• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.292-297
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• 1999

This study was performed to estimate the possibility of use of plant materials as catalytic agents fur the decontamination of waste waters contaminated with organic pollutants by using 2,4-dichlorophenol(2,4-DCP) as a model pollutant. Plant materials containing high peroxidase activity were selected as catalysts for the removal of 2,4-DCP. Peroxidase activity, which plant materials were containing, was measured, and the greatest peroxidase activity was observed in shepherd's purse, followed by turnip, sweet potato, Chinese cabbage and white radish. The peroxidase activity in shepherd's purse was four times higher than that of horseradish purchased in U.S.A. Using shepherd' s purse and turnip, it was investigated the effect of various factors on the decontamination of 2,4-DCP through oxidative coupling. The removal of 2,4-DCP was extremely fast, and a maximal removal could be achieved within 3 min for shepherd' s purse and 15min for turnip. The pH range was from 3.0 to 8.0 and the amount of $H_2O_2$ added was 9mM when maximal removal was achieved(over 90%). No increasing removal of 2,4-DCP was observed due to increasing the amount of $H_2O_2$ added (over 9mM). The initial concentration affected the transformation of 2,4-DCP incubated with plant materials. When turnip was used as catalytic agent, it was observed decreasing transformation of 2,4-DCP due to increasing initial concentration.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.533-541
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• 2005

Non-aqueous cleaning agents were formulated with 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFEA) and hydrofluoroether (HFE), and their physical properties and cleaning abilities were examined. TFEA-based aqueous cleaning agents were also formulated with nonionic surfactants, hydrotropes and builders, and their cleaning abilities were compared. Possibilities of these cleaning agents as substitutes for CFC-113 and 1,1,1-TCE were finally evaluated. In this work, fluxes, cutting oils, greases, and fluoric oils were selected as model contaminants for cleaning experiments. These contaminants have different properties of water-solubility or hydrophilicity, and fat-solubility or lypophilicity. Cleaning abilities of TFEA-based cleaning agents were analyzed and compared through the measurement of contaminant weight changes as a function of cleaning time, and their possibilities as alternative cleaning agents were evaluated. As a result, it was shown that TFEA and HFE-based non-aqueous cleaning agents have quite a good cleaning power for fluxes and fluorine soils but low one for greases. And TFEA-based agueous cleaning agents which consisted of nonionic surfactants, hydrotrope, and builders were very effective for cleaning fluxes and greases under certain formulation conditions. Thus, it was revealed that the TFEA-based cleaning agents were very effective for cleaning specific contaminants and can be used as substitutes for CFC-113 and 1,1,1-TCE in some industrial applications.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.243-252
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• 2015

Melanosome, the pigment granule in melanocyte, determines the color of skin when it moves into the keratinocyte. Inhibition of melanosome transfer from melanocyte to keratinocyte results in skin depigmentation. Protease activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is involved in signal transduction systems via cell membrane and increases the melasome transfer when it is activated by cleavage of their extracellular amino acid sequence by trypsin or by a peptide such as SLIGKV. Here, we showed that lobaric acid inhibited PAR-2 activation and affected the mobilization of $Ca2^+$. The uptake of fluorescent microspheres and isolated melanosomes from melan-a melanocytes to keratinocytes induced by SLIGKV were inhibited by lobaric acid. Also, confocal microscopy studies illustrated a decreased melanosome transfer to keratinocytes in melanocyte-keratinocyte co-culture system by lobaric acid. In addition, lobaric acid induced visible skin lightening effect in human skin tissue culture model, melanoderm$^{(R)}$. Our data suggest that lobaric acid could be an effective skin lightening agent that works via regulation of phagocytic activity of keratinocytes.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.604-611
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• 2005

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000-based solid dispersions (SDs), by incorporating various pharmaceutical excipients or microemulsion systems, were prepared using a fusion method, t o compare the dissolution rates and bioavailabilities in rats. The amorphous structure of the drug in SDs was also characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The ketoconazole (KT), as an antifungal agent, was selected as a model drug. The dissolution rate of KT increased when solubilizing excipients were incorporated into the PEG-based SDs. When hydrophilic and lipophilic excipients were combined and incorporated into PEG-based SDs, a remarkable enhancement of the dissolution rate was observed. The PEG-based SDs, incorporating a self microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) or microemulsion (ME), were also useful at improving the dissolution rate by forming a microemulsion or dispersible particles within the aqueous medium. However, due to the limited solubilization capacity, these PEG-based SDs showed dissolution rates, below 50% in this study, under sink conditions. The PEG-based SD, with no pharmaceutical excipients incorporated, increased the maximum plasma concentration (C$_{max}$) and area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC$_{0-6h}$) two-fold compared to the drug only. The bioavailability was more pronounced in the cases of solubilizing and microemulsifying PEG-based SDs. The thermograms of the PEG-based SDs showed the characteristic peak of the carrier matrix around 60$^{\circ}C$, without a drug peak, indicating that the drug had changed into an amorphous structure. The diffraction pattern of the pure drug showed the drug to be highly crystalline in nature, as indicated by numerous distinctive peaks. The lack of the numerous distinctive peaks of the drug in the PEG-based SDs demonstrated that a high concentration of the drug molecules was dissolved in the solid-state carrier matrix of the amorphous structure. The utilization of oils, fatty acid and surfactant, or their mixtures, in PEG-based SD could be a useful tool to enhance the dissolution and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs by forming solubilizing and microemulsifying systems when exposed to gastrointestinal fluid.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.655-663
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• 2002

Liver fibrosis is a prepathological state wherein damaged liver tissues in chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis, are not repaired to normal tissues, but converted to fibrous tissue. 5-(2-Pyrazinyl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiol-3-thione (oltipraz), a cancer chemopreventive agent, is effective against a wide variety of chemical carcinogens. Recently, we reported that oltipraz inhibits liver fibrogenesis (Kang et al., 2002). In the present study, the effects of oltipraz in combination with dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate (DDb) on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrogenesis were assessed in rats. Oltipraz (30 mg/kg body weight, po, 3 times per week for 4 weeks) was found to inhibit the increases in plasma ALT, AST and bilirubin by DMN, whereas DDB (30 mg/kg body weight, po, 3 times per week for 4 weeks) attenuated the increases in the plasma ALT and bilirubin. The lowered plasma protein and albumin contents in DMN-treated rats were completely restored by oltipraz, but not by DDB. DDB decreases liver cell injury and inflammation through inhibition of nuclear factor-kB. DMN increased the accumulation of liver collagen, as indicated by the increase in the 4-hydroxyproline content in liver homogenates, which was reduced by treatment with oltipraz, but not by DDB. Given the differential effect between oltipraz and DDB, the potential enhancement of antifibrotic efficacy by the drugs was assessed in the animal model. Despite the minimal effect of DDB on DMN-induced fibrogenesis, DDB (5-25 mg/kg), administered together with oltipraz (25-5 mg/kg), showed an additive protective effect against hepatotoxicity and fibrosis induced by DMN, which was shown by the blood chemistry parameters and histopathological analysis. The adequate composition ratio of oltipraz to DDB was 5:1. These results provide information on the pharmaceutical composition, comprising of oltipraz and DDB as the active components, for the treatment and/or prevention of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.800-806
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate whether intracisternal administrations of triptolide and N-nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) are involved in the regulation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. The TMJ pain was induced by the injection of 5% formalin ($30{\mu}l$) into TMJ capsule of rats. The pain behavioral responses was recorded the number of grooming or scratching on the left TMJ area for 9 successive 5 minutes intervals. Triptolide and L-NAME were administrated intracisternally 10 minutes before formalin injection. The intra-articular injection of formalin produced a biphasic pattern of pain response (first phase: 0~10 minutes and second phase: 11~45 minutes). The intracisternal administration of triptolide ($1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) and L-NAME ($0.1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) suppressed the TMJ pain behavior in each experiment. Co-administration of two drugs was shown the enhanced effect than the analgesic effect by single-administration of triptolide ($1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$). The triptolide could be a useful analgesic agent for the treatment of TMJ pain, and it is expected to reduce the substantial amount of it via co-administration of synthetic chemical compound and natural products.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.90-108
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• 2003

Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) has been developed as prescriptions for the Soyeumin constitution. The hepatoprotective effect of the water extract of Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage. A single intra-peritoneal injection of CCl4 produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the significant rise of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in serum as compared to those of untreated normal group. Pretreatments of rats with Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) 500 mg/kg for 7 days) were significantly reduced AST, ALT, and ALP levels compared with CCl4-treated control group. Treatment of rats with CCl4 led to significantly increase in lipid peroxidation and significantly decrease in cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase. The oral administration of Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract significantly inhibited the accumulation of microsomal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and increased the cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase activity. All these biochemical alterations resulting from CCl4 administration were inhibited by the pretreatment with Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SG1) extract. These results suggest that Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract can be useful as a hepatoprotective agent. And the effect of NO modulation by NO synthesis or precursors, and Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang (SGT) water extract was researched on chronic liver damage induced by CCl4 administration. It was observed that endogenous NO protected the liver from lipid peroxidation, fibrosis, and damage. Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract showed the hepatoprotective effect on the chronic liver cirrhosis model and relationship with NO modulation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.391-394
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• 2012

The purpose of the present study was to prove our empirical tendency of relatively high small intestinal diameter (SI) to fifth lumbar vertebral height (L5) ratio, which has been used in dogs. In this study, the ratio of SI/L5 was determined in small breed dogs weighing less than 5 kg. In addition, the effect of large volume of contrast media on the intestinal dilation was determined by performing upper gastrointestinal contrast study. Abdominal radiography and upper gastrointestinal series were performed in twelve healthy dogs weighing less than 5 kg. Small intestinal diameter (SI), fifth lumbar vertebral height (L5), and twelveth rib diameter were measured on abdominal radiographs. The range of values of SI/L5 is from 1.03 to 2.26 in plain radiography, and from 1.55 to 2.5 in contrast studies. Contrast agent significantly increased small intestinal diameter, and could be considered as mildly dilated intestinal model. Therefore, a value of 2.1 for SI/L5 is recommended as the upper limit of the normal range suggesting nonobstructive intestinal dilation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.635-640
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• 2015

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a kind of liver inflammation caused by an accumulation of fat in the liver. Patients with NAFLD have an increased risk to develop liver fibrosis, which leads to cirrhosis. To investigate hepatoprotective effects of Agrimonia eupatoria L (A. eupatoria), oleic acid-induced NAFLD in HepG2 cells was used and A. eupatoria was fractionated with ethanol (EtOH), n-hexane, dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (BuOH), and H₂O. Cells treated with the EtOAc fraction showed the highest lipid accumulation inhibiting effect. A. eupatoria also suppressed triglyceride accumulation and inhibited expression of lipid marker gene, such as a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ). Moreover, another marker, mRNA expression level of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPAR-α) was significantly increased by in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that A. eupatoria is a potent agent for the treatment of NAFLD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.651-656
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• 2001

Ascorbic acid(AsA) is unevenly distributed throughout all body cells and fluids. Multiactivities of AsA in many biological systems and in various scientific fields were reported. In this study we aimed to clarify the inhibitory action of high concentration of AsA on the cell growth in 3T6 fibroblasts. The cells wee exposed to AsA at various concentration. It showed that 3T6 fibroblasts wee dead by the medium which contained AsA at the concentration higher than 0.5 mM. AsA caused hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O$$_2$) generation in a concentration dependent manner. These results suggested that the $H_2O$$_2$ was formed in the medium by AsA and acted as a cytotoxic gent. Moreover, it is supposed that hydroxyl radical (.OH) induced from $H_2O$$_2$also acetd as actively cytotoxic agent. This lethal effect of AsA causing the cell death was inhibited by the addition of catalase in the medium. Therefore, addition of AsA at the normal concentrations stimulate cell growth, but excess concentrations of AsA induce cell death.