• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.477-481
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• 2000

The cytotoxicity of crude insect drugs was measured using HeLa cells originating from human cervix and uterine cancer. using the dye uptake assay in order to find potential anticancer agents. Three kinds of extracts (buffer, methanol and ethylacetate) were prepared from 26 insects and used as raw materials for the activity assay. Among these, the buffer extracts from Tabanus, Mylabris and Huechys showed a potent anticancer activity, and those from Catharsius, Red ant, Scorpion, Tabanus and Vespae Nidus showed a strong L-amino acid oxidase (AAO) activity as well as cytotoxicity. In contrast, buffer extracts from Gryllotalpa orientalis and Apriona germari larvae showed greater/more rapid Hela cell growth than that of other insects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1372-1376
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• 2011

The content of Ca in milk exceeds the typical saturation level of Ca salts, which is necessary for neonate growth. This calcium is distributed between the casein micelles in the colloidal and aqueous phases. Information on the properties of calcium activity in the aqueous phase is limited compared with that on the properties of bound or sequestrated calcium. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the changes in calcium activity in fresh milk using an ion-selective electrode and to assess the relationship between calcium activity and milk production in hot season. Milk samples collected from 10 cows at the National Agricultural Research Center for Kyushu Okinawa Region in June to October (Min-Max: 7.2-$35.2^{\circ}C$, 24.3-100% RH) were analyzed on total calcium concentrations and calcium activity. We observed that the rectal temperature of the cows increased according to elevation of ambient temperature but that the pH of the collected milk ($6.61{\pm}0.01$ (Mean${\pm}$SEM)) was not significantly influenced by rectal and ambient temperature. Total calcium concentrations and calcium activity in fresh milk decreased in July (Min-Max: 21.1-$33.5^{\circ}C$, 48.9-100.0% RH) compared with the values after August (Min-Max: 18.1-$35.0^{\circ}C$, 26.5-96.2% RH) (p<0.05); however, there was no significant correlation between the two parameters. The ratio of calcium activity to total calcium concentration decreased after August compared with the values in June and July (p<0.05). The calcium activity in fresh milk was positively correlated with milk yield (r = 0.45, p<0.01) and negatively correlated with milk lactose content (r = -0.53, p<0.01). These results suggest that the calcium activity in milk could be affected by ambient temperature and might be associated with milking production in hot season.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins have been recognized as health-enhancing substances due to their antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and hypoglycemic effects. The objective was to identify anthocyanins-rich rice grains for the development of functional foods and/or functional food colorants METHODS AND RESULTS: Rice grains of one black and three red-hulled rice varieties were extracted with acidified 80% aqueous methanol. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts was screened on TLC plates and in an in vitro assay using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) as a free radical source. Red-hulled rice varieties exhibited higher antioxidant activity (88%, 1 mg/mL) than black rice (67%, 1 mg/mL). Among the red-hulled varieties tested, rice variety SSALBYEO54 (901452) was the most active (72%, 0.5 mg/mL). Rice extracted anthocyanin compounds were analyzed by HPLC-DAD-FLD and LC-MS/MS. Red-hulled varieties comprised cyanidin-3-glucoside in addition to ferulic acid esters, apigenin and kaempferol glycosides. CONCLUSION(s): Anthocyanins identified in the black rice variety were cyanidin-7-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-Oglucoside, cyanidin-3'-O-glucoside, cyanidin-5-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3, 7-O-diglucoside, cyanidin-3, 5-O-diglucoside and peonidin-4'-O-glucoside. The results of this study show that the black rice (IT212512) and red-hulled rice variety SSALBYEO54 (901452) contain notable antioxidant activity for potential use in nutraceutical or functional food formulations.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.213-219
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• 2018

This study was performed to determine the optimal time of harvest for ramie leaves with the two varieties (Seocheon Seobang and Seoncheon Baekpi) by comparison of physiological activity and physicochemical characteristics. The crude protein, minerals, ascorbic acid, folate, chlorophyll, ACE inhibitory activity and AChE inhibitory activity were determined. The amount of crude protein in ramie leaf, which was collected in Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, grew up steadily from early May to September. The content of calcium in was higher in Baekpi than in Seobang. Seobang displayed its highest value of 3,569.90 mg% in September, while Baekpi displayed its highest value of 3,163.84 mg% in October. Although, folate and vitamin C contents in the two varieties were slightly different, they were higher as the growth date grew in October. The highest value of chlorophyll content was observed in October, which was later in the vegetative state. ACE inhibitory activity and AChE inhibitory activity appeared to be higher in Baekpi than in Seobang. Between June and August, ACE inhibitory activity was highest in Baekpi variety.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2023

This study analyzed the chemical characteristics and physiological activity of five kinds of fresh vegetables produced in trees in early spring and tried to use them as basic data for wild vegetable producers and processed food manufacturers using wild vegetables. The crude protein, minerals, ascorbic acid, folate, total phenol, total flavonoid, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitory activity were determined. Five spring wild vegetables contain high protein and phosphorus, indicating that they are useful food ingredients as sources of protein and phosphorus. Vitamin C content was high in R. venicifera and C. sinensis shoots, and in particular, R. venicifera and A. cortex shoots have high folic acid (folate) contents of 1,903.91 ug% and 1,525.35 ug%, respectively, which is considered a good food for folic acid intake in spring. The total phenol content was between 0.52% and 1.27%, and it was the highest in C. sinensis of 1.27%, followed by the order of R. venicifera, A.cortex, K.pictus, and A. elata, which tended to be consistent with the total flavonoid content. As for DPPH radical scavenging ability, C. sinensis (55.93%) showed the highest activity, and ACE inhibitory activity showed the highest activity in A. cortex (88.04%).

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.131-135
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• 2008

A cDNA encoding a defensin-like peptide (Protaetiamycine) from the larvae of a beetle, Protaetia brevitarsis was cloned. The DNAs encoded the deduced propeptide of 79 amino acid residues with the predicted molecular weight of 8.4 kDa and PI of 8.24. Overall amino acid sequence of this protein has 39% similarity to that of Rhodnius prolixus defensin, 43% similarity to that of Acalolepta luxuriosa defensin, and 72% similarity to that of Oryctes rhinoceros defensin, suggesting that this gene is an insect defensin. In an attempt to apply the anti-bacterial peptide to the development of therapeutic agents, a 12-mer peptide amidated at its C-terminus, ACAAHCLAIGRG-$NH_2$ (Ala55-Lys66-$NH_2$, 12Pbn) was synthesized. This peptide showed some antifungal activity against Candida albicans. To increase antifungal activity, six 9-mer peptides were synthesized by modifying amino acid sequences of 12Pbn fragment. Among these peptides, 9Pbm3-9Pbm6 exhibited strong activity compared with Cecropin B and mellitin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.84-88
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• 2002

The effect of chitosan on the growth of plant pathogenic fungi was investigated. Chitosan solubilized in acetic acid showed much higher and more consistent antifungal activity than that solubilized in HCl. The antifungal activity was not significantly affected within a DA (degree of deacetylation) range of $57.3-99.2\%$ tested. Water-soluble and low molecular weight chitosan ($57.3\%$ DA) against 6 plant pathogens showed that Monosporascus canonballus and Pythium irregulare were the most susceptible to the chitosan, while Fusarium oxysporum and F. graminearum were the most resistant. At a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml, the growth of pathogens was completely inhibited except for F. oxysporum. The $MIC_50$ values varied depending on both the DA of the chitosan and the plant pathogens. A chitosan with $57.3\%$ DA exhibited the lowest $MIC_50$ (ranging <0.1-1.8 mg/ml) and that with $84.7\%$ DA the highest $MIC_50$ (ranging <0.4-4.0 mg/ml) depending on the pathogen.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2012

We previously isolated 9 clones that show stronger signal compared to B. mori cytoplasmic actin gene (BmA3) by using a dot blot hybridization. In this study, we focused on one clone among these clones which has high amino acid homology with elongation factor ${\alpha}$ gene of B. mori. This clone, named $bEF1{\alpha}$ (B. mori elongation factor ${\alpha}$) was ubiquitously expressed in all tissues and developmental stage of B. mori. As result of promoter assay using dual luciferase assay system, we found the highest transcription activity region (-702/+38) in the 5'-flanking region of $bEF1{\alpha}$ gene, which has about 20 fold more intensive promoter activity than BmA3 promoter. Moreover, the $bEF1{\alpha}$ promoter was normally regulated in Bm5, Sf9, and S2 cells. Therefore, we suggest that $bEF1{\alpha}$ promoter may be used more powerful and effectively for transgene expression in various insects containing B. mori as a universal promoter.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2013

This study focused on the usefulness of plant extracts for a city organic farm. Insecticidal activity of 8 plant species, plants crude extracts by ethanol and water, against third instar larvae (susceptible strain) of Plutella xylostella was evaluated in this study. Ethanol(25%) extracts of plant materials had better insecticidal activity than water extracts at the room temperature. Insecticidal activity were investigated by leaf disc spray method. Five plant extracts (Capsicum annuum, Chelidoniun majus, Leonurus sibiricus, Coptis japonica, Mentha piperascens) showed over 50% insecticidal activity to P. xylostella at the concentration of $1500mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$. Extract of C. annuum showed the highest insecticidal activity (83.3%) against P. xylostella. Phytotoxicity was not observed on Raphanus sativus and Brassica campestris with spray application. Seed germination and growth of two plants were not affected. Extract of C. japonica revealed 73.3% control efficacy against P. xylostella of R. sativus and showed 70% control efficacy against those of B. campestris, respectively, in plastic house. Insecticidal activity against various insects was observed in C. japonica extract as 87.4% for R. sativus and 74.3% for B. campestris in the field. These results suggested that extracts of C. annuum, C. japonica showed the highest insecticidal activity, and could be used as city farm insecticides for organic farming.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.164-170
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• 2008

The hepatoprotective activity of the alcoholic extract of Rosa damascena was studied against paracetamol induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. Liver damage was assessed by estimating serum enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and histopathology of liver tissue. Pre- and post-treatment with ethanolic extracts showed a dose-dependent reduction of paracetamol induced elevated serum levels of enzyme activity. The mechanism underlying the protective effects was assayed in vitro and the R. damascena extracts displayed dosedependent free radical activity using DPPH ($IC_{50}=162.525\;{\mu}g/ml$) and TBA method. The hepatoprotective action was confirmed by histopathological observation. The ethanolic extracts reversed paracetamol induced liver injury. These results suggest that the hepatoprotective effects of R. damascena extracts are related to its antioxidative activity.