• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.406-416
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• 2011

In this study, we have verified the memory and cognitive enhancing effect of Longanae Arillus, the fruit of Euphoria longana Lamarck, which has been used as a tonic and for the treatment of amnesia, insomnia, and palpitations in oriental medicine. To investigate the effect of Longanae Arillus water extract(LAE) on the memory and cognitive dysfunction, scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected in C57BL/6 mice and several behavior tests including Y-maze, Morris water-maze, passive avoidance and fear conditioning tests were conducted. Administration of LAE (100 or 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) effectively improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment and dysfunction. To further determine the possible molecule mechanism of LAE, we have examined the activity and/or mRNA expression of diverse proteins involved in the acetylcholine metabolism. LAE particularly increased the amount of acetylcholine in the cortex which was mediated by suppression of acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity. In addition, LAE elevated the mRNA expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAchRs) without affecting the mRNA levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholine esterase (AchE). In another experiment, LAE effectively inhibited mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL1-${\beta}$), which seemed to be mediated by inhibition of upstream transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ and extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). These results demonstrate that Longanae Arillus can increase acetylcholine amount the cortex via regulation of AchE activity as well as mAchRs expression and decrease pro-inflammatory responses via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway, thereby having therapeutic potential to improve memory and cognitive deficit in amnesia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.186-194
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• 2017

A brain-enriched secreting signal peptide, NELL2, has been suggested to play multiple roles in the development, survival, and activity of neurons in mammal. We investigated here a possible involvement of central NELL2 in regulating feeding behavior and metabolism. In situ hybridization and an immunohistochemical approach were used to determine expression of NELL2 as well as its colocalization with proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the rat hypothalamus. To investigate the effect of NELL2 on feeding behavior, 2 nmole of antisense NELL2 oligodeoxynucleotide was administered into the lateral ventricle of adult male rat brains for 6 consecutive days, and changes in daily body weight, food, and water intake were monitored. Metabolic state-dependent NELL2 expression in the hypothalamus was tested in vivo using a fasting model. NELL2 was noticeably expressed in the hypothalamic nuclei controlling feeding behavior. Furthermore, all arcuatic POMC and NPY positive neurons produced NELL2. The NELL2 gene expression in the hypothalamus was up-regulated by fasting. However, NELL2 did not affect POMC and NPY gene expression in the hypothalamus. A blockade of NELL2 production in the hypothalamus led to a reduction in daily food intake, followed by a loss in body weight without a change in daily water intake in normal diet condition. NELL2 did not affect short-term hunger dependent appetite behavior. Our data suggests that hypothalamic NELL2 is associated with appetite behavior, and thus central NELL2 could be a new therapeutic target for obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1407-1410
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• 2007

We designed to investigate the relationship the cold-hot theory of herbology and body temperature in experimental model. we prepared four kinds of oriental medicine, which consisted of two cold herbs, Daehwang and Seokgo, and two hot herbs, Buja and Padu. Decrease of body temperature by cold exposure for 12 hour was not inhibited by four herbs oral administration for two weeks. Thermogenesis in mammals is an essential physiological function to maintain the body temperature. Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins(UCPs), which have a potential to generate heat by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation, apper to play a crucial role in thermogenesis. Therefore UCP is commonly recognized as a key molecule in metabolic thermogenesis and its dysfunction contributes to the development of obesity. In these experiments, Daehwang water extracts inhibited the UCP1 mRNA expression increase by cold exposure in brown adipose tissue. But other herbs did not significantly influence on UCPs mRNA expression in white adipose tissue and seleus muscle tissue. Based on this experiment, we will try to clarify the effects of Daehwang water extracts on UCP1 expression and function.

• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.399-409
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• 2020

Many of the 𝛽-glucans are known to have antihypertensive activities, but, except for angiotensin-converting enzyme II inhibition, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Corin is an atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-converting enzyme. Activated corin cleaves pro-ANP to ANP, which regulates water-sodium balance and lowers blood pressure. Here, we reported a novel antihypertensive mechanism of 𝛽-glucans, involved with corin and ANP in mice. We showed that multiple oral administrations of 𝛽-glucan induced the expression of corin and ANP, and also increased natriuresis in mice. Microarray analysis showed that corin gene expression was only upregulated in mice liver by multiple, not single, oral administrations of the 𝛽-glucan fraction of Phellinus baumii (BGF). Corin was induced in liver and kidney tissues by the 𝛽-glucans from zymosan and barley, as well as by BGF. In addition to P. baumii, 𝛽-glucans from two other mushrooms, Phellinus linteus and Ganoderma lucidum, also induced corin mRNA expression in mouse liver. ELISA immunoassays showed that ANP production was increased in liver tissue by all the 𝛽-glucans tested, but not in the heart and kidney. Urinary sodium excretion was significantly increased by treatment with 𝛽-glucans in the order of BGF, zymosan, and barley, both in 1% normal and 10% high-sodium diets. In conclusion, we found that the oral administration of 𝛽-glucans could induce corin expression, ANP production, and sodium excretion in mice. Our findings will be helpful for investigations of 𝛽-glucans in corin and ANP-related fields, including blood pressure, salt-water balance, and circulation.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the anti-amnesic effects of AR, Aucklandiae Radix, ground powder on scopolamine (Sco)-induced memory impairment in mice (C57BL/6) through its favorable acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA expression, and antioxidant effect. Methods: Six groups, a total of 20 intact or 100 Sco treated mice, were selected based on their body weights and were used in this study. Half of the mice in each group were used for the passive avoidance task test and the measurements of hippocampus ACh content, AChE activity and ChAT mRNA expression. The remaining half of the mice in each group were used for the Morris water maze test and cerebral antioxidant defense system measurement. Results: Marked decreases in step-through latency times in the passive avoidance task test and increases in escape latency times in the Morris water maze test were observed with decreases in the hippocampus ACh content and ChAT mRNA expression, and increases in the hippocampal AChE activities, as a result of Sco intraperitoneal treatment, in the present study. In addition, destruction of the cerebral cortex antioxidant defense systems was observed in Sco control mice as compared with intact vehicle control mice. However, 28 days of continuous oral pre-treatment with AR ground powder at doses of 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg markedly and dose-dependently inhibited the Sco treatment-related amnesia. Conclusions: The results prove that oral administration of AR ground powder reduces Sco-induced memory impairment. This is because it can preserve ACh, related to ChAT mRNA expression, cause AChE inhibition, and activate the cerebral antioxidant defense system.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2013

The anti-obesity effects of a hot water extract from wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum.) leaves (WLE), without its specific pungent constituents, such as allyl-isothiocyanate, were investigated in high fat-diet induced mice. C57J/BL mice were fed a high-fat diet (control group) or a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% WLE (WLE group). Physical parameters and blood profiles were determined. Gene expression associated with lipid metabolism in liver and white adipose tissue were analyzed. After 120 days of feeding, significantly lower body weight gain, liver weight and epididymal white adipose tissue weight was observed in the WLE group compared to the control group. In liver gene expression within the WLE group, PPAR${\alpha}$ was significantly enhanced and SREBP-1c was significantly suppressed. Subsequent downstream genes controlled by these regulators were significantly suppressed. In epididymal white adipose tissue of the WLE group, expression of leptin, PPAR${\gamma}$, and C/EBP${\alpha}$ were significantly suppressed and adiponectin was significantly enhanced. Acox, related to fatty acid oxidization in adipocytes, was also enhanced. Our results demonstrate that the WLE dietary supplement induces mild suppression of obesity in a high-fat diet induced mice, possibly due to suppression of lipid accumulation in liver and white adipose tissue.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.115-125
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenosides (GS) have potential value as cosmetic additives for prevention of skin photoaging. However, their protective mechanisms against skin barrier damage and their active monomeric constituents are unknown. Methods: GS monomer types and their relative proportions were identified. A UVB-irradiated BALB/c hairless mouse model was used to assess protective effects of GS components on skin epidermal thickness and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Skin barrier function, reflected by filaggrin (FLG), involucrin (IVL), claudin-1 (Cldn-1), and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) levels and MAPK phosphorylation patterns, were analyzed in UVB-irradiated hairless mice or HaCaT cells. Results: Total GS monomeric content detected by UPLC was 85.45% and was largely attributed to 17 main monomers that included Re (16.73%), Rd (13.36%), and Rg1 (13.38%). In hairless mice, GS ameliorated UVB-induced epidermal barrier dysfunction manifesting as increased epidermal thickness, increased TEWL, and decreased stratum corneum water content without weight change. Furthermore, GS treatment of UVB-irradiated mice restored protein expression levels and epidermal tissue distributions of FLG, IVL, Cldn-1, and AQP3, with consistent mRNA and protein expression results obtained in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells (except for unchanging Cldn-1 expression). Mechanistically, GS inhibited JNK, p38, and ERK phosphorylation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, with a mixture of Rg2, Rg3, Rk3, F2, Rd, and Rb3 providing the same protective MAPK pathway inhibition-associated upregulation of IVL and AQP3 expression as provided by intact GS treatment. Conclusion: GS protection against UVB-irradiated skin barrier damage depends on activities of six ginsenoside monomeric constituents that inhibit the MAPK signaling pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2019

Objectives : Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata) is well-known traditional herbal remedy and its root, leaf and fruit were used for treatment of inflammation, tumor and painkilling. However, effect of C. tricuspidata fruit on tight junction is still unknown. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of C. tricuspidata fruit extract on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods : The antioxidant effects of water extract of C. tricuspidata (WECT) and ethanol extract of C. tricuspidata (EECT) were analyzed by using an ABTS assay. To confirm the cytotoxicity of WECT and EECT, MTS assay was performed. The mRNA expression levels of tight junction related genes were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Furthermore, dispase assay was used to investigate the alteration of cell-cell adhesion strength of EECT treated HaCaT cells. Results : WECT and EECT showed strong antioxidant activity. No obvious cytotoxicity was observed in both WECT and EECT until $2.0mg/m{\ell}$ concentration. The mRNA expression level of Claudin 6 were significantly increased by EECT treatment, whereas the WECT did not affect the expression of Claudin 6. Furthermore, EECT treatment enhances cell-cell adhesion strength. Conclusions : In this study, we investigated the physiological activities of the extracts of Cudrania tricuspidata fruit extracts on human keratinocytes by two different extraction methods. EECT might have an anti-aging activity on the skin by reducing oxidative stress. Moreover, it may be a useful ingredient in atopic dermatitis and skin-moisturizing, given its effects of altering Claudin 6 gene expression and enhancing cell-cell adhesion strength.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.227-227
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• 2017

This study was conducted to analyze the reduction of quality and ripening rate of rice due to submergence during ripening stage and identify the physiological cause. Korean japonica type rice cultivars, Nampyeong was used in the experiment. The following 7, 14 day after heading, they were then moved into submergence treatment facility and we conducted the tests under three different submergence conditions - T1(clear water and overhead submergence), T2(Muddy water and exposure of Flag leaf end ), T3(Muddy water and overhead submergence), and the treatment lasted for 4days. The decrease of ripening rate was most severe in T3 treatment at 7days after heading, and the decrease of head rice ratio was most severe in T3 treatment at 14days after heading. Meanwhile the starch synthesis was inhibited, as the supply of assimilation products was inhibited in grain during the submergence treatment. And in stem, sucrose content was increased because the soluble carbohydrates accumulated before heading were decomposed. These changes may be due to the consumption of respiratory substrate in anaerobic conditions and the inhibition of the production of photosynthetic products by light interception. In order to see what kind of reaction occurs at the molecular level, we examined the degree of RNA expression in grain, stem and leaf. First, the expression of rna associated with starch synthesis in grain was decreased in all submergence treatment. and especially Ospul(DBE) was more decreased in 14days after heading treatment than 7days after heading treatment. This difference can explain the result that the decrease of head rice ratio was more severe at 14days after heading. And in stem, the expression of rna associated with the supply of assimilation products was decreased in submergence treatment. Finally in leaf, the expression of rna(ADH, ALDH) associated with anaerobic respiration was increased, while the expression of rna associated with photosynthesis was decreased. These results of physiological analysis can used to develop the cultivation technique and to offer the information for breeding the cultivars with tolerant characteristics to submergence stress during ripening stage in rice.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.23-35
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• 2006

This work presents o novel method which extract facial region und features from motion picture automatically and controls the 3D facial expression in real time. To txtract facial region and facial feature points from each color frame of motion pictures a new nonparametric skin color model is proposed rather than using parametric skin color model. Conventionally used parametric skin color models, which presents facial distribution as gaussian-type, have lack of robustness for varying lighting conditions. Thus it needs additional work to extract exact facial region from face images. To resolve the limitation of current skin color model, we exploit the Hue-Tint chrominance components and represent the skin chrominance distribution as a linear function, which can reduce error for detecting facial region. Moreover, the minimal facial feature positions detected by the proposed skin model are adjusted by using edge information of the detected facial region along with the proportions of the face. To produce the realistic facial expression, we adopt Water's linear muscle model and apply the extended version of Water's muscles to variation of the facial features of the 3D face. The experiments show that the proposed approach efficiently detects facial feature points and naturally controls the facial expression of the 3D face model.