• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.47-51
• /
• 2005

Three-weeks old Commelina communis was transferred to Hoagland solution (Control, 100 μM Cd/sup 2+/, 100 μM Cd/sup 2+/ + 100 μM ABA, 100 μM Cd/sup 2+/+50 mM KCl) and grown for a week in the solution and then a number of physiological activities were investigated. In cases of Cd/sup 2+/ and Cd/sup 2+/ + ABA treatments, the growth of the plants was inhibited to 71 % and 81 %, respectively, when compared with the control, but there were no significant difference of plant growth between Cd/sup 2+/ and Cd/sup 2+/ + KCl- treated plants. In the treatments of Cd/sup 2+/, Cd/sup 2+/ + ABA and Cd/sup 2+/ + KCl total chlorophyll contents were reduced to 32%, 41% and 29%, respectively. In chlorophyll fluorescence experiments, Fv/Fm ratios were also reduced to 14∼20% and about 23%, respectively, according to the light intensity by Cd/sup 2+/ and Cd/sup 2+/+ABA-treated plants. Water stresses were increased by the treatment of Cd/sup 2+/, Cd/sup 2+/ + ABA and Cd/sup 2+/ + KCI. In Cd/sup 2+/ accumulation experiments Cd/sup 2+/ transport into the plant by ABA was not affected, but the accumulation of Cd/sup 2+/ into the roots was elevated to 13% when compared with the control. Cd/sup 2+/ transport into the root was markedly inhibited to 60% by KCl. Therefore, it could be concluded that ABA did not reduce the toxicities of Cd/sup 2+/, but enhanced Cd/sup 2+/ - induced toxicities and KCl showed no effect on Cd/sup 2+/ - induced toxicities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.38 no.12
• /
• pp.1724-1731
• /
• 2009

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of phyto-extract fermented mixture (MP119) on the male sexual functions. The MP119 was evaluated for anti-impotency and anti-hypertensive effects via ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) or PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibition assay. $IC_{50}$ values of MP119 against ACE and PDE were 241.3${\pm}$35.5 ppm and 372.2${\pm}$33.8 ppm, respectively. To investigate the effect of testosterone expression by MP119, we performed cell media test using mouse Leydig-derived TM3 cells. Production of testosterone in TM3 cell was increased by MP119. Also, NO (nitric oxide) production of HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cell) was increased when MP119 was added to the cultures. Forty male ICR mice were divided into 4 groups. MP119 was orally intubated for 7 days to group 1 and 3, and same volume of vehicle to group 2 and 4 as controls. After that, group 3 and 4 were intraperitoneally injected cadmium chloride at a single dose of 2 mg/kg. On the 8th experimental day, weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle, number of sperm, concentrations of serum testosterone and cGMP were determined. The number of sperm, the concentrations of testosterone and cGMP were significantly increased in two experimental groups (group 1, 3). These results suggest that MP119 enhanced the sexual function of male mice, and could protect the sexual organs from the cadmium chloride as one of the endocrine disrupters.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.303-308
• /
• 2002

3-weeks old Commelina was transferred to and grown in Hoagland solution ($\pm$ 100 $\mu{M}$ $Cd^{2+}$, 100 $\mu{M}$ $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ 100$\mu{M}$ $Ca^{2+}$, 100 $\mu{M}$ $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ 200 $\mu{M}$ EGTA) for two weeks and then a number of physiological activities was investigated. $Cd^{2+}$ reduced total chlorophyll content up to 29% at a week and 75% at two weeks. In the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ $Ca^{2+}$, the total chlorophyll content was reduced to 29% at a week and 80% at two weeks. $Cd^{2+}$ reduced 24% of Fv/Fm after two weeks. In case of $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ $Ca^{2+}$, Fv/Fm was reduced 55% at a week, but after two weeks, the plants were almost dead and Fv/Fm could not be measured. When EGTA was treated with $Cd^{2+}$, the value of Fv/Fm was not affected. There were no differences of water potential between the control and the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$+EGTA toy a week, but in other treatments. water potential was reduced. $Cd^{2+}$ reduced about 21% of water potential and $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ $Ca^{2+}$ reduced 43% of water potential after two weeks. $Cd^{2+}$ inhibited 21% of photosynthetic activity at a week and 32% at two weeks. In case of photosynthetic activity, $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ $Ca^{2+}$ inhibited 58% at a week and 73% at two weeks. $Cd^{2+}$+EGTA inhibited 15% of photosynthetic activity at a week and 21% at two weeks. Similar results were found in stomatal conductance. From the above results, it was observed that the treatment of $Ca^{2+}$ with $Cd^{2+}$ induced more reduction of a series of physiological responses than those of the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$ alone. Therefore, it could be concluded that $Ca^{2+}$ did not reduce the toxicity of $Cd^{2+}$, but enhanced $Cd^{2+}$ -induced physiological toxicities, but EGTA induced an decrease of $Cd^{2+}$ -induced physiological toxicities.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.31-35
• /
• 2019

Andong-dam was built up in 1967 and it is one of the biggest dams in Korea. Previous studies showed that the sediments are highly contaminated with heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Many research projects are going on to find out the source of the contamination, to evaluate the toxicities to ecosystem, to estimate the volume of sediment to be treated and to find out a good remediation method. Reports show that the sediment is highly contaminated and the main contamination source is supposed to be abandoned mines and a zinc refinery located upper stream of the river. A magnetic separation has been tested as a treatment method for the dredged sediment. Lab scale test showed that the magnetically captured portion is about 10% in weight but the contamination of heavy metal is much higher than the contamination of the passed portion. This indicates that a magnetic separation could be applied for the purpose of reduction of sediment to be treated and for increasing the volume of low toxic sediments which can be dumped as general waste. A magnetic separation using a HGMS has been tested for the sediment with variable magnetic field and the results showed the higher magnetic field increase the captured portion but the concentrating effect of heavy metal was weakened. Further study is needed to establish a useful technology and optimization between decontamination and reduction of sediment volume.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.43 no.7
• /
• pp.980-988
• /
• 2014

Seungmagalgeuntang (SG) is broadly used in traditional Oriental medicine especially in Korea, China, and Japan, for its many pharmacological effects. This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anticytotoxic activities of SG and fermented seungmagalgeuntang (FSG). DPPH radical scavenging activities of SG and FSG were 70% and 74%, respectively, which increased slightly by fermentation. Nitrite scavenging activities were strongly altered at pH 1.2, (36.4% in SG and 38.3% in FSG) by addition of $200{\mu}g/g$. Superoxide dismutase-like activities were from 21.5% to 23.3% at a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL, and the highest value were observed in FSG. Total flavonoid contents of SG and FSG were 47.1 and $52.1{\mu}g/L$, respectively which shows an increase upon fermentation. In the antimicrobial activity test, $MIC_{50}$ values of SG and FSG were $800{\mu}g/mL$ for Candida albicans and 3,200 and $1,600{\mu}g/mL$ for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Antibacterial effects were higher in FSG compared to SG. Anticytotoxic cadmium toxicities ranged from 63.5% to 76.1% at $10{\mu}g/mL$ of SG and FSG, and the highest value was observed in FSG. In the sensory evaluation, color, flavor, and overall preference values were higher in FSG.