system rather than photochemical reaction system.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 2003

The null pigmentation mutant (npgA1) of Aspergillus nidulans was previously characterized by its production of no pigment at any stage of its life cycle, its reduction in hyphal branching, and its delay in the asexual spore development. The chemical composition of the cell wall was also altered in npgA1 mutants that became more sensitive to Novozyme 234$\^$TM/, which is possibly due to a structural defect in the cell wall. To investigate the effects of the cell wall structure on these pleiomorphic phenomena, we examined the ultrastructure of the cell wall in the npgA1 mutant (WX17). Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) showed that after being cultured for six days, the outermost layer of the conidial wall of WX17 peeled off. Although this phenotype suggested that the cell wall structure in WX17 may be modified, examination using TEM of the fine structure of cross-sectioned hyphal wall of WX17 did not show any differences from that of FGSC4. However, staining for carbohydrates of wall layers showed that the electron-translucent layer of the cell wall was missing in WX17. In addition, the outermost layer H1 of the hyphal wall was also absent in WX17. The ultrastructural observation and cytochemical analysis of cell walls suggested that the pigmentation defect in WX17 may be attributed to the lack of a layer in the cell wall.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.220-226
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• 2005

We investigated the effect of $O_3$ on the photosynthetic characteristics of oriental plane (Platanus orientalis L.) that is used as a side tree or ornamental tree in Korea. Two-year-old oriental plane seedlings were transplanted to pots and transferred into a closed $O_3$ chamber, Photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic characteristics of leaves were measured every three weeks during 100 ppb $O_3$ fumigation. There was no visible foliar injury by $O_3$ exposure and the content of photosynthetic pigments did not show significant differences between control and $O_3$-treated seedlings. But photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency in leaves of $O_3$-treated seedlings were reduced after six weeks of ozone fumigation. In addition, reduction of carboxylation efficiency and photochemical efficiency was observed in leaves of $O_3$-treated seedlings after three weeks and six weeks. In accordance with our results, carboxylation efficiency, the most sensitive parameter to $O_3$ stress, was considered to be a suitable indicator of $O_3$ sensitivity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.874-881
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• 2013

Dansam (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) is a perennial plant that belongs to the Labiatae family and is characterized by red pigment found in the epidermis of its roots. Research on the dyeability of Dansam extract was performed with repeated trials under various conditions such as temperature, time, and mordant treatment. Silk fabrics were dyed with Dansam extract and mordanted with various agents such as Al, Fe, Cu, and Sn to evaluate the dyeability and functionality of Dansam extract; subsequently, the K/S value and the change of surface color were analyzed using a colorimeter. In addition, the dyeability of dyed fabrics (such as color fastness to washing, dry cleaning fastness, rubbing fastness and light fastness) and functionality (such as antibacterial activity and deodorization) were analyzed. The surface colors of all dyed fabrics were recorded and the results showed the presence of mostly YR series of colors; in addition, a GY color series appeared in the Fe pre-mordants of the silk fabric. The highest K/S values were recorded in Fe post-mordants. The washing fastness were Level 3 and Level 4; in addition, the dry-cleaning fastness showed excellent results at Level 4 and Level 5. The rubbing fastness was satisfactory at Level 3 and Level 4 and the light fastness was satisfactory at Level 4. The results of the measurements (that pertained to the antibacterial activity of fabrics dyed with Dansam extract) showed a 99.9% bacteria reduction rate of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In regards to deodorization ability, dyed fabrics were found to have higher deodorization rates than those not dyed. The dyed fabric demonstrated exceptional deodorization qualities.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.221-225
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• 2009

Lithospermum erythrorhizon has been known well as one of traditional medicine for fever reduction, detoxication, and blood circulation improvement. This study was carried out to isolate biological active compounds from roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and to investigate their low density lipoprotein (LDL) antioxidant and anticancer activities. The hexane extract of Lithospermi Radix has been separated on silica gel chromatography and a naphthoquinone pigment compound 1 has been isolated. The structure of the compound 1 has been identified by spectroscopic technique, including MS and NMR, as acetylshikonin (1). Acetylshikonin showed significantly inhibitory activity on $Cu^{2+}$-induced human LDL oxidation with $IC_{50}$ value of $8.8\;{\mu}M$ and obvious anticancer effect by inhibiting farnesyl:protein transferase (FPTase) activity with $IC_{50}$ value of $23\;{\mu}M$, which suggested that acetylshikonin might be useful for the treatment of atherosclerosis and cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1134-1139
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• 2010

This study explored the chronic effects of different doses of the triazole fungicide tebuconazole on the growth, and metabolic and enzymatic functions of the filamentous paddy field cyanobacterium, Westiellopsis prolifica Janet. The growth of the cyanobacterium was determined by an estimation of the change in pigment contents. Chlorophyll-a, carotenoids, and accessory pigments such as phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and phycoerythrin were shown to decline over a 16-day period by a factor of 92%, 93%, 83%, 95%, and 100%, respectively, with increasing doses of the fungicide. Metabolic and enzymatic activities were also adversely affected. Over the 16 days, a gradual rise in total phenol content was recorded when Westiellopsis prolifica Janet was treated with 60 ppm of the fungicide, despite the reduction in carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids by 96%, 92%, and 90%, respectively. Moreover, the enzymes nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) also registered reductions of 93%, 90%, and 98%, respectively. This study indicates that tebuconazole, although an important fungicide used extensively in rice fields, exhibits an inhibitory effect on the growth and metabolic activities of Westiellopsis prolifica Janet and hence possibly on other varieties as well.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2005

Numerous natural herbal compounds have been reported to inhibit adhesion and migration of leukocytes to the site of inflammation Licorice extracts, which have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicinal preparation, possess various pharmacological effects. Isoliquiritigenin, a biogenetic precursor of flavonoids with various pharmacological effects, is a natural pigment present in licorice. We attempted to explore whether licorice extracts and isoliquiritigenin mitigate monocyte adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$)-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In addition, it was tested whether the inhibition of monocyte adhesion to the activated HUVEC accompanied a reduction in vascular cell adhesion molecule-l expression(VCAM-l). Dry-roasted licorice extracts in methylene chloride but not in ethanol markedly interfered with THP-l monocyte adhesion to INF-$\alpha$-activated endothelial cells. licochalcone A compound isolated from licorice extract in methylene chloride appeared to modestly inhibit the interaction of THP-l monocytes and activated endothelium. In addition, isoliquiritigenin abolished the monocyte adhesion with attenuating VCAM-l protein expression on HUVEC induced by INF-$\alpha$. These results demonstrated that non-polar components from dry-roasted licorice extracts containing licochalcone A as well as isoliquiritigenin were active in blocking monocyte adhesion to cytokine-activated endothelimn, which appeared to be mediated most likely through the inhibition of VCAM-l expression on HUVEC. Therefore, licorice may hamper initial inflammatory events on the vascular endothelium involving induction of endothelial cell adhesion molecules.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1509-1519
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• 2011

The protective effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the antioxidant system under paraquat(PQ) stress was investigated in leaves of 8-week-old lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants. PQ stress caused a decrease of leaf growth including leaf length, width and weight. Application of NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), significantly alleviated PQ stress induced growth suppression. SNP permitted the survival of more green leaf tissue preventing chlorophyll content reduction and of higher quantum yield for photosystem II than in non-treated controls under PQ exposure, suggesting that NO has protective effect on chloroplast membrane in lettuce leaves. Flavonoids and anthocyanin were significantly accumulated in the leaves upon PQ exposure. However, the rapid increase of these compounds was alleviated in the SNP treated leaves. PQ treatment resulted in lipid peroxidation and induced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) in the leaves, while SNP prevented PQ induced increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and $H_2O_2$. These results demonstrate that SNP serves as an antioxidant agent able to scavenge $H_2O_2$ to protect plant cells from oxidative damage. The activities of two antioxidant enzymes that scavenge reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in lettuce leaves in the presence of NO donor under PQ stress were higher than those under PQ stress alone. Application of 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4, 4, 5, 5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO), a specific NO scavenger, to the lettuce leaves arrested SNP mediated protective effect on leaf growth, photosynthetic pigment and antioxidant systems. However, PTIO had little effect on lettuce leaves under PQ stress compared with that of PQ stress alone. The obtained data suggest that the damage caused by PQ stress is in part due to increased generation of active oxygen by maintaining increased antioxidant enzyme activities and SNP protects plants from oxidative stress. From these results it is suggested that NO might act as a signal in activating active oxygen scavenging system that protects plants from oxidative damage induced by PQ stress and thus confer PQ tolerance.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.231-241
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• 2020

The current study investigated the effects of timing of NaCl (2%) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP, 0.5%) addition and cooking rates on color and pigment properties of ground chicken breasts. Four treatments were tested as follows: treatment 1, no NaCl and STPP added and stored for 7 d; treatment 2, NaCl+STPP added on 0 d and stored for 7 d; treatment 3, NaCl added on 0 d and STPP added on 7 d; and treatment 4, stored for 7 d and NaCl+STPP added. All samples were cooked at a fast (5.67℃/min) or slow cooking rate (2.16℃/min). Regardless of the timing of NaCl and STPP addition, reflectance ratios of nitrosyl hemochrome, cooking yield, pH values, oxidation-reduction potential, and percent myoglobin denaturation were similar (p>0.05) across treatments 2, 3, and 4. The highest CIE a^⁎ values were observed in treatment 4 (p<0.05), while treatment 2 was effective in reducing the redness in cooked chicken products. The fast cooking rate resulted in lower CIE a^⁎ values and higher CIE L^⁎ values and cooking yield in cooked chicken breasts compared to the slow cooking rate. Our results indicate that adding NaCl and STPP to meat, followed by storing and cooking at a fast rate, may result in inhibiting the pink color defect sporadically occurred in cooked ground chicken breasts.