• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.349-362
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• 2018

An annual plant, Eclipta prostrata (Linn) is a member of the Asteraceae plant family and inhabited in tropical or subtropical regions of the world. Through many previous researches, E. prostrata has been extensively studied for its hepatoprotective effect, antivenom potential against viper venom, antioxidant, hair-growth, wound-healing efficacy and so on. In this study, for better understanding of the potential of E. prostrata as skin protectant, we conducted the experiments evaluating the antioxidant and antiaging efficacy. To this end, 50% ethanolic extract of E. prostrata and its ethyl acetate fraction were prepared and investigated. For the evaluation of antioxidant capacity of the samples, $FSC_{50}$ and $OSC_{50}$ were estimated. As a result, $OSC_{50}$ of ethyl acetate fraction was 2.7 times superior to $OSC_{50}$ of L-ascorbic acid, a well known antioxidant agent. Futhermore E. prostrata showed notable reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effect and protective effect against $H_2O_2$ in the celluar level as well. Especially, in the $^1O_2$ induced hemolysis test, $64{\mu}g/mL$ of ethyl acetate fraction showed greater than 6 times increased retardation effect compare to control which means E. prostrata has remarkable antioxidant capacity. To validate the antiaging effect of the samples, we conducted elastase inhibition assay using elastase solution extracted from human skin fibroblasts, Hs68. As a result, $16{\mu}g/mL$ of each sample showed 6.8% and 14.0% of elastase inhibition respectively. Finally, antimicrobial activity of E. prostrata was assessed to validate the possibility as alternative preservative. From the result, ethyl acetate fraction showed oustanding antimicrobial activity as of methyl paraben, a well known chemical preservative. In conclusion, these results suggest that E. prostrata can be used as natural skin protectant or preservative as natural ingredient in food or cosmetics industry.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.361-366
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• 2014

In this study, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts, with their countries of origin as Korea (Jecheon), Uzbekistan and China, were prepared under various extraction conditions. There were 8 extraction conditions which the licorice were subjected to, and all conditions had different extraction solvents, temperatures and times. Antimicrobial activity on skin flora was evaluated comparatively by a disc diffusion assay, broth macrodilution assay, and kill time curve assay. Based on the antimicrobial activity of their extract confirmed by disc diffusion assay, we established optimal extraction conditions. The Korean licorice extract (85% ethanol, $40^{\circ}C$, 12 h) showed the best activity amongst the samples examined. In particular, its antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes was the highest. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the licorice extracts revealed that the Korean licorice ($156{\mu}g/ml$ and $1,250{\mu}g/ml$) had better antimicrobial activity than that of the Uzbekistani licorice ($625{\mu}g/ml$ and $2,500{\mu}g/ml$) and the Chinese licorice ($625{\mu}g/ml$ and $5,000{\mu}g/ml$). Taken together, it was shown that Korean licorice extracted in group F (85% ethanol, $40^{\circ}C$, 12 h) had the highest antimicrobial activity amongst the licorices from the other countries of origin. These results also suggest that the optimal extraction conditions are 85% ethanol, $40^{\circ}C$, 12 h, and that licorice has a potential application as a natural preservative in cosmetics products, thereby replacing synthetic preservatives.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1164-1168
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• 2015

Previous research showed that chlorphenesin galactoside (CPN-Gal), a preservative in cosmetics, was safer than CPN against human skin cells [9]. To establish a stable and long-term process for CPN-Gal production, we investigated the repeated-batch process. In this process, β-gal-producing recombinant Escherichia coli cells were immobilized in calcium alginate beads, and CPN was converted to CPN-Gal by the transgalactosylation reaction. The process was conducted in a 300 ml flask, which contained E. coli cell-immobilized alginate beads, 33.8 mM of CPN, and 400 g/l of lactose. The pH and temperature were 7.0 and 40℃, respectively. During the repeated-batch operation, four consecutive batch operations were conducted successfully until 192 hr. The conversion yield of CPN to CPN-Gal was 64% during 192 hr, which was higher than the values in previous reports [3, 13]. Thereafter, however, the conversion yield gradually decreased until the operation was finished at 336 hr. Western blotting of immobilized E. coli cells revealed that β-gal gradually decreased after 192 hr. In addition, alginate beads were cracked when the operation was finished. It is probable that, including this loss of E. coli cells by cracks, deactivation, and product inhibition of E. coli β-gal might lead to a gradual decrease in the production of CPN-Gal after 192 hr. However, as the purification of β-gal is not necessary with β-gal-producing recombinant E. coli cells, β-gal-producing E. coli cells might be a practical and cost-effective approach for enzymatically synthesizing CPN-Gal. It is expected that this process will be extended to long-term production process of CPN-Gal for commercialization.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2017

Essential oil from herb is known to exert pharmacological effects on the human body. In this study we investigated the antibacterial activity of 4 essential oils (teetree, rosemary, melisa, and lavender), as well as the blended mixture oil of teetree, rosemary, and melisa (TRM) on three bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibacterial analysis was performed using the standard disk diffusion method, and minimum inhibition concentration was determined by the broth microdilution method with different concentrations of essential oils (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mg/mL). After incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 h, the antibacterial activity was assessed by measuring the zone of growth inhibition surrounding the disks. Herb oil with the inhibition zones showed varied values ranging from6 to 25 mm. However, the components of herb oil of TRM are as highly active as the teetree oil against pathogens, generating large inhibition zones for both gram negative and positive bacteria (13~22 mm and 8 mm inhibition zones). In the analysis for MIC, TRM showed growth-inhibitory effects at 0.0625% for S. aureus and E. coli, and 1.25% for P. aeruginosa. This result demonstrated that the anti-microbial activity of TRM was greater than a single herb oil, including oxacillin, rosemary, and teetrea. As a single herb oil, both rosemary and teetrea also had an anti-microbial effect by itself, and we can expect that the blended oil mixture may exert a synergistic effect against multidrug resistant bacteria, suggesting its future application in natural preservative agents for health food and cosmetics.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.593-599
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• 2014

This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant potentials of some available plants to source alternate antioxidants and antibiotics. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by determining the antioxidant activity reducing powers and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities of extracts from some local edible native plants. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extracts was found to have been 0.41-94.84%. The Elsholtziasplendens NAKAI extract ($85^{\circ}C$, ethanol, accelerated solvent extraction) showed the highest level of antioxidant activity. Eight samples of plant extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against three microflora (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans) using disc diffusion assay. Two samples (Geranium krameri FR. Et SAV. and Cleyera japonica Thunb.) had much more intensive antimicrobial activities than the control. However, their DPPH free radical scavenging activity levels were only 14.50 and 13.85, respectively. It is suggested that they could be used as natural preservatives against bacterial contamination in cosmetics and foods, in place of the common synthetic preservatives currently used.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.755-761
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• 2019

Kojic acid (KA) is produced by Aspergillus oryzae-sort of like mushrooms, which is commonly called as koji in Japan. KA is used as a chelation agent and a preservative preventing oxidative browning of fruits. KA also shows antibacterial and antifungal properties. Because KA stops the production of melanin by inhibiting tyrosinase in the biosynthetic pathway from tyrosine to melanin in skin, it has been applied as a skin lightening ingredient in cosmetics. Since some animal studies have shown that high amounts of KA had side effects such as in liver, kidney, reproductive, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, brain, and nervous system, more efficient KA derivatives are needed to be developed in order to safely apply as a skin lightening ingredient. A series of KA derivatives via conjugated with triazole by click reaction were synthesized and their in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory activities were evaluated. Most of all KA derivatives have shown in moderate tyrosinase inhibitory activities. In case of KA-hybrid compound, 1~3 have shown tyrosinase inhibitory activities about 50~10,000 times more effective tyrosinase inhibitor compared to KA itself. Specifically, the $IC_{50}$ value of KA-hybrid compound, 2 was $0.0044{\pm}0.74{\mu}M$ against tyrosinase. It is about 10,000 times more effective tyrosinase inhibitor compared to KA itself ($IC_{50}=45.2{\pm}4.6{\mu}M$).

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2021

In this study, we analyzed the cosmetic applicability of extract from snow tea, native to Lijiang, Yunnan-province, China. After confirming the species as N. grossedentata through DNA analysis of Lijiang snow tea, experiments were conducted using representative tea, green tea, and a representative control group for each efficacy analysis. Both teas were extracted using 70% (v/v) ethanol aqueous solution. The polyphenol content in the Lijiang snow tea extract (gallic acid equivalent, 23.9 ± 3.2 mg/mL) was higher than that in green tea extract (16.4 ± 2.3 mg/mL). In contrast, the antioxidant (Radical scavenging, IC₅₀ 104 ㎍/mL), tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory (whitening agent, IC₅₀ 40.7 ㎍/mL), and Escherichia coli growth inhibitory (preservative) activities (IC₅₀ 2.85 mg/mL) were analyzed based on the solid content in the extract, and it was confirmed that the activities of Lijiang snow tea extract were superior to those of green tea extract (radical scavenging, IC₅₀ 234 ㎍/mL. It also showed similar efficacy to previously used active substances such as antioxidants (vitamin C, IC₅₀ 108 ㎍/mL), whitening agents (vitamin C, IC₅₀ 80㎍/mL), and preservatives (methylparaben, IC₅₀ 4.35 mg/mL). However, green tea was found to be better in collagenase inhibition activity (anti-wrinkle). Through this study, the cosmetic application potential of Lijiang snow tea is high.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.394-401
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• 2022

The synthesis of 1,2-alkylaminopropanediols (1,2-AAPs) was designed to improve the hydrophilicity of linear 1,2-alkanediols having 10, 12, 14, and 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. 1,2-AAPs were synthesized by reacting 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) with linear alkylamines having 10, 12, 14 or 16 carbon atoms in an ethanol solvent at 40℃ for 2 h. The yield and purity of four types of 1,2-AAPs synthesized were found to be in the range of 51-58% and 85-99%, respectively. The amine salts of four types of 1,2-AAPs were prepared from a purified paste or solid compound by adding an acidic solution (HCl) to pH 7, and then their solubilities and antibacterial effects were tested. 1,2-decylaminopropanediol, 1,2-dodecylaminopropanediol, and 1,2-tetradecylaminopropanediol were all dissolved in water at concentrations of 100%, 50%, and 0.1%, respectively, however 1,2-hexadecylaminopropanediol was not. The antibacterial effect was improved as the length of the alkyl chain increased. As a result of confirming the preservative effect of the lotion (cosmetic formulation) applied with 1,2-AAP for application, it showed very strong antibacterial activity at low concentrations ranging from 0.005% to 0.2%.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2023

Background: Paraben is a widely used substance with a preservative effect found in various materials such as food, medicine, personal care products, and cosmetics. Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the level of urinary paraben concentrations (i.e., methyl-, ethyl-, and propyl-) among Korean adults and to explore the factors related with the exposure levels. Methods: We analyzed the third period (2015~2017) of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS). R statistical software (version 4.1.1) was used to estimate representative values for the whole population with weight variables to reflect sampling design. Whether urinary concentrations tended to increase as the level of paraben exposure-related characteristics increased was tested and P_trend was calculated using general linear models. Results: Urinary concentrations of all three parabens (i.e., methyl-, ethyl- and propyl-) were higher in women than in men (P_trend<0.0001, 0.008, and <0.0001), and the values of methylparaben and propylparaben tended to increase as the age of subjects increased (P_trend<0.0001, and <0.0001). Urinary concentrations of methylparaben and propylparaben were associated with intensity of exercise (P_trend<0.001, and 0.004), and that of propylparaben was higher in non-smokers (P_trend=0.01). In terms of paraben exposure-related variables, urinary concentrations of parabens (i.e., methyl-, ethyl- and propyl-) increased as the daily average frequency of teeth-brushing (P_trend<0.0001, 0.03 and 0.0001), the frequency of use of hair products (P_trend=0.005, 0.05 and 0.04), the frequency of use of makeup products (P_trend<0.001, 0.001 and <0.001), and the frequency of use of antibacterial products (P_trend=0.005, 0.02 and 0.02) increased. Conclusions: In our study, urinary concentrations of all three parabens are associated with gender, teethbrushing, hair products, make-up products, and antibacterial products. Methyl- and proyl-parabens were associated with age and intensity of exercise, and propyl-paraben was associated with smoking.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2021

This study was attempted to investigate natural materials with antimicrobial activity and to apply as natural preservatives in cosmetics. The disc diffusion method was used to search for nine species of natural antibacterial material for three species of skin pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Candida albicans. As a result of measuring the size of inhibition zone, Rhus Semialata gall (Gallnut) extract, Oak vinegar, and ε-polylysine were showed strongest antibacterial activities (> 10 mm). The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of gallnut and oak vinegar ranged from 10 to 20 mg/mL and from 20 to 40 mg/mL against five human skin pathogens. The MBC of ε-polylysine ranged from 0.5 to 2 mg/mL in fungus. The synergic effect of gallnut extract/oak vinegar mixture and gallnut extract/ε-polylysine mixture were evaluated by checkerboard test. Compared to when used alone, the MBC of gallnut extract/oak vinegar mixture were at 4 times lower concentration against E. coli, C. albicans, and A. brasiliensis. Also Furthermore, the MBC of gallnut extract/ε-polylysine mixture were at 4 times lower concentration against C. albicans and A. brasiliensis. It was confirmed that the combination of gallnut extract with oak vinegar or ε-polylysine resulted in synergistic antibacterial effect against three human skin pathogens. Thus, it is expected that gallnut extract and natural product mixture can not only demonstrate antibacterial synergies, but also be applied in cosmetics as a natural preservative system with a wide antibacterial spectrum.