• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.431-471
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• 1996

Korean ginseng has been thought and used the most very important medicinal herb among the oriental medicinal drugs for thounds of years Korean ginseng had many ingredients such as tripenoid saponins. Nitrogen compounds, polysaccharides, polyacetylenic compounds and lipid compounds. Korean ginseng has wide effects in the various systems of human such as nervous system. Vascular system. Digestive system. endocrine system, immune system. etc. Many researchess who were interested in the biological effects of Korean ginseng have concerned the tripenoid saponins among the components of ginseng and carried out to find the effects of ginseng using the various experimental system. From their results, it was unveiled many effects of Korean ginseng gractually in the experimental systems and shown that Korean ginseng has various effects in the biological system. But recent studies has been carried out to the difference ginseng components, besides ginseng saponin thought to have various effects in biological systems. Also the functional mechanism of ginseng in the biological system is limited but the basic research to elucidate the mysterious effects of ginseng has been preferred. In this review, we focus on biological effects of Korean ginseng. Especially physiological and biochemical aspects in biological systems.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2018

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most heavily used organophosphate pesticides and is useful as an insecticide drug. However, CPF also causes toxic effects in nontarget organisms, including humans and animals. Jageum-Jung (JGJ) is a traditional oriental medicine, composed of five specific herbs with antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, used for detoxification. In the present study, highly concentrated CPF was orally administrated to male Institute of Cancer Research mice to produce acute toxicity, and the protective effects of JGJ administration were investigated through statistical analysis of changes in body and organ weights and serum biochemical parameters. JGJ caused body and organ weights to recover and reduced the levels of serum biochemical parameters indicative of liver damage, such as glutamic oxalate transaminase, glutamic pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, urea, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride, that had been increased by CPF treatment. Our results demonstrated that JGJ ameliorates the effects of acute chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity. Therefore, JGJ has the potential to be used as a traditional medicine to alleviate insecticide toxicity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.250-257
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• 2022

Objectives: Bee venom (BV) therapy is performed by a bee sting or subcutaneous injection of BV. However, there is not much information on the effect of BV on blood parameters after entering the body. This project aimed to assess the side effects of subcutaneous BV injections in healthy rats by measuring the hematological and biochemical parameters. Methods: Various amounts of BV, including 100, 200, and 500 (㎍/day), were subcutaneously injected into rats for 30 days. The results showed that BV affected the metabolism of the liver, kidney, and glands. Results: An increase in blood sugar and a decrease in other biochemical parameters, including cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, creatinine AST, ALT, ALP, and phosphorous, were observed. Results also showed increased counts of white blood cells, neutrophils (%), and platelets and decreased levels of red cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that BV therapy in medical clinics requires routine care and testing to prevent eventual metabolic and anemia side effects.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1328-1339
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• 2024

Cadmium (Cd) is a prevalent environmental contaminant that poses a potential hazard to the health of both humans and animals. In this study, biosynthesized selenium-enriched Lactobacillus plantarum and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were developed and evaluated for their protective effects against Cd-induced hepatic injury in mice through oral administration for 4 weeks. Cadmium exposure resulted in severe impairment of liver function, as evidenced by increased levels of serum markers of liver injury and, oxidative stress and significant damage to liver tissue, and a notable decrease in the diversity of the intestinal microbiota. Oral administration of Se-enriched L. plantarum (LS) reduced cadmium accumulation in the liver by 49.5% and, restored other cadmium-induced damage markers to normal levels. A comparison of the effects with those of L. plantarum (L) and SeNPs isolated from LS revealed that LS could more effectively alleviate hepatic oxidative stress and reduce the intrahepatic inflammatory responses of the liver, further protecting against cadmium-induced liver injury. These findings suggest that the development of LS may be effective at protecting the liver and intestinal tract from cadmium-induced damage.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.641-648
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• 2003

Changes of plasma DNA contents and serum biochemical values were measured in rats administered with $HgCl_2$ to investigate the in vivo cytotoxic effects of mercury and examine the usefulness of these changes as indicators of mercury exposure and diagnosis of mercury poisoning. Rats were given once intraperitonealy $HgCl_2$(0.13. 0.32. 0.8 and 2 mg/kg b.w) and the changes of plasma DNA contents and serum biochemical values were measured at the time of 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the administration of $HgCl_2$. Plasma DNA contents began to increase from 2 hours after the administration of $HgCl_2$ in all the treatment groups significantly compared to control with dose-dependent pattern. The levels of plasma DNA reached to peak at 48 hours as 2.77, 7.60, 15.46 and 16.51 times higher than control in each treatment group of 0.13, 0.32, 0.8 and 2 mg/kgb.w, respectively and remained to be higher until 72 hours after the administration. The values of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen and glucose of serum were increased, however the values of alkaline phosphatase, total protein and triglyceride were decreased. These changes of increase and decrease showed dose-dependent pattern but the starting time, maintenance and magnitude of change were various and characteristic according to serum biochemical indices. Among the changes of serum biochemical values, those of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen were apparently and significantly increased compared to control from 2 to 72 hours by the administration of 2 mg/kg $HgCl_2$. This study demonstrates that plasma DNA and serum biochemical values such as aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen and etc. are valuable as biomarkers for mercury exposure assessment and diagnosis of mercury poisoning.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.255-259
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• 2011

This study was to suggest the method for wrinkle improvement using Mugil cephalus extract. In order to evaluate the cosmetic product made of M. cephalus extract, the experiments were conducted with subjects and skin states for 4 weeks. Effect of cosmetics containing M. cephalus extract on the water holding capacity and evaporation of the women skin were investigated. The water holding capacity was increased after 1 h of application. But after 2 h, it was decreased. In the case of the water evaporation, it was increased with the increase of time. On the clinical trial, it was also found that water, oil, and rough level on the women skin were increased and wrinkles were improved. Side effects were also not detected during the application and treatment of cosmetics. Based on this result, the application of M. cephalus extract had positive effects on the improvement of wrinkles and skin in women. Therefore, it will be used to develop the wrinkle improvement therapy for women.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2 s.49
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• pp.161-165
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• 2005

The present study was carried out to find the possible protective effects of Angelica koreana water extract on biochemical parameters in benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)-induced liver injury in rats. B(a)P treatment (0.1 mg/kg, 1.p.) caused a liver damages, which led to biochemical alterations in serum and liver enzyme activities and serum lipid levels. The activities of liver marker enzymes, especially, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were markedly changed in B(a)P treatment. Oral administration of Angelica koreana (50 mg/kg) recovered these biochemical Parameters to near normal levels. Therefore, the present results have revealed that Angelica koreana water extract might have the antihepatotoxic effect and consequently ameliorate liver damage associated with B(a)P in rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6615-6619
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• 2015

Background: The expression of HER-2 in prostate cancer has been linked to disease progression. We analysed the presence of HER-2 expression in primary tumors in men undergoing radical prostatectomy, its association with clinical and pathological findings, and its expression in secondary circulating prostate cells (CPCs) during follow up, as well as links with biochemical failure and the effects of androgen blockade. Materials and Methods: Consecutive men undergoing radical prostatectomy for histologically confirmed prostate cancer were analyzed. HER-2 expression in the primary tumor was assessed using the HercepTest(R), CPCs were identified from blood samples using standard immunocytochemistry with anti-PSA and positive samples with the HercepTest(R) to determine HER-2 expression. The influence of HER-2 expression on the frequency of biochemical failure and effects of androgen blockade was determined. Results: 144 men with a mean age of $64.8{\pm}10.3$ years participated, with a median follow up of 8.2 years. HER-2 was expressed in 20.8% of primary tumors; it was associated with vascular infiltration and older age, but not with other clinical pathological findings. Some 40.3% of men had secondary CPCs detected, of which 38% expressed HER-2. Men CPC (+) had a higher frequency of biochemical failure, but there was no difference in HER-2 expression of CPCs with the frequency of biochemical failure. After androgen blockade, men with HER-2 (+) positive secondary CPCs had a higher frequency of disease progression to castrate resistant disease. Conclusions: HER-2 plays a dual role in the progression of prostate cancer; firstly it may increase the potential of tumor cells to disseminate from the primary tumor via the blood by increasing vascular infiltration. In the presence of androgens, there is no survival advantage of expressing HER-2, but once biochemical failure has occurred and androgen blockade started, HER-2 positive cells are resistant to treatment, survive and grow leading to castration resistant disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.40-52
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• 2001

Using a biochemical indicator, the effects of fecal pollution in the estuary of the Nakdong river and in the Chinhae Hay were investigated from summer to winter in 1997-1998. The biochemical indicator used in this study was coprostanol (5-cholestan-3-ol) which is a kind of fecal sterol. It is a useful tracer of fecal pollution, as it is only found in feces of mammals including humans. Coprostanol was less affected by surrounding environments than other indicators of fecal pollution such as fecal coliform or ammonium and was proved to be a good indicator of fecal pollution. Therefore, long-term observations of coprostanol and related compounds could be used as useful indicators for the effects of feces on marine environments and ecosystems.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.418-434
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• 2010

As concerns regarding water pollution grow, the need increases for a fast and accurate assessment of ecological risk. In this context, many studies have been conducted to identify biomarkers which can sensitively indicate exposure to and effects of various contaminants in a water environment. However, the utility of most such biomarkers in the real water environment is not yet validated. In this paper, we conducted a thorough review of publications that were related to developing or evaluating molecular and biochemical biomarkers of freshwater fish in ecological risk assessment, and evaluated whether these biomarkers of interest could link to the effects on higher biological levels, such as histopathology and above. Biomarkers of interest included those associated with metabolism, oxidative stress, reproduction and endocrine disruption, genotoxicity, and defense against heavy metal exposure. We found that, when used alone, most molecular and biochemical biomarkers are not sufficient to understand the effects of toxic substances in higher biological levels, due to defense or acclimation mechanisms of organisms. Moreover, some biomarkers respond not only to hazardous substances but also to the changes in water quality and disease outbreak. Molecular and biochemical biomarkers may be most useful in understanding the potential biological effects of toxic compounds when used in parallel with relevant endpoints of higher biological levels.